B"H

Monday, Tishrei 29, 5783 / October 24, 2022

Last Shabbat we read Parshat Breishis which is the first Parsha in the Torah. In it the Torah describes the six days of creation, in which G-d created the world and the day of Shabbat – the day in which He rested.

The Parsha covers a period of 1500 years, from the beginning of creation until the time of Noach and the birth of his three children, who survived the Great Flood, about which we will read this coming Shabbat.   

Q.Although G-d rested on Shabbat He did create one thing on Shabbat. What is it?

A.On Shabbat G-d created REST. The concept of rest which the Torah speaks about means G-d rested from creating physical matter. The idea of the mitzvah of resting on Shabbat is that we should be elevated from being involved in pursuing the physical and concentrate on our spiritual achievements. The day of Shabbat was given to the Jewish people to take a break from physical work and be involved in study, prayer and family time.

Q.What is the reason the Torah gave for observing Shabbat?

A.The mitzvah of resting on Shabbat is found in the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are written twice in the Torah. Once, in the Book of Exodus and again in the Book of Deuteronomy. In Exodus the Torah states the reason for observing Shabbat, “Because six days G-d created the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day G-d rested.” Resting on Shabbat serves as testimony that G-d created the world and just as He rested on Shabbat, we too, rest on Shabbat.

In the Ten Commandments as they are recorded in Deuteronomy, the reason stated for observing Shabbat is to remember that G-d liberated the Jewish people from enslavement in the land of Egypt. Thus, observing Shabbat attests to the fact that G-d created the world and to the miracle of the Exodus when He chose us as His nation.

Q. What is the meaning of the name Shabbat?

A. “Shabbat” means REST. During the 40 years in the desert, Jews would receive a daily portion of manna. The manna couldn’t be left over from one day to the next as it would rot and become spoiled. Each day G-d would supply them with a fresh portion of manna from heaven. However, on Shabbat the manna didn’t come down. On Friday they would receive a double portion for Friday and Shabbat. On Shabbat it stayed as fresh as when it came on Friday. Thus, Jews during those forty years, witnessed every Shabbat the miracle of the manna and the holiness of Shabbat.

Q. Why is the blessing we make over the wine on Shabbat called, Kiddush? Why do we use two Chalot (special breads) for the Shabbat meal?

A. “Kiddush” means to sanctify.We sanctify the holy day of Shabbat over wine. The two Chalot are in commemoration for the double portion of manna which came down in honor of Shabbat.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 2, 5783 / October 27, 2022

This week’s Parsha, Noach, begins with the story of Noach (Noah), the building of the ark and the Great Flood. The Parsha ends with the birth of our forefather, Abraham, the Patriarch of the Jewish nation. There were ten generations from Noach to Abraham.    

It took Noach 120 years to build the ark. He was 480 years when he began building the ark and 600 years old when the Great Flood came. When he started building the ark his three sons were not born yet.

Q.   The Parsha tells us that the waters of The Great Flood came down for a period of forty days.  What is the significance of forty in relation to the Great Flood?

A.   The Torah says, “And the earth was corrupted before G-d, and the earth was filled with robbery.  Although, the people committed many sins against G-d, yet, their verdict was sealed due to the sin of robbery.  The numerical value of the Hebrew word, “Gezel” - “robbery” is 40.

Also, the amount of water needed in a mikvah (ritual bath) to purify from impurity is 40 seah. Thus, as the waters of the Great Flood were also intended to purify the world, it came down for forty days.

After The Flood, G-d promised Noach never again to bring such destruction upon the world.  G-d said to Noach, “This is a sign of the covenant which I am placing between Me and every living soul that is with you, for all generations.  I have placed My rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign between Myself and the earth… I will look at it and remember the everlasting covenant.”

Because the rainbow is such a significant symbol, the sages established the following special blessing upon seeing a rainbow: “Blessed are you L-rd, our G-d, King of the universe, Who remembers the covenant, is trustworthy in His covenant and fulfills His word.”

Q.  Why did G-d have to give Noach a sign that He will never destroy the world?

A.   The Midrash explains that when G-d told Noach, after The Flood, to leave the ark and be fruitful and multiply, Noach was hesitant to have more children for fear that G-d may again destroy the world.  G-d then made an oath not to bring another flood which will destroy the universe.  Noah was still hesitant and asked G-d for a sign.  G-d showed him the rainbow and declared, "This is my sign.  Whenever mankind deserves a flood, I will look at the rainbow and remember the covenant."

Q.   How is G-d's covenant not to bring destruction to the world represented by the rainbow?

A.  The Midrash explains that when two warriors approached each other to make peace, each one would point their bow toward themselves to signal that they do not seek war.  Thus, G-d said to Noah, "During the flood My bow was drawn and aimed against the world. The rainbow resembles the bow pointing upward.  This expresses My promise never to direct My arrows of destruction against the world again." It also serves as a reminder for mankind to improve their ways.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Mar-Cheshvan 3, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / October 28, 2022

This week’s Parsha, Noach, begins, “These are the generations of Noach. Noach was a righteous and wholehearted man in his generations; with G-d walked Noach. Noach had three sons: Shem, Cham and Yefet.  And the earth was corrupted before G-d, and the earth was filled with robbery.  And G-d said to Noach: The end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with robbery.  Behold, I will destroy them together with the earth." 

G-d commands Noach to build an ark ("Teiva").  He tells Noach to bring one pair of each species of non-kosher animals and seven of each of the kosher animals into the Ark, so they will be saved from the flood.  G-d then brought the Great Flood and it rained for 40 days and nights. The waters kept on rising for 150 days and covered the highest mountains. They all stayed in the ark for 365 days.

Q.  What did they eat for that entire year? What kept the food from rotting?

A.  G-d tells Noach to bring food into the ark. Adam, his descendants and the animals were only permitted to eat fruits and vegetables. They were prohibited from eating meat. Thus, only vegetation was the food staple for everyone in the ark. G-d made a special covenant with Noach that the food will not spoil and will last them throughout the time they will be in the ark.

After The Flood, G-d gave them all permission to eat meat (Genesis 9:3).

Q.  What was the first plant Noach planted after The Flood?

A.  A vineyard (Genesis 9:20). The Torah says, "He drank from the wine and became drunk" (Genesis 9:21). Thus, Noach was the first drunk on record.

Q.“Torah” means “teaching.” Every story in the Torah is also relevant to us today. What is the lesson of the story of the Great Flood and the ark, which happened over 4,000 years ago, to us today?

A.  The Torah refers to the ark, in which Noach and his family were saved, as, "The Teiva."  In Hebrew, "Teiva" also means a "word." Chassidic Rabbis make the following connection: Just like the ark-Teiva saved Noah and his family from drowning in the floodwaters, so too, in a spiritual sense, we have to go into the "Teiva" – the words of prayer, through which we connect to G-d.

The temptations, challenges, and problems that confront us daily, are like a Great Flood which can totally encompass and consume a person. To protect ourselves, we too, have to build and enter into the "Teiva" – our spiritual ark, which is prayer. Through prayer and the study of Torah, one connects to G-d and draws the strength to stay above water. Prayer must be a regular part of our daily life. 

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal Shabbat candle lighting time: 5:29 / Shabbat ends: 6:31