There Is A Road, No Simple Highway Between The Dawn And The Dark Of Night (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia- "Ripple")

            As part of our son’s gap year of study in Israel, he is currently spending the week in Poland. While there, he and his cohort, are studying Jewish life in Poland before The War and the destruction of that life during  The Holocaust. His first full day happened to be on the first day of the Hebrew Month Shevat, known as Rosh Chodesh Shevat. It also happened to be the day that he and his cohort spent some time at the Treblinka death camp. There, in the Treblinka, our son and his classmates prayed the Morning Service (davened Shacharit) and read from the Torah because it was the first day of the month. How incredibly spiritually powerful! In the midst of a place that was synonymous with death, a place of darkness and evil,  a place where so many souls were exterminated and then went up in ashes, sacred words of Torah were read, and for a brief moment that place became just a bit more holy.  The light of the Torah words, for a brief moment, shined through the darkness and bleakness of death.  Perhaps, those souls that were consumed by the fires of the crematorium knew just a bit of peace.

           This week's Parsha is Bo.  The ten plagues culminate with locusts, darkness, and finally the killing of the firstborn. On the night of the last plague, God instructs Moshe to tell B'nai Yisroel, to declare and sanctify the New Moon, and to slaughter a lamb for each family. Blood should be painted onto the door- post. The sacrificed lamb must be eaten entirely that night with no leftovers.  The command continues with God instructing Moshe to reiterate this story to the children of each family. The Parsha concludes with the commandment to sanctify the firstborn, remember this night, remember what God did for B'nai Yisroel, and remember that B'nai Yisroel eventually returned to the land.

        Parts of the Parsha are read on Pesach. Those parts dealing with the Paschal sacrifice, as well as the Mitzvah of "Telling" the child about the impending redemption, are read. However, there is one phrase that is particularly interesting and revealing. The ninth plague is Choshech, darkness. VaYomer Adonai el Moshe  N'Teih Yadchah al Hashamayim - And God said to Moshe "Stretch forth your hand toward the heavens,  Va'Yehi Choshech al Eretz Mitzrayim- "And there will be a darkness upon the land of Egypt, Vayameish Choshech - and the darkness will be felt. (Ex. 10:21). What does it mean that the darkness will be felt? What will it feel like? Will it be hot or cold, wet or dry? Maybe it will be thick like some type of fog. Maybe it will be the horrible emptiness as if one is falling through an abyss with nothing all around. Whatever kind of darkness it is, it can be felt. It is noticeable and therefore extraordinarily different than the standard night-time or even an eclipse. B’nai Yisroel still had light in their dwellings while the plague occurred. Pharaoh could not stand the darkness anymore and told Moshe to take everyone including the children and leave if that would alleviate the darkness in Egypt. The Or HaChaim, (18th Century Morocco) reminds us that while there was complete darkness in Egypt, there was light where the Jewish slaves lived: Goshen. U’LeChol B’nai Yisroel Haya Or B’Mishvotam – but for all the Children of Israel there was light in their dwellings (Ex. 10:23). Egypt was already in a state of primordial Darkness, a spiritual darkness without the acknowledgment of God’s presence. As a result, Egypt had become a twisted, closed-minded, corrupt society whose enslavement of B’nai Yisroel was a function of ignorance and fear - a world devoid of the acknowledgment of HaShem. The plague of Choshech, of Darkness, was merely Egypt becoming aware of its darkness. As a result, Pharaoh all but pleaded with Moshe to take the slaves of Egypt. Eliminated the source of Egypt and Pharaoh’s fear, and then the light would return to Egypt.  B’nai Yisroel was already in a state of primordial Light, a spiritual acknowledgment of God’s presence; U’LeChol B’nai Yisroel  Haya Or B’Mishvotam – but for all the Children of Israel there was light in their dwellings. B’nai Yisroel already had a sense of their relationship with God, and a sense of purpose. Moshe had already told them that they would be freed, and they would return to the land that had been promised to their ancestors.

          Each day our son has been in Poland has been a day in which they learned about the darkness that consumed Poland and Europe from 1939-1945. Each day our son has seen the light that existed in Poland prior to the war, the vibrancy of Jewish life, culture, and education prior to the war. With each day, our son and his fellow classmates have come to learn and appreciate how important it is for them to lead lives that bring light and goodness into the world, into the dark places of their respective communities.

Peace,
Rav Yitz

Light The Song With Sense And Color; Hold Away Despair (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Terrapin Station")

           Eighty-one years ago, a leader of a democratic nation, while under attack from a  strong fascist country bent on conquering his small nation, risked his life to travel to Washington D.C. in order to speak before a joint session of Congress. Winston Churchill arrived in Washington D.C. on December 26, 1941, and stated his case that while the English had courage, will, and determination to fight but they needed weapons and financial support to withstand the Nazi onslaught. Now eighty-one years later, on the first day of winter, the day with the least amount of light, during Chanukkah, The Festival of Lights, another leader from a democratic country fighting for its very life against a larger country bent on its destruction, has arrived in Washington D.C. to speak before a joint session of Congress. Vladimir Zelenskyy spoke of his nation’s indomitable spirit, will and determination. He reminded all of North America, that his nation is a beacon of light against the dark forces of fascism, terrorism, and authoritarianism of a large nation bent on destroying his nation. While his nation’s energy infrastructure continues to be bombed by Russia, President Zelenskyy reminded us that the candle of his faith still requires the help of more weapons and financial support in order to insure that the light of his nation continues to burn brightly and defeat Russia.

          This Shabbat, we read from Parsha Mikeitz. This Parsha is always read during Chanukah. While the Parsha has no explicit relationship to Chanukah, also known as Chag Urim “The Festival of Lights”; the implicit relationship is quite powerful. The Parsha begins with Yosef hurriedly brought from the dungeon to meet Pharaoh after Pharaoh is troubled by two seemingly different dreams. Yosef, he has been told, is able to interpret dreams. So Yosef begins to interpret but not before he credits his gift as coming from Hashem. Yosef not only interprets the dreams he offers solutions for Pharaoh. As a result, Pharaoh appoints Yosef as Viceroy, the second most powerful man in Egypt and perhaps the Second most powerful man in the world. While managing an economic program to ensure Egypt’s survival during the seven years of famine as foretold in Pharaoh’s dream, Yosef made sure to build up storehouses with grain.  However, the famine affected the whole region including Canaan and Yosef’s father, Jacob and Yosef’s brothers. Eventually, Yosef’s brothers head down to Egypt in order to buy food. Joseph recognizes them, but they do not recognize him. Wanting to see his youngest brother Benjamin and his father Yaakov, Joseph arranges for the brothers to return home. One brother must remain in Egypt. Then, in order to redeem their brother, all the brothers including Benjamin must return to Egypt. After that, Joseph frames Benjamin, keeping him in Egypt. The Parsha concludes with the brothers returning to their father and conveying what happened to Benjamin.

            We can understand the concept of darkness both figuratively and literally; physically, intellectually, or even spiritually. Of course, we can understand the concept of light in the same way. VaYehi VaBoker VaTipaem Rucho – and it was morning; His spirit was agitated, VaYishlach VaYikra et Kol Chartumei Mitzrayim V’Et Kol Chochmeha – so he sent and summoned all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men (Gen. 41:8). Pharaoh had the dream about the seven cows and the seven ears of corn. Why do we need to know that it was the morning after his dream? How bad could the dreams be? Based on the Torah, Pharaoh slept through the night. Granted he didn’t sleep well. After all, we are told that in the morning, his spirit was agitated. In a sense, his spirit was still “in the dark” even though the morning light was upon him. He brings Yosef out of the dungeon, a place of physical darkness. However, Yosef, because of his relationship with Hashem, is the embodiment of light. Pharaoh asks the Egyptian Magicians and the Egyptian wise men, symbols of intellectual and spiritual light, to interpret the dream; to cast light upon Pharaoh’s troubled/darkened spirit. They are unable to bring light or offer a solution. However, Yosef, the embodiment of Hashem’s light, is capable of casting light upon Pharaoh’s darkness. To Pharaoh’s credit; his fear is not directed at Yosef. Instead, Pharaoh’s fear is directed at the ramifications of famine upon Egypt and how a famine would affect his authority.  Even though Yosef conceals his identity from his brothers, he remains in the darkness so to speak while his brothers are unable to conceal their identity from him.  Yosef is the embodiment of spiritual and physical light as he always knows what is happening and what will happen.  Despite Yosef being in a pit, and in a dungeon, Yosef is light. He is able to transmit his light, his knowledge, and his spiritual strength to those around him without being diminished; much like a candle transmits a flame to another candle. 

          After listening to the inspired words of President Zelenskyy, and re-reading the words of Winston Churchill, one couldn’t help but be aware of each leader speedily leaving the darkness of their respective battlefields just as Yosef left the darkness of his prison. In a sense, each shared a vision. Yosef explained and shared with Pharaoh, the meaning of Pharaoh’s vision. Churchill shared his vision about the requirements for fighting against the darkness of a tyrannical authoritarian force from the east. Zelenskyy shared his vision about the requirement for fighting against the darkness of a tyrannical authoritarian force from the east. Indeed, during the darkest times, there are moments when we see individuals provide a source of light for the rest of the world.

Peace,
Rav Yitz

Close The Gap Of The Dark Years In Between (John Barlow & Bob Weir - "Cassidy")

     One of my lasting childhood memories recurs every four years. I remember watching Presidential Inaugurations with my parents. The experience was an all-day civics lesson with my father reminding me of the miracle that we witness with the peaceful transfer of power. He and my mother would remind me and my sister that history has consistently demonstrated the extremely rare and miraculous nature of the peaceful transfer of power.  They explained this miracle as simultaneously "fragile" and "powerful", like a flame being passed from candle to candle bringing light to the darkness.  

    This week's Parsha is Bo.  The ten plagues culminate with locusts, darkness, and finally the killing of the firstborn. On the night of the last plague, God instructs Moshe to tell B'nai Yisroel to slaughter a lamb for each family. The blood should be painted onto the doorpost. The sacrificed lamb must be completely eaten that night with no leftovers.  The command continues with God instructing Moshe to reiterate this story to the children of each family. The Parsha concludes with the command to sanctify the firstborn, remember this night, remember what God did for B'nai Yisroel, and how B'nai Yisroel eventually returned to the land. 

Parts of the Parsha are read on Pesach. Those parts dealing with the Paschal sacrifice, as well as the Mitzvah of "Telling" the child about the impending redemption, are read. However, there is one phrase that is particularly interesting and revealing. The second to last plague is Choshech, darkness. Vayomer Adonai el Moshe  N'Teih Yadchah al Hashamayim - And God said to Moshe "Stretch forth your hand toward the heavens,  Va'Yehi Choshech al Eretz Mitzrayim- "And there will be darkness upon the land of Egypt, Vayameish Choshech - and the darkness will depart. (Ex. 10:21). What does it mean that the darkness will depart? If darkness departs doesn’t that mean light arrives? Typical darkness is merely the absence of light. According to Sforno, the great Italian Rennaissance commentator, typical darkness is an atmosphere prepared to receive light. After all, the moon reflects light into the night, and the stars shine a light as well. Sforno explains that the word VaYameish comes from the three-letter root Mem Vav Shin - to feel or touch. The plague of darkness conjures up the image of a person trying to feel their way in the darkness, lost and unable to see immediately in front as if they have their hands outstretched and feeling their way around.  This plague is perhaps the most perfectly designed plague, and, ironically, it can only affect the Egyptians precisely because they were free. This type of darkness could not affect the Hebrew slaves. Prior to the darkness, the free Egyptians could come and go as they pleased, they were not confined.  They had freedom of movement. Obviously, slaves do not enjoy the freedom of movement. Like prisoners, slaves are captive and bound by very physical limits. The slave lives in darkness and has learned how to “see” within the darkness, not so the master who is unconstrained by physical limits.  As a result of being unable to “see” in this type of darkness, the “master” cannot move for fear that the next step will constitute a “last step”, into an abyss. In a sense, the free person has become paralyzed.  

    The plague of darkness didn’t spread to the homes of the Hebrew slaves, darkness was confined to Egypt and to the Egyptians. B’nai Yisroel had light, they had a covenant with God. Moshe would remind them of that covenant and remind them to teach their children of that covenant and engage in rituals to remind them of and continue to participate in that covenant. Yes, I have grown older, our family gathers together every four years and watches the same miracle that I watched with my parents, and our children receive the same civics lesson that I received. I realized that the lessons we learn as children and transmit to our children, the rituals that we engage in as children, and the same rituals we teach to and do with our children bring light to a darkened world. If those values are integrated and deeply internalized, that light still combats darkness. 

You May Be The Fate Of Ophelia, Sleeping And Perchance To Dream (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Althea")

I have always enjoyed it when Chanukah and Christmas overlap. On a very basic level, everyone is in the supermarket or the mall for the same reasons. They are buying food for the Holiday parties and feasts. So I happened to be at the supermarket this week and I bumped into a friend who, like us, has a daughter preparing to study in Israel next year. We discussed where our daughters applied, their first choice and what we hope they learn while learning for the year in Israel. The friend explained why he wanted his daughter to study at a particular seminary.  One of their considerations for applying to a Seminary was the institution’s ability to protect and shield their daughter from all the shmutz of modern society, all the hedonistic behavior, the drugs, and all the difficult things that teenagers have to deal with. The father continued and explained that he quietly hoped that she would spend not one but two years learning, meet a boy, return from her two years as very religious and very observant and gets married. I smiled and I pointed that it seemed like my friend was hoping that a year or two at Seminary would allow her to retreat from and provide a sanctuary and protection for his daughter from all the negative aspects of secularism, of hedonistic western culture. After he finished, I was prepared to depart and continue with my shopping. Unfortunately, he made the mistake of asking me my opinion.  So I offered my opinion. I explained that I had great difficulty in ascribing such power to an institution to protect my children from modern secular culture.  I explained that I was far more concerned that the institutions, like our home, offer our daughter the tools to deal with, and not deny the negative aspects of secularism in our everyday culture. The question, I said to my friend, is how assimilated will our children become, how assimilated with they be in their home, in their daily behavior, in attitude, and in the acknowledgment of the world around them. We wished each other good luck and continued with my Chanukah food shopping.

This Shabbat we read from Parsha Mikeitz. Mikeitz always coincides with Chanukah.  The Parsha begins two years from when VaYeishev concluded. Pharaoh has a dream. He is unsatisfied with all attempts to interpret it. Pharaoh's wine chamberlain remembers that Yosef accurately interpreted his dream while in prison. Yosef is released from prison and brought before Pharaoh. He interprets that soon will begin seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. Pharaoh appoints him as viceroy to oversee the project. Egypt becomes the granary of the world. Yaakov sends his sons to Egypt to buy food. The brothers come before Yosef and bow to him. Yosef recognizes them but they do not recognize him. Without disclosing his identity, Yosef sells the brothers' food but keeps Shimon hostage until they bring their brother Binyamin to him as proof that they are who they say they are. Yaakov refuses to let Binyamin go to Egypt, but when the famine grows unbearable, he accedes. Yehuda guarantees Binyamin's safety, and the brothers go to Egypt. Yosef welcomes the brothers lavishly as honored guests. When he sees Binyamin he rushes from the room and weeps. Yosef instructs his servants to replace the money in the sacks and to put his goblet inside Binyamin's sack. When the goblet is discovered, Yosef demands Binyamin become his slave as punishment. Yehuda interposes and offers himself instead, but Yosef refuses.

For the first time, beginning in last week’s Torah portion, VaYeishev and again in Mikeitz, we read about an individual encounter a dominant culture while still retaining his sense of code and morality. Avraham left the dominant culture and encountered it periodically but did so accompanied by his wife. Yitzchak encountered a different culture but had never left home in a spiritual nor a physical sense (he always remained in the land). Even Yaakov never had to confront a dominant culture. Yes, his uncle Lavan was an idol worshipper, but it was family and besides Uncle Lavan’s was a tribal culture. When Yaakov encountered Shechem, he did so accompanied by his sons. However, Yosef was in his late teens, early twenties when arrived in Egypt. He worked for Potifar. He had to stave off the sexual harassment of Potifar’s wife and accept the injustice of prison. At the beginning of Mikeitz, we find Yosef in prison, still referred to as Naar Ivri- Hebrew Youth even though he is 30 (Gen. 41:46).  Even after interpreting Pharaohs’ dreams, becoming a Viceroy, wearing Egyptian clothes, looking Egyptian, being clean-shaven like an Egyptian, speaking Egyptian, marrying an Egyptian woman (Asnat) and receiving an Egyptian name (Zaphenat Paneah), and essentially living an Egyptian lifestyle; Yosef somehow manages to maintain his tribal loyalty, his Jewishness, his sense of morality and code. When Pharaoh tells Yosef about his dream and is asked to interpret it; VaYa’An Yosef et Paroh Leimor, Biladai Elohim Ya’Eneh et Shlom Paroh – Joseph answered Pharaoh saying, That is beyond me; it is God who will respond with Pharaoh’s welfare.   The Or HaChaim comments that Biladai is not only a humble expression “that is beyond me”. Biladai means “this does not depend on me”. This is not only an indication of Yosef giving credit for his “Dream Telling Gift” to God. Yosef subtly indicates that his code and his theology will not waver within this overbearing and all-encompassing culture. Yosef adds the words Shlom Paroh- literally, the peace of Pharaoh. Yosef is merely a vessel, and he isn’t so much interpreting a dream, instead, he is providing a prophecy. As a result, Yosef must speak truth to power and cannot bend or interpret the meaning to satisfy some other agenda or plan except God’s plan.

Yosef, at the relatively young age of 30 has accepted the fact that his path, although his choosing, is part of God’s plan. Yes, some people are lucky to sense that a plan has been revealed to them. Yosef’s spiritual strength, his unwavering sense of belonging to a covenantal relationship means that no matter the name, no matter the clothes, no matter the culture, he is acutely aware that certain constants will keep him grounded in his relationship with God.  As parents, we don’t really know the paths any of our children are supposed to take. We can hope, and we can offer them guidance as they make their way along the path most suited to them, a path that fits their values and for which they are passionate. Eventually, they will need to make those decisions for themselves. While we light the Chanukah candles, we are reminded of Judaism’s survival within a powerful Hellenistic culture, we are reminded of Yosef surviving within a powerful Egyptian culture. We only hope that we have provided them enough tools, enough education and enough grounding in values that we deem important so that their decisions are an expression of a moral code and covenant to which they belong.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

One Way Or Another This Darkness Got To Give (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "New Speedway Boogie"

          Our high school age children resumed school following a two week winter vacation.  During the vacation, they had to complete an assigned book. Our daughter read The Book of Negros, otherwise known as Someone Knows My Name in the United States. Like a good father, I asked my daughter about the book, the main character’s journey and how massive historical events and themes affected her life such as the institution of slavery, the American Revolution, the British retreat to Newfoundland and the migration of numerous black servants and “freed men” to Newfoundland as well as the British Empire’s policy of abolishing slavery from the empire. Needless to say, it was a fascinating discussion and gave her lots of material for the essay she must now begin. Our son read George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Like a good father, I asked my son about the book and the main animal characters in particular I ask him about the character named Napoleon as he is the character that assumes autocratic/dictatorial power of the farm under the guise of helping all the animals. Specifically, I asked him about the process by which he was able to take over a movement that originally was designed to empower all the animals and consolidate that power and control for himself. My son explained that Napoleon played on the fear that the animals  of humans and that he, Napoleon, was the only one who could protect them. Also, he used propaganda, disinformation, and constantly lied so that the truth was always hidden from the animals. By keeping the animals in the dark, by preventing the flow of information and diluting the truth; there was no sense of truth. As a result, the animals never achieved the freedom that they thought they would attain when they rid themselves of Farmer Jones.

          This week's Parsha is Bo.  The ten plagues culminate with locusts, darkness and finally the killing of the first born. On the night of the last plague, God instructs Moshe to tell B'nai Yisroel to slaughter a lamb for each family. The blood should be painted onto the door- post. The sacrificed lamb must be completely eaten that night with no leftovers.  The command continues with God instructing Moshe to reiterate this story to the children of each family. The Parsha concludes with the command to sanctify the first born, remember this night, remember what God did for B'nai Yisroel, and how B'nai Yisroel eventually returned to the land. 

          The second to last plague is Choshech, darkness. Vayomer Adonai El Moshe N'Teih Yadchah Al Hashamayim - And God said to Moshe "Stretch forth your hand toward the heavens , Va'Yehi Choshech Al Eretz Mitzrayim - "And there will be a darkness upon the land of Egypt , Vayameish Choshech - and the darkness will depart. (Ex. 10:21). What does it mean that the darkness will depart? If darkness departs doesn’t that mean light arrives? Typical darkness is merely the absence of light. According to Sforno, the great Italian Renaissance commentator, typical darkness is atmosphere prepared to receive light. After all the moon reflects light into the night, and the stars shine a light as well. Sforno explains that the word VaYameish comes from three letter root M-Oo-Sh : Mem Vav Shin which to feel or touch. The plague of darkness conjures up the image of a person trying to feel their way in the darkness, lost and unable to see immediately in front as if they have their hands outstretched and feeling their way around.  This plague is perhaps the most perfectly designed plague in that it can only affect the Egyptian because they were free. This type of darkness could not affect the Hebrew slaves. Prior to the darkness, the free Egyptians could come and go as they pleased, they were not confined, they had freedom of movement. Obviously slaves do not enjoy freedom of movement. Rather, like a prisoner, the slaves were captive and bound by very physical limits. However with the kind of darkness that leaves one groping and feeling one’s way; the slave will eventually feel his/her way to the boundaries  and be able to very quickly be able to figure out the shape and dimensions of that confined space.

          It is no surprise therefore, that B'nai Yisroel still had light in their dwellings. Why?  The descendants of Jacob the Patriarch, are the beneficiaries of a covenant that God made with Jacob, and a means to avoid groping around in the darkness trying to find their way. They saw the limits, in another words, the slaves saw boundaries in Mitzvot (commandments) and law. They saw the boundaries of time as in the commandment of the New Moon. They saw boundaries in terms of space. Within the confines of their home, they were to eat the Passover sacrifice, answer their children’s questions, and tell them the story of the Passover. B’nai Yisroel would never have darkness because asking questions, and the process by which time is controlled (declaring a New Moon) requires information, truth and the recognition that everyone must adhere to law. My son explained that dictators and autocrats prefer darkness; that way information, and truth is hidden, and laws and the legal process can be turned upside down. He thanked me for the discussion and said he thinks he has enough material to apply the lessons in Animal Farm to current autocrats, dictators and those who wish to emulated autocrats and dictators. Sounds like an interesting essay. 

Peace,

Rav Yitz