LIVING WITH THE PARSHAH 5779 PARSHAS VAYEIRA By HARAV YAAKOV FEITMAN, KEHILLAS BAIS YEHUDAH TZVI We will continue our series of the past few weeks of learning practical lessons from the world of the Avos and Imahos. We will begin at the end of the Parshah for two reasons. The Akeidah is one of the most important events in Jewish history, so it deserves priority. On the other hand, it seems so far beyond our comprehension that we often cannot relate to it at all. However, the Sefas Emes (to Bereishis 22:6) gives us an astounding example of its practicality for every one of us. The Torah uses a somewhat strange word to refer to Chazal teach that this refers . מאכלת – the knife Avrohom was going to use to shecht Yitzchok – the maacheles to the fact that Klal Yisrael is still eating the zechusim – the merits – of this extraordinary event. The Sefas Emes adds these extraordinary words: Every single person should consider that his actions have an effect on his generations and all future generations to come. Full disclosure: I must admit that when learned this Chazal I thought that this concept refers only to the giants of the Torah such as Avrohom Avinu. In fact, I thought that was what Rav Dessler meant when he teaches that Avrohom and Yitzchok’s mesiras nefesh at the Akeidah entered the DNA of every Jew, allowing even seemingly simple souls to become amazing heroes. However, with these flaming words of the Sefas Emes, we must realize that we, too, can be those heroes and heroines. Now let us return to the beginning of the Parshah for a practical lesson from Avrohom Avinu. When the three visitors come to the door of the tent, Avrohom Avinu gently asks them to wash their feet. We have learned since childhood from Rashi that he did so because these people worshipped the dust of their feet and Avrohom Avinu did not want avodah zarah – idols – in his house. Rav Yechezkel of Shinav, the Divrei Yechezkel is astounded. “Were there people even in those days foolish enough to worship such silliness?” His answer is that these people were businessmen, travelling salesman. They thought that their business acumen and success came from their feet, meaning their travels, deals, sales-pitch etc. Avrohom Avinu wanted to teach them that this is avodah zarah – idolatry. Therefore, Avrohom Avinu urged them: wash the dust of your feet. Get rid of the mistaken notion that it is you who have achieved your success. No, there is a higher power that either grants you prosperity or takes it away. When he told them to lean against the tree, he was subtly training them to see that they were in fact relying upon this Greater Power and should give up the mistaken arrogant notion that man is totally in charge of his own destiny. We may add that this explains the words of the Medrash here that this moment was the source of the Yom Tov of Succos. Now, we understand how Yaakov Avuinu building Succos is a source for this Yom Tov which has just passed. But what does Avrohom Avinu saying vehisha’anu tachas ha’etz have to with Succos? However, the Sefas Emes has given us the answer. When we leave our secure homes and dwell under a fragile roof, looking up at the stars and realizing how we are always under Hashem’s loving care, that is Avrohom’s lesson and that is the Yom Tov of Succos. Indeed, the Zohar here teaches that this tree had the magic property of judging all who sat under it. For good people, it lowered its braches to offer shade. For the wicked, it pulled up its shady leaves. This is also the lesson of Avrohom’s tree, the need to think about who we are and who we want to be, to grow like Avrohom Avinu or stagnate like Lot and Paroh later in the Parshah. A GUTTEN SHABBOS HALACHA OF THE WEEK 5779 PARSHAS VAYEIRA BY HARAV YAAKOV FEITMAN KEHILLAS BAIS YEHUDAH TZVI After many such requests we will review some of the prevalent shaalos about bishul akum – food cooked by a gentile in or out of a Jewish home: Please note that this is a complicated area of Halachah and this is only a synopsis of the major opinions. More about this Halacha will soon follow iyH: Question: Is food cooked by a gentile housekeeper in a Jewish home subject to this prohibition? Answer: Although a number of Poskim (Rema, following Raavad quoted in Tosfos) are lenient, the overwhelming majority of Poskim, led by Rashi, Rabbeinu Tam, Rambam and the author of the Shulchan Aruch are strict. The universally held leniency (Kulah), however, is that if a Jew lit the fire, even the Shulchan Aruch who generally does not accept this Kulah, does accept it in the home of a Jew and permits the food if all the other laws of hashgacha (careful supervision) are in order. Question: What about food bought in “Kosher” vending machines such as in airports, where the food, such as French fries is “cooked” by the machine? Answer: As long as a recognized Hashgacha is present, the food is acceptable since the fries or other food is not cooked until the Jewish person puts in the money, making him the one who cooked the food. However, if a gentile is operating the machine from behind a counter, it is considered Bishul Akum even if the gentile does not even touch the food. Question: I have heard that the Halacha about restaurants has changed in recent years becoming more strict. Is there any validity to this and why? Answer: This is correct and it is not a part of the general trend toward being machmir. Until just a few years ago, the gentile chefs in the kitchens of kosher establishments were completely unknown to the Jewish patrons. Therefore, many Poskim held that the Halacha of chasnus – fear of Bishul Akum leading to intermarriage --- was not applicable. However, today even those who were lenient are strict because many specialty restaurants such as Chinese, Japanese and Mexican etc. advertise their chefs, encouraging them to emerge from the kitchen to greet and chat with customers. This potential for familiarity has once again raised the specter of isur chasnus (Shulchan Melachim 1:25). Question: Can you give some examples of foods where Bishul Akum is forbidden where it is not and why? Answer: Yes. Here goes: 1) Apples may be eaten when cooked by a gentile because they are eaten raw. However artichokes may not because they are not eaten raw and they are olah al Shulchan melachim – eaten at State Dinners, fulfilling both rules. 2). Barley is forbidden because it cannot be eaten raw and is olah al shulchan melachim. 3). Black-eyed peas are forbidden because they are inedible raw and are olah al shulchan melachim. 4). However, Beets and Beer are not. Beets are eaten raw and beer has a great deal of water, which is considered the major ingredient. Although it also has barley which is inedible, it is considered a secondary ingredient. 5). Blintzes are forbidden because they cannot be eaten raw and are considered Olah al shulchan melachim. A GUTTEN SHABBOS