DOCSLIB.ORG

A King in Isolation in His Own Castle?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A King in Isolation in His Own Castle? בס“ד Parshat Tazria-Metzora 1 Iyar, 5780/April 25, 2020 Vol. 11 Num. 29 (#450) This issue of Toronto Torah is sponsored by Esther and Craig Guttmann and Family מנחם מנדל בן שמואל ז“ל in honour of the yahrtzeit of Max Guttmann and by Ricky and Dianna Zauderer and Family לע“נ אליעזר בן יונה ז“ל in memory of our dear father and grandfather, Alfred Zauderer z”l A King in Isolation in His Own Castle? Rabbi Baruch Weintraub Both of the Torah portions we read Obviously, these two explanations are from his administrative roles, he is not this Shabbat deal extensively with the very different in the image they depict of a king anymore; if it is the latter, then a phenomenon of tzaraat (not to be Uziah’s last days. One conveys a picture king can exist in separation from his confused with leprosy or “Hansen’s of almost light-hearted retirement, civil service, even as the only man on a Disease”). However, while in the Torah probably cushioned with all the luxuries planet. we read about the struggle of an a king can expect. The second, average citizen with tzaraat, later in meanwhile, gives an eerie feeling of a One could further suggest that not all Tanach we find another angle on this living death, that he had lost everything kings are equal in regard to this problem, which may shed some new that counted as life, apart from its most question – maybe there is a difference light on the subject. physical aspect. between a king who as a scion of David, entitled to the throne by Divine promise, The story of King Uziah (a.k.a. The Talmud seems to be investigating and other kings, who were only Azariah), who was struck with tzaraat, this very same question when it asks if appointed according to contemporary appears in very short form in a king who is struck by tzaraat brings needs? [See Rambam, Hilchot Melachim Melachim II (15:5) and is elaborated the korban of a king or a layperson. 2:8.] A more daring move would be to upon in Divrei HaYamim II (26: 16-21). (Horiyot 9a) The doubt could be analyze each individual king – did he We are told that his illness came as a understood as depending upon the lead the people out of his own faith and punishment for excessive pride, question of whether the king at his own discretion, or was he only a manifested in his attempt to sacrifice experiencing tzaraat is completely tail swung by the people in his attempt as a kohen would. But our focus here rejected, or only suspended from the to acquire fame or power? Uziah could is not on the cause, but the outcome. executive role. [See Shaarei Yosef on present an excellent case study for such Uziah was replaced by his son Yotam, Horayot ad loc.] an analysis, but that is beyond our and Uziah himself sat, to the day of his scope. death, in “Beit Hachofshit” literally The Talmud concludes that the king can translated as “the free house” or “the still enjoy his treasury, and The king, of course, is only an extreme home of the free”. What is this house, consequently is still a king for the laws example of a question that we could ask and in what sense was it free? of korbanot. However, Rashi there notes regarding any person who is separated that this conclusion stands in dispute and sent out of the city because of In the commentaries we find two main with a later passage, stating that a king tzaraat [or quarantined for any other approaches, rooted in the words of who is struck by tzaraat is rejected from reason]: does he lose his own self, or is Chazal: monarchy and brings a layperson’s he able to free himself from his social • Rabbi David Altschuler (Metzudat korban. (ibid. 10a) framework? David) explains that Uziah stopped serving as a king, thus becoming The question underlying this discussion [For more on this, see Rabbi Elchanan free from the heavy responsibilities may be understood as relating to the Wasserman, Kovetz He’arot 37:10.] that come with the title. nature of monarchy – is it only a social • Rashi cites the Talmud phenomenon which describes one’s [email protected] Yerushalmi that Uziah built a relations to others, or is it a quality of house inside a cemetery, which is the king even when he stands by called “the house of the free” himself? If it is the former, then when because the dead are exempt from the king is cut off from his subjects and mitzvot. OUR BEIT MIDRASH ROSH BEIT MIDRASH RABBI MORDECHAI TORCZYNER SGAN ROSH BEIT MIDRASH RABBI SAMMY BERGMAN AVREICHIM EZER DIENA, RABBI ALEX HECHT, NETANEL KLEIN SEDER BOKER DIRECTOR RABBI MOSHE YERES ISRAELI CORRESPONDENTS RABBI ADAM FRIEDMANN, RABBI BARUCH An affiliate of Torah MiTzion and YU WEINTRAUB, RABBI JONATHAN ZIRING ∞ CHAVEROT ORLY AZIZA, MINDY CHAPMAN, SOFIA FREUDENSTEIN, ATARA GASNER, Find our upcoming classes on-line at TEHILA HELFENBAUM, AILEEN MORRIS, HADAS MOYAL, TIFERET NICKERSON www.torontotorah.com CHAVERIM NADAV GASNER, ARI KARON, YEHUDA LEVI, COBY LYONS, MORDECHAI ROTH, We are grateful to ILAN SHIELDS, NATAN SNOWBELL, DANIEL SUTTNER, URIEL WEISZ, ELI WELTMAN Continental Press 905-660-0311 Journey Through Tanach: Shemuel I, Chapter 20 Ezer Diena Summary with a hidden signal to transmit and Yehonatan and David reunite Chapter 20 opens with a discussion Yehonatan’s findings to David: On the briefly. They bow, kiss, and cry on one between best friends David and third day, David will wait (in hiding) another. Yehonatan wishes David well, Yehonatan (Shaul’s son). David is near Even Ha’azel, and Yehonatan will and reaffirms his commitment to him (rightfully) concerned that he will be shoot three arrows towards it. He will for future generations. (20:35-42) killed by Shaul, but Yehonatan argues then send a boy to fetch the arrows. If that since Shaul tells him everything, he instructs the boy that the arrows Insight and he has not told him that he wishes are towards where Yehonatan was The Talmud (Megillah 31a) instructs us David dead, he must not actually want standing, David will know all is well, to read a significant portion of this that. David responds by suggesting that and that he may come out of hiding. chapter (20:18-42) as the haftarah for since Shaul is aware of Yehonatan’s However, if he instructs the boy that Shabbat when Rosh Chodesh falls on love for David, Shaul may have hidden the arrows are beyond where he is the following day. Why? this fact from him. (20:1-3) looking, David should flee and not return. (20:19-23) On a simple level, Erev Rosh Chodesh David devises a plan to test Shaul’s is referenced in the opening verse of the intentions towards him: David will hide The plan works perfectly. On the Haftarah. However, Rabbi Mosheh in a field for two days (“until the third second day of Rosh Chodesh, Shaul Lichtenstein ( h t t p s : / / evening”), which will include two days of asks where David is. When Yehonatan www.etzion.org.il/en/machar-chodesh) Rosh Chodesh, when David would responds, Shaul loses his temper and suggests that this reading emphasizes normally join Shaul for meals. If Shaul berates Yehonatan for being so close to the importance of confronting the were to ask about David’s absence, David, and tells him that David must future, embodied by the new month. Yehonatan should tell him that he had be killed. When Yehonatan questions Shaul, despite realizing that his gone to Beit Lechem to bring a sacrifice. this decision, Shaul throws a spear at kingdom is coming to an end, tries to If Shaul would respond with anger, him, and Yehonatan realizes that deny that reality and fight on. then Yehonatan would be able to tell David is in danger, which upsets him Conversely, Yehonatan, his son, David that Shaul wishes to kill him, but greatly. (20:24-34) realizes that the best way to prepare for if he would respond calmly, with good the future is allying himself with the wishes, then Yehonatan would know Yehonatan then goes out to the field, future king. May we take this lesson to that all is good. (20:5-7) fires the arrows as discussed, and tells heart as we enter new stages of life! the boy that the arrows are beyond After they renew their covenant with him. After the boy gathers the arrows, [email protected] each other (20:12-17), they come up Yehonatan sends him off to the city, Holy Land Halachah: Non-Jewish Cemeteries Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rabbi Yitzchak HaLevi Herzog farmed. HaTorah v’haMedinah Volumes 9-10 Rabbi Herzog determined that this was not a concern either. May one bury a non-Jew in Israel? First, the prohibition involved is itself rabbinic, and all of our produce tithes are currently rabbinic as well, so that Rabbi Yitzchak HaLevi Herzog, the first Chief Rabbi of the this would be a rabbinic prohibition against uprooting tithes State of Israel, received this question from a community which are only rabbinic in the first place. Further, he where a Seventh Day Adventist family had requested burial contended that the prohibition may only apply where one plots outside the Jewish cemetery. The Christian community causes land to be farmed without tithing, and not to graves, would not bury them, and so they turned to the Jews.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hospitality to Guests
    HOSPITALITY TO GUESTS he Torah ascribes great importance to the mitzvah of hospitality to guests T(hachnasat orchim). One of the most detailed accounts of Avraham’s (Abraham’s) life in the Torah describes his dedication to the mitzvah of hospitality to strangers. It is as if the Torah is stressing that the characteristic which made Avraham so uniquely worthy to be the spiritual father of all mankind was how he exerted himself in this mitzvah. This class will discuss the importance of hospitality and explain how one who performs it emulates the qualities of God Himself. By looking closely at Avraham’s conduct, we will see the ideal way to perform this mitzvah – which includes greeting the guests, letting them wash and rest, making them feel comfortable, giving them food and drink, and escorting them on their way. Finally, we will examine the spiritual reward for this mitzvah. In this class, we will address the following questions: Why is hospitality to guests and strangers so central to Judaism? What is the basis and origin of the mitzvah of hospitality? What actions and attitudes are included within the mitzvah of hospitality? What are the spiritual and mystical impacts of this mitzvah? Class Outline: Section I. Why Hospitality is So Central to Jewish Life Section II. The Special Magnitude of the Mitzvah of Hospitality to Guests Section III. The Principles and Details of Hosting Guests Part A. Searching for Guests and Welcoming Them Part B. Providing Rest and Washing Facilities Part C. Personally Serving the Guests Part D. Serving Food Cheerfully and Sensitively Part E.
    [Show full text]
  • The 5 Towns Jewish Times
    See Page 33 $1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 9 NO. 32 28 IYAR 5769 rcsnc ,arp MAY 22, 2009 INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK KULANU’S VERY KOOL EVENT MindBiz BY LARRY GORDON Esther Mann, LMSW 31 Live And Learn Backing Beis Din Hannah Reich Berman 33 World Of Real Estate These are challenging and tions for subjects to focus on Anessa V. Cohen 34 difficult times that we are and stories to cover. Many are navigating our way through. I self-serving or promoting this Praying With Feeling suppose that only the few or that cause. Some, however, Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 44 realists among us have come strike a chord, with clear rele- P h to grips with the adage—and vance and application to the o t o s City Of Unity B now the reality—that nothing state of the overall Jewish y I r Larry Domnitch 60 a T stays the same forever. community and the times we h o m a s As a publication that is read are currently enduring. C r e a t i far and wide, both on paper Over the last few weeks I’ve o n s and on the Internet, in the held discussions with a few Last Sunday in Cedarhurst Park, the Kulanu Fair was enjoyed by thousands course of any given week we of children and adults alike. This annual Kulanu Torah Academy benefit field a wide array of sugges- Continued on Page 10 featured rides, entertainment, and great food. See Page 75 A TIME FOR CHANGE HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE On 90 And 60 A Shavuos Perspective us, as well, to prepare at least 30 days before the upcoming Mesivta Ateres Yaakov BY RABBI ARYEH Z.
    [Show full text]
  • THE BENJAMIN and ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld • July 2018 • Av 5778
    Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • YU Center for the Jewish Future THE BENJAMIN AND ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld • July 2018 • Av 5778 Tisha B’av Dedicated by Rabbi Doniel Z. Kramer in memory of his parents, Rabbi Meyer and Rose Kramer of Philadelphia PA הרב מאיר בן הרב חיים מנחם ז"ל ורייזל בת יהודה לייב ע"ה Emunah in Spiritual Challenges in Difficult Times Times of Persecution Perspectives and insights Looking at the history of on dealing with tragedy and Jewish suffering from the growing from challenges. Crusades to the Holocaust. We thank the following synagogues which have pledged to be Pillars of the Torah To-Go® project Beth David Synagogue Congregation Ohab Zedek Young Israel of West Hartford, CT New York, NY Century City Los Angeles, CA Beth Jacob Congregation Congregation Beverly Hills, CA Shaarei Tefillah Young Israel of Newton Centre, MA New Hyde Park Bnai Israel – Ohev Zedek New Hyde Park, NY Philadelphia, PA Green Road Synagogue Beachwood, OH Young Israel of Congregation Scarsdale Ahavas Achim The Jewish Center Scarsdale, NY Highland Park, NJ New York, NY Young Israel of Congregation Benai Asher Jewish Center of Toco Hills The Sephardic Synagogue Brighton Beach Atlanta, GA of Long Beach Brooklyn, NY Long Beach, NY Young Israel of Koenig Family Foundation Congregation Brooklyn, NY West Hartford Beth Sholom West Hartford, CT Young Israel of Providence, RI Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst Cedarhurst, NY West Hempstead West Hempstead, NY Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President, Yeshiva
    [Show full text]
  • Keeping Kosher in the U.S.A
    Keeping Kosher in the U.S.A. The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Keeping Kosher in the U.S.A. (2002 Third Year Paper) Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:8852119 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA Introduction Every waking moment should be governed by the laws of the Torah. Every action must accord with Torah principles. Torah law dictates which shoe one should put on first.1 There are also various laws relating to the bathroom.2 The Torah also teaches not only that one must pray three times a day, but also that the three prayers must each be recited during their respective specific time periods, as laid out by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.3 With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that the Torah regulates what a Jew may eat and drink. Upon completing one of its renditions of the Jewish dietary laws, the Torah states that Jews have an obligation ‘‘to distinguish,’’ or ‘‘l’havdil’’ (in the original Hebrew) ‘‘between the contaminated and the pure, and between the animal that may eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.’’4 Rashi5 explains that the obligation goes beyond merely reading through the Torah passages that discuss these laws; rather one must learn the laws until he knows them, recognizes them, and is an expert in them.6 It is with this in mind that I now begin to scratch the surface of the Jewish dietary laws.
    [Show full text]
  • Yeshiva of Ocean Catalog 2020-2021
    YESHIVA OF OCEAN ♦♦♦ CATALOG 2020-2021 Table of Contents Board of Directors........................................................................................................................... 4 Administration ................................................................................................................................ 4 Faculty............................................................................................................................................. 4 History............................................................................................................................................. 5 Mission Statement ........................................................................................................................... 6 State Authorization and Accreditation ............................................................................................ 6 The Campus and Dormitory............................................................................................................ 6 Library............................................................................................................................................. 7 Textbook Information ..................................................................................................................... 8 General Information ........................................................................................................................ 8 Admissions Requirements .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • “The Word of Hashem Is Perfect. It Restores the Soul. It
    ShabbosOHRNETO Parshas VayakhelH - Pekudei - ParahR For the week endingN 23 Adar 5758 E Mar. 21, 1998 Vol.T 5 No. 22 THE OHR SOMAYACH TORAH MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET PARSHA INSIGHTS vehicle for the Divine Presence to presence to dwell in our lives, the WE HAVE rest amongst them. only way is through following the In this assumption they were not Makers instructions to the letter. THE TECHNOLOGY far off the mark. But theres another Otherwise we end up with a golden ...As Hashem commanded Moshe. American folk saying: Close only calf. (39:1) counts in horseshoes and hand- It is for this reason that after each ne guaranteed way to grenades. Not being far from the detail of the Mishkan the Torah says O increase sales of a product is mark can be as far as day is from as Hashem commanded Moshe. O night. The essence of the Mishkan was to put a flash on the box say- ing New!!! Improved!!! True, there would be a vehicle that it was as Hashem commanded Inevitably, the veracity of this claim through which the Divine Presence Moshe and not through the mistaken is in inverse proportion to the num- would rest on the Jewish People, and good intentions of man. ber of exclamation marks which fol- its name was the Mishkan. However, low it. the Mishkan could only be built NO PREVIOUS We have an almost insatiable desire for new. Our society is founded on the self-evident premise The word of EXPERIENCE REQUIRED that everything can and needs to be And each person whose heart moti- improved.
    [Show full text]
  • To Forgive Is Divine, and Human: the Bilateral Obligation of Forgiveness3
    To Forgive is Divine, and Human: The Bilateral Obligation of Forgiveness3 Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman Faculty, Stone Beit Midrash Program The Obligation to Ask Forgiveness It is abundantly clear that the halakhic view places great import on influencing the individual’s interaction with others in society. The relationship of man to his fellow stands as a formidable component of any Jew’s spiritual record, an irreplaceable element of one’s overall standing. It is thus not surprising that any reckoning of one’s religious status is considered incomplete if lacking a thorough analysis of this interaction, along with whatever methods are necessary to rectify any aberrations or disturbances that may arise within this context. The Talmud introduces this concept clearly in the course of a discussion of the laws of Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement effects forgiveness for all transgressions, under the appropriate circumstances and accompanying devices. Nonetheless, we are told: “Sins that are between man and God, Yom Kippur atones for them; Sins that are between man and his fellow, Yom Kippur will not atone until he appeases his fellow.” 4 This notion, the imperative to attain mechilah, forgiveness, from an aggrieved party, is more innovative than it may initially seem.5 While impositions upon the rights of others constitute a significant portion of prohibited behaviors, the necessity to beg the pardon of the victim is by no means obvious. It might equally have been assumed that just as God issued commands as to the behavior of one individual toward another, He, too, serves as the aggrieved party Who must forgive when these commands are trod upon.
    [Show full text]
  • Mishna Berura
    THE CODIFICATION OF JEWISH LAW AND AN INTRODUCTION TO THE JURISPRUDENCE OF THE MISHNA BERURA THE CODIFICATION OF JEWISH LAW AND AN INTRODUCTION TO THE JURISPRUDENCE OF THE MISHNA BERURA Michael J. Broyde and Ira Bedzow Boston 2014 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: A catalog record for this book as available from the Library of Congress. Copyright © 2014 Academic Studies Press All rights reserved Effective August 22, 2016, this book will be subject to a CC-BY-NC license. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. Other than as provided by these licenses, no part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or displayed by any electronic or mechanical means without permission from the publisher or as permitted by law. Open Access publication is supported by OpenEmory. Cover design by Ivan Grave ISBN 978-1-61811-278-1 (hardback) ISBN 978-1-61811-279-8 (ebook) Published by Academic Studies Press in 2014 28 Montfern Avenue Brighton, MA 02135, USA [email protected] www.academicstudiespress.com ACKNOWLEDGMENTS any people have contributed in different ways to the writing of this book and we would like to thank them: M Thank you to the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, the Law School and the Tam Institute of Jewish studies, all at Emory University, who supported us in writing this work, and the editors at Hamline Law Review for reviewing and publishing an earlier version of portions of this book as an article. We particularly also want to thank Jerry and Chaya Weinberger, who supported our work in dedication to their son’s, Shmuel’s, bar mitzvah.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 on Rosh Hashana / Haazinu
    BS"D To: [email protected] From: [email protected] INTERNET PARSHA SHEET ON ROSH HASHANA / HAAZINU - 5771 In our 16th year! To receive this parsha sheet, go to http://www.parsha.net and click Subscribe or send a blank e-mail to [email protected] Please also copy me at [email protected] A complete archive of previous issues is now available at http://www.parsha.net It is also fully searchable. ________________________________________________ To sponsor an issue (proceeds to Tzedaka) email [email protected] ________________________________________________ A K'siva v'Chasima Tova TORAH ON THE INTERNET. Please send donations to any or all of the following institutions. Thanks. Chaim - Torah.org (Project Genesis), 122 Slade Avenue, Suite 250, Baltimore, MD 21208, http://www.torah.org/support - Ohr Somayach International , Attn. Internet Department , 1399 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11230, http://ohr.edu/yhiy.php/donate - Torah Web Foundation, c/o Judah Diament , 94 Baker Ave, Bergenfield, NJ 07621, http://www.torahweb.org/contact.html - Rabbi Riskin, Ohr Torah Stone , Executive Director North America, 49 West 45th Street, Suite 701, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ohrtorahstone.org.il/ots_contact.htm - Aish HaTorah, American Friends of Aish HaTorah , 400 South Lake Drive, Lakewood NJ 08701-3167, http://www.aish.com/aishint/ - Yeshivat Har Etzion Virtual Beit Midrash , American Friends of Yeshivat Har Etzion , 160 Broadway, Suite #1000 , New York, NY 10038, http://www.haretzion.org/contactus.htm - Shema Yisrael Torah Network, POB 708, Lakewood, N.J. 08701, http://www.shemayisrael.com/donation/ - Dafyomi Advancement Forum, (Rabbi Mordechai Kornfeld), D.A.F., 140-32 69 Ave., Flushing NY 11367, http://www.dafyomi.co.il/sponsors.htm - Many thanks to Michael Fiskus for helping distribute Internet Parsha Sheets in Jamaica Estates.
    [Show full text]
  • The Navi Journey — Yona
    110 THE NAVI JOURNEY — YONA METZUDOS DAVID, METZUDOS TZION: Commentary on Nevi’im and Kesuvim by R’ Yechiel Hillel Altschuler (18th century C.E.). Metzudos David provides an overall commentary on the text, while Metzudos Tzion focuses on the explanation of words. MIDRASH TANCHUMA: A Midrash on the Chumash based on the teachings of Tanchuma bar Abba (c. late fourteenth century). MISHBETZOS ZAHAV: Commentary on portions of Navi by R’ Shabsi Sheftel Weiss of Jerusalem. MISHNAH BERURAH: Commentary on Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim by R’ Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin (1838–1933). See Chafetz Chaim. MUSSAR HANEVI’IM: Commentary on the Early Prophets written by Rabbi Yehudah Leib Ginsburg (20th century C.E.). His com- mentary focuses on mussar — the moral lessons of the text. He served as rabbi in Denver, Colorado. Also authored Yalkut Yehu- dah on the Torah. OHR HACHAIM: Commentary on the Torah by R’ Chaim ben Moshe Ibn Attar (1696–1743), a prominent rabbi in Morocco. He was a Talmudist and kabbalist. PIRKEI D’RABBI ELIEZER: An Aggadic Midrash composed by the school of the Tanna R’ Eliezer ben Horkanus (c. 100). PNEI YEHOSHUA: Commentary on the Talmud by R’ Yaakov Yeho- shua ben Tzvi Hirsch Falk (1680–1756). The Avnei Tzedek quoted in the name of the Chasam Sofer that “from the time the Chid- dushei HaRashba was printed no sefer was as great as that of the Pnei Yehoshua.” He served as a Rav in a number of cities. RADAK: Acronym for R’ David Kimchi (1160–1235), author of one of the most important commentaries on Tanach.
    [Show full text]
  • A Taste of Torah Stories for the Soul the Loyal Friend by Rabbi Chaim Gross Night Classes Figuring out Where to Focus One’S Perfectly Honest
    Parshas Naso May 21, 2021 A Taste of Torah Stories for the Soul The Loyal Friend by Rabbi Chaim Gross Night Classes Figuring out where to focus one’s perfectly honest. A newly-married yeshiva student attention and effort in life can be Then came the dreaded letter in the mail. studying in the Mir Yeshiva in challenging, especially when some things It seemed that the government suspected Brooklyn, NY was in the bais medrash seem more attractive. This lesson comes Moshe of a serious violation – one that nightly studying with his chavrusa through this week’s parsha. The verse could result in many a year behind bars, (study partner) until midnight. Rabbi (Bamidbar 5:10) states, “A man’s holies if not a lifetime sentence. He was being Shmuel Brudny (1915-1981), the Rosh shall be his, [and] that which a man gives summoned to court. Moshe desperately Yeshiva (Dean) of the Mir, approached to a kohen shall be his.” needed help, and he knew just whom the fellow and said, “I heard you are One phrase, repeated twice in this verse, to call. He reached for his phone and learning at night with so-and-so. Can catches the reader’s attention, as it is selected speed-dial #2 (#1 was his wife). I ask where you are studying?” strikingly ambiguous. We are told that The phone rang, and then he heard “In the yeshiva,” replied the newlywed. the items listed here, both a man’s holies his dear friend Dovid at the other end. “That’s wonderful,” said Rabbi as well as that which he gives to the kohen But the words were not what he had Brudny, “but it might be a better idea “shall be his.” To whom, exactly, do they expected.
    [Show full text]
  • Judaism and Jewish Philosophy 19 Judaism, Jews and Holocaust Theology
    Please see the Cover and Contents in the last pages of this e-Book Online Study Materials on JUDAISM AND JEWISH PHILOSOPHY 19 JUDAISM, JEWS AND HOLOCAUST THEOLOGY JUDAISM Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people, based on principles and ethics embodied in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and the Talmud. According to Jewish tradition, the history of Judaism begins with the Covenant between God and Abraham (ca. 2000 BCE), the patriarch and progenitor of the Jewish people. Judaism is among the oldest religious traditions still in practice today. Jewish history and doctrines have influenced other religions such as Christianity, Islam and the Bahá’í Faith. While Judaism has seldom, if ever, been monolithic in practice, it has always been monotheistic in theology. It differs from many religions in that central authority is not vested in a person or group, but in sacred texts and traditions. Throughout the ages, Judaism has clung to a number of religious principles, the most important of which is the belief in a single, omniscient, omnipotent, benevolent, transcendent God, who created the universe and continues to govern it. According to traditional Jewish belief, the God who created the world established a covenant with the Israelites, and revealed his laws and commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai in the form of the Torah, and the Jewish people are the descendants of the Israelites. The traditional practice of Judaism revolves around study and the observance of God’s laws and commandments as written in the Torah and expounded in the Talmud. With an estimated 14 million adherents in 2006, Judaism is approximately the world’s eleventh-largest religious group.
    [Show full text]