Parshas Ki Savo August 31, 2018

A Taste of Stories for the Soul The Holy Land by Yosef Melamed Worth Crying About A famous philanthropist once traveled “When you come to the Land.” The opening and no better than any other. to Bnai Brak to visit the headquarters verse of this week’s parsha tells us when the Thus, when the Medrash teaches that of the organization Ezra Lemarpeh, an obligation to bring , the first of Hashem says, “Bring before Me bikkurim organization which aids countless the fruits, to the Bais Hamikdash (Temple) so that you will merit entering the Land of in need of medical help, advice and begins – when the Jewish Nation enters Israel,” they were not referring to the original referrals. The philanthropist met with Eretz Yisrael (the ). There they entrance of the Jews into Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Elimelech Firer, the renowned would present the fruit to the (priest), That entrance obviously preceded the director of Ezra Lemarpeh. After their and recite a special recitation of thanks fulfillment of bikkurim. Rather, the Medrash meeting, the two of them decided to to Hashem for all of Hashem’s goodness is referring to the entrance of the bringer of travel to to daven by the Kosel. and kindness. The Medrash (Sifri 297) the bikkurim to the site of the Temple. True, teaches that Hashem tells the Jewish People, this person may have been living in Eretz They arrived after midnight and, as they “Bring before Me bikkurim so that you will Yisrael until now, but only upon arriving approached the Kosel, they heard the merit entering Eretz Yisrael.” This seems at the Temple, the source of the holiness of sound of sobbing coming from the Kosel very puzzling, because the commandment the Land of Israel, could it be considered plaza. As they drew closer, they saw a to bring bikkurim only began upon the that he truly entered Eretz Yisrael. In this middle-aged standing, head resting Jewish Nation’s entrance into Eretz Yisrael. light, the statement “I have come to the upon the stones, crying unceasingly. How then could the fulfillment of that land promised to my forefathers” is indeed When Rabbi Firer saw this, he was unable commandment be the merit with which appropriate. The bikkurim giver would to continue, even while in the company they would enter the land? joyously proclaim, “I have merited to truly of such a prestigious philanthropist. He Also puzzling is the statement made by enter Eretz Yisrael, by coming to the source turned to the man and said, “Hashem the bringer of the bikkurim: “I declare now of its holiness!” didn’t arrange that we would be here at to Hashem, your G-d, that I have come to In a similar vein, the Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi this time for no reason; He wanted us the land that G-d promised our fathers to ; 1839-1933) explains to behold the tears of this Jew and help give us.” (Ki Savo 26:3) The implication of (see Chofetz Chaim al Hatorah, Parshas Vayera) him out. I propose a deal: I’ll approach this is that the speaker has just now entered that there are two components to the Jewish this man, introduce myself and find out Eretz Yisrael. This would be an appropriate Nation: Eretz Yisrael is the guf, the physical what he needs. If he requires medical statement for someone from the generation body of the Nation of Israel. Only there can advice, I will aid him to the best of my which entered Eretz Yisrael. For all future one fulfill mitzvos which are dependent on ability. If, however, he tells me that he generations, however, this statement would the Land of Israel. The Torah, however, is is not in need of medical advice, but in seem inaccurate. That generation did not the neshama, the soul of the Jewish Nation. need of financial help, you will enter come now into the land of its forefathers. Torah is the breath of life which gives Eretz the picture and offer to assist.” The That generation had been living in the land Yisrael, the body of the Jewish Nation, its philanthropist agreed to the deal. for a long time before. What, then, is the ability to exist. A Land of Israel without the Rabbi Firer went ahead and introduced meaning of this statement? holiness of the Torah cannot be called the himself to the fellow, asking him if Rabbi Shimon Schwab (1908-1995) offers a Land of Israel at all. he required any medical assistance. novel explanation. We are taught (Tractate This serves as a very clear guideline to how The man replied that no, he was not Keilim 1:6) that Eretz Yisrael has ten levels we must approach the concept of living in in need of any such assistance. The of sanctification. The Mishna relates ten Eretz Yisrael and our yearning to be there. philanthropist then approached, asking different locations in Eretz Yisrael, each Eretz Yisrael is the land of our nation, but if the man required financial aid. Again, one holier than the next. The final location only as long as we are willing to live by the the man replied that he did not, adding listed is the site of the Kodesh HaKodashim holy Torah, the breath of life of Eretz Yisrael. that Hashem had already provided for (Holy of Holies). Rabbi Schwab explains Yearning for Eretz Yisrael carries great value all his needs. that there is Eretz Yisrael, and there is when that yearning is one for holiness and Confused, Rabbi Firer asked the Eretz Yisrael. The Land of Israel is only the greater levels of Torah learning and man why he was crying. “Last night,” Land of Israel because of what it contains; fulfillment. explained the man, “I married off my that is, the Bais Hamikdash and the Kodesh This is a very powerful lesson in regards to youngest son, the last of the twelve HaKodashim, where the Shechina (Divine our connection with Eretz Yisrael. However, children Hashem has given me. I came Presence) of Hashem resides. A Land of there is an additional lesson that we can Israel devoid of that holiness is no different learn from the above explanation, which is continued on back continued on back Kollel Happenings Increase Your Jewish IQ By Rabbi Yaakov Zions POLICE BRUTALITY THIS Last week we asked: There is a halacha served at a royal meal as an accompaniment WEDNESDAY AT TORAH FOR that a Jew must kindle the fire or perform to another food (e.g., condiments). V. Foods TYCOONS another major part of the cooking process which are halachically considered bread may Join Daniel Waitz, former law for cooked food to be kosher. What are the not necessitate this procedure. VI. Foods officer, and Rabbi Mordechai various exceptions to this rule? which are cold-smoked are exempt. Fleisher, Senior Educator for A: I. Foods which are edible raw. II. Foods Sources: , Yoreh De’ah 113, the Denver Community Kollel, which aren’t fit to be served at a royal meal. 112:6 and OU Kashrus Manual. as they explore they investigate III. For foods whose primary components This week’s question: What category of food this difficult subject. September aren’t subject to these rules, secondary is forbidden to be eaten, but an exception is 5th, 12-1:15 p.m. at the East components of the food (e.g., egg mixed made due to the fact that it is Shabbos? into a batter or lightly coated on bread) are Side Kosher Deli. Cost: $25. To submit an answer to Rabbi Zions, email [email protected]. exempted as well. IV. Foods which are only RSVP [email protected]. THE ROAD BACK TO HASHEM: THE PROGRESSION THROUGH Lives of Our Torah Leaders ELUL, ROSH HASHANA, YOM Rabbi Moshe Sofer, the Chasam Sofer - Part IX KIPPUR & SUKKOS Rabbi Sofer opened a in Pressburg. Eastern Europe, founded by Rabbi Chaim Join the Kollel for a special The yeshiva attracted hundreds of students Volozhiner. While the Volozhin Yeshiva series for women during from the Central European Jewish produced numerous great Torah leaders of this special time of year. This communities. The only other yeshiva Lithuanian and Russian Jewry, the Pressburg that was comparable to the Pressburg yeshiva wrought a veritable revolution Wednesday will feature Kollel yeshiva was the Volozhin Yeshiva in in the Hungarian Jewish communities.

Scholar Rabbi Nesanel Kipper

speaking on Sound Carries: The

Shofar of Sinai, Rosh Hashana, A Taste of Torah and Mashiach. 8 pm at the continued from front Meyer home, 9532 E. Grand Pl. relevant to Chutz La’aretz (outside of Eretz one who brings a present to a Torah scholar Next class from Rabbi Yisrael), as well. is regarded as having brought bikkurim to the Mordechai Fleisher on Awe & Our Sages (Kesubos 115b) tell us that Holy Temple. Joy: The Repentance of Yom presenting a gift to a Torah scholar is There can be many Torah scholars or places Kippur & Sukkos, Sunday, tantamount to having brought bikkurim. of Torah learning in one’s locale. We can 9/16, 7:45 pm at the Weiss Rabbi Shimon Schwab explains that the thus apply the lesson of the Medrash even world and presence of a Torah scholar are to our dwelling places in the Exile. It is not home, 5012 S. Xenia St. akin to that of the Bais Hamikdash. “From enough to get to know these scholars or Classes sponsored in memory the day that the Temple was destroyed, batei medrash ( halls) merely on of Alex Wappelhorst, Michel Hashem only has the four cubits of halacha a superficial level. We must come as close as ben Baruch a”h. in this world.” (Berachos 8a) The holiness we can to the Bais Hamikdash of our times, LEGAL HOLIDAY LEARNING of the Bais Hamikdash was rooted in the two the Torah scholar and bais medrash. We THIS LABOR DAY Tablets contained in the Holy Ark. Now that will thereby merit the coming to the Bais there is no Ark or Temple, that sanctity is Hamikdash that we can access right now, and Start your day off on the right rooted in the Torah scholar, who has made ultimately the third Bais Hamikdash, may it foot with Torah study! Join himself a living house for the Torah. Thus, be built speedily in our days! the Kollel for learning at two

different locations: At Aish

Denver, selichos/shacharis at 7 Storiescontinued from front for the Soul am followed by breakfast and tonight to thank Him, the Creator of the concluded, “And is it possible to thank learning, and at the Kollel West world, for the great kindness He has shown Hashem and praise Him for such great Denver Bais Medrash, selichos/ me for so many years until I merited to kindness without bursting into tears?!” shacharis at 7:45 followed by bring my last child under the chuppah.” In this week’s parsha, the Torah gives the breakfast and learning. The The man explained that just as he had mitzvah of bikkurim, the . An study session will focus on come to the Kosel over the years to plead to integral part of this mitzvah is that one Food Fight: The Controversy Hashem to help him marry off his children, expresses gratitude to Hashem for His good over Eating before Hearing the he had now come to the Kosel to thank ness to him and the entirety of the Jewish Shofar. Him for answering his prayers. The man People.

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