Our children had an opportunity to
watch a powerful moment of political theater when Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in front of a joint session of U.S. Congress on
Tuesday. In stating his concern about
the viability of any deal with Iran and its nuclear capabilities, Prime
Minister Netanyahu reminded the United States of the risks of a nuclear armed
Iran. A nuclear armed Iran is a threat to not only Israel and all the Arab
Nations in the Middle East but Iran is a threat to Europe and the United States
as well. Netanyahu invoked Purim as he
reminded us that more than 2000 years ago, a Persian Vizier wanted to destroy
the Jewish people much like Iran leadership (formerly Persia) also wants to
destroy the Jewish people. The Prime Minister also reminded the world that the
United States and Israel has a very close relationship that transcends party
allegiance. He didn’t offer an alternative plan; only to not negotiate the
current plan. Netanyahu believes that it is possible to negotiate a stronger
deal that favors the west as opposed to Iran; and perhaps would be better to
start over as opposed to take this deal. Of course we won’t know what the deal
with Iran is until the end of March. While many criticize the Prime Minister
for not offering another plan; that criticism misses the point. The Prime
Minister was focused upon one idea; not promoting his plan, but rather warn the
West about the dangers of making deals that weaken the West.
This Shabbat, the Shabbat following
Purim, we read from Parsha Ki Tissah. 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 off from the
people. The next part B’nai 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.
During the moment when Moshe re-
ascends the mountain seeking forgiveness for the people and Moshe experiences a
personal revelation and watched God pass by; God re-iterates the covenant. VaYomer
Hinei Anochi Koreit Brit Neged Kol Amcha E’eseh Niflaot Asher Lo Nivre’u V’Chol
Ha’Aretz U’VeChol HaGoyim - God said,
‘Behold, I seal a covenant: Before your entire people I shall make distinctions
such as have never been created in the entire world and among all the nations.;
and the entire people among whom you are will see the work of Hashem – which is
awesome - that I am about to do with you. HiShameir Lecha Pen Tichrot Brit L’Yosheiv Ha’Aretz Asher Atah Ba Aleha
Pen Yiheyeh L’Mokeish B’Kirbecha- Be
vigilant lest you seal a covenant with the inhabitant of the land to which you
come, lest it be a snare among you. (Ex. 34:11-12)The lesson of the Eigel
Zahav, (the Golden Calf) was that B’nai Yisroel mimicked the indigenous idolatrous
people that were living in B’nai Yisroel’s covenanted land. God reminded Moshe and by association
reminded the people that they must not weaken the nature of the covenant. They
must not deal with these nations for fear that B’nai Yisroel becomes ensnared
(L’Mokeish), trapped, ensnared and weakened. How could these idolatrous nations
ensnare B’nai Yisroel? The fact is these nations cannot trap or ensnare B’nai
Yisroel unless B’nai Yisroel ceases its vigilance, if they start dealing with
these nations, or if they think that peace with these nations will lead to the
perpetuation of B’nai Yisroel. From God’s perspective is to remind Moshe that
the desire to make peace with those who want to destroy B’nai Yisroel, is not
peace but rather will lead to B’nai Yisroel’s destruction.
No, the Prime Minister did not
offer an alternative plan. Rather we were all reminded that we should be very
careful, very cautious when seeking peace with enemies. The Prime Minister was
warning us to avoid entrapment, to avoid our urge to be satisfied with any deal
just to say there is a deal. When dealing with evil, the Prime Minister
reminded us, that we must avoid becoming trapped. We avoid entrapment by
focusing upon Iran’s current behavior and linking it to their desire for
nuclear capabilities. Stop state sponsored terrorism, cease anti-Israel and anti-American
vitriol, cease exporting Jihad around the world and then as a reward for better
behavior Iran can have nuclear power without nuclear weapons.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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