Greetings friends of Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Grateful that you've come by for a bit of Torah Learning. This week we read about the many blessings we are to receive IF we follow the commandments. What is interesting is there are commandments that have benefits to others in this world. And there are commandments that accrue to our tally of good which are rewarded in the after-life. This is what the Mishnah means when it says that the “fruit” (i.e. the “interest”) is enjoyed in this world, but the “principal” remains for the World to Come. Make sure you open your Chumash (Bible if you will) and read these first lines. Amazing!
This Week
This week's Torah portion is introducing all the benefits that G-d provides in this world as the result of observing the mitzvot (commandments). What is interesting is that the commandments related to social justice are the only mitzvot that are rewarded in this world as well as the next.
Fascinatingly, the Mishna equates the study of Torah to all the mitzvot. (See you are not wasting your time here!) In other words, aside from the self-improvement and connection to the Almighty that comes from Torah study, there are tangible benefits to this world through the study of Torah was well. This would also explain why Rashi understands that the rewards that follow the observance of “My statutes” refers to one’s immersion in Torah study.
Perhaps this is what the Talmud is referring to when it says, “Torah scholars increase peace in the world” (Brachos 64a). The Talmud chose to end its very first tractate with that statement, explaining that those Torah scholars are builders of the world and they increase the peace within it. The Torah, after all, was given to us to both improve ourselves and the world around us and we must make every effort to see that mission fulfilled.
Meanwhile
While this week's portion begins with the multitude of blessings you will receive for keeping the commandments of the Torah (truly worth reading!). It also contains the tochachah, words of admonition: “If you will not listen to Me and will not perform all of these commandments…” There are seven series of seven punishments each. Understand that G-d does not punish for punishment’s sake; He wants to get our attention so that we will introspect, recognize our errors, and correct our ways. G-d does not wish to destroy us or annul His covenant with us. He wants us to know that there are consequences for our every action. He also wants to get our attention so that we do not stray so far away that we assimilate and disappear as a nation.
A Word About Prayer
This past week has jolted us, once again. So much senseless pain in the world. I was struck by something, very simple, which was tweeted by Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman just this past Thursday: "In Judaism, if you say a prayer over something and then fail to do the requisite action that follows, like saying the blessing over bread but not eating it, it's a bracha levatla - which is a sinful act."
He goes on: "If you pray for victims of gun violence but do nothing. It is a sinful act."
Prayer and Action...
Shabbat Sholom and thank you for reading.
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