We are back at the beginning.
The beginning of the new Torah cycle. After we finished the annual cycle with a grand celebration on Simchas Torah, we immediately began the new cycle with the opening words of the Torah:
‘In the beginning Hashem created heaven and earth’.
Why is it so important to start the book of the Jewish religion with a history of how the world was created?
One of the reasons is to teach us that Hashem and His instructions are ‘built-in’ to creation. They are not ‘suggestions’ they are ‘manufacturers instructions’.
To use computer language: IBM and others specialize in making the hardware of the computer. Microsoft and others make software. When one buys a PC loaded with software one assumes (or hopes) that both components speak to each other so that they can perform their computing duties. The reality is that there are bugs and challenges.
Apple products are different, they are built on the notion that 'We design the hardware and the software, so it’s perfect.'
Yet, they are still two different parts. Hardware and software. Technically (if Apple had a different business model) the two components could be made by different companies like the PC model.
Hashem created heaven and earth.
One G-d creates spirituality and materialism.
He created our bodies, minds, hearts including the gamut of human intelligence mental and emotional.
He created our souls and identities.
He created the food chain that feeds us.
He created the environment, the oxygen, the sun, the moon, the galaxies and the entire universe.
He created the experiences that we have. The brain's intelligence is a product of G-d’s creation. He endowed humans with the gift of speech and self-awareness.
It therefore makes perfect sense that to achieve the best levels of bodily health, mental health and emotional health one should live in the way He intended.
Hashem did not just create the universe and then detach Himself from it.
As the Creator of heaven and earth, of winds, rain, sun, vegetation, animal life and human life He continues to take interest in them and guide them.
This is the basis of what we call detailed ‘Divine Providence’. Hashem continues to guide and orchestrate every wind that blows every leaf. Every blade of grass is under His providence. Every incident that happens is by His specific intentional plan.
A human manager cannot possibly manage everything that may be on his mind, it is humanly impossible. Because of human limitations we discourage micromanaging as it is unsustainable. For G-d it is eminently possible to continue to direct and guide the trillions of trillions ad infitum of details of creation. And He does just that. Nothing is outside of Him.
Following the instructions of the Creator is the best way to live life.
It applies on all levels.
Personal, geopolitical as well as spiritual.
The G-dly way is to ‘eat in order to live’ not ‘live in order to eat’.
On a geopolitical level the Talmud teaches that if the nations of the world would grasp the great blessing that the Bet Hamikdash bring to them (on Sukkot for example there were prayers for the nations of the world’s benefit), they would organize guards around the temple and not let anyone damage it, let alone destroy it.
But yet, hatred against the Jews persists even in our modern era.
It is a contagious and violent ‘virus’.
Antisemitism is not just negative for us; it is detrimental to the very antisemites themselves.
It’s self-destructive to all who engage in it.
Because it is against the instructions of the Creator of life itself.
Hashem created the world. Hashem chose to have a group of people within general humanity who will be tasked with carrying forth the mission of bringing His divine light to the world via 613 Mitzvot – the Jewish people.
Hashem expects that humanity at large will help, respect, and encourage the Jewish people to do their mission.
When the nations support that mission they are participants in it, and thus share and receive the fruits and rewards that the mission generates.
And G-d, as the Creator is the only ‘one’ with the right to distribute countries to the various nations. He chose to bequeath the land of Israel to the Jewish People. It was promised to Avraham close to four thousand years ago.
This is our most basic and eternal ‘title deed’ to the land of Israel.
Living according to Hashem's intentions invokes blessing.
Simply put. A country that is respectful, protective and inviting to G-d’s people, will naturally be part of the blessing of G-d.
We, the Jewish Community of Thailand are thankful to live in the Kingdom of Thailand where the king is the upholder of religions. In this peaceful and tolerant country Judaism has flourished for many decades and continues to expand and develop with blessing. May it continue to be a ‘land of smiles’!
This is the way that the world is ‘hardwired’.
Hashem created every cell and atom. It follows very simply that following in Hashem's path is the best possible thing that one can do to be part of the mosaic called the universe that Hashem created.
We have all seen very clearly that when a microbe acts out of sync with the trillions of other microbes, the result can be a pandemic.
Hashem's world is so exact.
The more we stick to His instructions, the more we are in sync with the manufacturers’ instruction for operating our own selves, our families, our communities and by extension the world at large.
It’s a new year.
A new beginning.
Everything starts with ‘light’!
Let us resolve to connect to Hashem, study His Torah (the ‘light’ of Hashem), follow His mitzvah instructions and be blessed with all things good, physically and spiritually.
We are rejoicing over the homecoming of our hostages; we pray for the healing of all the wounded and emotional wellbeing of all who have suffered so much from the traumas of this war that was thrust upon us.
Here is an update from R’ Liraz Zeirah’s Sukkot celebration in hospital.
We had shared Rabbi Liraz Zeirah’s name for prayers two weeks ago (you can read his story here).
Most of all, may we be blessed with the coming of Mashiach, the building of the Bet Hamikdash, at which time Jewish people will serve G-d in the most complete way, and following in our example, the entire world will recognize G-d and live in the healthiest, most meaningful way possible, serving G-d with clarity and in unison.
This will usher in true and secure peace for all.
A true ‘win-win’ outcome for all.
Amen.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yosef Kantor