Almost Eden

BS"D
A: Continuation of Parashat Korach, B: Parashat Chukat 5769

A: Korach

Korach hoisted the banner of rebellion against the authority of Moshe Rabbeinu by claiming that since all Jews are equal in holiness, the privileged status of Kehuna is fundamentally wrong. Moshe challenges Korach and predicts that the ground will open and swallow Korach and his followers.

The Gemara (Shabbat 87a) relates that Moshe Rabbeinu initiated three acts without being instructed by HaShem, but to which He agreed after the fact. 1. Moshe divorced his wife, 2. He broke the Holy Tablets and as a consequence, HaShem was compelled (as it were) to prepare another set of Tablets. 3. Although HaShem instructed Moshe to declare two days of preparation for receiving the Torah, Moshe initiated a third day - thereby postponing the revelation at Sinai by one day. Since we do not find anywhere in the Torah that HaShem informed Moshe regarding the fate awaiting Korach, the earthquake is a fourth act which Moshe initiated. So why is it not listed in tractate Shabbat as one of Moshe's initiatives?

Follow up:

I submit that Moshe did not initiate the earthquake but knew that it had to happen.

The Talmud Yerushalmi (end of the first chapter of Berachot) informs us that earthquakes occur because of three reasons: 1. Failure to give the halachically required tithes (teruma, ma’aser) to the kohen, levi and indigent; 2. sexual perversion, namely homosexuality; 3. HaShem's wrath at seeing the world's stadiums and theaters built to perfection, while His Holy Temple lies in ruins. Thus in response to these unnatural patterns of behavior, the earth reacts in an extremely unnatural way.

Moshe surmised that Korach's conduct and claims were manifestations of the three sins which caused the earth "to open its mouth".

If Korach's claim of spiritual egalitarianism obviated the need for the kehuna, then it also negated the mitzva to give tithes and to build a Holy Temple. Moreover, this spiritual equality would evenutally lead to sexual equality, creating unnatural bonds. The natural consequences of Korach's claim produced the earthquake that swallowed him up.

Today, we are witnesses to these same three sins. 1. The gentile world denies the Jewish claim that we are a nation of kohanim, as cited in the Torah (Shemot 19:6). 2. Sexual perversion is a pandemic, as attested to by the millions of new HIV cases and other related diseases every year. 3. The nations wish to rend us from the holy city of Yerushalayim with the intent of forever dashing our hopes of rebuilding the Bet HaMikdash.

On this background, we are witnessing the reactions of "mother nature".

The ground quivers and splits open; sea levels are rising to engulf whole cities and regions; increasing annual temperatures are causing flooding in some areas and drought in others, the ozone in the atmosphere which protects us from lethal radiation is dwindling, the decreasing salinity of the seas caused by melting of the polar icebergs is creating havoc with the gulf stream which warms northern Europe, and the list of unnatural phenomena goes on.

After nearly four millennia of Jewish presence on this planet, the goyim still can’t accept that their destiny is dependent on how they relate to the Jewish nation.

B: Chukat

Parashat Chukat and the mitzva of para aduma (red heifer) makes us realize the limitations HaShem placed on the mind power of the human species. Even the great Shlomo Ha’Melech, wisest of all men, threw his hands up in frustration when trying to unravel the mystery of para aduma.

As we confront with our limited intellectual resources the para aduma and other chukim (mitzvot whose reasons were not disclosed by HaShem) we must conclude that we know nothing of the big secrets of existence. Moreover, we are aware of dual and sometimes contradictory processes which are the basis of existence.

We know that there is rationality and causality in life based on cause and effect which permits us to predict the outcome of our actions. But we are also aware that our lives are subject to a randomness which makes a mockery of statistical conclusions and historical precedents.

From the beginning of time until its end in every atom of matter in existence, rationality and randomness are at work. On the molecular level, the bonding and decomposition of elements are as predictable as tomorrow morning's sunrise, but the quantum theory will tell you that nothing is predictable when you enter the sub-atomic world of quarks and strings.

HaShem makes us aware of His presence in two ways: the fantastic order and predictability of the natural world and the sudden, irrational, uncompassionate, volatile episodes in our lives. It is as if HaShem were telling us, "I am the Ba’al ha’Bayit (Master) of My world and can do what ever I wish to it. Do not restrict Me to the boundaries of logic, for then logic becomes God. Do not restrict Me to the limits of pity and compassion, because then they become God. I am the Creator of logic and compassion, and they are subject to My will".

HaShem's total mastery over our lives was once again demonstrated this week with the death of Yisrael Vinter. It was midnight and Mr. Vinter was returning home from his son's wedding. A fire truck, which had been called out on a false alarm, made a sudden U-turn and crashed into Vinter's car, instantly killing him.

The randomness of it makes us shrink before the Almighty who controls the destiny of us all. It also opens the way to prayer. The message is that no matter how the situation might look and what conclusions we reach, HaShem can change the outcome in an instant.

Nowhere are these principles more evident than in Eretz Yisrael. We experienced frightening moments and situations from which, at the time, there seemed no escape. The War of Independence, the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War were all seen by the world as the demise of the Jewish State. In stark contrast, HaShem - randomly and illogically - saved the Jewish people in the holy land and miraculously brought us to new and greater heights.

The para aduma, with its humbling message of who we are vis-a-vis the Creator, transmits a greater message. That HaShem, who entrusted His Holy Torah to us, His children, and to no other nation will always bring salvation in times of stress and danger, despite the apparent strength of our enemies and even if the entire world comes against the Jewish homeland.

C: A Gentile Slave Girl vs. an Israeli Soldier

It is now over three years that our soldier, Gilad Shalit, is being held in Gaza by Hamas. What is the classic, halachic Jewish way to deal with this matter?

I submit that when news of his capture was received, the Israeli government should have given notice to Hamas that if he is not returned within 15 minutes, Gaza City with its close to one million residents will be wiped off the face of the globe.

Now, this might sound a bit extreme - one million "innocents" for one young Israeli soldier?

As in the words of Rav Sa’adia Gaon, "We are a nation only by virtue of the Torah". The intent behind this statement is that the source of our value system, judiciary, social interaction and all else which constitute a nation is the Torah. This is the fundamental belief of a Jew. What does the Torah tell us regarding our responsibility to a fellow Jew being held captive by an enemy?

We need not go far - it is right here in our parasha. A young, gentile slave girl was taken hostage by the King of Arad. Moshe Rabbeinu and the then Tzahal of Israel destroyed all the cities in the realm of the King of Arad. Now, if this is what we do for a gentile slave, how much more must we do for a young Israeli soldier.

It is late, but not too late. The call should be given for his immediate return while our planes and tanks warm up their motors.

Shabbat Shalom,

Nachman Kahana

P.S. Dear Friends, I am aware that many of the ideas I write are controversial. I invite comments even critical ones, since no man has a monopoly on the truth.

Copyright @copy; 2009 Nachman Kahana