Rosh Hashanah 29
Today’s Life Yomi is dedicated by Gordon
Bushewsky in honour of his wife Darlene’s and his birthdays. Till 120 in good health!
Do we
believe in the zodiac?
Does
wearing a red string protect against the evil eye?
Does a
hamsa on the wall protect the house?
Following
the Exodus from Egypt, the army of Amalek attacked the Children of Israel. Moses climbs to the top of the hill for all
Israel to see.
“And when
Moses lifted his hands, Israel was more powerful, but when Moses lowered his hands,
Amalek was more powerful.”
The Mishnah
asks: Do Moses’s hands make war or break
war?
The Mishnah
explains: The Torah is teaching that as
long as Israel turned their gaze Heaven-ward and subjugated their hearts to
their Father in Heaven, they would be empowered. Otherwise, they would fall.
Similarly,
when the Israelites complained against G-d in the desert, He sent a plague of
snakes, which afflicted the people. When
the people realized their transgression, they repented and requested a
cure. G-d told Moses “Make for yourself
a serpent and place it on a pole. Anyone
who has been bitten shall see it and live.”
The Mishnah
asks: Does a snake kill or give life?
The Mishnah
explains: The Torah is teaching that as long as Israel turned their gaze Heaven-ward
and subjugated their hearts to their Father in Heaven, they would be healed. Otherwise, they would perish.
Exasperated,
Abram says to G-d that he has seen in the stars that he and Sarai are not
destined to have children.
“And [G-d]
took him outside and He said count the stars if you can count them. And he said so shall be your offspring.”
The Talmud
explains that G-d explained to Abram that he need not live his life according
to the dictates of the stars. Most
people choose to live their lives under the dominion of the zodiac and one segulah (good luck charm) or another. But G-d instructed Abram that he could be ‘outside’
the stars. He could have a direct
relationship with the Almighty.
When you
direct your eyes Heaven-ward and subjugate your heart to our Father in Heaven,
you don’t need any red strings or hamsas.
You get your energy and life-force directly from the Almighty without
any need for intermediaries.
Connect
with G-d directly! Why turn to
bobomayses for help when you can have a direct line to the Almighty?
Life Yomi dedications don’t cost a penny! To dedicate a day of learning in honour of a
birthday, anniversary or yortzeit, all you need to do is commit to sending the
Life Yomi of the day (or another Life Yomi teaching of your choice) to 18
(chai) people! You needn’t provide us
with the names of recipients; all we need is the honouree’s name and
occasion. For more details, please email
rabbi@familyshul.org.
