Community Magazine July 2021

20 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE לעילוי נשמתם של משה בן עליזה, יצחק הלל בן עליזה, והנרייט לאה בת עליזה, דוד בן גילה, רבקה בת גילה, יהושע בן גילה, משה בן גילה, שרה בת גילה, יעקב בן גילה, ואליאנה בת גילה. ולרפואה שלמה ליוסף בן אהובה מסעודה, שילת אהובה בת עליזה, ודניאל בן עליזה. The Modern-Day “Foxes” The rabbis’ tears are even more understandable if we assume that they foresaw the “foxes” of our generation, the relentless pressures that the modern Jew faces that threaten to pull him away from the “ kodesh hakodashim .” There are millions of such “foxes,” and they are all in the palm of our hands, or in our pockets. Technology has placed lures of many different kinds around us at all times. The distractions are endless. There is a bottomless pit of spiritually toxic material that is readily accessible around the clock. All this pulls us like a magnet out of the “ kodesh hakodashim ,” away from Torah, and it takes a great deal of strength to resist this force. We face ideological “foxes,” as well. Our surrounding culture presents itself as morally superior to our beliefs and values, which it considers backward and antiquated, Heaven forbid. Our principles of faith and our lifestyle are ridiculed and condemned as immoral. We must reinforce our firm conviction that our way of life is the “ be’er mayim chayim ,” the “well of life water.” Our surrounding culture has a very alluring appearance; it seems to offer enjoyment and satisfaction, and it claims moral preeminence. This illusion is the sly, clever “fox” trying to pull us out of the “water.” The Torah says about the pit into which Yosef was thrown, “The pit was empty; it had no water” (Beresheet 37:24). The Gemara (Shabbat 22a) comments, “It had no water – but it did have snakes and scorpions.” The message of this statement is far more profound than a description of the life- threatening danger that Yosef faced. It warns us that when our society or community is “empty,” without “water” –asymbol of Torah– then it is very swiftly filled with “snakes and scorpions,” with immorality, decadence, and corruption. Life on the “shore,” away from Torah, might seem appealing, but in truth, leaving the water is the worst decision we could ever make. The story of Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues ends with them turning to him and saying, “ Akiva, nihamtanu – Akiva, you have comforted us.” Let us, too, take comfort in Rabbi Akiva’s inspiring example, which shows that the door to the kodesh hakodashim remains open for us at all times, no matter how far we have strayed. We must not be discouraged by the sight of so many of our beloved fellow Jews being led out of the “water” by the “fox.” Rather than feel helpless and weep, let us follow Rabbi Akiva’s lead and feel confident about the future. Amid all the upsetting problems and daunting spiritual challenges that we face, we must also see what Rabbi Akiva saw – living examples of Jews who, despite it all, defied the “fox” and proceeded to the kodesh hakodashim . Wherever we look in our community, we see so many such examples, people who have overcome enormous challenges and withstood immense pressures to devote themselves to Torah. These individuals not only set an inspiring example for us to follow, but also give us hope, allowing us to feel comforted knowing that we will all, please Gd, make our way back to the “ kodesh hakodashim ” and be worthy of the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash , speedily and in our time, amen . 800.366.2217 sales@franklingroupusa.com www.franklingroupusa.com integrated marketing & printing solutions