751_Beis Moshiach 26/07/2010 8:08 AM Page 3 contents G-D IS GOOD, MOSHIACH IS GOOD 9 Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick ‘AND THEY WILL FEAR YOU’ 12 Stories THE GANSBOURGS AND REB LEVIK, 16 ZT”L 20 Menachem Av | Menachem Ziegelboim FIVE DOLLARS, THREE CHILDREN, 20 AND ONE BRACHA Miracle Story | Nosson Avrohom RABBI MORDECHAI ELIYAHU ON 24 USA B’SURAS HA’GEULA 744 Eastern Parkway Feature | Mendel Tzfasman Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 FOUR YEARS IN CAPTIVITY [email protected] 31 Shleimus HaAretz | Sholom Ber Crombie www.beismoshiach.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: ‘MAISHKE’ Boruch Merkur Memoirs | Shneur Zalman Berger HEBREW EDITOR: 34 Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected] TWILIGHT ENCOUNTER 38 Story | Rabbi Bentzion Elisha Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in all other places for $180.00 per year (45 YES I’M SURE... BUT MAYBE NOT. issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern 41 Moshiach & Science | Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2010 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 751_Beis Moshiach 26/07/2010 8:08 AM Page 4 d’var malchus and infertility? ANSWER: According to the Midrash Rabba (B’Reishis 60:13), the VDIBARTA BAM: matriarch Rivka was childless (until Yitzchak prayed for her), so that the nations of the world would not be able to claim credit that the Jewish nation grew as a result of Lavan’s EIKEV blessing: “Our sister, may you come to be thousands of myriads” (B’Reishis 24:60). According to the Midrash Rabba Sichos In English (3:6), “Baruch tiheyeh mi’kol ha’amim,” means that “all the nations of the world will bless you.” “It shall come to pass because that Avraham kept the Torah may be Consequently, Hashem is assuring you will listen to these laws.” deduced from the word “eikev,” the Jewish people that, “Although all (7:12) which refers to the one hundred and the nations of the world will bless QUESTION: Instead of the word seventy-two words of the Ten you, it will not prevent you from “eikev” — “because” — it could have Commandments, that contain the six increasing (to deny them credit), for said “keshetishme’un” — “when you hundred and thirteen mitzvos of the I will bless you with future will listen” — or “im tishme’un” — To r a h . generations which will ensure your “if you will listen”? continuity. ANSWER: On Mount Sinai Alternatively, the Gemara (Avoda Hashem gave the Jewish people the Zara 9a) says that the world will exist “He afflicted you and let you Ten Commandments, which included for six thousand years. Two thousand hunger, and He fed you the the six hundred and thirteen mitzvos of these are utterly void of Torah, two manna.” (8:3) of the Torah (see Shmos 24:12, thousand are years of Torah without QUESTION: There is a midrash Rashi). In the version of the Ten Moshiach, and the last two thousand pelia — wondrous Midrash — that Commandments as they are recorded years will start the era of Moshiach. says, “From here we can learn that (ibid. 20:2-14), there is a total of one The first two-thousand-year period candles must be lit in honor of hundred and seventy-two words. The concluded when Avraham reached Shabbat.” What connection is there word “Eikev,” has the numerical the age of fifty-two and was between this pasuk and the obligation value of one hundred and seventy- introduced to Torah. The second to light Shabbat candles? two. Hence, the Torah is saying, “It two-thousand-year period ended one ANSWER: While eating the shall come to pass, ‘eikev tishme’un’ hundred and seventy-two years after manna, the Jew was able to imagine — because you will listen i.e. observe the destruction of the second Beit and enjoy any food. If one wanted a ‘eikev’ — the six hundred and HaMikdash, and then the era of rare delicacy, the manna would thirteen mitzvos which are in the one Moshiach began (see Rashi). assume this taste, and if one wanted a hundred and seventy-two words of With the word “eikev,” which has sumptuous dessert, one would taste the Ten Commandments. Thus, your the numerical value of one hundred that. Why, then, does the verse G-d will safeguard for you the and seventy-two, the Torah is hinting mention the manna in connection covenant and kindness that He swore that “eikev” — one hundred and with affliction? to your forefathers.” seventy-two years after the Although the taste of the manna destruction — “tishme’un” — “you varied according to one’s desire, the Alternatively, the Gemara (Yoma will hear” — the footsteps of Gemara (Yoma 74b) explains that, 28b) says that our father Avraham Moshiach. “You cannot compare one who sees kept the entire Torah, as Scripture what he eats with one who does not states, “eikev asher shama Avrohom “You will be the most blessed of see what he is eating. This is the b’koli” — “because Avraham all the peoples; there will be no reason that blind people glut hearkened to My voice [kept My infertile male or infertile female themselves without becoming charge, My commandments, My among you.” (7:14) satisfied.” Thus, while it is true that a statutes, and My laws] (B’Reishis QUESTION: What is the person would experience any taste 26:5). In light of the above, the proof connection between being blessed imaginable, since he did not actually 4 19 Menachem Av 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 751_Beis Moshiach 26/07/2010 8:08 AM Page 5 see his food, he did not truly enjoy it. (olives and dates), but the extracts — bring us up from Egypt to bring us to Scripture instructs us, “You shall oil and honey. Why? this evil place — not a place of seed proclaim the Shabbat ‘oneg’ — ‘a ANSWER: The Gemara (Horiat or fig or grape or pomegranate?” delight’ “ (Isaiah 58:13), and our 13b) says that eating olives can cause (BaMidbar 20:5). sages (Shabbat 118b) explain that the one to forget Torah learned over a From the fact that Yaakov brought way to experience delight is by eating period of seventy years. The Gemara honey to Egypt, and that the Jews did delicious foods. Hence, if the home is (P’sachim 88a) relates that Ulah once not complain in the wilderness about not lit, regardless of the quality of the came to Pumpedita and he was lacking olive-oil and honey, it is food, not only will one not enjoy the served a small basket of dates. He apparent that they also did not have food, but, on the contrary, it will be inquired, “How many of these can be these items in Egypt. Therefore, to an affliction. Therefore, one is purchased for one zuz” (Talmudic emphasize the excellence of Eretz obligated to light candles to currency)? They told him, “Three Yisroel, the Torah separates olive-oil illuminate the Shabbat table, so that [small baskets or one large one] for and honey from the other items with everyone sitting at the table will one zuz.” In amazement he said, “A the word “eretz,” to emphasize that, proclaim the Shabbat an “oneg” — basketful of honey can be purchased in this land, the Jews would enjoy “delight.” for one zuz, and yet the Babylonians something which they did not have do not engage in Torah study (with previously. “You should know in your heart the cost of living so low, surely they that just as a father will chastise his have plenty of time to study)?” At “A land whose stones are iron.” son, so G-d, your G-d, chastises night he became ill and said, “A (8:9) you.” (8:5) basketful of poison can be purchased QUESTION: The Gemara QUESTION: In what sense is for one zuz, yet the Babylonians study (Taanis 4a) says, “Read not Hashem’s chastising of the Jewish Torah!” ‘avanehah’ — ‘stones’ — but people similar to a father chastising From these two Gemaras, it is ‘bonehah’ — ‘builders’ “ — referring his son? evident that olives and dates have a to talmidei chachamim — Torah ANSWER: Even when a father is detrimental effect on one’s Torah scholars. Why does the pasuk displeased with his son’s behavior study. On the other hand, the compare talmidei chachamim to iron and hits him, he would be very upset Gemara (ibid.) says olive oil can help and not to stones? if a stranger hits his son. The father one remember the Torah which he ANSWER: King Shlomo says, would become protective then and learned over seventy years, and the “As iron sharpens iron, so a man defend his son. Gemara (Yoma 83b) says that honey, sharpens his fellow” (Proverbs However, when a person hits a “enlightens the eye of man.” 27:17). The Gemara (Taanis 7a) says stranger for committing a Consequently, the Torah did not that Torah scholars are compared to wrongdoing against him, he is praise Eretz Yisroel with fruits (olives iron because one sharpens the other grateful to every outsider who and dates) that interfere with in halacha. intervenes on his behalf. learning, but with foods (oil and When one stone is rubbed against Although Hashem may exile the honey) that benefit man and enhance another, fire is created (see P’sachim Jewish people due to displeasure with the study of Torah.