Congregation Toras Chaim An intimate space…Grow at your pace.

May 27-28, 2011 . 24 Iyar, 5771 . Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar, 39 in the Omer Candlelighting: See Below . Shabbos Ends 9:13 PM

Kiddush this Shabbos is sponsored by David & Lesley Wiseman, in honor of their wedding anniversary, Michael’s graduation from college, and Jennifer’s graduation from high school. Shalosh Seudos this Shabbos is sponsored by the shul. Please contact Rabbi Yaakov Rich at 972-835-6016 if you are interested in sponsoring kiddush or shalosh seudos in the future.

„ Shabbos Schedule: »» Ruth bat Leah (Grandmother of Abigail Ruttenberg) May 27th »» Moshe ben Rivka (Friend of David Wiseman) »» Mincha/Kabbalos Shabbos/Maariv–7:00 PM »» Ceti bas Mazel (Grandmother of Ceci Katz) »» Candlelighting– Preferably light by 7:25 PM. In case of great »» Levi Yitzchak ben Tzirel (Friend of Rivka Krasnoff) need on may rely on 8:09 PM candlelighting time. »» Gil ben Leebee (Friend of Naomi Goldberg) May 28th »» Rafael Eliezer ben Leah (Friend of Abigail Ruttenberg) »» Shacharis–8:30 AM »» Yechiel Mordechai ben Devorah (Brother of Ken Jarmel) »» “Mommy & Me” Childcare: Children with their mothers are wel- »» Dina bas Chava (Friend of Josh Mann) come to spend quality time in the Katz home (Directly across the »» Baruch Tzadik ben Chava (Relative of Jill Lichtenstein) easement from the Rich home, 7303 Williamswood). Please enter through the back door.–10 AM until end of davening. „„Fatherly Guidance: by Rabbi Label Lam »» Chumash Shiur (for men & women)–6:45 PM These are the offspring of Aaron and Moshe on the day HASHEM »» Mincha/Shalosh Seudos(for m & w) – 7:45 PM spoke with Moshe at Mount Sinai. (Bamidbar 3:1) »» Shabbos Ends - 9:13 PM These are the offspring of Aaron and Moshe: It mentions only the sons of „ Weekday Schedule: Aaron, yet they are called “offspring of Moshe” because he taught them »» Sunday Shacharis–8:00 AM Torah. This teaches us that whoever teaches his friend’s son Torah the »» Monday Shacharis (Memorial Day)–8:00 AM verse speaks about him as if he had fathered him. (Rashi) (See Sanhedrin »» Weekday Shacharis–6:40 AM 19B) »» Mincha/Maariv–8:15 PM This is a truly amazing Torah notion! Whoever teaches someone else’s child Torah, it is considered as if he had actually fathered that child. „„What’s nu at CTC Why is the statement by the sages, quoted by Rashi above, worded that »» CTC Lag B’Omer Family BBQ: The CTC Lag B’Omer Family way? Why does it refer to “his friend’s son”? What would be lacking if it BBQ was tremendous fun and enjoyment for all who participated. had just stated that someone teaches another person or a child? Close to 80 people were in attendance. Thank you to Rebbetzin We can perhaps key into an answer with another question. Why Rich for an incredible amount of hard work shopping and is Pirke’ Avos, Chapters of the Fathers, called “Chapters of the Fathers”? preparing all the food, thank you to Rabbi Rich for doing all of The sages quoted there are not the “Avos”-“Fathers”. The Talmud tells us the grilling, thank you to the Rich boys for setting up the tables “Only three are called Avos!” Those are Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaa- and chairs, and thank you to the Rich girls for running activities kov! Why then are they called “Chapters of the Fathers”? One answer is for the children. The highlight of the BBQ was the horseshoe that Avos can mean the general category, like the Avos and Toldos Mala- tournament. Congratulations to Avrohom Moshe Rich and his chos of Shabbos – Major Categories and Subsets of Forbidden Activities! partner for winning first place and the trophy, against a formidable These statements therefore are principles of life, classic and applicable team with brothers Chad and Matt Davis. to all generations. Another approach may help explain how the Rabbis »» All-Night Shavuos Learning: Join Congregation Toras Chaim quotes in Avos are actually considered Avos! for all-night learning this Shavuos. Three amazing classes will Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato writes in the Mesilas Yesharim in take us all from pasuk to p’sak, from dusk to dawn. Each class Chapter 19 on the subject of Chassidus, “It is befitting that the actions of is self-contained, designed for small group study, starting with the pious person should be directed toward the good of his entire gen- the relevant verses in the Torah and concluding with Shulchan eration- to enhance their standing and shield them (from punishment). This is expressed in the verse (Yeshayahu 3:10) “Praise the righteous for Aruch and responsa literature explaining clearly the final the good (he has done) for they eat the fruit of their deeds.” The entire halacha. Tuesday, June 7, 12:30 AM until dawn, at Congregation generation eats of his fruit... Toras Chaim, 7119 Bremerton Ct., Dallas, TX 75252. Class One: This means that that he should pray on behalf of his generation The 9/11 Agunos - Forensic studies in Halacha (Rabbi Yoni seeking atonement for those who need atonement, urging repentance Chatzinoff) What is the status of the women whose husbands for those who need it, and promoting the defense of the entire genera- were killed in the 9/11 attacks on America. Develop insights tion… into the issues that Contemporary poskim had to deal with The Holy One blessed be He loves only those who love Israel, and to the when making life-changing decisions for the families involved. extent that he increases his love for Israel the Holy One blessed be He Class Two: When Thine Enemies Fall (Rabbi Avraham Chaim increases his love for that person. These are the true shepherds of Israel, Bloomenstiel) Jewish Perspectives on the Death of the Wicked whom the Holy One blessed be He holds dear; those who sacrifice them- (bin Laden, Hussein, Arafat, etc. Ym”sh) Class Three: Marriage selves for His flock, beseeching and laboring on behalf of their peace and Made in Heaven (Rabbi Yaakov Rich) The group will explore the well-being, constantly standing in the breach to pray for repeal of the Torah outlook and legal perspective on the intimate relationship harsh decrees against them and for the gates of blessing to open wide on between the Jewish people and the Torah, and, explore in detail their behalf. This can be compared to a father who loves no one more the prohibition to teach Torah non-Jews. than the person who has shown genuine love toward his sons. Human »» Save the Date: Mesorah High School for Girls Annual Dessert nature attests to this!” Reception, Sunday, June 5, 2011, Ohr HaTorah Simcha Hall, The Baal Shem Tov had said, “If you love the father then you love 7:30 PM. Honoring Shelley Lurie ~ Ahavas Chesed Award, Lowell the children and if you love the children you love the father!” The righ- Michelson ~ Community Service Award, Keynote Speaker ~ teous ones quoted in Pirke Avos distinguished themselves by providing Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein for the spiritual needs of their generation. Similarly the Chofetz Chaim adopted a generation and wrote „„Refuah Shelaima numerous Seforim addressing the needs of fellow Jews who had been »» Hanoch ben Charlotte (Cousin of Neil Krasnoff) conscripted into the Russan army for extensive tours of duty and for Jews

Congregation Toras Chaim • Rabbi Yaakov Rich • 7119 Bremerton Ct., dallas, TX 75252 • 972-835-6016 • www.toraschaimdallas.org landing on the shores of America. He is most famous though for his cam- the worse. This teaches that one should avoid living near the paign to cut out the crime of Loshon Hora from the Jewish People. wicked. Many great leaders such as the Chazon Ish, the Lubavitcher 16. Why did so many people from the tribes of Yehuda, Yissachar Rebbe, and Chanoch Leibowtiz ztl. never had physical children of their and Zevulun become great Torah scholars? 3:38 - The tribes of own. However that did not stop them from adopting masses of spiritual Yehuda, Yissachar and Zevulun were encamped near Moshe, orphans. They were dedicated with the understanding of the love a father and were therefore influenced for the good. This teaches that has for a child and knowing that this is not just a person lacking a father one should seek to live near the righteous but “a friend’s” child in desperate need of fatherly guidance. 17. In verse 3:39 the Torah states that the total number of levi’im „„Parsha Q & A: Bamidbar was 22,000. The actual number was 22,300. Why does the To- 1. Why were the Jewish People counted so frequently? 1:1 - They rah seem to ignore 300 levi’im? 3:39 - Each levi served to re- are very dear to G-d. deem a first-born of the Jewish People. Since 300 leviim were 2. What documents did the people bring when they were count- themselves firstborn, they themselves needed to be redeemed, ed? 1:18 - They brought birth records proving their tribal and could therefore not redeem others. lineage. 18. The firstborn males of the Jewish People were redeemed for 3. What determined the color of the tribal flags? 2:2 - Each tribes five shekalim. Why five shekalim? 3:46 - To atone for the sale of flag was the color of that tribes stone in the breastplate of the Yosef, Rachels firstborn, who was sold by his brothers for five kohen gadol. shekalim (20 pieces of silver.) 4. What is the difference between an “ot” and a “degel”? 2:2 - An 19. During what age-span is a man considered at his full strength? “ot” is a flag, i.e., a colored cloth that hangs from a flagpole. A 4:2 - Between the ages of 30 and 50. degel is a flagpole. 20. As the camp was readying itself for travel, who was in charge 5. How do we see that the Jews in the time of Moshe observed of covering the vessels of the Mishkan in preparation for trans- “techum Shabbat” - the prohibition against traveling more port? 4:5 - The kohanim. than 2,000 amot on Shabbat? 2:2 - G-d commanded them to „„Sorry, Wrong Number: Rabbi Mendel Weinbach camp no more than 2,000 amot from the Ohel Moed. Had they Question: I have a telephone number that is apparently very simi- camped farther, it would have been forbidden for them to go to lar to someone who is a “late-night bird”. On a couple of occasions I have the Ohel Moed on Shabbat. rushed out of bed to answer the telephone in expectation of an emer- 6. What was the signal for the camp to travel? 2:9 - The cloud gency call from a family member only to hear a lame “Sorry, wrong num- over the Ohel Moed departed and the kohanim sounded the ber” from the other end. What should be my reaction to such infuriating trumpets. disturbances? 7. What was the sum total of the counting of the 12 tribes? 2:32 Answer: A friend of mine with a macabre sense of humor had a - 603,550. similar problem and would answer such late-night calls by saying “Good 8. Why are Aharon’s sons called “sons of Aharon and Moshe”? evening, you have reached the insomnia ward of the Bad Samaritan Hos- 3:1 - Since Moshe taught them Torah, its as if he gave birth to pital. Do you need help in falling asleep?” them. In a more serious vein, you must view such disturbances as Heav- 9. Who was Nadav’s oldest son? 3:4 - Nadav had no children. en-sent challenges to your tolerance and temper. Please remember that 10. Which two people from the Book of Esther does Rashi men- the party calling had no intention to reach you and it is an understand- tion in this week’s Parsha? 3:7 - Bigtan and Teresh. able human error to press the wrong button. Perhaps the right thing to 11. Why did the levi’im receive ma’aser rishon? 3:8 - Since the do when it emerges that you were not the intended receiver of the call is leviim served in the Mishkan in place of everyone else, they to gently suggest to the caller that he or she exercise greater care in plac- received tithes as “payment.” ing a call, especially late at night. If the disturbance becomes a regular 12. Which groups of people were counted from the age of one affair it might be a good idea to ask the caller what number he or she is month? 3:15, 40 - The leviim, and the firstborn of Bnei Yis- trying to reach, and then to call that number and ask that party to either rael. stress to his callers the need for greater caution or to encourage them to 13. Name the first descendant of Levi in history to be counted as make their calls at a more civilized hour. an infant. 3:15 - Levis daughter Yocheved was born while the Bottom line: Don’t get excited, because it will be much harder to Jewish People were entering Egypt. She is counted as one of the fall asleep and you may end up needing the services of my funny friend’s 70 people who entered Egypt. insomniac ward. 14. Who assisted Moshe in counting the levi’im? 3:16 G-d. 15. Why did so many people from the tribe of Reuven support Ko- rach in his campaign against Moshe? 3:29 - The tribe of Reuven was encamped near Korach, and were therefore influenced for

„ Shabbos Schedule: »» Mincha/Shalosh Seudos (for m & w) – 7:45 PM May 27th »» Shabbos Ends - 9:13 PM »» Mincha/Kabbalos Shabbos/Maariv–7:00 PM „ Weekday Schedule: »» Candlelighting– Preferably light by 7:25 PM. In »» Sunday Shacharis–8:00 AM case of great need on may rely on 8:09 PM candlelighting time. »» Monday Shacharis (Memorial Day)–8:00 AM May 28th »» Weekday Shacharis–6:40 AM »» Shacharis–8:30 AM »» Mincha/Maariv–8:15 PM »» “Mommy & Me” Childcare: Children with their mothers are „Weekly Classes welcome to spend quality time in the Katz home (Directly »» Amud Yomi: Gemara for men with Rabbi Yaakov Rich (M-Fr, 6-6:35 AM) Good Shabbos» across the easement from the Rich home, 7303 William- » Hilchos Niddah for men with Rabbi Yaakov Rich (Mon. & Thurs. 8:30-9:30 PM) swood). Please enter through the back door.–10 AM until »» Beis Medrash for Men (Wednesday 8:30-9:30 PM) end of davening. »» Chumash for Men and Women (Shabbos one hour before Mincha) »» Chumash Shiur (for men & women)–6:45 PM —All classes are in the shul, 7119 Bremerton Ct.

Congregation Toras Chaim • Rabbi Yaakov Rich • 7119 Bremerton Ct., dallas, TX 75252 • 972-835-6016 • www.toraschaimdallas.org