Fans were shocked and appalled at Paul McCartney, who was a member of one of the greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll bands, The Beatles, accepting a lead roll in a commercial for American Express. What’s the big deal? Well, apparently McCartney’s Beatles (some might take offense and say it’s Lennon’s Beatles) symbolized the anti-establishment movement (the long hair, anti-government, anti-social norms.) In fact, The Beatles presumably were the leaders of such a belief in which government; society and the workforce got it all wrong. The mega-giant company, American Express, represents corporate America,’the establishment’. McCartney, in essence, is raising the white flag and proclaiming by holding the credit card, ‘I’m part of the corporate suits, I’m part of the establishment, and I’m no longer a fighter for the cause.’
In this week’s parsha, Balak, we learn that our Jewish young men were seduced by the daughters of Moav. One of the tools in which Moav used to lure our boys was introducing them to the idol worship Baal Peor. The Gemara relates that those who worshiped Baal Peor would consume various laxatives and then proceed to relieve themselves before the idol. I’m kidding you not; this is what’s required to worship this idol. The more of a disgusting mess one makes, the better one worships. Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz asks ‘what is so attractive and extremely appealing about such a gross act?’ Furthermore, one may ask, ‘what’s the connection between sinning with the daughters of Moav and Baal Peor?’
The worship of Baal Peor was an expression of degrading and humiliating one’s Gods, which is the very opposite of their society as a whole, who showed great respect to worshiping idolatry. Seen in a deeper sense, it represents the tearing down of all moral and religious restrictions and prohibitions. The worshipers of Baal Peor proclaimed their complete lack of recognition of any system of values whatsoever. This complete anarchy is their God.
We now see the attractiveness of this worship. The allure of the ideology of permissiveness and lack of any restraints is seen in today’s world resulting in immorality and degradation of society. This was the foresight of the evil Bilam, whose intention was to destroy the Jews; who orchestrated this plan of seduction with devastating results.
We are not allowed to break any laws pertaining to the country in which we reside. This is in accordance with the Torah. This constitutes an act of rebellion and a practice of Baal Peor. G-d said ‘I hate Baal Peor more than any other idol worship.’ The reason is that at least in idol worship, society had some order, rules are followed, and unity is being preserved (although I believe Mayor Bloomberg has gone too far with excessive motor vehicle violations). We have to be law-abiding citizens.
It was hip and ingrained in us to be anti-establishment, anti-government, growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, and testimonial to this rebelliousness, was the popular movie, Animal House, which has Baal Peor written all over it. So many people who saw the film acted out the role of the rebellious crude characters. Even as a Rabbi today, I have a hard time walking into Shul and sitting in the front because we never did it as teenagers, because the anti-establishment sat in the back; it was cool; it was Baal Peor.
The Beatles were extremely talented and took Rock ‘n’ Roll to a much higher level – and some of their messages – through their music, were genuinely good. However, some were dangerously bad. Like many, they used their musical talent to express their opinions. They once performed in front of the Queen of England. Before one song, John Lennon, who had a cynical side to him, instructed the audience, ‘This song needs your participation so I would like the people in the balcony to clap their hands and the people in the front to rattle their jewelry.’ By that remark, Lennon mocked the establishment at its highest level – in front of British Royalty. The Beatles would endure a certain Baal Peor reputation which would radically change by one of their own, approximately twenty-five years later, as Paul McCartney held the American Express card and smiled. |
Archive for August 2013
Parshat Balak
Breakfast Cereals: Oven Puffed Crisped Rice (1/6)
One of the most popular commercials in television history involves breakfast cereal. In the 1980’s, Life cereal had a situation commercial where three brothers, ranging from two to eight years old, were sitting at the breakfast table. Two of them were contemplating whether or not to eat the new cereal their parents bought them. Apparently, not sure what to do, they thought of a plan to present it to the youngest brother, Mikey. Knowing Mikey is difficult with food, if he eats it, then it must be good. Mikey began to eat the cereal as the brothers were staring at him in anticipation. ‘Hey Mikey, look, he likes it!’
Life is one of many choices of kosher cereals we have. In fact, if you’re talking about choices, I especially like ‘the family variety pack’ (different varieties in mini boxes). Apparently, with the overwhelming amount of different cereals available at the supermarket, it seems like one can never refer to eating cereal as boring.
Last week we spoke of the first of six different categories of cereal and their respective brachot. Because of the vast varieties, one can get lost as to which bracha to make. In fact, it could get so complicated my friend, Ruben Kolyakov, pointed out that one particular cereal, Kellogg’s Crispix, remarkably has two brachot – mezonot and ha’adama because one side is made of rice and one side is made of corn; and they’re both ikar (main brachot of the cereal). Rabbi Avram Sebrow of Yeshiva Chafetz Chaim (writer for the Five Towns News) also agrees about the unique double blessing and adds that one has to make the mezonot bracha first because it’s on a higher level of importance.
This week we’ll discuss the second category, which is oven-puffed crisp rice (Kellogg’s Rice Krispies is an example.)
Crisp rice cereals are made by a process called oven puffing. The main process for making crisp rice is as follows: Whole rice is cooked with sugar and flavoring. The rice kernels are then dried and slightly squashed. The kernels are placed in an extremely hot oven for puffing, after which they are toasted. In another process, ground rice is cooked into a batter and extruded into small pellets. The pellets are then puffed and toasted. Both types of crisp rice are subject to the bracha of mezonot. This also applies to crisp rice which is flavored with cocoa and fruit flavoring (such as Cocoa Pebbles, Cocoa Krispies, and Fruity Pebbles.)
One may ask ‘why was the Life commercial so popular?’ I believe Americans of every age fell in love with Mikey and his brothers because it reminded them of youth, of themselves. Cereal is something which is appealing to all ages and to all walks of life. Everybody gets that refreshing get-up-and-go feeling after a bowl. Folks have gravitated from the simple and sweet cereals of childhood to a healthy high grain, high cosmopolitan-ish contraption of a cereal. I sometimes stroll down the aisle of a supermarket with my son and wonder if I should get the oldie but goodie classic cereal or I should be a daredevil and try something new like Mikey. |
The Importance of Fine Clothing
“For glory and for majesty” is the expression describing how the Kohen’s attire should be. The Torah goes through an entire Parsha, sometimes in detail, describing the priestly clothing. One has to wonder, our religion which emphasizes internal beauty and spirituality, looks like it’s overdoing it a bit on the material external side, don’t you think? Furthermore, it’s a bit unclear whether external beauty is a tool to do a mitzvah or is it an end within itself. It’s an argument between Rashi who says that when the scripture says “l’kadsho” – to make him holy, implying the clothes, means towards performing the mitzvah. While Maimonides, wearing the clothes counts, as one of the mitzvoth.
The intention of the Torah is to enhance the status of the Kohanim by putting importance on the fine special clothing, regardless of it being a mitzvah or not. The Israelites will have more respect for G-d’s representatives, and therefore more respect for G-d.
It seems, perhaps a bit demeaning that we need the pageantry-like grandeur to enhance our spirituality. It shouldn’t be like that, considering we impressed G-d by proclaiming “we will do and then we will understand”. It was a much-advanced statement of belief to say the least. Presumably, one may have figured, the High Priest could have paraded around with a T-shirt and jeans and it wouldn’t have diminished the status of the Kohen or G-d for that matter. Do we really need the fine clothing to impress us?
Furthermore, there is more evidence of our human weakness. When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai, why did he have to bring down the physical tablets? If he found those particular commandments to be important, then let him verbally and dramatically announce them; after all, he did memorize quite a bit of the Torah, what’s ten more?
We learn a lesson that no matter how intellectual one can be, no matter how much of a strong belief one has, he still needs the physical to seal it in his psyche. On a subconscious level, the tablets or the Kohen’s garbs will be the final approval. We are – after all – flesh and blood and there is a great need for the physicality to complement our spiritual quests. |
Mysterious Stranger
One of my popular lectures a number of years ago, was titled the “Mysterious Stranger.” We all had at one point of our lives the Eliyahu Hanavi experience, where we find ourselves in a horrible or dangerous scenario and some stranger comes out of nowhere and saves the day. When we turn around to thank him, he’s gone.
One example is a story I’ve been told countless times since I was a kid. A month after my parents immigrated to this country, my mother quickly got a job in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Kol hakavod to many New Yorkers who have these daily rigorous commutes to and from work. My mother had to quickly learn this new system, which was obviously most difficult since she did not speak a word of English. For this job route, she needed to switch numerous trains to get to this location. During the first week of this new experience, instead of taking the local train, she mistakenly took the express and ended up north of the City. It was a culture shock to be in a train station and not seeing one white face. Imagine yourself in this woman’s shoes – a month ago, she was in a familiar setting in the comfortable confines of her own people, her own language, her own country. And now, she is getting a guided tour by the New York City transit system of one of the worst neighborhoods in the country. Welcome to New York!
Out of nowhere pops this Chasidic old man who happened to speak Hebrew. He calmed my mother down and guided her to the right train en-route back to her life.
I also have two experiences with similar results. We all experience the burnt out feeling as a result of the highly pressured New York lifestyle. Learning in Yeshiva in Jerusalem for many, invigorates and energizes the body and mind. On one of these occasions, during the first days of my arrival, it was evident how beat up yours truly felt. I came across an elderly Rabbi in one of these mini eateries. I wasn’t sure I made the right decision, leaving a business and commitments back in the States and felt very uncomfortable. He reassured me I was making the right decision and I should focus on my learning. “Everything will be fine, you’re here because G-d wants you to be here.” After the half hour reassurance meeting, he excused himself and left. Talking to him made me focus better and put me back on course to recovery.
When my father passed away, my mother and I took him to Israel for burial. The Torah says one is excused from many Mitzvoth the time between a loved one passes away and when they are buried. It is one of the most depressing, shocking and very confusing time of ones’ life. Such was the feeling when we arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The feeling I experienced was one of helplessness and confusion. We just stood there frustrated and not knowing where to turn. An American religious Jew with a beard approached us and offered his assistance. He guided us to the right channels and helped us out tremendously before excusing himself and going on with his life.
One can say these individuals were Eliyahu, the Prophet, coming down to help at a time of need; the mysterious stranger who guides us in a time of distress before leaving and never to be seen again. That’s one way of looking at it. However, in a practical view, it is what Purim is all about.
It says when we received the Torah, we accepted it with one heart; however, the true acceptance of the Torah didn’t occur until Purim. The Jews were so united and their belief on such a high level, that today, if one gives a whole-hearted prayer it will easily be heard.
On Purim, we give out Mishloach Manot, little food and candy platters, to friends and loved ones to show unity and care for our fellow Jew. My friend, Jack Brooks, once mentioned how impressed he was with bikur cholim at the hospital when his family had to go in for an emergency on Shabbat. It just happened to be before Purim.
We all have to assume the role of the mysterious stranger and help our fellow Jew in their time of need. Unity and loving one’s fellow man is what Purim is all about.
Why Do We Wear Costumes on Purim?
Everybody out there probably has fond memories about the holiday of Purim. Do you remember your first costume? What was your favorite costume you had worn over the years?
There was such a grin and an enthusiastic salute in a particular picture I looked up of myself. It seemed like I was thrilled with the police uniform costume that my parents bought me when I was five. Guess what? When my son was five, I also bought him a police uniform costume for Purim and I even asked him to salute for a picture, comparing the two; now that’s cool!
What is the source for the custom of wearing costumes on Purim in which every Jewish community in the world follows?
It says in the Megillah, ‘v’nuhafachu’ everything turned topsy-turvy; things were not as they seemed. When the king ordered Haman the rasha to parade a very distinguished person on a horse with royal garbs, he thought he was talking about himself; but it was the Jew. Haman did just that – holding the mussel of the horse while Mordechai was riding. Everybody thought Mordechai was holding the mussel and they threw garbage at him not knowing it was actually Haman. The death decree against the Jews was overturned and Haman was hung on the tree that Mordechai was supposed to get hung from.
The situation turned around within moments. A beautiful example of this is the incident of Lot, Abraham’s nephew who was living in Sedom. The city was to be destroyed the next day, and Lot was trying to convince his son-in-law to leave the city with him. The son-in-law replied, laughing at Lot, it’s so beautiful outside, not a cloud in the sky, nothing is going to happen. Within 12 hours, the city was destroyed and he was killed in a blink of an eye.
By wearing a costume, we’re making a statement. Nothing is what it seems; it’s not me, it’s somebody else and that G-d can turn around anything at any time because He runs the world. The costume signifies an act of belief whether it is a police officer, baseball player, cowboy, Indian, and even a little princess.
What Quality Did Esther Possess?
The Talmud in tractate Megila mentions that Ester was one of four of the beautiful women that ever lived. The others were Chava(Eve) the first woman, Sarah, Avrahams wife, Rachav who was a prostitute that later became an observant Jew. She later on married Yehoshua ben Nun, the leader after Moshe. Lastly, Ester.
G-d gave Ester CHEN a special grace that no one can resist. It was especially infused in her when she took the initiative and met with the king.
WANT TO INVITE YOU TO A MEAL! 
Esther invited Achashverosh and Haman for a meal. At the dinner party, she dropped the bomb on Haman. Inviting the enemy to your house is strategically a very good tactic. It makes your guest feel good and it disarms a person. One caters to one’s pride (in this case the guest).
We find that Korach invited many of the important people and won them over by the HACHNASAT ORCHIM- bringing in guests. That’s one reason his rebellion almost succeeded. The guest will forever be indebted to the host.
WHY DO WE HAVE TO HAVE A MEAL?
Well, there are two reasons. Firstly, the changing of fortunes took place at Esther’s dinner party. We try to emulate G-d’s mercy. Another reason is that Haman wanted to destroy us, not just our spirituality like by Chanukah, but rather our whole bodies, destroying both physical and spiritual. Here, we are using our physicality for good, for the love of G-d, for his sake. We are showing appreciation that He had mercy on us and using it for the right reason.
STRESS CAN BRING OUT THE EMOTIONS THAT ONE MIGHT NOT WANT TO SHOW.
After Esther tells the king that there is a wicked man who wants to destroy my people, Achashverosh said, “ME WHO ZEH VEAI ZEH WHO- Who is this person?” Esther gets up and points her finger at who? ACHASHVEROSH, the king! Immediately, an angel came and redirected the finger at Haman. What was Ester thinking? This meeting between Esther, Achashverosh and Haman was carefully planned out. This was the perfect opportunity to finally get the evil Haman. Yes, we know Achashverosh was no boyscout, however young lady, please stick with the script!! The nation is depending on you!!
Obviously, Esther was under a lot of stress. Rabbi Akiva Grunblatt, Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, says that when we are under a lot of pressure, one’s inner feelings come out. How many people, presidential candidates for example, slip and say something they shouldn’t.
In the case of Esther, G-d didn’t allow it to come out.
Dr. Goldman, a psychologist at Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, says that pressure comes from the attitude we have. It is controllable; we just have to adjust our way of thinking and try to have a positive attitude.
The Secret is Esther
It was pretty obvious that Esther was destined to be the queen. Mordechai spent all the effort required to prevent this and tried to hide her from being exposed. The name Esther means hidden. What’s puzzling is that many commentaries say that she was not Mordachai’s niece but actually his wife.
There are two important hints that Sages are disclosing to us about Esther. She is the descendant of King Shaul and the comparison to our matriarch Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
The Sages bring an interesting passage relating the time when she prays to G-d in which she beseeches:
“My G-d you have forsaken me. Why have the order of the world and the order of the matriarchs changed to go against me? Sarah was held captive and Pharaoh was punished. I have been placed in the bosom of a wicked man all these years and you have made no miracles for me”.
Ester was Queen over 127 countries, the same amount of years that Sarah lived. Sarah was taken from her husband, however was saved from living with Pharaoh. Esther was not. For whatever reason, the soul of Sarah which might very well be Esther had to go through the torture of living with a barbaric king.
The connection to her ancestor, King Shaul, is revealed when Mordechai informs Esther to go to the king now. She protests and says he didn’t call me. No one goes to the king without being called. Mordechai answers in a most unusual way and says that if you don’t go, someone else will be the one chosen to do this important mission. You and your ancestors will be lost.
Esther was the secret weapon to fix the mistake of her ancestor, King Shaul, who did not kill off all of the Amalekim (the nation that’s an enemy to the Jews). She has now come to kill off Haman who is from the genealogy of Amalek.
Parshat Yitro – Freedom of Choice
King David was quoted as praising Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law, as a very smart man who has a tremendous insight into G-d and was able to fully comprehend the miraculous events that occurred to the Israelites. This was evident by some of the definitions of his seven names, in which Rashi and many commentaries say he was called by. What was it about Yitro, which impressed David and warranted such praise?
It’s only natural in a successful marriage that more and more matrimonial matches spurt up between the two sides; Moshe’s nephew, Elazar, marries one of Yitro’s daughters. But what’s odd when we are introduced and informed of the union, is Rashi’s description of Potiel, the father of the bride, Yitro’s other name; he describes a man “who fattened calves for idolatry” and “from the seed of Yosef who conquered his passion”. Now I understand the compliment of the comparison to Yosef, that’s very nice; however, why bring up “he fattened calves”? It’s very demeaning not just for Yitro but for Elazar as well. One can only imagine the mazal tov section of the weekly Synagogue newsletter stating ‘Mr. and Mrs. Potiel, the ones who fattened calves for idolatry.’ It doesn’t have a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
In this week’s Parsha, our ancestors received the Torah and we read the Ten Commandments. One has to ask, why did G-d emphasize these ten as opposed too many others he could have mentioned? Furthermore, G-d wanted to give it to the other nation as well; but His reply to their question of what’s in it, always played on their weakness. For example, to the Arabs he emphasized ‘do not steal’; to Edom, ‘do not kill’; G-d knew perfectly well that it would be difficult for them.
Rabbi Oelbaum says that the fundamental importance of the Torah is to enable us to overcome and do the opposite of our nature, to break the one aspect of our personality that we have a tough time overcoming. This is the primary goal of life.
Perhaps this is what G-d intended when approaching the nations and asking, are you ready to accept for real, and therefore you would have to eradicate stealing or murder or what ever weakness one has.
Rav Eliyahu Lopian teaches an important awareness of freedom of choice. This is an important aspect of man. However, one should know the definition of freedom of choice is not that one can do whatever he wants. If that was so, what is man’s superiority over animals? They too can do whatever they want. The definition of freedom of choice is that he’s able to choose himself and go against his nature, against his natural instincts and animals cannot do this.
Perhaps this is the greatness of Yitro; his weakness was idol worship to an extent where he couldn’t control himself. However, he was able to persevere and see G-d where many couldn’t. We must bring another definition of Potiel and that is ‘sheniftar me-avoda-zara’, he was able to disassociate, break off from idol worship.
These Ten Commandments were chosen because they are the fundamental building blocks of the Torah, of life. If we strengthen our character traits and not get sucked in like a magnet, we would have done our duty and we would be able to exercise our true freedom of choice. |
The Price of Fame & Talent
 
This past week, the world discovered a new star, Jeremy Lin, a basketball player playing in the NBA for the New York Knicks, who is a back up to the back up, and was given a chance to play. Lin took advantage of the opportunity and played terrifically. The whole world, especially the sports world, now knows who Jeremy Lin is. He became an overnight sensation. Reporters are following him everywhere. Everything he does, whether on or off the court, is magnified. His life basically has changed in a ferocious way.
Also, this past week, one of the music industry’s famous stars, Whitney Houston, was found dead in a hotel room in Los Angeles. The police are suspecting drugs to be the cause of her death. Houston, who had a drug problem for years, has watched her career tumble because of the addiction.
We are witnessing the rise of a star and the unfortunate demise of another. Playing the back seat driver, which we all like to do, perhaps Mr. Lin might need advice on how to deal with his newfound fame. Not that I’m an expert, but I’ve asked our good ole’ pal, Dr. Goldman, the Psychologist of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, on what Lin should expect, and how to protect himself from the damage fame can have.
The Mesilat Yesharim says the evil forces can test a person with failure, and also with success. Dr Goldman says fame and/or talent can be very destructive. One has to keep a proper balance of life, to know the value of what is worth in their lives. New York had a Governor years ago by the name of George Pataki who used to travel from Poughkeepsie to Albany back and forth in order to spend time with his family. His children were in school in Poughkeepsie, and it would have been difficult to take them out during the school year. Even though Pataki commanded one of the most important and powerful jobs in New York – if not the country – he still did not change the priorities of what he thought was important in his life – family. Many thought that was very admirable.
Dr. Goldman also warns that dealing with people can be a challenge with their newfound fame. Many will praise you and try to accommodate you any way they can. They’ll try to put you on a pedestal. It’s understandable; this behavior is expected by strangers or people who don’t know you well. However, sometimes family and close friends might fall into that trap and start treating you differently. One has to work profusely and exhaustingly to keep your relationships as normal as possible by reiterating, “I’m the same person” and encourage the same normal relationship as before. It’s so tricky; apparently, one is in danger of losing a sense of identity.
On a smaller scale, in our lives some of us tend to achieve success in some form or another, and people are sensitive enough to realize it and tend to react differently. One has to be prepared and make the proper adjustments. He or she has to have the proper perspectives and values, Torah values, and not to lose one’s identity with their newfound and temporary fame. |
Measure For Measure
Germany in the 1930’s was known as a very cultural society. The Jews of Germany were so in love with its elegance, grace and blah blah blah that they considered themselves Germans first and Jews second; sounds familiar? One may wonder how can a society like that can turn to be cruel, brutal, and barbaric, which no one has seen in the history of mankind?
We read a few weeks ago after the miraculous crossing of the sea by our ancestors, that “they saw”, then “they feared”, then “they believed”. It seems like fear is part of the equation. Fear is part and parcel of belief. However, fear and religion – according to American taste – doesn’t get many brownie points. It’s not a popular word when associated with religion. In fact, I’m not going to title this article with that “word” in it. Hey, I got to sell this, don’t I? Americans like a slow song guitar playing spiritual orah, kumsitz style; or getting the spiritual high from appreciating the good things in life, like a good kiddush, a good meal combined with some good Torah learning. Personally, I’m all for that and that’s how I feel one can grow through the appreciation of all the wonderful things G-d has given us. However, we have to have a little fear; little just a little. I’d like to explain this through the following story. Although it’s a bit crude, it makes an effective point.
There was a father and son who had a nice relationship. At age 5, the boy got a racing car from his father. A number of years later, the boy received a bicycle for his birthday. After borrowing the family car too many times, the father decided to get a second vehicle and the boy ceremoniously declared it his. As time marched on, the son got married and had kids. The father, in the meantime, reaches an age where health is an issue and the doctor visits are more frequent. Years later, the son has to accompany the father to the medical facilities. It seems like the father has reached an age where he can’t take care of himself and the son has to put him into a home. The insurance doesn’t cover everything; it’s Medicare. However, the son and the father have some money saved up.
In today’s times, people live longer than in the past and the father has survived a good number of years at the home but the cost is a bit expensive and the family resources ran out. Therefore, he had to move back in with the son. He received plastic plates while the rest of the family was eating on the nice porcelain because of the possibility of him breaking it. It was very hard; the father became irritable and the son just the same.
One day, the son, although carefully planned, had an idea. He said to his father “Father, we’re going on a trip, you and me”. He takes him for a long ride on top of this huge mountain. After a nice walk, they get to the edge of the cliff. Just then, as he’s ready to push his father off the cliff, he notices his father smiling. He says to himself, my father is a very smart man. Let me ask him about his reaction. “Father I know you know why I brought you here, why are you smiling?” The father replied, “Because I did the same thing to my father”.
The son didn’t go through with the plan because of the fear of measure for measure in which his children will react the same.
A person can be educated, be cultured, and have elegance and class, but when G-d puts him in an extremely difficult predicament, he can turn into the cruelest animal one cannot even imagine. The one attribute that will prevent him from going to the extreme behavior mode is fear. The son was ready to kill his father out of frustration, but held himself back because of fear of measure for measure. What’s the expression? What goes around comes around.
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