e"dl Page Zero of Tidbits 792 zyxt z e a i y Lead Tidbit cont. from front page g i 792 Does Yosef actually forgive his brothers for what they did to him? If Dec. 21•22, '07 • seems not. He has no intention of punishing them or taking revenge. He g"qyz zah b"i even cries because of their "assumption" that he would. He supports This is the 101st day (of 383), 15th Shabbat (of 55) of 5768 them in their remaining years. But he does not forgive them. He tells them not to fear • they planned evil against him, but G•d had good ai:a '` mikln :cr`§«n Fzªgk§l©n orM¦¬ Y©e ei®¦a¨` c´¦e¨C `gQ¦¥ MÎl©ra¾ W¨i© drQr¾l§WE things in mind... And this is not the first time he tells them this same thing. But it is more to calm them than to forgive them. The brothers did a terrible thing. But it worked out to everyone's A Hard Look at the Brothers benefit, so to speak, because this was G•d's Plan. Does that exonerate Let's start by recognizing that the Avot, Imahot, and Shivtei Kah (the sons of the brothers? Definitely not. Does it calm the brothers? Perhaps. And Yaakov) are not on our "MADREIGA", our level. Whatever that means • and it that's important. They truly regretted what they had done. And, we can means a lot • there is also the fact that the Torah tells us various episodes in the say, that Yosef them through a difficult series of experiences... lives of these special ancestors of the Jewish People, and we are supposed to learn lessons from their lives. We cannot, therefore, ignore what they did • or, RYMP suggests that Yosef was completely convinced that all was done maybe • what they seem to have done. according to G•d's Plan AND prophesied in advance via his dreams, that Remember the P'li'a that says •• G•d says to the Jewish People: You sold the brothers were truly not to be held accountable for their actions. Yosef (into slavery)! I swear by your lives, that you will say, every year, "We Therefore, he did not forgive them; he did not attribute wrong•doing to were slaves to Par'o in ". A very powerful Midrash. Add to this the story of them. He felt compassion for their "troubled souls" and acted the Asara Harugei Malchut (the 10 martyrs) who are considered to have been accordingly. "punished" for what the ten brothers did to Yosef, and we have a strong condemnation of their behavior. We cannot imagine the pain the caused their How ever you work the last few sedras through, they most certainly father Yaakov. Did they regret their actions? For sure. We see that from the give us plenty of food for thought. Provided, of course, we actually Torah. Did they continue to feel guilty study various commentaries and then think, ponder, talk things over after Yosef revealed himself to them? with others, read more, think more. Yes, we see that too. "And when Yosef’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, Yosef will perhaps WORD of the MONTH cont. from p.2 hate us, and will certainly pay us back for all the evil which we did to him." A weekly TT feature to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, Correct for TT 792 • Rabbeinu Tam (J'm) • 5:57pm They seem not to have been able to thereby enhancing our appreciation of G•d's gift to us of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... 4:04 Yerushalayim 5:20pm even ask Yosef for forgiveness. Instead they sent Yosef a message that Yaakov night • all night. Remember that the timing for KL is location•related. 4:19 Gush Etzion 5:20pm 4:19 Raanana 5:21pm had commanded Yosef to forgive the Meaning that the instant of the Nigud (for the purposes of KL, it is the brothers. Yosef's reaction was to cry at average calculation of "opposition", full moon, not the actual, astronomical 4:19 Beit Shemesh 5:21pm 4:20 Rehovot 5:21pm their words, and their reaction was to moment) is the same all over the world, but time must be adjusted for 4:18 Netanya 5:20pm throw themselves at Yosef's feet and location. Using this month's deadline as an example, as mentioned above, offer themselves as slaves. 4:19 Be'er Sheva 5:23pm cont. p.10 12:39pm Monday for us in means all night Sunday is good for KL. In 4:19 Modi'in 5:21pm San Francisco, that same moment is 2:39am, which is their deadline. For 4:04 Petach Tikva 5:21pm Shabbat Afternoon Shiur practical reasons, this month's difference doesn't mean much, since at the 4:04 Maale Adumim 5:20pm This week 3:00pm (Mincha 4:00pm) beginning of Sunday night, KL can be said anywhere on Earth Jews are. 4:17 Ginot Shomron 5:20pm But in some months, this won't be the case. Could be that a Jew in Israel 4:18 Beit El 5:20pm Yaacov Peterseil & Co. 4:20 K4 & Hevron 5:21pm can say KL on a night which is already too late for a Jew somewhere else. in the Wolinetz Family Shul 4:18 Giv'at Ze'ev 5:20pm For example, Hawaii has their Sunday night 12 hrs. later than we do. And at the Israel Center so on. 4:04 Tzfat 5:16pm å 0 g å 1 g HaMachpeila. Yosef agrees; Yaakov Vaychi STATS asks Yosef to swear to it. Why would Yaakov insist Ranges are 10 days, WED•FRI 12th of 54 sedras; 12 of 12 in B'reishit 10•19 Tevet • December 19•26 that Yosef swear • didn't he Written on 148.33 lines in a Torah, ranks 45 trust him? Among other Earliest Talit & T'filin 5:39•5:43am reasons, the oath might prove necessary 12 parshiot, 7 open and 5 closed Sunrise 6:34•6:39am in obtaining permission from Par'o for Sof Z'man K' Sh'ma 9:04•9:09am In addition, the first part of the sedra is the end the funeral. Even if Par'o would have (Magen Avraham: 8:17•8:21am) of the previous parsha from . Vaychi been inclined to say "no", he would Sof Z'man T'fila 9:55•9:59am is the only sedra that does not begin at a respect an oath. This, according to (Magen Avraham: 9:23•9:27am) parsha break. Midrash, because Yosef had sworn not to divulge a particular secret about Par'o Chatzot 11:36•11:40½am 85 p'sukim • ranks 44th (12th in B'reishit) (halachic noon) (that he, Yosef, knew more languages Mincha Gedola 12:06•12:11pm 1158 words • ranks 44th (12th in B'reishit) than Par'o). Par'o could not say to Yosef, (earliest Mincha) "I don't care what promises you made", 4448 letters • ranks 43rd (12th in B'reishit) Plag Mincha 3:35•3:40pm etc. There are commentaries who suggest Sunset 4:43•4:48pm another possible reason for making Yosef (based on sea level: 4:37•4:42pm) MITZVOT swear • Yosef might be upset about his Molad of None of the Torah's 613 mitzvot are in Vaychi mother's not having being buried in the Tevet "proper" place, and he might not be was Sun. 6:17pm. favorable to his father's request. 14 days 18 hours 22 minutes later brings us to Monday (Dec. Aliya•by•Aliya Yaakov asks Yosef for 24 • 15 Tevet) at 12:39pm. This means that the last Chesed v'Emet, True opportunity for Kiddush Sedra Summary Kindness. It is considered L'vana this month is Sunday p.3 [P> X:Y (Z)] and [S> X:Y (Z)] indicate that tending to the burial of the dead is the purest form of kindness, because, Orthodox Union OU ISRAEL start of a parsha p’tucha or s’tuma OU Kashrut • NCSY • Jewish Action respectively. X:Y is Perek:Pasuk of the among other reasons, it is the one Seymour J. Abrams • Orthodox Union • Jerusalem World Center beginning of the parsha; (Z) is the NJCD / Yachad / Our Way • Kharkov OU Israel Center programs • Makom BaLev • Lev Yehudi situation in which the recipient of your number of p'sukim in the parsha. Synagogue Support Services • IPA OU Pearl & Harold M. Jacobs ZULA Center • Machon Maayan kindness cannot repay the favor himself. OURadio.org • Young Leadership NESTO • Beit Kharkov • OU Israel Communities Project Areivim • OU West Coast OU Kashrut in Israel... It is an act of kindness without Stephen Savitsky, President, Orthodox Union Kohen • First Aliya • recompense. Harvey Blitz, Chairman of the Board, Orthodox Union Yitzchak Fund, President, OU Israel Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Exec. Vice President, OU Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Senior Vice President Commentators question this idea in Edelman, Exec. Dir. Operations and Management Prof. Meni Koslowsky, Vice President 13 p'sukim • 47:28•48:9 Rabbi Dovid Cohen, Vaad member Yosef's case. We are taught that Yosef Headquarters: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Stuart Hershkowitz, Vaad member [47:28 (4) part of the parsha at the merited having his remains taken out of 212•563•4000 • website: www.ou.org Moshe Kempinski, Vaad member end of Vayigash] The sedra begins Egypt as a reward for his attention to Sandy Kestenbaum, Vaad member Yaakov's wishes. How can we refer to Produced, printed*, collated, and folded in•house Zvi Sand, Vaad member with Yaakov at age 147, having been Phil Chernofsky • (02) 560•9124 Harvey Wolinetz, Vaad member in Mitzrayim for 17 what years. he did for his father as Chesed shel [email protected] • www.ou.org/torah/tt Emet? One answer is that Yosef received Rabbi Avi Berman, Director•General, OU Israel (Remember that Yosef was 17 when Advertising: Ita Rochel Menachem Persoff, Director of Programs, Israel Center reward in kind only by being taken out of [email protected] • (02) 560•9125 the trouble started. Interesting, no?) Phil Chernofsky, Educational Director and TT editor Egypt and buried in the . TT Distribution • [email protected] • 0505•772•111 The Torah tells us that Yaakov is near 22 Keren HaYesod • POB 37015 • Jerusalem 91370 His body spent a long time in Egypt. His OU Israel and Torah Tidbits do not endorse the political or halachic phone: (02) 560•9100 • fax: (02) 561•7432 death and Yosef is called to hisact of True Kindness to his father was positions of its editor, columnists, or advertisers, nor guarantee the email: [email protected] • website: www.ouisrael.org quality of advertised services or products. Nor do we endorse the bedside. Yaakov asks Yosef that he that Yaakov's body did not spend even a kashrut of hotels, restaurants, caterers or food products that are Torah Tidbits and many of the projects of OU Israel are (Yaakov) should not be buried in advertised in TT (except, of course, those under OU•Israel hashgacha). assisted by grants from The Jewish Agency for Israel moment buried in Egypt. For this, Yosef We recommend that readers check with the advertisers themselves to clarify kashrut and shmita details of their services and products. Founders and initial benefactors of the Israel Center: George z"l and Ilse Falk Egypt but rather in Me'aratwas not paid back in kind; his action on å 2 g å 3 g behalf of Yaakov's funeral arrangements elder of his beloved 's sons.) he did. Two major personality traits was indeed Chesed & Emet. Then Yaakov takes notice of the boys Shlishi • Third Aliya • that a person should strive for (and that parents shall try to help Another understanding of the concept of and asks Yosef to present them so 6 p'sukim • 48:17•22 develop in their children) are: not CHESED SHEL EMET is that when one that he can bless them. being boastful when in a superior does a favor for a living person, one When Yosef realizes that Yaakov has position and not being resentful never knows if things will actually turn switched hands (and has thus • Second Aliya • "favored" Efrayim over the firstborn when in an inferior position. out all right. It might look like a good Efrayim was destined to become Menashe) he gets (understandably) thing to do, but things can turn out "don't 7 p'sukim • 48:10•16 greater than his older brother do me any favors". An act of kindness to very upset and tries to "correct" the Menashe. These two brothers were Yaakov's eyesight fails him in his old the dead is an unquestioned act of positions of Yaakov's hands. Yaakov such that Efrayim did not lord Chesed. age (as did Yitzchak's) and Yosef resists, explaining to Yosef that he is himself over Menashe, nor was brings his sons and moves them [P> 48:1 (22)] Some time later, fully aware of what he is doing; and Menashe jealous of Efrayim's towards Yaakov, who kisses and Yosef is informed (by Efrayim who that Efrayim will indeed surpassprominence. What greater hugs them. Yosef then takes his sons regularly ministers to and learns hisbrother in greatness. can a father give his sons than off of Yaakov's lap, so that he can "May G•d make you like Efrayim Torah with Yaakov) that Yaakov is present them formally to Yaakov, for On this same day, Yaakov blessesand Menashe!" sick ("at death's door"). Yosef brings their brachot. After bowing before them by saying that the traditional his two sons with him to Yaakov (so Yaakov then tells Yosef that he is Yaakov, Yosef carefully and formally blessing for sons shall be: "May G•d that they can receive his blessing). about to die; that G•d will be with presents his sons to Yaakov with make you like Efrayim and Yaakov is strengthened by the news the family•nation; that He will Menashe on the left and Efrayim on Menashe". of Yosef's impending visit (Thus is the restore them to the Land of their the right so that Yaakov's hands will power of Bikur Cholim). Think about this...Imagine ancestors; and that he (Yaakov) has rest on the appropriate heads for the the panic that Yosef must have felt provided Yosef with an additional As to who told Yosef that his . Yaakov switches his when he witnessed the potential of portion of the Land. father was sick, it is hands, resting his right on Efrayim's "family history repeating itself". who brings the opinion that head and his left on Menashe's. Then How can Yaakov do what he was it was Efrayim, who tended to Yaakov's Yaakov blesses Yosef by blessing his doing when he was painfully aware R'vi'i Fourth Aliya needs in Goshen while Yosef was in of the consequences of favoring (Yosef's) children with the famous Egypt proper. The Midrash says that it one son and of the jealousy that it 17 p'sukim 49:1•17 was A•s'nat, Yosef's wife, who told him. HAMAL'ACH HA'GO'EL OTI... creates (can create). [P> 49:1 (4)] Yaakov gathers his Yaakov's reference to fish in his Speaking of A•s'nat... The Midrash That's the point! It CAN create bracha for Efrayim and Menashe sons around him with intentions of says that she was Dina's daughter, who jealousy, but it need not. It (and all Jewish children in revealing to them "the end of days" was raised by Potifar in Egypt. The depends upon the character of the perpetuity) is explained on at least (knowing the future will ease the Midrash also says that when Potifar's people involved. A parent can two levels. Fish are prolific; Yaakov pain of the difficult times ahead) but wife accused Yosef of improper advances, "tiptoe" around just so long, was blessing his descendants that making everything equal and even, it is not to be! it was A•s'nat who privately told Potifar they should become a large nation. in the hopes that jealousy will not Rashi says that Yaakov the truth, thus saving Yosef's life. It is also known that the EYIN emerge. But that kind of behavior wanted to reveal the HARA has no hold over fish (which Yaakov tells Yosef of G•d's promises just postpones the jealousy, it does "KEITZ" (end of time), but has something to do with their to him and his descendants and of not eliminate it. Parents have towas not allowed to do so by G•d. The Rachel's death and burial. He then survival during the MABUL without help build the character of their being taken into the Ark). And this original prophecy concerning the exile in assures Yosef that his two sons, children, so that they will develop Egypt was given to Avraham in the too was part of his bracha. (The good MIDOT, personality traits. Efrayim and Menashe, will be equal Yiddish name Fischel (fish) is often "Covenant between the Pieces". There he to Yaakov's sons. (This in essence, is paired with Efrayim; obviously, this Perhaps Yaakov Avinu saw that his was told that his descendants would be the double portion that Yaakov isbracha is the source of that two grandsons possessed the qual• oppressed for 400 years. In fact, the giving to "his heart's first•born", the name•pair.) ities that "allowed" him to do what people were enslaved for 210 years. å 4 g å 5 g (Actually, they were in Egypt for 210 T'CHA K'VITI HASHEM. [Learned, a long These are Yaakov's words to his 12 [P> 49:14 (2)] and Yissachar will years; actual enslavement was time ago, from Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ginsberg,sons and he blessed them. carry the burden of Torah significantly less.) The additional 190 `"hily] years is calculated from the birth ofscholarship. (The image of a donkey Note that Reuven's bracha is in the Yitzchak once Avraham had his firstindicates perseverance, strong will same parsha as the "introduction" of Yaakov's parting words to his descendant, the "clock of exile", so toqualities that are suitable for a Chamishi • Fifth Aliya • children. Binyamin's bracha is part speak, began ticking. scholar.) 8 p'sukim • 49:19•26 of the parsha which concludes the Egyptian exile would have been moreTogether, these two tribes will form a sedra, and the Book of B'reishit. tolerable, had our ancestors known about partnership that will be mutually [S> 49:19 (1)] will be blessed Furthermore, some of the sons this 190 year "grace period". This is the beneficial. with good fortune (this is Malbim's have their blessing in a parsha KEITZ (KUF (100) + TZADI (90) = 190) interpretation which is by far thep'tucha and some in s'tumot. These that Yaakov wanted to reveal to his sons. [S> 49:16 (3)] will be the most optimistic of the variousare just observations; no sugges• But this he was not permitted to reveal it. judge (and upholder of the honor, understandings of the pasuk). tion as to significance, if any, is the one that will avenge Israel by implied. If you find something, (The blessings, often mixed withfighting the P'lishtim) of the people. [S> 49:20 (1)] 's blessing also dear TTreader, let us know, please. fatherly criticism, combine Rashi to says that this is a prophecy seems to be that of prosperity become the brachot of the Tribes.) (and/or eloquence). Commentaries point out that about Shimshon, who was from the Yaakov's words don't always seem to Yaakov's words about Reuven speak . [S> 49:21 (1)] Naftali is likened to be blessings • but they do contain of his unrealized potential to have This parsha and Aliya finish with a swift deer (or spreading tree,implied blessings and prophecies. been the leader and the indiscretion the famous 3•word pasuk: To Your according to other opinions) and is that lost him the position of leader. salvation, I hope, HaShem. blessed with eloquence Yaakov (and tells his sons that he is about When a person sneezes, he is to die and wants to be buried in [P> 49:5 (3)] Yaakov refers to the probably, prosperity). supposed to say LISHU'ATCHA Me'arat HaMachpeila. (He does not violence of Shimon and Levi. He K'VITI HASHEM. This is based on [S> 49:22 (5)] Yosef's blessing is make them swear as Yosef did, since curses their anger not them. the fact that prior to Yaakov Avinu, extensive and shows Yaakov's special they might not be in a position to Important lesson for us all fromthere was no sickness before one love for him. It is the bracha fulfill of an oath.) this point. Don't say to your son, died. Rather, the soul just left the Avraham to Yitzchak and of Yitzchak Yaakov dies. The wording in the "BAD BOY!" Say, "you did a badbody as it had been breathed in, to Yaakov that Yaakov gives to Yosef, thing". It might not seem to be so through the nostrils, with a sneeze, son of Rachel. Torah is indirect • the words death or important, but it is. Especially,so to speak. Yaakov acknowledged dying are not used • indicating the because we don't say these kind of the "gift" of being sick before A fruitful son is Yosef. special "quality of life" (strange term things once, but rather countless death, so that one can put his BEN PORAT = 732. Baal HaTurim to use here, but purposely chosen) times over many years. affairs in order. A sneeze is no points out that this is the G'matriya even in the death of Yaakov Avinu. longer a sign of death, but just a of Efrayim and Menashe: 1+80+ [P> 49:8 (5)] Yehuda receives the The Torah next tells of the reminder of illness (sometimes a 200+10+40 (Efrayim) + 6 (and) + brightest words he is promised the symptom and sometimes just a 40+50+300+5 (Menashe) = 732 preparation for burial. Yosef tells leadership and respect of reminder). his This is why people say Par'o of his oath and receives brothers. ASUTA or LIVRIYUT, or something permission for the funeral procession like that, to a person who sneezes. Shishi • Sixth Aliya • The Baal HaTurim points out that to . The funeral and But the sneezer himself quotes the the initials of GUR ARYEI YEHUDA mourning for Yaakov is elaborate words of Yaakov Avinu. And even 27 p'sukim • 49:27•50:20 Gimel+Alef+Yud = 14, the numeric and extensive. though people are more familiar value of . [S> 49:27 (33)] Binyamin is with ASUTA (or whatever someone When they return to Egypt, the blessed with success (sometimes [P> 49:13 (1)] Zevulun is given the else says when someone sneezes), brothers are filled with guilt feelings qualified). Rashi mentions proph• blessing of prosperity... it is closer to a requirement for the and offer themselves to Yosef as ecies of Shaul, Mordechai & Esther. sneezer himself to say LISHU'A• slaves. Once again, Yosef assures the å 6 g å 7 g brothers that all that has happened Haftara • 12 p'sukim • responsum of Rashba which holds that in is G•d's will and for the best. THE JERUSALEM INSTITUTE employing capital punishment as an extrajudicial remedy, a court must be Yosef cries because the brothers are Melachim Alef 2:1•12 OF JEWISH LAW careful to act with the consent of the falsely accusing him of planning to Short Haftara for a short sedra. Just Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Dean elders of the city in order that its take revenge against them. as the sedra tells us of the father on positions should be clearly in accord with Interesting (and sad) that part of his deathbed giving instructions and Lesson #406 (part 4) the existing exigency and be undertaken their original problem was based blessings to his sons, and requesting with due deliberation. Mordechai Exigency Jurisdiction (1240•1298) a contemporary of Asheri upon false accusations by Yosefan act of Chesed, so too do we find and Rashba states and thus did Rabbi against his brothers. King David at death's door, of the Beit Din Gershom decide regarding one who instructing his son Shlomo We continue with the exigencypurchased a horse on the Sabbath, that he Sh'vi'i • Seventh Aliya • concerning matters of Faith and jurisdiction of the Beit Din. should We be flogged according to Rabbinic 6 p'sukim • 50:21•26 State and Chesed. concluded the last lesson with a caselaw, and if the price of the horse Rabbi Julian G. Jacobs z"l, in A which came before Asheri (1250•1327) increases, the increase in price should be in which a Jewish widow became Yosef promises to support Haftara his Companion, makes the taken from him and given to the needy, pregnant by an Arab. The question arose so that a transgressor should not benefit brothers and families. Yosef lives to following observation. In the sedra, as how to punish her to prohibit this type from his transgressions. Little over a 110 (less than his brothersthe •term used for Yaakov's passing of conduct from spreading. It was told to century after Asheri similar decisions punishment for hearing his father on is "to sleep with his fathers", Asheri that in this case the Beit Dinwere rendered by R. Weil (died humiliated and not objecting • so say rather than the simpler, "to die". So decided to disfigure her face so that she before 1456). In one case (which arose in commentaries). Yosef has helpedtoo for David HaMelech in the would no longer be appealing to theRonswick), a person was found guilty of raise even his great•grandchildren. haftara. In each case, the father had Arab. Asheri in his reply answered that desecrating the Sabbath and the Day of He tells his brothers that G•d willa worthy son to continue in his ways, Don Juda Vakar had judiciously decided Atonement. It was inquired of R. Weil eventually take them out of Egypt, and this is a form of "living on" that the case and the punishment should bewhether it would be permissible to punish restore them to Eretz Yisrael, and he results in the absence of the verb, to carried out immediately to preventhim by blinding him. R. Weil answered asks them to remember him and take die. communal dissension. A contemporary of that it was permissible to punish him by his remains with them when they Asheri, Rashba (1245•1310) is quoted in blinding him. The cases in the As there are similarities between the leave. Yosef (and the brothers) dies; a responsum of the author of the Shulhan may not be distinguished on the ground sedra and its haftara, so are there thus B'reishit, the book of the Avot & Aruch, R. Yoef Karo (1488•1575). He that in those situations the continuance of contrasts. Yaakov speaks to all his writes: it appears to me that if the Imahot, ends. society depended on the emergency children, comforted by their having witnesses are considered trustworthy by remedies, since in the case before him the According to Seder HaDorotbeen reunited and confident in the the chosen judges, they have authority to continuance of society similarly HaKatzar, the brothers died over a fact that they all will continue with impose monetary fines or to inflictdepended on punishment being meted period of 22 years, in this order: the way of life of Yaakov and corporal punishment according to their out. In another case the following factual Yosef, Shimon, Yehuda, Reuven, Yitzchak and Avraham before him. discretion. Rashba mentions a case that situation arose. Shimon instituted a law Binyamin, Yissachar, Asher, appears in the Talmud in which R. Hisda, David is speaking to only one of his suit against Reuven for assault and Zevulun, Gad, Dan, Naftali, Levi. in Babylonia imposed a monetary fine sons and dies knowing of the battery. Witnesses testified that Reuven where one person assaulted another with ran after Shimon for no apparent reason, CHAZAK, CHAZAK, V'NITCHAZAK after treachery of other sons and people Sh'vi'i (or Acharon). Chatzi Kaddish, the handle of a hoe. Since the fine in this picked up a piece of lumber, caught up who he thought to be friends. period of history could only be imposed then the final 4 p'sukim are repeated with Shimon, and beat Shimon over the by ordained judges and at that time there head until he split Shimon’s skull. for the Maftir. were no ordained judges in Babylonia, Shimon recovered and sued Reuven. the imposing of the fine was surely in the guise of an extrajudicial remedy. There In were eyewitnesses to the addition, R. Karo refers to anotheroccurrence, and Reuven admitted the assault. He claimed, however, that he å 8 g å 9 g attacked Shimon because Shimon hadexonerate Levi completely but asked R. inflicted, but not the death penalty. just beaten Reuven’s wife. Eyewitnesses, Weil for his opinion. R. Weil answered G•d's answer was a clear one: "I am however, refuted this version of thethat while the testimony might acquit The subject matter of this lesson is more about to make bread rain from heaven for occurrence and testified that Shimon had Levi of homicide, it certainly did not fully discussed in Volume I, chapter 2 of you"; an answer applying in essence to struck Reuven’s wife after Reuven had exonerate him of all liability. Even Jewish Jurisprudence by Emanuel Quint all the future generations as they too are assaulted Shimon. An inquiry was sent to assuming that the beating was not the and Neil Hecht. Copies of both volumes faced with the same question, "what shall R. Weil asking for his advice in thecause of death, the assaulter nevertheless can be purchased at local Judaicawe eat?". bookstores. Questions to [email protected] matter. The reply commenced with should a be punished. He should accept Our sages were divided as to whether the series of Talmudic citations showing that penance consisting of fasting and should recalling of how they sat by the fleshpots if one raised his hands in a threateningbe flogged and pay a monetary fine. Spiritual & Ethical Issues in the land of Egypt and ate bread to the manner he is considered wicked and in the Stories of Sh’mot full, depicted reality or the delusions of a should be punished. Certainly whereThere was the case of a member of a community left the community for a time slave people. "As the slaves of Par'o, there was an actual battery the wrongdoer by Dr. Meir Tamari Israel could help themselves to bread, should be punished, especially in thisand when he returned, he was greeted with a tax assessment which he failed to meat, fish, grapes, figs and pomegranates case where the attack was so grievous. R. 7 weeks from Egypt to Sinai [4] in the markets and no one could deny Weil then cites a responsum of another pay. He was jailed and Asheri was asked "You have brought us to this wilderness them anything" (Mechilta). In the same rabbi in a case where one grabbedwhether this was a proper procedure. He to make this whole assembly die way, of Jews during medieval times often another by the throat and held a knifereplied that the leaders of the city had the hunger" (Sh'mot 16:3). It is tempting to enjoyed prosperity as a result of their over him. When he was apprehended it right to imprison him until he paid, or he see this second murmuring of Israel only status as King's Persons. However, was decided that he should do penance in provided a surety or signed a note for the a month after their redemption fromMidrash Rabba sees these slaves as mere a manner that all his neighbors could see indebtedness. This was a case of an extra• Egypt, as just another one of the constant onlookers while the Egyptians would and in addition that he would be flogged. judicial sanction being applied since and tiring complaints of a make newly a pot roast, even as they said: This responsum relying on the consensus there is no basis in Jewish law for such a redeemed slave people. However, in"when we sat by the fleshpots and we did of all the leading authorities of the area, procedure. About a century later (1st half reality the question, "what shall we eat?", eat bread in plenty" • bread they ate but held that even without actual physicalof 14th century) Menachem of is an eternal one determining in no small not meat". Irrespective of which opinion contact, one who threatens another isMerseburg was called upon to decide the measure much of our culture, we our accept, G•d's answer is still true and obligated to do penance and may befollowing case. beat his pregnant thoughts and our daily lives. "'In thebasic to the problem of parnasa. flogged. R. Weil, relying on this opinion wife with a stick and she died. Witnesses sweat of your brow shall you eat bread'; that even in the absence of actual contact testified that the beating caused wounds "It was already a month since they had not by the sweat of the body nor of the one may be flogged, held that in thewhich we not present prior to the beating, left Egypt, (and) they had eaten the bread hands, but his godlike countenance, the instant case where there was an actualso that the beating was the cause of as well as the cattle and poultry that they seat of the mind, of insight, of all the attack, this penalty was even moredeath. His decision was that Isaac should had taken with them, and now they were divine light within him, will man have to essential. be beaten and flogged without pity. in the middle of a desert, far from Additionally, word of the incident should direct to obtaining his daily bread. This settlements or towns so they had a The punishment decided by R. Weil was be published in all communities so that was the punishment of and all his legitimate complaint" (Abarbanel). The that the assaulter, Reuven should seekwhen he was exiled, knowledge of his descendants, that the whole lamentable legitimacy of their complaint may be forgiveness from Shimon; in addition he deed should precede him. There are many condition of gaining a scanty subsistence seen in the absence of punishment for it. should be flogged and fined. In another authorities on both sides of the issue if would have to be snatched through Notwithstanding a this legitimacy, the case, Levi struck on the head with the present day Beit Din may inflict struggle with nature and with his fellow Torah tells us that the Manna was given a sword. Judah was confined to home for capital punishment. This is of course all men. Were this not so, strife betweennot only to satisfy their need but also to several weeks, after which time theoretical, he since the authority to impose man and man would not be so test them as to whether they will keep attended a social function away fromsuch punishment can only be done with pre•eminent and the idea of propertyG•d's commandments. The test of this home. About four weeks after the beating authority granted by the secular would not weigh so heavily on us" (S. R. assured livelihood is seen by many of our Judah died. Competent testimonyauthorities of the country where the Jews Hirsch, B'reishit 3:19). It is in this light commentators as the challenge of wealth indicated that the beating was probably happen to be living at the time. Most late of the question of Mankind's parnasa that and plenty that can bring man to not the direct cause of death. The local authorities hold that in extreme cases a the whole Manna story should be under• exaggerated self•worth, selfishness, and leaders were therefore of a mind severe to physical punishment may be stood. å 10 g å 11 g indolence/immorality. "Whether he will 16:19•20). Others went out to the fields and respectable tefila very seriously. walk in My law • when he will be on Shabbat to gather Manna only to find [4] Wisdom and Wit Accordingly, if one davens when he is provided for without pain' (Soforno):that, as Moshe had foretold, no Manna [5] Parsha Points to Ponder unable to hold in his need to eliminate "since bread from heaven needed nowould descend on Shabbat. It is easy for (regarding urination the matter is unclear preparation, G•d will see whether they us to question these actions of that [6] MicroUlpan • see Biur Halacha to 92:1) for 72 use that leisure to walk in the ways ofgeneration and to see them as spiritual minutes, his tefila is considered an Torah" (Or Hachayim). In contrast,weaklings. However, we suffer from that [7] from Machon Puah abomination, is disqualified, and needs to Ramban sees the test in not having food same fear of uncertainty. On Shabbat [8] Portion from the Portion be repeated (see Rambam, Tefilla 4:10). of their own, and being totally dependent there was no Manna, thus freeing them Even when one can wait 72 minutes, he on that which came to them from heaven; from the treadmill of the daily hunt for [9] Guest article should properly take care of his needs hungering for that which they had their to livelihood. Yet on Friday there was before davening if he feels any real urge gather daily. Also, in their having a to double portion to teach them that the [10] Torah from Nature to go to the bathroom even if, as a result, believe that the Manna would continue G•d who demands limitations can be [11] Shoham he will be unable to daven along with the for the 40 years of their wanderings. relied on to satisfy our needs. congregation (Mishna Berura 92:5). [12] Divrei Menachem The mitzvot that they were given would "One should know that one's material If one started davening when it was teach them how to overcome both these existence does not rest on one's shoulders [1] From the virtual desk of the OU forbidden and then thinks the matter over explanations of the test. In exactly thealone, even not primarily, but that every again, he must stop right away no matter same way • earning, spending, and saving tiny hungry soul is a direct object of VEBBE REBBE where he is in the tefila. However, if he money and economic assets whileG•d's constant and all•providing Love. The Orthodox Union – via its website – fields started when he did not need the facilities legitimate, is subject for us to over 100 of Without such a conviction there is no questions of all types in areas of kashrut, Jewish and then his situation “deteriorated” the Taryag mitzvot, enabling us limit to to the worry of ensuring the law and values. Some of them are answered by unusually quickly, the matter depends on sanctifying ourselves through that which necessities of life, not only in a Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advancedwhere he is in tefila and the severity of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, headed by Rav Yosef is permitted to us. wilderness but even in a world of plenty. Carmel and Rav Moshe Ehrenreich, founded by the urge. In Shemoneh Esrei, where it is This worry can make one believe that one HaRav Shaul Yisraeli zt"l, to prepare rabbanim forbidden to move under all but the most The miracles that accompanied must the by himself protect the whole future and dayanim to serve the National Religious severe circumstances, he must continue Manna also came to teach the correctof himself, his children, and community in Israel and abroad. Ask the Rabbi until the end and then go to the bathroom approach to the challenge of wealth. If grandchildren. So he seeks with complete is a joint venture of the OU, Yerushalayimeven if he will miss Kedusha (Shulchan one gathered more than was required by ruthlessness to acquire an ever•increasing Network, Eretz Hemdah... and the Israel Center. Aruch, Orach Chayim 92:2 and Mishna The following is a Q&A from Eretz Hemdah... his family then the excess simply melted share of the wealth of the world in order Berura 92:8). Only if he reaches the point away. Chazal learned fromto do so" (S.R. Hirsch). where restraining himself is considered this, so that the solution to disputed What happens if one has an urge to go to the bathroom that difficult to the point of being degrading ownership of a slave would be shown by Like Israel in the desert, we are required Q would one be able to leave his place in whoever received the omer of manna for to go out and gather our material needs, arises when he is in the middle of davening (Shemoneh Esrei the or midst of Shemoneh Esrei (Rama, him or the decision as to the true heirin the conviction that G•d provides. This Orach Chayim 92:2 and Mishna Berura would be shown by the allocation ofoptimism enables us to invest and work, other)? If and when should he go to the bathroom? Does he recite Asher92:11). Even in that case, if he is manna to his family (Yoma 75a).but it also teaches us the limitations of davening publicly and walking out in the However, once again, there is also the'enough', without which no morality is Yatzar when he returns? From where does he resume davening? middle will be of significant message of trust in G•d the Provider:viable. embarrassment, he may decide to "The measure of a man's parnasa is These are important questions, as continue davening (Mishna Berura, written between Rosh Hashana and Yom MISC section • contents: ibid.). Regarding Kri’at Sh'ma, he may Kippur" (Beitza 16a). A many people do not know what [1] Vebbe Rebbe to do or find it hard to followgo to the bathroom if he likes or continue Israel was commanded not to leave these halachot, which are a little counter• if he likes (Mishna Berura 92:9). anything of a day's ration over for the [2] Candle by Day intuitive to some of us. However, since he may not start next day, but "some did not obey and left Shemoneh Esrei in that state, it is best to some over till the morning" (Sh'mot[3] From Aloh Naaleh The (B'rachot 23a) takes thefind one of the relative breaks in Kri’at matter of preparing the body for a clean Sh'ma to go to the bathroom (ibid.). å 12 g å 13 g Regarding P’sukei D’zimra, one may go email to [email protected] with the generation and therefore they settled in a common tree that Hashem decided to to the bathroom between any of themessage: the and took possession hang His crown on.” sections of Psalms or before Yish•Subscribe/English (for the English version) or of it. Life was good and they felt very Subscribe/Hebrew (for the hebrew version). Shmuel Himelstein has written a wonderful tabach. He should not wait until after comfortable living in Egypt. It was only series for ArtScroll: Words of Wisdom, Words of Barchu, which begins the next section of Please leave the subject blank. Ask the Vebbe the slave labor and suffering that made Rebbe is partially funded by the Jewish Agency Wit; A Touch of Wisdom, A Touch of Wit; and tefila (ibid.). for Israel their descendants pray for redemption. "Wisdom and Wit" — available at your local Jewish bookstore (or should be). Excerpted with As long as one stopped properly, he can In order to prevent repeating the samethe permission of the copyright holder continue upon return to the place in the [2] Candle by Day scenario in future generations, the Divine tefila that he was up to. Even if he should Spirit was removed from Yaakov so that We are alive to be thankful. [5] Parsha Points to Ponder have stopped earlier, that which he said the people of Israel would constantly in any part of tefila other than Shemoneh From "A Candle by Day" pray for the final redemption and not Esrei is valid after the fact and therefore by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein settle permanently in foreign lands. VAYCHI he can continue from where he was A Candle by Day • The Antidote Regretfully, we today are witness to1) Why does the Torah have to mention (ibid.:6). The only issue is that if he spent • The World of Chazal many Jews who build themselvesthe names of Yosef's sons after relating more time in the bathroom than it takes by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein luxurious permanent homes in the exile that Yosef brought HIS TWO SONS to for him to recite the entire section he is Now available at 054•209•9200 and live comfortable lives in foreignYaakov (48:1). Since we already know in, he must return to the beginning of the lands. their names, why didn't the Torah just say section (Biur Halacha to 92:2). If he [3] either HIS TWO SONS or their actual started Shemoneh Esrei when he could CHIZUK and IDUD May God help all the Jews of the exile for Olim & not•yet•Olim respectively names? not have waited 72 minutes, the tefila see that the "beginning of the was valueless and therefore he must go In the beginning of Parshat Vaychi, Rashi redemption" has already arrived and that 2) Why did Yosef wait until after the back to its beginning. explains that the Parsha is "closed" the time to build permanent homes and blessing to try to correct Yaakov because Yaakov wanted to reveal the end settle the Promised Land is now andregarding the incorrect placement of his Regarding reciting Asher Yatzar upon(i.e. the time of the final redemption), and today. hands? (48:17) Why didn't he try to do so exiting the bathroom, the matter depends the Divine Spirit became "closed" to him. Chaim Liberman, Michmas before the blessing? on the place in tefila one finds himself. If The Kli Yakar explains the purpose of 3) Why does Yosef ask member of Par'o's he was in the middle of P’sukei D’zimra, TORAH THOUGHTS as contributed by Aloh removing the Divine Spirit from Yaakov household to relay the message to Par'o he would optimally make the b'racha at Naaleh members for publication in the Orthodox and what was achieved by it. that Yosef wanted to bury Yaakov in the first break between “paragraphs” of Union's 'Torah Insights', a weekly Torah Israel? (50:4) Why didn't Yosef speak P’sukei D’zimra (see Mishna BeruraKnowing the timetable of the end of the publication on Parshat HaShavu'a directly to Par'o? 51:8; Ishei Yisrael 16:6). If he went to exile is detrimental to the Jewish people, because when they know that the the bathroom during Kriwat Sh'ma or its [4] Wisdom & Wit b'rachot, he should wait to recite Asher redemption will only occur in the future, THESE ARE THE Yatzar until after Shemoneh Esrei (ibid. they will not pray for it to come in their R’ Moshe of Kobrin was known to point ANSWERS own generation. They will then build out the way people who had power over 66:23) (assuming he will not have felt a Ponder the questions first, then read here new urge to go to the bathroom by thepermanent, comfortable and luxuries others become conceited and considered time he has the chance to recite homes it). in foreign lands. The standard of themselves to be more important and1) The Ohr HaChayim answers that the During Shemoneh Esrei certainly oneliving will be so high that they will never above others. “Let us imagine,” he would Torah is teaching us that one should not would not be able to recite Asher Yatzar really pray to G•d with a sincere heart to say, “that someone took the royal crown think that Efrayim and Menashe were and must wait under all circumstances. bring them back to their promised from the head of the king, and placed it elevated to a higher status simply because homeland. on a tree. Would anyone think that thethey were Yosef's sons. While this was Ask the Rabbi Q&A is part of Hemdat Yamim, tree was important because of the crown certainly a factor as indicated by HIS the weekly parsha sheet published by EretzThis point is proven in the last verse of on it? The same applies,” he continued, TWO SONS, they also merited special Hemdah. You can read this section or the entire Parshat Mikeitz: "And Israel dwelt in the “when Hashem decides to have a certain Hemdat Yamim at www.ou.org land of or Goshen and took hold of the treatment and blessings due to their own person attain an important position. That www.eretzhemdah.org. And/or you can receive land." Yaakov's children knew that the righteousness as indicated by the specific person must always realize that he is but Hemdat Yamim by email weekly, by sending an Egyptian exile would not end during their mentioning of their names. å 14 g å 15 g 2) The Kli Yakar suggests that perhaps Nail clipper = person even though we are about to give [8] Yosef understood that his father intended MAK•TZEITZ TZIPORNAYIM them advice that is contrary to what they to give a blessing of wisdom and want to hear. File = P'TZIRA intelliegence to the firstborn, Menashe, Take fertility counseling for example, for and a blessing for material success toEmery board = MALTESHET SHAMIR this is what we do in the Puah Institute. . Thus, he put his left hand on Over 180 calls come in to the Puah by Rakel Berenbaum Menashe since the heart which represents [7] From Machon Puah Institute every single day from all over understanding and wisdom is on the left FEEDback to [email protected] Good Counseling the world. Many times the couples are side, and his right hand on Efrayim since wary of doing any treatment as they are "PACHAZ KAMAYIM" the liver which represents physicalWhen we recite the Vidui during our convinced that the halacha does not allow desires is on the right. However, once he prayers, we list sins alphabetically, them to treat, and some are not evenUNSTABLE AS WATER saw that there was just one blessing for Ashamnu, Bagadnu, etc. We have been willing to start fertility testing for theIn this week's portion, Yaakov, on his both sons, Yosef realized that he was guilty, we have betrayed, etc. One of the same reason. deathbed, gathers all his sons around mistaken and he immediately tried tostages of confession is "Ya'atznu Ra", we In this case the job of the Rabbi in Puah him to bless them (49:28). correct Yaakov. gave bad advice. This is one of the sins is to listen to the couple, to hear theirBut when we look closer at the 3) The Meshech Chochma explains that that we come before Hashem and ask for fears and their opinions and often verses to it seems like the first three at that time Yosef was an ONEIN,forgiveness, so giving bad advice must be gently guide them to the appropriatebrothers • Reuven, Shimon and Levi • preparing for his father's pretty burial. serious. testing and treatment. The Rabbi has to did not receive a blessing, but rather According to the Ramban, an ONEIN is I once heard Rabbi Avraham Twerski ask encourage the couple to do what a is telling off. So much so that Rashi not only not allowed to perform mitzvot, the following question in the name of his necessary within a halachic framework (49:8) tells us that Yehuda who but he also cannot wash, anoint, or care father. Man naturally has a yetzer hara, and not to prevent them from using the listened to everything his father had for his asthetic needs. Even the Rambam, an evil inclination, to sometimes do a sin, technology and medical advances that are said to his other three brothers before who disagrees, agrees that ittherefore is things that are sins are tempting available. him started moving away from his disrespectful to the deceased parent for to man. A person is drawn to acts that are In the next few weeks we will look atfather because he was afraid to hear the child to dress in his best clothing and forbidden and must overcome his evil some aspects of fertility counseling and what his father would say to him. really focus on his looks. Thus, Yosef, inclination. the sensitivity needed. There were definitely things his father who was an ONEIN during this timeBut what yetzer hara is there in giving could scold him about. If in fact period could very well have felt that he bad advice? Who has a desire to give The Puah Institute for Fertility and Gynecology Yaakov was blessing his children, could not wash, prepare, and dressanother person bad advice? in Accordance with Halacha is based why in does he start off by rebuking his himself in the way he would have to in Jerusalem and helps couples from all over the eldest children? What are we to learn Rabbi Twerski's point was that the Vidui world who are experiencing fertility problems. order to stand before the king and, from this? therefore, he had no choice but to speak does not speak about the malicious giving Puah offers free counseling in five languages, to member of Par'o's household instead. of bad advice, rather it refers to giving halachic supervision and educational programs. First of all, as much as we all enjoy advice that we thought was good, but is Puah has offices in New York, Los Angeles and hearing good things about ourselves, Parsha Points to Ponder is prepared by Rabbi in fact bad. How can advice given in Paris. To contact the Puah Institute please call (02) 651•5050 in Israel or 718•3360603 in the the Torah teaches us that rebuke, Dov Lipman, who teaches at Reishit good will for the benefit of the other when done properly, is beneficial to Yerushalayim, Tiferet, and Machon Maayan in US. possibly be bad advice? our development and should be Beit Shemesh and RBS and is the author of Visit our website at www.puah.org.il "DISCOVER: Answers for Teenagers (and When we give advice to another, we have looked upon as a blessing. This is adults) to Questions about the Jewish Faith",just to have their best interests at heart and to certainly the case between a parent re•published by Feldheim, [email protected] give advice that will the best for them. and a child, as it says in Mishlei (Proverbs 29:17) "Correct thy son This is harder than it sounds, as many and he will give you rest; and he will [6] MicroUlpan times the person receiving the counseling give delight to thy soul." If we don't Many of the words in this TT featureactually wants something that is scold our children, point out to them come from the MILON CHAZUTI, the detrimental to his health, or to his how they can improve their behavior, Visual Dictionary (Steimatzky, Carta). wellbeing, and the first stage in how will they ever know? They will counseling is to gain the trust of the å 16 g å 17 g just continue with their mistakes and the nation. But by pointing out to him Mix all the salad ingredients. Mix all brothers deliberately said, “Your servants not give themselves or their parents this character trait, he was able to ingredients for the dressing, shake are shepherds”, so that Par'o would move any blessing. Mishlei even tells uswork on himself to perfect it. We may well pour over salad when ready to them away from the Egyptians, for “all that "Open rebuke is better thanall sometimes act before we think, but serve. shepherds are detestable to Egypt.” hidden love" (27:5). when we look at water we can HaAmek Davar says that, in spite of the remember Yaakov's words to his son Dressing: The biggest blessing on can give to fact that living apart from the Egyptians Reuven and slow ourselves down. 1/3 cup sugar another person is to tell them exactly would make the Egyptians detest them, what they are now so they can work 1/4 cup red wine vinegar Yosef nevertheless wanted to have his on themselves accordingly. I have Since we talked about the term, 1½ tsp. lemon juice brothers in isolation, in order to preserve been personally rebuked for not"unstable as water", this week's their purity as Jews. being good about time • coming late, 1/4 cup salad oil recipe uses watercress. Watercress R’ Raphael Hirsch takes this handing things in after the deadline. is a member of the mustard family. It 2 tsp. chili sauce idea, and adds: “As long as the ethical This reminds me that this is the area has small, crisp, dark green leaves dawn of the other nations had not yet that I must make more effort and 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce and has a peppery flavor. It can be come, it was the partitions which the work harder on myself. Each person eaten raw or used in soups and other 1/4 tsp. dry mustard other nations erected which preserved will hear different types of rebuke, but dishes. It is mentioned in the Talmud Israel from being infected by the they all should not be insulted but 1/4 tsp. curry powder as one of the vegetables that could corruption of the people among whom it take it as helpful words that can bring Few dashes of Tabasco sauce be used for Marror at the dwelled for hundreds of years. That is them blessing. seder. In Hebrew it is called GARGIR 1 clove garlic, crushed why Yosef stressed here a step which So let us look closer at one of theNECHALIM (G'URA or GARGIR) would arouse Egyptian loathing, with the sons rebuked by Yaakov. He tellsbecause it grows near the running [9] Guest article clear intention of thereby having set aside Reuven, that he is "my firstborn, my water of springs. It is an antioxidant , for his brothers a special place for their strength and the beginning of myis an aid for digestive problems and is The First Ghetto in Jewish dwellings.” manhood, first in rank and power"said to have cancer•suppressing History (49:3). Reuven as the first born son properties. If you have a hard time Various Rishonim, though, give different should have been the king, finding but watercress this year, you can by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher explanations for Yosef’s advice to his Yaakov continues, "You are unstable use argula, spinach, parsley, endives Dean of Students, Diaspora Yeshiva brothers to have them tell Par'o that they were shepherds. Yosef wanted to involve as water, you will no longer haveor any other bitter greens instead, in Goshen in Egypt was the first “ghetto” in them in productive and creative work, in preemenence" (:4). Water rushes in this salad. Oranges are also in Jewish history. Historians say that every which they would be able to support quickly to any place • sometimes to season now so this is a practical, place and every time, it was the Jews themselves without excessive effort. It is places where it is inappropriate.healthy salad. who created the ghettos, as a way to keep true, says Abarbanel, that Yosef could Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz says this apart from the people among whom they have made his brothers government metaphor was chosen to show lived and so that they could live in a officials, but he did not want them to impulsivity. Whether Yaakov wasWATERCRESS & ORANGE SALAD Jewish atmosphere among themselves. assume positions of authority, preferring referring to the episode with the2 heads of lettuce, The non•Jews only erected the walls and to have them engage in easy and clean mandrakes (30:14) or with Bilha gates to the ghettos, in order to prevent torn into bite sized pieces work. (35:22), the message is clear, he felt the Jews from leaving the quarters which that his son Reuven had not shown 1 cup watercress leaves (or listed they themselves had set up. Sometimes, Rabbenu Bachya lays great stress on the leadership qualities. Reuven hadsubstitutes) the Jews were shut up in ghettosethical value of working as a shepherd. acted impulsively without weighing 2 oranges, peeled ostensibly for their own protection, but in He lists two advantages of this type of the consequences of his behavior. and cut in segments most cases it was done to prevent them work: (a) One earns money from the We ourselves have been witness to from forming any close ties with theirwool, the lambs, and the milk; (b) as “all 2 avocados, peeled and sliced the consequences of a leader who neighbors. shepherds are detestable to Egypt”, the acts without thinking first. Because of 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional) brothers would not have any competition The first voluntary ghetto of this kind this character trait, Reuven was not and would have this work entirely to salt and pepper to taste was in Goshen. Kli Yakar says Yosef’s chosen by Yaakov to be the leader of themselves. This way they would find å 18 g å 19 g satisfaction and sustenance in their work. his sons became shepherds, settled in jade... Others see it as a black stone... The Spitting cobras can inject venom in their This type of work, adds Rabbenu Bachya, Goshen, and had no contact with the shoham was the stone of (others bites, but can also force venom out, under also brings about spiritual elevation.Egyptians. Yosef’s plan eventually led to say Asher's) pressure, through tiny channels in their Shepherds live in the midst of nature, and our early redemption from Egypt after fangs. Raising the front half of its body, not with other people • and people are 210 years, instead of 400 years. the snake can aim venom at the eyes and [11] Divrei Menachem full of lies, talebearing and other evil mucous membranes of its target, over 3 With the dramatic close of Sefer practices. The isolation which shepherds [10] Torah from Nature: feet away. B'reishit, Yaakov is poised to bless his experience is a necessary condition for Snakes prophecy. The greatest prophets, such as The Brahminy blind snake (harmless,children. The language with which he Eliyahu and Elisha, isolated themselves "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the 15•40 cm long, resembles an earthworm) beckons his sons is instructive: "Hei'• in the desert. Other shepherds were Hevel tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a snake by are all females. When mature, they lay asfu V'agida Lachem" • 'Assemble (Abel), Moshe, Shmuel, David andthe way, an adder in the path, that bites fertile eggs, and the young are clones of yourselves and I will tell you [what will Shaul. the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall the mother. befall you].' And then, 'Gather yourselves backward." (B'reishit 49:16,17) • "Hikavtsu" • and listen, sons of Yaakov, Living in the city involves the acquiring The tail of the Calabar ground boa is and listen to Yisrael your father.' of more and more possessions andBritannica Concise Encyclopedia says blunt, cylindrical and has white scales on The terms "Hei'asfu" and "V'agida" luxuries, whereas Yosef wanted to enable that snakes are "Any member of about 19 the underside, and altogether appears (associated with the Hebrew "Aguda" or his brothers to live a more simple life. reptile families (of the suborder very much like a head. When threatened, Serpentes, order Squamata) that has no the snake coils into a ball, hides its head, 'Association') stress the importance of the Yosef wanted to instill in his brothers the limbs, voice, external ears, or eyelids, leaving the less vulnerable tail exposed to Jewish people joining together in order to characteristic of compassion, and that only one functional lung, and a long, confuse predators. draw in the blessings, since each tribe, was why he made them shepherds. A slender body. About 2900 snake species with its distinctive nature, has the shepherd is compassionate towards his Seven of the 10 most deadly snakes live are known to exist, most living in the potential to go its own particular way. flock, and all the more so, toward people. in Australia. The Fierce Snake of tropics... covered with scales... good However, the term "Hikavtsu" That was also the reason that Par'o did Australia is reputed to be the most eyesight... taste the surrounding air with (associated with the Hebrew for 'Group') not take them into his army. A person venemous snake in the world, but it is their tongues... lack any voice, but are implies that assembling together is not who was taught to be compassionate non•agressive and no human deaths have capable of hissing. Most live on the enough. In order to achieve the sacred could not serve in the Par'o’s army, been attributed to it. ground, but some are arboreal or aquatic, goals, each tribe must collaborate with because being in the army meant being and some are burrowers. They move by The Emerald tree boa is born red the or others, first and foremost by cruel and shedding blood. muscular contraction... 70% of their yellow, and changes to green after about maintaining peace among themselves and Even before Par'o knew that Yosef,mostly solitary existence is spent a year. then by functioning as one unit. brothers were shepherds, Yosef had atracking, capturing, and digesting their Fastest Snake: black mamba aggressive, First Yaakov addresses the tribes as the message sent to Par'o that “My father and living prey... swallow large prey whole... venomous... "Sons of Ya'akov" and then he advises my father’s house.. have come to me.”a single meal can often sustain them for them to listen to, "Your father, Yisrael". Longest Venomous Snake: king cobra... He stressed that they had come, with the weeks... About one•tenth of snake species First, then, tied to our roots, we listen enough vemon to kill an Asian elephant... idea that they would be of use to Par'o, are venomous; some can kill humans somewhat passively, like children to their just as Yosef himself was. However, after with their bite. Others kill their prey by Heaviest Snake: green anaconda, a.k.a. father. But then we internalize the higher hearing that Yosef’s brothers wereconstriction or simply ingesting. Species water boa... Amazon and Orinoco River purpose of the princely, proactive shepherds, Par'o had no further interest in range from less than 5 in. (12 cm) to over basins of South America... Yisrael, as individuals and as a group. them, and said, “Your father and your30 ft (9 m) long. Snakes grow Longest Snake: (possibly) reticulatedOnly then are we ready to actualize our brothers have come to you.” He decided continuously throughout their lives, python... (maybe the anaconda) in thenational mission on the road to that he had no need for them. shedding their outgrown skin at each 10m range (more than 30 feet). redemption. Yosef achieved the goal which growth he increment... Unrelated extra tidbit: Shabbat Shalom, Menachem Persoff wanted, to separate his brothers from the Additional snake facts, culled from the Egyptians, and to enable them to live an web... Shoham: Onyx in Greek... a stone having ethical life in which they would support bands of black, white and red or other Snakes can have over 300 pairs of ribs. themselves from their work. Yaakov and colors... perhaps, as an emerald colored å 20 g å 21 g Towards Better Davening spelled it VAICHI. (not just problems). Kayin and of B'reishit finds us. In Hevel. Yishmael and Yitzchak, Mitzrayim. and Torah Learning This year, we've gone for VAYCHI or Yaakov and Eisav, Yosef and his Chazak is for the conclusion of VAY•CHI, with the two syllables being brothers. Reuven on the onew Refresher on... the book of B'reishit. VAY (not rhyming with the English hand and Levi, Yehuda, and words BAY, DAY, GAY, HAY, etc. but Yosef on the other. Peretz and The photo between the Y'SI•M'CHA ELOKIM K’EFRAYIM w Zerach. Efrayim and Menashe. donkey's nose and the boy V’CHIM•NASHE rather rhyming with BY, GUY, WHY) being blessed is a picture of and CHI (rhymes with BEE, SEA...). The crowned is for Yehuda, w Kever David and refers to the Specifically, the first word. The syllables Using the Y rather than an I, gives the as is the lion cub. Yehuda's haftara. are Y'SI and M'CHA (not the moreYUD its consonant sound rather than bracha refers to him as a GUR making the PATACH under the VAV Then there are the "natural" Y'SIM•CHA). This is so (cub), ARYEI and LAVI ( at w because the SH'VA under the is and the YUD/SH'VA into a dipthong different stages of their lives). unexplaineds and... NA and starts the second syllable, rather (remember those?). Yehuda Leib is a common than closing the first syllable, as would name•pair based on TTRIDDLES... this are Torah be the case if the SH'VA were NACH. Sounds picky, we know, but it polishes bracha. And his kingship Tidbits•style is riddles on Parshat HaShavua This is not what we would expect for a our pronunciation of Hebrew and there symbolized by the crown, of(sometimes on the calendar). They are LETTER/SH'VA following the SIn with are many examples of similar attention course. found in the hard•copy of TT scattered we should pay to the NA• and a CHIRIK CHASEIR. CHIRIKs come in The wolf is Binyamin. Binyamin throughout, usually at the bottom of NACH•state of SH'VAs, in general, and w different columns. In the electronic two flavors • the short vowel without a Ze’ev Volf is also a common the different functions of a YUD, in versions of TT, they are found all together YUD after it and the long vowel with a combination of names. YUD following. Here there is no YUD, particular. An unvoweled YUD in the at the end of the ParshaPix•TTriddles middle of a word is often not heard at all, The faucet is for Reuven (based section. The best solution set submitted but the METEG, that little vertical line w under the SIN, makes the CHIRIK long, and sometimes it lengthens the previous on what Yaakov said to him). each week (there isn't always a best) wins a double prize a CD from Noam as if there was a YUD. vowel. More on this another time. The Israel Postal Authority w Productions and/or a gift (game, puzzle, emblem is for Naftali. Naftali book, etc.) from Big Deal. The name of the sedra... again Tzvi Hirsh, or two of those three names often come together. Last issue’s (Vayigash) TTriddles: Over the years, we've tried to polish the The snake is for Dan. • The pronunciation and the transliteration of A classic, crowded ParshaPix w TTriddles are scattered through the hard w donkey is for Yissachar the name of this week's sedra. Long ago, with loads of sedra starting copy of Torah Tidbits and are listed in The ship is for Zevulun • The we abandoned the common VAYECHI points for you and your family w the email and web versions. They are in for VAY'CHI, but that didn't go far and Shabbat guests. bread is Asher the order in which they are found in the enough in taking care of the SH'VA The math•like statement stands hard copy, but not necessarily in the Lock and chain in upper left is w under the first YUD. VAYECHI almost w for Efrayim and Menashe are order in which they were originally for the "super•closed" nature of conceived. In the wild, they are makes the vowel a SEGOL, which it the beginning of VAICHI. like (approx. equal to) Reuven definitely is not. And VAY'CHI gives the and Shimon. Numerically, this sometimes overlooked. If you are The bed is mentioned more interested, go page by page and keep impression that the SH'VA is NA, with w is so too. E&M = 732 and R&S the apostrophe giving it a very shortened than once at the beginning of = 731. your eyes peeled. the sedra. vowel sound. But the SH'VA is not NA, There is a Davka graphic of a w [1] 1 silver rupee weighs 11.7 grams it is NACH. A SH'VA NACH has no The crossed hands are father blessing his son (the w Monetary unit of India, the Maldives, vowel sound. It just let's the letter it is Yaakov's, as he put his right words of the bracha come from Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, the under be heard as a closing consonant hand on Efrayim's head and his Vaychi) sound to a syllable. So in the recent past, left on Menashe's. It should not Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. There is a unit The Pyramids in the hot desert we went for VAI•CHI, indicating the two escape our attention that the w of weight used in India, equal to the syllables of the word VAI and CHI. And Book of B'reishit is FILLED with sun remind us where the sedra weight of one silver rupee (11.7 grams or sometimes we dropped the hyphen and firstborn•second child issues takes place and where the end 180 grains). That unit is called the å 22 g å 23 g TOLA, just like the name of one of hardly anyone else. It is a play on the MEM, LAMED, and CHAF (three remember signs to Goshen, New York on Yissachar's sons, as listed in Parshatwords referring to Binyamin (who in consecutive letters in reverse alphabetical Route 17. Vayigash. The name stayed in the tribe of Vaychi is called Z'EV, a wolf), order) inserted between the two YUDs. Yissachar, as we find in the book ofV'KARAHU ASON. It really means, [11] The numerical commonality with Shoftim (10:1): And after Avimelech"and harm befall him", but it also sounds [8] Although it can't happen, what his great•great•great•great•great•great• there arose to defend Israel Tola the son like (with the Ashkenazic pronunciation), would connect Vayigash to the first great•great•grandfather's part of the of Pua the son of Dodo, a man and of he will be called ASON (as in day of Chanuka? 70 , and he lived in Shamir in Mount ATON, donkey). Told you it was a bad Vayigash is most often the David HaMelech's great (8) grand•father Efrayim. play on words. on the post•Chanuka Shabbat (as it was is Yehuda. Yehuda's part of the 70 souls this year). But its common factor with the who went into Egypt was the [2] Had he lived, he would be a triple [6] Koror is his son's capital? first day of Chanuka • specifically, thesection of 33 souls. David HaMelech inheritor Koror is the capital of Palau on the island Torah reading of the first day of Chanuka reigned for 33 years in Yerushalayim, EIR, first son of Yehuda. Had he lived, of Koror in the western Pacific Ocean. (or the Maftir, if the first candle having is previously reigned in Chevron for he would have inherited the doublePalau sound like PALU, son of Reuven. Shabbat), is AGALOT, wagons. In the seven years. A computer search of portion of Yehuda's inheritance. Since his Palau (now pronounced as rhyming with Chanuka context, the beginning Tanach of for SH'LOSHIM V'SHALOSH name sounds just like "heir", he wouldRav Lau, but formerly pronounced p'loo, Bamidbar 7 tells us of the wagons that (33) finds only these two contexts. have been a triple inheritor. which would make it a even closer were given to two of the three Levi sound•alike to Reuven's son) is group of families for carrying parts of the Mishkan This week's TTriddles: [3] Is this one the offspring of an about 200 volcanic islands and islets in during travels in the Midbar. In extraterrestrial? the Caroline Islands of the western Vayigash, Yosef sent wagons (which[1] Moshav Migdal When Yaakov is telling his sons why he Pacific Ocean. When the Carolines commentaries tell us was a private signal [2] It's an essential part of CPR and refuses to let Binyamin go down withbecame part of the Federated States of to his father, to assure him that he really the sign for this week's sedra week them to Egypt, he mentions what hasMicronesia in 1978, Palau chose to form was Yosef and that he remained true to already happened with Yosef. The words a republic in free association with the his upbringing during his years [3]of Yosef and the Kohein Gadol and can be TTriddlized as follows:United States, which became effective in absence) to bring Yaakov and familyfor a similar reason VAYEITZEI HA'ECHAD MEI'ITI... and 1994. The capital is Koror. Population: down to Egypt. one of them came out of E.T. 20,600. Now you know. [4] The final word • this week & last [9] B'or Binyamin Azaz [5] Two of Yirmiyahu's prophecies and [4] Neither 180 nor 240, but very much [7] The family name attached to a BELA is the name of at least three people one of Yaakov's brachot were said 180 is SAMACH•SAMACH•SAMACH College of Education in Jerusalem in Tanach. BELA ben B'or was an early emphatically (60 x 3) and 240 is PEI•PEI•PEI (80 x 3). would fit into this week's sedra in place king of Edom, whose city was Dinhava; This is the way printers of Chumashim of Ohad. Why? BELA ben Binyamin is the first named [6] 421 double indicate the end of a sedra. Most sedras, The David Yellin College of Education son of the 10 sons recorded in Parshat that is. Five sedras end with CHAZAK was established in 1913 by the educator Vayigash for Binyamin; BELA ben Azaz [7] If JBC had sheep instead of books, (can you name them quickly withoutDavid Yellin and his colleagues who ben Shema ben Yo'el of the tribe they of could be... much thinking? Don't send your answers were pioneers in teaching in modern Reuven as mentioned in [8] Divrei Like water in the desert in, just test yourself... and your children Hebrew. Now follow this: Yellin in HaYamim Alef (5:8). and/or Shabbat guests). One sedra • only Hebrew is YUD•LAMED•YUD•. [9] has the rain a father?... Iyov 32:28 one sedra • does not end at a parsha break The sons of Shimon are Y'mu'el, Yamin, [10] More than half of the States have • VAYIGASH. Its last word is M'OD,Ohad, Yachin, Tzochar, and Sha'ul. This one [10] Unexplaineds in the ParshaPix which is the "very much" of the TTriddle. TTriddle is interested only in three of the 26 states in the US have a "populated sons: Yamin, Ohad, and Yachin. Yamin place" (village, town, city...) called [5] They were groaningly afraid of is YUD•MEM•YUD•NUN and Yachin is GOSHEN. It seems that Indiana's Binyamin not being called a wolf but YUD•CHAF•YUD•NUN. Pull out Ohad Goshen, with about 30,000 people is the rather a donkey by Ashkenazim and replace it with Yellin and you have a largest among the Goshens. Some New This is an attempted play on words neat • sequence of the word YAYIN with a York City TTreaders who vacationed in hopefully appreciated by punsters and the Catskills during the summer, might å 24 g å 25 g