Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Torah Thoughts Ki Tetzei 28 August 2020

Welcome to yet another Shabbat and to Torah Talk from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. We're glad you're here with us. We also have a date for our next virtual Midrash see below. This week we read from the final book of the Torah and it is Parsha Ki Tetzei which is Hebrew for the first words in this reading, "When you will go out to war against your enemies, and Hashem (The Name), your G-d will deliver him into your hand, and you will capture his captivity..."

What is that all about?

Well, it's about soldiers and beautiful women. The Torah knows that the heat of battle will also bring on inflamed passion when a soldier captures a female. Here the Torah sets forth the law that dictates how he is to deal with the captive. The whole idea is to cool the passion before the captor causes more harm and sins. Rashi, the great commentator, says the soldier may not molest the woman and he may marry her if he is willing to wait rather than sin.

Another purpose for the delay is that the captor will lose interest and, in the end, set her free.

The other issues covered in this Parsha are many from the rights of the Firstborn some really dramatic issues of a rebellious son, hanging, concern for the property of others the wearing of clothing meant for women but worn by men and vice versa. As an aside this is the section that many of my observant Orthodox friends point to regarding...pants suits for women.

Then there is this passage, "If a bird's nest happens to be before you on the road, on any tree or on the ground - young birds or eggs - and the mother is roosting on the young birds or the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young. You shall surely send away the mother and take the young for your self, so that it will be good for you and you will prolong your days." (Deut. 22: 6-7)

Sounds cruel right?  Well, the rabbis say the  point to this story is exactly the opposite. We are not allowed to slaughter a mother animal and its young on the same day (Lev. 22:28) because it is cruel to do so as animals do love their offspring and suffer when they are killed.

Think of that for a moment and is it any wonder that Jews were among the founding members of the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

We are also told to make a fence on our roof to keep people from falling off.  Once again caring for others is a hallmark of our faith.

In this parsha we're also told about wearing fringes, "You shall make for yourselves twister threads on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself."(Deut. 22:12)

And the list goes on and on: Forbidden and restricted marriages, adultery, sexual purity, charging interest and others.

"When you reap your harvest in your field, and you forget a bundle in the field, you shall not turn back to take it. It shall be left for the proselyte, the orphan, and the widow, so that Hashem your G-d, will bless you in all your handiwork." (Deut 24:19)

In other words, those who take care of others shall be blessed.  This isn't too hard to figure out...right?

Finally we come to Amalek and we are told to remember, "Remember what Amalek did to you, on the way, when you were leaving Egypt, that he happened upon you on the way, and he struck those of you were were hindmost, all the weaklings at your rear, when you were faint and exhausted and he did not fear G-d." (Deut. 25: 17-18)

There is no "turning of the cheek" in this. We are commanded to remember and "...you shall not forget!"

So...why?

Stay with me on this....

Our sages mention a very interesting insight regarding the Amalekite attack. In retelling the incident, the Torah uses the Hebrew word “korcha – attacked you.” The sages point out that this word has its etymological roots in the Hebrew word “kor,” which means cool.

In other words, in this attack the Amalekites “cooled off” the Jewish people. Meaning, after hearing and seeing all the incredible miracles that G-d had done for the Jewish people as they left Egypt (the ten plagues, splitting of the Red Sea, and utter defeat of the Egyptian army), all the other nations feared the Jewish people and wouldn’t consider fighting them. When Amalek came and attacked it “cooled them off” and showed the other nations that it was possible to mount a war against the Jewish nation.

In the end the army of Amalek was decimated. However, that is not the end of the story.

When the Jewish people left Egypt they were supposed to receive the Torah and go right into the Land of Israel, ushering in the era of messianic times. The splitting of the Red Sea, according to Jewish teachings, reverberated across the world to the point that everyone was aware of it. The Jewish people were supposed to lead a revolution against idol worship and fulfill Abraham’s vision of monotheism for the world. 

Abraham’s vision of spreading the knowledge of the existence of G-d and His desire to have a relationship with His children would lead to the realization that the entire world is a brotherhood of man. The Jewish people, through their exodus from Egypt came to personify this relationship with G-d and revealed through their monotheistic belief that all of humanity is descended from a single source and therefore all of humanity is created equal.

This is the reason that Judaism teaches that all people can obtain a share in the world to come. You do not need to be Jewish to enter “heaven.” You merely have to be a good person as defined by following the seven Noachide Laws of social justice. In contradistinction, most of the world’s population are members of religions whose dogma maintains that if you are not a member of their religion you are doomed to hell for all eternity.

That ain't the Jewish way...

But then Amelak came and made an incredible statement. They attacked knowing that they would be annihilated – which was EXACTLY their point. Their startling statement was: This world is not worth living in if it is to be the world of the Jewish people; we would prefer to die than live in a world where G-d is revealed and relevant. Amalek succeeded in conveying that there is an alternative to living in this world according to the vision of the Jewish people.

Stunning...no?

And so the fight continues. The fight of light over darkness and we are in this together...

MIDRASH

We had a very successful Midrash via ZOOM thanks to Tracy Smith and her abilities.  We are planning the NEXT Midrash for Saturday, September 5th at 10:00AM.  Tracy will be sending out the ZOOM connection and I'll post here and on our Facebook Page.  The Parsha for that week is Ki Tavo (Deut. 26:1 - 29:8)

I'm sorry this was so long...but if you look at this weeks parsha you'll see so much going on and well worth the time to study.  My thanks to Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig for the thought starter and to Rabbi Aaron Swartzbaum for his continued support and insight.. 

Shabbat Shalom!!

Torah Thoughts - Shoftim - 21 August 2020

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City.  Glad that you're here. Before we get into the Torah Portion for this week a shout out to those of you who joined our Virtual Midrash last week! We had a lively discussion about the parsha and how it impacts our lives today. It was such a success that several of you have asked to do it more than once a month.  I'm in!  Watch our Facebook Page and this weekly blog for details of our next Midrash.

This week we read Parsha Shoftim (Judges in Hebrew). You will find it in Deut. 16:18 - 21:9. We start with these words, "Judges and officers shall you appoint in all your cities which Hashem, your G-d gives you for your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgement." (Duet. 16:18)

We also read the next line in the parsha: You shall not pervert judgement, you shall not show favoritism, and you shall not take a bribe because bribery blinds the eyes of the wise and makes righteous words crooked (16:19).

But to whom is that line directed? It would seem kind of pointless to tell a crooked judge, “by the way, you shouldn't take bribes.” A crooked judge has made his choice and has chosen to ignore the moral issues. Conversely, an honest judge innately understands that taking a bribe undermines the whole justice system and would obviously reject any kind of bribery. So to whom is this prohibition directed?

The great commentator Rashi is bothered by the same question. Rashi makes a rather curious comment: A judge is forbidden to take a bribe “even to adjudicate the case honestly.”

Rashi is actually alluding to a remarkable and fairly tempting situation. Imagine if one of the litigants approached the judge with the following request: “Your honor, I am an honest person and I want you to adjudicate this case properly. Of course, I feel that I am in the right and I am entitled to monies from the other party. But, I fully recognize that I may be biased and that my claim may be wrong. In such a situation I would NEVER want the other party’s money.”

Follow this line of thinking: 

The person continues: “I know that you have a lot of stress in your life, and that you need to make more money in order to make ends meet. I know you drive Uber shifts at night to earn extra cash. My concern is that you might be tired from all those extra hours working and it is likely that you may not have the peace of mind to give this case the proper attention it deserves.”

“Under no circumstances would I, heaven forbid, want money that didn't belong to me. So please allow me to give you enough money so that you can solely focus on this case and not have to take on another job. But I am reiterating that I am only doing this so that you can give it the proper attention and adjudicate this properly.”

The reason it’s such a sinister form of bribery is because it is so cleverly subtle and a desperate judge, even an honest one, might actually consider such an offer. It almost seems on the up and up.

The reason Rashi’s case is so deceptive is that even if the judge turns it down, in reality the litigant has already accomplished proving to the judge what a “good guy” he is and that his heart is in the right place. That alone can affect the outcome of the case because a judge now has a preconceived notion that this litigant is an honest person. Therefore, the Torah instructs judges to repudiate all types of bribery.

In general, the most effective way to avoid the pitfalls of “confirmation bias” is to carefully and slowly examine each situation on its merits. Remember – salt and sugar look the same. It is extremely important to understand that the quicker we jump to conclusions the more likely we are to err. Perhaps this is why in Pirkei Avot – “Ethics of our Fathers” – the first lesson in the entire book is; “Be deliberate in judgement.”

My thanks to Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig for this thought starter.

This week we also learn about: Blemished Sacrifice, Penalties for Idolatry, The Supreme Court, The King, Levitical Priests, Priestly Portions, Special Service, Divination and Prophecy, Cities of Refuge, Murder, Preserving Boundaries, Conspiring Witnesses, Preparing for War, Taking Captives, Conducting a Siege and the Case of the Unsolved Murder.

Whew!!

And, finally this week we have this famous reminder: "Righteousness, Righteousness shall you pursue so that you will live and possess the Land that the Almighty your God, gives you" (Deut. 16:20).

So...in the end we are called to be righteous people. People who turn to the Torah for guidance not only for us but also our nation and world. There is, sadly, so much noise out here that it is comforting to ponder the truth in what we read.

May you have a meaningful Shabbat!

Shabbat Shalom...

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 14 August 2020

Welcome, again, to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. So grateful that
you've come by again this week.  Our Torah Portion this week is Parsha Re'eh which you can find in Deut. 11:26 - 16:17. Re'eh, by the way is Hebrew for "see" which is the first word in this parsha: "See, I present before you today a blessing and a curse."

Up to this point Moses had been instructing the Jews about general and overall commandments. Things like love and fear of G-d. Now, and in the next three weeks, we'll get the bulk of the commandments found in Devarim (Deuteronomy).

In the opening line Moses makes it clear that it is our choice to follow the commandments or to cast them aside. But he warns that by casting them into the trash bin of history we risk becoming a cursed people. It's not that G-d would actually curse us but more along the line that by defying the commandments our lives become less than whole. There is a great sense of accomplishment and connectivity with each other and our faith when we actually follow what G-d has set before us.  If we make that decision to not eat a cheeseburger or a pepperoni pizza (I know...it really was a great loss!) we become more connected to not only our faith but also the reason we are here.  That reason is always, at every moment, to be aware of G-d and to lift Him up.  We do that...by following the commandments.

Before we get to far into this week's reading we are also reminded of the sanctity of Israel. It is our duty, as Jews, to always strive for the best for our land. The only land that is truly ours. Oh, I know others live there and that is a good thing. However Israel is a Jewish Nation pure and simple. That little stretch of land along the Mediterranean Sea is the only place on this vast planet that we can call..."Home". If you have never been you have missed what it is like to finally be among our people. To study, learn, eat and celebrate in Israel is an amazing experience.

Here we are also instructed not to consume...ready...blood. So that rare steak...yeah, I know. That is why kosher meat is salted after being processed. The salt draws the blood (which the Torah says is "life") out of the meat.  Trust me...once you taste, for example an Empire Chicken or a Hebrew National hot dog...you know the difference.

We are also warned about a "False Prophet". A person who says he/she has the answer to our life questions or promises a better world outside of our faith. G-d knows how easily we can be tempted to turn away from the commandments. Heck, it's easier. But, once again He gives us a lesson of what to do to retain our heritage and our way of life.

And, to be sure...our way of life isn't that much different from others. But it is what some might think of as "the little things" that helps us navigate our world today.

Finally, because this is getting way long, we read what is some of the most misunderstood text in the Torah. You can find it in Deut. 14: 1-2. "You are children to Hashem (The Name) your G-d - you shall not cut yourselves (as was the case with many pagans...some consider this a ban on tattoos) and you shall not make a bald spot between your eyes for a dead person." Apparently the custom of the Amorite was to tear their hair out...ouch! The whole idea here was to not adopt any of the customs of others.

And then we get to this sentence: "For you are a holy people to Hashem, your G-d, and Hashem has chosen you for Himself to be a treasured people, from among the all the peoples on the face of the earth."  In Hebrew the words "am segulah" means "a treasure" hence a treasured people. 

It is the incorrect reading of that one sentence that has resulted in the death of millions of Jews. Non-Jews see that and, among some, it generates a significant amount of jealousy which can spill over to hatred. However what that sentence really means is that we, as Jews, have been commanded to, every day, honor G-d by following His commandments. While some consider that a burden it really is an honor. Who but...we?

See, this has gotten really, really LONG.

Midrash

OK...we're set. Tomorrow (Shabbat) we're going to attempt to do a ZOOM Midrash. That is where you go to your computer copy this link or click it and join us at 10:AM tomorrow:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6414251282 to DIAL in use this number with your phone: 1 312 626 6799.

We're not sure how this will go...but hope you can get thorough.  Also, watch our Facebook Page for updates!

Welcome Sasha!

There is a new MOT (Member of the Tribe) in Mason City.  Sasha Matera-Vatnick has moved here to work at Cargill and one of the first things she did was ask about the shul when she met up with Alan & Sharon Steckman. We had a delightful conversation this week. Sasha has never been to Iowa before let alone Mason City!  Told her that a must go would be the State Street Deli which we understand is now open for dining. Sasha is from the D.C. area so Alan and she can chat more about that part of the world.  Welcome

Have a wonderful Shabbat.  Hope we can make the technology work.

Shabbat Shalom! 

Torah Thoughts 7 August 2020

Welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. This week we read from Parsha Eikev (Deut. 7:12 - 11:25). The meaning of the Hebrew word Eikev can mean "when you listen" as in "This shall be the reward when you listen to these commandments..." The first sentence in this week's parsha. However the great teacher Rashi notes that it can also mean "heel" as in the heel of your foot.

What is the connection?

Note, once again, that there is a "reward" if we observe and follow all the commandments that are specific to each of us. However there are sometimes "lesser commandments" that people often overlook because they think they are not as important and so we, as Rashi writes, "trample them with our heel".

Let me offer an example: We are told not to charge interest on a loan to our fellow Jews yet, we do. Perhaps that is because we figure that is a "lesser commandment" than say adultery or murder. But here we are told to follow all the commandments that pertain to us. True, some of us may not have employees so the commandment of paying them on time would not hold. Or there are commandments for people who are married or who live in Israel. If we are not married or live in Israel, those commandments do not impact us.

But those that do we are told here that we must "observe and perform them". And in return G-d will, "...love you, bless you and multiply you..."

It's a deal.  We do and He does.

However, G-d realizes that we will be tempted. "Take care lest you forget Hashem, your G-d, by not observing His commandments...lest  you eat and be satisfied, and you build good houses and you settle." (Deut. 8:11).  It is a warning of the lure of prosperity. Don't get me wrong, G-d wants you to succeed however, if you succeed without realizing that your ability to succeed is directly tied to G-d then our "hearts will become haughty and you will forget about Hashem."

Look, it's easy to slide away from giving credit to G-d. We often go about our lives thinking that we are the sole person in charge of our ourselves. This Torah Portion reminds us that what we are, what we become has a distinct tie to Hashem.  It is He who gives us the wisdom to become a successful person. It is He who gives physicians great skill at healing.  It is He who raises us up and sets our feet on a good path.

If we forget then we are denying everything that is in the Torah.

Then this reading answers a question that is on the mind of every person, Jew or Gentile:

What does G-d want of you and me?

"Only that you remain in awe of G-d your Lord, so that you will follow all His paths and love Him, serving G-d your Lord with all your heart and with all your soul. You must keep G-d's commandments and decrees […] so that all good will be yours" (Deuteronomy 10:12).

Midrash Next Shabbat

By now you may have gotten a note that indicates our own Tracy Smith will host a ZOOM meeting for our Midrash on Shabbat next week starting at 10AM. What does that mean?  Well, after months of being apart we can gather together virtually and learn.  I realize that not everyone has a computer or understands what Zoom is but the good news is that you can also join us with your phone and audio only. Be watching for that link...we'll also post on our Facebook Page.

Here is a quick link to a video about using Zoom.

Shabbat Shalom