THE PHOENIX BIRD

  My granddaughter, who is studying in Israel, was very distraught as she told me about her experience when she attended the funerals of two young beautiful IDF soldiers who were killed, mercilessly, at the hands of a terrorist crashing his truck into a group of soldiers standing at a bus stop.   

   It is at this moment I recall the words of Norman Cousins, "Human progress inevitably depends on enough men defining the values they want to live by and then backing those standards by wise and appropriate means". 

   Terrorists are murderers. Terrorists kill indiscriminately. Terrorists are killers and are not to be treated with any humaneness. Their values are valueless. 

    These are times when we are to remember the legend of the Phoenix bird which never dies. When it grows old and weary it is consumed in flames and turns to ashes, then it is reborn and resumes its flight again. 

   To my dear granddaughter I say, "Know well that the Jews are like that fabled firebird, despised widely, decimated by progroms  and a holocaust.  However, just like our righteous IDF soldiers they will rise from the ashes and declare with the Psalmist;

    " I shall not die but live and declare the glory of 

G-D"

    We read in this week's sedrah that Yaakov dies and yet Chazal say יעקב לא מת Jacob did not die. 

   Our Jacob, our Yisrael is our Phoenix bird that stays alive in our hearts and minds , in our values and our ethical way of life, in our Torah and in our Spirituality. 

    We see from our Shevatim that the Jewish People have become the eternal people, not because they were allowed to live, but because they were not allowed to live. Just because they were asked to give more than life, it was life itself.

  The words of Yosef remain with us as we face the world of hatred.  The  words that he spoke to his brothers who were worried that he would take revenge on them for what they did to him assuaged their fears; אל תראו אתם חשבתם על רעה ואלוקים חשבה לטובה "You intended evil against me, but G-D intended it for good". Yosef convinced his brothers that he was not only their benefactor, but also their beneficiary and all that occurred will bring comfort and Blessing to their existence, and eventually to the future of   כלל ישראל. 

  The Torah goes on to say that Yosef convinced them because וידבר אל לבם, "He spoke to their hearts." For me, it really means, "He spoke with his heart" and when Jews speak heart to heart , then the Jewish People are everlasting.  

 I shall wait with baited breathe, when all Jews will realize this truism for their survival, a survival built upon אהבת ישראל coupled with 'אהבת ה.  

  May this day come quickly and while waiting we will pray for the Neshamos of those righteous souls who were killed this past week in  Yerushalayim. 

  May we see speedily in our day and age  the coming of משיח that will herald a world of peace and serenity הי יברך את עמו בשלום. 

               שבת שלום

COURAGE

   How can one define the word 'Courage?'

How does one project a 'Courageous' image? Too often we do not understand the meaning of 'Courage'. I would like to clarify my definition of 'Courage.' I believe that "Courage is the strength to never to let your actions be influenced by fears."   Please understand that 'Courage' does not mean 'Not to be afraid or not to have any fears, for even the bravest have fears'. 'Courage' means, 'To let your sense of right lead you and not your sense of fear.' 

   Today, as we experience the turmoil in our society we need this type of 'Courage' to be able to survive and to be able to accomplish our goals in life.

   How meaningful is this idea as we read in this week's Torah reading of Vayigash regarding the meeting of Yehuda with his brother Yosef. The Torah states ויגש אליו יהודה and Yehudah approaches Yosef, the viceroy of Egypt, while everyone else is afraid to speak up, and all  the other brothers remain quiet, when injustice has been perpetrated Yehuda, and only Yehuda, acts with 'Courage' and steps forward to express his indignation over Yosef's action. It is so amazing that this is the same Yehudah, who only a short time ago, said," מה בצע, What's in it for me, what will we gain from selling Yosef?"  However, now his attitude has changed  and now he acts with 'Courage'. Now he steps forward to right  the wrong.  Now he becomes a leader for his family, and he does not fear to stand alone at this crucial hour. Yes, Yehuda's 'Courage' needs to be our motivating force to live lives of 'Courage', even when it demands that we stand alone in the face of the rest of the world. 

  Curiously enough, this self same idea was expressed by Yosef. When Yosef informed his father that he was alive, he sent a message which read,  "עוד יוסף חי, Yosef is alive and he is master over the land of Egypt."  I wonder why it was necessary for Yosef to add that not only was he alive but that he was the viceroy over Egypt? The answer is simple but profound.  Yes, Yosef said to his father Jacob, "Your son is master over Egypt and  not Egypt over your son." Yosef had retained his individuality and stepped forward with 'Courage' to show that he can stand alone and that his way of life is not determined by his environment. 

  What a powerful lesson we learn from the lives of Yehuda and Yosef. A lesson of what 'Courage' really means. 'Courage' is to be an individual. 'Courage' is  to stand for what is right in the face of wrong. 'Courage' is  to be a Jew with pride and with righteousness. 

    These are times that demand of us to become the Yosef's' and Yehuda's' of our time and to tell the world that not only do we exist  but we are also the rulers of our society. 

     Remember it takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.  

                                   שבת שלום 

  

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