The War Soon Being Over, She Went And Looked Around; Among The Dead And Wounded Her Darling Boy She Found (Arrangment by Jerry Garcia - "Jack A-Roe)

           On the international stage, this week has been very interesting and even troubling. Concluding a war is never a neat, simple, and organized endeavor. As we watch the news, listen to retired Generals, Intelligence Directors, and other experts and as we see the images coming out of Afghanistan, we are reminded that ending a war is never easy. There are always refugees, there are always those trying to “get out” and make their way toward the “West”. Chaos always seems to overwhelm the most vulnerable, and the side that is leaving the battlefield. When writing about or discussing the conclusion of wars, especially in the Middle East, Tom Friedman, the New York Times columnist, and author explains that there is the “morning-after” and the “morning after the morning after”. The former speaks of the chaos that ensues when the war ends and the victors realize they are the victors. The latter speaks of the chaos that ensues when the victors now realize that as the victors, they are responsible for rebuilding, governing, and ending the chaos. Of course, whether talking about the “morning-after” or the “morning after the morning after”; one thing is very clear. It is much easier to start a war than to conclude one with dignity, grace, minimize chaos, and loss of life. 

          This week's Torah portion is Ki Teitzei. Moshe continues with listing laws such as rights of the firstborn for an inheritance, the wayward rebellious son, lost and found property, sending a mother bird from the nest when procuring the egg from the nest, tzitzit, false accusations, forbidden marriages, charging interest, divorce, workers’ rights to timely payment, honesty in weights and measures and remembering Amalek. That is just to name a few. All these laws reflect one extremely relevant idea. Judaism is not just a ritualized religion that takes on import three times a year, or only at life cycle events. Judaism is a way of life. 

          Anything, any idea that is considered to be a “way of life” must be relevant in two places, in the home (a sanctuary) and outside the home where life is much less ideal than the home/sanctuary. Certainly, we can read the first verse as Moshe’s instructions regarding the appropriate manner to behave while fighting a war.  Ki Teitzeh LaMilchama Al Oyvecha UnTano Adoshem Elokecha B’Yadecha  - When you will go out to war against your enemies, and Hashem, your God will deliver him [your enemies] into your hand (Deut. 10:11). Yes, Moshe's presentation of these laws suggests that there is an inevitability about going out to wage war. Rashi clarifies by explaining that this B’Milchemet HaRashut-an optional war. The sages explained that biblically speaking, an “optional war” is any war other than a war of the conquest of the Land of Canaan and the war against Amalek. Those wars are not optional but rather the fulfillment of a direct commandment. According to Sforno (the great Italian Renaissance commentator), “an optional'' war is any war outside Israel or political war.” Sforno’s comment is fascinating because it forces us to understand Moshe’s statement about Ki Tetzei La Milchama from a figurative and perhaps even a spiritual dimension. Moshe is speaking to “you” in the singular, “you” the individual. The Torah never said that he was addressing only the army. Each and every one of “you” wages a war of Reshut, an optional war. The individual “You” wages war against inner demons, against peer pressure, against that which is convenient and easy. “You” the individual wages a war against the monotony of routine. One thing is for certain, from Moshe’s perspective, war is waged upon Ki Teitzeh upon “going out”, leaving the “friendly confines”, leaving the “nest”, leaving the warmth and safety of the home and a sanctuary and contending with the world.

          The Sages understand that going to war should never be taken lightly. It is not enough to consider all the reasons to go to war; one must also consider the “morning after” and the “morning after the morning after”, meaning the “peace”. Certainly, Torah is not so naive to think that war can always be avoided. However, like everything in the Torah, there is a way to deal with mankind's most destructive and animal-like instincts and elevate the human spirit to something more. Reading Ki Teitzeh in a figurative manner reminds us that whenever we are confronted with any conflict, we must always understand that we will have to confront the aftermath of that conflict, “the morning after” and the “morning after the morning after”.  As a result, We can deal with the aftermath of a conflict the same way we deal with conflict,  in the heat of emotion or we can choose to deal with the aftermath of a conflict with a cool thoughtful demeanor with an eye towards a constructive future. Whether it is our own lives or Afghanistan only time will tell

Peace,
Rav Yitz

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

Recently, our son shared a news report regarding the allied effort in Afghanistan, peace talks with the Taliban, and an eventual withdrawal from Afghanistan.  While no one in our family is an Afghan, fought in Afghanistan or has any remote connection to Afghanistan, our son followed the story very closely. Why was he so concerned with the news in Afghanistan? Our grade nine son participates in Model U.N. He is on the delegation representing, of all places, Afghanistan. In the course of his preparation, he has become the family expert on Afghanistan.  Trust me when I say that while I could find Afghanistan on a map, I never cared one wit for Afghanistan, nor did I ever give much thought to the human cost except in terms of soldiers who tried to offer safety and stability amid such turmoil and chaos.  My jaw dropped as I sat and listened to our son offer this assessment. He was not only speaking about Afghanistan, but he advocated for the innocent and was visibly concerned for those whose lives were at risk living under the Taliban, and the innocent lives at risk if allied forces leave. He spoke thoughtfully, passionately and logically. He was upset as he made his assessment and incredibly empathetic as he advocated for the people of Afghanistan.  Needless to say, I have no authority with the Model U.N. for the real U.N.  However, I saw our son in a whole new light, and I wasn’t sure how to respond.

This week’s Parshah is Terumah. Terumah means “a portion”. In the context of this week’s Parsha, the portion in question is the portion of wealth that B’nai Yisroel would dedicate to the construction of the Aron, the ark that would hold the Luchot Habrit (the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written), the lamp, the table, and the material for the Ohel Moed (the tent of the meeting). All of which comprised the Mishkan or the Tabernacle. If you are in construction, interior design, or architecture, the details in Parsha Terumah are fascinating; and if you’re not then all those details might seem a bit dry. Whether a fan or not, whether an architect or not, there are certain objects, the construction of which is nothing less than miraculous and perhaps more allegorical than literal in meaning. However what is not allegorical but rather spiritually re-assuring given the myriad of laws that we have read from Yitro and Mishpatim is the goodness and kindness in the human soul.

There are two moments in the Parsha that stand in stark contrast to assumptions about human nature from Parsha Mishpatim. In the previous Parsha, when we read about the prohibition of accepting bribes, perverting justice, selling servants to third parties rather than returning to them to their original owner;  we understand that there is an assumption that human nature is not so wonderful. In fact, one could argue that we are supposed to rise above human nature, rise above our animal-like inclination, Yetzer HaRah (the evil inclination), and be better. So when we read that God wants to live among Bnai Yisroel: V’Asu Li Mikdash  V’Shachanti B’Tocham; a Godly aspect would only do so if the dwelling, if the people’s behavior merited God’s presence.  Certainly, the physical qualities of the structure would be impressive but more important is the fact that Shechinah would dwell among Bnai Yisroel as long as they did not succumb to human nature. Not succumbing to human nature became evident immediately. Before the construction, before the blueprints, Bnai Yisroel already operated above human nature. They contributed materials Kol Ish Asher Yidvenu Libo – ‘every man whose heart motivates him’ (Ex.25:1). Contributions were based upon the most divine aspect of their souls. Every aspect of the process focused upon that part of the human soul that was beyond human nature. That divine aspect merited God’s presence in the camp. That divine aspect galvanized a community and figured out how to serve God in a way that appealed to the best of humanity.

I finally figured out the words that might bring comfort to our son as he could only see darkness, evil, and awful way in which people in that part of the world have been treating each other for decades if not centuries. I tried to remind him that although that part of the world is pretty dim and risks becoming quite dark if allied forces leave; there is some light in the world. Just like the Aron is encased in gold both on the inside and outside and just like people contributed selflessly rather than selfishly; I was reminded that the world has a lot of beauty. I told our son that despite what he heard on the news and despite my agreeing with his thoughtful assessment as an Afghan U.N. delegate; he needed to be able to accomplish one very important task. He needs to be able to communicate some of the beauty of the country and/or the people he represents. Maybe he needs to look a bit closer in order to find the beauty rather than ugliness, but it is there. If he is able to communicate that; the other delegates in the Model U.N. will surely be supportive of anything he requests.  I reminded him that he should always work hard and search for the beauty in spite of the all the ugly he will encounter. Sharing that process can be incredibly inspiring and ultimately quite empowering.

Peace,

Rav Yitz