Category: Torah Thoughts on the weekly portion

Parshat Mishpatim – Trumah February 12, 2010

Exodus 24:7 – “And Moshe took the book of the covenant and read in the hearing of the people and they said, “All that the Lord has said, we will do and we will listen.”. (naaseh venishma)

There are many new and different torah insights that come up through the intellect of great wisdom and understanding. Some come from the heart of emotion. Some need to remain right where they started and not be revealed to others. Some should be revealed to the people close to us, people we know well- but not be revealed in writing for the whole public to know. There are torahs that everyone should see and know that apply to a large audience. Even in a chat room. There are torahs that need time to mature before exposing them, like a baby in a uterus, not ready to be born. If these secrets were revealed too early, it would be like a miscarriage, lost to all. Some torahs need to be waited out patiently and mature with time, when the ideas “can be born” at the right time bringing a great blessing with them.

All of these torahs are divided into three divisions: 1) Thought 2) Speech 3) Action. There are torahs that should remain just in thought. Some can be spoken. The ones that need action taken are the ones written down. Our holy torah is divided into 2 parts: the written and oral laws. The written laws of the torah deal with the direct implementation of the torah, suiting action into words like the 7 Noachide Laws that apply to all of humanity. This is in the realm of “We will do”. The oral laws, applying to “And we will listen” touch upon the oral laws passed down from mouth to ear through the generations, dealing with the finite nuances of each particular mitzvah – special to and for the Jewish people, differentiating them from the rest of the world. Eventually these oral torahs were written down into what we know as the mishnah and the Talmud today.

Some examples of the mitzvoth we do with our ears and mouth: Hearing the shofar Hearing the megillah on Purim Hear the words of ones own prayers and blessings Not hearing slander Not hearing blasphemy

Speaking respectfully Reciting blessings Speaking words of truth Not swearing Not instigating Not speaking G-d’s name in vain

As we approach the final redemption more and more torahs are being revealed as the prophesies unfold and Israel as a nation stands firmly on its soil again. The hidden torahs that were kept secret are also revealed to a more hungry audience that thirsts for the word of Hashem. The 2 stone tablets of the ten commandments “Naaseh Venishma – representing we will do and we will listen that made waves in the world at Sinai, have indeed increased in their ripple effect as modern technology gives us the knowledge most accessably and quickly- we are almost there! Hold on!!!!!!!!!

Shabbat Shalom, Leah Goldsmith

Parshat Yitro February 5, 2010

This week’s Torah portion is named after Yitro, Moshe Rabeynu’s father-in-law a former Midyanite priest. Our sages teach us that there was not any form of idol worship that Yitro did not dabble with. He was in a constant search for the truth, until finally when the nation of Israel left Egypt Yitro says “Now I know that Hashem is greater than any other god for what they planned to do to them” [Exodus 18:11]. (This verse is difficult to translate and the English translations do not do this verse justice. It means that what the Egyptians planned for the Nation of Israel ended up happening to them) The Toldot Yitzchak, famous 15th century Jewish commentator, writes on his commentary to this verse, that what convinced Yitro that Hashem is above all other gods is the fact that he punished the Egyptians measure for measure. Idolaters believed that the stars and heavenly bodies had a will of their own but they were only able to punish the evildoer according to their particular makeup. For example, if one sins to the moon through the fire of desire, he will, nevertheless, be punished through the power of coldness and wetness since the moon, according to idol worshipers, rules only over these elements. What amazed Yitro was the fact the G-D of Israel is able to punish using any of the basic four elements fire, wind, earth, and water. This proved that he was the G-D of all the forces of nature.

Although many years have passed since Yitro found his way to G-D, there are many others like Yitro that are in a constant search for the truth. Today most people don’t believe that stars have a mind of their own but in many instances they have only replaced old forms of idolatry for new ones. In order to reach out to those who are truly searching for Hashem, the Torah dedicates an entire Parasha to Yitro! What made him so special was that, although he achieved the highest degree in religious philosophy, Professor Yitro was able to put his modesty above his wisdom and not let arrogance blind him.

There are two opinions brought down by our sages regarding to the exact time Yitro joined the nation of Israel. One says that Yitro joined Am Yisrael after the splitting of the sea and the other says after the receiving of the Torah. In truth these opinions do not contradict one another. There are those who are brought close to Hashem by observing the miraculous miracles surrounding the nation of Israel. Others are memorized by the wisdom of the Torah. Both are vessels by which Hashem reveals Himself to mankind. In truth the more a person delves into the nation of Israel and the Torah he will come to a realization that in essence they are one! This is the deep meaning of the verse which is usually translated as “Yitro rejoiced over all the goodness which Hashem had done to Israel, in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians.” Exodus 18:9 The Hebrew word for “rejoiced” is very unusual here instead of using the normal forms of the word like vi’samach” or vi’sas it uses the word – “Vayichad” which means literally to unify. Rabbi Yosef Caro, 15th century author of the Shulchan Aruch, writes in his cabbalistic work Magid Meyashaim that Yitro did a complete unification. Yitro realized that the Jewish nation is the vessel in revealing Hashem in this world and in essence there is complete unison between the nation of Israel G-D and the Torah.

Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith

Parshat Beshalach January 28, 2010

“And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left” Dry land, as opposed to the ocean, is a place where one’s eyes are open to the exposed world. This is called Alma D’Galia – the revealed world. Holding up to view all that is here on land, the valleys, mountains, earth, rocks and vegetation- all of this also exists under the sea. One that lives on his property and landholdings is likely to think “he has it made in the shade”. There is so much “out there” to be had- there is not even a reason to think about what we don’t know. Life at sea is a different story. It is a concealed underworld where what you see is not necessarily what you get. This is known as Alma D’Casia – the hidden world. Under the waves it is cloudy and obscure, mysterious. Under wrap, what lives under the sea lies in wait to be discovered like an embryo, alive and kicking. There’s a lot we don’t know about this place. We anticipate the blessed event of a birth and finally the day comes when the waters break and a new life, unique to anyone else is born. As the Bnei Yisrael shout out in their labor pains, “For it had been better that we die”, their mouths were opened first in fits of pain, then in prayer, then in song. Parshat Beshalach focuses on the merging of the two worlds of Alma D’Galia and Alma D’Casia as the womb of time gave birth to new spiritual dimensions REVEALED at the splitting of the sea at Shirat Hayam. Land and sea come together in a miraculous event. As the children of Israel rejoice in their new status of blue blooded sons of the King, they praise Hashem, ” Who is like thee, O Lord!”. The musical instruments used there were made and hidden by the righteous women of Israel who never gave up hope of a final redemption and awaited the day to sing and play on their drums and harps. What differentiates prayer from song? When we pray, we entreat ” Please G-d, do this for me! I am lacking…. I need….” Much of our divine service is spent supplicating on behalf of Am Yisrael (please Hashem collect the remnant of your people from the four corners of the earth), the Land of Israel (please rain your abundance on Your Land. Please bring REAL PEACE- and not a phony lie- to Israel), for the widows and orphans, for the righteous gentiles, for the world at large, for the sick and needy. In the delivery room a lot of praying is done. Shira on the other hand, comes from a place of feeling satisfied and fulfilled. It is a prayer of thanks. This is a much higher level of service. This is why we celebrate the 7th day of Pesach. It is a sacred day of praise. We ask, where is Hashem? On the land, on the sea, in the sky? Our Rabbis answer ” The whole world is filled with His glory”. Hashem is exactly where we let him in, He prefers we do it with song and dance.

Shabbat Shalom, Leah Goldsmith

Parshat Bo  January 23, 2010

Like a big fish in a small pond, Pharoh ruled from his throne on the Nile. As this watering place replenished itself (and there was no need to pray for rain) it invoked a climate of opinion that the world was a self sustained place. Of course Pharoh took complete credit for it, no-one negated this since there was no free choice. “Ani Asitani- I created myself” was what he told his kingdom. Holding up his mirror, he already had a hard heart.

The Egyptians were experts in metaphysics. By using necromantic techniques, like turning sticks into snakes and other methods of waving a wand, they created a society so steeped in idolatry – there was no other like it in the world. To this setting the Bnei Yisrael arrive and sink within three generations to the almost final level of Tum-ah. The mood of so mean hearted a place was thick with heresy. Nevertheless, the ball started rolling and sure enough, the Bnei Yisrael come to the realization that they must get off the ground of Egypt.

Parshat Bo, with the last of the plagues, focuses on the finite differences between the Egyptians and the Bnei Yisrael. The curtain that prevented Egypt from knowing G-d inevitably brought a great darkness to them which eventually led to the falling of their empire. – “And there was a great darkness in all of the land of Mitzrayim for three days. They saw not one another but the children of Israel had light…” As the children of Israel acted as free men and not bound in the shackles of their minds, they amassed more and more perception in their knowledge of G-d. They acquired the vessels that enabled them to hold the light. So, for one it was darkness and the other – light. This was no magic trick – two separate features, light and darkness materialized simultaneously. The Egyptians saw no-one because they banished the light, denying G-d.

Our Rabbis bring down a very important torah here- Heaven and Hell are also in the same place and the same time. It is up to you to decide where you are and what to do when you get there.

The light that was internalized eventually increased in the backdrop of darkness, connecting to the idea of the mitzvah of Parshat Bo- Kiddush HaChodesh, when the Beit Din declares a new moon via witnesses that come to testify in the Temple. That confirmation determines the sanctity of the Jewish Time table and its holidays (to this day!). This is likened to the beginning of the revelation process, starting with a sliver of light and continuing with more and more light every night. In the plague of darkness, the children of Israel held the light high. This light increased when they hastened out of Egypt and reached the climax when they reached the Red Sea, reaching the hour of complete faith. The light at that hour became so great – it was then that they became a light unto the nations: See Joshua 2:9 when Rachav says: “I know that the Lord has given you the land and your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of you. For we have heard how the Lord has dried up the waters of the Sea of Suf before you when you came out of mitzrayim… for the Lord your G-d, He is G-d in heaven above, and on the earth beneath.”

Shabbat Shalom, Leah Goldsmith

Parshat Vaera January 15, 2010

“And G-d spoke to Moshe and said to him. I am the Lord, and I appeared to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Ya’akov, by the name of G-d Almighty (El Shaddai) – I was not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the Land… and I have remembered my covenant… and I will deliver you, will redeem you and I will take you to me for a people and I will be to you a G-d… And I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Avraham to Yitzchak and to Ya’akov, and I will give it to you for a heritage- I am the Lord.”

The book of Bereishit focuses on the creation of the world and the segulah of the Avot (Patriarchs and Matriarchs) as select individuals who were able to perceive G-d in the limited and contracted systems of “nature”. They were not stuck in this realm but asked questions about, above and beyond nature. It began with Avraham who stood “on the other side” of the norms of the world perspective and was able to recognize G-dliness even in the restricted realms of social, cultural, political and religious behaviors that resulted from the tunnel vision of their time. He was the first to reveal G-d. These abilities were transferred from father to son, father to son – and 70 souls go down to Egypt, all of them containing this knowledge of G-d. Where does it take them?

The book of Shemot focuses on the creation of spirituality. This eventually led to the giving/receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, the building of a “home” for G-d in the Mishkan, and finally actualizing the heavenly plans for actualizing the Torah laws and ideals in the Bnei Yisrael setting up a home in the Promised Land.

First though, they had to go through a purification process of difficult years in bondage and suffering in Egypt. The events in these parshas of the Book of Shemot, especially consolidated into Vaera 6:2 lead us up the steps of the process of the revelation of the manifestation of G-d in the world. The impact the exodus had on the world and its afterglow proclaimed G-d as the Lord, “Ani Hashem”, infusing the world with the knowledge of G-d. This was done when Israel was transformed into a nation, one inseparable unit, one indestructible unit that no amount of humbling and breaking could undo. As this nation took form, G-d became “Ani Hashem.” Suddenly, all the walls supporting the laws of nature began to fall down. This began with the plagues which did not affect the Bnei Yisrael. At first they “harkened not to Moshe for anguish of spirit and cruel bondage”. But, one thing led to another and they went from saying to G-d, “you lookin’ at me…?” to “can I be the apple of your eye?” Through the obvious miracles that G-d performed, the Divine Presence not only became revealed to G-d’s chosen, but the whole world kinda sat back and stared.

The heavenly objectives were all finally achieved. We commemorate them and celebrate them with the three festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot: 1) Pesach- Signifying the first stage of the redemptive process – freedom from bondage, recovery and finally Israel becoming a holy entity- “And I took you to Me for a people.” The light of G-d is revealed through them to the entire world. 2) Shavuot- The marriage between G-d and Knesset Yisrael – Matan Torah, the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. 3) Sukkot- Building a house for G-d. (This is also the time when all the nations of the world come up to the Temple Mount with offerings)

These were all revealed miracles but the pinnacle of all miracles was the Nation of Israel being born, defying all the laws of nature.

And now, put on some background music, Whitney Houston and “There can be Miracles” as I tell you a little story told by one of the greatest Kabbalists in Israel today, Harav Chaim Hacohen, HaChalban, shlitah. It goes like this- Once upon a time there was a guy who rode a bike carrying two bags of sand every single day for years and years past the customs authorities while he passed from one country to another. Since it was sand, they couldn’t tax him so he rode through untroubled every day. One day, one of the officers said he thought it would be a good idea to take one bag of sand and check it. Who knows, maybe there was monkey business going on… Maybe he really was evading taxes and there was something else in the bag besides sand. They took it to a laboratory, checked it, and sure enough- it was sand! He rode by freely every day and this continued for many many years. One day, the customs officer retired. As he was enjoying himself at a cafי, who comes in but the sand peddler! “Hey”, he said. “I am not working at customs anymore. Mind telling me what the deal with the sand is? Are you a mishigina?”(are you crazy or something?) “Oh”, the peddler answered, “That. Well, it’s not the sand I’m doing. It’s the bikes.”

Sometimes there are such revealed things that we don’t even see them. We don’t think about them. We are looking in pockets, in secret places, for deep dark secrets while the obvious that happens to us every day, years on end – we just don’t see!!!!!!!

Israel, as it progresses and deals with the real world, as it BUILDS, has NEW BABIES, develops to heights only one can dream about, after it’s history of being cast out, suppressed, dispersed, burnt at the stake, banished, cremated and almost decimated – like no other people in the world- has returned to her Land.

Israel has a special soul.

It surpasses anything of “natural order” and can only be defined as a miracle. No power in the world, even Pharoh, will prevent the open miracles from occurring as it is written in the prophets. As much as it seems that Hashem’s light is concealed, it is up to you to “see the miracles if you believe”. (thank you Whitney Houston)

Shabbat Shalom, Leah Goldsmith

Parshat Shemot January 8, 2010

King Solomon in his book of Proverbs 13:23 writes “Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there are others that perish without judgment.”Rabeynu Yonah ( famous Jewish scholar who lived from 1210 – 1263) explains that sometimes, seemingly against all odds, we find a poor person’s field that yields a fantastic crop despite his the lack of means to take proper care of it, whereas a rich person with all his special resources to invest in fertilizers etc. doesn’t succeed in attaining a descent harvest.

This in a nut shell is the story of the Jewish nation. A slave nation of Egypt against all the odds is able to overcome a mighty empire and make its way to the land of milk and honey. A Group of Macabbe soldiers is able to overcome the huge Greek empire. In 1948 a small army of holocaust survivors poorly armed are able to overcome those that greatly out number and out arm them! The obvious secret to our success is in Hashem that watches over His righteous nation and will not allow anyone to put its claws on Israel. Those who stand behind the nation of Israel will be blessed along with Israel, but those who dare come against G-d’s people and the Torah will not succeed.

“And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed”Genesis 12:3 (G-D’s blessing to Abraham)

Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith