“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Behar-Bechukosai –Avos Perek 5
26 Iyar 5778/May 1, 2018
(41st day of the Omer)
Mevorchim Chodesh Sivan –
Shabbos Chazak!
Last week, I was at Citi Field in Queens on two different
occasions. On Sunday, I attended the Orthodox Union’s “Day of Torah Learning”
held in the conference rooms at Citi Field. It was a beautiful and inspiring
event, with thousands of people in attendance to hear words of chizuk and Torah
from a group of wonderful presenters.
Then on Thursday, I was back at Citi Field with our Yeshiva -
Heichal HaTorah - for a Lag Baomer outing to watch the Mets take on the Atlanta
Braves. The Mets never really showed up and were demolished by the Braves 11-0.
I must admit that I enjoyed both visits to Citi Field (says
the Yankees fan), obviously in very different ways.
Before I headed out to the game on Thursday, I looked up
where I could find free parking near Citi Field. I don’t mind walking a bit, so
why not save the twenty-five-dollar parking fee? I saw that there is a place
fairly close to the stadium called Willets Point where parking was free. So, as
everyone waited online to turn right into stadium parking, I, the wiser, went
left towards Willets Point.
It was a great reminder that in life you get what you pay
for. Driving through Willets Point was an experience to say the least. I
couldn’t believe the drastic transition that occurred. As I turned off the main
road, I suddenly found myself in an area that looked like a third-world country.
Groups of workers were hanging around in front of auto body shop after auto
body shop, each one looking more dilapidated than the one before it. Worst of
all was the road itself, which looked and felt like it was hit by the
blitzkreig. Everyone in the car cringed as we heard the car grind along the
road with every inch forward, despite the fact that I was going quite slowly.
Then I realized how all those body shops stayed in business. Anytime someone
drove down that road they would need part of their car replaced in order to get
out. I was sure my wheels were going to fall off as I tried to inch forward and
weave my way around the craters all over the road.
It was incredible to see the beautiful stadium less than a
city block away yet being trapped in what felt like a different world.
I found out afterwards that Willets Point is not even
attached to the city’s sewer system, and they rely on their own antiquated
septic.
As you can imagine, there was no way I was going to park in
Willets Point. So, I put my pride aside, and shelled out twenty-five dollars to
park in the stadium lot.
I don’t think my experience is so unique, if at least
metaphorically. We as Jews are blessed with numerous ancient laws, customs, and
traditions. With uncanny foresight, the sages enacted definitive parameters
within which we are to live our lives. But often there are those who think they
know better. The path of the sages often requires added effort and resources.
There are many who feel that their own contrived shortcuts can ensure
maintaining observance even while changing the rules.
History has demonstrated that such movements and ideas never
stand the test of time. The alarming and frightening assimilation rate is the
greatest proof of the failure of all aberrations from traditional Torah
observance.
What was once proffered as the only salvation for the future
of the Jewish people, has clearly deteriorated to a spiritual Willets Point,
presenting a half-baked, faltering and decrepit form of Judaism.
When one leaves this world, the first question he is asked is
קבעת עתים לתורה (Shabbos 31a), which literally means “Did you set aside time
for (the study of) Torah?” However, there is another homiletic understanding of
the question: did you set the times you lived in, to conform to Torah values?
In other words, did you live your life trying to make the Torah fit with the
times and society you lived in, or did you ensure that your lifestyle conformed
to Torah standards, despite society’s values or lack thereof?
Shavuos is the anniversary of when we accepted the Torah in
its pristine form. Every year as we celebrate Shavuos we reaffirm and reaccept
upon ourselves that same level of original commitment. In that way we guarantee
that we are not living a Willets Point Judaism. Rather, we are reaccepting the
Torah in a manner that mirrors the observance of our ancestors, all the way
back to Sinai.
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum