Received
this from a teen in Canada: Praying
again for my friend Yael Cohen again, she is in need of help.
Parsha Tetzaveh
Like last week’s Parsha, Moshe is still receiving the instructions
on how to build the Mishkan it is in theory and planning and not in practical
terms. Therefore this week we continuing with the building of the Mishkan and
we will end with the clothing the Cohanim have to wear in the Beis HaMikdash. This
Parsha is perhaps the only Parsha where I take my research on the gems used in
making the Ephod and reuse this section again because unless one is a geologist
like my daughter-in-law, one tends to have a short memory span on this (at
least I if not my readers). Otherwise I like to try to renew different thoughts
each year. We start out with the Menorah mentioned last week.
Last year before Pessach the Cohanim dressed in their garments and
went to show how a Korban was done. This film is the first fitting of garments
for a simple Cohain with the Avnet around the waist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbbpO8bs-5E
27:20 And
thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive
oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.
For this reason often people use olive oil to light the Shabbos
Candles and Chanucha Candles but not the purest virgin olive oil to distinguish
between the Beis HaMikdash and our private houses. Others use pure olive oil in
memory but it is a matter of budget and many of us use wax candles for safety
more than economy for I have seen much poorer Jews use olive oil and wealthier
Jews use wax candles for among other times preparation time.
21 In the
tent of meeting, without the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his
sons shall set it in order, to burn from evening to morning before the LORD; it
shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the
children of Israel.
It was this miracle of the candles burning 8 days on a supply of
one day when the Maccabees rededicated the Beis HaMikdash that we celebrate
unto this day.
28:1 And bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy
brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that they
may minister unto Me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu,
Eleazar and Itamar, Aaron's sons. 2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron
thy brother, for splendor and for beauty.
For the splendor of the glory of
the garments will radiate the holiness. Here we have a nation dressed in drab
working garments and covering garments. One does not send his flocks out to
pasture or milk his cows dress in tuxedos but rather drab working clothes. So
in contrast every morning at Shacharis and every evening at Mincha the nation
in the wilderness of Sinai would see the Cohanim is these splendid garments and
their glory would remind the people of G-D’s eternal glory.
3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are
wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make
Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's
office.
Who is wise? – One who sees the
birth or end result. These women and male tailors had Ruach HaKodesh within
themselves to see the design. Just like Betzalel with the making of the engraven
sections and the rest of the Mishkan (including the joining of the tabernacle
boards and the way they were to be raised to their final height and anchored in
place). If one knows a little about metal and wood work and the engineering of
raising and lowering these giant planks of the Mishkan one needs great skills
and coordination. The weaving of the garments which is beyond the knowledge and
skills of most males not to mention Rabbis needed wisdom. How many of us have
ever followed the conversion of flax unto linen or the shearing of the sheep
into making wool just ready for the loom. Then comes the other skills designs
and measurements. All we do is go into some store and buy a shirt and a pair of
pants and shoes for a small amount of cash ignoring the raising of the flax or
animal for the wool or leather for the shoe.
4 And these are the garments which they shall
make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a tunic of checker work, a
mitre, and a girdle; and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother,
and his sons, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office.
Ephod was a vest/apron for the
Cohain over his checkered tunic. Each Cohain was to have a pair of pants to
separate his nudeness from the altar. When the Americans captured Iraq the
Israeli Television did not censor an Arab lifting up his robe and yelling this
is what I have for you Saddam and exposing himself as it was the custom not to
wear anything under the robe. Having pants was modesty and the girdle or belt
to separate the heart from the nudeness. Halacha: When one
prayers, he needs to have a belt or an elastic band separating his lower body
part from the upper body part. Also while on the subject the minimum of the
minimum dress for praying (let us say one fell asleep at the beach) is a
bathing suit, tee shirt and sandals with some head covering. However, one
should dress as one would meet a king or president. Just as one does not appear
before the president in a bathing suit or scruffy work clothes so one should
appear in descent dress or minimum everyday dress before appearing before the
L-RD. The minimum is called B’De’evad (or because it would be lost otherwise –
extenuating circumstances) and the second is called Le Chathilla or from the
start.
5 And they shall take the gold, and the blue,
and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.
As I wrote above each color
represented a different atonement and a different value among the highest
heavenly spheres and should be understood by all this way.
6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of
blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful
workman.
We are not dealing with golden
colored thread but pure gold threat mixed with the rare dyes of blue, purple
and scarlet. Royalty did not choose purple as the color for regents and kings
but rather it was expensive and people under a certain level could not afford
it or a thrifty and wise middle class person would not buy it. (Why buy a BMW
or Mercedes Car when a Honda or Chevy will do the same job).
7 It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to
the two ends thereof, that it may be joined together. 8 And the skillfully
woven band, which is upon it, wherewith, to gird it on, shall be like the work
thereof and of the same piece: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and
fine twined linen. 9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the
names of the children of Israel: 10 six of their names on the one stone, and
the names of the six that remain on the other stone, according to their birth.
11 With the work of an engraver in stone,
like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones, according
to the names of the children of Israel; thou shalt make them to be enclosed in
settings of gold. 12 And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces
of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel; and Aaron
shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
13 And thou shalt make settings of gold; 14 and two chains of pure gold; of
plaited thread shalt thou make them, of wreathen work; and thou shalt put the
wreathen chains on the settings. 15 And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment,
the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt make
it: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shalt
thou make it.
Besides the beautiful garments of
the average Cohain, the Cohain Gadol was to have extra garments to help in the
atonement and judgement of Am Yisrael. Again combining the quality of the
Siferos such as we do with Gevurah within Chessed (Severity within Mercy)
during the counting of the Omer but done automatically by the power of the
garments and the right combination of stones in the Chosen Mishpat.
11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shall thou engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel; thou shall make them to be enclosed in settings of gold. 12 And thou shall put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial. 13 And thou shall make settings of gold; 14 and two chains of pure gold; of plaited thread shall thou make them, of wreathen work; and thou shall put the wreathen chains on the settings. 15 And thou shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skilful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shall make it: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shall thou make it. 16 Four-square it shall be and double: a span shall be the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof.
17 And thou shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of carnelian, topaz, and smaragd shall be the first row;
Hebrew: אֹדֶם פִּטְדָה וּבָרֶקֶת Now the Carnelian or Odem is on the top right corner per the model that I have before me and is colored more pink than red but the Wikipedia calls it: Carnelian (also spelled cornelian) is a reddish-brown mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Similar to carnelian is sard, which is generally harder and darker. (The difference is not rigidly defined, and the two names are often used interchangeably.) Both carnelian and sard are varieties of the silica mineral chalcedony colored by impurities of iron oxide. The color can vary greatly, ranging from pale orange to an intense almost-black coloration.. Rashi comments later on every one according to his name: According to the order of their [the progenitors of the tribes] births shall be the order of the stones, odem for Reuben, pitdah for Simeon, and similarly for all of them. The stone can be clear, blue or even an orange-red hue. The Medrash indicates that on the Odem was also the names of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yacov but most commentaries I have seen seem to hold the same way as Rashi. Shimon’s stone was white in nature. And Levy bareket was green and the Hebrew Wikipedia calls it in English an Emerald as it appears to me.
18 and the second row a carbuncle, a sapphire, and an emerald;
Hebrew: נֹפֶךְ סַפִּיר, וְיָהֲלֹם Nofach is for Yehuda and a Yellow Diamond. Yissachar is the sapphire they have is not the dark blue but purple in hue so I am not a gem expert but am uncertain to the little model that I have at home and certainly my model has the wrong order of things because the Yaalom or clear Diamond is way down in the wrong row clear cut diamond. I went and googled the Sapphire for example and got this: Sapphire (Greek: sappheiros) refers to gem varieties of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide (Al2O3), when it is a color other than red, in which case the gem would instead be a ruby. Trace amounts of other elements such as iron, titanium, or chromium can give corundum blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange, or greenish color. Pink-orange corundum are also sapphires, but are instead called padparadscha.
19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
Hebrew: לֶשֶׁם שְׁבוֹ, וְאַחְלָמָה The Leshem or jacinth is light sky blue in color and is of the tribe of Yosef, the Shavu is very orange brown in color and is used as a camaya (charm) for pregnant women that they should not have a natural miss abort and the tribe of Benyamin where Rachel died in childbirth hence the camaya. Achlamach is a darker purple than the sapphire and is of the tribe of Dan.
20 and the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be enclosed in gold in their settings.
Hebrew: תַּרְשִׁישׁ וְשֹׁהַם, וְיָשְׁפֵה Tarshis is ivory white and the tribe of Naphtali. Onyx or Shoham is jet black like the shoulder pieces and is the tribe of Gad. Yispah or Jasper was a darkish brown and the tribe of Asher.
21 And the stones shall be according to the
names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the
engravings of a signet, every one according to his name, they shall be for the
twelve tribes.
Every one according to his name: According to
the order of their [the progenitors of the tribes] births shall be the order of
the stones, odem for Reuben, pitdah for Simeon, and similarly for all of them.
For the choshen: Heb.
עַל-הַחשֶׁן, for the choshen, to fasten them with its rings, as is explained
below in the [section devoted to this] topic [below, verses 23-28]. Chains:
Heb. שַׁרְשֹׁת, a word related to [the word for] the roots (שָׁרְשֵׁי) of a
tree, which are held to the tree, so it is held and inserted into the earth.
These [chains] would also hold the choshen, for with them it [the choshen]
would be suspended on the ephod. They are the two chains mentioned above (verse
14) in the [section devoted to the] topic of the settings. Menachem ben Saruk
interpreted שַׁרְשְׁרֹת (verse 14) as well as an expression of roots
(שָׁרָשִׁים). He said that the [second] “reish” (ר) is superfluous like the
“mem” (מ) in שִׁלְשׁוֹם, [meaning] the day before yesterday (Exod. 5:8, 21:32, 36)
[the word being derived from שָׁלשׁ, three], and the “mem” in רֵיקָם, empty
(Gen. 31:42) [usually רֵיק, without the mem, is used] (Machbereth Menachem, p.
182). I do not agree with his statement, however, but [I hold that],
שַׁרְשֶׁרֶת in Hebrew [of the Torah] is like שַׁלְשֶׁלֶת in the language of the
Mishnah (Kelim 14:3). at the edges: Heb. גַּבְלֻת This is מִגְבָּלֹת mentioned
above (verse 14), [signifying] that you shall insert them into the rings that
will be on the edge (גְּבוּל) of the choshen. Every [instance of] גְּבוּל is an
expression denoting an end, as(s) omayl in Old French, end, limit. of cable
work: Plaited.
23 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
For the Choshen: Heb.
עַל-הַחשֶׁן. For the Choshen, in order to affix them onto it. It is, however,
impossible to say that they [the two golden rings] shall be made on it [the Choshen]
from the outset, for if so, what is [the meaning of] what [the text] repeats
and says, “and you shall place the two rings” ? Are they not already placed on
it? At the beginning of the verse, Scripture should have written, “And you
shall make on the ends of the Choshen two golden rings.” Also, regarding the
chains, you must interpret [the text] in this manner. On the two ends of the Choshen:
On the two corners opposite the neck, on the right and on the left, which are
opposite the shoulder straps of the ephod.
24 And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold on the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
And you shall place
the two golden cables: They are the chains for the edges, mentioned above
(verse 22). [The Torah] did not delineate [there] where they were to be affixed
on the Choshen. Now it explains to you that they should be inserted into the rings.
You should know that they are indeed [referring to] the first ones, for in the Parsha
of אֵלֶה פְּקוּדֵי [i.e., in Exod. 39:15-19, where the Torah relates how the Choshen
was made], they were not doubled.
As mentioned above the best materials were used before G-D probably without the command on what materials the sages would have learned out gold. Did Aaron for his own self need to parade around with the heavy ornaments and gold a heavy metal? The answer of course is no but as Rabbi Ari Kahn Shlita in the link below describes that he had a heart of gold.
25 And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, in the forepart thereof.
The Ephod was essentially an apron and was joined together in the middle with the Onyx Stones embedding there with the names of the tribes.
And the two ends: of
the two cables, i.e., the two ends of each one. you shall place upon the two
settings: They are the ones mentioned above, between the section dealing with
the Choshen and the section dealing with the ephod (verses 13 and 14), but [the
Torah] did not explain their necessity or their place. Now it [the Torah]
explains that he should insert into them the ends of the chains which are
inserted into the rings of the Choshen on the right and on the left beside the
neck. The two ends of the right chain he inserts into the right setting, and
similarly with the left one, the two ends of the left chain. And [these] you
shall place: the settings. Upon the shoulder straps of the ephod: One [setting]
on this one [shoulder strap] and one on that one. Thus the shoulder straps of
the ephod hold up the Choshen so that it does not fall, and it is suspended on
them. Yet the bottom edge of the Choshen moves in and out and knocks on his
[the Kohen Gadol’s] stomach and is not fastened to him well. Therefore, two
more rings were needed for its lower part, as [the Torah] proceeds to explain.
On its front part: [The front part] of the ephod, [meaning] that he should not
place the settings on the side of the shoulder straps that is toward the robe,
but instead [he should place the settings] on the upper side, which is toward
the outside. That is called “on the front part” of the ephod, because the side
that is not seen is not called the front [lit., the face].
26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate, upon the edge thereof, which is toward the side of the ephod inward.
The rings were used to join the two sides of the Chosen together with the Ephod.
On the two ends of the
Choshen: [I.e.,] they are its two bottom corners, to its right and to its left.
On its edge that is toward the inner side of the ephod: Here you have two signs
[for the placement of the rings]: One, that he should put them on the two ends
of its [the Choshen’s] bottom, which is opposite the ephod, since its top is
not opposite the ephod, for it is near the neck; whereas the ephod he placed on
his waist. [The Torah] gives another sign, namely that he should not attach
them on the Choshen’s outer side, but on the inner side, as it is said:
“inner.” This side is towards the side of the ephod, since the band of the
ephod girds the Kohen [Gadol], and the apron is folded in front of the Kohen
[Gadol] on his waist and on part of his stomach from either side until it is
against the ends of the choshen, and its ends lie on it [the ephod].
27 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and shalt put them on the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod underneath, in the forepart thereof, close by the coupling thereof, above the skilfully woven band of the ephod. 28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a thread of blue, that it may be upon the skilfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod. 29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
I believe the link below with the stone and the engraved names from the Temple Institute which spent millions to produce every item is worth mor than the copy and paste of the Rashi or my writing.
30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goes in before the LORD; and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
In my humble opinion one was like a top and the other a board with letters on it. However, the Temple Institute indicates the NAME of HASHEM was used. If and when we find the hidden treasures of the first Mikdash which somebody once saw in the desert and he covered it over but marked the spot we will know better.
31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 And it shall have a hole for the head in the midst thereof; it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of a coat of mail that it be not rent. 33 And upon the skirts of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the skirts thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of the robe round about. 35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister; and the sound thereof shall be heard when he goes in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.
The sound would indicate that the Cohain Gadol was entering and leaving the Kadoshei-Kedoshim (holy of holies). In the second Temple it was an indication that the Cohain was alive as there was corruption and many unscrupulous Cohanim were there and died on Yom Kippur. [The Goyim telling the episode of Yeshu and the money changers in the Mikdash was perhaps part of it although it is customary to charge a small fee for exchanging currency.]
36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and engrave upon it, like the engravings of a signet: HOLY TO THE LORD. 37 And thou shalt put it on a thread of blue, and it shall be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. 38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity committed in the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow, even in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. 39 And thou shalt weave the tunic in chequer work of fine linen, and thou shalt make a mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make a girdle, the work of the weaver in colors.
See the blending of colors in the virtual tour below.
40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make tunics, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and head-tires shalt thou make for them, for splendor and for beauty. 41 And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and upon his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office.
Only Cohanim and Kings are anointed. According to one of the commentaries once a father is anointed the son and grandson need not be anointed either Cohain or King. However, Cohain Gadol may need anointing for he is higher in office than his brothers.
42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach.
This is for modesty so that even the stones of the Temple shall not view his nakedness.
43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they go in unto the tent of meeting, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die; it shall be a statute forever unto him and unto his seed after him.
Seed after him – this is one of the reasons why the next Cohain or King does not have to be anointed anymore. Perhaps the king as others might want to be in his place and therefore facts are created on the ground.
The following is a tour of what the Temple Institute has created now if the Cohain Gadol will be a bit heavy the garments will have to be refitted but the Ephod, Choshen, and Mitznefes, will not have to be refitted. The whole exercise was to relearn the dying process of the wool and the ancient colors used. Recently an example of Techeles from 2000 years ago so this may be updated soon. http://www.templeinstitute.org/beged/priestly_garments-6.htm keep clicking next to view more.
29:1 And
this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto
Me in the priest's office: take one young bullock and two rams without blemish,
2 and unleavened bread, and
cakes unleavened mingled with oil, and wafers unleavened spread with oil; of
fine wheaten flour shalt thou make them. 3 And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the
basket, with the bullock and the two rams. 4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the
tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water. 5 And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the tunic,
and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him
with the skilfully woven band of the ephod. 6 And thou shalt set the mitre upon his head, and put the holy
crown upon the mitre. 7 Then
shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. 8 And thou shalt bring his sons, and
put tunics upon them. 9 And thou
shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and bind head-tires on them;
and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute; and thou shalt
consecrate Aaron and his sons.
For the dedication of the Mishkan and the Cohanim special Korbanos
(sacrifices) were use.
30:10 And
Aaron shall make atonement upon the horns of it once in the year; with the
blood of the sin-offering of atonement once in the year shall he make atonement
for it throughout your generations; it is most holy unto the LORD.'
Rabbi Ari Kahn Shlita wrote a nice Drasha: http://echoesofeden.rabbiarikahn.com/pdf/parshat_tetzaveh_5774_searching_for_a_heart_of_gold
A Pricey Pinch of
Snuff by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=845-23
Only in unusual cases would the Baal Shem Tov instruct him to increase his charity allotment. Connection:
Weekly Reading (end) Ex. Ch. 30:1-10 - the Incense Altar
It happened when a certain very wealthy and highly respected
individual was sitting in his honored place in shul. He took his fancy
snuffbox from his pocket, opened it to take a sniff, and then offered to
everyone seating close by to share the pleasure. At the far end of the shul
sat a poverty-stricken man with a strong desire for some snuff. Approaching the
rich man, he put out his hand toward the snuffbox, but in that instant its
owner had snapped the lid shut. The poor man returned to his place, humiliated
and deeply shamed.
From that day the fortune of the wealthy man tottered dramatically,
while the impoverished man's mazal began a steady upsurge. In what
seemed like no time at all, the poor man had become fabulously wealthy, while
the rich man was reduced to a pauper knocking on doors. Because his name had
been known far and wide, the townsfolk were accustomed to assist him
generously. But he was too embarrassed to remain dependent on the people who
knew him in his glory, so he began to travel from town to town in a group with
other beggars.
One day the beggar band arrived in the town of the Baal Shem Tov. According to the
prevailing custom, his attendant distributed a fixed sum to each needy person.
Only in unusual cases would the Besht instruct him to increase the
allotment. When the attendant proffered the coins to the formerly wealthy Jew,
the latter refused to accept the money. He was accustomed to receiving more, he
explained. The attendant told him he would speak to the Baal Shem Tov, and do according
to his instructions. And indeed, upon his return from the Besht's room, he gave
a considerable sum to the pauper, The man, however, was still not satisfied. He
stubbornly demanded to meet the Baal Shem Tov personally.
When he was granted entrance, he told the Rebbe that he had once
been very wealthy, but the wheel of fortune had turned against him. He asked
for advice.
"Do you recall the episode in shul with your snuffbox
and the pauper?" asked the Baal Shem Tov. The pauper remembered that Yes,
from that day on his fortune waned. The Besht explained that it had been
decreed in Heaven he would have to change roles with the poor man he had
slighted.
"Is there nothing I can do?" asked the poor man.
"Is there nothing I can do?" asked the poor man.
"The advice for you," said the Baal Shem Tov, "is to
request a pinch of tobacco from the rich man - the former pauper. If he doesn't
honor your request, your wealth will be restored; if he honors it, the wealth
will remain with him."
The pauper kept the matter to himself. He traveled alone to the
city where the rich man resided. Soon, he learned, the rich man would be
celebrating his daughter's marriage. He waited until the wedding, which he
attended and found a place among the other beggars.
In the middle of the festivities, the rich man rose to dance with
the other celebrators. "Now is the chance!" thought the pauper,
drawing near to ask for some tobacco. The rich man stopped dancing at once and,
taking his silver snuffbox from his pocket, offered some to the pauper. The
latter fainted on the spot....
When they revived the pauper he told the wealthy man the whole
story, including the words of the Baal Shem Tov. He concluded, weeping:
"Evidently they've decreed that I remain a pauper..."
Said the rich man: "G-d forbid! I take full responsibility
upon myself for all your needs." He immediately gave him a large sum of
cash for his family expenses, and subsequently every week transferred a sum to
cover all his expenditures.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the translation of ? from Likutei Sippurim.
? Sorry, my records are confused. I don't recall whose rendition this is.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the translation of ? from Likutei Sippurim.
? Sorry, my records are confused. I don't recall whose rendition this is.
* Editor's note: According to another version (Klapholtz),
instead of a weekly grant, he offered him a partnership in his business.
Connection: Weekly Reading (end) Ex. Ch. 30:1-10 - the Incense Altar
Biographical note:
Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer [of blessed memory: 18 Elul 5458- 6 Sivan 5520 (Sept. 1698 - June 1760 C.E.)], the Baal Shem Tov ["master of the good Name"-often referred to as "the Besht" for short], a unique and seminal figure in Jewish history, revealed his identity as an exceptionally holy person, on his 36th birthday, 18 Elul 5494 (1734 C.E.). He wrote no books, although many claim to contain his teachings. One available in English is the excellent annotated translation of Tzava'at Harivash, published by Kehos.
Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer [of blessed memory: 18 Elul 5458- 6 Sivan 5520 (Sept. 1698 - June 1760 C.E.)], the Baal Shem Tov ["master of the good Name"-often referred to as "the Besht" for short], a unique and seminal figure in Jewish history, revealed his identity as an exceptionally holy person, on his 36th birthday, 18 Elul 5494 (1734 C.E.). He wrote no books, although many claim to contain his teachings. One available in English is the excellent annotated translation of Tzava'at Harivash, published by Kehos.
I
am not expressing an opinion but a statistical fact: 12.5% of the Israeli
Population will close off Israel’s roads if the government acts irresponsible
instead of quietly it will backfire on them and all the roads in every city
will be closed by riots similar to what happened in Egypt there are not enough
policemen or jails for these people. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4485598,00.html
The Newsday photo of me on the Lebanese Border in 1977 is proof of my
own service.
Natural
Cancer Fighter? From Jew news: http://www.secondopinionnewsletter.com/Health-Alert-Archive/View-Archive/2172/Simple-plant-kills-up-to-98-of-cancer-cells--and-stops-diabetes.htm?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=POST&utm_campaign=SOHA11162013
From
Reuven K. BDE: http://www.israpundit.com/archives/63593700 his last works: http://www.gloria-center.org/author/barryrubin/
Financial
irregularities in Yesha. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4483540,00.html
And
these people on Hollywood Blvd in CA vote! http://www.thefederalistpapers.org/video-2/jimmy-kimmel-liking-on-facebook-protected-under-first-amendment-hilarious
From
Reuven K. This could not have happened to a nice traitor: http://www.yourjewishnews.com/2013/06/n27859.html
From
Col H. PLO bluff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MldnIxwUJo
This
happens when IDF men are confined to the same base with IDF women plus young
boys with homosexuals. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4484305,00.html
Yeshiva
funds are being cut drastically: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177171#.UvPgx4VqMUY
After
hearing on the radio news that somebody was kicked out of the University for a
Facebook Post I wrote this: Good Morning I just heard that somebody got kicked out of
some University because of a status on Facebook. Must we play G-D and police
others. I see a number of people on FB who are Jewish and from trips various
time zones can figure out if they are observing Shabbos or not but I am not
HASHEM to judge people. My job is to encourage people to observe Mitzvos. To be
modest and dignified and proud to be a Jew or if non-Jewish a person formed in
the image of G-D and not a monkey. However, there are those who prefer to think
that they came from monkeys and that is their own monkey business to believe
it.
This
week I read of a ?Rabbi? Yonatan Ginsburg converted 75 people in Indonesia by
himself with his witness in one day. The people were sent to Mikvah wearing
tight fitting clothing where there should be no imposition between the body and
the water. There were certain exceptions in Temple times of loose fitting
clothing mentioned in the Gemara however on his Facebook page where he brags
about the conversion one can view the converts in their garments. Besides that
how can one man examine 75 potential converts individually in one day not to
mention bloodletting for males! He was kicked out of a Conservative Synagogue
in St. Paul, MN after a sexual assult charge for which he is being sued in a
court at this time. http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Judaism-Chicago-Rabbi-Jonathan-Ginsburg-Gail-Ginsburg-Esynagogueorg-Ezra-HabonimNiles-Township/nationwide/Judaism-Chicago-Rabbi-Jonathan-Ginsburg-Gail-Ginsburg-Esynagogueorg-Ezra-HabonimNiles-T-410933#comment_1 THE RABBINICAL ASSEMBLY DOES NOT ENDORSE HIS
CONVERSIONS http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/chicago-conversion-bet-din-not-endorsed-ra
Inyanay Diyoma
Netanyahu
against Netanyahu: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/176943#.Uuue65vxvIU
What
is going on in Sinai a bad policy from Ehud Barak: http://debka.com/article/23646/Eilat-pays-for-Israel’s-patchy-security-policy-in-Gaza-and-IDF’s-quiet-cooperation-with-Egypt and http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4483478,00.html
What
type of friend is this? Do I need him at all? http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/176963#.Uu0urpvxvIU
Last
night there were 5 Molotov Cocktails thrown in Yerushalayim and a Mafia hit in
Ashkelon the first might or might not be terrorist related. In the meantime,
Gaza is a thorn in our side as the Torah warned us. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/176964#.Uu3NUZvxvIU
Isn’t
it time we build 50,000 homes in E1? http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177000#.Uu5OvZvxvIU
Now
tell me why Israel can live with Arabs in Yaffo, Lod, Ramla, Nazareth, etc. http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/1-340094
We can
live without Kerry’s peace prize: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177016#.Uu6ccpvxvIU
The
Settlers would not fight "brothers" in Gush Katif and you have this
wicked creep talking like this. Thanks to Reuven K. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177019#.Uu8bKrRqMUY
The
king of Jordan almost plotzed when he saw the Kerry security arrangements and
after Obama and Kerry screwed Egypt they are in interested either: http://debka.com/article/23650/Jordan-invokes-1994-peace-treaty-with-Israel-for-a-say-in-Kerry’s-Jordan-Valley-security-and-Jerusalem-plans-
Euro-Nazi
hypocrites do as I say not as I do: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177070#.UvCVEpvxvIU
This is
what Bibi and others consider criminal behavior while the mafia bumps off
people in Petach Tikva and Ashkelon http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177073#.UvCdKpvxvIU
Sometimes
young soldiers in camps or on the borders are trigger ready too much. Tal
Nahman killed by friendly fire. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177078#.UvCrppvxvIU
Financial
woes in the USA: http://palmtreeofdeborah.blogspot.co.il/2014/02/while-attention-was-diverted-elsewhere.html
The
Israeli Right is pounding Kerry for his one-sided behavior and the evil empire
strikes back: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4484576,00.html
Oops
Kerry made a slip of the tongue on Syria. http://debka.com/article/23652/State-denies-Kerry-admitted-US-Syrian-failure-Israel-shoots-down-US-led-NATO-force-for-Palestinian-State
Somebody
has brains in the Knesset. Sarah Netanyahu does not like Ruby Rivlin to be
President after Bibi aka Pinocchio Netanyahu promised him. Chaim Katz and others
are signing a petition to make him a candidate of the party and not anybody
else. Miriam Regev is working to keep Yehuda and the Shomron from the PLO
Terrorists or Hamas. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177103#.UvHA7JtWHIU
In his
SOTU, Obama said he'd veto increased sanctions against Iran. Apparently, the
Iranians very much appreciate his gesture and gave him one back...http://allenbwest.com/2014/02/iranian-commander-answers-obamas-outstretched-hand-new-hostile-threats/
Time
for the Syrian Opposition to say again no! No! NO! http://debka.com/article/23654/US-grants-Iran-a-seat-at-the-next-round-of-Geneva-II-conference-on-Syria---alongside-big-powers
For the
public OK but not for the fearless “leaders”! http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177133#.UvMRfMZWHIU
The
right wing media doesn’t have to even publish what is public knowledge but when
Reuven brings down this leftist rag and they publish it I think Kerry might
even read it. http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/.premium-1.572521?v=87631FF23C0D7E328C4D3F8ED0B43A73
This is
what happens when you give them citizenship http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4485241,00.html
From
Barry - Perfidy by Ben Hecht: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/letter-offered-hitler-money-to-let-jews-move-to-gush-etzion/2014/01/27/
Greetings
from Gaza: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4485698,00.html
and further greetings from Gaza until we
either go in or hit them so hard that they will not bother us for months. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177185#.UvRc7ptWHIU
Snowden
interview that is hard to view anywhere: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f93_1390833151
This
week’s satire Dry Bones and PA State without weapons is like a bun without the
hot dog. http://drybonesblog.blogspot.co.il/
NEITHER
THE CIA OR PENTAGON HAS A CLUE IF THE IRANIANS WILL GET A NUKE: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177199#.UvSfr5tWHIU
The Good Shabbos Story did not arrive yet so I wish everybody
pleasant temperatures, good health, peace and it without saying a wonderful
Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
