A Special Message from Rabbi Zack Regarding Events in Israel

Parashat Chukkat 5777 Rabbi Howard Zack

Shabbat Shalom:

Most of you are aware that I am unaccustomed to reading from a prepared text. However, today’s drasha is intended more as a statement than as a teaching, though it is certainly that as well.

Every 21^st century parent has at one time or another told his or her child to use their words rather than their hands. We do not condone hitting, because striking out physically is a clear manifestation of anger and lack of control.

This was in fact Maimonides understanding of Moshe’s great sin in this morning’s Torah reading. Out of anger at the children of Israel whom he calls מרים, rebels, Moshe strikes the rock rather than use his words to bring order, understanding and ultimately kedusha - sanctity to a very tense and emotional situation. יען לא האמנתם בי להקדישני- You lacked faith in Me to sanctify Me [before the eyes of the Children of Israel].

Equally damaging as striking out physically, is the use of one’s words to hurt, belittle and betray the trust of another. Hurtful words can leave scars as deep as any blow of the fist. In fact, words are called devarim in Hebrew, which also means things – tangible, real things. Even words can hurt or cause real damage.

But perhaps worst of all may be the irreparable damage of going back on one’s word. Reneging on a promise - or an agreement - is a form of betrayal that erodes trust and destroys faith in one another. Where there is no trust there is no respect. Abusing one’s words undermines our civility and threatens our unity.

Our Sages find many examples of this in Tanach. The Ibn Ezra points out two of them. Back in Shemot chapter 13, verse 19, at the beginning of parashat Shelach, we are told that, Moshe took the bones of Joseph with him, because he [Joseph] had made the Children of Israel swear…”

The Ibn Ezra points out that Joseph had made his brother swear to take his bones back to Canaan with them, and this promise was passed down from generation to generation. However, when it came time to actually collect his remains, Joseph’s descendents busied themselves with collecting the possessions of the Egyptians as had been promised to them. Ibn Ezra states the “Moshe busied himself with fulfilling [their oath of agreement] in order to not bring shame upon Israel.” He continues to relate this to a later episode in the time of Joshua’s conquest of the Land of Israel. The Gibonites, fearing a war with Israel, pretend to be a nation from far away. Joshua agrees to make peace with them and a brit, a covenantal agreement is made. When their deception is discovered the people want Joshua to break the agreement, but he does not. The ibn Ezra states, “[He did not break the agreement] for the honor of Hashem, in order that His name not be profaned.” In other words, breaking this agreement would have caused a tremendous Chilul Hashem.

How painful for me to stand here this morning and have to call out the Government of the State of Israel for threatening to reverse itself on a very crucial agreement that calls for dignified access to the Kotel for all Jews; an agreement that it willfully entered into, with Orthodox input and approval, and has now frozen.

Equally, no especially, disturbing to me, are the hateful and hurtful things (devarim) that are being spouted from various corners of the Charedi community, inside and outside of the government of Israel, against fellow Jews in the non-orthodox community.

The pain only increases as those who have been justifiably wounded unleash their own barge of inflammatory rhetoric, threatening to cut ties to, and support for, the State of Israel.

The words of the prophet Jeremiah (51:51) ring in my ears and bring tears to my eyes: בֹּשְׁנוּ כִּי-שָׁמַעְנוּ חֶרְפָּה, כִּסְּתָה כְלִמָּה פָּנֵינוּ – We were ashamed, for we heard words of disgrace; embarrassment covered our faces… Jeremiah was lamenting the Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash. I bemoan the self-inflicted destruction of Jewish unity which if left unchecked could result in the same outcome and consequence.

The lesson of Moshe according to the Rambam is clear – we will never truly be able to enter the Promised Land if we allow anger and misguided antipathies to rule our better selves.

Now – having unburdened myself to some degree on this topic – allow me to interject a few facts that may help us to focus and find some common ground on which we can begin to rebuild some trust and faith in each other and reaffirm the value of Israel for all Jews throughout the world.

First I want you all to understand that I and most of my orthodox colleagues would prefer to have one unified space at the Kotel, consistent with Halacha and the status quo since 1967. But as community leaders who believe in Am Yisrael, we acknowledge that an agreement was made; again with orthodox approval; to provide space for alternate prayer services. We believe that this agreement should be and needs to be fulfilled. I am fearful that if left as is, the breach that has opened between Israel and Diaspora Jewry will become unbridgeable, God forbid.

It should be known that in spite of all that has been said and done there is and remains an open prayer space for non-orthodox services along the Southern portion of the Kotel. That fact does not dismiss the need to fulfill all of the terms of the agreement, but should be entered into the record of this discussion.

On the issue of the Conversion bill before the Knesset, which the prime minister froze as of yesterday, let me state the following. I believe that giyor k’halachah - Halachic conversion requiring Halachic standards are essential and should be promoted as vigorously as possible. However, I do not believe that the rabbanut of Israel should be empowered with the sole discretion to decide what those standards will be and to have unilateral control over all conversions in Israel, including any other Orthodox rabbinic bodies.

14. important point of fact is that this bill does not change or affect conversions outside of Israel. Be they Halachic or not, all conversions performed outside of Israel continue to be recognized for citizenship under the Law of Return.

The fact that the prime minister has frozen this bill for now is no solution to the crisis which is escalating around us. Now is a time for sincere and healing words to be followed by meaningful action – real devarim.

It is vital for the government of Israel, the Jewish Agency, and all of the interested parties to move quickly and begin to resolve this crisis. The future of Am Echod depends on it.

May we find the faith and strength to persevere and ultimately to see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s universal vision of not just national, but international spiritual unity.

וַהֲבִיאוֹתִים אֶל-הַר קָדְשִׁי, וְשִׂמַּחְתִּים בְּבֵית תְּפִלָּתִי...כִּי בֵיתִי, בֵּית-תְּפִלָּה יִקָּרֵא לְכָל-הָעַמִּים

And I will bring them to My holy mountain, and I will gladden them in My house of prayer…for My House will be called a house of prayer, for all nations.

Shabbat Shalom