torah and animals

Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman

QI learned recently that there will be some kind of “new Torah” revealed in the times of Moshiach. Doesn’t this contradict the idea that the Torah is eternal and is never supposed to change?

The times of Moshiach will be an era of unprecedented prosperity – a wealth that will be both material and spiritual, and the material wealth will give people free time to pursue the study of G‑d and the Torah.

It is true that the Sages, based on a verse in Isaiah (51:4), teach that Torah we study now is nothing comparison to the Torah of Moshiach. But this does not, G‑d forbid, mean that the Torah we have now will be exchanged for a new one. One of the principles of Jewish belief is that the Torah and all its commandments are eternal and immutable. Judaism has always steadfastly rejected foreign doctrines that claimed that there is any text or teaching that replaces, or modifies, the Torah.

Nevertheless, while there is only one Torah, this Torah is multi layered. Every word in the Torah and every one of G‑d's commandments can be understood on infinite levels—which is quite understandable considering that the Torah is the wisdom of an infinite G‑d. Every one of these layers exists in the Torah that was given at Sinai, simply waiting to be uncovered. Moshiach, who will be greater than even Adam and Moses, will reveal a completely new and profound dimension of Torah. He will reveal a Torah that will make all the Torah that was studied until then pale in comparison.

In addition to the superior level of Torah that will be studied during the times of Moshiach, our capacity to integrate that Torah will be much different than today. The human being can become conscious of an entity or idea in one of two manners, which can be described as “hearing and “seeing.”

A concept acquired through hearing, which includes apprehension and logical inference, can never be considered conclusive, as human intellect is always prone to error. Perhaps more importantly, even if the concept is never disproved, it will never attain absolute definitiveness in its knower's consciousness. Thus, a person would never board an aircraft simply because someone explained to him the principles of aerodynamics. Our present day knowledge of G‑d is limited to the "hearing" variety.

Seeing, on the other hand, is revelation. Most of the phenomena we take for granted are such that we may not understand, but we have seen or sensed. These ideas we accept as fact; they constitute our daily reality. Most people don't fully understand aviation science, and many don't know the first thing about it, yet they have no problem embarking on a transcontinental flight—for they have seen that it works. "Seeing is believing."

It is also possible for an entity that cannot be seen or sensed to attain seeing like status. On occasion, a certain fact is so patent, and its effects so clear, that it becomes incontrovertible although it cannot be physically sensed. For example, no one has ever seen electricity or a radio wave, yet we all are certain that they exist.

With the exception of very great tzaddikim (righteous individuals), our present day knowledge of G‑d is limited to the "hearing" variety. We may study about Him, we may assiduously research and analyze the hosts of spiritual worlds detailed in the kabbalistic teachings, yet they will never be as real in our perception as the computer screen you are now looking at. One is theory, the other is real.

Moshiach will permanently change this dynamic. As Isaiah prophesied, "All flesh together shall see that the mouth of G‑d has spoken." We will look at the world and perceive the divine energy that provides its existence just as we look at a vacuum cleaner and perceive that there must be an electrical current that powers it. Moshiach will teach about G‑d and we will "see" it. At last, G‑d will be really real. And all that we perceive to be real today? We will see them for what they truly are: mere extensions of the ultimate reality. EM книгa основной труд философии хасидизма

Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman is the Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario. You can Ask the Rabbi at jrcc.org or fax to 416.222.7812. To meet with Rabbi Zaltzman in person, feel free to call 416.222.7105 to book an appointment. Appointments are generally available on Wednesday evenings after 7pm.

Rebbitzin Chiena Zaltzman is also available for private consultations by appointment on Wednesday evenings from 9 to 10pm by calling 416.222.7105.

Рабби, затронув недавно тему о чудесах Ребе, мы получили многочисленные отклики, в которых читатели просят продолжения.

Пожалуйста. Вот еще один рассказ.

Еврейский бизнесмен по имени Макс Коэн жил в Англии в городе Манчестер. Он вел бизнес в странах Дальнего Востока. Однажды, как обычно, он планировал деловую поездку на Дальний Восток, в том числе хотел заехать в Бангладеш. Перед тем, как уже должен был отправляться, из новостей он узнал, что тропические ливни, обрушившиеся на Бангладеш, залили всю страну – случилось буквально наводнение. Он стал сомневаться в целесообразности поездки – путешествие могло обернуться серьезной опасностью. В то время брат его жены учился в Нью-Йорке в «Севен Севенти» у Ребе. Макс Коэн звонит шурину в Нью-Йорк и говорит: «Пожалуйста, пойди в воскресенье к Ребе (Ребе обычно по воскресеньям встречался людьми, которые выстраивались в длинную очередь) и спроси, имеет ли смысл мне ехать в Бангладеш, так как там идут непрекращающиеся ливни». Тем не менее, к поездке он был уже готов и решил, не теряя времени, из Манчестера отправиться в Лондон, откуда потом должно было начаться путешествие на Дальний Восток. По приезду в Лондон он связывается с шурином, чтобы узнать информацию от Ребе. «Ребе ответил, - сказал шурин, - что ливни уже закончились, и ты не только можешь, но и должен ехать в поездку. Ребе дал мне для тебя доллар»...

The article above is excerpted from the Russian edition of Exodus Magazine. To subscribe, please visit exodusmagazine.org or call 416.222.7105.

Класс ведет рабби Йосеф И. Зальцман На русском языке

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ID: 416-222-7105

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One Shabbat One World

On Friday evening, January 27, each JRCC branch hosted a community Shabbat dinner as part of the “One Shabbat One World” initiative. The several hundred who participated in the GTA were part of a global even in which tens of thousands of people joined Shabbat dinners in dozens of communities around the world. The initiative is designed to bring the light of Moshiach and redemption into the world through the peace of Shabbat and the power of unity.

Tu Bshvat

In honor of Tu Bishvat, the new year for trees, JRCC branches hosted a variety of events for children and social evenings for adults. Children’s events included Tu Bishvat Adventures in an Israeli Supermarket at JRCC East Thornhill and JRCC S Richmond Hill & Maple, a Holiday Kiddie Chefs Tu Bishvat edition, at JRCC Woodbridge an adult event included Online interactive game and Whiskey & Wisdom at JRCC Woodbridge. Tu Bishvat events provide an opportune time to reflect about our connection to the earth, to the Land of Israel, and to the concept of growth in general.

A Magical Musical Event

On Wednesday, February 9, the JRCC hosted a magical evening at Leah Posluns Theatre in honor of Yud Shevat, celebrating the anniversary of the Rebbe’s leadership. The event, titled “Return to Yiddishkeit Through a Journey of Niggunim,” featured Maestro Israel Edelson’s personal story weaved through compositions and performance. As Edelson says, ““There is no blueprint for this journey, just a feeling, my music, and a question that beckons from the deep.” The evening was beyond inspiring for all those in attendance, a fitting tribute to the Rebbe and an uplifting way to celebrate his life and teachings.

Jewq Championship

The JRCC Hebrew School, together with other Hebrew Schools from across the GTA, participated in the local JewQ gameshow-stye trivia competition, joining thousands of contestants from over 175 cities and 22 countries around the world. The students showcased their Torah knowledge, having become experts in several subjects, and the champions were each given awards. Three students from the JRCC Hebrew School won trophies, and they will represent our community in the international championship on March 26: Ariella Rebellow from JRCC Bat Mitzvah cCub, Aaron Cohen from JRCC S Richmond Hill & Maple Maple Hebrew School, and Sophie Hadas Roginsky from JRCC East Thornhill Hebrew School. Congratulations to the winners and to all the participants. Thank you for making your community and your parents proud!

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