Category Archives: Ibn Ezra

5773, Emor, Ibn Ezra, Leviticus, Parsha, The Times of Israel

Repetitive Repetitions

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[First posted on The Times of Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/emor-repetitive-repetitions/]

Ibn Ezra Leviticus: Emor

Repetitive Repetitions

 “The mantram becomes one’s staff of life and carries one through every ordeal. Each repetition has a new meaning, carrying you nearer and nearer to God.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Since the invention of literary critics, (which came about on the very heels of the invention of authors), there has been much ink spilled complaining about repetition in ones writing. Perhaps the reader sees it as a direct attack on their intellect. “We got it the first time,” they must think.

The Bible is replete with repetitions. Perhaps one of the most common phrases that one sees over and over again, (besides “And God spoke to Moses, saying…”), is “I am God” that punctuates a plethora of diverse and unrelated commandments.

I think to myself and say to Him: “Um, with all due respect God, we know You are God. We didn’t think it was anybody else. We don’t suspect You of having an identity crisis, so what’s with the constant deluge of “I am God” throughout Your book?”

Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 22:33 comes to the rescue. He explains that “I am God” takes us back to the First Commandment of the famed Ten. The First Commandment is where God sets the foundation of our belief system. “You must believe in Me.” If we don’t have the basic belief in God, then the other commandments lack force or meaning. “I am God” is the reason we do the commandments. That is why He needs to accentuate many commandments with this reminder. That is why He punctuates various commands to link the performance of His will with the intrinsic belief in Him. We can never forget that “He is God.” It bears repeating. Constantly.

Despite literary and biblical critics, some things are worth hearing over and over and over.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To all the teachers who took the pains to repeat themselves.

5773, Ibn Ezra, Kedoshim, Leviticus, Parsha, The Times of Israel

With great power…

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[First posted on The Times of Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/kedoshim-with-great-power/]

Ibn Ezra Leviticus: Kedoshim

With great power…

“He who is false to present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and will find the flaw when he may have forgotten its cause.” -Henry Ward Beecher

In the fabricated mythology of our modern era, perhaps one character stands alone as the epitome of responsibility. I am talking, of course, of Marvel Comics’ angst-ridden, smart-mouthed, arachnid-powered Spider-Man.

In the story of his genesis, the super-powered youth hailing from Forest Hills, NY, (my neighborhood!), uses his newfound abilities exclusively for fame and glory. He witnesses an armed robbery, and in his egocentric blasé, allows the thief to escape, though he could have easily stopped him. However, fate is not kind to the unhelpful bystander. The same thief later accosts and kills Spider-Man’s beloved uncle and guardian, Uncle Ben.

Awakened harshly and directly to the consequences of his inaction, Spider-Man vows to dedicate his life to fighting injustice, living by his dead uncle’s motto, which Marvel has made so famous: “With great power, comes great responsibility.”

Ibn Ezra is of the opinion that Spider-Man’s self-blame is well placed. In Leviticus 19:11 he explains the unusual usage of the plural form in the commandment of not to steal. He explains that it means to include not only the direct perpetrator of a crime, but also those that stand by quietly and do nothing when they could have. They are equally guilty of the crime.

Spider-Man took the lesson to heart. May we never stand by idly when duty calls.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To the fictional Parker family (Peter/Spider-Man, Uncle Ben and Aunt May). They were entertaining role models.

5773, Ibn Ezra, Leviticus, Metzorah, Parsha, The Times of Israel

Holy Thumbs

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[First posted on The Times of Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/tazria-holy-thumbs/]

Ibn Ezra Leviticus: Tazria-Metzora

Holy Thumbs

According to a decades-old study, 92% of infants suck their thumb. Besides all of the normal physiological reasons, I think I’ve stumbled upon another reason for a baby’s fascination and attachment to that particular finger.

In the Sanctuary (and later in the Temple) there is a ritual performed to purify a recovered “leper”, metzora in Hebrew, though leper is a poor but common translation of what is considered a spiritual ailment that displays itself physically upon the skin. Part of the ritual was to take the blood of a sacrificed sheep and place it on the right earlobe, right thumb and right big toe of the healed “leper”.

Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 14:14 wonders what’s so special about the thumb. He then goes on to explain that the thumb is none other than the nexus of the physical and the spiritual. The thumb (think opposable) is what allows man to convert his spiritual desires into concrete action. If it weren’t for our (opposable) thumbs, we would be hard pressed to make and wield tools, to write, to craft or to do most things that humans have developed over millennia.

A child sucking his thumb may be doing much more than seeking comfort and pleasure. He may very well be retaining his connection to the spiritual world, seeking the power of the nexus of body and soul, the most physical part of the body that differentiates man from other primates, the most important digit of the hand.

I will never look at a child sucking their thumb the same way again.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To my nieces and nephews of thumb-sucking age. May you always retain your connection to the spiritual.

5773, Ibn Ezra, Leviticus, Parsha, Shmini, The Times of Israel

“Don’t Lecture Me…”

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[First posted on The Times of Israel at: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/shmini-dont-lecture-me/]

Ibn Ezra Leviticus: Shmini

“Don’t Lecture Me…”

“What you dislike in another take care to correct in yourself.” -Thomas Sprat

In Jewish tradition, the High Priest is granted a spectrum of ritual powers and responsibilities. One of the many curious ones is the ability, through animal sacrifice, to beseech for divine atonement for the nation of Israel.

However, before the High Priest brings this powerful sacrifice that has the ability to achieve forgiveness for the multitude of Israel, he is first directed to bring a personal atonement sacrifice.

Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 9:7 explains that the High Priest needs to attain personal redemption first, before he can dare intermediate in the atonement of anyone else. One can’t expect a person guilty of a certain sin to be successful in freeing someone else of their spiritual blotch while he is still mired in the same problem. The potential penitent would scoff at such hypocritical preaching.

We need to clean our side of the street before we dare lecture anyone else about theirs.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To the various role models who have indeed straightened out their acts and inspire us by example.

 

5773, Ibn Ezra, Leviticus, Parsha, The Times of Israel, Tzav

A Life for a Life

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[First posted on The Times of Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/tzav-a-life-for-a-life/]

Ibn Ezra Leviticus: Tzav

A Life for a Life

“Behold, I do not give lectures or a little charity. When I give I give myself.” -Walt Whitman

How does a person show thanks? How does one repay an enormous debt of gratitude? How can “thank you” be meaningful?

Why, by bringing a sacrifice, of course.

At least that’s what they did in the old days. By slaughtering and burning an animal upon the altar one could give thanks to God for saving one from trouble. Ibn Ezra (on Leviticus 7:12) says that a sacrifice was the appropriate method of giving serious thanks. Anything less than that just didn’t show enough appreciation to God.

On Leviticus 8:23, he takes the concept of an animal sacrifice another step. The truth is we should be ready to lay our lives on the line for God (when called for). We should be able to give our life in His service. A significant demonstration, beyond mere lip-service was the offering of an animal. A life for a life. The animal being sacrificed was really a substitute for ourselves. It was taking our place on the altar. We needed to imagine, visualize and believe that it is our body being offered. By strongly identifying with the animal and understanding that it is dying instead of us, we can ennoble both its death and our lives.

That is a serious thank you. However, in our days we need to find less destructive and fatal forms of thanks. We have to find some other way to give of ourselves.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kasher Ve’sameach,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

Thanks to the leadership of both the Kehila of Uruguay as well as the Yavne school community of Montevideo for their extraordinary hosting. Here my thanks are a mere dedication, but I look forward to the opportunity of showing more significant thanks.

5773, Ibn Ezra, Leviticus, Parsha, The Times of Israel, Vayikra

Carnivorous God

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[First posted on The Times of Israel at: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/carnivorous-god/]

Ibn Ezra Leviticus: Vayikra

Carnivorous God

“The key to faith is what we are willing to sacrifice to obtain it.” -Elder Cloward

A significant portion of the Torah concerns itself with sacrifices, specifically animal sacrifices. There are chapters and chapters that go on about what type of animal should be offered on the altar, for what circumstances and with what accompanying service.

In our day and age the concept of animal sacrifice seems primitive and barbaric, yet it occupied a central part of Jewish practice for thousands of years. What was so vital about offering unblemished, productive animals in the prime of their lives to an apparently ravenous God?

Ibn Ezra (Leviticus 1:1) accentuates the importance further by noting that in Leviticus the animal sacrifices are mentioned before any other commandments. He explains that the sacrifices are what “keeps” God amongst us. He recalls a statement of the sages that when the daily Temple sacrifices stopped because of the siege of the city, God “left” the Temple and Jerusalem.

Perhaps it is the offering of something significant. Perhaps it is the offering of a living, breathing being. Perhaps the trauma of the death of an innocent animal should do something to us, to make us realize the seriousness of our encounter with God.

Later, in the Prophets, God states that He doesn’t “need” these sacrifices, that the mechanical offering of these beasts without any underlying feeling of remorse, repentance or closeness to God is murder.

How do we get a better understanding of “sacrifice” in our times and what mechanical offerings are we better off not doing?

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To the Jewish community of Uruguay, their sacrifice on behalf of their brothers. To the shlichim in Montevideo and their self-sacrifice. To Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and his inspiring visit to the community of Uruguay.

5773, Exodus, Ibn Ezra, Parsha, The Times of Israel, Vayakel

Temple Fast-Pass

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[First posted on The Times of Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/temple-fast-pass/]

Ibn Ezra Exodus: Vayakhel

Temple Fast-Pass

“People don’t go there anymore. It’s too crowded.” -Yogi Berra

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida is the world’s most visited attraction with 17 million annual visitors to that park alone. Disney has four theme parks, two water parks, twenty-four themed resorts, five golf courses and more, manned by 66,000 employees, all in the Orlando area.

Because of the incredible masses of people going through their doors, Disney World has become expert at crowd control. There is entertainment while one waits on line. There are “Fast-Pass” options for the discerning visitor. There are strategies for navigating the rides and lines in optimal time. There are books on strategies for beating the lines. There are websites that outdo the popular books with even newer strategies and analysis to maximize the precious time one has in the dream land of Disney.

However, looking more closely at the numbers gives the Magic Kingdom a daily average attendance of merely 40,000. The Tabernacle in the desert had 600,000 men descending upon it on the same day. There wasn’t enough space there for all of them!

Ibn Ezra on Exodus 35:20 explains very simply that they came in smaller groups and each group took its turn. It seems we had crowd control even back then.

May we join crowds and wait on lines only for truly positive things (or extremely fun rides).

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To my in-laws, lovers of all things Disney.

5773, Exodus, Ibn Ezra, Ki Tisah, Parsha, The Times of Israel

Win Friends and Influence People

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[First posted on The Times of Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/ki-tisah-win-friends-and-influence-people/]

Ibn Ezra Exodus: Ki Tisah

Win Friends and Influence People

“Remember that a man’s name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” -Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

Dale Carnegie, in his bestselling book quoted above, posits the importance of calling a person by their name. Ibn Ezra (on Exodus 31:2), many hundreds of years earlier, makes the same point and takes it a step further.

When choosing the Master Architect for the Tabernacle, God says: “See, I have called by name, Bezalel…” Ibn Ezra explains that God’s “calling by name” is a supreme honor, one that elevates and gives distinction to the one being named. Bezalel, due to his talents, was uniquely qualified for the role of Master Architect and was therefore worthy of “being called by name.”

May we be worthy, and may we likewise find all those around us worthy of being called by name.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To my cousins, Ronnen and Iris Rosenthal, on the birth of the first grandchild! The girl has been named Naomi by her parents, Batya and Aharon Castle. Mazal Tov to the entire family!

5773, Exodus, Ibn Ezra, Parsha, Tetzaveh, The Times of Israel

Rabbinic Stone Healing

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[First posted on The Times of Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/tetzaveh-rabbinic-stone-healing/]

Ibn Ezra Exodus: Tetzaveh

Rabbinic Stone Healing

“The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”

-Voltaire

Western medicine is typically disparaging of any treatments that cannot be confirmed by a peer-reviewed double-blind study with a well defined control group, often heavily financed by pharmaceutical companies. Eastern medicine on the other hand, forays frequently into the realm of superstition, idol-worship and outright chicanery.

Jewish sages throughout the ages tended to adopt the medical practices of their time and place, and sought where possible to exclude useless or problematic “medical” trends.

Ibn Ezra makes mention of the “powers” of stones which to Western ears may sound like nonsense. However, in his comments on Exodus 28:9, he expands about “a stone that if worn on a finger, the person will see his dreams. And this should not be a surprise, as each stone has its unique powers. There is a stone that attracts metal, and one that stills the blood, and one that flees from vinegar and one that always breaks into triangles.”

Perhaps there is some truth after all to healing properties of some stones?

Shabbat Shalom and Purim Sameach,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To the speedy and complete healing of those suffering from all and any illness, especially the flu that seems to be affecting many this season.

5773, Exodus, Ibn Ezra, Parsha, Terumah, The Times of Israel

Concentrated Divine Presence

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[First posted on The Times of Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/trumah-concentrated-divine-presence/]

Ibn Ezra Exodus: Trumah

Concentrated Divine Presence

“The only thing that makes one place more attractive to me then another is the quantity of heart I find in it.” -Jane Welsh Carlyle

Man is often likened to a universe onto himself. Ibn Ezra relates to this theme often and states that by understanding ones inner workings, a person can often gain insight into the world.

It is agreed that the heart is the primary component for the functioning of the body. It is perhaps the most vital organ, providing life-sustaining force to the rest of the body. The major veins and arteries adjacent to it are likewise critical pathways to the other major organs. The further we get away from the heart, the less the amount of blood that is pumped to far away limbs. There is a greater concentration of life and vitality the closer one gets to the heart.

Ibn Ezra on Exodus 25:40 says that geographically it is the same. The Temple Mount has the most concentrated presence of God on our planet. That is where His heart is. The city of Jerusalem likewise has a high concentration of God’s presence and to a lesser extent so does the land of Israel. Outside of Israel, Ibn Ezra argues, God is still present, for He fills the world, but not in the same concentrated fashion.

As they say in the real estate business, the three most important factors are location, location, location.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To the memories of Rabbi David Hartman and Israel Ivtzan. They both contributed to the people of Israel with all their heart in their own significant and distinct ways. May their families find comfort amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

In honor of the marriage of Shoshi Taragin and Gidon Kupietzky. May they contribute much to the people of Israel in their own way.