Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Eikev – 7.30.2010

The portion this week focuses on Moses telling the people of Israel a paradoxical message. First, they are told of the confidence they should have in their success at conquering the land of Israel. Then they are told that this success is not because of who the people of Israel are, but because of their relationship with HaShem and his power; their success should not “go to their head” and forget the source, and reason, for their victory.

This is the Torah version of the classic, “from time to time you’ll see a turtle on a fencepost, and every time you do, know that he didn’t get there by himself.”

A few points come to mind.

1) Humility about the source of success We all need, and will have, help getting us to success. There is no validity in the “I want to do it all on my own” story, it is a myth. Everyone has help, they should, and it is OK. When the world gives us a hand, we are supposed to take it.

2) We must help others when it is our turn The key is remembering that we had a hand in getting to success. This should be a reminder to not take our selves to seriously, think ourselves too important, and always remember that we must lend a hand when we are the ones who can help the next turtle.

3) Does not remove our responsibility The fact that we are not the sole source of our success does not remove any obligation for us. In fact, it increases our commitment to our success and principles. This week’s parsha highlights why our continuing commitment to our part of the covenant is so important - it is how we work off the tab we owe for our success. It is not work that we can complete in our lifetime, but if we do not do our part we never will have a chance to living up to our part of the covenant as a people. So we all must work as hard as possible.

4) Does not diminish our success In this week’s parsha although you hear a warning of false ego, you also see a counter point. That we should be proud of the success we achieve. And that we should believe in our success today and in the future. We just cannot forget that we have had lots of help during the way.

So this week let’s take pride in our success, and humbly remember all that came before us that made the success even possible. We cannot, and as we see this week should not, look to do things alone. Instead we can take pride in our success, be humble because we cannot do it without others (and HaShem), continue to work on ourselves and our community and always help when the opportunity presents itself.

That is what Moses taught us this week. And if we live up to that example, we will have something to be very proud of.

Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Summary

General Overview: Moses continues his pep talk to the Israelites, cautioning them not to fear the Canaanite armies for G‑d will wage battle for them. He also notifies them that their entry into the Land is not due to their own virtues – Moses reminds them of their many transgressions to emphasize this point – but rather, it is in the merit of the nation's Forefathers. The commandments of prayer and Grace After Meals are mentioned. The second part of the Shema is also found in this portion.

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First Aliyah: This section begins with a promise: if the Israelites observe G‑d's commandments, they will be blessed in a multitude of ways, including the obliteration of their Canaanite enemies. Moses enjoins the Israelites not to fear these enemies, for G‑d will miraculously deliver them into their hands. Moses instructs the Israelites to destroy all the idols and their accoutrements which they will find in Canaan. Moses then discusses their forty-year desert ordeal, and the many tests and miracles which accompanied them. Moses provides a description of many of the wonderful features of the Land of Israel, and the Israelites are commanded to bless G‑d after they eat and are sated.

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Second Aliyah: Moses admonishes the Israelites that the new-found fortune which will be their lot once they enter the Promised Land should not lead them to forget the One who provided them with the wealth. Such a blunder would lead to their destruction and ruin.

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Third Aliyah: Moses tells the Israelites that they will inherit the Land of Israel not due to their own merits and righteousness, but because of the promise G‑d made to the Patriarchs. In fact, Moses reminds them of the many times they angered G‑d while in the desert, placing special emphasis on the sin of the Golden Calf, when G‑d would have annihilated the Israelites if not for Moses' successful intercession on their behalf. He also makes brief reference to the other times when the Israelites rebelled against G‑d.

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Fourth Aliyah: Moses recounts how after the Golden Calf debacle, G‑d commanded him to carve two new tablets upon which G‑d engraved the Ten Commandments, to replace the first set of tablets which Moses had shattered. At that time, G‑d also designated the Levites to be His holy servants, because of the devotion they demonstrated throughout the Golden Calf incident.

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Fifth Aliyah: Moses charges the Israelites to love and fear G‑d, and to serve Him. He expounds on G‑d's greatness, and impresses on the Israelites their great fortune: that G‑d has chosen them to be His treasured nation. He again reminds them of the many miracles G‑d had performed on their behalf since they left Egypt.

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Sixth Aliyah: Moses tells the Israelites that the land of Israel is constantly dependent upon G‑d for irrigating rains, and that the land is constantly under G‑d's watchful eyes. We then read the second paragraph of the Shema prayer. In this section we are admonished to observe G‑d's commandments, which will cause G‑d to supply bountiful rainfall and harvests. Non-observance will lead to exile. We are commanded regarding prayer, tefillin, mezuzah, and teaching Torah to our children.

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Seventh Aliyah: Moses informs the Israelites that if they follow G‑d's ways and cleave to Him, they will easily occupy the land of Israel, and no man will stand up against them.

Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Vaeschanan – 7.23.2010

This week’s portion gives us one of our most familiar prayers, the shema. The parsha contains the following familiar portion:

“Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One

Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might; And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart. And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

I wanted to focus on the first word in particular. Listening is a central concept of Judaism. Even in the Torah, HaShem is a voice to be heard. The last book of the Torah, which we are reading now, is about Moses re-telling the stories of the Torah.

The key is that the people of Israel have to listen. Our oral tradition is as much a part of the beliefs and actions of Torah as the written scripture. In short, to be Jewish means we must listen. People often feel that Judaism has become “all or nothing”, but if we are forced to listen we understand that this type of thinking is not part of our tradition. The principle of listening and evolving our understanding and faith extends to our whole community, and our whole world. This is the key point of this week’s portion and, in many ways, the point of the fifth book of the Torah.

This week we can remind ourselves to listen; listen for meaning, listen for HaShem and listen to each other.

Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Summary

Sefer Devarim is called "Mishneh Torah - The Review of the Torah" because it repeats over 100 mitzvos already mandated in the previous 4 Books. Rav S.R. Hirsch explains that of the 199 Mitzvos commanded in this book, more than 70 are new. The repeated mitzvos focus on areas that will be of greater immediate concern as they encounter the 7 Nations. For example, the prohibition against idol worship. Although already taught, it needed to be reiterated as the Jews would confront the inhabitants of Canaan, who were idolatrous. Those mitzvos whose application was the same, whether in the desert or in the Land, are not reviewed. In Parshas Vaeschanan Moshe continues his final instructions to the Bnai Yisroel.

1st & 2nd Aliyot: Moshe beseeched Hashem to enter the Land. However, he seemingly blamed the nation when his request was turned down. Moshe explained the foundation of our divine mission, which will be recognized by the other nations. Moshe stressed allegiance to Hashem and the consequences to ourselves and our children if we do not keep the law.

3rd & 4th Aliyot: Moshe designated the Cities of Refuge, and reviewed the entire experience of Revelation.

4th, 5th & 6th Aliyot: Moshe stressed the reaction of the nation after te giving of the Torah, and forewarned them not deviate from the Torah, either to the right or the to the left. The first paragraph of Shema is recorded. (6:10-15) Moshe warned the people about the dangers of prosperity, and directed them to keep the commandments and remember the Exodus. Moshe forewarned them about the dangers of assimilation and told them to always remember that they are the Chosen People.

Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Devarim – 7.16.2010

The final book of the Torah begins this week. It starts with Moses giving his final message/sermon to the Jewish people before they go to Israel. It is a point of pause in our story and allows us a moment of context. The final book of the torah will recap much of what we know through the eyes of Moses. And by structure this contextual retelling is 20% of the Torah.

And while there are a lot of little interesting details in this week’s portion, the larger point of the value of context and retelling is what I walk away thinking about. Our tradition is grounded in a belief that we need to retell our tradition, and in doing so put it in our framing and context for future generations. But this framing is not done solely in our mind, but is based on the foundation of HaShem’s holiness, the laws and behaviors of Torah, and the lessons and actions of the people of Israel over time.

We have a rich history and tradition. It grows in each of us, and is built over time with the stories and context of those who came before us. This reframing and retelling is a part of the tradition, as much a part of our Torah as the laws and commandments. This week reminds us that we all have a responsibility to the history of our people, and a commitment to create the stories and context for the future generations that come after us.

Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Summary

General Overview: This week's reading begins the Book ofDeuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Five Books of Moses. Moses begins his final monologue, five weeks before his passing. He recounts the story of the Israelite's travel through the desert, placing emphasis on, and rebuking them for, the story of the spies. He describes Israel's conquest of the Emorites and the Bashanites.

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First Aliyah: The Israelites are situated on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, on the verge of entering the land of Canaan, and Moses' death is imminent. This is the setting for Moses' final statements to the nation he lovingly tended for four decades. After delivering a veiled rebuke to the nation for their many past misdeeds, Moses revisits the period, some 39 years earlier, before the Israelites left Mount Sinai at G‑d's behest, with the intention of immediately invading and entering Canaan. At that time, Moses expressed to the Jews his inability to single-handedly bear the burden of leadership, because "G‑d, has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens in abundance."

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Second Aliyah: After the Israelites consented to the idea, Moses appointed a hierarchy of judges to preside over the nation. Moses recalls instructing them the basics of judicial integrity. Moses then recounts how the Jews traveled through the desert and quickly reached Kadesh Barnea, on the southern border of the Holy Land.

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Third Aliyah: But at that time the Israelites approached Moses and demanded the right to send out scouts to reconnoiter the land. Moses recounts the tragic episode in detail, how the scouts delivered a frightening report, claiming that the land was unconquerable. Despite Moses' protests, the Israelites adopted the scouts' attitude and decided not to enter Canaan. This caused G‑d to bar that entire generation from entering the Promised Land.

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Fourth Aliyah: Moses continues: At that time G‑d instructed the Israelites to reverse course and head back to the desert. Realizing their dreadful error, a group of Israelites proceeded to advance toward Israel -- in the face of Moses' objections. Lacking divine protection, they were immediately attacked and massacred by the Emorites. At this point, the Israelites heeded G‑d's command, and headed back to the Sinai Desert.

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Fifth Aliyah: Moses fast-forwards 38 years. The generation which left Egypt had perished. Now their children were ready to enter Canaan. But first G‑d instructs the Israelites regarding three nations whose land was off-limits for them: Seir (Edom), Moab and Amon. These lands were the rightful inheritance of the descendants of Esau and Lot. Instead, the Israelites circled these lands and approached the land of Sichon, king of the Emorites, and requested passageway through his land. Sichon refused the Israelites' request.

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Sixth Aliyah: Moses recalls how Sichon led his nation in battle against the Israelites. The Israelites were victorious and took possession of his land. When the Bashanites then attacked, they meet a similar fate. The lands of the Emorites and the Bashanites were given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh.

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Seventh Aliyah: Moses delineates the borders of the lands allotted to the aforementioned tribes. He then repeats the instructions he gave to these tribes to cross the Jordan together with their brethren and participate in the battle against the Canaanites before returning to their land on the eastern bank of the Jordan. Joshua, who will lead the nation into Israel, is enjoined not to be fearful of the battles which he will face, because "it is the L-rd, your G‑d, who is fighting for you."

Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Matot-Masei – 7.9.2010

The tribes are on the border of Israel. Two tribes request that they settle on the land on the other side of the river, not in the promised home land of the chosen people. At first Moses was resistant. But the tribes of Gad and Reuven said the following:

"We would like to build pens here for our livestock and cities for our women and children. But we are ready to arm ourselves and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place. Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has received his inheritance. We will not receive any inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan."

They agree to stand and fight with Israel, even though they are not planning to live there. This makes two key points about Jews living outside of Israel

1) Jews in the Diaspora are part of the plan

2) All Jews have an obligation to fight for Israel as a part of the deal of being in the Diaspora

No reason to get into what “fighting for Israel” can (or should) mean. For purposes of this week I think the question is not “how do you fight for Israel?” but “do you fight for Israel?”. This week, and in some ways every week, the torah reminds us that execution must be adaptable. Plans change (what is 40 years between Jews right?), people argue (no comment), but our purpose… our purpose does not change. Being a Jew means fighting for Israel.

Period.

If you are not fighting for Israel in your own way, you are saying, “I am not living up to the obligation of being chosen in the Diaspora”. It is an eternal, and contractual, obligation that we fight to protect Israel; as much a part of our identity, beliefs and chosen nature as any of our commandments.

This week reminds us of this sacred, and binding, obligation for the Jews of the world. To be chosen in the Diaspora we have to choose to live up to this contract. A covenant to protect Israel and make sure she is safe no matter where we live.

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Summary

General Overview: This week's Torah reading, Matot-Massei, begins with the laws of oaths. The Israelites wage battle against Midian and the spoils are divided and tithed. The tribes of Reuben and Gad request and receive territory outside the mainland of Israel. Moses reviews the forty years of Israelite journeys through the desert. The Torah discusses the boundaries of Israel, its division amongst the tribes, the cities which theLevites would receive, and the cities of refuge. Zelophehad's daughters are restricted to marrying within their own tribe.

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First Aliyah: A person who obligates him or herself with a vow is required to fulfill the vow. Under certain circumstances, a husband or father can annul vows made by his wife and daughter. The Israelites were commanded to exact revenge from the Midianites for their part in seducing Jewish men to sin (described in the end of the Torah reading of Balak, Numbers 25). A 12,000-strong army of Israelites, led by Phinehas, waged battle against Midian. All adult Midianite males were killed, along withBalaam and Midian's five kings. The women, children, and battle spoils were brought back to the Israelite encampment.

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Second Aliyah: Moses was enraged that the Midianite females were spared. "They were the primary culprits; the ones who seduced the Israelites and brought about the plague which killed so many!" Moses exclaimed. All the males and all women who possibly could have been involved in the campaign of seduction were killed. The soldiers were instructed how to purify themselves from the ritual impurity they contracted from contact with corpses in the course of battle, and are told how tokosher the food utensils which were among the spoils. The spoils of the war were evenly divided between the soldiers and the greater community. Tithes from the spoils were given to Elazar the High Priest and the Levites. The army officers counted the soldiers who returned from battle, and determined that not a single man was lost in the war. To show gratitude toG‑d for this miracle, the officers donated to the Tabernacle all the gold jewelry which they personally plundered from the Midianites.

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Third Aliyah: The tribes of Reuben and Gad owned lots of cattle. Seeing that the eastern bank of the Jordan -- the lands of Sichon and Og which they had just conquered -- had abundant pasture, they asked Moses if they could remain and settle on the eastern bank. Moses angrily responds that they are following in the footsteps of the spies who were fearful of the Canaanites, did not want to enter the land of Israel, and discouraged the entire nation from doing so. The Reubenites and Gaddites respond that they will leave their cattle and families behind in fortified cities, and all their men will proceed into Israel with their brethren and lead them in the conquest of the land. Only after all the land has been conquered and settled would they return to the other side of the Jordan.

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Fourth Aliyah: Moses accepts the offer of the Reubenites and Gaddites, and informs Joshua and Elazar the High Priest of the agreement. These two tribes, along with half of the tribe of Manasseh settle on the eastern bank of the Jordan, and conquer many of the areas wherein they encountered opposition. The Torah then recounts the journeys of the Jews in the desert; the 42 journeys which took them from Egypt to the banks of the Jordan.

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Fifth Aliyah: G‑d instructs the Jewish people to eradicate all Canaan's inhabitants and destroy their idols after crossing the Jordan River. The borders of the land of Israel are delineated. The land was to be divided by lottery amongst the nine and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh were going to settle on the eastern bank of the Jordan).

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Sixth Aliyah: G‑d appoints a representative from each tribe to divide his tribe's portion of land between the tribal members. The Jews are commanded to provide the Levites with 48 cities where they would dwell -- 42 cities plus the six cities of refuge which would be designated. Along with these cities, the Levites were given expanses surrounding the cities for their cattle.

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Seventh Aliyah: The Jews are commanded to designate six cities of refuge. These cities offer refuge to a person who inadvertently kills another. The murderer must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the serving High Priest. The Jews are enjoined not to take "blood money" from a -- intentional or unintentional -- murderer who wishes to lighten his sentence. In last week's reading, G‑d instructed Moses to give the daughters of the deceased Zelophehad his portion in the land of Israel. The elders of Zelophehad's tribe now protested that this would cause Zelophehad's sons -- who could possibly be of another tribe -- to inherit their mother's properties, thus possibly transferring land from the portion of their tribe to another. G‑d therefore instructs Zelophehad's daughters to marry men from their own tribe, so the land they inherit will remain in their ancestral tribe.

Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Pinchas – 7.2.2010

L’dor va dor – from generation to generation – is a phrase that has come to represent our need to create a foundation for growth for those who come after us. This week’s parsha talks of the next generation of the Jews taking on leadership and coming of age in the Torah. And this generation is definitively different than their predecessors. The next generation cast off the slavery-framed mindset of the previous generation, and instead begins to take on the look of the nation of Israel ready to retake their homeland.

And simply put that is what I think we learn this week. That as we grow as a people, we must be looking and planning for the next generation, and to that end, we should look for their actions that signal they are ready to rise to that call. The namesake of this week’s portion, Pinchas, is a member of that next generation that stood up when leadership called. He stood up, acted and was given a reward of leadership. Similarly, Joshua is named the next leader of the Jewish people.

The next generation must be given the tools and opportunity to step into leadership. Each generation must simultaneously ascend higher, while making sure that it is building a stronger foundation for following generation. This dual work is the charge and challenge.

This weekend is Independence Day. A wonderful time to reflect on the blessings we have in our lives. We live in a country that allows us all to express our thoughts and intentions, not as silent hopes, but as audible and visible actions bound only by our ability to dream and willingness to act. The United States of America has created a foundation for this growth and freedom, and allows us the opportunity to act and take on the challenge of building a better life for ourselves and our families. And as we are taught this week in the parsha, that opportunity to act is one for today and tomorrow.

In the Torah portion this week, we are reminded of the generational nature of action and leadership, and our responsibility for both. And this week we are reminded that we should be grateful; grateful that we live in such a nation that allows each and every one of us to act and lead. We are blessed to live in a world that allows us an unfettered option to dream, and act upon that dream. This is an opportunity we should be appreciative of, and work to make it better now and (as we are reminded this week) for the generations that follow.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Independence Day

Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Summary

General Overview: Phinehas (Pinchas) is rewarded for his bravery. A census of the Israelites is taken. The daughters of Zelophehad successfully argue for a portion in the land of Israel. Joshua is ordained Moses' successor. G‑d relays to Moses the details of all the holiday sacrifices.

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First Aliyah: Last week's reading concluded with Moabite and Midianite women seducing Jewish men and enticing them to idol worship. At that point, Phinehas unilaterally executed a Jewish leader along with the Midianite princess with whom he was cohabiting. This week's reading opens with G‑d praising Phinehas, and rewarding his bravery by granting priesthood to him and his descendants. G‑d then commands the Jews to punish the Midianites by hounding and smiting them. The fulfillment of this command is described in next week's reading. G‑d commands Moses andElazar the High Priest to conduct a census of all males over the age of twenty.

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Second Aliyah: The Israelites are counted, and the totals are given for each of the twelve tribes. The grand total of all the tribes combined is 601,730. The tribe of Levi is not included in this census.

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Third Aliyah: As per G‑d's command, the land of Israel was to be divided amongst all those who were counted in this census. The location of each tribe's portion would be determined by lottery. The tribe of Levi is now counted. There were 23,000 Levite males above the age of one month. The daughters of Zelophehad approached Moses and stated that their father had died leaving behind only daughters. They requested to receive their father's portion in the land of Israel. Moses relayed their request to G‑d.

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Fourth Aliyah: G‑d agreed to Zelophehad's daughters' request. Moses is then instructed the laws of inheritance. Included in these laws is a daughter's right to her father's estate if he does not leave any sons. G‑d tells Moses to climb to the top of Mount Abarim from where he would see the Promised Land before he died. Moses asks G‑d to appoint a worthy individual to succeed him. G‑d instructs Moses to endow Joshua with some of his spiritual powers and publicly name him as his successor.

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Fifth Aliyah: From this point until the end of this week's reading, the Torahdetails the various communal sacrifices which were offered in theTabernacle and Temple at designated times. This section discusses the twice-daily "Tamid" sacrifice, as well as the additional sacrifices offered onShabbat and Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Jewish month).

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Sixth Aliyah: This section discusses the sacrifices offered on Passover,Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. The Torah also discusses some of the laws related to these holidays.

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Seventh Aliyah: This section discusses the sacrifices offered on the holidays of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret.