SHEMINI 5779
WHO PROPOSES, WHO DISPOSES?
March 28, 2019
21 Adar II 5779
The Torah records that on the day that their father, Aaron, was consecrated as the first Kohen Gadol, (High Priest), his two oldest sons, Nadav and Avihu, placed a strange fire in their offering of incense, "and a fire came forth from the Lord and consumed them" (Leviticus 10:2).
According to one Midrash, they were punished for articulating their frustration that these two "elderly men" (Aaron and their uncle Moses) had yet to die, thereby enabling them to assume the community's leadership. A displeased God, unleashing His flame, in effect, said, "We shall see who shall succeed whom." It's a sobering reminder that life is uncertain.
In the normal flow of life, generations come and generations go, and the young succeed the old. This rabbinic comment, however, reminds us this is not a hard and fast rule. All too often the young are taken before their time.
The thrust of this Midrash is that life is uncertain; we don't have total control of our lives or of the surprising and negative consequences of our decisions and actions. Our best-laid plans often do go awry.
There are people who clearly know right from wrong, but choose to engage in illegal and criminal activity. Seemingly responsible and upright people are often guilty of "white" crimes in the belief that they will not be caught, and are surprised when they are apprehended. The recent college admission scandal revealed how people of wealth illegally used their resources to bribe their children's entry into the universities of their choice. They concocted their plans only to discover that it isn't always possible to assure the outcome. It's a striking reminder that "man proposes, God disposes" or to quote Martin Luther King, "The arc of justice bends slowly but in the right direction."
Yet, it's not only evil intentions that are often thwarted. O. Henry in "The Gift of the Magi" describes how Della and Jim, a happily married couple with very limited finances, planned surprise Christmas gifts for one another. Della sells her beautiful hair to buy Jim's present; Jim sells his watch to purchase Della's. Jim present, an assortment of ornamental combs is of little use to Della with her short hair, as is her gift of a beautiful fob for the watch Jim no longer possesses. Their very good intentions were sadly frustrated.
Life's hard lesson is that we have limited control over the future. In our lucid moments, we know "que sera, sera, what will be will be; the future is not for our asking."
Our tradition accepts this reality, but reminds us that we do have a significant measure of control over our lives. When we observe the many who use their power, wealth and influence to engage in immoral and illegal activity, we often despair that right cannot triumph over wrong. We have the choice of doing the right thing, hoping that it will result in a positive outcome. Our moral codes are a blueprint to aid us to build good and decent lives. We hopefully have learned to accept that, while we may be frustrated when our good intentions have an adverse effect, our good intentions are ultimately rewarded.
I have personally been buoyed up by my grandmother's simple but profound Yiddish observation, "gutzkiet (goodness) does pay off" if only for the simple reason that we can and should find encouragement and comfort in trying to do the right thing.
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From the holy city of Jerusalem my best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach, a Shabbat have peace and blessing.
Rabbi Arnold M Goodman
PURIM 5779
OF THE SAME OPINION STILL
March 20, 2019
14 Adar 2, Purim 5779
There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people and the provinces of the kingdom whose laws are different from those of every other people and they do not keep the king's laws, therefore it is not for the King to tolerate them (Esther 3:8).
Haman indicted Jews as outliers who adhered to different standards and were disloyal to the lands in which they lived. His canard has persisted through the centuries to this very day.
From the time our Temples were destroyed and Jews were exiled from Eretz Yisrael, we have recited, "If I forget thee O Jerusalem, may my right hand lose its strength." (Psalms 137) The hope of return was ever-present.
This undying longing, combined with European Antisemitism, spawned in the mid-Eighteenth Century the political Zionism that led to the State of Israel. While the hard and dangerous work was done by the Yishuv (the Jewish community in Palestine), Diaspora Jewry's financial and political support was indispensable. More specifically as American Jewry, following WWII, prospered and assumed a higher profile, its financial and political support of Zionism and Israel increased.
Old prejudices, sadly, do not disappear and historical canards do not remain dormant. Echoes of Haman's ancient indictment of dual loyalty have never vanished. This ancient anti-Semitic trope was recently articulated by Ilhan Omar who said: "I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country." She was, of course, referring to Israel.
Despite her accusation we remain adamant in our support of Israel. It rightfully enjoys American support as the Middle East's only democracy amidst the plethora of autocratic regimes that surround and threaten her. Israel does enjoy American financial and political support, but it is not a one way street with America giving and Israel only taking. While a small country, Israel has made significant contributions to technology, science and medicine. She has also partnered with America in developing military development. It's not allegiance to a foreign country that inspires American Jewry's desire to see Israel, not merely survive, but to flourish.
It is legitimate to debate and criticize various Israeli policies, decisions and acts, but scandalous allegations of the like of Ilhan Omar, inevitably muddy the debate.
The inability of the Congressional leadership to openly challenge and condemn her remarks is a sad matter of record. As we read "Esther" in our Synagogues, we are reminded that Haman's allegations continue to find voice even within our own government. True when confronted with their hateful words, the maligners, under pressure, often issue apologies. There is, however, great truth in the old adage, "People convinced against their will are of the same opinion still."
May we have the courage to confront Haman's spiritual descendants wherever they are and never lose faith in an America we love that leaves us space to support our co-religionists wherever they are, even in the State of Israel.
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From the holy city of Jerusalem, my best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach, a Shabbat of peace and of blessing and a Purim Sameach, joyous Purim celebration.
Rabbi Arnold M Goodman
