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by Rabbi E. Tauger
Cheshvan
The Month
When We Remember Rachel and Her Mission
The month of Cheshvan is not highlighted
by any of the Jewish holidays. On the contrary, its thrust is bringing
the spiritual heights reached during the month of Tishrei into relation
with the day-to-day realities of ordinary life.
One of the days that does stand out in this month is Cheshvan 11,
the yahrzeit of our Matriarch, Rachel. Our prophets relate that
Rachel's spiritual mission did not end with her death. Instead,
for generations afterwards, "A voice is heard in Ramah, wailing,
bitter crying, Rachel is weeping for her children. She refuses to
be comforted." Her outcry evokes G-d's blessing, as the prophet
continues: "Hold back your voice from weeping and your eyes
from tears, for there is reward for your accomplishment…. There
is hope for your future… and the children will return to their
border."
This year, Rachel's weeping has taken on a deeper tone. The familiar
domed structure that used to hold her tomb has disappeared, replaced
by a strong fortress-like building. As it stands now, this year
there will be far fewer pilgrims on 11 Cheshvan. It's a matter of
life and death.
No Rabbi will tell you to pray at Rachel's tomb when doing so endangers
your life. Access and departure from the tomb is dangerous. Arab
snipers have killed many on the roads to and from Bethlehem and
gun battles have been held at the tomb itself. In a little more
than a year, almost 200 Jews have been killed by terrorists in our
Holy Land. Thousands more have been injured and maimed. Our Matriarch
has indeed what to cry for.
Not a Matter of Politics
Generally, we have refrained from using this
forum to make statements that might be considered "political."
For every political issue has two sides. Since our intent is to
spread Jewish awareness and heighten the appreciation of the Torah
and its mitzvos, we try to avoid issues that are divisive. Instead,
we endeavor to focus our attention on matters that unite us and
propel us forward in our mission to prepare ourselves and the world
at large for the age of peace and understanding that Mashiach will
introduce.
But that's precisely the point, the issues challenging Eretz Yisrael
today have nothing to do with politics. Instead, they focus on the
very core of what being Jewish is all about and what the Torah comes
to teach us.
To explain: Our Sages teach: "Whoever destroys a Jewish life
is considered to have destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves
a Jewish life is considered to have saved an entire world."
In Jewish thought, this construct does not serve as merely a theoretical
and ethical truth, but as a practical directive. Our heritage is
rich in treasured laws and values, but whenever their application
threatens human life, their practice is temporarily suspended.
This concept has resounded within the consciousness of the world
at large: the protection of human life has been accepted as the
fundamental raison d'être for the existence of governments.
As the US Constitution proclaims, the very first purpose of a government
is to provide its citizens with "life."
No Higher Value
This, the life of a Jew, is the highest
value the Torah recognizes and the most important responsibility
any government has to its people. Just as the Torah states that
the laws of Shabbos and Kashrus should be sacrificed when a Jew's
life is in danger; so, too, Israelis and Jews the world over must
look themselves in the mirror and identify the safety and the security
of the Jews living in the land as their matter of foremost concern.
There is no room for the vacillation and hesitation to act, and
certainly no place for the willingness to sacrifice the lives of
Jewish soldiers and citizens in order to humor the whims of world
opinion. Today, we can take an example from the world at large.
America has shown no restraint in pursuing the perpetrators of the
Sept. 11 tragedy. Once she saw that the lives of her citizens were
threatened by cruel murderers, she took strong action to insure
that her citizens would be safe, sparing neither money, nor energy,
and risking her "humanitarian" image to strike out against the terrorists
who harmed her.
Who Should Make the Decisions
When there is a question of whether the Sabbath
laws must be violated to save the life of a patient, the Torah prescribes
that one ask an expert - a doctor; more specifically, a doctor in
the relevant field. For a heart condition one consults a practising
cardiologist, not a dermatologist.
To return to the analog: There are many dimensions to the Israeli-Arab
conflict. Nevertheless, just as when a person has a heart condition,
it is the cardiologist whose opinion is given highest priority,
since Israel's fundamental concerns are questions of security, it
is the opinions of military men and particularly, those trained
and involved solely in the issues at hand, that must determine the
guidelines - and the red lines - for negotiations. We cannot let
mere hopes of peace - however, sincere and desirable - prevent us
from taking the steps necessary to protect Jewish lives.
Swords into Plowshares
Mankind is beginning to look differently
at violence and warfare, for the climate in the world has changed.
It seems somewhat difficult to make these statements as the bombs
are exploding in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, upon a closer look,
that conflict serves to reinforce and not negate the concept that
war in its traditional sense, is no longer desired.
Today, all the world's leading countries are turning towards peace.
The likelihood of war between any of the developed nations in America,
Europe, or the Pacific rim is almost nil. This is not because these
nations have become more refined and peaceloving, but simply because
it is in their self-interest. The benefits of peace and the costs
of war outweigh any possible gains that could be achieved on the
battlefields.
Similar concepts could apply with regard to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
When the Arabs realize that Israel is sincerely committed to protecting
its citizens, they will appreciate the full severity of the risks
of war. When they recognize Israel's firmness, and understand the
limits of what they can possibly achieve through aggression and
terror, they will focus their attention on their own lives and the
options that are open to them.
Then there is a chance that the socio-economics of a world economy
that is pressing toward the ideal of a global village will make
the Arabs consider peace as an option. By following the Torah command
of placing Jewish safety and security as our first priority, we
will herald the dawning of the age in which "nation will not
lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war any more."
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Telling
Tales
As mentioned above, the month
of Cheshvan is distinguished for its lack of distinction, i.e.,
that it highlights the importance of our ordinary day-to-day Divine
service. In that context, we would like to share the following story:
It is customary to refrain from Torah study on the eve of Dec. 25th.
One such night, the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe Rashab, saw
his son, Yosef Yitzchak, playing chess with a revered chassid, Reb
Elchanon Dov Morosov.
The Rebbe Rashab stood by and watched the game without uttering
a word. "It's not fair to give advice," he explained.
When the game was finished, however, he spoke about the difference
between the two kinds of chess pieces: the pawns and the officers.
"The pawns," he explained, "can be seen as metaphors
for mortals and the officers, as metaphors for the angels. The angels
- like the officers who move several squares at a time - have fewer
limitations. Nevertheless, their rank can never change. Mortals,
by contrast, like the pawns, can move only one square at a time.
But ultimately, when a pawn reaches the other side - i.e., when
a mortal completes his mission, he can be exchanged for a queen
and thus receive total freedom of movement.
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Torah
readings of the month
Parshas Noach
The Hebrew name Noach relates
to the concepts of rest and satisfaction. Indeed, our Torah portion
foreshadows the ultimate state of repose and satisfaction to be
reached in the era when "there will be neither famine nor war,
neither envy nor competition, for good things will flow in abundance."
On Noah's ark were lions, tigers, and other predators and yet, they
dwelt in peace with other animals, anticipating the fulfillment
of the prophecy, "The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the
leopard will lie down with the young goat." As Maimionides
relates: "In that era, there will be neither famine, nor war,
neither envy, nor competition."
A foretaste of this pattern can be seen in motifs that are beginning
to shape the contemporary business landscape. Rather than the dog-eat-dog
competition that characterized previous generations, corporations
are beginning to appreciate how each can gain more when two companies
pool their efforts to bring about a greater good for mankind. Wealth
is being gained, not by taking from others, but by combining know-how
and care to produce products that will benefit others so much so
that they desire to purchase them.
Similarly, in a personal sense, the time has come when we can graduate
from the scarceness mentality that says that when one person has,
the other lacks. The pie is big enough for all of us. And uniquely,
it is the persons that help others get their share, that receive
the largest pieces. This approach will precipitate the coming of
the age when "there will be neither envy, nor competition."
Like Noah and his sons, we will merit the shining of the rainbow
with brilliant colors. As the Zohar states "The rainbow reflects
the spiritual secrets.... When you see the rainbow shining with
bright colors, wait for the Mashiach's coming."
Parshas Lech Lecha
This week's Torah reading begins
with G-d's command to Abraham: "Go out from your land…
to the land which I will show you." As Abraham's descendants,
we are all in the midst of following a similar journey. We are traveling
to Eretz Yisrael, preparing ourselves and the world at large for
the time when we will return to Eretz Yisrael led by Mashiach.
In a very real sense, we are going "to the land which I will
show you." For the nature of our people's path, through the
generations, is one which confounds all students of history. It
is G-dly - a chronicle which no man could or would logically devise
or foresee.
And through identifying with this process, a person develops a unique
appreciation of his or her own self. "I [- G-d -] will reveal
you [- the spiritual core which we all possess]." Through seeing
this journey as one's own and accepting one's role, each of us can
rise above his own individual concerns and endow his life with significance
that is truly cosmic in nature. As one strives to achieve these
goals, he or she will discover a new and deeper understanding of
who he or she really is.
Parshas VaYeira
This Torah reading concludes
with the description of the Akeidah, the binding of Isaac as a sacrifice.
Our commentaries ask: Why is Abraham's act considered so praiseworthy?
True, he was willing to sacrifice his son for G-d, but many other
Jews have made that sacrifice in subsequent generations. Why is
Abraham singled out for such great admiration?
Among the answers given was that Abraham was first. Before him,
no one had ever made such a sacrifice to the true G-d. Any time
a person takes a pioneering step, his deeds are more praiseworthy.
Secondly, Abraham acted with eagerness and joy. Although he loved
his son dearly, he was willing to follow G-d's command, not with
resignation and sadness, but with joy and happiness of fulfilling
G-d's will.
Thirdly, Abraham's lifework had been fighting against paganism.
Now he was called to perform an act that seemingly mirrored the
cruelty of those people whom he had decried. Nevertheless, he made
this commitment with all the eagerness and joy mentioned above.
Parshas Chayei
Sarah
This Torah reading mentions
the first wedding recorded in the Torah, the marriage between Rebecca
and Isaac. When describing that marriage, the Torah makes an insightful
statement, relevant to all marriages: "She became his wife
and he loved her."
The order is significant. For whatever the strength of romantic
attachment, true love can only be spawned when a couple live together
and share the vicissitudes of life. As they learn to develop empathy
and shared purpose, genuine love wells up between them.
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Dates of the Month
7 Marcheshvan - Rosh
HaShanah
11 Marcheshvan - The yahrzeit of our Matriarch Rachel
20 Marcheshvan - The birthday of the Rebbe Rashab
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