PARSHAT TOLDOT-VAYETZEH
Weekly Parsha Commentary by Rav Binyamin Zev Kahane | Translated by Lenny Goldberg | published by Yekutiel Ben Yaakov
When It Comes to the Jewish Idea - No Changes!! (1993)
The last two Torah parshas of
the week have portrayed
Yaakov as quite a con-man. Every step
of the way he is using his cunning to
achieve his desired goals - at first in
attaining the birthright by putting the
pressure on a weary and vulnerable
Esau, and afterwards in his outright
theft of the blessing from his father. In
our parsha this week, we see this guile
directed now at Laban, his cheating
uncle, as our sages tell us: "If to deceive
he comes, then I, too am his brother in
deceit, but if he is an honest man, than
I, too am the son of Rivka, his honest
sister". (Rashi 29:12) And indeed, when
the dust clears Yaakov comes out of the
Laban situation a very wealthy man.
The problem is that all this is in sharp
contrast to the very first words the Torah
uses to describe Yaakov - "And Yaakov
was 'tam' (in Hebrew, the word 'tam'
has the connotation of pure, whole,
simple or naive). Couldn't the Torah find
another word to characterize Yaakov
other than 'tam'?? In our simplistic
eyes, Yaakov is the very antithesis of
'tam', full of savvy and even an outright
liar when need be.
The question is magnified tenfold
when we remember that Yaakov
Avenu represents, of all things, "Emet"
(truth), as it is written, "And you will
give truth to Yaakov", (Micha 7). And
so again, couldn't the sages come up
with a more appropriate characteristic
for Yaakov other than "Emet"?
The fact is that this subject is a very
delicate one, and it is one that my
father, Rabbi Meir Kahane, HY"D, had
to deal with his entire life. Obviously
in this short space it is impossible to
delve too deeply into the subject, but
it certainly must be touched upon.
Everyone used to ask Rabbi Kahane:
"Why don't you change a little?" Just
change a little to outmaneuver your
enemies and then get into a position
of power when you can then say the
truth. Without exaggerating, he was
approached by literally thousands
of people with advice of this sort. He
never listened to these "advisors" and
insisted on clinging to truth. There are
enough liars and cowards out there
already, he would say. SOMEONE has
to speak the truth.
Rabbi Kahane was the only one to
get up and shout the truth without
changing an iota, and without taking
into account the "ifs" or "buts". From
this point of view, he was the epitome
of "And you will give truth to Yaakov".
On the other hand, when it came to
less important matters not concerning
the essence of the message, the Rav
was as sly as the best of them, making a
mockery of his opponents, often using
"gimmicks" to expose their fraud or
get himself press. But all this cunning
was used for TACTICAL matters, not
ideological ones. When it came to
the message of the Jewish Idea, there
was no place for even the tiniest of
compromises. He knew that if he
would make the slightest change, even
for a short period of time, he would
lose everything he had worked for - he
would be selling out, and the power of
his message would be emasculated.
It seems to me that through this
actual, live example of my father in
our generation, we are given insight
into the behavior of Yaakov in his
interaction with Esau and Laban. Sure
Yaakov knew how to manipulate and
fend for himself when need be. But
when it came to the message itself he
was willing to sacrifice himself even
for "little jars", for it was a matter of
principle to retrieve what he earned.
He was ready to go face to face with
the angel of Esau for even the slightest
reason.
This ability to separate what is
important and what is not important;
what is the message and what is only
tactical; when to compromise and
when not to - this made my father so
special. It is the lesson we learn from
Yaakov Avenu.
MISHALOT YISRAEL | P.O. BOX 6592 JERUSALEM ISRAEL
Editor's Note:
Expulsion from Tapuach from the Diary of
a Jewish Refugee
As was published in the last edition of "Kach Hee
Darka Shel Torah," I have been expelled from my
home in Kfar Tapuach and given an administrative
order that prohibits me from entering anywhere
in Judea and Samaria. This obscene decree,
signed by General Shamni, IDF Chief of Judea and
Samaria does not offer any explanation and I am
not afforded any due process whatsoever. While
the system has permitted me to appeal the order
before a military appeals court, there is little room
given to challenge an order when one has no
clue what the alleged charges are. No matter, we
appealed the order and our attorney Yitzhak Baum
of the volunteer association "Legal Forum" did
a magnificent job arguing our case before Major
Natanel Baneshi. The hearing was "behind closed
doors" and is considered "secret", however, I will
take the risk here of publishing some of the more
comical happenings in and outside of the court
room, with the sincere hope that no state secrets
will be revealed here.
Secret Agent Testifies
Ironically, the court proceedings were to be held
in the Ofir military base. Ofir, located within the
"territories" I am forbidden to enter, also houses
a military jail. The murderers of Rav Binyamin Zev
Kahane were said to be held their several months
ago, before their arraignment in the same military
court that is to hear my appeal. As I pull up to the
front gate of the base, dozens of Arabs can be seen,
waiting to visit imprisoned family members or to
attend trials. Evidently, we seem rather out of place
to the guards at the gate, who asked us where we
were going. They immediately allowed us entry
into the base, assuming that we were officials who
would enter through the side of the base that is
designated for official witnesses or representatives
of the state. I had no clue where we were going but
was happy enough not to be detained for breaking
the administrative order that effectively should
have forbade me from entering into the area,
which is officially part of Judea and Samaria.
There we stood, myself and Shmuel, a young aid
who is in his third year of law school, waiting
for Bereny, another friend from Tapuach and for
Yitzchak Baum, our attorney. Suddenly a pair of
"James Bond," shady looking individuals show up
 Editor's Note:
and were given immediate entry into the base. Looking at Shmuel I muttered, free, even after they have been caught red-handed, after the crimes have
"These clowns must be the Shin Bet agents who are to substantiate the case been committed.
of the government and "justify" the administrative order against me." After
25 years of being harassed by these characters, one develops the ability to The real reason they expelled me
sniff these disgruntled creatures out from miles away. Sure enough, they However, I am not complaining, for when the evil ones decree a curse, it is
were the agents, and it was not before long that a frantic officer came darting often more of a blessing than a curse, as we learn from Balaak and Bilaam.
out of the base shouting at us, "you are supposed to enter the base from the Obviously this decree has nothing to do with olives. Nerya and I would not
other side, what are you doing here?" I answered, "We were directed here know a Syrian olive from a Greek olive. What have we to do with olives? Talk
when we got to the front gate, where should we go?" Oops we already saw to me about pickles and pastrami and maybe I can help you, but olives? Give
the "secret" agents. Several hours later, the secret agent "Moshe" would be me a break! It is obvious that behind this administrative order there is a far
testifying behind a makeshift metal standing curtain in the court room. more sinister plan and it has nothing to do with olives or pickles. Olmert is
Naturally, "Moshe" was unable to answer any questions concerning the presently planning his summit trip to Annapolis. I am presently running for
secret evidence that only he and the judge could review – making it rather "mayor" of Kfar Tapuach. The elections are to be held later this month on Nov.
difficult indeed to counter any of their secret claims. The only thing that was 27. The administrative order was issued on the very day that I submitted my
disclosed to us was the "paraphraza" – a one sentence general explanation of candidacy. The government is particularly sensitive to potential opposition to
the cause and reasoning behind the administrative order: "If he is allowed to Olmert's plan to dismantle Tapuach and most of Judea and Samaria. The last
enter into Judea and Samaria before January of next year he could influence thing they need is for "extremists" to be in positions of power and influence in
others to take actions that have within them definite potential to cause towns in Yesha at this time. Tapuach is an important town because it maintains
unrest between local Palestinians and Jews and could cause instability and a radical militant image. It is important for the government to make certain
damage in the region". Yitzchak brilliantly exposed the farce from a legal, that Tapuach residents will walk like sheep back into the "Auschwitz borders"
constitutional and technical perspective. He proved that Arabs living in Judea of 1967 that they are carving out of Israel. Expelling me during the month
and Samaria have more rights than Jews who are not protected by Israeli law prior to the elections is a classic case of intervention and a futile attempt
or by international law and The Hague. He proved that throwing a person at that meant to hamper and influence the democratic process. While I am
out of his home in such a procedure was unlawful and absurd, especially allowed to hold one meeting a week in Tapuach, that is not much of a match
in view of the fact that in the age of the internet, expelling one from his to the constant campaigning being done by the other candidates.
home would not be effective in preventing him from communicating with
his alleged co-conspirators. He argued that if there was truly any evidence of Kahane Outreach Mitzvah Tank – If I can't be in Tapuach I will
any conspiratorial crime being plotted, then the authorities should arraign preach throughout the land
me and bring me to trial where the evidence could be weighed based on its We can only reverse the decree and turn it into a positive if we have a "klee"
merit or lack of merit. a vehicle or utensil on which to accept this blessing in disguise. I want to use
every second of this administrative order to reverse the intended results of
I am the real threat? those who issued the order. Now, that I have the free time to travel the roads
Needless to say, "Moshe" went home, as did the military prosecutor, her aid, of Israel, I am holding weekly lectures in Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem, in English
the attorney general of the Shin Bet and as did Moshe's assistant. After all, and in Hebrew and am available to lecture throughout the land about the
"Moshe" has a driver and a handyman who shleps the evidence and the authentic Jewish Idea and about Rabbi Kahane's ideology and program to
metal curtains into the court room. And so everyone went home, including save Israel.
judge Benishu and his three young female clerks who type the transcripts I have appealed to some of our donors to sponsor the purchase of a special
and who assist him. Everyone went home, and I went back to my car, where I vehicle, known as an RV that I will live and travel in. "The Kahane Mitzva
am living. The government will maintain law and order in Judea and Samaria Tank" that we spoke about with Rabbi Kahane before his assassination, 17
now that Yekutiel Ben Yaakov and Nerya Ofan are out of Judea and Samaria. years ago will G-d willing now become a reality. And after the expulsion
What madness! The very same day, we read of dozens of policemen wounded order is over, I will take it up to our hilltop. While the government does not
when they entered the Druze village of Pikeyin in the North. A policewoman permit caravans or any housing to be built in Yesha these days, caravans on
was kidnapped during the debacle. The police left empty handed without the wheels are perfectly legal and can be used on our hilltop or on any other hill
12 Arabs that they came to arrest, who have been terrorizing a Jew who put in Yesha.
an antenna up. Hand-grenades have been thrown, buildings torched, cops
injured, shots fired - But the government will restore law and order to the You can help
land by expelling Yekutiel and Nerya! What insanity! To find out what you can do to help maintain or join our Yeshiva, hilltop
and canine defense program in Tapuach or how you could participate in
The following day saw 3000 Jewish vines destroyed and a synagogue our classes and activities in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv feel free to call me
torched near Talmon by Arabs and international anarchist sympathizers - from Israel 054 4 876 709.From US 011 972 54 4876709 or email to
but the government will maintain law and order by expelling us! The police guzofskyyekutiel@yahoo.com Contributions to help sponsor
succeeded in arresting three perpetrators out of the dozens who uprooted the "Outreach Kahane Tank" or the other projects, including the
the Jewish fields, and they were later released. They pose no threat to the publishing of our weekly parsha newsletter "Kach Hee Darka
security and tranquility of the region. Shel Torah," checks can be sent to Mishalot Yisrael POBox 6592
Jerusalem Israel.
For the record, the unofficial reason given to reporters "off the record" for
the administrative orders handed down to us was, "there is reason to believe Sincerely,
that Yekutiel and Nerya will be active in preventing Arabs from picking olives Yekutiel Ben Yaakov
in areas under dispute". In the meantime, Arabs are effectively torching
synagogues and uprooting thousands of trees and vineyards and they walk see a picture of the RV I hope to buy soon, with your help >>>>>>>>

MISHALOT YISRAEL | P.O. BOX 6592 JERUSALEM ISRAEL

 "YAAKOV WENT OUT" and "YAAKOV SAT" (2000)
Weekly Parsha Commentary by Binyamin Zev Kahane Translated by Lenny Goldberg
"And Yaakov went out" - This
seemingly innocent
opening of our parasha is really not as
simple as it may appear. Think about it:
From where is Yaakov going out, and
where is he going to? He is departing
from Yitzchak and Rivka's warm home,
from the cozy tent (as the verse says,
"he dwelled in tents"), from a pure and
wholesome environment (and Yaakov
was "tam", meaning wholesome or
pure). And where is he headed? To a
cold, cruel world of murderers and
swindlers. Yaakov, a wholesome, pure
man, whose only desire is to serve God,
finds himself fleeing from his brother
who wants to kill him. He is on the
way to a place he is not at all familiar
with. Sure, it's his uncle. But what kind
of uncle is this? Lavan the Aramite,
the cheat and scoundrel. Does Yaakov
really need all this grief?
Remember, Yaakov tried to avoid all
of this in the first place. It wasn't his
idea to steal the blessings, which was
what got him into this mess in the first
place. It was his righteous mother who
incited him to do it. Yaakov wanted to
sit in his tent, to bask in the radiance
of his father, to absorb Torah from
him, to elevate himself spiritually. And
now? He is alone and unsure of his
destination, with but a stick in his hand.
This is a situation he never dreamed
he would find himself in. And again,
where is he headed? To his uncle. If he
only knew what waits for him there.
With brothers and uncles like that, who
needs enemies? How are we supposed
to understand this? Why does God
wish to see Yaakov go through all
these difficult circumstances? Esau,
Lavan, and let us remember his
greatest sorrow of all - the loss of Yosef.
Why doesn't God allow this righteous
man, whose entire life's goal is to sit
in the tent of Torah and serve God
- why doesn't God allow him to fulfill
his aspirations? Instead, this man of
enormous potential must waste his
thoughts and his efforts in scheming
how to avoid his murderous brother.
Is this not a waste of talent. Isn't there
a more optimal way this spiritual giant
can utilize his time? What is the reason
for all these trials and tribulations
which befall Yaakov, turning his life
into one of brutal hardships, a life he
himself later sums up as: - "few and
evil have the days of the years of my
life been."
AEL
No Tranquility for The Righteous
In order to understand, "And Yaakov
went out", we must understand "And
Yaakov sat", which is two parashas
ahead of us. On this seemingly
mundane phrase, "And Yaakov sat", the
sages tell us: "Yaakov desired to sit in
peace, but there sprang upon him the
troubles of Yosef. When the righteous
desire to sit in tranquility, the Almighty
says: Is it not sufficient for the righteous
that which is prepared for them in the
world to come, but they seek to sit in
tranquility in this world too!" (Rashi, at
beginning of parasha)
What is so wrong about wanting to
sit in tranquility? Don't the righteous
deserve it? This is basically the same
question we have been asking all
along. And the answer is a resounding,
No! The righteous are not supposed to
sit in tranquility. Yaakov was put on this
earth to be a "And Yaakov went out"
man, and not a "And Yaakov sat" type
of person. This is a novel idea in this
generation. For up to now, we have
been taught that the complete Jew is
one who spends all his time learning
in the Beit Midrash. Not true. There is a
time for sitting in the Beit Midrash, and
a time to go out to the people. People
are suffering. There are ideals that must
be fought for. There are problems that
must be solved.
Yaakov as a Symbol For Us
Therefore, it is wrong to think that
Yaakov "went to waste" wandering and
investing energies to foil con-men and
murderers. All these experiences, which
may seem as needless aggravation
and wastes of time, bring the Jew to
loftier heights. A Jew who must face
all this while remaining steadfast in
spreading God's word and doing the
right things; who takes on the wicked
and does it all out of a connection to
God and guidance from the Torah he
is engrossed in during every moment
available to him - such a Jew reaches
far greater heights than the one who
dismisses himself from such "politics",
and enters only the Beit Midrash.
Yaakov is a symbol for the sons who
succeed him, the nation of Israel.
Yaakov does not sit in tranquility. The
days of Messiah have not yet arrived.
Jew! In this world there are problems
which are sometimes difficult, and one
must deal with them, and if necessary,
MISHALOT YISRAEL | P.O. BOX 6592 JERUSALEM ISRAEL
to fight them. This is part of your
destiny. Why do you think there is Esau
and Lavan in this world? For you! They
did not sprout up by themselves. God
created them! They exist in order to
harass the wholesome Jew. They exist
to test him. And the tests are difficult
ones. True, you do not have to go and
look for tests. But don't worry, because
they will find you. Each one according
to what has been designated for him.
But take comfort, Jew: In the end,
these tests and trials mold you and
give you the chance to reach greater
heights, and to prove your faith and
trust in God. And that is what being a
Jew is all about.
The "gedolim" of all generations, who
are our guiding light from the days
of Avraham until today - they are
people who never fled from struggles.
When Yaakov starts to fatigue, and
it happens, God throws all kinds of
events his way - events which awaken
him from the cocoon of tranquility he
tries to curl himself into. They awaken
him and say: Yaakov, Yaakov, there is
no rest in this world. Don't worry, don't
take it too hard - if you only knew what
awaits you in the next world! And
then he is awakened and inspirited,
anxious to do battle. We are amazed to
see Yaakov, this pure and simple man
being forced to deal with the devious
Lavan, and overcoming him. Sure,
Yaakov is "tam", but when he leaves his
tent, he knows how to deal with evil...
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