Torah, Judaism and Jewish Networking

Bernard S. Antin's Blog (117)

A CHANUKA MOMEMT

Yossef as overseer in Potifar’s house encountered what could be called a Chanukah moment. Mrs. Potifar knew she was destined to have descendants from Yossef. However, Mrs. Potifar did not know if she or her daughter would be the one to marry Yossef. (See Rashi Bereshith 39:1) Mrs. Potifar though motivated with a noble purpose persisted in her attempts to seduce Yossef (39:6,10) Finally, Yossef was about to succumb to his master’s wife’s advances and at would seem the last minute he flees from t… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on December 10, 2009 at 9:39pm — No Comments

THE FARE HOME

Bereshith 32:14-33:20 Ya’akov Our Father’s journey home is included in many prayer books as part of the prayers recited after the conclusion of the Shabbat. The Strasnitzer Rebbe ZT’L ZY’A as well as the Amshinover Rebbe ZT’L ZY’A among others observed this practice of reciting part of Parshat VaYshlach as preparation for a trip. In fact. Rabbi Yheudah Ashkenazi ZT’L ZY’A comments in his commentary on Schulchan Aruch ( B’air Haitaiv ,Orach Chaim Chap.299 note 14) that even though the ARI Z’L dis… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on December 3, 2009 at 9:41pm — No Comments

UPS & DOWNS, G-D IS ALWAYS AROUND

Ya’akov our Father A’H was sent by his holy parents to seek a bride in Haran from within his Uncle’s family (see Bereshith 25:1-5). Ya’akov delayed his actual departure from Eretz Yisrael some fourteen years before the events described in 25:10-22 (see Megila 16b-17a see Rashi 25:11). The vivid images depicted by the Torah, the ladder, angels and G-D’s promises and encouragement are obviously profound. This night was the first Ya’akov spent either outside the confines of Yitzchak’s home or the… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on November 26, 2009 at 9:10pm — No Comments

PICKED ON? OR PICKED?

How does one deal with a reality that challenges one preconceived notions? Rivkah our Mother A’H was married some nineteen years when she became pregnant. Rivkah and her husband Yitzchak our Father A’H prayed for many years beforehand (25:20-21,26) 25:22 relates that Rivkah’s pregnancy was so difficult that she wondered why she ever yearned for or prayed for children (see 25:22 Rashi ZT;L ZY’A “Lamah zeh anochi” ) Rabbi Moshe been Nachman (RAMBAN) ZT’L ZY’A Rivkah did not know what pregnancy wa… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on November 20, 2009 at 3:20am — No Comments

HEVRON FROM EVER TILL FOREVER -- MORE THAN A SLOGAN

Each evening the declaration of faith contained in recitation of Shema is prefaced by stating that “ . . . they [the words of Torah] are our life and the measure of our days . . .” The Ba’al Haturim ZT’L ZY’A among his observations on Bereshith 1:1 notes Bereshith is an acrostic for From the beginning G-D saw that Israel will accept the Torah. Therefore, these and other sources imply a powerful connection between Israel’s connection to Torah and creation itself. Consequently, words of Torah on a… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on November 13, 2009 at 4:30am — No Comments

I'M BASICALLY A GOOD GUY

An almost overlooked aspect of the sidra is Sodom. True the city is forever known from ancient times as a place associated with depraved behavior. Yet what did the residents of Sodom think of themselves? True to their reputation the Torah twice Bereshith 13:13 where the population of Sodom is called “ . . .evil and very sinful” Rashi ZT’L ZY’A comments how incongruous? How could Lot choose to dwell in Sodom when he split from Avraham?. Lot grew up under the influence of Avraham a household that… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on November 5, 2009 at 6:51am — No Comments

MORE THAN JUST A PROMISE

It was no longer tenable for uncle and nephew to live together. Avraham the Patriarch A’H ZY’A tells Lot to separate (Bereshith 13:8-12). Rashi (13:7) explains Lot’s shepherds reasoned since G-D had promised the land to Avraham (12:7) and his heirs, which at the time meant Lot so it was appropriate to allow their flocks to pasture wherever they pleased even if the land was privately owned. Avraham’s shepherds respected the indigenous population and only allowed their flocks to graze on public la… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 29, 2009 at 5:00am — No Comments

URBAN PLANNING

The Torah describes two events that fundamentally reshaped the human condition, the Flood and the Tower of Babel. The breakdown in society that lead to the flood that laid waste to the world G-D created. Rashi ZT’L ZY’A commenting on 6:13 points out there were rampant sexual perversion , idolatry and theft. Rabbi Joseph Dov Solavechik the Beit HaLevi ZT’L ZY’A emphasized the abandonment of moral restraint was so prevalent that animals and even plant life were influenced by human behavior. Societ… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 23, 2009 at 4:52am — 2 Comments

THE PLAN FOR WORLD CONQUEST

As the cycle of Torah readings begins anew a preliminary question presents itself, what is the nature of Torah? Is the Torah a legal text? Or is there a broader purpose encompassing the whole of human endeavor and experience? Indeed, Rashi ZT’L ZY’A opens his commentary on Torah by posing essentially this question. Beginning with what appears as a historical narrative scripture takes a long time till commandments are promulgated to the entire nation (Exodus 12 starting with the commandment to s… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 16, 2009 at 1:28am — No Comments

MOVING ON BY GOING IN CIRCLES

The end of Succoth, Hoshna Rabbah and Shemini Atzereth/ Simchat Torah are not merely the concluding days of Succoth. Instead these two (three outside of Eretz Yisrael) really are the culmination of Fifty one days of introspection, repentance and rejoicing that began nearly two months ago on the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. The Ta’amei Minhagim U’Mikorei HaDinim (paragraph 811) quoting the Bene Yissachar ZT’L ZY’A that Hoshina (please [G-D] save us) should be let the 51 days of prayer be a mer… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 8, 2009 at 7:16am — No Comments

WHAT'S INSIDE IS WHAT MATTERS!!!

Once one accepts the notion of emunah, faith especially in Chassidic thought one understands nothing is beyond G-D’s purview, nothing. Recognizing the reach of G-D’s providential down to the intimate details of one's life as well as the juxtaposition of events. Needless to say the first day of Sukkot coinciding with Shabbath has a special significance for the present year. The Torah commands that on the first day of Sukkoth one must take up a palm branch (lulav), myrtle (hadassim), willows (ara… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 1, 2009 at 7:45am — No Comments

THE PATH BACK

The widespread custom on the Shabbat before Yom Kippur the Rabbi or more accurately the Rabbi who is the leading Torah personality of the city address the community at large.(Mateh Ephraim 602:41). The content of this oration is evidently a matter of debate . Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Ladi ZT’L ZY’A in Schulchan Aruch 429:2 comments that the content of pre-Yom Kippur Shabbat speech originally an outline of the laws of Succoth and the four species. [Often the Sabbath before Yom Kippur is also the S… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on September 24, 2009 at 7:20am — No Comments

SHINING THE LIGHT BY BLOWING THE HORN

The Jewish New Year is called “ . . . a day of rest, a memorial of Treuah a day declared Holy..” (VaYikrah 23:24 Rashi ZT’L ZY’A explains this refers to the portions of the Mussaf service on Rosh HaShana called Zechronoth, remembrance and Shofaroth ,sounding the shofar in order to recall the merit of the Patriarch Yitzchak A’H who was prepared to be offered as a sacrifice was exchanged for a ram. The Shofar apparently is the quintessential symbol of Rosh HaShana. The sounds which constitutes a… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on September 17, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

INDIVIDUAL SERVICE, YOU'RE WORTH IT!!

The nexus between season and sidra continues as the year draws to a close. Devorim 30:1-10 is commonly called Parashat HaTeshuvah, the chapter of return/repentance. The Torah testifies that eventually after experiencing the blessing and curse, all the events and travail of exile to distant nations and cultures that were hostile to Judaism Upon reflection and contemplation individually and nationally Jewry arrives at the conclusion, it all came from G-D and it all was necessary 30:1 speaks about… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on September 10, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

FIRST THINGS FIRST; NOT JUST TALENT, IT IS ALL FROM G-D

Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur and Succot are rapidly approaching thought Succot is specifically called the season of rejoicing the Days of Awe are nonetheless days of celebration. Understanding what G-D wants Jewry be keep in mind at times of celebration would be very important in taking observance from merely following the forms of observance to level where they are filled with substance as well. Despite Ki Tavo opening with the Bikurim First Fruits ritual observed on Shavuoth the Sidra is deeply c… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on September 3, 2009 at 5:37am — No Comments

NO WRITE OFFS

The Talmud (Megila 25a) condemns one who calls out in prayer “Your mercy [is so great] reaches to a bird’s nest . . . is silenced.” the Talmud explains referring to the commandment to send away the mother bird before taking the fledglings (Devarim 22:6-7) as an expression of D-vine compassion reduces the underlying basis for the Torah’s commandments as expressions of compassion and ignoring the commandments’ status as D-vine law. Yet, even the most technical and mundane commandment carries an un… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on August 27, 2009 at 2:46am — No Comments

IT ALL MATTERS WHAT YOU WANT

Elul is far more than the name given to the month preceding Rosh HaShana it is a mindset and worldview. Most importantly the upcoming Days of Awe and Judgment convey the messages that one’s behavior matters, one has the opportunity to improve oneself. The obvious question is, who does not want to do the right thing? Yet how does one engage in self improvement? Does the call of the coming judgment require an extreme makeover or does even a slight positive change count as well? The sidra sheds so… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on August 19, 2009 at 2:11am — No Comments

SEEING G-D WITHIN ALL THINGS = FINDING THE SOURCE OF BLESSING

When events coincide, failing to notice, is to miss a heaven sent message that is unique to that particular point in time. The Shabbath is not just the week’s conclusion but also preface the week to come. So when as this Shabbath a new Month’s arrival is blessed it is only natural to look to that week’s Torah reading for guidance for insight what the content of the coming month should be. The month’s agenda alluded to in the weekly Torah reading become all the more critical when the month is Ell… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on August 13, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

HOMECOMING

These weeks between Tisha B’Av and Rosh HaShanah are best understood in the context of self evaluation and gleaning lessons for inspiration. While Ekev has many topics to examine there are some comments about the Land of Israel, Eretz Yisrael that are particularly worthy of comment. 11:12 relates that “ [Eretz Yisrael is ] A land which the L-RD your G-D seeks its welfare constantly, the eyes of the L-RD your G-D are upon {the land}from the year’s beginning till the last day of the year” The in… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on August 6, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

ROLE MODELS, BE ONE!

The trauma of Tisha B’Av remains fresh in the community’s collective consciousness as Shabbat Nachamu, The Shabbat of consolation approaches. Hopefully, the lasting effect of the day is a renewed and sustained resolution to correct whatever personal or communal shortcomings which remain as reasons to remain in exile and obstacles to redemption. However, viewing the sidra’s message only in a post Tisha B’Av perspective misses the main point, there are but a mere 7 weeks left till the days of Judg… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 31, 2009 at 9:04am — No Comments