DOCSLIB.ORG

Shabbos Parshas Devarim Shabbos Chazon Happy Birthday Rabbi Lipskar

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Shabbos Parshas Devarim Shabbos Chazon Happy Birthday Rabbi Lipskar B”H THEWEEKLY MAGAZINE SHUL SPONSORED BY MR. & MRS. MARTIN (OBM) AND ETHEL SIROTKIN & DR. & MRS. SHMUEL AND EVELYN KATZ SHABBOS PARSHAS DEVARIM SHABBOS CHAZON MENACHEM AV 3 - 4 JULY 24 - 25 CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:53 PM SHABBOS ENDS: 8:48 PM TISHA B’AV WEDNESDAY - THURSDAY JULY 29 - 30 FAST BEGINS: 8:08 PM FAST ENDS: 8:33 PM HAPPY BIRTHDAY RABBI LIPSKAR The Shul - Chabad Lubavitch - An institution of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson (May his merit shield us) Over Thirty five Years of Serving the Communities of Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek and Surfside 9540 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Fl 33154 Tel: 305.868.1411 Fax: 305.861.2426 www.TheShul.org Email: [email protected] www.theshulpreschool.org www.cyscollege.org THE SHUL WEEKLY MAGAZINE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK NACHAS AT A GLANCE CONTENTS Weekly Message: 3 SIYUM AT THE SHUL EVERY NIGHT OF THE 9 DAYS Thoughts on the Parsha - Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Celebrating Shabbos: 4 - 5 Schedules, classes, articles & more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Community Happenings: 6 -7 Sharing with your Shul Family A Time to Pray: 8 Check out all the davening schedules and locations throughout the week Daily Study: 9 A complete guide to all classes and courses ofered at The Shul Inspiration, Insights & Ideas: 10 - 21 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE French Connection 22 Reflexions sur la Paracha Latin Link 23 Reflexion Semanal THE SHUL CONSTRUCTION MOVES INTO OUR EXISTING SOCIAL HALL. In a Woman’s World 24 Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman Networking 25 Efective Advertising Numbers To Know 26 Contacts at The Shul Get The Picture 27 - 28 The full scoop on all the great events around town QUOTABLE QUOTE “Morality is integral to the ecology of hope because it locates social change at a level at which we can make a diference through the acts we do, the principles by which we live, and the relationships we create. The Dignity of Diference p. 81” THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA FROM RABBI SHOLOM LIPSKAR SHABBOS PARSHAS DEVARIM his Torah portion what awaits him when he learns to care for it in an Devarim which appropriate manner. commences the Tfifth Book of the Torah, So too, with our Father in Heaven, our King, who gave also called Devarim us the first and second Temples, which we treated (Deuteronomy) is callously, Bringing aBout their destruction. Now always read during the Hashem shows us (Chazon) the vision of the Third “9 days” of mourning – Temple and tells us that very soon, with our proper on the SaBBath Before caring and Behavior, we will merit to receive it with “Tisha B’Av” – the the coming of Moshiach. day commemorating the most tragic This vision refers to all aspects of G-d’s Benevolence, calamities that Befell the Jewish people, including deep concern and constant providence over us. As the destruction of our two Holy Temples and our we experience the difficult conditions of a rudderless dispersion into exile. world with an uncertain future and unBearaBle present, we must know that Hashem will alleviate This SaBBath is also known as “ShaBBos Chazon” – our suffering and grant a sense of peace and the SaBBath of Vision” named after the first words tranquility. Even as Isaiah recounts the oBvious of the first chapter of Isaiah “Chazon” and is the destruction and desolation that is the suBject of his Haftorah always read during this special Sabbath. apparent vision – RaBBi Levi Yitzchok enaBles us to dialectically glean the ultimate Blessings that we can The great lover, Beseecher and defender of Israel, extract from that same vision. RaBBi Levi Yitzchok of Bartichen would interpret this vision with the following parable: So too as the darkness descended upon our World, it is only a temporary Blackout preparing for the moment A king who loved his child prince very much made when the true light is kindled as evil is completely a Beautiful, Bejeweled, precious suit for him. The eradicated and only goodness and peacefulness will child, taking his gift for granted and not heeding his prevail. Father’s instructions to properly care for the suit, soiled and tore it. Remorsefully he approached his Let us accelerate that vision By kindling the light of a Father, the King who, out of his great love made him Mitzvah – good act – to evoke Hashem’s assurance a second even more Beautiful suit. The prince in to Bring the ultimate light to our entire world. his self-gratifying selfishness discards his Father’s orders and again tears and stains the suit. May Hashem transform these days of sadness and mourning to those of celebration and jubilation. All of his crying and pleading will not move the father to give him a third suit saying that he must first show Have a good Shabbos and a great week. that he can be trusted to properly care for it. Still, in expressing his essential, unlimited love for the prince, the King makes a third suit But does not give it to him. He only shows his son the suit to know Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar 3 CELEBRATING SHABBOS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN “OVER THE TOP” SHABBOS EXPERIENCE Next Week: Shabbos Parshas Vaeschanan Candle Lighting 7:49 p.m. SHABBOS SCHEDULE Mincha 7:53 p.m. Candle lighting 7:53 p.m. Eruv Information Mincha / Kabalas Shabbos 7:55 p.m. We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is Shacharis 1st Minyan 8:30 a.m. 305- 866-ERUV (3788). Shacharis 2nd Minyan 10:30 a.m. The Eruv message is recorded approximately two hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the Mincha 7:40 p.m. beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the Pirkei Avos Chapter 2 After Mincha beach. Shabbos Ends / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 8:48 p.m. Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included. ALL MINYANIM ARE FOR MEMBERS ONLY!! To pay your annual dues visit: www. miamibeacheruv.com PARSHA IN PICTURES Test your Parsha knowledge. Can you tell the story of the parsha using the pictures below 4 MESSAGE FROM RABBI MASSRI ALL THINGS arshat Devarim is always read on the Shabbat right before Tisha B’Av. The Biur Halacha explains that this is purposefully done in order that Moshe Rabbeinu’s SEPHARDIC Padmonition to the Jews coincide with the Tisha B’Av period. (SEE PAGE 8 FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO REGISTER) One may ask why it is necessary for the specific admonition in Parshat Devarim to be read in conjunction with the mourning period which precedes Tisha B’Av. After all, the rebuke of Parshat Va’etchanan, which is read on Tisha B’Av SHABBAT SCHEDULE itself, appears immediately after this week’s reading. Why FRIDAY NIGHT JULY 24 was the rebuke of Va’etchanan, or some other admonition, not designated for the period leading up to Tisha B’Av? MINCHA/ARVIT AT THE SHUL: 7:00 PM EARLIEST CANDLE LIGHTNING: 6:46 PM The overall structure of this week’s parshah delineates the circumstances in which Bnei Israel find themselves at REGULAR CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:53 PM the end of the Midbar experience. The old generation had SHKIAH (SUNSET): 8:10 PM basically died out as a result of the sin of the Meraglim. If not for that event, the Jews would have already been in TZET HAKOCHAVIM: 8:52 PM Eretz Israel for 38 years, with the previous generation still in control. Due to the sin, entry to the land was delayed, the SHABBAT, JULY 25 old generation was mostly extinct (the Levi’im and women survived), and the entirety of Jewish destiny was redefined. SHACHARIT AT THE SHUL: 9:00 AM Moshe therefore addresses the present generation from NETZ HACHAMA: 6:43 AM this perspective, devoting most of the parshah to the sin of the Meraglim, so as to provide a context to the people. He ZMAN KERIAT SHEMA: 9:27 AM lets them know where the Jews were headed prior to the sin, and he explains the total shift of course and eternal CLASS BY RABBI MASSRI: 7:30 PM ramifications which the sin precipitated, thus placing the new generation at the point of entry to the land 38 years MINCHA/ARVIT AT THE SHUL: 7:50 PM after conquest should have already occurred. SHKIAH (SUNSET): 8:10 PM The masses cried in vain as a result of the Spies‘ false TZET HAKOCHAVIM: 8:48 PM report on the night of Tisha B’Av, and on Tisha B’Av the RABENU TAM: 9:22 PM punishment for the sin was decreed. Jewish destiny was forever changed on the Ninth of Av in those days. This is precisely why we read Moshe’s rebuke of Parshat Devarim on the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av. We are again told that EEDA SCHEDULE the present situation in which we find ourselves – a Jewish destiny of galut and suffering – was caused By grievous transgressions long ago, just like the generation of Devarim SHACHARIT was advised By Moshe that its parents’ actions irrevocably KORBANOT: 7:45 AM HODU: 8:00 AM altered its destiny. We are instructed that the thousands of years of suffering must be traced back to Tisha B’Av, for MINCHA/ARVIT: 8:00 PM that horrific day marked the beginning of a chain of exile and punishment which formed the spine of our history CLASSES WITH RABBI MASSRI AT THE SHUL and endures to this very day.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Parashat Chukat Sicha of Harav Aharon Lichtenstein
    PARASHAT CHUKAT SICHA OF HARAV AHARON LICHTENSTEIN SHLIT"A The Sin of Moshe and Aharon Summarized by Matan Glidai Translated by Kaeren Fish "And God said to Moshe and Aharon: Because you did not believe in Me, to sanctify Me in the eyes of Bnei Yisrael, therefore you shall not bring this congregation to the land which I have given them." (20:12) This verse describes a great tragedy – Moshe and Aharon, who have been the leaders of Am Yisrael for a generation and a half, and who have done so much for the nation, will not be permitted to enter the land. This tragedy disturbed Chazal and the various commentators greatly, especially in light of the fact that the Torah does not state explicitly what they did wrong. Because their sin is not altogether clear, the commentators offer several different explanations. Rashi maintains that God had commanded them to speak to the rock (verse 8) and they sinned by striking it (verse 11). This, then, represented a deviation from the command that they were given, and Rashi explains that their action also diminished the scale of the kiddush Hashem (sanctification of the Divine Name): "For had you spoken to the rock and then it gave water, I would have been sanctified in the eyes of the nation. They would have said, 'This rock - which does not speak, nor does it hear, nor has it any need of sustenance – obeys the command of the Holy One; how much more so should we.'" (Rashi on verse 12) Briefly, the crux of the sin according to this view lies in the deviation from God's command.
    [Show full text]
  • Parshat Lech Lecha Weekly Dvar Torah Sefer Hayashar
    Parshat Lech Lecha 10 Cheshvan 5780 / November 9, 2019 Daf Yomi: Nidah 17;Nach Yomi:1 Divrei Hayamim 5 Weekly Dvar Torah A project of the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL SPONSORED BY THE HENRY, BERTHA AND EDWARD ROTHMAN FOUNDATION ROCHESTER, NY,CLEVELAND, OHIO, CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO Sefer HaYashar Rabbi Chanaya Berman Graduate, NCYI Rabbinic Training Program Many of us know that, in addition to the classical names of the Chamisha Chumshei Torah, there are other names that Chazal use to refer to these seforim. We are most familiar with Devarim which is referred to as Mishneh Torah, and Vayikra as Toras Kohanim. These names reflect the essence of the respective seforim; Mishneh Torah since its theme is a review of the entire Torah, and Toras Kohanim since it primarily deals with laws pertaining to the Beit Hamikdash and Kohanim. The Gemara, however, tells us that Sefer Bereishit also has a second name – Sefer Hayashar. The Gemara goes on to explain that, since this sefer deals with the Avot (our forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov) who are called Yesharim, it is fitting to call the sefer by that title as well. The Netziv, in his introduction to Sefer Bereishit, questions why the Avot are called Yesharim and not chassidim or tzaddikim? He goes on to explain that the way they dealt with people (even ones that did not agree with their way of thinking) was in a manner that can only be described as Yashar – straight. The Netziv goes on to say that we have to learn from the Avot and emulate their actions according to our abilities and our understanding.
    [Show full text]
  • Chukat Artscroll P.838 | Haftarah P.1187 Hertz P.652 | Haftarah P.664 Soncino P.898 | Haftarah P.911
    13 July 2019 10 Tammuz 5779 Shabbat ends London 10.16pm Jerusalem 8.28pm Volume 31 No. 45 Chukat Artscroll p.838 | Haftarah p.1187 Hertz p.652 | Haftarah p.664 Soncino p.898 | Haftarah p.911 In loving memory of Yehuda ben Yaakov HaCohen “Speak to the Children of Israel, and they shall take to you a completely red cow, which is without blemish, and upon which a yoke has not come” (Bemidbar 19:2). 1 Sidrah Summary: Chukat 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Bemidbar 19:1-17 Kadesh through his land. Despite Moshe’s God tells Moshe and Aharon to teach the nation assurances that they will not take any of his the laws of the Red Heifer ( ). The resources, Edom refuses and comes out to unblemished animal, which hPaasr anhe vAedr uhmada h a yoke threaten the Israelites militarily. The Israelites upon it, is to be given to Elazar, Aharon’s son, who turn away. must slaughter it outside the camp. It is then to be 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 20:22-21:9 burned by a different Kohen, who must also throw The nation travels from Kadesh to Mount Hor. some cedar wood, hyssop and crimson thread Upon God’s command, Moshe, Aharon and Elazar into the fire. Both he and Elazar will become ritually ascend Mount Hor. Elazar dons Aharon’s special impure ( ) through this preparatory process. (High Priest) garments, after which In contratasmt, ethe ashes of the Heifer, when mixed AKhohareonn G daiedso.l The nation mourns Aharon’s death with water, are used to purify someone who has for 30 days (see p.3 article).
    [Show full text]
  • Devarim 5780
    סב ׳ ׳ ד רבד י ם שת ״ ף Devarim 5780 Followership ** KEY IDEA OF THE WEEK ** Judaism encourages followers and leaders to form a partnership of mutual respect. PARSHAT DEVARIM IN A NUTSHELL The book of Devarim is, in essence, Moses’ renewal of the Israel about the story of the spies and the people’s lack of same covenant that God made with Israel at Mount Sinai. faith that led to forty year wandering in the desert. This time Moses joins the covenant to the next generation, Then he moves on to more recent events, retelling the because they will soon enter the Promised Land and create a stories of their battles and victories over Moab and Ammon society based on the Torah there. And because a covenant and the settlement of their land (on the other side of the often begins with a preamble and an historical outline, this is River Jordan) by the tribes of Reuben and Gad and part of also how parshat Devarim begins. Moses explains the Menashe. The parsha ends with the appointment of Joshua background to the covenant, and then discusses the events as his successor. He will lead the people into the Land. that led to the covenant and its renewal. First we have an introduction which describes the time and QUESTION TO PONDER: place: we are in the last weeks of Moses’ life and the people Why do you think Joshua was chosen to lead after Moses? are camped by the banks of the River Jordan. Moses reminds THE CORE IDEA In the last month of his life, Moses gathered the people and ‘Send men …” In our parsha, it was the people who taught them the laws they were to keep and reminded them requested it: “Then all of you came to me and said, ‘Let us of their history since the Exodus.
    [Show full text]
  • Torah Portion: Devarim; Shabbat Hazon
    TORAH PORTION: DEVARIM; SHABBAT HAZON Parashat Devarim; Shabbat Hazon July 17, 2021, 8 Av 5781 Torah: Deuteronomy 1-3:22; Triennial 2:2-30 Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27 In this week's Torah Sparks, you'll find a D'var Torah on the Parashah by Ilana Kurshan called "Not Just a Second Torah", Vered Hollander-Goldfarb poses questions titled "It´s Lonely at the Top" and Bex Stern Rosenblatt writes about "The Widow and the Whore" in the Haftarah. Choose a TORAH SPARKS Subscription! Download TORAH SPARKS Print-Friendly File D'VAR TORAH Not Just a Second Torah Ilana Kurshan With this week’s parashah we begin Sefer Devarim, the final book of the Torah and the one referred to by the Talmudic rabbis as Mishneh Torah – a second Torah (see, for instance, Berakhot 21b, based on Deut 17:18). The Tosafot explain that the book of Devarim is referred to as such because “it reviews and repeats what came previously” (Tosafot on Gittin 2a). Most of the book consists of Moshe’s summation of the story of the Exodus from Egypt, the revelation at Sinai, and the Israelites’ desert wanderings. And yet as our parashah demonstrates, Sefer Devarim is more of an interpretation than a repetition, raising questions about the extent to which all memory is selective, all repetition is commentary, and, as William Faulkner famously put it, “the past is never truly past.” Moshe begins his final address to the people by reviewing several episodes from the previous three books of the Bible, including the appointment of magistrates to help Moshe judge the people, the sending of spies to scout out the land of Canaan, and the journey through the lands belonging to the Moabites and Amorites.
    [Show full text]
  • Lech Lecha 2016
    November 11, 2016 R’ Tzvi then said ‘I am willing to be Moser Nefesh to י' חשון תשעז like it was given דברי אלה-ים חיים Hashem with love to hear פרשת לך לך Are you really enjoying by Sinai. If my soul departs from my body, I am doing the At times we may observe one who behaves in a will of Hashem.’ At that time, a new spirit was endowed secular manner saying he had a great time. Is that really to him from the heavens. He then saw the fire of Hashem true? Many times those behaving this way are left with a in the house which was inconceivable. Then when the כי עזה כמות אהבה וגו' שלהבתיה feeling of emptiness. Their bragging is just a cover. Rebbe recited the Pasuk ; …its flashes are flashes of fire from the flame of Hashem, R’ from the great (כמעט נתבטל במציאות) This can be compared to a fish that is out of Tzvi nearly lost his life water as it jumps around uncontrollably. Although it fervor and passion. Hashem then helped R’ Tzvi until his 9 appears that the fish is really alive, we know the opposite Rebbi finished Shir Hashirim. is true since his real habitat is in water. That is when he is truly living. The same applies to when a Jew strays from Everyone has a need to connect to the Creator. If the proper path. Although it seems like he is having fun he doesn’t, then the need manifests itself in gratifying הנפש לא by jumping around- with alcohol, the opposite gender the body in material ways.
    [Show full text]
  • Devarim – Devarim/Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 V'etchanan – Devarim
    Devarim – Devarim/Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 The Text – Key verses in this parasha 2:1 We marched back into the wilderness by the way of the Sea of Reeds, as the Lord had spoken to me, and skirted the hill country of Seir a long time. 2:2-6 Then the Lord said to me: You have been skirting this hill country long enough; now turn north. And charge the people as follows: You will be passing through the territory of your kinsmen, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. Though they will be afraid of you, be very careful not to provoke them. For I will not give you of their land so much as a foot can tread on; I have given the hill country of Seir as a possession to Esau. What food you eat you shall obtain from them for money; even the water you drink you shall procure from them for money. The Context – The verses in plain English In Devarim, Moses speaks to the Israelites, reminding them of the events that took place and the laws they received during the course of their 40-year journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. As part of his recitation, he recalls God’s instruction to the Israelites that they compensate those people whose lands they travel through for any resources they use during the journey. For Discussion – What it means for advocates 1) This divine injunction reflects the importance of using resources judiciously, and of respecting the rights of those whose resources we use.
    [Show full text]
  • !N:ßx;T.A,W" VA’ETCHANAN/AND I BEGGED Devarim/Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
    !N:ßx;t.a,w" VA’ETCHANAN/AND I BEGGED Devarim/Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11 This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Nachamu (Wmßx]n) referring to the opening words of the Haftara from Isaiah 40:1 – Comfort (Wmßx]n), comfort my people. The past three weeks have been a time of mourning the destruction and ruin that has so much been a part of the Israelite’s lives. Now it is time to put the past behind them and to focus on rebuilding and restoration. It is a time to be reenergized. To begin this period, Jews typically take outings to the country to enjoy the sea, sunsets, the landscape, and all other wonders of hwhy’s (Yahwey) creation in order to be both physically and spiritually reinvigorated. This Torah portion provides us with the manna we need for this spiritual recharge. This week we touch on important foundations of our faith. We will read of the awesomeness of Yah, His chosen people, His 10 Words (commandments), the good Land He has promised, and the love and fear of the Almighty. Moses takes a trip through history to remind the Israelites of the giving of the Torah and will teach them the most basic declaration of faith – The Shema. As believers, we are also able to see how Yeshua brought His followers back to these basics. We begin, however, with the disappointment of Moses as he begs to be given entrance into the Promised Land: Devarim 3:23 " Then I pleaded with hwhy at that time, saying: 24 'O hwhy Elohim, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? 25 'I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.' Most of us feel sorry for Moses.
    [Show full text]
  • Torah Sparks
    rejoicing”? The Talmudic rabbis, amidst a discussion of the nature of the Sukkah, begin to hint at an answer to this question, offering insight into the meaning of Sukkot and its nuanced emotional valence. TORAH SPARKS The first chapter of the Talmudic tractate about Sukkot opens with a debate about the structure of the Sukkah Shabbat Hol Hamoed Sukkot and its architectural requirements. How tall may the walls September 25, 2021, 19 Tishrei 5782 of a Sukkah be? Must a Sukkah be strong enough to Torah: Exodus 33:12-34:26; Numbers 29:23-28 withstand heavy sea winds? What if a Sukkah is smaller Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16, Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) than four square cubits in area, or can fit only one person not including the table where he or she eats? What if it’s built atop a wagon or a ship? As the rabbis demonstrate, Gone With the Wind the answer to all of these questions hinges on the extent Ilana Kurshan to which the Sukkah is regarded as a temporary structure. Everyone agrees that the mitzvah to dwell in a Sukkah is This coming Shabbat we will read the book of Kohelet, as for seven days alone, but how solid and stable must the we do every year on the Shabbat of Hol HaMoed Sukkot. Sukkah be? The Babylonian sage Abaye contends that the The book of Kohelet, one of the five Megillot, is about the sages are divided about this matter – some hold that a vanity and futility of all human pursuits. The author, Sukkah must be fit to last more permanently, while others traditionally thought to be King Solomon, writes about maintain that the Sukkah should be an inherently loneliness, the tears of the oppressed, the hollowness of temporary structure (Sukkah 7b).
    [Show full text]
  • Between the Lines Who Wrote Sefer Devarim
    Devarim 5769 Volume XVI Number 43 Toras Aish Thoughts From Across the Torah Spectrum began to possess Sichon's territory even before Sichon RABBI ABBA WAGENSBERG attacked! When God does battle for us, victory is assured from the outset. © 1987 Rabbi A. Wagensberg & Between the Lines aish.com his week we begin Deuteronomy, the last Book of the Torah, consisting of Moses's final words to the RABBI MORDECHAI WEISS TJewish people before they enter the Land of Israel. In this week's parsha, Moses recalls certain infamous Who Wrote Sefer Devarim events of the previous 40 years, such as the incident 'm always baffled on the differences in style and with the spies. He repeats the words he spoke to the content that appear in the book of Devarim in contrast people at that time: "The Lord your God, has given Ito the preceding four books of our Torah. Any serious ("natan") the land to you. Go up and inherit it" (Deut. student of Torah would notice a host of variations 1:21). between these texts and the obvious question is "Why?" This verse presents a few technical difficulties. Let me explain. First the language is different. First, why does Moses say that God has already given In Devarim, Moshe our teacher often speaks in the first the land to the Jewish people? The Jews have not yet person something that is not found in the first four entered Israel, and thus have not officially taken books of the Torah. Second, there are blatant possession of it. Why, then, is the verb "to give" in the disparities when contrasting the book of Devarim to the past tense ("natan")? Furthermore, why does Moses proceeding books.
    [Show full text]
  • Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:12 – 11:25 Parshat Ekev Begins with Moshe's
    Ekev Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:12 – 11:25 Parshat Ekev begins with Moshe’s second speech to the Jewish people. He warns them to obey all the laws and commandments that G-d had given them and promises them blessings for compliance with G-d’s word. The Parshah contains a brief description of the years of wandering in the desert. Moses reminds the people that though they have wandered for 40 years, and that those years were filled with trials and difficulty, their clothing did not wear out and G-d provided food and water for them. He tells them not to fear the inhabitants in the Land of Israel whom they would soon encounter, for G-d would help them and stand with them. He also talks of the incident of the Golden Calf and reminds them that had it not been for his intervention with G-d on their behalf, they would all have been destroyed. Moses shares these lessons with the people, not to berate them, but rather to teach them and enable them to learn from the mistakes of the past and refrain from repeating them when they enter into the Land of Israel. Parshat Ekev contains the Halachic (Jewish legal) basis for Birkat HaMazon, the traditional blessing after meals. While we are all familiar with the commandment to make a blessing before we eat, (e.g. the HaMotzi blessing over bread) less well known but no less important, is the blessing after the meal. Devarim 8:10 teaches, “And you will eat and be satisfied and bless the Lord your G-d for the good he has given you.” Parshat Ekev also contains the section that comprises the second paragraph of the Shema, providing blessings and rewards for fulfillment of the commandments, and punishments for turning away from G-d.
    [Show full text]
  • Parshat Ki Tisa/Parah 3/18/17 Ethan Freilich Moshe Broke the Luchot To
    Parshat Ki Tisa/Parah 3/18/17 Ethan Freilich Moshe Broke the Luchot to Allow Us to Keep Them Bnei Yisroel had just received the Torah. They were at their highest point in their relationship with God, and suddenly, they committed the greatest sin against God: the Cheit Haegel, the sin of the Golden Calf. Moshe walked down with the Luchot, that God himself wrote, and smashed them to the ground. Question: What would drive Moshe to destroy the holiest thing that was brought into this world? A possible answer is that the Luchot were broken for the sake of keeping the Torah. It is written, "As he approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moshe displayed anger, and threw down the Tablets that were in his hand, shattering them at the foot of the mountain." (Shemot 32:19). While our initial reaction has always been disbelief that Moshe could have acted in this way, many commentators argue that God applauded Moshe for breaking the Luchot. In Rashi’s commentary on the last verse in the entire Torah (Devarim 34:12), he explains that God agreed with Moshe's decision to smash the Tablets. Additionally, the Gemara in Shabbat on Daf 87a cites the phrase "Asher Shibarta" - "which you broke" (Shemot 34:1) and interprets it as "Y'asher Kochacha SheShibarta" - "well done for having broken them!" According to these sources, all signs lead to Moshe having done the correct thing, but why? To further understand this, we must look at Parshat Bo, in which the Torah discusses the commandment of redeeming a first-born son.
    [Show full text]