Correction through a personal mistake as I heard is father’s name in Schul when he received the Aliyah I mentioned the wrong Shaliach from San Paulo Brazil in my story two weeks ago: On Shabbos there just happened to be (nothing happens of course without HASHEM) Rabbi Shabsai Alpern Shlita from Brazil. Upon explaining the above mentioned problem, he suggested that I contact the Chabad Rabbi in Vancouver Canada.
Yosef Moshe Ben Chaya passed away no more prayers needed a revised list next week.
Emergency Surgery now for the next few days: CHANA BAS YOCHEVED
I believe we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried - but they wanted cash. – Rabbi A.L.
Quote regarding some occupied territories: Obama should give back Wyoming and most of US to the Native Americans; after all, we stole the land from them. Also, US stole Hawaii from the Hawaiians. Denise
Israel wants China to build our railways but is it safe? MIRACLE ALERT: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/07/24/toddler-found-alive-in-rubble-china-train-crash/?test=latestnews
Parsha Massei
Please bear with me give me the leisure to speculate this once:
I would like you all to look at the Map of the Sinai Desert: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sinai-peninsula-map.jpg I usually do not go out on a limb like this but recently I saw a few films and commentaries on Nuweiba http://www.touregypt.net/nuweiba.htm Where on the Saudi side there is a column that says at this point Moshe crossed the sea with the Bnei Yisrael and chariot wheels and other items were found in the shallow water there. The article and film was first sent to me by my late friend Elio of blessed memory.
Nuweiba, which means "bubbling springs" in Arabic, is a 7-km long town stretched along the Aqaba coast of the Sinai Red Sea. It would be an ideal spot to rest and drink for people and animals because of the springs.
If we go back 3323 years the ice caps from the last Ice Age were much thicker and the oceans many meters lower. Off the coast of Haifa a town was found to have existed in what is now about 25 meters of water of course this is before Moshe according to the people who discovered the town.
It is not customary for a Rabbi to open up his Drasha based on archeological and scientific facts as in Torah we usually require tradition or proofs from the Tanach with other than the cross of the Sea of Reeds which would make the gulf of Eilat at Nuweiba so shallow at the onset that sea weed or regular reeds would be growing in that area.
I do not try to find out where exactly Ramses was. However, it most likely was either on the 4th branch of the Nile River seen by NASA photos of the Nile or near the Red Sea coast. Suez could even have been part of Goshen as during the Yom Kippur War the Israeli Army occupied Suez if I am not mistaken and it is part of or close to Goshen. From the first map above and the scale it would not be impossible to see a path at the rate of travel of 20 to 25 miles per day for a people to go and still have the animals graze and move. There is a limit how much flocks can move but there are also miracles occurring. Beresheis 33:12 And he said: 'Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.' 13 And he said unto him: 'My lord knows that the children are tender, and that the flocks and herds giving suck are a care to me; and if they overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die. A good excuse for Yacov and yet I have seen Buffalo who just calved take their calves on a trip for a mile or two in a short time.
So with the whole distance involved about 100 plus to 120 it would be feasible at 20 miles a day in six days to cover the distance. Some people would be riding on donkeys like the children and the elderly but most, being slaves would have the muscles and physical strength to endure a daily 20 mile walk and even more or perhaps less. On the evening of the 6th day they are stuck in Nuweiba. I have still one problem here as the beach or entrance is basically flat. However, looking at the topographic map on top we do see a mountain pass beforehand and Pharaoh may be held there by HASHEM.
The crossing of the Sea would have been a real Sea in the gulf of Eilat and not a lake between Egypt and Sinai as most of the speculation by scholars have been through the years and no archeological proof has ever been found.
So given the leeway to speculate let us see how it works out with our Pasukim.
33:1 These are the stages of the children of Israel, by which they went forth out of the land of Egypt by their hosts under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2 And Moses wrote their goings forth, stage by stage, by the commandment of the LORD; and these are their stages at their goings forth. 3 And they journeyed from Ramses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the Passover the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians, 4 while the Egyptians were burying them that the LORD had smitten among them, even all their first-born; upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments. 5 And the children of Israel journeyed from Ramses, and pitched in Succoth.
One day’s journey and Succoth was in the wilderness (but where).
6 And they journeyed from Succoth, and pitched in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness.
These would be stops going down the coast of the southern Sinai Peninsula until one cuts through the mountains.
7 And they journeyed from Etham, and turned back unto Pihahiroth,
One of the roads that cross the Sinai there.
which is before Baal-zephon;
This is somewhere in the mountain pass around Nuweiba. It might have been an awe inspiring mountain site that would make it have the name Baal-zephon or have an area for viewing the star Polaris from a certain area on the mountain top as the Egyptians learned Astronomy from Avraham Avinu when he passed through.
and they pitched before Migdol. 8 And they journeyed from Penehahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness; and they went three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham,
This implies being on the Saudi side if I am correct. It would be about a 3 day trip to Aquba. They then return to Sinai or they crossed back after the Egyptians died by another miracle.
and pitched in Marah. 9 And they journeyed from Marah, and came unto Elim; and in Elim were twelve springs of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees; and they pitched there. 10 And they journeyed from Elim, and pitched by the Red Sea. 11 And they journeyed from the Red Sea, and pitched in the wilderness of Sin. 12 And they journeyed from the wilderness of Sin,
This Sin is spelled Samech Yod Nun as we spell the country of China in Hebrew and is not the Tzade Nun written later on which is near the modern Sde Boker in the Negev south of Beer Sheva and Dimona and closer to Maaleh Akravim.
and pitched in Dophkah. 13 And they journeyed from Dophkah, and pitched in Alush. 14 And they journeyed from Alush, and pitched in Rephidim, where was no water for the people to drink. 15 And they journeyed from Rephidim, and pitched in the wilderness of Sinai. 16 And they journeyed from the wilderness of Sinai, and pitched in Kibroth-hattaavah. 17 And they journeyed from Kibroth-hattaavah, and pitched in Hazeroth. … 36 And they journeyed from Ezion-geber, and pitched in the wilderness of Zin--the same is Kadesh.
This area is reasonably close to Arab so as to send an alert to the king and cause the war mentioned earlier in the Sefer.
37 And they journeyed from Kadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom.-- 38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. 39 And Aaron was a hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor.
As I wrote in the past 14 of the stops were made in the first year and more than half of them before receiving the Torah. Very few stops are mentioned in the next 38 years until the last year we suddenly see a lot of journeying again.
40 And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.-- 50 And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying: 51 'Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52 then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their molten images, and demolish all their high places.
Moshe Dayan’s mistakes in the Six Day War included getting bold headed which would lead to the Yom Kippur War, not letting the Arabs of Yehuda and Shomron flee to Jordan on their own, to give the keys to the Temple Mount to the Arabs there and perhaps not to put on trial the murders of the 1929 Chevron Pogrom. Since the Mosques are not idolatry we would not have had to break them down.
53 And ye shall drive out the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein; for unto you have I given the land to possess it. 54 And ye shall inherit the land by lot according to your families--to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer thou shalt give the less inheritance; wheresoever the lot falls to any man, that shall be his; according to the tribes of your fathers shall ye inherit.
A man who is born from one tribe shall live in the designated family area. There technically could arise over the centuries conflict of interests when a man from let us say Dan inherits from his mother who is from Benyamin property. Even though I have never read or don’t remember a Halacha on this; I would think that Beis Din would pressure him to sell the land in Yehuda and he could buy a house in the City or land in his own tribal area with the money. It might also be allowed to have a rental deal.
55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then shall those that ye let remain of them be as thorns in your eyes, and as pricks in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land wherein ye dwell.
The Canaan Liberation Organization within your borders will come and begin to harass you.
56 And it shall come to pass, that as I thought to do unto them, so will I do unto you.
If you don’t drive them out, for this sin; I, HASHEM, will drive you out.
34:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Command the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye come into the land of Canaan, this shall be the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to the borders thereof.
The next Pasukim are the borders of the land from what appears to be the Dead Sea a
3 Thus your south side shall be from the wilderness of Zin close by the side of Edom, and your south border shall begin at the end of the Salt Sea eastward; 4 and your border shall turn about southward of the ascent of Akravim, and pass along to Zin; and the goings out thereof shall be southward of Kadesh-barnea; and it shall go forth to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon; 5 and the border shall turn about from Azmon unto the Brook of Egypt, and the goings out thereof shall be at the Sea.
Modern Scholars cannot decide if the brook of Egypt is Nahal El Arish or the 4th part of the Nile Delta which is now without water.
6 And for the western border, ye shall have the Great Sea for a border; this shall be your west border. 7 And this shall be your north border: from the Great Sea ye shall mark out your line unto mount Hor;
This is in Turkey at the Turkish/Syrian Border. It appears to me that all of modern Lebanon and Syria would belong to the Bnei Yisrael in the future.
8 from mount Hor ye shall mark out a line unto the entrance to Hamath;
This the hot springs of Hamat Gader where the Syrian, Jordanian and Israeli borders meet today and this area is just below the Golan Heights in Israeli hands.
and the goings out of the border shall be at Zedad; 9 and the border shall go forth to Ziphron, and the goings out thereof shall be at Hazar-enan; this shall be your north border. 10 And ye shall mark out your line for the east border from Hazar-enan to Shepham; 11 and the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall go down, and shall strike upon the slope of the sea of Chinnereth eastward; 12 and the border shall go down to the Jordan, and the goings out thereof shall be at the Salt Sea; this shall be your land according to the borders thereof round about.' 13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying: 'This is the land wherein ye shall receive inheritance by lot, which the LORD hath commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half-tribe; 14 for the tribe of the children of Reuben according to their fathers' houses, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to their fathers' houses, have received, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received, their inheritance; 15 the two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sun-rising.'
Some the instructions are to the Kinneret but the Golan Heights occupied by Reuven is on the other side of the Kinneret and the promise to Avraham up until the Euphrates River is not mentioned at this point as the border but for the future. Therefore only in the Messianic Days will we see the real boundaries of Eretz Yisrael.
16 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 17 'These are the names of the men that shall take possession of the land for you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to take possession of the land. 19 And these are the names of the men: of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Yephuneh. … 29 These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.'
These men had proven themselves and the other men are this time on a spiritual and physical level ready for the conquest of Canaan.
35: 1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying: 2 'Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and open land round about the cities shall ye give unto the Levites. …
These too shall provide temporary sanctuary for the man slaughterer and an escort of Leviim until the city of refuge.
9 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 10 'Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer that kills any person through error may flee thither.
There are certain situations that merit this such as chopping wood with an axe where the head might fly off the handle. However if an animal butted the man that he fell off a height on to another person and killed him this is taint amount to a complete accident that the man slaughtered could himself be killed in the misshapen and therefore innocent and exempt from fleeing.
12 And the cities shall be unto you for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation for judgment. 13 And as to the cities which ye shall give, there shall be for you six cities of refuge. 14 Ye shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan; they shall be cities of refuge. 15 For the children of Israel, and for the stranger and for the settler among them, shall these six cities be for refuge, that every one that kills any person through error may flee thither. 16 But if he smote him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. …
36:6 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying: Let them be married to whom they think best; only into the family of the tribe of their father shall they be married. 7 So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel remove from tribe to tribe; for the children of Israel shall cleave every one to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.
This paves the way for intra-family and genetic problems.
8And every daughter, that possess an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may possess every man the inheritance of his fathers. 9 So shall no inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shall cleave each one to its own inheritance.'
Tribal areas were not only politically correct but given the Stamp of Approval by HASHEM.
10 Even as the LORD commanded Moses, so did the daughters of Zelophehad. 11 For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married unto their father's brothers' sons. 12 They were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. 13 These are the commandments and the ordinances, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
Chazak – Chazak v’NitChazak! We have finished the book of Bamidbar and next week we start Devarim (Deuteronomy) which concludes on Simchas Torah and we start another cycle of Chumash then with Beresheis (Genesis).
Perkei Avos Chapter 2 Mishnah 15 – 16 http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/682513/jewish/English-Text.htm
15. Rabbi Tarfon would say: The day is short, the work is much, the workers are lazy, the reward is great, and the Master is pressing.
Rabbi Tarfon is not talking about a winter day in the Artic or Antarctic Circle but a life time for humans. There is a lot that soul must accomplish in a short time it does not matter if life is very short or 70 to 100 plus years the soul has a goal to achieve. People have only a certain amount of strength and tend to slack off. My father of blessed memory would sometimes sing to himself if he was getting tired on a weekend and work at home was to be done, “I am a lazy bum” and then would push himself. Being the first born, I inherited the bum spot and my oldest son after me. We all are workaholics and push ourselves hard. In the next world if we meet our goals the reward is great but HASHEM wants the spiritual Tikun and the days of the Moshiach even more than we do. As Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai came to Rabbi Akiva before he was to be killed by the Romans. “I want to learn from you!” Rabbi Akiva replied, “As much as the calf wants the suck, the cow wants to give suckle even more.” Rabbi Shimon then replied, “If the cow does not give suckle the cow will live but if the calf does not suck; the calf will die.” Which brings us back to the older Perkei Avos of Shemaya and Avtalayon who warned about not teaching the proper Torah that the students would die off – a living example can be found in the Conservative and especially Reform Jewish Congregations that as the elders die off there are no young people to take their place for they have drank Torah from a poisoned Socialist and Atheistic Well and perished.”
16. He would also say: It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task, but neither are you free to absolve yourself from it.
Ever feel that it is your job and effort to bring about the Moshiach. It is our job to do our best to bring about the Moshiach but it is not necessary our job to complete the work. Rabbi Tarfon was a companion of the generation of Rabbi Akiva about the year 100 C.E.
If you have learned much Torah, you will be greatly rewarded, and your employer is trustworthy to pay you the reward of your labors. And know, that the reward of the righteous is in the World to Come.
We have learned not to serve the MASTER for receiving a reward but Rabbi Tarfon tells us that after all we will receive a reward from the MASTER in the next world and it will be above our greatest hopes and expectations from this world.
Chabad left foot notes on this chapter which I did not see until the end.
* Rabbi Judah HaNassi, compiler of the Mishnah, is referred to in the Talmud as ``Rabbi.'' (Or Rebbe)
** "Rabbi Eliezer would say: Repent one day before your death. Asked his disciples: Does a man know on which day he will die? Said he to them: So being the case, he should repent today, for perhaps tomorrow he will die; hence, all his days are passed in a state of repentance. Indeed, so said Solomon in his wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:8): ‘At all times, your clothes should be white, and oil should not lack from your head’” (Talmud, Shabbat153a).
Please note that the number on the Chabad Mishnayos is different from the standard text in our Siddurim as most of us have 21 Mishnayos in Chapter 2 but everything is here that is why I divided the chapter the way that I did. We have now completed Chapter two of Perkei Avos.
Halacha from Danny Schoemann
We learned that the destruction of the Bet HaMikdash (Temple) started on 17 Tammuz with the breaching of the walls, and ended 3 weeks later when it was set alight. During this period of mourning we do not get married. Getting engaged is permitted during the 3 weeks. Until Rosh Chodesh Av one may even celebrate with a festive meal, but without music. After Rosh Chodesh Av one may not have a festive meal, but one may serve refreshments. One may even get engaged on a fast day, but no food may be served.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:1 Talmud Tanis lists Tisha B’Av and Yom Kippur as days when the maidens looking for a Shidduch used to dance before the men singing do not chose a woman on beauty alone but on merits and family.
The Kotel ("Wailing wall") is the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount where the Bet HaMikdash (Temple) stood until it was destroyed over 1,900 years ago. The Kotel "plaza" is outside the Temple Mount. Every prayer of ours - Amida and Birkas Hamazon - includes a supplication to once again be able to serve Hashem on the other side of the Kotel; from inside the rebuilt Bet HaMikdash. When seeing the place where the Bet Hamikdash stood, one needs to do Kri'a; tear ones clothes in the same way that mourners do. One only needs to tear Kri'a if one hasn't been in Jerusalem for more than 30 days.
Source Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 561 (If one visits the Kotel on Shabbos or Yom Tov even if it is more than 30 days, since we don’t mourn on these days or Chol HaMoed, we do not do the tearing of the clothes. Some tear a sock or the shirt below the belt level when making the tear. See the next Halacha for more.)
The prevalent Yerushalmi custom is to not tear Kri'a on days one doesn't say Tachanun, including Friday afternoons. After the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple) certain types of joy were forbidden and certain acts of mourning were instituted "Zecher L'Churban" - as a reminder of the destruction. One may not plaster ones entire house; a square Amar (~50 cm x 50 cm)* of wall opposite [or above] the front door should be left bare to recall the destruction. The reason many people don't do so nowadays is unclear.
A woman should never wear all her jewelry at the same time. Some ashes are put on a groom's head before the Chuppa (wedding ceremony) on the spot he usually wears his Tephillin. A bride's veil should not have gold nor silver threads. A plate is broken at the engagement, and a cup under the Chuppa. All these [and more] are done Zecher L'Churban - as a reminder of the destruction.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 126:1,2 *The Amar or cubit can be 50 cm according to the Chazon Ish or the standard cubit of 18 inches. The difference is 50 cm is 19.685 inches.
When the month of Av begins, one diminishes joy. From Rosh Chodesh Av until midday on 10th Av is the period known as the "9 days". During the 9 days one does not do any laundry even if one only intends wearing the clothes after the 9 days. One may not even give laundry to a non-Jew to wash during the 9 days, but a Jew may do laundry for non-Jews. One does not wear freshly laundered clothes during the 9 days except on Shabbat. This does not apply to garments worn directly on the body; undergarments, socks, PJs and the like. One may not change bed linens, tablecloths and towels during the 9 days. The "9 days" starts on Sunday evening (11 July / Rosh Chodesh Av) and ends 10 days later on Wednesday after noon (21 July / 10 Av). ==> Therefore it's advisable to prepare a week's supply of shirts, pants, skirts, etc. by wearing them for a short while before Rosh Chodesh. One can also prepare towels by using them once. Baby clothing that get dirty all the time and needs to be changed many times a day are exempt from the above and may be laundered and used during the 9 days. Anything halachically required for her 7 clean days, a Niddah may launder and wear during the 9 days.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 122:9
To see a chart (in Hebrew in PDF) with the differences between Ashkenazi and Sefardi customs in the 3 weeks, goto http://tinyurl.com/Halocho9day
A Meditation from Abraham Abulafia Taken from Chayay Olam Haba
“Prepare to meet you God, O Israel!” (Amos 4:12)
Prepare yourself, unify your heart and prepare your body and choose yourself a special place that will not let your voice be heard by any man in this world.
Be one and special and isolate yourself without any other, and sit is a room or in an attic and do not reveal
your secret to any man.
And if you can do this in a house that is a little darkened, do it. And it is best and fitting to do this at night.
At the same hour that you prepare yourself to speak with your Creator, be careful to empty your thoughts from all the vanities of this world and request Him to proclaim his courageous victories to you.
And adorn yourself in a tallit and put Tefillin upon your head and arms if you can so that you will be in awe
and reverence of the Shechina who is present with you at that moment.
And clean yourself and your clothes, and if you can, let them all be white clothes, as all this benefits the intention of awe and love very much.
And if this is at night, light many candles until they make your eyes shine very beautifully. And after this take ink, pen and tablet in your hands.
And this will be a witness that you come to work the work of God your Lord in happiness and an innocent heart.
And begin to combine letters, a few with many, and turn and revolve them speedily until your heart is warmed by their revolutions. And put your heart in their movements and what their revolutions engender.
And when you feel in yourself that your heart has been warmed very much by the combinations and you
understand from them new matters that you did not grasp from human transmission and did not know them from yourself by intellectual effort, then you are ready to receive the Shefa. (Abundance)
And the Shefa flows onto you and arouses you to many things one after the other. Prepare your true thought to depict the Name, may His Name be blessed, and his superior angels; depict them in your heart as if they were people, standing or sitting around you and you among them like an emissary that the King and His servants want to deploy and he is ready to hear from one of them the pronouncement of the matter of his mission, if from the King or from one of his servants.
And after you have depicted all of this prepare your mind and heart to understand in your thought the many things that will come to you from within the letters computed in your heart, and study all of them or their parts like a person who is told a parable, a riddle or a dream, or as one pursuing a topic in a book of wisdom deeper than he can comprehend.
And solve the matter that you will hear to the best solution and as close as you can get to it.
And judge yourself according to what you will understand from it, and do the same with the other matters in all that they will tell you.
And this will all accrue to you after you throw the tablet and stylus from between your fingers or if they fall
by themselves due to the plentitude of your thoughts and the multiplicity of your happiness.
And know that as much as the honorable intellectual abundance will be strong with you, so much so will your external and internal organs weaken, and your whole body will be engulfed in a very strong upheaval.
Till you will think for yourself that in any case you will die at that time, for your soul will separate from
your body due to the multitude of joy in its comprehension and knowing what you have known. Till you will choose death over life in your understanding for this death occurs only to the body (Deut. 30:19).
And in this cause the soul will live a resurrection forever and ever. And then you will know that you have arrived at the degree of receiving the abundance.
And if you wish then to honor the honorable and awesome Name and worship him truly in the life of the soul and the body, hide your face more and be afraid of looking at God and “do not come closer, remove your sandals from your feet for the place that you stand upon is holy ground” (Ex. 3:5).
And return to the matters of the body, and rise from there and eat a little and drink a little and smell a
pleasing fragrance and return your spirit to its scabbard until the next time. And make your heart happy with its share.
And know that the Lord your God loves you and is the One who teaches man to benefit him, and teaches you knowledge.
Exile and Redemption by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
One week nearly three hundred years ago, in the area of Sali, Morocco, a plague broke out amongst the cattle. As a result, all the Jewish-slaughtered animals were found to be trafe ("unfit"-disqualified). Only one calf was "kosher mehadrin" acceptable without question, and that was the one slaughtered specifically for the Tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Ben-Attar, the "Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh."
When one of the wealthy men in the city heard about this, he rushed to the Rabbi Chaim's house, hoping to get some meat in honor of Shabbat. He offered an enormous price for a piece, but the Ohr HaChaim refused, saying, "This is not a butcher shop, and the meat is reserved for the poor Torah scholars of our city." Indeed, every week it was his custom to distribute meat to the poor Torah scholars in honor of Shabbat.
While they were speaking, one of Rabbi Chaim's "customers" walked in. Upset, the rich man exclaimed, "Huh? You call this one a Talmid Chacham ["wise student"-i.e., accomplished Torah scholar]?" The Ohr HaChaim ignored his comment and gave the scholar his portion. The rich man realized the futileness of his endeavor, and stalked out in anger.
That night, the Ohr HaChaim had a dream in which he was told from Heaven that since he had not protested against the embarrassment of a Talmid Chacham, he would have to go into exile for a full year. Immediately, Rabbi Chaim packed his few belongings and set out on his long arduous journey, traveling from one town or village to another, making sure not to sleep two nights in the same place. He often went to sleep hungry, yet he accepted his pain with love and prayed to the One Above to forgive him for his sin.
One Friday many months later, the Ohr HaChaim found himself on the outskirts of a city. He sat down on a stone to rest his weak body and reflected on the first verse of the weekly Torah reading, "Eem b'hukotai tailaihu." When he continued walking towards the city, deep in thought and attachment to the Creator, forty two original explanations of this verse occurred to him!
Later, when he arrived in town, he went directly to the local Schul. The Shamash [caretaker] invited him to his home for Shabbat. At the conclusion of the Friday night meal, the Shamash told his guest of the local custom to join the meal at the house of the Rabbi of the city. So they went together, joining the throngs already gathered, waiting to hear the Rabbi's pearls of wisdom.
When the time came and all eyes turned towards the head of the table, the Rabbi was still sitting quietly, in a trance-like state. After a few more moments, he roused himself and began to speak. He transmitted fourteen brilliant explanations on the first verse of the weekly Torah reading, "Eem b'hukotai tailaihu," and then concluded, "These explanations I just heard in Heaven, in the name of the holy Tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Ben-Attar."
"Mr. Chaim ben-Attar [i.e. not a Tzaddik, not a rabbi -ed.]!" the unknown guest called out. All eyes turned to see who had the Chutzpa to dishonor the Ohr HaChaim, and were prepared to punish him. However, the Shamash, feeling responsible for his guest, requested them to leave the poor man alone.
At the conclusion of his Shabbat day meal, the Rabbi expounded on a second set of fourteen interpretations, saying that these too he had heard in Heaven in the name of the holy Tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Ben-Attar.
The same scenario repeated itself. Again the anonymous guest screamed out, "Mr. Chaim Ben-Attar," heightening the irritation of the townsmen. Before the Third Meal, the Shamash warned his guest to behave properly - To no avail. The scene repeated itself a third time. They decided to lock the disrespectful guest in a room until after Shabbat, and to keep him locked up until fitting measures would be decided upon.
That night, a sudden strong storm swept through the city, causing much damage. The townspeople franticly rushed to the Rabbi for his prayer and blessing. The Rabbi told them that he had just been informed from Heaven that Gehinom closes on Shabbat, and it does not reopen on Saturday night until the Ohr HaChaim recites Havdalah [the "separation" ceremony to enter into the new week]. Since the Tzaddik could not make Havdalah, being that he is currently locked in a room, a great uproar ensued above, which is the cause of such a harrowing storm below.
Upon hearing this and realizing their mistake, the townsmen immediately released their holy guest from his confinement. Rabbi Chaim understood that this was his sign that his repentance had been accepted in Heaven, and the next day set out to return to his home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connection: Seasonal -- 228th yahrzeit of the Ohr HaChaim
Biographical note:
Rabbi Chaim (ben Moshe) Ibn Attar (1696 - 15 Tammuz 1743) is best known as the author of one of the most important and popular commentaries on the Torah: the Ohr HaChaim. He established a major yeshiva in Israel, after moving there from Morocco. Chassidic tradition is that the main reason the Baal Shem Tov twice tried so hard (and failed) to get to the Holy Land was that he said if he could join the Ohr HaChaim there, together they could bring Moshiach. He is buried outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.
He is known in religious circles as Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh and it is unusual to use the word Kadosh or Holy after the name of a person.
There is a great Mitzvah in Texas http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4098486,00.html
If HASHEM wills posted by Gene Alberts: How to find your lost bag of money
In this week’s Parasha the tribe of Gad and Reuven came to Moshe Rabbaynu with a request, and what was their request? To stay on the other side of the Yarden River that would be more suitable for their cattle.
And they promised to join and help Am Israel at any time they needed to go to war against their enemies (Bamidbar: 32, 17-18). Their commitment was accepted by Moshe Rabbaynu; however we see the repetition of many verses to warn them about the terms and conditions, their responsibilities and its consequences if not fulfilled. (Matot 32: 20-22)
The question that we must ask is why it was necessary for Moshe Rabbaynu to go through every detail? He could’ve simply said: “if you keep your promise, you will also have a portion in the Land of Israel?”
But if we pay careful attention, we will realize that there is no repetition at all, Moshe wanted to emphasize on one important point! The significance of mentioning the Name and help of Hashem; when Gad and Reuven stated their request they only said “WE” are going to do it, and Moshe Rabbaynu corrected their statement by adding the Name of Hashem to inform them that on the contrary, it is not up to us, it is only up to Hashem and our trust to Him that will save us from our enemies.
Moshe gave them a lengthy lecture that we shouldn’t forget the Name of Hashem in every step that we take in our daily schedule. We should say: If Hashem wills it ~Im Yirtzeh Hashem and with the help of Hashem~ B’ezrat Hashem; because until we don’t verbalize and acknowledge Him and His ultimate will and providence in every minute detail of our life we won’t establish the trust and faith in the depth of our heart. (Tehillim 116:10)
You have to hear this story about a wealthy man, an arrogant one!
One day he came out to buy some cows and Eliyahu HaNovi zt”l appeared to him in a form of a merchant and asked him, “Where are you going?” “To buy cows!” he answered. “Say, if it is Hashem’s will~ Im Yirtzeh Hashem!” Eliyahu responded. “I have my money in my pocket and I am going to buy it whether Hashem wants or not,” the wealthy man responded. As he was walking, the bag of coins fell from his pocket, however he didn’t notice it. Eliyahu picked it up and placed it by a rock outside of the city! The merchant arrived to the market and picked the cows that he wanted to buy. He began to search for his money but couldn’t find it anywhere; so very upset, empty handed he went back home.
The next day he took another bag of coins with him to try to buy the cows. Eliyahu HaNovi zt”l appeared to him in a form of an old man this time, and asked him, “Where are you going today?” “To buy cows!” he answered. “Say, if Hashem wants!” Eliyahu responded. The man just turned his head and ignored the old man. He continued on his way and stopped at a quiet place where he decided to rest for a short time. While he was resting, the bag fell from his pocket and again Eliyahu took the bag and placed it by the first bag outside the city. The wealthy man woke up and noticed that the bag of money disappeared again. He became very angry and went back home.
On the third day, he decided to try again. He took his money and left his house. This time Eliyahu zt”l appeared to him as a poor man, and he asked him, “What are your plans for today?” “To buy cows, IF HASHEM WILLS!” he responded.
The poor man gave his blessings and wished him lots of success. The wealthy man went to the market and bought the cows he wanted; as he was taking them toward his house, they started running away, toward the exit of the city, so he chased after them and the cows stopped exactly by the rock where his two bags of money were placed. He then found his two missing bags of coins! (Otzar HaMidrashim)
So he finally said it!!
Don’t forget this story, and don’t forget to always say, “Im Yirtzeh Hashem!”
Only the study of Torah is that mitzvah that grips the Jew and binds both time and his conscious mind. It holds him for hours and he is keenly aware of his plunge into the sea of holiness. This is a unique difference, one that leaves its indelible mark upon his soul and his mind. This is the mitzvah that, more than any other, changes the Jew, shapes him, leaves him a genuinely different person each evening from the one who entered the House of Study that morning. Torah study is not only a mitzvah that is different from all the others in form; it is something else in quality and substance.
[Source: «Beyond Words», Vol. 1, p. 454] Rabbi Meir Kahane HY”D thanks to Tzipora
Proof against evolution I saw the woodpecker and chicken egg films and there is more: http://superstore.wnd.com/video/Education_2/Incredible-Creatures-That-Defy-Evolution-I-DVD
The platypus has 5 x and 5 y chromosomes and is the only egg laying mammal the first an anti-creation film the second National Geographic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_nJRNX2tS4 & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVneqhu9oZk We could go on to the giraffe too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8qaT_RBcrg
Rabbi Kaduri and the Moshiach: A few months before Kaduri died, he surprised his followers when he told them that he met the Messiah. Kaduri gave a message in his synagogue on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, teaching how to recognize the Messiah. He also mentioned that the Messiah would appear to Israel after Ariel Sharon’s death
The problem in the USA with clearing up an Aguna (abandoned wife) is US law this is not the Tznius squad that comes with an automatic Beis Din frees the woman and disappears: http://www.aol.com/2011/07/18/kidnapping-for-divorce_n_901643.html?test=latestnews
From Benyamin a cute hand crafted chess set on a Maccabee theme: http://www.avakesh.com/2007/12/a-freilechen-ch.html
An Aguna Problem that the Rabbis did not solve properly: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/longestserving-chained-wife-finally-breaks-free-after-48-years-1904136.html
Inyanay Diyoma
From Miriam who could not understand the raw political ambition of this woman: http://jewishworldreview.com/0711/glick072211.php3
Jihad against the Jihad http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=324393
Pat Caddell Democratic Party Pollster noted that only 43% of the Jews would vote for Obama today because of his lovely record on Israel.
Sodom reborn: http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=230697
Yarden and the Arab revolt why doesn’t BHO and Hillary butt out? http://www.debka.com/article/21144/
Chinese exchange student become Professor discovers an important Gene: http://www.trcb.com/news/israel/general/chinese-student-at-university-of-haifa-new-gene-discovered-sheds-55706.htm
Mossad or Iranian underground strike again: http://www.debka.com/article/21146/
Earlier this week it was reported that the Taliban hung an 8 year old but this is worst of course PETA will not get involved because the child was not a rat or a dog: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/taliban-attacking-more-children.htm
Prisoner of Tzion: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4100635,00.html
More Kassams: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4101196,00.html
Russia wants to sink international space station into the ocean and http://www.debka.com/article/21154/
Another accidental Fort Hood or is this planned Jihad? http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/07/28/exclusive-us-military-serviceman-arrested-in-second-alleged-attack-on-ft-hood/
This is front page news in Israel I guess that they forgot about Iran, Hezballah and Hamas. This thief should have her hands cut off: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4101015,00.html
Have you seen Donald Duck vs. Glenn Beck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytW9l7TBI8&annotation_id=annotation_406592&feature=iv
Arabs try to burn down our forests we honor people murdered in honor killings: Pamela Geller
From the direction of Jerusalem .....
Travel on road #1 towards Tel Aviv (after about 12 minutes ... just past the Paz (Yellow) Gas station, veer right to road #38 - towards Bet Shemesh.
From the direction of Tel Aviv
Travel on road #1 towards Jerusalem.
The junction AFTER Latrun (on your right) is the Road to Bet Shemesh (#38) .... take this turn off (to the right) towards Bet Shemesh ...
Then .....
Travel on road #38 to Bet Shemesh (about 10 minutes).
You will pass over the Train Track, and then take a left at the traffic Light ... towards Bet Shemesh .... (The Strip Mall "Big" is on your left).
Go straight ... you travel through the Bet Shemesh industrial area, after about 3 minutes you will come to a left turn where the sign says towards the Stalagmite Caves (Road # 3866). Take this left ....
After about a mile you come to the southern entrance of American Independence Park (marked by welcome pillars on each side of the road).
You travel along this road (#3866) .... Up a hill ... and then you come to the "Challenger Intersection, here the monument to the Challenger is on your left (The sign says left to the Stalagmite Caves .. do NOT turn left ... keep going along road 3866 for a further 2 minutes. You will see a sign pointing to the right - "Dedication Center". Take this right and travel 20 yards down the hill ... here you can park your car
Dear Friends, This is a good, positive story about Israel's high-tech accomplishments, the Heron TP (Eitan) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
However, the sentence about the Lavi fighter jet that Israel invented is not complete. The Lavi was beaten down by American pressure BECAUSE in test-flights the LAVI out-flew the American F-16, built by General Dynamics. The Lavi was also much cheaper per plane. America didn't like that kind of competition so the forces-that-be sent Dov Zakheim, purportedly an Orthodox Jew, to convince Israel that she was "too small" to produce her own airplanes. This was called the "Rosh Katan" syndrome.
More than 250 American manufacturers were partnered in making segments of the Lavi, bringing thousands of jobs to American workers - as well as promoting Israel's industrial capabilities.
The Yitzhak Rabin Cabinet voted down the Lavi, AFTER THE US CONGRESS HAD JUST VOTED TO RE-UP AMERICA'S FINANCIAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THIS EXCELLENT PLANE. It was Rabin who cast the negative tie vote in his own Cabinet. This defeatism led to a downward spiral for several years in Israel's self-confidence about manufacturing her incredibly clever inventions. The Rabin Cabinet's castration of the Lavi, after her spectacular roll-out at Ben Gurion Airport (I was there), and after Congress had voted to appropriate American funds to co-produce this cheaper, better plane was a huge insult to the American Congress and those in America who supported the Lavi Israel/American co-production (including Congressman Jack Kemp).
Thank G-d Israel has overcome this body-blow, BUT IT IS STILL A CAUTIONARY TALE FOR THE NEAR FUTURE!!!! BEWARE THE CURRENT AMERICAN POLITICAL MACHINE AND THE OBAMA ATTACKS ON ISRAEL. JUST MORE OF THE SAME DESTRUCTIVE ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL OR SHE MIGHT JUST WIN AND SURVIVE, B''H (with G-d's help).
ALL THE BEST, GAIL WINSTON - WINSTON MID EAST ANALYSIS & COMMENTARY July 24, 2011 As a victim of the loss of the Lavi Aircraft I agree 100%
Hidden unemployment: http://w3.newsmax.com/a/money_mischief/video2.cfm?s=al&promo_code=CAA9-1
British Anti-Semitical Press slander
This story is WRONG and you really need to publish a statement to this effect: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/07/25/amy-winehouse-devastated-dad-mitch-vows-to-learn-truth-of-her-final-hours-115875-23295118/
"Amy will be buried today or tomorrow, after the postmortem. Orthodox Jewish tradition dictates that tattoos are cut off first, but it’s unclear if this will be the case with her inkings." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bereavement_in_Judaism
Tattoos Halakha (Jewish law) forbids tattoos, and there is a persistent myth that this prevents burial in a Jewish cemetery. This is not true. A small minority of burial societies will not accept someone with a tattoo, but Jewish law does not require this, and most burial societies do not have this restriction. Removing the tattoo after death would be completely forbidden.
If you don't accept wikipedia as a valid source of my disputing your claims that orthodox Jews cut tattoos of people after death and before burial, please check with the United Synagogue Burial Society and they will confirm that this is a hoax and incorrect. Email: office@usburial.org.uk Tel: 020 8950 7767
There are enough libels against Jews and this additional allegation that jews would mutilate a person's body in this way is so upsetting! Please research your stories properly, many of your readers may readily accept this as fact!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Brenda
FYI - The Head of the United Syagogue Burial Society for the UK, Melvyn Hartog, called me this morning. He has written to the Mirror to complain.
Now for M. Wolfberg’s “Flohred”
Good Shabbos Everyone. In this week's parsha Masei, the Torah details the journeys of the Bnai Yisroel (Children of Yisroel) as they traveled through the desert. Why is it so important for the Torah to describe in such great detail the wanderings of the Jewish people? The commentary Maor Eynayim explains that there is a reason for every place that we must go in life. Namely, we must go to that certain place to elevate the sparks of holiness, which lay there, waiting to be elevated. We elevate the sparks of holiness in that place, by serving Hashem in that place. This is especially true in places with little or no Jewish communities. The following inspiring true story illustrates one Jew's journeys in this world.
Reb Yitzchok Flohr was a man who was privileged to learn under the tutelage of Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz, referred to by many as the architect of Torah in America. Reb Yitzchok was a G-d fearing Jew, and his love for mitzvos was well known. He often went to great lengths to fulfill Hashem's commandments, even when it meant incurring an expense or inconveniencing himself to do so.
As an importer of esrogim from Italy, Reb Yitzchok often had to travel to Europe to supervise the cutting of the esrogim. Reb Yitzchok usually made sure that he had his tefillin with him on the flight so he could use them while davening shacharis (praying the morning prayers) on the plane.
On one return trip to the United States, Reb Yitzchok boarded the plane, made his way down the narrow aisle to his seat and started to arrange his belongings. As he looked through his carry-on bag, he suddenly realized that his tefillin were nowhere to be found. He must have forgotten to remove them from his luggage before boarding the flight. Reb Yitzchok was distressed at the thought of davening shacharis without tefillin. But since he would be arriving home in the afternoon, there would be ample time after claiming his luggage to put on his tefillin before nightfall. Feeling somewhat calmer, Reb Yitzchok sat back comfortably in his seat and began to relax.
After a short time, Reb Yitzchok was startled by an announcement over the plane's loudspeaker. "Ladies and gentlemen, we will be making an emergency landing in Portugal due to engine trouble. Everything is under control, and there is no need for concern. Please remain seated and stay calm. We will be landing shortly." The plane erupted into a din of hushed hysteria. The crew circulated the cabin, trying to reassure the nervous passengers. Reb Yitzchok's mind immediately turned to his tefillin. Perhaps, he thought, he would be able to retrieve his luggage in Portugal and bring the tefillin on board the plane when the flight resumed.
The plane landed in Portugal without further incident. The passengers exited the aircraft and were directed to another terminal, where they were told that there would be a delay of a few hours. Naturally, no one was pleased with this situation. For some, this meant missing an important meeting or appointment; others were simply frustrated that things weren't going smoothly.
And Reb Yitzchok? He, too, was concerned. For with this additional delay, he would not arrive in the United States in time to put on his tefillin. Yet how could he let an entire day pass without donning tefillin. Reb Yitzchok approached the nearest desk. "Excuse me," he said to the ticket clerk. "I left an important item in my checked luggage. Is there any way I can retrieve it while we're waiting?" "Just a minute, sir, I'll check that for you." The woman glanced at his ticket and pressed several keys on her keyboard, then looked up with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Mr. Flohr, but I'm afraid your luggage is on the cargo plane, headed to New York. The delay didn't affect your baggage, since it goes separately." "Thank you," Reb Yitzchok said somberly, and then walked back to his seat in the waiting area. He needed a pair of tefillin. Where does one get tefillin in Portugal-particularly when he doesn't know anyone in that country? No easy solution came to mind.
Perhaps, Reb Yitzchok thought, he could find an earlier flight to the United States. Once in New York, he could easily call a friend and borrow a pair of tefillin. Reb Yitzchok began to walk from one terminal to the next, checking the departure times for every airline. It soon became clear that his own flight was the earliest one to the States. He already knew that it would be arriving too late. As he passed a departure screen, a new idea occurred to him. There was a flight leaving very soon to London. A friend of his lived there, and fortunately enough, he had the man's phone number on him.
Reb Yitzchok quickly exchanged a few dollars for the local currency, then headed for the nearest public phone. "Hello?" came the English voice at the other end. "Hello, this is Yitzchok Flohr calling." "Reb Yitzchok! Shalom aleichem! What brings you to call me?" His friend was surprised, though pleased, to hear from him. Reb Yitzchok explained his problem and made his request. His friend was happy to help. Soon, the arrangements were made. The friend would come to the arrival gate in London with a pair of tefillin. Reb Yitzchok would don the tefillin and then be on his way for the next leg of his journey, back to America.
With the necessary arrangements in place, Reb Yitzchok went to the ticket desk. "I was on the flight that made an emergency landing here," he explained. "I would like to get on the next flight to London, and then travel from there to New York."
The agent tried not to show her puzzlement at the unusual request. "Okay, sir, I'll try to book that for you." She got busy with her keyboard. "Fine," she said finally. "There were still a few seats left on each flight. I'll just need to stamp your ticket with the change and you'll be all set. But are you sure you want to do this, sir? It's quite expensive." "How much is it?" Reb Yitzchok asked. "Eight hundred dollars." "I'll take it!" he said enthusiastically, handing her the ticket to be stamped. Reb Yitzchok walked to the gate joyfully.
The flight was uneventful, and he met his friend in London right before nightfall. Reb Yitzchok put on the tefillin with intense happiness, thankful to Hashem for giving him the resources to fulfill such a holy mitzvah, despite the odds against him. (From Reb Yosef Weiss, Visions of Greatness p.197)
Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in far-flung places; we should know that it is no coincidence. Rather, we must go there to elevate spiritually the holiness which lays there. Good Shabbos Everyone. M. Wolfberg is sponsored by: Refuah Shleima to Reb Mordechai Menachem Mendel ben Tziporah Yitta Refuah Shleima to Tsviah bas Bracha Leah
Wishing everybody a peaceful Shabbos.
Rachamim Pauli
