This Shabbos, I want to thank Yaki for hosting the kiddush and learning which was great as always. David Schlesinger led discussion. We discussed how we were told in advance that we would be exiled but would later return. This is definitely evidence of Hashem's existence. Being exiled is a likely occurrence, but to later return to form a nation is miraculous - and we were told of this before it happened! This is not like someone saying there will be rain followed by sunshine next week. This was a bold prediction that came true.
We discussed how in the parsha, we are “brought back” to Mt. Sinai as part of a new covenant with Hashem. When we committed the sin of the Gold Calf, this cancelled our previous covenant. In our new covenant, Hashem includes remedies to be implemented in case we do not follow the terms of the agreement. These remedies include things such as being sent into exile, and being left to fend on our own.
We discussed how over time we do grow, both as a nation and as individuals, but in some ways we do not grow. For example, David told a story from his father about how composers create incredible music that can’t possibly get any better over time. However unlike composing music, we should all be on a path to keep progressing, as individuals, and as a nation to the point where we reach the messianic era.
In order to have this progression, it is important to have faith in Hashem. Yaki talked about how it is automatically built in that having faith in Hashem helps provide for our needs. It is only when we don’t have faith in Hashem, that Hashem has to command the land to provide food. Yaki spoke about how the mitzvah of the 7th year, and how having faith in Hashem will ensure we are taken care of.
Yaki spoke about how consequences are not reward and punishment but are automatically built in. For example, if we touch a hot stove and get burnt, it is not a punishment, it is just what happens. Likewise, if we believe in Hashem, and have a relationship with him, good things happen to us. These good things, like being provided for in the 7th year, are not rewards but just what happens.
David spoke about how these consequences are true but are a lot less obvious today. For example, in the past if we were to perform mitzvah, we would see an immediate positive consequence such as rain arriving to help nourish our crops. Today, the relationship between cause and effect is less obvious. David spoke about the reason for this, being that Hashem wants to remain hidden so that we use our free will. In the beginning, Hashem had to be quite obvious. But now that we have his Torah and have seen his direct presence, it is no longer necessary. We are intended to be human beings rather than robots forced to believe.
David brought up the topic again of the virtuous response to suffering. David’s father, Dr. George Schlesinger, has written a lot on this topic. David talked about how he is doing work for St. Jude’s research hospital here in Memphis, and how this organization and the people involved are a great illustration of the virtuous response to suffering. As Jews, Hashem has given us the mission of having a virtuous response to suffering that is going on in our world, and it is great to see David and others participating in helping this organization which helps alleviate the suffering of children and their families.
Finally, we talked about how parents seem to pay more attention to their children, than to their own parents. David said his father would say this comes from Adam, who did not have any parents.
This is a summary of what we discussed. No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.
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