TO DO FIRST, AND UNDERSTAND LATER?

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well.

Mazal Tov to Zalmy on his graduation this week, achieving Master in Law in LA Loyola. What an amazing achievement Zalmy! Well done for all the hard work. Wishing you to continue from strength to strength.

Mazal Tov to Adam on the bris of Shlomo Zalman yesterday. Wishing you much nachas from him and all your Family. Mazal Tov also to Jody, Roy, Gavin, Shelly, Sid and Brian!

Mazal Tov to Aaron Glick on his upcoming birthday. Aaron is the husband of Sara (ne Davidoff). Wishing you a great year Aaron!

Mazal Tov to Esther Miriam on her upcoming Batmitzvah next week. Looking forward to your big party Esther, and wishing you continued growth and happiness in both gashmius and ruchnius! And giving much nachas to your parents

Wishing Mommy long life for the yohrtzeit of Meme, also next week. Her neshama should have an aliya! We were all very fond of Meme.

I saw a nice article from the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, connected to Shavuot, which I would like to share.

A famous statement by the Jewish People at the Giving of Torah at Har Sinai was "NAASEH VENISHMA" - We will do and we will hear.

Ie they were saying with full enthusiasm and whole-heartedness, "Whatever Hashem asks of us we will do!" (even without understanding)

The Gemorra Shabbos understands that Am Yisrael said this even before hearing any of the Commandments.

Ibn Ezra, Rashbam and Ramban understand it as "We will do and understand" ie we can only understand Judaism by doing it.

But the conclusion is that the whole Jewish Nation agreed with one voice to the DOING of Judaism ie to follow the Code of Jewish Law.

The HEARING has many meanings - listening, understanding, absorbing, internalizing, responding, obeying etc, and refers to the more spiritual, inward dimension of Torah. And here one can also express one's own individuality in addition to the doing.

The modern Western mind tends to put things in the opposite order. We seek to understand what we are committing ourselves to before making the commitment.

This is fine if one is purchasing a mobile phone , or signing a contract, but not when making a deep existential commitment.

Other examples of existential commitment are, that one cannot understand marriage without getting married, and one cannot understand leadership without leading.

The only way to understand a way of life is to take the risk of living it.

Ie "Naaseh venishma" - " We will do, and eventually through extended practice and long exposure, we will understand. And each person in his or her, own special way."

Gut Yom tov and Shabbos to all with a reacceptance of Torah with joy and inwardness!