A few words on YAAKOV

B"H

Yaakov is moving to Haran and I am moving my blogs from Blogspot to Wordpress. :-)

Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky commentated that, for the first 63 years in his life, Yaakov studied Torah with his father Yitzchak, and then he was escaping Esav and fled to Haran. Yaakov needed the spiritually from the Torah of Shem and Ever in order to survive his upcoming surroundings, as uncle Lavan wasn't such a nice relative. Lavan focused his life on the power he gained through his sorcery and on money. Sounds like a really nice guy and I think that many of us have someone like that as a family member. Not necessarily dealing in sorcery but running after money.

Yaakov hardly ever faced happy times in life. There was the war with Esav, he lived in the Diaspora with greedy Lavan, his beloved Rachel passed away, his sons quarreled and the whole incident with Yosef. 

Maybe it doesn't have anything to do with Yaakov but during the past few days while hundereds of rockets were shot from Gaza onto Israeli territory, I sometimes dreamt about being somewhere else in the world where that are neither rockets nor any worries about an upcoming war. Every few minutes, the Israeli radio kept on announcing further rocket alarms and sirens. Twice, Jerusalem got attacked. The last time on Wednesday when a Fajr 5 (Made in Iran) was flying towards Jerusalem but almost hit a Palestinian village in Gush Etzion (south of Jerusalem).

When I looked at all those nice pictures at Google + or on other sites I saw romantic beaches, nature as well as photos from people's daily lives. An ordinary life and not like ours waiting for the next rocket alarm and don't know where to hide. But, still, I am glad to live in Israel and not anywhere else. Despite all those bad news there was time to concentrate on enjoyable things in life. I was having coffee with friends, walked around in nature and I got this desire buying books. Novels only in order to grab a book and sit somewhere and read. Just to keep your mind going. At least until the next bad news or alarm.
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By Sunday or Monday, I will be done organizing my new Shearim blog and let you know the URL. As I already said earlier, I am keeping this blog and will set lots of links between the old and the new Shearim !

Shabbat Shalom to all readers !  

The Task of Adam HaRishon and Eve in Gan Eden

B"H

G – d commanded the Jewish nation to keep His Torah laws (Mitzvot). As we all know there are 613 Mitzvot but not too many Jews were able to keep all of them. Even if they wanted. The reason is that many laws apply to males only or refer to the Cohanim and their service in the Temple. As we are still waiting for Meshiach and the Third Temple to be built, we are only able to keep about 70 Mitzvot today.

Just recently we read the Torah Parashot Ekev and Re’eh where G – d is letting the Jews know that they either keep the Mitzvot and enjoy prosperity or the don’t keep the Mitzvot and thus have to face the consequences. In the Talmud Tractates of Berachot 33b, Sanhedrin 21b as well as Kiddushin 39b, the Tannaim are discussing why G – d refrained from giving the exact reason for each and every single Mitzvah. Besides only a very few Mitzvot, we simply don’t have any explanation why we have to do this and that. What we can do is figuring out a reason but the truth is that we still don’t know G – d’s real intention.

Sometimes we may find opinions in the Gemara hinting that there are no reasons but the vast majority of Sages, including the Rambam and the Ramban, say that there is a reason for every single Mitzvah we do. Most of the time we don’t understand why we are doing such and such but G – d has His reasons behind anything in this world.

The Jews are commanded to keep the Torah Mitzvot and the task of the Gentile is to keep the Seven Noachide Laws. If a Jew is not willing to carry out a specific Mitzvah now, at least, he should have in mind that one day he will be able to do this and that Mitzvah.

There is so much written about the Mitzvot in the Talmud, you wouldn’t believe it. You study one section and due to the background sources, you will find more and more. A never ending study. But why only talk about us and our Mitzvah difficulties today when we could go back and have a look at the source ?

It says in Sefer Bereshit 2:15:

"A – do – nai E – lo – him took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, to work it and to guard it".

The question is what kind of work Adam HaRishon was supposed to do ? He didn’t need to plant or build anything. Everything he needed was there and he just needed to grab it. 

The Midrash Pirkei de’Rabbi Eliezer offers us one idea: The work Adam was supposed to do was studying the Torah. 

Now you may claim that the Torah itself was only given to the Jews more than twenty generations later. And, by the way, Adam HaRishon was not a Jew at all. So, how could he study Torah when the Torah wasn’t in this world yet ? 

Always take into consideration that Adam and Eve were on an extremely high soul level. A level we cannot even imagine today. Still in Gan Eden, Adam was able to do anything and had an unbelievable mind. His duty was to acknowledge G – d as the Creator of all existence and to follow the rules G – d was commanding him. G - d created both of them choosing a different path by refraining to eat from the Etz HaDa'at (Tree of Knowledge). If they had, they would have gained eternal life and our world would look much different today.

Furthermore, it says that Adam should guard Gan Eden. 
Why ? Where there trespassers or thieves around ? Anyone trying to break in and steal something ? 

A commentary in SEFER Ha’CHINUCH provides us with an answer: The external appearance of Gan Eden was very different than its inner essence. From the outside there were plants, trees and water. Its essence, however, was spiritual. Humans don’t only live in a material manner but a man is created in such a way that he also needs spirituality. 

How did the spirituality come to Adam and Eve ? The answer to that is very simple: By carrying out the Mitzvot. Studying Torah was their work but by fulfilling G – d’s laws, they were guarding themselves from going astray. By fulfilling the Torah Mitzvot they built a fence around their Torah knowledge. Adam and Eve were guarding themselves from leaving the path of Torah. 

Coming back into our times: We, as Jews, may keep the Mitzvot, half of the Mitzvot or no Mitzvot because we possess a G – dly created FREE CHOICE. Whatever our potential is, we should always keep in mind that there is so much more we could accomplish.

Midrash YALKUT SHIMONI on Parashat EKEV

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H 

Those of you studying Judaism in depths know that there are quite a few Midrashim around. The majority of texts or Rabbis usually refer to the two most famous ones: Midrash Tanchuma and Midrash Rabbah. However, there are many many more Midrashim around and I personally like to study (when I have got the time) the Midrashim Yalkut Shimoni and Yalkut Re'uveni. 

Nevertheless, it is not "only" the Yalkut Shimoni making the following statement on Parashat EKEV. I know that EKEV was already read yesterday but Yalkut Shimoni's thought itself is always interesting. 

By making the statement, Yalkut Shimoni is quoting a sentence from Sefer Mishlei 11:21 and saying that G – d didn't give the Mitzvot to the Jewish people in order that the reward (for carrying out Mitzvot) will be given immediately. On the other hand, when a Gentile is doing a Mitzvah (keeping the Seven Noachide Laws) he will be receiving his reward right away (interpretation of Sefer Devarim 7:10). Meaning that Jews may only receive their reward in Olam Habah whereas Gentiles usually receive their reward in Olam HaZeh. 

Moreover, G – d definitely had His reason for not letting people know their exact reward. Lets say a Jew is saying a Bracha before eating or drinking: He usually does so according to different levels. If he does it because it is part of his frum routine and he learned it from his parents, well, this may be one of the lowest levels. 

If he fulfills the Mitzvah because out of fear of G – d, he carries out the Mitzvah but also on a lower level. The highest level of carrying out Mitzvot is the love of G – d. The problem is that if we knew what kind of reward we receive from G – d, we would carry out certain Mitzvot much more than others. Depending on the level of reward. This is the reason why we don't know our reward for doing such and such. 

Some very interesting points we should never forget. Sometimes we think that we already know all this but it is always good to be reminded.

Parashat Shlach Lecha: " The difference between the Spies and the Jews today ?"

View over the Galilee from Zfat (Safed)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

This week's Torah Parasha SHLACH LECHA is telling us about the fatal incident with the spies (Hebrew: Meraglim). G - d didn't command Moshe to send out the spies but various Jews demanded it and finally Moshe gave in. Didn't the Jews trust in G - d, as He had explicitly promised them way before that He will take them to a land where there is milk and honey floating. A GOOD (TOV) land. How could there be a doubt that G - d wouldn't fulfill His promise ? 

People are people and some of the Jews in the desert wanted a proof. Some commentators state that the Jews were afraid of settling in Israel (then Eretz Canaan) because they had a convenient life in the desert. G - d took care of everything they needed and was protecting them from all kinds of enemies. Once moving into the Promised Land, the Jews were supposed to settle the land. Each tribe in a different territory. Furthermore, they were supposed to work the land and make a living. Why give up the convenient desert life in order to settle a land they didn't even know. What about enemies and all kinds of dangers waiting for them ? Moving into the unknown ? 

G - d let Moshe know that if he is sending out the spies, this will be his own responsibility. G - d already knew the result but gave the Jews in the desert their FREE WILL and thus, a choice. The spies went out to spy out the land. They went everywhere. From the south up to the Galilee and Golan Heights. Chazal say that they returned on Tisha be'Av (9th of the Jewish month of Av), and their reports were anything but positive. Actually the spies didn't tell lies but what they did was taking all the facts and turning them into something negative. Everything they said was just negative and the people became afraid and started complaining. Then G - d said: "You are complaining about nothing. I will show you desasters and give you a real reason to complain about !" Since then, the Jews have been suffering from that promise. We will do so until Meshiach comes because then, Tisha be'Av is turning from a day of mourning (the two Temples were destroyed on that day) and fasting into a day of joy. 

The Maharal of Prague writes in his Torah commentary GUR ARYEH that the Jews were not ready to enter the land at that time. I found a very disturbing commentary written by the chassidic Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshis'cha (1767 – 1827), stating that the Jews then didn't deserve to enter the land. They didn't deserve it ? Why ? 

As his source, Rabbi Simcha Bunim, is quoting the commentary BEIT YAAKOV (Parashat Shlach Lecha). Unfortunately I was only able to get hold of the BEIT YAAKOV / Parashat Bereshit and not of Sefer Bamidbar. Maybe one of the readers is able to contribute the Beit Yaakov's commentary on this matter. Otherwise I take the Maharal's commentary where he says that the Jews then weren't ready spiritually. They were so used to seeing miracles every day that they simply couldn't imagine a worldly life anymore. He also said that those Jews were too far away from G - d and thus, G - d wanted a new generation to enter the land. As a matter of fact, most Jews of the Exodus generation died in the desert and a new generation grew up. 

The question arises whether we Jews are so much different from this particular generation in the desert demanding the spies to be sent out ? 

There are more than enough Diaspora Jews who rather stay in Galut due to their convenient lifestyle. Why move to Israel and suffer from all kinds of difficulties when we have a great income in Toronto, London, Paris, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles or Miami ? 

Some time ago I carried out a survey on one of my German blogs asking German Jews why they don't make Aliyah to Israel. The majority answered that they are too afraid not to find a job and an apartment. In other words they were too afraid of not being able to make a living. 

I can understand that kind of argumentation, as it is anything but easy to live in Israel. Unless you win the lottery or come with plenty of money. Learning a new language, getting used to a Middle East culture and being yelled at by impatient Israelis. On the other hand, in Israel you usually don't suffer from anti - Semitism and you are able to just be Jewish without justifying yourself. There are actually many positive things about Israel but one needs to open his eyes in order to see them. Everyone making an effort will find his place in society and immigration and being new has never been easy. Despite all the negative things in Israel, when you walk around with an open mind you will be able to recognize the beauty of the land and its people. We don't have an easy life but there are plenty of moments when you realize that Israel is a land where milk and honey float. Sometimes its hard to see but if you want to give up, you may regret your decision moving back to your former countries. 

Maybe the Jews in America, Canada, South Africa or Australia should, once in a while, ask themselves what they really want from life. What are their preferences and where do they see their spiritual life ? 

Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes to all of you !

Primitive Thoughts on PARASHAT TERUMAH

B"H

"Primitive Thoughts on Parashat Terumah ?"

Lets call it "Practical Thoughts !"

Or maybe YES "primitive" ?

G - d is giving all the instructions for the building the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Later on, certain families are appointed for the duty of carrying poles, walls, all kinds of parts while the Israelites travel through the desert. Those male family members of Moshe and Aharon seem to look at each other in a way of jealousy. At least some members.

Why is he allowed to carry this and I am only carrying that ?

It just looks like a typical male competition behaviour.

Who can imagine today what it meant to have a Mishkan ? We barely imagine having a Temple but who speaks or thinks about the original Mishkan except when it comes to some Torah readings throughout the year ? Okay, there was this Mishkan consisting of many parts but then the First Temple came into existence. The Mishkan was gone and some sources say that most of it was destroyed or burnt down.

Why is G - d giving every little single detail about how to build the Mishkan. Our Sages say in order to make us used to go into detail. The Mishkan was to be built in detail and so we have to keep the Mitzvot. Not going away from the law and making it easier but strictly follow the written and oral law.

Rabbeinu Bachya has several spiritual commentaries on Sefer Shemot (the Book of Exodus). The Mishkan was the exact counterpart of the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) in the upper spiritual worlds. As we know, everything in this material world has a counterpart in the upper spiritual world. Even human beings.

So, what does that mean ?

That there is another Miriam walking around in the upper worlds ? That there is another Tempel standing up there ? Another Jerusalem but just somewhere above us ?

What do those people there think when they look down on us ? What do we think ?

Basically it means that the Mishkan was perfect. The way it should be because G - d's Shechinah (Presence) was residing in there. So is the upper Miriam. She doesn't walk around and hopefully I won't meet my perfect "I". The other Miriam is the perfect person I should be.

The upper Jerusalem is the perfect Jerusalem; how it should be.

The concept with the counterparts is not to be taken literally but to be understood on a spiritual level. We can turn the Jerusalem in this world into a perfect Jerusalem. By doing Mitzvot, for instance. By changing the city and us into existences completely following G - d's will. And, in this respect, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was perfect.

Today, each of us has to work on that in order to get a taste of the upper worlds.

How do we cover the Torah Scrolls ?

 Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Jerusalem: A store where Synagogues can buy covers for their Torah scrolls. The traditional Sephardi Torah box. Round shape and made of metal or wood. Ashkenazi Jews prefer covering the Torah scroll with a fabric usually made of silk. 

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook on Parashat Vayeshev

 Synagogue of the Greek Jews living in the Tel Aviv Florentin neighbourhood. The Greek Jew Yitzchak Florentin and his family moved to Tel Aviv in the 1920ies and bought the land where the neighbourhood was built. The Synagogue was built in 1943.

B"H

This week's Torah Parasha is telling us the famous story about Yoseph being sold by his brothers, and one of my favouriste commentaries on the Parasha comes from Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook. The Torah tells us that the pit where Yoseph was thrown in by his brothers was empty. However, our commentators let us know that the pit was not totally empty but full of snakes and scorpions. Rabbi Kook, however, look at the pit filled with scorpions from a different point of view: As a metaphor. 

According to the Rabbi, this particular pit can be compared to the Diaspora. Yoseph was in danger because the snakes and scorpions could have attacked him. So is a Jew being stuck in the Diaspora. Vulnerable to all kinds of dangers surrounding him. A Diaspora Jew always has to watch out not to get swallowed up by the temptations around him such as intermarriage, non - kosher food and any other assimilation. 

I had the experience that, sometimes, I felt more Jewish in the Diaspora than in Israel. Especially when Gentiles attack you with anti - Semitic remarks and you suddenly feel proud to be a Jew knowing that those accusers are totally wrong. 

Kabbalah and its Symbolism

B"H

The ARIZAL (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, 1534 - 1572):

Every word in the Torah has 600,000 faces, that is, layers of meaning or entrances, one for each of the children of Israel who stood at Mount Sinai. Each face is turned toward only one of them; he alone can see it and decipher it. Each man has his own unique access to Revelation.

Parashat Lech Lecha - פרשת לך לך

B"H

Finding Oneself 

The Parsha begins[1] "And HaShem said to Avram, go for yourself from your land, from your birthplace and from the house of your father to the land that I will show you." Whole libraries have been written about this first verse. Briefly however, let us learn that all Jews are being commanded:[2] 

1) To go to ourselves (to find our own real destiny) 

2) From our land from our birthplace (from the initial apparent limitations of our spiritual geography) 

3) From the house of our father (to find personal maturity in real freedom) 

4) To the land which HaShem will show us (to a state of fulfillment and happiness which will be the result of growth and achievement). 

The above posuk is a command. This is the path we must take. Furthermore,[3] this command (and therefore mitzvah), was the first mitzvah that Avram received from HaShem. Being directly from HaShem, it was the first moment in history when a human being received the status of being a Jew. 

We will see soon, that understanding the celestial genetic DNA of Am Yisrael is dependent on scrutiny of the Avos. Before doing so however, we need to understand some aspects of being a Jew. These are difficult concepts to discuss today when one is discouraged from noticing any differences between people, as he/she will be labelled a "racist". We are even expected to pretend there is no difference between men and women. Any line of demarcation is deemed racist or bigoted. 

Parashat NOACH - פרשת נח

An old factory building. Seen in Tel Aviv.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H 

This Week's Torah Reading

This Shabbat, the Jewish world is going to read Parashat NOACH (NOAH). Almost everyone, sooner or later, has come across the story about Noach, his Ark and the Flood. However, Parashat Noach doesn't only consist of Noach and the survival of his family but also includes the "Tower of Bavel" built by evil Nimrod. 

In Noach's time, the world was still almost perfect. Adam and Eve (Chava) had messed up their task in Gan Eden (Paradise) and thus caused a change in humanity (humans became mortal, had to do Tikunim and did not have the perfect souls of Adam HaRishon anymore). Nevertheless, life was still great and easy. Noach's generation had plenty of food, illnesses didn't exist yet and a human life lasted for several hundred years. See Metushelach (Noach's grandfather) with a life span of 969 years or Noach himself who lived for 950 years. 

While going through all kinds of commentaries, I couldn't stop think about the Ark and suddenly had an idea. Maybe this kind of comment already exists somewhere but here is my short interpretation: 

The inside of Noach's Ark could symbolically also be seen as a small world with its own rules. Noach and his family went into the Ark and thus lived according to those rules. Why not comparing the life inside the Ark to the Torah life ? When a Jew lives according to the Torah, he a kind of separates himself from negative things in this world. This kind of separation may be the Ark. I am inside of it. In my own little world, so to speak. 

The question is: How far should such a frum Jew separate himself from the reality of this world ? Can he totally separate himself in order to be the perfect Zaddik without damaging his own personality ? Is it really that positive to separate oneself and maybe loose touch with the daily reality ? 

Noach was separated while being inside the Ark but, as soon as he left, he got confronted with the sad reality. Besides him and his family, almost everyone else had died in the Flood. The world was not the same anymore when he left the Ark. Life was different and some commentators claim that Noach couldn't deal with it, became depressed and started drinking. 

Is a total separation into Holiness (Kedusha) and Torah life what G - d wants from us ? How about all those beautiful things in life such as nature, music or art ? The sense of humor or the wisdom of other people. 

Every human being was created with an individual task and most tasks have something to do with other people. We are in this world in order to do Tikunim (soul rectifications) and most of our dealings have to do with our direct environment. Helping others or influencing them in a positive sense. As soon as I lock myself in a room and only deal with myself and Torah, I am unable to do my Tikunim I am only able to do when I relate to other people. 

Every person needs a balance in life and according to psychology it is not good when a person puts himself into an "Ark" and doesn't come out anymore. When a person only deals with one subject but ignores anything else. Each of us needs to do something completely different from time to time. Go out, speak to other people and simply enjoy life. 

Shabbat Shalom & and have a great, healthy and successful new month (Mar Cheshvan).

Links:

Nimrod und der "Turm von Bavel"

"Sefer Brit Menucha" zum "Turm von Babylon (Bavel)"

Parashat Noach 2009 / 5770

Security Thoughts on Parashat Re'eh

Photo: Gil Yehonatan

B"H

Parashat Re'eh talks about a blessing and a curse. If we Jews do what G - d is commanding us to do, He will take care of us and we, on the other hand, will have a good life.

I am not saying that we have such a bad life at the moment; although many Jews may not yet follow all commandments.:-)

However, it is Parashat Re'eh reminding me of the lecture we had at work yesterday. A young female soldier came to my workplace and explained how we should behave in case of danger. The soldier was from the "Pikud Ha'Oref - Homefront Command" and she started her lecture with the earthquake issue. In Israel, minor earthquakes are quite common but scientist predict a devastating quake within the next twenty years or so. Maybe earlier, maybe tomorrow, maybe next months or in twenty - five years. 

Who knows ?

The earth has been shaking a lot in Zfat and Tiberias lately. About two weeks ago, there was a minor quake in the Tel Aviv area. I didn't feel it but read it in the paper on the next day.

What did the Pikud Ha'Oref teach us yesterday ?

First of all to run out of a building as soon as an earthquake is coming up. Anyone being on an upper floor should at least go to the staircase where he may have an easier escape.

Once a quake is taking place, rush outside and remain there until the Pikud Ha'Oref informs you that the danger is over. There are always minor earthquakes following a big one and this is why people should stay outside of buildings.

Another case and it probably sounds impossible regarding Israel: A heavy earthquake may be followed by a Tzunami. Believe it or not, Tzunamis have occured in Israel. Already a few hundred years ago but they did take place.

The second part of the lecture was, of course, how to behave when a missile attack occurs. Not Kassamim or Grad rockets from Gaza but missiles in a big war. Lets say when Arab countries such as Lebanon or Syria attack.

If you are inside a building and the sirens go off, the best place to be is on one of the middle floors in the building. Hide under a table but don't stand next to a outside wall of the room. Furthermore, the soldier showed us how to use a gas mask. The filter lasts for six hours and you can even drink, as there is a short pipe installed in the mask. In case of a biological attack, use bottled water only and when you open a bottle and drink through the pipe of your gas mask, always leave about three centimeters of water left in the bottle. Biological substances will get into the water and this is the reason why you shouldn't drink all of it.

One of my colleagues said that Tel Aviv doesn't have the Iron Dome (Kipat Barzel), as Beersheva or Ashkelon do. It was funny when the soldier said that once Tel Aviv is getting attacked, the Iron Dome will move over to Tel Aviv and be taken away from the south. No, the soldier didn't say that Tel Aviv is more important to protect but the excuse was: "Once the Hamas is shooting missiles on Tel Aviv, they (the Hamasniks) won't stop anymore and forget about all the other places !"

After going a bit through Parashat Re'eh and having the lecture yesterday, I just hope that we are on the blessing side when something serious is happening ! Especially because I don't believe in staircases and tables. :-)

Parashat EKEV - פרשת עקב

Is G - d going to provide us with our needs ? The Shopping Mall "Dizengoff Center" in Tel Aviv.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Parashat Ekev is mostly an encouragement for the Jews and it makes us feel good studying it. G - d begins by listing all the miracles happening in the wilderness and that we (the Jews) should always remember them. The RAMBAN states that the 40 years in the wilderness stand for a proof how G - d is providing sufficient food for all of us.

Many times we may worry too much about whether we have enough money to make a living. Personally I know many religious Jews saying that G - d will take care of each of us and we simply need enough trust in Him. If we do the first step and make an effort to make a living, e.g. look for a job, G - d will help us on the way to our goal. Not always openly and with many hinderances but behind the scenes.

It is very hard for me following this concept. On the one hand, I know that this is true but, on the other hand, of course I sometimes worry. Making a living in Israel is not that easy. Especially not as a new immigrant -  due to many reasons. Of course, almost everyone in this country worries, as everything costs lots of money. And there are familie not having enough food and depending on Chesed organizations. In the end, no one is starving to death but, at the same time, we cannot get rid of our worries and take the Israelits in the desert as an example of perfect trust in G - d.

Today we may be lacking in trust but it could be the worries forcing us to do the first step in order to improve a situation.

Parashat Va'etchanan - פרשת ואתחנן

 Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

In this week's Parasha, Moshe is asking Hashem if he is allowed to enter Eretz Israel. So far, Moshe was not allowed to enter and meant to die without crossing the Jordan river due to the sin of hitting the rock with his staff instead of speaking to it.

In Talmud Sotah 14a, the question, why Moshe was so anxious to enter Eretz Israel, comes up. The answer is that only in Eretz Israel, Jews are able to fulfill all the Mitzvot. Abroad they are limited. Just look at the Shemittah year which only applies to Israel. Furthermore, prayers from Jews abroad do NOT go straight up to Heaven but first go to Israel, then to Jerusalem and then go up to G - d. Whereas prayers from Jews in Israel go directly up to Heaven.

I do not think that Moshe had a problem with his prayers not going up immediately but still he was extremely anxious to fulfill all the Mitzwot.

Another very important issue in this week's Parasha is Intermarriage. All over the world as well as in Israel, Intermarriage is becoming the greatest danger to Judaism. Just look at the figures in the UK or the US. Unfortunately, also in Israel we do face the problem more and more. Many secular Israelis go to the Far East after their army service and when they come back, they come with a woman from India, the Philippines or a European non - Jewish tourist they met somewhere.

In Parashat Va'etchanan, Moshe tells the Jews not to assimilate with the nations which are living in Eretz Israel. The Canaanites, the Jebusites etc. Destroy all of their images, do not turn to their idol worship and do not marry them. In Talmud Avodah Zarah 36a the question is coming up if the Torah only prohibits marriages between the Canaanites and the Jews and if it does not concern marriages between Jews and other Gentiles. The answer is that the students of Hillel and Shammai as well as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai say that this Torah law concerns ALL marriages between Jews and Gentiles. The Talmud Tractate Kiddushin 68a says that marriages between Jews and Gentiles are invalid according to Halacha. In case, the non - Jewish partner decides to convert to Judaism, the case is seen differently (orthod. conversion).

If you want to learn more you can look up the RASHBA on Tosafot and the Rambam (Mishna Torah - Hilchot Biah 12:1).

People who do intermarry mostly only see themselves and do not consider the problems they are causing. First of all, there will be many problems for the future generations. Children from those marriages do have an identity problem. I have seen many of such children coming to Jerusalem. They became interested in studying in an orthodox Yeshiva and suddenly faced the problem that they had a non - Jewish mother and were not Jewish at all. Some even started hating their parents for doing such a thing as getting intermarried. The youngsters had to convert to Judaism and sometimes the non - Jewish mother made problems, as she rather wanted to see her child in church.

I heard about another famous American case where a Jewish girl wanted to marry a non - Jewish guy. However, the guy underwent an orthodox conversion course and, in the end, did not want to marry the Jewish girl any more. He became too religious and did not want to bother with a Jewish girl who is prepared to marry a non - Jew.

Even if Jews live abroad, they should always be aware of their special task in life. The Chozeh of Lublin, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz, said that our soul roots are in the Sefirot and in the names of HaShem. "You are a holy people and you are holy to Me". Unfortunately, too many Jews forget about this when the live among the nations. Money, cars, job etc., anything seems to be more important than their own identity.

A few years ago, there was an American guy at Rabbi Mordechai Machlises house on Shabbat who made a desperate speech. It was Shabbat afternoon and the guy said that at the same moment while he is talking, his brother in the States is getting married to a non - Jewish girl. When he was speaking, he was almost crying, as he was studying in the Yeshiva Ohr Sameach next door. He was so desperate that he asked the Rabbi if there is anything we can do to cancel the wedding. Actually, he had thought of a curse.

Of course, there was nothing we could have done and a curse is not the right response. Hopefully, sooner or later the brother will come to the conclusion to separate from his non - Jewish wife and find his real soul mate. Or the wife might convert to Judaism. Who knows ?

Anybody considering an Intermarriage at this moment and reading this article should reconsider it. Think about what you cause and what you do to your future children. Each of us should think about our Jewish task in life, our purpose in this world and who created us.

Shabbat Shalom to all of you.

ALIENS in Judaism

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The movie ALIENS 2 with Sigourney Weaver is one of my favourite movies. How about aliens who are more similar to mankind than those monsters surrounding the actress Sigourney Weaver in her ALIEN movies ? The little green men, for instance. Did G - d maybe create more worlds with humans ? If so, then how about us ? Maybe it isn't only us receiving a Torah ? Are their more Jews out in space ?

The Talmud teaches us about 18,000 further worlds / planets as well as about the planet MEROZ. SEFER HABRIT by Rabbi Pinchas Eliyahu Horowitz (18 century) teaches that MEROZ is an inhabited planet in outer space.

After many years of studying Judaism, I have purchased quite a few books. You may call it a small library. Among my books you can find "SEFER HABRIT" and besides planet Meroz, it teaches a lot about planets like the Moon, the Sun, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Mercury. There is a lot to write on the subject but have you ever thought about G - d creating other nations on different planets ? What about those people on Meroz, if they really exist ? Rabbi Horowitz states that those people do not have any free will, as we do.

In my Yeshiva days, one of the students asked the question about aliens created by G - d. Our teacher said that if there are any aliens, they did not get the Torah but only the Jews. I believe that and I am not too keen on meeting any alien. 

Link:

Parallel Universes in Judaism

Why do we need Cohanim (Temple Priests) and Levi'im (Levites) ?

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This Shabbat is "Shabbat Korach". The Torah tells us that Korach was the son of Yitzhar and a relative of Moshe. He started rebelling against the leadership of Moshe and Aharon, as Korach himself became jealous and didn't want to accept that it wasn't his task leading the Jewish nation.

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook (1865 – 1935) asked the question why, in Judaism, we need Cohanim (Priests) carrying out special duties ? Can't we just all be equal ?

In his answer, Rabbi Kook compares the need for a Jewish priesthood with the organs of a human body. Every single organ has its function and task in order to keep us alive. Moreover, every society consists of different professions and capabilities: One person is a scientist, another is a farmer and a third person may be a plumber. Although each of them has a different task and ability in life, together they all have one goal: Keeping human society alive.  The same with the Jewish people. Everyone has his individual place and task !

See the entire commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook HERE !

Sephardi Torah Commentaries & MIKRE'OT GEDOLOT

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One of my Germany readers was looking for a Torah with Sephardi commentaries only. As far as I know, there is not such a thing and people who are interested in a certain Sephardi commentary usually purchase the book of the author.

The most famous TANACH (Torah, Prophets and Writings) commentary collection is included in the “Mikre’ot Gedolot”. In Hebrew only ! Those commentaries, however, were not exclusively written by Sephardi Rabbis but also by Ashkenazim.

The MIKRE'OT GEDOLOT commentaries include, among others, Rashi, the Ohr HaChaim (was of Sephardi origin), the Kli Yakar, the Sifte’i Chachamim, the Ramban (was of Sephardi origin), Sforno, Ibn Ezra (was of Sephardi origin), Targum Yehonatan or Onkolos.

And this is how it looks: The original Torah text on top of the right side of the page; surrounded by all kinds of commentaries.

Below: Part of a MIKRE'OT GEDOLOT Set

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Talmud Shabbat 88: G - d covered the Jews with Har Sinai, Part 2

The Sleeping Beauty Galaxy

Photo + Details: NASA

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See PART 1 HERE !

Although we find different Talmudic and Rabbinic statements that G – d was forcing the Jews to accept the Torah on Har Sinai (Mount Sinai), there are many other opinions. The famous commentator RAN, Rabbi Nissim of Gerona, for instance, said that the Jews had to accept the Torah in order to receive Eretz Israel. Thus, the Torah was their ticket to Israel.

When the Jews lived in the first Babylonian Diaspora after Nevuchadnezzar had destroyed the First Temple, many Jews thought that the Torah lost its validity. Why keeping Torah laws when they are not in the LAND anymore ? In fact, many Jews got accustomed to Babylonian idol – worship practises and assimilated because they didn’t see any future for the Jewish nation. The Land was gone and so was the Torah. Why then not be like all the other nations ?

However, after the severe incident with Haman and the Purim miracle taking place, the Jews found back to their roots. Unfortunately, not all Jews were prepared to move back to Israel when Ezra got the chance to take them back. Also here, assimilation was still a subject despite the miracle of Purim. The Talmud Tractate Yoma teaches us that only a small percentage of the Jews finally returned in order to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. Most Jews remained in Babylon, as they saw their businesses growing and weren’t interested in moving back to a devastated place. Those Jews moving back to Eretz Israel promised not to forget the Torah anymore and it should be valid for all future generations. 

The Talmudic Rabbi Resh Lakish compared the six days of creation to the 6th of Sivan. The day when the Jews received the Torah at Har Sinai. Rashi stated that the sixth day of creation actually refers to the 6th Sivan. A Gemara (rabbinic discussion) in the Talmud Tractate Shabbat 88a teaches that THE EARTH BECAME FRIGHTENED AND, IN THE END, GREW CALM. What does this mean ?

Says Rashi: The earth became frightened due to the reason that the Jews may not accept the Torah and, as a result of this, G – d would destroy His entire creation. However, the Jews did accept the Torah on 6th Sivan and the earth calmed down from its fear.

The Ramban (Nachmanides) commentates that the world was created in a way that the Jews would accept the Torah. Otherwise G – d would have destroyed His creation, as the whole purpose for creating the world had vanished. No purpose = No more creation.

The Torah and its outer and inner Garments

Torah with Rashi - and Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria) Commentary

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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The kabbalistic ZOHAR - Book of Splendor (published in 1290) on Parashat Beha'alotcha teaches, dass that all stories in the Torah (from Adam and Eva, Noach, Avraham until Moshe) are a main part of the Torah itself with the goal of teaching us about the origin of the Jewish people. However, the ZOHAR considers these stories as the "outer garment" of the Torah. Our task is searching for the deeper inner meaning of the Torah and we cannot only be satisfied with the stories about the history of the Jews.

When we compare the “outer garment” of the Torah with humans, then we are receiving a similar result. There are people who only judge others according to their outer appearance. Hence, according to their clothes. What is more important than an outer appearance is the soul of a person and thus, we cannot judge other people by the jeans brand but by their "Neshama - Soul".

The same when it comes to Torah: We read and learn all those stories about Gan Eden (Paradise), the fights between Yaakov and Esav, etc. but this doesn't mean that we have found the soul of the Torah. That we have understood the inner meaning and why G - d provided the Jews with the Torah. The Torah doesn't only consist of a body (the outer garment) but also of a soul (the inner garment).

Talmud Shabbat 88: G - d covered the Jews with Har Sinai

Thoratext

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H

In Israel, Shavuot is over but the Diaspora is still celebrating the holiday until tomorrow (Thursday) night an. 

When we talk about SHAVUOT (Translation: Weeks) then we usually refer to the giving of the Torah and anything related to Torah. The Talmud provides us with quite a few interesting insights about what happened at Har Sinai (Mount Sinai).

The Talmud Tractatc Shabbat 88a lists a few teachings which have their roots in aggadaic literature. One of the most famous teachings is that G - d covered the Jews with Har Sinai. The Talmud commentator Maharsha stated that the Jews were actually inside the mountain. The Talmud continues by quoting G - d: "If you accept the Torah, fine. But if not, your burial will be there !"

When we look at this teaching we should have in mind that Aggadot and the Talmud many times use a symbolic language. Teaching us in metaphors and this is why it is so important to study Midrashim, Talmud and Aggadah with a professional teacher and / or with many different commentators in order to understand the true message. 


How can G - d lift up the mountain and the Jews and cover the Jews ? And why did G - d use this method when the Jews had already announced that they were ready to accept the Torah ? Why did G - d use such force ?

Parts of the answers we find in Talmudic and Kabbalistic teachings. When G - d started talking to the Jews, every Jew heard His voice in his soul. The result was shocking, as the Jews couldn't grasp the direct voice of G - d. What happened was that their souls temporarily left their bodies. There is a teaching that at this very moment, the Jews died but, at the same time, G - d caused them to be resurrected. Afterwards, G - d spoke to Moshe only. 


The Tosafot commentate that maybe this shocking experience may have caused the Jews to change their minds and thus, G - d decided to force the Jews to accept the Torah.

The Midrash, on the other hand, commentates that the Jews were willing to accept the Torah and its Mitzvot regarding Eretz Israel but were not too excited accepting the Torah Mitzvot for the Diaspora. This only happened many years later in Babylon; in the days of Esther and Mordechai (see also the RAMBAN).

The Maharal of Prague states that if the Jews had changed their minds and refused accepting the Torah, the world would have returned to its pre - creation state of TOHU. Meaning: If the Jews had said that they don't want the Torah, G - d may have destroyed our world and have returned everything to Tohu. 


Remark: Kabbalah defines the "World of Tohu" as a non - existing physical world but as a kind of world only existing in G - d's thoughts.

Photo: M. Day

Source: A Simple Jew

Now we have to ask ourselves whether G - d didn't take away the "Free Will" of the Jews when He forced them to accept the Torah. On the other hand, He obviously left them a choice but not such a positive one.

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Part 2 is going to follow tomorrow !

I admit that those teaching are rather complicated and not easy to understand. I just hope that I am expressing myself, more or less, clear.

Thoughts on Parashat NASSO

Photo: Mark Rothko

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The Midrash Tanchuma is telling us the following story in regard of this week's Torah Parasha NASSO:

There was an incident involving two sisters who resembled each other. One of them was married (and lived) in one town, and the other one was married (and lived) in another town. The husband of one of them wanted to warn her (against secluding herself with another man) and to have her drink the bitter waters in Jerusalem. She went to the town where her sister lived. Her sister said to her, "Why did you come here ?" She answered, "My wants to have me drink the bitter waters". The sister said, "I will go and drink instead of you".

She answered, "Go !" Her sister put on her clothes and went instead of her. She drank the bitter waters, was founded innocent, and went back to her sister's house. Her sister went out to greet her joyfully. She hugged her, and kissed her on the mouth. When they kissed, (the sister who was suspected by her husband) smelled the bitter waters, and died immediately, in fulfillment of that which it says, "Man is not in control of the wind, to be able to confine the wind, and he has no authority on the day of death. There is no substitution in war, nor does evil escape him to whom it belongs". (Ecclesiastes / Kohelet 8:8)