Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"
December
5th 2014 -Volume
5, Issue 7 -13th of Kislev 5775
Parshat Vayishlach
Bernie, Baruch, Shimon and Levi
Those
of you out there my age or older might remember Bernie. It was 30 years ago
this Chanukah when Bernie, a nice young Jewish boy (his mother was Jewish
although she converted and became a Lutheran when she married his father), took
a ride on the crime-ridden subways of New York of the 80's. Having been
accosted by three black teens before (that's what they were called back then),
of which two of them escaped and the third which he helped catch ended up
getting a slap on the wrist and spending less time in the police station than
Bernie did, he decided to get himself a gun. So there he was on the subway when
whadaya know four young teens accost him and ask him for money in that friendly
New-York-subway-at-night type of way as they were armed with
screwdrivers. Who knows what else they could have been carrying.
screwdrivers. Who knows what else they could have been carrying.
Bernie, who was a pretty
geeky-looking guy, glasses and all and funny haircut, decided enough was
enough. He yanked out his gun and pow- pow- pow- pow, four scary black guys on
the ground, not so threatening anymore. Bernie, after checking to make sure no
one else was harmed on the train fled the scene and eventually turned himself
in. He was acquitted on charges of assault and attempted murder by a mostly
white jury, of which six had admitted to being victims of crime in New York; it
seems that it was difficult to find jury members that weren't. He did serve
some time for illegally carrying an illegal weapon, about 8 months or so. And
in the 90's he lost a civil suit to the number of 43 million dollars (the
African American, by then adult, who was paralyzed by the shots had gotten
himself some good Jewish legal representation). But after declaring bankruptcy,
still hasn't paid a nickle.
The other three teens were all arrested
subsequently for other crimes. Canty was arrested multiple times for assault,
robbery and resisting arrest as well as spending time in drug rehab although he
never did time. Allen was arrested twice for robbery and after serving three
years was released in 1995. And best of all, Ramseur was arrested for the
"assault" of a pregnant 18 year old girl, for which he served 25
years in jail. He was released in 2010, although fascinatingly enough, he was
found dead in a hotel room of an overdose the following year 27 years to the
day after the subway assault. Hashem works in wonderful mysterious ways.
Bernie
Goetz the quiet nerdy engineer, who now incidentally runs a squirrel rescue in
the city and advocates for legalization of marijuana, was the headline king of
that year in New York; The Subway vigilante. Many attribute that he was the
beginning of the tide changing in New York and the eventual Giuliani era that
cleaned up the city. For us yeshiva students back there who had gotten beaten
up and mugged a few times he was our hero. The man that would do what the cops
wouldn't or couldn't. protect our city.
I'm
not a yeshiva student anymore. But I think of Bernie more and more since moving
here to Israel. Not that I'm thinking of taking justice into my own hands or
anything…don't worry. I've been to hundreds of shooting ranges here with
tourists and have yet to even pick up a gun. But the truth is after all of the
terror attacks going on here from these animals on the street, I wouldn't mind
having Bernie sitting next to me on the light rail in Jerusalem, or shopping
next to me in the supermarket, or in shul davening next to me…I didn't think I
would ever have to say that last one…
I also think about Baruch Goldstien, the Jewish
'vigilante' who massacred 29 Arabs on Purim in Chevron in 1994 while they were
in middle of their prayers. I remember the horror of most Jews at what was
perhaps one of the only times in our recent history where a Jew took matters
into his own hands. Yes, they said he perhaps went a bit mad after being an
emergency medical doctor that daily had to face the constant stream of terror
victims that he personally treated. But Jews don't do that type of thing. We don't
take lives of innocent people or even people that may be guilty by association.
Gosh we don't even take the lives of terrorists that have Jewish blood on their
hands. I don't remember one Rabbi, that was worth anything at the time that
didn't condemn the act. It's just not the way we were raised. But yet, maybe,
just maybe if there were a few vigilantes amongst us our enemies might think
twice about stabbing or running over innocent people or shooting missiles at
our schools, hospitals and shuls. Maybe if more people carried weapons and
would shoot to kill anyone that pulled a knife, threw a stone at their car, or
even threatened their safety, maybe then our enemies would think twice before
carrying out their horrific attacks. On the other hand we are surrounded all
over the place by soldiers and police carrying guns and it still keeps coming.
What's the right thing to do? The Jewish thing to do?
I
spoke this past week with a soldier who is part of a counter-terrorism unit who
told me that he remembers the day that when an Israeli soldier got on the bus
an Arab would get up and give him his seat. He remembers that when a group of
Jews were walking down the block the Arabs would cross the street when they saw
them coming. He felt safe then. I don't want this to be a country where either
Jew or Arab has to feel fear or cross streets because of intimidation. I don't
think any Jew really does. But I think most would rather that vision of
Israel than of us having to cross the streets and be frightened to go shopping,
to shul, on a train or to visit some of our holiest sites. It has always amazed
me that the one place in Israel where there is no freedom of religion to pray
is on the Temple Mount. Not that I feel we should go there, many Rabbis feel it
is better not to as we are in a state of impurity. But it is illegal for a Jew
to pray there. He can visit but God forbid should he talk to God there… A law
against Jewish prayer to the one true God in the Jewish state of Israel…you
tell me is something wrong with that picture. Would a vigilante change that? Would
a few vigilante acts only seek to incite more? Is vigilantism Jewish? Looking
in the Torah portion for answers certainly is so let's start with this week's
portion.
This
week's portion shares with us the horrific story of Dina, which the Torah goes
out of its way to describe as the daughter of Leah that was born to Yaakov who
was kidnapped and assaulted by Shechem, who the Torah goes out of its way to
tell us was the son of Chamor the Hivite the prince of the land. Clearly the
Torah wants us to know that this was not just a mere reckless teenager abusing
some poor peasant girl but an affront of the highest level to the core of the
Jewish people. What would your response be? What would the Israeli armies be?
Should we be proportionate? Would we ask the UN to intercede? Should we
negotiate some type of settlement? Sadly this is not just an ancient question
but one that has plagued and challenged us through all our history. The Torah
however shares with us the two approaches. The one of Yaakov which seems to be
the more rational and level-headed one, which initially the Torah tells us
begins with his silence and after with his meeting with the perpetrators to
come to some resolution. The second approach is the outrage as expressed by the
children of Yaakov, who the Torah repeatedly describes as being the children
of Yaakov but as well the brothers of Dina. Their outrage leads to
the shrewd military response when after the meeting, which seemingly Yaakov was
in attendance; a "peaceful resolution" was achieved. The agreement
was that the city of Shechem would circumcise themselves and begin to engage in
meaningful commerce and perhaps even restitution that would from here on
guarantee peaceful relations between the two nations. Shimon and Levi using the
post-circumcision weakness, sneak into the city and pretty much
"Rambo" the entire place killing
all the males and taking all women and children captive. Bada Boom bada bing.
all the males and taking all women and children captive. Bada Boom bada bing.
Who
was right? Were negotiations the right way to go or vigilantism? The Torah
doesn't tell us. It shares with us the post massacre conversation that seems to
define the viewpoints of both sides. Yaakov is upset and "condemns"
this act of violence on practical terms. The world will hate us and will avenge
against us and we are a small people and family. According to Nachmanides and
other commentaries Yaakov sincerely felt that it was possible to come to some
resolution and perhaps even to draw these "animals" into some form of
civilized life perhaps even the fact that they were willing to circumcise themselves
was proof of their commitment and possible outreach potential.
Shimon and Levi who seem to have the final
word in the Torah respond unequivocally to Yaakov though with four piercing
words "shall our sister become a harlot?" This glaring condemnation
can be understood many ways. According to Maimonides they felt that the entire
city was culpable for the death penalty for not taking their biblically
mandated stand to establish a court system that prosecutes such evils.
According to Nachmanides they city was a wicked city deserving of death however
the brothers acted out of a vengeful act and it was not their place to do so.
Perhaps as some suggest and Yaakov implies it wasn't the time or the political
climate to do this act. Yet the words of the brothers still resonate. Is our
sister's honor meant to be put up on the table of political corrected-ness as a
harlot being 'sold' to make the world happy? As the ancient Midrashic
translator Yonatan Ben Uziel puts it best.
"Shall generations to come of Jews read each
year in their synagogues that gentiles took our daughter and defiled her? Isn't
it better for them to read how gentiles and idolaters were killed for the honor
of the daughter of Yaakov"
The
Torah doesn't tell us who was right in this argument. On his deathbed though
Yaakov curses the wrath of Shimon and Levi and he takes measures that somehow
reflect what even he feels to be the proper path which is that these two tribes
should be split up amongst the Jewish people not having one large portion of
land. The tribe of Levi would be the wandering spiritual priests of the Jewish people
and the tribe of Shimon would be teachers and scribes. In the words of the Netziv
of Volozhin in the early 19th century, throughout our history we
require zealots and vigilantes like this, however very few of them and
certainly not all in one place.
It's interesting that the tribe of Shimon
later on had a child, Zimri, who later on in Bamidbar is killed by
Pinchas a descendant of Levi, for taking a non-Jewish woman (who is refered to as their "sister")
in front of 'his brothers". Perhaps the zealousness of Shimon came back to
haunt the family. Levi, on the other hand's zealousness is praised later on as
the tribe that stands up for Hashem after the Golden Calf debacle and kills
their own siblings for desecrating Hashem's name. In fact as we approach the
holiday of Chanukah, the entire story is truly a story about how vigilantes
called the Hashmonaim or Maccabees stood and did battle not only against the
Greeks but against their own brothers who had become Hellenized and pacifiers
of the Greeks.; certainly going against world opinion and political
corrected-ness at that time. After all, so they want to worship idols on the
temple mount, why make a fuss? Ironically, or perhaps sardonically enough,
though the children of those same zealots from the tribe of Levi eventually
themselves became Hellenists again very shortly afterwards and even invited in
the UN of the time, Rome to settle their differences eventually leading to the
destruction of the Temple. Hmmm…
This
is supposed to be an E-Mail with insights and inspiration. Yet I am feeling
somewhat uninspired. It seems hopeless. It's an old Jewish battle and argument
and neither way seems to end with any light or direction. But perhaps that is
the way we are meant to feel. The next portion in the Torah immediately after
the story of Shechem is the command and revelation that Yaakov receives from
Hashem to return to Beit El, to build that altar that he had promised to build
so long ago. To begin the process of the return of the Jewish people to our
worship, to our home, to build the house of Hashem that will serve as a light
to all of the nations. Maybe that's the answer. Maybe that's the solution. It
is certainly the only thing we can hope for.
Have
an absolutely magnificient Shabbos,
Rabbi
Ephraim Schwartz
**********************************
RABBI
SCHWARTZ'S FUNNY VIGILANTE YOUTUBE
CLIP OF THE WEEK
Hate
those people that block the crosswalk…?
my
old stomping ground of west seattle cool!
and of course the best line ever…dirty harry
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S FAVORITE QUOTES "BEFORE KILLING SOMEONE IN A
MOVIE" OF THE WEEK
(Let's see who can name where they're from..i just pulled them off
the internet of course JJ)
1)
“When your life flashes before your eyes as
you die, see if you can spot the bad decision that led you to me."
2)
"Fortunately for you I never kill anyone
who doesn't request it. Unfortunately for you I'm going to strike you
with this hammer until you do."
3)
"What did you have for breakfast this
morning?" *pause
for reply* "Not much of a last meal."
4)
"My friends here have a wager on whether
your body will fall forwards or backwards when you die." *draws a long
blade* "I've got a large bet on 'both'."
5)
"Maybe in your next life you will be
luckier"
6)
"Ever notice how you come across somebody
once in a while you shouldn’t have messed with? That’s me"
7)
"Forgiveness is between them and God. It’s
my job to arrange the meeting"
8)
"Sounds like you’ve had a hard life. Good
thing it’s over."
9)
"Say hello to my little friend (As he pulls
out a M-16)"
And last but not least
the classic
"I know what you’re
thinking. “Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in
all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44
Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean
off, you’ve got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk? "— Dirty
Harry
**********************
RABBI
SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF THE WEEK
(answer below at end of Email)
Q. Which of the following is related to the
Monument of the Fourteen (yad leyad)?
A. The Yehi’am Convoy
B. The Helicopter Disaster
C. The Night of the Bridges
D. The Mountain Brigade
*********************
*********************
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S
COOL MIDRASH OF THE WEEK
This week we are told about the passing of Rachel
and her burial on the side of the road by Beit Lechem.
In his explanation to his son Yosef the Midrash tells us that Yaakov
explained that in the future when the Jews will be exiled by the Babylonian
King Nevuchadnezzar they will pass by Rachel's tomb and she will entreat Hashem
for mercy for her children and Hashem will answer her prayer.
The following is Rachel's prayer as brought in the
Medrash
"Master of the Universe, it is well-known
to you that Your servant Yaakov loved me and served my father seven years on my
behalf. At the end of the seven years, when the time of the marriage arrived,
my father decided to give him my sister instead of me. I knew it but found
myself in a very difficult situation. I sent my future husband a message
revealing to him certain signs by which he would be able to distinguish between
me and my sister. My father's plan would then have failed. But later I changed
my mind because I had pity on my sister who would be exposed to public shame. When
my sister was dressed for the wedding I revealed to her the secret signs which
I had sent to Yaakov , and even hid myself in the couples room and answered
Yaakov's questions so that he would not
discover the deceit by her voice.
I am only human. Nevertheless, I was not jealous
of her and did not expose her to disgrace. You are the Eternal Living God; why
should You be jealous of meaningless idols and allow Your sons as a result to
be exiled, slain by the sword, and abused by the enemy?"
Rachel's prayer evoked Hashem's mercy and He
answered her (Jeremiah 31:15-16) "Keep your voice from weeping and your
eyes from tears, for your good deeds shall be rewarded, says Hashem, shall
return again from the land of their enemy!"
Can't argue with a Jewish mother…
********************
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL THINGS TO DO IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK
Taste some delicious wine – San Fernando valley or the
French hillsides have nothing on our country. Israel is packed with award
winning wineries all over the country. In fact I've seen so many wine awards in
the various wineries that I have visited that I have kind of lost faith in the
meaning of the award. I almost believe it is like the best ______in camp award
that they come up with something to give every camper at the end of the summer.
But the truth is these are all internationally acclaimed awards. The Golan, The
Upper and lower Galile, the Jerusalem and Hebron hills, the Carmel mountain
range anywhere you can think of there is a winery worth visiting and tasting.
Many of them have fees for full tours of their winery which includes tastings but many of the smaller boutiquey ones will be happy to
have you visit them and have you taste some of their wines. Anywhere else you
drink wine you can enjoy it but it is only on Israeli made wine that you make a
special after blessing that thanks Hashem for the land of Israel and its
fruit of the vine! L'Chaim!
******************
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S JOKES OF THE WEEK
"My
therapist says I have a preoccupation with vengeance. We'll see about
that."
***************
" The
Secretary of State is giving the president his daily briefing. He concludes by
saying, "Yesterday 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed." "OH
NO!" the
President exclaims. "That's terrible!" His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands. Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a Brazilian?"
President exclaims. "That's terrible!" His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands. Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a Brazilian?"
************
*************************************************************
Answer
is C: There are no shortages of monuments in Israel sadly enough for all
of our fallen soldiers and tragedies that took place over the 66 years of our
countries nationhood. The fallen 14 soldier's monument is located here in the
North by Nachal Achziv and it relates to the "night of the Bridges"
in June of 1946 when in response to the British White Papers that limited Jewish
immigration to the Holy Land all three Jewish military forces, The Hagana,
Irgun and Lehi, coordinated attacks on British bridges that entered Israel from
Jordan, Lebanon Syria And Gaza 11 in total and blew them up, sending the
message that if we can't come into Israel neither will you be able to. In all
the places it went off without a hitch except for here where they were detected
and came under fire 13 soldiers were killed when the bomb went off early and
were incinerated the 14th Yechiam Weiss (for whom the village of
Yechiam nearby is named after and thus the trick in the question) was killed in
the bullet fire. Their remains were all brought here although unidentified and
were buried in one large Kever Achim "brother's grave.
