B’nai Israel Congregation

420 Spotswood Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517 phone: (757) 627-7358 e-mail: [email protected] Parshas Korach Shalom June 27 – Tamuz 5 his attack against Moshe and Aharon. And in the midst of a com- B’nai Israel Congregation plaining, despondent and rebellious Rabbi Chaim Silver, Rabbi The Mishna teaches us that there is people he finds ready allies for his Rabbi Sender Haber, Assistant Rabbi an opinion that the “mouth of the confrontation with Moshe. President Ken Wilson earth” that opened to swallow The key to avoiding this pitfall (no 1st Vice President Yehuda Griffin 2nd Vice President Amy Lefcoe Korach and his group was created pun intended) is the avoidance of ar- from the beginning of time. The idea Treasurer Mike Zelikovich rogance and hubris – in short, humil- Recording Sectetary Ann Zukerman here is that not only was this miracle ity. Maimonides abhors extremism Financial Secretary Allan R. Berman built into nature itself to become op- in anything in life yet he states that Past President Benn Richels erative at the right time and place when it comes to humility extrem- Gabbaim - Pesach Schwartz but that the sin and rebellion that oc- ism is permitted and in fact desired. Shmuel Itzhak casioned this disastrous phenome- Someone who trains one’s self in non also is built into human nature humility can ignore slights and in- from time immemorial. sults, intended or unintended, and Jealousy, the thrust for power at all develops a strong self-image that costs, demagoguery and false piety can easily discount the apparent un- are the stuff of our lives, certainly of fairness of reward and punishment our political and public lives. The in this world. rabbis stated that all humans feel Korach complains out of weakness “burned” by the honor, place and of his character and not out of true position afforded to others. This is , strength and belief in himself or in the rabbis teach us, even in the his alleged cause. Korach attempts The quest for balance between world to come! We resent the suc- to lower Moshe to his own level and our positive and negative traits. cess of others especially if we feel refuses to try to raise himself to that we are much more deserving of I sometimes struggle with the issue Moshe’s level. He willingly associ- of trying to accept myself for who I that honor and success. ates himself with known negative Hitler was able to rouse the German am versus trying to change myself characters and troublemakers in or- for the better. What is the happy people to terrible acts of war and der to buttress his own ego. bestial murder of innocents on the medium? This often occurs after be- So the contest devolves into the ing criticized or when I feel like I basis of jealousy, hatred and the struggle between Korach’s arro- feeling of deep resentment engen- should be better in some way. gance and hubris against Moshe’s I know that good self-esteem is a dered in Germany by the results of abject unequaled humility. In such World War I and the subsequent prerequisite to being able to be contests throughout human and Jew- happy and to perhaps even grow. Versailles treaty. People feel ish history the unlikely victor is al- cheated when they do not feel that How do I keep my self-esteem ways humility and those who prac- strong when I feel criticized or they are receiving their just do even tice it. That is the meaning of the if they are wrong in what they feel sense within myself something left words of the rabbis that from the pit to be desired? entitled to. of Korach’s demise emanates a That resentment can fester and lead sound that declares Moshe and his I would greatly appreciate your to disastrous consequences as we Torah to be true. Korach’s tragedy is thoughts on this matter. see in this week’s parsha. The rage repeated in every generation. But we Your quest for balance speaks to that Korach feels at being slighted as should not forget that so is Moshe’s all of us. Self-rejection is never a not being chosen for the priesthood triumph. good stance to take. Neither, and other honors finally boils over in however, is unqualified self-

1 approval. Accepting who we are This existential state of imper- is positive ground only if it con- THE D ISPOSABLE K ITCHEN fection, of a deep sense that sists of a clear assessment of Summer Hours: by appointment only something within us is not both our strengths and weak- Remember you can schedule whole, dare not be interpreted nesses. pickups for orders online, by such that it leads to self- For starters, we need to under- email or phone. Ask us about deprecation and feelings of in- adequacy. Our self-esteem stand that the unique characteris- BINA BUCKS gift certificates, should acknowledge the fact that tics that make up our person are great for hostess gifts! All not arbitrary, but are deliberately we are incomplete and we proceeds benefit Bina High conferred upon us by the Author should stand up with all the dig- of our being. They are thereby School. nity inherent in our being pro- geared to the work that each of claiming, "I assume responsibil- us individually needs to do in Most significantly, she was con- ity to fill this void and to deal our lifetime. vinced that while the Almighty with the shortcomings in my The blend of both positive and had indeed blessed her with for- character, by drawing on the ma- negative trait can be, if we are midable intelligence and compe- jestic endowment given to me by aware and sensitive to them, the tence, He had orchestrated the my Creator." substance of both the challenge events of her life to draw her at- An instructive anecdote is told of and achievements of our life. It is tention to the internal work that a man who came into possession thus not at all paradoxical that she still had to do. She felt very of a large uncultivated field full accepting oneself and trying to strongly that she was being of weeds and wild growth. He change for the better are not con- urged and encouraged from set about the task of weeding, tradictory or mutually exclusive Above to access her as-yet- plowing, planting, and persis- paths. undeveloped traits of humility tently tending the field until it Recognizing a fault can be seen and patience. bloomed and became a verdant as a summons within oneself to First and foremost, we need to garden of great beauty. discipline and self-perfection. assume ownership of the vast Proud of his hard work, he in- Getting in touch with one's potential that is legitimately ours. vited his friends to view his im- higher Godly soul provides a The warts, blemishes and de- pressive accomplishment. A reservoir of strength to help one mons that need to be dealt with cleric in the group exclaimed, combat their lesser self. do not diminish or negate the "What a magnificent garden the Consider the following scenario: great power of the soul to reach Almighty has here." for the stars. Debby, a lovely woman in her To which the owner replied, " It is important that we distin- 40s, sat in my office teary-eyed, Oh really? You should have seen as she first recounted the heart guish between recognition and it when the Almighty had it to wrenching story of abandonment resignation. Resignation writes himself." by her ex-husband, followed by us off and denies the exalted hu- Similarly, our sages point out the trials and tribulations of try- man capacity for growth. that the name "Adam," assigned ing to adjust to life with her cur- Recognition serves as a point of to the first human being on earth, rent blended family. departure, a reality check, an ac- shares a root with "adama," After much painful soul search- curate picture of where we are at which means "earth" in Hebrew. ing, Debby concluded that her this given moment and where we According to Rabbi Samson strong personality, outspoken- would like to be down the road. Rafael Hirsh, the inherent mes- ness and firm opinions were not Every human being comes into sage is that just like the earth, always an asset to achieving this world imperfect and defi- which with the care and invest- marital bliss. She realized that if cient, and it is our life's task to ment of time and energy, yields she were to succeed this time repair the void -- the lack in our products that are both nourishing around, she would have to work person -- and thereby move on to and pleasing to the eye, so too "shelaimut," a state of whole- at tempering her tough demeanor (Continued on page 3) with gentleness and tolerance. ness.

2 does "Adam," the human soul and psyche of man, respond to dedi- cated input and efforts towards growth. RABBI S ILVER ’S T EHILLIM C LASS ON CD The hallmark of "Adam" is the ca- We are now offering Set # 2 of the Tehillim Class, pacity to grow and become, to look which covers Chapters 6 through 10. Chapter back at yesterday and see that bit- by-bit, we have progressed. We 11 is also available. If you are interested in this didn't anger as easily today; we set or the earlier set (the Introduction and Chap- were able to withstand an opportu- ters 1 through 5), please contact Nancy Berman nity to gossip; we ate in a more disciplined fashion; we put a smile (757-627-3759) or [email protected]. on our face for no special reason; we didn't get undone in stressful Cost: Each set of CDs: $36.00 situations; we interacted cordially Individual Classes: $8.00 per disk with people who are not necessar- ily our favorites. These may appear to be small steps, perhaps, and few and far be- "When will my deeds approximate about it and if it's not, then ignore tween, but they nevertheless repre- those of my ancestors?" It is note- it." sent positive movement up the worthy that they do not suggest The wisdom of that advice applies mountain of self-growth. that we demand of ourselves to be to you, my dear reader, as well. If Confronting our flaws is an exer- like our ancestors, but rather to do the criticism of others is on target, cise in humility that should not be as they did. To be is static. To do is then let it be a call to action. Do confused with unworthiness and dynamic. something about it. Change does self-derogation. Humility is posi- If my goal is to be a scholar, a not require an overhaul of one's tive, constructive, affirmative and righteous person, a sage, an ac- life. Change is evolutionary, not honest. Humility is a product of complished person in any field, I revolutionary. A small step in the comparing ourselves exclusively set myself up for ongoing frustra- right direction will boost your self- with what we are capable of bring- tion and disappointment. Because esteem like nothing else. It will ing into our lives. In stark contrast every moment that I fall short of make you feel alive and healthy. It to the despair of self-deprecation, it that static goal, I am a failure. will confirm the fact that you are fills us with joy at the prospect that But if I wish to do what a scholar choosing your God-given strength every moment affords us the op- does -- to learn, or do what a right- to fill your particular "void" and portunity to access a better self. eous person does -- good and meri- every acquisition, however mod- Concurrently, every step towards torious deeds, their every act of est, will bring you closer to your realizing the potential that waits to emulation identifies me as a suc- wholeness. be tapped builds our self-esteem. cess. Success breeds success and In the final analysis, just as physi- The journey that leads to lasting builds self-esteem. cally our cells are constantly shed- self-respect must, of necessity, be a In a tribute dinner to my husband ding and regenerating, so too, dynamic one, of doing, moving, many years ago, our then nine- should we be changing and grow- growing and becoming. year-old son, Yanke, stood up and ing in the spiritual realm. Our char- We need to look at the people that shared what he thought was the acter and our knowledge base we admire and seek to emulate most powerful lesson his father should ever be increasing. The hu- their behavior. We need to observe had taught him. Yanke related that man condition was never meant to how they conduct themselves, i.e. he would often come home down- be a fixed status quo. how they interact with their Crea- hearted, complaining that someone Human beings are referred to in tor, their families and their friends. had criticized him. His father's Jewish sources as "holchim," walk- Our sages exhort that every person counsel would always be "If the ing and dynamic, in contrast even should ask himself or herself daily, criticism is true then do something to the heavenly angels who are re-

3 ferred to as "omdim," beings that Beth Jehudah of Milwaukee. than 1.9 inches long, the tallis "stand" at a fixed level from the should no longer be worn. moment of their creation, unable to * If one or two of the eight strings ascend beyond their station. shrank but is still at least 1.9 inches Pursuant to this thought, when go- long, the tallis remains kosher ing on a journey, the proper bless- l'chatchilah and the proper brachah ing to the traveler is go "l'shalom," A discussion of Halachic topics re- is recited over it. lated to the Parsha of the week. For towards peace, and not "b'shalom," * If three or more [or even all final rulings, consult Rabbi Silver. in peace. The message conveyed is eight] strings shrank but are still at that as long as we live and breathe How long should the tzitzis strings least 1.9 inches long, the tallis re- we are moving towards peace, [on a tallis gadol or katan] be? Is mains kosher, but it should be re- wholeness and fulfillment. "In a tallis kosher if one or more placed or repaired. If, however, this peace," a state of having arrived strings tears either partially or is the only tallis available, it may with no work left to be done, is a completely? Once the tzitzis be worn and a brachah recited over departing statement reserved only strings are looped through the hole it. for the final departure of a de- on the corner of the garment and Note: Our discussion pertains to ceased person. knotted, the length of the strings - strings that were cut, got torn or For all of us, change, movement from the top of the first knot to the shrank in the anaf portion of the and growth are the marching or- end of the string - should be no less string. If, however, even one string ders for our lives. And if we are than 11.4 inches. The first third, was severed at the point where the imperfect and limited today, as we approximately, is the gedil, the top tzitzis are attached to the garment all are in one way or another, our segment which is composed of [until after the first knot], the tallis self-esteem will come from the fact wound and knotted strings, and the is pasul. that we have identified the behav- lower two thirds, where the strings ior that we value and are moving, hang loose, is the anaf. What are the correct dimensions for a tallis katan? There is a wide step-by-step, to integrate and incor- But the strings need to be no less range of views in the poskim re- porate it into our lives. than 11.4 inches in length only garding the proper length and And for those who criticize the fact when they are attached initially to width of a tallis katan: Some hold that we are not there yet and who the garment. Attaching strings that that there is no minimum at all and think that we are not what we are shorter than the prescribed a tallis katan of any length or width should be, we need to remember length onto the garment renders the is acceptable, while others require the words of Eleanor Roosevelt tallis pasul. If, however, the strings an extremely long tallis katan, one who said, "Nobody can make me were the proper length when at- that will reach below the knees. feel inferior without my permis- tached to the garment, but only sion." Indeed, if one is on a pro- later were cut or shrunk, the tallis is The view of most poskim, how- ductive and constructive path, still kosher as long as the anaf is at ever, falls somewhere in between one's self-esteem will not be threat- least 1.9 inches long. these two extremes. The general consensus is that it is appropriate ened. The following rules apply to tzitzis for a G-d fearing individual to Quite the contrary, the response strings that fall short of the original wear a tallis katan which is two that will resonate within your in- requirement: amos long and one amah wide. Us- nermost being will be, "I am mov- * If one - but not more - of the ing towards wholeness." And that ing the middle-of-the-road view as eight strings snaps off completely to the exact length of an amah, it is the best anyone can do. and loses its anaf entirely, the tallis follows that the preferred tallis ka- Biography: Rebbetzin Feige Twerski of Mil- remains kosher l'chatchilah and the waukee, Wisconsin has devoted her life to Jew- proper berachah is recited when it ish education and Outreach, giving lectures Tony’s Home Repair Services is donned. worldwide on a myriad of Judaic subjects. She * If more than one of the eight Tony Means is a mother of 11 children, and many grand- children whose number she refuses to divulge. strings snaps off completely, or Home: 757-321-0253 She serves as the Rebbetzin along side her hus- even if more than one string is less Cell: 757-560-1634 band, Rabbi Michel Twerski, of Congregation

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donned at home (before going to cite selichos, etc.] before davening. tan is at least 42.5 inches long shul), right after the tallis katan The first group should not recite a [front to back ,] and 21.3 inches was put on. The poskim felt that brachah over their tallis katan, wide. reciting two brachos [over the since they are going to be reciting While this is the preferred size, same mitzvah] one right after the the other brachah in short order. Mishnah Berurah rules that one other is akin to reciting a brachah The second group, however, who may wear a tallis katan which is she'inah tzrichah, an unnecessary are not going to recite the brachah only an amah-and-half long by blessing. on the tallis gadol for quite some three-quarters of an amah wide - * Many people go to sleep in their time, should recite the brachah 32 inches long by 16 inches wide. tallis katan. When that happens, it over the tallis katan. Note: Chazon Ish rules that each is questionable whether or not a It seems that the opinion of Harav side (shoulder) of the tallis katan brachah may be recited over the M. Feinstein was even more in- by itself must be wider than the tallis katan the next morning upon clined toward reciting the brachah opening for the neck. If, for in- arising. over a tallis katan. When asked stance, the opening is 15 inches * Sometimes the tallis katan is put whether or not to recite a brachah wide, then each side of the tallis on either before daybreak, before over a tallis katan if there will be a must be at least 15 inches wide for using the bathroom or before break of twenty minutes between a total of 30 inches. Most other washing the morning netilas donning the tallis katan and don- poskim do not mention this re- yadayim. If so, the brachah is not ning the tallis gadol, he answered quirement. recited at that time. in the affirmative. * Because of these and other rea- But whichever opinion one fol- Should men recite the blessing of sons, the blessing of Al mitzvas lows, a brachah over the tallis ka- al mitzvas tzitzis when they put on tzitzis over the tallis katan was tan cannot be recited before mish- their tallis katan in the morning hardly ever recited. Nowadays, eyakir, which is approximately 45 or not? In order to understand the however, conditions have changed minutes before sunrise. Nor can different rulings on this issue, the and several of the reasons men- the brachah be recited if one has following background information tioned above no longer apply. Con- not used the bathroom and washed will be helpful: temporary poskim debate whether his hands for the morning netilas In past generations, the widely ac- we should continue a custom yadayim. cepted practice was not to recite a which was established long ago, or In the event that the tallis katan is brachah on a tallis katan at all; in- if the present circumstances war- put on before misheyakir or before stead, the brachah that was said on rant changing the custom and recit- using the bathroom and washing the tallis gadol - which was put on ing a brachah over the tallis katan the hands, the brachah is deferred later - was intended to retroactively under the right conditions. until the appropriate time. At that cover the tallis katan as well. Harav S.Z. Auerbach opined that time, there is no need to remove While the concept of a brachah ret- the custom should not be changed, and put on the garment again; sim- roactively "covering" a mitzvah is and those who wear a tallis gadol ply looking at the strings and quite unusual, the custom devel- should have in mind the tallis katan touching them is sufficient. oped because many poskim were when they recite the brachah over hesitant about reciting a brachah the tallis gadol. Obviously, all over a tallis katan. In order to avoid those who do not wear a tallis the risk of a brachah levatalah, they gadol should recite the brachah advised that the brachah over the over the tallis katan at the first pos- tallis gadol include the tallis katan sible moment. as well. The reasons for their reluc- tance to recite a brachah over a tal- The Steipler Gaon, Harav Y.Y. lis katan were: Kanievsky, however, made a dis- tinction between those who go to It’s 2 O'clock In The Morning... * Often, the tallis katan was of shul to daven Shacharis as soon as There's a strangeness about writing questionable size or material. they are dressed and ready, and in these times. On the one hand, * The tallis gadol was usually those who rise early to learn [or re- there is the desire to share one's

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Va’ad HaKashrus of Tidewater News We lack sufficient information to use this hecsher unconditionally, therefore, if you have certain products in your possession that are under the KVH hechsher, please call Rabbi Silver or Rabbi Mostofsky and they will answer you on a product by product basis. Supporting our Local Establishments The Kosher Food section at the Market at Ghent continues to be a great hit, especially with their Se- lections! We urge everyone to support all of our local kosher establishments: VaBel, Little Israel & The Mar- ketplace. We know it’s hard to spend money everywhere (especially in this economy), but a little bit in each

place will go a long way. They are putting themselves out for us, so we should do the same for them.

If anyone has not been receiving the new Vaad HaKashrus updates via the email or know some- one who would be interested in them, please let Rabbi Mostofsky know at: [email protected] thoughts and feelings with a friend; same yeshiva as I in the States. He close to home. Each night the on the other hand, the pace and na- has a lulav and etrog and a soldier HAGA (civil defense) come by ture of events move so quickly as comes over to say a prayer with blowing whistles and hollering for to render yesterday's insights them. The talk is not one of con- violators to douse their lights. musty, all but antiquated. And, of cern about losing, but one of what Even as you function one ear of course, we still don't have the cool price must be paid to win. In one your mind listens for the siren and distance of perspective that lends corner of my mind, I see a certain you think about what would be the the surgical ability to dissect feel- beauty in the breakthrough in the right thing to do - whether or not to ings and responses. Still there's a human dimension. non- listen to the school authorities kind of validity in trying to freeze a religious, religious, Western, and when they say don't come for your feeling or two. To catch it on the Oriental - are in it together and child if there is a siren; they will cooled slide and submit it to the there is a camaraderie, a melting of lead the children to shelters, and scrutiny of analysis. None of this the icy walls that at other times parents should go to the ones near- can yet be conclusion; it is all proc- separate. est them. ess. The radio says nine of the 11 A theme of being insignificant, as The First Thing We Knew... bridges the Egyptians threw across an individual, as a nation, as the gi- I close my eyes and I see my the Suez have been knocked out. ant meshing gears grind around us. daughters running and screaming Then later we hear that these tem- Yet a certain sense of significance towards me as the siren screeches porary pontoon bridges can be re- returns with being at the eye of the overhead to run for the shelters. built in four hours. storm, with this devastating fulfill- The distance as I run toward them Dayan sounds a lot more cautious ment for those lines in the Proph- seems immeasurable. Praying to- in his appraisals than I would like ets. But this significance comes gether in a shelter adds a dimen- him to sound. The radio also says now mitigated with a fresh humil- sion to what we call kavana that there is no need to hoard, yet ity. (concentrated feeling). the next morning people mob the Hakafot With Soldiers At 5:30 A.M., down at Shaarei corner grocery, buying up sugar, At the conclusion of Shmini Atz- Tzedek Hospital, now a military flour, noodles, as if planning for a eres, which is the beginning of hospital, I have been waiting in siege. They rush to the bread bins Simchat Torah outside of Israel, line with the other volunteer driv- as if it were gold. Later, other peo- we drive in a few cars out to the ers to pick up doctors and nurses. ple go around asking if some fami- Jordan Valley. It is a motley group Public transportation is practically lies need bread; they will share that drives with us. We have gotten non-existent. The fellow next to what they have. special permission to bring a band me is a professor of psychology at The blackouts have sapped the life the university. He studied at the from the city at night. People stay (Continued on page 7)

6 and some rabbis out to an army en- of the stark, empty desert. from Jerusalem with our caravan. campment to make Hakafot Shniot One of the soldiers invites a rabbi The father is dragged out into the - a second round of dancing with to speak. This rabbi, an army chap- center. A handsome, rugged- the Torah Scrolls for the soldiers. lain, says the Arab attack is an at- looking young man. Two friends Turning off the Jerusalem-Jericho tack upon our people. Our people lift him on to a third fellow's shoul- road, we see soldiers from time to have been sustained by our tradi- ders and the singing and dancing time, their khakis making them tion throughout our history, a tradi- erupt again. At the next pause, look like part of the desert-dry tion which expresses our trust and some cases of wine, brandy and shrubbery that abounds here. Then belief in God, that He will see us soda and home-baked cake are we meet our military escort and we through to victory. And so, when brought out. The new father's turn on to a dirt road built by the we dance now, with the Torah mother and mother-in-law had sent Romans that connects through to Scrolls, our dancing is an affirma- them along for the occasion. This, Jerusalem around Wadi Kelt. Con- tion of this trust. A tractor, the few of course, is a Jewish army. I ceivably, this could be used as a cars that we drove in with, and learned that the best way to open a tank route, and of course, for ar- some army vehicles are formed Coca-Cola in the desert is with the mored divisions by the Jordanians. into a circle and the headlights are back of an Uzi rifle. As if it were Our army hosts are there to watch turned on. A loud-speaker has been measured to size, a perfect bottle out for that contingency. As we are attached to one of the batteries of opener. Somebody turns on a tran- told, they would blow up the road the cars. The Torah Scrolls are car- sistor on the side - the fighting at were the Jordanians to being mov- ried to the center of the circle. Two the Suez, the clashes at the Golan ing. long-haired, young soldiers - one are intense, vicious - blood is being But now we see some tents spread with a submachine gun, the other spilled. Somebody's brother, some- out over the sandy desolation. with a rifle slung over his shoulder body's father, is being maimed, Stark emptiness, except for the - hold the Torah by the wood han- killed. Who knows, maybe Hus- presence of the soldiers. We are dles at the bottom, pushing it high sein will come down this Roman standing now at the center, which into the air. The music explodes road tomorrow and we too will get is nothing more than a few com- and soldiers come running to our chance. For now it is quiet and munications bunkers dug into the dance. The words of the song are a the huddled group around the tran- ground and the surrounding tents. line from the Prophets expressing sistor, as if by consent, decide to We are told that the hills all around belief and trust in God and His To- fill that quiet with a song, a song are dotted with our men. The first rah. The circle churns, the 15 of us that is a prayer, a song that is a dec- soldiers to greet us, as we pull up in civilian clothes melding into the laration. in a cloud of dust, are some former khaki swirl of movement. The A soldier says to me, "I am not re- neighbors of mine: one, a Yemen- voices reach and cry with a special ligious, but I would forget my ite Jew; the other, a Hassidic fel- kind of defiance. A defiance at name before I forget these haka- low. It seems as if this is the first those would-be conquerors. The fot." And deep down in my heart, I time I've seen the Yemenite fellow soldier next to me screams, "Sing know that just as I have never seen in uniform; and my first reaction to loud friend, let that mamzer Hus- the stars so clearly, so brightly, as I the Hassid was that it's the first sein try and figure this out." am seeing them now through the time I've seen him out of uniform. "Nobody has ever made hakafot in pure ether of this high desert I've never seen such a star-strewn this place," says one soldier. The mountain overlooking the wadi, I sky - the brightness, the efferves- sand fills up into our lungs as we know that I have never seen these cence of the stars is overwhelming. dance, and we dance. Jews so brightly, so effervescently And the sukka. That simple make- There is a break, and one of the as I see them now. Their eyes burn shift sukka in the middle of the de- soldiers runs up to the mike and with an intensity as cold and as sert. On the one hand, it seems to says, "There is another reason for new as the stars. On the road home belong here more than a sukka be- our simcha tonight." and explains through the Arab habitations longs anywhere else. On the other that one of the soldiers' wives had around the Mount of Olives down hand, there is a certain strangeness had a boy only that morning. through east Jerusalem, the black- in this festive booth in the middle Somebody brought the message out is still in full force. There is an

7 eerie quality to the thick darkness about the lack of having been pre- they want prayer books, Tehilim that envelops the city. pared. There is mistrust of the (Psalms) and tefilin. Back Home... cease-fire. Why didn't we stall a Out in the fields the twisted, bro- The usual post-Sukkot vacation few days till we could deal a se- ken steel of burnt-out war ma- has been called off at our yeshiva. verer blow to Egypt. Obviously the chines. Syrian tanks ironically im- The American and Canadian boys Russians only wanted a cease-fire mobile, tranquil. The mountain air have all remained despite pleas because this blow seemed immi- is exhilarating, the day brilliantly from many of their parents to re- nent. And what does it mean? How clear: it seems the wrong place, an turn home. Learning is a dimen- soon will the next war be? The sol- impossible scene for so much sion of prayer for us, a ritual of de- ders are still away. The Arabs will death. We meet the Hevra Kadisha votion. This is no time for vaca- not give POW lists. Europe has - mostly religious soldiers who had tion. Some of the boys are doing buckled to Arab oil pressure. retrieved bodies and limbs from part-time volunteer work at the America has helped. But... smoldering tanks for burial. It was post office or at the pharmaceutical Encounter On The Golan nasty work and the secular kib- factories. We hang up blankets on Then past the evacuated refugee butznik with the sun-browned face the windows to keep the blackout camps, beyond Jericho, speeding says the "Hevra" are great men. regulations, and I begin a lecture in through the arid desert of the Jor- Through the ghost town of Kunei- the tractate of the Talmud that we dan Valley, through the naked tra: this once-was city. the sham- have decided to learn this semester. desolation. Two hours drive on to- bles, the parts of walls that still The Rabbi, the instructor, in the wards Beit Shean, where the Jor- stand, pierced with gaping holes. A class across the hall arrives in his dan slithers into the Kinneret and vanished civilization. The extro- uniform. The tzitzit hang out at his the low-lying lands suddenly erupt verted camaraderie catches you, sides - somehow, all part of the with greenness and vegetation. The the vestiges of formality have been uniform. Kinneret like a shimmering, silver left down below; here up on the A few new students have come to pearl set in its ring of lavender Golan, the immediacy, the quick- the yeshiva. They come as volun- mountains. ness, the closeness of communica- teers and find there is no need for Climbing the twisting mountain tion. The snow-capped Hermon them. One is an ex-marine from roads to Rosh Pina. There receiv- majestically dominating the hori- Virginia, another, a paramedic, and ing our Army Rabbinate guides zon: we're back up there now. Per- a third, a graduate student who and passes to visit the outposts on haps more purple that hue, it has "just felt he had to be here now." the Golan. We need a special pass been stained with young blood. None can read Aleph-Bet, but to go beyond the "purple line" that Khan Irnava, a primitive Arab vil- something in them wants to know designates the new bulge into lage, mud and straw huts, discs of now what is this thing called Juda- Syria, because there is till a drying cow dung piled for build- ism. They register for our three- "dripping" of artillery fire falling ing, the maze of interconnecting month beginners program. there. From the moment that we courtyards, no plumbing. In the People in the streets talk about the cross over the Bnot Yaakov Bridge improvised synagogue, a side wall Russians coming; we read that por- an ironic calm grabs us. The first ripped apart from the shelling, the tion of the that talks of the tanks we see are remnants of the roof of bamboo reeds open in war of Gog and Magog in the end Six Day War, when our soldiers spots, a small ark has been set on of days preceding the coming of had to walk up a wall imbedded overturned empty ammunition the Messiah. The storekeeper, the with Syrian bunkers to get the Go- boxes. We pray, I speak, and as I policeman, the cab driver, the lan. The Syrian Customs House, speak the 40 or so soldiers huddle nurse, say maybe this is it. The now a check point for soldiers together in the hardly lit, unheated count-down between America and leaving the Heights, military police cold of the Syrian night, their faces Russia. inspecting for booty. The armored cast a strange spell over me. By all A few great rabbis are quoted as division camps "Storm" and accounts and measurements these having made predictions and then "Hurricane", their tanks resting as men have acquitted themselves su- we hear denials of the quotes. if exhausted from the raging perbly. They are unquestionably There is criticism, unhappiness, clashes. Soldiers wave us down, superior soldiers. But these boys

8 and men do not have the eyes of are punctuated with swigs from the yard of the king." That Pharaoh warriors. These sons of King bottle of brandy that is passed will not be consoled for his losses David know that if there is a time around to relieve the sting of the at the Red Sea until he sees the to fight they must fight, but David night air chill. Stories of tanks massive destruction of Gog and wrote the Psalms as well and that blown out from underneath them, Magog. And one of the commen- was the distilled essence of his of wandering behind enemy lines taries points out that this idea of soul, of a Jew's soul. They do not for days. Egypt attacking in the vineyard of hate the Arabs. But they are out- Kinship with Jews all over the the Lord - meaning Israel - has its raged at stories of torture and mur- world is openly acknowledged and origin in the line "...little foxes that der of POW's. appreciated. They are fascinated at ruin the vineyards" (Song of Songs After the lectures we talk deep into Jewish commitment. A few are 2:15), which is interpreted by the the night. They want to talk about cynical about money-giving as an Midrash (S.R. 22) to be a reference death. About whether there is an easy way out - but most are sincere to Egypt attacking Israel, an Egypt afterlife. About how can the world and proud that they can count on like "little foxes" because she is be so callous and immoral to spill that commitment. The desertion by clever - always looking behind her out blood to make room for oil. our allies and so-called neutral na- to see who is there, to check on Walking through the mud and rub- tions that shocked him into a new who is backing her! ble, sipping coffee in tents, through sense of his own Jewishness, says Hospital wards are full of wounded the entire night jeeps and halftracks the division doctor. "Till now I was soldiers, many amputees. A one- in constant movement in and out of an Israeli, now I have become a armed, black-eyed young soldier the village. Why didn't the Syrians Jew." It is a line in the Torah I of- grins and asks for tefilin. "When I keep going? One thousand, five fer: "There is a people that dwells had two arms I didn't wear them. hundred tanks with no opposition apart, not reckoned among the na- Now I have one arm left, I think it's left. Why did they stop? Can that tions" (Numbers 23.9). Which has time. What do you think?" I find it be called a miracle. Nonsense, says been understood to mean that if hard to smile and choke back the the officer, we found their plans they forget this solitary destiny, cry in my throat. Turning away so and they had no intention of going then the reminder will come he shouldn't see my tears, I wind any further. Double-nonsense, say through nations not reckoning with the tefilin around his arm. I, those plans were made before the Jews. Even now it is still in process. Mr. they knew how easy it was going Now, The Waiting Starts Kissinger is an artist, but artists to be for them to come through! Again... tend not to be didactic. The beauty And what about their attacking on Though the rumors of the number of their creation is self-justifying. Yom Kippur, another soldier inter- of casualties run much higher, the We are but a part of this massive jecting, that was calculated to catch published reports are 1854 dead, mural he is designing that will im- us off guard. Yet, given our state of and 1800 wounded. It hits me that mortalize him. Is it really possible unpreparedness, the quick mobili- the war lasted 18 days and we are for a little dependent democracy to zation was only possible because it abounding in multiples of chai. exist side by side with sprawling was Yom Kippur - that is the only Without any pretense to being hot dictatorships? Can they afford pay- day of the year that 85 percent of on the trail of a visionary revela- ing the price of giving up a con- the country is either at synagogue tion, it yet occurs to me to look at venient scapegoat for all their inter- or home and the roads are empty. the 18th weekly portion in the To- nal problems? The morning papers We argue about the validity of rah, the 18th line. I check it and it have a photo of Kissinger smiling secular Zionism, how values such reads: "When men quarrel and one with Sadat, but the grocery man's as self-sacrifice and patriotism, if strikes the other with a stone or a son was killed yesterday, despite they are to be absolute and binding, fist, and he does not die but has to the cease-fire, despite the smiles. must have their source in the Abso- take to his bed..." (Exodus 21:18). Men have died so that we may lute. But even the arguments are Looking further, I discover the live. Their purpose in dying was within the family, and we can jos- Midrash (Shmot Raba 30) says that that we might live. What is our tle each other affectionately to this is referring to Egypt attacking purpose in living? And can a na- press our points, and paragraphs Israel: "gangsters entering the vine- tion be purely secular and still call

9 upon its people to make superhu- grains, sift flour, etc. Then put light is the one in the refrigera- man sacrifices? Can idealism as them in a bag and freeze. tor and/or freezer. Unscrew the whim suffice to sustain the gallop- 5. Double the recipe for , light bulb inside, so that it is off ing needs of our times? Today, to- cakes, , . Use during the whole Shabbat. Oth- morrow, the denouement is in half one week and freeze the erwise, opening the fridge will process. Such are some of the other half. Be sure to label each be just like turning on a light, questions, the options, the multi- item. which is not permitted on ples of chai. 6. Give each of your children Shabbat.

Author’s Biography: Rabbi Nota Schiller, their own special task to be 5. Thermostat . Set heat or air con- dean and founder of Ohr Somayach wrote done in honor of Shabbat. ditioning at the right tempera- this diary during the Yom Kippur War. It * * * ture. was published in Shma Yisrael magazine . Create a "before Shabbat" checklist 6. Fans . They can be moved to make sure all tasks are finished without unplugging them dur- by candle lighting. This list may ing Shabbat, but they can't be include any or all of the following: turned on or off, so set the lev- LIGHTS AND ELECTRIC els before Shabbat. Same with humidifiers. 1. Ambient Lighting . Since Shab- bat is to be a "delight," make FOOD sure your home is comfortable. 1. Preparing . On Friday after- noon, taste the food. If you by Lori Palatnik Sufficient light should be avail- able, so decide which lights taste the food before Shabbat Your handy guide to prepare will be left on and off. begins, it will whet your appe- and organize for a spectacular tite for the coming feast! 2. Timers . You can use timers so Shabbat. 2. Complete . Is all cooking com- that lights will come on and off Preparing for Shabbat is a matter automatically throughout Shab- plete? Anything that will re- of learning and experience, which, bat. Simple timers that your main hot (on a blech or in a in time, become as natural as lamps plug into can be picked slow-cooker) should be cooked breathing. Hang in there, and find up at most hardware or depart- before Shabbat begins. Even the rhythm that's best for you. ment stores and are quite af- though cold salads can usually be prepared on Shabbat, it's of- As you go through this list, click fordable. Set them to go off ten nice to have everything on the links for more detailed Friday night about 11:30 or so done ahead. Also: Open all "how-to" articles. (depending on your own sleep- ing schedule), and have them cans, bottles and containers of DURING THE WEEK come on in the late afternoon food. 1. Plan your Shabbat menu early Shabbat day, perhaps around 3. Warming Tray . Cooking is not in the week. If you've invited 5:00, or whenever it begins to allowed on Shabbat, but keep- guests, be sure to find out if get dark.. For overhead light- ing cooked food warm during they have dietary or health re- ing such as chandeliers, wall Shabbat (and in some cases, strictions. timers can be easily installed in warming up cooked food that is 2. Make a list of what to buy and your light switches. cold) is not only permissible, what to do, and cross things off 3. Switches . Many people put a but considered part of the mitz- as you do them. piece of tape over the light vah of making Shabbat a de- 3. Do the "heavy" chores early in switches in high-traffic areas light. However, since there is a the week. Leave only the sur- such as bathrooms, so that possibility that one may adjust face cleaning for Friday. there is no involuntary switch- the controls to regulate the de- gree of heat reaching the food, 4. If you find yourself with some ing on and off. Jewish book- a reminder that this is not per- extra time on your hands (an stores sell special decorative mitted on Shabbat is required. unexpected long phone call, light-switch covers. An electric warming tray is kids playing quietly), check 4. Fridge . The most important good for this; others cover their

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stovetop with a blech (a simple hot, here's a good trick: Time law against cooking on Shab- piece of sheet metal). It is the 15-to-30-minute reheating bat. If you choose to use the placed, before Shabbat, over period to be just before candle thermos, no intermediary mug the four burners. Usually one lighting. At the last minute, put is needed, as the water was al- or two of the burners are left on a challah wrapped in foil into ready poured from the kettle to fairly low underneath, and the the oven with the rest of the the thermos, an act that serves food that you wish to serve hot food, close it up, and turn the the same purpose. Just be sure that evening (or the next day) is heat up very high for one min- to boil the water before Shab- placed on the blech to remain ute. Then turn it off. Do not bat and fill the thermos full. at a warm-to-low simmer until open it again until you're ready 7. Washing dishes . Since you it is ready to be eaten. Also it's to serve the food. Everything can't use the hot-water tap a good idea to heat up your inside should remain hot, if (falling under the prohibition of food 30 minutes before Shab- well wrapped to ensure mini- cooking, since hot water re- bat, so that things are hot be- mal heat loss. It is also a good moved from the hot-water tank fore placing them on the blech idea to make your meat with is replaced by cold water, to simmer. The beauty of a sauces, so they won't dry out. If which then becomes hot), blech is that you can move the you are serving hot vegetables, here's a good trick to have hot food around on top, either undercook them, because this water for washing dishes: Just closer or farther away from the warming period will do most of before candle lighting, fill one source of heat, depending on the cooking for you. kitchen sink with hot water. how hot you wish that dish to 5. Slow cooker . This can be used Squeeze in some dishwashing be. For example, if you have a instead of, or in addition to, a soap and cover the whole sink vegetable soup in a pot on the blech. Your soup or chollent with foil. After dinner (even blech that you served soup stew can simmer effortlessly hours later), simply remove the from for the Friday night meal, overnight in these "crock pots." foil, and, voila, hot water to and you wish to serve it the As a reminder that we don't wash it all up! next day for lunch, you simply cook on Shabbat, it is proper to ATMOSPHERE leave it on the blech slightly off cover the controls with foil. 1. Ready . Some make a point of the area of immediate heat. 6. Water urn or large thermos. covering the table with a spe- That way, it will stay hot with- Because you can't boil water cial Shabbat tablecloth early in out boiling away. For more de- (which is cooking) on Shabbat, the day, as well as placing the tailed laws, please speak to use a hot-water urn, such as the candles and challah on the table Rabbi Silver. kind you see at parties, which in advance to usher in a Shab- 4. Oven Technique . If you do not is plugged in before Shabbat bat atmosphere. wish to use a blech, or you and will keep the water hot the 2. Clean . One should wash the have too much food to fit on whole Shabbat. (Or use a large floor, vacuum the carpet, take a the stovetop, you can use the thermos that was filled with hot shower, don special clothing, inside of the oven in the fol- water before Shabbat, or sim- and even change the bed sheets lowing way: Heat up your pre- ply a large pot that will keep -- all in honor of Shabbat. pared food ahead of time inside warm on the blech.) With the 3. Flowers . It's a nice custom to the oven (15 to 30 minutes). If hot-water urn, making coffee buy flowers to adorn the Shab- you are serving this food Fri- and tea is quite simple. Just fill bat table. They should be day night, you may have at a clean, dry cup or mug with placed in water before Shabbat least a 1-hour delay between hot water, and pour that water begins. Plants should also be candle lighting and the time into a second mug where you watered, if necessary, ahead of you actually sit down and eat will add instant coffee, tea, and time. (to say nothing of the prelimi- so forth. The reason for the in- naries: songs, , wash- termediary mug is to cool the 4. Candlesticks . It's nice to have ing, appetizers, and so forth). water down slightly so that special candlesticks to light To be able to serve the food again you don't transgress the candles on, especially if they were candlesticks handed

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down in the family. But in a when saying the blessing. So specially made , pinch, melt the candles on the have pretty kerchiefs available which is draped over the chal- back of a plate. It's nice to have for yourself and for guests. lah before and during ha-motzi. extra candlesticks for guests to 2. Kippot . Men and boys should This is symbolic of the dew light as well. Polish your silver wear a kippah at the Shabbat that covered the manna that fell candlesticks and kiddush cups table, so it's nice to have some for the Jewish people in the de- and set them out on a white ta- extras around, in case your sert. blecloth to give your home a guests didn't come with their 9. Mayim Acharonim . This is the beautiful Shabbat atmosphere. own. (BYOK-Bring Your Own "final water" that is passed 5. D'var Torah . Set aside an hour Kippah) Also called yarmulke around to wash your fingertips on Thursday night or Friday to (in ). with. You can purchase a cup review the weekly Torah por- 3. Kiddush cup . It's nice to have a and saucer designed especially tion, and prepare a few words special cup to make kiddush for this, or simply use a cup in that can launch a discussion of with. This can be an expensive a small bowl. a relevant spiritual topic. silver goblet, or an affordable 10. Bentchers . These are small 6. Make-up . All makeup should yet attractive wine glass, or books that contain blessings for be applied before Shabbat be- anything in between. The cup candles, Kiddush and Grace gins, as it falls under the prohi- must hold a minimum of 4 ½ After Meals. Many bentchers bition of "dyeing." There is ounces. also contain songs for the makeup avail- 4. Small kiddush cups . After the Shabbat table. It's good to have able that can be applied on blessing over the wine, the enough for each person to have Shabbat (very loose powders, wine is poured into smaller his or her own. eye shadows, and others). glasses to be passed around to 11. candle . A braided 7. (literally, "set aside"). all those seated at the table. candle is used for the Havdalah These are things that have no Sets of these (in silver or glass) ceremony that officially ends use on Shabbat and therefore can be purchased at local Jew- Shabbat. They can be pur- shouldn't be handled, for exam- ish book or gift stores, or sim- chased at most Jewish book- ple: money, pens, Palm Pilot. ply substitute small "shot stores and come in decorative Place these items out of reach glasses" or plastic cups. colors and varied lengths. If so you won't come to use them. 5. Washing cup . Two-handled you don't have one, simply use Some people have a "muktzah cups can be purchased at Jew- two candles, putting their wicks drawer," into which things get ish book or gift stores, or a together while they burn. thrown at the last minute. quick substitute can be a large 12. Spice box . Cloves or sweet Also: Unplug the phone, and mug or glass. pepper used in the Havdalah put away (or cover) the toaster, 6. Washing sign . You can print ceremony can be beautifully telephone, stereo, etc. out a sign with the blessing for encased in a decorative spice 8. Toys . Crayons, modeling clay, washing hands in Hebrew and box made of silver, ceramic, scissors, etc., shouldn't be used phonetics. It simplifies the wood, or other materials by children on Shabbat. Try to washing process and helps (available at Jewish book and put them away to avoid any those who may not know the gift stores). If you don't have problems. blessing. one, just use the bottle that the 9. Last-minute phone calls. Call 7. Challah board . There are bread spice came in. someone and wish them "Good boards and knives made espe- 13. Complete Havdalah sets -- kid- Shabbos!" -- "Shabbat Sha- cially for the Shabbat table, of- dush cup, candle holder, and lom!" ten made out of olive wood or spice box -- are often pur- SUPPLIES stone. Or use any kind of cut- chased together. Makes a terri- 1. Kerchiefs . When a married ting board. fic gift! woman lights candles, it is 8. Challah cover . This can be a 14. Facial tissues . Make sure there proper for her to cover her head pretty napkin, or it can be a are tissues or pre-torn toilet pa- per in all the bathrooms.

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15. Foil and paper towels . You Upcoming community events... may want to pre-tear plastic wrap, foil, and /or paper towels, This week's Kiddush is being sponsored by Rabbi Mordechai and Ariella if you think you'll be needing Loiterman and family in honor of our wonderful community who has been so them on Shabbat. Foil can actu- supportive and caring to our family this past year, especially these last two ally be purchased in pre-torn months. A special thank you to our esteemed Rabbi and Rebbetzin - Rabbi sheets in a large boxed dis- and Mrs. Silver . penser. For a neat paper-towel substitute, just use inexpensive This week’s Shalosh Seudos is co-sponsored by: Gershon Rothman in honor paper napkins. of Chana Leah’s birthday and their 21st wedding anniversary

Adapted from "Friday Night and Be- and yond" by Lori Palatnik (Jason Aronson Allan and Nancy Berman and family, with gratitude to Hashem for the many Pub.) Nissim he performed this past Sunday . Author Biography: Lori Palatnik is an author and Jewish educator who has ap- PIRKEI A VOS FOR WOMEN peared on television and radio and has We are now in the “second round” of Pirkei Avos (Chapter 3). All women lectured in North America, the U.K., and girls are welcome to join. This week’s class will be held at the home of South Africa and Israel, illuminating tra- Helen Schloss-Griffin at 5:00 PM. Please bring your own Pirkei Avos. ditional practices and life-styles for our contemporary world. TEHILLIM C LASS ON CD We are now offering Set # 2 of the Tehillim Class, which covers Chapters 6 through 10. The set is $36.00. Chapter 11 is available for $8.00. If you are interested in this set or the earlier set (the Introduction and Chapters 1 through 5), please contact Nancy Berman. The Coming Week in a Glance Davening Times Shabbos 6/27 Tues. 6/30 Shacharis 9:00 AM Fri. 7/3 Shachris 7:00 AM Mincha 7:55 PM Shachris 7:00 AM Mincha 8:10 PM Maariv/Havdalah 9:15 PM Mincha 6:45 PM Wed. 7/1 One cannot accept Shabbos or Sun. 6/28 Shachris 7:00 AM light candles before 6:57 PM Shachris 8:00 AM Mincha 8:10 PM Candle Lighting 7:15 PM Mincha 8:10 PM Thurs. 7/2 Mon. 6/29 Shachris 7:00 AM Shachris 6:45 AM Mincha 8:10 PM Mincha 8:10 PM

Class Times Shabbos Monday Wednesday Daf Yomi 6:10 PM Daf Yomi 6:00 AM Daf Yomi 6:00 AM Sefer Shmuel 7:10 PM Parsha class: cancelled Partners in Torah (M) 7:00 PM Boy’s Learning 7:20 PM Tuesday Sunday Thursday Daf Yomi 6:00 AM Daf Yomi 7:00 AM Cantorial Class 7:00 PM Ladies Class: cancelled Gemara Rosh Hashanah 9:00AM Friday

Halacha Class: cancelled Daf Yomi 6:00 AM

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