1953-2007
THE CYBERSHUL

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TORAH READING

Va’ethanan

Moses recalls that God allows him to see, from Mount Pisgah, the land that the Israelites will enter. Moses connects observance of the law with the ability to remain on the land that God is giving to the Israelites. Moreover, obedience to God will earn them the respect of the nations. The Israelites should teach their children about what they heard at Mount Sinai, and scrupulously avoid idolatry. The punishment for idolatry is exile, though wherever the Jews may end up, God will be accessible. Moses designates three cities as Cities of Refuge where acquitted men slayers are safe from reprisals. Moses begins a second discourse, the longest of three as recorded in Deuteronomy, and focuses on the laws of God. He recounts God’s words at Horeb—another name for Sinai—which comprise the Ten Commandments, virtually identical to the first set:

1. I am the Lord Your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
2. You shall make no graven images.
3. You shall not swear falsely using my name.
4. Observe Shabbat and keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against a neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

The words of the Shema—Hear, O Israel, The Lord is our God, the Lord alone—appear for the first time, followed by a paragraph instructing us to love God. Moses tells the people to not intermarry lest non-Jews prevail upon us to abandon God.

A SHABBAT THOUGHT

You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.

~~ Golda Meir ~~

WEB OF THE WEEK

http://www.tekhelet.com/brochure.htm

For anyone thinking of restringing their tallit with the p’til tekhelet, the blue thread, the above website is essential reading.

AURAL TORAH

Materialism and Memory.wav
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A NOT SO ANGELIC ENCOUNTER

Dear CyberRav,

I am a student at a major university in this country and am enrolled in a course on language and gender. The professor is Cleary not religious, which is truly no concern of mine, but tends to take swipes at religion from time to time, which I do find rather annoying. During a recent class she asked us about a survey of Americans which determined that most Americans believe in angels—and so much as said: how ridiculous is that! Now I’ve found myself somewhat more than annoyed because, being perfectly frank, I’m one of those Americans. I do believe in angels, always have, suspect that I always will, and don’t regard myself as idiotic or irrational. But being a 21st century sort of 20-something person, I’m beginning to wonder: Am I crazy for believing in angels? Doesn’t Judaism believe in angels?

No Hope for an A From This Prof

THE ANSWER

Dear No Hope

First of all, don’t give up on getting that A! Who knows—maybe you’ll be able to teach the professor a thing or two.

Look—sometimes professors keep students awake by making controversial statements in class, and no statement is more controversial than attacking a cherished belief. I don’t know your professor or her motivation, but I would hope that any professor dealing with literature and language would have greater respect for belief systems that have moved people’s imaginations to create some of the greatest works in literature and art. It’s one thing to confess to one’s atheism or lack of faith. It’s another to take issue with someone belief in God and faith. I would have counseled your professor had she consulted me (and she didn’t) to look for an alternative controversy to keep her young students awake and engaged.

The Bible is full of angels. Abraham is visited by angels, Jacob wrestles with an angel, and the Israelites are protected by an angel of God leading them out of Egypt. One could argue that this is all poetic language for our ancestors’ struggles with big issues and the strength they found within themselves to do what they had to do. But however you understand it, belief in these divine helpers was and continues to be a way that many people cope with life or endure hardships, and that is nothing to dismiss lightly.

I have often thought that when a human being fulfills the will of God, that human being becomes angel-like, to the extent that all angels are the agents of God. I don’t see this belief of yours as irrational, for it does not contradict or offend reason, but it is a matter of faith, and faith doesn’t always find a home for itself in university classrooms.

In short, don’t let this professor rattle you. Do the readings, go to the lectures, and with a little help from your guardian angel, you’ll ace the final.

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