Recap for 13 Tishrei, 5776 (Parsha Haazinu)

This Shabbos we discussed parsha Haazinu and the upcoming holiday of succos. I want to thank Norm for hosting the Kiddush and learning.

Norm started off by thanking everyone for their support of the early minyan.  He commented that we continue to go forward with this minyan with a lot of help from Hashem.  Just when we need them, newcomers come for their first time.  I have shared in the past that I don’t think it is a coincidence who I have met in this community, and what help is needed ten years later.  Of course, there are other reasons why I have met who I have, I believe Hashem may have multiple reasons for everything. Just like in the stories in the Torah, Hashem is always with us and with our minyan and influences people to help where it is needed.

Norm shared about how he provides counseling services for the police department. Norm shared about attending the funeral of a police officer who recently passed away in the line of duty. Norm spoke about  the kindness of some of the police department, in particular the chief of police, Armstrong, who will stop what he is doing and help citizens change their tires on the side of the road. Dave W also expressed appreciation for the police chief as someone who has been helpful to our city.

We discussed how non-Jews are only required to keep the 7 laws of Noah, however it seems that some non-Jews expect us to follow their religion or suffer the consequences of not having a comfortable existence in the world to come.  We discussed how it can make us feel uncomfortable to go to funerals and other events when certain non-Jewish religious leaders are speaking as if everyone should share their beliefs.  This all makes me keep in mind that when non-Jews visit me I should be clear that we don't believe they are going to be punished for not following all the halakuh that I do.

We discussed this Shabbos, the character trait of humbleness. Norm mentioned how Moshe would help look for someone else’s lost lamb. Norm commented that by being humble and not thinking so much about himself, Moshe became the leader and became known as a great person. But if he had always just thought of himself as great, he never would have actually become great. We discussed how it is funny that those with-out a big ego end up getting what those with ego desire. Having said this, we did discuss that Hashem created us with an ego with at least some purpose in mind.   Sometimes it is important to think of what is best for ourselves and put other's needs aside.

Yaki spoke about Abraham’s main character trait which was kindness. As we know, Abraham brought monotheism to the world. We discussed how this was one of the most important events in the history of man-kind.

Yaki talked about how it is a mitzvah to be happy and have simchah. He shared how the ultimate simchah is to be close to hashem, and how Succos is the holiday with the most simchah. Yaki spoke about how we get particularly close to hashem on Yom Kippur. This closeness is celebrated with simchah on Succos.

We also discussed the holiday of Pesach, which also occurs on the 15 of a month. We discussed that much of our experience through-out history and who we are today has been shaped by our experience in Egypt. Yaki commented that it was part of Hashem’s plans that we go to Egypt for the length of time that we did, and how important it is to always remember the exodus from Egypt. Brett commented on how important it is to observe Pesach every year.

Yaki spoke about how we have 2 parts to our soul. We have a part that comes from our animalistic nature, and another part that comes from our more spiritual, intellectual and human side. Our animalistic nature can be very strong. It is not necessarily bad to have this piece of our soul active, but it is important that we control it. As David Schlesinger would say, it is important that we channel it into activities that are consistent with the Torah, and best apply the spiritual to our physical world.

Yaki spoke about how all of us are on a natural path. This is the path of least resistance that we will stay on, unless we make an effort to get on another path. Our natural path is not necessarily the best path for us. During Rosh Hashanah we do an inventory and analysis of the path we are on. If we do not make any effort it is likely we will stay on this path. However, we could decide to make the effort and do the work to get on a better, healthier path. We should consider changing the direction of our life prior to Yom Kippur, and prior to asking Hashem for forgiveness.

Dave W spoke more about the Sephardic community in Destin, and how the services and customs there differ from the Ashkenazi that we are use to. Dave W commented about the beautiful work of natural beauty that Hashem did in creating that part of our country.

Norm spoke about how it was on Succos many years ago that the custom of separating men and woman during the services began. In the past it was very common to have second story balconies where woman would daven.

Finally, Yaki spoke about how water symbolizes love. As the human body is made up of mainly water, Hashem seems to have created us as an expression of love. 

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

Recap for 6 Tishrei 5776 (Parsha Vayelech and meaning of RH and YK)

This Shabbos we discussed parsha Vayelech, the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and various other topics. Yaki Moskowitz led discussion.

We discussed how there are different months that are considered to be the start of a new year. These include Tishrei as well as Nissan. Nissan is actually the month that is considered to be the first month of the year according to the Torah.  However we keep track of years starting with Tishrei, which is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.  Nissan is the month in which we were free from Egypt, however we go with Tishrei, when numbering the years.

We discussed how through-out the Torah, Hashem would speak to Moshe in the Tabernacle and then Moshe would relay the information received to the Jewish people. However, in this week’s parsha Hashem speaks to both Moshe and Joshua at the same time.

We discussed how during Tishrei hashem really comes down to earth and we can feel his presence whereas during Nissan hashem does not really come down.  One of the ways Hashem comes down to earth is with the shofar. Seth suggested that blowing the shofar is like blowing the horn of a car. When we hear the shofar we should think of Hashem blowing the shofar to alert us.

Yaki talked about how everything has a purpose. Sometimes it is hard to see the purpose in things, such as a stone, but the stone has a purpose. Norm gave an example of a baby boy that is born and unfortunately passes away after a few weeks. It is hard to see that this baby served a purpose. But Norm suggested that the baby’s purpose may have been to have his Brit Milah.

Yaki spoke about how on Rosh Hashanah hashem judges everything. Everything includes people, things like stones, communities as a whole, and nations. We discussed how the judging that takes place is not necessarily whether someone is “good” or “bad” but how well they are fulfilling their purpose and mission.

We discussed how on Rosh Hashanah the progress we are making towards fulfilling our mission and the overall direction of our lives is what is judged, not necessarily where we are absolutely. For example, someone who grew up in a secular home could be making great progress simply to come to shul once a month, whereas someone who grew up in an observant home may not be making much progress at all if his focus on learning is very low.

We discussed that it is very important to leave the judging up to Hashem. Norm commented that we shouldn’t judge anyone. It is tempting to judge others, but we don’t really know fully what others have gone through and/or what obstacles they face.  It is possible for anyone to be moving in the right direction, regardless of how things appear.

Yaki spoke about how it seems that the order of the holidays are backwards. Why is it that Rosh Hashanah – in which we are judged, comes before Yom Kippur in which we ask for forgiveness. Yaki gave the analogy of a car. Why would we first inspect a car, then judge based on our inspection, followed by working on fixing the problems? Wouldn’t it make more sense to inspect the car, fix the car, and then judge the car?

Yaki explained the logic behind the order of the holidays. On Rosh Hashanah hashem does an inventory of how we have done over the last year, and we should do our own inventory. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we should try our best to make amends for things, but it is not our goal to fix everything. What is most important is to make progress towards moving our lives in the best possible direction.  On Yom Kippur we ask for forgiveness after we have done our inventories and demonstrated we are serious about living the coming year the best that we can.

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

Recap for 28 Elul 5775 (Parsha Nitzavim and Rosh Hashanah)

This Shabbos we discussed parsha Nitzavim, and the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah. We included in our discussion commentary by both Rav Yeager and Rav Malamed.  David Schlesinger led discussion.

We discussed how in the parsha Moses reminds the Jewish people of our covenant with Hashem.  We discussed secular law in which a contract with a minor is not valid.  However, unlike secular law, our covenant with Hashem applies to all future generations.  We discussed how some of our holiness comes from having holy people such as Abraham as ancestors, and some of our holiness comes from how we ourselves are holy by keeping our part of the covenant.

Dave W pointed out how unlike many people, the Jews were offered this covenant and accepted. We agreed to the covenant even before we were given all the details at Mt. Sinai. We discussed how there are actually 2 covenants, one with each of us as individuals, and the other with our nation as a whole.

Because of the covenant with us as a nation, it is important to look out for each other. None of us should think we are living in a vacuum. David told a story from his father, Rav George Schlesinger, about a person in a boat drilling a hole under his seat. Although the person had the seat reserved, his drilling obviously affects everyone. Likewise, what one of us does in our community affects everyone.

In the parsha, Moshe reminds the Jewish people that we have free will to choose between good and evil.  Through out history, man has sometimes chosen good, and sometimes chosen evil.  Those who choose evil are not necessarily punished immediately.  If they were punished immediately, this would take away free will.  Do we really have free will whether or not to touch a hot stove?  Although rewards and punishments are not immediately, eventually there will be an accounting.

We discussed how free will is a prerequisite for Tikkun Olam (repairing of the world). What would be the purpose of repairing the world if we did not have free will? Hashem left us things to be repaired, because he wants us to repair them.  And having robots repair things, is not what Hashem wants for his world.

We discussed how some people seem to be born into great wealth and privilege where others seem to be born into more challenging situations. Norm commented that the world is unfair, because that is how it was meant to be. We discussed how we each have a mission, and a purpose as to what we are suppose to do with our wealth, or talents or skills.  Those who are wealthy, are expected to use their wealth for Tikkun Olam and to carry out their mission and purpose.

This Shabbos Brian was here, and offered up an interesting observation from the Torah. He talked about how the year 1948 corresponds to the year 5708. If we read section 5708, it is remarkable and amazing the correspondence between what is written in the Torah, and what actually happened in history thousands of years later in 1948.

This Shabbos we discussed some more of the evidence for Hashem’s existence. Norm pointed out that those who have faith are a lot happier. It would make sense that Hashem created us to be happier when we carry out his will, and that it would be Hashem’s will that we believe in him. David pointed out what his father would say that those who do not believe in Hashem have a lot more explaining to do, than those who do. Some of the questions that the non-believers would have to explain include the fine tuning of the universe in which everything is in a perfect state in order to support human life.

Those who have faith and believe are often asked to explain things such as why we can not call out for Hashem and he appears. Why can’t we jump off a cliff and in the middle of the fall ask Hashem to save us? Norm pointed out that there is order in the world for a reason. After all, if there were no order we would not know how to create and interact with things in an unpredictable world that does not follow rules.

We discussed the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah. This holiday has a tendency to be fearful, however many people also are able to celebrate and feel joy.  Dave W pointed out that it is really both. We need to be serious about being judged, but being joyous and celebrating the creation of the world is part of the holiday.

We discussed how the judgements made by Hashem on Rosh Hashanah are not based on absolutes. For example, someone who has been born into a secular home who has been doing their best, would be judge by a different standard than someone who grew up in an observant household. David commented that we are all given our different set of obstacles that we need to overcome. One person may be at a higher level in absolute terms, but not judged as well as someone at a lower level.

We discussed the purpose of blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. The shofar was also sounded at Mt. Sinai, and by blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah we are reminded that we received the Torah as part of our covenant with Hashem. The shofar is an alarm and wake up call to us. We all need to wake up and become aware of where we are going, and whether or not it is where we should be going. If we are not on the right path in life, hopefully the blowing of the shofar will help wake us up to this.

We discussed how there is both a big horn and a small horn. The big horn represents the Jewish people as a whole. The short horn represents us as individuals. It is important that we focus on both. There are secular Zionist who are focused on our people, but not on themselves. On the other hand, there are very observant jews who are not concerned about their community. Ideally, we want to strive to be committed to both ourselves and our communities and nations.

We discussed some more this Shabbos how the best way to be judged favorably every year at Rosh Hashanah, is to spend the year focused on longer term goals. It can be very tempting to go for short term pleasure, but in the long run we will be happier and more content if we focus on the long term. David pointed out that this is particularly important within families. We discussed how the building block of a healthy society is healthy families.

Finally, we discussed how doing mitzvah outside of Israel, is analogous to the NFL preseason. Our country has been good to us, but it is our ultimate desire to be in Israel. And once we are there, the mitzvah we are doing is analogous to the regular season. Dave W commented on how much he misses Israel when he comes back to Memphis.

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

Recap for 21 Elul 5775 (Parsha Ki Tavo)

This Shabbos we discussed parsha Ki Tavo, including commentary from Rav Yeager’s book Paths. In the parsha, is the mitzvah of giving of the first fruit, and tithing 10% of one’s crops. The first fruits are taken to the temple as a sacrifice to Hashem, and the tithing is given to the Levy and/or the poor. We discussed how these are the 2 mitzvah in which we verbalize what we are doing. We discussed the reason for this verbalization, which is to be clear that we are not entitled to anything, and that everything that what we do receive comes from Hashem.

David commented how the very first of anything has special meaning to us. He mentioned the first penny that he earned at work having special significance to him. The idea that everything comes from Hashem is very important in Judaism. By sacrificing the very first of the fruits, we show that we are not entitled to any of what we are about to receive.  By showing our gratitude in this way, we develop the proper mind set as we go forward and have our fruits.

We discussed the mitzvah of tzedakah. Norm brought up that there are 8 different levels of tzedakah. We discussed how we should want to give tzedakah emotionally, rather than feeling forced to do so. However in some cases we really are not sure where the money is going to. We discussed that maybe the rabbi or Vaad should certify the legitimacy of those asking for donations.

We discussed how we have an obligation to give, however entitlement is not a part of our religion. David specifically brought up holiday meals. We have an obligation to see who does not have a place to go, and open up our homes, however no one is entitled to these meals. Unlike secular society which seems to be based on rights and entitlements, Judaism is based on mitzvah and obligation.

We discussed how, as a society we run into problems, when more and more people want to consume without producing. It is clear that Hashem wants us to finish the act of creation by producing. However, how should this be done?  Should it be done by just some of us, while the others study Torah full time?  Or should each of us both work and study Torah?  There seems to be a lot of controversy surrounding this issue, especially in Israel.  Judaism is about applying the Torah to the physical world, and Tikum Olam, which we can do through our work, so work seems very important to me.

We discussed that if Rosh Hashanah falls on a Monday or Tuesday, as it does this year, we separate out parsha Nitzavim and parsha Vayelech and read these separately. This is because there is an extra Shabbos between Yom Kippur and Sukkot. We will do Nitzavim next Shabbos, and Vayelech the following Shabbos.

We discussed how in Judaism we can have privileges, however this comes with responsibility. For example, the Kohen receive certain privileges, but have a special responsibility in our community. The privileges and responsibilities originate with the original covenant that Hashem made with Abraham.  As we are all descendant from Abraham, we all have a covenant with Hashem.

I brought up an article that I noticed over at the Yeshiva. I found the following link to the article http://www.iep.utm.edu/design/ The article is called “Design Arguments for the Existence of God”, and is written by Kenneth Einar Himma. In the article is mentioned some of the ideas by David’s father, Dr. George N Schlesinger.

Dr. Schlesinger argues that if an event has a 1 in 1,000,000,000 chance of occurring, such as hitting a jackpot at a casino on a single machine, and the event occurs, this could be due to random chance with no “cheating”.  However, if there are 3 separate events, each of which has a 1 in 1,000 chance of occurring, such as hitting consecutive jackpots on 3 different machines, and all 3 occur, this is much less likely to be due to luck and the casino would certainly suspect some type of “cheating” took place.  For life to exist, there are a series of different extremely low probability events that need to occur. If just one low probability event occurred, that could be due to luck, but when each of these events occur this is strong evidence of intelligent design.

Finally, Norm brought up the idea of turning things over to Hashem. We do the best we can to change what we can. The remainder we turn over. I can say from my own experience, this is not always easy to do but it is better to let go of some things.

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