It is all about Amalek

B"H

We are commanded not to forget what Amalek did to us

Amalek was a grandson of Yitzchak's son Esav. He was the first one ever attacking Jews for no reason (see Exodus - Shemot 17:8). Amalek attacked Israel in order to destroy it. This was pretty new in Jewish history and "Exodus - Shemot" 17:16 lets us know that there will be war between G - d and Amalek from generation to generation. Meaning, every generation will bring forth someone who wants to kill the Jews for no reason but for being Jewish. 

After G - d had taken us out of Egypt, all nations were impressed but NOT Amalek. He alone dared to provoke G d's wrath and started a battle against Him and Israel. Today, there are different opinions on what and who is Amalek. Easily we tend to accuse all kinds of anti - Semites or nations who are against us of being Amalek. Starting with Rome and later on the Germans during the Nazi Reich. Now some Jews claim that Obama or the Iranian or Syrian presidents are Amalek. Fact is, the battle is not over yet and will continue until Meshiach comes. There will always be nations hating Jews and trying to destroy them. 

After Amalek attacked the Jews in Refidim, the next encounter took place 434 years later. When King Shaul ben Kish (from the Tribe of Binyamin) did not destroy the entire nation of the Amalekites but spared their King Aggag. Not following the precise instructions of Shmuel HaNavi (the Prophet Samuel), Shaul made a vital mistake. Aggag had time to beget a son and this son became an ancestor of evil Haman. Shaul, on the other hand, was an ancestor of Mordechai and Esther. About ten generations were between them. 

In the end, Shmuel killed Aggag in Gilgal but some 520 years later, the Jews in Shushan had to suffer from Shaul's mistake. However, Shaul had caused a new Amalek but the Jews in Shushan caused their own "punishment" for being disobedient. It was them neglecting Torah study and many of them participated in the non - kosher meal (party) of Achashverosh. Not only by eating but also by enjoying. 

In a way we can understand King Shaul. Isn't it true that some of G - d's orders seem to be cruel in the first place.

"Destroy everyone ! Don't leave anyone alive !"

When we hear this today, well, then we think about the media, what other people (nations) say, about our own conscience. The answer to that is that G - d sees the wider picture, we don't. We only see the NOW. G - d, however, knows exactly what our actions cause to the future generations and if we knew what He does, we would definitely follow His instructions. 

But many times we don't because we have our FREE CHOICE in life.

To be honest: I am glad that I was not in King Shaul's situation but … each of us has his or her own situation and while making decisions, we should also take the future into consideration.

_______________________

Source:

PURIM: Season of Miracles

By Rabbi Zechariah Fendel

Olive oil = Wisdom

Olive oil stand at Jerusalem's Machane Yehudah Market. 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

In Judaism, pure olive oil symbolizes wisdom (Chochmah). 

Apart from that: I hardly ever cook any dish without olive oil. Every month, I am spending quite a sum on a bottle of "Katit" (pure olive oil). Olive oil belongs to the Middle East kitchen just like the Humus (chick peas), rice or a roasted chicken.

G - d created Good and Evil

B”H

It is not the first time that I am explaining that G – d created Good and Evil in this world. The simple reason for Him creating the two is that His intension was providing humankind with a “Free Will” and thus, the logical conclusion is that men needs to have a choice in life. If the world was only good, we would not have a choice but choosing good. Therefore G – d had to create a negative side in order to give us the free will choosing between right and wrong.

In Judaism, the “evil side” doesn’t consist of a guy with a long tail called “devil”, as in Christianity. There simply is no independent entity besides G – d but only G – d. The “evil side” is defined as our own “Yetzer HaRah” trying to convince us to go against G – d’s will. Before creation, there was only good. In fact, there is a rabbinic discussion whether Adam HaRishon already had the ability of a free choice in life but first didn’t use it. Everything was going smoothly in Gan Eden until Eve (Chava) and Adam discovered their free choice and nothing bad really happened to them until G – d through them out.

It is unclear what kind of sin Adam and Eve had done, as the Torah basically uses the Etz HaDa’at and its apple mainly as a metaphor for something else. Already the Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin teaches us that the two first humans (with a soul) didn’t eat an apple but other types of fruit. A date, for instance. 

Until today, our task is to fix the world and return the perfect level from the time before Adam and Eve were thrown out of Gan Eden. There is an opinion that only then Meshiach is going to come.

How do we elevate the world back into its perfection ?

Jews by fulfilling the Torah Mitzvot and Gentiles by following the Seven Noachide Laws, for instance. We have to choose good and not the negative urge inside of us.

Talmud Bava Batra mentions the “Leviathan”. Probably a gigantic fish or whale. It says that when Meshiach comes, G – d is going to slaughter the Leviathan and will feed the Zaddikim (Righteous). However, the Talmud here uses metaphors and what it really means is that the “Leviathan” symbolizes our own “Yetzer HaRah” which will be “slaughtered” by G – d in the times of Meshiach. Meaning, then there won’t be a “Yetzer HaRah” anymore but only good.

The "Aron HaKodesh" inside the Ashkenazi Synagogue of the medieval Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (1534 - 1572) in Zfat shows us a clear example of the Bava Batra teaching: Look at the very left side of the Aron where a grey snake is making its way up. This is a further metaphor for our own "Yetzer HaRah (the negative side in us which we have to fight). 

The below photo shows a Leviathan on the bottom of the design eating the snake (our YETZER). Meaning:G - d is going to eliminate the negative side as soon as Meshiach comes. 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Rosh Chodesh Shevat: "A Man is like a Tree"

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

In Judaism, a man is often compared to a tree in the field. One of the reasons for this particular comparison may be that a tree and a Jew are constantly growing. A plant always grows upward, in contrast to animals and humans. Animals and humans are free to move to wherever they want but an animal usually acts according to its instinct. A human being has a choice between good and evil. A Jew can decide in favour of getting a closer connection with his creator under the condition that he behaves according to the Torah. According to the will of the creator. 

Like a tree we have the chance to grow but also connect to our roots.

The Oracle of Delphi

B"H

Rabbi Yitzchak Ginzburgh states in his book "Turning Darkness into Light" that secular Jews define their goal in life like this:

"Find yourself" or "I have to find myself, know who I am and then I will find constant pleasure".

The Rabbi explains that the words "Find yourself" were actually engraved in the hall of the famous ancient Greek "Oracle of Delphi".

The Jewish way of life was defined by David HaMelech (King David) when he spoke to his son Shlomo (Salomon) shortly before he died:

"Know your G - d, your father, and serve Him with all your heart and soul".

Know in front of whom you are standing !

All of us were created by G - d and each of us has his specific mission in life only he is able to fulfill. However, our common main goal in life is to be aware of G - d. To know that there is a creator. ONE eternal G - d ruling the entire universe. Every human being should be aware of the infinite presence of G - d.

I always have problems when I read that we should mostly forget about our needs and desires but serve G - d. There is no question that there is a G - d but, without being too selfish (hopefully) each one of us has a personality. Not everyone can just jump into the Mitzvot and nullify himself (Self - nullification is a Chabad concept mentioned in the Book of Tanya).

Am I already selfish when I still want to find out who I am and how I can be happy with myself ?

Yitzchak ben Avraham

B"H

Parashat TOLDOT starts with the words:

"And these are the generations of Yitzchak Ben Avraham (the son of Avraham) - Avraham begot Yitzchak".

Why does the Torah mention the same content twice in the same sentence?

Rashi commentates that G - d wanted to make it very clear that, despite the advanced age of Avraham and Sarah, Avraham was the father of Yitzchak and not Avimelech or anyone else. In fact, there were rumours going around in those days that Avraham could not have been the father of Yitzchak but that Sarah had another man. This is the reason why G - d stated very clearly that Avraham was the father. Furthermore, G - d created Yitzchak very much in the image of his father. Meaning: The totally looked alike and people got mixed up whether they spoke to the father or to the son.

In Parashat Lech Lecha 17:18 ff., G - d lets Avraham know that He is going to continue the (Jewish) generations with Yitzchak. Moreover, G - d is going to continue His covenant with Yitzchak.

In Parashat Vayera 22:2 ff., G - d commands Avraham to take Yitzchak (the Torah refers to Yitzchak here "Avraham's only son") and go to the Land of Moriah (today's Temple Mount). What follows is the "Akedat Yitzchak - Sacrificing Yitzchak". Although Avraham also takes Ishmael with him, he later on tells him to wait and goes away with Yitzchak in order to sacrifice him.

In Parashat Chaye Sarah 25:21 ff., we become aware of the main difference between Ishmael and Yitzchak. In Chaye Sarah, the Torah calls Ishmael the son of Avraham to whom the Egyptian Hagar, Sarah's servant, gave birth.

Parashat Toldot, however, starts with the list of the generations of Yitzchak. Yitzchak the son of Avraham; Avraham begot Yitzchak. Whereas Parashat Chaye Sarah refers to Ishmael more as the son of Hagar, the servant. The RASHBAM states in his commentary that there is a main difference here: Ishmael is the son of the servant and Yitzchak is referred to as the "real" son of Avraham. The Rashbam and the Kli Yakar commentate that the verse in Toldot mentions only Avraham who begot Yitzchak. Furthermore, the Kli Yakar states that the Torah refers to Ishmael as the son of Hagar because he took over her bad behaviour as well as the Egyptian culture. Yitzchak only followed the traditions of Avraham and waited until he found a righteous wife and did not take any Canaanite woman as a wife. Ishmael, however, married an idol -worship woman.

The commentators see the main difference in the two statements of the Torah about Yitzchak and Ishmael and the entire content shows us that Yitzchak was chosen by G - d and not Ishmael (as the Arabs claim).

The G - dly Verdict: "Measure for Measure - מידה כנגד מיד"

Photo: A Simple Jew

B"H

In Judaism we follow the theory of G - d's punishment taking place according to "Midah keneged Midah - Measure for Measure". When someone causes a sin (an Averah), many times G - d punishes the person in a way which has something to do with his sin.
As soon as we hear "Midah keneged Midah", we get scared and expect that maybe G - d is going to punish us right away. However, this is not always the case and many times the sin can take place and the punishment appears thirty years later when we have already forgotten about it. But G - d doesn't forget.

Where in the Torah do we find a case of an immediate punishment
"Midah keneged Midah" ?



After Adam HaRishon and Eve (Chava) ate from the "Tree of Knowledge - Etz HaDa'at" and there eyes "opened". And they heard the voice of G - d withdrawing itself in the garden ... The two hidbeding a tree.

Remark:
Parashat Bereshit, and especiallt the topic regarding "Gan Eden - Paradise" is mostly described in a metaphorical way. The Talmud, for instance, suggests different explanations concerning the "fruit" Adam and Eve may have eaten. It is almost certain that it wasn't an apple but maybe a special kind of intoxicating date. Die Adam and Eve get drunk ? Another matter popping up is the garden itself ? Was there really a garden or is it also just a metaphor for something else ? Maybe for a higher state of mind ?


Kabbalistic sources claim that as soon as Adam and Eve ate from the tree, they lost all their higher soul levels as a punishment. From now on they were mortal and didn't know everything anymore. Then G - d came but hadn't he been there all the time ? And why could the two humans think that hiding behind a tree would help them escaping from G - d ?

If they had admitted their sin, things would have gone into a very different direction ... 

Let's get it straight !

B"H

This blog is a Jewish religious Orthodox blog run by someone (myself) Orthodox although I may have my personal struggles. Just as every other Jew too.

I used to study in a Litvishe seminary, went something off the derech but, for more than ten years, I am on my way back to somewhere. However, there are Jewish principles I have no doubt about. I live in a Jewish state called Israel; some of you may disagree that our country is a Jewish state.

I am not anti - Zionist but I do believe that the present State of Israel is not the Jewish main goal. Our main goal should be Meshiach and all the concepts stated in Talmud Sanhedrin or, among many others, by the Rambam (Maimonides, 1135 - 1204). Thus the democracy and the Knesset are temporarily because the Land was given to the Jews by G - d in order to live according to the Torah. Jews have a certain purpose in this world which we should fulfill. There is no escape anyway even if you are the most secular of leftist Jew. The Jewish soul is being judged differently by G - d than the one of a Gentile. Does this sound like rassism ? If the answer is yes, complain to G - d, to Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (Chabad founder) and to hundreds of other Gedolim.

I think that it is important for a Jew to live in Israel although the country is not run according to Torah law.

Ups, Torah law ? This probably sounds to some people like IRAN and the MULLAHS ! Not at all and whoever knows Jewish history may look at the two Temple periods. Or did Moshe complain about living in "Iran" and loosing his personal freedom ?

Throughout history, the Jews have been always struggling for survival. Pogroms by the church, invaders, living in the Diaspora, anti - Semitism, you name it. Despite all attacks, we always remained ONE people. Thousands of Jews ran away from Judaism and are still doing so until today (e.g. Intermarriage). G - d said in the Torah that the Jewish nation will never completely vanish from this planet. We will always exist and somehow bring about Meshiach. We received the Land of Israel as one nation and should do anything to keep it Jewish.

I have nothing at all against Arabs living in Israel and I don't agree with Rabbi Me'ir Kahane to deport them all to Jordan or elsewhere. Who I do agree with is the present Knesset member Aryeh Eldad (Ichud HaLe'umi) who says that Palestinians may live in Israel but they need to recognize the Jewish state and be loyal to it.

Everyone is pointing at the Palestinians and all kinds of terror acts but let me briefly mention a second danger to the Jewish state:

Invading Christian missionaries and their millions of dollars. The Evangelists, for instance. Those people running pro - Israel websites but only for the Christian reason of bringing all the Jews to Israel and thus cause a schizophrenic second coming of a Jew who died on a cross. Especially when fanatic Christians come to Jerusalem and smile at Orthodox Jews with a Happy Clappy Face. And in those situations I do even prefer the Arabs.

Ani Ma'amin … - I believe …

B"H

"Ani ma'amin (a) be'Emunah Shlemah …

These are the first words of the Rambam's (Maimonides', 1135 - 1204) "13 Principles of Faith". The Rambam states that the key to successful Torah study is the conviction that it was divinely given at Sinai. Men must accept the Creator and the Torah content and laws.

- I believe with complete faith that the entire Torah now in our hands is the same one that was given to Moshe, our teacher, peace be upon him.

- I believe with complete faith that this Torah will not be exchanged, nor will there be another Torah from the Creator, Blessed be His name.

17 Tammuz - Shiva Asar be'Tammuz

Model at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem: 

Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple.

B"H

Tomorrow, Tuesday 29 June, we are fasting from early in the morning until the evening after it has become dark. The 17 Tammuz has been a sad day throughout Jewish history.

The most famous event on that day was when Moshe came down from Mount Sinai and saw the Jews dancing around the Golden Calf (Egel HaZahav). He smashed the tablets (Luchot), as well all know. Many years later, our enemies (e.g. the Babylonians or the Romans) were slowly slowly conquering Jerusalem and the First and the Second Temple. With 17 Tammuz, a three - week - long mourning period starts ending with Tisha be'Av (9th Av). On Tisha be'Av, both Temples were destroyed: In 586 BCE the First and in 70 after the begin of the common era, the Second Temple.

Other tragic events happened to the Jews:

On 17 Tammuz 1944, the Nazis destroyed the ghetto in Kovno and sent all the Jews to the death camps.

Fast days have the task to bring the Jews to do Teshuva (return to G - d). We should then study Parashat Ki Tisa (the event with the Golden Calf). We don't just read or study Torah but what we have to do is to internalize the content and Mitzvot. The laws are G - d's will (Ratzon HaEliyon) and by keeping them, we should try reaching a special closeness (Devekut) to Him. The chassidic book "Bnei Yissachar" commentates after the arrival of Meshiach, 17 Tammuz as well as 9 Av are going to turn into joyous days where we will have feasts.

Halachot for 17 Tammuz:

a) No eating

b) No drinking

c) No joyous events

Halachot until Tisha be'Av:

a) No Jewish weddings are taking place.

b) No parties or listening to music.

Why are we introducing the mourning period already three weeks before Tisha be'Av ?

Because the Jews in the days of both Temple destructions, were fighting and many lost their lives. Our enemies didn't let any food into Jerusalem and thousands of people died of hunger.

Let us hope that Meshiach will be coming soon and build the Third Temple.

Zom Kal – Have an easy Fast !

Absorbing the Sanctity of Eretz Israel

Source: "Celebration of the Soul" by

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook

The more difficult it is to endure the air of the Diaspora, the more one feels the impure spirit of the impure land. This is a sign of the inner absorption of the sanctity of Eretz Israel, of the heavenly mercy that will not abandon one who is worthy of dwelling in the pure shadow of the land of life, even when he is far away and wandering in his exile. The foreignness felt in the Diaspora ties all of one's inner desire to Eretz Israel and its sanctity of the Land bores deeper and deeper.

When the depth of the holy yearning of love for Zion, the memory of the Land and all its preciousness, wells up in the soul of the individual, it flows like a spring for the entire collective, for all of the thousands of sould bond to Him. The sound of the Shofar heralds the ingathering of the dispersed and great mercy abounds. Israel's hope for life glitters, the blossom of G - d flourishes, and the light of salvation and redemption ramifies and spreads like the dawn spreading over the mountains.

About the "Fear of G - d"

B"H

The Talmud Tractate Shabbat 31a teaches the following:

Rabbah bar Rav Huna said: "Any person who has acquired for himself Torah knowledge but has not acquired for himself the fear of Heaven is comparable to a treasurer to whom the keys to the inner chamber have been handed, whereas the keys to the outer chambers were not handed to him. How can such a treasurer possibly gain entrance to the inner chamber ?

Commentary:

The keys to the inner chamber are useful only if one can pass through the outer chamber first. So too, if one possesses fear of Heaven - the foundation for Torah knowledge - he will be enabled thereby to observe the Torah and perform the Mitzvot. If he lacks fear of Heaven, however, he will disregard the Torah training (Rashi). Ultimately his Torah knowledge will "spoil" (Maharsha).

My personal commentary:

There are many people today studying Torah only for their private financial purposes and in order to gain honour. Meaning that people write books about religion / Haredim / ultra - Orthodox Judaim or give lectures without being religious and without the desire to gain something from it. Studying Mitzvot or Chassidut just like a piece of wood without any feelings and only in order to impress, become famous and earn money.

The Talmud says that those people's fame won't last long and eventually is going to vanish.

Such behaviour upsets me and my personal goal (also in my blogs) is improving myself towards a certain religious goal. Even if someone is not perfect today, he should at least honestly struggle.

Are we allowed to risk our lives and hoping for G - d's Help ?

B"H

Jewish law forbids us putting ourselves in unnecessary danger and then asking for G - d's help saving us from any damage. Bungee jumping or climbing the highest mountains for fun and reputation, for instance.

The Talmud Tractate Shabbat 32a teaches us a statement of Rabbi Yannai:

"Let a person never stand in a dangerous place, saying to himself that G – d will perform a miracle for him and save him from harm – for perhaps He will not perform a miracle for him. And even if G – d does perform a miracle for the person, He will deduct it from his merits; the miracle does not come without his paying a price".

"Birthday" Insights

B"H

Kabbalists (I think it was Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, 1534 - 1572) claim that a Jew looking for his Tikun (soul rectification) in this world should look at the Parasha where he was born. It happens plenty of times that each of us starts asking for our individual task in this world. What is our Tikun and what do we have to do ? How do we find out what exactly it is ?

If, at all !

Kabbalists explain that each of us should have a close look at the Torah Parasha which was read when he was born. In the Parasha he will find his Tikun. Just look at the Mitzwot mentioned in the Parasha and then you know what you should keep or fix. 

There actually exists a further kabbalistic idea that your real birthday takes place on the day your mother received you.

I feel a little betrayed because when I look at my birthday (the day I was born) Parasha, I could faint. So many Mitzwot and so much to rectify. :-)

Why was I born when Parashat YITRO is read ? Isn't this mean ? :-)))

Why is there a Torah reading on Mondays and Thursdays ?

B"H


According to the Gemara (rabbinic discussions) in Talmud Bava Kamma 82a, Ezra introduced some new regulations after he made his way from Babylon back to Israel. One of his stipulations was that there should be a Torah reading in the Synagogues every Monday and Thursday (besides Shabbat where the entire Parasha is read). We also learn that it was not really Ezra introducing, among others, the Monday and Thursday reading but with him it became officially. Even though the custom had been already in existence in earlier days.

In Exodus (Sefer Shemot) 15:22 it says that when the Israelites crossed the Sea of Reeds, they entered the wilderness of SHUR. Shur is part of the Sinai and the Israelites were wandering there for three days without finding any water.In this statement, the prophet generations after Moshe saw a hidden message. As soon as "Water" is mentioned in Jewish literature, the word also stands for "Torah". Water and Torah are the same element because we both need them for our existence. When it says in Shemot that the Israelites were traveling without finding any water it basically means that they were also without Torah. The Gemara (rabbinic discussions) in Talmud Kiddushin 30b calls the Torah a life elexier. In the same Gemara, G – d is being quoted having told the Israelites that it was Him creating the Yetzer HaRah (negative side inside of us). The counterpart to the negative would be His created Torah. "As long as you go with the Torah (study), the Yetzer does not have any influence on you. If not, the Yetzer will get you"., said G – d.


The Israelites were walking for three days and the commentators see a spiritual exhaustion as well as a physical exhaustion.


The question is why Ezra chose the Monday and the Thursday for the Torah reading during the week ? one of the most common opinions is that on those days during Temple times, people came to the market in Jerusalem and thus were able to listen to the Torah. However, the TOSAFOT, based on the Midrash Tanchuma, add an astonishing explanation:
It was on a Thursday that Moshe went up to Har Sinai in order to receive the second pair of Luchot (Tablets), as he had smashed the first pair when he saw the Israelites dancing around the Golden Calf. And it was a Monday when Moshe returned into the camp of the Israelites. G – d had forgiven them. Therefore, the Midrash as well as the Tosafot regard those two weekdays as a sign of G – d when His unlimited mercy is very obvious. And this is the reason for reading the Torah on these two days. Furthermore Ezra stipulated that the Batei Din (rabbinic courts) should also hold their sessions / trials on Mondays and Thursdays.
The reason was the same: G – d's special mercy on these two days.


Who were the Tosafot ?

Today we also know them under the name "Rishonim". They basically started commentating on the Talmud some time after Rashi. "Tosafot" means "Additions" and are medieval commentaries on the Talmud. If you look at a Talmud page (Daf) then you see the actual Talmudic text in the middle surrounded by Rashi's commentary and the Tosafot. One of the very famous Tosafists was, for instance, Rabbi Me'ir of Rothenburg (Germany).


The Maharal of Prague, Rabbi Yehudah Loew ben Bezalel, 1520 - 1609, states in his "Chiddushei Aggadot" on Talmud Bava Kamma (see page 12 - 13) the same explanation as the Tosafot and the Midrash Tanchuma. Mondays and Thursdays are special days because the heavenly court is also having its meeting (symbolically speaking). Here, the Maharal quotes a Passuk from Talmud Shabbat 129b:
On Modays and Thursdays the heavenly and the earthly court gather at the same time. According to Talmud Rosh HaShana 16a, a person is being judged every single day for his actions. According to Ezra, the earthly courts also gather on Mondays and Thursdays and may be influenced by their counterpart in the upper spiritual worlds. This is why a person should avoid any dangerous action (e.g. bungy jumping) on these two days, as the heavenly court may decide against him. Meaning, we should not challenge the heavenly court with our dangerous actions on these two weekdays. Furthermore the Maharal states that Mondays and Thursdays are also positive days for fasting in order to do a private Tikun (soul rectification).

Conclusion: The Midrash Tanchuma states that Moshe went up to Har Sinai on a Thursday in order to receive the second Luchot. He came down on a Monday when G – d had forgiven the Israelites for the sin of the Golden Calf. Therefore G – d obviously shows more mercy to His creation on Mondays and Thursday.

All kinds of calculations on weekdays can be found in the Talmud as well !

Do we really know the graves of the Zaddikim ?

B"H

Are we totally sure that the graves of certain Zaddikim (righteous) are really their graves ? I mean how can we tell for sure that today's Rachel's grave is really Rachel's grave ? Maybe it is the grave of someone else and Rachel's grave is located somewhere next to it. A bit more far away but in the area.

How do we know that Yosef's grave is at exactly the same location where we find it today ? Or where we believe it is. Maybe it is somewhere else ?
The same with Aharon's grave or the sons of Yaakov (see small picture on top with Ruven's grave).

I believe that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Rashbi) has his grave where it is today or Rabbi Akiva. But I am not sure about the sons of Yaakov or Kever Rachel. From where do we know the exact location ? From tradition ?

The most controversial discussion has been taking place about the grave of King David on Mount Zion (Jerusalem). Wasn't it the Catholic church deciding where the grave is ? And why do we believe the church ?

Sometimes I keep on telling myself that either the grave are at the right location or that many Jews only want to believe so in order to pray or have something to hold on / touch.

Don't do to others what other shouldn't be doing to you !

Failing to do Teshuva ?

B"H

Rosh Chodesh Elul (the beginning of the month of Elul) is getting closer and particularly ELUL stands for doing Teshuva. Repentance in order to get closer to G - d. All our misbehaviour and little sins (Chata'im) usually distance us from G - d.

Rabbeinu Yonah Gerondi wrote in his famous "Shaarei Teshuva - Gates of Repentance", that G - d created the Teshuva concept even before He created the entire universe. Without Teshuva we would not be able to exist. As least not for too long when you look at all the different ways of punishments.

Once a year we should do some "Cheshbon Nefesh - Looking into our deeds" and reflect what went wrong, why, regret and think about how to improve in the future. Although there are many different levels of repentance, let us just assume the most simple and easiest way:

Teshuva = acknowledging one's sin, regret and try not to do it again in the future.

I have been dealing with Teshuva and different Elul concepts on one of my German religious blogs and started dealing with different commentators, the Rambam (Maimonides) and his Hilchot Teshuva (see "Mishna Torah"), further chassidic rabbis as well as different parts of the KUZARI (written by Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi).

The more I am dealing with the subject, the more I feel like a total failure. Just look at Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto's "Path of the Just - Mesillat Yesharim". One of the most famous examples of how to perfect oneself. Not that I am seeing myself as perfect in the future but maybe everyone should try a bit getting into this direction. However, as soon as I read about all the Zaddikim stuff and how people just saw the light and "Teshuva Shlemah - perfect repentance" is ahead, I feel like I can never do that.

Last Shabbat I was talking to some Mea Shearim people and for them, Teshuva Shlemah is THE most important thing an outsider (e.g. secular Jew) should do. Complete Teshuva to them means giving up your entire former life; your surrounding, your former friends but NOT particularly the connection to your family.

I think this is possible but looking at myself: The more I learn about concepts, perfection here and completion there, I am getting too stressed and pushed. Do this, do that, Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are at sight and G - d is going to look at you and judge you.
After all this Teshuva research for the blog, I feel like my little Teshuva enthusiasm is just a tiny bit on earth.
Maybe I shouldn't read too many perfect stories but rather those of ordinary people succeeding here and failing there. At least I wouldn't feel like such an idiot who is not getting anywhere.

However, I won't give up struggling and bothering G - d with all my regular ups and downs.:-)

Putting Yourself Down

B"H

Parashat Tazria is telling us how we can get (biblical) leprosy and the following Parasha, Parashat Metzora explains us how to get rid of it.
An important reason for this kind of leprosy is "Lashon Harah - slander, gossip".

Usually people understand Lashon HaRah in a way that we shouldn't talk about other people.
That's right but there is also an Issur (prohibition) that we shouldn't talk Lashon HaRah about ourselves !

Putting oneself down is destructive and doesn't lead you anywhere but into a greater depression. In the end, you may give up and just run away. Instead we should all concentrate on our positive abilities, character traits and actions. Concentrate on what you have and not what you may be lacking.

Teachings from Henny Machlis

B"H

Henny Machlis is the wife of Rabbi Mordechai Machlis and both are known for the incredible Shabbat hospitality.
Last night, Henny was teaching a small group, as her husband had to participate in a Levayeh (funeral).

The Gemara in the Talmud Tractate Bava Metziah 58b teaches that it is forbidden to call another person by a nickname. As, many times, nicknames are negative, we could ashame the other person. The Marahal of Prague (Rabbi Yehudah Loew ben Bezalel, 1525 - 1609) taught that people giving other people nicknames don't recognize the G – dliness in another person.

All of us were created in G – d's image (Zelem E – lo – him) and no human being has the right criticizing G – d's creation. Furthermore, a person doesn't only consist of his outer appearance but everyone should rather look at the soul (Neshama).
The Rambam (Maimonides, 1135 - 1204) explained in his book "The Guide of the Perplexed – Moreh Nevuchim" the expressions "image - zelem" and "likeness - demuth". When it says in the Torah that we were created in the image of G – d, does G – d then have a body or form ?
G – d does neither consist of any kind of form nor matter but is a being we cannot even comprehend let alone understand. ONE G – d without a beginning and without an end. Creating humans in His image means that we have an intellect. We know the difference between Good and Evil. We are able to communicate with G – d and raise ourselves up to higher levels and thus, get closer to our creator.

Every human being in this world is unique. Why he was created and what his purpose in life is ? This is not our task to question.
_____________________

Henny's second teaching was regarding the tenth Commandment "Lo Tachmod – Do not desire …".

In Judaism we believe in the Divine Providence. Everything and anything happening to us, in our lives, to the world, is arranged by G – d.
But just a second !
What about our famous Free Will ? Don't we make choices in life ?
As a matter of fact, G – d gives us certain abilities or character traits. Even before we are born He decides if we are going to be rich or poor, intelligent or less bright.
Lets say that we have the choice between two jobs or two professions. One of them will lead us to tremendous wealth but we don't know about it. Only G – d is stipulating it. Suddenly we have the choice and if we choose the other way, all the money is gone. The good thing is that we don't have a clue about it.

As soon as someone desires his neighbours property, wife, money, car, job, etc, he shows that he is not satisfied with the portion in life G – d gave him. Or in other words, he is criticizing G – d.

G – d, on the other hand, provides every human with what he needs and gives him the problems he is able to solve. Why then has my neighbour a nicer car and I am driving around with a wreck ?
Only G – d knows the answer, as He has arranged it this way. However, if we start looking behind the scenes carefully, we may find a reason.

Why Jews don't believe in the Christian Meshiach

B"H

Today (March, 1), Rabbi Tuvia Singer is starting a four - week - series on the subject "Why Jews don't believe in the Christian Meshiach".

Location: The ISRAEL CENTER (Orthodox Union) in Keren HaYesod Street 22 in Jerusalem.

When: Sundays, 1 / 8 / 15 and the 22 of March 2009.
7.30 - 9.30pm

Entrance is FREE of charge !

Already before the lecture series has started, many OU members complained to the Israel Center about the remark "Christians Welcome !" on the announcement pages (see also last page of the Torah Tidbits). How can Christian be welcome if the room where the lectures are going to be held is used as a Synagogue on Shabbat and thus has an Aron HaKodesh (Torah Shrine) ? Furthermore, we all know how various Christians are using the information afterwards. Turning facts around and make false interpretations in order to fit everything somehow into Christian theology.

I am not necessarily a great fan of Tuvia Singer but I will go, have a look and write about the event. Hopefully tomorrow.


Link:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129994