Thursday, June 29, 2006

Parshas HaShavua Chukas





  Our Mystical Bond to Eretz Yisrael
 Parshas HaShavua Chukas: by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher, Dean of Students, Yeshiva Tfutzot, Jerusalem

  The Jewish people's connection with its land can't be compared to that of
other peoples with theirs.  No other people has a prior title deed or
promise regarding their country.  Theirs is a pure earthly link, one
characterized by neither spiritual nor sacred ties.  Their relationship to
their homeland is governed by the fact that their ancestors happened to
settle there.  Whenever a people or family moved from one country to
another, they soon became completely divorced from their original homeland.
But, this is not the case with the Jewish people, whose title deed to their
land is the Bible.

  The sanctity of Eretz Yisrael is eternal, and for this reason, the
Patriarchs longed to dwell in it even before it was conquered by the
Children of Israel.  Abraham only left it in time of famine, Isaac never
departed and Jacob regretted that he had been forced to go down to Egypt.
Jacob and Joseph adjured their family to carry their bones to the Holy Land.
How intensely did Moses entreat the Almighty to allow him to enter the
Promised Land!  After the destruction of the First Temple, the Children of
Israel were exiled to Babylon where they sat down and took a solemn oath,
"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.  Let
my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I remember thee not…" (Psalm
137).  The intensity of the love of our Sages for Eretz Yisrael may be
gleaned from the following examples:

  Rabbi Zeira longed so much for Eretz Yisrael that he fasted one hundred
fasts in order to forget the Jewish teaching that he had learned in Babylon
so that he could make a fresh start learning from Rabbi Yohanan, the Sage of
the Holy Land.  When he managed to escape the vigilance of his Diaspora
teacher, who tried to stop him leaving for the Holy Land, he was so eager to
cross the river that he could not wait for a ferry but crossed it on a piece
of driftwood.

  In 1837, when Mohammed Ali gave permission for the Jews to rebuild the
synagogue of R' Judah He-hassid, all the Sages of Jerusalem personally
engaged in the work, mixing the cement, hewing the stones and putting them
in place, kissing each one before placing it in position.  To the
accompaniment of Psalms and Hallel, they rebuilt its ruins.

  Never did the Jewish people allow Eretz Yisrael to become completely
depopulated of reresentatives of the nation.  In olden times, immigrants to
the Holy Land risked their lives in settling in one of the four holy cities
of Safed, Tiberias, Jerusalem and Hebron.  They came in frail sailing boats
that hugged the coasts, the journey usually taking about twelve months.
They sailed from coastal town to coastal town and at each one had to wait
for another boat to take them a further stage of the journey to the Holy
Land.

  But what is lacking today?  That intense longing which burned in the
hearts of the faithful in the Diaspora in ages past.  Had the journey or the
entry into Eretz Yisrael been so easy one hundred years ago, or had the
Jewish people of our own times been activated by that same longing for the
Holy Land as inspired their predecessors – Eretz Yisrael would be today for
the most part inhabited by observant Jews, its government completely
dominated by those aware of the religious foundations of our title to the
homeland.  There would be no debasement of Jewish values and no
disengagement from our precious inheritance.

  Every observant Jew, and in particular, every Rabbi, should learn a
lesson from the history of the waves of immigration to Israel and their
spirit of self-sacrifice in rescuing the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael from its
desecrators.  The ancient glory of the Jewish people in the Holy Land will
thus once more shine forth, and day by day, we shall draw nearer to the
redemption and our long awaited destiny.


 

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

SUMMER OF NEW BEGINNINGS


 
Russian Hillel Logo
June 27

  • LISTEN TO RADIO "SABBABA"
  • Ravinia Night
  • MESSAGE BOARD
  • SAVE THE DATE
  • Privet,

    What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.

    ~Gertrude Jekyll

    On behalf of the Hillels Around Chicago, we would like to congradulate two of the Russian Hillel e-board members on their engagement.

    MAZEL TOV to Marina Swan and Ilya Trakhtenberg on their engagement. We wish them all the best in their future life together.

    If you would like to congradulate them you can email them Marina and Ilya .

    Do vstrechi,

    Lena
  • LISTEN TO RADIO "SABBABA"
  • cofee
    LISTEN TO RADIO "SABBABA"

    "Vashe Radio"
    AM 1240

    Mondays
    6:10-6:25 pm

    Hillel is on the radio!!!

    Hillel now has its own radio show, "Sabbaba." Listen to us every Monday, from 6:15 to 6:30 pm . Find out what's going on in the Chicago Russian Hillel community through the eyes of our very own students.

    To talk to us on the air, call (847) 400-5200 during the show. You can also listen to us online.

    If you would like to contribute your ideas or talent to future shows, contact Mark.

  • Ravinia Night
  • Russian Hillel outing to Ravinia

    200 Ravinia Park Road
    Highland Park

    Wednesday, June 28th
    7:30 PM

    Come join us for the very first Russian Hillel Ravinia outing as we enjoy the romantic music of Robert Schumann.Ravinia Web Site

    Tickets are free for students with ID and $10 lawn for others. We will be meeting at the West gate at 7:30, concert begins at 8:00 pm. Bring your blankets, snacks and most importantly good friends for an unforgettable evening. We look forward to seeing you there!

    RSVP: Lena B. or Misha K.. If you get lost call 414-403-5559.

  • MESSAGE BOARD
  • 1. Russian Hillel T-Shirts

    Do you want to have a Russian Hillel T-Shirt (it will cost about $10-15)? Email Misha so that we know how many to order.

    2. Russian Hillel Slogan Contest

    Design a slogan for Russian Hillel and win $25! Email your entries to Misha.

    3.Kiev Interns

    Do you want to make new friends from former Soviet Union? Two girls are visiting Chicago. Sasha G. and Zhenia T. are from Kiev and they are part of JUF/Hillel Internship programs. Hang out with them show them Chicago.

    You can contact them: Sasha G. and Zhenia T.

    Do you have a short message to post? Email Misha!

  • SAVE THE DATE
  • SAVE THE DATE
    June-August
    coming up soon!!!

    Israeli Movie Night- Tue, July 11.

    Pool Party - Wed, July 19.

    Russian Hillel Camping Trip - Fri-Sun, August 11-13.

    Picnic - Sun, August 27.

       
    Hillels Around Chicago
    1 S. Franklin St.,
    Suite 216-600
    Chicago, IL, 60606

    Misha Zilbermint
    Program Associate
    MishaZilbermint@juf.org
    (312) 673 2359

    Ilana Gitman
    Israel Intern
    IlanaGitman@juf.org
    (312) 673 2385

    http://www.HillelsAroundChicago.org

    Hillels Around Chicago: Multi-Campus Center, a partner in serving our community is supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life



     

    Sunday, June 25, 2006

    Parshas HaShavua Korach



      Parashas Korach

      I.  The Responsibility of a Talmid Chacham

      Princes of the congregation, appointed to the assembly, men of
    renown…(Bamidbar 16:2)


      The Gemara (Sanhedrin 52b) describes how a talmid chacham – a wise man –
    appears in the eyes of an am ha'aretz – an ignoramus.  The talmid chacham
    shines brilliantly, like a golden vessel.  However, the Gemara continues,
    once the talmid chacham benefits in any way from the am ha'aretz, he is
    viewed by him as a clay container which, once broken, is beyond repair.
      Rashi comments that this description applies directly to Korach's
    relationship to the talmidei chachamim of B'nei Yisrael, who eventually came
    to side with him in his rebellion.  Korach attempted to incite a revolt
    against Moshe and Aharon, accusing them of usurping all leadership for
    themselves.  Korach, who himself, was a member of Moshe's family and quite a
    distinguished individual, had great powers of persuasion over B'nei Yisrael.
    He found ways to convince people and bring them over to his distorted ways
    of thinking.  Yet, in viewing the talmidei chachamim, he felt he could not
    reach them.  They were truly a shining, golden object in his eyes, steadfast
    in their integrity, and tamim – pure – in all their actions.
      However, this aura was shattered when Korach invited the wise men to a
    meal, and they accepted.  The Gemara teaches us that accepting this
    invitation was a fatal mistake, for it caused a drastic chance in Korach's
    relationship with them.  Immediately, their lofty stature was diminished in
    his eyes.  They no longer seemed invulnerable.  Korach felt that he could
    now approach them and influence them.  He tried, and succeeded.
      On one hand, this situation demonstrates what strength lies in respected
    individuals.  Korach, the great orator and persuader, who dared to challenge
    Moshe Rabbeinu, felt the talmidei chachamim were absolutely unapproachable
    for he held them in such high esteem.
      On the other hand, in one slightly improper action of accepting Korach's
    invitation, the wise men shattered their image as pure, invincibly righteous
    men in Korach's eyes.  He no longer looked up to them and kept his distance.
    He approached them, confident he would win them over, and he did.  Because
    of this miniscule miscalculation in associating with an evil person like
    Korach, they eventually were doomed to the same fate as Korach.
      We often underestimate our own stature in the eyes of others.  It is
    difficult to gauge the respect that people have for us, and the commensurate
    responsibility that comes with it.  The Mesilas Yesharim writes that even if
    we know we are not as worthy as people think we are, we have an obligation
    to live up to the higher standards they expect from us.  This applies in all
    our interactions, with both Jews and non-Jews, whether at work, in the
    community, or at home with our families.  By keeping our actions impeccably
    pure and proper, we not only sanctify the Name of Hashem and spread holiness
    in the world, but we avoid harming ourselves.  Damaging a good image could
    lead to tragic results, as in the case of the chachamim.  When our actions
    truly shine forth as gold, our lives, as well as the lives of all those who
    surround us, will be immeasurably enriched.
      II.  A Wife's Advice – The Power of Truth

      And they rose up before Moshe with two hundred and fifty men, princes of
    the congregation, appointed to the assembly, men of renown…(Bamidbar 16:2)

      Korach enlisted many followers to his rebellion against Moshe and Aharon.
    One of the original co-conspirators was Ohn ben Peles.  The Da'as Z'keinim
    (Bamidbar 16:1) tells us that Ohn rethought his position, did teshuvah, and
    withdrew from the uprising, based on his wife's advice.  His wife confronted
    him with the fact that regardless of whether Moshe or Korach emerged
    victorious, Ohn would still remain in a secondary position in the leadership
    of the Children of Israel.  This realization helped awaken him to reassess
    the situation and realize that Moshe, was indeed, correct.
      Why was it necessary for Ohn's wife to explain this fact to him?  Was it
    not obvious to Ohn that he was risking his life in a rebellion against Moshe
    with no chance for personal gain?
      This incident gives us a clearer understanding of the great measure of
    control the yetzer hara exerts upon our thoughts and actions.  Ohn was
    involved in a machlokes – a conflict.  Ohn was so blinded to the truth by
    the yetzer hara that he neglected to show concern for the person he held
    most dear – himself.  Not only couldn't he comprehend that the uprising
    itself was wrong, he could not even see the unmistakable fact that he had
    nothing to gain and his life to lose!
      If Ohn was so completely persuaded by the yetzer hara, how could his wife
    so easily pull him away from the machlokes?
      The yetzer hara is convincing, but truth – emes – is even more powerful.
    Ohn ben Peles was thoroughly blinded to the truth of the dispute, but all he
    needed was a dose of emes to bring him back to his senses and save him from
    a horrible death.
      We must constantly maintain an equilibrium between two formidable powers.
    We must counterbalance the deceptive forces of the yetzer hara with the
    influence of emes.  When we find ourselves straying from the path of Torah –
    involving ourselves in machlokes, for example – we must take out our map and
    compass – truth – and find our way back.  There is rarely anything to be
    gained by fighting, other than causing hatred and bitterness.  Contemplating
    this truth will provide us with the necessary firepower to win our struggle
    with the yetzer hara and avoid machlokes.
      III.  Appreciating the Strength of a Human Being

      You take too much upon yourselves, sons of Levi…(Bamidbar 16:7)

      Korach, a prominent Levite, viewed the appointment of Aharon – Moshe's
    brother – to the position of High Priest, as an usurpation of power by Moshe
    and his family.  Spurred by jealousy, Korach caused a great rift in the
    nation by inciting B'nei Yisrael against Moshe and Aharon.  In the end,
    Korach was disproved and he and his followers were all killed except for
    Korach's sons who repented at the last moment.
      How could Korach have made such a fatal error in judgement?  Rashi
    (ibid.) describes Korach as extremely intelligent, insightful and even
    worthy of prophecy.  Korach knew he needed clear justification for the great
    schism he would surely cause with his inflammatory accusations, for if he
    was wrong, he would be punished with death.  Nevertheless, Korach felt
    assured that he had the necessary justification because of a prophecy he had
    received revealed his progeny to him.  He saw that the great prophet,
    Shmuel, would descend from his lineage, therefore he concluded that he would
    remain alive and not be punished by death.  He concluded that he must be in
    the right.
      Korach failed to consider the possibility that he and his followers would
    be killed, while his sons would repent and continue his family line.  Why
    hadn't such a likelihood occur to Korach?  Why did he assume that his sons'
    fate would be like his own?  In the midst of his all-important decision to
    proceed with his case or not, one would think that Korach would carefully
    explore all the possibilities.  Standing in the wrong would mean incurring
    the wrath of Hashem; his life and the lives of all his followers were on the
    line.  How could Korach have overlooked the possibility that his sons would
    repent and that the prophet, Shmuel, was destined to come from them?
      Korach was very wise and perceptive, yet he did not fully appreciate the
    inherent strength of a human being.   He could not imagine that his children
    had the power within them to repent.  They were so enmeshed in the dispute
    with Moshe that Korach felt it impossible for his sons to repent, especially
    at such a late time.  This was Korach's fatal mistake.  He did not
    comprehend the extent of man's greatness, of the neshamah, the spark of
    Godliness within every Jew.  It is never too late for a person to do
    teshuvah.  Even one who rebels against Hashem, has the ability, at the very
    last moment of life, to harness the latent potential for greatness within
    him and do complete teshuvah.  This ability to reach for Hashem out of the
    lowest depths of sin, is what Korach underestimated.
      If we tap the incredible potential within us, we can attain far greater
    heights and achievements than we ever thought possible.