This week’s parasha
Vayigash states 45:7:
Thus, G-d has sent me ahead of
you to insure your survival in the land and to
sustain you for a momentous deliverance. And
now: It was not you who sent me
here, but G-d….
Rashi adeptly highlight the
Torah’s language “And now,” indicating
the meaning of Chomer and Tzurah. While Hashem can
snap his fingers and make night day and day night,
Hashem molds us through a combination of Torah and
life experiences to develop the tzurah necessary to
imprint others. The Jewish people are intended to be
a nation acting as ministers, offering through Torah
their imprint for good for the world.
When speaking with a Rabbi who
had a difficult life but acted as a wise, able and
competent teacher, I asked, which man has the more
meaningful and fulfilling life? A man who was born
with a silver spoon who has everything but never has
develop tzurah to imprint others, or a Rabbi who
studies Torah and because of difficulties in life
opens and develops tzurah where he can imprint his
flock correctly to engender and spread good deeds for
generations to follow? When the Rabbi is honored in
life, does it not equal the wealth of any man absent
tzurah? Without life’s travails, few can develop
the foundation to imprint to minister to others.
Of course, if one lives a life
that does not imprint others, and has difficulties,
this foundation of logic does not apply. On the other
side of the spectrum, someone growing up in wealth
can still develop tzurah by committing himself or
herself to serious Torah study. However, Hashem in
dealing with Joseph prior to Sinai gave Joseph the
life experiences including clear-cut pain and
difficulties for him to develop appropriate tzurah to
operate as one of our finest leaders and a man
seemingly carrying G-d’s love, blessings and
admiration and ultimately obtaining G-d’s reward
in this life and the next.
Without question, an Israel that
finds favor with Hashem will ultimately find a leader
from the House of Joseph. The Torah makes it clear
that but for Yakov’s errors, Rachel may very
well have been Jacob’s only wife (Jacob would
not have had to leave Israel) and mothered all the
tribes of Israel with the birthright and with
untainted blessings.
Those leaders would have chomer
blessed by Hashem with life experiences to make them
leaders for good, reflecting uncompromising faith and
love for Hashem. Like the life of Joseph, our
hardships today can turn tomorrow into a future with
promise, with blessings, to minister to the world for
good to stop the treacherous course and path we are
upon.
Part II
In 45:9 Joseph says: “G-d
has made me master of all Egypt. Come down to
me….”
When the brothers see Jacob they
omit the most important part of the message. The
reference glorifying Hashem stands consistent with
Joseph’s glorifying G-d’s name when he
interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and diametrically
opposite to the one where Jacob when meeting with
Pharaoh bows to him coming to him and leaving him but
stands devoid of honoring Hashem for the providence
of saving Egypt and the Jewish people. The
brothers’ failing in this regard not only
reflect on them but preclude the mitzvah that may
have resulted if Jacob in his shock, learning that
Joseph was alive and ruler of Egypt, associated it
with G-d’s providence and domain.
Further, should not the brothers
themselves in learning that Joseph lives and lives as
the de facto ruler of Egypt, stunning them for at
least a moment or two, cause them to carry a baton
for G-d’s intervention for Joseph and their
family when traveling to Jacob to tell him the news?
No doubt, when Joseph saw
Pharaoh’s advisors ALL find favor with Joseph
seven years before any of his interpretations could
be proven true, it was a sign to Joseph and also to
us today of Hashem’s affirmative intervention.
Thus, we are supposed to
recognize situations and conditions where G-d’s
intervention is before our eyes and others where we
can be certain that His intervention will never be
found.
Part III
40:14: “If only you would
think of me with yourself when he benefits you, and
you will do me a kindness, if you please, and mention
me to Pharaoh, then you will get me out of this
building. For indeed I was kidnapped from the land of
the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing for
them to have put me in the pit.”
When it is generally accepted
that this caused Joseph to spend an additional two
years in prison, it of course negates the argument
that Torah somehow supports behavior calling forth
affirmative intervention, when such is shown to be
the case when G-d is known to be involved in the
picture and setting (prophecy). It resulted in an
additional two years for Joseph and in Jacob’s
egregious intervention as discussed in Missed Message
of Torah it results in the tainted blessings, still
with us today. Here during the two years Joseph no
doubt has ample time to reflect on his deed and that
of his father in similar regard. Joseph already knew
that his mother made a mistake not telling Isaac of
what she knew about her two sons, and then he made
sure his dreams were explicitly told to his entire
family. Now, not only does he ask for help from the
Baker, the Torah implying none was needed, for it was
in G-d’s hands, but that he in a sense
diminishes G-d by proffering that his suffering was
unjust when Joseph knew nothing unjust and no
suffering by G-d’s known design can be
characterized by Joseph as suffering or injustice.
If Joseph had said to the
Baker to keep G-d’s interpretation through
Joseph in mind when he was released, this would have
not been reported in Torah and would have been
acceptable. It was that Joseph diminished his role
and further said “you will do me a kindness, if
you please,” that required Torah to note it.
In this sense, I pointed out to
one of the Rabbis I study with that we can note that
there is not much review in Torah as to what Abraham
or Isaac did behavior wise compared to Jacob. This
attests in my opinion that Torah only takes the time
to report behavior that can teach us what was done
wrong and what we can learn from it. If it is not
wrong or objectionable and did not result in
consequences for the forefathers and for us, it is
normally not a matter Torah deems necessary for us to
learn as a constant through the element of time.
12/11/2002 3:43 PM
Let me point out that Oslo
without the newly discovered intricate machinations
behind Oslo is still Oslo. This means that if the net
operative result of an agenda whether named Oslo or
given any other name is to move the people away from
rather than to G-d, it is defective and deficient.
Thus, again while peace may be 2nd
or 3rd base or home plate in the baseball
field reference, you still have to get to first base.
Thus, the end, peace, still has to be earned through
touching all the bases and first base is Israel
showing itself to be a nation genuinely glorifying
G-d’s Name before the other nations of the
world. A single person properly positioned can lead
Israel to first base.
Similarly, a fence under this
week’s parasha operates as a debasement to
G-d’s Name and design. Israel doesn’t need
a fence. Did Israel need anything like that or have
anything to worry about even when surrounded by
formidable enemies when the Jewish people were first
given the holy land? G-d is Israel’s protection
and building a fence and/or relying on one indicates
that the correct course is still not being pursued.
One cannot angulate a certain dynamic in Torah to
comport with a secular design to move forward on a
continued flawed process.
Aside from failing to honor the
need to touch first base, this ego driven problem is
also represented by resistance in honoring the
Arab/Islamic nations for doing right by Allah. This
error is compounded when the Arab/Islamic nations are
connected to Germany and Japan not Assyria, Babylonia
and Rome. The purpose of our repentance for the loss
of the First, Holy, Temple, is to look in the mirror.
I have proffered repeatedly that the Arab/Islamic
nations are not our enemy, and if one can accept this
truth as a given it compels relevant parties to
pursue the correct course rather than again carry an
incorrect perspective, leading again to a dead end,
if not far worse. Moreover, the worse the situation
and picture becomes in Israel the less recognition
given to the means, the reality being that the
modified or adjusted means are aligned with
desperation and the element of time running out
(especially as indicated by the collapse of the two
WTC towers and their connection to the prophecy of
Zephaniah), and thus less worthy and deserving of
G-d’s intervention.
Man lacking faith in Hashem and
Torah needs to see in advance how an alleged correct
course will result in a desired end; whereas, Torah
and Hashem have made it clear that by sincerely
honoring G-d and glorifying His Name will result in
the desired end without logic or reason.
Was there any logic or reason to
ALL of Pharaoh’s advisors to find Joseph’s
interpretation as worthy of this prisoner Hebrew
being elevated to second in command of all Egypt seven
years before there was any indication that he was
correct?
Likewise, connecting this point with
the true dynamic of Abemelich, the Arab/Islamic
nations would wake up one morning seeking and
establishing a true peace with Israel. Abemelich
feared Abraham, otherwise powerless and no threat to
Abemelich, because G-d was with Abraham. If G-d again
is with Israel, the Arab/Islamic nations will
seek a peace with the Jewish state because
they will see that G-d is again with them. However,
to expect them to reach a peace, when Israel
attests to the contrary, contravenes all dynamics
of Torah.
12/13/2002 2:31:16 PM
Man cannot secure, peace,
security and/or tranquility for Israel.
It is only given,
provided, by Hashem.
At page 144 of the Maharal book
it says:“Thus, when the Jews are connected to
G-d and His Torah, no one can do them harm. They are
nourished by G-d and need nothing from any other
nation.
All parties mentioned on Friday
have to not only understand but also due to the proof
in front of their eyes and noses accept it. Thus,
fence building, and diplomatic efforts, and
agreements and accommodations achieve nothing, and
the evidence is that nothing at all has been
achieved. The proof of the pudding is that all the
efforts have brought Israel to the precipice of
destruction, whether economic, military or otherwise.
How a superior military force
and developed state can find itself in the situation
it finds itself was addressed by Peres Personified
and other writings received by you over the years. It
is the same dynamic that left an all-powerful
President of the United States of America to scratch
his head for years when Arafat extirpated his well
worked out plans and expectations.
You are dealing on a higher
dimension. Thus it is important to stop thinking on
the lower one. As I emphasized, it is not complex,
but simple. It is man who makes matters complex. They
become simple once you unwrap the truths from the
noise provided by man to serve his personal desires.
Thus, it is important for me to
note that...efforts, while earnest and well meaning
only worsen things rather than improve them. Every
time... sees light, he will get the door slammed on
him. However, as said, there comes a time when those
accepting a very heavy responsibility for their
actions, have to bow to what is before them. Remember
how Jacob despite being pecked and pestered with
obstacles, serving as messages, never once allowed
himself to see that he needed to recognize his
mistakes and the need to apologize to Hashem?
This type of stubbornness at
this point in history portends badly for everyone.
Why is it so difficult to see that the Arab/Islamic
nations, the perceived enemy of today, can be the
friend of tomorrow? Do you think G-d would allow the
children of Abraham from Sarah to go out and destroy
the children of Abraham from Hagar? Do not the
Arab/Islamic nations serve the purpose given by
Torah? Even absent Torah, can the Jewish people allow
themselves to participate in any agenda against
nations respecting the name of G-d?
From the other side of scales,
doesn’t our history suggest over and over again
that the Arab/Islamic nations may be now serving the
same purpose of removing the Jewish people from
Israel? If one can accept this argument for purposes
of discussion, won’t such discussion show that
the Jewish people are guilty of the same willingness
to turn their backs on G-d as they did before? That
the Jewish people in this high communication, high
tech age, lets the world see no special connection or
service to G-d to honor His name to the nations of
the world? What example is Israel setting to the
world?
The Saudis even got secular
Saddam Hussein to utilize G-d’s name now when he
speaks, Saddam Hussein seemingly getting to
understand the dynamics in play which the
Arab/Islamic countries I dare say understand far
better than the Jewish people. This perception is
also held by them, explaining why those from the
Jewish community entreating them for peace receive
the rejection they do from them.
Thus, it is critical that the
Jewish people SINCERELY and GENUINELY bow to G-d. I
discussed this with someone higher up in Israel and I
made this a point when I could see that he was
willing to use any key to resolve the crisis, never
taking a moment to understand that action without
requisite intent will prove defunct. Thus, my point
is that if...was willing to pursue the right course
but with the intent only to utilize any avenue to
reverse the current course, without the true intent
required in invoking the course, the Arab/Islamic
nations would not respond. How would they know his
intent? This is where one must understand that
Hashem, who knows truth and cannot be deceived,
guides their response.
Otherwise, I saw you grimace and
regret causing you to do so at what I otherwise fear
for Israel. They are so far removed from the
spirituality which the Jewish people should have
developed and have misdirected by using the tainted
blessings to build themselves up to turn tzurah of
prior generations back to plain chomer in the pursuit
of false gods. ***What’s wrong about being wrong
is being unwilling to admit to it, to amend
one’s course when one willingly assumes the
enormous responsibility of paving the road for the
future of Israel and also therefore the world. What a
responsibility! One cannot be stubborn and hardheaded
in undertaking such an ambitious task.
I found myself writing this
because of your own anguish in my taking the position
that the Arab/Islamic nations are not the enemy and
contact with them should highlight applause for their
role in affirmatively seeking to honor G-d’s
name to the world. If you cannot accept the truth of
these dual dynamics; peace, security and tranquility
are not possible even with a fence stretching to the
heavens. If you can be the first to understand and
accept the true dynamics, then you can influence
accordingly. Thus, the Maharal book in many ways
helps serve that purpose because man is somehow
influenced by perceived sources of truth. It reminds
me of the story when I was sitting in a restaurant
with a friend, a professor at three local
universities, and the waiter who bowed to him, had a
question for him, in an area in which this professor
knew I was quite knowledgeable. So he smiled and let
me answer the waiter. The waiter didn’t hear two
sentences when he interrupted and said: “I
really wanted to hear the answer from the
professor.”
*** However, there comes a time
when it is direly important to accept truth. One has
to ask himself the following: if Israel is lost
tomorrow morning, what changes will be rendered in
the perceptions and understandings I carry today? Do
I dare say that losing Israel renders no message? Do
I dare allow myself to find comfort in those saying
that Israel wasn’t Israel because Israel can
only exist by the hand of the Messiah?
Of course, the further truth I
have found since returning to New York is that if the
Messiah or Hashem Himself sat across the table from
any one or number of distinguished rabbis and leaders
in the Jewish world, that there would not be one
among them all who would recognize either one. What
they would do however is question them extensively
and ridicule them since no doubt they would disagree
with their well imbedded tenets, and thereby find
themselves ostracized by the will and decision of the
majority, who has already as I have expounded upon in
the Trial of Rabbi Eliezer rejected Hashem from His
central role for the Jewish people.
It is time to acknowledge
Jacob’s error, Rabban Gamliel’s and Rabbi
Akiva’s true errors, and the errors being
committed today, which puts Israel at the precipice
of enormous death and destruction. This has been my
goal in serving Hashem, Torah, Judaism and the Jewish
people.... Remember how I said years back that
without your involvement you one day would have to
question why Hashem provided you what he has if you
were not there when it counts to serve your own
tzurah? And now: …