ב"ה
ו' אלול תשפ"א ISSUE 1432 AUG 14TH '21 פרשת שפטים PARSHAT SHOFTIM PIRKEI AVOT 6
Walking ושפטו את־העם Wholehearted Rebbetzin Shira Smiles משפט־צדק Faculty, OU Israel Center דברים ט"ז, פסוק י"ח page 26
For But One Morsel of Bread Menachem Persoff Special Projects Consultant, OU Israel Center page 44
THIS WEEKS TORAH TIDBITS IS DEDICATED IN HONOR OF THE MARRIAGE OF BONNIE WEINSTEIN AND NATE WILLIAMS YERUSHALAYIM IN/OUT TIMES FOR SHABBAT PARSHAT SHOFTIM Candles 6:49PM • Earliest 6:01PM • Havdala 8:03PM • Rabbeinu Tam 8:41PM
OU ISRAEL 02-560-9100 | TorahTidbits.com | ADVERTISING 02- 560-9125 INSPIRATION FOR THE MONTH OF ELUL התשובה באה משאיפת המציאות כלה להיות יותר טובה ומזככת, יותר חסינה ומעלה ממה שהיא “Teshuva is inspired by the yearning of all existence to be better, purer, more vigorous and on a higher plane than it is.”
Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook zt"l (Orot HaTeshuva 6:1)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dear Torah Tidbits Family Shoftim: A Jewish Army 04Rabbi Avi Berman 40Rabbi Moshe Taragin Aliya By Aliya Sedra Summary Simchat Shmuel 06Rabbi Reuven Tradburks 42Rabbi Sam Shor Darwin and the Mussar Movement For But One Morsel of Bread 12Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb 44Menachem Persoff Learning and Leadership The Y- Files 16Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l 46Weekly Comic for Kids Probing The Prophets The Sun and the Moon 22Rabbi Nachman Winkler 48Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider Sustainability in the Torah Moving a Tzedaka Box on Shabbat 24Rabbi Shalom Rosner 52Rabbi Daniel Mann Walking Wholehearted Who is the Father? 26Rebbetzin Shira Smiles 54Rabbi Gideon Weitzman What Is Our Question? Deadlines For Planting Trees And 28Rabbi Judah Mischel 56Plants Rabbi Moshe Bloom OU Israel Torah 4 Teens By Teens 32Schedule 60Asher Manning // Talia Rapps
KIDDUSH LEVANA: 7 Days After Molad 8 Elul/ Sun. night Aug. 15 Last Opportunity To Say Kiddush Levana Until.. 15 Elul, Sun. Aug. 22, All night
2 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM CANDLE LIGHTING OTHER AND HAVDALA TIMES Z'MANIM JERUSALEM
CANDLES EARLIEST SHOFTIM HAVDALA KI TEITZE Ranges 11 days Wed.- Shabbat Candles Earliest Havdala 6:01 Yerushalayim / Maale Adumim August 11 -21 / 3 - 13 Elul 6:49 8:03 6:41 5:55 7:54 7:06 6:03 Aza area (Netivot, S’derot, Et al) 8:05 6:59 5:57 7:56 Earliest Tallit and Tefillin 5:07 - 5:14 7:08 6:02 Beit Shemesh / RBS 8:03 7:00 5:56 7:55 Sunrise 6:02 - 6:08 Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:22 - 9:25 7:04 6:01 Gush Etzion 8:03 6:57 5:55 7:55 Magen Avraham 8:43 - 8:46 7:06 6:03 Raanana/ Tel Mond/ Herzliya/ K. Saba 8:05 6:59 5:57 7:56 Sof Zman Tefila 10:30 6:02 Modi’in / Chashmona’im 6:58 5:56 7:55 (According to the Gra and Baal HaTanya) 7:05 8:04 Chatzot (Halachic Noon) 12:44 - 12:42 6:03 Netanya 6:59 5:57 7:57 7:07 8:05 Mincha Gedola (Earliest Mincha) 1:18 - 1:15 7:05 6:02 Be’er Sheva 8:03 6:58 5:56 7:55 Plag Mincha 6:03 - 5:54 7:06 6:03 Rehovot 8:04 6:59 5:57 7:56 Sunset (Including Elevation) 7:31 - 7:20 6:49 6:03 Petach Tikva 8:05 6:41 5:57 7:56 Seymour J. Abrams • Orthodox 7:05 6:02 Ginot Shomron 8:04 6:58 5:56 7:56 Union Jerusalem World Cen- ter • Avrom Silver Jerusalem 6:57 6:03 Haifa / Zichron 8:06 6:49 5:57 7:57 College for Adults • Wolinetz 6:01 Gush Shiloh 6:57 5:55 7:55 Family Shul • Makom BaLev • 7:04 8:03 Birthright • Yachad • NCSY 6:03 Tel Aviv / Giv’at Shmuel 6:59 5:57 7:57 in Israel • JLIC in Israel • Pearl 7:06 8:05 & Harold M. Jacobs ZULA Out- 6:01 Giv’at Ze’ev 6:57 5:55 7:55 reach Center • The Jack Gindi Oraita Program • OU 7:05 8:03 Israel Kashrut 7:04 6:01 Chevron / Kiryat Arba 8:03 6:57 5:55 7:54 ZVI SAND, PRESIDENT, OU ISRAEL 7:07 6:04 Ashkelon 8:05 6:59 5:57 7:57 Yitzchak Fund, Former President, OU Israel Rabbi Emanuel Quint z”l, Senior Vice President | Prof. 7:06 6:03 Yad Binyamin 8:04 6:58 5:57 7:56 Meni Koslowsky, Vice President 7:00 6:01 Tzfat / Bik’at HaYarden 8:04 6:52 5:55 7:55 VAAD MEMBERS: Dr. Michael Elman | Stuart Hershkowitz | Moshe 7:04 6:01 Golan 8:03 6:56 5:54 7:54 Kempinski | Sandy Kestenbaum | Harvey Wolinetz Rabbeinu Tam (J'lem) - 8:41 PM • next week - 8:33pm RABBI AVI BERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OU ISRAEL David Katz, CFO, OU Israel | Chaim Pelzner, Director TImes According to MyZmanim (20 min. before sundown in most cities, of Programs, OU Israel | Rabbi Sam Shor, Director 40 min. in Yerushalyim and Petach Tikva, 30 min. in Tzfat/Haifa) of Programs, OU Israel Center Rabbi Sholom Gold, Dean, Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults 22 Keren HaYesod <> POB 37015 <> Jerusalem 91370 OU Kashrut NCSY Jewish Action JLIC NJCD / Yachad / Our Way OU West Coast phone: (02) 560 9100 | fax: (02) 566-0156 OU Press Synagogue/Community Services OU Advocacy OU Israel email: [email protected] MOISHE BANE, PRESIDENT OF THE ORTHODOX UNION Mitchel Aeder, Chairman of website: www.ouisrael.org the Board, Orthodox Union | Esther Williams, OU Israel Chair | Gary Torgow, Chair, OU Founders and initial benefactors of the OU Israel Kashrus Commission Center: George and Ilse Falk a"h RABBI MOSHE HAUER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Rabbi Joshua M. Joseph, Ed.D. Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer | Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Exec. V.P. Emeritus | Shlomo Schwartz, Chief Financial Officer | Lenny Bessler, Chief Human Resources Officer | Rabbi Dave Felsenthal, Chief Innovation Officer Torah Tidbits and many of the OU KOSHER: Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO/Rabbinic Administrator OU Kosher | Rabbi Moshe Elefant, COO/Exec- projects of OU Israel are assisted utive Rabbinic Coordinator ISRAEL: Rabbi Yissachar Dov Krakowski, Rabbinic Administrator | Rabbi Ezra Friedman, by grants from THE JERUSALEM The Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education/Rabbinic Field Representative MUNICIPALITY Headquarters: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 212-563-4000 website: www.ou.org
Editor Emeritus: Phil Chernofsky OU Israel, Torah Tidbits does not endorse the political or Editor: Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider | [email protected] halachic positions of its editor, columnists or advertisers, nor Advertising: Ita Rochel | 02-5609125 or [email protected] guarantee the quality of advertised services or products. Nor Website: www.ou.org/torah/tt | www.torahtidbits.com do we endorse the kashrut of hotels, restaurants, caterers or Cover photo: By israeltourism - https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitisrael/6180275423, CC BY 2.0, food products that are advertised in TT (except, of course, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26626207 those under OU-Israel hashgacha). Any "promises" made in Not getting enough TTs? Too many? None at all? ads are the sole responsibility of the advertisers and not that Contact our distribution 050-577-2111 • [email protected] of OU Israel, the OU Israel Center , Torah Tidbits.
OU ISRAEL CENTER 3 DEAR TORAH TIDBITS FAMILY RABBI AVI BERMAN Executive Director, OU Israel
One of the many aspects a 30 minute drive. The older girl/young I enjoy and appreciate about woman is 18 and preparing to start Sheurt my role as Executive Direc- Leumi (National Service), and she was tor of OU Israel is going to with her 5 year old sister. The older sister meet with people all over the was taking her younger sister along to run country (and globally) to see our programs errands in Beit Shaan, where the fami- and companies in action. Whether it be lies living in their Yishuv go for errands, taking Deputy Mayor, Foreign Relations of including the bank, post office, and larger Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum to visit grocery store. the Pearl & Harold Jacobs Zula Outreach Their family, along with most of the Center last Thursday or last Tuesday’s visit 45 families on their Yishuv, were expelled to Of Tov, the range of OU impact on Israeli from Gush Katif 16 years ago. She was society never ceases to inspire me. two years old at the time of the disengage- Last week, I received an added dose of ment, and she is one of the most passionate inspiration on my way to the Of Tov factory. speakers I have ever heard on the topic Along with two of my sons, I drove past of settling the Land of Israel. She spent Kochav Hashachar and other Yishuvim almost the entire half an hour drive try- through the Bikah. This was a breathtak- ing to convince me to move my family to ing drive which always makes me think Maskiot. She kept on pointing out the win- about the beauty of Eretz Yisrael. As we dow and saying “we need more Jews to were passing by a Yishuv called Maskiot, move here”.... “and here.” my boys and I saw two girls standing at the I asked her about schooling, and she entrance waiting for a tremp. They were told me that they have a bus take them to on a road not many people drive by, and school in Yerushalayim. This is a 1.5 hour we wanted to help them. bus ride each way. When I asked her if that They were waiting for someone to stop was hard, she replied simply and to the and give them a ride to Beit Shaan, the point, “It’s a small price to pay for Yishuv nearest city to their Yishuv, and we were Eretz Yisrael.” Wow. happy to help them out. It is amazing how Many of us reading Torah Tidbits are you can learn the essence of someone in Olim who view ourselves as passionate and excited about living in Israel. Yet, there Condolences to Goldie Gross was something that moved me hearing on the passing of her SISTER a"h the passion that this young woman had. Despite knowing her family was expelled המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
4 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM from their home in Gush Katif and despite Aliyah a few days after their wedding, commuting 3 hours a day to school, she is and have lived in Israel (in Petach Tikvah a Shelicha trying to advocate that people and Har Nof) ever since. Baruch Hashem move to her Yishuv. Seeing this passion in they built a beautiful family, and I was the younger generation is exactly what we lucky enough that they allowed me to need. It filled my heart with endless joy marry their third child 24 years ago. Last since the passion of the younger genera- Shabbat we gathered together - them, tion will be the passion of our leadership their children, grandchildren, and great in the upcoming decades. While I can’t say grandchildren - to celebrate this wonder- that she convinced me to move my family ful blessing from Hashem. While they are from Givat Ze’ev, I can definitively say that both native French speakers, they are also her passion inspired me. dedicated Torah Tidbits readers. Since I After this encounter, my sons and I know they read this article, I want to take continued on to the Of Tov factory. Main- this opportunity to thank them for all they taining strong relationships with our OU have done and continue to do for my fam- Kosher factories and teams in the field ily and me. Wishing you a big Mazel Tov, is incredibly important, and I always Ad Meah V’esrim Shana. enjoy visiting our companies. As always, I encourage you to purchase OU Kosher products which not only offer you the Avi, highest standard of Kashrut but support Executive Director, OU Israel OU community programming. [email protected] On the topic of Kashrut, I am excited to share with you that we have a new OU Shechita company called Lechumra which Bonnie and Nate, you will soon be seeing in grocery stores We wish you a long, happy and around the country. Special thank you to healthy life together filled with Rabbi Yissachar Dov Krakowski (Direc- countless brachot. tor of OU Kashrut Israel Division), Rabbi We are thrilled to have shared Ezra Friedman (Director of the Gustave with you in your wedding and & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Educa- Sheva Brachot. tion/ OU Rabbinic Field Representative), May the love that you have for each and the rest of the OU Israel Kosher team other today be with you for the rest of for doing such a wonderful job expanding your lives and together may you build Kosher supervision and Kashrut education a Bayit Neeman Biyisrael. in Israel. With much love, Finally, on a more personal note, last Grandma Shabbat was a very special Shabbat. We Aunt Lenore and Uncle Stanley celebrated my in-laws’ 50th anniversary. Uncle Jerrald My in-laws got married in Paris, made
OU ISRAEL CENTER 5 to build in the Land of Israel. In a word: KI TEITZEI nation building. Last week we saw the SHOFTIM introduction of the first pillar of the Jewish society: the establishment of a monotheis- tic society, including the centrality of what ALIYA-BY-ALIYA will be Jerusalem and avoidance of the lure SEDRA SUMMARY of idol worship. We saw the pillar of chesed and mitzvot legislating care for the needy Rabbi Reuven in Shemita and in Maaser Sheni: in a word, Tradburks ethical monotheism. Shoftim is the build- Director of ing of national institutions: the judiciary, RCA Israel Region the executive and the legislature, includ- ing courts, the king, prophets and proper nd Parshat Shoftim is the 2 of 3 parshiot that conduct of war. While there are many laws have a total of 170 mitzvot. Shoftim has 41 introduced, it is all in a natural flow, outlin- of those. These 3 parshiot are the middle of ing the crucial aspects of all these branches 3 sections of Sefer Devarim. The first sec- of government. A theme that animates tion, Parshiot Devarim, Va’etchanan and many of these national institutions is not Ekev were Moshe’s narrative of the lessons only their roles, but as importantly their of the past. Don’t be skeptical about your limits; what we call today the checks and ability to enter the Land; that was the sin of balances of institutions. the spies and you don’t want to repeat their st fate. He went over the lessons of the pivotal 1 aliya (Devarim 16:18-17:13) stories of the Torah: Mt. Sinai, the golden Courts: Establish courts and be calf, the spies, manna as well as others. The vigilant in fairness; do not show last of the 3 sections in Devarim returns favoritism or accept bribes for they blur to preparation to enter the Land, includ- good judgment. Do not plant a tree next to ing 4 very short parshiot. These middle 3 the altar, nor establish a stone monument, parshiot are nation building: they express nor offer blemished sacrifices. If one is the vision of what type of society we want found to worship idols, examine the case carefully in court: guilt must be established Keren Malki empowers through the testimony of witnesses. If families of children established to be true, put that person to with special needs in death and remove evil from your midst. Israel to choose home care. Donations are Should a ruling be elusive, refer it to the tax-approved in Israel, higher court; its decision is binding. Do not US and UK. deviate from its ruling. Honoring the memory of -Judiciary: What is stated here is the impor הי”ד Malka Chana Roth kerenmalki.org 1985-2001, killed in the tance of fair and just courts; however, 02-567-0602 Sbarro bombing. what it seeks to avoid is more important.
6 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM discussing how to continue to operate the No vigilantism. Don’t fight the Lord’s bat- Zula when the teenagers aren’t always tles declaring “that person is worshipping interestedIItt ppaysay sin tto ocompiling bbuyuy a ppropertyrwithop ercoronaty idols. I will step into the breach and elim- guidelines, such as not properly wearing inate them. Who needs courts?”. A court iinn AAshkelonshkelon – hhere’sere’s wwhy:hy: their masks. Due to Corona, the Zula is system is a check and balance on religious REASON #8: NOTICED HOW MANY operating outside its usual location on zeal, G-d’s warrior. A commitment to jus- OF YOUR FRIENDS BOUGHT THERE? Yaffo Street since we cannot be inside. tice requires restraint of the people; you The cold in Yerushalayim was frigid, and can’t just do what you think is right. Bow IIt’st’s sstilltill nnotot ttoooo llateate my hands remained in my pockets while to the wise judges. ttoo ggetet iinn oonn yyourour I shuffled myoown wbodyn ssea-viewtoe atry-v iandew stay hhomeom warm.e 2nd aliya (17:14-20) King: When Yet, a few meters in front of me our Zula david zwebner settled in the Land, appoint a counselors wereOnly strumming 15% down and their you can guitars buy Licensed real your dream vacation home with Jewish king. He may not accumu- and sittingestate calmlymortgages as they available listened and bank to the late excessive horses, nor too many wives, professional guarantees in Anglo-populated youthwith overunburden 49 Afridar. themselves. Rental income They often inwere nor silver and gold. He shall have his own seeingyears the of potentialexcess to 3.5%.in these Largest selectionkids and of experience Torah with him at all times in order to watering themboth with new acceptance and under construction. and love avoid self-aggrandizement and to ensure because they know that they will be the allegiance to the mitzvot. futureLIVE blossoming OPPOSITE leaders ofTHE the JewishSEA people. 0544-332621 Executive Branch: There are strengths davidz@A shkelonProperties.com 36 DAY and weaknesses in every system of gover- nance known to man. The weakness of a monarchy occurs when the King no lon- DECLUTTER CHALLENGE ger serves the people, but serves his own Avi Join the 36 day challenge for $1 a interests. Hence, the checks and balances: Executive Director, OU Israel a) limit the horses, meaning the power of day + 7 bonus days to get ready the military b) limit wives, self indulgence Save a Life - Gain yours for Pesach. Daily challenge email, video, how tos, & support group. and license and 3) limit gold, the greed of 1 of 78,424 possessions. Rather, read the Torah. The Finally declutter AND get organized!! King is to serve G-d and His people. Sounds EFRAT www.efrat.org.il like a good system: at least when it works. 02-5454500 JOIN TODAY! 3rd aliya (18:1-5) Kohen, Levi: www.balaganbegone.com/36 The tribe of Levi, including Hotline option avaliable Kohanim, shall not have a por- tion in the Land of Israel for the holy STARTS service is their lot. The Kohen, who serves FEB 14, 2021
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 7 OU ISRAEL CENTER 5 G-d, shall be given portions of animals, pro- whenever his heart stirs him. For that is his duce and shearing. true task. When the heart stirs for corrup- tion and abuse of position, it needs brakes. Religious servants: These religious lead- When the hearts stirs for Divine service it ers are supported by a type of tax on the is welcomed. people. But with limits. No land. And only these portions. It is not what is given to sup- Legislature: The discussion here of sor- port the Kohanim and Leviim; it is what is cery and divination is an introduction not. Every society supports its religious to the legislature, the source of wisdom, leaders. The power is in the check on their direction and the law itself. There is a lot abuse of position by declaring what they of mystery in our world. There are displays receive: this, and only this. As the zealot of unusual powers, inexplicable sources of must retreat and allow the courts to man- knowledge, a world of unseen forces. But age the idol worshipper. And as the king society becomes chaotic when subjected to must retreat and limit his power and per- those speaking in the name of unseen pow- sonal license to lust and wealth. So too, the ers. The clairvoyant will demand that their religious leaders must retreat and serve voice be heard for they alone know truth. G-d and the people; being supported but The Torah requires powerful restraint. with modesty. That is not our source of truth. As the next aliya outlines, our source of truth is G-d 4th aliya (18:6-12) The Levi is per- through the prophet. mitted to serve in the Temple whenever he chooses. Sorcery: 5th aliya (18:13-19:13) Prophet: Avoid the practices of the people in the While the people in the Land Land, such as child sacrifice, divination, seek wisdom through magical omens, sorcery, communicating with the techniques, you seek yours through G-d dead. Your allegiance is to G-d. Himself. Although you said at Sinai that you did not want to hear His voice directly, While the previous aliya gave checks and nonetheless you have the Prophet to con- balances to the Kohen in accumulating vey G-d’s directives. Heed the words of the wealth, when it comes to doing the service prophet, though not of the false prophet. itself in the Temple, the Levi is welcomed The true prophet’s predictions come true: May the Torah learned from this issue not so for the false prophet. Prepare 3 cities my father on the east bank of the Jordan and 3 cities לע"נ of Torah Tidbits be in the Land of Israel as refuge for the acci- dental murderer. He is not subject to the משה בן צבי ז"ל death penalty. Innocent blood ought not be ז"ל Moshe Goldstein on his 29th yahrzeit, 3 Elul spilled in the Land. Harriet Goldstein - Mark Our parsha has outlined the judiciary, the Grandsons and Great - Grandchildren judges and the executive, the king. The
8 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM legislature, the branch that creates the laws, is trickier; the source of our laws is G-d, related through the prophet. But within this little section is an expression of Moshe’s humility. Because tradition main- tains that the prophets after the time of Moshe are not to be legislators. They do not introduce new laws. All legislation rests in the hands of the rabbinic leaders. We saw that above: should a case be too difficult, refer it to the higher court and then you are bound by its decision. Law, from here on in, is in the hands of the rabbis, not in the hands of the prophet. When Moshe says True wholesaler from the diamond here to heed the voice of the prophet, he is boursa with over 25 years experience really speaking of himself. Prophets in the member diamond dealers club future will encourage, scold, criticize, and Engagement Rings ∙ Stud Earrings Pendants Tennis Bracelets direct the people: but not with new ground. ∙ 050-573-9061 [email protected] Moshe doesn’t want to say “listen to me and www.JeffMorDiamondJewelry.com me alone”. Rather, he says “Follow the laws of the true prophet”. Which is Moshe.
6th aliya (19:14-20:9) Do not encroach over the borders of your property. Testimony: One witness is insufficient in court. Conniving witnesses who intend harm through their testimony shall themselves receive the harm they intended. War: Do not be afraid Turn Your Gold of the enemy in war, for G-d champions your battles. A special appointed Kohen into Cash! shall encourage the soldiers. In addition, he shall exempt some of the soldiers: those Safe & Jewelry Pays Cash Convenient Manufacturer Reliability who have a new home, a new vineyard, a Best rate for Served at Upgrade old to Member of broken, old your place, new the Israel gold, without • free personal Diamond betrothed wife, or are afraid. These shall inheritances Schlepping design Exchange & out. • Buy the the World not demoralize the other soldiers. Covid diamond from Federation complient the source since 1997
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 9 Having outlined the judiciary, the execu- lest those who survive lead you astray. Do tive and the legislature, one of the primary not destroy fruit trees while laying siege to functions of the executive, the King, is to a city. When a body is found dead in the protect his people militarily. Some laws of field, the nearest city shall perform a cere- war are outlined. Morale of the army is par- mony declaring them not responsible for amount. The Kohen’s presence reminds the this death. The Land needs to be cleansed soldiers that they are G-d’s army. Nonethe- of innocent blood. less, morale may be damaged by soldiers After the laws of war, the Torah circles back preoccupied with their personal worries. to one lone body found dead in the field. The Midrash maintains that a new home And the need to cleanse both the leader- or a new vineyard is hardly sufficient rea- ship and the land of this innocent blood. son to receive a draft exemption. These This too is a kind of check and balance on are put there so that the one who is really the military. Oh, don’t think we have a low plain scared can leave the battlefield and regard for life. Loss of innocent life defiles not demoralize the others, under the cover the Land – and us. Embark on war with that perhaps he has a new vineyard. Thus sobriety. sparing the pride of the frightened soldier. 7th aliya (20:10-21:9) In approach- HAFTORAH ing war, try peace first. But if YESHAYAHU 51:12 - 52:12 refused, fight the war to the end, Please join us for a Shiur in memory of This week’s haftorah is the fourth of a series of seven “Haftarot of Consolation.” These seven haftarot commence on the Shabbat הי"ד Danny Frei following Tisha b’Av and continue until שיעור לזכר דני פריי הי"ד The Akeidah: Questions of Ethics, Rosh Hashanah. Philosophy and Sacrifice given by Rabbi Shai Finklestein The haftorahs of the past two weeks have alluded to the fear of the nation of Israel יום שלישי, אור ל-י' אלול ה'תשפ"א Tuesday, August 17th that perhaps they have been abandoned by God. In response, this week’s haftorah 7:30pm (Maariv at 7:50pm) begins with God’s response: “I, indeed I, בית כנסת שמעון הצדיק, רחוב בן בבא, קטמון will comfort you.” Please scan code for all relevant information the day of the shiur. After castigating Israel for forgetting their 1. It will give you the zoom link. Creator the prophet describes the suffering 2. It will have a link for the and tribulations which Israel has endured. source sheet. However, the time has come for Israel’s 3. It will have a sign up sheet for those who plan to come to Shabbat afternoon Parsha shiur with the venue, pending the corona Rabbi Chanoch Yeres at 5:00pm in the rules at that time back garden of the OU Israel Center
10 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM oppressors to drink the “cup of suffering.”
Yeshayahu announces the good tidings of Redemption. “Burst out in song, sing together, O ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord e ce is lik a work has consoled His people; He has redeemed r fa of u ar Jerusalem.” Yo t
The haftorah concludes by spotlighting the difference between the Egyptian Exodus, when the Israelites quickly hurried out of their exile, and the future Redemption: “For not with haste shall you go forth and It deserves a beautiful frame not in a flurry of flight shall you go, for the Professional Optometrists Lord goes before you, and your rear guard Eye exams/ Contact lens ttings is the God of Israel.” Multifocal specialists -- your satisfaction guaranteed
ARNONA/TALPIOT - STATS Beit Hanatziv, Derech Hevron 101A RAMAT ESHKOL Shopping Center (Above Waffle Bar) 48th of the 54 sedras; 5th of 11 in Devarim, Written on 191.6 lines (rank: 27) (02) 674-3888 18 Parshiyot; 3 open, 15 closed, 97 pesukim - rank: 36 - 7th in Devarim (tied with Tzav, but larger) 1523 words - rank: 28 - 7th in Devarim 5590 letters - rank: 31 - 7th in D’varim
MITZVOT
41 mitzvot - 14 positive, 27 prohibitions; ranks 6th among the sedras, in mitzvot. The top 6 mitzva-sedras - contain 55% of the Torah’s mitzvot (31 other sedras have the other 45%; 17 have none).
The SHLOSHIM for ז"ל CHANA LERBA will take place on Tuesday, 17 August סיום משניות -- at 20:00 Bet Knesset "Mizpe Ramot" Wednesday, 18 August at 11:00 --- הקמת מצבה ל"ד Har Hamenuchot-- Gush For more information please call: 0528808560
OU ISRAEL CENTER 11 BY RABBI DR. TZVI HERSH WEINREB THE PERSON OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus IN THE PARSHA
two sources for ethical guidance. The first Darwin and is yir’at shamayim, fear of heaven, which is a religious source. The second is hamussar the Mussar hativ’i, natural ethics, by which he means the knowledge of right and wrong, which Movement is available to all mankind, no matter what their religion is, if any. Rav Kook asserts thics is a subject about which we that these two sources go hand-in-hand all have many questions. What and must be consistent with one another. Emakes an ethical personality? More recently, I have been read- How do we make ethical decisions in com- ing a book by the psychiatrist Maurice plicated circumstances? Levine, entitled Psychiatry and Ethics. Personally, there are two specific ques- Levine begins the first chapter his work tions that have always been of concern with a quotation from Charles Darwin’s to me. One is, “How does one get started autobiography: upon the process of becoming a more eth- “I had... followed a golden rule, namely ical person?” This question is especially that whenever a published fact, a new relevant at this time of year when many observation or thought came across me, of us begin to think about the upcoming which was opposed to my general results, High Holidays and the requirement that to make a memorandum of it without fail we embark upon a process of introspec- and at once; for I had found by experi- tion, of repentance, of teshuvah. ence that such facts and thoughts were far There is a second type of question that more apt to escape from the memory than I pose to myself: “Where do we look to favorable areas. Owing to this habit, very for guidance in ethical matters?” Are we few objections were raised against my restricted only to sacred sources? Or do views, which I had not at least noticed and secular sources also hold wisdom with attempted to answer.” regard to ethical behavior and to self-im- Levine uses this interesting habit of provement in the ethical sphere? the father of the theory of evolution to In my personal reflections on the subject illustrate what he considers to be a funda- of universal ethics, I have long been guided mental process in the development a truly by a passage in the writings of Rabbi Abra- ethical person. He calls this the process of ham Isaac HaCohen Kook, the first chief “self-scrutiny”. He writes, “A good part of a Rabbi of the land of Israel. He speaks of man’s ethics consists of the ways in which
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Ashke on Properties LIVE OPPOSITE THE SEA call David at 054-433-2621 [email protected] www.ashkelonproperties.com DESIGN: BEN HERSKOWITZ he copes with his temptations.” Darwin to know oneself, the need to be as honest was aware of his own temptation to only with oneself as possible, the need to avoid recognize evidence that supported his the- self-kidding.” ories and to conveniently ignore or forget This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Shof- facts that would undermine them. And he tim, we encounter a mitzvah which seems acted to control that temptation. to be given only to judges: “You shall not Darwin was certainly not unique in judge unfairly... you shall not take bribes, this weakness, although the manner in for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning which he dealt with it was exemplary. We and upset the plea of the just.” (Deuteron- all have ideas about our projects, or about omy 16:19) ourselves, and we all tend to pay careful In the mid-19th century, a rabbi named attention to everything that would confirm Israel Salanter began a movement our opinions. And we all excel at ignoring, designed to educate people about the suppressing, forgetting, or discounting all importance of ethics in the Jewish tradi- information that might force us to reeval- tion. That movement was known as the uate our theories or, heaven forbid, MAZEL TOV TO re-examine our opinions about ourselves. Marvin & Tirtza Jotkowitz As Levine puts it, one of the fundamen- upon the marriage of your grandchildren tals of sound ethical character is “the need Kayla & Shimon Schwab
OU ISRAEL CENTER 13 “Mussar Movement,” “mussar” being the Hebrew word for ethics. This movement had many leaders over the generations and continues to have a significant contempo- rary influence. One of the greatest representatives of the Mussar Movement was a man named 02 678 65 95 Rabbi Abraham Grodzinski, who was mur- dered by the Nazis in the ghetto of Kovno VILLA IN MALHA during the Holocaust. Gorgeous villa, 8 rooms, 2 levels Rabbi Grodzinski had a problem with renovated, basement divided the text of the above verse in this week’s into 4 flats, parking, garden. Torah portion. He wondered what those COTTAGE IN EMEK REFAIM of us who are not judges can learn from the injunction against taking bribes. What Duplex, 130sqm, 6 rooms, roof lesson is there for every man in the obser- terrace 84sqm, option for TAMA vation that “bribery blinds the eyes of the parking , storage. New price ! discerning?” The martyred Rabbi had an answer VILLA IN HOLYLAND that is strikingly similar to the observa- Great house, garden and tion about ethics that Dr. Levine was able terrace, panoramic views, 6 rooms, parking, 2 rented flats. to learn from Darwin’s autobiographical note. “We all have personal interests,” APT IN RECHAVIA writes Rabbi Grodzinski, “personal incli- nations that result in misperceptions, Nice 3 rooms, 75sqm, open views, succah balcony, 3rd floor. misjudgments, and tragic moral errors. These personal prejudices are the equiva- GARDEN APT IN KATAMON lent of bribery. Our own self-interest often Lovely garden, 3.5 rooms, blinds us and distorts our judgment as to renovated, rented storage. what is right and what is wrong.” The great ethical teachers in our tradi- VILLA IN GILO tion consistently point out that in a sense, Unique house with swimming we are all “judges,” and we are constantly pool, huge garden and terraces, acting as judges in all of the decisions that panoramic views, 6 rooms, 2 we make throughout even the most mun- rented flats, garden, storage dane day. And we are always subject to www.jerusalemimmobilier.com “bribes;” that is, to the temptations to ignore information that is uncomfortable to us, that threatens our pre-existing assump- tions, or that forces us to re-examine the
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 15
Thoughts on the Weekly Parsha from COVENANT & RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ZT"L Former Chief Rabbi of the CONVERSATION United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
לעילוי נשמת May the learning of these Divrei Torah be HaRav Ya'akov Zvi ben David Arieh zt"l
Power, in the human arena, is to be לעילוי נשמות divided and distributed, not concentrated in פנחס בן יעקב אשר וגולדה בת ישראל דוד אייז ע״ה ,a single person or office. In biblical Israel עזריאל בן אריה לייב ומעניה בת יצחק שרטר ע״ה there were Kings, Priests and Prophets. Dedicated by Kings had secular or governmental power. Dr. Robert Sreter DDS., M.S. Priests were the leaders in the religious domain, presiding over the service in the Temple and other rites, and giving rulings Learning and on matters to do with holiness and purity. Prophets were mandated by God to be criti- Leadership cal of the corruptions of power and to recall the people to their religious vocation when- he parsha of Shoftim is the classic ever they drifted from it. source of the three types of leader- Our parsha deals with all three roles. Tship in Judaism, called by the Sages Undoubtedly, though, the most atten- the “three crowns”: of priesthood, kingship tion-catching is the section on kings, for and Torah.1 This is the first statement in many reasons. First, this is the only com- history of the principle, set out in the eigh- mand in the Torah to carry with it the teenth century by Montesquieu in L’Esprit explanation that this is what other people des Lois (The Spirit of Laws), and later made do: “When you enter the land the Lord fundamental to the American constitution, 2 of “the separation of powers.” and “make a fence around the law.” Hence in Judaism the King was the executive; the 1 Mishnah Avot 4:13. Maimonides, Mish- priesthood in biblical times was the judi- neh Torah, Hilchot Talmud Torah, 3:1. ciary. The “crown of Torah” worn by the 2 Montesquieu’s division, followed in Prophets was a unique institution: a Divinely most Western democracies, is between leg- sanctioned form of social criticism – a task islature, executive and judiciary. In Judaism, assumed in the modern age, not always suc- primary legislation comes from God. Kings cessfully, by public intellectuals. There is and the Sages had the power to introduce today a shortage of Prophets. Perhaps there only secondary legislation, to secure order always was.
16 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM your God is giving you and have taken pos- session of it and settled in it, and you say, ‘Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us...’” (Deut. 17:14). Normally, in the Torah, the Israelites are commanded to be For information on magni cent stand alone homes in German Colony, Baka and Old Katamon. different. The fact that this command is an Call today: Eta: 054-723-3863 exception was enough to signal to commen- Old Katamon/San Simon/Kiryat Schmuel tators throughout the ages that there is a 140 sqm apt on one oor with registered balcony of 123 sqm. Great condition, under oor heating, certain ambivalence about the idea of mon- central air, full of light, parking in front of building. archy altogether. Price 5,300,000 NIS. Second, the passage is strikingly neg- Newly renovated 145 sqm apartment on one oor, shabbat elevator, registered parking and storage. ative. It tells us what a King must not do, Price 4,200,000 NIS. Great Deal. rather than what he should do. He should New project 4, 5, 6 rooms available. Underground not “acquire great numbers of horses,” or parking, shabbat elevator and storage. Starting “take many wives” or “accumulate large prices at 3,800,000 NIS- larger apts -6,000,000 NIS. amounts of silver and gold” (Deut. 17:16-17). New penthouse!! 104 sqm with 60 sqm terrace, shabbat elevator, registered parking. 4,800,000 NIS These are the temptations of power, and as Baka / Makor Haim we know from the rest of Tanach, even the Historic Jerusalem stone building, high ceilings, full greatest – King Solomon himself – was vul- of character, registered 225 sqm garden, 230 sqm on two oors, 2 registered parking spots/storage. nerable to them. ONE of a KIND property. Call more info. Third, consistent with the fundamental Magical garden apartment, 229 sqm built space, Judaic idea that leadership is service, not 300 sqm registered garden in the heart of Baka. dominion or power or status or superiority, Call for more info. the King is commanded to be humble: he New duplex penthouse, 140 sqm with two sukka terraces only 4,500,000 NIS!!!Mekor Haim must constantly read the Torah “so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God ... and Quadra garden apartment,107 sqm duplex with 20 sqm garden , registered parking - pool and gym for not consider himself better than his fellow residences. 3,700,000 NIS. Israelites” (Deut. 17:19-20). It is not easy to Talbiya be humble when everyone is bowing down Ehad HaAm Street. Renovated, turnkey 122 sqm with Shabbat elevator, sukka terrace, registered before you and when you have the power of parking and storage. Churchland 2051. Only life and death over your subjects. 3,950,000 NIS!!! Call Rachel: 0525466425 Hence the extreme variation among the Beautiful apartment in Talbiya, 150 sqm, one oor. High end nishes, underground parking. commentators as to whether monarchy is Shabbat elevator, Sukkah terrace. 7,900,000 NIS. a good institution or a dangerous one. Mai- German Colony and Arnona monides holds that the appointment of a New luxury project German Colony. 3 & 4 room king is an obligation, Ibn Ezra that it is a per- apartments, storage underground parking, starting at 3,000,000 NIS. mission, Abarbanel that it is a concession, Arnona Yisrael Eldad St. 5 room apt with terrace, and Rabbenu Bachya that it is a punishment underground054-723-3863 parking and storage. 3,050,000 NIS. – an interpretation known, as it happens, Eta Morris Realty, Ltd. [email protected] to John Milton at one of the most volatile Eta 054-723-3863 · etamorrisrealty.co.il · Rachel: 052-546-6425
OU ISRAEL CENTER 17 (and anti-monarchical) periods of English word of the Lord. But those on whom the history.3 destiny of the nation turns may not delegate There is, though, one positive and excep- away the task of thinking, reading, studying tionally important dimension of royalty. The and remembering. They are not entitled to King is commanded to study constantly: say: I have affairs of state to worry about, so “…and he is to read it all the days of his I have no time for books. Leaders must be life so that he may learn to revere the Lord scholars, Bnei Torah, “Children of the Book,” his God and follow carefully all the words of if they are to direct and lead the people of this law and these decrees and not consider the Book. himself better than his fellow Israelites and The great statesmen of modern times turn from the law to the right or to the left. understood this, at least in secular terms. Then he and his descendants will reign a William Gladstone, four times Prime Minis- long time over his kingdom in Israel. (Deut. ter of Britain, had a library of 32,000 books. 17:19-20) We know – because he made a note in his Later, in the book that bears his name, diary every time he finished reading a book Moses’ successor Joshua is commanded in – that he read 22,000 of them. Assuming very similar terms: Keep this Book of the he did so over the course of eighty years Law always on your lips; meditate on it day (he lived to be 88), this meant that he read and night, so that you may be careful to do on average 275 books a year, or more than everything written in it. Then you will be five each week for a lifetime. He also wrote prosperous and successful. (Josh. 1:8) many books on a wide variety of topics from Leaders learn. That is the principle at politics to religion to Greek literature, and his stake here. Yes, they have advisors, elders, scholarship was often impressive. For exam- counsellors, an inner court of Sages and ple he was, according to Guy Deutscher in literati. And yes, biblical Kings had Proph- Through the Language Glass,4 the first person ets – Samuel to Saul, Nathan to David, Isaiah to Hezekiah and so on – to bring them the 4 Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages 3 See Eric Nelson, The Hebrew Republic, (New York: Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt Harvard University Press, 2010, 41-42. and Co., 2010).
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 19 to realise that the ancient Greeks did not have God to administer justice. (1 Kings 3:12) a sense of colour and that Homer’s famous Solomon’s wisdom was greater than phrase, “the wine-dark sea” referred to tex- the wisdom of all the people of the East, ture rather than colour. and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt Visit David Ben Gurion’s house in Tel ... From all nations people came to listen to Aviv and you will see that, while the ground Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the Kings of floor is spartan to the point of austerity, the the world, who had heard of his wisdom. first floor is a single vast library of papers, (1 Kings 5:10-14) When the Queen of Sheba periodicals and 20,000 books. He had saw all the wisdom of Solomon... she was another 4,000 or so in Sde Boker. Like Glad- overwhelmed. She said to the king, ‘The stone, Ben Gurion was a voracious reader as report I heard in my own country about well as a prolific author. Benjamin Disraeli your achievements and your wisdom is was a best-selling novelist before he entered true. But I did not believe these things until politics. Winston Churchill wrote almost 50 I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, books and won the Nobel Prize for Litera- not even half was told to me; in wisdom and ture. Reading and writing are what separate wealth you have far exceeded the report I the statesman from the mere politician. heard…” The whole world sought audience The two greatest Kings of early Israel, with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had David and Solomon, were both authors, put in his heart. (1 Kings 10:4-24) David of Psalms, Solomon (according to tra- We should note that chochmah, wisdom, dition) of The Song of Songs, Proverbs and means something slightly different from Kohelet/Ecclesiastes. The key biblical word Torah, which is more commonly associ- associated with kings is chochmah, “wis- ated with Priests and Prophets than Kings. dom.” Solomon in particular was known Chochmah includes worldly wisdom, which for his wisdom: is a human universal rather a special heri- When all Israel heard the verdict the tage of Jews and Judaism. A Midrash states King had given, they held the King in awe, “If someone says to you, ‘There is wisdom because they saw that he had wisdom from among the nations of the world,’ believe it. If
BY RABBI CHANOCH YERES A SHORT VORT Rav, Beit Knesset Beit Yisrael, Yemin Moshe
“Shoftim V’Shotrim Titein Lecha” (16:18) “Judges and officers shall you appoint” Why is the word “lecha” needed? Literally the Pasuk tells us “Judges and officers shall you give your- self”. “Giving” can refer to appointing a public official but why “to you” on a singular level? Perhaps “to them” would have been more appropriate? Moshe is, in a sense, appointing judges and policemen for the entire people and not just to certain people. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein explains decisively that the Pasuk’s use of the word “lecha” teaches us that these officials are really gifts to each person as models how to serve Hashem with integrity and character. Also, the prohibition against perverting justice and showing favoritism, applies to each one of us. What a beautiful thought that such a public official is a personal gift, in one way or another to everyone personally. Shabbat Shalom
20 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM they say, ‘There is Torah among the nations of the world,’ do not believe it.”5 Broadly speaking, in contemporary terms chochmah refers to the sciences and humanities – to whatever allows us to see the universe as the work of God and the human person as the image of God. Torah is the specific moral and spiritual heritage of Israel. The case of Solomon is particularly poi- gnant because, for all his wisdom, he was not able to avoid the three temptations set out in our parsha: he did acquire great numbers of horses, he did take many wives and he did accumulate great wealth. Wis- dom without Torah is not enough to save a leader from the corruptions of power. The Freedom of Mobility Though few of us are destined to be Kings, Even on Shabbat! Presidents or Prime Ministers, there is a gen- Meet the world’s best folding eral principle at stake. Leaders learn. They mobility scooter – approved for Shabbat read. They study. They take time to famil- use by the Zomet institute iarise themselves with the world of ideas. Only thus do they gain the perspective to be able to see further and clearer than others. To be a Jewish leader means spending time to study both Torah and chochmah: choch- mah to understand the world as it is, Torah to understand the world as it ought to be. Leaders should never stop learning. Ready to go in 10 seconds. That is how they grow and teach others Splits to fit any car. Flight approved! to grow with them. Special offer for upcoming chagim: FREE Shabbat mechanism when you 5 Eichah Rabbati 2:13. buy a SHABBATTO mobility scooter To redeem the benefit, mention the coupon Covenant and Conversation 5781 is kindly code TORAH_10 when ordering supported by the Maurice Wohl Charita- ble Foundation in memory of Maurice and For a FREE DEMO Call Vivienne Wohl z”l.These weekly teach- ings from Rabbi Sacks zt"l are part of the ‘Covenant & Conversation’ series on 077-2306429 the weekly Torah reading. Read more on www.rabbisacks.org.
OU ISRAEL CENTER 21 BY RABBI NACHMAN (NEIL) WINKLER
PROBING Faculty, OU Israel Centerl Rabbi Winkler's popular Jewish History lectures can be viewed by visiting the OU Israel Video archive: THE PROPHETS https://www.ouisrael.org/video-library
Is there a difference between “belief” and a question repeated by suffering mil- and “faith” or, as we would say in Hebrew, lions over the centuries. “Why must we between “emunah” and “bitachon”? Gener- suffer?” they asked. “Why do You not per- ally, we use these two terms interchangeably. form miracles for us as You did years ago However, I believe (no pun intended) that in Egypt?” they cried. G-d responds to these there is a subtle difference in the conno- questions with the powerful exclamation tations of these words, a difference better “Anochi, Anochi…”- “I, and only I, can com- understood through the use of the Hebrew fort you!” It is only through My guarantee of terms rather than the English ones. We a wonderful future that awaits you, that you “believe” that something could happen while will be comforted. we have “faith” that it will. “Emunah” is best This divine statement reveals an translated as “belief in” while “bitachon” is important theme that runs through our born of the root b,t,h, certainty, “faith that.” haftarah, that is, Hashem would bring the The baseball fan who follows his favorite comfort to the suffering nation and, if you team regularly might sit nervously in the would but have faith in Him, you would bottom of the ninth inning as he watches the be comforted by His promise of a glorious team, behind by three runs, load the bases. future. And yet, I would imagine that, He would then close his eyes and pray that indeed, many believed in Hashem and in their best hitter will send the next pitch into His ability to keep His promises. What they the stands, and trot around the bases with the lacked was a faith, powerful enough, to winning run. Because, you see, he believes in be comforted by that promise. What they the batter’s ability. The rabid fanatic, on the lacked was the confidence, the surety that other hand, will watch with a calm smile on the guaranteed future WOULD happen. And his face and wager with his friend that the when you believe – but only with a question slugger WILL hit the “walk-off” home run. mark, when you close your eyes and hope Because he is sure - with complete faith - that “if only”, if you believe in G-d, but only with the hitter will succeed. a “perhaps” – then you lack the faith that is The opening words of this week’s selec- prerequisite to being comforted. tion, words addressed to the grieving nation, “Anochi, Anochi Hu Menachemchem”, “It “Anochi, Anochi Hu Menachemchem”, “It is is I, only I, who comforts you,” and “ONLY I, only I, who comforts you”, are often mis- I” means no one else and nothing else. And understood. They are not, as most believe, that is what we call complete faith, not belief the opening words of a prophecy but, rather, IN but faith THAT. That is what we call a response to a question posed by the people “BITACHON.”
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 23 RABBI SHALOM Rav Kehilla, Nofei HaShemesh Maggid Shiur, Daf Yomi, OU.org ROSNER Senior Ra"M, Kerem B'Yavneh
behavior. “Not only trees alone, but any- Sustainability one who destroys vessels, tears clothing, breaks a structure, closes a water source, in the Torah or destroys food, violates the prohibition”. What is the reasoning underlying this Biblical prohibition? There seems to be a "כי תצור אל־עיר ימים רבים להלחם עליה לתפשה fascinating debate whether the focus is on לא תשחית את עצה לנדח עליו גרזן כי ממנו תאכל ואתו the person or on the object, as we would לא תכרת כי האדם עץ השדה לבא מפניך במצור." )דברים call in lomdish terms, the “cheftza” or the כ:יט( “When you besiege a city for many “gavra”. days to wage war against it to capture it, Netziv you shall not destroy its trees by wielding The Netziv posits that one is prohibited an ax against them, for you may eat from from destroying any object from which them, but you shall not cut them down. Is he may derive benefit. Everything that the tree of the field a man, to go into the HaKadosh Barukh Hu provides for us has siege before you?” (Devarim 20:19) a purpose. If we destroy it, we are not uti- In recent years, there has been a lizing it to its full potential. The pasuk states renewed focus on the environment, and the reason for not destroying the trees: “for in particular on recycling of plastics and you may eat from them.” There is a bene- waste. The pasuk cited above is the source fit to be derived from the fruit tree, so we for the prohibition of bal tashchit – unnec- must not destroy it. essary destruction of resources or objects. Hazal (Chullin 91A) tell us that Yaakov Rambam (Melachim 6:10) includes in was left alone because he went back to the prohibition any kind of destructive retrieve pahim ketanim (small jugs) that he
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24 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM had left behind. Rav Yosef of Salant ques- tions this seemingly trivial behavior. Who would be concerned with small jugs?! He Ashkelon’s Own Anglo Property Expert explains that righteous people always value Make this the every item, large or small, that comes into year when your their possession, as they recognize it is dreams of a seaside apartment hashgaha pratit – provided by the Almighty. come true In essence, Yaakov returned to retrieve the small jugs to avoid violating bal tashchit. Sefer HaChinuch Sefer HaChinuch(§529) has a totally dif- ferent focus in explaining this mitzva. He deemphasizes the subject and focuses on as Nic ™ the person himself. A person is to refrain e e ic from acts of destruction. Being involved in w
T ! destructive activities will breed in a person Ashkelon e c fo i r r a destructive nature, which is against the H P alf the Torah outlook on life. The Sefer HaChi- nuch consistently applies this principle Call me 054 7312 118 that “aharei hape’ulot nimshahot halevavot” [email protected] | www.mrashkelon.com – “The heart follows actions.” Engaging in destructive acts will desensitize us and turn us into destructive people. In contrast, if we are sensitive to the destruction of any object, we will become more sensitive human beings. It is said that Rav Kook zt”l wouldn’t, and couldn’t, even kill an annoy- ing gnat or fly. Destructive activity was simply not in his purview of activities. When we recognize that all that we have is from Hashem, including the beau- tiful world around us, it behooves us to take care of our surroundings as well as our possessions. Environmentalism is not a new phenomenon. It is something that originated in the Torah. Mazal Tov to Chaya & Rabbi Reuven Grodner and family on the marriage of a grandson
OU ISRAEL CENTER 25 REBBETZIN SHIRA SMILES Faculty, OU Israel Center
and how we will be affected. But there is Walking another part of us that is untroubled, care- free and carries on without thought. The Wholehearted challenge is to use each of these polar oppo- sites in attitude at the right time. People holehearted, complete. The tend to be placid, complacent and without Torah demands of every per- worry when it comes to chodesh Elul and the Wson, “Tamim tihiyeh im Hashem upcoming Yom Hadin. However, this is the Elokecha” (Devarim 18;13). Rashi (ibid.) appropriate time for our worry and uneas- explains that one should not inquire about iness to dominate. Now is the fitting time the future, rather accept all that happens to become proactive in self-improvement, with equanimity. In ancient times divina- knowing that our destiny is hanging in the tions, witchcraft and omens were common balance and dependent on our resolutions. methods of foretelling the future. Yet the One’s ability to ‘walk wholeheartedly’ with concept is just as relevant today. Let us Hashem reflects an advanced level of bita- see how this mitzvah is applicable and chon, notes the Maharal in Netivot Olam. significant. It is the realization that we have only that which Hashem generously grants us. The Rav Egbi in Chochmat Hamatzpun notes Ba’al Haturim finds this exalted level hinted that this injunction addresses basic human at in the large letter taf in the word tamim, nature. People are naturally anxious and symbolizing that living with this authentic worried about the future. We all want to perspective is akin to keeping the entire know what will be tomorrow, next month or Torah from alef to taf. next year. We are concerned with the future
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26 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM butRav you Gamliel could possiblyRabinowitz do them.in Tiv For Hatorah when itexhorts comes tous communications to turn to Hashem, from asking G-d, Himyou Eiferman Properties Ltd. arefor unique,success irreplaceable,in all our endeavors. sui generis, Although one “ItJERUSALEM sounded SALES too good RECHAVIA / SHAAREI CHESED ofwe a kind.are obligated to invest personal effort *to 2 Bedrooms, be true 76 sqm, – succah,a superb elevator sea-view This(one exchangeshould get medicalpresents advice a fundamental from a pro- *apartment 2 Bedrooms, renovated in onAnglo-populated Ben Maimon fessional, business advice from a financial * 3 bedrooms, renovated, succah, on Radak principle of the Torah: that G-d speaks AshkelonTownhouses and Buildingsfor only 15% down toexpert) Moshe we in musta way realize that He that does the not,ultimate nor TALBIEH Spacious 3 bedrooms, 105 sqm, 1st oor, Shabbat– is actuallyelevator, NIS 2,590,000!! a reality.” willoutcome He in of the everything future ever that do happens again withis up to Hashem. All our efforts are simply the OLD KATAMONsaid 135 another sqm duplex, privatehappy external client anyone else. When Moshe says that people elevator, succah! comemedium to him by seekingwhich we G-d, open what ourselves he means to GERMAN COLONY Existing building with permit to buildOwning 250 sqmyour on own a huge apartment lot! does not just allow is:receive I have blessings access to from G-d. Above. He speaks Every to morn me.- CITYyou freedom, CENTER but 4 Bdrms, offers renovated, monetary elevator, savings, balconies and ing when saying the brachah “hamechin an increase in your investment value. (Speaking to G-d isn’t the trick; the trick is HOLYLAND / RAMAT SHARET / BAYIT V'GAN mitzadei gaver”, notes Laboker Rina, we Anglo-populated, sunny Ashkelon is the answer! when He answers back.) Similarly, when Cottage 235 sqm, 9 rooms, large succah, view, parking ! should be mindful that Hashem is the One It’sHAR very NOF affordable No steps! – Spaciousfrom $500,000 3 bdrms., with storage just room, a 15% Moshe says that he teaches G-d’s law, what down payment,* mortgages available as well as bank who orchestrates the events of our day and guarantees.permit for a 12 Rental sqm succah income balcony often facingin excess the view. of 3.5%. he means is that G-d communicates those * 127 sqm duplex, private entrance + garden! leads us with direct Divine intervention. laws to him and to no one else. building permits, lots of potential! Internalizing this message enables us to live * Unique Villa - 330 sqm with options! view! KIRYATLIVE MOSHE OPPOSITE New 90 sqm duplex, 4THE rooms including SEA Thiswith could temimut very. well be the prime purpose MB ensuite, 0544-332621 succah, 4th oor, immediate of this Yitro story. For, in the very next davidz@A shkelonProperties.com Another aspect of this mitzvah is our over- www.eifermanrealty.com story, the giving of the Torah, the very 02-651-4030 view of mitzvah performance, explains the same theme of Moshe’s uniqueness as the Netivot Shalom. The way we do a mitzvah one to whom G-d speaks is central. should reflect our desire to fulfill the Divine ratzon without3rd aliya involving(18:24-27) Mosheany personal heard. agendas orHe design. chose Thejudges, ultimate with serviceonly the of MarSea Modest Swim & Casualwear Marci Rapp G-d embodies this simplicity of spirit and most difficult cases brought to www.MarSeaModest.net (NIS) 050-424-8359 him.ought Moshe to permeate sent Yitro all ourhome. actions. www.MarSeaModest.com ($USD)
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OUOU ISRAEL ISRAEL CENTER CENTER 27 7 RABBI JUDAH Mashpiah, OU-NCSY MISCHEL Executive Director, Camp HASC
International Aid Committee for Children Dedicated L'Iluy Nishmas HaChaver to relocate Jewish children to safety in Brit- Shlomo Michael ben Meir z'l ain. “I don’t know who to save, and who has precedence over whom, but since you’ve come here, take a ticket and save yourself.” What Is Tuvia escaped Slovakia on a kinder- transport shortly before his bar mitzvah in Our Question? the spring of 1939, leaving his parents and family behind. He was enrolled in “Schnei- s a child, Rav Yitzchok Tuvia der’s”, Yeshiva Toras Emes, in Stamford Weiss, shlit’a, the Gaavad (Gaon Hill, London. AAv Beis Din) or head of the Edah Shortly thereafter, a ceremony was HaChareidis in Yerushalayim, grew up in organized in the presence of the King of a small city near Pressburg. In advance of England to recognize the country’s efforts the German invasion of Slovakia, commu- to save and care for the Jewish children. nity leaders were at a loss how to respond, Dressed in the new clothes provided by the whether to attempt an escape, or acqui- government, one thousand children lined esce with the demands of the occupying up on both sides of the road to honor the Germans. The head of the Jewish commu- arrival of King George’s motorcade. nity charged the twelve year old Tuvia as a As the King passed through, smiling and messenger to communicate with the rab- waving toward the cheering crowd, Tuvia banim of Pressburg to determine a course saw one of the children suddenly break the of action. line and jump at the limousine. The secu- Upon arriving in Pressburg, Tuvia rity personnel moved quickly to pull the found the rosh ha-kahal to be in broken boy away, but he had caught the attention spirits. The updates were discouraging, of King George, who asked that the child there were no good options for the Jewish be allowed to approach. The courageous MAZAL TOV to communities of Czechoslovakia. The rosh (and brazen) child thanked the king for his Rosanne Polansky and family ha-kahal had, however, received a certain kindness in saving his life. He then began to on the birth of her 1st great grandsonamount of train passes from the UK-based cry, “My parents, sisters and brother are all Mazal Tov to still in danger! I am all alone here… Please, your highness, find room in your heart to Sarah & Shlomo Fisherowitz and family have compassion on my family and help on the birth of a granddaughter them as you have saved me!”
28 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM That child’s emotional outburst jolted the king and those present. Two weeks later, through royal intervention, the child’s parents and siblings arrived in England. Reunited, they all survived together. FOR SALE The Alter Rebbe, Reb Shneur Zalman of BAKA BORDER-GERMAN COLONY Liadi, metaphorically describes the ways SEMI-DETACHED TOWNHOUSE by which we can reach HaKadosh Baruch 216 M ON FOUR LEVELS PRIVATE GARDEN AND PARKING Hu throughout different times of the year. 6 BDRMS, 4 BATHS While the King sits upon his prover- FOR RENOVATION QUIET OFF STREET, CLOSE TO MESILA bial throne, ensconced in the palace in NIS 7,300,000 the capital city, He is nearly inaccessi- LUXURY APTFOR IN RENT CITY CENTER ble, surrounded by guards. However, in IN3 THE ROOM NEVIIM APT INCOURT KATAMONIM PROJECT Elul, Hashem reveals Himself to all and is 4.5 RMS, 120 M, 3RD FL WITH SHABBAT ELEVATOR,NEXT PRIVATE TO MESILA PARKING, PARK STORAGE, approachable, like a king who is traveling BALCONY WITH3RD VIEWFLOOR, TO 65 THE M. MOUNT OF The King is OLIVES,4300 AREA NIS/MONTH FOR SUKKAH“ ,המלך בשדה :in the countryside NISIMMEDIATE 4,450,000 in the field.” The Alter Rebbe thus frames the aus- Dov Shapiro 052.5533739 | Ilana Nelson 054.5341403 integrityrealestate.co.il picious days of Elul when we are focused on the process and avodah of teshuvah בס"ד :through prism of the words of the prophet שׁוּבוּ אֵלַי וְאָשׁוּבָה אֲלֵיכֶם אָמַ ר ה׳ “Return to Me, and I will return to you— "We just stayed in this said Hashem... (Malachi, 3:7) kosher short term rental When approaching the Melech in the and could not have been ,שובו אלי field, we are living the words happier! The “Return to Me.” Teshuvah sets the process apartment was perfect ,ואשובה אליכם in motion to reach the level of “And I will return to you,” God’s returning size for our needs and to us, so to speak. This is the level we live clean. And the location out during the Ne’ilah service, the culmi- was convenient to all nation of the intensive days of Teshuvah: Jerusalem. Highly “The day has passed, the sun has set, let us recommended!!!" enter Your gates.” In Elul we traverse the field together with the King, and enter the Beverly “gates” of His palace. During this month, as the King has emerged from His concealed and ‘distant’ visit our website: abode, our awareness of what is important www.katamonrental.com
OU ISRAEL CENTER 29 in life comes into focus. We feel what is to the Ribbono shel Olam? If I could only essential and primary is sharpened. This is choose one request, when the opportunity why throughout Elul and the Yamim Nor- to approach the King comes, what would aim we add Kapitel Chaf Zayin (Psalm 27) to that request be?’ our daily tefillah: -Rav Tuvia Weiss once revisited the dra אַחַ ת שָׁאַלְתִּי מֵאֵ ת ה׳ אוֹתָהּ אֲבַקֵּשׁ “One thing I ask of Hashem, this I will matic episode as a bar mitzvah boy long request: ago in England: “The king was right before ,our eyes. While 999 of us stood at the side שִׁבְתִּ י בְּבֵ ית ה׳ כָּל־יְמֵ י חַיַּי לַחֲזוֹת בְּ נֹעַ ם ה׳ וּלְבַקֵּ ר -waving and clapping, only one child real בְּהֵיכָ לוֹ: to dwell in the house of God all the days ized the opportunity and summoned the of my life. courage to cry out before the king. I let the In considering our lives and priorities, chance slip away, but his entire family was adding these words of David haMelech ori- saved.” ent us toward inner reflection. ‘How real This Chodesh Elul, may we consider is my desire to cultivate a sense of close- and clarify what we are asking for. And ness in my relationship with Hashem? may we be blessed to break the line and During these days of Elul, am I thinking throw ourselves before the King with our about how to strengthen my connection request. SPECIAL PRE-ROSH HASHANA SALE Any of Rabbi Wein's lectures in the last 7 years sent to you by email (you can listen on your phone or computer) FOR ONLY 10 NIS A LECTURE OR 50 NIS A SERIES (prices go up after Rosh Hashana) Get ready for the Yomim Noraim by listening to these three series, each 3 lectures, given by Rabbi Wein in Elul
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30 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM BY MENACHEM PERSOFF Special Projects Consultant, OU Israel Center [email protected]
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 55
OU ISRAEL CENTER 31 32 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM OU ISRAEL CENTER 33 34 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM OU ISRAEL CENTER 35 36 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM OU ISRAEL CENTER 37 38 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM The Kollel located at the kever of Shimon HaTzaddik strengthens the CASPI St. – Garden apartment Jewish presence in the contested in a boutique building, 4 rooms Shimon HaTzaddik/Sheik Jarrah (115m) private entrance, bright, neighborhood of East Jerusalem. parking 3590000 NIS MICHAEL 052-3202488 The Jewish Law Torah Scholars learning at the Kollel Hoshen Mishpat are protecting our CASPI St. – Pentcottage - 5 rooms + right to this most holy place in Eretz Yisrael. roof terrace, panoramic view on temple Mount, Walking through this area to reach the Kollel parking, storage room safely has become increasingly challenging 5400000 NIS MICHAEL 052-3202488 due to the Hamas directed incitement to violence against Jews. ELAD BAYIT VEGAN PROJECT - Spacious The Kollel needs your help to improve the 3 room apartment, physical conditions and provide safe renovated, high floor, transportation for these Torah Scholars. Shabbat elevator, Succah Through your tax-deductible donations balcony with paoramic view, storeroom, parking you will acquire Torah, Eretz Yisrael and Olam Haba. 2270000 NIS MENDEL 052-8980111 Contributions can be made through: REHAVIA/Wolfson - 4.5 rooms, spacious, www.keepjerusalem.org 1st floor, elevator, porch, central heat + a/c, quiet, close to City Center For more information how you can support this important work of the Kollel, contact [email protected] 3300000 NIS MENDEL 052-8980111
OU ISRAEL CENTER 39 RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN Ram, Yeshivat Har Eztion
many Torah students have resumed this Geulas Yisrael great tradition. The opportunity to defend Shoftim: A Jewish our country and participate in the rebuild- ing of our Land is a mitzvah which previous Army generations could only dream about. Sadly, After a 2000-year absence we have the world has yet to accept our full return returned to our Homeland. During this long to our ancient Homeland. It is likely that absence we lacked a Jewish State and the full international acceptance will only various institutions of statehood. Amazingly, be attained when history ends. Until that we survived and we thrived, despite the fact point, as we dream and pray for peace, we that we lacked any national infrastructure. still must be ready for war and prepared Torah, tefilla, faith and community were to defend our country. Unquestionably, all durable enough and resilient enough to our continued survival in the face of such sustain rich Jewish experience even without relentless and violent opposition, is a Divine a Land, a government and national insti- miracle. Under constant threat of terror and tutions. Now that a Jewish state has been facing endless rocket barrages, we are lov- reestablished we are also restoring our ingly protected from above, as Hashem is many lost traditions. clearly shining his miracles upon our State One of the most symbolic institutions to and upon our people. Jewish soldiers are be revived is a Jewish army. Jews, including partnering with Hashem in this historical our foremost Torah scholars, were always struggle to resettle Israel and reestablish soldiers. Settling the Land of Israel necessi- His overt presence in our world. Dovid tated war, and most of the able-bodied male was perhaps our greatest warrior King and population participated in these legendary supervised impressive military triumphs. A campaigns- referred to as “milchemet mitz- fascinating midrash cites Hashem assuring vah”- or wars ordained by the Torah. After Dovid Hamelech “we will share the victory- the crushing defeat of the Bar Kochba rebel- sheli v’shelcha hi hanitzachon.” Hashem lion in 130, the tradition of Jewish soldiers wants human partners in this military pro- faded from history. Rebbe Akiva’s students cess and He is eager for humans to take their were the final soldier/scholars to defend fair share of credit. our country. After their defeat it would Additionally, serving in the Israeli army be two millennia until this tradition was is a deeply iconic experience. For the past resuscitated. 2000 years Jews lived at the complete mercy With our miraculous return to Israel and whim of Gentile soldiers. The arrival of
40 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM soldiers to Jewish towns and villages elicited dread and horror. Jews lived at the complete Meir mercy of soldiers who could kill, maim, rape 077-2050015 Golan 052-2678749 Meir Golan and plunder them with impunity. No one www.golan-realestate.net Old Katamon: 4-room apartment in a small and quiet street, 101 sqm, renovated, very bright and airy, master bedroom, Safe room would protect the “punching bag “ of his- (mamad),Old sukkah Katamon: balcony, view, elevator,4-room 3,400,000 apartment, NIS 95 sqm, sukkah balcony, overwhelming panoramic view, tory. Many illustrated Haggadot portray the Old Katamon: 4-room apartment, 90 sqm, well split, bright, airy, sukkahShabbat balcony facing elevator, a magnificent panoramic private view, parking, 3 exp. Shabbat 3,290,000 NIS evil son or the “rasha” with a drawing of a elevator,Rechavia: parking, 3,290,000 5-room NIS apartment, 130 sqm, OldSukkah Katamon: balconies,Spacious 3-room apartment 4 exposures, in a very quiet street elevator,, 75 soldier: a Roman sentry, an Arab marauder, sqm, sukkah balcony facing a green and pastoral view, 3 exp. Shabbat elevator,small private and parking quiet, storeroom building, 2,690,000 NIS 4,950,000 NIS a French Crusader, a Polish Cossack or a The Greek Colony: 3.5 room apartment - Russian soldier. For thousands of years a possibility to turn into 4, high ceilings, 15 sqm sukkah balcony, small building, private Gentile soldier epitomized evil. heating system, air conditioners, 3,250,000 NIS We are no longer unprotected. Stand- Baka: 4-room apartment, 90 sqm, balcony, elevator, 3 air exposures, central and quiet street, ing in the presence of any Israeli soldier 3,000,000 NIS who protects us rather than persecuting Ramat Denya: Half two-family, 6 room 158 sqm Jews is a spiritually and historically affirm- + attic, garden, terrace, balconies, 2 covered parking, very bright, view, potential for significant ing moment. To stand in the presence of a expansion, 5,000,000 NIS religious soldier, and especially one who Givat Mordechai: 3&4-room apartments, renovated, bright, elevator, parking, storage, combines Torah study with the mitzvah of 1,690,000/2,250,000 NIS army service is almost Messianic. Rasko: 3-room apartment, 63 sqm, bright, 1st floor, elevator, 1,890,000 NIS Beyond the practical need to serve in the Israeli army and beyond the historical aggressively preached. For many secular resonance associated with Jewish soldiers, Israelis army service is the best, and maybe this great mission provides important the only opportunity to encounter healthy social opportunities. Religious Jews serv- religious role models. ing in the army showcase religion to the Finally, religious Jews serving in the broader secular public in a non- threaten- army assists in transforming Israeli society ing and non-patronizing manner. Sadly, at large. The army as one of Israel’s essential the religious/secular divide in our country and most valued institutions often catapults continues to expand. Religion has been its successful officers into careers of leader- badly politicized and even sincere efforts ship and influence. By serving in the army to inspire or educate often comes across religious soldiers better position them- as condescending or sanctimonious. The selves for future impact of society at large. army is a great equalizer: religious and If we hope to inspire the broader country secular Jews are tossed together into the with a religious tone, we must participate same experience and together they face the in this seminal national enterprise. Army stresses of army life. Everyone is equal in service isn’t just an enormous mitzvah and the eyes of the army and this inherent parity an opportunity for Kiddush Hashem. It is fosters healthier and less threatening inter- also a vehicle for ensuring that we continue actions. In this more leveled atmosphere to imbue religious ideals within broader religion can be quietly modeled rather than Israeli society and culture.
OU ISRAEL CENTER 41 SIMCHAT SHMUEL BY RABBI SAM SHOR Program Director, OU Israel Center
hoftim V’Shotrim Titein Lecha might choose to listen to, what foods we B’Chol Shaarecha- Judges and choose to smell and taste, and how we use Sofficers shall you place at all your our capacity to speak. Each of these senses gateways...” can be used for great good, or can be mis- Our sedra opens with a clear directive used for harm. to establish a system of law and order, The Netivot Shalom, the Slonimer Rebbe both officers to ensure the security of our zy’a, points out that Parshat Shoftim is community, and judges to oversee that always read during the month of Elul. Elul justice is indeed enforced. However, the is the time of year when we make every Chasidic Masters see great symbolism in effort to elevate our spiritual awareness this opening verse. and conduct, and therefore our pasuk is Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, the reminding us that we must utilize all our Bnai Yissascher zy’a, suggests that the senses and capabilities to accomplish the words bchol shaarecha- all your gateways goal of growth and self improvement. is alluding to the seven openings in a per- The Chidushei HaRim, the first Gerrer son’s face - two eyes, two ears, two nostrils Rebbe zy’a, adds that the pasuk continues and our mouths. It is through these open- Shoftim V’Shotrim Titein Lecha B’Chol ings that most of our senses are manifest Shaarecha-asher Hashem Elokecha and activated. Our verse, explains the Notein Lecha - if one would only real- Bnai Yissascher, teaches us the impor- ize that all our capabilities and strength, tance of safeguarding and protecting how all bracha that comes into our lives, is we use each of our senses - what images indeed a gift from Hakadosh Baruch Hu, we might look at, what type of speech we then of course we will use those gifts to elevate ourselves, and to elevate our surroundings. May each of us be blessed to embody these beautiful ideas, and reach great heights in our Avodat Hashem.
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elders’ refer; however, most opinions seem For But One to agree that the reference is to the victim. Morsel of Bread Rashi comments, however, that would anyone suspect the elders of being involved ne of the most obscure com- in a murder. The answer, of course, is mands of the Torah appears in negative. But, nevertheless, if one delves Oour Parsha – and yet it is one of deeper, the local authorities were guilty of the most profound in its message. We are negligence: They let a starving traveler pass told that if a slain body is found strewn on through without providing him with pro- the ground and it is not known who struck visions for the way. Thus, in desperation, the victim, the elders and the judges of the perhaps, that individual killed someone for nearest towns should figure out the prob- food. ability that the murderer emerged from The victim, in turn, was denied the their area of authority. opportunity to make a living and fulfill his Following that process, the appropriate life’s mission. So, the elders cut the heifer’s elders take a heifer that never worked to a throat in a hard place, not as a sacrifice but primitive, rugged valley which has never as a symbol of lost living potential. been and will not be worked or sown In the words of S.R. Hirsch: “The life of and there cut the heifer’s throat. Now the every man, uninjured and undisturbed by Kohanim enter the picture and oversee the his fellow-man, is one of the highest goals elders proclaiming that their hands had not of the whole of God’s plan for Israel. And a shed this blood and that their “eyes had not murdered body thrown down on the soil seen him” (Devarim 21:7). of His Torah-land is the greatest mocking Who is the object of that last statement defiance of that Torah.” – the victim or the murderer? And what So, as Rosh Hashanah approaches, let us does the slaughter of the heifer teach us? take that extra bit of care to ensure that that There is a debate between the Babylonian needy person out there has what to eat. Talmud and the Yerushalmi as to whom the Shabbat Shalom!
44 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM AUGUST 16 2021
OU ISRAEL CENTER 45 46 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM OU ISRAEL CENTER 47 RABBI AARON Editor, Torah Tidbits GOLDSCHEIDER
verse states: “blow the Shofar on the holiday The Sun when the moon is hidden” (Tehillim 81:4). and the Moon When [Satan] came and only brought the moon to testify, the Holy One Blessed be He Invariably, every year Parashat Shoftim said, “One does not bring judgment through is read as the Jewish world usher in the testimony of a single witness, as the verse days of teshuvah. Rabbi Joseph B. Solove- states: “He shall not be put to death by the itchik zt”l unearthed a beautiful gem from mouth of one witness” (Devarim 17:6). the parsha that offers a unique perspective The Rav brilliantly elucidated the mean- regarding repentance and renewal. ing of this midrash. The sun represents that “By the mouth of two witnesses, or three which is observable and apparent. In the witnesses, shall the one liable to death be midrash’s allegory the sun is summoned put to death…” (Devarim 17:6) to offer testimony regarding those deeds The Rav cited an obscure passage in the and actions of a Jew that are revealed. Out- Zohar which utilizes this verse in a unique wardly there are many instances of sinful manner: behavior by which a Jew is to be found “When Satan came to persecute Israel guilty. Therefore it can testify regarding a on Rosh Hashanah, the Holy One Blessed be Jew’s external sins. He said to him, “Bring me two witnesses,” as In contrast, the moon represents con- the verse states: “By the mouth of two wit- cealment; the moon waxes and wanes. The nesses...shall the one liable be put to death.” moon is often barely noticeable. In our (Devarim 17:6). [Satan] brought the sun and midrash the moon represents the hidden sought to bring the moon. However, the or concealed layer embedded in every Jew; moon is hidden on Rosh Hashanah, as the below the outer surface there exists another layer which is obscured to the perception of man. Moreover, this inner, concealed layer in a Jew represents his sincere intentions and true personality. The moon, which represents the hidden essence, is therefore depicted by the midrash as changing from a prosecuting witness to a defense witness.1
1 Rebbe Nosson of Nemirov, the prized student
48 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM The Sages in this passage are evincing a Tishrei and the first of Nisan (Rosh Hasha- notion that there exists within every Jew an nah 10b-11a). entirely pure soul which longs for the Cre- The Rav suggested that from a concep- ator. This idea is actually one of Chassidut’s tual perspective the two dates represent most cherished teachings; what is popularly two modalities. The month of Tishrei which referred to as the pintele yid, the inner spark commences with the holiday of Rosh Hasha- of Jew that never extinguishes, and even nah marks the creation of the universe and more so, longs for the Creator. 2 the formation of man, events shrouded in Expanding on this theme the Rav mystery. These are symbolic of conceal- addressed a perplexing issue related to the ment and the obscured aspects in this Jewish calendar. The Talmud raises the world. In contrast, the new year of Nisan question regarding the date on the Jewish marks the Exodus from Egypt, an event that calendar that marks the new year. Paradox- was public and packed with miracles for all ically there are two “new years”: The first of mankind to witness, denoting that which is public and revealed to all. of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, offers virtually the This bifurcation, according to the Rav, same explanation (Likutei Halachot, Choshen is referred to in the language of Kabbal- Mishpat, Hilchot Matana 1:7). isitc masters as alma de’itkasya (an unseen 2 See Sefer Tanya, Chapter 19 where the found- world) and alma de’itgalya (a revealed ing Rebbe of Chabad employs the metaphor that word). There is a world we readily per- the soul is like a candle that gravitates heaven- ward and longs for holiness. It is well documented ceive; we can touch it, describe it, and that Rabbi Soloveitchik was deeply impacted by grasp it intellectually. Yet, there is another the philosophy of the Tanya dating back to his dimension which is mysterious, hidden and education as a youngster. inexplicable.
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 51 FROM THE VIRTUAL DESK OF THE OU VEBBE REBBE RAV DANIEL MANN
and Amoraim. In discussion about the hala- Moving a chic conclusions on this matter, Rishonim compare this matter to the mishna (ibid. Tzedaka Box 141a) that one may not arrange the straw (usually muktzeh) that is sitting on top of a on Shabbat bed with his hand but may arrange it using his body (ostensibly, min hatzad). Question: I, a gabbai, found on Shab- Tosafot (Shabbat 44a) distinguishes bat morning that the tzedaka box was on between tiltul min hatzad for the purpose the bima, where it would get in the way of protecting or using the muktzeh item, and/or get knocked off during laining. Is it which is forbidden, and tiltul min hatzad permitted to move the tzedaka box in that to remove the muktzeh because it is a dis- situation? turbance, which is permitted. The Rosh Answer: Review the basic rules of tiltul (Shabbat 3:21) posits that whereas tiltul min min hatzad (indirect moving of muktzeh) hatzad is forbidden for the purpose of the will allow us to come to solutions. muktzeh item, moving the muktzeh with a The gemara, in three places (Shabbat part of the body that is not usually used for 43b, 123a, 141a) raises the question whether such things (tiltul b’gufo) is not considered tiltul min hatzad, i.e., by moving a non-muk- halachic moving and is permitted even for tzeh object one also causes a muktzeh item the purpose of the muktzeh. The Shulchan to move without touching it, is considered Aruch (Orach Chayim 311:8) accepts the forbidden moving of muktzeh. Examples leniencies of both distinctions. Tiltul min include moving a corpse by tilting the bed hatzad is permitted when it is for the pur- it is in so that it slides to a different bed, and pose of the non-muktzeh, and tiltul b’gufo is grabbing a (picked) vegetable that is partially permitted for all purposes. Therefore, the buried in earth, which causes the surround- Mishna Berura 308:13 allows kicking muk- ing earth to move. The gemara identifies this tzeh even to protect it. The Chazon Ish (OC question as a machloket among Tannaim 47:12-13) understands the Rosh as permit- ting only moving with the body in a subtle way, like lying on the bed in such a way that moves the straw, but not in doing something direct and obvious with an unusual part of the body, like kicking muktzeh. The min- hag is to be lenient, like the Mishna Berura
52 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM The Orthodox Union - via its website - fields questions of all types in areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of them are answered by Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, headed by Rav Yosef Carmel and Rav Moshe Ehrenreich, founded by HaRav Shaul Yisraeli zt”l, to prepare rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National Religious community in Israel and abroad. Ask the Rabbi is ajoint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hemdah... and OU Israel’s Torah Tidbits.
(308:13), against the stringency of the Cha- some might disagree if not shaking it out zon Ish (Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 22:34). in its place is only to not damage the muk- Based on the above, we suggest the fol- tzeh.) Using this system assumes that the lowing possibilities: 1) If the tzedaka box is bima cover is not a bassis l’davar ha’asur (a situated in a place that makes it hard to lain, base for something muktzeh), which is quite one may push or lift it with a non-muktzeh clear since no one would purposely leave a object to a place where it will not be in the tzedaka box on a bima for Shabbat (see Shul- way. This is a classic example of tiltul min chan Aruch, OC 309:4). hatzad for a reason other than the purposes If the tzedaka box is in a place on the bima of the muktzeh. in which it does not take away from using 2) Similarly, if the bima is not fully use- the bima effectively and respectfully but able because of the tzedaka box, you can one is only concerned that the tzedaka box carry the bima cover to deposit the tzedaka might accidentally get knocked off, neither box somewhere, without moving it directly, of the above systems suffices. #3 does. and then return the cover to its place (see 3) If one is nimble enough to use an Shulchan Aruch. OC 309:3, based on Shab- unusual part of the body (e.g., elbows, teeth) bat 142a). While vis a vis the cover, it suffices to remove the tzedaka box from the bima, to keep it where it is and shake off the tze- this is permitted based on the leniency of daka box, we are not required to use the tiltul b’gufo. system of shaking off if it will cause: damage to the tzedaka box, some of the money to get Eretz Hemdah has begun a participatory Zoom class - "Behind the Scenes with the Vebbe lost, or an unsightly situation of coins on the Rebbe" - an analytical look at the sources, floor (see Mishna Berura 277:18; Shemirat methodology, and considerations behind Shabbat K’hilchata 20:47; see ibid. (167) that our rulings, with Rav Daniel Mann. Contact [email protected] to join.
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 53 Machon Puah for Fertility and RABBI GIDEON Gynecology in Accordance with Halacha WEITZMAN
However, when eggs are fertilized in the Who is the Father? laboratory, the connection with the hus- band is severed and there are many poskim Last time we explored the discussion about who question whether, in such a case, the whether fertilized eggs cryo-preserved in husband is still halachically considered the clinic can be considered a legal entity, the father. This is connected to another and can be owned by one of the parents. question: does a man fulfill his halachic Are they the property of both parents, or of obligation to be fruitful and multiply, to either of them separately? Can one of them procreate, through fertility treatment? sell the eggs to someone else, even without Since this is an unusual method of procre- the agreement, or even the knowledge, of ation, and the assumption that he is the the other spouse? father is not clear, many claim that a man Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli, the late Rosh Yeshi- does not fulfill his halachic obligation to vah of Merkaz Harav and founder of the have children through in-vitro fertilization. halachic institute Eretz Chemda, raised If the man is not considered the halachic another question regarding the relationship father and does not fulfill the obligation to between the parents and the fertilized eggs. procreate through fertility treatment, then While the mother can be considered the he has no claim over the fertilized eggs. He woman who gave the egg and carried the is not the father, and the eggs do not belong pregnancy, can the father who supplied to him, even if we can claim that fertilized the sperm be considered the father? Gen- eggs are a legal entity. erally, the father of any child is considered If this is true, then the only owner of the fer- the husband of the woman who gave birth. tilized eggs would be the mother, and she This is a fair and intuitive assumption since alone could decide what to do with them. she probably got pregnant from him, and, She could sell them, destroy them or take therefore, unless there is clear evidence to any other action without his permission. the contrary, the husband is the father of the child. But it is far from clear that the husband is not the halachic father of a child conceived through in-vitro fertilization. In fact, there seems to be a strong source to suggest that he is definitely considered the father.
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In practice: Deadlines For Planting Fruit trees Trees And Plants Bare-rooted fruit trees – 15 Av. Fruit trees encased in a clod of earth, Before Shemitah whose orlah count will restart upon trans- Some of the halachot here were dis- plant (e.g. sat on a surface detaching it cussed by Rabbi Ezra Friedman in his from the ground) – 29 Av. articles in TT. Here we will state our con- Fruit trees encased in a clod of earth, clusions only. For the full article with whose orlah count will continue (e.g. buy- sources and further explanations, see our ing a tree from a supervised nursery or website. moving a tree in our garden from one side The Mishnah states that trees should to the other) – 29 Elul. not be planted in the sixth year unless Non-fruit trees they take root prior to Rosh Hashanah. Bare-rooted trees – 15 Elul. The Gemara adds an additional 30-day Non-fruit trees encased in a clod of requirement. According to the Rambam earth – 29 Elul. this is because of maryit ayin – so it will not Vegetables appear that the tree was planted during Sowing – should be completed by 15 shemitah. The additional 30 days count as Elul; otherwise they may be sefichin and an entire orlah year; otherwise, the tree’s forbidden to eat. firstorlah year would be during shemitah. Planting This means that we need to plant 44 days Bare-rooted vegetables should be before Rosh Hashanah (30 days for the planted by 26 Elul (3 days to take root). orlah count plus 14 days to take root). Vegetables that come in small planters US BROKERAGE SERVICES IN ISRAEL Get the Best of Both Worlds Keep your money in the US and receive local expert investment advice CALL 02-624-0995 054-599-9530 [email protected] www.aaronkatsman.com Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group. Inc., member of FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, SIFMA
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Asher Manning across the board. Gush Chapter (See for example: Devarim 16:18-20; Director 17:6, 8-13; 19:1-6, 11-13, 15-21; 21:1-10). B”H today’s legal systems are, on the Social Injustice whole, very good. Warriors Unfortunately, the court of public King John is most well-known for his opinion is less accommodating. In today’s portrayal as the bad guy in Robin Hood. cultural and political climate people can be What is less well known is his vital role tried, judged, and penalized online by an in the development of Western civilization. angry mob on social media. On the 15th of June in the year 1215 A mere accusation is often taken as King John was compelled to sign a doc- proof of guilt and people’s lives can be ument that would change the course of ruined without any evidence of wrongdo- history- the Magna Carta. ing being shown. In clause 39 of this groundbreaking Cancel culture knows no fair trial and legal paper, it states: on twitter all justice is social and in name “No free man shall be seized or only. imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or pos- Both our secular and religious tradi- sessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived tions have taught us to be slow and careful of his standing in any other way except by before we pass judgement on others, and the lawful judgement of his equals or by always strive for a fair and honest trial. the law of the land.” “Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof” it says in our Thus was codified into English common Parasha - if we don’t work hard and pursue law the idea of ‘due process’ - everyone has it - justice can easily be cast aside. the right to a fair trial before they are con- Let us be wary of jumping to conclu- victed of any crime. sions and judging others unfairly, lest we Nearly 2500 years before the Magna fall into the trap of old bad king John. Carta, Moshe Rabbeinu set forth the exact Talia Rapps same concepts in our very Parasha. 12th Grade, Efrat Scattered throughout Parashat Shoftim are laid out the foundations of a complex Communal and advanced legal system, designed to Responsibility ensure the correct application of justice There is much to discuss in this week’s
58 TORAH TIDBITS 1432 / SHOFTIM parsha but I would like to focus on the the killing, this is not the case. The entire topic of Eglah Arufah (a calf whose neck is community, including the leaders, must broken). partake in this mitzvah and take respon- The mitzvah of Eglah Arufah is per- sibility for what happened. This shows the formed when a murdered body is found importance of communal responsibility in an open field and no one knows who is as well as individual responsibility. This responsible. The elders and judges must mitzvah emphasizes the immense power measure the distance between the body we have as a community beyond our own and the nearest city. Then the elders of individual responsibility. that city perform a very strange ritual NCSY Israel is the premier organization which has no explanation. This is known in Israel, dedicated to connect, inspire, as a chok - a law commanded by God with- empower, and help teen olim with "Klita" to the Land of Israel by encouraging out an explanation for why it’s done. They passionate Judaism through Torah and must take a young calf that has not yet been Tradition. Find out more at israel.ncsy.org used for work and is without blemish, and break its neck over a nachal eitan (a dry riv- SHIUR SPONSORS erbed). Afterwards, they must wash their Monday, August 9 - Mrs. Pearl Borow’s shiur was sponsored hands and declare that they did not kill this anonymously in appreciation of her wonderful words of Torah person or witness the murder. Wednesday, August 11 - Rabbi Taub’s Halacha shiur Rashi asks a question: why must the is sponsored by Alan and Esther Cohen in memory of our elders deny their involvement? After all, parents: Yeshaya Meir ben Shmuel Mordechai HaCohen z”l - 9 Elul (Alan’s father) Miriam bas Meir a”h - 7 Tishri no one thinks they had anything to do (Esther’s mother) Also, on a happy note, we give thanks with it. Rashi explains that they are taking to Hashem for enabling us to celebrate our 50th Wedding responsibility for what happened by con- Anniversary on 10 Elul firming that they did all that they could in Rabbi Goldin’s Tuesday Morning shiurim order to prevent it from happening. have been sponsored by a generous donor I think we can learn a very important Rabbi Manning’s shiurim for the 2021 academic year have message from this mitzvah, and from the been sponsored anonymously in the merit of an aliya neshama for Matisyahu ben Yisrael z”l, role of the elders in particular. In life, each Aharon ben Menachem Lev z”l and every one of us holds a responsibility and Eliana bat Yaakov a”h for ourselves as well as the people around Rabbi Kimche’s shiurim for the 2021 academic year have us. We all have the ability to become bet- been sponsored anonymously in the merit of a refuah shelaima ter people and influence those around us for Janet bat Hannah to become better. While you may think Rabbi Taub’s weekly Parshat HaShavua Shiur this mitzvah should only be required for is sponsored by The Jewish Legacy Foundation the individual who actually performed GET FIT WHILE YOU SIT: Thank you to Yisroel Donovitz Exercise for ladies Join us on Sunday’s 11:30 -12:15 and family for his many months at the OU Israel Center of TT distribution in Maalot Dafna! Sura Faecher 0504153239
OU ISRAEL CENTER 59 Real Life Rescues Giving A Bit More Time 1221 EMT performs successful CPR on unconscious patient and gives the man’s wife and family time to say goodbye Carmiel - On Wednesday night, at 9:45 p.m., United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Eric Barel was in his home in Carmiel when he was alerted to a nearby emergency. A few houses down from Eric’s house, a 60-year- old man lost consciousness in his home. Eric immediately jumped on his ambucycle and rushed over to his neighbor’s house.
As he swerved through the street aboard his ambucycle, Eric could not locate the address from the main road. As he turned into an alleyway, Eric noticed a small entrance to a building and informed United Hatzalah’s Dispatch and Command Center that he had arrived.
Upon arrival, Eric found a woman attempting chest compressions on her unconscious husband. The pulseless 60-year-old was leaning on a pile of pillows, making her compressions ineffective. Eric identified himself to the woman, informing her that he was an EMT and he was going to take over. The relieved wife stepped away and allowed Eric to check the man’s vital signs, just as an additional EMT walked in.
After assessing that the man was in cardiac arrest after suffering a heart attack, the two EMTs began CPR. The second EMT began compressions as Eric attached his defibrillator. The defibrillator did not advise a shock, and so Eric positioned himself next to the patient's head and began assisted ventilations.
After a few minutes of CPR, Eric’s defibrillator detected a heart rhythm and advised a shock. Just as the shock was administered, a mobile intensive care ambulance arrived at the scene. The paramedic from the ambulance assessed the man’s pulse and informed Eric and the EMT that they had successfully returned the man’s pulse.
After a quick briefing, the paramedic administered medicines and prepped the patient for transport. The crew attached the patient to oxygen and continued supplying oxygen en route to the hospital.
“I had a chance to visit the family on Thursday afternoon, unfortunately the wife informed me that the patient had passed,“ said Eric. “I spoke to the wife for a while and she explained to me how the medical staff was able to stabilize his condition and that he was improving. When she got in the car to visit him she was informed that his situation had worsened. Keeping in touch with the family of a patient can sometimes mean a great deal toward the family's acceptance of the situation. The wife thanked me for arriving when I did and giving her husband the best chance at life that he could have had. By returning the man’s pulse I had given her a few more moments to say goodbye.”
(A UH first volunteer responding to a medical emergency at night – illustration)
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OU ISRAEL CENTER 63 Israel Specialist Physicians Providing You and Your Family with High Quality and Personalized Healthcare in Israel