---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Rabbi Cohen <rabbicohen@agudathsholom.org> Date: Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 1:16 PM
Subject: Rabbi Cohen's Weekly Message
To:
robert.raymond@cas-stamford.org | RABBI DANIEL COHEN'S WEEKLY MESSAGE |
| | | | | | WE CREATE OUR OWN REALITY On Monday evening, Jews around the world will fast on the Ninth of Av and mourn the destruction of the Second Temple which occurred 2,000 years ago. We mourn today for an event of so many years ago because in some way we still have not rectified the spiritual roots of this terrible tragedy. What was the cause and what is the solution?
The Talmud (Tractate Gitten 56) states that the Temple was destroyed due to the incident of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza. What happened? In brief, a man threw a party for all of his friends and rather than invite, Kamtza, a good friend, the invitation was mistakenly sent to Bar Kamtza, a sworn enemy of the host. However, when the man's enemy arrived, the host refused to allow him to stay despite offers by Bar Kamtza to pay for the entire party.
Bar Kamtza was deeply hurt and embarrassed not simply by being thrown out of the party but by the silence of the rabbis who did not protest at the host's behavior. Bar Kamtza went straight to the Roman authorities and gave slanderous reports of disloyal behavior among the Jews. This fueled the Romans' anger, and they proceeded to attack and destroy the Holy Temple.
The Talmud links our struggles today to this incident. Jewish mysticism explains that our speech determines our reality. G-d relates to us in the way we relate to others. If we are willing to judge others favorably and see the positive in others, then G-d will see the positive in us and overlook our flaws. However, if we are quick to criticize and find fault, G-d will also evaluate us in the same way.
The leadership at the party failed to stand up for Bar Kamtza's mistreatment. Their silence served as agreement to the host's harsh view of his enemy. Instead, the Rabbis should have called on the host to allow Bar Kamtza to stay at the party and act beyond the "letter of the law". As a result, the Talmud teaches, G-d evaluated the Jewish people with justice and not mercifully which led to the destruction and exile we experience today. Once a word emanates from our mouths, it endures forever. Everyone possesses positive and negative character traits. What do we focus on in others? Do we look for the dirt or mine for the gold? It is very easy to find flaws but so much harder to be generous in judgment. We can train ourselves, though, to be more positive. Whether a family member, friend, or someone we just meet, by sanctifying our speech and sharing a compliment we generate goodwill and the love grows.
G-d willing, the upcoming fast of the Ninth of Av will reminds us of our responsibility to rectify the spiritual roots of our exile. Through positive speech and judging others kindly, we will strengthen our communities and families and create a new reality of redemption for the Jewish people speedily in our days.
Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Cohen
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