“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Matos-Masei –
Chazak!
Chazak!
25 Tamuz 5780/July 17, 2020
Avos perek 1 – Mevorchim chodesh Menachem
Av
Av
PROFITS OF PROPHETS
“Zehu
Ze!” (This is It!) was a long-running Israeli comedy show from 1978 through
1998. It was a series of sketches that poked fun at the obsessions and
idiosyncrasies of Israeli life. Now, 22 years later, the original group was
reunited to give Israelis the opportunity to laugh during the current Corona
pandemic. The new sketches poke fun at face masks, hand sanitizer, and social
distancing.
Ze!” (This is It!) was a long-running Israeli comedy show from 1978 through
1998. It was a series of sketches that poked fun at the obsessions and
idiosyncrasies of Israeli life. Now, 22 years later, the original group was
reunited to give Israelis the opportunity to laugh during the current Corona
pandemic. The new sketches poke fun at face masks, hand sanitizer, and social
distancing.
In one
of those sketches, an interviewer is conducting an interview with an individual
who has purportedly become very busy during the pandemic. When the interviewer
asks him what he does, the individual explains that he posts random information
on WhatsApp about the coronavirus. When the interviewer asks him where he gets
his information from, the individual replies by pointing to three baskets on
the table before him, each with little pieces of paper. He tells the
interviewer to pick a piece of paper from each basket and to read him the
contents. The interviewer does so and calls out “Taiwan”, “date honey” and
“back of the knee”. The individual then dictates to himself as he types into
his phone, “Researchers from The University of Taiwan have discovered that
rubbing date honey on the back of your knee – “ At that point the individual
stops and looks up and asks himself, “hmm – causes or prevents, causes or
prevents?” After a moment of thought he continues, “- prevents coronavirus from
spreading.” He then gleefully hits the send button.
of those sketches, an interviewer is conducting an interview with an individual
who has purportedly become very busy during the pandemic. When the interviewer
asks him what he does, the individual explains that he posts random information
on WhatsApp about the coronavirus. When the interviewer asks him where he gets
his information from, the individual replies by pointing to three baskets on
the table before him, each with little pieces of paper. He tells the
interviewer to pick a piece of paper from each basket and to read him the
contents. The interviewer does so and calls out “Taiwan”, “date honey” and
“back of the knee”. The individual then dictates to himself as he types into
his phone, “Researchers from The University of Taiwan have discovered that
rubbing date honey on the back of your knee – “ At that point the individual
stops and looks up and asks himself, “hmm – causes or prevents, causes or
prevents?” After a moment of thought he continues, “- prevents coronavirus from
spreading.” He then gleefully hits the send button.
A moment
later, the interviewer feels a buzz and checks his phone to reveal that he has
gotten the message forwarded from friends and family.
later, the interviewer feels a buzz and checks his phone to reveal that he has
gotten the message forwarded from friends and family.
The
incredulous interviewer asks the individual if any of the information he sends
is true. The interviewer emphatically relies, “Of course it is! It was sent on
WhatsApp! How could it not be true?!”
incredulous interviewer asks the individual if any of the information he sends
is true. The interviewer emphatically relies, “Of course it is! It was sent on
WhatsApp! How could it not be true?!”
The
humor of that sketch belies a very sad truth – as a society we believe
everything we read on the internet or see on social media. We then become so
convinced of its truth that we will even passionately defend it. In psychology
this is called “belief perseverance”, when one clings to a belief even in the
face of overwhelming evidence countering that belief.
humor of that sketch belies a very sad truth – as a society we believe
everything we read on the internet or see on social media. We then become so
convinced of its truth that we will even passionately defend it. In psychology
this is called “belief perseverance”, when one clings to a belief even in the
face of overwhelming evidence countering that belief.
The sad
reality is that many, if not most, of the “facts” circulating aren’t facts at
all. Rather, they are the product of individual opinions or rationalizations
that may likely have little to no basis in reality.
reality is that many, if not most, of the “facts” circulating aren’t facts at
all. Rather, they are the product of individual opinions or rationalizations
that may likely have little to no basis in reality.
Mark
Twain famously said, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble.
It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” The most notable thing about
that quote is that Mark Twain never said it, despite the fact that it’s
attributed to him.
Twain famously said, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble.
It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” The most notable thing about
that quote is that Mark Twain never said it, despite the fact that it’s
attributed to him.
The Kotzker
Rebbe famously quipped that not everything that is thought should be said, not
everything said should be written, not everything written should be published,
and not everything published should be read.”
Rebbe famously quipped that not everything that is thought should be said, not
everything said should be written, not everything written should be published,
and not everything published should be read.”
It’s
possible that there has never been a time when news is more uncertain than now.
There is almost no facts or statistics that aren’t debated heatedly.
possible that there has never been a time when news is more uncertain than now.
There is almost no facts or statistics that aren’t debated heatedly.
It’s
hard to know currently what parts of society’s response to the pandemic is
based on science and medical research, and which components are the result of
politics and egos. The blame game is very in vogue these days – a game that
costs lives and livelihoods. Inept leadership and double standards abound. Our
time has been appropriately dubbed the era of fake news.
hard to know currently what parts of society’s response to the pandemic is
based on science and medical research, and which components are the result of
politics and egos. The blame game is very in vogue these days – a game that
costs lives and livelihoods. Inept leadership and double standards abound. Our
time has been appropriately dubbed the era of fake news.
We, the
Jewish people, are no stranger to news bias, from which we continue to suffer
from. The Torah community particularly is constantly ‘called out’ and targeted
blatantly and unfairly.
Jewish people, are no stranger to news bias, from which we continue to suffer
from. The Torah community particularly is constantly ‘called out’ and targeted
blatantly and unfairly.
Is there any absolute truth left in our world?
Whenever
a haftorah is read, beforehand we bless Hashem, “Who chose good prophets and
was pleased with their words which were spoken with truth.” The words of the
prophets, spoken three thousand years ago, are still as true and applicable today
as when they were first uttered. Despite the fact that times and circumstances
have drastically changed, the timeless messages of our prophets still speak to
us. Their messages were often harsh, poignant, and condemning, but they were
always said with love for their people and uncompromising dedication to the
veracity of their message. They didn’t allow themselves to become intimidated
or cowered. They fearlessly spoke the truth and conveyed their divinely
inspired message faithfully.
a haftorah is read, beforehand we bless Hashem, “Who chose good prophets and
was pleased with their words which were spoken with truth.” The words of the
prophets, spoken three thousand years ago, are still as true and applicable today
as when they were first uttered. Despite the fact that times and circumstances
have drastically changed, the timeless messages of our prophets still speak to
us. Their messages were often harsh, poignant, and condemning, but they were
always said with love for their people and uncompromising dedication to the
veracity of their message. They didn’t allow themselves to become intimidated
or cowered. They fearlessly spoke the truth and conveyed their divinely
inspired message faithfully.
Chazal
explain that there were thousands of prophets during the era of prophecy. But
only those prophets whose messages are timeless were recorded in the canon of
Tanach and have continued to be studied and learned throughout the generations.
explain that there were thousands of prophets during the era of prophecy. But
only those prophets whose messages are timeless were recorded in the canon of
Tanach and have continued to be studied and learned throughout the generations.
In a
skeptical and dubious society, it is refreshing to be able to know there is one
source of unabashed and unequivocal truth.
skeptical and dubious society, it is refreshing to be able to know there is one
source of unabashed and unequivocal truth.
The sad
truth is that many are unfamiliar with the messages of the Neviim, and may not
even have a cursory appreciation for the message of the haftorah each Shabbos.
truth is that many are unfamiliar with the messages of the Neviim, and may not
even have a cursory appreciation for the message of the haftorah each Shabbos.
After the 9-11 attacks, I heard from great rabbinical leaders,
that part of our response must be to learn and study the words of Nach.
that part of our response must be to learn and study the words of Nach.
As the
era of Moshiach continues to rapidly approach and the predictions of the
prophets continue to eerily unfold before our very eyes, it behooves us to make
their words more central in our learning.
era of Moshiach continues to rapidly approach and the predictions of the
prophets continue to eerily unfold before our very eyes, it behooves us to make
their words more central in our learning.
My
rebbe, Rabbi Berel Wein, notes that in all works of Torah scholarship,
beginning with the gemara itself, everything is sourced and based on pesukim.
All of the classic mussar works liberally quote from the words of the Neviim.
In fact, those verses form the basis of their messages. Without understanding
the source, one cannot fully comprehend the lesson being gleaned.
rebbe, Rabbi Berel Wein, notes that in all works of Torah scholarship,
beginning with the gemara itself, everything is sourced and based on pesukim.
All of the classic mussar works liberally quote from the words of the Neviim.
In fact, those verses form the basis of their messages. Without understanding
the source, one cannot fully comprehend the lesson being gleaned.
It is high time that we gave Nach the vital attention it
deserves. There is one important caveat, however. Rav Shimon Schwab notes that
without sufficient familiarity with the teachings and explanations of the
Sages, the words and messages of the Prophets can easily be misconstrued and
misunderstood. (It’s well known that Christianity is based on mistaken translations
of pesukim in sefer Yeshaya). It’s analogous to viewing stars without a
telescope. One sees objects but he doesn’t really understand what he is seeing.
deserves. There is one important caveat, however. Rav Shimon Schwab notes that
without sufficient familiarity with the teachings and explanations of the
Sages, the words and messages of the Prophets can easily be misconstrued and
misunderstood. (It’s well known that Christianity is based on mistaken translations
of pesukim in sefer Yeshaya). It’s analogous to viewing stars without a
telescope. One sees objects but he doesn’t really understand what he is seeing.
Today,
we are blessed to have a plethora of beautiful works on Nach that explain the
pesukim according to Chazal.
we are blessed to have a plethora of beautiful works on Nach that explain the
pesukim according to Chazal.
In a sea
of lies, bias and mistrust, we can and must find refuge upon the island of
truth, to bask in its sunshine and enjoy its refreshing air.
of lies, bias and mistrust, we can and must find refuge upon the island of
truth, to bask in its sunshine and enjoy its refreshing air.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
R’ Dani and Chani Staum