ב ס ״ ד Torah Beating Around the mentioning the places where Marah because they were bitter. they fell short. The geographical The people complained against Weekly Bush Rabbi Mordechai notes in these verses delineate Moses . .” (Exodus 15:23–24.) Eliyahu, of blessed memory, Israelite pitfalls, not pit stops. The second occurred in Kadesh: July 11-17, 2021 former Sephardic chief rabbi For example: “In the wilderness” “There was no water for the 2-8 Av, 5781 of Israel, related: alludes to the time the Israelites assembly, and they gathered “The Rebbe once learned of a angered G-d in the desert, by against Moses . They Torah Reading: Devarim: Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22 scheme to personally humiliate saying, “If only we had died by quarreled with Moses and said, Haftarah: one of the Israeli prime the hand of G-d.” (Exodus 16:3.) ‘Why have you brought the Isaiah 1:1-27 ministers. He made every effort “In the plain”: He rebuked them congregation of G-d to this to stop the individuals from for their worship of the Baal wilderness to die here . ?’” PARSHAT DEVARIM doing so. He said, ‘To rebuke Pe’or deity in the plains of Moab. (Numbers 20:2–4.) What’s We have Jewish their actions, yes; to humiliate (Numbers 25:1–9.) “Opposite the particularly striking about them, no.’ “It takes special Sea of Reeds”: A reference to Moses’ omission of these Calendars. If you would like one, strength to rebuke and love at the their rebellion at the Red Sea, transgressions is that these same time.” This delicate and when they said, “Is it because crimes were directed not (only) at please send us a unique balance between love and there are no graves in Egypt that G-d, but at himself. We can just letter and we will rebuke, concern and compassion, you have taken us to the desert to imagine how these accusations send you one, or truth and tolerance, recalls a die?” (Exodus 14:11.) And the must have hurt—especially that Calendars ask the different rebbe: Moses. Final list goes on (as enumerated mother-of-all-chutzpah tirade at Rabbi/Chaplain to Words As the book by Rashi ad loc.) . What’s Kadesh! Not to mention that as of Deuteronomy opens, Moses i an indirect result of that rant, contact us. puzzling here is the veiled way in s left with five weeks to live. which Moses chose to reproach Moses was dealt arguably the Do you have family harshest blow of his lifetime: G-d He has lots to say to the people his people. How out of character on the outside he’s led for forty years, and even for a man whose hallmark was withheld from him the fulfillment struggling? more to say to a people whose clarity and truth! Does not of his lifelong dream of entering Please contact or promising but uncertain future allusion leave room for the Holy Land. (See have them contact looms just beyond the Jordan confusion—problematic Maimonides’ “Eight Chapters” our office to learn River. The fifth book of Moses is behavior for any leader, any (introduction to Avot).) Yet, amazingly, this calculated more about our thus, essentially, his last will and time? But here lays the true greatness of Moses, or rather the omission from his speech was family programs. testament. Here’s how it begins: These are the words that Moses greatness of his truth. The truth not despite the hurt and betrayal You and they are spoke to all of Israel on the other he embodied and communicated he felt, but because of it. Moses Family Programs not alone, we are side of the Jordan, in the wasn’t the cold and metallic worried that his personal here to help. wilderness, in the plain, opposite type, the variety which smacks of grievance might somehow the Sea of Reeds, between Paran judgment, self-righteousness and smuggle its way into his words or tone of voice when speaking to We offer free Grape and Tophel, and Laban and condescension. It was, rather, a warm and tender truth, packaged the Jews, and that as a result his Juice and Matzoh Chatzeroth and Di-Zahab . “These are the words”—what in an embrace, laced with words of admonishment would for you to be able to words? This group of verses sensitivity, and graced with be tainted with a bitter edge, make the blessings seems only to catalog compassion. Thus, while these putting his listeners on the every Shabbos. the Israelite desert itinerary, words of rebuke were absolutely defensive, possibly pushing them Please have your making no mention of any words necessary, when speaking them further as opposed to the chaplain / Rabbi spoken by Moses. Were they Moses made sure to allude intended nearer. This is the contact us to enroll perhaps edited out, one wonders? instead of accuse, to beat around thinking of a leader in love with (available to all The noted Bible the bush rather than burn it down, his flock. Of what use might in order to open, rather than referencing to Marah and Kadesh Grape Juice & Matzah prisons). commentator Rashi offers a creative insight. “These are the close, the hearts and minds of the be in the grander scheme of things, if even a chance existed Hyman & Martha Rogal Center words” refers to words of rebuke people he addressed. He avoided 5804 Beacon Street that Moses directed at hurt with heart. Moses taught that it might stunt rather than Pittsburgh, PA 15217 the Israelites. Moses here that to humiliate is to annihilate. assist the growth of his beloved 412-421-0111 enumerates all the places where No matter the transgressor or people? Moses recognized how Fax: 412-521-5948 the Jews angered G-d. Thus, “in transgression. sensitive people are when www.alephne.org the wilderness” is not a nostalgic Thoughtful Omissions There admonished, and adjusted and [email protected] reference to the setting of a were, point out the divested himself accordingly. memorable road trip, but serves commentators, two instances of What’s in It for Me? to introduce a homily given by national sin that Moses failed to Sometimes it’s our responsibility Moses to Israel, in which he mention in his last talk. The first to admonish. When that happens, recalls their many transgressions one happened at Marah: “They we must ensure that there’s no against G-d, by means of could not drink the waters at bite in our bark. It will be picked IN JEWISH HISTORY Sunday, July 11, 2021 --- 2 Av, 5781 up by the recipient, and the rebuke will be discarded. By all R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn Arrives in Israel (1929) means, hand out an earful when necessary; just make sure it’s In the summer of 1929, R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, sixth Rebbe of Chabad, visited the Land of Israel. The stated purpose of the trip was to pray at the gravesites full of heart. of the righteous individuals interred there. Among the cities he visited during his two- (Based on the Rebbe’s talk delivered on Shabbat Parshat week-long stay were Jerusalem, Safed, Meron, Tiberias, Hebron, and Tel Aviv. Devarim 5725 (1965).) By Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson The fifth of the Five Books Monday, July 12, 2021 --- 3 Av, 5781 Moses the Translator Passing of R. Shimshon of Ostropolle (1648) of Moses describes the final 37 days of Moses’ life. R. Shimshon of Ostropolle was a saintly individual who was greatly revered both in During this time, Moses repeats many of the laws he has already his lifetime and beyond. It is told that an angel called a maggid would come and reveal secrets of Torah to him, and that he merited revelations from Elijah the Prophet. He taught, rebukes the people, and retells some of the major himself records kabbalistic insights that were revealed to him in dreams. happenings of the previous 40 years. R. Shimshon authored Dan Yadin, a kabbalistic commentary, as well as numerous Moses also takes on a new role: translator. Until this point, other unpreserved works. Additionally, many of his interpretations that were preserved Moses had been the conveyer of the Torah, communicating the orally have been collected and published. R. Shimshon died a martyr’s death at the hands of a Cossack mob during the Divine wisdom to the Jewish people, but now he translated it Chmielnicki Massacres, while wrapped in his tallit and tefillin. into 70 languages for them. (Deuteronomy 1:5, see Rashi.) His audience, the Children of Israel about to enter the Promised Tuesday, July 13, 2021 --- 4 Av, 5781 Land, all spoke Hebrew and had no practical use for a translation Passing of R. Menachem Azariah of Fano (1620) R. Menachem Azariah of Fano, Italy, was a famed Talmudic scholar and kabbalist. A in Egyptian, Babylonian, or Cantonese. Centuries later, when the prolific author, he composed numerous works in both kabbalah and Jewish law, the translation of the Torah would become an important priority, most famous of which is Asarah Maamaros, a collection of kabbalistic treatises. would it not suffice for the great scholars of the time to translate Additionally, he used his wealth to obtain and publish the works of other great sages it? Why did Moses himself have to dedicate the last days of his (such as R. Yosef Caro’s Kessef Mishneh). life to this extensive task? R. Menachem Azariah was a devoted follower of the great kabbalist R. Moshe Cordovero, whom he also lent financial support. Later, he was introduced to the Language captures culture.