Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

SHABBAT SHALOM FROM CYBERSPACE Haftarah: Yeshayahu 6:1-13 FEBRUARY 10-11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772 DEDICATIONS : DEDICATION : In memory of Eliyahu ben Esther - Eli Bibi, and in memory of Sarina bat Victoria - Sally Azrak HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONIQUE and ELLEN HADDAD – HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ELLEN AND ISAAC

To subscribe or to unsubscribe, shlit"a, and written by Moshe children, and I’m too old to have please reply to Kormornick posted at now. You take all the gold and [email protected] ShortVort.com. Its one of those silver and let me take the baby”. bright lights that came out of one The deal was agreed and the Daily Minyan on the East Side of the darkest periods in our Polish woman took her new 59th and Third Ave history. ‘daughter’ home to her delighted Monday through Thursday at husband . They raised the Jewish NEW TIME: 4:30 PM Sharp – During the Holocaust, a large girl as their own, treating her very Join us group of Polish women were well, but never told her anything Mincha followed by Arbit –Take rounded up to be sent to the gas of her history. The girl excelled in 20 Minutes out of your day chambers. As the group gathered her studies and became a Artistic Frame – 979 Third their possessions to take with successful pediatrician, working in Avenue – 1705 them into the camp the evil Nazi the top hospital in Poland. For more information please officers called out to all the speak with villagers who were standing by After some years the girl’s Rabbi Danny Greenwald watching, “Anything that these ‘mother’ passed away. A week 212-289-2100 or e-mail Jews leave behind you may take later, she received a knock at the [email protected] for yourselves, because for sure door. An old woman invited they will not be coming back to herself in and said “I want you to During winter break we spent a collect them!” know that the woman that passed day at the Holocaust Museum in away last week was not your real Washington. The designers, Two Polish women who were mother...” and she proceeded to curators and scholars who put standing nearby saw a woman tell her the whole story. this museum together did an towards the back of the group, The girl did not believe her at first incredible job. It was especially wearing a large, heavy, but the old woman said to her moving for Chantelle who studied expensive coat. Not wanting to “When we found you, you were for so many years under Yaffa wait to see if others got the coat wearing a beautiful gold pendant Eliach ( may Hashem grant her a before them, they ran to the with strange writing on it which refuah shelemah) to see one of woman and knocked her to the must be Hebrew, I am sure that her crowning achievements. Our ground, grabbing her coat and your mother kept the necklace, go daughter Mikhayla is going to walked away. and look” and with that parting Poland next week. And I was As the Jewish women were being advice she left. The girl went into thinking of our trip and her trip led away, these two Polish her ‘mother’s’ jewelry box and when I was handed a long note. women lay down the coat to found the necklace just as the divide the spoils of what was woman described. She had it It was a few weeks ago when I hiding inside. As they rummaged extended and wore it every day, received that note and in it, a through the pockets, they but thought nothing more of her version of the following story by discovered gold jewelry, silver Jewish roots. someone who noted they heard it candlesticks and other heirlooms, on the way to a wedding from a but still, as they lifted the coat it Sometime later, she went on cab driver who heard it from a seemed heavier than it should be. holiday abroad and saw two Slonimer Chasid who told him Lubavitch boys. Seizing the that he knew the two people After further inspection they found opportunity she told them entire involved personally. I recalled that a secret pocket, and hidden story and showed them the the story was printed previously inside the coat was a little baby necklace. The boys confirmed and I may have even told it over girl. Shocked at their discovery, that a Jewish name was inscribed in a newsletter. The version below one of the women insisted to the on the necklace but did not know was Told by Harav Moshe Kupetz other, saying “I don’t have any what to say about her status.

1 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

They recommended that she “You can’t buy such a necklace” people including a young man send a letter to the Lubavitcher he responded, “I am a goldsmith who recently arrived from Europe Rebbe explaining everything. She and I made this necklace. Actually and was heading off to work at a sent off the letter and received a I made two identical ones for kibbutz. When the Auerbachs speedy reply saying that it is clear each of my daughters. This is my moved in, the young man asked from the facts that she is a Jewish granddaughter from one of them, permission to stay for another girl and since she had a special and my other daughter did not week. The Auerbachs agreed talent, she should use her survive the war” ...And this is how provided that the man would invaluable skills in Israel, a place the Jewish Polish girl was abide by and respect Shabbat. in desperate need of talented reunited with her father! pediatricians. On Shabbat the Rebetzin walked CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? by the young man’s room only to She took the Rebbe’s advice and see him writing a letter. She was moved to Israel where she Yitro! Why is one of the most upset and asked her son Shlomo approached a Beis Din who famous portions in the , the Zalman z’sl who would eventually declared her Jewish. She was one in which the Ten become a gadol hador to speak accepted into a hospital to work, Commandments are given and with the man. and she met her husband and listed named after a man who is raised a family. Some years bears the title of chief idol priest? Shlomo Zalman knocked on the later... door and explained to the man “Can you hear me now?” We that his mother was upset as the When there was a terrorist attack think its just a guy in a hardhat man agreed to observe the at the Sbarro cafe in the center of doing a Verizon commercial Shabbat and obviously was not. Jerusalem in August 2001, this asking that question, but is there The young man was puzzled. He woman was walking nearby with more to it? And what about the knew on Shabbat one did not her husband. When she heard of clichés, “went into one ear and work or light a fire, but he wasn’t the blast, she told her husband to out the other”, or “speaking to him doing anything wrong. Shlomo return home to the kids and she is like speaking to a stone”? Zalman explained that writing was proceeded to rush to the scene a creative act and was not where she treated the wounded In last week’s portion of permitted. and helped the injured to the BeShalach, we read that the hospital. “nations heard”. And this week we The man apologized for not begin by learning that Yitro heard. knowing explaining he never When she arrived at the hospital I recall discussing with Rabbi learned. But then looked at the she met an elderly man who was Abittan the concept of hearing Shlomo Zalman and asked. “Do in a state of shock. He was and listening. Although I wrote you think I don’t know G-d? I do. searching everywhere for his much of this a couple of years Come let’s take a walk and I’ll tell granddaughter who had become ago, I was reminded of the you a story”. separated from him. She calmed Rabbi’s advice and we spoke him down and went with him to about it this week. “It was during the First World War search amongst all the patients in in Europe. I was a soldier and the order to find his granddaughter. Sometimes we hear words but battlefields were bloody. We Asking how she could recognize they have no effect. Sometimes fought from trenches. We on one her, the frantic grandfather gave a we hear words and we think that side and those we were rough description of a gold we’ll act on them, but we don’t. combating on the other. Bullets pendant necklace that she was And sometimes we hear, we would fly and every so often there wearing. commit and we act on those was a brief pause to collect the words. wounded and the dead. In the After searching amongst the trench with me were two religious injured, they finally found the I recall a story that I heard many Jews and during those pauses granddaughter who was wearing years ago from Rabbi Mansour. It they sat together reading from the necklace. At the sight of this took place in Jerusalem in the small Psalm books they carried necklace, the pediatrician froze. 20’s. The family of Rav Chaim with them. Even within the horrors She turned to the old man and Yehuda Leib Auerbach was of war they had this aspect of said “where did you buy this moving into a three bedroom calm that comes from deep faith necklace from?” apartment. The apartment had and I was very jealous. Why didn’t been occupied by a number of my father didn’t teach me

2 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

anything about being Jewish, I Lebabecha”. You will know that whispered to myself. So I turned day and your heart will return. 2nd & 3rd Aliyot: Yisro observes to Hashem and said to him, if You Moshe's daily schedule as chief are really here on this battlefield We may ask for signs and its rare administrator, judge, and teacher. with us, if you really hear me and that we get such open and clear He advises his son-in-law to care about me, send me a sign responses as the one the soldier delegate some responsibilities to and get me out of here. Let a got, but if we really pay attention, a hierarchy of worthy judges and bullet injure my trigger hand so if we really listen, if we really open administrators. This would allow they’ll send me back home and I’ll our eyes, we can see them. Moshe to focus his attention on survive this war. Hashem is always speaking to us. those issues that demand his Sometimes it’s loud and specific attention. Moshe listens A moment later in the midst of the sometimes its in a whisper, but its to Yisro's advice. silence a single shot was heard. there. And when we do hear it And that shot struck my right and when we do know, its up to 4th Aliya: This begins the forefinger. You can still see that us to act. preparation for Revelation. It is the finger does not bend. I was the 1st day of Sivan, and the Bnai sent from the front and was The entire world heard what Yitro Yisroel have been in the desert committed to going to a Yeshiva heard. They heard and they for 43 days. Moshe is told by and learning about G-d and feared. They heard and they Hashem to explain to the nation everything those other Jews knew knew. They heard but failed to that they are a "kingdom of that I didn’t. G-d had spoken to act. The opportunity was there for priests..." me in the foxhole and now I all of them, but the opportunity would act on it. But once I got would pass them by. In the entire 5th Aliya: Moshe tells the nation home I realized it would take only world only one man heard and of G-d's expectations and they a short time to get my degree in acted. He was Yitro, I guess the respond, "all that Hashem will agriculture so I put off the Yeshiva portion could have been named command we will do." Moshe is while I finished my studies at the for anyone in the world, but in the further instructed to tell the university. end it was named for the one people to prepare themselves by man who acted. immersing themselves and their Six months later, diploma in hand, clothing in a Mikveh, and to I set out for the Yeshiva. But the We need to remember to get to remain apart form their spouses fervor of a miracle in the the place takes many steps. We for 3 days. Mt. Sinai is to be battlefield had cooled. A few days hear and we know, but the key is fenced off so that no person or later I grew bored and left to to act. The Verizon commercial animal could ascend the pursue further studies in asks, if you can hear me now. mountain until the shofar sounded agriculture. Yes, we can. But the real answer the conclusion of Revelation. On to the question comes from the 3rd day, Revelation began Commenting on the story later in another commercial, it’s the one with lightning, thunder, the life, Rabbi Auerbach observed for Nike where we are told, Just sounding of a Shofar, and Mt. that sometimes we hear, do it! Sinai completely engulfed in sometimes the voice is so loud clouds, smoke, and fire. Moshe that it penetrates us and we So lets learn from Yitro. Today, led the nation to assemble at the know, but unless we act all is for get up and DO IT! foot of a trembling Mt.Sinai. naught. (Although this young man did make aliyah, and did dedicate Shabbat Shalom, 6th Aliya: Hashem summoned himself to the return of the Jewish David Bibi Moshe to ascend the mountain people to the land and to building and instructed him to re- the land and I imagine its more Summary of The Weekly Torah emphasize the prohibition against than possible that some of his Reading: anyone ascending the mountain great grandchildren are learning during Revelation. Moshe today in a yeshiva in Eretz 1st Aliya: Yisro brings Moshe's descends and discharges G-d's Yisrael). wife and two sons to join him in wishes. With Moshe standing the desert. In 18:10, Yisro among the people at the foot of Rabbi Mansour quoted the words proclaims his belief in Hashem the mountain, Hashem spoke the from Aleynu LeShabeyach we say (G-d) and identifies His manifest to the entire three times every day. “Veyadata justice as the primary motive for people. HaYom, VeHashebota his belief and conversion.

3 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

7th Aliya: This last Aliya describes EXCERPTS FROM THE JERSEY The Ben Ish Hai says a the reaction of the nation to SHORE TORAH BULLETIN person has both physical and Revelation. In 20:19, the Pasuk spiritual needs. We have a Rabbi Reuven Semah factually states that the Bnai tendency to constantly compare Yisroel (Jewish Nation) “That which is in the heavens ourselves with those around us. collectively heard G-d speak. It is above or on the earth below” We have two choices. We can among the most fundamentally (Ten Commandments 20:4) either contrast ourselves with important statements in the entire those “above” us – those who Torah. The Parsha concludes The Ben Ish Hai teaches have more than we do – or those with the three commandments us a seemingly simple parable “below” us, who have less than regarding the Mizbeach (Altar). that contains a profound we do. message, with which he This week's Haftorah is from homiletically explains a pasuk in When it comes to Yishaya 6 and 7. Continuing the the Ten Commandments. material needs, some tend to look theme of Revelation, the Haftorah at those who have more, yet recounts the famed vision known Once, a property owner when it comes to their spiritual as Maaseh Hamerkavah - the decided to take apart a wooden health, their eyes aim to those vision of Hashem as He sits upon ladder that was attached to his below them. In essence, they are His throne surrounded by various house. He felt the ladder gave acting just like the foolish servant angels singing His praises. robbers and trespassers easy and are the laughing stock of the access to his roof, so he told his universe. Yishaya prophesied during the servant to take it apart. The reign of Achaz, the King of servant, who wasn’t blessed with This week the Torah Yehudah. This vision is repeated much intelligence, started his job. says, “which is in the heavens in greater detail in Yechezkel, and As he steadily climbed up the above or in the earth below” is usually associated with ladder, on each step he broke the Yechezkel, rather than Yishaya. rung beneath him. He managed (20:4). The road to a successful, However, in this awesome vision, to make it all the way to the roof, happy life is to know when to look Yishaya is told of the eventual but then looking down, he where. When it comes to destruction of Yerushalayim. He discovered that he had no way to heavens, matters of spirituality, is sent to relate this prophecy to get down. Some bystanders got one should always look up. the new King Achaz, who would him down with difficulty and gave Compare your spiritual condition prove to be an evil and wicked him advice. “First you should with those greater than you. monarch. have gone up to the roof and When it comes to the earth, taken apart the ladder as you material matters, look down and The concluding prophecy is far came down, from top to bottom.” compare yourself with those who more optimistic than the have less. beginning one. Achaz is told not The next day, the boss Happiness is not about to fear the coming war with Aram told his servant to take apart a wealth and comfort but about and Israel. In the merit of his, yet ladder that went into a deep pit in perspective and attitude. to be born son, Chizkiyahu, their the backyard. The servant remembered the advice, “top to alliance would fail. Chizkiyahu Rabbi Shmuel Choueka would eventually be crowned as bottom,” and started working. As "The Prince of Peace," and return he went down into the pit, he "Do not bear Hashem's name the Jewish people to an made sure to break every rung (in an oath)" (Shemot 20:7) unprecedented devotion and above him. When he got to the commitment to Torah scholarship bottom, he was stuck with no way One of the Ten and observance. Unfortunately, out. Everyone laughed at him. Commandments is to not swear the Jewish People would return to “But you told me top to bottom,” falsely or in vain. To swear their evil ways and Yerushalayim he said. They explained that it all falsely is self understood, but to would be destroyed. depends on the circumstances. swear in vain means to proclaim a “When you are working on a fact which is obvious such as ladder up to a roof, you work top swearing that a book is a book, or to bottom,” they told him. “But anything similar to that. The when you are dealing with a Gemara tells us that the earth ladder descending into a pit, you trembled when this prohibition break it as you go bottom to top.” was uttered because using

4 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

Hashem's name in vain is truly a INSTANT GRATIFICATION RABBI ELI MANSOUR terrible thing with dire Visit DailyHalacha,com, consequences. This should make One Minute With Yourself – DailyGemara.com, us be careful whenever we Rabbi Raymond Beyda MishnaBerura.com, mention Hashem's name in any LearnTorah.com situation. In addition, this should “Do you like instant make us hesitate to swear in any coffee?” Abraham asked. That Little Extra Push manner, even without using Parashat Yitro tells of Ma’amad Hashem's name, but all the more “No. I only drink the real Har Sinai, God’s revelation to Am so when mentioning the Holy brew,” replied Aharon. Yisrael at Mount Sinai, during Name. Many times people say "I which Moshe Rabbenu ascended “Same here,” said Abe. “I swear to G-d" in order to make a to the top of the mountain to don’t understand how people eat point - this is not something to receive the Torah. microwave food either.” take lightly. We must watch our mouths and get into the habit of Many people would agree The Sages in the Midrash and saying "Beli Neder" ("Without an with Aharon and Abe, preferring provide us with additional oath") even when not mentioning the “real thing” to the instant information concerning this "I swear". variety of everything from soups seminal event, including a to dinners. remarkable incident that occurred Here is a short list of what when Moshe ascended the is considered an oath: The only problem with the mountain. The Midrash relates “real thing” is that preparing it that God showed Moshe a scene 1) By G-d, this is so-and- takes much longer. from the distant future – a great so. Rabbi teaching a Torah class to Sometimes, however, fast his students. The concepts this 2) G-d is my witness that is not good. Rabbi taught were so deep and I did or did not do this. profound, that even Moshe In the Torah (Debarim Rabbenu could not understand 3) By my life that such 23:2), Hashem states, about the the material. As it turns out, the and such happened or didn't enemy: Rabbi in this prophetic image happen. shown to Moshe was none other “I will not chase him out in 4) I should be cursed if than Rabbi Akiba, one of the [only] one year, lest the land this isn't true, etc. greatest and most influential of become desolate and the [wild] the Tanna’im (Sages of the We see from here that animals will overpower you.” Mishnaic period). even without using the word 'oath' In life, we must find the or 'swear', we could be obligating Realizing that he could not proper balance. In a low-priority ourselves in a very heavy way. understand Rabbi Akiba’s lecture, situation – such as when you We must also be careful from Moshe decided that he was don’t have time to make fresh- saying “I am going to do this unworthy to receive the Torah. He brewed java – instant may not be misvah (such as giving charity, told the Almighty that Rabbi the same, but the trade-off is going to shul, etc.)” without saying Akiba, and not he, should be the worth it. However, when it comes “Beli Neder” because it’s also one chosen to receive the Torah to education and self- considered binding. Also, if we from God and transmit it to Am improvement, the long-term goal do certain practices three times it Yisrael. God, however, informed is best served by a step-by-step may be considered as a vow, so Moshe that he was chosen for climb to success. Instant we should say “Beli Neder.” Let this exalted role. gratification is fine for frivolities, us attempt to be on guard and not but when dealing with issues that swear in any which way or form. This extraordinary account gives really matter, “no pain no gain” is If one has a doubt, contact a us an opportunity to learn about the way to go . Rabbi to see if he may need and draw inspiration from Rabbi Hatarah. Shabbat Shalom. Put in the effort and reap Akiba, one of the most heroic and the long-lasting benefits. important figures in Jewish Patience sometimes pays, even history. He was a man of in a wireless, digital world. unparalleled genius, to the point where, as we have seen, even Moshe Rabbenu could not fully

5 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

understand his lecture. old and could not even read meant by a kingdom of priests? In Additionally, as the Talmud Hebrew. That little push that his Jewish life the priests, the relates, he had 24,000 students – wife gave him was able to open descendants of Aharon, were far more than any Torah educator the clogged drain, so-to-speak. people who were freed from the at any point in history. Tragically, Once he began putting in the daily mundane chores of life and all those thousands of students effort, the thick layers that were supported by the masses of perished in a deadly plague. obstructed his powerful soul were Israel who sustained them Rabbi Akiba, remarkably, did not gradually removed. Soon enough, physically and financially. despair, even after suffering such the power of his soul was able to a devastating calamity. He found burst forth in full force, propelling Now if the entire nation was to be five qualified students and taught him to such great heights that a kingdom of priests, in those them, and they became the pillars even Moshe Rabbenu could not terms of support and life, it of our Torah tradition. understand his lecture. obviously was an impossibility to maintain such a kingdom. But even more fascinating than Although the Arizal’s insight Therefore the idea of the kingdom Rabbi Akiba’s role as a leading certainly relates to deep concepts of priests must mean a broader Sage is the humble beginnings of Kabbalah, it also contains a reality. It is the challenge of being from which he came. Rabbi Akiba powerful message that applies a kingdom of teachers of others – was ignorant for many years. He directly to each and every one of “for the lips of the priest shall never had a Torah education, and us. If Rabbi Akiba, who wanted to guard knowledge and Torah will he was a simple shepherd bite Torah scholars, was be asked to be taught from his working for a wealthy man named endowed with a special soul with mouth.” Kalba Sabua. But Rabbi Akiba a potential for unparalleled was not only ignorant, he actually greatness, then it is certainly We are all teachers by example if despised Torah scholars. He possible that each of us, too, is not by profession. How we act himself attested that before he granted such lofty potential. We influences our children, our enrolled in yeshiva and began to might not feel naturally driven neighbors, our customers and our learn, he felt the urge to bite toward spiritual greatness, but coworkers. And a priest in the Rabbis! This was the extent of the this potential may very well be service of the Jewish people was animosity he harbored toward within us. Like Rabbi Akiba, we someone who served the public Torah and its scholars. just need that extra little push to and private needs of Jews. He get us moving, to propel us was someone who was on call to How is it possible that a person forward, and then the “Kelipot” answer the needs of the with such contempt for Torah (“shells”) fall away and we can community, whether in the could emerge as one of the reach our potential. It would be a required Temple service or in the greatest Sages of all time? terrible mistake to resign private endeavors meant to ourselves to mediocrity and enhance the status of the The Arizal (Rabbi Yishak Luria of assume that we are destined to community or of help to other Safed, 1534-1572) explained that achieve nothing more. We never individuals. The priest was the undoubtedly, Rabbi Akiba was know what our ceiling is until we social worker, the peace maker, endowed with a special soul, make the effort. We must give the cement that binds a which allowed him to attain such ourselves that extra push, try just community together and gives it towering heights of Torah a bit harder, invest just a bit more its necessary sense of unity and knowledge and piety. For many effort, and we will then find cohesion. Every Jew is obligated years, however, until age 40, his ourselves able to achieve far to attempt to be such a priest. greatness was blocked; there more than we ever imagined were “shells” covering his sacred possible. A holy nation is also a phrase that soul. His soul resembled a requires definition and detail. brilliant and powerful light which Holiness in its Hebrew root was covered by many thick layers Rabbi Wein means dedication, loyalty and an of material which blocked the light ability to break down the barriers from shining and illuminating its At the revelation at Sinai the Lord of society that oftentimes prevent surroundings. When Rabbi Akiba set the goal for the Jewish people us from achieving spiritual married his wife, Rahel, she – “to be a kingdom of priests and satisfaction and nobility of urged him to enroll in yeshiva and a holy nation.” These noble goals, purpose. A holy nation must pursue a Torah education, even like all great ideas and lofty therefore mean a nation that is though he was already 40 years ideals, require definition. What is able to retain its unique identity. It

6 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

cannot be swallowed up by the post and greet him in the desert she drawled. "Did you say you prevailing and ever changing before he arrives at the Israelite were Raabbi Kaamenetzky?" majority cultures that will always camp. The Torah tells us that She knew the name! It sounded surround it. Moshe did go out to greet Yisro: as if she was about to follow up "the man bowed and kissed him with a weighty question, and my Holiness requires the ability to and asked the peace of his dear brother responded in kind. "Yes." care for everyone while remaining one." (Exodus 18:8) He did not know what would apart from everyone at one and Rashi is bothered by the follow. "Why do you ask?" the same time. Holiness refers to ambiguity. "Who bowed to "Are you," asked the operator, "by the body and not just to the soul whom? Who kissed whom? Who any chance, related to the famous and the spirit. It speaks to was the one to make the gesture? Raabbi Kaaamenetzky?" discipline and order, self-control Was it Yisro, the father-in-law, There was silence on the other and resisting impulse. The great who kissed Moshe, or did Moshe, end. My brother could not challenge here is to instill these the son-in-law, the leader of imagine that this woman had an virtues and traits of character and millions of people, run to greet his inkling of who his grandfather, the behavior in an entire nation and father in-law a Midianite priest, great sage, Dean of Mesivta not only in a few special chosen, and bow and kiss him? Torah Voda'ath, to whom extraordinary individuals. Rashi quotes the Mechilta which thousands had flocked for advice refers us to Bamidbar (Numbers and counsel, was. She These goals of probity and correct 12:3) where Moshe is called "the continued. "You know, he passed behavior are to be the national man Moshe" obviously the words, away about ten years ago at the goals of the Jewish people and "the man bowed and kissed him" end the wintah?" She definitely the hallmark of its society. Other in our portion must mean that had her man, thought Reb Zvi. societies look for greatness and same man - Moshe. Still in shock, he offered a morality from the few. Not so the Why, however, did the Torah subdued, "Yes, I'm a grandson." society of the Jewish people, choose a seemingly convoluted "YOOOU ARE?" she exclaimed. where these demands and goals way to tell us that Moshe "Well I'm sure glad to talk to ya! are laid upon all who are part of prostrated himself before his Cause your grandpa -- he was a the household of Israel. father-in-law? Would it not have real good friend of mine!" been easier to tell us that "Moshe My brother pulled the receiver A holy nation is not restricted to man bowed and kissed him and from his ear and stared at the being so only in the house of asked the peace of his dear mouthpiece. He composed worship and study. It is to be a one"? Why did the Torah use the himself and slowly began to holy nation in every walk of life, at words "the man" and send us to repeat her words, quizzically. home and in the marketplace, in the Book of Numbers to learn who "You say that... Rabbi the halls of government - and "the man" was? Kamenetzky ... certainly in its treatment of others. was...a...good...friend...of yours?" That is the blueprint of Sinai that The Story "Sure! Every mornin' Raabbi was set before us millennia ago A number of years ago, my Kaaamenetzky would come to and still binds us to this very day. brother, Rabbi Zvi Kamenetzky, this here hotel to teach some menahel of Mosdot Ohr Emet in sorta class (It was the Daf- Toronto, tried to contact a friend Yomi). Now my desk is about ten Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky - who was vacationing at yards from the main entrance of Parsha Parables Schechter's Caribbean Hotel in the hotel. But every mornin' he Miami Beach, Florida. After about made sure to come my way, nod 15 rings, the hotel operator, an his head, and say good mornin' to A Moshe Mentsh elderly, southern black woman, me. On his way out, he would Parshas Yisro begins by relating who worked at the hotel for three always stop by my desk and say how impressed its namesake, decades politely informed my good-bye. He was a great Rabbi Yisro, is upon hearing the brother that the man was not in but he was even a greater man! -- amazing events that transpired to the room. "Would you like to Oh! Yes! He was a wonderful the nation led by his son-in-law, leave a message?" she inquired. man. He was a real good friend Moshe. He decides to convert to "Sure," responded Reb Zvi, "tell of mine!" Judaism. Yisro sends word to him that Rabbi Kamenetzky, Moshe that he will soon be called." The Message arriving at the Israelite camp. The woman at the other end The Torah could have told us the Yisro wants Moshe to leave his gasped. "Raabbi Kaamenetzky?" narrative an easier way. It could

7 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

have told us that Moshe bowed W.L. Nash. Pieced together and the sages. Why did they object to before, and kissed Yisro. It does located today in the Cambridge it? Both the Babylonian and more. It tells us that it was a man University Library, they are known Jerusalem say it was who kissed Yisro. True, it was as the Nash Papyrus. Dating from because of the “claim of the Moshe that performed those the second century BCE, they sectarians.” actions. But they were not the contain a version of the Ten actions of a Moshe, they were the Commandments, immediately Jewish sectarians – some identify actions of a mentsh! followed by the Shema. Almost them as a group of early Often we attribute acts of certainly the papyrus was used Christians but there is no kindness, compassion, and extra for prayer in a synagogue in compelling evidence for this – care to super-human attributes of Egypt before the birth of argued that only the Ten our sages and leaders. The Christianity, at a time when the Commandments were binding, Torah tells us that it is the simple custom was to include all four because only they were received mentch that performs them. paragraphs. by the Israelites directly from God Inside every great leader lies "the at Mount Sinai. The others were man." Little wonder that the from the Second Temple received through , and this words "and the man Moshe" that period, discovered in the Qumran sect, or perhaps several of them, Rashi quotes from the Book of caves along with the Dead Sea held that they did not come from Numbers begin a verse that fits Scrolls, contained the Ten God. They were Moses’ own our explanation quite well. The Commandments. Indeed a invention, and therefore not verse reads "and the man Moshe lengthy section of the halakhic binding. was the exceedingly humble, midrash on Deuteronomy, the more than any one on the face of Sifri, is dedicated to proving that There is a midrash that gives us the earth." (Numbers 12:3) It was we should not include the Ten an idea of what the sectarians the man Moshe, who was Commandments in the tefillin, were saying. It places in the exceedingly humble, more than which suggests that there were mouth of Korach and his any one on the face of the earth. some Jews who did so, and the followers, who rebelled against rabbis needed to be able to show Moses, these words: “The whole Sir Jonathan Sacks that they were wrong. congregation are holy. Are you Chief Rabbi of the United [Moses and Aaron] the only ones Hebrew Congregations We also have evidence from both who are holy? All of us were of the Commonwealth the Babylonian and Jerusalem sanctified at Sinai . . . and when Talmuds (Bavli, Berakhot 12a ; the Ten Commandments were The Custom that Refused to Die Yerushalmi Berakhot 1: 8) that given, there was no mention of there were communities in Israel challah or terumah or tithes or There’s an enthralling story about and Babylon who sought to tzitzit. You made this all up the Ten Commandments and the introduce the Ten yourself.” (Yalkut Shimoni Korach role they played in Jewish Commandments into the prayers, 752). worship and the synagogue. and that the rabbis had to issue a ruling against doing so. There is So the rabbis were opposed to It begins with a little-known fact. even documentary evidence that any custom that would give There was a time when there the Jewish community in Fostat, special prominence to the Ten were not three paragraphs in the near Cairo, kept a special scroll in Commandments since the prayer we call the Shema, but the ark called the Sefer al-Shir, sectarians were pointing to such four. The Mishnah in Tamid (5: 1) which they took out after the customs as proof that even tells us that in Temple times the conclusion of daily prayers and orthodox Jews treated them officiating priests would say, first, read from it the Ten differently from the other the Ten Commandments and Commandments (Jacob Mann, commands. By removing them then the three paragraphs of the The Jews in Egypt and in from the prayer book, the rabbis Shema. Palestine under the Fāṭimid hoped to silence such claims. caliphs, I, 221). We have several pieces of But the story does not end there. independent evidence for this. So the custom of including the So special were the Ten The first consists of four papyrus Ten Commandments as part of Commandments to Jews that they fragments acquired in Egypt in the Shema was once widespread, found their way back. Rabbi 1898 by the then secretary of the but from a certain point in time it Jacob ben Asher, author of the Society of Biblical Archaeology, was systematically opposed by Tur (14th century) suggested that

8 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

one should say them privately. Maimonides had no doubt. It was and with Israel.” Moses was there Rabbi Joseph Karo argues that the previous rabbi, the one who with the Lord forty days and forty the ban only applies to reciting had told them not to stand, who nights without eating bread or the Ten Commandments publicly was in the right. His reasoning drinking water. And he wrote on during the service, so they could was correct also. Exactly the logic the tablets the words of the be said privately after the service. that barred it from the daily covenant—the Ten That is where you find them today prayers should be applied to the Commandments. (Ex 34: 27-28) in most siddurim – immediately reading of the Torah. It should be after the morning service. Rabbi given no special prominence. The Then the Lord spoke to you out of Shlomo Luria had the custom of community should stay sitting. the fire. You heard the sound of reading the Ten Commandments Thus ruled Maimonides, the words but saw no form; there was at the beginning of prayer, before greatest rabbi of the Middle Ages. only a voice. He declared to you the start of Pesukei de-Zimra, the However, sometimes even great his covenant, the Ten Verses of Praise. rabbis have difficulty persuading Commandments, which he communities to change. Then as commanded you to follow and That was not the end of the now most communities – even then wrote them on two stone argument. Given that we do not those in Maimonides’ Egypt – tablets. (Deut. 4: 12-13) say the Ten Commandments stood while the Ten during public prayer, should we Commandments were being read. That is why they were originally none the less give them special said immediately prior to the honour when we read them from So despite strong attempts by the Shema, and why despite their the Torah, whether on Shavuot or sages, in the time of the Mishnah, removal from the prayers Jews in the weeks of parshat Yitro and Gemara and later in the age of continued to say them – because Vaetchanan? Should we stand Maimonides, to ban any custom their recital constituted a daily when they are being read? that gave special dignity to the renewal of the covenant with Ten Commandments, whether as God. That too is why Jews Maimonides found himself prayer or as biblical reading, Jews insisted on standing when they involved in a controversy over this kept finding ways of doing so. were being read from the Torah, question. Someone wrote him a They brought it back into daily because when they were being letter telling the following story. prayer by saying it privately and given the Israelites “stood at the He was a member of a outside the mandatory service, foot of the mountain” (Ex. 19: 17). synagogue where originally the and they continued to stand while The Midrash (Pesikta de-Rav custom was to stand during the it was being read from the Torah Kahana 12, ed. Mandelbaum, p. reading of the Ten despite Maimonides’ ruling that 204) says about the reading of Commandments. Then a rabbi they should not. the Ten Commandments on came and ruled otherwise, saying Shavuot: “The Holy One blessed that it was wrong to stand for the “Leave Israel alone,” said Hillel, be He said to the Israelites: My same reason as it was forbidden “for even if they are not prophets, children, read this passage every to say the Ten Commandments they are still the children of year and I will account it to you as during public prayer. It could be prophets.” Ordinary Jews had a if you were standing before Mount used by sectarians, heretics and passion for the Ten Sinai and receiving the Torah.” others to claim that even the Jews Commandments. They were the themselves held that the Ten distilled essence of Judaism. Jews kept searching for ways of Commandments were more They were heard directly by the recreating that scene, by standing important than the other 603. So people from the mouth of God when they listened to it from the the community stopped standing. himself. They were the basis of Torah and by saying it privately Years later another rabbi came, the covenant they made with God after the end of the morning this time from a community where at Mount Sinai, calling on them to prayers. Despite the fact that they the custom was to stand for the become a kingdom of priests and knew their acts could be Ten Commandments. The new a holy nation. Twice in the Torah misconstrued by heretics, they rabbi stood and told the they are described as the were too attached to that great congregation to do likewise. covenant itself: epiphany – the only time in history Some did. Some did not, since God spoke to an entire people – their previous rabbi had ruled Then the Lord said to Moses, to treat it like any other passage against. Who was right? “Write down these words, for in in the Torah. The honour given to accordance with these words I the Ten Commandments was the have made a covenant with you custom that refused to die.

9 Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace February 11, 2012 18 SHEBAT 5772

AS HEARD FROM RABBI to function. The sun does not AVIGDOR MILLER Z'TL give its own light, for even before the creation of the sun there was light. Just as the original light “Remember the day of Shabbat to existed without the sun, so even keep it holy” (20:8) now it is Hashem alone that gives light. This is an essential corollary of the previous commandments. It is this test that makes Life The principle of Creation from worthwhile, for if Hashem had not Nothing is the fundamental made a cessation (Shabbat) to understanding that Hashem is the His open demonstration of His Creator, meaning that He is the Presence, men would deserve no originator of all that exists. This is reward for recognizing Him. the teaching of the Shabbat: “I am Quoted from “A Nation is Born” by Hashem” (from the word Hove’, Rabbi Miller ZT’L meaning “existence”). But the Shabbat signifies also the election of Israel (see 31:13); thus Parts of this newsletter are it commemorates also “your G-d courtesy of Project Genesis: that took you out of Egypt.” Thus Torah on the Information the fourth commandment is Superhighway. Permission is essentially for the first three. granted to redistribute, but please give proper attribution and The Shabbat is explained as a copyright to the author and memorial of the Creation in six Project Genesis, and refer to days (20:11); but Shabbat [email protected] and signifies “a stop” http://www.torah.org/ . Both the (cessation), and as a memorial of authors and Project Genesis Creation it would be more suitable reserve certain rights. For full to be named Maass (doing) or information on copyrights, send Briah (Creation). We learn email to [email protected]. therefrom the extremely important principle taught by the Shabbat: Shabbat Shalom From although everything was made by Cyberspace E Mail Edition is the Creator, yet after the first six published each week since 1995 days He no longer demonstrated and is distributed to 18,000 openly His work. readers. Our goal is to spread Now He caused everything to torah knowledge. Articles are appear as if it functioned of itself downloaded from sites and from without the Creator’s help. This is e-mail forwarded to us. We intended by the expression: encourage you to reprint the “Which G-d created to do” newsletter and distribute it to co- (Beresheet 2:3), meaning “to do workers, friends and family. You of itself” (Ibn Ezra). Thus can retransmit copies by fax, mail Shabbat means the cessation of or by hand. Be a part of the the Creator’s open deeds” and Mitzvah of spreading torah. It the beginning of what seems the takes so little to make copies and self-management of Nature. distribute them. And with E Mail it just takes a click to send this By this deception, Mankind is along. To subscribe directly or tested, whether or not they would have us send to a friend or family recognize the truth that even now member Send a request to nothing functions of itself, and ShabbatShalomNewsletter@Gma that even now Hashem himself il.com with your name, phone, fax illuminates the world and causes and E-Mail Address all of its phenomena to exist and

10