B"H
Wednesday, Menachem Av 27, 5779 / August 28, 2019
The following are some of the mitzvot we find in this week’s Parsha, Re’ay:
* Not to erase holy writings; nor the names of G-d; not to destroy places of G-d’s worship.
Q. Why do holy books, Torahs, Tefillin, Mezuzot, etc. that are no longer used, have to be buried?
A. They cannot be disposed in an undignified manner, like placing them in the garbage etc. They have to be treated with the utmost respect as they represent G-d’s word or name. Just like a Jew must be buried after passing, so too, holy writings or Tefillin, Mezuzot and a Torah which cannot be used any more, must be buried.
* Not to offer sacrifices outside of the Temple (Beth Hamikdash) in Jerusalem.
Q. How were sacrifices offered during the forty years in the desert and later in Israel before the Temple was built by King Solomon?
A. The Torah says that this prohibition applies only from when you will come to the place where G-d will choose, which was Jerusalem. Once the Temple was built in Jerusalem, it was prohibited to bring sacrifices anywhere else. The place where the Temple stood became holy for eternity. The Third Temple will stand on the exact same place.
* Not to add to the mitzvot of the Torah and not to subtract from them.
Q. How were the sages allowed to add mitzvot, like Chanukah and Purim which are not in the Torah?
A. This prohibition means that even a prophet, is not allowed to add a mitzvah and claim that it was given by G-d as an addition to the 613 mitzvot. But the Torah does encourage our sages to add “fences” and guards to the mitzvot, so that we will not come to transgress the actual Torah commandments. They are also allowed to proclaim festivals, like Chanukah and Purim, to commemorate miracles, or days of fasting, such as Tisha B’Av, commemorating specific sad events, provided that they don’t claim them to be the same as the 613 Torah mitzvot.
Also in this Parsha: Eating kosher foods. To give charity. To observe the festival holidays (Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot). To make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem for the three festive holidays.
To rejoice on the holidays; “Your son, your daughter, your servant, your maidservant, the Levite who lives in your town, the convert, the orphan, and the widow among you.” The Torah says, “And you will only be happy!” Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
TorahFax will not be published regularly during August
Thursday, Menachem Av 28, 5779 / August 29, 2019
The following are a few of the lessons found in the fifth chapter of Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers), which we will recite this Shabbat.
“There were ten generations from [the first person] Adam to Noah [when G-d brought the Great flood], to show us the degree of G-d’s tolerance; for all these generations angered Him increasingly. [Yet, He waited ten generation] until He brought upon them the waters of the Flood.” G-d gives people a chance to repent.
Another Mishna states: “Our forefather Abraham was tested with ten tests and he withstood them all – to show the degree of our forefather Abraham’s love for G-d.” This Mishna teaches us that when G-d puts a person through tests it is to prove that person’s love for G-d.
We find this concept also in this week’s Parsha, Re’ay. The Torah tells us that G-d may make things happen in such a way that it seems that those who disobey G-d’s commandments prosper. Yet, we must remember that it is only to test our love for G-d, whether we will listen to G-d’s commandments.
The following is another teaching in this chapter of Pirkei Avot: “Seven traits characterize an uncultured person (Golem) and seven a learned one.
1) A wise person does not speak before one who is greater than he in wisdom or in years.
2) He does not interrupt the words of his fellow.
3) He does not rush to answer.
4) He questions with relevance to the subject being discussed and answers to the point.
5) He discusses first things first and the last things last.
6) About something he has not heard, he says, ‘I have not heard.’
7) He acknowledges the truth.
And the reverse of these characteristics is found in an uncultivated person (a Golem).”
One of the signs of wisdom is that the personacknowledges the truth. This two thousand year old lesson is one which today’s community leaders, politicians, teachers and parents should remember and take to heart. Admitting a mistake upon realizing it, is indeed a sign of wisdom.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
In loving memory of Sol Fetter - Shlomo ben Chaim - of blessed memory.
Yartzeit is today, Av 28. May his soul rest in peace in Gan Eden.
B"H
Friday, Menachem Av 29, 5779 / August 30, 2019
This Shabbat we read Parshat Re’ay, in the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy)..
Shabbat is the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, which is the last month of this year, 5779. Sunday is the second day Rosh Chodesh. From Rosh Chodesh Elul there are four weeks until Rosh Hashana.
Many times in this Parsha we find the mitzvah of Tzedakah - helping the less fortunate. The Torah states, "If there be among you a needy person... you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your needy brother... because for this the L-rd your G-d will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hands to."
Q. First the Torah says, “If there be among youa needy person,” then the Torah says, “nor shut your hand from yourneedy brother.” Why does the Torah first speak about helping, “any needy person” and then about helping “your needy brother”?
A. There are those who will contribute generously to strangers and all kinds of charitable causes which bring them honor and recognition. But helping one’s family members is not something which brings a person special recognition. Thus the Torah specifies that one must also be charitable to relatives even if there are no special banquets, plaques or announcements of recognition connected to it.
Q. Giving charity is a great mitzvah. Why don’t we recite a special blessing when performing this mitzvah, as we do with all other mitzvot?
A. We do not recite a blessing when the performance of the mitzvah depends on the participation of another person. For reciting a blessing in vain is a grave sin and if the other person decides not to participate, then one has uttered G-d’s name in vain. The performance of the mitzvah of giving charity depends on the acceptance of the poor person. If we recite the blessing and the poor person decides not to take the charity, we have made a blessing in vain, thus the rabbis didn’t establish a blessing for this mitzvah.
Another reason: The sages did not want the poor person to have to wait even an extra minute to receive the help. Not even the time it takes to make the blessing.
Another reason: The mitzvah of giving charity can only be performed when there is a poor and needy person. Our sages felt that it is not proper for one to recite a blessing for performing a mitzvah which involves another person’s misfortune.
SHABBAT SHALOM & A WONDERFUL HEALTHY CHODESH-MONTH
Montreal candle lighting time: 7:18 / Shabbat ends: 8:21
B"H
Tuesday, Elul 3, 5779 / September 3, 2019
We are now in the month of Elul, the last month of the year, 5779. Rosh Hashana will begin Sunday night, September 29, through Monday (September 30) and Tuesday (October 1).
The Shofar is blown after the morning services during the month of Elul. The sounding of the Shofar is a reminder to repent for our misdeeds of the past year and improve our ways in the new year.
The name of this month, Elul, as all names of the Hebrew months, have their roots in the Babylonian language. Yet, our sages found the four letters which make up the word, Elul, hinted in the Torah.
Elulis an acronym for the four words in Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), "Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li" - "I am to my friend and my friend is to me."
This refers to our special relationship and connection with G-d during the month of Elul. This relationship is accomplished through repentance, prayer, and charity. Our sages tell us that these three mitzvot nullify an evil decree and secure a new year of blessing.
Although the mitzvot of repentance, prayer and charity apply each day of the year, they have special significance during the forty days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur.
These 40 days correspond to the 40 days that Moshe was on top of Mount Sinai, where he prayed and received G-d's forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf. At the end of the 40 days G-d forgave the Jewish people and gave Moshe the Second Tablets replacing the one’s he broke.
Rabbi Avraham of Slonim once gave a sermon about the significance of the month of Elul and the importance of Teshuvah-repentance.
Someone said, "Rabbi, what good is repenting, which I try to do, yet, I don't feel any spiritual uplifting. In fact, from time to time I fall back into my bad habits. What purpose is there in my repenting?"
Rabbi Avraham replied, "When a person realizes that they are sinking in deep mud and must get out, they have to take big steps and try to get to safe ground. Although, each time the person puts his foot back down, he again steps into the mud, yet, if he stops he will sink completely. But, if he continues, even though he is still in the mud, every move will bring him closer to getting out."
"The same is with Teshuvah. When you try to emerge from the spiritual mud, you may not see any improvement at first. But as long as you keep on trying and making an effort to emerge, you will eventually succeed. The worst thing is to give up and stop, for then you will surely sink in the mud!"
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA
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