You should be very thankful this week that I am sending you your
weekly Toirah fix. After all, I am very busy these days, barricading
myself on roofs, throwing bricks and oil at my soldier brethren, and
waiting for the Moshiach to come.
Plus, protesting is a GREAT WAY to meet hot settler women! Boruch
Hashem, I love the big hoop skirts, although the sleeves are too
short on the orange t-shirts. Too bad some of the maidelach didn't
have time to go shopping in Afghanistan before the protests.
We are told in the teachings of the ARI ZAHL that during Creation,
the world did not reach the desired state of perfection due to a
cosmic accident, a shattering of holy vessels -- so to speak -- that
resulted in the sprinking of holy sparks that were lost amongst the
base dross of existence. The mission of Klal Yisroel, and of
mankind, is to rescue these lost holy sparks through acts of
Tefillah, Teshivah, and Tzedakah. In so doing, we emulate the nature
of Hakadoshboruchhu and bring about the completion of the world.
I do not recall it saying anywhere in the writings of the ARI ZAHL
that we should emulate the Aimishteh by throwing acid on Israeli
soldiers. Or that we should threaten them with guns. Or that we
should randomly kill people of whatever faith. Maybe I missed
Yeshiva that day -- there was a Catholic girls' high school a block
away after all, and, like I said, I really do dig long skirts.
Especially with a tartan pattern. On a hot shiksa.
Perhaps that one day I missed in all my years in Yeshiva they gave a
date and an address for the Moshiach, and that address was Khan
Yunis. Funny, I always thought that the Moshiach was going to land
in Boro Park and have a quick slice and a coke before altering
history. Oh, and maybe pick up a few sefarim while he was there.
Yes, we must all feel empathy for our displaced brothers and
sisters. But the disturbing events of this week perhaps tell us that
while many of my Rabbinic colleagues were busy searching for the
lost holiness and convinced that they were the Keepers of the Flame,
rather than finding holy sparks they instead created more dross.
Shabbos is the day for the DOUBLE MITZVAH. It is also a time for
introspection. I hope that these Rabbinic colleagues will spend the
day evaluating their actions and their beliefs, and realize that
even when we have the grandest intent we sometimes deliver
unexpected and unwelcomed results. Even the Reboinoisheloilum broke
His holy vessels.
I, on the other hand, have a clear conscience, and plan to spend the
whole day doing the DOUBLE MITZVAH.
