Paganism was the way of the world in ancient times. Notice the totally different mindset compared to today’s times where worshiping G-d or Gods is a far second to making money, physical health, etc. One particular idol worshiping was pretty unique. It’s fascinating how the sages describe Ba’al Peor. We discussed in last year’s parshat Balak’s newsletter about how G-d is repulsed at whoever worships Ba’al Peor. What is so terrible about Ba’al Peor? Well, its a little funny how one worships it. He urinates and excretes on it. That sounds more like a lack of respect and disregard for that particular idol worship, doesn’t it ? This is precisely what the philosophy of Ba’al Peor is all about. Its a rebellious disregard for idol worship. So whats wrong with that? one might say. The world should believe in one G-d, right? Not so, worshiping Ba’al Peor means to cause confusion in the world, a total irresponsibility. There are no laws, not civil nor religious. Everybody’s free and anything can go; sounds like Woodstock. Nevertheless, G-d would rather have a paganistic society and have law and order in the land then to follow him as opposed to having a animistic free-for-all.
It’s funny, Ba’al Peor didn’t start that way. It evolved from something completely different. Many years before worshipers would be so focused on there paganistic G-d, they would develop such a fear that they would unconsciously urinate and excrete. The fear factor level was such, when they reached that level of an “accident”, then they fulfilled their worship requirement. Whomever is familiar with physiology knows fear and worry causes a need to relieve oneself..
So we see Ba’al Peor evolved from one philosophy to something strangely different. Pretty frustrating for the initial people who had a completely different intent. Although they’ve been dead for hundreds of years so it doesn’t matter one iota. Perhaps, one should be proud of Judaism. Although there have been minor trimmings over the years and those changes were inevitable and by design (rice on Pesach yes,no or whatever depending on your custom) the core of Torah and its laws are the same. If one thinks about that, its mind-boggling!!
Following these laws that were traditionally kept precisely like our ancestors did several thousand years ago sprouts a real good feeling. Although with modern technology it’s a lot easier for us, we’re doing the same Shabbat table; singing Shabbat songs as they did and being off key as they did. Lastly having a l’chaim as they did.
I guess this is one of the lessons we can learn from Ba’al Peor. Our religion is here to stay, Baruch Hashem.
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Boy, Has Time Changed! Well…
Dignity – An Important Part of Life
The most complex character in the whole Torah is Bilam. He was unique in that he was one of few gentile prophets; that within itself is a tremendous feat, yet at the same time he was the slimiest low life that walked the face of the earth. Bilam was a money-hungry, egotistical pervert who had relations with his donkey and was also involved with making prostitution more prominent. An all around guy,don’t you think ? |
Crime of Humanity
We are now, unfortunately, in the midst of the three weeks. During this period, we mourn the loss of our Temples approximately two thousand years ago. Rabbi Jay Shapiro of WITS Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, says in this time we mourn humanity. He quotes a Ramban on the topic of Yosef and his brothers. The brothers were jealous of Yosef; when they were finally alone with him in the field, the idea sprouted in their heads to kill him. This suggestion was shot down by the older brother Reuben as it was too extreme of an act. So instead, one of the brothers suggested to throw him into a pit leaving him for dead. Apparently, they realized it might not be a good idea, where then it was decided to sell him instead. “Why should we have the blood of our brother on our hands?”
After many years, G-d created a famine which led them down to Egypt. The brothers faced the viceroy of Egypt, not knowing it was their long lost brother, and requested food for their families. The brothers were bothered at the trouble they were encountering. They spoke among themselves concluding that the reason G-d was punishing them was because they ignored Yosef’s pleas and cries as they threw him into the pit. He was begging them to get him out; however they disregarded him and enjoyed a meal among themselves.
So the Ramban asks, this is the one action they’re worried about? This is what you regret? What about wanting to kill him? What about selling him as a slave and ruining his life? What about the devastation they caused to their father? Why was it this particular incident that they felt they were in the wrong?
The brothers were intelligent, so the fact they picked this incident perhaps bring to light a concern of this action. They viewed it as cruel. The other incidences, though it was wrong, could be construed as impulsive, a crime of passion. Perhaps they might have had less control of the situation. However, cruelty, which they believed they displayed while they were eating and drinking, while their brother was pleading for his life, was inexcusable.
The first Temple was destroyed because of idol worshiping, murder, and sexual misconduct. These are considered serious stuff. However, it seems like after a number of years, G-d permitted the Temple to be rebuilt. Although horrible and hideous, nevertheless, it was the influence of the surroundings that propelled them to stoop that low. The second Temple, though, was destroyed for baseless hatred. It has been a very long time since, and G-d has not forgiven us.
Cruelty is an advanced state of hatred. It’s found in our inner personality. We have to address and curb this flaw in us because it could lead to devastating results. Some of which may not be forgiven by G-d.
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What Loyalty is All About
If one notices in this week’s Parsha, one will find many of the holiday/new moon/Shabbat Torah readings. For the most part, we read about the sacrifices which were brought in the Temple pertaining to that particular festive period. In most, if not all, the ox is a mainstay in the sacrifice procession. Why is the ox always in the limelight of the sacrifices? Furthermore, who cares? Why do we have to read about it anyway? Can’t we read about something more interesting; maybe some action-packed miracle or a war where the Jews are victorious. We should liven up the Bet Hakneset a little with an interesting story line for the reading. Perhaps reading about Yosef and his brothers and the famous dramatic pause “I am Yosef, your brother. Is my father still alive?” Sorry, but reading about an ox isn’t going to keep my interest.
Throughout the Jewish calendar year, we follow the mystics in performing many symbolic rituals. The ones that stand out are the ones recited on food. For example, apple in honey during the night meals on Rosh Hashanah. The sages say by making the bracha on these symbolic rituals, it will touch a cord in the heavens where the chances are better they will come true.
What special symbolism does the ox signify? We know every creature on earth has a special song. The song that the ox sings is Az Yashir; which is the song that the Israelites sang after the splitting of the sea and discovering the Egyptians didn’t make it in their quest to capture and conquer the Jews. So in a moment of gratitude and appreciating what G-d has done for them, they sang this particular song. The emphasis, though, is on the words ASIHIRA LA-HASHEM KEE GAOH GAOH, sing to G-d for we have pride. What does the ox have pride in? The ox has pride in his wealth. The ox is a very strong animal and is considered a workhorse for his master and therefore brings him riches. With his stamina and work ethics, he is able to endure and weather many difficulties in his quest to satisfy his master. It says in the prophet Yeshayahu, “He knows his master.” An ox has tremendous loyalty to his master and recognizes him.
When Eliyahu, the Prophet, had a showdown with the false prophets, he gave them an ox for them to sacrifice to their G-d. “Who’s ever sacrifice will be accepted is G-d’s choice.” The ox wouldn’t move; he would not go with the false prophets. It was only after Eliyahu convinced the ox that if he goes with them he will sanctify G-d’s name. Then and only then, did he go.
This is the reason the ox is in the limelight. We read about the ox being sacrificed because this is the animal who knows his master. He has the utmost loyalty towards him. The sacrifices are substituted for us. We have to have tremendous loyalty to our Master. It’s our job to do His work at any cost because this will bring us riches by doing His mitzvot – commandments. The ox is symbolic of what we should strive for to be the best in serving G-d.
From the shiurim of Rabbi Isaac Olbaum. |
Our Ideal Woman is Dangerous
Pinchas was a hero!! He practically saved the day. Although 24,000 people died, which is pretty devastating, our sages, however, say it could have been a lot worse. There is a lingering question that Rav Henoch Leibowitz z’l asks. After all is said and done and all damage has been tallied, how can the Jews have faltered? How could they have been seduced by the Moabites and Midyanit girls? What’s so special about them? You see, when the Israelites were in Egypt for 210 years, there was only one incident where a Jewish woman acted somewhat immodest. In 210 years, only one incident? That’s not bad!! Don’t you think? The sages say that Egypt was the dirtiest, slimiest, most impure place that ever existed. In fact, Maimonides writes in his books, “Every day that I’m living in Egypt, I transgress the Torah law of one is not allowed to live here.” One would figure if there is any place in the whole wide world the Jews would falter in the avenue of immorality, it would be Egypt. And yet it was Bilam and Balak, not Pharaoh, that did in the Jews.
The sages say the Jews had their guard down as they walked past the Moabite stores. The old ladies were sitting outside trying to peddle their merchandise inviting the Israelites into the tent to try it on. However, as they innocently walked in, they discovered lo and behold their daughters. Hey, what happened to Aunt Phrecha? This was a carefully designed plan. Now, what happened next in the tent was the main part of their scheme and the reason why the Jewish men came back a second time. A little while before the old lady outside gave the customer one price, inside the tent, the young woman gave him a much lower price. The two women started arguing but at the end of this staged argument, the young woman prevailed and gave the Jewish customer the better price. This act was intended to warm up the heart of the Jewish man. A gesture of a nurturing caring woman who is willing to give up her family for the cute Jewish guy.
Regardless of his strong Jewish identity, the next day he was back for more. The warmth that was displayed by the young woman was irresistible. Who would not be attracted to that? This was the beginning of the disaster. Rav Chaim Volozhin says the ideal woman is not a “yes lady.” It says that Adam found a wife “ezer k’negdo” – a wife beside him. Rav Chaim says ezer k’negdo also means “against him.” She should voice her opinion if she feels the husband is wrong, which is 90% of the time according to the women’s poll (HA, HA! The women are shaking their heads in approval). She should voice her opinion against the husband. In this way, the husband will get an objective opinion and then decide strategies of life. However, we tend to differ with this portrayal of the optimal choice. Hey, Rav Chaim, that’s not what we want; we want a Stepford wife. This is our dream, our desire; however, it’s not what we need.
Bilam and Balak played on the male desire. They didn’t just bring to the table flesh, a pretty face; they brought a situation, a Hollywood script that’s attractive. The smiley wife beautifully made up with an apron. This was the irresistible attraction generously engineered by very intelligent sinister people and it worked.
A CARING WIFE – A man sneaks into field level 50 yard line section from the upper-deck at a championship football game. Boy, he has chutzpah; he quickly sits next to this little old lady in the front row. “Can I sit here ma’am?” he said . “Oh sure, go right ahead,” she replied. Ten minutes later, she commented how great these seats are, that her late husband and her had these season tickets for the past forty years and went to every single game. A little while later, the man, out of curiosity, asks the old lady, “These are such good seats and such an important game, how come you couldn’t get a friend or a relative to come with you?” “They couldn’t make it, they all attended my husband’s funeral.” |
Jewish Continuity
This past Sunday, the mothers and daughters of 147th and 76th road, (actually, it spilled over to 77th Ave as well), in Kew Garden Hills, organized for the boys and girls of their families, a siyum hasefer – a finishing of a book party, in the park. Every Shabbat for the past six years, approximately, these tzadekot would organize a brachos party where the kids would hear a story from various popular inspirational Jewish books. They then, make blessings and answer amen to various goodies that are prepared and presented on the host table. A different family would host each Shabbat.
The Sunday get-together reminds of a story I read a number of years ago which I would like to share. This story probably took place within the past 20 years. A man was walking past a synagogue in Boro Park where a funeral was taking place. Curious, he walked in to see who had passed away. Realizing that indeed, he knew the deceased, he approached the family and insisted that he would like to say a few words about him. Although, he was not scheduled to speak, nevertheless, he got the opportunity because of his persistent nature. Everybody was curious, especially the family, what this person, whom they did not know, was going to say. He began telling his story; “Every morning, I would be waiting at the bus stop for my bus to get to work. After some time, I realized something peculiar on the opposite direction of where I was going, across the street. There was this old man, the deceased, waiting at the bus stop, however, he never got on any bus. He’d be watching all the vehicles that passed by. One day, I got to the bus stop very late and realized that he was getting up to – I guess – walk home. Curious George that I am, I decided to cross the street and asked him, “What’s with your routine?”
He was very friendly and he kept on blessing the Jewish people. Then he started to tell his story. “I was in a concentration camp and we were always taunted by the German guards how it’s the end for “you Jews”; we all felt doomed. Today, 50 years later, I would get up early and go to the bus stop and count, about 30 school busses, with little Jewish children going to Yeshiva. I would not leave until I count 30. After the last bus, I would remember the Germans’ words, “It’s the end for you Jews”, and then I would thank G-d for all he has done.”
It’s a wonderful feeling seeing my children make brachot and even tell stories at this special Shabbat get-together. It’s a tremendous merit that innocent children are saying brachot and answering amen. I remember walking in Yerushalayim, as well as my son’s yeshiva in Queens, and hearing the boys singing in unison passages from the Torah. It reminded me of when I did that. The adrenaline running high and you are screaming and singing on the top of your lungs.
The old man’s last words to the Curious George friend, “It’s not the end for us, Jews”; he then smiled and said, “we are still alive.” |
Mankind’s Precious Gift
Today, when we swear or take upon ourselves a vow, one can bet the house that the percentage of keeping it is, sadly, not very good odds. Although our intentions are genuine and we give it the old college try, we are not trained or as disciplined as our great ancestors were, to be more careful in this area. Boy, if one only knew how important hatarat nedarim and Kol Nidrei are (invalidating vows and oaths before Yom Kippur and at the start of Yom Kippur). Apparently, even annulling the vows and oaths are not a simple matter. It should not be taken lightly and done hastily like it was second nature.
It was said about Nevuchadnetzar that when he died, they were scared in Gehenom – hell – that such a terror was joining them. As one knows his history, he destroyed the first Temple and exiled the Jews to Babylonia. Nevuchadnetzar was known to be a cruel tyrant, never-the-less had sparks of goodness that the sages said were most impressive.
In his early years as emperor, he treated the Jewish king Tzidkiyahu, respectfully. When Tzidkiyahu came to Bavel to affirm his alliance to the emperor, Nevuchadnetzar granted him free access to the palace. He appointed him, Tzidkiyahu, ruler over the king of Edom, Moav, Amnon, Tzor, and Tzidon. Tzidkiyahu once entered Nevuchadnetzar private dining room unannounced, and found him tearing the limbs from a living rabbit as he ate it. Eating the limbs of a living animal is forbidden by Noachide law, even to a non-Jew. Apparently, Nevuchadnetzar did not wish to make this public knowledge and give the impression he had cruel habits. Embarrassed, Nevuchadnetzar commanded Tzidkiyahu, “Swear that you will never reveal what you witnessed.” He did swear; however later, a wind of stupidity fell upon him and requested the Great Sanhedrin (the House of Jewish Judges) to annul his oath. Unfortunately, this wind of stupidity was contagious and they did. Their annulment proved fatal to them and put a bad taste in Nevuchnadnetzar’s mouth toward the Jews.
Tzidkiyahu once foolishly disclosed the embarrassing incident of Nevuchadnetzar to the five kings at a dinner, which they apparently immediately dispatched this confidential disclosure to the Babylonian palace. So much for friends.
Nevuchadnetzar, unsurprisingly, considered Tzidkiyahu’s offense an act of treason. He ordered Tzidkiyahu and the Sanhedrin to appear before him, where he gave the sages seats of honor. He then asked them to expound the Torah before him. The Sanhedrin proceeded to translate one Parsha at a time. When they arrived at the subject of vows in Parsha Matot. the Emperor inquired, “If someone wishes to annul a vow, may he do so?” “He can go to the Sage” they replied, “who has the authority to annul his vow.”
“Now, I know Tzidkiyahu betrayed me!” the emperor accused them, “He came to you and you annulled his oath!”
Nevuchadnetzar commanded that each member of the Sanhedrin be tied by his hair to a horse’s tail and be dragged from Yerushalayim to Lud.
This tragic event was one of many that foreshadowed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
G-d has given mankind a precious gift – speech – as well as many important laws attached to it. He can take this gift and take this world to the highest chamber in heaven. However, he can also destroy it and bring it down to the lowest depths of Gehenom.
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Prayer: A Chart
There is a Torah level commandment and there is a Rabbinical level commandment, Praying is a Torah level. Generally speaking, one should be a bit more careful with a Torah level commandments. Apparently one can fulfill his duty of prayer by talking to G-d in private with no time frame attached. However, if one wants to get the maximum results, he should follow the guidelines in which the Sages have instructed.
The nucleus of the prayer is the Amida, otherwise known as the Shemoneh Esrei. Amida means to stand; it’s also said in silent, individually. The RAMBAM – Maimonides advised, one who wants to form a strong bond with G-d should recite the first bracha of the Amida with concentration. The Shemoneh Esrei, which refers to the original eighteen brachot, now nineteen, is recited three times a day (Shabbat four) .There are four levels of prayer, concentration, found in the prayers and the Amida is at the climax. In order to have good prayer, one has to have good concentration and in order to have good concentration one cannot speak during certain prayers. For example, one is allowed to say Amen before BARUCH SHE’AMAR, the first of four levels. Between BARUCH SHE’AMAR and BARUCHU, which is the second level, it is still permissible. However, in the next level, which is between BARUCHU and the AMIDA, one is only allowed to say Amen between paragraphs. The last and most intense in concentration, between GA’AL YISRAEL and the AMIDA, there should be no recitation of the Amen. While one is in the middle of the AMIDA and the Chazzan and the minyan (congregation) recites the KEDUSHA, you are prohibited to utter Amen, or for that matter, anything. One should just remain quiet and concentrate on the KEDUSHA and after they are finished, resume your AMIDA. |
Og, the Giant
The greatest prophet that ever lived was none other than Moshe, the undisputed greatest leader we ever had. Moshe’s communication with G-d was the most intimate of any human. He argued with angels and was victorious. It is also said that the angel of death was confused on how to take his soul when the time came. Apparently, Moshe gave him a hard time. Therefore, it is mind boggling to read in this week’s Parsha that Moshe was scared of Og, the Giant. Og’s name is the result of when he came to visit Abraham and Sarah; she was making oogot – cookies. So by association from then on, they called him Og.
Og was unusual in a big way, no pun intended, because he was a giant. He was the king of Bashan and the Israelites went to war against them. Why was Moshe scared, out of all people, of Og?
Apparently, Og was the one who informed Abraham that his nephew Lot was kidnapped. This propelled Abraham to go to war with the king and was responsible to save his nephew. The fact that Og informed Abraham was what merited Og to live a long life. Moshe was scared because if he goes to war with Og, he will still have in his bank the remnants of that act of informing Abraham which resulted in saving Lot.
However, Og had an ulterior motive. The reason why he informed Abraham was that he anticipated Abraham will go to battle and would die. Then he will be in line to marry Abraham’s widow, Sarah. So it wasn’t the purist of intentions to say the least. However, as Rav Henoch Leibowitz zt’l points out, even with his selfish, mean ulterior motives, the fact that he was instrumental in being the messenger and saving Lot, he has tremendous merit under his belt. It therefore marks him as a dangerous foe.
We learn from here that one never knows what merit an individual has. On the surface, he can be the biggest rasha; however, if he performed one act of kindness a gazillion years ago that can translate to an answered prayer at a time of need for this person, or in this case perhaps a victory at war. This is what Moshe was afraid of; at the end Moshe was victorious and the Jews were en route to conquer the promised land.