Mishpatim 5771 January 29, 2011

A Taste of Stories For The Soul Not Just In it For the Money By Rabbi Mordechai E. Fleisher have the wherewithal to repay what he It’s Never Too Late stole. No doubt that if we were to write a And how, indeed, does the Torah Once, a burly man who had served code of law for monetary matters, we deal with this thief? Hashem provides in the Russian army entered a Jewish would begin with the most common His children with a wonderful system inn and ordered a meal, which he ate in a most disgusting manner. occurrences, such as interest on loans, by which the money can be repaid and The Chofetz Chaim (1838-1933) the responsibility of the borrower, and the errant son truly rehabilitated. happened to be a guest at that inn. He other everyday events. The court finds a fine, upstanding saw the man and approached him. Yet in this week’s Parsha, which individual who is willing to purchase “Is it true that you served in the deals primarily with these types of the thief’s services for the next six years. Russian army?” he asked. matters, a strange thing is found. The The money this individual pays will go “Yes,” snorted the man. Torah begins with the tale of one who toward paying for the stolen goods. “Tell me,” began the Chofetz is unable to repay what he stole, and Meanwhile, the thief will live with Chaim, “how did you manage to is sold as a servant to obtain the funds his master for six years. The master keep your Jewish identity in those needed for the restitution of his theft. must treat his servant as no less than circumstances? And when you could Of all the things the Torah could have an equal, so much so that if there’s only have easily gone to any inn, you chose chosen, why start with such an unusual, one pillow, the servant gets it and the a Jewish one. You are an inspiration. tragically unfortunate, situation? master does without. The servant thus Where did you find the strength?” The Alter of Kelm, Rabbi Simcha feels important and appreciated, and he The soldier, clearly moved, replied, Zissel Ziv (1824-1898), explains that will learn from his master how to live a “It was so hard; they did everything to Hashem is not just giving us a list of proper, honest, Jewish life. At the close make us denounce and forget that we laws by which society can function. of the six years, the master is obligated were .” Rather, He is a Father instructing His to provide his servant with severance “It is a miracle that you made it beloved children how to properly lead pay. Thus, Hashem provides the one- through. Now you can begin to learn time thief with the means to begin their lives. the Torah and mitzvos that you were again on the right foot. And, as a Father, Hashem worries deprived of all these years,” said the about His children, especially the All in all, Hashem has taken care of Chofetz Chaim. wayward sons who need extra help. every detail to provide the thief with a “But Rebbi, how can I do that?” He is concerned about His child who golden opportunity to start life anew. Is the soldier, now sobbing, responded. has resorted to theft, and He wants to it any wonder, then, that the very first “It is still possible,” said the help him back onto the proper path. To matter discussed in the Parsha is that Chofetz Chaim. “It is always possible. that end, the very first thing Hashem of a thief who is sold to pay off what I can show you how.” teaches is how to deal with a thief who he stole? From that day on, the former has hit rock bottom, who doesn’t even soldier began a path to repentance and eventually became an observant Jew. Ask the Rabbi Parshas , and indeed Thou Shalt Not Read the entire Torah, teaches us many Michael from Pittsburgh wrote: ed.] against reading someone’s mail also detailed laws. Rebbi Akiva once said, apply to email? At work we all share one “Love your neighbor like yourself. Dear Rabbi, email account, and sometimes I find it This is the great rule of the Torah.” Does the “Cherem d’Rabbeinu difficult to overcome my curiosity. The Chofetz Chaim understood that Gershom” [“social excommunication” showing love and compassion was continued on back continued on back Kollel Happenings Interpersonal Issues Borrowing Without Permission Part VII ‘THE PECKING ORDER’ AT FEB. Based on what was said last week, one must be refolded and put back as they 2 TORAH FOR TYCOONS may borrow a tallis or tefillin without were found. On Shabbos, where folding asking permission. However, if it is in a tallis is problematic, some authorities Join Ed Barad, Shareholder, a closed private locker or cubby, or if say it should be folded but not on the Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, it is a brand-new tallis, there is room original folds. Others exempt refolding and Kollel Dean Rabbi Aron to believe that the owner would object altogether on Shabbos. Yehuda Schwab for “The Pecking to his borrowing his tallis and tefillin, Adapted with permission from “The Order: Prioritizing the Distribution and one should refrain from borrowing Halachos of Other People’s Money” by Rabbi of Our Time and Resources” at the next Torah for Tycoons, Wed., them without express permission. Pinchas Bodner (Feldheim Publishers) Feb. 2. The program will be held After using the tallis or tefillin, they at noon at the East Side Kosher Deli. CLE credits available. Cost: $20. To RSVP, call 303-820-2855 Ask the Rabbi or email [email protected] continued from front be asked, “Is an email message in a joint Dear Michael, account like a post card?” Concerning Rabbeinu Gershom was one of post cards there is a doubt whether or the earliest and greatest scholars of not Rabbeinu Gershom’s decree applies, Ashkenazic Jewry. In his times, there since the sender seems unconcerned if JOY IN RELATIONSHIPS SERIES arose a need to institute a number of others read it. new measures, called “takanos.” These TO BEGIN On the other hand, perhaps the included the banning of polygamy and sender trusts that no one will push the As part of our “Year of Joy” the the requirement of mutual consent in button and “open” the message - just as Kollel will be offering a four part divorce. when you send a letter you expect that series on “Joy in Relationships.” Amongst his enactments is the The first class, “Joy in Community” one you mentioned - the prohibition no one will open and read it. given by Rabbi Levi Lebovits will against reading people’s mail. In those I asked Rabbi Scheinberg about be on Mon., Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. times, Jewish traders in different this as well. Here, too, he made no at the home of Ken and Chaya countries communicated in writing. distinction between a joint account and Major. For information or to Often their letters contained sensitive a private account. People expect that no RSVP, pleasecontact Rabbi Moshe business information which could be one read their messages, and it should Heyman at 303-820-2855 or very harmful if read by an outsider. not be done. [email protected] As a safeguard against this, Rabbeinu I hope this knowledge helps you Gershom legislated against reading overcome your curiosity. If not, let me people’s mail. remind you of the positive commandment What about email? Is reading email to love your fellow person as yourself. on a computer screen included in the Our Sages explain this as follows: One STEINHARTERS TO CHAIR “Cherem of Rabbeinu Gershom”? I must not do to somebody else what he BENEFIT EVENT ON MARCH 15 posed this question to Rabbi shlita, and he made wouldn’t want the other person to do Rabbi Yissochor and Avigail no distinction between regular mail and to him. Would you like someone else to Steinharter will chair the Kollel’s email. read your personal email? Benefit Event on Wed., March 15, You wrote, however, that you share Reprinted with permission of Ohr at District 475. Honorees are Dr. a joint account. Here, the question can Somayach, , www.ohr.edu Marc and Dale Sievers. The theme of the event is “Joy: Awakening Stories for the Soul the Power Within.” To RSVP, continued from front mitzvos in the Torah. please call 303-820-2855 or visit the first step in helping a fellow Jew Adapted with permission from ShulWeek www.denverkollel.org eventually come to keep all of the by Rabbi Boruch Lederman The Torah Weekly is made possible through a generous grant from the Harry H. Beren Foundation of Lakewood, NJ, in memory of Harry H. Beren, z”l. Denver Community Kollel: 1516 Xavier Street, Denver, CO 80204 Tel: 303-820-2855 Fax: 303-820-2806 Email: [email protected] Web: www.denverkollel.org To receive Torah Weekly by email, send an email to [email protected]