Earthquake: a lesson in humility

Yerushalmi (Berachot 9:2) teaches: Elijah [the Prophet] of blessed memory, Rabbi Nehorai said: "Why are there earthquakes?" He said, "because of the sins of [those who do not separate] tithes and offerings to pull their products."

One verse says: "God protects the land of Israel, are the eyes of the Lord your God, always on it (Deut. 11:12)." And a second verse says: "[God] Who looks at the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke (Psalms104:32). "

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

How can one reconcile these two verses? If Israel obeys God's will and then separates properly tenth, "The eyes of the Lord thy God am always out at the beginning of the end of the year (Deuteronomy 11:12)," and the country can not be damaged . But if Israel does not obey the will of God, and not really separate the tenth [of the production of the earth], then: "You watch the earth trembles" Elijah said to him: Rabbi Nehorai: "My son, your life, whatThey say [the earthquake] it makes sense. But this is the main reason that it is earthquake when the Holy One, blessed be He is looking at the theaters and circuses, a sit safe, quiet and peaceful [in Israel], and [looks down] on the ruins of the Temple Shakes to destroy the world [and the ground shakes]. In this context [of the verse says:], [Jeremiah 25:30] "The Lord roars from above, and total voice from his holy dwelling Ji". [This means that roars] tobecause [the destruction] of his temple. " Rabbi Acha said, "[The earth trembles] because of the sin of homosexual acts, God said." You have your genitals rap in a unnatural act. In your life, I will shake the earth because of [the Act] this person. " And the sages say: "[The earth trembles] due to litigation [Why, says:" It is the valley of my mountains closed the valley of the mountains shall touch the side;]. And you will flee as you fledby the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah "[Zech. 14:05]." [Uzziah challenged the authority of the priesthood and sought to enter the temple and offer incense, (II Chronicles 26:16 23). This dispute has led to an earthquake. Said Rabbi Shmuel, "An earthquake is a sign of the end of the monarchy, as they say." The land trembles and writhes in pain. "On what account?" Stand for the Lord's purposes against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation, withoutResidents. "[Jeremiah 51:29]." Elijah does not begin with the teaching, but with demand. He wants to know how people react to a tragedy. I do not think that the rabbis speak with authority, arguing that its share of the earthquake. They are easy to describe his reaction, what happened. I spend all this time writing about the great feast of Achashveirosh. I wonder what would happen if his party during the six months there was an earthquake and a tsunamithat's what happened today in Japan. The party, of course, would be over. Achashveirosh would have no future as king. It may have been a great warrior, but there was nothing he could do in the face of such tragedy. These things make us feel vulnerable. I think it's the sense of vulnerability that is the most important lesson. People, the authority to speak on behalf of God declares that some of the reasons for a tragedy to talk nonsenseVulnerability. They're not listening to the lesson of an earthquake. We are vulnerable. No matter how powerful, advanced and sophisticated, intelligent, modern as we are, we are so vulnerable to the same forces of nature that threatened our ancestors 2000 years ago. Earthquake: a lesson in humility