בס״ד ׁשָ בֻ עוֹת

In loving memory of Harav Yitzchak Yoel ben Shlomo Halevi

Volume 32 | #35 Welcome to a special, expanded Daf Hashavua 30 May 2020 for Shavuot at home this year, to help bring its 7 Sivan 5780 messages and study into your home. Chag Sameach from the Daf team ends: London 10.09pm Sheffield 10.40pm “And on the day of the first fruits…” Edinburgh 11.05pm Birmingham 10.22pm ( 28:26) 8.21pm

Shavuot starts on Thursday evening 28 May and ends after Shabbat on 30 May.

An Eruv Tavshilin should be made before Shavuot starts. INSIDE: Shavuot message Please look regularly at the social media and websites by Chief Ephraim Mirvis of the US, Tribe and your community for ongoing updates relating to Coronavirus as well as educational programming Megillat Rut and community support. You do not need to sign by Pnina Savery into Facebook to access the US Facebook page. The US Coronavirus Helpline is on 020 8343 5696. Mount Sinai to Jerusalem to… May God bless us and the whole world. the future Daf Hashavua by Harry and Leora Salter ׁשָ בֻ עוֹת Shavuot Shavuot message by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

It was the most New York, commented that from stunning, awe- here we learn that the Divine inspiring event revelation was intended to send a that the world has message of truth to everyone on ever known. Some earth - because the is both three and a half a blueprint for how we as millennia ago, we should live our lives and also the gathered as a fledgling nation at the foundational document of morality foot of Mount Sinai and experienced for the whole world. It is at once the Divine revelation. But, we were both particular and universal. not alone. The revelation at Sinai therefore This single account of Hashem heralded our dual responsibility speaking in public is described in to have the exclusive privilege to the Torah as “a great voice that observe the mitzvot given to us by did not cease”, ( 5:19). The God and also to be an or lagoyim - a teaches from this verse light unto the nations. United Synagogue Daf Hashavua that the voice of God was heard This dual responsibility looms Produced by US Living & Learning without echo across the world. The ever larger in these extraordinary together with the Rabbinical Council of sound permeated every possible times of the Coronavirus pandemic. the United Synagogue barrier and was heard in seventy We cannot escape the fact that Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis different languages. Clearly, this our ability to observe the mitzvot Editorial and Production Team: was not only an historic, epic of the Torah as we usually would Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Michael Laitner, moment for the Jewish people; has now been curtailed in ways Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, it was a turning point for all of we have never previously known. Joanna Rose humankind. What is Shavuot without being able Available also via email US website Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik to gather together for davening in www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue (1903-93) of Yeshiva University in our Shuls, beautifully adorned with To sponsor Daf Hashavua please contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261, or [email protected] If you have any comments or questions In loving memory of Chaya Rachel bat Moshe Ben-tzion regarding Daf Hashavua please email [email protected] floral arrangements? Or without experience was accompanied by the being able to learn together at necessity for Moshe, by himself, to an inspiring Tikkun Leil Shavuot? have an extraordinary, spiritually We can take comfort in observing elevating experience. Similarly, a Shavuot which will have at its in addition to our engagement in heart a truth which permeates community life, we all need to every possible barrier and can be personally feel connected to the heard in every language: that there Torah and the beauty of its eternally is nothing more than the relevant teachings. protection of life. The calling of this Shavuot, In addition, Shavuot this year therefore, is for each one of us to be provides us with an unprecedented a Moshe Rabeinu – to champion the opportunity. On that original Shavuot universal morality of Torah but also day, Moshe, alone on the mountain, to appreciate the privilege it affords was detached from the rest of us, even when by ourselves at the nation. The inclusion of our home, to embrace a life of meaning people and all others in the Sinai and joy.

… we all need to personally feel connected to the Torah and the beauty of its eternally relevant teachings Savouring Shavuot by Rabbi Piny Hackenbroch, Woodside Park Synagogue

The festival of Shavuot reverse? to popular misconceptions, our Torah commemorates the The answer to this conundrum is not merely an academic work to most momentous event can be found in a story related by be studied by scholars in the study in the history of man- the (Shabbat 88b), regarding halls. Likewise it is not a form of kind, when the Torah was given to a debate that occurred prior to the theology, containing the thoughts the Jewish people who stood at the giving of the Torah. The Talmud re- of man on things Divine. Torah foot of Mount Sinai. They experi- lates that when Moshe ascended to embodies the thoughts of God about enced firsthand the Almighty speak receive the Torah, the angels refused humans and all their activities. It to each and every one of them. At to surrender this priceless treasure informs us how to regulate and that moment, the nation declared in into his care. Moshe retorted that perfect ourselves and improve our unison “we will do and listen”, their the Torah was irrelevant to the interpersonal relationships, how to unequivocal commitment to fulfill angels, who do not face any choices control our physical propensities. the Divine laws for all time. about life. “Have you any business It teaches us to infuse all aspects What is baffling and surprising dealings with each other? Are you of our daily lives with spirituality. is the fact that, whilst on the other prone to pangs of jealousy? Do you In short, the Torah does not tell us festivals it is permitted to spend the have to confront the evil inclination how things look in heaven, rather it entire day in spiritual pursuits, when every day?” Moshe asked. “If so”, guides us as to how we live on this it comes to Shavuot it is imperative Moshe continued, “why do you need earthly world. This was Moshe’s there is also physical pleasure. the Torah? Surely it is more relevant rejoinder to the celestial beings. Surely the sacrosanct nature of the to us humans who are subject to With this in mind, we can now Torah should not be sullied by the such questions all the time.” appreciate the emphasis on physical mundane physical activities and This dialogue sheds light on the pleasure and enjoyment for Shavuot yet the Talmudic Sages urge the true purpose of the Torah. Contrary in particular. Savouring Shavuot

This is why we must devote at least part of this Yom Tov to ordinary physical pleasures, in … we must devote addition to spiritual pursuits, such as learning and davening; otherwise we will have missed the point of the at least part of this Revelation. The Torah we received is the blueprint for us to be able to infuse sanctity into all aspects of Yom Tov to ordinary lives. The Sinaitic experience was not intended to be a one-off event in history. Rather, each time we physical pleasures, infuse this world with Godliness through successfully accomplish- ing challenges such as honesty in in addition to business, consideration in the way we treat every person or eating and drinking in the way the Torah directs spiritual pursuits… us, we elevate this world. This is something to savour when we eat cheesecake this Shavuot!

In memory of Yisrael Shmuel ben Yirmaya Yehoshuah Celebrating Revelation By Rabbi Daniel Roselaar, Alei Tzion Synagogue

The Torah-reading service on the first day Contrastingly, (1335- 1204, known as the ‘Rambam’) was of Shavuot is quite unique with a number vigorously opposed to this practice, of special customs that are observed. believing that it smacked of heresy, in that it erroneously suggests that • In some North- a disciple of the great rabbinic the are more African Sephardi commentator, Rashi, who lived in important than any other part of the communities the Germany in the 11th century. Torah. The Ten Commandments are text of a “” read according to a special form describing a • The “old” minhag (custom) of cantillation (Taam Elyon) that “marriage” between the Almighty was that Akdamut was recited divides the passage according to and the Jewish people is recited after the first verse of the the number of commandments when the Aron Kodesh is opened. leining and this was reminiscent rather than according to the This was authored by R’ Yisrael of the translation verses. (Interestingly, this mode Najara, a sixteenth-century that was read after each verse of reading also slightly changes kabbalist who lived in Tzefat and of the in Talmudic the vocalisation of a few of the Gaza. Some Sephardi communities times. Whilst this custom is words.) also read the “Azharot” composed referenced in the Routledge by R’ Solomon ibn Gabirol in the machzor, most communities • The haftarah on the first day 11th century, which list all the follow the ruling of Rabbi David of Shavuot is taken from the mitzvot in the Torah. (The Spanish & Halevi (1586-1667, known as the opening chapter of the book Portuguese congregations read this ‘Taz’) and other commentaries of Yechezkel (Ezekiel) which at Mincha.) on the (the Code describes the Merkavah¬- of Jewish Law) who advise that vision that the prophet • The minhag in Ashkenazi Akdamut should be said after experienced. This passage communities is to read an Aramaic the Cohen has been called to the was selected because, like (liturgical poem) known Torah but before he recites the the leining, it also describes a as Akdamut before the Torah opening beracha. moment of Divine revelation. reading (leining). This is a 90-line Though when this haftarah composition that praises God, the • The main leining for the first is read in the wee hours Torah and the Jewish people. The day of Shavuot is the account following an all-night Tikkun first 44 lines being with begin with of the giving of the Torah in it is often accompanied by a double-acrostic of the letters of Parashat ( 19:1- the snores of slumbering the in order, and 20:23). The custom in Ashkenazi congregants, its mystical the initial letters of the remaining shuls, dating back approximately significance led the 20th lines spell out the name of the one thousand years, is that the century halachic work, the author, together with a short prayer. congregation stands when the Berurah, to note Each of the lines ends with the Ten Commandments are read, that it is proper to assign letters tav-aleph alluding to the fact to re-enact the way that the this passage to a Torah that covers the entire stood at the foot of scholar who might be gamut of our lives. Akdamut was Mt. Sinai when the Torah was able to plumb some of its composed by R’ Meir ben Yitzchak, given. depths. In memory of Yehuda ben Yaakov HaCohen The second day of by Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum, Shavuot Hadley Wood Jewish Community

The Torah reading for this reading was selected second day Shavuot, for today. Although the Torah taken from Parshat details the laws of the festivals Re’eh (Devarim 14:22- elsewhere, there is a particular 16:17), begins with the focus here on two aspects. One is laws surrounding Maaser Sheini, the ‘pilgrimage’ aspect of the fes- the Second . During the first, tivals – the fact that all men were second, fourth and fifth years of instructed to visit Jerusalem on the seven-year Shemitta (Sabbati- these three yearly occasions. cal) cycle, the farmer is instructed This serves to demonstrate to bring a tithe to Jerusalem. He the fundamental connection also has the option to redeem his between the observance produce for money, which he then of the festivals, as mo- spends in Jerusalem. In this way, ments of holiness in as explained by the commentaries, time, with the holiness he is granted the opportunity to of place, the Temple. The second derive inspiration from the rarefied point emphasised here is the need spiritual atmosphere of the city to ensure that the rejoicing on and the Temple within it. The the festivals incorporates not just reading continues with the laws one’s own close relatives, but the faced from outside enemies. In a surrounding the cancellation of more needy in society as well, dramatic shift in focus, however, debts in the Shemitta year, with a such as the proselyte, the orphan the devastation of the Land of Is- particular emphasis on the need to and the widow. In this way, the rael is then portrayed, the country be generous in lending money, de- Torah sets out the ideal that festive having been laid waste by the spite the approaching seventh year. celebration is only meaningful if War of Gog and Magog at the End Next, laws relating to the freeing it brings joy to the hearts of those of Days. Nevertheless, Chavakuk of an Eved Ivri, a Jewish servant, who need it most. concludes with an expression of are set out. This first section of the The Haftarah is taken from profound trust in God, who he Torah reading is only read when the book of Chavakuk (2:20-3:19). describes as the ‘Conductor of my the second day of Shavuot falls Following the insertion of a unique sweet songs’. Thus, the Haftarah on Shabbat, as it does this year, in liturgical poem, entitled Yetziv Pit- is a profound reflection on the order to accommodate the required gam, it sets out in poetic terms the ongoing impact of Sinai. Although seven call ups. glory and majesty of the journey we have experienced many The second half of the reading of the Jewish people through the difficult times in our history, we contains the laws of the three Pil- desert following the Revelation at are reassured that our commitment grimage festivals, Pesach, Shavuot Sinai. The prophet then describes to the Torah, beginning with those and Sukkot (although it begins with how God continued to protect incredible moments at the foot of laws relating to the firstborn of the Jewish people in the Land of the mountain, will always be there animals). This is the primary reason Israel, despite the threats they to keep us strong. In memory of Yisrael Shmuel ben Yirmaya Yehoshuah Shavuot at home: studies in Megillat Rut by Pnina Savery, US Jewish Living Educator

One of the best-known practices of Shavuot is communal Torah study. This year, sadly, we cannot do so communally but can at home. Below, covering central themes in the Book of Ruth which we read on Shavuot, is the first of some study guides to take you through different disciplines of Jewish learning.

נַס הַ ּדֹור. וְיָצָ אמֵאֶרֶ ץ ליִׂשְרָאֵ לְ חּוץ An introduction to Megillat Rut Judges judged, and there was a ץלָאָרֶ מִ ּפְ נֵ יצָ רּות הָעָ יִ ן, ׁשֶהָ היְתָ עֵ ינֹו Megillat Rut (Ruth) is a story of famine in the land. A man went from צָרָה בָעֲ נִּיִים הַּבָאִ יםלְדָחְ קֹו, לְכַ ְך rags to riches”. Rut, the Moabite, Beit Lechem in , to live in the“ נֶעֱנַׁש: travels to the from fields of Moab; he, his wife and his Moab with Naomi, her widowed two sons. -What question is Rashi answer רות פרק א )א( וַיְהִ י יּבִימֵ ׁשְ פֹט Jewish mother-in-law. Naomi and ing with his explanation? How הַּׁשֹפְטִ ים וַיְהִ ירָעָ ב ּבָאָרֶ ץוַ ּיֵלֶ ְך אִ יׁש her husband Elimelech had left the -does this relate to our discus מִּבֵ ית לֶחֶ ם יְהּודָ ה לָ גּור יּבִׂשְדֵ מֹואָ ב Land of Israel previously, moving to ?sion points above הּוא וְאִׁשְּתֹו ּוׁשְ נֵי בָ נָ יו: enemy territory in Moab. Later, after the tragic death of her husband and sons, Naomi decides to return and Discussion points: Is it accept- 2. A question of leadership Rut insists on accompanying her. able behaviour to leave an area The Talmud ( 91b) offers This act of chesed (kindness) will when there is a famine? Does it another explanation, to which the be rewarded, when Rut marries the depend on who you are and your discussion questions relate. Elime- wealthy land owner Boaz. responsibilities? Does it depend on lech left out of desperation, due to where you go to? What is the sig- scarcity of food in Israel. He was What relevant lessons can we nificance of this taking place during punished because he and his family learn from Rut today? the period of the , the left, instead of requesting God’s Biblical Book of Judges (known for mercy for the Jewish people. 1. What do we learn from the its extremes of good and bad times, context of the megilla? and the enmity of the Moabites)? Discussion points: is it acceptable One of the purposes of Megillat for a leader to abandon his people Rut is to teach us about the great Now consider the explanation of in a time of need in order to protect reward for acts of chesed, kindness, Rashi (1040-1105): his own family? Consider the Dutch as explained by the Midrash (Rut Royal family who were evacuated Rabbah 2:14). We will now look Rashi on Rut 1:1 to London in 1940 as German forces at some verses from the megilla The man went - [Elimelech] was invaded and lived out World War and cosnider what we learn about very wealthy and the leader of the Two in exile. In comparison, the Brit- kindness from them. generation. He left Eretz Yisrael for ish King and Queen resisted calls to The opening verse of Rut explains the diaspora because of stinginess, evacuate their daughters to Canada, that Elimelech left the land of Israel for he was miserly toward the poor even after Buckingham Palace was with his family during a famine. who came to press him (for charity) bombed. What was different about Read the first verse of the megilla. therefore he was punished. the Dutch and British contexts in ?World War Two וַּיֵלְֶך אִ יׁש.עָׁשִ יר ּגָ דֹול הָ יָ ה ּופַרְ ־ And it was in the days that the (1:1) 3. Lessons in chesed try to bring this model of moral are there for this concept? How 2:15 And she [Ruth] rose up to sensitivity and kindness into our could we link this to the COVID-19 glean; Boaz commanded his work- lives today, especially given our lockdown? ers, saying, also in between the current challenging circumstanc- sheaves she shall glean and you es? should not disgrace her. (16) And The first time Rut returns from Message for today drop some produce too; leave them, collecting food in Boaz’s field, her Megillat Rut is a story of ordinary let her glean, do not tell her off. mother-in-law Naomi asks where people performing extraordinary she has been. Consider the inter- acts. One of its primarys messages רות פרק ב: )טו( םוַּתָקָ לְלַּקֵ ט esting phraseology used twice in to us today is that we too can be וַיְצַ ו ּבֹעַ זאֶ תנְעָרָ יו לֵ אמֹר םּגַ ּבֵ ין -the verse. What does this imply? extraordinary, even if we deem our הָעֳמָרִ ים ּתְ לַּקֵ טוְ ֹלא תַ כְלִימּוהָ : -selves ordinary. Due to their every )טז( וְגַ ם ׁשֹלּתָ ׁשֹּלּו לָ ּה ןמִ הַּצְבָתִ ים Megillat Ruth 2:19 day acts of kindness, Boaz and Rut וַעֲ םזַבְּתֶ וְלִּקְטָ ה וְֹלאתִ גְעֲרּו בָ ּה: Her mother-in-law asked her, become the great-grandparents 2: 8 And Boaz said to Ruth, please “Where did you glean today? of King David. We can now see listen, my daughter, do not go to Where did you work? Blessed be why they merited to give birth to glean in another field and do not he who took such generous notice the future king of Israel. Contrast move on from this one. Stay close of you!” So she told her mother-in- this to Elimelech whose actions to the women in my field. (9) law whom she had worked with, show he was not the ideal leader Your eyes should stay on the field saying, “The name of the man with of the Jewish people. Rut teaches which they are harvesting from, whom I worked today is Boaz.” us characteristics fundamental for a leader of our people, but these רות פרק ב: )יט( וַ רּתֹאמֶ לָ ּהחֲמֹותָ ּה follow them; I have told the young attributes are equally significant on אֵ יפֹה לִּקַטְּתְ הַ ּיֹום וְאָ הנָ עָׂשִ ית יְהִ י men not to touch you; when you .a personal level מַּכִירֵ ְך ּבָ רּוְךוַּתַ ּגֵ דלַחֲמֹותָ ּה אֵ ת are thirsty, go to one of the water With this in mind, we can now אֲׁשֶר־עָׂשְתָ ה עִ ּמֹו וַ ּתֹאמֶ ר ׁשֵ ם jugs and drink from the water the begin to understand why we read הָאִיׁש אֲׁשֶר עָׂשִיתִי עִּמֹו הַ ּיֹום ּבֹעַ ז׃ .men have drawn Rut on Shavuot. This festival רות פרק ב: )ח( וַ ּיֹאמֶ ר זּבֹעַ לאֶ רּות ,The language im- celebrates the giving of the Torah הֲ לֹוא ׁשָמַעַּתְ יּבִּתִ לאַ ּתֵ לְכִ י לִלְ קֹט plies that Rut and the guide on how to live our life. It הּבְׂשָדֶ ראַחֵ םוְגַ ֹלא יתַעֲבּורִ מִ ּזֶ ה Boaz are partners – repre- sents our covenant with וְ כֹהתִדְּבָקִ ין םעִ נַעֲ רֹתָ י: )ט( עֵ ינַיִ ְך they are God through the Torah הּבַּׂשָדֶ אֲׁשֶ ריִקְ צֹרּון וְהָ לַכְּתְ אַחֲרֵיהֶ ן working and the cementing הֲ לֹואצִּוִיתִ יאֶ ת הַ ּנְעָרִ ים לְבִלְ ־ .together. of that relationship ּתִ י נָגְעֵ ְךוְצָמִ תוְהָ לַכְּתְ לאֶ הַּכֵלִ ים Boaz Alongside her acceptance וְׁשָתִית רמֵאֲׁשֶ יִׁשְאֲבּון הַ ּנְעָרִ ים: reas- of the Torah, Rut teaches When Rut comes to Boaz for sured us to remember the rabbinic charity, he instructs his workers to Rut and dictum that derech eretz kadma treat her with kindness (Chapter made her le’Torah – being a “mensch” is 2:15-16). His obligation in Jewish feel comfortable; she necessary first, in order to keep the law is simply to allow her to glean did not feel like a charity Torah. Rut displayed such derech from his field, but he goes above case, even though she was a eretz, especially through her and beyond this by ensuring that pauper collecting charity from kindness to Naomi. Megillat she does not face stigma and his fields. Moreover, in a part- Rut emphasises several embarrassment. Refer to how he nership both participants gain exemplary characters speaks to her in Chapter 2:8-9. from each other. This teaches with exemplary charac- Whilst today few of us will find us the concept that to teristics, especially through ourselves in the exact same situ- receive is to give: when their chesed. This model ation, this is undoubtedly a strong you allow someone to do you of chesed is something message for us. a favour you are in turn giving to aspire to during this them an opportunity to do a good Shavuot in particular Discussion point: How can we deed. What modern implications and beyond. These pages are particularly designed for parents to learn with children in KS2 and above. We hope that adults will enjoy them as well. If you can answer the questions at the end, you have a chance of winning our prize draw! Shavuot “Horim Veyeladim” Programme THE ! by Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff, Tribe Programmes Rabbi

“And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon "ּוכְתַ בְּתָם עַל מְ זּוזות (your gates” (Devarim 6, 11 ּבֵיתֶ ָך ּובִׁשְעָרֶ יָך"

A mezuzah is a piece The Remach disagrees and explains religion and had become a great of called that the Mezuzah comes to protect Rabbi. The emperor sent a compa- a klaf contained in a us, ny of soldiers to arrest and case and inscribed He proves this from the story of bring him in chains to . with the two first paragraphs of the Onkelos and the Roman Emperor. The Roman soldiers arrived and Shema. started to carry out the emper- Who was Onkelos? or's orders without delay. As What is the reason for Onkelos was a member of they led him out of his house, this ? the Roman royal family and Onkelos joyfully kissed the The view of the Rambam his uncle was the Roman Mezuzah. The curious soldiers (Rabbi Moshe Ben Mai- Emperor, . He left asked: What does that thing mon, 12 Century, Spain/Egypt): his uncle and traveled on the door symbolise? A great Mitzva which reminds to Jerusalem where he Onkelos explained: “Your us the unity of God and our love converted to and king sits in his palace and towards Him. Whenever a person became a great Rabbi. has guards around him to enters or leaves [the house], he will Onkelos was surprised that protect him from danger. But be reminded of this. Thus, he will many Jews had forgotten the Jewish King, God, allows come to realise that there is noth- to speak Hebrew during the his servants to sit at home ing that lasts for eternity except Babylonian Exile. He decid- and He protects them from the knowledge of the Creator of ed to translate the Torah outside. That is the Mezuzah the world. This will motivate him into Aramaic so it will be on our door!" to regain full awareness and follow accessible to all Jews. His The soldiers fell under the paths of the upright. (Hilchot famous translation appears the influence of Onkelos's U-Mezuzah 5:4) in every and it is words and decided to convert called "." to Judaism themselves. The The Ramach (Rabbi Moshe HaCo- Hadrian eventually story repeats itself three times hen Milunil, 12 Century, France) discovered that his nephew as high-ranking contingencies objects: had accepted the Jewish of Roman officers arrive in with the Rambam. This means that ה' ׁיִשְ מָר צֵאתְ ָך ּובֹואֶ ָך מֵעַתָּ ה וְעַ ד" Jerusalem to arrest Onkelos just to the Rambam must have had a good "עֹולָ ם .become his most loyal disciples From this story, the Remach “God will guard your going and reason to think otherwise. So why learns that the Mezuzah protects coming now and forever”. does the Rambam think differently Jewish people. on this matter? Here is a possible (For further study, see the Kessef The Kolbo (anonymous, 15 Century, clue: "וְהָ יָ ה הַדָ ּ ם לָכֶ ם לְ אֹת עַ ל הַבָּתִּ ים :Mishneh on the Rambam) printed in Italy) adds ׁאֲשֶ ר אַתֶּם ׁשָ ם " )שמות י"ב, י"ג( The widespread custom is to write The Rema (Rabbi Moshe Iserlis, on the outside of the Mezuzah 16 Century, Krakow-Poland) also parchment God’s name in the Just before their exodus from Egypt, God instructed Bnei Yisrael . ש - ד - י :agrees: following form When a person leaves his home, On the case itself we write the to slaughter a lamb and paint its which stands for Shomer blood on the doorposts of their ש he should place his hand on the letter Mezuzah and say: “The Lord shall (guard). homes. This would mark the house guard me as I leave”. And similarly, This name is because it is an as Jewish and the home would when a person returns to his home, abbreviation of the words Shomer not be hit by the Plague of the he should place his hand on the Delatot Yisrael, "He who guards the Firstborn. Mezuzah and say: “The Lord shall doors of Israel". (Kolbo, Mezuzah The pasuk (verse) reads that this guard me as I return”. (Rema, Yoreh 90) was a sign for us rather than a sign De'ah 285:2) for God. The blood was placed on The Rema derives this idea from Back to the Rambam! the internal part of the doorpost a verse in Tehilim () 121,8: As we saw, most opinions disagree because God does not need a sign!

Some mezuzah scenarios for you to think about and הִ לְ כות מְ זּוזָ ה Laws of Mezuzah discuss… • A doorway that is used as an entrance from both When does a door When and where is the sides. Where does the mezuzah go? require a Mezuzah? Mezuzah placed? • What about a door that is extremely high and • Houses and rooms in • The Mezuzah is attached people cannot reach the upper third? which people permanent- to the right side of the • I’m staying in a hotel for over 30 consecutive ly live require a Mezuzah. doorway as you enter. days? Do I need a mezuzah? Note: Gates/doors lead- • The Mezuzah is placed • I’m staying in a campervan/trailer for over 30 ing to places in which outside the door but consecutive days? people live also require a within the door frame. • One of my doors has an arch on top instead of a Mezuzah. • The Mezuzah is placed straight lintel? • The size of the room in just above the top 1/3rd • I’m living in my Sukkah, do I need a mezuzah? which people live must of the doorpost. • I’m renting a small room in a house owned by be at least 4 square • In Israel, the Mezuzah somebody who is not Jewish? meters. should be attached • I’m staying in the loft and the only door is via a • The room must have a immediately. loft ladder. ceiling. • Outside Israel, the • The door must have two Mezuzah should be What do you think? Send your answers to Tribe and doorposts and a lintel. attached within 30 days. you could win in our prize draw! Written answers • The door must be at least from children under the age of 13, to at least 3 of the 80cm high and 32cm above questions, submitted in email or Word format wide. on Sunday 31 May to [email protected] will be eligible for the prize draw. Mount Sinai to Jerusalem to… the future by Harry and Leora Salter, Tribe Youth Directors, Finchley Synagogue

There are some sometime after the destruction of rusalem. When they arrived at the stories, even short the in 70CE. Read- Temple Mount, a fox scampered out stories, which you ing it, let us try to imagine that we of the most sanctified area of the can picture in your are in Jerusalem and can look at it Temple, the Kodesh Hakodashim mind’s eye as you with ‘those eyes’… (the Holy of Holies). The first three tell them. The …On another occasion, the four began to weep. Yet, to their following is one of those stories. It rabbinic sages (Rabban Gamliel, enormous surprise, by links multiple themes of Shavuot, Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya, Rabbi contrast began to laugh! “Akiva,” including Mount Sinai, the Ten Yehoshua and Rabbi Akiva) were they asked, perplexed, “why are Commandments, the Temple in travelling up to Jerusalem. When you laughing?” Enigmatically, Rabbi Jerusalem and the future. they arrived at Har Hatzofim (Mount Famously, it is the second of Scopus), they tore their garments in two linked stories, recorded in the mourning at the sight of the Temple Talmud at the end of Masechet Mount in ruins, (as the Halacha Makkot (24b) which took place requires). They continued into Je- Some discussion questions: Akiva replied back with a question, it did, in the following way. “why are you crying?” “Uriah’s prophecy, as recorded 1. Would you have reacted like “This [the Holy of Holies],” said in the book of Micha 3:12, noted Rabbi Akiva or the other rabbis? the other rabbis, is the place about that Jerusalem would be ploughed Why? which the Torah (Bemidbar 1:51) as a field. Zechariah’s prophecy 2. What similarities and what differ- wrote, “and the non-priest who stated (8:4) that, ‘there will one ences are there between Mount enters it will die. Now that foxes day be elderly men and women re- Sinai and the ruins of the Temple scamper around it, should we not laxing in the streets of Jerusalem.’ Mount? weep?” “Until I saw Uriah’s prophecy 3. The Ten Commandments, kept Rabbi Akiva smiled. “That is fulfilled,” continued Rabbi Akiva, in the Ark in the First Temple why I am laughing! God told the “I was concerned that Zechariah’s and recited daily in the Second future to the Biblical prophet, prophecy would not be fulfilled Temple even without the physical Isaiah, saying (Isaiah 8:2), ‘And I [given the destruction of the Tem- tablets being present, linked both will take faithful witness to give ple]. Now that Uriah’s prophecy Temples to Mount Sinai and are testimony – Uriah the priest and has taken place, I am sure that emphasised in the Torah reading Zecharaiah ben Yevarechyahu.’ Zechariah’s will. This is why I am on Shavuot. Why is this link so What is the connection between laughing.” important and what does it teach these two people? Uriah prophe- For a moment, there was us about Shavuot? sised during the First Temple, silence. Then, the other rabbis 4. Imagine you were standing on Zechariah during the second, so looked at Rabbi Akiva and said, Mount Scopus today, looking at that Zechariah’s prophecy depend- “Akiva, you have comforted us; the Temple Mount, especially if ed on Uriah’s coming true – which Akiva, you have comforted us.” you had done so last week on Yom Yerushalayim. How would you have understood this story? What does it teach us about being Jewish? 5. How have the Jewish people upheld Rabbi Akiva’s viewpoint over many centuries? 6. What does this story tell you about Biblical prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled and our attitude towards them?

Chag Sameach! Shavuot Quiz by Leora and Harry Salter, Tribe Youth Directors, Finchley Synagogue

1: What does the word 'Shavuot' 6: What other names does Shavuot mean? A: Days B: Weeks C: Seventy have? A: Chag HaAviv B: Chag D: They Arrived HaKatzir C: Chag HaMatzot

2: What is read on Shavuot? 7: How many days is Shavuot A: Ruth B: C: Shir HaShirim celebrated in Israel? A: 1 B: 2 C: 3

3: What is the sixth commandment? 8: What is the ninth commandment? A: Keep Shabbat B: Honour your A: Do not be jealous B: Do not parents C: Do not steal D: Do not bear false witness C: Do not say murder Hashem's name in vain

4: How many days are there between 9: In the days of the Temple what did 2nd Day Pesach and Shavuot? A: 20 people do on Shavuot? A: They B: 59 C: 49 D: 46 planted trees B: They gave a half shekel to the Kohanim C: They 5: Shavuot is one of the three foot harvested the first fruits before festivals (i.e when people walked Shavuot and gave them to the to the ). What Temple are the other two? A: Succot and Pesach B: Succot and Chanukah C: 10: What does the word '' Pesach and Purim mean? A: Harvest B: Sons C:

Charity D: First Fruits

1: B, 2: A, 3: D, 4: C, 5: A, 6: B, 7: A, 8: B, 9: C, 10: D 10: C, 9: B, 8: A, 7: B, 6: A, 5: C, 4: D, 3: A, 2: B, 1: Answers: US in the City

Join Hughes of Radlett United Synagogue and US in the City for an interview with Lord David Pannick QC a member of Radlett United Synagogue

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