The immutability of the Torah

Among the 13 principles of faith by Maimonides is the belief in the immutability of the Torah.
9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be another given by G-d.

So, when I read an article questioning whether certain biblical laws are eternal, my answer was an unequivocal "yes". The authors of the article, however, wrote about one prohibition in the Torah, "one should recognize that the biblical prohibition is not one that is eternal and unchanging."
The authors also demonstrate the danger of interpreting biblical words according to their own understandings and not relying on far more erudite scholars and Rashi's exegesis.
For example, the authors point to words of Abraham:
"She is, in fact, my sister, my father's daughter but not my mother's daughter, and she became a wife to me" (Genesis 20:12).

They write that "the law in Leviticus explicitly forbids such relations with a half-sister" and come to the conclusion, "so what is not a to'ebah in the generation of the patriarchs has changed and become one in the generation of Moses."

But, Rashi writes that since Abraham's father was someone who worshipped idols, the law prohiniting a man from marrying his father's daughter did not apply in the case of Abraham.

So, even if the authors were educated at Queen's University in Canada and Harvard, I'll stick with Maimonides and Rashi.

Sit up straight

My grandmother had great posture. When the grandchildren would come to visit, she would say, "sit up straight. You don't mind if I'm telling you this, it's for your own good." I thought of her constructive rebuke as I read a thought on this week's parsha.

"These are the Devarim / words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael." (1:1) R' Yehuda He'chassid zt"l writes in Ta'amei Mesorot HaMikra: The word "Devarim / words," suggests "Devoirim" or "bees." The words of the Torah are like bees (and bee products). In other words, the Torah, especially Sefer Devarim which contains many harsh rebukes, are as sweet as honey to those who keep them, but will sting as painfully as a bee to anyone who mistreats them.
It is noteworthy that the Gematria of the word 'Mussar' = 306, which has the same Gematria as the word 'D'vash' (Honey), as well as, 'Av HaRachamon' (A reference to Hashem as our Merciful Father). Although Mussar may sting, ultimately it is as sweet as honey, and should be used to refine one's character and reaffirm our connection to our Merciful Father.
http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/numbers-amp-letters/Parshas-Devarim-Rav-Yehuda-HaChasid-Sweet-Like-Honey-Stinging-Like-A-Bee/2575

Alter or altar

Lee Fang takes issue with an article by Pamela Geller about the killings in Norway. Ms. Geller explcitly states, "There is no justification for Breivik's actions whatsoever."
So what is the title of Mr. Fang's article? Pam Geller Justifies Breivik’s Terror: Youth Camp Had More ‘Middle Eastern or Mixed’ Races Than ‘Pure Norwegian’

And here's a comment to the teacher of history who holds a PhD and offers such thoughts that "the Zionist hold over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East" is "part of the reason we were attacked on 9/11 and why we subsequently invaded Iraq."
You wrote, "that reject any demand that they do obeisance at the alter of Zionism."

alter - Change or cause to change in character or composition
altar - An elevated place or structure before which religious ceremonies may be enacted or upon which sacrifices may be offered.

I think you meant altar.

Av and the nine days

Rosh Chodesh Av is the Yahrzeit of Aharon HaKohen. It is the only Yahrzeit mentioned in the Torah. It is recorded, not in Parshat Chukat where we read of Aharon's passing, but in Mas'ei - which we read on the Shabbat closest to Rosh Chodesh Av.
...Let us each put into action the qualities of Aharon HaKohen - love peace and pursue it, love people and bring them closer to Torah - so that the times we yearn for will become a reality, speedily in our time, Amen.
Read full article: http://www.ou.org/chagim/roshchodesh/av/default.htm
Click here to read about the laws of the nine days.

Faith in G-d

America is living under an illusion: the idea that we can expunge God (broadly understood) from our national and public belief system and still operate a moral and accountable government.
Read full article: http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/07/why_its_time_to_speak_about_god_again.html


"Hashem Elokecha Imach Lo Chasarta Davar; Hashem was with you in the Midbar and you lacked nothing (Devarim 2:7)." The Imrei Yitzchok asks that the beginning of the pasuk already said this in different words, why does the second half of the pasuk repeat it?
He answers that there is a mitzva to pay a worker on the day he completes the job, and it is an aveira to delay. If so, how is it that "Schar Mitzva B'Hai Alma Leka; Hashem does not reward us for doing mitzvos in this world," when He has a Chiyuv to pay immediately? The answer is that the halacha is if you hire someone through a Shaliach, and not personally, then the issur does not apply. Therefore, Hashem who gave the mitzvos through Moshe Rabbeinu is not obligated to pay right away, and instead he saves it for our benefit in Olam HaBa.
This applies to only 611 mitzvos. However the Mitzva of Emuna which Hashem said himself on Har Sinai when He said, "Anochi Hashem Elokecha," and, "Lo Yihiyeh," does require immediate payment. In this world we live off the schar of our emunah.
The beginning of the pasuk tells us that Hashem sustained us in the Midbar. The end of the pasuk explains why. "Hashem Elokecha Imach" because we had emuna in Hashem. Therefore, he needed to pay us and, "Lo Chasarta Davar."
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Devarim-The-Only-Mitzva-That-Hashem-Needs-To-Pay-Cash-On-Delivery/4651

Fulfilling promises

The other day I told my husband that the credit crisis could be solved if the members of Congress were to be fired if they don't pass a plan. If they are incapable of doing their job, they should step down.
This morning, I came across a quote by Waren Buffet.

“I could end the deficit in 5 minutes. You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP all sitting members of congress are ineligible for reelection.”
Warren Buffet
H/T http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2011/07/warren-buffett-i-could-end-the-deficit-in-5-minutes/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheBigPicture+%28The+Big+Picture%29

In the video below, Mr. Buffet speaks about the importance of fulfilling promises, which is what was discussed in parshat Masei this past Shabbos. The parsha begins with the issue of vows and oaths. "When a man makes a vow to Hashem or swears an oath to make something forbidden, he shall not break his word; all that was pronounced from his mouth must be fulfilled. [30:3]"

Eicha

Taking refuge

by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple
If a person inadvertently committed homicide he could flee to one of six cities of refuge (Num. 38:6). Some of the commentators add a figurative dimension to this law and say that anyone who is not certain whether they are living according to correct principles can take refuge in the six words of the Sh’ma – Sh’ma Yisra’el HaShem Elo-henu HaShem Echad.
The first word, Sh’ma, “listen”, stands for humility. Most sins are committed with the tongue. We speak before thinking when we should learn to listen and maybe remain silent. Yisra’el, “Israel”, tells us that whatever we do impacts on our community, not only on ourselves. HaShem, “The Lord”, tells us that our words and deeds are answerable to a higher power. Elo-henu, “Our God”, assures us that He is there before we sin and afterwards, and we can always return to Him. HaShem, “The Lord”, is from the Hebrew root “to be”, and it reminds us that just as He is unique in His being so each human is distinctive and must be the best possible person he or he can. Echad, “One”, tells us that God is indivisible: we too should be integrated people without any internal conflict.
Our ancient ancestors who fled to a city of refuge had to stay there whilst the high priest was alive. There are many explanations of this rule, and all need careful study, but in our metaphorical approach we might say that people must know when the time has come to return to the challenges of the world outside.
http://www.oztorah.com/2011/07/cities-of-refuge-massei/

Closer to Sinai

Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky was once travelling from Israel back to the United States, accompanied by his son and granddaughter. Sitting next to Rav Kaminetsky was one of the heads of the Histadrut, the Israeli labour federation. The two discussed many different issues. Throughout their long discussion Rav Kaminetsky’s son and granddaughter periodically came to ask Rav Kaminetsky if there was anything he needed.
Rav Kaminetsky’s companion was amazed, and told Rav Kaminetsky how he himself was not particularly close with his grandchildren, and would never expect such behaviour from his children. He asked him what Rav Yaakov’s secret was, and how it is that his children and grandchildren were so respectful. Rav Kaminetsky told him that for people who believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution, every successive generation is more developed and advanced than the previous one. In such a culture, why would the young honour the old? But in my tradition, said Rav Kaminetsky, each older generation is closer to Mount Sinai and our becoming a people. My children and grandchildren look up to me, because I am one link closer to the source.
http://www.chiefrabbi.co.za/2011/04/three-pillars-of-our-faith-edited-transcript/

The 13th principle of Maimonides is the following.
I believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when
G-d wills it to happen.
http://www.ou.org/torah/rambam.htm

In a CNN article titled Winehouse burial raises Jewish questions about tattoos, cremation, a member of the Reform movement opined about cremation, "physical resurrection isn't something that progressive Jews believe in, so that isn't a concern," he said.
..."In fact, he argued, there is Biblical precedent for cremation."
..."If you go back to Biblical times, it is normal and there are references to King Saul being cremated," he said.

The verses in Samuel 1: 12 and 13 state, "they burned them there. Then they took their bones and buried them..." The Stone edition of the Tannach explains, "according to most commentators, they burned Saul's belongings. ...Radak suggests that the bodies had become decomposed and infested so the people burned the flesh, leaving the bones for burial."

As far as the belief in physical resurrection goes, I guess people feel that they are more enlightened and more intelligent than the Rambam, the brilliant court physician who authored many scholarly works.

About Jerusalem

Two articles about Jerusalem caught my eye today.

Kazim Ali describes his visit to Jerusalem in the Huffington Post.
Where one can and can't pray is fraught here with all kinds of meaning. When a group of Jewish men came up onto the plaza the Muslim men began reciting loudly at the top of their lungs, a sonic resistance but a resistance nonetheless. One of the Arab men called the Jewish people "settlers."...
...Unlike the Jews who are not welcome inside the Dome of the Rock or the new Al-Aqsa mosque, I went straight up to the Western Wall.
He concludes by stating, "The characters are different, the events take place in different times, but one can't help but slowly realize that the story is the same."
The story is the same? Jews are not allowed to pray on the Temple Mount but the author is welcome at the Western Wall. So, I beg to differ - the story is not the same.
Read full article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kazim-ali/navigating-the-sacred-and_b_905998.html

The New York Times has an article about a case scheduled for the Supreme Court regarding Jerusalem.

Menachem Zivotofsky was born in Jerusalem. But was he born in Israel?
This fall, not long after Menachem turns 9, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in his case,...
...The Obama administration urged the Supreme Court not to hear an appeal.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/us/26bar.html?_r=1