Tikun Olam-Fixing the World 4

In 1992, my daughter, Nechama, took seriously ill with bacterial meningitis, one day after her second birthday. This was, of course, a very frightening time for us, and we are grateful to G-d that she pulled through. The doctors said that had we gotten to the hospital three hours later, she would not have survived. This was the Mt. Scopus branch of Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital. Sima and I took turns over the next ten days keeping vigil at her bedside. There are many stories to tell from that experience, but one I wish to share with you now. I arrived at the hospital moments before the beginning of Shabbat, together with Nechama and our pediatrician, who came along to make sure we would be taken care of immediately. When the tests came back positive for meningitis, I was sent back home to Beit El with antibiotics for my family, as well as for the neighbors' children who had been at her birthday party the day before. There were two other cases in Beit El of meningitis at roughly the same time; a little boy who survived, and a woman who did not. Nechama was in intensive care with a full crew of doctors working on her all night. By the time I got back to the hospital from Beit El, it was several hours into the night. Remarkably, several food packages, including all the traditional Shabbat goodies, were waiting for me. Some were from organizations; the various Bikkur Holim (visiting the sick) Societies, some were from private individuals, sharing their Shabbat dinners with hundreds of people in Jerusalem's hospitals. (Sima later remarked "I can't imagine this! I barely get Shabbat ready for us and our kids. There are actually people out there who not only cook for hundreds, but also deliver the meals to the hospitals!"). The following Shabbat, Sima and I both stayed at the hospital, with our older kids taking care of their younger siblings at home, with neighbors helping out Those patients and their families who were well enough, were invited to a special room, where the Bikkur Holim Societies set up sumptuous meals for them. Most of the patents had just passed crises. There was a celebratory atmosphere in the room. with people sharing their stories of their brush with death. I would later see the same thing in hospitals in the U.S. Visiting the sick, praying for them, and seeing to their needs, is one of the fundamental aspects of Gemilut Hassadim. The Talmud severely criticizes those who neglect their sick neighbors. Each visitor takes away one-sixtieth of their suffering. The Divine Presence dwells over the heads of the sick. The Talmud lists visiting the sick as one of the actions for which one is rewarded in this world, while the full mitzvah remains for the next (i.e., the rewards in this world do not diminish the other-worldly reward. The reward in this world is like "interest" paid on the huge merit earned.) That one's friends and family look in on us when we are not well, is understandable. But that there are armies of devout Jews who volunteer week after week, day after day, to take care of strangers, is, perhaps, the ultimate fulfillment of the dictum "all Israel are responsible for each other". This is Tikun Olam.

Tikun Olam-Fixing the World 3

(Ketubot 67b) Our Rabbis taught: If an orphan applied for assistance to marry, a house must be rented for him, a bed must be prepared for him and [he must also be supplied with] all [household] objects [required for] his use, and then he is given a wife in marriage, for it is said in Scriptures, Sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth: 'sufficient for his need', refers to the house; 'in that which he wanteth', refers to a bed and a table; 'he' (lit. "for him") refers to a wife, for so it is said in Scripture, I will make for him a help meet unto him.
Our Rabbis taught: 'Sufficient for his need' [implies] you are commanded to maintain him, but you are not commanded to make him rich; 'in that which he wanteth' [includes] even a horse to ride upon and a servant to run before him. It was related about Hillel the Elder that he bought for a certain poor man who was of a good family a horse to ride upon and a servant to run before him. On one occasion he could not find a servant to run before him, so he himself ran before him for three miles.

In the Jewish perception of charity, there is also a demand for dignity. In the U.S., the allotment for public assistance for food is under $5/day. The cost of the bureaucracy around that is huge, costing several times that amount per person. The reception at the Public Assistance offices is not only chilly, but downright degrading. Often the benefits are stopped for no apparent reason, and one must go for a hearing to prove that one is still poor. On the other hand, the system is abused by many. One often sees people in luxury vehicles coming to apply for "Welfare". Cheats are rarely punished. The rich complain that there is ANY assistance. Five dollars a day won't buy much more than a cup of coffee. One is made to feel that he is indeed part of Calvin's damned. The Jewish approach is totally different. If one comes asking for food or clothing, that is to be immediately provided. (People rarely lie to get these things). If requesting money, he is to provide references from those who know his situation. The often heard "rule" that one must always give something has no halachic basis, although if they come to our door, it is proper not to send them away empty-handed. Again, dignity. If the person is indeed in need of assistance, the community is to provide not only his basic needs, but enough to live a decent life. When I received the generous help of the Satmar community in 1980, (as I have previously written about), I didn't need to beg. They had agents going around to find out who was in need. They approached me, and pleaded with me to accept their help. The deliveries came in the middle of the night, so no one would see who is being assisted. The food was plentiful, and it always included treats for the children. A child must not know poverty. The above Talmudic passage indicates that not only are basic needs to be met, but, as far as possible, to allow the person to live in accordance with the way of life he had been used to before falling on hard times. Rabbi Nachman, who certainly had no sympathy for materialism, remarked "a complete recovery is possible from any disease, except poverty". The wounds of not having anything to eat, to have to tell one's children that they will need to make do with wearing rags, to not know if a roof over the family's heads will be possible next month, leaves scars that never really heal. Dignity is implied by Man being in G-d's image. This is Gemilut Hasadim. This is Tikun Olam.

Tikun Olam-Fixing the World 2

The English word "charity" is full of resentful and downright hateful connotations. We have already seen that "charity", in Hebrew (Tzedakah) means "justice". In the Jerusalem Talmud, charity is simply called "Mitzvah". Hebrew is not alone in this. In Arabic, charity is "Zakat" ("merit", like the Hebrew "zechut"). The word translated as "charity" in the Christian scriptures is the Greek "Agape", which actually means "love". Similarly, the French word for charity is "philanthropie", which is Greek for "love of Man". Yes, John Calvin has really "done a number" not only on our consciousness, but even our language. The Jewish community has organized extensive organized charitable projects to help the needy, care for the sick, and even provide help for those seeking employment (In the U.S. that is called the "Federation Employment and Guidance Service"). Nearly every large synagogue provides the rabbi with a "discretionary fund", to be distributed quietly to people in need. In the Orthodox community, this goes much further. There is an entire network of charitable organizations, some public and some private, called "Gemachim" (from the expression Gemilut Hasadim"). In the area where I live, there are not only Gemachim for interest free loans, but also Gemachim for housewares, food (including home delivery for Shabbat and holiday needs, and subsidized markets for the poor), formal wear for weddings and other such occasions, wigs, baby accessories, and much more. One Gemach in my area will actually make your wedding for you. References are usually required (generally a rabbi), so as to insure that the people coming for these benefits are both honest and actually needy. Keeping the recipients anonymous is a priority. Words of encouragement, rather than judgment, are always freely given. I find this all reminiscent of the description in the Talmud of a private room in the Temple where a money chest stood. All who could give, deposited money there in accordance with his ability. All who were needy, could come and take what they wished. No one knew if one entering that room was giving or taking. (Efforts were made to insure that known criminals were kept out). RAMBAM writes that not only is charity an obligation, but its worth is dependent on attitude as much as amounts. Here is his list, in ascending order:
1.Giving begrudgingly
2.Giving less that you should, but giving it cheerfully.
3.Giving after being asked
4.Giving before being asked
5.Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows your identity
6.Giving when you know the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know your identity
7.Giving when neither party knows the other's identity
8.Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant (finding him a job).
RAMBAM also writes that one should make every effort to avoid relying on others, but it is sinful not to accept, when the alternative is privation for one's self and one's family. There are other views, however, that one may engage in a life of Torah study, or other holy endeavors, which the community must support. There is much controversy on this point. In any case, for the Jews, charity is holy. The Zohar calls beggars "G-d's broken vessels". In the writings of Rabbi Nachman, "beggar" is often a code word for "Tzaddik", for we are all beggars when it comes to G-d's goodness. The story which Rabbi Nachman considered his greatest accomplishment is called "The Seven Beggars". It deals with hidden Tzaddikim who appear deficient, but the reality is that they far exceed the accomplishments of others.

Tikun Olam-Fixing the World 1

There is a popular meme that one often sees on Facebook, that I find deeply offensive. It reads "This is what the World Owes You...", followed by a blank page. Needless to say, care must be taken that no one swindles or takes unfair advantage of the community, but this is as far from a Jewish point of view as anything could possibly be. Man is created in the Image of G-d, which entitles him to dignity and support of his fellow man. In fact, the Hebrew word for charity, tzedakah, actually means "justice". The idea behind this meme dates back to Protestant Reformer and violent anti-semite, John Calvin (1509-1564). Despite the commands to care for the poor, the widow and the fatherless in both Jewish and Christian Scriptures, Calvin's bizarre philosophy was that the poor are damned. He postulated that when Jesus was being crucified, he looked out over all future generations, and chose (elected) who was going to Heaven and who to Hell. A sure sign to know if one is "saved" (going to Heaven) is if one is wealthy or poor. Wealth shows goodness and Salvation, while poverty shows that one is an inherently evil person, and going straight to Hell. Historians credit the rise of Capitalism to these teachings. This is idea known as the Weber thesis. One can clearly see on a map of Europe that the demarcation between the Protestant and Catholic countries, also marks the division between wealthy and poor nations. So Salvation is achieved through money, rather than spiritual wealth. Work hard, get rich, and be saved. Despise those individuals who live in poverty, as they are accursed of G-d.They deserve no pity.This gave birth to the Protestant Work Ethic (which I consider anything but ethical). This idea took root in the New World as well, and is at the heart of many pejorative attitudes toward the poor. The action of helping the poor and weak is called in Talmud "Gemilut Hasadim" (bestowing loving kindness). In modern Israel, Socialists applied the concepts of Gemilut Hasadim to the Marxist idea of class struggle; with the downtrodden masses being the victims of the upper and middle classes. This does not mesh with traditional Jewish ideas. Stealing from the rich is still stealing. This, however, still leaves the wealthy with an obligation to do their fair share for the poor. They applied to Socialist ideology the term "Tikun Olam", found in the prayer book, where it means bringing spiritual progress to the world. It is also used in the Talmud, regarding areas of marriage and divorce, protecting women's rights beyond the letter of the law. From Israeli Socialists, the term spread to non-Orthodox communities in the Diaspora, where it sometimes means positive social action, but sometimes simply means a Leftist agenda. The Orthodox communities prefer the traditional phrase "Gemilut Hasadim", with many organizations, mostly volunteer, caring for the sick, elderly, and otherwise disadvantaged. One would be hard pressed to find a hospital in any major Jewish community without a "Hesed Room", with free kosher food provided for those visiting the sick. In many hospitals, there is even a hospitality room, stocked with food, where relatives of patients many stay over on Shabbat and holidays, when driving is forbidden. I have personally seen these types of services in Catholic hospitals as well, or even in non-denominational hospitals provided by Catholic organizations, but very little in Protestant hospitals. Thank you, John Calvin. What types of activities are covered by "Gemilut Hesed" groups? That will be my next post.

Jewish Folklore 11

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1839-1933) was, by all accounts, a man of piety, humility and of the highest ethics. He is universally know as Chafetz Chaim, after the name of one of his books on ethics, especially the avoidance of slander and gossip. Orphaned from his father at ten, his mother moved to Vilna, where he became steeped in the Lithuanian Yeshiva tradition. At seventeen, he married his stepsister, and settled in the Polish town of Radin (now in Belarus). At first, he was the official rabbi of the town, but soon resigned in order to found his own Yeshiva, which became world-famous. He was deeply troubled by problems within the Jewish community, primarily the laxity in the area of forbidden speech, but also about what he perceived to be the threat of Zionism. As to the first problem, he wrote extensively about its severity, often greatly exaggerated its legal parameters, in order to eradicate this evil from our midst completely. As to the second, he chose not to get involved in a politically divisive fight, but privately warned his disciples and colleagues against the Zionist leadership and its ideology, with its aims of making a secular state and uprooting Torah. He was first and foremost known as an ethicist, but also as a keen scholar. The last decades of his life were devoted primarily to a legal work, Mishnah Berurah (Clear Teaching). Like the Aruch HaShulchan, it is on the surface a restatement of halachah, bringing it up to date. But the comparison ends there. First of all, unlike the Aruch HaShulchan, which covers all areas of Jewish life that exist in the absence of the Temple, the Mishnah Berurah only covers the first part of the Shulchan Aruch, dealing with prayer, everyday rituals, and holidays. Many, including yours truly, feel that this was a great mistake, as it put other areas into the background (marriage, divorce, business ethics, and much more). Many rabbis see it as the ultimate culmination of all halachic writings, perfect in every way. Others are very critical of the work. Some are ambivalent. When I studied Scribal law with a prominent Monsey rabbi, the "jumping off" text was Mishnah Berurah. The rabbi praised the Chafetz Chaim with every kind of superlative. Yet, that did not stop him from pointing out the numerous misquotes, faulty logic, clear misunderstandings of earlier sources, footnotes that had little to do with what had been said, on virtually every page. It became clear to me, and I later learned that many others had arrived at the same conclusion, that the work was primarily designed to establish the primacy of the Lithuanian tradition over heresies related to the "Enlightenment", as well as Hasidic tradition, which he considered a deviation from true Judaism. For example, in discussing the shapes of the letters used in scribal writing, he describes the standard Ashkenazi writing in great detail. He totally disregards the Hasidic script, except by means of barbs like "what I have described is the right way, don't consider what some others do". He mentions Sepharadic writing twice, each time saying it is mistaken and invalid. Before we judge him too harshly, however, let us bear in mind that he was trying to preserve a way of life that was being threatened. Now we can, perhaps, understand the switch in the 1950s away from Aruch HaShulchan, in favor of Mishnah Berurah. The Aruch HaShulchan reexamined issues and practices, often urging change (based on sources). But, many felt, twentieth-century Judaism was already changing too much. The Mishnah Berurah urged stability and caution. Nineteenth-century Lithuania had finally gotten everything right; don't mess around with it. The "Yeshiva World" has clung to this ever since (other than the Brisker tradition). In my opinion, like in most areas, the truth lies somewhere in between. Many aspects of late custom and folklore had now been codified, leaving little room for reevaluation. Those who challenge this approach, are often seen as deviating from THE Tradition. The idea that there is only one tradition, is itself an innovation. May HaShem guide us with His truth.

Jewish Folklore 10

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829-1908) was a man of great learning and integrity, with the ability to bridge chasms that appeared unbridgeable. Although the animosity against Hasidism and Hasidim that dated back to the Eighteenth-century had ceased being violent, the hatred and suspicion were still very much there (and still are to a large degree, although rarely spoken about publicly). Rabbi Epstein grew up among the opponents of Hasidism. His brother-in-law was the head of the great Yeshivah of Volozhin, the bastion of Lithuanian learning based on the teachings of Elijah of Vilna. Yet, for most of his life, he was the rabbi of predominantly Hasidic communities, even receiving ordination from Tzemach Tzedek (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the third Rebbe of Chabad). His approach to halachah was unique for his time and place. When a question arose, it is to be assumed to be permissible, unless an obvious reason to declare it forbidden is present. Most of his contemporaries would give a knee-jerk response of "no" to new situations, searching only afterwards for justification for the "prohibition". In matters of dispute between Hasidim and their opponents, he would analyze each question objectively, often siding with the Hasidim, but just as often with their opponents. He quoted freely from rabbis of both streams, staying remarkably objective. The last decades of his life were dedicated to his magnum opus, the Aruch HaShulchan. On the surface, it appears to be merely an update to the Shulchan Aruch (16th century), including later opinions. However, this is far from the case. Following the order of the Shulchan Aruch, he approaches every topic chronologically. He begins with quotes from the Torah (where applicable), follows with Talmudic and related sources, analyzes the discussions of the Rishonim (Early Authorities; roughly between 1,000 and 1500 ce), followed by decisions of the Acharonim (Later Authorities, from about 1500 onward). So far, so good. But then he does something else. He analyzes the various opinions for their logic and their faithfulness to earlier sources. If there seems to be a "disconnect" he would ask how and why did it happen? A faulty text? A possibly invalid local tradition? He is always respectful of his predecessors, but that doesn't stop him from rejecting views that seem inappropriate. His final decisions often differ sharply with what had been accepted practice. Many accepted his rulings, many did not. Nevertheless, one could look at the Aruch HaShulchan and understand the development of each halachah, and even customs, from a perspective of over three thousand years. Prior to the Aruch HaShulchan, one would have needed an entire library for this kind of understanding. To the extent that Sepharadic works in halachah were available to him, he included their opinions in his work. Many Yeshivot accepted this great masterpiece as their primary "go-to" work for halachah. (It must be remembered that in traditional Lithuanian Yeshivot, the curriculum centered around analysis of Talmud, not practical halachah). Now, each halachic issue could be seen in its historical perspective, with both major and minor halachic sources carefully referenced and analyzed. In the U.S., the Aruch HaShulchan was THE accepted halachic work, until the 1950s. What changed? Judaism, particularly in America, was under attack. American Reform was generally unconcerned with halachah. The Conservative Movement, not yet separate from Orthodoxy, was questioning many traditional concepts and practices. Hasidism was still seen as a threat by many prominent rabbis. Most American Jews had arrived from Ukraine and Poland in the early twentieth century. Although there was little organized Hasidism in America before the 1950s, Hasidic ideas and practices were part and parcel of the Jewishness of these communities. Lithuanian rabbis regarded this as a danger to the integrity of the Judaism they followed and considered the only valid one. There was felt a need to "circle the wagons" The willingness of Aruch HaShulcah to consider innovation, might play into the hands of the Conservatives, while his conciliatory approach to Hasidism could open the doors to other threats to what the Lithuanians regarded as authentic tradition. Another work was sought and found. It was seen as a solution to outside challenges. It is known as the Mishnah Berurah. To be discussed next time.

Jewish Folklore 9

I rarely comment online about Jewish topics, because everyone thinks they know, and is ready for a fight. I tend to forget that things that are obvious to me are far from most people's awareness. To illustrate, just  a few  year ago, someone posted "The Laws of Mourning for the Omer Period". I commented "Laws...or Customs?" I questioned how something could be a law, when it is neither mentioned in Talmud, or any of the great poskim until about 700 years ago, and then only regarding weddings and haircuts. Only 400 hundred years ago did it become about large parties with music, and only within the last century did it become about private listening to music as well. I sarcastically expressed admiration for those who could know a law that has no source! The answer I received was "you are apparently unaware of the views of contemporary rabbis". I left it there. Upon thinking more deeply about it, I realized that I was dealing with a much more fundamental problem, that was in no way new. In fact, it goes back to the era of RAMBAM and Tosafot (about 1200). I call it "the problem of how to read a book; from the beginning or from the end?" One can read a book from the beginning, and watch the chapters unfold. But if chapter 8 contains discrepancies that don't fit in with the earlier chapters, the book will be fatally flawed, no matter how beautifully written. (Unless a subsequent chapter satisfactorily reconciles the contradictions). This is especially true if these discrepancies occur in a sequel. "Hey..did this author even read the original book?" This can easily be seen in terms of the scriptures of other faiths. They may sound beautiful, and even indicate where the ideas are "hinted at" or "foretold" in Tanach, but if we read from the beginning, we will easily see that there is a major "disconnect" between the Tanach and these writings. Reading backwards, they fit beautifully, reading from the beginning...not so much. Within Judaism, this problem revolves around the concept of "halachah K'batrai" (The halachah follows the later authority). The logic here is that the later authority will have seen and considered the arguments of the earlier authority. If he rejected these arguments, he must have had an excellent reason, even if this reason is unknown to us. RAMBAM, in his introduction to his great halachic work, Mishneh Torah, states that this principle cannot be applied to post-Talmudic times. After the Talmud, all rabbis' words are to be seen as non-authoritative interpretations, to be judged on their veracity and logic by subsequent scholars. The approach of the Franco-German Tosafists was different. Everything handed down by tradition is valid, and seeming contradictions must be reconciled. Customs, even folklore, must be seen in this light. The accepted viewpoint must be upheld, with opposing, earlier views reinterpreted until they fit. Although the Maimonist view is generally accepted by Sepharadim, and the Tosafist view by Ashkenazim, this is by no means a hard and fast rule. In the first decade of the Twentieth Century, two great Ashkenazi works of halachah were published. Both were widely heralded at the beginning. But soon, it was recognized that their approaches were as different as night and day. One was "reading from the beginning", with critical analysis of all opinions, one was "reading from the end", accepting every opinion and folkloric assumption as not only valid, but in need of defending. The first was inclusive of all Jewish views, to the extent they were known in Eastern Europe at the turn of the Twentieth Century, The second made a heroic attempt to "prove" that what was being done in non-Hasidic parts of Poland and Russia was, in fact, the ultimate expression of Judaism. Other traditions were firmly rejected. One was widely accepted as the more scholarly for about half a century, but then was largely put aside in favor of the other. They were called, respectively, the Aruch HaShulchan and the Mishnah Berurah. The drama of the tension between the two, which is ongoing, will be my next topic.