Some Folks Trust To Reason (Robert Hunter, Bob Weir & Mickey Hart - "Playing In The Band")

           Well, we have been living with Covid for over a year now. For the second year in a row, the Passover Seder will look remarkably similar to the prior year but unlike any other year that me, my children, or even my parents can remember. However, there is something different than last year. This year we watch the news and follow the science and eagerly await the opportunity to receive our vaccine. The vaccine reminds us of the importance that society requires experts. Often, listening to the experts, the epidemiologists,  the virologists, the public health experts, has been the difference between life and death.  It seems kind of obvious, and it is the advice that we give our children. When unsure of something, get information from someone who knows. Who is someone that knows? Normally we assume that an expert knows or at least knows whatever their expertise is in. If a person has a question about personal finance or needs an accountant, one doesn’t speak to a doctor. If one has a medical question or needs a doctor, that person doesn’t see a lawyer. When a person has a halachic question or needs to speak to a Rabbi, well the person should probably not seek an answer from a lawyer, a doctor, an accountant or a businessman, or someone who happens to attend shul regularly.  We have been taught to seek out experts. 

          This week’s Parsha is Tzav. It is also Shabbat HaGadol, the Shabbat that immediately precedes Chag HaPesach, the Passover Festival. Like last week’s Parsha, Parsha Tzav focuses upon KoRBonot (offerings). While last week, we read of God’s commanding Moshe to teach the laws of KoRBonot (offerings) to B’nei Yisroel; this week we read of God commanding Moshe to teach the laws of KoRBonot (offerings) to Aaron and his sons. The Parsha concludes with instructions for Aaron and his sons to remain outside the camp for seven days. These are the seven days required for spiritual and to some degree physical preparation and process required to become an expert.  The Priests must remain outside of the camp because they are in the process of purifying themselves for this extremely sacred and vital position, Kohen Gadol.

          Besides Moshe, the Kohen Gadol was the most vital role in Israelite society. It was the Kohen Gadol that served as a vehicle for the common person to draw closer to God. When the common person or the king needed to atone, they would bring an offering to God. However, it was the Priest that had to check for blemishes, It was the priest that had to slaughter the animal in a very precise way. It was the priest that had to sprinkle the correct amount of blood in the correct manner.  Later on, it was the priest who became the “spiritual advisor” to the king. Unlike any other position, the Priesthood was based upon two requirements: genealogical lineage and training. The position was promised by God to Aaron and his descendants for eternity (or as long as there was a Temple).  The focus of the Parsha is entirely upon Aaron and his sons. Tzav et Aharon V’ Et Banav Leimor Zot Torah Ha’Olah Hee - Command Aaron and his sons saying: This is the law of the elevation offering (6:1-2); Zot Torat HaMacheneh Harkreiv Otah Bnei Aharon Lifnei Hashe el Pnei HaMizbeach - this is the law of the meal offering: the sons of Aaron shall bring it before Hashem to the front of the Altar. Lev. 6:7. Zeh Korbon Aharon U’Vanav Asher Yakrivu La’Adoshem God spoke to Moses saying: This is the offering of Aaron and his sons, which each shall offer to Hashem on the day he is inaugurated 6:12-13. Nearly every offering focuses upon the Kohen’s responsibilities: checking to make sure that the offering is blemish-free, that the slaughtering is done with one clean stroke of the knife, that it is done and that it is done at the appropriate time. The entire institution of the  Korbonot hinges upon the purity and expertise of the Kohen. 

Our sages understood the importance of experts and learning from experts. They understood the importance of not paying attention to the Am Ha’Aretz. An expert has specific knowledge and wisdom that needs to be transmitted. The Kohen’s expertise allowed B’nei Yisroel to achieve a closer relationship with God. An expert finds a vaccine, an expert knows how to distribute the vaccine quickly and efficiently. An expert knows how to make sure that a community establishes herd immunity quickly. An expert understands how to “push down the curve”. From an expert, we learn facts and truth. Yes, we watch the news and listen to the experts here in Canada and in the U.S. and appreciate their depth of truth and the clarity in which they share their expertise.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Some Folks Trust To Reason, Others Trust To Might (Robert Hunter, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart - "Playing In The Band")

As my children,  wife, and I continue to watch the news, two people have earned our trust. Two people are worth our attention and trust. They are Governor Cuomo from New York State and Dr. Anthony Fauci.  Apparently, we are not alone. In a recent poll, 62% of Americans trust Dr. Fauci, and roughly 36% trust the President.  Needless to say, whenever the President speaks, we assume that he lies. We assume that there is no truth, no plan, no idea of how to respond to the ongoing crisis of Covid19.  There is no leadership; there is only the bluster of a self-serving carnival barker. As this self-serving carnival barker continues to espouse conspiracy theories and dismiss science, and lie, my children ask why I shake my head in disgust. I explain that when the  Leader of the Free World is so untrustworthy,  he diminishes the office of the Presidency as well as America. A diminished America is not good for any country based upon democracy,   

This week, we again read a double portion, Parsha Behar and Parsha Bechukotai. These are the last two Parshiot of Sefer Vayikrah (Book of Leviticus). Throughout the entire book, we have read how to elevate our lives with holiness. We elevate our lives by thanking God and atoning to God, through a variety of Korbonot. We elevate our lives by avoiding behavior that defiles us; we don’t marry our sisters. We elevate our lives in every day physical behaviors; we only eat certain types of food. We elevate our lives by consciously setting aside holy times throughout the day, week, and season. In Parsha Behar, we elevate our lives and our land with holiness by setting aside another type of sacred time, Shmita (the seventh year.) Just like the seventh day (Shabbat) is a day of rest. Shmita is a year of rest. Every seventh year, all outstanding debts are canceled. The land lies fallow. Slaves and servants are set free. Agriculturally speaking, there is a benefit. Resting the soil for a year allows for the replenishment of nutrients. Rabbinically speaking, less time devoted to agricultural concerns meant more time devoted to Torah study! Parsha Bechukotai, being the end of Leviticus, tells us the ramifications for behavior. “If you’ll keep the commandments… then I’ll send the rains in their time, the earth and trees will give forth their produce, you’ll settle securely in the land…I will multiply you…I will walk with you” (Lev. 25:3-10). If we don’t live up to these standards, if we neglect to add Kedushah (holiness) to our lives, if we “don’t perform these commandments, if we consider these decrees loathsome, if we reject these ordinances, if we annul the covenant, then I will do the same to you…. (Lev. 26:14:17) God will annul us. All blessings will become curses. 

While the Torah does not paint a very pleasant picture, both parshiot reflect the vital importance of Bitachon, trust in God. In Behar, we may consider this notion of Shmita to be quite nice. All debts are canceled. On the other hand, if the land is to lie fallow, what would people eat? We are urged to trust God. “I will command my blessing upon the sixth year and it will bring forth (enough) produce for three years (Lev. 25:20-21).  The Chatam Sofer, (Rabbi Moshe Shreiber from Frankfort on the Main, Germany 1762-1839) explained the importance of reminding us that the Mitzvah of Shmita originated from Sinai just like the Mitzvah of gathering the Manna while B’nai Yisroel wandered and traveled to Eretz Yisroel.  God provided a double portion of Manna on Friday thereby guaranteeing enough food for Shabbat during their time of wandering; so too God will “guarantee” enough produce in the sixth year when they are living in the land. B’nai Yisroel won’t starve in the seventh (Shmita) year nor will they starve in the first year of the next cycle while they are waiting for that year’s harvest.  

So what does the Torah teach us? We learn that every rung climbed towards Kedushah, confirms our trust in God. Rather than diminishing ourselves out of ignorance and arrogance, we remind ourselves of God’s presence in all aspects of our lives including the harvest, the Jubilee year, and helping those most vulnerable. Because of this constant reminder, we trust that God is Holy, otherwise, we would have no need to be holy. We trust that everything pure and good is attributable to God. Otherwise, we would constantly defile ourselves. We trust that we are created in God’s image. Otherwise, there is no reason to treat people with kindness first. Trust in God, in a sense, is a spiritually individualized Mishkan. The Mishkan was built so that God would dwell among us. Similarly, if our purpose is to attain higher and higher levels of Kedusha, we trust that the end result is God’s dwelling within us. Leviticus teaches us that God is involved in our daily routine. Our struggle for Kedusha is our way of reminding ourselves of this fact. Failure to remind ourselves means we fall away from God and our faith diminishes. When we lack in faith and trust in God, it diminishes the Jewish people. When the Leader of the Free World cannot be trusted, well, my son will watch me continue shaking my head in disappointment as the diminished of the United States and in concern all societies that cherish freedom and democracy. 

Peace, 

Rav Yitz 

I Can Tell Your Future, Whoa Just Look What's In Your Hand (Robert Hunter, Bob Weir & Mickey Hart - "Playing In The Band")

Well it is a big holiday weekend for North America. In the United States it is President’s Day Weekend. This is the weekend that the United States celebrates the birthday of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the first and sixteenth Presidents respectively. Here in Toronto, we are celebrating Family Day Weekend.  Given the state of the U.S. Presidency; my family is more than happy to be celebrating Family Day Weekend. To enhance our Family Day Weekend, our eldest daughter decided to spend the long weekend with us. Besides the excitement of their oldest sister coming home to visit; there has been quite a bit of tumult in our house. Our high school age daughters had to pick their courses for the upcoming school year. One of the factors that our daughters needed to consider was their anticipated  college/university major. Their school guidance counselor suggested that they ought to think about what they might be interested in terms of academic study  as well as a career. As a result,  all week the anxiety and the concern about the future has been palpable. “What am I going to do with my life?” “I need to know now what I am doing for the rest of my life.”  Our daughters  grew more overwhelmed with the future, our son chimed in and reassured us that we didn’t have to worry about him. "I just wanted to be wealthy enough to afford a Porsche, and a mansion." That was a real load of my mind. For our daughters, however,  no simple advice or mantra diminished their anxiety. “Keep your options open”, “Choose your courses based on your interests", "Choose your courses based upon the instructor”, “Stop worrying, you will change your mind fifteen times between now and when you declare a major during your second year of college”. Of course our daughters greeted my advice with disdain.  "Dad, you don’t know what you are talking about", " Maybe that's what it was like a long time ago when you were a kid." "Well you grew up in the U.S., welcome to Canada, its very different here." To a certain extent my daughters are right. I am old; I grew up in a different educational system and from their perspective I probably am too stupid to help them. However as a parent, I look at my children, all my children sitting and talking and laughing and I wonder about their future, their impact upon all that they encounter, their neighborhood, their community, and the lives that they will eventually touch.

This week's Parsha is Yitro. Named after Moshe's father in-law, who happens to be a Midianite priest, the Parsha begins with Moshe leading B'nai Israel toward the wilderness of Midian. In this wilderness, Moshe meets up with his father in-law, his wife and his two sons. After spending some time with his son-in-law, Yitro sees Moshe working very long days as a judge and growing exhausted and worn down. Yitro suggests a legal bureaucracy whereby others adjudicate the small everyday legal issues. More difficult legal issues would be adjudicated by Moshe.  God commands Moshe to bring B'nai Israel to Mt. Sinai. For three days they will purify themselves, clean their clothes, not have marital relations, and purify their souls for a revelation. Smoke emanates from Mt. Sinai and thunder billows from the heavens, God begins to speak. Fear and awe grip B'nai Israel, and they beg Moshe to go up the mountain as their Shaliach (appointed messenger). Moshe ascends the mountain and receives the Aseret HaDibrot (the Ten Commandments). Then Moshe descends from the mountain. Upon his descent he tells B'nai Israel the Aseret HaDibrot. The Parsha concludes with B'nai Israel readily accepting the Ten Commandments, Moshe re-assures the people not to fear the thunder and the flames, God attests to the fact that B'nai Israel accepted these commandments, and then commands Moshe to build and altar of earth.

                Prior to the actual Revelation and giving the Aseret HaDibrot, and prior to the instructions for B’nai Israel to prepare for the revelation at Sinai, God shares an incredibly intimate moment with Moshe. God shares his hopes for the new relationship and his hopes for the impact this revelation will have upon B’nai Israel and all humanity. V’Atah Im Shamoah Tishmu B’Koli Ushmartem et Britit Vi’HiYitem Li Segulah MiKol Ha’Amim Ki Li Kol Ha’Aretz. And now, if you hearken well to Me and observe My covenant, you shall be to Me the most beloved treasure of all peoples, for mine is the entire world.  V’Atem TiHeYu Li Mamlechet KoHanim V’Goy Kadosh –You shall be to Me a kingdom of ministers (priests) and a holy nation. R’Ovadia Sforno, the Italian Renaissance Rabbi and biblical commentator, explains that a ‘nation of priests/ministers’ understands and teaches the entire human race that all shall acknowledge God. It appears that God looks to B’nai Israel and sees potential. God explains that Israel's “treasured nation” status is a function of its mission. B’nai Israel will bring The Aseret HaDibrot,  the words and the teachings that accompany these Ten Commandments to all of humanity. B'nai Israel behavior and observance will elevate the words and deeds to a higher degree of holiness. Sforno explains that as long as B’nai Israel adheres to the covenant and brings these teachings to the world, it will remain an Am Kadosh, a Holy Nation that will remain constant in this world. Even before the actual revelation, God empowers these former slaves. God establishes more than just a convenient with B’nai Israel. God links a sense of purpose a mission by instructing these spiritual “Children” to make a difference in the world, to impact the world for goodness and holiness.

                Yes, seeing all my children together, talking and laughing with each other gives me pause. One child isn't a child anymore; she is an adult. Two teenager daughters are in high school anxious about life's choices. Indeed, they have become aware that the world is full of possibilities,  and that they can have an impact on their community. Finally one prepares for Bar Mitzvah and afterward, I assume he will begin working towards that Porsche he talks about . As I watch them, I worry and I wonder how well they have learned the lessons that their mother and I have tried to imbue upon them. Will they be guided by a sense of purpose, a sense of mission, a desire to do “good” in the world? Will they be guided by a sense of purpose, a sense of mission, to make a difference, to elevate the world in holiness (or at least that part of the world that they touch)? I watch my children, I smile and I wonder about their future, their decisions and whether they will bring their light and their learning to all they encounter.

Peace,

Rav Yitz