TWO KINDS OF BLINDNESS “Do not accept a bribe for the bribe will blind the eyes of the wise and make just words crooked” [Devarim 16:19] This is not the first time in the Torah where we have been warned about the corrupting influence of bribery. In the sidra of Mishpatim there is a similar phrase, except it says that bribery will blind the eyes of the shrewd (pikchim) whereas here it says it will blind the eyes of the wise (chachamim). What is the difference? The Vilna Gaon (eighteenth century) explains that when a Dayan or a judge rules...
FOR ONE AND FOR ALL “Behold I am setting before you this day a blessing and a curse” [Devarim 11:26] The opening words of today’s portion have occasioned much discussion amongst the commentators. The nuance of grammatical form of the verse is lost in the English translation. The verse begins with a command in the singular form, Re’eh, “Behold or See” addressed to an individual. The sentence concludes in the plural form, Lifneichem, “I am setting before you (plural)”. Why does the verse start in the singular, addressing the individual, and conclude in the plural, addressing the community? One of...
ISRAEL’S EMBASSIES This week’s portion includes the passage well-known to us from the siddur: the second paragraph of the Shema. The conclusion of this passage seems difficult to accept at face value: “so that your days will be lengthened on the land which the L-d promised to your ancestors, to give to them.” The Torah promises longevity in the land of Israel for those who fulfil the previously mentioned commandments, such as Tefilin, Mezuzah and Torah study. The Talmud (Berachot 8a) states that the Palestinian Amora, Rabbi Yochanan, expressed surprise that there should be elderly people in Babylon seeing as...
Tribute delivered by Martin Levison’s daughter Stephanie Brada at his funeral 3.7.20 Last night so many people gathered in your honour Martin and we talked about you, but now you are with us for the last time and it’s my chance to speak directly to you. We saw last night how people loved you and I hope your spirit was with us. Overwhelmingly, people wanted to tell us that you were a lovely man – these words have been said by people who knew you for decades through to the people who cared for you at Spring Grove. Now is...
IS IT SAFE TO COME TO SHUL ON SHABBAT? We have been back at shul for a few weeks now, and it has been a pleasure to welcome all of you who have stepped through our doors, both for the weekday and Shabbat services. A number of you, though, are understandably still cautious, and rightly so. We can reassure you that we are taking all the necessary precautions, as required by Government advice, the United Synagogue, and our own, independent Safety Consultant, but it is up to you to decide how you are going to balance the risks you are...
LESSONS OF LISTENING It is often assumed that talking therapies are new, having developed from the work of Freud and others. In fact, “healing through words” is known in a number of ancient cultures, not least in our Jewish tradition. The Talmud (Yoma 75a) interprets the verse in the Book of Proverbs (12:25) “if one has a worry, let him relieve himself of it” to mean that one should tell it to another person because this is likely to bring him relief. The Sfat Emet notes that the same idea is expressed in this week’s parasha. Moses sets up a...
