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בס''ד

SHABBAT SCHEDULE WEEKLY SCHEDULE We would like to wish a Hearty Mazal SUNDAY Mincha 5:35pm Tov to our Dear friend Avi Benhayoun Shir Hashir im: 5:55pm on his recent Engagement to Mercedes Shaharit: 7:30am Candle Lighting: 5:29pm Minha 5:40pm Daf Yomi 8:00am Benzaquen from Venezuela. They Followed by Arvit & Shaharit: 8:30am should be Zoche to Build a Bayit Teenager Program

Youth Minyan: 9:00am Neeman Beyisrael Amen. Mazal Tov MONDAY TO FRIDAY Zeman Keriat Shema 9:12am to his Parents Mr. & Mrs Meir 2nd Zeman Keriat Shema 9:48am Benhayoun & All the Family. Shiur 6:10am Shiur: 4:30pm Shaharit 6:30am Minha: 5:10pm Hodu Approx: 6:45am Followed by Seudat Shelishit & Birkat Halebana BH this Mosae Minha 5:40pm Arvit Shabbat. Followed By Arbit Shabbat Ends: 6:29pm & Shiurim in English & Rabbenu Tam 7:01pm th Tu Bishbat Sunday January 20 at Spanish. Avot Ubanim 7:30pm night.

We would like to remind our Kahal Kadosh to please Donate wholeheartedly towards our Beautiful Kehila. Anyone interested in donating for any occasion, Avot Ubanim $120, Kiddush $350, Seudat Shelishit $275, Weekly Bulletin $150, Weekly Daf Yomi $180, Daf Yomi Masechet $2500, Yearly Daf Yomi $5000, Weekly Breakfast $150, Weekly Learning $500, Monthly Rent $3500, & Monthly Learning $2000, Please contact the Rabbi. Thanking you in advance for your generous support. Tizke Lemitzvot!

בס''ד Refuah Shelema List Men Women

• Yosef Zvi Ben Sara Yosefia, • Isaac Ben Mesoda, • Simja Bat Esther, • Sara Ledicia Bat Mesoda, • Aviv Ben Luba Miriam, • Haim Ben Marcelle, • Mesoda Bat Esther, • Alegria Simha Bat Esther, • Mordechai Ben Brucha • Yizhak Ben Simja • Rachel Bat Sarah, • Naomie Bat Rarel Adda, Malka Shmalo, • Reuben Ben Eta, • Nina Bat Rachel, • Malka Bat Joyce Simja, • Yizhak Abraham Ben Sheli, • Michael Ben Aliza, • Gitel Rina Bat Yael, • Sivan Simha Bat Yehudit, • Yosef Yizhak Ben Sara Hana, • Eliel Moshe Ben • Miriam Bat Sofy, • Natalie Rachel Bat Nancy, • Mordechai Ben Miriam, Sarah • Rahma Bat Simha • Abigael Haya Bat Esther • Meir Raymond Ben Mathilde • Refael Ben Clara • Esther Bat Fortuna • Madelaine Bat Esther • Salomon Benarroch Ben Alia • Netanel Sayegh Ben • Malka Bat Dina • Nurit Jacqueline Bat Rahel • Mordechai Ben Mercedes Rosa • Camouna Bat Fortuna

Torah Teasers (AISH)

1. Aside from the actual plague of darkness, when else does the land of Egypt become dark? 2. In what context is an "east wind" mentioned in this parsha? Where else in the book of Exodus is an east wind mentioned? 3. The Red Sea is mentioned in Parshat Beshalach with regard to the splitting of the sea. In what context is it mentioned in this parsha - with regard to the ten plagues? 4. Which name of a plague from Parshat Va'erah is also mentioned in this parsha? (2 answers) 5. In this parsha, where is an animal hoof mentioned? 6. In this parsha, where is a dog mentioned? What other two places in the Torah is a dog mentioned? 7. In what way is the number 21 associated with the command to eat matzah? 8. In what context are shoes mentioned in this parsha? 9. Which law in this parsha involves a bone? 10. In what context are shoulders mentioned? 11. What two -letter word appears four times in this parsha, and has two different meanings? 12. What two-letter word appears 27 times in this parsha and has four different meanings in the Torah?

Answers 1) During the plague of locusts, the swarm covers the entire sky, darkening the entire land (Exodus 10:15). 2) In this parsha, the locusts are swept into the land with an "east wind" (Exodus 10:13). In parshat Beshalach, the Red Sea is split with a powerful "east wind" (Exodus 14:21). 3) Locusts are blown out of Egypt by a west wind in the direction of the Red Sea (Exodus 10:19). 4) Moshe warned Pharaoh that the locusts will eat any remaining crops not destroyed by the plague of hail (Exodus 10:5), the seventh plague mentioned in Parshat Va'erah (Exodus 9:18). The Israelites are commanded to place the blood of the Passover sacrifice on their doorposts (Exodus 12:7); blood is the first plague mentioned in Parshat Va'erah (Exodus 7:17). 5) After the plague of darkness, Pharaoh proposes that the Israelites leave without their sheep and cattle. Moshe refuses, insisting that "not one hoof will remain behind" (Exodus 10:26) 6) Moshe warns Pharaoh that during plague of the firstborn there will be terrible screams throughout Egypt, yet amongst the Israelites "not even a dog will bark" (Exodus 11:7). In Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah commands that flesh from a torn animal should be thrown to a dog

(Exodus 22:30), and in Parshat Ki Teitze, the Torah prohibits offering any animal that was exchanged for a dog (Deut. 23:19).

7) The last day of Passover is the 21st day of the month of Nissan (Exodus 12:18).

8) The Jews in Egypt were instructed to eat the Passover offering with "their shoes on their feet" (Exodus 12:11).

9) The Torah states that one may not break any bones of the Passover offering (Exodus 12:46).

10) When leaving Egypt, the Jews carried matzah on their shoulders (Exodus 12:34).

11) The word "na" is used to mean "please" three times in this parsha (Exodus 10:11, 10:17, 11:2). The phrase "al tochlu mimenu na" - "Do not eat it [the Passover offering] raw" - has the alternate meaning of "raw" or "undercooked" (Exodus 12:9).

12) The word "ki" appears 27 times in the parsha. Throughout the Torah, it is translated in four different ways: if, perhaps, rather and because (Rashi, Genesis 18:15).

If anyone would like to contact the Rabbi, please feel free

to call or text 786-879-4951, or email [email protected].

בס''ד Community Announcements

(It is YOUR Community, make the most of it!)

Miscellaneous Announcements:

• This We ek’s Congregational Kiddush is still available for Sponsorship!

• The Kiddush Club Initiative. Anyone interested donating a Kiddush Please kindly contact the Rabbi. Tizke

Lemizvot!

• This Week’s Congregational Seudat Shelishit is still available for Sponsorship!

• This Week’s Breakfast has been Kindly Sponsored by our Dear Friends Mrs. Jeannine Furhmann in

th memory of her Dear Sister Chantal Mazal Tov Bat Hassibah Moyal z”l the 11 of Shebat. Tihye Nishmata

Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.

• This Week’s Breakfast has been Kindly Sponsored by our Dear Friends Mr. & Mrs. Jean Paul Courchia in th memory of his Dear Mother Aicha Courchia Bat Simha z”l the 12 of Shebat. Tihye Nishmata Tzerura Bitzror

Hahayim Amen.

• This Week’s Breakfast has been Kindly Sponsored by our Dear Friends Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Hilu in memory

th of his Dear Sister Jaia Rajel Bat Batya z”l the 7 of Shebat. Tihye Nishmata Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Breakfast for this week or on any day please contact the Rabbi.

• This Week’s Daf Yomi is still available for Sponsorship!

• If anyone is interested in creating a weekly class in your house or an individual class with the Rabbi, please do not hesitate to

contact the Rabbi.

• We are tryi ng to update our Congregant’s contact information. We would like to start sending texts about different Events and Shiurim. We would also like to start emailing the weekly bulletin. We would like to start a list of Nahalot/Azkarot/Yahrzeits.

We would also like to make a Refuah Shelema list. Please send your contact information to the Rabbi at [email protected]

• Please fee l free to contact any of the board members either in person, or via email with suggestions or comments. Our email

addresses are: board member’s first name @oroziel.com

Important Me ssage!!!

Eruv Update: Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is

permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach.

Bal Harb our: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

• Due to the recent reorganization of seats in the Bet Hakenesset, We are happy to announce the NEW possibility of purchasing seats

in the Bet Hakenesset. For more information, please contact the Board.

• Before hanging up anything anywhere in the Bet Hakenesset, please seek authorization from the Rabbi. This includes flyers etc.

• Please be advised that prior to bringing any food or drinks for any occasion, you must first seek the authorization from the Rabbi.

Special Announ cements

• We are pleas ed to announce that Ness 26 is part of the Amazon Charity Program, which would allow our community to collect 0.5% of all the orders made by any of you on Amazon.com. In order to register you need to log on smile.amazon.com and select Ness 26, Inc as the Charitable Organization you want to support, and from then shop on

smile.amaz on.com instead of www.amazon.com. It won’t cost anything more, and is an easy way to contribute to our budget nee ds. • Anyone wishing to receive the Daily Halacha by the Rabbi please send a whatsapp message to Simon Chocron 786-351- 1573

Community Calendar: • The prog ram for Teenaged Boys ages 13-18 Started again with Great Succes with Shiur by the Rabbi & Supper on Sunday Evenings after Arvit at around at 5:50 pm With Supper. New Participants Welcome! Anyone

wishing to sponsor this Shiur Please contact the Rabbi. Tizke Lemitzvot! • We have started the Mishmar Program Every other Thursday evening at 8:00 pm with Chulent, Beer, &

Snacks. Everyone is welcome!

Avot Ubanim: This Mosae Shabbat at 7:30pm

Youth Minyan • We are proud to announce the inauguration of our YOUTH/TEEN MINYAN geared to train and teach our future generations on the different tefillot and parashiot.

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We would like to Whole Heartedly Thank our Dear Friends, Lindsay Hooge for generously Donating the TORAH LEARNING of Shebat 5779 In Honor of his Dear Children Hannah, Isaac, & Aaron Hooge We truly appreciate it. In this merit, may Hashem Bless you & your wonderful family with all the Berachot of the Torah Amen.

Birthdays • Jaia Rajel Bat Batya z”l the 7th of Shebat (Sister of Mr. Daniel Hilu) Happy Birthday To th th • Beno Ben Sali z”l the 11 of Shebat • Ohr Yisrael Shimon Lahmi – Fri. Jan. 11 , (Father of Mrs. Silvia Cohen) th • Simcha Amram – Sun. Jan. 13 , • Yaacov Cohen Bar Meir z”l the 11th of Shebat th • Leanna Ammar – Fri. Jan. 18 , (Grandfather of Dr. Max & Mr. Isaac Nahon) th • Mrs. Sara Maya – Sun. Jan. 20 , • Chantal Mazal Tov z”l Bat Hassiba Moyal the 11th of Shebat • Eliyahu Aquinin – Tue. Jan. 22nd, (Sister of Mrs. Jeannine Furhmann) • Adina Benmergui – Sun. Jan. 27th, • Yitzchak Chocron Ben Freha z”l the 12th of Shebat • Yosef Eliyahu Benmergui – Sun. Jan. 27th, (Father of Mrs. Perla Edderai) • Mrs. Daisy Chocron – Wed. Jan. 31st. • Aicha Courchia Bat Simha z”l the 12th of Shebat

(Mother of Mr. Jean Paul Courchia)

Happy Anniversary To • Isaie & Nicole Bouhadana Jan 7th Next Shabbat: th

• Clara Bat Perla z”l the 19 of Shebat Nahalot (Grandmother of Mr. Albert Belecen) • Dr. Abraham Romano z”l the 19th of Shebat • Amram Benhayoun z”l Ben Avraham the 6th of (Father of Mr. Marcelo Romano) Shebat (Shabbat) (Father of Mr. Meir & Daniel th Benhayoun) • Isaac Edderai Ben Nedjma z”l the 20 of Shebat (Shabbat) (Grandfather of Dr. Jean Jacques Edderai) • Corina Bat Rahel z”l the 6th of Shebat

(Shabbat) (Grandmother of Mr. Sammy Maya)

בס''ד Community Shiurim

Weekday mornings:

• 6:10AM to 6:45AM: Laws of Nidah. New participants welcome!

• 7:30AM Shiur on Hok Leyisrael with Breakfast! Everyone Is Welcome to Join. • 7:45AM to 8:30AM: Daf Yomi Masechet Hulin. NEW DAF YOMI MASECHET! New participants are welcome! It is a great time to start learning the Daf and join thousands of Jews across the world in this incredible project.

• 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM: Mishna Berura Dirshu Cycle! New participants welcome!

Weekday afternoons:

• Before Minha o Monday through Thursday: Shiurim in Spanish on assorted topics.

• After Arvit: o Mondays & Wednesdays: Hoshen Mishpat – Business Halacha o Every Thursday evening after Arvit Hilchot Nida in Depth for Men. o Tuesday Assorted Topics

In Recess for the Summer o Monday & Tuesday at 7:00pm Masechet Berachot in French o Every other Monday evening at 8:30pm Shalom Bayit Class to Women. o Every other Tuesday evening at 8:30pm Shalom Bayit Classes to Men.

• SHIUR for Ladies! The Rabbi’s Shiur on Halachot of Kashrut NEW SERIES ON Hilchot Basar Vechalav, (Laws pertaining to Meat & Milk) to Ladies, in the Bet Hakenesset, every Tuesday afternoon at 2:05 pm. New Participants are always Welcome! In Recess

Shabbat:

• Shabbat night before Arvit: Short lecture on the Parasha of the week. • Shabbat Morning: Lecture on the Parashah of the week. • Shabbat Morning – Daf Yomi at 8:00am. • Shabbat Afternoon – Shiur at 4:20pm • Spanish Shiur – with Simon Chocron One hour before Minha • Seudat Shelishit: Short lecture on the Parasha of the week.

בס''ד WEEKLY INSPIRATION Ehad”), and our Rabbis teach that this was the son of a Jewish woman who was violated by an Egyptian taskmaster. And thus, like the plague The Greatest Miracle of the of the firstborn, the plague of pestilence, too, Exodus testified to Beneh Yisrael’s separation from the Egyptians, their miraculously avoiding (Rabbi Eli Mansour Daily Halacha) assimilation. Parashat Bo tells of the events that transpired This is why they were commanded to place on the night of Yesi’at Misrayim – the Exodus blood – “Dam” – on their doorposts. The word from Egypt, when G-d delivered a plague “Dam” is spelled with the letters “Dalet” and against the Egyptians, killing every firstborn. “Mem,” which represent the plagues of “Deber” Beneh Yisrael were protected from this plague and “Makat Bechorot” – the two plagues which by sacrificing the Korban Pesah (paschal clearly demonstrated Beneh Yisrael’s offering) and placing the sacrificial blood on separation from the Egyptians. The “Dam” was their doorposts. Indeed, on the night of the placed on the doorposts of the Jewish homes Exodus, no firstborn among Beneh Yisrael to show that Beneh Yisrael were rescued in the died. merit of this separation, because they avoided The fact that none of Beneh Yisrael’s firstborn assimilation during their 210 years of exile. died on the night of Yesi’at Misrayim testifies to In the Book of Bamidbar (chapter 26), the what is likely the greatest miracle of the Torah lists the names of the families that left Exodus, one which does not receive enough Egypt, and the letters “Yod” and “Heh” are attention. Namely, there was no intermarriage added to each name. For example, the family or forbidden relations between Beneh Yisrael of Palu is called “Ha’plau’i” – with the letter and the Egyptians. Beneh Yisrael lived in Egypt “Heh” added at the beginning and the letter for 210 years, during which time they were “Yod” at the end. G-d added His Name – “Yod” oppressed and enslaved. We might have and “Heh” – to the names of the families of expected that under such conditions, large Beneh Yisrael to testify that they remained pure numbers of Jews would naturally begin to and did not assimilate. Furthermore, the letter assimilate into Egyptian society. And yet, while “Heh” has the numerical value of 5, and “Yod” Beneh Yisrael did undergo a process of drastic has the numerical value of 10, and they thus spiritual decline in Egypt, reaching the allude to the fifth and tenth plagues – proverbial “forty-ninth gate of impurity,” they pestilence and the plague of the firstborn. retained their biological separation from the These letters were added to the names of the Egyptians. This was proven on the night of families to emphasize that, as these two Yesi’at Misrayim, when no firstborns in Beneh plagues clearly demonstrated, Beneh Yisrael Yisrael’s homes died. If there had been those remained pure and distinct despite living in a among Beneh Yisrael who engaged in relations foreign country for over two centuries. with Egyptians, then there would have been The Mezuzot on our doorposts, which Egyptians living as Jews among Beneh Yisrael, commemorate the blood of the Korban Pesah and they would have died during the plague of on the doorposts of our ancestors in Egypt, the firstborn. And thus, the fact that no one have on them the Name “Sha-ddai,” which is among Beneh Yisrael died that night loudly spelled “Shin,” “Dalet,” “Yod.” The final letters testified to the great miracle of Beneh Yisrael’s of the names of these three letters (“Nun,” separation from the Egyptians during their 210- “Tav,” “Dalet”) have the combined numerical year period of exile. value of 454, which is the numerical value of This was also proven by another plague – the the word “Hotam” (“seal”). This Name, then, plague of Deber (pestilence). The Torah tells signifies Beneh Yisrael’s having “sealed” (9:7) that when the plague of Deber struck, themselves, staying among themselves and killing the Egyptians’ cattle, Pharaoh sent retaining their separateness in Egypt. Every investigators to determine whether any of time we leave our homes, we look up to the Beneh Yisrael’s cattle had died. They found Mezuza, reflect on the experience of our that there was only one person among Beneh ancestors in Egypt, and remember that even as Yisrael who was affected by the plague (“Ad we engage in general society, we must work to

בס''ד ensure to maintain our separate identity and Accordingly, G-d instructed Beneh Yisrael to avoid assimilation. begin with the “doorposts” – the rewards for Additionally, the letters of “Sha-ddai” spell the Torah. Before we can rise to the level of names “Shelomo,” “David” and “Yishai” – the “Li’shmah,” where we learn and practice out of founders of the Davidic dynasty. The Mezuza a deep-seated and genuine love of G-d, we reminds us that the arrival of Mashiah and the should first begin with the more modest level of long-awaited restoration of the Jewish “She’lo Li’shmah,” involving ourselves in Torah monarchy will occur in the merit of the Mezuza, in order to reap the practical benefits that it of our separateness, our maintaining our offers us. distinct identity during our current exile just as The question then becomes, why did Moshe our ancestors succeeded in doing during the reverse the order? Why did he tell the people to period of Egyptian bondage. start with the “top,” with the ideal level of “Li’shmah,” and only then to descend to the “doorposts,” to the ulterior motives for learning Torah? Constant Growth The answer is that growth is an ongoing, lifelong process. Every time we rise to a new (Rabbi Mansour) level of spiritual achievement, we must look Parashat Bo tells us of G-d’s commands to further to the next level. The new level we have Beneh Yisrael regarding the Korban Pesah – achieved should, with time, seem to us the paschal sacrifice which they offered on the unsatisfactory, such that we then set our sights night of the Exodus, before they left Egypt. G-d upon a more ambitious level. This is indicated commanded Moshe to instruct the people to by the Gemara’s formulation in Pesahim: “A place the blood of the sacrifice on the two sides person should always engage in Torah and of the doorposts (“Mezuzot”) and on the top of Misvot even not for their sake…” The Gemara the doorframe (“Mashkof” – 12:7). Interestingly, teaches us that one should always study and however, when Moshe relayed these practice “She’lo Li’shmah.” Once a person commands to the people, he reversed the reaches a level of “Li’shmah,” that level should sequence, instructing them to place blood on then seem like “She’lo Li’shmah.” The level of the top of the doorframe and then on the posts. sincerity we achieve now should seem to us Why did Moshe deviate from G-d’s instructions, later as insincere. We must constantly be and reverse the sequence? striving to raise our standards, to grow in our King Shlomo teaches us in Mishleh (3:16), level of sincerity and purity of motives. And “Orech Yamim Bi’yminah Bi’smolah Osher thus, Moshe told the people that after they Ve’chavod” – “Longevity is to the right [of reach the “Mashkof,” the exalted level of Torah], and to the left is wealth and honor.” It “Li’shmah,” they must then descend, so-to- has been suggested that the doorposts, which speak, and see themselves back on the level of stand to the right and to the left of a person as the “Mezuzot,” the level of “She’lo Li’shmah.” he walks through, symbolize these blessings of What seems to us as an admirable spiritual longevity, wealth and honor. Sometimes a achievement now must seem insufficient as we person involves himself in Torah for ulterior continue to grow and develop in our religious motives, hoping to earn reward. He commits commitment. himself not out of a genuine devotion to the This is one of the vital messages that Beneh Almighty, but rather to receive the rewards Yisrael were taught at this moment, as they promised for involvement in Torah. The were about to leave Egypt and become G-d’s Gemara in Masechet Pesahim (50b) famously sacred nation. They were told that they need to teaches that although learning “She’lo constantly grow and advance, that no Li’shmah” – for insincere motives – is less than achievement is ever sufficient. Every new level ideal, it is nevertheless acceptable. The reason we reach should be celebrated, but we mustn’t is that once a person begins getting involved in stop there. We must continue working to Torah out of self-serving motives, he will, with progress and reach ever greater heights, each time, reach the level of “Li’shmah” – learning day of our lives, one modest achievement at a Torah for sincere, altruistic reasons. time.

בס''ד Schlepping for Someone Almighty made a tremendous exception to the rule: Donkeys have firstborn sanctity!

Else Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnefeld asks an (Rabbi Frand from Torah.org) interesting question: Why don’t dogs have A Tale of Two Rewards for Two Tailed “first-born sanctity”? We just finished saying Creatures that the Almighty wanted to reward the dogs for not barking during the Exodus, so why The Torah says that when we left Egypt, the didn’t they receive a special sanctity as a dogs did not bark. The Mechilta on that pasuk reward? On the other hand, we can ask, why [Shemot 11:7] writes that it was for this do donkeys get “top billing” in the “Exodus reason that the Torah specified that the meat Reward” category?” They were given a lot of a tereifa [‘torn’ – i.e., not properly slaughtered] more than just treife scraps – they have animal shall be thrown to the dogs [Shemot kedusha! The dogs should also have 22:30]. “This teaches that the Holy One kedusha! Why do the donkeys have kedusha Blessed be He does not withhold reward from but not the dogs? any creature.” Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnefeld answers with a There is another pasuk in this week’s parsha beautiful thought: At the time of the Exodus, which says, “Every firstborn donkey shall be the dogs merely kept quiet. The donkeys redeemed with a lamb; and if you don’t schlepped. When you schlepp for someone redeem it with a lamb, then it must be else, you are invested with kedusha. Putting decapitated…” [Shemot 13:13]. We are familiar down your shoulder to help someone else is with the concept of the sanctity of the a higher level of spirituality then merely firstborn. We know that the first born of both keeping quiet. Not barking is fine and nice, men and domesticated animals are holy. The and it is why the dogs got the treife meat. father of a human firstborn must redeem his However, schlepping is a higher level of son by giving five silver coins to a Kohen. investment, so that is why the donkeys The first born of our animals also has received the higher reward of kedusha. kedusha and must be given to a Kohen. Generally, this only applies to Kosher animals. The first born of a dog or a cat does not have firstborn sanctity, because the animal is not kosher. There is one notable Hashem Wanted to Do it exception to this rule – the donkey. HIMSELF It is striking that a firstborn donkey is (Rabbi Frand) considered “holy,” because normally we do not associate kedusha with an animal that is Parashat Bo contains the last three of the tameh. And yet, the halacha teaches that we Ten Plagues. Finally, Pharaoh says must “redeem” our firstborn donkeys. Rashi “enough!” and he lets the Jews go. The rules that this is a gezerat ha’katuv [Divine commentaries ask a very simple question. decree], an anomaly. Rashi adds, “because (Perhaps this question has come up at your the donkeys helped Israel carry out the booty Seder table on the first night of Pesach): Why did they took with them from Egypt.” The Jews it take Ten Plagues for Pharaoh to say left Egypt with considerable amounts of gold “enough!”? Hashem certainly had the power and silver. Precious metals are heavy. Who to give one strong plague at the outset that schlepped all of this “bizat Mitzrayim [spoils would have immediately brought Pharaoh to of Egypt]?” They did not have moving vans in his knees and forced him to order the Jewish those days, so they could not simply call people immediately out of the country. And Allied Moving and Storage! Who schlepped yet, there were the Ten Plagues. Why were it? Rashi says that the donkeys schlepped it. they all necessary? As a reward for their service at that time, the

בס''ד More to the point, we learn about the Exodus you out from the Land of Egypt to be for you from Egypt in these parshiyot at the beginning a G-d. I am Hashem your G-d.” [Bamidbar of Sefer Shemot, but there was also another 15:41]. Hashem wanted it to be clear that it exodus in the history of the Jewish people was not anybody else’s doing. Such an called the Babylonian exodus. Klal Yisrael “Exodus” cemented the relationship between were exiled from their Land and dwelled in Hashem and His People. Had Pharaoh given Bavel for seventy years. After seventy years, up after one plague, or had he been inspired, that exile also ended. How did that happen? like Koresh, to let the people go, then we The Navi says that this happened because would not have this same relationship with the Ribono shel Olam, because we could King Koresh [Cyrus] of Persia was inspired by the Almighty to suddenly grant the Jewish say, “Listen, Pharaoh turned a new leaf.” people permission to go back to Eretz Yisrael We say at our Seder, “And if the Holy One and rebuild the Bet HaMikdash. It says in Blessed be He would not have taken us out Divrei HaYamim, “Hashem aroused the spirit of Egypt, we and our children and our of King Koresh of Persia, and he issued a children’s children would be enslaved proclamation throughout his kingdom – and in (me’shubadim) to Pharaoh in Egypt.” Everyone writing as well – saying: ‘Thus said Koresh asks the obvious question: “What does it king of Persia: Hashem, G-d of Heaven, has mean we would still be enslaved to Pharaoh given to me all the kingdoms of the earth, and in Egypt? The Pharaohs are all dead. They He has commanded me to build Him a no longer rule in Egypt! Empires come and Temple in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. go. It would be a historic anomaly of great Whomever there is among you of His entire proportions to think that after three thousand people – may Hashem his G-d be with him years, we would still be slaves to Pharaoh. and let him go up!'” [Divre HaYamim II 36:22-23]. The answer is that the word “me’shubadim” Koresh felt that the Almighty had given him a does not mean we would still be enslaved to mission to release the Jews, and have them Pharaoh in Egypt. It means we would be rebuild the Bet HaMikdash (for which he in fact indebted to Pharaoh. paid a large percentage of the expenses). Come and see all the celebrations that were This could have happened in Egypt as well. held at the Lincoln Memorial during the Without any plagues, Pharaoh could have inauguration of America’s first Black woken up one morning and said, “You know president. The Black people in this country what? This is not right. I want to emancipate still feel a strong kinship and hakaras haTov the slaves.” He could have emancipated the to Abraham Lincoln. Why is that? He freed Jewish slaves, and instead of having a the slaves. He wrote the Emancipation Lincoln Memorial, as there exists in Proclamation. He is recorded by history as Washington, D.C., we could have had a the person who freed the slaves in this Pharaoh Memorial in Jerusalem. Why didn’t country. If our exodus from Egypt would have the Ribono shel Olam do it that way? come about from the good will of Pharaoh, Rav Shlomo Kluger, in his sefer on Chumash, we would be me’shubad – indebted to the explains that the Almighty wanted it to occur historical image of that Pharoah! the way it did. He wanted that Pharaoh Hashem did not want that to be the case. As should be obstinate rather than to be inspired we read in last week’s parsha, “…and you to emancipate the Jews. Hashem wanted shall know that I am Hashem your G-d, who Pharaoh to be defeated in a prolonged battle took you out from under the burdens of of wills. He wanted Pharaoh to be “broken.” Egypt.” [Shemot 7:7]. You are me’shubad The Almighty did not entertain the possibility [indebted] to me, and to nobody else. This of releasing the Jews from bondage with event formed the relationship between Klal anything less than ten plagues. Yisrael and the Ribono shel Olam. The Ribono shel Olam wanted Klal Yisrael to The end of Galut Bavel was a pale realize that “I am Hashem your G-d who took comparison to the end of Galut Mitzrayim.

בס''ד Yes, they went out of Bavel. But how many Hashem wants us to clearly understand that Jews left Bavel and came back to Eretz our redemption will not come from the Yisrael? Only 43,000. Even when they righteous amongst the nations. We should arrived back in Eretz Yisrael, they were still not deceive ourselves into believing that this not a sovereign state. They were still under is “from whence our help will come” [Tehillim the dominion of others. The Bet HaMikdash 121:1]. The subliminal message we should be that was rebuilt was a pale comparison to the hearing from the Almighty is that “I am going First Bet HaMikdash. In fact, the book of Ezra to take you out of this Galut, and nobody else says that the older people who remembered is going to help.” the first Bet HaMikdash cried at the Rav Pam asked, “What is the purpose of the inauguration of the Second Bet HaMikdash, United Nations?” Other than being a forum to because it was such a pale comparison [Ezra bash Israel, what has it accomplished?” He 3:12]. cites the Talmud in Avodah Zarah [2b]: In the Hashem allowed such a “Geulah” future time when the Moshiach is going to [redemption] to be inspired by Koresh come, the nations will come and say, “We because it was not such a “big deal.” were so good to the Jews. Many bridges did However, Mitzrayim’s Exodus was the we build; many roads did we pave; we built paradigm of our relationship with Him. This many cities. We did all this for Israel. We did was the marriage of the Jewish People with this for the Jews so that they could occupy the Ribono shel Olam. This had to be a “big themselves with Torah. Now we are here to deal” such that it was implemented with the claim our reward.” philosophy of “I and not a Malach; I and not a The Almighty will “give it to them.” He will call Saraf” – nobody else. them out on all their lies and falsehoods. The commentaries say that Geulas Mitzrayim Rav Pam says that this is the purpose of the is the paradigm for the future Geulah. If we United Nations. Every debate is recorded. want to know what it is going to look like, Every vote against Israel is recorded. Every what it is going to feel like, what is going to vote against the Jews is recorded. In the happen “in the End of Days,” – the exodus future world, when the representatives of the from Egypt is our paradigm. nations will come and claim, “All we have Rav Pam writes, “Why is it that the Nations of done is for the welfare of Israel,” the Almighty the World hate us so much? Why is Sinat will take out the United Nations roll call votes Yisrael so apparent?” and prove to them that they are liars and Rav Pam explains that we are now replicating fakers when they make such claims. “Liars! the paradigm of Yetziat Mitzrayim. When the You did not act on behalf of My People. You future redemption will arrive, it will not be hated My People!” Now is payback time. This because the nations of the world will be good is what will happen in the future world – just to us. Just as back then, the nations of the like it happened in Egypt. Not through a world hated us and wanted to see us Malach and not through a Saraf – but only destroyed, we see the same exact thing through the Holy One Blessed be He, in all today among almost all of the present nations His Glory. of the world.

Egyptians respect the people, and they granted A Light Unto the Nations their request. [The Israelites] thus drained Egypt of its wealth (Shemot 12:35-36). (Rabbi Zev Leff) The Israelites [also] did as Moses had said. Prior to the Exodus, Hashem caused the Jews They requested silver and gold articles and to find favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. The clothing from the Egyptians. G-d Made the immediate reason for this was so that the Egyptians would readily offer their vessels of

בס''ד gold and silver to Bnei Yisrael, in fulfillment of few seconds of recognition of G-d by the Hashem's promise to Avraham that his drowning Egyptians. The World to Come is not descendants would leave their servitude with limited to Jews; the righteous gentile, who great wealth. But if that were Hashem's only observes the Mitzvot incumbent upon him as intention, it would have been sufficient to cause Divine imperatives, also merits Olam Haba. the Egyptians to give over their wealth out of We, the Nation of Priests, represent Hashem to fear of Bnei Yisrael. the world by our exemplary lifestyle, and imbue We must, therefore, seek another explanation the world with knowledge of His existence. "We for the miracle of the Jews finding favor in the are a light unto the nations" (Yeshayabu 42:6). eyes of the Egyptians (see Ramban to Shemot The Netziv explains that this function could 113)-i.e., some reason why it made a difference have been achieved by the Jewish people whether the Egyptians loved and respected us settling in Eretz Yisrael and inspiring the entire or merely feared us? world through an awareness of the miraculous Divine Providence that guides the Jew in his Throughout our galut, we have been mocked, land. We did not merit this. As a consequence, hated and killed by the nations of the world. We it became necessary to spread the knowledge have had to strengthen ourselves not to of Hashem by living among the nations and concern ourselves with those who deride us causing them to witness how we sacrifice because of our service to Hashem (see Rema ourselves for G-d's Name. Our survival as a to Orach Hachaim 1:1). There is a danger, solitary lamb among seventy hungry wolves however that this state of affairs will be seen as points to the existence of a Divine Creator, being the way things are meant to be, that we whose Divine Providence guides and protects will view the mockery to which we are His nation. subjected as an indication of the perfection of our avodah. The halachah consistently exhorts us to act in a way which will effect a kiddush Hashem The Torah teaches us that the opposite is true (sanctification of the Divine Name), and thereby "Learn and observe [the Torah] for it is your brings us respect as a holy and upright people. wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the We are forbidden to desecrate G-d's Name by nations, who will hear of all these laws and giving the gentiles reason to castigate us for proclaim that this is truly a great, wise and conduct unbefitting a holy nation (see Choshen understanding nation" (Devarim 4 6). It is clear Mishpat 266 regarding returning lost articles to that the Torah attaches importance to the a non-Jew). Kiddush Hashem is a facet of the respect given us by the nations of the world. mitzvah of ahavas Hashem, love of G-d. The Netziv writes (Ha'amek Davar to Bamidbar Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvos writes that this 14:21) that the goal of creation is that G-d's mitzvah includes an imperative to call out to all glory fill the entire earth i.e., that all human mankind to serve G-d and acknowledge Him. beings recognize Him. As we proclaim twice The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 6) says, " 'And daily in the Shema, our perception of the he is a witness,' this refers to Yisrael, as it oneness of G-d will only be complete when says, 'You are my witnesses, says Hashem, Hashem, Who is acknowledged now only by and I am your Lord....' If you will not testify, you the Jewish People, will be the one G-d will carry His sin." If you do not relate My recognized by the entire world. "When Hashem existence to the nations, says Hashem, I will will be King over the whole world, on that day exact punishment from you. The nations of the will He be One and His Name one" (Zechariah world should ideally function in unison with us 14 9). to proclaim and acknowledge the Creator. This acknowledgment of G-d by the nations of We bring seventy sacrifices on Succot for the the world is so important that the miracle of the benefit of the seventy nations, yet we bring splitting of the Sea was performed in order that them in descending order to intimate that the "the Egyptians should know that I am G-d" nations should decrease. There is no (Shemot 7 5). Ibn Ezra adds that the Egyptians contradiction in this. The need for seventy referred to were those who drowned. Thus the distinct nations is only a result of the Tower of splitting of the Sea was warranted even for the Bavel at which mankind united to deny G-d. As

בס''ד a consequence, G-d created divisions among the mockery and abuse that is our current lot. them to thwart this attempt to countermand the Then all nations will follow our lead in serving purpose of man. The ideal, however, is that Hashem and bringing the world to perfection. mankind should unite in the service of G-d. As the prophet Zephaniah proclaims, "Then will I return to the nations a clear language so that they can all call on the Name of Hashem and Pidyon Haben Redemption serve Him in unison" (Zephaniah 3 9). of the Firstborn As G-d's representatives, we must ultimately command the respect and favor of the nations Sanctify to Me every firstborn that initiates the of the world in order to fill the world with His womb among the Israelites (Shemot 13 2). glory. That occurs, says Rashi, only when we The Torah explains the requirement of fulfill the Mitzvot properly. A mitzvah fulfilled redeeming the firstborn in 1 terms of Hashem properly is G-dly and perfect and can only having acquired all the firstborn of the Jews command respect and admiration. If we fail to when he killed the firstborn Egyptians. But perform the Mitzvot properly, however, then we there is a problem with this explanation the will be considered fools. Derision and mockery slain Egyptian firstborns encompass many will be our lot, for the portion of the mitzvah more types of firstborns than those we are improperly performed is not Divine and required to redeem. The killing of the firstborn therefore elicits ridicule that then spreads and of Egypt affected both firstborn male and encompasses the entire mitzvah. firstborn females and the firstborns of both Chazal explain that the verse, "AII nations of mothers and those of the fathers. the earth will see that G-d's Name has been But the Torah requires only the firstborn male called upon you and will respect and fear you," of the mother to be redeemed. refers to the tefillin placed on the head. The When one is the beneficiary of a miraculous Vilna Gaon added that this means not just the salvation, he, as it were, draws from his bank tefillin on the head but the tefillin in the head - account of merits. Thus, the salvation of one is i.e., the internalized intention with which the "on credit" and must be paid off with future mitzvah is performed. Mitzvot. G-d's beneficence creates reciprocal The scorn of the nations of the world is not a obligations for those who do not deserve the sign of our perfection, but rather that something benefits bestowed. Thus the blessing we recite is lacking in our service of Hashem, that we upon being delivered from a dangerous have failed in our role of leading a life of situation, birkas hagomel, can be translated as holiness separate from the nations and their "... He who grants the obligated benefits." lifestyles. The halachah "Esav hates Yaakov" The redemption of the firstborn stems from the guards us against the possibility of assimilation fact that our redemption in Egypt was an and spiritual self-destruction. But when we fulfill undeserved miracle, which therefore created an our role properly, the entire world will want to obligation of extra service to Hashem. The share in our service of Hashem. Kohen from whom the firstborn is redeemed Prior to our first redemption-the model of the stands in place of the firstborn in fulfilling this final redemption to come-Hashem brought us added responsibility. favor in the Egyptians' eyes so that we would We can now understand why the firstborn not forget this ideal. The Egyptians readily gave females need not be redeemed. Although us vessels of gold and silver to enhance our Jewish males sunk into idolatry in Egypt, the service to Hashem in the desert. The clothing women remained steadfastly faithful to they gave us represented the honor and glory Hashem. It was in the merit of the righteous in which they wished to garb us. And so it will women in Egypt that our ancestors were be in the final redemption. redeemed. Therefore, the firstborn females May we merit, through our meticulous deserved to be saved, and their miraculous performance of the Mitzvot the respect, honor, salvation entailed no redemption. and admiration of the entire world, rather than

בס''ד The explanation of why only the firstborn of the affected. Thus, the Jewish firstborn of the mother requires redemption is different. We fathers -whose Egyptian counterparts were read in the Haggadah that G-d alone smote the smitten by G-d personally- were not saved firstborn Egyptians "I and not an angel; I and miraculously. There was simply no specific not a seraph; I and not an agent; I am Hashem, reason why they should be killed, and therefore I and no other." And yet Hashem explicitly no redemption is necessary as a consequence warned the Jewish people to stay indoors that of their being spared. The firstborn of the night so the "destroying angel" would not harm Jewish mothers, however-whose Egyptian them (Shemot 1222-23). And Chazal counterparts were smitten by the destroying interpreted the preceding Hashem in the verse, angels-were miraculously saved, since "And G-d (veHashem) smote all of the normally they would have required some firstborn," as referring to the Heavenly Court. special merit to save them. Thus, only the So it would seem that the angels did take part firstborn of the mother is included in the in this plague. mitzvah of redemption of the firstborn. But this only applies to the male firstborn of Jewish Chelkas Yoav notes that it is impossible for mothers, for the females did possess the either an angel or man to determine the special merit of not being sunken in idolatry. firstborn of the father. Thus only Hashem could kill the firstborn of the fathers Ani Hashem-I am If one has only enough money to pay for his Hashem Who distinguished between the seed expenses to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem that formed a firstborn and the seed that did not for one of the three Festivals or to redeem his form a firstborn." The firstborn of the mothers, son, the pidyon haben (redemption of the son) however, were killed by the destroying angels, takes precedence. This is surprising, for which can determine whether a woman has generally a mitzvah that has a set time takes previously given birth. precedence over pidyon haben, which can be fulfilled at a later date. When Moshe first describes the killing of the firstborn (Shemot 115), he says that every On the three pilgrimage Festivals, a Jew came firstborn in Egypt "from the firstborn of Pharaoh to Jerusalem to see and be seen by Hashem. to the firstborn of the slavewoman" will die. But He was, as it were, reviewed by the King to when the plague actually took place, the Torah determine his share of service in G-d's describes G-d as smiting every firstborn "from Kingdom and to set his responsibility for the the firstborn of Pharaoh until the firstborn of the coming months, when he would return home to captive in prison" (Shemot 12:24). The first serve G-d with the bounty he had been given. verse merely says that all firstborn in Egypt will Pidyon haben, on the other hand, is the die, not specifically that G-d will smite them. payment of a debt past due, for being given a Hence, it refers to the firstborn of the mothers firstborn son, who is the product of an as well, and the slavewoman is mentioned. The undeserved miracle. One cannot begin to second verse, by contrast, says that Hashem establish future responsibilities and smote all the firstborn, and therefore refers to contributions to G-d's Kingdom before he has the firstborn of the father. Thus, the male paid his past debts to that Kingdom. Hence, captive is mentioned as the furthest extent of pidyon haben takes precedence over the the punishment. pilgrimage to Jerusalem. We know that when Hashem gives over the May we recognize our indebtedness to Hashem power of destruction to an angel, the angel for all the undeserved bounty He provides us does not distinguish between tzaddik and and commit ourselves to serve Him with all our rasha; all are affected equally. It could be, hearts and souls. however, that this only goes so far as including Reprinted with permission from Artscroll Mesorah Publications, ltd. those who may not deserve being killed under This article is provided as part of Shema Yisrael Torah Network Permission is granted to redistribute electronically or on paper, normal circumstances, but does not include provided that this notice is included intact. For information on those who have a specific merit to protect subscriptions, archives, and other Shema Yisrael Classes, send mail them. to [email protected] When Hashem Himself brings destruction, only those deserving of such destruction are

בס''ד The Stress of Modern The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in parents’ Parenting rooms for a year (!) and when children view a video or children’s television, shows should The power of a parent’s love is more be co-viewed for maximum learning. Parents valuable than any after school activity, should not leave children alone while they technology or pair of sneakers money can prepare dinner or converse together. The buy. (By Slovie Jungreis-Wolff) message is that activities are best when they I received a call to give a lecture to a group of are experienced by both parents and children parents who are dealing with anxiety. simultaneously. Adult conversation and time “What are they anxious about?” together between husband and wife suffer. “Everything,” was the response. Of course, family time is valued but there must be a balance that is found. The next day the front page of the New York Times said, “Stress, Exhaustion and Guilt: What is the effect of this constant contact on Modern Parenting.” What’s going on in our children? homes? Psychologists and others have warned that The article describes parents who, regardless our children’s over-dependence on parents of their economic situation, are constantly and hyper-intensive mothers and fathers monitoring their children. There is have produced kids who are living with more tremendous anxiety trying to get children to anxiety. They are less satisfied with their climb higher and ensure that their children lives. They are filled with stress. When succeed or at least do as well as their children are given the opportunity to play parents financially. But for the first time it’s freely and have leisure time, they build social likely that the next generation will be less skills, emotional security and executive prosperous than their parents. And this functions. worries parents. Trying to get their children The Real Issue into after school activities, the right high schools and colleges, and paying for tutors or There is more going on here than the being sure that high grades are achieved pressure of increased time and monitoring of through constant overseeing is taking a hard children by their parents. toll. Parenting is grinding. Parents are getting FOMO – fear of missing out – through worn out. comparative living on social media had We’ve morphed from hovering helicopter caused tremendous damage to our family life. parents to anxious parents who are Parents feel inadequate when others post consumed. Researchers say that the high their children’s accomplishments, trophies, expectations have permeated all segments of college acceptance letters and star roles in society. It begins in utero with a constant dance productions or on the soccer team. influx of what which foods and products to Photos of vacations, sports events, shopping avoid. Parents are presented with baby expeditions and cool concerts pressure monitors that record a child’s every move and parents to prove to themselves that they, too, whimper, pressure to make homemade baby are great parents who can give it all to their food, sugar free snacks, classes for tots, and kids. the stress to continuously keep up with Mothers and fathers worry that they are not classmates that only increases with time. doing enough, providing enough, investing enough. Regardless of education, income or When children are given the opportunity race, a new study has shown that parents to play freely and have leisure time, they feel that the most hands-on and expensive build social skills, emotional security and choices are best. Social media only fuels the executive functions. fire.

בס''ד Parents exhibit their own insecurities that your blessings and build a home filled with trickle down to children. Why must we post love. Leave the stress and guilt behind. our inner lives for the world to see? Why are vacations more enjoyable if we take the world with us? Why must we boast about high marks, gifts of jewelry, expensive new sneakers or evenings out? We cannot base It's Called "Commitment" our lives on the life that others live. Counting Today everything is disposable, from the other people’s blessings prevents us from trivial to the profound. It takes a dramatic seeing our own. shift to internalize the power of The Toll on Mothers permanence. (By Emuna Braverman) All this stress has especially taken the It's the latest rage. John Gottman's popular greatest toll on moms. Though fathers have book, Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, has increased their participation in children’s spawned a whole genre of new approaches lives, the real expectation falls on mothers. to marital success. The time that women spend trying to help Basing their opinion on scientific studies, their children keep up is coming at the some recommend conflict resolution styles. expense of sleep, time invested with Others say that such techniques are partners, friendship, leisure activities and irrelevant and what matters is the amount of taking care of household needs. The pull pleasure you take in your spouse. And still between career and time spent with children others report that the proper combination of can also produce great angst. personality types is the surefire key to The power of a mother’s love is more success. valuable than any after school activity, Judaism has resolved this question in a technology or pair of sneakers money can different way a few thousand years ago, buy. Living with a stressed-out parent, no without benefit of surveys, experiments or matter how hard she is working to maximize control groups. The solution is simple to state a child’s experiences, frays the bond between and difficult to apply. But it's a solution that's parent and child. Better to stop comparing guaranteed to ensure a lasting marriage. and making sure that we are keeping up than sending a message to children that our self- The key is commitment. worth is intertwined to other parents’ posts Accepting Each Other that we keep checking. As my husband is fond of saying "There Be authentic to the type of parent you believe comes a point in every marriage when you you should be. Be true to the experiences look at your partner and think 'she's/he's you wish your child to have; not because nuts.'" (He must have learned this from the someone else decided it’s the thing to do. couples he's counseled; surely not from Reflect on a woman’s true mission in a home: personal experience!) This is a defining to imbue each child with a sense of being, a moment in your marriage. This is the point purpose, a life legacy, as she transmits her where those with commitment take a deep mother’s milk of faith. Don’t fall into the trap breath and move forward. And those of pressure, exhaustion or guilt. Parenting without... can be the most magical and joyful And these moments may occur more than experience – if we allow it. once (or so I've heard!) There are a lot of Take a moment of introspection to ponder frustrating times. Your spouse can be truly your parenting journey. Don’t look back at infuriating (it's amazing how they can be so these years with regret because you were flawed when we are so unblemished) and it caught up with everyone else’s desires. Live takes a large dose of self-control and maturity your life, know your children’s needs, see

בס''ד not to gather up all your jewelry (priorities!) new neighborhood and took a leave of and walk out the door. absence from her job to set up home. As much as she enjoyed this task, and as much It takes a large dose of self- control and as she cared about her husband, the change maturity not to walk out the door. overwhelmed her. She wanted to leave – and Susie is feeling trapped. Her husband isn't not just for a few hours. perfect. He's loyal and devoted but he's not living up to her expectations. He's a nice guy; Fred decided to take charge of the situation. he's loyal and dependable. But he has no He sat her down, looked her straight in the flair. They have three children; she has no eye, and said "I'm not letting you go time to pursue her career and she's not anywhere! We'll work this out together." getting any younger. Is this really what she It was a case of saying "I'm committed to signed up for? Her marriage doesn't coincide you and we'll find a solution that works." with her fantasy. She wants out. No, this wasn't a control issue. It was a case What Susie needs to recognize (or she will of one party saying, "I'm committed to you leave devastation in her wake and just and to us and we'll find a solution that works." recreate the same problems in her next And it was very freeing – for both of them. relationship) is that her feelings are normal. Secure in Fred's commitment to her and their Many women (and men) experience them. marriage, Martha was able to see the light But being an adult means that you don't act beyond her immediate despair. She went on every feeling. Commitment means digging back to work part-time; Fred adjusted his in your heels even when the going seems schedule to spend more time with her and tough. Maturity means coping with reality, not they have a thriving marriage. This happened descending into fantasy. And not just coping because Fred knew the meaning of but looking for ways to rise above the commitment, and because Martha negativity. experienced the power of commitment. Maybe you need more time with each other. What is commitment? Maybe you need more time alone. Maybe Choosing to Stay you need a new job. Maybe some volunteer work. Maybe a good book. Maybe a good Commitment means there's no choice. I'm in class. Most of all, you need practical for the duration. I will finish what I've started. answers, not illusions fed by movies and Commitment is not reflected in the pages of romance novels. People magazine. It's not seen on TV or in On a deeper level, you may need some movies. It's represented in very few novels. individual counseling, or some couples And it's frequently mocked. But commitment counseling, or a support group. Have lunch (the old "til death do us part") is the key not with some married girlfriends. I guarantee just to a successful marriage but a productive they can all relate. life in general. No one's denying that there are extreme We live in a world where everything is situations that require drastic measures. But disposable – from the trivial (razors and that's not true for the majority of us. diapers) to the profound (unwanted pregnancies, the terminally ill) It takes a The majority of us have short fuses. The dramatic shift in gears to understand and majority of us are self-centered. The majority internalize the meaning of commitment. of us want the easy way out. Raised on fairytales, we've created a Working It Out dream of serenely waltzing through life Fred and Martha had been married a very together. short time. But while Fred's daily routine had When our children are frustrating or difficult, remained pretty much unchanged, Martha's we don't abandon them. We should apply the changed dramatically. She had moved to a

בס''ד same principle to our spouses and our sidewalk not moving over to make room, marriages. If we work through the rocky people are rude and impatient. It’s a dog eat periods, we'll emerge wiser and with a more dog world where everyone expects profound sense of our own selves, and a immediate satisfaction of their needs and deeper experience of unity. may view the rest of us as obstacles in their Raised on fairytales, we've created a way. storybook dream of serenely waltzing through We make a wrong move, a wrong turn, a life together, preferably with a prince on our mistaken choice and we are subjected to a arm. Marriage can be a great dance, but you harangue or obscene gesture or some other have to constantly watch your step and adjust sort of public humiliation. And, as appalling your tempo. as this behavior is, sometimes we ourselves Every Jewish couple is given a blessing that are the guilty parties! We are the ones who they should build a faithful home in Israel -– a are impatient and demanding and frustrated trustworthy home. This is a basic tenet of and, yes, rude. Jewish belief. There is no home without trust. There are many strategies for avoiding this, There is no home without commitment. many techniques for working on ourselves Beauty is nice. Pleasure is a good thing. and our character so that we do not become Conflict resolution techniques are helpful. But those people - you know the ones I mean, the they're not the foundation of a home. ones who embarrass themselves by making Being able to adhere to commitment in your a scene and have everyone else in the marriage begins with self-respect. What kind restaurant, or in line at the bank, or waiting of person do you want to be – someone who patiently at the Apple store (read my article confronts his or her problems or runs from about this, which seems to have hit a real them? Someone who perseveres or is a chord), cringing and trying desperately to look quitter? Do you want to able to hold your somewhere else. head up at the end of your days and say "I One of my students gave me a good idea that tried my best! I gave it my all!"? Do you want I’ve added to my toolbox to help calm me to pass on this legacy of determination of down and make wise choices in those commitment to your children? You know you challenging situations. In general, I try to do. imagine that the person I am currently It won't always be easy. You might have your frustrated with i.e. prepared to yell at, honk hand on the doorknob. But take that deep at, or in other way display my worst self, is breath, say a little prayer and walk back the local rabbi. I try to imagine the abject smiling. humiliation I would feel when he turns around to see who is treating him so poorly. I Your surprised spouse will smile too. And as imagine myself sinking into the floor - and I the years go by, and you deepen your stop myself from any negative behavior I was commitment, and you survive greater contemplating. This is a strategy born of fear. challenges, it will be better than a fairy tale. It's a promise. My student taught me a strategy born of love and compassion. Actually, to be fair, it was her husband’s idea. Every time someone is rude to them or nasty or impatient, every time someone brushes past them in line or honks A Nation of Road Rage incessantly (or worse!) she tells herself that they must be having a difficult day or time. How to rein in our impatience and anger They must have had a fight with their wife or and treat others with kindness and a blow-up with their teenagers. They must be respect. (By Emuna Braverman) falling behind on a work deadline or have just People cut us off in traffic, people break into heard bad news from their doctor. lines ahead of us, people brush by us on the

בס''ד Instead of judging them negatively, she takes the situation from personal attacks to judges them with kindness and compassion. anonymous, from our pain to the pain of She tries to imagine all the challenges in their another. lives that must have led to this unpleasant It’s actually not just another tool in my tool action. And then she can let it go. She can let box – it’s now my primary one. Like the her breath out. She can move on. Talmud says, “from my students I learned This is an attitude that can be transferred to most of all.” almost every situation in life. It will make us deeper, more thoughtful people and much less quick to react with pain or frustration. It

DAILY HALACHOT

(“doubt”), where it is uncertain whether that day Halachot of Shabbat is indeed is the eighth day. Such a situation (Daily Halacha) arises in the case of a child born during “Ben Ha’shemashot” (“twilight”) – the period Scheduling a Berit Mila for a Baby Born on immediately after sundown. One should consult Shabbat or Yom Tov, or Right After his/her Rabbi for the exact time defining Ben Sundown on Ereb Shabbat or Ereb Yom Tob Ha’shemashot as it is approximately 11-15 Scheduling a Berit Mila for a Baby Born on minutes after sundown depending on time of Shabbat or Yom Tov, or Right After Sundown year and location. This period is treated by on Ereb Shabbat or Ereb Yom Tob Halacha as a period of Safek, as it is uncertain whether it should be considered daytime or An infant who is born on Shabbat is nighttime. Therefore, if a boy is born within circumcised the next week, on Shabbat. twilight after sunset on Friday afternoon, he Although inflicting a wound is generally cannot be circumcised the next week on forbidden on Shabbat, the Misva to circumcise Shabbat. If the period of “Ben Ha’shemashot” a boy on his eighth day overrides this should be considered daytime, then the child is prohibition, and thus a Berit Mila is performed considered to have been born on Friday, and on Shabbat for a child born the previous so the Berit should take place the next Friday; Shabbat. The Talmud infers this rule from the and if this period should be considered verse, “U’bayom Ha’shemini Yimol” (“He shall nighttime, then the child is considered to have be circumcised on the eighth day” – Vayikra been born on Shabbat, and so the Berit should 12:3). The word “U’bayom” alludes to the fact take place on Shabbat. Since we are uncertain that the circumcision is performed on the eighth of the classification of “Ben Ha’shemashot,” in day even if that day is Shabbat. such a case the child cannot be circumcised It goes without saying that this applies to Yom the next Friday – because Friday might be the Tob, as well. If an infant’s eighth day is Yom seventh day, and not the eighth day – and he Tob, the Berit Mila is performed on that day. also cannot be circumcised the next Shabbat – because Shabbat might be the ninth day, and a However, if, for whatever reason, a child was Berit can be performed on Shabbat only if it’s not circumcised on his eighth day, such as if he the eighth day. Therefore, in such a case, the was not deemed medically fit for the procedure Berit is delayed until Sunday. on that day, then his circumcision does not override the Shabbat restrictions. A Berit Mila is Once again, this Halacha is relevant also to performed on Shabbat – or Yom Tob – only if it Yom Tob. If an infant is born during the 13.5- is the child’s eighth day. minute period after sundown on Wednesday afternoon, for example, and Yom Tob begins Furthermore, a Berit Mila may not be performed on Wednesday evening the next week, the on Shabbat or Yom Tob in a situation of Safek child cannot be circumcised on Wednesday –

בס''ד which might be the seventh day – or on Mohel over an American Mohel. It should be Thursday, which is Yom Tob – because it might noted that Rabbi Eliyahu Shamah in his be the ninth day, and a Berit Mila is not Macshere Mila records that this case once performed on Yom Tob unless it’s the eighth happened in Aleppo and the Rabbi of Aleppo day. The circumcision would therefore have to circumcised a child on the second day of Yom be delayed until after Yom Tob. Tob even though there was a Mohel from Israel present. In discussing the laws of Berit Mila (Yoreh De’a 266:8), the Shulhan Aruch applies this principle Summary: If a child’s eighth day falls on even to Yom Tob Sheni – the additional day of Shabbat or Yom Tob, the Berit is performed Yom Tob added in the Diaspora. One might that day. If the child’s precise date of birth is have thought that since this additional day is uncertain – such as if he was born during the observed only Mi’de’rabbanan – by force of Ha’shemashot period after sundown, which we Rabbinic enactment – the laws of Yom Tob are uncertain whether to consider daytime or should be overridden on this day in a situation nighttime – then the Berit does not override of Safek. According to this rationale, if a child is Shabbat. Thus, if a child is born during this born during “Ben Ha’shemashot” the week period Friday evening, the Berit is performed on before the evening of Yom Tob Sheni, the Sunday the following week. This applies also to circumcision should be held on Yom Tob Sheni. Yom Tob, and to Yom Tob Sheni – a However, the Shuhan Aruch rules that this is circumcision is performed on that day only if it not correct, and Yom Tob Sheni is treated no is known with certainty that that is the infant’s differently than the first day of Yom Tob in this eighth day. When a Berit is performed on Yom regard. As such, a Berit Mila is not performed Tob Sheni, there is no preference to having the even on Yom Tob Sheni unless it is the child’s circumcision performed by an Israeli Mohel who eighth day without any uncertainty. is not observing Yom Tob that day. In the case of a child who does require a Berit Mila on Yom Tob Sheni, an interesting question arises as to whether it is preferable to find an Israeli Mohel who is not observing Yom Tob that day. Meaning, if the Berit is being held in DAF YOMI Israel, would it be permissible for a Mohel visiting from the United States – who is observing a second day of Yom Tob – to Daf Yomi Masechet Hulin perform the Berit, or should it be performed (Daf Notes) specifically by an Israeli Mohel, for whom that Let Them Come day is not Yom Tob? Similarly, if a Berit is Though the Torah mentions only water, six other being performed on Yom Tob Sheni in the liquids qualify food to become impure: wine, United States, is there a preference to have a honey, oil, milk, dew and blood. This is hinted in visiting Israeli Mohel perform the Berit, since for the verse: “…from all the food to be eaten that him that day is not Yom Tob? Or is it equally there will come (yavo) on it water, it is impure” ,is written in full יבוא acceptable for an American Mohel to perform (Vayikra 11:34). The word the Berit? not as usual in the Torah, and the extra vav hints The answer is that since performing a Berit on at the other six liquids (Ta’ama Dikera, Shemini). Shabbat or Yom Tob on the infant’s eighth day is a Misva, there is no preference at all on Yom The Gemora asks: What is the case of ‘an animal that is close to death’? Rav Yehudah Tob Sheni to an Israeli Mohel over an American said in the name of Rav: If when it is prompted to Mohel. A child is circumcised on Yom Tob in stand it does not. such a case “’Le’chatehila” – on the optimal The Imrei Chaim from Visnitz says that it is well level of observance, not as a necessary means known that Amidah – standing is a code word for of accommodating an unfortunate situation. tefillah, as the Gemora in Brachos 6b states: And Therefore, when a child must be circumcised ‘standing’ means nothing else but prayer, for it is on Yom Tob Sheni, any Mohel may perform the written: Then Pinchas stood up and prayed. Berit, and there is no preference to an Israeli

בס''ד Accordingly, perhaps our Gemora can be Mei'ein Olam Haba we get a glimpse of the real explained as follows: What is the case of a world. Therefore, we bring fish to our table so that person that is endangered? When is a person they too can get a view of the world. regarded as his life is in danger? If when he is Revach cites the Tiferes HaShabbos who says prompted to stand, he does not. That means to that we can learn from fish the Middah of say: He is taught how to pray but he refuses to Bitachon. Fish eat other fish. When you find a fish accept the correct methodology as to how one inside the stomach of another fish you would should stand and daven in front of the Creator. expect to find the swallowed fish inside its

In this chapter we have learned that fish do predator, facing the same direction. As it ran not require shechitah. away from the bigger fish and was finally caught, "Dag" or fish equals seven in gematria, as in the its tail would have gone in first. Yet the opposite seventh day of the week which is Shabbos. It is is true, with the head of the smaller fish facing the brought down that fish is an integral food to eat rear of the bigger fish. How does this happen? by each of the three Seudas Shabbos. The Ohr The Tiferes HaShabbos explains that as the fish HaYashar says that you should make sure to eat is chasing his catch another potential catch, fish especially at Seuda Shlishis. Different swimming past in the other direction, gets reasons are brought down in the Heichal swallowed in his mouth without him doing HaShabbos. anything. This is the fish that Hashem intended to The Kotzker Rebbe says that since fish are the be his food. only living creature that we eat without any From here we learn that we can chase in hot mitzvos accompanying it, such as Shechita and pursuit after parnassa that is intended for our Melicha, therefore we eat it on Shabbos so that it friend, but at the end our efforts are in vain. We too can be eaten with Mitzva. He also says that will not catch it. The parnassa that Hashem has just like fish live in the water and do not see the allocated us will end up in our pocket world, so to we live in a world from where we automatically without any effort and without all cannot see the real world. On Shabbos which is our plans and schemes.

KID’Z KORNER Here's the problem: Mitzrayim, the destined strange land in which Avraham's descendants No “Back-Sies” would be strangers, is a very poor country. Remember when the Egyptians handed over Well, this just won't do. So Hashem comes up their treasures to the Bne Yisrael during Yetziat with the whole famine thing... you know: Yosef, Mitzrayim? Well, over 1000 years later, the the dream, seven years of plenty, Yosef storing Egyptians had the opportunity to haul the Bne away the grain for seven years of famine. Yisrael to court over the matter! That's right! People from all over the world come to The Egyptians and Jews went head to head in purchase food and Mitzrayim becomes the a battle for the "bullion" in the court of wealthiest country in the world. Alexander The Great. Here's what happened: As the revelation goes, Yaakov eventually gets Our story begins way back in the days of sucked into the famine vacuum and sends his Avraham Avinu. Hashem reveals to our sons to Mitzrayim to purchase grain. There, forefather that his descendants are destined to they meet up with their long-lost brother, Yosef, become a great nation. There is just one catch. the viceroy of Mitzrayim. The entire family ends In order to become that great nation, they up settling in Mitzrayim and, as we all know, the would have to be strangers in a strange land, Bne Yisrael are forced to become Pharoh's becoming slaves and live in bondage for 400 slaves. But then the second part of Hashem's years. But there's good news: Hashem promise kicks in and the Bne Yisrael are led out promises to take these slaves out of bondage of Mitzrayim. and make them very rich in the process. Now, the wealth acquired by Pharoh and the Egyptians is handed over to the Bne Yisrael. First, Moshe instructs the Jews to ask their

בס''ד Egyptian neighbors for all their silver, gold and that the Egyptians owe us wages for 600,000 fancy clothes. Many Jews hesitate for fear that workers for (210 of the) 430 years. At minimum the treasure will weigh them down on the wage, you'd have to empty out all the journey, But before the Jews have a chance to treasuries (and gold fillings) of every Egyptian refuse, the Egyptians have already emptied to come up with a minimum wage of one silver their safes and force the treasures on their coin a day for 600,000 workers for (210 of the) Jewish neighbors. 430 years - or 45,990,000,000 (and don't forget Fast-forward one thousand years to the court of the compound interest!). If we pay your claim, Alexander The Great, ruler of the entire will you pay ours?" civilized world... The Egyptians send a At this point, the Egyptians are powerless to representative to file a claim that the Jews took proceed. Perhaps if they claim that the Jews all of Mitzrayim’s treasure. Their proof? It's were slaves, then Gevihah would have no claim written in the Torah! for the money, since slaves don't get paid. But the Jews were not enslaved the usual way - Now Egypt wants it back. captured during a war or imprisoned. They Okay, it's an old claim, but Alexander will play came to Mitzrayim and settled in Goshen at along. The Jews are ordered to answer the Pharoh's invitation. Therefore, the claim would accusation. Back in Yerushalayim, the sages be worthless. wonder how they can answer this claim in a With this, the Egyptians drop their claim. way that a secular king will understand. Finally, Gevihah ben Pesisa steps forward and says that he will go before Alexander The Great's court. Gevihah figures that if he wins, it's good Kid’z Korner (Revach) for the Jews. And if he loses, the sages can always say he's a renegade who doesn't really A Special Request represent the Jewish nation. So Gevihah arrives in court and begins his (Adapted from Mishlei Yaakov, pp. 124-125) defense. "Please speak to the people, and let each "What evidence do you bring that we owe you man request from his [Egyptian] neighbor such a great treasure?" gold and silver articles. Let every woman "From your own Torah," is the reply. make the same request of her neighbors." "Hmm, since you use the Torah as a source to (Ex. 11:2) show that we took your treasures, let me use The Midrash notes the unusual language of the same source to refute the claim. Isn't it true G-d's request - "please speak." The Sages that there were 600,000 Jews who left explained that G-d was asking the Jewish Mitzrayim?" people for a favor. Please borrow from the "Well, I don't -" Egyptians gold and silver items, so that "Tut-tut-tut... it says right here in the Torah Abraham will not complain to Me: "They will (Shmot 12:37). So if you accept the Torah as a subjugate and persecute them" - that part source for your claim, you must accept these You did; but "afterwards they will leave with figures too." great wealth" - that part of the promise You "I suppose so," is the only answer the Egyptian did not keep. reps can give or else all claims are lost. "Then you must also accept that theTorah says The Maggid of Dubno asked: Was this the Jews were in Mitzrayim for 430 years request only in order to satisfy Abraham? Did (Shmot 12:40), right?" not G-d promise that they would leave with great wealth? In any case, G-d needed to "You got it. But where are you going with this," the Egyptians and Alexander wonder at this keep His promise! point. The Battle of the Two Warriors "Here's the thing." Gevihah continues. "Our There were two kings who fought against ancestors worked as slaves for Mitzrayim for each other for many years. One day they (210 of the) 430 years - for free! It is our claim decided that this was a terrible waste of

בס''ד national resources and lives. Instead, each had not fulfilled His promise that "They will country would choose a champion to leave with great wealth." represent it, and those two soldiers fight each other. Whichever soldier would win - his king would be victorious and take control of the Revach Stories other kingdom. Tzedaka - When It's Destined To Go, There Each king chose the best fighter in his Is No Way To Hold On kingdom. Then they carved out a deep pit in Rebbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai (Baba Batra the ground. The warrior who would succeed 10a) saw in a dream that his nephews were in throwing his opponent into the pit - he destined to lose seven hundred dinarim. would be the winner. Without revealing this to them he forced them After much anticipation, the great match to give as much tzedaka as he could. They began. The two warriors started to wrestle, gave a total of 683 dinarim. On Erev Yom while their respective kings stood at the Kippur some guards came from the sidelines to watch the fight. Suddenly one of Emperor's palace and took 17 dinarim from the warriors succeeded in grabbing the other them. one. He lifted his opponent into the air and They were very worried that this would carried him to the edge of the pit! become a constant occurrence. Rebbi But just as the two warriors reached the pit, Yochanan ben Zakkai told them not to worry. the one held aloft succeeded in overcoming He told them about his dream in the his opponent. He slipped out of his arms and beginning of the year and explained to them pushed the other warrior into the pit, thus that these 17 dinarim couple with their securing the battle - and victory - for his king. tzedaka of 683 dinarim totaled the 700 that they were going to lose anyway. The winning king went over to his champion to congratulate him. He told the fighter: "I will They then asked their uncle Rebbi Yochanan not deny that you are a true champion and Ben Zakkai why he didn't reveal his dream to you won the battle. Nonetheless, I have a them so that they would have given away the complaint about your behavior in the match. full seven hundred to tzedaka rather than When you allowed your opponent to grab you lose it to the Emperor's coffers. He answered and lift you up and take you to the edge of that he wanted them to have the mitzva of the pit, my heart almost stopped. I thought Tzedaka Lishma. that all was lost, that I had lost the battle and A similar story is told about a man who came my crown!" drying to the great Mikubal Rav Mordechai Satisfying Abraham Sharabi that he is having an operation the next day to remove a tumor. Rav Sharabi The Midrash says that the riches that the looked at the x-rays and told him not to worry Israelites recovered at the sea from everything is fine, but he should give the cost Pharaoh's jewel-decked army were far of the operation to tzedaka. He didd and the greater than the wealth that they borrowed next day after taking another x-ray the from the Egyptians in Egypt. G-d's promise doctors told him he was perfectly fine and the that "They will leave with great riches" was in operation was canceled. fact fulfilled at the Splitting of the Sea. The only thing you lose by giving tzedaka is If that's the case, why did the Jews need to the tzarot that come with any other way the borrow gold and silver from the Egyptians money will need to be taken from. You can before they left Egypt? try to save a few hundred dollars here and G-d knew that this promise would be fulfilled there by not giving to tzedaka but at the end it later on at the sea. But until then, He didn't will all be lost anyway in a more aggravating want Abraham to be upset and claim that G-d fashion, starting from a broken washing machine and busted pipe to even worse chas

בס''ד v'shalom. You may as well spend it in a Auerbach, z"tl was orphaned from his mother more productive and gratifying manner. and father, and Rav Shlomo Zalman took care of all his needs. When he married, Rav Ben Yehoada: How Shabbat Can Make Shlomo Zalman took the place of his father at Your Dreams Come True the wedding. The wedding took place in Tel "Kol HaMi'aneg Es HaShabbos Nosnim Lo Aviv, and the chassan and kallah were Mishalos Libo", whoever delights the Shabbat planning on living in Tel Aviv after the will be granted the wishes in his heart wedding. (Shabbat 118b). This is quite a reward as it is chosen by the person himself rather than After the wedding, Rav Shlomo Zalman fixed. Why is this so and how does this informed the family that he wished to spend work? the night in Tel Aviv. All the relatives were shocked since they were sure that Rav The Ben Ish Chai in the Ben Yehoada says Shlomo Zalman would return directly to his that delighting Shabbat does not mean with house in Yerushalayaim after the wedding. actions or words. What we do and how we Whoever was familiar with Reb Shlomo speak is not called delighting Shabbat, it is Zalman's tight schedule of learning and required by halacha. Delight is like the davening, knew that it was very rare that he whipped cream, it is over and above what spent a night away from his home, if at all. you are required to do. Chazal tell us that on Shabbat we may not speak about Devarim For many years, Rav Shlomo Zalman's Shel Chol, however Hirhurim Mutarim, nephew was unaware of the reason his uncle thinking is not forbidden. Therefore says the decided to stay the night in Tel Aviv. He Ben Yehoada, delighting the Shabbat means eventually discovered the reason when he that even your thoughts are about Shabbat merited to also tend to the needs of an and your weekday thoughts of business and orphan, including accompanying him to the the like are banished from your mind. That is chupah. Rav Shlomo Zalman called him Oneg, that is delight! before the wedding and said, "I hope that you do for the orphaned chassan what I did for Hashem rewards us Midah K'Neged Midah. you." His nephew didn't understand what For resting the heart and mind from weekday Rav Shlomo Zalman was referring to, until he activity, we are rewarded with being granted reminded about the night after his wedding the wishes of the heart and mind. He says when he stayed the night in Tel Aviv. there is a remez for this in the hours of Shabbat. Shabbat itself is 24 hours. Add the Rav Shlomo Zalman explained, "Every seven hours on Erev Shabbat starting with chassan and kallah receives many gifts on the fifth hour of the day when the light of the day of their wedding. One of the happiest Shabbat begins to set in on the world plus the moments after the chasunah is when the one hour after Shabbat that we cut into, to be young couple opens their presents, and Mosif Kodesh Al HaChol, give us 32 the afterwards they show them off to their gematria of the word "Lev". parents. You had no parents, and I knew you wouldn't be able to enjoy these happy So if you have big plans for Motzaei Shabbat moments. Therefore, despite the difficulties it or upcoming business or vacation the next involved for me, I stayed in Tel Aviv the night week, or if you bought a lottery ticket, don't after the wedding so that you could show me even think about it on Shabbat. Then your your presents the next day." (Aleinu dreams will come true! Leshabeach)

Rav Shlomo Zalman Stays Around To See The Presents The Rav of Ramat Chen, Rav Y. Auerbach, the nephew of Reb Shlomo Zalman

בס''ד commandements que Je vous ai ordonnés PAR LA FRANCOPHONE aujourd'hui, afin d'aimer Hachem votre Di-u de tout votre coeur et de toute votre âme." (Rav Itshak Nabet) Or le Hafetz Haïm explique que le meilleur Inspiré du livre Sihot Ithaskout chovavim et moyen, à notre époque, pour arriver à ancrer ce sentiment en nous est de réaliser combien Nétivot Chalom Hachem éprouve de plaisir à notre service Afin de se Souvenir de la divin. Il faut être conscient que chaque prière, chaque étude, chaque Lachon Ara évité Sortie d'Egypte... entraîne une joie immense à notre créateur. Même si, a priori, nous constatons combien Nous assistons dans la paracha de la semaine, notre service est bien loin de celui des Bo, aux trois dernières plaies d'Egypte: les générations précédentes. Il faut savoir que la sauterelles, les ténèbres et la mort des valeur de nos actes ne dépend pas de leur premiers nés. Et ce sera en pleurant son fils qualité mais de la génération et de l'époque. aîné que Pharaon suppliera Moché Rabénou Ainsi une petite mitsva effectuée aujourd'hui de partir, lui et tout son peuple. De nombreux représente l'équivalent de nombreuses mitsvot commentateurs de la sortie d'Egypte que nos ancêtres ont pu faire, enseigne Rabbi s'interrogent sur l'utilité de ces dix plaies. Haim Vital zal. Pourquoi Hachem a-t- Il eu besoin de tout cela? Tous les ans, nous chantons:"S'Il n'avait Nous devons savoir que lorsque nous tué que les premiers nés, Dayénou"; alors répondons Amen, ou faisons une bénédiction, finalement pourquoi Hachem ne s'est-Il pas cela provoque plus de joie et de lumière dans contenté de cette unique plaie pour nous les sphères célèstes que le Séder de Pessah délivrer? ou les sonneries de Chofar de grands Tsadikim des générations précédentes. Hachem sait Les sages expliquent que tous les miracles de combien il est difficile, à notre époque, de la sortie d'Egypte avaient pour but de dévoiler à garder la Torah et les mitsvot. Combien la quel point Hachem nous aime. L'essentiel de recherche des plaisirs et du repos sont cette libération n'était pas de sortir de ce pays, devenus le centre d'intérêt de notre monde. mais de montrer aux milliers de bné Israel Alors, lorsque le Créateur voit dans une maison combien ils étaient chers aux yeux de leur qu'il y a encore de la pureté et de la vérité, il Père. Et comme un fiancé séduit sa bien-aimée danse au- dessus de nous. Comme il est écrit en lui offrant des cadeaux et en dans notre Paracha " Lorsque je verrai le sang l'impressionnant, chaque plaie rapprochait ainsi dans vos maisons, Je sauterai au-dessus de le peuple d'Israel vers son Créateur. Cette vous." Le rav Moché leb Missassov zal romance à travers le désert, comme le explique que ce verset parle de la génération symbolise Chir Achirim, se termina au Mont d'avant Machiah. Pour nous enseigner que Sinaï. Où Hachem sanctifia Israël parmi les lorsqu' Hachem voit avec quel dévouement ses nations en tant que peuple élu. Et les bné Israël enfants effectuent son service, Il danse dans acceptèrent le contrat de mariage, la Torah. nos maisons et chante "ici habite un juif, ici Comme vous le savez, chaque jour et chaque habite un juif". nuit, nous avons pour mitsva de nous souvenir de la sortie d'Egypte. Et, plus encore, de Lors de la plaie des premiers nés, Hachem nombreuses mitsvot ont pour but de remémorer descendit Lui-même dans l'endroit le plus cet événement, par exemple le Chabat, les malsain du monde, à l'heure la plus obscure de Téfilines, Pessah, Soucot, Chavouot…Nous la nuit, pour prouver à ses enfants combien Il allons essayer de comprendre le sens de cette les aimait. Et cela même si les bné Israel se mitsva. trouvaient aux portes du cinquantième degré d'impureté, pratiquaient l'idolâtrie... Le Tout Le Hovot Halévavot et le Baal Chem Tov Puissant nous dévoila ainsi que le lien qui nous zroutam yagen alénou enseignent que l'objectif unit avec Lui ne dépend pas de notre de toute la Torah et des mitsvot est de parvenir intégrité:c'est une passion indescriptible qui à aimer Hachem. Comme nous le lisons dans dépasse toute logique. La sortie d'Egypte le Chéma "Ce sera lorsque vous écouterez les représente donc la déclaration d'amour

בס''ד d'Hachem pour son peuple. Et comme nous ont-ils dû prendre des couteaux pour se jeter l'avons expliqué, le but de toute la Torah et des sur des juifs? Demander une chose pareille mitsvot est d'arriver à réveiller un sentiment peut être comparé à ordonner de prendre un réciproque. C'est pourquoi nous avons cochon et d'aller l'égorger dans une mosquée l'obligation de nous souvenir de la sortie en Iran. Alors pourquoi Hachem obligea-t-Il les d'Egypte plusieurs fois par jour, afin de ne enfants d'Avraham, Itshak et Yaacov avinou à jamais oublier combien Hachem nous chérit, se mettre ainsi en danger? Ne pouvait-Il pas afin de réveiller notre amour pour Lui. tout simplement les libérer comme Il l'avait promis? De plus, pourquoi leur demander de

mettre du sang sur les portes? Hachem avait-Il vraiment besoin de signes pour séparer les Un Sacrifice pour Sortir juifs des Egyptiens? Cela fait presque dix mois qu'Il punit les uns et épargne les autres? d'Egypte Le rav Avdala Somekh zal explique que les bné Dans la paracha de la semaine, Bo, la Torah Israël s'étaient dégradés en Egypte au point nous raconte les trois dernières plaies d'atteindre le 49è degré d'impureté. Ils ne qu'Hachem envoya aux Egyptiens: les ressemblaient plus du tout à leurs ancêtres. sauterelles, l'obscurité et la mort des premiers Ainsi, même si Hachem avait juré à Avraham nés. Quelques jours avant le coup de grâce, avinou de délivrer sa descendance, il n'y avait Moché annonce aux bné Israël la volonté du plus rien à sauver. Les juifs se comportaient Tout- Puissant: chaque famille doit prendre, le comme des Egyptiens et pratiquaient l'idolâtrie 10 Nissan, un mouton ou un bélier sans défaut, encore plus qu'eux. Comme nous l'enseigne le et qui n'a pas encore un an. Pendant quatre Midrach Chimoni (Devarim 828) au nom de jours, cette bête sera attachée au pied d'un des Schmouel bar Nakhman:"si ce n'est que le lits pour être sacrifiée le 14 Nissan, puis grillée Créateur lui-même avait juré de nous libérer, et mangée la nuit du 15 Nissan. jamais nous ne serions sortis d'Egypte". "Vous placerez du sang de ces animaux autour C'est pourquoi Hachem exigea des garanties de vos portes et vous ne sortirez pas de vos que ce peuple avait toujours un lien avec leurs maisons jusqu'au matin. Ainsi, lorsque sortira aïeux. Et puisqu' Avraham avinou, Itshak Hachem pour frapper les Egyptiens, Il verra le avinou et Yaacov avinou avaient été prêts à sang et vous épargnera…"ordonna Moché donner leur vie pour Hachem, leurs enfants aux bné Israel. devraient les imiter pour mériter se s'appeler De nombreux commentateurs se sont leur descendance. Et c'est ainsi que les bné interrogés sur la nature de ce commandement. Israël prirent des moutons malgré le danger Comme nous le savons, Hachem a promis à que cela représentait, pour prouver à Hachem Avraham avinou que sa descendance serait qu'Ils étaient eux aussi prêts à mourir pour Lui. esclave sur une terre étrangère pendant quatre En plaçant le sang des animaux sur leurs cent ans puis qu'elle sortirait avec une grande maisons, ils témoignaient que seule leur fortune. Or Rachi zal nous explique que les extériorité s'était abîmée. Malgré leur impureté années qui séparent la naissance d'Itshak et leurs fautes, ces millions d'individus étaient avinou de la sortie d'Egypte sont au nombre de bel et bien les enfants d'Avraham avinou. C'est quatre cents. En d'autres mots, la première ainsi que le Midrach (Mékhilta Bo, 11) explique le partie dela promesse était déjà accomplie: verset: "Il verra le sang et vous épargnera, Hachem devait réaliser la fin de sa prophétie: Hachem verra le sang du sacrifice d'Itshak." Ce "et ils sortiront avec de grandes richesses". Si signe n'était donc pas pour qu'Hachem c'est ainsi, pourquoi avoir demandé aux bné distingue les juifs des Egyptiens, mais il devait Israël de prendre l'idole numéro un des permettre aux bné Israël de montrer qu'ils Egyptiens et d'en faire des grillades devant étaient eux-mêmes différents des autres peuples. leurs anciens maîtres? Imaginons un instant la Comme vous le savez, nous avons une mitsva scène. Dès le 11 Nissan, tous les Egyptiens ne de nous souvenir de la sortie d'Egypte nuit et devaient parler que de ça. "T'as entendu, les jour. Un des sens de cette mitsva est de se juifs veulent égorger et griller nos Di-ux!! On rappeler cet enseignement. Même si nous peut pas laisser faire ça!" Combien d'Egyptiens sommes des enfants d'Israël en naissant d'une

בס''ד mère juive ou en nous convertissant, il existe Los comentaristas explican que las primeras une condition pour pouvoir se rapprocher dos etapas representaron la liberación de la d'Hachem et de la Torah. Il faut être prêt à se esclavitud, mientras que la tercera representó sacrifier! A l'image de nos ancêtres qui mirent la salida de Egipto. Fue en la cuarta etapa, la leur vie en péril pour sortir d'Egypte et de lakajtí, cuando el pueblo judío se convirtió recevoir la Torah, chacun doit être capable de en la nación de Di-s (3). La cuarta etapa donner de sa personne s'il désire avancer. Bien culminó en la Entrega de la Torá (4). évidemment, le Créateur ne nous demande pas Sin embargo, pareciera que el proceso de de nous suicider pour montrer notre convertirse en una nación santa comenzó attachement pour Lui. Mais Il nous demande de cuando el pueblo judío aún estaba en Egipto. prendre ce qui nous est cher et de Lui offrir. Lo sabemos porque las primeras mitzvot que Chacun à son niveau possède des choses qui se le ordenaron al pueblo como nación fueron l'empêchent d'avancer. Hachem dans la entregadas en la parashá de esta semana. paracha Bo nous demande de prendre "ces Más aún, la mitzvá de Korbán Pésaj (el cordero cultes étrangers" qui nous détournent de Lui et pascual) que se encuentra en la porción de de les sacrifier! Nous ne devons pas avoir peur, esta semana, simbolizó la aceptación del même s'il paraît parfois impossible de se pueblo judío del pacto entre ellos y Di-s (5). séparer de certaines choses auxquelles nous sommes habitués. Car ainsi que notre Délivreur Hay un aspecto muy interesante de la nous protégea des foules égyptiennes lorsque transición entre la tercera y la cuarta etapa de nous ligotions leurs divinités, Hachem accorde la redención, que se refleja en una ley sobre son aide et sa protection à chaque juif qui veut las ‘cuatro copas de vino’ que tomamos en la accomplir Sa volonté. En outre, les maximes noche del Séder de Pésaj (las cuales des pères ne nous ont-ils pas promis que le corresponden a las cuatro etapas de salaire est en fonction de l'effort? Alors que le redención). El Shulján Aruj (6) legisla que está Tout Puissant nous donne les forces de nous prohibido beber entre la tercera y la cuarta dépasser et de sortir de nos limites afin de copa de vino (7), implicando que estas dos mériter de nous réjouir des mitsvot et de Sa copas deben estar conectadas entre sí, sin que Torah... haya una separación entre ambas. Hay razones halájicas (legales) para esto, pero también se puede sugerir una filosófica (8). Puede decirse que era esencial que la cuarta etapa de la redención ocurriera REFLEXION SEMANAL inmediatamente después de la tercera, sin ningún hefsek (interrupción). ¿Por qué? Porque en la tercera etapa, goaltí, el pueblo judío se (Rav Yonatan Gefen) liberó por completo de la esclavitud de Paró. Sin embargo, una vez que se liberaron de esta La Tercera Etapa de la esclavitud, existió el riesgo de que quedaran en Redención un vacío sin tener alguien a quien servir. Tal situación hubiese sido muy peligrosa, porque La porción de la Torá de esta semana describe es inherente en la naturaleza humana la las tres plagas finales y los eventos que necesidad de servir y admirar a algún ser o llevaron a la salida del pueblo judío de Egipto. entidad. Entonces, era esencial que el pueblo El Midrash nos dice que hubo cuatro etapas en (1) judío reemplazara a Paró de inmediato como la redención de Egipto , basándose en el objeto de su servicio, con, lehavdil, Di-s. Es por versículo de Vaerá en donde Di-s le dice a eso que Di-s les dio las mitzvot que iniciaron su Moshé: “Te sacaré (hotzetí) del sufrimiento de relación con Él incluso antes de que Egipto, te salvaré (hitzaltí) de la esclavitud, te escaparan. Apenas dejaron Egipto físicamente, redimiré (goaltí) con mano fuerte y con grandes comenzaron el proceso de convertirse en una juicios. Y te tomaré (lakajtí) como nación y seré (2) nación de Di-s. En consecuencia, la ley que un Di-s para ti…” . prohíbe interrupción entre la tercera y la cuarta copa de vino simboliza que no podía haber

בס''ד ningún espacio entre la tercera y la cuarta cuanto más irrespetuoso fuera el acto, ¡mejor etapa de redención, a las que corresponden. era como forma de adoración! Basándonos en La etapa de ‘dejar el servicio de Paró’ debía la explicación de Rav Shmuelévitz, pareciera ser inmediatamente seguida por el ‘comienzo que los adoradores de Báal Peor trataron de del servicio a Di-s’. eliminar el impulso humano hacia el servicio a una entidad superior, dirigiéndolo hacia la idea Una idea importante que puede derivarse de de que uno puede hacer lo que quiera. esta explicación es que el deseo de servirle a algo o a alguien es inherente a la naturaleza Con este entendimiento, podemos explicar una humana. Esto ha sido evidente a lo largo de la enigmática Guemará sobre el Báal Peor. La historia mundial. Hasta hace unos pocos siglos, Guemará en Sanhedrín nos cuenta sobre una la idea del ateísmo era virtualmente mujer no judía que estaba muy enferma. Ella desconocida; todo el mundo adoraba a una o prometió que, si se recuperaba, adoraría a más entidades. La existencia de poderes en el todos los ídolos del mundo. Se recuperó, y mundo, a los que las personas debían servir, mantuvo su promesa. Cuando llegó al Báal era algo incuestionable. Vemos, de la Peor, le explicaron cómo adorarlo. Al necesidad de transición inmediata de ‘esclavos enterarse, dijo, con desprecio, que preferiría de Paró’ a ‘sirvientes de Hashem’, que la enfermarse de nuevo antes que adorar a un ausencia de una figura a la cual servir es muy ídolo de una manera tan aborrecible (10). peligrosa para la mente de una persona. Que haya aborrecido esa forma de idolatría, es Basados en esto, vemos que es importante entendible. Ahora, ¿por qué su respuesta fue analizar cómo, en los tiempos modernos, tan fuerte? Ella tenía el deseo que tiene la pareciera que las personas se han liberado mayoría de las personas: servir a una fuerza alegremente del yugo de ‘servir a alguien’. ¿En superior. Por eso, estaba dispuesta a adorar a dónde vemos, en las fuentes de Torá, una toda supuesta “fuerza” en el mundo. Sin manifestación de este deseo de no servir a embargo, cuando oyó sobre el Báal Peor, nadie? reconoció que su esencia contradecía por La respuesta puede encontrarse en las completo la idea del servicio, ya que implicaba palabras de Rav Jaim Shmuelévitz, respecto a que ‘servir a alguien’ era innecesario, que uno una abominable forma de idolatría: la de Báal podía hacer lo que quisiera. Esta actitud le Peor (9). El Báal Peor tiene muchos aspectos pareció tan despreciable que prefirió extraños. Uno es la forma en que lo enfermarse de nuevo a realizar tal adoración. idolatraban: sus idólatras realizaban actos El ateísmo de los últimos siglos parece también desagradables frente al ídolo, siendo el más estar basado en la actitud del Báal Peor. asqueroso de ellos la forma más alabable de Mientras que sus adherentes afirman que sus adoración. Más aún, esta forma de adoración valores están basados en filosofía, en fue una con la que el pueblo judío demostró ocasiones admiten que la razón real de su tener una afinidad particular, como se ve en el ateísmo es permitirse vivir una vida no trágico incidente al final de la parashá Balak, restringida por la religión (11). en donde miles de judíos adoraron a Báal Mientras que la idolatría está, obviamente, Peor. ¿Cuál es la naturaleza de este ídolo? equivocada, y es ampliamente criticada por la Rav Shmuelévitz explica que la esencia misma Torá, muchos pensadores de Torá han notado de Báal Peor era el deseo de no estar que el ateísmo es tanto más desdeñoso como subyugado a ningún poder, y que una peligroso que la idolatría. Una razón para esto consecuencia de esta “libertad” es la es que quien adora ídolos reconoce, al menos, eliminación de todos los límites que acarrea la la necesidad de ‘servir a alguien’. Para esta subyugación a una fuente superior. Todos los persona, no es un gran paso abandonar el otros idólatras reconocían la necesidad de servicio a dioses falsos para servir al Di-s respetar y honrar al objeto de su idolatría, verdadero. Sin embargo, quien no cree en mientras que los adoradores de Báal Peor nada, está más lejos de aceptar el yugo de buscaban desarraigar el impulso humano hacia ‘servir a alguien’. el servicio genuino, reemplazándolo con la degradación de la autoridad. En conformidad,

בס''ד Notamos antes que el pueblo judío fue que el Faraón se arrepintiera y reconociera la particularmente susceptible al Báal Peor. grandeza de Di-s. Él habría permitido que los Pareciera que fue este tipo de idolatría el que judíos se marcharan ya que no habría podido probó ser más tentador, porque el iétzer hará soportar más plagas. Consecuentemente Di-s, busca hacer que se sientan limitados por el al endurecerle el corazón, le dio la fortaleza yugo del servicio Divino y los tienta con un para superar su temor natural y le permitió así sistema de creencias que les permite liberarse poder decidir si rehusarse o no al pedido de de todas las limitaciones. Moshé mediante el uso de su libre albedrío (1). Todos enfrentamos esta prueba en nuestra A Rav Aharón Bakst, Rosh Ieshivá de Lomza, vida; hay muchas tentaciones que nos dan la le llamó mucho la atención la aparentemente oportunidad de sentirnos libres de la carga. Sin sobrehumana terquedad del Faraón. Rav Bakst embargo, debemos advertir que la única fuente solía dar una clase en su casa los viernes por de satisfacción real es el servicio Divino. Como la noche después de la cena. En una ocasión, nos enseñan nuestros Sabios, la única libertad sus estudiantes entraron a su casa y se es la que viene como resultado de seguir la sorprendieron al verlo caminando de un lado a Torá. otro por la habitación hablando solo: “¿En qué estaba pensando el Faraón después de ver Notas: (1) Shemot Rabá, 6:4. (2) Vaerá, 6:6. (3) Ver Or todos esos milagros con sus propios ojos?”. De HaJaim, 6:6. Ver Táam VeDáat para una explicación de la repente, dejó de caminar, giró hacia los razón por la que el quinto término de redención, “Y los traeré a la tierra…” no corresponde a una quinta copa. (4) Ibn estudiantes y explicó: “¡Simplemente no estaba Ezra, 6:7. (5) Ver mi ensayo, "The Individual's Covenant pensando! ¡Una persona sólo puede ignorar With Hashem" (en mi libro “A Light in Time”, p.207) que trata milagros tan impresionantes sin que lo influyan esto en profundidad. (6) Traducido literalmente como La en lo más mínimo si no está pensando! (2)”. mesa servida. Escrito por Rav Iosef Caro a finales del siglo XV, es la obra estándar de ley judía. (7) Shulján Aruj, Óraj Esta explicación del ilógico comportamiento del Jaim, Simán 479, Seif 1. Hay leyes adicionales respecto a si Faraón nos ayuda a entender por qué la gente uno debería abstenerse de beber entre las otras copas, pero esta es la única tratada en la Mishná y todas las autoridades no cambia después de vivir eventos concuerdan respecto a ella. (8) La explicación a impactantes. Puede que las personas incluso continuación está basada en una variedad de fuentes. (9) reconozcan que ocurrieron milagros, pero no Sijot Musar, Maamar 84, Parashat Balak, 'Báal Peor', p.362. piensan en sus consecuencias. Un ejemplo de (10) Sanhedrín, 64a. (11) Un librillo de Aish HaTorá cita al famoso autor ateo, Aldous Huxley, quien admitió al final de esto fue la reacción de los israelíes ante los su vida que toda su filosofía atea fue nada más que una milagros abiertos de la Guerra del Golfo, en la excusa para justificar la inmoralidad. que 39 misiles scud mataron sólo a una persona (3). Mucha gente reconoció que el país claramente había atestiguado la mano de Di-s. Sin embargo, no necesariamente actuaron en Pensar base a esta nueva consciencia de la Providencia Uno de los aspectos más distintivos de las Diez Divina. Plagas fue la persistente negación del Faraón Uno podría preguntarse, ¿en qué estaba a reconocer el error de su accionar y aceptar pensando esa gente?; ¡Claramente habían que el Di-s de los judíos era realmente visto la mano de Di-s protegiendo al pueblo Todopoderoso. La sucesión de milagros no judío y sin embargo no cambiaron! La lograron persuadirlo de que Moshé era en respuesta está justamente en la explicación de realidad el mensajero de Di-s y no sólo un Rav Bakst: No pensaron. Si la persona hubiera hechicero experto. reflexionado seriamente sobre los increíbles Durante las primeras cinco plagas, el Faraón eventos que ocurrieron, seguramente habría se rehusó a liberar a los judíos mientras estaba cambiado de alguna forma. en absoluto control de su libre albedrío. En las Rav David Kaplan cuenta sobre otra segundas cinco plagas, él habría dejado en sorprendente ilustración de este fenómeno. libertad a los judíos de no haber sido porque Rav Iejezkel Levenstein estaba viajando en un Di-s endureció su corazón. taxi cuyo conductor era secular, el cual le contó El Sforno explica, sin embargo, que esto no la siguiente historia: quiere decir que las plagas habrían causado

בס''ד “Hace muchos años, estuve viajando en las consecuencias de este milagro le hicieran junglas de África con algunos amigos. De reflexionar sobre la dirección de su vida. repente, una serpiente atacó a uno de mis También vale la pena notar que su amigo, el amigos, envolvió su voluminoso cuerpo que fue salvado por el milagro, sí cambió. En alrededor de él y comenzó a sofocarlo. ocasiones, un evento puede ser tan poderoso Después de varios esfuerzos nos dimos cuenta que una persona no puede evitar pensar en él que no teníamos chance alguna de salvarlo, y dejar que influya en su vida. Sin embargo, a por lo que le sugerimos a nuestro amigo que menudo no somos nosotros los afectados dijera el Shemá antes de morir. Él lo dijo con directamente por el milagro y necesitamos, en presteza y la serpiente inmediatamente se consecuencia, un esfuerzo más consciente desenrolló y se fue. Mi amigo, que había sido para forzarnos a pensar en las ramificaciones salvado milagrosamente, se vio profundamente de los eventos que vemos y sobre los que oímos. afectado por este evento y gradualmente volvió al judaísmo hasta ser completamente observante”. El primer paso para cambiar es aprender la lección del Faraón y pensar, dejar que los Luego de escuchar cómo este evento había eventos que ocurren en el mundo en general, y cambiado de forma tan drástica la vida de su en nuestras vidas privadas en particular, nos amigo, Rav Levenstein le preguntó al hagan reflexionar sobre nuestras vidas y hacer conductor por qué él, habiendo presenciado los cambios necesarios. Espero que todos ese milagro, no había cambiado a causa de ameritemos pensar sobre lo que ocurre a este. El conductor le explicó: “Oh, es que eso nuestro alrededor. no me pasó a mí; ¡le pasó a él! (4)”.

El conductor presenció un evento lleno de Notas: (1) Sforno, Vaierá 9:12, 35; Bo 10:1. (2) Citado en potencial para cambiarle la vida a cualquiera 'Mishluján Gavoa', Parashat Bo, p.70. (3) En la misma guerra, un solo misil scud en Arabia Saudita mató docenas que lo observara, pero no cambió. ¿Por qué? de personas. (4) Kaplan, Impact, p.85.

Porque no pensó, no permitió que las obvias

Bet Kel. He married Rav Gedalyah’s daughter, Chana, and after his rebbi’s petira, led the NAHALOT yeshiva for 30 years. Among his greatest students are the Chida (Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai) and Rav Gershon Kitover (the Ba’al Shem Tov’s Nahala of the “Ran” This brother-in-law). His sidur was known as the "Sidur Tuesday the 9th of Shebat HaKavanot," and is still used by the mekubalim today for prayer. Rabbenu Nissim ben Reuven, the Ran (1308-1376), author of a commentary to the Talmud and a Nahala of the “Pene Yehoshua” halachic commentary to the work of Rabbenu th Yitzchak Alfasi (the Rif). His extant commentaries Next Sunday the 14 of Shebat on the Rif cover mesechtot Shabbat, Pesachim, Rav Yaakov Yehoshua Falk Katz, the Pnei Ta'anit, Rosh HaShanah, Betza, Sukkah, Yehoshua (1680-1756). Born in Cracow, he studied Megillah, Ketubot, Gittin, Kiddushin, Shevuot, & at Lvov (Lemberg), where he became Rav in 1718, Avodah Zarah. He wrote in reply about 1,000 succeeding the Chacham Tzvi.; Rav of Berlin in responsa, of which only seventy-seven have 1730 and Metz in 1734, succeeding Rav Yaakov been preserved. Rischer (the Shevut Yaakov); Rav of Frankfurt in

1740. He sided strongly with Rav Yaakov Emden Nahala of the “Rashash” This in his controversy with Rav Yonatan Eibeshutz. th On the 3rd of Kislev of 1702, he was trapped Wednesday the 10 of Shebat under fallen rubble following an explosion that Rav Shalom Mizrachi Dida Sharabi, the Rashash killed a total of 36 Jews of Lemberg, inclusing his (1720-1782 [1777 per Yated 2008]). Born in Sharab, wife, Leah, and their only daughter, Gittel. He Yemen, he traveled to Yerushalayim, where he vowed that if he got out alive, he would write a learned under Rav Gedalyah Chiyun of Yehivat sefer. He was miraculaoulsy saved, and thereafter wrote the Pnei Yehoshua.