4irituality
Torah Portion
The Loving 'Still, Small Voice
Is Louder Than Zealot's Rage
descended from heaven consuming
Elijah's bullock. It is the moment of
Elijah's greatest triumph.
What happens in the very next chap-
ter is most instructive. Elijah is dis-
traught at the lack of religious response
the morning after. He now asks the
oses sees the Israelites in
Almighty to take his soul. God sends
the midst of their sinful
him back to Mount Horeb. There, the
orgy around the golden
Almighty passes before him, sends a
calf, barely 40 days after
powerful, mountain-breaking and rock-
the Sinai Revelation, and commits an
smattering wind and teaches him: "Not
act that can only be justified in light of
in the wind is God, not in rushing
the prophet's zealous passion
thunder is God, not in fire is
for God and His laws: He
God — but in the still, small
smashes the two tablets of
voice of love, kindness and
God's Divine words.
human sensitivity — there is
Our sages seem to justify
God to be found (I Kings
his action, and certainly
19)."
Moses' act is understandable.
The Almighty is teaching
But is it ideal, an action from
that leaders can hope to influ-
which we must learn?
ence not by majestic miracles
The haftorah tells us of a
but by silent sensitivity, by
second leader, Elijah the
loving outreach.
RABBI
prophet, who in many ways is
Unfortunately, neither
SHLOMO
similar to Moses. Both are
Moses
nor Elijah seems to
RISKIN
zealots: Moses having killed
have
been
able to assimilate
Special to the
the Egyptian taskmaster and
the
message.
Moses breaks the
Jewish News
smashed the tablets, Elijah rag-
tablets and strikes the rock,
ing against the wicked Israeli
while Elijah brings down fire
monarchy and the Jewish idolaters.
from heaven to consume Israeli generals .
Elijah was chased by King Ahab and
and their men (II Kings 1).
Queen Jezebel who wished to kill him;
There is, however, one difference.
and Moses was on Pharaoh's "wanted"
Jewish lore, as expressed in the Talmud
list, the prophet's life so much in danger
and the Midrash, emphasizes Malakhis'
that he had to flee to Midian.
final words that Elijah will herald God's
Moses felt he had to break the com-
great and awesome period of redemp-
mandments in order to establish them
tion when "the hearts of the parents will
and so he smashed the tablets of stone;
turn to the children and the hearts of
Elijah felt he had to nullify the prohibi-
the children to the parents."
tion against building a "high altar" in
For our sages, this means that Elijah
order to demonstrate the superiority of
did accept God's words, that the great
God over Baal. Moses split the Red Sea;
prophet is at every seder celebration and
Elijah split the Jordan River. Moses suf-
at each circumcision rite and that he
fered the indignity of Korach's rebellion
understands his ministry to be binding
without receiving the backing of his
familial generations with love and
people, and Elijah hears from Queen
acceptance.
Jezebel that "at this time tomorrow I
And not only will Elijah, and not
shall have your soul."
Moses, herald the Messiah; Elijah and
Elijah, out of deep frustration with
not Moses will answer all questions,
Israel's backsliding, performs a daring
decide on all ritual and ethical ques-
experiment to attempt to establish God's
tions, during the period of redemption.
rule by transgressing God's law against
Apparently, the Messiah as well as
building an altar outside of the Holy
the Torah can only be based on the
Temple: He makes an altar on Mount
still small voice of loving-kindness and
Carmel, sets up the 450 prophets of
tolerance.
Israel with a bullock on one side, stands
himself next to a bullock on the other
side and challenges the other prophets
to see whose prayers would be answered!
The prophets of Baal cried out, all to
In what ways have the people
no avail. Elijah prayed, and a Divine fire
Israel been influenced by silent
sensitivity and loving outreach,
Shlomo Riskin is head of Israel's Ohr
as opposed to majestic miracles?
Torah Stone Institutions and chief rabbi
of Efrat.
Shabbat Ki Tisa:
Exodus 30:11-34:35;
I Kings 18:1-39.
Ifi
EVERYONE BRAGS ABOUT BONG THE BIGGEST
WERE HAPPY ABOUT BONG 1NE BEST
2003 WIIVIIR EDMON DE
2003 EXT
LIMITED
PRODUCTION
Sunroof, XM Satellite Radio, Navigation System, CD Changer,
Chrome Wheels, Heated Seats, Premium Paint
Sunroof, Chrome Wheels, CD, Loaded
GM EMPLOYEES
URRY
BEFORE)
THEY'RE
GONE
EVERYONE!
GM EMPLOYEES
SUPPLIER PRICING FOR
EVERYONE!
Ma.
48 Mo. Lease
48 Mo. Lease
TURN YOUR LEASE IN EARLY?
Find Out How, Call Now!
UDETTE
www.audettecadillac.com
BREAK
THROUGH
7100 Orchard Lake Road, W. Bloomfield
Mon. & Thurs. till 9; Tues., Wed., Fri. till 6
11-888-920-54117
*Plus tax, 12k mi. per yr. $0 sec. deposit for GM employees and family members (where applicable). Must qualify for
owner loyalty or Conquest. $1809 employee/$2421 everyone total due for EXT lease. $2032.86 employee/$1174 supplier
total due for DTS.
e Something to.••
r .7
"71 7,7r
INDiviDt'ALS, RETAILERs &
FROM A SINGLE ITEM...
...TO EXCESS INVENTORY.
WE'LL TURN IT INTO
CASH FOR YOU.
\Vi lot_EsALErts \\TELcoNIED
• Gt ..mt\NTEED PAYNIENT
• BONDED & INSLIIED
• H. \SSLE-FREF
• SAFE & Si CLIIE
❑
Conversations
No need to go on "e-bay" or other auction sites.
Bring it to our office. If its too big or there's
too much of it we'll come to you.
we are the # 1 online sales and marketing specialist!
SGS Auctions
7035 Orchard Lake Road • Suite 130
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
248.943.1169
Over 3(X) different categories including.
antiques, watches. fun iiture.
sporting goods, .ieuvItg. pottenj.
staims is coins, clothing. electronie:>.
comic cooks. training cords...
687130
2/21
2003
51