Feet on the Ground - Head in the Clouds

We spoke last week about the calamity involving the spies. Because they lacked confidence in themselves and their mission, they saw their ability at conquering the land in a negative light. On a deeper level, it is explained that the spies didn't mean bad! They believed that their people's present situation in the desert was the most ideal it could get! They had "manna" - food from heaven, that would satiate them every day. We are told that their clothes miraculously stayed in perfect shape for the entire 40 years in the desert. They had no physical or material worries at all. All they did was learn the new Torah they had received, while working on their spiritual life and connection to G-d. No wars. No farming. No reaping. No working. Just spiritual bliss. Surely that was the ideal way to live life? Why mess with it and enter this land of Israel? Where they'd have to farm and earn a living, busy with the mundane?

That, our Sages explain, is why the Spies gave a negative report to the people about the land. So what did they do wrong? Their mistake lay in thinking that G-d Desires only our spiritual or intellectual pursuits. In Judaism, we are taught that G-d Primarily Desires what we do.

Which leads us to this week's Torah Portion, Korach. The cousin of Moses, Korach leads a rebellion against him, in a familiar scene of seeming jealousy and hatred for another's lofty position and seat of power. But here again, our Sages teach us not to just take this story at face value. Korach had a seemingly very valid argument!
"Look at what happened with the spies!" He said. "G-d Showed us that action is what truly matters to Him, not lofty spiritual levels. And if that's the case, why is Moses any better than you or I!? Sure he is greater in holiness, but if what matters to G-d most is a physical mitzvah, a good deed, Moses is no different to you or I! Each of us can do a physical deed with equal vigor as he!"

Seems to be a valid point. So where did Korach go wrong?
Korach's mistake, was thinking that action was all that mattered. Torah demands action, yes, but action that is infused with inspiration and spiritual enlightenment.
Thus, the spies & Korach teach us the value of a healthy balance: Unlike the spies, one mustn't shy away from confronting the world and affecting it positively. But on the other hand, Judaism's emphasis on action must never lead to a life of meaningless ritual and a lack of spirituality and enthusiasm. We have to work to change the world in an inspired way, performing mitzvot with enthusiasm and joy.

Good luck and Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

The Grasshopper Delusion

"Send out for yourself men who will scout the Land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel."


There is a famous but unfortunate event that occurs in this week's Torah portion, "Shelach." Moses (through G-d) sends out 12 leaders of the tribes of Israel, to travel ahead and scout out the land of Israel.
But instead of focusing on the positive aspects of the land "which flows with milk & honey," with trust in G-d that they could & would conquer the land, 10 of the spies reported: "We are unable to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." They spread an [evil] report about the land which they had scouted, telling the children of Israel, "The land we passed through to explore is a land that consumes its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of stature. There we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, descended from the giants. We were like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so we were in their eyes." (Numbers, 13:31-33)
The 2 remaining spies, however, reported: "We shall surely ascend and conquer it, we can surely do it!" (Numbers, 13:30)

Were these 12 men looking at the same land? At the same enemy? How could they have perceived the situation in such differing ways!? Significantly, the verse quotes the spies as saying: "We were like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so we were in their eyes." There is an old saying that goes: "Whether you think you can, or that you cannot—you are right." The Torah is telling us, that it was because the spies looked at themselves as weak, as unable to succeed, that their enemies in the land of Israel looked down upon them. When a person has self esteem, as well as trust in G-d, then there is nothing to fear. If one thinks that others look down upon him for whatever reason, often it is because that person looks down upon himself.

I remember when I was younger, often I would hide my Jewish identity, thinking I would get more respect. But when I began walking around proud of my Judaism, others I met showed great respect for the Judaism I represented. "G‑d doesn't ask of us more than what lies in our power to do." (Midrash Tanchuma, Naso 11) In life we encounter many tests and seeming obstacles, but the lesson we learn from the story of the spies, is that if we approach life's tests with trust in G-d, and in ourselves, with self-esteem and self confidence, we will succeed. The 2 spies that looked at the land positively, with trust in G-d, ended up being a part of the conquering of the land 40 yrs. later, while the other 10 spies died in the desert.

May we have trust in G-d, and look positively at our situation, ourselves, and our great potential!
Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

3 Stages of Love

The 3rd and last major holiday on the Jewish Calendar, Shavuot, was celebrated this past week. Commemorating the giving of the Torah, Shavuot is often likened by our Sages to a wedding between G-d and the Jewish People. Our entire nation stood at Mt. Sinai (the wedding canopy), as G-d (the groom) wed His bride (the Jewish People), and Gave "her" a ring of betrothal (the Torah) - making vows that we would always be loyal to one another.

Let's take a deeper look at this analogy of a wedding & the giving of the Torah. One could perhaps divide the relationship between a man & woman, a couple, into 3 stages. The 1st stage is the early days of their relationship, the courting process. Here the 2 may feel very much in love. Each person is showing the other the best side of themselves, putting on a "show." In this stage, each one appreciates the other's qualities, and is attracted to their talents, personality and capabilities.
In the 2nd stage, however, after marriage, this feeling of being "madly in love" may not stay on a high. But the relationship still grows, as each person helps the other, beginning to also appreciate what the other person does for them. All of the kind support and caring that a supportive spouse offers. In the 3rd stage, the couple have ceased looking at just what the other offers or at the great talents of their mate. They are now one. Think about when you see an elderly couple together. You may not see an "exciting" relationship, a burning passion between them. However, they are deeply bound. Each knows, instinctively, what are the needs of their spouse.

So too have there been 3 stages in the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people. First, G-d performed miracles for us in Egypt & at the sea, "sweeping us off of our feet."We were madly in love with one another, proclaiming: "na'aseh v'nishma - we will do & then we will understand." Undying devotion to the G-d Who appeared, in one word, to be Awesome. But this was a temporary excitement. After our marriage at Mt. Sinai, we disobeyed and rebelled, leading almost to a divorce. But the relationship still grew, as we began to do things for our Mate, performing Mitzvot.
But as history has progressed, the connection between G-d & His People Has moved into the 3rd stage - our becoming as One. Knowing instinctively what the other wants. This is seen in the Halachot & Minhagim (customs) developed by all strands of Jews worldwide over time. The laws of the Sages represent this, as it says: "The Torah is not in heaven" - meaning it is up to us to decide amongst many of the rulings and customs (see here for more).

May we work toward & merit the time soon when our relationship with G-d, and the entire world's relationship with Him, is openly revealed as being in the 3rd stage - as one.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

Descending Revelation

This Tuesday Night, June the 7th, Jews worldwide will celebrate the festival of Shavuot (see here for more written on the subject), which commemorates the most monumental event of our history - the Giving of the Torah, where G-d Said Hello to all of mankind. 10 commandments were spoken at Mt. Sinai - the 1st 2 by G-d, the other 8 by Moses. These 10 commandments are said to represent the entire Torah; all of its great Divine Wisdom encapsulated in the 620 words of these 10 commandments. It's interesting to note that there are 613 Mitzvot throughout the Torah, as well as 7 that the Rabbis instituted, equaling 620. (Or some say the 7 Laws of Noah given to all humanity to follow).

Innumerable amounts of ink have been spilled by the Sages throughout history to explain the deep meaning behind the 10 commandments. But let's focus here on one idea. The 1st of the 10 commandments is:
"I am Hashem your G-d, who took you out of the land of Egypt."
Interestingly, the word used for "I" here is "Anochi" & not the usual Hebrew word for 'I' - "ani." The Midrash explains that anochi is actually not a Hebrew word - but an ancient Egyptian one! What??
For the 1st word G-d Used to Communicate to the Jewish people, why Use the language of the most materialistic, unholy nation of that era?

Perhaps we are being taught something about the nature of Torah and of what being a Jew is all about. G-d Desires, not only to relate to the sacred, spiritual aspect of our lives (represented by Hebrew, the holy language.) He Desires to Affect, to Reach the material "Egyptian" dimension of our psyches as well. The Torah & its Mitzvot that were given to us, are thus designed to elevate and refine our "Egyptian" sides. That is the whole purpose of Mt. Sinai. Hence the use of "anochi." G-d Doesn't Want holy beings to do holy things. For that He Could Have Given the Torah to Angelic beings, or to souls without bodies. G-d Wants unholy beings to do holy things.

Imagine if a paper fell from the heavens tonight, with a message from G-d to you! Well, that's what happened thousands of years ago, and is happening every day since then. "One should accept the Torah anew every day as if it was given on that very day." (Midrash)
Let's celebrate this amazing gift we were given, this coming Wednesday, where the 10 commandments will be recounted at a synagogue near you!

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel