My family and I headed out on vacation yesterday - Destination: New York City and surrounding metropolitan area. We arrived late Thursday night. Whenever we take long drive that require us to cross the Canadian/American border; our kids begin asking numerous questions about borders, about going in to a country about leaving a country, why some cars are checked and others are not checked. Of course once across the border, there are also numerous questions about where we are going, the route we taking to arrive at our destination, the distance we have already traveled and of course "how much longer do we have to go before we a get there?" Maps are handy, landmarks are useful and general vagaries regarding the time left are incredibly effective. Of course, all this assumes that the person answering the questions (namely me), knows exactly where we are going, has some perspective of time, distance, traffic, and driving conditions. Obviously the greater the experience, the greater the chance of accuracy in offering answers to these questions. These types of questions are not just confined to physical travel. These are the same questions that we not only ask as children, we ask these same questions as adults about the direction of our lives. The direction we hope to go and the direction we have already gone.
Upon being told that G-d had chosen him to return to Egypt and begin G-d's plan for redeeming Bnai Yisroel; and after Moshe had finally accepted the fact that he was changin the direction of his life, Moshe told his father in law that the time had come for him to leave. Unlike, Yaakov's father in law, Laban who tried to trick Yaakov into staying; Yitro behaved quite differently. Being a spiritual person, (Yitro was a priest in the Midian tribe) Yitro understood that rather than fighting or tricking Moshe into staying; he offered Moshe his blessing Lech L'Shalom - Go in Peace (Ex. 4:18) Then Moshe packed up Zipporah, his two sons, his donkey and they headed towards Egypt. The Torah does not share with us any conversation between Moshe and Zipporah about heading back to Egypt. The boys don't ask "when will we be there?" One can imagine that there would have been a conversation, or even some questions during the traveling. It would appear that Moshe was so focused on his mission, so aware of where he was going, so purposeful with each step that he took towards Egypt, that there was no need for anyone to ask him the anxiety ridden questions of how much longer, or when do we get there.
However, even Moshe was sidetracked. The last seven psukim (verses) of chapter 4 about his wife circumcising their newborn baby pose a troubling narrative. Faced with G-d's command to immediately go to Egypt and the circumcision of his young son, Moshe decides to travel immediately. Had he circumcised the baby, he would have had to wait three days for the baby to be healthy enough travel. In the Talmudic Tractate Nedarim 31b-32b , the sages explain the Moshe's decision to head to Egypt was correct since G-d knew about the baby. The problem was upon his arrival at the inn. Rather than make the arrangements for the circumcision, he made the arrangements to stay at the inn. Hence, Moshe life was threatened (Ex 4:24-25) Thankfully, Zipporah realized that the Bris had to occur for the sake of the baby as well as Moshe.
Sometimes we can get so focused upon the destination that we fail to take into account the needs of others. Sometimes we focused upon one route that we don't pay attention to other possible routes that will still permit us to reach the destination. Sometimes we are so focuse upon our "purpose" and our "mission" that it can come at the expense of others or even ourselves. Even during the week, we can caught so caught up in the week and all hurrying that we ultimately forget our destination. Our destination a balance between arriving quickly but enjoying the trip, between arriving as quickly as possible but as safely as well. Shabbat forces us to strike that balance. We hurry to get through our week but we do so with an eye on Shabbat, knowing that we can stop our hurrying. We know that on Shabbat we can change the focus of our existence from being mission oriented to family oriented. In doing so, we are able to strike a balance so that the destination of our lives has purpose outside our families and within our familes.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rav Yitz
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Once in a while you get shown the light (Scartlet Begonnias) -Hunter/Garcia
I have always been a little jealous and perhaps a little leery of those who have been "shown the light", experienced a life changing epiphany, or felt as if they had a "calling." Perhaps my jealousy was a result of my perception that "a calling" almost makes any issue so simple to deal with. When one is called, there are no questions. It is simple, black and white. It is clear and easy. One doesn't fight a calling. There is a certain positive, unquestioned faith when one is called, when one is shown the light, when one has that epiphany. That doesn't mean the task or the calling is simple, it just means that no matter how difficult, the fact that one is called means one never needs to question whether one should be pursuing the calling in the first place. I am jealous of such people because I assume that such an individual is spiritually open to the possibility of the calling. There are times I look back and wonder if I have ever experienced such a moment of clarity , been aware that I was experiencing or experienced an epiphany. I wonder what the light looks like when I am finally shown the light.
Admittedly, I am also leery of those who publicly claim that they have been "shown the light", that God spoke to them as a means of justifying their actions, their policies etc. Yes I am a bit cynical, but when some people claim that they have been called by G-d, that they experienced an epiphany, more times than not it strikes me as incredibly self serving and a justification for poor ideas. This was most evident in the U.S. Senate campaign in the state of Nevada. The Republican candidated claimed that she had been called by G-d to run. Not only do I find such "light showing" and indication of poor lighting, but rather cheap lighting at that. If there is a possiblity of demeaning G-d, this would be it. Watching these political events unfold from Toronto, left me shaking my head, as I almost felt compelled to apologize that the American electorate doesn't really believe politicians when they say that they have been "called by G-d" to run. Yet I can't apologize because there is such a large section of Americans that does believe such a thing. My sense is that Canadian politicians couldn't get away with such language. Perhaps the Canadian electorate is too sophisticated.
Moshe experiences an incredibly powerful revelation. Moshe is shown the light. Moshe experiences a life change moment of clarity. Va'yar, V'Hinei Hasne Boer Ba'Aish V'HaSneh Eineno Ukal - he saw and behold! the bush was burning in the fire but the bush was not consumed.(Ex. 3:2) What made this epiphany this revelation so authentic compared to the so many that I hear others claim. I think people indeed "see" a light. I think people, indeed, here their names called, like Moses heard his name called. For me, what made Moses' ephiphany so authentic was Moses, and his response. When called, Moshe responds Hineini - Here I am (3:4). He doesn't run away, neither does he run towards God. Rather he stands his ground and declares his existance. Most people I would imagine, would run away when we hear G-d. I know that there are others that would run towards G-d with no trepidation, no awe, no fear as if their best friend is calling them. When G-d tells Moshe what is entailed in this calling, Moshe humility demonstrates that this calling is the real thing. He doesn't think he is worthy to have such a calling: Mi Anochi Ki Eileich - Who am I that I should go? (3:11). I am not qualified nor worthy to be chosen by you.
It seems to me that you know you have been "shown the light" if it the light leaves you in awe, ready to pay the price required to change your life. You know that you have experienced an epiphany when you feel mortal, limited and so ill prepared that you are left wondering, "How the hell am I going to go this?" If an epiphany leaves you humbled then and mortal, then it seems to me that you have experienced something authentic. Using that criteria I have experienced a several ephiphanies, not one big one that was earth shattering, but smaller ones that impacted certain phases of my life.
Becoming a Father was the biggest epiphany. The light that shown from every one of my children was not only awesome but the idea that I was now responsible to raise a child in this world was not only overwhelming but left me feeling incredibly mortal. Ironically, my decision to become a Rabbi was not an answer to a calling. However when I completed the work and on the day that I was given the title Rabbi- I still did not hear my name being called. I did experience something very powerful, overwhelming, and awe inspiring. I had become a link in a chain of learning and that would mean something to me for the rest of my life. I still wonder if G-d was speaking to me. I wonder what G-d was saying. Most likely the calling is more of a reminder that we are being entrusted with something precious, and something sacred and we shouldn't mess it up too much since it needs to be passed to the next generation. Not exactly as powerful a message as Moses received. I guess I should feel as if I am lucky to realize that I had been shown the light to begin with.
Peace-
Rav Yitz
Admittedly, I am also leery of those who publicly claim that they have been "shown the light", that God spoke to them as a means of justifying their actions, their policies etc. Yes I am a bit cynical, but when some people claim that they have been called by G-d, that they experienced an epiphany, more times than not it strikes me as incredibly self serving and a justification for poor ideas. This was most evident in the U.S. Senate campaign in the state of Nevada. The Republican candidated claimed that she had been called by G-d to run. Not only do I find such "light showing" and indication of poor lighting, but rather cheap lighting at that. If there is a possiblity of demeaning G-d, this would be it. Watching these political events unfold from Toronto, left me shaking my head, as I almost felt compelled to apologize that the American electorate doesn't really believe politicians when they say that they have been "called by G-d" to run. Yet I can't apologize because there is such a large section of Americans that does believe such a thing. My sense is that Canadian politicians couldn't get away with such language. Perhaps the Canadian electorate is too sophisticated.
Moshe experiences an incredibly powerful revelation. Moshe is shown the light. Moshe experiences a life change moment of clarity. Va'yar, V'Hinei Hasne Boer Ba'Aish V'HaSneh Eineno Ukal - he saw and behold! the bush was burning in the fire but the bush was not consumed.(Ex. 3:2) What made this epiphany this revelation so authentic compared to the so many that I hear others claim. I think people indeed "see" a light. I think people, indeed, here their names called, like Moses heard his name called. For me, what made Moses' ephiphany so authentic was Moses, and his response. When called, Moshe responds Hineini - Here I am (3:4). He doesn't run away, neither does he run towards God. Rather he stands his ground and declares his existance. Most people I would imagine, would run away when we hear G-d. I know that there are others that would run towards G-d with no trepidation, no awe, no fear as if their best friend is calling them. When G-d tells Moshe what is entailed in this calling, Moshe humility demonstrates that this calling is the real thing. He doesn't think he is worthy to have such a calling: Mi Anochi Ki Eileich - Who am I that I should go? (3:11). I am not qualified nor worthy to be chosen by you.
It seems to me that you know you have been "shown the light" if it the light leaves you in awe, ready to pay the price required to change your life. You know that you have experienced an epiphany when you feel mortal, limited and so ill prepared that you are left wondering, "How the hell am I going to go this?" If an epiphany leaves you humbled then and mortal, then it seems to me that you have experienced something authentic. Using that criteria I have experienced a several ephiphanies, not one big one that was earth shattering, but smaller ones that impacted certain phases of my life.
Becoming a Father was the biggest epiphany. The light that shown from every one of my children was not only awesome but the idea that I was now responsible to raise a child in this world was not only overwhelming but left me feeling incredibly mortal. Ironically, my decision to become a Rabbi was not an answer to a calling. However when I completed the work and on the day that I was given the title Rabbi- I still did not hear my name being called. I did experience something very powerful, overwhelming, and awe inspiring. I had become a link in a chain of learning and that would mean something to me for the rest of my life. I still wonder if G-d was speaking to me. I wonder what G-d was saying. Most likely the calling is more of a reminder that we are being entrusted with something precious, and something sacred and we shouldn't mess it up too much since it needs to be passed to the next generation. Not exactly as powerful a message as Moses received. I guess I should feel as if I am lucky to realize that I had been shown the light to begin with.
Peace-
Rav Yitz
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know" - (Black Throated Wind) John Barlow/Bob Weir
I just finished reading the New York Times Op-Ed section. I know... I know.... here in Toronto in the Jewish community the New York time is not exactly well regarded because of the perceived anti Israel bias..., and its liberal bias. I can't help it...I spent too many years in the New York/New Jersey area and I have always read the Op-Ed. This morning's piece was incredibly fascinating. David Brooks who will never be mistaken for the "Liberal" bias of the Times, wrote a fascinating article about Adult Education, and specifically his experience in Adult Jewish Education with a Jewish Educator. Apparently, in a place like Washinton DC, a place where relativistic morality pervades all aspects of life, this particular educator has offered a breath of fresh air as well as inspiration vis a vis Torah Study. Brook's point was that adult education can be a powerful method of building community.
I have to laugh. Not because Brook's point is ridiculous. Hardly. Brooks is spot on. I laugh because he sounds like he just discovered something new or that he just created some type of Chidush (new conclusion/interpretation). This adult learning community is as old as the Yeshivot of of Pre-war Europe, and as ancient as the Talmudic Academies. Learning had been a community endeavor. Within the walls of the Yeshivot, and the Talmudic academy, students would learn in Chavrusa - study partners. The Rebbe would give a Shiur - a lesson based upon what had been covered in the Chavrusa portion. Everyone would be learning together for the sake of the community not for the sake of individual accomplishment. Further to that end, community of Europe and even in some communities here in North America, including Toronto con sider it an honor to support a community of people who learn. This is known as the Kollel in which people learn and the community supports the learning even if some cannot actually participate in the daily learning. The result is that the entire community is focused on and engaged in learning for adults.
There is a moment in this week's Torah Portion, Shmot, after Moshe Rabeinu is born and is now being raised in the Pharaoh's palace as an Egyptian. Vayigdal Moshe VaYeitze... Moshe grew up and went out (Ex. 2:11). One could argue that this really was the turning point in the the 120 year life of Moshe. He grew and he went out from the palace. He went out and looked at the world outside of the palace. He grew up and he went out to absorb what the world had to offer. Of course when he did go out, Moshe saw the task master striking the Hebrew slave and after checking to make sure no one was watching, Moshe killed the task master who had been beating the helpless slave.
The point is that Moshe was not satisfied with what he had learned in the Palace. Even after he had grown, he remained intellectually curious. he was not willing to live in a gilded cage with his own set of assumptions, his own biases, and his own perspective of the world. Instead Yeitzeh -he went out to see the world, experience it, be challenged by it, learn from it, and draw a new set of conclusions if need be.
In a sense this is the first step towards adult education and adult learning. The adult has to be open enough and receptive enough and willing to engage in the learning, and the texts. The adult has to be willing to question his/her sets of assumptions, his/her pre-conceived understanding of the text as well as bias towards that text; and almost suspend all that baggage just long enough to Yeitzeh to go out from the comfortable confines of the self and learn. Underlying Brooks' piece is something quite substantial. As non-orthodox shuls across North America struggle to re-invent themselves, to attract young people who are either too busy, too dis-interested, or too suspicous; perhaps focusing on and creating adult learning communities should be the foundation upon which non-orthodox shuls re-invent themselves.
-Rav Yitz
I have to laugh. Not because Brook's point is ridiculous. Hardly. Brooks is spot on. I laugh because he sounds like he just discovered something new or that he just created some type of Chidush (new conclusion/interpretation). This adult learning community is as old as the Yeshivot of of Pre-war Europe, and as ancient as the Talmudic Academies. Learning had been a community endeavor. Within the walls of the Yeshivot, and the Talmudic academy, students would learn in Chavrusa - study partners. The Rebbe would give a Shiur - a lesson based upon what had been covered in the Chavrusa portion. Everyone would be learning together for the sake of the community not for the sake of individual accomplishment. Further to that end, community of Europe and even in some communities here in North America, including Toronto con sider it an honor to support a community of people who learn. This is known as the Kollel in which people learn and the community supports the learning even if some cannot actually participate in the daily learning. The result is that the entire community is focused on and engaged in learning for adults.
There is a moment in this week's Torah Portion, Shmot, after Moshe Rabeinu is born and is now being raised in the Pharaoh's palace as an Egyptian. Vayigdal Moshe VaYeitze... Moshe grew up and went out (Ex. 2:11). One could argue that this really was the turning point in the the 120 year life of Moshe. He grew and he went out from the palace. He went out and looked at the world outside of the palace. He grew up and he went out to absorb what the world had to offer. Of course when he did go out, Moshe saw the task master striking the Hebrew slave and after checking to make sure no one was watching, Moshe killed the task master who had been beating the helpless slave.
The point is that Moshe was not satisfied with what he had learned in the Palace. Even after he had grown, he remained intellectually curious. he was not willing to live in a gilded cage with his own set of assumptions, his own biases, and his own perspective of the world. Instead Yeitzeh -he went out to see the world, experience it, be challenged by it, learn from it, and draw a new set of conclusions if need be.
In a sense this is the first step towards adult education and adult learning. The adult has to be open enough and receptive enough and willing to engage in the learning, and the texts. The adult has to be willing to question his/her sets of assumptions, his/her pre-conceived understanding of the text as well as bias towards that text; and almost suspend all that baggage just long enough to Yeitzeh to go out from the comfortable confines of the self and learn. Underlying Brooks' piece is something quite substantial. As non-orthodox shuls across North America struggle to re-invent themselves, to attract young people who are either too busy, too dis-interested, or too suspicous; perhaps focusing on and creating adult learning communities should be the foundation upon which non-orthodox shuls re-invent themselves.
-Rav Yitz
Monday, December 20, 2010
"Speak With Wisdom Like a Child" -Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia 's "Foolish Heart"
Hello and welcome to the first posting of Drinking Wisdom - a blog of about life, Judaism, the blues, and the news from the perspective of an American Rabbi living in Toronto. As I have thought about what this blog will look like, and sound like - I must admit to feeling a tremendous sense of pressure and anxiety. Based upon what I am hoping to accomplish with this blog, I figure that coming up with juicy pearls of wisdom , whether taken from my experiences, the great Jewish texts, or even current events might not be the easiest thing in the world. As much pressure as I feel because I might not be able to come up with some great pearl of wisdom - I am comforted by the fact that there is a very good chance that I might be the only one reading it. So while I am comforted in the fact that the pressure should be minimal since I have no following just yet, G-d willing, someday, someone might be touched by some thoughtful words that a Rabbi offers about living life. Glenn Beck, of all people, says that everyone should have a rabbi and his is Rabbi Daniel Lapin. Hopefully, through this blog, a few more people in the world can fulfill the words of the Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers )- Asei Lecha Rav - Make for yourself a Rav (a Rabbi -a teacher).
As you may or may not notice, today's title is phrase from a Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia song Foolish Heart. Yes I am a Dead Head and an enormous Jerry Garcia fan. I find so many of the Dead's lyrics are full of kernel of profound wisdom. Again I am reminded of the those Talmudic Sages (During the Roman Empire) that contributed to what is known as Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). "Ben Zoma asks who is wise? He who learns from every person as it says : ' From all my teachers I grew wise'" . So, if I am doing my job, we should be able to derive wisdom from all kinds of sources, all kinds of places and all types of people.
I am blessed with 4 children, the youngest our only son. Given the time of year and the fact that Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" is one of my two favorite movies of all time -I thought my three youngest children were now old enough to watch and appreciate it. As we are watching the movie and George Bailey ( Jimmy Stewart) comes home from what is the worst day of work, the day that has put him over the edge, the day in which he is motivated to end his life, - George Bailey sits down in his chair - exhausted, and frightened. His youngest son climbs upon his lap and George tightly hugs his son and gently weeps. My son - who was sitting on my lap leaned over to me and said, " You know Abba - It is pretty tough being Abba (dad)". I smiled and asked him why and he answered, "Because Abbas have to worry about everyone - their wives, their children and their work, and they have to take care of everybody. I am not ready to be an Abba yet". He is six. I hugged him tightly - He has no idea.
In this week's torah portion: Shmot (The first section in the book of Exodus) the Torah portion begins with our being reminded of who came down to Egypt with Jacob (aka, Israel) - his sons and his entire household except for Joseph who was already in Egypt. V'Yamat Yosef 'vcho Echoav v' chol Ha'Dor Ha'Hu - and Joseph died, and all his brothers and that entire generation. U'vnai Yisroel Paru VaYishrtzu VaYirbu V'Ya'amtzu B'meod meod- and the Children of Israel were fruitful,teemed, increased, and became strong... (Ex. 1:6-7) Some commentators suggest that the children of Israel only became susceptible to Pharaoh's plan of national slavery once they had spiritually descended to such a point. That "susceptibilty was a function of the fact that their 'fathers' had passed away. Jacob was dead, Joseph and his brothers were dead, the Jacob's grandchildren who made the trip to Egypt from Canaan had died as well. While alive, these generations were able to pass down wisdom, and experience with G-d, and their covenant to their children. The reward for this successful transmission of these values was many more succeeding generations. However once each successive generation, passed down less and less to the ensuing generation, well you can see how the commentators might suggest that the slaver began in earnest at that point. Once the transmissions became less and less and the spiritual depravity became more and more.
Isn't this what we as parents do today? Our only job is to pass down tools for life, wisdom for living, and a means to getting along in the world in which is based principles and compromises. The wisdom is to always remember the principles and figure out the best type of compromises. No it isn't easy being a Dad or Mom. But I don't think that it ever was. If mom's and dad's are really doing their best - the transmission of wisdom, the tools for living a life, the code by which one behaves and the values that are modeled is both exhausting and gratifying.
In Peace - Rav Yitz
As you may or may not notice, today's title is phrase from a Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia song Foolish Heart. Yes I am a Dead Head and an enormous Jerry Garcia fan. I find so many of the Dead's lyrics are full of kernel of profound wisdom. Again I am reminded of the those Talmudic Sages (During the Roman Empire) that contributed to what is known as Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). "Ben Zoma asks who is wise? He who learns from every person as it says : ' From all my teachers I grew wise'" . So, if I am doing my job, we should be able to derive wisdom from all kinds of sources, all kinds of places and all types of people.
I am blessed with 4 children, the youngest our only son. Given the time of year and the fact that Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" is one of my two favorite movies of all time -I thought my three youngest children were now old enough to watch and appreciate it. As we are watching the movie and George Bailey ( Jimmy Stewart) comes home from what is the worst day of work, the day that has put him over the edge, the day in which he is motivated to end his life, - George Bailey sits down in his chair - exhausted, and frightened. His youngest son climbs upon his lap and George tightly hugs his son and gently weeps. My son - who was sitting on my lap leaned over to me and said, " You know Abba - It is pretty tough being Abba (dad)". I smiled and asked him why and he answered, "Because Abbas have to worry about everyone - their wives, their children and their work, and they have to take care of everybody. I am not ready to be an Abba yet". He is six. I hugged him tightly - He has no idea.
In this week's torah portion: Shmot (The first section in the book of Exodus) the Torah portion begins with our being reminded of who came down to Egypt with Jacob (aka, Israel) - his sons and his entire household except for Joseph who was already in Egypt. V'Yamat Yosef 'vcho Echoav v' chol Ha'Dor Ha'Hu - and Joseph died, and all his brothers and that entire generation. U'vnai Yisroel Paru VaYishrtzu VaYirbu V'Ya'amtzu B'meod meod- and the Children of Israel were fruitful,teemed, increased, and became strong... (Ex. 1:6-7) Some commentators suggest that the children of Israel only became susceptible to Pharaoh's plan of national slavery once they had spiritually descended to such a point. That "susceptibilty was a function of the fact that their 'fathers' had passed away. Jacob was dead, Joseph and his brothers were dead, the Jacob's grandchildren who made the trip to Egypt from Canaan had died as well. While alive, these generations were able to pass down wisdom, and experience with G-d, and their covenant to their children. The reward for this successful transmission of these values was many more succeeding generations. However once each successive generation, passed down less and less to the ensuing generation, well you can see how the commentators might suggest that the slaver began in earnest at that point. Once the transmissions became less and less and the spiritual depravity became more and more.
Isn't this what we as parents do today? Our only job is to pass down tools for life, wisdom for living, and a means to getting along in the world in which is based principles and compromises. The wisdom is to always remember the principles and figure out the best type of compromises. No it isn't easy being a Dad or Mom. But I don't think that it ever was. If mom's and dad's are really doing their best - the transmission of wisdom, the tools for living a life, the code by which one behaves and the values that are modeled is both exhausting and gratifying.
In Peace - Rav Yitz
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Welcome to Drinking Wisdom!
This is a blog about: Torah, news, blues and Jews. Also kvetching, wonderment, Jewish life and making your way in this world. About an American Rabbi's perspective on life in Canada.
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