Ha’azinu - Worldly Matters

The pasuk tells us: זכור ימות עולם בינו שנות דור ודור - “Remember the days of old, reflect on the years of ages past.” (Devarim 32:7)  

Rashi, in his second explanation of this passuk, says: “If you have not set your attention to the past (i.e. you have failed to remember the days of old) then at least consider the years of generations so that you become conscious of what might happen in the future.” Meaning, that we are encouraged to reflect on the past, but if we do not, we should contemplate on future events.

This Rashi needs an explanation. We generally assume that someone who is able to correctly intuit and predict the future is a tremendous חכם, as we find in the Gemara Bava Basra (12a) חכם עדיף מנביא (A Sage is greater than a Prophet). And yet it seems from our parsha, that on the scale of attributes, reflection on the past is actually of a higher level. First and more importantly, we should reflect on the past; if we are incapable of that we should at least (see Sifsei Chachamim 5) reflect on the future. 

If a person person is unsuccessful in reflecting on the ימות עולם (days of old), why then would he be capable of something which requires even greater wisdom – becoming conscious of the שנות דור ודור – of what will happen in the future?

The implication here, then, is that there is something very significant about the ability and necessity to reflect on the past. What is it?

One could try to resolve this difficulty based on a famous quote attributed to the philosopher Edmund Burke (1729-1797): “those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” It makes sense for someone to be sure to study the past so that he can avoid making the same mistakes. But this idea is not enough to fully answer our question. For the Torah is telling us that if you did not study the past, at least you should study the future. If one has not learned from the past, from concrete errors, then how will it help to reflect on the future? Seemingly just as he was incapable of learning from the past he will be incapable of learning from the future, an even more abstract reality to consider! 

I would like to suggest a deeper approach. While it is a great thing to display foresight, this unto itself does not necessarily bespeak anything of the character of the person. Some people are able to intuitively make predictions. But that is just a mere talent, a G-d given skill of drawing together various pieces of information to formulate ideas.

However, one who is able to accurately reflect on and learn from the past is truly exemplary in his character. When recounting past events it is a natural temptation to twist the facts to fit our desired narratives: that really we meant this, or it was actually the other person's fault, or a failure “given the context” was truly the only possible option.

This יצר הרע of looking at the world through the back mirror is a pernicious one, and eventually leads people to their ends. For one who cannot accurately analyze past mistakes and cannot push away the clouds of willful obfuscations of the facts, is truly doomed to repeat it. It is then for this reason that the Torah tells such a person to consider the future. Perhaps contemplation on what has not yet come to be will shake him into reality and bring him to repentance. Of this, even one on a lower level of character can be successful, for it does not require the same measure of self-awareness.

It is said jokingly that the only ones capable of changing history are G-d and the historians. Only someone who is principled and not agenda driven is able to accurately recount past events. History is full of examples of kings and warlords erecting immense statues and monuments supposedly recounting their resounding defeat and destruction of their opponents, yet we have verifiable evidence which completely contradicts their claims. Why is this so? Because these kings wanted to shape and create their own narratives, and versions of reality, a reality that depicts their grandiose, faultless views of themselves.

And this leads us to theme of the day. The strength to face the past is the foundation of חשבון הנפש (taking spiritual stock of one's affairs) – being fearless and courageous in viewing reality, not the way we want to see it, but the way it actually is. In שער חשבון הנפש, the Chovos Halevavos references our verse to say that one who does not reflect or make an accounting of himself lacks basic knowledge and understanding. For a lack of self awareness typifies his attitude to the desire to learn even other things. It bespeaks of a general incapability to face reality.

This time of the year is when we approach G-d, our Books of Deeds are opened before Him (Rosh Hashana 32b). He knows our intentions and He knows the objective, undeniable truth. And before Him, there is no obfuscation; there is no possibility of twisting the facts. Only the bare-boned truth stands before Him, and we cannot escape. We can only plead to him to grant us forgiveness, as well as clarity in our lives and the ability to truly learn from our actions in order to improve.

May we be blessed this year with clarity which it lead us to a greater sense of fulfillment and may we be zoche to see the crowning of the King of Kings, amen.

Good Shabbos and Gmar V’chasima Tovah

Balak 5779 - Individual Responsibility, Collective Greatness

Parsha Paragraphs

Rabbi Naftali Moshe Kassorla

Balak 5779

Individual Responsibility, 

Collective Greatness

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This week’s parsha tells us about King Balak, his fear of the impending threat of the Jewish people, and his attempts to undercut them by using Bilaam the prophet, to curse them. 

Bilaam is an interesting character in the Torah. He is considered on par – in terms of his prophetic level – with the greatest prophet to have ever risen - Moshe. The Gemara (Brachot 7a) tells us that Bilaam was able to discern the exact moment when Hashem was upset with the Jewish people (something that even Moshe Rabbeinu was not privy to) and he knew that in that moment, his prayers would be answered.

Despite these abilities, The Chazal paint him as a greedy and debased man, even taking part in beastiality with his mule. Yet, he is called a “prophet” in the parsha. (See the Ramban who discusses the exact nature of Bilaam’s standing as a prophet.) How can these contradictory attributes coexist within the same person?

Touching upon this, Rashi (22:5), quoting the Midrash Tanchuma, asks a fascinating question:

ואם תאמר מפני מה השרה הקב"ה שכינתו על גוי רשע? כדי שלא יהיה פתחון פה לאמות לומר, אלו היו לנו נביאים, חזרנו למוטב, העמיד להם נביאים והם פרצו גדר העולם, שבתחלה היו גדורים בעריות, וזה נתן להם עצה להפקיר עצמן לזנות

How could Hashem rest His Shechina upon such a wicked non-Jew? The answer is so that the nations of the world should not have a פתחון פה (a complaint) by saying, “Were we [the Gentiles] to have had prophets, we would repent.” Therefore Hashem established prophets for them. Yet they [the Gentiles] breached “the fence of the world,” for originally they were restrained regarding immorality, but this one [Bilaam] advised them to abandon themselves to licentiousness.

The Midrash tells us that Hashem gave prophecy to Bilaam in order to forestall a פתחון פה from the Gentile nations. For their complaint would have been that their circumstances were unfair, arguing that: “Of course the Jewish people are great!; they were given great leaders like Moshe! But we were never given such leaders, therefore it is not our fault that we are not great.”

This Midrash is hard to understand. Being that Bilaam was such a wicked person, how does it help to help remove the argument of the nations by setting him up as a prophet? Their complaint is predicated on the fact that they weren't “given a chance” to be good because they weren't given good leaders. Obviously if their leader is a wicked person, wouldn’t he lead them astray? Moreover, it is explicit in the Midrash that the nations’ devolving morality was due to the influence of Bilaam. If so, how did Hashem remove the פתחון פה from the other nations by giving them Bilaam? They could still say that surely, had they been given a righteous leader with the character of Moshe, they would be able to act in the proper way. Doesn't their complaint still stand?

I would like to suggest the following: when we think of the role of a “leader” they can manifest themselves in different forms. In the American sense, leaders and Heads of State act as “North Stars” for their people, guides to higher ideals, often expressing visions for a future and a direction for their nation, which will guide them towards great societal accomplishments. President Lincoln stepped into the role of mending the bonds of a frayed nation after a bitter Civil War. JFK expressed the vision of American space dominance years before the technological capabilities were developed, this spurred Americans towards space discoveries, captivating generations. Reagan, credited with defeating communist Russia, was able to do this by articulating American exceptionalism and inspire national pride. Each of these leaders inspired and steered their country towards great feats, ultimately shaping their time periods.

In stark contrast, world history stands as a testament to the many leaders who were not morally upstanding people and acted in ways detrimental to basic decency. Our own people are painfully aware of the power one leader can wield over his people, and the evil that can be wrought.

Nevertheless, as much power that a leader has, by “leading the way” for the private citizen, the actions of a leader don't ״פטר״ (exempt) the people from the moral imperative and responsibility to be righteous. For each person, regardless of the state of his surroundings, is expected to be an upright and moral member of society. 

Though we sense that leaders and presidents influence the decency of the people, this is not an excuse. Moral decency is a personal obligation incumbent upon each individual regardless of the leaders of the time. Following orders, being swept up with the winds of degeneracy, is not an excuse. 

With this in mind we can answer our question. Giving a רשע like Bilaam as a prophet really was Hashem’s way of removing the nations’ פתחון פה. Hashem was in essence saying: “If you think that the morality of your actions is dependent on the quality of the leader, then I will give you a רשע for a leader.” By giving them a prophet like Bilaam, Hashem was pointing out the ridiculousness of their argument. The fact that they lacked this attitude of personal responsibility proved that even were they to have had good leaders, they would never have become great.

The message conveyed here, as we said above, is that each person has a built-in moral compass, and each person has been given a שכל to discern the truth. Having bad leaders is not carte blanche to act immorally. For in reality excusing one's actions, and placing blame on outside factors is the antithesis of greatness.

To further showcase this idea we will take a look at the Gemara in Makkot (9b) (in the context of why Avimelech the King of the Plishtim was punished for taking Sarah away from Avraham, even though he didn't “know” that Sarah was Avraham’s wife) tells us of an interesting idea. In general, the Halacha is that one is not subject to punishment from Beit Din unless he has had התראה (prior warning) regarding the particular עבירה he is about to transgress and the punishment it carries. However, this only applies to a Jew. For a בן נח (gentile), the law is different. He is subject to punishment even without התראה. In explaining why, the Gemara says: שהיה לו ללמוד ולא למד (They [the Bnei Noach] should have learnt, but they did not learn). Rashi (דף ח: ד״ה כדקא מהדרי) on the Gemara explains that this refers to דרך ארץ (common decency). Common decency (which, in the Gemara’s context refers to not taking someone's wife, but this applies as well to all basic moral guidelines) is so פשוט, so axiomatic to a functioning society, that there is no excuse for “not knowing.” It is possible and attainable for everyone to maintain those standards, therefore there is no need to warn the transgressor prior to the act; he should have known it inherently. (1)

This explanation can give us a deeper insight into the nation's perception of the Jewish People's unique character. The Gentiles complain that they would also be like the Jewish people had they had leaders like us. This complaint presumes that the greatness of the Jews is attributed to the fact that we had great leaders. This is not true. The reason we are great is because we are the descendants of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov Avinu. (2)

Amazingly, Avraham Avinu came to the truth of Hashem, not through a leader or a teacher, and nor even initially through prophecy, but through his own personal inquiry. Hashem revealed himself to Avraham only once he discovered Hashem on his own. Avraham’s journey to Hashem was travelled purely through his own inner moral compass, and his intellect which discerned the truth. (3)

Our ancestors bucked the trends and popular beliefs of their time. This is why Avraham was called עברי from the word עבר (crossover, see Yehoshua 24:3), for Avraham crossed over to the other side of the river of popular opinion – from polytheism to Moral Monotheism. Serving as our paradigm, the Avot teach us the invaluable lesson that the Jewish people's national greatness is not due to a leader or a prophet. Leadership and prophecy were given to us much later on. Before prophecy, Our ancestors first tapped into their personal connection with the Divine, and set down a path of spiritual discovery and moral uprightness which extends through our spiritual genes till today. (4)

This idea is not to, חס ושלום degrade or detract from the need for a personal teacher or leader. On the contrary – we are all potentially fallible, subject to mistakes, and in need of guidance. The point here is that while leaders can guide us, the greatness of our people is not due to a leader. The mistake that the other nations made was in placing the burden of their own moral actions and responsibility upon a leader alone.

This lesson is particularly powerful today, given the political climate, where it feels like every day we are reaching new “lows” in common decency. It is all-too-easy to fall into the alluring trap of moral license, which exempts us from any individual responsibility to fight the tides of the time. As Jews, and as members of a society at large, we have the ability – and the responsibility – to behave in the way we know to be true.

Shabbat Shalom

(1) Baruch Hashem החונן דעת, this exact point from this exact Gemara is made in the sefer אור הצפון, the shmuessen of the Alter of Slabodka זצ״לֹ. See as well the הקדמה לש״ס from Rabbeinu Nissim Gaon that writes:

כל המצות שהן תלויין בסברא ובואבנתא דליבא, כבר הכל מתחייבים בהן מן היום אשר ברא אלקים אדם על הארץ, עליו ועל זרעו אחריו לדורי דורים״ ע״כ.

(2) See Rav Yaakov Kaminetzky’s Emes L’Yaakov - Noach 9:25 regarding what we have inherited from them.

(3) One could claim that the Jewish people having the Avot as examples is inherently having good leaders. But the example that the Avot set was being resolute in their principles. They discerned the truth and stuck to it despite world opinion. No leader can instill that in the people, that must be decided and inculcated. The complaint of the Gentiles is that they if they had good leaders telling them exactly what to do, they wouldn't be led astray. The point is that being led astray is not an excuse. The Avot teach us: one needs to remain a strong individual in the face of the masses being led astray. The Jewish people have been infused with this message and have lived it time and again throughout the generations in the face of much persecution and pressure to change, following in the footsteps of our ancestors, in line with our spiritual genes.

(4) This is why Judaism actually places much emphasis on ואהבתם את הגר ,to “Love the Convert” (Devarim 10:19). This is because we cherish their nonconformist attitude in actively deciding to place their lot with a people so diametrically opposed to the rest of the world. Though they are not literally our genetic family, they are our spiritual brethren. This is why a convert is called up to the Torah as “Ben Avraham”, the son of Avraham. For not only has he emulated the very traits of Avraham, but the convert has become the literal spiritual child of Avraham. ברוך שכוונתי this is exactly what the Rambam writes in a fascinating teshuva (שו״ת הרמב״ם קנ״ט) to a question from a גר צדק in regards to the status of Muslims as idol worshippers. The Ger had first asked his Teacher this question, and the teacher responded degradingly to the Ger, calling him a כסיל - a fool. The Rambam after responding the question, then turns his ire towards the teacher. The Rambam was incensed that the teacher could possibly speak disparagingly to a Ger, and demands the teacher repent in no uncertain terms. The Rambam then, in an incredible display of compassion begins to praise Converts in the most beautiful of prose. Any translation I would offer would surely not do it justice, so I will just share his words here:

‎וזה שקרא לך כסיל תימ' גדול הוא אדם שהניח אביו ואמו ומקום מולדתו ומלכות עמו וידם הנטויה והבין בעין לבו ובא ונדבק באומה זו שהיא היום למתעב גוי עבד מושלים בו והכיר וידע שדתם דת אמת וצדק והבין דרכי ישראל והכיר הכל ורדף אחרי ה' ועבר בדרך הקדש ונכנס תחת כנפי השכינה ונתאבק בעפר רגלי משה רבינו ע"ה רבן של כל הנביאים וחפץ במצותיו ונשאו לבו לקרבה לאור באור החיים ולעלות למעלת המלאכים ולשמוח ולהתענג בשמחת הצדיקים והשליך העולם הזה מלבו ולא פנה אל רהבים ושטי כזב מי שזו מעלתו כסיל יקרא חלילה לך לא כסיל קרא ה' שמך אלא משכיל ופקח ומבין והולך נכוחות תלמידו של אברהם אבינו שהניח אבותיו ומולדתו ונטה אחרי ה' ומי שבירך את אברהם רבן ונתן לו שכרו בעולם הזה ובעולם הבא הוא יברך אותך ויתן לך שכרך כראוי בעולם הזה ולעולם הבא ויאריך ימיך עד שתורה במשפטי ה' לכל עדתו ויזכה אותך לראות בכל הנחמות העתידות לישראל והיה הטוב ‎והיה אשר ייטיב ה' עמנו והטבנו לך כי ה' דבר טוב על ישראל

‎משה ברבי מימון זצ"ל

Chukat 5779 - Thoughtful Servants

Parsha Paragraphs

Rabbi Naftali Moshe Kassorla

Chukat 5779

Thoughtful Servants

The D’var Torah for this week is dedicated for the urgent Refuah Shleimah of:
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In this week’s Parsha, the באר מרים (the well which accompanied the Children of Israel in the wilderness in the merit of Miriam) ceases after Miriam’s death, leaving Klal Yisrael complaining of thirst. In response to this, Hashem commands Moshe and Aharon: “Take the staff and gather together the Assembly, you and Aharon your brother. And you shall speak to the rock before their eyes, and it shall give its waters” (Bamidbar 20:7-8). Then, “Moshe raised his arm and struck the rock with his staff twice” (ibid 20:11).

Hashem is angered that Moshe hits the rock instead of following His specific instruction to speak to it. “Hashem said to Moshe and Aharon: Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Children of Israel, therefore you will not bring this congregation to the land which I have given them” (ibid 20:12). Rashi on this verse says that Hashem is saying that “had you spoken to the rock, and it would have brought forth water, I would have been sanctified before the eyes of the Assembly, and they would have said ‘Just as this rock, which neither speaks nor hears and does not need sustenance nevertheless fulfills the will of Hashem, how much more so should we fulfill His word.’” (Rashi, ibid).

Because Moshe did not speak to the rock, he was punished with not being able to enter into the Land.

At first glance, this seems difficult to understand. Even when Moshe hits the rock, the rock still brings forth water. Given that the Children of Israel did not know that Hashem commanded Moshe to speak to the rock, surely, whether Moshe hits the rock or speaks to it, they will see that the rock produces water. Therefore, wouldn't they deduce that if a rock (an entity that does not speak, and naturally does not produce water) obeys Hashem, how much more so should humans obey Him? What is the special significance of speaking to the rock instead of hitting? Don't they accomplish the same desired goal?

I believe that herein lies an indispensable lesson for educators and parents.

Many chinuch and parenting books have been written with one goal in mind: how to get a student/child to do what you want them to do, i.e. to be obedient. Some experts are insistent that the adult/teacher must maintain an authoritative stance, never go down to the child’s eye level, speak in a commanding tone such as “go get that... go do this”; some are more extreme that one should be slightly cold and a bit removed. This is known colloquially as the “old school” method.

There is also the “new age” or progressive method. This approach, beginning in the 19^th century, emphasizes a focus on the student’s feelings and emotions. Every decision is viewed through the perspective of the child. This would eventually spur the “self-esteem movement” of the 1970’s where every interaction was judged and evaluated by how much it would increase the child's self-image. This method encouraged parents and teachers to become less like authority figures and develop more of a friend-like relationship with the child/student, in the hope that through friendship, the pupil will want to listen to authority.

Proponents of each of these methods, the old school and progressive, can quote copious amounts of research and evidence that supports the efficacy of their approaches.

But, as believing Jews who look to the Torah for guidance, what can we learn from the Torah in this area? I believe that we see from this episode with Moshe that, from the standpoint of authority, it’s not about getting the student to do follow your instructions, it's about how we get them to do it.

As mentioned previously, the desired result of Moshe speaking to the rock was that the people would deduce from the rock bringing forth water, that they too should obey the word of G-d. And while it's true that the people would have also learned a similar lesson now that Moshe hit the rock, this clearly was not Hashem’s desired method in this case. G-d wanted us to learn this lesson specifically through: the power of speech. For by witnessing obedience which stems from the hitting of the rock, we only see that we are to be obedient under the threat of force. And while there is clearly a time and place for when force is integral for obedience, we see in this instance that Hashem does not always want this to be our mode of service. He does not want automated robots or fearful slaves; rather He wants our obedience to come from being good listeners. People who can hear a command and by their own decision come to obey it.

We can take this lesson one step further. By seeing the rock obey in response to Moshe speaking to it, the nation would deduce that they too must listen to G-d’s instruction. In contrast, When Moshe hit the rock, he was giving the visual impression that he was literally forcing the rock to give water – a very obvious and overt lesson that one must obey his master, no matter what.

In this case, there is no deductive reasoning being used by the student. In the case of speaking, the nation actively, through their own logic, can come to the truth themselves. Arriving at conclusions independently accomplishes the goal of fashioning the mind of the student to think critically. By the student going through that thought process, filtering the facts through himself, the mind of the pupil is expanded and more perfected, something which will serve him in good stead for the rest of his life. This is perhaps what G-d wants for us – to become more thoughtful servants.

This is a lesson which we can hopefully apply both in our own Service of G-d as well as how we teach others to serve as well.

Shabbat Shalom

Shelach 5779 - Leading from In Front Above

Parsha Paragraphs

Rabbi Naftali Moshe Kassorla

Shelach 5779

Leading from In Front Above

The D’var Torah for this week is dedicated for the urgent Refuah Shleimah of:

אליהו בן שרה גיטל

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This week’s parsha contains the episode of the spies. The Meraglim were sent to scout the Land of Israel, for the future settling of the Jewish People there. Hashem comes to Moshe saying: “Send forth for yourself men, and let them spy out the Land of Canaan” (Bamidbar 13:2). Noting the interesting additional phrase לך (for you), Rashi quotes the Midrash Tanchuma which says that the idea to send out the spies was not a commandment from Hashem; rather, it was a response to the people’s request to do so.

When the spies return, all of them (aside from Yehoshua Bin Nun and Calev Ben Yefuneh) deliver negative reports of Eretz Yisrael. Thoroughly scaring Klal Yisrael, the Meraglim cast doubt in the hearts of the people about entering the Land.

The Torah recounts the entire response of Klal Yisrael:

The people wept that night. All the Children of Israel murmured against Moshe and Aharon and the entire assembly said to them, “If only that we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only that we had died in the wilderness! Why is Hashem bringing us to this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and young children will be taken captive! Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another נתנה ראש ונשובה מצרימה – “Let us appoint a leader and let us return to Egypt!” (ibid. 14:1-4).

Distressed upon hearing Klal Yisrael’s emotional response, Moshe and Aharon “fell on their faces before the entire congregation of the assembly of the children of Israel” (ibid. 5).

There seem to be two parts to Klal Yisrael’s reaction to the Meraglim’s report: The Nation first responds by speaking directly to Moshe and Aharon – questioning why Hashem would bring them out to the desert to die, saying, “Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?” That is the first stage.

In the second stage, they speak amongst themselves, expressing their doubts to each other saying, “...Let us appoint a leader and let us return to Egypt!”

Now, in looking at Moshe and Aharon’s reaction, which stage were they responding to? One might expect that Moshe and Aharon would react immediately to the first stage – to the blasphemous statements uttered by the people. However, it seems clear from the verses that when falling on their faces, Moshe and Aharon did so directly after B’nei Yisrael said, נתנה ראש ונשובה מצרימה – “Let us appoint a leader and let us return to Egypt.”

Seemingly, the fact that B’nei Yisrael doubted Hashem did not immediately elicit the great distress of their leaders. Rather, only once the people expressed their desire to appoint a new leader, did Moshe and Aharon respond strongly. What was it about this second stage that so greatly shocked Moshe and Aharon – more than the outright blasphemous statements said earlier?

I would like to suggest that the initial פחד of Klal Yisrael was not only understandable, but maybe even justifiable. A feeling hysteria in regards to the terrifying reports would only be natural. This instinctive response was clearly not what triggered the distress of Moshe and Aharon.

Rather, perhaps what caused such an intense response from Moshe and Aharon was the underlying idea expressed in the People’s emotional state with the suggestion of: נתנה ראש ונשובה מצרימה – “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.” The implication that one can appoint leaders for themselves to carry out the people’s bidding, and not vice versa, was a shock to Moshe and Aharon.

Judaism has a unique system of leadership which differs greatly from other forms of government. At its core, Judaism is a G-d-centered religion. This is expressed in the laws and commandments which are wholly unique in that their underlying justification and authority is ultimately established by the omniscient Hashem Who decreed them. (This is true even for those mitzvos which can be understood or even deduced logically.) They are infused with the unchanging wisdom of the Creator of the Universe; this divinity makes them applicable for all generations.

Taking this idea further, it logically follows then that our leaders and prophets would need to be “chosen” by Hashem, rather than be elected or appointed by the people. And in fact, we see throughout the Torah that all the great Prophets in our history have been “called upon” to carry out their tasks. Beginning with Noach, continuing with Avraham and Moshe, all the way down to Yirmiyahu HaNavi, all were appointed from On High to their tasks. This shows us that the true leadership of the Jewish people is directed by Hashem himself.

Therefore, this suggestion נתנה ראש ונשובה מצרימה attacked the very foundation and future guidance of Klal Yisrael, and if this suggestion were to be carried out, it would corrupt the prevailing message that Judaism espouses: Hashem is intimately and actively involved in this world and in our lives. From the laws given to us, to the leaders who guide us, all are under the auspices of Hashem’s wisdom, which far exceeds that of any human being.

The threat posed by the people’s suggestion required a vociferous response from Moshe and Aharon. The people’s fright – that could be dealt with later; minds could be cooled and fears could be allayed. But to let them act on those fears, and to allow worries to corrupt the central message of Judaism? No – that could not go unanswered; that needed to be addressed.

Though we live in times where the guiding light of prophecy has dimmed, and we often feel bereft of direction, we are still left with this lesson for all times: to seek people of high spiritual caliber to guide us, not for us to guide them.

The idea that a community can view the holy task of appointing a leader for themselves as a means to fulfill their own desires – to, in a sense, give a “hechsher” to act however they please – completely flies in the face of a Kehilla which desires to grow and be uplifted. The community doesn’t direct the leader! Rather it must be the leader who directs and steers the people.

Let us pray for the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days, with the full return of prophecy, to guide us properly on Hashem’s path for all of our days. Amen.

Shabbat Shalom

Beha’alotcha 5779 - To Stand Alone

Parsha Paragraphs

Rabbi Naftali Moshe Kassorla

Beha’alotcha 5779

To Stand Alone

The D’var Torah for this week is dedicated in honor of:

——-

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This week’s parsha features the official commandment to distinguish the Levi’im for their special, appointed task: קח את הלוים מתוך בני ישראל – Take the Levi’im from among the Children of Israel…(Bamidbar 8:5). Their job would be serve as guardians and caretakers of the Mishkan.

The Midrash Tanchuma (8) makes a fascinating statement: As a general rule, Hashem does not raise anyone to a position of authority (שררה) until He has “tested” them, and once they have passed and proved their mettle, Hashem appoints them to their position.

The Midrash then cites the Tribe of Levi as a prime example of this rule. They proved their fealty when they did not abandon the Torah in Egypt. For when the Jews were enslaved and subjugated to intense labor, the Nation scorned Torah and ברית מילה, and worshipped idols. In contrast, the Levi’im were wholly righteous and kept the Torah. The Midrash continues: ולא עוד  – But not just that – but when the rest of Klal Yisrael sinned with the Golden Calf, the Levi’im did not join in with them.

This Midrash has bothered me for several years and I would like to share my thoughts on it.

First, I find the praise of the Levi’im for not abandoning Torah and Mitzvot in Egypt to be a bit perplexing. We already know from other places (Rashi, Shemot 5:4, Midrash Rabbah 5:17) that the Levi’im were not subject to the back-breaking slavery in Egypt. It stands to reason that the rest of the Nation, who were enslaved, would have been confronted with the almost insurmountable challenge of remaining strong in their Torah observance while being subjugated to intense labor.

But the Levi’im, who didn’t have the עול שיעבוד (the yoke of slavery) upon them, what “test” did they face? Their time was not fully occupied and they would have had the wherewithal to be able to keep the Torah, without any pressure. What is this heavy praise being heaped upon them, and why their observance a “proof” of their worthiness to take on positions of authority?

Second, if I were to think of the natural proof of Shevet Levi’s faith, it would be their refusal to join in with the עגל הזהב – The Golden Calf. This was the moment which set forth for all generations that Shevet Levi is set aside as a special class, for they stood strong and answered Moshe’s call of מי לה׳ אלי. Wouldn’t that episode be more demonstrative of Levi’s excellence? Yet fascinatingly, the Midrash seems to reference this amazing feat almost as secondary, a mere addition to the first episode. Seemingly, the specific episode of the Levi’s courage to not join with the rest of the people in serving the Egel should have been given as the first, prime example of strength!

I would like to suggest that in referencing the loyalty of Shevet Levi in Egypt, the Midrash is telling us something very particular about their nature and giving us a window into the true sign of its strength.

What do we see from the fact that Levi did not abandon the mitzvot in Egypt? For weren’t they already separate and different, in that they were not enslaved? But this is precisely the point. They did not succumb to the innate human desire to conform. While everyone else had lost their sense of self, Shevet Levi did not fall into the trap of moral license, justifying joining in with “the crowd.” When the public behaves a certain way, it is very easy and comfortable to conform to the people around you. Instead they retained the essence of their character, and refused to join in with the majority. 

The mere thought of standing alone and being at odds with the rest of society is difficult. Nobody likes to be disjointed from the larger group, as the human mind has a tendency to gravitate towards “groupthink” and conformity. When we are part of a larger group, it gives us the calming feeling of self-assurance and the perception that our lives fit into place. In contrast, the pressures of being separated from the majority has been shown to push people into a dark, deep existential angst which can lead to self-destruction. Thus, for someone to stand apart, they are subjecting themselves to an arduous array of emotional repercussions. But if they emerge whole from this process – this spiritual journey – they emerge as a new being. One that is untouchable by the winds of degeneracy and the manic whims of the majority.

With this in mind, we can now understand our second question. We asked, why does the Midrash seem to almost gloss over the fact that Shevet Levi did not join in with the עגל הזהב, which seemed to be a much stronger proof of their strength?

I believe the answer is that their later refusal to join in serving the Egel was built off of the strong base of their long refusal to succumb to conformity. Throughout 210 years of slavery, this Shevet trained themselves to withstand immense pressure and the intense fear of standing alone. This, then, gave them the basis to answer Moshe’s call of מי לה׳ אלי.

This was Levi: the tribe that would be set aside to be the teachers of the Jewish people, as the verse says: יורו משפטיך ליעקב ותורתך לישראל – They [Shevet Levi] shall teach Your laws to Jacob, and Your instructions to Israel (Devarim 33:10). For though it was Hashem Who set the Levi’im aside, the Levi’im already showed in Egypt that they were capable of doing it themselves!

Standing alone, as daunting as it may be, is a true display of spiritual strength, and is a clear measure of the readiness for leadership. To be a teacher, a leader, a person of authority, one cannot be subject to the whims and persuasions of public opinion. One must be strong in his ideals and steadfast in his decisions. And just as Levi proved themselves worthy, so too we should be given the strength to stand up and show our true mettle in trying times.

Shabbat Shalom

Parshat Naso 5779: Family Matters

Parsha Paragraphs

Rabbi Naftali Moshe Kassorla

Parshat Naso 5779

Family Matters

The D’var Torah for this week is dedicated in honor of:
אשתי החשובה מינדל אסתר בת זיסל רבקה

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Among the many topics discussed in this week's parsha are the laws concerning the Sotah. I would venture to say that this has to be one of the saddest episodes in the Torah – a story of distrust between husband and wife, leading to the destruction of their שלום בית.

A woman becomes a Sotah when a man accuses his wife of inappropriate behavior with another man. She is then instructed to drink the מי מרים. In these waters are placed a parchment on which the Parshat Sotah is written, most importantly including Hashem’s Ineffable Name. By placing the scroll in the waters, Hashem’s name is erased.

We must keep in mind that erasing Hashem’s Name is a very serious aveirah. Rashi explains that the Kohen would actually send the Sotah from place to place so that she would tire out - perhaps this would cause her to confess, thus saving Hashem’s Name from being erased. The Gemara tells us the Kohen would plead with her to confess saying:

‎עשי לשמו הגדול שנכתב בקדשה, שלא ימחה על המים

Act for the sake of His Great Name written in holiness, so that it will not be erased by the water!

The question I have asked myself for years is: why must the name of Hashem be erased? Would it not have been sufficient for the Sotah to be interrogated, or perhaps to have her read the the פרשת סוטה? Is the Hand of Hashem limited? Is this the only way to test the סוטה? I think there is a deeper lesson embedded in this process and from it we can take a tremendous lesson here on the paramount importance that Hashem places on שלום בית.

As we all are painfully aware, many petty squabbles and fights begin with some innocuous issue, be it a thoughtless comment one made, to something as menial as a window being left open. Small things that – in the big picture – can be ignored or dealt with on their own merits.

Yet too often, those small issues get escalated to a point beyond repair. Instead the issue gets “globalized,” with each side pointing to the “real” deeper issue involved here. By the time the disagreement reaches that stage, the initial reason for the fight is almost totally forgotten!

What was once something that could have been dealt with or ignored, has now become a complicated web of intricate and interconnected episodes which will almost surely become impossible to untangle.

This mess began, and was perpetuated, because each side wasn’t willing to compromise for the sake of שלום; each side insisted on proving that they are right, adding fuel to the already raging fire. No one was willing to “give in.”

The story of the Sotah probably did not begin with an accusation of unfaithfulness. It may have started with some small and petty argument which escalated, with each side fighting hard to be right. Only then was distrust sowed.

By erasing His Name, Hashem is sending the sharpest mussar to both sides: שלום בית cannot exist unless one is willing to be “erased,” willing to place the goal of שלום above the “self.” Hashem is saying: “If each of you is not willing to give in for the sake of peace, then I will give in - I will erase My Name.” For it is worth being the loser for the sake of Shalom.

This exact idea is really a Gemara in Nedarim (66b). The Gemara relates a story of a husband who made a vow to forbid his wife from any benefit from him, until she fulfilled a wacky idea:

‎ההוא דאמר לה לדביתהו קונם שאי את נהנית לי עד שתטעימי תבשילך לרבי יהודה ולר"ש ר' יהודה טעים אמר ק"ו ומה לעשות שלום בין איש לאשתו אמרה תורה שמי שנכתב בקדושה ימחה על המים המאררים בספק ואני על אחת כמה וכמה 

The Gemara relates: There was a certain person who said to his wife: Benefiting from me is forbidden by a vow for you, until you have given Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Shimon your cooked food to taste, for them to see how bad of a cook she was. She brought the food to them, and Rabbi Yehuda tasted it, without concern for his own honor. He said: This is Kal Vachomer, for in order to make peace between a man and his wife, Hashem said: My name, that is written in sanctity, shall be erased out in the waters that curse in preparing the water that a Sotah would drink. This is so even in a case of where it is uncertain if this will bring peace between them, as she may or not be guilty of adultery. I, all the more so, should waive my honor in order to bring peace to this couple.

Where did Rebbe Yehuda see from the erasing of Hashem’s name that he must forgo on his own honor? (In fact, the Gemara later relates that Rebbe Shimon refused to taste the food, as it was an affront to Torah Scholars to be “shlepped in” into such a crazy episodes.) How did Rebbe Yehuda know to make this Kal Vachomer? The answer, as we said above, is because the Borei Olam himself sets the tone by telling us in no uncertain terms: One's own personal honor can never stand as an impediment to making שלום.

When I was in my second year in Netiv Aryeh, I had the זכות of assisting my Rebbe HaRav Yoel Yehoshua שליט״א in the “Ask Rav Nevenzahl” project. Alumni of the Yeshiva would send halachic questions to us, which we would then learn the sugya together and the questions involved, then we would present the shayla to Mori V'Rabi HaRav Avigdor Nevenzahl שליט״א. The question we received and presented to the Rav was whether it was proper for a husband to wake up in the middle for תיקון חצות if, by doing so, there was a possibility he would wake up his wife. Rav Nevenzahl answered that this was absolutely forbidden, and after a short pause to gather his thoughts, Rav Nevenzahl said the words that will remain with me forever: “a lack of שלום בית is a greater churban than the destruction of the בית המקדש.”

I was astounded. Think of how many times a day we pray for the restoration of the בית המקדש? We devote so much time and energy to mourning its loss. Yet, the destruction resulting from lacking שלום בית is more severe than the חורבן הבית! Incredible!

It is said about the Satmar Rav זצ״ל that whenever he would hear of an engagement, he would give a brocha in Yiddish saying: דער שידוך זאל עולה יפה זיין - translated as “they should have a beautiful marriage.” But in the Satmar Rav’s deep גאונות, he was saying much more. The word עולה in Hebrew also means value, so the Rav was also saying the marriage should be the same in value – equal – to the Gematria of יפה. The value of י-פ-ה is 95. If one takes a look in the Sefer Hachinuch, what is the 95th mitzvah (מצוה צ״ה)? The mitzvah of ועשו לי מקדש ושכנתי בתוכם! Not only was the Satmar Rav blessing for a good marriage, but he was also providing the paradigm for a happy marriage: a marriage where Hashem – not the “self” – forms the bedrock of the relationship. A marriage truly is a microcosm of the בית המקדש, and of course it is no surprise that its destruction is compared to the Churban itself.

With Shavuot approaching, as we experience a re-acceptance of the Torah and Mitzvot – both Bein Adom L'Makom and Bein Adom L'Chaveiro – may we be zoche to rise to new spiritual heights, meriting the arrival of Moshiach speedily in our days. Amen.

Shabbat Shalom

Parshat Bamidbar 5779: Standard Bearers

Parsha Paragraphs

Rabbi Naftali Moshe Kassorla

Parshat Bamidbar 5779

Standard Bearers

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סבי ומורי נחום בן פנחס הלוי ז״ל

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With this week's Parsha we begin a new book in the Torah - Sefer Bamidbar. The central focus of this book is the laws and history of the Mishkan as the Jews travel through the desert. 

The Ramban points out that there are many interesting parallels between the description of the Mishkan and that of the revelation at Har Sinai. From this comparison we learn that the Mishkan, the בית המקדש, and later the community synagogue are meant to serve as a reminder of the amazing experience the Jews had at Har Sinai. When the Torah was given, the שכינה (Divine Presence) came down and temporarily rested among כלל ישראל. In the Mishkan (as well as the בית המקדש and the shul) the Shechinah rests permanently, and we have the opportunity to re-enter the experience we had at the giving of the Torah on a daily basis.

Perhaps we can take the Ramban's concept a little further. The beginning of the Parsha deals with the counting of כלל ישראל, yet Hashem specifically commands Moshe: "but you shall not count the שבט לוי, and you shall not take a census of them among the children of Israel." 

At first glance this is very interesting – why does Hashem give the command not to count שבט לוי? Are they not part of כלל ישראל as well? Rashi explains that it was because this tribe chose not to sin with the golden calf at Har Sinai, and therefore they are not to be counted with the rest of כלל ישראל, but rather as a separate entity. We can derive from here that since the Leviim did not sin with the golden calf, they are considered to be of a distinct, higher standing.

Immediately after this commandment, Hashem directs Moshe to entrust the שבט לוי with the assembling, disassembling and transporting of the Mishkan. One might ask why it was that שבט לוי was specifically chosen. In what were they meritorious, and what connection does it have with the Mishkan?

However, according to the aforementioned Ramban and Rashi, the connection between the Leviim and the work in the Mishkan becomes even clearer. As we know, כלל ישראל reached incredible heights at the revelation by Har Sinai. To have Hashem's divine presence revealed was the most seminal moment of holiness in this world and its power echoes through the generations to this very day. 

According to our tradition, כלל ישראל reached the same level as Adam Harishon before the sin with the Tree of Knowledge, almost meriting the coming of Mashiach. Yet these hopes were dashed when כלל ישראל sinned with the golden calf, thus causing כלל ישראל to tumble from their lofty level. 

But one tribe remained steadfast in their devotion to Hashem; this was שבט לוי. This tribe, in withstanding from sinning, retained that holiness which was reached at the revelation.

Perhaps this is the reason that Levi was chosen. Since they were the only ones who did not sin at Har Sinai – and therefore the only ones who did not fall from their high level – it stands to reason that only they could do the service in the Mishkan, this "mini-Har Sinai." Levi would serve as the constant bearers and reminders of that divine revelation that was witnessed by all of Klal Yisrael at Har Sinai.

We see that in choosing Levi, Hashem is once again highlighting the connection between Har Sinai and the Mishkan, the בית המקדש, and the Shul. We may often take for granted the level of holiness that we can achieve by entering our local shuls, and the proper respect with which they are to be treated.

With Shavuot upon us, it is quite appropriate that this should be our lesson carrying us in. For while we did not consciously experience the giving of the Torah personally, we have the incredible opportunity to return back to the level that was reached there, every time we enter a shul to daven or learn. If we truly take this idea to heart and behave in shul as though we are visiting the shechinah, we too can be on the level of the Leviim and merit to see the return of the בית המקדש where we can once again do the Divine service, speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach