By Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman
This week’s Parsha
Perspective is dedicated in memory of Elka
bas Zisel OBM
Dedicated in memory
of Leah bas Rochel OBM
This week’s Torah
portion Korach (Bamidbor [Numbers] 16:1-18:32) tells of the mutiny led by
Korach, a cousin of Moses, who challenged Moses’ authority. In the end, Korach
and his henchmen were swallowed by the earth in a divine display of rather
unearthly justice.
The Midrash reveals
some of the behind-the-scenes dialogue between these men.
Remember, Korach was
no pushover. Besides being of noble lineage, he was clever, wealthy and quite
charismatic. One of the questions Korach put to Moses was this: Does a house
full of holy books still require a mezuzah? Moses answered that it did.
Korach scoffed at the idea, ridiculing Moses. The little mezuzah contains
the Shema—but two chapters of Torah. A whole houseful of books with the entire
Torah won’t do the trick, and a little mezuzah will? It doesn’t make
any sense, argued Korach.
Why was Moses’
answer correct? What indeed is the significance of a small parchment on the
doorpost in relation to a library inside? The Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose 23rd Yahrtzeit is
observed this week (Tuesday, 3 Tammuz / June 27), explained
that it all depends on location. The books are inside. The mezuzah is
outside. When there are Jewish texts inside our study and living rooms, this
indicates that the home is a Jewish home. This is good, and as it should be.
But what happens when we leave the comfortable confines of our home? Do we
cease to be Jewish?
The mezuzah is
at the threshold of our homes, at the juncture between our inner lives and
outer lives. As we make the transition from private person to public citizen,
we need to be reminded of who we are, and that we take our identity with us
wherever we may go. There is only One G‑d, says the little scroll, whether in
our private domain or in the big, wide world.
Being Jewish
“Inside” is relatively easy. It’s when we hit the “Outside” that we encounter
temptation and turmoil. The challenge every Jew must face is to remain proudly
Jewish even in the face of conflicting cultures, curious looks, and often,
hostile attitudes. The Nazis did not distinguish between Jews who looked Jewish
or those who had removed any visible identifying marks.
Today, traditional
dress reflecting a national character is common, accepted and respected—from
Scottish kilts to Arab kaffiyehs. Is it too much, then, to
expect a Jew to assert his Jewishness in unfamiliar corporate territory, or to
keep the kipah on his head even when he walks out of shul?
Moses rejected
Korach’s argument, with good reason. The mezuzah does not replace the
need for Jewish libraries, but it serves as a perennial reminder on our
doorways. As we step out of our home to enter the outside world, it beckons us
to take our G‑d, the Shma and our Torah, our values and our
traditions, along with us.
(Excerpts from
Chabad.org - by Rabbi Yossy
Goldman)
May you have a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos
If you would like to
dedicate the weekly Parsha Perspective in honor or memory of a person
or occasion, please contact Rabbi
Shusterman at yshusterman@chedermonsey.org
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