B"H
Wednesday, Elul 4, 5779 / September 4, 2019
This week's Parsha, Shoftim, begins with the mitzvah of appointing judges and officers to ensure a just and rightful judicial system. The Parsha begins, "Judges and officers you shall appoint for you in all your gates, which the L-rd your G-d gives to your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. Justice, justice you shall follow.”
Our rabbis explain that the Torah commands to appoint judges, “in all your gates," which means in every city. This will ensure that the judicial system is accessible to everyone and remains uncluttered, thus enabling the judges to pass just and correct judgment.
"Judges and officers you shall appoint for you," according to our sages, also has another message. It implies that before a person judges others, they must remember to judge themselves and live by the same standard as they would impose on others. Then, and only then, can they "judge the people with righteous judgment."
This is also in accordance with the following directives of our Talmudic sages, "A person should correct their own faults before correcting others." Only then will one be able to properly influence the behavior of others.
The Talmudic sage Rabbi Chanina ben Elazar had a tree whose branches were bending over into someone else's field. Since his neighbor didn't complain, Rabbi Chanina didn't cut the branches.
One day, a man came before Rabbi Chanina and complained that the branches of his neighbor's tree were entering his field. He wanted Rabbi Chanina to order the neighbor to cut the branches.
"Come back tomorrow," Rabbi Chanina told him, "and I will judge your case."
"Why does Rabbi Chanina want me to return tomorrow?" the man wondered.
After the person left, Rabbi Chanina hired workers to cut down the branches of his own tree which were leaning over into the other field.
The next day, the man came back to complain about his neighbor's branches. Rabbi Chanina sent for the neighbor and ordered him to remove the branches.
"But, Rabbi, doesn't your tree also lean over into your neighbor's field?" the man protested. Rabbi Chanina told him to see for himself that the branches were cut. Thus, even though his own neighbor didn't mind, Rabbi Chanina knew that before correcting others one must first abide by these rules himself.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA
B"H
Friday, Elul 6, 5779 / September 6, 2019
At the end of this week's Parsha, Shoftim, the Torah teaches us about responsibility for each other. The Torah tells us, "If in the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you, there will be found a person slain in the field and it is not known who had killed him; then your elders and judges shall come forth and they shall measure the cities which are around where the body was found."
The elders of the city closest to where the body was found had to declare, "Our hands have not shed this blood neither have our eyes seen it." They would then ask for G-d's forgiveness for the people of Israel.
Our sages ask, would anyone think that the elders of the city have committed this crime? Why do they have to say, 'Our hands have not shed this blood’ and ask forgiveness?
The sages explain that this is a lesson that every Jew is responsible for the acts of another Jew. This responsibility lies foremost upon the elders of the community. Even the most righteous people are in some way responsible for the act of the murderer.
This Parsha is always read during the month of Elul. Its lesson is especially important during this month in order that we should reflect about our responsibilities toward each other.
Even righteous people say the entire confession in the Yom Kippur prayers. Why do they ask for forgiveness for sins which they never committed. Because we are responsible for each other.
The concept that all Jews are responsible for each other is expressed in the Talmud as follows, "Kol Yisroel Areivim Zeh Lazeh" - "All of Israel are responsible for each other."
The word "Areivim", meaning "responsible", can also be translated as, "blended" and "sweet". It teaches us that when Jews "blend" with each other (Ahavat Yisroel) and feel "responsible" for one another, the result is that they feel good and "sweet" about each other!
Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov explains that this is the reason that the people of Israel are at times likened in the Torah to earth. The earth contains wonderful treasures, including gold and precious stones. Yet, they are covered with layers of sand and dirt. In order to find these treasures, one must make the effort of digging through the layers of dirt until the treasures are found and exposed. This may require great patience and hard work, depending on how deep they are buried.
"Everyone," says the Baal Shem Tov, "can find special treasures and hidden good in someone else. It is only a matter of how much effort, patience and dedication we will assign to this task."
SHABBAT SHALOM & SHANA TOVA
Montreal candle lighting time: 7:05 / Shabbat ends: 8:07
B"H
Tuesday, Elul 10, 5779 / September 10, 2019
Every Holiday has its unique mitzvah. The special mitzvah on Rosh Hashana is the blowing of the shofar. It is preferable that the shofar be made of a ram’s horn.
Q. What is the reason for blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashana?
A.One reason is to recall the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The Torah tells us that at the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, there was thunder and lighting and the sound of the Shofar.
Q.What connection does the Giving of the Torah have with Rosh Hashana - the day of judgment?
A. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev gives the following parable: A king became lost in a forest. He wandered deeper and deeper in the woods, until he lost all hope of ever seeing his beautiful palace again. One day, he suddenly met a man who knew the way out of the forest and who helped him back to his kingdom and palace.
The king rewarded the man very generously and made him one of his closest friends. One day, the man sinned against the king. Knowing that he was about to be severely punished, the man asked of the king to grant him one wish--that he be allowed to wear the same clothes that he wore when he saved the king. The king agreed. As soon as the king looked at him, he remembered how the man saved his life. Immediately, this invoked feelings of affection by the king and he forgave the sinner and restored him to his position.
The same is with the Jewish people, when they stand before G-d in judgment on Rosh Hashana. When G-d wanted to give the Torah He approached many nations, but no other nation was willing to accept the restrictions and responsibility of the Torah and mitzvot. Only the Jewish people accepted the Torah and crowned G-d as their king. Sounding the Shofar on Rosh Hashana recalls the Giving of the Torah when the Jewish people were there for G-d. So too, we pray that G-d remember our merit and be merciful upon us to grant us a happy and healthy New Year.
Q. Why is a ram’s horn used for the Shofar?
A. Another reason for the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashana is to recall the merit of our patriarch Abraham who passed his tenth test when he was ready to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on the altar. In the end G-d told him it was only a test and he sacrificed a ram instead.
On Rosh Hashana, the day of judgment, we need as many merits as possible to invoke G-d’s mercy on His children. By sounding the Shofar made of a ram, we recall Abraham and Isaac’s merit for their total dedication to G-d’s commandments. We pray that in their merit, G-d will grant us, their descendants, a good, healthy and sweet year.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
& A SHANA TOVA – A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR
B"H
Thursday, Elul 12, 5779 / September 12, 2019
Sunday night, September 29, will be Rosh Hashana, ushering in the New Year, 5780.
The holiday of Rosh Hashana unites Jews in the Diaspora and Jews in Israel. Rosh Hashana is celebrated two days, even in Israel, whereas other holidays are celebrated one day in Israel and two days in the Diaspora.
Q. Why is a white robe (Kitel) worn by the Cantor on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur?
A. White symbolizes cleanliness and purity. The white garment alludes to the words of the prophet, "Even if your sins will be as scarlet, they will become white like snow."
Another reason: It reminds us of the "shrouds" in which the dead are buried. Remembering the day of death makes us realize that all physical pleasures and desires in this world are only temporary. This helps us focus on what truly matters and thus realizing the importance of spiritual values and become closer to G-d.
Q. Why are the Rosh Hashana "Challahs" shaped round?
A There are many reasons. On Rosh Hashana we crown G-d as King of the universe. The theme of the Rosh Hashana prayers are to that affect. The round Challot represent the shape of a crown, which is the theme of Rosh Hashana.
Another reason:Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn commented about our sages' comparison of life to a revolving wheel: "Both, those at the top of the wheel of fortune and those at the bottom, often demonstrate a lack of wisdom.
Those at the top may glow with self-satisfaction, even exulting at those less fortunate. But they would be wiser to realize that the wheel might turn at any moment and they could find themselves lower than those upon whom they previously looked down!"
"On the other hand, those at the bottom who bemoan their cruel fate, they too, would be wiser to realize that their fortunes are merely an expression of life's revolving wheel. Although they may be at the bottom of the wheel now, yet, at the wheel's very next turn, their fortunes will improve!"
The round Challas are a reminder of the revolving wheel of life. One should never hold themselves invincible when they seem to be at the top. At the same time one should never dispair nor give up when they seem to hit bottom.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
& A SHANA TOVA – A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR
|
Torah Fax is published daily (except Shabbat & Sunday) so you can learn something new every day |