The Gemara says that sailors are mostly pious people. Why? Sailors see all types of life-threatening tempests and squalls at sea, so not only do they have the fear of The Almighty in their hearts, but they're always calling His Name to save them.
Scripture tells us that sailors have a sharp sense of spiritual awareness as well. When Jonah tried to run away from Hashem, he boarded a ship at the Jaffa port. At sea, the ship was tossed and turned by monstrous waves. The sailors drew lots, and the short straw fell on Jonah. They realized that Jonah was the reason for the impending catastrophe, for the ship was about to splinter, so they threw him overboard. The sea subsided and the sailors and their ship were saved.
Hashem doesn't do things at random. Why is hurricane Irene advancing toward the good
and decent folks of North Carolina? It's simple - North Carolina has its own Jonah: Jonathan Pollard, rotting away in a cell in Butner for the last 26 years when his crime should have incurred no more than an 8-year sentence. Words can't describe the cruel utterly inhuman way that Pollard has been treated, not being allowed to see his dying father or even attend his funeral.
The USA could save itself billions of impending damage and lives as well by freeing Pollard right now. There's no doubt in my mind or heart that Irene will just disappear if Pollard walks out of Butner. There's proof to what I'm saying in the Gemara - see tractate Brachot 59a: When Hashem sees that his children in exile are in anguish, He sheds two tears in the sea. Hashem's two tears because of Pollard could be what's causing Hurricane Irene to be such a threat right now.
What can you do to help? Phone, fax, or email the White House right now. For the safety of America, demand the immediate release of Jonathan Pollard.
Cherished friends and family on the US East Coast, you have our incessant prayers for your wellbeing.
The Importance of a Good Partner
According to pshat, the simple understanding of this week's Torah portion, it seems that Aaron is willfully cooperating with the erev rav, the riff-raff tagalongs that left Egypt with the Israelites, in making the Golden Calf. Doesn't Aaron know that he must sacrifice his life rather than cooperate with idolatry? Why doesn't he resist?
I heard a beautiful answer to the above question from Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto shlit'a from Ashdod. He cites the Zohar which explains that the erev rav surrounded Aaron and gave him one of two choices: either he bring them into the camp of Israel (for up to now, they were only allowed to encamp outside of the Israelite encampment), or else make them their own god which they could worship. Aaron knew that if he integrated the erev rav into the people of Israel, it would be the beginning of the Jewish people's destruction, Heaven forbid. So to save the Jewish People, he made them their Golden Calf and kept them outside the Israelite encampment. As such, the Golden Calf was the lesser of two evils, leaving Aaron no choice. He had to do what he did.
Aaron knew how the influence of a detrimental partner can bring a person totally down. We therefore must be extremely cautious about whoever we partner with in life. Rashi says that the crow and the starling hang around together because they are essentially one of a kind.
May we all merit upright partners in life, whether in marriage, in business, or anywhere else. Have a wonderful Shabbat!
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