World Mizrachi Movement - World Mizrachi Weekly Parsha -

The Torah informs us that the goal of dedicating oneself to a Torah lifestyle is "not in the heaven, that one would say: ‘who will go up to the heaven and take it for us that we should hear it and follow it?’ nor is it on the other side of the sea ... for it is very close to you ..." (Devarim 30: 11-14). We will concentrate on different meanings and insights of the phrase, "it is not in the heaven (lo vashamayim hee)."

Rashi (ad loc.) comments that the Torah is not in the heaven, but if it were there, it would behoove us to go up there to get it. This is in line with Rashi’s common practice to stress the Torah’s educational messages. In this case, we learn that no effort should be spared to gain access to Torah study (see also Eruvin 45a). Chazal learn another moral lesson from the pasuk. "It is not in the heaven- you will not find Torah in those who ‘raise their thoughts’ (="are" haughty)" (Kalah Rabbati, 5,5; Eruvin, ibid.). In other words, to learn Torah properly one must be humble. For this reason, the Torah is compared to water, which always flows down to the lowest elevation.

Another aspect of the phrase is highlighted in the famous story of "Tanur Shel Achana’i." The gemara (Bava Metzia 59b) tells of a halachic dispute between R. Eliezer and the Chachamim on a question of purity. Despite R. Eliezer’s strong arguments, the majority ruled against him. R. Eliezer invoked heavenly miracles to support his position, causing a carob tree to move, a pool of water to backtrack, and a wall to lean. Finally a heavenly voice explicitly supported R. Eliezer’s position. Yet R. Yehoshua got up and pronounced: "It is not in the heaven!" The gemara explains that once the Torah was given at Sinai, we no longer rule based on heavenly voices. According to this understanding of the pasuk, we no longer follow heavenly voices or even prophecy in deciding halachic disputes, which are determined by the standing rules of determining halacha. We also learn that a navi does not have the authority to alter (in a permanent manner) one iota of the Torah as given to Moshe.

One can suggest another explanation of the phrase in question. The Torah was not meant to stay in the heaven, to be followed by those removed from normal, earthly existence. It was given to human beings who live "in this world." The Torah does not demand people to act in an unnatural manner, to live as ascetics or in isolation, just to sanctify themselves within this world. The Ralbag (on Mishlei 3:17) writes powerfully on the thesis that the Torah is designed to make one’s life pleasant and bring health to both body and soul. Indeed the Torah is a Torah of life for those who live on the face of the earth, not in the heaven.

Rosh Hashanah

Another Look at Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot

Rabbi Yosef Carmel, Rosh Kollel Eretz Chemda

Much of the focus of the day of Rosh Hashana, both in terms of time and energy, is on tefilla. At the center of the tefillot is Musaf, and at the heart of Musaf there are three very unique berachot: Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot. What are the main themes of these three berachot and how do they find expression in the activities of the day?

Malchuyot is a vehicle to reconfirm the coronation of Hashem as King of the Universe, on this day that commemorates the beginning of the world’s existence. We invoke the concept of kingdom, the most grand and powerful position in human hierarchy, in order to try to capture something of the awe-inspiring nature of Hashem. Of course, the metaphor can take us only so far, as Hashem’s grandeur and omnipotence cannot be fully described in human terms or grasped by the human mind.

After reaching some type of picture of Hashem’s greatness, we are hit with the question: could Someone so great be interested by and involved in the lives of lowly humans? Through the p’sukim in Zichronot, we are reminded that Hashem was and will continue to be involved in the course of human history. He recalled and acted mercifully with Noach in the ark and with Bnei Yisrael in the depths of their servitude in Egypt and remembers for our benefit our belief in Him as we ventured out to the wilderness.

Other questions still linger on. He exists and leads us through history. But isn’t He too distanced to communicate with? To deal with this question, we are introduced to an ancient yet contemporary form of communication, the precursor l’havdil to the dots and dashes of Morse Code, which far surpasses even the codes of modern computers in its power. That is described in Shofarot. Hashem has used the shofar to communicate with us at Har Sinai and He has instructed us to use it communicate with Him. The sound of the shofar contains our emotions, in sounds that are more profound and versatile than words could ever be.

It is interesting that each of the three elements is the center of a different part of the day’s religious activities. Malchuyot is the center of our tefillot, taking over the main beracha of the day ("melech ...mekadesh ...v’yom hazikaron") and appearing prominently in many of our piyutim. Zichronot is highlighted in the Torah reading, where we read of Hashem’s remembering Sarah and the akeidat Yitzchak, two of the main themes of that beracha. Of course, Shofarot is carried out in the main, active Torah mitzva and the only motif of the day that the Torah mentions explicitly, the blowing of the shofar (Bamidbar 29:1). Thus, the three pillars of our spiritual existence, our tefilla ("service of the heart"), Torah study, and our performance of mitzvot, are all utilized to give proper expression to the concepts of the day.

News & Events

Elul Book Sale – LAST FEW DAYS – DON'T MISS IT!

Until 28 September – Beit Meir, 54 King George St, Jerusalem (next to Great Synagogue); Sun-Thurs 9am-5pm. Up to 70% off! Includes books in Hebrew and English. For a list of books, please email daniel@worldmizrachi.org or call +972 (0)2 620 9004. Extra 10% off orders over 300 shekel or $100.

World Mizrachi Heritage Tour #8 – India

Program, prices and registration OUT NOW! Mumbai – Rajastan – Agra – Delhi; 9-19 February 2009. To receive an information pack, email daniel@worldmizrachi.org or visit our website - www.mizrachi.org

Israelat 60 Greeting Cards

World Mizrachi are proud to offer 6 blank greeting cards on the occasion of Israel at 60 to send to others to increase the awareness of this monumental occasion. To order sets email mizrachi@worldmizrachi.org

Personals

NEW – due to popular demand and to allow World Mizrachi to be a truly global on-line community we are launching our Personals notices – please advise us of all good news and sad news that you care to share with others, else we cannot post it – email mizrachi@worldmizrachi.org .

Mazaltov!– World Mizrachi wishes a hearty Mazaltov to Director-General Solly Sacks and his wife Gita on the birth of a grandson, a son to Tamir and Shifra Sacks.

Refuah Sheleimah– World Mizrachi wishes a Refuah Sheleimah to Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Shalita, Mordechai Tzemach Ben Mazal Tov (Former Chief Rabbi of Israel.)

Sefer Torah Dedication

World Mizrachi is writing a Sefer Torah to honor its long-time World Chairman Mr. Kurt Rothschild, who has dedicated his life to Eretz Yisrael, Am Yisrael & Torat Yisrael. We invite you to join us in this endeavor. Full details available at: www.mizrachi.org

Book of the Month

From the Book of the Month club – proudly brought to you by World Mizrachi & Urim Publications:

For the Love of Israel and the Jewish People: Essays and Studies on Israel, Jews and Judaism: http://www.urimpublications.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=UP&Product_Code=LoveOfIsrael&Category_Code=aaa

Covenantal Imperatives: Essays by Walter S Wurzburger on Jewish Law, Thought and Community:

http://www.urimpublications.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=UP&Product_Code=Covenantal&Category_Code=aaa

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