Noble Rot
The very term “kosher wine” used to conjure up the image of a Manischewitz bottle, containing syrupy, sweet wine. That has drastically changed, and now kosher wines occupy a significant portion of the wine market, some even winning awards. In addition to the great kosher wines produced in America, others can be found hailing from pretty much every great wine-producing region. Israel has also made a special niche of high-quality wines that rival some of the best.
I recently read about a type of fungus which often infects grapes, particularly in certain areas of the world. Imagine the dismay of the vintner, who, upon entering is vineyard, discovers his entire crop to be infected with this rotting mold! Such grapes were initially thought to be
essentially worthless, and were given away.
It is not exactly clear, but at some point along the way, someone actually tried making wine with these rotted grapes. Lo and behold – they produced a fine, sweet wine! Since then, these wines have actually become revered, teaching us that even when something may seem rotten, there is still a second chance. (For a kosher version, try the Yarden Noble Semillon).
***
The 14th day of the month of Iyar (this year, 2011, it is Wednesday, May 18th) marks a little-known holiday on the Jewish calendar, known as Pesach Sheini (“The Second Passover”).
Second Passover? We need two of them?!
Well, truth be told, it is a little different that the original holiday: one day instead of 7 (or 8 in the diaspora); we are permitted to eat chametz (leavened products).
Let us look at the biblical source for this one-of-a-kind holiday, Numbers 9:6-11:
“There were [certain] men who were impure because [they had come in contact with a] human corpse and they could not bring the Passover offering on that day [i.e. the proper day for the offering]. They came before Moses… and said, ‘We are unclean… [but] why should we be held back from bringing the offering of G-d in its time?…
And Moses said to them, ‘Stand and hear what G-d will command concerning you.’
G-d said…, ‘If any man be impure… or on a distant way [on the day of the Passover offering]…, he shall sacrifice the Passover offering to G-d, in the second month, [Iyar], on the fourteenth day at dusk…’”
If, as a result of either being ritually impure or even because one had willfully transgressed G-d’s will, one did not bring the Passover offering at its appointed time, one was given a second chance on Pesach Sheini (see Babylonian Talmud, Pesachim 93a).
The sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn, explained that, “Pesach Sheini teaches us that ‘Nothing is ever lost; it’s never too late.” עס איז ניטא קיין פארפאלען
Sounds great. But how can we comprehend that, “it’s never too late”? If you miss your train, isn’t it too late?
Perhaps we can gain some insight from the above mentioned mold that affects grape, generally known as “Noble Rot.”
At first glance, all hope is lost: the grapes are ruined and unworthy of transformation into wine. However, with a bit of ingenuity, or perhaps some good luck, we see that, indeed, “nothing is ever lost; it’s never too late.” Even these rotten grapes can be turned into a sweet wine, thus representing our ability to transformation even a bitter, difficult situation, into something “sweet.”
Granted, we are not always granted the vision to see how the “rot” can be turned into “sweet,” however, let us take this lesson from the unique holiday ofPesach Sheni: Nothing is ever lost; it’s never too late.”
Founding Fathers
There is a common Jewish custom, that on Shabbat afternoons, between Passover and Shavuot, one studies a chapter of Ethics of Our Fathers. This Tractate of the Mishna contains succinct, ethical teaches from the most venerable sages. There are six Shabbats between the two holidays, and six chapters in Ethics, so it works out perfectly. Some continue this custom throughout the summer until Rosh Hashana.
In Hebrew, this volume of the Mishna is referred to simply as Avos, fathers. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to refer to this tractate as Ethics? Why is it called “Fathers”?
Numerous answers are given, including:
- The Mishna begins by recounting the transmission of the Torah, beginning with Moses;
- Avos contains moral teachings which help guide a person on the proper path. Anyone who guides another on the straight path, is considered to have made him; thus, the sages of the Mishna are considered our “fathers,” for they guide us in life;
- The ethical teachings in Avos are considered the source of all ethical teachings. Any sound ethical teaching, be it in another Torah text, or a secular one, are all ultimately derived from Avos. (Midrash Shmuel, Rabbi Shmuel d’Ouzida of Venice).
The first Mishna lists the first five steps in the transmission of the Torah from Mt. Sinai, beginning, of course, with Moses. Why is it important – in an ethical work – to list where and how the information got to us?
One may conjecture, that this teaches us that it is important to know your sources. Sometimes, who you heard something from may be as important as what you heard.
Yet, being that the purpose of Avos is to guide us on the proper path in life, I hereby suggest that the list of names is no mere list, but is, in and of itself, a directive in life.
First, the Mishna:
Moses received the Torah from Mt. Sinai, and he passed it on to Joshua; Joshua passed it to the Elders; the Elders to the Prophets; and the Prophets passed it on to the Men of the Great Assembly.
MOSES – Amongst his many great, life accomplishments, Moses is perhaps most famous as, “the most humble man to ever live” (Numbers 12:3). Yet, at the same time, he was considered a King (Deut. 33:5). In order to be able to properly learn and internalize the Torah, one needs to emulate Moses: Recognize that you are a “king,” in the sense that you have great strengths and with hard work can accomplish whatever you need to, yet at the same time, be humble, knowing that as much of the Torah as you understand, there is always more (qualitatively and quantitatively).
JOSHUA – Concerning Joshua, it says, “He never departed the tent” (Leviticus 33:11). This represents the Tent of Torah, for his task was to be completely engaged in Torah study alone. Even someone who does not have the luxury of many hours of daily Torah study, should nevertheless approach it like Joshua: Even if it’s only 10 minutes per day, make it a real ten minutes. Don’t answer your cell phone, remove all distractions, and step into the “tent.” Be completely given over to the Torah you are studying, even if only for a short while. This will guarantee you success in your studies.
ELDERS – The Talmud (Kiddushin 32b) teaches that the Hebrew word for Elder, zaken, is actually a compound word, of sorts, standing for “One who has acquired wisdom.” Torah is something to acquire, and this can only be done with great effort. To acquire something means to make it your own. After studying a passage, one should first repeat it over verbally to another (or, as the law of the Four Questions of the Haggadah goes, that if one conducts a Seder alone, one asks oneself the Four Questions!), think it over in one’s mind, and ask oneself, what does it mean to me?
PROPHETS – When one studies Torah, one requires a certain amount of help from Above, to come to the proper conclusions. The Prophets represent that one should pray for help in clear understanding of the text.
MEN OF THE GREAT ASSEMBLY – The task of the Men of the Great Assembly was to make a streamlined plan of action. This was expressed by fixing the liturgy of the prayer and blessings. Thus, this final stage in the transmission of the Torah teaches us that after engaging in Torah study while taking into account the first four “fathers” mentioned above, one needs to ensure that everything comes down into practical action.
Here we have a novel reading of the opening Mishna of Avos. It is no longer just a list of names, but a guide for a life of Torah study. Enjoy!
My Fig Tree
In my backyard, I have an Italian fig tree, a gift from my friend Stu. The leaves are just now beginning to grow, and that makes me in
a good mood. My father helped plant it, and I have tended to it carefully for years. The Torah instructs that one cannot eat fruit borne in the first three years of a tree’s life, and the fourth-year fruits can only be eaten in the city of Jerusalem. So I waited and watched my tree grow huge, beautiful leaves each summer. Each year, a few more figs appeared on the branches. But I couldn’t eat the figs… the anticipation was killing me!Finally, at the end of last summer, it was harvest time! And what a harvest it was!
This reminds me of a story, told by the Lubavitcher Rebbe at a 1965 Farbrengen on the Shabbos of this week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim. You can check out the original Yiddish here, but I will type the story here in English, as translated by Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
It was at a time when he had not yet emerged publicly as the leader of the Chassidic movement. He still wore the cloak of anonymity as he traveled through the towns and villages of the Carpathians. It was one of his holy practices to ask every Jew he met — man and woman, the aged and the children — how they were, how business was, and so on. One of his greatest pleasures was to listen to the answers that each of them would give — answers that came from the heart. For they would reply with words of praise and thanks to G-d. Every answer would contain a “Thank G-d” or a “The L-rd be blessed.”
Once he reached a small township and began in his normal way to inquire after the welfare of the Jews he met, to get them to say words of praise and gratitude to G-d, to demonstrate their faith and merit. In the town there was a very old man, a great scholar, who lived in isolation from the affairs of the world. For more than fifty years he had sat and studied Torah day and night, detached and holy. He would sit and learn every day, wrapped in his Tallit and Tefillin until the afternoon service, and would not eat anything all day, until he had said the evening prayers, when he would have a little bread and water.
When the Baal Shem Tov entered his study, a room in one of the corners of the synagogue, he asked the old man about his health and welfare, but the man did not look up at the Baal Shem Tov, who was dressed in the clothes of a peasant. He repeated his question several times, until the sage became angry and gestured that he should leave the room. The Baal Shem Tov said, “Rabbi, why (as it were) do you not give G-d His livelihood?” When he heard this, the old man was completely confused. A peasant was standing in front of him and talking about G-d and the need to provide Him with a living!
The Baal Shem Tov read his thoughts and said: The Jewish people is sustained by the livelihood which G-d provides for them. But what sustains G-d, that He may continue, as it were, to “inhabit” the world? This is what King David meant when he wrote in Psalm 22, “You are Holy, who inhabits the praises of Israel.” “You” — that is, the Master of the Universe, “are Holy” — that is, You are apart from the world. What then is Your livelihood, that you are able to “inhabit” it? It is “the praises of Israel.” He is sustained by the praise and the gratitude to which Jews give voice, for their health and the sustenance with which He provides them. And because of these praises, He gives them children, health and food, in plenty.
** Now, why did the Baal Shem Tov take such issue with this sage? Is there something wrong with dedicating one’s life to Torah study?
The answer is that the purpose of creation is to make a dwelling place for G-d in this world. We are not meant to forsake the world into which we were born; rather, we are to recognize G-d’s role and presence even in the so-called mundane aspects of our life. Swearing off the obstacles and struggles of life and escaping to a world of seclusion, doesn’t help anyone — not even yourself.
By thanking G-d for food, money and health, this helps sanctify the body and our natural tendencies. By recognizing these as the gifts of G-d, one welcomes G-d into this “lowly world.”
A fig is a fig; or a fig can be sanctified.
It’s up to you.
Thief!
The opponents of the Chassidic movement once asked the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, what he had accomplished with his new path in Divine service. After all, they – the misnagdim – do not learn Chassidus, but they serve G-d.
The Alter Rebbe responded that the very same question had been posed to his grandfather – the Baal Shem Tov – Why had he made a new path in serving G-d? There are numerous works of Mussar; and there are great tzaddikim such as the author of the Reishis Chochmah, and the Shaloh HaKadosh, and many more. So why does he – the Baal Shem Tov – institute a new path?
Grandfather – recounted the Alter Rebbe – responded with a parable.
Every homeowner has a yard with various buildings: a home for the family; sheep pens; a building for storing produce. Al l of these must be guarded from thieves.
When it comes to protecting property from thieves, there are two ways to do so. One way, is that as soon as the owner spots the thief, he begins yelling, and the thief runs away. The second way is that the homeowner catches the thief, brings him into his home, and begins the process of education.
Such – recounted the Alter Rebbe – was the response of grandfather.
There is an advantage in the first approach, for the thief immediately runs away; the problem, however, is that as far as the thief runs away, there is always the potential for recidivism. The second approach has the advantage that one begins educating the thief, so that he will never steal again. Yet, in order for this approach to be successful, one must have stamina and wisdom.
In the Baal Shem Tov’s parable, together with the Alter Rebbe’s explanation, there is a clear response to the question regarding the different paths in Divine service: the path of rectifying one’s character through the Mussar approach, as compared to the path of rectifying one’s character with the path of Chassidus.
Both Mussar and Chassidus protect one from theft; yet Mussar cries out, “this is a sin!” When a Jew hears the word, “sin,” he won’t transgress… the thief runs away! Yet, who can be sure that the thief won’t find another way to steal, or sundry excuses and justifications how it may be permissible.
The path of the Baal Shem Tov is that we begin educating the thief. However, in order for this to be successful, we must first think intellectually, and prepare ourselves for a long path.
As well as we prepare ourselves, sometimes the thief wears various fine items of clothing, and we must be very intelligent in order to understand the thief; additionally, one must have stamina to work with the thief, and have a strong heart to withstand the pleading of the thief to let him go.
(Free translation from a talk of Rabbi Y.Y. Schneerson, on the 7th day of Pesach 5696/1936, page 7 here).
Purim Odyssey
Purim Odyssey with Chabad from Chabad of Queens College on Vimeo.
Purim party in the Summit Flex Space with guest costume contest judges VP Dr. Joe Bertolino, Prof. Tim Rosen & Perel Lubel ’11.
Purim party in the Summit Flex Space with guest costume contest judges VP Dr. Joe Bertolino, Prof. Tim Rosen & Perel Lubel ’11.
Chaim’s Vodka Seder
One Pesach, it seemed to the Chassidic master Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, that he had performed the Seder with all the proper intentions. It was later revealed to him from On High that he should not be so proud of his Seder, for in the very same town there was a Jew named Chaim, who made a more beautiful Seder than he did.
That evening, many of the Chassidim came to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s home to observe the actions of the holy rabbi. The Berditchever, as he was known, inquired if the Chassidim knew a local named Chaim. One visitor responded that he indeed knew Chaim, but did not know where he lives.
“If you are able to bring this Chaim to me, I will be very pleased,” said Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.
The Chassidim immediately scattered through the streets of the town, until they succeeded in finding Chaim’s home. They knocked on the door. His wife answered.
“What do you want from my husband? He is passed out drunk on his bed.”
The Chassidim paid no attention to her words, and managed to rouse Chaim from his slumber. They carried him on their shoulders to the Berditchever, who told the Chassidim to bring Chaim a chair.
“My dear Chaim! Did you recite the Haggadah on the Shabbos preceding Pesach [as is the custom]?”
“Yes.”
“Did you make a Seder?”
“Oy Rebbe! I must tell the truth! On the day before Pesach, I found out that it is forbidden to drink vodka for eight straight days, so I drank enough this morning, before Pesach, to suffice for those days. Afterwards, I fell asleep. When the night came, my wife attempted to wake me up, and she said, ‘Why aren’t you making a Seder like everyone else?!’ I told her, ‘What do you want from me? I am ignorant; my father was also ignorant, and I don’t know anything. All I know is that our fathers were slaves in Egypt, and we have a G-d who took us out to freedom; and I know that we are still in exile today, but G-d will once again redeem us from exile.’ Afterwards, I saw matzah, wine and eggs on the table. I ate the matzah and the eggs, I drank the wine, and was so tired that I fell asleep again.”
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak heard these words, told the Chassidim to take Chaim back home, then proclaimed, “His words were very pleasing in the Heavens, because he said them truthfully, without any ulterior motives and with complete intention, for he didn’t know any more.”
Spiritual Workout Routine
Spiritual Workout Routine
Flex your spiritual muscles, stay hydrated & work at your own pace.
Here is an adaptable routine, enjoy!
You can always tell who the newbies are at the gym. First of all, their workout outfit coordiantes just a bit too much – clearly way too much time was spent picking out gear. Secondly, they hop on the machines crancking up the weight resistance to the max. They leave the gym, over-strained & under-enthused.
When choosing a workout routine, you need to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Create a balanced plan by meeting with a professional trainer, and choose a resistance weight that is managable yet just beyond the comfort zone.
|
Exercise |
Set | Routine |
Weight |
| Prayer | 1-3 times a day | Modeh Ani
Morning blessings Shema Shmonei Esrey Aleynu *Think about your practical needs, develope your sense of gratitude, and meditate on the fact that there is some much greater and beyond the self. |
Just a bit more than you can handle – without going overboard |
| Torah Study | 1 set time a day | Choose:
- Audio class online - Interesting essays - English Books - Torah texts |
Start with 10 minutes and gradually increase |
| Tzedaka | 1 time a day | Put a coin in the Pushka before breakfast | Even a few cents |
| Mezuzah | 2 times a day | Kiss the mezuzah in the morning and before bed. | Give meaning to the mezuzah – make sure that behavior in the house is befitting that which should happen in a room with a mezuzah on the door. |
| Family | As needed | Be available for loved ones, set regular times to speak on the phone. Pay attention to those who need you most. | Just beyond the amount you can handle. |
| Teaching | All day | If you know aleph, teach aleph, says the BShT. Live your life to illuminate the world – acknowledge that someone is watching and learning from you at all times. | What you have, teach! |
| Compassion | First thing in the morning | Even before your coffee, slow down and treat those around you with patience. It will set the tone for the entire day. | Just beyond your patience |
| Caring | Before bedtime Shema | Review your day, think about who might need more of your care and concern. | 5 minutes before bed |
| Forgiveness | Before bedtime Shema | Let go of the resentment, frustration and angst that accumulate, throughout day. Open your pores, and let it go. | 3 minutes daily. If you go to sleep having forgiven – you will wake up refreshed. |
| Communication | All day | Express your feelings – but make sure to show sensitivity to your audience, we all speak different languages. | Quality is better than quantity. |
| Personal care | Daily | Make time for yourself. Read, take a hot shower, eat proper meals, go to the doctor when needed. Think about what you genuinely need and be proactive. | 10 minutes a day |
| Healthy eating | Daily | A Kosher, balanced diet helps maintain a balanced lifestyle. Take care of yourself. Indulge a bit, but also enjoy fresh fruits, healthy grain, savory vegetables and other healthy treats. | 10 minutes a week, plan your weekly menu. If you plan ahead you will give yourself much better options for meals. Good meals mean less impulsive snacking. |
| Creative outlets | Weekly | Paint, write, dance, sing, tell stories, make jokes, cut & paste. Get your creative juices flowing, lighten up and have fun! | At least once a week do something creative – even if you have no talents! |
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