BITACHON

        Chanukah is more than a historic date. When we light the Chanukah candles we are commemorating  the struggle of the Jews against a foreign oppressor of two thousand years ago. Chanukah recalls the battle of a people for the safeguard and the preservation of religious and spiritual freedom. This was the crucial issue for which the Maccabees took up arms. 

    The nine golden tapers sparkling in the Chanukah Menorah help us to remember that great historical moment in our Jewish past and urge our vigilance, more than ever, to assure that our ideals and our security in the State of Israel, today, is safeguarded. The words that we must reiterate are  בימים ההם בזמן הזה.  These are times that we need our spiritual energetic force to bring forth our modern day Maccabees that will stand proudly for our Jewish people and our Jewish State.  

    Secretary of State John Kerry delivered an outrageous and insulting speech against the State of Israel.  He portrayed Israeli society in a most devastating and destructive manner.

    We, the Jewish People, while igniting the lights of the Chanukah Menorah are dispelling our societal darkness.  Kerry lit a vitriolic bonfire to burn the only glorious Democratic State in the Middle East and, supposedly, an ally of the United States.  He suggested that democracy and Judaism cannot go together - what an absurd and ludicrous statement. 

    Like Joseph, we are בעלי חלומות.  We dream.  Not the impossible dream, but the dream of survival.  We dream that we will be the Democratic- Jewish State that knows how to be ethical and moral and continue to be the  אור לגויים.  

   Remember בטחו בה׳ - let the world know that our survival is due to the miraculous intervention by Hashem.   The miracle of רבים ביד מעטים, foresees a time like ours, where the world, including the security council of the United Nations and the United States of America, have rallied against us.  However, at such a precarious time our בטחון grows greater and  יד ה׳ stretches forth to protect us and guarantees our security and survival.

    Our פרסומי ניסא is to tell the world "You do not decide our fate.  It is בורא העולם who acts on our behalf and guarantees our future and our glorious destiny."

 May this Chanukah herald a time of  ביאת המשיח, and שלום על ישראל. 

                             עם ישראל חי

                                     שבת שלום חדש טוב חנוכה שמח

CHANUKAH 5777

    As we approach the Holiday of Chanukah , I remember, with reverence, the words of Harav Kook, "If you desire, as a human being, look at the light of G-D's Presence in everything. Look at the Eden of spiritual life - how it blazes into each corner and crevice of life of this world, right before your eyes of flesh and your eyes of soul. 

  Gaze at the wonders of creation,at their divine life, not like some dim phenomenon that is placed before your eyes from afar. But know the reality in which you live. 

  Know yourself and your world. 

  Know the thoughts of your heart and of all who speak and think. 

  Find the source of life inside you, higher than you , around you.

  Find the love within you, lift it up for all to gaze upon and spread it for all to enjoy". 

    What magnificent words. Only Rav Kook can bring them into reality for a message of inspiration for our times, especially as we prepare to light the glowing flickers of Chanukah for all to see and for all to be inspired. 

  It is sad as we realize that we live in a difficult and often frightening world where hatred and antisemitism seems to be more prevalent than any other time of our existence. 

   It is with these thoughts in mind I am reminded of a Mishna in Midos which speaks of our הר הבית. 

  The Mishna states, "Within the walls of the Temple Mount there was a partition the "Soreg". The Greek army, when they entered destroyed this fence in 13 places. When the Chashmonim rededicated the Temple, they restored this "Soreg",this partition, to its original form and offered 13 prayers of thanksgiving to Hashem. 

   Please understand that this "Soreg" was not a massive stone wall, it was merely a picket fence made of wood and interwoven fiber. You may ask, "Why was it so important for the Greeks to intentionally seek to destroy it?"

   Let us review the history of yesteryear. During the years when there was peace in Israel many visitors used to come to Yerushalayim from many different countries.  They were especially attracted to the 

בית המקדש, including the Syrians and the Greeks. The further they went into the Temple Mount the more their curiosity was aroused and when they reached the "Soreg" they were told that they were not allowed to go beyond this point due to their anti-Jewish and anti Torah oriented way of life.

   When Antiochous and his hordes invaded, and defamed the Holy Temple, the first thing they did was to destroy the "Soreg", the wall of separation between Judaism and Hedonism. They smashed it with a great sense of anger and wrath to tell the Jew he is no different than who they were and no longer will they be allowed to lead lives different then everyone else. 

  When, at last, the miracle of all miracles took place and the Maccabbees won their victory and gained their religious freedom once again, they rededicated the Mikdash, but specifically restored the "Soreg" and decreed a special service of 13 expressions of Thanksgiving to Hashem.  In doing so, they restored the line of demarcation between Judaism and Hedonism.

  This is our lesson of Chanukah. We must, once again, erect a "Soreg", a life that emphasis that Judaism is not like others, that we will fight with all of our spiritual energy, to live a life of Halacha and Mitzvos and not to succumb to those who want us to assimilate into the world of the majority. 

   Yes, in many ways we may be the same as others , but when it comes to our Judaic way of life we will not permit ourselves and our families to forfeit our heritage, merely to be accepted by others. 

   The place to begin is in our homes.  That is why the true observance of Chanukah is to light the Menorah in our homes נר איש וביתו. A light of Torah, a light of love and a light of spiritual warmth that comes from greater family involvement.

    When we begin the holiday of Chanukah we ask, "מאי חנוכה, what is this Holiday all about?"

   When experiencing the great miraculous intervention of G-D and lighting the Menorah we can conclude the holiday with זאת חנוכה. This is what Chanukah is. It is fighting any force that wishes to upset our traditional way of life.  Let these forces of assimilation recognize the immense pride that we feel as observant Jews and the Blessing that comes with living a true Jewish way of life.  

    Let the world recognize that we are אור לגויים. A light among the nations of the world.

    Today more than ever we must live the words of  Zechariah, the Navi:

לא בחיל ולא בכוח כי אם ברוחי אמר ה'

  A "Freilichin Chanukah" to all.

              שבת שלום

   

FELLOWSHIP

   I asked the participants in the Shiur that I give what they thought was their greatest fears. They gave me many answers and I wonder what my blog participants would reply to this question.

   "My" response was "loneliness". It is true there may be times that we would like to be alone, to be by ourselves, to be able to be contemplative and to meditate and to pray, which can be invigorating and inspiring.

  However, loneliness is different. Loneliness creates a feeling of isolation, a feeling of standing alone and being disconnected from others. 

  Many times I hear from parents that they feel lonely when they do not hear from their children for many days on end. 

  Youngsters tell me they feel lonely when they are rejected by their peers and they often say, "No one wants to associate with me , they don't ask me to join with them during lunch time"

  This loneliness can be Psychologically damaging to ones personality and outlook on life.

  Loneliness and rejection can truly be devastating. 

  As I think of this dilemma, I begin to realize there is nothing more gratifying in life then to know you are surrounded by loved ones and loyal and sincere friends. In any struggle in life it is reassuring that there  are others with you to help and encourage you as you travel on your life's byways. 

  How poignant is this idea as we read about Yaakov at a very crucial time in his life. The Torah states ויותר יעקב לבדו, "And Jacob was left alone". 

Herein we read how Jacob wrestled with this mysterious being before he is to meet his brother Esau. At that moment, knowing he had a supportive family and was successful economically, he still felt a deep sense of loneliness. 

   I often see this expierence as a foreshadow of what is in store for the Jewish People in the future. Far too often we,as Jews, feel that we are לבדו, alone, to face the entire world as they, so often, rally against us. It is at that moment of our existence that I hear the words of Hashem to Yaakov, לא יעקב יאמר עוד שמך כי אם ישראל כי שרית עם אלוקים ועם אנשים ותוכל. 

" No longer will it be said that your name is Jacob, but Israel for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome".  

  From that moment on, the future of Am Yisrael changed. We are no longer to feel alone and isolated. Our struggles take on another dimension, for now we are more empowered to successfully meet our foes with inner strength and with outer strength. 

  These are times that the name Israel must come to the fore in our life's travel. It is a time to remove the feelings of loneliness and to realize that Hashem stands with us in all of our travails and with Him we will succeed in our life's endeavors and the world will, then, recognize, "We are no longer the Yaakovs of the world but we are now proudly called    עם ישראל. 

                                            שבת שלום 

DREAMERS ARE WE

  There are times that daydreaming overwhelms us. This often occurs when we are in the midst of studying or even merely, watching a football game. For some unexplained reason I had this feeling last week while watching a Patriots football game. Why it happened to me watching the Patriots  game you may ask? Let me to explain.  Last year during a Patriot game the management, led by Robert Kraft, insisted that the game be played in memory of Ezra Schwartz. Ezra was a young Bostonian from Sharon, Massachusetts who travelled to Israel to study for a year. Eric Fromm's words describe Ezra "Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives of himself , he is truly rich." This is a profound statement of life - a life that was cut short by the mercilessly murder of this young man by terrorists in the land he loved. Unfortunately, his life will be remembered  for the horrible hatred and antisemitism that is sweeping our nation today and especially the anti Israel and anti Jewish cancer that is engulfing our colleges in the most malicious and vile way.  NLet those with hatred in their hearts and anger in their words look with respect to our Ezra and learn and appreciate what the State of Israel means to the Jewish People and the world  and the pride that comes with being a proud Jew. Let those who speak ill of others first begin to define who they really are.

   It is with this in mind that we study this week's Torah reading and remind ourselves of that glorious dream of Yaakov. The Torah describes this remarkable dream: ויחלום והנה סולם מוצב ארצה וראשו מגיע השמימה, "Jacob dreamed of a ladder standing on the earth with its top reaching into heaven."

 As I reread and study this amazing dream I recognize a remarkable thing. We are told that Yaakov saw angels ascending and descending on the ladder. Rashi noticed the unusual order of the verbs ascending and descending and since we are of the belief that angels are thought to be in Heaven to begin with, therefore the text should have read that the Angels first came down and then went up. 

  I sense that Yaakov visualized a Judaism that elevates people like a ladder. A person may reach the top of the ladder by climbing to the top by following the dictates and the lofty Mitzvos of the Torah. The climb, when done, with great loyalty and sincerity, can bring a person to an angelic state. People start a climb to a more meaningful life by starting the climb where they are and to where they want to be. 

 Out of divine commandments and deeds we build our ladders of eternity. We are for ever grateful for our dreams and our hopes which constantly imbue us with the shared spirit of our rich heritage. 

   סולם in Gematriah equals 136

   ממון in Gematriah equals 136

   The Sulam helps raise up the Mamon, the Gashmiut of life, from the corporeal realm to the transcendent, to the Ruchaniut. This is the perpetual work of Bnai Yaakov represented in Yaakovs dream. 

   Together let us climb the ladder of Yaakov and behold the Glory of  Hashem and may Ezra Schwartz's memory be an inspiration to everyone encouraging all of us to continue to climb our ladder of spirituality reaching all the way to the כסא הכבוד. 

       שבת שלום

   

    

  

VOICE OF JACOB

    As a school  psychologist I find this week's Parsha, Toldot, most interesting and truly enlightening. Herein, we are dealing with twin brothers, Jacob and Esau. Both are products of the same parents, raised in the same home and apparently given the same education and yet they turned out to be opposite personalities. One needs to ask, how is this possible. What caused such a difference in their development?

   Samson Raphael Hirsch, makes a brilliant observation regarding the education of children, as reflected upon the diversity of these two brothers. He sees the cause for Esau's evil behavior - Esau who is a completely different personality than Yaakov should not have been given the same education as Yaakov.  It was the inability to raise Esau according to his tendencies and needs that turned him into the alienated, rebellious and hateful person that he became.

Remember well the dictum, 

                                            חנוך נער על פי דרכו

Every child is to be dealt with as an individual and the best educator and parent is never to group children together as all similar but rather to recognize individual needs of all our children. 

   This idea is brought home to us when Jacob disguised as his older brother Esau hoping to deceive his father unto bestowing the Blessing upon him which properly belongs to the firstborn. 

     I will not explain whether it was right what Jacob did, rather I will focus on the reaction of Father Yitzchak when faced with Jacob in his brother's garb. 

   He utters the most profound statement reflecting the essence of Yahadus, הקול קול יעקב והידים ידי עשו

The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau. The allusion to the voice of Jacob is not surprising.  The voice of Torah , the voice of mercy and kindness is truly the voice that belongs to the Jewish people while the cruel hands of Esau and his ancestors  are symbolic of hatred and destruction. Thus the Blessing of Yitzchak rightfully belongs to Yaakov. 

   The educational process must become our main  agenda of Judaism in our day and age, especially when we recognize that  so many of our young people are going off the derech. It is a time to reevaluate our educational system. A time to be more individualistic and to be more attentive to every youngsters needs and less to the quantity of how much is being taught. Quality and not quantity is to become our motto in Jewish Education. With this idea in mind we will produce  more Yaakovs, young people with greater dedication and commitment to Judaism. 

   שבת שלום וחודש טוב

LIFE'S JOURNEY

   There are times that we take a closer look at the meaning of life and as we become more involved in recognizing our Blessings we, equally, realize that life is not always a smooth ride on our life's journey. 

  I remember the many times that I sat on the boardwalk watching the surfers waiting patiently on their surf boards for a breaking wave and being lifted up by the bounding waves and then the magnificent and daring ride begins. How thrilling it must be for the surfer at that moment of being lifted by the waves into a curling sweeping arch and at all times trying desperately, with some expertise, to maintain his balance.  Most of the time he is successful and rides those waves with much success, and then there are times that the challenge is so great and try has he must the powerful waves overpower him and he tumbles into the raging waters , only to live once again for another wave for him to ride successfully. 

  As I watched this surfer and the way he was  maneuvering the waves, I realize that life is like being a surfer, trying with all our energy and strength to swim successfully in the tides of life and to always maintain our balance even when we are faced with adversities and difficulties that so often happen to us so unexpectedly. It is at these times we need to muster all our spiritual strengths and with abiding Emunah forge ahead with optimism enabling us to carry on with a great sense that we can surf those waves of turbulent waters of life, successfully.  Most of the time it is due to our inner strength and the encouragement and support of family and friends that help us stay on the surfboard of life erect.  

  The more  I think about this issue the more I come to realize that faith, Emunah, is surfing  the waves of life. 

   Faith faces the fears and turns the negative into a positive and we become less overwhelmed by those dire circumstances. The question that I pose; "When can we feel that our prayers are being answered and that our feelings of vulnerability are less anxiety ridden?"

     In answering this question, I turn to this week's Parsha, wherein we see the  Torah describes Yitzchak in a state of prayer.

   ויצא יצחק לשוח בשדה "Yitzchak went forth to pray in the field."

    Chazal say that Yitzchak was praying Mincha and from his action we learn that he originated the Tefilla of Mincha.

  The Rav makes a distinction between Avraham who originated the Tefilla of Sharcharis and Yitzchak who originated Mincha. The Rav said that the word by Avraham for prayer was עמד,where he stood, emphasizing  Avraham's erect posture when he prayed, while Yitzchak's posture was לשוח, emphasizing a prayer of a broken man who cannot stand erect. These two postures reflect two types of prayer. Avraham who represents חסד, of an expansive kindness, consistently prayed for others. 

When praying for others it is well to stand erect, even to the extent of demanding that his prayers be answered. While Yitzchak represented the attribute of Gevurah, which implies withdrawal, contraction, an inward movement. When one prays not on another's behalf, but on ones own, his stance is bent over, stooped, as a poor man begging at the door. Yitzchak's prayer was, therefore, made in meekness, while bent over. 

    As I contemplate this difference, I realize more and more why all our  Tefillot are in the plural, such as רפאנו הי. As long as our Tefillot are inclusive of others, not only will they be answered for the other, it will even be more so answered for ourselves---this is true Tefilla. This is the essence of what life means - selflessness rather than selfishness. 

  This idea is truly essential as we surf on the torrential waters of life in a successful way by using the lessons of  prayer from  Avraham and Yitzchak, to pray with חסד and גבורה, to pray on behalf of others  and at the same time our own Tefillot will be answered. 

 Provide room in your hearts and minds for others and in doing so all our Tefillot and our visions of a life of happiness and peace will be realized for ourselves and Klall Yisrael. 

     This Shabbat we will bless the new month of Kislev, the month when we will celebrate the Holiday of Chanukah, a holiday commemorating a time of salvation for the Jewish People. It is a propitious time to beseech the almighty to bring about the true salvation for עם ישראל. 

        שבת שלום ומבורך

THE LEGACY OF AVRAHAM

As I pen this blog, permit me to reflect upon my glorious visit to the state of Israel for the Yom Tov of Succot.To be in Eretz Yesrael especially at this time is the ultimate experience of being Omed L'ifnei Hashem. As I approached the Kotel with my Esrog and Lulav, proudly in my hands preparing to make the Naanium as I recite Hodu  Lhashem, in singing praise to G-D for all the good that He bestows upon us. 

   As I begin to study this weeks Parsha of Lech Lecha and hear the words of Hashem to Avraham , to leave his country and his fathers house and to go to a new country that Hashem will direct him, we get the feeling that though Avraham followed the word of G-D , he must have had some worry to take such a giant leap of faith and give everything up to find and to live in a distant Promised land. Avraham with his great faith in Hashem takes the trip and everything that follows is history.

  Permit me to share with you a thought on what I believe was the motivational reasoning behind Hashem’s request to Avraham and more so why Avraham stepped into such an important role of becoming the Av Hamon Goyim.

 The life of a Jew is never to be satisfied with his accomplisments , but more so he must continue to aspire to greater heights in his spiritual quests. In Jewish life we must strive to bring  Yahadut to the world and more so to our Judaic Bretheren. It was to this end that Hashem selected Avraham to be the bearer of the message of monotheism to the world. It all started with the direction to Avraham of לך לך , go from your homeland to the place where I shall show you and bring this message of 

G-Dliness to the people of Canaan. We need to always realize in that Hashems selection of Avraham was not because he was a great warrior or  conqueror, but rather because he was a revolutionist who attempted to transform the world of idolatry into an oasis of spirituality. It was such a man that Hashem said לך go out, it is not enough that you believe, your religion must have a wider background than your parochial associations. That is why Hashem took Avraham outside and directed him to look heavenward - into the open - out from his tents - out from his home, to emphasize that now was the time to spread the monotheistic message to the world - now was the time for G-dliness to enter every vestige of our lives and for all to see the beauty and the enhancing affect that it can have on our lives. 

   This is the message of Avraham. This is the message that I felt when I visited the Kevoros of our beloved  Patriachs  and Matriachs in Hebron. A message that we must not allow our religion and our Faith in G-D to become limited and confined. We must live a life of לך and to go beyond ourselves  -outside of our own ego - outside of our Daled Amos and become emissaries of Hashem to the world. Like Avraham, this can only be realized when our relationship to one another  is based upon Chesed and love, two ingredients that will herald a more glorious time for עם ישראל, and will herald the ביאת גואל צדק, and a time of Peace and Tranquilty for the land of Israel. 

 

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POWER OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT

    As we approach the inspiring Yom Tov of Rosh Hashanah it is well to consider the idea that, "Life is change." In fact, life is 'constant' change. Life never stands still. This is what makes life such a great challenge, for we always realize that life is always in the process of "becoming."

  With this idea in mind we can come to the following conclusion, "life is not about comfort but it is about choosing meaning." 

   Today more than ever we must begin to find the "meaning" in life and then to begin to achieve that "meaning."

   With this thought in mind, I recall an awesome story that continually inspires me during this very spiritual time on our Jewish calendar, when we beseech Hashem to bestow his Divine Blessing upon us.  

    The Klausenberger Rebbe came to this country after the Holocaust, where his wife and his 11 children perished. The first Shabbos he was in America the Torah reading included the section known as the 'tochecha'- the curses that will befall our people if we stray from G-D and His Torah. The custom is that the Torah reader reads this part of the parsha very softly and rushes through it. The Rebbe upon hearing him read in this unusual fashion, began to shout

 "Hecher, hecher, hecher, louder, louder." The Baal Koreh  continued to rush through the reading, and the Rebbe in a loud voice said, "Chap nisht, chap nisht, slow down, slow down."

   After the davening the worshippers inquired of the Rebbe, "Why did you you react in such a way?" The Rebbe replied, "I want G-D to hear each word and to realize that each one of the curses has been fulfilled. Now it is time for Hashem to send us His Blessings.  

   What an awesome statement of life, to inspire us to live lives that will inspire Hashem to  infuse our actions with Blessings. 

    The Klausenberger Rebbe did just that. He went to Israel and built a magnificent  moshav and a hospital, and began to reach out to so many people with acts of Chesed. This is the way to change our lives and to bring the true Yeshuah to 

עם ישראל. 

These are the days that I strongly believe in the power of the human spirit. These are times that need the concept that we live בצלם אלוקים and to project this image  in the way we react to the needs of mankind. 

    Will the Shofar be blown and will we react to its call to man to change his behavioral pattern and bring a sense of Arevous that will herald a time of peace and tranquility to עם ישראל? It all depends on all of us as יחידים as well as involving the entire כלל.

  I wonder "Will we hear the Shofar of Geulah, and how will we react to its call?״

   Please share, with me, your 'personal feelings' and 'thoughts' as we approach these Days of Awe.  

   Wishing everyone a שנת חיים טובים וארוכים.

    

           

   

SEARCHING

As we prepare for the Yamim Noraim it is important to realize that this is a time of introspection and even more so a time for self-evaluation. These objectives may, at times, be very difficult to achieve, but know well that it is worth our while to make every effort to achieve this goal, if we want to begin this New Year in the right frame of mind. 

   Mimi reminded me that life is a search. This is true. We are all searching for something to make life more meaningful and more so, more enjoyable and anxious free. So many of us are searching for greater prosperity, for better health, for compassion and for so many true love. Too often in our search, we lose sight of the blessings that are at hand and fail to recognize the many blessings we already possess. When we are attentive to all our Blessings, we surely will find the contentment that we are searching for, bringing much joy and happiness to our lives.

   A colleague of mine once commented that the character of an individual can be appraised by his personal pronouns he is in the habit of using. The one who expresses himself frequently in the assertive “I” is an egotist who represents the narrow and selfish view of life. 

   I am reminded of a story that I recently related at an Aufruff, to encourage a special path for the newly married couple to follow in their life’s journey together. The story relates that there were two friends who wanted to perpetuate their memories. One cut a great obelisk from a quarry and engraved in bold letters his name and placed it besides the highway for all to see.  There it stood for centuries as a useless monument to a self-centered person. The other friend dug a well besides the desert highway and planted palm trees around the well. In the course of time that spot became a beautiful oasis where the weary traveler stopped to quench his thirst, to feed upon the fruit and to rest his tired body under its shade. 

    I began this blog speaking about our search in life, and now I ask, “What do we want in life, is it to build an obelisk or to create for ourselves and for others a magnificent oasis? The answer will determine what our priorities in life are and more so give us a direction in life’s searches.

    Are our pronouns a big “I”, or are we characterized by the pronouns “They” and “We”?

     These are very serious and complex times and we must strive for the spirit that speaks of togetherness, of sharing and cooperation, or we are doomed to failure. Remember, it is the “WE” slogan in the home that produces harmony and Shalom Bayit. It is the “We” ideal that will bring greater security and peace in our society. 

     One wonders at times what happened to the idea of Kol Yisrael Aravim Zeh Lazeh?  

    What makes for a good life one may ask? My answer seems simplistic but in truth it is profound, “Life is a test in how we deal honorably with our fellow man, how we experience the G-Dliness within us and how we renew our faith in G-D manifesting itself by advancing the goals of Torah in our lives. 

  Yes U’vachartah B’chaim, Choose Life.  A life that is a Blessing to Hashem and to Mankind. 

 May this coming year bring life and happiness, peace and prosperity, salvation and joy, to all of us,  to our loved ones and to all mankind.      

     

      

   

SHOFAR OF OPTIMISM

    "Life is a journey not only a destination."

 I recall a song whose lyrics were "What  will we do when we get, where we are going?"

  This is especially true  as we prepare for the Yamim Noraim, a time of true introspection.

   Understandably, this time of the year is a tense time for  many of us, because of the uncertainties and apprehension about the year ahead. We can hold on to the shofar of optimism, feeling confident that with our hopes and positive aspirations, we can walk into the New Year of blessing and feel confident that we will encounter a G-D that is sustaining, affirming and renewing. 

    To accomplish our visit with this vision of a bright future requires a change in how we act to each other. Only then will we  experience our true and long lasting redemption. 

    Our Torah reading for this week,Parshas Ki Tetzeh, emphasizes many important directives to achieve this ultimate goal of behavioral changes that are required during this time of introspection . 

   The Torah states"לא תראה את שור אחיך או את שיו נדחים והתעלמת מהם השב תשיבם לאחיך״

"You shall not see your brother's sheep driven away, and hide yourself from them, you shall surely bring them back to your brother."

 The crucial words of this Halacha is again emphasized  in a few sentences later, לא תוכל להתעלם, you cannot hide yourself. This means that you shall not be indifferent to your responsibilities. Once we become aware of the needs of others we have an obligation to reach out and help. The more we become aware of our fellowman, the  more responsible we become and the less indifferent we will be to the needs of others. 

    לא תוכל להתעלם,  This must be our theme and slogan in these times of confusion and in a world of indifference.  These words must be inscribed  in our hearts and minds as we become aware of ourselves and at the same time aware of the world around us, to help bring about our true salvation and the redemption of mankind. 

    In Israel there are two huge bodies of water: Lake Kinneret in the north and the Dead Sea in the south. Along the banks of the Kinneret there is flourishing vegetation, but the area along the Dead Sea is barren and desolate with only meager brush, no flowers, no fish, no fowl. The reason is simple; Lake Kinneret is full of life because it receives water from the Jordan River and gives it's own waters to the Dead Sea. On the other hand, the Dead Sea only receives, and has no outlets.

   The lesson is simple. It bespeaks of our needed attitude during these days of preparation for the most sacred days on our Jewish calendar, to always live a life of giving. The word give in Hebrew is ונתנו, which is a palindrome, suggesting that when we give we will always receive, even more.

     We need to have a Kinneret type of objective to bring about a שנת חיים ושלום לנו ולכל ישראל. 

    שבת שלום

   

     

RESPONSIBILITY

   In a shiur that I  give on Wednesdays , I emphasized an important idea in Yahadut that Judaism often emphasizes; "Life is precious and beautiful." In fact, the reward of G-D is ,למען יאריכון ימים, granting us length of days. In essence, the more life we have, the better it is for us. Life is to be seen as a privilege not as a burden. 

   In our society today, Jews enjoy a level  of prosperity and freedom that is unprecedented in the history of the Jewish people. However, I sense that the more comfortable our lives are, there are those who take these blessings for granted. 

    Often forgotten that there are many contributing factors to our success. There are those who ignore the many blessings, i.e.,family into which they were born, the schools attended and the communities in which they were raised. All of these factors play a vital role in our lives, and so often they are taken for granted. There is a need to instill in the lives of our children the important idea of הכרת הטוב, which sadly is ignored in our successful lives.

  The story is told about Hymee who was a good man but a bit stingy. He would always bargain and haggle for a better price. He, especially, hated paying his medical fees. One  day while eating, a fish bone became lodged in his throat and within minutes he  could scarcely breathe. His wife, frantically, called the family doctor, who arrived just as the patient's face was turning blue. The physician quickly removed the bone with a pair of forceps. When he began breathing normally, although overwhelmed with gratitude to the doctor for saving his life, the doctors fees were a bit worrisome to him. Trying  his best to keep the costs down he turned to the good doctor and asked, "How much do I owe you for this small two minute job?" The  doctor, who knew his  patients  miserly habit too well replied, "Just pay me half of what you would have when the bone was still stuck in your throat."

   Comical as it may seem, it is true that we become too miserly when it comes to our feelings of appreciation and the recognition from whence comes our blessings. If this be true with our relationship between man and his fellowman, how much more so is this true in our relationship between man and Hashem.

    Life, in general, must be cherished and, at all times, must be valued. We are created בצלם אלוקים, in the image of G-D, and we must always act to each other as ערבים זה לזה. 

      This idea comes to mind as we discuss at the end of this week's Sedrah Shoftim, the mitzvah of עגלה ערופה,  referring to a case where a corpse is found in the field and the murderer is not known. In response, the city elders and the Kohanim participate in a unique ceremony. They decapitate a calf in a valley and declare, "ידינו לש שפכו את הדם הזה

"Our hands have not spilled this blood."

  This entire exercise seems so difficult to understand . Would we ever think the leaders of society would commit such a dastardly act that would require them to make such a statement. 

    Surely the leaders are not guilty. Why then would the Torah require them to go through this entire experience?

  The answer to this dilemma is one word "responsibility".  In a democratic society we must hold accountable all our leaders, especially our religious ones. Why you may ask? Because we must consider to what extent they have created a climate in which such a crime can be committed. All this is to establish responsibility. Are our leaders acting in such a way that they can state unequivocally ,that their hands are clean, and we have done all we can to make our society a safe and secure one for all of its citizens. 

    The lesson is so important in today's times. The eglah arufah ceremony is an elaborate ritual, that is meant to be educational that will lead to a transformative process in improving our society ,with greater respect for all its inhabitants whatever their status may be.  

     Indeed I believe it's a lesson of כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה. This is the month of Elul, as we prepare for the יום הדין, and a time to take responsibility not only for ourselves, but for others as well. 

   Let us make sure that we can always say, when we see ugliness raise it's head, that ידינו לא שפכו את הדם הזה ועינינו לא ראו, but rather we pay attention to the plight of others and in doing so Hashem will pour forth His blessings upon us for the good we do for others. 

שבת שלום

   

ROSH CHODESH ELUL

   This is the special Shabbat of Rosh Chodesh Ellul, a month that significantly represents אני לדודי  ודודי לי, a true love affair with G-D, binding us closer to Hashem as we prepare for the ימים נוראים. The question we need to address, "How do we prepare for this great Rendevous with Hashem" 

         Know well that the ultimate goal of Judaism is to attain a state of Kedusha,that will bring about an עם קדוש.

        To really achieve that magnificent state of Kedusha, we must try to be עומד לפני הי, and this can be readily achieved when we are עבדו את הי בשמחה ,of serving and deifying Hashem in a state of Simcha.

   The Rav explains the entire idea of Simcha in a truly magnificent and inviting way. He does so, by reflecting the many times that the word and the directive of achieving Simcha is seen in this week's Parsha of Re'eh. 

   Herein we see that the Torah speaks about the שלוש רגלים, the three pilgrimage festivals, of Pesach, Shavuot and  Succot.

 The main theme of these ימים טובים, is to experience an intense feeling of Simcha. The Torah constantly mentions Simcha in the context of being, עומד לפני הי  of being and feeling that one is in the presence of G-D.

     The Rav explains that there is an intrinsic connection between Simcha and being in the presence of Hashem. Being in the presence of G-D encourages and obligates one to rejoice and to be משמח to the fullest extent. 

  Our physical visits to Yershalayim, during the Shlosh Regalim will uplift us spiritually and bring about a wonderful feeling of being in the presence of Hashem resulting in a euphoric state of Simcha. 

  It is with this idea in mind that. I remind everyone that Rosh Chodesh Elul is a propitious time to realize that we are slowly but surely beginning to stand before Hashem. The blowing of the Shofar during the month of Elul  is to signal  and to remind us of this most exhilarating spiritual time and to rejoice , yes rejoice , and to be Mesameach, for this great opportunity to be עומד לפני הי, of standing in the presence of Hashem. 

   This awesome feeling of  עומד לפני הי should engender an intense  feeling of Kedusha, and  a greater desire to change our ways. We will then become more motivated to recognize that we are standing in the presence of Hashem.  With such a positive attitude we will surely achieve the ultimate state of Simcha for ourselves, for our families, and for Klal Yisrael.

   

שבת שלום וחדש טוב.   

THE HAND OF HASHEM

  This past week I was traveling  down Broadway in Woodmere.  The traffic was horrendous and in my impatience to get to my destination I was wondering, "Why so much traffic?"

   The answer came very quickly as I saw a number of buses with many anxious parents milling around and waiting for their children returning from camp. 

   As they alighted from the buses running into the open arms of their parents I experienced the magnificent Blessings of life that centers around family.

   In this  week's Sedrah Ekev, we read the second paragraph of Kriat Shmah. The one statement that always stands out in my mind, which can be described as the essence of Jewish Family Life is

                                    ולמדתם אתם את בניכם לדבר בם..

Teach them to your children , even when you are home and when you travel  

   

    This, indeed, is our tremendous obligation, and, even more so, our greatest pleasure that will bring our most profound sense of Nachas.

   I remember well, when the Rav spoke of the beauty of 

G-D, which is experienced as Holiness, as something which transcends everything comprehensible and speakable, that makes one expierence the ultimate bliss. 

    Hashem is both remote and yet so near, awesome and lovely, fascinating and daunting, majestic and tender, comforting and frightening, familiar and alien, beyond of creation and it's very essence. 

   Then the Rav went on to speak glowingly about his family. He said, "Of all I learned from my Mother was that Judaism expresses itself not only in formal compliance with the law but also in the living . She taught me that there is a flavor, a scent and warmth to Mitzvot. I learned from her the most important thing in life - to feel the presence of  the Almighty and the gentle pressure of His hand upon my frail shoulders."

   What a magnificent testimony to parents and,  specifically, to a mothers influence in our lives. That is the pride I witnessed as those youngsters alighted from the bus into the arms of loving and dedicated parents and grandparents. 

   This is the fulfillment of the dictum 

ולמדתם את בניכם.

    As our children prepare to return to school, for the new year, let us embrace this great opportunity of teaching them the values of life in a loving and caring way and someday they will also realize and feel the hand of Hashem on their shoulders.

   שבת שלום 

BUMPER STICKERS

   Traveling the highways and the byways of our state I enjoy reading the many bumper stickers that pass my way. Many that I read  reflect the success of children in school or sports and many are just statements that express that the occupants of the car are just happy to be alive. Beyond the sports  or political bumper stickers, there are many religious bumper stickers. As I was driving I began to think of some slogans that I would attach to the bumper of my car.

   My first reaction was " Love  G-D and Express That Love Through the Performance of Good Deeds". 

  This expression, I believe, reflects the Ten  Commandments which we will read in this week's Parsha of Va'eschanan. 

  It is well to realize that Jewish philosophy emphasizes that just expressing our love for 

Hashem, ואהבת את הי אלוקיך which is the essence of Judaism demands much more  of us. Judaism demands that we take our feelings of love for G-D and concretize them through the performance of the Mitzvos. Our Torah asks that we live our lives based upon a disciplined religious commitment.  

    Understandably, what Yahadus is searching for is living Judaism in its totality. To do so we must continuously express our profound love for Hashem, encouraging us to a greater fulfillment of Mitzvot. For this to have a lasting affect upon us we need to do so with greater  passion. 

    We are acting as Jews but too often our performances are so rote it does not seem to have a lasting affect upon us. 

  Doing more is not the answer. Rather how we perform, what are our motivations, what are our thoughts,and how does it affect our way of life, is the criteria.

   Life seems to be in a turmoil for  different reasons. We must see this time in our lives as the most propitious hour to bring a greater sense of civility and humanitarianism to our very confused world.

   To begin with, our  Ten Commandments must, once again, be the hallmark for humanity.  We as Jews must become the אור לגויים. To achieve this goal we are to combine our אהבת השם with our אהבת הבריות, and infuse our relationships with a greater passion to act as "Menchen"  in all our 

dealings with one another.

  The Rav interprets the first words of the Decalogue  אנכי הי אלוקיך , as G-D describing Himself as 'the G-D who redeemed the Jewish  People in the past and will be the G-D that will redeem the Jewish  People and Humanity in the future.    ברוך אתה הי גאל ישראל. 

    Let us be  deserving  of our redemption by a greater adherence to our Torah way of life. 

   So now look and read my bumper sticker, 

     "Redemption is the way of Torah"

                        לא המדרש עיקר אלא המעשה

Shabbat Shalom and may this שבת נחמו be a true sense of Nechamah for כלל ישראל. 

בנים גדלתי

  There is a great sense of solemnity surrounding our observances during these nine days, culminating with our deep expression of mourning for our Churban Hamikdash on Tisha B'av. Many repeatedly ask me, "Why is it necessary to observe Tisha B'av in such a mournful way, when thank G-D we are blessed with our glorious Jewish state of Israel?"

  The question has much merit, but we must realize that the Jews are people that "remembers", and are always cognizant that our present and surely our future is greatly dependent upon our profound זכרון of the past. 

  I sense that if we mourn the destruction of our Mikdash, we will learn how to rejoice for all of our present Blessings. 

   These are times that we need not only focus on our own special needs , but more so to focus outward on the needs of others.

   I hear the words of Billam, that are so true today, as they were yesteryear, "הן עם לבדד ישכן, we are a nation that dwells alone." Realizing this truism, makes greater demands upon us to be aware of our responsibilities as a K'lal.

    Our Navi Yeshayah bemoans the tragedy of the Churban  but in a dialectic sense he is also the great 

espouser of Nechamah for the Jewish People. 

   In fact, the Abarbanel states that the  sefer Yeshayah has the most prophecies of comfort and of the future redemption. He says that the name ישעיה is taken from the word  ישועה, salvation, for Yeshayah prophesied about our future salvation.

    As I read Yeshayah, I begin to realize that his prophecies had a very important goal - to bring man to his ultimate purpose and potential.

  This was evident when He stated in his vision, 

           בנים גדלתי ורוממתי והם פשעו בי

" Children I have reared and brought up and they have rebelled against me."

  Yeshayah is bemoaning and expressing remorse that 

G-D'S children have turned against Him. To achieve the true salvation, he is encouraging, עם ישראל to once again turn towards Hashem in Teshuvah. To once again become the true and loyal children of Hashem. 

    This is what the vision of Yeshayah is all about. A vision that expresses itself as a directive -  for the people, to achieve their  great  potential they must once again become the true and loyal בנים להי. 

    Though it is obvious that the Navi is referring to the 

G-D /Man  relationship, is it possible that when he says בנים

 גדלתי he is  also referring to the Parent-Child relationship?

     I am observing more and more that parents are busy in so many ways , especially in their financial needs. Though it is understandable why they are doing so,  the result is,very often, children are the forgotten ones in the process.  This is not a condemnation of parenthood, it is only an observation that will encourage all of us to be more attentive to our children, and even more so to try to give our children more of our time and to try to arrange time to sit and study with them and yes, even to play with them.  Children need attention, and for them, their greatest desire is to receive the attention of their parents  and grandparents. 

     Chazal says: לא חרבה ירושלים אלא בשביל שביטלו בה תנוקות של בית רבן, " Jerusalem was destroyed for no other reason that they neglected the education of school children". 

   Our children are our "bejeweled crowns" and our future, and as we cherish them, and I am sure we do, let us put our priorities into focus and arrange more time to their needs.  In doing we can say that בנים גדלתי and they are our glowing future. 

   With this in mind, we will turn our Avelus of Tisha B'av into a Yom Shel Simcha, for remember it was on Tisha B'av that our Mashiach was born.

  Have an easy and meaningful fast. 

REACHING THE SUMMIT

  There is a very interesting Medrash that relates that on the way down from Mt. Moriah, Yitzchak said to his father Avraham, "It seems that Hashem asks much of us, perhaps too much for some to fulfill."Avraham softly replied, "True my son, Hashem's commands are ever like the mountain peak above us. Not all may reach its summit as we have just done, but all must keep climbing and reaching up as long as life is granted to us. We may never be perfect but our goals shall be". 

   I pose the following questions; "What are our goals in life? Are they attainable? Are they inspiring? Are they ones that will make life more meaningful? Do they possess values that will be transmitted to future generations in a positive and constructive fashion?"

   Such questions must never go unanswered if we are to progress to a higher form of humanity and to a more productive and vibrant Judaic way of life. 

     With this idea, in mind, it is well to visit this week's Torah reading of Matos, where we hear the request of שבט גד וראובן to Moshe.  "We have much cattle and the land on the east bank of the Jordan, is perfect for grazing.  Permit us therefore, to remain on this side of the Jordan rather than to travel and reside in the land of Canaan". Moshe's response was very critical saying to them, האחיכם יבאו למלחמה ואתם תשבו פה. "How can you let your brethren go to war  and you sit in comfort and not help them fight their battles?" 

    Their  response was,  "You are right and we shall go forth with you into battle and after we succeed we will return to this land to build pens for our livestock and they added וערים לטפנו, and cities for our children."

    Moshe was upset with their reply and changed the order of priorities and placed the emphasis on building cities for family and children and then buildimg pens for livestock. 

   Moshe was teaching them and future generations about our Judaic priorities and the true goals in life. Of course we need to be financially secure, but our priorities are our family and our children. They are our future, they are our essence, they are our main concern.

  As mentioned previously, 'Life is compared to climbing a mountain and we must always focus on the peaks so that we can reach the summit.' As Jews our summit is family and living a life that is replete with Torah, morals and ethics. 

    During these nine days of mourning, reflecting upon the destruction of our Holy Temple,  it is well to remember that it was all due to our שנאת חנם, and to bring a Tikun for this sinful behavior, we must strive to achieve greater אהבת חנם. 

    May our goals be reached and may we have the זכות to see the ביאת גואל צדק.

שבת שלום ונחמת ציון.

PEACE NOT VIOLENCE

   This week's Torah reading, Parshas Pinchas, speaks of the personality of Pinchas. As we study the incident surrounding him we can gain an important lesson in our own personal lives. 

  In studying behavior, let me remind you of a very interesting idea in the machinations of worldly affairs;

   It is a known fact that for every action there is a reaction. Even the most minute movement creates some sort of reaction. When a butterfly flaps its wings, the wind it creates is released into the environment and develops a life of its own. It moves and continues to develop until a century or a millennium later it can develop into a storm, a tornado or a hurricane. Nothing ever gets lost.

  If this be true for a small butterfly, how much more so will the actions of man have a tremendous affect on society for years to come.

    With this idea in mind let us study the behavior of Pinchas and how his actions continue to influence us even today. We will learn from Pinchas that  we must never relegate our actions as inconsequential, for they do have tremendous impact upon all of us.

  Let us, for a moment, refresh our memories about the facts of the story of Pinchas. The Torah relates that the Jewish People were seduced into participating in pagan orgies by the Moabite women. As a result, the anger of Hashem was aroused against them and a plague broke out that took many lives. Seeing what was taking place, Pinchas jumped into action and took his sword and went into the midst of the camp and killed Zimri an Israelite and  Kazbe the Moabite woman  who were in the center of the orgy. As a result of his actions, the Torah states, "The anger of Hashem was calmed and the plague came to an end."

   Hashem, in turn, rewarded Pinchas, הנני נותן לו את בריתי שלום, with the covenant of peace. Wouldn't you agree that this was a strange reward for such an action?

   There are many commentaries that answer this question wondering, "When is violence permitted and when should violence be condemned even when the reason to act in a violent way seems  reasonable and even necessary?" This is an issue that many struggle with especially in the State of Israel.

  I would like to share with you a brilliant insight given to us by the Netzsiv in his Haamek Davar regarding this unique reward given to Pinchas. The Netzsiv says that Hashem had to Bless Pinchas with this covenant of peace so that he would be protected against "himself". The Netzsiv is indeed giving us a lesson in behavioral psychology by stating, "When a man kills, whatever the cause may warrant, he is never the same person he was before the action. That is why Hashem gave Pinchas the reward of   ברית שלום, encouraging him to find peace within "himself", and that he should  continue to live a life that is replete with רחמים וחיים ושלום. 

         I remember the words of Golda Meir, "I will never forgive the Arabs for making our young men and women into killers". 

     Killing of any sort changes the entire personality of man. Too often, one may even get used to it and one may even become hardened and casual about it and may even do it again without trepidation and anxiety.  This must never happen to anyone , especially to the Jewish People who must live lives of rachamim and kindness.

   This is our lesson of life. 

   'Remember, with every action, there is a reaction.' Let us always be cognizant and vigilant in how we act to others and realize that we are a nation of רחמנות.  When relating to  others let us always remember to beseech Hashem to bestow his ברית שלום upon  כלל ישראל.

May we ultimately reach the vision of a better day for all mankind.