Posted on 10/01/2009 7:09:44 AM PDT by Zionist Conspirator
There is more than a bit of gallows humor in the following Torah thought, which I've heard attributed to several gedolim over the years:
Question: Why is it that our children do not ask "Four Questions" on Sukkos? After all, things are far from ordinary - arguably even more so than on Pesach - when we sit down to our first Yom Tov meal outdoors in the sukkah.
Answer: Throughout our 2,000-year exile, it was not at all unusual for children to see their families leaving the comfort of their homes and sleeping outdoors. However, when they saw them sitting peacefully at a beautifully set table with a royal aura, it was strange enough to cause them to question the adults around them.
I suggest we consider using the opportunity Sukkos presents to share this vort with our children and grandchildren who, baruch Hashem, will need introductory remarks from us to even begin to comprehend it. We should speak to them about our history in galus and share with them what we ought to glean from our collective experiences of living as a minority among the nations of the world - lessons we learned from our parents but seem to have forgotten over time.
Most members of our parents' generation, ever mindful of history's painful lessons, were always careful to live under the radar screen, eschewing conspicuous consumption and avoiding anything considered high profile. (I vividly recall the time my father sent me into a Jewish-owned store to "change" a hundred dollar bill into five twenties before embarking on a road trip because he didn't want to walk into a roadside convenience store later in the day and pay for an inexpensive item with a large-denomination bill.)
It is well known that Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, during his years living in Monsey, discouraged his talmidim from wearing their talesim in the street on Shabbos since he felt Orthodox Jews should live modestly and not attract undue attention. Our parents, though they treasured and valued their freedom, never took it for granted or assumed it was something that would last forever.
Rabbi Berel Wein relates that when his shul in Monsey was being built, and the main beam supporting the structure was purchased, the contractor suggested the shul invest in a more expensive model, one with a 150-year guarantee. Rabbi Wein remarked that as a student of history he was painfully aware that throughout our years in exile, Jews never planned to live in one place for that long a period of time.
We would be well served to take a refresher course in the "Galus 101" imparted to us by previous generations. Too many of us are ignoring these sage teachings and needlessly exuding the kind of negative energy in very public venues that threatens to undermine the unprecedented tranquility we have enjoyed over the past seventy years.
During this time period we have evolved from "Please allow us to live in peace" to "I'm glad to be living in peace" to "I have every right to live in peace" to "We will always live in peace no matter what we do."
In the past few months alone, our community has endured a seemingly endless barrage of negative publicity with the ongoing terrible chillul Hashem caused by the violent protests in Eretz Yisrael, high-profile abuse and financial scandals, and several bitter battles between zoning boards and health departments in the Catskills and members of heimishe kehillos that generated screaming headlines in local newspapers throughout the summer months. I strongly feel that in the aggregate these all represent an existential threat to the menuchas hanefesh we currently enjoy.
The fifth perek of Bava Basra relates a number of stories told by Rabba Bar Bar Chana about extraordinarily large ships and animals. As such, some of our gedolim throughout the ages, among them the M'harsha, the Vilna Gaon and Reb Nachman of Breslov, interpreted these tales as allegorical in nature and offered a variety of lessons to explain their hidden meaning. One of these stories relates the following episode:
"Once, while on a ship, we came to [what we assumed was] a large island, which was covered with sand and vegetation. We disembarked [onto the island], began building a fire, and cooking our meal. However, we soon discovered that the 'island' was really a fish and when it felt the heat [of our cooking], it rolled over and we were plunged into the water. Had the ship not been nearby, we would have drowned" (Bava Basra 73b).
A number of years ago, at an Agudath Israel convention, I heard a haunting interpretation of this story from Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller, who related that the ship on the seas refers to our travels and travails throughout our period in galus.
From time to time, Rabbi Keller explained, we find "dry land" - a place to rest and establish our roots in a more permanent manner. However, we then become complacent and begin "cooking" (generating the heat of resentment among the non-Jews surrounding us) - and eventually discover that what we thought was terra firma was in fact only a temporary respite from our travels. After a period of time, we are thrown overboard back into the raging sea of galus once more.
Let us collectively and individually use this Yom Tov of Sukkos to reflect upon steps we can take to "lower the flames" and revert to the personal examples of ne'imus and tznius that we had the zechus to observe in the lives of our parents.
Rabbi Yakov Horowitz is founder and dean of Yeshiva Darchei Noam and founder and director of Agudath Israel's Project Y.E.S.
The article also illustrates another perennial Jewish truth: all Jews are surety one for another.
Ping. Did I forget anybody?
Some "conservatives" want Jews to put "America first" ahead of G-d and the Torah. Not a good idea. In fact, it's not a good idea for non-Jews to put their country ahead of G-d either.
I would like to stand as far from them as possible when the Messiah returns.
Why? Because they're "the serpent race?"
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Per the articles allusion, perhaps you'll find refuge from the lightening on a large fish, from which you'll be able to observe whether it's a return or an arrival.
Apparently you do not know the difference between Hebrews and Jews. Unfortunately, most Rabbis don’t either.
HaIvri is The People. Those are the people HaShem chose, NOT Judah, not Jews. The Third Covenant was with Jacob. Jacob had 12 sons, not just Judah.
It’s exasperating.
“What “conservative” is asking the Jews to amp down their Jewishness? I would like to stand as far from them as possible when the Messiah returns.”
He was talking about “conservatives” who you claimed want Jews to amp down their jewishness.
Serpent race? What????
And Joseph had 2 sons.
I LOVE Rabbis who claim to have a “deeper” understanding of something that is always just beyond their grasp. If RABBIS are not aware of their origins, how can they presume to teach others?
Furthermore, HaShem blew off those who denounced Him, why should I do less?
“What “conservative” is asking the Jews to amp down their Jewishness? I would like to stand as far from them as possible when the Messiah returns.”
He was talking about “conservatives” who you claimed want Jews to amp down their jewishness.
I'm the one who claimed some conservatives want Jews to amp down their Jewishness. They're called "America Firsters."
Serpent race? What????
From his statement that he wanted to be as far away from the Jews as possible, I assumed he regards them as "Chr*st killers." Otherwise why would he say such a thing?
If that's the way you feel, you can always volunteer to fight for Iran or Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, HaShem blew off those who denounced Him, why should I do less?
One who rejects the Oral Torah, or the authority of the Rabbinate, is a heretic (or at least a "deviant believer").
I'll stick with the immemorial Tradition handed down from Sinai, thank you very much.
::Sigh:: Every time I post an article, it seems, the thread gets hijacked to argue about something else.
“From his statement that he wanted to be as far away from the Jews as possible, I assumed he regards them as “Chr*st killers.” Otherwise why would he say such a thing?”
That isn’t what he said. He was talking about standing away from “conservatives” who would be asking Jews to amp down their Jewishness.
You owe him an apology.
“Too many of us are ignoring these sage teachings and needlessly exuding the kind of negative energy in very public venues that threatens to undermine the unprecedented tranquility we have enjoyed over the past seventy years.”
In case you hadn’t noticed, this Rabbi is a loony toon.
Unprecedented tranquillity?
Where do you find this stuff?
I've been here over ten years, Newb. I didn't need your permission to post in the past and I don't need it now.
Since you so object to my threads may I suggest you simply ignore them from now on.
Your wording is a bit ambiguous and I suppose I am paranoid. If I misinterpreted your statement, I sincerely apologize and ask your forgiveness.
Maybe you should read the articles BEFORE you post them.
Agudat Israel supported Ariel Sharon’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005.
I watched those people being herded into truck trailers wayyy too reminiscent of cattlecars to give G-d’s land to His enemies.
Sorry. That just irks me no end. Torah or no Torah. Color me heretic.
Wbarmy, I misunderstood your meaning. Please forgive me. I've had experience with anti-Jewish "conservatives" and I leaped to the wrong conclusion in interpreting your post. I most sincerely and humbly apologize to you and ask your forgiveness.
There are conservatives who insist that Jews place their primary loyalty not to G-d and His Covenent but to the host country. To do otherwise is to earn their charge of "dual loyalty."
Again, I apologize. I've used ambiguous language as well in the past and I regret not getting your true meaning.
Do I have problems with this? Yes. But I also have problems with "religious Zionists" who affiliate with "Modern Orthodoxy," perhaps violate Halakhah in making implements for the Temple before Mashiach has come, and engage in left wing "interfaith" dialogue with moslems and liberal, anti-Torah chr*stians like radical German cleric Hans Kung.
I apologized to wbarmy. I apologize to you as well. I'm sorry I misunderstood and let my temper get the best of me. I hope we will now conclude this little battle and get back to my two points: Israel is a Nation in Exile, not merely fellow-citizens of a different "religious denomination," and all Jews are surety one for another. What else is there to argue with here?
First of all, he WASN’T just talking about New Jersey.
Second of all, I don’t care if you’ve been here a hundred years. You posted something others will read and take it as the truth when it isn’t. If you don’t like my speaking the truth about your posts, then don’t make claims about the articles that are not true.
This is a FORUM. Other people have opinions besides you. I have been Hebrew a lot longer than ten years. Thank YOU, very much.
Temper your temper with understanding, ZC. It’s a LOT easier to deal with.
I repeat:
1)Jews are a Nation in exile.
2)All Jews are surety one for another.
The end.
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