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כ"ב אב תשפ"א ISSUE 1430 JULY 31ST '21 פרשת עקב ארץ אשר... PARSHAT EIKEV עיני ה' אלקיך בה PIRKEI AVOT 4 מרשית השנה ועד אחרית שנה דברים י"א, פסוק י"ב
Flowers During Shemitah, Part 2 Rav Ezra Friedman Director, The Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education page 40
OU ISRAEL PARENTING COLUMN Weathering the Storm Michal Silverstein, MSC page 54
YERUSHALAYIM IN/OUT TIMES FOR SHABBAT PARSHAT EIKEV Candles 7:02PM • Earliest 6:15PM • Havdala 8:17PM • Rabbeinu Tam 8:54PM
OU ISRAEL 02-560-9100 | TorahTidbits.com | ADVERTISING 02- 560-9125 This week's Torah Tidbits cover image! Photo By: Howie Mischel Meaning: This photo was taken along the Tel Aviv waterfront two years ago, just before Yom Ha’atzmaut. We were on an in-city hike, with two of our granddaughters, that included the tayelet (boardwalk) stretching from the Port to Yafo. It was a stunningly beautiful day and this photo jumped out at me because it was an entirely blue and white palette--- the sky, the sea, the clouds, the boats and, of course, the colors of our cherished flag! Special thanks to the all those that sent in photos! There were so many wonderful shots to choose from!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dear Torah Tidbits Family Flowers During Shemitah, Part 2 04Rabbi Avi Berman 40Rav Ezra Friedman Aliya By Aliya Sedra Summary The Y- Files 06Rabbi Reuven Tradburks 44Weekly Comic for Kids To Lead is to Listen Halachic Dining Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l 12 46Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider Probing The Prophets 18Rabbi Nachman Winkler Changes in Tefilla for Those Visiting Israel? Rabbi Daniel Mann Enhancing our Avoda Shebalev 48 20Rabbi Shalom Rosner Are Eggs a Legal Entity? Beautiful Blessings 50Rabbi Gideon Weitzman 22Rebbetzin Shira Smiles OU Kosher Visits Torah VeHa’aretz Institute It’s All Here! 52Rabbi Moshe Bloom Rabbi Judah Mischel 24 OU Israel Parenting Column OU Israel 54 Michal Silverstein 32Schedule Shema Command Us to Speak Hebrew? The Beast in the Jungle Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher 34Rabbi Moshe Taragin 56 תקע בשופר גדול Simchat Shmuel 36Rabbi Sam Shor 58 Rebbetzin Zemira Ozarowski Is The “Second” Like the “First”? Torah 4 Teens By Teens 38Menachem Persoff 60Asher Manning // Ari Diamond
2 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 CANDLE LIGHTING OTHER AND HAVDALA TIMES Z'MANIM JERUSALEM
CANDLES EARLIEST EIKEV HAVDALA RE'EH Ranges 11 days Wed.- Shabbat Candles Earliest Havdala 6:15 Yerushalayim / Maale Adumim July 28 - Aug. 7 / 19-29 Av 7:02 8:17 6:56 6:06 8:10 7:19 6:13 Aza area (Netivot, S’derot, Et al) 8:18 7:13 6:09 8:12 Earliest Tallit and Tefillin 4:56 - 5:04 7:20 6:12 Beit Shemesh / RBS 8:17 7:14 6:07 8:11 Sunrise 5:53 - 5:59 Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:19 - 9:21 7:17 6:12 Gush Etzion 8:17 7:11 6:07 8:10 Magen Avraham 8:37 - 8:41 7:19 6:13 Raanana/ Tel Mond/ Herzliya/ K. Saba 8:19 7:13 6:09 8:12 Sof Zman Tefila 10:27 - 10:29 6:12 Modi’in / Chashmona’im 7:12 6:08 8:11 (According to the Gra and Baal HaTanya) 7:18 8:18 Chatzot (Halachic Noon) 12:45 - 12:44 6:14 Netanya 7:13 6:09 8:13 7:19 8:19 Mincha Gedola (Earliest Mincha) 1:20 - 1:18 7:17 6:12 Be’er Sheva 8:17 7:12 6:08 8:11 Plag Mincha 6:12 - 6:05 7:18 6:13 Rehovot 8:19 7:13 6:08 8:12 Sunset (Including Elevation) 7:43 - 7:35 7:02 6:13 Petach Tikva 8:19 6:56 6:08 8:12 Seymour J. Abrams • Orthodox 7:18 6:12 Ginot Shomron 8:18 7:12 6:08 8:11 Union Jerusalem World Cen- ter • Avrom Silver Jerusalem 7:10 6:14 Haifa / Zichron 8:20 7:04 6:09 8:13 College for Adults • Wolinetz 6:11 Gush Shiloh 7:11 6:07 8:10 Family Shul • Makom BaLev • 7:17 8:17 Birthright • Yachad • NCSY 6:14 Tel Aviv / Giv’at Shmuel 7:13 6:09 8:12 in Israel • JLIC in Israel • Pearl 7:19 8:19 & Harold M. Jacobs ZULA Out- 6:12 Giv’at Ze’ev 7:11 6:07 8:10 reach Center • The Jack Gindi Oraita Program • OU 7:17 8:17 Israel Kashrut 7:17 6:11 Chevron / Kiryat Arba 8:17 7:11 6:07 8:10 ZVI SAND, PRESIDENT, OU ISRAEL 7:19 6:14 Ashkelon 8:19 7:13 6:09 8:12 Yitzchak Fund, Former President, OU Israel Rabbi Emanuel Quint z”l, Senior Vice President | Prof. 7:18 6:13 Yad Binyamin 8:18 7:13 6:08 8:12 Meni Koslowsky, Vice President 7:13 6:12 Tzfat / Bik’at HaYarden 8:18 7:07 6:07 8:12 VAAD MEMBERS: Dr. Michael Elman | Stuart Hershkowitz | Moshe 7:17 6:11 Golan 8:17 7:11 6:06 8:11 Kempinski | Sandy Kestenbaum | Harvey Wolinetz Rabbeinu Tam (J'lem) - 8:54 PM • next week - 8:48pm RABBI AVI BERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OU ISRAEL David Katz, CFO, OU Israel | Chaim Pelzner, Director TImes According to MyZmanim (20 min. before sundown in most cities, of Programs, OU Israel | Rabbi Sam Shor, Director 40 min. in Yerushalyim and Petach Tikva, 30 min. in Tzfat/Haifa) of Programs, OU Israel Center Rabbi Sholom Gold, Dean, Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults 22 Keren HaYesod <> POB 37015 <> Jerusalem 91370 OU Kashrut NCSY Jewish Action JLIC NJCD / Yachad / Our Way OU West Coast phone: (02) 560 9100 | fax: (02) 566-0156 OU Press Synagogue/Community Services OU Advocacy OU Israel email: [email protected] MOISHE BANE, PRESIDENT OF THE ORTHODOX UNION Mitchel Aeder, Chairman website: www.ouisrael.org of the Board, Orthodox Union | Esther Williams, OU Israel Chair | Gary Torgow, Chair, Founders and initial benefactors of the OU Israel OU Kashrus Commission Center: George and Ilse Falk a"h RABBI MOSHE HAUER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Rabbi Joshua M. Joseph, Ed.D. Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer | Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Exec. V.P. Emeritus | Shlomo Schwartz, Chief Finan- cial Officer | Lenny Bessler, Chief Human Resources Officer | Rabbi Dave Felsenthal, Chief Innovation Officer Torah Tidbits and many of the OU KOSHER: Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO/Rabbinic Administrator OU Kosher | Rabbi Moshe Elefant, COO/ projects of OU Israel are assisted Executive Rabbinic Coordinator ISRAEL: Rabbi Yissachar Dov Krakowski, Rabbinic Administrator | Rabbi Ezra by grants from THE JERUSALEM Friedman, The Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education/Rabbinic Field Representative MUNICIPALITY Headquarters: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 212-563-4000 website: www.ou.org
OU Israel, Torah Tidbits does not endorse the political or Editor Emeritus: Phil Chernofsky halachic positions of its editor, columnists or advertisers, nor Editor: Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider | [email protected] guarantee the quality of advertised services or products. Nor Ita Rochel | 02-5609125 or [email protected] Advertising: do we endorse the kashrut of hotels, restaurants, caterers or Website: www.ou.org/torah/tt | www.torahtidbits.com food products that are advertised in TT (except, of course, those under OU-Israel hashgacha). Any "promises" made in Not getting enough TTs? Too many? None at all? ads are the sole responsibility of the advertisers and not that Contact our distribution 050-577-2111 • [email protected] of OU Israel, the OU Israel Center , Torah Tidbits.
OU ISRAEL CENTER 3 DEAR TORAH TIDBITS FAMILY RABBI AVI BERMAN Executive Director, OU Israel
Remember counting down that religious values, including davening to the last day of school as and Torah study, are done in school. a child? The final bell of the Like most things in life, the challenge of year brought a feeling of no school has advantages and disadvan- exhilaration, a well deserved tages. It is up to us to focus on the positive. break after a year of school and the struc- For those of us blessed with children and ture that came along with it. Summer has grandchildren, we can heed these ideas, a certain power. The power to rejuvenate, but if you don’t (yet) have children of your the power to explore, and the power to fol- own you can set an example bringing these low a slower pace. values to nieces and nephews or other chil- As a parent and educator, I am a firm dren in your lives. believer of taking advantage of the power Many professions and offices allow for of summer. It provides us with the opportu- more flexibility in the summer. Recently, nity to spend more time with our children two friends shared with me that they are and enable them to grow through new taking their teenagers to help them at their experiences. I have discussed the chal- places of employment this summer. What lenges of the summer with many people a wonderful way to bond with their chil- over the years, and it’s evident that many dren and set a strong personal example of parents are grappling with how to maxi- work ethic, respect for one’s colleagues, mize summer break. Often the challenge and passion for one’s career. If you are grows as our children become older, par- taking time off of work, your days will be ticularly teenagers. filled with opportunities to convey the posi- Throughout the year, children are in tive messages you want to inculcate in your school, and in many ways this structure children. is easier for both parents and children. In addition to maximizing this time Everyone knows what to expect - sched- together, the OU takes great pride in offer- ules, teachers, homework and exams, set ing top notch summer programs - Camp chugim, and limited free time. We know Dror, NCSY Summer, and Yachad. While the notion of long sleep-away camps so מזל טוב many of us are familiar with from abroad לטהר שלהבתיה has not really taken off yet in Israel, study בהגיעך לנועם עול המצוות, after study show that the impact summer ולהוריך גבריאל )מדריך מסור בזולה( ויעל קאליש! באהבה מסבתא וסבא, ג'ודי וג'יי קאליש camps have on participants is life changing.
4 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 Informal education in the laid back sum- exhibited a genuine love for Am Yisrael mer camp environment strengthens teen’s and Eretz Yisrael. Yasher Koach to Rabbi values and beliefs in a way that frontal edu- Micah Greenland (International Director, cation does not typically accomplish. NCSY), David Cutler (Director, NCSY Sum- mer), and your dedicated team of staff and This past week, I had the opportunity to volunteers. visit numerous OU summer camps. OU Israel’s Camp Dror celebrated 25 years of While Israeli culture has not yet made camp (26 years since we opened, but due summer camps available to the masses to Covid-19 we could not run camp last (most Israeli teens that have an overnight summer). The learning and midot tovot experience have 1-6 nights through their I saw the campers exhibit was incredi- youth groups), the OU has a goal to bring bly uplifting. I saw the teen’s learn about the summer camp experience to thousands Taamei HaMikra and Birkat HaLevana in of Israelis each summer. We are currently a fun atmosphere. They cleared up nicely limited since the facilities we use need the after lunch without being asked, and their space for other groups throughout the sum- pure joy was evident as they chanted the mer, but we have a dream to open our own camp cheer. None of this would be pos- OU Israel campus to enable us to impact sible without our dedicated camp staff countless more youth during the summer who work tirelessly throughout the year and throughout the year. If you are aware to provide these teens with the best sum- of anybody that shares this dream with us mer ever. Thank you to Chaim Pelzner (OU and is interested in donating towards this Israel Director of Programs), Cindy Weisel cause please be in touch/have them be in (Camp Director), Vered Ganan (Girls Head touch to discuss. Counselor), Tsofia Maoz (Girls Asst. Head Counselor), Meir Vonhotzker (Boys Head Counselor), Kobi Ziat (Boys Asst. Head Counselor), Liat Goldberger (Logistical Avi, Coordinator), and the entire camp staff for Executive Director, OU Israel all that you do. [email protected] I also spent time with Yachad Summer Nofesh (which ran parallel to Camp Dror May the learning in this issue on the same campus) and NCSY Summer. I be dedicated in loving memory of our dear mother לעילוי נשמת visited NCSY Michlelet on a day of chesed and in Beit Shemesh and NCSY Kollel both on Anna Beer a"h חנה טובא בת ר' יעקב הלוי ע"ה campus and at their incredibly inspiring Tisha B’Av Kumsitz at the Kotel. Seeing on her fifth yahrzeit כ' מנחם אב over 1,500 teens at Yom NCSY last week was inspiring, as always. These teens par- ticipated in a Hachnasat Sefer Torah and The Beer, Carroll and Maisel families
OU ISRAEL CENTER 5 dates. You will eat and be satisfied and KI TEITZEI bless G-d for all this bounty. EIKEV There is a lot of love in this parsha. His love for us translates into giving us the Land. Later, we will see our love for ALIYA-BY-ALIYA Him is translated into our loyalty to the SEDRA SUMMARY mitzvot.
Rabbi Reuven Besides the love, we are told to remem- Tradburks ber. Remember the manna. There was no Director of food in the desert. He fed you. Remember RCA Israel Region that. He provides your food. In the Land, it will look completely different to you. st 1 aliya (Devarim 7:12-8:10) The food grows on trees, wild wheat and On the heels of you keeping the barley. Who needs Him? Remember the mitzvot, G-d will keep His cove- manna and Who provides. nant with you. And love you. You will nd enjoy success: economic, health, military. 2 aliya (8:11-9:3) Be mindful Should you fear the nations in the Land, amidst all your success that you wondering how you will prevail over have not forgotten its Source. them, remember what G-d did in Egypt. Even after He has led you all these years, The signs, the wonders, the outstretched you are apt to say “all this success is my arm. He will do it to these nations too. doing”. Remember: He is the One Who When you enter the Land, remember the gives you this success, as an expression of manna in the desert. G-d relieved your the Brit he made with you. If you forget hunger through manna, to teach you that Him, He will vanquish you. As you van- bread comes from Him. Now when you quish nations in the Land, so too will it be enter the Land, it will be different: with you, on the heels of your ignoring streams and springs, wheat, barley, Him. Great nations await you; fortified grapes, figs, pomegranates, olive oil and cities, strong people. Know that He will champion your cause and they will be Keren Malki empowers overcome by you. families of children with special needs in Though the aliya adds on a few lines, Israel to choose home the symmetry of the “heels” is pretty. care. Donations are We began the parsha with “ekev”. On tax-approved in Israel, US and UK. the heels of your loyalty to the mitzvot, Honoring the memory of G-d will shower you with love. We end this section with the counter; you will be הי”ד Malka Chana Roth kerenmalki.org 1985-2001, killed in the vanquished on the heels of ignoring Him. 02-567-0602 Sbarro bombing. Beautiful poetic symmetry.
6 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 discussing how to continue to operate the 3rd aliya (9:4-29) Do not assume Zula when the teenagers aren’t always your displacing the nations is interestedIItt payspay sin tto ocompiling bbuyuy a ppropertywithrop ercoronaty due to your righteousness and guidelines, such as not properly wearing their folly. It is rather due to their failing iinn AAshkelonshke lon – hhere’sere’s wwhy:hy: their masks. Due to Corona, the Zula is and G-d’s covenant to you. Remember: REASON #7: ABSHKELON IS OOMING! operating outside its usual location on you have a long history of your own folly. Yaffo““Globes”G l Streetobes ” since rreportsepo werts cannot((JuneJune 114, 4 be, 22021) inside.021) At Horev: I ascended the mountain to get Thetthath coldat mmore ino rYerushalayime nnewew hhomesome wass wwere efrigid,re ssoldo andld the tablets, Divinely inscribed with all He my hands remained in my pockets while spoke at Sinai, for 40 days. But He ordered iinn AAshkelonshkelon tthanhan aanywherenywhere I shuffled my body to try and stay warm. me to descend for you had made an idol. eelselse iinn tthehe eentirentire ccountry.ountry. Yet, a few meters in front of me our Zula With the tablets in hand, I descended, And it’s no wonder – Anglo-populated Ashkelon shattering them upon seeing the golden counselorsoffers new, Kosherwere restaurants,strumming beautiful their beaches, guitars andand sitting dramatic calmly sunsets asthat they just can’t listened be beat. to the calf. I ascended again to plead for you. Just imagine the wonderful family memories you And there were other moments of folly. youthcan createunburden by hosting themselves. your kids and grandchildren They were seeingfor the theweekends potential in your veryin ownthese Holiday kids home and But I pleaded, appealing to the covenant, which is so close to both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv! that you are His people. watering them with acceptance and love because they know that they will be the Moshe has employed the word remem- futureLIVE blossoming OPPOSITE leaders THEof the SEAJewish ber 3 times in this parsha. When you are people. 0544-332621 36 DAY afraid of the strong nations, remember davidz@A shkelonProperties.com the wonders of Egypt that He wrought and will do again for you. When you DECLUTTER have fabulous success in the Land and CHALLENGE are tempted to push G-d out of your life, Avi Join the 36 day challenge for $1 a Executive Director, OU Israel remember that He provides as He did with day + 7 bonus days to get ready the manna in the desert. And now, when Save a Life - Gain yours for Pesach. Daily challenge email, you feel superior to the nations of folly, video, how tos, & support group. remember the golden calf, your terrible 1 of 78,424 Finally declutter moment of folly. Moshe is preoccupied EFRAT AND get organized!! with the machinations of the mind, our www.efrat.org.il 02-5454500 short memories, our self-delusions. JOIN TODAY! Remember our history, he says. Learn www.balaganbegone.com/36 from it. He champions our cause. He is Hotline option avaliable the source of our success. And don’t let it go to your head. You suffer foibles like all STARTS others. Bad mistakes. But, as we will see FEB 14, 2021
We remember the sacred lives רפואה שלמה of those murdered in the יהודה מאיר בן יקירה Chevron Massacres on AV 18 1929
OU ISRAEL CENTER 7 OU ISRAEL CENTER 5 in the next aliya, He does not give up on commitment to you that transcends your you. And that says more about His great- failings, as egregious as they may be. ness than it does about yours. After all, He transcended the golden calf.
4th aliya (10:1-11) G-d said to 5th aliya (10:12-11:9) Now, what me: chisel 2 stone tablets to really does G-d want of you? replace the first and make an Only this: fear Him, walk in His Aron for them. A second set as the first ways, love and serve Him and keep all He were made and put in the Aron. I commands of you. His is the universe, yet descended with the Aron. The Leviim he chose to love your forefathers. So cir- shall be G-d’s servants; they bore this cumcise your heart and quit stiffening Aron. I implored successfully for you not your neck. Fear, serve, cleave to Him. He to be destroyed. G-d said: go up and take is your G-d. As you yourself have seen: the Land I promised to your forefathers. you descended to Egypt with 70 souls, all the wonders He wrought, the defeat of This is the conclusion of the story of the Egypt’s might at the sea, the desert, the golden calf. Moshe is telling the people earth swallowing the rebellious ones in to remember this story to temper their the Korah rebellion. You have seen all feelings of superiority. Don’t feel supe- this; hence, keep the mitzvot to prolong rior; the golden calf was quite a failure. your stay on the Land. However, in this conclusion, he empha- sizes a different point. Reconciliation. As These 20 verses are very difficult to sum- if to say: you are not a perfect nation. You marize, as they are so stunningly beautiful. have failed and you will in the future too. This is Moshe with his hair down. It is But despair not. G-d’s commitment to like he leans a bit closer, elbows on the you is more powerful than your failures. table, and confides: listen, really, what And that is exactly Moshe’s point. Do not does G-d want? Now, one would think say that your supplanting the nations in maybe a one word, one phrase answer. the Land is due to your piety. For you Like: loyalty. Or walk humbly with Him. fail. But rather it is due to G-d’s powerful Or truth. Moshe’s answer is not what to do but the deepest aspirations. Moshe May the Torah learned answers: you know what G-d wants? He from this issue of Torah Tidbits wants emotion, aspiration, feelings, sen- and in loving memory of sitivity. He wants your deepest being to לע"נ be want Him, love Him, cleave to Him. Drop ליבע בת משה ע"ה the inhibitions, the distractions, the fluff ע"ה Lynne Grossman beloved wife, mother, grandmother of life and give your deepest self to Him. on her 14th yahrzeit What a phrase: circumcise your heart, quit stiffening your neck. Meaning, give .Me your true heart, don’t be stubborn י"ז מנחם אב The Grossman Family This aliya ranks up there with the most
8 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 but you could possibly do them. For when powerful of the Torah. For Moshe baits it comes to communications from G-d, you us with a simple question: after all, what are unique, irreplaceable, sui generis, one does G-d want? And in his answer, shares “It sounded too good of a kind. with us his deepest feelings, a most pro- to be true – a superb sea-view Thisfound exchange answer: Hepresents wants youa fundamental to want Him, apartment in Anglo-populated principlelove Him, of be thepreoccupied Torah: that with G-d Him. speaks Hold Ashkelon for only 15% down tonothing Moshe back.in a way that He does not, nor – is actually a reality.” will He in the future ever do again with 6th aliya (11:10-21) The Land of said another happy client anyone else.Israel When is notMoshe like says Egypt: that Egypt people is come to him seeking G-d, what he means fertile, with an abundance of Owning your own apartment does not just allow is:water. I have Israel access relies to G-d. on Hethe speaksrain from to me. the you freedom, but offers monetary savings, and (Speaking to G-d isn’t the trick; the trick is an increase in your investment value. heavens; hence G-d gazes upon the land Anglo-populated, sunny Ashkelon is the answer! when He answers ndback.) Similarly, when the entire year. (2 paragraph of Shema) It’s very affordable – from $500,000 with just a 15% Moshe says that he teaches G-d’s law, what downTrue payment, wholesaler mortgages from available the diamondas well as bank And if you will keep the Mitzvot and love guarantees.boursa with Rental over income 25 often years in experienceexcess of 3.5%. he means is that G-d communicates those G-d with all your heart, then there will be member diamond dealers club lawsrain. to himIf you and sway to no from one else. this and serve Engagement Rings Stud Earrings LIVE OPPOSITE∙ THE SEA Thisother could gods, very then well there be willthe primebe no rain,purpose nor Pendants ∙ Tennis Bracelets
will the crops grow. Be cognizant of this 050-573-90610544-332621 [email protected] of this Yitro story. For, in the very next davidz@A shkelonProperties.com story,all the the time, giving speaking of the of itTorah, with yourthe verychil- www.JeffMorDiamondJewelry.com samedren themeand in ofall Moshe’s you do. uniquenessAs this love asof G-dthe will prolong your success in the Land. one to whom G-d speaks is central. This is a new twist on the theme of loving 3rd aliya (18:24-27) Moshe heard. G-d. Not only will your military success He chose judges, with only the depend on your love of G-d. But the rain MarSea Modest Swim & Casualwear Marci Rapp most difficult cases brought to www.MarSeaModest.net (NIS) too. And you’ll need rain; not like Egypt. 050-424-8359 him. Moshe sent Yitro home. www.MarSeaModest.com ($USD) It’s almost like G-d is saying: I am bring- Iting takes you toan the honestpromised leader Land becauseto accept of suggestionsmy love for to you. improve. But, it Moshe is a Land displays that will his honestyrequire and you humilityto defeat –nations if the suggestion to occupy it.is good,And embracea Land that it. Just requires as Yitro My accepted showering the newsit with of therain. Exodus And theand successaffirmed of both One G-d,of THE BEST DESIGN, ENGINEERINGrtise MEMAND INSTALLATION IR OFE xAIRpe sothese, too, Moshe the military admits and he could the rain, improve require his CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. Price! system.you to loveTwo Me. men So, of in honesty a nutshell: and Ihumility. love you MAVENS & JUST ASK ANY OF OUR and I am bringing you to a Land where 4th aliya (19:1-6) The people THOUSANDSBeautifully designedOF HAPPY books CLIENTS. you will need to love Me. Including: 3 hours of interviews, edited texts, camped in the Sinai desert oppo- design & production, 76 pages with black & site7th aliyathe (11:22-25)mountain. IfMoshe you do theas- white photos and full color, soft covered cover 50 books – only NIS 9,950 plus VAT cended theMitzvot, mountain. love G-d toldand cleavehim: tell to [email protected] 02-628-8282 I TLV 03-720-8000 the people.him, If you then will you listen will to Me,prevail keep over My Benjie: 050-699-3226tzviair.com • Moshe: 050-565-6613
OU ISRAEL CENTER 97 the powerful nations of the Land. G-d will make them fear you and none will be able to stand up to you.
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10 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 STATS
46th of the 54 sedras; 3rd of 11 in D'varim 231.83 lines in a Torah; rank: 14th 10 Parshiyot; 6 open, 4 closed 111 p'sukim - rank: 26th (4th in D'varim) Same number as Vayikra, but larger 1747 words - rank: 16th (3rd in D'varim) Same num- ber as Ki Tavo; Ki Taavo has more p'sukim; Eikev has more letters 6865 letters - rank: 14th (3rd in D'varim) Turn Your Gold Eikev's p'sukim are long - 3rd longest in the Torah in words and letters per pasuk. This accounts for rise in ranking in those categories. into Cash!
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BY RABBI CHANOCH YERES A SHORT VORT Rav, Beit Knesset Beit Yisrael, Yemin Moshe
In this week's Parsha, we find the second paragraph of the Shema, "V'Haya Im Shamoah". (Chapter 11:13). The Pasuk continues "To love Hashem, your G-d, and to serve him with all of your heart and with all your soul."- Bechol levavcha u’vchol nafshecha". Why does the first paragraph of the Shema demand of one to love Hashem, not only, with "all your heart and with all your soul", but also "bechol meodecha"- which Rashi explains to mean with all your money? Why is this phrase of "with all your money" lacking in the second paragraph of "Vehaya?" The Maharsha (Berachot 35a)- Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Eidels (17th Century) explains the omission. In the Gemara it is explained that the case of the second paragraph of the Shema is referring to those who do not fulfill the will of Hashem while the first paragraph of Shema is referring to those who perform the mitzvot out of love towards Hashem and therefore the aspect of serving with all their material needs is part of their duty- the ideal service. However, the second parsha outlines the not so ideal service of Hashem, thereby lacking devoting one's monetary possessions to G-d. Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch (Ta'am Voda'at) further explains that there are two different forms of love. The first paragraph speaks about true devotion to G-d and not to worship other gods, which requires even sacrificing one's very life for, and for sure any monetary possessions. However, the second paragraph refers to serving G-d through the performance of Mitzvot. In this case, we are to love G-d with all our heart and all our soul but not more than a third of our wealth in performing a Mitzvah or a fifth to tzedakah as taught by our Rabbis. We see from this that all forms of serving G-d are encouraged in our prayers everyday whether ideal or less than ideal. Shabbat Shalom
OU ISRAEL CENTER 11 Thoughts on the Weekly Parsha from COVENANT & RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ZT"L Former Chief Rabbi of the CONVERSATION United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
לעילוי נשמת May the learning of these Divrei Torah be HaRav Ya'akov Zvi ben David Arieh zt"l
the same in both. But often it doesn’t. Lan- לעילוי נשמות guages are only partially translatable into פנחס בן יעקב אשר וגולדה בת ישראל דוד אייז ע״ה -one another.1 The key terms of one civili עזריאל בן אריה לייב ומעניה בת יצחק שרטר ע״ה sation are often not fully reproducible in Dedicated by another. The Greek word megalopsychos, Dr. Robert Sreter DDS., M.S. for example, Aristotle’s “great-souled man” who is great and knows he is, and carries himself with aristocratic pride, is untrans- To Lead is latable into a moral system like Judaism in which humility is a virtue. The English to Listen word “tact” has no precise equivalent in Hebrew. And so on. If only you would listen to these This is particularly so in the case of the laws …” (Deut. 7:12). These words Hebrew verb sh-m-a. Listen, for example, “with which our parsha begins con- to the various ways the opening words of tain a verb that is a fundamental motif of this week’s parsha have been translated the book of Devarim. The verb is sh-m-a. It into English: occurred in last week’s parsha in the most If you hearken to these precepts … famous line of the whole of Judaism, Shema If you completely obey these laws … Yisrael. It occurs later in this week’s par- If you pay attention to these laws … sha in the second paragraph of the Shema, If you heed these ordinances … “It shall be if you surely listen [shamoa Because ye hear these judgments … tishme’u]” (Deut. 11:13). In fact, this verb There is no single English word that appears no less than 92 times in Devarim means to hear, to listen, to heed, to pay as a whole. We often miss the significance of this 1 Robert Frost said: “Poetry is what gets word because of what I call the fallacy of lost in translation.” Cervantes compared translatability: the assumption that one translation to the other side of a tapestry. language is fully translatable into another. At best we see a rough outline of the pattern We hear a word translated from one lan- we know exists on the other side, but it lacks guage to another and assume that it means definition and is full of loose threads.
12 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 attention to, and to obey. Sh-m-a also means “to understand,” as in the story of the tower of Babel, when God says, “Come, let us go down and confuse their language e so they will not understand [yishme’u] each ce is lik a work r fa of other” (Gen. 11:7). u ar Yo t As I have argued elsewhere, one of the most striking facts about the Torah is that, although it contains 613 commands, it does not contain a word that means “to obey.” When such a word was needed in modern Hebrew, the verb le-tzayet was borrowed It deserves a beautiful frame from Aramaic. The verb used by the Torah Professional Optometrists in place of “to obey” is sh-m-a. This is of Eye exams/ Contact lens ttings the highest possible significance. It means Multifocal specialists -- your satisfaction guaranteed that blind obedience is not a virtue in Juda- ism. God wants us to understand the laws ARNONA/TALPIOT - He has commanded us. He wants us to Beit Hanatziv, Derech Hevron 101A RAMAT ESHKOL Shopping Center (Above Waffle Bar) reflect on why this law, not that. He wants us to listen, to reflect, to seek to understand, 7 to internalise and to respond. He wants us to become a listening people. Ancient Greece was a visual culture, a culture of art, architecture, theatre and spectacle. For the Greeks generally, and Plato specifically, knowing was a form of seeing. Judaism, as Freud pointed out in Moses and Monotheism,2 is a non-visual culture. We worship a God who cannot be seen; and making sacred images, icons, is absolutely forbidden. In Judaism we do not see God; we hear God. Knowing is a form of listening. Ironically, Freud himself, deeply ambivalent though he was about Judaism, invented the listening cure in psy- choanalysis: listening as therapy.3
2 Vintage, 1955 3 Anna O. (Bertha Pappenheim) famously described Freudian psychoanalysis as “the OU ISRAEL CENTER 13 It follows that in Judaism listening is a all these cases not by legal devices but by deeply spiritual act. To listen to God is to be the simple act of listening: deep listening, in open to God. That is what Moses is saying which we were able to convince both sides throughout Devarim: “If only you would lis- that we had heard their pain and their sense ten.” So it is with leadership – indeed with of injustice. This took many hours of total all forms of interpersonal relationship. concentration and a principled absence of Often the greatest gift we can give someone judgment and direction. Eventually our lis- is to listen to them. tening absorbed the acrimony and the two Viktor Frankl, who survived Auschwitz sides were able to resolve their differences and went on to create a new form of psy- together. Listening is intensely therapeutic. chotherapy based on “man’s search for Before I became Chief Rabbi, I was head meaning,” once told the story of a patient of our rabbinical training seminary, Jews’ of his who phoned him in the middle of College. There in the 1980s we ran one of the night to tell him, calmly, that she was the most advanced practical rabbinics about to commit suicide. He kept her on programmes ever devised. It included a the phone for two hours, giving her every three-year programme in counselling. The conceivable reason to live. Eventually she professionals we recruited to run the course said that she had changed her mind and told us that they had one precondition. We would not end her life. When he next saw had to agree to take all the participants away the woman he asked her which of his many to an enclosed location for two days. Only reasons had persuaded her to change her those who were willing to do this would be mind. “None,” she replied. “Why then did admitted to the course. We did not know in you decide not to commit suicide?” She advance what the counsellors were plan- replied that the fact that someone was pre- ning to do, but we soon discovered. They pared to listen to her for two hours in the planned to teach us the method pioneered middle of the night convinced her that life by Carl Rogers known as ‘non-directive’ was worth living after all.4 or ‘person-centred’ therapy. This involves As Chief Rabbi I was involved in active listening and reflective questioning, resolving a number of highly intracta- but no guidance on the part of the therapist. ble agunah cases, situations in which a As the nature of the method became husband was unwilling to give his wife clear, the Rabbis began to object. It seemed a get so that she could remarry. We resolved to oppose everything they stood for. To be a Rabbi is to teach, to direct, to tell peo- ple what to do. The tension between the talking cure,” but it is in fact a listening cure. counsellors and the Rabbis grew almost Only through the active listening of the ana- to the point of crisis, so much so that we lyst can there be the therapeutic or cathartic had to stop the course for an hour while talking of the patient. we sought some way of reconciling what 4 Anna Redsand, Viktor Frankl: A Life the counsellors were doing with what the Worth Living, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Torah seemed to be saying. That is when 2006, 113-14. 14 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 15 we began to reflect, for the first time as a Britain is known always to arrive on time group, on the spiritual dimension of listen- and depart on time. I will never forget ing, of Shema Yisrael. the occasion – her aides told me that they The deep truth behind person-centred had never witnessed it before – when the therapy is that listening is the key virtue of Queen stayed for two hours longer than her the religious life. That is what Moses was scheduled departure time. The day was 27 saying throughout Devarim. If we want January 2005, the occasion, the sixtieth God to listen to us, we have to be prepared anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. to listen to Him. And if we learn to listen The Queen had invited survivors to a recep- to Him, then we eventually learn to listen tion at St James’ Palace. Each had a story to to our fellow humans: the silent cry of the tell, and the Queen took the time to listen to lonely, the poor, the weak, the vulnerable, every one of them. One after another came the people in existential pain. up to me and said, “Sixty years ago I did not When God appeared to King Solomon in know whether tomorrow I would be alive, a dream and asked him what he would like and here I am talking to the Queen.” That to be given, Solomon replied: lev shome’a, act of listening was one of the most royal literally “a listening heart” to judge the acts of graciousness I have ever witnessed. people (1 Kings 3:9). The choice of words is Listening is a profound affirmation of the significant. Solomon’s wisdom lay, at least humanity of the other. in part, in his ability to listen, to hear the In the encounter at the Burning Bush, emotion behind the words, to sense what when God summoned Moses to be a leader, was being left unsaid as well as what was Moses replied, “I am not a man of words, said. It is common to find leaders who not yesterday, not the day before, not from speak, very rare to find leaders who listen. the first time You spoke to Your servant. I But listening often makes the difference. am slow of speech and tongue” (Ex. 4:10). Listening matters in a moral environ- Why would God choose a man who found ment as insistent on human dignity as it difficult to speak to lead the Jewish peo- Judaism. The very act of listening is a form ple? Perhaps because one who cannot speak of respect. To illustrate this, I would like to learns how to listen. A leader is one who share a story with you. The royal family in knows how to listen: to the unspoken cry of others and to the still, small voice of NACHI REALTY 054-461-3943 God. Abba Eban in Kiryat Haleom - 3.5 rooms, 100m, double parking, storage, Shabbat elevator. 2.99m nis Covenant and Conversation 5781 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charita- Mini Penthouse in Savyoni Arnona - 3.5 rooms, 84m + Sukka mirpeset, lobby, ble Foundation in memory of Maurice and double parking, storage, amazing views, Vivienne Wohl z”l.These weekly teach- Shabbat elevator. 2.44m nis ings from Rabbi Sacks zt"l are part of 2 & 3 room rental in the new building “Ramat the ‘Covenant & Conversation’ series on Baka” - Shabbat elevator, nice lobby & the weekly Torah reading. Read more on parking 4700nis for the 2 room and 5600nis www.rabbisacks.org. for the 3 room
16 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 Beresheet
View from the apartments of the Beresheet community. Today Is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life! You’re invited to discover Beresheet, a completely only a feast for the eyes and spirit; it is a walker’s brand-new concept in senior housing. paradise. The feeling is decidedly rural, although, in true Israeli style, Beresheet is just minutes away “Longer life expectancy and the desire to do from the bustling capital, with all that it has to offer. something meaningful after retirement have cre- ated a new generation of seniors who wish to The luxurious, high-end apartments, equipped make the most of the present, yet still want se- with “smart” technology, have high ceilings, curity for the future,” arches and picture win- said Beresheet found- dows that bring the er Avi Lichak. breathtaking view in- side. Spacious balconies “We believe in creating or gardens, take your a safe environment for pick. From the recessed, residents to enjoy an glare-proof lighting to unmatched quality of the fully accessorized life as they pursue the kitchen, it’s clear that the interests and hobbies founders have invested they love or that they al- thought into each and ways dreams of – all on every detail. Living room in the Beresheet community their own terms.” A shuttle bus will be available daily for trips to Lichak summarizes this revolutionary idea: “We town, although, in fact, Beresheet has everything welcome residents’ input. Rather than having to right on site — from a synagogue to a cultural accommodate themselves to an existing sched- center to activity rooms, as well as a fully equipped ule, Beresheet residents will have the freedom to spa including a half-Olympic-sized pool and fitness decide what they want to do and how and when room. Choice is the buzzword also when it comes they want to do it.” to Beresheet’s culinary options: In addition to the main chef’s restaurant, residents can enjoy varied The atmosphere at Beresheet encourages residents fare at the eateries and coffee shops in Beresheet’s to dare to explore their ambitions and dreams, to built-in mini-mall. discover hidden talents and form new friendships. With an array of trips and social and cultural events “We are very excited to expand our group of to choose from, and with the opportunity to cre- strong, high-quality Anglo seniors,” Avi Lichak ate new programs, everyone will be able to find said. “Join Beresheet at the founding stage and their niche, in the manner that suits them best. “We enjoy the best years of your life!” welcome residents’ ideas and will endeavor to give them expression,” said Lichak. For more information : Beresheet’s sprawling, 4.5-acre forested cam- +972 73-3815410 pus, surrounded by greenery and adjacent to an [email protected] archeological park and a nature reserve, is not www.beresheet-seniorliving.co.il/eng
OU ISRAEL CENTER 17 BY RABBI NACHMAN (NEIL) WINKLER
PROBING Faculty, OU Israel Centerl THE PROPHETS
Hal’ven me’ah shanah yivaled bore you.” Unquestionably, we are inspired v’im Sarah – havas tish’im shana by the deeds and the faith of our patriarchs “teiled?” (Breishit 15; 2). and matriarchs – but what connection is When Avraham was 70 years old, there to the theme of our haftarah? Hashem promised him that he would be The reading begins with Israel’s cry the progenitor of a great nation. When that Hashem had forgotten them and, Avraham was 100 years old, he was still indeed, had abandoned them. To this plaint childless when Hashem repeated His Yishayahu responds that G-d could never promise to Avraham adding that He will do so, just as a mother could never forget bless him with a son. It is at that time when her child, and, in fact, he continues by Avraham expressed his “disbelief” (Chazal describing to the nation the glorious future understand it as “amazement”) that a one that awaits them. He speaks of how G-d will hundred year-old man and a ninety year- lift them out of the Diaspora and will return old woman could merit a child. them to their Land and will increase their So what does this have to do with our number until their population will outgrow haftarah this week? the borders of Eretz Yisrael. Yishayahu I’m glad you asked. furthermore promises victory over their One verse before the closing of our oppressors and even foresees the time haftarah, the navi Yishayahu cries to the when foreign rulers would pay homage to suffering nation “Habitu el Avraham them. Avichem v’el Sarah t’cholelchem”, “Look to He continues his words of comfort Avraham your forefather and to Sarah who by reassuring the people that Hashem’s anger at them was precipitated by their sins and if they return to their G-d, to their ultimate Source, Hashem would return to 1st floor, Arab them, comfort them and bless them. The house, 4 rooms, (total about 160m), high standard very description of their misdeeds and of renovation, Sukkah porch, 2 full bathrooms + shortcomings were not meant as words of guest bathroom, central a/c, elevator, parking, small machsan, asking 2,550,000 dollars criticism alone but as words of comfort to 3 rooms, 65m, first floor, completely renovated, 3 air directions, beautiful balcony. Asking price: 2,750,000nis. Call Tami 050 5777712 Ita Rochel 02-560-9125
18 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 the nation, by emphasizing that there has not been – and could not be - any permanent Meir “abandonment” by G-d. Rather, Yishayahu 077-2050015 Golan 052-2678749 Meir Golan tells them that Hashem’s “estrangement” www.golan-realestate.net Old Katamon: 4-room apartment in a small and quiet street, 101 sqm, renovated, very bright and airy, master bedroom, Safe room from them was caused by their own sins (mamad),Baka: sukkah 4-room balcony, view, apartment:elevator, 3,400,000 NIS 90 sqm, balcony, and, therefore, His return to them would Oldelevator, Katamon: 4 -room3 air apartment, exposures, 90 sqm, well split,3,000,000 bright, airy, NIS sukkah balcony facing a magnificent panoramic view, 3 exp. Shabbat elevator,Old parking, Katamon: 3,290,000 NIS 4-room apartment, 95 sqm, depend only upon their desire to return to sukkah balcony, overwhelming panoramic view, Old Katamon: Spacious 3-room apartment in a very quiet street, 75 Him. The consolation found in the words sqm,Shabbat sukkah balcony facingelevator, a green and private pastoral view, parking, 3 exp. Shabbat 3,290,000 NIS elevator, private parking, storeroom, 2,690,000 NIS of Yishayahu was in his message that the Rechavia: 5-room apartment, 130 sqm, Sukkah balconies, 4 exposures, elevator, small & quiet repair of their relationship with the Divine building 4,950,000 NIS was eminently possible and the glorious Ramat Denya: Half two-family, 6 room, future promised by the navi would indeed 158 sqm+attic, garden, terrace, balconies, 2 covered parking, very bright, view, potential for take place – when they change their ways. significant expansion, 5,000,000 NIS So what does that have to do with Givat Mordechai: 3&4-room apartments, renovated, bright, elevator, parking, storage, Avraham and Sarah? 1,690,000/2,250,000 NIS The Radak proposes that this closing Rasko: 3-room apartment, 63 sqm, bright, message of our haftarah was meant as a 1st floor, elevator, 1,890,000 NIS Old Katamon, Baka, Rasko & Arnona: 2-6 room response to its opening cry. The people apartments & well-designed penthouses in new failed to believe the promises of the navi projects!! high specifications, wide balconies, view, parking, elevator, storage because they felt that they had completely broken away from G-d, as they said: of the remarkable predictions found in the “Hashem has abandoned me.” And, sefarim of our nevi’im, we are reminded because of that, they could not believe to turn to the brachot that precede the Hashem’s promise of a wonderful future haftarah that state “Asher bachar bnev’im that Yishayahu described. Simply put, they tovim v’ratza vdivreihem hane’marim had lost all hope in redemption. be’emet”, that the words of the prophets And so, the navi tells them “Habitu are true. el Avraham Avichem”, to look back to And, as we listen to those words, we Avraham, “v’el Sarah t’cholelchem”, and to should also remember Avraham and Sarah. They too found it difficult to accept Sarah. G-d’s promise of a son, a descendant, a great nation. And yet, we stand here today as a Rabbi Winkler's popular Jewish History lec- nation living on the same Land, speaking tures can be viewed by visiting the OU Israel the same language and following the same Video archive: https://www.ouisrael.org/ video-library mitzvot as we did thousands of years ago. So when we are tempted to doubt some GET FIT WHILE YOU SIT: Mazal Tov to Exercise for ladies Join us on Sunday’s 11:30 -12:15 Lenny & Phyllis Horwitz and family at the OU Israel Center on the birth of a great granddaughter Sura Faecher 0504153239
OU ISRAEL CENTER 19 RABBI SHALOM Rav Kehilla, Nofei HaShemesh Maggid Shiur, Daf Yomi, OU.org ROSNER Senior Ra"M, Kerem B'Yavneh
simple task. How are we able to improve Enhancing our kavanah (concentration) during daven- ing? We have all had those moments during our Avoda shemona esre where we lose track of where we are at, or when we started to pound our Shebalev heart Friday night during Maariv while reciting “selach lanu” to suddenly realize n this week’s parsha we encounter the we are reciting the weekday amida in error. second paragraph of Kriyas Shema Tefilla is a personal conversation with “ve’haya im shamoah”. Within this I our creator. Unfortunately, all too often section appears the followings phrase: we recite words by routine without the ְ ל ֽ אַ הֲ בָ ֞ה אֶ ת־ה' אֱלֹקיכֶם֙ ּ ו לְ עָ בְ ד֔ וֹ בְּ כָ ל ־ לְ בַ בְ כֶ ֖ם וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁכֶֽ ם: proper understanding or intention. Rabbi “to love Hashem, your God, and to serve Shimshon Pincus (Tifferes Shimshon) Him with all your heart and with all your offers advice to help us improve our tefilla soul.” (Devarim 11:13). We are commanded experience. The word kavana – stemming to “love” Hashem with all our heart and means to aim. When – לכוון from the work soul. Yet, if we look at the pasuk closely, we one shoots an arrow, he is unlikely to hit notice that love is not the only thing alluded his target unless he initially focuses, aims to – we are also required “l’avdo” to serve and directs the arrow towards the target. Him. Hazal interpret “l’avdo” as avoda she- This is true with respect to Tefilla as well. balev – essentially tefilla (Ta’anis 2a). The gemara in Berachos (30b) tells us that In other words, we are obligated to pray the early Chassidim used to sit and prepare with all our heart and soul! This is not a themselves for tefilla an hour prior to the
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20 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 services. This was necessary in order for them to get into the proper frame of mind prior to engaging in conversation with the Almighty. The least we can do is to arrive at minyan a few moments early so we are Chazanut Concert able to contemplate that we are about to For the Days converse with God. It will set the tone for of Mercy and Selichot a more meaningful davening. We need to "Zochrenu Le'Chayim" focus so we can “aim” our “kavana” in the proper direction. This also means that we need to detach ourselves from distractions, Jerusalem Cantors' Choir such as conversations with neighbors or Accompanied by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra glancing at our cell phones. Hosting guest chazanim:
I heard recently that a chasid once came to the Sanzer Rebbe, the Divrei Chaim, and asked him what he does to prepare for tefilla? The Rebbi answered that I daven that I should daven properly! We need to Yechezkel Klang Shai Abramson daven to daven, an amazing concept!
In addition, if we understood our prayers, Daniel Colthof we would recite them with more meaning. Imagine, if we tried to better understand Conducted by Paul Salter one word, or paragraph a day – after a year, Arrangements and orchestrations: we would have mastered over 300 words Raymond Goldstein Master of Ceremonies: or paragraphs. That would surely enhance Moshe Adorian our kavana while reciting those tefillos.We read Kriyas Shema twice daily asserting that we are to worship God with all our heart and soul. We are slightly more than Raymond Goldstein Paul Salter a month away from Rosh Hashana. Now is the time to invest in ways of enhancing our tefillah. We offered concrete sugges- tions above. Prepare for tefilla in advance, detach from distractions and try to better Wednesday 17 Elul 5781 (25th August 2021) at 19.00 comprehend the meaning of the words we Henry Crown Hall, Jerusalem Theatre, 5 Chopin Street recite. May our prayers be heard and as we To purchase tickets: On the Orchestra's website: Telephone: Or at the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra's שֶׁ ְּי ּ ַ מ ֵ ל א - :request during birchas Hachodesh www.jso.co.il 1-700-70-4000 box office May Hashem grant our ה' מִשְׁאֲלות לִבֵּנוּ לְטובָ ה hearts requests for our benefit! For those vaccinated and recovered from COVID
OU ISRAEL CENTER 21 REBBETZIN SHIRA SMILES Faculty, OU Israel Center
eat and are satisfied, you must therefore Beautiful bless Hashem”(Devarim 8;10). One must be mindful not to adopt the attitude of Eisav Blessings who “ate, drank, got up and left” (Bereisheet 25;34). e have two brachot deorayta, In truth, the experience of thanking two explicit commands from the Hashem after eating can be truly trans- written Torah to make a bless- W formative. The Chidushei Harim quotes ing, after one finishes a meal and before the Kotzker Rebbe who was amazed that learning Torah. The Torah commands us, people do not grow in yirat shamayim each “Veachalta vesavata uverachta et Hashem time they bentch. After all, according to the Elokecha (Devarim 8;10). This is the scriptural midrash Avraham Avinu brought people source for the blessing made after eating. closer to Hashem through encouraging The blessing before eating food, however, them to thank the One who provided them is learned by extrapolation; if one makes with food. Clearly, this realization of Hash- a blessing and thanks Hashem after enjoy- em’s beneficence should impact us anew ing food, certainly one should acknowledge each time we bentch. The obvious power Hashem beforehand as well. In contrast, the of birkat hamazon helps us understand the blessing before learning Torah is derived suggestion of the rishonim that one can from the scriptural verse “Ki shem Hashem fulfill the obligation to havedivrei Torah at ekra, havu godel leElokeinu,” (Devarim 32;3) a meal simply by reciting birkat hamazon. and the blessing after learning is deduced The Chidushei Harim further comments by extrapolation. What is the significance of that if one is going to realize Hashem’s this difference? Why in one instance is the greatness and grow closer to Him through scriptural source for the blessing made after birkat hamazon, there is truly no greater the mitzvah and the other before? expression of Torah. However, since most Rav Scheinerman in Ohel Moshe cites the of us tend to say the words in a perfunctory following idea. It is self-understood that manner, we need to elevate our meals with when a person is hungry, he will express words of Torah and inspiration. He adds appreciation and thank Hashem for the that not only should saying birkat hamazon food He provides. It is much easier to forget elevate us but the experience of eating itself the source of goodness once he is satisfied, should have this effect. Yeshayahu Hanavi hence the Torah’s directive “When you proclaims, “an ox knows its master, and a
22 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 donkey its owner’s manger” (Yeshayahu 1;3). If an animal can recognize its owner Eiferman Properties Ltd. through the provision of food, how much JERUSALEM SALES SHAAREI CHESED Townhouses prices from $3,250,000! more so should a human being be inspired RECHAVIA / SHAAREI CHESED 2 brdms. 76 sqm, 2nd by this awareness. oor, elevator, large succah balcony, renovate to your taste! RECHAVIA (Ben Maimon) Lovely renovated 2 bdrms., Rav Scheinerman in Ohel Moshe discusses low oor, surrounded by greenery! Perfectly located! the apparent disparity between the above TALBIEH Spacious 3 bedrooms, 105 sqm, 1st oor, Shabbat elevator, NIS 2,590,000!! situations. After one learns Torah and has OLD KATAMON 135 sqm duplex, private external experienced its sweetness it is obvious elevator, succah! that thanking Hashem would be natural. It GERMAN COLONY Existing building with permit to build 250 sqm on a huge lot! is only before one begins learning that he CITY CENTER 4 Bdrms, renovated, elevator, balconies needs prompting to say a brachah, since he HOLYLAND / RAMAT SHARET / BAYIT V'GAN Cottage 235 sqm, 9 rooms, large succah, view, parking ! is not yet familiar with the special quality HAR NOF * No steps! Spacious 3 bdrms., storage room, of Torah wisdom. permit to enlarge succah facing the view! * 127 sqm duplex, private entrance + garden! It behooves us to savor both our Torah building permits, lots of potential! Unique Villa - 330 sqm with options! view! learning and physical food as opportu- * KIRYAT MOSHE New 90 sqm duplex, 4 rooms including nities to connect with special closeness MB ensuite, succah, 4th oor, immediate to Hashem. Let us allow our blessings to www.eifermanrealty.com reflect this profound reality. 02-651-4030
OU ISRAEL CENTER 23 RABBI JUDAH Mashpiah, OU-NCSY MISCHEL Executive Director, Camp HASC
Kamenetzky’s visit however was more per- Dedicated L'Iluy Nishmas HaChaver sonal and familial in nature, and the two Shlomo Michael ben Meir z'l cousins chatted about the years Rav Wolbe spent in Sweden during and after the War, as well as the time spent learning in Yeshiva It’s All Here! in Montreux, Switzerland. Somewhere in the conversation, the magnificent beauty of av Mordechai Kamenetzky, shlit’a, the Swiss Alps came up. Rav Kamenetzky Rosh Yeshiva and Dean of Toras shared a comment he had heard in the RChaim South Shore is a beloved name of the Brisker Rav that when Moshi- talmid chacham, prolific author and -col ach arrives, the Swiss Alps will be uprooted umnist. A grandson of the venerable Reb and transplanted to Eretz Yisrael. Yaakov Kamenetzky, zt’l, he often shares Rav Wolbe was a man of equanimity and first hand experiences and personal inner calm. Upon hearing the comment, encounters with Gedolei Yisrael, many he drew himself up to his full height and of whom are family. Rav Kamenetzky shook with intensity. With fire in his eyes described one such memorable visit and a voice filled with emotion he declared with his cousin, the great mashgiach and “No! It can’t be! Der Brisker Rav hut das baal mussar, Rav Shlomo Wolbe, zt’l, in kain mohl nisht gezagt; the Brisker Rav Yerushalayim. could never have said that!” Educators, rabbanim and administra- “Reb Mordechai, listen carefully,” Rav tors flocked to Rav Wolbe for his sage Wolbe continued, “there are no mountains advice and guidance. As ‘mishpacha’, Rav
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24 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 as beautiful as the ones by Tz’fas. There are no lakes as beautiful as the Kineret. And there is no city that sparkles like Yerusha- layim! Moshiach does not need to bring A Kosher Bed & Breakfast anything here! It is all here!” tucked away in Old Rosh Pina
כִּ י הָאָרֶ ץ אֲשֶׁ ר אַתָּ ה בָא־שָׁמָּ ה לְרִשְׁתָּהּ לֹא כְאֶרֶ ץ מִצְרַיִם הִ וא.. אֶרֶ ץ אֲשֶׁ ר־ה' אֱלֹקיךָ דּ ֹרֵשׁ אֹתָהּ תָּמִ יד עֵינֵי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בָּהּ מֵרֵשִׁית הַשָּׁנָה וְעַד אַחֲרִ ית שָׁנָה׃
“For the Land that you are about to enter and possess is not like the Land of Egypt from which you have come… It is a Land which Hashem looks after, upon which Hashem always keeps His eye, from the year’s beginning to its end.” (Devarim, 11:10-12)
Torah assures us that Eretz Yisrael is under God’s direct and watchful protection, and as such, this Land merits a clearer and more present expression of hashgacha p’ratis, Divine providence. The power- ful imagery and promise of being a Land which Hashem ‘looks after’ follows another meaningful directive in our Parsha: FOR SALE
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 25 walk in His ways.” And this means to ‘imi- that you“ ,שתשמור מה שהשם שומר ,tate’ Him GLATT KOSHER APARTMENTS shall look after and guard what Hashem is Available for looking after and guarding”. The command ve-shamarta mishmarto, “keep His charge,” the Chagim encourages us to be aware of the needs of the poor, widows and orphans, just as Hashem watches out for those who may be 2-5 BEDROOMS on the periphery of society.
In other words, we are asked to be con- NEAR OLD CITY, CITY CENTER cerned with, and actively look after, that LOCATIONS with which Hashem is concerned. And this is a hint in the verse: “It is a Land which Hashem looks after, upon which Hashem always keeps His eye…”
We instinctually imitate Hashem’s concern for Eretz Yisrael because our connection to this Land is fundamental and inherent. Its holiness and pull is interlaced with our spiritual identity and DNA. There is noth- ing external about our kesher to the Land, from its holy history and topography to its politics and economic development. A spiritually healthy Jew appreciates and connects with Hashem’s Promised Land naturally -- simply because it is ours.
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26 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 answered immediately, “Well my good chap, that is like me asking you why you BY MENACHEM PERSOFF drove twenty miles to visit your mother last Special Projects Consultant, OU Israel Center [email protected] when there are so many other old ladies living on your street.”
Rav Yitzchak Hutner, Rosh Yeshivas Chaim Berlin and author of Pachad Yitzchok shared a memory of time spent with Rav Avraham Yitzchak haKohen Kook:
“I once took a walk with the Rav and another man amid the mountains of the Land of Israel. Rav Kook told how impressed he was by the landscape. The fellow replied, with surprise, “But you were in the Alps! What’s so special about these mountains?” Rav Kook replied, “The Alps didn’t speak to me… the mountains of Eretz Yisrael call me by name.” May we be blessed to hear the mountains “TzviAir is a pleasure to and streams, rivers and valleys of Eretz work with and did an Yisrael calling to us by name, and with our eyes to ‘look after what Hashem is looking amazing job!” after,’ and to see what the Ribbono Shel – Jamie Geller, Celebrity Chef Olam is seeing… from the year’s beginning to its end.
“Ten measures of beauty were bestowed upon the world; nine were received by Jerusalem, and one by the rest of the world.” (Kidushin, 49b)
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 27 OU ISRAEL CENTER 55 28 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 OU ISRAEL CENTER 29 30 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 OU ISRAEL CENTER 31 32 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 OU ISRAEL CENTER 33 RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN Ram, Yeshivat Har Eztion
fear of wild beasts? Geulas Yisrael Evidently, G-d desires that the Land of The Beast in the Israel be settled through human process and be subjected to the conventions of man. Jungle For humans to “own” the process of settling Israel, they must acquire the Land through n his closing speech, Moshe fore- work, toil, and labor. A ‘magic show’ of casts the inevitable conquest of miracles cannot create a permanent and the Land of Israel. Their upcoming I lasting national presence. The struggle military victories will be achieved through to carve out the frontier and fortify cities supernatural assistance, including an against the hazards of the wild is always a extraordinary “new” weapon - a terrifying seminal national experience which frames wasp dispatched by G-d to eliminate ene- that nation’s ethos. Without this formative mies of Jewish destiny. experience on mountains, swamplands and Yet, despite the miraculous nature of prairies, the Land of Israel will feel “super- their anticipated triumphs, Moshe warns naturally gifted” and more like a tenuous that the pace of settlement will unexpect- fantasy rather than an enduring kingdom. edly drag. He cautions that the entire Land Without a sense of personal and national of Israel won’t be rapidly settled, as this accomplishment, our commitment to the would invite the threat of “wild animals”. Land –especially during potential periods Too quick a conquest would expose the of crisis – would be fragile and fleeting. The frontier and its pioneers to attacks by wild deliberate pace of settling the Land allows a beasts. By capturing the Land in stages, deeper sense of identification with a Land the frontier can be tamed, and the settle- tamed through human spirit and national ments can be stabilized. Moshe’s concern effort. about the wild animals of the jungle seems Not surprisingly, we have encountered bizarre in light of the spectacular miracles a similar gradual “pace” in our modern in Egypt. Presumably, the same G-d who attempts to return to Israel. Though the dispatched “arov” beasts to ravage Egypt process feels supremely Divine, the pace was also capable of protecting the Jewish feels maddeningly human. We haven’t frontiersmen. If G-d is capable of unleash- secured universal international recogni- ing murder hornets, he can certainly curb tion, nor have we inspired the entire Jewish wild animals on the frontier. Why is the world to return. Yet, despite the frustrat- pace of settling Israel decelerated by the ing nature of this preliminary phase of
34 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 redemption, the struggle amplifies the survive without the classic cultural ele- “human element” of our historical part- ments of flag, land, coin and army? How nership with God. Wrestling with various does our success over the past two millen- forms of ‘beasts of the field” bonds us to nia impact our relationship with God and, our Land and enhances our level of iden- in particular, the tonality of our prayer? tification. As “empowered partners” we How can we expand the fabric of religious identify more deeply with the process than experience into the spheres of nationhood we might have, as passive beneficiaries of without diluting the inner core of ritual and a meteoric Divine revolution. religion? How to bridge between tradition There is an additional benefit to the and revolution? Without creating moral staggered process, beyond generating or historical parity between the Holocaust greater “ownership” of the redemptive and the State of Israel, how do we explain process. The gradual pace allows us to bet- the implausible juxtaposition of these two ter “acclimate” to this revolution of history. events in a three-year time span? Thousands of years ago, the gradual pace We have so many issues to process and of settling Israel allowed the young nation so many questions to face. Returning home to “process” the historical import of life isn’t merely geographical or political – it is in Israel, as well as the Divine demands “introspectional”- on both an individual incumbent upon them. These weighty and collective level. Without clarifying expectations aren’t immediately or eas- some of these questions, our bodies may ily comprehended, and a gradual entry inhabit the Land but our imaginations enables a more deliberate process of inter- and souls are still restless. Perhaps, our nalization. It isn’t merely the “darkness of generation, has been afforded an opportu- the jungle” which dictated a slower pace nity to acclimate to these great events and of settlement but also the “cloudy inner process the great odyssey of Jewish history. uncertainty” of a nation beckoned to glory, We too, have many “beasts of the field” to but requiring time to fully grasp their great tame- our actual enemies, as well as our mission. own “inner beasts”- the burning questions The staggered pace of our modern which still haunt our national conscience. return to the State of Israel has also allowed We still yearn for a lightning-fast overhaul our generation to process the meaning of of history and a rapid return to our lost this great historical shift. That original gen- glory. Without question, the power of such eration required time to ponder a 250-year an experience and the potency of Divine absence from Israel. We have returned revelation will turn hearts, settle our souls after a 2000-year absence journeying along and resolve any lingering questions. Until a chaotic road home. There are so many that moment, we value the time and the questions which require consideration and opportunity to distill our experience, pon- closure. Why did this prolonged Exile last der the revolution and hopefully achieve 2000 years? Why were Jews so persecuted clarity and closure. Take the time to ponder and discriminated against? How did we redemption. There is a lot to process!
OU ISRAEL CENTER 35 SIMCHAT SHMUEL BY RABBI SAM SHOR Program Director, OU Israel Center
ur Sedra opens with the words: mitzvot, and merit that in turn, Hakadosh Vhaya Eikev Tishmaun, eit Baruch Hu will bless us through his cove- Ohamishpatim haeleh, ushmar- nant of kindness. tem vaasitem otam, v’shamar Hashem There is a well known teaching the Elokecha lecha et HaBrit v’et HaCHesed Mishna in Masechet Makkot: asher nishba laAvotecha. Rebbe Chananya ben Akashya omer: And it shall be, if you will heed these stat- Ratza HaKadosh Baruch Hu lezakot et ues, and fulfill and do them, Hashem your Yisrael, Lefichach hirba Lahem Torah Umitz- G-d will fulfill the covenant and Kindness He vot...Rabbi Chananya Ben Akashya taught: promised to your ancestors. HaKadosh Baruch wishes to bestow merit The great Chasidic Master, Reb Mor- upon the Jewish People, therefore he gave dechai of Lekovitch, the holy Sabba of them so many mitzvot within the Torah.... Slonim zy’a, offered a very novel interpre- At face value, this teaching seems con- tation of this pasuk. The Rebbe points to a tradictory. If Hashem truly wants us to teaching from the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, succeed and to receive merit, why then are that the word V’Haya - literally, ‘and it shall there so many laws and statutes, which we be’, connotes simcha - joy, while the word are expected to fulfill? Seemingly having ekev - which literally means the heel, or bot- so many regulations might for many seem tom, connotes humility. intimidating, or as potential obstacles to Explains the Sabba Hakodesh, if one success. How are we to understand this personifies these two character traits, of teaching? serving Hashem with joy and humility, he The Rambam, in his commentary on will indeed merit to heed the words of the this mishna, brilliantly clarifies the mes- Torah HaKedosha, succeed in fulfilling the sage that Rebbe Chananya intended to convey. The Rambam explains, that since For rent in Rechavia Hashem has given us so many mitzvot, it is Newly renovated apartment – impossible for one to go through an entire City Center, Jerusalem Ground floor with a few steps, easily accessible, לאברהם מנשה - רב תודות על עזרתך near Great-Synagogue, 2 bedrooms, 1 en-suite הנדיבה, יוזמתך וחיוכך הרחב .separate family bathroom + Strictly kosher kitchen, large living area. Thank you to Avraham Menashe for Photos available upon request via email: [email protected] his many years of dedicated delivery or contact: +41 79 404 7982 of TT from Beersheva to Nahariya!!
36 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781 lifetime, and not have at least one mitzvah that they excel at and fulfill completely, and through that one mitzvah they give eternal CASPI St. – Garden apartment life to their soul. in a boutique building, 4 rooms The Rambam, in this important insight, (115m) private entrance, bright, parking teaches us to pivot in our definition and 3590000 NIS MICHAEL 052-3202488 relationship to mitzvot, to begin to see mitz- CASPI St. – pent-cottage, 5 rooms, vot not solely as obligations, but more so roof terrace, panoramic view of Temple Mount, as opportunities. Opportunities to demon- parking, storage room strate our fidelity toHashem and the Torah 5400000 NIS MICHAEL 052-3202488 HaKedosha, and simultaneously to feel ELAD BAYIT VEGAN PROJECT - Spacious Hashem’s covenantal commitment and 3 room apartment, fidelity to each one of us. renovated, 16th floor + Yehi Ratzon, may each of us indeed Shabbat elevator, open view succah balcony, merit to take to heart these two important store room, parking insights, to see each and every mitzvah as 2270000 NIS MENDEL 052-8980111 an opportunity to serve Hashem with joy REHAVIA/Wolfson building – 4.5 rooms, 1st and humility, and to merit to receive the floor + elevator, balcony, central heating, blessing of the promise of Divine Kindness A/C, calm, near City Center inherent in each and every moment. 3300000 NIS MENDEL 052-8980111
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 37 DIVREI MENACHEM BY MENACHEM PERSOFF Special Projects Consultant, OU Israel Center [email protected]
beyond love, per se: You must love, and you Is The “Second” must serve Hashem! Like the “First”? Says the Baal HaTanya, you cannot, de facto, force someone to love. However, you In this week’s Parsha, we come across can teach someone how to express love. “the second paragraph of the Shema.” In As a husband runs to please his wife and many ways, the text of this “second” para- dedicate his worldly possessions to her, so graph mimics the first, urging us, perhaps, should you serve Hashem. Your dedication to question the repetition of the commands and observance of Mitzvot are proof of the to teach the children and put on Tefillin. faith you expressed in God in the first para- What is the fundamental difference graph – and proof of your love. between the two paragraphs? Our rabbis Indeed, the second paragraph is pri- teach that the first paragraph of the Shema, marily about observance, a test of our love preceded by the affirmation of Hashem’s and obedience. And by giving of ourselves essential oneness or unity, is mainly about in the service of Hashem, we benefit from belief in Hashem, Emunah. His beneficence; He repays in kind. The Thus, the Tefillin encompasses the brain rains will come on time, and our suste- and heart, urging us to know and feel God’s nance will be assured. Presence. The Mezuzah confronts us when Indeed, it should be of no surprise that we move from our transcendent comfort although we can send rovers to explore the zone into the real world. planets, we never figured out how to make Moreover, you are to love Hashem with rains come at the appropriate times for suc- all your faculties, with your heart, your cessful harvests. soul, and your might, where “might” means Ultimately, it behooves each of us first material possessions. Notably, however, the to exert our personal belief in Hashem opening line of the second paragraph omits and, then, to learn, teach, and practice the this element – Mitzvot so that, in the collective merit, our “If you surely hearken to my command- days will be lengthened in the Land that ments that I command you today, to love Hashem swore to our forefathers. Hashem, your God, and to serve Him with Shabbat Shalom! all your heart and with all your soul….” Mazal Tov to What happened to “with all your might”? Rachel & Shmuel Stewart For the Baal HaTanya, the answer lies in the and family on the birth of a grandson question. For the above acclamation goes
38 TORAH TIDBITS 1430 / EIKEV 5781
Our crew has accumulated hours of footage of child soldiers -trained to fight and die on the front lines of aza. Now producing films to screen at erman Bundestag, Bri�sh Parliament, Swedish Parliament and US Congress.