Though I Could Not Caution All, I Still Might Warn A Few ( Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia "Ship Of Fools)

          Our eldest daughter moved to Austin, Texas in order to manage a congressional campaign.  Before she embarked on her drive, I did the typical dad thing. I told her to make sure to bring the car in for a going over, make sure that everything worked perfectly, and when she was driving, make sure that the indicator lights are functioning properly.  Of course, her response was to roll her eyes and remind me that moving to a new city to work on a political campaign was not new for her or for me. She has been doing this for eight years. She has lived all over the U.S: north, south, east, west, coastal states, landlocked states, primarily agricultural states as well as big cities. Yet this move, from Boston to Austin, seemed different. It was different for three reasons. It was different because of the Covid 19 Pandemic, it was different because a video lasting 8:40 from Minneapolis shined a light on a racial pandemic that has burned for centuries. Her move was different because she was moving to Austin Texas. Make no mistake, Austin is a cosmopolitan place with a huge university, a thriving economy, a great music scene, and stereotypically has been a liberal-leaning place like most large cities in the north and on the two coasts.  However, Austin is in Texas, and because of my bias and my being a history buff, I appreciate that Texas is just different. As a dad, my worries were and remain simple yet existential. She has moved to a place where the Governor’s desire to “open early” has resulted in a spike of those being stricken with Covod-19. She has moved to a state where putting a mask is a statement of politics rather than a statement regarding the sanctity of life. She has moved to a state that doesn’t seem to respect a women’s right to choose but protects everyone’s right to own a firearm. My daughter reminded me that was precisely why she chose to manage this particular congressional campaign.  In terms of her car,  the drive from Boston to Austin was uneventful. The car ran fine,  and she paid attention to the warning lights.

          This morning we read from Parsha BaHalotcha. This Shabbat we read from Parsha Bahalotcha. For the previous two Parshiot, Bemidbar and Naso, Bnai Yisroel has counted and prepared for their 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 Bnai 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.

          As Bnai Yisroel finally begins its trek from Sinai towards Canaan, the Torah makes the following statement.  Vayehi Binsoah Ha’Aron VaYomer Moshe, Kuma Adoshem VeYaFuTzu Oyavecha, VeYaNuSu Misanecha MiPanecha. U’vNucho Yomar Shuva Adoshem Rivvot Alfei Yisroel – When the Ark would journey, Moshe said: ‘Arise Hashem, and let Your foes be scattered let those who hate You flee from before You. And when it rested, he would say, ‘reside tranquilly, O Hashem, among the myriad thousands of Israel. (Num. 10:35) Today we say the first part of the verse while we take the Torah out from the Aron before we read the Torah, and we say the second part of the statement when we have finished reading from the Torah and are returning it to the Aron.  In the Torah, this verse is enclosed by two brackets. The bracket is really an inverted letter, the letter “Nun”.   The Talmud in Shabbat 116a teaches us Mipnei Sh’ Sefer Chashuv Hu Bifnei Atzmo – Because it constituted a book on its own. This is a rather cryptic statement since it suggests that there are more than 5 books comprising the Torah. We normally think of the Torah as comprised of 5 Books (Breishit- Genesis, Shmot –Exodus, Vayikra – Leviticus, Bemidbar-Numbers, Devarim-Deuteronomy). Now the Talmud is suggesting that there is another book? 

          Perhaps the brackets are the indicator lights. The verse within the brackets is the one section of the User’s Manual that will constantly be referred to during this one aspect of the journey. Originally this journey was supposed to be a few weeks or months at the most. B’nai Yisroel had not yet been punished with 40 years of “wandering in the desert’.  Most of the Torah’s instructions were given in anticipation of B’nai Yisroel’s eventual arrival in Canaan. In the meantime, this is the verse that they will need to refer to, this is the section of the user manual that B’nai Yisroel will need in order to survive until their eventual arrival. In reality, this is the “Book” that they would use each day that they traveled, and each day that they would temporarily rest.  In today’s reality, there are all kinds of warning lights. There have been warning lights in terms of Covid 19. Certainly, there have been warning lights regarding race. For my daughter, there were plenty of other warning lights on her drive down and even in Texas. There were protests in the various cities she spent the night: Louisville and Little Rock. While wearing a mask, she received looks and sneers. She saw people behaving as if there was neither racial tension nor a pandemic.  Some people have chosen to ignore the warning lights.  Yet ignoring the warning lights doesn’t mean that a problem does not exist. Thankfully, my daughter pays attention to all the warning lights, heeds them, and wants to fix the problems.

Peace, 
Rav Yitz 

Long Is The Road We MustTravel On Down (John Barlow & Brett Mydland- "I Will Tak You Home"

Our 18 year old just returned from Israel after having studied in Seminary for the year.  Now there are two children, 18 and 17 years of age, living at home constantly badgering me and their mom for the use of a car. Let’s just say that there have been a variety of creative ways in which they have asked for the car. However, among the most creative ways have involved their attempt to utilize the car maintenance approach.  The approach is quite clever. They will say things to me such as “Don’t you want me to be self- reliant and NOT dependent on my boyfriend or my husband? “  Of course their assumption is that I will trust them more because they indicate that they are not only concerned about using our cars but that they are willing to assume responsibility in caring for the cars. So I begin showing them the indicator lights, what things mean. If it is something that can be taken care of with minimal knowledge such as pumping gas or checking the oil or the tires, they drive to the gas station. I can see by the look on their faces that they would prefer to just have their father, or someday their husband do this for them. However, they know that if they learn now and practice, I will be much more willing to lend them the car. So the first thing I make clear to them is to pay attention to the indicator lights. “Never ignore the indicator lights”, I tell them.

This morning we read from Parsha BaHalotcha. This Shabbat we read from Parsha Bahalotcha. For the previous two Parshiot, Bemidbar and Naso, Bnai Yisroel has counted and prepared for their 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 Bnai 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.

As Bnai Yisroel finally begins its trek from Sinai towards Canaan, the Torah makes the following statement.  Vayehi Binsoah Ha’Aron VaYomer Moshe, Kuma Adoshem VeYaFuTzu Oyavecha, VeYaNuSu Misanecha MiPanecha. U’vNucho Yomar Shuva Adoshem Rivvot Alfei Yisroel – When the Ark would journey, Moshe said: ‘Arise Hashem, and let Your foes be scattered let those who hate You flee from before You. And when it rested, he would say, ‘reside tranquilly, O Hashem, among the myriad thousands of Israel. (Num. 10:35) Today we say the first part of the verse while we take the Torah out from the Aron before we read the Torah, and we say the second part of the statement when we have finished reading from the Torah and are returning it to the Aron.  In the Torah, this verse is enclosed by two brackets. The bracket is really an inverted letter, the letter “Nun”. The Talmud in Shabbat 116a teaches us Mipnei Sh’ Sefer Chashuv Hu Bifnei Atzmo – Because it constituted a book on its own. This is a rather cryptic statement since it suggests that there are more than 5 books comprising the Torah. We normally think that the Torah comprised of 5 Books (Breishit- Genesis, Shmot –Exodus, Vayikra – Leviticus, Bemidbar-Numbers, Devarim-Deuteronomy). Now the Talmud is suggesting that there is another book?

Perhaps the brackets are the indicator lights. The verse within the brackets is the one section of the User’s Manual that will constantly be referred to during this one aspect of the journey. Originally this journey was supposed to be a few weeks or months at the most. Bnai Yisroel had not yet been punished with 40 years of “wandering in the desert’.  Most of the Torah’s instructions were given in anticipation of Bnai Yisroel’s eventual arrival in Canaan. In the meantime, this is the verse that they will need to refer to, this is the section of the user manual that Bnai Yisroel will need in order to survive until their eventual arrival. In reality, this is the “Book” that they would use each day that they traveled and each day that they would temporarily rest. For my daughters, understanding the indicator lights, knowing how to handle some simple aspects of basic car maintenance will help them arrive safely at their destination while remaining independent young women. Of course, once they arrive at their destination, I hope they remember everything else that their mother and I taught them in terms of managing life, expectations and being responsible for their own actions and decisions.  

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

Built To Last Till Sunshine Fails And Darkness Moves On All (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Built To Last")

Its’s final exam season in our home. Needless to say the stress level is unbearable. The slightest noise or parental request to put something away or empty the dishwasher is greeted a curt, frustrated response. One of the finals this week had to do with World History.  So in lull, when my knowledge and understanding of World History was sought I offered a brief lesson, with the aid of film clips from YouTube about the significant of the past week. Three historical events were commemorated this past week. The first historical event occurred 72 years ago this week and stopped the spread of Fascism, the cult of personality, authoritarianism and brought together the combined forces of four nations to battle evil. Seventy two years ago this week, D-Day (“The Longest Day”) brought together Canadian, British and American forces and the successful invasion of Normandy and the final allied offensive that would end the war in Europe nearly eleven months later. The second historical event occurred 50 years ago this week and stopped the aggression of three nations whose intention was to eliminated the state of Israel and push the Israelis into the sea. The Six Day War culminated in an Israeli victory that tripled the size in area, now controlling the Golan Heights, Gaza, The West Bank and Re-unification of Jerusalem. The third historical event did not involve a military victory. However all military victory’s mean that soldiers die.  Nearly 4500 allied soldiers died on that first day of the Invasion of Normandy. Far fewer Israeli soldiers were killed during the Six Day War: approximately 775. In the first week of June in 1968, while the Viet Nam war raged on in the jungle of South East Asia, one man was assassinated in Los Angeles: Bobby Kennedy. I suggested that in all these deaths, men were killed laying down their lives for their country, and for their beliefs. Then I asked my history students (our children) one question. In which of these events was the world saved from entering a period of protracted human darkness and evil?

This morning we read from Parsha BeHalotcha. This Shabbat we read from Parsha Behalotcha. For the previous two Parshiot, Bemidbar and Naso, B’nai Yisroel has counted and prepared for their 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.

As B’nai Yisroel finally begins its trek from Sinai towards Canaan, the Torah makes the following statement.  Vayehi Binsoah Ha’Aron VaYomer Moshe, Kuma Adoshem VeYaFuTzu Oyavecha, VeYaNuSu Misanecha MiPanecha. U’vNucho Yomar Shuva Adoshem Rivvot Alfei Yisroel – When the Ark would journey, Moshe said: ‘Arise Hashem, and let Your foes be scattered let those who hate You flee from before You. And when it rested, he would say, ‘reside tranquilly, O Hashem, among the myriad thousands of Israel. (Num. 10:35) Today we say the first part of the verse while we take the Torah out from the Aron before we read the Torah, and we say the second part of the statement when we have finished reading from the Torah and are returning it to the Aron.  In the Torah, this verse is enclosed by two brackets. The bracket is really an inverted letter, the letter “Nun”.   The Talmud in Shabbat 116a Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi teaches Mipnei Sh’ Sefer Chashuv Hu Bifnei Atzmo – Because it constituted a book on its own. His a rather cryptic statement since it suggests that there are more than 5 books comprising the Torah. We normally think of the Torah as comprised of 5 Books or Scrolls: Breishit- Genesis, Shmot –Exodus, Vayikra – Leviticus, Bemidbar-Numbers, and Devarim-Deuteronomy.  However Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi considers the fourth Book to really be three smaller books: Numbers A (chaps1-10:34); Numbers B (10:35-36) and Numbers C (10:37-36:13); for a total of seven boos of Torah. R’ Yehuda’s understanding of seven books of Torah seems to correspond with a verse from Mishlei (Proverbs (9:1): Chachmot Banta Veitah Chatzvah Amudeha Shiva- With all forms of wisdom did she build her house; she carved out its seven pillars. Perhaps this bracket of the Hebrew letter Nun and the enclosed verse; tells us something about the Lamp that was lit at the beginning of the Parsha. The word for lamp HaNeirot; that is to say “illuminate the lights” of the tabernacle. B’nai Yisroel for the first time was taking God’s light, this wisdom and carrying it amongst themselves, using it to create light within its camp and using it to ward off all the negative forces that would otherwise seek to destroy them. For the first time, B’nai Yisroel would now have to use its wisdom, its understanding of Torah, in order to bring light and holiness to the world.

One only needs to listen to the speeches of Bobby Kennedy, hear is idealism through his Boston accent, and his desire to make the world a better place. One only needs to appreciate that fact that he was the victim of Palestinian terror like so many Israelis because he tried to bring light to those who lived in darkness not only in the United States but throughout the world. One only needs to walk through gates into the Old City to appreciate the miracle that Israel manage to reclaim the Old City of Jerusalem. One only needs to stand at the Kotel to realize that Jerusalem, the City of Gold was now belonged to the descendants of King David and appreciate the spiritual light that emanates from this city. One need only stand at the beaches of Normandy and see row after row of those who died and look out at the waters of the English channel to not only appreciate the miracle that transpired but to also understand how all these men who fought on that day saved the world from darkness.  With the conclusion of the study break, our kids could see where and how events spanning several decades are intertwined and connected.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

It Can Ring Like Fire When You Lose Your Way (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Franklin's Tower")

The end of the school year culminates in commencement activities.  When I was a kid, the only graduation ceremonies that mattered were High School, College/University. If a person attended graduate school, depending upon the timing, graduation might not even have mattered since that person had started working.   Now the world is a bit different now. My sister called me, her voice a little weepy, and told me that her daughter graduated from Kindergarten and she was brought to tears. We attended our daughter’s graduation from 8^th grade. Yes, school now have graduation exercises for students completing 8^th grade. I don’t really consider completing 8^th grade to be a major accomplishment a particularly high academic benchmark. Admittedly, I even tried to downplay it as our daughter was going through the preparations for her commencement activities.  That being said, accomplishments should be recognized, and, as my wife pointed out, sometimes the accomplishment is not the flash of brilliance from a standardized test, or a final exam. Sometimes accomplishment should be measured in being able to navigate the everyday grind and the consistency demanded in order to succeed.

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 18^th 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 main trunk bent toward the middle flame were lit everyday 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 must 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.

Yes, our daughter graduated from 8^th grade this week. No we don’t think that “graduating” from 8^th grade is a particularly high academic benchmark. Sometimes she wasn’t exactly keen to wake up and go to school, and sometimes the educational process was not altogether so intellectually inspiring. However, there were moments, more often than not, where we saw our daughter’s intellect light up and she was looked forward to learning and studying. There were moments that we witnessed the ripening of an intellect being prepared for the rigors of high school and eventually, university. Perhaps most importantly, we watched our daughter become aware that every day presents an opportunity to learn, to become intellectually stimulated and engaged.  On Friday nights, sitting at the Shabbat table, when we have time to hear excitement about what she learned during the past week, we understand that over the course of a year, something more than just a kindling an intellectual light occurred. Instead we appreciate that the process has elevated her. Hopefully she appreciates the fact that she can elevate her mind everyday like lamps in the Menorah.

Peace,

Rav Yitz