Page 3 - The Jewish Voice - June '22
P. 3
The Jewish Voice, Page 3
From the rabbis
A Bend in the Road Is Not the Rabbi Akiva and three of his colleagues were approaching is a vital step toward fulfilling the purpose of the field. The
Soon after it was destroyed by the Romans in 69 CE,
deeper the plow, the better the subsequent growth. As in the
End of the Road the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. As they reached the top of construction of a new home, it’s the destruction of the old
Mount Scopus, they saw the ruins of Jerusalem and tore their that makes way for the construction of the new. You can’t
By Rabbi Dovid Vigler garments in grief. Once they reached the Temple Mount, they discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose
We recently had the great saw a fox emerge from the ruins of what was formerly the sight of the shore. A bend in the road is not the end of the
fortune of hosting the family Holy of Holies. The sages began to weep, while Rabbi Akiva road unless you fail to make the turn.
of my cousin, Rabbi Shneior began to laugh. G-d is in control of every detail of our lives, and He
and Nechama Vigler of Said they to him: “Why are you laughing?” is good. No evil descends from Him. When it seems like
Odessa, Ukraine. They spoke Said he to them: “Why are you weeping?” something evil is happening, we have to fall back to the
eloquently and passionately Said they to him: “A place [so holy] that it is said of it, plowing metaphor of Rabbi Akiva to find strength and vision.
about the magnificent ‘the stranger that approaches it shall die,’ (Numbers 1:51) We cannot understand the wisdom of our Maker, but we can
community they had built in and now foxes traverse it, and we shouldn’t weep?” hold on tight and hold on to Him with every shred of faith
Odessa over the past 19 years Said he to them: “That is why I laugh. For it is written, we can gather.
and how suddenly it came to ‘I shall have bear witness for My faithful witnesses — Uriah When life feels overwhelming, close your eyes and
a screeching halt after being the Priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah’” (Isaiah envision your problems — see it as your field being plowed
invaded by Russia. They choke with emotion when they speak 8:2). by G-d for the growth that follows. Adopt the mantra of Rabbi
of what was and stare blankly when asked about the future. Now, what is the connection between Uriah and Akiva: “All that G-d does is for the good.” The very utterance
We Jews have a holiday that’s dedicated to the courage Zechariah? Uriah was [in the time of] the First Temple, and of these words has the power to transform the plower into
to rise from the ashes. It’s called Lag B’omer. Two thousand Zechariah was [in the time of] the Second Temple! But the the planter.
years ago a great sage by the name of Rabbi Akiva had Torah makes Zachariah’s prophecy dependent upon Uriah’s Wishing you a month of sprouting your seeds into cedars.
succeeded in establishing the yeshiva as the Harvard prophecy. Rabbi Dovid Vigler is spiritual leader at Chabad of Palm
University of his generation. With 24,000 students, Torah With Uriah, it is written: “Therefore, because of you, Zion Beach Gardens and host of the Jewish Schmooze Radio Show.
study was flourishing in the Holy Land. It all ended suddenly shall be plowed as a field; [Jerusalem shall become heaps, Email him at rabbi@jewishgardens.com
when a mysterious epidemic spread among the students, and the Temple Mount like the high places of a forest]”
killing all the students in just 33 days. That computes to 700 (Micha 3:12).
students dying each day. The tortuous suffering ended on Lag With Zachariah it is written, “Old men and women shall ATTENTION READERS
B’omer. yet sit in the streets of Jerusalem” (Zachariah 8:4).
Instead of throwing in the towel and giving up like many “As long as Uriah’s prophecy had not been fulfilled, I This Jewish Community newspaper is
others would have wanted to, Rabbi Akiva mustered the feared that Zechariah’s prophecy may not be fulfilled either.
courage to start all over again. When Torah study was all But now that Uriah’s prophecy has been fulfilled, it is certain monthly direct mailed to 8,000 homes.
but gone, he taught five new students, who became the torch that Zechariah’s prophecy will be fulfilled.” Please support your Jewish businesses
bearers of Torah for generations to come. How did Rabbi With these words, they replied to him: “Akiva, you have
Akiva have the strength to carry on? consoled us! Akiva, you have consoled us!” and newspaper by advertising and
A closer look reveals that Rabbi Akiva had an extraordinary This extraordinary story is an incredible inspiration. Not sending your events and photos!
approach to life that is as intriguing as it is inspiring. He only did Rabbi Akiva exhibit sound logic in his analysis, the
believed with all his heart that nothing evil comes from G-d Rebbe explains his choice of a plowed field as a metaphor as We appreciate your business.
because “all that G-d does is for the good.” This was his oft- a profound lesson for all time.
repeated mantra. Before you react with indignation to this When a field is plowed, only a simple person would 561-741-7770
seemingly preposterous claim, let’s explore an extraordinary think it’s being destroyed. A wise person understands that
story that the Talmud shares about this luminary of our People the seeming destruction is actually a vital step in the growth www.seabreezepublications.com
at the conclusion of Tractate Makos. process. Planting without prior plowing is futile. The plowing
We thank
and recognize
all of our community’s
dedicated leaders
who completed their
service this year and
to the many inspiring
leaders who continue
their service and step
into new roles for the
year ahead.
Mazel tov to Our Jewish community thanks
Susan Shulman Pertnoy Hope Silverman
who now steps into the for her remarkable
role as Federation’s tenure as Federation’s
Board Chair for 2022-2024. Board Chair from 2020-2022. jewishpb.org