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Parshat Behar - The Torah’s Concept of “Freedom”
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In the beginning of the Parshat Behar, we read of the Mitzva of “Yovel,” the jubilee year. Every fifty years during the time of the Beit Hamikdash, a number of special laws took effect. Agricultural activity was forbidden (just like during the year of Shmita), purchased property was returned to its original owner, and Jewish servants were released. The Torah sanctioned a system of indentured servitude – “Eved Ivri” – whereby a person who was poor or could not repay stolen funds could “sell” himself as a servant. On the Yovel year, all servants had to be set free and released from their master’s home.
In presenting this law, the Torah writes, “Each of you shall return to his family” (25:10). The Torah places particular emphasis on the fact that the newly-freed servant shall “return to his family.” Rather than simply stating that he leaves his master, the Torah found it necessary to stress that he must return home, to his wife and children.
This emphasis underscores the fundamental difference between the Torah’s concept of “freedom” and the notion of “freedom” that is prevalent is today’s society. In the world around us, “freedom” is understood to mean the absence of restraints and limitations, the ability to act as one pleases without restriction. People today think that being “free” means being able to indulge freely and act unrestrained on their instincts and impulses, without being bound to any structure or system.
From the Torah’s perspective, however, “freedom” means returning to one’s family, to the structured environment and commitments of Jewish family life. A person who is “free” is able to fulfill his obligations to his wife, children, and parents as mandated by the Torah. For us, “freedom” means not the ability to do what one wants to do, but rather ability to do what one must do.
The Sages famously commented, “There is no one who is free other than someone who involves himself in Torah.” The freedom to act on impulse is not freedom – it is subjugation, being enslaved to one’s desires and passions. A person who is truly “free” enjoys the freedom to control his instincts and then lead a life of virtue and sanctity. Rather than being controlled by his evil inclination, he has the power to rise above his impulses and follow the path of Torah and Mitzvot.
Therefore, the Torah stresses that when a master releases his servant, the servant goes to his family, to a life of meaning and fulfillment. If he would leave to a life of lawlessness and the endless pursuit of vain pleasures, then he would simply leave from one state of subjugation to another. Instead, he is freed of his obligations to his master so that he could return to his obligations to his family, and to his obligations to his Creator.
Aaron Kattan (12th Grade) |
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IDF Hero Commemorates Yom Ha’Zikaron with Rambam Community |
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The decision whether to attend a friend’s wedding or another friend’s funeral is the type moral dilemma that no one should ever have to face. It is the unfortunate truth that, in Israel, far too many young men and women must struggle with these types of issues and are forced to choose between the memory of the dead and the reality of living.
On May 8, 2011, Rambam Mesivta was honored by the presence of Roei Bentolila, former member of the Israel Defense Forces and current member of the Israel National Wheelchair Basketball Team, as they commemorated Yom Ha’Zikaron. In a program that blended historical accuracy with personal poignancy, the Rambam Mesivta community felt the immediacy of this important day as they connected to Roei, his story, and the choice he made between wedding and funeral.
Principal of Rambam Mesivta, Rabbi Yotav Eliach, set the tone for this event as hundreds of students, Rebbeim, teachers, and parents filed into the gymnasium to a video displaying heart-wrenching images of Israeli soldiers and their families. After the video, Rabbi Eliach stressed how everyone in Israel has an intimate relationship to Yom Ha’Zikaron, since it is a conscripted army, and everyone is related to, or knows someone, who has lost a son, brother, or father, while in defense of the land of Israel.
Roei Bentolila was introduced by Rabbi Eliach as one of the people he looks up to. Roei’s story focused on his work in an Elite Unit in Israel and how he was forced to spend his life in a wheelchair after taking friendly fire. Roei was injured while hunting a terrorist in the West Bank. He explained that he was thankful to G-d for being alive, especially in light of the fact that his heart had technically stopped beating during the first frantic 25 minutes that the unit’s Doctor was working on him in the field! He recognized that the only reason he was alive was as a result of a courageous helicopter pilot, Donnie, who disregarded orders and touched down in the middle of fire to rescue Roei, not knowing at the time that he was coming to rescue his best friend! Donnie was coming to rescue a wounded warrior.
In August of 2006, towards the end of the Second Lebanon War, Roei was informed that Donnie, the man who saved his life, was killed, and his funeral would be on the same day of one of his best friend’s wedding. He and his chevra did not know what to do. After a few hours of agonizing introspection, they finally turned to Donnie’s bereaved father for advice. Donnie’s father told them to go to the wedding. “After all,” he bemoaned, “the wedding will not be as joyous if you aren’t there, and the funeral won’t be any less sad if you attend.” The Rambam students heard this pronouncement and were transfixed by Donnie’s father’s ability to see past his own grief and recognize that it should not dilute the joy of others. He seemed to embody the Israeli ideal of “A Nation of Brothers.” The message of sensitivity, warmth, and love, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy is one that will remain forever with those who heard Roei echo Donnie’s father’s words: “The funeral won’t be any less sad if you attend.”
It was truly amazing that, as he sat there in his wheelchair, Roei was filled with hope, ahavat Hashem, and ahavat Ha’am veh ha Medina, that transcended his hardship. As he discussed the never ending support of his loving wife Maya, his physical therapy and slow recovery, it soon became apparent that the onlookers were in the sight of someone truly extraordinary, a modern day Jewish Hero.
Today, Roei is a father to two children, and an inspiration. He showed that Yom Ha’Zikaron is not only a day of remembering the fallen, but a day to remember those who have fallen, and why they did: So the Jewish nation could enjoy the incredible gift of Sovereignty in Medinat Yisrael! | | |
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Rambam Business Class Wins Stock Market Challenge
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Rambam has had a few key wins in business this year thanks to a business class that, under the stewardship of Professor John Naclerio, takes business for real.
In the “$100,000 Stock Market Challenge,” the Rambam Mesivta team, led by Josh Moskovits won third place out of over 150 schools in the competition from NY, NJ and Canada. What is also noteworthy is that all of our teams made a profit in the 10-week stock market simulation game. The Stock market game is sponsored by Yeshiva University. This is the first time Rambam has placed in the top three. Congratulations to all our boys in the Introduction to Business class! |
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Rambam Business Class Students Win Entrepreneur of the Year Contest
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On Sunday, May 1st, JASON PERETZ and NOAH KLEIN made their presentation to a board of four judges at Landers College for Men on their E-Design product.
Out of 75 entries, Rambam emerged victorious!
This is the second time we have won first in three years. Since coming to Rambam three years ago, Professor Naclario’s teams have won Entrepreneur of the Year five times. Two first place wins, Two second place wins and one third place win.
Jason and Noah will share $1500 for their win.
They were naturally invited back for next year’s competition By the Dean of Landers College for Men. |
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Join the Rambam Mesivta 5K & Family Day
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Excitement is brewing as the date for the Rambam Mesivta 5K & Family Day swiftly approaches. On May 22, 2011 participants of all ages will compete in the race of a lifetime and by doing so, will be participating in raising money to a very worthy and heartfelt institution, namely, Rambam Mesivta High School. The money raised will be used to help students pay for tuition as well as provide Rambam with the necessary assets to continue its invaluable work in supporting and educating the local and larger community. I, Yedidya David Levy, am a serious runner and have participated in a large number of races but I am certain that the Lag Ba’omer 5K at Rambam Mesivta will be unforgettable. Please be a part of this tremendously exciting experience in any which way you can. Sign up at http://rambam.org/5krun.php and be part of the fun!
Didi Levy (11th Grade) |
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Sponsor Learning
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If you would like to sponsor a day of learning in honor or memory of a loved one, please email reneefriedman@rambam.org for more information. |
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