B"H
Tuesday, Menachem Av 5, 5776 / August 9, 2016 - Hakhel year
This Shabbat, we begin the fifth and last Book of the Torah - the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy).
In this Book of the Torah, Moshe's words to the Jewish people before his passing, his guidance and direction to them is recorded. He also recalls the significant events that occurred during the forty years of his leadership. The mistakes they made and the sufferings they endured as a result. For this reason, the Book of Devarim is also called "Mishne Torah" - "the review of the Torah."
In Devarim, Moshe is addressing the second generation of the Jewish people, the children of those who left Egypt. Although in Devarim, Moshe repeatedly warns the people about the punishments and exiles that may befall them for straying from G-d's ways, he also consoles them and tells them of the ultimate redemption with the coming of Moshiach.
Moshe conveys to them the events of the past, so that when they enter the Promised Land, they would not repeat the mistakes of their parents.
We are now in the midst of the Three Week period, which began with the fast of the 17th of Tammuz (July 24) and will end on the fast of the 9th of Av (August 14). During these three weeks we recall and mourn the great tragedies which befell our people with the destruction of the two Holy Temples.
Parshat Devarim is always read on the Shabbat preceding the fast of Tisha B'Av - the 9th of Av, the day in which the Holy Temples were destroyed.
The purpose of mourning the destruction of the Temples is to bring about positive results. It is a time to reflect on the cause which brought about the destruction, in order not to repeat it and to correct it. This will bring about the rebuilding of the third Temple, through Moshiach.
Our sages tell us that the sin that brought the destruction the Second Temple was "unjust" hate and strife among Jews. The Talmud relates an episode in which one of the wealthy people of Jerusalem had a friend called Kamtza and a foe named Bar-Kamtza. He sent his servant to invite his friend Kamtza to a party, but the servant mistakenly invited his enemy, Bar-Kamtza.
When the host noticed his enemy, Bar Kamtza, at the party he ordered him to leave. Bar Kamtza offered to pay for his share of the meal. When this didn’t help, he offered to pay for half the party and then for the entire party. The host refused and made him leave the party, with great embarrassment, in full view of all who attended. The chain of events which resulted from this episode caused the destruction of the Second Temple.
Thus, during the three weeks we have to go the extra mile, in showing our care and love for others. For this reason, it is customary to give extra charity during these days to help others in need. In the merit of all the good deeds, may we merit the arrival of Moshiach speedily in our days. Amen
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Friday, Menachem Av 1, 5776 / August 5, 2016 - Hakhel year
Today is Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the Hebrew Month, Menachem Av. In the Torah the months are not identified by name only by number. This month is identified as the fifth month.
In the Diaspora we read Parshat Matot & Masei this Shabbat. In Parshat Masei which will conclude the fourth book of the Torah, we read that Aaron, the Hight Priest, passed away on the first day of the fifth month. Thus, today is the day in which Aaron the High Priest passed away, 3289 years ago.
Parshat Matot begins with the laws of vows (Nedarim); "And Moshe spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, ‘This is what the L-rd has commanded; When a man makes a vow to the L-rd or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bind, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all which came out of his mouth.’"
Although the Torah says that, a person shall not break his word; he shall do according to all which came out of his mouth, yet, when one makes a vow to transgress a commandment of the Torah he or she are prohibited to fulfill the vow. A personal vow cannot override G-d's commandment which we have already vowed at Mount Sinai to keep and observe all the Commandments.
This Parsha also teaches us the significance and implications of words we speak. Indeed, the third commandment of the Ten Commandments, "Do not utter the name of the L-rd your G-d in vain," is a prohibition which is associated totally to what we say.
Words are a very powerful tool. The creation of the universe, as told in the beginning of the Torah, came about through G-d's words! The fact that the Torah relates that the world was created by G-d's sayings (”let there be..”) shows how important words are - they have the power to build or to destroy.
This is why we use the term "Bli Neder"; which means "without a vow" when making a commitment. For, even with the best intentions, one never knows if they will be able to honor their commitment. 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." Even when one is 100% sure about the accuracy of the subject, it is not proper to use the expression, “I swear.”
The Midrash relates the following which teaches us how careful one should be. King Yannai ruled over two thousand cities. Yet they were all destroyed because they were accustomed to swearing. Although, they performed exactly as they swore, they were still punished.
The Midrash concludes: “If for those who swore the truth, the punishment was so severe; how much more so does one have to be careful not to swear falsely.”
SHABBAT SHALOM & A HEALTHY, HAPPY AND WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH
Montrealcandle lighting time: 7:58 / Shabbat ends: 9:05
B"H
Thursday, Tammuz 29, 5776 / August 4, 2016 - Hakhel year
Tonight (Thursday night) and Friday will be Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month Menachem Av. From the Torah we will read this Shabbat the last two Parshiot of the fourth Book of the Torah (Bamidbar), Parshat Matot and Masei. In Israel only Masei will be read.
In Parshat Matot the Torah relates that the tribes of Reuben and Gad had a great multitude of cattle. They came to Moshe and requested to inherit land on the eastern side of the Jordan River, rather than settling on the other side together with the rest of the people of Israel.
Moshe rebukes them; “Shall your brethren go to war and you will sit here? You will turn away the hearts of the children of Israel from going into the land which the L-rd has given them.”
Moshe reminds them what happened when the ten spies came back and convinced the people not to go to the Promised Land. This resulted in their staying in the desert forty years.
The tribes of Reuben and Gad replied, “We will build fences to secure our cattle and cities for our little ones. We ourselves will be ready and go armed before the children of Israel... we will not return to our houses until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.”
Moshe was satisfied that they would do their share in fighting for the land. He said to them, “If you will do this thing and go to war... until the land will be conquered before the L-rd... then this land shall be to you for a possession before the L-rd.”
Then Moshe instructs them, “Build for you cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep and do that which has proceeded out of your mouth (i.e. keep your promise).”
Q. The tribes of Reuben and Gad told Moshe, “We will build fences to secure our cattle and cities for our little ones.” First they mentioned securing their cattle and then their children. Yet, when Moshe agreed to their request he instructed them, “Build for you cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep.” Moshe speaks first about the children and then of their cattle.
A.Our sages tell us that Moshe rebuked the people of the two tribes for speaking of the safety of their cattle before their children. Thus, he instructed them to go about this in the proper order; “First build cities for your little ones and only after you shall build stables for your sheep.”
As with every part of the Torah, there is an important lesson here. Especially in our time when so much emphasis is placed on material success, at times even at the expense of our children.
The lesson from this story in the Torah is that we must place much greater priority and emphasis on protecting our children. Monetary and social success may be very important, but they should only be secondary to the spiritual, moral and emotional well being of our children.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Wednesday, Tammuz 28, 5776 / August 3, 2016 - Hakhel year
As mentioned yesterday, Parshat Masei will be read this Shabbat in Israel and in the Diaspora Parshat Matot & Masei will be read. With the reading of Parshat Masei we will conclude the fourth Book of the Torah, the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar). We will finally make the adjustment between the Torah readings in Israel and the Diaspora.
In Masei the Jewish people are already on the border of Canaan (Israel) and are about to enter into the Promised Land. The Torah describes the exact borders of Israel and that the land will be divided amongst nine and a half tribes.
Q.There were twelve tribes of Israel, why was the land divided amongst nine and a half tribes?
A.Two and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad, & half of Menashe) wanted their share on the eastern side of the Jordan River, while the other nine and a half tribes inherited in Israel proper on the western side of the Jordan.
Q.Why did the two and a half tribes take their share on the eastern side of the Jordan River?
A.The Torah tells us that they had many cattle and found the land east of the Jordan River very beneficial for their cattle. Moshe agreed to their request, but on the condition that they will go and help their brethren fight and conquer the Promised Land. Only after can they inherit the portion of land they desired.
Moshe said to them, “Your brothers will go to war and you will sit here?”
They replied, “We will go up armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place.. We will not return to our houses until the children of Israel will inherit every man his inheritance.” With that promise, Moshe agreed to give them the land on the eastern side of the Jordan.
Q. All the men who were between twenty and sixty at the time when the spies came back with their negative report didn’t go into Israel. This was a punishment for their refusal to go into the land. They died during the forty years which the Jewish people spent in the desert. What about the women?
A.The Torah relates that the five daughters of Tzelafchad came to Moshe and asked for a share in the Promised Land, as their father had no sons. G-d told Moshe that they should inherit their father’s portion in the land.
The sages comment that while the men refused to go to Israel thirty eight years earlier and were punished to die in the desert, the women loved Israel and asked for their share of it. All the women (except for Miriam) merited going into the Promised Land - Israel.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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