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Comment: Life as a Mountain By Yaakov Paley The cause is the mountain itself: it simply and stubbornly gets in the way. The Daily Thought wind hits it with force, and must force its way around or over. As it does so, it carries little pieces of the mountain with it Escape Voices: Free Trial Period By Sara Esther Crispe Man, on his own, cannot It was the commercial that first attracted me. Then there were the bonus gifts, reach higher than his own and by the time my free-trial period was up I'd forgotten that my credit card was being billed monthly... ego. He cannot break out of his own skin, he cannot lift Question: How and When was the Torah Written? By himself up by pulling at his To explain that, I would need a long conversation with you about what is G-d own hair. All of his and how G-d talks to people and why.... achievements are tied to his Essay: Nitzevet, Mother of David By Chana Weisberg own ego. All that he may He was Israel's mightiest warrior, revered by friend and foe; yet for the first 28 comprehend is defined by years of his life he was a lowly outcast, an object of contempt and derision his own subjective even by his own family... The secret story behind mysterious circumstances of King David's birth perception. He is a prisoner by virtue of existence. Essay: Small Town Jewry By Israel Rubin Rabbi Yosi ben Kisma was offered a dream budget--enough money to build a So G-d threw Man a rope. school, a , a kollel and an entire Torah community to his liking. So why would he turn down the opportunity? He gave him tasks to fulfill that are beyond his Seasons of the Soul: From Barley to Wheat By Shlomo Yaffe comprehension, thoughts to Is there such a thing as bad art? amoral logic? The 20th century has settled the fathom that take him outside question once and for all, driving home the truth embodied by the "Wheat Harvest Offering" of biblical times the hollow of his subjective universe. All that is needed Seasons of the Soul: Shavuot is his willingness to leave The story of Shavuot... A holiday guide... Essays and studies... "Moiuntain himself. Tops" --short insights into the soul of Shavuot... Recipes and games...

Seasons of the Soul: The Torah: an Anthology Compiled by Yanki Tauber We are all prisoners. But we 40 essays, stories, meditations and readings, each offering a glimpse into sit on the keys. something the Torah says about itself and its place in our lives

Parshah: Behaalotecha Lamps and lamplighters, journeys and encampments, petitioners (who are rewarded) and complainers (who are punished), seventy new prophets and one loyal disciple, an elusive father-in-law and a critical sister

A person does not sin unless a spirit of insanity enters into him --Talmud, Sotah 3a

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Life as a Mountain Why does the wind attack But that very haughtiness is what By Yaakov Paley mountains, yet largely ignores flat invites the forces that will temper it lands? The cause is the mountain and remold it. When a person Why a mountain? itself. It simply and stubbornly gets realizes he has allowed himself to in the way. The wind hits it with hold his head and heart high over Why, when after two-and-a- force, and must force its way around others, he is filled with a spirit of half-thousand years of or over. As it does so, it carries little humility and resolve to improve. gardens and floods, towers pieces of the mountain with it. This feeling is a wind that lowers the

Comment and exiles, rivers that ran arrogant peaks we have grown. with blood and seas that split, G-d Minuscule mountains that Since such a change is positive, the finally decided to reveal Himself to accompany the clouds. Onwards mountain is not shrinking; rather it is mankind--why did He gather His they travel until the wind reaches growing smaller and progressively nation around a mountain? another upright rocky formation, diminishing. The reduction of a ideally poised to collect negative trait is G-d gathered us at Sinai to teach, to the particles. Thus does always a step impart wisdom and knowledge, to the "strong and powerful forwards and guide. The location He chose was wind that erodes upwards. certainly not random; rather it must mountains" also fortify likewise present lessons of its own. others. Whilst some On the other side of mounts shrink, others the hill, our height There are many messages to man grow. may allow us to in a mount. attain greater One mountain's loss is heights. We can use Four are the kingdoms that another mountain's gain. our importance, our comprise our world: the inanimate, respected position, the vegetative, the animal and the power or fame to human. Our Sages have referred to create changes for the betterment of the towering mountains as the "All that the Holy One created in His others. Our mountain of influence "vegetative within the inanimate world," say the Sages. "He also can be utilized to guide others in a kingdom." Earth that grows tall. created in man." positive direction.

We do notice, however, that Our mountain represents our feeling Our mountain may be impressive mountains also shrink. Buffeted by of self; of position and importance. enough to gain entry to the hearts of winds, rinsed by rainfalls, carved by We could opt for a negative those who would ignore the same rivers. Organizations exist to protect mountain of arrogance and pride. Or message from a mere mound. Our certain mountains, to prevent we could have a holy mount, used importance and "altitude" then landslides and erosion. The prophet for positive advancement. becomes a holy mountain, a place Elijah referred to a "strong and where G-d can reveal Himself. powerful wind, that erodes We can raise ourselves as a mountain of haughtiness--a chunk of mountains." earth that rises in affront to decency, to society, to our Creator.

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Free Trial Period Yup, I'm convinced that G-d knows a social life, but at least it paid the By Sara Esther Crispe marketing better than the best of us. bills. He knows how to sell His product I've come to the conclusion well--He's a real pro. Otherwise, So I wasn't exactly in a position that G-d offers free no-risk- why would any sane, successful and where I was spiritually searching. I no-obligation trial periods. intelligent human being choose to was simply surviving. And even

Voices There are various packages give up a comfortably "free" secular though I was brought up in a available: some are 90-day life for one seemingly dictated only traditional household that was promotions, others even longer, by rules, regulations and customs? kosher and grew up going to shul on some may be shorter. And the , I was, if anything, less welcoming gifts are unbelievable. You see, I had no intention of ever connected to Judaism once I came Are you following me? You see, I leading a religious life. I actually had to Israel. I actually was paid double figured out that this is how people no intentions whatsoever. I just regular rate for working on Shabbat, who are not raised in observant figured that I would live day-by-day so of course, I was always the first homes or environments become and make decisions as they come. I to volunteer. actively observant. liked the idea of being open-minded and open to any possibility, and And then I saw the commercial. I This revelation came to me recently, feared constriction on any level. met these spiritually enlightened, when I was teaching a group of Then again, I was in college, so intellectually challenged and seminary girls, all of whom were what better time for such an emotionally fulfilled people. I was raised in religious homes. They attitude? jealous. I had many questions, but wanted to know how it was that I no real answers. These people, first became interested in living an Yet G-d had other plans for me meanwhile, were all connected to observant life. As I began to (doesn't He always?) and my this Torah thing and seemed to describe the transformation that content, little life suddenly became have intimate and personal took place in my life more than ten quite difficult and confusing. It didn't relationships with the big and only years earlier, I realized that it was help that I was spending my junior G-d. the commercial that must have year in Israel, far away from friends initially attracted me. Then there and family, and in the midst of a Up to that time, I'd figured that He were the bonus gifts, and by the falling-out with my immediate family was hardly aware that I existed. I time my free-trial was up, I forgot to the extent that we were not never made much of an effort to get that my credit card was being billed speaking. Along with my vow of to know Him, and when we did monthly. Originally I had thought I silence came a closed wallet, which communicate, our relationship was would stick around long enough for meant that I was also on my own for always very one-sided. When I the freebies and remember to all my financial needs. needed something, badly, I called to cancel in time, but I was so hooked Him, and promised to change that I never even realized the trial I found a job as a waitress in a certain things that were wrong with was over. Before I knew it, I was a hotel. I was the only Jew and only my life. In return, I expected to be full-paying member, paying my dues woman working alongside fifty Arab saved from my predicament. and enjoying benefits far beyond my men. I worked 45 hours a week and greatest expectations. was enrolled in five classes. My The interesting thing is that I always schedule didn't leave much time for took these "deals" quite seriously. If

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I made a promise to G-d, I never needed to be made, no contracts to local yeshiva in the morning for broke it, and He, too, always kept sign, just a request for a bit of some learning. Not bad. His side of the bargain. I tried not to interest. And I had the interest. So, I make too many of these promises, called the toll-free number, It started getting scary. I'd made a but when I did, I held to them. I introduced myself, mentioned that request, either verbally or even just remember one incident in particular, we had been in touch a few times in thought, and give or take 24 when I was stranded all alone late at before, and said I would like to find hours, I saw a result. For a while I night in a dark alleyway in a really out more about this Creator. The thought it was quite cute. I liked bad neighborhood in downtown LA problem was that my life was really being the recipient of daily miracles. in a stalled car. I remember feeling busy, and I didn't know It felt empowering to utterly helpless. Suddenly, I began how I'd squeeze Him have an open line to to murmur the Shema, something I in. Between my work the One Above. But hadn't done since I was a child hours and school, then I realized that this having nightmares. And then I made there didn't seem to be was no longer a purely one of those unbreakable promises. a moment to spare. one-sided relationship. I promised that if He saved me from Granted, I was being this situation, that I would never ride And that is when those given my space, but I in that car again. And I didn't. My free gifts started was expected to give friends thought I was crazy, but I pouring in. I made a something back. never got back into that car. request and BOOM, there was the answer. At this point the But then, once those moments of It was like the genie in the bottle. I academic year was need had passed, I would more or was working too much? Hated my about to end, and I had some less forget about Him. And, since I job? No problem. The next day a serious choices to make. I knew I thought that I was the one who friend took me out to lunch, the was at a crossroads in my life; I just always initiated our occasional place needed a waitress, and before wasn't sure which road I was going engagements, I assumed that He I knew it I was working half the to take. forgot about me, too. hours for double the pay of my previous job. Only one catch--I I had definitely fallen in love with Anyway, to get back to that couldn't work on Shabbat. They Judaism. I had never felt more alive commercial, it really got to me to be were actually closed on Shabbat. or more in-tune with my life and the watching all these people who world around me. Yet I was far from seemed to be on such buddy-buddy The bonus gifts just kept pouring in. ready to make the transition from a terms with Him. But more than a When the classes on Judaism I life of no rules or boundaries to one relationship, I really wanted wanted to attend conflicted with my of structure. The festival of Shavuot- answers. I wanted to understand the university schedule, the schedule -commemorating the giving of the meaning and purpose in my life, and changed. So now I was making Torah at Mount Sinai--was figured there was no better place to good money, had my weekends approaching and I figured I would start than with the One who put me free, could attend Shabbat meals use the opportunity for serious here. with local families (very popular reflection and introspection. thing for university students in And this is where that free-trial Jerusalem to do), and went to the But then again, my plans and my started. After the commercial, there reality were not exactly the same. A was no immediate commitment that few days before Shavuot one of my

Chabad.org Magazine | Shavuot 5765 | 4 B”H Chabad.org best friends arrived in Israel to or not there was some Jewish what we were doing but felt we surprise me. She was only around holiday that night. My heart stopped. should say some kind of blessing. for the week and desperately It was the eve of Shavuot. I had So we washed our hands as we had wanted to travel to Egypt with me. I completely forgotten, and I was in seen people do when eating bread, didn't know how to explain to her Egypt. and pronounced a blessing of my that I had really intended on own, "Baruch Atah Hashem…al spending the night studying and For the first time in my life, I cared. I HaTorah." then walking to the Western Wall felt that I was losing out. It was as if along with the sunrise. She would I had been invited to a very special As the candle began to flicker out, I not have understood and I was not meeting with G-d, and I simply realized that it was no longer prepared to try and explain. decided to do something else. As far needed. The sun was about to rise as I could see, the damage was and we had spent the entire night So, there I was, the day before irreparable. learning Torah. I resolved during Shavuot, in Dahab, Egypt. Dahab is that time that I would stay in Israel on the Sinai desert's southeastern I was quite depressed and felt for the summer to enroll in a full- tip, and is known for its beautiful trapped in this "resort." I dragged time program. I resolved that I would beaches and extremely relaxed myself to dinner with my friend and speak with my parents and repair atmosphere. I must admit that it a group of others. To my great our damaged relationship. And I didn't take me long to forget that I surprise, I ran into Mike, who resolved that I would no longer view had not wanted to come. As I attended Hebrew University with Judaism and its observance as an soaked in the sun and ate incredible me. Although he wasn't what one outsider, but would do my best to food, Shavuot became a distant would describe as religiously keep G-d's Torah and His memory. That is, until I was observant, he was quite spiritual. He commandments. suddenly jarred awake by the joined us for dinner, and then said woman next to me. he had to leave. I couldn't imagine It was Shavuot and I had merited to what he had to do in Dahab, so I receive the Torah. I walked out "So, where are you from?" she asked. toward the ocean and said the asked, nicely enough. Though I was Shema with all the power of my not really in the mood for He told me that he had specifically heart soul, and mind. I knew G-d conversation, I answered that I was come to Dahab for Shavout, as it is was listening, always had been, and studying in Jerusalem for the year. very close to the site believed by always would be. To my great surprise, her eyes lit up many to be Mount Sinai. He wanted and she started asking me about to spend the night learning and And so my free-trial period had Judaism. I started to share my asked if I cared to join him. I couldn't come to a close. There were no limited knowledge and instantly even respond, but the tears rolling more refunds and no more returns. found myself passionately and down my cheek sufficed for my Which is exactly how I wanted it. intensely describing how incredible I "yes." We bid our friends goodbye found Judaism to be emotionally, and were off. Sara Esther Crispe is a writer, spiritually and intellectually. We inspirational speaker and mother of four. She and husband, Rabbi Asher spoke for over five hours until we We found a small hut that was Crispe, are currently scholars-in- realized that we were sitting in the illuminated by candlelight. Mike had residence for Chabad of Southwest brought with him an English/Hebrew dark. She had to leave, but before Florida doing so, innocently asked whether Bible, and we decided we would take turns reading. We had no idea

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How and When was the Torah Written? most gullible believer would swallow. The Ten Commandments scene was By Tzvi Freeman Let's take a closer look at the a very mystical experience. I haven't classical sources (Midrash, Talmud, read of any vaguely similar To the Most Esteemed and et al) that describe how Torah got to experience in any other people's Transcendent, Kewlest and us. tradition. What happened? A mass of Spiffiest Guru on Earth, people shared in Moses' experience. Enlightened Guide for The Story, According to Us They hadn't worked themselves up Blundering Souls, Travel

Question to Moses' spiritual height, so it wasn't Agent for Spiritual Hikers, Before Moses, there were traditions. able to last too long. But that was His Honor, Grand Rabbi of Suburban There were rituals, there were basically the idea: This revelation Guadalajara, stories, there were ideas. There that G-d has things He wants us to were writings, as well.1 When did do and not do, that He cares about Dear Guad, people start writing phonetically? I what's going on with these little don't know. There is no way to tell. critters down here and here are the Give me the handle on this Sinai And some etchings that have basic items--in a few moments, all thing. As I got it from Hebrew school, managed to endure on the walls of this became just as real to the Moses went up the mountain, sat caves in the Sinai are not going to people as it was to Moses. down at his desk and took dictation put together a whole history for me.2 for forty days and forty nights. G-d But the stories of the patriarchs are Which makes Moses pretty unique, said, "In the beginning…" and that's obviously very ancient and attest to because he's the only prophet that just what Moses wrote…until he got the linear thinking of a phonetically does such a thing. Others just tell the all the way to the end. Right? literate mind. 3 Most likely, Moses people, "G-d says such and such. had a few scrolls in his possession Trust me." Moses, the populist Or did I get it all wrong? Because if from more ancient times. prophet, says, "Let me tune you in I'm right, then I've got a lot of for a minute on what I'm hearing questions. And if I got it wrong, then According to Rashi (Exodus 24:4), from G-d." Moses is cool. you're going to have to fill it in, before Moses went up that mountain, 'cause otherwise, I'm going to sound he presented the Jewish people with Moses then disappears up the like a real heretic. an official version of the Book of mountain for forty days. While there, Genesis, as well as part of Exodus-- forty-nine gates of wisdom are open Guadalajara , set me straight! up to the event at which he was to him, granting him the secrets of all standing. I expect he relied heavily existence. Moses then writes down -Morris Ayn on some of those earlier manuscripts the experience of Mount Sinai along for his work, and that he tried to be with a set of rules for a new society, Answer: consistent in style with his additions. which eventually becomes Parshat That doesn't make this any less a Mishpatim--the section written in the Dear Morry, divine work. G-d can work with Exodus story dealing principally with editors just as well as He can with The story you got in Hebrew school civil law. authors. (Ask my editor, he'll tell you is basically true, but it's also missing G-d actually prefers editors.) Is everything in Parshat Mishpatim lots of the details. So it ends up new? I doubt it. Just as I doubt there coming across as a simplistic was anything at all new in the Ten Hebrew-School story that only the

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Commandments. The novelty was Vital, where he explains that the life: "And G-d spoke to Moses not the content. It was this idea that prophet hears G-d speaking in his saying..." Because, as Nachmanides the same G-d who transcends all own voice and his own words, (or in explains, Moses saw the raw nature and is responsible for the very the voice of his teacher--as was the essence as it is, stripped of the filter ground of existence is really case with Samuel). That explains a of his own ego. Other prophets wrapped up in how we live down lot. heard the truth as it spoke to them. here. That was revolutionary. It was Moses saw truth as truth knows totally out of synch with so-called I will only supplement by pointing out itself. enlightened thinking of the times. that when you or I are completely People thought only little gods could immersed in a subject of Torah and Yet he shared that experience with get involved in this kind of thing--and come up with a novel explanation or all of us. Which is why Maimonides they were easy to bribe. In Egypt, idea, that is also Torah. Meaning that counts as one of the 13 axioms of they called that "mata"--something someone else would not be Judaism that no other prophet can like "karma" to the Hindus. They permitted to study that idea before contradict Moses--because no other knew of some essential oneness at having said the morning blessing to prophet has the testimony of the the core level of reality--but they G-d for having "given us His Torah." entire Jewish people that, yup, we thought it preposterous to consider Get that: Giving us His Torah! Even experienced G-d talking to him that this G-d could be engaged in though you or I came up with this alright. anyone's daily life. Never mind in the idea--and it didn't feel like it landed in daily lives of the masses. Which our heads from Andromeda 5. Yet it The Prophecy Thing gave all the more justification to the is G-d's Torah. That's called being hierarchy of power and oppression one with G-d. Read chapter five of Okay, I'll say something else about that Moses had stood up against. . prophecy--because, after all, this is one of the big stumbling blocks for a Moses the Revolutionary My point is that really prophecy is not lot of people. Especially those who so foreign to human experience as have gotten used to thinking of G-d So Moses was bringing G-d down to you might think. We all have ideas in philosopher terms, or maybe earth. He was demolishing the that pop into our minds from who- Taoist terms as just "that which is." pyramid of spiritual knowledge that knows-where. Just that most people So talking with "that which is" is kind he knew so well from Egypt--and so feel they thought of them on their of strange to these people. much despised. He was saying, own. A prophet, it seems (I haven't "This G-d is so great, He can care really been there to tell) is one who The Torah, however, describes the about everybody and everything!" hears things clearly that others may entire reality as nothing more than Moses was making a revolution. only pick up with much distortion. He G-d speaking. G-d says, "Let there is in tune with that unknowable place be photons" and the whole mess Why was he making a revolution? from which the Unknown speaks. So starts. Same with everything that Because G-d was telling him to. To he hears it speaking to him with exists in our world--all of it is nothing explain that, I would need a long clarity. more than a manifestation of G-d conversation with you about what is holding a dialog with Himself. That's G-d and how G-d talks to people and Moses was the prophet who got in why, in Biblical Hebrew, there are no why. Maimonides already deals with tune with the very core of reality and words for "thing", "object", "stuff" or that quite sufficiently in his Book of heard that speaking to him. That's even "physical". Everything is called Knowledge. Then there is Shaar why he writes in third person, like a a davar which means simply "word." Ruach HaKodesh of Rabbi Chaim passive observer--even of his own

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Words are crystallizations of idea of what's coming down--before sometimes in one of those tiny thoughts. And that's what holds the it actually gets here.4 crowns that is placed above certain world together. letters according to the tradition.8 In Shaarei Kedusha, Rabbi Isaac Think about it: Here are all these Luria's protégé, the above- Forty Years in the Writing particles--electrons, protons, mentioned Rabbi Chaim Vital, goes negative-charged particles, positive- even further: He claims that Back to the order of things: So charged particles, matter, anti- prophecy is really the natural state of Moses writes down the laws and matter, quarks, bosons, blips, any human being. You see, when G- rules he learns atop the mountain. bloops, kukaratches, stuff... And d went about making the first human Short break for the Golden Calf what makes them into a world that being, He said, "Let us make affair. Next thing, Moses is back up we can observe and Adam."5 The us refers the mountain getting some experience? A bunch of to the entire universe rehabilitative laws, including the rules. Without those that G-d had just details for a portable, people's rules, those particles completed6. The soul tabernacle. Over the period of the can't work together. And of everything from next thirty-nine years,9 Moses writes without working every creature in every at intervals. The writing is done in together, none of them world of the entire various ways. Sometimes he writes can exist. Turns out that order of worlds was and then speaks. Sometimes he the rules keep them in invested into this being: makes his oratory and then existence. angels, animals, trees, transcribes it. Sometimes he collects plants, rocks--the together the accounts from a census And what are the rules? works. The rationale? and organizes it. (This may account An extremely limited Adam was to be the for the varied styles we may find in manifestation of G-d's mind. That's conduit of life-giving and existence- these sections.) what we call "G-d speaking." sustaining energy traveling from the highest world to the lowest. According to another opinion in the Next time you wonder why G-d never According to how he leads his life, so Talmud, everything is oral until the speaks to you, look at the world will the entire world receive life. last days. According to all opinions, around you. That's all it is: G-d it's not until those last days that speaking to you. Just that the signal If so, what is the wonder, Rabbi Vital Moses gathers everything together is so stepped-down and encrypted asks, if a human being manages to and distributes copies to each of the you can't necessarily tell what He's read some of the data as it travels tribes.10 His final instructions: saying. through him? Everyone must write their own. Moses, the ultimate populist. So, Rabbi Isaac Luria, the great Prophecy, it turns out, is just a Kabbalist, explains: all the prophet matter of tuning in to the process of Convincing Julius needs to do is catch those words of constant creation. Moses' prophecy G-d as they are a little less was a matter of getting to the very If the whole thing is so plausible, you condensed and crystallized, up in a core of that process. And so, writes say, why is it so many of those higher world. There things are a lot Nachmanides,7 every secret of the Biblical criticism dudes won't accept clearer--less static, more signal. And universe is contained in the Torah, the story? The real question is like from there those prophets get an sometimes in a nuance of a phrase, this: What would it take to convince sometimes in a pattern of letters,

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those academics? To convince them Julius Wellhausen was fascinated by Because to lay a claim to human that: the idea of history--like every other rights or equality before the law is scholar of his century. History in his ludicrous under any other system. a) There is a G-d, responsible for the day meant Hegel. That's the way The horrors of the twentieth century very ground of existence. everything happened and had to proved this better than any textbook happen: Progressively, through a could and authors such as George b) This G-d cares about what's conflict of social dynamics, thesis- Orwell made it lucidly clear to us: happening in that existence. antithesis-synthesis, moving closer There is no rational basis for human and closer to the enlightened rights or justice for all men. c) This G-d can communicate, and modern man. That's the mold of actually does communicate, to every 19th century thinker, and Yet without these things today, human beings all that He would like Torah had to fit into that mold. Tell society is simply not sustainable-- us to be doing down here. me that Wellhausen could have and neither is life on the planet. If G- accepted anything otherwise. d just is and life just is and I propose that all the evidence in the everything is therefore without innate world wouldn't be able to budge The fact is, this idea of Moses is so meaning or value--then dog-eat-dog those guys one nanometer. Because wild, so counter-intuitive, I don't with the weapons of modern we are not talking about logic here-- believe anyone could arrive at it technology is as ugly--and sure--as we are talking about axioms. And to through philosophy or logic. Why do can be. those academics, it is a foregone we believe it? Because we believe in conclusion, an axiom, that if not a, the Jewish people. That's called So Moses wins in the end. And if then certainly b and c are Judaism: Belief in Jews. Since we Moses is right that G-d cares, then preposterous.11 believe in the Jews, we believe in the what is so impossible that G-d might experience of the Jews, which wish to communicate exactly what I don't believe for a moment that any means we believe in Torah and He cares about and that it actually scholar examined the matter since we believe in Torah, we happened at a certain point in time at objectively, saying, "Let's see, there believe in G-d and that G-d cares. a certain place to a certain mass of are two possibilities here: Moses did (See How Do We Know We Heard people? this because G-d spoke within him, G-d at Sinai for what I wrote on this or people made this up as history to some other poor nebuch.) Which is just what I believe. went along. Let's examine both and determine which is the more elegant The Utilitarian Proof Tzvi Freeman is the author of a explanation." number of highly original renditions of That said, let me point out something and Chassidic teaching, including the universally acclaimed Never. When Spinoza began his that's rarely cited as a proof of "Bringing Heaven Down to Earth." To critique, it was a foregone conclusion Moses' idea, but in my mind wins order Tzvi's books click here. that G-d did not communicate to hands down: It works. humankind. G-d, to Spinoza, is not a being that can care and have Modern society is grounded lock and concern for His world. Spinoza's G-d barrel on Moses' idea: The idea that is an object, a passive state of just all people are created by a single G- being. Since Spinoza was the father d who cares about each one of them. of biblical criticism, the children could That is the basis of modern only descend from there. democracy and all civil rights.

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Nitzevet, Mother of David Disgrace breaks my heart and I am and by the drunkards on the street By Chana Weisberg left deathly sick. corners ("I am the taunt of drunkards")? What had King David Save me, O G-d, for the I hope for solace but there is none, done to arouse such ire and waters threaten to engulf and for someone to comfort me but I contempt? And was there no one, at me... find no one. this time in his life, who would provide Essay him with love, comfort and I am wearied by my calling out and They put gall into my meal and give friendship? my throat is dry. I've lost hope in me vinegar to quench my thirst... waiting... (Psalm 69)1 This Psalm, in which King David passionately gives voice to the More numerous than the hairs on my This Psalm describes the life of a heaviest burdens of his soul, refers to head are those who hate me without poor, despised and lowly individual a period of twenty-eight years, from reason... who lacks even a single friend to his earliest childhood until his being comfort him. It is the voice of a coronated as king of the people of Must I then repay what I have not tormented soul who has experienced Israel by the prophet Samuel. stolen? untold humiliation and disgrace. Through no apparent cause of his David was born into the illustrious Mighty are those who would cut me own, he is surrounded by enemies family of Yishai (Jesse), who served down, who are my enemies without who wish to cut him down; even his as the head of the Sanhedrin cause... own brothers are strangers to him, (supreme court of Torah law) and ravaging and reviling him. was one of the most distinguished O G-d, You know my folly, and my leaders of his generation. Yishai was unintended wrongs are not hidden Amazingly, this is the voice of the a man of such greatness that the from You... mighty King David, righteous and Talmud (Shabbat 55b) observes that, beloved servant of G-d, feared and "Yishai was one of only four righteous It is for Your sake that I have borne awed by all. individuals who died solely due to the disgrace, that humiliation covers my instigation of the serpent"--i.e. only face. King David had many challenges because death was decreed upon the throughout his life. But at what point human race when Adam and Eve ate I have become a stranger to my did this great individual feel so alone, from the Tree of Knowledge at the brothers, an alien to my mother's so disgraced, and so undeserving of serpent's instigation, not due to any sons. love and friendship? sin or flaw of his own. David was the Out of envy for Your House, they youngest in his family, which included What caused King David to face such ravaged me; the disgraces of those seven other illustrious and an intense ignominy, to be shunned who revile You have fallen upon me... charismatic brothers. by his own brothers in his home ("I have become a stranger to my Those who sit by the gate talk about Yet, when David was born, this brothers"), by the Torah sages who me. I am the taunt of drunkards... prominent family greeted his birth sat in judgment at the gates ("those with utter derision and contempt. As who sit by the gate talk about me"),

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David describes quite literally in the Why was the young David so reviled Boaz died the night after his marriage Psalm, "I was a stranger to my by his brothers and people? with Ruth. Ruth had conceived and brothers, a foreigner to my mother's subsequently gave birth to their son, sons...they put gall in my meal and To understand the hatred directed Oved, the father of Yishai. Some gave me vinegar to quench my thirst." toward David, we need to investigate rabble-rousers at the time claimed the inner workings behind the events, that Boaz's death verified that his David was not permitted to eat with the secret episodes that aren't marriage to Ruth the Moabite had the rest of his family, but was recorded in the Book of Prophets but indeed been forbidden. assigned to a separate table in the alluded to in Midrashim.4 corner. He was given the task of Time would prove differently. Once shepherd because "they hoped that a David's father, Yishai, was the Oved (called so because he was a wild beast would come and kill him grandson of Boaz and Ruth. After true oved, servant of G-d), and later while he was performing his duties"2 several years of marriage to his wife, Yishai and his offspring were born, and for this reason was sent to Nitzevet, and after having raised their righteous conduct and pasture in dangerous areas full of several virtuous children, Yishai prestigious positions proved the lions and bears.3 began to entertain personal doubts legitimacy of their ancestry. It was about his ancestry. True, Boaz was unquestionable that men of such Only one individual throughout the leading Torah authority in his day, caliber could have descended from a David's youth was pained by his but his grandmother, Ruth, was a forbidden union. unjustified plight and felt a deep, convert from the nation of Moab, as unconditional bond of love for the related in the Book of Ruth. However, later in his life, doubt child whom she alone knew was gripped at Yishai's heart, gnawing undoubtedly pure. During Ruth's lifetime, many away at the very foundation of his individuals were doubtful about the existence. Being the sincere This was King David's mother, legitimacy of her marriage to Boaz. individual that he was, his integrity Nitzevet bat Adel, who felt the The Torah specifically forbids an compelled him to action. intensity of her youngest child's pain Israelite to marry a Moabite convert, and rejection as her own. since this is the nation that cruelly If Yishai's status was questionable, refused the Jewish people passage he was not permitted to remain Torn and anguished by David's through their land, or food and drink married to his wife, a veritable unwarranted degradation, yet to purchase when they wandered in Israelite. Disregarding the personal powerless to stop it, Nitzevet stood the desert after being freed from sacrifice, Yishai decided the only by the sidelines, in solidarity with him, Egypt. solution would be to separate from shunned herself, as she, too, cried her, by no longer engaging in marital rivers of tears, awaiting the time Boaz and the sages understood this relations. Yishai's children were when justice would be served. law--as per the classic interpretation aware of this separation. transmitted in the "Oral Torah"--as It would take twenty-eight long years forbidding the conversion of male After a number of years had passed, of assault and rejection, suffering and Moabites (who were the ones Yishai longed for an offspring whose degradation until that justice would responsible for the cruel conduct) ancestry would be unquestionable. finally begin to materialize. while exempting female Moabite His plan was to engage in relations converts. With his marriage to Ruth, with his Canaanite maidservant. David's Birth Boaz hoped to clarify and publicize this Torah law, which was still He said to her: "I will be freeing you, unknown to the masses. conditionally. If my status as a Jew is

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legitimate, then you are freed as a Tamar, Nitzevet would be rewarded King David's Coronation proper Jewish convert to marry me. If for her silence with a child of my status, however, is blemished and greatness who would be the forebear We are first introduced to David when I have the legal status of a Moabite of Moshiach. the prophet Samuel is commanded to convert forbidden to marry an go to Beit Lechem to coronate a new Israelite, I am not giving you your Unaware of the truth behind his wife's king to replace the rejected King freedom, but as a Shifchah Canaanit, pregnancy, but having compassion Saul. a Canaanite maidservant, you may on her, Yishai ordered his sons not to marry a Moabite convert." touch her. "Do not kill her! Instead, let Samuel arrives in Beit Lechem and the child that will be born be treated the elders of the city come out to The maidservant was aware of the as a lowly and despised servant. In greet him, nervous at this unusual anguish of her mistress, Nitzevet. this way, everyone will realize that his and unexpected visit, since the She understood her pain in being status is questionable and, as an elderly prophet had stopped separated from her husband for so illegitimate child, he will not marry an circulating throughout the land. The many years. She knew, as well, of Israelite." elders feared that Samuel had heard Nitzevet's longing for more children. about a grievous sin that was taking From the time of his birth onwards, place in their city.7 Perhaps he had The empathetic maidservant secretly Nitzevet's son was treated by his come to rebuke them over the approached Nitzevet and informed brothers as an abominable outcast.6 behavior of Yishai's despised her of Yishai's plan, suggesting a Noting the conduct of his brothers, shepherd boy, living in their midst. bold counter plan. the rest of the community assumed that this youth was a treacherous Samuel declared, however, that he "Let us learn from your ancestress sinner full of unspeakable guilt. had come in peace and asked the and replicate their actions. Switch elders, and Yishai and his sons, to places with me tonight, just as Leah On the infrequent occasions that join him for a sacrificial feast. As an did with Rachel," she advised. Nitzevet's son would return from the elder, Yishai was invited to the feast, pastures to his home in Beit Lechem but when his sons were inexplicably With a prayer on her lips that her plan (Bethlehem), he was shunned by the also invited, they worried that succeed, Nitzevet took the place of townspeople. If something was lost or perhaps the prophet had come to her maidservant. That night Nitzevet stolen, he was accused as the natural publicly reveal the embarrassing and conceived. Yishai remained unaware culprit and ordered in the words of illegitimate origins of their brother. of the switch. the Psalm, to "repay what I have not Unbeknownst to them, Samuel would stolen." anoint the new king of Israel at this After three months, Nitzevet's feast. All that had been revealed to pregnancy became obvious. Eventually, the entire lineage of the prophet at this point was that the Incensed, her sons wished to kill their Yishai was questioned, as well as the new king would be a son of Yishai. apparently adulterous mother and the basis of the original law of the illegitimate fetus that she carried. Moabite convert. People claimed that "When they came, Samuel saw Eliav Nitzevet, for her part, would not all the positive qualities from Boaz (Yishai's oldest son) and he thought, embarrass her husband by revealing became manifest in Yishai and his "Surely G-d's anointed stands before the truth of what had occured. Like illustrious seven sons, while all the Him!" her ancestress Tamar, who was negative character traits from Ruth prepared to be burned alive rather the Moabite clung to this despicable But G-d said to Samuel, "Don't look at than embarrass Judah,5 Nitzevet youngest son. his appearance or his great height, chose a vow of silence. And like for I have rejected him-G-d does not

Chabad.org Magazine | Shavuot 5765 | 12 B”H Chabad.org see with mere eyes, like a man does. waited to be told who was to become personality. His ruddiness suggests a G-d sees the heart!" the next king. All the seven sons of warlike nature, while his eyes and Yishai had passed before Samuel, general appearance indicate Then Yishai called Avinadav (his and none of them had been chosen. kindness and gentility.9 second son) and made him pass before Samuel. He said: "G-d did not "Are these all the lads?" Samuel At first, Samuel doubted whether choose this one either." asked. Samuel prophetically chose David could be the one worthy of the his words carefully. Had he asked if kingship, a forerunner of the dynasty Yishai made Shammah pass, and these were all Yishai's sons, Yishai that would lead the Jewish people to Samuel said, "G-d has not chosen would have answered affirmatively, the end of time. He thought to this one either." that there were no more of his sons, himself, "This one will shed blood as since David was not given the status did the red-headed Eisav."10 Yishai had his seven sons pass of a son. before Samuel. Samuel said to G-d saw, however, Yishai, "G-d has not chosen any of Instead, Yishai answered, "A that David's them." At last Samuel said to Yishai, small one is left; he is taking greatness was that "Are there no lads remaining?" care of the sheep." David's he would direct his status was small in Yishai's aggressiveness He answered, "A small one is left; he eyes. He was hoping that toward positive is taking care of the sheep." Samuel would proceed and aims. G-d allow David to remain where commanded So Samuel said to him, "Send for him he was, outside of trouble, Samuel, "My and have him brought; we will not stir tending to the sheep, in the anointed one is until he comes here." faraway pastures. standing before you, and you So he sent for him and had him But Samuel ordered that remain seated? brought-he was of ruddy complexion David immediately be summoned to Arise and anoint David without delay! with red hair, beautiful eyes, and the feast. A messenger was For he is the one I have chosen!"11 handsome to look at. dispatched to David who, out of respect for the prophet, first went As Samuel held the horn of oil, it G-d said: "Rise up, anoint him, for home to wash himself and change his bubbled, as if it could not wait to drop this is the one!" (I Samuel 16:6-12) clothes. Unaccustomed to seeing on David's forehead. When Samuel David home at such a time, Nitzevet anointed him, the oil hardened and The Small One, Left Behind inquired, "Why did you come home in glistened like pearls and precious the middle of the day?" stones and the horn remained full. As Samuel laid his eyes on Yishai's eldest son, Eliab, he was certain that David explained the reason and As Samuel anointed David, the sound this was the future king of Israel. Tall, Nitzevet answered, "If so, I, too, am of weeping could be heard from handsome and distinguished, Samuel accompanying you." outside the great hall. It was the voice was ready to anoint him, until G-d of Nitzevet, David's lone supporter reprimanded him not to look at the As David arrived, Samuel saw a man and solitary source of comfort. outside but to the inside.8 "of ruddy complexion, with red hair, beautiful eyes and handsome to look Her twenty-eight long years of silence No longer did Samuel make any at." David's physical appearance in the face of humiliation were finally assumptions of his own, but he alludes to the differing aspects of his coming to a close. At last, all would

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see that the lineage of her youngest absorbed the fortitude and courage to She demonstrated to him, as well, the son was pure, undefiled by any face his adversaries. From the necessity of boldness while pursuing blemish. Finally, the anguish and moment he was born, and during his the right path. When the situation humiliation that she and her son had most tender years, it was Nitzevet would call for it, personal risks must borne would come to an end. who, by example, taught him the be taken. Without her bold action in essential lesson of valuing every taking the place of her maidservant Facing her other sons, Nitzevet individual's dignity and refraining from that fateful night, the great soul of her exclaimed, "The stone that was embarrassing another, regardless of youngest child, David, the forebear of reviled by the builders12 has now the personal consequences. It was Moshiach, would never have become the cornerstone!" (Psalms she who displayed a silent but stoic descended to this world. 118:22) bravery and dignity in the face of the gravest hardship. The soul-stirring Psalms composed Humbled, they responded, "This has by King David in his greatest hours of come from G-d; it was hidden from It is from Nitzevet that King David need eloquently describes his our eyes" (ibid., verse 23). absorbed a strength born from an suffering and heartache, as well as inner confidence to disregard the his faith and conviction. The book of Those in the hall cried out in unison, callous treatment of the world and Psalms gives a voice to each of us, "Long live the king! Long live the find solace in the comfort of one's and has become the balm to sooth all king!" Within moments, the once Maker. It was this strength that would of our wounds, as we, too, encounter reviled shepherd boy became the fortify King David to defeat his the many personal and communal anointed future king of Israel. staunchest antagonists and his most hardships of life in galut (exile). treacherous enemies, as he valiantly Nitzevet's Legacy fought against the mightiest warriors As we say these verses, our voices on behalf of his people. mesh with Nitzevet's, with King King David would have many more David's and with all the voices of trials to face until he was Nitzevet taught her young child to find those past and present who have acknowledged by the entire nation as the strength in following the path of experienced unjustified pain, in the new monarch to replace King one's inner convictions, irrespective beseeching our Maker for that time Saul. During his kingship, and of the cruelty that might be hurled on when the "son (descendant) of David" throughout his life, up until his old him. Her display of patient confidence will usher in the era of redemption age, King David faced many ordeals. in the Creator that justice would be and true justice will suffuse creation. served gave David the inner peace King David possessed many great and solace that he would need, over talents and qualities, which would and over again, in confronting the assist him in attaining the formidable challenges in his life. Chana Weisberg is the author of two tremendous achievements of his books on the lives of Biblical women Rather than succumb to his lifetime. Many of these positive and on the feminine soul. She is the afflictions, rather than become the qualities were inherited from his dean of the JRCC Institute of Torah individual who was shunned by his illustrious father, Yishai, after whom Study in Toronto and lectures tormentors, David learned from his worldwide on issues relating to he is fondly and respectfully called mother to stand proud and dignified, women, relationships and mysticism. ben Yishai, the son of Yishai. feeling consolation in the open pastures in communicating with his But it was undoubtedly from his Maker. mother that the young David

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Small Town Jewry our obligation to help others: "Bring man's apparent emphasis and By Israel Rubin [others] closer to Torah" (1:12); "Do obsession with wealth. Yet the not keep the Torah to yourself" question remains. Why did Rabbi The Mishna in Ethics of the (2:5); "Learn Torah in order to Yosi turn down such a golden Fathers (6:9) relates: teach" (4:5). Is it fair to shrug off opportunity to build a place of one's sacred duty and obligation to Torah? Had he moved there, he Essay Said Rabbi Yosi Ben teach others by retreating into the would surely have had enough to Kisma: I was once walking on the smug comfort of a Torah ivory cover a dream budget: money to road, when a certain man met me. tower? build a school, a yeshiva, a kollel He greeted me, "Shalom," and I and an entire Torah community to responded: "Shalom." He said, A Rabbi for the Wrong Reason his liking. Had Rabbi Yosi indicated "Rabbi, from which place are you?" the address of that city's Search and I said to him: "I am from a great Some commentaries justify Rabbi Committee, surely many an city of scholars and sages." He said: Yosi's refusal by emphasizing and interested candidate would have "Rabbi, if you will live with us in our interpreting the word bimkomaynu-- accepted this lucrative position! place, I will give you a million dinars, "[come live with us] in our place"--as gold, silver, precious stones and also carrying the meaning, "instead Pioneering a Torah City pearls." I replied: "Even if you give of us." The members of this town me all the silver and gold, precious had sought someone to relieve them The difficulties in a mere superficial stones and pearls in the world, I will from their own Jewish obligations, understanding of this Mishnah force dwell only in a place of Torah..." expecting the rabbi to pray and do us to consider a novel interpretation- mitzvot in their stead, so they could -that Rabbi Yosi moved to the A Rabbi Against Outreach? live free and do as they please. unnamed city. It may very well be that Rabbi Yossi did indeed accept The obvious moral of this story is But this explanation leaves the man's invitation, and actually that Torah is a priceless treasure, something to be desired. Rabbi Yosi followed him to become their rabbi! and we shouldn't give it up for should not be excused by those anything in the world. Yet Rabbi people's ignorance; shouldn't he Indeed, nowhere does the Mishah Yosi's rejection and refusal to reach have tried to correct their mistake say that Rabbi Yosi responded, "No! out to fellow Jews who are seeking and change their mistaken I'm not going!" Rather, we hear him Torah leadership is very disturbing. perspective? Had he accepted the proclaim, "Even if you give me all Is he abdicating the responsibility of position, he could have certainly the silver and gold, precious stones sharing Torah with others? With all taught them that Judaism involves and pearls in the world, I will dwell due respect to Rabbi Yosi's concern each Jew personally, not just the only in a place of Torah," followed for his own growth, he seems to clergy. by citations from Psalms and ignore the basic mitzvah of Ahavat Proverbs that declare, "The Torah of Yisroel--to love one's fellow Jew! Focus On Money Your mouth is more desirable to me than thousands in gold and silver." Indeed, this negative attitude Other commentaries defend Rabbi contradicts everything that we have Yosi, explaining that he became Rabbi Yosi's insistence on "living in learned earlier in The Ethics about frustrated and discouraged by the a place of Torah" was not limited to

Chabad.org Magazine | Shavuot 5765 | 15 B”H Chabad.org his old domicile. On the contrary, it restricted to a secluded Torah This may also be related to "Rabbi expresses his determination to enclave, but also functioned as Yosi of Caesarea" (Sanhedrin 98a), pioneer the building of a place of rabbi and teacher in "Rome." a preacher who discussed ways of Torah in his new residence. bringing people closer to Judaism. Where is "Rome"? Perhaps he is the Rabbi Yosi ben This scenario may seem strange at Kisma who moved to Caesarea to first. But a careful examination of Further research shows that Rabbi establish a "place of Torah," where Talmudic and historic references will Yosi's residence was not in Rome, we find him surrounded by students help us track down Rabbi Yosi Ben the capital of the Roman Empire, concerned about Jewish future and Kisma to a specific location that was but rather a Roman city in the Land Redemption. not known to be a Torah fortress. of Israel. We can now see Rabbi Yossi in a Rabbi Yosi In Rome The Talmud describes a tunnel that new light. Rabbi Yossi does not connected the homes of Rabbi spurn the invitation. On the contrary, The Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) details Judah the Prince (editor of the he responds, quoting relevant a discussion between Rabbi Yosi Mishnah) and the Roman Antoninus scriptural passages to his sponsor. Ben Kisma and his students (Marcus Aurealius?), who studied This was actually regarding the Future Redemption, in Torah together. Rabbi Yossi's which Rabbi Yossi points to a charge to the specific gateway as a landmark. Surely, there is no 1,000 community even Rashi comments that this dialogue mile Rome-to-Jerusalem before he set foot took place "in Rome." tunnel under the there. The topic of Mediterranean! This his first sermon is: The Maharsha raises the obvious convinced the Seder "Even if you give question: How could the reclusive Hadorot that the "Rome" me all the silver Rabbi Yosi, who refused to live mentioned here is not the and gold, precious anywhere but in a "place of Torah," Rome of Italy, but rather a stones and pearls find himself in a city like Rome, the Roman city in Israel. This in the world, I will source of the Temple's destruction is also supported by the dwell only in a and the very antithesis of Torah? fact that, while Rabbi Yosi's funeral place of Torah..." Torah is the best was attended by high Roman investment. Money isn't everything! It is also rather surprising that we officials, his tomb is located in find that the highest Roman officials Meron, only several hundred yards The congregation wanted to spend attended Rabbi Yosi's funeral and from the Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's big money on a prestigious rabbi, eulogized him (Talmud, Avodah resting place in northern Israel. listed in the Who's Who, who would Zarah 17a). It seems highly unlikely impress the mayor, the media and that Roman officials would travel to Caesarea their gentile neighbors. They wanted Rabbi Yosi's exclusive Torah place to buy themselves an amenable This Roman city may have been to pay respect to a rabbi who rabbi who would accept them as Caesarea--the seat of Roman rejected anything outside his they were, without making religious government in Israel, which also sheltered Torah enclave. demands. They offered a nice had a Jewish community. salary, "But please, Rabbi, a Contrary to our initial impression, it yeshivah here will interfere with our is apparent that Rabbi Yosi was not

Chabad.org Magazine | Shavuot 5765 | 16 B”H Chabad.org lifestyle..." They tried to explain to walking on the way? Why couldn't and tattered Torah scrolls he had their prospective rabbi that, "When he simply say, "Once a man left behind. in Rome, do as the Romans do." approached me?" Rising to the Challenge Rabbi Yosi refused--not their offer, Furthermore, if Rabbi Yossi was so but the terms of that offer. And the insistent on never leaving his place Rabbi Yosi was thus ready to go out evidence indicates that, in the end, of Torah, why was he walking and work to rebuild Torah in a new they accepted him on his terms. around elsewhere, venturing so far locale. Rather than relax in the from the city that the man asked comfort of a pre-existing Torah "I Was Once Walking on the Way" him: "From which place are you?" center, Rabbi Yosi ventured forth to work hard and break ground to Now that we have located the We now know that Rabbi Yossi Ben establish a new "place of Torah." "Rome" which Rabbi Yosi moved to, Kisma was actually in the city of let us explore a little more Talmudic Tiberius (referred to as a "city of Rabbi Yosi rose to the challenge. geography to better understand rabbis and scholars"--Talmud, He was not at all impressed by his where Rabbi Yosi was coming from. Megillah 7 and Bava Batra 9). We new hosts' material wealth; he was also know that he became very concerned about their spiritual The Talmud (Yevamoth 96b) upset by the scholars' divisiveness poverty. Well meaning as they were, describes a highly intense Halachic and rivalry and its ruinous results. It Jewish continuity was not on their discussion that occurred between stands to reason that Rabbi Yosi left agenda. Rabbi Yosi was not afraid the rabbis in Tiberius, which Tiberius heartbroken and dejected. to state his goal to raise their Jewish unfortunately resulted in a Torah He was thus walking on his way, conscience and awareness, and scroll was torn apart. when this man approached him. The expressed his terms clearly at the man realized that Rabbi Yossi was outset, saying to his congregants-to- Rabbi Yossi ben Kisma was there. searching for a new place, and be: "As much as you treasure your He became very upset and therefore invited him to come to his physical wealth, the Torah is the commented: "I wonder if this House town. precious inheritance of each Jewish of Study will not be transformed into man, woman and child, and is far a House of Idolatry." The Talmud When Rabbi Yossi responds "I am more meaningful than anything in concludes, "And so it happened." from a big city of scholars" he was the world!" not saying so with arrogance, but This may be why Rabbi Yosi Ben rather with a painful tone of Rabbi Israel Rubin serves as director Kisma finds it necessary to preface heartbreak, sorrow and of Chabad of the Capital District in his narrative by saying: "I was once disillusionment. He was trying to get Albany, walking on the way..." Why is it away from the "big city" politics and important to mention that he was divisiveness, that resulted in the torn

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From Barley to Wheat In each one of us there is a human Each and every one of us, always, By Shlomo Yaffe and a beast, or--in the words of the must begin every intellectual and Chassidic masters--a "G-dly soul" creative endeavor by asking: "Does Passover and Shavuot, and an "animal soul." As regards this essay or work of art or music most commonly known as our animal soul, most of us would move the world closer to being a the festivals that agree that a "barley offering" is in dwelling place for G-d?" commemorate, order. Obviously, my animalistic respectively, the Exodus passions and desires need taming This is the eternal question asked of

Seasons of the Soul and the Giving of the Torah, and binding to the divine. I must each of us our by obligation to bring each also have a pronounced therefore offer up my physical drives the first fruits offering on Shavout: agricultural element. and desires to control by G-d, lest "Did you offer the first of your they get the better of me. wheat--your humanity--to G-d?" The Torah instructs that on the second day of Passover we should I may, however, believe that all May we all merit to receive the bring the first cutting of our barley intellectual and artistic endeavor is Torah anew with joy and inner harvest to the Holy Temple in good and safe, inasmuch as it is meaning. Jerusalem as an offering to G-d, uniquely human and refined. The and not to partake of that year's Torah teaches us: No! We must also barley crop until that offering is bring an offering of the first of our Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe is the spiritual made. On Shavout, we are "wheat"--our human endeavor--to G- leader of Congregation Agudas Achim commanded to bring the first of our d. If we do not bind our intellect and of West Hartford, Connecticut wheat harvest as an offering to G-d, creativity to G-d, no matter how and not partake of that year's wheat profound our musings and how About the artist: Sarah Kranz has until this is done. Hence, the 49-day refined our aesthetic, we risk been illustrating magazines, count leading from Passover to creating and inspiring falsehood and webzines and books (including five children's books) since graduating Shavuot is called "The Counting of evil. Not all art inspires positive from the Istituto Europeo di Design, the Omer"--a reference to the omer behavior or attitudes; not every Milan, in 1996. Her clients have (a biblical measure) of barley that philosophy is helpful or even benign. included The New York Times and was brought on the first day of the Money Marketing Magazine of London count--and Shavuot is called Yom Indeed, there is nothing more Habikkurim, "The Day of the First- destructive than bad ideas and Fruits Offering." beliefs. All the worst evils of the 20th

century stemmed not from greed In Biblical tradition, barley is and base animal passions, but from primarily animal food. Wheat is the malignant ideologies. Only by key and ideal human food. shining the light of G-dliness as embodied in the Torah into our The instruction that we gain from souls can we distinguish between these offerings is: the ideas and creations that elevate humanity and those that pollute it.

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Shavuot this year is you'll find everything from a simple, Sunday evening June 12 - straight-forward how-to guide to Tuesday, June 14, 2005 Shavuot observances, to profound

insights into the significance of the For more about Shavuot, festival from the wells of Chassidic

Seasons of the Soul the festival of the giving of wisdom. the Torah, visit Virtual Shavuot (www.chabad.org/shavuto) where

The Torah: an Anthology and our highest mark of Jew looks into the Torah, and Compiled by Yanki Tauber achievement. sustains the world."

They call us the "People of The Torah is our mandate as a For 40 days and nights Moses sat the Book" because of our people, the marriage contract of our on the summit of Mount Sinai, as G- legendary devotion to it. special relationship with G-d as His d taught him the Torah; for the next When a child is born, we chosen "kingdom of priests and holy 40 years, Moses taught it to the wish its parents, nation." But it is people of Israel. Thus our sages

Seasons of the Soul "May you merit to not only that: to have said: "a person does not attain raise him/her to Torah," and the Jew, the the mind of his master until after 40 the first words that a Jewish Torah is nothing years [of study]." We don't have 40 parent teaches his or her less than the years to explain Torah; we only child are: Torah tzivah lanu basis and have an anthology of 40 essays, Moshe, morashah kehilat objective of all stories, meditations and readings, Yaakov ("The Torah that existence. In the each offering a glimpse into Moses commanded us is the words of the something the Torah says about heritage of the congregation Midrash: "G-d itself and its place in our lives. To of Jacob"). Jewish law states made a condition read the articles, go to that we are obligated to with the work of www.chabad.org/43148: pursue the study of Torah creation: if the every spare moment of our day and people of Israel accept the Torah, Essays: night. you will exist; if not, you will revert to chaos and nothingness." "G-d The Spark of all Truths For thousands of years, the study of looked into the Torah," says the by Mattis Kantor Torah has been our life's occupation Zohar, "and created the world. The Reality and its Shadow by Yaakov Brawer

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Law, Truth and Peace The Lady, the Tiger and Freedom Stories: Three essays on three fundamental of Choice roles of Torah, adapted from the by Yanki Tauber A Cheder in Siberia Lubavitcher Rebbe's talks by Yanki as told to Eliyahu Touger by Reb Tauber In the Desert Mendel Futerfass by Yanki Tauber The Third Knot Original Ideas adapted from the Rebbe's talks by The Breakthrough by Yanki Tauber Yanki Tauber by Yanki Tauber Zaidy Pinchas' Torah Reasoning the Stone Because it is There by Chana Weissberg adapted from the Rebbe's talks by by Yanki Tauber Yanki Tauber Echos How to Have by Jay Litvin The Mathematics of Marriage by Yanki Tauber adapted from the Rebbe's talks by The Problem Yanki Tauber Say It in Your Own Words by Tuvia Bolton by Yanki Tauber Yes and No The Survivor adapted from the Rebbe's talks by Our Goodly Tents by Shmuel Marcus Yanki Tauber by Yanki Tauber The Master of Song The Day that Nothing Happened Oxen and Cows by Yanki Tauber adapted from the Rebbe's talks by by Yanki Tauber Yanki Tauber The Cat The Ten Commandments series by Yanki Tauber How Do We Know that We Heard by Yanki Tauber G-d at Sinai? The Sinai Files by Tzvi Freeman by Tzvi Freeman

Meditations: The Torah-Science Debates Condensed from the Wisdom of the by Professor Velvl Greene Lubavitcher Rebbe by Tzvi Freeman Readings

Inner Engravings Ethics of the Fathers Chapter Six Insights: Talking to Himself A Marriage of Minds (Tanya Is G-d Religious? Chapter Five) by Torah and the World What is the Torah?

Where the Roads Meet Grab the clothing from To Be a Jew by Rabbi Hayim by Andre Haijdu HaLevi Donin Youthful Wisdom

Chabad.org Magazine | Shavuot 5765 | 20 B”H Chabad.org

Shavuot Torah Readings

Exodus 19:1-20:23; Deuteronomy 14:22--16:17

The Children of Israel camp opposite Mount Moses that the Sinai, where they are told that G-d has revelation is chosen them to be His "kingdom of priests" too intense for and "holy nation." The people respond by them to bear, proclaiming, "All that G-d has spoken, we begging him to shall do." receive the Torah from G- On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), d and convey it seven weeks after the Exodus, the entire to them. nation of Israel assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai. G-d descends on the mountain amidst thunder, lightening, billows of smoke and the blast of the shofar, and summons On the second day of Shavuot we read from Moses to ascend. Deuteronomy chapters 14-16 which detail the laws of the three pilgrimage festivals -- G-d proclaims the Ten Commandments, Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot -- on which commanding the people of Israel to believe in all Jews came "to see and be seen before G-d, not to worship idols or take G-d's name the face of G-d" in the Holy Temple in in vain, to honor their parents, keep the Jerusalem. Shabbat, and not to murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness or covet another's property. The p eople cry out to

Parshah Naso Numbers 4:21 - 7:89 descendents the Kohanim are Completing the head-count of the Children instructed on how to of Israel taken in the Sinai Desert, a total of bless the people of 8,580 Levite men between the ages of 30 Israel. and 50 are counted in a tally of those who will be doing the actual work of transporting the The leaders of the Tabernacle. twelve tribes of Israel each bring G-d communicates to Moses the law of the their offerings for "Sotah", the wayward wife suspected of the inauguration of unfaithfulness to her husband. Also given is the altar. Although the law of the Nazir who for swears wine, their gifts are identical, each is brought on a lets his or her hair grow long, and is different day and is individually described forbidden to become contaminated through by the Torah. contact with a dead body. Aaron and his

Chabad.org Magazine | Shavuot 5765 | 21 B”H Chabad.org

Parshah Behaalotecha Numbers 8:1-12:16

of governing the Aaron is commanded to raise light in the lamps of the people. Miriam menorah, and the tribe of Levi is initiated into the speaks negatively service in the Sanctuary. of Moses and is punished with leprosy; Moses A "Second Passover" is instituted in response to the petition "Why should we be deprived?" by a group of prays for her Jews who were unable to bring the Passover offering healing and the entire community in its appointed time because they were ritually impure. G-d instructs Moses on the procedures for waits seven days Israel's journeys and encampments in the desert, for her recovery. and the people journey in formation from Mount Sinai, where they had been camped for nearly a year.

The people are dissatisfied with their "bread from heaven" (the manna) and demand that Moses supply them with meat. Moses appoints 70 elders, to whom he emanates of his spirit, to assist him in the burden

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