Rabbi's Blog

Seasons occur opposite each other on on either side of the equator, so the equinox in September, referred to as the autumnal  or fall) equinox in the northern hemisphere is known as the vernal, or spring equinox in the southern hemisphere.  Based upon the solar calendar, the true last day of summer is September 22^nd which is also the day of the fall equinox. In the lunar calendar Rosh Hashana tends to be the official end of summer and the beginning of fall. For both the lunar and the solar calendars, the ceremonial days  marking the end of summer this year are Labor Day and Rosh Chodesh Elul which occur one day apart.

Summertime is traditionally a time for rest and relaxation and a change of scenery. Outdoor activities are a staple opportunity during the summer.  Major downsides to many attractions such as amusement parks are the high rate of attendance and the exorbitant cost of admission. Amusement park lines can easily have  forty-five-minute waits for rides that will last for ninety seconds. The ride, however, tends to be truly exhilarating and thrilling. It is also true that we get more value per minute waiting on line in contrast to the cost basis of each second on the ride.  As with many events in life, it often takes a long time to arrive. In order to distract customers from the long waits on lines, innovative technology keeps our minds occupied. For example, newspapers and magazines may be available to read while waiting to see a health professional while video monitors continuously review safety and security measures while waiting to get through the TSA check points. But perhaps the biggest gimmick of all are the video monitors viewed while waiting for the alpine slide. In addition to the video monitors displaying safety guidelines, they  play clips of riders enjoying the ride screaming while their hands flew up as they reached the finish line. I am pretty sure these videos are used to create more excitement for what the person waiting in line is about to experience. Quite often, though, there is great anticipation and build up to something, but only until it finally approaches. Once our turn finally arrives, the time passes  so quickly and the ride is over before we know it. A few weeks ago we took our grandchildren on an alpine slide in Kiryat Shmoneh. We waited in a long line for a long time, and after the ride my grandson excitedly popped off the ride and said, “Can we go again?” Of course, no one was in the mood to wait again, so off we were to the next “exciting” adventure.  

Life has many different kinds of ‘lines’ which we all wait on. The thrill that comes once in a while is worth waiting for, but, generally speaking, waiting on long lines is just that: waiting on long lines with a disappointing, less-than-thrilling experience at the other end.  I believe this is true when it relates to practicing religion as well. We have read about the Islamic Jihadist who is promised a wonderful experience after he dies for the cause. In Christianity, it is taught that as long as a person believes in J.C. even at the last moment of his life he will go to heaven, no matter what type of human being he was in his lifetime. Perhaps we are not attracted to the Avoda Zara/Idolatry of the past, but the worshipping of things in today’s world is stronger than ever.

The worshipping of Idolatry does not emerge out of thin air. In order to be drawn to Idolatry there needs to be some type of thrill or attraction. This powerful attraction typically comes in the form of a charismatic person followed by indoctrination. Once in a while the convincing comes through a miraculous feat and thrilling experience. This is where we drift off the path of following Hashem and begin to focus on other things and even other religions. Hashem warns us of the possibility that we may be attracted by some sign or trick. One of the age-old questions is, “Why would God allow non-Jewish prophets to perform miracles, permitting the luring of questioning Jews?”  

The answer is found in this week’s parsha R’Ay. In Devarim 13:2,3 the Torah states: “Ki Yakum b’Kirbcha Navi  O Choleim Chalom V’Nassan Eilecha Os O Mofeis. U’Bah HaOs V’Hamofeis Asher Diber Eilecha Laymore, Neilcha Acharei Elohim Acheirim Asher Lo Y’Datem V’Naavdeim.” “When a prophet or a person who has visions in a dream arises among you with a sign or miracle, and on the basis of that sign or miracle, says to you, ”Let us try out a different god, let us serve it and have a new spiritual experience,” Rashi teaches us that Hashem gave the ability to perform signs and miracles to false prophets in order to test us. The Ba’al HaTurim says the gematria of the word ‘b’kirbcha is the same as ‘this is the woman’ and the word navi is the same as ‘V’Haben’ and the son’ (referring to Mary and her son, J.C.)

The *Steipler Gaon Rav Yakov Yisroel Kanievsky zt”l, in his sefer Chayei Olam, says that every part of a person’s day is a test: the poor man from one side the rich one from the other; the person at peace and the person in turmoil. An additional category of testing is the challenge of mistaken thoughts and misunderstanding. Tosfos in Gemara Avoda Zarah 27b says God gave permission to Satan to do and create things in the world in order to confuse and challenge us,  destroying our emunah, our belief in Hashem. The protection from this evil influence is Ahavas Hashem -  to actively love God. Rav Yehuda HaChasid, in Sefer Chasidim, says the only people who will fail in the sin of idolatry are those who have already defiled themselves with other sins.

Non-Jews and even non-believing Jews live their entire lives on line waiting for the excitement on the other side. Unfortunately, this is a false hope. They live their lives on line with great anticipation,  only to find out the reality. It was all false. We live in world of sheker, of falsity. We live in a world which is upside down, where people think this is the primary while the next world is secondary. The test, to demonstrate patience for the true belief in Hashem, is great. Let us not be lured by the attractions and flashy signs of this world, but instead  realize the emes, the truth, that the Jewish people live for and believe in.

Ah Gut Shabbos

Rabbi Avraham Bogopulsky