Ki Seitzei 5771 September 10, 2011

A Taste of Torah Stories For The Soul Damage Control All in a Name By Rabbi Mordechai E. Fleisher that if a person fell from the roof, that individual was destined to fall, fence A couple came to Chaim Ozer Worried about being struck by or no fence. Hence, he already had the Grodzensky (1863-1940) requesting lightning? Concerned that your home status of “faller” prior to the event, as a divorce. Reb Chaim Ozer tried to will be robbed? Terrified of being his fate was already decreed. then dissuade them, but despite the his confronted by a tiger in front of your asks the question that I’m sure you’re best efforts at mediating, the couple home? Want to know how to prepare for wondering about: If “the faller” was was adamant. Rav Chaim Ozer had such catastrophic events? Well, worry no predestined to fall, why the fence? Even no choice but to relent and agree to longer. with a fence, he would have met his fate write the (divorce document). No, no, I’m not here to sell you in some other fashion. He asked the woman what her insurance. I’m here to tell you that Rashi lays down a principle that first name was, and she answered that Hashem is in charge. If He wants it to has profound ramifications: True, this it was Ratchka. Reb Chaim Ozer told happen, it will happen. If it’s not meant fellow was supposed to fall. But why her that he had never heard of such to happen, then once you’ve taken should it be YOU who causes the evil to a name. She explained that her real normal precautions, you have no reason be carried out. Hashem has many ways name was Raizel, but people called to stay awake nights, pondering the what to bring about His Will. But good things her Ratchka. The Rabbi now sensed ifs. And you know something else? This are brought about by good people. Bad a glimmer of hope. important principal is alluded to in this things, on the other hand, are brought He explained that there was a week’s parsha. about by people who are less deserving. halachic problem with the writing The Torah commands us to build a And even if it wasn’t your intent that of this divorce. He could not use fence around the roof of one’s home. harm befall anybody – you’re just too the name Ratchka because that was Why? The Torah tells us, “Because the lazy to put up a fence – you’re still held not her real name, nor could he use faller will fall from it.” (Devarim 22:8) responsible for “the faller’s” plummet. Raizel, because she wasn’t actually In other words, an elevated, unenclosed So before you wallop that guy in shul known by that name. The only area that is frequented by people is a for taking your spot, thinking to yourself, halachically acceptable solution was recipe for disaster. Don’t let it happen. “Well, if he got socked in the nose, for the husband to call her by the Fence it in. G-d must have wanted it to happen,” name Raizel for 30 days. Then Reb But the language of the verse merits consider the following: It may be true Chaim Ozer could write the name a second glance. The Torah refers to the that this squatter has a good one coming Raizel on the get. unfortunate individual who may fall his way. But let Hashem take care of that. They went home and never came as “the faller”, who “will fall”. This is Hashem has already informed us that it’s back again. technically inaccurate, because as long inappropriate to beat other people over Apparently, when the husband as the fall hasn’t yet taken place, he isn’t a seat in shul (along with many other called his wife by the name Raizel, he a “faller”. Only after the plunge is taken possible scenarios). You have no right to perceived her a little differently. The can he be called “a faller”. harm him. The proper thought process wife sensed this and she consequently Rashi (ibid.), based on the ought to be, “If G-d wills it, let the harm felt and acted differently toward him. in Tractate Shabbos (32a), explains come – but not through me!” One thing led to another and they reconciled their differences. Ask the Rabbi Every effort must be made to save On the Same Page a Jewish marriage. Dr. Eric Chevlen wrote: Where can I learn about the history of the Daf Yomi (the worldwide Adapted with permission from Dear Rabbi, coordinated study of a page of ShulWeek by Rabbi Baruch Lederman. Continued on back Continued on back

Kollel Happenings Interpersonal Issues CHERRY CREEK MUNCH AND When Bal Tolin Doesn’t Apply Part II LEARN, MON., SEPT. 12 Bal tolin is only relevant where If the worker is ashamed to actually payment is being withheld against the ask for the payment, and is merely The next Cherry Creek Munch will of the employee. Therefore, if a standing there waiting to be paid, then and Learn for men, led by Rabbi worker hasn’t requested his payment, the employer must pay him, and failure Yehuda Amsel, will be held on the employer does not transgress bal to do so is a transgression of bal tolin. Mon., Sept. 12, at 12:30 p.m. tolin. Nonetheless, some authorities at the East Side Kosher Deli, 499 S. Elm St. . The class focuses on rule that one is Rabbinically obligated Adapted with permission from “The Pirkei Avos. For information, to pay on time in these circumstances, Halachos of Other People’s Money” by Rabbi contact Rabbi Amsel at 303-820- as well. Pinchas Bodner () 2855 or at rya@denverkollel

continuedAsk from the front Rabbi Because of , the largest per day). I assume there were scholars celebrations were in Israel. The fourth PRE-ROSH HASHANA ADDRESS and laymen who were studying a page completion was in 1953. The fifth BY LAKEWOOD DEAN RABBI of Talmud a day before that. Were they celebration in 1960 was the first one YERUCHIM OLSHIN all studying different pages then? What attracting mass attendance in America. Rabbi Yeruchim Olshin, dean prompted the promoter to make his Amongst others, it was attended by of Beth Medrash Govoha in proposal? How was it first coordinated Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Yaakov Lakewood, NJ, the largest or promulgated? Kaminetzky and Rabbi Aharon Kotler. in America, is making an At the sixth celebration in 1968, historic visit to Denver. He will be Dear Dr. Chevlen, celebrations were held in the USA, delivering a special community- England, Belgium, Argentina, Mexico, wide pre-Rosh Hashana address The idea of having a universal Daf Holland and France. The eighth on Sunday, September 18th, 8 Yomi was proposed by Rabbi Meir completion in 1982 was the first to p.m. @ Aish Denver. Come and be Shapiro of . It was accepted in cater to large crowds in America, filling inspired by one of the preeminent Torah leaders of our generation. 1922 by the Council of Torah Sages in New York’s Felt Forum to capacity with Suggested Donation to support Eastern Europe and thus began what is thousands of people standing outside. In Torah: $18/$36/$72/$180. For today an international study scheme by Israel there were 20,000 participants. information call 303-820-2855 or which countless worldwide study In 1990, 20,000 people crowded email [email protected] the same page of Talmud daily. into Madison Square Gardens to When Rabbi Shapiro raised the celebrate the ninth completion. The idea, one of his most prominent backers tenth completion was in 1997. In was the Chafetz Chaim. He supported America alone there were over 70,000 KNOW THY ENEMY TUES. AT the idea because certain portions of the participants! And tens of thousands AISH Talmud were not commonly studied, more through out the world. The Join Dean Rabbi Shachne “neglected” in favor of more “popular” 11th and most recent completion in Sommers in studying the tactics portions. The methodical study of a 2005 attracted 120,000 participants in and strategies of the Yetzer Hora, page of Talmud a day ensured that the America alone. and develop your own battle entire Talmud would be studied in the Virtually any place Jews are, there plan for the greatest challenge course of seven and a half years. are people studying Daf Yomi. It’s of your life - the war against the The first completion of the Daf wonderful that a person can go almost Evil Inclination. Based on the Yomi cycle took place on Tu B’Shvat anywhere in the world and participate classic work Chovos Halvevos. 1930. In honor of Rabbi Shapiro, it in a class on the exact same section Tuesday mornings 7:55-8:25 at was celebrated in his town, Lublin. The of Talmud he is currently studying. It Aish. For information, please second completion in 1938 attracted draws Jews together in a unique way. contact Rabbi Moshe Heyman at [email protected] or 303- 20,000 celebrants to Lublin, indicating 820-2855. how popular Daf Yomi had become. Reprinted with permission of Ohr The third completion was in 1945. Somayach, Jerusalem, www.ohr.edu

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