Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Closing the Book - Shabbat Masei

We're about to close the book on Bamidbar (Numbers) and start, next week, the final book of the Torah.  A surprise story about that...later.

This week (Shabbat Masei - Numbers 33: 1 - 36:13) we read about the wanderings as we Moses summarizes the entire route from the Exodus until the people are standing, waiting to cross over into the promised land. 

Why Was G-d So Good To Us?

If you were paying attention the people, from leaving Egypt, to the Golden Calf, to the spies...to the wandering in the bamidbar (wilderness) they continued to moan and groan and doubt.  In this parsha we are shown the love G-d has for his people.  Oh sure, once or twice Moses had to plead for G-d to "simmer down a bit" but, always He provided for every need of His children.  From the food to water to even the clothing and shoes that...never wore out.

It's The Same Today...

We often grumble at keeping the commandments.  "What, pray...again?"  "What?  Why should I put on tifillin?  I've got to get to work!"  "Kosher?  Nah...that's only because they didn't have refrigerators back then"  We continue to doubt while G-d continues to provide for our every need...if only we would learn how to ask.

You see we have a unique relationship with G-d.  He is truly our King...but He is also our Father.  If only...if only we would realize that.

And...Something...Else

In this Paraha we are told about the boundaries of Israel.  No, not the boundaries placed on us today by man...but what G-d said.    It makes for some interesting reading.  Num. 34:1 - 15.

Might you all have a wonderful Shabbat.  Oh, and that surprise.  Did you know that the entire book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) took place in one day.  The final day of the life of Moses.  

Shabbat Shalom... 

First Shabbat of the Three Weeks

Today is the first Shabbat of the Three Weeks, the time period between the 17th of Tammuz to the 9th of Av (Tisha B' Av).  It is a time of deep introspection and and work  on the part of people who desire to become more spiritual and truly understand our religious connection with each other and G-d.

This Erv Shabbat we'll talk about the events that happend on Tisha B' Av and focus on an event that happend just last week in New York and what we, as Jews need to do to turn the tide.

Our Father...Our King

As I wrote the Divar Torah for this Shabbat tears ran down my cheeks when I came face to face with the reason for so many punishments...for so many years.  The rabbis tell us that the destruction of the First and Second Temple was "baseless hatred" among the Jews.  But, going forward, we have learned little about why Avinu Malkenu (our Father and King) continues to shake us into reality.  Shake us from our slumber...shake us from being so arrogant to think that we are in charge. 

The Horror in New York

Last week in Boro Park a sweet little nine year old boy disappeared and 36 hours later little Leiby Kletzky z"l was found...dead.  He died a horrific death at the hands of another religious Jew. For 36 hours Jews who wouldn't step foot in another shul worked side by side with each other.  Religious Jews and non-religious Jews searched together.  Jews and Gentiles worked side-by-side and then...when the horror was unmasked...joined each other to mourn the the loss of this pure neshama (soul).  There were thousands who attended the funeral....thousands. Here is the full story from our friends at Hamodia.

In the words of Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman, "For two days, on behalf of Leiby, people were more forgiving, more accepting and more loving of each other."

The Reward

It is said that the Messiah will be born on Tisha B' Av and will turn a day of mourning into a day of joy.  But only...if we merit His coming.  We have...three weeks.  Study, daven, learn...do an added mitzvah.  If not for yourself...for the world and in memory of Leiby.

In Torah...

Equal Rights...

We're in Parsha Pinchas (Bamidbar/Numbers 25:10 - 30-1).  This is the parsha that speaks to the reward of Pinchas who, moved by G-d, killed two people who were engaged what we are told was an "orgy of immorality".  This act, by one man, stopped the plague which took 24,000 lives.

This parsha also contains the Jewish Holidays, why they are important and at what time of the year they should be celebrated....and something else.

Equal Rights For Women...

Women play a pivotal role in the building and creation of the Jewish Faith...we remember Sarah, Rachel, Leah, Miriam....and now come the five daughters of Zelophehad.  These five women had what we are told "a passionate love for the Land of Israel".  The Torah makes this point by tracing their family back to Joseph...who had his brothers take an oath that they would carry his bones to Israel for burial in the holy soil. 

To this point property was divided among the sons...but now come the five women who stand before Moses, the leadership and the entire assembly and plead their case.  "Our father died in the Wilderness, but he was not among the assembly that was gathering against Hashem in the assembly of Korah, but he died of his own sin; and he had no sons.  Why should the name of our father be omitted from among his family because he had no son"  Give us a possession among our father's brothers."

Moses Takes the Case to G-d

Not wanting to make such a decision Moses decides to go to a "higher authority".  G-d says, "The daughters of Zelpohehad speak properly.  You shall surely give them a possession inheritance...."  And so here, in the Torah we not only have the rights of women heard...but also what is, to this day, guidelines for inheritance in modern law.

The connection here is clear.  For those who suggest that the Torah is "yesterday" and "old" and doesn't have meaning and purpose in the world of today...are simply not understanding the words and the far reaching impact it has on all our lives.  May you, and I, come to better understand what is written and...better yet...how it can make a positive impact on our lives...

Have a Blessed Shabbat....

Smarter Than An...Ass?

And so we come to Parsha Balak (Numbers 22:2 - 25:9) which teaches us several  lessons about our relationship with G-d.  Balak was the king of Moab and when he saw the power granted to Israel through G-d he figured he needed to do something about it.   But what?

Crank Up A Curse...

There was a mighty gentile prophet by the name of Balaam.  It is said that he knew the exact time of the morning when G-d gets angry and judges sinners.  Balak knew of this power and figured that if he could get Balaam to curse the Jews the problems facing Moab would be over.

However, Balak didn't count on the fact that G-d spoke directly to Balaam and said, "You shall not curse the people, for it is blessed!"  And then, when Balaam persisted G-d allowed him to go.  Why would G-d change His mind and allow this man who was intent on cursing Israel to go?  

We're told that G-d wanted the gentiles to see His power.  That even their own prophet could do nothing but offer blessings to Israel rather than a curse. But, here is where it gets confusing.

The Donkey Speaks

Balaam now knows that G-d will not allow him to curse the Jews.  However because Balaam is so arrogant he figures there must be some way to get around this, do his job and collect his fee.  He decides to say nothing about what G-d said to him and goes on his way.  That is where this strange story of the talking donkey comes in...

G-d places an angel in the path of Balaam.  Not once...but three times.  And each time it is the donkey that sees the angel and tries to turn away.  Balaam and the two riding with him don't see a thing.  Balaam, in his frustration, beats the donkey to get her to move.  Then, the donkey turns to Balaam and says, "What is it that I have done to you that you struck me these three times?" The arrogant Balaam shouts back, "Because you mocked me! If only I had a sword in my hand I would now have killed you!"  And the donkey responds, "Am I not your she-donkey, that you have ridden upon me all your life until this day?  Have I been accustomed to do such a thing to you?"  Balaam thinks and says, "No."

What Does It All Mean?

Sometimes we are so wrapped up in ourselves.  In our work.  In our hobby...in our life that we fail to see the wonders of G-d.  How many hours do we spend actually seeing and experiencing G-d?  Hours?  How about minutes...seconds?  Even when we pray our morning, afternoon or evening prayers...are we fully aware and focused?  When we say a blessing over everything from food to a new shirt do we really think about what we are saying? 

When was the last time you sat there and thought... "Wow...what a miracle it is that I am alive?"  Or,  "Isn't it amazing that G-d created all of these birds of different colors and sounds and personality?"  From the complex wonderment of life to the simple wonder of nature. Do we really see G-d in our lives?  Or do we put G-d up on a shelf and only take Him down...when we need Him?  Are we really so arrogant to think we are in charge?

Right now...stop.  Stop and reflect on the wonderment all around you.  The gift of being human.  The gift of life.  The amazing world that was created for your enjoyment.   Might this Shabbat prove to you that we're, at least, as smart as an...ass.

In Torah... 

We Do It Because...Parsha Chukat

What a busy week and one that got away from me.  I should have written this on Thursday....and  then Friday, before Shabbat, was a zoo.  So...here we are early on Sunday Morning...  One of the more interesting Torah Portions comes to us this past week from Numbers 19:1 - 22:1 where we read about perplexing law of the red heifer.  G-d commands us to use the ashes to make the impure...pure.  But the odd thing about it, those who come into contact with those ashes become, themselves, impure.  Why?

It's Much Like Life

We are surrounded by choices.  We have the luxury of living in the beautiful state of Iowa.  Food here abounds...and food is good.  G-d gave it to us.  But, sometimes when we eat too much of one food over another we get into problems.  From too much sugar to too much fat...but, it's all good.   When we make a decision to change our habits and learn what we can eat and what we should not...but food goes from a problem maker...to a problem solver.

Or, Try This...

King Solomon, it is said, knew what all the commandments of the Torah meant with the exception of...the red heifer.   Sometimes there is no visible or clear understand as to why G-d tells us to do something.   We can understand the great benefit Shabbat gives to us...a day to connect with family, study, recharge.  And, we understand the discipline we achieve when we keep kosher, don't mix dairy and meat...  But this law?

If you are a person of faith you believe that everything comes into being because of G-d.  I just read this interesting example by Rabbi Shraga Simmons about the orange.  Have a listen to his brief commentary.

In The End...

We understand that our mission in life is to obey and honor G-d.  Every blessing, every action, every day...the Jew's duty is to honor G-d through what we do.  The red heifer?  I don't know...but if it was important enough to offer the commandment to us...it must have been important to do.  It's really that simple.

In Torah....