Friday 11 September 2020 - 22 Elul 5780 Sedra Nitzavim-Vayelech IS G-D IN EXILE?
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HE IDEA THAT THE DIVINE COULD POSSIBLY BE ‘IN EXILE’ SOUNDS very strange. G-d is the Creator and Master of the whole universe, all-knowing and all-powerful. How can one say that He is exiled? However, an important source for this concept is a verse in this week’s double Sedra1. In the first half, Sedra Nitzavim, we hear about the Redemption, the ingathering of the exiles and a spiritual transformation which will affect the Jewish people and ultimately the whole of humanity. “Even if you are scattered to the ends of the heavens”, the Torah tells us, “from there G-d will gather you together”2. This is the traditional Jewish ideal of the coming of the Messiah and our return to the Holy Land. But the preceding verse implies, in a surprising way, that G-d Himself will also be returning. The literal translation of the Hebrew is that “G-d will return with your captives”. The great commentator Rashi points out that we would expect to read that “G-d will make your captives return”, but the Hebrew text does not say this: it says He Himself will return. Rashi continues: “Our Rabbis learned from this that, so to speak, the Divine Presence dwells with the Jewish people in all the misery of their exile, so that when they are redeemed, the Torah states that He too is redeemed, and that He will return with them.”3 How are we to understand this strange concept? Can G-d be in exile? In Loving Memory of Mrs Jeanne Gewolb-Sostrin (Yenta bas Devora) ע“ה- 15 Tevet 5772 Dedicated by her son Dr Roger Gewolb 'שי JUDAISM FOR TOMORROW’S WORLD www.chabadresearch.net - cru@LubavitchUK.com
Let us try to think about this for a moment. Firstly, G-d is indeed boundlessly exalted. Further, from a certain point of view, there is only G-d, and nothing else exists4. The universe is included within G-d, as a thought is included in the mind of a person. However, in fact, the universe does exist, as the Torah tells us in its very first verse: ‘In the beginning G-d created Heaven and Earth’. Further, G-d created the universe, and our planet, and us – with a purpose. According to Chassidic teachings, His purpose is that there should be a realm of concealment of the Divine, and that, in this realm, His Presence should ‘dwell’. Our universe, or world, is the realm of concealment. In fact the Hebrew for ‘the world’, haolam, העלםhas the same consonantal letters as the Hebrew word for ‘concealment’: he’elem. The world is physical, and by definition physicality tends to hide the Divine, rather than reveal the Divine, as does a spiritual realm. G-d’s purpose is that in this realm of concealment, His Divine Presence, the Shechinah, should dwell in a revealed way in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem, in every Synagogue, in every Jewish home, in the heart of each one of us, and ultimately in the whole world. From the point of view of G-d’s Presence, every detail in life is important. In any area of activity, when there is evil, the Divine Presence withdraws and is hidden. When there is goodness, it is revealed. If evil is generally powerful in the world, as it is today, G-dliness is hidden. This parallels the fact that we the Jewish people are in exile and the Temple is in ruins. In this sense G-d’s Presence is also ‘in exile’. It is hidden, rather than revealed. And this means the true purpose of Creation has not yet been fulfilled. By redeeming that aspect of G-d which is within ourselves, through acts of goodness and kindness, and all the Mitzvot of the Torah, and by helping others to do the same, we come closer to the full redemption of the Jewish people, of the Divine Presence and of the whole world: then existence will truly be a dwelling for the Divine, appreciated by all humanity. 1. Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30. 2. Deut. 30:4. 3. For a full discussion of this Rashi see the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Likkutei Sichot vol.9, 175 ff, and vol.23, p.178. 4. See Rabbi Shneur Zalman’s Tanya Part 1, ch.48, 68a-b; Part 2, ch.3.
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SEDRA NITZAVIM-VAYELECH THE DANCE SHOW It was the first day of the new school year for the twins, Leah and Ella, and it was so exciting to be back! They put on their starch stiff new uniform and came downstairs early to pack their school bags with all the new folders and stationery that they had bought. The clock hit 8.20 a.m. and at once they took the “back to school” picture with an iPhone, which they then left at home, gave their mother and father big hugs, and hurried on their way so as not to be late for their first day back. The lessons seemed longer than usual, and when at last the bell rang for break time, Leah jumped out of her seat excitedly. In the playground, her friends gathered round, and they chattered away, excited to be back together. “Hey, remember how we used to make up dances in break time, before COVID?” Natasha said with a grin. “Ahh! That was so fun! Our chicken dance!” Leah said reminiscing, laughing. All the girls chuckled. “We should do it again!” Ella said with a smile. Debbie looked thoughtful. "Or we should make like a whole dance show together in honour of the beginning of the year! Let’s ask Miss Silverman.”
All the girls nodded excitedly. What a great idea! “But not everyone in the class can dance.” Leah said not unkindly, but stating a fact. Ella nodded. “It wouldn’t be nice to leave people out.” Natasha turned to everyone suddenly. “Did any of you learn this week’s Sedra?" She asked. “Uh, no, we haven’t had Sedra class yet this week.” Leah said. Natasha nodded, understanding. “Well my father taught this to me on Sunday. Basically It says that all the Jews were standing together before they entered the Land of Israel: the heads of the tribes, the elders, the men, women, children, and then it mentions the woodchoppers and the water-carriers. It seems funny to mention these two types of people as well, but actually it is saying that every person is important, even those who have simple jobs and may not be able to study much Torah, or be good at things that some of the other people. All are significant, each one important in G‑d’s eyes, and they are all standing together as one people." "What does that have to do with anything?” Ella asked. "Oh I get it," said Debbie. "It teaches us that everyone is important and needed. Yeah, some girls can’t dance but they have talents in other areas! The artsy stuff, scenery, costumes, and advertising, or whatever it might be!” Everyone cheered. Natasha nodded happily. “Listen, together, as an entire group with everyone contributing, we can make this dance show a really big success!” Torah teachings are holy – please treat this page with care