“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas
Vayeshev
Vayeshev
20 Kislev 5778/December 8,
2017
2017
On November 9, in Heichal HaTorah, a group of students made a
small model graffitied wall, symbolic of the Berlin Wall, which divided West
and East Germany for decades. Then, in commemoration of “Berlin Wall Day”, the
anniversary of the day when the Berlin War was dismantled on that day in 1989,
they broke down their makeshift wall.
small model graffitied wall, symbolic of the Berlin Wall, which divided West
and East Germany for decades. Then, in commemoration of “Berlin Wall Day”, the
anniversary of the day when the Berlin War was dismantled on that day in 1989,
they broke down their makeshift wall.
The dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989 came shortly after
President Ronald Reagan’s famous quip to the Russian president: “Mr. Gorbachev,
tear down this wall!” The wall’s destruction was symbolic of the imminent
downfall of what was dubbed the ‘evil empire’ and the Iron Curtain. Berliners
used crowbars and chisels to tear down the wall built by the communist hammer
and sickle. Families were reunified after decades of forced separation, and it
was a great victory for democracy, with implications the world over.
President Ronald Reagan’s famous quip to the Russian president: “Mr. Gorbachev,
tear down this wall!” The wall’s destruction was symbolic of the imminent
downfall of what was dubbed the ‘evil empire’ and the Iron Curtain. Berliners
used crowbars and chisels to tear down the wall built by the communist hammer
and sickle. Families were reunified after decades of forced separation, and it
was a great victory for democracy, with implications the world over.
Not all walls are detrimental however, and dismantling of walls
is not always cause for celebration. Nebuchadnezzar also proclaimed, “Tear down
this wall” before his legions destroyed the walls surrounding Yerushalayim and
the first Bais Hamikdash in 422 B.C.E. That same call was made by the wicked
Titus when his Roman forces arrived to destroy the second Bais Hamikdash in 70
C.E.
is not always cause for celebration. Nebuchadnezzar also proclaimed, “Tear down
this wall” before his legions destroyed the walls surrounding Yerushalayim and
the first Bais Hamikdash in 422 B.C.E. That same call was made by the wicked
Titus when his Roman forces arrived to destroy the second Bais Hamikdash in 70
C.E.
When I was in Eretz Yisroel with my son Shalom a couple of
years ago, we had the opportunity to head up north for a day. We drove from
Yerushalayim toward the Galil alongside the Jordanian border. Along the entire
length of the shared border there is a fence, and alongside the fence is sand,
so that footprints can be easily detected. The entire perimeter of the fence is
under 24-hour surveillance, to protect against enemy infiltration. It’s
incredible how much security and vigilance is necessary along the border of a
(relatively) peaceful neighbor.
years ago, we had the opportunity to head up north for a day. We drove from
Yerushalayim toward the Galil alongside the Jordanian border. Along the entire
length of the shared border there is a fence, and alongside the fence is sand,
so that footprints can be easily detected. The entire perimeter of the fence is
under 24-hour surveillance, to protect against enemy infiltration. It’s
incredible how much security and vigilance is necessary along the border of a
(relatively) peaceful neighbor.
On
a metaphysical level, the Jewish people erect spiritual boundaries between
ourselves and the rest of the world. As we transition from the holiness of
Shabbos to the weekdays each Motzei Shabbos, we bless Hashem “who separates
between holy and unholy, between light and darkness, between Yisroel and the
nations…” As the wicked Bila’am admiringly declared, “Behold! They are a nation
that dwells in solitude!”
a metaphysical level, the Jewish people erect spiritual boundaries between
ourselves and the rest of the world. As we transition from the holiness of
Shabbos to the weekdays each Motzei Shabbos, we bless Hashem “who separates
between holy and unholy, between light and darkness, between Yisroel and the
nations…” As the wicked Bila’am admiringly declared, “Behold! They are a nation
that dwells in solitude!”
Those
divisional boundaries do not convey a lack of respect for everyone else. It’s
no different than the walls and doors of our homes which preserve and ensure
privacy, but are in no way an affront to our neighbors.
divisional boundaries do not convey a lack of respect for everyone else. It’s
no different than the walls and doors of our homes which preserve and ensure
privacy, but are in no way an affront to our neighbors.
One
of the most important protective barriers we erect are those of morality. The Shulchan
Aruch mandates that we maintain certain boundaries between genders, such as the
laws of yichud and negiah, aside for the laws of family purity
within the privacy of our own homes. Any thinking person realizes that those
laws do not denigrate women, but in fact accomplish the reverse. They are there
to prevent the objectification of women, and to ensure that women are respected
for who they are, not merely for how they look.
of the most important protective barriers we erect are those of morality. The Shulchan
Aruch mandates that we maintain certain boundaries between genders, such as the
laws of yichud and negiah, aside for the laws of family purity
within the privacy of our own homes. Any thinking person realizes that those
laws do not denigrate women, but in fact accomplish the reverse. They are there
to prevent the objectification of women, and to ensure that women are respected
for who they are, not merely for how they look.
During
the time of Syrian-Greek oppression, prior to the Maccabean revolt and the Chanukah
miracles, Antiochus IV, created an all-out assault against Jewish morality and
family purity. Doors were forcibly removed from homes, violating the very
concept of family privacy and modesty, circumcision, the symbol of
self-control, was banned, and brides were forced to be violated by the local
governor prior to their wedding. It was an egregious breach of the very
foundation of our national holiness.
the time of Syrian-Greek oppression, prior to the Maccabean revolt and the Chanukah
miracles, Antiochus IV, created an all-out assault against Jewish morality and
family purity. Doors were forcibly removed from homes, violating the very
concept of family privacy and modesty, circumcision, the symbol of
self-control, was banned, and brides were forced to be violated by the local
governor prior to their wedding. It was an egregious breach of the very
foundation of our national holiness.
In
Maoz Tzur we state that the Greeks “breached the walls of my towers”, a
reference to the breaches they inflicted in the walls of modesty we try so hard
to erect around ourselves. The celebration of Chanukah therefore, is also a
celebration and rededication to the laws which ensure morality and family
purity.
Maoz Tzur we state that the Greeks “breached the walls of my towers”, a
reference to the breaches they inflicted in the walls of modesty we try so hard
to erect around ourselves. The celebration of Chanukah therefore, is also a
celebration and rededication to the laws which ensure morality and family
purity.
In
recent weeks, the American public has been stunned by the numerous accusations leveled
by women against powerful and well-known moguls and famous personalities. The careers
of the accused have been destroyed by the publicizing of the shameful and
denigrating acts they committed against those women.
recent weeks, the American public has been stunned by the numerous accusations leveled
by women against powerful and well-known moguls and famous personalities. The careers
of the accused have been destroyed by the publicizing of the shameful and
denigrating acts they committed against those women.
As
we celebrate the beautiful Yom Tov of Chanukah, it’s an opportunity to
emphasize to our children, and remind ourselves, that the laws of the Torah are
there for our growth and greatness. Perhaps the Western World isn’t going to adhere
to the laws of yichud and prohibition of negiah, but with all that’s
going on, at least we should have an appreciation for the spiritual
fences we invest so much in to maintain.
we celebrate the beautiful Yom Tov of Chanukah, it’s an opportunity to
emphasize to our children, and remind ourselves, that the laws of the Torah are
there for our growth and greatness. Perhaps the Western World isn’t going to adhere
to the laws of yichud and prohibition of negiah, but with all that’s
going on, at least we should have an appreciation for the spiritual
fences we invest so much in to maintain.
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos
Shalom & Good Shabbos
Lichtig
& Freilichen Chanukah/Orot Sameiach,
& Freilichen Chanukah/Orot Sameiach,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum