בס“ד

Parshat Vayyetze 9 Kislev, 5776/November 21, 2015 Vol. 7 Num. 11

This issue of Toronto Torah is dedicated by the families of Jim and Irwin Diamond in honour of their baby brother David’s 61st birthday

A Beacon in the Night Yisroel Meir Rosenzweig Many have depicted the as a model for the Yeshiva: a lighthouse. Its intensely into our lives – if we kindle it. form of Noach’s Ark. Just as the ark light is a beacon in the night, guiding This isn’t born from an external or rote protected those who dwelled within - ships safely into harbor. Even in the commitment. We must generate an Noach, his family, and the animals - so calmest of seas, the lighthouse shines. experience akin to Yaakov’s as he the Yeshiva protects those who are He declares that this is the role of dreamed of the ladder, to the Children inside its holy walls. In a world as learning Torah. The Torah stands of Israel’s as they stood at Mount Sinai. shaken by violence and hatred as the elevated as a guide throughout our one we find ourselves in, this model is lives. This is certainly no small task. How do powerfully tempting. As attractive a begin to feel awe when we open a Torah model as it may be, however, its This idea mirrors a midrash (Bereishit text, to feel as though we stand at the virtues fall short. Rabbah 68:12) analyzing Bereishit base of a mountain engulfed in flames? 28:12, “And he dreamed, and behold! A Perhaps we can start by taking a Moshe Taragin notes two critical ladder set up on the ground and its top moment and reflecting upon the way problems that arise when we view the reached to heaven; and behold, angels each of us approaches learning. We Yeshiva as an ark, sheltering us from of G-d were ascending and descending should ask ourselves: the outside world. upon it.” This midrash links the verse to  What type of commitment have I the description of Mount Sinai, a made? Is it strong or does it need First, we cut ourselves off completely mountain surrounded by raging flames bolstering? from society. Perforce, it denies us billowing to the heart of the heavens  When I act upon this commitment access to the goodness of the world above, with the Jewish people standing to learn, do I feel that I’ve gained a around us. While there is no denying at the base awaiting the giving of the guide in life? that the world faces serious troubles, it Torah.  Is there an emotional impact that I is nonetheless filled with stunning experience? beauty. As such, the walls of the ark In each of the episodes that this are double-edged swords; they protect midrash connects, those involved were The lighthouse awaits; it is up to each us, but they also isolate us, making it deeply, emotionally impacted by their of us to take advantage. difficult to function maximally. experiences. Yaakov’s reaction, when he recognizes just where he has dreamed, [email protected] Second, the Yeshiva-as-ark model is one of trepidation and reverence, threatens to make the Yeshiva “How awesome is this place!” Similarly, irrelevant. After the waters recede, the during the giving of the Torah, the ark comes to its final coming to rest Children of Israel were afraid and in atop Mt. Ararat, never to be mentioned awe of the entire revelation. again. Do we want the same to happen to the Yeshiva? Do we want the This observation lends an additional Yeshiva, our serious commitment and richness to Rabbi Taragin’s comparison emotional investment in the learning of of Torah study to a lighthouse. Through Torah which stands at the center of commitment to Torah learning we our lives, to be left behind when we acquire more than just a beacon. There move on to other pursuits? It goes is a fundamental emotional component almost without saying that we can’t to Torah study: the flame of Torah does accept that situation. not just enlighten, but it ignites an emotional fire that inspires us to follow Rabbi Taragin suggests an alternate its vision. The fire of Sinai shines

OUR BEIT MIDRASH ROSH BEIT MIDRASH RABBI MORDECHAI TORCZYNER

SGAN ROSH BEIT MIDRASH RABBI JONATHAN ZIRING

AVREICHIM RABBI DAVID ELY GRUNDLAND, YISROEL MEIR ROSENZWEIG

CHAVERIM DAR BARUCHIM, YEHUDA EKLOVE, URI FRISCHMAN, AVISHAI GASNER, SHMUEL GIBLON, MICHAEL IHILCHIK, RYAN JENAH, SHIMMY JESIN, CHEZKY MECKLER, ZACK MINCER, JOSH PHILLIP, JACOB POSLUNS, SHAI REEF, ARYEH ROSEN, SHLOMO SABOVICH, ARIEL SHIELDS, DAVID SUTTNER, DAVID TOBIS We are grateful to Continental Press 905-660-0311 Book Review: Steinsaltz Talmud, Noé Edition Rabbi David Ely Grundland

Talmud Bavli with Commentary  Introductions – Each masechet The Reference Guide Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael Steinsaltz (tractate) includes an introduction to One of the greatest assets of the Noé Edition, Koren the primary concepts and messages Steinsaltz Talmud, in this reviewer’s found within. There is also an opinion, is the reference guide. Itself a Why this book? introduction to every chapter within full volume, it is a one-stop for many The number of people learning, and a given masechta. talmudic study needs. It includes interested in learning Talmud seems to  Notes – Often the Talmud mentions background on the various be growing. Daf Yomi classes are a general halachic concept, with the communities in which the sages lived, available in communities worldwide and expectation that the student knows and a chronology of the Tannaim and the Internet hosts many resources to the concept. Rav Steinsaltz is Amoraim. It discusses the various assist with Talmud study. Furthermore, sensitive to the needs of the student commentaries found in a standard many different translations and study and includes a brief description of edition of Talmud, principles of guides work to make the difficult text of many halachic concepts. Aramaic grammar, Mishnah the Talmud more approachable.  Background – Some of the day-to- methodology, the nuances between In 1965, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz began day activities of the talmudic era are various keywords, and Talmudic translating the Talmud into modern substantially different from our terminology similarly describing key Hebrew, and included his own experience. To clarify matters, function words within the text. It summary notes and commentary within background information about includes a section on halachic the translation. His stated goal was to practices of agriculture, medicine, concepts, a collection of the “notes” make the Talmud more accessible to harvesting, etc. are explained to described above. The Beit HaMikdash every Jew, regardless of background. assist with comprehending the is described, as are weights and nature of a discussion. measures, and a list of abbreviations What sets this commentary apart?  Halachah – On every page of the found within the Talmud. Aside from reflecting the tremendous Talmud one can find the “Ein scholarship of the author, Rabbi Mishpat/Ner Mitzvah” which directs The Noé Edition Steinsaltz’s Talmud includes a number the readers to the rulings concerning All of the benefits of the Steinsaltz of features that make it stand apart the halachic issues raised in that Talmud are included, and are newly from other elucidations: page, referencing classic codes such translated into English. There are also  Punctuation – Rabbi Steinsaltz was as Rambam’s , the colour diagrams, giving even more the first to punctuate the Talmudic Tur and the Shulchan Aruch. Rabbi context and understanding, further text, making it far easier to read, Steinsaltz includes the full citations opening the Talmud for all who are especially for the lay learner. In the at the bottom of the page, allowing interested. New volumes are released Noé edition, Rashi’s commentary is following the Daf Yomi cycle. the student quick access to the also punctuated. practical applications of the Talmud. [email protected] 613 Mitzvot: #470, 471: Kosher Birds and Grasshoppers Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner

Most of the Torah’s laws regarding kosher and non-kosher which we have an ancestral tradition that they are kosher. creatures appear in Vayikra 11, but certain elements are Rabbi Moshe Isserles rules thus in Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh introduced in Devarim 14. The earlier section includes a Deah 82:3), adding, “This is our practice, and one should prohibition against eating non-kosher birds (Sefer not deviate from it.” This leads to some debate as to how the haChinuch, Mitzvah 157), and a list of those non-kosher turkey came to be accepted as a kosher bird; see http:// birds. The latter section adds two more laws: A mitzvah of www.kashrut.com/articles/turk_part5/. checking birds for their kashrut signs (Devarim 14:11, Mitzvah 470) and a prohibition against eating non-kosher Kosher Grasshoppers grasshoppers and flying insects (Devarim 14:19, Mitzvah A mishnah (Chullin 3:7) lists signs of kosher grasshoppers. 471). However, Rashi (Vayikra 11:21) writes, “There are many of these in our lands, among us… but we are not expert in Signs of Kosher Birds them, for four kosher signs have been stated for them: four The Torah does not enumerate the signs of kosher birds. Per legs, four wings, knee joints that are mentioned here, and Sefer haChinuch (157), this is because the Torah lists all of wings covering most of its body. All of the enumerated signs the non-kosher birds, and so no sign is necessary. However, of kashrut exist in the grasshoppers found among us, but a mishnah (Chullin 3:6) offers these signs: “Trampling birds some have long heads and some lack tails, and it is only are not kosher. Birds which have an extra digit, a crop, and a kosher if it is called chagav, and we do not know how to gizzard which can be peeled, is kosher. Rabbi Elazar, son of distinguish between them.” Rabbi Tzadok, said: Any bird which splits its digits is not kosher.” It is generally understood that the physical features Halachic authorities (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Ma’achalot listed in the mishnah are means of identifying which birds Asurot 1:21-22; Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 85:1) cite the trample their prey; these are not separate characteristics. signs of kosher grasshoppers, including the requirement that the species be known as a chagav. Therefore, halachic Authorities differ regarding the definition of “trampling”. authorities prohibit eating grasshoppers without an Rashi (Chullin 59a) writes, “lifting their prey from the ground ancestral tradition that this species is called chagav. when eating it”. On the other hand, Rabbeinu Tam (ibid. 61a) contends that it means, “trampling living creatures and Yemenite communities have kept a tradition identifying eating them while they are still alive.” Ramban (Vayikra kosher grasshoppers. There is some debate regarding 11:13) seems to offer a similar explanation. whether non-Yemenites may eat grasshoppers which Yemenites view as kosher; see Divrei Chachamim Yoreh Rashi (Chullin 62b) writes that we are not expert in Deah 11 for one view. identifying which birds trample, and so we only eat birds for [email protected]

2 Visit us at www.torontotorah.com Biography Torah and Translation

Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer Torah Study for Kings and Citizens

Rabbi Baruch Weintraub Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer Even Ha’Azel, Hilchot Melachim 3:5 Rabbi Isser Zalman was born in 1870 in Translated by Rabbi Baruch Weintraub Mir, which is now , to Rabbi ]רמב “ ם:[ המלך אסור לשתות דרך שכרות Baruch and Mirel Meltzer. At the age of Rambam:] The king is banned from] שנאמר ” אל למלכים שתו יין “, אלא יהיה ten he began to learn under Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman, author of Malbushei Yom drinking wine in a drunken way, as Mishlei 31:4 states, “It is not for kings to עוסק בתורה ובצרכי ישראל ביום ובלילה, שנאמר ” והיתה עמו וקרא בו כל ימי חייו. “ Tov. Four years later he left his home for the famous , headed by drink wine.” Rather, he should be engaged in Torah and public needs day וכן לא יהא שטוף בנשים. אפילו לא היתה לו the two of the greatest Lithuanian and night, as Devarim 17:17 says, “It אלא אחת, לא יהיה מצוי אצלה תמיד כשאר scholars of the generation: Rabbi Naftali should accompany him, and he should הטפשים, שנאמר ”אל תתן לנשים חילך. “ על Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (Netziv) and Rabbi ,read it all the days of his life.” Similarly הסרת לבו הקפידה תורה שנאמר ” ולא יסור Chaim Soloveichik. It is said that Rabbi he should not be always flooded with לבבו “ שלבו הוא לב כל קהל ישראל, לפיכך Chaim Soloveichik enjoyed speaking with ,[women. Even if he has only one [wife דבקו הכתוב בתורה יותר משאר העם שנאמר his very young disciple, commenting he should not be always with her like ”כל ימי חייו“. once that these talks stimulated his thinking. the rest of the fools, for Mishlei 31:3 says, “Do not give your strength to women.” The Torah emphasized removal While a student in Volozhin, Rabbi Isser Zalman joined other students in a secret of the heart, as Devarim 17:17 says, “ Zionist movement, named Nes Tziona. Lest his heart go astray”, for his heart is Later in his life, he would donate a large the heart of the whole Israelite nation. amount of money for Zionist purposes, Thus, the verse compels him to stick to taking part in buying land for future Torah more than the rest of the people, . saying “all the days of his life.”

Even Ha’Azel]: “He should be engaged] ]אבן האזל:[ ” אלא יהיה עסוק “ - יש לדקדק ,After completing seven years in Volozhin in Torah]” – We should analyze carefully] במה שכתב הרמב“ם דין מיוחד במלך שדבקו Rabbi Isser Zalman was engaged to Beila the fact that Rambam wrote a special הכתוב בתורה יותר משאר העם, שנאמר ” כל Hinda. He moved to Radin to continue law regarding the king, that he is the ימי חייו, “ ולכן חייב לעסוק בתורה יותר .learning under the Chofetz Chaim one whom the verse compels to stick to משאר העם. וקשה, דבהל ‘ ת “ ת פ “ א הל ‘ י ‘ Unfortunately, due to improper residential conditions in Radin he Torah more than the rest of the people. This is difficult, for in Hilchot Talmud כתב ” עד אימת חייב ללמוד תורה? עד יום became seriously sick. Beila Hinda’s Torah 1:10 Rambam wrote, “Up to when מותו, שנאמר ’ ופן יסורו מלבבך כל ימי family pressured her to cancel the should one learn Torah? Until the day of חייך‘”, ומבואר דזה דין בכל אדם מישראל! engagements, and Rabbi Meltzer himself agreed that she had no moral obligation his death, as Devarim 4:9 states, ‘Lest to keep them. Nonetheless, Beila Hinda you remove it from your heart, all the was determined to marry the young days of your life.’” It is demonstrated bright man, and the wedding took place from here that this law relates to every a year later, in 1892. Beila Hindah Jewish man! became a full companion to Rabbi Isser It seems that here we discuss the ונראה דכאן אנו דנין באיסור המלך לשתות ,Zalman life and dreams. Decades later prohibition for a king to drink even אף שרוצה להתענג בשתיה, וכן בהלכה ו ‘ when the 77-year old Rabbi had a leg .when he wants to indulge in drinking שרוצה להיות מצוי אצל אשתו, וזה אינו injury and was homebound in a besieged ,Similarly, in next recorded halachah אלא במלך, אבל הדיוט מותר לו להתענג אף , his wife provided his medical where the king wants to be with his wife שזה יגרום לבטול תורה בהכרח ע “ י care as he wrote his chiddushim (Torah frequently; these prohibitions relate only השיכרות או בעילות נשים, ולהדיוט אינו novellae). The introduction to his Even Ha’Azel commentary on Mishneh Torah to the king. A regular person is allowed to indulge, even though intoxication or אסור אלא לבטל תורה בלי כל סיבה. .thanks Beila Hinda at length relations with women must cause the Rabbi Isser Zalman served as a Rabbi loss of time for Torah study. A layman is and teacher of Talmud in the Slabodka only prohibited from losing time for Yeshiva, and later in the city of , Torah study for no reason at all for more than twenty years. Eventually, [contrary to the king, who is not allowed in 1925, after years of yearning, he to halt his studies for the purpose of fulfilled his desire and came to Eretz enjoyment]. Yisrael, settling down in Jerusalem. There, Rabbi Isser Zalman became the head of Yeshivat Etz HaChaim.

Rabbi Meltzer passed away on the tenth of Kislev, 5713.

[email protected]

Visit us at www.torontotorah.com 3 This Week in Israeli History: 10 Kislev 1977 Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Anwar Sadat Visits Israel

10 Kislev is Sunday Israel in pursuit of a peace accord.

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat took office in October Prime Minister Begin invited Sadat, but the visit almost fell 1970, after Gamel Abdel Nasser’s death. He purged the apart. On November 18, Israeli intelligence picked up Egyptian government and security apparatus of Nasser’s followers, troop movements on the eastern side of the Suez Canal. and charted his own executive path. Sadat became a Deputy PM Yigal Yadin wanted to call up military reserves, but military hero for his army’s successes during the 1973 Yom Begin rejected this, and the situation calmed. Kippur War, despite Egypt’s territorial losses. On November 19, 1977, Sadat became the first Arab leader to After the ceasefire, Israel and Egypt disengaged, but make an official visit to Israel. Yehuda Avner reports that remained at war. On September 4, 1977, Prime Minister because November 19 was , Menachem Begin insisted Menachem Begin informed a government meeting that that the flight not land until that night (10 Kislev). The plane Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu had passed along a was met by Israel’s full cabinet. Per Avner, former Prime message: Sadat was willing to begin negotiations for peace. Minister Golda Meir remarked to Yitzchak Rabin, “Now he Initial meetings between Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan and comes! Couldn’t he have come before the Yom Kippur War and Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Hassan Tohami were held save all those dead, his and ours?” For more of Yehuda in Morocco, in mid-September. On November 9, Sadat Avner’s report on Sadat’s arrival, see http://bit.ly/1HVDyfd. informed Egypt’s Parliament that he would be willing to visit [email protected] Weekly Highlights: Nov. 21 — Nov. 27 / 9 Kislev – 15 Kislev

Time Speaker Topic Location Special Notes

Nov. 20-21 שבת After Hashkamah Yisroel Meir Rosenzweig Midrash Rabbah Clanton Park

Before minchah R’ Jonathan Ziring Daf Yomi BAYT

After minchah R’ Mordechai Torczyner Gemara Avodah Zarah BAYT

6:30 PM R’ David Ely Grundland Parent-Child Learning Shaarei Shomayim

Sun. Nov. 22 8:45 AM R’ Josh Gutenberg Contemporary Halachah BAYT Not this week 8:45 AM R’ Jonathan Ziring Hosheia BAYT Hebrew 9:15 AM R’ Shalom Krell The Book of Shemuel Associated (North) Hebrew 10:00 AM R’ Aaron Greenberg Gemara Chullin Yeshivat Or Chaim For Chaverim Mon. Nov. 23

9:30 AM Mrs. Ora Ziring Women’s Beit Midrash Ulpanat Orot

7:30 PM Yisroel Meir Rosenzweig Allowing Others to Sin? Yeshivat Or Chaim Beit Midrash Night

R’ David Ely Grundland Daf Highlights 7:30 PM Shaarei Shomayim Beit Midrash Night R’ Mordechai Torczyner Not this week

Tue. Nov. 24

10:00 AM Mrs. Ora Ziring Women’s Beit Midrash Ulpanat Orot 1:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Job: Chapter 23 Shaarei Shomayim Wed. Nov. 25

Pursuit of Peace I: Register with 10:00 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Beth Emeth Peace in the Home [email protected]

Playing G-d I: Register with 11:15 AM R’ Jonathan Ziring Beth Emeth Choosing a Child’s Gender [email protected]

8:00 PM Yisroel Meir Rosenzweig Credit Card Usury Shaarei Tefillah Thu. Nov. 26 1:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Yehoshua 49 Michael Ct. Fri. Nov. 27 10:30 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Eruvin: Mechitzot Yeshivat Or Chaim Advanced