B"H
Tuesday, Iyar 6, 5784 / May 14, 2024 (21st day of the Omer)
Yesterday Israel remembered the fallen heroes – men and women who gave their lives to protect the Land of Israel and the People of Israel. It also celebrated Independence day. This year the celebrations were with heavy hearts for those who were slaughtered, murdered, mutilated, raped and all who were taken hostage.
On the one hand, we thank G-d every day for choosing us as His Holy Nation and giving us the Holy Land of Israel. It is nothing short of a miracle from G-d that we have been able to defend Israel for the past 76 years against overwhelming odds which were, and are, stacked against us, to this very day.
At the same time our hearts are pained for those who have lost loved ones in the brutal savagery at the hands of Hamas terrorists and for those who are suffering in captivity. May they ALL be freed now.
Israel is a constant miracle. It is only because G-d is with us, that Israel is ours today. As the Torah says, “For it is He Who gives you the power to do battle.”
Israel is constantly dependent on G-d for its existence. As Moshe told the Jewish people, “Because of your connection to G-d, you are all alive today.”
Story: The mikveh (ritual bath) in the city of Premishlan, was located behind a steep mountain. During the summer months the people would take the short route to the mikveh, which went over the mountain. However, in the winter, the mountain was covered with snow and ice, it was dangerous to go up and down the mountain, so they would take the long way and go around the mountain.
The Chassidic Rabbe of Premishlan, Rabbi Meir, would take the shortcut all year round. He would go over the mountain even in the winter and would always safely get to the mikveh and back. People spoke with admiration about their illustrious holy rabbi, how G-d watched and protected him.
There were a few wise guys who made fun of the people who viewed this as a miracle. They said, “This is no great deal. We can do it too.” One winter day, they started climbing up the mountain to prove their point. Halfway up, they lost their footing, slipped, and rolled down the mountain, hurting themselves badly. When they recovered, they came to Rabbi Meir and asked for his forgiveness. Then they said, “Rabbi we recognize that this is not humanly possible. How do youdo it?”
Rabbi Meir replied, “When one is attached on high, one doesn’t fall below.” Because we are connected to on-high, He protects us down here. Our dependenceis the secret of our independence.
After Biden unjustly proclaimed that he was withholding from supplying Israel necessary armaments to wipe out Hamas terrorists-murderers, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said, “Israel will have to do it alone.” The truth is that Israel is never alone.G-d was, is, and always will be with Israel.
Long live the people of Israel in the land of Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
B"H
Friday, Iyar 2, 5784 / May 10, 2024 (17th day of the Omer)
The Torah reading this Shabbat is Parshat Kedoshim. The Parsha 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 that to everyone else. It shows the special importance of this Parsha.
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 yartzeit and recite Kaddish after their passing. Giving charity in their honor is a great merit for their Neshama-soul. The connection between us and our parents is everlasting.
SHABBAT SHALOM & HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Montreal candle lighting time: 7:55 / Shabbat ends: 9:07
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
Thursday, Iyar 1, 5784 / May 7, 2024 (16th day of the Omer)
Today is the second day Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month Iyar. The mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh was given to the Jewish people, while still in Egypt, as they were getting ready for the Exodus.
Q. Why is Rosh Chodesh so significant?
A. Rosh Chodesh is based on the lunar cycle, which is a monthly cycle. At the end of every month the moon is not visible. When the moon reappears, that day is Rosh Chodesh.
Rosh Chodesh is a sign of hope for the Jewish people. It reminds us that no matter what hardships we may encounter, we will always resurface and shine again, just like the moon.
Rabbi Meir Shapiro was a legend in pre-Second World War Poland. He built the famous Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva, in Lublin, Poland. Young men, with exceptional minds, from all over Europe, were the students of his yeshiva. He initiated the daily study of Daf Yomi – a page of Talmud daily. Rabbi Meir Shapiro was also a member in the Polish parliament. In addition to his many achievements, Rabbi Shapiro was also known for his wonderful wit and humor.
With a population of three million Yiddish speaking Jews in Poland, there were many Jewish newspapers in the Yiddish language, printed there. There was a newspaper called the “Moment;” another one was called “Heint” (Today) and one of a religious nature was called, “Der Yid” (the Jew).
One day, walking by a newsstand, Rabbi Shapiro asked for “Der Yid.” The proprietor said to Rabbi Shapiro, “Why do you want Der Yid? Why don’t you buy the more sophisticated papers, like the “Moment” or the “Heint?” In fact, you see that “Der Yid” is all the way on the bottom of the pile, beneath the “Heint” and the “Moment!”
“But I insist on buying “Der Yid!” said Rabbi Shapiro. The proprietor bent down and pulled out Der Yid from the bottom of the pile and handed it to Rabbi Shapiro. “I’m very curious,” he said to the Rabbi, “Why did you insist on buying “Der Yid?” After all, this newspaper has a small circulation and is of lesser quality than the other newspapers. In fact, you see that I keep “Der Yid” all the way at the bottom.
Rabbi Shapiro smiled and replied, “Look at the names of the other papers: Heint means Today, and Moment, is a moment. The moment will be gone in a moment and the Heint will be gone in a day. But Der Yid, at this moment and today may be at the bottom… However.in the end, Der Yid (The Jew) will rise to the top!”
This is why Rosh Chodesh is so significant for the Jewish people. It reminds us that although in the moment and today we may experience difficulties and hardships, but in the end, with G-d’s help, we will regain our full light and shine. May it be very soon. May we merit the coming of Moshiach NOW.
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & CHODESH-MONTH
B"H
Tuesday, Nissan 29, 5784 / May 7, 2024 (14th day of the Omer)
This week’s Parsha is “Kedoshim.” The Parsha begins, “G-d spoke to Moshe saying: Speak to the entire congregation of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I, G-d your G-d, am holy.”
In the Parsha the Torah enumerates many of the mitzvot which G-d commands us to observe and prohibitions which we have to refrain from doing. By observing these commandments, we become more holy. One of the many mitzvot in the Parsha is, “Love your fellow like yourself.”
These days as we are experiencing a new wave of the old-new antisemitism, slogans of hate etc., we, Jews, strive to be a holy people, through love and kindness.
One of the survivors of the Holocaust was Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Halbershtam, of blessed memory. His wife and 11 children were all murdered in the Holocaust.
He miraculously survived the harsh labor camps and later settled in America and then in Israel in the city of Netanya, There he established the Kloizenberg Chassidic dynasty. In Netanya, in addition to his many spiritual activities, he also built the famous Laniado Hospital.
During his time in the concentration camps and even after losing his entire family, he never lost hope. He would also encourage other Jews not to lose hope. He told them to keep their faith and hope for the day that will come when they will be liberated.
One time after one of the SS Nazis beat him mercilessly, another inmate asked him, “Rabbi, are you still going to be saying that you belong to the chosen people?”
“Yes. I will say it with more meaning,” replied the rabbi. “I will be thanking G-d for choosing me to be a JEW, and not a murderer, a barbaric, cruel and inhumane, Nazi!”
As we see the world going crazy, chanting antisemitic slogans against Jews and the surfacing of hatred against us, it makes us prouder to be Jewish. To become holier - through love.
Q. One of the ways we remember the martyrs is through reciting the Kaddish. What is the significance of the Kaddish, which we recite after those who passed away? Also, why is it said in Aramaic and not in Hebrew?
A. The "Kaddish" in which we praise, glorify, and sanctify G-d's name, serves two functions: It benefits the soul of the deceased to rest in peace in Gan Eden. It also shows that the mourners accept G-d's judgment and proclaim His justice. This, too, benefits the soul of the deceased.
The Kaddish is recited in Aramaic because at the time the Kaddish was introduced the majority of the Jewish people spoke Aramaic and didn't understand Hebrew. In order that everyone in the congregation would understand the meaning of these words, it was established in Aramaic.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, PEACEFUL & SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
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