Your Tongue Is Twisted With Words Half Spoken ( Robert Hunter & Phil Lesh - "Box of Rain")

Like most of the world, I have been watching the news and paying particularly close attention to the current conflict going on in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Yes, the loss of civilian life has been absolutely horrible. While the news has tended to focus on the loss of Palestinian civilian life in Gaza, it has not focused upon the loss of civilian life in Syria. If anyone wanted to keep track, the average loss of life in Syria has been, on a monthly basis in the thousands! There are civilians being killed in Iraq, and Libya as well.  Yet the press and the world focus upon Gaza and the civilian loss of life. I have started to wonder why the press focuses upon Gaza as opposed to all these other places where Muslim civilians are being killed. Cynically, of course, we in the west probably don’t care so much about what one Muslim sect does to another Muslim sect. After all this internecine war between Sunni and Shii’a has been going on for approximately 1200 years.  For the non- Muslim world, fighting about who is the rightful heir and authentic interpreter of Mohammed’s words is rather tedious. However words such as “occupation”, “siege”, and “blockade” are words that are certainly pithier than words associated with some esoteric theological disagreement that probably could have been resolve at some madrassa or some university with an outstanding Islam department. Words such as “blockade” “siege” and “occupation” are words that could have applied to the British immediately prior to the American Revolution. Of course when we teach our children about the American Revolution these words are vital. These words such as “blockade”, “siege” and “occupation” were words used by the confederacy during and even after the American Civil War. These words are so powerful, that for several generations after the Civil War, and even to this day, these words enable many in the South to see the North as a threatening entity. So is it any wonder that Hamas has figured out that words such as “blockade”, “siege” and “occupation” carry so much meaning in the western press and the more frequently Hamas perverts the meaning of these words, that eventually the words lose meaning and Hamas becomes more legitimate in the eyes of some in the West as well as among some of the Palestinian people.   

This week we begin the final book of the Torah, Sefer Devarim, with Parsha Devarim. Traditionally known as Mishnah Torah – or the repetition of the Torah, Parsha Devarim is the introductory Parsha to Moshe’s formal teaching of the Torah to this new generation. Moshe Rabeinu, now only a few weeks from the moment of his death, imparts his teaching and his wisdom upon B’nai Yisroel like a dying grandparent or parent would to his/her children. Moshe begins with a history lesson, recounting B’nai Yisroel’s history. Moshe begins with leaving Mt. Horev (otherwise known as Mt. Sinai). Then Moshe shares with B’nai Yisroel his version of appointing judges, the mission of the spies and, and his punishment (that he was forbidden to enter into Eretz Canaan. Moshe then leaps ahead and reminds them of the more recent history: the avoidance of war with Edom, the war with Moab, the conquest of Og, and finally the 2 ½ tribes request to remain on the eastern shore of the Jordan River.

This fifth and final book of the Torah, makes it abundantly clear that we are hearing a recounting of history from Moshe Rabeinu’s perspective. Commandment that are re-iterated are prefaced with the reminder that “God told me (Moshe), to tell you (B’nai Yisroel). Words are vital and Moshe Rabeinu understands that it is his words that will live far longer than he will. Eilah HaDvarim Asher Diber Moshe El B’nai Yisroel B’Eiver Yarden-These are the words that Moshe Spoke to all Israel, on the other side of the Jordan…(Deut. 1:1). The words that follow are not God’s but rather Moshe’s. Some of these words, especially those that immediately follow this verse are harsh words of rebuke. They are words that remind B’nai Yisroel of some of their national shortcomings. Later, these words will become more prophetic. In either case, Moshe’s wisdom can only be passed down through words. Therefore both the speaker, Moshe, and the listener, B’nai Yisroel, must be on the “same page” in terms of the meaning of the words. There can be no confusion otherwise the message will become something different than how it was originally expressed.

Indeed words have meaning. If Hamas continues to use words like “occupation” “blockade” or “siege” frequently enough when talking about Israel, and the world doesn’t question it, then it becomes a fact. However Israel left Gaza in 2005, so Israel cannot now  “Occupy” Gaza; Israel is not in Gaza! A “blockade” suggests that  the means by bringing goods and services across a border are blocked. The only “blockade” exists at the Rafa crossing which is the border between Egypt and Gaza. Goods and services do move across the Israeli and Gaza borders, those goods include, medicine, electricity, steel and concrete (the same steel and concrete that Hamas used to build its tunnels).  When Hamas complains to anyone who will listen that Israel makes it too difficult to bring other things across the border, someone might want to remind Hamas that the checking goods and services prior to crossing a border even occurs at the Canada/US border; a border between two friendly countries! A “siege” suggest that a particular group is surrounded and will ultimately be captured, assumes that Egypt or Israel wants to capture Gaza. When in fact “siege” also means “a prolonged illness that besets an individual or a group.” Yes the Palestinian people have been under siege, but it is Hamas, a terrorist organization, an illness, a virus that has affected thought and speech, and has hurt its own people and continues to do so. Yes language matters. Language can be become perverted, twisted to such a point that it loses its meaning. Ultimately, when language becomes perverted enough, it can corrupt, poison and destroy a society.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Truckin' I'm A Going Home (Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh - "Truckin'")

I had a chance to participate in that mid-summer sleep away camp ritual called “Visitor’s Day”. It was not as simple as jumping in the car on a Sunday morning, drive a couple of hours, see the kids and come home. I wish it was that easy. For me nothing could have been further from reality. So late Saturday night at I started driving in pouring rain. I had planned to stop at my parents’ home in Rochester.  I arrived around 1:30 am, and saw father awake, and awaiting my arrival. The good news was that I made great time. The bad news was I felt guilty because I had somehow prevented him from going to bed and an earlier hour. Still, I would be able to get 5-6 hours of sleep and, on Sunday morning I would be ready to drive another three and half hours and be at camp to enjoy a picnic lunch. I was up bright and early the next morning, I saw my mother for a few minutes, said goodbye. I saw that my wife texted me a list of things to pick up for our picnic so I stopped at Wegmans. Well one just doesn’t run into Wegmans and run out. Wegmans is the Supermarket of Supermarkets. One normally walks into Wegmans and is in awe of the numerous products, the colors and the smells. After an hour, I eventually picked up everything on the list and started driving. The highway was familiar, the exits were familiar, the route was the familiar, and the trees were familiar. The landscape was magnificent and familiar. The farms were picturesque and familiar. I must have made this drive hundreds and hundreds of times. With the horizon stretched out before me, I had a sense of constancy and comfort. Nothing had changed. I saw my wife, and my children. I had a few minutes alone with each child and my wife. I even had a moment when I saw my wife and my kids together, helping carry our picnic to the spot and had a “moment”. The “Moment” was a sense that it was worth the drive just to see them helping each other shlep all this stuff. It was a sense that it was worth the drive for me to realize that I am blessed. So we at lunch. I hung around for another couple of hours and began the long drive back to Toronto. I stopped in Rochester for Dinner. Waited for thirty minutes at the border because of traffic and then waited a little over an hour on the QEW Highway because of construction. The final 40 minutes of the drive was a blur of fog and exits and one thought sat in my head. I can’t believe I drove 9 hours on a Sunday in order to spend 2 ½ hours with my family, either I am crazy or really appreciate the fact that I am blessed.    

This Shabbat, we read from Parsha Ma’asei. It is the final Parsha of Sefer BaMidbar. Ma’asei begins with Moshe’s recording of all the places that B’nai Yisroel had traveled during the course of its 40 years of wandering. Moshe makes the final preparations for B’nai Yisroel’s entrance into Eretz Canaan: including the establishment of national and tribal boundaries. Also, Moshe gives his decision to the Daughters of Zelophchad (Parshat Pinchas) who have inherited their father’s tribal holdings. Moshe informs B’nai Yisroel of inter-tribal marriage while simultaneously retaining the integrity of tribal boundaries. Also six cities of refuge are established for those individuals who have committed manslaughter, (and accidental death) and are fleeing the avenging family member.

Whenever an individual, a group, a community or a people stand on the precipice of realizing a stated goal; looking back upon the journey only makes sense. We look back upon the journey for a variety of reasons. First we look back upon the journey in sheer wonderment; we cannot believe we have traveled so far and finally achieved. Second, we look back upon the journey in order to provide context and meaning for all those who joined in the journey towards the middle or the end. Third, we look back upon the journey as a series of opportunities that were necessary in order to realize the stated goal. Eilah Masei V’nai Yisroel Asher Yatzu M’Eretz Mitzrayim L'tzivotam  B’Yad Moshe v’Aharon – These are the journeys of the Children of Israel, who went forth from the Land of Egypt according to the legions under the hand of Moshe and Aharon … V’Eilah Maseihem L’Motzaheihem – And these are the their journeys according to their departures. (Num. 33:1-2) God commanded Moshe to keep a record of their travels according to their Maseihem - destination. This is means of recording based upon positive expectations, when there were no travails, issues or problems. Moshe also kept a record of their travels based upon Motzaheihem their departures, when there were travails, issues and great difficulties, when people murmured against God, against Moshe etc. Now that B’nai Yisroel stands on the brink of entering Eretz Canaan, all the experiences, both positive and negative gave B’nai Yisroel an opportunity to learn Faith.  The journey and all that was experienced during that 40-year journey was necessary in order to arrive at this point in time.

We all have journeys. Some are a lifetime. Some are a few hours. No matter the distance, and no matter the final objective, every once in a while it is important to stop and take stock of how far one has traveled. Every once in a while it is important to check out the surrounding of the journey and not only an eye on the final objective. Sometimes there is value in the journey for the journey’s sake and not just the objective. Mathematically speaking, it was kind of crazy to drive 9 hours in order to spend 2 ½ hours with my family. Except for a few delays that were beyond my control, it was also cleared my head, allowed me to take a look around and see how far I have come in my life and contemplate my future.

Peace

                Rav Yitz

It Belongs To The Children Of Our Children's Kids (John Barlow & Brent Mydland - "We Can Run")

Well, the kids are away at camp. Things are quiet. For another couple of weeks I don’t have any direct parent responsibilities. Sure, I write them, and make sure that the various schools, and extracurricular programs and camps have been paid. But for another couple of weeks, I don’t have to shlep. I don’t have to settle any quarrels or mete out any punishments. Friends of ours children, did not go to sleep away camp. They are running more carpools now that we ordinarily do during the school year! Although I realized that the carpooling is nearly as much for the parents as it is for the children. For as much as we Parents sacrifice and do for our children, we also live vicariously through our children.  We want for our children what we didn’t have growing up.  So in order to afford all that we give our children; both parents work. Some commute long distances, wanting their children to grow up in a larger nicer home than the one they grew up in. The cost has been enormous. Typically, children don’t spend quantity or quality time with their parents. Typically, everyone is running around so much, families forget what families, relationships and growth is about. Eventually, and very often, families grow further and further apart as priorities become misplaced.

            This Shabbat we read from the second to last Parsha of Sefer B’Midbar, Parsha Matot.   Matot speaks of the laws of Oaths and Vows, God commands Moshe and B’nai Yisroel to attack and utterly destroy the Midianites. After all, the Midianites were the cause of the most recent plague because of their successful in bringing idolatry to B’nai Yisroel. This battle had all the elements of a holy enterprise as the priest Elazar and Pinchas went out to the battle. Soldiers needed to be spiritually purified afterwards because they had come into contact with death, so they remained outside the camp for seven days. Then the Torah informs us as to the boundaries that each tribe was to inherit.

            There is one troubling moment when two tribes ask Moshe if they can remain on the eastern side of the Jordan instead of entering into Eretz Canaan. Each tribe had various sources of wealth, but the tribe of Reuven and Gad had an abundance of livestock. They were under the impression that the land of Yazer and Gilad, east of the Jordan River, was Mkom Mikneh, a place for livestock. So the leaders of each tribe approach Moshe and request to remain on the eastern banks of the Jordan River and not enter into Eretz Canaan. Atarot v’Divon v’Yazeir v’nimrah v’Cheshbon v’Elalei Usvam Unvo Uv’on Ha’aretz Asher Hikah Adonai Lifnei Adat Yisroel Eretz Mikneh Hi V’lavadecha Mikneh – Atarot and Divon, Yazeir, and Nimrah, and Cheshbon and Elalei and Svam and Nebo and Veon (territorial names of various sites on the eastern and northeastern side of the Jordan river) the land that Hashem smote before the assembly of Israel – these lands are for livestock and your servants have livestock (Num. 32:3-4). These tribes wanted this land for one purpose, for the purpose of increasing their flocks, increasing their cattle. In the Torah scroll there is an empty space between the end of that verse and the next verse. This space does not connote the end of an aliyah, a chapter or the end of the parsha. This empty space connotes silence. It connotes an angry silence at Reuven and Gad’s request. Moses essentially sits there, seething in anger and waits. The two tribes then re-state their request using the formula Im Matzanu Chen b’Einecha – If we have found favor in your eyes (Num. 32:5). Again the request is couched in terms of cattle and wealth. Moshe gives an angry answer questioning these tribes’ priorities and their sense of responsibility to the rest Adat Yisroel, as well as their sense of ancestral obligation. Finally, the tribes huddle together and restate their request a third time. Gidrot Tzon Nivneh Lmikneinu Po V’Arim l’Tapeinu – Pens for our flock shall we build here and cities for our small children, v’Anachnu Neichaleitz Chushim Lifnei Bnai Yisroel – We shall aim ourselves swiftly in the vanguard of the Children of Israel (Num. 32:16-17). Finally, the tribes of Reuven and Gad understand. Inheritance of the land is not about flocks and wealth. It is about passing this inheritance, this land to the children.         

            The same holds true for Judaism. Judaism, Torah and Mitzvot are our inheritance. Our lives are not only and cannot only be about wealth, and extracurricular activities that come at the expense of Torah Mitzvot and Judaism. It took these two tribe three attempts to realize that they are responsible for the future. We are responsible for our children’s Jewish future. Our job is to pass Judaism, Torah and mitzvot to our children. Hopefully, as we pass this inheritance to our children, we derive the same sense of joy and nachas as when we watch them participate in a sports program, or play a musical instrument. Ultimately, it will be Torah and Jewish life that will be the inheritance that our children will be able to pass along to their children.

Peace,

Rav Yitz