The Jerusalem Talmud (Hagigah 2:1) teaches that the way of Torah is a narrow path. On the right is fire and on the left is icy snow. If one veers from the path, one risks being destroyed by either the fire or the ice. The Torah way of life is balanced, harmonious and sensible. It imbues life with depth, meaning and true happiness. Yet, it is not easy to stay on the path.
It was said of Rabbi Yitzhak Luria, the great kabbalist of 16th century Safed, that he was able to see into people’s souls when he looked at their faces. By looking into one’s eyes, he could gain clear insight into that individual’s personality. For this reason, many people were ashamed to appear before Rabbi Luria, believing that he could detect their character flaws and inadequacies.
Shalom uvrakha, and best wishes to all members of our University Network. I'm including in this emailing an article by Rachel Delia Benaim, reflecting on her frustrations with contemporary Modern Orthodox rabbinic leadership. It raises important issues, and I invite you to share your thoughts by emailing [email protected]
Where are our teachers?
BY Rachel Delia Benaim
“And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the children of Israel that they take for Me an offering; of every person whose heart inclines to give, you shall take My offering” (Shemot 25:1-2).
The Israelites were invited to contribute to the building of the Mishkan, each according to the generosity of one’s heart. The Torah lists things to be donated: gold, silver and brass; various dyes; fine linen and goat’s hair; ram skins and seal skins; acacia wood; oil; spices; precious stones for the ephod and breastplate.
“Do not afflict or oppress the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:20)
“Do not oppress the stranger, for you know the soul of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9)
“When a stranger lives with you in your land, do not afflict him. As one of your citizens, the stranger who lives with you shall be to you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt, I am the Lord your God.” ( Lev. 19:33-34)
Angel for Shabbat, Parashat Vaera
by Rabbi Marc D. Angel
"And Moses spoke before God saying: behold, the children of Israel did not listen to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me..."
Moses brought the children of Israel a tremendous message: God was ready to end their slavery in Egypt; God would bring them to the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. After generations of harsh servitude, the Israelites would now become free.
When confronted with a blatant falsehood uttered by the President, his spokesperson said that the President was not lying but was presenting “alternative facts.” Apparently, “alternative facts” are not lies; they are to be considered as legitimate ways of describing things the way we wish to see them, regardless of whether or not they are true.
Jacob had worked a lifetime to raise a family and now was at the point of his impending death. He gathered his family around him to offer his final words. He looked back at successes and failures, at good times and bad, at spiritual achievements and moral deficiencies.
In the midst of imparting his final speech, he paused and poignantly called out: “I wait for Your salvation O Lord” (Bereishith 49:18).
“And he [Jacob] lighted upon the place and tarried there all night because the sun was set; and he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth and the top of it reached to heaven, and behold the angels of the Lord ascending and descending on it.” (Bereishith 28: 11-12)
“And Abraham was old, well stricken in age, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.” (Bereishith 24:1)
This is a remarkable statement: God had blessed Abraham “bakol,” in all things. Yet, in his old age, it would seem that Abraham had hit a nadir in his life, that almost everything had gone wrong for him.