B"H
Tuesday Tammuz 24, 5777 / July 18, 2017
This Shabbat we combine the last two Parshiot in the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar), Matot& Masei. With this reading we will conclude the fourth Book of the Torah. In Parshat Matot, G-d commands Moshe, “Take revenge against the Midyonites for the children of Israel, after that you will be gathered to your people [you will die].”
Moshe then commands the people, “Arm from amongst yourselves men ready for combat to avenge G-d’s revenge against Midyan. One thousand men from each tribe, from all the tribes of Israel.”
This battle was to avenge the fact that as a result of the people of Midyan, 24,000 Isrelites died in a plague, and more died because of other factors. Moshe sent twelve thousand men into battle against Midyan. Although Moshe knew that after this he will die, yet, he didn’t hesitate and mobilized the people immediately.
Q.G-d told Moshe, “Take revenge.. for the children of Israel.” It was to avenge what they did to the people. Yet, when Moshe gave over G-d’s message, he changed it. Instead of saying to avenge for what they did to the people, he told them to avenge what they did against G-d.
A.Our sages learn from this that when one commits aggression against the children of Israel they are in fact committing it against G-d. Thus, avenging what they did against Israel is avenging G-d’s honor.
G-d tells Moshe that after this battle, Moshe will pass away. Here is another story of the great Talmudic sage, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiya, as told in the Talmud.
The Roman emperor, Hadrian (Hadrionus), once said to Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiya (who lived at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple), “I am better than your teacher, Moshe, because I am alive and he is dead, and it is written, ‘A living dog is better than a dead lion.’”
Rabbi Yehoshua said to him, “Can you decree that no one should light a fire in Rome for three days?” “Sure I can,” he replied. Immediately Hadrian ordered that no fire be lit in Rome for three days.
But on that very evening when Hadrian went up on the roof of his palace together with Rabbi Yehoshua, they saw some smoke rising from the distance. Then, looking in a another direction, they saw more smoke.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiya turned to Hadrian and said, “You are alive, yet, your decree couldn’t take hold even the first day… Whereas, our great teacher, Moshe, decreed over a thousand years ago, ‘Do not kindle any fire of the day of Shabbat,’ and to this dayhis commandment is obeyed! So,who is greater? Moshe, who passed away over a thousand years ago, or you who is still alive?
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Thursday Tammuz 26, 5777 / July 20, 2017
This Shabbat we read two portions in the Torah, Parshat Matotand Parshat Masei- the two final portions of the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar).
Parshat Matot begins with the laws of vows (Nedarim); "And 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 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.’"
Q. The Torah says, “He shall not break his word; he shall do according to all which came out of his mouth.” What happens when one made a vow to transgress a Torah law?
A. If one vowed to transgress a commandment of the Torah he or she is prohibited to fulfill the vow. A personal vow cannot override G-d's commandment. Also, we have already vowed at Mount Sinai, when we received the Torah, to keep and observe all the Commandments. Thus, the vow to keep the Torah comes first.
This Parsha also teaches us the significance of the words we speak. Words and speech is a very powerful tools. In fact, the creation of the universe, as told in the beginning of the Torah, came about through G-d's words! It shows how important words are; they can build or destroy.
This is why it is important to say, "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 be especially 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 “I swear” without even thinking whether the statement they are swearing to is indeed true.
Q. Why, when Moshe commands the laws of not breaking one’s promise and keeping one’s word, which applies to allJewish people, he spoke to the heads of the tribes?
A.The Chasam Sofer says that it is usually the “heads of the tribes”; the leaders, the politicians, those who seek public office, who make so many empty promises. They will promise the people anything just to get elected, but as soon as they are in a position of leadership, they completely forget their vows and promises. Thus, the Torah directs the commandment, “not to break one’s word and to fulfill all that came out of one’s mouth, primarily to the leaders of the people.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Monday, Menachem Av 1, 5777 / July 24, 2017
Today is Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month, Menachem Av. As on every Rosh Chodesh, we recite the additional prayers of Hallel and Musaf. We also read the Torah portion about the Rosh Chodesh sacrifices which were brought in the Temple.
The Hebrew names of the months consist of one word (Nissan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz, etc.). Two months have a word added to their name; Cheshvan is called Mar-Cheshvan & Av is called Menachem Av.
Q. Why was the word Menachem added to the name of this month Av?
A.“Menachem” means to bring “comfort.” The first nine days of the month of Av are days of sadness and mourning. These are the days in which we mourn the destruction of the two Holy Temples, which were both destroyed on the ninth day in Av. We therefore fast on the ninth of Av.
“Av" in Hebrew means "Father" and “Menachem” means "Comfort." Menachem Av is a prayer that G-d, our Father in Heaven, shall grant us comfort in this month and rebuild the Holy Temple, which was destroyed in this month of Av.
Today, Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, is the yartzeit (day of passing) of Aaronthe High Priest.
Aaron was three years older than his brother Moshe (Moses). Aaron accompanied Moshe when he went to Pharaoh to command him to let the Jewish people go. Together with Moshe he led the Jewish people through the forty years of their desert journey. Just like Moshe, Aaron was not permitted to go into the promised land. He passed away at the age of one hundred and twenty three.
The only date mentioned in the Torah of someone’s passing is that of Aaron. The Torah states that Aaron passed away on the first day of the fifth month, which is on Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av. Even Moshe’s day of passing, which is the seventh of Adar, is not stated in the Torah openly.
Our sages tell us that Aaron had a unique quality; “He loved peaceand went out of his way to restore peace between husband and wife and between one person and another. In his unique, non-judgmental and peaceful way he would also make people realize when they sinned against G-d, thus restoring peace between man and G-d. Aaron accomplished this through his genuine love for people.
Although we cannot attain the spiritual level of Aaron the High Priest, yet, this particular quality of loving peace and promoting peace, is something we must all seek. Our sages tell us, “Be of the disciples of Aaron; loving peace, pursuing peace, loving people and drawing them to Torah.”
HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY & WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH
B"H
Monday, Menachem Av 1, 5777 / July 24, 2017
Today is Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month, Menachem Av. As on every Rosh Chodesh, we recite the additional prayers of Hallel and Musaf. We also read the Torah portion about the Rosh Chodesh sacrifices which were brought in the Temple.
The Hebrew names of the months consist of one word (Nissan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz, etc.). Two months have a word added to their name; Cheshvan is called Mar-Cheshvan & Av is called Menachem Av.
Q. Why was the word Menachem added to the name of this month Av?
A.“Menachem” means to bring “comfort.” The first nine days of the month of Av are days of sadness and mourning. These are the days in which we mourn the destruction of the two Holy Temples, which were both destroyed on the ninth day in Av. We therefore fast on the ninth of Av.
“Av" in Hebrew means "Father" and “Menachem” means "Comfort." Menachem Av is a prayer that G-d, our Father in Heaven, shall grant us comfort in this month and rebuild the Holy Temple, which was destroyed in this month of Av.
Today, Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, is the yartzeit (day of passing) of Aaronthe High Priest.
Aaron was three years older than his brother Moshe (Moses). Aaron accompanied Moshe when he went to Pharaoh to command him to let the Jewish people go. Together with Moshe he led the Jewish people through the forty years of their desert journey. Just like Moshe, Aaron was not permitted to go into the promised land. He passed away at the age of one hundred and twenty three.
The only date mentioned in the Torah of someone’s passing is that of Aaron. The Torah states that Aaron passed away on the first day of the fifth month, which is on Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av. Even Moshe’s day of passing, which is the seventh of Adar, is not stated in the Torah openly.
Our sages tell us that Aaron had a unique quality; “He loved peaceand went out of his way to restore peace between husband and wife and between one person and another. In his unique, non-judgmental and peaceful way he would also make people realize when they sinned against G-d, thus restoring peace between man and G-d. Aaron accomplished this through his genuine love for people.
Although we cannot attain the spiritual level of Aaron the High Priest, yet, this particular quality of loving peace and promoting peace, is something we must all seek. Our sages tell us, “Be of the disciples of Aaron; loving peace, pursuing peace, loving people and drawing them to Torah.”
HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY & WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH
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