B"H
Thursday, Sivan 3, 5779 / June 6, 2019 (47th day of the Omer)
The holiday of Shavuot, celebrating G-d’s giving the Torah at Mount Sinai, begins this Saturday night.
Q. What is the reason, that on Shavuot, we read Megilat Ruth, the Book of Ruth, which tells the story of Ruth, who converted to Judaism?
A. Shavuot is the Yartzeit (day of passing) of King David, who was a descendant of Ruth. Thus, we read the wonderful story of King David's great-great-grandmother who converted to Judaism. Ruth, who came from a wealthy family in Moab, gave it all up and went to live in Israel, under very difficult financial conditions.
In addition to her relationship to King David, the story of Ruth is connected to Shavuot. At the Giving of the Torah, Jews were like converts for at that time they became G-d’s nation and G-d’s people. The story of Ruth and her acceptance of the Jewish faith is a lesson for all of us, how our attitude should be towards Torah and mitzvot.
Ruth didn't convert and accept the Jewish faith for any material gain. In fact, she gave up a materially secure life for a life of poverty in order to join her mother-in-law, Naomi, and the people of Israel. Her mother-in-law explained to her that joining the people of Israel at that time would bring great hardship for her. Ruth replied, “Do not urge me to leave you, for wherever you go, I will go; where you will lodge, I will lodge; Your people are my people and your G-d is my G-d; where you die, I will die and there I will be buried!”
The story of Ruth teaches us that we must not study the Torah and fulfill mitzvot for personal gain. Rather, we should feel fortunate that we were chosen to be entrusted with the Torah and mitzvot and do our best to fulfill G-d’s commandments, regardless of the effort or expense involved.
It is important to remember that children played a very important rolein our receiving the Torah. Before G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, He demanded guarantors that the Torah will be studied and cherished.
The Jewish people made a number of suggestions which were rejected by G-d. When they declared, "Our children will be our guarantors,” G-d immediately accepted and agreed to give them the Torah. Giving our children a Jewish education from a very early age and supporting Jewish education is essential to the survival of Torah, Judaism and the Jewish people.
On the first day of Shavuot(Sunday, June 9)it is important for everyone, men women and children, to attend synagogue to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Friday, Sivan 4, 5779 / June 7, 2019 (48th day of the Omer)
This Shabbat, in the Diaspora, we read Parshat Bamidbar, which begins the fourth Book of the Torah – Bamidbar (Numbers). Shabbat night, Sunday and Monday we celebrate the holiday of the Giving of the Torah – Shavuot.
Parshat Bamidbar begins with G-d commanding Moshe to count the Jewish men between the ages of 20 and 60. The total amount, excluding the tribe of Levi, was 603,550.
Q. What is the connection between G-d commanding to count the people and the holiday of Shavuot?
A. Our sages tell us that every Jewish soul is connected to and rooted in the Torah. Although some may be more knowledgeable in Torah than others; some may be on a higher spiritual level than others, yet, as we approach the holiday of Shavuot, this Parsha teaches us that in essence we are all equal and every Jew has their personal equal share in the Torah. This point is emphasized by the importance of the census in which each person was counted equally.
The Ten Commandments are found twice in the Torah, the first time in Exodus and again in Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy, after the giving of the Ten Commandments, G-d orders Moshe to tell the people to, "Return now to your tents."
Q. What is the lesson in that G-d told them to return to their tents?”
A. Rabbi Simcha Bunim, z"l, of Pshischa explains, “The real test of one’s commitment to Judaism and to Torah is how one conducts themselves at home - in their tents!"
This is the meaning of G-d's commandment," says Rabbi Bunim, "Now that I gave you the Commandments, let Me see how you will act in the privacy of your homes."
Continuity of Judaism cannot be left only to the Jewish schools and Shuls (synagogues). The home is the most important Jewish institution we have. As parents we must remember the great responsibility we have been entrusted in being in charge of the greatest Jewish institution - home.
The foundation of our children's spiritual future and their continuity in carrying forth the golden chain of over 3,000 years of Jewish tradition is in ourhands. The holiday of Shavuot reminds us G-d’s words, "Now return to your tents." Bring the Torah into your home. Study it and practice it and be an example to your children.
Remember to attend and bring your children to synagogue on Sunday morning to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments!
SHABBAT SHALOM & CHAG SAMEACH
Montreal candle lighting times: Friday: 8:22 / Saturday night: 9:38 / Sunday: 9:39
B"H
Thursday, Sivan 10, 5779 / June 13, 2019
Shalom. I hope you had a very wonderful holiday Shavuot. Coming from the holiday of Shavuot, when we received the Torah at Mount Sinai, here are some Torah Trivia (although Torah is not trivial).
Q. How long did the Jewish people stay at Mount Sinai?
A. One year, less 10 days. (See Numbers 10:11). They came to Mount Sinai one week before they received the Torah and camped there for close to a year.
Q. Two of the letters engraved in the Tablets were held there miraculously. Which two letters?
A. Final Mem & Samach. The reason is as follows: The letters were engraved in the Tablets through and through. The two Hebrew letters, final Mem and Samach, are round and had nothing to hold them to the stone. Miraculously they were suspended in the air and didn’t fall out.
Q. Is there a mitzvah to write a Torah? If yes, to whom does this mitzvah apply?
A. One of the 613 mitzvot is that every Jew should write a Torah or commission a scribe to write a Torah. One can also perform this mitzvah by fixing an existing Torah which needs correcting; or contributing to the writing of a Torah together with others.
Q. Is one allowed to sell a personal Torah?
A. No. There are a few exceptions, such as to use the proceeds for studying Torah or for marriage.
Q. A Torah must be hand written on parchment. Can a Torah be written on any parchment?
A. The parchment must be made from the hide of a kosher animal.
Q. Why does the person called up to the Torah (Aliyah) hold the Torah with both hands while reciting the blessing over the Torah?
A. This is in accordance with the words of Proverbs concerning the Torah, "It (Torah) is a Tree of life to those who hold on to her."
Q. Why is it customary that when one's Aliyah is finished they don't leave right away, but wait at the side until the next person's Aliyah is finished?
A. Our sages instituted this custom to avoid giving the impression of, "a child who is impatient to leave the classroom." Staying at the Torah until after the next person's Aliyah is completed is a sign of respect for the Torah.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Friday, Sivan 11, 5779 / June 14, 2019
This Shabbat, in the Diaspora, we will read Parshat Naso. It is the longest Parsha in the Torah.
In this Parsha, G-d commands the Kohanim (Priests) to bless the people of Israel. "May G-d bless you and keep you. May G-d make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May G-d lift up His countenance unto you and give you peace."
This blessing is called, "Birkat Kohanim" (priestly blessing). It is also called "Beracha Hamshuleshet" (three-fold blessing) because it contains three parts. It contains fifteen words. Even on days when the three-fold blessing is not recited by the Kohanim, it is still recited each day, during the repetition of the morning Amida service, by the one who leads the service.
Q.Why does the blessing have three parts? Why is it comprised of fifteen words?
A.This blessing was given to the Jewish people in the merit of our three patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is why it is three-fold.
The fifteen words in the three-fold blessing correspond to the fifteen years that all three; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived together. Jacob was 15 when his grandfather Abraham passed away.
Q.Why, when the Kohanim (priests) bless the congregation they raise up their hands under the talit pointing upwards, but leaving spaces between their fingers?
A. Our sages explain this custom as follows: When the people of Israel heard that G-d commanded the Kohanim to bless them, they complained, "Why should we be blessed through an intermediary. We want to be blessed directly from G-D!" To this G-d replied, "I will be present when the Kohanim recite the blessings and I will bless you!"
Pointing their hands upward and spacing their fingers apart is symbolic to the fact that it is not their blessing, but G-d's blessings coming through them.
Q. Why do the Kohanim cover their hands and face during their blessing?
A. It is prohibited to look at the Kohanim while they bless the people. To make sure that no one looks at them during their blessing, they cover their hands and face beneath the Tallit.
In the Holy Temple when the Kohanim blessed the people, G-d’s glory ("Shechina") would rest upon them. As a result the people were not allowed to look at their faces. It also implies that the blessings come from G-d, thus, the Kohen's face is hidden.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:26 / Shabbat ends: 9:43
|
Torah Fax is published daily (except Shabbat & Sunday) so you can learn something new every day |