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SHABBAT SCHEDULE We would like to wish a Hearty Mazal WEEKLY SCHEDULE Tov to our Dear Friends Mr. & Mrs. st SUNDAY Mincha 1 Minyan 6:15pm Sammy & Naama Maya on the Birth Shir Hashir im: 6:35pm Shaharit: 7:30am Mincha 2nd Minyan 7:30pm of their Dear Baby Boy. They should Teenager Program Candle Ligh ting: 7:49pm see him grow in Torah, & Maasim at 6:45pm Shaharit: 8:30am Tovim Amen! Mazal Tov to Shabetai Minha 8:00pm Youth Minyan: 9:00am Followed by Arvit & Cuqui Maya & Moshe & Rivka Zeman Keriat Shema 9:14am nd Harir! 2 Zeman Keriat Shema 9:53am MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Daf Yomi 5:50pm We would like to wish a Hearty Mazal Shiur 6:10am Avot Ubanim Recess Tov to our Dear Friends Mr. & Mrs. Shaharit 6:30am Shiur: 6:45pm Abraham Benhayoun on Graduating Hodu Approx: 6:45am Minha: 7:30 pm Shiur in Spanish 6:55pm Followed by Seudat Shelishit & LL.M. (Master of Laws) in Tax Law Shiur in English 7:20pm Arvit from Georgetown University. He Minha 8:00pm Shabbat Ends: 8:49pm should have lots of Hatzlaha in Followed By Arbit Rabbenu Tam 9:20pm everything!
We would like to remind our Kahal Kadosh to please Donate wholeheartedly towards our Beautiful Kehila. Anyone interested in donating for any occasion, Avot Ubanim $120, Kiddush $350, Seudat Shelishit $275, Weekly Bulletin $150, Weekly Daf Yomi $180, Daf Yomi Masechet $2500, Yearly Daf Yomi $5000, Weekly Breakfast $150, Weekly Learning $500, Monthly Rent $3500, & Monthly Learning $2000, Please contact the Rabbi. Thanking you in advance for your generous support. Tizke Lemitzvot!
בס''ד Refuah Shelema List Men Women
• Yosef Zvi Ben Sara Yosefia, • Isaac Ben Mesoda, • Simja Bat Esther, • Sara Ledicia Bat Mesoda, • Aviv Ben Luba Miriam, • Haim Ben Marcelle, • Rachel Bat Sarah, • Alegria Simha Bat Esther, • Mordechai Ben Brucha Malka • Yizhak Ben Simja • Nina Bat Rachel, • Naomie Bat Rarel Adda, Shmalo, • Reuben Ben Eta, • Gitel Rina Bat Yael, • Malka Bat Joyce Simja, • Yizhak Abraham Ben Sheli, • Michael Ben Aliza, • Miriam Bat Sofy, • Sivan Simha Bat Yehudit, • Yosef Yizh ak Ben Sara Hana, • Eliel Moshe Ben Sarah • Rahma Bat Simha • Natalie Rachel Bat Nancy, • Mordechai Ben Miriam, • Refael Ben Clara • Esther Bat Fortuna • Abigael Haya Bat Esther • Meir Raymo nd Ben Mathilde • Netanel Sayegh Ben • Malka Bat Dina • Madeleine Bat Esther • Salomon Benarroch Ben Alia Rosa • Camouna Bat Fortuna • Nurit Jacqueline Bat Rahel • Mordechai Ben Mercedes • • Raizel Bat Miriam • Atara Shira Bat Sara Beylla • Abraham Guenoun Bar Rachel • Leah Bat Rivka
Torah Teasers (AISH) 1. The name of which other parasha is contained within the name of this parasha? 2. In this parasha, which word and its antonym appear in the same verse? (2 answers) 3. In this pa rasha, which two metals appear in the same verse? 4. In this parasha, what object is mentioned in three consecutive verses? 5. In this parasha, which number appears twice consecutively in one verse? 6. In this parasha, which number appears four times within the words of rebuke? 7. In this parasha, which of the Ten Plagues meted out to the Egyptians is mentioned? 8. In this parasha, in what context is the number 10 mentioned? (3 answers) 9. Aside from Moshe, which three other people are mentioned explicitly by name in this parasha? 10. In this parasha, what single set of laws involve the numbers 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, and 60?
Answers 1) ParashatChukat, from the book of Numbers, is contained within the name of parashatBechukotai. 2) (1) The word "old" and its antonym "new" appear in Leviticus 26:10: Part of the reward for observing the commandments is that there will be an abundance of grain - such that the old grain will be removed from the storehouses to make room for the new grain. (2) The words "good" and "bad" appear in Leviticus 27:10 (and 27:12) regarding the laws of substituting sanctified animals. 3) Iron and copper appear in Leviticus 26:19, which discusses consequences of not following G-d's ways. 4) "Sword" appears in three consecutive verses that discuss the blessings, which come as a consequence for fulfilling G-d's will (Leviticus 26:6 -8). 5) The number 100 appears twice consecutively in Leviticus 26:8, which states that when the Jews following G-d's laws, "Five of you will chase 100, and 100 (meah meah) will chase ten thousand." 6) The number seven appears four times when the Torah warns that punishments will be increased sevenfold above sins (Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24, 28). 7) The plague of pestilence (dever) appears in the words of rebuke (Leviticus 26:25).
8) (1) In the words of rebuke, the Torah states that 10 women will have to bake bread in one oven (Leviticus 26:26). (2) One who
promises to give the Temple treasury the value of a female between the ages of 5-20, or above 60, must donate 10 shekels (Leviticus
27:4, 7). (3) The very end of the parasha discusses how a farmer counts his newborn animals as they pass under his staff, giving
every tenth animal as a tithe (Leviticus 27:32).
9) The three patriarchs - Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov - are mentioned in a verse of comfort within the words of rebuke (Leviticus
26:42).
10) All these numbers are mentioned in the laws that govern donating an individual's "value" to Temple treasury (Leviticus 27:3-7).
If anyone would like to contact the Rabbi, please feel free
to call or text 786-879-4951, or email [email protected].
בס''ד Community Announcements
(It is YOUR Community, make the most of it!)
M iscellaneous Announcements:
• This We ek’s Congregational Kiddush has been Kindly Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Eric Sebbah in memory th of his Dear Father Freddy Raoul Sebbah Ben Rika z”l the 28 of Iyar is the 12 Months. Tihye Nishmato
Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Amen.
• This We ek’s Congregational Kiddush has been Kindly Sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Ronny Aquinin in Honor th thier Dear Sady Aquinin reading the 5 Perek of Pirke Abot. Hazak Ubaruch! of
• The Kiddush Club Initiative. Anyone interested donating a Kiddush Please kindly contact the Rabbi. Tizke
Lemizvot!
• is still available for Sponsorship! This Week’s Congregational Seudat Shelishit
• is still available for Sponsorship! This Week’s Breakfast
Anyone intere sted in sponsoring Breakfast for this week or on any day please contact the Rabbi.
• This Week ’s Daf Yomi is still available for Sponsorship!
• The Congregation extends Condolences to the Oziel Family on the loss of our Dear R’ Mordechai Oziel
Bar Ramu z”l Father of our Beloved R’ Yosef Oziel z”tl. Tihye Nishmato Tzerura Bitzror Hahayim Began
Eden Amen. Min Hashamayim Tenuhamu!
• If anyone is interested in creating a weekly class in your house or an individual class with the Rabbi, please do not hesitate to
contact the Rabbi. • We are tryi ng to update our Congregant’s contact information. We would like to start sending texts about different Events and
Shiurim. We would also like to start emailing the weekly bulletin. We would like to start a list of Nahalot/Azkarot/Yahrzeits.
We would also like to make a Refuah Shelema list. Please send your contact information to the Rabbi at [email protected]
• Please fee l free to contact any of the board members either in person, or via email with suggestions or comments. Our email
addresses are: board member’s first name @oroziel.com
Important Me ssage!!!
Eruv Update: Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is
permit ted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach.
Bal Harb our: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.
• Due to the recent reorganization of seats in the Bet Hakenesset, We are happy to announce the NEW possibility of purchasing seats
in the Bet Hakenesset. For more information, please contact the Board.
• Before hanging up anything anywhere in the Bet Hakenesset, please seek authorization from the Rabbi. This includes flyers etc.
• Please be advised that prior to bringing any food or drinks for any occasion, you must first seek the authorization from the Rabbi.
Spe cial Announ cements • We are pl eased to announce that Ness 26 is part of the Amazon Charity Program, which would allow our community to collect 0.5% of all the orders made by any of you on Amazon.com. In order to register you need to log on
smile.amazon .com and select Ness 26, Inc as the Charitable Organization you want to support, and from then shop on smile.ama zon.com instead of www.amazon.com. It won’t cost anything more, and is an easy way to contribute to our budget nee ds. • Anyone wishing to receive the Daily Halacha by the Rabbi please send a whatsapp message to Simon Chocron 786-351-
1573
th • Hazak Ubaruch to Moshe Elmaleh for Beautifully reading the 4 Perek of Pirke Abot. BH the Fifth Perek will be read by Sady Aquinin.
Community Calendar: • The program for Teenaged Boys ages 13-18 Started again with Great Succes with Shiur by the Rabbi & Supper on Sunday Evenings Before Minha at around at 6:45 pm With Supper. New Participants Welcome! Anyone
wishing to sponsor this Shiur Please contact the Rabbi. Tizke Lemitzvot! • We have started the Mishmar Program Every other Thursday evening at 8:00 pm with Chulent, Beer, &
Snacks. Everyone is welcome! This Mosae Shabbat at 7:45pm Av ot Ubanim: In Recess Youth Minyan • We are pr oud to announce the inauguration of our YOUTH/TEEN MINYAN geared to train and teach our futur e generations on the different tefillot and parashiot.
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We would like to Whole Heartedly Thank our Dear Friends, Mr. & Mrs. Simon Benchimol for generously Donating the TORAH LEARNING of Iyar 5779 In Memory of his Dear Mother Rajel Bat Nina z”l We truly appreciate it. In this merit, may Hashem Bless you & your wonderful family with all the Berachot of the Torah. Amen.
Birthdays Happy Anniversary To • Abraham & Lina Guenoun June 3rd Happy Birthday To th st • Abraham & Sharon Benmergui June 6 • Mrs. Ruth Guigui – Shabbat June 1 , • Chana Perz – Mon. June 3rd, Nahalot th • Naftali Netanel Gad – Wed. June 5 , • Yosef Ben Yaich Ammar z”l the 29th of Iyar th • Saadia Aquinin – Thurs. June 6 , (Father of Mr. Raphael Ammar) th • Mrs. Magali Shoshan – Fri. June 7 , • Leah Gad Bat Batshevah Cohen z”l the 2nd of Sivan th • Eliyahu Tobul – Fri. June 7 , (Grandmother of Mr. Albert Gad) th • Netanel Lahmi – Shabbat. June 8 , • Chana Bat Tammar Elmechly z”l the 4th of Sivan th • Nechama Benmergui – Mon. June 10 , (Mother of Mr. Raphael Ammar) th • Mrs. Fortuna Mamane – Mon. June 10 , • Oro Belecen Bat Clara z”l the 5th of Sivan • Mrs. Doralyu Maya – Mon. June 10th, (Grandmother of Mr. Albert Belecen) (Shabbat) • Judy Aquinin – Tue. June 11th, • Irina Gad – Tue. June 11th, Next Shabbat: th • Mrs. Olivia Shoshan – Fri. June 14th, • Robert Houttou Bsiri Ben Esther Assous z”l the 6 of Sivan • Mr. Stephane Bsiri – Shabbat. June 15th, (Grandfather of Mr. Stephane Bsiri) th • Misha Cohen – Mon. June 17th, • Feige Bat Perle z”l the 11 of Sivan (Aunt of Mr. Amichai Shoshan)
בס''ד Community Shiurim
Weekda y mornings:
• 6:10AM to 6:45AM: Laws of Nidah. New participants welcome! • 7:30AM Shiur on Hok Leyisrael with Breakfast! Everyone Is Welcome to Join. • 7:45AM to 8:30AM: Daf Yomi Masechet Bechorot. NEW DAF YOMI MASECHET! New participants are welcome! It is a great time to start learning the Daf and join thousands of Jews across the world in this incredible project.
• 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM: Mishna Berura Dirshu Cycle! New participants welcome!
We ekday afternoons: • Before Minha Monday through Thursday: Shiurim in Spanish on assorted topics. o • After Arvit: o Mondays & Wednesdays: Hoshen Mishpat – Business Halacha o Monday through Thursday: Shiurim in Spanish on assorted topics. o Every Thursday evening after Arvit Hilchot Nida in Depth for Men. Tuesday Assorted Topics o In Recess for the Summer o Monday & Tuesday at 7:00pm Masechet Berachot in French o Every other Monday evening at 8:30pm Shalom Bayit Class to Women.
o Every other Tuesday evening at 8:30pm Shalom Bayit Classes to Men. • SHIUR for Ladies! The Rabbi’s Shiur on Halachot of Kashrut NEW SERIES ON Hilchot Basar Vechalav, (Laws pertaining to Meat & Milk) to Ladies, in the Bet Hakenesset, every Tuesday afternoon at 2:05 pm. New Participants are always Welcome! In Recess Shabbat: • Shabbat night before Arvit: Short lecture on the Parasha of the week. • Shabbat Morning: Short Lecture on the Parashah of the week. • Shabbat Morning: Lecture on the Parashah of the week after Kiddush • Shabbat Afternoon – Daf Yomi at 5:30pm. • Shabbat Afternoon – Shiur at 6:30pm • Spanish Shiur – with Simon Chocron One hour before Minha • Seudat Shelishit: Short lecture on the Parasha of the week.
בס''ד WEEKLY INSPIRATION misses the main feature. Likewise, we cannot ignore the "main course" of Torah – the "toil" of Talmud study. Toiling in Torah We all toil and work hard in our careers or (Rabbi Eli Mansour from Daily Halacha) businesses. We are prepared to do what it Parashat Behukotai is famous for the takes to succeed, even if this means putting "blessings" and "curses," the description of in long hours and doing things which are less the great rewards promised to Beneh Yisrael than enjoyable. College students concerned for obeying G-d’s commands, and the about their grade point average invest great punishments the Torah warns would befall effort to understand everything the professors the nation if they disobey. say and master the dozens upon dozens of pages of material they need to know for their Rashi famously comments that when the exams. Our investment in Torah must not be Torah promises great reward "Im Be’hukotai any less than this. Torah is the word of Telechu" – "if you follow My statutes," this Hashem, and every Torah thought, even it actually refers not to Misva observance, but does not seem practically relevant, reflects rather "She’tiheyu Amelim Ba’Torah" – "that G-d’s will and shows us the way we are you toil in My Torah." Since the verse later supposed to live. We cannot "toil" in our other speaks of observing the Misvot ("Ve’et pursuits without toiling in the pursuit of Torah Misvotai Tishmeru"), Rashi explains, the knowledge. If we recognize that Torah is the phrase "Im Be’hukotai Telechu" must refer word of Hashem, we will ensure to invest at not to observance, but rather to the study of least as much as effort in the study of Torah Torah. as we do in other areas of life. Significantly, Rashi does not use the word As we prepare for Shabuot, when we renew "study," but rather "Amelim" – "toil." The great our acceptance of the Torah, we should blessings promised in this Parasha are recommit ourselves to the study of Torah – earned not by simply studying, but by and also to "Amelut," to "toiling" in Torah, and "toiling," by investing hard work and effort in take it upon ourselves to learn with intensity the study of Torah. and vigor, recognizing and appreciating that Similarly, later, the Torah warns of the this is the sacred word of G-d. punishments that will befall Beneh Yisrael "Im Lo Tishme’u Li" ("If you do not obey Me" – 26:14), and Rashi explains this to mean that the people are not "Amelim Ba’Torah" – "toiling in Torah." We are required to not just The Effort and the Results learn, but to "toil" in learning. (Rabbi Eli Mansour) Reading books on Jewish thought and ethics, Parashat Behukotai describes the blessings and attending classes on Mussar (religious that God promises to bestow upon Beneh admonition), are certainly worthwhile, and Yisrael in reward for their observance of the important, as they provide us with inspiration Torah. The Parasha begins with the verse, "If and the proper mindset with which we are to you follow My statutes, and you observe My live. However, they are not enough. We have commands and perform them…" Much has an obligation to "toil," to immerse ourselves in been written about this opening verse of the the intensive study of the Talmud and its Parasha, and among the famous commentaries, which requires hard work. commentaries is that of Rashi, who explains Learning only light Torah material is like the phrase, "If you follow My statutes" to going to a catered affair and eating only the mean, "If you toil in Torah" ("She’tiheyu hors d’oeuvres, without eating the main Amelim Ba’Torah"). According to Rashi, the course. One certainly enjoys and receives Torah here refers not only to observing the nourishment from the hors d’oeuvres, but he Misvot, but to Torah learning.
בס''ד Rashi’s comments are cited very often in to focus too heavily on exam scores and Yeshivot when the Rabbis wish to impress grades rather than the child’s attitude and upon their students the importance of hard efforts. We must remember that the goal in work and diligence in learning. It is significant education is, ultimately, the "Amelut," not the that Rashi does not speak simply of grade. Of course, we want all our children to "learning" Torah, but rather of "toiling" in succeed and to know and understand the Torah – "Amelut." This means exerting effort, material. But this goal is secondary to the sweating, and breaking our heads to goal of producing young men and women understand the words of Torah to the best of who put in the effort, who try, who work hard. our ability. Rashi’s comments are thus often This is the message of "Amelut," and this is invoked in the context of the unique the message we ought to convey to our importance of not just studying, but of putting children and our students. in time, work and effort. The importance of "Amelut," as the Hafetz Haim (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) explained, lies in a fundamental difference between Torah and all other endeavors. A Tale of Two Ta’ame Outside the realm of Torah learning, what Temurah – Rambam and matters is the end product. If a salesman travels the world but fails to sell a single Sefer HaChinuch piece of merchandise, he won’t get paid a (Rabbi Frand from Torah.org) dime. Even if he invested Herculean efforts and marketed the item with the highest levels The end of Parashat Bechukotai contains the of professional skill, the bottom line is that he concept of temurah. There is an entire failed to produce the desired results, and he tractate in the Talmud devoted to these will not get rewarded. This is not how it is in laws. Temurah is a situation where a person Torah. What matters most in the area of sanctifies an animal, designating it to be a learning is the "Amelut" – the work and effort Korban, and then he wants to change his that one invests. A student can come to the mind. He decides that rather than offering this yeshiva, spend several days knocking his animal as his sacrifice, he wants to offer head against a single piece of Gemara, and another animal in its stead. Even if in fact the leave more confused than when he came in. second animal is superior to the one he Still, assuming he genuinely tried and made initially designated (meaning the Bet sincere efforts to understand the material, he HaMikdash will wind up getting a nicer animal will be rewarded no less than the most for the mizbeah) nevertheless it is forbidden accomplished scholar. He fulfilled the to swap animals once the first animal has mandate of "Amelut"; he put in the effort, and been designated as holy. If in fact one this is what is expected of us. As Rashi says, attempts to make such a swap, declaring the rewards of Parashat Behukotai are “zeh temurat zeh” (this one will be in place of primarily for the "Amelut," for the hard work this one), the result is that both animals are invested, regardless of the bottom-line now holy. accomplishments. The Rambam and Sefer HaChinuch take This is a vital lesson for parents and different approaches in explaining the laws educators. Unfortunately, many of our Torah of temurah. education systems place too strong an The Rambam writes at the end of hilchot emphasis on the achievements, rather than temurah [4:13]: “Even though everything in the effort. The students who receive prizes, the Torah is a chok [a law for which we do accolades and notoriety are the ones who not grasp its ultimate reason], it is appropriate score in the top percentiles on the exams and to analyze them (chukim) and wherever a who win the contests – but not necessarily rationale can be given, we should offer that those who try the hardest. Parents, too, tend
בס''ד rationale. It appears to me that both around with sacred items. He writes: the halacha of temurah (where both the “Therefore, in order to implant in our hearts animals become holy) and the halacha that fear and reverence of matters that are holy, when one tries to redeem an animal that he the Torah wants us to respect holy has previously donated to the Bet items. Kedusha is something which we must Hamikdash, he must add a twenty-five relate to with reverence. When someone percent surcharge, are cases of the Torah enters the Bet Hamikdash, he must fear it. descending into the thoughts of man, which Scripture therefore commands us not to are motivated by his evil inclination. It is the tamper with the holiness of donated items. nature of people to want to amass wealth, Once an item has become sanctified, that and to hold onto their possessions.” status should remain permanently. Once an This is indeed one of the great truths of life. animal is holy, it should not enter our mind to People love money. Someone does not need switch that sanctity onto a different animal. If to be the Rambam to advance such an idea. a person tries to make such a switch, the People are worried about their financial Torah nullifies his intent, and both animals holdings. will become sanctified. The end result of The Rambam continues: “And even though trying to remove holiness will be just the he went ahead and made a donation to opposite – it will multiply holiness!” the Bet Hamikdash, it is possible that he has Rav Pam extrapolates this idea of the Sefer second thoughts and regrets his generosity. HaChinuch and suggests that this idea (i.e. In retracting his previous donation, he is — that anyone trying to tamper with or tempted to redeem or replace it with destroy kedusha will find that Kedusha something of lesser value.” spreads) has been the story of Jewish Basically, we need to be afraid that the fellow history. In Egypt, they wanted to destroy the — as a result of his “second thoughts” — is Jewish people. What happened? Kedusha trying to cheat hekdesh. In a “moment of spread. “The more they afflicted them, the weakness,” he transferred ownership of a more they multiplied and the more they beautiful animal to the treasurer of the Bet spread.” [Shemot 1:12]. Pharaoh wanted to Hamikdash. Then when “his senses get the make the Jewish people subhuman in the better of him” he asks himself, “What in the eyes of the masses. What happened? At the world did I do? Does Hashem really care if it time of the Exodus, “Also a mixed multitude is a beautiful cow or an ugly cow? A sacrifice (of Egyptian people) went up with them” is a sacrifice. It is just going to be slaughtered [Shemot 12:38]. Trying to destroy the holiness anyhow!” The Torah is trying to pre-empt this of the Jewish people is doomed to failure. tendency to renege on his pledge The Ribono shel Olam says that this is the to hekdesh, so the Torah ensures that any nature of kedusha. Try to squelch it, try to person who tries to undo his moment of destroy it, try to get rid of it — and it spreads. generosity will pay dearly for that attempt. The wicked Haman attempted to destroy, Even if in fact the second animal is superior eradicate, and murder all the Jews from to the first animal, there are no exceptions to young lad until old man. He desired to uproot this rule. If the Torah would allow us a “free kedusha. However, the nature of kedusha is switch” under any circumstances, there is no that the more one tries to destroy it, the more end to the abuse this privilege would cause. it spreads. “And many of the masses of the Therefore, the Torah insists, “and it will be people (of Persia) converted” [Esther 8:17]. that the original animal and its substitute will They started converting in droves. How do both be holy.” This is the opinion of the we explain this phenomenon? Perhaps you Rambam. can argue that “Everybody wants to be with a The Sefer HaChinuch takes a different winner; they want to get on the band wagon.” approach, offering the following very No! It was more than that. It is the nature of interesting idea: Someone should not fool
בס''ד kedusha to expand. This is what the parsha negative is what will happen if you do not of temurah teaches us. labor in the Torah. The negative leads into a Rav Pam added that many of the people who downward spiral of spiritual decay, which will founded the State of Israel came from lead to troubles and punishment for the Jewish people. Socialist, Communist, and Bundist backgrounds. They made it part of their Then the pesukim say, “Then the land will agenda to uproot the sanctity of Israel. “We appease its Shemittah years during all the will be like all the nations, O House of Israel” years of its desolation, while you are in the [Shmuel I 8:20]. What happens when one land of your foes; then the land will rest and it tries to do that to kedusha? It spreads. That will make its Shemittah years appeasing.” is why the grandchildren of some of those [Vayikra 26:34] In other words, while you are people are the Baale Teshuvah today who in exile as punishment for your sins, the land are learning Torah in Ponnevez and Mir and will, in effect, observe Shemittah and achieve Brisk, and all the Yeshivot that are sprouting atonement for all the sabbatical years that up throughout the length and breadth of Eretz you did not observe while you were residing Yisrael, as never before. Why? This is just on the land. The clear implication from a the nature of kedusha. They try to wipe it out simple reading of the pesukim is that the and decimate it, but the Ribono shel punishment of exile is in large part because Olam says that is not going to happen. “You of non-observance of the Shemittah. start up with kedusha — it is going to Rav Yakov Kamenetsky asks — who spread.” mentioned Shemittah? Rashi (on verses 14- This is the lesson of temurah. Not only did 15) enumerated a whole domino effect of you not accomplish what you set out to do, sins, all beginning because people did not but instead of one animal being holy, now two labor in Torah, but he does not mention animals are holy. Such is the nature Shemittah observance as part of the list of of kedusha. sins that triggers the exile. Suddenly out of nowhere in pasuk 34, the Torah introduces that the exile came because of non- observance of Shemittah. Who mentioned Shemittah — A National Shemittah? The Torah changes the subject, Year of Learning so to speak, because the initial explanation of the trigger for exile was (according to Rashi) (Rabbi Frand) failing to labor in Torah. Parashat Bechukotai begins with the pasuk However, Rav Yakov says it is even more “If you will go in My decrees and observe My puzzling that Rashi says in pasuk 35 that Klal commandments and perform them…” Yisrael did not properly observe Shemittah [Vayikra 26:3] Rashi interprets “What is the entire time they were living in Eretz meant by ‘if you will go in My decrees’? That Yisrael — not a single Shemittah from the you should be laboring in the Torah time they entered Eretz Yisrael until the (she’ti’hiyu amelim b’Torah). The Torah then destruction of the First Bet Hamikdash and relates the great bounty we will have if we the subsequent Babylonian exile. Is that keep the Torah. Everything will be wonderful. possible? Several pesukim later, the Torah relates the Rav Yakov wants to suggest a tremendously other side of the equation: “But if you will not novel idea. He suggests that despite the fact listen to Me and will not perform all of these that in some years we read these parshios on commandments…” [Vayikra 26:14]. Rashi is separate weeks (in particular during a 13- consistent here in his interpretation. Rashi month Jewish leap year), Parashat Behar says that “if you will not listen to Me” means and Parashat Bechukotai are really one long “to be laboring in the Torah”. The positive is parsha with a single theme running that you should labor in the Torah and the throughout the unified parsha. Parashat
בס''ד Behar begins with Shemittah and then However, they did not properly take naturally moves into discussing Yovel. In advantage of the Shemittah. Shemittah is a effect, the Torah goes off on a tangent. two-pronged institution. The first prong involves not working, but it is much more than The section of Shemittah led into the section that. The second prong is using the spare of Yovel, which led into the section of time to learn. It was this second prong of cheating, etc., etc., etc. This continues until Shemittah that they did not properly fulfill the Biblical narration reaches the beginning during any of the hundreds of years when of Parashat Bechukotai, where the Torah Shemittah was Biblically in effect prior to the gets back to its original theme — the real destruction of the First Bet Hamikdash. purpose of Shemittah. The real purpose of Shemittah is that it is a national year of I have a student who learned in my shiur in learning. Klal Yisrael needs such a Ner Yisroel many years ago. I do not wish sabbatical. Klal Yisrael can labor in the fields this on anybody but a few weeks ago (at the for six years with that occupying their lives. time this shiur was given in 2009), when the However, we all know what can happen when student was already out of the yeshiva a person is too occupied with earning a living. several years, there was a front page story in the Baltimore Sun “T Rowe Price lays off 201 Shabbat is to the workday — a time to employees in Baltimore, MD.” The next day recharge and contemplate about the essence this fellow, who worked for T Rowe Price, of life and to take a break from the normal came to me in the Bet Medrash and told me daily routine — what Shemittah is supposed “I just got laid off.” I tried to console him, but to be to Eretz Yisrael. The purpose of he did not come for consolation. He said, Shemittah is to give an opportunity for “Can I come back to shiur?” everybody to learn. What do they do the whole year in an agrarian economy if they He received 8 weeks of severance pay from cannot farm? Nebach, these were the days T Rowe Price. They were, in effect, paying before television and before video games! him to learn in Kollel. He came back to the What was a person going to do the whole Yeshiva. Of course, he kept looking for a job year? The answer is that everyone had an and he prepared resumes, etc., etc. opportunity to sit and learn Torah. What a However, he took the “opportunity” the wonderful opportunity that was! Ribono shel Olam gave him and came back to learn. Therefore, at the beginning of Bechukotai, the Torah continues the parsha of Shemittah, We do not have a Shemittah in the United “If you go in My decrees” (im Bechukotai States but when the Ribono shel Olam or telechu) which Rashi explains — to occupy even the United States government gives us yourself with Torah study. This was literally a a Memorial Day or a Fourth of July or when time for everyone to come back to Yeshiva or people have off the whole “holiday season,” Kollel. However, “And if you do not hearken the Bet Medrash should be jammed packed. to My voice…” – meaning “if you do not This is our “mini Shemittah.” Klal Yisrael as a learn…” then you have not accomplished the communal entity needs to learn. This has to purpose of Shemittah because you did not do be our national focus. This is the purpose of what you were supposed to do on Shemittah. Shemittah, Shabbat and days off. Then, the Torah continues, “the land will appease its Shemittah years.”
This, Rabbi Yakov Kamentsky says, is what Rashi means when he says they never kept Ona’at Devarim - Truth and the Shemittah properly all the years they Falsehood were in Eretz Yisrael. Heaven Forbid that they never kept the laws of Shemittah during (Rav Zev Leff) all the period of the Judges and the righteous In addition to the prohibition of Ona’at kings (including Dovid and Shlomo). mamon, cheating one's fellow man
בס''ד monetarily by overcharging or underpaying, falsely imply that he is not an essentially the Torah also prohibits various forms of righteous person, and that his apparent fear Ona’at devarim, verbal deceit. Ona’at of G-d is but a pretence, when in fact, his devarim takes many forms: inviting someone suffering is the result of specific shortcomings for a meal knowing that he will be out-of-town which in no way define his spiritual level. on that day; inquiring about the price of Truth is the seal of Hashem. Truth is real and merchandise when one has no intention of enduring; falsehood fleeting. Reality bears buying, but only wishes to compare it to the Hashem's seal, for He can be discerned price of an item already purchased; within it. One who distorts reality, thereby reminding a ba'al teshuvah of his previous hides Hashem. For that reason liars are sins; telling a person who is suffering among those who will not receive the face of misfortune that he is being punished for his the Shechinah. G-d cannot be found or sins. identified in falsehood. In the first two cases of Ona’at devarim, the The word emet (truth) represents the totality element of deceit is relatively clear-cut. By of existing reality. Its letters span the entire inviting someone knowing they cannot aleph-Bet , aleph being the first letter, mem accept, one creates a sense of reciprocal the middle letter, and sav the final letter. All obligation on their part. Similarly, posing as a the letters stand firmly on a base or two legs. would-be customer causes the merchant to By contrast sheker (falsehood) is composed waste his time and effort in anticipation of a of three letters grouped together at the end of would-be sale. But where is the deceit in the the aleph-Bet and which stand either on a last two examples? Reminding a ba'al point or one leg. As Chazal say, sheker has teshuvah of his sins may cause him pain, but no legs. It is neither substantive nor enduring. how is it cheating or deceitful? And if someone tells his friend who is suffering that The attribute of emet is personified by he is being punished for his sins, there is Yaakov. For this reason Satan chose to certainly an element of truth in the statement. wrestle with Yaakov and not with Yitzchak or Avraham. Avraham personified chesed To understand how all those examples are (kindness) and Yitzchak personified avodah linked, we must refine our understanding of (service to Hashem)' Satan knew that as long ona'ah (oppression). With respect to Ona’at as emet was not firmly established in the mamon the essence of the sin is not the world, he could live with chesed and avodah. monetary loss caused another since that is Without emet, chesed can be distorted into already subsumed in the prohibition on theft. sexual immorality and avodah into idolatry. Rather the essence of the sin is the creation Once emet is firmly established, however, of a false impression about the value of the then chesed is true chesed and avodah is object being sold true avodah. The Telzer Rosh HaYeshivah, it is difficult to see what false impression is Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Katz, zt'l, explained created by taunting a ba'al teshuvah or a ger the words of Chazal, "The study of Torah is with reminders of their past, yet it is there. equal [literally opposite] all of them," as Chazal tell us that a convert is like a new- follows: To be sure that our mitzvot are truly born person and he is no longer connected to mitzvot, they must be placed opposite Torah his past. So, too, a ba'al teshuvah totally learning, i.e., appraised in light of the emet of divorces himself from his past sins; they are Torah, lest they be corrupted into distortions not only forgotten but can even be of chesed or avodah. transformed to merit through teshuvah. We live in the period of ikveta d'meshicha, Hence, one who reminds these individuals of the last stage of exile, about which Chazal their pasts, as if it is still part of them, creates say, "Truth will be missing." The Yerushalmi a false impression that causes them pain. says that when people lie, nature follows suit. Similarly, telling someone who is suffering Clouds form, and it appears that rain will fall, that his suffering is a result of his sins may but no rain falls. Today a person can arise in
בס''ד the morning and dress in imitation cotton think and feel about themselves and the clothing, put on imitation leather shoes, sit on world around them. Here are just a couple of an imitation wooden chair, eat a breakfast of one-liners we might find slipping from our imitation egg with imitation meat, salted with tongues from time to time. They’re usually a salt substitute and washed down with fruit better left unsaid. juice that contains no fruit. We live in a period 1. “I promise.” where truth is lacking - hence the proliferation of synthetics and imitation, even in nature Trust is difficult to foster and easy to destroy; itself. promises are easy to make and harder to keep. Instead of using the phrase “I promise”, During Elul a milkman came to the Telzer replace it with a safer phrase like, “I'll try.” Rav and confessed that he had been diluting Don’t create a situation where we'll will lose a the milk and cheating his customers. He kid’s trust because we were too quick to sought a program of repentance. The Telzer promise. Rav told him that the first--step was to immediately stop diluting the milk. A week 2. “Here, I'll do it.” later the milkman appeared before the Rav, It’s hard to see a kid struggling with a project obviously upset. "I have stopped diluting the and tempting to offer our help. But giving our milk as the Rav prescribed, and my business kids the easy way out is not necessarily the is suffering. People refuse to drink my milk. best way out. Let's not rob our kids of the They say it doesn't taste right." One can valuable, hard-earned lessons of become so used to sheker, that it appears to accountability, responsibility, and hard-work be emet. It is no wonder, then, that the ethics. Shelah HaKadosh emphasises that success in child raising and education must be 3. “You're so smart!” founded on the attribute of truth. One must It’s important to give positive feedback and strive to inculcate in every Jewish child an compliments to our kids, but overpraising can unswerving respect for the truth, which will hurt too. Watch what you praise. create a foundation for proper conduct in all Overpraising our kids for being smart, other areas. beautiful or talented can pressure them to live Falsehood disappear as smoke and make up to our personal expectations and relays way for the world of truth with the coming of the message that we value inborn attributes Mashiach soon in our days. over positive behavior and moral integrity. And when you do praise, be specific and Reprinted with permission from Artscroll Mesorah Publications, ltd. This article is provided as part of Shema Yisrael Torah Network Permission is genuine. granted to redistribute electronically or on paper, provided that this notice is included intact. For information on subscriptions, archives, and other 4. “Why can't you be more like…” Shema Yisrael Classes, send mail to [email protected] Telling our kids to measure up to anyone but themselves does more harm than good. Every child is and should be perceived as a world of his or her own. Food for Thought 5. “Don't cry.” “It doesn't hurt.” “There's no reason to be afraid.” Ten Phrases Not to Say to Our children should have the license to feel Our Kids and express pain regardless of our perception or opinion. Telling them they Some things are better left unsaid. shouldn't feel the way they do invalidates (By B. Gordon) their feelings and gives them the message that they shouldn't trust to their own It's the one-liners, the eye-rolls, and the emotions. Instead let’s validate our kids' subtle messages that sometimes have the greatest impact on how our kids behave,
בס''ד feelings while helping them navigate their Do you find yourself in cahoots with your emotions in a constructive way. child against your spouse? Do you ever feel as if you’re standing alone as your spouse 6. “You're making me angry/sad.” and child form an informal pact together? Kids should learn to respect their parents' wishes. But censuring behavior solely by the When one parent is allied with a child, it way it makes us feel and not with an creates an unhealthy bond. This environment objective sense of right and wrong teaches becomes ripe for disrespect as the seeds of our kids that we shouldn't do things because chutzpah are sown. A child who learns that they're inherently good or bad, but just parents are not on the same page sees the because it upsets Mom or Dad. possibility of putting down a parent and casting their opinion aside. Parent and child 7. “Don't be so shy/lazy (or another versus a parent is a recipe for dysfunction. negative term).” A mother asked me about the relationship her Actions should never define or label our kids. husband has with their 11-year-old son. Labeling only gives kids a negative self- Describing their exchanges, she felt that her image and discourages them from reaching husband was unduly harsher with him than their potential. with their daughters. He expected more, 8. “Your mother/ father is a…” “You're demanded more and corrected him on the acting just like your mother/father!” slightest mistakes. Somehow it felt as if they were in competition with one another. Ouch. For the sake of family health, let's leave our kids out of spousal discord and They were in competition; they were stop using them as cables or punching bags competing for her alliance. to relay or express negativity towards our I wanted to know what her reaction was when partners. Learn how to speak to your loved these happenings took place. one directly or buy a bona fide punching bag instead. “I tell my husband that he’s being too hard, and he should just let things go. After all, he 9. “I do everything for you!” is the father and he needs to act like the We have plenty of opportunities to teach our adult.” children the virtue of gratitude, but this is “And do you say all this in front of your son?” probably not one of them. Telling our kids I questioned. how much we had to for sacrifice them might instill them with resentment or shame, but not “Well, “she replied, “I do try my best to more virtuous character traits. whisper. But I guess I’m whispering loud and he hears it all.” 10. “You're driving me crazy!” I assured her that not only did her son hear, Sure, we sometimes feel like that, but saying he understood quite clearly that he had it obviously hurts our children and doesn’t discovered a powerful wedge between his accomplish anything positive. And no one parents. Anytime in the future that he had an can drive you crazy, except yourself. issue with his father, he now perceived his mother as on his side. His relationship with his father will suffer as he grows into teen hood. The relationship between husband and When Spouse and Child are wife also frays. There is a question of loyalty, trust and parenting on common ground. Against You Parents who display favoritism for a child How to ensure you and your spouse are over a spouse create resentment and anger united and build better bonds in your in marriage. It is the father and mother who family. (By Slovie Jungreis-Wolff) must stand united; not the child and parent.
בס''ד It is the father and mother who must stand • Don’t show favoritism to one child or united; not the child and parent. become that child’s defense attorney. Of course, there are times that one parent is You must be honest here. If you find coming down hard on a child or being yourself constantly sticking up for that unreasonable in high expectations. How can child, take a step back and figure out we resolve this type of situation and stand what is happening in your home. together with strength so that our children DO: perceive a home environment that feels safe and secure? • Do discuss differences of opinion in private, using the respectful tones and Understand that this resolution is vital. When words that you would expect your kids see parents behaving lovingly and children to use. respectfully with one another, they feel as if • Do agree that you will not put each they are in a stable home that will endure. A other down or use disparaging firm foundation gives sons and daughters the remarks to get your point across- sense of steadiness needed in a chaotic especially in front of the children. world. Children also learn to respect parents when parents display respect for one • Do agree that there must be standards another. Casting a spouse’s opinion aside of respect in your home; so that when thoughtlessly, disparaging a husband or wife a child is upset or angry, he may not and treating each other dishonorably only put down a parent. hurts us, parents. Children pick up these Saying things like ‘she drives me disrespectful cues and then act the very crazy’ or ‘he doesn’t know what he’s same way towards us. Nobody wins. talking about’ is completely unacceptable. A child may express Strategies for Effective Parenting frustration or sadness, may ask for Here are some Do’s and Don’ts to ensure more time or understanding, but all you and your spouse are united and build must be expressed with honorable better bonds in your family. words and actions. Children should never perceive a parent as a vessel for DON’T: complaints against another parent. • Don’t put down your spouse in front of • Do communicate that as parents, you your child. are on the same page. • Don’t sabotage the relationship of the • Do decide to sit down together and other parent by criticizing the way your discuss how to handle the times that spouse is handling a situation. you disagree. Are there certain Saying things like ‘you always make situations that keep on cropping up, her cry’ or ‘that’s how you play ball pitting one parent against another? Is with him?’ is not productive. there one child in particular who brings • Don’t use your child as a pawn to get out this unhealthy alliance? back at your spouse. • Do be sure that children hear positive • Don’t attempt to fix your loneliness or words from both parents. hurts through becoming your child’s Sometimes a parent falls into a partner. negative spiral with a child. Every • Don’t argue about your child while he interaction is about what the child did is present. not do, or how the child could do Besides teaching him to be better. When the other parent hears disrespectful, many children end up this, a defensive posture is taken. This feeling guilty that they have caused tug of war must stop. Children need to bad feelings between parents. hear positive words, encouragement and love from both mom and dad.
בס''ד Emotional crossfire wounds both parents and The same is true with our children. Yes, we children. Being a parent means that we set see it as our job to help them grow and yes, it our egos to the side, stop indulging ourselves is our job. But as every grandmother knows, and start focusing on the health of our “You catch more flies with honey.” A homes. Our children need us to lead them thoughtful parent tries to guide their child with into the future. A future that is intact, based love, not criticism. An experienced parent on mutual respect and dignity. Children who knows that we can only nudge our children in see parents aligning together understand that the better direction; we can’t force them to go theirs is a home filled with love and wisdom. there. And a parent who only thinks of their child’s welfare and not how others will view them is focused on the long-term. They want to raise a successful and healthy adult and are willing to allow a tantrum in the grocery Love and Criticism store, with millions of eyes on them and judging them rather than indulging their child If we see someone we care about and creating a spoiled brat – or worse. engaging in self-destructive behavior, we need to speak up. But how and when It’s not easy to have no agenda. If you can’t makes all the difference in the world. manage to only think of the other person, (By Emuna Braverman) then keep your mouth shut. Our sages teach that if we truly love #Rebuke must come from genuine love, not someone, we should reprimand them. If we anger or frustration. really care about someone and we see them Rebuke must come from love. This is in engaging in self-destructive behavior, how connected to the first point. I’m not doing it could we not tell them? How could we just let out of anger or frustration. It’s not because them follow a path that will be so hurtful to you came late yet again or because I’m doing them? We behave that way in our parenting, all the heavy lifting in the relationship or so why not with others that we love? because you are inconveniencing me or Obviously, we don’t want to hurt their because I’m annoyed. I’m doing it only feelings. We have to be very careful. And because I care. I have found people almost that’s why the Torah sets conditions in how always accept a reprimand if it comes out of we reprimand. hurt and almost never if it comes from anger. Anger is self-reflective. You did something to We can’t have any personal agenda (love for me. It’s not about love. Hurt is about the them isn’t an agenda!). For example, relationship. I love you and you are important sometimes I get letters in my Dear Emuna to me and that’s why it bothers me that you column from oh-so-helpful husbands (or didn’t come to my daughter’s wedding (oops! wives) who just want their partner to grow That example just slipped out!). and can’t understand why they are responding to their constant barrage of The recipient must be able to hear it and criticism with anger and frustration! If that is accept it. How do we know if they can or not? your behavior, it is clearly not about love; it’s We need to use our best judgment. Have about some need of yours that isn’t being they demonstrated receptivity to “helpful fulfilled. It’s about how you want your partner suggestions”? Have they asked for some? I to behave, how you want others to view your remember I once taught a class in another marriage, ways you want your spouse to city and the person who had invited me cater to your wishes. If it was truly only about “kindly” listed for me all the ways in which my them, you would approach the matter with teaching hadn’t been up to par. I hadn’t sensitivity and thought. You would limit your received any fees for my teaching so it wasn’t rebuke to one small thing. You would offer it about that. I was a little taken aback. I had very rarely – and accompanied by lots of done her a favor. I hadn’t asked for anything love. in return – and certainly not this!
בס''ד “I know you want to grow” was her response. Daily halacha She’s not wrong about that but I want to choose the time and place – and the source. I wasn’t ready to hear her critique. Halachot of Shabuot From the perspective of the person receiving (Daily Halacha) these “tools for growth”, the source makes a Shabuot: Preparing from Shabbat big difference. The timing makes a big difference. Whether it’s solicited or not makes There are unique issues that arise when a big difference. The type of criticism makes Shabuot falls on Moseh Shabbat. The a big difference. Does it go right to the heart Halacha prohibits “Hachana,” preparing from of who I am or is it a small side point? Is it Shabbat to the next day. Therefore, it is something that’s easily corrected or is it a life- prohibited to make preparations for Shabuot long work? Is it solicited? Is the speaker on Shabbat. For example, it is prohibited to someone whose opinion matters to me? set the table on Shabbat afternoon for the Whose perspective I value? Whose interest Shabuot meal. A woman may think that she in my welfare I trust? Is it work-related or very is doing a Misva by preparing early for Yom personal? Tob. Actually, it is the opposite of a Misva. It is also forbidden on Shabbat to adjust the I would venture to say that in the latter Sefer Torah in Shul to the Parasha to be read category there is a difference in response on Shabuot. between men and women. When I am frustrated with one of the women in my life The question is raised whether one may (yes it can happen!) my husband always sleep on Shabbat afternoon, so that he will encourages me to discuss it with them, to have strength to stay up and learn all night. clear the air. I am usually (always) reluctant Hacham Ovadia permits it, as long as he to do so. Because I know they won’t react doesn’t verbally express that his intent is for well. Not necessarily because of my after Shabbat. insensitive delivery (although that’s possible) Furthermore, one may get dressed in special and not because they don’t want to grow. But Yom Tob clothing already on Shabbat because it will feel very hurtful and personal. afternoon, since it is also appropriate dress And while men can certainly be hurt also, I for Shabbat. In addition, a woman may take think they are better able to hear it and move frozen food out of the freezer to defrost, so on. I think they can distance themselves and that it will be ready on Shabuot. It would also the relationship from the criticism. I think they be permitted to go to the Mikveh on Shabbat can argue about ideas and even character afternoon in anticipation of the Hag. traits and then shake hands. Anything that is forbidden for a Jew to Bottom line: we should be very reluctant prepare on Shabbat, may not be done by a before giving rebuke, but if someone we love non-Jew. is making a serious mistake (and we are confident it’s a serious mistake) we should try It is forbidden to kindle a flame on Yom Tob. in the most sensitive, thoughtful, selfless and Fire must be taken from a pre-existing flame. loving way to help them. And if we are truly Therefore, one should remember before seeking to grow, we should ask people who Shabbat to set up a candle that will last for love us to help us stick to the straight path three days. and give us a kind nudge if we veer off. Finally, one should insure that he has enough “Lehem Mishneh,” two whole breads for each of the seven meals that will be eaten over the course of the three day Yom Tob.
בס''ד Kidz Corner Rabbi Meir saw them he knew by Divine inspiration what had happened. Rabbi Meir needed to find a way to bring peace between Interesting Midrash this woman and her husband without embarrassing her along the way. (from Torah Tots) So what did Rabbi Meir do? He suddenly put a May the Peace Be With You! hand over his eye and moaned in pain. In those days, spells and charms were as common as "I will grant peace in the land so that you will tylenol is today. The obvious cure for an aching sleep without fear. I will rid the land of eye was a blast of expectorant. "Does anyone dangerous animals, and the sword will not pass of you know how to cast a spell on my eye?" through your land." (Parshat Bechukotai 26:6) the great sage cried out. When you piece together all the Brachot The woman's neighbors said to her, "Now you (blessings) Hashem promises in exchange for can do what your husband asked. When you keeping His Torah, you've got to wonder why it cast the spell, you can spit in his face. This is all winds down to one final Bracha of "peace." what is usually done when such a spell is cast." Our Rashi says that by ending all the Brachot with that of Shalom, the Torah teaches us that The woman sat down to spit in his face, but she Shalom is a "mega-bracha," equivalent to all still did not have the audacity to do it; she was the other Brachot combined. in such great awe of Rabbi Meir. Shalom outweighs all the other good in the "Pardon me, Rebbe," she said, "I am not an world. Without Shalom, there is no good. expert in charms." Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing, ends "It does not matter," said Rabbi Meir. "Spit in with Shalom: "May Hashem lift up his face to my face seven times and I will be healed." you and give you peace" (Bamidbar, Parshat She spat in his face seven times. Rabbi Meir Nasso 6:26). This teaches us that a Bracha is then said to her, "Go to your husband and tell nothing if it does not contain "Shalom." him 'You told me to spit once, but I spat seven Similarly, the Amidah, which contains 19 times.' " brachot, ends with the word "Shalom." After the woman left, Rabbi Meir's disciples Making peace is so great that one may even asked, "Was it proper to degrade yourself and erase Hashem's name in the ritual of the sotah the honor of the Torah in such a manner? You (Bamidbar, Parshat Nasso 5:23), in order to could have told one of us to recite the make peace between a man and his wife. incantation." Rabbi Meir was once lecturing all Saturday "Let Meir's honor not be greater than the honor night. A woman was listening to the speech and of his Master," replied the Rabbi. "Hashem's remained there until Rabbi Meir had finished. great Name is written in holiness and still the By the time she got home, it was already Torah says it should be obliterated to bring morning. peace between a man and his wife. Meir's honor is no greater than this." "Where have you been?" asked her husband. Aharon, the first Kohain Gadol, was a lover of "At the Rabbi's," she answered, "listening to a peace. That is why, when Aharon died, all lecture." Israel wept for him, even women and children, The husband was furious. He swore that he as it is written, "The entire house of Israel wept would not let her come into the house until she for Aharon thirty days" (Bamidbar, Parshat spat in the rabbi's face. The woman remained Chukat 20:29). outside the house for three days. She could not When Aharon died, 80,000 young children went do what her wicked husband had told her. to his funeral. All of them were named Aharon. "Why are you being so stubborn?" her This was because, whenever a man wanted to neighbors asked her. "The best thing we can divorce his wife, Aharon would come and make do is go to Rabbi Meir for advice." As soon as peace between them. The husband and wife
בס''ד would then be reconciled. When the woman more often in jail than at home. It is not gave birth to a son, they would name him surprising how he turned out. He is less Aharon, since Aharon had brought about his responsible for his actions than an regular birth. citizen. The opposite of peace is strife. To understand "But you - the son and grandson of prominent, the power of peace look at the ugliness of strife highly-respected people- how could you stoop and see what gain exists for those who engage so low as to become a thief? You should know in it. better! Therefore you deserve a harsh sentence." Korach engaged in strife and he and all his associates died a horrible death, being Remembering the Patriarchs swallowed up by the ground. This was In the section of the Tocheichah, G-d rebukes something that never happened to anybody the Jewish people: "I will remember My else. The Mann was interrupted that day; that covenant with Yaakov, as well as My covenant had never happened before, even when the with Yitzhak, and My covenant with Abraham" Egel Hazahav (the Golden Calf) was made. (Lev. 26:42). Young babies died because of them. Everything that they had owned was swallowed We would expect that now, as G-d remembers up, even as trivial an item as a needle. the saintly Avot, G-d would have compassion on their descendants. But instead, the text From here we see how terrible strife can be. It is continues to describe harsh punishments for disgusting in Hashem's eyes. Peace is a much better alternative. our sins: "The land will thus be emptied of them." Why is this? In fact, this verse is part of G-d's criticism of Israel. "I know your parents and ancestors - you are the children of Abraham, Yitzhak, and (Revach) Kid’z Korner Yaakov - and still you left the path of Torah and The Two Thieves (Adapted from Mishlei integrity! You deserve to be punished harshly Yaakov, pp. 295-296.) for your actions." Two young men were once caught stealing. Kosher Pride Both were lead to court to be sentenced for We are used to thinking that pride is a bad trait their crimes. and modesty is a good trait. However, there The judge questioned the first thief about his can also good pride and harmful modesty. How background. He immediately recognized his is that? father's name; he was a well-known criminal, A person who thinks to himself, "Who am I that who had been in and out of jail many times. I should do this mitzvah? Who am I fooling - I'm The judge then summoned the second young a nothing!" Such negativity is a false and man. This time the judge was shocked when he destructive modesty - the counsel of the evil heard details about the young thief's family. "I inclination. know your father - he's the rabbi of a nearby But a person who says to himself, "How could I town! And your grandfather is a well-known do this sin? How could I abase my Divine soul? scholar." I am the son of kings, the daughter of queens - The judge then handed out the sentences. To a descendant of Abraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov, the first thief, he decreed a relatively short time of Sarah, Rivkah and Rachel. How could I in prison. But for the second, he assigned a stoop so low?" Such an outlook is a positive much longer sentence. sense of pride, the counsel of the good inclination.
When he heard the decision, the rabbi's son was outraged. "Why is my punishment so much The Best Airplane Movie Scene harsher than my friend?" An important Rosh Yeshivah and tzaddik in The judge explained. "Your friend grew up in a Yerushalayim once traveled to the United broken home, with a criminal father who was
בס''ד States. On the airplane he asked the people teshuva utilized his connections, and shortly sitting around him if they would be willing to later informed the donor that in a few days, the forego watching the movie in their section. The thief himself will come to return the Sefer passengers in his section immediately agreed Torah. to his request, and one person approached the Sure enough, one morning a man wearing a head steward to request that the movie not be yarmulke knocked on the door of the donor, shown in their section. However, the steward and in his hand was a Sefer Torah covered with refused to fulfill their request, and instead a tallis. "I'm the thief" he said, "And I came to began making all the preparations for beginning return the Sefer Torah." the movie. He switched on the proper equipment, and ...nothing happened; the The donor was overjoyed to see the Sefer machine was not operating. Torah, but he didn't believe for a minute that this man was the actual thief. How could it be The steward turned white. Whenever any part that a religious man, wearing a yarmulke, could of a plane's equipment is not operating have stooped so low as to steal a Sefer Torah? properly, even something as trivial as the movie He was sure that this man was a messenger equipment, there's a suspicion that something whom the thief had sent to return the Sefer is wrong with the functioning of the entire plane. Torah. In any event, he had no intention of In such a case, preparation is made for landing turning in the thief to the police, but he was the plane as soon as possible. curious about the actual identity of this man. The steward understood immediately that the The man did not leave him in doubt for long. problem was connected to the Rosh Yeshivah. "I'm the thief," he repeated, "and don't be He immediately approached the Rosh Yeshivah surprised by the yarmulke on my head. I and apologized to him. He then told him that decided to return in complete teshuva and to he agrees to his request for the movie not to be improve my ways, and it's all in the zechus of shown in his section. However, he wants to this Sefer Torah which I had in my house for test whether the equipment is working, and several days. This Sefer Torah opened up a then he will immediately shut it down and hole in my nefesh, and removed the barriers disconnect the Rosh Yeshivah's section from from my heart, so it wasn't difficult for me to the general equipment. The Rosh Yeshivah fulfill the mitzvah of returning what I stole. I agreed, and the steward switched on the came here to return the Sefer Torah and to equipment again, and this time it began request your forgiveness for what I did." operating immediately. This caused a (Aleinu Leshabeach) tremendous Kiddush Hashem. This story was told over by the gabbai of the Rosh Yeshivah, "Essen Teg" The Big Day who accompanied him on this trip. (Shaal Rav Yaakov Neiman, zt'l, the Rosh Yehsiva of Avicha Veyegadcha) Petach Tikva once related to his students how A Special Sefer Torah That Does Kiruv he acquired an appreciation for the importance of learning Torah. When he was a child, his A Sefer Torah was once stolen from a shul in parents used to host yeshiva bachurim once a Eretz Yisrael. This Sefer Torah had been week for "essen teg", the system in which dedicated to the shul only a few days earlier, bachurim would eat their meals at different and was a particularly mehudar Sefer Torah. families every day in the community. Most The donor, who had dedicated the Sefer Torah yeshivos at that time did not provide food for in memory of his parents, was devastated. He their bachurim.. had invested so much effort and emotion, and spent a large financial sum on the Sefer Torah. Rav Neiman described the Yom Tov He decided he was going to make every atmosphere which would envelop the house on possible effort to locate it, and he made Sundays, the day his family hosted the inquiries about possible ways of finding it. One bachurim. His mother would spread a white man he consulted with advised him to speak to tablecloth on the table, and the whole family a renowned baal teshuvah, who himself had would wait for the bachurim to arrive with great been part of the criminal world before his anticipation and excitement. transformation not so long ago. The baal
בס''ד Rav Neiman commented that he believes that "Ête"! Comment dire que l'on doit craindre his mother was repaid for the great respect and quelque chose autant qu'Hachem? Alors il kindness she showed the bachurim. When Rav s'arrêta de commenter les "Ête" de la Torah. Neiman went away to yeshivah, he also went to Jusqu'au jour, où Rabi Akiva expliqua que ce different families every day for meals. Not all "Ête" est venu inclure les sages, pour nous the families were as kind and generous as his dire que nous devons les craindre et les mother was to yeshiva bachurim, but invariably respecter autant qu' Hachem!! he was always treated well on Sundays (Sefer Hazikaron) Le Sefer Amakné suppose que Rabbi Akiva comprit cet enseignement après la mort de ses 24 000 élèves qui disparurent entre Pessah et Chavouot parce qu’ils ne se donnaient pas tout le respect qu'ils se POUR LES FRANCOPHONES devaient mutuellement. Bien sûr, il ne faut pas s'imaginer que ces anges se parlaient mal ou se considéraient avec dédain…Le Les Fruits de la Torah Marcha zal explique pourtant clairement que puisque chacun d'entre eux ressemblait à un Il est écrit dans le traité Méguila (31;b) que sefer Torah, ils auraient dû davantage encore "le prophète Ezra institua la lecture de la se respecter... Et c'est pour cela qu'ils furent paracha Ki-Tavo avant Roch Hachana, et punis dans cette période de préparation au celle de la paracha Békhoukotaï avant la fête don de la Torah. Après ce terrible, désastre de Chavouot. Nous concluons ainsi chaque Rabbi Akiva conclut: "Ête Hachem Elokéra année par les malédictions que ces passages Tiira"; le mot "Ête" vient inclure les sages et contiennent afin de pouvoir débuter la nous apprend que nous devons les craindre nouvelle année avec leurs bénédictions. Or, autant que le Tout Puissant Lui-même. comme à Chavouot, Hachem juge et décrète Malgré cette explication, la question de Rabi la production de fruit annuelle.Ce jour Chimon Absouni demeure: comment peut-on s'apparente donc à un nouvel an." Essayons, comparer des hommes avec la Source de dans un premier temps, de comprendre Vie? pourquoi ce jugement se déroule le jour du don de la Torah... Ensuite, expliquons le La réponse à cette question se trouve dans message qu'Ezra voulut nous transmettre à la paracha Békhoukotaï. "Si vous allez selon travers la lecture de la paracha Békhoukotaï Mes lois, et que vous gardez mes Mitsvot", avant Chavouot... alors Je verserai sur vous toutes mes bénédictions: la pluie en son temps, les Pour répondre à ces questions, intéressons- arbres, qui seront remplis de fruits, et vous nous à cet enseignement du Talmud dans jouirez de vos biens dans la sécurité. Il y aura Kidouchine (57; a):"Rabi Chimon Absouni la paix sur votre terre et les ennemis fuiront interprétait tous les mots "Ête" de la Torah. devant vous. Rachi zal explique que ces (Le mot "Ête" est une préposition introduisant bénédictions dépendent de deux facteurs: le complément direct. Par exemple, Béréchit l'application des mitsvot et l'étude Bara Elokim Ête Hachamayim Véête Aaretz: scrupuleuse de la Torah. Grâce à ces deux Au commencement Hachem créa le ciel et la vertus, Hachem verse sur le tout le peuple terre. Ce mot "Ête" est très souvent facultatif: d'Israël Ses bienfaits. Mais s'il manque de sa présence ou son absence ne change pas mitsvot et de cet effort dans l'étude de la le sens de la phrase. C'est pourquoi ce rav Torah, alors Hachem nous prévient que ce expliqua que chaque "Ête" de la Torah vient sera la famine, les pertes militaires, l'exil et pour nous apprendre une chose en plus, qui les pires malédictions qui existent. n'est pas écrite explicitement.) Cependant, lorsqu’il arriva au verset: Ête Hachem Cette paracha nous enseigne ainsi Elokéra Tiira: Tu craindras Hachem ton Dieu; qu'Hachem fait dépendre Sa bénédiction de il déclara qu'il est impossible d'expliquer ce l'étude de la Torah et de l'accomplissement
בס''ד des mitsvot. Et c'est dans cette optique qu'Il combien l'étude fait vivre le Monde et nous fixa au jour de Chavouot Son jugement sur apporte toutes les réussites individuelles et les fruits. Car les bénéfices et les réussites collectives. Voilà pourquoi nous devons de l'année suivante dépendent de l'étude de veiller en cette nuit du 6 Sivan et prier de tout l'année passée. Ainsi, les sages qui l'étudient notre cœur pour mériter de recevoir la Torah représentent bel et bien la source de vie sur et de pouvoir ajouter encore des heures terre. En cela, rabbi Akiva a pu les d'études pour cette nouvelle année. Nous apparenter à Hachem, la Source de tous les vous souhaitons de revoir toutes les bienfaits bénédictions écrites dans la paracha Désormais, nous pouvons comprendre aussi Békhoukotaï et qu'Hachem vous offre, à pourquoi Ezra institua que l'on lise la paracha chacun, son cadeau le plus précieux: sa Békhoukotaï avant Chavouot. Il voulait nous sainte Torah. réveiller avant le jour du don de la Torah! Il désirait nous faire prendre conscience
REFLEXION SEMANAL siendo el único cuya progenie fue completamente recta, mientras que Abraham e (Rav Yonatan Gefen) Itzjak tuvieron descendientes que no ameritaron ser parte del pueblo judío. La Grandeza de la Innovación Entonces, ¿cómo podemos entender que el En medio de una devastadora reprimenda, Di-s mérito de Yaakov para redimir al pueblo judío nos consuela diciendo: de su sufrimiento sea más débil que el de "Y recordaré mi pacto con Yaakov, e incluso mi Abraham e Itzjak? También tenemos que pacto con Itzjak, e incluso mi pacto con Abraham explicar por qué Abraham es considerado más recordaré" (1). granDi-s o que Itzjak en este contexto. La pregunta obvia aquí es por qué los Pareciera que el hecho de que Yaakov haya patriarcas fueron mencionados en orden sido el más perfecto de los patriarcas en inverso. términos de rasgos personales no Rashi, citando el Midrash, explica que el mérito necesariamente significa que haya tenido el mayor mérito. El mérito se deriva del logro en de Yaakov —el más pequeño de los patriarcas— debería haber sido suficiente, pero relación a la dificultad de la tarea, por lo que que si no lo es, entonces con el de Itzjak uno podría argumentar que pese a que Yaakov debería alcanzar y, si tampoco alcanzara con alcanzó el nivel más alto de los patriarcas, ese, entonces con el gran mérito de Abraham también tuvo una tarea mucho más fácil que la seguramente sería suficiente(2). Por lo tanto, de sus antepasados. Yaakov es mencionado primero porque los ¿En qué aspecto fue más fácil la tarea de patriarcas fueron mencionados en orden Yaakov que la de Itzjak y la de Itzjak que la de ascendiente de mérito. Abraham? Hay dos formas en que podemos entender por Abraham nació en un mundo de idolatría; su qué Yaakov es el más pequeño de los mayor desafío fue crear de la nada una filosofía patriarcas. Algunos explican esto como que es y estilo de vida completamente nuevos, el menor de edad, pero muchos comentaristas comenzar un nuevo período en la historia (4). escriben que es el menor en el sentido Hacer esto fue una gran prueba ya que espiritual (3). El problema con esta explicación significaba que Abraham tenía que luchar en es que las fuentes rabínicas nos dicen que contra de todas las opiniones y los estilos de Yaakov fue el más grandioso de los patriarcas, vida predominantes para comenzar algo en una
בס''ד escala muy pequeña e ir desarrollándolo con completamente nuevo y, por lo tanto, no podía mucha paciencia. ser descrito como 'bueno' (10). A partir de esta Itzjak nació en un mundo en que la nueva interpretación, vemos que algo es descrito filosofía ya había sido creada; no necesitó como 'bueno' sólo cuando está asociado a una crear ningún estilo de vida novedoso. Sin novedad. embargo, Rav Matisyahu Salomon escribe que Hay muchas formas en las que la capacidad de sí hubo algo que tuvo que crear: el concepto de innovar es importante en nuestras vidas. Es la tradición religiosa, la idea de que un hijo siga natural que una persona se habitúe a la forma fielmente las directrices de su padre (5). en que se conduce en muchos aspectos de su En contraste, Yaakov no tuvo que comenzar vida, como en su crecimiento en Torá y rasgos una religión nueva y tampoco tuvo que iniciar el personales, en sus relaciones y en su concepto de seguir una tradición. Sin dudas capacidad para crear y construir. A veces es enfrentó grandes desafíos en su vida, pero en conveniente dar un paso atrás y evaluar si es este aspecto en particular pareciera haberla necesario buscar una nueva forma de enfrentar tenido más fácil que sus antepasados. los desafíos de dichas áreas; hacerlo a Entonces, a pesar de haber sido el más granDi- menudo nos brindará formas alternativas para s o de los patriarcas, el mérito de Yaakov para lidiar con las distintas situaciones, lo cual redimir al pueblo de su sufrimiento era el menor puede ser sumamente provechoso para (6). nosotros. Rav Salomon explica extensamente cómo una Un prominente educador cuenta la siguiente de las principales fortalezas de Abraham fue su historia, la cual es un excelente ejemplo para lo poder de hitjadshut, su capacidad para innovar que dijimos anteriormente. Había una mujer (7). Rav Salomon nota que en la descripción que estaba muy insatisfecha con el que el Rambam hace de la contribución de comportamiento de su marido y eventualmente Abraham al mundo utiliza la raíz de la palabra decidió que quería divorciarse. Este educador matjil (comienzo) no menos de cinco veces en le sugirió que, antes de dar un paso tan una rápida sucesión (8). En las palabras de drástico, intentara cambiar su enfoque: que Rav Salomon: "Abraham fue un matjil, una comenzara a enfocarse exclusivamente en su persona que comienza cosas. Fue un propio comportamiento y que intentara ser la revolucionario, un pionero… Fue el originador y mejor esposa que pudiera. Poco tiempo fundador del pueblo judío. Abraham fue el después de este consejo la mujer vio un primero en todo lo que hizo. No tuvo un padre cambio dramático en el comportamiento de su al cual seguir y, por lo tanto, siempre estuvo marido. Su voluntad de intentar un nuevo abriendo nuevos horizontes" (9). enfoque fue la clave para una inmensa mejoría en su matrimonio. Cuando tratamos de emular a Abraham, tradicionalmente nos esforzamos para Una de las áreas más importantes en que la aprender de su granDi-s o rasgo de bondad. innovación es crucial es en la creación y el Pero de aquí vemos que su capacidad de desarrollo de ideas, movimientos u iniciativa también es un rasgo que debemos organizaciones nuevas que puedan ser de desarrollar. beneficio para la humanidad. Un ejemplo de esto es Sara Shenirer; su idea de crear una El Klí Iakar también enfatiza mucho la estructura de educación para mujeres que importancia de la innovación. En la parashá estuviera centrada en la Torá fue revolucionaria Bereshit, en el relato de cada uno de los siete en su momento, pero ella tuvo la visión y días de la creación la Torá concluye cada día persistencia para continuar con su novedosa con una descripción de que era 'bueno' o 'muy idea y, al hacerlo, tuvo un efecto increíble en el bueno', a excepción del segundo día. Hay pueblo judío. muchas explicaciones sobre el porqué de esta anomalía; el Klí Iakar escribe que en el Otra prueba de que los nuevos comienzos segundo día no fue creado nada que fuera pueden ser muy beneficiosos es que el ietzer hará la 'inclinación negativa' pone muchos
בס''ד obstáculos cuando decidimos comenzar algo nuevo (11), lo cual es la razón que hay detrás Notas: (1) Bejukotai 26:42. (2) Rashi, ibíd. Torat Kohanim del dicho "todos los comienzos son difíciles". 26:49. (3) Ver Maskil LeDavid 24:42; Rav Yaakov MiLisa (el Además de adoptar un nuevo enfoque, es autor de Javot Dáat y Netivot) citado en Beshem Amrú. (4) De hecho, la Guemará en Avodá Zará 9a dice que la historia judía esencial mantener la visión en el resultado está dividida en tres épocas de dos mil años cada una. La final, a pesar de los desafíos que uno pueda primera es de vacío y la segunda es el período de Torá (que enfrentar en el proceso. comenzó con los esfuerzos de Abraham para esparcir la Torá en todo el mundo). (5) Matanot Jaim, p.30. (6) Cabe destacar Puede que Abraham no sea descrito como el que Yaakov atravesó desafíos que a cualquier observador le parecerían increíblemente difíciles; sólo estamos diciendo que más grande de los patriarcas, pero en el área en el área de la innovación su tarea fue más fácil en de innovación con seguridad es el más comparación a Abraham e Itzjak. (7) Ibid. p.29. (8) Hiljot importante. Quiera Di-s que todos ameritemos Avodá Zará Cap. 1, halajá 3. (9) Ibid. p.29-30. (10) Klí Iakar, Bereshit 1:8. (11) Un principio muy útil de la vida es que todo lo aprender de Abraham cómo innovar que es genuinamente importante es difícil de completar porque exitosamente cuando sea necesario. el iétzer luchará muy duro para evitar que tengamos éxito.
Nahalot Sin, evil, wrongdoing are words that have lost all meaning in a world where there are no absolute Nahala of Rav Ovadia truths. Today it is the critic of depraved actions Mibartenura zt”l this Thursday who is condemned for his bigoted lack of rd tolerance.
the 3 of Sivan Rav Ovadia Bartenura (1440-1516). He lived in How did all this happen? Dostoyevsky Italy in the second half of the 15th century and understood it well when he wrote in The Brothers eventually moved to Yerushalayim. He was well Karamazov “Without G-d, all is permissible.” “I known for his role as a Rav in Bartinura, Italy, and am the Lord your G-d” is number one on the list for his illuminating Pirush on the Mishnah. He also of 10 because without that as #1, all you have left wrote Omer Nekeh, a supercommentary on Rashi’s is zero. So too without a belief in G-d mankind peirush on Chumash. Considered one of the loses its rationale for acting as noble beings wealthiest mean in all of Italy, he settled in created in the divine image. Yerushalayim in 1488. 2. You shall have no other gods before Me…
We worship false gods when our heroes are determined not by their values but by their financial worth. We idolize people of wealth – and The 10 Commandments for so we pursue lives that will fill our bank accounts Our Times and leave our spirit barren. We impress upon our children the goal of Now more than ever, the world can benefit success – and then define it in ways that will from the Decalogue’s contemporary leave them spiritually unfulfilled. lessons. (By Rabbi Benjamin Blech) We compare the salaries of our educators and As we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, our spiritual leaders to the titans of Wall Street, commemorating the day G-d gave us the Torah the stars of the sports world and the famous on Mount Sinai, it’s appropriate to reflect on the entertainment figures and we have no trouble contemporary messages of The 10 discerning what the world round about us most Commandments. reveres. 1. I am the Lord your G-d… To believe in G-d requires us to reject all the We live in an age of cultural relativism. false gods of our society that seek only to still the Secularism has turned morality into no more than voice of our conscience and the stirrings of our a personal preference. soul.
בס''ד 3. You shall not take the name of the Lord “Ageism” is the word that’s been coined to your G-d in vain identify our societies negative stereotyping of the It is more than tragic when evil is perpetrated in elderly. When the Bible spoke of “the elders of the name of G-d. It is a crime that besmirches all Israel,” it was meant to compliment those with religion because it attributes wickedness to the greater wisdom. Today, age is identified with a Almighty. period of incompetency as well as physical and mental deterioration. To be old in our culture is It is the third commandment that is so brazenly very often nothing less than a curse. violated by all the acts of terrorism ostensibly committed in the name of G-d. How far from the biblical view that demands respect for the aged and honor for one’s own No truly pious person could ever believe that a parents. How is it that all teenagers today are so good G-d would sanction placing explosives at certain they know far more about life than the the finish line of a marathon race so that innocent ones who raised them? And why is it that every runners would have their legs blasted off and child is automatically entitled to everything by blameless bystanders be permanently maimed or parents – but when parents years later find killed. No true servant of G-d could ever defame themselves in need so often are denied the help His holy name by using it to justify the suicide they so freely gave to their children? bombings and the horrific murders that have become the 21st century examples of religious Honoring parents appears on the same tablet set fanaticism. aside for commandments between man and G-d. Why? The Rabbis answer because just like G-d, G-d has commanded us in no uncertain terms our parents shared in creating us. never to misuse his name for evil or to justify wickedness. 6. You shall not murder 4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Murder is forbidden, no matter what the motive. The 20th century witnessed the legitimization of The Sabbath is far more than a day of rest. Six murder on racial grounds. Only pure blooded days a week we are concerned with the world Aryans were granted the right to live by the round about us. They are the days of the six barbaric leaders of the German Third Reich. The directions – East, West, North, South, above and 21st century finds civilization threatened once below. The seventh day turns us inward, a day to more by those who justify murder on the basis of be occupied with our private selves. religious conviction. Both of these threats to the For six days we give emphasis to our bodies. survival of civilization were clearly addressed and The seventh day belongs to our souls. outlawed by the sixth commandment. The Sabbath, a day dedicated to a loftier vision 7. You shall not commit adultery of our true selves as seekers of contemplation There was a time when people understood that and union with G-d, enables us to realize the marriage meant commitment and vows of mutual purpose of all our efforts. fidelity were the greatest guarantors of lifelong The burgeoning world of technology offers no happiness. rest or time for introspection. The unceasing There was a time when people understood that barrage of emails, texting, surfing are weapons of true love was a necessary prerequisite for mass distraction. intimacy and that kiddushin, the Hebrew word for Can we ever call a halt to their seemingly marriage meaning holiness, was the ideal way to unlimited control of our lives? describe the perfect union between a man and a woman. The law of the Sabbath tells us it is not only possible but mandatory. The Sabbath not only It takes courage to defy a culture that glamorizes enables us to become reacquainted with G-d but promiscuity and glorifies its obsession with with ourselves as well. immorality. Our over-promiscuous society teaches our young to believe that physical 5. Honor your father and your mother… pleasure is our greatest good and sexiness It’s been reported that today the one thing people trumps character, intelligence and all other fear more than death is old age. human achievements. Contemporary America has traded the seventh commandment for
בס''ד licentiousness and immorality – only to pay the to leprosy that required those guilty of slander to price of broken homes, unfulfilled fantasies and be punished with isolation. the grief that comes from breaking the divine It’s a good idea to remember this famous laws G-d taught us for achieving true happiness. aphorism of Eleanor Roosevelt: Great minds 8. You shall not steal discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; For the Talmud, theft means far more than the small minds discuss people. taking of someone else’s property. We steal from 10. You shall not covet others whenever we don’t live up to our It is the last commandment that commentators obligations, whenever we do not give full value explain is meant to bring us to the highest level of for any work for which we receive payment. holiness. It demands not only that we control our No wonder that sociologists tell us that stealing actions and our speech, but even our thoughts. It has become a national problem of epidemic addresses a universal human failing and proportions. The Robert Half Personnel Agencies obviously believes that we can overcome it. has calculated that “Time-theft will cost the If the desire for something is based on need, American economy as much as $70 billion a then fulfillment brings contentment. If the goal, year.” Time-theft is defined as “those deliberate however, is simply to have more than everyone employee actions which result in the massive, else, then we are doomed to disappointment and growing misuse and waste of time. Estimated to ever-greater dissatisfaction. There’s always time-theft are: arriving to work late, leaving early, somebody who has something we don’t — which taking unjustified ‘sick’ days, extensive is enough to stir up within us envy to prevent us socializing with co-workers, turning the water from being content with what is ours. That’s why cooler into a conversation pit, inattention to the coveting consumes its practitioner. job at hand, reading novels and magazines on the job, operating a business on the side during In the most profound sense, those who covet fail working hours, eating lunch at the desk and then to acknowledge the powerful truth that there is going out for the ‘lunch hour,’ excessive personal enough in this world to satisfy everyone’s need phone calls, on-the-job daydreaming and but there’s never enough to satisfy people’s fantasizing, long, frequent coffee and snack greed. breaks, etc.” Shavuot brought us this gift of the Decalogue. No No matter what our job, if we’re not conscientious other summary of law has so brilliantly enough to fulfill it to the best of our ability we are encapsulated a prescription for living a life that is in violation of the eighth commandment. both personally fulfilling and spiritually rewarding. And that is almost certainly why these laws were 9. You shall not bear false witness given as commandments, not as suggestions. Words are weapons. They can heal but they can also kill. Bearing false witness belongs on the same tablet as the sin of murder. And it is a mistake to assume that the commandment concerns itself only with testimony given in a courtroom. Far more frequently it is a sin committed on a daily basis by way of harmful speech, spiteful slander, malicious rumors and hurtful gossip. Words can destroy reputations. They can kill friendships. They can hurt the victims of their cruel barbs more severely than a prison sentence handed down by a judge in a court of law. Gossip, it’s been aptly said, is no less than social sewage for the ears. Yet our culture today makes it the major focus of our media and a constant theme of our conversations. For the Torah, it was more than sin; it was sickness – a disease similar