בס“ד

Parshat Pinchas 21 , 5777/July 15, 2017 Vol. 8 Num. 42 To dedicate an issue of Toronto for $180, please call 416-783-6960 or email [email protected] New Generation, New Needs Adam Friedmann The parshah considers some of the leadership, a discussion about Evidently the Urim veTumim conveys a final affairs which Moshe must set in Yehoshua’s use of the Urim veTumim more definitive account of G-d’s order before his departure from this is of secondary relevance at best. message. Perhaps this is because world. Among them is the transfer of What is it adding to the story? prophecy is, after all, bound up with the power. A new leader must be found to prophet personally; the charismatic guide the nation along the next steps Chaim Ibn Attar (Or haChaim to personality of the prophet and the of its journey. The Torah’s description Bamidbar 27:15) answers the first impression he makes on the people is of Moshe’s exchange with G-d about question. He explains that “G-d of the part of his leadership role. The Urim the matter, and G-d’s subsequent spirits” refers to G-d’s knowledge of the veTumim, on the other hand, conveys a command to install Yehoshua as the unique perspectives and motivations of message to the nation without the filter new leader, are intriguing in many each individual. The leader of a of the prophet’s personality. Further, respects. generation is specially situated vis-à-vis communication via the Urim VeTumim is everyone else. Mystically, his soul initiated by the people, whereas Let’s focus on two particular points: stands at the root of the others, and he prophecy is initiated by G-d. • Firstly, Moshe pleads for G-d to is therefore able to tend to the needs of appoint a new leader after he dies. the whole generation. Moshe’s request Perhaps this is why the Urim veTumim The language that Moshe uses to is for G-d, who knows the spirits of all is mentioned here. The generation describe G-d is quite uncommon. He men, to replace him with a leader whose which entered the desert was one which asks: “May Hashem, G-d of the soul stands at the root of this new still possessed the hesitation and spirits of all flesh, appoint a man generation, and who can therefore lead spiritual uncertainty impressed upon it over the assembly.” (Bamidbar it. G-d acquiesces by appointing in Egypt. That generation needed the 27:16) The phrase “G-d of the spirits Yehoshua, “a man in whom there is charismatic leadership of a prophet. The of all flesh” appears only twice in the spirit” (Bamidbar 27:15), who is in personalities of Moshe and Aharon Torah. The other time is in Parshat touch with the generational spirit. became central to guiding Klal Yisrael. . (Bamidbar 17:22) What is But the nation entering the land is the meaning of this phrase, and why Part of Rabbi Ibn Attar’s emphasis is on different. It is confident in its does it appear here? the shifting needs of leadership from relationship with G-d and its own • Secondly, after the Torah describes one generation to the next. Moshe was mission of conquest. For this the ceremony by which Moshe will uniquely suited to lead the people who generation, the direct word of G-d, as transfer power to Yehoshua, we are emerged from Egypt. Now, the nation conveyed through the institution of the told as well about a new element in entering the land requires a new leader Urim veTumim, plays a more central the leadership structure. Unlike whose approach suits its particular role. Moshe, Yehoshua will, at least at worldview and aspirations. What exactly times, not be the direct channel for are these? Perhaps our second point, [email protected] the word of G-d. Instead, that role the inclusion of the Urim veTumim, is will be filled by Elazar, who will use part of that answer. the Urim veTumim to ask for G-d’s guidance, which Yehoshua and the The (Yoma 73b) notes that even entire nation will follow. (ibid., though a decree pronounced by a 27:21) This shift in governance is prophet can be rescinded, the messages interesting in its own right, but we communicated by the Urim veTumim may also ask about its placement can never be. This is learned from our here. In the midst of a discussion parshah, which describes the messages about how Moshe will transfer the of the Urim veTumim as mishpat – law.

OUR BEIT MIDRASH

ROSH BEIT MIDRASH RABBI MORDECHAI TORCZYNER

SGAN ROSH BEIT MIDRASH RABBI JONATHAN ZIRING

AVREICHIM ADAM FRIEDMANN, YARON PEREZ

CHAVERIM MICHAEL IHILCHIK, SHIMMY JESIN, BJ KOROBKIN, ZACK MINCER, KOBI NAUENBERG, MERON NEMIROV, JOSH PHILLIP, MORDECHAI ROTH Find our upcoming shiurim on-line at WOMEN’S BEIT MIDRASH MRS. ORA ZIRING, MRS. ELLIEZRA PEREZ www.torontotorah.com CHAVEROT YAKIRA BEGUN, NOA BORDAN, MAYTAL CUPERFAIN, MARA FINKELSTEIN, MIRA GOLDSTEIN, KAYLA HALBERSTADT, LEORA KARON, RIVKA SAVAGE, KAYLA We are grateful to SHIELDS, ARIELA SNOWBELL, SARAH WAPNER, MIRIAM WEISS Continental Press 905-660-0311 Book Review: Feminism and Rabbi Baruch Weintraub

Feminism and Judaism genders. He quotes Rabbi Samson law, and analyzes their meaning in Rabbi Dr. Avraham Weinroth Raphael Hirsch and Rabbi Yosef Dov relation to the general question of Yedioth Publishers, Hebrew, 2001 Soloveitchik to develop the idea that women’s status in Halachah. the first chapter of Bereishit describes Who is the author? the desired reality of equality between Is this the last word on the subject? Born in 1963, Rabbi Dr. Avraham the sexes, while the second describes While the book has many advantages, Weinroth is today a Professor of Law at what was supposed to be a temporary it falls far short of settling all the Tel Aviv university and a lawyer in his stage. According to Dr. Weinroth, the issues. Two shortcomings can be own firm. He identifies as Chareidi, and sin in the Garden of Eden caused – pointed out: in his youth he studied and was and proved the need for – a separation • While the author invests much effort ordained in Chareidi Yeshivot, such as between the genders, and therefore a in the realm of Halachah, he does Ateret Yisrael in . His position long lasting inequality. These not wrestle with the more structural at the junction between a conservative deviations will be erased as the world and moral questions raised by upbringing and the progressive world in will return to its ideal state. Thus, the feminists. which he works inspired him to write – author establishes a moral explanation • More importantly, despite his own with a very skillful pen – some very for some of the laws brought in the warning in the book’s introduction interesting works. following chapters, which may be regarding the variety of opinions deemed offensive by modern among our Sages, the book itself What is the scope of the book? sensitivities. presents Halachah as a monolithic The book begins with a challenge put to system. Thus, much of its richness to Dr. Weinroth by one of his students: The next chapters deal with specific is lost. “Do women have any standing in subjects: Torah study, the role of Judaism?” The book attempts to answer women in court (as judges and In conclusion, the book is clear in form this question by surveying the many witnesses), women in the public and broad in scope, and can serve as topics that relate to this question, from sphere, women’s status in marriage, an excellent introductory work to these a bird’s eye view. and more. sensitive questions.

The first two chapters introduce the The writing is accessible, and each [email protected] author’s outlook on the Torah’s chapter presents the talmudic perspective on the difference between background along with the practical ’s Chief : Rabbi Haim Amsalem Yaron Perez

Rabbi Haim (Emile) Amsalem favours service from the Charedi community, as well as a Born Yom Kippur, 1959 track to train avreichim for employment after leaving Kollel. Chief Rabbi of Moshav Sharsheret, 1982-1988 Rabbi Amsalem’s best-known book on conversion, Zera Biography Yisrael, absorbed strong criticism by Rabbi Yosef Shalom Rabbi Amsalem was born in Algeria; upon his birth, his Elyashiv and Rabbi . The rabbis who initially parents moved to . In 1970, when Rabbi Amsalem was gave their haskamah (letter of approval) for the book later eleven years old, his family moved to Israel; he learned in recanted. Rabbi Amsalem’s controversial claim is that non- Yeshivat Kisse Rahamim in Bnei Brak, and was ordained for Jews with Jewish fathers are “the seed of Israel”, and the rabbinate there. should be assigned a unique path to conversion if they see themselves as part of the Jewish nation. According to Rabbi In 1982, after marrying his wife Chanah, Rabbi Amsalem Amsalem, we should actively pursue their conversion, and became the Rabbi of Moshav Sharsheret, in the Negev; he military service in the IDF should be seen as partial served there for seven years. He then moved to Netivot, where evidence of their commitment to mitzvah observance. he held various positions, before establishing a kollel, Shirei David, in , Jerusalem. In 2003, Rabbi Amsalem This proposed policy is largely meant to deal with the moved to Geneva to lead the Sephardic community there, situation of many Russian non-Jews who have come to before returning to Israel. In 2006, he was elected to the 17th Israel during the past 25 years. In Rabbi Amsalem’s eyes, as a member of the party; he was re-elected in this approach will prevent absorption of many non-Jewish 2009. Russians into the Jewish people. As he wrote in his introduction to a pamphlet, Tachu Einav MeiR’ot, “The In 2010, Rabbi Amsalem broke away from the Shas party, threat of assimilation greatly endangers the Jewish nation… attempting to start a new party, “Am Shalem”. He sharply When the olim from Russia and the Soviet Union began to criticized the Shas party, and the Sephardic rabbinate in ascend to Israel, the conversion candidates banged on the general, claiming that they were following an Ashkenazi path door of the rabbinic establishment, and were answered of stringency rather than what he saw as a traditional mostly in the negative due to the adoption of an extreme, Sephardic tolerance. hardline position… The window of opportunity to prevent their assimilation into our midst is closing. These olim have Rabbi Amsalem has written several books on halachic learned to blend into the community as Israelis, without matters, as well as commentaries on Rambam and Shulchan need to become Jewish, and the rabbinic establishment Aruch. Most of his publications deal with matters related to closes its ears from hearing and its eyes from seeing… . Minister of Justice Yaakov Neeman has said that the threat

of assimilation in Israel is a greater threat than the Iranian Worldview bomb, and he is correct.” Rabbi Amsalem is a vocal supporter of the concept of “sharing the burden” of military and national service; he [email protected]

2 Visit us at www.torontotorah.com & www.facebook.com/torontotorah Torah and Translation Biography Music During the Three Weeks Rabbi Shlomo Dichovsky Rabbi Shlomo Dichovsky, Techumin 21 Rabbi Jonathan Ziring Translated by Rabbi Jonathan Ziring

Rabbi Shlomo Dichovsky was born in As always, please see your synagogue 1938 in Tel Aviv. He studied in Yeshivat rabbi for practical halachic guidance. Yishuv HeChadash and Yeshivat In there is no hint to a בשו “ ע אין כל רמז לאסור שמיעת מוזיקה, Chevron, and received ordination from ,prohibition against listening to music בכלי זמר או בפה, דווקא בימים אלו. דברי ,Rabbis Isser Yehuda Unterman ,whether instrumental or vocal המגן -אברהם )תקנא,י(, ש “ אסור לעשות ,Yechezkel Sarna, Chaim Shmuelevitz specifically during these days. The Magen ריקודין ומחולות מי “ ז ב ת מ ו ז and Betzalel Zolty. He has been a Community Rabbi in Tel Aviv, an Avraham’s (511:10) words, that “it is ואילך “ )הובאו במשנה - ברורה ס “ ק טז( educator, and an adjunct professor at forbidden to engage in dances and circle אינם מתייחסים למוזיקה... Bar Ilan University, and he established dances from the Seventeenth of Tammuz and headed the Machon HaGavoah and on” (cited in Mishneh Berurah ibid. LaTorah at Bar Ilan. 16), do not relate to music…

,As a result, classical music, for example נמצא, שמוזיקה קלסית, למשל, שאיננה Rabbi Dichovsky is best known for his which is not music that leads to dancing מוזיקה המביאה לריקודים ומחולות ואיננה many years of service as a judge on the and circle dancing and is not played at a מנוגנת בבית המשתה, אינה בכלל האיסור. Israeli rabbinical courts, both in lower party, is not within the prohibition. And ואכן, שמעתי מהרב שבתי רפפורט שליט “ א, courts in Ashdod and Tel Aviv, and later indeed, I heard from Rabbi Shabtai בשם זקנו הר “ מ פיינשטין זצ “ ל, שהתיר in the High Rabbinical Court. He also Rappaport in the name of his שמיעת מוזיקת רקע בימי בין המיצרים, oversaw the administration of tests for grandfather, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, that היינו מוזיקה ששומע אדם תוך שהוא עוסק rabbinical judges and served on a panel he permitted listening to background במלאכתו, לומד או נוהג. נראה לי שטעם for the appointment of new judges, and music during the Three Weeks, namely ההיתר הוא משום שמוזיקה כזו אינה headed a Kollel for the teaching of judges. In 2010, he became the head of music that a person listens to while מביאה לידי ריקודים ומחולות, היות the Committee on Appointment of involved in his work, in studying, or in והאדם טרוד בעבודתו. Judges. driving. It seems to me that the reason that this is permitted is because this kind A prolific writer, Rabbi Dichovsky’s of music does not lead to dancing and writings on contemporary halachic circle dancing, as the person is involved issues were recently collected in a two- with his work. volume work, Lev Shomea L’Shlomo. There are people for whom listening to יש אנשים ששמיעת מוזיקה עבורם היא Both volumes are downloadable at music is necessary for their peace of דבר חיוני לצורך מנוחת הנפש, כדברי /http://www.rbc.gov.il/Pages mind, as the Rambam writes in הרמב“ם בשמונה פרקים )פרק חמישי(: ”מי .Articles.aspx Shemonah Perakim (Chapter 5): “One in שהתעורר עליו מרה שחורה, יסירה whom a black bile [melancholy] arises בשמיעת הניגונים ובמיני זמר... כי הנפש Rabbi Dichovsky has been very active should rid himself of it by listening to תלאה ותעכור המחשבה, בהתמדת עיון politically, seeking solutions to problems singing and forms of instrumental הדברים הכעורים... כן צריכה הנפש גם כן of Agunah caused by husbands who refuse to grant their wives gittin, and music… For a soul will become weary and להתעסק במנוחת החושים בעיון, לפיתוחים attempting to bridge differences between cloud one’s thoughts, by constant focus ולענינים הנאים, עד שיסור ממנה הליאות. “ the rabbinic and secular courts in Israel, on ugly things… And so the soul must deal with focusing on the relaxation of the רבי יהודה הלוי שיבח בספר הכוזרי )ב:סד - among other issues. For these senses by examining artwork and סה( את חכמת המוזיקה, ולדבריו אומתנו accomplishments, he was granted an beautiful things, until the weariness ” מכבדת הניגונים ומעמדת אותם על honourary doctorate from Bar Ilan leaves him.” Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi הגדולים שבעם, והם בני לוי, מתעסקים University in 2016. Though he has no praised the wisdom of music in the בניגונים בבית הנכבד בעתים הנכבדים... formal training in secular law, Rabbi Kuzari (Volume 2, sections 64-5), and ושמה היתה מעוררת הנפשות, כאשר יאמר ,Dichovsky has broad knowledge of it according to his words, our nation עליה שהיא מעתקת את הנפש ממדה אל and has received accolades from the honours music and places responsibility“ הפכה.“ מוזיקה זו, שהיא חיונית לנפש, אין secular legal establishment for his for it upon the greatest in the nation, the לה כל קשר לריקודים ולמחולות שנאסרו knowledge and skill. The former children of Levi, who are involved with בימי בין המצרים, לפי המג “ א, והיא אינה ,President of the Israeli Supreme Court the music in the holiest of Houses, at אסורה בימים אלו. Justice Aharon Barak, even suggested him as a candidate for the Supreme honoured times… And there it would Court. awaken souls, as it is said about [music] that it brings the soul from one extreme Rabbi Dichovsky is known as relatively to the other.” This music, which is liberal. When he retired from the necessary for the soul, has no connection rabbinic court in 2009, he left an to the dances and circles dances that are unconventional message for his forbidden during the Three Weeks, colleagues: rule leniently, and don’t fight according to Magen Avraham, and is not with the Supreme Court. prohibited during this time.

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Call our office at: 416-783-6960 3 The 613 Mitzvot: #602 - Honest Weights and Measures Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner One of the most common themes in the Torah’s 613 mitzvot authorities apply this rule to coins which have weight- is that of honesty in financial matters. A partial list of these dependent value, too, unless they are routinely weighed when mitzvot, as catalogued by Sefer haChinuch, includes: received. (Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 227:18) The • Prohibitions against various forms of theft – Mitzvot 54, Torah promises long life in the for fulfilling this 130, 224, 229, 522 law, and it labels violation toe’ivah, a term normally used for • Prohibitions against making false claims in financial idolatry and sexual impropriety. Sefer haChinuch lists this as matters – Mitzvot 225, 226, 227 Mitzvah #602. • Prohibitions against use of dishonest weights and measures – Mitzvot 256, 257 As ruled by Rambam (Hilchot Geneivah 7:3), one may not • A duty to handle commercial disputes justly – Mitzvah keep such a weight, measure or coin even when using it for an 336 otherwise permissible purpose, lest it be converted back. • A prohibition against deceptive pricing – Mitzvah 337 However, one may keep it if it lacks markings which would Indeed, the Talmud ( 31a) warns that the first qualify it as legal tender. [And see Minchat Chinuch 602:2.] question a human being is asked by the court of judgment in Heaven is, “Did you deal faithfully in business?” It is worth noting that in 1278, British Jewry was charged with clipping the edges of coins for their metal, and It is not surprising, then, that the Torah creates additional counterfeiting currency. About 680 Jews were imprisoned, safeguards against gateway activities which might enable and many of them were executed. Ultimately, Jews were theft. In particular, 25:13-16 warns against expelled from England in 1290. (http://www.haaretz.com/ keeping in our possession weights and measures of jewish/this-day-in-jewish-history/.premium-1.558352, inaccurate sizes, even if we don’t use them. Halachic http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/review/70) Weekly Highlights: July 15 — July 21 / 21 Tammuz — 27 Tammuz

Many of our classes are now on hiatus for the summer, but opportunities remain! Time Speaker Topic Location Special Notes

July 14-15 שבת After Hashkamah Adam Friedmann Parshah Analysis Clanton Park Yirmiyahu: Reluctant For Women 6:00 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner BAYT Prophet, Ideal Role Model Gruda Beis Medrash From King Shlomo Hebrew 7:05 PM R’ Jonathan Ziring BAYT to the Second Churban Simcha Suite After minchah R’ Mordechai Torczyner Gemara Avodah Zarah BAYT Simcha Suite Sun. July 16 8:45 AM R’ Jonathan Ziring Responsa BAYT Hebrew

Mon. July 17 7:00 PM Adam Friedmann The Lonely Man of Faith Terraces of Baycrest Open to the public Frontiers in Biotech 4: 8:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Shomrai Shabbos For men Clean Meat Tue. July 18 8:30 AM R’ Jonathan Ziring Nefesh haChaim Yeshivat Or Chaim University men 8:00 PM Adam Friedmann Gemara Arvei Pesachim Clanton Park For men Wed. July 19 8:00 PM Adam Friedmann Why do we do that? Shaarei Tefillah Thu. July 20 1:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Shoftim: Samson’s Humour 49 Michael Ct. For women Fri. July 21 8:30 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Yeshayah Yeshivat Or Chaim University men 10:30 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Ribbit Yeshivat Or Chaim The following regular classes are on summer hiatus 1:30 PM Tuesdays, Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner, Ezra and Nechemiah 2:30 PM Wednesdays, Rabbi Jonathan Ziring, Narratives of (women only) 8:15 PM Wednesdays, Yaron Perez, Parshah in Hebrew Women’s Beit Midrash classes by Mrs. Ora Ziring and Mrs. Elliezra Perez for university students Wednesday morning classes at Beth Emeth Legal Ethics and Medical Ethics classes by Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner