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Is Sinai Mountain or Desert?
A wadi in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Photo: Florian Prischl via Wikimedia Commons.
JNS.org – Sinai is a mountain, but it’s also a desert. This week, we begin reading Numbers in synagogues around the world. But in Hebrew, the fourth book of the Torah is better known as Bamidbar, which literally means “in the desert.”
Many commentators expound on the importance of the Torah being given to the Jewish people in a wilderness. They note that a desert is an uninhabited, barren wasteland. This reminds us that to receive the Torah and truly absorb its message requires us to feel a sense of emptiness and nothingness. We must be small and insignificant in our own eyes. Only then can we be fitting receptacles for the infinite wisdom of God. Otherwise, we might question, argue and even reject its divine laws and way of life.
The story is told of a king who built a new palace. To decorate the magnificent dining hall, he commissioned the four greatest artists of his country to paint murals that would adorn its four walls. The best work of art would bring the artist a handsome prize over and above their payment.
Three of these renowned artists got busy immediately. They were seen measuring, sketching, designing and calculating their future mural. But the fourth artist was nowhere to be seen. Where he was and what his mural would look like remained a mystery until the fateful day when the four murals were to be unveiled in the presence of his majesty the king.
One mural after another was revealed to the exultation and admiration of the adoring, inspired assemblage. And then the fourth artist came forward. Instead of unveiling his own original mural, he revealed a giant intricately designed three-dimensional mirror. It reflected all the beautiful artistry on the other three walls. The people were simply awestruck and completely blown away. It was not just stunning; it was breathtaking.
Needless to say, he won the prize.
Sometimes it’s necessary to stand back from one’s own talents and achievements and look around. What are others doing? Have a good, objective look. By internalizing and incorporating the creativity and talents of others we may emerge even more exquisite.
But to do this requires the humility to appreciate that someone else has talent too. I’m not against originality and creativity. I’m not suggesting plagiarism as a way of life. But, from time to time, we should allow ourselves the opportunity to look objectively at the work of others and see how it may influence us for the better.
I don’t remember how many times I’ve read or listened to interviews with successful artists, whether in literature or music, who were asked by the interviewer, “Who was the greatest influence on your work or style?” Every one of these brilliant artists answered honestly and unapologetically, sharing the name or names of artists of the previous generation who had a powerful influence on their own style. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary.
As a rabbi, I’m often surprised and taken aback at how everyone and their mother-in-law consider themselves experts in Judaism, and its philosophy and practice. People do, of course, seek out the wisdom and opinion of their rabbis when they experience doubts or dilemmas or have a difficult decision to make. This is as it should be. That’s what we’re here for. But then, I often see how the advice given to them by the rabbi is disregarded and not followed at all.
These same people consult doctors, lawyers and accountants, happily pay for their time and expertise, and follow their advice, swallowing their prescriptions faithfully. Is a rabbi less of a professional expert in his field? Somehow, when it comes to things Jewish, the same client decides that he knows better than the rabbi.
Is it, perhaps, because rabbis usually don’t charge for their services that they are less appreciated by their clientele?
All professionals, including rabbis, studied in their respective fields for several years and qualified for and received a degree. Why do people who don’t presume to be doctors, lawyers or accountants assume that when it comes to Jewish matters they can second-guess the rabbi? Is it ignorance or arrogance? Personally, I find it quite fascinating how every Jew thinks that when it comes to Judaism, he too is an expert authority.
When the sages suggested that the Torah was given in a wilderness to emphasize the need for humility in order for us to absorb its profundity, they clearly knew what they were talking about.
As we approach Shavuot, the Season of the Giving of the Torah, let us rethink our attitude towards respecting the Torah and appreciating its bona fide teachers. Then, not only will the Torah be given by God but it will be well-received by His people.
The post Is Sinai Mountain or Desert? first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Dozens of Terrorists Eliminated in Central Gaza, Weapons Seized from UN School in Raid
Some rises after an Israeli strike as Israeli forces launch a ground and air operation in the eastern part of Rafah, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 7, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
i24 News – Israel Defense Forces continue to operate in the Shejaiya area at the same time as fighting in the Rafah area and in the center of the Gaza Strip, the army said.
In the Shejaiya area, forces of the 98th Division attacked dozens of terrorist sites with the help of airstrikes from the Israel Air Force.
Over the weekend, Israeli soldiers raided a UN school in Shejaiya, where terrorists hid and stored weapons, grenades and valuable intelligence documents
This is yet another example of how Gazan terrorists use civilian structures to carry out attacks against Israeli forces pic.twitter.com/9oA9KLJehC
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) June 30, 2024
A UN school was raided where terrorists hid and stored weapons, grenades, and sensitive documents. In addition, a Hamas command center was discovered in a clinic.
Since Saturday, division forces located weapons, raided and captured terrorist compounds, and eliminated a number of terrorists.
IDF strikes Hamas target in Gaza
Israeli forces continue to operate in the Shejaiya area while continuing to push in Rafah and in central Gaza
The IDF attacked and destroyed a mortar launch position located within a tunnel shaft in Rafah pic.twitter.com/JqTACvuMys
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) June 30, 2024
The 162nd Division meanwhile continues in the Rafah area, eliminating a number of terrorists in various encounters and destroying tunnel shafts in the area.
The 99th Division 99 the center of the Gaza Strip carried out raids and destroyed terrorist infrastructure in the area.
Also on Saturday, an airstrikes destroyed a mortar launch position located inside a tunnel shaft in Rafah.
The post Dozens of Terrorists Eliminated in Central Gaza, Weapons Seized from UN School in Raid first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israeli Government Approves Danny Danon as UN Ambassador
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon at a briefing on Iranian aggression on May 6, 2020. Photo: Screenshot.
i24 News – The Israeli government unanimously agreed on Sunday to appoint Likud lawmaker Danny Danon as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, succeeding the current ambassador, Gilad Erdan.
Danon, who previously held this position, will soon serve a second term. Danon’s appointment to this important position comes at a particularly crucial time, as he is expected to represent Israel on the international stage as the country faces challenges at home and abroad.
“I am proud to return to serve the State of Israel as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations during this critical period,” he said on Twitter.
“As Israel faces battles on numerous fronts, each and every one of us must do his utmost within his skills and experiences,” he said in an earlier statement. “This is how I have behaved in the past, and this is how I will continue to behave in the future.”
I am proud to return to serve the State of Israel as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations during this critical period.
With Israel confronting challenges on multiple fronts, it is imperative for each of us to contribute to the best of our abilities and experiences. This…
— Danny Danon דני דנון (@dannydanon) June 30, 2024
“In the face of the diplomatic terrorism that is rearing its head these days, I am forced to present the truth and hold my head high for the people of Israel and our common future here,” he concluded.
It is expected that Avihai Boaron, a former member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, will enter in place of Danon.
The post Israeli Government Approves Danny Danon as UN Ambassador first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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‘Los Angeles Is Becoming Unsafe for Its Jewish Residents” Says Israeli Minister
Governor Newsom speaking at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.
i24 News – Amichai Shikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora and Antisemitism, has urgently called upon California’s governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles’s mayor Karen Bass to address a concerning escalation of antisemitic incidents in the city.
In a strongly worded letter sent following a surge in antisemitic activities since October 7, 2023, Shikli expressed deep apprehension about the safety of Jewish residents in Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles is becoming more and more unsafe for its Jewish residents,” Shikli stated, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures to combat the rising tide of antisemitism.
He highlighted recent violent demonstrations on campuses that endangered Jewish students, alongside two serious incidents that he believes were mishandled by authorities.
One incident he pointed to was the tragic murder of Paul Kessler in November 2023 during a pro-Israel demonstration. Shikli criticized the court’s failure to classify the attack as a hate crime, stating, “It is shocking to see that the court did not recognize this as a hate crime. Paul was attacked for the sole reason that he was a Jew and a Zionist.”
Additionally, Shikli referenced an incident earlier in the week where an anti-Israel group disrupted an event at Adat Torah synagogue, resulting in an attack on Jewish attendees. Despite prior knowledge of the demonstration, law enforcement allegedly failed to take preventive actions to ensure the safety of Jewish residents.
Concerned about the city’s largest Jewish community in North America, Shikli urged immediate steps to enhance security around Jewish institutions and to ensure law enforcement is adequately trained to handle antisemitic crimes effectively. “At a time when antisemitism is at an all-time high, I urge you to implement measures to combat it,” he asserted.
The minister concluded his letter by proposing collaboration with local authorities and inviting the Los Angeles Police Department to participate in an international training program aimed at equipping security forces worldwide to combat antisemitism effectively.
The post ‘Los Angeles Is Becoming Unsafe for Its Jewish Residents” Says Israeli Minister first appeared on Algemeiner.com.