B"H
Thursday, Nissan 29, 5783 (Hakhel Year) 14th Sefirah / April 19, 2023
Each night, between Passover and Shavuot, we perform the mitzvah of counting the Omer. We recite a special blessing and mention the number of the Omer of that day.
The purpose of this mitzvah is to prepare for receiving The Torah, which took place on Shavuot. The purpose of the Exodus was to give us the Torah at Mount Sinai. Our sages tell us that true freedom is not when one is free from responsibilities, but rather when one knows their responsibilities and does them. To achieve this goal, G-d gave the Jewish people The Torah and mitzvot.
To help us incorporate the true meaning of freedom, we study Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers), beginning the Shabbat after Passover. Pirkei Avot is a compilation of the teachings of the Talmudic sages dealing with proper behavior toward G-d and toward each other.
In Russia, there lived a peasant farmer who never experienced riding aboard a train. One day, he had to travel to Moscow. He went to the city to catch the train going to Moscow. When he arrived at the train station, he was told that he must purchase a ticket. Being a wealthy peasant, he bought a first-class ticket and waited for the train to pull into the station. More people gathered near the tracks waiting for the train. Not knowing exactly what to do, he decided to watch the other people and do the same.
When the train finally arrived, he noticed that some of them ran to the back of the train, dashed up the steps and hid under the seats of the train. Thinking that this was the procedure, he did the same.
When the conductor passed through, he noticed a man under the seat. "Where do you think you are traveling without a ticket," the conductor barked as he pulled the farmer out from under the seat. "You will have to pay for a seat, or you will be out of the train at the next station!"
"But I did pay for a seat on the train," pleaded the farmer, showing the conductor his first-class ticket. The conductor checked the ticket and realized that it was indeed a valid first-class ticket.
"This is a first-class ticket, where in addition to a comfortable and luxury ride, you also get served three meals a day! Why are you in third class and under the seat?!"
"I had no idea what to do, so I followed whatever the other people did," replied the farmer.
The conductor laughed; "The others have no tickets, so they hide to avoid being caught. But you, with your first-class ticket, you should be traveling in luxury and comfort!"
The same applies to The Torah and mitzvot. G-d liberated us from Egyptian slavery and gave us The Torah to imbue our life with purpose, meaning and value. Trading G-d's way of life as prescribed by The Torah, for man-made values, is like the farmer who has a first-class ticket but rides under a third class seat! The lessons of Pirkei Avot guide us not to make that mistake.
Thursday night begins the two days of Rosh Chodesh of the month Iyar, through Friday & Shabbat.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Friday, Nissan 30, 5783 (Hakhel Year) 15th Sefirah / April 21, 2023
Today (Friday) is the first day Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month, Iyar. Shabbat will be the second day Rosh Chodesh. As a result, on Shabbat two Torahs are taken out of the ark. In the first Torah the weekly Parsha is read. In the second one the Maftir, which is about Rosh Codesh, is read.
This Shabbat the two Parshiot Tazria and Metzora, are read. They both deal with the laws of "Tzara’at" which results in spiritual impurity when it afflicts a person.
"Tzara’at" is an ailment with physical symptoms similar to leprosy. During the time of the Bet HaMikdash (Holy Temple) the Kohen (priest) would have to investigate the condition of the one afflicted with Tzara’at and declare the person spiritually "clean" or "unclean." The laws of "Tzara’at" applied only during the time of the Holy Temple.
Our sages explain that "Tzara’at" was inflicted upon a person as a punishment for speaking "Lashon Hara" – talking badly and slandering others. Speaking ill about others is an extremely grave sin.
According to our sages, slander hurts three people; the one who speaks, the person who listens and the person spoken about! Since we do not have the Bet HaMikdash (Holy Temple) today, the laws of Tzara’at do not apply, yet the prohibition to speak evil about people is nevertheless the same.
Our sages have often emphasized the need for a person to be very careful when speaking about others. In fact, we are advised in some cases to refrain from speaking about others even when our intention is to say nice things, for in the course of the conversation one may come to say something negative.
The importance of refraining from speaking about others can also be seen from the commandment of the Torah, "Remember what the L-rd your G-d did unto Miriam on the way, as you came out of Egypt." Miriam spoke negatively about her brother Moshe and she became leprous (Tzara’at). The Torah commands us to remember this episode so that we, too, should refrain from speaking bad about others.
Our sages compare the damage inflicted through Lashon Hara to a person shooting an arrow at somebody else. As soon as the arrow leaves the person who shot it, they have no control over it anymore. Similarly, as soon as a person utters negative words about others, he loses control over them and there is no telling how far they may travel and how much damage they may inflict.
The Midrash tells that Rabbi Shimon sent his servant to the market, “Bring me the best thing you can find in the market.” He brought back a tongue. Sometime later Rabbi Shimon said to him, “Go to the market and bring me back the worst thing you can find.” Again, he brought back a tongue.
Rabbi Shimon said to him, “How is it that when I asked you to bring the best thing from the market you brought a tongue and when I asked for the worst thing you also brought a tongue?” The servant replied, “There is nothing better than a tongue when it says good things and there is nothing worse than the tongue when it speaks evil!”
SHABBAT SHALOM & CHODESH TOV – A HAPPY AND HEALTHY MONTH
Montreal Shabbat candle lighting time: 7:30 / Shabbat ends: 8:38
B"H
Monday, Iyar 3, 5783 (Hakhel Year) 18th Sefirah / April 24, 2023
This Shabbat we will read two Parshiot, Acharei Mot& Kedoshim, from the Book of Leviticus.
In one of the passages in Parshat Acharei Mot, the Torah says, “You should observe My statutes and My laws, which man shall do, and live by them.”
Q.What does the Torah mean with the words, “And live by them”?
A.The Talmud explains that the Torah tells us here that although each of G-d’s commandments are very important to fulfill, yet they were given to “live” by them and not to die by them. This teaches us that when there is a situation of life and deathand in order to live one must transgress one of the Mitzvot, life takes precedence.
For example: We are prohibited from eating non-kosher foods. However, when it is a situation of life and death and the doctor orders that they must eat a non kosher food item, otherwise they will die, the Torah commands us that life takes precedence. In that case it is a Mitzvahto obey the doctor and eat non-kosher food.
The same applies with Shabbat. When someone’s life is in danger, one is obligated to violate the Shabbat in order to save the person’s life. It is not a violation of a mitzvah, for the mitzvah of saving a life takes precedence.
This is why we see very religious Jews involved in the Hatzalah organization; a volunteer organization dedicated to saving lives. One can see very religious people driving the Hatzalah cars and ambulances even on Shabbat. Because when it comes to saving a life, one is not transgressing G-d’s commandment, but rather performing a greater mitzvah of saving a life.
Only for three mitzvot is a person required to give their life: 1) Idol worship; 2) Murder 3) Adultery.
“And live by them” - In a deeper sense, the Torah tells us that we should not perform G-d’s commandments as something forcedupon us and which we would rather not have to do. The Torah tells us, live by them. We should perform them withlife and enthusiasm.
Another explanation: One should not say, “While I am still young, I will concentrate on business and making a living. Only later in life, will I devote time for Torah and mitzvot.”
The Torah tells us, “You should observe My statutes and My laws.. and live by them.” You should study Torah and perform G-d’s mitzvot while you are young, energetic, and full of life.
Our sages in the Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers) teach: “One should not say, When I will have time, then I will study Torah, because you may never have time.” The time is NOW.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Tuesday, Iyar 4, 5783 (Hakhel Year) 19th Sefirah / April 25, 2023
As mentioned yesterday, this Shabbat we read the two Parshiot of Acharei & Kedoshim. Many of the mitzvot are recorded in Parshat Kedoshim.
Parshat Kedoshim begins, “G-d spoke to Moshe saying, speak to the entire congregation of the Children of Israel, and say to them, You should be holy, because I, G-d your G-d, am holy. A person should fear his mother and father and observe My Shabbat for I am G-d, your G-d.”
Parshat Kedoshim is unique in that G-d told Moshe to gather the entire congregation and relate the mitzvot of this Parsha to everyone at the same time. Usually, Moshe would teach his brother Aaron first, then Aaron’s children, then the elders and after he would teach everyone else. But the mitzvot in this Parsha, G-d told him to, “Speak to the entire congregation” -to teach everyone together.
Q. Why does the Torah connect fearing/honoring parents and the mitzvah of observing Shabbat?
A. The sages explain that this teaches us that although a person must respect parents, G-d’s commandments take precedence. Thus, if parents command a child to violate a mitzvah, such as desecrating Shabbat, one must listen to G-d’s commandment and not violate the Shabbat. The reasoning behind it is because parents also have to observe G-d’s commandments.
Another reason: The Talmud tells us that there are three partners in the creation of a child; father, mother, and G-d. The reason we observe Shabbat is stated in the Ten Commandments, “Six days you shall work and perform all your labor, but the seventh day is a Shabbat to G-d your G-d… because in six days G-d made the heaven and earth... and He rested on the seventh day.”
Shabbat is our confirmation that G-d is the creator of the universe. Honoring parents and observing Shabbat is our expression of gratitude to the three partners responsible for bringing us into this world: G-d and our parents. This is why the Torah combines respecting parents and observing Shabbat.
Q.Why does the Torah add the word, “A person” should fear his father and mother. The Torah should just have said, “You should fear your father and mother”?
A. The word “Ish” – “a person”is used for someone who is anadult. By adding the worda person, the Torah wants to emphasize that even when one is an adult and is not dependent on his/her parents anymore, they still have the mitzvah to honor their parents. Parents are parents no matter how old they or their children are. One must honor and respect parents not for any ulterior motive, only because they are our parents.
The mitzvah of honoring parents applies even after their passing. This is why we are obligated to observe their yahrzeit and say the Kaddish after them. Giving to charity in their honor is a great merit for their Neshama-soul. The connection between us and our parents is everlasting.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
|
Torah Fax is published daily (except Shabbat & Sunday) so you can learn something new every day |