Thursday, April 7, 2016

Ta'avas Achila #3: Using The Spiritual For The Physical

Eisav said to Yaakov הלעיטני נא מן האדום האדום הזה - PLEASE pour down my throat that red stuff. The word נא is not an "Eisav word" but a "Kol Kol Yaakov" word [see Rashi on 27/22]. So why is Eisav suddenly talking Yaakov talk??

This is an example of using spiritual words in order to fulfill physical desires. That makes it even worse. It is similar to הרהורי עבירה - sinful thoughts, which is so severe because a person uses his mind, a spiritual mechanism, for something so crude, vulgar and filthy. Here too, he is using a holy Yaakov word "נא" to fulfill his physical desires. [ימין ה' רוממה עמ' מ"ג]

These "Pesach Programs" advertise, for example: 

360 spacious guest rooms and suites all with private balconies or terraces overlooking the resort’s tropical grounds, golf courses or pools
Two Raymond Floyd-redesigned 18-hole championship golf courses
25,000 square-foot Four-Star rated Wellness Spa with an extensive menu, 21 treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, saunas, Spa Boutique and a full-service Salon
State-of-the-art Fitness Center including new LifeFitness signature series strength and conditioning equipment, the latest Techno Gym cardiovascular machines, an indoor cycling studio with Schwinn bikes and two Tour de France bikes, an aerobics studio, stretching room 
Two outdoor heated swimming pools including the lagoon-style pool with a 180-foot long and 35-foot high waterslide and a 1,600-foot Lazy River and 18 private cabanas
Tennis Center with four clay hydro [??] courts and pro shop 
Complimentary resort shuttle to the neighboring Aventura Mall and Sunny Isles beach 
Turnberry Marina for charters and sea-cruises along with eight additional tennis courts
2.9 mile lighted jogging trail [for people who want to run away from their problems...]
Easy access to South Beach, Downtown, Miami attractions, Fort Lauderdale, and airports

They ALSO advertise: daf yomi shiur, scholar in residence program, daily minyanim etc.

Ahhh - look!!! We are spiritual too!!! You don't have to compromise your spiritual ideals if you vacation with us.

The reality is that it is all a means to convince people to corrupt their bodies and souls in an atmosphere that is almost totally antithetical to everything we believe in. It is using the spiritual for a crass, material purpose.