Of Fathers and Sons - from the Temple Institute

MarCheshvan 16, 5766/November 18, 2005



Those who study the weekly Torah readings – the parshiot, as they are known in Hebrew, can testify to the veracity of that timeless adage of our sages of blessed memory, "that which transpired to the forefathers, is a sign for their children." For the sensitive soul can recognize that the events depicted in these Torah portions, as well as the themes they contain, are reflected in our lives – on both an individual and national level – each week. This means much more than the old saying, "history repeats itself;" it means that the cycles of time reverberate with the potential for spiritual rectification in every generation. What our ancestors experienced, and all that occurred in the days of those righteous individuals during the great earlier generations, is an indication of not only the nature of their children's destiny; it is a hint of the spiritual warfare those children – those future generations – will have to endure. That is, if they ever expect to finish that holy work which their fathers had begun.

This is not only true regarding the weekly Torah portions. The very essence of each Hebrew month is a challenge to connect with untold possibilities of spiritual growth that each particular time of the year has to offer. This current month of MarCheshvan that we are now observing is no exception, despite the fact that it features no major holidays or observances. For it was during this very month that the floodwaters covered the earth during the time of Noah. And we know that invariably, when G-d chooses to ultimately test His children's faith in him, or when He chooses to exercise the attribute of justice... it is through the element of water.

Noah was given the task of saving life on earth, which he accomplished. But the Torah does not bear witness to his utterance of as much as even one prayer to beg the Almighty to change His mind and cancel the decree. So too, he saved his own immediate family, but – although occupied with the construction of the ark for a full 120 years – was unable to influence even one single individual to repent.

This is in marked contrast to the patriarch Abraham. In this week's Torah portion of VaYera (Gen.18 – 23) G-d informed him of His plans to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah: "Shall I conceal from Abraham what I do, now that Abraham is to become a great and mighty nation, and all of the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by him?" (v. 17-19). But Abraham's sense of responsibility to others prevented him from reconciling himself to G-d's decision, and he "stepped forward" with utter humility, begging the Holy One to reconsider His decision in the merit of any righteous men who may perhaps be found there. For our father Abraham, praying for the world meant fighting for the world. And to fight for the world is the duty of every individual who loves G-d.

This month of MarCheshvan, besides being the time of retribution in the days of Noah, is also promised to be a time of great spiritual fulfillment in the future. For according to tradition, G-d promised that this will be the month of the dedication ceremony of the Third Holy Temple. Although it presently appears to contain no holidays, our sages indicate that it is only waiting, "on hold" for the great time to come, the dedication of the Third Temple.

In other words, our sages are conveying the idea that the promise of redemption as expressed by the continuation of the Divine service in the Holy Temple, is inherently locked into the potential of this particular time of year.

For the last few weeks, we have been discussing these concepts, and many more, as we attempt to unlock some of the secrets of the month of Cheshvan as well as the current Torah readings on the Temple Institute's weekly internet radio program, Temple Talk, hosted by Arutz Sheva – Israel National Radio at www.israelnationalradio.com This week's program, which can be accessed here, features an in-depth lesson on the mysteries contained "between the lines" of the very first verse in our weekly portion of VaYera. You can tune in every week and hear the show live here on each Tuesday, or download it later. An archive of past shows can also be accessed from our Multimedia page...

With G-d's help, several major new features will be coming to the Temple Institute's website at www.templeinstitute.org over the next few weeks. We will keep you informed as they happen.

We take this opportunity to thank all of those whose dedication, support and commitment enable the Temple Institute to continue with its important progress, bringing us all closer to the rebuilding of the Holy Temple.

May we merit to finish that which our fathers have started.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem,


Rabbi Chaim Richman
THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500
www.templeinstitute.org