Torah Tidbit

Parashah Beshelach (in his sending out), Exodus 13:17 – 17:16 

Pharaoh chases after Israel and washes out.  Israel expresses its new comprehension of God’s ways (song), then resumes the trek into the desert.  Israel whines for food, God buries them in quail, then daily delivers manna.  Israel cries out for water, God has a small river flow out of a big rock.  Amalek attacks, is repulsed and Israel is to always remember their existence will naturally push back against the attitude Amalek exemplifies.

Hashem said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to Me?  Speak to the Children of Israel and let them journey forth!  And you – lift up your staff and stretch out your arm over the sea and split it: and the Children of Israel shall come into the midst of the sea on dry land.  And I – behold! –  I shall strengthen the heart of Egypt and they will come after them, and I will be glorified through Pharaoh and through his entire army, through his chariots and through is horsemen.”    – Exodus 14:15-18

Walking the Walk

The Israelites were pinned with their back and a side against the wall, the sea on the other side and Egypt closing in for a frontal assault.  God purposely led them to this position to both tempt Pharaoh to attack and then destroy his army.  However all of this could only happen because Israel had now begun earnestly growing an active relationship with God.  They had passively received most of the plagues, but starting with the 10th plague (firstborn), God required them to take action before the miracle would be accomplished.  To walk out of Egypt into the desert was itself an incredible step in growing towards Him, but here was a new opportunity.

There are several moving parts to this miracle and God sounds a bit like a quarterback in the huddle calling out the play, getting everyone involved in the miracle – “Israel!  You break right and go straight into the sea.  Moses!  You break just left of center up that rock, lift your staff and split the sea.  I’ll push the line forward and hold (no penalties for holding in this play) the army and then let them follow you into the sea.  Break!!”

Moses communicates the plan to the leaders, the leaders move the people towards the sea, God moves the cloud pillar to the rear and Moses lifts his staff.  But nothing happens.  The sea isn’t parting and the Israelites stand frozen on the shore.  Painful moments of quiet dread slowly mount up when Nachshon of Judah strides forward into the sea, his body disappearing with each step, doing exactly what God directed.  Just as his chin disappears into the water, the sea suddenly explodes back from him, revealing 12 huge valleys of water, one for each tribe to walk in.  

And so goes our relationships with God, if they’re healthy.  Continually cycling between mental growth (prayer, study, contemplation) and physical action (improving how we live our lives), both aspects feeding growth in the other.  

From the Founding Fathers

In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. – Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention

No people ought to feel greater obligations to celebrate the goodness of the Great Disposer of Events and of the Destiny of Nations than the people of the United States…And to the same Divine Author of Every Good and Perfect Gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land. – James Madison, 1815

Torah Tidbit

Parashah Bo (come), Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 

God performs the 8th and 9th plagues and Moses visits Pharaoh for the last time.  God instructs Israel (through Moses and Aaron) about preparing for a hasty departure from Egypt, the festival cycle beginning with passover, performing passover and feast of unleavened bread.  God performs the last plague (death of the firstborn), Egypt drives Israel out and God instructs Israel about sanctifying the first born.

“Hashem said to Moses, ‘Come to Pharaoh, for I have made his heart and the heart of his servants stubborn so that I can put these signs of Mine in his midst; and so that you may relate in the ears of your son and your son’s son that I made a mockery of Egypt and My signs that I placed among them – that you may know that I am Hashem.’ … Hashem said to Moses:  ‘Pharaoh will not heed you, so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.’ “  Exodus 10:1-2, 11:9

Walking the Walk

This is quite the process to take Israel out of Egypt – recruit a leader from the desert, then ten cycles of pharaoh “let my people go”, pharaoh says no, hit Egypt with a plague, rinse and repeat.  These events transpire over a full year.  And if all goes well Israel has at least two months of walking to get to the land of Canaan.

Why did God bother with all of this?  He can do whatever He wants.  He could have sent all the rhinos and elephants from Africa to wreak havoc, then have them gently carry the Israelites out of Egypt.  Or blow in a gazillion magic carpets, freeze the Egyptians in place, and whisk Israel straight to their promised whole new world.  Better yet, He could have opened time/space portals in front of each Israelite to step through and poof! they’re in the land of Canaan.  And you Lord of the Rings nerds, why oh why didn’t those eagles just carry Frodo and Sam to mount doom in the first place?  

God states why – that you may know that I am Hashem.  These wonders strikingly demonstrate that not only can God suspend or overrule the laws of nature, but that He controls the laws of nature. (thanks, R. Hirsch!).  Yet even if we witness such amazing events, we can’t immediately absorb all of their lessons and then make big sudden changes in our attitudes and behaviors.  Rather, He designed us such that we best accomplish significant and lasting change through small decisions made day after day.  Even though the Israelites and Egyptians enjoyed a year’s subscription to the wonder-of-the-month club, digesting the lessons from these wonders and applying the lessons to daily life choices takes much much longer – for those that chose to do so, Pharaoh being a notable example.  But as they made changes, their awareness of how God works in the world increased as well.  So much so that there’s always a part of Israel that clings tenaciously to a life built around God’s ways.

Of course we’re no different.  And we don’t need outright wonders to make the same changes and grow our awareness of God.  We have plenty of resources to draw upon.  It’s just a question of if we will take the time to make change happen.  It starts with carving out regular time to spend with Him, just as we do with anyone else we care about in our lives.  Don’t wait, make it happen today, even if it’s for just a few minutes.  Start growing your awareness of God working in your life.

From the Jewish Sages

“I envy Pharaoh!  What glorification of the Name of God did his stubbornness beget!” – Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev

Have a great week!

Torah Tidbit

Parashah Vayechi (And he lived), Genesis 47:28 – 50:26

Jacob and all his family settle in Egypt.  Jacob blesses his sons and grandsons, providing some glimpses into the far future.  Jacob dies and is buried with Leah back in the land of Canaan.  Joseph and the brothers live in relative comfort and unity, seeing several generations of descendants.

Joseph’s brothers perceived that their father was dead, and they said, “Perhaps Joseph will nurse hatred against us and then he will surely repay us all the evil the we did him.”….But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I instead of God?  Although you intended me harm, God intended it for good: in order to accomplish – it is as clear as this day – that a vast people be kept alive.” – Genesis 50:15,19-20.

Walking the Walk

After Jacob’s passing, the brothers noticed that they weren’t meeting as often with Joseph, which naturally happens after the parents, who provide a glue for the children, have left this world (R Hirsch).  The new situation revives the old fears of Joseph using his power to get his revenge on the brothers.  

However, Joseph’s response to his brothers’ plea for mercy is once again a wonderful example of emuna in action.  When comparing this response to the one on the day he revealed himself to them (45:4-11), some new perspectives are added:

– Am I instead of God?  – Joseph could have lashed out at the “sticks” (his brothers), but instead looked to and worked with the One wielding the sticks (God).  Had he acted in place of God, by naturally taking revenge on his brothers (which would not have been questioned by contemporary society), God’s plans would be disrupted and he would not perceive how miraculously God manipulates things to make all come to pass.  Joseph’s on-going use of emuna only strengthened his gratitude to his Creator and how insignificant he is in the sight of all that God does.  

– Although you intended harm, God used it for good – Shalom Arush reminds us throughout his book that we are all used as messengers – actors on a stage – delivering experiences to each other that, whether for good or harm, are orchestrated and then leveraged by God for our present and future growth.  

– it is as clear as this very day – The more we exercise emuna, the more we see God’s hand working in our lives and the world around us.  Over time, with enough consistent exercise, the evidence becomes overwhelming and irrefutable.  No great leaps of faith or fancy, but rather tiny baby steps of logical concrete observation and analysis, each step can be reviewed and compared with all those taken previously.

From Our Grandfathers

“In 1991 Pvt. Don Malarkey of Oregon wrote of the summer of 1942, ‘So this was the beginning of the most momentous experience of my life, as a member of E Company (101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army).  There is not a day that has passed since that I do not thank Adolf Hitler for allowing me to be associated with the most talented and inspiring group of men that I have ever known.’   Every member of Easy interviewed by this author for this book said something similar.”  – Band of Brothers, Stephen E. Ambrose

Torah Tidbit

Parashah Vayigash (And he approached), Genesis 44:18 – 47:27

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, Jacob is revived, he and his whole family move to Egypt at government expense, the family settles in Goshen, Joseph relocates all citizens of Egypt and obligates all to Pharaoh, Jacob’s descendants become tied to the land of Egypt and its culture.

I am Joseph your brother…and now, be not distressed, nor reproach yourselves for having sold me here, for it was to be a provider that God sent me ahead of you. …God has sent me ahead of you to insure your survival in the land and to sustain you for a momentous deliverance.  And now:  It was not you who sent me here, but God; He has made me father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler throughout the entire land of Egypt. – Genesis 45:4-8

Walking the Walk

As we develop our awareness of how God works in us and the world, we are occasionally rewarded with a clear understanding of how God used a bad situation to positively change many more things for the better later on.  So it is with Joseph in this weeks parahsah.  He had many years to build an incredible grudge and plan a great revenge against his brothers, but instead, thanks to his continual development of emuna, he was given the great pleasure and reward of seeing the family reunited in true brotherhood.  This brotherhood, which was all but lost when Joseph was sold into slavery, would have been all but impossible to restore at the time or for years to come.  However, thanks in great part to the years of separation, all brothers could work through their issues and be prepared to make full amends should the opportunity arise.

Not only that, Joseph was already well aware of how his forced exile in Egypt became a salvation to the people of Egypt and many others around the Fertile Crescent.

We have all had similar gifts of hindsight, but they’re often so easily forgotten.

From the Jewish Sages:

From the child you can learn three principles of service:

He is merry for no reason;

Never for a moment is he idle;

When he needs something, he demands it vigorously.

                – R. Dov Baer of Mezritch

Torah Tidbit

Mikietz (at the end), Genesis 41:1 – 44:17

Joseph is hurriedly rushed out of prison and after interpreting Pharoh’s dream becomes viceroy of Egypt.. Egypt preps for famine, famine arrives and Joseph’s brothers visit Egypt to buy food.  Joseph toys with the bros to see where their hearts lie – have they regretted their selling of Joseph and lying to papa Jacob?

Walking the Walk

We’ve all heard about someone who had been falsely convicted of a crime they didn’t commit.  How would we work through such difficult times, constrained in a sterile and cold facility, isolated from the world with no end in sight?  What would we do?  How would we not lose hope?  Read books?  Take up painting?  Curse the justice system?  Work on a tattoo collection?

Or would we dance and sing?  That’s what Joseph did.

Joseph fully embraced the mindset of Emuna, where everything God brings our way is for our ultimate good.  By accepting prison as a unique opportunity given from God, Joseph was then free to enjoy each day as it came. This concept isn’t limited to bible characters – Martiin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi are two more contemporary examples of people who were thrown in prison unjustly and then took advantage of the prison time for moral and spiritual growth.

Are we dancing and singing much?  If not, why?  What’s our excuse?  We have it much better than Joseph had it in prison, how much more should we be dancing and singing to the Creator for the multitude of gifts He daily showers upon us.

Have a great week!

This past Thursday we delved into a puzzler in “The Garden of Emuna” by R. Arush – we must turn off the intellect to see God’s hand and wisdom in a tough situation, like a difficult boss.  By walking through the boss example, it became apparent that:

– Yes, we must simply accept that God is using the boss as a means for making us grow – we can’t logically convince ourselves to accept that perspective.  

– Once we have truly accepted that fact, the intellect then can be used for meaningful discussion with God to determine how we best perceive and approach the situation. 

“Do not rely on nobles, nor on a human being, for he holds no salvation.  When his spirit departs he returns to the earth, on that day his plans all perish.  Praiseworthy is the one whose help is Jacob’s God, whose hope is in Hashem, his God.” – Psalm 146

If we have discussed the issue sufficiently with God, we realize that:

– We should not appeal to the boss for relief – but God instead

– We have options other than indefinitely enduring the abuse

– We are empowered to courageously determine how we have contributed to the behavior and make changes; how we might adjust conditions we can control; and under what conditions we might leave the company or move to another place in the company.

Torah Tidbit

Va’eschanan (implored; pleaded),  Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11

Deuteronomy contains Moses’ final words to Israel while they stand on the east side of the Jordan, ready to enter the promised land. This week’s section starts with him describing his pleading with God to enter the promised land, moves on to the reasons for Israel to follow their Torah, benefits if they do, consequences if they don’t and then delving into the commandments themselves.  

In 4:25-28, Moses doesn’t mince words when telling Israel that once they’ve settled in the land, it’s only a matter of time before they will fall away from Him and the ways of living that work with Him (i.e. commandments). He explains that it won’t happen with the first and second generations born in the land, but after them, when all who had witnessed the supernatural founding of the nation had passed away.  

The later generations will then see themselves as natives to the land, forgetting the amazing miracles God performed to bring their ancestors there.  As God and His delivering power dims in their minds, their focus is drawn to the physical world around them.  If we look at the physical world only, we assume we are masters of our own destiny, wresting a living from physical forces (including human-borne forces) that seem to constantly work against us.  So did they, eventually embodying these forces with statues and then appealing to the forces via the statues.  

That’s why Israel’s liturgy – daily prayers, festival services, new moons, prayers after meals, etc. –  is permeated with the exodus from Egypt.  It keeps their eyes on the Delivering Holy One and not misplacing that deliverance on natural forces (many thanks to R. Hirsch commentary).

Walking the Walk

Does this sound familiar with our nation?  If not, that’s understandable as we’re many generations distant from its founding.  At the constitutional convention in Philadelphia, the members were well aware of how miraculous the nation’s existence was and their great challenge of creating a representative republic that might stand the test of time.  Mired in weeks of unending debate in the middle of a sultry hot summer, Benjamin Franklin, now in his 80’s, proposes each day’s work begins with prayer.  His eloquent argument, addressed to the chairman George Washington, ends with:

“In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?”  He reminded all that throughout the war the continental congress, meeting in the same room, prayed for divine protection.  “Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered.  All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity.  And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? …. I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men.”  – Miracle at Philadelphia, Catherine Drinker Bowen, 1966, pp 125-126

His words continue to apply to the full history of our nation, right to the present moment.  We have forgotten that the founding of our nation was firmly based on the following of God and his basic ways for all mankind.  The founders were emphatic – if the citizens drift away from biblical morals, the nation will fall.  No other nation in history was founded like this, with such amazing individual freedoms.  If you know of one, please tell me.  And if this is news to you, then get busy, learn our real history and be inspired  – while you still can.  The spectres of Orwellian 1984 dystopia have now revealed themselves and are pushing hard their doublespeak.

Torah Tidbit

Behaalosecha (you kindle/light, as in this case the menorah),  Numbers 8:1 – 12:16
Aaron lights the menorah, the Levites are dedicated to service, the second passover festival, the Israelites pack up and move from Sinai, Moses begs Jethro to stay with them, the Sanhedrin are first appointed, fire and quail in the camp, God calls Miriam and Aaron on the carpet for gossiping  – it’s all there in this parashah.
Moses selects, upon God’s urging, seventy elders and appoints them to assist Moses with his numerous tasks.  When appointed, some of Moses spirit rests on them, causing them to briefly become prophets like Moses.  When two other elders who remained in the camp also prophesied, Joshua ran and told Moses to make them stop.  Moses immediately reprimanded Joshua, “Are you being zealous for my sake?  If only all the people of God could be prophets, if God would but place His spirit upon them!”  (Numbers 11:24-29) 

Walking the Walk

Moses expressed his ultimate goal as teacher and leader – that all the people of Israel, regardless of social position, are so vibrantly connected and relating to God that they no longer need teachers and leaders!  When the teachers keep this ultimate goal in mind, the typical dividing wall is broken down between intellectuals and lower classes, between clergy and laity (S.R. Hirsch). The teacher also becomes acutely aware of he is a student along with his pupils, ever learning, ever growing with them.  
We can apply that attitude every day as we interact with others.  Too often we become smug and complacent with our knowledge, thinking we have it all figured out.  But if God is bringing every moment to us as a unique experience, hand-crafted for us to learn and grow from, then we should be vigilant for nuggets of truth and inspiration from those we interact with.  As King David said,  “…from all my teachers I grew wise.”  Knowing these things, David said that anyone he encountered could provide him with miniature lessons, in essence becoming his teacher.
So perk up this week!  Start listening more with an open mind to what is being brought to your attention!

Torah Tidbit

Nasso (count, total), Numbers 4:21-7:89
This week’s parashah begins with the conclusion of Israel’s first census in the desert.  The purpose of the census isn’t to determine how many men can muster for military duty, but rather who “counts’ as a Jew, both by birthright and by personal commitment to living out a life the Torah way.  Part of this way includes stepping out into public service to the community whenever the community calls upon the individual to do so.  Those who are counted step over to be part of the congregation (adah), a group of people joined together and ultimately held together by a common calling.
“Take a census of the entire assembly of the Children of Israel, according to their families, according to their fathers’ household,  by number of the names, every male according to their head count.  From twenty years of age and up – everyone who goes out to the legion in Israel – you shall count them according to their legions, you and Aaron.” – Numbers 1:2-3
S.R. Hirsh interprets “Legion” (tzeva)  as “any united body of individuals under higher orders for public service or for such services to be rendered by such a body”.  Military duty is just one of many examples of such groups.  Another example is the organizing of levites for temple service (Numbers 4:23, 30).  

Walking the Walk

We too have just participated in our nation’s census.  Technically this census should be of United States citizens only, those who by legitimate birth or immigration have committed to upholding the laws and principles of the land.  These principles and laws in turn help draw us together to the common cause.  Many of these principles and laws are based upon timeless biblical values that are still upheld enough such that America is yet a great beacon of hope and freedom, a shining city on a hill, to all the rest of the world.  And that’s in spite of the degradation of morals and increasing lawlessness we’re now living through. 
For those of us striving to walk with God, we have dual citizenship – one for this nation, a second for the congregation of all who follow His ways.  Fortunately many of our values overlap and reinforce this great nation’s ways, regardless of the place and time.  As we do so “calls” (opportunities) for us to step out into public service in honor of the second citizenship can appear.  Not necessarily official public service, although that counts too, but rather opportunities to serve our neighbors, coworkers, stocker at the grocery store, you name it.  And when we do so we naturally build up this nation as well.

Torah Tidbit Exodus 19:1 – 20:23

The regular parashah sequence is interrupted by revisiting the giving of Torah at Sinai.  The Jewish festival of Shavuos ([feast of] weeks), which falls on this Friday (May 30 / 6 Sivan) honors this event.  But this Torah, given to the Jews, also contains a section that isn’t for the Jews.  God also codified the Noahide Laws within this Torah, ensuring their preservation on earth, for He knew that Israel would be faithful to preserve and live all the Torah. If as a Gentile you’re offended or surprised by that, you shouldn’t be.  Let’s be brutally honest with ourselves as Gentiles – no culture or nation throughout history, other than the Jews, has been able to carry out these more basic Noahide laws (7 basic laws vs. 613 for the Jews) for more than a few generations, let alone several thousand years.  Those of us learning and delighting in the Noahide laws, with their accompanying wisdom and inspiration, owe a great debt of gratitude to the Jews for their amazing sacrifice of blood, toil, tears and sweat to bring that intact body of knowledge to us today.  
Also on Shavous the fruit of the trees is “judged” – God decides how much fruit each nation will receive for the year.  

Walking the Walk

The day God gave the Torah to Israel, He “appeared” as cloud, smoke, fire and lighting on the top of Mt. Sinai.  While God worked out final details with Moses, the thunder and a continual shofar (ram’s horn) blast grew deafening loud.  Moses came back down to stand in front of the people.  At the height of what must have been body shaking thunder, all went quiet.  Not a bird chirped, dog barked, coyote howled.  No wind, not even a breeze.  
Then God spoke.  Not with loud thunderous booming loudspeaker in-your-face shouting but instead speaking in a calming, reassuring, totally peaceful quiet voice. To over one million souls that morning, every man, woman and child.  God spoke, “I am Hashem…”.  This was a truly singular event in history without its equal.  
God spoke.  We’ve all, at some time, thought how great it would be to have God speak to us – tell us which way to go or perhaps carry us through a difficult time.  But would we recognize His voice?  How often has He sent clear messages to us but our minds and souls are too dulled to hear them, let alone recognize their source?  Is there any hope for us?  The Israelites took a big risk in time, effort and their very lives by wandering out into the desert for Him.  Although we cannot really do the same, we can each day go out into a “desert”  – a place where we separate ourselves physically and mentally from the normal distractions of our lives.  There we can talk and work out things with Him.  So get busy this week.  Get prepared for Torah day.  Go separate yourself for awhile each day this week and give that time solely to Him.