DOCSLIB.ORG

How to Hakhel Choosing a Study Option

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
How to Hakhel Choosing a Study Option ב”ה INTRODUCT MONTHLY PACKAGE FOR: ADAR 1 (FEB. 2016) THIS MONTH'S THEME: I ON TORAH STUDY he Hakhel year comes once every seven, 3. Plan a menu. While food is not necessary, it’s following the sabbatical year of shemita. always a good idea to have some snacks ready Some 2,000 years ago, Hakhel meant that when you get a crowd together. But there’s the entire Jewish nation—men, women no need to go over the top. A simple pan of Tand children—gathered together in the Holy brownies with some milk, chips or veggies with Temple to listen to the Torah being read by the dip are fine. (See below for an easy, one-bowl king. This event offered an incomparable recharging brownie recipe and some additional snack and rebooting of spiritual energy. ideas.) These days, there isn’t any one specific time, 4. Print the Torah-study option that fits your place or style for the mitzvah of Hakhel. We don’t crowd best, and you’re ready to go! have a Jewish king or a Holy Temple, but we can still access the spiritual rejuvenation it offers by Choosing a study option: gathering together to study Torah and be inspired. Are you a group of friends getting together for a relaxed evening who want to learn something light How to Hakhel but thought-provoking? Our Light Reading option Any time that Jews gather and study Torah this is for you. It’s bite-sized, insightful and followed by year counts, so use your imagination! As long as discussion questions to help get the conversation there are two or more Jews studying Torah, you going. accomplish the goal! Looking for something with more scope and Some steps to help you get started: substance? Try the In Depth option for text-based study, followed by thought provoking discussion. 1. Decide on a location and a crowd. This can include your living room with some neighbors, Got kids in your crowd? There’s an optionFor the cafeteria with classmates or during lunch Families designed to capture the interests of break at work. diverse age groups, as well as a Story for all ages and stages. 2. Let your guests know they’re invited! No need for fancy or formal invites. You can call, text, Tweet, Facebook, use WhatsApp—whatever. A joint project of Merkos 302 and Chabad.org 1 Learn more at www.chabad.org/Hakhel ב”ה STUDY SHEET STUDY MONTHLY PACKAGE FOR: SHEVAT (FEB. 2016) THIS MONTH'S THEME: TORAH STUDY Since it was given at Sinai, Jews have studied Torah in groups. Much of the Oral Torah is a record of the discussions and debates of study partners. Studying together has kept the Torah alive over the course of our history. May we suggest that your study group take turns reading aloud from the text below, thereby joining the chain of study partners who have kept our connection to Torah strong throughout the centuries. The relationship between the Torah and the Jewish A better understanding of the nature of the Torah people is characterized in many different ways. itself will help facilitate a better understanding of the nature of our relationship with the Torah. The Talmud refers to the Torah as a gift from G-d to the Jewish people, stating that “G-d According to Chassidus, “the laws and ethics bequeathed three gifts to the Jewish people … of the Torah are the ultimate good and truth” the Torah, the land of Israel and the world to (Inyana Shel Toras HaChassidus 3). come” (Berachos 5a). This means that the Torah is not just a book of In Deuteronomy (33:4), the Torah is described as history, tradition and law. It is a book that transforms “an inheritance for the community of Jacob.” our very essence to something meaningful and holy. When a person studies the Torah and internalizes its At first glance, a gift and an inheritance seem similar messages, he or she identifies with a life of meaning in concept. However, they actually describe two very and connection to a higher purpose. different forms of acquisition. An inheritance does not necessarily belong to the person who receives The Tanya explains that the Torah does not it; an heir simply takes over the stewardship of only affect people who study it. “Through another person’s possessions or estate. A gift, on the fulfilling a mitzvah, one draws down the other hand, transfers ownership completely to the infinite Divine light into this physical world” recipient. (Likkutei Amarim ch. 7). DISCUSS: How are an inheritance and a This means that by using the world around us as a gift the same? How are they different? means to fulfill G-d’s will as expressed in the Torah, we can change the very essence of the world to one of holiness and meaning, creating a dwelling place for What, then, is our relationship to the Torah? Are we G-d in this world. heirs, with each generation taking over stewardship of an item that does not inherently belong to it, or are (According to the Medrash, the very purpose we recipients of a gift, with each one of us achieving of creation was that “The Holy One, blessed complete ownership? be He, desired to have a dwelling place for A joint project of Merkos 302 and Chabad.org 2 Learn more at www.chabad.org/Hakhel Himself in the lower realms” (Tanchuma, Nasso, Now that we have explained the nature of the Torah 16). as both transforming and limitless, we can understand the two different aspects of our relationship with it— DISCUSS: In what way is the Torah a both as an inheritance and as a gift. means to transform the world to holiness? The aspect of Torah that allows us to become holy and to transform the world into a holy place is called an Beyond being a means to transform ourselves and inheritance because, just like an inheritance is taken the world into something holy, the Torah is also an over by someone to whom it does not inherently expression of the infinite wisdom of G-d. belong, the Torah allows us to take over things that The Tanya explains that “The Holy One, do not belong to the realm of holiness—our corporeal blessed be He, has compressed His will and selves and the physical world—and incorporate them wisdom within the 613 commandments of the into the Divine. Torah, and in their laws, as well as within the But G-d also wants us to be connected to those parts combination of the letters of the Torah … ” of the Torah that are beyond the grasp of our minds. (Likkutei Amarim ch. 4). So G-d put His essence into the Torah and gifted that This means that no matter how deeply we plumb the essence to us. depths of the Torah, and no matter how broad our understanding of its components and details, there According to the Talmud, G-d has “inscribed will always be parts we cannot grasp with our very my very self into the Torah and given [it to the finite minds, because the infinite is always beyond the Jewish nation]” (Shabbos 105a). reach of the finite. The Tanya (Likkutei Amarim ch. 5) explains that “this unity [effected when studying Torah] is DISCUSS: What makes certain parts of wondrous, the likes of which does not exist in the Torah beyond the grasp of the human physicality—to become genuinely united from mind? every direction and angle.” DISCUssION POINTS Î An inheritance is a thing of value that is bequeathed by its owner to a future generation, but the item does not necessarily have the same value to the new owner as it had for the first. A gift, though, is given with the preferences of the receiver in mind. How can this be related to our heir vs. giftee relationship with the Torah? Î A person says that he is holding onto something even if he is touching only a small part of the item (i.e., he says that he is holding a book or bag while he is only grasping a part of the book’s cover or the handles of the bag). How is this analogous to the way we connect to G-d through studying Torah? Î Using an object for a mitzvah transforms the item into something holy. Studying Torah is a mitzvah. What does this mean with regard to a person’s capacity for thought and speech when he or she is involved in the mitzvah of Torah study? A joint project of Merkos 302 and Chabad.org 3 Learn more at www.chabad.org/Hakhel LIGHT READING ב”ה MONTHLY PACKAGE FOR: ADAR 1 (FEB. 2016) THIS MONTH'S THEME: TORAH STUDY he Zohar says, “G-d looked into the Torah How can it strengthen our connection to the and created the world, man looks into future of the Jewish people? the Torah and sustains the world” (Zohar II 161a). The Torah is called the blueprint Pirkei Avot says, “review it and review it, for Tfor creation. Today, we’d call it the world’s spiritual everything is contained within it” (Avot 5:22). source code. Every single part of creation — from Studying Torah provides us with G-dly guidance the seemingly insignificant to the most critical in every aspect of our lives and with the G-dly parts of the world, both physical and spiritual — is answers to all of life’s questions, from the most created from different combinations of the words mundane to the most complex philosophical and of the Torah.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 5780 Volume XXVII Number 49
    Nitzavim-Vayelech 5780 Volume XXVII Number 49 Toras Aish Thoughts From Across the Torah Spectrum themselves to the common good. Hence the Sefer RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS Torah -- our written constitution as a nation -- must be Covenant & Conversation renewed in the life of the individual (command 613) and he Talmud gives an ingenious reading to the line, of the nation (command 612). "Moses commanded us a Torah, as a heritage of This is how the Torah describes the mitzvah of Tthe congregation of Israel." Noting that there are Hakhel: "At the end of every seven years, in the year 613 commands, and that the numerical value of the for cancelling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, word Torah is 611, it says that in fact Moses gave us when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your 611 commands, while the other two -- "I am the Lord God at the place He will choose, you shall read this your God," and, "You shall have no other gods beside Torah before them in their hearing. Assemble the Me," (the first 2 of the 10 commandments) -- the people -- men, women and children, and the strangers Israelites received not from Moses but directly from in your towns -- so they can listen and learn to revere God Himself. (Makkot 23b-24a) the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of There is a different distinction the Sages might this Torah. Their children, who do not know, shall hear have made. Moses gave us 611 commands, and at the it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you very end, in Vayelech, he gave us two meta- live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." commands, commands about the commands.
    [Show full text]
  • A Hakhel Inspired Communal Vision Sukkot 5769 Rabbi Elie Weinstock
    A Hakhel Inspired Communal Vision Sukkot 5769 Rabbi Elie Weinstock Picture the scene: Millions of Jews – men and women, infants and their great-grandmothers, scholars and laypeople – assembled in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. A hush falls over the mammoth crowd, as the royally bedecked king of Israel ascends onto a platform and reads sections of the holy Torah. The nation is inspired and invigorated. A display of unity and a statement of purpose converge to revitalize and refocus the Jewish people. Though seemingly improbable, this scene repeated itself in ancient Jerusalem on a septennial basis. This is the 612th mitzvah in the Torah, the mitzvah of Hakhel. Biblically speaking, the mitzvah is only in effect when all the Jewish people reside in the Holy Land. The first observance took place 22 years after the Jews entered the Land Of Israel. Joshua read the required reading in Shiloh, and the observance continued for as long as the Jews remained in the land. In brief, the mitzvah featured the King of Israel reading selections from Sefer Devarim before the assembled masses in the Temple on the first day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot – or today, the second day of the festival – in the year following the shemitta, Sabbatical, year. The idea of reviving the mitzvah of Hakhel in modern times was first proposed around 100 years ago by Rabbi 1 Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim, known as the Aderet, who served as Rav of Jerusalem, was the father-in-law of Rav Kook and published two pamphlets on the issue. He lamented the fact that Hakhel was no longer practiced and went so far as to label it a “Meit Mitzvah,” using the Halakhic term to describe a body which needs to be buried.
    [Show full text]
  • VAYELECH Vol.31 No.2.Qxp Layout 1 14/08/2018 13:07 Page 1
    VAYELECH Vol.31 No.2.qxp_Layout 1 14/08/2018 13:07 Page 1 15 September 2018 6 Tishrei 5779 Shabbat ends London 8.03pm Jerusalem 7.22pm Volume 31 No. 2 Vayelech Artscroll p.1094 | Haftarah p.1204 Hertz p.887 | Haftarah p.891 Soncino p.1149 | Haftarah p.1155 Shabbat Shuva In loving memory of Susi and Freddie Bradfield Sara Gitel bat Mordechai Menachem l’’z and Yaacov ben Zvi l’’z “When all Israel comes to appear before the Lord, your God, in the place that He will choose, you shall read this Torah before all Israel, in their ears” (Devarim 31:11). 1 VAYELECH Vol.31 No.2.qxp_Layout 1 14/08/2018 13:07 Page 2 Sidrah Summary: Vayelech 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Devarim 31:1-3 against Him to other gods. God’s anger will flare Parashat Vayelech starts with Moshe telling the against Israel, and he will “hide His face” from people that he no longer has the right to lead them, as if He is unaware of their sufferings them, as he is not going into the Land with them (Rashi). God commands Moshe to write the (see Rashi). Rather, Yehoshua (Joshua) will lead Song of Ha’azinu, (next week’s sidrah), and teach them across the Jordan, as God had decreed. it to the people (Rashi). Question 2nd Aliya (Levi) – 31:4-6 : In what way did God appear to Moshe Moshe continues by assuring the nation that they and Yehoshua at the entrance to the Tent of will conquer their enemies in Cana’an, in the Meeting? (31:15) Answer on bottom of page 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Check out Our Chanukah Section, Pages 16-19. Published by the Jewish Community of Louisville, Inc
    NOVEMBER 20, 2015 Y 6 KISLEV 5776 Y Community 1 Check out our Chanukah Section, Pages 16-19. Published by the Jewish Community of Louisville, Inc. www.jewishlouisville.org INSIDE Stacy Gordon- Funk Named JCL Vice President of Philanthropy STORY, PG. 7 Communit■ ■ y FRIDAY VOL. 41, NO. 03 6 KISLEV 5776 NOVEMBER 20, 2015 JHFE Designates $200,000 Double Your Impact Challenge for 2016 Campaign by Shiela Steinman Wallace Editor he Jewish Community Cen- ter’s Senior Adult Lounge was packed with eager volunteers at T the 2016 Federation Campaign Kickoff on Sunday, November 1, when Campaign Chair Leon Wahba called David Kaplan forward to make an excit- ing announcement. The Jewish Heritage Fund for Excel- lence has renewed its generous $100,000 support of the Federation Campaign for 2016, Kaplan said. Because JHFE un- Celebration of JCC@125 Wraps Up with February Bash derstands the importance of growing Whether you have memories of grow- fitness class or come to the JCC for any horizon for the JCC tomorrow. the Annual Federation Campaign, this ing up at the JCC, attending camp, learn- reason, this party is for you. We are cel- “We’re looking forward to this being year, they have partnered with the Jew- ing to swim, going to Hebrew School ebrating all of the incredible people who an event for all members of the commu- ish Federation to do so. JHFE has des- or being part of a teen club where you have made our JCC what it is today and nity, whether you are currently a mem- ignated $200,000 for the JHFE Double made lifelong friends or you are new to we’ll take this opportunity to share with ber of the JCC or you are a past member Your Impact Challenge.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Longing for Zion
    Conceptual Conversations: On the Longing for Zion Written for the North American Coalition for Israel Engagement (NACIE) by Elisha Wolfin and the Oren-Shdemot Staff Oranim Academic College of Education Content Director Esti Moskovitz-Kalman Director of Education – Israel, North American Coalition for Israel Engagement (NACIE) Production Coordinator Adi Inbar Projects Manager - Israel, North American Coalition for Israel Engagement (NACIE) Editor Marlene Korenstein Consultants Dr. Ami Bouganim Director of Research and Development Unit, The Education Department, JAFI Adi Inbar Projects Manager - Israel, North American Coalition for Israel Engagement (NACIE) Varda Refaeli Director of the Israel Initiative, The Education Department, JAFI Shalom Orzach NACIE Consultant to Communities, The Education Department, JAFI Michael Fisher Director of Education – N.A., North American Coalition for Israel Engagement (NACIE) 1 טבת תשס"ה January 2005 Introduction of Hakhel At the end of every shmita period (the fallow year, which occurs every seven years), on the pilgrimage holiday of Sukkot, there is a mitzva to gather all the Jews in Israel and read aloud certain portions of the Torah. Together, these Torah portions represent the quintessential nature of Judaism. In times when there was a king, he was responsible for reading to the people, but in his absence, any leader of the people was obliged to do so. The underlying concept of Hakhel is the establishment of a fixed, cyclical time to re- engage with the true meaning of Judaism. In the same way, these units are designed to help North American Jewish adults re-engage with and explore the essential issues that underpin their relationship with Israel.
    [Show full text]
  • Chabad Chodesh Tishrei 5776– Shnas Hakhel
    בס“ד Tishrei 5776/2015 SPECIAL DAYS IN TISHREI Volume 26, Issue 7 Elul 29/September 13/Sunday Erev Rosh Hashanah Birthday of our Holy Master and Teacher, R. Menachem Mendel b. Sholom Shachne, third Lubavitcher Rebbe, "The Tzemach Tzedek," author of Tzemach Tzedek, 5549 (1789) in Liozna. On that day the Alter Rebbe said a Maamar, which became the first three chapters of Tanya. “..Everyone is surely utilizing this day to add in Tzedakah and good deeds connected with the day, the Tzemach Tzedek’s birthday, especially by learning his Torah and fulfilling his teach- ings.” (Erev Rosh Hashanah, 5750) Tishrei 1/September 14/Monday Shnas Hakhel Shnas Yartzeit of Sarah Imeinu, 2085. First Day Rosh Hashanah – Yosef was released from prison, 2236. Creation of Adam Harishon and Chavah. (Rosh Hashanah 10b) Birth of Kayin and Hevel. (B’reishis Rabah 22) Pharaoh freed the Jews from labor, 2448. (Rosh Hashanah 11a) Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, Leah and Chanah’s prayers for children were answered. Zerubavel brought the first offering on the (Yevamos 64b, Tanchuma Vayera) new altar in Yerushalayim, 3391 (370 BCE). (Nechemiah 8:2) Elisha ate at the house of the Shunamite Ezra read the Torah for the community re- woman and blessed her with children. turning from Bavel, inspiring Teshuvah, (Melachim II, 4:16, Zohar, Beshalach) 3414 (347 BCE). (Nechemiah 8:2) Akeidah of Yitzchak, 2085. TISHREI - LAWS & CUSTOMS TZCHOK CHABAD OF HANCOCK PARK Rosh Hashanah Page 5 Tzom Gedaliah Page 8 Hoshanah Rabba Page 16 Shabbos Shuva Page 9 Shemini Atzeret Page 16 Erev Yom Kippur Page 9 Simchat Torah Page 17 Yom Kippur Page 10 Shabbos Bereishis Page 18 Sukkos Page 11 Hakhel Page 19 Chol Hamoed Page 15 Calendar Page 21 and 22 Chabad Chodesh Tishrei 5776 CONGREGATION LEVI YI Yartzeit of R.
    [Show full text]
  • Someone Who Can Facilitate a Session of Talmud Learning Must Present This Course
    Pilgrimage to the Classroom by Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder Subject Area: Holidays, Jewish history & Culture, Torah/Talmud, and Values. Multi lesson plan Target age: Jewish Educators Objectives: This is a multi-lesson unit meant to teach educators about different modalities of education as discussed in the Talmud Chagigah. The lesson plan works on two distinct levels – the first is focused on teachers, the second on students. Teachers will enhance their vocabulary and skills pertaining to varying modalities in education, using ‘Pilgrimage to the Classroom’ as a model. Students will 1) benefit from the variety of modalities presented in the classroom 2) hopefully see the classroom as a holy place, replete with many dynamic angles for education and 3) come to appreciate the Talmud and other classical Jewish texts as relevant to modern problems. Subject matter: As mentioned, this is more a lesson plan for teachers than it is for students. While it may serve for the teacher to present the Pilgrimage model as a metaphor for the classroom, I have not included such a pursuit in this lesson plan. Someone who can facilitate a session of Talmud learning must present this course. At the beginning of the first session, the parallel between Pilgrimage and Education would be presented. The challenge – to turn our classroom into a pilgrimage, and to sue the Talmud’s ideas about educational moments 1 Pilgrimage to the Classroom by Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder within the pilgrimage, would also be expressed. In each of the five sessions, those gathered would study the short, relevant passage of Talmud. The questions listed here would be asked, and conversation encouraged.
    [Show full text]
  • The Family Shul Wishes You a Shabbat Shalom
    January 8, 2016 – Tevet 27, 5776 Flamingo e-Weekly 674 Erev Shabbat Mevarchim Shevat, Parshat Vayeirah Shabbat Candles should be lit by 4:39 pm Shabbat ends 5:46 pm The Family Shul Wishes You a Shabbat Shalom The Week-at-a-Glance: Our Daily Services, Classes and Events Schedule Shabbat Kodesh Erev Shabbat (Friday) January 8 Sunday, January 10 (Saturday) January 9 6:30 am Maamer Moment 7:00 am Tehillim Minyan 8:00 am Early Minyan 6:35 am Early Minyan 8:45 am Chassidic Reader Class – Torah Ohr 8:30 am Tanya Teachings 7:00 am Regular Minyan 9:15 am Main Shacharit Services 9:15 am Regular Minyan 8:50 am Yeshiva Minyan 9:30 am Parents ‘n Kids Youth Minyan 8:50 am Yeshiva Minyan 10:30 am All Youth Programs & Girls’ Cocoa Club (ages 12+) 12:30 pm Congregational Kiddush 4:49 pm Mincha, 1:30 pm Mevarchim Farbrengen 4:45 pm Mincha, Sefer Sefer HaMitzvot HaMitzvot and Hakhel Insights, 5:10 pm Ma’ariv then, Kabbalat 4:00 pm Mincha followed by Tehillim 119 for Eretz Yisrael Shabbat & Maariv 4:30 pm Moshe’s Mishna Hakhel for Kids! 4:35 pm Seudah Shlisheet: Refreshments for Body, Mind, & Soul 5:30 pm Ma’ariv - Living Torah with the Rebbe video follows Kiddush Honours: Mevarchim Farbrengen: Seudah Shlisheet: The Adler Family Anonymous The Friedman Family Women’s Mikvah: Women’s Mikvah: Women’s Mikvah: by appt. only 8:00 - 10:00 pm 8:00 - 10:00 pm Monday, January 11 Tuesday, January 12 Wednesday, January 13 Thursday, January 14 6:30 am Parsha Perspectives 6:30 am Parsha Perspectives 6:30 am Parsha 6:30 am Parsha Perspectives 6:30 am Early Minyan 6:40
    [Show full text]
  • Shnas Hakhel
    בס“ד Sivan 5776/2016 SPECIAL DAYS IN SIVAN Volume 27, Issue 3 Sivan 1/June 7/Tuesday Rosh Chodesh Sivan We don't say Tachnun the first twelve days of Sivan, because the first is Rosh Chodesh, followed by Yom HaMeyuchas, Sheloshes Yimei Hagbalah, Erev Shavuos, Isru Chag, and Sheva Yimei Tashlumin, the seven days allowed for bringing the Shavuos Korbanos. (Alter Rebbe's Sidur, Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch 494:20) " . Obviously the main preparation for Matan Torah is through studying Torah. Particularly, the laws of the holiday, including and especially, those parts of Torah that explain the greatness of Matan Torah, through which is added the desire to receive the Torah. Whether in Nigleh, for instance, the Sugya of Matan Torah in Shnas Hakhel Maseches Shabbos (86a) and Maamarim about Matan Torah in Chasidus. More specifically, from Rosh Chodesh on, to learn — the Maamar 'BaChodesh HaShelishi' in Torah Sivan 2/June 8/Wednesday Or, ParshasYisro. This Maamar is accessible Yom HaMeyuchas to everyone, men, women, and children, at their level. Moshe Rabeinu ascended Har Sinai (Shemos 19:3). HaShem told the Jewish As far as others, just as we need to make sure people, "You will be to me a treasure . a everyone has the physical needs of the kingdom of Kohanim and a holy nation", holiday, food and drink on a broad scale, so (Shemos 19:5-6), 2448 [1313 BCE]. we must make sure everyone has the spiritual needs for the holiday, especially the Yartzeit of R. Chaim Elazar Shapira of appropriate preparation for the Muncacz, Chasidic Rebbe and Halachic holiday." (Sichah, Shabbos Mevarchim authority, author of Minchas Elazar, 5697 Sivan, 5748) [1937].
    [Show full text]
  • Day-By-Day Halachic Guide
    Day-by-Day Halachic Guide Detailed instructions on the laws and customs for the Festival of Chanukah 5776 Year of Hakhel From the 21th of Kislev thru the 15th of Teves Including Hey Teves and Asarah B’Teves From the Badatz of Crown Heights לעילוי נשמת ר׳ יוסף בן צבי הירש ע״ה נפטר עשרה בטבת ת.נ.צ.ב.ה. ולעילוי נשמת ליבא חי׳ בת ר׳ דוד ע״ה, נפטרה ט״ו טבת, ת.נ.צ.ב.ה. We wish all toshavei haschechuna a freilechen Chanuka! DC Life & Health [email protected] לזכות הרה״ת שניאור זלמן וזוגתו מרת שמחה רבקה שיחיו וילדיהם: אסתר ברכה, איטא העניא, אברהם משה, חי׳ בתי׳ וחנה שיחיו h לזכות לוי יצחק בן רייזל לרפואה שלימה h לעילוי נשמת אליהו יוסף בן ציון הכהן ע״ה כהן נפטר י״ג כסלו תשע״ו ת.נ.צ.ב.ה. ע“י מאיר הכהן וזוגתו שרה שיחיו כהן If you would like sponsor this or future publications, or support our Rabbonim financially, youor at can www.crownheightsconnect.com do so by calling: (347) 465-7703 ( This website has been created by friends of the Badatz) By the Badatz of Crown Heights B”H 3 Day-by-Day Halachic Guide Detailed instructions on the laws and customs for the Festival of Chanukah 5776 Year of Hakhel From the 21th of Kislev thru the 15th of Teves Including Hey Teves and Asarah B’Teves The following points were distilled from a series of public shiurim that were delivered by Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights Day-by-Day Halachic Guide Chanukah 5776, Hakhel 4The basic laws and customs presented below are derived from multiple sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Nitzavim-Vayelech 5780
    בס"ד ניצבים-וילך תש״ף Nitzavim - Vayelech 5780 Scan (after Shabbat) to join “With thanks to Te Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation for their one of Rabbi generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation. Maurice was a visionary Sacks’ WhatsApp philanthropist. Vivienne was a woman of the deepest humility. Together, they were a unique partnership of dedication and grace, for whom living was giving.” How to Renew a Nation The Talmud gives an ingenious reading to the line, “Moses commanded us a Torah, as a heritage of the congregation of Israel.” Noting that there are 613 commands, and that the numerical value of the word Torah is 611, it says that in fact Moses gave us 611 commands, while the other two – “I am the Lord your God,” and, “You shall have no other gods beside Me,” (the first 2 of the 10 commandments) – the Israelites received not from Moses but directly from God Himself. There is a different distinction the Sages might have made. Moses gave us 611 commands, and at the very end, in Vayelech, he gave us two meta-commands, commands about the commands. They are Hakhel, the command to assemble the people once every seven years for a public reading of (key parts of) the Torah, and “Now write for yourselves this song” (Deut. 31:19), interpreted by tradition as the command to write, or take part in writing, our own Sefer Torah. These two commands are set apart from all the others. They were given after all the recapitulation of the Torah in the book of Devarim, the blessings and curses and the covenant renewal ceremony.
    [Show full text]
  • Why We Read from a Scroll (1) Deuteronomy 31 and Moses
    Why We Read from A Scroll (1) Deuteronomy 31 And Moses instructed them as follows: Every seventh year… on the festival of Sukkot when all Israel comes to appear before Adonai your God in the place that He will choose, you shall read this Teaching (“Torah” i.e. Deuteronomy or less) aloud in the presence of all Israel. Gather the people—men, women, children, and the strangers in your communities—that they may hear and so learn to revere the Adonai your God and to faithfully observe every word of this Teaching. Aaron Demsky: “This reading was not meant for priests, scribes or other initiated literati alone, as we would have expected in antiquity, but rather for the widest possible audience, without regard to status, gender or age. This fits with the public nature of the theophany [revelation] at Horeb [aka. Sinai], which forms the basis of God’s covenant with Israel… this passage [is] the earliest instantiation in the Ancient Near East of the innovative idea of setting a specific time for inclusive religious public education.” (2 Kings 22:8; m. Sotah 7:8 “Agrippa’s Hakhel”; Nehemiah 8) (2) Nehemiah 8 (5th Century) On the first day of the seventh month, the people came together in the open area in front of the Water Gate. Then they asked Ezra, who was a teacher of the Torah of Moses, to read to them from this Torah that Adonai had given his people. Ezra the priest came with the Torah and stood before the crowd of men, women, and the children who were old enough to understand.
    [Show full text]