בס“ד Toronto Beit Midrash Zichron Dov

Parshat Yitro 22 Shevat 5773/February 2, 2013 Vol.4 Num. 20

This issue of Toronto Torah is sponsored by Esther and Craig Guttmann בריינדל בת ישעיהו ז“ל ,in memory of Esther’s mother Two Tablets, Two Approaches Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Should we punish crime harshly, message on the first tablet is this: We simultaneously insists upon standards expressing our disgust with the have a relationship with Hashem. more lofty than DNA and the opposable human soul which has degraded itself, thumb. Moshe demands that our or do we try for a more gentle We may read both of these views into expectations be founded on the rehabilitation, respecting the inherent Yitro's visit at the beginning of our principle of merit - and so the Egyptians value of the human soul? Each view parshah, and a split between the deserve their fate, and we must accept has its merits, and each view is approaches of Moshe and Yitro. As the that. anchored in the story of the creation of Torah puts it, "Yitro heard all that humanity as well as the tablets upon Hashem had done for Moshe, and for In His role as judge and executioner for which were inscribed the Aseret the Jewish people." (Shemot 18:1) all of the punishments listed in the haDibrot. Understanding this literally, Yitro heard Torah, Hashem appears to take Moshe’s how Hashem had split the sea for us, side, and that of the first tablet: The view that human life possesses and how Hashem had provided manna Humanity’s Divine protection is linked automatic value takes its cue from and water in the desert. Yitro was to its spiritual accomplishment, and G-d's initial instruction to humanity. excited by all of the good things Hashem those who fall short are unworthy of When G-d created Adam and Chavah, had done for the Jewish people; he Divine favour. True, we are taught that He told them, "Bear fruit and become mentioned nothing, explicitly, about the Hashem is "pained" when He metes out many." There were no explicitly stated harm done to the Egyptians. a penalty, but Hashem is described in qualifications, such as, "Bear fruit if Shemot 15 as a warrior, ready and able you will follow My commandments," or, On the other hand, Moshe told Yitro to act with violence against those who "Become many in order to serve G-d." more about what had been happening, violate His demands. Further, we will And at Sinai, the second tablet bore and with a very different focus. The soon read about the Golden Calf, and instructions not to murder, not to Torah informs us (ibid. 18:8) that the way Moshe instructed the family of steal, not to commit sexual immorality, Moshe told his father-in-law everything Levi to wield their swords and attack not to testify falsely about others, and that Hashem had done to Pharaoh and those who had worshipped this idol, to not to covet, without explicit to Egypt. This was not about the execute without trial or hearing. limitations like, "Don’t murder Torah salvation of the Jews, but the Hashem honoured those same Levites scholars," "Don’t testify against punishment of the Egyptians, the with the opportunity to work in the Beit philanthropists." The spiritual level of humiliation of Pharaoh, the plagues, the haMikdash, the ultimate place of peace. the victim is not a consideration. death, and the drowning in the sea. Yitro came to hear positives, but Moshe To return to our opening passage: The second view, that human life is said, "I also want to tell you about how Granted that these sources seem to valuable only insofar as it is used in a Hashem punished the Egyptians." militate for harsh justice, it would be worthy way, takes its cue from Divine absurd to present practical guidelines creation "in His image," with an No one can question Moshe’s for criminal justice on the basis of this associated spiritual capacity. Sinai's compassion or his sensitivity to brief, somewhat oversimplified analysis. first tablet explicitly declares the suffering; from his youth to his old age, However, we may deduce a lesson spiritual expectations placed upon Moshe endangered himself to save regarding the way we deal with each of us, beginning with, "I am others from pain. According to a classic ourselves. When addressing other Hashem, your G-d," and continuing to midrash (Shemot Rabbah 2), Moshe was people, we might opt for the second warn us about worshipping G-d, hired to lead the Jews because of his tablet and the way of Yitro, honouring honouring the Divine and great compassion! Surely, Moshe agrees all human beings, but for ourselves we commemorating Divine Creation. The that we treasure human life - but he ought to choose the "image of G-d" and the tablet that says, "Your value depends on what you do with your life." Special Mini-Series Beginning This Week! May our expectation of ourselves and of our children be not the least-common- Controversial Episodes in Tanach denominator "Do not murder," but with Adam Frieberg, 8:00 PM Tuesdays at Shaarei Tefillah "Anochi Hashem Elokecha," to develop and live in a relationship with G-d.

David and Batsheva [email protected] with Hillel Horovitz, 7:30 PM Tues. at Kehillat Shaarei Torah We are grateful to Continental Press 905-660-0311 Praying for Death Yair Manas Hitoriri: Jewish Spirituality

There is a contemporary debate about 1:91) agrees, but adds one caveat. He The Fleeting Moment the propriety of praying for the death of says that even when a person prays for a sick person. The topic originates in a the death of a sick person, he must Rabbi Ezra Goldschmiedt , is discussed by one of the continue to take all actions necessary rishonim, and is debated by modern to prolong the life of the person, After being miraculously saved by a poskim. including desecrating Shabbat to save near-death experience, an individual the person. Evidently, failure to take approached the Chazon Ish with the The (Ketuvot 104a) says that the proper action to save a person following question: 'After my experience, when Rebbi was on his deathbed, the equals actively killing him, but praying I was inspired; I felt like my life would sages decreed that everyone should fast for the death of another is not active never be the same. Yet the next day, my for him, and that everyone should pray killing. tefillah was no different than before! for mercy for him. Rebbi’s maidservant Why hasn't this experience carried me went to the roof of the building, and Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer to spiritual growth?' 'One sees and one prayed, “Those above want Rebbi, and - Ramat Rachel 5:5) fundamentally sees and one doesn't change,' the those below want Rebbi. May it be Your disagrees with the above approach on Chazon Ish replied.'Miracles make us will that those below prevail.” When she two grounds. First, he notes that Ran desire a life of perfection and greater saw how difficult Rebbi’s life was, she is the only early authority who holiness, but our baser inclinations changed her mind, and instead prayed suggests to pray for someone to die, then work even harder to bring us back for Rebbi’s death. She prayed, “Those and that the Tur, the Shulchan Aruch, to equilibrium.' No one moment, above want Rebbi, and those below and all other halachic works do not however incredible, can bring us to lead want Rebbi. May it be Your will that quote the Ran's view as the normative inspired lives. (C.R. Wagschal, You Can those above prevail.” When she saw halachah. Rabbi Waldenberg also Make the Difference, page 204) that the sages continued to pray for attacks the proof from the story of Rebbi to live, she dropped a pot from Rebbi’s maidservant. He suggests that The Gemara in Zevachim (116a) the roof, and the sound caused the if we take a closer look at the story, we remarks that Yitro was moved to join rabbis to stop praying. When they see that there are actually two the Israelites after hearing about the stopped praying, Rebbi died. We see in opinions about davening for death. splitting of the sea and the war against this gemara that Rebbi’s maidservant Rebbi’s maidservant davens for death, Amalek. Rabbi Menachem Mendel of prayed for him to die. but the sages daven for life. The Kotzk (Emet VeEmunah 391) notes that halachah should then follow the sages, among all of the miraculous events of Ran (Nedarim 40a) suggests that there and it should be forbidden to daven for the Exodus, these two stand out for the are times when it is actually someone to die! We must note that lesson they teach us about the appropriate to pray for someone to die. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe psychology of inspiration. Until these For example, if a person is in great CM 2:73) points out that the halachah events, Yitro felt that the world order pain, and will not live for much longer, often does follow the actions of the would change and that he could watch the Ran says that one “must” request maidservant of Rebbi, when they are it all unfold from the comfort of his mercy so that the sick person will die. recorded in the gemara. Thus, one who home; the clear display of G-d's He proves this from the act of Rebbi’s is unfortunately presented with such providence through the course of the maidservant. But do we follow this an issue should consult with their exodus would inspire the entire world to view? Should one pray for the death of a Rabbi for guidance. live in service of G-d, and acknowledge the Israelites' ability to lead that charge. sick person? [email protected] But then came Amalek. Despite the awe The Aruch HaShulchan (YD 335:3) engendered by the splitting of the sea – quotes Ran, indicating that he thinks the height of G-d expressing His might that this is the halachah. Rabbi Shlomo and providence to the world – a nation Zalman Auerbach (Minchat Shlomo had the brazenness to challenge Him and His people. The lesson the world had learned was forgotten far too easily. 613 Mitzvot: #241-242 As powerful and inspiring as a moment in time can be, it is only a moment, Blame G-d, Not Man with an effect that over time will Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner naturally fade away. Yitro learned from Amalek that when it comes to the hold The Torah instructs us not to take antagonist as the root of his troubles. of an inspiring moment, nothing is revenge (#241) and not to bear a This removes G-d from the picture, and guaranteed. To live a life of growth, he grudge (#242). “Revenge” is defined as the Jew is meant to seek messages from would need more than an internal acting against someone, or refusing to G-d in his suffering. [We are taught that resolve to do so; Yitro learned that he help him, if he has harmed me in the not every form of suffering is punishment needed to place himself in an past. “Bearing a grudge” refers to from G-d, but we are also taught to treat environment which would actively reminding people of their past it as though we are meant to learn reinforce that resolve and create new offenses. something from it.] Thus, rather than look opportunities for inspiration on a to take revenge, we confirm our faith by regular basis. Obviously, these prohibitions are placing the “blame” upon G-d and not necessary for the sake of human upon Man. May we, too, go beyond the inspired society, but the Sefer haChinuch moment, taking practical steps to identified another issue involved as [email protected] ensure that we can be successful when, well. A person who takes revenge, or inevitably, that inspiration leaves us.

harbors a grudge, views his [email protected]

2 Visit us at www.torontotorah.com Biography: Rabbi Meir Simchah haKohen Adam Frieberg This Week in Israeli History Rabbi Meir Simchah HaKohen was born Shevat 25 1942 Torah in Translation in 1843 in a village near Vilna and lived for many years in Bialystok. In 1888 he The Murder of The Fall of our Foes was appointed rabbi of Dvinsk, serving alongside Rabbi Yosef Rosen (the Avraham Stern

Rabbi Meir Simchah haKohen "Rogatchover Gaon"), who led the Hillel Horovitz Meshech Chochmah Shemot 12:16 Chassidic community. 25 Shevat is Tuesday Translated by Adam Frieberg In 1906, after the passing of Rabbi Avraham Stern was the founder of Avraham David Rabinowitz (Aderet, the Lechi (Lochamei Cherut Yisrael) Shemot 12:16 says, "On the first day shall be father-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak underground organization. Lechi a holy convocation and on the seventh day HaKohen Kook), the rabbinate of activities against the British Mandate shall be a holy convocation." During the Jerusalem was offered to Rabbi Meir led the British to launch a broad Pesach that was observed in Egypt, the Simchah. He declined, agreeing to the manhunt for Stern and his prohibition of chametz was only for one day, request of his community to remain in colleagues; in January 1942, British and they have also written that the festival Dvinsk. That same year, a man claimed police put a prize of 1000 pounds on was not practiced. In my opinion, G-d taught to have discovered two tractates of the their heads. Stern was forced to this generation something for future , Bechorot and wander the streets of Tel Aviv, generations [i.e., the full 7-day holiday] in Chullin, which had been lost for carrying a folding cot and a suitcase order to teach them the perfection of G-d’s centuries. Rabbi Meir Simchah, along holding a Tanach and a Hebrew commandments. All other nations, with their with the Rogatchover Gaon, Rav Ber dictionary. In the last three weeks of rational religions, make the day of victory, Rothner and the Gerrer Rebbe, proved his life, Stern lived in the home of the day of their enemy’s downfall, into a that these "newly discovered editions" Tova and Moshe Savorai, in the victory celebration. Not so in Israel; they do were clever forgeries. Florentine neighbourhood in Tel Aviv. not rejoice at the downfall of their enemies, On 25 Shevat (February 12), 1942, they do not celebrate this happily, as Rabbi Meir Simchah remained in Dvinsk there was a soft knock at the door of Proverbs 24:17-18 states, “Do not rejoice throughout World War I, and passed the Savorai home. Stern hid in a when your enemy falls, and when he away there in 1926. Rabbi Meir closet, and Tova went to the door. At stumbles let not your heart exult, lest G-d Simchah authored two well-known the entrance stood British officer see and it will be bad in His eyes and He will works: the "Or Sameach" commentary James Wilkin, with two British turn His wrath from upon him.” We see that on Rambam's Mishneh Torah and detectives. The detectives found a refined person should not rejoice in the "Meshech Chochmah", a commentary on Stern. When their supervisor, downfall of his enemy, for such happiness is the Torah. Geoffrey Morton, arrived, he sent out wrong in the eyes of G-d; one must hate that most of the room's occupants. Then which is bad in the eyes of G-d! And [email protected] three shots were heard by those therefore, Pesach is not called, “The Festival outside, and Stern was dead. of Matzot, for then G-d brought Egypt to justice,” but rather, “for then G-d took Israel Morton later claimed that Stern had out of Egypt.” But regarding the downfall of been removed from the closet and enemies there is neither festival nor holiday had then lurched toward the window, for Israel. beyond which was a flat roof. According to Morton, he had fired at Therefore, regarding the miracle of Stern because he had felt threatened.

Chanukah, the day was only established And here, the Egyptians drowned in the upon the lighting of the olive oil, and the re- Years later, Lechi members sea on the seventh day of Pesach. dedication of the Temple and its purification, publicized the words of Sergeant (Rashi to Shemot 14:8) If G-d would and upon the Divine providence that was Daniel Day, the guard who had been have told them to declare the seventh shown towards the Jewish people at a time with Morton and Stern: "After Morton day sacred, one would have assumed when there were no prophets or seers in instructed everyone to leave the that G-d had instruccted to create a Israel. Therefore the lighting was established apartment, taking Tovah Savorai holiday to rejoice at the downfall of the for a matter that was not public, the kindling with them, only the two of us, wicked. In truth, we have found that for eight days in the Temple, since the Morton and I, remained with Stern. [the angels] did not sing in front of Him, leaders and the other army generals were the Then Morton walked up behind as it says, “and one did not come near High Priests, the Hasmoneans. G-d was Stern, pushed him to the window the other,” for G-d does not rejoice in concerned lest they say, "By the might my and shot him in the head. Stern fell, the downfall of the wicked. And hand," that through military strategy did we and Morton continued to fire at his therefore, already in Egypt [the Jews] succeed, and so G-d showed them a sign in chest. Then he turned to me and were taught to make the seventh day the Temple, known only the kohanim, so that said, 'You saw that he tried to flee.'" into a festival, in order to show that the they should know that the hand of G-d had festival is not because of the drowning After Stern's murder, his son, Yair, done this… of the Egyptians in the sea, for they had was born; Yair went on to become a

been commanded [to celebrate] before journalist and director of Israeli Also, for the miracle of Purim they did not the Egyptians drowned at sea. television. Today, the apartment create a festival on the day Haman was where Stern was killed has been hanged or the day they killed their enemies, converted into "The Lechi Museum" for this would not be joy for His nation, and is open to the public. Israel. The holiday is "on the days they rested from their foes." (Esther 9:22)… [email protected]

Visit us at www.torontotorah.com 3 Our Haftorah: Yeshayah 6:1 - 7:6, 9:5-6 Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Who is the prophet of our haftorah? other in their focus. Yeshayah devotes Divrei haYamim II 26 describes Uziahu Yeshayah (Isaiah) was a prophet in the only one sentence (Yechezkel 6:2) to a as a righteous king of Yehudah, the period leading up to the exile of the ten description of the angels inhabiting the southern Jewish kingdom. He sought northern tribes of Yisrael by the Divine throne room, where Yechezkel out G-d, battled the foes of the Jews, Assyrians. He lived in the southern devotes more than twenty sentences and built up the city of Yerushalayim. kingdom of Yehudah, and he (Yechezkel 1:4-28) to that purpose. The However, Divrei haYamim continues to prophesied during the reigns of Kings Talmud (Chagigah 13b, as explained by describe him as becoming arrogant in Uziahu, Yotam, Achaz and Chizkiyahu. Rashi) suggests that Yeshayah lived in his success, to the point that he sought Talmud (Sotah 10a) states that he was Yehudah, and was familiar with the to bring incense upon the altar himself, a descendant of Yehudah and Tamar. grandeur of kings, and so he did not despite the fact that he was not a spend time describing the grandeur of kohen. Tzaraat broke out upon his The prophecies of Yeshayah may be the Divine throne room. Yechezkel lived forehead, and he left the Beit classified in two categories, Rebuke and in Babylon, among exiles, and so he haMikdash in shame. Redemption; the former dominates the was impressed by the trappings of Amos 1:1 and Zecharyah 14:5 make early chapters of the book, while the Divine majesty. [For other approaches reference to an earthquake which latter occupies the latter portion. The to this Talmudic passage, see Tosafot occurred in the time of King Uziahu. split is not clean, though; portions of and Maharsha there.] Bringing in midrashic passages (see the former include redemption, and 20, Radak Amos portions of the latter include rebuke. The visions of Yeshayah and Yechezkel 1:1 and Rashi Yeshayah 6:1, for provide us with the songs of the angels. example), the earthquake, the tzaraat, What is the message of our haftorah? In our haftorah (Yeshayah 6:3), and the death of King Uziahu are all Two prophets were privileged to Yeshayah describes the celestial song of referenced at the start of our haftorah. envision the Divine throne room, and praise to G-d, "Holy, Holy, Holy, G-d, even to experience a "vision" of G-d, Lord of Hosts, the entire universe is At this time, when one of our greatest seated upon a throne. The first was filled with His glory." Yechezkel adds the kings overreached in his arrogance, Yeshayah, whose prophecy is presented song, "Blessed be the glory of G-d, from violated the sacred space of the Beit in our haftorah; the second was His place." (Yechezkel 3:12) These are haMikdash, and was punished, Hashem Yechezkel, whose prophecy is presented the central lines of our own Kedushah showed the prophet Yeshayah a vision in the first chapter of his book, and poem. of His throne room. Gd then warned read publicly on Shavuot. Both of these Yeshayah, and through him the Jewish readings are intended to correspond The death of King Uziahu nation, of the impending devastation at with the public reading of the The message in our haftorah dates itself the hands of the Babylonian Empire. Revelation at Sinai. to "the year of the death of King The link between Uziahu's death and Uziahu." (Yeshayah 6:1) What was the Yeshayah's message is clear: Without One might have expected Yeshayah and significance of the death of this king, in proper leadership, our chances for Yechezkel to report similar experiences, relation to Yeshayah's vision? repentance and growth are slim indeed. but the two visions differ from each [email protected] Highlights for February 2 – February 8 / 22 - 28 Shevat

Shabbat, February 2 Tuesday, February 5 7:45 AM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Reasons for mitzvot and 1:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Daniel: The First Dream, the parshah, Or Chaim not this week Part 2, Shaarei Shomayim, Mekorot 10:20 AM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Parshah, Clanton Park 7:30 PM Hillel Horovitz, David and Batsheva I of III: The Story 4:20 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Daf Yomi, BAYT Unfolds, KST After minchah R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Gemara Avodah 8 PM R’ Ezra Goldschmiedt, What would you do? The Difficult Zarah: Heated Wine, BAYT Choices of Megilat Esther, TCS Sunday, February 3 8 PM Yair Manas, Chaburah: Sanhedrin, 33 Meadowbrook 8:45 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Dental Halachah: 8 PM Adam Frieberg, Taking a Stand by Taking Your Life: Braces, Crowns and Mikvah (with professional credit), Chananya, Mishael and Azarya, Shaarei Tefillah BAYT 8:30 PM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Rambam’s Laws of Kings: Daat 9:15 AM Hillel Horovitz, Parshah Preview, Zichron Torah and Foreign Policy, Shomrai Shabbos, men Yisroel, Hebrew (Shacharit 8:30 AM) Thursday, February 7 After maariv R’ Baruch Weintraub, Contemporary 10 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Jonah: Week 3, BEBY, Melton Halachah in Israel, Hebrew, Clanton Park, men 8:00 PM Adam Frieberg, Blessings on Torah Study, Village 8:30 PM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Contemporary Halachah Shul in Israel, Hebrew, 4 Tillingham Keep, mixed 8:30 PM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Sotah, Clanton Park not this Monday, February 4 week 8 PM Mon. Night Beit Midrash: Clanton Park, Bnai Torah Coming Up 8 PM Hillel Horovitz, Sefer Melachim, Chapters 9-11, Feb. 11: Medical Halachah at Shaarei Shomayim Shlomo’s Fall?, Bnai Torah 8 PM R’ Ezra Goldschmiedt, Mesilat Yesharim, Bnai Feb. 27: Prepare for Pesach! Three Nights of Torah, high school students Interactive Learning at BAYT 9 PM Hillel Horovitz, Rav Kook’s Ein Ayah, Bnai Torah

4 We would like to thank koshertube.com for filming our shiurim! Visit us at www.torontotorah.com