Words From Rabbi White

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?

We are now in the midst of the “three weeks,” leading up to the saddest day in the year, 9^th of Av. In these three weeks, we read special haftarot, not directly connected to the weekly parasha.

An incident that happened many years ago comes to mind. As some of you may know, my first permanent position was teaching Hebrew and Jewish Studies at the State University of NY, in upstate New York. I was inexperienced, and to my knowledge the youngest person on the entire faculty. At the beginning of the second semester, a young woman enters my office, visibly upset. “Why did I receive only a B- on my report card?” she stridently asked. I tried to explain how my grading system was most fair, but she had no interest in listening. She threatened to report me to the Dean, complaining about my “unfair”marking system. I told her that she had a right to do so, but I know that the Dean will support me.

I remember later that day discussing the incident with a senior colleague. I told him that the incident particularly bothered me, because I had previously helped this student overcome a serious problem. In my naïve mind, I couldn’t understand how she could now complain about a fairly earned B-. My colleague responded: “Menachem, remember the first rule in life: it’s not what you have done for me, but what have you done for me lately?”

Why do I mention that incident? This week, we read the special haftarah from Jeremiah, chapter 2.  The Prophet expresses his anger at all of his 7^th century BCE Israelite society: the priests, the teachers, the shepherds [i.e. the political leaders,] the spiritual leaders [i.e. the false prophets,] as well as the whole “house of Israel.” The people have forsaken their Israelite traditions, in order to “drink the waters” of the mighty Assyrian and Egyptian powers.

The above-mentioned haftarah is from Chapter 2 of Jeremiah. At the beginning of the haftarah, the Prophet decries how the people seem to have forgotten how HaShem took us out of Egypt, led us through the desert, and brought us to the wonderful Land of Israel, to “partake of its fruits and it goodness.” In other words, they have forgotten all of the good, and are asking “what have You, HaShem, done for me lately.” So, that’s why the haftarah reminded me of that incident.

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We conclude this week Sefer BaMidbar, reading the double parashiyot of Matot and Mas`ei.

This Shabbat is Shabbat mevorchim. Rosh Hodesh of Menachem Av is “yom shelishi.” So, starting Monday night, we do not eat meat or drink wine, except for Shabbat (or at a se`udat mitsvah, such as a berit, or a sick person whose doctor insists that s/he must eat meat.) The molad is early Monday morning, 53 minutes and 11 halaqim after 1. The prevalent custom in Ashkenaz shuls is to bless the month as “Menachem Av,” but this is not universally accepted.

Whatever the terminology, we all pray that the mourners who have lost family or friends in the current war should be comforted, and that there should be peace in the Land of Israel.

Shabbat shalom, Hodesh tov, Rabbi Menahem White