Please add two more names for prayers: Yacov David ben Chaya Gittel and Elimelech Yechezkel ben Leah.
A great quote thanks to Brad:
An Arab tells the truth about Hamas and how they are brutal to their own people he speaks with a strong Arab accent in English among other things they gun down a wedding party. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIlfVG-XPSI&feature=related
Rav Shalom Yosef ben Chaya Moosha Baruch Dayan Emmes Rav Elyashiv returned his soul to his MAKER today he was the unofficial Pasuk for Ashkenazi Jews in Eretz Yisrael and we are at a real loss for such a leader now. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=277967 and http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/157991#.UAbKDPWhnIU This is coupled earlier this year with the loss of Rabbi Pinchas Sheinberg, The Wiznetzer Rebbe and many other Tzaddikim of the previous generation some of whom the general population never heard of like Rav Gelernter and my late father-in-law leaving us a vulnerable weaker generation in resolve and more removed from the older traditional learning and prayers of Europe, Yemen and North Africa. http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/117038/BORUCH-DAYAN-EMMES:-MARAN-POSEK-HADOR,-HAGON-HARAV-ELYASHIV-ZATZAL.html and last but not least http://www.vosizneias.com/110121/2012/07/18/jerusalem-end-of-an-era-rabbi-yosef-shalom-elyashiv-ztl/
The Tzaddik and his merit a cause and effect. At 16:45 Israel time, the Rav was declared dead and a about 17:30 Israel time the terrorist committed homicide between two Israeli buses for the time link is not an accident. For a Tzaddik or even a simple person who learns Torah, even reading my elementary words on the Parsha build up defending Angels of Israel. One word one angel and one sin one destroying angel. So don’t think you do not play a part observe Shabbos and you build many positive angels but going to the beach on Shabbos or going on-line instead does the reverse. It is up to all of us to bring the Moshiach.
Parshiyos Matos - Massei
30:2 And Moses spoke unto the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying: This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. 3 When a man vows a vow unto the LORD, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
From here we learn something more than just a vow unto HASHEM, a vow to diet, etc. that a man must be true to his word and his word must mean something. One cannot lie, cheat and weasel his way around in life because there is a Din and a Dayan in the After Life!
a vow: By saying, “It shall be prohibited just like a sacrifice, that I will not eat, or I will not do a certain thing.” One might think that even if he swears to eat carrion, I apply to him “according to whatever came out of his mouth, he shall do.” Scripture therefore states, “to prohibit” - to prohibit what is permitted, but not to permit what is prohibited. — [Sifrei Mattoth 7] he shall not violate his word: Heb. לֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֹ, like לֹא יְחַלֵּל דְּבָרוֹ“he shall not profane his word,” he shall not treat his word as being unholy. — [Sifrei Mattoth 8]
Should a husband or wife vow to refrain from martial relations and the husband does not annul the vow, they must get divorced!
4 Also when a woman vows a vow unto the LORD, and binds herself by a bond, being in her father's house, in her youth, 5 and her father heareth her vow, or her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father holds his peace at her, then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 6 But if her father disallow her in the day that he hears, none of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand; and the LORD will forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
and the Lord will forgive her: To what case does the verse refer? To a woman who took a nazarite vow, and her husband heard and revoked it for her without her knowledge. She then transgressed her vow by drinking wine and becoming unclean through contact with corpses-such [a woman] requires forgiveness even though it was revoked. And if those which have been revoked require forgiveness, all the more so those which have not been revoked. — [Sifrei Mattoth 17]
Nazirites – Nezirus taken from Halachic Overview by by Rabbi Dr. Azriel Rosenfeld at the Torah.org
If one vows to be a nazirite he must let the hair of his head grow and is forbidden to cut it; he is also forbidden to drink anything containing wine or to eat grapes or raisins or to become impure through contact with a corpse, as it says ["If a man or woman makes the vow of a nazirite... he shall abstain from wine or strong drink; he shall not drink vinegar of wine or of strong drink and shall not drink anything obtained by soaking grapes and shall not eat wet or dry grapes; all the days that he is a nazirite he shall not eat anything made from the grapevine, from grapestones to grapeskins; all the days of his nazirite vow] no razor shall touch his head... he shall let the head of his hair grow; [all the days that he is a nazirite to Ha-Shem he shall not come near a dead person... he shall not become impure...].
When the vow expires (if the Temple exists) the nazirite must bring three sacrifices and shave off his hair [as it says "On the day that his nazirite vow is fulfilled... the nazirite shall shave the hair of his head"]; he is then no longer a nazirite. When the Temple does not exist all nazirites are perpetual .One cannot be a nazirite for less than 30 days. If one becomes a perpetual nazirite he can cut his hair once a year (and when the Temple exists, must bring the three sacrifices at each such time). If one's hair is cut he must add 30 days to the time of his vow; if one comes into certain types of contact with a corpse he must shave off his hair and start from the beginning (and when the Temple exists, must bring three sacrifices), as it says ["And if he becomes impure... he must shave his head on the day that he becomes pure... and keep the days of his nazirite vow...] and the first days fall away".
So a man could easily want his wife or daughter to help with the wine used on Shabbos or Pessach and thereby annul this type of a vow for Shimshon met the lion by going around the vineyard.
7 And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the clear utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul; 8 and her husband hear it, whatsoever day it be that he heareth it, and hold his peace at her; then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 9 But if her husband disallow her in the day that he heareth it, then he shall make void her vow which is upon her, and the clear utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul; and the LORD will forgive her. 10 But the vow of a widow, or of her that is divorced, even everything wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand against her.
The father is allowed to annul the vow of a daughter up to the age of 12.5 years old after which she is considered an adult even though nowadays we think differently. For the sake of Shalom Beis, the husband was allowed to nullify his wife’s vow if she made it in either a regular state or a state of emotion after an argument.
… 17 These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between a father and his daughter, being in her youth, in her father's house.
31:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Avenge the children of Israel of Midian; afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.'
Somebody afraid of death would dawdle around and take his time but not Moshe he went out immediately and dealt with the Midian problem. The convention of war in those days was to kill all males and leave the women alive but because of the incident of Baal Peor, all females that knew men and could seduce men were killed off.
3 And Moses spoke unto the people, saying: 'Arm ye men from among you for the war, that they may go against Midian, to execute the LORD'S vengeance on Midian.
the revenge of the Lord: For anyone opposing Israel is reckoned as opposing the Holy One, blessed is He. — [See Mid. Tanchuma Mattoth 3, Num. Rabbah 22:2]
4 Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.'
This shows that not all the men of were needed prior to the battle. In fact only a small amount 12,000 soldiers, 12,000 men to move supplies back and forth from the front and 12,000 for prayer was the total size of the army according to what is written somewhere and I have heard it orally often.
5 So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. 6 And Moses sent them, a thousand of every tribe, to the war, them and Pinchas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy vessels and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand. 7 And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew every male.
What were the conventions of war back in those days is not the conventions of war nowadays although certain peoples in the middle-east prefer the Jihad approach today.
8 And they slew the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian; Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword. 9 And the children of Israel took captive the women of Midian and their little ones; and all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods, they took for a prey.
Up until this point the stand conventions of war are used kill the enemy men and take the women. Sometimes even in ancient time not all the men were killed as in the story of Troy and the Sabine Women story. But I believe however that the story of Troy and definitely the Sabine women took place after the generations at the time of Moshe and in more of a European than Middle-Eastern War convention of that time. For in most cases including Rome most of the opposing men and often the women were sold as slaves the cheapest form of labor.
10 And all their cities in the places wherein they dwelt, and all their encampments, they burnt with fire. 11 And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of man and of beast. 12 And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and unto Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp, unto the plains of Moab, which are by the Jordan at Jericho. 13 And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp. 14 And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war. 15 And Moses said unto them: 'Have ye saved all the women alive? 16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to revolt so as to break faith with the LORD in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD. 17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
Chabad translates it as follows to correspond with the Rashi but the original translation is what is written in Hebrew and the Pshat! So now kill every male child, and every woman who can lie intimately with a man you shall kill. (See: http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0431.htm for the Hebrew)
Every woman who can lie intimately with a man: Capable of sexual intercourse, even though she may never have experienced it. They passed them all in front of the show plate, and the faces of those capable of intercourse turned green. — [Yev. 60b]
This exception was to kill the women who had lain with men was issued as they caused the downfall of the tribe of Shimon and other from Yisrael.
18 But all the women children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.
Our tradition tells us that these were females from 3 years of age and younger. It is not rare to find that members of Hamas in Gaza to this day marrying children from the age of 6 or perhaps younger to be consummated by the age of 9. These children captured by Am Yisrael were brought up as Bnei Yisrael after they were sent to the Mikvah and married with people close to their age when they reached maturity these were not sold as slaves but rather brought up as family members. The question arises since the Pasuk does specify women it would appear that we must follow the Pshat here and assume that some over the age of 3 were virgins and left alive even though the commentaries say different for I have heard that if the Pshat says something it must be Emmes and is significant.
19 And encamp ye without the camp seven days; whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify yourselves on the third day and on the seventh day, ye and your captives.
In modern thinking it is that a non-Jewish body does not make this Tuma but here our Parsha tells
20 And as to every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood, ye shall purify.'
Besides the purification of the vessels and utensils that were found, there were clothing and other cloths which needed purification.
21 And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war that went to the battle: 'This is the statute of the law which the LORD hath commanded Moses: 22 Howbeit the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23 everything that may abide the fire, ye shall make to go through the fire, and it shall be clean; nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of sprinkling; and all that abides not the fire ye shall make to go through the water. 24 And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye may come into the camp.'
This rule applies today to all items purchased and made by the Nations of the World. However, electrics built in plastic would be destroyed by dipping in the Mikvah so your computer, smart-phone, microwave, etc. are not burned or immersed.
… The next section deals with the spoils of war the division between the Treasury of HASHEM and the soldiers. Since we abide by the Geneva Convention today even if our Enemy does not, we no longer take spoils of war nor do we do to the men and women what once was done. Although in the 1982 war in Lebanon one soldier who might have been one of our Christian Soldiers fell in love with a Lebanese young woman and they married with the blessings of her parents.
32:1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle; and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle, 2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying: 3 'Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Sebam, and Nebo, and Beon, 4 the land which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle.' 5 And they said: 'If we have found favor in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession; bring us not over the Jordan.'
Moshe is in a state of shock from this but quickly recovers with his Mussar regarding deserting their brethren and what happened to the spies.
6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: 'Shall your brethren go to the war, and shall ye sit here? 7 And wherefore will ye turn away the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? 8 Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up unto the valley of Eshkol, and saw the land, they turned away the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them. 10 And the LORD'S anger was kindled in that day, and He swore, saying: 11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed Me; 12 save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun; because they have wholly followed the LORD.
Are we going to wait another 40 years and another generation because of you?
13 And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and He made them wander to and fro in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed. 14 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, a brood of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel. 15 For if ye turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and so ye will destroy all this people.'
Moshe is worried about angering the L-RD but they clarify their request and receive the permission for they will be the front line troops.
16 And they came near unto him, and said: 'We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones; 17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place; and our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan, and forward, because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.' 20 And Moses said unto them: 'If ye will do this thing: if ye will arm yourselves to go before the LORD to the war, 21 and every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before the LORD, until He hath driven out His enemies from before Him, 22 and the land be subdued before the LORD, and ye return afterward; then ye shall be clear before the LORD, and before Israel, and this land shall be unto you for a possession before the LORD. 23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD; and know ye your sin which will find you. 24 Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.' 25 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Thy servants will do as my lord commands. 26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead; 27 but thy servants will pass over, every man that is armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord says.'
Moshe agrees to their conditions as they are going into battle for the sake of heaven and not for inheritance.
… 40 And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein. 41 And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the villages thereof, and called them Havvoth-jair. 42 And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.
We see Yair goes off to the battle for Ha Ai in Yehoshua 7:5 and is killed. According to our Sages 36 men did not die but only Yair and that was because his learning was so strong it was like the majority of the Sanhedrin or 36.
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.
Last year I covered this in the www.rabbipauli.blogspot.com where I commented how most of the journeys were in the first and last year and basically for 38 years the people were grazing with their animals in the wilderness as the generation with the slave mentality passed on and the new generation with the taste of freedom and prepared for conquest of Eretz Yisrael arose. The whole Nation at this time became a Torah Nation as they learned the Halachos from Moshe Rabbaynu. Judges and leaders arose in the nation which prepared us unto this day.
… 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. 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. 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. 56 And it shall come to pass, that as I thought to do unto them, so will I do unto you.
After the six day war most of the Arabs wanted to leave Yehuda and the Shomron and Moshe Dayan prevented this for cheap labor. The rest is history.
34:1 … 15 the two tribes and the half-tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sun-rising.'
The boundaries of Eretz Yisrael is mentioned from the River in Egypt to Har HaHor in Turkey. Afterwards the names of the leaders of the conquest are mentioned and chapter 35 deals with the cities of the Leviim and the cities of Refuge.
35:9 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. 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 killeth any person through error may flee thither.
A few months ago Dr. Harry wrote me a poem about two of the cities of Refuge where the accidental man slaughterer was supposed to flee. He lamented on the condition they are in two and that homicidal murderers live there.
Hebron and Shechem for refuge
cities now full of pain
no more place for accidents
where killers and terrorists reign
Promises which Joshua given
have now been thrown away
when whole country is threatened
what will the leaders say
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. 17 And if he smote him with a stone in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 Or if he smote him with a weapon of wood in the hand, whereby a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 And if he thrust him of hatred, or hurled at him anything, lying in wait, so that he died; 21 or in enmity smote him with his hand, that he died; he that smote him shall surely be put to death: he is a murderer; the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him. 22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or hurled upon him anything without lying in wait, 23 or with any stone, whereby a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, so that he died, and he was not his enemy, neither sought his harm; 24 then the congregation shall judge between the smiter and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances; 25 and the congregation shall deliver the manslayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, whither he was fled; and he shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. 26 But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge, whither he flees;
Avenger of blood: Although this is strange in the eyes of a Jew today not so long ago even in the Christian United States was a dispute between the Hatfields and the McCoys which lasted several generations and included murders back and forth and among Arab large family units this occurs all the time and even a month or two ago the Israeli Police had to intervene.
27 and the avenger of blood find him without the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood slay the manslayer; there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him; 28 because he must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; but after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return into the land of his possession. 29 And these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify against any person that he die. 31 Moreover ye shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer, that is guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death. 32 And ye shall take no ransom for him that is fled to his city of refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. 33 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are; for blood, it polluteth the land; and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. 34 And thou shalt not defile the land which ye inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the children of Israel.'
36:1 And the heads of the fathers' houses of the family of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spoke before Moses, and before the princes, the heads of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel; 2 and they said: 'The LORD commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the children of Israel; and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters. 3 And if they be married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then will their inheritance be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers, and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe whereunto they shall belong; so will it be taken away from the lot of our inheritance.
Talmud Bavli Baba Basra deals with this story and various inheritance of women over the course of a number of pages. It is also not imperative on a woman to marry within her tribe if she has brothers. So it is possible that if her brothers pass on and the father is still alive that she would be married to somebody from another tribe and they would inherit the land of the second tribe. But this case is rare and far between.
Chazak – Chazak v’ Nitchazayk
SPECIAL HALACHOS FOR MOURNING FOR THE TEMPLE SOME BUT NOT ALL
Halachos of The Nine Days http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5762/devarim.html
Selected Halachos Related to Parshas Devarim By Rabbi Doniel Neustadt A discussion of Halachic topics related to the Parsha of the week. For final rulings, consult your Rav.
EATING MEAT AND DRINKING WINE DURING THE NINE DAYS
The first nine days of the month of Av, known as the Nine Days, is a period of time established by the Rabbis to mourn the destruction of the two Batei ha-Mikdash. There are certain activities which are prohibited during this period. Since the Talmud tells us that only one who has properly mourned the Temple's destruction will merit to see its rebuilding, it is important to become more knowledgeable about the exact nature of the prohibitions of the Nine Days. One of them, the injunction against eating meat and drinking wine, is reviewed here.
1. Although this prohibition is not clearly mentioned in the Talmud as binding halachah, it is an age-old custom which is recorded by many Rishonim(1) and has become universally accepted. Thus, today it may not be compromised in any way, and one who does so is considered a poreitz geder, literally, a "fence-breaker."(2)
2. The restriction against eating meat and drinking wine begins at sunset [or after davening Ma'ariv(3)] on Rosh Chodesh Av and ends at midday on the tenth of Av.
3. All meat and poultry and their derivatives, even if no meat or poultry is actually visible, e.g., chicken soup, are included. Pareve dishes cooked in a utensil used for meat are permitted.(4) [If a small piece of meat accidentally fell into a pareve dish and its taste will not be sensed, the dish may be eaten.(5)]
4. All wines and grape juices are prohibited. Beer, whiskey, and wine vinegar are permitted.(6)
5. The restriction applies to men, women and children, even to children who are under the age of chinuch and who do not understand the concept of mourning for the destruction of the Beis ha-Mikdash.(7)
6. A child, a pregnant or nursing woman, or an elderly or sick person who cannot eat dairy foods or who needs to eat meat for health reasons, may eat meat. If possible, they should limit themselves to meat derivatives or to poultry rather than to actual meat.(8)
7. On Friday afternoon close to the onset of Shabbos, it is permitted to feed children - who normally eat at that time - the regular meaty Shabbos foods.(9) A woman who needs to taste the Shabbos foods while cooking may do so on Friday afternoon after midday.(10)
8. On Shabbos there is no restriction against eating meat or drinking wine even if one began Shabbos early - any time after plag ha-Minchah. It is forbidden, however, to eat food left over from Shabbos even for melaveh malkah.(11)
9. If, by mistake, one recited a blessing over meat or wine, he should taste a bit so that his blessing will not have been in vain.(12)
10. Butcher shops may remain open during the Nine Days.(13) Proprietors of meat restaurants should consult a rabbi.
MEAT AND WINE AT A SEUDAS MITZVAH
The restriction against eating meat and drinking wine is lifted when a seudas mitzvah takes place. This includes a siyum,(14) a bris,(15) or a pidyon ha-ben. Several poskim also include a bar mitzvah dinner which takes place on the day the boy becomes bar mitzvah.(16)
For a seudas mitzvah one may invite any man or woman who would normally be invited at any other time of the year, e.g., relatives or friends. Thus all campers and staff of a summer camp, both men and women, may join in a public siyum.(17) During the week in which Tishah b'Av occurs, only a minyan of people plus close relatives may partake of meat and wine at a seudas mitzvah meal.(18)
There are conflicting opinions about whether or not it is permitted to make a siyum specifically in order to partake of meat and wine.(19) While it is preferable to be stringent, one should follow the custom and the directives of his rabbi.
Regarding the nature of the text upon which it is permitted to make a siyum, the custom follows the halachically preferred option that a siyum be made only on a tractate of the Talmud, either Bavli or Yerushalmi. But there are poskim who allow a siyum to be made upon completing the intensive study of either an entire seder of Mishnayos or on an entire book of Tanach. Some allow a siyum even on three tractates of Mishnayos while others allow it even on one.(20)
L'chatchilah, all the participants should listen to and understand the siyum of the text as it is being read.(21) B'diavad, some poskim permit even those who were not present at the siyum to eat meat and drink wine at the siyum meal,(22) while other poskim are stringent.(23)
When a seudas mitzvah takes place, it is also permitted to drink the wine after Birkas ha-Mazon.(24) But the cup of wine which is usually drunk at a bris [or pidyon ha-ben] should be given either to a minor or to the mother of the child.(25)
Those who are particular to recite Havdalah every week over wine or grape juice should do so during the Nine Days as well,(26) since this too is permitted, just as it is permitted to drink wine at a seudas mitzvah.(27) In some places it is customary for a minor,(28) if one is present, to drink the wine,(29) while in other places an adult drinks the Havdalah wine.(30)
Those who make Havdalah on beer or another chamar medinah year-round should do so this week as well.(31)
AFTER TISHAH B'AV
It is customary not to eat meat(32) or drink wine until midday of the tenth of Av, even when the tenth of Av falls on a Friday. This is because the destruction of the Beis ha-Mikdash, which began on the ninth of Av, continued throughout the night and most of the next day.(33) All of the aforementioned leniencies regarding eating meat and drinking wine during the Nine Days apply to motzaei Tishah b'Av until midday of the tenth of Av.(34)
FOOTNOTES:
1 Several reasons for this custom are given: To minimize joyfulness; to mourn the abolishment of the Korban Tamid and Nissuch ha-Yayin; to mark the loss of the Even Shesiya (see Orchos Chayim, Kol Bo and Avudraham).
2 O.C. 551:11. Most Sephardim, too, follow this custom for all of the Nine Days, although some Sephardim do not observe it on Rosh Chodesh day itself; Kaf ha-Chayim 551:125; Yechaveh Da'as 1:41.
3 Kaf ha-Chayim 551:122.
4 Mishnah Berurah 551:63. It makes no difference whether the pareve food is sharp or bland; Orchos Chayim 31.
5 Sha'ar ha-Tziyun 551:68. Some poskim hold that even l'chatchilah it is permitted to put a small amount of meat or wine into a dish if its taste will not be detected.
6 Sha'arei Teshuvah 551:10.
7 Mishnah Berurah 551:70. Some poskim allow children under the age of three to eat meat and some allow it up until age six; Divrei Yatziv O.C. 2:236.
8 Mishnah Berurah 551:61,64 and Sha'ar ha-Tziyun 69. Most poskim hold that hataras nedarim is not required; Yechaveh Da'as 1:41.
9 Igros Moshe O.C. 4:21-4.
10 Mekor Chayim 551:9.
11 Igros Moshe O.C. 4:21-4.
12 Sdei Chemed (Bein ha-Metzarim 1:4).
13 Igros Moshe O.C. 4:112-3.
14 Some poskim recommend that no siyum take place after the sixth of Av (Harav M. Feinstein, Moadei Yeshurun, pg. 132). See also Aruch ha-Shulchan 551:28, who advises that a siyum should not take place at all during the Nine Days, since we cannot properly rejoice and honor the Torah during this time of mourning.
15 Even if it was deferred due to illness, etc.; Sha'arei Teshuvah 551:15.
16 Yad Efrayim 551:31; Divrei Yatziv 2:238.
17 Harav M. Feinstein and Harav S.Z. Auerbach (quoted in Nitei Gavriel 18:7).
18 Mishnah Berurah 551:77. Some poskim hold that only a minyan - including the relatives - may eat meat or drink wine; Sha'ar ha-Tziyun 84.
19 See Mishnah Berurah 551:73, Aruch ha-Shulchan 551:28 and Kaf ha-Chayim 551:161.
20 See the various opinions in Ha-elef Lecha Shelomo 386; Igros Moshe O.C. 157 and O.C. 2:12, Yabia Omer 1:26, Yechaveh Da'as 1:40 and B'tzeil ha-Chochmah 4:99.
21 Mishnah Berurah 470:10.
22 Minchas Yitzchak 9:45; Teshuvos v'Hanhagos 1:300 quoting Harav Y.Y. Kanievsky, who says that it is customary to be lenient in this matter, provided that the participant is sincerely "happy" with the siyum taking place. See also the lenient ruling of Harav Y.Y. Fisher concerning a mourner (Pnei Baruch, pg. 463). Harav M. Feinstein is also quoted as being lenient (Moadei Yeshurun, pg. 132).
23 Ben Ish Chai 1:96-25; Chazon Ovadiah, pg. 99; Harav Y.S. Elyashiv (Siddur Pesach K'hilchaso, pg. 168).
24 Mishnah Berurah 551:72.
25 Harav Y.S. Elyashiv (quoted in Otzar ha-Bris, pg. 187).
26 Eishel Avraham 551; Chazon Ish (quoted in Imrei Yosher, pg. 4).
27 Mishnah Berurah 551:67.
28 The preferred minor for this purpose is a boy beyond the age of chinuch but who is not yet old enough to understand the concept of mourning the destruction of the Beis ha-Mikdash; Mishnah Berurah 551:70. [It is difficult to define the age of such a child.] If such a child is not present, any boy under bar mitzvah age will do.
29 Rama O.C. 551:10.
30 Harav M. Feinstein (Moadei Yeshurun, pg. 154).
31 See Aruch ha-Shulchan 551:26.
32 But a meaty food which presently contains no meat is permitted; Beiur Halachah 558:1 (s.v. shelo).
33 O.C. 558:1.
34 Mishnah Berurah 558:2.
SELECTED HALACHOS RELATING TO PARSHAS MATOS/MAASEI
SHOPPING DURING THE NINE DAYS
QUESTION: Is it permitted to go shopping during the Nine Days?
DISCUSSION: It is forbidden to make a major purchase, such as a car, silver items, or furniture during the Nine Days. There are two possible prohibitions involved in such a purchase:
Purchasing a substantial (chashuv) item -- even if used -- obligates one to recite a shehecheyanu(1), and it is improper to recite it throughout the Three Weeks(2) and especially during the Nine Days(3). If the car or furniture is for the use and enjoyment of the entire family, in which case ha-Tov v'ha-Meitiv is recited instead of shehechyanu(4), one would be allowed to buy it during the Three Weeks but not during the Nine Days. This is prohibited since it is similar to building or buying a binyan shel simchah (loosely translated as building or buying an item for pleasure or joy), which the Shulchan Aruch(5) clearly forbids(6).
Shopping for clothing or shoes, even if they are intended for use after the Nine Days(7), is prohibited(8). Both expensive and inexpensive items (such as socks) are included(9). [If one has no clean shirt for Shabbos, he may wear a new shirt(10).]
Shopping for items which a) do not require a shehecheyanu; b) are not purchases which could be classified as a binyan shel simchah; and c) are not apparel, is permitted. Even when shopping is prohibited, the following leniencies apply:
Only actual buying is prohibited. It is permitted to shop without buying. Window or comparison shopping is permitted. Returns are permitted. Exchanges may be prohibited(11).
An item which is forbidden to be bought during the Nine Days because of the shehechyanu restriction may be bought during the Nine Days if it requires assembly and if the assembly will be done after the Nine Days. The same rule applies to a utensil that requires immersion. If the immersion will not take place until after the Nine Days, no shehecheyanu is said at the time of purchase(12).
It is permitted to buy a car or furniture for business purposes. The shehecheyanu should be said after Tishah b'Av(13). People in the clothing business may purchase stock during the Nine Days(14). If delaying the purchase will cause one a substantial loss(15), or if the item will not be available after Tishah b'Av(16), it is permitted to buy the item during the Nine Days(17).
A bachelor who is getting married after Tishah b'Av may buy anything he needs during the Nine Days(18).
One who does not have appropriate shoes to wear on Tishah b'Av may buy them during the Nine Days(19).
If one will run out of clothing for small children, one may either wash the clothes or buy new clothes(20).
FOOTNOTES:
1 O.C. 223:3.
2 O.C. 551:17.
3 Aruch ha-Shulchan 551:38.
4 O.C. 223:5.
5 O.C. 551:2, Mishnah Berurah 11 and Sha'ar ha-Tziyun 13.
6 Mishnah Berurah, ibid. and Aruch ha-Shulchan 20 prohibit buying silver items as binyan shel simchah. Igros Moshe O.C. 3:80 prohibits car buying for the same reason. See also Nitei Gavriel, pg. 51, who quotes the Puppa Rav as including furniture as well.
7 Mishnah Berurah 551:49.
8 Rama O.C. 551:7. See also Mishnah Berurah 45.
9 Mishnah Berurah 551:45-46.
10 Beiur Halachah 551:6, according to the explanation of Igros Moshe O.C. 3:80. The poskim do not mention specifically if one would also be allowed to buy the shirt during the Nine Days.
11 Since the shopper is getting a new item in exchange for the old one, it may be considered as if he is buying the item anew. A rav should be consulted. If the new item requires a shehecheyanu, the exchange may definitely not take place during the Nine Days; see Moadei Yeshurun, pg. 152, note 31.
12 Mishnah Berurah 223:17 and Sha'ar ha-Tziyun 21 quoting R' Akiva Eiger. See also Vezos ha-Berachah, pg. 167 quoting Harav C.P. Scheinberg.
13 Igros Moshe O.C. 3:80.
14 Mishnah Berurah 551: 11.
15 See Zichron Shelomo, Hilchos Chol ha-Moed, pg. 94, who quotes Harav M. Feinstein and Harav Y. Kamenetsky who rule that when an item is offered on sale at a substantial reduction and the sale is not likely to occur again in the near future, it is considered a davar ha-aveid in regard to hilchos Chol ha-Moed. See, however, Emes le-Yaakov O.C. 551:7 who hesitates about this leniency.
16 Ben Ish Chai (Devarim 2).
17 Based on Mishnah Berurah 551:11 and 13 that permit even a binyan shel simchah in order to avoid a loss. There are other poskim who prohibit a binyan shel simchah even in a case of loss; see Kaf ha-Chayim 551:29.
18 Mishnah Berurah 551:14 and 46. Other poskim disagree with this leniency; see Kaf ha-Chayim 551:30, 33 and 101.
19 Igros Moshe O.C. 3:80.
20 O.C. 551:14 and Mishnas Yaakov (quoted in Piskei Teshuvos, pg. 83).
Weekly-Halacha, Copyright © 2002 by Rabbi Neustadt, Dr. Jeffrey Gross and Project Genesis, Inc.
Rabbi Neustadt is the principal of Yavne Teachers' College in Cleveland, Ohio. He is also the Magid Shiur of a daily Mishna Berurah class at Congregation Shomre Shabbos.
WHEN TISHAH B'AV FALLS ON SUNDAY
The ninth day of Av, the day on which both Batei Mikdash were destroyed, not only commemorates the destruction of both Temples, but is also a national day of mourning for all of the tragedies and calamities that have befallen the Jewish people. This sorrowful fast day, which culminates the Three Weeks period of mourning, is replete with special halachos. In this discussion, we will attempt to review some of the special restrictions that apply to Tishah b'Av as well as the special halachos that apply to when Tishah b'Av falls on a Sunday:
ON SHABBOS CHAZON:
If one can keep himself occupied on Shabbos afternoon studying topics which pertain to Tishah b'Av or to mourning, he should do so(1). If he cannot, he may study what he ordinarily does(2). It is customary that Pirkei Avos is not studied on this Shabbos(3).
The usual seudah ha-mafsekes restrictions do not apply on Shabbos. At the last meal before the fast -- which is seudah shelishis on Shabbos -- one may eat meat and drink wine and consume whatever food he desires(4). One should not, however, specifically say that he is eating in order to have strength for the fast, nor is it permitted to swallow a pill that makes it easier to fast, since he would then be preparing on Shabbos for a weekday(5).
Eating seudah shelishis with family members is permissible. Company, however, should be avoided -- unless one usually has company for seudah shelishis(6). Birkas ha-Mazon may be said with a zimun(7). Zemiros may be sung, even by one who does not always sing them(8).
Eating, drinking, or washing any part of the body is permitted until sunset only(9). If one recited Birkas ha-Mazon before sunset, he may eat or drink until sunset. No precondition is required(10). One may sit on a chair until nightfall(11).
Since it is not proper to wear Shabbos clothes on Tishah b'Av, it is recommended that one change clothes after nightfall, but before Ma'ariv(12). Baruch ha-Mavdil should be recited before changing into weekday clothes(13). No preparations for Tishah b'Av may be made until Shabbos is over. Tishah b'Av shoes or Kinos [unless studied on Shabbos] may not brought to shul until nightfall, even in an area with an eiruv(14).
MOTZA'EI SHABBOS:
Shabbos shoes may not be removed until nightfall. The custom in many places(15) is to remove the shoes after saying Barechu at Ma'ariv. Others remove their shoes after reciting Baruch ha-Mavdil but before Barechu, provided that it is already nightfall(16). This option is advisable when there is large gathering of people [such as a camp] in order to avoid a long break between Barechu and Ma'ariv(17).
Atah chonantanu is said in Shemoneh Esrei. Women must be reminded to recite Baruch ha-Mavdil before doing any work(18).
After Ma'ariv but before the reading of Eichah, a candle(19) is lit and Borei me'orei ha-eish is recited. If one forgot or failed to do so, Borei me'orei ha-eish may be recited anytime throughout the night(20).
Customarily, Borei me'orei ha-eish is recited by one person for the entire congregation. It is proper, though, that all the listeners sit down while the blessing is recited(21).
Preferably, women should listen to Borei me'orei ha-eish recited by a man. If they cannot do so, it is recommended that they recite their own blessing over a candle, but they are not obligated to do so(22). Some permit folding the tallis as on every motza'ei Shabbos(23), while others are stringent(24).
Dirty dishes from Shabbos should not be washed until Sunday after chatzos(25), unless they will attract insects, etc.
ON SUNDAY:
One who must break his fast because of illness should recite Havdalah before partaking of food(26). Many poskim(27) hold that wine or grape juice may not be drunk, and Havdalah should be recited on a Shehakol beverage such as beer, coffee, or tea [with or without milk(28)]. Another option is to use wine or grape juice, but have a minor [between the ages of 6-9] drink the wine. Other poskim allow even an adult to drink the minimum amount(29) of wine or grape juice(30).
There are various views among the poskim concerning the recitation of Havdalah for women who are not fasting [due to illness, etc.](31). The preferred option is that the woman's husband [or another man] should recite Havdalah(32) and that she or a minor drink the beverage. If that cannot be arranged, most poskim allow her to recite her own Havdalah(33). If she cannot or will not, there are poskim who permit her to eat without reciting Havdalah(34).
Most poskim hold that minors do not need to hear or recite Havdalah before eating(35). A minority opinion requires them to do so(36). One who must eat on Tishah b'Av in the morning should daven first, without tefillin, and then eat. If he needs to break his fast after chatzos, he should daven Minchah with tefillin and then eat. If he cannot daven Minchah until later in the day, he should still put on tefillin before he eats(37).
ON SUNDAY NIGHT:
After the fast is over, one may not eat until Havdalah is recited. Women should hear Havdalah from their husbands or a neighbor(38). If it is difficult for a woman to wait for Havdalah, she may drink before Havdalah(39). If drinking is not sufficient, some poskim allow her to eat without hearing Havdalah while others hold that she should make Havdalah herself(40).
Havdalah may be recited over wine or grape juice, and it need not be given to a minor to drink(41).
Only the blessings of Borei pri ha-gafen and ha-Mavdil are recited. Borei me'orei ha-eish is not recited, even if one forgot to recite that blessing the previous night(42).
Eating meat, drinking wine or grape juice, taking a haircut, shaving, doing laundry, sewing, bathing, and reciting Shehecheyanu should all be avoided until chatzos on Monday.
FOOTNOTES:
1 Chazon Ish (quoted in Orchos Rabbeinu 2:136)
2 Mishnah Berurah 553:10. One may fulfill his obligation of Shenayim Mikra v'Echad Targum.
3 Rama 553:2.
4 O.C. 552:10.
5 Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 28:77; Piskei Teshuvos 553 note 13.
6 Mishnah Berurah 552:23.
7 Ibid.
8 Igros Moshe O.C. 4:112-1.
9 Mishnah Berurah 552:24 and Sha'ar ha-Tziyun 22. See Chayei Adam 136:1 and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 125:1 concerning washing.
10 Sha'ar ha-Tziyun 553:7.
11 Salmas Chayim 4:4-129 quoted in Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 62 note 88.
12 Chazon Ish (quoted in Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 28 note 178); Shevet ha-Levi 7:77; Moadim u'Zemanim 7:256. At the very least, this should be done before the reading of Eichah.
13 Mishnah Berurah 553:7.
14 Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 28:77.
15 Based on Rama 553:2 as explained in Salmas Chayim 1:86.
16 Harav S.Z. Auerbach (quoted in Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 28, note 179); Yechaveh Da'as 5:38; Moadim u'Zemanim 7:256.
17 Harav M. Feinstein (oral ruling, quoted in Halachos of the Three Weeks, pg. 16).
18 Mishnah Berurah 556:2.
19 Some light a single candle while others hold two candles together.
20 Mishnah Berurah 556:1.
21 Beiur Halachah 213:1, since on this night there is no blessing recited over wine which establishes the required kevius needed for such blessings.
22 See Beiur Halachah 296:8, Igros Moshe C.M. 2:47-2, and Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 61, note 69 and 62, note 98 for a discussion on the general issue of whether women are obligated to perform this mitzvah.
23 Nitei Gavriel, pg. 115.
24 Luach Devar Yom b'Yomo quoting the Belzer Rav.
25 Several poskim quoted in Piskei Teshuvos 554:21.
26 Sha'arei Teshuvah 556:1. If all that the sick person needs is a drink of water, Havdalah is not recited (Shevet ha-Levi 8:129).
27 Kaf ha-Chayim 556:9; Harav M. Feinstein (oral ruling quoted in Halachos of the Three Weeks, pg. 19); Minchas Yitzchak 8:30; Shevet ha-Levi 7:77.
28 Tzitz Eliezer 14:42. Some poskim allow orange or apple juice as well.
29 A cheekful, approximately 1.6 fl. oz. Since, however, Al ha-gefen cannot be recited over this amount, this should be followed by eating cake, etc. and the words al ha-gefen v'al pri ha-gefen can be added; see pg. 148.
30 Chazon Ish (quoted by Harav C. Kanievsky, Mevakshei Torah, Sivan 5753); Harav Y.Z. Soloveitchik (quoted in Peninei Rabbeinu ha-Griz, pg. 521 and in a written responsum by Harav S.Y. Elyashiv published in Mevakshei Torah, ibid.); Harav Y.Y. Kanievsky (Orchos Rabbeinu 2:145); Az Nidberu 11:48.
31 The issue: 1) Women, generally, do not recite their own Havdalah, since some Rishonim exempt them from Havdalah altogether; 2) Even men are not required by all poskim to recite Havdalah before eating.
32 The husband, then, does not repeat the Havdalah for himself once the fast is over (Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 62:48).
33 Shevet ha-Levi 8:129; Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 62:48; Az Nidberu 11:48; Moadim u'Zemanim 7:255.
34 Kinyan Torah 5:51; Shraga ha-Meir 1:59; Nitei Gavriel, pg. 164.
35 Harav Y.Y. Kanievsky (Orchos Rabbeinu 2:145); Harav S.Y. Elyashiv (quoted in Rivevos Efrayim 3:371); Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 62:45; Moadim u'Zemanim 7:255; Chanoch l'Na'ar 28:10.
36 Maharil Diskin 2:5-72; Divrei Yatziv 2:243; Shevet ha-Levi 7:77. There are conflicting reports as to what the opinion of Harav M. Feinstein was; see Children in Halachah, pg. 190.
37 Entire paragraph based on ruling of Harav S.Z. Auerbach (Shemiras Shabbos K'hilchasah 62, note 108 and 115).
38 Minchas Yitzchak 8:51.
39 Tishah b'Av she'Chal b'Yom Alef 70.
40 See Piskei Teshuvos, pg. 120 for the various views.
41 Mishnah Berurah 556:3.
42 Ibid. 4
Love thy neighbor especially all Jews
I heard from HaRav Simcha HaCohain Kuk Shlita that when we met with the Lubavitcher Rebbe around 5740 that the Rebbe told him that every Jew should say upon rising before the regular Berachos “I am prepared to follow the commandment of love thy neighbor as thyself and I love all Jews.” The Temple was destroyed because of groundless hatred and will only be rebuilt on unbridled love for one another.
(Before reading further, to set the record straight I was drafted into the IDF at the age of 28 with three children and a non-working wife. I lost advancement at work but served on the front line which made me feel braver than I normally felt about myself. My son served also on the front line.) The recent political war against the Charedim and the Torah learning is out of control. Originally they wanted to exempt the fellows from 18 to 26 and then allow up to 30% to continue learning then they tried during the fast of the 17th of Tammuz to lower the age to 22 and then 18. The fact of the matter is that if the Rabbis tell them to go to jail most will and they will not get soldiers but people who will eat for free in jails and continue learning Torah and make a mess out of the system. One cannot introduce radical change it never has worked and only under a dictatorship does it work at the threat of death and torture. The groundless hatred is delaying the Moshiach’s coming unless the time is up.
We are now facing weapons of mass destruction and even if all the Yeshiva boys were taken into the army tomorrow that would not be the answer to Assad’s potential to lob weapons of mass destruction into Israel. Israel’s secret weapon is not the US or even a NATO reply to Assad or even the IDF rather it is individuals crying tears to their FATHER IN HEAVEN to enable them to repent and to save us. In fact with all the powerful conventional and non-conventional weapons that Israel has the most power and most effective shield is Teshuva, Tephilla and Tzeduka to contra the evil decree. Maybe it would be better like in the war of Midian mentioned above to leave one third of the men for combat, one third for supportive roles and one third for Torah Learning and Prayer.
A Tsfat Scholar and the Mitzvot of the Holy Land
Rabbi Yisroel of Shklov was one of the closest disciples of the Gaon of Vilna. In 1810 he led a delegation of students and followers of the Gaon, together with their families, to Eretz Yisrael. With the Gaon’s blessings in hand, they intended to make a new home in the Holy Land.
Their absorption into the Land of Israel was by no means easy. It took more than 50 years before they could firmly establish a viable lifestyle. These years were fraught with danger, disease, disaster and death. Nevertheless, they persevered and today the descendants of that original group are founders of prominent families in Jerusalem and other cities in Israel.
The original group led by R’ Yisroel of Shklov settled in Tsfat (Safed) in the Galilee. It took years before they were able to establish a harmonious community structure together with the already resident Sephardi community and with a large contingent of chasidim under the leadership of Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, who had arrived a decade or so earlier. The group lived in dire poverty and life was a constant struggle for survival as they endeavored to generate sources of livelihood, and re-establish their Torah institutions.
In 1821 on the day after Shavuot, in the morning, the Arab population of the Galilee fell upon the Jewish community of Tsfat. While more fortunate residents escaped to the neighboring village of Biriya, the Arabs proceeded to satiate their hatred in a 30 day orgy of destruction, theft, rape, murder, and desecration of Holy Books and Torah scrolls. When the population was finally able to return, there was nothing left. The destruction left only disease and more intense poverty in its wake.
R’ Yisroel decided to seek refuge in Jerusalem with the remaining members of his family. But the plague could not be stopped and was soon sweeping through the Holy City like a wave. It wasn’t long before R’ Yisroel was bereft of both wife and children; all except for Shaindel, his youngest daughter. Then R’ Yisroel, too, contracted the plague.
As he lay racked in pain on an abandoned rooftop, with his young daughter in his arms, he began, one final time, to beseech G-d for his life and for the merit of establishing a family on the soil of the Holy Land. Then he made a vow to Him: “If my life is spared”, he vowed with the last of his strength, “I will dedicate myself to writing a comprehensive treatise expounding all the laws of the Torah pertaining to living in the Land of Israel.” And as he prayed and wept, he fell asleep.
R’ Yisroel recovered and was able to establish another family in Tsfat. He fulfilled his vow and completed his work Pa’as HaShulchan on the laws of Eretz Yisrael. In his introduction to this classic work, he writes that after collapsing into sleep on that rooftop in old Jerusalem, “Someone approached and touched me, arousing me like one awaking from sleep. Then he said to me, ‘Afflicted and tortured one, be healed!’ From that time on, Hashem began to reveal His (boundless) kindness onto me . . .”
In his introduction to Pa’as HaShulchan, R’ Yisroel of Shklov presents a heart-rending account of the many tribulations he suffered in addition to his struggle to establish a Torah community in Tsfat. These include the massive earthquakes in 1827 and 1834 which leveled Tsfas, Tiberias and most of the northern Galilee. In the resulting fires, all of the manuscripts for Pa’as HaShulchan went up in flames — before having been brought to the printing press. Yet he himself emerged unscathed, “. . .and not so much as a small rock grazed my head.” R’ Yisroel persevered, rewrote the entire book and jubilantly brought it to publication in 1837.
It is amazing, after considering R’ Yisroel’s story of settling in Eretz Yisrael, what he writes further on in the introduction to Pa’as HaShulchan. “This book covers the breadth of the laws pertaining to the Holy Land of Israel, which is beloved to me exceedingly, since through tremendous suffering I merited to attach myself to Hashem’s inheritance and to become beautified through its very soil during these past 27 years.”
After his death, one of his students found R’ Yisroel’s personal copy of the Pa’as HaShulchan with this inscription in it: “. . .this book . . .which is inspired by the holiness of the air of the Holy Land of Israel, which is connected to, and scented by, the air of the Holy Garden of Eden.”
The words and the example of R’ Yisroel of Shklov certainly give one pause when considering one’s relationship with Eretz Yisrael. Should it make a difference whether G-d tests our spirit and our resolution with an earthquake or with an obnoxious taxi driver or unsympathetic clerk? Let R’ Yisroel of Shklov serve as an inspiration to all of our far-flung people as we make our way back to the Holy Land. [Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from an article by Rabbi Benyamin Adilman on //nishmas.org.]
Rabbi Yosef Wineberg, author and Chabad emissary, passed away in late June at the age of 94. Rabbi Wineberg was best known for his Lessons in Tanya, a running commentary on the seminal work in chassidus. Lessons in Tanya, which originated as lectures and was published in book form, has been the introduction to Tanya for thousands of students of chassidus.
Rabbi Wineberg’s journals were used by Holocaust historians as a fascinating primary source concerning the days that led up to the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. He spent the High Holy Days with the Previous Rebbe, Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, shortly before the invasion, and wrote: “Regardless of what was taking place, the Rebbe remained completely calm and controlled, never once expressing any fear.” The Previous Rebbe gave Rabbi Wineberg his briefcase containing his most valuable personal possessions. Rabbi Wineberg fled from Poland to Russia, then to Lithuania and Japan, until he finally emigrated to Canada, where he established a yeshivah in Montreal. Eventually, Rabbi Wineberg made his way to New York, where he began fundraising for Lubavitch yeshivot. Rabbi Wineberg’s travels did not stop there, as the Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, sent him to reach out to Jews in Uganda and Madagascar. While there was rumored to be only one Jew in Madagascar, an assimilated French Jew, he found an additional seven Jews and affixed mezuzot on their doors, taught them how to daven with a minyan, instructed them in Hebrew and made sure they had kosher matzot for Pesach. The Rebbe wrote to Rabbi Wineberg that, “…. even for only one Jew, it is worthwhile to have self-sacrifice. All the more so, when we are talking about several Jews.”
When Rabbi Wineberg returned to New York in 1959, he noticed that a local radio station had extra air time, and purchased the spot to feature his weekly Lessons in Tanya. This was considered a bold step in those years, when many chassidim shunned the radio as a medium promoting secular ideas. Rabbi Wineberg explained that the Rebbe believed that “everything in the world was created for the sake of G‑d,” and to use radio to spread holiness was part of G-d’s plan. Rabbi Wineberg once told author Herbert Weiner, “They (our leaders) showed us that if something is very important, it can be done. If something matters very much, as much as life itself, you find a way to do it.” By Miriam Metzinger, http://livingjewish.net/category/human-interest/
Shalom Biet (Beis) or peace between husband and wife
Further up the Drasha, I wrote about loving each and every Jew but fore that I have to work on the love between husband and wife. For where there is a dispute the Ish (man) Aleph – Yud – Shin and Isha (woman) Aleph- Shin – Hey the Yud and Hey leave for G-D does not want any part of this marriage and we are left with Aish or fire. However if there is peace in the home the Shechina rests on the household and G-D is with them. Since men and women are different a few pointers can help. This is taken from a theme of 1 of the 14 disks of Rabbi Michael Yosefi Shlita and they are available in Hebrew from Erachim Organization my wife and I enjoyed listening to a few minutes which I caught. Below is my own words based on the Rav’s themes.
Women and men think differently!
One thing that a Rabbi works on often for hours upon hours and not compensated for is peace between husband and wife. Sometimes there can be no peace but often conflict can be avoided. A woman wants to pour out her heart to her husband like she does with her girlfriends but often a husband comes home from work or elsewhere and needs a couple minutes of quiet to unwind. Now if she hits him with the 175mm Howitzers immediately he will be putting in his anti-noise defenses. However, if she lets him have his space for a few minutes and opens up the conversation like did you have a hard day or how did things go by you after about 10 to 15 minutes and then slowly s-l-o-w-l-y bring in the mortars, small cannons and 155mm Howitzers and finally the 175mm ones he will be more receptive to listen. You drive to a place two hours away as a fellow you have to open your mouth and ask the wife how she likes the view or something or what is on your mind you may only get 20% of what she says but she feels that she can pour out her heart to you and she loves you for being attentive to her. Of course if you get lost the last thing a wife should not say is that you are lost or why don’t you ask directions. If she says wow you know all the short cuts or if she knows that you are lost and says I am happy whatever you do and you can drive me to Africa if that makes you happy dear she has conquered your heart.
We all argue but:
There is not a couple in this world that does not argue. Sometimes she wants things her way and sometimes he wants things his way. She may be 100% correct but she can get more with hugs and petting her husband than saying Rembrandt Hubby I want you to paint the living room. If she says instead Rembrandt my darling you are so handy maybe you can get around someday sometime somehow to paint the livingroom. Guess what? And if you had a knockdown drag out fight then remember the good times calm down think of 5, 10 or 15 things why you married him/her and why you stayed married for so long.
A couple is invited to a house warming of their friends the man sees the soda, pretzels, beer, peanuts and good time while the wife sees the new crystal chandelier, the nice couch, the vase. On the way home she mentions all the redecorations that they could do to keep up with their friends. The man is dumbfounded he never saw anything but what was in front of his nose. So remember there are different ways of thinking that go back to the fact that the man was made from the earth and the woman from the side and from thence onwards they are partners and equal partners but they view the world from a different angle.
Lastly for the couple to put in a full time effort and 100% job at Shalom Biet as we don’t want to be beating our breasts like on Tisha B’ Av like the Kinos for the destroyed Beis HaMikdash - Oy what he had!
From Alan K. A tour of Yerushalayim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXKBjgwrSn8&feature=player_embedded#!
Another Life after Life story a less than 10 minute film which one can listen to instead. http://www.myforumdaily.com/judaism/the-life-after-death-of-alon-anava/
Courtney is a Bas Noach we were discussing about our generation or the next generation going downhill with predators and trolls on the internet and advocacy for abortion, homosexual and recently bestial behavior and the need for home schooling for the non-Jews or in my case Religious Schooling she wrote me after the subject of abortion a thought that would get somebody thinking. It's very sad. There is more advocacy for animals and even trees than for Israel or for unborn children. Sometimes I wonder if Hashem chose the wrong generation to wipe from the planet? We're such an evil people. However, that being said, I can almost see Hashem hearing the prayers of the righteous saying they and others are here, and to grant us His mercy. It's rather reminiscent of Avraham and Hashem discussing Sodom and Gomorrah. (Amorah)
Reply: Actually I heard from Rabbis that the generation of the desert is reincarnated now and in leadership positions in Israel so it would not surprise me if the generation of the Flood is also reincarnated. For you see HASHEM Yisborach Shemo (blessed be HIS NAME) gives people chances to correct their mistakes.
And yes, HE has given many chances. Throughout the generations we try and we fail. Society in general has become more wicked. My hope is that Hashem will grant mercy for those who are trying and failing, but still seeking after Him.
I am sure that HE will but we must do our utmost to observe and obey.
Getting Ready for Shabbos and your are returning to Judaism or a beginner In my Siddur the blessing does not end with the word Kodesh. http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/1866865/jewish/Do-It-Yourself-Shabbat-Candles.htm
Cory Booker at Chabad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndBK80Wei40&feature=player_embedded#!
From Martin: Again this haus-Yid another gem like George Soros tells the Morons his Oxymorons: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=277325&fb_source=message
From S.B. an explanation where Physics begins to meet theology: http://edition.cnn.com/video/?%2Fvideo%2Fbestoftv%2F2012%2F07%2F04%2Fnr-intv-michio-kaku-higgs-boson.cnn#/video/bestoftv/2012/07/04/nr-intv-michio-kaku-higgs-boson.cnn
Better late than never: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4255400,00.html
Millions of Africans see themselves as Jews, researcher says: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4253859,00.html
Inyanay Diyoma
Syria is moving Chemical Weapons if they go to Hezballah it will be war. http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=277381 In the course of its war exercise, the Syrians fired a selection of ground-to-ground missiles which they described as capable of “hitting targets deep within enemy territory.” Our military sources say all the Scuds, the M-600, Fateh-110 and Zelzal can reach any point in Israel. They also tested upgraded C-802 shore-to-ship rockets.
Iran is playing with fire but will not do anything against the oil supply: http://www.debka.com/article/22170/Two-more-US-carriers-dozens-of-mini-subs-rushed-to-Hormuz
Bibi is afraid of Olmert http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4254844,00.html
Gaza warm as usual: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/157782#.T_8NGPWhnIU
Global Cooling over the millennia? http://yidwithlid.blogspot.co.il/2012/07/scientist-prove-earths-been-in-2000-yr.html
Valerie posted this on Friday and it makes you wonder what HASHEM has in store for Europe and other places:
We must prep for 'end of times' ... Iran's ballistic missiles improving rapidly .... Russia moving 11 warships to Syria....
What if the biggest solar storm on record happened today? … Solar flares getting stronger - latest hotspot the size of 15 Earths … Solar flare would rupture Earth's "cyber cocoon": the world's high-tech infrastructure could grind to a halt … May 2013: The possible date of the most intense and costliest solar event in history with electrical outages could last for months
The eastern half of the U.S. is particularly vulnerable to major solar event: Losses could be $1 to $2 trillion with electrical outages that could last for months …
News Briefs -- Church of England risks damaging Anglican-Jewish relations by promoting “life under occupation” trips ... Homeland Security can now detect everything about you from 160 feet ... Democrat’s testimony on radicalization of Christians called unfair ... Food prices to rise because of Midwest drought ...
Not a family store any more: http://www.wnd.com/2012/07/sears-now-adds-bestiality-to-its-website/
Watch out for new world order or Moshiach: http://www.wnd.com/2012/07/soros-seizing-worlds-resources/
There never ever was occupation. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4255005,00.html
Syria may go WMD: http://www.debka.com/article/22180/Israel-advised-to-brace-for-Syrian-missile-attack-–-conventional-or-chemical
She had to visit Egypt and Romney is coming here so she dropped by: http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=277496
Parents heed this warning and be alert: Horrible statistics and in is worst in third world countries: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4255959,00.html
Bobby Brown -
It hit for a short time 109.5 F here or 43 degrees in Modiin before dropping down to 105 to 106 and then lower. Clinton got a Gaza greeting card. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/157915#.UAV0X_WhnIU
Since Obama has sewn up the Jewish vote: http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=277797
The Olmert myth: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4256455,00.html
The Golan Heights could become the next Sinai if or when Assad falls: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4256651,00.html
Garcia is running in a district with a lot of Jews: http://freebeacon.com/dnc-rep-resigns-after-anti-israel-tirade/
What is going on here?
A new virus in Iran and parts of Israel: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/07/mahdi/
Assad Regime is collapsing faster and faster: http://www.debka.com/article/22182/Assad-receives-last-warning-to-stop-moving-his-WMD-Top-generals-defect and http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=277912
Assad loses his so-called radical Palestinian Allies: http://www.debka.com/article/22183/South-Damascus-embattled-Syrian-high-command-moves-to-fortified-site
How come the UN is silent on this and where are the Christians in Europe? http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4256992,00.html
The TSA is one big tax payer expensive joke: http://www.debbieschlussel.com/51804/airplane-food-jihad-needles-in-us-bound-flight-sandwiches-no-surprise/
It is not only the news north of Israel also in the south http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/157972#.UAaVEPWhnIU
Israel TV reported 30 injured about 3.5 hrs. after the attack. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4257492,00.html
Now for M. Wolfberg’s Good Shabbos Story “In the public eye”
Good Shabbos Everyone. In this week's portion Pinchas, we read about the zealous actions of Pinchas who took action to protect Hashem's honor and to prevent the Bnai Yisroel (Children of Yisroel) from sinning. Pinchas was rewarded for his righteousness by being granted membership in the kehunah - the priesthood.
The essence of Pinchas' act was a "Kidush Hashem;" which means sanctifying Hashem's name. Whenever a Jew acts according to the Torah, especially in public, he causes Hashem's name to be sanctified. Why is that? Because when an onlooker sees a Jew acting properly according to the beautiful ways of the Torah, then the onlooker is himself encouraged to follow in the ways of the Torah. The following true story illustrates the power to influence others with our actions.
As the principal of Yesodei HaTorah School in Manchester, England, Rabbi Yonason Yodaiken has extensive experience in the field of children's education. A Jewish organization in Melbourne, Australia once invited him to give a series of lectures on the familiar topic of the Jewish concept of education. Rabbi Yodaiken set out from Manchester, England one fine Sunday morning.
But the first leg of his long journey, from England to Brussels, was miserable. The plane fought to stay on course as the wind buffeted the jumbo jet whichever way it pleased. Even the pilot admitted that it had been the most uncomfortable, turbulent flight he had ever experienced. Not only that, but Rabbi Yodaiken discovered that the kosher meals he had ordered were nowhere to be seen.
Rabbi Yodaiken and his fellow passengers were relieved when the plane finally landed safely in Brussels. But because of the dangerously high winds, they were forced to stay cooped up on the plane indefinitely, unable to taxi to the gate. Passengers indulged in the drinks and snacks provided by the airline, but Rabbi Yodaiken abstained. None of the refreshments were not kosher. Instead, he ate the sandwich and fruit that he had prudently brought along for the trip.
After eight long hours of waiting on the tarmac, the passengers were finally allowed their first glimpse of the Brussels airport. Rabbi Yodaiken stretched his legs gratefully as he walked down the corridor. He crossed the threshold into the airport and joined the hordes of stranded travelers. People had made themselves comfortable among piles of luggage on waiting area benches, on the floor and in the restaurants.
Rabbi Yodaiken approached the flight attendant at the desk to inquire about his next flight to Singapore, where he would continue on to Melbourne. The attendant tapped a few keys on her computer and looked up at the harried passenger. "I'm sorry, sir. That flight has been delayed until two o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
"Two o'clock? But that's in twenty hours!" Rabbi Yodaiken exclaimed. Apparently, he was unable to leave the airport to go buy kosher food.
Rabbi Yodaiken leaned over the desk and said. "Listen, I'm Jewish and I maintain a strictly kosher diet. Is there any way to get some kosher food on the [next leg of the] flight?"
"Well, with this weather, there's no food coming in from outside the airport. But there is an El Al flight stuck here as well. We'll do our best to get you something to eat," the attendant reassured him.
But the airport's best wasn't good enough. When Rabbi Yodaiken boarded his next flight to Singapore on Monday afternoon, he was still hungry. Torah learning and some small talk with the pleasant doctor sitting next to him served as a minor distraction.
Then the dinner cart came rolling down the aisle. "A meal, sir?" The flight attendant extended a steaming tray. The smell filled the cabin.
Rabbi Yodaiken lifted his eyes from his sefer. "Thank you, but I ordered a kosher meal."
"Oh, of course!" the flight attendant said. "Wait just a moment, sir. I'll see what we have."
Ten minutes later, the flight attendant was back. "I'm sorry, we don't have any kosher meals on board. Can I offer you anything else?" Rabbi Yodaiken's neighbor was watching the exchange quietly. He looked at Rabbi Yodaiken to hear his response. "No, thank you," Rabbi Yodaiken politely declined. "I only eat kosher." And he turned his attention back to the open page on his lap.
But the flight from Brussels to Singapore was long. The flight attendant returned time and again. "How about a vegetarian meal? Can I get you some peanuts?"
"Thank you," Rabbi Yodaiken replied with a smile, "but I really can't eat any of that. I appreciate your concern. I'll be fine." The hunger pangs subsided with some fresh fruit and a few drinks, but they surfaced again during the final leg of the journey to Melbourne.
The doctor observed silently as Rabbi Yodaiken refused the meals offered to him again and again. "Sir, you haven't eaten anything the entire flight!" the flight attendant admonished her passenger. There was just one hour remaining until estimated arrival time. "Will you at least take this meal?" Despite his hunger, it did not even occur to Rabbi Yodaiken to accept the non-kosher food.
"Thanks for your concern," he reiterated. "It won't be too long now. I'll be able to get kosher food in Melbourne."
"I'm sorry," the stewardess apologized. "I wish we could have given you something!" And with a regretful smile, she whisked the rejected meal back to the cabin. Rabbi Yodaiken and the doctor watched her retreat.
"I've been wanting to tell you something this whole flight," the doctor began suddenly, turning toward his seatmate. "I had to build up the nerve, but it's now or never. You see—I'm Jewish."
Rabbi Yodaiken raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really?" he asked, encouraging the doctor to continue. "After the war, my father gave me strict instructions never to tell anyone about my religion. And I didn't. You are the first person I've shared this with in over fifty years. I've never been to a synagogue or affiliated with anything even remotely Jewish. But I've been watching you this whole time. You must be starving! And still you refuse every bit of food that's offered to you. Where do you get such tremendous self-control? What motivates you? It must be your religion."
Pulling out a pen and paper, the Jewish doctor scribbled his address and phone number and handed it to Rabbi Yodaiken. "I live here in Melbourne, and I would like to learn more about Judaism from you. Let's keep in touch." And they did.
Rabbi Yodaiken later heard about the doctor's first Rosh Hashanah in a shul. And he also heard about how the doctor experienced the beauty of a real Shabbos. "It's a long journey," the doctor wrote, "but I'm on my way back to my roots." (Visions of Greatness Volume 7, p.189)
Let us take advantage of the tremendous opportunity we have to influence others through our observance of mitzvahs in public. Let us learn from the example of Pinchas, who acted to sanctify Hashem's name by "doing the right thing" in public. Good Shabbos Everyone. M. Wolfberg is sponsored by: In memory of R' Yaakov ben Naftoly, of blessed memory Refuah Shleima to Reb Mordechai Menachem Mendel ben Tziporah Yitta Refuah Shleima to Tsviah bas Bracha Leah
We are now in the 9 days before the Tisha B’ Av fast may we repent and begin to love our fellow Jews. Good Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
