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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Worshiping oneself and calling it religion
By
Rabbi Chaim Silver
The Bible's warning against political correctness
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
There's a fundamental principle in Torah study: Not a single letter of the Good Book is superfluous. Yet this week's portion seems to break this rule — no less than eighteen times.
After each stage in the building of the Mishkan (tabernacle), the Torah declares, "Ka'asher Tzivah HaShem Es Moshe," "As the Divine commanded Moses." Would it not have been sufficient for the Torah to make this point just once, at the end of the portion; upon the completion of the tabernacle? What is to be learned from this repetition?
Rabbi Moshe Shapiro of Jerusalem explained that it is necessary for the Torah to repeat the phrase so many times to emphasize that every single aspect of the tabernacle was built exactly the way the Divine had commanded it. There was not even the slightest deviation or interpretation. The vessels, the walls, the Altar, everything was exactly the way as Moses was commanded.
The House of G-d — the place where we are intimate with the Creator of Heaven and Earth — needed to be fashioned according to His will and design.
There was, our sages note, a significant difference between the Moses' prophecy and those of the other prophets. A close reading of the original Hebrew narrative reveals a difference in wording when describing a session of prophecy for the latter prophets. After interacting with the Almighty, we are told by Scripture: "Ko Amar HaShem," or, " So said G-d".
This indicates that each of the latter prophets had to use his own understanding to interpret the vision of prophecy that he was shown. Since each person is different, so is his understanding of the Word of G-d. This is a lower level of prophecy which our sages refer to as Aspaktlaryah Sheino Me'irah, (an unclear vision). What they saw had to filter through their personality and perspective.
Moses, however, expressed his prophecies with the words "Zeh Hadavar" ("This is the word of G-d"). This is the highest form of prophecy known as Aspaktlaryah HaMe'irah, (a clear vision).
Our sages taught that the Divine Presence spoke from the throat of Moses. Moses revealed the prophecy in the exact manner in which the Almighty showed him without any interpretation or personal opinion. Moses was able to say Zeh Hadavar, this is exactly what the Divine said.
MESSAGE FOR MODERNS
Maimonides lists in his Thirteen Principles of Faith our requirement to believe, without so much as a doubt, that the Torah we have in our possession today is, as noted above and cited in this week's reading, "As the Divine commanded Moses". We, today, are not living by values and standards that have been updated over the years. Rather, our allegiance is to the same Torah that was given at Sinai.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808 —1888) famously described Judaism as having been "created by G-d to define man" and not vice versa. The Torah is an absolute value that never changes. If there is a discrepancy between the way we live and a Torah value, then we need to look at what changes occurred in us. While we can apply certain teachings to modernity, our obligation is to conform to our Heritage and not the other way around. The slippery slope downward is when we make changes unauthorized by our sages and pass them off as normative Judaism.
We still struggle with the temptation to define G-d rather than conform to His definitions. Our communities are plagued with trying to reconcile eternal values with our modern lifestyle rather than trying to make our lifestyle conform to Judaism.
THE HOLY AND NOW
It seems to me that what is lacking in our modern world is a sense of Kedushah, holiness. It is well known that holiness is what we create when we perform any act with the Almighty's direction and intention in mind. The root of Kedushah is the word Kadosh, "set aside". It is often difficult to act in a way that conforms to the Divine's will because many times it requires self-sacrifice and commitment. We have desires that need to be satiated and goals that we wish to attain. Often they differ from the G-d's goals. This is the "Service of Self" rather than the "Service of the Almighty". We can only create holiness when we forgo what we have in mind for that which the Divine desires. This is how we bring meaning and purpose into our communities, families and lives.
The world today is tangled up in a mess of definitions and labels that have created divisiveness and tension and spends little time focusing on what is truly important. Our mission should not be to convince others of our point of view or show them how they are wrong, per se. We need to actualize our potential and to become as holy as we can by living a life according to the Divine's directive. We must ask ourselves constantly, even before performing the most insignificant act, if we are bringing holiness into our lives. Is this what we are striving to accomplish? Is this who we wish to become? No matter what we do, it needs to be done with a sense of holiness.
It is not enough to go through the motions of Torah observance but we must infuse our lives with a higher purpose. Our focus and purpose must emanate from a place of holiness.
The more we live a life of "As the Divine commanded Moses", the more connected we will feel to Torah and the more holiness we will create.
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Comment by clicking here. Rabbi Chaim Silver is an Associate Member of the Young Israel Council of Rabbis.
© 2009, National Council of Young Israel
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