Words From Rabbi White

Dear Chevra Shaas/Shearith Israel

This Sunday, September 15, at 4:00 PM, is the unveiling for our friend Malcolm Moscovitch a”h.

It is at De la Savane, section Shomrim LaBoker (towards the rear of the cemetery.)

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On Sunday, 12 Elul, Mr. Leonard Mintz observes yahrzeit for his father Moe.The neshama should have `aliyah.

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I am writing this on September 11, the day that commemorates that horrible destruction of the twin towers. Many people in NY and NJ have relatives who lost their lives at that time, and many are still suffering from toxins that were ingested then.

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This past Sunday evening, my daughter and I went to hear a speaker, Arielle Ruback, from Efrat, Israel, who was speaking on behalf of an organization that is raising funds for the “widows of warriors,” that is, widows of soldiers who were killed defending the Land. Arielle served as a “tatspanit” [just like our own Malka Miriam Vann,] women who were stationed at the Gaza border. She stressed how these soldiers, many of whom were her friends, were not professional mercenaries, but just nice, regular kids, like “the boy next door,” or young reservists who left a wife and small children. We are losing the “best and brightest” of the next generation. May HaShem watch over us! [Sadly, these young women had reported suspicious activity to their superiors before October 7, but had not been taken seriously.]

As a reflection of the times we are in, the ad for that event did not give the locale. We were told that if we wish to attend, we should call a certain phone number and register. About an hour before the event, we received a phone call as to the locale. The reason for this secrecy, of course, was the concern that there might be a protest demonstration outside the venue, or even worse. When we finally arrived at the sponsoring synagogue, there was heavy police protection. BH, everything went well.

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Kol Hakavod to the Montreal community for the impressive March that was held last week. I read about it in the Israeli press, as well as the Gazette, both of which I receive by internet. 

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This Shabbat, we continue with the 5th of the haftarot of consolation. This week, we read chapter 54 of Isaiah. Jerusalem is compared to an “`aqarah,” that is, a barren woman, as her children are not home.  The Prophet tells this woman to rejoice, and that she should expand her borders, to make room for all those who will be returning. [The phrase that appears in lekha dodi, “yamin u-semol tifrotsi” is taken from here.] HaShem promises us that he will gather us with “rahamim gedolim,” i.e., great mercy. And just as HaShem had promised in the time of Noah, that there would never be a flood to destroy the earth, this time He promises that never again will Jerusalem be destroyed. The haftara concludes “thus said HaShem, your comforter.”

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The parasha begins and ends with a description of war. I guess it means that until the time of Mashiach, this is a constant concern for the residents of Erets Yisrael. By the way, the last three words of the parasha, “and did not fear God,” do they refer to Israel or to Amalek? 

Classical commentators are divided on this point: E.g. referring to Amalek: Rashi, ibn Ezra, Targum Yerushalmi, Rabbeinu Bahya.    Referring to Israel: Mekhilta, Daat Zeqeinim, Hizquni, Or haHayyim.    Referring to both: Sifrei.

Shabbat shalom, Shalom `al Yisrael,

Rabbi Menahem White