Why Was Chanoch Taken Early

Upon giving the chronology of the generations that followed Adam, the Torah informs us about an unusual individual named Chanoch. He died at the age of 365. This was considered young for those generations.

We learn that he was the father of Metushelach, who lived to be 969 years old, the oldest man who ever lived.

We also learn that Chanoch was taken before his time because he “walked with G-d, and was, therefore, taken by G-d.”

The commentators, such as the Chatam Sofer, explained that Chanoch distanced himself from others, so that he would not be influenced by their evil ways. Had he not secluded himself, he may have lived longer.

It says in Pirkei Avot, that if one wishes to find merits in the masses, he will not come to sin. Chanoch should have used his righteousness to help others. Because he did not do this, there was no point in leaving him in this world.

Our Rabbis have taught that it is our duty to share the Torah that we have acquired. We must not assume that we are incapable of influencing others. Our sincere intentions to help others, goes much further than we realize.

This is an important message for the coming year. We must not be like Chanoch, and worry about our own righteousness. We must study Torah diligently, with the intention of teaching it to others.

This is particularly true today after enduring two difficult years. There is a fulfillment of the prophecy that a time will come when there will be a famine in the land. It will not be a thirsting for water, or the eating of bread. It will be a famine, where there is a hunger and thirst to hear the word of Hashem. That time is now!

Eve’s Confusion

There is a clever explanation as to why Eve got confused regarding the instructions not to eat from the forbidden tree. She told the serpent that she was also not allowed to touch the tree. The Midrash says that he pushed her and made her touch it. The evil one said that just as no harm comes from touching the tree, no harm will come from eating it.

The reason for her confusion relates to the prohibitions of Pesach and Yom Kippur. On Pesach, we are not allowed to have Chanetz in our possession. We may “not see and not find.” This would mean we shouldn’t touch it, either.

On Yom Kippur, where there is a similar penalty of Karet, we are allowed to touch food. The prohibition only involves eating on this sacred day.

Eve thought her prohibition from eating from the tree, was similar to Pesach’s, which implied, no touching either.

The mistake she made by adding to G-d’s command was that she made it seem that it was His command. In reality, she added to His command on her own, which led to her downfall.

It is not necessarily wrong when someone takes upon himself certain stringencies. But it must be clear that these are his personal stringencies needed for his spiritual growth. When he makes the mistake in thinking that these were ordained by Hashem, himself, he has crossed the line. His good intentions will not bear fruit, since he is misrepresenting Hashem’s Torah.

We must learn from Eve, the serious consequences of misrepresenting Hashem’s Torah.

G-d Teaches Humility

One of the more problematic verses of the Torah, begins with the words, נעשה אדם, “Let us make man.” It was not to be understood, G-d forbid, that there was another deity, besides Hashem.

When the seventy-two wise men were placed in separate houses, and were asked to translate, all were confronted with this problematic Pasuk.

Miraculously, all seventy-two wrote, “I will make man,” instead of the literal translation of, “Let us make man.” They wanted to be certain that there would be no misinterpretations of the Torah.

Rashi explains the true intention of, “Let us make man.” Even though Hashem did not receive any help in the creation of man, He wanted to teach Derech Eretz (proper manners) and the importance of ענווה, humility. It is similar to where the one in command asks his constituents what he should do, when it is clear that he, exclusively makes all the decisions.

The Ramban wrote to his son that the key to success in this world, is acquiring humility. This is achieved by conquering anger and arrogance. Hashem wanted to give this clear message to all. There is no place in this world for arrogance, and Hashem does not tolerate such a person. He demonstrated by personal example, the importance of humility. He said, “Let us make man,” at the risk of being misunderstood.

Night Before Day

The days of creation end with the words, ויהי ערב ויהי בקר, “And it was evening and it was morning.” This is the source for the idea that in Judaism, the day begins at night.

We see this with all of the special days of the year, including Shabbat and all of the holidays. They all start at sundown.

Therefore, it is possible for someone to be born after dark but before midnight. His Hebrew birthday will already be the following day, while his secular birthday is determined whether he was born before midnight.

The Imrei Shefer commented on this by explaining that this is symbolic of Jewish history. The night represents darkness and suffering, judgement and punishment. The Jews have endured suffering and hardships throughout the generations. But in the end, the light shines with salvation and healing.

Regarding the nations of the world, the opposite is true. They start out with the light shining upon them, but in the end, there will be darkness because of their harsh treatment of Am Yisrael.

This is expressed by the statement of the Rabbis, “The righteous begin with suffering, and end with tranquility. The evil ones begin with tranquility, and end with suffering.”

It is our sincere hope that the two years of suffering endured by the people of Israel, has now come to an end. After the healing, great joy awaits our people. With Hashem’s help great prosperity and a spiritual awakening will be visited upon us. The Hand of G-d was clearly visible these past two years, for those wise enough to see. The light is now upon us, where we see Hashem’s blessings showered upon us.

Venom of Serpent

The episode of Cain and Abel has various ways of explaining how it was possible for one brother to murder the other.

On a more simplistic level, Abel was the one who gave a sacrifice to Hashem generously. Cain was the farmer who was not as generous. When Hashem received the offering of Abel, out of jealousy, Cain murdered his brother in a deceitful manner.

The Alshich explains the story a little bit differently. He spoke of the זיהום, or pollution that came from the serpent. Cain was inherently far more evil than his brother, Abel.

This evil that possessed him, made him act wrongly towards his brother.

This impurity existed for many generations until Yakov Avinu. He was the twenty-third generation from Adam. Yakov was the first to have all righteous offspring. Avraham had Yishmael, and Yitzchak fathered Eisav. The pollution from the snake and its influence had ended.

This allowed the Jewish nation to be formed. The twelve righteous sons of Yakov, grew to a family of seventy. And the seventy grew to 600,000, when the Jewish people left Egypt.

Evil is something very real in this world. It was created by Hashem Himself to test us. It is our job to remove evil from our midst. Eventually, in Messianic times, evil and the pollution of the serpent, will be eradicated forever.

The Sins of Adam and Eve

The Alshich has an interesting take on the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He puts the primary blame on the serpent.

He explained that the serpent desired Eve when he saw her being intimate with Adam. He wanted her for himself and wanted Adam killed.

He committed three sins. He had no right to enter the Garden of Eden. He spoke against Hashem, and it was an obscene desire to try to take her away from her husband.

Eve’s sins were that she caused Adam to sin and that she ate from the forbidden fruit.

Adam ate from the tree and showed ingratitude by blaming “the woman that Yiu gave me.” He was forced to work the land “by the sweat of his brow.”

The serpent became an enemy to man. He was destined to slither in the dust. He represents evil and trickery.

Eve needed to atone for her role in this incident. Death came to the world because of her sin. Three Mitzvot were given to women to bring about this atonement.

Lighting Shabbat candles by women, were to bring light unto the world after Eve brought so much darkness. The Nidda laws related to menstruation were an atonement for the death and bloodshed brought to the world. Childbirth and pregnancy were connected with these laws.

The separation of the dough, known as “Hafrashat Challah,” was a law given to women. She took from the world without permission. The הפרשת חלה was meant to be a gift to the Kohein.

It is difficult to take this story literally when it involves a conversation between a woman and an animal. The symbolism is that the snake represented the Yeitzer Hara, the evil inclination, and how it entices us to sin.

This story is meant to be a reminder that we all have the same battle with the Yeitzer Hara. Its job is to get us to fail and make wrong decisions.We must learn to overcome these enticements and do what is right in the eyes of G-d.

Secret of Creation

It is very difficult to truly understand the creation of the world, as described in the Torah. It is very much covered with the aspect of סוד, or the secret aspect of interpretation of the Torah.

The first man, Adam, was not the product of a mother and father. His creation was directly from Hashem, which explains why he was very perfect.

It is interesting to note that Eve, the first woman, was not created from the earth, as Adam was. She was created from his rib, because man and woman were meant to be one being.

Ideally, a marriage is meant to create such a bond between husband and wife. They are to become as “one flesh,” as they live together, and their love grows each day.

It is hard to imagine the high level of holiness and purity that existed at that time. The original intention was for man to live forever.

The Garden of Eden was both a physical and spiritual location. Eternal bliss was meant to be experienced there. It was the sin of Adam and Eve that brought about the decree of death.

Eating from the Tree of Knowledge, removed their innocence. They were now subject to the enticements of Satan and the evil inclination.

All of the above really is difficult to comprehend. But what is clear is that the world was created by Hashem, with a very definite plan. He is the One that is totally in command and we must remember that we are totally subservient to Him. He is the our father in heaven and the earth is His and all that is in it.

The Joy of Torah Study

One of the greatest pleasures that was given to the Jewish people, was the study of Torah. The Haftarah of Simchat Torah comes from the first chapter of the Book of Joshua.

He reminds the nation that “the Torah must not be removed from our mouths and hearts. We must recite words of Torah by day and by night. For then you will be wise and succeed in all of your ways.”

Joshua stressed the importance of constantly studying the Torah in the morning and evening, all the days of our lives.

The pleasure that comes from this study was expressed by my rebbe, Rabbi Zelig Starr. He used to describe the greatest pleasure when, “I would sit down with my cup of tea, and play ball with Abaye and Rava.”

He was transformed back to the days of the Amoraim, and he participated in their debates, in trying to uncover the truths of the Torah.

Appreciating the absolute bliss that comes with immersing ourselves in the study of Talmud and our holy books, takes time and effort. It is like entering a swimming pool that seems very cold. At first it is difficult to bear. But if one perseveres, he will not feel the cold. He will be swimming joyfully.

Many feel that they tried studying Torah, but never got that blissful feeling. They probably did not give it enough time, or they blocked themselves from allowing the Torah to become a part of their lives.

This is why Olam Haba is described as a place where the righteous are wearing crowns on their heads as they immerse themselves in Torah. They are experiencing eternal bliss. This same pleasure and joy is available to all of us if we would make the effort described by Joshua.

Blueprint of the Universe

The Midrash points out that there were seven things that existed before creation. Among them, Torah, Teshuva, Gan Eden, Gehennom, Throne of Glory, Beit Hamikdash, and the name of Mashiach.

There is a great deal of symbolism in each of these items. The focus right now should be on the significance of Torah.

There is another Midrash that says that the Torah was the blueprint of creation. Just as an architect draws up plans before constructing a building, Hashem used the Torah as His plans for the universe.

This Midrash is strange for does Hashem really need to draw up plans? The answer is that the Torah’s plans, meant that He tapped into His own Divine wisdom in creating the world.

The Torah is an essential part of creation. It is like the DNA of our existence. We see this when the sixth day is referred to as יום השישי. All the other days are described as יום אחד or יום שני, without the extra letter ״ה״. The Torah is hinting to the sixth day of Sivan, when the Torah was given. Hashem is saying that if His Torah is not observed in the world, he will turn the world back to a state of תהו ובוהו, of nothingness.

It is becoming clear what happens to a world lacking in spirituality. People wander aimlessly looking for purpose, and ultimately, self destruct because of their lack of direction.

The Torah was the greatest gift given to the world. It taught morality and defined right and wrong, holy and impure, and loving kindness instead of cruelty.

The Torah became the vehicle to allow people to get close to G-d. Its observance and study, brings peace of mind and contentment.

It is understandable that the Torah is much more than a book. It truly is the blueprint of creation.

The Byrds

The third chapter of Kohelet, became the lyrics of the famous song by the Byrds in 1965, “Turn, turn, turn.” It reflects the idea that “There is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven.”

Rav Steinsaltz elaborated on this idea. The knowledge that everything is conducted in accordance with a plan, does not resolve the question of the purpose of man’s existence.

Even if one recognizes that all the events that transpire in this world, are arranged and directed from Above, he remains ignorant of G-d’s design for the world. He does not comprehend the meaning of all of the events that unfold before his eyes.

Nevertheless, certain conclusions do emerge from the poem of Ecclesiastes. One must be aware of his limitations and his place in relation to G-d. The world is in Hashem’s hands, and the person who focuses on conducting his life joyfully, and in the performance of good deeds, will be privileged to receive His gifts.

In addition, one must keep in mind, that although the ways of the world, might sometimes appear to be perversions of justice, ultimately Divine justice will be revealed.

I’m not sure if the Byrds had all of this in mind in their song, but the explanation of Rav Steinsaltz is very powerful.

Kohelet

The Book of Kohelet is read on Shabbat Chol Hamoed. It was written by King Solomon and reflected his perspective on the physical, natural world.

It is read on Succot, because this was traditionally, a time when people felt wealthy, after harvesting their crops. It was a kind of wake up call that people needed to reflect on what was truly important in this world.

King Solomon said, “Behold, I have increased and added wisdom, beyond all who were before me over Jerusalem.” He was hinting to the episode where Hashem granted him great wisdom, because he asked only for, “an understanding heart,” and did not ask for wealth.

He used this knowledge to carefully analyze all that exists “under the sun.” He not only analyzed the world, but experienced many of man’s pursuits in this world.

He studied the sciences, he built buildings, he attempted laughter and frivolity. He claimed to have tried most of the pursuits of man.

His conclusion was that everything “under the sun,” in this physical world, led to futility. The world was filled with so many injustices, and difficulties.

The only thing that made sense was to, “Fear G-d and keep His commandments, for this is all that there is to man.”

It is amazing to see a transformation in the world, where there is a collective realization that all pursuits in this world that do not include Hashem, are destined to fail. We must reflect on what is “above the sun,” which are spiritual pursuits, rather than what is “under the sun,” the futile physical and material pursuits.

Lessons of Succot

The Succah is known as דירת עראי, a temporary dwelling. This is why the main part of the Succah is the roof, known as “Schach.”

The walls are able to be thick and strong. But the roof is meant to represent its temporary nature. It is covered with materials that grow from the ground, but are detached.

The message is clear that we must acknowledge the temporary nature of man’s existence. This was said very well by the late, great, Dodgers baseball announcer, Vin Scully.

He was describing an injury to one of the players. He said, “He is listed as day to day.” Then he paused and said, “Aren’t we all!”

Succot was the most prosperous time of year for the majority of Jews, who were farmers. They gathered and sold their crops, and felt pretty complacent.

Our Rabbis warned us that when one feels like he “has it all,” he tends to forget Hashem, and the realization that his abundance comes from Him.

Our דירת עראי, temporary dwelling, is to drive home the point that we must make the most of each day. We must realize what is important, and what is not.

Money can be a blessing, a curse, or a test. We must see that all that we have is a gift. We should use this gift to help others, and lighten the burden of the needy.

If we can do this, we will have put the lesson of the Succah to good use. This will add to the joy of the holiday, and allow us to fulfill the commandment of ושמחת בחגך, “rejoice on your holiday.”

More Prayers

Traditionally, the period following Yom Kippur until the end of Succot, is the happiest time of the year.

After weeks of reciting Selichot, and the intense prayers of the Rosh Hashanah and the Day of Atonement, we feel a sense of satisfaction that we achieved a certain closeness to Hashem.

Nevertheless, we are given until the seventh day of Succot, Hoshana Rabah, to make a final push for forgiveness, and to make our requests for the coming year.

The Talmud teaches that rain during Succot, is a bad sign. If the rain takes place while we are eating a festive meal in our Succah, and we are driven out of our Succah, because of the rain, Hashem is pushing us away. It is meant to be a wake-up call, that more soul searching is necessary.

The fact that rain on Succot in Israel is highly unlikely, it is a good idea for us to continue with our prayers and our absolute dependence on G-d.

This is particularly true at this time, when we are so close towards achieving peace, and bringing our hostages home. Intense prayers are needed by everyone to tip the scale on our behalf. Great things are ahead for our people. This can only come about when we realize that everything is in Hashem’s hands.

With His help and the help of our prayers and soul searching, this period will witness incredible joy and happiness, almost on the level of the days of the Beit Hamikdash.

Viduy

A major part of the Yom Kippur prayers, are the “Ten Viduys,” that are recited throughout the day. This is based on the Torah, and the Rambam’s explanation that the essence of Teshuva, is Viduy.

Viduy means confessing our sins out loud. Often, our pride does not allow us to say three words, “I was wrong.” This is necessary in order to show real remorse for past transgressions.

The Machzor has a formal set of confessions that was established by our sages. We beat our chests and confess on behalf of ourselves and all of the House of Israel.

This Viduy is helpful regarding laws between man and G-d.

In order to be forgiven for sins between man and man, we must approach that individual who we may have wronged, and personally ask for his forgiveness.

We need to be aware that we must clean our slates, both in our relationships with Hashem, as well as our relationships with our fellow man.

We should give careful thought at this time, in case we have not treated others properly. Honoring parents is a good place to start. Have we been as respectful and considerate of our parents, as we should have been?

There should be a great deal of soul searching before Yom Kippur. And if we know that we hurt anyone, we are obligated to confess to them, our sins, and ask for forgiveness.

The Teshuva process is not easy, but if it is followed meticulously, it will bring us comfort and a great deal of peace of mind.

Yom Kippur in the Temple

The Temple service on Yom Kippur must have been a remarkable event to behold. We read of its many details in the Mussaf section of Yom Kippur, titled, “The Avoda.”

Fifteen animals were designated as sacrificed on this day. The focus was on confession and atonement for the Jewish people.

One of these animals was known as the שעיר לעזאזל, or the scape goat. It was taken outside of Jerusalem and thrown off of a cliff. It symbolically carried the sins of the people. There was a red ribbon attached partially to the scape goat, and partially to a large rock. When the goat was thrown off the cliff, the red ribbon that remained, miraculously turned white. It was a Divine sign that forgiveness was achieved.

The most moving part of the Temple service, took place when the Kohein Hagadol did his three confessions. The first was for himself and his immediate family, followed by all of the Kohanim, and a confession for all of Israel.

When he made these confessions, he uttered the Divine Name in purity and sanctity. This Name was not known to most of the people. The large crowd that stood in prayer, were moved by the holiness of that moment. They all bowed and fell on their faces, to show respect for what was transpiring.

We have a song that is sung on Yom Kippur that poetically describes the radiant face of the Kohein Hagadol on this day. It must have been an incredible sight to behold.

Yom Kippur is clearly one of those days that we should long for our Temple to be rebuilt. We do our best to read of that which our ancestors experienced. How fortunate they were to have been uplifted to incredible spiritual heights.

We have been fortunate to be able to pray at the site of our Temple, and witness the return of nearly eight million Jews from the four corners of the earth. Our destiny will be complete with the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of Mashiach.

Teshuva For Bad Character Traits

The Rambam in Hilchot Teshuva points out that we are not only obligated to repent for sins that we committed, but we must also do Teshuva for negative character traits. These might even be more difficult than actual sins.

Rabbi Berel Wein z’l, loved the quote of Rav Yisrael Salanter. “The loudest sound in the world, is the sound of a bad habit breaking.”

The Rambam gives examples of bad habits that need breaking. He mentioned anger as one of the main negative character traits that a person might have. Hatred and jealousy are close behind as examples of traits that really harm us.

He also spoke of being overly competitive, chasing after money and even an obsession with food that can really hamper us in our dealings with our fellow man.

The Mussar books are designed to help us build better character. But the Rambam made a point of letting us know that this is also part of the process of Teshuva. It is an understatement to say that there’s always room for improvement. Now is the time to gain the resolve to do this holy work.

Two Severe Sins

The Netivot Shalom describes two of the most severe sins, where repentance is needed very badly.

The first of these sins, is the speaking of Lashon Hara against another Jew. One who is guilty of this transgression shows that he probably hates his fellow Jew. This is contrary to the obligation to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

The concept of Ahavat Yisrael, loving every Jew is a symbol of good. Lashon Hara breaks this special bond, and it is a sign of corruption in that individual. We must work hard to avoid speaking negatively against another Jew.

The second serious sin is that of גאוה, or arrogance. The purpose of Teshuva is to break down the walls that separate between ourselves and our Creator.

The arrogant one does not recognize his place in the world. He foolishly believes that he is in control of his own destiny.

Hashem despises such people and says it’s clear that it is He that is running the world, and not the arrogant one. A wall has been created between Hashem and this Baal Ga’ava.

The Rambam describes the beauty of Teshuva when he wrote, that before repentance, the sinner was distant and rejected. After Teshuva, he is loved and brought close to Hashem.

The Netivot Shalom wanted his readers to pay close attention to two sins that we can all improve upon. We must be careful with our Ahavat Yisrael, and love every Jew, with no Lashon Hara. And we must be careful to remain humble at all times.

Teshuva can be attained, but it comes with hard work. It starts by recognizing the obstacles, and learning to overcome them.

Shabbat Shuva

This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of repentance. It is based on the first two words of the Haftarah, “Shuva Yisrael.”

The Netivot Shalom explains the importance of repentance for every Jew. There must be a realization that everyone needs to Teshuva, repent.

It is obvious that the sinner needs to change his ways. But there must be the realization that, “there is no man, who does not sin.” Teshuva applies even to the Tzaddik, the righteous individual, as there is always room for improvement.

We must not forget that the daily Shemone Esrei, that is recited thrice daily, has the request that Hashem will help us return to Him. This is an indication that repentance should be on our minds every day of the year.

Hashem, in His kindness, gives us the special opportunity to return to Him and gain atonement during the “Ten Days of Repentance,” between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

We should take this seriously and focus on how we can improve ourselves and distance ourselves from our sinful ways.

We are promised great things as individuals and as a nation, if there is collective repentance. We can acquire for ourselves a place in the World to Come. As a nation, a national Teshuva can bring Mashiach. What can be better than that!

Unetana Tokef

One of the most impressive prayers of the High Holiday prayers, is ונתנה תוקף. This is the very emotional prayer where the question is asked, “Who will live and who will die?”

In order to emphasize the severity of the day, the question asked, becomes more specific. “Who will pass away by water or fire. Who by famine or plague. Who by strangulation or stoning. Who will be rich and who will be poor. Who will have a tranquil year, and who will have a year of suffering.

Rosh Hashanah is an extremely important day in the Jewish calendar. There is so much being decided as to our fate. The Rabbis tell us that the amount of money we will earn during the coming year, is decided on Rosh Hashanah.

Am Yisrael has gone through a very trying year in 5785. We witnessed incredible miracles, but we were in a war. Many of our loved ones perished this year.

We should know by now that we have no one to turn to, but Hashem. At this time, He is reaching out to us, and asking us to be close to Him.

We must focus on the end of the “Unetana Tokef” and shout with great fervor, “Teshuva, Tefilla, and Tzedaka, can remove the evil decree.” Repentance, prayer, and charity, can shake up the heavens, and guarantee that we will see only the blessings.

There is more in our hands than we realize. Let this Rosh Hashanah be one of spiritual elevation and great things for our families and all of the Jewish people. May we be written and inscribed for a good year!

Hidden Reasons For Mitzvot

There is a Pasuk in the Torah that says that, “What is hidden, is for Hashem, and what is revealed applies to us and our children forever, to fulfill all of the words of the Torah.”

The Talmud in Masechet Chulin explained that Hashem did not wish to reveal the actual reasons and rewards for the observance of the Mitzvot. This was in order to prevent someone from abandoning those commandments of small reward, while focusing on those of big reward.

The Rabbis said further that the Mitzva of honoring parents, and sending away the mother bird in order to take her eggs, are the two Mitzvot where there is a promise of long life.

This is to teach that if reward is given for the most difficult Mitzva to observe, honoring parents, and the easiest Mitzva of sending away the mother bird, then all Mitzvot in between will be given the same reward.

We also learn from this Pasuk that we must not assume we understand Hashem’s ways. This is hidden from us, and beyond our comprehension. Our job is to do only that which is revealed to us. Thankfully, the Torah was revealed to us on Mount Sinai by Hashem Himself, and we are to be focused on observing it diligently. The more we act on pure faith, the better off we will be.