This week we read a double portion in the Torah, which contains the last chapters in the book of Bamidbar, Numbers – the fourth and concluding book of the Torah. "Now," you may say to me, "just you wait a minute! There are five books in the Torah, and you have just stated that this was the end of the fourth. So, how can you say ‘concluding' book?" I would remind you that the last book, Devarim, is called Deuteronomy, the "second telling." It is, in effect, a summary of the events presided upon by our great leader and teacher, the man of God, Moses – Moshe Ben Amram. So what I say is quite so – this week's portion is the "end of the story" of the travels and teaching of the children of Israel in the desert.

The last chapter -- the last ‘word' of Moshe Rabeinu, inspired by God himself. . . One would think that it would contain a summary of what took place, or else it would contain a great truth, a paramount wisdom, the synthesis and distillation -- the very essence of all the insight and discernment God gave to Moshe. Yet, that is not the case.

Instead, we find our brethren, the Children of Israel, raising an issue that, at least on the face of it, seems to be no more than a corollary to an issue that was raised and that had been settled by God Himself earlier in their travels.

It all began with some orphaned women approaching Moshe: "Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying, "Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no sons? Give to us therefore a possession among the brothers of our father." And Moses brought their cause before the Lord." [Num. 27:1-5] The issue was not merely one of some unfortunate women who, having lost their male protector and head of the family, wanted to inherit the portion of their father! In the time of the exodus and the desert travels, women had no rights in the existing patriarchal society. Men ruled, particularly heads of households. Women were bought and sold in what was called ‘marriage,' or as servants or slaves, to be at the mercy of their ‘owner.' Thus we begin to understand that the issue is nothing less than the rights of women and their place in Israelite society! That is why Moshe does not respond of his own wisdom and understanding, but rather asks for Divine guidance. Whatever the answer was going be, he knew, there must never be any doubt about the source and authority of the legislation!

I will remind you that God did reply – and favor the daughters of Zelophehad: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "The daughters of Zelophehad speak right; you shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers; and you shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them. And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter." [Num. 27:6-8] This instruction from God Himself set a standard among the Israelites that established for all times that women are fully equal members of the Israelite society, with rights of property, which by inference means all rights! They had to be given due consideration and protection in a time when most of mankind gave them less regard than was given to a strong mule or fine milk producing cow! Because of this precedence, women obtained a ketubah, marriage contract, and were equal partners, if not indeed the authority, in the conduct of the Israelite household. Even though Israelite society was patriarchal is nature, women shared power in public as well as in the home – as evidenced by the roles of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah – as well as Miriam and Deborah, Hanna, mother of Samuel, and even non Israelite women such as Ya'el, the Kenite, and Ruth, the Moabite.

With the rights of women established, there was an unasked question remaining: were these rights merely a concession to the women, or did they carry with them a corollary obligation? This is a fundamental question, and actually may be seen as one that has never been truly addressed by Torah up to this point. Now, in today's portion we read, "And the chief fathers of the families of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spoke before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the people of Israel; And they said, The Lord commanded my lord to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the people of Israel; and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. And if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the people of Israel, then shall their inheritance be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and shall be given to the inheritance of the tribe where they are received; so shall it be taken from the lot of our inheritance. And when the jubilee of the people of Israel shall be, then shall their inheritance be given to the inheritance of the tribe where they are received; so shall their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers." [Num 36 1:4] What we have here is not merely a question of members of one tribe as to land rights that may be lost for their kin. Indeed – what we have here is a question of obligations that come with right! If the daughters of Zelophehad are "just women" who may choose to marry for love or comfort – then they get more rights than men, since men have a tribal and familial obligation to carry on. If the daughters of Zelophehad are to inherit with the men, do they not have an obligation to carry on tribal and familial obligations as the men do?

Once again, Moshe gives an answer that has been rendered by God, as we read, "And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the Lord, saying, The tribe of the sons of Joseph has said well. This is the thing which the Lord does command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry. So shall not the inheritance of the people of Israel move from tribe to tribe; for every one of the people of Israel shall keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. And every daughter, who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the people of Israel, shall be the wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the people of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers." [Num 36 5:8] This answer marries freedom with responsibility. It allows the daughters of Zelophehad to choose husbands – but it restricts their freedom by their ‘tribal inheritance rules' – which is to say, they must marry within the tribe so as not to compromise the territorial apportioning that was to remain ‘for ever' for the Children of Israel in their tribes by the gift of God.

From this ruling we learn that God has placed on us a benevolent and equanimous Torah that allows all to live protected by God's love and law, and that those who choose to enter into a position of responsibility, leadership, and rights of ownership, must also be bound by the obligations of this responsibility, be they male or female. Women's rights are guaranteed - but freedom exacts a toll, and rights are only one side of the coin of duty. May we always rejoice in God's teaching, and may we know how to live in His grace by learning His Torah and walking its path.

Amen

Matot-Masa’ey 5761

This is a special Shabbat for a couple of reasons: First, it is Rosh Khodesh Av. The beginning of the eleventh month of the Jewish year. Rosh Khodesh is always special in our tradition - it is a "mini new year" as it were. A time to rejoyce and a time to take stock of our life and our circustances. This week we read a double portion in the Torah, which contains the last chapters in the book of Bamidbar, Numbers – which is the fourth and concluding book of the narrative of the Torah. I am sure I don’t have to explain that the last book, Devarim, which is called "Deuteronomy," meaning the "second telling," is, in effect, a summary of the events presided upon by our great leader and teacher, the man of God, Moses – Moshe Ben Amram.

I must tell you that I love Rosh Khodesh - it is the occasion for singing the Hallel, a part of the service that I enjoy because of its content as well as because of the fact that we doing so infrequently. However, Rosh Khodesh Av is different, for it is the last fresh breath before the dark countdown to Tish’a b’Av, the infamous disaster day of Jewish history. But we won’t touch this subject - we’ll leave it for next week. Today we shall celebrate - khazak, khazak! Be strong, yes strong we say as we finish reading the week’s portion, as we complete the lesson of our beloved prophet, our teacher Moshe. Khazak venitkhazek - we shall become strong by the strength of our Torah, our heritage of the inspired word of God, of the teaching of love and justice, of kindness and Godliness, of mercy and compassion. We shall rejoice with words from the Psalms of David, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. This is the LORD'S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." [Psalms 118:22-24]

The story of mankind began, in the Torah, with Adam and Eve - and almost ended with their offsprings, Cain and Hevel. You recall, I am sure, "And Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." [Gen. 4:8] Many people call this "the first murder" - but how could it be? There had been no death ever before. Cain responded to God’s query "I know not." And, indeed , he did not know!

In this week’s Torah portion we read that in cases where death occurs without malice, the killer must not be put to death. The Israelites established cities of refuge, where a man could hide from those who wish to avenge a death. A person had to stand trial and it had to be proven that the death was totally "bishgaga"- by accident. When that occurred, and the accused was found to have had no malice for the victim - his punishment was that he could not leave the refuge for a very long time. He was exiled, cut off from his loved ones, living with his deed and its subsequent loneliness.

How different from some societies that view the cycle of violence and death as inevitable, who live by the sword and perish by the sword. "Hodu ladona’y ki tov, ki le’olam khasdo - O give thanks to the Lord; for he is good; because his loving kindness endures for ever. Let Israel now say, that his loving kindness endures for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his loving kindness endures for ever. Let now those who fear the Lord say, that his loving kindness endures for ever." [Psalms 118:1-4]

Matot Masa'ey 5762

This week we read a double portion in the Torah, which contains the last chapters in the book of Bamidbar, Numbers – the fourth book of the Torah. We are also celebrating the birthday of our country.
The Torah text teaches us a number of lessons: that the itinerary of the travels of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land is a tale of sorrow and trouble. Here was a small people, persecuted and shunned by their neighbors near and far. They left Egypt to establish a new and radically different civilization, where the rights of every citizen is paramount and guaranteed. Such a civilization was eventually established by the founding fathers of the United States of America.
I am currently reading the recently published biography of John Adams. What a giant of a man was this son of Braintree, a rural suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. He was an intellectual, a believing man whose every thought and act were controlled by his reason and his faith. The same is true of his close friend who became a bitter competitor, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's pronouncement in the Declaration of Independence, that no man need be subservient to a despot like king George III since "all men are created equal - they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" - is founded upon his faith. The belief in the "God of the Old Testament" is also what inspired so many righteous Christians to become abolitionists and to undo the subversion of that hallowed principle of freedom by the evil of slavery. That was true in 1776, in 1860 - and the same is true today.
Opponents of Israel and the Jews don't want to acknowledge that most congressmen support Israel because their values impel them to do so. Most Americans (who vote for the congressmen in question) have a strong preference for free societies over tyrannies and understand that the real underdog in the Middle East is the tiny state of Israel struggling to survive in a sea of medieval hate. Does anyone thing that Vice President Dick Cheney supports Israel because of the "pro-Israel lobby's" efforts? Was the former Wyoming congressman beholden to Wyoming's Jewish electorate? (I think there may actually be a dozen such voters...) Or does he support Israel because of his values? What about our Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld? To what lobby would anyone suggest that he is beholden - particularly since his is an appointed, not elected, position? And what about Condoleezza Rice? What influence does any lobby have with her? God bless America - and let us admit that the business of America is to keep itself safe - not act in any manner that is not best for its interests.
We live in a new world - the "post September 11" world. It is a different world from the way it has been for a long, long time. Not since the summer of 1814, when British forces defeated American troops at the Battle of Bladensburg, marched over the Potomac river and set fire to the White House and the Capitol buildings in Washington DC, has a foreign power posed such a real and terrifying threat to the mainland United States. And it is a threat that Americans are taking quite seriously.
A recent Newsweek poll found that 57% of Americans expect there will be a terror attack over the July 4th holiday weekend. 4,000 New York City police officers were deployed along Manhattan's FDR drive to safeguard the annual fireworks display, while no-flight zones was enforced in the skies over some of the country's principal national monuments, such as the Statue of Liberty. America, it seems, is starting to sound a little like Israel.
The anti-Israel powers and the Arab/Islamic fundamentalists would have us believe that the reason this has happened to our nation is because of the pro-Israel stance of our government - but that is a totally wrong claim. American support for Israel emanates from the deepest of America's core values - " support for societies that reflect American values and opposition to those that threaten such societies. Of course, there are Jews and Christians and atheists and Democrats and Republicans who lobby Congress on Israel's behalf, and they have clout. But in the final analysis, it is a libel of America, its president and its Congress to assert that they have all sold their souls for a pot of gold, when in fact their pro-Israel policies and votes reflect America at its best.
The last lesson taught by Moshe in the book we complete reading this week deals with the daughters of Zelophekhad. Women had no rights in the existing patriarchal society of the time. Men ruled, particularly heads of households. Women were bought and sold in what was
called ‘marriage,' or as servants or slaves, to be at the mercy of their ‘owner.' So the issue was nothing less than the rights of women and their place in Israelite society! Moshe, by God's word, allowed them to inherit their dead father's portion. This instruction from God Himself set a standard among the Israelites that established for all times that women are fully equal members of the Israelite society, with rights of property, which by inference means all rights!
Rights were given to women - and before closing the book, Moshe is asked what if the women marry outside the tribe and take the property of the tribe to another tribe. This answer, which comes from God - marries freedom with responsibility. It allows the daughters of Zelophekhad to choose husbands – but it restricts their freedom by their ‘tribal inheritance rules' – which is to say, they must marry within the tribe so as not to compromise the territorial apportioning that was to remain ‘for ever' for the Children of Israel in their tribes by the gift of God.
Our American nation is going through a time of tribulation that is made more difficult because of the lack of definition. We don't have an "enemy nation" to focus our attention on, to plan to overcome. We are a giant fighting an attack by a swarm of gnats. We must not lose heart, and we must not lose our focus. God bless our land, our form of government, and our leaders who do their best for our nation. Thank God that we are, indeed, united in our struggle with the people of Israel in the land of Israel - and may we continue the valiant battle till evil shall be no more, and all will live with the knowledge that was so clear to Thomas Jefferson - all men are created equal - they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. We shall not surrender those rights, and we shall work for the day when all humanity is privy to these rights. Happy Independence Day! Amen

Matot Masa'ey 5763

This Shabbat sees the ending and a beginning. We read the double portion, Matot-Masa'ey, which brings to an end the fourth book of the "Khumash" - the five books of Moses. In the afternoon on Shabbat, congregations begin reading the fifth book, Dvarim - the "last will and testament" of our great teacher and liberator, Moshe. Thus, in effect, we are finishing this shabbat the reading of the story of Israel's great journey from humble birth as the "seed of Abraham" to the twelve tribes with Levites and Cohanim entering the Land of their Inheritance, which will forever after be known as the Land of Israel.
And yet... And yet the land has been renamed, and for two thousand years was desolate and barren, bereft of its name-sake. In all those ages, only the dead kept their connection to the land: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob kept silent vigil at the cave of Makhpelah, together with their faithful wives, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah. Rakhel, Jacob beloved, kept her vigil on the road to Ephrata, at the entrance to Bethlehem.
The remainder of Abraham's seed traveled the length and breadth of the world, blessing the families of mankind with their presence, teaching by example the faithful promise of the Lord God of Creation. The ways of our Master are mysterious, indeed, and we have been tried, time and again, we have suffered privation and persecution, only to emerge triumphant after two thousand years, strong in body and rock-hard in our faith.
Solomon's wisdom transmitted this lesson: "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you shall find it after many days." [Ecclesiastes 11:1] I have often thought about this passage, and I laughed at the words of a comic who said, "‘Cast your bread upon the waters,' and you know what you get? Soggy bread, that's what!" Yet this past week I saw the hand of God in action in events that reenforced Solomon's lesson.
You may recall that last Yom Kippur my dear wife, Leah, lost her father, who died after a long illness. We had to leave the next morning to go and bury him in New Jersey, leaving my sister Hemda and her son at our home, in need of transportation to Miami for their return flight to Israel. I was under great strain, not knowing how to reconcile the need of going to New Jersey with the need to take Hemda to Miami. I was relieved and comforted when my friend Isaac Hershkovich stepped forward and volunteered to get my sister, her son and her luggage, and her dog, too - to the airport. His action was a magnanimous act of loving kindness, one of many he performed.
This past week, tragically, Isaac's life came to an unexpected early end. In grief and shock his beloved wife turned to me for advise, and following my suggestion returned his earthly remains for burial in his native soil in Eretz Yisrael. She traveled there in the same plane that carried her beloved's body. She arrived, with only a couple of close friends and relatives, as Ruth did after the death of her man: a stranger amongst a people of a foreign tongue. There was misunderstanding piled upon tragedy, pain compounded by confusion. In her suffering, she reached out across the ocean with a plea for her.
In the early hours of the Israeli morning of erev shabbat, late into our own night, I made call after call, calming disturbed minds, putting balm on bruised wounds, and making possible the peaceful resolution of seemingly conflicting interests, to make possible bringing Isaac to a place of rest for his remains and peace for his soul. I did all I could - but I could not be there in person, to finish the task, to be a physical presence to support Cynthia in her hour of need.
At six o'clock in the morning of the eve of Shabbat, I called Hemda and asked her to coordinate, by phone, the resolution of remaining issues. I must tell you that the whole "history" of Isaac's help was not in my mind at all at that point. I just needed help, and I counted on someone I knew would lend a hand.
My sister, God bless her, called Cynthia and soothed her in her time of desperation. She agreed to drop everything and travel a distance to be with the grieving widow, to insure that she is understood in her communication and understands what is being said to her. She spent the better part of the morning and afternoon making peace and brining comfort. She invited Cynthia and her family to break bread for Shabbat together with her and her son.
This evening, as Shabbat descended upon the Land of Promise, God must have looked down from His domain, please to note that the wisdom of His servant Solomon has been shown to be ever so true. "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you shall find it after many days." May we always follow God's teachings, fulfill His mitzvot, and be worthy of His favor. Amen

Shabbat shalom