A Stage For AntiSemites: Parashat Bechukotai

0:03My dear talmidim, Baruch Hashem, we gather once again to delve into the depths of our holy Torah. We find in Parshas Bechukosai, in Sefer Vayikra, the Ribbono Shel Olam gives us a stark warning, a prophecy of what could be, chas v'shalom. The pasuk states: "I will break the glory of your might, and I will make the heavens above you as hard as iron." Now, my friends, Who is it that promises us, that before the horrible Holocaust, before the Death, the Massacres, the Pogroms, and the Inquisitions—before all of these terrible gezeiros befell our people... Our holy Torah and the words of our revered navi'im provide us with profound insights into the cycles of history and the unfolding of Hashgacha Pratis. They warn us about the period of chevlei Mashiach, the intense birth pangs that will precede the ultimate Geulah and the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu. It is a time of immense challenge and change, a period, chas v'shalom, before there is the Third World War of Gog and Magog, before everything that we witness today simply disappears and turns into a new form of reality. It is precisely at this juncture that HaKadosh Baruch Hu tells us a prophecy of what's going to happen when we violate the Torah. He says, "The first thing I will do before I bring that final war is the very same thing that I did right before the destruction of the First Beis HaMikdash, right before the destruction of the Second Beis HaMikdash, right before the Spanish Inquisition, right before the Shoah in Nazi Germany – right before all these calamities. Which is, 'I'll break your glory.' " This is a crucial warning for our generation, my dear brothers.

0:40HaKadosh Baruch Hu tells us a prophecy of what's going to happen when we violate the Torah. He says: "The first thing I will do before I bring that final war is the very same thing that I did right before the destruction of the First Beis HaMikdash, right before the destruction of the Second Beis HaMikdash, right before the Spanish Inquisition, right before the Shoah in Nazi Germany, right before – which is: 'I'll break your glory.'" Brothers, dear students, we are discussing a profound point here, about how Hashem's ways often manifest in the most unexpected manner. We see this principle, for example, in the verse that declares, "I will break your glory." What does it mean, "I will break your glory"? All of those things that you glorified over Me, the first thing I will do is break them. You hold your Hollywood fame dear. I will turn that very thing into the tool that people will use for antisemitism. It is a harsh lesson, a mussar lesson for all of us, that when we elevate things that are not l'shem Shamayim, not for the sake of Heaven, even our perceived "successes" can become the very instruments of our downfall, chas v'shalom. We have just discussed the unfortunate paradox: how an industry built on diverse talents, an industry consumed by so many, is perceived through a lens of Jewish control, leading to the dangerous narrative of 'the Jews are the bad guys.' This is a deep chillul Hashem we must contend with. But let us reflect further on this very phenomenon. Consider, my dear talmidim, how much time and money people pour into watching Hollywood. And yet, at the very same time, how much effort they are now expending, using that very same medium they've been consuming, to propagate hatred against Jews. The animosity, regrettably, stems from their perception of Jewish popularity and success within Hollywood – a success, I must add, that in many respects is certainly not in line with the spirit of our holy Torah. This brings us to a crucial point of introspection. While we unequivocally condemn sinat Yisrael, the baseless hatred directed at our people, we are also obligated to examine our own role. Is our engagement in such secular industries always for the sake of Shamayim? Does it truly reflect the elevated values of Yiddishkeit? When our presence in these domains, chas v'shalom, inadvertently fuels lashon hara and sinat Yisrael, it compels us to profound cheshbon hanefesh. Our ultimate calling, my friends, is to be a light unto the nations, to bring kiddush Hashem into the world, ensuring that every action reflects the glory of the Almighty.

2:07We speak often about the gezeirah that HaKadosh Baruch Hu placed upon Am Yisrael, a gezeirah that manifests in many ways. One such manifestation, my dear talmidim, is this peculiar situation we find ourselves in regarding the world of entertainment. We may complain, we may rail against it, and yet, at the same time, you are looking at an industry that encompasses all types of people: there are Christians, there are Catholics, there are Muslims, there are Hindus, there are Buddhists, there are Black people, there are White people, there are women, there are men. But then, it is often said that the Jews are in control of Hollywood, and that the Jews are the bad guys. Yes, but it is we, you realize, who are buying their films. It is we who are watching their films, consuming their music, and paying for it all. So, how can we justify this hatred, this constant criticism, when we are simultaneously the primary consumers? It doesn't make sense, does it? This is precisely the middah k'neged middah, the divine punishment that HaKadosh Baruch Hu describes: "You, My dear chosen people, you replaced Me." Reb Yidden, my dear brothers, we often speak about the distractions of this world, the things that pull us away from Torah and mitzvos, from a true connection to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. But we must ask ourselves a profound question, a cheshbon hanefesh: Who is truly driving this culture? You do realize that you're the one buying their films? You're the one watching their films? You're the one consuming their music? You're the one paying for it? So how can you possibly justify your sin'ah (your condemnation, your criticism) for these very things, when you are precisely the one who consumes them? It simply doesn't make sense on a human level. This, my friends, is a divine punishment, a middah k'neged middah, that HaKadosh Baruch Hu Himself has decreed, saying, "You, My dear chosen people, you replaced Me." This is the ultimate consequence, to abandon the Eibeshter for the fleeting distractions of this world.

3:05My dear talmidim, we often find ourselves perplexed by the animosity directed towards us, Am Yisrael, particularly in spheres where some of our own have achieved what appears to be great worldly success. We see the protests, the campaigns, the accusations, specifically against Jews in industries like entertainment, even when others engage in similar practices. This leads many to ask, "Why us? Why the Jews?" The answer, my beloved friends, often lies not solely in the wickedness of our enemies, yemach shemam, but in our own spiritual state, in our priorities. The Ribbono Shel Olam asks us, "What have you been doing with the blessings I have bestowed upon you? Where has your focus been?" For when we allow ourselves to be consumed with your addiction to fame, your addiction to success, your addiction to notoriety. You wanted to build yourselves a name, build yourselves a building, build yourselves a reputation. And you made these movies and music and all types of things that took you away from Me, from HaKadosh Baruch Hu. The first thing I am going to do is use that against you. Do you truly believe, my talmidim, that the Almighty is oblivious to our choices? He sees everything. And when we pursue these fleeting glories, these hevlai olam hazeh – the vanities of this world – instead of focusing on our true tachlit as bnei Torah, then we open ourselves to the very vulnerabilities that our detractors exploit. This is not, chas v'shalom, to excuse their evil or to diminish the reality of sinat Yisrael, but it is a call for introspection, for teshuvah. We must ask ourselves: are we living up to our covenant? Are we truly making a Kiddush Hashem?

3:33My dear talmidim, we often find ourselves contemplating a profound, albeit sometimes painful, aspect of our existence in galus. We, Am Yisrael, are a numerically small people, yet the attention, scrutiny, and often, Rachmana litzlan, animosity directed towards us by the nations of the world is disproportionately large. It's a phenomenon that demands our attention and understanding. Why is it that, despite our small numbers, we often 'stick out like a sore thumb'? Consider the following example when discussing the entertainment industry: you don't see people protesting against Black actors. You don't see a campaign against Asian actors. You don't see a campaign against all the manipulation that happens by all other types of people in Hollywood. But you do see it against the Jews. Why? Now you're going to say, 'Yes, because there are so many Jews in it.' I can assure you, if you count the number of employees within the industry, you will find that the actual numbers, when comparing Yidden versus goyim, might not support that contention. Certainly, you will find more goyim; it is simply a reality. There are just many more non-Jews in the world than there are Jews. But the Jews, klal Yisrael, stick out like a sore thumb. Now, why is this so? Who is making it so? This is one of the first things that Chazal bring to light for us. Furthermore, the Jews in the Western world have often made certain priorities number one, inadvertently contributing to this unique visibility and the challenges that come along with it. It's a profound machshavah for us to reflect upon as we navigate our path in galus.

4:03the issue of Yidden versus Goyim is often misconstrued. While it is true that certainly, you will find more Goyim—it's simply a reality; there are just many more Goyim in the world than there are Yidden—the Yidden stick out like a sore thumb. Now, why is this? Who is causing this to be so? This is one of the first things that those who are bringing this crucial issue to light emphasize. The other point: the Yidden in the Western world have, regrettably, made blending in and becoming indistinguishable a priority number one. And what is the consequence of making this our primary focus? It leads directly to the very challenges and spiritual dangers we are discussing. This pursuit of assimilation, of being "just like everyone else," has profound and troubling implications for our neshamah and our role in Olam Hazeh. We speak about the nisyonos of the olam hazeh, the temptations and challenges that face our bnei Torah in the broader society. There's this tremendous pressure, as we've discussed, to chase after worldly success, to pursue these secular degrees, to enter environments that are, to put it mildly, spiritually hazardous. And the question often comes, "Rabbi, what about parnassah? What about making a living?" But my dear talmidim, we must ask ourselves, what price are we willing to pay for parnassah? What becomes of the neshamah? What becomes of the chinuch? What becomes of the mesorah? This is not just an issue for those who are struggling to maintain their Yiddishkeit outside of our community; it's a concern that, unfortunately, even in some so-called religious houses, we find this very same dilemma, this very same compromise with the values of the Torah Hakodesh. They too are swayed by the glitz and glamour, the promise of a "better life" in the eyes of the world, forgetting the eternal life that comes from clinging to Hashem and His mitzvos. This is a spiritual battle, a milchemet ha'nefesh, that requires us to strengthen our emunah and stand firm on the principles taught by our Gedolei Yisrael.

4:37My dear talmidim, my dear Yidden. We live in a generation where the pressures from the outside world, and sometimes even from within, can be overwhelming. There's a constant struggle to maintain our mesorah, our sacred traditions, in the face of worldly allurements. One of the greatest challenges we face today, one that can subtly erode our emunah and our commitment to Torah u'mitzvos, is the notion that a Jew's success is measured by his worldly accomplishments. We see it all around us, this obsession with 'getting ahead.' It used to be that once a boy or a girl went through our yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs, they would seek to build a bayis ne'eman b'Yisrael, a home founded on Torah. But in many circles, it's become almost an ikkar emunah, a cardinal principle of faith, that one must go to college, to acquire a secular higher education. Reb Yidden, have we forgotten what a college campus represents? It's a place teeming with pritzus, with apikorsus, with a spirit that is tamei and antithetical to everything we hold sacred! People will argue, "No, Rabbi, but they need to get a degree! They need to get a degree to make a living! I want my son to be a doctor. I don't want him to be a poor talmid chacham!" And for a girl, "I need her to get an education, not to be just a housewife!" This higher education, for which people literally sell their souls, thinking they can learn Torah later, when they're "150 years old"! Such a thought! Chazal teach us, "If there is no flour, there is no Torah." Yes, parnassah is important, but not at the expense of our neshamos! Not when it means subjecting our children to an environment that destroys their yiras Shamayim. We must remember that Hashem is our Provider, and our true wealth is in Torah and mitzvos. He who provides for the birds of the sky will surely provide for those who cling to His Torah! We have to have bitachon in HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

5:03We see this tragic phenomenon in our generation, Rabbosai, where parents, under the guise of wanting the best for their children, push them towards the material world, away from the path of Torah. They rationalize their choices, saying, 'What will he do? How will he support himself?' And so, they come to this conclusion: 'Don't want him to be a poor Talmid Chacham. He could learn Torah later on when he's 150 years old. Now, I need him to be a lawyer, maybe a hedge fund manager. I need him to get an education. I need her to get an education, not to be a housewife.' Well, this higher education that people literally sold their souls for, this lure of the secular world, promising prestige and wealth, has unfortunately drawn away too many of our precious neshamos from the true purpose of their existence. It's a sad reality we face, where the pursuit of worldly success overshadows the sanctity of Torah learning and the fulfillment of mitzvos, leading to a generation that strays from the path of our holy heritage. My dear talmidim, we live in challenging times, times when the allure of the outside world, with its false promises of prestige and worldly success, can tragically pull even our finest away from the sacred path. We see this with such pain and dismay, how so many of our precious young men and women, who were raised in homes dedicated to Torah u'Mitzvos, are being drawn into environments utterly antithetical to everything we hold dear, where they were willing to pay any price for these young Jewish men and women who are meant to learn Torah, meant to live lives of yiras Shamayim and middos tovos, guided by the Torah, have tragically abandoned their chinuch and joined the ranks of those pursuing higher education at Ivy League institutions, such as Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, and Yale. And what have they found there? A world that, far from offering true enlightenment or safety, has revealed its true colors as a hotbed of spiritual confusion and, tragically, even open hatred against our people. We see the protests, the incitement, the shocking lack of basic morality and yiras Shamayim on display, and we shudder to think of the spiritual dangers lurking in every corner of these campuses. May Hashem protect our youth and guide them back to the pure path of Torah and Yiddishkeit.

5:55And talmidim, this tragedy is not confined to the Ivy League institutions we mentioned; it extends to places like George Washington University, where all of these so-called 'top-tier' schools have sadly become nothing less than hotbeds for anti-Semitic organizations. Now, if you would have said this just a year ago, people would have dismissed you as meshugge. But today, no one disagrees, not even the anti-Semites themselves, given the sheer volume of protests and open incitement happening on countless college campuses around the country, As our pasuk teaches us, there is a clear path to blessing when we uphold the sacred mitzvot of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. But tragically, sometimes in our galut, we are confronted with profound challenges, even in the very medinah we call home. Brothers, sisters, consider the profound inversion we witness: who is taking what Klal Yisrael has glorified as one of their foundational reasons for living in this great medinah that they call home, and has simply made it into a breeding ground for sinat Yisrael? It is precisely this corruption of our very essence, of our contributions to society, that we must be vigilant against. May HaKadosh Baruch Hu grant us the strength to overcome these tests and continue to merit His blessings.

6:56My dear brothers and sisters, we are taught that our existence, our very purpose, is bound up in adhering to the sacred will of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. The Torah itself presents us with the foundational condition for bracha and true peace, for it is written in Parshat Bechukotai, that if you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and perform them, then all the blessings will flow. This, my dear brethren, is the unequivocal divine promise. It is the bedrock upon which our spiritual and physical well-being rests. To deviate from this path, G-d forbid, invites the very challenges and nisyonot we currently face, which can lead to such profound sinat Yisrael.