Weekly Parsha

Mazal Tov to Shain Elisa Tank and Raizel Tank on their birthday.

Refuah Sheimah: Yehuda Baruch ben Sarah, Stephen Waczkiewicz (Shimon ben Sarah), Yossefa (Josie) "bat Sharon", Rafael ben Gladis e Esther Bracha "bat Sarah".

Continue praying for: Teddy Welz, Miriam (Mariana) "bat Zulay", Adina (Heidi) "bat Sarah" e Yosefa (Josie) "bat Sharon".

Ekev

Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25

Moshe continues his discourse guaranteeing the Jewish people prosperity and good health if they follow the mitzvot, the commandments. He reminds us to look at our history and to know that we can and should trust in G-d. However, we should be careful so that we are not distracted by our material success, lest we forget and ignore G-d.

Moshe warns us against idolatry (the definition of idolatry is the belief that anything other than G-d has power) and against self-righteousness -- "Do not say because of my virtue that G-d brought me to possess this land ... but because of the wickedness of these nations that G-d is driving them out before you." (Deut. 9:5). He then details our rebellions against G-d during the 40 years in the desert and the giving of the Second Tablets (Moshe broke the first Tablets containing the Ten Commandments during the sin of the Golden Calf.)

This week's portion dispels a common misconception. People think that "Man does not live by bread alone" means that a person needs additional foods beyond bread to survive. The quotation in its entirety is, "Man does not live by bread alone ... but by all that comes out of G-d's mouth" (Deut. 8:3).

The Torah then answers a question which every human being has asked of himself: What does G-d want of you? "Only that you remain in awe of G-d your Lord, so that you will follow all His paths and love Him, serving G-d your Lord with all your heart and with all your soul. You must keep G-d's commandments and decrees ... so that all good will be yours" (Deut. 10:12).

"You shall not bring an abomination into your home" (Deut. 7:26).

The Torah is instructing the Israelites to destroy the idols and their appurtenances which are called abominations.

The Talmud (Shabbos 105b) says that if one goes into a rage, it is equivalent of idol worship. The above commandment, therefore, applies to rage as well. Rage is an abomination. Do not bring it into your home.

When Reb Zeira's students asked him to what he ascribed his longevity, he said, "I never expressed anger in my home" (Megilla 28). It may at times be necessary to reprimand -- even sharply rebuke -- someone for doing wrong, and this may give the appearance of anger. However, this should be an outward manifestation rather than a true rage response.

The Talmud says that rage deprives a wise person of wisdom and a prophet of prophesy. "All the forces of hell dominate someone in rage" (Nedarim 2a). What could be more ruinous? Rage is so pernicious that on three occasions it distorted Moses' judgment, and according to Rambam, was the transgression which resulted in Moses' not being permitted to enter the Promised Land.

"The gentle words of the wise are heard ...." (Ecclesiastes 9:17). One might think that shouting achieves obedience. Quite the contrary. Even if it produces momentary compliance, it may turn the listener against the enraged person.

People won't care what you say -- unless they know that you care!

Shabbat Shalom

R. Tank

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Rabbi Tank is a professor at the American Jewish College, where he teaches classes on Talmud, Jewish History, and Contemporary Jewish Law. Rabbi Tank is dedicated to finding modern utility and meaning in ancient wisdom texts and is pleased to provide spiritual, cultural, social and educational programming to communities around the world. 

Rabbi Tank was educated at Yeshivas in New York and Miami. He studied Biblical Archeology at Bar Ilan University and Jewish Studies at Harvard University. Rabbi Tank has a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and he is also graduated in International Economic Development from the University of Oxford. 

Rabbi Tank is a Jewish Chaplain actively involved in peace negotiations and relief operations. Rabbi Tank is the director of international affairs at the World Jewish Confederation headquarters in New York and He is member of the White House National Religious Leaders , an Executive Office of the President of the United States in Washington, D.C.

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