Say The Weather Down Here So Fine But Who Can The Weather Command ( Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Black Peter")

My wife’s family has been spending the Holiday of Sukkot with us. They live in California.  My three nieces and nephew have been amazed at how people deal with what they perceive as the rapid changes in the weather.  Sun and Rain, single digits overnight to low 20’s during the day; wind and calm; and all that might occur within a twenty-four hour period of time let alone a week. They watch us in amusement as we take tables and chairs in out of Sukkah in order to prevent the furniture from getting wet. Most of all they are impressed that whatever the weather may be, everyone quickly adjusts and continues doing whatever it is they were doing. A little drizzle doesn’t stop us from eating in the sukkah or prevent us from walking to wherever it is we are walking. We don’t just stay indoors and stop whatever we are doing. Also, if the weather is beautiful or even not so beautiful, we tell our children to go outside and play or plan some kind of activity outdoors knowing what we will be “hibernating” in a few months. We have all noted the irony of the weather. We can control our preparation for Yom Tov. We can control ourselves, and how we express our joy and happiness during Sukkot. We can control many things that enhance our Sukkot experience. But we all have limits to the extent of that control.

Among the most spiritually difficult texts is the Sefer Kohelet the book of Ecclesiastes. We read it in its entirety once a year on Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot, the Intermediate Sabbath of Sukkot. According to the tradition, Shlomo HaMelech, King Solomon, towards the end of his life, wrote this Megillah, this scroll. Tradition has this perspective because the language is not one of optimism but rather realism. This is a person who as “seen it all” – Ein Kol Chadash Tachat HaShemesh – There is nothing new under the sun! And yet there is a certain harsh realism and a certain sense of harsh optimism. The author provides us with a no holds barred sense of comfort. He does not coddle us. He does not baby us. Rather the author shoves our faces in this “reality” and gives us a perspective on how to deal with a world that is not as wonderful a place as we might have thought of in our youth, or even a few weeks ago. The question that so many of our sages have asked, is why is such a text, a text that does not offer such explicit hope, a text that does not offer explicit comfort, and is universally recognized as a “downer” of a text, why is such a text read on the holiday that is commonly regarded as Zman Simchateinu – the time of our joy?

            In Eretz Yisroel, the Autumn Harvest is complete. We unabashedly celebrate our joy on a physical level because of a successful harvest. We also unabashedly celebrate our joy for having been judged favorably by God, (Rosh HaShanah), having been the recipients of God’s mercy (Yom Kippur). On Sukkot, we are commanded to Samachta b’Chagecha – celebrate in your holiday. Yet this text tempers our celebration. While the nature of the Sukkot holiday is to celebrate our unrestrained joy in receiving God’s blessing, we also know that very often it is human nature to forget God and celebrate our achievements and ourselves. Kohelet reminds us that, like the fragile nature of the Sukkah itself, not everything is as much in our control as we think. V’Zerach HaShemesh U’Vah HaShemesh – the sun rises and the sun sets- no matter what we do, no matter how much control we may perceive that we have, at the end of the day, we are ultimately powerless. God is the ultimate cause of all things. The sun rises and sets because of God, not mankind. Kohelet helps us maintain our perspective. Kohelet reminds us that we are not the center of the world. Kohelet reminds us that for all the physical pleasures we seek, for the all the material comforts we work hard to afford, such things are fleeting.

            So how can such a text offer us comfort? Well if we have the perspective of Kohelet, then we can understand how an elderly person, who has seen everything: man’s goodness, man’s evil, the joy of life and the futility of life, offers us comfort.  With control comes responsibility. With power comes responsibility. Kohelet teaches us that we should celebrate the fact that we have so little control. Kohelet teaches us that we should derive joy from the fact that we don’t need to worry about the sunrise or the sunset. We shouldn’t be so terribly joyous when life comes into the world or upset when life leaves the world. Intellectually speaking, life and death are not within our control. Living our life is within our control. Living the best possible life is within our control. Living a life that has spiritual meaning and the acquisition of wisdom is the crux of our existence, the purpose of our living. So our Los Angeles nephew and nieces learned to appreciate a 12 degree sunny few hours because the rains came, the weather grew colder and they had to go inside. They began to appreciate that they couldn’t control the weather, only how to plan and respond. Interestingly enough, they definitely appreciated the weather in Los Angeles because they didn’t have to worry about such changes in the weather over the course of a day.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Wake Now Discover That You Are The Song That The Morning Brings (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Eyes Of The World")

When each of my children was born, and it was my job to rock them to sleep, I would whistle a particular song that I chose for them. For my eldest daughters, because there was a nine-year gap, I whistled the same song for each of them: "Summertime".  For my now 18 year old, it made sense, she was born in the summertime.  For my eldest, I loved Miles Davis’ version of the song so I chose it for her. When our now 16-year-old daughter was born, I chose “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. When our youngest child and only son was born, I chose Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”.  Since our kids are a bit older, and I don’t put them to bed anymore, I am sure that each has favorite songs that they have chosen, that “speak” to them. My kids and my wife know that if I hear my favorite song on the Grateful Dead internet radio station, or on satellite radio, they will either stop what they are doing so I can hear the song and sing along, or they will have to lower their conversation to a whisper. Usually, when the song comes on, they see that I am all smiles and genuinely happy, as a result, they even start to hum or sing along with me. Ironically, the lyrics are not sickeningly sweet but rather speak of growing up and a parent figure letting go so that child can learn to fall down and get back up on his/her own. The tune, however, is incredibly upbeat and happy. Because my children have heard the song hundreds of times they have learned to appreciate the juxtaposition between the simple, upbeat tune and the bittersweet lyrics.  They all know that I have never heard the song in concert and it is one of my “bucket list wishes”. I joke that if I never hear the song live at a concert, then it must be played at my funeral.

This Shabbat we read from Parshat Ha’Azinu.  The Parsha is poetry, a song that God had commanded Moshe to compose in the previous Parsha, VaYeleich. Composing this song was the final deed that God commanded Moshe. The song is the final prophecy that God told Moshe in the previous Parsha, VaYeilech.  As a song, Ha"Azinu does not contain the most pleasant of lyrics, and it is not particularly uplifting or inspiration. The song does not offer such an optimistic future.  Rather, Moshe invokes Heaven and Earth to offer testimony to God’s prophecy and future punishment against his people.

   Throughout Sefer Devarim, Deuteronomy,  Moshe has taught the law and inspired Bnai Yisroel to choose fidelity to God and God’s Torah.  Choosing to follow would result in a reward. Choosing not to follow would result in a punishment. Now, during the final moments of Moshe Rabbeinu's life, the song suggests neither choice nor the results of that choice. Instead, we are told that we will choose badly and that we will be punished.  There is nothing explicit within the song that suggests or even offers a means by which we are able to do Teshuva (repent) and ultimately return to God. While intellectually, Moshe has taught that concept to Bnai Yisroel; here in the song that possibility is not explicit. However, when the song is complete, Moshe speaks his word to Bnai Yisroel. His words offer a sense of hope, a sense of inspiration. He reminds Bnai Yisroel that even when they have grown distant from God, even though the resulting punishment will be brutal; there is still a measure of hope, hope for the next generation.  SImu Levavchem L’Chol Hadvarim Asher Anochi Mei’id Bachem Hayom, Asher T’Tzavoom et Bnaichem Lishmor La’Asot et Kol Divrei HaTorah Ha’Zot -  Apply your hearts to all the words that I Testify against you today, with which you are to instruct your children, to be careful to perform all the words of this Torah.  Ki Lo Davar Reik Hu Mikem Ki Hu Chayeichem Uvadavar HaZeh Ta’Arichu Yamim – for it is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life, and through this matter shall you prolong your days on the Land to which you cross the Jordan to possess it.

In Moshe’s final moments, he reminds us that the key to our survival is to teach Torah to our children. Yes, according to the song, we will grow distant from God, yes we will engage in idolatry. Yes, we will be punishment. However, there will always be hope for the next generation if they are educated in such a manner that when it comes time for them to make a choice; they choose wisely, they choose God’s Torah.  Moshe reminds his people that the Torah is not empty. Moshe’s song juxtaposes the immediate short-term future that he sees; a future of hardship, despair and a distancing from God and a long-term future consisting of a reconciliation with God,  a return to the covenantal obligations and the joy that will come with that return.  Because it’s a song or poetry, the children will hear the song, not once but repeated over and over. In the long run, the B’nai Yisroel will come to appreciate the lyrics and its complexity. I know that my kids, in the long run, have come to appreciate my song and its lyrics, music, and complexity.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Look Into Any Eyes You Find By You; You Can See Clear To Another Day (Robert Hunter & Phil Lesh - "Box of Rain")

Several hours before the Rosh HaShanah holiday began, my wife and I received an email from our daughter who is studying in Israel for the year. Since she arrived, her main form of communication has been phone calls or texts messages through Whatsapp. So when I saw an email from her, I was concerned. Don’t ask me why I should be concerned about getting an email from my daughter; I guess as I grow older and worry more and more. (I guess I am becoming more like my father.) So I read our daughter's email. I welled up. She explained that she did not have classes the day before Rosh HaShanah. Apparently, it was a beautiful day in Jerusalem, yet our daughter was experiencing the first twinges of homesickness as this was the first time that she was away during the High Holidays. She explained all this to us in her email and amid the twinges of homesickness and the welling up of tears, our daughter thanked us. She not only thanked us for giving her the opportunity to spend a gap year in Israel, she thanked us for the making her attend this particular seminary even though her teachers thought she would be happier elsewhere. She thanked us for not only seeing her in an honest and clear light but knowing what was best for her, as compared to her high school teachers. She thanked us for being her parents. I quickly wrote back two words. One word sums up the reason we wanted her to participate in sports as well as community service programs- Perspective. The other word allowed her to cope with hardship, discomfort or any challenge – clarity. Usually, clarity occurs when one is able to sense moments of extreme possibility. I know that I had great moments of clarity when each of my children was born. I also had great moments of clarity when my grandfather passed away a few years ago. Life and death allow us to get at the essence of life.

            In this week’s Parsha, Va’Yeileich, for the last time Moshe experiences a moment of clarity. However of all the moments of clarity including: the Burning Bush, the Revelation at Sinai, the Personal Revelation when he saw the back of God while defending B’nai Yisroel following the episode of the Golden Calf; it is the moment of death to which we can all relate. It is at the moment of impending death that Moshe has perfect clarity. He sees and understands the anguish that his children will experience as they drift towards and away from their Covenant with God. He sees all that his life has been and he recognizes that while his life will be no more, there will be closure. Ki Yadati Acharei Motie Ki Hashcheit Tashchitun v’Sartem Min HaDerech Asher Tziviti Etchem V’Karat Etchem Ha’Ra’Ah B’Acharit Hayamim Ki Ta’Asu et Ha’Rah B’Einei Adoshem L’Hachiso B’Ma’Asei Y’deichem – For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly,  and you will stray from the path that I have commanded you, and evil will befall you at the end of days, if you do what is evil in the eyes of HaShem, to anger Him through your handiwork (Deut.31:29). We should note that closure does not necessarily mean that the content of the closure will be positive, however, the process of closure is always positive. Our sages are adamant about the vital importance of closure. If a person engages in Tshuvah, a repentant return to God, and Vidui, confession even if the moment before death it is tantamount to a person who has returned to living a life of Mitzvot. In a moment of clarity, certainly such a moment exists at death, Moshe has the opportunity to make that moment holy, sanctified, an un-wasted moment.

            This is a very special time of year for The Jewish People. It is a very spiritual time of year. This ten-day period from Rosh HaShanah until Yom Kippur is known as the Aseret Yamei Teshuvah – the Ten Days of Repentance. As the name suggests, this is the time of year in which we seek M’chila or forgiveness for any transgression we have committed. We seek forgiveness from God, and we seek forgiveness from family and friends. Mostly, it seems to me, that during these ten days we honestly look at ourselves and assume that we have hurt others instead of being shocked when we find out that we are capable of hurting another. The ability to engage in this process known as Tshuvah, the process of returning to the holiest aspect of our being, requires great clarity. Sometimes clarity occurs when one experiences a beginning, like a new life. Sometimes clarity comes at the conclusion, the death of a loved one. For our daughter clarity came on a beautiful autumn day in Jerusalem as she thought about the path of her life, leaving home, this current gap year and then onto college/university. Perhaps, Shabbat Shuvah,, the Shabbat of Return, reminds us of the importance of allowing those moments of clarity to serve as a source of spiritual strength.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Faring Thee Well Now; Let Your Life Proceed By Its Own Designs (John Barlow & Bob Weir - "Cassidy")

While rushing around getting children ready for school, while our eldest daughter was busy preparing her candidate to win her respective primary, while a daughter was learning in Jerusalem; each one at some point stopped what they were doing and watched two funerals. Because of the technology, internet, and YouTube, our children were able to watch these funerals at more convenient times, or pause rather than sitting through each funeral which was a multi-hour affair. One funeral for was for Aretha Franklin and one funeral was for Senator John McCain, both funerals celebrated their lives, both funerals honored their lives, and both funeral services clearly were organized in the final months of each of their respective lives. From the music to the choice of speakers and even to the eulogies themselves; one could hear and see Ms. Franklin and Senator McCain’s stamp of approval. As my children watched and listened, I shared with them that if the type of music and the songs that I would want to be played and sung. In reference to my children speaking at my funeral, I told them that if they could say ¼ of the beautiful things that Meghan McCain said about her father in regards to me; then I will be eternally and gratefully dead. Needless to say, my kids weren’t so happy with me, but they understood what I was telling them. Even now, when I think about the individual who knows that death is imminent, and has the courage to share his/her thoughts and transmit his/her wisdom; I am inspired. I hope that whenever my time comes, I pray that I will be aware enough so that I can tell my wife and children and if I am blessed to have grandchildren, that my life has been a blessing because of them.  

                This week’s Parsha is the Parsha Nitzavim. According to the Aggadah, this the recounting of Moshe Rabeinu’s last day of life. Unafraid of his imminent death, he gathers his family: Rosheichem, Shivteichem, Zikneichem, v’Shotreichem, Kol Ish Yisroel, Topchem N’Sheichem V’Geircha Asher B’Kerev Machanecha Meichotev Eitzecha Ad Sho’eiv Meimecha – The heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Yisroel; your children, your women, and the stranger who is in the midst of our camp, from the woodchopper to the one who draws water (Deut. 29:9-10). Moshe imparts his last vestiges of wisdom to his children, his people. Moshe wants to make sure that everything is in order when he dies and Joshua takes over. Moshe truly has been blessed. He has had the blessing of old age, and here God has granted him the gift of saying goodbye in perhaps the most wonderful fashion. God has commanded Moshe to say his goodbyes and impart the final vestiges of wisdom.

                We are taught that death is a part of life. Yet many of us are afraid of death. Many of us believe that we should shield our children from death, sadness and loss. However, when we read Parsha Nitzavim, we learn that while impending death is sad, death in the manner of Moshe’s can take on an aura of holiness – of Kedushah. It is in holiness that we attain the highest level of life, a life that is directly connected to God. When death comes like this, from God, with an opportunity to say Goodbye- with an opportunity to impart wisdom to one’s children, death is not mundane, death is not ordinary, but rather holy and part of life, the final expression of holiness in a very physical endeavor. When we talk about strength, we, unfortunately, think of the person who lifts a lot of weight. We think of the person who doesn’t cry, who remains stoic if he/she is all torn up inside. At this time of year, from Elul through Sukkot, when we recite the 27^th Psalm and conclude with the words Chazak v’Ya’Ameitz Libecha, v’Kavei El Adoshem – Strengthen yourself, and he will give you courage; and hope to HaShem!, we now understand what it means to strengthen oneself.  Moshe had that kind of strength. To be aware of the end of life, to prepare for it, to draw loved ones toward and tell them how we feel is the epitome of courage.

 In a sense, Aretha Franklin and John McCain’s funeral wasn’t just a sacred ritual in which respect was paid to the deceased. Even in death, through music, through words of children, through words of friends and through the words of respectful rivals who eventually became friends, these two fallen giants, these two icons and heroes managed to do something incredibly holy. These two giants, and iconic figures reminded us to reaffirm life no matter how difficult, no matter how troubling. The Jewish People are less than a week from celebrating Rosh HaShanah, (Jewish New Year). Rosh HaShanah is also known as Yom HaDin (Judgment Day). So while there is joy at arriving on the brink of a new year, perhaps there is a bit of anxiety while awaiting Judgment. Whatever the upcoming year may bring; I pray that I have the courage to impart my wisdom to my children, and tell my wife how much she has blessed my life.

Peace,

Rav Yitz