por tion Predicting The Future Parshat Reeh, Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17, Numbers 28:9- 15; Isaiah 66:1-66:24. F rom the earliest biblical times, vulnerability. The commandments are Judaism — a moral and enlight- here for us to serve God, not in order to ened religion based upon an ethi- attempt to have God serve us. cal monotheism which taught justice, Hence, the Mishnah teaches that “we compassion and peace — was forced to are to serve our Master not in order struggle against idolatrous voodoo and to receive a reward,” but because it is magic. right to serve Him and will ultimately Apparently, the more myste- make for a better world — not rious, uncertain and fragile life necessarily an easier individual appeared to be, the greater the life. Faith is not a guarantee attraction of individuals who that my life will be comfortable claimed a “local telephone” and cancer-free if I do what relationship to the Divine or the Torah commands; faith the various divinities to read rather demands faithfulness to the future and thereby move God’s desired lifestyle no mat- aside the curtain of uncer- ter how difficult or challenging Rabbi tainty. my individual life may be. Shlomo Fascinatingly enough, the Similar to this must be our Riskin 12th-century commenta- attitude toward prayer. We tor Ramban (Nachmanides) believe in a Higher Being who admits the possibility that there do can certainly make the miraculous exist gifted individuals with what we occur, but who only guaranteed that would consider to be prophetic powers. the Jewish people would never be com- Nevertheless, if such a prophecy is used pletely destroyed, and that eventually to turn someone away from the laws of the world will accept a God of Peace Torah, the soothsayer is considered to through a message emanating from be a malevolent idolater. Jerusalem. From this perspective, we can readily Otherwise, in large measure, the understand why our tradition insists world operates according to its natural that “the Torah is no longer in Heaven,” design. Yes, “even if a sword is dangling so we do not listen to heavenly voices. at your throat, do not despair of God’s Our religious-legal system, albeit based compassion,” but, at that same time, “do upon a law that we believe to be the not rely on miracles.” Pray for the best, word of the Living God, nevertheless but prepare for the worst. is interpreted and developed in each The very practical Talmudic passage generation predicated upon logically in Berachot teaches us that “one who sound principles and analytically sound prays too long and intensively will come explications. to a pained heart”; and the Tosafot Reasoned responsa are open to commentary interprets this to apply to scholarly debate, and no one can claim an individual who expects his prayer the forensic edge because he heard a to be answered. What is the repair voice from Heaven. Hence, the continu- for such a broken heart? queries the ity of our tradition remains ensured, Talmud. Occupy yourself in the perfor- with advance based upon traditionally mance of the commandments to serve ordained logic and with no one having God and try to improve society. the ability to undermine our sacred Our religious community must close texts by a newly revealed addendum or its ears to future predictions of all substitute. sorts, no matter how pious the source. I believe there is an even more Ultimately, we have but one Source, profound reason for our rejection of and He teaches us that “the secrets are fortunetellers, even deeply religious for- for the Lord our God alone, and that tunetellers who do not use their “gifts” which is revealed — to perform all the to undermine our tradition. words of this Torah — is for us and our Our task is not to second-guess God children.” or to use our religion or our religious leaders to make our lives easier or more Shlomo Riskin is chancellor of Ohr Torah Stone and chief rabbi of Efrat, Israel. certain, to remove human doubt or * SUNDANCE SHOES nd 2 Location NOW OPEN 235 S. OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 248.385.5960 2120960 NEW MERCHANDISE ARRIVING DAILY STONE'S JEWELRY 6881 Orchard Lake Rd. on the Boardwalk (248) 851-5030 www.stonesfi nejewelry.com 2088570 » to rah September 1 • 2016 43