TISHA B'AV 5777

   As we approach the saddest day of the year in the Jewish calendar, Tisha B'av, I am reminded of the awe inspiring lyrics of a popular song;

  כל העולם כולו גשר צר מאד והעיקר לא לפחד כלל.   

"The whole world is a narrow bridge and the most important thing is not to fear at all."

   The world is a bridge and there is so much pain and anguish, but we are not afraid, for we have Hashem to protect us. 

   This narrow bridge of pain has become even more narrow as we have seen recently so much hatred and barbaric acts of violence against our brethren in Israel. Who can not feel the pain of the Salomon family celebrating the birth of a child and being slaughtered as they sat at their Shabbat table in celebration of the occasion?  Who can dismiss, with indifference, the violence that is taking place in Yerushalayim, especially on Har Habayit, the holiest place on earth, G-Ds chosen Makom?

    Why, we ask in a rhetorical way, are we living in a world with such hatred and enmity against the Jewish People? Are we not the chosen nation of Hashem? Are we not the עם סגולה?

     I once posited that so much of the worldly problems and so much of the hatred that exists is primarily because we are experiencing גלות שכינה,

 the exile of the Majesty of G-D. Within our Torah Haskafah and spiritual outlook to our world, we see the universe through the vision of morality and  purpose. Then, when we experience  the failure of morality and the irrational acts of suffering, murder and injustice, we realize that we are viewing our world as a result of  גלות שכינה, Hashem is in exile. For many in the world, G-D is just not present. G-D, for them is at a distance, resulting in a world devastated by hatred and violence. 

      That is why שבת חזון, comes before  תשעה באב. 

  The definition of חזון is vision.  Not merely a physical seeing, but more so, to search, to seek out a vision of a moral and spiritual perspective to life, in a  positive manner, that will take Hashem out of the Galut and bring Him into a state of גאולה, of redemption. 

   How poignant is this idea expressed as we recite 

the Tephillah   ותחזינה עינינו בשובך לציון ברחמים

   Herein, we pray, not only, for the return and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, but more so, ותחזנה עיננו.  Our eyes should be open to a new vision, "We should see it". We should have a vision of spiritual significance and in doing so, we can remove the moral decadence that exists and replace the גלות שכינה  with גלוי שכינה.  

 We have the capabilities to change the world. To do so we must begin with ourselves. 

  כל דור שלא נבנה בימיו כאילו נחרב בימיו

"Every generation that doesn't build in his time , it is as if he had destroyed it."

   History records that after Napoleon conquered the city of Acre in Northern Israel, he walked through the streets of the ancient seaport. His attention was caught by a group of people wailing bitterly. Incensed at the thought that perhaps they were heartbroken because of his conquest, Napoleon sent agents to investigate. His agents returned telling him that the Jews were mourning. Indeed, their mourning was prompted by a conquest, but it was not Napoleon's victory that they were lamenting. It was the night of Tisha B'Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. They were mourning the conquest of the Temple which occurred more than 1750 years, previously, on this date. 

   Napoleon was moved and stated, "Any nation whose sense of history is so strong to remember something that happened many years ago to the point of tears, will live to see their history become the present once again. 

    How right was Napoleon? Indeed, our present is much brighter for we have sovereignty over the city of Jerusalem, though we still pine for the building of the Mikdash and the time of the Mashiach, that will herald a time of peace and security for the State Of Israel.

     With hope and betachon we will see that glorious day come in our time.  We need to realize that our exile is not in itself an end, but a phase in the process of mankind to its ultimate goal, the future redemption. 

With these thoughts in mind I am reminded of the famous story of Rabbi Akiva in Gmorah Makos. When Rabbi Akiva saw the ruins of Yerushlayim he mourned , but he also laughed and rejoiced. One wonders how could he act in such a dialectic fashion. Rabbi Akiva was looking with a keener insight into the mournful experience. He not only sees a fox emerging from the Har Habayis, he sees men and women sitting in the streets of Yerushlayim. He sees a rebirth, a rebuilding, a regeneration, he sees the Messiah himself. 

    That is what Tisha B'av is all about, especially when we say that the Mashiach was born on Tisha B'av.  

   These are times that we have to be proud of our glorious Jewish State and to appreciate all the Blessings that Hashem has bestowed upon the Jewish People and to bask in its glory and at the same time to say, "What else can we do to assure the growth and security of the State and to help its growth and dedication to Torah and Mitzvot for its citizens?"  

   These days afford us the opportunity to build wide bridges of hope that will bring us on our journey towards the rebuilding of the Beit - Hamikdash.

שבת שלום ומבורך בנחמת ציון     

         

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PRIORITIES

 Thomas Paine said it well, "These are times that try men's soul, and they are trying ours now". 

   Our world seems to be over burdened with feelings of great anxiety. I sense that one of the reasons may very well be because we are confused about what our priorities in life are. When we begin to focus on the important things, then we will be able to set forth our goals that will lead us on a journey in life that will bring greater serenity and much greater success. The question that needs to be answered is, "What are the priorities that will help us face our future with great optimism?"  

   The answer can be found in a dialogue between Moshe and the  Shevatim of Reuven and Gad,  that we will read in this week's Parsha, as the Jewish People are preparing to enter the promised land. 

    Reuven and Gad approached Moshe with the following request, "Since we have large herds and flocks which need good grazing fields, the land which we are on now is excellent for our flock."

    גדרת צאן נבנה למקננו פה וערים לטפנו

"We shall build here sheep pens for our flock,and cities for our children". 

Moshe replies, "You can stay here, on this side of the Jordan, but first you must come with us to conquer the land." After accomplishing this, Moshe says, 

    בנו לכם ערים לטפכם וגדרות לצנאכם  

"Build for yourselves cities for your small children and pens for your flock". 

  In our discussion of priorities it is crucial to note the difference between Moshe and the two tribes in the order of the nouns. The Shevet of Reuven and Menashe put property and providing for their flock first, before people, before their children. However, when Moshe acquiesces to their request, he prioritizes by reversing the order and puts special emphasis on building and providing for the children first and only then to provide for their animal needs. 

  Rashi, emphasis this idea even further, and states, "The two Shevatim paid more  regard to their property than to their sons and daughters."

    It is to my dismay that very often within the context of our priorities in life, we put riches and honor, before faith and posterity. I am fearful that we are seeing this type of priority once again in our time and we need to reverse our entire agenda in life to determine all of our priorities by a single factor - to always put children and their education first.  

   In fact it is told that Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, when he became Rabbi in Frankfurt, insisted that the community create a school, before building a synagogue. 

    "Priorities?" You may ask. Well  these must be our priorities. I hear many complain about the high tuition, and it is a valid point which educators must look into more vociferously, but this must never be our excuse for denying our future generation - our children. 

    They are our investments for the future and they are the only guarantors for a glorious and productive future. 

    It is not what we own that gives a share in eternity, but only in those that will carry on our faith into the tomorrow. 

     May Hashem turn these days of mourning into days of Simcha and to be zoche to see the 

ביאת גואל צדק. 

                               שבת שלום ומבורך

 

    

                        

  

PEACE AND ZEALOTRY

   When Senator Goldwater accepted the Republican presidential nomination in 1964, he stated, "Extremism in the defense of freedom is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of liberty is no virtue". Many who heard these words turned away from him, for most Americans seem to prefer moderation. 

    I ponder this thought, as we read Parshas Pinchas this coming Shabbat. Herein, we meet Pinchas, who took the initiative to act, after seeing the brazen action of an Israelite man and a Midyanite woman acting in the most despicable and shameful manner in front of the entire Jewish nation. Pinchas arose from amidst the congregation, spear in hand and impaled them both and the plague that had broken out amongst the people ceased. For his valor and in merit of having turned G-D's wrath away from the people, he was granted a reward from Hashem"הנני נותן לו את בריתי שלום", a covenant of peace.  

    The question in all of our minds; "Is this a reward for such a heroic deed, and if this is the reward what does it mean?"

  Pinchas acted with zealotry, extremism and intolerance and the question we can pose; "Is this the proper way to deal with sinful acts of others?"  In fact, Chazal tell us that שבטים מבזין אותו, the other Tribes began to denigrate him and were displeased by his action.  

   One can understand that Pinchas's method of restoring harmony in the camp was to kill another Jew and from the reward of the covenant of peace G-D was telling him; "Though your zealotry achieved the goal of cleansing the community, peace was the one attribute that was needed."  Life cannot exist with such zealotry and violence, we must achieve our goals of  Kedusha and T'harah through peaceful means, through acts of kindness, understanding and peaceful negotiations. 

   In addition to the covenant of peace, Hashem rewards Pinchas with Kehunah. Peace is so intertwined with Kehunah, as we see by אהרן, who is אוהב שלום ורודף שלום and by the words at the conclusion of the Birkat Kohanim  וישם לך שלום. 

  Thus we see that though Pinchas acted correctly to defend G-D's honor and  maintain Kedushas Ha׳am from being defamed and to quell the plague. The way he did so by sacrificing peace for the sake of truth, might not be the best solution to achieve our goals of harmony and to restore peace for the people. 

  Hashem realized that Pinchas needed the covenant of peace to realign himself with the role of a Kohen, to reconnect with the essential nature that was passed down from his grandfather Aharon. 

     As I continue in this thought process, even though I admit that zealotry has its pitfalls, there are times that we need to act with zeal and with an urgency of actions. History has shown that for the sake of our Jewish existence and especially to maintain our sovereignty in the State of Israel, it may demand of us acts of zealotry to assure our Jewish Statehood's survival. True, there is some vacillating on my part, but think for a moment, what our reaction should be with the vote by UNESCO, that once again seeks to delegitimize the State of Israel by passing resolutions that negate any Jewish connection to 

M'arrat Hamachpelah. Can you imagine such Chuzpah, such utter audacity to deny our heritage, to deny the burial grounds of our Patriarchs and our Matriarchs as being  a Jewish part of our ארצנו הקדושה? These acts of Antisemitism and hatred for the Jewish State, engenders in me and in many others a feeling of Zealotry to do what ever we can, understandably within the law, and to be zealous in our proactive behavior and show the world and specifically the United States, the corrosive behavior that exists in the United Nations. So, yes, there are times we need zealotry, and when that feeling overwhelms us as it occurs when the Jewish Nation is threatened, we remember the words of Hashem 

  הנני נותן לו את בריתי שלום. 

    I find it very insightful that Chazal say that, פנחס זו אליהו, that Pinchas and Elijah are the same person. Elijah is the one who will herald the coming of the Messiah, a time that will bring peace and security to the Jewish People. 

   So here we have the combination that will best serve our Jewish Nation. We will need acts of zealotry, that are always tempered with feelings of peace and harmony. I sense such a combination can only succeed when the Mashiach will come, for only he can mold these two attributes into one. 

    May we be Zoche to see that glorious day in our time. 

                                                  שבת שלום ומבורך

                                      

                

   

CHARACTER TRAITS

  Greatness is not standing above our fellowman and ordering them around, it is standing with them and helping them to be all they can be. 

  How true is this idea regarding adults and how much more so when it comes to our children. The future is simply infinite possibilities waiting to happen. What it waits on, is human imagination to crystallize it's possibility.  

      Then like a stab in the dark we are introduced in this week's Torah reading to Balak, King of Moav, a very angry and hateful person who is bent on destroying the Jewish People. To do so he hires  Bilam  the soothsayer who has a great reputation for cursing and prophesizing their doom. 

  One particular blessing that he uttered is recited every morning as an introduction to our morning Tephillah. It is the  מה טובו אוהלך יעקב משכנתך ישראל

"How goodly are your tents, O'Yaakov, your dwelling places, O'Yisrael". 

       Rashi, says that Bilam was prompted to praise the Jewish home when he observed how their entrances were located to assure that they always maintained a sense of modesty.  My understanding goes beyond this idea of modesty, it suggests that they were not exhibiting what goes on in the privacy of one's home to the rest of the neighborhood. One family had no interest in what was going on in their neighbor's home. One family was not jealous or envious of the other. Each one lived his or her own individual life style and was not interested how others lived. Today there is too much gossip and Lashan Harah that is being exhibited one to the other and too often we are falling into the trap of talking how one is more frum than the other. 

      Lately I hear people respond to me when I ask how are you? And they answer, חסדי הי.  If that is your answer, than its time to be happy with your lives and to stop comparing to others, i.e. type of car, how large their houses are, the clothing they are wearing. 

   Jealousy detracts from one's spirituality and is not a character trait that we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren. Be happy and content and life is your Blessing. If we do so we can the begin our daily activities with the blessing of , מה טובו אהליך.

    As I reflect upon this very important change in character and recognize how doing so will change the whole dynamics of the family, I am reminded of a magnificent and insightful story. 

    There is a story of a wealthy man who approached the Baal Shem Tov and asked if he could meet Eliyahu HaNavi, the man who rose to heaven in a chariot of fire.  The man had heard rumors that Eliyahu wanders the earth to bless people in need of his help.  At first the Baal Shem Tov insisted he didn't know how to find Eliyahu.

   One day the Baal Shem Tov said to the man, " you can meet Eliyahu this Shabbos.  Here is what you must do:

Fill up your coach with a Shabbos feast : Challah, wine, chicken and vegetables.  Pack cakes and fruit and delicacies and bring it all to a certain hut in the forest and ask if you can spend Shabbos there"

On Friday afternoon the wealthy man rode his coach along a winding trail until he came upon the hut the Baal Shem Tov  had told him about.  He knocked on the door and a poor woman in tattered clothes answered.  The wealthy man asked if he could spend Shabbos with the family.  The husband and wife were overjoyed to have a guest even though there was barely enough food to go around.  Their emaciated children giggled with excitement.  Then the wealthy man showed them the feast he had brought.  For a moment they froze at the sight of such abundance.  And then the children cheered, the wife wept with joy,her husband comforted her. That  Shabbos was like no other this family had ever experienced.  They ate well, drank well, sang and prayed.

The wealthy man kept staring at the father.  Could this be Eliyahu?  He asked the poor man to teach him Torah, but the man was illiterate.  The father ate until his belly was full.  He drank and burped and picked his teeth.  This wasn't Eliyahu.  All through that night and the next day the wealthy man waited impatiently for Eliyahu to appear.  But there was no sign of the holy prophet anywhere.  When Shabbos came to an end, the wealthy man was fuming.  "The Baal Shem Tov deceived me.  He made a fool of me."

He said his goodbyes to the family and raced outside in a huff.  As he was stomping away, the wealthy man's boot got stuck in the mud.  As he leaned down to pick it up he overheard sounds of rejoicing coming from inside the hut. The children were jumping up and down and squealing with joy over the most wonderful Shabbos they had ever seen.  The wife said to her husband, " Who was that man who brought us all the food?"  Her husband replied, "Don't you see? It was Eliyahu HaNavi who came to bless us."  Suddenly the wealthy man saw who Eliyahu was.  "Eliyahu is me." He said to himself.

Yes, we are all Eliyahu.  And so often we fail to recognize the role we can play in healing this broken world.  We are so much more powerful then we realize.

                    Peace is in our hands.

                 Forgiveness is in our hands.

              Comforting others is in our hands.

           Raising up those in need is in our hands.

Could you imagine what this world would be like if every person claimed his or her identity?  What if we unleashed the power within us, the powers to heal this world? 

     This is truly realizing the absolute חסדי הי. 

    We are to enjoy the Blessings of Hashem, and to help other in any way we can to rejoice in the life that Hashem has given to all of us. 

   As we commemorate the disastrous three week period of mourning, let us sublimate our egos and reach out to others with love and compassion. 

              מה טובו אוהלך יעקב משכנתך ישראל   

                                              שבת שלום ומבורך

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