Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

Some of the events of the past weeks have left us searching for meaning and direction. The Meron and Giv’at Ze’ev tragedies in Israel, the huge sinkhole in a parking lot at Sha’arei Zedek hospital on the week of Parshas Korach, and now this horrible tragedy in Surfside, Florida. Our children, Ellie and Carly live close by, and the randomness of this event challenges the mind. Reports indicate that the building had structural issues, and by all means, there must be a reckoning of doing all we physically can to assure that we maintain safe protocols in everything we do.

Ib’n Ezra in his commentary to the begin of Parshas Balak asks why the story of Bil’am needed to be told. Surely he was not the first, nor would he be the last person to curse us. Why not let him curse as he pleases and God would simply pay no heed to it. Bil’am himself knows that his blessing or curse is dependent on God’s acceptance. Ib’n Ezra answers that had Bil’am actually cursed us, then the Israelites might have attributed their worship of Pe’or, at the end of the Parsha, and the command not to do battle with Moavites, to have been a direct result of his curse. This is not so, We are responsible for our own actions, and the land of Moav was an inheritance for the descendants of Lot. Bil’am speaks in parables and speaks of his “Mashal”, when introducing his words, (B’midbar 23:7;18 and 24:3;15). This is because even God’s direct words to a prophet has multiple interpretations. The Gemara says that Yeshayahu (chapter 6), and Yechezkel (chapter 1) contemplated the very same vision but imparted it in profoundly different ways based on their own background and experiences (See Chagigah 13B).

We might have many interpretations to explain data and events that are before us, some more confounding than others. We like to have clarity in determining the steps we need to take to live safe and predictable lives. Yet so much is unclear. We, as a people have survived this long, because we have always faced tragedy with a resolute determination that Hashem wants us to learn from whatever has happened and stay strong to hope to see a better day. Whether we call this Tikvah, Emunah, or Bitachon, it has kept us focused on improving ourselves so that we can rebuild and replant after tragedy. This is Yirmiyahu’s message in his mission statement that we will read next week in the first of the Three Week Haftarot leading into Tisha B’av (See Yirmiyahu 1:10). This has gotten many of us through Covid, and helps us through difficult times.

On Parshas Balak, when Bil’am speaks in parables, I deliver here a personal message by way of a parable as well. The Rebbitzen and I have been on a train ride that has taken numerous stops since this past April, whose destination now has become clear. She had a carcinoma successfully removed and she will soon begin radiation treatments that will, B’Ezras Hashem, be completed in the beginning of August. You have seen her in shul throughout this time and she is as gracious and upbeat as ever. The train’s stops for the next 6 weeks, may cause us to be a little less visible than usual. I ask you to have Frayda Genendel bas Rochel Bayla in your prayers, and to please respect her privacy. We both intend to be in shul when we can, and simple wishes for good health would be appreciated. We have the finest doctors and some friends who have experienced this have been very helpful.

I have spent much of Covid sending out messages of how we will do everything we can to come out better when it’s all over. I hope to take some of my own advice, as we search for clarity and meaning behind what befalls us. One thing is for sure. Charity and acts of kindness, will always make ourselves better. The Wed. night before Tisha B’av we will have the opportunity to hear Rob & Sue Koltai, former OZ members, speak about the tragic loss of their son, Azi, on Lag B’omer in Meron, and where they have gone from there. The Three Weeks will be filled with programming that give us opportunities to add meaning at this mourning period for Jerusalem and the Temple. May our destinations be smooth and predictable and may Mitzvos, Chesed and kindness guide all our paths.      

Stay safe. 

Be well.

Be excellent.

Be blessed.

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Congregation Ohab Zedek

118 West 95^th Street | New York, NY  10025-6604

Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200 | Fax 212.663-3635

E-mail ras@ozny.org

Website:  www.ozny.org