There is a latent fear that gnaws at us. It slowly eats away at our calm stability like dripping water that cuts into solid rock (Avos Derabbi Nasan 6:2).
It is the trepidation of what will happen to the planet with all the capacity for massive destruction humanity has amassed. One bomb can instantly propel the island of Manhattan into extinction. A shutdown of all computers can send people scrambling for food and survival.
One never knows when this fear will surface in the form of panic-stricken screams.
One never knows when this fear will surface in the form of panic-stricken screams.
Many of the world’s leaders have access to power that can thrust mankind into oblivion. And there is nothing we can do about.
Kings Don’t Rule
Rabbi Yehuda Kahane (Trumas Hakri, Pesach Shar), of whom my mother is a direct descendent, observes in the name of our Rabbis that such occurrences are not delegated to the power of men. This concept is clearly stated in Proverbs (21:1); the hearts of kings are in the Hand of God. He directs them in the direction that He chooses.
The same way that in American law personal autonomy is curtailed because of compelling state interest, freedom of choice of world leaders is impeded by God because of the overriding interest of humanity.
Washington might be gripped by excitement because of the new electricity of change that fills the air, but is that phenomenon the work of men?
Yosef Tells His Brothers Not To Fear
The same way that in American law personal autonomy is curtailed because of compelling state interest, freedom of choice of world leaders is impeded by God because of the overriding interest of humanity.
Washington might be gripped by excitement because of the new electricity of change that fills the air, but is that phenomenon the work of men?
Yosef Tells His Brothers Not To Fear
Yosef told his brothers that it is the work of God.
Don't be afraid of my power in Egypt, he told them. Even if I wanted to take revenge for the way you treated me, my propulsion into viceroy status has taken away my free choice. God acts instead of me (Genesis 50:19).
Therefore, there is no reason to fear, observes Rabbi Yonasan Eibshitz. As a matter of fact, we can be relieved if a person of shady character becomes a world leader because his appointment removes his free choice, rendering him powerless to harm others.
This is what the Talmud in Tractate Gittin (56b) means when it states that whoever creates difficulty for Israel is coronated a monarch. In other words, God protects the Jewish people from whoever punishes them by making him a king in order to take away his free will (Tznif Melucha by Rabbi Meir Reiss, pages 203-204).
Don't be afraid of my power in Egypt, he told them. Even if I wanted to take revenge for the way you treated me, my propulsion into viceroy status has taken away my free choice. God acts instead of me (Genesis 50:19).
Therefore, there is no reason to fear, observes Rabbi Yonasan Eibshitz. As a matter of fact, we can be relieved if a person of shady character becomes a world leader because his appointment removes his free choice, rendering him powerless to harm others.
This is what the Talmud in Tractate Gittin (56b) means when it states that whoever creates difficulty for Israel is coronated a monarch. In other words, God protects the Jewish people from whoever punishes them by making him a king in order to take away his free will (Tznif Melucha by Rabbi Meir Reiss, pages 203-204).
Comfort In Faith
Global decisions are within God’s domain only.
In the face of this realization that global interest is not in our hands, the question we need to address is, what is our responsibility?
In the face of this realization that global interest is not in our hands, the question we need to address is, what is our responsibility?
God declares, ‘You shall safeguard my mitzvos and keep them and I will be sanctified amongst the Jewish people.’
God has invested us with the responsibility for 613 directives (Talmud, Makkos 23b) that are enumerated in the Mosaic code.
God has invested us with the responsibility for 613 directives (Talmud, Makkos 23b) that are enumerated in the Mosaic code.
Through all the vicissitudes of life, it is incumbent upon us to persevere in keeping these directives. They should be the object of our focus and concentration. When we do that, the beautiful light of our spiritual growth will shine from the darkness of a seemingly meaningless crucible that is our world, and God’s name will be sanctified.
Bar Mitzvah
Bar Mitzvah
This is an especially poignant message to one who has become Bar/Bas Mitzvah or has converted to Judaism. The entrance into the yoke of Divine commandments should inspire one to adopt as one’s mantra the instruction of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Path of the Just, Chapter 1) that it is the foundation of Jewish belief for one to clarify what is their obligation in their world.
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