בס''ד

בס''ד

SHABBAT SCHEDULE WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Mincha 5:20pm SUNDAY Shir Hashirim: 5:40pm Next Week BH we start Avot Ubanim Shaharit: 7:30am Candle Lighting: 5:16pm Father & Son Learning On Mosae Shaharit #2 8:30am Shaharit: 8:30am Shabbat. Minha 5:20pm Youth Minyan: 9:00am Followed by Arvit & Teenager Program Zeman Keriat Shema 8:44am BH we will start the Havruta 2nd Zeman Keriat Shema 9:19am MONDAY TO FRIDAY Daf Yomi TBA Program this Week! Shiur 6:10am Shiur: 4:20pm Shaharit 6:30am Minha: 5:00pm Anyone interested in a Daily Netz Hodu Approx: 6:45am Followed by Seudat Shelishit, Minyan please let us know. Shaharit #2 8:00am Children’s Program, Teenager Minha 5:20pm Program, & Arvit Followed By Arvit & 6:16pm Shiurim in English & Shabbat Ends: Rabbenu Tam 6:47pm Spanish

We would like to remind our Kahal Kadosh to please Donate wholeheartedly towards our Beautiful Kehila. Anyone interested in donating for any occasion, Avot Ubanim $120, Kiddush $350, Seudat Shelishit $275, Weekly Bulletin $150, Weekly Daf Yomi $180, Daf Yomi Masechet $2500, Yearly Daf Yomi $5000, Weekly Breakfast $150, Daily Learning $180, Weekly Learning $613, Monthly Rent $3500, & Monthly Learning $2000, Please contact the Rabbi. Thanking you in advance for your generous support. Tizke Lemitzvot!

בס''ד Refuah Shelema List Men Women

• Yosef Zvi Ben Sara Yosefia, • Isaac Ben Mesoda, • Simja Bat Esther, • Sara Ledicia Bat Mesoda, • Yosef Haim Ben Mesouda • Haim Ben Marcelle, • Rachel Bat Sarah, • Alegria Simha Bat Esther, • Mordechai Ben Brucha Malka • Yizhak Ben Simja • Nina Bat Rachel, • Naomie Bat Rarel Adda, Shmalo, • Reuben Ben Eta, • Gitel Rina Bat Yael, • Malka Bat Joyce Simja, • Yizhak Abraham Ben Sheli, • Michael Ben Aliza, • Miriam Bat Sofy, • Sivan Simha Bat Yehudit, • Yosef Yizhak Ben Sara Hana, • Eliel Moshe Ben Sarah • Rahma Bat Simha • Natalie Rachel Bat Nancy, • Mordechai Ben Miriam, • Refael Ben Clara • Esther Bat Fortuna • Abigael Haya Bat Esther • Meir Raymond Ben Mathilde • Netanel Sayegh Ben Rosa • Malka Bat Dina • Madeleine Bat Esther • Menahem Ben Shira • Eliyahu Ben Mazal • Raizel Bat Miriam • Nurit Jacqueline Bat Rahel • Aviv Ben Luba Miriam • Mordechai Ben Mercedes • Leah Bat Rivka • Camouna Bat Fortuna

Torah Teasers (AISH) 1. What sets of Parashat of the Torah share the same root in their name? (10 sets) Example: Lech Lecha and Vayelech. 2. Aside from this parsha, where else does Hashem command Avraham with the words Lech Lecha - "Go for yourself"? 3. Which two people are called brothers but weren't? 4. Which Brit ("covenant/treaty") was made between people, and not with Hashem? 5. Which body of water, found in Israel, is mentioned in this parsha? 6. Where is Avraham called an Ivri ("the Hebrew")? Who is the only other person in the Torah called an Ivri? 7. Which birds are mentioned in this parsha? (3 answers) 8. Who was both a king and a Kohen (priest)? Who else in the book of Genesis is called a Kohen? 9. In this parsha, in what context is the number 10 mentioned? In what context is one-tenth mentioned? 10. Which article of clothing appears in this parsha, but nowhere else in the Torah? 11. Aside from Avraham and Sarah, who else in the book of Genesis is given a new name? (3 answers) Who else in the Torah is given a new name? 12. What event in this parsha occurs B'etzem hayom ha'zeh - "on that very day"? What other events in the Torah occur B'etzem hayom ha'zeh? (3 answers)

Answers

1) The following ten sets of Parashat share the same root: (1) Lech Lecha and Vayelech, (2) Vayera, Va'era and Re'eh, (3) Chayei Sarah and Vayechi, (4) Vayetze and Ki Tetze, (5) Vayishlach, Beshalach and Shlach, (6) Bo and Ki Tavo, (7) Mishpatim and Shoftim, (8) Tetzaveh and Tzav, (9) Ki Tisa and Naso, (10) Bechukotai and Chukat. 2) When Hashem tells Avraham to sacrifice his son, He says Lech Lecha - "And go to the land of Moriah" (Genesis 22:2). 3) Avraham refers to Lot and himself as "brothers" (Genesis 13:8). Avraham was actually the uncle of Lot (Genesis 11:27). 4) Avraham makes a Brit with three men in Genesis 14:13. 5) The Dead Sea, is mentioned in conjunction with the war of the four and the five kings (Genesis 14:3). 6) When the refugee informs of the capture of Lot, Avraham is referred to as HaIvri (Genesis 14:13). It is the only place where he is called this. Yosef is the only other person called an Irvi, by the wife of Potiphar (Genesis 39:14), and by the butler when he informs Pharaoh of Yosef's ability to interpret dreams (Genesis 41:12). 7) Three birds appear in the parsha: turtledove, young dove and vulture (Genesis 15:9, 11). The first two were used as part of the Brit Bein HaBetarim, and the last one came to eat the carcasses of the dead animals and birds. 8) Malchei-Tzedek was both the king of Shalem and "a priest to the G-d above" (14:18). Later, Yosef marries the daughter of Poti-Phera who was the "priest of On" (Genesis 41:45).

9) Avraham and Sarah wait 10 years in the land of Canaan before Avraham marries Hagar (Genesis 15:3). Avraham gave one-tenth of

everything to Malchei -Tzedek (Genesis 14:20).

10) Avraham tells the king of Sodom that he will not even take a shoelace from the spoils of war (Genesis 14:23). 11) The name of Yaakov is changed to Yisrael - both by the angel he fought (Genesis 32:29) and by Hashem (35:10). The name of Yosef is

changed by Pharaoh to Tzafnat Pane'ach (Genesis 41:45). Benyamin's original birth name was Ben-Oni, later called Benyamin (Genesis

35:18). Moshe changes the name of Hoshea Bin Nun to Yehoshua (Numbers 13:16).

12) Avraham gives all the members of his household a Brit Milah "on that very day" he is commanded (Genesis 17:23, 26). The same

expression is used when Noach enters the Ark with his family (Genesis 7:13), when Hashem takes Jews out of Egypt (Exodus 12:17), and

when Hashem tells Moshe to ascend Har Nevo to visually survey the Land of Israel before his death (Deut. 32:48 with Rashi).

If anyone would like to contact the Rabbi, please feel free to call or text 786-879-4951, or email [email protected].

בס''ד Community Announcements

(It is YOUR Community, make the most of it!)

Miscellaneous Announcements:

• This Week’s Congregational Kiddush has been Kindly Sponsored by T he Touati Family in memory of their

Dear Father Abraham (Alberto) Bar Rachel z”l the Shloshim. Tihye Nishmato Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.

• The Kiddush Club Initiative. Anyone interested donating a Kiddush Please kindly contact the Rabbi. Tizke

Lemizvot!

• This Week’s Congregational Seudat Shelishit is still available for Sponsorship!

• This Week’s Breakfast has been Kindly Sponsored by Mrs. Raquel Eisen Benoudiz in memory of her Dear

th Brother the 18 of Heshvan. Tihye Nishmato Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen. Shaul Eisen Ben Shemuel z”l

Anyone interested in sponsoring Breakfast for this week or on any day please contact the Rabbi.

• This We ek’s Daf Yomi has been Kindly Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Albert Belecen in memory of his Dear

th Father Shelomo Belecen Bar Clara z”l the 15 of Heshvan. Tihye Nishmato Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.

• If anyone is interested in creating a weekly class in your house or an individual class with the Rabbi, please do not hesitate to

contact the Rabbi.

• We are trying to update our Congregant’s contact information. We would like to start sending texts about different Events and

Shiurim. We would also like to start emailing the weekly bulletin. We would like to start a list of Nahalot/Azkarot/Yahrzeits.

We would also like to make a Refuah Shelema list. Please send your contact information to the Rabbi at

[email protected]

• Please feel free to contact any of the board members either in person, or via email with suggestions or comments. Our email

addresses are:

Important Message!! !

Eruv Update: Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is

permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach.

Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

• Due to the recent reorganization of seats in the Bet Hakenesset, We are happy to announce the NEW possibility of purchasing seats

in the Bet Hakenesset. For more information, please contact the Board.

• Before hanging up anything anywhere in the Bet Hakenesset, please seek authorization from the Rabbi. This includes flyers etc.

• Please be advised that prior to bringing any food or drinks for any occasion, you must first seek the authorization from the Rabbi.

Special Announcements

• We are pleased to announce that Ness 26 is part of the Amazon Charity Program, which would allow our community to

collect 0.5% of all the orders made by any of you on Amazon.com. In order to register you need to log on smile.amazon.com and select Ness 26, Inc as the Charitable Organization you want to support, and from then shop on smile.amazon.com instead of www.amazon.com. It won’t cost anything more, and is an easy way to contribute to our budget needs.

• Anyone wishing to receive the by the Rabbi please send a whatsapp message to Simon Chocron 786-351- Daily Halacha 1573

Community Calendar:

• The program for Teenaged Boys ages 13-18 Started again with Great Succes with Shiur by the Rabbi & Supper

on Sunday Evenings Before Minha at around at 6:45 pm With Supper. New Participants Welcome! Anyone

wishing to sponsor this Shiur Please contact the Rabbi. Tizke Lemitzvot!

• We have started the Mishmar Program Every other Thursday evening at 8:00 pm with Chulent, Beer, &

Snacks. Everyone is welcome! This Mosae Shabbat at 7:45pm Avot Ubanim: In Recess Youth Minyan • We are very proud of our YOUTH/TEEN MINYAN lead by our Dear Dr. Ari Benmergui geared to train and teach our future generations on the different Tefillot and Parashiyot. Please encourage your children to come early & participate. Looking forward to seeing lots of Nahat from them!

בס''ד

בס''ד

בס''ד

בס''ד

We would like to Whole Heartedly Thank our Dear Friends, Mr. & Mrs. Laurent Becker for generously Donating the TORAH LEARNING of Heshvan 5780 Leiluy Nishmat his Dear Cousin Haim Mamou Ben Eliezer z”l We truly appreciate it. In this merit, may Hashem Bless you & your wonderful family with all the Berachot of the Torah. Amen.

Birthdays Happy Anniversary To • Richard & Renee Moore November 19th Happy Birthday To th • Moshe Allouche – Shabb. Nov. 9 , Nahalot • Mr. Meir Amara – Shabb. Nov. 9th, • Yitzchak Vaturi Ben Reuven z”l the 13th of Heshvan • Abigail Haya Cohen Scali – Sun. Nov.10th, (Grandfather of Mr. Mark, Ronny, & Max Aquinin)

• Anna Malka Cohen Scali – Sun. Nov. 10th, • Shelomo Belecen Bar Clara z”l the 15th of Heshvan • Mr. Eli Tapiero – Sun. Nov. 10th, (Father of Mr. Abraham Belecen) • Marcos Bendahan – Tue. Nov. 12th, Next Shabbat: • Mr. Sami Bendahan – Tue. Nov. 12th, • Shaul Eisen Ben Shemuel z”l the 18th of Heshvan • Alberto Cohen – Wed. Nov. 13th, (Brother of Mrs. Raquel Eisen Benoudiz) (Shabbat) • Mrs. Raquel Benhayoun – Thurs. Nov. 14th, • Yizhak Nutta Moore Ben Avraham z”l the 20th of • Mimy Nahon – Thurs. Nov. 14th, Heshvan (Father of Mr. Richard Moore) • th Eytan Yeshua Sitbon – Fri. Nov. 15 , • Lou Bsiri – Sun. Nov. 18th, • Yankel Majluf Bsiri – Sun. Nov. 18th, • Mr. David Cohen – Shabbat Nov. 24th, • Moshe Elmaleh – Shabbat Nov. 24th, • Yosef Avraham Nahon – Mon. Nov. 26th, • Shana Cohen – Tue. Nov. 27th,

בס''ד Community Shiurim

Weekday mornings:

• 6:10AM to 6:45AM: Laws of Nidah. New participants welcome! • 7:30AM Shiur on Hok Leyisrael with Breakfast! Everyone Is Welcome to Join. • 7:45AM to 8:30AM: Daf Yomi Masechet Nida. NEW DAF YOMI MASECHET! New participants are welcome! It is a great time to start learning the Daf and join thousands of Jews across the world in this incredible project.

• 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM: Mishna Berura Dirshu Cycle! New participants welcome!

Weekday afternoons: • Before Minha Monday through Thursday: Shiurim in Spanish on assorted topics. o • After Arvit: o Mondays & Wednesdays: Hoshen Mishpat – Business Halacha o Monday through Thursday: Shiurim in Spanish on assorted topics. o Every Thursday evening after Arvit Hilchot Nida in Depth for Men. Tuesday Assorted Topics o In Recess for the Summer o Monday & Tuesday at 7:00pm Masechet Berachot in French o Every other Monday evening at 8:30pm Shalom Bayit Class to Women.

o Every other Tuesday evening at 8:30pm Shalom Bayit Classes to Men. • SHIUR for Ladies! The Rabbi’s Shiur on Halachot of Kashrut NEW SERIES ON Hilchot Basar Vechalav, (Laws pertaining to Meat & Milk) to Ladies, in the Bet Hakenesset, every Tuesday afternoon at 2:05 pm. New Participants are always Welcome! In Recess Shabbat: • Shabbat night before Arvit: Short lecture on the Parasha of the week. • Shabbat Morning: Short Lecture on the Parashah of the week. • Shabbat Morning: Lecture on the Parashah of the week after Kiddush • Shabbat Afternoon – Daf Yomi TBA. • Shabbat Afternoon – Shiur at 4:30pm • Teenager Shiur – with Isaac Benmergui During Seudat Shelishit. • Seudat Shelishit: Short lecture on the Parasha of the week.

בס''ד WEEKLY INSPIRATION and lived with a keen sense that "Yeshuat Hashem Ke’heref Ayin" – G-d can resolve A Jew Never Despairs even the most seemingly intractable crisis in (Rabbi Mansour from Daily Halacha) an instant. This quality originates from the story of Abraham and Eliezer. After the 318 We read in Parashat Lech-Lecha of Abraham men left, Abraham found himself alone and, Abinu’s miraculous military victory against seemingly, helpless. How could he possibly four large empires. These empires had wage a war against four powerful armies by waged war against the city of Sedom and the himself? Yet, he didn’t despair. He took his surrounding cities, capturing all their citizens, trusted servant, and they prevailed. including Abraham’s nephew, Lot. When Abraham heard about his nephew’s capture, Rav Tzadok noted that the numerical value of he immediately mobilized his servants into an the word "Yeush" ("despair") is 317. Eliezer – army of 318 men and pursued the four kings. whose name has the numerical value of 318 In miraculous fashion, Abraham defeated – represents the need to transcend despair them and freed all the captives. and believe that G-d can always help. This is the lesson of this story, and it is a lesson The Midrash, as several commentators cite, which we need to apply every day throughout tells that Abraham did not, in fact, launch his our lives as we confront challenges and attack with 318 soldiers. Rather, he was hardships. A Jew never despairs, because a accompanied by just one person – his faithful Jew knows that G-d is all-powerful and can servant, Eliezer. The name "Eliezer" has the bring the solution in an instant. No matter numerical value of 318, and thus when the how desperate one’s situation is, he must Torah speaks of Abraham mobilizing 318 never lose hope, and remember that G-d is men, it really means that he took Eliezer. The capable of helping. two of them fought alone and miraculously triumphed. Rabbenu Bahya (1255-1340), one of the We are Always G-d’s great Spanish commentators, adds more details to the Midrash’s account. He explains Children that Abraham initially did have 318 men, but (Rabbi Mansour) they all left him before battle. Torah law requires that before the army sets out for The Torah in Parashat Lech-Lecha tells the battle, the Kohen must speak to the troops story of Abraham Abinu’s sojourn in Egypt, and announce certain exemptions, including where he was forced to relocate due to a for those who are frightened and may thus famine which struck the land of Canaan. discourage their comrades. Abraham While he and Sara were in Egypt, Sara was followed this procedure, and all 318 men abducted by Pharaoh. That night, we read, promptly left, as they were frightened by the G-d punished Pharaoh and his household prospect of waging combat against four with various afflictions, compelling Pharaoh to powerful armies. In the end, Abraham fought return Sara and then send Abraham out of this war accompanied only by Eliezer. Egypt with great wealth. Rav Tzadok Ha’kohen of Lublin (1823-1900) The Ramban (Rabbi Moshe Nahmanides, Spain, viewed this episode as establishing a vitally 1194-1270), in a famous passage, notes how important precedent and infusing within the this episode served the purpose of "Ma’aseh Jewish Nation one of its most remarkable Abot Siman La’banim" – establishing events qualities. Namely, we do not despair. The that Abraham’s descendants would Jews arose from the gas chambers of the experience. Abraham’s descendants, too, Holocaust to create a sovereign state and would go to Egypt to escape a famine in rebuild our nation. We have always believed Eretz Yisrael, and they would be mistreated and tormented by the Egyptians. G-d would

בס''ד then afflict the Egyptians and force them to loves him and will continue caring for him and send Beneh Yisrael away with great wealth. helping him. And this is precisely Hashem’s After making this point, the Ramban relationship to us. Even if we’ve slipped and proceeds to make a very surprising comment, made mistakes, He is still here with us and will always be here with us. writing (based on the Zohar) that Abraham sinned by moving to Egypt. Rather than remaining in Canaan and trusting that Hashem that would sustain him during the The Lech Lecha Test years of harsh drought, Abraham left the land promised to him by Hashem and went to Rates Higher Than The Ur Egypt, placing himself and his wife at risk. Kasdim Test There is much to be said about this comment (Rabbi Frand from Torah.org) of the Ramban, but the question we ask here is why the Ramban makes this point in the The Mishna tells us [Avot 5:3] that Avraham context of his discussion of "Ma’aseh Abot Avinu was tested 10 times and that he Siman La’banim." The Ramban in this passed all 10 tests. There are varying passage speaks of how Abraham’s opinions as to exactly what the 10 tests were. experiences in Egypt foreshadow the However virtually all commentaries experiences of his descendants. How is the enumerate the command to leave his land, fact that Abraham sinned by going to Egypt his birthplace, and his father’s home to go off relevant to this discussion? to the Land he would be shown by G-d (“Lech lecha m’artzecha…”) as one of the ten tests. The answer is that this, too, is part of the According to many commentaries, however, "Ma’aseh Abot Siman La’banim." Despite the this was not the first test. fact that Abraham acted incorrectly by going to Egypt, nevertheless, G-d harshly punished According to this approach, the first test Pharaoh for abducting Sara and saw to it that Avraham faced was the test of “Ur Kasdim”. Abraham would leave Egypt with wealth. Rashi points out that the name Ur Kasdim Similarly, even though Beneh Yisrael were alludes to the miraculous salvation of Avram not necessarily deserving of the miracles of when thrown into a fiery pit for refusal to pay the Exodus, G-d struck the Egyptians with ten homage to the prevailing idols of his society. plagues for enslaving Beneh Yisrael, and The pasuk alludes to this when it says, “And brought them out of Egypt as they carried all He said to him: I am the L-rd who took you the country’s treasures. The model established out from Ur Kasdim…” [Bereshit 15:7] by Abraham was not merely that of slavery Avram was an iconoclast. Despite the deep- and redemption, but also that of G-d’s seated beliefs of the civilization in which he unconditional love for His people. Even when grew up, he broke their idols and even broke we are unworthy, He still cares for us and is his father’s idols. The entire society of Ur prepared to help and protect us. Kasdim shunted him to the extent that they This is something which is vitally important gave him the choice of worshipping their idols for all of us to know and be mindful of. or being thrown into a fire together with his Parents do not abandon their children, even monotheistic beliefs. He chose the latter and when their children misbehave. We are all miraculously emerged unharmed. The Torah Hashem’s children, and He never abandons alludes to this story when it mentions that “G- us. Even when we make mistakes, He is still d took Avram out from Ur Kasdim”. there helping us, and He is always waiting for The commentaries are troubled by the fact us to improve and return to Him. A person that the miracle of Ur Kasdim is not explicitly should never feel that G-d no longer cares mentioned in the Torah. The test of “Lech about him and is not interested in having a Lecha m’artzecha…” — which on the face of relationship with him. A parent might become it does not seem as great as the test to leave upset with a child and punish him, but he still

בס''ד his childhood home with the promise that are and to achieve spiritual levels above their things will work out for his benefit — is normal capacities, but that is not who they spelled out in detail. Why does the Torah really are. omit the miracle of Ur Kasdim? There was recently [this shiur was given Over the years, we have discussed this several years ago] an incident in Eretz question many times. We once quoted an Yisrael where a terrorist attempted to board a answer from Rav Weinberg, zt”l, who said bus filled with soldiers and other Israeli that Ur Kasdim was something Avram did out citizens. Somehow, the terrorist tripped while of his own convictions; it was not a response getting onto the bus, fell over backwards and to a Divine Command. Lech Lecha — leaving banged his head on the sidewalk, temporarily his home — was a Divine Command and dazing himself. The bus driver and a medic hence the fact that Avram obeyed this who happened to be on board ran out to help Command was of greater significance than him, thinking he was an innocent passenger the fact that he was prepared to act under his trying to board the bus. In order to resuscitate own convictions. In the eyes of the Torah, him they ripped open his shirt and they saw obeying the Master of the Universe is really he had a bomb strapped to his body. the greatest test. This is articulated by our This terrorist was literally a ticking time bomb. Rabbis in the comment “Greater is one who The bomb could be detonated at any minute is commanded and does, more so than one and the two fellows trying to save him would who is not commanded and does” [Kidushin have been blown to pieces. The bus driver 31a]. Doing something that you are supposed and the medic held the fellow down to the to do is greater than doing something that ground and yelled to everyone to get out of you want to do. Therefore, the test of Ur the bus and run for their lives. Everyone Kasdim is not as great as the test of Lech except an elderly lady who could not move Lecha. fast enough and another person trying to help On this occasion, I would like to present a her escaped injury. The elderly lady was different answer to this question from Rav killed and her aid was injured when the bomb Simcha Zissel Brody, in his volume Sam went off a few moments later, however, Derech. Rav Brody says that people face two miraculously the other passengers were types of tests in their lifetimes. One type is saved. those things that may be categorized as There was an interview with the bus driver. “glamorous tests” — defining moments in a The journalist asked how he had the bravery person’s lifetime. At such times, when a to do what he did. The interviewer told the person is well aware that he is at a junction in bus driver, “You are a hero!” The bus driver his lifetime when he must make a crucial responded, “I am a cowardly type of person. decision — even one involving great self- If I would have been asked ahead of time sacrifice — he may be able to muster the whether I would do such a thing, I definitely courage and determination to make the would have responded in the negative. I do proper decision. not know what it was, but something However, there are other tests in life — the overcame me at the moment and I held the daily type of challenges that come our way, guy down to save the other people.” day in, day out — that each and every one of This is a test of the “Ur Kasdim variety”. I us face. These tests are not glamorous. They don’t know whether this is adrenalin or are not exciting. They are very run of the mill, whether it is some latent power in people that but they are challenges nonetheless. makes them rise to the occasion. We all can The test of “Ur Kasdim” was one of those have such moments of heroism and self- glamorous defining-moment types of tests. sacrifice, moments where we escape our The test of “Lech Lecha” is typical of the natural emotions of fear or cowardice or “daily grind” type of test. People sometimes selfishness. For a moment, we may become have a capacity to rise above what they really selfless heroes.

בס''ד Ur Kasdim moments are fleeting. They do not The pasuk [verse] in this week’s parsha says, necessarily represent the real person who “And also with Lot who accompanied emerges heroically from such situations. Avraham there was flock and cattle and Lech Lecha is the ordinary test of “do I get up tents” [Bereshit 13:5]. Rashi explains that tomorrow for minyan?” Lech Lecha is do I through his association with the Patriarch come home from work at night and learn with Avraham, Lot was also blessed with great my child and help him do his homework or do wealth. But the Torah continues “And the I say “do it yourself and let me read the land was not able to bear them that they paper.” Nobody thinks about the challenge of might dwell together; for their substance was “should I learn with my child right now or great so that they could not dwell together.” not?” as being a defining moment in life! No [ibid. 13:6] one considers such actions to be the essence This last pasuk apparently contains a glaring of heroism. Lech Lecha moments are redundancy. The fact that the land was not moments when we face financial difficulties big enough for both of them is mentioned and we do not question G-d’s Providence. both at the start and the end of the pasuk! Lech Lecha moments are facing all the trials What is the repetition teaching us? The and tribulations that life sends us — health Shemen HaTov provides us with a very true issues, financial issues, children issues. They insight: are daily grind issues: same old, same old. This is “Lech Lecha”. There was a two-stage development here. First because of the abundance of cattle each This is what Avram did. He went to Eretz owned, they got into a dispute regarding Yisrael. G-d promised him things would be grazing rights. As a result of this dispute “they great, but they were tough. There was a were unable to live together”. This is the famine in the land. Where is the greatness? nature of arguments. There may be valid and This is life. Avram Avinu did not question, did under standable reasons for the original not challenge, and did not lose faith. There is dispute. But once people begin to argue, the nothing glamorous or exciting here, just the reason why they started arguing might almost day in day out routine of life. become immaterial. They will eventually get Rav Simcha Zissel explains that the Torah to the point where each party cannot stand to only alludes to Ur Kasdim. Such heroism is be in the presence of the other. great. It is admirable. However, in the eyes of This is exactly what the pasuk is telling us. It the Torah, the day in, day out, tests, started out as a fight over grazing rights. represented by “Lech Lecha,” are what really Ostensibly, the fight began because there count. Everyone can rise to the occasion was not enough room. But once they began occasionally. However, to do what you are to argue over grazing rights, the argument supposed to do every day — day in, and day escalated. Things got out of hand. The out — without questioning, this is a real test. parties got to a point where it did not matter Books are not written about such tests and anymore why they started arguing. Simply, people are not honored at banquets for being “they could not dwell together” anymore! such heros, but this is life and in the eyes of We see the same idea in Parshas Toldos the Torah, this is where heroism really when Yitzchak’s shepherds fought with the emerges. That is why the test of Lech Lecha shepherds in Gerar [Bereshit 26: 19-22]. Each “rates” as the greater of the two tests. side claimed: “The water is ours”. Therefore they called the name of the well Striving (Esek) because they fought over it (hitasku Things Start With An imo). Then they dug another well and they Argument, And They Go fought over it as well. They called the second well ‘Conflict’ (Sitnah). By the second well, Downhill From There the Torah already does not state the reason (Rabbi Frand from Torah.org) for the fight; it merely states they called the

בס''ד name of the well ‘Sitnah’. The idea is exactly was afraid that the four kings would claim as we said before. Initially, the conflict was NOT that they captured Lot, but that they over water rights, but once the controversy captured Avram himself — Avram the took place, then the people could not stand Hebrew, Avram the Jew, the one who tells us each other anymore. By the second well, they to believe in the existence of G-d and tells us were prepared to argue with one another for to negate our allegiance to all our idols! no reason at all. The battle was not merely one to recapture Cashing In On The Legacy Of Our Father Lot, a single individual. Avram took arms to Avraham engage in a theological war. He risked his life Parashat Lech Lecha features the famous and those of his men to avoid the disgrace of war between the five kings and the four kings allowing the four kings to claim a major coup — the first world war in the history of of having captured their arch enemy — the mankind. It is ironic that Avraham — the first chief priest of monotheistic belief in the world. Jew — is caught up right in the middle of this Avram needed to prevent this great first world war. This is just one more instance desecration of G-d’s Name. The Honor of of “The actions of the Fathers foreshadow Heaven was at stake! events that befell their descendants” (ma’aseh For this reason, he is emphatically identified Avot siman l’banim). Many of the wars that as Avram the Hebrew on this occasion. This happen in this world, indirectly, if not directly, title represented his strength of character to impact the Jewish people. stand on one side of the river (Ever echad), Eventually, the four kings were victorious and aligned in battle against the entire world on they defeated the five kings. A refugee from the other side of that river. the war (according to Chazal this was Og, the Everything that happened to the fathers will future King of Bashan) escaped and told happen to the children. The fact that people Avraham that his nephew Lot was captured. are martyrs — the fact that there have been Avraham gathered his men and went to wage thousands if not tens of thousands of Jews, battle with the four kings. In describing this very simple Jews, who over the generations event, the pasuk states that the refugee stood up to vastly superior forces, willing to came and spoke with “Avram the Hebrew” give up their lives for Sanctificat ion of G-d’s (ha’Ivri). Although Avram is sometimes Name, all stems from the heroic courage referred to by this title, we do not find it demonstrated by Avram in this Parsha on this attached to his n ame in most of the places occasion. This is all the legacy of Avram that describe the major events of his lifetime. Ha’Ivri — our Patriarch Avraham the first Jew. Why does the Torah use this term at this Likewise, the fact that there are Jews who time? give up so much to live in Eretz Yisrael, is Rashi explains that this refuge, Og, was not because they are following the courageous such a Good Samaritan. He was not really all journey alluded to in the opening pasukim of interested in the welfare of Lot. The Medrash our Parsha — Lech Lecha m’Artzecha states that he had eyes on Avram’s wife u’m’moladetecha (You go away from your Sarah. He figured that if he could get Avram homeland and from you birth place). All the to do battle with the mighty army of the sacrifices that we see Jews are capable of is victorious four kings, it would be a sure way a fulfillment of ma’aseh Avos Siman l’Banim to get rid of him once and for all. He saw this and is an example of our cashing in on the as the perfect plan to allow him to marry spiritual legacy of our patriarch. Sarah. Rav Shimon Schwab’s first rabbinical position This was a very legitimate fear. Why, in fact, was in Bavaria, Germany when he was 25 did Avram risk his life and the life of his men years old, in 1933. On Parshat Ki Tisa, he to save Lot? The Medrash tells us that Lot gave a sermon to his congregation trying to looked exactly like his uncle, Avram. Avram explain the sin of the Golden Calf. He quoted

בס''ד an interpretation from Rav Samson Raphael avoid that desecration of G-d’s Name, he Hirsch that the Calf was not really an idol — it slept in his clothes for two months so that was only suppos ed to be a medium between even if he would be killed, at least it would the Jewish people and the Almighty. The not be a Chillul Hashem. word in German for “medium” is mitler (go- Where does one get such strength of between). He said something to the effect character and concern for Divine Honor? It that “Jews don’t need to have a go-between comes from the reaction of Avraham HaIvri to (mitler).” There was an informer present in the message brought to him by the refugee the congregation and he reported to the from the War of the Four vs. Five Kings. Gestapo that in his sermon, Rav Schwab Avraham risked his life because Lot looked stated: “Jews don’t need to have Hitler.” like him and it would be a Chillul Hashem to This happened right after Adolph Hitler was have people think that Avram was captured. proclaimed Chancellor of Germany. The That strength allowed his descendant to think Gestapo called Rav Schwab on the carpet to “lest they hang me in my pajamas.” explain himself. Rav Schwab brought in the German commentary of Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch on which he based his sermon and showed the Gestapo that he was Breaking the Idols misquoted. However, the Gestapo told him (Rabbi Zev Leff) that he was not off the hook so easily. Once Abram took Sarai his wife and his nephew Lot, he was placed on a blacklist, he would have and all their wealth that they had amassed, and to be investigated. He was advised to call the people they had acquired in Charan; and they back the following week to find out the embarked for the land of Canuan, and they came outcome of the investigation. to the land of Canaan (Bereshit 12:5). Rav Schwab kept calling back each week for They brought them under the wings of the Divine two months, always being told “call back next Presence. Avraham converted the men, and week”. Finally, a couple of months later, a Sarah converted the women (Rash) to Bereshit 12 5). person answering the phone yelled at him, World history, Chazal tell us, is divided into “You Jew! Why do you keep calling me, don’t three periods, each lasting two thousand years. you know the matter is taken care of already!” The first is called the era of tobu vavobu (void Rav Schwab understood that the person was and nothingness), the second the era of Torah, trying to tell him that the matter was taken and the third the Messianic Era. Chazal identify care of, but he could not say it politely the beginning of the era of Torah with Avraham's conversion of the idol worshipers of because others were listening so he gave Charan into believers in G-d. him the message in this rude fashion. At any rate, Rav Schwab later said that for those two The question arises Why did Chazal view this months, when he was left in limbo, uncertain event as ushering in the era of Torah? After all, if he would be arrested or not by the the Torah pre-existed Creation and was the Gestapo, whenever he went to sleep at night, blueprint for Creation. Adam and Noach he slept in his clothes. He did not put on his learned Torah long before Avraham was born, pajamas. and Shem and Ever even set up a yeshivah. Why? He had heard of an acquaintance who In r to answer this question, we must first was accused by the Gestapo of subversive understand Avraham's unique role in the activities and was taken out in the middle of transmission of knowledge of Hashem. Raavad (to Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1 3) asks why Avraham the night, executed, and hung in his pajamas. alone of all the righteous people of his Rav Schwab said he was afraid that he too generation and the preceding ten generations would be arrested in the middle of the night is credited with influencing the masses. Surely and be hung in his pajamas. He was afraid the others also protested against idolatry and that it would be a Chillul Hashem that a Rav rebuked their wayward contemporaries. He would be h anging publicly in his pajamas. To

בס''ד answers that while the other tzaddikim sin-that is his function-but rather for making the admonished their contemporaries, they were sin appear as a mitzvah. Thus, we tell not able to break the idols because the idol ourselves when we sleep late and miss worshipers hid them. Only Avraham was able davening with a minyan that our sleep is a to find the idols. mitzvah and our intention is only to learn Torah with a clearer head that day. This is the tobu Raavad's words are difficult to understand. vavobu of the yetzer hara. Torah is the remedy. Was Avraham Avinu, then, only a better detective than the other tzaddikim, and thus The idol worshipers of Avraham's generation able to ferret out the hidden idols? Moreover, did not hide their idolatry physically, but what does Raavad mean that they hid their spiritually. They masked it as righteousness idols? Nimrod and his cohorts publicly and honor to G-d. They created ideologies to worshiped idols and idol manufacturers, like cloak their sins in light and virtue. Prior to Avraham's father, carried on a brisk, open Avraham no one was able to expose the sham, trade. to delineate the light and darkness. This failure prevented them from exercising any lasting To understand Raavad we need a deeper influence on those they admonished. They understanding of ancient idolatry. Rambam could not break the idols. explains that the original idol worship was a well intentioned mistake. Just as one honors Only Avraham saw the light and darkness in the king by honoring his emissaries, so did the their true perspective and conveyed this to the generation of Enosh worship various natural masses. He exposed evil for what it was and phenomena, which G-d had invested with thereby transformed the idol worshipers into certain powers, as a means of honoring the believers in G-d. Avraham's life work, then, was Creator of those phenomenon. Their mistake the beginning of the era of Torah, the lay in failing to recognize that showing respect delineation of light and darkness. to the king's emissary is only a form of honoring Since Avraham's unique ability was to the king when he is absent. But when he is distinguish between light and darkness, he present, it is tantamount to rebellion. Since could welcome into his house wanderers who Hashem is always present, the worship of His bowed to the dust of their feet, yet found it creations is always a diminution of Him: Don't necessary to distance himself from his nephew accept any other powers in My presence" Lot. His very resemblance to Lot made it (Devarim 5:7). imperative that he separate himself so as not to The two-thousand-year period preceding the confuse his true righteousness with Lot's era of Torah is described as tobu vavobu-an apparent righteousness. "Separate yourself era of confusion, of light and dark mixed from me," Avraham told Lot, "for we are together and not easily delineated one from the brothers." Rashi explains the term "brothers"- other. With the sin of Adam, the relative terms "They looked alike." good and evil, replaced the absolutes of truth and falsehood. The various shades of good and Lot was the personification of tobu vavobu. On evil became a confusing admixture. the one hand, he appeared to be righteous like Avraham he baked matzot and invited in The Torah, by contrast, distinguishes guests, even at risk to himself. But, in fact, the absolutely between pure and impure, light and jumble of darkness pervaded his life he chose darkness, life and death "Behold I have placed to live among the wicked people of Sodom, before you today life and good, and death and lured by the wealth he saw there. Lot's evil" (Devarim 30:15). Only the Torah allows us to admixture of good and evil represented the separate the light from darkness, to perceive antithesis of Avraham's mission in this world. good as absolute truth and evil as absolute Hence, Avraham had to separate from him. falsehood. Of all the non-kosher animals, the pig has The confusion introduced by Adam's sin always symbolized impurity for the Jewish became the principal tool of the yetzer hara people precisely because it bears the external (evil inclination). As the Baal Shem Tov sign of a kosher animal, cloven feet. It is the explains, the Satan will be held culpable in the kosher feet that make it the most loathsome of future not for attempting to seduce man into

בס''ד the non-kosher animals. So, too, the most that I deem inappropriate” – she would take dangerous ideologies are those that succeed in up the problem with the Almighty. And she garbing themselves in an aura of piety and would ask Him to intervene on their behalf righteousness, that claim the mantle of Torah and give them clarity. and authentic Judaism, but are in essence total distortions of the Torah. I was blown away by that thought and eager to try it out when confronted with similar As descendants of Avraham, who introduced behavior in my adult children! It takes all the the era of Torah, it is our task to toil in Torah to sting out of the relationship and puts the discern truth from falsehood, light from responsibility where it belongs. It is so freeing darkness, the holy from the profane. in its wisdom and simplicity. And I wish I’d Reprinted with permission from Artscroll Mesorah Publications, ltd. This thought of it or knew of it so much earlier. Not article is provided as part of Shema Yisrael Torah Network Permission is granted to redistribute electronically or on paper, provided that this notice just to spare my kids my critical tongue but to is included intact. For information on subscriptions, archives, and other spare me so much anxiety and frustration. Shema Yisrael Classes, send mail to [email protected] Like so many true ideas, once they are presented to you, they seem so obvious – Food for thought and so doable. You don’t need any special talent. And it applies to all children, whatever their age or abilities. And it’s adaptable. We One of the Best Pieces of can ask the Almighty to give them clarity – or wisdom or patience or respect or greater Parenting Advice I've Ever dignity or to think before they speak. We can Heard go through our veritable wish list! (By Emuna Braverman) And we can let our breath out. Because now Thanks to Rebbetzin Feige Twerski. we’ve truly given it over to the Almighty. Many years ago I made a decision: I was It’s so funny. We know He’s in charge but it’s done with parenting classes. No more books, so hard to let go of the illusion that we are, no more listening to parent classes. No more that the right words, the right thoughts, the “friendly” tips and “well-meaning” advice. I perfect prayers, the sophisticated strategy will was done. I had my fill with all the “wisdom” make all the difference, will change our child out there. I was back to intuition and prayer. (or spouse or parent) into just that human being we want them to be. And although we But every once in a while, there is a piece of keep banging our heads up against a brick parenting wisdom that leaps out at me, an wall, we can’t seem to stop ourselves. We try idea so simple yet so wonderful that I wish I’d the same failing strategy over and over again. thought of it myself. And that I’d learned it in one of those many classes 30 years ago. But Rebbetzin Twerski has shared with us the truly winning one. Since its not in our This one was suggested by Rebbetzin Feige hands, we can only benefit from Twerski in her book The New Normal. In a acknowledging that. We will feel freer and section of the book where she bemoans the more relaxed. It was never in our control and fate of mothers and grandmothers who are we will be more patient and kinder parents usually the disciplinarians versus that of once we accept that. Our children will fathers and grandfathers who are usually the respond to the new loving us with better source of all things fun (!), she mentions a behavior and, even if they don’t, we have new strategy she adopted to ease herself out now given that over to their Father in Heaven. from under that role. In working on being Wait until He gets home! more accepting and less critical, she made a wise and radical decision. When she saw a We waste so much time struggling with our child misbehaving – her words are actually children instead of being kind to them and more delicate “a departure in their behavior asking the Almighty to help. This doesn't mean we never discipline; it just means we

בס''ד do it much less. It's not a constant barrage. Smart couples focus on their God-given gifts. Especially when we see it doesn't really They don’t waste time examining how other make a difference anyway! Especially when people live. It’s not relevant. They are we realize it is out of ouro hands. It is the authentic to themselves. They choose their Almighty's greatest pleasure to help – goals, their values, and their destination. especially when we ask. Once our children They learn to be satisfied and then find joy are born, we never stop being parents. It’s a within themselves. Who cares what others cradle to grave job. And it’s never too late to have and do? Let’s focus on us. learn some new tips – despite my previous 2. They don’t cross the Danger Zone bad attitude. There are some zones in relationships that should not be crossed. Smart couples know when they are entering hazardous territory. 5 Things Smart Couples They value their bond too much to allow a situation to blow up to the point of causing Don't Do incredible damage and pain. (By Slovie Jungreis-Wolff) Smart couples know which behaviors may Practical guidance to improve your marriage. put their relationship unto jeopardy. They A good marriage does not just happen. develop the awareness to realize this is a Relationships take work and wisdom. danger zone. Don’t go there. (Of course, Sometimes the insight is natural; other times physical and verbal abuse are intolerable). maturity brings forth good sense. Here are There will be times that we mess up. But five things smart couples don’t do. smart couples know how to communicate 1. They don’t compare lives with other their feelings respectfully. It’s okay to feel couples upset but it’s not okay to use foul language on your spouse. Talking about the problem If you want to kill your relationship, look at and being solution oriented takes the other people’s lives. Check out their discussion to a higher level. There’s give and Facebook page and Instagram. Scrutinize take. Smart couples know how to their profile pictures. Compare homes, compromise, how to give in, how to apologize vacations, cars, and kids. Talk about how ‘he and how to forgive. When there is constant does this’ and ‘she does that’ but ‘you fighting, bickering, or an arctic air, nobody never…’ wins. Effective couples seek ways of finding When we keep our eyes on other people’s peace together respectfully. blessings, we never seem to find our own. 3. They don’t keep score Left with a sour taste we strip serenity away. Then we wonder why we are feeling Intelligent couples keep away from counting unhappy. how often each does the dishes, carpools, or takes out the garbage. We should both want When we keep our eyes on other people’s to contribute to our daily living and blessings, we never seem to find our own. responsibilities. When we love someone, we The best gift you can give yourself is to stop do because we want to do; not because looking at everyone else’s social media. You someone is keeping score. There are times never see the tension and stress in the that one partner is overwhelmed at work or at background. I recently watched a couple home. Does that mean we don’t recognize pose. They looked like they were in bliss. As and offer to give an extra hand? Isn’t that soon as they finished snapping their photo, what love is? their faces hardened, and they walked away If there is a sense of carrying too heavy a from each other. Who knows what is real? load, smart couples know how to convey and

בס''ד communicate. It’s fine to say, "I’m feeling as if Smart couples know how to make their I’ve been doing a lot and I need your help." partner feel cherished through eye contact, But if I am constantly keeping track and doing body language, giving attention and time, and what I am doing in this relationship just gestures of appreciation. Voicing thankfulness because of a scorecard, something is wrong. boosts love. I am filling the car up with gas so that you 5. They don’t pick themselves up by don’t deal with the aggravation of an empty putting their spouse down tank-not because it’s my turn and you filled Torah teaches us to “Love another as you up last time. I care about you. Desire to do love yourself’. We cannot possibly love good based on emotions rather than another if we are clueless on what it means obligation is a love that is alive. to love our inner self. When we live with a 4. They don’t take each other for granted sense of self-worth, we possess the One of the most difficult equations in confidence to love another without feeling marriage is appreciating what we already threatened by their success. have. Human nature is such that we always Smart couples don’t need to push their long for that which is out of reach. Once we partner down in order to feel tall. They are not acquire, we lose the passion. diminished by their spouse’s accomplishments. How do we desire that which we have They are secure and fulfilled. They cheer attained? their partner’s achievements as if their own. Putting down one’s partner to raise yourself Smart couples invest themselves in their shows insecurity, a stumbling block to relationship. They know that appreciation is creating strong relationships. the oxygen to lasting love. They do not take each other for granted. Marriage takes wisdom, effort and reflection. Each day brings us the new opportunity to Sadly, some learn this lesson too late. After a show our love and grow our relationship. loss they realize how fortunate they were, but Take a few moments each day to seek out there is no going back. I’ve spoken to too the path towards living and loving better. many husbands and wives who wish they would’ve done more, had more days together, or conveyed more love. Couples who work on daily gestures of We Never Know the Whole appreciation and affection build strong Story relationships. They show that they do, (By Emuna Braverman) indeed, value one another. They come to cherish more, treasure time together and Everyone has challenges – some physical, desire grows. A loving text, picking up a some emotional, some psychological – and favorite snack, even a single rose just many of them hidden. Judge accordingly. ‘because’, can keep the spark alive. Okay, it’s true; I’m milking this broken collar Creating sacred space is a way that wise bone for all it’s worth! Or at the very least for partners connect. They make sure to set another blog, another lesson…this time one aside time without technology casting a in judging favorably. It’s always a huge shadow on their conversation. Returning at reminder to be careful in judgment when you the end of a workday while on the phone or are the recipient of (clearly unfair!) negative saying ‘I just need to answer this text/email’ perceptions. builds walls. So, too, does keeping your In this case, it was a simple trip to the grocery phone on at the dinner table. The message store that triggered the reflection. Of course, that smart couples give each other is: there is nothing is so simple these days. It was nothing and no one more important right now actually my first time driving since my fall than us. (you would not have wanted to behind me,

בס''ד especially if you were in a hurry) and I have a thought that my behavior would be frowned big shopping to do. I still can’t lift “anything upon. heavier than a coffee cup” (to quote the And it made me think about times I may have orthopedic surgeon) so I brought along been the one on the other side, wondering assistance, my son who was conveniently why a guest wasn’t more helpful at dinner, a home on a college break. friend just sat there as I was struggling with He put all the items in the cart, especially the packages, my children’s friends didn’t make a 10-pound bags of all-purpose flour and bread greater effort to clean up their mess. Yes, it flour. I wasn’t being extra careful; I was could also be just laziness or bad character, following doctor’s orders. (Did you know that the same qualities I’m sure others were patient compliance is actually the most imputing to me. But maybe they too had a serious challenge physicians face in trying to good reason. Maybe they too had an injury heal their patients?) That wasn’t so bad that needed to heal, a wound that I couldn’t because no one was really watching, and it see and so I therefore assumed didn’t exist. wasn’t so unnatural for him to do the heavy I have a friend who had a heart transplant lifting. many years ago. She has a handicapped Then we got to the checkout counter. I stood parking sticker for her car. She doesn’t look there immobile while he unloaded the cart handicapped. Some outsiders may think she (Okay, maybe I placed a few small items on is trying to game the system. But she has an the conveyer belt). And I just stood there as internal issue that requires a parking he packed all the bags (it’s a no-frills store), advantage. We just can’t see it. It’s hidden to loaded up the cart, pushed it out the door and the naked eye. then piled all the groceries into our trunk. Everyone has challenges – some physical, No one followed us into the parking lot but I some emotional, some psychological – and was aware of the eyes on us as we checked many of them private. Before we make out. Maybe I was just being super sensitive or assumptions, and particularly before we judge self-centered (both definite reactions to my others as inadequate or worse, we need to injury) but I couldn’t help but feel that people remind ourselves that we don’t know the full were judging. Why was I just standing there? story. I give you permission to use my broken Why wasn’t I lifting a finger? Of course, it’s collarbone as a cue; I know I’m going to. nice that my son was helping but was it appropriate for me to just stand there? I wanted to explain about my clavicle. Let me interject here that for the first two Daily halacha weeks after my fall, I was wearing a sling. But for reasons I have yet to fathom, and despite the fact that the break showed no sign of Halachot of Shabbat healing, the doctor ruled it no longer (Daily Halacha) necessary. So there was no outward sign of my injury. I assumed that the rest of the Is it Permissible to Ride a Bicycle on shoppers must think I’m lazy, a controlling Shabbat? mother, who knows what was going through The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, their minds… 1833-1909), in his work Rab Pe’alim, devotes a thorough responsum to the issue of riding The truth is that they probably weren’t bicycles on Shabbat in a place with an Erub. After thinking about me at all. Most people are too a long, exhaustive analysis, the Ben Ish Hai busy with their favorite subject – themselves concludes that bicycle riding is permitted on – to waste too much energy on others. But I Shabbat, and he therefore allowed riding bicycles was concerned with the impression I was in his city, Baghdad, which had an Erub. leaving. I was fearful of being judged. I

בס''ד Several Aharonim, including the Kaf Ha’haim treatment of the topic, Hacham Ovadia writes, “It Sofer (1970-1939) and Hacham Ovadia Hedaya is proper to be stringent not to ride a bicycle on (1889-1969), in his work Yaskil Abdi, claimed that Shabbat.” He writes explicitly that despite his the Ben Ish Hai later retracted this ruling, and arguments against those who forbade bicycle forbade bicycle riding on Shabbat. This assertion, riding, as a practical matter one should follow the however, was never proven, and some Poskim stringent view and refrain from riding bicycles on questioned the claim, noting that it seems unlikely Shabbat. that the Ben Ish Hai would change his mind And lest one contend that the Hacham’s intent without putting his new ruling into print. was merely to advise against bicycle riding on There is some confusion among many people Shabbat as a measure of stringency, as opposed regarding the position of Hacham Ovadia Yosef to strict Halacha, the question was posed to his on this subject, and this edition of Daily Halacha son, Rabbi Abraham Yosef, as to what his seeks to clarify his stance and dispel father’s position is. Rabbi Abraham answered in misconceptions. In a responsum in his work no uncertain terms that Hacham Ovadia forbids Yabia Omer (vol. 10, Orah Haim 54:12), the bicycle riding on Shabbat, and he referred to the Hacham cites a Halachic authority who claimed aforementioned responsum as the source. that bicycle riding is forbidden on Shabbat Furthermore, there is a website run by Hacham because it makes furrows in the ground, violating Ovadia’s grandsons that presents a daily halachic the Shabbat prohibition of plowing. Hacham discussion from the Hacham (halachayomit.co.il), Ovadia dismisses this rationale, noting that and the issue of bicycle riding on Shabbat is making grooves would be, at most, a Rabbinic addressed in one such discussion prohibition, and in a situation where one has no http://www.halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDisplayRead.asp intention whatsoever to make these grooves, and ?readID=2426. There it is clearly stated that it is has no interest at all in doing so, it would be forbidden to ride a bicycle on Shabbat. Moreover, permissible. Even in a situation where the in Hacham Ovadia’s recent work on the laws of grooves would inevitably result from riding, it Shabbat (vol. 4, p. 43), he writes explicitly that this would still be allowed. Hacham Ovadia then cites is forbidden. In Yalkut Yosef (vol. 3, p. 174), too, it a different argument advanced to forbid bicycle is written, “One should rule as a practical matter riding on Shabbat, namely, the concern that not to ride a bicycle on Shabbat, and one should something might break and one would then be not make a breach in this regard.” The Yalkut tempted to fix the bicycle on Shabbat, in violation Yosef adds that one should not ride a bicycle on of Halacha. However, Hacham Ovadia dismisses Shabbat even to go to perform a Misva, in this reason, as well, noting that we are not accordance with the consensus among the authorized to enact safeguards that were not Halachic authorities (listen to audio recording for established by Hazal. If this were a reason to precise citation). forbid bicycle riding, then we would not stop It is thus clear that Hacham Ovadia forbids there, and we would forbid wearing eyeglasses in bicycle riding on Shabbat, and this is, indeed, the case they break, and forbid wearing shoes in general consensus among the Poskim. Hacham case the lace tears. He thus concludes that this Ben Sion Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998) wrote concern is not grounds to forbid bicycle riding on that children may be allowed to ride tricycles on Shabbat. Shabbat, but regarding adults, bicycles should One who reads this responsum may, indeed, not be used. have the impression that Hacham Ovadia permits It is worthwhile to mention that both Hacham bicycle riding on Shabbat as a practical matter. Ovadia and Rav Eliezer Waldenberg (1915- However, before reaching this conclusion, we 2006), in his Sitz Eliezer (vol. 7, Siman 30), cite a must consider his comments on the subject in passage from the work She’elat Yaakob that other contexts. Some twenty-five pages later in establishes in the strongest of terms that bicycle that same work (in Siman 55), Hacham Ovadia riding is forbidden on Shabbat (listen to audio returns to the question of bicycle riding on recording for precise citation). The author writes Shabbat, and he cites the Ben Ish Hai’s ruling on that no serious Halachic scholar would ever the topic. He proceeds to analyze all sides of the imagine permitting bicycle riding on Shabbat, issue in great depth and detail, questioning the adding a prayer that anyone who does so should various arguments that have been advanced for perform Teshuba. Of course, the Ben Ish Hai was why bicycle riding should be forbidden. At the a towering Sage equal in stature to all other very end, however, concluding his exhaustive Rabbis combined, and certainly nobody would

בס''ד question his credentials as a Halachic authority. this practice a formal “Minhag.” Another claim that Clearly, however, the consensus of Halachic is advanced is the fact that the great community authorities does not follow his ruling on this Rabbis did not publicly object to bicycle riding on subject. Shabbat. But this argument, too, is not compelling, in light of the fact that Rabbis must We should also note that the Ben Ish Hai issued carefully choose their battles, so-to-speak, and his ruling for the Jewish community of Baghdad, they cannot publicly condemn every improper where it was customary to ride bicycles on practice that they observe in the community. Shabbat. It is questionable whether the Ben Ish Many factors are considered when determining Hai would apply his ruling in our circumstances which issues should be publicly addressed, and nowadays, when we live among Ashkenazic Jews thus the Rabbis’ silence in this regard certainly who does not allow bicycle riding on Shabbat. does not mean that they approved of bicycle Riding bicycles in our neighborhood would likely riding on Shabbat. offend the sensitivities of our Ashkenazic neighbors, and it is possible that even the Ben Ish Case in point, many years ago I heard people Hai would not permit bicycle riding under such saying that Hacham Yaakob Kassin ZT"L circumstances. Indeed, it is told that a Rabbi permitted bicycle riding on Shabbat even in named Rabbi Sassoon, who lived in England, places without an Erub, because the bicycle is followed the Ben Ish Hai’s ruling, but he did not considered an accessory, such that it is not being allow his children to ride their bicycles in the yard carried, just as one may wear a tie and other even though there was an Eruv, because their garments. This rumor sounded strange, so I neighbors were Ashkenazim, and he did not wish phoned the Hacham and asked him to clarify his to offend them. opinion. He assured me that he never issued such a ruling and would never permit bicycle Some people have tried to advance the claim that riding on Shabbat. there is already an established custom in the community to ride bicycles on Shabbat, or at least It hopefully goes without saying that we in no way on Yom Tob, and this should suffice to permit it. It intend to insult or offend any individuals in the should be noted, however, that there are certain community. We do not judge and we respect parameters that determine when a widespread each person’s individual decisions. Our intention practice obtains the status of an actual “Minhag” here is to clarify the position of Hacham Ovadia (religious practice). Many people eat hotdogs on Yosef on this matter, and to demonstrate that he July 4th, for example, but this does not render unequivocally forbade bicycle riding on Shabbat. across the border, eventually, someone would see Sarai around town. So Avram came up with a backup plan. He told Sarai to Kidz Corner say that she was his sister. Just as Avram predicted, at the border, the Interesting Midrash customs agent noticed how heavy the suitcase was and got suspicious. He ordered ( ) from Torah Tots Avram to open the baggage. Avram “HONDLING” AT THE BORDER announced that he was willing to pay any duty they saw fit as long as he didn't have to Besides their reputation for being immoral, open the suit case. the Egyptians, descendants of Cush, were known for their very ugly women! That¹s why "What if the suitcase is filled with gold?", Avram had to come up with a plan to retorted the agent. "The duty will be very smuggle Sarai across the Egyptian border. high." As a matter of fact, Avram came up with two "No problem! Just tell me who to make the plans. check out to!" answered Avram. Firstly, Avram stuffed Sarai into a suitcase "But maybe you've got precious stones in with clothes. But he knew that the customs there! Double duty!" agents would probably force him to open his "Don't worry, I've got my Mesopotamian suitcase. Plus, the fact that even if they got express card!"

בס''ד "I suspect you're hiding lots of diamonds! The Maggid reconciled this difficulty with the How will you pay duty on those cuties?" following parable: "Mesopotamian Platinum card! Never leave The Disappointed Worker home without it!" 12-year-old Johnny found work doing odd They went back and forth all day until the sun jobs at a local store. The storekeeper was about to set. promised to pay Johnny 4 silver dollars for Finally, the customs agents whipped open each month that he worked at the store. the buckles and zipper of the suitcase and At the end of the month, the storekeeper discovered socks, shirts, polka dot pajamas realized that this monthly salary was and Sarai! She was so beautiful that her face insufficient. Johnny was a hard worker and seemed to glow in the twilight! had done an excellent job. Therefore, he put Of course, in no time at all, the Egyptian the silver coins aside, and instead wrote out a customs agents began to bid on her: check for twice the amount originally agreed upon. "I'll give you twelve kopeks and a goat!" "I'll give you twenty pesos, four onions and a The merchant proudly handed the check gucci bag!" to Johnny. But to his surprise, instead of "I'll give you six radishes, twenty-five Kleenex thanking him for his generosity, the boy tissue boxes and a Boss radio!" unhappily stuffed the check in his pants pocket and bolted out the door with teary Finally, the bidding ended as the customs eyes. agents realized that Sarai was too beautiful to belong to any commoner. Only Pharaoh, the The next day, the Johnny's father went to the king of Egypt himself could have this beautiful store. "You have been most generous to my woman. And so, she was whisked off to the son, and I would like to thank you. But he is Palace. You know the rest of the story. still young and doesn't understand the value of a check. All he knows is that he was supposed to receive a purse full of shiny silver coins, and instead he got a plain piece of paper. I would be most grateful if you could Kid’z Korner (Revach) pay Johnny at least part of his wages in silver dollars." The Great Treasure The True Treasure (Adapted from The Maggid and his Parables, pp. 212-213) The great treasure that G-d promised G-d informed Abraham that his descendants Abraham was in fact the Torah that the would be enslaved in a foreign land, but they Jewish people would receive at Sinai. But this with a great" - ברכוש גדול would leave was a gift that the young and immature nation treasure." could not yet fully appreciate. In order that What was this great treasure? the people would not feel they had left Egypt It is usually thought to refer to the clothes and empty-handed, G-d commanded them to jewelry that the Israelites picked up from the request gold and silver and garments from Egyptians before leaving Egypt. The Sages, the Egyptians. This way they would leave however, taught that this treasure was in fact Egypt with a tangible gift that they could something far greater: The Torah that G-d appreciate, like the boy's silver dollars. gave the Jewish people at Sinai. Only after the people became wiser did they But if the "great treasure" is the Torah, why understand that the true "great treasure" that did G-d command the Israelites to ask the they received was not the coins and trinkets Egyptians for clothing, gold, and silver? supplied by the Egyptians, but the gift of Torah -- a priceless, eternal treasure which

בס''ד has accompanied the Jewish people disturbed about comment that roll off the tip throughout the generations. of his tongue. You can't take those back either. Do you have an internal voice editing The Chafetz Chaim of Email system, the commenter wanted to know? I saw a very thought provoking exchange Many thinkers, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, between two people, discussing today's decry the breakdown of good old communication technology. Until now communication. People no longer speak to electronic communication primarily revolved each other, they email and text message in around email. When writing an email most terribly impersonal ways. They are curt and people write it and then reread it, making don't develop their speech. Here is another technical corrections as well as contextual. way of looking at it. It is great!!! From a Often after reading an email we will edit out Daas Torah perspective we talk way more parts deeming them inappropriate. It may than we should. And when we start, every have seemed fine when writing it, but when last comment and then some, come tumbling you judge it as a reader you realized it is out of our mouths uncensored. better not said or at least said in a different way. Sure the internet has its dangers, and as per our gedolim it should be avoided to the Then there is instant messaging. Unlike greatest extent possible. But the telephone email when the reader and writer are not was probably the greatest communication communicating in real time, and the reader disaster in technology history. It changed the reads it whenever he has a chance, the way we speak forever. Not seeing the exchanges here are live and in real time with person we are talking with made it that much both people reading and responding as soon easier to get wrapped up in our own thoughts as the message is received. Even here, without considering what we are saying or however, each person writes their thoughts, that someone is actually listening. Email edits them and then hits the send button. As however takes us a century back in time one writes, the person on the other end just when communication meant thinking about sees a message telling him that his friend is what we say, reviewing it to make sure its in middle of typing but he does not know what appropriate and not hurtful, and lastly only is being written. saying what we need to say without rambling Recently a new technology allows the on from topic to topic, unimpeded. recipient to see each letter as the writer types So why is it that we are careful with the it. Sounds great, doesn't it? You don't need written word but not the spoken word? to wait and wonder. You watch it happen, as Probably because we have this notion that it happens. People all over the world are words disappear into thin air. Once we say it, marveling at this communication we tend to move on and we don't realize that breakthrough. One fellow however was not just like the written word that can be read and so impressed. "I am a terrible speller! Do reread, the spoken word can scar a person's you think I want the other person to see all heart and be replayed over and over again in my mistake before my spellchecker saves me their mind after we have long forgotten our shame? Besides I write so many dumb hurtful utterances. An off the cuff response sarcastic jokes that I usually end up erasing about another person can have them and saving myself lots of grief. Now repercussions for many generations and alter every word I think of typing will be out there a person's life and future. and can't be taken back!" We may never be the Chafetz Chaim but These are pretty valid gripes. However, after now that we've learned to respect the written hearing this argument, another fellow wanted word and it forms an essential part of our to know why he was suddenly so concerned daily communications, we need to transfer about letting inappropriate remarks slip out of some of this accountability to our spoken his computer, while he doesn't seem to word. As frum Yidden we truly believe that

בס''ד each word is recorded and will be replayed to us in front of the Heavenly court. We know Pour Les Francophones that Ozen Shomaas, the great ear in Shamayim is listening. But more than listening, even our spoken words are being Tu Trouveras son Coeur de written down on a very large computer Confiance faraway above the land. Not only do we (Rav Itshak Nabet) need to be careful before we hit the send button we need to be just as careful before Au début de notre paracha Lekh Lekha, opening our mouth. Because when non-Jews Hachem ordonna à Avraham de quitter sa terre start giving Mussar about Shmiras HaLashon, natale pour une terre inconnue. Cependant, cet we ought to listen carefully. exil sera récompensé : le Créateur lui promet une descendance, la richesse et la renommée. Lot vs. Avraham - Can You Put Limits On Tous les commentateurs s'accordent à dire que your Religious standard? ce fut une des dix épreuves d'Avrahamavinou. The Medrash tells us that when Lot left Et pourtant, si Hachem apparaît à une Avrohom to settle in Sedom he said "I cannot personne et lui promet tout cela à la condition live not with Avrohom and not with His G-d." qu'elle déménage au Kenya par exemple, il est Maybe this can be explained with something certain que cette dernière serait en droit d’hésiter : c'est un pays dangereux et peu interesting often said by Rav Shimshon choisiraient cet endroit pour y habiter. Mais si Pincus. Imagine you were invited for Shabbat une personne a la promesse d'Hachem qu'elle to the house of the Chatam Sofer. What an sera là-bas milliardaire, qu'elle aura des amazing opportunity to spend time in the enfants après plus 60 ans de stérilité et qu'elle presence of a Malach Elokim and observe deviendra président du Kenya, serait-ce pour him up close for an entire Shabbat. Watching elle vraiment une épreuve ? De plus, il est écrit him eat. Hearing him sing. Listening to his dans le Midrach Béréchit Raba que Rabi Levi divrei torah. Seeing him interact with his ne savait pas quel était le Lekh Lekha le plus family. difficile : celui de notre paracha ou celui de la Motzae Shabbat comes and it's time for you fin de Vayéra, ou Hachem demande to go but the Chatam Sofer says "You know it à Avraham de prendre son fils unique Itshak was such a pleasure having you that we want avinou et d'aller le sacrifier sur une montagne. Encore une fois, comment comparer ces deux you to stay another day." Wow, how commandements? Existe-il une épreuve plus flattering. So you unpack your bags and stay grande pour un père que de tuer ses enfants ? for another day. The day is spent learning Alors comment pouvons-nous comprendre with flames of fire. More davening more ce Midrach ? kedusha, more tahara. Sunday night the Chatam Sofer asks you to stay for another Nos sages expliquent que l'essentiel de week. At this point you've had as much l'épreuve d’Avraham Avinou résidait dans le fait tziddkus as you can handle for a year. You qu'il ne connaissait pas la destination de son just want to go home and live a "normal" life. voyage. Il partit avec sa famille et ses élèves pendant des mois et des mois. D'Irak en Syrie, Lot spent many years with Avrohom and his sans savoir où il allait. A son arrivée adventures. The chesed, the geirim, it was en Eretz Israël, il découvre que ce pays est nice and exciting but he was getting older frappé par une famine terrible. Il est alors and it was too much. He just wanted to be a contraint de se réfugier en Egypte. Or, pendant "regular" guy. He wanted to live in a nice tout ce temps, Avraham ne possède pas un neighborhood and relax. He was more than sou en poche. Il est obligé de prendre des happy to do Hachnosas Orchim but in his crédits dans chaque auberge dans laquelle il se book there were limits to kedusha and he repose. Enfin, après 1700 km de route, il veut didn't want to "over do it". The end of Lot we s'installer en Egypte, Pharaon lui prend sa all know. femme... Malgré toutes ces difficultés, jamais Avraham ne posa de question

בס''ד à Hachem. Pas une fois il ne leva les yeux au c’est de ne pas poser de question. D'avoir ciel et demanda au Créateur où étaient les confiance au fait que tout vient d'Hachem et récompenses qui lui avaient été promises. que tout est pour le bien. Car si un homme commence à poser des questions sur la Nous disons tous les matins dans le texte qui manière dont Hachem dirige Son monde, il commence par Vayevarekh David : " Tu es peut très vite renier Hachem et tout Hachem qui a choisi Avram, l'a sorti de Our abandonner. Cependant, nous devons savoir Kasdim et l'appela Avraham. Tu trouvas son que nous possédons cette force de croyance cœur de confiance et tu établis avec lui une implantée en nous. Avraham ancra tellement alliance..." Nos sages expliquent qu'un homme ce comportement en lui qu'il le transmit peut dire que son associé est de confiance génétiquement à toutes ses descendances, seulement lorsque son entreprise commence à comme nous l'avons vu lors du don de la couler. En effet, lorsque tout va bien, il y a Torah. LorsqueHachem proposa Sa Torah aux aucune raison que l’associé quitte le navire. différents peuples, chacun demanda ce qu'il y Mais lorsque la situation devient critique, si son avait écrit. Mais les bnéIsraël ne posèrent, eux, associé reste en place et continue à se battre aucune question. Ils dirent d'une seule voix :" contre vents et marées, là il peut témoigner nous ferons et nous comprendrons”. Les qu'il possède un ami fidele. Hachem testa actions de nos pères sont des exemples pour Avraham à travers ce voyage. Il ne lui montra nous. Même si nous vivons des épreuves pas de pays, il n'eut pas d'enfant, il passa difficiles tant sur le plan collectif qu'individuel, d'auberge en auberge tel un mendiant. tant sur le plan spirituel que matériel, nous Cependant, Avraham surmonta cette épreuve devons suivre les pas de nos ancêtres, et avec succès et montra à Hachemqu'il était marcher fidèlement avec Hachem sans poser digne de confiance. En cela, l'épreuve de Lekh de question. Nous vous souhaitons un très Lekha ressemblait au sacrifice d'Isthak. bon Chabat, et vous disons, dans cette Le rav Eliahou Abergel chlitaexplique qu'à cette espérance, à très bientôt. époque la coutume était de sacrifier ses enfants devant des idoles. Lorsque Hachemdemanda à Avraham de sacrifier son fils, il est sûr que c'était difficile. La Première épreuve Mais si déjà des hommes simples le faisaient d'Avraham pour des bouts de bois et de fer, pourquoi ce saint homme ne le ferait- il pas lui aussi pour le Dix générations après la destruction de Di-u Vivant ? Nos sages expliquent que la l'humanité, le monde était de nouveau plongé véritable épreuve résidait dans la contradiction dans l'obscurité. Le nom d’Hachem avait été entre les proposd'Hachem. D'un côté le oublié et les hommes servaient toutes sortes Créateur promit à Avraham qu’Itshak serait d'idoles. C'est à cette époque qu'une lumière son successeur, sa relève. Puis Il lui demanda changea la face de la planète. Avram avinou de le sacrifier. Encore une fois, Avraham fit comprit que ce monde appartenait forcément à preuve de confiance, et ne posa pas de un propriétaire et commença à entraîner ses question. Ainsi la premiere Mitzva qu’Hachem contemporains vers de nouvelles idées. Une ordonna à notre ancêtre, c’était de croire en lui seule ombre entachait le tableau de notre sans poser de question, même si les choses ne ancêtre : à plus de quatre-vingts ans, il n'avait se déroulaient pas comme il le désirait. A toujours pas connu la joie d'être père. Lorsque l’inverse, Loth trébucha devant cette épreuve. Il soudain Hachem s'adressa à lui et lui demanda ne comprenait pas comment ils pouvaient errer de quitter son pays, son lieu de naissance et la comme des pauvres alors qu'ils avaient eu la maison de son père afin d'être à l'origine d’une bénédiction d'Hachem, et la promesse de grande nation, d'être béni et d'avoir un grand devenir riches. C'est pourquoi il quitta Avraham nom. et reniaHachem, nous dit Rachi zal, dès qu'il Rachi zal explique qu'un homme qui multiplie eut l'occasion de partir. les voyages s'expose à trois risques : celui La Torah nous apprend cette semaine que la d'avoir moins d'enfants, moins d'argent et de base sur laquelle repose tout le service divin, jouir d'une moins bonne réputation. C'est pour

בס''ד cela qu'Hachem lui promit qu'il bénéficierait de accomplit une mitsva. A l'inverse, lorsqu'il ces trois récompenses une fois arrivé au pays savoure une bonne dafina ou qu'il profite d'une qu'Il lui montrerait. petite sieste à Chabat, s'il ne pense pas qu'il agit pour accomplir l'ordre de se réjouir à Dans les maximes des pères (5,3), il est écrit Chabat, son acte perd de son caractère sacré. qu’Avraham avinou fut frappé par dix épreuves. Car cela prouve qu'il ne mange que pour son Tous les commentateurs s'accordent pour estomac et son palais. Ainsi, dès qu'il y a un compter cet ordre de quitter son pays au profit dans une mitsva, il faut absolument agir nombre de celles-ci. A priori, puisqu' Hachem pour Hachem. C'est pourquoi la Torah nous promit à Avraham qu'il aurait des enfants, de met en garde : "Souviens-toi du Chabat afin de l'argent et une bonne renommée, en quoi ce le sanctifier". départ était-il difficile au point d'être qualifié d’épreuve ? Désormais, nous pouvons comprendre la difficulté de l'épreuve de "Ler Lera". Avraham Afin de répondre à cette question, nous allons avinou devait partir dans le seul but de faire expliquer un verset de la paracha Yitro plaisir à Hachem. Il devait oublier la promesse :"Souviens- toi du Chabat afin de le sanctifier". d'enfants, d'argent et d'honneurs qu'il avait A première vue, il semble, si la torah nous entendus. Il devait exécuter l'ordre d'Hachem ordonne de nous en souvenir, qu’il existe un de façon absolument désintéressée, dans le risque que l'on oublie le Chabat. Or pourquoi, à seul but de faire plaisir à Son Créateur. Et c'est propos de cette Mitsva, y a-t-il plus à craindre ainsi que la Torah témoigne qu'il réussit son un oubli de notre part plus que pour les autres épreuve et que ses intentions étaient pures, mitsvot ? comme il est écrit : "Avraham s'en alla comme Comme nous le savons, la valeur d'une mitsva lui demanda Hachem": juste pour sanctifier Son dépend de son accomplissement. Chacune nom. comporte plusieurs dimensions : l'acte en lui- Les actions de nos pères sont des références même, sa compréhension et la volonté pour nous, disent nos sages. Nous avons tous d'exécuter cette action pour accomplir la une petite tendance à faire les Mitsvot par volonté d'Hachem... Par exemple, lorsque nous habitude ou intérêt. Nous faisons la religion lisons le Chéma Israël, nous devons prononcer pour ne pas être malade ou pour trouver un tous les mots correctement à l'heure désignée bon conjoint. Même si cette étape est par la Torah et nos sages. Puis il faut essayer indispensable au début, la Torah nous dévoile de comprendre le sens des paroles que l'on cette semaine que pour pouvoir s'élever dans prononce, en particulier pour les deux le service divin, la première étape est Ler Lera. premières phrases. Lors de la proclamation du Il nous faut imiter Avraham Avinou et essayer Chéma, nous devons également prendre sur d'accomplir les Mitsvot pour faire Sa volonté et nous le joug divin et reconnaître que Di-u règne sanctifier Son nom. Nous devons comprendre sur nous et sur le Monde entier à chaque que les Mitsvot ne sont pas un moyen afin instant. Enfin, il faut penser que nous d'être récompensé, mais qu’elles sont le but de accomplissons cette mitsva parce qu'Hachem notre vie. Car en les accomplissant, nous nous nous l'a demandé. Et, semblablement pour attachons à Hachem, ce qui représente chaque mitsva, plus la pensée qui accompagne l'objectif principal de notre venue sur Terre. l'action est pure et profonde, plus la Mitsva est Alors n'oublions pas cet enseignement et valorisée. Cependant, même sans cet essayons de l'appliquer au quotidien. Pour embellissement, notre mitsva est acceptée par cela, il nous suffit de penser avant chaque le Tout puissant. Mitsva :" je fais cela pour faire la Volonté Si cela est vrai pour la majorité des mitsvot, divine." Alors qu'Hachem nous donne les c'est un peu différent pour la mitsva du Chabat forces d'avancer et de grandir dans Ses Qodesh. En effet, en règle générale, l'homme sentiers afin de pouvoir nous approcher de Lui, ne tire pas de jouissance de son service divin. sincèrement. Nous vous souhaitons, dans cet Celui qui met ses téfilines, qui donne la tsedaka espoir, un très bon Chabat et vous disons à ou qui jeûne n'éprouve aucun plaisir à effectuer très bientôt ces actes. Donc même s'il ne pense pas à faire cela pour Hachem, son action prouve qu'il

בס''ד Reflexion semanal pueden hacer todo tipo de buenas acciones, pero de acuerdo a la Torá, no estarán casados sino hasta que hayan realizado la ceremonia Circuncisión: El pacto de bodas según es prescrito por la Torá. De la misma manera, una persona debe hacer un individual con Di-s compromiso con Di-s para tener una relación (Rav Yonatan Gefen) con Él; si no se compromete, es imposible que comience una relación real5. El Brit Milá y el Al final de la parashá de esta semana1, Di-s le Korbán Pesaj son pactos con Di-s en los que ordena a Abraham la mitzvá de Brit Milá (circuncisión). El Séfer HaJinuj nota un aspecto un judío se compromete a respetar la Torá. sumamente interesante de esta mitzvá. Hay Podemos ver esta conexión, por ejemplo, en una gran cantidad de mitzvot negativas cuya un versículo del libro de Ezequiel, en el cual el transgresión genera el ónesh (castigo) de profeta le recuerda al pueblo judío cuando eran caret2. Sin embargo, sólo hay dos esclavos indefensos en Egipto y cómo Di-s los mandamientos positivos cuyo castigo es caret sacó de allí. Para recordarles esto, el profeta si uno no los observa: El Brit Milá y el Korbán recurre a una analogía sobre un niño Pesaj (conocido como el Cordero Pascual), la abandonado que es salvado. El versículo ofrenda que se ofrecía en el Templo durante la declara: "Y Yo6 pasé sobre ti y te vi cubierto en festividad de Pesaj. ¿Cuál es la importancia de sangre, y te dije: ‘Por tu sangre vivirás, por tu estas dos mitzvot que las hace únicas en este sangre vivirás’"7. Nuestros sabios explican que aspecto? esas dos menciones de sangre se refieren a la sangre del Brit Milá y del Korbán Pesaj. Di-s Para responder esta pregunta, primero redimió al pueblo judío de la esclavitud y lo necesitamos explicar por qué las mitzvot llevó al Monte Sinaí para recibir la Torá gracias negativas están más relacionadas con caret al mérito de estas dos mitzvot. Al parecer, no que las positivas. es ninguna coincidencia que sean En una relación entre dos personas, como por precisamente estas dos mitzvot las que ejemplo en el matrimonio, hay ciertas acciones Hashem ordenó, ya que estas representan la que pueden dañar la relación sin causar voluntad del pueblo para comprometerse a ser necesariamente que ésta se destruya por la nación de Di-s. completo. Sin embargo, hay otras acciones que Otra conexión entre esas dos mitzvot es que son tan serias que pueden terminar acabando hay dos ocasiones en que el profeta Eliahu con la relación. De la misma manera, cometer visita al pueblo judío: en un Brit Milá y en la un pecado genera un distanciamiento entre la noche del Séder, la noche en que recordamos persona y Di-s. La magnitud del el Korbán Pesaj. Esto es porque Eliahu, distanciamiento está determinada por la exasperado por el continuo pecar de los judíos, seriedad del pecado3; hay algunos pecados dijo que no había esperanza para este pueblo8. que dañan la relación tan profundamente que En respuesta, Di-s le ordenó visitar todo Brit causan un daño irreparable. Estos pecados a Milá, lo cual le mostraría que, sin importar menudo generan el ónesh de caret4. cuánto pecaran los judíos, ellos siempre Por otro lado, el no realizar una mitzvá positiva respetarían el pacto que había entre ellos y Di- puede dañar la relación en el sentido que evita s. Y por la misma razón Eliahu viene en la que aumente la cercanía con Di-s, pero sin noche del Séder, que es cuando ve al pueblo embargo, es muy difícil ver cómo la falta de celebrar su nacimiento como nación9. acciones positivas podría causar un daño Pero hay una pregunta que todavía debemos irreparable a nuestra relación con Di-s. Esto responder: ¿Por qué es necesario que hayan explica por qué el pasar por alto la mayoría de dos mitzvot que involucren el compromiso las mitzvot positivas no genera caret. básico de hacer la voluntad de Di-s? ¿Por qué ¿Qué hace que el Brit Milá y el Korbán Pesaj no es suficiente con una sola mitzvá para sean diferentes? Para comenzar un cumplir con este objetivo? La respuesta es que matrimonio, el hombre debe asumir el cada una de estas mitzvot representa un compromiso de unirse con su esposa. Sin ese aspecto diferente del compromiso. compromiso, no existe una relación verdadera;

בס''ד El Brit Milá le fue comandado primero a un nación judía, pero también debe luchar para individuo, Abraham, para que creara su pacto comprometerse a mejorar su relación individual con Di-s. Entonces, vemos que el Brit Milá con Di-s. representa el compromiso de tener una La aplicación práctica de esta lección varía relación individual con Di-s y de todo lo que para cada persona, pero en términos eso conlleva. Por otro lado, el Korbán Pesaj generales, cada uno debería analizar cómo representa nuestro compromiso con Di-s como aumentar su compromiso personal en su parte del pueblo judío. Las leyes del Korbán relación con Di-s. Algunos ejemplos podrían Pesaj enfatizan la importancia de cumplir la ser hablar con Di-s13, estudiar más de Su Torá, mitzvá en grupos, acentuando de esta forma el esforzarse para observar más aspectos de aspecto nacional de la mitzvá. Por lo tanto, uno Shabat o de cashrut, etc. Lo importante es debe realizar dos pactos con Di-s: uno como intentar hacer algo, ya que es vital recordar individuo y otro como parte del pueblo judío. que Di-s quiere tener una relación personal con Este entendimiento puede ayudarnos a explicar cada uno de nosotros. una extraña ley del Korbán Pesaj. Está 1) Muchas de las ideas de este ensayo están basadas en una clase prohibido que un judío no circuncidado dada por Rav Uziel Milesky. 2) Séfer HaJinuj, Mitzvá 2. Caret es participe del Korbán Pesaj10. ¿Cuál es la lógica traducido como escisión espiritual. Hay mucho debate respecto a lo que caret implica exactamente pero, como su nombre implica, de esto? ¡No cumplir con una mitzvá de involucra alguna forma de pérdida de conexión con Di-s. Las ninguna manera exenta a la persona del transgresiones que generan caret incluyen comer pan en Pésaj, 11 comer ciertas grasas prohibidas, varios tipos de relaciones cumplimiento del resto de las mitzvot! La prohibidas, etc. Es importante destacar que una persona que respuesta es que una persona no puede comete alguna de estas acciones debido a una falta de comprometerse sinceramente con Di-s como conocimiento no sufre caret. 3) Hay otros factores que entran en juego respecto al nivel del castigo. Por ejemplo, como dijimos antes, parte de una nación si no se ha comprometido el conocimiento de la ley judía es muy importante al determinar el primero en el plano individual. ónesh que la persona recibe. 4) Cabe recordar que la teshuvá (arrepentimiento) siempre puede rectificar el daño causado por los Esto nos enseña una lección esencial. Mucha pecados (aunque, en algunos casos, puede que sea necesario un grado de sufrimiento). 5) Obviamente esto no significa que esté gente se identifica fuertemente con el judaísmo exento de cumplir mitzvot, sino que tiene una muy seria inhibición y como parte del pueblo judío; se comprometen espiritual. 6) Este es Di-s hablando en las palabras del profeta. con el Estado de Israel y están dispuestos a 7) Ezequiel, 16:6. 8) Melajim 1, Cap. 19:10. 9) Es interesante notar que dos de las mitzvot más observadas por los sacrificar con alegría parte de su tiempo y judíos seculares son brit milá y la noche del Séder de Pésaj. 10) energía —e incluso están dispuestos a Séfer HaJinuj, Mitzvá 17. 11) Ni de esa mitzvá misma, obviamente. 12) Cabe destacar que mientas que la mitzvá de brit arriesgar sus vidas— por el pueblo judío. milá sólo aplica a hombres, las lecciones derivadas de ellas aplican Mucha gente defiende a Israel cuando es a hombres y mujeres por igual. 13) Pese a que hay servicios de plegarias estandarizados, es altamente recomendable que la atacado verbalmente por algún antisemita. persona también hable con Di-s en el lenguaje y el momento que le Pero, sin embargo, el compromiso es mucho resulte más conveniente, y que comparta sus deseos, sentimientos menor desde el punto de vista individual12. y necesidades con Su Creador. Puede que uno se identifique como parte de la

was the Ben Ish Chai’s niece. The Tzadka family Nahalot lived in the Bet Yisrael neighborhood of Yerushalayim. When he was 12 years old, Yehuda Tzadka enrolled in the Porat Yosef Yeshiva in the Old City. There, he became very close to Rav Ezra Nahala of Rav Yehuda Zadka this Attia. At the age of only 27 years, he was appointed Sunday the 12th of Mar Heshvan to teach at the yeshiva. Among Reb Yehuda’s first students was Rav Ovadia Yosef. In time, Rav Rav Yehuda Tzadka, rosh yeshiva of Porat Yosef Yehuda became the menahel ruchani, and with the (1909-1991). Born in Yerushalayim, Rav Yehuda petira of Rav Ezra Attias in 1970, he was appointed was a great-great grandson of Rav Tzadka Chutzin, to new Rosh Yeshiva. author of Tzedaka U’misphat. His mother, Simcha,

בס''ד

בס''ד

בס''ד