{"id":66942,"date":"2018-07-09T17:45:31","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-1075\/"},"modified":"2023-07-14T14:20:46","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T11:20:46","slug":"wall-1075","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-1075\/","title":{"rendered":"weekend-from-20230709-to-20230715"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"weekend","wall_id":"1075","date_from":"20230709","date_to":"20230715","book":"Isaiah","books_group":"Prophets","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"48647","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"The Real Role of the Rabbinate ","post_title":"The Real Role of the Rabbinate","slug":"the-real-role-of-the-rabbinate","old_id":"48647","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33859,"post_title":"Avidan Freedman","slug":"avidan-freedman","old_id":"33859","first_name":"Avidan","last_name":"Freedman","description":"Rabbi Avidan Freedman is the Rabbi of Hevruta, the Shalom Hartman Institute's post high school program for Israelis and North Americans, and an educator in the institute's high school. He is an activist advocating for moral limits on Israeli arms exports, and on behalf of African refugees, and a proud husband and father of 5. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, and from the Israeli chief rabbinate.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Rabbi Avidan Freedman is the Rabbi of Hevruta, the Shalom Hartman Institute's post high school program for Israelis and North Americans, and an educator in the institute's high school. ","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33860,"alt":"Avidan Freedman","title":"Avidan Freedman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","width":856,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-251x300.jpg","medium-width":251,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-768x919.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":919,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-856x1024.jpg","large-width":856,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","1536x1536-width":856,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","2048x2048-width":856,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-800x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-351x420.jpg","home_baner-width":351,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"147","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Definitely not what you expected\u2026.","post_main_content_content":"

A man comes to his rabbi with a difficult halachic quandary. There is a prohibition that he's struggling with upholding, and it's not a minor one. It's mentioned numerous times in the Torah, and the rabbis have the harshest words for he who violates it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Pop quiz: is the rabbi's role:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  1. a) to chastise him for daring to put his own struggle up against the word of God<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. b) to strengthen and encourage him to overcome his temptations, overcome himself, to see this as a test from God of his commitment,<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. c) to emphathically, sensitively, lovingly tell the man that he hears his struggle...but there's nothing to do,<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  4. d) to creatively find him a way out?<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    In the world of vows introduced in Bamidbar 30, the answer is D.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    In Jewish thought, repeated several times throughout Tanach, and emphasized by the rabbis, a promise is a promise. \u00a0Vows are serious business; on the Day of Atonement, it's the very first sin we try to deal with. Our words and commitments are holy, and a prohibition we create for ourselves is binding; breaking your word is considered <\/span>hillul<\/span><\/em>- a profaning of the sacred.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    And so, the mishna in Hagiga seems to relate harshly to the idea of permitting vows, saying that it is an endeavor which \"flits in the air, and has nothing to rely on.\" But Shmuel, one of the most important rabbis of the Gemara, disagrees. The idea that 'he shall not profane his word' he reads with creative minimalism- <\/span>he<\/span><\/em> cannot profane it, but others can for him. This process is known as '<\/em><\/span>hatarat nedarim<\/span><\/em>'<\/span><\/i>, and it is entrusted, first and foremost, to the experts. A person who ignored all the rabbinic warnings about careful speech, and foolishly made a vow that he now finds he cannot keep is not chastised for his carelessness, he isn't encouraged to valiantly try to live up to his vows, or empathized with. The role of the expert is to help him, by creatively finding an 'out'.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Once, it was lay people who added prohibitions, who demanded of themselves greater stringencies, and it was the role of the expert rabbis to make their lives livable when they got out of control. Somewhere along the way, rabbis and lay people seem to have gotten their roles reversed, and it is the rabbis who are always demanding stringencies that put people to the test and push them past the breaking point, and the people who desperately search for ways out. This reversal causes great anguish for all parties. \u00a0Instead of helping to keep people from profaning their word, and preventing <\/span>hillul<\/span><\/em>,<\/span><\/i> this type of rabbinate is the cause of great <\/span>hillul<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    But there is hope. Rashi, based on the Gemara, reminds us: \"If there is no expert [willing] to allow the vows, they can be allowed by convening an alternative court [even] of the lay-people.\"<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":48651,"alt":"","title":"num30-Ben Hamu","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","width":900,"height":386,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu-300x129.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":129,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu-768x329.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":329,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","large-width":900,"large-height":386,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","1536x1536-width":900,"1536x1536-height":386,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","2048x2048-width":900,"2048x2048-height":386,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","post_full_size-width":900,"post_full_size-height":386,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","home_baner-width":900,"home_baner-height":386}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Real Role of the Rabbinate","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Definitely not what you expected\u2026.","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":48651,"alt":"","title":"num30-Ben Hamu","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","width":900,"height":386,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu-300x129.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":129,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu-768x329.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":329,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","large-width":900,"large-height":386,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","1536x1536-width":900,"1536x1536-height":386,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","2048x2048-width":900,"2048x2048-height":386,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","post_full_size-width":900,"post_full_size-height":386,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num30-Ben-Hamu.jpg","home_baner-width":900,"home_baner-height":386}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"147","date":"20260323","wall_id":"147"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"414","name":"Law","old_id":"814"},{"term_id":"459","name":"Forgiveness","old_id":"859"},{"term_id":"535","name":"Vow","old_id":"935"},{"term_id":"627","name":"Talmud","old_id":"1027"},{"term_id":"662","name":"Halacha","old_id":"1062"},{"term_id":"684","name":"Authority","old_id":"1084"}]},{"order":2,"id":"60420","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"Mattot\/Mas'ei:\u00a0 Shared Fate Places Us In Sync ","post_title":"Mattot\/Mas'ei:\u00a0 Shared Fate Places Us In Sync","slug":"mattot-maasei-shared-fate-places-us-in-sync","old_id":"60420","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36663,"post_title":"Beth Kissileff","slug":"beth-kissileff","old_id":"36663","first_name":"Beth ","last_name":"Kissileff ","description":"Beth Kissileff is the editor of the anthology Reading Genesis (2016 - https:\/\/www.bloomsbury.com\/us\/reading-genesis-9780567381521), and the forthcoming Reading Exodus, and the author of the novel Questioning Return - https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Questioning-Return-Novel-Beth-Kissileff\/dp\/1942134231. \r\nHer journalism appears in many publications; she has taught most recently at the University of Pittsburgh. Visit her online at www.bethkissileff.com. ","short_description":"Beth Kissileff is the editor of the anthology Reading Genesis (Bloomsbury\/ T and T Clark, 2016) , a journalist and teacher.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36664,"alt":"","title":"BethKissileff","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","width":3478,"height":3200,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-300x276.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":276,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-768x707.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":707,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-1024x942.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":942,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1413,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1884,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-1200x1104.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1104,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/BethKissileff-e1533157952224-456x420.jpg","home_baner-width":456,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1055","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"And the 5 women who end the book, yearning for the Land, connect us back to the 5 women who started the whole redemption process in the first place\u2026","post_main_content_content":"

    \u201cJews at least share the same calendar.\u00a0 Think about it \u2013 Christians are so fractured that the different groups don\u2019t even agree on the dates of their major holy days,\u201d our tour guide Shuli Mishkin told us walking towards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the intermediate days of Passover.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    Same calendar, yes; same readings at same time, not always.\u00a0Schedules for the weekly reading of the Torah have diverged between Israel and the Diaspora since the end of Passover, when Israelis recited Leviticus with the portion of Acharei Mot<\/em> on the Sabbath of April 27, while Jews outside Israel read the portion designated for Passover\u2019s eighth day, not celebrated in Israel, where just one day of the holiday suffices. Schedules for reading are being synced once again this week.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    Why then is the double portion of Matot-Masei the one to mend the rift between the portions Israelis and Diaspora Jews read?\u00a0Two aspects of the portion remind us of those who act so we retain a united destiny and posit a moving belief in a shared fate.\u00a0In Numbers 32, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh elect to remain on one side of the Jordan.\u00a0And yet they vow their fate will be the same as those crossing over in that they will share in responsibilities of war and in fact be the \u201cpioneers\u201d (the verb h-l-tz<\/em> appears seven times in this chapter in 32: 17, 20, 21, 27, 29, 30, 32), and in the vanguard of the warriors. This is the condition for their retention of their land.<\/p>\r\n

    The others concerned about the retention of land are a group of five women, daughters of a man who had no sons.\u00a0It makes sense to have the end of Numbers be the moment to highlight five women who act bravely to ensure continuity, just as Exodus begins with the similar actions of five women<\/a> \u2013 two midwives, mother and sister of Moses and daughter of Pharaoh. Here it is Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noa the daughters of Zelophechad whose case ends the book in chapter 36: 1-13. The love of the land that these sisters had, choosing to bring their case to Moses for judgement (Numbers 27:1 \u2013 11) is the matter that ends the book of Numbers and cements the fact of the Israelites' right to enter it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    The fact that five women serve as bookends to leaving Egypt and entering Israel seems proof that for fate to be shared, all members of society, men and women, must have the capacity to both take action as in Exodus and be heard and judged fairly as in Numbers.\u00a0In that way we will create a society in which the stories read will be ones all wish to share.<\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Matot\/Mas'ei 5779","tile_main_caption":"And the 5 women who end the book, yearning for the Land, connect us back to the 5 women who started the whole redemption process in the first place\u2026","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"II Samuel","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1055"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"368","name":"Parasha","old_id":"768"},{"term_id":"403","name":"Redemption","old_id":"803"},{"term_id":"600","name":"Women","old_id":"1000"}]},{"order":3,"id":"107610","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"The First Gerrymander ","post_title":"The First Gerrymander","slug":"the-first-gerrymander","old_id":"107610","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. He and his daughter studied the Tanach again for her bat mitzvah. Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group. When not studying for 929, Josh works as an in-house lawyer in New Jersey.","short_description":"Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group, and is an in-house attorney in New Jersey. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"149","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Moses divides a tribe and its territory. To weaken a political alliance?\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

    Earlier, God decreed that each tribe would receive a proportional part of the Land. As the nation makes its way around the Jordan river to enter the land, they have been conquering the local peripheral populations. The tribes of Reuben and Gad see these fertile borderlands and decide that they do not want to enter the land. They approach Moses and ask if they can live in the trans-Jordan area because of their large flocks and the fertile land.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    This conversation is reminiscent of Lot\u2019s conversations with Abraham in Genesis. Compare:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    The Reubenites and the Gadites owned cattle in very great numbers. Noting that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were a region suitable for cattle (here, verse 1).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    and\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support them staying together; for their possessions were so great that they could not remain together. Lot looked about him and saw how well watered was the whole plain of the Jordan, all of it\u2026\u201d (Gen. 13:8-10).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Moses is not happy with the request. Possibly, he had a sense of personal frustration considering he would not be able to enter the land and now these tribes are asking to stay outside the land. Moses makes the tribes promise that they will enter the land and help the rest of the tribes conquer it before then return across the Jordan river: \u201cThe Gadites and the Reubenites answered Moses, \u2018Your servants will do as my lord commands.\u2019\u201d (verse 25). The two tribes then promise two more times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Satisfied with their promises \u201cMoses assigned to them\u2014to the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph\u2014the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of King Og of Bashan...\u201d (verse 33).\u00a0 Thirty-three verses into the chapter half the tribe of Manasseh appears out of nowhere. Only Gad and Reuben asked to relocate. Why does Moses split Manasseh? One answer is that Moses was concerned that having Gad and Reuben on the other side of the Jordan would separate them from their brethren. He therefore had the tribe of Manasseh split over the Jordan river in order to link the two tribes to those in the land.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    But why Manasseh? Were they the largest tribe? No, they only had around 53,000 men. Issachar, Zebulan and Judah were all larger. Judah had the most with 76,000. Why didn\u2019t Moses split Judah? Perhaps this was a political move. Judah by itself was the most, but Manasseh and Ephraim together were over 85,000. This would put the sons of Joseph as the largest block over Judah, the eventual ruling tribe. To mitigate this, Moses splits Manasseh. This allows Judah to be the largest tribe in Israel and connects Reuben and Gad to the tribes inside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

     <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54665,"alt":"","title":"jo22-tribes","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","width":650,"height":345,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes-300x159.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":159,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","medium_large-width":650,"medium_large-height":345,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","large-width":650,"large-height":345,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","1536x1536-width":650,"1536x1536-height":345,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","2048x2048-width":650,"2048x2048-height":345,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","post_full_size-width":650,"post_full_size-height":345,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","home_baner-width":650,"home_baner-height":345}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The First Gerrymander","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Moses divides a tribe and its territory. To weaken a political alliance?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":54665,"alt":"","title":"jo22-tribes","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","width":650,"height":345,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes-300x159.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":159,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","medium_large-width":650,"medium_large-height":345,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","large-width":650,"large-height":345,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","1536x1536-width":650,"1536x1536-height":345,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","2048x2048-width":650,"2048x2048-height":345,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","post_full_size-width":650,"post_full_size-height":345,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo22-tribes.jpg","home_baner-width":650,"home_baner-height":345}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"32","chapter_main_number":"149","date":"20260325","wall_id":"149"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"423","name":"Politics","old_id":"823"},{"term_id":"430","name":"Land of Israel","old_id":"830"},{"term_id":"792","name":"Tribes","old_id":"1192"}]},{"order":4,"id":"48767","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"Fighting Together And Living Together Are Not The Same ","post_title":"Fighting Together And Living Together Are Not The Same","slug":"fighting-together-and-living-together-are-not-the-same","old_id":"48767","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":39525,"post_title":"Erica Brown","slug":"erica-brown","old_id":"39525","first_name":"Erica ","last_name":"Brown","description":"Dr. Erica Brown is associate professor at the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at The George Washington University and director of its Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership. She is the author of 12 books. Her forthcoming book is The Book of Esther: Power, Fate and Fragility in Exile (Maggid\/OU).","short_description":"Dr. Erica Brown is Director of the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership at The George Washington University.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":39526,"alt":"","title":"erica brown","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903.jpg","width":154,"height":186,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903.jpg","medium-width":154,"medium-height":186,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903.jpg","medium_large-width":154,"medium_large-height":186,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903.jpg","large-width":154,"large-height":186,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903.jpg","1536x1536-width":154,"1536x1536-height":186,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903.jpg","2048x2048-width":154,"2048x2048-height":186,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903.jpg","post_full_size-width":154,"post_full_size-height":186,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/erica-brown-e1536180373903.jpg","home_baner-width":154,"home_baner-height":186}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"149","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Being part of a community of a shared vision can never be episodic if it is to be authentic","post_main_content_content":"

    A modern midrash: It is the night before the Gadites and Reubenites were approaching the priests and judges to request they stay on the other side of the Jordan River. They planned for weeks, unsure and anxious how their new plan would be received. Their real struggle was facing Moses. Their leader for all these decades, Moses was banned from entering the Promised Land. How could they tell him so close to the land itself that they <\/span>could<\/span><\/em> enter the land but did not want to, and all for a lot of cows, what Moses might consider a bovine misdemeanor?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Having amassed cattle in a scrimmage in Jazer and Gilead, these tribes knew that a financial boon on four legs was hard to move; the grazing land on this side of the Jordan was excellent. They knew little about Canaan, but rumors flooded the camp. The land would never be as good. They were sure of it, even willing to give up on the community altogether for their recent good fortune. In the Gadite leadership tent, the Reubenites, ancestors of the firstborn spurned son of Jacob, and Gadites discussed their strategy. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    The time came for the fateful meeting. Moses did not mention his personal or emotional stake in the matter. He did not chastise them for putting their immediate, material gains above their joint spiritual dream. As a leader, his concern was always for the impact every decision would have on the rest of the wilderness community: \u201cAre your brothers to go to war while you stay here?\u201d The repercussions for the others were obvious.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    The tribes assured Moses that they would fight; indeed, they would settle their families and cattle and go out to the front line. Moses, perhaps tired of fighting or aware that they were going to act on this plan regardless of his warnings, hesitatingly and shockingly agreed. But fighting together and living together are not the same. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Being part of a community of a shared vision can never be episodic if it is to be authentic.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":61778,"alt":"","title":"1kings5-unity","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity.png","width":1920,"height":1916,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-768x766.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":766,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-1024x1022.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":1022,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1533,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1916,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-1200x1198.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1198,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-421x420.png","home_baner-width":421,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Fighting Together And Living Together Are Not The Same","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Being part of a community of a shared vision can never be episodic if it is to be authentic","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":61778,"alt":"","title":"1kings5-unity","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity.png","width":1920,"height":1916,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-768x766.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":766,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-1024x1022.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":1022,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1533,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1916,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-1200x1198.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1198,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1kings5-unity-421x420.png","home_baner-width":421,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"32","chapter_main_number":"149","date":"20260325","wall_id":"149"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"363","name":"Midrash","old_id":"763"},{"term_id":"422","name":"Diaspora","old_id":"822"},{"term_id":"434","name":"War","old_id":"834"},{"term_id":"792","name":"Tribes","old_id":"1192"}]},{"order":5,"id":"48762","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"East Side, West Side, All Around The Jordan ","post_title":"East Side, West Side, All Around The Jordan","slug":"east-side-west-side-all-around-the-jordan","old_id":"48762","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34255,"post_title":"Shira Hecht-Koller","slug":"shira-hecht-koller","old_id":"34255","first_name":"Shira","last_name":"Hecht-Koller ","description":"Shira Hecht-Koller is the Director of Education for 929 English. 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","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34256,"alt":"","title":"Shira head shot","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot.jpg","width":3456,"height":5184,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot-200x300.jpg","medium-width":200,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot-683x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":683,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot-683x1024.jpg","large-width":683,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot.jpg","2048x2048-width":1365,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot-800x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Shira-head-shot-280x420.jpg","home_baner-width":280,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"149","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"What was so wrong with the tribes\u2019 request?","post_main_content_content":"

    When the grass is greener on the other side, requests to stay on that side seem reasonable. Such is the petition put forth by the tribes Reuben, Gad and \u00bd Menashe as the Israelites plan for settlement in the promised land. They approach Moses with what is a seemingly legitimate request: Israel has recently conquered the land of Sihon in the central Transjordan; it is excellent grazing land; they have a large number of livestock; therefore, it makes sense for them to settle here.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Though the request is sensible, Moses reacts surprisingly harshly. Their request had consisted of three verses; Moses\u2019s response takes up ten. He not only criticizes them explicitly and directly, but claims that their actions are comparable to those of the spies, who had condemned an entire generation to death in the desert. For an innocent request, this seems to be entirely unwarranted. What exactly was wrong with their request that brought such censure upon their heads?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    A careful analysis of Moses\u2019s words demonstrates that the threat to which he reacts is not a perceived lack of love for Israel, but rather a sense that these tribes are undermining the entire program. If they remain in Transjordan, Moses is concerned that the rest of the people will opt to not go to war and simply join their movement. He is worried that they are acting in a way that will cause not only themselves, but the entire nation, to give up the quest for the land at this stage. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Moses\u2019s prime concern is that they are threatening to dissuade the rest of Israel from entering the promised land.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    His message seems to be clear: there are legitimate pragmatic considerations involved in a tribe\u2019s choice of territory, and these may trump the ideal of living in Israel. But this is only acceptable if the choice of other territory is accompanied by ardent support for those who do wish to live in Israel. \u00a0Reuben and Gad can live wherever they want \u2013 even in land that was not divinely intended to be Israelite land \u2013 if they do all they can to ensure that the other tribes are able to cross the Jordan and establish life there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    When Reuben and Gad explain that they never meant to bow out at this stage, but would in fact lead the fight to conquer the land of Israel and not return home until it was settled, Moses assents, assured now that the national presence in Israel was not threatened by the Jewish presence outside of Israel. Perhaps, he may have thought, they will one day be mutually beneficial.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    photo: courtesy of the author<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":48763,"alt":"","title":"Duet32-SHKalaniyot","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot.jpg","width":1280,"height":853,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":853,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":853,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"East Side, West Side, All Around the Jordan","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"What was so wrong with the tribes\u2019 request?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":48763,"alt":"","title":"Duet32-SHKalaniyot","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot.jpg","width":1280,"height":853,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":853,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":853,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Duet32-SHKalaniyot-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"32","chapter_main_number":"149","date":"20260325","wall_id":"149"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"397","name":"Moses","old_id":"797"},{"term_id":"430","name":"Land of Israel","old_id":"830"},{"term_id":"792","name":"Tribes","old_id":"1192"}]},{"order":6,"id":"48972","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"New Names, New Places ","post_title":"New Names, New Places","slug":"new-names-new-places","old_id":"48972","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33992,"post_title":"Bradley Shavit Artson","slug":"rabbi-dr-bradley-shavit-artson","old_id":"33992","first_name":"Bradley Shavit ","last_name":"Artson","description":"Rabbi Dr Bradley Shavit Artson holds the Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Dean's Chair of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and is Vice President of American Jewish University in Los Angeles, and is professor of philosophy there. Artson is married to Elana Shavit Artson, and they are the parents of twins, Shira and Jacob.\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"short_description":"Rabbi Dr Bradley Shavit Artson is the Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and is Vice President of American Jewish University in Los Angeles.","link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33993,"alt":"","title":"Rabbi Dr Bradley Shavit Artson","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","width":204,"height":199,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-256x300.png","medium-width":256,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","medium_large-width":204,"medium_large-height":199,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","large-width":204,"large-height":199,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","1536x1536-width":204,"1536x1536-height":199,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","2048x2048-width":204,"2048x2048-height":199,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","post_full_size-width":204,"post_full_size-height":199,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","home_baner-width":204,"home_baner-height":199}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"151","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Several homes, one Home","post_main_content_content":"

    Brace yourself: here comes another Biblical list that people love to mock. An array of names, one for each of the new leaders of the tribes, to work with Joshua and Eleazar the Priest in the apportioning of the Land for the Israelite confederation. In a fairly subtle move, the Torah lists the two familiar leaders from the previous generation, but supplements them with all new leaders from the other tribes. The astute reader will note that, as promised, the first generation of wanderers has perished. They will not enter into the Land of Promise. Only those leaders from a new generation, one that never knew slavery, never lived in Egypt, only these are fit to lead the people Israel into their new land, their new future.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    But there is another subtle message flowing just under the surface as well. The tribal leaders are listed in the approximate order of their tribes\u2019 placement in the geography of the Land of Israel. Even before entering the land, people are introduced in their proper setting, their proper location. Everybody has their time, the Mishnah teaches, and every thing has its place. In the Torah\u2019s list here, we learn that each person has a place too.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    We are all children of the soil, springing from the rich loam of this beautiful planet. Each person is of a place. In our busy, mobile time, it may well be true that we each have more than one place. But for all of us there is somewhere we are rooted, somewhere that calls us home. For me, the city of my childhood is one of my homes. The town of my college and of my graduate school also feel like homes to me. And as a Jew, every time I fly to Israel, a piece of me is flying home. But at the end of the day, Home (with a capital H) is where my wife and children live. That is where I breathe easiest, where I am nested and settled. Several homes; one Home. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    So the Torah reminds us that even before we\u2019ve unpacked, we each of us has a home. We are of somewhere. We belong. And someday a new generation will take up their homes in what was once ours, just as we dwell in the spot where others have dwelt before us. And life\u2019s blessing is to see that continuity as the blessing it is; to celebrate our rootedness. To know where we are home.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":48973,"alt":"","title":"num34-home","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home.jpg","width":1920,"height":1312,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-300x205.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":205,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-768x525.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":525,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-1024x700.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":700,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1050,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1312,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-1200x820.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":820,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-615x420.jpg","home_baner-width":615,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"New Names, New Places","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Several homes, one Home","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":48973,"alt":"","title":"num34-home","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home.jpg","width":1920,"height":1312,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-300x205.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":205,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-768x525.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":525,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-1024x700.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":700,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1050,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1312,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-1200x820.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":820,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num34-home-615x420.jpg","home_baner-width":615,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"34","chapter_main_number":"151","date":"20260329","wall_id":"151"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"430","name":"Land of Israel","old_id":"830"},{"term_id":"462","name":"Identity","old_id":"862"},{"term_id":"510","name":"Home","old_id":"910"}]},{"order":7,"id":"49109","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"Alternatives To Incarceration: A Jewish Approach ","post_title":"Alternatives To Incarceration: A Jewish Approach","slug":"alternatives-to-incarceration-a-jewish-approach","old_id":"49109","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34257,"post_title":"Shmuly Yanklowitz","slug":"shmuly-yanklowitz","old_id":"34257","first_name":"Shmuly ","last_name":"Yanklowitz ","description":"Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of the Valley Beit Midrash, the Founder & President of Uri L\u2019Tzedek, the Founder and CEO of The Shamayim V\u2019Aretz Institute, the Founder and President of YATOM, and the author of thirteen books on Jewish ethics. Newsweek named Rav Shmuly one of the top 50 rabbis in America and the Forward named him one of the 50 most influential Jews. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of the Valley Beit Midrash, the Founder & President of Uri L\u2019Tzedek","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34258,"alt":"","title":"sHMULY","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY.jpg","width":580,"height":580,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY.jpg","medium_large-width":580,"medium_large-height":580,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY.jpg","large-width":580,"large-height":580,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY.jpg","1536x1536-width":580,"1536x1536-height":580,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY.jpg","2048x2048-width":580,"2048x2048-height":580,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY.jpg","post_full_size-width":580,"post_full_size-height":580,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sHMULY-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"152","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Commitment to human dignity even for those who have violated the norms of society","post_main_content_content":"

    One of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik\u2019s most inspirational and relevant teachings was that: \u201c\u2026[<\/span>H<\/span><\/i>]<\/span>alakhah <\/span><\/i>[Jewish Law] is not hermetically enclosed within the confines of cult sanctuaries but penetrates into every nook and cranny of life. The marketplace, the street, the factory, the house, the meeting place, the banquet hall, all constitute the backdrop for the religious life\u201d (<\/span>Halakhic Man<\/span><\/i>, 94).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    As we look upon the myriad of challenges facing society, one of the more intractable is that of justice reform. The legacy of harsh punishment, rather than rehabilitation, has created systemic problems that we as a society have to reckon with for generations to come. Therefore, now is the time that those of us committed to Jewish law and values work to transform prisons and jails in America, so that they reflect and protect inherent human dignity, even for those that may not appear to deserve it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Indeed, maximum-security prisons in the United States are some of the most miserable places on earth. Impenetrable cement cells, feeding through a hole, and the bare minimum of exercise are the norm for those residing in their barren cells. These conditions are not only inhumane\u2013they bring on and worsen mental illness and raise recidivism rates.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    And to be sure, the inhumanity of incarceration has no place in the Jewish tradition\u2013aside from temporary pre-trial detention (<\/span>mishmar<\/span><\/i>), the Torah has no model for prison as we understand it today, and only provides a number of alternatives. The only exception is a brief period when the Rabbis, under Roman influence, instituted a <\/span>kipa<\/span><\/i>, or temporary jail.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    One important model in the Torah is <\/span>eved ivri<\/span><\/em> where one works to repair harm that is done. Another biblical alternative proposed is that of the \u201cCity of Refuge\u201d\u2014<\/span>Ir Hamiklat<\/span><\/em>\u2014w<\/span><\/i>hich provides sanctuary for the unintentional murderer a protective community operating in almost all ways like a normal city.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    The Jewish commitment to human dignity even for those who have violated the norms of society can inspire us to affirm more of the alternatives to incarceration that exist in America, such as: work crews, electronic monitoring, probation, educational sentencing programs, drug rehabilitation, and house arrest. These less expensive (and more humane) options can work to address systemic problems in more sustainable and moral ways.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    We must be sure to maintain adequate and effective punishments for crimes, yes, but we must also remember the nuances of societal realities and cling to our tradition\u2019s value of compassion for the dignity of all human beings. Even criminals.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":49110,"alt":"","title":"num35-prison","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison.jpg","width":1920,"height":812,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-300x127.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":127,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-768x325.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":325,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-1024x433.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":433,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":650,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":812,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-1200x508.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":508,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-993x420.jpg","home_baner-width":993,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Alternatives to Incarceration: A Jewish Approach","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Commitment to human dignity even for those who have violated the norms of society","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":49110,"alt":"","title":"num35-prison","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison.jpg","width":1920,"height":812,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-300x127.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":127,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-768x325.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":325,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-1024x433.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":433,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":650,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":812,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-1200x508.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":508,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/num35-prison-993x420.jpg","home_baner-width":993,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Numbers","chapter":"35","chapter_main_number":"152","date":"20260330","wall_id":"152"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"476","name":"Compassion","old_id":"876"},{"term_id":"547","name":"Punishment","old_id":"947"},{"term_id":"587","name":"Dignity","old_id":"987"},{"term_id":"737","name":"Crime","old_id":"1137"}]},{"order":8,"id":"66907","color":"#efefef","size":"1","name":"When Egypt Saved Jerusalem ","post_title":"When Egypt Saved Jerusalem","slug":"when-egypt-saved-jerusalem","old_id":"66907","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36147,"post_title":"Aaron Koller","slug":"aaron-koller","old_id":"36147","first_name":"Aaron","last_name":"Koller","description":"Aaron Koller is professor of Near Eastern studies at Yeshiva University, where he is chair of the Beren Department of Jewish Studies. His last book was Esther in Ancient Jewish Thought (Cambridge University Press), and his next is Unbinding Isaac: The Akedah in Jewish Thought (forthcoming from JPS\/University of Nebraska Press in 2020); he is also the author of numerous studies in Semitic philology. Aaron has served as a visiting professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and held research fellowships at the Albright Institute for Archaeological Research and the Hartman Institute. 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    Our chapter ends with the miraculous salvation of Jerusalem, followed (literarily) by the rapid death of Sennacherib. There are plenty of mundane reasons why the Assyrians failed to capture Jerusalem \u2013 many months of military campaigning, far from home, a plague that struck the camp (in verse 36 of today\u2019s chapter), the strong defenses of Jerusalem which Hezekiah constructed. And there is one more, mentioned in verse 9: the Egyptians: \u201cBut [the king of Assyria] learned that King Tirhakah of Nubia had come out to fight him.\u201d Technically,<\/span> Taharqa<\/span><\/a> was not yet king in 701 (he ascended the throne only in 690), but he clearly led the Egyptian forces that challenged the Assyrians. In<\/span> his own account of this campaign<\/span><\/a>, Sennacherib mentions that he fought the Egyptians<\/span> at Eltekeh<\/span><\/a> in the Shephelah.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Tirhakah\/Taharqa is called \u201cking of Nubia (Kush)\u201d in our chapter because the Twenty-Fifth dynasty, of which he was a part,<\/span> was Nubian in origin<\/span><\/a>. So he would actually be king of Egypt, but his origins accompany him in his title in the Bible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    We should not be surprised that the Egyptians came. Isaiah had criticized Hezekiah for making a treaty with them (Chapters 30 and 31), and the <\/span>rab shaqeh<\/em> <\/span>had mocked the Judeans for relying on them. But it turns out that they were true to their word, and did engage the Assyrians in battle in an effort to drive them back to Mesopotamia. While it seems clear that the Egyptians-Nubians did not defeat the Assyrians, there is no doubt that this battle added to the pressure on Sennacherib to get home quickly, especially as more Egyptian forces may have been on their way. In part, then, our chapter tells a story of the Egyptians saving Jerusalem.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Image: Granite sphinx of Taharqa, 25th Dynasty from a temple at Kawa. Now residing in the British Museum, London \/ wikimedia<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":66915,"alt":"","title":"is37-SphinxOfTaharqa","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","width":469,"height":639,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa-220x300.jpg","medium-width":220,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","medium_large-width":469,"medium_large-height":639,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","large-width":469,"large-height":639,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","1536x1536-width":469,"1536x1536-height":639,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","2048x2048-width":469,"2048x2048-height":639,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","post_full_size-width":469,"post_full_size-height":639,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa-308x420.jpg","home_baner-width":308,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"When Egypt Saved Jerusalem","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Taharqa to the rescue!","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":66915,"alt":"","title":"is37-SphinxOfTaharqa","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","width":469,"height":639,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa-220x300.jpg","medium-width":220,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","medium_large-width":469,"medium_large-height":639,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","large-width":469,"large-height":639,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","1536x1536-width":469,"1536x1536-height":639,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","2048x2048-width":469,"2048x2048-height":639,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa.jpg","post_full_size-width":469,"post_full_size-height":639,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-SphinxOfTaharqa-308x420.jpg","home_baner-width":308,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"37","chapter_main_number":"371","date":"20270131","wall_id":"371"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"444","name":"History","old_id":"844"},{"term_id":"469","name":"Egypt","old_id":"869"},{"term_id":"635","name":"Jerusalem","old_id":"1035"}]},{"order":9,"id":"66909","color":"#f2e9df","size":"1","name":"A Passover-Like Deliverance ","post_title":"A Passover-Like Deliverance","slug":"a-passover-like-deliverance","old_id":"66909","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":64700,"post_title":"Yaakov Jaffe","slug":"yaakov-jaffe","old_id":"64700","first_name":"Yaakov ","last_name":"Jaffe ","description":"Rabbi Dr. Yaakov Jaffe is Dean of Judaic Studies at the Maimonides School in Brookline, and is the Rabbi of the Maimonides Kehillah there. 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","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":64701,"alt":"","title":"yaakov-jaffe","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe.png","width":300,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe.png","medium_large-width":300,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe.png","large-width":300,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe.png","1536x1536-width":300,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe.png","2048x2048-width":300,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe.png","post_full_size-width":300,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/yaakov-jaffe.png","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"371","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"New threats will come, but this threat has passed\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

    The bulk of this chapter is a continued dialogue and discussion between the Assyrian messengers and the Jews within the besieged Jerusalem. Many of the themes of the chapter are explored elsewhere in the book, with the prophet telling the people that the Assyrians would never enter the city, would not build a ramp to overcome the wall (as they had to defeat the nearby Lachish as is visible in the Lachish reliefs), and would not even send an arrow into it (37:33-35).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    One night, as the people are sleeping in the city \u2013 unable to leave \u2013 and danger lurks outside the city, an angel of the Lord strikes the enemy camp thereby saving the Judans (37:36-38). The structure parallels that of the night of the Exodus \u2013 when again the Israelites are saved at night, while stuck inside, from an enemy lurking outside, without any effort of their own. For that reason, Jewish tradition imagines this salvation also took place on the first night of Pesach, and it is so commemorated in the Seder each year in Nirtzah.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Hezekiah\u2019s salvation and the end of the Assyrian siege short of conquest is also attested to in two secular sources. Sennecharib\u2019s own chronicles express that the Jews in Jerusalem were held captive, \u201clike a bird in a cage\u201d and forced to pay tribute, but the chronicles noticeably refrain from cheering the defeat or conquest of the city. A passage in Herodotus (2:141) also describes the defeat of the Assyrian army one night, through a seemingly miraculous intervention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Yet as we noted in our study of chapter 12, Hezekiah seems so weary from the risk and the fear that he refrains from composing the great song of thanks that might have been expected given the situation. The Assyrian threat ends, and the kingdom of Judah will enjoy a few decades of peace and quiet. New threats will come, but this threat has passed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Image: Arthur Hacker, \"And There Was a Great Cry in Egypt\" (1897) \/ the-atheneum<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":66910,"alt":"","title":"is37-angel","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel.jpg","width":1200,"height":675,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-1024x576.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":576,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":675,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":675,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-1200x675.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"A Passover-Like Deliverance","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"New threats will come, but this threat has passed","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":66910,"alt":"","title":"is37-angel","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel.jpg","width":1200,"height":675,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-1024x576.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":576,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":675,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":675,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-1200x675.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is37-angel-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"37","chapter_main_number":"371","date":"20270131","wall_id":"371"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"452","name":"Angel","old_id":"852"},{"term_id":"597","name":"Pesach","old_id":"997"},{"term_id":"601","name":"Exodus","old_id":"1001"},{"term_id":"953","name":"Assyria","old_id":"1353"}]},{"order":10,"id":"66967","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Hezekiah\u2019s Health ","post_title":"Hezekiah\u2019s Health","slug":"hezekiahs-health","old_id":"66967","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"372","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"And how Isaiah helped him recover\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

    In those days Hezekiah fell dangerously ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, \u2018Thus said the LORD: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die; you will not get well.\u2019 (1)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    While to all superficial appearances, Hezekiah\u2019s illness was an ordinary physical malaise, Malbim,* characteristically, drew distinctions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Man has three adversaries.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      \r\n\t
    1. The most external adversary is a human enemy who comes upon him.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    2. A closer adversary consists of corporeal strength and makeup. Since [man] is composed of a mixture of different and contradictory elements, once the covenant holding them together comes apart\u2026his vessel is in danger of breaking up.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    3. The most internal adversary consists of the properties, attributes, and aspirations that are embedded in man\u2019s soul. He holds their inclinations in the balance, so whenever he is unable to control his passions, he will sicken his soul and it will sink into the depths of oblivion.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

      Hezekiah was set upon by the two external adversaries. Three days before Sennacherib, the foreign enemy, arrived at his gates, the innermost adversary\u2014the maladies of disposition and illnesses of [physical] composition\u2014combined to set upon him and to do him in\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      However, if man overcomes his most internal adversary\u2014by improving his conduct\u2014and restores peace and verity to his soul and his intellect, then even his two external foes will submit to him. Therefore, Isaiah came to point out to [Hezekiah] that he would die and not live because he was lacking the internal matter that is the source of true and eternal life\u2026 whereupon [Hezekiah] understood what was incumbent upon him to do.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Malbim\u2019s valuable insight may explain why the sign that Isaiah enacted (7-8) consisted of the recession of both the sun and the shade. The former represents the physical dimension while the latter is its spiritual complement.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      *For the significance of Malbim\u2019s commentary to the Book of Isaiah,<\/span> see our introduction to chapter 1.<\/span><\/a><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":66968,"alt":"","title":"is38-Hezekiah's Recovery","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","width":566,"height":387,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery-300x205.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":205,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","medium_large-width":566,"medium_large-height":387,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","large-width":566,"large-height":387,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","1536x1536-width":566,"1536x1536-height":387,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","2048x2048-width":566,"2048x2048-height":387,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","post_full_size-width":566,"post_full_size-height":387,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","home_baner-width":566,"home_baner-height":387}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Hezekiah\u2019s Health","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"And how Isaiah helped him recover","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":66968,"alt":"","title":"is38-Hezekiah's Recovery","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","width":566,"height":387,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery-300x205.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":205,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","medium_large-width":566,"medium_large-height":387,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","large-width":566,"large-height":387,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","1536x1536-width":566,"1536x1536-height":387,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","2048x2048-width":566,"2048x2048-height":387,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","post_full_size-width":566,"post_full_size-height":387,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is38-Hezekiahs-Recovery.jpg","home_baner-width":566,"home_baner-height":387}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"38","chapter_main_number":"372","date":"20270201","wall_id":"372"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"366","name":"Commentators","old_id":"766"},{"term_id":"455","name":"Illness","old_id":"855"},{"term_id":"616","name":"Spirit","old_id":"1016"}]},{"order":11,"id":"66976","color":"#e0e9ef","size":"2","name":"Never Better ","post_title":"Never Better","slug":"never-better","old_id":"66976","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":66440,"post_title":"Yoni Hammer-Kossoy","slug":"yoni-hammer-kossoy","old_id":"66440","first_name":"Yoni ","last_name":"Hammer-Kossoy","description":"Yoni Hammer-Kossoy\u2019s poetry appears in numerous journals and anthologies, including most recently the Lily Poetry Review, Juniper Poetry, Sky Island Journal and River Heron Review. Originally from the US, Yoni has lived in Israel with his family for the last twenty years.","short_description":"Yoni Hammer-Kossoy is an American-born poet who has been living in Jerusalem for the last twenty years.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":66441,"alt":"","title":"yoni hammer-kossoy","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy.jpg","width":2482,"height":2893,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy-257x300.jpg","medium-width":257,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy-768x895.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":895,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy-879x1024.jpg","large-width":879,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy.jpg","1536x1536-width":1318,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy.jpg","2048x2048-width":1757,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy-1030x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1030,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/yoni-hammer-kossoy-360x420.jpg","home_baner-width":360,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"373","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"\u201cSafety is assured for my time.\u201d And then\u2026?","post_main_content_content":"

      Hezekiah declared to Isaiah, \u201cThe word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.\u201d For he thought, \u201cIt means that safety is assured for my time\u201d<\/span> (Isaiah 39:8)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind Amazon fires.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind bleached reefs.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind carbon neutrality.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind decades of drought.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind empty wells.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind final warnings.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind glaciers melting.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind hurricanes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind island nations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind justice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind kids.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind leadership.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind methane.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind non-reusables.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind over-fishing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind plagues.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind quotas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind righteous indignation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind science.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind talking points.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind under water.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind Venice or vaquitas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind waste management.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind extreme weather.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind you or me.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Never mind zero emissions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      image: by Ben Schachter<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":66977,"alt":"","title":"Is39-HammerKossoy","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","width":826,"height":826,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","large-width":826,"large-height":826,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","1536x1536-width":826,"1536x1536-height":826,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","2048x2048-width":826,"2048x2048-height":826,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","post_full_size-width":826,"post_full_size-height":826,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Never Better","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"\u201cSafety is assured for my time.\u201d And then\u2026?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":66977,"alt":"","title":"Is39-HammerKossoy","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","width":826,"height":826,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","large-width":826,"large-height":826,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","1536x1536-width":826,"1536x1536-height":826,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","2048x2048-width":826,"2048x2048-height":826,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy.jpg","post_full_size-width":826,"post_full_size-height":826,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is39-HammerKossoy-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"39","chapter_main_number":"373","date":"20270202","wall_id":"373"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"301","name":"Ben Schachter","old_id":"701"},{"term_id":"360","name":"Nature\/Environment","old_id":"760"}]},{"order":12,"id":"67002","color":"#faeed8","size":"1","name":"When Is A Dream Not A Dream? ","post_title":"When Is A Dream Not A Dream?","slug":"when-is-a-dream-not-a-dream","old_id":"67002","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34250,"post_title":"Sarah Rudolph","slug":"sarah-rudolph","old_id":"34250","first_name":"Sarah ","last_name":"Rudolph","description":"Sarah Rudolph is a freelance Jewish educator, writer, and editor. She has been sharing her passion for Jewish texts of all kinds for over 15 years, with students of all ages. Sarah\u2019s essays have been published in a variety of internet and print media, including Times of Israel, Kveller, Jewish Action, OU Life, The Lehrhaus, TorahMusings, and more. Sarah lives in Cleveland with her husband and four children, but is privileged to learn online with students all over the world through www.TorahTutors.org and www.WebYeshiva.org. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Sarah Rudolph is a freelance Jewish educator, writer, and editor.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34251,"alt":"","title":"Sarah R","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R.jpg","width":2824,"height":4246,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-200x300.jpg","medium-width":200,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-681x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":681,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-681x1024.jpg","large-width":681,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R.jpg","1536x1536-width":1022,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R.jpg","2048x2048-width":1362,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-798x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":798,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sarah-R-279x420.jpg","home_baner-width":279,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"373","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"When it is either less, or more, than a dream\u00a0","post_main_content_content":"

      My daughter has a book (<\/span>Just a Dream<\/span><\/i>, by Chris Van Allsburg) about a boy named Walter who litters, doesn\u2019t recycle, and can\u2019t understand why the girl next door planted a tree for her birthday \u2013 until a series of sobering dreams shows him how the future might turn out if we don\u2019t take care.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      It\u2019s ironic for a book to teach children the importance of building a better future for <\/span>their<\/span><\/em> children; shouldn\u2019t their parents be modeling that already?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      But it\u2019s hard to think ahead to a future we will never see. Even King Hezekiah \u2013 one of the good guys! \u2013 seems bizarrely nonchalant when told of a bitter future for his descendants. \u201cYour sons, your own issue, whom you have fathered, will be taken to serve\u2026 Hezekiah declared to Isaiah, \u2018The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.\u2019 And he said, \u2018For there will be peace and truth in my days\u2019\u201d (39:7-8).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Is Hezekiah, like Walter at the beginning of the story, too secure in the present to worry about the future?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Metzudat David\u2019s reading offers one possible insight: \u201cSince there will be peace in my days, and God will fulfill my promise [to survive illness], I am not worried what will be after my death.\u201d In a sense, we can understand the practical outlook that leads one to say \u201cwell, I can\u2019t do anything about what happens when I\u2019m not here!\u201d (He may also feel he\u2019s not in a position to ask more favors \u2013 or perhaps his healing inspires him with optimism despite the prophecy.)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      And yet, this is the king we\u2019re talking about. Shouldn\u2019t he take <\/span>some<\/em> <\/span>responsibility? Even Walter comes to realize his responsibility to do what he can \u2013 and in many views, negative prophecies can be changed by changes in behavior. Like the scenes in Walter\u2019s dream, this prophecy was not set in stone. Was there no metaphorical tree Hezekiah could plant for his descendants? Could he not be bothered to <\/span>try<\/span><\/em>, or even to sound upset if he couldn\u2019t think of something?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Other commentators suggest various ways to read Hezekiah\u2019s reaction as less callous than it seems. For instance \u2013 maybe we\u2019re reading it wrong:\u00a0<\/span>Is \u201cpeace and truth will be in my days\u201d a comfortable descriptive statement, or a commitment to create a reality?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Chomat Anach writes, \u201cFor the world stands on three things: justice, truth, and peace [Avot 1:18]. Now that the attribute of justice [\u201cthe word of God\u201d in verse 8] has been decreed, is it not good to grab onto the other two pillars?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Maybe Hezekiah isn\u2019t settling into his own peaceful life before harsh justice comes to others. True, he accepts that divine justice is out of his hands \u2013 but there is something he can do. He can grab onto \u2013 pursue \u2013 \u201cpeace and truth in his days.\u201d Maybe he hopes that by holding up what he can of the world, he can even change the decree, making a better future for his children more than <\/span>just a dream<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":67004,"alt":"","title":"is39-dream","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream.jpg","width":1920,"height":1299,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-300x203.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":203,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-768x520.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":520,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-1024x693.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":693,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1039,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1299,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-1200x812.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":812,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-621x420.jpg","home_baner-width":621,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"When Is A Dream Not A Dream?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"When it is either less, or more, than a dream\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":67004,"alt":"","title":"is39-dream","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream.jpg","width":1920,"height":1299,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-300x203.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":203,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-768x520.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":520,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-1024x693.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":693,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1039,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1299,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-1200x812.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":812,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-dream-621x420.jpg","home_baner-width":621,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"39","chapter_main_number":"373","date":"20270202","wall_id":"373"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"412","name":"Responsibility","old_id":"812"},{"term_id":"439","name":"Dreams","old_id":"839"},{"term_id":"898","name":"Hezekiah","old_id":"1298"}]},{"order":13,"id":"67009","color":"#e6f5f3","size":"1","name":"Almost the Messiah\u00a0 ","post_title":"Almost The Messiah\u00a0","slug":"almost-the-messiah","old_id":"67009","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":46656,"post_title":"Molly Morris","slug":"molly-morris","old_id":"46656","first_name":"Molly ","last_name":"Morris ","description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Her particular area of interest is biblical leadership. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":92561,"alt":"","title":"molly morris","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","width":2192,"height":2488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-264x300.jpg","medium-width":264,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-768x872.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":872,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-902x1024.jpg","large-width":902,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","1536x1536-width":1353,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","2048x2048-width":1804,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-1057x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1057,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-370x420.jpg","home_baner-width":370,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"373","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Hezekiah misses his chance","post_main_content_content":"

      Following the miraculous defeat of the Assyrian invasion and King Hezekiah\u2019s own miraculous recovery from death\u2019s doorstep, Hezekiah expressed his gratitude to God, and recognition of His divine intervention with words like \u201cI will give up all my sleep (to praise Him) (38:15).\u201d\u00a0 Although some sages say this expression of gratitude fell short, being delivered in writing rather than in song, by all accounts, Hezekiah was poised on the precipice of becoming the Messiah and changing the course of history.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      At the beginning of chapter there are still political and military threats facing the Jewish nation. The king of Babylonia, having heard of the great miracles bestowed on Hezekiah\u2019s nation, sends a delegation ostensibly to congratulate Hezekiah but more likely to find out what really transpired and how. Seeing an opportunity to form an alliance with the enemy of his enemy, King Hezekiah doesn\u2019t just allow an audience for these representatives from Babylonia but \u201crejoiced with them (39:2)\u201d and proudly gave them the grand tour of his palace and treasure houses.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      There\u2019s an undeniable level of haughtiness in Hezekiah\u2019s actions, further evidenced when the Prophet Isaiah asks Hezekiah \u201cWho were those people and what did they see?\u201d, to which Hezekiah responds \u201cOh, they came from faraway lands and I showed them everything! (39:3-4).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      The glaring omission in Hezekiah\u2019s response to the Babylonians is his negligence in praising God and acknowledging the source of the defeat of the Assyrian invasion, and his own return to health. For this, Hezekiah loses his position of Messiah-in-waiting.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      But in addition to neglecting praise for God, Hezekiah also seems to be ingratiating himself to the Babylonians by trying to convince them that he\u2019s a valuable ally and one they should want to form an alliance with. In his commentary on this episode, Dr. Shawn Zelig Aster (outorah.org) draws a distinction between tactical alliances \u2013 those that may be strategically necessary in a certain situation, and alliances that come from some need or desire for self-aggrandizement. Hezekiah\u2019s response to this opportunity with the Babylonian delegation seems to lean towards the latter. In other words, you might have to work with them, but you don\u2019t have to rejoice in it, and you shouldn\u2019t feel good about it \u2013 certainly a political reality that persists today. Ultimately, as Isaiah chastises Hezekiah, he forgot to mention that God is the ultimate ally, \u201cMaster of Legions,\u201d or \u201cLord of Hosts\u201d (39:5).<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":67011,"alt":"","title":"is39-messiah","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","width":800,"height":948,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah-253x300.jpg","medium-width":253,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah-768x910.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":910,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","large-width":800,"large-height":948,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":948,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":948,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":948,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah-354x420.jpg","home_baner-width":354,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Almost The Messiah\u00a0","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Hezekiah misses his chance","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":67011,"alt":"","title":"is39-messiah","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","width":800,"height":948,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah-253x300.jpg","medium-width":253,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah-768x910.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":910,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","large-width":800,"large-height":948,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":948,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":948,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":948,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is39-messiah-354x420.jpg","home_baner-width":354,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"39","chapter_main_number":"373","date":"20270202","wall_id":"373"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"423","name":"Politics","old_id":"823"},{"term_id":"500","name":"Messiah","old_id":"900"},{"term_id":"898","name":"Hezekiah","old_id":"1298"},{"term_id":"948","name":"Babylonians","old_id":"1348"}]},{"order":14,"id":"67131","color":"#f7e9e9","size":"1","name":"And The Crooked Shall Be Made Straight ","post_title":"And The Crooked Shall Be Made Straight","slug":"and-the-crooked-shall-be-made-straight","old_id":"67131","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":42746,"post_title":"Michal Kohane","slug":"michal-kohane","old_id":"42746","first_name":"Michal ","last_name":"Kohane ","description":"Currently based in Israel, Rabbanit Michal Kohane is a graduate of Yeshivat Maharat, a writer, community leader and teacher of Talmud & Torah. She holds degrees in Israel studies , education and psychology, and has been a leader and educator in Northern California for over 25 years. Her first novel, Hachug (\"Extracurricular\") was published in Israel in 2016 and her weekly blog can be found at http:\/\/www.miko284.com\r\n\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Currently based in Israel, Rabbanit Michal Kohane is a graduate of Yeshivat Maharat, a writer, community leader and teacher of Talmud & Torah. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":42747,"alt":"","title":"michal kohane","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","width":214,"height":226,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","medium-width":214,"medium-height":226,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","medium_large-width":214,"medium_large-height":226,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","large-width":214,"large-height":226,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","1536x1536-width":214,"1536x1536-height":226,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","2048x2048-width":214,"2048x2048-height":226,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","post_full_size-width":214,"post_full_size-height":226,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/michal-kohane-e1540448078529.jpg","home_baner-width":214,"home_baner-height":226}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"374","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Agnon\u2019s imaginative, provocative and paradoxical use of a famous verse","post_main_content_content":"

      In 1911 a young 24 years old author, sat for four intensive days in his apartment in Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood outside of Jaffa, producing a riveting novel. The writer, who decades later, in 1966, received the Nobel Prize for Literature, used a verse from today\u2019s chapter to name his book \u201c<\/span>V<\/span><\/i>ehaya Ha\u2019akov Lemishor<\/span><\/em>\u201d, loosely translated as \u201cthe crooked becomes straight\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      The complex, \u201ccrooked\u201d story follows a childless couple who initially, have everything (except a child), lose their fortune, and the husband, Menashe-Chayim, leaves home to wander as a beggar collecting funds. When he finally decides he has enough money to get back home, another beggar requests his greatest treasure: not the hard-earned money but a recommendation letter the rabbi wrote for him, encouraging people to give him tzedakah. Menashe-Chayim agrees, sells the letter and buys goods to trade and sell back home. But in an inn along the way, he drinks a bit too much, and upon waking up discovers that his pack with his tefillin and money is all gone. Nevertheless, he gathers his strength and heads home.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Meanwhile, the beggar with the sought-after letter is not so lucky and dies penniless. The shocked community decides to organize for him a respectful funeral. That\u2019s when they find the letter and send a message to Menashe-Chayim\u2019s town, notifying of his death. After some halachic debate, the rabbi allows Menashe-Chayim\u2019s wife to remarry, soon to have a child with her new husband.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      That\u2019s, of course, when Menashe-Chayim returns to town. Since he is dead, no one recognizes him. Then he learns that his beloved wife is married and a mom. He decides not to say anything not to interrupt his wife\u2019s newly found happiness and cause the child to be marked as a <\/span>mamzer<\/span><\/i>. Although a Cohen, he opts to spend the rest of his life in the cemetery, telling no one about this saga except for the cemetery\u2019s guard. After his death, the guard moves the nameplate from the misnamed beggar to Menashe-Chayim\u2019s actual burial place.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Most readers are left with wonderment: This is the end?? This is how \u201cthe crooked becomes straight\u201d?? What about the usual happily ever-after we\u2019ve become accustomed to?? But maybe Shai Agnon, the author of this fantastical tale, says exactly that. Borrowing a verse from the first chapter of Isaiah\u2019s consolations, which hints at Jacob\u2019s \u201ccrooked\u201d journey through the use of the term <\/span>akov (Ya\u2019akov<\/span><\/em>) becomes <\/span>yashar (Yisrae\u2019l<\/span><\/em>) he reminds us, with a gentle smile, that while we are promised that \u201call will be well in the end\u201d, the journey is likely to be more complex and full of surprises, and that \u201cending well\u201d might not look quite like anything we expected or could imagine.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Image: photo of Agnon by Yakhin Hirsch, 1966 \/ wikipedia<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":67133,"alt":"","title":"is40-shai agnon","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","width":794,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon-300x227.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":227,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon-768x580.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":580,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","large-width":794,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","1536x1536-width":794,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","2048x2048-width":794,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","post_full_size-width":794,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon-556x420.jpg","home_baner-width":556,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"And The Crooked Shall Be Made Straight","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Agnon\u2019s imaginative, provocative and paradoxical use of a famous verse","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":67133,"alt":"","title":"is40-shai agnon","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","width":794,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon-300x227.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":227,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon-768x580.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":580,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","large-width":794,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","1536x1536-width":794,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","2048x2048-width":794,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon.jpg","post_full_size-width":794,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-shai-agnon-556x420.jpg","home_baner-width":556,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"40","chapter_main_number":"374","date":"20270203","wall_id":"374"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"373","name":"Literature","old_id":"773"},{"term_id":"841","name":"Agnon","old_id":"1241"}]},{"order":15,"id":"67111","color":"#f7f7f5","size":"1","name":"The Value of Impermanence ","post_title":"The Value Of Impermanence","slug":"the-value-of-impermanence","old_id":"67111","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33992,"post_title":"Bradley Shavit Artson","slug":"rabbi-dr-bradley-shavit-artson","old_id":"33992","first_name":"Bradley Shavit ","last_name":"Artson","description":"Rabbi Dr Bradley Shavit Artson holds the Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Dean's Chair of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and is Vice President of American Jewish University in Los Angeles, and is professor of philosophy there. Artson is married to Elana Shavit Artson, and they are the parents of twins, Shira and Jacob.\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"short_description":"Rabbi Dr Bradley Shavit Artson is the Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and is Vice President of American Jewish University in Los Angeles.","link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33993,"alt":"","title":"Rabbi Dr Bradley Shavit Artson","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","width":204,"height":199,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-256x300.png","medium-width":256,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","medium_large-width":204,"medium_large-height":199,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","large-width":204,"large-height":199,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","1536x1536-width":204,"1536x1536-height":199,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","2048x2048-width":204,"2048x2048-height":199,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","post_full_size-width":204,"post_full_size-height":199,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Rabbi-Dr-Bradley-Shavit-Artson-e1532029361140.png","home_baner-width":204,"home_baner-height":199}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"374","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Including our own: the only way for the divine flow to move on is if we cede our place to those coming after us","post_main_content_content":"

      The chapter starts out famously chipper: \u201cComfort, comfort My people, says your God.\u201d That\u2019s a mighty nice opening, and we settle in for the kind of soaring rhetoric and affirmative thinking that led the ancient rabbis to designate the Book of Isaiah as the book of comfort. Think hot cocoa and cookies, but in Hebrew speeches.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      With such robust positivity, we\u2019re not really prepared for what comes next. The Prophet is told to proclaim. When he asks for more specific instruction, here\u2019s what he\u2019s told to preach: <\/span><\/p>\r\n

      All flesh is grass, and all its goodness like the flowers of the field: Grass withers, flowers fade when the breath of the Lord blows on them. Indeed, people are but grass: Grass withers, flowers fade \u2013 but the word of our God is always fulfilled.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Somehow, the consolation we are offered is that people, like plants, fade. And that God\u2019s word endures. One simple way to interpret this odd comfort is to contrast the two claims. While it is indeed true (and elicits grief) that we age and die, we can take consolation in the eternity and reliability of God\u2019s word. By shifting our sense of purpose and even identity beyond the narrow confines of our own personality, our own biography, and re-centering ourselves in identification with God\u2019s purpose, we are offered the consolation of being part of something bigger, something transcendent and eternal. And that is, indeed, consoling.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      But it is also possible to read the two statements as both offering comfort. In our being like grass, there is itself consolation. If we can love the people who came before us and those who follow, then we don\u2019t always need to be the dancers at the dance. Instead, we can derive comfort and meaning by knowing that our grandparents experienced many of the life passages that we ourselves have enjoyed, as have our parents before us. Seeing our children married under a chuppah creates a flow that transcends the narrowness of time. We are part of a flow.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      And the only way for that flow to move is if we, in turn, cede our place to those coming after us. In the passing and arriving of generations, there is rebirth, resilience, and a chance to get right what previous generations got wrong. Mortality and impermanence offer the consolation of belonging to something precious, tasting of something exquisite and ephemeral, that is briefly ours and then is shared in turn with those we have raised to cherish the moment while it is theirs.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      That flowing process is the word of God. The Divine is not found in static abstractions or timeless ideals, but in the pulsing hearts of those who live, struggle, give birth and pass on. The moment is precious in part because it ends all too soon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      But the flow of humanity, the vitality of the Jewish people, the advance of compassion, generosity, inclusion \u2013 these endure long after us.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":67116,"alt":"","title":"is40-impermanence","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Value Of Impermanence","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Including our own: the only way for the divine flow to move on is if we cede our place to those coming after us","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":67116,"alt":"","title":"is40-impermanence","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-impermanence-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"40","chapter_main_number":"374","date":"20270203","wall_id":"374"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"384","name":"God","old_id":"784"},{"term_id":"607","name":"Comfort","old_id":"1007"}]},{"order":16,"id":"67108","color":"#f7f7f5","size":"1","name":"A Field Trip With Prophet Isaiah ","post_title":"A Field Trip With Prophet Isaiah","slug":"a-field-trip-with-prophet-isaiah","old_id":"67108","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":64462,"post_title":"Analia Bortz","slug":"analia-bortz","old_id":"64462","first_name":"Analia ","last_name":"Bortz ","description":"Rabbi Dr. Analia Bortz is a medical doctor with postdoctoral studies in Bioethics. She is the first female Latin American rabbi, and is a AJWS Global Justice Fellow in 2019-2020 She and her husband Rabbi Mario Karpuj founded Congregation Or Hadash in Sandy Springs, Georgia. She is the author of The Voice of Silence: A Rabbi's Journey into a Trappist Monastery and Other Contemplation (2017)","short_description":"Rabbi Dr. Analia Bortz is a medical doctor and with her husband Rabbi Mario Karpuj founded Congregation Or Hadash in Sandy Springs, Georgia. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":64463,"alt":"","title":"analia bortz","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","width":225,"height":225,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","medium-width":225,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","medium_large-width":225,"medium_large-height":225,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","large-width":225,"large-height":225,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","1536x1536-width":225,"1536x1536-height":225,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","2048x2048-width":225,"2048x2048-height":225,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","post_full_size-width":225,"post_full_size-height":225,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/analia-bortz.jpg","home_baner-width":225,"home_baner-height":225}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"374","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Tell us, how do we transform 'Ir Shalem,' a complete place, into 'Ir Shalom,' a city of peace?","post_main_content_content":"

      \u201c<\/span><\/i>Jerusalem is a port city on the shore of eternity<\/span><\/em>\u201d <\/span><\/i>writes the Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Jerusalem, the city of wholeness and holiness, is like the tank of\u00a0 oxygen for a scuba diver. Isaiah brings consolation to the broken spirit of the destroyed city with words of comfort. \u201c<\/span>Nachamu Nachamu Ami<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/i>Comfort oh comfort My people\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Let me take you, Mr. Isaiah, for a walk through the cobblestones of this magical city that wakes up every morning to the sounds of many languages, to the prayers of many rituals and to the smells of many spices. Come with me, my ancient prophet, for a field trip. I will show you Jerusalem. You were right!\u00a0 Look at your city. Rewind, reverse your engineered tears of sorrow, of the Temple destroyed and celebrate life in the modern capital of the Jewish people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      I promise you we still sit on Tisha b\u2019Av and cry through the book of Lamentations that your colleague, Jeremiah, wrote. Now, though, we have a different perspective.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      The <\/span>Yerushalaim shel maalah<\/em> <\/span>and the <\/span>Yerushalaim shel maatah<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/i>the celestial Jerusalem and the earthly Jerusalem, meet in a luminal area of a miracle come true. We came back to her.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      The new Temple is Machane Yehuda, the magnificent market in the core of the city, which becomes sacred as it thrives with perfumes, spices, sounds, languages, people coming from all over, young and old. They come to celebrate Jerusalem, your city, Mr. Prophet. Secular and religious bring their utensils to make them kosher for Passover in the streets of Rehaviah, and the young Muslim woman at the pharmacy in the Mamilah mall takes care of the nun from the old city convent and the orthodox mother from <\/span>Meah Shearim<\/span><\/i> who juggles with eight children holding on to her long skirt.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Thanks for consoling your people, Isaiah, you have surfed the waves of catastrophe and now thousands of years later, we can dive with this oxygen-filled tank.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Your vision, Mr. Prophet, has inspired many generations. It has not been easy but it was worth it. Your vision created a sense of purpose beyond ritual. It also inspired those who sacrificed their lives for the wellbeing of this city. How to bring normalcy to this ancient place that whispers history and sense of belonging? How to celebrate normalcy as an extraordinary achievement of the everyday life in this <\/span>Ir Shalem, Yerushalaim?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n

      Now, Mr. Isaiah, since you have called us back with your words of wisdom, could you please advise how can we live in peace? How can we transform <\/span>Ir Shalem<\/span><\/i>, a perfect complete place, into <\/span>Ir Shalom, <\/span><\/i>a city of peace?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      I\u2019m waiting for you to wipe the tears of the parents who lost their children and the children who lost their parents, the Muslim, the Christian, the Jew. We are all created in the image of God, your Friend, so please, bring us comfort and the right recipe to celebrate Your city, our city, in her splendor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      image: Ben Schachter<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":67109,"alt":"","title":"Is40-ABortz","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","width":757,"height":440,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz-300x174.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":174,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","medium_large-width":757,"medium_large-height":440,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","large-width":757,"large-height":440,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","1536x1536-width":757,"1536x1536-height":440,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","2048x2048-width":757,"2048x2048-height":440,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","post_full_size-width":757,"post_full_size-height":440,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz-723x420.jpg","home_baner-width":723,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"A Field Trip With Prophet Isaiah","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Tell us, how do we transform 'Ir Shalem,' a complete place, into 'Ir Shalom,' a city of peace?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":67109,"alt":"","title":"Is40-ABortz","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","width":757,"height":440,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz-300x174.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":174,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","medium_large-width":757,"medium_large-height":440,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","large-width":757,"large-height":440,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","1536x1536-width":757,"1536x1536-height":440,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","2048x2048-width":757,"2048x2048-height":440,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz.jpg","post_full_size-width":757,"post_full_size-height":440,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is40-ABortz-723x420.jpg","home_baner-width":723,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"40","chapter_main_number":"374","date":"20270203","wall_id":"374"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"301","name":"Ben Schachter","old_id":"701"},{"term_id":"607","name":"Comfort","old_id":"1007"},{"term_id":"635","name":"Jerusalem","old_id":"1035"},{"term_id":"940","name":"Isaiah","old_id":"1340"}]},{"order":17,"id":"67147","color":"#e8ecf6","size":"1","name":"Comfort For The Suffering ","post_title":"Comfort For The Suffering","slug":"comfort-for-the-suffering","old_id":"67147","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":55057,"post_title":"Robin Nafshi","slug":"robin-nafshi","old_id":"55057","first_name":"Robin ","last_name":"Nafshi ","description":"Rabbi Robin Nafshi (also known as Rabbi Robin) was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2005. She joined Temple Beth Jacob in July of 2010. Rabbi Robin is a graduate of both New York University and Cornell Law School. Rabbi Robin shares her life with her partner, Cantor Shira Nafshi, who serves as TBJ\u2019s part-time cantor. They are the delighted parents of Liba, who joined their family in January of 2014. \r\n","short_description":"Rabbi Robin Nafshi (also known as Rabbi Robin) is rabbi at Temple Beth Jacob in Concord, NH.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":55058,"alt":"","title":"robin-nafshi","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi.jpg","width":453,"height":302,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi.jpg","medium_large-width":453,"medium_large-height":302,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi.jpg","large-width":453,"large-height":302,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi.jpg","1536x1536-width":453,"1536x1536-height":302,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi.jpg","2048x2048-width":453,"2048x2048-height":302,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi.jpg","post_full_size-width":453,"post_full_size-height":302,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/robin-nafshi.jpg","home_baner-width":453,"home_baner-height":302}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"374","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"To live is to know pain\u00a0","post_main_content_content":"

      Too many people I know are suffering, and I mean really suffering. One friend recently had a miscarriage. Another\u2019s father died way too young, less than a year after he was diagnosed with lung cancer. A third friend experienced the death of her parents and an in-law in a twenty-two month period. Still another is the victim of a blogging neo-Nazi, whose actions leave terror in her heart. Another faces cancer surgery.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      All of these friends, to some extent or another, seek help from God. A few are quite religious; others are not. But they all have turned to God \u2013 the Divine, the Source, the Creator (ironically, not the <\/span>rofeh<\/span><\/em>, the healer) \u2013 whether extensively or as a small part of their overall healing, to help them cope with their pain.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Isaiah Chapter 40, verse 1, is one of the most well-known passages that suffering people turn to when they seek God\u2019s presence: <\/span>Nachamu nachamu ami yomar eloheichem<\/span><\/em>: <\/span><\/i>\u201cComfort, comfort My people, says your God.\u201d Many contemporary Jewish musicians have composed melodies for this verse, including Safam, Elana Arian, and Nashamah Carlebach. Music can stir the soul and open its many passages to allow in God\u2019s presence.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Historically, in Isaiah Chapter 40, the Israelites have been exiled to Babylonia after the destruction of the First Temple. Their beloved city of Jerusalem has been leveled, and the holy place where they\u2019d felt a connection to the Divine is gone. En masse, they have been relocated to a foreign city in a foreign land among people who speak a foreign language and worship a foreign god. And so, Isaiah implores God to bring them comfort.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Isaiah continues his words to God in verse 2, \u201cSpeak tenderly to Jerusalem (the Israelites). Declare to her that her term of service [in exile] is over, that her sins have been pardoned.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      The language is powerful, and yet it connects the pain of suffering with the commission of sin. This is a very difficult theology for most modern people, Jew or not, religious or not. The Lisbon earthquake of 1755, in which many children died when their school collapsed, challenged the theology that suffering is punishment from God for sin.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      As we read further into Chapter 40, Isaiah declares in verse 7, \u201cGrass withers, flowers fade when the breath of the Eternal blows on them. Indeed, the human is but grass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      How can this provide comfort to the suffering? Perhaps the assertion of our universal humanity and frailty reminds us that we have not been singled out in our suffering. It is the way of all people. To live is to know pain. Not all the time, but in all life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":67148,"alt":"","title":"is40-pain","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Comfort For The Suffering","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"To live is to know pain\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":67148,"alt":"","title":"is40-pain","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is40-pain-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"40","chapter_main_number":"374","date":"20270203","wall_id":"374"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"374","name":"Humanity","old_id":"774"},{"term_id":"384","name":"God","old_id":"784"},{"term_id":"401","name":"Life","old_id":"801"},{"term_id":"491","name":"Suffering","old_id":"891"},{"term_id":"606","name":"Pain","old_id":"1006"},{"term_id":"607","name":"Comfort","old_id":"1007"}]},{"order":18,"id":"67262","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"God Calls Forth The Generations From The Beginning ","post_title":"God Calls Forth The Generations From The Beginning","slug":"god-calls-forth-the-generations-from-the-beginning","old_id":"67262","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"375","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"From Adam on\u2026.\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

      In our chapter, Isaiah extols God in theologically suggestive terms as \u201cHe who calls forth the generations from the beginning\u201d (qore\u2019 ha-dorot me-rosh<\/em>). And then goes on to prophecy, speaking in God\u2019s name: \u201cI, the Lord, am first and last \u2013 I am He!\u201d (Isaiah 41:4).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Midrash Tanhuma Ki-Tisa\u2019 12 employs our verse to create a dramatic description of the creation of humanity. \u201cHe calls forth the generations from the beginning\u201d alludes to God\u2019s having shown Adam, at the time of his creation, all subsequent human generations. How every righteous man in the future would descend from Adam\u2019s seed. According to the body part associated with their various good deeds, there were those who were hanging from Adam\u2019s head, those who were hanging from his hair, from his neck, from his eyes, from his nose, from his mouth, from his ears and from Adam\u2019s arms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Tanhuma Buber Bereshit 30 preserves a synagogue sermon that opens with our verse: <\/span><\/p>\r\n

      \u201cHe who calls forth the generations from the beginning. If the generations had been worthy, the Holy One, Himself would have given them all their names as He gave names to Adam and Eve. Indeed, you find that when the Holy One sees a righteous person born, He Himself gives him his name\u2026as it was, for example, with Abraham\u201d (see Genesis 17:5).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Mekhilta de-Rabbi Yismael on Exodus 20:1 (Yalqut Shimoni I 246) cites Rabbi Natan, the second century CE son of the Babylonian Exilarch, as saying that our verse provides a refutation of those dualists who claim that there are \u201ctwo powers\u201d (i.e. a good god and an evil god). For when God proclaimed: \u201cI am the Lord Your God\u201d (Exodus 20:2) no other power opposed Him. If one should claim that God\u2019s proclamation was made in secret, God went on to state specifically: \u201cI am the Lord and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret\u2026I, the Lord, speak the truth. I declare what is right\u201d (Isaiah 45:18-19). I am He who was at Sinai, and I am He who was at the crossing of the Red Sea. I am He who was in the past and I am He who will be in the future\u2026as it says: \u201cThus said the Lord, the King of Israel\u2026I am the first and I am the last and there is no god but Me\u201d (Isaiah 46:4). And it says: \u201cHe who calls forth the generations from the beginning. I, the Lord, am first and last \u2013 I am He!\u201d (Isaiah 41:4).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      \u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":67263,"alt":"","title":"is41-sistine","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-1024x576.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":576,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-1200x675.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"God Calls Forth The Generations From The Beginning","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"From Adam on\u2026.","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":67263,"alt":"","title":"is41-sistine","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-1024x576.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":576,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-1200x675.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is41-sistine-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Isaiah","chapter":"41","chapter_main_number":"375","date":"20270204","wall_id":"375"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"363","name":"Midrash","old_id":"763"},{"term_id":"384","name":"God","old_id":"784"},{"term_id":"558","name":"Creation","old_id":"958"}]},{"order":19,"id":"67279","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Psychology of Helping Others ","post_title":"The Psychology Of Helping Others","slug":"the-psychology-of-helping-others","old_id":"67279","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":58418,"post_title":"Naomi (Jaffe) Eini","slug":"naomi-jaffe-eini","old_id":"58418","first_name":"Naomi (Jaffe)","last_name":"Eini","description":"Naomi (Jaffe) Eini is an educational psychologist, lecturer and workshop facilitator, and author of the book, \"Journey To The Real World\" (Hebrew). She is a graduate of Mandel School For Educational Leadership, works at Midreshet Lindenbaum, and is writing a doctorate in psychology at Bar Ilan University.","short_description":"Naomi (Jaffe) Eini is an educational psychologist, lecturer and workshop facilitator, and doctoral candidate in psychology.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":58420,"alt":"","title":"naomi eini","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini.jpg","width":960,"height":1135,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-254x300.jpg","medium-width":254,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-768x908.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":908,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-866x1024.jpg","large-width":866,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini.jpg","1536x1536-width":960,"1536x1536-height":1135,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini.jpg","2048x2048-width":960,"2048x2048-height":1135,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini.jpg","post_full_size-width":960,"post_full_size-height":1135,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-355x420.jpg","home_baner-width":355,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"375","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Do we only act out of pure egoism?","post_main_content_content":"

      Each one helps the other, saying to his fellow, \u201cTake courage!\u201d (Isaiah 41:6).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      The purpose of this verse, which is familiar to many of us, is to encourage mutual help. In actual fact, this verse is referring to other nations\u00a0 who enlist to fight a war against God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Still, let's learn something about the behavioral aspects of helping others.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Who do we tend to help? Why, and in what situations? Is there a scientific basis for altruistic behavior? These and other questions are studied by researchers in the fields of philosophy, sociology and psychology.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

      Various models suggest that the choice to help a person in distress depends on three factors:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n