The end of Leviticus reminds us not to let the present blind us to the future
This week we conclude the public reading of Leviticus. The portion is rather somber, what with the dominant theme being the prediction of Jewish dereliction from Biblical values and practices and the resultant exile from their land and sovereignty. Yet in these chapters there are also promises of prosperity and well being and successful general religious life.
The Torah generally conforms to such a pattern of great blessings and stern warnings. It really allows the Jews very little middle ground in which to maneuver the private and national lives of Israel. Our entire history is one of great vacillation between exalted and miraculous moments and dire events and forebodings.
Our tears are always mixed with joy and our joy is always laden with a heavy dose of accompanying tears. The Torah's message to us is that life constantly presents different emotions and scenarios that are rarely if ever completely positive or completely negative.
Perhaps this is one of the meanings of the words of the rabbis of the Talmud that everything that Heaven does has good within it. Even if the general event may be deemed to be a negative one, there always lies a kernel of good buried within it. So, therefore, this week's readings reflect this duality of blessing and accomplishment as well as of defeat and hardship.
This duality of view regarding our national life also applies to our dealings with others on a daily basis. To try and see the good lurking within another person whenever possible — and I will admit that there are situations that make it look impossible to do so — has always been a premier Jewish trait. The sages in Ethics of Our Fathers taught us that every person has his moment so to speak. Seizing and exploiting that moment is the main accomplishment in life.
But that requires a sense of realism. We cannot fool ourselves to think that everything is always correct and well with ourselves and our society, nor can we always be so pessimistic and down on the situation that we find ourselves in that we preclude honest attempts to improve it. The balance of hope and warning that these concluding chapters of Leviticus exude is an important lesson and guidepost for our daily lives.
This lesson lies embedded in another teaching of the Sages in Ethics of our Fathers: "It is not incumbent upon you to complete the entire task at hand but then again neither are you free to discard it entirely." Reality dictates to us that we face our world and its dangers squarely and honestly. But we should not abandon hope and effort to improve our lot.
We believe that positive effort and wise decisions, coupled with faith and tradition allow us to survive and prosper. Therefore at the conclusion of the public reading of these mixed messages at the end of the book of Leviticus we rise and strengthen ourselves "Chazak chazak v'nitchzeik — Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!"
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[JWR contributor Rabbi Berel Wein --- Jewish historian, author and international lecturer]
This week we conclude the public reading of Leviticus. The portion is rather somber, what with the dominant theme being the prediction of Jewish dereliction from Biblical values and practices and the resultant exile from their land and sovereignty. Yet in these chapters there are also promises of prosperity and well being and successful general religious life.
The Torah generally conforms to such a pattern of great blessings and stern warnings. It really allows the Jews very little middle ground in which to maneuver the private and national lives of Israel. Our entire history is one of great vacillation between exalted and miraculous moments and dire events and forebodings.
Our tears are always mixed with joy and our joy is always laden with a heavy dose of accompanying tears. The Torah's message to us is that life constantly presents different emotions and scenarios that are rarely if ever completely positive or completely negative.
Perhaps this is one of the meanings of the words of the rabbis of the Talmud that everything that Heaven does has good within it. Even if the general event may be deemed to be a negative one, there always lies a kernel of good buried within it. So, therefore, this week's readings reflect this duality of blessing and accomplishment as well as of defeat and hardship.
This duality of view regarding our national life also applies to our dealings with others on a daily basis. To try and see the good lurking within another person whenever possible — and I will admit that there are situations that make it look impossible to do so — has always been a premier Jewish trait. The sages in Ethics of Our Fathers taught us that every person has his moment so to speak. Seizing and exploiting that moment is the main accomplishment in life.
But that requires a sense of realism. We cannot fool ourselves to think that everything is always correct and well with ourselves and our society, nor can we always be so pessimistic and down on the situation that we find ourselves in that we preclude honest attempts to improve it. The balance of hope and warning that these concluding chapters of Leviticus exude is an important lesson and guidepost for our daily lives.
This lesson lies embedded in another teaching of the Sages in Ethics of our Fathers: "It is not incumbent upon you to complete the entire task at hand but then again neither are you free to discard it entirely." Reality dictates to us that we face our world and its dangers squarely and honestly. But we should not abandon hope and effort to improve our lot.
We believe that positive effort and wise decisions, coupled with faith and tradition allow us to survive and prosper. Therefore at the conclusion of the public reading of these mixed messages at the end of the book of Leviticus we rise and strengthen ourselves "Chazak chazak v'nitchzeik — Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!"
-
[JWR contributor Rabbi Berel Wein --- Jewish historian, author and international lecturer]
