Karmiel

Karmiel
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Friday, November 11, 2022

Vote For...- Parshat Vayeira 2022 5783

 

Insights and Inspiration

from the

Holy Land

from

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

November 11th 2022 -Volume 12 Issue 4 17th of Cheshvan 5783

 

Parshat Vayeira

Vote for…

 

I hate politics. I like politics. I hate liking politics. I like hating liking politics...For those of you living in a cave you may have not noticed Election season is at its peak. In Israel I can tell you that even in caves that I have visited there will be political graffiti on the wall. “The nation is with Bibi” “Kahana Chai!” “There is a future with Atid” “Gimmel, the party of the Rabbis”.

 

I first got interested in politics when my parents used to force us to watch the evening news at dinner each evening and I realized that the more I engaged them in a conversation about politics and world events the less chance they would remember to ask me about the test I took in class or the homework I never completed. Later on, my interest grew and developed as I started working on college campus and realized that I had a choice to make- it was either going to be connecting with my college students, who assumed I was this closeted Orthodox Rabbi, over college football conversation or politics. Frankly, the thought of having to talk about 7-foot-tall angry madmen killing themselves over a ball as they ran around a field jumping all over one another made me want to lay down flat on that field. So instead once again I pursued and engaged in many deep and earthshattering political discussions. So I guess you can see like every good politician I got into politics for my own self-interests. No homework. No football. If only our politicians would be so honest.

 

The truth is I hate politics. I am cynical by nature, especially when it comes to politics and I get annoyed hearing the lies, the bad-mouthing, and the innocent and naïve passion that many people talk about a particular party or candidate with. As if voting for this person or party will dramatically alter the universe bringing either world peace, love and harmony and social security benefits, while the other will bring World War III, the collapse of the financial world as we know it and extend the ban on fountain soda soft drinks to the entire planet. I found it ironic that after one candidate after another never turned out what they promised they would be or do and election after election proves that, people are still buying and drinking the Kool-Aid that we have anyone to rely upon and that’s worth spending a bit of energy on besides Avinu She’bashamayim- our Father in heaven.

 

At the same time I enjoy the fact that people are actually engaged in conversation that has to do with the well being of the world. Election time is when we try to figure out how we can improve tomorrow. It’s a time when we can examine where we are and what we have succeeded and failed in accomplishing. Years of Yeshiva and Talmudic training has taught me the significance of the “conversation” and brainstorming that comes when two opposing views are forced to match up against one another. Politics has the ability to do that, and I enjoy the discussions that challenge my pre-conceived notions and perhaps give me an appreciation of a new way of thinking.

 

Sadly though politics, promises and ideas rarely lead up to the utopia that they promise. The great politicians change (or reveal their true colors) once they get into office and the same old realities of a world that is moving on its own pace, in its own direction, in my opinion down...down...down still lack the leadership that can bring it all together. So I hate liking it because of that disappointment. Yet, at the end of the day it turns me once again to that source of true direction-up above in my prayers- each day.

 

“Return our judges (leaders) as it once was and those that guide us as it was in the beginning and remove from us the grief and misery. And rule over us You alone with kindness, mercy and justice”.

 

And once again I appreciate that Hashem gives us this election day once again so that we may like hating liking it and long for His true leadership.

 

Yet, it is election time and in honor of that I will share with you two fascinating insights from this week’s Torah portion, that address an incredible question I heard this year about two people who have a political agenda. One fails. One succeeds. Who would you vote for?

 

The Torah tells us this week about Hashem’s most major global decision since the Tower of Babel and the flood. He decides to declare his war on evil, particularly the anti-chesed, licentious city if Sodom and it’s 4 boroughs Amora, Adma, Tzvoim and Tzoar (not that there’s anything wrong with living in a city with 5 boroughsL). Avraham, being the religious spiritual leader of the not-so-free world is brought in on the discussion to overturn these cities and he begins his political wrangling with Hashem. Maybe there are 50 righteous people? 45? It won’t play good in the press if you kill innocent and wicked together. Collateral damage is political deicide. Maybe 30? How’s about 20? 10? Avraham, realizes that this conversation was pretty much not going anywhere and Hashem had pretty much set his mind up and if there were no righteous it really was a lost cause so he goes on home. The divine plan is then set in motion.

 

But then salvation comes from a seemingly unlikely figure; none other than our good friend Lot. Yes, Lot, who left Avraham to seek out his fortune in this wicked of all cities. Lot, who was willing to let the mob take and defile his daughters rather than lose his reputation. (Lot, who is incidentally revered in Christian and Muslim tradition- you can understand why there might be theological problems with these faiths.). Yes, Lot upon fleeing the city turns to Hashem and asks him to save the city of Tzoar

 

“I’m sacred to run to the mountain- this city is close, it’s smaller, save it so I may live”

 

A very heartfelt plea, don’t you think? But what do we know? Sure enough, Hashem responds

 

“I have found favour for this thing as well for you. I will not turn over the city as you said.”

 

Pretty amazing! Avraham, the beloved of Hashem, father of many nations for whom it says Hashem created the entire world in his merit as he ended 2000 years of spiritual darkness can’t save the city. But Lot almost on an aside conversation as he barely gets away by the skin of his own teeth and as the Torah tells us only in the merit of Avraham is able to pull the salvation of this city out of his hat. As we say in Yeshiva... What’s Pshat?

 

The answer, Rabbi Noach Weinberg says, can be understood in two ways. One, Avraham was looking for Tzadikim. Lot on the other hand didn’t even bother trying to find Tzadikim he said it’s Mitz’ar- meaning smaller or younger- meaning its sins aren’t as bad; they’re not as wicked. That is the merit that worked. Reb Noach takes from that message that perhaps sometimes it behooves us to not always look at the world as who is righteous or not. Hashem judges at times and will give merit to the -"at least they’re not as bad as the other guys" group as well.

 

It’s a view to keep in mind when we approach our political debates in not over-exaggerating the rhetoric about the terrible opposing candidates maybe. No one is a Nazi or a murdering terrorist. Defining the level of evil and perhaps even finding some untapped potential for righteousness in that might be significant as well. On a more religious level as well the message is that no one should ever feel that someone is beyond saving or reaching out to. If Tzoar could be saved without any righteous people than there is certainly no Jew out there that we should feel is beyond us trying to connect with and sharing our special heritage with.

 

The other lesson that he suggests is that we may approach the difference between Avraham and Lot in that for Avraham it was a matter of global concern. As the Father of the nations and the person responsible for bringing the knowledge of Hashem and his ways to the world, the city of Tzoar had to make sense to fit into that plan. Frankly they fell very short. And as much as he personally might have wanted to save them, perhaps he foresaw that without the righteous people in the city to help them and guide them they would just get themselves in more trouble. Lot on the other hand was the ultimate politician. He wanted to save Tzo’ar for one reason. He needed to a place to live and he was scared for his life; Your typical self-interest one issue voter.

 

When you have your life on the line and turn to Hashem with the most heartfelt prayer ever- “Help me- save this city I have nowhere else to turn” than even when the scales of justice are entirely turned against you. Even when the decree has been finalized. The power of that one heartfelt prayer to our Father in heaven can change it all. Lot felt his life was invested and connected to the fate of Tzo’ar and his prayer was able to accomplish where Avraham’s was not.

 

Was it a good thing to save Tzo’ar this wicked city? Was Lot right? Discuss. It’s your Shabbos table homework. Would you vote for Avraham or Lot? Well, if you live in a place like those five boroughs that might make a difference. But most importantly how deeply do we feel about the issues that we are talking and debating about in regard to our candidates. Are we wasting our time? If we truly feel that issues such as Israel, the economy, Torah, health care, justice, peace, security and most of all Hashem’s presence on this world are important enough beyond sticking a ballot in a box, are we prepared to do something to make this world a better place? The lesson from Lot is that we can change the world if we feel that are lives are dependent on it. We have so much to offer and so much needs to be done. Instead of “passing the buck” to another unworthy politician, to paraphrase Ronald Reagan- “The buck stops here”; by each and every one of us. I vote for you.

 

Have a spectactular Shabbos,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

 

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YIDDISH PROVERB OF THE WEEK

 

“Vos a ventke far fish iz Chanifeh far melochim..”- What a fishing rod is to fish, flattery is to kings.       

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S COOL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcm-QBDgnWM   - Nissim Blacks latest song “Away from Here!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMBsv3K3QFY – At Shlomo Carlebachs grave yesterday for his yartzeit…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RuAcsThqT4 – A hidden Carlebach song that I’ve never heard Ka’asher Dibarta…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UP8HTelNVY   -  The great Shlomo Yamin U’smol in honor of Shabbos.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t0TGxZABZEThe latest Bardak video.. Love It!!

 

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK

answer below at end of Email

 

16)  The leader that established the significance of Jerusalem as central was _________

His burial place is

A)  The Military prison is in Kiryat Anavim

B)  The great leaders of the Nation section of Mt. Herzl cemetery

C)  In the area of Sdei Boker

D)   On the property of Machon Weizman

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S ERA’S AND THEIR PLACES AND PEOPLE IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK

 

Yehoshafat - 715 BC   As opposed to the sinful and idolatrous kingdom of the North of Israel, the Southern Kingdom of Yehuda and Binyamin had undergone a teshuva movement under the faithful king Asa and it continued on with his sone Yehoshafat. Yehoshafat ruled over the expanded kingdom of Yehuda and Binyamin which went all the  way down to Beer Sheva and even up to the North in the region of the tribe of Ephraim by Shilo and Beit El that had been conquered by his father.  He removed all of the idols and eliminated all of the houses of ill repute that ha plagued the land. The one thing that he was not successful in ridding the country of was that bamos- the private personal altars that people constructed to serve Hashem. I guess the modern-day equivalent would be the post-corona back yard minyanim. As long as the Mishkan was around it was fine to worship Hashem with private altars. But once the Bais Hamikdash was destroyed this was forbidden. We find remains of these bamos today, in Shilo, Tel Dan, in Arad and Tel Beer Sheva as well as many other archaeological sites from this era.

 

With the return of the nation to Hashem an era of prosperity took over. The local arabs and even the Philistines paid tribute to the King and the Jews. Nations from around visited and respected the land of Israel and our sovereignty. When we do what we’re supposed to be doing Hashem brings us blessing. Yet there are always those goyim that want to attack us and against them- when we are doing what we are supposed to do, Hashem brings us salvation as well.

 

In Divrey Hayamim- the Torah’s Book of Chronicles it tells us the story of how the Ammonites and Moabites come up from across Jordan to attack us by Hatzetzon Tamar which is Ein Gedi, by the Dead Sea area. AS well at the same time the Edomites from Mt. Seir had the same plan and came up from their area which is South of the Dead Sea and the mountains above the Arava valley from Eilat and the Gulf of Aqaba up to attack us as well.  Yehoshafat declared a fast for all of Israel and davened until a prophecy came out that there was nothing to fear  this would be the battle of Hashem. We could sit back and watch the show.

 

Sure enough by the midbar of Tekoa down to Maalei Hatzitz the armies of our enemies arrived and converged and believe it or not they all started fighting and killing each other. That ascent would be the mountains above Ein Gedi that lead to the Gush. For those status followers of mine it wouldn’t be too far from the Arugot Farm today.  By the end of the day all our enemies had wiped each other out. The Jews came there and it took them three days to take all the booty that was left behind. They named the valley Emek Bracha which is south of Jerusalem today. By the Tzomet Hagush there is a great lookout by roof of the mall there on this glorious valley. The rest of Yehoshafat’s rule was peaceful and blessed and we are told he was buried in the city of David where all the Kings of Israel were laid to rest.

 

This concludes the history of the first book of Kings. Next week we begin Melachim Beis! Mazel Tov!!

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S REALLY BAD ISRAELI ELECTION JOKES OF THE WEEK

 

After the results of the Israeli Elections Joe Biden called Bennet to wish him congratulations…

 

In honor of Liebermans party not making it into the Knesset there will be a big Kiddush in Shul with sugar drinks and disposable plates and cups

 

Whoever used to yell at Bibi “Lech!” got instead “Lech Lecha!” and next week they will get Chayei “Sara” (Netanyhau)

 

If you’re sitting on the beach and see Achmed Tibi trying to drown himself over Bibi’s win and you have a choice to save him or eat a sandwich. What type of sandwich would you eat Tuna or pastrami?

 

It’ll be interesting to see which government positions Ben Gvir will give Bibi when the negotiations are over.

 

If you told a Jew a few hundred years ago that a Jew would be able to vote for their own candidate in an election to establish a government in our country, they would find it very hard to believe. If however you told them that we had those elections every few months because the candidates couldn’t’ get along with one another and would constantly topple the government they would then find it much easier to swallow it.

 

We really have to do something about the relationship between the government and it’s criminals and prisoners. It just doesn’t seem fair that there are only 120 seats in the Knesset for them to receive an office and position.

 

When I vote tomorrow do you think I need to bring my Teudat Zehut or will the remember it from last time?

 

It’s funny after Bibi won half the country said that they are now planning on leaving the country. You see, in one day he solved the housing crisis.

 

We ask you please don’t reveal the results of the election to the Meretz party. Their families have not yet been informed…

 

So an Ashkenazi man dies and comes up to heaven and as he enters Gan Eden he sees that the entire garden is filled with smells of Matbucha and kibbeh and he realizes that he is entirely surrounded by Sefardim. When he asks the angel why there are only Sefardim here, the angel explained that they were all Shas voters and Maran had promised them Olam Habah if they vote for his party.

“But then why are there some Ashkenazim, sitting there in the corner” he asked. “Oh those” the angel said “They were part of the heskem odafim (the extra votes agreement”) that Shas had with Gimmel.

 

I think the last two years I spent more time in the public school auditorium where the voting booths were than in my daughters’ school…

 

The way things work after the elections. The new mayor of the city decided that it was time to fulfill his election promise to build a new bridge for the city. He went to the local Arab contractor, Achmed, and asked for a quote and was told it would cost 120 million shekel. When asked what the breakdown Achmed  explained-“40 million for material, 40 million for workers and 40 million profit”

He then went to the Boris the Russian contractor and asked him how much it would cost and he was told it would be 240 million shekel. When asked to explain Boris said that it was “80 million for material, 80 million for workers and 80 million profit”

Finally, to make it fair he went over to the Jewish contractor and was quite shocked when they guy told him that it would be 400 million shekel. By far this was the most expensive quote. When asked to explain Dudu said “It’s very simple. 140 million for you, 140 million for me and 120 million to the Achmed the Arab that will do the work for us.” Needless to say he got the contract…

 

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Answer is C  This one was is really a no brainer. Perhaps one of the greatest achievements and yes, even zechusim that David Ben Gurion has was that against much opposition and even practical and strategic thinking he demanded and fought for Yerushalayim to be the capital of Israel and he sent tremendous forces to fight for it in the War of Independence. He could’ve easily given up on it, he would’ve much easier been able to negotiate a Jewish state with the world if he established the capital in Tel Aviv and allowed the Arabs to keep Yerushalayim which they had a much stronger and larger presence then we did. But he understood that without Yerushalayim, we have no heart and no soul. Ben Gurion was a complicated man certainly religiously. But there is no question that he had his heart and soul dedicated to his perception of the future of the Jewish people. After his retirement from his Prime Ministership, he returned to his kibbutz Sdei boker in the Negev where he worked the fields like a simple kibbutznik and corresponded with Jewish children responding to letters that were sent to him. And thus the score now is until now as of last week Schwartz 14 and 3  for MOT (Ministry of Tourism) on this exam.

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