Articles with the tag: eikev
Our Greatest Threat Is Success
Here is the goal: A land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills. A land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. “ When you have eaten and are satisfied, bless the L-rd for the good land he has given you. (Deut. 8:7-11)
Here is the worry: Be careful that you do not forget the L-rd…Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, when your herds and flocks grow large and…
Continue reading Our Greatest Threat Is Success
Bentching for the Land of Israel
In the wake of that painful decision - three years ago, this week - to evacuate Jews from Gaza, the debate concerning the destiny of Zionism was renewed. Here are the views of two ‘modern’ thinkers. “The Jewish settlers…dream…to create a ‘Greater Israel’ with Jewish settlements wall-to-wall…In such a state, democracy will have to bow to the rabbis. The Knesset, the government, the Supreme Court, will be allowed to continue to exist, provided that the rabbis approve of their decisions…If we, secular Israelis, erase our own existence, the settlers will shower us with brotherly love. But if we insist that we have a different vision for Israel, we immediately become traitors, Arab-lovers or even Nazis.” (Amos Oz, Israeli novelist and…
Continue reading Bentching for the Land of Israel
Parents Are Teachers (11:19)
The first two paragraphs of the Shema outline a program of Jewish faith. A careful reading of both sections however reveals different visions of what constitutes belief. The first parsha sets forth an operative code of behavior. “ “You will love G-d with all your heart…all your soul…all your might.” No reasons are given, and no promises of recompense or retribution are made. In philosophical parlance, such a commandment is referred to as categorical.
The second paragraph also mentions the love of G-d, but allows itself to be strengthened by reason as well as sanctions. The very first word, “ “If you will listen,” “indicates the possibility of alternative choices. Another important distinction is that the acceptance of these mitzvot…
Continue reading Parents Are Teachers (11:19)
Sh'ma Yisroel - Part Ii (13:11)
Our most recent Fax of Life dealt with Judaism’s most famous prayer, the Sh’ma. Not to be outdone, this week’s thought will once again focus on the Sh’ma. Viewing this week’s Fax as a sequel makes sense since the first paragraph of the Sh’ma is found in last week’s Biblical portion and the second paragraph of the prayer is mentioned in this week’s portion.
While the two passages are clearly related, sharing many ideas, they also diverge on a number of points. The contrast is most emphatically defined when one considers who is being addressed in each chapter. The first paragraph is written entirely in the singular (לבבך - your heart, ידך - your hand) while the second uses the…
Continue reading Sh’ma Yisroel - Part Ii (13:11)
Congregation Counts (11:13)
Undoubtedly, one of the more recognizable paragraphs in this week’s Torah reading is the section that forms the second part of our daily Shema prayer. “ “V’hoyoh eem shomoia - It will be if you listen to My commandments…” is the way it begins, followed by a list of do’s. Do serve Him, love Him, put on Tefillin, teach your children Torah, affix a mezuzah - you get the idea. “That which comes next, “Kee eem shomoir tishm’run - If you will surely observe…” is of interest to the Yalkut, a comprehensive Midrashic anthology compiled by Rabbi Shimon Hadarshan of Frankfort who lived in the 13th Century. “The repetition of the Hebrew verb “Shomoir” translated here as, “surely observe” led…
Continue reading Congregation Counts (11:13)
Don’t Be the Other One (11:13)
Was there ever another individual who had to overcome as much as he did? Was there ever a pupil who had advanced so far in his studies? A leader who had lost so much ground - for himself personally or for his people? A faith so tested?
I refer to the towering Talmudic Sage, Rabbi Akiva. Born into a family of converts, life seemed to offer not much more than what he had become - a lowly shepherd. Irrespective however of his societal handicap he married Rachel, the most eligible maiden in the country.
Ignorant and uneducated until the age of forty, he overcame that barrier too and was soon recognized as the undisputed Rabbi of his time. As a…
Continue reading Don’t Be the Other One (11:13)
Fashions From Sinai (8:17)
High Holidays and America! Now there’s an oxymoron, if there ever was one. High Holidays are about penitence, prayer, fasting and introspection. America is December 31st revelry, overindulgent parties, football mania, and year-end bonuses. And yet America has been for the most part, good to the Jew. It opened its doors (maybe a little late), it offered religious freedom (though, for some, with a price tag of assimilation) and allowed the Jew to participate in the wonderful American dream. A dream that offers any man or woman, regardless of race, creed, color or gender, the ability to be successful, and perhaps, to make it to the top. All one has to do is provide elbow grease, self-determination, creativity and diligence….
Continue reading Fashions From Sinai (8:17)
You Will Eat and Be Satisfied (8:10)
In case you did not catch the title, let me repeat it for clarification. “You will eat and be satisfied.”
I know what you’re thinking. The Rabbi must be running out of material, and he needs to waste some copy space. Wrong!! I figured if it was good enough for the Good Book, it is good enough for Timeless Torah. (By the way, had the title “Good Book” not been chosen, “Timeless Torah” would have been a great substitute.)
But to get back to our story. Twice in this week’s Biblical reading we hear the exact same phrase. Once, when we are given the commandment to offer blessings (grace) after meals; and second, in the verse, “You will eat and…
Continue reading You Will Eat and Be Satisfied (8:10)
Our Greatest Threat? Not Islam. (8:11-12)
Here is the goal: A land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills. A land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, bless the L-rd for the good land he has given you. (Deut. 8:7-11)
Here is the worry: Be careful that you do not forget the L-rd…Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, when your herds and flocks grow large and your…
Continue reading Our Greatest Threat? Not Islam. (8:11-12)
The ד of the Shema
Beraisa - R. Meir: “Shema Yisrael Hash-m Elokeinu Hash-m Echad”—intent is required until here.
(Rava): The Halachah follows R. Meir.
RECITATION OF THE FIRST VERSE
Beraisa – Sumchus: One who prolongs the word “Echad,” his days and years are lengthened.
Rav Acha bar Yakov: This refers to prolonging the “Dalet” of “Echad.”
Rav Ashi: One must be careful not to rush (swallow) the “Ches” in order to prolong the “Dalet.”
(Talmud, Brachos, 13b)
What is kavana of the heart? Is not kavana/intent (focused thought) a function of the mind?
What is the significance of lengthening the daled; of not swallowing the ches?
He made a world of contradictions, at their nexus, a world is forme.
Neither can exist…
Continue reading The ד of the Shema
Sh'ma Yisroel - Part Ii (13:11)
Our most recent Fax of Life dealt with Judaism’s most famous prayer, the Sh’ma. Not to be outdone, this week’s thought will once again focus on the Sh’ma. Viewing this week’s Fax as a sequel makes sense since the first paragraph of the Sh’ma is found in last week’s Biblical portion and the second paragraph of the prayer is mentioned in this week’s portion.
While the two passages are clearly related, sharing many ideas, they also diverge on a number of points. The contrast is most emphatically defined when one considers who is being addressed in each chapter. The first paragraph is written entirely in the singular ( - your heart, - your hand) while the second uses the…
Continue reading Sh’ma Yisroel - Part Ii (13:11)
Parents Are Teachers (11:19)
The first two paragraphs of the Shema outline a program of Jewish faith. A careful reading of both sections however reveals different visions of what constitutes belief. The first parsha sets forth an operative code of behavior. “You will love G-d with all your heart…all your soul…all your might.” No reasons are given, and no promises of recompense or retribution are made. In philosophical parlance, such a commandment is referred to as categorical.
The second paragraph also mentions the love of G-d, but allows itself to be strengthened by reason as well as sanctions. The very first word, “If you will listen,” indicates the possibility of alternative choices. Another important distinction is that the acceptance of these mitzvot is delivered…
Continue reading Parents Are Teachers (11:19)
Congregation Counts (11:13)
Undoubtedly, one of the more recognizable paragraphs in this week’s Torah reading is the section that forms the second part of our daily Shema prayer. “V’hoyoh eem shomoia - It will be if you listen to My commandments…” is the way it begins, followed by a list of do’s. Do serve Him, love Him, put on Tefillin, teach your children Torah, affix a mezuzah - you get the idea.
What comes next, “Kee eem shomoir tishm’run - If you will surely observe…” is of interest to the Yalkut, a comprehensive Midrashic anthology compiled by Rabbi Shimon Hadarshan of Frankfort who lived in the 13th Century. The repetition of the Hebrew verb “Shomoir” translated here as, “surely observe” led our medieval…
Continue reading Congregation Counts (11:13)
Don’t Be the Other One (11:13)
Was there ever another individual who had to overcome as much as he did? Was there ever a pupil who had advanced so far in his studies? A leader who had lost so much ground - for himself personally or for his people? A faith so tested?
I refer to the towering Talmudic Sage, Rabbi Akiva. Born into a family of converts, life seemed to offer not much more than what he had become - a lowly shepherd. Irrespective however of his societal handicap he married Rachel, the most eligible maiden in the country.
Ignorant and uneducated until the age of forty, he overcame that barrier too and was soon recognized as the undisputed Rabbi of his time. As a…
Continue reading Don’t Be the Other One (11:13)
Fashions From Sinai (8:17)
High Holidays and America! Now there’s an oxymoron, if there ever was one. High Holidays are about penitence, prayer, fasting and introspection. America is December 31st revelry, overindulgent parties, football mania, and year-end bonuses. And yet America has been for the most part, good to the Jew. It opened its doors (maybe a little late), it offered religious freedom (though, for some, with a price tag of assimilation) and allowed the Jew to participate in the wonderful American dream. A dream that offers any man or woman, regardless of race, creed, color or gender, the ability to be successful, and perhaps, to make it to the top. All one has to do is provide elbow grease, self-determination, creativity and diligence….
Continue reading Fashions From Sinai (8:17)
You Will Eat and Be Satisfied (8:10)
In case you did not catch the title, let me repeat it for clarification. “You will eat and be satisfied.”
I know what you’re thinking. The Rabbi must be running out of material, and he needs to waste some copy space. Wrong!! I figured if it was good enough for the Good Book, it is good enough for Timeless Torah. (By the way, had the title “Good Book” not been chosen, “Timeless Torah” would have been a great substitute.)
But to get back to our story. Twice in this week’s Biblical reading we hear the exact same phrase. Once, when we are given the commandment to offer blessings (grace) after meals; and second, in the verse, “You will eat and…
Continue reading You Will Eat and Be Satisfied (8:10)