Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Breisheit - 10.1.2010

With Simchas Torah and the re-beginning of the Torah upon us, I wanted to take a moment this week to talk about the Jewish creation story. I think we as Jews rarely stop to think of the impact of the Genesis creation story.

This was the first time in history that a people's creation story was not out of destruction or a side effect, but was created for the purpose of a partnership between man and a greater power to perfect the world. And the concept that man is in partnership with God in the endeavor of perfection of the world, is the essence of the Jewish covenant and our purpose. The reason the world exists is to perfect the world through our actions in this world. This implies:

1. That it is not perfect, so the expectations of perfection are unfounded and pointless, and rob us of a purpose;

2. That it is this world, not some world to come, that we are supposed to be perfecting.

And it's important to remember that this is a long-term partnership, that has many stops and starts, but at its core still committed to that same purpose and ideal. Man in a growing partnership with God, here to help perfect Hashem’s creation. And the nature and scope of the work requires it to be done over the generations; which is one of the reasons why our covenant must be multi-generational.

This is our Jewish mission and story. In this imperfect world, Improvement through our hands is the point. And it must be through our hands, with other people.

The concept of Hashem and creation are ideas too abstract and infinite for us to even begin to understand. But by created a world, and humanity, in Hashem’s image we are given a vehicle to approach this challenge. When we look at perfecting this world through our hands and actions we get to act (in our own limited way) as an agent of the divine. This is how we can express our understanding of this perfection of God, how we interact with other creations.

The Genesis creation story flips our purpose and place in the world. We are not here as a byproduct or accident of a cosmic battle or forces. The narrative instead places our purpose at the center of the purpose of creation. And that purpose was to be a partner in creating a perfect world, here on this world, this plane, through covenantal living as an expression of our partnership with Hashem.

There is a great power in viewing the world and creation, as a point of order that places us at the helm of our own actions in making the world a more perfect place. We need to recognize the power of this story and what it gives us in terms of purpose and direction over the generations. We are Hashem’s business partners in this great endeavor, and what a spectacularly difficult and inspiring place that is to be. As we begin, once again, our journey through the Torah this year we should remember this every chance we get. It is what we are here to do.

Shabbat Shalom

Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Nitzavim-Vayelech – 9.3.2010

This week is when Moses hands the reigns over to Joshua. Moses does not hold back, but instead blesses Joshua and his leadership efforts. In addition the entire people of Israel must reaffirm their commitment to the covenant as a community in its entirety, not just at a leadership level. Every Jew must affirm their commitment. And although a covenant is permanent, this week reminds us that our commitment to it must be renewed.

Hashem tells this week - and through the last few - of the consequences and rewards of our actions relative to our covenant. As the mantle of leadership passes, our narrative point out that the commitment exists not just at a leadership level, but with each of us. We are once again reminded that each of us, as a community and individuals, have a need to opt into the “deal”.

As the Jewish people story continues our role and responsibility to the covenant gets broader and broader. Each generation has the responsibility to further the work of the covenant. As we come up to the high holidays we must look inward and ask how committed are we to the covenant? And more importantly, no matter how committed we are, we more can we DO this year to further that commitment? Take a moment over the next week and think about our commitment; not only to belief, but to the actions we must take to further the work of the partnership we have in perfecting the world with Hashem.

Shabbat Shalom Parsha Summary

General Overview: In this week's reading, Nitzavim-Vayelech, Moses gathers the Israelites on the day of his passing to enter them into a covenant with G‑d. He warns of the exile and desolation of the Land that will result when Israel abandons G‑d's laws, but assures them that they will eventually repent, and G‑d will then return His people to the Holy Land. This portion also talks about freedom of choice and the mitzvah ofteshuvah (repentance). Moses transferred leadership to Joshua and wrote a Torah scroll which he handed over to the Levites. Moses commanded the Israelites to gather following every Sabbatical year. First Aliyah: On the final day of his earthly life, Moses gathered all the Israelites -- men, women, and children -- to enter them into a covenant with G‑d, establishing the Israelites as G‑d's exclusive nation. Moses warned the Israelites not to be tempted by the idolatrous lifestyles of the Egyptians and the other sundry nations through which they had passed in the course of their travels. Moses warned of the dire consequences which will befall the individual, family, or tribe, which would forsake their covenant with G‑d. This section concludes with the concept of communal responsibility for not appropriately punishing individual sinners. Second Aliyah: Moses informed the Israelites what will occur after they are exiled from their land due to their sins. Eventually they will wholeheartedly return to G‑d, and G‑d will gather them from the furthest reaches of the heavens and return them to the land of their forefathers. At that point, Moses says, "G‑d will 'circumcise' your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you may love the L-rd your G‑d with all your heart and with all your soul." Third Aliyah: When G‑d gathers His people's exiles, the Israelites will once again serve G‑d, and will be blessed with abundance in the work of their hands, the fruit of their wombs, the fruit of their land, and the fruit of their livestock. Moses enjoined the people to follow the mitzvot, informing them that "it is not beyond you nor is it remote from you. It is not in heaven... It is not across the sea.... Rather, it is very close to you, in your mouth, in your heart, that you may do it." Fourth Aliyah: Moses told the Jewish people that they have been given free choice to choose between good and evil, life and death. Their choice will determine whether they are the beneficiaries of G‑d's blessings or curses. Moses implored the Israelites to choose life. Moses informed the people that he is 120 years of age on that day, and he is not permitted to cross the Jordan River together with them. Instead, Joshua will lead them, and G‑d will go before them and destroy their enemies. Moses enjoined the Israelites to be strong and not fear their enemies. Fifth Aliyah: Moses summoned Joshua and told him to be strong and courageous, for G‑d will be going before him and will not forsake him. Moses then wrote the entire Torah and gave it to the Kohnaim (priests) and the Israelite elders. Moses gives the commandment of Hakhel(assembly), whereby every seven years, during the holiday of Sukkotwhich follows the Sabbatical year, all men, women, and children assemble and the king publicly reads sections of the Torah. Sixth Aliyah: G‑d commanded Moses to enter the Tabernacle together with Joshua. G‑d appeared to them both and informed them that a time will come when the Israelites will abandon G‑d and stray after alien gods. At that time, G‑d will hide His countenance from the nation, and they will be subjected to much evils and troubles. Therefore, G‑d says, "Write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the Children of Israel. Place it into their mouths, in order that this song will be for Me as a witness..." This 'song' is narrated in next week's Torah reading. Seventh Aliyah: When G‑d's wrath will find the Israelites as a consequence of their evil actions, they will claim that the misfortunes are befalling them because G‑d has abandoned them. At that time, the song which Moses and Joshua wrote will bear testimony that these events are in fact punishment for their sinful behavior. Moses took the freshly concluded Torah scroll and gave it to the Levites. He instructed them to place it beside the Ark which contained the Tablets. Moses then gathered the entire nation to hear the song, wherein he would call upon the heavens and earth to be witnesses that the Israelites were forewarned regarding their fate.