Tuesday, Shevat 23, 5782 / January 25, 2022
B"H
Tuesday, Shevat 23, 5782 / January 25, 2022
In this week’s Parsha, Mishpatim we find many mitzvot associated with helping others, being generous, giving charity and helping the needy. Here are two stories of the Talmudic sages.
One of the Talmudic sages was called, Rabbi Nachum Ish Gam Zu. The reason he was called, “Gam Zu” is because no matter what happened to him, even in a very difficult situation, Rabbi Nachum would always say, "Gam Zu L'Tovah" - “This too is for the good.”
In his later years, Rabbi Nachum Ish Gam Zu was blind, his hands and feet were paralyzed, his whole body was full of pain and he lived in great poverty. Once, his house was in danger of collapsing. His students wanted to move out Rabbi Nachum. But he said to them, "First move out my belongings, after that take me out of the house, for as long as I am in the house, it will not collapse!"
The students did as they were told. No sooner had they taken Rabbi Nachum out of the house, the house collapsed. The students asked him, "You are such a righteous person why are you suffering?"
Rabbi Nachum replied: "It’s my own fault, I brought it upon myself. Once, I was going to my father-in-law and I had with me three donkeys laden with all kinds of food. As I came to the house, a poor man approached me and said, 'Rabbi, give me something to eat.' I answered, ‘Wait until I will unload the donkeys and then I will feed you.’ But I wasn't fast enough, and the poor man died.
When I saw this, I prayed to G-d; "My eyes that didn't have pity on the eyes of the poor man should become blind. My hands and feet that didn't have pity on the poor man should be paralyzed. I still wasn't satisfied and accepted pain on my entire body."
When the students heard this, they said, "Woe to us that we see you like this!" Rabbi Nachum said to his students, "Woe to me if you wouldn't see me like this, for these sufferings will help me to be forgiven for what I have done!" This story teaches the importance of not delaying helping one in need!
Another Talmudic storyabout the greatness of the mitzvah of charity: Rabbi Akiva had a daughter whom stargazers forecast would die on her wedding day. This caused Rabbi Akiva much worry.
On her wedding night, when she went to bed, she took a golden brooch from her headdress and stuck it into the wall. In the morning, she was shocked to see a dead poisonous snake, with her golden brooch pierced through its eye! She ran to tell her father.
"My daughter," asked Rabbi Akiva, "what have you done to deserve such a miracle?"
She replied, "At my wedding, a poor man came asking for a meal to satisfy his hunger. I saw that everyone was too busy, so I got up and gave him my own portion that you, father, had personally served me."
"That's it!" her father exclaimed. "The Mitzvah saved your life!"
HAVE A GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL & WONDERFUL DAY
Friday, Shevat 19, 5782 / January 21, 2022
B"H
Friday, Shevat 19, 5782 / January 21, 2022
This Shabbat we will read Parshat Yitro, which tells the story of the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
In the Parsha: “On the third month after the children of Israel’s departure from Egypt, on this day, they arrived at the desert of Sinai” (Exodus 9:1).
Q. On which day of the month, and which day of the week did they arrive at Mount Sinai? On which day of the week was the Torah given?
A. They came to Mount Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Sivan (first day of the third month). There are two opinions as to which day of the week it was. Some say that they came on Sunday and the Torah was given seven days later. Some say they came to Mount Sinai on Monday, thus, the Torah was given six days later. Everyone agrees that the Torah was given on Shabbat (Saturday).
In the Parsha:(In preparation to receiving the Torah, G-d tells Moshe,) “You should say the following to the House of Jacob and tell to the sons of Israel. You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and I brought you to me. Now if you listen to Me and keep My covenant, you will be a precious treasure to me among all the peoples, for the whole earth is mine. You shall be to Me a kingdom of ministers and a holy nation.” (Exodus 9:3-6).
Q. What is the reason for these two expressions concerning the Jewish people, the House of Jacob and the sons of Israel”?
A. Our sages explain that “the House of Jacob” refers to the women and “the sons of Israel” refers to the men. Thus, in preparation to receiving the Torah, G-d told Moshe to speak to the women first and then to the men.
Q. Why does the Torah refer to the women as, “House of Jacob”?
A. The Jewish woman is called, “Akeret habayit” – “the foundation of the home.” Throughout 3000 years of Jewish history, it was the mother, more than the father, who took responsibility for building the spiritual foundation of her home. It was the Jewish mother (“yiddishe Mame”) who instilled and nurtured the love and beauty of Judaism in her children. While the father’s role was mostly to work outside the home, the mother’s role and responsibility was within her home. Thus, her influence on her children was much greater. It is she who is responsible to make her home a Jewish home and a holy dwelling place for G-d.
Thus, as G-d was about to give the Torah, which was to be carried forward to all generations, He commanded Moshe to speak to the women first, for their role and effectiveness in accomplishing this is much greater.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 4:27 / Shabbat ends: 5:34
Tuesday, Shevat 16, 5782 / January 18, 2022
B"H
Tuesday, Shevat 16, 5782 / January 18, 2022
The highlight of this week's Parsha, Yitro, is G-d's giving the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. In addition to the Ten Commandments, all 613 commandments were given to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. This great event took place seven weeks after The Exodus.
Q. Why did G-d wait 50 days after the Exodus to give the Torah?
A. During their long enslavement in Egypt, a majority of Israelites adopted the ways of the Egyptians. As a result, they had fallen to a very low spiritual level, even to the point of worshipping idols. In order to receive the Torah, they had to elevate themselves spiritually. Only when they achieved that spiritual level did G-d give them the Torah. It took 50 days for them to achieve that spirtual level.
The Midrash gives another reason with the following parable: A king had a son who was sick for a lengthy time. When the young prince finally felt a bit better, his teacher asked the king to send the boy to school. But the king replied, "My son has not yet fully recovered. For the next few months let him eat and drink and after, when he is completely recovered, I will send him to school.
Similarly, G-d said, My children have just come out of Egypt where they were tortured and enslaved. How can I give them the Torah so soon? Let them enjoy the Manna, the water of the well and the quail. Once they are completely healed, then I will give them the Torah."
Q. What is the significance of the number "Ten" ("Ten" commandments)?
A. Our Talmudic sages tell us that G-d created the world with Ten sayings. The Ten Commandments correspond to the Ten sayings with which G-d created the world. This, say our sages, teaches us that by keeping the Ten Commandments, one preserves the universe!
Q. There are 620 letters in the Ten Commandments. What is the significance of this number?
A. They correspond to the 613 Biblical Mitzvot plus 7 Rabbinical laws, which total 620!
Q. Why is it costomery to place a crown on the Torah?
A. The "crown" placed on top of the Torah scroll is called "Keter Torah." The word "Keter" (crown) has the numerical value of 620 (20+400+200=620). This alludes to the biblical and rabbinical mitzvot.
Q. The first letter of the Ten Commandments is "Alef" and the last one is "Chaf" (1+20) which totals 21. What is the significance of this?
A. According to Rabbi Sadiya Gaon, all the mitzvot of the Torah are found within the Ten Commandments. The first letter of each of the Five Books of the Torah add up to 21 (2+6+6+6+1). The number 21 of the Ten Commandments hints to the fact that the entire Torah was given at Mount Sinai.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
Monday, Shevat 15, 5782 / January 17, 2022
B"H
Monday, Shevat 15, 5782 / January 17, 2022
Today is the 15th day of the Hebrew month, Shevat, also known as "Tu B’Shevat - Rosh Hashanah L'ilanot - New Year for trees."
Why is this day called Tu B’Shevat? Each Hebrew letter has a numerical value. The two Hebrew letters Tet & Vav, which make up the word "Tu," add up to 15. Tu B’Shevat means the 15th day in Shevat.
The practical purpose of identifying a New Year for trees is that, in Israel, one must give tithes from the harvest reaped each year. The 15th of Shevat marks the New Year for trees and thus determines the tithes to be given from the fruits of that year. All fruits that started blossoming before the 15th of Shevat were considered as of the previous year. The ones which began blossoming after the 15th of Shevat were considered as fruit of the New Year.
Celebrating Tu B’Shevat also expresses our love for our Holy Land, its fruits and its special mitzvot.
According to our sages, the significance of New Year for trees to us is based on the following Torah verse (Deut. 20:19), "Ki Ha'adam Eitz Ha'sadeh" - "Man is compared to a tree."
A person is likened to a tree in many ways. For example, for a tree to become full grown and healthy giving delicious fruit, one must attend to the tree from when it is still very young. In fact, the most crucial time is when the tree is young and susceptible to all kinds of dangers.
The same is with people. To assure that our children grow up spiritually and morally strong, we must take extra care to give them the proper spiritual nourishment when they are young. Just like a small mark on a young tree can turn into a large scar as the tree grows, so too, even a small negative impression on a young child can have a most lasting devastating effect when they get older.
Q. This week’s Parsha is Yitro. How can we connect New Years for trees with Parshat Yitro?
A. Parshat Yitro is about the Giving of the Torah. The Torah is also compared to a tree; "Eitz Chaim" - "A Tree of Life." The sign of a healthy tree is that it grows and gives fruits, which benefit others. So too, a Jew must continue to grow in knowledge of Torah and continue to bear fruits which are the performance of mitzvot and good deeds and helps others enjoy the fruits of the Torah.
The Fifth Commandment of the Ten Commandments is: “Honor your father and your mother.” Here too, we find the connection to a tree. To make sure that a young tree grows straight, it is supported from two sides from a very young age. The same is with our children. Father and mother must be the two supporting pillars for their children so that they grow straight and healthy. Investing in our children is the greatest and most rewarding investment one can and should make.
May we all be blessed with everlasting Nachas from our fruits - from our children.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL & FRUITFUL DAY
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