ASK THE RABBI
42 JUDAISM
2 DECEMBER 2021
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Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com LIBERAL FAKE NEWS
Dear Rabbi I attended the big Menorah lighting in Trafalgar Square in previous years and always found it so uplifting. Thousands of Jews gathering in front of a magnificent Menorah was always beautiful and made me feel proud to be Jewish. I was always under the impression that this was a Chabad spearheaded event so imagine my surprise when I read online that the director of Liberal Judaism was invited to light the Menorah this year. According to their own announcement, it is the first time that a woman, and a liberal rabbi was invited to light the menorah at the ceremony at Trafalgar Square. Pardon the pun – but can you enlighten me on this? Debra Dear Debra First, to be clear, nobody ever heard let alone had anything to do with public Menorahs. It is a Chabad innovation already for decades. Of course, over time, it became increasingly popular, so other organisations jumped on the bandwagon and to one extent or another took it over. So, whatever happens there, cannot be blamed on Chabad. More to the point, for me the most surprising element is the blatant misinformation. Firstly, there was no ceremony. There were no adverts, there were no people; just a smidgen of those who gathered for a quick photo-op with the mayor. There was one candle being held by the “rabbi” in question, nothing to do with the main Menorah there, and what’s worse is that she recited a blessing over the
candle. The reason I say that it is worse is because – get this - it was apparently all pre-recorded according to my sources – so it wasn’t even Chanukah yet. Essentially, everything about that news item was apparently fake news. To be sure, it might be better described as the first time anyone recited the Chanukah blessing over a candle in Trafalgar Square a few days before Chanukah. Now, that would be a first!
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY SON?
Dear Rabbi This might not be a question suitable for your cross mix of readers but I am hoping you can answer me. I am sending my son soon to a Yeshiva in Israel. My problem is that I recently discovered that he’s figured out how to bypass our computer filter and for the past year or more has been exploring the open web under our noses. I am wondering how to deal with this in the here-and-now, as well as how to strengthen him so that I can safely send him out of town next year. While the Yeshiva will certainly have rules in place to limit availability, I believe the world is wide open everywhere and the only thing that will keep him in check is his own self-control. I fear for the risks that presents and wonder whether you can offer any advice that might help put my mind at ease. Shlomo Dear Shlomo Per this week’s Torah portion, Jacob is reluctant to send his youngest son Benjamin down to Egypt, “lest an accident occurs
Pirkei Avot Rabbi Elazar of Bartotha said: give to Him of that which is His, for you and that which is yours is His; and it says similarly with regards to King David: “for everything comes from You, and from Your own hand have we given you”. Rabbi Jacob said: if one is studying while walking on the road and interrupts his study and says, “how fine is this tree! or how fine is this newly ploughed field!” the Torah accounts it to him as if he was mortally guilty.” Whilst the first half of this Mishna is readily understood, the second half demands explanation. Why would someone who is in awe of G-d’s creation be held accountable for praising G-d whilst in the middle of Torah study? Two
to him on the way.” Benjamin is also referred to as a “lad,” even as a quick calculation suggests that he would have been at least thirty at the time. The point is that he was always sheltered, cocooned in his father’s home. Stepping out into the world would pose obvious danger. That’s the reality every parent faces when sheltering their kids for so many years, then having to send them into the big wide world. And the concerns extend well beyond just fears about technology. As to your specific question, filters are essential but that should be consistent in the home environment and not limited to your son’s phone, otherwise he’ll feel singled out and resent that. Some filters enable parents to see whatever their child is accessing with their technology as well. There is always the option of a “kosher phone” which restricts any access to the web. Shouldn’t all Yeshivas and Seminaries insist on only kosher phones? Needless to say some will always smuggle in a smartphone, especially a young man who’s already spent time figuring out how to bypass filters at home. To that end, open conversation is essential. To be sure, overemphasis on the perils that lurk out there can be counterproductive. It’s about finding the right words and striking the right balance. Rather than a wagging finger and a admonitory speech which will likely have the opposite effect; some kind words and establishing mutual trust will go a long way to encouraging a young man or woman to be more honest with their parents about their struggles. Above all
else, keep praying for his wellbeing and enduring nachas.
A FREUDIAN CHANUKAH PRESENT
Dear Rabbi I enjoyed your explanation about Chanukah gifts and more to the point so did my kids. By that I mean that I never did believe in the whole idea before, but having read what you wrote it resonated with me. So this year my kids are the recipients of some Chanukah presents, and in exchange they will be doing some extra Jewish study projects. I thought you might want to know the impact you had on one family. Rosanna
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For Refuah Shalema for Mordechai Ben Chaya Sara explanations are offered. The first, as explained by Rabbi Avraham Katz is that it is comparable to one who receives a diamond presented in a cushioned gift box from a king. When accepting the gift, the person exclaims, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for the cushion!”. This is in fact a disgrace for one is ignoring the purpose of the gift for the surrounding detail. The Torah is likewise the purpose of creation and is in fact the blueprint of the world. If one is engaging in Torah and fails to appreciate this and instead gets carried away by the peripheral detail, they are held accountable. A further explanation given is that one must not “interrupt Torah” to appreciate nature. Our
appreciation of the incredibly meticulously designed world we live in must come within the framework of Torah. It is a shame to read well-written science books which repeatedly refer to “wondrous” and “miraculous” workings of the human body, for example, but which then blatantly deny that these “miracles” are a result of chance, not design. We see with King David himself how this Mishna’s message ended up killing him. King David asked Hashem to tell him when he would die so he could properly repent. Whilst this is not allowed, Hashem did compromise somewhat. As David was thoroughly righteous, Hashem in His mercy agreed to tell him that he
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Dear Rosanna Thank you for that feedback. My wife told me the other day; “Yitzchak. I had a dream last night, that you gave me this wonderful gift box for Chanukah and inside was a beautiful gold necklace. What do you suppose it means?” I smiled wryly and said, “You’ll find out tonight.” Sure enough after candle lighting Tuesday night, I handed her a beautiful gift wrapped box which she opened with glee. Inside, was a book, “Freud: The Meaning of Dreams.” You can’t please everyone. Wishing a truly happy, illuminating and meaningful Chanukah to one and all.
Perek 3: Mishna 7 would die on a Shabbat, but not which one. David made sure to always learn Torah each shabbat so the Angel of Death couldn’t take him, yet the Malach Hamaves made a noise outside and David got up to go outside and investigate the noise. This allowed him to be killed. It’s a very high level to learn non- stop but King David tried it and nearly succeeded. The King of Israel truly lives forever! Wishing all our readers a very happy Chanukah!
