Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox Senior Rabbi		Rabbi Samuel Fox Rabbi Emeritus

 

RABBI’S MESSAGE: FREEDOM THROUGH TORAH
by Rabbi Dr. Hillel Fox, Senior Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation

Our Shavuot festival which we will soon celebrate is closely linked to our Passover festival which precedes it. It is for this reason that we count from Passover the Sefira, a period of forty- nine days culminating with the fiftieth day, Pentecost or Shavuot, celebrating the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Passover commemorates our exodus from Egyptian bondage, and Shavuot commemorates our receiving the Torah. Our message to the world that emanates from Sinai loud and clear is that there can be no freedom without adherence and observance to the moral and ethical laws contained in our Torah.

Another name for Shavuot is Atzeret. In Israel when we see a big stop sign, it is marked in large letters “atzor” - stop. Thus we see that Shavuot is the stop sign for Passover, highlighting the concept that there is no real freedom unless one lives by the noble and lofty teachings of the Torah. Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi phrases it beautifully in Pirkei Avot when he says: ein l’echa ben chorin ela mi sheosek bitalmud Torah—”There is no freer person than one who lives a life in conformity with Torah study.”

Rabbi Akiva started learning Torah for the first time at 40 years of age, and he later became the teacher of 24,000 yeshiva students. The great, immortal Rabbi Akiva chose as his favorite passage the Golden Rule: Veahavta Lereyacha Kamocha—”Love thy neighbor as thyself”. He moreover added: zeh klal gadol baTorah - “this is a major principal in the Torah”. This commandment is the heart and soul of the Torah.

Many of us offer mere lip service to this Golden Rule, however, it has widespread applications. It means we should care about and be concerned with the welfare of others. If, for instance, a fellow congregant needs social, medical or financial help, we should go out of our way to help him or her.

The same should apply to spiritual help as well. When one has suffered the loss of a loved one and feels dejected and depressed, we should, of course, make a condolence call; but moreover, we should apply the Golden Rule and help our friend and neighbor make daily minyanim at the Synagogue. This is a positive way to show our love for others as well as uplifting and strengthening their hope and faith at a time of sorrow and sadness. It also affords us an opportunity to strengthen the daily minyan and support the congregation as well.

There was a congregation that called itself: The Gates of Heaven—Shaarey Shamayim. A sign placed on the Synagogue lawn read in bold letters: The Gates of Heaven will be closed during the summer months! Although this sign brought a smile to some of the people passing by, it was a sad commentary on the community, for the Gates of Heaven are never closed. They are always open to our prayers and study of Torah.

The Board of Directors is working hard to help keep the doors of Beth Jacob Congregation always open the entire year to inspirational prayers, meaningful Torah study, exciting programs and worthwhile community activities. Let us actualize our freedom and follow the Golden Rule by attending services faithfully on Shabbat, Holydays, and throughout the week. We will thus help ourselves as well as others.

Have a gut Yom Tov and an enjoyable summer!

 

 

ISRAEL'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

By Rabbi Samuel Fox, Rabbi Emeritus of Beth Jacob Congregation

 

One of the greatest miracles of our time is the rebirth and reestablishment of the state of Israel on that memorable day of May 14, 1948, 5 Iyar 5708. Our people had endured a long history of almost 2,000 years of galut (exile), of darkness, oppression, inquisition, pogroms, and worst of all, the horrendous Holocaust. Hence, we can imagine the tremendous, spontaneous outburst of joy and jubilation when Israel declared her independence. There was unrestrained singing and dancing in the streets of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and other cities. Cities in America, Europe and throughout the world joined in celebrating this miraculous event.

As Jews, we are proud of Israel's many achievements in the face of adversity. We also take pride in the fact that America was the first to recognize this new, fledging, struggling democratic state of Israel. Freedom and democracy were not, however, handed to her on a silver platter. She had to wage a long, difficult, painful and bloody war against five Arab countries massed on her borders with powerful armies. The odds were clearly stacked against her. It was depicted as a battle of David against Goliath, and like the biblical story,
little David emerged victorious. Israel became a nation again. The prophetic words of Isaiah come to mind: "Utzu eitza v'tufar." "Their conspiracies against us will be annulled; their evil plans will not prevail; for God is with us."

 

Now, we are celebrating Israel's 60th birthday. It has been a long, frustrating, hazardous journey fraught with grave danger along the way. However, despite the saber rattling, despite the threat of Arab countries to drive the Israelis into the sea, Israel has made amazing, miraculous advancements in many areas of human endeavor. While still under fire, she has made great, incredible achievements in the fields of medicine, science, technology, literature and art and has been a spiritual shot in the arm for our people everywhere. The courageous, valiant, democratic state now celebrating her 60th birthday has made American Jews and Jews all over the world stand six feet tall, bursting with renewed pride, confidence and self-esteem.
 

Miriam and I have been to Israel many times and find it very enjoyable and spiritually refreshing and rejuvenating. During our visits we have met some of Israel's top leaders. My list includes Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, as well as Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Menachem Begin, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ariel Sharon. I have also had the pleasure of personally knowing some of Israel's chief rabbis including Rabbi Shlomo Goren, who is pictured in a famous portrait blowing the shofar at the Kotel (Western Wall) at
the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967. Some of these leaders have greatly impressed me and left beautiful memories that linger on.
 

At Israel's 60th birthday, let us resolve to staunchly support her, both politically and materially. We should support her not only with lip service but with concrete deeds as well. Among some things we can do are buy Israel Bonds, make regular visits to Israel, and also consider possible aliyah (immigration to Israel). In these positive ways, we strengthen our ties with our courageous Israeli brethren as well as offer Israel our vote of confidence.

 

As we proudly and gratefully pay tribute to Israel on her 60th birthday, let us together proclaim: T'chi medinat Yisrael - Long live the state of Israel!