reconciliation – The Tree of Life

parasha Nasso 5784

“When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to commit a trespass against the L-RD, and that soul be guilty; then they shall confess their sin which they have done.” – Numbers 5:6-7, JPS 1917 Tanach

According to the Talmud (Pesachim 54a), G-d created teshuvah (repentance), before the creation of the world. This teaching connotes the significance of teshuvah for tikkun hanefesh (rectification of the soul), and tikkun olam (repair of the world). In light of another passage in the Talmud (Megillah 13b), that speaks of the remedy being created before the wound, teshuvah is elevated to a panacea, an all-around cure, capable of transforming lives.

The first person to do teshuvah (repentance), as recorded in the Torah is Yehudah. He publicly acknowledged his transgression, after realizing his guilt. Also, King David, upon hearing a mashal (parable) about a rich man who had many sheep; yet, demanded the one and only sheep of a poor person for dinner, was told by the prophet that he was that man; consequently, he immediately confessed his sin. If only we had the resolve of biblical proportion to act in a decisive way, without hesitance, in recognizing our trespasses against G-d and man.

A sincere confession is necessary to diminish the influence of the yetzer hara (evil inclination), designating past ways of transgression to the past, in order to begin anew (Maimonides). Acknowledging past mistakes, and attitudes, as well as behaviors that are not in accord with a righteous way of living is an act of character, that supplements self-improvement.

“And to him that ordereth his way aright will I show the salvation of G-d” (Psalm 50:23, JPS). When we improve upon our ways, our efforts will elicit a response from Above. For, HaShem gives us the opportunity to do teshuvah, to rectify our ways, so that we may be reconciled to Him.

Elul Preparation: Day 5

“Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.” – Jeremiah 31:13, JPS 1917 Tanach

When the Holy One forgives the sins of Israel, there will be cause to rejoice. The Bnei Yissacher explains that the “young” refers to the baalei teshuvah (penitents) who become like new after a complete teshuvah, returning to G-d in all their ways. The “old” refers to those who were righteous from their early years, and were able to maintain their righteousness with G-d’s grace. Both will be on the same level, so that the penitents will have the same status as those who had always been on the derech (path).

He notes that elsewhere it is mentioned how the righteous will praise their youthful years, in regard having had the opportunity to learn Yiddishkeit from an early age, preventing them from following a wayward path. Conversely, the baalei teshuvah will praise their latter years, because those years compelled then to atone for their youthful waywardness. As mentioned above, “the young and the old together” will rejoice, both those who praise their youth, and those who praise their latter years.

Referring back to the verse mentioned above, I would posit, that “the maiden” can be understood as a reference to K’lal Yisrael. The young and the old, may refer to all balei teshuvah, and those who followed the path of righteousness from the beginning of their years. So, that there is no distinction, between those who returned to G-d in their later years, and those who have always been on the derech. We will rejoice together at the Geulah when all of our sorrow will turn into joy (Psalm 126). Until then, we struggle in Olam HaZeh (This World), guarding ourselves against negative influences, and seeking reconciliation with G-d, especially during Elul.

*based on Bnei Yissacher: Elul 5

Hope Surfaces

Hope, is the mainstay of my life

and the fruition of my thoughts.

Hope, will outweigh the strife

that weighs heavily upon my heart.

Hope, the champion of the future,

a prelude to ultimate victory.

Hope, is enough to suture

the wounds inflicted by misery.

Hope, will mend the broken fragments

of a life unduly shattered.

Hope, will diminish the lament

of those whose clothes are tattered.

Hope, designed to stich each patch

and sew together the unraveled strands.

Hope, will help to gather all who are lost,

like collecting so many grains of sand.

Hope, will meld with faith,

bridging the gap in between.

Hope obtained, will never fade,

always realizing the dream.

shiur Pinchas 5781

Discord was sown, when the advice that Balaam gave to Balak, was enacted upon the Children of Israel. Although Balak was not able to curse Israel, being compelled instead to bless, he still managed to set up circumstances in an underhanded manner, whereby the kedushah (holiness) and emunah (faith) of B’nei Yisrael would be diminished. He knew that the only way to bring about malfeasance upon Israel was to cause them to sin; as a consequence, G-d would have to respond to Israel’s transgression.

Balak and Balaam conspired against Israel; and they sent out Moabite and Midianite women to entice Israel. “And the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto the Baal of Peor; and the anger of the L-RD was kindled against Israel” (Numbers 25:1-3, JPS).

The kindling of H’Shem’s anger resulted in the form of a plague. Although the guilty were hanged after a makeshift court was held with the leaders of Israel residing, and a follow up by the judges of Israel further eliminated those who sinned in this incident, apparently, the plague continued to spread. The children of Israel were weeping, signifying teshuvah (repentance) outside of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Moses and Aaron were present at the Mishkan, when an Israelite prince brought a Midianite princess into his tent, in full view of everyone present outside the Mishkan. What an affront to the dignity of the nation, and an insult to H’Shem. Such effrontery was condemned in one swift action by Pinchas.

His response was born out of zealousness; Pinchas executed the Israelite man and his cohort. “So the plague ceased from the people of Israel.” For this zealous act, Pinchas was rewarded with a covenant of peace. As the Talmud explains, “The Holy One, blessed be He said to Moses, ‘Be the first to extend a greeting of peace to him,’ as it is written, wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace; and this atonement [that Phinehas has made] is worthy of being an everlasting atonement” (Sanhedrin 82b). Pinchas atoned for the sins of Israel, and reconciled the people to G-d.