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Bereishis October 16, 2020 Parshas Bereishis October 16, 2020 A Taste of Torah Stories for the Soul Character Development by Rabbi Nesanel Kipper Guarding the Shabbos This week’s parsha takes us back to the the other parshios (sections of Torah) Reb Yaakov Yosef Herman (1880- very beginning of the creation of the in between the story of Creation and 1967), who built a successful world. The verses describe in detail the first mitzvah given to the Jewish business in New York City in how the world came to be: Beginning Nation? Why the need for the story of the early 1900’s, was legendary with absolute emptiness, and the early generation of humanity, the for his Torah observance, Torah culminating in our beautiful world, all Patriarchs and Twelve Tribes, and the knowledge, and kindness to others. with ten utterances from Hashem. Egyptian exile? Why doesn’t the Torah In his later years, Reb Yaakov Yosef immigrated to Eretz Yisrael. Due to The Torah presents a book of laws, a go straight from Parshas Bereishis to Parshas Bo? unforeseen delays, his ship arrived blueprint for how we should live our at the port in Israel late Friday. The lives. Through the 613 mitzvos written The Nesivos Shalom (Rabbi Sholom lift containing all of his family’s in the Torah, we learn how to conduct Noach Berezovsky, the Slonimer possessions was unloaded on the ourselves according to Torah law. Rebbe; 1911-2000) provides an answer dock. based upon the words of Rabbi Chaim Rashi (1:1), in the name of Rav Reb Yaakov Yosef was told that the Vital (1542-1620). Rav Chaim notes Yitzchok, asks a question. If the Torah lift had to be removed immediately. that there is a crucial element to Torah is primarily a book of laws, why does it He replied that he had to leave, and begin with Bereishis, which describes observance that is not included in the had no time to take his lift, because the entire process of the creation 613 mitzvos: middos, character traits. Shabbos was fast approaching. “If of the world? It would make more Why is such a fundamental part of you come back Saturday night, sense to begin the Torah in Parshas Torah observance left out? He explains nothing will be left. It will all be Bo in the Book of Shemos, when the that middos are a prerequisite for Torah. stolen,” said the officer. first mitzvah, that of Rosh Chodesh Without refinement of one’s middos, one cannot fully integrate the content “So be it!” said Reb Yaakov Yosef. (declaring the new month) was given “I will not violate Shabbos!” That of Torah and it will not accomplish to the Jewish People. entire Shabbos, R’ Yaakov Yosef what it was designed to do. Middos are Rashi explains that the story of gave not a thought to the fact that therefore not included within the 613 Creation provides the Jewish People he had probably lost all that he mitzvos, as they exist on a different with the ultimate rejoinder to the owned. He celebrated Shabbos nations of the world who accuse us of plane entirely. Proper refinement of with the same fervor and joy as he wrongfully claiming the land of Eretz middos must precede any discussion of usually did. Torah and mitzvos. Yisrael (the Land of Israel) as our own. On Motzoei Shabbos, Mr. Herman Should they challenge us saying, “You This approach still requires returned to the dock to see if any are not the original inhabitants of this explanation, though. While middos of his possessions were still left. As land,” the Jewish People will know and cannot be considered within the same he approached, a British soldier have the confidence to proclaim that system as the mitzvos themselves, how appeared, exclaiming that he had there were no “original inhabitants” could the Torah remain silent about expected Mr. Herman to arrive of this world, either. Hashem is the them? From where are we to take immediately after dark. He went on original Title Holder. He promised instruction and inspiration about to explain that after his departure our forefathers the land of Eretz Yisrael improving character traits if not from on Erev Shabbos, the commanding and He decides who should receive the Torah? officer, amazed at Mr. Herman’s the land. This question, says the Nesivos Shalom, devotion to keeping Shabbos, had The above response explains the is the answer to the importance of the ordered that the soldiers keep watch relevancy of the story of Creation. Torah’s narrative from Creation until over the Hermans’ possessions. However, why is there a need for all the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh; they are continued on back continued on back Kollel Happenings Halacha Riddles KOLLEL CLASSES CONTINUE New feature! Every week, an intriguing halachic question will be VIA ZOOM MEETING posed. The answer will be provided the following week. The Kollel is continuing many This week’s question: What should be on one’s table, even if not being used? of its classes and offering new classes via Zoom Meeting. You can tune in Lives of Our Torah Leaders to live classes online or call Rabbi Menashe ben Yisrael - Part XXV in on a phone. For a full schedule and the links and In 1657, Rabbi Menashe was given in the Netherlands as he was bringing phone numbers to access an annual state pension of £100 by the body of his son Samuel home for this treasure trove of Torah, the English government. However, he burial. Rabbi Menashe is buried at the visit www.denverkollel.org or died in November of 1657 before he Beth Haim cemetery in Ouderkerk email [email protected]. could make use of the funds. He died aan de Amstel in the Netherlands. BUILD YOUR LEGACY AND SECURE THE FUTURE OF A Taste of Torah TORAH WITH LIVE ON/LIFE continued from front & LEGACY included to teach us proper middos. Lust is represented in the story of the In fact, our Sages (Avodah Zara 25a) Generation of the Flood, when their The Kollel is one of 28 local refer to the Book of Bereishis as Sefer insatiable desire for physical pleasures organizations selected to Hayashar, the Book of the Straight, a caused them to be wiped out from the be part of Rose Community description of the developed middos of world. Foundation’s Live On/LIFE Avos (Patriarchs), the founders of the Honor is represented in the story of & LEGACY program, which Jewish Nation, which set the stage for the Generation of the Dispersion. focuses on creating financial the giving of Torah and mitzvos later. Their drive for honor and recognition stability for the future through In addition to gleaning lessons on led them to construct an edifice and planned giving. Think it’s not proper middos from our ancestors and attempt a rebellion against G-d Himself. for you? Think again! Anyone other righteous individuals, we also The Book of Bereishis shows us that can make a planned gift, no learn about bad middos and the dire with the correct refinement of middos, matter the amount. Visit consequences they produce. like our holy Avos, we can reach the www.denverkollel.org, email Our Sages tell us that there are three key greatest of heights in our observance of [email protected] or bad middos which will drive a person out Torah and mitzvos. On the other end of call 303-820-2855 for more of this world, kinah, ta’avah, and kavod, the spectrum, we see that if one allows information. jealousy, lust and honor. Each of them bad middos to reign, it can lead to the HELP BUILD THE FUTURE OF is represented in Bereishis. most devastating destruction. TORAH IN DENVER Jealousy is represented in the story May we all learn and internalize the of Kayin and Hevel. Kayin was so proper lessons from the Torah on how Claim your part in building consumed by jealousy when Hashem to conduct ourselves, as well as how the future of Torah in Denver! responded favorably to Hevel’s offering not to conduct ourselves, and reach The Kollel is in the midst of a that it drove him to kill his own brother. the greatest heights in our middos and capital campaign to build a observance of Torah and mitzvos. three-story, state-of-the-art Torah Center that will serve the entire Denver Jewish Storiescontinued from front for the Soul community. To contribute, or Not a thing was missing! Hashem rested from worldly matters, for dedication opportunities all Jews rest as well, recognizing that and details on the building, In this week’s parsha, the Torah ultimately Hashem is the One who visit denverkollel.org or email describes the very first Shabbos, following the six days of Creation. As runs the world, not we with our actions [email protected]. and efforts. To sponsor Torah Weekly, delivered weekly in print and via email to thousands of Jews worldwide, email [email protected] Denver Community Kollel 1395 Wolff Street, Denver, CO 80204 303-820-2855 [email protected] www.denverkollel.org To receive Torah Weekly by email, email to [email protected].
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