Friday, Nissan 28, 5778 / April 13, 2018
The Torah readings in Israel and in the Diaspora are usually the same. However, there are times when they differ. For the next few weeks, the Torah portions in the Diaspora and in Israel will differ.
In the Diaspora we will read Parshat Shemini. In Israel, they will read the next two Parshiot of, Tazria & Metzora, which will be our reading next Shabbat.
Q. Why is there a difference this time between Israel and the Diaspora?
A. It has to do with the holiday of Pesach. In Israel the holiday of Pesach is celebrated seven days. In the Diaspora we celebrate the holiday for eight days. Thus, when the first day of Pesach falls on Shabbat, as in this year, the last day of Pesach in Israel, where only seven days are observed, was on Friday. So last Shabbat was not Pesach anymore and the regular weekly Torah reading, Parshat Shemini, was read in the synagogue.
However, in the Diaspora, where the holday was celebrated for eight days, the last day of Pesach was on Shabbat and as a result, the regular Shabbat reading was waved for the holday reading. Thus, this Shabbat, which in the Diaspora is the first Shabbat after the holiday, we will read Parshat Shemini, the Parsha we stopped at before the holiday.
Thus, anyone travelling from the Diaspora to Israel in the next few weeks will miss a Torah portion on Shabbat. One travelling from Israel to the Diaspora, will hear the same portion twice. It will straighten out before the Shavuot holiday.
Q. How will the Torah readings straighten out?
A. Before Shavuot, we in the diaspora will combine the two Parshiot, Matos & Masei, while they will read only Masei, thus equalizing our Torah readings and that of Israel.
In this week’s Parsha, Parshat Shemini we read about the dedication of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle which the Jewish people built in the desert. The Torah tells us which sacrifices were offered on that day by Aaron, the High Priest and that of the congregation. On that first day of dedication, a tragedy befell Aaron who lost two of his sons, Nadav and Avihu, in the tabernacle. The Torah tells us that Aaron accepted his great loss in silence and didn’t question G-d’s action. This was considered a great merit for Aaron, for which he was rewarded.
In this Parsha we find the guidelines how to identify the kosher and non-kosher animals.
This Shabbat we bless the new month, Iyar. The two days Rosh Chodesh will begin Saturday night, through Sunday and Monday.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montrealcandle lighting time: 7:20 / Shabbat ends: 8:26
B"H
Monday, Iyar 1, 5778 (16th day of Sefirah) / April 16, 2018
Today is the second day Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month,Iyar. During the morning service, we recite the Hallel in honor of Rosh Chodesh. We add Psalm 104 and we read about the Rosh Chodesh sacrifices from the Torah. We also pray the special Musaf service for Rosh Chodesh.
Q.Why is the Musaf service recited only on Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and holidays?
A. "Musaf" means "additional." Every day of the year, two daily sacrifices, called “Korban Tamid” were offered in the holy Temple - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The Tamid sacrifice of the morning was the first sacrifice of the day, while the "Tamid" of the afternoon was the final sacrifice of the day. The daily morning prayer (Shacharis) and the afternoon prayer (Mincha) correspond to the two above mentioned sacrifices.
On Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and holidays an additional special "Musaf" sacrifice was offered in the Temple. As a result, on these days, we too add an "additional" - Musaf prayer.
On Rosh Chodesh Iyar, two weeks after the Exodus, G-d gave the Jewish people the mitzvah of Shabbat.
The manna from heaven, which sustained the Jewish people during their 40 year stay in the desert, began in the month of Iyar. Each day, except for Shabbat, the manna would come from heaven. By receiving it each day, they realized that they weretotally dependent upon G-d. Also, the water which flowed from the rock and which traveled with them in the desert began in Iyar.
On Rosh Chodesh Iyar, King Solomon began building the first Holy Temple. It took seven years to complete and stood for 410 years before it was destroyed by the Babylonians. The construction of the Second Temple also began in Iyar. It stood for 420 years.
Our sages say that the month of Iyar is especially significant for "Refuah" - "healing." The four letters which spell Iyar (aleph, yud, yud, resh) are an acronym for the words of the Torah "Ani Hashem Rofecha" - "I am the L-rd Who heals you." May G-d send His blessings of Refuah Shleimah - a complete and full healing to all who need it. Amen
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL DAY & WONDERFUL CHODESH-MONTH
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In loving memory of Jimmy Goldgeier - Yaakov Josef ben Chaim, whose 16th Yartzeit is today, 1 Iyar.
May his memory be a blessing. May his Neshama rest in peace in Gan Eden.
From his parents, brother and daughter-in-law, Charles, Sally, Dan and Valerie Goldgeier
B"H
Tuesday, Iyar 2, 5778 (17th day of Sefirah) / April 17 2018
In the Diaspora we will read this Shabbat the two Parshiot, Tazria & Metzora, from the Book of Leviticus (Vayikra). In Israel, where Tazria and Metzora were read this past Shabbat, they will read Acharei & Kedoshim.
(In a previous Torah Fax I wrote that Israel & the Diaspora will adjust with the reading of Matos-Masei. That was a mistake. We will adjust before Shavuot with the reading of Behar-Bechukotei).
Tazria and Metzora deal with laws of "Tzara’at" – an affliction which has physical symptoms similar to leprosy and would bring spiritual impurity when it afflicts a person. 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" (evil speech) - slandering others. From the Parsha we learn that speaking ill about others is an extremely grave sin.
According to our sages, slander hurts three people; 1) The one who speaks; 2) The person who listens; 3) The person spoken about! Although the laws of Tzara’at does not apply today, yet the prohibition to speak evil about people applies today as in the days of the Temple.
Our sages emphasized the importance to be very careful when speaking about others. In fact, we are advised in some cases to refrain from speaking about others in general, even when our intention is to tell nice things, for in the course of the conversation one may inadvertently say something negative.
Our sages compare the damage inflicted through evil speech (Lashon Hara) to a person shooting an arrow at somebody else. As soon as the arrow leaves, the person who shot it has no control over it anymore. With the best intentions.. he cannot bring the arrow back. Similarly, as soon as a person utters negative words about others, he lost control over them and there is no telling how far they may travel and how much damage they may inflict.
When Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber of Lubavitch was a small child the tailor once brought him a new garment for a fitting. As he was being fitted, the child put his hand in the tailors pocket and pulled out a piece of material. The tailor became very embarrassed as it was obvious that he intended to take some of the extra material for himself. The little boy knew that he did something wrong by embarrassing the tailor. He then came to his father, Rabbi Shmuel and asked him what to do to repent for the sin of embarrassing another person.
Rabbi Shmuel asked his young son, "Who was the person you embarrassed?"
To this the boy replied, "Is it not enough that I embarrassed him, I should also tell you who he is.. and commit the sin of Lashan Hara - speaking evil of others?”
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Thursday, Iyar 4, 5778 (19th day of the Omer) / April 19, 2018
Today Israel celebrates, “Yom Ha’atzma’ut” - “Independence day.” In other years it would be on the 5th of Iyar, but being that the 5th of Iyar is Friday and the celebrations may cause a violation of Shabbat observance, it is proclaimed the 4th of Iyar.
We thank G-d every day for choosing us as His Holy nation and giving us the Holy Land. It is nothing short of a miracle that we have been able to defend Israel for the past 70 years against overwhelming odds which were, and are, stacked against us to this very day. It is only because G-d is with us, as the Torah says, “For He is the One Who gives you the power to do battle.”
This made me think that it would also be appropriate to call this day, “Dependence Day,” – to recognize that Israel’s existence is constantly dependenton G-d.
In fact, for the past 3000 years we were always a dependent and independent people at the same time. We were always dependent on G-d and independent of anyone else. This is the secret of our 3000 year existence, while many of the nations who opressed us are long gone. We have always been a “dependent” people.. not on other nations, but on Hashem. As a result, our Jewish spirit and Neshama was always independent, even in the worst of physical times. This is the secret of our being here today, enjoying our 3000 year old culture, religion, identity and Holy Land.
Jewish independence is a result of our firm dependence on Hashem, as Moshe told the Jewish people, “Because of your connection to G-d, you are all alive today.” We must recognize that.
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. But, in the winter, when 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 Rabbi 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. Half way 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 connected on high.. they do not fall below..” It is because we are connected to G-d that He protects us down here. In our dependencelies the secret of our independence. Am Yisrael Chai– Long live Israel. Amen.
HAVE A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL AND WONDERFUL DAY
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