From The Rabbi’s Study… Shabbat August 1, 2, 2025/ 7, 8 Av 5785
Erev Tisha B’Av (Saturday night)
Shabbat-Chazon: “Sabbath of Visions” is the immediate Shabbat before Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of our Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The Beit Hamikdash was destroyed TWICE on this date. The First was by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, and then by the Romans in 70 CE.
A short summary of the Torah: The Torah continues with the introduction of Moses’ farewell discourse to the Israelites; the first discourse was a review of the journey from Sinai to the wilderness of Kadesh.
A concept and value in this Torah portion is the art of making judgements. To aid Moses in his leadership with the Israelites, he appoints judges to decide justly and who will be impartial in their deliberations. The ancient rabbis compared the difficulty and responsibility of judging to that of dealing with fire. When one comes too close to fire, one is burnt. If one strays too far from it, one is cold. The art of making judgements, the rabbi concluded, is to find the right distance.
Moses’ presentation to the Israelites held three significant rules for making judgements: “hear out” those with conflicting views; do not show partiality to high or low, Israelites or strangers; and fear no one when you are ready to render your decision. Using these guidelines, Torah commentators elaborate on the art of achieving justice in human relationships (Mechilta on Yitro). Yitro was the Midianite father-in-law of Moses.
The Haftarah from Isaiah precedes the First of Av, the anniversary of the Fall of Jerusalem. Assyria had defeated the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and the prophet Isaiah criticized the Israelites for their wrongdoing. G-d wants not just simple sacrifices; He would rather ask the people to behave, do justly and act ethically. If the people follow to learn righteous behavior again, then G-d will bring upon them a punishment that will purge their iniquities.
As always, one may pray and G-d hears all prayers. G-d also wants one to do righteous behavior. Some may pray, but deal with their community in unethical ways. While some may not pray, they do Gemilut Chasidim (righteous actions) within the community. Yes, and most people do both. Soon, the Jewish month Elul will arrive, when each Jewish person will be warned by the shofar blasts each day, except on the Sabbath, that one can change their ways and do better.
May we continue to pray for Israel and their fight against Hamas.
May we continue to pray for the rescue of our hostages (640 days of being held).
Please know that Israel sends food and aid to the Gazans and has protected a few areas to retrieve food. While a few countries also bring aid and supplies, some are taken by Hamas. Hamas also has killed and prevented Gazans from receiving the food or supplies. Some Gazans are not Moslem and some of the people are protesting against Hamas. Let’s pray for a speedy end to this war.
Our daughter, Andrea, surprised us with a visit. She will be attending Breakfast with the Rabbi on Monday, August 4th at George’s. I look forward to seeing everyone not only for services and events, but also breakfast and our luncheons!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
