Rabbi Zushya on Moshe's Transgression
5779
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To Rabbi Zushya, an early Hasidic master who left behind no writings but many stories, belong two of the most darkly encouraging statements about human purpose: to him is attributed the saying, “Each person should have a coat with two pockets—one pocket with a note on which it’s written, ‘I am but dust and ashes,’ and the other pocket with a note on which it’s written, ‘For my sake the world was created.’” Rabbi Zushya is also credited with exclaiming, tearfully, “When I am judged for the World-to-Come, I won’t be asked why I wasn’t more like Moshe, but why I w
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What Did Korah Do Wrong?
5779
I have often felt that Korah was punished unfairly. In fact, the story of Korah reminds me of the cowboy stories I saw on television when I was growing up in the 1950s (you do not have to do the math: I am 76!). The good guys all had white hats, and the bad guys all had black hats. There were no grays: people were either good or bad, and you did not even have to guess who was which. That made for a very clear picture, along with the security of knowing who was right and who was wrong. Moreover, the good guys always won in the end, so justice always prevailed.
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Chant for Healing
5779
This week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotecha calls our attention to many themes and ideas from the period of the Israelites’ wandering through the desert. Amidst the complex and detailed narrative is one short passage has captured my attention this year:
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Have You Seen My Alps?
5779
A story is told of Rabbi Sampson Raphael Hirsch (Germany, 1808-1888), the intellectual giant behind the founding of contemporary Orthodox Judaism: It is said that late in his life, the old rabbi surprised his students by scheduling himself a long trip to Switzerland. When they inquired about why he insisted on making such a journey, he replied:
“Soon, I will stand before the Almighty. I will be held answerable to many questions. But, what will I say when I am asked, ‘Shimson, my son, it is true you did many mitzvot, but did you also remember to see My Alps?”
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