CANDLELIGHTING: 6:10 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 SHABBOS ENDS: AFTER 7:12 October 19, 2013 יג חשבון תשע"ד MIN: 7:39 72

PARSHAS VAYEIRA THE REST OF THE STORY: By R’ Avi Oberstein ויען אברהם ויאמר הנה נא הואלתי לדבר אל אדני ואנכי עפר ואפר When Avrahom attempts to intercede on behalf of the people of Sedom, he What’sBy R’ behindYosef Dovid the Rothbart passuk? approaches Hashem with great humility. “I am but dust and ashes,” he tells The mention of Sedom evokes an image of a city whose inhabitants Hashem. The Medrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 9:15) relates that because Avrahom routinely treated their guests with cruel and malicious tricks. However, spoke with such humility, Hashem promised that his children would receive not everyone was at the mercy of their whims. The Medrash tells us two two precious Mitzvos that are performed with dust and ashes. The Ashes of the incidents regarding Eliezer when the tables were turned. Parah Adumah, which are to be sprinkled on a person who became defiled There was a custom in Sedom that no visitor should be invited to any through coming in contact with a corpse, and the dust of the Sotah waters, celebration. If a Sedomite were to invite a guest to such a party, the were given to the Jewish nation as a result of Avrahom’s great humility. Sedomite’s clothing would be removed and he would be forced to slink The Beis HaLevi explains that the reason why these two Mitzvos were given home in shame. Eliezer would deliberately attend these affairs without was not only because the performance of these Mitzvos utilizes dust and ashes. being invited. When anyone inquired about the nature of his invitation, Rather, there is a deeper connection between what Avrahom said and these he would reply in a booming voice, “What do you mean? You invited me!” two Mitzvos. Terrified that the rest of the party overheard and he would lose his Earth is a substance that has very little value. However if one took a seed and clothing, the questioner would quickly sneak away from the party and placed it in the ground, the earth would provide nutrients to the seed and rush home. Eliezer would do this to anyone who questioned his enable it to grow into a strong tree or beautiful flower. Earth is something that attendance until he remained alone at the feast. As a result he was able has no significant past but has great potential to grow and produce. to eat nicely whenever he was travelling through Sedom. Ashes, on the other hand, have a glorious past. They may have served an Another time Sarah asked Eliezer to bring a message to Lot. Arriving at important function, possibly protecting a family from the bitter cold, or maybe the city, he saw a Sedomite attacking a poor traveller. Eliezer tried to they were the result of a camp bonfire. But ashes, no matter what they used to intervene and protect the victim. The Sedomite responded by telling be, have no future. Eliezer to mind his own business. “Who do you think you are to come into Avrahom felt, in his great humility, that these two substances- dust and ashes- the city and dictate to us how to behave? Are you a judge in Sedom? Why aptly described him. He looked back at all he did in his lifetime and felt it was are you getting involved?” With his final words, the Sedomite picked up a insignificant, like dust. His ability to accomplish, in his eyes, like ash, was also stone and flung it at Eliezer. The stone struck Eliezer in the head causing lacking. blood to flow. The ashes of the Parah Adumah, when sprinkled on a person who was defiled However, this did not cause Eliezer to back down. When the Sedomites, by coming into contact with a corpse, purify him. They grant this individual a who upon hearing the altercation began to gather, saw that they would future of purity which would have been otherwise unattainable. not be able to overcome Eliezer, they agreed to settle in court. The Sotah waters, a mixture consisting of water, dust, and the letters of The corrupt judge grinned malevolently as he faced Eliezer to issue his Hashem’s name dissolved in the water, clarify a past. When given to a woman sentence, “The man who drew blood from you is a blood-letter by who is suspected by her husband, these waters have the ability to remove the profession. You must pay his fee.” shadow of suspicion that is hovering over their marriage. Enraged, Eliezer bent down to pick up a stone. Turning to the judge, he “Because you were humble and compared yourself to dust and ashes; because hurled the stone at the judge bloodying his face. Smiling sweetly, he you said that both your past and future are insignificant,” says Hashem, “I will accepted the judge’s sentence, and added: “I too am a professional take the earth and use it for the Mitzvah of Sotah, which comes to clarify a past blood-letter. Please take the money that you now owe me and pay it to event. And I will take these ashes and use it for the Mitzvah of Parah Adumah, the one who struck me.” whose ashes are used to give an impure person a future.” (Based on Sanhedrin 109b)

The Throughout the account of Sedom’s destruction, Hashem is designated in His quality of mercy. When all hope of stopping degeneracy is lost, total destruction is itself an act of mercy and compassion. (R’ Hirsch)

Come enjoy a morning Kollel for Baalei Batim each morning beginning at 10:00 am, with Shiurim on a variety of different topics. Come at anytime, stay as long as you can! Led by: Rabbi Aaron Eisenberger.

HALACHA REFLECTIONS Hilchos Tefillah B’Tzibur BY RABBI DOVID SAPIRMAN

The Mitzvah of davening with a Minyan, though Rabbinic in nature, The Gemara in Mesechta Kidushin tells us a story. Rabbi Eliezer , has a source in the Torah: When Abraham beseeched Hashem to save Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Tzadok were sitting at the wedding Sedom in the merit of the righteous people who lived there, he ceased of Rabban Gamliel's son. Rabban Gamliel was standing over his asking when he realized that there were fewer than ten righteous guests and pouring wine for them. Rabbi Eliezer did not accept individuals. The Ibn Ezra (B’reishis 18, 28) explains that this is because the offer of the wine, but Rabbi Yehoshua did. the fewest number of people that constitute a Tzibur is ten. It follows Rabbi Eliezer said to him, "What is this, Yehoshua , that we that tefillah, the daily prayer service, should be conducted within a should sit here and Rabban Gamliel the Nossi should stand Tzibur so that its manifold benefits will be realized. Indeed, both the over us and pour wine for us ?" Rabbi Yehoshua answered back, Rambam in Hilchos Tefillah (8:1) and the Shulchan Aruch (O.C 90:9) "We find someone even greater who did this. Avraham rule one should make every effort to daven all Tefillos with a Minyan. Avinu stood over his guests and served them. He didn't know In fact, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe O.C. 2: 27) writes that it is they were Malachim , he thought they forbidden for someone to learn very late at night if this will cause him to miss Tefillah were just plain Arabs. If so, Rabban Gamliel B'Tzibur the next morning. certainly can serve us, Every Morsel of food that Tzadok In a second Teshuvah (ibid O.C. 3: 7), R’ too. Rabbi said to them, "How Kavod Moshe Feinstein writes that even we put in our mouths is long will you neglect the of one who is able to concentrate better when Hashem and busy yourself with the he davens alone is still required to daven really a miracle. Kavod of people? Hashem makes the with a Minyan, providing that he is able to winds blow, transports the clouds, concentrate on the simple meaning of the makes the rain fall, makes the ground words he is saying. sprout forth produce, and sets a table Although the importance of davening with before each and every person. Then a Tzibur cannot be underestimated, there certainly, can't we also sit are certain situations where other factors take precedence. while Rabban Gamliel stands over us and serves us?" Thus, if a person does not have his Tefillin and will only receive a pair There is an amazing lesson here. It is so obvious, but we tend after the Minyan finishes, it is better for him to daven by himself later to overlook it. Every morsel of food that we put in our mouths with Tefillin as wearing Tefillin during Shema and Shemoneh Esrei is really a miracle. Rain water comes from the oceans. When takes precedence over Tefillah B'Tzibur.(M.B. 66: 40) the ocean water evaporates, it collects in the clouds. It would If Tefillah B'Tzibur would cause a monetary loss, one may daven alone. be useless if not for the winds which blow the clouds over the The Mishna Berurah (90: 29) writes that this does not include a loss of continents. Then the rain falls and irrigates the earth. When profit. A deduction from a pay check due to lateness is considered a the wheat kernel is planted, the roots go down and the stem monetary loss according to Rav Elyashiv Tz”l (quoted in Avnei Yashfei on Hilchos Tefillah). However, the K’sav Sofer (Parshas Eikev) writes goes up, no matter which way the kernel is placed in the that if a person is meticulous as regards davening with a Minyan every ground. The kernel rots before it grows. At the time B’reishis day, Hashem will always provide for him a livelihood. of , Hashem put the ability into every single plant to Another situation where one need not wait for a Minyan to daven is if grow from its seeds and reproduce. Hashem could have he is particular to daven K'Vasikin on a steady basis. Such a person created a world with very few varieties of food, all colourless may daven by himself when he cannot find a Minyan. (Biur Halacha and tasteless. We would have to eat them for lack of anything 58:1) else. But in His infinite kindness he gave us a vast variety of As always, if any of these situations arises, one should first speak to his foods which can nourish our bodies and keep us healthy. When Rav before making a final decision. we say a Bracha , this is what we should have in mind. We are truly guests at Hashem's table, and He is our host.

. Shabbos table discussions • Yochai bought two expensive Mezuzos: one for himself and one for his father. Should he keep the nicer one for himself since in regard to Mitzvos he has priority, or should he give the nicer one to his father and fulfil the Mitzvah of honouring one’s parent? (c.f. Ben Yehoyada Sukkos 41a) • Baruch placed his glasses on the bench next to him. Shimon came to sit down and cracked the glasses. Is Shimon obligated to pay for Baruch’s glasses? (c.f. Baba Kama 36b) • Yitzchok was already bound on the Mizbeach in preparation to be offered as a Korban, when Hashem told Avrahom not to harm him (Bereishis 22:12) thereby saving him from sure death. Was Yitzchok required to recite Bircas HaGomel? (Machazik Brocha (Chida), Torah L’Daas Vol. 10) By R’ Yossi Bergman celebration took place for Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin. Tzaddikim and Rav Meir Shapiro was recognized for his greatness from his early beginnings Baalei Batim swarmed into the city to witness this historic event. The until the day he was sadly taken from the world, 47 years later. Born in Shotz, Chortkover Rebbe, Rav Meir’s Rebbe, had the honour of laying the first Romania, in 1887, Rav Meir was imbued with an appreciation and love for Torah stone. from an early age. He once related a childhood story about his mother. “When I Once the celebration was over though, there was still much work to do. was a boy, my family was forced to move several times from house to house. For the next seven years Rav Meir Shapiro did not rest as he worked on We also moved from city to city. The constant moving did not disturb my fulfilling his dream and the dream of Klal Yisroel. At times he almost mother’s equilibrium; only one thing would bother her – my Bittul Torah! gave up on raising the enormous funds needed. In 1930, after long and “On one occasion, as we were preparing to move again, my mother had an idea. exhausting fund- raising trips through Europe and then to America, She contacted the Melamed of the town to which we were moving, and after 800 drashos, 600 committees formed, and 35,000 Tzedaka boxes arranged that he meet me by the gate of the city. He would then be able to distributed, Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin opened its doors. The Chanukas learn with me immediately upon our arrival. HaBayis was a spectacle of Kavod HaTorah for the ages. “When we finally reached our destination, we searched and searched, but the The Yeshiva itself had a high standard with an entrance requirement of Melamed was not there. My mother sat down next to the wagon and cried for a knowing 200 Daf by heart. Rav Meir tended to his boys with the utmost long time. I tried to calm her down by saying, ‘Mommy, Mommy, why are you devotion. The Yeshivah produced many Gedolim, including recent crying? I’ll learn tomorrow!’ luminaries such as Rav Pinchos Hirshprung and Rav Chaim Kreiswirth, “My mother answered, ‘Meir’el, Meir’el, you don’t yet know how to appreciate as well as ybc"l Rav Shmuel Vosner. the meaning of Bittul Torah of one day!’” In 1933, Rav Shapiro caught the common flu and his situation quickly This child prodigy absorbed the lessons that he received from his mother and deteriorated. On the seventh day of Cheshvan, his Talmidim were diligently learned every day. Very quickly, he exceeded the knowledge of all the dancing and singing "B’cha Batchu Avoseinu"(“In You our fathers had town’s Rebbeim . After his Bar Mitzvah he went to learn with his grandfather, faith”), around his bed. Weak and unable to talk, Rav Meir scrawled on a Rav Shmuel Yitzchok Schorr, the author of Minchas Shai on Tanach. Three years paper "Rak B'Simcha", only with joy, and then returned his holy and later, on his deathbed, his grandfather told him not to be sad since in any event accomplished Neshama to his father in Shamayim. Yehi Zichro Boruch. he could not continue to teach him; Rav Meir already surpassed his grandfather in learning. A year later on Lag Ba’Omer, when he was just 17 years old, the Vizhnitzer RIDDLE Rebbe asked him to give a speech in honour of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai. Rav Meir gave the speech, tying together all the sayings of Rav Shimon bar Yochai throughout Shas. Rav Meir’s Shapiro’s legacy includes two revolutionary achievements: the Daf Yomi and Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin. In 1923, at the second Knessia Gedola, Rav Bring a proof as to whether Lot’s wife Meir introduced his idea of the Daf Yomi. “Just imagine,” he said. “A Yid spends became a pillar of salt before or after two weeks on boat keeping up with Daf Yomi and after arriving in New York he she died. can immediately join a group of Yidden holding in the same place he is!” The idea caught on immediately. In Radin, when asked by the Chofetz Chaim, Rav

Meir told him that over 150,000 people were learning Daf Yomi. Please send your answers to The Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin was a realization of Rav Meir's vision. His dream [email protected] . was to build a modern Yeshiva in Galicia for boys to sit and learn with respect; no All those who submit a correct answer and include more begging for a piece of bread or a bed to sleep in. All their needs would be their name and age will be entered into a raffle to a provided for so they could devote all their energies to Torah. During the last 12 free meal at Pizza Café. Sponsored by: Pizza Café or so years of his life, he invested every moment to make it a reality. On (416) 633-5678 Lag Ba'Omer 1923 the fulfilment of his dream became tangible. All of Galician Jewry turned their eyes to the city of Lublin, where the cornerstone-laying

SHIURIM AND EVENTS IN KOLLEL OHR YOSEF THORNHILL COMMUNITY KOLLEL

THE GATES OF DAVENING Come enjoy a morning Kollel for Come join an inspiring new shabbos Baalei Batim each morning beginning shiur led by R' Eliyahu Goldwasser at 10:00 am, with Shiurim on a based on R' Shimshon Pincus' variety of different topics. Come at Shearim B'Tefila, at 8:00 Shabbos anytime, stay as long as you can! Led morning before Shacharis. by: Rabbi Aaron Eisenberger. A Mashal Great deals are to be had at every stand no matter In the olden days the big fairs were attended by tens of where you turn. We must not pass them by and head thousands of people all hawking their wares or looking straight for the concession stand waiting on line for for some good merchandise to sell back home at a some sushi or hot dogs. profit. Some of the attendees were shrewd We should not spend our limited lifetime surveying businessmen while others were naive dreamers just the landscape for gratification and forget that very waiting to be fooled or cheated by con artists. Yet they soon we will be going home. When we arrive, all will all had one thing in common... greet us waiting to see what we brought. Let us The fair was a huge financial boon for the host city and remember the Mashal of the fair so that we don’t the surrounding villages. Rooms were cleaned and stand confused, wondering how smart businessmen rented and feasts were prepared to feed the hungry like ourselves were fooled at a fair where even the travelers. Every delicacy could be had, as each host most foolish can make oodles of money. tried to outdo their neighbour and earn some money (Chofetz Chaim (Shem Olam 11) during this rare opportunity. Yet, among all the attendees, both smart and foolish alike, not a single attendee lost sight of his purpose and the goals he wished to achieve at the fair; doing business and earning money. While indeed the food was enticing, no one spent their time among the Bring a source that Avrohom and Yishmael restaurants and makeshift coffee shops and totally lost shared the same Birthday. sight of the activities of the fair itself. So too, this world is like the fairs of old. We have come Please send your answers to [email protected] . for a relatively short time to the great fair called "life", All those who submit a correct answer will be entered to earn unimaginable profits and rewards to take back into a raffle to a free meal at Pizza Café. Sponsored by: Pizza Café home for eternity. Unlike the fairs in Leipzig with its (416) 633-5678 limited profit potential, our fair is loaded with opportunity. One need not be shrewd or conniving to get a good deal.

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