Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

SHABBAT SHALOM FROM CYBERSPACE EKEB

AUGUST 10-11, 2012 23 AB 5772 Sephardic Congregation of Long Beach Schedule and Announcements The Parnass – Rabbi David and Rabbi Colish are away this Shabbat We are privileged to be hosting Rabbi Meyer Abittan – please come for his Derasha and class

Friday Night: Candles: 7:41 PM - Afternoon and Evening service (Minha/Arbith): 7:00 PM

Morning Service (Shaharith): 9:00AM –Please say Shemah at home by 8:44 AM

11:00 - 12:00 Orah's back! with our Shabbat Morning Kids Program for girls ages 4-8 upstairs in the Rabbi's study. Stories, Tefillah, Games, Snacks and more . . .

The Amiel Family is sponsoring the kiddush in memory of Sophie and Michael November z"l and Solomon Levinousky z"l and in honor of Ariella 15th Birthday (and in honor of my birthday even though I will be away …. Thanks Sarina and Kathy)

Pirkei Avot with Rabbi Aharon at 6:20 PM –followed by Minha: 7:00 PM – Seudah Shelishi and a Class 7:40 – with Rabbi Dr. Meyer Abittan David –sponsored by Angela Rubin and family in honor of Julietta Dina Rubin who will starting Sackler Medical School in . We wish her beracha vehaslacha

WEEKDAY TEFILLA SCHEDULE Shaharit Sunday8:00, Mon-Fri at 7:00 (6:55 Mondays and Thursdays)

NEW MINCHA AND ARBIT SUNDAY – 7:40 PM – Lets see if we can make a minyan each Sunday for the Summer - ALSO MONDAY at 7:40 PM preceeding Rabbi Yanai and Rabbi Colish’s classes

WEEKDAY CLASS SCHEDULE Daily 6:30 AM class – Shelah Hakadosh on the Perasha ( Selichot Begin Monday August 20th at 6:15AM)

Monday Night Class with Rabba Yanai – 8PM Monday night Hebrew Reading Crash Course – 8-9 PM and continuing Monday Nights throughout the Summer. Beginner and intermediate levels welcome! We would like to pray Mincha and Arbit first on Monday nights. 7:40PM

Men’s Halacha Class Tuesday Nights 8:30-10:30: Basar BeChalav – With Michael and David – Ladies Shabbat Class at the home of Tina Lemberger – each Shabbat at 5:30

Volley Ball with Daniel Wagner – Sunday mornings at the beach at 10AM All summer long.

Scholar in Residence for August 18th has been postponed – a new date will follow.

Cub Scout Troop. Please join us Tuesday Night August 14th at 7:30pm at the Sephardic Congregation of Long Beach Social Hall (corner of Lafayette and West Penn) to sign up. The Regional Boy Scout Director will be joining us for a 1 hr question and answer session for all interested parents. Please contact Rabbi Yosef Colish for more details @ 516-589-6102 or [email protected].

Gitta J. Neufeld, Director of Education at The Allegra Franco School of Educational Leadership who was so well received on Tisha BeAv when teaching Megilat Eicha will be teaching the book of Jonah over four Tuesday beginning August 21st. Continuing on the 28th and the September 4 and 11 at 7:45. Men and Women

David and Michael’s Halacha Class will be pushed to 9PM and we will explore practical Halachot relating to the Yamim Noraim – Elul, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Please plan on joining from 9-10:30

Spread the word: “Registration is underway for Sunday Funday Hoolahoop in for girls ages 6 and up in the SephardicTo subscribe Congregation or to unsubscribe, of Long Beach. Sunday mornings from 10:45-11:45. Spots are limited. $15 per session, or $10 per session with payment in advance for 10 sessions. Please contact Leah Colish to sign up.”1 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

please reply to for nearly 2.5 linear miles, and of Talmud so that when her ten [email protected] shielding the 20,000 women from year old comes home from school view. The author found it so and has a question and daddy’s Take a peek into Kosher important to speak about distinct not home, mom can be there for Culinary Arts School in roles and woman as spectators him. For years on the LIRR where Jerusalem with my daughter and included this paragraph. Rabbi Lerner taught the Daf, Mikhayla who is going through there was at least one woman a rigorous 6 month program. The curtain opened at 8 p.m., participating. bitemebymik.blogspot.com after the half-hour of prayer, allowing the women to watch and PSS … For all you business Editors Notes listen to the speakers, all men, owners and sports fans out give impassioned speeches in there ….NY POST …. From a Google lists About 1,720 news Yiddish and English, about Torah friend watching the Olympics: links for the term Siyum study, and sing celebratory “How about that Michael Phelps? HaShas. News organizations songs. Most of the women wore But let’s remember he didn’t win around the world reported on the stylish wigs, long skirts and all those medals, someone else event last week. Articles were modest sweaters, typical of the did. After all, he and I swam in posted in the pages of traditional Jews who call public pools, built by state newspapers ranging from the Sun themselves Haredim, or those employees using tax dollars. He Sentinel, the Atlanta Journal who tremble before God. got training from the USOC and Constitution, the Salt Lake ate food grown by the Tribune, the Star Ledger, the Instead of focusing on the joy of Department of Agriculture. He Washington Post and all the the crowd, the effort in the should play fair and share his Israeli and Metropolitan New York endeavor, the joy and satisfaction medals with people like me, who papers. National magazines and and unity, the author focused on can barely keep my head above all the networks reported as well. her perceived separation. water, let alone swim.” But one story stood out. Many people were upset with the Finally two articles a bit out of Most stories focused on New York Times, but that’s the ordinary for us follow. The a. The spiritual calling, a nothing new. My sister in law first is by Abraham H. Miller labor of love, a rich Sherry though suggested, we and discusses President opportunity to connect shouldn’t be too upset. For the Obama’s Continuing Jewish with thousands of years writer unknowingly was echoing Problem. The second is on of Jewish history and the blessing bestowed upon us by Menachem Cohen’s major religion. Bilaam. Mah Tovu Ohalecha overhaul of the Tanach. I am b. The incredible dedication Yaakov – How goodly are your really curious as to what the and effort it takes in tents Jacob. Bilaam came out to response of the Rabbis will be. “running” a marathon of curse us but his curse became a study for seven and a half blessing that we say at every I’m planning on leaving Atlantic years – 2711 days wedding and that many repeat Beach this weekend to spend without fail. daily. The New York Times, never Shabbat with our family in Deal. c. On the unifying factor of ones with good intentions towards Weather and host permitting I Jews around the world us, unknowingly resonated the hope to be praying on Old Farm united in what they are same blessing. Road Friday evening, the Little learning each day. Red School House on Shabbat d. The joy and satisfaction May Hashem always turn the morning and Deal Synagogue for of those attending. curses to blessings. Amen! Shabbat afternoon. e. The 90,000 present and the quarter of a million PS … Don’t tell anybody but Shabbat Shalom watching via satellite from Malka Bina who heads Matan, an more than 80 cities in 15 institute for women’s Torah David Bibi countries. studies, where they celebrated

their own Siyum was Chantelle’s The New York Times though teacher and Mikhayla studying in focused on the $250,000 HaRova also studies Gemarah. I translucent curtain, made of think every woman should have a green woven plastic, extending basic understanding of the study

2 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

Obama’s Continuing Jewish quick to note how supportive the Jerusalem is as much an Problem, Abraham H. Miller Obama administration was of historical fiction as was East Israel, and liberal Jews Berlin. When Democratic National immediately seized on that as if it Committee Chair Debbie were something other than the Obama’s thinking on Israel was Wasserman Schultz proclaimed expected response of a small best articulated by Thomas Obama’s support for Israel in a country dependent for its military Friedman in a recent column that Pennsylvania synagogue, she hardware on a large country. is as fatuous as it is banal. The was visibly shocked by the loud object of Friedman’s outrage is and vocal dissent from the More important to discerning Mitt Romney’s trip to Israel. audience. Unlike the sanitized observers of the Middle East has Friedman characterizes pro-Obama Jewish events in been Obama’s flawed foreign Romney’s trip as one of Florida, where Jews who opposed policy in the region. It is no pandering to Jews for money — him were prevented from accident that Dennis Ross, and then quips that Romney entering, the Pennsylvania event veteran Middle East negotiator should have taken it to Vegas, was open to all. and 2008 Obama campaigner, where there is more than will not be on the campaign trail sufficient Jewish money and Wasserman Schultz apparently this time. And Ross’ assistant, equally compelling photo so believes her own rhetoric and Aaron David Miller, just published opportunities. Friedman has been so insulated from the an illuminating article in Foreign increasingly has fallen into the political change sweeping the Policy noting that Obama’s view leftist routine of wrapping Jews in Jewish community that for a few of the world does not include the stereotypes, mostly about money. moments she seemed sufficiently scenario of an Israel surrounded shaken to be unable to continue by Arab states bent on its Friedman goes on to argue for her speech. destruction. Rather, Obama’s more American pressure on sympathies are derived from his Israel, noting that the major One group that has had its pulse leftist political socialization, and obstacle to peace is neither on the political leanings of the he does not see a concession Palestinian intransigence nor Jewish community is the that Israel should not be forced to Palestinian terrorism but Israeli Republican Jewish Coalition. make to the Arabs. settlements. Someone needs to Playing on the theme of buyer’s remind Friedman that terrorism remorse — Jews who voted for The exclusion of Israel from the existed long before the first Obama but will not again — the anti-terrorism conference the settlement, and Israel’s total RJC has been running ads and Obama administration sponsored removal of settlements from Gaza videos with Jews who supported in Turkey, and the conference’s brought rockets and missiles, not Obama in 2008 and are vocal refusal to acknowledge that Israeli peace. A similar outcome would about their intent not to do so civilians murdered in Israel at the await Israel’s departure from the now. hands of Islamic terrorists are West Bank. terrorist victims, further The Jewish Democrats will underscores the leftist, pro- By experience and socialization, quickly point out that no one Muslim ideology of this the Jews Obama surrounded expects the majority of the Jewish administration. This is why its himself with in his Hyde Park community to vote for Mitt Department of State and press bastion of rarified, elite liberalism Romney. But they fail to see that secretary are incapable of are Jews who think like Friedman. this election will, by all current enunciating the words But these Jews are hardly indications, be close. A predicted “Jerusalem” and “Israel’s capital” representative of the views on near twenty-percent shift in the in the same sentence. Mitt Israel of the majority of Jews for Jewish vote in critical states like Romney had absolutely no whom Israel is an issue. These Florida and Ohio can devastate difficulty announcing what every incestuous political contacts are Obama’s electoral vote count. Israeli knows: Jerusalem is what have and continue to shape Israel’s capital. Obama’s thinking on the Middle It is no accident that while Mitt East. Romney was on his way to Israel, Jerusalem historically was never Obama signed a security a divided city until the Arabs Israel itself, however, is only the agreement giving Israel captured it in 1948 and prevented most observable aspect of preferential access to American Jews from having access to their Obama’s Jewish problem, for as arms and munitions. Israeli holy sites and burial places. East Noah Pollak has so aptly noted, Defense Minister Ehud Barak was Jews, like other voters, are first

3 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

and foremost Americans and volume set. The final chapter is markers used to denote vowels in have the same needs and set to be published next year. Hebrew are incorrect; or a letter in problems as other Americans. a word may be wrong, often the They are beset by a declining The massive project highlights result of a centuries old economy, fewer opportunities for how venerates each tiny transcription error. Some of the their children, and an biblical calligraphic notation as a fixes are in the notations used for administration that never saw a way of ensuring that communities cantillation, the text’s ritual new government bureaucracy that around the world use precisely chants. didn’t need to be funded. the same version of the holy book. Most of the errors Cohen found Political preference itself is a were in the final two thirds of the function of the interaction of a According to Jewish law, a Torah and not in the number of factors. Among these, scroll is considered void if even a sacred Torah scrolls, since they as I have argued in the scholarly single letter is incorrect or do not include vowel markings or literature, is ethnicity acting as a misplaced. Cohen does not call cantillation notations. catalyst that heightens and for changes in the writing of the reinforces those factors. But sacred Torah scrolls used in Cohen said unity and accuracy political socialization is not Jewish rites, which would likely were of particular importance to political destiny, and as some set off a firestorm of objection and distinguish the sacred Jewish text Jews change their partisan criticism. Instead, he is aiming for from that used by those sects that preference, so too will both their accuracy in versions used for broke away from Judaism, Jewish friends and neighbors. study by the Hebrew-reading namely Christians and Once the social stigma of voting masses. Samaritans. Republican is removed, there will be more Jews willing to come out For the people of the book, To achieve his goal, Cohen relied of the political closet, and others Cohen said, there was no higher primarily on the , unable to admit it publicly but who calling. the 1,000-year-old parchment text will vote Republican nonetheless. considered to be the most ‘‘The people of Israel took upon accurate copy of the Bible. For Abraham H. Miller is an emeritus themselves, at least in theory, centuries it was guarded in a professor of political science and one version of the Bible, down to grotto in the great synagogue of a former head of the Intelligence its last letter,’’ Cohen said, in his Aleppo, Syria, out of reach of Studies Section of the office at Bar-Ilan University near most scholars like Ben-Hayim. In International Studies Association. Tel Aviv. 1947, a Syrian mob burned the synagogue, and the Codex briefly RAMAT GAN, Israel (AP) — For The last man to undertake the disappeared before most of it was the past 30 years, Israeli Judaic challenge was Jacob Ben-Hayim, smuggled into Israel a decade scholar Menachem Cohen has who published the Mikraot later. been on a mission of biblical Gedolot, or Great Scriptures, in proportions: Correcting all Venice in 1525. His version, Now digitized, the Codex, also known textual errors in Jewish which unified the religion’s known as the Crown, provided scripture to produce a truly varying texts and commentaries Cohen with a template from which definitive edition of the Old under a single umbrella, has to work. But because about a Testament. remained the standard for third of the Codex — nearly 200 generations, appearing to this day pages — remains missing, Cohen His edits, focusing primarily on on bookshelves of observant had to recreate the five books of grammatical blemishes and an Jews the world over. Moses based on trends he intricate set of biblical symbols, observed in the Codex as well as mark the first major overhaul of Since Ben-Hayim had to rely on from other sources, such as the the Hebrew Bible in nearly 500 inferior manuscripts and 11th-century Leningrad Codex, years. commentaries, numerous considered the second-most inaccuracies crept in and were authoritative version of the Jewish Poring over thousands of magnified in subsequent editions. Bible. medieval manuscripts, the 84- year-old Cohen identified 1,500 The errors have no bearing on Cohen also included the most inaccuracies in the Hebrew the Bible’s stories and alter comprehensive commentaries language texts that have been nothing in its meaning. Instead, available, most notably that of corrected in his completed 21- for example, in some places the

4 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

11th-century Rabbi Shlomo ‘‘I want the Bible to be user- 4th Aliyah: Moshe finishes the Yitzhaki, known as . friendly,’’ said Cohen, a story of the Golden Calf by grandfather of eight. ‘‘Today, we retelling the giving of the Second The result is the completion of can create sources of information Luchos. Ben-Hayim’s work. and searches that allow you to get an answer to everything you 5th Aliyah: Moshe poses the ‘‘It was amazing to me that for are wondering.’’ famous rhetorical question of, 500 years, people didn’t sense "What does G-d want... follow His the errors,’’ said Cohen, who ways..." and describes other Summary of The Weekly Torah wears a knitted skullcap and a instances of Hashem's gray goatee. ‘‘They just assumed Reading: demanding justice. that everything was fine, but in practice everything was not fine.’’ 1st Aliyah: Moshe details the general rewards for following the 6th Aliyah: Moshe describes the Torah, and encourages the nation nature of Eretz Yisroel as He’s not the only scholar to demanding and responsive to our devote decades to the task. In to have complete confidence in Hashem's protection. Moshe following the Torah. The second 1976, Rabbi Mordechai Breuer Parsha of Shema is recorded. published a version of the Torah forewarns them of the dangers in being overly confident and based mainly on the Aleppo 7th Aliya: Moshe promises the Codex. The Hebrew University commands them in the Mitzvah of Birkas Hamazon (8:10). nation total victory if they listen to Bible Project in Jerusalem has the Mitzvos and follow the ways also been working on a scientific 2nd Aliyah: Moshe warns them of the Hashem. edition of the Hebrew Bible, but theirs is directed toward scholars, regarding the pitfalls of prosperity and idolatry, and exhorts them to In this week's Haftorah, while Cohen’s output is aimed at Yishayuhu 49:14 - 51:3 the Navi wider consumption. remain humble in the face of their guaranteed victories. G-d is the evokes a powerful image that is consistent with this week's Rafael Zer, the project’s editorial one who deserves the credit! Parsha. He describes our coordinator, called Cohen’s work relationship with Hashem as a ‘‘quasi-scientific’’ because it 3rd Aliyah: In order to illustrate his mother who can not possibly presents a final product and does point, Moshe reviews the incident abandon or forget her children. not provide the reader a way of of the Golden Calf. He explains Nothing that we will do, or that seeing how it was reached. He why G-d, being a G-d of Justice, might occur, can result in Hashem credits Cohen for bringing an will grant the Bnai Yisroel a being divorced from His People. exact biblical text to the general victory over the inhabitants of In fact, even though G-d public but said it ‘‘comes at the Canaan. Not because the Jews seemingly "hides His face" from expense of absolute accuracy are deserving, but because the us and allows other nations to and an absolute scientific edition. Seven Nations deserve to be punished for their own evil dominate and oppress us, they With the assistance of his son actions. The actions of the Bnai will ultimately have to answer to Shmuel, a computer programmer, Yisroel during the 40 years, such Him. Cohen launched a digital version as the Golden Calf, should have he hopes will become a resulted in the Jews' destruction. Parents who appropriately punish benchmark of the Israeli It was three factors which kept their children are doing G-d's education system. He said his them alive and well so that they work and are rewarded for their ultimate goal was to ‘‘correct the could inherit the land. expressions of love and caring. past and prepare for the future.’’ However, the "punishing nations" 1. Hashem's promise to Avraham, have never accepted their As a former teacher, Cohen said Yitzchak, and Yaakov. position as the extended hand of he took particular pride in a 2. The Chillul Hashem-- a loving G-d chastising and sophisticated search engine that desecration of G-d's name--that punishing His chosen people. allows even novices to explore his would have occurred among the Therefore, they will be punished, work with ease. He called other nations who would question rather than rewarded. computers a ‘‘third revolution’’ to G-d's ability to protect His nation. affect Jewish scripture, following 3. Moshe's begging for Hashem's The imagery is intended to focus the shift from scrolls to bound forgiveness. us on the emotional and books and the advent of the unbreakable bond that exists printing press. between us and Hashem. It is no

5 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

different than a mother who must bends over, picks it up with a which provides the real cope with the child who ignores flourish, and proceeds nourishment for a person. If we and disobeys her. However, in triumphantly to the truck. would realize the effect that our spite of the hurt and the blessings have on the world and responsibility to punish, the Rashi, in the beginning of all its contents, we would grab parent is incapable of separating our perashah, cites the Midrash every opportunity to say a herself from the love and concern which says that many people berachah. Indeed, Bircat she feels for her child, even more trample on little misvot, thinking hamazon, grace after meals, is so at the time of punishment! It is they are not worth the bother. the only berachah which is therefore incumbent upon the Fulfilling “minor” misvot means mentioned in the Torah, and its child, not the mother, to recognize things like observing a minhag, reward is truly unbelievable. But the parents' ever present love, doing small favors, saying even a regular short blessing, and embrace, rather than shun, “shalom” to another Jew you which takes only a few seconds, the relationship. might pass in the street, or can bring such bounty and standing up when an elderly prosperity to the one who says it. In the end, recognizing that person walks by. Some people Let's start off by just one extra Hashem has never and will never ignore these misvot without giving berachah a day and may we be abandoned us, especially at the them a moment’s thought. That is blessed in return. times of our greatest trials and what trampling on a little misvah tragedies, will reawaken our love means. RABBI ELI MANSOUR for Hashem and bring comfort to Putting Life Into Our Berachot the nation and Eretz Yisroel. Our Sages teach us,

however, that we are always to Moshe Rabbenu tells Beneh EXCERPTS FROM THE JERSEY view ourselves as if our merits equal our sins exactly and we are Yisrael in Parashat Ekeb (10:12), SHORE TORAH BULLETIN “Ve’ata Yisrael, Ma Hashem Rabbi Reuven Semah hanging in the balance. In fact, we are to imagine that the entire Elokecha Sho’el Me’imach…” – “And it will be because of your Jewish nation’s merits and sins “And now, Israel, what does listening to these laws.” (Debarim are exactly equal. By bothering Hashem ask of you…” 7:12) to fulfill one tiny misvah, we will shift the balance to the side of The Gemara in Masechet Did you ever see a penny merit and life, for ourselves and Menahot (43) tells of incident that on the sidewalk as you walked? for the entire Jewish nation. took place during the time of King Did you bother to pick it up? Instead of shirking a little misvah David, which relates to this Chances are you didn’t, we should view it as the winning Pasuk. A devastating plague especially if you were in a hurry. ticket to an eternal lottery, ravaged the country, killing one You might even have trampled on guaranteeing a lot more than hundred people every day. No it as you passed by. But in some strawberry-lemon ices. medical cause could be found for cases, even a wealthy man would the disease, and the situation bend over and pick up a penny, Rabbi Shmuel Choueka seemed hopeless. David, with his with the same thrill as finding a Ru’ah Ha’kodesh (prophetic $100 bill. "For man does not live on bread insight), came up with a solution. alone, rather, by the word of He enacted a requirement that is Rabbi Moshe Mizrahi Hashem..." (Debarim 8:3) still observed even today – to suggests the following scenario. recite one hundred Berachot each Suppose a wealthy man took his The simple meaning of day. The people obeyed the new grandson to the park. Suddenly, this verse is that it's not the actual law and made a point of reciting they hear the ice cream truck food which sustains a person, but one hundred Berachot on a daily passing by playing a merry tune, rather it's the command that basis, and the plague came to an and the child asks for ices. It Hashem gives for people to be end. costs 45 cents, but the smallest able to live. However, we can bill in Grandpa’s wallet is $50, understand this in a novel way The Gemara adds that David which the vendor will not accept. based on the verse found a Biblical source for this Digging into his pocket, he finds ???????????" ?????" which tells requirement – the aforementioned 44 cents. Now what will he do? us to bless Hashem for the food verse in Parashat Ekeb. The word Suddenly, he spots a tarnished that we eat. It's not the food that “Ma” (“What”), the Gemara says, penny on the sidewalk. A broad keeps us going; it's the berachot should be read as “Me’a” – “one smile spreads over his face as he we say before and after eating hundred.” Once we read “Ma” as

6 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

“Me’a,” the Pasuk reads, “And The letter Alef, which has the now, Israel, Hashem asks of you numerical value of 1, represents It does not take long to recite a one hundred…” God asks us for God, who is one. The letter is Beracha properly. It takes just a “one hundred,” that we recite one therefore formed by a slanted Vav few moments to pause, think hundred Berachot each day, and with a Yod extending from the about what we’re saying, and the Torah here thus alludes to the bottom and another from the top. enunciate each word correctly. law enacted by King David in The combined numerical value of These few moments are the response to the deadly plague. these three letters – Vav, and two difference between a “dead” Yod’s – is 26, the numerical value Beracha and a Beracha with life The question arises, what right do of the divine Name of “Havaya.” and power. We must ensure to we have to add a letter to the This letter, then, signifies God. invest a part of our souls into our word “Ma” to produce “Me’a”? David wanted to introduce this Berachot, and then, like in the The word “Ma” is spelled Mem, letter into “Ma,” a word which times of David HaMelech, Heh, and the word “Me’a” is denotes nothingness. His goal Hashem will protect us from harm spelled Mem, Alef, Heh. Thus, in was to infuse the Berachot which and grant us life and prosperity, order to read “Ma” as “Me’a,” we were characterized by “Ma” – Amen. need to add the letter Alef. How emptiness and lack of substance can we add a letter to a word in – with the people’s spirit, their Rabbi Wein the Torah? soul, which is a piece of God Himself. This is what the Gemara The parsha ties together the Furthermore, it seems from this means when it says that David observance of the Torah account that Beneh Yisrael did read “Ma” as “Me’a.” This is commandments, especially the not recite Berachot until King precisely what he enacted – that warnings against paganism and David’s enactment. How could the people should inject their idolatry, with the earthly blessings that be? Weren’t Berachot being otherwise lifeless Berachot with of longevity and prosperity. Over recited already during the time of life and feeling, by reciting the ages this has caused great Abraham, Yishak and Yaakob? Berachot not only with their lips, philosophic debate and One answer is that people were but also with their souls, with the discussion, for this cause and reciting Berachot, but David piece of Hashem within them. effect relationship is not always instituted the requirement to recite This injection of life and spirit into apparent in the national or one hundred Berachot. But there Berachot has the power to personal lives of the Jewish may also be a much deeper transform death to life, to avert people. explanation. catastrophe and save ourselves and our nation from harm. Many commentators hasten to True, the people had been add that these biblical promises reciting one hundred Berachot All Torah observant Jews recite refer to biblical times when the each day. But they were reciting Berachot. On most days of the Divine Spirit was palpably present Berachot without proper Kavana, year, we don’t even have to think amongst the Jewish community without concentration. The Sages about this requirement of one and the spirit of prophecy was teach us that a prayer without hundred Berachot, because we also present and prevalent in the Kavana is like a body without a automatically reach this total Land of Israel. This means that it soul. The Berachot being recited through our prayer services and was applicable to First Temple were “lifeless,” they had no blessings before and after eating times only, for in Second Temple spiritual force, because they were and drinking. Too often, however, times the spirit of prophecy was recited quickly, robotically, without these Berachot are lifeless, absent in the Jewish any attention or feeling. And recited by rote, mechanically, commonwealth. David realized that these one without concentration. We hundred “dead” Berachot recited mumble the words without Perhaps this is an insight as to each day were the cause of the thinking what they mean, and why the rabbis attributed the one hundred deaths the nation sometimes in our haste we fail to destruction of the First Temple suffered each day. He therefore even enunciate the words primarily to idolatry – a fulfillment enacted that the people should properly. If we truly believed the of the cause and effect system of ensure to recite Berachot with power of a Beracha recited justice as outlined in this week’s feeling and concentration, to properly, how Kavana brings life parsha – while the demise of the counteract the effects of their and blessing to the world, our Second Temple was attributed to “dead” Berachot. Berachot would be much social dispute and baseless different. hatred, an issue never specifically

7 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

mentioned in this week’s Torah consequences and that there is a brought you out of Egypt by his presentation. guiding hand to Jewish and world Presence and his great strength. history and events that will (Deut. 4: 37) It appears that different eventually reveal itself. So our equations, moral gauges and task remains, as it always was – The book of Deuteronomy is causes affected the Jewish to fulfill God’s commandments saturated with the language of commonwealth’s spiritual status and to behave morally and justly. love. The root a-h-v appears in during Second Temple times than The whole system of God’s Shemot twice, in Vayikra twice were present in First Temple justice, opaque as it may seem to (both in Lev. 19), in Badmibar not times when prophecy and Divine us to be, is simply to remind us of at all, but in Sefer Devarim 23 Spirit were current and our potential and greatness, of times. Devarim is a book about abundantly visible. In any event, it the importance of our behavior in societal beatitude and the is apparent that the direct cause the grand scheme of things, and transformative power of love. and effect relationship between to reinforce our sense of destiny observance of God’s as individuals and as a people. Nothing could be more misleading commandments and blessings and invidious than the Christian and prosperity and disobedience contrast between Christianity as a causing punishment and disaster Sir Jonathan Sacks religion of love and forgiveness has not always been evident in Chief Rabbi of the United and Judaism as a religion of law the annals of Jewish history and Hebrew Congregations and retribution. As I pointed out in life, especially in our long years of of the Commonwealth Covenant and Conversation to exile and persecution. Vayigash, forgiveness is born (as The Morality of Love David Konstan notes in Before The very fact that the Torah in Forgiveness) in Judaism. this week’s parsha makes this Something implicit in the Torah Interpersonal forgiveness begins cause and effect relationship so from the very beginning becomes when Joseph forgives his patently clear, and in fact repeats explicit in the book of Devarim. brothers for selling him into it a number of times, raises the God is the God of love. More than slavery. Divine forgiveness starts age old problem of why the we love Him, He loves us. Here, with the institution of Yom Kippur righteous suffer and the wicked for instance, is the beginning of as the supreme day of Divine are rewarded, in this world at this week’s parsha: pardon following the sin of the least. This basic faith dilemma Golden Calf. has its biblical origins in the book If you pay attention to these laws of Iyov where the problem is and are careful to follow them, Similarly with love: when the New raised, debated and thoroughly then the Lord your God will keep Testament speaks of love it does discussed, but basically left his covenant of love [et ha-brit ve- so by direct quotation from unanswered. et ha-chessed] with you, as he Leviticus (“You shall love your swore to your ancestors. He will neighbour as yourself”) and Over the long Jewish exile with its love you and bless you and Deuteronomy (“You shall love the attendant difficulties and pogroms increase your numbers. (Deut 7: Lord your God with all your heart, this gnawing problem of faith has 12-13) all your soul and all your might”). always accompanied us in every As philosopher Simon May puts it generation and circumstance. The Again in the parsha we read: To in his splendid book, Love: A events of the Holocaust, almost the Lord your God belong the History: “The widespread belief unimaginable in its numbers and heavens, even the highest that the Hebrew Bible is all about horror, has certainly been a test heavens, the earth and vengeance and ‘an eye for an of faith for many Jews, even for everything in it. Yet the Lord set eye,’ while the Gospels those who themselves were his affection on your ancestors supposedly invent love as an spared that actual experience. and loved them, and he chose unconditional and universal value, Yet the faith of Israel is that you, their descendants, above all must therefore count as one of somehow in the unfathomable the nations—as it is today. (Deut. the most extraordinary system of God’s justice, all will be 10: 14-15) misunderstandings in all of set right. Western history. For the Hebrew And here is a verse from last Bible is the source not just of the In reality, this is the main week’s: Because he loved your two love commandments but of a message of this week’s parsha. It ancestors and chose their larger moral vision inspired by informs us that our actions have descendants after them, he wonder for love’s power.”[1] His

8 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

judgment is unequivocal: “If love Second, the love with which God successful plea in the wake of in the Western world has a created the universe is not just golden calf, and is then founding text, that text is divine. It is to serve as the model institutionalised in the form of Hebrew.”[2] for us in our humanity. We are Yom Kippur (Lev. 16), but not bidden to love the neighbour and before. Why so? More than this: in Ethical Life: The the stranger, to engage in acts of Past and Present of Ethical kindness and compassion, and to The simple, radical, answer is: Cultures, philosopher Harry build a society based on love. God does not forgive human Redner distinguishes four basic Here is how our parsha puts it: beings until human beings learn visions of the ethical life in the to forgive one another. Genesis history of civilizations. [3] One he For the Lord your God is God of ends with Joseph forgiving his calls civic ethics, the ethics of gods and Lord of lords, the great, brothers. Only thereafter does ancient Greece and Rome. mighty and awesome God who God forgive human beings. Second is the ethic of duty, which shows no partiality and accepts he identifies with Confucianism, no bribes. He defends the cause Turning to love: Genesis contains Krishnaism and late Stoicism. of the fatherless and the widow, many references to it. Abraham Third is the ethic of honour, a and loves the stranger, giving him loves Isaac. Isaac loves Esau. distinctive combination of courtly food and clothing. So you must Rebecca loves Jacob. Jacob and military decorum to be found love the stranger, for you loves Rachel. He also loves among Persians, Arabs and Turks yourselves were strangers in the Joseph. There is interpersonal as well as in medieval Christianity land of Egypt. (Deut. 10: 18-19) love in plentiful supply. But almost (the ‘chivalrous knight’) and Islam. all the loves of Genesis turn out to In short: God created be divisive. They lead to tension The fourth, which he calls simply the world in love and forgiveness between Jacob and Esau, morality, he traces to Leviticus and asks us to love and forgive between Rachel and Leah, and and Deuteronomy. He defines it others. I believe that to be the between Joseph and his brothers. simply as ‘the ethic of love,’ and most profound moral idea in Implicit in Genesis is a profound represents what made the West human history. observation missed by most morally unique: “The biblical ‘love moralists and theologians. Love of one's neighbour’ is a very There is however an obvious in and of itself – real love, special form of love, a unique question. Why is it that love, personal and passionate, the kind development of the Judaic which plays so great a part in the of love that suffuses much of the religion and unlike any to be book of Deuteronomy, is so much prophetic literature as well as Shir encountered outside it. It is a less in evidence in the earlier Ha-Shirim, the greatest love song supremely altruistic love, for to books of Shemot, Vayikra (with in Tanakh, as opposed to the love one's neighbour as oneself the exception of Lev. 19) and detached, generalised love called means always to put oneself in Bamidbar? agape which we associate with his place and to act on his behalf ancient Greece – is not sufficient as one would naturally and The best way of answering that as a basis for society. It can selfishly act on one's own.”[4] To question is to ask another. Why is divide as well as unite. be sure, Buddhism also makes it that forgiveness plays no part – space for the idea of love, though at least on the surface of the Hence it does not figure as a it is differently inflected, more narrative – in the book of major motif until we reach the impersonal and unrelated to a Bereishit?[5] God does not integrated social-moral-political relationship with God. forgive Adam and Eve or Cain vision of Deuteronomy which (though he mitigates their combines love and justice. What is radical about this idea is punishment). Forgiveness does Tzedek, justice, turns out to be that, first, the Torah insists, not figure in the stories of the another key word of against virtually the whole of the Flood, the Tower of Babel or the Deuteronomy, appearing 18 ancient world, that the elements destruction of Sodom and the times. It appears only four times that constitute reality are neither cities of the plain (Abraham’s plea in Shemot, not at all in Bamidbar, hostile nor indifferent to is that the cities be spared if they and in Vayikra only in chapter 19, humankind. We are here because contain fifty or ten righteous the only chapter that also Someone wanted us to be, One people; this is not a plea for contains the word ‘love.’ In other who cares about us, watches over forgiveness). Divine forgiveness words, in Judaism love and us and seeks our wellbeing. makes its first appearance in the justice go hand in hand. Again book of Exodus after Moses’ this is noted by Simon May:

9 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace August 11, 2012 23 AB 5772

“He that sings (to Hashem) in this [W]hat we must note here, for it is If you have a hard time thinking of life is rewarded that he shall sing fundamental to the history of what He is doing for you, just walk in the World to Come” (Sanhedrin Western love, is the remarkable into an eye doctor’s waiting room 91B). “The righteous sit with and radical justice that underlies and take a look at the people crowns on their heads and enjoy the love commandment of sitting all around, one with bloody the splendor of the Shechina” Leviticus. Not a cold justice in eyes, one with bandages, another (Berachot 17A). “These crowns which due deserts are wearing dark glasses; they are are the understanding of Hashem mechanically handed out, but the suffering. Did it ever occur to you that they gained in this life” justice that brings the other, as an how healthy your eyes are? (RMBM). individual with needs and Thank you, Hashem. “Baruch Ata interests, into a relationship of Hashem pokeach ivrim”, Who Parts of this newsletter are courtesy of respect. All our neighbours are to opens the eyes of the blind. Project Genesis: Torah on the Information Superhighway. Permission is granted to be recognised as equal to redistribute, but please give proper ourselves before the law of love. This principle of expressing our attribution and copyright to the author and Justice and love therefore gratitude to our Benefactor is a Project Genesis, and refer to become inseparable.[6] cause of the greatest excellence [email protected] and http://www.torah.org/ in ourselves. “Sing, you righteous Love without justice leads to ones, to Hashem; for the upright, rivalry, and eventually to hate. praise is befitting” (Tehillim 33:1). Justice without love is devoid of This means: for those who desire the humanizing forces of to be upright, it is for their benefit compassion and mercy. We need to praise Hashem. Those persons both. This unique ethical vision – that develop the genuine attitude the love of God for humans and of appreciating Hashem’s of humans for God, translated into countless forms of kindliness will an ethic of love toward both thereby gain a love of the neighbour and stranger – is the Benefactor. And as they continue foundation of Western civilization to sing to Him and to express His and its abiding glory. praise, they come closer to Him and thereby gain excellence of It is born here in the book of mind and character. Deuteronomy, the book of law-as- love and love-as-law. The secret is to spend time to learn how to thank Hashem. But first we must learn why you AS HEARD FROM RABBI should be Grateful to Hashem. AVIGDOR MILLER Z'TL For example: you have to learn to “And You shall bless Hashem” appreciate your shoes and even (8:10) shoe laces. Remember how you felt when The word U’Berachta (you shall one of your laces broke and you bless) is from Barech, derived didn’t have a replacement? Did from Berech (a knee). It literally you appreciate the metal tips on means not “bless” but “to bend the laces? Do you appreciate the knees” in humility of deep your belt? Do you have gratitude gratitude. When one receives a for the holes in your belt? Some gift from a Donor to whom he is of the holes are fore “before unable to repay, all that he can do breakfast” and others are for is to demonstrate his humble “after breakfast”. These, and gratitude (“bending the knee”) to thousands of similar items must his Benefactor. We bend our be studied so that you can knees (Amidah) to Hashem eventually learn to be grateful for because we are weighed down them. with all of the blessings He showers on us and that we owe To attain the state of true Love of him for. Hashem is the highest Perfection.

10