This week's parsha
Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.
Being Simple
Simple is straightforward. This is what needs to be done and this is how we do it. "Put up and shut up, or get out of the way." It's easier and more convenient to get lost in a committee that appreciates the complexity.
The Baal Shem Tov liked simplicity. Simple folk who simply liked G-d, although they were clueless in all matters of faith and religion and theology. They liked G-d like a baby likes his father.
The Baal Shem Tov also liked faith, theology and religion. He liked scholars who struggled with faith and intellect, mastering a little bit of each, only to realize how much they now lacked. He wanted that they should remain simple through the process, still be a baby calling for his father.
The Baal Shem Tov liked simplicity. Simple folk who simply liked G-d, although they were clueless in all matters of faith and religion and theology. They liked G-d like a baby likes his father.
The Baal Shem Tov also liked faith, theology and religion. He liked scholars who struggled with faith and intellect, mastering a little bit of each, only to realize how much they now lacked. He wanted that they should remain simple through the process, still be a baby calling for his father.
Why Do Good Things Happen to Bad People
The Torah portion of Re'eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17) talks about a false prophet. There are three steps in this scenario: 1) "If there will arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of a dream, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2) and the sign or the wonder of which he spoke to you happens, 3) [and he] says, 'Let us go after other gods which you have not known, and let us worship them.'" Then, G-d concludes, 4) "You shall not heed the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of a dream; for the L-rd, your God, is testing you, to know whether you really love the L-rd, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul" (13:2-4).
A good old con-artist is one thing, but this prophet guy really comes through. And then, based on his proven track record, it is only logical to follow his lead. Unfortunately, he steers his followers away from G-d.
A good old con-artist is one thing, but this prophet guy really comes through. And then, based on his proven track record, it is only logical to follow his lead. Unfortunately, he steers his followers away from G-d.
Careful What You Think!
In our age of political correctness, many whose occupation brings them close to a microphone on a frequent basis have adopted the supposed truism that "it doesn't make a difference what you think, all that counts is what you say." A silent bigot is a lover of man. A vocal bigot is the personification of evil.
What you have then is a bunch of politicians, media personnel and leaders in all areas who take special courses on how "not to say what you think, rather what is acceptable," and to "never ever verbalize your bigotry for there might be a secret recording device under your chair."
In recent years we have seen quite a few people falling from high places for saying the wrong things at the wrong time. Great careers have disintegrated thanks to "one weak moment." Many pundits and regular fellas are wondering whether people deserve to be pushed off the cliff for just that "one weak moment."
And common sense screams: Really? One weak moment, is that all it was? How about "one weak lifetime," when for years and years the mind was allowed to swim in a cesspool of hate? Isn't it obvious that this wasn't a slip of a tongue, rather an avalanche of the mind?
In the Book of Deuteronomy we find several verses which begin with the words: "If you should say in your heart..."
What you have then is a bunch of politicians, media personnel and leaders in all areas who take special courses on how "not to say what you think, rather what is acceptable," and to "never ever verbalize your bigotry for there might be a secret recording device under your chair."
In recent years we have seen quite a few people falling from high places for saying the wrong things at the wrong time. Great careers have disintegrated thanks to "one weak moment." Many pundits and regular fellas are wondering whether people deserve to be pushed off the cliff for just that "one weak moment."
And common sense screams: Really? One weak moment, is that all it was? How about "one weak lifetime," when for years and years the mind was allowed to swim in a cesspool of hate? Isn't it obvious that this wasn't a slip of a tongue, rather an avalanche of the mind?
In the Book of Deuteronomy we find several verses which begin with the words: "If you should say in your heart..."
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