ShabbosOHRNETO Parshas VayakhelH - Pekudei - ParahR • For the week endingN 23 Adar 5758 E• Mar. 21, 1998 • Vol.T 5 No. 22 THE OHR SOMAYACH TORAH MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET PARSHA INSIGHTS

vehicle for the Divine Presence to presence to dwell in our lives, the WE HAVE rest amongst them. only way is through following the In this assumption they were not Maker’s instructions — to the letter. THE TECHNOLOGY far off the mark. But there’s another Otherwise we end up with a golden “...As Hashem commanded Moshe.” American folk saying: “Close only calf. (39:1) counts in horseshoes and hand- It is for this reason that after each ne guaranteed way to grenades.” Not being far from the detail of the Mishkan the Torah says O increase sales of a product is mark can be as far as day is from “as Hashem commanded Moshe.” O night. The essence of the Mishkan was to put a flash on the box say- ing “New!!! Improved!!!” True, there would be a vehicle that it was “as Hashem commanded Inevitably, the veracity of this claim through which the Divine Presence Moshe” and not through the mistaken is in inverse proportion to the num- would rest on the Jewish People, and good intentions of man. ber of exclamation marks which fol- its name was the Mishkan. However, low it. the Mishkan could only be built NO PREVIOUS We have an almost insatiable desire for “new.” Our society is founded on the self-evident premise “The word of EXPERIENCE REQUIRED that everything can and needs to be “And each person whose heart moti- improved. Hashem is vated him came.” (35:21) There’s an old American folk say- ake a look at the really wealthy ing: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” perfect. It TTpeople in the world. What is it In this week’s Parsha, the words that they all have in common? “As Hashem commanded Moshe” Tremendous initiative. Initiative appear over and over again. Twenty- restores the means not focusing on what you have two times. At the end of every single now, but having the confidence to detail of the Mishkan, “As Hashem project what might be, and to act on commanded ... as Hashem commanded soul. It is like it. Moshe ... as Hashem commanded “And each person whose heart moti- Moshe.” no man-made vated him came.” Why this seeming redundancy? The workers who made the The purpose of the Mishkan was to panacea.” Mishkan needed to be motivated by atone for the making of the golden their hearts because none of them calf. And the underlying flaw evinced had any previous experience in the by the golden calf was the desire to skills necessary for building it, and be smarter than Hashem. according to the original Maker’s there were no teachers to train them! The Jewish People had seen that instructions. No improvements are They were the true pioneers. They Moshe had acted as an intermediary possible on these instructions. And were successful because they had the between them and Hashem. When when we try to make improvements, inner courage to come forth and vol- Moshe failed to come down from the we end up with a golden calf. When unteer to do whatever was needed. mountain they saw in the clouds a we try and modernize and pluralize They didn’t think about their short- vision of his dead body being carried we end up with a golden calf. comings. They projected their on a bier. In their confusion, the Jews The word of Hashem is perfect. It dreams. surmised they would need someone restores the soul. It is like no man- Just as it takes great initiative to or something to replace Moshe; some made panacea. If we want Hashem’s become materially wealthy, so too it

continued on page three

1 P ARSHA OVERVIEW

VAYAKHEL incense, made of wood overlaid with gold, and a larger altar for oshe exhorts the Bnei Yisrael to keep Shabbos, and the purpose of sacrifices that was made of wood that was cov- MMrequests donations for the materials for the construc- ered with copper. tion of the Mishkan (tent of meeting). He collects gold, PEKUDEI silver, precious stones, animal skins and yarn, as well as incense he Book of Shemos comes to its conclusion with this and olive oil for the Menorah and for anointing. The princes of Parsha. After finishing all the different parts, vessels and each of the twelve tribes bring the precious stones for the Kohen TT garments used in the Mishkan, Moshe gives a complete ’s breastplate and ephod. Hashem appoints Betzalel and accounting and enumeration of all the contributions and of the Oholiav as the master craftsmen for the building of the Mishkan various clothing and vessels which had been fashioned. The Bnei and its vessels. The Bnei Yisrael contribute so much that Moshe Yisrael bring everything to Moshe. He inspects the handiwork begins to refuse donations. Special curtains with two different and notes that everything was made according to Hashem’s covers were designed to serve as the material for the Mishkan’s specifications. Moshe blesses the people. Hashem speaks to roof and door. Gold-covered boards set in silver bases were Moshe and tells him that the Mishkan should be set up on the first connected and formed the walls of the Mishkan. Betzalel made day of the first month, Nissan. He also tells Moshe the order of the Aron Hakodesh (Ark), which contained the Tablets of the assembly for the Mishkan and its vessels. Moshe does everything Covenant, from wood that was covered with gold on the inside in the prescribed manner. When the Mishkan is finally complete and outside. On the cover of the Ark were two small figures fac- with every vessel in its place, a cloud descends upon it, indicating ing each other with wings arching over the Ark. The Menorah that Hashem’s glory was resting there. Whenever the cloud and the Shulchan, the table with the showbreads, were also made moved away from the Mishkan, the Bnei Yisrael would follow it. of gold. Two altars were made: A smaller one for burning At night the cloud was replaced by a pillar of fire. HAFTORAH: YECHEZKEL 36:16-38 Parshas Parah time of the Beis Hamikdash, it was on the When we neglect them, our hearts freeze 14th of Nissan that the Pesach sacrifice over, severed from their lifeline. We HEART OF STONE was brought by all the Jewish People. become spiritually rigid. Our hearts atro- Parshas Parah deals with the laws of phy, coarsen and eventually become as ne who aspires to purify himself purification that were needed to purify the rigid as stone. OO spiritually is given help from Jewish People from contact with a dead And because we then have made our- above. body — a necessary preliminary to enter- selves a heart of stone, we don’t realize The period before Rosh Chodesh ing the Beis Hamikdash and bringing the that this is why we have so little faith. Nissan is especially favorable for purifica- Pesach sacrifice. How can a heart of stone have faith? We tion. This is one of the reasons that we The Haftorah describes the time of don’t realize that our complaints against read Parshas Parah at this time of the year. Mashiach, when Hashem will “sprinkle Hashem come from a rock chamber But there is a more basic reason: In the purifying waters on the Bnei Yisrael” and entombed in our chests. remove from them all the impurities that Eventually it will be too late for a have encrusted their souls. “bypass.” Hashem will come and give us a O H R N E T “I will remove the heart of stone from heart that is soft, that cries, that wants to your flesh and give you a heart of flesh hear the word of Hashem and beats in instead.” (46:26) time to its Maker. THE OHR SOMAYACH TORAH MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET Hashem’s mitzvos are our life blood. Published by OHR SOMAYACH TANENBAUM COLLEGE POB 18103, Jerusalem 91180, Israel • 02-581-0315 LOVE OF THE LAND General Editor: Moshe Newman Selections from classical Torah sources which express the special Editorial & Web Advisor: relationship between the People of Israel and Eretz Yisrael Rabbi Reuven Lauffer Associate Editors: Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Rabbi Reuven Subar GIVING EXPRESSION TO LOVE Contributing Writers: Weekly Daf, Love of the Land: hen Moshe Rabbeinu was 39:14) derided him as a “Hebrew Rav refused entry into Eretz Yisrael brought here to make fun of us.” He Insights, Overview, Haftorah: WW Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair he complained to Hashem: even went further in describing himself “The bones of Yosef shall enter the to the chief butler (Bereishis 40:15) as Web Production: Lev Seltzer Produced and Designed by the Office of Communications land and I shall not enter?” one who “had been stolen from the land Rabbi Eliezer Shapiro, Director “He who proudly admit- of the Hebrews.” © 1998 OHR SOMAYACH INSTITUTIONS - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ted that this was his land But when the daugh- PRINTED IN ISRAEL AT OLD CITY PRESS 02-651-1529 shall be buried in it,” replied ters of Yisro told their • THIS PUBLICATION CONTAINS WORDS OF TORAH. 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2 continued from page one PARSHA INSIGHTS takes great initiative to become spiri- any spiritual blemish, from any defect, purpose. However Hashem instruct- tually wealthy. Capitalize on those bias or partiality. The laver in which ed him to accept them. These mir- peak moments of inspiration to focus they washed was made entirely of rors were more beloved to Hashem your spiritual goals higher and higher, mirrors. This reminded the kohanim than all the other gifts to the Mishkan, and you will get help from above to that they should check themselves for for through these mirrors the women lift you to the skies. those character faults that they per- of Israel had established multitudes — ceived in others. Because were they legions of Jewish souls in Egypt. only to look at themselves, they When their husbands were exhausted MIRROR, MIRROR would find it very hard to identify from the back-breaking slave-labor, their own faults. the women would go out to them, ON THE WALL bring them food and drink, and feed them. “He should make the copper laver ... MIRROR, MIRROR from the mirrors of the legions...” As they sat there, they would take (38:8) out their mirrors and each one would hen you look at someone ON THE WALL II look at herself, together with her hus- band, in the mirror. She would allure W else, what do you see? You “He should make the copper W him with words, saying “Am I not notice all the character laver...from the mirrors of the flaws that he himself tries so hard to legions...” (38:8) more beautiful than you?” conceal. When you look at someone n the courtyard of the Tabernacle This is what the Torah alludes to else, think that you are looking in a I stood a very large copper laver when it speaks of the “mirrors of the I legions.” mirror. Just as a mirror reveals to us from which the kohanim washed our unsightly features, so too when their hands and feet before perform- we see character flaws in others, we ing the service of the Mishkan. It was Sources: should check for those same traits in made exclusively from brightly pol- • We Have The Technology - Beis ourselves. That’s what the saying ished sheets of copper that had been Halevi • No Previous Experience Required - means: “Who is wise? He who learns used by the Jewish women as mirrors Ramban, Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz, Rabbi from every person (Avos).” to adorn themselves. When the kohanim prepared for At first, Moshe was loath to accept • Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall - the service of Hashem in the Mishkan, the mirrors. Since they had been Toldos Yaakov Yosef they washed their hands and feet. On used to incite desire, he considered • Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall II - a mystical level, this cleansed them of them unsuitable for such an elevated Rashi

BONUS QUESTION?

Rashi never “just” comments; something in the text always impels him to do so. Rashi answers unspoken questions aris- ing from a thoughtful reading of the Torah text. Anyone who wants a true understanding of Rashi’s classic Torah commentary must always ask: “What’s Bothering Rashi?”

“And Betzalel made the ark of acacia wood....” (37:1) Rashi: “Because he gave himself over to the work more wholeheartedly than the other wise people, it is called after his name.” Why does Rashi draw such a conclusion? The Torah simply tells us that Betzalel made these objects.

answer on page five

I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!

“Each person who waved a waving of gold ... and all who donated a silver or copper donation.... (35:22-24)” Why were donations of gold called “wavings?” Because when people gave gold, they waved it due to its great value. • Ramban

This issue is dedicated in memory of ETTA WILLNER „“’ (Eta Bas Elias) of Hallendale, Florida on the occasion of her yahrzeit on 20 Adar

3 Insights, explanations and comments for the seven pages of studied in the course of the worldwide cycle. WEEKLY DAF

SHABBOS 107 - 113

A FISHY MYSTERY WHEN WORD IS WORK

ay one write the Torah chapters for tefillin on the habbos is different! Since this day is holy, our Sages MM skin of a fish? This question was put to Rabbi SS taught us that we must show our respect for this Nachman bar Yitzchak by the Sage Mar, the son difference in a variety of ways. Not only must the of the Sage Ravina. It appears in the gemara’s discussion of clothes we wear on Shabbos be different than those we which living things are considered as having a layer of skin wear on the weekdays, and the manner in which we walk covering their flesh and the ramifications of this for one be different from how we move about on the weekdays, who wounds such a creature on Shabbos. but even our talk on Shabbos must be different from our Rabbi Nachman’s response was that while it is obvious talk on the weekdays. that a fish has a skin, we will have to wait for the Prophet Rashi explains this ban on weekday talk as referring to Eliyahu to reveal to us whether the inherent uncleanliness discussion of weekday business and calculations, activities of this skin is removed in processing it for parchment. which are forbidden on Shabbos. Tosefos rejects this Since we have not yet merited Eliyahu’s arrival, Rambam approach because discussion of business comes under rules that we may not use fish skin for tefillin. another category of activity previously mentioned in the A simple reading of the gemara suggests that the physi- gemara. Rabbeinu Tam, one of the leading Tosefists, sug- cal uncleanliness is the putrid odor of fish skin. But it is dif- gests that the aforementioned curb on speech relates not ficult to understand why we need a prophet to reveal to to the subject but rather to the quantity of talk, even us something which we can determine with our own about permissible things. sense of smell. In support of this point he cites a Midrash which tells Rabbi Nissim (RaN), one of the early commentaries, of the extremely talkative elderly mother of Rabbi offers another perspective. The gemara (Shabbos 146a) Shimon bar Yochai. On Shabbos the Sage would remind tells us that when the primeval serpent persuaded Chava her that it was Shabbos and she would become silent. to sin by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, he instilled a A further support is the Jerusalem Talmud which spiritual uncleanliness into the entire universe. The Jewish relates that the Sages stretched the law to its limit in People, and the spirits of their future generations and con- order to permit us to say “Good Shabbos” to one anoth- verts, which stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, er. were purified of this uncleanliness. All animal life, except The reason for all of this caution in regard to talking on for fish, was there as well, adds Rabbi Nissim, and was Shabbos, says Maharsha, is that in regard to Shabbos, likewise purified. The question remaining for Eliyahu to word is equivalent to work: The Torah says “(Hashem) solve is whether this spiritual uncleanliness disappears during the processing of the skin. rested on the seventh day from all the work which He had A more recent commentary, Sfas Emes, suggests that done (Bereishis 2:2),” and King David explains that “with only animal life requiring shechita, such as animals and the word of Hashem” everything was created (Tehillim fowl, were granted release from spiritual uncleanliness, to 33:6). Since word is work, on Shabbos we must be care- the exclusion of fish which do not require shechita. Only ful which words we speak and how many of them. Eliyahu will tell us whether processing achieves the same effect. • Shabbos 113b • Shabbos 108a

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4 PARSHA Q&A ?

VAYAKHEL 10. Of what materials was the Mizbach HaOlah (Burnt- 1. What three different words in this week’s Parsha are ffering Altar) composed? spelled with the same four letters? 2. Why is the prohibition against doing work on Shabbos PEKUDEI written prior to the instruction for building the 1. Why is the word Mishkan stated twice in verse 38:21? Mishkan? 2. Who was appointed to carry the vessels of the 3. In verse 35:11, what is the Mishkan, the tent of the Mishkan in the Midbar? Mishkan and the covering of the Mishkan? 3. What is the meaning of the name Betzalel? 4. What function did the bigdei hasrad serve? 4. How many people contributed a half-shekel to the 5. What was unusual about the way the women spun the Mishkan? Who contributed? goat’s hair? 5. Which material used in the bigdei kehuna was not used 6. Why were the Princes the last to contribute to the in the coverings of the sacred vessels? building of the Mishkan? How does the Torah show 6. How were the gold threads made? dissatisfaction with their actions? 7. What was on the hem of the me’il? 7. Who does the Torah identify as the primary builders of 8. Which date was the first time that the Mishkan was the Mishkan? From which tribes were they? erected and not dismantled? 8. What image was woven into the Paroches? 9. Where was the Menorah placed in the Mishkan? 9. Why does the Torah attribute the building of the Aron 10. On which day did both Moshe and Aharon serve as to Betzalel? kohanim? continued from page three BONUS ANSWER!

Betzalel certainly didn’t make these things alone. Oholiav and all the wise men helped. (See 36:1). But because he took full responsibility and gave himself over completely, it is as if he made them alone.

• Concept based on Dr. Avigdor Bonchek’s new book “What’s Bothering Rashi?” Feldheim Publishers

PARSHA Q&A! Answers to this Week’s Questions! All references are to the verses and Rashi’s commentary unless otherwise stated.

VAYAKHEL isfaction by deleting a letter 4. 38:26 - 603,550. Every man that 1. 36:35, 37:6,19 - Paroches, Kapores from their title. was counted from twenty years and Kaftor. 7. 35:30, 35:34 - Betzalel ben Uri of age and up (excluding the lev- 2. 35:2 - To emphasize that the from the tribe of Yehuda; i’im). building of the Mishkan doesn’t Oholiav ben Achisamach from 5. 39:1 - Linen. (See Rashi 31:10). supersede the laws of Shabbos. the tribe of Dan. 6. 39:3 - The gold was beaten into 3. 35:11 - The lower curtains that 8. 36:35 - Charuvim. (See Rashi thin plates from which threads were visible in the structure, the 26:31). were cut. (See Rashi 28:6). covering of goat skins, the cov- 9. 37:1 - Because he dedicated him- 7. 39:24,25 - Woven pomegranates erings of ram and tachash skins, self to its building more than any- and golden bells. respectively. one else. 8. 40:17 - Rosh Chodesh Nissan of the 4. 35:19 - They covered the Aron, 10. 38:1-2 - Wood overlaid with second year in the Midbar. For Shulchan, Menorah, and the copper. seven days before this, during Mizbechos during transport. PEKUDEI the consecration of Aharon and 5. 35:26 - It was spun directly from 1. 38:21 - To allude to the Beis his sons, Moshe erected and dis- off of the backs of the goats. Hamikdash that would twice be mantled the Mishkan. (Rashi 6. 35:27 - The Princes reasoned that taken as a “mashkon” (pledge) 39:29) they would first let the people for the sins of the Jewish People 9. 40:24 - On the southern side of contribute materials needed for until the nation repents. the Ohel Mo’ed opposite the the Mishkan and then they 2. 38:21 - The levi’im. Shulchan. would contribute what was lack- 3. 38:22 - The name means “in the 10. 40:31 - On the eighth day of the ing. The Torah shows its dissat- shadow of G-d.” consecration of the Mishkan.

5 ASK the RABBI

herring was invented. Although the Dear Rabbi, NAME CHANGE Torah forbids animal and fowl blood, “Pareve” is a very common term. Name@Withheld wrote, kosher fish are permitted without Has it always been this way, and removing their blood. when did it originate? Also, what is Dear Rabbi, the source of the word? Thank You. Unfortunately, my wife is now seri- Sources: ously ill with cancer. With the guid- • , Yoreh Deah 13:1 Melissa Taylor from Raleigh, North ance of our Rabbi we added a second Carolina wrote: name for her (from Pninah bat Leah GOOD AND BETTER to Pninah Tamar bat Leah). Would Dear Rabbi, you be so kind to explain this “addi- Bob Glina from Birmingham, AL I have a company who has a labeling tion” to your readers and, if I am not issue. They need to know whether imposing, offer a “Mishebarach” wrote: the spelling for a Kosher food is [prayer] for her. Thank you. Dear Rabbi, parve, pareve or parave. Could you please tell me the difference if there Dear Name@Withheld, Define and differentiate between is one? The Talmud states that four things tzedakah and gemilut chassadim. have the power to change a person’s Dear Elly Goldberg and Melissa Taylor, fortune: Giving charity, praying, chang- Dear Bob Glina, Pareve comes from a word ing your behavior (teshuva), and chang- Gemilut Chassadim means bestow- meaning something that is neither meat ing your name. The Talmud explains ing kindness. Tzedakah means charity, nor milk. It’s not clear exactly when it that only after Sarah’s name was referring to giving money or was introduced into the lexicon, and changed (from Sarai to Sarah) did she resources. which from which language it originated become pregnant and bear Yitzchak. There are many types of Gemilut (Yiddish is compilation of many lan- The Talmud considers a fifth possibility, Chassadim. Tzedakah is one subcate- guages). It does not appear in Shulchan that of changing one’s location. gory of Gemilut Chassadim. Lending Aruch. There are similar words in the Changing one’s name symbolizes a money or items is an example of Talmud, but they seem to have no con- powerful resolve to better one’s behav- Gemilut Chassadim that is not nection. ior. It’s like saying “I’m not the same Tzedakah. Webster’s Dictionary spells it person who used be lax about The Sages say that Gemilut “pareve.” “Parve” also looks OK, and observance.” This earnest desire to Chassadim is greater than Tzedaka it’s one letter shorter so you’ll save on improve one’s ways is then counted in because: printing costs! I suggest that you ask the person’s merit. • Tzedaka is only performed with the rabbi supervising the kashrut of May Hashem grant your wife, Pninah money, whereas Gemilut your product. Tamar bat Leah, a complete and speedy Chassadim can be performed recovery. either with money or with one’s body. PAGING A NATION Source: • Tractate Rosh Hashana 16b • Tzedaka only helps poor people, Dr. Eric Chevlen from whereas Gemilut Chassadim helps Youngstown, Ohio both rich and poor. Example: IF YOU KNEW SUSHI... Even a wealthy bride and groom wrote: need friends to participate in their Chuped wrote: wedding (it’s just not the same to Dear Rabbi, hire a bunch of people to do it). Dear Rabbi, Where can I learn about the history My friend insists that sushi made • Tzedaka is given only to the liv- of the Daf Yomi (the worldwide from kosher fish, although raw, is ing, whereas Gemilut Chassadim is coordinated study of a page of kosher, and that there is a glatt for both the living and the dead. Talmud per day). My recollection is kosher restaurant in New York that For example: Burying the dead is that the “uncoordinated coordina- serves sushi. I responded that sushi an act of Gemilut Chassadim to the tion” began about 70 years ago, but cannot be kosher because the fish in departed. I don’t know that for sure, and I its raw state contains “blood.” I don’t remember the name of the agree, of course, that if the fish is Sources: Rabbi who promoted or proposed it. • Tractate Sukka 49b properly prepared and cooked that I assume there were scholars and • Talmud Yerushalmi, Peah 1 the fish would then be permissible to laymen who were studying a page of eat. Am I correct? Talmud a day before that. Were PAREVE ANSWER they all studying different pages Dear Chuped, then? What prompted the promot- Elly Goldberg from South Africa Actually, your friend is correct. Jews er to make his proposal? How was have been eating raw fish ever since wrote: it first coordinated or promulgated?

6 ASK the RABBI

Dear Dr. Eric Chevlen, completion was in 1953. The fifth celebration in 1960 was The idea of having a universal Daf Yomi was first proposed the first one attracting mass attendance in America. Amongst by Rabbi of Lublin. It was accepted in 1922 by others, it was attended by Rabbi , Rabbi the Council of Torah Sages in Eastern Europe and thus began Yaakov Kaminetzky and Rabbi . what is today an international study scheme by which tens of The sixth completion in 1968 came shortly after the reuni- thousands of Jews worldwide study the same folio page of fication of Jerusalem and the return of the Western Wall. At Talmud every day. that time, celebrations were held in the USA, England, When Rabbi Shapiro raised the idea, one of his most Belgium, Argentina, Mexico, Holland and France. The eighth prominent backers was Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, known as completion in 1982 was the first to cater to large crowds in the Chafetz Chaim. He supported the idea because certain America, filling New York’s Felt Forum to capacity (5,000 portions of the Talmud were not commonly studied, seats) with thousands of people standing outside. In Israel “neglected” in favor of more “popular” portions. The there were 20,000 participants. methodical study of a page of Talmud a day ensured that the In 1990, 20,000 people crowded into Madison Square entire Talmud would be studied in the course of seven and a Gardens to celebrate the ninth completion. The tenth and half years. most recent completion was in 1997. In America alone there The first completion of the Daf Yomi cycle took place on were over 70,000 participants! And tens of thousands more Tu B’Shvat 1930. In honor of Rabbi Shapiro, it was celebrat- through out the world. ed in his town, Lublin. The second completion in 1938 Virtually any place Jews are, there are people studying Daf attracted 20,000 celebrants to Lublin, indicating just how Yomi. It’s wonderful that a person can go almost anywhere popular Daf Yomi had become over such a short period. in the world and participate in a class on the exact same sec- The third completion was in 1945. Because of the tion of Talmud he is currently studying. It draws Jews togeth- Holocaust, the largest celebrations were in Israel. The fourth er in a unique way.

I recently had the same question, and looked it up in the English Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchosa (18:44). But there PUBLIC it says you may walk into a reshuth harabim (public domain) with labels; i.e., laundry labels, price tags, iden- DOMAIN tification labels, etc. Comments, quibbles and reactions • Yossie Abramson concerning previous “Ask-the-Rabbi” features The Rabbi Responds: The source from Shemirat Shabbat to which you refer does not relate to tags Re: “Current Candles” (Ohrnet Miketz): which can be seen on the outside of the garment, but rather to hidden tags. (See chapter 18:30 and footnote I wouldn’t think it permitted to use an electric meno- 131, and 18:33. See also 301:150.) rah, since one should commemorate an event by using Accepted practice is to be strict even regarding hidden a setup as similar as possible to the authentic case in his- price tags. tory, and one should have the right feeling when doing so. Otherwise the next step would be to watch videos Re: Keeping Kosher in Kosherland (Ohrnet Bo): of people lighting real menorahs. Either you practice and you do it the traditional way, or you do it as you While halachically a person might be believed for his like, but if so you should realize that it is not the same own kashrus verification, unfortunately there have practice. It is like feeding a virtual pet instead of a live been horror stories where whole communities had to pet! throw out their dishes because of establishments • Albert Sarda From Izmir, Turkey “where everyone bought.” While these cases, where exposed, might be rare, there are still a lot of other problems which only a trained mashgiach can detect. It Re: Calvin Klein vs. Label Klein (Ohrnet Bo): is definitely worth the proprietor the extra expense for reliable certification, as I know there are countless peo- “Ask the Rabbi” wrote: ple who will not patronize a place without a “teudat “Something that’s normally removed, like a price tag, is kashrut” no matter how religious the owner might be. not considered part of your clothing. So it’s forbidden to Keep up the great work of spreading Torah across the “wear” a price tag outside on Shabbat.” board. • Naftali Baum, Maalot Dafna, Jerusalem

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THE OTHER GIVING PEOPLE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT New Feature ! SIDE SIDE In a mystery, we’re A hurtful statement may have been a defensive OF THE STORY always looking for the cul- response to what was perceived as a verbal push. In prit. Sometimes, we don’t judging favorably it is helpful to recognize the part we have far to go. Let’s play in triggering other people’s responses. When peo- examine the case of the woman who was... ple feel verbally attacked, they often strike back. We often don’t see our comments as provocative until DRESSED TO KILL someone lets us know — in no uncertain terms — that they felt provoked. Others may perceive our words, was at a wedding, standing with a group of friends. We tone of voice, or facial expressions as hostile or derisive, II were discussing clothing, shoes, bags and dressing for even though we didn’t mean them as such. fancy occasions. The above is an example of finding a merit for a per- R. admitted, “It took me two hours to get ready for this son which, although it does not completely clear the wedding.” person, does make the person look better. To com- I piped up, “Two hours! I could never spend two hours pletely exonerate the woman in the story, let’s examine to get ready.” her words again, but this time let’s interpret her words “Well,” commented R., “that’s why I look like this and to mean the exact opposite: “That’s why I look (bad) like you look like that.” this, and you look (good) like that (because you don’t I turned and walked away, not knowing where to put need to spend so much time getting ready, while I do)! myself or what to think. Why would she have said some- Does this seem like a far-fetched interpretation of thing like that? After replaying the conversation endless her words? Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky was once times in my mind, it suddenly dawned on me that R. must asked by his students: Everything Hashem created has have felt insulted and lashed back at me for what she felt a purpose. What is the purpose of creating “crooked” was an insensitive comment directed at her. Seeing her reasoning? His answer: “So we can use it to judge oth- comment in the context of a response put it in an entirely ers favorably.” different light. • Based on “The Other Side of the Story” by Yehudis Samet, ArtScroll Series

YIDDLE RIDDLE

Who was the first person to study Chumash with Rashi? • Submitted by Alan Frank from Jerusalem answer next week...

RECOMMENDED READING LIST

VAYAKHEL PEKUDEI Ramban Ramban 35:1 Date of the Assembly 38:22 Betzalel’s Genius 35:21 Generosity and Inspiration 40:2 Timetable of the Yemei Miluim 35:22 Female Leadership Ibn Ezra 38:8 Mirrors of Virtue 38:11 Sunshine and Rain Ibn Ezra 40:35 Covering the Aron 35:27 Gifts of the Princes Sforno 35:34 Learning and Teaching 40:18 Essence of the Mishkan 38:8 Mirrors of Devotion Ba’al HaTurim Sefer Hachinuch 39:27 Storage of the Garments 114 Recess from Judgment Aderes Eliyahu 39:33 The World of the Mishkan OHRNETOHRNET is now available via email in PDF format To subscribe, send the message “sub ohrnet {your name}” to “[email protected]”

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