Thursday, February 19, 2004
Sparks Form Israel
The Sadness of Purim
Purim is approaching, the month of Adar, the month of Simcha, when we are supposed to increase our joy. But I remember one year my Rabbi telling me about the sadness of Purim. What sadness was he speaking of? He said to me, while the people were celebrating; imagine how Mordechai must have felt. His daughter (some say his wife) had been forcibly taken by a Gentile king who had his way with her.
Some would say, alas this is the vocation of the Tzadikim, to suffer and accept their own painful circumstances with the knowledge that their suffering is benefiting the rest of the nation. This principle of course is true and we see it in practice every day. Those who dwell in Yehuda and Shomron for example suffer more tragedies than the rest of the Nation, yet their very existence preserves the rest of the Nation. The Nation of Israel suffers more tragedy than the their brothers outside of Israel, yet the very existence of Israel preserves their brothers outside of Israel.
Although the rewards of self-sacrifice may give solace to the tzadikim who suffer, what solace is there for the people of this Nation who benefit from their suffering? Is Esther the best we can do? Should we be celebrating the forced marriage of the purest soul of Israel because it will gain us political advantage? Is this redemption?
Certainly much of the joy of Purim is predicated on the fact that those who sought our demise found only their own demise. It is the celebration of a war we were given permission to wage against those who planned our destruction. This part of the story is clear and hopeful, and reminds us that we have a real G-d who watches over us and is hidden in all historic events. But what a sad ending to such a hopeful story.
The book of Esther closes the books of Torah and Tanach. It is the last glow of Sinai as prophecy faded into the darkness of 2000 years of exile; a signpost that the best that we can expect of our leadership now is the glory of Esther which is a compromised and tarnished glory.
Today as the world saw the re-birth of our Nation from the ashes of darkness and we continue to witness the beginning stages of the revival of the dead, there are many who are unaware that the exile has ended. It is easier to take the Jew out of the exile than the exile out of the Jew.
The exile mentality remains with us, just as slavery remained within the hearts of the desert generation. The idea that some must be sacrificed for the benefit of us all and there is nothing we can do about it- is not a Jewish idea. This is the idol worship that died with the generation of the desert.
The generation of soldiers and farmers who entered the land then and who enter it now, will bring with them a new Purim and a complete redemption. No longer will we celebrate the provisions our queen provides for us from the bedchamber of a Gentile who abducted her. The sun is rising in the east upon a new generation of David’s who have no fear of the tidal wave of hatred that surrounds the lamb of G-d. They will not surrender an Esther and celebrate her accomplishments. They have pockets of pebbles to answer the Goliaths ’s who dare to stand between the Almighty and the one He desires.
This year let us celebrate a complete redemption and a truly happy Purim.
The Sadness of Purim
Purim is approaching, the month of Adar, the month of Simcha, when we are supposed to increase our joy. But I remember one year my Rabbi telling me about the sadness of Purim. What sadness was he speaking of? He said to me, while the people were celebrating; imagine how Mordechai must have felt. His daughter (some say his wife) had been forcibly taken by a Gentile king who had his way with her.
Some would say, alas this is the vocation of the Tzadikim, to suffer and accept their own painful circumstances with the knowledge that their suffering is benefiting the rest of the nation. This principle of course is true and we see it in practice every day. Those who dwell in Yehuda and Shomron for example suffer more tragedies than the rest of the Nation, yet their very existence preserves the rest of the Nation. The Nation of Israel suffers more tragedy than the their brothers outside of Israel, yet the very existence of Israel preserves their brothers outside of Israel.
Although the rewards of self-sacrifice may give solace to the tzadikim who suffer, what solace is there for the people of this Nation who benefit from their suffering? Is Esther the best we can do? Should we be celebrating the forced marriage of the purest soul of Israel because it will gain us political advantage? Is this redemption?
Certainly much of the joy of Purim is predicated on the fact that those who sought our demise found only their own demise. It is the celebration of a war we were given permission to wage against those who planned our destruction. This part of the story is clear and hopeful, and reminds us that we have a real G-d who watches over us and is hidden in all historic events. But what a sad ending to such a hopeful story.
The book of Esther closes the books of Torah and Tanach. It is the last glow of Sinai as prophecy faded into the darkness of 2000 years of exile; a signpost that the best that we can expect of our leadership now is the glory of Esther which is a compromised and tarnished glory.
Today as the world saw the re-birth of our Nation from the ashes of darkness and we continue to witness the beginning stages of the revival of the dead, there are many who are unaware that the exile has ended. It is easier to take the Jew out of the exile than the exile out of the Jew.
The exile mentality remains with us, just as slavery remained within the hearts of the desert generation. The idea that some must be sacrificed for the benefit of us all and there is nothing we can do about it- is not a Jewish idea. This is the idol worship that died with the generation of the desert.
The generation of soldiers and farmers who entered the land then and who enter it now, will bring with them a new Purim and a complete redemption. No longer will we celebrate the provisions our queen provides for us from the bedchamber of a Gentile who abducted her. The sun is rising in the east upon a new generation of David’s who have no fear of the tidal wave of hatred that surrounds the lamb of G-d. They will not surrender an Esther and celebrate her accomplishments. They have pockets of pebbles to answer the Goliaths ’s who dare to stand between the Almighty and the one He desires.
This year let us celebrate a complete redemption and a truly happy Purim.
Saturday, February 14, 2004
Sparks From Israel
The Torah Is real
In Israel it rains Torah. One can look up to the sky and see it. One can talk to anyone and hear it. The Torah is heard in the marketplace and in the countryside. It descends like dew from the mountains. Mothers give their children a taste of Shabbat while its still cooking, and the Torah enters early to those who await her. At sunset all the paupers will become kings. The soldier grabs his gun and his guitar and tramps to Jerusalem. The bus driver with three hands talks to his wife on his cell phone, gives change to customers, and honks his horn at drivers who aren’t paying attention.
These are the people of the book. They are the book. They are the living Torah building the blueprint of creation under the clouds of glory. The Creators plan is unfolding in all of its mystery. Even in a generation that appears to be far removed from Holiness each one is writing himself into the book. In the synagogues they read the story of Exodus but the chapter is still open, and we are the subjects of the book.
In Egypt we are told that 8 million Israelites perished in the plague of darkness. They were quietly buried in the assimilation of Egypt. Only one fifth escaped. One fifth that left with trumpets and glory. One fifth that astonished the world by following their G-d, who destroyed empires for their sake. One fifth that left armed, ready for battle. One fifth that had the faith to jump into the unknown with a belief beyond reason, that there would be provisions for them. Among them were not only dreamers of Zion, but also villains and rebels and idol worshipers. The difference however, between them and their brothers in the Galut was that they chose to be written into the book. The others remain nameless.
Till this day many academies are filled with intellects who try to decipher this epic story but the Torah is not a story, and its not a history book. It begins before time and ends after it. The Torah is a knowledge beyond ones understanding that is given as a gift to the humble of heart.
How good it is to be part of this Nation of gifted people. Sometimes we appear to have a rougher exterior than most, but inside each one is a letter of this book. And here the book is being written and we can choose our part. A dome of clouds illuminated by the moon stands watch over the children of Israel. Shabbat has arrived, time is suspended, and a hand above unrolls a fresh new parchment.
The Torah Is real
In Israel it rains Torah. One can look up to the sky and see it. One can talk to anyone and hear it. The Torah is heard in the marketplace and in the countryside. It descends like dew from the mountains. Mothers give their children a taste of Shabbat while its still cooking, and the Torah enters early to those who await her. At sunset all the paupers will become kings. The soldier grabs his gun and his guitar and tramps to Jerusalem. The bus driver with three hands talks to his wife on his cell phone, gives change to customers, and honks his horn at drivers who aren’t paying attention.
These are the people of the book. They are the book. They are the living Torah building the blueprint of creation under the clouds of glory. The Creators plan is unfolding in all of its mystery. Even in a generation that appears to be far removed from Holiness each one is writing himself into the book. In the synagogues they read the story of Exodus but the chapter is still open, and we are the subjects of the book.
In Egypt we are told that 8 million Israelites perished in the plague of darkness. They were quietly buried in the assimilation of Egypt. Only one fifth escaped. One fifth that left with trumpets and glory. One fifth that astonished the world by following their G-d, who destroyed empires for their sake. One fifth that left armed, ready for battle. One fifth that had the faith to jump into the unknown with a belief beyond reason, that there would be provisions for them. Among them were not only dreamers of Zion, but also villains and rebels and idol worshipers. The difference however, between them and their brothers in the Galut was that they chose to be written into the book. The others remain nameless.
Till this day many academies are filled with intellects who try to decipher this epic story but the Torah is not a story, and its not a history book. It begins before time and ends after it. The Torah is a knowledge beyond ones understanding that is given as a gift to the humble of heart.
How good it is to be part of this Nation of gifted people. Sometimes we appear to have a rougher exterior than most, but inside each one is a letter of this book. And here the book is being written and we can choose our part. A dome of clouds illuminated by the moon stands watch over the children of Israel. Shabbat has arrived, time is suspended, and a hand above unrolls a fresh new parchment.
