Recap for this Shabbos 29 Chesvan 5775 (Parsha Toldot)

This Shabbos we discussed parsha Toldot. David Schlesinger led discussion. In the parsha, Esau is the first born, but he gives up his birth rights to his brother, Jacob. Although Jacob is more well known as being renamed Israel, and being the father of the 12 tribes, Esau has a special role to play and is the one who is actually favored by Isaac, his father.

Avishai Schlesinger commented that Esau is really not “that bad”.  Although Esau seemed to be more interested in hunting, and pursuits other than studying and being a scholar, maybe it is important in life to play up to our strengths whatever these may be, rather than play up to what our strengths should be.  David has made the point that our mission in life is to do what we are good and passionate about, rather than choosing missions that force us to struggle to overcome weaknesses.

Norm, however, pointed out that it may be possible to play to our strengths too much. Tiger Woods played to his strengths so much, that they actually changed the rules and format of the game on him. So it would seem we don’t want to ignore overcoming our weaknesses, however gravitating towards what we do well and are passionate about seems to make sense.  Yaki commented that our weaknesses may be spiritual in nature, and regardless of what we gravitate towards in the physical world, we are going to face spiritual challenges.  We should be able to bring spirituality into any career. Brett has shared how in his career, he brings in Torah and spirituality, in getting ideas to use in his arguments.

We may be able to pick a career or mission that we are passionate about, but Judaism involves a lot of sacrifice for everyone and may be difficult to practice at times. Norm commented that what we get with Judaism is not a “fun” religion, but there is an intrinsic feeling of joy that does come with the deal.  And this feeling can come from more than just a belief in Hashem.  Avishai commented how he has a friend who is “sticking” with Judaism, although not necessarily a believer.  David commented how our practice of observing shabbot has kept us all together for thousands of years.  Even for atheist and agnostics, if they participate in our practices, it can provide to them great benefits.  David asked what else we would be doing on a Saturday morning.

We discussed how in the past, we were forbidden to read and study certain texts, that covered material outside of the Torah. We were told that those who studied these subjects, would not receive a portion in the world to come.  We discussed how the reason for these prohibitions were not a fear we would discover the truth, but a fear that it would be difficult for us to overcome the temptation to go with that which is easier and feels good.  David talked about how today, all this “foreign” material is everywhere, and having a prohibition is no longer practical.  David talked about what we have to do today, which is to confront ideas, such as arguments that Hashem does not exist, etc. etc. David’s father, HaRav Natan Ben HaRav Shmuel (aka Dr. Rabbi George N Schlesinger, is well known for his articles providing plenty of convincing evidence of Hashem’s existence.

We discussed how the model of Judaism, as a religion in which observance is optional, is not sustainable. There is a problem in not thinking for ourselves, and thinking something is ok because others do the same. David told a story from his father about someone who makes the same bids at an auction, simply because a “Dr. Goldstein” is doing the same.  In our religion, we need to do what is right because it is right, and not simply do whatever others seems to be doing.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.

Recap for 22 Chesvan, 5775 (Parsha Chayei Sarah)

This Shabbos David Schlesinger led discussion. This Shabbos was a special Shabbos because it was the anniversary of Yaki’s barmitzvah parsha and Yaki’s Hebrew birthday.  And this Shabbos we welcome Avishai back from Israel.

We discussed parsha Chayei Sarah, including commentary by Rav Yeager. In the parsha, Sara passes away and then Abraham sends out his servant, Eliezer, to find a wife for Isaac.  Eliezer uses a test to see who will offer water to not only him but to his camel as well.  The test seems to be too easy of a test to pass, and a a wife is quickly picked out.

Why did this “well test” end up working, even though it was so easy to pass? Avishai Schlesinger pointed out that the reason the test worked, was because of divine intervention and the fact the test did in fact represent a necessary condition. There is a story of another test, in which the first thing that leaves out of a yard is chosen.  Avishai points out, however, that in this later case, there is absolutely no correlation at all between passing the test and any conceivable necessary condition so Hashem does not help out at all.  

Norm commented that Eliezer may have been trying to come up with a test that would pick a wife as quick as possible, so that he would not be tempted by the evil inclination to offer up his own daughter to be the wife of Isaac.

One of the discussions we had which is brought up by Rav Yeager, is why a slave was chosen to do this test.  What are the differences between a slave and and a child. Who is better able to carry out the wishes of the master?  It would seem that a slave would feel more pressure to be “like” the master and carry out his wishes, but Avishai points out that a slave has spent most of his life somewhere else and is simply with the master for economic reasons.  Perhaps a child would be more likely to represent the wishes of his father.

Efroni points out in his commentary that we can learn more about the parsha, and perhaps help answer our questions by taking a look at the Midrash. He starts out making the comment about the midrash that those who do not believe any of them have no heart, and those who believe all of them have no brain. He then goes on and says that all of the midrash are true, but they are not true. Efroni then clarifies that what is not true is that the literal events took place. But the stories that are told help teach us truths and help us learn concepts from the Torah that we may have otherwise missed.

We discussed Efroni’s commentary.  Efroni comments that just like Abraham and Sara are compliments for each other, so too are Isaac and Rivka.  Efroni comments that, Sara was more of the “indoors” person, whereas Abraham was more of the “outdoors” person. With Isaac, the roles are reversed. Isaac was more of an “indoors” person, which necessitated finding an “outdoors” person to be his wife. Efroni concludes his commentary with the observation that the jewish people are not a bunch of independent people all with different goals. We are one “organism” all descendant from Abraham – all with the same goal of finding wholeness, that can be achieved by finding people that compliment ourselves.

This Shabbos was the anniversary of Yaki’s barmitzvah parsha, as well as his Hebrew birthday! David talked about how Yaki is a person who has a lot of patience. Yaki waited many years to finally have a great neighbor.  Yaki finally received this neighbor with not only an open gate, but an open house as well. David talked further about the importance of resisting short term temptation and inclination, and remaining focused on long term goals, and how this is a major challenge that we all face.

Yaki posed a series of questions, with respect to why it would seem that Sara would pass away upon hearing such bad news about her son. Yaki later answers the questions, that Sara would have passed away anyhow at this moment of time. Yaki has given many interested dvar Torah. Many of them conveying to us that we all have purposes and missions to carry out. In his commentary, Yaki has noted that we often have obstacles in our path that are there by design and part of our mission is to overcome these obstacles.

David commented last Shabbos that sometimes our mission may be that which we find easiest and seem to gravitate towards. This seems to contradict Yaki's commentary that our mission is that in which we face obstacles. Perhaps the truth is somewhere in the middle. It is not Hashem’s plans that I become a NFL quarterback, as there would be a very large number of obstacles to achieving that, but it is not his plan that I find the easiest thing possible.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.

Recap for 15 Chesvan, 5775 (Parsha Vayeira)

This Shabbos David Schlesinger led discussion. We began by discussing how this week’s parsha is similar and different to last week’s parsha.  In both parshas Abraham presents Sarah as his sister.  In this week’s parsha this is done with Avimelech, and in last week’s parsha this is done with Pharaoh. Abraham does this in order to protect his own life.  He does not want to be seen as a threat to the leaders who may desire his wife.

In his dvar torah, Efroni Schlesinger discusses some of the differences between the parshas. Abraham tells Avimelech that he has no reverence of God.  However, Abraham says nothing to Pharaoh.  Efroni comments that perhaps Pharaoh already has a fear of God and does not need to be told.  Efroni comments that Avimelech simply took Sarah without even checking whether she was available, whereas Pharaoh made more of an effort to proceed cautiously.  Efroni also comments that Hashem had to tell Avimelech more directly not to take Sarah, whereas with Pharaoh he came across as more aware of the consequences of his actions.

There is the opposite position, however. David presented this opposite position that perhaps Pharaoh simply isn’t ready to be told about God and Avimelech is. There is a life lesson to this, in that we need to be ready to receive Torah and spirituality, whether directly through Hashem, or through other people. If we turn our back on Hashem, we may be “beyond” receiving anything.

Efroni goes on in his commentary, to suggest that Avraham is also saving Sarah’s life by not telling her of the plan to be his sister with respect to Avimelech. If Sarah knows what is going on, she could be committing adultery which is punishable by death. However if she does not know, she technically would not be considered guilty of this. However, Efroni comments that although technically we may not commit an avera, it can still be considered quite wrong what we do. For example, if our wife tells us she doesn’t like a cigarette in our mouth, technically we can remove it from our mouth but leave it on the table, but we have not accomplished much of anything to please our wives.

One of the other issues we discussed with the parsha is how Abraham prays for the Sodomites, but does not pray for his own descendants. Hashem tells Abraham that his own descendants will be held captive for 400 years, but Abraham seems a lot more concerned for the Sodomites.   David commented that sometimes going through something “bad” can lead us to something “good”.  In the case of going to Egypt, the slavery and captivity lead towards our freedom and receiving the Torah. Sometimes we need to hit a bottom in order to reach new heights, whether as an individual or as a nation.

Norm commented on how human beings tend to react to threats.  We either fight, flight, or freeze. We may be born with a tendency to do one of these, whereas someone else is born with a tendency to do something else.  David talked more about the virtuous response to suffering, which is why Hashem designed the world to have threats to being with.  Although we may have a tendency to fight, flight, or freeze, Norm commented that it may be possible to train ourselves to react differently.  I personally thought my tendency was towards flight but after our discussion I think I may have a tendency to freeze as well.

This Shabbos we reflected back on earlier portions of the Torah and the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had everything they could possibly want, but were told to not take from a particular tree. Being told they could not have this, they focused on it intently.

Norm commented that human beings have this psychological tendency to focus on, and desire what they can’t have. Norm discussed a specific study that was done in which undergraduate college students are put into 2 separated groups. In the first group, the students are told to not think about white bears. In the second group, the students are not told anything. The individuals in both groups are then told to use a device to count how often they think of white bears. The individuals in the group told not to think of white bears, indicate that they actually think of white bears significantly more often than the group that wasn’t told anything.

David commented how his father, HaRav Natan Ben HaRav Shmuel (aka Dr. George N Schlesinger) would say the challenge in life is to want what we have, rather than to have what we want. There is a great lesson in this, that we should be grateful and not take things for granted. We discussed how although it may seem that Hashem created us and many things happen automatically, Hashem is continuously part of our life. Hashem is not like a CEO or king that only manages overriding principles. Hashem takes an active role in the details of the lives of all the billions of his creations. We need to be grateful for even the small things we take for granted every day, like being able to wake up, have food, breath, etc. etc.

Finally, we discussed the section of Rabbi Malamed’s books concerning the prayer of Gomel. Ashkenazi jews say this prayer whenever we escape danger to our lives. An example, would be an accident in which we survive. Another example would be if we engage in a risky activity, and are lucky enough to make it through. Sephardic Jews only say the prayer in very specific circumstances, such as when surviving the crossing of the dessert or sea, or being released from prison.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.

Recap for this past Shabbos, 8 Chesvan 5775, Parsha Lech Lecha

This past Shabbos was the 5th anniversary of the early minyan and Kiddush/learning. Congratulations to everyone on this anniversary of 5 years.  As we found out this Shabbos, the early minyan and Kiddush help make Memphis attractive, and is certainly a reason I enjoy and benefit from living here.   Please continue to support the em and Kiddush/learning.  Second, We welcome Rob from upstate NY, who enjoyed the em and kiddush.  Coincidentally, Rob goes to school at Cornell which is where my family lives.  And third, the week’s parsha Lech Lecha is Norm’s barmitzvah parsha.

This Shabbos we had some discussion about Shabbos, and how Shabbos is the one day we “get out” of the physical in order to put increased focus on our spirituality. However, one of the main points that David made is that we do not reject physicality completely, even on Shabbos, but we remove physical distractions so that we can focus on “elevating the sparks of kiddusha”.

Over the last week, David sent me an article, and we had an email discussion as to exactly what is meant by “elevating the sparks of Kiddusha”.  Here is the link:  Article about elevating the sparks of kidusha. The “sparks” are the potential that the physical world has to become spiritual. In the article, “The search for spirituality”, the idea that physical objects “yearn” for the spiritual is presented. All sides of an object are spiritually attracted to the “heavens”.  The article discusses how Shabbos is the most important time to focus on spirituality, and Israel is the most important place where spirituality is most likely to occur.

It is our job to “elevate” the sparks by actualizing spiritual potential.  Physical objects have this potential, as well as human beings. In order to elevate our own sparks, we use our free will to follow the Torah and engage in mitzvah. Yaki has commented in the past, how every object has a purpose. Yaki spoke this Shabbos how each of us also has a purpose, but that we face obstacles. David suggested that Hashem created a world with these obstacles, so that we could choose to use our free will to deal with the obstacles. If there were no obstacles we would automatically carry out our purpose and this would not be the most perfect world. In the most perfect world we live in an environment with a maximum opportunity to do mitzvah.

We had an interesting discussion about the different models that have emerged for determining the itinerary for Shabbos.  In the first model, we do not have to cook, so we arrive for davening as early as possible.  After a short time we return home and have a small meal.  We then return to shul, learn, and then daven mincah.  The largest meal occurs after halakuh midday. In the second model, we start davening late in the morning because of a passage that refers to davening as taking place during the “day”. The service is longer, as we engage in singing, however we do want to get home before halakuh midday to have our first meal.  When we do arrive home, this meal is large. Later in the day we return to shul for learning, mincah, and the third meal which typically is small.

We discussed how the second model has become commonplace in the Ashkenazi communities of the dysphoria. However in Israel, and in Sephardic communities the first model is more common. Most communities have both models, which provides the most choice to those who live in the area.

I personally prefer the first model, which is what we have more or less with the early minyan. The only way I seem to attend a complete Shabbos davening is with the shorter service. And I don’t think we would do as many hours of learning with the second model. Having said this, I understand that many prefer the second model. Many communities offer both models, which is great and gives everyone the opportunity to have what is best for them.  It is my opinion that Memphis should have both models in order to be as strong a community as possible.

This Shabbos we had a discussion of the passages concerning Hashem creating multiple worlds. We cannot be sure what previous worlds were like, but we know from the Torah what has taken place in this world. There were 10 generations between Adam and Noah, and then another 10 generations between Noah and Abraham. During the generation of Noah, Hashem almost decided to start from scratch with a new world, but Noah was saved. This led to 10 more generations until Abraham arrived. Abraham was known as our father and the beginning of our religion. However, even amongst his generation certain people had to be destroyed in Sodom. Hopefully today we have it right and there will be no more need for new worlds.

David told the story from his father, Dr. Rabbi George N Schlesinger, how when it is cold Noah would put on a jacket, whereas Abraham would build a fire. Noah followed Hashem’s direct commandment, whereas Abraham would go the extra mile and use his free will to carry out Hashem’s will without being directly commanded. The best possible world is one in which we do not do things because we are directly commanded, but one in which we choose to believe and determine our purpose and carry it out because it is the right thing to do.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.