B"H
Friday, Tammuz 23, 5782 / July 22, 2022
This week’s Parsha, in the diaspora, is Pinchas. The second half of the Parsha is about the various sacrifices which G-d commanded to be brought in the Holy Temple each day, Shabbat and on each of the holidays. Excerpts from this Parsha are read during the year, more than from any Parsha in the Torah.
Parts of this Parsha are read on the three festive holidays, on Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and every Rosh Chodesh, concerning the sacrifices of that particular holiday.
Q. The Shabbat sacrifice is also mentioned in the Parsha. Why don’t we read that portion on each Shabbat?
A. The minimum we must read in order to qualify for someone to be called to the Torah needs to be at least three verses. Because the passage in the Parsha which speaks about the Shabbat Sacrifice is mentioned in only two verses, no special reading was set.
Q. What was special about the sacrifices in the Temple?
A. The Torah commands that a fire burn on the altar at all times. When a sacrifice was brought upon the altar to be burnt, in addition to the fire which the Kohanim (priests) lit on the altar, a G-dly fire would descend from heaven and consume the sacrifice. One could visibly see this great miracle. The sacrifices connected the physical and the spiritual and brought spirituality down here in the physical. They were a visible sign that when a Jew performs a mitzvah he or she becomes connected with G-d. This connection was only visible in the Temple with the offering of the sacrifices.
The Hebrew word for sacrifice is Korban, which comes from the word Karov – to become close. This was accomplished only in the Temple, where miracles were open and visible. When the sacrifice was brought on the altar everyone was able to see the connection between the physical fire and the spiritual fire from above. After the destruction of the Temple this connection cannot be accomplished, thus sacrifices are prohibited.
Q. Is there anything today that replaces sacrifices?
A. Prayer. The Talmudic sages say, “Prayers were established in place of sacrifices.” The three daily prayers were established, after the destruction of the Temple, instead of the sacrifices. The Hebrew word for prayer, Tefilah, can be translated as “connection.” Just like the sacrifices in the Holy Temple, so too, through our prayers we connect with G-d.
This Shabbat we bless the new Hebrew month, AV. Rosh Chodesh will be Thurs. night & Fri.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:15 / Shabbat ends: 9:27
B"H
Monday, Tammuz 26, 5782 / July 25, 2022
This Shabbat we will recite the second chapterof the Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers).
Although written two thousand years ago, these teachings are valid today as they were then. Here is a lesson from this week’s chapter:
Rabbi Yehuda, compiler of the Mishna says, “Be as careful in the performance of a[seemingly] minor mitzvah as that of a major one, for you do not know the exact reward given for specific mitzvot.”
Q. Why didn’t G-d tell us the reward for each of the mitzvot (only for very few)?
A. Our sages explain that if we knew the exact reward of mitzvot then people would perform only those whose reward is great and neglect doing the other mitzvot. Thus, G-d didn’t tell us the reward for mitzvot.
Q. Why can’t we judge which mitzvot are minor and which are important ones as they appear to us?
A. What we see from our human limited perspective may not be exactly the way the mitzvot are in reality, from their spiritual viewpoint and effect. A mitzvah which may seem minor to us or a transgression which may seem insignificant to us, may in fact be very major in the higher realms.
A poor man once came to the home of a wealthy person and asked for some old clothing. The people in the house had pity on the man and told him to go to the attic and choose some clothing.
The poor man went up to the attic where he found some old clothing, which he decided to take. Looking around for rope to tie his bundle, he saw some rope wrapped around a nail on the wall. Without thinking much of it, he took out his pocket knife and cut a piece of rope.
Instantly he heard a tremendous crash down below. Before long, everyone came racing to the attic, “You broke our beautiful chandelier!” they screamed. “But I only took a small piece of rope!” the poor man tried to defend himself. “How could I have broken your chandelier?”
They answered bitterly: “This smallropewas holding the chandelier to the ceiling. By cutting this smallpiece of the rope, the chandelier fell to the ground and broke, causing a bigdisaster!”
It is the same with mitzvot. Some mitzvot may seem insignificant, but in truth, just as the small piece of rope holding up the chandelier, they are very significant.
This is why our sages tell us not to judge the value of mitzvot. What may seem small and insignificant, may indeed be very great and valuable with much depending on it. Thus, we must try to perform everymitzvah we can.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
Please note: Torah Fax will not be published regularly during July & August
B"H
Thursday, Tammuz 29, 5782 / July 28, 2022
This Shabbat we read from the Torah the final two portions in the book of Numbers (Bamidbar), Matotand Masei. Thus, concluding the fourth book of the Torah, which covers the span of forty years which Jews spent in the Desert.
Parshat Masei begins with Moshe reminding the Jewish people about all their travels during their forty years in the desert. He reminds them the names of each place they camped and what took place there. Also the exact borders of The Promised Land are recorded in Parshat Masei.
Parshat Matot begins with the laws of vows (Nedarim); "Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribesof the children of Israel, saying, ‘This is what the L-rd has commanded; When a man makes a vow to the L-rd or an oath, he shall not break his word; he shall do which came out of his mouth.’"
This Parsha teaches us the significance and implications of the words we speak. The third commandment of the Ten Commandments is, "Do not utter the name of the L-rd your G-d in vain." It is a prohibition which is associated totally with words we say.
Words and speech are a very powerful tool. G-d tells us in the Torah that the universe was created through G-d’s sayings (words) to teach us the tremendous power words carry.
This is why it is important, when making a commitment. to say the following words, "Bli Neder"; which means, "without a vow." For, even with the best intentions, one never knows if they will be able to honor their commitment in the future. Thus, when making a pledge or commitment, whether in business or otherwise, it is always best to say "Bli Neder" - i.e., "without a vow."
We must especially be very careful to avoid using the expression "I swear." Swearing, even when one thinks they are 100% sure about the accuracy of the matter, is not appropriate. How much more so, when one uses the expression without even thinking whether what they are swearing about, is indeed true.
Q. The law of keeping a vow applies to all Jews alike. Why does Moshe single out the heads of the tribesto speaks to them about this specific law?
A. The Chatam Sofer says that it is usually, the “heads of the tribes”; the leaders, the politicians, who seek public office and compete for people’s votes who make so many empty promises. They will promise anything to get elected, but then they completely forget their vows and promises. Thus, the Torah directs this commandment especially to the heads of the tribes – the leaders of the people.
Today, the 29th day of Tammuz, is the Yartzeit (day of passing) of the greatest of all Torah commentators, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki – known as Rashi. He lived for 65 years (1040-1105) and accomplished so much during these years. May his memory be a blessing to all.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
Please note: Torah Fax will not be published regularly during July & August
B"H
Friday, Menachem Av 1, 5782 / July 29, 2022
Today (Friday) is Rosh Chodesh Av – the first day of the month of Av, also called Menachem Av. Many of the great tragedies which befell our people over the years took place in the month of Av. As a result, our sages say, “When the month of Av enters, we minimizein happiness.”
Today, Rosh Chodesh Av is the day of passing (Yartzeit) of Aaron the High Priest, as we will read in this week’s Parsha, Masei. In Pirkei Avot, Hillel the elder says, “Be of the disciples of Aaron; loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and drawing them close to the Torah.”
Q. The month of Av is at times also known as, “Menachem Av.” Why is the word Menachem added?
A. “Menachem” means “comfort.” The destruction of the two Holy Temples took place on the 9th day in the month of Av. We add the word “Menachem” (comfort) as a prayer that G-d should comfortus and bring about the ultimate redemptionthrough Moshiach who will rebuild the Holy Temple.
Q. The Torah tells us that the Temple is G-d’s resting place. Did the spiritual status of the Temple Mount change after the Temple was destroyed?
A. Our sages say that although the physical Temple was destroyed, G-d’s presence never moved away from its place. Thus, the Temple Mount is as holy today as before. This is why according to Halacha (Torah law) it is forbidden even today to walk in certain areas of the Temple Mount.
Q. What is the significance of that particular site that G-d chose it as the place to build the Holy Temple?
A. The significance of the Temple Mount began at the time of creation. The “Even Shesiah” (Foundation stone), from which the creation of the world began, was situated in the Holy Temple, in the Holy of Holies.
The first man, Adam, was created from the earth of where the Courtyard Altar was to stand in the Holy Temple many years later.
It was at this site that Abraham was ready to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to G-d. It was there that he passed the tenth and final test, by which G-d tested his faith in Him.
It was at this site that Jacob slept and had his famous dream of the ladder which extended from earth to heaven and upon which the angels went up and down. Upon waking up he exclaimed, “This is the House of G-d and this is the Gate to Heaven!” We pray three times a day facing Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, for there is the Gate of Heaven through which all our prayers ascend to heaven.
May we merit the coming of Moshiach and witness G-d’s glory in the Third Temple, which will be everlasting, speedily in our days. Amen.
SHABBAT SHALOM & A HAPPY HEALTHY CHODESH-MONTH
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:08 / Shabbat ends: 9:17
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