“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Mishpatim/Shekalim
Mevorchim Chodesh Adar
24 Shevat 5775/ February 13, 2015
How often do we read or hear a quote
from an interview from which we draw a strong opinion, only to find out later that
the quote was taken out of context? Then when we hear or read the full quote we
realize that our conclusions were completely mistaken.
A quote taken out of context can make
all the difference in one’s opinion about world events and politics. How much is
world perception falsely influenced by the media’s repeated “editing” of quotes
by Israeli/Jewish leaders? Beyond that, it also effects our spiritual
perceptions as well.
I would like to share three examples
where often only the first part of a text is quoted, which completely alters
the intended meaning:
1. Before the fall of the Iron Curtain
when there were heroic efforts by world Jewry to exert pressure on Russia
Immediately after leaving Egypt
Exodus without acceptance of Torah was,
and is, futile for a Jew.
2. In regards to education, the pasuk from Mishlei
(22:6) is often quoted: “Chanoch linar al pi darko – educate a child
according to his way”. But the latter half of the verse is often neglected: “gam
ki yazkin lo yasur mimenu – even when he becomes old he will not deviate
from it.”
Education is not just about
compliance, but about instilling values into our children’s souls, so that it
becomes part of them for life.
It is all too easy for a
parent/teacher to become caught up in the heat of the moment, and to focus on
the short-term issue, and lose sight of the long-term education that needs to
occur. In fact, parents need to constantly take stock of each of their
children’s growth, and contemplate whether they - as parents – are doing enough
to build and foster the innate uniqueness of their child.
3. Much of secular Jewry has
adopted the term “tikkun olam – rectification of the world’ as their
banner. The problem is that they have neglected the two subsequent words: “b’malchus
Shakkai”. We pray for the rectification of the world within the kingship
of G-d (represented by the Name “Shakkai” which connotes limitations).
We cannot decide how we feel
the world ought to be rectified. The Torah has already provided us with the
guidance of how to do so. If one casts off the Torah’s yoke and decides that
ecology and nature loving is more important than Torah and mitzvah observance,
his well-meaning efforts to rectify the world are in fact accomplishing the
opposite.
It’s been said that a little
knowledge is very dangerous. We need to know the whole truth if we want to
uncover nothing but the truth.
Shabbat Shalom &
Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani
Staum