So, let us consider a little of the man called
Yirmiyahu - or - Jeremiah
Yirmiyahu - or - Jeremiah
And no, this is not the bullfrog that we are talking about...
It is said that Jeremiah spoke prophetically - but not like some of the other prophets, in an enigmatic way. His was, at first a diffident and gently way but that disappeared as some of the events in his life unfolded. And it is usually recognized that he was the greatest of the prophets - Isaiah included!
His first ‘speech’ to the Nation was eloquent and addressed against the Nation’s fall from its tradition(s). A fall toward, again, idol worship but this time in involved bloodshed and was alluded to in the Haftorah of just a few weeks ago. It was from this first public proclamation that turned King Josiah toward the restoration of the ruined temple. This is the temple that the Nation had for years abandoned and let fall into ruin - we are not talking about the destruction of the temple which was yet to come. This was a time when even the high Priest had “lost” the Torah scroll as it had not been used or referred to in more than a generation! When the High Priest read the Torah it was a revelation to the country. A major revelation, having come about do to the pronouncements by Jeremiah.
The law-book found in the time of Josiah is not couched in cold harsh terms but was found to exhort, warn and entreat that this or that be done in the language of a loving father. There was a pleasant breeze that they found wafting from the pages of Deuteronomy. The laws (Mitzvot), statutes (Chukkim), and ordinances (Mishpatim) were surrounded in historical reminiscences and heartfelt admonitions in a sublime poetic language.
It is said that this book contains a hymn said to have been composed by Moses himself. In the hymn it is stated that the nation, in consequence to its prosperity, would turn away to false gods, and a depraved nation would be called to punish it. Then it would see that its chosen gods could not avail it, and that G-d alone, who had so wonderfully guided it, could kill and make alive, could wound and could heal, and that He would avenge it, and purify the stained land.
Terrible punishments are inscribed in this roll for disobeying the laws. The veil is torn from the future. Future disasters are shown which await the people if they continue their present course. All the plagues which could bring humanity to despair are described. On the one hand is sterility, starvation, drought and pestilence; humiliation, persecution, slavery and disgrace, physical and spiritual sufferings ending in madness and idiocy. Gruesome.
Let me suggest something here. I cannot see if it is from a strictly observant Jewish point of view in reading this; or from seeing an opportunity to investigate and discuss the possibility that Yirmiyahu was discussing the USA in the current century, or Israel... or the laxity of the general population of the world, or: none of the above. This question, I think concerns how you feel about HaShem’s activity in the human sphere. The question goes to asking if you believe that He intervenes and human life - as say: does he respond to prayer? Do you think that there are “cures” to various maladies that are beyond the realm of mere medical science? And, in fact, where does medical science obtain their cures from - and from what source provides the basic building blocks for this science?
There is the story of the scientist going to G-d and telling Him that He is not required any more. Science can now create man from dust too. G-d says, “Oh? Show me.” The scientist stoops down and begins to gather the dust of the earth together when G-d interrupts and says; “No. No. No. Go get your own dust first!”
His first ‘speech’ to the Nation was eloquent and addressed against the Nation’s fall from its tradition(s). A fall toward, again, idol worship but this time in involved bloodshed and was alluded to in the Haftorah of just a few weeks ago. It was from this first public proclamation that turned King Josiah toward the restoration of the ruined temple. This is the temple that the Nation had for years abandoned and let fall into ruin - we are not talking about the destruction of the temple which was yet to come. This was a time when even the high Priest had “lost” the Torah scroll as it had not been used or referred to in more than a generation! When the High Priest read the Torah it was a revelation to the country. A major revelation, having come about do to the pronouncements by Jeremiah.
The law-book found in the time of Josiah is not couched in cold harsh terms but was found to exhort, warn and entreat that this or that be done in the language of a loving father. There was a pleasant breeze that they found wafting from the pages of Deuteronomy. The laws (Mitzvot), statutes (Chukkim), and ordinances (Mishpatim) were surrounded in historical reminiscences and heartfelt admonitions in a sublime poetic language.
It is said that this book contains a hymn said to have been composed by Moses himself. In the hymn it is stated that the nation, in consequence to its prosperity, would turn away to false gods, and a depraved nation would be called to punish it. Then it would see that its chosen gods could not avail it, and that G-d alone, who had so wonderfully guided it, could kill and make alive, could wound and could heal, and that He would avenge it, and purify the stained land.
Terrible punishments are inscribed in this roll for disobeying the laws. The veil is torn from the future. Future disasters are shown which await the people if they continue their present course. All the plagues which could bring humanity to despair are described. On the one hand is sterility, starvation, drought and pestilence; humiliation, persecution, slavery and disgrace, physical and spiritual sufferings ending in madness and idiocy. Gruesome.
Let me suggest something here. I cannot see if it is from a strictly observant Jewish point of view in reading this; or from seeing an opportunity to investigate and discuss the possibility that Yirmiyahu was discussing the USA in the current century, or Israel... or the laxity of the general population of the world, or: none of the above. This question, I think concerns how you feel about HaShem’s activity in the human sphere. The question goes to asking if you believe that He intervenes and human life - as say: does he respond to prayer? Do you think that there are “cures” to various maladies that are beyond the realm of mere medical science? And, in fact, where does medical science obtain their cures from - and from what source provides the basic building blocks for this science?
There is the story of the scientist going to G-d and telling Him that He is not required any more. Science can now create man from dust too. G-d says, “Oh? Show me.” The scientist stoops down and begins to gather the dust of the earth together when G-d interrupts and says; “No. No. No. Go get your own dust first!”
Think about it, as a good friend of mine always says...
Shabbat Shalom
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