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This Week’s Torah Reading

Matot

Anyone who takes a vow must fulfill it. This rule holds true for a woman, the Torah clarifies, though her father or husband may, under limited circumstances, cancel the vow. The Israelites defeat the Midianites in battle. The Israelites slew their kings, killed the wicked wizard Balaam, took many women and children captive, and obtained much spoil. Because of the soldiers’ contact with corpses, they had to purify themselves and all the garments and utensils with which they had contact. The spoils of war were evenly divided—half to the soldiers and half to the people. 1/500th of the army’s share was given to Eliezer, the koHEN gaDOL (High Priest), and 1/50th of the civilians’ share went to the Levites. The tribe of Reuben and Gad, owning much cattle, asked Moses if they could settle in an area that would today approximate a major part of Jordan—an area suited for flocks and cattle. But Moses felt that all the tribes should cross the Jordan in order to conquer the land. Reuben and Gad agreed to join in battle until all were settled, and only then return to their families.

A SHABBAT THOUGHT

A generation which ignores history has no past— and no future.

~~ Robert Heinlein

THIS SUMMER, HELP SEND A KID TO CAMP…
INSTEAD OF A BOMB SHELTER

Imagine what it would be like if you could never, ever relax. Over the past six years, Sderot, an Israeli town in the Negev, close to the Gaza Strip, has lived under an unyielding barrage of Qassam rocket fire. Hundreds of missiles have struck its homes and businesses, destroying lives and completely robbing families of any sense of normalcy in this once town. The children of Sderot have suffered in particular.

This year, MERCAZ is partnering with both the AZM and the Israeli Masorti Movement to organize yemei kef or fun days. We are bringing scores of families by bus to Jerusalem to see the Knesset, visit museums, picnic in tranquility and, briefly, leave the sirens, rockets and bomb shelters behind. In addition, our Masorti congregation in Ashkelon is running a 3-week summer day camp for children from the area, with requests to accept more than 30 from Sderot to attend tuition free.

We invite you to go to http://www.mercazusa.org/sderot.htm and help support this special effort organized by MERCAZ USA, together with the American Zionist Movement and the Masorti Movement.

Through your act of generosity today we can show the people of Sderot that they have not been forgotten. Go to https://plus25.safe-order.net/mercazusa/secregister/donate-formsderot_https.htm to donate. ~~

WEB OF THE WEEK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owg2oJVZXKE

Although during the “three weeks” we commemorate the Roman sacking of Jerusalem, that memory should be tempered by the strength of Israel today and our obligation to keep Israel strong. Did you know Israel has a navy? Just watch.

AURAL TORAH

Never Say No to the Community

Be Sure to click on the attachment to hear the Aural Torah!

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GOTTA QUESTION?
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THE LIMITS OF FEMININE APPEAL IN CLINCHING THE SALE

Dear CyberRav,

You undoubtedly have never received a question like this before, but I’m interested in your opinion. I am a woman, early 30’s, in sales. Without bragging, I’m reasonably attractive and enjoy fashionable clothing. Religious? Not really, and yet I am drawn to Jewish tradition and values. Here’s my query. Am I violating some sacrosanct Jewish tradition by deliberately wearing a short skirt or a lower cut blouse when dealing with male clients? You see, I think that when I play up my sexual self, particularly with men, I can close a deal faster, then when I dress more conservatively. But my girl friend, Orthodox through and through, talks to me about “tzinius” [modesty] all the time, and chides me (gently, really as she is my very good friend), about sinning. I’d hate to think that I’m going to burn in hell because of the length of my skirt (ha-ha), but seriously, are my skimpy clothes a sin?

CYBER RAV ANSWERS

Dear Dressed to Sell,

What an interesting question! First of all, you’re right--no one has ever asked me this before. But it’s a legitimate question and your asking it tells me volumes (all positive) about who you are as a Jew.

I think great sales people sell themselves as much as the product. The most successful sales people, as I’m sure you know, are those who can establish trusting relationships with their clients. The successful sales people are real people people. They smile, they emote, they shmooze, they exude confidence, they compliment, they listen, they sympathize, they joke and in the end, they sell. There’s nothing wrong with any of this. Dealing with talented sales people ought to make business a pleasure, even in down economies such as the one we are living through right now.

It’s clear to me that you intuitively understand all this, as you have used your own fashion preferences to advance sales. But your friend who talks about (I’ll use the proper Hebrew pronunciation) tzeniut or modesty is correct. Tzeniut is an important Jewish value, for both men and women, and we strengthen our own identity as Jews when we dress modestly. But what does it mean to dress modestly?

Let’s begin by stating what it isn’t. It isn’t dressing like a 19th century Polish Jew, and isn’t looking dowdy or decrepit, and it isn’t dressing with hemlines dragging on the floor or necklines up to the chin. Above all, it isn’t an attempt to mute your personality as a woman. It’s true that tzeniut generally would have us cover more than we reveal from a fashion perspective, but it doesn’t mean eradicating the sexual dimension in a male/female transaction—that would, in any event, be impossible.

Tzeniut is a statement about cherishing our bodies, not erasing them from view. Like sacred places that are hidden from public display, covering our bodies underscore how important they are to us and to God. Observing tzeniut need not make you look unattractive at all. That is not its purpose. Ultimately, what will really draw men, and women, to you, is a personality that is outgoing, fresh, compassionate, and non-threatening. I don’t think that is a function of your clothing. And though you claim that the clothing is what assists you in sales, how do you assign your success to the clothing when all these other factors are in effect during the time of the sale? Having had the kishkes (guts, hutzpah, etc.) to ask this question in the first place, I can tell you must be a lot of fun to be around. I bet that is the reason for your success, more so than you sexy clothing.

We can be proud of the physical attributes God has given to us—no question about that. But I suspect that you clinch the sales by dint of personality, not by dearth of clothing. Tzeniut need not get in the way of your success. To the contrary, a client who sees you as a thoughtful person with serious convictions will most likely take your sales pitch seriously.

Much success to you and if this letter inspires you to purchase a whole new wardrobe, enjoy the shopping spree.

Rabbi Rafi Rank
CyberRav

Shabbat Shalom Everyone!!

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