Leaving Egypt: Shabat, Leadership and Community, and the Torah Portion of Vayakhel (TO BE CONTINUED)

What follows is an abridged version for this week's description of Netzach, Moshe's leadership qualities that unify [the other Sefirot] and leave an enduring impact. This week's Torah portion begins as follows:

1. Moses called the whole community of the children of Israel to assemble, and he said to them: "These are the things that the Lord commanded to make.

Moses called… to assemble: [He assembled them] on the day after Yom Kippur, when he came down from the mountain. This [word] is a [causative] expression [i.e., causing someone to do something], because one does not assemble people with [one’s] hands [i.e., directly], but they are assembled through one’s speech. 
Rashi teaches us that a community is brought together through the words of its leader. He does not directly assemble them [with one's hands]. That's impossible. The people have to be assembled by themselves. Moshe's words is what causes them to be assembled.

It is very interesting that this idea of assembly is contrasted with the idea of Shabat. Historically, Shabat is also what has given the Jewish people a sense of community.  It also brings Jews closer together physically, since Shabat observant do not have cars and must walk to shul. 

This idea of unity and lack of divisiveness is reflected in the continuing verse:  

3. You shall not kindle fire in any of your dwelling places on the Sabbath day."

The same is true for a leader. He is supposed to bring the people together in peace. Lehavdil, this is reflected in the words of American president Dwight Eisenhower: “Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.”  

Leaving Egypt (Ki Tissah): the Right Way and the Wrong Way to Connect to the Tzadik

In this series, we set aside studying about Tiferet for the time being, and now focus on the attribute of Netzach. This week's Torah portion describes a people in crisis. At first glance, the crisis seems to come about because of too close of a connection between the people and their leader, Moshe, to the extent that when Moshe is perceived to be late in descending from the mountain, the people (or at least a portion of the people) become so utterly despaired that they ask Aharon to make a god for them to worship: 

1. When the people saw that Moses was late in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered against Aaron, and they said to him: "Come on! Make us gods that will go before us, because this man Moses, who brought us up from the land of Egypt we don't know what has become of him."

In a moment of weakness and vulnerability, on which Rashi says the Satan capitalized by showing the people an image of Moshe actually being dead, the people violate one of the fundamental principles of the Torah, the second of the Ten Commandments, which had just been given to it.

Implied above is an obvious contradiction. If the people were in fact so connected to Moshe, why did they not follow the commandments he transmitted to them? Even further, we see later that when Moshe does come down from the mountain, the same people that so desperately needed him do not come to his aid:

26. So Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said: "Whoever is for the Lord, [let him come] to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered around him.

We see here that there is a correct way to connect to the leader, Moshe, and an incorrect way. The incorrect way appears to involve a reliance on the physical presence of Moshe. If Moshe is not there physically, then there is tremendous insecurity, and in order to restore a sense of security nothing is sacred or out-of-bounds.

The correct way to connect to Moshe appears to have much less to do with the leader's physical existence, but instead it focuses on what Moshe represents, as Moshe himself states, "Who is for the Lord, [let him come] to me." The focus is on Hashem, and what Moshe teaches us about how to connect to Hashem. The Tribe of Levi maintained that connection, as Rashi comments on the above:

all the sons of Levi: From here [we learn] that the entire tribe was righteous. -[from Yoma 66b]

This difference in how to connect to the Tzadik is at the very essence of the prohibition against idolatry. It is part of human nature to try to grab on to something you can see, that you can touch. However, these things are fleeting, and are a major obstacle in one's relationship with G-d.

The above is reflected in what Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote about the idea of Hiskashrus, the bond between Rebbe and Chassid: 

So, too, my late revered father-in-law the Rebbe [Rayatz] explained in a letter that [a chassid] "is able to satisfy his strong desire for a bond [with his Rebbe] only by studying the maamarim [discourses] of Chassidus which the Rebbe delivers or writes; merely beholding his face is not enough." (emphasis added; http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/proceeding-together-1/05.htm)

Moshe represents Netzach, victory, but also endurance, eternality. It is not a physical endurance, but a spiritual one. It is in this sense that the Talmud states (Sotah 13b), that Moshe Rabbeinu Lo Met, that he did not die. 

The Rebbe continues the abovementioned letter and concludes as follows:  

Another letter states explicitly: "You ask, what does your bond with me consist of, since I do not know you by face.... True hiskashrus is attained by the study of the Torah. If you study my maamarim of Chassidus, read the sichos, associate with my friends (the members of the chassidic brotherhood and the temimim) in their studies and in their farbrengens, and fulfill my request concerning the daily recital of Tehillim and the observance of fixed times for Torah study, -- in this lies hiskashrus."

When we will study the Torah teachings and the sichos [of the Rebbe Rayatz], and will walk in this "straight path which he has shown us," then " 'as in water, face [answers to face: so is the heart of man to man'], and 'spirit rouses spirit and brings forth spirit.' For his Ruach [spirit] remains truly in our midst...; that is, even in this world of action -- [of which it is written], 'This day: to do them' -- [the departed tzaddik] is found more [than in his lifetime]." And just as here he stood and dutifully served, there too he stands and dutifully serves.... (Ibid.)

We just came from reading a Torah portion (Tetzaveh) in which Moshe's name is not explicitly mentioned. A few days ago, the 7th of Adar, was Moshe's yahrzeit, the anniversary of his physical passing (as well as his birthday). For Moshe, and for the Moshe found in every generation, the physical passing is itself like a birthday. The leader's spiritual impact on the world is not diminished. It is actually increased. 

Leaving Egypt: Glory, Humility, Tiferet, and the Torah Portion of Tetzaveh

This week we will explore what will likely be the last in a series of posts about Tiferet (Beauty/Balance). This week's Torah portion continues to describe the ornaments of the Tabernacle (Mishkan), as well as the holy garments of Aharon, the High Priest (Kohen Gadol). The opening verse regarding Aharon's clothes is as follows:

2. You shall make holy garments for your brother Aaron, for honor and glory.

ב. וְעָשִׂיתָ בִגְדֵי קֹדֶשׁ לְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת:

The word for glory here, Tiferet, is usually translated as beauty, balance. Clothes represent the quintessential aspect of Tiferet. They literally beautify the person, and yet they also do so much more. They affect a person's state of mind, and bring dignity and honor (Kavod), as mentioned above. The Talmud states that Rabbi Yochanan would refer to his clothes as "those that honor me" (Mechabduti).

Clothes also represent the idea of Tiferet in the sense of balance, moderation. The Talmud (Chullin 84b) states: "A person should always eat and drink less than his means allow, clothe and cover himself according to his means, and honor his wife and children with more than his means allow."

In the beginning of his magnum opus, the Mishnah Torah, the Rambam (Maimonides) explains that in life, we should always seek moderation, the "golden mean."Yet, the Rambam mentions two qualities regarding which moderation does not apply: humility and anger. Anger is always bad, and one should have zero of it. Humility is always good, and the more humility the better. Moshe Rabbeinu, who's birthday and yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) is today, was not praised for his wisdom, might and beauty. Instead, he is described as the "humblest of men."

The question then arises, if we seek ultimate humility, why is the High Priest honored with such beautiful clothing? Shouldn't he wear the simplest possible clothing instead? Similarly, why does the Talmud state above that we should dress according to our means. Why don't we dress below our means, as to encourage greater humility?

Along the same lines, seeking honor is something strongly discouraged by our sages. Pirkei Avot states that honor, along with jealousy and lust, "take a person out of this world." (4:21) The Talmud (Eruvim 31B) states that "One who runs after honor will have it run away from him; one who runs from honor will have it pursue him."

Perhaps the answer to our question lies on the verse from this week's Torah portion that follows the one quoted above:

3. And you shall speak to all the wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, and they shall make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, [so] that he serve Me [as a kohen].		ג. וְאַתָּה תְּדַבֵּר אֶל כָּל חַכְמֵי לֵב אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּאתִיו רוּחַ חָכְמָה וְעָשׂוּ אֶת בִּגְדֵי אַהֲרֹן לְקַדְּשׁוֹ לְכַהֲנוֹ לִי:
RASHI - to sanctify him, [so] that he serve Me [as a kohen]: Heb. לְקַדְּשׁוֹ לְכַהִנוֹ-לִי, to sanctify him, to initiate him into the kehunah through these garments [so] that he would be a kohen to Me. The expression of kehunah means service, serjanterie [or serventrie] in Old French.

The beautiful and honorable clothes are actually what make Aharon into a Kohen! The clothes are what make him Kodesh, which means holy, but also distinguished. The clothes are not for Aharon's personal glory. They are for G-d's glory. They uplift Aharon only to the extent they they bring him closer to his role as a servant of G-d.

The same goes for our own clothes. We must be true to our positions, our roles as servants, but also children of G-d. We are, after all, a reflection of Him, and the whole purpose of the entire world is to bring Him glory, as stated in the very last verse of Pirkei Avot: "Everything that G-d created in His world, He did not create but for His glory. As is stated (Isaiah 43:7): "All that is called by My name and for My glory, I created it, formed it, also I made it." And it says (Exodus 15:1): "G-d shall reign forever and ever."

G-d's glory does not impact His humility. It was the same Rabbi Yochanan, mentioned above, who states:

Wherever you find the greatness of the Holy One, blessed be He, there you find His humility. This is written in the Torah, repeated in the Prophets, and stated a third time in the Writings. It is written in the Torah: “For the L‑rd your G‑d is G‑d of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty and awe-inspiring G‑d, who shows no favoritism and accepts no bribe.” Immediately afterwards it is written, “He upholds the cause of the orphan and widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing…” (Talmud, Megillah 31a)

הקבלה של הזמנים

הקבלה של הזמנים

 לוח השנה העברי כמקור האור הגנוז

מבוא

לכל זמן ועת לכל־חפץ תחת השמים

חלק ניכר מחיינו, אנו מבלים באפלה רוחנית. לעתים קרובות, חיינו חולפים באי וודאות רבה, ללא סיוע, עצה טובה או הדרכה. אף על פי כן, אנו פשוט ממשיכים, אגב הזדהות עם ערכים המבלבלים את ליבנו ומוחינו, תוך התעלמות מהצרכים והרצונות האמיתיים של נשמתנו

 

שעה שאנו שקועים כל כך בעניינינו האישיים ובמטלות היום יום, אנו מוצפים  במבול של מידע מיותר וחסר חשיבות  המופץ אלינו, עד שאנו מתעוורים ואיננו רואים  את הסימנים, ההוֹראות והאזהרות שהקב''ה מניח בפנינו בכל רגע ורגע נתון

ברם, אירועים מסוימים מעירים אותנו מאפלה זו. באותם רגעים, שהם כמו הבזקי ברק בהירים, אנו מבינים שיש משהו גדול יותר, משהו במישור רוחני מעבר לדאגות הגשמיות שלנו.

האמת היא שהנשמה מבקשת לשיר! אך כיצד נעשה זאת אם איננו מכירים את המילים ואת המנגינה ? הבעל שם טוב, מייסד תנועת החסידות, מסביר כי זהו המסר של התקיעת בשופר בראש השנה. השופר הוא הביטוי הבסיסי של הנפש, ונשמתו של העם היהודי מתעוררת לשמע קריאתו בתחילתה של כל שנה

מטרת הספר הזה, כדברי הרב קוק, היא לקרב אותנו לשירנו. שירת הנפש: שירת היחיד, שירת האומה, שירת האנושות כולה והטבע. השיר המרובע הזה מכוון אל הקב’’ה, ולוח השנה היהודי משמש כספר התווים שלו

בשאיפתנו לחיים הרמוניים יותר, נלמד טכניקות וערכים יהודיים לשיפור רוחני, בהתאמה לאנרגיות של כל שבוע במהלך השנה. שיעורים אלה יקדמו שינויים חיוביים, ויהוו ערוץ לשיח עם הקב”ה. הספר יאפשר גישה לאמצעים ניסתרים, שיאפשרו ערוץ תקשורת פתוח ליושב במרומים. טכניקות אלו אינן חדשות, וניתן למצא אותן כבר בתורה. הן נמצאות בהישג יד של כל אחד מאיתנו בפינו ובליבנו.

 

מאמץ מתמיד, של המחוייבים, יכול להביא לשינוי ברמה האישית והכללית. במשפחה, בקהילה, בעיר ומעבר לה. כדברי הנביא ישעיהו – העולם לא נברא כדי להשאר בתוהו ובוהו (מ”ה: י”ח

אנו זקוקים נואשות לחיות בעולם טוב יותר, ולהבטיח שלום ושלווה לדורות הבאים

"האדמו"ר הזקן", הרב שניאור זלמן מלאדי, מלמד שצריכים "לחיות עם הזמנים". באמצעות יצירת הקשר בין  לימודי היהדות למועדים  הקבועים בלוח השנה היהודי, הספר נועד לשמש אמצעי להתבוננות ולהתפתחות רוחנית דרך שירת בעלי החיים ב"פרק שירה", הוראת הרבנים ב"פרקי אבות", וגם המשמעות הקבלית מאחורי ה"ספירות" - האצלת המידות  האלוקיות, "ספירות" הקשורות לכל יום של ספירת העומר

ספירת העומר

ספירת העומר, היא מצווה מן התורה, לספור את השבועות והימים מהקרבת קרבן העומר בבית המקדש. הקורבן היה עשוי משעורה, שהיתה באותם ימים בעיקר מזון לבעלי חיים , והיתה נמדדת לפי אמות המידה התנכית של עומר אחד. הספירה מתבצעת מדי שנה במהלך 49 הימים בין פסח לשבועות

מאז ומתמיד שימשה ספירת העומר את עם ישראל, כמסד להתפתחותו הרוחנית. במצרים, עם ישראל הגיע לדרגה ה-49 של טומאה. במהלך ארבעים ותשעת הימים, לאחר צאת ישראל ממצרים, העם טיהר עצמו בהדרגה, עד שהגיעו לדרגה ה -49 של טוהר. תוך שבעה שבועות, עם הגעתם להר סיני, הם כבר היו כה מעודנים מבחינה רוחנית ורגשית, עד כי יכלו לחנות שם בהרמוניה,בשלום ובאחדות מוחלטת: "כאיש אחד בלב אחד”. רק אז היה עם ישראל ראוי לקבלת התורה

מידי שנה ובכל יום  בעת ספירת העומר, נהוג  להגות, בצרוף המיוחד של הספירות, של אותו היום. ספירות, כפי שיוסבר בהמשך, הן תכונות  אלוהיות הנמצאות גם בכל אדם. הגיה בספירות מאפשרת להגיע לרמה של שיפור רוחני ורגשי בדומה לשיפור שהורגש על ידי עם ישראל לאחר יציאתו ממצרים.

עיקר ספירת העומר מתרחשת על פי  לוח השנה העברי  בחודש אייר. חודש, הידוע בסגולותיו הרפואיות. רמז לקשר של אייר לסגולות אלו נמצא באותיות שמו: אלף, יוד, יוד וריש, ראשי תיבות הפסוק המקראי "אני ה’ רופאך 

מלבד היותו זמן של התרוממות רוחנית וריפוי גדול, ספירת העומר היא גם תזכורת לתקופה עצובה בתולדות העם היהודי. עשרים וארבעה אלף תלמידיו של רבי עקיבא נפטרו בימים ההם. הם סבלו ממגיפה שנגרמה בשל חוסר האחדות והעדר הכבוד האחד לשני, בדיוק ההפך מהתנהגותם של בני ישראל בחנותם בהר סיני.

המגפה הסתיימה ביום ה -33 של העומר, המכונה ל"ג בעומר וזו אחת הסיבות לכך שמועד זה הוא כל כך חגיגי. סיבה נוספת לחגיגת ל"ג בעומר היא ציון יום השנה לפטירתו של הצדיק הגדול רבי שמעון בר יוחאי, שנפטר שנים רבות לאחר המגפה. רבי שמעון בר יוחאי, תלמידו של רבי עקיבא, הוא מקור שיעורי ספר הזוהר, הכתב הבסיסי והחשוב ביותר של הקבלה.

(תודה למורי עמוס על עזרתו בתרגום)

Leaving Egypt: "To Give or Not to Give" and the Torah Portion of Terumah

This week's Torah portion begins with the description of how donations were supposed to be collected for the Temple. How much was each person supposed to give? As much as their heart would inspire them.

For the past few weeks, we have been discussing Tiferet (Balance/Beauty) in different aspects of life. In no area does this concept appear to be more pervasive than when it comes to giving Tzedakah. On the one hand, there appear to be certain limits regarding how much one should give. 10% is the minimum, but 20% is the maximum. Otherwise, the giver himself might end up being on the receiving end of someone else's Tzedakah. In Pirkei Avot, we are also told about being careful about keeping track of our tithes, apparently not to risk giving too little or too much. Another teaching in Pirkei Avot teaches, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me?" (Im Ein Ani Li, Mi Li?) A person must have boundaries, otherwise they risk being taken advantage by others, completely giving up their own needs and wants.

On the other hand, the same verse in Pirkei Avot continues, "If I am for myself, what am I?" ("Im Ani L'Atzmi, Mah Ani?") Yet another lesson in Pirkei Avot states that the pious are those that believe that, "What is mine is yours, and what is yours is yours." (As opposed to the wicked who state that "what is mine is mine, and what is yours is mine." Even the one who states, "what is mine is mine, and what is yours is yours," is compared to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

There are many other sources that seem to encourage giving in an unlimited fashion. It is well known that Tzadikim of previous generations would not go to sleep until they'd given out their every last cent. This was a sign of their trust in G-d. The Alter Rebbe also writes in the Tanya that the limits placed on giving do not apply when someone when it comes to giving Tzedakah in order to remedy past misdeeds. Just like there is no limit on spending money to save a life physically, the same holds true for saving a life spiritually through Tzedakah. There are also additional obligations when the person is physically before you, asking for Tzedakah, right here and now (which unfortunately happens quite often), Jewish law states that one is not allowed to leave the person empty-handed.

Nevertheless, it would seem that to give to a person who is known to be lying, faking poverty, using the money (self-)destructively, this would not even be considered Tzedakah at all. It would be considered enabling bad behavior, much along the lines of the Torah prohibition of placing a "stumbling block before the blind."

Finally, it is a well known principle that Hashem asks in a way of Middah-Keneged-Middah, which means that He acts towards you in the same manner that you act towards others (and yourself). Wouldn't it be better, then, to give without judging, in a way of unlimited Chesed, so that Hashem will do the same for us?

The answer, once again, does not appear to be simple. Furthermore, once again, the answer will indeed be different for different people and will change drastically depending on the circumstances.

Nevertheless, a closer look at the beginning of our Torah portion perhaps hints at the proper approach to answering this question. The name of this Torah portion, Terumah, means "offering" or "donation." It is mentioned twice in the portion's opening verse: 

"Speak to the children of Israel, and have them take for Me an offering; from every person whose heart inspires him to generosity, you shall take My offering."

The term Terumah is mentioned in yet a different context altogether later in the Torah. Rashi picks up on this and comments as follows:

you shall take My offering: Our Rabbis said: [The word תְּרוּמָה, mentioned three times, denotes that] three offerings are mentioned here: 

a) One is the offering of a beka [half-shekel] per head, from which they made the sockets... 

b) Another is the offering of a beka per head for the [community] coffers, from which to purchase the communal sacrifices, and 

c) another is the offering for the [construction of the] Mishkan [the Tabernacle], each one’s [Israelite’s] donation [to their heart's desire]. (Talmud Yerushalmi, Shekalim 1:1; Meg. 29b). 

The Rebbe explains these three different kinds of Terumah in terms of the three pillars that sustain the world, Torah (the sockets, that holds everything else together), prayer (communal service), and acts of kindness/mitzvot (performed with physical materials, such as gold, silver, and copper). The Rebbe explained that the Tabernacle was to be G-d's dwelling place in this world, and that it is the third type of Terumah, acts of kindness/mitzvot that physically achieve this (even though the other two are necessary elements) and that is why it is the third kind that is fully described in this Torah portion. (See a summary of this idea here)

Perhaps, one can also explain these three the kinds of Terumah as three aspects within Tzedakah itself. The Maharal explains that prayer is primarily about how we relate to G-d (as opposed to the cardinal sin of idol worship); Torah represents primarily how we relate to and improve ourselves (as opposed to the cardinal sin of immoral sexual behavior); deeds of kindness are about how we relate to others (as opposed to the cardinal sin of murder).  

The first two donations have a set amount per person. When it comes to giving Tzedakah to fulfill our obligation to ourselves, that requires only a set amount. When it comes to giving Tzedakah to fulfill our obligations to G-d, that also requires only a set amount. G-d, after all, wants us to enjoy the wealth He gave us as well. However, when it comes to helping others and fixing the world, which is the most essential aspect of Tzedakah, there is no limit. We give as much as we can, yet without upsetting the two above-mentioned principles: our obligation to ourselves and our obligation to G-d.

Leaving Egypt: Trust versus Initiative and the Torah Portion of Mishpatim

As I was getting ready to write the blog post for this week's portion, I found another Dvar Torah, which pretty much hit exactly on what I wished to address. This is the third post about the need for beauty and balance (Tiferet) in life. This week, I wished to discuss the importance of trusting in G-d versus being able to fend for ourselves, based on the verse of this week regarding permission to seek a doctor. The following is from Rabbi Chanan Morrisson, based on the writings of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook. (http://ravkooktorah.org/MISHPA62.htm)

Mishpatim: Trust in God vs. Self-Reliance

The Talmud (Berachot 10b) tells a puzzling story about the righteous king Hezekiah. It is related that the king secreted away the medical books of his day. Why? King Hezekiah felt that the people relied too heavily on the prescriptions described in those texts, and did not pray to God to heal them.

Surprisingly, the Sages approved of King Hezekiah's action. Such an approach would appear to contradict another Talmudic ruling. The Torah says one who injures his neighbor must "provide for his complete healing" (Ex. 21:19). The Talmud (Baba Kama 85a) deducts from here that the Torah granted doctors permission to heal. Even with natural diseases, we do not say, 'Since God made him ill, it is up to God to heal him,' but do our best to heal him.

Which is the correct attitude? Should we rely on doctors and medical books, or place our trust only in God and prayer?

There is in fact a larger question at stake. When are we expected to do our utmost to remedy the situation ourselves, and when should we rely on God's help?

Two Forms of Bitachon

Rav Kook explained that there are two forms ofbitachon, reliance on God. There is the normative level of trust, that God will assist us in our efforts to help ourselves. And there is the simple trust in God that He will perform a miracle, when appropriate.

Regarding the community as a whole, we find apparent contradictions in the Torah's expectations. Sometimes we are expected to make every possible effort to succeed, as in the battle of HaAi (Joshua 8). On other occasions, human effort was considered a demonstration of lack of faith, as when God instructed Gideon not to send too many soldiers to fight, "Lest Israel should proudly say 'My own hand saved me'" (Judges 7:2). Why did God limit Gideon's military efforts, but not Joshua's in the capture of HaAi?

The answer is that the spiritual level of the people determines what level of bitachon is appropriate. When we are able to recognize God's hand in the natural course of events, when we are aware that God is the source of our strength and skill — "Remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you strength to succeed" (Deut. 8:18) — then God is more clearly revealed when He supplies our needs within the framework of the natural world. In this situation, we are expected to utilize all of our energy and knowledge and talents, and recognize divine assistance in our efforts. This reflects the spiritual level of the people in the time of Joshua.

On the other hand, there are times when the people are incapable of seeing God's help in natural events, and they attribute any success solely to their own efforts and skills. They are likely to claim, 'My own hand saved me.' In this case, only miraculous intervention will enable the people to recognize God's hand — especially when the Jewish nation was young, miracles were needed to bring them to this awareness.

Educating the People

Consider the methods by which parents provide for their children. When a child is young, the parent feeds the child directly. If the child is very small, the parent will even put the food right in his mouth. As the child grows older, he learns to become more independent and take care of his own needs. Parental care at this stage is more indirect, by supplying him with the wherewithal — the knowledge, skills, and training — to provide for himself. The grown child does not wish to be forever dependent on his parent. He wants to succeed by merit of his own talents and efforts, based on the training and tools that his parents provided him.

So too, when the Jewish people was in its infancy, miracles served to instill a fundamental recognition and trust in God. In the time of Gideon, the people's faith had lapsed, and needed strengthening. Similarly, in the time of King Hezekiah, the king realized that the corrupt reign of Ahaz had caused the people to forget God and His Torah. He calculated that the spiritual gain through prayer outweighed the scientific loss due to hiding the medical texts.

But when faith and trust in God are strong, it is preferable that we utilize our own energies and talents, and recognize God's hand within the natural universe. The enlightened viewpoint calls out, "Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these?" (Isaiah 40:26). So it was when Joshua conquered the city of HaAi. After forty years of constant miracles in the desert, the people were already thoroughly imbued with trust in God. It was appropriate that they use their own resources of cunning and courage to ambush the fighters and destroy the city.

What about the future redemption of the Jewish people? It may occur with great miracles, like the redemption from Egypt; or it may begin with natural events, as implied by several statements of the Sages that the redemption will progress gradually. It all depends on the level of our faith in God. It is certainly integral to our national pride that we take an active role in rebuilding the House of Israel.

(Gold from the Land of Israel pp. 136-138. Adapted from Ein Eyah vol. I, p. 57)

Here is a second Dvar Torah from Rav Kook on the subject, discovered years later:

Medical Fees

Amongst the various laws in the parashah of Mishpatim — nearly all of which are of a societal or interpersonal nature — the Torah sets down the laws of compensation for physical damages. When one person injures another, he must compensate the other party with five payments. He must pay for (1) any permanent loss of income due to the injury, (2) embarrassment, (3) pain incurred, (4) loss of income while the victim was recovering, and (5) medical expenses.

This last payment, that he “provide for his complete healing” (Exod. 21:19), i.e., that he cover any medical fees incurred, is of particular interest. The word “to heal” appears 67 times in the Torah, almost always referring to God as the Healer. Only here, as an aside to the topic of damages, does the Torah indicate that we are expected to take active measures to heal ourselves, and not just leave the healing process to nature.

This detail did not escape the keen eyes of the Sages. “From here we see that the Torah gave permission to the doctor to heal” (Berachot 60a).

Yet we need to understand: why should the Torah need to explicitly grant such permission to doctors? If anything, we should expect all medical activity to be highly commended, as doctors ease pain and save lives.

Our Limited Medical Knowledge

The human being is an organic entity. The myriad functions of body and soul are intertwined and interdependent. Which person can claim that he thoroughly understands all of these functions, how they interrelate, and how they interact with the outside world? There is a danger that when we treat a medical problem in one part of the body, we may cause harm to another part. Sometimes the side effects of a particular medical treatment are relatively mild and acceptable. And sometimes the results of treatment may be catastrophic, causing problems far worse than the initial issue.1

One could thus conclude that there may be all sorts of hidden side effects, unknown to the doctor, which are far worse than the ailment we are seeking to cure. Therefore, it would be best to let the body heal on its own, relying on its natural powers of recuperation.

Relying on Available Knowledge

The Torah, however, rejects this view. Such an approach could easily be expanded to include all aspects of life. Any effort on our part to improve our lives, to use science and technology to advance the world, could be rebuffed on the grounds that we lack knowledge of all consequences of the change.

The Sages taught: “The judge can only base his decision on what he is able to see” (Baba Batra 131a). If the judge or doctor or engineer is a competent professional, we rely on his expertise and grasp of all available knowledge to reach the best decision possible. We do not allow concern for unknown factors hinder our efforts to better our lives.

“The progress of human knowledge, and all of the results of human inventions — is all the work of God. These advances make their appearance in the world according to mankind’s needs, in their time and generation.”

(Sapphire from the Land of Israel. Adapted from Olat Re’iyah vol. I, p. 390)

Illustration image: ‘The Doctor’ (Luke Fildes, 1891)

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1 The tragic example of birth defects as a result of treating morning sickness in pregnancy with thalidomide comes to mind.

http://www.ravkooktorah.org/MISPAT61.htm

Leaving Egypt: The Importance and the Danger of Foreign Influences and the Torah Portion of Yitro

This week's Torah portion begins by reintroducing the figure of Yitro, Moshe's father-in-law. Yitro gives keen advice to his son-in-law as to how to properly judge the people. He tells him that if he continues the way he's doing things, he will soon burn out. Instead, he should appoint other judges to handle minor cases. Yitro's words are readily accepted, and this entire Torah portion, which includes the Ten Commandments, is named after him. He is said to be the very first convert, having experimented with every type of idol worship before coming to the conclusion that only Hashem is the true G-d. 

An interesting question arises: How can it possibly be that Moshe, who spoke directly to G-d on a regular basis, could be open to, never mind accept, advice from someone who, until now, was a complete outsider? Furthermore, previously, Yitro's influence on Moshe's family had been less than ideal. The Midrash teaches that Moshe's own first-born son, Gershon, was brought up by his idolatrous grandfather. Even though Gershon himself did not serve idols, his son, Yehonatan, became a "high priest" for the idol worship known as Pesel Micha, the very first major deviation from serving G-d after the Jews entered the land of Israel. (See more about this here) Imagine, Moshe's own grandson succumbing to idol worship. If it happened to him it could happen to anyone, G-d forbid.

In general, the question of how much to interact with the outside world is one of the most complex ones for Jews to handle. Just as in the post for last week's portion, the secret lies not in one extreme or the other, but rather in a proper balance. Too much exposure to foreign wisdom and culture is very likely to lead one astray. On the other hand, no exposure to the outside leads to inefficiencies and corruption from within. 

The proper balance will be different for different people. Some may belong more in the "borders" of our culture, while others may require more insularity. As a people, the key is to have a leader that is humble and open-minded like Moshe. Someone that will know how to accept and utilize outside knowledge when necessary. Nevertheless, that person must also learn from the lesson of Moshe's own personal life, and value the importance of being free from too much outside intervention, especially regarding our children.

Again, just as in last week's portion, highlighting the importance of rules and order as well as the need for individuality and self-expression, the answers are not black and white. The challenges are ongoing. However, aren't these nuances exactly what make life interesting, colorful and beautiful? To overcome these challenges, there's only one true advice: prayer, and a lot of it. Hashem, out of his infinite mercy will show us the way of the Torah, the way of our ancestors, particularly that of our forefather Jacob: the way of Tiferet (beauty/balance).