The Need for Sinai

"Upon your taking out the nation from Egypt, they shall serve G-d on this mountain." (Exodus 3:12)


As we approach Passover, let's take a look at probably the most simple, and most fundamental, Passover question: Why did G-d Have to Enslave the Jewish People in Egypt!? Why couldn't we just have been given the Torah & moved on? Evidently, our time in Egypt had an intrinsic connection to the giving of the Torah.
It had to serve as some sort of a preparation...

It's interesting to note under whom the Jewish People have been victimized most. The first exiles were caused by the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and then Romans. Later it was the Inquisition in Spain, and we all know what happened 70 yrs. ago. in Germany (skipping many others). What do all of these nations have in common? They were leaders of their time. Culture, art, philosophy, modernity, government. These nations led the way in their respective times. And so did Egypt. At the time of their enslavement there, the Egyptians were an extremely advanced nation! The pyramids are a prime example of their architectural prowess at that time. Astronomy, mathematics, science; Egypt was the most advanced culture and nation of their time.

And perhaps that's what G-d Wanted to show us. 'Before I Give you the Torah, take a good look at the "advanced" human race. Maybe the world, maybe you, don't need Torah? Surely all can be found in the human mind and reason?' But the Jewish People saw a principle in Egyptian society, that has held true throughout history, in every nation across the world: Wisdom, advancement, does not correlate to true morality. From Egypt to modern Germany, from Plato to Mozart, genius and modern progress often has nothing to do with that person or nation acting justly. For that we need a set of Divine ideas & rules - beyond human thought - given by G-d: The Torah. "Chochma b’goyim ta’amin, Torah b’goyim al ta’amin - If you find Wisdom among the nations, believe it; Torah among the nations, don’t believe it."

The Jewish People had to experience the "best" the world had to offer, and only then, after realizing the emptiness, could they truly appreciate the Torah. "Yisron Ohr Min Hachoshech" - Great is light from darkness. As Passover approaches, let us remember that even here in 2011, in our very advanced and moral Western Civilization, only Torah can be our true guide for living a just life.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel

The Light Side of the Moon

This upcoming Shabbat - the last before the Hebrew month of Nissan - is always known as "Parshat Hachodesh." We read the Torah chapter describing the the commandment of sanctifying the "New Moon."


It's interesting to note that the Jewish People have always been likened to the moon. It's not so hard to see why. Just as the moon waxes & wanes, shines bright & then goes dark, so too goes the Jew throughout history. We've gone from the highest of times to the lowest, and back again, seemingly in constant flux throughout time.

Fascinatingly, like the moon which waxes for the 1st 15 days of the month, the Jewish People rose in spiritual stature & greatness for its 1st 15 generations - from Abraham to King Solomon. We had then reached our fullness, like the full moon, shining G-dliness into the world through the Bait Hamikdash - the temple in Jerusalem. It was the most peaceful time in our history. It is told that massive groups of visitors to Jerusalem would convert en masse after witnessing the miracles of the temple & the great Jewish stature.
Our Sages say that, miraculously, the moon was always full during the reign of King Solomon.

Also, it's notable that the light we see from the moon, is really just a reflection of the light from the sun. So too, it is taught, a Jew's mission in life is to reflect the light of G-d into the world. By reflecting Torah and its values into our lives and beyond ourselves into the world around us, we fulfill our role as a "Light unto the Nations." (Isaiah 42:6)

We have to be proud and shine bright, with the conviction that what we shine is not our own - but the truth of G-d.
May the time soon come, when we wax to our brightest, with the final redemption now!

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel
P.S. I believe this is a must see when you have the time, & is very connected to this idea - Mayor Corey Booker Speaking @ Chabad

To Whom Does Israel Truly Belong?

~The email is dedicated to the speedy recovery of all injured Jews in Israel, and to the comfort of the Fogel family~


With the recent tragedies in Israel, I felt it fitting to speak about the Holy Land. First, it was the cruel murdering of 3 little children and their parents in the town of Itamar. Yesterday, it was the bombing near the central bus station in Jerusalem, that killed 1 and injured 50.

I could write 20 pages now about the history of Israel and why she rightfully deserves to exist. From the U.N. partition plan of 1948, to the wars against Israel that showed Israel victorious that year, as well as in 1967; to the 3,000 year uninterrupted living of Jews in the land. (To see a brilliant 5-min. summary of the conflict, click here)

Instead I'd like to take a unique look from the Torah's Perspective - one often not seen or mentioned of.

The Torah opens up with the verse:
"In the beginning of G-d's Creation of the heavens and earth."
The foremost commentator on the Torah, Rashi (1040-1105), is perplexed by this. If the whole point of the Torah is for the sake of the mitzvot (commandments), why does the Torah begin with stories!? Just get to the point! Rashi's answer to this is astounding, and very relevant to today's current events in Israel.

Let's look at Rashi's words: 'Rabbi Yitzchak said: Surely the Torah should have begun from the words, "This month shall be for you..." (Exodus 12:2), the first commandment which the Jewish people were given. Why does it begin with "In the beginning?" The reason is as it says: "He Declared to His people the power of His Works in order to give them the inheritance of the nations" (Psalms 111:6), i.e., if the nations of the world will say to the Jewish people, "You are robbers, for you seized the land of the seven nations [who inhabited Cana'an]," they will reply: "The whole earth belongs to G-d. He Created it and Granted it to whoever was deemed fit in His Eyes! It was His Will that they should have it; and, by His Will, He Took it from them and Gave it to us!"

Over a 1,000 years ago, Rashi hit the nail on the head. Any land or people can always claim ownership. California should more logically go back to the Indians, than Israel to the Arabs. But since logic never really wins against the U.N. and the int'l community, perhaps the Israeli Leadership could revert back to the Torah's view of things: "G-d Gave it to us. Period." Perhaps that would even be better received by the world than the present approach?
How eternally true are the words of Torah & its Rabbis.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel