Parshas Mishpatim February 9, 2018

A Taste of Stories for the Soul A Call to Action Fiery Commitment by Chaim Yeshia Freeman Based on a story on revach.net This week’s parsha discusses many laws to initially forge a bond of great regarding our everyday conduct. This closeness early on. However, if the One day, a fire began on the street is a very important point to discuss, couple banks on living their whole where the home of the Chofetz as a Jew’s life is filled with many laws life based on the strong emotions they Chaim (Rabbi ; beginning from when one wakes up shared when they first met, they are 1839-1933) was located. The fire in the morning and recites Modeh Ani setting themselves up for failure. The was spreading quickly, and all the until one lays down at night and recites only way a relationship grows properly houses in its path were in danger the Shema. It seems, at times, due to the is if there is constant commitment and of being burned down. All of abundant number of commandments, dedication toward the other party. the residents began frantically that we just go through the motions Now that we understand why it is so gathering their most valuable without feeling any connection in our important to engage in and perform possessions as they prepared to relationship with G-d. Would we not mitzvos, we are still left to explain vacate their houses. The Chofetz be better off, some wonder, simply how we can make our performance of Chaim, who was already an elderly contemplating G-d, which would mitzvos more meaningful. The answer man, sat in his chair amidst enhance our relationship? for this is found in the (Bava the turmoil, deep in thought. The (Rabbi Yisrael Kama 17a), where there is a discussion His family was puzzled by his Meir Kagan; 1839-1933) addresses of what is greater, the study of Torah or behavior, but the Chofetz Chaim this question and points to a verse the practice of Torah. The conclusion continued to sit and think with which we recite every Shabbos is that study is greater for it leads to an anxious expression on his face, afternoon at the end of the mincha performance. The obvious problem ignoring the tumult around him. is that if the greatness of study is only prayers. The verse states (Psalms 36:7), Fifteen minutes passed, and the “Your righteousness is like mighty because it leads to action, then practice is really at the top, while study is a means Chofetz Chaim suddenly breathed mountains, and Your laws are deep a sigh of relief. He quickly arose waters.” to achieving it. The commentators explain that the Talmud is teaching from his chair, and walked toward This verse, simply understood, is us that when someone performs a the corner of his house, where a praising Hashem for His righteousness after studying the topic, the high shelf was situated. He stood and for His laws. However, the mitzvah is greater than someone who on a chair to reach it and took down Chofetz Chaim suggests that the verse merely performs that same mitzvah. a small watch. He then gathered is teaching us a fundamental lesson. After studying and grasping an his other possessions and joined Sometimes, a person can feel very understanding and appreciation of his family in vacating the house. righteous due to a lofty spiritual level the mitzvah, its performance takes he has reached through inspiration; on a whole new level. Besides having When his family questioned one can feel as if he has scaled the a deeper understanding of what is him, he clarified the reason mountain of God and reached the being done, the person has absorbed for his mysterious behavior. “A summit. The verse therefore continues the mitzvah into himself through yeshivah student had asked me that without following the laws of studying it; when he performs it, it is to keep his watch in my house. the Torah, one will eventually fall to an expression of his appreciation of Thank G-d, I found it; there’s a the deepest depths. Inspiration is the mitzvah, which is far greater than specific mitzvah to guard anything great, but without action constantly simply going through the motions. given to one for safekeeping.” strengthening the relationship, Through , one inculcates His family and students were everything will inevitably fall away. the Torah within himself, and all astounded at his answer. During This same concept is true regarding mitzvos thus become an expression of a time of crisis, when most self. the relationship of a husband and continued on back wife. It is not uncommon for a couple Kollel Happenings Increase Your Jewish IQ By Rabbi Yaakov Zions WINTER GARDENS WOMEN’S Last week we asked: Which songs were repeat it later in the morning prayers: NIGHT THIS MONDAY! recited in the Temple on Shabbos, Some (Nusach Sefard as well as some The Kollel Women’s Division and how do we commemorate these German communities) recite it 6th annual Women’s Wellness songs? immediately following shacharis, as it Workshop, Winter Gardens A: On Shabbos, the morning Tamid was the song of the morning Tamid Women’s Night Out, will be sacrifice was accompanied with Psalm which shacharis parallels. Most Nusach held this Monday, Feb. 12, 92, the Mussaf (additional) offering Ashkenaz communities recite it after 2018, and will feature noted with part of Shiras Ha’azinu (Devarim mussaf, so as not to differ from all speaker Esther Wein. Discover, 32) and the afternoon Tamid with other days where the daily song is taste and connect at the most parts of the Az Yashir (Shemos 15) and recited at the end of the complete unique event of the year! For Ali Be’er (Bamidbar 21) songs (Rosh morning service. more info or to reserve, visit Hashana 31a). The latter three songs This week’s question: Which psalm(s) denverkollel.org, email info@ are not commemorated today in any of song were recited in the Temple on denverkollel.org or call 303- official way, while the first is recited as Yom Tov (Jewish holidays), and how 820-2855. part of our Shabbos morning prayers. do we commemorate this? The Sephardic custom is to recite it POOR DEFENSE: THE ETHICS To submit an answer to Rabbi Zions, email [email protected]. during Pesukei D’zimra. Ashkenazim OF REPRESENTING A GUILTY recite it at that point as well, and CLIENT Join Richard Kornfeld, Shareholder at RechtKornfeld PC, and Rabbi Mordechai Lives of Our Torah Leaders Fleisher, Senior Educator for Rabbi Yonasan Eybeschutz - Part VI the Denver Community Kollel, One amulet purportedly written by possessions, their homes, and made as they investigate the proper Rabbi Eybeschutz was brought to travel arrangements to the Land of balance a defense lawyer Rabbi Yaakov Emden, a great Torah Israel. must maintain in his work. th scholar and Kabbalist who maintained Not everyone was convinced, Wednesday, March 7 , at his own synagogue in Altona. Rabbi 12-1:15 p.m. at the East Side though, and many Torah leaders Emden examined the amulet and believed Shabbetai Tzvi to be a Kosher Deli. Cost: $25. RSVP concluded that Rabbi Eybeschutz was [email protected]. fraud. The process dragged on for a follower of the notorious Shabbetai years. Eventually, Shabbetai Tzvi DENVER COMMUNITY Tzvi. was arrested and brought before the KOLLEL 20TH ANNIVERSARY Shabbetai Tzvi was a man who, Ottoman sultan, who offered him CELEBRATION AND during the middle of the 16th century, the choice between martyrdom and GROUNDBREAKING convinced much of the Jewish conversion to Islam. Shabbetai Tzvi 20 years is a special world that he was the Messiah. Jews chose conversion, sending most milestone, and the Kollel throughout the Middle East and of his followers into the throes of will celebrate two decades Europe believed the Final Redemption disappointment, disillusionment and of bringing Torah to Denver had finally arrived. People sold their depression. with a groundbreaking for

its future home, the Kollel

West Denver Torah Center, Stories for the Soul on March 6th at 6:30 pm. continued from front For more info, to place ads people react with fear and panic, possession of others. The importance and make reservations, the Chofetz Chaim’s first instinct of these laws and of being concerned visit denverkollel.org, email was to save a student’s watch! with the possessions of others, [email protected] or not just our own, is something we call 303-820-2855 Much of this week’s parsha focuses on our responsibility toward the must focus on in our lives, as well.

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