The High Holidays are fast approaching. During the High Holidays two years ago, we had a special event called “Understand the Essence of High Holiday Prayers”, featuring chazanim Avi Perets, Ishai ben Haim, and Ruben Ibragimov. Please take a look at the event:www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA0zDwlzaqA
Archive for July 2013
Rosh Hashanah
ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON? ARE YOU SCARED OF JUDGMENT DAY? OR, DO YOU JUST WANT TO GET THEM OVER WITH? Many Jews call these days YAMIM NORAIM – days of fear. We are correct to assume that’s an accurate statement considering the magnitude and the implications these holidays weigh and will weigh on our lives. Many American Jews call this period the High Holy days. This is more of a positive touch without the fear factor involved. Well, as a matter of fact, although it’s true that it’s a holy three weeks and we can elevate ourselves tremendously, nevertheless, even those Jewish Americans, who refer to these days of awe as High Holy days, would find it difficult digesting some of the things we read in our prayer books. An example of this would be, “You (G-d) make the decisions who will live and who will die; who will die by fire and who will die by water, etc.”. Even I, when I was a happy-go-lucky kid, who just wanted to play and did not have an inkling of a worry in the world, whose parents and their inner circle were young, therefore, having no experience with death, was taken aback by those words. Everyone would admit it’s scary stuff. These holidays tend to infuse a reality check, and break up our fairy-tale lives. So it seems that a lot is at stake. Therefore, we have to be smart, we have to ask ourselves “What’s the best way to have a good year and get in the book of life? How do we go about it? What’s the best method, percentage-wise for a successful sweet year? Should we have a businessman approach and get the best deal possible?” If we are desperate, maybe it would be wise to grab any deal!! The lawyers are our Sages, who through the guidance of our Torah, comprised a three method plan to approach G-d on Rosh Hashanah. Our chachamim believe this formulation of prayer, which they added some salt and pepper to it, will enable us, if done right, to receive a good verdict. We will discuss Yom Kippur a bit later. The Three Methods Are: * Shofrot – A shofar is the main symbol of the high holidays. What’s so special about a shofar? Why do we need to hear it? Human nature is such that if one has too much free time on his hands, just nothing to do, he will gravitate to sin. Is a person so evil that he just can’t help himself? Is he so mischievous that he will constantly get his hands caught trying to pry open the cookie jar? Many Chassidic sources say it’s inevitable that man will get corrupted in the course of his lifetime. If it’s not the action, then the thought is a battleground for evil. There was once a big rabbi in the last stage of his life, where he was not in control of his mental state. He was constantly using foul language and making crude remarks. Someone said, now one can tell what a great man he was, all his life he had to control and restrain himself from using bad language. This was a major hurdle he had to overcome. Throughout a lifetime, we accumulate layers of dirt; we have dirty hands and tainted hearts; goodness get the soap. The word LINSHOM means to breath; it comes from NESHAMA – the soul. The purest part of man is the soul. For this reason, G-d may have mercy and forgive us. After all those layers and layers of sin one accumulated, there lies the purest of good, the NESHAMA. When G-d created man, he blew into his nostrils the breath of life. There are a number of ways one can identify someone. At night, in the dark, one can tell a loved one through the sound of their breath; if one wants to get spiritual, one way to start is to take deep breaths. The essence of the soul is though the passage of breathing. This is the reason we blow the shofar which is the highest form of prayer because it comes from the inner part of man; a part that’s not tainted, the purest part of man, deep inside him, the NESHAMA. So, apparently through the shofar, it’s the purest Tefillah. In the amida of Mussaf, the additional prayer said after the morning services, we say nine blessings. The Gemarah says the source for the number nine is the 9, AZKAROT mentions of G-d’s name in the story of Chana. We read on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the story of Chana, who was known for the tremendous intensity of her prayer. Chana was a barren woman who had to suffer the humiliation by her husband, who took a second wife and bore his children. Chana’s prayers were finally answered on Rosh Hashanah. She had a son who became the great prophet, Shmuel. There is a very important message one can learn from the story of Chana that is a very essential part of the holiday, and for that matter an essential part of life. At the end, Chana bore seven children while her rival lost a child every time Chana gave birth to one. One must realize there is a change of fortunes that the unpredictable life offers. Rav Tzadok HaCohen says the Shofar blowing consists of shevarim and teruahs which are broken sounds representing crying, broken spirit. This must always be sandwiched in by two tekias. The firm unbroken sound represents joy. This represents the theme of the day; we have to be joyous, however we are judged; so anything can happen, which translates into fear. For some, this year will bring joy and for some sorrow. For some, fortunes will change and for others not.
* Zichronot – remembrance: When we pray and ask G-d to remember our good merits, we are referring to our ancestors. We said in our previous newsletters since we are the genealogy of those great people, it would be a good bet, and it would be safe to assume that those great qualities are found in us. Therefore, He should forgive us because we are bound to do well. So we remind him of the major shining moments in our history where it was so impressive it would be hard for Him not to forgive us. It’s a tremendous weapon which we use on Rosh Hashanah. The three major characters that will help us in this theme is Avraham, his wife, Sarah, and their son Yitzchak, and the major event is the Akeda. What’s important to note and a major aspect to Judaism is the power of the Hebrew letters. Avraham and Sarah were believers of monotheistic G-d and they openly campaigned for Him. Unfortunately, though, they could not have children. G-d rewarded them by adding the letter ‘HEY to Avraham and Sarah. As a result, Avraham and Sarah became a new entity. (Perhaps this is the reason when someone is sick, a new name or a letter is added). Avraham was taken out from the mazal of the world and was rewarded with the ability to go against nature. “You will always have the ability to break nature through your faith,” G-d said to him. They weren’t supposed to have children, it was against nature and yet, they did. So we see, the inception of Jewish nation, the whole Jewish entity began against nature through the power of the letter HEY. This letter represents G-d’s name. So if someone calls Avraham, Avram, they take away the power, not just from Avraham, but himself. He takes away the essence of the Jews. Avraham with the HEY fuels us together. Ever wonder why we are called children of Avraham and not the children of Noach (non-Jews). Because Noach had children naturally, he was part and parcel with the natural state of the world. We have an unnatural and illogical existence; we were crucified, humiliated, and tortured throughout history. However, we never lost hope; we were tenacious and we never gave up. So G-d remembers Avraham’s ability to spread G-d’s name and being a model example of what a Jew is all about. The acts of kindness were passed down through the generations to us. G-d looks at us and that particular potential to manifest itself through our personality. Then it would remind Him of our forefather, Avraham. * Malchiot Ever wonder why we do not say one slicha – please forgive me – on Rosh Hashanah. Why don’t we bang on our heart like we do on Yom Kippur? Nevertheless, it’s the big time, Judgment Day. How is it Judgment Day if you’re eating such delicious foods via three course meals? When I was a young care-free fellow, the tradition was I would buy a new suit every Rosh Hashanah; that’s Judgment Day? Maybe one is being judged by friends on who bought the nicest clothes at bargain prices. Who got more bang for their buck this holiday season? The cheap is to pay Jamaica Avenue prices and have the Hugo Boss, Fifth Avenue look and quality. In essence, though, Rosh Hashanah is designed that way; it’s designed to feel like royalty. Everybody in shul is on their best behavior, dressed to the tee; one feels like royalty. ME ZEH MELECH HAKAVOD – who is the king that’s wrapped in honor, in royalty? He’s the one who gets the KAVOD. The KAVOD is due to him. G-d is the king. However, if the king has no followers, his kingship is weakened. His people are the ones who raise the volume and strengthen his rulership. If not, they are not needed. So it’s our responsibility to make a tremendous kavod in His honor all year round, especially on Rosh Hashanah. We wear the fine clothes, cook fine foods and we feel good about ourselves. We feel like royalty. What a great feeling, right? By enhancing and indulging in the royalty, one is enhancing G-d. However, it’s important to think, “I am doing this for G-d.” All the clothes, the food, the feel-good is all for G-d. This is the frame of mind we should have on Rosh Hashanah when we pronounce MELECH – King – at every juncture of our prayer. All this material beauty is all for You, G-d. The greatest teshuva – repentance – that ever occurred was by one of the three central characters: The Matriarch, Sarah When the three angels arrived to Avraham’s home and proclaimed, “Sarah and you will have a child”, Sarah upon hearing them from the back, by the door, laughed. We’re going to have kids – that’s funny. Apparently, G-d didn’t find her reaction too amusing and asked her, “Why did you laugh? Do you doubt I have the ability to do so, the ability to change your mazal?” Sarah answered something very startling, “I didn’t laugh.” “What do you mean you didn’t laugh? Are you lying in front of the Almighty? That’s chutzpah!!!” What is startling is that she meant it! Sarah was completely sincere that she didn’t laugh. “HAYOM HARAT OLAM” We say in the Mussaf Amida prayer “today”. Today, I am a different person. I totally regret what I did, to an extent, to such a level that I disengage, dis-associate myself from the person who sinned. Although I take responsibility, however, that’s not me anymore; I’ve changed; I would never do those things again. With all the regret that was in her heart, she meant it. How else would one explain her naming her son Yitzchak; Yitzchak means laughter. Is it possible she would name her child after a sin? That would constitute the highest level of audacity. However, the name will forever be associated with the highest level of teshuvah – repentance – performed by our matriarch, Sarah.
Yitzchak Yitzchak’s special quality was how he prayed. No one prayed with such intensity as Yitzchak did. When his bride-to-be, Rivka, arrived and she saw him for the first time, she fell off her camel, because she saw him at the time when he was in the middle of prayer. It left such an impression that she was struck with such fear and awe of him for the rest of her life. When one makes the leap and becomes religious, this individual’s prayer is beloved in G-d’s eyes more-so than the prayer of one that has been religious all his life. One may think such was the case with Rivka who came from a house of reshayim. Rivka’s strong character and extreme kindness was quite the opposite of her family. One can only imagine how difficult it was for her to live in her father’s house; she was a unique individual, a tzadakus. Rivka’s prayers rattled the heavens. However, it was Yitzchak’s prayers that were accepted, in which, enabled them to have children, because he prayed with intensity. The Test G-d injected Avraham with such a love for his son, Yitzchak, like no other, which made the test extremely difficult. These three characters showed such devotion to G-d; such devotion and love to each other, that they’ve taken human potential to an unprecedented level. We are proud to say we are their offspring and offspring inherit the character traits, the genes of their ancestors. So if they were outstanding, we too, have the credentials and potential to reach them. G-d, then should give us the benefit of the doubt; after all, we’re a chip off the old block. With these three methods, we hope that it would be sufficient for a good Judgment Day. The next part of repentance is Yom Kippur.
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Yom Kippur
Throughout many of our prayers, the style that our great sages evoked is to have a poem, a piyut before we start. The reason is to warm the hearts of the one praying. We are not robots, we need something to get us in the mood, to get the emotions going. So we begin with a piyut. Here we begin with LECHA ELI written by the Even Ezra.
How appropriate to start off Yom Kippur with Kol Nidrai. Man was given special powers over the other living creatures of the world. He was given a gift; the power of speech. Unfortunately, it’s hard not to abuse it even though our tongue is wrapped with teeth and a second layer of lips. It still manages to escape and put its foot in its mouth. Kol Nidrai tries to annul our careless misuse of our mouth.
* Introduction to Slichot If one notices many of the peyutim, paragraphs- poems, are in alphabetical order Alef till taf, taf till alef (A-Z, Z-A) The philosophy is to fix the damage by reciting the letters in KEDUSHA form and in a proper state of mind, therefore, creating a positive force. Then one will re-organize, re-configure, re-structure the letters properly and fix the damage. So we find throughout the Slichot, actual in our everyday Tefillot – prayer as well, this format. A few examples: ASHRAI, ANSHAI EMUNA AVADU, ADON HASELICHOT. So it’s important to realize what the chachamim are trying to accomplish. By reinventing the letters again, it will give us a fighting chance.
* BEN ADAM This prayer is referring to Yona, the prophet, who did not want to perform his task out of fear that the Jews will not repent. So he basically tried to phase himself out of the picture, thinking that G-d does not reveal, talk to His prophets at sea. Yona fled and took refuge on a ship. As the ship sailed, though, G-d brought upon a bad storm. People on board were terrified. The passengers and crew figured it must be someone on board that’s the cause of their misfortunes. So each one prayed to their G-d. However, none of their prayers were answered. “Someone didn’t pray.” So they searched the entire ship and they found Yona asleep. This is the basis of the prayer. “Hey man! Why are you asleep? Go call, pray to your G-d!” Before one knows it, time, life marches on. So go call your G-d before it’s too late.
* THE THIRTEEN ATTRIBUTES OF MERCY This is the main part of slichot. The Rosh Hashanah method was malchiot, shofrot, and zichronot. Here we are shifting methods. It’s a great strategy of “Doing it for the merit of our fathers.” However, that doesn’t always work. Its limited. VA YA AVOR HASHEM AL PANAV – G-d passed before him and proclaimed. He taught Moshe something essential, vital for survival. When Moshe was on Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, G-d showed Moshe the method and the text of the special prayer that will always invoke his mercy, unlimited RACHAMIM. G-d said “When Israel sins, let them perform the order of this prayer and I shall forgive them.” An important note, it says perform, besides recitation; one also has to perform acts of mercy with others in order to receive mercy. Only then will G-d respond. When someone loses a close loved one, one goes through tremendous hardship in the beginning. The mere thought of the one who had passed on evokes a sharp, stinging, uncomfortable pain. As time goes on, though, the memory of the loved one is there; however, the traumatic experience has softened quite a bit. Our forefather, Yaakov, made a promise to G-d after he got up from his dream, “If G-d takes care of his servant, Yaakov, then the stone will be a covenant to you.” Apparently, Yaakov got tangled some twenty years plus in the house of his crooked father-in-law, Lavan. G-d then approached Yaakov and asked “Why did you forget your promise?” He answered, “I didn’t forget.” What did G-d mean when He said “Why did you forget?” Yaakov forgot the feeling. You don’t feel now as when you felt then. REMEMBER – ZACHOR – memory has different levels. If one wants to remember a deceased loved one with the same intensity, then he has to work, meditate to bring back that feeling. Measure for measure, G-d remembers us the same way we remember Him. Appropriately, ZACHOR LANU is sung by the chazan with intensity to jar up feelings and memories.
THE AVODA |
Avoiding Another Tragedy
The new generation didn’t understand their elders; sounds familiar doesn’t it? The young were sick and tired of Rome, the occupiers, lording over them. The new blood developed a backbone; the cast of characters consisted of hotheads, Mafioso, zealots, and a few Rabbis. But in hindsight, it was very dangerous to be Mr. Macho Maccabee; it was the wrong time. Hillel, the great sage, warned the Jews to keep a low profile and let sleeping dogs lie. However, the Jews were divided into bitter rival factions and the friction between them was heard all the way in Rome. Each group portrayed the other as disloyal to the Roman Empire. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the Kamtza-Bar-Kamtza story. One of them received an invitation mistakenly meant for the other. So he came to the party thinking the host wants to reconcile their differences. When he arrived, the host was shocked to see him and ordered his butlers to kick him out. Trying to reason with the host was futile; he even offered to pay for half the party as long as he wouldn’t embarrass him so people shouldn’t see him being thrown out. The Rabbis attending, unfortunately, didn’t intervene. This was a tremendous mistake and a lesson to be learned, to save your fellow from uncomfortable situations. After being embarrassed by being kicked out, he went to the Roman authorities the next day with a vicious scream, where disloyalty was very apparent, against the Empire. The Romans had enough and the war began. Do we fight them or do we lay low? Every faction had their opinion – who was right? A bitter divide was apparent in the midst of our people.
Three wealthy Jews supplied grains to the brethren in the walled city of Jerusalem that would have lasted for twenty years. One of the bravado groups insisted that the whole nation fight even though there were sufficient numbers that were against such action. They forced their hand by destroying all the grain. “Ah ha, now you have to fight.” We, unfortunately know the disastrous result.
Not getting along and hatred was obviously the main reason of the destruction of the temple. I would like to bring out another valuable lesson from this tragic time.
A good number of years ago, a kashrut organization in collaboration with a mashgiach was certifying a restaurant kosher. The Mashgiach had various stores and restaurants under him. The Mashgiach, though, was a cocky guy; he had the “I know how to perform my job. I’m the best in the business,” attitude. The head of the kashrut organization was a no-nonsense, impatient, short-fused type. Both, though, were very sincere law-abiding religious pious Jews. The Mashgiach’s job was to report weekly to the kashrut organization. Although it’s a formal tedious procedure, however, the by-the-books kashrut chief expected it. However, the mashgiach didn’t follow the kashrut protocol and guidelines. The head of the kashrut organization would call him periodically for reports, but the Mashgiach didn’t comply. He didn’t even bother to relay the message, “I’m handling the situation, you’re in good hands. You have to assume I’m in the control booth; it’ll be okay”. The head chief was livid that the report was not on his desk or on his answering machine. “There must be something wrong. He’s either hiding something or not doing his job,” proclaimed the chief. He then removed the kashrut certificate from the restaurant claiming non-compliant; something was fishy.
Is there anything wrong with their behavior? Should he have filled out the silly report once a week? “Yes!” Should the kashrut chairman have a little bit more tolerance? “Yes.” All this is emet. However, there is another important factor and that is to realize and be aware of the ramification of their actions. The innocent store owner lost his certification, lost clientele after bouncing around from one fly by night hashgacha to another, and eventually lost his business.
Perhaps this is what the Jews in the Temple times were also guilty of. They didn’t foresee what their actions will bring; what the ramifications of their decisions would be. Was anybody thinking what would happen if they lost the war? What justification do they have to destroy the grain? This would have tired out the enemy for they would have to wait a very long time outside the fortress.
Seeing beyond the surface is vital for everyday life. When your wife or husband does or says something to hurt you, first, one should ask themselves “Did I do something to trigger her reaction?” If your kids starts to fight with each other or have a temper tantrum, the possibility exists maybe they’re hungry. One cannot react right away. If someone talks bad about you, one has to think first and ask is it a good idea to retaliate? What would be the ramifications if I do? Think of all the considerations before you react. One must think of the bigger picture of what might happen; what it would cause. We should try to see the other side. If we are able to see the consequences, we will avoid a lot of headaches in our lives and the lives of others.
Comfort Me
The Haftorah said on Shabbat Nachamu uses a strange language for comforting the Jewish people after the destruction of the Temple. It says nachamu nachamu – comfort; it should have said hit-nachamu – be comforted. Rabbi Baruch Dopelt, quoting his sources, says first of all it seems like it’s not just the Jewish people that the comfort is addressed to. We derive that also from the double repeat of nachamu. Who is the phantom second nachamu referring to?
The Sages teach us the phantom second comfort is referring to G-d. He promised that He will always be in our midst whether thick or thin, whether to share our joy or our pain; therefore He is with us in our time of despair and being comforted as well.
When one loses a loved one, he says the very important prayer: “kaddish”. The purpose of the kaddish is to exalt the name of G-d; to bring his name out in the world, and every time we do so, our deceased loved one’s soul is raised in the heavens. It’s interesting to note that in the kaddish, there is that word again ve-nechamat – and comfort. Apparently, we are also comforting G-d in this prayer of praise of kaddish. It seems like He is also being comforted for the loss of our loved one.
Rabbi Gedalya Schorr explains that this world is like one big symphony and everyone is here to play his own unique instrument that only he can. Rabbi Dopelt says every one of us came into this world on a mission to praise G-d and no one can do our mission but ourselves. When one passes away, although his mission is complete, however his departure leaves a void in the symphony; it’s a loss of praise. Therefore, G-d is grieving with us at the loss of life.
One should always know that we are not alone, whether in time of joy, or especially in a time of sorrow; G-d is always with us.
When the Bully Apologizes We Will Celebrate Tisha B’Av
This article was consructed with the help of Rabbi’s Akiva Grunblat, Baruch Dopelt, Yitzchak Aminov, Yossi Biluss, Uri Sklar
When one thinks of Tisha B’Av, immediately what comes to mind is “tragedy.” Although they are many unfortunate events that occurred on that day, the part that stands out the most is the destruction of the Temples. The first temple was destroyed (586BCE) because we, the Jews, transgressed three major violations: worshiping other G-d’s, murdering, and sexual miss-conduct. The second temple was taken away (70CE), because we had transgressed the violation of baseless hatred.
A question can be asked about this; if G-d allowed for the second Temple to be built, it must mean the Jews were forgiven for their misconduct. However, we still do not have the third temple, which means we are still not forgiven for baseless hatred.
A question can be asked about this; if G-d allowed for the second Temple to be built, it must mean the Jews were forgiven for their misconduct. However, we still do not have the third temple, which means we are still not forgiven for baseless hatred.
Why?
Is baseless hatred more severe than murder??
Furthermore isn’t murder a result of baseless hatred?
Therefore why did G-d forgive us and permit the second Temple to be built?
There is an expression: “it’s a small world”, and you know it really is. We can comprehend how tiny the world really is, by understanding the true meaning of maturity. Maturity is often defined as having experience in dealing with people and situations. A person experiences many environmental changes in one’s life, whether it be by grade school, high school, college, various jobs, neighborhoods, and Synagogues. If one is really sensitive enough to notice, in every environment that he enters, the cast and characters are more or less the same. The list can include any one of these: the ‘take charge guy ‘,’the follower’, ‘the antagonist’, ‘the egotistical clad’, ‘Mr. Friendly’, ‘the jealous one’, ”the worrier’, ‘the bully’, ‘the self-righteous professor’, ‘the neat freak’, and ‘the slob’. I think I covered everybody, hmm? When the individual graduates from one setting to another, he is confronted, more or less, by a similar core group of characters. The more groups one has experienced with over the course of a lifetime, the easier it is to deal with personalities because one has seen them before. We have to be clever and learn from our past so we can master the future.
When I was in grade school, a close friend of mine turned against me, Just like that, overnight, he turned from being my best friend to my public enemy, a real bully, and he was relentless, turning many from the class against me. Over the years, I always held my head up high and proclaimed that I handled the situation well; I was poised, had a backbone and held my composure through many of his shenanigans. The rest of the class was impressed. Another antagonist in high school was problematic as well, but I learned well from that first experience.A little while ago, now 40 years later, I bumped into that old classmate. We had a lengthy nostalgic conversation, during which he unexpectedly apologized for his behavior in grade school, and I detected on his face that he had such remorse. A few minutes later, we shook hands and said goodbye. As I was driving back home, with my son in the back seat, I shockingly noticed tears rolling down my face. I quickly wiped them away so my son wouldn’t see. Thank G-d, he was listening to the ballgame on the car radio and didn’t notice. Surprisingly, I asked myself, why was I crying? Was it possible, perhaps, that this antagonist-friend really hurt me deep down subconsciously? Is it possible “sticks and stones can break my bones but names can never hurt me”, is simply not true? I believe I felt vindicated. The fact that he acknowledged the pain he caused me felt good. Astonishingly, for 40 years, I had this hurt feeling bottled up inside of me.
Are we so sensitive? Or perhaps it’s just me? They say, when one gets older one becomes more fragile.
I would like to share the following story with you. Although I heard this story numerous times, it’s message shed some light after my reunion with my antagonist-grade school friend.
Many years ago, in Eastern Europe a very pious and religious looking old Jewish man with a beard entered the train and sat next to a yeshiva student. It seemed like perhaps the yeshiva student had a bad hair day because he was a little agitated and annoyed at all the little nuances that were happening around him. He was annoyed that the old man was touching his seat when he dosed off, and was defiant when the old man asked him to close the window because it was too cold. “It’s extremely stuffy in here” the young student replied. The student was getting more and more annoyed. Although one can say it’s a type of personality, this was a degree of control he had to exercise.
As the train pulled up to the station the students see’s a large crowd awaiting the arrival of the train. When the doors open, a number from the crowd moved toward the compartment where the old man and the Yeshiva student were sitting. “How was your trip, Rebbi” a few presumably students asked. They practically placed the old man on their shoulder as they escorted him to the platform. Such respect; the student was shocked. He asked the bystanders, who is this old man. “Why, don’t you know? That’s Rabbi Yisrael Salanter” one of the welcomers said. Rabbi Yisrael Salanter (AKA The Chofetz Chaim) was one of the leading Rabbis of his generation! “BOY, I’M SUCH A KNUCKLEHEAD!!” the student regretfully thought.
The student made pain staking, out of the way arrangements to meet again with Rabbi Yisrael so he can apologize. When he finally was granted the opportunity, he apologized profusely stating: If I would have known who you were, I never would have acted that way. Rav Yisrael asked what have you come to this town for. The student answered “I’ve come to learn the laws of hilchot schita- how to slaughter an animal for kashrut purposes”. The Rabbi responded “Why don’t you come learn with me; I’ll teach you”. The personal secretaries that were in the room where the dialogue between them took place were surprised at the Rabbi’s response to the student. They asked him, wasn’t it enough that you accepted his apology? Why was it necessary to offer to spend time and personally teach him?
Rav Yisrael responded “when one hurts someone it penetrates deep inside the soul. It’s difficult to remove from the heart. I could tell him I forgive you and I mean it however that might not be enough. For this reason I asked him to be his teacher. This way I will connect and warm up to him”. This is the concept that the more one gives, the more he loves. This will reassure that he has been truly forgiven
A few years ago I received a phone call inviting me to a siyum (completion of Torah learning) during the nine days. They were going to order deli from a Romanian restaurant in Chicago. One might say it’s a bit extreme to order from out of state, even though their taste in food is excellent. The problem was it’s during the nine days when meat cannot be eaten. I thought, why couldn’t they push it off till after Tisha Beh Av.Are they that desperate for deli?
I mean, I heard of meat lovers, but don’t you think you’ve gotten a little too far?
Rabbi Dopelt who quotes the chedushai harim states; There’s an old minhag
(custom) that during the nine days Jews would make sure to have a SIYUM. They would invite many people even ones they don’t know. The reason for this is to have ACHDUT-unity. We were punished for being disunited, disloyal and having baseless hatred toward each other. Here we are showing the opposite. We are eating drinking and sharing our joy with each other. We are even sharing our joy with people we don’t know. We are showing G-d that we’ve learned our lesson and we can live peacefully with each other.
Why has G-d forgiven us for the three major sins and he has not forgiven us for unfounded hatred?
For the most part, murder is a crime of passion. A person generally has remorse. Perhaps it’s a result of a business deal gone bad. A person is in a temporary state of mind and for the most part has regret. Murder is a one shot deal (no pun intended). His desires got in the way. Generally there is no way one justifies murder unless it’s self defense.
However, with unjustified hatred, one thinks in his mind, it’s not baseless at all. He thinks he’s in the right, “I’m not the one that’s wrong”. His thinking is warped and it’s ingrained in his soul where it penetrates the victim’s heart. It’s an unseen killer because it remains in the victim’s heart. People who have baseless hatred for the most part hardly repent.
Now we can understand why G-d has not let us built the 3rd Temple. Temple is a symbol of peace. He has not forgiven us because perhaps, subconsciously, we have not forgiven each other. We don’t realize but words penetrate the heart.It doesn’t matter whether it’s a childhood friend who turned into a bully, or somebody at work or business, we have memories of and get hurt without realizing. We therefore should be sensitive in what we say to people.
As we drove back home, my son felt good hearing the ballgame on the car radio and I felt good being relieved of a hurt feeling which happened four decades ago.
Parshat Va’etchanan
First Portion
*This Parsha reminds me of my great grandfather, and many like him, that when arriving in the land of Israel in the late 1800’s, would kiss the ground and thank G-d for having been privileged to be there. They actually found his and my great-great grandfather’s grave in Har Hazetim recently which was under Arab control. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so with our leader, as we see in the beginning passages. Moshe prays to G-d intensely, to overturn a decree that he shall not enter the Promised land. The Chasam Sofer holds that G-d did indeed listen to Moshe’s prayer. We have a rule under certain circumstances prayer accomplishes half. Moshe prayed, “Let me please pass over and see.” (Devarim 3:25) and the prayers were answered in that G-d told Moshe “see with your eyes, for you will not pass over this Jordan.” G-d answered part of the prayer regarding seeing, but not the part of entering the land. There are many new insights we can derive from these passages; the power of prayer is one. G-d tells Moshe to stop praying for if he prayed a little more, G-d would have to negate on his oath that he will not enter the land. Another crucial point of these passages as the Ibn Ezra relates is that the main purpose here was to endear Eretz Yisrael – the land of Israel – to the Jewish people. If the people would be understanding enough to appreciate the land in the way expressed by Moshe’s prayer, they would surely keep the mitzvot (commandments) in order not to be exiled from their land. One question is asked, if he so desired the benefits of the land why is it not mentioned that he became satisfied from its fruits? He could have ordered out. I guess take out wasn’t as popular then like it is here in New York. From here we see that there is an added benefit besides the physical. The Shelah mentions that the air of Eretz Yisrael makes one wise. It is there that one receives the crown of Torah. Perhaps, Abarbenal adds, this is why our Parsha begins and ends with the topic of the land of Israel, with the giving of the Torah in the middle.
* “Do not add nor subtract from my commandments.” Many Sages comment how an extremely important commandment this is. It is self-preservation par excellence. Human nature is such that one gravitates and alters things during the course of time. Although it’s inevitable that modern technology has altered our lives, however the Torah is designed to withstand the changes and many of the core laws are performed as our ancestors did thousands of years ago.
*This Parsha reminds me of my great grandfather, and many like him, that when arriving in the land of Israel in the late 1800’s, would kiss the ground and thank G-d for having been privileged to be there. They actually found his and my great-great grandfather’s grave in Har Hazetim recently which was under Arab control. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so with our leader, as we see in the beginning passages. Moshe prays to G-d intensely, to overturn a decree that he shall not enter the Promised land. The Chasam Sofer holds that G-d did indeed listen to Moshe’s prayer. We have a rule under certain circumstances prayer accomplishes half. Moshe prayed, “Let me please pass over and see.” (Devarim 3:25) and the prayers were answered in that G-d told Moshe “see with your eyes, for you will not pass over this Jordan.” G-d answered part of the prayer regarding seeing, but not the part of entering the land. There are many new insights we can derive from these passages; the power of prayer is one. G-d tells Moshe to stop praying for if he prayed a little more, G-d would have to negate on his oath that he will not enter the land. Another crucial point of these passages as the Ibn Ezra relates is that the main purpose here was to endear Eretz Yisrael – the land of Israel – to the Jewish people. If the people would be understanding enough to appreciate the land in the way expressed by Moshe’s prayer, they would surely keep the mitzvot (commandments) in order not to be exiled from their land. One question is asked, if he so desired the benefits of the land why is it not mentioned that he became satisfied from its fruits? He could have ordered out. I guess take out wasn’t as popular then like it is here in New York. From here we see that there is an added benefit besides the physical. The Shelah mentions that the air of Eretz Yisrael makes one wise. It is there that one receives the crown of Torah. Perhaps, Abarbenal adds, this is why our Parsha begins and ends with the topic of the land of Israel, with the giving of the Torah in the middle.
* “Do not add nor subtract from my commandments.” Many Sages comment how an extremely important commandment this is. It is self-preservation par excellence. Human nature is such that one gravitates and alters things during the course of time. Although it’s inevitable that modern technology has altered our lives, however the Torah is designed to withstand the changes and many of the core laws are performed as our ancestors did thousands of years ago.
Second Portion
* “There you will serve other G-ds.” Once the new generations will be removed from the revelation at Sinai, then they will be more susceptible to stray. Moshe prophesizes that generations to come will try to gain acceptance from the non-Jews at the expense of our tradition. This happened many times through the course of history. Rabbi Beryl Wien, a famous historian, explains when Jews have no respect to their host countries then assimilation is at a bare minimum. However, if Jews look up to their host countries, whether in education, culture, fashion/style, then assimilation rises. The assimilation is at 60% in the US.
* “There you will serve other G-ds.” Once the new generations will be removed from the revelation at Sinai, then they will be more susceptible to stray. Moshe prophesizes that generations to come will try to gain acceptance from the non-Jews at the expense of our tradition. This happened many times through the course of history. Rabbi Beryl Wien, a famous historian, explains when Jews have no respect to their host countries then assimilation is at a bare minimum. However, if Jews look up to their host countries, whether in education, culture, fashion/style, then assimilation rises. The assimilation is at 60% in the US.
Third Portion
* City of refuge, where if one accidentally kills a fellow Jew, which was designed by Moshe in Reuben’s territory, the town of Betsar. Afterwards, Moshe designed the Town of Ramos in the territory of Gad and Golan, Menashe’s territory on the eastern side of the Jordan.
Fourth Portion
* After the Israelites were receptive to Moshe’s criticism, he then repeated the Ten Commandments. One who is open and eager to learn will advance tremendously. So, Moshe thought it’s a perfect opportunity for the nation to hear. It’s important to note, many who were present did not hear the revelation at Sinai. That generation died over the course of forty years.
* One of the differences of this version and the one in the book of Shemot is in the commandment of Shabbat. There it says Zachor – remember the Shabbat. In this version, it says Shamor – be careful of transgressing the Shabbat. There is both a positive and negative commandment regarding the Shabbat. It’s not enough to just sleep and lounge around in pajamas for 24 hours. One has to enjoy the Shabbat with all its rich traditions. The Shabbat table has to be performed with respect and dignified manner; that is zachor – remembering.
Fifth Portion
* Passing the tradition is crucial in Judaism. It’s a big aveira – sin – to break the chain. The parent/child relationship is important and should be handled with a great deal of responsibility. Education in Judaism is key. Let’s say, though, one didn’t have religious parents whom followed the tradition, or for that matter, if one doesn’t have parents at all to learn from. I know a fine person who grew up without a father and yet had the most amazing Shabbat table one could imagine, week after week. This person will have a tremendous reward after he passes on. Those people have an added test in life. So if they keep the tradition of their ancestors once removed, they will reap tremendous rewards.
Sixth Portion
* After the war, they gathered all the older toddler orphans and they wanted to tell which one is Jewish (boys are easy to tell). How are they able to determine if they’re Jewish? Answer: scream out to them SHEMA YISRAEL, most likely, if they are Jewish, they’ll answer back: “HASHEM ELOKANU, HASHEM ECHAD.” That is the power of the Shema. It’s the first phrase Jewish parents teach their toddlers.
Seventh Portion
* G-d emphasizes separation from the non-Jews and reiterates the seven nations that are currently living in the land would be bad neighbors and should be removed from the country. Israel should be pure and only marry among themselves is repeated. The Jews are now leaving the secluded comfort zone of the desert and will be faced with new challenges in their homeland.
I Want My Prayer to be Heard
When someone commits to take upon himself an undertaking of any sort, it usually is a sign that he deems it quite important.
So was the case with a fellow named Rabbi Yosef Gutfarb. Rabbi Yosef was a New Yorker who moved to Jerusalem, Israel. He made an undertaking that he will always pray with a minyan.
We Jews pray 3 times a day and the optimal prayer conducted is with a minyan, which consists of at least 10 men present. By the way, that is the only time Kadish may be recited.
It can be quite challenging for one to get up early in the morning, in the heat or cold, and attend prayer services.
What is dedication?
What does it mean to pass a tough test?
If someone enters a freezing cold car at 6:15 in the morning, in the dead of winter, just to get to minyan; now that’s dedication!! Mankind has not figured out a inexpensive way to have the car heating system working so that it’s hot intently. No one looks forward for the car in the early morning experience.
It is equally challenging to pry yourself from the middle of an important business transactions and attend the afternoon services. One can get really involved in their career. Furthermore, evening services are not any easier after a long and hard day at work.
Nevertheless Rabbi Yosef soldiered his way through three decades, whether on business trips all around the world or any sort of unexpected pop-ups; he did not miss a beat of kaddish or one amen of a minyan!!…Talk about longevity!!
Hmm, did someone give Rabbi Yosef the evil eye?
One night Rav Yosef came home after 3:00am and he did not pray the evening services. Since in Shaufat the last minyan is at 11:00pm he calculated he would go to the next town over to search for a minyan. He was confident he would catch one in Zichron Moshe where there was a shul (Bet Hakneset) there, known to be a minyan factory. There are rooms throughout the building where there is always a minyan at any time of day or night; how convenient?
Well mazal was a little difficult that night and to his dismay only one other person was waiting. “Do you think anybody else will come”? he inquisitively asked. “Why are you saying kadish? Are you an Avel-mourning the loss of a loved one?” the man questioned. “No, I just made a commitment many years ago to not to miss a minyan” he replied.
“How could this be? There is always a minyan here!” he nervously thought. What to do? What to do?
“I got it!!”
Rav Yosef then called a taxi company and asked if eight cabs can come to Zichron Moshe Shul (Bet Hakneset). “Only Israeli drivers” he added emphatically.
The dispatcher retorted back, “I don’t have eight taxies at three in the morning.”
“How many do you have?” Rav Yosef asked. “Only five” the dispatcher replied.
“Fine, send them quickly please: don’t forget only Israeli drivers!!
Rav Yosef called another taxi company and asked for three Isreali drivers. The dispatcher said they would come in a few minutes.
The eight cabs all lined up and got out of their cars thinking they came at a tail end of some kind of party. To their dismay they found only Rabbi Yosef and the gentleman.
Rav Yosef told the drivers to turn off their cars and enter the shul “we’re going to pray the evening services, I need a minyan”. He explained his strange appeal by saying, “I haven’t missed a minyan in years”.
The drivers, surprised but intrigued, obliged to the bizarre request.
They all could read Hebrew but not all were familiar with the protocol of tefila -prayer. Some had kipas-skull caps in their pockets, some in their glove compartment in their taxies.
After the prayer Rav Yosef took out his wallet to pay the drivers. All the drivers, one by one refused to take the money. They were all stunned by the audacity of this American Jew who went to great lengths to fulfill his commitment for the sake of praying with a minyan. So impressed by the 15 minute prayer, many of the drivers thanked Rav Yosef for an uplifting spiritual experience. Many told him they have never had such a strong feeling when they prayed like this one time. Some said they haven’t prayed in a while and were honored to participate. They were all glad to have the opportunity to pray with such a person.
Prayer is powerful!! Prayer is uplifting!!However, there are times when prayers are not answered…… or are they?
What is the most optimal method of prayer where G-d will answer you?
Do I have to cry my eyes out and pound my chest for it to penetrate G-d majestic throne for an answer?
After all, we know prayers with tears pass through the cracks and go straight to heaven.
Why do we even need to pray?
If we are good up-standing citizens wouldn’t G-d see what we need and give it to us?
There are some people who seem like they are showered with gifts from the All Mighty. Well, why can’t we all be on the receiving end like that?
In this weeks parsha we see how Moshe’s request to enter the land of Israel was denied. Even though Moshe prayed like no other soul on earth, G-d refused to allow him entrance.As a matter of fact, G-d told him to stop because if he would have continued he would have no choice but to honor his request.
Why did G-d tell him to stop?
The Sages tell us it was to our benefit that he stopped. They said if he entered Israel then he would have built the Temple later on. Years later, though, when the nation would sin, since Moshe, a great Tzadik built the Temple, the structure would have tremendous merits. G-d would not have been able to destroy it. He would have no choice but to destroy the nation instead. It’s better to destroy stones then the nation of Israel.
Here we learn a number of things about this incident from the sages. First, there is a broader picture that our short sighted human mind can’t see. Moshe didn’t fully understand the extent of his power and how dear the Temple he would build would be to G-d. Therefore his entrance would be problematic for the Jews later on in time.
So to answer a lingering question we all have; if our prayers are not answered does that mean G-d didn’t listen?
Perhaps, we see from here, it’s for our best interest that things turn out the way they do. Furthermore, sometimes the results of our prayers are delayed such that our children or grandchildren benefit from them.
Okay, perhaps our prayers are answered; perhaps our prayers benefit future generations…whatever and whomever, nevertheless praying 3 times a day!! That’s overwhelming!!
Perhaps this is the best time to let people know. Many people have a misconception about prayer.
Prayer is called AVODA- literally-work; it’s one of the aspects of serving the creator. Just like learning Torah, keeping Shabbat, kashrut, tzedaka , be kind to people, just to name a few, so is tefila. By praying one is acknowledging his reliance to G-d and a key aspect of our religion. By acknowledging one gets closer to G-d.
Prayer is called AVODA- literally-work; it’s one of the aspects of serving the creator. Just like learning Torah, keeping Shabbat, kashrut, tzedaka , be kind to people, just to name a few, so is tefila. By praying one is acknowledging his reliance to G-d and a key aspect of our religion. By acknowledging one gets closer to G-d.We read in the AMIDA- the silent prayer “give us a health, intelligence, wealth.” G-d knows we need those things. Why do we have to say it?
The AVODA of prayer is to make us realize that G-d is in control and to constantly remind us of that.
Why do we have to know that our great mothers were barren?
It seemed like all of them were. There was no IDF back then. The reason why they suffered and were humiliated so much was because G-d wanted them to pray and their prayers were beautiful, sincere, and mesmerizing.
Between Adam, Eve, and the snake, G-d punished the snake most severely by taking away his taste buds and eating the dust of the earth.
If one thinks a bit; why is that a punishment?
He has no issues of finding and preparing food or having a craving. It seems we have the more severe punishment we have to find food, water, shelter, and energy, all with “with the sweat of your brow”.
It looks like we humans got the short end of the stick.
Not exactly. G-d was very angry at the snake. He was so upset, that He said to him “I don’t want to see you much- Don’t call me”. Therefore he made him more independent. By praying we are connecting.
Many Chasidim like to pray with their Rebbi. Some would go out of their way on a daily basis and some would travel 6,000 miles more often than not just to have that connection.Granted, they appreciate their teacher. He probably gave a lot to his students, but don’t they think they’re over doing it a bit?
There was once a business man who was traveling abroad. The concept of “man plans and G-d laughs” could not have been closer to the truth here. He was stuck in this town for Yom Kippur. He Google’s and finds out which shul is closest to his hotel.
Yom Kippur starts and this fellow arrives. “There are probably assigned seats but I’ll take my chances” he says as he strategically explores the shul. He sees someone praying, shaking ,crying and screaming to G-d. “Ah, that’s who I want to pray next to” he thought as he anxiously moves toward him and plants his Talit bag. For the remainder of the night this man wailed, fell to the floor and banged on his chest. It was a sight to see. It put the business man in a real repentance, Yom Kippur mood. He was so glad to sit next to him. He’s my ticket to a good year. Jackpot!! Show me the stairway to heaven. Jimmy Page eat your heart out!
Yom Kippur morning arrives and again the man’s performance was impeccable. The businessman was crying with him. However when the congregation was about to take the Torah out and read the morning portion he began to scream and argue with the Gabai.
” Why did you give that Aliya to him; I wanted it. You’ve been doing this all year; this is a conspiracy. You’re a louse!! This congregation is garbage!!
The business man sat there with such regret and embarrassment.
The business man, in essence did the right thing; it was just lousy mazal.
Many of our sages say praying with a minyan is more powerful then an individual prayer.
There are bad angels that are assigned to intercept ones prayers. Every prayer is heard, however it loses a lot of steam by the time it reaches the heavens. Prayer with a minyan goes to the heavens untouched.
Why?
No matter how good a person is “for the most part” he has issues and skeletons in his closet. While in a miyan there can be many individuals with different merits. The comradely and unison merits of a minyan make a wholesome and attractive package.
Furthermore we are humans after all and our concentration during prayer is not exactly always there. We are creatures of habit and there are pluses and minuses to that. Unfortunately, prayer can be mechanical. However, there will always be at least one individual at any given time who will pray with the up-most sincerity. They will un-knowingly and unconsciously pass the sincere baton to each other throughout the prayer services.
The Chassidim gravitate to where their Rebbi prays because a teacher of Torah is a tremendous giver. Learning Torah requires two parts. We say in the prayer before the Morning Shema, Lilmod u le lamed – to learn and to teach. The combination of the two equals to the full mitzvah-reward of learning Torah. If one only learns and doesn’t give over he doesn’t get the full reward. The teacher gets full reward for the dearest commandment: teaching G-d’s work. He’s a giver that emulates the trait of G-d.
To connect to the Rebbi, one is attached to many merits. Therefore it’s a tremendous benefit to pray with him.
Rabbi Yossi has tremendous merits and for at least one night, these eight taxi drivers prayed with a tzadik and as a result benefited greatly. They felt a spiritual high. A heartfelt prayer by one of those drivers in the confines of a minyan would have transported the prayers all in the minyan including Rav Yossi to the higharchy of the heavens, unabated.
“first story re-written, originally from “in the spirit of the maggid” by Rabbi Paysach Krohn, Mesorah publications,ltd, article written with the help from Rabbi’s Baruch Dopelt, Yossi Bilus