Words From Rabbi White

Dear mitpallelim,

A Chasidishe vort:  When I was younger, I usually disliked chasidishe interpretations, as I felt they were too far removed from “Peshat“. However, as I grew older, I realized that they often contain profound ideas and give great meaning to the parasha, despite not being “peshuto shel miqra’.”

Here is a great example from last week’s parasha “Bo:”

Rav Yitschak Meir Alter, who lived in the first half of the 19^th century, was the founder of the Gerrer Chasidim, and recognized as a great Torah scholar. He is remembered by his acronym, the RIM.

Concerning the plague of darkness, the Torah says that it was so dark, no man saw his brother. The RIM commented that the worst darkness is when a person cannot see the pain of his (or her) neighbour. And when indeed he does not feel the pain of his neighbour, well, the verse continues “velo’ qamu ‘ish mitachtav,” meaning the insensitive person himself will not be able to stand up.  So, you see, although that is not the “peshat” of the words, it is a beautiful and important universal idea that is alluded to in the verse.

To give this a contemporary application: since the Gazans (and much of the world) could not see the pain of the Israelis after Oct 7, and rather blamed Israel for genocide, rather than the real villains of Gaza, the Gazans now must pay the price.

We pray for peace in Gaza and in the world.

Tu Bishvat is Thursday. Remember to buy your fruit, as a way of remembering the fruits of the land of Israel. (Especially grapes/or wine, figs, pomegranate, dates, or even shredded wheat!)

Deadline for kiddush levana is Wednesday night (actually Thursday morning) at 12:39 am)

Haftarah is the song of Deborah. Sephardim read Shoftim chapter 5; Ashkenazim read the background also, which is chapter 4.

As Deborah said: “Ken yovedu Kol oyvekha”

And, by the way, congratulation to Donald Trump, who did what no one else could do, namely bring Quebec and ROC together (in their opposition to tariffs.)

Shabbat shalom Rabbi Menahem White