THERE IS A GEMORAH IN YEVOMOS THAT STATES THAT WHEN MOSHIACH WILL COME
THAT G-D WILL ASK AVROHOM AND YAKOV WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE SINNERS AMONGST THEIR CHILDREN. THEY WILL BOTH RESPOND THAT LAT THEM BE ERASED FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR HOLY NAME!
TO WHICH G-D WILL RESPOND THAT NEITHER THE SAGE OR THE YOUTH COMPREHEND THE ISSUE. YITZCHOK WILL THEN COME ALONG AND TAKE AN ACCOUNTING OF ALL OF THE YEARS OF MEN. HE WILL DETERMINE THAT THE SUM TOTAL OF A SINNER'S ENTIRE LIFE TO BE INSIGNIFICANT WITH THE NUMBER OF YEARS THAT A PERSON LIVES.
IN THAT CASE SAYS YITZCHOK TO G-D , LET US BOTH HANDLE THE SINNING DAYS OF THESE UNFORTUNATES SO THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE THE WORLD TO COME.
NOW THIS IS STRANGE FOR WASN'T IT AVROHOM WHO PRAYED ON BEHALF OF THE SODOMITES? FURTHERMORE , WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE HOW MUCH TIME A PERSON SINS, WHAT COUNTS ARE THE QUALITIES OF THOSE SINS AT THE RAMBAM WRITES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LAWS OF TESHUVAH-IT'S NOT THE QUANTITY BUT THE VALUE OF EACH MITZVAH AND SIN?
SO , IF THAT IS THE CASE WHAT DIFFERENCE IS IT HOW LONG A PERSON COULD POSSIBLY SIN IN HIS /HER LIFETIME?THE ANSWER LIES IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF YITZCHOK. FROM HIS VANTAGE POINT SIN AND MERIT HAVE NO EFFECT UPON G-D.
THE ONLY THING IS THAT FOR MAN TO BE DESERVING OF G-D'S BLESSINGS , HE HAD TO EARN HIS REWARDS. IN THAT CASE A HUMAN BEING IS JUDGED WORTHY OR UNWORTHY BECAUSE HE MUST EARN THE WORLD TO COME. YITZCHOK'S INTERVENTION IS THAT EVERY ONE OF HIS CHILDREN HAS "EARNED" HIS PARADISE THROUGH THE SELF-SCRIFICE OF YITZCHOK . IN OTHER WORDS, YITZCHOK IS SAYING THAT ALL HIS CHILDREN ARE ONLY AN EXTENSION OF HIMSELF.
THE QUESTION IS , WHY IS IT ONLY YITZCHOK THAT CAN SAY THIS ? WHY NOT AVROHOM
OR YAKOV?
THE ANSWER LIES IN THE FACT THAT UNLIKE AVROHOM, YITZCHOK TRIED TO BLESS HIS WICKED SON! WHY DOES YITZCHOK WISH TO BLESS ESAU?THE ANSWER IS BECAUSE YITZCHOK WAS A VISIONARY WHO SAW THE POTENTIAL OF EVERYTHING AND OF EVERYONE.HE SAW ESAU'S AWESOME POTENTIAL. THAT IS WHY HE TYRIED TO BLESS ESAU.SINCE HIS BLESSING WOULD CREATE GREATER SPIRITUAL AWARENESS WITHIN ESAU . THIS HE RECKONED WOULD TRIGGER A CHANGE OF HEARTY WITHIN ESAU.
YAKOV , HOWEVER , WAS THE REALIST. HE SAW THE POTENTIAL AS WELL AS WHAT COULD BE REASONABLY EXPECTED FROM ESAU.
IN OTHER WORDS, YITZCHOK IS THE VISIONARY, THE IDEALIST. YAKOV IS THE PRAGMATIC REALIST.
FOR THIS REASON YITZCHOK COULD SEE THE GOOD EVEN WITHIN THE SINNERS. WHEREAS , YAKOV SAW WHAT COULD BE EXPECTED. FROM ESAU= VERY LITTLE!
THAT IS WHY YAKOV HAD NO COMPUNCTION ABOUT TAKING THE BLESSINGS FROM ESAU. FOR ESAU WOULD CARE LITTLE ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS. ALL HE WANTED WAS TO BE MATERIALLY SUCCESSFUL. IF THE BLESSINGS COULD WORK
AND CHANGE ESAU, YAKOV WAS ALL FOR THAT. HOWEVER, THE REALITY WASN'T THAT.
IN THE SAME VEIN YITZCHOK SEES THE POTENTIAL OF EVERYONE OF ISRAEL TO HAVE SELF-SACRIFICE FOR THE SAKE OF G-D. THAT IS WHY HE STANDS UP FOR ALL OF US. YAKOV ON THE OTHER HAND CANNOT SEE HOW A LONG-TIME SINNER WOULD HAVE ANY SELF-SACRIFICE.
IN THIS YAKOV SHORTCHANGED HIS CHILDREN. YES, WE HAVE SINNED.
HOWEVER, AT ANY MOMENT EVERYONE OF US IS READY TO SACRIFICE ONESELF FOR THE GOOD OF G-D, ISRAEL AND THE TORAH!
WHY CAN YITZCHOK SEE FARTHER THAN YAKOV? STAY TUNED!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Friday, November 2, 2007
Abraham the father of the east
Our father Avraham had 7 (or8) other children outside of Yitzchak .In fact the Torah says that Avraham got married once again and fathered another 6 sons. Each of the sons started another
nation. The question is Avrohom was 137 years old then ,what was the purpose of getting married again.
At that age Yitzchak doesn't remarry. Neither does Yakov. Why Avrohom?
Avrohom by nature was different from his offspring. Avrohom felt that he could and therefore should endeavor to influence the world. He saw however, that men like E-liezer, as well meaning as they might be lacked the courage and conviction to influence others.
Therefore the motive for Avrohom's remarriage wasn't to be taken care of. For that he trusted that Yitchak or even Yishmoel would respect their father.It was in order to change the idolatrous practices of the peoples of the near east that Avrohom was worried about.
This seems to also be the secret as to why Avrohom sent his sons away to the East . He gave them gifts. What kind of gifts did he give them? Rashi says a Shem Tumah!?
Now if this means that he gave them the power of impurity,how could a man that had battled impurity all of his life give them this impure power to use and succeed with?
The answer is simple ;He gave them the power to overcome the evil ways of the peoples of the east. In this way Avrohom made the world a better place, one that in the future would embrace the true unity of G-D!
nation. The question is Avrohom was 137 years old then ,what was the purpose of getting married again.
At that age Yitzchak doesn't remarry. Neither does Yakov. Why Avrohom?
Avrohom by nature was different from his offspring. Avrohom felt that he could and therefore should endeavor to influence the world. He saw however, that men like E-liezer, as well meaning as they might be lacked the courage and conviction to influence others.
Therefore the motive for Avrohom's remarriage wasn't to be taken care of. For that he trusted that Yitchak or even Yishmoel would respect their father.It was in order to change the idolatrous practices of the peoples of the near east that Avrohom was worried about.
This seems to also be the secret as to why Avrohom sent his sons away to the East . He gave them gifts. What kind of gifts did he give them? Rashi says a Shem Tumah!?
Now if this means that he gave them the power of impurity,how could a man that had battled impurity all of his life give them this impure power to use and succeed with?
The answer is simple ;He gave them the power to overcome the evil ways of the peoples of the east. In this way Avrohom made the world a better place, one that in the future would embrace the true unity of G-D!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Camels anyone?
Oftentimes a Rabbi is asked a question that the disputant knows is outside the Rabbi's expertise. I had a friend who liked testing my faith, so on occasions he would mail me anti-Torah articles ,especially from the Biblical Archeology Review.
In one particular issue the writer stated emphatically that the story of Rebbecca at the well had
been authored by someone recalling the story at a later time. this is called an anachronism.
The reason is that according to Biblical Archaeology there had been no records of transaction of camels at the time of Abraham. Hence the Biblical writer imputed the details based upon his imagination.
Of course , for a believing Jew this approach of an anonymous author is not acceptable. However, what could a Rabbi unversed in archaeology say? I don't know, perhaps later there will be other discoveries!
Amongst my favorite writers is Philip Biberfeld , author of the series, Universal Jewish History.
In his writings about the ancient world , almost as an aside he tells us that in the excavations of the ancient city called Ugarit, they discovered tablets recording sales of various items including camels!This city was contemporaneous with Abraham.
The fact that only one of the great cities of that period had camels to sell actually teach us a marvelous insight into the story.
Up until this question the whole issue of having to send 10 camels to bring back the bride seems unnecessary.After all Abraham himself used a donkey.
However, when the Torah tells us that Abraham sent Eliezer with all the good of his master with him,it means that Abraham had given a deed of all of his possessions to Yitzchak on the condition that he marry the girl that Abraham wanted. This was given in order to show the prospective parents that Yitzchak would be exceptionally wealthy and the girl well cared for.
Now,even if he sent such a deed how would the family truly believe that this was a glick match-made in heaven? After all Abraham lived many miles away and no one in Haran had seen him for years. How would they know that Abraham was telling the truth about his wealth?
Camels-they were exceedingly rare ,remember? Only the real wealthy could afford one camel.
In that case, appearing at the well with 10 camels would have made the same splash as appearing with 10 stretch limos!
No wonder Lavan,Rebbecca"s brother, came running to see the man!Understood now, is the agreement to immediately send Rebbecca to a strange land after a brief meeting with Abraham's chief of staff.
It was the camels who sealed the deal!The question opens up a new dimension of insight!
In one particular issue the writer stated emphatically that the story of Rebbecca at the well had
been authored by someone recalling the story at a later time. this is called an anachronism.
The reason is that according to Biblical Archaeology there had been no records of transaction of camels at the time of Abraham. Hence the Biblical writer imputed the details based upon his imagination.
Of course , for a believing Jew this approach of an anonymous author is not acceptable. However, what could a Rabbi unversed in archaeology say? I don't know, perhaps later there will be other discoveries!
Amongst my favorite writers is Philip Biberfeld , author of the series, Universal Jewish History.
In his writings about the ancient world , almost as an aside he tells us that in the excavations of the ancient city called Ugarit, they discovered tablets recording sales of various items including camels!This city was contemporaneous with Abraham.
The fact that only one of the great cities of that period had camels to sell actually teach us a marvelous insight into the story.
Up until this question the whole issue of having to send 10 camels to bring back the bride seems unnecessary.After all Abraham himself used a donkey.
However, when the Torah tells us that Abraham sent Eliezer with all the good of his master with him,it means that Abraham had given a deed of all of his possessions to Yitzchak on the condition that he marry the girl that Abraham wanted. This was given in order to show the prospective parents that Yitzchak would be exceptionally wealthy and the girl well cared for.
Now,even if he sent such a deed how would the family truly believe that this was a glick match-made in heaven? After all Abraham lived many miles away and no one in Haran had seen him for years. How would they know that Abraham was telling the truth about his wealth?
Camels-they were exceedingly rare ,remember? Only the real wealthy could afford one camel.
In that case, appearing at the well with 10 camels would have made the same splash as appearing with 10 stretch limos!
No wonder Lavan,Rebbecca"s brother, came running to see the man!Understood now, is the agreement to immediately send Rebbecca to a strange land after a brief meeting with Abraham's chief of staff.
It was the camels who sealed the deal!The question opens up a new dimension of insight!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Titled Property
The only titled properties whose ownership was declared by the Torah to be in the legal possession of Israel even before the conquest by Yehoshua are Hebron And Shechem, called Nablus by Arabs.
These properties are the focus of attention this week again as secular Israeli authorities deny Jews the rights to their ancient homes.
What can we learn from a sale that took place about 3700 years ago?
While the deniers will turn a blind eye they can never succeed . In the end,just as the land has returned in large part to the Children of Israel despite the world's best efforts to deny our access to it. So too, the Holy Places will never be permanently in the hands of our enemies. For G-D's word is eternal.
The only thing is that when Jews give over Sacred Lands to Arabs, they frustrate the angels who clamor for all Jews' return to Israel. They are told ,see even they don't want this Divine Gift,so give it to others who appreciate it!
The gentiles know the score. The return of Israel to their Holy Places puts to lie their claims as having supplanted Israel. This foolishness plays into their evil hands.
These properties are the focus of attention this week again as secular Israeli authorities deny Jews the rights to their ancient homes.
What can we learn from a sale that took place about 3700 years ago?
While the deniers will turn a blind eye they can never succeed . In the end,just as the land has returned in large part to the Children of Israel despite the world's best efforts to deny our access to it. So too, the Holy Places will never be permanently in the hands of our enemies. For G-D's word is eternal.
The only thing is that when Jews give over Sacred Lands to Arabs, they frustrate the angels who clamor for all Jews' return to Israel. They are told ,see even they don't want this Divine Gift,so give it to others who appreciate it!
The gentiles know the score. The return of Israel to their Holy Places puts to lie their claims as having supplanted Israel. This foolishness plays into their evil hands.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Killing children
There are special prohibitions against the elements of idolatry which hint at excessive cruelty.
they include cooking meat with milk and the Moloch initiation of passing the child through fire. In each case there is no overt cruelty, just the hint that the worshiper is ready to cook the child even in its' mother's milk for the Glory of his G-D. The same is true of the Moloch which indicates the readiness to put one's children to the fire if necessary for the greater glory of the g-ds.
In that case why is there so much stress given upon the test of the binding and potential sacrifice of Isaac, which promotes cruelty? Why make this the centerpiece of Jewish pride and merit?
the answer lies not in the deed but in the person Avrohom, who saw the good in everyone and tried to please them so that they should thank G-D. Such a person loves all and loves life and its' blessings.
Avrohom cared for the best and the worst of humanity. That's why he is seen hosting strangers with all the love and the warmth you show your closest kin. Then he challenges G-D on the morality of destroying the first sin-city-Sodom.Through all of his difficult trials,Avrohom remains upbeat ,positive and caring for all.
Such a person cannot express any cruelty nor can he imagine thinking inflicting pain
When a man of this temperment is asked to make a sacrifice of his only son , it isn't just a sacrifice of one's beloved . It's doing something that is anathema to him for any person. How much more so
his only beloved son! There couldn't be a more disgusting and vile act than this for Avrohom.
Yet Avrohom overcomed any feeling of sensitivity in order to fulfill G-D's will. There is no thought of pain or remorse ,there is only the will of G-D as inexplicable as it may be..
This is what made Avrohom's test so unique.
Whenever you go outside your natural inclinations for a higher goal you are acting as Avrohom did then. It's easy to show love to those you like. It's easy to be angry with those who disagree with you.
It's hard to overcome your anger and be kind to your enemy. It's hard to discipline a child you love.
Because it goes against your natural instinct.
That's what makes these acts special. When you say no to your natural tendencies you are like
Avrohom on Molunt Moriah.So the next time you have to bite your tongue - remember Avrohom!
they include cooking meat with milk and the Moloch initiation of passing the child through fire. In each case there is no overt cruelty, just the hint that the worshiper is ready to cook the child even in its' mother's milk for the Glory of his G-D. The same is true of the Moloch which indicates the readiness to put one's children to the fire if necessary for the greater glory of the g-ds.
In that case why is there so much stress given upon the test of the binding and potential sacrifice of Isaac, which promotes cruelty? Why make this the centerpiece of Jewish pride and merit?
the answer lies not in the deed but in the person Avrohom, who saw the good in everyone and tried to please them so that they should thank G-D. Such a person loves all and loves life and its' blessings.
Avrohom cared for the best and the worst of humanity. That's why he is seen hosting strangers with all the love and the warmth you show your closest kin. Then he challenges G-D on the morality of destroying the first sin-city-Sodom.Through all of his difficult trials,Avrohom remains upbeat ,positive and caring for all.
Such a person cannot express any cruelty nor can he imagine thinking inflicting pain
When a man of this temperment is asked to make a sacrifice of his only son , it isn't just a sacrifice of one's beloved . It's doing something that is anathema to him for any person. How much more so
his only beloved son! There couldn't be a more disgusting and vile act than this for Avrohom.
Yet Avrohom overcomed any feeling of sensitivity in order to fulfill G-D's will. There is no thought of pain or remorse ,there is only the will of G-D as inexplicable as it may be..
This is what made Avrohom's test so unique.
Whenever you go outside your natural inclinations for a higher goal you are acting as Avrohom did then. It's easy to show love to those you like. It's easy to be angry with those who disagree with you.
It's hard to overcome your anger and be kind to your enemy. It's hard to discipline a child you love.
Because it goes against your natural instinct.
That's what makes these acts special. When you say no to your natural tendencies you are like
Avrohom on Molunt Moriah.So the next time you have to bite your tongue - remember Avrohom!
Friday, October 19, 2007
dirty money
There is a story about a person wishing to give money to a yeshiva but the Rosh Yeshivah refused saying that he sensed that this was tainted money. It turned out that the potential donor confessed that he had stolen the stipend of the Vilner Gaon who said nothing about his lack of funds.
Since this money was gotten through the pain of another it could not be used for Tzedakkah.
In a similar vein our father Avrohom refused the payment for his fighting for the people of Sodom even though he had previously taken payment from Pharaoh
and later Avimelech for having embarrassed his wife, Sarah.Why take from one king and not a penny from another?
The ultimate answer is that the people of Sodom were unusually cruel and sadistic.
Most of their wealth was gotten through others' misfortune and the King was the worst perpetrator of that sadistic behavior. Accordingly Avrohom felt that the King's money was tainted with the suffering of others and he refused to take any benefit from such wealth.
In fact the wealth of Sodom had to be totally destroyed. For even Lot who was saved
could not take anything of value with him and if he did ,the benefit would doom him with the city.
Perhaps this is one of the many reasons that the Rebbe Z.T.L. refused to have any of his institutions get money through Bingo. Many a paycheck has evaporated at the tables of addicted bingo players. The Rebbe would forgo the benefit if it meant that another human being had suffered in granting that dollar!
Since this money was gotten through the pain of another it could not be used for Tzedakkah.
In a similar vein our father Avrohom refused the payment for his fighting for the people of Sodom even though he had previously taken payment from Pharaoh
and later Avimelech for having embarrassed his wife, Sarah.Why take from one king and not a penny from another?
The ultimate answer is that the people of Sodom were unusually cruel and sadistic.
Most of their wealth was gotten through others' misfortune and the King was the worst perpetrator of that sadistic behavior. Accordingly Avrohom felt that the King's money was tainted with the suffering of others and he refused to take any benefit from such wealth.
In fact the wealth of Sodom had to be totally destroyed. For even Lot who was saved
could not take anything of value with him and if he did ,the benefit would doom him with the city.
Perhaps this is one of the many reasons that the Rebbe Z.T.L. refused to have any of his institutions get money through Bingo. Many a paycheck has evaporated at the tables of addicted bingo players. The Rebbe would forgo the benefit if it meant that another human being had suffered in granting that dollar!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Abie's Choice
The TORAH makes the following point. Lot was a no-goodnik even though he was Avrohom's nephew. His flocks were allowed to roam and eat the growth of subsistence farmers.Upon being rebuked Lot innocently asked,"why the fuss?" After all this land is filled with heathens whom Avrohom will inherit and I an his only heir! Therefore all of their land really belongs to me and i have only stolen from myself!
Avrohom controlled his fury at the insensitivity of his relative. They parted ways amicably.
As soon as Lot was gone G-D speaks once more to Avrohom;"Look around you , this whole land
will be your children's forever!"
The Rabbis comment,why does it say that after Lot separated from Avrohom G-D spoke to Avrohom? In order to underscore that as long as Avrohom had the wicked Lot in his midst , the Divine presence would not be revealed to Avrohom. This was due to the fact that Lot's very presence disturbed Avrohom's happiness and concentration so that Avrohom could not attain prophecy as long as Lot was there!
The simple conclusion seems to be don't harbor any wicked relatives so that you will receive G-D's presence!
I disagree! For we are after all speaking about a choice made by Avrohom who was fully aware that he would not be a vessel for G-D's glory as long as Lot was around. Yet Avrohom chose to have Lot stay even though it meant no prophecy. Therefore one must conclude from Avrohom's choice that it is more important to influence another to moderate his behavior for good things
than to speak to G-D all day!
Avrohom controlled his fury at the insensitivity of his relative. They parted ways amicably.
As soon as Lot was gone G-D speaks once more to Avrohom;"Look around you , this whole land
will be your children's forever!"
The Rabbis comment,why does it say that after Lot separated from Avrohom G-D spoke to Avrohom? In order to underscore that as long as Avrohom had the wicked Lot in his midst , the Divine presence would not be revealed to Avrohom. This was due to the fact that Lot's very presence disturbed Avrohom's happiness and concentration so that Avrohom could not attain prophecy as long as Lot was there!
The simple conclusion seems to be don't harbor any wicked relatives so that you will receive G-D's presence!
I disagree! For we are after all speaking about a choice made by Avrohom who was fully aware that he would not be a vessel for G-D's glory as long as Lot was around. Yet Avrohom chose to have Lot stay even though it meant no prophecy. Therefore one must conclude from Avrohom's choice that it is more important to influence another to moderate his behavior for good things
than to speak to G-D all day!
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