Complacency and Exile

The Torah reading for Tisha B'Av morning began with the words, כי תוליד בנים that was taken from this week's Parsha. It is a warning from Moshe Rabbeinu not to get too "comfortable" in the land.During the reign of Yehoshua, the people all continued to observe the Torah. As the generations became "old" as the Torah uses the word, ונושנתם, it meant they were farther away in years from having witnessed the miracles of previous generations.This led to complacency and the tendency of crediting their successes to themselves and not to Hashem's kindness. It never bodes well when we take Hashem out of the equation. Moshe follows with the warning that if this takes place, you will be sent out of the land and be scattered among the nations. He further warns that you will remain few in numbers when you are forced to live among the nations.The bright spot of this rebuke is that if you truly seek out Hashem, even in places far away from Israel, Hashem will not forsake you. Teshuva will bring us back to the land and our former glory.

Truth of Judaism

Parshat ואתחנן is full of numerous laws mixed with a little bit of philosophy. In essence, Moshe Rabbeinu is showing the truth of Judaism as compared to other religions.He reminds the people all of the outstanding miracles they witnessed in Egypt with the ten plagues, splitting of the Red Sea, and the revelation at Sinai.Moshe says flat out that no nation or religion can make the claim of the truth of their religion as Judaism can. Can any nation claim that their G-d took one nation from the midst of another with signs and wonders as He did for עם ישראל. Can any nation claim that every single member actually heard Hashem speak, as you saw and heard.The Kuzari uses this line of reasoning as evidentiary proof of the truth of Judaism as well. He adds that the Christians and Muslims both acknowledge that the events in the Torah are true.We only need to study Torah in order to reinforce our convictions and beliefs.

Truth of Judaism

Parshat ואתחנן is full of numerous laws mixed with a little bit of philosophy. In essence, Moshe Rabbeinu is showing the truth of Judaism as compared to other religions.He reminds the people all of the outstanding miracles they witnessed in Egypt with the ten plagues, splitting of the Red Sea, and the revelation at Sinai.Moshe says flat out that no nation or religion can make the claim of the truth of their religion as Judaism can. Can any nation claim that their G-d took one nation from the midst of another with signs and wonders as He did for עם ישראל. Can any nation claim that every single member actually heard Hashem speak, as you saw and heard.The Kuzari uses this line of reasoning as evidentiary proof of the truth of Judaism as well. He adds that the Christians and Muslims both acknowledge that the events in the Torah are true.We only need to study Torah in order to reinforce our convictions and beliefs.

Jewish Pride

We are now beginning the period called שבעה דנחמתא, the seven weeks of comfort, that end with Rosh Hashanah. Each Haftarah will have words of consolation and hope following the heavy period of the "three weeks." This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of comfort.The parallel to the Haftarot is the final rebuke and charge that Moshe gave the nation before his death.There is an interesting point in the Alshich on the Pasuk in this week's Torah reading. It is written that the nations of the world will marvel at our חוקים, the laws that don't have a reason. Moshe is reassuring the people that this will be the response to our many laws-especially the ones that are not easily able to be comprehended. The people were afraid that they would be mocked by the other nations for our strange laws and customs. Moshe guarantees that this will be a source of admiration among the nations.We must never be afraid to show pride in our Jewishness and its observances. Otherwise, we could turn into self hating Jews!

Tisha B'Av Laws

Don't forget that one must stop eating on Saturday night before sunset. It's best to stop a few minutes before at 7:20. One should change to non-leather shoes after 7:50. After 8:03 one should say ברוך המבדיל בין קודש לחול and recite the Bracha בורא מאורי האש on artificial light.From Saturday night until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, one should act as if he is sitting Shiva. He sits on a low chair and does not greet people. From 1:00, we begin anticipating the Redemption and are in a lesser state of mourning.This Shabbat is called Shabbat Chazon as we read the third prophecy of rebuke. Some refrain from learning Torah from Chatzot on Shabbat. We all Daven Mincha early so that there is plenty of time for our סעודה המפסקת. We are allowed to eat meat and drink wine at this meal. Shabbat Shalom and may we see the גאולה speedily.

Apathy

The section in Masechet Gittin that discusses several pages of details regarding the destruction of the two Temples, begins and ends with tragic stories. There is an overall message from these stories.The first story dealt with the feast where Bar Kamtza was mistakenly invited by his enemy. Although there are many aspects to the story, the shame and humiliation Bar Kamtza had to endure was most troubling to the Rabbis.The final story involved a wealthy apprentice who literally took his mentor's wife from him. To add insult to his pain, the mentor was forced to wait on his apprentice and his former wife. His grief was so great that his tears streamed into their drinks when he was serving them.The two stories point to the Rabbis who were present or had knowledge of both incidents and did nothing. The Talmud seems to say that the apathy of the Rabbis in not trying to right the wrongs was the cause for the destruction of the two Temples. Apathy and the inability to feel someone else's pain is inexcusable.

Adding Holiness

The Tanya speaks about serving Hashem in thought, speech, and action. The idea of action manifests itself in doing such Mitzvot as putting on Tefillin or actually running to physically help a person in need.The Mitzvot of action are necessary in order to bring light into a world of darkness. It allows the blessed light of the Ein Sof to come into the world.The Tanya repeatedly speaks about the need to elevate the animal soul in man that longs for physical pleasures. The best way to combat this is to actually take physical objects and turn them into holiness.An example would be to take the skins of a Kosher animal and turn it into parchment. What was once actually a part of a physical animal is now a Mezuza or Torah. The skins that once had no holiness are now extremely holy.It is our task to try and change the physical and mundane into sanctity.The concept of Mashiach is to fill the world with holiness. When he comes, the world will go from materialistic to spiritual as the entire earth will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem. This is what we are really praying for when we long for the coming of the Mashiach.

Cities of Refuge

An interesting final point of Parshat Masei is the idea of cities of refuge. Just like the main highways alert people of where hospitals are located, people were alerted to where the closest city of refuge was located.There are certain parallels to what allows one to be protected by such a city. For example, the amount of negligence involved in a car accident would determine whether one gets such protection or not.If he drove while intoxicated it would be called קרוב למזיד, close to malice, which is almost murder. He would be at the mercy of the גורל הדם, avenger of blood. If it was a complete accident with no negligence at all, he would go free. But if there was some greater care that he should have taken but didn't, he would go to the city of refuge.This would be similar to chopping down a tree without checking if the blade of the ax was on tightly. If the blade flew off and someone was killed by the flying blade, the city of refuge would be the solution until the Kohen Gadol passes away.

The Nine Days

Tonight is Rosh Chodesh that begins the nine days. This means that we must stop eating meat as of 7:30 p.m. The other customs of mourning also begins tonight.In essence, the period of the three weeks is a period where we increase mourning. The peak is the first half of Tisha B'Av where we take on the behavior of one who is sitting Shiva.When mourning for a loved one, it is the most intense during the first three days and then the Shiva and Shloshim and the twelve months.During the Nine Days the custom of mourning for the Temple also includes bathing and doing laundry. There are leniencies regarding both nowadays. Regarding laundry, there isn't the same implication of freshly laundered clothes as people have washing machines and dryers. Certainly someone with small children can do laundry as they will run out of clothes.Regarding bathing, Israel's climate demands that we be able to remove perspiration and consider our hygiene and our surroundings. If one needs to rinse himself off in lukewarm water and it's not for pleasure, there are those that would allow such showers.

Mitzvot of Action

The Tanya speaks of how it is necessary to serve Hashem with thought, speech, and action. Thought and speech can be done without leaving one's home. One can study Torah and be involved in intense prayer and he will feel a strong connection to Hashem.The aspect of action is extremely important in raising the level of spirituality of not only himself but of the entire world as well. The Tanya makes many references to the animal soul within man that can be conquered with Mitzvot of action. Even a simple act like putting on Tefillin, serves the dual purpose of minimizing the strength of the animal soul, and brings light to the world.The world is on a very low spiritual level and it is the task of every Jew to bring light to all of the darkness that exists. The Mitzvot of action which also includes acts of Chesed and giving, serve to bring light to the world. We are in a situation where people even confuse the darkness and call it light. The Mitzvot done with our bodies that are seen, helps to also bring clarity of what is good and evil.The Tanya is telling us that we must be complete servants of Hashem through thoughts, speech, and action.

Walking Backwards

The Talmud in Masechet Yoma 53b discusses the route that the Kohen Gadol took when he entered the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. There were actually two curtains in the second Temple and the High Priest walked in between them as he entered.The interesting point that is emphasized by the Gemara is that the Kohen Gadol had to retrace his steps and walk backwards as he left the Holy of Holies. It would not be respectful for him to turn his back on such a holy place.This is the reason why we have the custom of taking leave of the Kotel by walking backwards and not turning our backs to a sacred place.The Talmud adds that we are to apply this as well when we take leave of being in the presence of a Tzaddik or great Torah scroll. We don't turn our face to him but we take leave by walking backwards. Rav Elazar Abuchatzeira זצ״ל, whose fifth Yahrtzeit is today was such a Tzaddik and scholar who deserved this kind of reverence and respect. May his memory be for a blessing.

Bad Choices

Another point related to the destruction of the second Temple was the problem from within the Jewish community between the rabbis and the "Biryonim" also known as the Zealots.The Zealots felt that the only way to deal with the Romans was to fight them. They felt that this was the only solution. The rabbis told them that it would not help as the decree was made and they would not succeed.Meanwhile, three wealthy Jews, Kalba Savua, Nakdimon Ben Gurion, and Ben Tzitzit Hakest were willing to open their storehouses to sustain the Jews of Jerusalem. They were willing to open their storehouses and felt their supplies could last twenty one years.The Zealots, in their great zeal and their absolute certainty in the correctness of their cause, burned down these storehouses and brought horrible famine to Jerusalem.We need to be so careful that everything we do is for the sake of Heaven. We must not get caught up in the "cause" for it may not end up as we thought it would. The end does not justify the means; especially when the means brings great harm along the way.

Complacency and Arrogance

The section in the Talmud in Masechet Gittin that discusses the destruction of the Temple for several pages, seems to have a recurring theme.Complacency and arrogance are such destructive characteristics. The Jewish people were guilty of this when they thought that they were in a good way with the Romans. They assumed that they were on such good terms that they would never be harmed.Certain individuals such as Titus attributed their own success to themselves and learned the hard way that even a tiny gnat was capable of defeating him and literally drive him mad.It is a very dangerous thing when we attribute our successes to ourselves and fail to acknowledge Hashem's blessing. Anything positive that we are able to do is all a gift from G-d. We are often reminded that our physical strength and accomplishments, our wisdom and our wealth all come from G-d. If we ever allow ourselves to think it is us alone that accomplishes, we will learn that this is not the case.

Matot

This week's Parsha, Matot, has the discussion between Moshe Rabbeinu and the two and a half tribes of Reuven, Gad and half of Menahe and their request to remain on the east side of the Jordan. Moshe's initial reaction was very negative. He asked: "Shall your brothers go to battle and you will remain here? (In Chutz L'aretz) Moshe was afraid that such an action would demoralize the people the same way that the report of the spies harmed the nation.It was only after they reassured Moshe that they would do their part in fighting the war to conquer the Land, that they were granted permission to stay. They kept their promise and joined the fight before returning to the Golan where they lived.Maintaining a positive morale and staying away from negativity is a good way to maintain a healthy outlook on life. Pessimists and whiners should be kept at a distance for they can tend to bring us down. Shabbat Shalom

Maintaining Dignity

The Tosfot in Chagiga makes an interesting observation regarding our exile and the suffering that the Jewish people have had to endure over the generations.Hashem's love for His people is so strong that even when He punishes us, He wants us to have our dignity. For this reason, Tosfot says, the messengers chosen to carry out this punishment, are first elevated to high positions before they unknowingly fulfill their mission.It would be a disgrace for the Jews to fall at the hands of some insignificant anonymous oppressor. Instead He chooses a viceroy to the king like Haman to torture the Jews. Or He might take a Roman Caesar to afflict the Jews. This was true of Sancheiriv of Assyria and Nebuchadnezzar. These were leaders of great prestige to still give honor to the Jews.This also made their demise more significant because time after time, those that even attempted to harm the Jews, were brought down in great humility.

Torah Study Elevates

There is a fascinating Gemara in Brachot 8a that speaks about bringing down the Shechina, the Divine Presence in a world that no longer has prophecy or great people as there were during biblical times or even Talmudic times.The Talmud says the following: "Ever since the Temple was destroyed, the four cubits of Halacha-i.e. Torah study is the only sanctuary and abode which the Holy One Blessed Be He has in this world. That is, Torah study is the only abode for the revelation of His unity.This quote is meant to teach us what is the vehicle in which we can attain a real connection to Hashem. It seems that it is only through intense Torah study that we become spiritually attached to holiness.It is not easy to learn with this intensity where we feel transformed. If one can achieve this, he will realize that he is pursuing the only real truth. The Ramchal said it best when he described the study of Talmud as, "an exercise in the pursuit of truth."Study Torah. The spiritual rewards are limitless.

Seventeenth of Tamuz

Today is the Seventeenth of Tamuz which is actually the eighteenth of Tamuz as we do not fast on Shabbat. This begins a period of mourning until Tisha B'Av that is known as בין המצרים or the Three Weeks.During this time, we refrain from listening to music, shaving and cutting our hair, no weddings, and no reciting the blessing of Shehechyanu (which means no buying new clothes.) We avoid making business transactions during this time as well. Only when there is a loss of money, such as a once a year super sale, may one make an exception.Five things occurred on the Seventeenth of Tamuz: Moshe broke the tablets on this day. The evil Apostomus burned a Torah scroll on this day. An idol was placed in the Temple on this day. The walls of Jerusalem were breached on this day. And the daily sacrifice called the Tamid, was no longer offered from this day onward.May our fast days turn to days of joy speedily.

Shimush

Shavua Tov. One of the points of Parshat Pinchas was that Moshe was concerned who would lead the people after his death. Hashem told Moshe that Yehoshua was the most worthy to lead primarily because of his loyalty.The Hebrew word describing Yehoshua's unending devotion to Moshe was "Shimush." The Midrash goes so far to say that Yehoshua was the guy who set up the benches in preparation of Moshe's public discourses. He was the first to arrive and the last to leave.Traditionally, this idea of "Shimush" has been handed down from generation to generation from Rabbi to student. The student learns from up close how his mentor puts Judaism into practice and how he analyzes Jewish Law. This is something unique to Judaism in that it is far more than theoretical. It is also far more than practical in that each generation the two are combined, the practical and theoretical in a way that began from Moshe to Yehoshua until today.

Jewish Unity

The act of heroism of Pinchas which stopped the plague that killed 24,000 Jews, was the intent he had. He was thoroughly bound to Hashem and his motivation was to bring honor to G-d and to sanctify His name. Hashem appreciated this act and rewarded Pinchas with Shalom. He lived with inner peace and tranquility.This week we lost a brave soldier in the IDF, Shlomo Rindenau ז״ל, who was killed in a tragic army accident. I attended the funeral and the Shiva and I was greatly moved and inspired. The outpouring of love and concern from Jews of all backgrounds was very moving. I was particularly impressed by the holy soldiers of the IDF. Whether they wore a Kippa or not, their pain and deep devotion to a fellow soldier was heart warming. It infuriates me that there are so many Shules who refuse to say a prayer for Tzahal and all of the Pinchases that defend us. It is inexcusable.One of the visitors to the Rindenau family told Mrs. Rindenau: "The Mashiach has to be coming soon because of the incredible Achdut that has been demonstrated at the Shiva." The Jewish people truly are one family. Shabbat Shalom

Lessons from a Funeral

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a fallen IDF soldier, Shlomo Rindenau ז״ל. The Book of Kohelet says that it is better to attend a funeral than a party. This is because there is a lesson to be learned at a funeral while a party is just a party.There were three messages that were expressed that are worth remembering that were mentioned yesterday. The first is that everything that Hashem does is for good. This is true even when it is difficult for us to see it.The second point was that we are put in this world in order to fulfill a specific תפקיד or purpose. When this תפקיד is fulfilled, we may be taken from this world, even at a young age.And the third point is that we need to remind ourselves that G-d is just. He is not cruel and does not do things just to cause pain. We must possess the humility to believe that there are things that happen in this world that are beyond our comprehension. We must never judge Hashem.These are points that need to be reiterated all the time. It's a shame that it had to be taught at the funeral of a brave Jewish soldier.