I hope the ideas contained below, will provide you with some topics for discussion, at your Shabbos table.

On Erev Shabbos, of the Sedra of Chukas, in Paris in 1242; by the command of King Louis 1X (Known as Louis the Pious), cartloads upon cartloads, filled with manuscripts of Jewish sacred texts, including most of the copies of the Talmud available in France, were burnt in a public square.
In an age when all texts were written by hand, this was a catastrophe for the Jewish people. Many individuals used to fast on the anniversary of that day. What a contrast to the present day, when sacred texts are churned out in enormous numbers, are obtainable everywhere in every language, and are photocopied, E-mailed and available, to everyone. We certainly do not have the challenge of unavailability of texts for Jewish learning.
But we have other challenges. Hashem sends different challenges and different tests to every generation, and to an extent to every individual, to see whether they will rise to the new challenge.
In this week`s Sedra, Moshe Rabeinu made a copper snake to remind the people to pray to Hashem, to save them from the plague which had struck them. Many generations later King Chiskiyohu destroyed that copper snake, so that people would not serve it as an idol. The question is, why did earlier kings not destroy it for the same reason? The Talmud answers, there is always an opportunity left to each generation, to take new measures to safeguard Judaism. Presumably until the time of King Chiskiyohu, the tendency to use the copper snake as an idol was not so widespread. It was a danger which developed during his reign, and he rose to the occasion and dealt with the new problem.
We all need to be proactive in our Judaism, recognising new challenges, and acting appropriately to overcome them. It would be an interesting discussion point, to consider what are the greatest challenges, to Judaism, here and now. I personally think, it is the threat to morality and family life. But I would welcome all suggestions.

SOURCES; Magen Avrohom on Orach Chayim 580-9 & Talmud Chullin 7 .
QUESTION FOR THE WEEK;

We know that Moshe Rabeinu was punished for hitting the rock, and forbidden to enter the Land of Israel. But why did Aharon also receive that punishment, he did not hit the rock?

ANSWER;
The Malbim points out, Aharon was also commanded to speak to the rock-see Chap 20 Verse 8, and he failed to do so. Therefore he too received the punishment.

SOURCES; Malbim on Chumash.

If you have any comments, answers, or information, on any of the above, please E-mail me, or tell me.

My E-mail address is mail@rabbij.plus.com

Have a wonderful Shabbos

Jacob Rubinstein (Rabbi)