Sermon Archive

ACHAREY MOT 5784

ACHAREY MOT 5784

What Happens Acharey Mot—After Death?

Today’s Torah portion opens with Hashem speaking to Moses acharey mot (after the death), after the death of 2 sons of Aaron. Last year on this Torah portion Shabbat I spoke in general about the concept of acharey mot—after death. This morning, I would like to go a little deeper. Death is so final. It’s irreversible; it’s painful; it’s unbearable. And yet, having a sense of acharey mot—of what happens after death—can be helpful in facing it.

We have in this Torah portion, perhaps my favorite verse (Lev. 18:5): Ushmartem et chukotai v’et mishpatai asher yaaseh otam, vachai bahem, Ani Hashem (You shall observe My decrees and My judgments, which you shall carry out and live by them—I am Hashem). The simple understanding of this verse is that if you guard Hashem’s statutes … if you keep the mitzvot, then through them you’ll get life. What an amazing verse!  

The problem is obvious. This doesn’t seem to play out in the real world. Not everyone who observes Hashem’s mitzvot is immune to fatal heart attacks and terminal cancer! We see wicked people who neglect and disobey Gd’s laws are, nevertheless, alive and well—robust and healthy. And in the end, everyone dies. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be any discernable difference in the longevity of those who keep the Torah’s mitzvot and those who don’t. So where is this life that the Torah promises for keeping the mitzvot?

   I want to share with you 3 approaches. The Talmud (Yoma 85a) explains: Vachai bahem v’lo yamut bahem (You shall live by them [means] and not die by them). The Talmud tells us this verse teaches that the fulfilment of a mitzvah should never cause a threat to human life. You should live by the mitzvot and not die by them. So, if one is ill on Yom Kippur and needs to eat, one should eat and not die. Or, an Israeli soldier can drive to his unit or go to war on Shabbat to save lives. “You should live by the mitzvot and not die by them.” Isn’t that beautiful?

The 2nd approach is found in Rashi’s commentary: “You shall live by them means in Olam Haba, (in the World to Come), for if you should say that this refers to this world, is it not a person’s destiny to die?” In other words, even if you keep Gd’s Torah, your body won’t live forever, but your soul will buy a share in the next world acharey mot (after death).

What exactly happens acharey mot (after death) when we come to Olam Haba (the World to come, the world of the souls)? Kabbalah tells us that after you die, you’ll see a panorama of your life unfold before you much like a movie. There is no forgetting in the world of the souls—no matter how old you are. You’ll feel great elation and pride when you view the good things you have done and great pain and shame when you view the bad things. The pain and shame is part of your judgment or soul correction. This kind of judgment continues for a time—up to a year for one who has not lived a Gdly life. Then the soul enters its place in the Olam Haba.

There’s a famous Mishnah (Sanhedrin 90a): Kol Yisrael yeysh lahem cheylek laOlam Haba (All Israel has a share in the World to Come). Note the Mishnah does not teach, “Every Jew will have a share,” but “Every Jew has a share.” Then the Mishnah continues: V’eylu sh’eyn lahem cheylek laOlam Haba (And these are the ones who have no share in the World to Come). In other words, we have a share, but we can lose it. It depends on what we do with our lives. Have you or I lost our ticket to the next world?

Who are the losers according to the Mishnah?

1. Those who say Revival of the Dead is not from the Torah;

2. those who say the Torah is not from Gd; and

3. those who reject Gd.

What is absolutely startling is that these 3 categories do not include people who commit terrible crimes. Those who have committed some of the most grievous sins—even capital offenses—can still end up in the World to Come if they truly regret and repent sins.

The 3 categories of people who do not get are those who don’t believe. Why don’t they get in? Simple! If you don’t believe there is an afterlife, you don’t get it!

The 2nd category describing those who don’t go to Olam Haba are those who deny the Torah is from Gd. Wow! That would exclude most Reform and Conservative Jews. Yosef Albo (15 cent. Sefer haIkrim), however, teaches: “If by virtue of your education and thinking, you … make an intellectual error [and by ignorance you reject Gd’s authorship of the Torah], you are NOT excluded.” One can make a case that most non-religious Jews today fit into this category. What do they know about Gd, Torah and mitzvot?

The 3rd category—one who denies the existence of Gd—is one who rejects Gd, and therefore, Gd rejects him.

So, according to the Mishnah there are 3 beliefs a Jew must have. 1st, there is a Gd Who created the world and cares about His Creation. And because He cares, because He loves us, because He wants the optimal relationship with us, Gd gave us the Torah as His guide for how to be in this relationship. This becomes the 2nd principle: Belief in Torah. This implies there are rules to the world—and we ought to be good and not evil because Gd wants us to be good and will reward us for it. But it also implies Gd will see to it that we are responsible for our actions.

If we believe in the Torah, then—as I said before—the good guys should have it good and bad guys should have it bad. But when we look at the world we realize, “It ain’t necessarily so!” Sometimes we see that good guys have a really difficult life. There might be several ways to explain. It could be because of one’s previous lifetime of bad behavior. So, if one is abused in this lifetime, it may be because he/she was an abuser in a previous lifetime and had that lesson to learn in this world. Or, it might be because someone appears to be a good guy but is really not. We never really know people. And sometimes it’s because people have free will and do bad things. And the thing is, if you suffered—not because of anything bad you did—Gd must make it up to you either in the next world or in your next reincarnated lifetime.

So on our verse vachai bahem (to live by them) we’ve discussed the Talmud that says, “You shall live by them [mitzvot] and not die by them.” Then we had Rashi who says this refers to Olam Haba (the World to Come). The 3rd approach is the Lubavitcher Rebbe, z”l, who has an amazing take on our verse. Vachai bahem (to live by them) can also be understood as, “to put life in them.” In other words, when you do a mitzvah, put life into it. Don’t do it by rote. Appreciate its message.

When a Siddur falls to the floor, our tradition is to kiss it as we retrieve it. A Chumash falls? Kiss it. Of course they are holy, they have Hashem’s name within them. And yet whenever I ask if one permitted to drink Coke from a Kiddush cup?, almost all will answer “No!” Why? People feel that the reciting of a Kiddush over the wine has imbued the cup with a certain holiness. I agree.

Ever see someone drop their kipa and then kiss it? According to Jewish Law, we can cover our heads with a baseball cap, a fedora, or a kipah. Does that mean we must kiss the baseball cap if it falls? I have never corrected a person who has kissed their kipa when it fell because they feel as if they’ve elevated a mere head covering to holy status.

And that—the Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches—is a Jew’s task in this world. Jews are supposed to elevate the mundane to the Holy. On Friday night we can take 2 hurricane candles, or tea candles and make a bracha on them and … now they’re Shabbos candles! Holy! We can lift a glass of dinner wine, make brachot over it and our Cabernet Sauvignon turns into holy Kiddush!

 So, my friends, live a Gdly life of chai bahem, putting life into what you do, whever you go—imbuing holiness into everything, even into inanimate objects—so that acharey mot, after you die in 120 years, may your soul soar straight to Olam Haba (to Heaven in the World to Come). Amen! 

PESACH YIZKOR 5784

 

PESACH YIZKOR 5784

Be Happy and Make Your Parents Proud

Do you want to be happy? Well, consider this: If you want to live long and be happy, move to Israel! In the “World Happiness Report,” published a few weeks ago, America fell from 15th place in 2023 to 23rd—not even in the top 20. Israel, however, placed 5th—even now. Even after October 7th with its Hamas invasion and unspeakable suffering, mass dislocation ... Even after 6 months of war with Hamas ... Even after Iran rained over 300 drones and missiles over Israel. Israel is the 5th happiest place in the world??? How is this possible? 

A beautiful article written by Gil Troy in the Wall Street Journal (4/7/24) explains it this way: Israelis pursue happiness through family and community, by feeling rooted and having a sense of purpose … Israelis didn’t seek this war—but when attacked, they unleashed a patriotism, idealism, self-sacrifice and grit … that today’s regressive progressives scorn. Israelis’ resilience, duty and love of life explain how this often polarized and besieged society remains such a happy place. Rather than demonize these heroes, [U.S.] protesters could learn from Israelis about the art of living—not only for their sake but for America’s too.

Naomi Ragen in her blog (4/10/24) adds: Another reason is that in loving life and trying to preserve life, Israel cherishes each and every citizen, who in turn feels cherished and part of a larger family for whom they are willing to risk their very lives.

I would argue that Pesach tells us why Israelis are happier. Yes, Pesach in Israel is only 7 days with only 2 days of Yom Tov—one at the start and the other at the end. And yes, many Ashkenazi Israelis have found a way in Jewish law to eat rice on Pesach while in Israel! As desirable as all that is, it goes much deeper. As Troy notes in his article: The essence of Israeli happiness lies not in the absence of conflict, but in the deep social cohesion, enduring family ties, and a rich tapestry of tradition and history that bind its people … seeing themselves as part of a continuous Jewish saga. 

What is that, if not Pesach? On Pesach Jews sit down at a Seder knowing their fellow Jews are participating in this rich tradition together at the same time all over the world—as they have for thousands of years. Jews who attend a Seder feel a profound sense of tradition and belonging—especially if they’re with family. Jews are an amazing community where each one is valued, needed and appreciated. All these are crucial elements to happiness.

My friends, we’re not supposed to go around negative, discouraged, sour and grumpy. You and I are supposed to be the happy and our happiness should overflow to others. When you’re around people who are enthusiastic, happy and full of faith … don’t you feel better, refreshed, inspired and energized? So, be happy and people will want to be with you. 

Rebbe Nachman taught: Mitzvah g’dola lih’yot b’simcha tamid (It is the greatest mitzvah to always be happy). When you’re happy, it’s infectious. I know people who haven’t smiled in 6 months or haven’t laughed in years. Despite what’s happening in Israel, despite the rise of antisemitism, we should still be kind, friendly, fun to be around and happy. 

Some of us need to get our joy back. We’ve allowed the pressures of life to get us down. This not only robs us of the joy that belongs to us … it robs our family and friends of our joy. Take a stand today on the last day of Pesach and say, “That’s it. I’m not going to live another day negative, discouraged and grumpy. I’m going to put a smile upon my face.” 

You may say to me, “I’d be happy if I had your life, rabbi. I’d be happy if I was as good-looking as you.” … What are you laughing at? Gd has given you your life to enjoy. Don’t compare your situation to someone else’s. Gd has given you everything you need to be happy. You may not be in the home you’d like or have the job you aspire to. Maybe you’re single and want to change that. If you’re not careful, you can allow these things to get you so down that no one wants to be close to you. 

Listen carefully to this because it’s so important: If you don’t learn to be happy where you are, you’ll never get to where you want to be. [REPEAT] So be happy where you are and don’t fall into the pit of self-pity. It’s good to have big dreams. But don’t let them frustrate you to where you can’t be happy where you are now. As it asks in Pirke Avot (4:1): Eyzehu ashir, “Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot.” 

That’s why we recite this verse from Psalms (118:24) in the Hallel on Pesach: Zeh hayom asa Hashem, nagila v’nism’cha vo (Today is the day Gd has made, let us rejoice and be happy on it). Today is the day to be happy—not tomorrow when the weather clears up … not next month when I make it through this difficult time. Don’t wait till you lose those 10 pounds, or till your business grows or when your child strengthens out. You can always find something to keep you from being happy.

 

The sad thing is, some people have wasted year after year being unhappy because someone is not treating them right, or because they’re not getting their way, or because their plans are not working as they would like. Gd knows I’ve had reasons in my life to be negative and discouraged, but I’ve made up my mind I’m not going to waste my time. I’m going to celebrate each day as a gift from Gd. 

    

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is that happiness is a choice. When you wake up in the morning you can choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood. 

So say to yourself: “This is going to be a great day. I know Gd is directing my steps. Something good is going to happen to me today.”   

In fact, this is how a Jew is supposed to start every day. Look at the beginning of the Siddur. The 1st words we’re supposed to utter every morning before we get up while still sitting on our beds is: Modeh ani l’fanecha melech chai v’kayam shehechezarta bi nishmati b’chemla raba emunatecha (Thank You, living and eternal King, for mercifully returning my soul within me. Great is Your faithfulness.) Our 1st conscious moments are spent thanking Gd for the gift of life. It doesn’t matter what we did yesterday or last night. “Great is Your faithfulness,” means that Gd is faithful to provide what we need today—so be happy about the day ahead. 

George Burns once said: “Happiness is having a loving, caring, close knit family … living in another state.” You may have people in your life, perhaps in your own family that are not easy to get along with. Just say to yourself, “No more! I’m not giving away my joy. I’m not going to waste my time being unhappy because of how someone is or isn’t treating me. They don’t deserve to have that power over me.” 

Today’s Torah reading (Deut. 16:14) commands us to be happy on Pesach: V’samachta b’chagecha (Be happy on your festivals), and it adds: v’hageyr v’hayatom v’ha-almana (with the stranger, the orphan and the widow.” This tells us that if you really want to be happy, make sure those who are in need can be happy as well. Maimonides (Hilchot Megila 2:17) let’s us in on a deep secret: “For the greatest joy is to bring happiness to the hearts of the poor, the orphans, the widows and the strangers.”

And here Judaism parts company with our modern world. For most, the goal in life is happiness. The Jewish approach is that the goal of life is not happiness, but goodness. The consequence of doing good is happiness.

And finally, living in a state of happiness comes with the realization that you are never alone—that Gd is always with you. As it says in the end of the Adon Olam prayer, Hashem li v’lo ira (Gd is with me, I will not fear). So, when you get up in the morning …sit on the side of your bed and recite the Modeh Ani, or just close your eyes and thank Gd for the miracle of another day and feel Gd’s Presence with you. If you do that, you’ll feel Gd’s Presence all day, knowing that no matter what happens to you that day, Gd will be watching over you and have your back!

So, my friends, my advice to you on this Yizkor morning, as we remember our mothers and fathers who only wanted us to be happy is: stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose 10 pounds, until you gain 10 pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you’ve had a drink, until you’ve sobered up … to decide to get rid of all the excuses and realize that there’s no better time than right now to be feel the wonder and excitement of your life. Spread your light wherever you go—make this a better world for everyone around you—so that you’ll be happy and make your parents you remember today proud. Amen!

PESACH YIZKOR 5784

Be Happy and Make Your Parents Proud

Do you want to be happy? Well, consider this: If you want to live long and be happy, move to Israel! In the “World Happiness Report,” published a few weeks ago, America fell from 15th place in 2023 to 23rd—not even in the top 20. Israel, however, placed 5th—even now. Even after October 7th with its Hamas invasion and unspeakable suffering, mass dislocation ... Even after 6 months of war with Hamas ... Even after Iran rained over 300 drones and missiles over Israel. Israel is the 5th happiest place in the world??? How is this possible?

A beautiful article written by Gil Troy in the Wall Street Journal (4/7/24) explains it this way: Israelis pursue happiness through family and community, by feeling rooted and having a sense of purpose … Israelis didn’t seek this war—but when attacked, they unleashed a patriotism, idealism, self-sacrifice and grit …  that today’s regressive progressives scorn. Israelis’ resilience, duty and love of life explain how this often polarized and besieged society remains such a happy place. Rather than demonize these heroes, [U.S.] protesters could learn from Israelis about the art of living—not only for their sake but for America’s too.

Naomi Ragen in her blog (4/10/24) adds: Another reason is that in loving life and trying to preserve life, Israel cherishes each and every citizen, who in turn feels cherished and part of a larger family for whom they are willing to risk their very lives.

I would argue that Pesach tells us why Israelis are happier. Yes, Pesach in Israel is only 7 days with only 2 days of Yom Tov—one at the start and the other at the end. And yes, many Ashkenazi Israelis have found a way in Jewish law to eat rice on Pesach while in Israel! As desirable as all that is, it goes much deeper. As Troy notes in his article: The essence of Israeli happiness lies not in the absence of conflict, but in the deep social cohesion, enduring family ties, and a rich tapestry of tradition and history that bind its people … seeing themselves as part of a continuous Jewish saga.

What is that, if not Pesach? On Pesach Jews sit down at a Seder knowing their fellow Jews are participating in this rich tradition together at the same time all over the world—as they have for thousands of years. Jews who attend a Seder feel a profound sense of tradition and belonging—especially if they’re with family. Jews are an amazing community where each one is valued, needed and appreciated. All these are crucial elements to happiness.

My friends, we’re not supposed to go around negative, discouraged, sour and grumpy. You and I are supposed to be the happy and our happiness should overflow to others. When you’re around people who are enthusiastic, happy and full of faith … don’t you feel better, refreshed, inspired and energized? So, be happy and people will want to be with you.

Rebbe Nachman taught: Mitzvah g’dola lih’yot b’simcha tamid (It is the greatest mitzvah to always be happy). When you’re happy, it’s infectious. I know people who haven’t smiled in 6 months or haven’t laughed in years. Despite what’s happening in Israel, despite the rise of antisemitism, we should still be kind, friendly, fun to be around and happy.

Some of us need to get our joy back. We’ve allowed the pressures of life to get us down. This not only robs us of the joy that belongs to us … it robs our family and friends of our joy. Take a stand today on the last day of Pesach and say, “That’s it. I’m not going to live another day negative, discouraged and grumpy. I’m going to put a smile upon my face.”

You may say to me, “I’d be happy if I had your life, rabbi. I’d be happy if I was as good-looking as you.” … What are you laughing at? Gd has given you your life to enjoy. Don’t compare your situation to someone else’s. Gd has given you everything you need to be happy. You may not be in the home you’d like or have the job you aspire to. Maybe you’re single and want to change that. If you’re not careful, you can allow these things to get you so down that no one wants to be close to you.

Listen carefully to this because it’s so important: If you don’t learn to be happy where you are, you’ll never get to where you want to be. [REPEAT] So be happy where you are and don’t fall into the pit of self-pity. It’s good to have big dreams. But don’t let them frustrate you to where you can’t be happy where you are now. As it asks in Pirke Avot (4:1): Eyzehu ashir, “Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot.”

That’s why we recite this verse from Psalms (118:24) in the Hallel on Pesach: Zeh hayom asa Hashem, nagila v’nism’cha vo (Today is the day Gd has made, let us rejoice and be happy on it). Today is the day to be happy—not tomorrow when the weather clears up … not next month when I make it through this difficult time. Don’t wait till you lose those 10 pounds, or till your business grows or when your child strengthens out. You can always find something to keep you from being happy.

The sad thing is, some people have wasted year after year being unhappy because someone is not treating them right, or because they’re not getting their way, or because their plans are not working as they would like. Gd knows I’ve had reasons in my life to be negative and discouraged, but I’ve made up my mind I’m not going to waste my time. I’m going to celebrate each day as a gift from Gd.

     

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is that happiness is a choice. When you wake up in the morning you can choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood.

So say to yourself: “This is going to be a great day. I know Gd is directing my steps. Something good is going to happen to me today.”   

In fact, this is how a Jew is supposed to start every day. Look at the beginning of the Siddur. The 1st words we’re supposed to utter every morning before we get up while still sitting on our beds is: Modeh ani l’fanecha melech chai v’kayam shehechezarta bi nishmati b’chemla raba emunatecha (Thank You, living and eternal King, for mercifully returning my soul within me. Great is Your faithfulness.) Our 1st conscious moments are spent thanking Gd for the gift of life. It doesn’t matter what we did yesterday or last night. “Great is Your faithfulness,” means that Gd is faithful to provide what we need today—so be happy about the day ahead.

George Burns once said: “Happiness is having a loving, caring, close knit family … living in another state.” You may have people in your life, perhaps in your own family that are not easy to get along with. Just say to yourself, “No more! I’m not giving away my joy. I’m not going to waste my time being unhappy because of how someone is or isn’t treating me. They don’t deserve to have that power over me.”

Today’s Torah reading (Deut. 16:14) commands us to be happy on Pesach: V’samachta b’chagecha (Be happy on your festivals), and it adds: v’hageyr v’hayatom v’ha-almana (with the stranger, the orphan and the widow.” This tells us that if you really want to be happy, make sure those who are in need can be happy as well. Maimonides (Hilchot Megila 2:17) let’s us in on a deep secret: “For the greatest joy is to bring happiness to the hearts of the poor, the orphans, the widows and the strangers.”

And here Judaism parts company with our modern world. For most, the goal in life is happiness. The Jewish approach is that the goal of life is not happiness, but goodness. The consequence of doing good is happiness.

And finally, living in a state of happiness comes with the realization that you are never alone—that Gd is always with you. As it says in the end of the Adon Olam prayer, Hashem li v’lo ira (Gd is with me, I will not fear). So, when you get up in the morning …sit on the side of your bed and recite the Modeh Ani, or just close your eyes and thank Gd for the miracle of another day and feel Gd’s Presence with you. If you do that, you’ll feel Gd’s Presence all day, knowing that no matter what happens to you that day, Gd will be watching over you and have your back!

So, my friends, my advice to you on this Yizkor morning, as we remember our mothers and fathers who only wanted us to be happy is: stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose 10 pounds, until you gain 10 pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you’ve had a drink, until you’ve sobered up … to decide to get rid of all the excuses and realize that there’s no better time than right now to be feel the wonder and excitement of your life. Spread your light wherever you go—make this a better world for everyone around you—so that you’ll be happy and make your parents you remember today proud. Amen!

SHABBAT CHOL HAMOED PESACH 5784

 
 

SHABBAT CHOL HAMOED PESACH 5784

Today’s Protestors are not Just Dangerous and Antisemitic. They’re Also Phony

Passover is the holiday that celebrates liberation—the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It’s a story has inspired countless liberation movements ever since. It tells us that we must rise up in the face of oppression whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head.

Today a new liberation movement has arisen that’s not only dangerous and antisemitic, but also phony. What we see in protests on elite campuses and in American cities are not justice warriors who want peace in Gaza. They are blowhards  pretending to be rebels picking on the world’s easiest target—Jews! What started several months ago with calls for a ceasefire in Gaza has morphed into rabid protests against … against what?

Certainly NOT the war in Gaza. Israeli troops have evacuated most of Gaza; humanitarian aid has been flowing in; and while Benjamin Netanyahu keeps promising that the IDF will enter Rafah, his restraint speaks loudly. In fact, one can argue that the ugliest thing happening in Gaza right now is the continuing horror of 132 terrified hostages being held captive for over 200 days by Hamas. So, if you’re a college student looking for a noble cause, I can think of no cause more noble than “Let the Hostages Go!”

It’s not enough to perform justice—to set up tents and play drums and wear keffiyehs and yell “globalize the Intifada” and throw temper tantrums trying to convince the world there’s no country worse than Israel. To come across as authentic, you must have a minimal level of credibility.

These Israel-hating groups lost their credibility right after Hamas murdered, mutilated, raped and burned alive 1200 Israelis on Oct. 7—before the war in Gaza started. Instead of condemning the carnage, they brazenly defended it in the name of “resistance” and “liberation.”

The protests now roiling our campuses and terrifying Jewish students have never been about a war or about helping the Palestinians. If they really cared about the plight of Palestinians, where were they for decades while Palestinians suffered their worst oppression in Jordan and Lebanon? If they truly cared about justice, they might have paid more attention to the millions of refugees living in misery and hunger in places like Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Ethiopia and Iraq.

Instead, they have directed their fury at Jewish students at elite universities (who live 6,000 miles away from Israel), and at their university administrations who are afraid to take them on, at America, at law enforcement, at Zionists, at anyone not buying their self-righteous rebel act.

As we confront this frenzy of hate, let’s not overlook their hypocrisy and their phoniness. Exactly who are these protesters? 1st of all, a good number of them are foreign students on campus from countries that oppose the Jewish State. They have attracted many innocent American students because they made the protests seem cool. But talk to them and you will quickly see they’re not really clear on the facts like Hamas raping Israeli women and killing Israeli children … like Hamas calling for the destruction of the Jewish State and all its Jews.

According to Michael Oren, former Israel ambassador to the US, Arab state Qatar funds American universities to the tune of billions of dollars, creating a very friendly anti-Israel atmosphere. And these demonstrations would never have gotten very far without a cadre of professional protestors directing them.

Brooke Goldstein, executive director of The Lawfare Project, notes: “How is this happening and how is it that they are so coordinated? They’re all chanting the same slogans. Who is paying for the buses? Who is paying for the private planes that are bringing in the outside agitators?”

On Thursday, the Wall St. Journal reported that 2 of America’s largest philanthropic foundations are supporting groups that have sent PAID anti-Israel activists—who know how to rial up a crowd and manipulate the media—to help lead and program these protests across the country. These are the same people who helped organize some of the BLM demonstrations. Who are these foundations? No surprise: George and Alexander Soros’s Open Society Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund!

Now that the truth is being revealed, what can we do? We need to be vigilant and active in support of Israel and in opposition to antisemitism whenever it raises its ugly head. Whenever you hear someone speak ill of Israel or the Jewish people, say something—defend your people. Write to your politicians. I’ve told you about a WhatsApp group I learned from Cheryl, “Students for Jewish Advocacy,” where you can easily send letters for Jewish causes with a simple click or 2 on your phone. I included the link again in my Friday email. [Here it is again: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LSIUG4s3gWUJ7PDlMudBdY]

Let me introduce to someone who does stand up for his people—my dear friend Dr. Barry Zisholtz, or as he is affectionately called, “Dr. Z.” Dr. Z is a prominent surgeon with a stellar career that includes being Chief of Surgery and Chief of Staff at Southern Medical Center. He retired last October and found another way to bring light and healing into the world.

He discovered that his representative in the Georgia State house—Imani Barnes—appears to be antisemitic and anti-Israel. So, now that he’s got more time on his hands, he felt he must do something. He then decided to run against her. Now Dr. Z knows very little about politics. It’s a long shot, an uphill battle because she is a Democrat in the very Democrat District 86, and he must run as a Republican.

Barry could have easily have begun his retirement playing pickleball and watching his grandchildren—who are amazing. But that’s not his way. He was never one to sit back and let others do what is needed. There are many stories as to what he has done for the Jewish people that haven’t yet been told. Barry, you are an inspiration. You truly embody the Passover call to stand up to evil. Please come up, share some of your story and inspire us all.

PESACH 1st DAY 578

PESACH 1st DAY 5784

Feeling Gd’s Miracles in Iran’s Missiles

Pesach, more than any other holiday, is a celebration of miracles. Yes, Chanukah is all about the miracle of the oil and the miracle of the greatly outnumbered Maccabees defeating the might Syrian armies. But Pesach has the 10 plagues, the Exodus, and the crossing of the Red Sea. And if the rabbis of the Haggadah are to be believed, each plague was 5 plagues in one, and so if the finger of Gd caused the 10 plagues in Egypt, as the Torah says, then there were really 50 plagues. The Torah continues that the hand of Gd parted the Red Sea and so there must have been 250 plagues there—leaving a Pesach total of 300 plagues—clearly a plethora of miracles! Clearly Pesach is the holiday of miracles.

How many times have I heard the question: “Rabbi, if all those miracles like the 10 Plagues and the Splitting of the Red Sea really happened in the Passover story, how come we don’t have such miracles in our time? The Hamas invasion and massacre of Jews on October 7th shattered us because it brought back traumatic memories of defenseless Jews—and we cried out: “Here we go again. Where were those Passover miracles when we needed them?”

Well, no matter where you were on Saturday night a week ago, you were witness to a pre-Passover miracle. Iran attacked Israel that night with over 300 drones and missiles—many the size of school buses—yet 99% of them failed to hit anything! Those munitions could have killed thousands of Israelis—they killed none. We thank our allies who helped: the US, the UK, and shhhh … Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. My friends, 99% accuracy is simply not humanly possible in defending such an attack, but it is Gdly possible.

Also, Iran is now on the defensive and becoming isolated internationally—looking surprisingly weak. One way of looking at April 13th is that the big bad Persian bear finally showed its teeth and was humiliated by the Zionist enemy. They couldn’t even kill one Jew! The obvious conclusion is that hand of Gd was with us that night as it was in Egypt. A true miracle!

Meira Shapiro, in her blog on “Jew in The City” writes: Sitting in my Jerusalem bomb shelter at 2am as the missiles exploded over my head, having spent the previous few hours incredibly worried, and realizing that Iran was not going to succeed in doing the damage that it had planned, massive relief washed over me. After understanding that everything was going to be okay, I began to realize that I was now part of the newest story of our nation in which we were saved from an existential threat by open miracles.

And then in the wee hours of last Friday morning, a military base near Isfahan in Iran was struck by Israel—but not the nearby nuclear site. There were no casualties or substantial damage. But why? Israeli could have easily hit the nuclear site. It appears that the attack was “carefully calibrated” to send a message to Iran’s Supreme leader Khamenei on his birthday: “We hit you. We are unnoticeable and unstoppable. We can hit you or your nuclear sites again anytime, anywhere. Happy Birthday!” Iran responded that they have no plans to respond, for now. Nisim v’niflaot (Wonders and miracles)! Thank you, Hashem.

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A lot of good has come out of Iran’s attack on Israel. Naomi Ragen writes in her blog (4/16/24): I know what I’m about to write is going to astonish many of you, but it is the absolute truth. The all-out Iranian attack against us was actually the most wonderful thing that could have happened! It was just what we Israelis needed to experience after the horrors of October 7, a necessary correction – tikkun – to the fear and horror and helplessness of that terrible day … I can’t explain to you how it felt to know those rockets had been fired, and to say a few Psalms and then go to sleep Sunday night, waiting for them to arrive. I can’t explain the feeling of putting yourself completely into G-d’s hands.  The next day, watching those drones and missiles misfire, or land in the water, or destroy some houses in Iran, or land in Rewandez, Kurdistan, falling all over the place except where they were aimed, and watching the rest get shot out of the sky, was simply an exhilarating religious experience ...

         Their failure made the mullahs so desperate they resorted to airing old footage of fires in either Spain or Texas, claiming it was in Israel, a result of their rocket fire. Of course, they were outed immediately, making them a laughingstock all over the world.

          

There is other good news from the Iranian attack. The Biden administration at long last has publicly put the blame for the failure of the hostage negotiations squarely on Hamas. They also recognized Israel is going into Rafah. And best of all perhaps, Saudi Arabia accused Iran of trying to destroy its developing relationship with Israel and of nurturing terrorists all over the world.

 

Have you ever heard of Robert Ingersol—a militant atheist who lived at the close of the 19th century. Ingersol once addressed a huge crowd at an outdoor rally saying: “Gd, if there is a Gd, I challenge you to prove it. If You exist, then I challenge you to send a stroke of lightning and hit this tree. If you can do that, then I will believe that you exist. And if not, then I ask all the people in this audience to join with me in believing that there is no Gd.”

         Sure enough, just as Ingersol finished speaking, a bolt of lightning came out of the sky and struck the tree. And what do you think Ingersol then said? “Wasn’t that a remarkable coincidence!”

The point is that if you’re certain there are no miracles, then it no matter what happens, you’ll explain it away. But with one miracle after another after another, as in the Passover story and in our time, how can you ignore what is in front of your eyes?

        

In a modern Midrash, Lawrence Kushner amplifies the story of the miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea we’ll read on the 7th day of Pesach. He pictures 2 Israelites slugging their way through the mud of the sea—Reuven and Shimon: Reuven is ecstatic. His life has been saved from the pursuing Egyptians. Shimon complains all the way across. He mutters to himself as he trudges: Look at this mud! I’m wearing a brand-new pair of sandals I bought just before we left Egypt. And by the time we get to the other side, they’re going to be so full of mud that I will never get them clean again.

         Reuven was full of joy and gratitude because he saw the glory of Gd. Shimon only saw the mud that ruined sandals. Shimon was probably the great-great-great-great-great-grandfather of Robert Ingersol.

It’s like the Dayenu song that we sing at the Seder. Dayenu means “It would have been enough!” But we sing it after each stage of journey from Egypt to the Promised Land: “If Gd had taken us out of Egypt and not had us pass through the Red Sea it would have been enough.” But would it have been enough? “If Gd had brought us to Mt. Sinai and not given us the Torah it would have been enough.” But what good would the Jewish people be without the Torah?  

What this song really means is that even if you don’t get everything you want in this world—and no one ever does—you ought to sing Dayenu and appreciate the things you do get. For even partial favors are still favors. Even small miracles are still miracles. 

 

My friends, today—on the 1st day of Pesach—it’s a good time to ask ourselves: Which way will we go? Will we go the way of Robert Ingersol—explaining away every wonder in the universe? Or will we sing Dayenu—reveling and rejoicing in the good—even in the partial good—that we receive? We must not focus on the ongoing war and the rising tide of antisemitism, without giving room to appreciate the miracles in our lives.

We cannot expect or demand miracles, as if we are entitled to them. But we must notice them and be grateful when they come. May we appreciate and recognize the miracles that Gd does for us every day—like this that Saturday night last week. Passover is the story of the 1st redemption of the Jewish people. May we merit to greet Gd’s final redemption—speedily in our day. Amen!

                                             

SHABBAT HAGADOL 5784

SHABBAT HAGADOL 5784

2 Rights Don’t Make a Wrong

Passover is the holiday of questions, so let me ask: How will this Passover be different from all other Passovers? We will be at our Seders this week, but our hearts are back in October in Israel. We are still reeling from the October 7th barbaric attacks in Israel by Hamas, the ongoing war in Gaza, the attack of 300 drones and missiles from Iran last Saturday night, and Israel’s retaliation yesterday morning. I feel like we need some time to catch our breath, don’t we?

Passover celebrates the freedom from our captivity in Egypt. And yet our hearts are heavy, for on Passover we will be marking 200 days that 132 Israelis—being held hostage by Gaza—are still not free. Our festive joy will be diminished, and we’ll personally feel at our Seders, their absence at their Seders.

Among all the consequential moments of the past few months, there is a fleeting image that stays with me. In November, when a number of hostages were released from Gaza, some of them were ferried into Egypt and then to Israel, as if symbolically retracing the steps of the Passover story. The Passover Haggadah charges us: “In every generation, one must look upon himself as if he personally had come out from Egypt.” In the same way, it’s as if we all experienced and are experiencing the captivity by Hamas.

How can we celebrate in the face of such heartbreak? One way would be to use your Seder to acknowledge the hostages and their situation. Let me give you 2 suggestions:

         1. As we have an extra cup for Elijah on our Seder tables, let’s all leave an empty chair for the hostages. You can include images and names of some hostages if you like. Before starting the Seder, say: “Let’s take a moment to talk about the extra empty chair at our table. It represents the hostages in Gaza who are not now at their Seder tables with their families.”

         2. In this bitter time, let’s add an extra maror (bitter herb) to your Seder plate. Many homes have maror of Romaine lettuce and horseradish—one to eat with the charoset and the other for the matzah, charoset and maror sandwich. If you usually use a jar of horseradish, how about buying some real horseradish from Kroger’s and give everyone a slice. Perhaps you can add endives or a radish. Either way the additional bitterness will acknowledge your support of and heartbreak for the hostages. When introducing the seder plate, say: “You will notice the Seder plate looks a little different tonight. We have extra maror to note the additional bitterness we feel this year.

And adding to that bitterness are the divisions within the Jewish community both here and in Israel, over what one is what to do about the hostages. What takes precedent? Should we accept a ceasefire so that they can be released? By the way, Hamas has rejected all of the recent ceasefires offered. But if they accept such an offer, should we agree? Or, is it more important to 1st defeat Hamas for the greater good?

This is not the 1st time Israelis have had to confront this issue. It became a major issue in 2006 when Gilad Shalit was taken hostage. He was held hostage for 5 years! There was a constant back and forth of what Israel should do—how many Palestinian terrorists should be released to gain freedom for Gilad Shalit. Ultimately, a 1,000 prisoners were released for his freedom. One of them was Yahya Sinwar—today’s leader of Hamas in Gaza that headed the October 7th attack. Should we have released him?

It’s the same debate today. In a sermon I delivered at the time of Gilad Shalit’s 1,000th day as a hostage I wrote: Leading up to the 1,000th day anniversary Gilad Shalit’s parents camped outside the prime minister’s office joined by many others, calling for the prime minister to do whatever was necessary to gain the release of Gilad Shalit. But encamped across the street from them was another group. And this group was made up of families who lost loved ones through the barbarity of the terrorists who are now to be released. From their perspective, releasing these terrorists would only encourage more terrorism in the future. So, who was right—Gilad Shalit’s mother, or those who said the terrorists must 1st be defeated? What if it was your child?

This question is being asked now in Israel and Israel is split on who is right. In some ways, every Israeli is split both ways. One of Israel’s most respected editorialists, Yoel Marcus, wrote then a Haaretz column on Gilad Shalit titled: “Yes, at Any Price.” And a few weeks later he wrote another column titled: “Not at any price.” So, who’s right? This is a decision the Prime Minister must make. I would never want to have his job because you and I know both sides are right! And 2 rights do not make a wrong.

This is an important lesson for us to keep in mind as we prepare for the Seder. The Seder is a time when family comes together. It’s a time for family discussions … and sometimes those discussions turn ugly. I once saw an interview Conan O’Brien was having with Ellen Barkin where she described a Passover Seder in her family. A fight broke out that was so intense her father picked up the serving plate with the brisket on it an threw it at her mother. Now that’s a memory she’ll never forget! So, when a discussion comes up at your Seder and there’s disagreement, remember you may not be the only person that’s right. It depends upon one’s perspective.

And this is a lesson that’s very hard for some people to get. And so, to remind you, at the Seder, right before we eat the meal, we have korech where we put maror with some charoset between 2 pieces of matzah—making it into a sandwich—and eat it. Why do we do this? Not 5 minutes before we had eaten a piece of matzah and blessed it. Then we ate a piece of maror dipped in charoset and said a bracha. Why the need for this sandwich?

It goes back to a dispute in the Talmud. In the Torah we are told regarding the Pascal sacrifice that it had to be (Ex. 12:8) matzot al m’rorim yochluhu (with matzah and maror they shall eat it). According to one opinion, this meant that the matzah and maror had to be eaten separately. Other rabbis said: It doesn’t make a difference. Hillel—the greatest scholar of his time—said it means they must be eaten together. So, what do we do? First we eat them separately, and then we eat them together.

It’s like the old Jewish joke about 2 congregants who came before a rabbi to settle a dispute. One comes into his study to present his side of things. He poures out his complaints to the rabbi, and when he finishes, the rabbi thinks a little and says said, “You’re right.”

         Then it was the other one’s turn. When he finished, the rabbi said, “You know, you’re right.”

         After he leaves, his gabbai assistant, who’s sitting and listening to all this, asks politely, “Excuse me for asking honored Rabbi, but how can they both be right?”

         So the rabbi thinks for a moment and says to him, “You know, you’re also right!”

It’s an old joke, but it’s not a joke. No 2 people live in the same world. You see the world through your eyes and your neighbor sees it through his. Why look askance at someone else just because they think differently? As far as the hostages and a ceasefire are concerned, both sides are right!

My friends, let’s take this lesson to heart and hope for the early release of the hostages. And let’s have a Seder where not only will the food be good, but meaningful, and the discussions will be good as well, where no one will have to duck to avoid being hit by a brisket. May we truly have a Passover which is a chag kasher v’sameach—a Pesach holiday that is not only kosher but joyous as well. Amen!

                                               
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