בס״ד ּתְ צַ ֶ ּו ה TETZAVEH In loving memory of Malka bat Peretz z”l

Volume 34 | #20 “Now you shall command the Children of Israel that they shall 27 February 2021 take for you pure olive oil, pressed, for illumination, to kindle 15 Adar 5781 a lamp continually” Shushan Purim (Shemot 27:20) ends: London 6.24pm Sheffield 6.32pm Glasgow 6.40pm Edinburgh 6.34pm Birmingham 6.30pm Southport 6.39pm Jerusalem 6.10pm

Please look regularly at the social media and websites of the US, Tribe and your community for ongoing updates relating to Coronavirus as well as educational programming and community support. You do not need to sign into Facebook to access the US Facebook page. The US Coronavirus Helpline is on 020 8343 5696. May God bless us and the whole world. INSIDE: A Happy Heart Tetzaveh: by Chaim Gross p464 Hertz p339 The part 1 Soncino p519 by Rabbi David Lister Accessing our Inner Freedom Haftarah: by Rabbi Ephraim Guttentag Artscroll p1159 Hertz p350 The Book of Judges Ancient olive oil press, Soncino p536 Kefar Nachum, Israel

Daf Hashavua by Pnina Savery Sidra breakdown A Happy ּתְ צַ ֶ ּו ה Tetzaveh 8th Sidra in: Heart by Rabbi Chaim Gross, previous editor of Daf Hashavua ׁשְ מֹות Shemot “Into the breastplate indicate the answer to the Kohen of judgement you shall Gadol’s question. By Numbers: place the urim and Aharon was the first Kohen Gadol the tumim, and they to carry the urim ve’tumim in the 101 verses shall be on Aharon’s heart when choshen. The Midrash provides an 1,412 words he comes before God...” (Shemot insight about why Aharon merited 28:30-31). this honour. In parashat Shemot, 5,430 letters The choshen was the breastplate Moshe was reluctant to accept worn by the Kohen Gadol, which God’s directive to lead the nation. ‘folded out’ to allow the insertion of One of his concerns was that Headlines: a piece of parchment called the urim Aharon was his older brother, and ve’tumim, which had the Ineffable might feel slighted if his younger Instructions for (unutterable) Name of God written brother Moshe was selected to be Kohanim on it. When the Kohen Gadol had an the leader. important question to ask God, he God reassured Moshe: “He and the Mishkan ‘asked’ the urim ve’tumim. Specific [Aharon] is going out to meet you letters on the choshen stones and when he sees you he will would then miraculously light up. If rejoice in his heart” (ibid. 4:14). The read properly, these letters would Midrash comments on this: “the

Sidra Summary 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Shemot 7:20-28:12 United Synagogue Daf Hashavua God tells Moshe to instruct the people to bring pure, pressed olive oil for lighting the Produced by US Living & Learning Menorah in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Aharon and his sons will take charge of setting up together with the Rabbinical Council of and lighting the Menorah. Moshe will guide “wise-hearted” workers to make the special the United Synagogue garments for the Kohanim, “for glory and splendour”. Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis The first four of theeight garments listed below were worn exclusively by the Kohen Editorial and Production Team: Gadol, the first of whom was Aharon. (1) The apron (ephod) was worn over Aharon’s Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Michael Laitner, tunic and robe. It was woven from coloured wool and linen, with two shoulder straps Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, (ketefot) and a belt (cheshev) attached. Precious shoham stones (avnei shoham) were Joanna Rose placed on each shoulder strap. Each stone was engraved with the names of six tribes. Available also via email US website www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue Point to Consider: Why does the sidrah begin briefly with the mitzvah of lighting the To sponsor Daf Hashavua please Menorah if the rest of it is dedicated to the clothing worn by the Kohanim? contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261, or [email protected] 2nd Aliya (Levi) – 28:13-30 If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email (2) The breastplate (choshen) was placed above the ephod, with a similar weave. [email protected] The front of the breastplate contained 12 different types of precious stones (avnei heart that was happy to see that she was comparable to his brother’s promotion should Avraham’s righteous wife wear the urim ve’tumim”. Sarah, who had also prayed Why was wearing the urim fervently for a child; Chana A Happy ve’tumim an appropriate was certainly not intoxicated. reward for Aharon’s happiness However, Eli misread the for Moshe? message. An episode with a later Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz Kohen Gadol, Eli, may shed (1902-1979) suggests that the Heart light on this. When Chana, the reason why Eli misread the future mother of the prophet message being ‘conveyed’ Shmuel (Samuel), was praying by the urim ve’tumim was fervently to be blessed with a because, on a certain level, child, Eli noticed that Chana’s he did not fully empathise lips were moving but that her with the feelings of the words were not audible. Rashi person in question, Chana. (1040-1105) explains that to convey to Eli was that Chana That clouded his judgement .meaning and led to his mistake ,(כ-ש-ר-ה) at the time, this was an unusual was ke’Sarah way to pray. Eli accused Chana of This explains the message of being drunk (Shmuel I 1:13-14). The the Midrash. Aharon had an open word used in the verse for drunk is A heart that could heart, able to fully tap into others’ The feel for others was feelings. He could be happy for .(ש-כ-ר-ה) shikura (Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer, 1720-1797) Moshe, even if Moshe’s promotion writes that Eli, when unsure about a fitting location for may have been construed to be ‘at Chana’s behaviour, had consulted his expense’. A heart that could feel the urim ve’tumim. Those four the very first urim for others was a fitting location for appeared on the the very first urim ve’tumim to be (ש-כ-ר-ה) letters stones of the choshen. However, the ve’tumim carried; Aharon could be trusted to message that God actually wanted to be carried read its messages with accuracy.

In loving memory of Avraham ben Yehoshua z”l

miluim), each one engraved with the name of a different tribe. 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 29:1-18 Golden rings on the four corners allowed it to be attached to The command to consecrate the Mishkan is given. Every day the ephod. The choshen ‘folded out’ to allow the insertion of for seven days, Moshe is to bring animal and bread offerings, a piece of parchment called the urim ve’tumim, which had the dress Aharon and his sons in their priestly clothing and anoint Ineffable Name of God written on it (see Rashi). Aharon’s head with oil. The blood from the offerings is to be placed on the altar to inaugurate it. 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 28:31-43 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 29:19-37 (3) The robe (me’il), made of turquoise wool, was worn under Moshe is to place the blood of the second ram-offering on the the first two garments. Golden bells (rimonim), placed between ears, thumbs and toes of Aharon and his sons. Blood and oil multi-coloured woollen ‘pomegranate’ shapes, hung from the are to be sprinkled on their garments. Moshe is to assist the bottom hem (see p.4 article). Kohanim in waving their inauguration offering. (4) The headplate (tzitz) was made of pure gold and had the words ‘Kodesh L’Hashem’ written on it. It was placed on 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 29:38-46 Aharon’s forehead. Every Kohen wore (5) a tunic (ketonet) Once the Mishkan is functional, the twice-daily Tamid with a grid-like patterned knit, as well as (6) a linen turban (continual) offering is to be brought, one sheep in the morning (mitznefet), (7) an embroidered sash (avnet) and (8) linen and one in the afternoon, together with a flour offering and a trousers (michnasayim). wine libation. 17:8-11) also says explicitly that in a case of doubt, one should refer to the spiritual leaders and scholars of the The Talmud time for guidance and abide by their ruling. For its part, the Oral Law contains Part 1: What is it? many discussions about laws that by Rabbi David Lister, Edgware United Synagogue were only relevant in the time of Moses. The Talmud is at pains to find “I am sure this can world and our life’s work are about. In sources for details of the Oral Law in survive the most ruthless the words of Rabbi Samson Raphael the text of the Written Law. and Talmudic scrutiny Hirsch (1808-1888), the words in the In the third century CE, Rabbi from the Star Chamber Torah scroll are like lecture notes, and Yehudah Hanassi, the foremost Torah legal eagles.” Prime Minister Boris the Oral Law is like the lecture itself. scholar of his generation, condensed Johnson on the post-Brexit trade There are several pointers within the legal rulings and discussions of agreement (December 2020) both the Written Law and the the Oral Law into the Mishnah, easily Oral Law showing that they have remembered brief paragraphs. The BORIS AND THE TALMUD always coexisted and are to work Mishnah was discussed and analysed It was a fitting compliment to Jewish symbiotically. over the next three centuries and heritage that Boris Johnson should The Written Law cannot be these discussions were summarised quote the Talmud as an instance properly read or understood without in a work called the Gemara. The of the most rigorous legal scrutiny an accompanying oral tradition. Mishnah and Gemara together are the imaginable, as its depth, subtlety and Many Torah instructions are too Talmud. precision are in a league of their own. brief to be understood without a Talmudic discussion is very deep. The Prime Minister’s words moved parallel tradition to explain them. For Even after having studied a passage me to invite our readers to many times, one can still take a look at the Talmud and discover new perspectives understand better what he and conclusions in it, since was talking about. there are often different ways of understanding it and WHAT IS THE TALMUD? hidden implications or cross When God gave us the Torah, references. it did not just consist of the Furthermore, the Talmud five books of Moses. As well does not content itself with as the Written Law in our For students, Talmud study is a full time occupation. (Matanya) looking at each exchange, Sefer Torah, the term “Torah” derivation or ruling on its also includes a vast and complex Oral example, the prohibition of melacha own. Related arguments which appear Law, a tradition created by God and (forbidden Shabbat activity). The very at odds with the ruling or principle taught to Moses to be passed on from vowels with which we read the Torah under discussion are explained or one generation to the next. The Oral are provided by the Oral Law, and reconciled. Law is rooted in the Written Law, without them there are ambiguities So that is a brief look at what the explaining how it is to be understood which would make the precise Talmud is. But what is it actually like and implemented. In addition, it gives meaning of certain Torah passages to study the Talmud? This will be the a detailed exposition of what our indecipherable. The Torah (Devarim subject of the next article.

7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 30:1-10 Haftarah The Mishkan also housed a gold-plated wooden mizbeach The prophet Yechezkel (Ezekiel) is told by God to tell the (altar), upon which the twice-daily incense offering was people that they should be ashamed of their sins, (which brought. would soon lead to the Temple being destroyed by the Babylonians). However, Yechezkel is also to tell them the dimensions of the (future) Third Temple, specifically the Altar, as well as its inauguration ceremony Accessing our Inner Freedom By Rabbi Ephraim Guttentag, Community Rabbi, Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue

In preparation for Pesach, this is the first in a series of articles in which , rebbetzens and educators share their favourite sections from the Haggadah and the Pesach Seder.

We make an 1167) explains that perhaps this is And you will know that I am the extraordinary the reason why Moses himself was Lord, your God, Who has brought statement in the brought up in the palace of Pharaoh you out from under the burdens of Haggadah: “If the and not amongst his own people. Egypt’” (Shemot 6:6-7). ,sivlot), burdens) סִ בְ ֹ֣ ל ת blessed Holy One had not brought Had Moses been subjected to the The word our ancestors out of Egypt, then same slavery as the Jewish people, is first spelt incompletely, without we, our children, and our children’s he too may have suffered from the letter vav, indicating that, children would still be enslaved to the same slave mentality as his whilst we are in the depths of the Pharaoh in Egypt.” brethren. Often when a person is burdens of exile, or in the midst of Really? In over 3,000 years entrenched in a physical, emotional our own personal struggles, we do would nothing have happened or spiritual low point, they come to not fully appreciate how far away to free the Jewish people from tolerate it and accept it as a new we may be from our true potential slavery? Surely Abraham Lincoln’s normal. It had to take an ‘outsider’ and our true selves. Only once we Emancipation Declaration, amongst to recognise the injustice and have been liberated will we realise other historical events, would have cruelty they were enduring, and just how far we have come; hence changed things over time? to help the Jewish people realise sivlot, burdens, is then written .in full סִ בְ ל֥ וֹ ת On a deeper level, what the their own potential; that they could Haggadah is referring to is the be freed not just physically, but The message for us today is psychological slavery which was spiritually and emotionally as well. clear; the first step to accessing part of the Egyptian exile. Yes, This is also alluded to by a single our own great potential and in all likelihood we would be letter vav in the verse: “Therefore, capabilities is to recognise that physically free by now, but here we say to the children of Israel, 'I am perhaps we are just ‘going with the are thanking God not just for taking the Lord, and I will take you out flow’. A good friend or mentor will the out of slavery, but for from under the burdens of Egypt… be able to recognise the hidden also taking slavery out of the Jews. greatness inside us, and guide us We praise God for taking us out of to uncover great possibilities. And a ‘slave mentality’. let us be that good friend to others Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra (1089- too!

In memory of Harav Binyamin ben Harav Shalom z”l Sefer Shofetim (the Book of Judges) Chapter 14: Shimshon’s Questionable Marriage by Pnina Savery, US Jewish Living Educator

In Chapter 14 we (14:14). The Philistines were unable are introduced to to solve the riddle and blackmailed Even if it may Shimshon (Samson) as Shimshon’s new wife into finding a grown man. He met out the answer for them. At first be hard to a Philistine woman and desired to Shimshon refused to tell her, but marry her. His parents, confused finally she bothered him so much comprehend, by this, expressed preference for that he told her. The answer was a Jewish wife for their only son. “what is sweeter than honey, and Shimshon However, Shimshon prevailed upon what is stronger than a lion”. them and they agreed to arrange the When the Philistines gave the does seem to marriage. The text states that his correct answer, Shimshon knew parents “did not know that it was they had cheated and he used this from God” (14:4). Shimshon was as a pretext to kill 30 of them and have righteous entering into the marriage in order return home. His wife was given in to find pretexts to lash out against marriage to someone else instead. motives. the Philistine oppressors without Once again, the “spirit of God” it coming from an identifiable enabled him to carry out this act. generation! Even if it may be hard Jewish source. Commentators to comprehend, Shimshon does explain that he feared reprisals WHAT IS SHIMSHON DOING? seem to have righteous motives. on the Jewish community for his Shimshon’s role as a shofet (judge) Shimshon is a character of great aggressive actions, which is why he is vastly different to those who came strength. We see his physical did it in an “undercover” manner. before him. He does not appear to strength when he killed a lion and On the journey to his wedding, lead the people in a traditional sense; 30 Philistine men on his own. We Shimshon was attacked by a lion. rather, he acts as a “lone wolf”, also see his mental strength when He fought and killed it. He did this attacking the enemy here and there. he prevailed over his parents to with the “spirit of God” which His marrying a non-Jewish woman marry the Philistine woman and came over him (14:6), hinting appears to be questionable. Even his over the Philistine guests with his that he was acting with Divine own parents do not understand why riddle. However, Shimshon has a intervention. When he made the he is doing it. weakness. That women will cause same journey later, Shimshon found However, the repeated mention his eventual downfall is apparent bees living in the lion’s carcass and of “God” and the “spirit of God” in in this chapter. He allows his new he ate the honey they had made this chapter reassures us that he wife to “distress him” and he there. He told no one about these is acting for the sake of Heaven tells her the answer to the riddle. events, not even his parents. in a way that only somebody who This word “distress” appears in During the wedding celebra- received prophetic guidance from a later chapter regarding another tions, Shimshon offered a riddle God could do. The Gemara (Sotah woman. We will see in the coming to the Philistine guests: “from the 10a) even states that just like chapters that, whilst Shimshon has eater came forth food, and from God protects the whole world, great strength, he allows this one the strong came forth sweetness” Shimshon protected his entire weakness to trip him up repeatedly.

In memory of Chaim ben Moshe Bentzion z”l