CANDLELIGHTING: 4:42 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 11 י שבט תשע"ג SHABBOS ENDS: AFTER 5:46 72 MIN 6:13 JANUARY 11, 2014

PARSHAS THE REST OF THE

While the Jewish people were involved with gathering gold and silver, Moshe went to the Nile River to collect Yosef’s bones before STORY: the Exodus. The Gemara in Sotah (13a) comments that we can see By R’ Yosef Dovid Rothbart As the armed Egyptians approached the sea, their ministering angel, from this how special the Mitzvos were to Moshe Rabbeinu. “The What’s behind the passuk? Uzza, came before Hashem and prayed for their survival. “You are entire nation was busy collecting booty and Moshe was busy with righteous and just. You show no favouritism. Why then do you intend the bones of Yosef HaTzadik. As Shlomo Hamelech says in Mishlei, to drown my nation? Did the Egyptians drown the Jewish people? Chacham Lev Yikach Mitzvos - a wise person grabs Mitzvos.” (There was a royal decree to drown the babies and the Egyptians Superficially it seems that going to gather the Egyptians’ wealth was complied with it to save their own lives; but, although a person is not what the Jewish people should have been involved with at the obliged to surrender his own life rather than commit murder, one who final moments before leaving Egypt. Instead they should have does not do so does not incur the death penalty.) And if you plan to followed Moshe’s example - the one who is considered a Chacham drown my people because they enslaved the Jewish nation, you Lev - and aided in the retrieval of Yosef’s bones. But were they not should know that the Egyptians already paid them for that with all commanded by Hashem to go and request money from the the treasures that the Jews took when they left. Certainly Hashem Egyptians in order that Hashem would fulfil his promise to the Avos who is just won’t punish my people twice.” (c.f. Rashi 11: 2)? Why then is Moshe referred to as a “Chacham Hashem assembled all the angels and proclaimed, “I am going to Lev”, which seems to be a loftier character trait, for doing the will respond to Uzza’s claims against me. When the world was going to of Hashem? Was not the entire Jewish nation also fulfilling His will by suffer from a terrible famine, it was Yosef who amassed grain for collecting spoils from the Egyptians? Paroah which he sold. In this way, Paroah acquired his great wealth. The Gemara in Bava Metziah (32b) teaches us an interesting After Yosef died, Paroah ignored all that Yosef had done for the Halacha. If a person sees his friend’s donkey buckling under its country and he subjugated the Jewish people.” Hashem continued to recount the entire story of the subjugation in burden, he is obliged to help readjust the load. Similarly, if one’s Egypt, of Paroah’s refusal to listen to His warnings to let the Jewish friend is having difficulty loading up an animal, he is obliged to help. nation go, and of his present plans to attack them. “Is there any The Gemara continues that if both these situations happen question whether the Egyptians deserve to drown in the Nile?” simultaneously, one should first readjust the load of the struggling Realizing that his defence had collapsed, Uzza tried a different tactic. donkey for this scenario involves Tzar Baalei Chaim. However, if the “Most Merciful Lord, I admit that the Egyptians are guilty. But please donkey that is collapsing under its load belongs to a friend and the have compassion on my nation, a nation whose numbers exceed person who needs help loading his animal is an enemy, the Halacha 900,000,000. Please don’t let such a large nation be destroyed. Have is different. In that scenario, one must help the person he doesn’t mercy.” like load up his animal. The reason is that by helping out someone The other angels agreed with this argument. “Save the Jewish nation, whom he dislikes, he is breaking his Yetzer HaRa and strengthening but do not kill the Egyptians.” his character, and that takes precedence. When the ministering angel of the Jews, Michael, heard this, he The Alter from Novardok offers a beautiful explanation to our motioned to Gavriel, a second angel, and the two of them flew down question based on this Gemara. The Alter explains that it was much to Egypt in a single leap. They hurried to the city that had been built easier for everyone to collect gold and silver from the Egyptians by the Jewish slaves and found a brick that contained a Jewish infant. than to collect the bones of Yosef. Moshe understood that the less They extracted the brick and flew heavenward. Holding the brick, enticing a Mitzvah is to a person, the more challenging the Mitzvah Gavriel stood before Hashem and announced, “Lord of the universe, is, the dearer it is to Hashem. There were two Mitzvos to be look what the Egyptians did to your children. Did they have any mercy on them? Did they pay attention when the Jewish parents performed before the Jewish people left Egypt - gathering gold, an begged them to spare the lives of their children?” exciting Mitzva, and collecting the bones of Yosef, a less attractive At that moment it was decreed that the Egyptians be drowned in the Mitzvah. Moshe Rabbeinu acted with wisdom, earning the title sea. of Chacham Lev, and performed the less sought after Mitzvah. (based on the Yalkut Shimoni)

These words outline the mission of every subsequent generation: to further, elevate and exalt man’s knowledge of אלוקי אבי וארממנהו )טו: ב( Hashem and homage to Him, to an ever-ascending height. (Rav Hirsch)

HALACHA REFLECTIONS Hilchos Hadlakas Neiros

Along with the many conveniences that electricity brought to our Shabbos, there came many Halachic questions. Is one allowed to open a refrigerator even ifSubtitle the motor is not running? Can one eat something that was on a hot-plate if there was a blackout and the We all know people who are true “givers.” When you think electricity came back on? These are just some of the questions that about the common feature of true “givers,” you will find that have arisen with the advent of electricity. Another issue that has these are people with real Emunah - real faith. Their belief in ramifications every Shabbos is the impact that electric lighting has Hashem is deep and secure. What is the connection between on the traditional way of kindling Shabbos candles. Let us explore giving and faith? some of these Halachos. Rav Eliyahu Dessler explains that self-interest and bias block a When electricity first became readily available, the Poskim debated person from being able to see the truth of Hashem. The roots of whether the mitzvah of lighting Shabbos candles could be fulfilled by self-interest lie in “taking,” which is the source of all our turning on electric lights. There were three different opinions: 1) Rav desires. The only way to recognize the truth about Hashem is Henkin (Eidus l’Yisrael pg 22) held that it is permissible to use do the opposite of “taking”, which is ”giving”. Giving to others, electricity for Shabbos candles and the proper blessing may be by doing acts of loving-kindness (Chessed), has the power to recited; 2) the Tchebiner Rav (Shrag HaMeir 5: 11) maintained that it remove bias from a person’s heart, thus allowing his heart to is not proper to use electric lights for this Mitzvah; 3) other Poskim recognize the truth of the Creator of the world. It follows that (Rav Moshe Feinstein, Har Tzvi quoting the Rogatchover Gaon) faith can only come to a person who gives. argued that although it is permissible to use electric lights, one There are people who do Mitzvos and learn for selfish should not recite a bracha when doing so. Since there is no final and reasons such as honour, etc. Such a person is a true “taker,” definitive ruling on this issue, we must because everything he does is for his look at the prevailing custom, which - upon benefit. This person may not admit reflection - is a compromise among the He also considers the it, but deep in his heart he does not three views: really believe in Hashem. What Although the blessing is recited over the higher levels of his own self connection can a person, so clouded traditional candles or oil-based lights that by his own inner bias, have with true are lit in the area where the Friday night to be alien forces making faith in Hashem? With this concept, meal will be eaten, we nevertheless rely Rav Dessler illuminates a brilliant and on electricity for the other part of the demands on him. novel explanation on the famous Mitzvah of Shabbos candles. The Mishna words of Hillel - “What you don’t like Berura (O.C. 263:2, 29, 31) clearly states don’t do to your neighbour: this is the that one is obliged to have light in any room that will be used on whole Torah - all of it. The rest is Friday night. Our Sages instituted this so that family members would commentary.” One who studies a deep and profound book be able to navigate safely in the house without fear of injury that without a commentary can easily mistake the meaning of the would disrupt the harmony of Shabbos. Today, most homes rely on book. However one who learns a commentary without some electric source (night-light, bathroom-light, etc.) to illuminate examining the book on which the commentary is based cannot the areas in which they will find themselves on Friday night. Thus, understand the book at all. This is the value of a “taker’s” they fulfil this part of the Mitzvah. Mitzvos and learning; all his actions are like “learning the The appropriate procedure, then, is as follows. When the wife is commentary without the book”. What can he possibly ready to light candles in the dining room, all the electric lights which understand? What has he possibly earned? will be used on Friday night should be shut off. The lights which are It is interesting to note that a “taker” not only considers other going to be used on Shabbos should then be turned on, with the people who request things of him to be alien, but also considers intention that they are being turned on for the sake of the Mitzvah of the higher levels of his own self to be alien forces making Shabbos candles. The candles should then be lit and the blessing demands on him. Since he is used to hardening his heart recited over all the lights in the house, both electric and other. In towards others, he hardens his heart towards these demands as this manner, one fulfills the Mitzvah according to all views. well. It follows that it is simply not possible for anyone to repent In a situation where using candles would be difficult or dangerous, or grow spiritually without being prepared to treat the demands such as in a hospital, the Poskim agree that one should rely on from his higher self with compassion. Upon doing so he will find electric lights for Shabbos candles. They should be turned off and that these “demands” were really what he wanted all along. We then turned on again for the sake of the Mitzvah. Whether a blessing can conclude that all spiritual progress depends on the power of is recited depends on the different opinions quoted above. No clear- “giving”. Giving is the key to spiritual arousal, and without it cut custom exists and one should follow his rav's directives. there can be no true spiritual growth. (based on an article written by Rav Doniel Neustadt)

Shabbos table discussions  It is Asur to use an idol as a landmark (Sanhedrin 63b). If so, how was Moshe able to tell the Jewish people to camp next to Pi Hachiros “which faces Baal Tzefon” (c.f. 14:2)?  The Halacha is that although a child is obliged to honour his father, any expenses incurred must be paid for by the father. The Gemara relates an incident involving Dama Ben Nesina, who was offered a tremendous business deal while his father was sleeping and needed to wake him up in order to complete the transaction. He did not do so. In light of the aforementioned Halacha, why was he hesitant to wake his father up?

By R’ Yossi Bergman following story illustrates the heights that he achieved: R’ Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, better known as the Sfas Emes, The story was told by Rav Dovid Mishkovsky, who was the was considered to be one of the greatest of the Chassidic Menahel of Yeshivas Knessess Chizkiya in Kfar Chassidim, where .the Reb Elya Lopian was the Mashgiach Ruchani-עשירי קודש movement. The chassidim are wont to say that he was sacred tenth, as he was the tenth from the Bal Shem Tov - the When Reb Elya lived in Kelm, his wife became very ill. The doctors founder of Chassidism and the first Chassidic Rebbe. His grandfather, had just solemnly given the frightening diagnosis that “maybe R’ Yitzchok Meir Alter, referred to as the Chidushei HaRim after his prayer will help.” The family gathered around her bed and began Sefer, started the Gerrer dynasty after the Kotzker Rebbe passed to cry while Reb Elya was in an adjacent room beside himself with away. grief. Just then, an older man came into the room and asked what Initially, R’ Yitzchok Meir was very reluctant to succeed the all the crying was about. Reb Elya explained that his wife was Kotzker. However, owing to the pressure of the many Chassidim who deathly ill in the next room and the doctors had said there was no literally coerced him into accepting the yoke of leadership, he was cure for her illness. The Yid asked Reb Elya what disease she had. forced to acquiesce. Upon his acceptance he defined his unique When Reb Elya told him, he instructed Reb Elya that there was a approach: “Reb Simcha Bunim led through love. The Kotzker led certain plant that he could find in a particular field. He should through fear of Hashem. I will lead through Torah.” The Gerrer gather some of the plant, boil it and give the resulting tea to his movement, while emphasizing Torah study, is very much a mixture of wife to drink. Reb Elya quickly ran out to the field and followed the all three. advice. His wife was healed. Reb Yizchok Meir’s life was clouded with tragedy. All his Reb Elya had a strong feeling that this was not an thirteen children died young. The last son, R’ Avraham Mordechai, ordinary person, rather it was Eliyahu Hanavi, and therefore he was unwell all his life and at the age of thirty it seemed that his end never related the story. was approaching. The Chidushei HaRim came to visit his last Years later he visited the Sfas Emes. After they discussed remaining son. He entered the room, strode right to his bed and told various issues, Reb Elya asked the Sfas Emes for a bracha. The choose life!” Subsequently, his Sfas Emes answered that a person who merited a visit from - וחי בהם his son: “The Torah tells us son`s condition improved and a year later, on the 29th of Nissan 5607 Eliyahu Hanavi did not need his bracha! Reb Elya countered that (1847), he was blessed with a son, whom they named Yehudah. he definitely wanted a bracha from a person who knew who Given R’ Avraham Mordechai’s weakened state, it was Eliyahu Hanavi had visited! decided that the young boy should live with his grandfather, R’ Yitzchok Meir. Being responsible for his grandson’s upbringing, the Chidushei HaRim hired a competent tutor to teach him. The tutor had to comply with three conditions: to wake up his Talmid every morning RIDDLE before dawn, to learn at least eighteen hours a day and to encourage the boy to develop a Chiddush every day. By R’ Naftali Spiegel Under his grandfather’s guidance he grew in Torah and

Kedushah. R’ Yitzchok Meir held his grandson in high esteem, and a strong bond developed between them. Towards the end of the When is there an obligation to love a non- Chidushei HaRim’s life he made it clear that his grandson was worthy Jew? of succeeding him as Rebbe. However the Sfas Emes, being so young, felt unworthy of accepting the mantle of leadership. In reply his Please send your answers to grandfather explained to him: “There are certain mountains that take [email protected]. a lifetime to climb. However some people can be born on the top of Please include your name and age. the mountain and thus be at the top at an impossibly young age.” He All those who submit a correct answer will be added: “You might be too young to be on the top of the mountain by entered into a raffle to a free meal at Pizza reason of your own merit, but you have the merit of your great Café. Sponsored by: Pizza Café teachers.” (416) 633-5678 As Rebbe, the Sfas Emes was known for his greatness. The

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Did you know... The Mon then fell on the cleansed surface of the cleansed surface of the desert.  When the Jewish nation crossed the Yam  On the Shabbos, the Mon had an even Suf, Hashem caused vegetation to grow better taste than on other days? Its out of the sea bed for their animals to eat? appearance was also brighter on the  When Paraoh chased after the Jewish Shabbos than any other day. people he brought with him many foreign  If one ounce of honey was mixed with 60 troops? Although they were swept away by ounces of other food, that entire mixture the waters of the Yam Suf, they did not would taste like honey? drown. The sea was selective, only To contribute to this section and be drowning the Egyptians. featured in this newsletter, email your  There is a disagreement among Medrashim D’var Torah to [email protected] or when the Jewish nation sang Shira? One drop off it at Kollel Ohr Yosef 613 Clark opinion says that that the song was sang Avenue West. while they were still in the water. They had no fear that the water would return and cover them. While according to the other opinion, they sang Shira the instant they left the sea.  Hashem told Moshe to save some of the Mon as a keepsake? If a person would later By R’ Naftali Spiegel that he is too busy earning a livelihood to study Torah, he would be shown the Mon. Which two Pesukim in the Torah contain all of Just as Hashem supplied food for the Jewish the Aleph Beis?

people in the dessert, so too he can Please send your answers to provide one with food anywhere. [email protected].  The way the Mon fell was very unique? All Please include your name and age. night long a north wind blew, making the All those who submit a correct answer will be desert freezing cold. The rain fell, entered into a raffle to a free meal at Pizza Café. cleansing the surface of the desert. Dew Sponsored by: Pizza Café then rose from the desert. It was scattered (416) 633-5678 by the wind over the entire desert, causing it to gleam like a table of the purest gold.

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