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.
Monday, October 29, 2007
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!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Go To Yourself!
G-D says to Avrohom "go to you". It's usually translated as go for your own benefit. However the classical mystical writers have it as going to his own soul. That means to say that until Avrohom entered the Promised Land he couldn't really be himself. For his essence is tied to the experiences that he will live through in the Holy Land .
How is it possible that one's very soul can be tied to a particular area? The answer lies in the concept of the Divine Sparks theory of life.
The Arizal postulated that every bit of existence has a Divine Energy enlivening it. Furthermore it is the destiny of each Spark to be elevated by the soul of a righteous person. In fact everyone has as his or her mission the elevation of certain Sparks of Holiness that are waiting for thousands of years to return to their Holy source. In doing so the individual not only fulfills his Divine Mission in coming to the world, he finds himself. For tied to his very essence are the sparks that he must elevate. Failure to do so means the continued exile of one's own soul powers.
So, by going into the Land that G-D had preordained for Avrohom's service, Avrohom was actually coming to himself. That is, finding out his true essence which is tied to the Sparks that he will elevate. For the sparks themselves are at the very core of his own spiritual essence.
We are connected to each other and to our portions of our world not just because we must fix the world-Tikkun Olam. Rather, by correcting the world we correct ourselves. By helping the world we truly learn and find out who we truly are.
How is it possible that one's very soul can be tied to a particular area? The answer lies in the concept of the Divine Sparks theory of life.
The Arizal postulated that every bit of existence has a Divine Energy enlivening it. Furthermore it is the destiny of each Spark to be elevated by the soul of a righteous person. In fact everyone has as his or her mission the elevation of certain Sparks of Holiness that are waiting for thousands of years to return to their Holy source. In doing so the individual not only fulfills his Divine Mission in coming to the world, he finds himself. For tied to his very essence are the sparks that he must elevate. Failure to do so means the continued exile of one's own soul powers.
So, by going into the Land that G-D had preordained for Avrohom's service, Avrohom was actually coming to himself. That is, finding out his true essence which is tied to the Sparks that he will elevate. For the sparks themselves are at the very core of his own spiritual essence.
We are connected to each other and to our portions of our world not just because we must fix the world-Tikkun Olam. Rather, by correcting the world we correct ourselves. By helping the world we truly learn and find out who we truly are.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
When weakness is strength
Avrohom challenged G-D not to destroy Sodom yet Noach feels no compunction as to what will happen to them . Yet after they are gone Noach misses the people . Avrohom on the other hand does everything he can to save them ,yet after they are destroyed to his dismay, he doesn't sulk.
Instead he builds a new Hotel for wayfarers.
Emotion is characterized as weakness by many . In truth emotion properly placed is a strength.
Having a stiff upper lip for the fate of others is a sickness, a character flaw. When toughness is
misused, the result is that the emotion unused to save becomes the slave of regret.
Emotion that is healthy knows when to hold on and when to let go.
Avrohom dared to be vulnerable in order to help someone . Therefore he was strong enough to move on because his conscience was clear. He used his weakness to save humanity.
This turned out to make him strong when he needed the strength to go on.
Noach was tough when he needed to be vulnerable, so he became weak when he needed to be strong!
Instead he builds a new Hotel for wayfarers.
Emotion is characterized as weakness by many . In truth emotion properly placed is a strength.
Having a stiff upper lip for the fate of others is a sickness, a character flaw. When toughness is
misused, the result is that the emotion unused to save becomes the slave of regret.
Emotion that is healthy knows when to hold on and when to let go.
Avrohom dared to be vulnerable in order to help someone . Therefore he was strong enough to move on because his conscience was clear. He used his weakness to save humanity.
This turned out to make him strong when he needed the strength to go on.
Noach was tough when he needed to be vulnerable, so he became weak when he needed to be strong!
Noach an example?
Noach stands out as an enigmatic figure for us all. The Rabbis too, are divided on Noach's example.Some applaud him due to the level of the population of his times.
Others see weakness in his lack of concern over the fate of his generation.
For we find noprayers offered or any argument whatsoever over G-D's decision to do away with the world's populace.
Yet there is a softer side to Noach!
When Noach begins life anew, he plants a vineyard and proceeds to get drunk. Why is Noach drinking? Noach is lonely, he remembers the people, their life,their loves and he finds it hard to forget them . Here Noach is criticized for beginning his planting with a vineyard. He should have started something else.
Why ? You ask. The answer is simple yet profound . The role of a leader after a holocaust is to rebuild for the future and not languish in a past that is gone .
This was the greatness of Jewish leaders like the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe Z.T.L.
who built and tried to build even more right after the terrible destruction of Jewish life
in Europe.
Others see weakness in his lack of concern over the fate of his generation.
For we find noprayers offered or any argument whatsoever over G-D's decision to do away with the world's populace.
Yet there is a softer side to Noach!
When Noach begins life anew, he plants a vineyard and proceeds to get drunk. Why is Noach drinking? Noach is lonely, he remembers the people, their life,their loves and he finds it hard to forget them . Here Noach is criticized for beginning his planting with a vineyard. He should have started something else.
Why ? You ask. The answer is simple yet profound . The role of a leader after a holocaust is to rebuild for the future and not languish in a past that is gone .
This was the greatness of Jewish leaders like the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe Z.T.L.
who built and tried to build even more right after the terrible destruction of Jewish life
in Europe.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
game of gimatria
The Torah tells us that Yehuda's hands shall fight for him and be an assistance against his attackers.
This is strange! Of course a person being attacked will use whatever methods to defeat his enemy.
So why wouldn't Yehuda fight with his hands and why will they only be an Ezer?
The answer lies in gematria . Sometimes a person is confronted by an enemy much bigger than himself. In that case he would invariably lose.
However, a person's merits can change circumstances so that he can overcome a dangerous and sly foe.
The words in the Torah are Yodov Rav lo Ve-Ezer MiTzorove tiHiyeh.
The number equivalent for the word tzorov = 306
the word yodov =his works =30
add this to Ezer =277
together they = 307
thus a person who gives tzerdakah which is meant by his hands receives an ezer a help from above which is Rav Lo -it gives him more than Tzorov his enemy.
Thus by giving Tzedakkah one receives help from above that outweighs the power of one's enemies!
Chaim moshe
P.S. Don't forget to visit us tonite , tomorrow nite At 8:00 P.M.
and Friday 9:30 a.m. for services
2:00 P. M. for our annual simchas Torah BarBQ!
This is strange! Of course a person being attacked will use whatever methods to defeat his enemy.
So why wouldn't Yehuda fight with his hands and why will they only be an Ezer?
The answer lies in gematria . Sometimes a person is confronted by an enemy much bigger than himself. In that case he would invariably lose.
However, a person's merits can change circumstances so that he can overcome a dangerous and sly foe.
The words in the Torah are Yodov Rav lo Ve-Ezer MiTzorove tiHiyeh.
The number equivalent for the word tzorov = 306
the word yodov =his works =30
add this to Ezer =277
together they = 307
thus a person who gives tzerdakah which is meant by his hands receives an ezer a help from above which is Rav Lo -it gives him more than Tzorov his enemy.
Thus by giving Tzedakkah one receives help from above that outweighs the power of one's enemies!
Chaim moshe
P.S. Don't forget to visit us tonite , tomorrow nite At 8:00 P.M.
and Friday 9:30 a.m. for services
2:00 P. M. for our annual simchas Torah BarBQ!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Setting The Tone
Moshe's blessings begin with Reuven and go to Yehudah. Shimon is skipped altogether while Levi plays second fiddle to both. Even though Levi has a longer Blessing ,there seems to be something out of order here.
What Moshe sees is the need for each tribe to be happy within its own perimeters . When they try to obtain what isn't theirs there becomes chaos and tragedy.
In truth the greatest blessing is reserved for Yehudah who is the father of the Davidic Dynasty, hence the Messiah ,the ultimate Jew, the ultimate human being. Everyone else is the Messiah's
student or underling. However, by doing so there is danger of jealousy and collusion to destroy
the role of the Messiah.
First on the agenda is placating Reuven the first born of Israel. Let Reuven Live and not Die seems redundant until you realize that the basis of the opposition of Dathan and Avirum to Moshe was mostly from their view that the Reuvenites should be the leaders.
Therefore the Blessing is that Reuven live meaning- He shall enjoy his role as one of the Tribes and shall not die through the jealousy that has hounded and prevented his growth until now.
By letting go of fantasies that are unrealistic Reuven will flourish.
The next tribe to deal with is Moshe's own tribe -the Levites. In the future Moshe sees how usurping the role reserves for Yehudah will be tragic for both the Levite Kings and for Israel. The Hasmonean Kings were directly responsible for the Roman takeover and the subsequent destruction of the Second Holy Temple.
Hence Moshe tries to appease them by stressing the importance of the role that the Levites will play as the spiritual guides of the populace. Furthermore by announcing that usurpers of the Service that is designated for Levi will be punished serves as a hint that the same will hold true for the Levites that take over Yehudah's role.
Shimon is altogether not mentioned because by omission Moshe hints that they still have to correct the weakness of Shimon which is jealousy of anothers' good fortune. This will allow an immediate acceptance of Yehudah's primacy by Shimon.
The next tribe-Benjamin had to be placated because of its' unique role as the beloved of G-D. For G-d chooses the area of Benjamin to have the Temple in. For that reason it would appear that the leadership should also be from Benjamin. In fact the first king is Saul of Benjamin .Nonetheless, because Benjamin is not a self starter but a follower of G-D he cannot lead.
Yossef is next . He will be successful beyond belief . The conquest of Israel is his role. However, in order to be a leader of men you must know their sufferings and limitations . His success makes him too critical to lead . The Messiah of Joseph will start the process of redemption . However it is Yehudah that will emerge as the ultimate teacher and leader.
Thus Moshe in his Blessings sets the tone for the future. He tells the people "all of you will have your special role. If you see yourselves as part of the unit of Israel you will be successful beyond your dreams. If, however, you put your own goals before the benefit of the whole people ,you will know heartache.
This is the reason that the Blessings begin with the words "and there was a King for Yeshurun (Israel) only when "Yachad Shivtey Yisroel"-when the tribes are unified for one purpose. That is, the role that G-D has preordained . Yehudah will lead and only then will we all reach our potential!
What Moshe sees is the need for each tribe to be happy within its own perimeters . When they try to obtain what isn't theirs there becomes chaos and tragedy.
In truth the greatest blessing is reserved for Yehudah who is the father of the Davidic Dynasty, hence the Messiah ,the ultimate Jew, the ultimate human being. Everyone else is the Messiah's
student or underling. However, by doing so there is danger of jealousy and collusion to destroy
the role of the Messiah.
First on the agenda is placating Reuven the first born of Israel. Let Reuven Live and not Die seems redundant until you realize that the basis of the opposition of Dathan and Avirum to Moshe was mostly from their view that the Reuvenites should be the leaders.
Therefore the Blessing is that Reuven live meaning- He shall enjoy his role as one of the Tribes and shall not die through the jealousy that has hounded and prevented his growth until now.
By letting go of fantasies that are unrealistic Reuven will flourish.
The next tribe to deal with is Moshe's own tribe -the Levites. In the future Moshe sees how usurping the role reserves for Yehudah will be tragic for both the Levite Kings and for Israel. The Hasmonean Kings were directly responsible for the Roman takeover and the subsequent destruction of the Second Holy Temple.
Hence Moshe tries to appease them by stressing the importance of the role that the Levites will play as the spiritual guides of the populace. Furthermore by announcing that usurpers of the Service that is designated for Levi will be punished serves as a hint that the same will hold true for the Levites that take over Yehudah's role.
Shimon is altogether not mentioned because by omission Moshe hints that they still have to correct the weakness of Shimon which is jealousy of anothers' good fortune. This will allow an immediate acceptance of Yehudah's primacy by Shimon.
The next tribe-Benjamin had to be placated because of its' unique role as the beloved of G-D. For G-d chooses the area of Benjamin to have the Temple in. For that reason it would appear that the leadership should also be from Benjamin. In fact the first king is Saul of Benjamin .Nonetheless, because Benjamin is not a self starter but a follower of G-D he cannot lead.
Yossef is next . He will be successful beyond belief . The conquest of Israel is his role. However, in order to be a leader of men you must know their sufferings and limitations . His success makes him too critical to lead . The Messiah of Joseph will start the process of redemption . However it is Yehudah that will emerge as the ultimate teacher and leader.
Thus Moshe in his Blessings sets the tone for the future. He tells the people "all of you will have your special role. If you see yourselves as part of the unit of Israel you will be successful beyond your dreams. If, however, you put your own goals before the benefit of the whole people ,you will know heartache.
This is the reason that the Blessings begin with the words "and there was a King for Yeshurun (Israel) only when "Yachad Shivtey Yisroel"-when the tribes are unified for one purpose. That is, the role that G-D has preordained . Yehudah will lead and only then will we all reach our potential!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)