It's Even Worse Than It Appears (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Touch of Grey")

           Earlier this week in Israel, a planned 5000-person demonstration against the new radical, right win, ultranationalist, ultraorthodox government that received 30,000 more votes than the other coalition,  became in reality, a demonstration of more than 80000 people. Friends of ours who live in and around Tel Aviv attended. The demonstration was not about issues of domestic policy or a peace plan. No, this demonstration was about the fundamental nature of Israel’s government. This was a demonstration about a country remaining a democracy that guarantees rights to all citizens no matter gender, sexual orientation, or denomination of Judaism.   Tom Friedman wrote a very difficult and troubling OpEd piece in the January 18th,  New York Times that challenges Jews,  those who describe themselves as friends of Israel, and what U.S. policy should be toward any country that has dangerously veered away from Liberal Democratic values and turned towards the authoritarian world like Turkey and Hungary. For the sake of Israel’s democracy, Friedman suggests that  The President, the most powerful spokesperson for Democracy, needs to convince Netanyahu that an authoritarian illiberal Jewish country is bad for the Jews and not in the West’s interest. 

          This Shabbat we read Parsha Va’Eira. In this Parshah, God reassured Moshe after Pharaoh mocked and dismissed both him and Aharon. God explains the plan to Moshe that Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened after each plague but eventually, Pharaoh will capitulate. God explains the various stages of redemption. The plagues begin. We are supposed to understand that each of these first seven plagues is more severe than the previous plague: Blood, Frogs, Lice, Wild Beasts, Animal plague, Boils, and Hail. Moshe requests that Pharaoh allows B’nai Yisroel to worship God for three days, Pharaoh sometimes acquiesces sometimes he doesn’t. Sometimes he asks Moshe to pray on his behalf and sometimes he doesn’t. One thing is clear, whenever Pharaoh gets his way (a plague ceases), something that would clearly indicate the power of God, Pharaoh acts almost like a child. He returns to his arrogant self-centered nature. Finally at the very end of the Parsha, after the plague of Hail has devastated the land and killed anything that was outside, Pharaoh expresses the evolution of his belief system.

          Two men, Moshe and Pharaoh experience a type of revelation. Each man’s revelation is shaped by who they are, their life experiences, and their outlook on the world. Each leader will experience something very different than what fits their current theological system. Moshe is told by God, “Ani Adoshem VaEira el Avraham El Yitzchak v’ El Yaakov B’Eil Shaddai U’Shmi Adoshem Lo Nodati LaHem – I am Hashem, I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El Shaddai, but with My Name Hashem, I did not make Myself known to them (Ex. 6:2) For Moshe, his revelation assumes questions.  Why did you, Hashem, reveal yourself one way to Abraham Isaac, and Jacob, and another way to me?  God will reveal himself to Moshe through “Signs and Wonders”.  V’Yadu Mitzrayim Ki Ani Adoshem, BinToti et Yadi Al Mitzrayim V’Hotzeiti et Bnai Yisroel MiTocham – And Egypt Shall know that I am Hashem, when I stretch out My hand over Egypt; and I shall take the Children of Israel out from among them (Ex. 7:5). With each ensuing plague, Pharaoh and Egypt will experience God. For Pharaoh, the embodiment of a system that did not permit questions, the revelation was much more absolute and stark. That revelation would manifest itself in a series of plagues.

          Pharaoh’s world is harsh, he felt threatened by a minority culture and he believed that Egypt was threatened by that same minority culture. As a result, the blood, the frogs, the lice, swarms of wild beasts, livestock disease, boil, hail, locusts, and the death of the firstborn were perceived as plagues and God was perceived as a harsh judge with little mercy. Moshe had experienced kindness. His mother hid him in the basket, and Pharoah’s daughter drew him out of the basket and raised him as her own. After he demonstrated kindness to the slaves by attempting to protect them, he leaves Egypt and demonstrates kindness to Yitro’s daughters. Yitro takes in this stranger as his own son, and eventually, Moses marries Yitro’s daughter Zipporah.  Zipporah demonstrates kindness to Moshe when she perceives that his life is endangered because he didn’t circumcise their son in a timely fashion (Ex. 4:24-26). Because Moshe experienced kindness throughout his life and he demonstrated kindness to others; it only makes sense that God is not so much a harsh judge as God is merciful and kind.   Netanyahu managed to import the newest American products: a MAGA attitude for his 30,000-person majority, a mistrust of the judicial system, and the authoritarianism that has become popular in certain parts of the world. The cost will be devastating. By continuing down the path of authoritarianism and renouncing the civil rights of many of his citizens, Netanyahu brings his own plague upon Israel. 

Peace,
Rav Yitz

The A B C's, We All Must Face, And Try To Keep A Little Grace (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Touch of Grey")

           This has been a very different sort of High Holiday Season. The Pandemic and its anticipated second wave have forced Jews to make some necessary modifications in the way in which they observe and celebrate Sukkot. Normally, during the week of Sukkot, Shuls will build a large communal sukkah so people can eat in it as well as to conduct all kinds of social and educational programs. Not this year. In order to have guests, an acquaintance of ours divided his sukkah with plexiglass and two separate tables and chairs in order to have guests. However, for the most part, the only guests that many will have had in their Sukkah would have been the Ushpizin, the seven mystical guests that appear day: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, David,  This lack of guests, has been most difficult on my wife since she is is so incredibly social. One solution that we happened to have fallen into occurred earlier in the summer when some of the restrictions began to loosen. Every Shabbat, before or after lunch, my wife and I would catch up with two other couples. The patios and decks would rotate from Shabbat to Shabbat, yet the three couples would sit, shmooze, have a nosh and remain very socially distant. Under normal circumstances, we would have had these two couples spend time with us in the Sukkah. Ironically, we have to have these “socially distant” social calls outside of the sukkah.  

          Beginning on Friday Night and continuing this morning and until the sun sets on this Shabbat, we celebrate the Festival known as Shemini Atzeret. Shemini Atzeret immediately follows the Sukkot Festival. Sukkot technically concluded on Friday. The last day of Sukkot is known as Hoshana Rabba. It represents the very last opportunity to engage in the Tshuva of the High Holidays before the gates for this year close. The week-long celebration of Sukkot has concluded and we now have a day to recuperate, to talk about the party, to talk about the ceremony, to talk about the sermons, eat a little, and laugh a little. The Haftorah for Shemini Atzeret is from Kings I Chapter 8. Solomon, the son of King David, has assumed the throne. He finished building the Beit HaMikdash, The First Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Now that it is finished, he consecrates the building by holding a weeklong celebration that coincides with the Sukkot Holiday and pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The Rabbis chose this particular Haftorah as appropriate for Shemini Atzeret because of the last verse of the Haftorah. Bayom HaSHmini Shilach et Ha’Am Vayivarchu et Hamelech Va’Yeilchu L’Ahaleihem Smeichim V’Tovei Leiv Al Kol Tovah Asher Asah Adoshem L’David Avdo U’LeYisrael Amo – Then on the eighth day, he (King Solomon) dismissed them and they blessed the king and went to their tents rejoicing and contented because of all the good that the Eternal had done for David, God’s servant, and Israel God’s people.

          Solomon’s words are also found in Sefer Kohelet, Ecclesiastes. Normally, we would read Sefer Kohelet during the Intermediate Sabbath of Sukkot. However this year, there is no intermediate Sabbath. Therefore Kohelet is read on this Shabbat. Many consider Solomon’s wisdom as transmitted in Kohelet to be a rather bleak and offer a rather stark outlook:  Ein Kol Chadash Tachat HaShamesh - There is nothing new beneath the sun. However, there is wisdom in these words given the context of living during these trying times. Taking a  wide sweep of human history, Kohelet is probably right, ‘there really is nothing new under the sun.” There have been pandemics and epidemics before. There has been a rise in Fascism and authoritarianism before. There have been those who found comfort in the darkness of conspiracy and those who have been warmed by the light of truth. There have been those who have learned and transmitted their wisdom and there are those who are unable or unwilling to learn.  I suppose it just appears that the “new “ is just for those who aren’t old enough to remember the last time or haven’t studied the past. Yet even under these circumstances, there are moments of grace and blessing. 

          The Jewish Holiday Season, the Chagim are drawing to a close. Certainly, celebrating the Chagim has required a bit of ingenuity and, as a result, has certainly been novel. The joy of ushering in a New Year as well as the trepidation associated with Yom HaDin – Day of Judgment have been tempered with the novelty of blowing Shofar during a Pandemic.  We have experienced the hope that the New Year, with its opportunity as well as its renewed commitment will be a year of possibility. Ten days later we experienced the intense spirituality of Yom Kippur when, for twenty-five hours, we focus entirely on our spiritual beings and ignore our physical beings. For twenty-five hours we spend praying, contemplating, and existing in the realm of the angels and God. Yet, due to a Pandemic, the object was to be as brief as possible and only be in shul for as little as possible.  Three days later, we celebrate our Thanksgiving; we celebrate Sukkot. We celebrate our Zman Simchateinu – Time of our Happiness – by offering our thanks to God. We thank God for the Harvest, for the fact that we arrived at this time in the Sukkah with Lulav and Etrog. We celebrate our joy with the opportunity to commune with God in such a special place like the Sukkah. Mostly, we are thankful for whatever blessings we are able to realize during this incredibly difficult time.

May we all have the insight to find it in our hearts to sense our blessing and be thankful as we continue to live through this pandemic. 

Peace,

Rav Yit

Sorry That You Feel That Way, The Only Thing There Is To Say Every Silver Lining's Got A Touch Of Grey (John Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Touch of Grey"

         Well, by the time the Shabbat begins; Passover will have passed. At Passover\s conclusion, we return our kitchen back to normal, back to Chametz. Pesach dishes, pots, pans, and utensils are wrapped, boxed, and stored away for another year. Hopefully, everything will return to normal by the time Shabbat begins. As my wife and I get just a little bit older, and our home is now filled with three teen-agers who quite capable young people, we expect them to help us prepare for Pesach and to clean up after Pesach. I am willing to bet that our son will disappear into his room, claiming he is tired. What’s so amazing about that idea is that he hasn’t had school all week. He sleeps until 11 every morning. How can he be tired? He could have stayed up but he opted for bed. Ironically, he always asks to stay up. However, if cleaning up, and schlepping boxes are involved, he will discover the idea of fatigue. As for our teenage daughters, well for about 15 minutes the 19-year-old helped and then she will get sidetracked with speaking to her friend. The 17-year-old will be unable to find the motivation to help unless she eats Chametz…a sandwich, a bowl of cereal, anything really. She will probably complain for an hour about the lack of anything to eat. Eventually, she will eat. When she was finally ready to help, she provided a whopping ten minutes before she lost interest and grew tired. I will get very frustrated with my three helpful teenagers.. So, my poor wife and I will wrap, pack, and clean, and they will do next to nothing. I am sure I will say something expressing my anger and frustration then step outside before anything worse came out of my mouth, When I go back inside, I will have a calmer conversation with our kids and everyone will apologize. Hopefully, everyone will understand the importance of offering of humility. Without it, it can be very difficult to apologize.
         This Shabbat, we resume the weekly Torah Readings with Parsha Shemini. Divided into three chapters, Parsha Shemini begins the narrative aspects of the book of Leviticus. Until now, we have read God’s speaking to Moshe about all the various Korbonot (offerings) and Moshe speaking to B’nai Yisroel and the Kohanim about all the Korbonot (offerings). Now, Aaron, the Kohen Gadol, begins his preparations for and then engages in the actual slaughtering of the Ram as part of his own Sin Offering. First, the Kohen Gadol must be without blemish, without sin, and ritually pure before he begins serving as the conduit between the individual/community and God. When the Kohen is ritually impure and attempts to approach God inappropriately we learn the results, as does Aaron (Lev. 10:1-2). Finally, we learn how the individual/the community can aspire to be holy without Kohen Gadol’s involvement. We learn this by the Torah’s enumeration of all the animals that are prohibited for consumption.
          The Parsha begins with the word VaYehi: It was on the eighth day; Moses summoned Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel (Lev. 9:1). In the Talmudic tractate of Megillah (10b) we are taught that the word VaYehi often serves as foreshadow for troubling events. The Midrash teaches that this Parsha occurred on the first of Nissan, an incredibly happy time since it serves as an indicator of Zman Cheiruteinu – the Time of our Freedom and the Pesach holiday. However, this is a bittersweet moment. The sweetness is the fact that the community is gathering together for the dedication of the Mishkan. The bitterness lay in the fact that a Mishkan is even necessary. Prior to the sin of the Eigel Zahav (Golden Calf), there was no need for a place for Bnai Yisroel to gather and engage in communal and individual Tshuva. Following the sin of the Eigel Zahav, we as individuals and as a community required a central gathering place to atone for our sins, and engage in Tshuvah. Next, we read Vayomer El Aharon Kach Lecha Eigel ben Bakar L’Chatat – [Moshe] said to Aaron: Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering…(Lev. 9:3).What sin offering? What did Aaron do wrong that a Sin-offering was required? Precisely because of Aaron’s involvement in the Golden Calf debacle, he needs to atone. So Aaron must bring a Chatat offering, a sin offering. Aaron must admit his sin, atone for it, and seek a spiritual return to God (Tshuvah) prior to serving on the behalf of the people. Even more powerful than Aaron’s fulfilling this obligation is the fact that Aaron’s two remaining sons, the Elders, and the entire assembly will bear witness to Aaron’s humbling of himself. Not only will Aaron know that he is worthy to serve on behalf of the people, but the people will know as well.
          Our sages hold Aaron in very high esteem. While the Rabbinic Sages are troubled with the way he handled himself during the incident of the Golden Calf; it is here in Parsha Shemini, when Aaron publicly humbles himself, we understand Aaron’s meritorious conduct. Aaron’s behavior provides a powerful lesson for any individual in a position of authority or leadership. Our ability to engage in heartfelt Tshuva does not diminish our authority but rather enhances it. Ironically, we will be so quick to return to Chametz, to our kitchen and too our lives. We will forget all about Matzah, the Lechem Oni, We will forget that Chametz is symbolic of arrogance and Matzah is symbolic of humility. So even though Passover will have passed over, we will have one more lesson about Chametz and Matzah, about the Lechem Oni and humility as we return our kitchen back to normal.

Peace,
Rav Yitz

Dawn Is Breaking Everywhere; Light A Candle, Curse The Glare (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia "Touch of Grey)

          Discussion around our dinner table this week focused on our daughters’ lamenting about all the studying they needed to do to prepare for their final exams. For discussions of this nature, I usually remain quiet. Usually, my lack of a response annoys my wife or my daughters. If pushed enough I will look up and smile and say that rather than complaining about the task before them, they should use their energy to do the work. Then I try to change the subject to current events, to the world outside our home, and our children’s complaints about school. So before I could actually change the subject, both of our daughters began talking about Roseanne Barr, her twitter comment, ABC’s response, and just exactly who is Valerie Jarret. I told them who Valerie Jarret is. They took out their phones to show us and to read to us the racially offensive tweet that Roseanne Barr sent. We discussed the fact that the “Roseanne”, Barr’s highly rated sitcom was canceled within three hours of the tweet. I asked them what they thought of Roseanne’s apology, the President’s and the White House’s silence on the issue, and the fact that even Sean Hannity thought the comments were racist, abhorrent, and that The Roseanne show should have been canceled. I was curious what our kids thought about the comments, the ABC response, and what would allow a public persona with so much to lose to suspend judgment, or civic decency even for a moment, and make such a statement on social media?

This week we read the third Parsha from The Book of Numbers, Parsha Be’Halotcha. In the previous two parshiot: Bemidbar and Naso, B’nai Yisroel takes a census and prepares for its upcoming journey from Sinai to Eretz Canaan. This week, the final preparations are ordered and executed and the departure from Sinai begins. Aaron, Moshe’s brother, and the Kohen Gadol, lights the lamp for the Mishkan, the entire Levite tribe is purified, offerings made and their service for maintenance of the Mishkan begins. Final instructions for observing Pesach under these new conditions, (they were not leaving Egypt anymore nor had they arrived in the land) were offered, including the case of coming into contact with the deceased and becoming spiritually impure. The narrative tells us the manner in which B’nai Yisroel traveled: sheltered by a cloud during the day and protected by a pillar of fire at night. Then the complaining begins. They complain about the Mannah. They complain about the food. They complain about Moshe’s leadership. Moshe’s sister complains about his wife.

The first few verses, from which the Parsha gets its name Be’Halotcha seem rather disconnected from the rest of the narrative. Rather, these first few verses seem more connected to the previous Parsha that discussed the various responsibilities of each Levi family and gifts brought by the twelve tribal princes. Left out of last week’s Parsha is the specific role of Aaron and his family.  So Aaron is given the job to light the Menorah, the Neir Tamid, the eternal light, every day.  Visually, it appears that Aaron turns on the lights of the Mishkan, the mobile worship station that was central to B’nai Yisroel’s social organization and theological understanding. Imagine the boss arriving so early that he/she turns on the lights every morning. According to the Talmud in Menachot 88, Aaron didn’t just light the Menorah, he had to clean the seven lamps out every morning prior to lighting the lamps. He would have to lean it over to clean it and the stand the Menorah back up prior to lighting. Every morning, cleaning the lamp and lighting the lamp was the first activity.  So it is interesting to note the word that the Torah uses to describe this process. Normally, the Hebrew word for “kindling a light” or “lighting a lamp” is LeHadlik.  On Shabbat, and on Holidays, when candles are lit the blessing uses the word Le’Hadlik Neir – kindling the lights. So why does the Torah use Be’Halotcha – literally “when you raise the lamps”? The Or HaChaim, the 18th-century Moroccan commentator, explains that the process of removing the lamps, cleaning them out, re-assembling the lamps upon the main stem, putting the lamp back to an upright position and finally lighting it is tantamount to building a new Menorah every day.  Six branches three on either side of the trunk bent towards the middle flame were lit every day reminding Aaron and all who entered into the Mishkan that there was one source of spiritual light. Perhaps that entire process, the awareness which occurred on an everyday basis, was much more than striking a match and lighting a wick. Instead Aaron became aware that everything he did on a daily basis was really about elevating his soul.

Over the course of several dinners this week, we came back to the Roseanne comments, the fallout and the question I asked regarding why do we think a public persona with so much at risk (a television show and millions of dollars) could possibly think it was all right to say. Our daughters said that over the past couple of years, it seems that leaders, whether in business, entertainment or even the politics have been saying and doing incredibly inappropriate things. They also thought that social media has made it so much easier for people to share unfiltered thoughts. Finally, they felt that leaders, leaders in the community, in business and even the country set the tone. If a leader doesn’t do the hard work of filtering their words, doing their work, cleaning their “house”, then the light they reflect will enlighten no one but rather cast a pall upon society.  Then our daughter’s reminded me that the next time they complain about all their work and studying for finals, that I should at least express a little empathy before I tell them to toughen up, buckle down, work hard and do your best.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Sorry That You Feel That Way; The Only Thing There Is To Say; Every Silver Lining's Got A Touch Of Grey (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia "Touch of Grey")

Well Passover has passed over.  Of course with the end of the Passover, we try to return our kitchen back to normal. Pesach dishes, pots, pans and utensils are wrapped and boxed and stored away for another year. Hopefully everything will return to normal by the time Shabbat begins. As my wife and I get just a little bit older, and our home is now filled with three teen-agers who quite capable young people, we expect them to help us prepare for Pesach and to clean up after Pesach.  Well our son disappeared into his room, claiming he was tired. What’s so amazing about that idea is that he did not have school the first day after the Pesach holiday. He could have stayed up but he opted for bed. Ironically, he always asks to stay up, but if cleaning up, and schlepping boxes are involved, he discovers fatigue. As for our teen-age daughters, well for about 15 minutes the sixteen year old helped and then she collapsed upon the sofa. The fifteen year old couldn’t find the motivation to help unless she had Chametz…a sandwich, a bowl of cereal, anything really. However it took an hour of complaining about how there was nothing to eat, before she ate. When she was finally ready to help, she provided a whopping ten minutes before she lost interest and grew tired.  I just about lost it. My poor wife and I are wrapping and packing, and cleaning and they were doing next to nothing. I was tired, and aggravated that these capable young people did so little.  I made several hurtful comments concerning their lack of consideration and maturity. Before anything worse came out of my mouth, I stepped outside, calmed down, and collected my thoughts. I thought about what had just transpired. I thought how I should have behaved differently, behaved in a manner that would have de-escalated the tension as opposed to escalate the tension. Then I thought about what I could do to rectify the current situation. When I walked back in, the kids had gone upstairs. My wife said that they were very upset and went upstairs. Although she agreed with me, she thought I had been a bit harsh and clearly they were hurt by what I said. Personally, I don’t like apologizing to my children. However in this particular case, it was absolutely the right thing to do. I went upstairs, and spent some time with each child, explaining that I should have known better. I apologized for failing to act more like an adult and parent. My apology was contrite and heartfelt. They also apologized to me. We talked some more, hugged and then I said good night to each of them. I realized that had I not apologized first, none of them would have apologized to me, and we would have missed an opportunity to discuss the fact that as each of them grow older, we, the parents, expect our children to take on more responsibility in helping around the house. 

This Shabbat, we resume the weekly Torah Readings with Parsha Shemini. Divided into three chapters, Parsha Shemini begins the narrative aspects of the book of Leviticus. Until now, we have read God’s speaking to Moshe about all the various Korbonot (offerings) and Moshe speaking to B’nai Yisroel and the Kohanim about all the Korbonot (offerings). Now, Aaron, the Kohen Gadol, begins his preparations for and then engages in the actual slaughtering of the Ram as part of his own Sin Offering. First the Kohen Gadol must be without blemish, without sin, and ritually pure before he begins serving as the conduit between the individual/community and God. When the Kohen is ritually impure and attempts to approach God inappropriately we learn the results, as does Aaron (Lev. 10:1-2). Finally, we learn how the individual/the community can aspire to be holy without Kohen Gadol’s involvement. We learn this by the Torah’s enumeration of all the animals that are prohibited for consumption.

The Parsha begins with the word VaYehi: It was on the eighth day; Moses summoned Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel (Lev. 9:1). In the Talmudic tractate of Megillah (10b) we are taught that the word VaYehi often serves as foreshadow for troubling events. The Midrash teaches that this parsha occurred on the first of Nissan, an incredibly happy time since it serves as an indicator of Zman Cheiruteinu – the Time of our Freedom and the Pesach holiday. However this is a bittersweet moment. The sweetness is the fact that the community is gathering together for the dedication of the Mishkan. The bitterness lay in the fact that a Mishkan is even necessary. Prior to the sin of the Eigel Zahav (Golden Calf), there was no need for a place for Bnai Yisroel to gather and engage in communal and individual Tshuva. Following the sin of the Eigel Zahav, we as individuals and as a community required a central gathering place to atone for our sins, and engage in Tshuvah.  Next we read Vayomer El Aharon Kach Lecha Eigel ben Bakar L’Chatat – [Moshe] said to Aaron: Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering…(Lev. 9:3).What sin offering? What did Aaron do wrong that a Sin offering was required? Precisely because of Aaron’s involvement in the Golden Calf debacle, he needs to atone. So Aaron must bring a Chatat offering, a sin offering. Aaron must admit his sin, atone for it, and seek a spiritual return to God (Tshuvah) prior to serving on the behalf of the people. Even more powerful than Aaron’s fulfilling this obligation is the fact that Aaron’s two remaining sons, the Elders, and the entire assembly will bear witness to Aaron’s humbling of himself. Not only will Aaron know that he is worthy to serve on behalf of the people, but the people will know as well.

            Our sages hold Aaron in very high esteem. While the Rabbinic Sages are troubled with the way he handled himself during the incident of the Golden Calf; it is here in Parsha Shemini, when Aaron publicly humbles himself, we understand Aaron’s meritorious conduct.  Aaron’s behavior provides a powerful lesson for any individual in a position of authority or leadership. Our ability to engage in heartfelt Tshuva does not diminish our authority but rather enhances it.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

It's Even Worse Than It Appears, But It's Alright (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Touch of Grey")

It has been a fascinating week. Our children have been studying for exams and the tension has been palpable. There have been complaints. There have been criticism directed at teachers, subject matter, the school, the schedule, the necessity of exams, and knowing what to study. As I listened to the complaints, as I tried to be the patient father and validate my children’s emotions, I finally cracked and told them to stop complaining, stop making excuses. It turned out that this week also brought the new American President and his advisors introducing a new term to the American political lexicon: “alternative facts”. Where were “alternative facts” when I was a teenager! Any trouble I got into as teenager, would have been greatly diminished had I had access to “alternative facts”.  Where were “alternative facts” when I was struggling in 11^th grade chemistry class? If I had alternative facts I would have earned an “A”, and I would never been in trouble since I would never have done anything wrong or violated any of my parents rules. I made my children watch the interview in which “alternative facts” were introduced.  They quickly understood the danger involved with “alternative facts”. With alternative facts, one never needs to take responsibility for his/her actions. With alternative facts, there are no laws, no rules, no consensus on propriety and civilized behavior. With alternative facts there is chaos. With alternative facts, ignorance replaces science. Certainly my kids would probably prefer a world of “alternative facts.” However, deep down they understand that a world built upon science, scientific inquiry, empirical evidence, and scientific facts operates much better than a world built upon alternative facts and alternative science.

This week we read from Parsha Va’Eira. In this Parshah, God reassures Moshe after Pharaoh mocked and dismissed both he and Aharon. God explains that he will cause Pharaoh’s heart to harden after each plague, but eventually Pharaoh will capitulate and free the Hebrew slaves. God explains the various stages of redemption to Moshe. The plagues begin. We are supposed to understand that each of these first seven plagues is more severe than the previous plague: Blood, Frogs, Lice, Wild Beasts, Animal plague, Boils, Hail. Moshe requests that Pharaoh permit B’nai Yisroel to worship God for three days. At times, Pharaoh acquiesces and there are moments he changes his mind. Sometimes he asks Moshe to pray on his behalf and sometimes he doesn’t. One thing is clear, that whenever Pharaoh gets his way (a plague ceases), something that would clearly indicate the power of God, Pharaoh behaves like a petulant child. He returns to his arrogant self-centered nature. It seems that Pharaoh is operating under an alternative set of facts regarding Hashem’s authority and power. By the Parsha’s conclusion, the plague of Hail has devastated the land and killed anything that was outside, Pharaoh expresses the evolution of his belief system based upon facts, not alternative facts nor upon an incorrect interpretation facts.

Two men, Moshe and Pharaoh, two groups, Hebrew slaves and Egyptian task masters, experience a type of revelation. Moshe is told by God, “Ani Adoshem VaEira el Avraham El Yitzchak v’ El Yaakov B’Eil Shaddai U’Shmi Adoshem Lo Nodati LaHem – I am Hashem, I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El Shaddai, but with My Name Hashem, I did not make Myself known to them (Ex. 6:2) With Signs and Wonders, God wanted Moshe and B’nai Yisroel to know exactly who God is.  V’Yadu Mitzrayim Ki Ani Adoshem, BinToti et Yadi Al Mitzrayim V’Hotzeiti et Bnai Yisroel MiTocham – And Egypt Shall know that I am Hashem, when I stretch out My hand over Egypt; and I shall take the Children of Israel out from among them (Ex. 7:5). With each ensuing plague, God wanted Pharaoh and Egypt to know and accept, as fact, of God’ existence and God’s authority.  What is being transmitted? Ani Adoshem – I am Hashem, the fact that Hashem exists and has a covenantal relationship with his people.  How is this fact transmitted? Vaiera – I appeared through signs and wonders or as a harbinger of plagues. It depends who is experiencing the appearance and how that experience is perceive. For the Egyptians, God displays God’s presence through plagues. For Bnai Yisroel, God displays God’s presence through signs and wonders. That is to say each interprets Gods presence according to their values, their perceptions, their world view and their place within the world. However, there is one fact, one truth, one God, everything else, is perception and interpretation. This is the lesson that Moshe and B’nai Yisroel will be reminded of and this is the lesson that Pharaoh, a man who thought himself to be as God, will eventually learn and accept.

                Alternative facts can be very dangerous.  Alternative facts are the tools of dictators and kings. When society accepts alternative facts, it ultimately accepts moral relativism and becomes corrupt. History should remind us of dangers of “alternative facts” with the rise and fall of dictatorships and totalitarian regime. On a much smaller scale, the acceptance of alternative facts makes it impossible to learn, to discuss or debate. For my kids, acceptance of alternative facts would not only lead to flunking exams, it would diminish their emotional and intellectual development since they would never learn to take responsibility for their deeds and actions. With freedom, comes responsibility. This is the lesson that the Hebrew Slaves began learning in Parsha Va’Eira, and it is a lesson that we continue to learn today.

Peace,

Rav Yitz