Page 9 - HaMizrachi Australia Rosh HaShana Yom Kippur 5781

MIZRACHI EDUCATORS TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin

Teshuva in the Wake of Pandemic

Rupture and Repair

s the Yamim Noraim approach, and Hashem warns of immediate literally rebuild the family structure that
we are enjoined to take advan- punishment. Moshe quickly tells had been destroyed by the sin of Ba’al
Atage of this time and seek out a Aharon to take ketoret and atone for Pe’or. Bnot Tzelofchad come to Moshe
relationship with Hashem as He is so the people, saving lives amidst the to appeal for the perpetuation of their
near (Yeshayahu 55:6). This year in par- pandemic that killed 14,700 people. father’s legacy within his family, and
ticular, we must undergo personal and In anticipation of future democratic fathers/husbands are taught to listen
national introspection in the wake of a arguments, Hashem then manifests to their daughters and wives in order
worldwide ה ָ פ ֵּג ַ מ (plague or pandemic) Aharon’s Divine appointment through to annul relevant vows.
that has taken hundreds of thousands the blossoming of his staff – a sign of
of lives. The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, continued authority. The pandemic of Ba’al Pe’or and the
Hilchot Ta’aniot 1:1-2) teaches us ensuing repair reminds us of the dangers

that when suffering befalls us, we are Our generation has witnessed the various cultures pose to the sanctity of
implored to view it as an indication of waning of leadership in many spheres our homes. Only once we rebuild our
our wrongdoings and undergo a process of government and judiciary. The immediate family structure, restore
of repentance. Torah commands us to ensure that family values and learn to listen to our
officers of the law are instituted in family members, are we sufficiently
The first time a ה ָ פ ֵּג ַ מ strikes Am Yisrael every community and abide by values edified to battle our surrounding
follows the story of the 10 slandering of justice and righteousness. Torah enemies. How relevant in our post-
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spies , who died in a ה ָ פ ֵּג ַ מ. Immediately leadership as well must be respected modern society which has redefined
thereafter, Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael – in every generation, a phenomenon
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who seek to repent by attempting to drastically lacking today in many Jewish marriage, family and simultaneously
engage in battle with the Canaanites communities. Sometimes it takes a disposed of their intrinsic sanctity!
and Amalekites as they enter the Land pandemic to recognize and respect Teshuva in the wake of pandemic
– that they will be unsuccessful in their Torah authorities. enjoins us to quarantine in our homes
attempts. Hashem will not accompany with immediate family members and
them for He has already punished The third and final ה ָ פ ֵּג ַ מ in the Torah invest in rebuilding our relationships.
them with 40 years in the wilderness comes as a punishment for the sin of In the midst of these days of sensitized
(Bamidbar 14:42). They did not properly Ba’al Pe’or,when 24,000 men were killed introspection, let us take heed of the

display belief in Hashem’s powers of after practicing a promiscuous form Torah’s messages of pandemics, and
conquest earlier, and therefore they are of idolatry (Bamidbar 25:1-9). After stir our souls and selves to reignite
killed by their enemies. Hashem rewards Pinchas for ending the our commitment to Eretz Yisrael,
Perhaps this is the first message we must pandemic through publicly murdering Torah leadership and family values.
internalize today: taking advantage two of the perpetrators, He commands Together with tefillah and tzedakah,
of Divinely-destined opportunities to Moshe to fight against the people of may we merit repair and refuah for this
come to Eretz Yisrael. Perhaps we have Midian for sending their daughters to upcoming year!
not properly heeded the miraculous seduce Bnei Yisrael. However, before
“knocks” to return to Eretz Yisrael. this commandment is carried out,
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Perhaps a pandemic strikes to remind the Torah teaches us what appear to 1 Bamidbar 14:37. Rashi explains that they died
us to take advantage of “open skies” and be unrelated narratives including a through their tongues ה ָ ּ ד ִ מ ד ֶ גֶנ ְּ כ ה ָ ּ ד ִ מ.
a Promised Land before it’s too late. national census, the petition of the 2 See Seforno (Devarim 1:45), HaEmek Davar
daughters of Tzelofchad, and the laws (Bamidbar 14:40-45).
The second time a ה ָ פ ֵּג ַ מ appears is in of the annulment of vows. The common 3 See Rav J.B. Soloveitchik, “Kol Dodi Dofek.”
the aftermath of the Korach rebellion denominator of all these apparent non-
(Bamidbar 17:6-14). Despite the sequiturs is the theme of family.

miraculous punishments of Korach Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational
and his followers, Bnei Yisrael blame The national census includes the Director of Mizrachi and the Director of the
Moshe and Aharon for their deaths, counting of every individual family, to Mizrachi Matan Lapidot Educators’ Program

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