Tax Me To The Limit Of My Revenues (John Barlow & Bob Weir - "Money Money")

As we are just a few weeks from Pesach, it suddenly dawned on me that I need to start gathering all my income tax information and getting everything complete. Admittedly it is not just that Purim ended and Pesach preparations have begun which have reminded me of my legal obligations. We watch a lot of news in our house. When our children actually sit with me they will frequently ask questions. They don’t realize it, but it is a great way to educated young people in current affairs. In any case, the other morning I was drinking coffee and watching my favorite news show, when my son came bounding down the stairs and sat with me. It just so happened that the there was a discussion about the President, Congress, the Sequester, and the automatic budget cuts that were about to lop of some 85 billion dollars from a bloated budget.  As my son watched, the discussion turned towards the role of taxes. Could the budget deficit be eliminated by “taxing their way out?”, or by “cutting spending” only. As my son listened to the “talking heads”, my son asked me, why not do both, that would make the problem go away faster.  A few seconds later, the “talking heads” confirmed what my son said. Needless to say, he was rather excited that “experts” validated what he said. During the commercial, I explained that some political leaders think that when the government collects taxes, it is infringing upon our welfare and our freedom. I smiled and told him that I don’t normally vote for those kinds of leaders.

This week we read from Parsha Ki Tissa. As mentioned, we are a few weeks away from Pesach; we take note of that by reading the special Maftir Aliyah which focuses upon the Laws of the Red Heifer (Num. 19:1-22). The reason has to with the Pesach Offering. The ashes of the Red Heifer were sprinkled such that all of B’nai Yisroel would be deemed as purified and therefore able to bring the Pesach offering. Parsha Ki Tissa is divided into several parts. The first part being the commanded to take a census of the population and collect a half shekel for each person counted. The second part is the final blue prints for the Mishkan, the spices that are to be used, as well as the oil that is to be processed prior to burning. God then designates two men, Betzalel ben Uri from the tribe of Judah and Ahaliav ben Achisamach from the tribe of Dan to be the Master Builder and Designer of this national project. God re-iterates the commandment of the Shabbat and reminds Moshe that anyone who violates it will be put to death and his/her soul will be cut of from the people.  The next part Bnai Yisroel commits the sin of the Eigel Zahav (Golden Calf): they built and then worshipped an idol. God wants to wipe out the people but Moshe urges God to reconsider. Moshe then descends the mountain and becomes just as upset as God, and he throws down the Shnei Luchot HaBrit – the Two Tablets of the Covenant. After a day or two when calm has been restored, Moshe re-ascends the mountain in order to pray for national forgiveness. Moshe then has an opportunity to experience another personal revelation even more powerful than the Burning Bush; Moshe has the opportunity to witness God’s passing before him. Dictated by God, Moshe chisels the Aseret Diberot into two new Tablets. He then goes back down the mountain. This time he descends with light and glory of God emanating from him.

There are many powerful moments, and deep theological issues raised in this Parsha. Certainly it seems that the Census has very little to do with the rest of the Parsha. Yet the Census and the Machatzit HaSHakel, the half Shekel tax, is vital. V’Natnu Eish Kofeir Nafsho L’Adoshem Bifkod Otam V’Lo Yiheyeh Bahem Negef Bifkod Otam – Every man shall give Hashem atonement for his soul when counting them, so that there will not be plague among them when counting them. Zeh Yitnu Kol HaOveir Al Hapkudim Machatzit HaSHekel B’Shekel HaKodesh Esrim Geirah  HaShekel Machatzit HaShekel Trumah La’Adoshem – This shall they give, everyone who passes through the census, a half shekel of the sacred shekel, the shekel is twenty geras, half a shekel as a portion to HaSHem (Ex. 30:12-13). It is not enough to just take a census by counting people as “one, two three…” Counting in such a manner merely relegates the individual to a numbered status. However contributing something, in this case a half shekel, the individual is not relegated to the status of number, but rather a contributor, an equal contributor to a cause like the next person. Poor or wealthy, it doesn’t matter. Everyone contributed the same amount. As a result everyone had an equal stake in the welfare of the community and the maintenance of the Mishkan. By casting individual gain and personal interest aside, and instead focusing upon the welfare of the entire community, every individual’s spiritual merit is merged into every other individual’s spiritual merit; the community becomes unified and thus able to withstand divine judgment and retribution.

            Certainly none of us takes great joy in watching our hard-earned income leave our pockets and go to the state/Federal government. Certainly none of us takes great joy in paying our dues or our “Voluntary Contribution” to the Synagogue. However when something goes awry in our lives, or we need help we want the government to be involved and helping. Imagine for a moment where we would be without a place to gather, to learn, to pray, or to educate our children. We would be swallowed up the larger more secular community and our collective Jewish identity would be greatly diminished.

Peace,

Rav Yitz 

Can't See Much Difference Between The Dark And Light (Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter - "Comes a Time")

It is still winter. It is still cold. It is still snowing. Our children still need extra time to put on all their winter apparel before they go outside. My wife still complains about the fact that winter lasts far too long. While we have a week and a half until the end of February, winter still has its grip on us. Yet despite its icy grip, one can still see the first vestiges of, dare I say it, spring. Daylight lasts just a little bit longer. The sun sets just a little later. When at its apex, the sun burns just a little warmer and a little brighter.  Even though the wind still howls, snow flurries still occur, our driveways are clear. As February draws to an end, we know that we are weeks away from emerging from the darkness of winter into the light of spring.

This Shabbat we read from Parshah Tetzaveh. The focus of the Parshah is upon Aharon, Moshe’s brother, Aharon’s sons, their position as the Kohen Gadol, (High Priest), their “work uniform” an their preparations. Just like last week’s Parshah, Terumah, was chock full of specifics and details concerning the construction of the Mishkan, Tetzavah primary focus is upon the specifics and the details concerning the Kohen Gadol uniform. From material to design, this aspect of the Parshah is a tailor/fashion designer’s dream. Once the details for the uniform have been taught, the Parshah concentrates upon the necessary preparations that the Kohanim must engage in so that they are spiritually pure enough to make offerings on the behalf of the people. Only then, when the construction is complete, when the clothing is finished and the purification process fulfilled, then God will rest God’s presence among the people.

The Parshah essentially focuses upon the priesthood, its clothing and its preparation process. By definition, the parshah is very limited in scope. After all not many of us come from the Priestly family of Aharon and his sons. Yet God reminds Moshe Rabeinu as well as us that all these details are necessary for the simple reason that God wishes to dwell among Bnai Yisroel. It is interesting to note that Moshe is not mentioned by name. Rather, he is referred to as Atah – You. Until now, God spoke to Moshe and Moshe conveyed those instructions to those doing the work. Now Moshe had to be personally involved as he is the one that will be responsible for purity of the olive oil for the Menorah (7 armed candelabra), he will personally designate the Kohanim and he must select wise and talented people to make the sacred priestly vestments and build the Tabernacle. Regarding God’s first command of Moshe, the Torah tells us,  V’Atah T’tzaveh et Bnai Yisroel VYikchu Eilecha Shemen Zayit Zach Katit La’Maor L’Ha’Alot Neir Tamid – Now you shall command the Children of Yisroel that they shall take for you pure, pressed olive oil for illumination to kindle the lamp continually (Ex. 27:20). Rashi explains that “continually” does not mean 24/7. Instead “continually” means that the Menorah (was kindled every evening, even Shabbat, and burned from evening until morning. Ramban, citing Sifre ( a rabbinic text of Midrash Halacha), explains that “continually” indeed refers to the western most lamp of the Menorah that burned 24/7.

Generally, light is symbolic of wisdom, enlightenment. We also know that light is symbolic of God. Olive oil provides the fuel for Neir Tamid the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, who is pure like the olive oil itself, embodies the pursuit of spiritual purity. The clothes that he wears contribute to the notion that spiritual purity is exists only within the Tabernacle whenever he put on those clothes.  However the Menorah, the Ner Tamid, the eternal light embodies the pursuit of holiness, spirituality and knowledge by the rest of the people and not only the Priestly class. The pursuit of wisdom, enlightenment and the attainment of holiness is a realistic goal for all,  including Moshe Rabeinu, and Bnai Yisroel.  We attain wisdom, enlightenment, and holiness through Torah study, and Mitzvot and by living our lives in the pursuit of holiness. However those are activities we engage in while we are conscious, involved and self aware. Those are activities that occur when our “light” is already lit.  Unfortunately, in the darkness of our subconscious, in the darkness of night, when we unresolved conflicts enter our sleep, or the existential angst of life comes percolating to the forefront of our conscious that we awake in the darkness. We look for light. We look for clarity. Our striving is neither confined by time or space, hence it provides light 24/7. We are able to carry that light with us where ever we go.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Like A Child She Is Pure, She Is Not To Blame ( Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia "Help Is On The Way")

Finally, we thought it would never happen. We waited and waited. Even suffering through a snow day and the interminable shoveling of the driveway, the melting and the eventual re-freezing of the snow, we have muddled our way through winter. Now finally, the first vestiges of spring are here. My children have been listening to me for weeks, literally counting down the days. And this week it happened. No, it is not quite spring in Toronto or anywhere in the Northeast. But the other day, I forced my children to watch the sports highlights. There they were, stretching, joking, jogging and tossing the ball. Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training and position players will be down in Florida and Arizona in a few more days. Spring Training is here, and my children think I am nuts. However, as I grow older, this ritual, this symbol of hope springing eternal, this childlike enthusiasm for being outside in the sun, and returning to the simplest aspects of childhood, reminds me of the simplicity and innocence of childhood. As a child I used to listen to the baseball games on the radio. The greatest thing was to be able to listen to spring training games on the radio. In the middle of February, I could imagine the simplicity of spring training stadium. I could imagine the colors, the breeze blowing, people casually dressed in their Florida spring clothing.  I could close my eyes and picture players laughing, casually signing autographs, relaxed and chatting with the crowd. More so than going to a major league ball park, attending spring training games was incredibly fun. Going to a spring training game is like going back in time to ones old childhood, playing with your friends on the local high school baseball field. It is approachable, it is pure. This is where the Baseball Gods dwell, in the simplicity of the spring training facility, in the spring air, and the eternal hope and optimism of a new season..

            This week’s Parshah is Terumah. Terumah means “a portion”. In the context of this week’s Parshah, the portion in question is the portion of wealth that B’nai Yisroel would dedicate to the construction of the  Aron, the ark that would hold the Luchot Habrit (the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written), the lamp, the table, and the material for the Ohel Moed (the tent of the meeting). All of which comprised the Mishkan or the Tabernacle. If you are in construction, interior design, or architecture, the details in Parshah Terumah are fascinating. If your not in any of those occupations then all the details might seem, shall we say, a bit dry. Whether a fan or not, whether an architect or not, there are certain things that we can all appreciate, and there are certain concepts that increase our appreciation and perspective for the Mishkan as well as the ball park. Moshe was told: V’Asu Li Mikdash v’Shachanti B’tocham- “They shall make a sanctuary for Me so that I may dwell among them” (Ex.25:8) What follows are all the details and decor of a place where the people were able to approach God. If they build according to plan, then God will reside there. If they behave according to G-d’s Torah then G-d will dwell among them.

 I know what you’re thinking. “Rabbi, isn’t G-d everywhere?” “If so, how can G-d only reside in the Mishkan?” One way to understand the verse is in terms of our needs, the community’s needs. If B’nai Yisroel builds it, he will dwell among them. Certainly G-d resides everywhere. However the verse is incomplete If they build it, yes, G-d will dwell among them. If G-d dwells among them, that is the entire community, then the entire community must have a central gathering place, the Ohel Moed (the tent of the meeting). The difference, of course, is that the Mishkan was built so that G-d could be among the people in the present. The spring training stadiums are frequently sold out because baseball fans yearn for a  place for people to go that reminds them of something simpler and more romantic – their childhoods.

           

As I have grown older and I watch my children grow, I have started to appreciate that God swells in some fascinating places. God dwells in the imaginations of small children and the wonder with which they see the world. God dwells in the questions that our children ask, or the concern they express when they see suffering or injustice in the world. God dwells with the family that has been struck by the loss of a loved one but has rallied together to offer support and sustenance to each other. No wonder my kids think I am crazy. They want to grow up already, speed up the process. I want to return to the carefree days of my childhood, playing catch with my friends without a care in the world because God dwells in our ability to return to the more innocent and pure days of springtime.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Guess From Their Cries You Were Listening To A Fight ( John Barlow & Bob Weir - "Looks Like Rain)

I don’t know why but I am always amazed that there is always one child having a bad day, being difficult, antagonizing parents and siblings and just being plain old rotten.  I can’t remember the last time when all of our children actually got along with each other.  I men they all like each other, they play with each other. However on any given day, sisters are fighting with sisters; older sister is fighting with little brother, middle sister is picking on little brother, or little brother is picking on sisters. Rarely do we, the parents, receive any warning.  Sometimes the fights are very loud and explicitly. Those we can deal with quickly rationally and fairly.  Our son has a stuffed animal which serves as his security blanket. He carries it around the house; it sleeps in bed with him. He has had this stuffed animal since he was 1 day old, so needless to say it is very significant to him. It happens, when he takes the stuffed animal out of his bed and walks around the house, he will put it down and then invariably forget where he left it. Needless to say that at least twice a week his bedtime is postponed while we look for the stuffed animal. Thankfully, we find it rather quickly and avoid significant distress. However the other day, ten year old was in a mood and was currently engaged in a fight with her brother. Seeing her little brother’s favorite stuffed animal lying around, she knowingly hid hit from him and from us as well. Obviously she hid the stuffed animal as a way of “getting back” at her brother for whatever injustice he perpetrated upon her.  She also knew that hiding the stuffed animal is about the meanest thing she could do to her brother. Yet she did it. When we finally found the stuffed animal and our daughter happily confessed to hiding it, there was no remorse. Instead there was only gloating; gloating because she understood that she had power over her brother because she could take away the most important thing in the world to him.  Of course when I shared my disappointment with her she began to cry and feel guilty. 

This week’s Parsha is Mishpatim. Moshe is still at Har Sinai. However the revelation that occurred with the giving of the Aseret Dibrot (Ten Commandments) is long gone. Instead, God has now started giving Moshe numerous laws that affect the day to day issues raised by human interaction. There are no smoking mountains, there is no shofar blowing, only God telling Moshe how to decide various legal matters including the damages to be paid if my ox gores your ox; two men are fighting near a pregnant woman and she gets hurt,   and how to treat to a Jewish servant to name just a few.  Moshe tells these laws to Bnai Yisroel and they respond with the words Naaseh v’Nishmah – we will do and learn.

Certainly there is far more to God’s covenant with Bnai Yisroel than our behavior towards God.  In fact the laws in Parsha Mishpatim focus almost entirely about how we treat each other.  Clearly the law recognizes that accidents happen, which does not necessarily mean that these accidents go unpunished.  There are other laws that are legislated which have nothing to do with accidents but rather situations that may arise in which we have to remind ourselves who needs our protection: widows and orphans especially.  Underlying all these laws is the assumption that we are supposed to appeal to our greater good, to the holiest aspect within ourselves rather than degrading ourselves due to negative emotions. Ki Tifgah Shor Oyvecha O Chamoro To’eh Hasheiv Tshivenu Lo – If you meet your enemy’s ox or mule going astray, then you must surely return the animal to him [your enemy (Ex. 23:4).  No matter how much you may dislike or even hate the person, if you see the person’s property you can’t keep, you can’t even just leave it where you found. Rather you must be pro-active and return the property to the legal owner.  The Torah recognizes that Bnai Yisroel will not always get along. Sometimes there will be fights, disagreements that may lead to genuine anger, bitterness or even hatred.  However we don’t let our emotions cloud our judgment that we are blocked from doing the appropriate thing- returning the found item.  We don’t use our enemy’s property in order to “get back” at our enemy or to “teach our enemy a lesson”. We must strive to be better than that. Yes of course we are human; yes of course we get angry. However being human doesn’t mean we succumb to human nature; rather we are supposed to strive towards our godly nature. Needless to say, the next time our daughter sees her brother’s favorite stuffed animal lying around; she understand that she will return it to him or put the stuffed animal on her brother’s bed. Sure, she can be mad at him, and fight with him, but just like she expects him to respect her property, she now understands that he is entitled to the same expectation.

Peace,

Rav Yitz