Balak - Weekly Torah Portion

Yesterday, in the early hours of the morning, my aunt Lisa Thaler passed away. Now, from that generation of my immediate family my mother is the only one left alive. My father was an only son, and Lisa an only daughter. My mother had a brother, Lisa’s husband, who passed away some eight years ago, and a sister who has passed away in England, and so has her husband. Lisa visited us at our synagogue on many happy family occasions and it is an opportunity to briefly make her acquaintance also on this Shabbat. Austria, where she was born, became a place where Jews were not wanted any more, still prior to the beginning of world-war II. Luckily for them, her parents were able to secure a passage certificate to England and moved over there. She was a brilliant student and was accepted to study medicine in both Oxford and Cambridge universities, that just opened to accept women into the student body. She decided to learn in Oxford and continued her excellence and was awarded many scholarships and stipends which helped funding the family at the time.

My aunt married my uncle where my mom, unbeknown to her was their matchmaker. She and Lisa where girlfriends but never understood the willingness of her brother to escort Lisa back home at night after spending the time together with her. Once married she joined in the family dream led by my grandfather Samuel Thaler to immigrate to Israel. Now that Israel was established, he saw no reason to delay the move anymore and she, left everything behind, many of her dreams, to pursue a new kind of an experiment, a new dream. While she left behind the world of medicine, up until just several years ago one could consult with her on any medical issue and she was amazingly proficient and knowledgeable. She always thrived for more knowledge and she and I spent time discussing the making of electronic components on semiconductor chips, the way they were manufactured and how they were designed.

This Shabbat we read the Torah portion Balak. Balaam rides his donkey and it sees “the angel of the Lord, she pressed herself against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck her again. Then the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his staff… Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground. Then the angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was reckless and contrary to me. But the donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I certainly would have killed you just now, and let her live.’ 3So Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, ‘I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.’”

Quite often we are unable to see that which is important, that which we actually need to act upon, and that which blocks our way. When that happens, we tend to respond like Balaam. I know because it happens to me way too often. An aggressive response that is thoughtless and inconsiderate. However, if something or someone helps open our eyes then there is change, suddenly we can see that which we were unable to see, an opportunity to learn, a passage to a life changing experience. My aunt grasped that when she ditched one dream and built on another one which was even greater than the personal dream of self-fulfillment and self-development. She, together with many fellows of her generation, opened a window of opportunity for many Jews who decided to make Israel their permanent home. A state was born with its advantages and admitted shortcomings, and yet a place to be proud of.

There is no doubt in my mind that Israel is a place that needs to constantly improve. Together we pray for the success of the new government of Israel, and wish the Knesset much needed success in its strive to legislate justly, effectively and truthfully. As you well-know, for this to succeed it is necessary that we part take in this endless effort which is part of the duties undertaken by the Israel Reform Movement. We fight for equal rights to all streams of Judaism, to properly balance between the Jewish and democratic values of the state without one depleting the other, a relentless fight against racism and bigotry, building of Reform synagogues throughout the country, providing opportunities for Jewish learnings to youngsters, those who are long fed up with the attempts to burden upon them a particular way of Jewish thinking. To do all of that we need much more than the support we already get from our supporters outside of Israel. We must make significant inroads to local philanthropy, large or small, here in Israel by Israelis.

It is therefore that we have started a crowdfunding campaign. We, through many ambassadors who volunteered to help out, request your assistance in reaching the goal that was set for the campaign. Consider it yourself and ask friends and family to join in and support the Israel Reform Movement for NOW is the time to do so, as it continues to the middle of next week. Use the Jgive platform to do so and together we shall be able to promote Judaism that is pluralistic, accepting, and welcoming. This will allow us to enjoy together the blessing of Balaam, “How pleasant are your tents, Jacob, / Your dwelling places, Israel! / Like valleys that stretch out, / Like gardens beside a river, / Like aloes planted by the Lord, / Like cedars beside the waters.”

Shabbat Shalom and wishes for Good Health.

Reuven Marko, 25 June 2021, 16 Tamuz, 5781