Bernard S. Antin's Blog – October 2009 Archive (5)

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MORE THAN JUST A PROMISE

It was no longer tenable for uncle and nephew to live together. Avraham the Patriarch A’H ZY’A tells Lot to separate (Bereshith 13:8-12). Rashi (13:7) explains Lot’s shepherds reasoned since G-D had promised the land to Avraham (12:7) and his heirs, which at the time meant Lot so it was appropriate to allow their flocks to pasture wherever they pleased even if the land was privately owned. Avraham’s shepherds respected the indigenous population and only allowed their flocks to graze on public… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 29, 2009 at 5:00am — No Comments

URBAN PLANNING

The Torah describes two events that fundamentally reshaped the human condition, the Flood and the Tower of Babel. The breakdown in society that lead to the flood that laid waste to the world G-D created. Rashi ZT’L ZY’A commenting on 6:13 points out there were rampant sexual perversion , idolatry and theft. Rabbi Joseph Dov Solavechik the Beit HaLevi ZT’L ZY’A emphasized the abandonment of moral restraint was so prevalent that animals and even plant life were influenced by human behavior.… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 23, 2009 at 4:52am — 2 Comments

THE PLAN FOR WORLD CONQUEST

As the cycle of Torah readings begins anew a preliminary question presents itself, what is the nature of Torah? Is the Torah a legal text? Or is there a broader purpose encompassing the whole of human endeavor and experience? Indeed, Rashi ZT’L ZY’A opens his commentary on Torah by posing essentially this question.



Beginning with what appears as a historical narrative scripture takes a long time till commandments are promulgated to the entire nation (Exodus 12 starting with the… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 16, 2009 at 1:28am — No Comments

MOVING ON BY GOING IN CIRCLES

The end of Succoth, Hoshna Rabbah and Shemini Atzereth/ Simchat Torah are not merely the concluding days of Succoth. Instead these two (three outside of Eretz Yisrael) really are the culmination of Fifty one days of introspection, repentance and rejoicing that began nearly two months ago on the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. The Ta’amei Minhagim U’Mikorei HaDinim (paragraph 811) quoting the Bene Yissachar ZT’L ZY’A that Hoshina (please [G-D] save us) should be let the 51 days of prayer be a… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 8, 2009 at 7:16am — No Comments

WHAT'S INSIDE IS WHAT MATTERS!!!

Once one accepts the notion of emunah, faith especially in Chassidic thought one understands nothing is beyond G-D’s purview, nothing. Recognizing the reach of G-D’s providential down to the intimate details of one's life as well as the juxtaposition of events. Needless to say the first day of Sukkot coinciding with Shabbath has a special significance for the present year.



The Torah commands that on the first day of Sukkoth one must take up a palm branch (lulav), myrtle (hadassim),… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 1, 2009 at 7:45am — No Comments

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