Parsha Hazinu
32:1 Give ear, ye heavens, and I will speak; and
let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
This Parsha starts with inanimate witnesses
heaven and earth. The story as told by Rav Yehuda Yosefi Shlita of the two
butchers that fed people non-kosher meat during the time of the Shach Z”L that
after one passed away, he came back in a dream and warned the other Butcher
“That even the walls of one’s house can be called to testify against a person
in the next world”. The rest of the Drasha is from 5776
2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the
dew; as the small rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the herb.
My lesson will drip like rain: This
is the testimony that you shall testify, that in your presence, I declare,
"The Torah (לִקְחִי), which I gave to
Israel, which provides life to the world, is just like this rain, which
provides life to the world, [i.e.,] when the heavens drip down dew and
rain." — [Sifrei 32:2] ... Will flow like dew: with which everyone
rejoices, [unlike] the rain [which occasionally] causes anguish to people, such
as travelers, or one whose pit [into which he presses his grapes] is full of
wine [which is spoiled by the rain]. — [Sifrei 32:2]
HIS greatness is only enhanced by the management of
every blade of grass and herb that testify unto HIM.
3 For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe ye greatness
unto our God. 4 The Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice; a
God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is He.
The deeds of the [Mighty] Rock are perfect: Even
though God is strong [like a rock], when He brings retribution upon those who
transgress His will, He does not bring it in a flood [of anger], but [rather]
with justice because “His deeds are perfect.” A faithful God: [Faithful] to
reward the righteous their due in the world-to-come. And even though He defers
their reward, in the end He will fulfill (לְאַמֵּן)
His words. Without injustice: Even
to the wicked; God rewards them in this world for [any] meritorious deeds [they
might have performed]. — [Sifrei 32:4] He
is righteous and upright: All acknowledge God’s
judgment meted out to them to be just (צַדִּיק),
and therefore fitting and upright (יָשָׁר)
for them. [That is, God is declared] just (צַדִּיק)
by people, and He is upright (יָשָׁר), and it is fitting
to declare God as righteous.
5 Is corruption His? No; His children's is the blemish; a
generation crooked and perverse.
... It is His children’s defect: The destruction was His
children’s blemish, not His blemish. Crooked generation: Heb. דּוֹר עִקֵּשׁ וּפְתַלְתֹּל, a crooked and perverted [generation].
[The word עִקֵּשׁ is] similar [in
meaning] to [the verse], “and pervert (יְעַקְשׁוּ)
all honesty” (Micah 3:9). We find [a similar
expression] in the language of the Mishnah: "a weasel… because its teeth
are bent (עִקוּמוּת) and crooked (עִקוּשׁוּת") . - [Chul. 56a]
Rashi goes on to explain that it is a "twisted"
generation which twists the truth and the path of the righteous.
6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not
He thy father that hath gotten thee? hath He not made thee, and established
thee?
...
It is His children’s defect: The destruction was His children’s blemish, not
His blemish. Crooked generation: Heb. דּוֹר עִקֵּשׁ וּפְתַלְתֹּל,
a crooked and perverted [generation]. [The word עִקֵּשׁ
is] similar [in meaning] to [the verse], “and pervert (יְעַקְשׁוּ)
all honesty” (Micah 3:9). We find [a similar
expression] in the language of the Mishnah: "a weasel… because its teeth
are bent (עִקוּמוּת) and crooked (עִקוּשׁוּת") . - [Chul. 56a]
Rashi
goes on to explain that it is a "twisted" generation which twists theR
truth and the path of the righteous.
7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations;
ask thy father, and he will declare unto thee, thine elders, and they will tell
thee.
Remember the Covenant with the Torah and Mitzvos and
follow it. If you don’t remember ask the elders. Sometimes, they are not
physical elders but people wise in Torah like an elder.
8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He
separated the children of men, He set the borders of the peoples according to
the number of the children of Israel. 9 For the portion of the LORD is His
people, Jacob the lot of His inheritance.
Your presence in the land is from HIM based on HIS
promise to your forefathers. So if not on your merit on the merit of your
forefathers.
10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste, a howling
wilderness; He compassed him about, He cared for him, He kept him as the apple
of His eye.
As the pupil of his eye: This
refers to the black part of the eye, from which the light is reflected outward.
Now, Onkelos renders יִמְצָאֵהוּ as: “He provided
their needs,” that is, God provided Israel with all their needs in the desert.
[The use of the word מָצָא is] similar to [its
use in the verses],“[Will flock and cattle be slaughtered for them] to provide
(וּמָצָא) them?” (Num.
11:22), and “The mountain is not enough (יִמָּצֵא)
for us” (Josh. 17:16).
HE who guards Yisrael neither slumbers or sleeps.
Tehillim 121.
11 As an eagle that stirs up her nest, hovers over her young,
spreads abroad her wings, taketh them, bears them on her pinions.
As no bird will dare attack the eagle with her young on
her back, so to when HASHEM takes Am Yisrael upon HIS Wings, no nation will
dare attack us and they will flee before us. However …
-- 12 The LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god
with Him. 13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, and he did eat
the fruitage of the field; and He made him to suck honey out of the crag, and
oil out of the flinty rock; 14 Curd of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of
lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and he-goats, with the kidney-fat of
wheat; and of the blood of the grape thou drank foaming wine.
This is fine for those generations that observe the
Mitzvos but if not and they become complacent then:
15 But Yeshurun waxed fat, and kicked--thou didst wax fat, thou
didst grow thick, thou didst become gross--and he forsook God who made him, and
contemned the Rock of his salvation. 16 They roused Him to jealousy with
strange gods, with abominations did they provoke Him. 17 They sacrificed unto
demons, no-gods, gods that they knew not, new gods that came up of late, which
your fathers dreaded not.
When the nation goes whoring after other gods or
desecrates the Shabbos goes around immodest and does lewd things; then it is
going to be in big trouble.
18 Of the Rock that begot you, you were unmindful, and did forget
God that bore thee. 19 And the LORD saw, and spurned, because of the provoking
of His sons and His daughters. 20 And He said: 'I will hide My face from them,
I will see what their end shall be; for they are a very froward generation,
children in whom is no faithfulness.
They
are not [recognizable]… whom I have reared: Heb. אֵמֻן.
My rearing [them] is not recognizable in them, for I taught them a good way,
but they deviated from it.
They will not see outstanding miracles that protect
them. I will hide MY Face from them but to a few righteous I will be there but
hidden in most cases.
21 They have roused Me to jealousy with a no-god; they have
provoked Me with their vanities; and I will rouse them to jealousy with a
no-people; I will provoke them with a vile nation. 22 For a fire is kindled in
My nostril, and burns unto the depths of the nether-world, and devours the
earth with her produce, and sets ablaze the foundations of the mountains. 23 I
will heap evils upon them; I will spend Mine arrows upon them; 24 The wasting
of hunger, and the devouring of the fiery bolt, and bitter destruction; and the
teeth of beasts will I send upon them, with the venom of crawling things of the
dust. … 35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, against the time when their foot
shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that are
to come upon them shall make haste.
They have forsaken me and I will abandon them during
this time.
… 37 And it is said: Where are their gods, the rock in whom they
trusted; 38 Who did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of
their drink-offering? let him rise up and help you, let him be your protection.
Where are your gods that you worshipped now? They
cannot save you.
39 See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with Me; I
kill, and I make alive; I have wounded, and I heal; and there is none that can
deliver out of My hand.
Maybe after all you will be poor, hungry and barely
alive and then return unto HASHEM.
44 And Moses came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears
of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. 45 And when Moses made an end of
speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 he said unto them: 'Set your heart
unto all the words wherewith I testify against you this day; that ye may charge
your children therewith to observe to do all the words of this law. 47
For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life, and through this
thing ye shall prolong your days upon the land, whither ye go over the Jordan
to possess it.'
At this point Moshe finishes speaking to the Nation
with his song-warning. His desire is that they will memorize and sing it over
and over again and not sin ever. He has yet to make his blessings to the tribes
and then he will be gone forever!
48 And the LORD spoke unto Moses that selfsame
day, saying: 49 'Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, unto
mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and
behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a
possession;
According to Rabbi Cohen in the Soncino Edition, Har
Nebo is a range of a few mountains and not a specific mountain like Gilboa,
Tavor, but a range like the Hermon Range but there is a specific Har Hermon aka
the white mountain.
50 and die in the mount whither thou go up, and be gathered unto
thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his
people.
Before Moshe can even get the chance to pray or ask why
must I die, he is told:
51 Because ye trespassed against Me in the midst of the children of
Israel at the waters of Meribath-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye
sanctified Me not in the midst of the children of Israel. 52 For
thou shalt see the land afar off; but thou shalt not go thither into the land
which I give the children of Israel.'
Even
though you will not enter the land, you have merited to see the land. I wrote
about being on the mountains of Ithamar and other areas of the Shomron where I
could see unto the River Yarden and the mountains behind and the Dead Sea. The
viewing conditions were not ideal so I could not see the Hermon or the
Mediterrean Sea which on some days one can view.
Parsha Zos HaBracha
Moshe has passed the torch on to
Yehoshua Bin Nun and in the last few minutes before he leaves to climb the
mountain for the last time, he blesses the tribes similar to Yacov at the end
of Beresheis.
33:1 And this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God
blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said: The LORD came
from Sinai, and rose from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, and
He came from the myriads holy, at His right hand was a fiery law unto them.
A heavenly, spiritual fire that ignites the souls of
the Bnei Yisrael into holiness.
3 Yea, He loves the peoples, all His holy ones--they are in Thy
hand; and they sit down at Thy feet, receiving of Thy words.
With the right passionate Rabbi, the people are willing
to receive the law. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef TzZal managed to rekindle Torah and
Mitzvos among many lost Sephardim and Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak Shlita among may
more. I can only hope and pray that some of my words inspire some of my readers
into greater spiritual heights and observance.
4 Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance of the congregation of
Jacob. 5 And there was a king in Yeshurun, when the heads of the people were
gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.
HASHEM is and was our father our king and no greater
time when the Nation is gathered together into being a Torah Nation.
6 Let Reuben live, and not die in that his men become few. 7 And
this for Judah, and he said: Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him in
unto his people; his hands shall contend for him, and Thou shalt be a help
against his adversaries.
May this [also be] for Judah: He
juxtaposed Judah to Reuben, because they both confessed to the wrong they had
done, as it is said, “that wise men have told… to them alone… and no stranger
passed between them” (Job
15:18-19). [This verse alludes to the confession of Reuben and Judah
(“that wise men have told”), and how they were consequently blessed here
together (“them alone”); although Levi was next in line chronologically to
Reuben, nevertheless here, in the context of this blessing, Levi did not come
between them (“no stranger came between them”), but rather, he was blessed immediately
afterwards (verses 8-11).]- [see Rashi, Job
15:19] Our Rabbis further explained that during the entire forty
years that Israel was in the desert, Judah’s bones were rolling in his coffin,
because of the excommunication which he had accepted upon himself [when he took
responsibility for Benjamin], as it is said, “If I will not bring him to you…
then I have sinned against you all of the days” (Gen.
43:9). [So], Moses said, “Who caused Reuben to [publicly] confess his
sin? It was Judah…” (see Sotah 7b) [and thus, by placing Judah together with
Reuben, Moses alluded to this merit of Judah, and, in effect, “May the Lord
listen to Judah’s voice,” is a prayer that Judah’s bones would finally come to
rest].
I
have studied the Pasukim for approximately 50 years now. A lot in English but
have missed out on this story as I don’t always go line by line with Rashi as I
did before I had children and worked overtime. Then this year in my review I
looked only about including the tribes and could not find Shimon. So I gave
Menashe homework to check for Shimon as I was busy with other things. I sort of
figured it out without the Rashi by myself. A simple Rashi that I have
over-looked which I must have read but did not pay attention to at all. Here is
where a second pair of eyes and a brain is good at times. For Shimon does not
receive a special Bracha but is included with Yehuda. Yehuda is buried in a place
called Yahud in Israel not far from the north edge of Ben Gurion Airport.
O Lord, hearken to Judah’s voice: Here,
included within Judah’s blessing, Moses alluded to [and incorporated] a
blessing for Simeon [the allusion being in the word שְׁמַע,
the very root of שִׁמְעוֹן]. Also [in accordance
with this incorporation of Simeon within Judah], when they divided Eretz Israel
[among the tribes], Simeon received [his portion] out of the lot of Judah, as
Scripture states, “Out of the lot of the children of Judah was the inheritance
of the children of Simeon” (Josh.
19:9). - [Sifrei 33:7] Now why did Moses not devote a separate
blessing for him? Because he held against him what he had done in Shittim [referring
to the sin of Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of the tribe of Simeon (see Num.
25:1-14)]. So it is written in the Aggadah of Psalms. — [Shocher Tov
90]
Shimon was scattered with Yehuda. After what happened
with Zimri and there was no tribal intermarriage for a while, they really
declined. Eventually inter-tribal marriage was permitted.
8 And of Levi he said: Thy Thummim and Thy Urim be with Thy holy
one, whom Thou didst prove at Massah, with whom Thou didst strive at the waters
of Meribah;
The first three(four) blessings go to children of Leah.
Reuven was Yacov’s first child but he did not produce but a few spiritual
leaders and should also have been greater in physical numbers.
…12 Of Benjamin he said: The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in
safety by Him; He covers him all the day, and He dwells between his shoulders.
13 And of Joseph he said: Blessed of the LORD be his land; for the precious
things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that couches beneath,
Now Rachel’s children are blessed. Yosef is not split
into two sub-tribes as Levi appears in the blessing. This is the rule if Levi
appears then Yosef is not broken up if Menashe and Ephraim appear, then Levi is
not included in the number 12 of the tribes.
… 18 And of Zebulun he said: Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out,
and, Issachar, in thy tents. … 20 And of Gad he said: Blessed be He that
enlarges Gad; he dwells as a lioness, and tears the arm, yea, the crown of the
head. … 22 And of Dan he said: Dan is a lion's whelp, that leaps forth from
Bashan. 23 And of Naphtali he said: O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full
with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the sea and the south. 24 And of
Asher he said: Blessed be Asher above sons; let him be the favored of his
brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. 25 Iron and brass shall be thy bars;
and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
26 There is none like unto God, O Yeshurun, who rides upon the
heaven as thy help, and in His excellency on the skies. 27 The eternal God is a
dwelling-place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He thrust out the
enemy from before thee, and said: 'Destroy.' 28 And Israel dwells in safety,
the fountain of Jacob alone, in a land of corn and wine; yea, his heavens drop
down dew. 29 Happy art thou, O Israel, who is like unto thee? a people saved by
the LORD, the shield of thy help, and that is the sword of thy excellency! And
thine enemies shall dwindle away before thee; and thou shalt tread upon their
high places.
Once the blessings are concluded, Moshe walks up the
mountain to see the land and he will come down to a valley and then be buried
in a crevice and this appears to be G-D burying him after he lay down and got a
kiss in an earthquake fault. Since this is the Syrian – African rift it seems a
logic conclusion but the miracle is being there in that time and place just
precisely on his 120th birthday.
34:1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto mount Nebo, to
the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD showed him all
the land, even Gilead as far as Dan;
It was not surprising that he saw Yericho and the day
was clear so that he could see the spring of Dan (Banias) and the Hermon.
2 and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all
the land of Judah as far as the hinder sea;
As I was able to see Netanya and the Sea from Har
Gerizim so he saw it from Har Nebo.
3 and the South, and the Plain, even the valley of Jericho the city
of palm-trees, as far as Zoar.
This is at the end of the tongue of the Dead Sea a few
kilometers south of the last modern hotel by the Dead Sea.
4 And the LORD said unto him: 'This is the land which I swore unto
Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying: I will give it unto thy seed; I
have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over
thither.'
You have now seen close to all of the promised land. At
that time, it was rich in forests, vineyards, fields and Adar being the height
of the rainy season was green and lush.
5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab,
according to the word of the LORD.
Our Sages say it was a direct kiss from G-D as the
angel of death had no power over either him or Aaron.
6 And he was buried in the valley in the land of Moab over against
Beth-peor; and no man knows of his sepulcher unto this day.
And He buried him: i.e., The Holy One,
blessed is He, Himself, in His very glory [buried Moses]. — [Sotah 14a] Rabbi
Ishmael, however, says that [the words“And he buried him” mean that] Moses
buried himself. And this אֶת in the phrase here וַיִּקְבֹּר אוֹתוֹ is one of the three instances of the אֶת in Scripture which Rabbi Ishmael expounded
on in this way [i.e., where the suffix attached אֶת
is understood to be reflexive, meaning “to himself” , “to themselves” , and so
on]. And similar to this case [are the following two instances]:“On the day
when his Nazirite vow is completed, he must bring him (אֹתוֹ)
” (Num. 6:13),
which means, “he shall bring himself” [i.e., present himself]. And
likewise,“And they cause them (אוֹתָם)
to bear the sin of their guilt” (Lev.
22:16). Surely does this refer to others causing them to bear that
sin? Rather, the verse must mean that they cause themselves to bear the sin. —
[Sifrei Nasso 32:124] Opposite Beth Pe’or: His
burial site was ready there [at Beth Pe’or], since the six days of Creation, to
atone for the [sinful] act of Pe’or. — [see Num.
25:1-8; Sotah 14a] This [Moses’s burial site] was one of the things
created at twilight, on the eve of [the first] Sabbath. — [Avoth 5:6]
The Medrash implies that he died in a cave and then a
rockslide covered the entrance. There is also the possibility it was a crevice.
7 And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his
eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
His
eye had not dimmed: Even after he died. — [see Sifrei 33:36] Nor had he lost
his [natural] freshness: [The word לֵחֹה
refers to his [body’s] moisture. [Thus, the phrase means:] “[Even after his
death,] decomposition did not take over his body, nor did the appearance of his
face change.”
He was as sharp and alert at 80 as he was at 40 and at
120 remained vibrant and alert so that he was strong enough to climb that
mountain which has a height of 817 meters or close to 3000 feet according to
the Wikipedia. However, what we call Har Nebo ridge today might not be at all
for it could be bigger and higher. 817 meters is about the heights of the mountains
I was on and what I was able to see even on a bit foggy day.
8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab
thirty days; so the days of weeping in the mourning for Moses were ended. 9 And
Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his
hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the
LORD commanded Moses. 10 And there hath not arisen a prophet since in Israel
like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face;
Whom the Lord knew face to
face: For he was quite familiar with Him, speaking
with Him at any time he wished, as it is said, “So now I will go up to the
Lord” (Exod. 32:30),
and, “You stand still, and I will listen to what the Lord will command
concerning you” (Num. 9:8).
11 in all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do
in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land;
12 and in all the mighty hand, and in all the great terror, which Moses wrought
in the sight of all Israel.
Even after his death, Moshe had the
power to strike awe in the people of Israel despite all the rebellions at their
times.
Chazak – Chazak v’ nit Chazak
Kol
Nidre Plot by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles.
One
of the members of the Jewish community in Berditchev was a fierce mitnaged
(opponent) of the Chassidic movement in general and Rabbi Levi-Yitzchak in particular. He tried his utmost to cause
disturbances in the Rebbe's holy work. Despite the many insults suffered from
him, he never answered him back. This infuriated the mitnaged even more. In his
heart he concocted an entire plot on how to put Rabbi Levi Yitzchak to shame in
public.
Since he knew that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak had a beautiful voice and that many people always came to hear him praying on the holy day of Yom Kippur, and especially the prayer of 'Kol Nidre', he made up his mind to disturb Rabbi Levi Yitzchak in this prayer specifically.
On the eve of the holy day, the mitnaged came to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's house and asked to speak to the rabbi in private. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak welcomed him in, and his opponent explained to him that because it was the Eve of Yom Kippur and each person must ask forgiveness from people whom he might have hurt during the year, he also wanted to ask for forgiveness for all that he had done to the rabbi.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak immediately forgave him with a full heart.
His new 'friend' then took out a big bottle of vodka that he had brought with him, containing 96% alcohol. He asked the rabbi to say 'l'chaim' as a sign of forgiving him. He poured out a big glass of vodka and handed it to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak. The Rabbi said 'l'chaim' and blessed his opponent with a good and prosperous year.
When the mitnaged was about to leave, he turned to the rabbi and said that since he was not sure that the rabbi had forgiven him with a full heart, he wanted the rabbi to say 'l'chaim' once again. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak accepted his request and once more the mithnaged poured him a full glass of vodka.
The mitnaged went towards the door, as if intending to leave the tzadik's room, but instead turned around and came back, asking the rabbi to say just a 'small' 'l'chaim' for him…and then another one...and then….
And Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, the defender of all Israel and the lover of his people, how could he refuse the request of a Jewish man on the Eve of Yom Kippur? In the end, the mitnaged made sure that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak finished the whole bottle of vodka.
The man hoped that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak would be unable to pray properly due to the influence of the large amount of vodka that he had drunk. Maybe he would vomit or do something else that would portray him in a negative light to the large congregation attending the Kol Nidre prayers in the synagogue.
It was twilight time. All the synagogues were filled with Jews, standing in awe on this holiest of holy days. The last Jews hurried along, dressed in their white robes and prayer shawls, in order to get to big synagogue in Berditchev where Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was to officiate. In the background, quiet words of Tehillim were being recited. Everybody was busy making a final spiritual reckoning, purifying his soul before the Day of Forgiveness. Within a few moments the shadows of darkness would descend on the city and the Holy Day would commence. The awe of the Holy Day was clearly felt upon the faces of all the people in the big synagogue.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, wrapped up in his prayer shawl, rose to approach the Holy Ark. The sound of his sweet voice, so full of emotion, could be heard in every corner of the synagogue. The Kol Nidre prayer had begun.
The whole congregation was lifted above the physical reality, borne by the exalted words of prayer emanating from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak. "And the whole congregation of the sons of Israel shall be forgiven..."
Even the mitnaged, who had arrived specially to see the 'drunk man's show' could not but feel the impact of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's prayers and admire his beautiful voice, so full of emotion and devotion. Not the smallest reminiscence was felt of drinking a whole bottle of vodka containing 96% alcohol.
After the evening prayers were completed, nearly everybody remained in the shul to recite the book of Tehillim (Psalms), as is customary on this night.
When Rabbi Levi Yitzchak reached the verse (Tehillim 41:12) "By this I knew that You wanted me, since my enemy will not cause harm upon me", Rabbi Levi Yitzchak repeated this verse over again.
Suddenly he turned to the people in the synagogue and said: "How did King David, who had so many opponents, know that he had found favor in G-d's eyes? The answer is: 'since my enemy will not cause harm to me' - which can be understood in an additional sense - that my enemy will not be harmed because of me."
The mitnaged understood full well towards whom these words were directed. He realized that the rabbi was arousing compassion for him, that he - the opponent - should not be punished because of what he had intended to do against Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.
There words of pure love entered his heart. He became a changed person, and soon thereafter, a true follower of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: From "Chassidic Gems", compiled by Tuvia Litzman, who heard it from Rabbi Levi Pressman.
Connection: Seasonal - YOM KIPPUR!
Biographical note:
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev [of blessed memory: 5500 - 25 Tishrei 5571 (1740 - Oct. 1810)] is one of the more popular Rebbes in chasidic history. He was a close disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov. He is best known for his love for every Jew and his perpetual intercession before Heaven on their behalf. Many of his teachings are contained in the posthumously published Kedushas Levi.
Since he knew that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak had a beautiful voice and that many people always came to hear him praying on the holy day of Yom Kippur, and especially the prayer of 'Kol Nidre', he made up his mind to disturb Rabbi Levi Yitzchak in this prayer specifically.
On the eve of the holy day, the mitnaged came to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's house and asked to speak to the rabbi in private. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak welcomed him in, and his opponent explained to him that because it was the Eve of Yom Kippur and each person must ask forgiveness from people whom he might have hurt during the year, he also wanted to ask for forgiveness for all that he had done to the rabbi.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak immediately forgave him with a full heart.
His new 'friend' then took out a big bottle of vodka that he had brought with him, containing 96% alcohol. He asked the rabbi to say 'l'chaim' as a sign of forgiving him. He poured out a big glass of vodka and handed it to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak. The Rabbi said 'l'chaim' and blessed his opponent with a good and prosperous year.
When the mitnaged was about to leave, he turned to the rabbi and said that since he was not sure that the rabbi had forgiven him with a full heart, he wanted the rabbi to say 'l'chaim' once again. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak accepted his request and once more the mithnaged poured him a full glass of vodka.
The mitnaged went towards the door, as if intending to leave the tzadik's room, but instead turned around and came back, asking the rabbi to say just a 'small' 'l'chaim' for him…and then another one...and then….
And Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, the defender of all Israel and the lover of his people, how could he refuse the request of a Jewish man on the Eve of Yom Kippur? In the end, the mitnaged made sure that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak finished the whole bottle of vodka.
The man hoped that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak would be unable to pray properly due to the influence of the large amount of vodka that he had drunk. Maybe he would vomit or do something else that would portray him in a negative light to the large congregation attending the Kol Nidre prayers in the synagogue.
It was twilight time. All the synagogues were filled with Jews, standing in awe on this holiest of holy days. The last Jews hurried along, dressed in their white robes and prayer shawls, in order to get to big synagogue in Berditchev where Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was to officiate. In the background, quiet words of Tehillim were being recited. Everybody was busy making a final spiritual reckoning, purifying his soul before the Day of Forgiveness. Within a few moments the shadows of darkness would descend on the city and the Holy Day would commence. The awe of the Holy Day was clearly felt upon the faces of all the people in the big synagogue.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, wrapped up in his prayer shawl, rose to approach the Holy Ark. The sound of his sweet voice, so full of emotion, could be heard in every corner of the synagogue. The Kol Nidre prayer had begun.
The whole congregation was lifted above the physical reality, borne by the exalted words of prayer emanating from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak. "And the whole congregation of the sons of Israel shall be forgiven..."
Even the mitnaged, who had arrived specially to see the 'drunk man's show' could not but feel the impact of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's prayers and admire his beautiful voice, so full of emotion and devotion. Not the smallest reminiscence was felt of drinking a whole bottle of vodka containing 96% alcohol.
After the evening prayers were completed, nearly everybody remained in the shul to recite the book of Tehillim (Psalms), as is customary on this night.
When Rabbi Levi Yitzchak reached the verse (Tehillim 41:12) "By this I knew that You wanted me, since my enemy will not cause harm upon me", Rabbi Levi Yitzchak repeated this verse over again.
Suddenly he turned to the people in the synagogue and said: "How did King David, who had so many opponents, know that he had found favor in G-d's eyes? The answer is: 'since my enemy will not cause harm to me' - which can be understood in an additional sense - that my enemy will not be harmed because of me."
The mitnaged understood full well towards whom these words were directed. He realized that the rabbi was arousing compassion for him, that he - the opponent - should not be punished because of what he had intended to do against Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.
There words of pure love entered his heart. He became a changed person, and soon thereafter, a true follower of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: From "Chassidic Gems", compiled by Tuvia Litzman, who heard it from Rabbi Levi Pressman.
Connection: Seasonal - YOM KIPPUR!
Biographical note:
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev [of blessed memory: 5500 - 25 Tishrei 5571 (1740 - Oct. 1810)] is one of the more popular Rebbes in chasidic history. He was a close disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov. He is best known for his love for every Jew and his perpetual intercession before Heaven on their behalf. Many of his teachings are contained in the posthumously published Kedushas Levi.
Eilat
trying to save coral reef. https://www.ynetnews.com/home/0,7340,L-3083,00.html
Yeshiva
Students need a dual education. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/10/03/yeshivas-must-be-held-accountable-to-provide-a-secular-education/?utm_content=blog1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
Rabbi Shmaryahu Yosef Nissim, ben (the son of) Batya hospitalized. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269814
Not
the smartest idea to outrun police. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269843
Inyanay Diyoma
Two
Rockets land on the Gazan side. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269773
IDF
soldier injured in Chevron by rioters. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269776
Symbol
of a sick society. https://www.foxnews.com/us/homeless-deaths-chinatown-new-york
Iran
detains alleged Israeli Spy Journalist. https://www.debka.com/irans-guards-detain-russian-journalist-as-israel-spy-idf-on-high-alert-for-surprise-iran-attack/
Do
natural birth in a hospital less complications. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269761
Iraqi
Shiite unrest hmm. https://www.debka.com/the-hidden-hand-stirring-up-unrest-in-iraq-at-cost-of-100-lives-4000-injured-sadr-at-tehrans-behest/
Too
many honor killings. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5601562,00.html
Unity
Gov’t. neither side wants. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5601246,00.html
Looking
for non-aggression pact. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269803
After
briefing Ganz and Lapid the Security Cabinet met for 5 hours. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/10/06/israels-security-establishment-fears-iran-will-directly-attack-israel-following-strike-saudi-arabian-oil-facilities/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=daily_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal/
Iran
smuggling precision artillery. https://www.debka.com/__trashed-10/
India
on high alert for Yom Kippur: https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/10/04/india-on-high-alert-over-threat-of-terror-attack-targeting-israeli-jewish-sites-on-yom-kippur/?utm_content=news1&utm_medium=weekend_email&utm_campaign=email&utm_source=internal
Arabs
dump garbage on Har HaBeis. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269859
Ganz
PLO distorting the past. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269857
Not
the smartest idea to outrun police. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269843
Unexpected
betrayal by Trump. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/syrian-kurds-see-american-betrayal-and-warn-fight-against-isis-is-now-in-doubt/ar-AAIqLHq?ocid=spartanntp
Lindsey
Graham warns: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269909
Debka
claims that withdrawal is not full abandonment. https://www.debka.com/us-prevents-turkish-invasion-of-syria-by-caoc-intelligence-cutoff/
Israel
has counter-attack plans if surprised. https://www.debka.com/israels-covert-war-against-an-iranian-shock-attack-gen-kochavi-prepares-idf-counter-offensive/
F-15SE
better than F-35 (older story) https://www.debka.com/israel-plans-to-order-us-f-15-silent-eagles-in-preference-to-f-35-fighters/
Israel’s
situation the worse since the Yom Kippur War. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5603259,00.html
New
Statistics say between 7.1 to 7.8 million most likely 7.5 million US Jews.
Considering in the 50’s it was 6 million this is not great but better than before.
However, the question arises how many are not true converts? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269913
Who
should or shouldn’t fast. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5603424,00.html
Nazis
attack Synagogue in East Germany. https://www.debka.com/__trashed-7/
Bronze
Age large city discovered. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5603340,00.html
Trump
is a turn-coat to the Kurds. https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-troop-withdrawal-turkey-graham
Hezballah
laughs and says this is the fate of all who trust in America. Can Israel really
depend on the USA after the Kurds are abandoned? Ben Dror Ed-OP not translated
called it treason. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5605470,00.html
Biggest
challenge since the Yom Kippur War. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5603259,00.html
Explosion
near Austrian Airport. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269971
Netanyahu
ponders attacking cruise missiles. https://www.debka.com/netanyahu-israel-ponders-pre-emptive-operation-to-prevent-iranian-cruise-missile-strike/
Trump
consistent on the Kurds. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/24562
Republicans
introduce sanctions on Turkey. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/270018
Will
the lost Jews make Aliyah? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/270014
Jewish
Woman stabbed to death S. Africa. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/270015
10
Americans were in German Schul. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269986
Scandal
in Canada. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/270001
Al
Qaeda Bomb Maker Shachid. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269985
Antisemitism
at NY Holocaust Memorial. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/269978
PARSHA
BERESHEIS WILL BE EXTRA SPECIAL ON KABOOM CREATION. (Ble Neder)
Good
Shabbos and Chag Sukkos Samayach.
Rachamim
Pauli
