sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ki Tavo, Ki Teitzei

should really be in last week’s parsha. I too want to enter the Land, but G-d refused, VA'ETCHANAN allowing me only a glimpse. Then the next theme in Moshe’s speech begins: life in the Land. Perhaps G-d’s refusal to allow Moshe ALIYA-BY-ALIYA into the Land is the perfect preamble to the SEDRA SUMMARY discussion of life in the Land. Know this: living in the Land is a gift, a Divine gift. He Reuven gives. And He takes. You have no claim on Tradburks this gift. I know from experience. Live so Director of that you deserve it. RCA Israel Region 2nd aliya (4:5-40) Keep the mitz- 1st aliya (3:23-4:4) I beseeched vot, for they are wise. The nations G-d to allow me to enter the will look at the mitzvot and say: Land. He refused: ascend the what a wise people. And who has a G-d as mountain, gaze at the Land that you will close as ours is to us? Or who has noble not enter. Charge Yehoshua, for he will lead as our ? Remember the day at the people. Now, Yisrael Shema, listen to Sinai, the mountain on fire and the dark- the commandments so you will remain in ness of the cloud. The Voice emanated but the Land. You saw what occurred with Baal there was no form. Make no images. I Peor: those who followed Baal Peor were taught you the mitzvot; keep them, for they punished while those who did not, are the covenant G-d commanded from survived. you. Your children will make images and be exiled, flung to the ends of the earth, In this aliya, Moshe’s speech pivots. In Par- serving idols there. They will return to G-d, shat he spoke of the march to the seeking Him with all their heart. He will Land: the hiccup of 40 years because of the not forget His covenant. Is there another spies, the resumed march and its victories people who has heard G-d’s voice amidst over Sichon and . The march to the Land fire? Or another one Who took His people was the topic. This first part of this aliya with wonders from amidst another? Know Keren Malki empowers and take to heart that there is none other families of children than G-d. with special needs in Israel to choose home Moshe emphasizes 2 unique things we care. Donations are enjoy: our G-d and our Torah. Other nations tax-approved in Israel, US and UK. recognize this. The implied message here Honoring the memory of is: why go running to other gods and other religions when yours is so profound that הי”ד Malka Chana Roth kerenmalki.org 1985-2001, killed in the the other nations recognize it. If they see 02-567-0602 Sbarro bombing. our religion as profound, we to ought too.

6 TORAH TIDBITS 1429 / VA'ETCHANAN 5781 discussing how to continue to operate the 3rd aliya (4:41-49) Moshe sepa- Zula when the teenagers aren’t always rated 3 cities of refuge for those interestedIItt payspay sin tto ocompiling bbuyuy a pproperty rwithope rcoronaty who kill accidentally on the east guidelines, such as not properly wearing side of the Jordan. Moshe taught these laws iinn AAshkelonshkelon – hhere’sere’s wwhy:hy: their masks. Due to Corona, the Zula is on the east side of the Jordan in the Lands REASON #6: ORE UCRATIVE HAN operating outside M its L usual location T on already conquered. These conquered BANKS, SAFER THAN STOCK MARKETS Lands extend from the Dead Sea all the way Yaffo Street since we cannot be inside. to Mt. Hermon. TheIIt’st’ scold ttimeim ine ttoYerushalayimo ttakeake pprofitsrofit swas oonn frigid,ssomeome and myoof fhands yyourour sstocksremainedtocks aandn din iinvest nmyve spocketst iinn a ssolid owhilelid Moshe’s choosing 3 cities of refuge on the I shuffledppropertyroperty iin nmy bbeautiful ebodyaut iftou ltry AAshkelon!s handke lstayon! warm. east side of the Jordan, is his confirmation Yet, a few meters in front of me our Zula of the right of Bnei Gad, Bnei Reuven and Purchasing a home in Ashkelon is the intelligent counselorsoption and atwere this time strumming – a very wise their investment guitars! half of Menashe to dwell there. Rav Yoel Bin andTake sitting advantage calmly and lock as downthey a listenedgreat deal onto the Nun contends that this vast area over the your dream vacation home – and best of all, it’s youthvery affordableunburden – just themselves.15% down payment, They with were Jordan becomes part of the promised Land. seeingmortgages the available potential and bankin guarantees.these kids Rental and st income often in excess of 3.5%. So, act now. Moshe was told in the 1 aliya to ascend the watering them with acceptance and love mountain and look west, north, south and because they know that they will be the east. Well, looking east would be away from futureLIVE blossoming OPPOSITE leaders THEof the SEAJewish the . Why look there? Hence, people. 0544-332621 he maintains that the defeat of Sichon and davidz@A shkelonProperties.com 36 DAY Og was the beginning of the conquering of the Land and that those Lands became part DECLUTTER of Eretz Yisrael. Moshe looks east because CHALLENGE that Land is also part of Eretz Yisrael. Avi Join the 36 day challenge for $1 a Executive Director, OU Israel Moshe himself does participate in at least day + 7 bonus days to ready the beginning of the conquest of the Land Save a Life - Gain yours for Pesach. Daily challenge email, of Israel. video, how tos, & support group. 4th aliya (5:1-18) Mt. Sinai. Moshe 1 of 78,424 Finally declutter !! called the people: Shema Yisrael EFRAT AND get organized www.efrat.org.il to the commandments for our 02-5454500 JOIN TODAY! G-d made a covenant at Sinai. He made it www.balaganbegone.com/36 with you, face to face amidst fire. I commu- Hotline option avaliable nicated it because you were afraid. And He said: I am G-d who took you out of Egypt. STARTS Do not make images. Or take My in FEB 14, 2021 vain. Guard as a day of rest to remember that you were slaves in Egypt. Honor your father and mother. Do not רפואה שלמה murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false יהודה מאיר בן יקירה .witness, covet

OU ISRAEL CENTER 7 OU ISRAEL CENTER 5 Moshe describes the giving of the Torah at 5th aliya (5:19-6:3) When you Sinai. In doing so, he emphasizes the brit, heard these words amidst the the covenant. It is this covenant that ani- fire and the cloud you were mates the entire rest of the book. There are afraid. You approached and said: now we 2 covenants: the brit made with Avraham know man can hear G-d’s voice but we are to give his children the Land. And the brit afraid we will die. Moshe, you hear from made at Sinai, which is mitzvot that we are Him, not us. G-d agreed and said to me: to keep. The first brit, to give us the land, you stand with Me and I will tell you all the came with no particular expectations. Not commandments to keep in the Land. so the second brit. And that is what Moshe The word Shema appears 8 times in the is now emphasizing. Don’t stop at brit 1: it first 7 verses of this aliya. The people is bound to brit 2. The giving of the Land heard the Voice at Sinai but were afraid. So is bound up with the mitzvot. Not that it Moshe, you hear it for us. And G-d heard is contingent on it. It sounds from Breishit their suggestion and said it was good. Fine, that the promise of the Land is without Moshe will hear G-d’s voice. But, who expectations. But the success in the Land hears is not the issue. The issue is who is bound up with brit 2, the mitzvot. The hears. I mean, who hears the voice with promise of the Land never wanes; suc- his ear; that can be Moshe. That’s fine. But cess in the Land can. Moshe introduces who hears, I mean, hears, gets it, under- this theme here, at the outset of his long stands it, accepts it; that is you. Hence the speech to the people; and it is this theme last verse in the aliya, 8 verses later comes that will resonate through the entire rest back to Shema: Shemata Yisrael, you heard of his speech. Israel and hence, keep the mitzvot. There is hearing and there is hearing. Moshe is In loving memory of our your hearing aid to hear; but you are the dear father, grandfather ones who need to hear. and great grandfather, 6th aliya (6:4–25) The Shema. Shema Yisrael, G-d is one. You MAX WEIL Z"L shall love G-d, and have that in your heart constantly; teaching of it to your children, speaking of it, at all times and in משה מנחם וייל ז"ל all places. Be bound with love of G-d; let it whose 2nd yahrzeit falls on guide you and your home. When you come into the Land, you will find things .יב מנחם אב that you did not build: large and good cit- ies, homes full of wonderful things, Danny, Judy, and all the cisterns, vineyards, groves. But be Weil and Amsel children careful to not forget G-d. Fear Him, serve and grandchildren Him. Do what is moral and good in His

8 TORAH TIDBITS 1429 / VA'ETCHANAN 5781 but you could possibly do them. For when eyes and He will do good for you. When it comes to communications from G-d, you your children ask you about all these com- are unique, irreplaceable, sui generis, one mandments, tell them: we were slaves in “It sounded too good of a kind. Egypt, G-d took us out to give us this land. to be true – a superb sea-view ThisThese exchange commandments presents are a to fundamental cultivate awe apartment in Anglo-populated principleof Him and of bringthe Torah: us merit, that to G-dpreserve speaks us Ashkelon for only 15% down toin Moshe this land. in a way that He does not, nor – is actually a reality.” will He in the future ever do again with While we love the first line of the Shema, said another happy client anyoneit is the else. second When that Moshe is the saysemphasis that people of the comeparagraph. to him seekingLove of G-d,G-d. what All your he means heart, Owning your own apartment does not just allow is:all I yourhave ,access all to your G-d. might. He speaks We are to usedme. you freedom, but offers monetary savings, and (Speaking to G-d isn’t the trick; the trick is an increase in your investment value. to saying this line so we become numb to Anglo-populated, sunny Ashkelon is the answer! when He answers back.) Similarly, when its power. Moshe is speaking to the people: It’s very affordable – from $500,000 with just a 15% True wholesaler from the diamond Moshepour yourselfsays that intohe teaches this. Let G-d’s it go. , Put what all down payment, mortgages available as well as bank guarantees.boursa with Rental over income 25 often years in experienceexcess of 3.5%. he means is that G-d communicates those you’ve got in this. No inhibitions. Love of member diamond dealers club lawsG-d tois tohim animate and to allno ofone your else. life: bubbling Engagement Rings ∙ Stud Earrings over to your children, percolating in you in LIVEPendants OPPOSITE Tennis Bracelets THE SEA This could very well be the prime purpose ∙ your travels, your actions, your thoughts, 050-573-9061 0544-332621 [email protected] of this story. For, in the very next davidz@A shkelonProperties.com your home. Wow. Little wonder that this story, the giving of the Torah, the very www.JeffMorDiamondJewelry.com paragraph is the heart of our daily tefila. same theme of Moshe’s uniqueness as the We need to be G-d obsessed. I don’t belit- one to whom G-d speaks is central. tle the complexity of what belief is. But Moshe is3 plainrd aliya as (18:24-27)day here: Moshelove G-d heard. with all your heart,He chose soul judges,and might. with All only in. the MarSea Modest Swim & Casualwear Marci Rapp most difficult cases brought to www.MarSeaModest.net (NIS) 7th aliya (7:1-11) When you come 050-424-8359 him. Moshe sent Yitro home. www.MarSeaModest.com ($USD) into the Land, conquer the seven It takes nations.an honest Do notleader make to any accept cove- suggestionsnant with them.to improve. Do not Moshe marry displays them, hisfor honestythat will and lead humility to idol worship. – if the suggestionYou are G-d’s is good,holy embracepeople. Not it. Justbecause as Yitro you accepted are numer the- newsous but of the because Exodus He and loved affirmed you and madeOne G-d, a THEProperty BEST SalesDESIGN, | New ENGINEERING Projects | Rentals AND PropertyINSTALLATION Management OF | AIRLand Sales covenant with you. Know: He keeps His Commercial | International Sales so too, Moshe admits he could improve his CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. system.covenant. Two You men too of keep honesty the mitzvot.and humility. JUST ASK ANY OF OUR Alex Israel4th makesaliya a(19:1-6) trenchant The comment people THOUSANDS OF HAPPY CLIENTS. by stamelman & partners (in a shiurcamped on the in Virtual the Sinai Beit desert ). oppo- There aresite 2 thedistinct mountain. types ofMoshe idol wor as-- www.israel-.com ship. In the 10 Commandments we are Tel/WhatsApp IL +972 50 446 9515 cended the mountain. G-d told him: tell Tel/WhatsApp SA +27 82 608 0168 02-628-8282 I 03-720-8000 told not to make images. In other words, JLEM [email protected] the people. If you will listen to Me, keep My tzviair.com

OU ISRAEL CENTER 97 even if you believe in G-d, but you want an Marrying the non-Jew begins the process image, don’t do it. Right G-d, but no rep- of idol worship. Hence, no intermarriage. resentation. Here we are told to be wary of serving other gods. Wrong gods. This HAFTORAH is the allure of a group belonging. Marry a woman, join her faith group, enjoy the YESHAYAHU 40:1-26 fellowship, camaraderie, belonging that a This week’s haftorah is the first of a series faith community brings. There are a of of seven “haftarot of Consolation.” These wonderful and satisfying elements to any seven haftarot start on the Shabbat fol- faith community. But. That is a complete lowing Tisha B’Av and continue until Rosh violation of your unique relationship with Hashanah. G-d (in addition to the folly of these gods). It is not the mind that attracts you; it is This section of Yeshayahu begins with G‑d’s the community that comes with the wife. conveying to the : “Console, O con- sole My people . . . Announce to לעלוי נשמת May the learning in this issue be that her period of exile has been fulfilled רחל בת שבתי יהושע יצחק חיים ונעכא ז"ל Miller z"l and that her sins have been forgiven.” Yeshayahu’s prophecy describes some of ט'ו באב ,on her 16th yahrzeit The Miller/Kalish/Kram families the remarkable events that will unfold

BY RABBI CHANOCH YERES A SHORT VORT Rav, Beit Knesset Beit Yisrael, Yemin Moshe

Immediately preceding the well known Pasuk of “Shema Yisrael”, the Pasuk says (6:2) “To keep all His statutes and His commandments…. you and your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life.” Why is this an introduction to “Shema”? Furthermore, should not the order of the Pasuk be reversed like “All the days of your life, you and your son, and your son’s son”? This question is asked by Meshech Chochmah, Simcha Hacohen M’Divinsk in the late 19th century. It can be related to the Mishna in Pirkei Avot (2:5) “Do not be sure of yourself until the day of one’s death.” The Pasuk is to be understood that even though you may be at an age where you have children and grandchildren and you might think the impulse to sin is too faint, you still must guard and hold vigilant in keeping the Mitzvot. The Pasuk tells us “You shall fear Hashem and devise safeguards for the commandments of the Torah, to keep yourself from transgressing its precepts…you and your son, and your son’s son.” Even at that period of life, which I may think any evil impulse has passed its time, even then, you still must not be sure of your immunity to sin. As it says, “all the days of your life”, as long as life is within us, we should only double our efforts keeping our strong covenant with Hashem. Now, we can understand this introduction to the “Shema”. Shema Yisrael are the words stated by the Jewish people, evoking belief and trust in G-d at all ages, from childhood to senior life. The Pasuk of watching all His Statutes precedes by emphasizing our side of the commitment. No matter what stage of our life we are, we still guard the Commandments because He is our One, forever. Shabbat Shalom

10 TORAH TIDBITS 1429 / VA'ETCHANAN 5781 with the onset of the messianic era. These include: the return of the exiles to Yerusha- Eiferman Properties Ltd. BY MENACHEM PERSOFF layim, the revelation of Hashem’s glory, and JERUSALEM SALES Special Projects Consultant, OU Israel Center SHAAREI CHESED Townhouses from $3,250,000! the rewards and retribution that will then [email protected] RECHAVIA / SHAAREI CHESED 2 brdms. 76 sqm, 2nd be meted out to the nations of the world. oor, elevator, large succah balcony, renovate to your taste! RECHAVIA (Ben Maimon) Lovely renovated 2 bdrms., The navi then goes on to comfort the peo- low oor, surrounded by greenery! Perfectly located! ple, describing G‑d’s power and might, TALBIEH Spacious 3 bedrooms, 105 sqm, 1st oor, Shabbat elevator, NIS 2,590,000!! and reassuring them of His care for His OLD KATAMON 135 sqm duplex, private external people. elevator, succah! GERMAN COLONY Existing building with permit to build 250 sqm on a huge lot! STATS CITY CENTER 4 Bdrms, renovated, elevator, balconies HOLYLAND / RAMAT SHARET / BAYIT V'GAN Cottage 235 sqm, 9 rooms, large succah, view, parking ! 45th of 54 sedras; 2nd of 11 in D'varim HAR NOF * No steps! Spacious 3 bdrms., storage room, Written on 249 lines in a Torah, rank: 7 permit to enlarge succah facing the view! 21 parshiyot; 5 open, 16 closed, 7th (tied with * 127 sqm duplex, private entrance + garden! ) building permits, lots of potential! 122 p'sukim - rank: 17 (2nd in D'varim) same as Unique Villa - 330 sqm with options! view! Vayak'hel & Ki Tavo - but larger * 1878 words; rank: 10th (2nd in D'varim) KIRYAT MOSHE New 90 sqm duplex, 4 rooms including 7343 letters; rank: 10th (2nd in D'varim) MB ensuite, succah, 4th oor, immediate Va'etchanan's p'sukim are longer than average, 02-651-4030 www.eifermanrealty.com hence the jump in rank from 17th for p'sukim to 10th for words “TzviAir is a pleasure to MITZVOT work with and did an

12 of 613 mitzvot: 8 pos., 4 prohibitions and amazing job!” many more that are counted elsewhere - this – Jamie Geller, Celebrity Chef is so for several sedras, but it really shows for Va'etchanan (e.g. Aseret HaDibrot in Yitro has 14 mitzvot, repeated here but not counted here)

לעילוי נשמת In loving memory of our dear son יאשיהו שמואל ז"ל בן שלמה אריה וצירל מרים Yoshiyahu Shmuel Blum z”l יח' מנחה-אבOn his first yahrtzeit The Azkara will be at 17:30 on Tuesday, July 27 AIR CONDITIONING at the Eli cemetery SALES & SERVICE Shlomo Blum Miryam Blum 02-628-8282 | tzviair.com

OU ISRAEL CENTER 11 OU ISRAEL CENTER 55