בס''ד

בס''ד

SHABBAT SCHEDULE We would like to wish a Hearty Mazal WEEKLY SCHEDULE Mincha 5:20pm Tov to our Dear friends Yosef & Hannah SUNDAY Shir Hashir im: 5:40pm Ayash on the Bat Mitzvah of their Dear Shaharit: 7:30am Candle Lighting: 5:16pm Daughter Judit. They should always have Minha 5:25pm Daf Yomi 8:00am many Semahot & see her grow in the Followed by Arvit & Shaharit: 8:30am Teenager Program Path of Torah & Yirat Shamayim Amen! Youth Minyan: 9:00am Zeman Keriat Shema 9:04am MONDAY TO FRIDAY 2nd Zeman Keriat Shema 9:41am We would like to wish a Hearty Mazal Shiur 6:10am Shiur: 4:20pm Tov to our Dear friends Isaie & Nicole Shaharit 6:30am Minha: 5:00pm Bouhadana on the Birth of a Grandson to Followed by Seudat Shelishit & Hodu Approx: 6:45am Dr. & Mrs. Michael Bouhadana. They Arvit Minha 5:25pm Shabbat Ends: 6:16pm should always have many Semahot & see Followed By Arbit Rabbenu Tam 6:47pm him grow in the Path of Torah & Yirat & Shiurim in English & Avot Ubanim 7:30pm Shamayim Amen! Spanish.

We would like to remind our Kahal Kadosh to please Donate wholeheartedly towards our Beautiful Kehila. Anyone interested in donating for any occasion, Avot Ubanim $120, Kiddush $350, Seudat Shelishit $275, Weekly Bulletin $150, Weekly Daf Yomi $180, Daf Yomi Masechet $2500, Yearly Daf Yomi $5000, Weekly Breakfast $150, Weekly Learning $500, Monthly Rent $3500, & Monthly Learning $2000, Please contact the Rabbi. Thanking you in advance for your generous support. Tizke Lemitzvot!

בס''ד Refuah Shelema List Men Women

• Yosef Zvi Ben Sara Yosefia, • Isaac Ben Mesoda, • Simja Bat Esther, • Sara Ledicia Bat Mesoda, • Aviv Ben Luba Miriam, • Haim Ben Marcelle, • Mesoda Bat Esther, • Alegria Simha Bat Esther, • Mordechai Ben Brucha • Yizhak Ben Simja • Rachel Bat Sarah, • Naomie Bat Rarel Adda, Malka Shmalo, • Reuben Ben Eta, • Nina Bat Rachel, • Malka Bat Joyce Simja, • Yizhak Abraham Ben Sheli, • Michael Ben Aliza, • Gitel Rina Bat Yael, • Sivan Simha Bat Yehudit, • Yosef Yizhak Ben Sara Hana, • Eliel Moshe Ben • Miriam Bat Sofy, • Natalie Rachel Bat Nancy, • Mordechai Ben Miriam, Sarah • Rahma Bat Simha • Abigael Haya Bat Esther • Meir Raymond Ben Mathilde • Refael Ben Clara • Esther Bat Fortuna • Madelaine Bat Esther • Salomon Benarroch Ben Alia • Malka Bat Dina • Nurit Jacqueline Bat Rahel • Mordechai Ben Mercedes • Camouna Bat Fortuna

Torah Teasers (AISH)

1. Yaakov lived in Egypt for 17 years. Where else in the book of Genesis is 17 years referred to? 2. What similar ailment occurs to both Yitzhak and to Yaakov? 3. Where is a bed mentioned in this parsha? (4 answers) 4. Which two pairs of brothers are mentioned in the same verse? 5. Where in this parsha does one person place his hand upon the head of another? Where else in the Torah does it say explicitly that one person places his hand on another? (2 answers) 6. In what context are fish mentioned in this parsha? 7. Where in this parsha is the same person mentioned twice in a verse, but referred to by different names? 8. Which animals appear in the blessings to the sons of Yaakov? (10 answers) 9. Which beverages are referred to in Yaakov's blessings to his sons? (3 answers) 10. What location appears in this parsha and is not mentioned anywhere else in Tanach? 11. Which people appear in this parsha who are not descendants of Avraham? (3 answers)

Answers 1) Parshat Vayeshev begins when Yosef is 17 years old (Genesis 37:2). 2) Both Yitzhak and Yaakov had trouble with their eyesight during old age (Genesis 27:1, 48:10). 3) At the beginning of the parsha, Yaakov's bed is mentioned three times: Yaakov bows by the head of the bed (Genesis 47:31); Yaakov strengthens himself to sit up on the bed (Genesis 48:2); in that same verse, Yaakov gathers his legs to the bed before dying. The fourth time a bed is mentioned is in the blessing given to Reuven, in reference to his moving of Yaakov's bed after the death of Rachel (Genesis 49:4). 4) Ephraim and Menashe, and Reuven and Shimon, are all mentioned in the same verse (Genesis 48:1). 5) Yaakov places his hands on the heads of Ephraim and Menashe when giving them a blessing (Genesis 48:14). In Leviticus 24:14, witnesses who heard someone curse Hashem place their hand on his head before executing him. In Numbers 27:23, Moshe rests his hands on Yehoshua to transfer the leadership. 6) In the blessing to Ephraim and Menashe, the verse states "And they should multiply like fish in the midst of the land" (Genesis 48:16).

7) In the same verse, Yaakov is referred to both by the name Yaakov and by the name Yisrael (Genesis 49:2).

8) The followin g animals appear in the blessings: Ox in the blessing of Shimon and Levi (Genesis 49:2); lion and lioness in the blessing of

Yehudah (Genesis 49:9); two names for donkey, also in the blessing of Yehudah (Genesis 49:11); donkey in the blessing of Yissachar

(Genesis 49:14); snake and horse in the blessing of Dan (Genesis 49:17); deer in the blessing of Naftali (Genesis 49:21); wolf in the blessing of Benyamin (Genesis 49:27).

9) Water is referred to in the blessing of Reuven (Genesis 49:4). Milk and wine are referred to in the blessing of Yehudah (Genesis 49:12).

10) The eulogy for Yaakov took place in Goren Ha'atad (Genesis 50:10-11). This place does not appear anywhere else in Tanach.

11) Efron (Genesis 49:29), Mamre (Genesis 49:30), and Pharaoh (Genesis 50:4) are mentioned in this parsha. They are not descendants of Avraham.

If anyone would like to contact the Rabbi, please feel free

to call or text 786-879-4951, or email [email protected].

בס''ד Community Announcements

(It is YOUR Community, make the most of it!)

Miscellaneous Announcements:

• This We ek’s Congregational Kiddush has been Generously Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Yoseph & Stephanie

Ayash in Honor of their Dear Daughter Judith’s Bat Mitzvah. Mazal Tov!

• The Kiddush Club Initiative. Anyone interested donating a Kiddush Please kindly contact the Rabbi. Tizke

Lemizvot!

• This Week’s Congregational Seudat Shelishit has been Kindly Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Michel Bitton in th memory of his Dear Mother Zohra Bat Miriam z”l the 16 of Tebet. Tihye Nishmata Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim

Amen.

• This Week’s Breakfast is Kindly Sponsored by our Dear Friends Mr. & Mrs. Shabetai Maya in memory of th th his Dear Father Shemuel Maya Ben Malkuna z”l the 18 of Tebet & Rebecca Behar Bat Sultana z”l the 20

of Tebet. Tihye Nishmatam Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.

• This Week’s Learning is Kindly Sponsored by our Dear Friends Mr. & Mrs. Sammy Maya in memory of th his Dear Grandfather Shemuel Maya Ben Malkuna z”l the 18 of Tebet & Rebecca Behar Bat Sultana z”l the

th 20 of Tebet. Tihye Nishmatam Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Breakfast for this week or on any day please contact the Rabbi.

• This Week’s Daf Yomi has been Kindly Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Albert Belecen in memory of her Dear

Mother Solita Bendayan Bat Simha z”l the 18th of Tebet. Tihye Nishmata Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.

• This Week’s Daf Yomi has been Kindly Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Jacky Werta in memory of his Dear th Grandfather Eliyahu Delouya Ben Esther z”l the 15th of Tebet & Aunt Celine Hasiba Bat Ramo z”l the 16

of Tebet. Tihye Nishmatam Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.

• If anyone is interested in creating a weekly class in your house or an individual class with the Rabbi, please do not hesitate to

contact the Rabbi.

• We are tryi ng to update our Congregant’s contact information. We would like to start sending texts about different Events and

Shiurim. We would also like to start emailing the weekly bulletin. We would like to start a list of Nahalot/Azkarot/Yahrzeits.

We would also like to make a Refuah Shelema list. Please send your contact information to the Rabbi at [email protected]

• Please fee l free to contact any of the board members either in person, or via email with suggestions or comments. Our email

addresses are: board member’s first name @oroziel.com

Important Message!!!

Eruv Update: Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is

permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach. Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

• Due to the recent reorganization of seats in the Bet Hakenesset, We are happy to announce the NEW possibility of purchasing seats in the Bet Hakenesset. For more information, please contact the Board.

• Before hanging up anything anywhere in the Bet Hakenesset, please seek authorization from the Rabbi. This includes flyers etc. • Please be advised that prior to bringing any food or drinks for any occasion, you must first seek the authorization from the Rabbi.

Special Announ cements

• We are pleas ed to announce that Ness 26 is part of the Amazon Charity Program, which would allow our community to collect 0.5% of all the orders made by any of you on Amazon.com. In order to register you need to log on smile.amazon.com and select Ness 26, Inc as the Charitable Organization you want to support, and from then shop on smile.amazon .com instead of www.amazon.com. It won’t cost anything more, and is an easy way to contribute to our budget needs. • Anyone wishing to receive the Daily Halacha by the Rabbi please send a whatsapp message to Simon Chocron 786-351- 1573

Community Calendar: • The program for Teenaged Boys ages 13-18 Started again with Great Succes with Shiur by the Rabbi & Supper on Sunday Evenings after Arvit at around at 5:50 pm With Supper. New Participants Welcome! Anyone

wishing to sponsor this Shiur Please contact the Rabbi. Tizke Lemitzvot! • We have started the Mishmar Program Every other Thursday evening at 8:00 pm with Chulent, Beer, &

Snacks. Everyone is welcome!

Avot Ubanim: This Mosae Shabbat at 7:30pm

Youth Minyan W d t th i ti f YOUTH/TEEN MINYAN d t t i d t h f t בס''ד

בס''ד

בס''ד

We would like to Whole Heartedly Thank our Dear Friends, Isaac & Karine Castiel for generously Donating the TORAH LEARNING of Tebet 5779 In Honor of our Kahal Kadosh & Rabbi Elmaleh Shlit”a We truly appreciate it. In this merit, may Hashem Bless you & your wonderful family with all the Berachot of the Torah Amen.

Birthdays Nahalot

Happy Birthday To • Eliyahu Tapiero Ben Miriam z”l the 14th of Tebet • Mrs. Sol Aquinin – Sun. Dec. 23rd, (Shabbat) (Father of Mr. Jacky Tapiero) th • Mr. Jacky Werta – Thurs. Dec. 27th, • Miriam Edderai Bat Rajel z”l the 14 of Tebet (Shabbat) (Grandmother of Dr. J.J. Edderai) • Mrs. Deborah Maya – Fri. Dec. 28th, Eliyahu Delouya Ben Esther z”l the 15th of Tebet • Miss Avigail Benmergui – Shab. Dec. 29th, • nd (Grandfather of Mr. Jacky Werta) • Nathan Cohen – Wed. Jan. 2 th rd • David Mamane z”l the 15 of Tebet • Annael Adi Albergel – Thurs. Jan. 3 (Brother of Mr. Habib Mamane) rd • Shirel Esty Albergel – Thurs. Jan. 3 • Celine Hasiba Bat Ramo z”l the 16th of Tebet th • Deborah Abigail Benarroch – Fri. Jan. 4 (Aunt of Mr. Jacky Werta) • Adam Shem Michael – Fri. Jan. 4th • Zohra Bat Miriam z”l the 16th of Tebet

(Mother of Mr. Michel Bitton) Happy Anniversary To • Solita Bendayan Bat Simha z”l the 18th of Tebet nd (Mother of Mrs. Evelyn Belecen) • Jean Jacques & Perla Edderai Dec 22 • Shemuel Maya Ben Malkuna z”l the 18th of Tebet • Amichai & Magali Shoshan Dec 30th (Father of Mr. Shabetai Maya) • Alain & Arielle Albergel Dec 31st • Rebecca Behar Bat Sultana z”l the 20th of Tebet

(Cousin of Mr. Shabetai Maya)

בס''ד Community Shiurim

Weekday mornings:

• 6:10AM to 6:45AM: Laws of Nidah. New participants welcome!

• 7:30AM Shiur on Hok Leyisrael with Breakfast! Everyone Is Welcome to Join. • 7:45AM to 8:30AM: Daf Yomi Masechet Hulin. NEW DAF YOMI MASECHET! New participants are welcome! It is a great time to start learning the Daf and join thousands of Jews across the world in this incredible project.

• 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM: Mishna Berura Dirshu Cycle! New participants welcome!

Weekday afternoons:

• Before Minha o Monday through Thursday: Shiurim in Spanish on assorted topics.

• After Arvit: o Mondays & Wednesdays: Hoshen Mishpat – Business Halacha o Every Thursday evening after Arvit Hilchot Nida in Depth for Men. o Tuesday Assorted Topics

In Recess for the Summer o Monday & Tuesday at 7:00pm Masechet Berachot in French o Every other Monday evening at 8:30pm Shalom Bayit Class to Women. o Every other Tuesday evening at 8:30pm Shalom Bayit Classes to Men.

• SHIUR for Ladies! The Rabbi’s Shiur on Halachot of Kashrut NEW SERIES ON Hilchot Basar Vechalav, (Laws pertaining to Meat & Milk) to Ladies, in the Bet Hakenesset, every Tuesday afternoon at 2:05 pm. New Participants are always Welcome! In Recess

Shabbat:

• Shabbat night before Arvit: Short lecture on the Parasha of the week. • Shabbat Morning: Lecture on the Parashah of the week. • Shabbat Morning – Daf Yomi at 8:00am. • Shabbat Afternoon – Shiur at 4:20pm • Spanish Shiur – with Simon Chocron One hour before Minha • Seudat Shelishit: Short lecture on the Parasha of the week.

בס''ד WEEKLY INSPIRATION “What are you talking about?” the other soldier replied. “What would Napoleon be “Am I in G-d’s Place?” doing dressed as a peasant sitting in a bar in (Rabbi Eli Mansour Daily Halacha) St. Petersburg?” The Torah tells in Parashat Vayehi that after “I don’t know,” the first soldier said, “but I’m Yaakob Abinu died, Yosef’s brothers were telling you, he looks like Napoleon.” afraid that Yosef, who still ruled over Egypt, Thinking quickly, the general who was with would now seek to take revenge for what Napoleon asked Napoleon to bring him a they did to him many years earlier, selling drink. As Napoleon brought it to him, he him as a slave. They sent a message to spilled it. Yosef begging him for forgiveness, and even offering to be his slaves. Yosef assured his The general jumped up and pushed brothers that he would not seek to harm Napoleon down on the floor, shouting at him them, explaining, “Ha’tahat Elokim Ani” – “Am furiously. “You good-for-nothing!” he I in G-d’s place?” (50:19). exclaimed. “You can’t do anything right! What is wrong with you?” He then gave him a kick. Hacham Ovadia Yosef explained Yosef’s response to his brothers by way of an “You see?” the second Russian solder said to analogy to a story told of Napoleon. his friend. “I told you this guy couldn’t be Napoleon.” After conquering much of Europe, Napoleon’s army reached the Russian city of St. Sure enough, the Russians soon Petersburg, which was surrounded by an surrendered, and Napoleon held a impenetrable wall. The army besieged the celebration. At the feast, this general bowed city, figuring that the Russian forces in the to him and begged to be forgiven for what he city would eventually run out of supplies and did in the bar, pushing, kicking and shouting surrender. However, when winter arrived, at the emperor. Napoleon’s troops found the weather “Forgive you?!” Napoleon asked, unbearable. They were outside the city, incredulously. “There’s no way I could do to exposed to the brutal elements of the fierce you what you did to me. Is there any way I Russian winter, and could not last much could save your life by shoving you to the longer. Napoleon decided that he had no floor and shouting at you?” choice but to determine how much longer it Hacham Ovadia explained that this was would be until the Russians surrendered. He Yosef’s response to his brothers when they took one of his generals and they climbed asked for his forgiveness. He said to them, together over the wall one night, disguised as “Forgive you? Can I do to you what you did to Russian peasants. They went into a bar me? You sold me as a slave, as a result of where Russian soldiers were congregating, in which I ended up becoming ruler over Egypt. order to listen to what the soldiers were Is there any way I could do something like saying about the situation. To their delight, that to you? Of course not. Only G-d is they heard the Russians talking about how capable of orchestrating events this way. I their supplies were depleted, and they were am not in His place, so I cannot punish you.” just days away from surrender. Yosef recognized that the pain and suffering Then, they saw two Russian soldiers his brothers caused him ultimately proved to whispering to one another, one of whom be to his benefit – just like the general’s pointed to them. They overheard one of them violence to Napoleon was to his benefit – and say, “You see this fellow over there? He so he felt no need to punish his brothers for looks just like Napoleon. I was in France what they did. once, and I saw him. I know what he looks G-d orchestrates all events with only our best like, and I’m telling you, this fellow really interests in mind, and this knowledge allows looks like him.”

בס''ד us to be forgiving and to let go of whatever Menashe realizing that he was given the left hard feelings we may have towards people hand despite his being the older brother. If who have wronged us. As Yosef told his Yaakob had asked the brothers to reposition, brothers, any harm caused to us by other Menashe would have understood that he is people in the end works out for our benefit, being relegated to secondary status and because everything G-d does is for the best. would have thus suffered embarrassment. The greater our faith in G-d’s providence and Rav Shimon Schwab (1908-1993) suggested boundless grace, the better able we will be to a different explanation. Yosef represented an forgive and live in love, peace and harmony exceptional combination of spiritual greatness with other people. and worldliness. He was an outstanding scholar and Saddik, but at the same time, he was the consummate statesman. As second- Efrayim and Menashe in-command to Pharaoh, who ruled over the (Rabbi Eli Mansour) largest empire on earth at the time, Yosef sat in meetings with rulers and dignitaries and We read in Parashat Vayehi the well-known helped manage a large nation. He was both story of the Beracha which Yaakob bestowed spiritual and worldly, a holy man and a man upon Efrayim and Menashe, Yosef’s two of the world. sons. When Yosef brought his sons before Yaakob to receive his blessing, he positioned This combination rarely exists in a single Menashe, the older brother, to Yaakob’s individual, and, indeed, in Yosef’s offspring, right, and Efrayim, the younger brother, to the these two qualities were separated. Efrayim left. Yosef naturally anticipated that Yaakob was the Torah scholar, and the Midrash would want to place his right hand – relates that during the seventeen years representing primacy – on the head of the Yaakob spent in Egypt, he studied Torah all older brother, and the left hand, which is day with Efrayim. Menashe, by contrast, viewed as subordinate to the right, on the served as his father’s assistant in managing head of the younger brother. Yaakob, the country’s affairs. He was deeply involved however, switched his hands, placing his in the government and in economic and right hand on the younger brother, Efrayim. geopolitical affairs. Efrayim was the Torah He explained to Yosef that Efrayim would scholar, and Menashe was the government exceed his older brother in stature, and official. therefore deserved to have the right hand Efrayim and Menashe thus represent the placed on his head. two kinds of leadership that are needed in A number of commentators raised the Am Yisrael: religious leadership, and lay question of why Yaakob did not simply ask leadership. Our nation’s primary leaders his grandsons to change positions. Rather are the Rabbis, the scholars of Torah, but than inconveniencing himself by crossing his the Rabbis cannot do their jobs without a hands, he could have simply instructed devoted and skilled team of lay communal Efrayim to stand to his right and Menashe to leaders, people to support, organize and his left. Why did he decide to switch his manage the community’s affairs. Both hands? “Efrayim” and “Menashe” are critical and indispensable figures to the success of The Noam Elimelech (Rabbi Elimelech of the Jewish people. Lizhensk, 1717-1786) suggested that Yaakob wanted to spare Menashe embarrassment. This, Rav Schwab explained, is why Yaakob The brothers stood before Yaakob with their decided to keep Menashe to his right, even heads lowered, and thus would not know though he placed his right hand on Efrayim’s which hand rested on which head. By head. He did not want to give the impression crossing his hands, Yaakob ensured to place that Menashe, the lay leadership, is not his hands in the correct fashion without significant. The point he wanted to convey is that Efrayim – Torah scholarship and Torah

בס''ד authority – must always be the primary Yiddish expression used to indicate that a component, as symbolized by the placement person is rich: Ehr is reich vi Korach [he is as of his right hand on Efrayim. But even though rich as Korach]. Where did this expression Torah is of course the most critical and originate? It comes from this Gemara, which central aspect of Jewish life, the aspect of tells us that Korach was very wealthy. “Menashe,” the lay leadership, also bears A few lines later, the Gemara mentions that great importance. The lay leaders must work Yosef HaTzadik hid three treasures while he under the guidance and authority of the was ruling Egypt. One of the treasures was Torah scholars; Menashe is, in this sense, found by Korach; one treasure was found by secondary to Efrayim. But both groups of Antoninus (the Roman general and politician, leaders are essential to the Jewish people’s contemporary of Rav Yehudah HaNassi); and mission of living as God’s nation on earth. one is hidden away for the righteous, in the In the Yoreh De’a section of the Shulhan world to come. On a literal level, this Aruch (246:1), Maran rules that each and Gemara is saying that of the three fabulous every Jew bears an obligation to study Torah treasures that Yosef hid away (which he each day and night. He then adds, however, presumably acquired as Viceroy of Egypt) that if a person cannot study Torah, either Korach found one, Antoninus found one, and because he does not know enough to even the Tzadikim will find one in the Messianic begin learning, or because of his schedule, era. he should support Torah scholars, and A fascinating Pardes Yosef at the end of thereby fulfill his obligation with respect to Parashat Vayechi has an entirely different Torah learning. This person will then receive take on this Gemara. According to his reward as a result of the Torah learning approach, the Gemara is not speaking about which he facilitated. wealth at all. The Pardes Yosef says that the This Halacha underscores the fact that all treasures that Yosef buried in Egypt had members of our nation, regardless of their nothing to do with money, but rather, Yosef’s background or skills, have a crucial role to life embodied three fundamentals of living play in the process of Torah. We need both that he figuratively hid away for future Menashe and Efrayim – people who study generations to rediscover. Torah, and people who support Torah and The first “treasure” was the fundamental work on behalf of Torah institutions. principle that if the Almighty wants you to be Together, they form the backbone of the elevated to a position of leadership, you will Jewish people and help ensure our nation’s achieve that position regardless of anyone physical and spiritual survival. else’s attempt to halt your rise to power. You can have all the enemies in the world, and the plotters who are against you can rise to the top, but you will still prevail. They will not be able to stop you! The Three Treasures Yosef We see this for the first time, in the life of Hid Away in Egypt Yosef. He told his brothers that he (Rabbi Frand from Torah.org) prophetically saw in his dreams that they would come and bow down to him, and The Talmud [Sanhedrin 110a] expounds the despite all the brothers’ efforts to quash expression “riches hoarded by their owner to Yosef’s rise to leadership, the Will of the his misfortune” [Kohelet 5:12] as referring to Almighty came to pass! Korach. The Gemara there teaches that Korach was a very wealthy individual. Korach discovered this treasure (the hard However, this was a dubious situation, where way)! Korach had argued that “the entire his wealth actually led to his downfall, as congregation is holy.” He challenged the alluded to by Shlomo in Kohelet. There is a leadership of Moshe Rabbeinu. “I want to be

בס''ד the leader.” He tried his hardest to wrest and Rebbi. One can achieve success in power from his cousin Moshe. However, in society at large, if one sticks to his principles. his time – once again – it was revealed from We see that today too. There are observant Heaven that if the Almighty wants someone Jews in every area of government and (i.e., Moshe) to be the leader, his leadership industry, in positions of great prominence. is inevitable and inviolable. They do not need to compromise their The second “treasure” of Yosef’s life, writes religious principles to achieve success and the Pardes Yosef (who lived into the respect. twentieth century), has to do with anti- The third “treasure” that Yosef showed us is Semitism. Some think that what causes anti- that we think there is absolutely no solution to Semitism is the fact that we act differently, the problem of “hatred between brothers” and if we would act more like the Gentiles, (sin’at achim). We have almost become they would accept us and not be anti-Semitic. resolved to the idea that inner-communal We know that this is not true. jealousies, rivalries, and hatred was with us, The righteous Yosef was a religious and is with us, and will always be with us. The observant Jew in Egypt. The Egyptians and story of Yosef proved that despite the their religious practices were diametrically tensions and the bitter events that transpired opposed to the lifestyle practiced by Yosef. between them, it was possible to put those One would think, “How could he achieve a differences behind themselves, and reach a position of authority? He is a Jew.” Anti- level of brotherly love (aha’vat achim). Semites say, “We hate Jews. Jews are We look at the controversies and tensions disloyal. Jews are pushy. Jews are that exist within the Jewish people today, and aggressive. Jews are this. Jews are that.” we ask ourselves “How is Mashiach ever The popular maxim of this philosophy is, “If going to come?” This “treasure” of Yosef, the you want to be successful in life, you need to Gemara admits, is still hidden away; it has give up your Yiddishkeit.” Yosef disproved not yet been “rediscovered.” However, the this philosophy. He showed that it was not Gemara assures us that the Tzaddikim in the true by remaining Yosef the Righteous in world of the future will one day find it, and Egypt, and nevertheless rising to the very then true brotherly love — Yosef’s “third pinnacle of Egyptian authority. Pharaoh treasure” — will once again reign within our accepted him as he was. nation. This lesson, that one can remain “Jewish” and achieve respect from Gentile society regardless of one’s religion, was the second treasure that Yosef “hid away for future The Shechinah is Present generations to rediscover.” When was this Above the Head of One Who “treasure” revealed? It was revealed with the comradeship between Antoninus and Rebbi. is Ill Rebbi was Rabbenu HaKadosh, who Yaakov asks Yosef to swear to him that compiled the Mishna and led the Jewish following his passing, Yosef would take him community. And yet, Antoninus, the head of from Egypt and bury him with his fathers (in Rome, respected and honored him! Rabbi the Me’aras HaMachpela in Chevron). At the Yehudah HaNassi acted like a “Jew” – why conclusion of the narration of this episode, did Antoninus not hate Rebbi? It is because the pasuk says, “He said, ‘Swear to me,’ and — as Yosef revealed centuries earlier in he swore to him; and Israel prostrated himself Egypt — anti-Semitism does NOT stem from toward the head of the bed.” [Bereshit 47:31] the fact that Jews act differently than Rashi comments on the words “toward the Gentiles. head of the bed”: “He turned himself in the Yosef proved this in the time of Pharaoh, and direction of the Shechinah [the Divine it was “rediscovered” in the era of Antoninus Presence]. This is the source for that which

בס''ד the Sages say [Shabbat 12b], “The Shechinah the davening.” He made it to the amud and is present above the head of one who is ill.” davened beautifully, but he was not able to Why does the Divine Presence hover, so to stand at all. He had to lean on the amud speak, on the top of the bed of a sick person? throughout the davening. I saw an interesting observation in a sefer. I assumed that since he was an old man it When a person is sick in bed, he can think was hard for him to stand, and that is why he that the Almighty has abandoned him (My G- had to lean on the amud throughout d, my G-d, why have you left me? [Tehillim davening. When he finished davening, 22:2]). A person thinks, “The Ribono shel everyone gave him a hearty “yasher koach!” Olam must be angry with me; He must have it After Mussaf, he approached me and asked “in” for me!” me if I had a minute to talk. We sat down, The reason the Shechinah is above the head and he told me, “I have stage-four gastric of a sick person is because the Ribono shel cancer. The doctors have given me four Olam wants us to know that even under months to live.” He told me, “Cancer is not these circumstances, He still loves us, and only a battle between the medicine and the He is still with us. The reason we are ill is for disease. It is a battle between the Yetzer whatever reason it may be, but it is NOT HaTov and the Yetzer HaRah. The Yetzer because He is throwing us away. HaRah tells you, ‘Give up. Stop davening. It is not worth it. You are a goner. You are There was a fellow named Rav Herschel going to lose it anyway. Just give up.’ The Kowalski, ob”m. He came to America several Yetzer HaTov tells you, ‘No. Keep on times. I developed a connection with him, davening. It will help you. If it won’t help and I still have a connection with his widow. you, at least your davening will help someone He was an extremely righteous individual — else. Just don’t give up.” a holy man. When he was sick, and people would come to him to receive blessings from I told him that I noticed — and it had made an him, he would take the “kvittel” (piece of impression on me — that the whole time that paper with the prayer or request of the he was davening, he was hunched over the individual coming to him for a blessing) and amud, but when he said Kedusha (with a nice he would put it on top of his bed. He told the niggun), when he reached the words “and our petitioners, “This is just as good as putting eyes will see your Kingdom…” he stood up erect and banged on the amud with vigor. It the “kvittel” into the Kosel.” Just as the was as if he was able to strengthen himself, Talmud says that the Shechinah never and had the full conviction that he would yet departed from the Western Wall, so too the merit to see His Kingdom revealed to all, as Shechinah is right there above the bed of a promised by the words of ‘David Your sick person. Servant.’ The Shechinah was still with this This is a very important thing to bear in mind, person, even with a diagnosis of stage-four especially when people are very ill — the gastric cancer. The Shechinah still loves this Divine Presence is still with them. person. A couple of weeks ago, I was in New York As the Talmud says in Tractate Berachot visiting my children, and I davened Shabbat [10a], “this is my tradition from the house of morning in a shteible in Brooklyn. This was a my father’s father — even if a sharp sword is nice Hashkama minyan in the basement of a resting against one’s neck, one should not building. They finished pesukei d’zimra, abstain himself from requesting Mercy.” No reaching shochen ad, but nobody went up to matter how desperate a situation may look, a the amud to lead the Shachrit service. person should never give up hope, and never Finally, an old Jew — who had trouble getting stop praying for a salvation. out of his seat — said to his neighbor, “Help me get up, and I will go to the amud to lead

בס''ד Yosef's "Sweet Revenge" be able to control his physical lusts. And if one considers the accounting he will have to give, (Rabbi Zev Leff) standing before the King of kings, this should ... And they said, "Perhaps Yosef will nurse help to minimize any delusions of personal hatred against us . . ." (Bereshit 50 15). glory and grandeur. Upon returning from burying Yaakov, Yosef's At first, Yosef thought that his brothers also brothers sensed that Yosef's attitude toward recognized him, and he therefore carefully them had changed, and they said "Perhaps chose the proper words to castigate them. Yosef will nurse hatred against us and then he Since that injustice emanated from a slight fault will surely repay us all the evil that we did him" of jealousy on their part (see p. 62). Yosef (Bereishit 5015). The word 35 usually means challenged his brothers with the statement, halevai-if only-an expression of hope that what "Where did you come from?" He meant that follows in the sentence will come to pass. In "lowly drop" from which all come, and his this context it is very difficult to understand why implicit question was: In light of where we all Yosef's brothers would have hoped that he came from, how could you have been jealous would hate them and repay them with the evil of me? When they took his question literally they did to him. (See Ohr HaChayim HaKadosh and answered, "From Eretz Canaan to procure ad loc.) food," he realized that they did not recognize him. To understand the brothers' statement, it is necessary to first understand why Yosef put his The Midrash relates that initially Yosef wanted brothers through the entire ordeal beginning to reveal himself to his brothers immediately. with the accusation of being spies. Why did he But the angel who directed him to his brothers not just forgive them from the start and at Dosan appeared to him and told him that acknowledge what he himself subsequently told they had come to kill him. Only then did Yosef them you meant my sale for bad, but Hashem disguise himself and put them through the made it work out for the good. ordeal of being suspected as spies. When the brothers first appeared before Yosef, This can be understood in the following he recognized them and considered carefully manner. The angel represents the Divine what to say to them. And he spoke to them ' Providence that led Yosef to his brothers. The harsh words,' asking, "Where have you come angel's appearance at that moment was an from?" They answered, "From the land of indication that the entire episode was being Canaan to procure food." Then the Torah orchestrated from Above. By informing Yosef repeats that Yosef recognized his brothers, but that his brothers still wished to kill him, the they did not recognize him. Why does the angel meant that they were being judged Torah describe the question of where they according to their intention and not according to came from as harsh? And why does the Torah how Hashem had caused things to work out. As repeat that Yosef recognized his brothers? Chazal say, one who intends to eat pork and by mistake eats kosher meat still needs The Mishnah (Pirke Avot 31) says: "Akavia atonement. teen Mehalalel said, 'Consider three things, and you will not come to sin know from where you As long as the brothers failed to recognize their came, to where you go, and before Whom you error in selling Yosef, they could not repent for will eventually give an accounting for all you their deed. Therefore Yosef devised a plan to have done.' " bring them to acknowledge their mistake and atone for it. First, he presented them with a There are three major causes of sin-jealousy, situation in which they could observe another lust and the desire for glory. If one remembers acting as they had, and thereby obtain an that he started out, as all of us do, from a lowly objective perspective on their own behavior. He drop of cell matter, then he will not be jealous showed them how circumstantial evidence of others. Rather he will appreciate that he has could be misconstrued to make them appear to been provided with the means to develop. If be spies, though there was not a shred of truth one considers the ultimate end of his physical in the accusation. In this way they would realize body- decomposition in the earth-he will better that their assessment of his motives in

בס''ד reporting to their father and relating his dreams ordeal and that revenge was far from "sweet" was wrong. for him. Second, he put them into a situation in which Fifth, Yosef sought to provide them with the their brother Binyamin endangered them both opportunity to receive teshuvas hamishkal - personally and their future role in Klal Yisrael, repentance with suffering and tribulation-to just as they had perceived Yosef as doing. The compensate and offset the pain they had only difference between the two circumstances wrongly caused him. He threw them into the pit was the absence of jealousy in the latter case. of prison so that they could personally know By comparing their different responses in the how he felt when they threw him into a pit. two cases, they would see how jealousy had Then he removed them and left Shimon alone, colored their responses with respect to him. so that they could grieve for a brother left in a Their concern for their father Yaakov's feelings pit, as they had failed to grieve for him. He then and their own love for Binyamin, which played returned their money to their sacks, which they such a large role in their thoughts at that construed as the payment for Shimon's moment, would also have been present with enslavement (see Ba'ale HaTosafot). The Yosef had it not been for their jealousy. repugnance of such money reminded them of taking money for selling Yosef as a slave. Third, he sought to fulfill the dreams in their entirety so that they could recognize clearly that Finally, Yosef sought to put his brothers in a those dreams were of a prophetic nature, and similar situation to the one in which they not, as they suspected, reflections of Yosef's wronged him to see if their repentance was subconscious designs. In addition, the complete. The ultimate test of the ba'al fulfillment of the dreams permitted him to teshuvah is being placed in the same situation prepare them for their future roles in Klal and not repeating the sin. Thus, Yosef gave Yisrael. As the verse clearly states, "He Binyamin extra provisions to arouse any remembered the dreams he had dreamt for jealousy they might feel for the remaining son them"-for them, not about them. of Yaakov's favorite wife, Rachel. Fourth, he sought to take revenge, which when The whole charade came to a dramatic climax appropriate can be beneficial. Chazal tell us when Yosef revealed himself to his brothers. At that vengeance is great, for it is put between that moment the intense truth of his innocence two names of G-d, "A G-d of vengeance is G- and their sin was so clear that it served as the d." A talmid chacham who does not take most powerful and effective rebuke. The revenge like a snake, Chazal say, is not a inability of the brothers to respond foreshadow talmid chacham. Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz our own stunned silence on the Day of explains that revenge is the vehicle to even the Judgment when we will be confronted with our score with evil and balance out the seeming sins and all our petty justifications will melt gain and benefit accrued by evil means. away. Vengeance shows that crime does not pay and This entire scenario, however, would only be that justice prevails. But there is one absolute effective if the brothers had only acted out of condition on this vengeance the one taking fear that Yosef sought to usurp their roles in revenge must have no personal pleasure from Klal Yisrael and not out of any intrinsic hatred it. He must be as a snake which derives no of him and desire to kill him. The brothers were pleasure when it bites. convinced that they were not guilty of this last In this light, we can understand what Yosef said sin. Although they originally decided to kill upon naming his firstborn son, "G-d has caused Yosef, the fact that Reuven and Yehudah so me to forget all my troubles and all my fathers' easily talked them out of it revealed that their home." Why did Yosef give thanks for forgetting intentions were never serious. his father's home? Because only by forgetting Returning to Egypt from burying Yaakov in all personal vendettas and pain could his Eretz Yisrael, the brothers passed by the spot revenge remain untainted and pure. It is where Yosef had been sold and Yosef went to evident from Yosef's repeated crying fits how the pit and recited the blessing, "G-d has difficult it was for him to continue his brothers' performed a miracle for me in this place."

בס''ד Seeing this, the brothers became terrified and monarchy, Yosef felt it was improper for him to exclaimed, "Perhaps Yosef will now hate us continue sitting at the head of the table. As the and return to us all the evil we perpetrated viceroy of Egypt, however, it would have been upon him" (Bereshit 5015). The halachah is a slight to the Pharaoh if he did not sit at the that one recites the blessing over a miracle only head of the table. To avoid this problem, he when one's life was in mortal danger, and the stopped inviting his brothers. brothers interpreted Yosef's recitation as proof Nevertheless, a blemish remained from the that he thought they had actually intended to kill sale of Yosef precisely because Yosef told his him. brothers that they did not need to ask for his After returning to Egypt, Yosef stopped inviting forgiveness. His reasoning although they the brothers to eat by him, which they also intended evil, Hashem made it work out for the construed as signaling a new attitude towards good. Rabbi David Kronglass, the beloved them now that Yaakov was no longer alive. Mashgiach of Ner Yisrael, once pointed out that They reasoned that the entire ordeal that Yosef a beneficial outcome is by itself no proof that had put them through did not compensate for neither atonement nor forgiveness is needed. what Yosef saw as their intention to kill him, The Torah says concerning a woman who and their atonement was not yet complete. violates a vow, which unbeknownst to her was Therefore, they exclaimed, previously annulled by her husband, "Hashem will forgive her" (Bamidbar 30:13). The intention Lu! (Halevai-Let it be) that Yosef hate us." If to sin, even where no sin was committed, still Yosef is correct that we are guilty on this requires forgiveness. For that reason R' Akiva account too, they reasoned, let him hate us and wept every time he read the verse. thereby afford us an opportunity to clean our slates for eternity. Hence they fell before him in R'Akiva was one of the Ten Martyrs, whose total subjugation. deaths were the final atonement for the blemish left from the sale of Yosef. He wept in Yosef, however, comforted them and explained premonition of the punishment yet to come that he did not think that they had intended to because of Yosef's failure to extract full kill him. He made the blessing over the pit atonement from his brothers. because unbeknownst to them the pit contained deadly snakes and scorpions, and Reprinted with permission from Artscroll Mesorah Publications, ltd. This article is provided as part of Shema Yisrael Torah Network therefore he had been in mortal danger. And he Permission is granted to redistribute electronically or on paper, had stopped inviting them to eat with him for a provided that this notice is included intact. For information on subscriptions, archives, and other Shema Yisrael Classes, send mail completely extraneous reason. While Yaakov to [email protected] was alive, Yosef sat at the end of the table because Yaakov placed him there. But now that Yehudah had received the blessing of

Getting Kids to Listen What about the old-fashioned spankings (i.e., child-rearing)? We hoped to find a gentle and How to keep quiet so your kids will listen. loving way to deal with the children. (By Elyah Leboff) It seemed that our only option was to break Would you like your children to listen to you? down and cry until all the children grow up My wife and I would. We tried all the famous and move out. Thankfully, before this techniques, but none of them worked. Our happened, we found some supportive friends children preferred to spend all day in a “time and mentors who have been successful with out” rather than not have their way. Even their own children. Over time we developed charts and prizes for good behavior failed -- an approach that has been as successful as the children would rather fight for their cause we could hope for. than earn a checkmark. Or as soon as the First, we accepted that children are new at chart was finished, so was the good behavior. being human; it takes them time to learn

בס''ד basic etiquette. They’re completely self- We try not to wait that long. If we interfere centered from birth, and the maturity for true earlier on, the children are less emphatic and altruism only starts 12 or 13 years later. more likely to listen. Also, WE are still calm Children really don’t know (or care) how to sit and thinking clearly. We might stop a fight by nicely at the dinner table, how to put their asking, “Children, what’s going on?” Each toys away, how to close the door behind child gets a chance to say his or her side of them, how to talk nicely to each other (or to the story. Then we might ask, “What do you their parents) when they are upset, and they think you should do?” The children often find don’t even know to keep their fingers out of their own solution (though a touch of parental the electric sockets. Yet these were our guidance may be necessary). demands, which we thought were Sometimes we can make peace by issuing a reasonable. generic command. “WE don’t hit.” Or, “WE We don’t expect instant obedience. use an in-door voice in the house.” This gets We lowered our expectations. We don’t have our message across without offending the to criticize the children now for something perpetrator. But it is much safer to avoid the they will naturally outgrow later. We will still issue. I try to assess which child is the most ask the children not to climb onto the dinner out of control, and then distract him or her. table, but now we’re relaxed about it. We For example, I might call one of them over to don’t expect instant obedience. help with an unrelated activity. “I need help fixing the cabinet. Would you like to use the Another point we needed to work on was power drill?” Or I point out an opportunity to timing -- certain times are not appropriate for play alone, “Why don’t you go to the patio discipline. When a child is hungry or and ride the tricycle now -- nobody else is overtired, they can’t control themselves. They using it!” It’s even enough to say, “Hey, come may seem rebellious, but we shouldn’t take it look what’s out the window... oh, a bird!” personally. Rather, we try to give them a snack or put them into bed for an afternoon What if we fail with the diplomatic approach? nap. Sometimes the “magic voice,” (also featured in “Dune”) slow and monotonous, will lull the Another area where we had to lower our children into obedience. “Now-it’s-time-to-go- expectations was sibling rivalry. Our friends upstairs-and-go-to-bed.” Sometimes the only explained that it a natural part of creation and cure is to give the children a moment to it defies logic. As long as the fighting isn’t too themselves to calm down. “Go to your room dangerous (put the scissors down!) then we and rest for a little bit.” We might even give let the children find their own solution. No them some music to listen to, a book to read, matter how fair you try to be, someone is or a favorite toy to play with. Still, we view the likely to accuse you of taking sides. It’s better “time out” as a rare necessity, not for every- the children should have a grudge against day use. each other, which they’ll forget about in a few minutes. You might think that we are only lowering our expectations and avoiding confrontation; So far, we stopped criticizing our children for we’re not actually teaching our children to acting immature because they are immature. listen to us. But when we gave orders that the We stopped criticizing them at times when children were not likely to follow, we were they are tired or hungry because it won’t help. inadvertently training them NOT to listen to Also, we’re not getting involved with sibling us. The more we keep quiet, the more rivalry. This means there are a lot fewer times receptive they will be when we have to be that our children aren’t listening to us. But, direct. isn’t this avoiding the issue? Also, what if our nerves are shot and we really need some We do find opportunities to make direct peace and quiet? And what if the fighting is requests -- when everyone is calm. “Please getting dangerous? give me that book from the shelf,” or, “Please bring me a glass of juice.” But even when we

בס''ד give orders, we try to speak to our children as hole on my side of the boat.” Clearly, both will politely as we would speak anyone else. We drown when the boat sinks. respect them. In turn, they respect us too, When a couple agrees to stop the verbal most of the time. sparring, they immediately shift from an adversarial stance to a collaborative stance.

Step 2: Identify and name the problem. 4 Steps to Stop Most Fights The next step towards deepening the How to stop any fight and go from collaboration is to agree on what the problem adversaries to peaceful collaborators. is. This is not always easy to do because any (By Rabbi Dov Heller, M.A.) given problem often has layers to it. What seems to be the problem may only be the Couples fight when they are unable to symptom of a deeper underlying problem, but effectively problem solve together. At the root you have to start somewhere. of every fight is a problem that begs to be solved. Unfortunately, emotions often take For example, Josh and Ann may agree that over, things escalate, and before you know it their problem is how to make sure that cell husband and wife, business partners, phone use doesn’t damage their relationship. relatives are screaming at each other, hurting What’s important is to agree on giving a each other as their relationship disintegrates. name to the problem. This gives the two of you a common focus for working together to Here’s a simple yet powerful strategy that can try solving the problem. stop any fight and shift a fighting couple from an adversarial stance to a collaborative Step 3: Start working together to solve the stance. There are 4 steps: problem. At this stage, you are experiencing a high level of collaboration. For example, Step 1: Stop the fight. When a fight starts, Josh and Ann may realize that phone usage one person has to say clearly and strongly, is most damaging when they first see each “Let’s stop fighting. We have a problem that other at the end of the day and that they needs to be solved.” Of course, this won’t perhaps should have a box to put their work unless both people agree beforehand, phones in for some agreed upon period of in a state of calm, to use this strategy. It can’t time until they have had time to talk and work as unilateral intervention. But when both connect. Their goal is to try to find a win-win people agree to use this intervention, you’ll solution which means that both feel good be amazed to see that fighting will become about the solution and neither one feels like less and less of an option. the loser. Every fight is about some problem that the From a counseling perspective, this is called couple has an equal share in. Of course, one repairing the breakdown. A good repair is person may be the initial cause and catalyst when neither person has any residual bad of the problem. But in a relationship, there is feelings. Each person needs to be honest no such thing as “You are the problem.” about how they feel. If both feel good then it’s Every problem is our problem because both repaired. If not, then they need to keep people, in some way, contribute to fueling the working to find a better solution. Many conflict. For example, Ann has had it with couples don’t arrive at a satisfactory repair Josh’s obsessive phone habits. She feels that and leave the conversation feeling he’s married to his phone not to her. Although upset.Multiple failures to repair results in a Josh’s usage is somewhat obsessive, the build up of resentment and anger which nasty fighting might be less ugly if Ann didn’t spells doom for most relationships. have such a short fuse. Step 4: Be on the alert for underlying, The person drilling the hole on his side of the deeper issues. When a couple has difficulty boat can’t say to the other person in the boat, agreeing on what the problem is or when they “Hey what’s your problem? I’m drilling the

בס''ד agree but can’t find a solution, this usually Room”, I have been updating the title in my means there is a deeper underlying issue. mind. I could have learned it on the freeways in Los Angeles, I could have learned it in the line After an hour of talking about boundary at Costco, I certainly could have learned it at issues, Josh is still upset. He still feels hurt the DMV and it suggests one of the reasons and angry at Ann. As it turns out, Josh feels that Toys ‘R Us went bankrupt! threatened by Ann’s limiting his cell phone use. Josh has always been anxious about Based on my experience yesterday, I’ve added money since he grew up in a home where a new player to the list. money was always tight. Now as he’s There is a new candidate for bringing out the building his business, he feels a great worst in my fellow human beings: “Everything I pressure to succeed in order to avoid the Know about Animal Behavior I Learned at the type of emotional pain he experienced as a Apple Store”! It’s not that the staff wasn’t child when money was tight. On top of this, unfailingly polite; they were. It’s not they he also remembers how often his parent’s weren’t organized; they were. It’s not that they fought because of money. Now that he’s were unfair; they weren’t. married, he unconsciously worries that if he We seem to have lost all ability to wait our doesn’t make a lot of money him and Ann will turn and any semblance of patience. begin fighting like his parents did. In his mind, having constant access to his phone is the Nevertheless, we seem to have lost all ability to wait our turn and any semblance of patience. key to his success. We seem to be oblivious to the existence of What makes it hard to spot an underlying others in the store, others whose needs (or at issue is that the person who has the issue the very least) time slot may trump ours and, has usually unconsciously built a strong despite all the opportunities on our iphones, defensive strategy to protect him or herself ipads or any other iproduct that was the reason from being overwhelmed and crushed by for our entry to the store, we seem to have lost certain threatening feelings. When a couple all ability to entertain ourselves. repeatedly finds themselves stuck on a The Apple store I visited was actually in the specific issue that they can’t resolve, it is middle of a large shopping mall. The staff wise at that point to seek out professional courteously entered my name onto their help appointment list and not only gave me a time Judaism’s ultimate definition of marital slot but offered to text me when I was next in line so that I wasn’t forced to sit, aimless and success is called shalom bayit – a home of bored (we’ll get to that in a moment) in the peace. The first step toward building a home store. With unexpected time on my hands and of peace is to stop hurtful and destructive about 100 stores facing me, I was able to fighting. I believe that a couple who commits successfully put a dent in our bank balance as I to using these four steps will find it easier (patiently!) waited my turn. than they think to avoid destructive fighting and build a collaborative relationship. My desire to shop was limited so I returned to the store ahead of my appointment, prepared to reply to some emails, send a few others and read a book on my Kindle. I was neither bored Everything I Know about nor aimless and really only unsure about which Animal Behavior I Learned activity to focus on. at the Apple Store But my ability to concentrate was limited by the noise and activity of my fellow customers, I’m still reeling from my experience at the mostly by their moaning and groaning and Apple store. (By Emuna Braverman) complaining, by their fidgeting in their seats, by their loud sighs of frustration, by their constant Ever since Erma Bombeck wrote her classic approaches to the sales staff. It reminded me of book, “Everything I Know about Animal traveling with small children whose constant Behavior I Learned in Loehmann’s Dressing refrain is “Are we there yet?”

בס''ד Not content to keep their kvetching to But equally troubling as the wasted time was themselves, some customers began to loudly the abject lack of patience and inability to bear complain. “I’ve been waiting for an hour and a the slightest frustration. I was amazed by their half!” demanded one. “That’s because you sense of entitlement and unrealistic came two hours before your appointment,” a expectations. store assistant calmly explained. “Can’t you just Patience is an essential quality for almost check this for me?” begged another (code for everything important in life, particularly “Can’t you take me out of turn?”) “Why don’t relationships and character building. Based on you have more staff?” grumbled yet another what I witnessed yesterday, I’m concerned it’s discontented visitor, amidst a sea of red-shirted becoming a rare commodity. employees. Many years ago, a friend of mine was waiting Meanwhile I marveled. And I was sad. With for delivery of a prescription from the more opportunities than ever to keep ourselves pharmacy. This was way back in the day when entertained, almost everyone in the store was there were local pharmacies that made home at a loss. They weren’t playing games, they deliveries. Frustrated by the pharmacy’s slow weren’t reading, they weren’t sitting and response, she kept calling to ask where her introspecting. It was time completely wasted. I medication was. When it finally arrived, there imagine the same people complain that they was a little note inside the bag alongside the never get a minute to themselves, that they prescription. It read “Patience is a virtue.” don’t have time to breathe etc. Yet when that Perhaps they should put that sign on the wall in time is actually there, they are unprepared to the Apple store. take advantage of it.

herbs to produce medication. We purchase our DAILY HALACHOT medication all prepared, without any need to grind herbs, and we would not even know how to make our own medication. Clearly, there is Halachot of Shabbat no concern at all that anybody might desecrate (Daily Halacha) Shabbat by grinding herbs in order to produce medicine, and thus, according to Rav Haim Is it Permissible to Take Pain Relievers on Naeh, this entire prohibition is not practically Shabbat? applicable in today’s day and age. The Sages enacted a provision forbidding More recent Halachic authorities, including taking medication on Shabbat. Although there Hacham Ovadia Yosef and the contemporary are numerous exceptions to the rule, in Posek Rabbi Shlomo Miller, accepted this general, one may not take medication on argument, but asserted that it may be applied Shabbat. As the Rishonim explain, this only in conjunction with other factors. Meaning, prohibition was enacted due to the concern that in a case where there are already people might grind herbs to produce considerations to allow taking medicine, the medication, which would constitute an act of argument advanced by Rav Haim Naeh may be Shabbat desecration. In ancient times, people introduced as an additional factor that would produced their own medicine by grinding lead us to a lenient ruling. various different herbs, and thus the Sages were concerned that in the frantic attempt to One example is the issue of taking pain cure one’s ailment, he might mistakenly relievers on Shabbat, such as aspirin or desecrate Shabbat by grinding herbs in order to Tylenol. Hacham Ovadia Yosef (in Yalkut produce medicine. Yosef) rules that one may take pain relievers on Shabbat, due to the combination of several Rav Haim Naeh (Israel, 1890-1954) compellingly factors. First, as mentioned, it could be argued argued that this enactment should not be that the entire prohibition against medication on applicable nowadays, when nobody grinds Shabbat does not apply nowadays. Secondly,

בס''ד many people take aspirin or similar pills every It should be noted that Rav Shlomo Zalman day, even when they do not experience pain, Auerbach (Israel, 1910-1995) distinguished in this and thus aspirin can be considered “Ma’achal regard between different situations. Halacha Beri’im” – food ingested even by healthy allows bedridden patients to take medicine on people, which is permissible on Shabbat. Shabbat to alleviate their symptoms, and thus What’s more, the Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael those who are bedridden due to pain would be Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933), citing the allowed to take painkillers. Normally, a person Radbaz (Rav David Ben Zimra, Egypt, 1479- experiencing pain does not lie down in bed to 1573), writes that Halacha treats the prohibition deal with the pain, because lying down will not against taking medication on Shabbat more alleviate the discomfort. In some cases, leniently than it treats the other Shabbat however, people suffering from an intense prohibitions, as evidenced by the numerous headache would indeed lie down to alleviate exceptions that apply (such as the provision the pain. In the case of a severe headache, allowing bedridden patients to take medication). therefore, it would be permissible to take a pain Therefore, there is certainly greater room for reliever. This would certainly apply to migraine leniency. Additionally, it could be argued that headaches, but also to any severe headache pain relievers are not truly “medication,” which a person would want to alleviate by lying because they do not actually cure the ailment, down. and merely provide temporary comfort. For this In any event, as mentioned above, Hacham reason, Hacham Ovadia permits using on Ovadia allows taking painkillers on Shabbat in Shabbat even anesthetic sprays that numb all circumstances. aching parts of the body to provide temporary relief. Such remedies do not actually qualify as Summary: Different views exist among the “medications” with respect to this Halacha, and Poskim as to the permissibility of taking are therefore permitted for use on Shabbat. painkillers on Shabbat. It would certainly be permissible for somebody suffering from a Although other Poskim – including Rav Miller, strong headache, which he would want to and Rav Moshe Ha’levi (Israel, 1961-2000) – relieve by lying down, to take a pain reliever, ruled stringently in this regard, and forbade the and according to Hacham Ovadia Yosef, use of painkillers on Shabbat, one can certainly painkillers are always permitted on Shabbat. rely on the ruling of Hacham Ovadia and take painkillers, particularly if he experiences considerable discomfort.

when machines were invented for the purpose they DAF YOMI were in great demand. The Weinberg machine and the Yugoslavian method: The first machine was called the Weinberg machine for the shochet who invented it about 80 Daf Yomi Masechet Hulin years ago. He built a cage on an axle (like a (Daf Notes) washing machine). At the front he designed an A brief review of auxiliary machines for opening through which the animal enters the cage slaughtering and the halachic aspects and from behind he designed a hole through which the animals extends its head. When it entered the In this article we shall treat the practical aspects of cage, the gate was closed, the cage turned 180 slaughtering – how the animal is turned over and degrees and the shochet faced a restrained animal who watches that it shouldn’t move its head – and on its back with its neck sticking out ready to be shall confront the halachic problems involving the slaughtered. With the Weinberg machine they could different machines invented to turn over and hold slaughter over 30 animals per hour! However, after animals. it turned out that the animal was severely knocked In the past, a shochet and his helpers would cause up as it rolled in the cage, the use of the machine an animal to lie down by various tactics. Tough men ceased and in many countries the government would then hold it fast so it wouldn’t move its head forbade its use. Aside from that, in the United States till the slaughtering was finished. This method slaughtering on the ground was forbidden for demanded much time and manpower and therefore, hygienic reasons and since then it was impossible

בס''ד to use the “Yugoslavian method” or the “felling The animal’s head must be held on all sides: method”, which share the same principle: putting The author of Minchas HaZevach (klal 3 in Kometz, the animal in a raised cage, tying its legs and se’if 6, and in ‘Isaron, S.K. 20), who was an opening the floor of the cage – the animal slides out esteemed shochet ubodek in great communities as with its back on the floor and its legs tied above. attested by the ‘Arugos HaBosem (Y.D. 3), writes Sixty years ago the Box machine became common that, at any rate, the traditional method of shechitah, in Canada and the United States. The animal is put with the animal’s neck facing the shochet, is in a cage and after its doors are closed, hydraulic recommended and preferred over slaughtering a walls press against the animal and prevent it from standing animal even if its head is tied. HaGaon moving. The animal puts its head out through a Rabbi Yitzchak Weiss zt”l explains (ibid) that there window onto a device that raises and holds its head is still a suspicion that the animal will move its head and the shochet proceeds at his work. upwards or to the sides and the shochet will cease Slaughtering an animal while it’s standing: The slaughtering for a slight moment and the innovation of this method was that the animal was slaughtering would be disqualified due to shehiyah slaughtered while it stood! In this way much care (delaying). However, the author of Minchas Yitzchak must be taken that the slaughtering should be rules that if the animal’s head is tied on all sides, properly conducted as an animal slaughtered while such that it cannot move it at all, the shechitah is standing is a neveilah! In the process of shechitah kosher lechatchila. the animal will move its head downwards and it is a New training for veteran shochatim: Still, he halachah from Moshe from Mount Sinai that emphasizes that shochatim who are practiced to derasah causes a neveilah – i.e., the shochet must slaughter downwards, with the animal’s back facing pass the knife on the animal’s neck without any the floor, need special training to get used to pressure till it is slaughtered by the weight and slaughtering while the animal is standing. They sharpness of the knife only. If pressure is put on the don’t see the place of slaughtering and can’t see if knife by the slaughterer or the animal, the shechitah the simanim (windpipe and esophagus) were is disqualified. properly cut, only by feeling with their hands. (See Our sugya treats this issue at length and many Responsa Igros Moshe, Y.D., II, 13; Responsa Har poskim discuss it. All conclude that our sugya Tzvi, Y.D. 11; the article by HaGaon Rav Z. indicates that slaughtering a standing animal, while Sorotzkin zt”l in the collection Sha’arei Torah, 45- its head is firmly held upwards, is allowed 50, Yerushalayim, 5721; Responsa ‘Ama Devar, 1). lechatchilah - as a first preference (see Shach, Y.D. 6, S.K. 8; Pri Chadash, ibid, S.K. 11; Samlah Chadashah, ibid, se’if 7; Tevuos Shor, ibid, S.K. 15; Minchas Yitzchak, X, 59).

KID’Z KORNER holy land, so they would assume that Mitzrayim is holy. Therefore Yaakov felt it necessary to impress upon his children that InterestIng MIdrash their heritage is Eretz Yisrael and that Mitzrayim is not their homeland. (from Torah Tots) 2. All of Mitzrayim knew that the seven year Burial Plots famine was cut short when Yaakov arrived. Yaakov is already revered by all Egyptians. Talk about love for Eretz Yisrael! Yaakov’s got It wouldn’t take much to push him over the plans to go home - after he dies. It’s a plot that "deity" line. Yaakov was afraid that if he is hits the spot as Yaakov yearns to be buried buried in Mitzrayim, the Egyptians would alongside his parents and grandparents in the make his tomb a shrine of idol worship. Mearat (Cave) Hamachpelah. But Yaakov’s got a few other good reasons for making his own 3. He also knows that during the plague of burial plans. Kinim (lice), (Shemot, Parshat Vaera 8:12), the lice will cover the entire Mitzrayim, 1. With a dash of Ruach Hakodesh, Yaakov above ground and below. Who would want saw that if he were buried in Mitzrayim lice covering their body, after all! (Egypt), his descendants might settle in Mitzrayim permanently. After all, Yaakov 4. Another reason seems far off, but would only allow his body to be buried in a legitimate. When Hashem raises the dead

בס''ד during Techiat Hamaytim, those buried in Before his death, Jacob called his son Joseph Eretz Yisrael will be first to revive. How will and made one final request: those Jews who are buried in other "Do for me kindness (chesed) and truth (emet). countries be revived? Hashem will burrow Please do not bury me in Egypt." (Gen. 47:29) underground tunnels. All of the bodies of the dead will roll through these tunnels to How can something be chesed - a voluntary act Eretz Yisrael where they will be revived. of kindness, beyond the letter of the law - and This trip will be troublesome and painful and at the same time emet, an act of truth, a legal should be avoided if possible. Therefore, obligation? Yaakov wanted to avoid this pain by being The Sages explained that the mitzvah of buried in Eretz Yisrael. burying the dead is "chesed shel emet," an act Now, if you thought that entering Mitzrayim was of true chesed. It is a kindness performed tough, you should try getting out - especially if purely for the sake of doing chesed. After all, you’re a "good luck charm" like Yaakov. It’ll the dead can never repay this favor. take connections all the way at the top. Luckily The Maggid, however, gave an alternative Yaakov’s son, Yosef is Viceroy of Mitzrayim! explanation for this phrase using the following But with all Yaakov’s good reasons for wanting parable: to be buried in Eretz Yisrael, he’s got some The Promissory Note explaining to do to Yosef. Like why Rachel, Jonathan had a friend who desperately needed Yosef’s mother, never made it to the money to bail him out of his financial difficulties. Machpelah. She was buried on the road from Jonathan wanted to help, but he knew his wife Paddan Aram, a short distance from Chevron. would be upset if she found about this act of Before Yosef can bring it up, Yaakov beats him generosity. He suspected that his wife would to the punch. It was, in fact, Hashem who prevent him from giving money to his friend. commanded him to bury Rachel on the What did Jonathan do? He called two roadside. In the future, when Nebuzaradan, the witnesses into his office, and in their presence chief general of Nebuchadnezzar, the King of signed a promissory-note that within three Babylon, would take the Bne Yisrael into months he would pay $10,000 to his friend. captivity, they would pass Rachel’s grave along the road to Bet Lechem, hungry and exhausted. Now that the obligation was legally binding, The soul of Rachel would weep for these Jews, there was no way that Jonathan's wife could praying for Hashem’s mercy. Hashem hears stop him from helping his friend. her plea. As it is written: (Yirmiyahu 31:14ff), "A Chesed and Emet voice is heard on high, the sound of lamentation…. Rachel weeping for her Jonathan's gift to his friend may be aptly children……(Hashem replied to her) Withhold described as both Chesed and Emet. On the your voice from weeping and your eyes from one hand, his motivation was to perform a tears, for your work will be rewarded, says kindness to his friend. On the other hand, since Hashem….and your children will return to their he was financially bound to do so, it also had border." an element of Emet - a legal obligation. To this very day, the tomb of "Mother Rachel," This is exactly what Jacob asked from his son once a lonely site by the road but now in the Joseph. Jacob wanted Joseph to do an act that is both Chesed and Emet. He requested that middle of Bet Lechem, is a place where Jews his son to take an oath to bury Jacob in the from all over the world come to pray in times of personal and national need. Land of Israel.

Why was this oath necessary? Did he not trust his son? Kid’z Korner (Revach) Jacob knew that without the oath, Pharaoh Kindness & Truth would never allow Joseph bury his father outside of Egypt. And in fact, Joseph quite clearly tells Pharaoh that he has no choice in

בס''ד the matter, as his father made him take an righteous is being buried with contempt and oath. "My father bound me with an oath..." disgrace.” Pharaoh also mentions this fact when he allows But the multitude ignored the young scholar Joseph to fulfill his father's request. "Go bury and carried Baya the tax collector to the burial your father, as he made you swear." ground. The sage, accompanied by the family Thus, Jacob's request was like the gift of of Baya, was buried unnoticed and with great money to the friend. It was a request that disrespect. contained both Chesed and Emet. It was a The Dream Of The Student kindness to his father, but it also contained an element of Emet, due to the binding nature of The young disciple was sorely vexed and the oath. grieved at this insult to his beloved teacher. He wept, prayed and fasted that day and at night (Adapted from Mishle Yaakov, pp. 103-104)

fell into a deep exhausted sleep. That night, the The Mistaken Burial sage appeared to him in a dream and said, “My faithful disciple, do not be grieved over the When Alexander Yannai, king of Judea, insult that I received at the hands of the people. appointed Rabi Shimon ben Shetach as I deserved this punishment for I had committed president of the Sanhedrin, peace and a grave sin.” tranquility reigned in the land. Prosperity came to the people as they followed in the ways of "Is it possible that you could have sinned, the Torah. Rebbe?” asked the young disciple. ”I have known you to do charity and kindness and you At that time there lived a tax collector by the possessed great piety.” name of Baya, who was despised by everyone. This was because he never helped anyone and ”One time," said the sage, “I heard evil people was generally a wicked person. It so happened insulting a tzaddik and I neglected to interfere that Baya passed away on the same day as and speak up on his behalf. Heaven decreed one of the sages of the Sanhedrin, a man that I be buried in disgrace as a punishment.” respected and honored. Both funerals were held at the same time. Baya was accompanied “But why did the hated Baya deserve to be simply by his family, while the sage was buried with such honors?” asked the distraught followed by a great multitude of men, who disciple. mourned and wept over his passing. The sage replied, “One day this man, Baya, As the two processions made their way to the made a great banquet and invited all the Beis Hakvarot, a group of bandits attacked. officials and honorable men of the city to be his People panicked and fled to safety, leaving guests, but they were ashamed to be seen in behind the wagons carrying Baya and the sage. his company, so they did not come. Baya then distributed the food among the poor of the city. As it happened, when the panic subsided and For this reason he deserved an honorable the people returned to care for their dead, the burial." great multitude, by mistake, took Baya’s wagon thinking that it was that of the sage and carried The Dream Of The Hereafter it to the cemetery with great honor. A few nights later, the disciple had another Student Points Out Mistake dream. He saw his teacher walking in a most beautiful garden surrounded by sparkling One of the students of the sage, who had not brooks of water. Baya, the tax collector, was left his teacher’s coffin, attempted to point out also there. Baya became very thirsty and to the crowd that they had made a mistake. kneeled down to drink, but the water recoiled “Stop!” he shouted. "You are all gravely from him. Again he reached for the water, but mistaken. You are taking the coffin of Baya, the once more the water recoiled. He tried again tax collector. During the commotion I did not and again to quench his terrible thirst but could move from this spot and I am certain that the not. wicked is being given great honors while the “Why is he being punished?” asked the disciple of the sage.

בס''ד “Because he would not give water to the thirsty The Witches nor bread to the hungry,” replied his teacher. While Shimon ben Shetach was head of the The Punishment Of The Young Woman Sanhedrin a great sage passed away. He came to a disciple in a dream and told him of the The disciple then saw a pitiful sight. A young great punishments awaiting Rabi Shimon ben woman, Miriam, the daughter of Bilga, the Shetach because he permitted 80 witches to Kohen, was lying on the ground and the pin continue living in Ashkelon. As these witches upon which the gates of Gihenom rest, were causing the people to sin, he would be revolved in her ear. punished for allowing them to live. "Why is this woman being punished so The next morning the disciple visited Rabi frightfully?” asked the disciple. Shimon ben Shetach and related to him every "Because she had an opportunity to hear and detail of the dream. “And here is the sign that learn good things in her father’s house, but my teacher and master showed me, so you will instead she listened only to the evil,” replied the know that I am telling the truth,” began the sage. “This horrible punishment will continue disciple. until the death of Rabi Shimon ben Shetach, “G-d forbid that you need to show me signs," who will take her place.” replied Rabi Shimon, "I know that you are The disciple was astounded. "Is it possible that speaking the truth. No living being knew of my I heard right? Are you accusing Shimon ben vow to do away with these witches, but myself. Shetach, the most pious and most educated of Since you know about the vow, I am convinced our generation, of doing wrong and deserving that it was revealed to you by Heaven. Now I such a horrible punishment? Of what crime is will not rest until l remove these sinful witches he guilty?” from the face of the earth.”

The Plan The Sin Of The Sage Rabi Shimon waited for a rainy day and then he The dead sage replied, "In Ashkelon there lives gathered together 80 of his strongest disciples. 80 witches. They mislead the people with their He provided them with new robes and had enchantments and cause them to sin. They them place them in jugs so they would stay dry. induce ignorant people to worship idols and other abominations that G-d despises. Rabi He outlined his plan: "I know that all the witches Shimon ben Shetach is well aware of their are now gathered in a cave, practicing their actions and yet he makes no effort to remove sorcery. Place these pitchers on your heads them." and follow me to the cave. When you hear me whistle one time, take the dry robes out of the The sage continued, “When you wake in the jugs and put them on. Then left up a witch on morning, go to the house of Rabi Shimon and your shoulder and follow me out.” say the following, ‘Before you became the president of the Sanhedrin you made a vow “But we fear that they may do us harm,” the that if you were ever elected to this high office young men argued. you would remove the witches from the face of “That is why you will left them on your the earth. Now G-d has fulfilled your wish, but shoulders,” replied Rabi Shimon. “The main you have failed to fulfill your vow. Last night my power of witchcraft is derived from the earth. teacher appeared to me in a dream and told me Therefore, no harm can come to you if their feet that for your neglect you would descend to do not rest on the ground." Gihenom!’” The Contest “But Rabi Shimon will not believe me,” replied the frightened disciple. Followed by the 80 young men, Rabi Shimon ben Shetach reached the cave where the “Give him this sign to convince him that you witches were gathered. Changing into dry speak the truth,” said the sage. “Place your clothes, he knocked at the door and said, hand on his right eye, and it will shoot out of its “Open up the door, for I am one of you and I place. Then put your hand on the empty socket have come to participate in your rituals.” and it will set back into its place.”

בס''ד Seeing how dry he was, they asked, “How are ”Very well,” he replied. ”You see how hard it is you able to come on a day like this without raining, but when I will whistle two times and getting soaked?” then 80 young men will appear, all dressed in dry clothes.” “It was simple for a great magician like me to do," replied Rabi Shimon. "I reduced myself to “If you are able to do that," they replied, ”then a very small thing and walked between the we will admit that you are the mightiest of all drops.” the magicians.” “Why do you come here?” they asked. Rabi Shimon whistled once and all the young men waiting outside removed the jugs from “I have come to learn from you and to teach their heads, took out the dry cloaks and donned you as well. Let me come in.” them. Rabi Shimon whistled a second time and The curious witches opened the door and his disciples entered the permitted Rabi Shimon to enter and began to cave and each man grabbed a witch and demonstrate their magic. One witch whispered placed her on his shoulder. They were then and the ceiling of the cave opened and a table carried to gallows that were prepared for them, covered with various dishes came down and and hanged. rested in the middle of the cave. Another witch whispered and bottles of wine came down and All Israel Thankful stood in the center of the table. Two others When the people of Israel heard how Rabi whispered and bowls filled with all kinds of food Shimon had rid them of these evil people, they descended. blessed him, saying, “Blessed is Rabi Shimon Rabi Shimon’s Tricks hen Shetach unto G-d, who has this day rid us of this terrible evil. For as long as they were "Now show us what you can do,” the witches present, idolatry could not be stamped out.” said to Rabi Shimon.

PAR LA FRANCOPHONE sont en suspens de Roch Hachana jusqu’à Kippour. Encore une fois,ce sage nous (Rav Itshak Nabet) annonce une leçon qui va à l’encontre de la réalité. En effet,nous voyons de nos yeux des Yaakov n’est pas Mort justes quitter ce monde dans leur jeunesse et des impies vivre leurs vieux jours, alors quel Nous lirons cette semaine la dernière paracha message voulait nous transmettre Rabi du livre Béréchit, Vayé’hi. Yaakov avinou alav Yohanan? achalom rassemble ses enfants afin de les bénir. Après 147 ans de bons et loyaux Face à ces incompréhensions, nous sommes services, le dernier des avot quitte ce monde et bien obligés de conclure que notre définition de laisse les bné Israel en exil. La Torah nous la vie et la mort n’est pas celle de la Torah. En décrit en détail les différentes étapes de ses effet, nombreux sont ceux qui pensent que le funérailles. Pourtant un des plus grands but de la vie est de profiter de ce monde, amoraim du talmud, bavli et yérouchalmi Rabi « carpe diem » comme ils disent. Ils organisent Yohanan zrouto yagen alénou, enseigne dans leur existence dans ce sens: ils cherchent un masechet Taanit (5,b) que Yaakov n’est pas travail qui rapporte beaucoup d’argent mort. facilement, courent après les femmes et le luxe, travaillent toute l’année pour bronzer deux Encore plus surprenant, ce même Rabi semaines en Turquie et comptent les jours qui Yohanan a dit dans la masseret Roch les séparent du Paradis sur Terre: la Hachanna (16,b) qu’il y a trois livres ouverts à retraite.Pour ces gens là, la mort représente la Roch Hachanna: celui des impies, celui des fin de tous leurs rêves, la sonnerie de justes et celui des moyens.Depuis Roch récréation qui annonce la fin des plaisirs. Hachana, les impies sont désignés pour la mort Même s’ils s’efforcent de ne pas y penser et se et les justes pour la vie alors que les autres disent que cela n’arrive qu’aux autres, ils

בס''ד savent qu’un jour viendra où la lumière Cependant le Tana continue et nous enseigne s’éteindra et où ils ne pourront plus rien que toutes les jouissances du monde futur prendre. La conception de la Torah s’oppose n’égalent pas un instant sur Terre. De même le entièrement à cette vision occidentale du Gaon de Vilna répétait avant de mourir: monde.Le Ram’hal (rav Moche Haim Luzzatto) « Qu’est ce qu’il est beau,ce monde dans za »l dans son oeuvre « Messilat Yecharim » lequel un homme peut faire des mitsvot avec (« La voix des justes ») nous explique que quelques fils! » en touchant ses tsitsit. Car ce l’homme a été créé pour se délecter de la n’est qu’ici qu’un homme peut préparer son présence divine, pour jouir de plaisirs spirituels monde futur. Comme nous disons dans la qui n’existent pas sur Terre. Comme il est écrit prière du soir, les mitsvot sont nos vies et elles « toutes les jouissances de ce monde ne valent éclairent nos jours. Alors nous devons prendre pas un instant dans le Olam Aba ». C’est conscience de l’importance de chaque instant. pourquoi Hachem consacra un endroit, le Et essayer de profiter de notre passage sur monde futur, afin de profiter de ces plaisirs. Le Terre pour accomplir la volonté d’Hachem afin monde dans lequel nous vivons représente le de construire des résidences de luxe qui seront chemin qui nous permet d’arriver à cette les nôtres après 120 ans. destination. « Ce monde ressemble à un couloir qui mène au monde futur » nous enseignent les maximes des pères. Et c’est Devenir Comme Ephraïm et dans cette optique qu’Hachem nous donna des moyens afin d’atteindre ce but, les mitsvot. Ménaché Ainsi,selon la Torah, la mort n’est pas une fin, Dans la paracha Vayéhi, la Torah nous raconte mais c’est le commencement de la vie les derniers jours de Yaacov avinou en terre spirituelle pour laquelle nous avons été créés. égyptienne. Après dix-sept ans de bonheur et de Et cette vérité semblait tellement claire pour les paix, notre ancêtre réunit ses enfants afin de les enfants d’Adam arichone qu’ils avaient fait un bénir une dernière fois. Les premiers à mériter la Yom Tov et des festivités lorsque ce dernier bénédiction de notre patriarche furent Yossef mourut, nous dit le Tana débé Eliahou. Atsadik et ses deux fils, Ménaché et Efraïm. Les Hélas, nos yeux se sont obscurcis et nous ne onze frères de Yossef suivront pour recevoir les croyons pas plus loin que le bout de nos prophéties et les aDi-ux de leur père. Ainsi plaisirs. Nous construisons des couloirs de luxe s'achève le premier livre de la Torah, le livre de avec home vidéo, canapés en cuir…sans Béréchit. Il est intéressant de constater que même nous soucier de bâtir un palais Ménaché et Efraïm sont les seuls petits-fils de habitable. « Qu’est-ce- qui se trouve derrière la Yaacov qui furent invités à être bénis. Et, plus porte de mon couloir? » doit se demander encore, Yaacov prophétisa que par eux seront chacun. Vais-je vivre dans une maison propre, bénis les enfants d'Israël. Ainsi, lorsqu'un père éclairée et agréable, ou vais-je devenir un veut bénir ses enfants, en particulier le vendredi éternel sans abri? Car n’oublions pas,mes soir, il leur souhaite d'être comme Efraïm et frères, que « l’éternité c’est long, surtout vers la Ménaché. Nous allons essayer de comprendre fin »… C’est pourquoi Rabi Yohanan est venu pourquoi les deux fils de Yossef ont mérité un si nous interpeller en disant que Yaakov n’est pas grand honneur. mort. Comme pour nous dire: ne vous fiez pas Pour répondre à cette question, nous devons aux apparences. Même si Yaakov expira et fut tout d'abord analyser l'étrange comportement de enterré, sa vie ne fait que commencer. Avec le Yossef Atsadik lorsque sa famille immigra en grand nombre de mitsvot qu’il accumula Egypte. La Torah témoigne qu'il fit tout pour pendant ces années, il ne peut pas mourir, il ne diminuer la valeur de ses proches aux yeux de peut que se délecter avec ses pères des Pharaon. Il ne lui présenta que ses frères les plaisirs qui lui sont réservés. De la même plus fragiles, et demanda à ceux qui étaient plus manière, nous comprenons pourquoi Rabi vigoureux de se faire discrets. Ensuite, il Yohanan appelait les tsadikim qui mouraient expliqua à Pharaon que ses frères étaient des jeunes des vivants. Et, à l’inverse, ceux qui ne bergers de père en fils, et qu'ils ne connaissaient préparent pas leur monde futur sont considérés aucun autre métier. Or, pour les Egyptiens qui pourront pas vivre l’essentiel de leur existence. idolâtraient les moutons et les animaux

בס''ד domestiques, il était abominable d'élever et de proche et fidèle à Di-u. Gardant ses coutumes, manger des bêtes aussi "nobles". Ainsi, ses lois et ses idées... Malgré les pogroms, les personne ne voulut que les fils de Yaacov avinou difficultés financières puis les expulsions, les bné habitent près de leur ville. On les installa donc à Israël prirent exemple sur les fils de Yaacov. Ils Gochen, une région de pâturage inhabitée, loin étaient prêts à tout sacrifier pour garder ce qu'ils de tout. A priori, nous devons comprendre avaient de plus précieux: l'Alliance qui avait pourquoi Yossef, qui était le vice-président des traversé les siècles et qui les unissait avec Notre Etats-Unis d'Egypte, ne plaça pas ses frères aux seul Père qui est aux cieux. postes les plus importants. Il eût été logique qu'il Les dix-neuvième et vingtième siècles favorisât Benyamine pour être ministre de prouvèrent à quel point la stratégie de nos l'éducation, Yéhouda chef des armées… alors ancêtres était nécessaire. Les familles attirées pourquoi Yossef n'a-t-il pas aidé se famille à par l'argent et le monde moderne commencèrent s'intégrer? à s'approcher des grandes villes, des écoles Nos sages expliquent que les douze tribus publiques, des postes importants… Et perdirent avaient très peur de se mélanger aux Egyptiens. doucement mais sûrement l'héritage qu'on leur Elles savaient combien l'être humain est avait confié. Désormais, un juif américain est un facilement influençable par son entourage. Et Américain avec une kippa. Que nous reste-t-il de même si ses membres réussissaient à rester notre identité? Quelques coutumes, qui sont les intègres en cette terre impure, qu'en aurait-il été vestiges de notre si belle religion, animent des de leurs enfants et petits- enfants? Petit à petit, il vies spirituelles tellement appauvries... est évident que les bné Israël auraient appris la Cependant, rien n'est jamais trop tard, même si langue égyptienne, puis se seraient habillés nous ne sommes déjà plus depuis longtemps comme les natifs. A force de travailler avec eux, des immigrés. Il nous reste la bénédiction de des liens d'amitié se seraient créés, puis les Yaacov à Ephraim et Ménaché. N'oublions pas premiers mariages mixtes. En quelques que ces deux fils de Yossef sont nés en Egypte générations, les descendants d'Avraham, Itshak et qu'ils ont grandi là-bas. Ménaché occupait des et Yaacov auraient entièrement disparu au sein fonctions importantes dans la maison de de cette société égyptienne et seraient sûrement Pharaon et, pourtant, tous deux surent créer au devenus idolâtres. fond d'eux une Terre de Gochen. Ils fabriquèrent des murailles de fer afin de se protéger des Pour prévenir ce phénomène inévitable, les influences égyptiennes. frères de Yossef usèrent d'une stratégie. Ils se firent répugnants aux yeux des autochtones afin Voilà ce que l'on souhaite à nos enfants tous les d'être écartés de la société, reclus vers les vendredis soirs. On prie Hachem pour qu'Il les régions les plus isolées, la Terre de Gochen. La aide à se protéger de toutes les agressions Torah, à travers cet épisode,nous montre spirituelles et matérielles que ce monde propose. comment survivre en terre étrangère. La seule Ainsi Yaacov bénit-il ses deux enfants pour solution pour ne pas se laisser attirer par le prouver aux générations futures que même si monde extérieur et les valeurs qui ne sont pas nous ne pouvons pas nous séparer de l'exil, celles de la Torah est de fonder des Terres de nous pouvons vivre notre judaïsme et être des Gochen. De choisir de vivre près des serviteurs d'Hachem. Nous devons mettre des communautés déjà existantes, proche des lieux barrières et des distances avec ce monde d'études et de prières, des écoles juives et les d'impureté. Alors qu'Hachem nous protège, ainsi centres d'alimentation cacher. Et c'est ainsi que, que nos enfants, et qu'Il nous aide à ressembler durant plus de 1800 ans d'exil, notre peuple ne à Ephraim et Ménaché. Amen se mélangea pas avec les nations. Il resta

REFLEXION SEMANAL La Raíz del Pecado “Reuven, eres mi primogénito, mi fuerza y mi vigor inicial, preeminente en rango y (Rav Yonatan Gefen) preeminente en poder. Impetuoso como el agua, no aventajarás, porque subiste al lecho

בס''ד de tu padre, profanaste a Aquel que solía que es más difícil arrepentirse de las malas ascender a mi lecho” 1. midot que de las malas acciones. El Gaón de Vilna señala que el pecado mismo es resultado El Libro de Génesis termina con Yaakov Avinu de una mala midá7, por lo que cuando una bendiciendo a sus hijos. Sin embargo, algunas persona peca, muestra al mismo tiempo un de estas “bendiciones” son una dura crítica. defecto en su personalidad. Consecuentemente, Este es el caso de Reuven, primogénito de todo pecado requiere dos niveles de teshuvá, Yaakov: Yaakov lo reprueba por su uno por la acción, y otro por la midá negativa impetuosidad, que lo llevó a perturbar el lecho que fue su raíz. Pareciera que Reuven se de Yaakov2. había arrepentido de su maasé averá (la Los comentaristas explican que, siendo el hijo acción del pecado), pero no había logrado mayor, Reuven debería haber recibido los erradicar por completo el rasgo negativo que lo privilegios especiales del reinado, el sacerdocio hizo pecar. y la doble porción de los primogénitos. Sin Esta respuesta es apoyada por la manera en embargo, a causa de su comportamiento que Rav Jaim Shmuelevitz explica la crítica a impulsivo, Yaakov le quitó estos tres Reuven. Basado en el comentario de Rashi, privilegios. El severo castigo de Reuven parece señala que Yaakov criticó específicamente el difícil de entender, sobre todo dado que rasgo de impetuosidad que llevó a Reuven a nuestros sabios lo alaban profusamente por profanar el lecho de Yaakov y no el pecado haber hecho teshuvá de su pecado3. De hecho, mismo. Fue esta impetuosidad la que hizo que Rashi en la parashá Vaieshev nota que Reuven no fuera apto para el reinado y el Reuven no estuvo presente durante la venta de sacerdocio8. Yosef porque estaba aislado, vistiendo una arpillera y ayunando por haber profanado el Rav Shmuelevitz brinda otro ejemplo de una lecho de su padre4; la venta fue varios años persona grandiosa que se arrepintió de su después del incidente y Reuven continuaba pecado, pero no de la midá que lo originó: arrepintiéndose de lo que había hecho. Shaul HaMélej perdió el reino porque no Teniendo en cuenta la sincera teshuvá de consiguió cumplir el mandamiento de Hashem Reuven, ¿por qué Yaakov no aceptó que él se de eliminar por completo a Amalek. Shmuel arrepintió y que los efectos de su pecado Hanaví lo criticó por haberse dejado influenciar habían sido anulados?5 por la súplica de las personas y tener misericordia con Amalek; él mostró poseer una Pareciera que la clave para responder esta humildad equivocada, y no ser lo pregunta es un comentario del Rambam en suficientemente fuerte para seguir sus propias Leyes de Arrepentimiento. Después de explicar convicciones. Sin embargo, después de la con gran profundidad cómo una persona debe extensa crítica de Shmuel a Shaul, el rey arrepentirse de sus pecados, el Rambam admitió su error y se arrepintió. ¿por qué, agrega que hay otro aspecto esencial de la entonces, perdió el reinado? Rav Shmuelevitz teshuvá. Escribe: explica que sólo hizo teshuvá de su pecado, “Y no digas que sólo hay teshuvá para los pero que no erradicó la mala midá de su pecados que conllevan una acción, como carácter. Este rasgo le impidió ser un rey inmoralidad, robar y hurtar. Ya que, así como efectivo. uno debe arrepentirse por ellos, debe también Los ejemplos de Reuven y Shaul son buscar sus malas características personales y extremadamente relevantes en nuestra vida. arrepentirse por ellas; por el enojo, el odio, los Es muy alabable que una persona busque celos… Y esos pecados son más difíciles de honestamente arrepentirse de sus pecados, rectificar que los que no tienen acción, pero si no identifica la midá que lo causó, será porque cuando una persona se ve atrapada por incapaz de no tropezar en el futuro. Reuven ellos es difícil evitarlos” 6 estaba destinado a la grandeza, debía Aprendemos de este Rambam que, además de representar el reino y el sacerdocio en Klal arrepentirse por las acciones destructivas, se Israel, pero su impetuosidad le impidió debe hacer teshuvá por las malas midot materializar su verdadero potencial en esas (características personales). Más aún, señala áreas. Aprendemos de esto que las midot

בס''ד negativas no sólo causan que pequemos, sino uno había recibido en su bendición personal, que también impiden que alcancemos la ¿para qué los bendijo individualmente en un grandeza. inicio? Asumir la difícil tarea de arreglar la El Maharal responde que la bendición final de personalidad requiere de mucha introspección Yaakov no los igualó en todas las áreas, sino y discusión, pero el primer paso de toda que cada uno era el más fuerte en el área en persona es reconocer qué rasgo lo está que había sido bendecido en un principio. Lo deteniendo. Puede que haya más de un rasgo que logró la bendición final fue darles a todos negativo que lo daña, pero muy a menudo hay los hermanos un aspecto de las bendiciones de uno principal que es la raíz de buena parte de los demás. Yehudá, por ejemplo, fue su comportamiento negativo y es el factor que bendecido con un nivel de fortaleza mayor que le impide materializar su potencial. Para el de sus hermanos; sin embargo, la bendición encontrar y entender este rasgo negativo, se final le dio a cada uno de sus hermanos un puede consultar con un rabino o con amigos, cierto elemento del atributo de fortaleza (2). así como estudiar libros de musar que tratan ¿Por qué cada hermano necesitaba tener al sobre diferentes rasgos. Una vez que una menos en algún aspecto todas las persona alcanza un entendimiento más bendiciones? Rav Itzjak Berkovits explica que profundo de sí misma, puede comenzar la pese a que una persona puede especializarse impresionante tarea de mejorarse a sí misma. en un área en particular, de todas formas debe La única forma de evitar los pecados y eliminar tener simultáneamente algún tipo de inclinación los obstáculos que nos retienen es realizar un hacia las otras áreas. Este concepto aplica en esfuerzo constante, genuino y profundo para varias esferas, incluyendo el rol que mejorarse a uno mismo. Que todos ameritemos desempeña una persona en su vida, los rasgos ser personas realmente mejores. de personalidad y el estudio de Torá.

Notas: 1. Vayejí, 49:3-4. 2. Ver Parashat Vaishlaj, 35:22 Con respecto al rol que desempeña una para el relato de este incidente. 3. Ver Sotá, 7b. 4. Rashi, persona en su vida, por ejemplo, hay muchos Parashat Vayéshev, 37:29. 5. Ver Ayélet HaShájar de Rav roles que cada uno de nosotros debe Arie Leiv Shteinman Shlita, Vayejí, 49:4, quien formula esta desempeñar a lo largo de la vida: debemos ser pregunta. 6. Hiljot Teshuvá, 7:3. 7. Even Shelemá. 8. Sijot Musar, Maamar 53, p.228. padres, esposos, amigos, hijos, maestros, colegas, etc. Puede que una persona ponga

más atención a algunas áreas en especial, Logrando el Balance como la crianza de los niños —que tiene una gran importancia—, pero su concentración en Correcto ellas no debe ser tal que lo lleve a desatender todo lo demás. El libro de Bereshit culmina con las bendiciones eternas que Yaakov les dio a sus Pese a que es vital que una persona invierta hijos. Cada hijo recibió una bendición especial tiempo en la crianza de sus hijos, si eso es que se enfocaba con exactitud en sus talentos todo lo que hace en el día entonces y necesidades. Al final de las bendiciones, la inevitablemente sus otros roles se verán Torá declara que Yaakov los volvió a bendecir. afectados. Debemos saber cómo lograr un ¿En qué consistió esta nueva bendición? balance entre trabajar, pasar tiempo con la familia, estudiar Torá, hacer actos de bondad y Rashi explica que con esta bendición final, cumplir con todas las otras cosas que debe Yaakov incluyó a cada hijo en la bendición de hacer un judío observante. Una manera los demás. Yehudá, por ejemplo, había tenido efectiva de saber si estamos poniendo un la exclusividad en la bendición de tener la énfasis excesivo en un área en particular es fortaleza de un león; ahora, con esta bendición observar las otras áreas y analizar si están final, todos sus hermanos también recibieron siendo afectadas. Por ejemplo, si una persona este rasgo de fortaleza (1). pasa mucho tiempo con su familia y no tiene Sin embargo, la explicación de Rashi genera tiempo para estudiar Torá, entonces quiere un nuevo problema: si al final todos los decir que algo anda mal. hermanos fueron bendecidos con lo que cada

בס''ד Esta necesidad de tener un balance es tanto tiempo estudiando musar (que enfatiza el particularmente importante en la esfera de los crecimiento personal), sacrificando en rasgos personales. Por ejemplo, la mayoría de consecuencia un nivel más alto de grandeza en la gente tiene una tendencia natural a ser Torá. Para responderles, él les hizo una amable o a ser estricta, y tiende por lo tanto a pregunta sobre las leyes de bendiciones: Si enfocar la mayor parte de su tiempo y energía una persona tiene frente a él un ítem entero de en ese rasgo. Por ejemplo, una persona comida (conocido como shalem) y un pedazo amable por naturaleza tenderá a enfatizar el del mismo alimento que tiene mayor tamaño ayudar a otros por sobre trabajar en su pero que no está entero (es decir, está en autodisciplina. Es natural y correcto que una trozos, conocido como gadol) la pregunta es: persona se enfoque en sus fortalezas; sin ¿qué es más importante —y por tanto sobre embargo, hay que tener en cuenta que gran qué alimento se debe bendecir—, entero o parte de la recompensa viene de las áreas que grande? Rav Israel Salanter les respondió que no le son naturales. la ley es que uno debe bendecir sobre el ítem completo a pesar de ser más pequeño que el Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky nota que nuestros otro. De la misma forma, una persona que patriarcas enfrentaron sus pruebas más estudia Torá pero también trabaja en su difíciles en las áreas que eran opuestas a sus personalidad (una persona “shalem”) está en rasgos personales. Abraham, el dador un nivel más elevado que una persona que ha ejemplar, enfrentó la increíble prueba de la estudiado más pero que tiene un nivel menor Atadura de Itzjak (la Akedá), en la cual tuvo que de refinamiento (un “gadol”). superar su inmenso sentido de misericordia y estar preparado para matar a su hijo. Los Hay muchas lecciones que podemos aprender desafíos más grandes de Yaakov le exigieron de las bendiciones específicas que Yaakov le ser más astuto que los malvados mediante el dio a cada uno de sus hijos. Pero el conjunto uso de la herramienta de la falsedad, la de ellas nos enseña que si bien una persona antítesis de su rasgo de honestidad (3). puede especializarse en un área particular, tiene la obligación de completarse y de buscar Y con respecto al estudio de Torá, es un balance en todas las áreas. Esta tarea es sumamente obvia la necesidad de desarrollar muy exigente, pero Yaakov bendijo a todo el un balance en la vida. La Mishná en Pirkei Avot pueblo judío con el potencial para lograrla. Les dice: "Si no hay Torá no puede haber dérej deseo que todos logremos alcanzar un éretz (4), y si no hay dérej éretz no puede haber verdadero balance en nuestras vidas. Torá” (5). El Rambam dice que ambos aspectos se complementan el uno al otro; no puede (1) Vaiejí 49:21. (2) Gur Arie 49:21, sk 22. (3) Para ver haber un enfoque excesivo en el estudio de más sobre el desafío de Itzjak, ver la Guemará en Shabat Torá sin haber un énfasis en la mejora del 89b. Ver también Mijtav MeEliahu, Tomo II, Parashat Lej carácter, y viceversa, uno no puede desarrollar Lejá pp. 162-3. (4) Dérej Éretz puede significar muchas cosas. En esta instancia se refiere a tener rasgos efectivamente su carácter sin estudiar Torá. personales refinados. (5) Avot 3:17.

Una vez le preguntaron a Rav Israel Salanter por qué alentaba a sus estudiantes a pasar

talents at an early age, and by the age of twenty NAHALOT became the darshan of his city. From there he began preaching through the cities of around Lublin in Poland, finally settling in Dubnow. His Nahala of the Dubno Maggid reputation as a maggid spread, bringing him in th contact with the great rabbis of the period, This Tuesday the 17 of Tebet including the Vilna Gaon. The majority of his Rav Yaakov Krantz, Dubna Maggid (1741-1804). works were in homiletics, using stories and Born in a province of Vilna, Jacob ben Wolf Kranz parables to transmit deeper ethical and moral showed exceptional homiletical and Kabbalistic teachings.

בס''ד Choosing Your Tefillah effect determines from the verse in the navi that the Amidah must begin with the three standard, opening Weaponry berachos before we present our list of request to Hashem. (Netziv on Torah.org) It is likely that Rashi resisted explaining the gemara I have given you Shechem – one portion greater this way, because he wished it to remain than your brothers. I took it from the possession of uncontested and non-controversial. Rashi knew that the Emori with my sword and bow. there is actually a dispute elsewhere[7] as to whether The sword and bow might easily refer to the military extraordinary requests should be voiced before or prowess of Machir ben Menasheh, who wrested after set prayer. One opinion is that a person should control of the land of Gilad from the Emori[2]. be able to unburden himself of his special, weighty Success in battle was not assured through his issues before offering his regular service. Rashi demonstrable skill in battle[3]; it relied upon the merit preferred the explanation that he offered, because it of Yaakov. Therefore, Yaakov was justified in calling does not run afoul either of the two opinions in them his sword and bow. Avodah Zarah. The Targum Yerushalmi on the Chazal[4], however, saw a different skill set pasuk in Melachim, however, sees rinah and tefillah operating here. Both the sword and bow are as the same two forms of prayer that are metaphorical. They refer to “tefillah and bakashah” / represented by the sword and bow of Yaakov’s prayer and request. statement in our parshah. This would seem to be the intention of the gemara in Berachos – a person Our first reaction is to assume that Chazal are should always daven the regular davening first, and telling us about the potency of Yaakov’s davening. roll any special requests into it. His weapons of choice were not chosen from an arsenal, but from a prayer book. If this were so, We still ought to explain why the two forms of however, what distinguishes the sword from the davening are likened to a sword and a bow. The bow? conduct of old military campaigns will help us understand. It was customary for the king or a Rather, Chazal here offer a strategy to make our leading general to be present at a battlefield, albeit own prayer more effective. The committed Jew far from the actual front. He would wait in relative knows of two different davening experiences. He or safety, surrounded by many protecting soldiers. she davens at set times of day, following a prescribed order. The set times of prayer never The opposing army could demoralize the enemy replace the urge to throw oneself on the mercy of troops by killing or capturing the enemy’s leader. To HKBH, asking Him for special assistance in times of do so, they had to get past all of his surrounding extraordinary need. Chazal refer to the former as protection. This required close, up-front, hand-to- “prayer,” meaning the fixed service of regular hand combat, like that done with a sword. Once the davening that has been in place since the time of defenders were eliminated, the leader could be the Avos. The latter, they call “request.” eliminated through weapons effective from a distance – like the bow. Chazal have a very definite idea of how these two forms of conversation with G-d ought to relate to Our prayers proceed along a similar course. We each other. Excepting unusual emergency would like every word to hit its mark, so to speak. circumstances, they tell us not to separate the two, But there are barriers between our words of but to combine them. We should save our bakashah supplication and the King. Our tefillos have to get for the times of regular davening, and then implant it past whatever blocks their effectiveness, whether in the midst of our set prayer. Those times are that be the demands of din/ judgment to dilute the occasions of Divine grace, making it more likely that rachamim/ compassion we seek, or our own our requests will be received favorably. inadequacies in the art of prayer. This appears to be the intention of the gemara[5] : “It That is the function of our fixed davening. It might be thought that a person should first ask prepares us, and prepares the way for our tefillos to Hashem for his needs, and afterwards pray. It has have an unimpeded path to their destination. Once already been clarified that this is not so, for it is the highway is open, we can add our special stated[6] â?? To listen to rinah and to prayer.’ personal requests, with the hope that the journey â??Rinah’ means tefillah; â??tefillah’ of this verse will be a smoother one. means bakashah.” Now Rashi understands these two options to refer to different section of the 1. Based on Ha’amek Davar and Harchev Davar, Bereshit 48:22, Amidah: bakashah being the middle, supplicatory, and Harchev Davar 18:22 2. Bamidbar 32:39 3. Yehoshua section, while tefillah means the praise of Hashem 17:1 4. Bava Basra 123A 5. Berachot 31A 6. Melachim I 8:28 7. Avodah Zarah 7B with which we acknowledge His power and beneficence. According to Rashi, the gemara in