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I’ll get back to this in a minute. But first, more questions!
Moshe’s final speech, particularly in the last few chapters, is really charif – biting & critical. So much talk about all the negative things that can & will happen to us if we stray from G-d. I ask you: Is this really how Moshe wants to be remembered? And more than that, should my prime motivation in acting G-dly be to avoid punishment? Just as I should not perform Mitzvot for their reward, so I should not refrain from violating them because of the punishments! So let’s try to sort this all out.
Essentially, there are no punishments – or rewards – in Judaism. There are rather consequences. That’s right; consequences that naturally flow from our actions. Each & every action. That is why even a righteous person will be negatively affected when he does a sin, for every sin must perforce bring results in its wake, as does every positive act.
It’s not a punishment, per se; it is what happens when we do what we do. Distance yourself from Hashem, & you remove yourself from His protective force-field, you fall into depression, you end up too "far away" to collect His brachot. But get closer to Him, join Him in His palace, & good things are right there for the taking.
That’s what Moshe is trying desperately to teach us, but not for the sake of being critical. He wants us to thrive & grow & be safe; he is warning us for our own good, because he loves us. He "sees" the truth, & so he tries to get us to see it, too.
Hashem wants the best for us, of course. So he gave us the Sukka, davka right after Yom Kippur. If our tefilot were lacking, if we are now in for tough consequences, then let the Sukka be a kind of "mini-Exile," a kapara & expiation for our sins. But if we deserve merit, then the Sukka is a living demonstration that we can & will survive even in cramped circumstances, even if G-d forbid we are forced out of our personal or collective homes.
Jewish history, with its shaky walls & protective cover above us is, after all, a Sukka!
Either way you cut it, there’s no reason to grouse when you leave your house; it’s great to get back to the shack.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
