Please remove from the prayer list Peter David ben Ursula.
Pre-Yom Kippur
I was discussing with Rabbi
Shlomo Mimran Shlita the Shuirim for eating and drinking on Yom Kippur to
continue the fast for a non-critically ill person.
Drinking is less than a
mouthful every 9 minutes. Obviously, Og the king of Bashan has a larger volume
than short David HaMelech but the standard today is about 30 ml which is much
smaller than my mouth’s volume. However, think that if one needs drink he can
within an hour drink 150 ml and within the day about 2 liters (quarts). This is
plenty. Rabbi Abba Shaul TZ”L writes in Ohr Tzion that if need be then 7.5
minutes, 6 minutes or even 4 minutes. On eating 30 grams every 9 minutes that
should be enough for a non-diabetic. If a cookie because of the sugar it
becomes about 20 grams.
A cancer patient, heart
patient told not to fast all day or diabetic if he can and is not critically
ill might want to rely upon the 4 minute Shuir which would be considered a
fast. THE WORD IS NOT CRITICALLY ILL. This is like having a bowl of cereal with
a banana in 24 minutes to half an hour. I only write this to prevent somebody
who is told to eat by his doctor and wants to fast to do this as not to violate
the fast or stubbornly endanger himself with a full fast. (The Torah writes to
press on or oppress one’s soul on Yom Kippur not to will oneself over the fast.
It was determined that wearing shoes, washing, eating & drinking and
marital relations were forbidden on Yom Kippur as well as Melacha. However, not
at the risk of one’s life.
The Yom Kippur Day is to
be spent in the Synagogue unless one is weak or ill. The emphasis is not on
fasting, not washing the hands, not wearing shoes or sandals and refraining
from marital relations. The emphasis in on repentance and prayer. Some
Synagogues bid for opening the Teva or carrying the Sefer Torah and others bid
for Aliyos to the Torah. Others honor certain members.
The emphasis in the
prayer is not necessarily the songs and leader of the prayer but the individual
repentance with humbleness. I have published in past years the confession and
the added on commentary of the Chayei Adam on the confession. I present it
again as a good review for all. I suggest that if you want feel free to copy
and paste on a new word document and print it for the Yom Kippur fast as many
copies as you want. Credit should be
given to Rabbi Rachamim Pauli but each prayer is part of help Am Yisrael.
Below is an anthology of
my writings on Yom Kippur (not all) ending in the confession which you are free
to copy, paste and print if it will help you.
From last year inhalers: Regarding inhalers for Shabbos and Yom Kippur I finally got a Psak Din
from Rabbi Yona Gewirtz Shlita of the Star K: If one can travel to the
Synagogue from his home without needing one he is forbidden to carry or do
tricks to carry. If one cannot manage without to cover the distance without an
attack or need for the inhaler, then it is like a cane or leg and can be
carried for Pekuach Nefesh on Shabbos and Yom Kippur. On Yom Tov it is
permitted to carry from one domain aka private to public but on Shabbos and Yom
Kippur it is one of the forbidden Melachos. Thus if one
needs nitroglycerine pills for the heart one can take what one needs for an
emergency but not carry 20 or 30. One also has to think for example in Israel
the Synagogues are less than 7 to 10 minutes in the greatest heat away from me
for an inhaler while in my place in FL, the Young Israel is a mile away and
through a number of blocks and it means at my highest walking speed about 20
minutes on the average day and perhaps 25 plus if I am with my wife and my
10-year-old forester son. On Pekuach Nefesh we are strict and liberal on Yom
Kippur and Shabbos. That does not give somebody the right to carry other things
that are not associated with lifesaving emergency measures as I did carry the
minimum when I was on border patrol in Israel.
Also from last year: Don’t be a
fool! I have a friend who actually helped me get Smicha to the Rabbinute. He is
ordained and I have problems with him. He does not follow Chachamim. He has
diabetes and essentially is forbidden to fast. Yet he puts his life in danger
on Yom Kippur despite the Heter of Chazal to eat. Of course we want to fast. I
must take certain medicines and for that I have poured out ready cups with a
line on them for how much water I can use in taking my pills and I have that
handy for a sip or two in this heat. We have 9 minutes between drink for those
who are capable of fasting and usually one for the pills or so is enough for
the day. One who is pregnant and feels a compulsion can eat the larger olive’s
bulk size aka about half an average egg every 9 minutes. This goes for people
recovering from strokes, cancer patients, heart patients, mild diabetics, and
others in the hospital or at home.
Question: Should I fast or stay at
home. I know that if I go to Schul on Yom Kippur I will need to eat because of
the exertion. However, if I stay at home I will not. Our Rabbis say stay at
home!
Question: I have no Eruv for
walking in my town but because of my problems I need an inhaler what should I
do? There are two possible answers for Shabbos and Yom Kippur for on Yom Tov,
carrying would be permitted. The first answer is tying a string around the
inhaler as if it were a belt buckle and don’t wear a belt. Another is if one
will not need it on the way to Schul but only at home and in the Schul have one
that you have at home and another you bring to your seat in Schul or at Kol
Nidre.
Question: I am healthy and I start
fasting. Suddenly, I fainted what should I do? First of all lie down and see if
you recover. If that does not work cup your hands and take a sip. What happens
if one feels faint again? One should try eating and drinking like a pregnant
woman for starters and if that does not work, like the pregnant woman describe
in the Shulchan Aruch just eat and drink as usual. Have a checkup after the
fast.
Repentance comes from three things
thought, talk and deed. The first step in Teshuva is regretting the sin and to
avoid it by thinking about how to do it. The second step is talking about it
either to oneself or others. The third step is if one is not a politician is
doing it. For example one knows that his friend Ali Mohammed is doing such and
such. He tells his good friend Timothy Pope about this. Now he resolves not to
commit Lashon HaRa so the next time he sees Ali doing something, he does not
tell Timothy that is the deed of not doing the same with sins of modesty in
refraining. Another example is not getting up to go to Schul on time, he goes
to bed an hour earlier and wakes up in time for Schul.
When one does Teshuva, he must
resolve not to sin again and when the opportunity arises, he refrains from
sinning that is true Teshuva if he is with all his facilities and health. But
if he does so at an older age, that too is Teshuva but not as strong as during
his youth.
Remember during the Vidui
(confession) to mention or concentrate on your own personal sins. It should be
done quietly but if you sinned against man then you must try to compensate him.
HaRav Uri Zohar Shlita when he became a Baal Teshuva confessed to
committing adultery with his best friend’s wife which caused them to divorce.
He said “Rather be embarrassed publically in this world than in the next.”
From 5772:
Shaking in my boots over my sins
Rav
Yerachmiel Boyer Shlita said in the name of Rabbi Soloveitchik the following
parable. Being Judged on Rosh Hashanah to the writing on Yom Kippur and the
sealing on Hoshana Rabbah is like trying to smuggle people over the border to
safety. As the people travel through the country planning their escape they
contact a smuggler who knows the routes. As they get closer the people are
worried but the smuggler calm as they get very close to the border and the
smuggler moves cautiously with the horses edging closer and closer even the
smuggler gets a boost of adrenaline in his system. Who is calm? The horses are
calm as they are going about pulling their load as they normally do. The same
with us: As Rosh Hashanah approaches the Rabbis start worrying and towards Yom
Kippur more and more Jews. When Yom Kippur comes all but the most apathetic
Jews are worrying about the writing in the book of life or worst not. Only the
complete happy go lucky boorish people are not worried.
Yom Kippur Special from 5770
Boy am I happy that G-D gives us a new lease on life each year and a chance to repair our deeds.
Our FATHER our KING
purifies us and lets us return to the book of life for a few pitiful words of resolving
to give up our sins and being inscribed in the book of life, happiness and
income.
Many years ago Brenda Lee
sang a few songs where the words are appropriate for this time of year. “I’m
Sorry” which is the theme of our Selichos! G-D can ask back the other song on
Yom Kippur when we attempt to repent: “Will you still love ME tomorrow?” HASHEM
can answer the sinner like Connie Francis – “Who's Sorry Now.” (Last song thanks to Chaya
Yocheved) This year on my blog spot with more and more new readers, I have
decided to concentrate on Repentance, Prayer and Charity and reprint for the
new readers my rendition of the repentance prayer but this year I have added
some more feeling behind our standard prayer.
I am also reposting the
Hazinu Post from last year as I want to concentrate more on Yom Kippur. Avoid
the evil decree with Teshuva (Repentance)
Are you already dead?
Look at this story from
Eliyokum, he was really in bad shape and yet his Teshuva and fighting to bring
Jews back to G-D reversed a possible evil decree against him for his former
behavior.
Rosh Hashanah is the Day
of Judgement for the world, but as Jews we get an extra 10 days to right the
ship. But are you already dead? I know the question might sound crazy but it’s
really not. The Sages say that those without Torah are walking dead, and I see
it everywhere I go. Values, morals, priorities, responsibility, these are words
that have been forgotten amidst the garbage that we see on a day to day basis.
Life has become who you know and what you drive. I can say this with some
assurance because up until my time in jail in early 2008 for a high speed car
chase on cocaine that was me. I just received my sentence a few days ago. I was
looking at 15-30 years maximum, and Baruch Hashem I will be spending a week in
jail starting October 27. THAT’S IT. My name "Eliyokum" means
"my G-d stands me up" and that’s exactly what happened. I put aside
my own thoughts and opinions about the world which were obvious garbage and
decided I would consult a Rabbi for some perspective on the world which I
obviously didn’t have. Less than 2 years later I'm sending out weekly emails to
people pleading with Jews to just open their eyes and their minds for 5 minutes
to see what Judaism has to offer. Judaism isn’t a skanky girl with no morals or
a guy that will take you on a shopping spree, JUDAISM IS LIFE. Truth is the
thing in this world that everyone seeks yet few find. Why? Because it’s hidden
behind all the foolishness and temptations that people just can’t seem to
avoid. Every week I ask people to post my link and help me reach 1million
people. Every week there are some that do but an overwhelming majority don’t. I
don’t understand it, there are so many people out there desperate for some
truth and some awareness and its OUR job to help them. Please help your fellow
Jews, every day that goes by we hit an all time low, but it doesn’t have to be
that way. Jews need their pride back, we need to stop feeling like we're just
like everyone else. G-d made us the most special people on earth to be a
testament to HIS power and His creation. We were meant to live a Holy Life,
above all the nonsense this world has turned into. The New Year is upon us, how
do you want this year to turn out for you. The same ole year of bars and
nightclubs or a year of truth, power, and knowledge. Trust me you didn’t party
harder than I did and I can tell you with complete confidence that you will
never experience happiness living a life with no fulfillment. Jews weren’t put
on this earth to stand in line at the hottest nightclub. We were put on this
earth to OWN the hottest nightclub (grin). Post my link on your page, invite
all your friends to this group, and spread the word wherever you go.
SELLMEYOURJEWISHSOUL.COM is fearless in its attempt to shake Jews from our
slumber. Please be a part of the magic...LASHANA TOVA TIKATEIV V'TEICHATEM – Chose Life! – R.P.
If one were to look at
people involved in high speed car chases on Cocaine the chance of them putting
out many videos on Judaism on the sellmeyourjewishsoul.com site would approach
zero. I notice many Jews who are very good, concerned people even attending
Orthodox Schuls and keeping Kosher but when it comes to Shabbos or Family
Purity, their observance to put it mildly is lacking. One Jew is concerned with
saving the life of Rivqa Barry but it is not worth Shabbos or Yom Tov
violation. Just the opposite is important. By observing G-D’s commandments
maybe HE will listen more to one’s prayer about the Barry girl. The same with
tea parties on Shabbos – if they are within walking distance, one can attend
them after Schul and Kiddush without carrying objects. The song goes that we
don’t discuss on Shabbos talk about rulers but who cannot think or talk about
wicked rulers pressuring Yisrael? Entering the New Year, I am sad that 5769
ended without the Moshiach coming.
The easiest way to make a Chilul HASHEM: The
Yom Kippur does not atone for misdeeds done against
ones fellow-Jew unless one first asks them for forgiveness. One should be
careful to repay all overdue loans before Yom Kippur; after which one can beg
for forgiveness for the delay. If one is being asked for forgiveness one should
not be stubborn nor vengeful; rather one should be forgiving, the same way one
hopes that Hashem will be forgiving of our sins. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
131:4 - Danny
Avoid the evil decree
with Tephilla (Prayer)
This was written in my
Drasha back in 5766 since then I have added 3,500 readers so although that I
hate to repeat myself; I am taking the liberty to reflect on this prayer and If
I have personal time to add more this year below.
Repentance and reflection are in order every day. However, during
Elul or the 10 days of Teshuva between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur they are
most desirable. Since a Rabbi must be a leader and an example to the public, I
would like to focus on how I reflect about myself. It is very easy to find
fault with others and sometimes our own ego or Yetzer does not let us look at
the faults and weaknesses within us. I try to focus on the over-all picture and
give you examples of how my own Teshuva thought process works. As the year 5764 comes to a close,
I look at my achievements (or lack of) both in Ruchanius and Gashmius. I’ve
improved my house and garden in
Eretz Yisrael on the Gashmius side but what I have I done on the Ruchanius
side. Here comes the pessimist vs. the optimist.
I set my goals to learn more Gemara – poor showing. I set my goal
to finish a Seder of Mishnah – I have done less than half a pretty poor
showing. So already I have plenty to repent for. Guarding my tongue and Lashon
Hara – not bad but there is room plenty of improvement. On the positive side, I
started learning to be a Psak in the laws of Taharos HaMishphacha and now am
delving into the laws of Mikvah.
OTOH I did not continue in my studies on the laws of Eruvin. I
could go on and on. Questions come up and haunt me weekly – like was I a good
enough son for my mother?
Could I have done better?
I saw the main headlines
on TV – why did I waste my time on commentary and propaganda? In the Israel
Army, the guard on duty is told to call out in the night – Stop give the
password. HASHEM asked Adam “Ayacha” (Where are you)? Rav Mordechai Ben Simchon
Shlita used to ask Kollelniks coming late to our Kollel “Ayfo atah”(Where are
you)? We should all ask these questions inwardly but not outwardly towards
others. The Gaon from Vilna had a little book in which he would write down all
the “Bitul Torah” (wasted time from learning Torah) that he did one year. One
time one of his students peeked in and added up the numbers. They came out to 3
minutes! I wonder if I eat slower at lunch in Eretz Yisrael watching Fox &
Friends than I would if I had a Gemara tape playing “Chullin”, “Niddah” or
“Sanhedrin” in the background? Even Gashmius I have to ask myself, am I keeping
my heart in shape by walking or swimming enough. I used to be a long distance
swimming now 20 or 30 minutes’ maximum on fewer and fewer occasions (because of
mixed swimming problems too). On everything I can ask myself “Where are you?”
in is important. Did I pray hard enough for the health of my sick friends:
Keren Neshama bas Esther Ruth, Chaya Malika Rachel bas Bayla Alta or Rachel bas
Chana? Did I botch up my prayers?. Reflecting about Davening Mincha Erev
Shabbos, I came late to Schul at least half a dozen times and only the early
Mincha in Kiriat Sefer saved me most of the time. Then there were times that I
was at a wedding (like the first Mishnah in Berachos with the sons of Rabban
Gamliel) and I prayed Maariv by myself. There were other times I prayed Kiddush
Levana by myself because of circumstances beyond my control (The first Motzei
Shabbos it was cloudy in Yerushalayim and clear in Chashmonayim). Sometimes I
was in a hurry or lost my concentration in prayers.
Did I behave properly in
private the same way I behave publicly? (See the LeOlam prayer with the
preliminary Shema in the Korbanos section of the morning service.) Dear Reader,
it is now your turn to reflect.
Erev Yom Kippur - The Meaning of & How to Confess
Contrary to
Catholicism and other religions, the Jewish Confession is uttered silently before the L-RD G-D.
Technically we can confess anytime during the Shemona Esray that we pray 3
times a day in the blessing "Forgive us our FATHER for we have sinned...”
We have no intermediary but pray direct. Our most secret thoughts are known
before the CREATOR who understands what is in our (brains) hearts and kidneys.
We can confess everything from taking the pen home from the office to making
phone calls not related to business or a few more sinister crimes than driving 2 miles over the speed limit.
There must be regret and sincere resolve not to commit the sin again.
Sins are broken up
into various types such as those of using the human body to sin. "Running
to sin, wagging the tongue, looking with the eyes, listening to, hitting
somebody, even attracting the opposite sex with perfume or after shave
(especially if this is not to attract a spouse but to arouse inclinations),
kicking or causing somebody to err."
The Chaya Adam in
generalization kof-mem-gimmel 143 deals with the 10 days of Repentance. The
translation of the sins is mine based on my knowledge of modern spoken Hebrew
and the one from the Machzor (Yom Kippur Brayer Book is mentioned above). The
holiness of the language and beauty of Hebrew allows us to break up our sins
alphabetically. (Ashamnu, Bagadnu, Gazalnu, Debarnu Doefee, etc. = Aleph Bet
Gimmel) We are brazenfaced, but thou are merciful and compassionate; we are
stiff-necked but thou art long-suffering. We are full of sin, but thou are full
of mercy. As for us, our days are as a shadow; thou art immutable, and thy
years never-ending.
Our G-D and G-D of our
fathers, Let our prayer come before thee, hide not thyself from our
supplication, for we are not arrogant and stiff-necked that we should say
before the O L-RD our G-D and G-D of our fathers, we are righteous and have not
sinned; verily we have sinned.
We have transgressed: At this point we can add sins that start with Aleph. I ate
detestable things - animals that were torn (Trafe), died of themselves
(Nevailah), creeping & crawling things and invertebrates. I ate without a
blessing before or after. (Did you ever grab a bite at work or on your
hands-free cellphone while taking a drink or eating something and due the
distraction of the call or road situation forget to bless after the
meal/snack?) I ate Kilayim (wheat & barley grown together not multigrain
cereals) Kilay HaKerem (grain that grew amidst the vineyard), Orlah (fruit
before the 4th year after the tree
was planted), Chadash (grain harvested before the time of Omer = the first day
of Chol HaMoed Pessach in Israel or the second day of Pessach outside of Israel
or planted and grown after the Omer is put on the altar - this occurs in some
countries other than Israel.) Tevel (food that is not tithed = Teruma Gedolah,
Maaser Rishon, Teruma Maaser, Maaser Sheni, Maaser Ani, and Revai. This applies
only to food grown in Israel.), Teruma Gedolah, Maaser Rishon, Teruma Maaser,
Maaser Sheni that was not redeemed, Challah (portion due to the Cohain if more
than 1kg = 2.2lbs of flour is used for baking = 1/48thfor a baker,
1/24th for a housewife or
41.7 grams-this applies to food baked even outside of Eretz Yisrael), fruit
grown during the Shmita (Sabbatical year) after the prescribed time for eating
and not with their holiness, and vegetables and spices grown by themselves in Shmita.
We have dealt treacherously: We have been treacherous with our fellow man or have dealt
treacherously between two parties, we have return evil for good, We have made
blessings that were not necessary, (ever make a blessing on wine and then drink
water or soda and make another blessing?) and a blessing made without proper
intention. I did not make the blessing of the Hear O Israel the L-RD our G-D, the
L-RD is ONE prayer on time. I reneged on my performance of both positive and
negative Mitzvos.
We have robbed: I have been haughty and it is written: "It is disgusting
before G-D every haughty heart." Mishlei
16:5 (Ga’avah can be translated as pride)
We have spoken slander: We have spoken words but our heart felt the opposite. (Or as
they say in the old Cowboy and Indian Movies– "he speaks with a forked tongue.") I have spoken idle
words, tale bearing, words of incitement, lies, filth, and business on Shabbos
& Yom Tov. (It is very hard to stop an active brain - during Rosh Hashanah
prayers, my thoughts were on the parts of the Drasha listed below under the Yom
Kippur sermon during the repetition of the Shemona Esray and the same holds
true for business ideas. Often I have asked a person if he is available to
speak with after Shabbos as I have had a weekday idea and sometimes I blurt out
stories on Shabbos that are related to a past trip or future vacation plans.)
We have acted perversely: I have taught something in error and have made many go from the
true halachic path. (Ever tell your children a Halacha at a young age that is
partially true - a three or four-year-old can only comprehend such and such,
but you forget to re-educate them when they reach the age of understanding.) I
have wasted my seed (referring to sperm cells only). I have been stubborn and
refused to accept a halachic ruling. I have had filthy thoughts. I have looked
upon places on the human body that should be covered up (Bmarkom airva). I have looked at females to receive pleasure from their form. I
have lifted up my hand towards my fellow to beat him. I have embarrassed my
fellow in public.
We have wrought
wickedness:
We have acted perversely: We have made cheap the honor due to Shabbos and Yom
Tov. We have been dishonorable to honor and respect due to our parents and
teachers. We have poked fun at or been disrespectful to Torah Scholars.
We have We have done
violence: We have desecrated Shabbos and Yom Tov. We have desecrated the
L-RD's NAME.
We have framed lies:
We have counseled evil: I have placed myself in private property with a member of the
opposite sex. (Yahadati atzme eem nashim/gvarim.)
We have spoken falsely: I have lost my temper.
We have scoffed: I have dressed the forbidden mixture of wool & linen
together. I did not pay my employee money due him at the designated time and I
violated the Command not to let the night pass without paying him.
We have revolted:
We have provoked: I have sworn falsely and frivolously. I pledged and did not pay.
I have enjoyed this world without a blessing.
We have rebelled: We have
committed iniquity: We have transgressed: We have oppressed: We have corrupted:
We have committed abomination: We have gone astray and we have led others
astray.
We have turned away
from thy commandments etc. (The prayer book then has 44 sins two for each
letter or in the case of Samach for the sound of the letter. There are a few
interruptions for reflection where we say, "For all of these forgive us,
pardon us and atone for us." (Note that many of the sins listed have to do
with Lashon Hara - a gossiping tongue. Another group of sins are from the eyes
and the other major group from deceit on our part.) Then we mention the sins in
which we are obligated to sacrifice a Korban on the Altar, the sins that we are
whipped for, the four death penalties and the sins that we know about and don't
know about. The prayer ends as follows: "O my G-D, while yet I was
unformed I was not worthy, and now that I have been formed, I am as though I
had not been formed. Dust am I in my life; all the more so in my death. Behold
me before you like a vessel filled with shame and confusion. Etc."
Finally, one can add
his own prayers in Hebrew (Or French, English, etc.) such as for Tet - Foolish
things I have done in private and public. Lamed - I taught things to my
children/grandchildren in such a way that they erred in the concept of
learning. Ayin - I set a bad example for my children/grandchildren that
appeared to show them "Do as I say not as I do." Resh - I saw more
than just the news/history channel/national geographic program and wasted time.
I saw things on TV and the internet that I shouldn't have. Shin - I asked
questions that distracted my Rabbi/Professor/Teacher from the subject matter
and caused wasted (Torah/lesson) time among the members of the class. As the
joke goes: "Wouldn't it be better if we could press control/alt/delete and
erase all our sins".
I got this little bit of
humor to put us in a mood to serve HASHEM with Simcha. Chaim B. sent me a joke:
There is a highway to hell and a staircase to heaven. You can see which route
the anticipation is for most of us. Remember what Moshe told us, “Choose life”!
Parsha
Vayelech
We are coming to the end of the Torah and the life of
Moshe. He is in this Parsha going to give out the last two Mitzvos – To
Assemble in the year after Shmita and read Sefer Devarim and to write a Sefer
Torah which we usually donate money for a letter to a Sefer Torah.
Moshe after our Parsha will teach the song Hazinu to
the nation. My oldest son had to memorize it in school. For Moshe taught it on
the last day of his life until the people knew it.
30:1
And Moses went and spoke these words unto all Israel. 2 And he said unto them:
'I am a hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come
in; and the LORD hath said unto me: Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Moses went…I can no longer go or
come: One might think [this means] that
Moses’ strength had ebbed [and that is why he could no longer go or come].
Scripture [however] states [regarding Moses], “His eye had not dimmed, nor had
he lost his [natural] moisture” (Deut.
34:7) [which teaches us that his powers were intact even on the day of his
passing]. So what then is [the meaning of] “I can no longer”? [Here it means:]
“I am not permitted,” because authority was taken from him and granted to
Joshua. And the Lord said to
me: This is the meaning of “I can no
longer go or come,” because “the Lord said to me….” Today I am [one-hundred and twenty years old]: [That is to say,] today [is the exact day that] my days and my
years have become complete; on this very day [the seventh of Adar] I was born,
and on this day I will die. — [Sotah 13b] Another interpretation of “[I can no
longer] go or come” is: [I can no longer figuratively go and come, i.e., I can
no longer negotiate] in matters of Torah. This teaches us that the channels of
transmission and the well-springs of wisdom were closed up from him [i.e., from
Moses on that day]. — [Sotah 13b] [That is the order of the early editions and
should be preserved. Rashi means that according to the first interpretation,
that God did not permit him to go and come before the people, we do not explain
the beginning of the verse to mean that Moses’ days were completed, but that
God had taken away the authority from Moses. According to the Talmud, which
states that Moses’ days were completed, we explain that he could not go and
come in matters of Torah, and according to that interpretation, we do not
explain that “the Lord said to me” as the meaning for “I can no longer go or
come,” but another reason for Moses’ inability to cross the Jordan.]
Moshe was born on Adar 7, 2368 and today is Adar 7, 2488.
3
The LORD thy God, He will go over before thee; He will destroy these nations
from before thee, and thou shalt dispossess them; and Joshua, he shall go over
before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.
Sometimes a King or Leader can choose or appoint a successor and
other times not. Here, HASHEM has told Moshe who will be his successor. It will
not be Eliezer or Gershon but Yehoshua.
4
And the LORD will do unto them as He did to Sichon and to Og, the kings of the
Amorites, and unto their land; whom He destroyed. 5 And the LORD will deliver
them up before you, and ye shall do unto them according unto all the
commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, fear
not, nor be affrighted at them; for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go
with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.'
Chazak V’ Amatz is our theme now and in the first chapter of Sefer
Yehoshua. For Yehoshua had seen the mob rule and the disobedience to Moshe. He
humbled himself as he did not talk to HASHEM face to face as Moshe did. He was
the servant of Moshe and his student and a military leader but not on the level
of Moshe. He was like the moon a smaller reflective body while Moshe was like
the sun a larger illuminating body. Therefore, like a child, he need the encouraging
words to be repeated a large number of times. Similarly, if a husband embraces
his wife and holds her hand when she is weak, she gets some courage to face
what she is afraid of.
He will neither fail you: Heb. לֹא
יַרְפְּךָ. [The word יַרְפְּךָ stems from the root רפה, meaning “weak.” Thus, the expression here
means:] God will not give you [cause for] weakness [resulting] from your being
forsaken by Him.
7
And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel: 'Be
strong and of good courage; for thou shalt go with this people into the land
which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause
them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, He it is that does go before thee; He will
be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee; fear not, neither be
dismayed.'
He is being coroneted before all of Israel with the words Chazak
V’ Amatz. He will not get backing as leader of the nation not just general of
the army.
9
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi,
that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of
Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, saying: 'At the end of every seven years,
in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,
At the end of [every] seven years: [When the verse says “end,”
it refers to] the first year of the [recurring, seven-year] Shemittah [cycle,
which is, effectively, the “end” of the previous cycle]. This is the eighth
year [of the cycle] (Sotah 41a). [Now, only the seventh year of each cycle is
actually called the Shemittah year, so] why is [this eighth year] referred to
[here in the verse] as “ Shemittah ”? Because the [laws of the] seventh year
still apply to it, in that the harvest [of the produce] at the end of the
seventh year extends into the year following the seventh. Therefore, all the
laws pertaining to the seventh year apply to this produce, even though the
eighth year has already begun. — [R.H. 12b]
11
when all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He
shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12
Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and thy
stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn,
and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law; 13 and
that their children, who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD
your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over the Jordan to
possess it.'
Only in the last two or three Shmita cycles has this been
reestablished in Israel and only a small fraction of people gathers for the
reading.
14
And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Behold, thy days approach that thou must die;
call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may give him
a charge.' And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tent of
meeting. 15 And the LORD appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud; and the
pillar of cloud stood over the door of the Tent. 16 And the LORD said unto
Moses: 'Behold, thou art about to sleep with thy fathers; and this people will
rise up, and go astray after the foreign gods of the land, whither they go to
be among them, and will forsake Me, and break My covenant which I have made
with them.
Now HASHEM enters the picture and speaks to Yehoshua in a dream,
vision or behind the curtains of the Teva between the Cherubim. The prophecy is
a warning about a nation subject to whims of foreign gods. Jews for Yeshu,
Allah, Buddhists, Krishna, Atheism and assorted hosts of other false gods. It
is hard for a modern man to grasp these things. Some worked on negative
spiritual energy and others on deception for trickery has always been afoot and
not necessarily Randy the Magician for entertainment. They will through their
stupidity, errors or out of lust break the covenant. For if strong people like
Zimri could fall for lust weaker people could fall even quicker.
17
Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake
them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many
evils and troubles shall come upon them; so that they will say in that day: Are
not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?
Let the people be warned that the anger of the L-RD will be
against them and there will be no place to hide. G-D will then hide HIS FACE
from both the evil ones and the good ones who could not prevent this. To what
is this like? It is like parents trying to raise a child with certain problems
and his unwillingness to listen or behave no matter how strict or loving they
are.
18
And I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evil which they shall
have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.
Once HASHEM has hidden HIMSELF, it is no wonder that the Atheism
thrives even more. So the vicious cycle continues. The fault of course is with
the people in the first place.
And hide My face: As though I do not see their distress.
19
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach thou it the children of
Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against
the children of Israel.
The song is Hazinu which some schools still require that their
children learn by heart.
This song: [This refers to the passage beginning with] הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם [until] וְכִפֶּר
אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ (Deut. 32:1-43).
20
For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore unto their
fathers, flowing with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten their fill, and
waxen fat; and turned unto other gods, and served them, and despised Me, and
broken My covenant;
Watch out if you dare break the covenant not only as a nation but
as a whole bunch of individuals who don’t see immediate punishment. Aka
lighting striking down somebody who violates Shabbos or the adultery and
adulteress withering away. For punishment is in the next world.
21
then it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them,
that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be
forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; for I know their imagination how
they do even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.'
This song will bear witness against them: that in it, I had
warned them concerning all the things that are now befalling them.
[Consequently, when they read this song, they will not be able to claim, “Had
we known all the evils that would befall us, we would never have transgressed
God’s word!”]
22
So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. 23
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said: 'Be strong and of good
courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I
swore unto them; and I will be with thee.'
Chazak V’ Amatz is repeated and the promise that HASHEM ELOKIM
will be with them as he was with Moshe. (Perhaps is this the answer to my from
Jack who lost his whole family but he does not know why he survived – for even
in the darkest moments of the Shoah, HASHEM did not fully desert families and
he and Rabbi Lau and others survived sometimes we do not know on what merits
and why others died on a Kiddush HASHEM to be taken higher and higher but one
had to carry on the family).
24
And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this
law in a book, until they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites,
that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying: 26 'Take this book of
the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your
God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Here is the complete book of Devarim put it into the Teva and at
the end of 7 years take it out to read to the people. There is a dispute if the
last 8 lines were written by Moshe or added by Yehoshua. Those who say it was
written by Moshe say that he wrote it with tears and others say he got the
prophecy wrote and forgot on the spot as he wrote it.
27
For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with
you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after
my death?
This is the Kal V’ Chomer way of learning from the easy to the
difficult or in this case the opposite. For if when I was alive, you rebelled
with all the miracles that you saw all the more so if the miracles are less or
hidden!
28
Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may
speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against
them.
Assemble to me: On this day they did not blow the trumpets to assemble the
congregation [as they usually did (see Num.
10:2-3,7)], because the verse says, “Make for yourself [two trumpets of
silver… and they will be for you to call the assembly]” (Num. 10:2). [Now, this was a
commandment directed personally to Moses, because “for yourself” and “for you”
are both written in the singular form. Hence, Moses made these trumpets and
kept them in his possession,] and he did not give Joshua authority over them
during Moses’ lifetime. Moreover, these trumpets were hidden away [by God] even
during his [Moses’] lifetime, prior to the day of his passing, thus affirming
the words of the verse, “and there is no ruling on the day of death” (Ecc. 8:8). -
[Tanchuma Beha’alotecha 10] And I will
call upon the heaven and the earth as witnesses against them: You might object, “But did God not already call them as
witnesses earlier [saying,] ‘I call upon the heaven and the earth as witnesses’
(Deut. 30:19)?” [The answer is
that] there God was addressing Israel [regarding this matter], but He was not
[directly] addressing the heaven and the earth. Now [however] God comes to say,
“Listen, O Heavens…” (Deut. 32:1),
[addresses the heaven and the earth directly.
29
For I know that after my death ye will in any wise deal corruptly, and turn
aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the
end of days; because ye will do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, to
provoke Him through the work of your hands.'
[For I know that] after my death, you will surely become
corrupted: But actually, throughout all the days of Joshua, they [the Jews] did
not become corrupt, for the verse states, “And the people served the Lord all
the days of Joshua” (Jud. 2:7). [What, then, did Moses mean when he said that
they would become corrupted after his death? We learn] from here that a
person’s disciple is as dear to him as his own self, for as long as Joshua was
alive [even after Moses’ passing], for Moses it was as though he himself was
alive. [Hence, when Moses said “after my death,” he was in fact alluding to the
death of Joshua, thus referring to the period after Joshua’s passing.]
For after Yehoshua and Pinchas will go and you have the Judges,
you will no longer have a central authority but a weaker Sanhedrin with a bunch
of wise Elders but you will treat them like a bunch of old coots.
30
And Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this
song, until they were finished:
From Chaim B. the old and the new Europe of
Anti-Semitism:
Europe's old (and new)
hell's remind us of Israel's importance
Free Challah Making e-book. Try it at home: http://www.joyofkosher.com/page/free-challah-ebook/
Rosh Hashanah in Uganda: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863232,00.html
Inyanay
Diyoma
Attempted stabbing of the Chevron Brigade Commander: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218534
Ed-Op from Dr. Martin Sherman: https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/09/30/shimon-peres-1923-19851986-2016-which-do-we-mourn/
Clinton lies to those Bernie Sanders Supporters: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218562
Rosh Hashanah we are judged: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4861464,00.html
ISIS cell caught in East Yerushalayim: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4862317,00.html
Public Opinion Poll in Israel: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218569
Obamacare implodes as Democrats jump ship: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/10/04/dems-turn-on-obamacare-amid-premium-hikes-bill-clinton-laments-crazy-system.html
Wikileaks no Oct. surprise: http://www.wnd.com/2016/10/assange-more-leaks-coming-but-not-today/?cat_orig=politics Debka
analysis: http://debka.com/article/25698/Assange-vs-Clinton-No-threat-or-Chinese-torture-
Before comparing him to Adolf: Two of Donald Trump’s children are
married to Jews and a 3rd is dating one: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218606
VP Debate: The left wing 2nd TV Network in Israel which
is pro-Hillary spoke well of Pence and the more neutral 10th TV
Network basically said that Pence hit it out of the ball park especially that
he said Kaine walked out on Netanyahu’s speech. MSN gave him a win too: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/winners-and-losers-from-the-vice-presidential-debate/ar-BBx0Pgs?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
Rocket attack from Gaza: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218611
Russia is using Syria to test out weapons. It is a dangerous game
of cat and mice. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4862711,00.html
Yahoo spied on you so my last two Inyanay Diyoma headlines would
merit a report for that contain a word which scares them: http://fortune.com/2016/10/04/yahoo-mail-spying-software/
From Valery: Meir warned me about this long before my tour of
Budapest a few years ago: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/03/hungarian-jews-concerned-about-toxic-referendum-discourse
Next Lebanese War not if but when? http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218614
Rare loss of an IAF plane and it is even rarer for a pilot not to
bail-out: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218635
IDF with artillery and planes pounds Gaza: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863196,00.html
Chabad of Parkland vandalized by “free Palestine” etc. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218664
Next UN Chief: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863307,00.html
Israel will not be a gas exporter we will have enough for ourselves
for a century or more: http://debka.com/article/25700/The-Markets-for-Israel’s-Offshore-Gas-Dry-up
Tim’s gross distortion: https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/10/05/middle-east-expert-democratic-vp-candidate-tim-kaine-grossly-distorted-israeli-military-chiefs-view-of-iran-deal/
Alzheimer Research break-through at University of Tel Aviv which
can help 67% of people if it works on humans but it may be too late for some. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218678
Terror cell exposed thanks to a farmer who found the explosive device(s).
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863597,00.html
Mortar shell(s) from Gaza get replies from tank fire: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863610,00.html
Regarding the next issue, it will either be Hazinu-Zos
HaBracha and Sukkos or I will go on to Beresheis. I have a lot of things
besides Yom Kippur happening next week. I am already finishing my Sukkah by the
time of this blog.
Have a productive Yom Kippur and a good Shabbos and
sealing in the book of life,
Rachamim Pauli
Please remove from the prayer list Peter David ben Ursula.
Pre-Yom Kippur
I was discussing with Rabbi
Shlomo Mimran Shlita the Shuirim for eating and drinking on Yom Kippur to
continue the fast for a non-critically ill person.
Drinking is less than a
mouthful every 9 minutes. Obviously, Og the king of Bashan has a larger volume
than short David HaMelech but the standard today is about 30 ml which is much
smaller than my mouth’s volume. However, think that if one needs drink he can
within an hour drink 150 ml and within the day about 2 liters (quarts). This is
plenty. Rabbi Abba Shaul TZ”L writes in Ohr Tzion that if need be then 7.5
minutes, 6 minutes or even 4 minutes. On eating 30 grams every 9 minutes that
should be enough for a non-diabetic. If a cookie because of the sugar it
becomes about 20 grams.
A cancer patient, heart
patient told not to fast all day or diabetic if he can and is not critically
ill might want to rely upon the 4 minute Shuir which would be considered a
fast. THE WORD IS NOT CRITICALLY ILL. This is like having a bowl of cereal with
a banana in 24 minutes to half an hour. I only write this to prevent somebody
who is told to eat by his doctor and wants to fast to do this as not to violate
the fast or stubbornly endanger himself with a full fast. (The Torah writes to
press on or oppress one’s soul on Yom Kippur not to will oneself over the fast.
It was determined that wearing shoes, washing, eating & drinking and
marital relations were forbidden on Yom Kippur as well as Melacha. However, not
at the risk of one’s life.
The Yom Kippur Day is to
be spent in the Synagogue unless one is weak or ill. The emphasis is not on
fasting, not washing the hands, not wearing shoes or sandals and refraining
from marital relations. The emphasis in on repentance and prayer. Some
Synagogues bid for opening the Teva or carrying the Sefer Torah and others bid
for Aliyos to the Torah. Others honor certain members.
The emphasis in the
prayer is not necessarily the songs and leader of the prayer but the individual
repentance with humbleness. I have published in past years the confession and
the added on commentary of the Chayei Adam on the confession. I present it
again as a good review for all. I suggest that if you want feel free to copy
and paste on a new word document and print it for the Yom Kippur fast as many
copies as you want. Credit should be
given to Rabbi Rachamim Pauli but each prayer is part of help Am Yisrael.
Below is an anthology of
my writings on Yom Kippur (not all) ending in the confession which you are free
to copy, paste and print if it will help you.
From last year inhalers: Regarding inhalers for Shabbos and Yom Kippur I finally got a Psak Din
from Rabbi Yona Gewirtz Shlita of the Star K: If one can travel to the
Synagogue from his home without needing one he is forbidden to carry or do
tricks to carry. If one cannot manage without to cover the distance without an
attack or need for the inhaler, then it is like a cane or leg and can be
carried for Pekuach Nefesh on Shabbos and Yom Kippur. On Yom Tov it is
permitted to carry from one domain aka private to public but on Shabbos and Yom
Kippur it is one of the forbidden Melachos. Thus if one
needs nitroglycerine pills for the heart one can take what one needs for an
emergency but not carry 20 or 30. One also has to think for example in Israel
the Synagogues are less than 7 to 10 minutes in the greatest heat away from me
for an inhaler while in my place in FL, the Young Israel is a mile away and
through a number of blocks and it means at my highest walking speed about 20
minutes on the average day and perhaps 25 plus if I am with my wife and my
10-year-old forester son. On Pekuach Nefesh we are strict and liberal on Yom
Kippur and Shabbos. That does not give somebody the right to carry other things
that are not associated with lifesaving emergency measures as I did carry the
minimum when I was on border patrol in Israel.
Also from last year: Don’t be a
fool! I have a friend who actually helped me get Smicha to the Rabbinute. He is
ordained and I have problems with him. He does not follow Chachamim. He has
diabetes and essentially is forbidden to fast. Yet he puts his life in danger
on Yom Kippur despite the Heter of Chazal to eat. Of course we want to fast. I
must take certain medicines and for that I have poured out ready cups with a
line on them for how much water I can use in taking my pills and I have that
handy for a sip or two in this heat. We have 9 minutes between drink for those
who are capable of fasting and usually one for the pills or so is enough for
the day. One who is pregnant and feels a compulsion can eat the larger olive’s
bulk size aka about half an average egg every 9 minutes. This goes for people
recovering from strokes, cancer patients, heart patients, mild diabetics, and
others in the hospital or at home.
Question: Should I fast or stay at
home. I know that if I go to Schul on Yom Kippur I will need to eat because of
the exertion. However, if I stay at home I will not. Our Rabbis say stay at
home!
Question: I have no Eruv for
walking in my town but because of my problems I need an inhaler what should I
do? There are two possible answers for Shabbos and Yom Kippur for on Yom Tov,
carrying would be permitted. The first answer is tying a string around the
inhaler as if it were a belt buckle and don’t wear a belt. Another is if one
will not need it on the way to Schul but only at home and in the Schul have one
that you have at home and another you bring to your seat in Schul or at Kol
Nidre.
Question: I am healthy and I start
fasting. Suddenly, I fainted what should I do? First of all lie down and see if
you recover. If that does not work cup your hands and take a sip. What happens
if one feels faint again? One should try eating and drinking like a pregnant
woman for starters and if that does not work, like the pregnant woman describe
in the Shulchan Aruch just eat and drink as usual. Have a checkup after the
fast.
Repentance comes from three things
thought, talk and deed. The first step in Teshuva is regretting the sin and to
avoid it by thinking about how to do it. The second step is talking about it
either to oneself or others. The third step is if one is not a politician is
doing it. For example one knows that his friend Ali Mohammed is doing such and
such. He tells his good friend Timothy Pope about this. Now he resolves not to
commit Lashon HaRa so the next time he sees Ali doing something, he does not
tell Timothy that is the deed of not doing the same with sins of modesty in
refraining. Another example is not getting up to go to Schul on time, he goes
to bed an hour earlier and wakes up in time for Schul.
When one does Teshuva, he must
resolve not to sin again and when the opportunity arises, he refrains from
sinning that is true Teshuva if he is with all his facilities and health. But
if he does so at an older age, that too is Teshuva but not as strong as during
his youth.
Remember during the Vidui
(confession) to mention or concentrate on your own personal sins. It should be
done quietly but if you sinned against man then you must try to compensate him.
HaRav Uri Zohar Shlita when he became a Baal Teshuva confessed to
committing adultery with his best friend’s wife which caused them to divorce.
He said “Rather be embarrassed publically in this world than in the next.”
From 5772:
Shaking in my boots over my sins
Rav
Yerachmiel Boyer Shlita said in the name of Rabbi Soloveitchik the following
parable. Being Judged on Rosh Hashanah to the writing on Yom Kippur and the
sealing on Hoshana Rabbah is like trying to smuggle people over the border to
safety. As the people travel through the country planning their escape they
contact a smuggler who knows the routes. As they get closer the people are
worried but the smuggler calm as they get very close to the border and the
smuggler moves cautiously with the horses edging closer and closer even the
smuggler gets a boost of adrenaline in his system. Who is calm? The horses are
calm as they are going about pulling their load as they normally do. The same
with us: As Rosh Hashanah approaches the Rabbis start worrying and towards Yom
Kippur more and more Jews. When Yom Kippur comes all but the most apathetic
Jews are worrying about the writing in the book of life or worst not. Only the
complete happy go lucky boorish people are not worried.
Yom Kippur Special from 5770
Boy am I happy that G-D gives us a new lease on life each year and a chance to repair our deeds.
Our FATHER our KING
purifies us and lets us return to the book of life for a few pitiful words of resolving
to give up our sins and being inscribed in the book of life, happiness and
income.
Many years ago Brenda Lee
sang a few songs where the words are appropriate for this time of year. “I’m
Sorry” which is the theme of our Selichos! G-D can ask back the other song on
Yom Kippur when we attempt to repent: “Will you still love ME tomorrow?” HASHEM
can answer the sinner like Connie Francis – “Who's Sorry Now.” (Last song thanks to Chaya
Yocheved) This year on my blog spot with more and more new readers, I have
decided to concentrate on Repentance, Prayer and Charity and reprint for the
new readers my rendition of the repentance prayer but this year I have added
some more feeling behind our standard prayer.
I am also reposting the
Hazinu Post from last year as I want to concentrate more on Yom Kippur. Avoid
the evil decree with Teshuva (Repentance)
Are you already dead?
Look at this story from
Eliyokum, he was really in bad shape and yet his Teshuva and fighting to bring
Jews back to G-D reversed a possible evil decree against him for his former
behavior.
Rosh Hashanah is the Day
of Judgement for the world, but as Jews we get an extra 10 days to right the
ship. But are you already dead? I know the question might sound crazy but it’s
really not. The Sages say that those without Torah are walking dead, and I see
it everywhere I go. Values, morals, priorities, responsibility, these are words
that have been forgotten amidst the garbage that we see on a day to day basis.
Life has become who you know and what you drive. I can say this with some
assurance because up until my time in jail in early 2008 for a high speed car
chase on cocaine that was me. I just received my sentence a few days ago. I was
looking at 15-30 years maximum, and Baruch Hashem I will be spending a week in
jail starting October 27. THAT’S IT. My name "Eliyokum" means
"my G-d stands me up" and that’s exactly what happened. I put aside
my own thoughts and opinions about the world which were obvious garbage and
decided I would consult a Rabbi for some perspective on the world which I
obviously didn’t have. Less than 2 years later I'm sending out weekly emails to
people pleading with Jews to just open their eyes and their minds for 5 minutes
to see what Judaism has to offer. Judaism isn’t a skanky girl with no morals or
a guy that will take you on a shopping spree, JUDAISM IS LIFE. Truth is the
thing in this world that everyone seeks yet few find. Why? Because it’s hidden
behind all the foolishness and temptations that people just can’t seem to
avoid. Every week I ask people to post my link and help me reach 1million
people. Every week there are some that do but an overwhelming majority don’t. I
don’t understand it, there are so many people out there desperate for some
truth and some awareness and its OUR job to help them. Please help your fellow
Jews, every day that goes by we hit an all time low, but it doesn’t have to be
that way. Jews need their pride back, we need to stop feeling like we're just
like everyone else. G-d made us the most special people on earth to be a
testament to HIS power and His creation. We were meant to live a Holy Life,
above all the nonsense this world has turned into. The New Year is upon us, how
do you want this year to turn out for you. The same ole year of bars and
nightclubs or a year of truth, power, and knowledge. Trust me you didn’t party
harder than I did and I can tell you with complete confidence that you will
never experience happiness living a life with no fulfillment. Jews weren’t put
on this earth to stand in line at the hottest nightclub. We were put on this
earth to OWN the hottest nightclub (grin). Post my link on your page, invite
all your friends to this group, and spread the word wherever you go.
SELLMEYOURJEWISHSOUL.COM is fearless in its attempt to shake Jews from our
slumber. Please be a part of the magic...LASHANA TOVA TIKATEIV V'TEICHATEM – Chose Life! – R.P.
If one were to look at
people involved in high speed car chases on Cocaine the chance of them putting
out many videos on Judaism on the sellmeyourjewishsoul.com site would approach
zero. I notice many Jews who are very good, concerned people even attending
Orthodox Schuls and keeping Kosher but when it comes to Shabbos or Family
Purity, their observance to put it mildly is lacking. One Jew is concerned with
saving the life of Rivqa Barry but it is not worth Shabbos or Yom Tov
violation. Just the opposite is important. By observing G-D’s commandments
maybe HE will listen more to one’s prayer about the Barry girl. The same with
tea parties on Shabbos – if they are within walking distance, one can attend
them after Schul and Kiddush without carrying objects. The song goes that we
don’t discuss on Shabbos talk about rulers but who cannot think or talk about
wicked rulers pressuring Yisrael? Entering the New Year, I am sad that 5769
ended without the Moshiach coming.
The easiest way to make a Chilul HASHEM: The
Yom Kippur does not atone for misdeeds done against
ones fellow-Jew unless one first asks them for forgiveness. One should be
careful to repay all overdue loans before Yom Kippur; after which one can beg
for forgiveness for the delay. If one is being asked for forgiveness one should
not be stubborn nor vengeful; rather one should be forgiving, the same way one
hopes that Hashem will be forgiving of our sins. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
131:4 - Danny
Avoid the evil decree
with Tephilla (Prayer)
This was written in my
Drasha back in 5766 since then I have added 3,500 readers so although that I
hate to repeat myself; I am taking the liberty to reflect on this prayer and If
I have personal time to add more this year below.
Repentance and reflection are in order every day. However, during
Elul or the 10 days of Teshuva between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur they are
most desirable. Since a Rabbi must be a leader and an example to the public, I
would like to focus on how I reflect about myself. It is very easy to find
fault with others and sometimes our own ego or Yetzer does not let us look at
the faults and weaknesses within us. I try to focus on the over-all picture and
give you examples of how my own Teshuva thought process works. As the year 5764 comes to a close,
I look at my achievements (or lack of) both in Ruchanius and Gashmius. I’ve
improved my house and garden in
Eretz Yisrael on the Gashmius side but what I have I done on the Ruchanius
side. Here comes the pessimist vs. the optimist.
I set my goals to learn more Gemara – poor showing. I set my goal
to finish a Seder of Mishnah – I have done less than half a pretty poor
showing. So already I have plenty to repent for. Guarding my tongue and Lashon
Hara – not bad but there is room plenty of improvement. On the positive side, I
started learning to be a Psak in the laws of Taharos HaMishphacha and now am
delving into the laws of Mikvah.
OTOH I did not continue in my studies on the laws of Eruvin. I
could go on and on. Questions come up and haunt me weekly – like was I a good
enough son for my mother?
Could I have done better?
I saw the main headlines
on TV – why did I waste my time on commentary and propaganda? In the Israel
Army, the guard on duty is told to call out in the night – Stop give the
password. HASHEM asked Adam “Ayacha” (Where are you)? Rav Mordechai Ben Simchon
Shlita used to ask Kollelniks coming late to our Kollel “Ayfo atah”(Where are
you)? We should all ask these questions inwardly but not outwardly towards
others. The Gaon from Vilna had a little book in which he would write down all
the “Bitul Torah” (wasted time from learning Torah) that he did one year. One
time one of his students peeked in and added up the numbers. They came out to 3
minutes! I wonder if I eat slower at lunch in Eretz Yisrael watching Fox &
Friends than I would if I had a Gemara tape playing “Chullin”, “Niddah” or
“Sanhedrin” in the background? Even Gashmius I have to ask myself, am I keeping
my heart in shape by walking or swimming enough. I used to be a long distance
swimming now 20 or 30 minutes’ maximum on fewer and fewer occasions (because of
mixed swimming problems too). On everything I can ask myself “Where are you?”
in is important. Did I pray hard enough for the health of my sick friends:
Keren Neshama bas Esther Ruth, Chaya Malika Rachel bas Bayla Alta or Rachel bas
Chana? Did I botch up my prayers?. Reflecting about Davening Mincha Erev
Shabbos, I came late to Schul at least half a dozen times and only the early
Mincha in Kiriat Sefer saved me most of the time. Then there were times that I
was at a wedding (like the first Mishnah in Berachos with the sons of Rabban
Gamliel) and I prayed Maariv by myself. There were other times I prayed Kiddush
Levana by myself because of circumstances beyond my control (The first Motzei
Shabbos it was cloudy in Yerushalayim and clear in Chashmonayim). Sometimes I
was in a hurry or lost my concentration in prayers.
Did I behave properly in
private the same way I behave publicly? (See the LeOlam prayer with the
preliminary Shema in the Korbanos section of the morning service.) Dear Reader,
it is now your turn to reflect.
Erev Yom Kippur - The Meaning of & How to Confess
Contrary to
Catholicism and other religions, the Jewish Confession is uttered silently before the L-RD G-D.
Technically we can confess anytime during the Shemona Esray that we pray 3
times a day in the blessing "Forgive us our FATHER for we have sinned...”
We have no intermediary but pray direct. Our most secret thoughts are known
before the CREATOR who understands what is in our (brains) hearts and kidneys.
We can confess everything from taking the pen home from the office to making
phone calls not related to business or a few more sinister crimes than driving 2 miles over the speed limit.
There must be regret and sincere resolve not to commit the sin again.
Sins are broken up
into various types such as those of using the human body to sin. "Running
to sin, wagging the tongue, looking with the eyes, listening to, hitting
somebody, even attracting the opposite sex with perfume or after shave
(especially if this is not to attract a spouse but to arouse inclinations),
kicking or causing somebody to err."
The Chaya Adam in
generalization kof-mem-gimmel 143 deals with the 10 days of Repentance. The
translation of the sins is mine based on my knowledge of modern spoken Hebrew
and the one from the Machzor (Yom Kippur Brayer Book is mentioned above). The
holiness of the language and beauty of Hebrew allows us to break up our sins
alphabetically. (Ashamnu, Bagadnu, Gazalnu, Debarnu Doefee, etc. = Aleph Bet
Gimmel) We are brazenfaced, but thou are merciful and compassionate; we are
stiff-necked but thou art long-suffering. We are full of sin, but thou are full
of mercy. As for us, our days are as a shadow; thou art immutable, and thy
years never-ending.
Our G-D and G-D of our
fathers, Let our prayer come before thee, hide not thyself from our
supplication, for we are not arrogant and stiff-necked that we should say
before the O L-RD our G-D and G-D of our fathers, we are righteous and have not
sinned; verily we have sinned.
We have transgressed: At this point we can add sins that start with Aleph. I ate
detestable things - animals that were torn (Trafe), died of themselves
(Nevailah), creeping & crawling things and invertebrates. I ate without a
blessing before or after. (Did you ever grab a bite at work or on your
hands-free cellphone while taking a drink or eating something and due the
distraction of the call or road situation forget to bless after the
meal/snack?) I ate Kilayim (wheat & barley grown together not multigrain
cereals) Kilay HaKerem (grain that grew amidst the vineyard), Orlah (fruit
before the 4th year after the tree
was planted), Chadash (grain harvested before the time of Omer = the first day
of Chol HaMoed Pessach in Israel or the second day of Pessach outside of Israel
or planted and grown after the Omer is put on the altar - this occurs in some
countries other than Israel.) Tevel (food that is not tithed = Teruma Gedolah,
Maaser Rishon, Teruma Maaser, Maaser Sheni, Maaser Ani, and Revai. This applies
only to food grown in Israel.), Teruma Gedolah, Maaser Rishon, Teruma Maaser,
Maaser Sheni that was not redeemed, Challah (portion due to the Cohain if more
than 1kg = 2.2lbs of flour is used for baking = 1/48thfor a baker,
1/24th for a housewife or
41.7 grams-this applies to food baked even outside of Eretz Yisrael), fruit
grown during the Shmita (Sabbatical year) after the prescribed time for eating
and not with their holiness, and vegetables and spices grown by themselves in Shmita.
We have dealt treacherously: We have been treacherous with our fellow man or have dealt
treacherously between two parties, we have return evil for good, We have made
blessings that were not necessary, (ever make a blessing on wine and then drink
water or soda and make another blessing?) and a blessing made without proper
intention. I did not make the blessing of the Hear O Israel the L-RD our G-D, the
L-RD is ONE prayer on time. I reneged on my performance of both positive and
negative Mitzvos.
We have robbed: I have been haughty and it is written: "It is disgusting
before G-D every haughty heart." Mishlei
16:5 (Ga’avah can be translated as pride)
We have spoken slander: We have spoken words but our heart felt the opposite. (Or as
they say in the old Cowboy and Indian Movies– "he speaks with a forked tongue.") I have spoken idle
words, tale bearing, words of incitement, lies, filth, and business on Shabbos
& Yom Tov. (It is very hard to stop an active brain - during Rosh Hashanah
prayers, my thoughts were on the parts of the Drasha listed below under the Yom
Kippur sermon during the repetition of the Shemona Esray and the same holds
true for business ideas. Often I have asked a person if he is available to
speak with after Shabbos as I have had a weekday idea and sometimes I blurt out
stories on Shabbos that are related to a past trip or future vacation plans.)
We have acted perversely: I have taught something in error and have made many go from the
true halachic path. (Ever tell your children a Halacha at a young age that is
partially true - a three or four-year-old can only comprehend such and such,
but you forget to re-educate them when they reach the age of understanding.) I
have wasted my seed (referring to sperm cells only). I have been stubborn and
refused to accept a halachic ruling. I have had filthy thoughts. I have looked
upon places on the human body that should be covered up (Bmarkom airva). I have looked at females to receive pleasure from their form. I
have lifted up my hand towards my fellow to beat him. I have embarrassed my
fellow in public.
We have wrought
wickedness:
We have acted perversely: We have made cheap the honor due to Shabbos and Yom
Tov. We have been dishonorable to honor and respect due to our parents and
teachers. We have poked fun at or been disrespectful to Torah Scholars.
We have We have done
violence: We have desecrated Shabbos and Yom Tov. We have desecrated the
L-RD's NAME.
We have framed lies:
We have counseled evil: I have placed myself in private property with a member of the
opposite sex. (Yahadati atzme eem nashim/gvarim.)
We have spoken falsely: I have lost my temper.
We have scoffed: I have dressed the forbidden mixture of wool & linen
together. I did not pay my employee money due him at the designated time and I
violated the Command not to let the night pass without paying him.
We have revolted:
We have provoked: I have sworn falsely and frivolously. I pledged and did not pay.
I have enjoyed this world without a blessing.
We have rebelled: We have
committed iniquity: We have transgressed: We have oppressed: We have corrupted:
We have committed abomination: We have gone astray and we have led others
astray.
We have turned away
from thy commandments etc. (The prayer book then has 44 sins two for each
letter or in the case of Samach for the sound of the letter. There are a few
interruptions for reflection where we say, "For all of these forgive us,
pardon us and atone for us." (Note that many of the sins listed have to do
with Lashon Hara - a gossiping tongue. Another group of sins are from the eyes
and the other major group from deceit on our part.) Then we mention the sins in
which we are obligated to sacrifice a Korban on the Altar, the sins that we are
whipped for, the four death penalties and the sins that we know about and don't
know about. The prayer ends as follows: "O my G-D, while yet I was
unformed I was not worthy, and now that I have been formed, I am as though I
had not been formed. Dust am I in my life; all the more so in my death. Behold
me before you like a vessel filled with shame and confusion. Etc."
Finally, one can add
his own prayers in Hebrew (Or French, English, etc.) such as for Tet - Foolish
things I have done in private and public. Lamed - I taught things to my
children/grandchildren in such a way that they erred in the concept of
learning. Ayin - I set a bad example for my children/grandchildren that
appeared to show them "Do as I say not as I do." Resh - I saw more
than just the news/history channel/national geographic program and wasted time.
I saw things on TV and the internet that I shouldn't have. Shin - I asked
questions that distracted my Rabbi/Professor/Teacher from the subject matter
and caused wasted (Torah/lesson) time among the members of the class. As the
joke goes: "Wouldn't it be better if we could press control/alt/delete and
erase all our sins".
I got this little bit of
humor to put us in a mood to serve HASHEM with Simcha. Chaim B. sent me a joke:
There is a highway to hell and a staircase to heaven. You can see which route
the anticipation is for most of us. Remember what Moshe told us, “Choose life”!
Parsha
Vayelech
We are coming to the end of the Torah and the life of
Moshe. He is in this Parsha going to give out the last two Mitzvos – To
Assemble in the year after Shmita and read Sefer Devarim and to write a Sefer
Torah which we usually donate money for a letter to a Sefer Torah.
Moshe after our Parsha will teach the song Hazinu to
the nation. My oldest son had to memorize it in school. For Moshe taught it on
the last day of his life until the people knew it.
30:1
And Moses went and spoke these words unto all Israel. 2 And he said unto them:
'I am a hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come
in; and the LORD hath said unto me: Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Moses went…I can no longer go or
come: One might think [this means] that
Moses’ strength had ebbed [and that is why he could no longer go or come].
Scripture [however] states [regarding Moses], “His eye had not dimmed, nor had
he lost his [natural] moisture” (Deut.
34:7) [which teaches us that his powers were intact even on the day of his
passing]. So what then is [the meaning of] “I can no longer”? [Here it means:]
“I am not permitted,” because authority was taken from him and granted to
Joshua. And the Lord said to
me: This is the meaning of “I can no
longer go or come,” because “the Lord said to me….” Today I am [one-hundred and twenty years old]: [That is to say,] today [is the exact day that] my days and my
years have become complete; on this very day [the seventh of Adar] I was born,
and on this day I will die. — [Sotah 13b] Another interpretation of “[I can no
longer] go or come” is: [I can no longer figuratively go and come, i.e., I can
no longer negotiate] in matters of Torah. This teaches us that the channels of
transmission and the well-springs of wisdom were closed up from him [i.e., from
Moses on that day]. — [Sotah 13b] [That is the order of the early editions and
should be preserved. Rashi means that according to the first interpretation,
that God did not permit him to go and come before the people, we do not explain
the beginning of the verse to mean that Moses’ days were completed, but that
God had taken away the authority from Moses. According to the Talmud, which
states that Moses’ days were completed, we explain that he could not go and
come in matters of Torah, and according to that interpretation, we do not
explain that “the Lord said to me” as the meaning for “I can no longer go or
come,” but another reason for Moses’ inability to cross the Jordan.]
Moshe was born on Adar 7, 2368 and today is Adar 7, 2488.
3
The LORD thy God, He will go over before thee; He will destroy these nations
from before thee, and thou shalt dispossess them; and Joshua, he shall go over
before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.
Sometimes a King or Leader can choose or appoint a successor and
other times not. Here, HASHEM has told Moshe who will be his successor. It will
not be Eliezer or Gershon but Yehoshua.
4
And the LORD will do unto them as He did to Sichon and to Og, the kings of the
Amorites, and unto their land; whom He destroyed. 5 And the LORD will deliver
them up before you, and ye shall do unto them according unto all the
commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, fear
not, nor be affrighted at them; for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go
with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.'
Chazak V’ Amatz is our theme now and in the first chapter of Sefer
Yehoshua. For Yehoshua had seen the mob rule and the disobedience to Moshe. He
humbled himself as he did not talk to HASHEM face to face as Moshe did. He was
the servant of Moshe and his student and a military leader but not on the level
of Moshe. He was like the moon a smaller reflective body while Moshe was like
the sun a larger illuminating body. Therefore, like a child, he need the encouraging
words to be repeated a large number of times. Similarly, if a husband embraces
his wife and holds her hand when she is weak, she gets some courage to face
what she is afraid of.
He will neither fail you: Heb. לֹא
יַרְפְּךָ. [The word יַרְפְּךָ stems from the root רפה, meaning “weak.” Thus, the expression here
means:] God will not give you [cause for] weakness [resulting] from your being
forsaken by Him.
7
And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel: 'Be
strong and of good courage; for thou shalt go with this people into the land
which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause
them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, He it is that does go before thee; He will
be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee; fear not, neither be
dismayed.'
He is being coroneted before all of Israel with the words Chazak
V’ Amatz. He will not get backing as leader of the nation not just general of
the army.
9
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi,
that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of
Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, saying: 'At the end of every seven years,
in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,
At the end of [every] seven years: [When the verse says “end,”
it refers to] the first year of the [recurring, seven-year] Shemittah [cycle,
which is, effectively, the “end” of the previous cycle]. This is the eighth
year [of the cycle] (Sotah 41a). [Now, only the seventh year of each cycle is
actually called the Shemittah year, so] why is [this eighth year] referred to
[here in the verse] as “ Shemittah ”? Because the [laws of the] seventh year
still apply to it, in that the harvest [of the produce] at the end of the
seventh year extends into the year following the seventh. Therefore, all the
laws pertaining to the seventh year apply to this produce, even though the
eighth year has already begun. — [R.H. 12b]
11
when all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He
shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12
Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and thy
stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn,
and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law; 13 and
that their children, who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD
your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over the Jordan to
possess it.'
Only in the last two or three Shmita cycles has this been
reestablished in Israel and only a small fraction of people gathers for the
reading.
14
And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Behold, thy days approach that thou must die;
call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may give him
a charge.' And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tent of
meeting. 15 And the LORD appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud; and the
pillar of cloud stood over the door of the Tent. 16 And the LORD said unto
Moses: 'Behold, thou art about to sleep with thy fathers; and this people will
rise up, and go astray after the foreign gods of the land, whither they go to
be among them, and will forsake Me, and break My covenant which I have made
with them.
Now HASHEM enters the picture and speaks to Yehoshua in a dream,
vision or behind the curtains of the Teva between the Cherubim. The prophecy is
a warning about a nation subject to whims of foreign gods. Jews for Yeshu,
Allah, Buddhists, Krishna, Atheism and assorted hosts of other false gods. It
is hard for a modern man to grasp these things. Some worked on negative
spiritual energy and others on deception for trickery has always been afoot and
not necessarily Randy the Magician for entertainment. They will through their
stupidity, errors or out of lust break the covenant. For if strong people like
Zimri could fall for lust weaker people could fall even quicker.
17
Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake
them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many
evils and troubles shall come upon them; so that they will say in that day: Are
not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?
Let the people be warned that the anger of the L-RD will be
against them and there will be no place to hide. G-D will then hide HIS FACE
from both the evil ones and the good ones who could not prevent this. To what
is this like? It is like parents trying to raise a child with certain problems
and his unwillingness to listen or behave no matter how strict or loving they
are.
18
And I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evil which they shall
have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.
Once HASHEM has hidden HIMSELF, it is no wonder that the Atheism
thrives even more. So the vicious cycle continues. The fault of course is with
the people in the first place.
And hide My face: As though I do not see their distress.
19
Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach thou it the children of
Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against
the children of Israel.
The song is Hazinu which some schools still require that their
children learn by heart.
This song: [This refers to the passage beginning with] הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם [until] וְכִפֶּר
אַדְמָתוֹ עַמּוֹ (Deut. 32:1-43).
20
For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore unto their
fathers, flowing with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten their fill, and
waxen fat; and turned unto other gods, and served them, and despised Me, and
broken My covenant;
Watch out if you dare break the covenant not only as a nation but
as a whole bunch of individuals who don’t see immediate punishment. Aka
lighting striking down somebody who violates Shabbos or the adultery and
adulteress withering away. For punishment is in the next world.
21
then it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them,
that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be
forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; for I know their imagination how
they do even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.'
This song will bear witness against them: that in it, I had
warned them concerning all the things that are now befalling them.
[Consequently, when they read this song, they will not be able to claim, “Had
we known all the evils that would befall us, we would never have transgressed
God’s word!”]
22
So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. 23
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said: 'Be strong and of good
courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I
swore unto them; and I will be with thee.'
Chazak V’ Amatz is repeated and the promise that HASHEM ELOKIM
will be with them as he was with Moshe. (Perhaps is this the answer to my from
Jack who lost his whole family but he does not know why he survived – for even
in the darkest moments of the Shoah, HASHEM did not fully desert families and
he and Rabbi Lau and others survived sometimes we do not know on what merits
and why others died on a Kiddush HASHEM to be taken higher and higher but one
had to carry on the family).
24
And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this
law in a book, until they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites,
that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying: 26 'Take this book of
the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your
God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Here is the complete book of Devarim put it into the Teva and at
the end of 7 years take it out to read to the people. There is a dispute if the
last 8 lines were written by Moshe or added by Yehoshua. Those who say it was
written by Moshe say that he wrote it with tears and others say he got the
prophecy wrote and forgot on the spot as he wrote it.
27
For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with
you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after
my death?
This is the Kal V’ Chomer way of learning from the easy to the
difficult or in this case the opposite. For if when I was alive, you rebelled
with all the miracles that you saw all the more so if the miracles are less or
hidden!
28
Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may
speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against
them.
Assemble to me: On this day they did not blow the trumpets to assemble the
congregation [as they usually did (see Num.
10:2-3,7)], because the verse says, “Make for yourself [two trumpets of
silver… and they will be for you to call the assembly]” (Num. 10:2). [Now, this was a
commandment directed personally to Moses, because “for yourself” and “for you”
are both written in the singular form. Hence, Moses made these trumpets and
kept them in his possession,] and he did not give Joshua authority over them
during Moses’ lifetime. Moreover, these trumpets were hidden away [by God] even
during his [Moses’] lifetime, prior to the day of his passing, thus affirming
the words of the verse, “and there is no ruling on the day of death” (Ecc. 8:8). -
[Tanchuma Beha’alotecha 10] And I will
call upon the heaven and the earth as witnesses against them: You might object, “But did God not already call them as
witnesses earlier [saying,] ‘I call upon the heaven and the earth as witnesses’
(Deut. 30:19)?” [The answer is
that] there God was addressing Israel [regarding this matter], but He was not
[directly] addressing the heaven and the earth. Now [however] God comes to say,
“Listen, O Heavens…” (Deut. 32:1),
[addresses the heaven and the earth directly.
29
For I know that after my death ye will in any wise deal corruptly, and turn
aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the
end of days; because ye will do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, to
provoke Him through the work of your hands.'
[For I know that] after my death, you will surely become
corrupted: But actually, throughout all the days of Joshua, they [the Jews] did
not become corrupt, for the verse states, “And the people served the Lord all
the days of Joshua” (Jud. 2:7). [What, then, did Moses mean when he said that
they would become corrupted after his death? We learn] from here that a
person’s disciple is as dear to him as his own self, for as long as Joshua was
alive [even after Moses’ passing], for Moses it was as though he himself was
alive. [Hence, when Moses said “after my death,” he was in fact alluding to the
death of Joshua, thus referring to the period after Joshua’s passing.]
For after Yehoshua and Pinchas will go and you have the Judges,
you will no longer have a central authority but a weaker Sanhedrin with a bunch
of wise Elders but you will treat them like a bunch of old coots.
30
And Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this
song, until they were finished:
From Chaim B. the old and the new Europe of
Anti-Semitism:
Europe's old (and new)
hell's remind us of Israel's importance
Inyanay
Diyoma
Attempted stabbing of the Chevron Brigade Commander: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218534
Ed-Op from Dr. Martin Sherman: https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/09/30/shimon-peres-1923-19851986-2016-which-do-we-mourn/
Clinton lies to those Bernie Sanders Supporters: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218562
Obamacare implodes as Democrats jump ship: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/10/04/dems-turn-on-obamacare-amid-premium-hikes-bill-clinton-laments-crazy-system.html
Wikileaks no Oct. surprise: http://www.wnd.com/2016/10/assange-more-leaks-coming-but-not-today/?cat_orig=politics Debka
analysis: http://debka.com/article/25698/Assange-vs-Clinton-No-threat-or-Chinese-torture-
Before comparing him to Adolf: Two of Donald Trump’s children are
married to Jews and a 3rd is dating one: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218606
VP Debate: The left wing 2nd TV Network in Israel which
is pro-Hillary spoke well of Pence and the more neutral 10th TV
Network basically said that Pence hit it out of the ball park especially that
he said Kaine walked out on Netanyahu’s speech. MSN gave him a win too: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/winners-and-losers-from-the-vice-presidential-debate/ar-BBx0Pgs?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
Russia is using Syria to test out weapons. It is a dangerous game
of cat and mice. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4862711,00.html
Yahoo spied on you so my last two Inyanay Diyoma headlines would
merit a report for that contain a word which scares them: http://fortune.com/2016/10/04/yahoo-mail-spying-software/
From Valery: Meir warned me about this long before my tour of
Budapest a few years ago: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/03/hungarian-jews-concerned-about-toxic-referendum-discourse
Rare loss of an IAF plane and it is even rarer for a pilot not to
bail-out: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218635
IDF with artillery and planes pounds Gaza: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863196,00.html
Chabad of Parkland vandalized by “free Palestine” etc. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218664
Israel will not be a gas exporter we will have enough for ourselves
for a century or more: http://debka.com/article/25700/The-Markets-for-Israel’s-Offshore-Gas-Dry-up
Tim’s gross distortion: https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/10/05/middle-east-expert-democratic-vp-candidate-tim-kaine-grossly-distorted-israeli-military-chiefs-view-of-iran-deal/
Alzheimer Research break-through at University of Tel Aviv which
can help 67% of people if it works on humans but it may be too late for some. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/218678
Terror cell exposed thanks to a farmer who found the explosive device(s).
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863597,00.html
Mortar shell(s) from Gaza get replies from tank fire: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863610,00.html
Regarding the next issue, it will either be Hazinu-Zos
HaBracha and Sukkos or I will go on to Beresheis. I have a lot of things
besides Yom Kippur happening next week. I am already finishing my Sukkah by the
time of this blog.
Have a productive Yom Kippur and a good Shabbos and
sealing in the book of life,
Rachamim Pauli
