Parsha Pinchas
Parsha Balak ended with
Pinchas taking a javelin and stabbing in the naval area Zimri and Cozbi and
dragging them outside the tent as they died. Still Bilaam and Balak are at
large and that is where our Parsha starts.
25:10 And the LORD spoke unto
Moses, saying: 11 'Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the
priest, hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was
very jealous for My sake among them, so that I consumed not the children of Israel
in My jealousy.
Jealousy is not usually considered a good trait neither is
being a religious fanatic. But extenuating circumstances and timing can make it
so. Zimri filled up Moshe’s mouth with water that the humblest of men could not
answer him. Zimri came with a woman from Midian and told Moshe you took a woman
from Midian so why not I? The difference is that Moshe took his wife before
Matan Torah and her father was Cohain to THE MOST HIGH. Cozbi was after Matan
Torah and she was a Kedasha for Avoda Zara fertility cult.
Moshe was so stunned by the comparison that he could not
answer. Pinchas was there to answer at the risk of his own life as there were
guards outside of Zimri’s tent. He told them that he wanted to join the
jamboree. So he succeeded in entering and carrying out the will of HASHEM
regarding both lewdness and idolatry. He stayed the plague.
12 Wherefore
say: Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace; 13 and it shall be
unto him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood;
because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of
Israel.'
The Torah mentioned Aaron and his four sons as Cohanim.
Pinchas had already been born but was not mentioned. Perhaps only the children
born after him would be priests. Now he had earned an EVERLASTING priesthood. He
would become a leader in the future.
14 Now
the name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain with the Midian
woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers' house among the
Simeonites. 15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain
was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house
in Midian.
Zur was like a prince in Midian but was happy to give his
daughter into the service of the idol.
16 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 17 'Harass the Midianites, and
smite them; 18 for they harass you, by their wiles wherewith they
have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the
daughter of the prince of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the
plague in the matter of Peor.'
Moshe is told to take care of Midian and shortly thereafter
would be laid to rest. He zealously carried out the command without delay.
26:1
And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto
Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying: 2 'Take the sum of all
the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward,
by their fathers' houses, all that are able to go forth to war in
Israel.'
According to Rabbi Pinchas Winston Shlita, 24,000 of Shimon
died along with 172,000 others who participated in the lewdness. I don’t recall
the second number and have not seen his source but he put it in writing last
week.
3 And
Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the
Jordan at Jericho, saying: 4 '[Take the sum of the people,] from
twenty years old and upward, as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of
Israel, that came forth out of the land of Egypt.'
Why was a census needed? 24,000 died from the tribe of Shimon
and according to Rabbi Pinchas Winston Shlita another 172,000 but I did not see
his sources.
5 Reuben,
… were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty. … 12 The
sons of Simeon … twenty and two thousand and two hundred. 15 The sons
of Gad … were numbered of them, forty thousand and five
hundred. 19 The sons of Judah: … were numbered of them, threescore
and sixteen thousand and five hundred. 23 The sons of Issachar … were
numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred. 26 The
sons of Zebulun … were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five
hundred. 28 The sons of Joseph … 34 These are the families of
Manasseh; and they that were numbered of them were fifty and two thousand and
seven hundred. … 37 These are the families of the sons of Ephraim
according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five
hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families. 38 The
sons of Benjamin … were forty and five thousand and six hundred. 42 These
are the sons of Dan … were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand
and four hundred. 44 The sons of Asher … 46 And the name of the
daughter of Asher was Serah. … were numbered of them, fifty and three
thousand and four hundred.
Serah was supposedly adopted and became a true Giyores and
was so righteous according to the Legend that she merited to live to 400plus
years.
48 The
sons of Naphtali … were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four
hundred. 51 These are they that were numbered of the children of Israel,
six hundred thousand and a thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
In almost 39 years, the population did not increase but went
down by 3,000 people!
52 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 53 'Unto these the land shall be
divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54 To
the more thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to the fewer thou shalt give
the less inheritance; to each one according to those that were numbered of it
shall its inheritance be given. 55 Notwithstanding the land shall be
divided by lot; according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they
shall inherit. 56 According to the lot shall their
inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.'
The land
would be divided into tribes and within each tribal area there were so and so
many families, highways, mountains, rocks, streams with water or Wadis that are
dry outside of the rainy season, the tribe like Reuven with 43,730 people would
have that many parcels but double size parcels for the first born. This Chanoch
would get twice as much land as the rest of the Reuven family and then within
the remainder, first born men would get double.
57 And these are they that were numbered of the Levites
after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the
family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58 These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites,
the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the
Mushites, the family of the Korahites. And Kohath begot Amram. 59 And
the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to
Levi in Egypt; and she bore unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their
sister. 60 And unto Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and
Ithamar. 61 And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire
before the LORD. 62 And they that were numbered of
them were twenty and three thousand, every male from a month old and upward;
for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no
inheritance given them among the children of Israel. 63 These
are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the
children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not a man of them that were
numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in
the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the LORD had said of
them: 'They shall surely die in the wilderness.' And there was not left a man
of them, save Caleb the son of Yephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
The Leviim would not have a portion but receive Maaser. 10%
of the Maaser goes to the Cohanim in the form of Teruma Maaser. The Leviim
would have 24 cities and 2000 Amos on all sides of each city for growing crops.
27:1
Then drew near the daughters of Zelaphad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead,
the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of
Joseph; and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and
Milcah, and Tirzah.
If women could inherit then the calculation would be as
follows: Zelaphad was a Bechor (first born double portion for his generation)
the son of Hepher who was not a first born but a regular portion for his
generation. The son of Gilead, first born, the son of Machir a first born and
also Mahlah would get her first-born portion. In other words, the girls could
become wealthy land owners.
2 And
they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes
and all the congregation, at the door of the tent of meeting,
saying: 3 'Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not among
the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the
company of Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. 4 Why
should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he
had no son? Give unto us a possession among the brethren of our father.'
Moshe did not know the Halacha. For in all the nations of the
world, most of them did not let women even princesses and queens own land.
Sometimes it could be so for a male heir to grown into adulthood.
5 And
Moses brought their cause before the LORD. 6 And the LORD spoke unto
Moses, saying: 7 'The daughters of Zelaphad speak right: thou shalt
surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren;
and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.
Daughter’s can have inheritance and be land owners. We will
see later on that among their father’s brothers means that they must marry a
male from their tribe. The implication is great. Menashe girls cannot marry out
of their tribe and the reason being that the land belongs to the tribe. This a land-owning
Menashe girl/woman had to marry a boy/man from Menashe and not from an outside
tribe. The other Menashe girls could marry out of the tribe if they did not
have any lands.
8 And
thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying: If a man die, and have no
son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his
daughter. 9 And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his
inheritance unto his brethren. 10 And if he have no brethren, then ye
shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren.
If there is no male, the inheritance shall go to the next male.
11
And if his father has no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his
kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it. And it
shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD
commanded Moses.'
Up until now, the laws of inheritance. Now the L-RD is
telling Moshe that his days are numbered.
12 And
the LORD said unto Moses: 'Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, and behold
the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13 And when
thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy
brother was gathered; 14 because ye rebelled against My commandment
in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify Me at
the waters before their eyes.'--These are the waters of Meribath-kadesh in the
wilderness of Zin.
You shall go up the mountain in the Nevo Range and view the
promised land.
15 And
Moses spoke unto the LORD, saying: 16 'Let the LORD, the God of the
spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 who may go
out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out,
and who may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep
which have no shepherd.' 18 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Take thee
Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is spirit, and lay thy hand upon
him; 19 and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the
congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20 And thou shalt
put of thy honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel
may hearken. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who
shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD; at his word
shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the
children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.'
Moshe gathered the entire Congregation. He stood with Yoshua
Bin Nun and Eleazer Cohain Gadol.
22 And
Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before
Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation. 23 And he laid
his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD spoke by the hand of
Moses.
He laid his hands of Yoshua meaning giving him Semicha to
lead the congregation in Moshe’s place.
28:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Command the children of Israel,
and say unto them: My food which is presented unto Me for offerings made by
fire, of a sweet savor unto Me, shall ye observe to offer unto Me in its due
season. 3 And thou shalt say unto them: This is the offering made by
fire which ye shall bring unto the LORD: he-lambs of the first year without
blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt-offering. 4 The one
lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at
dusk; 5 and the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering,
mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil. 6 It is a
continual burnt-offering, which was offered in mount Sinai, for a sweet savor,
an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 7 And the drink-offering
thereof shall be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb; in the holy place
shalt thou pour out a drink-offering of strong drink unto the LORD. 8 And
the other lamb shalt thou present at dusk; as the meal-offering of the morning,
and as the drink-offering thereof, thou shalt present it, an offering made by
fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.
This is the Korban Tamid offering one lamb in
Shachris and a second in Mincha with all the meal and wine offerings with the daily
sacrifice.
9 And on the sabbath day two he-lambs of the first year
without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a
meal-offering, mingled with oil, and the drink-offering
thereof. 10 This is the burnt-offering of every sabbath, beside the
continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof.
Shabbos has a special Korban.
11 And in your new moons ye shall present a
burnt-offering unto the LORD: two young bullocks, and one ram, seven he-lambs
of the first year without blemish; 12 and three tenth parts of an
ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for each bullock;
and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for
the one ram; 13 and a several tenth part of fine flour mingled with
oil for a meal-offering unto every lamb; for a burnt-offering of a sweet savor,
an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 14 And their drink-offerings
shall be half a hin of wine for a bullock, and the third part of a hin for the
ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This is the burnt-offering of
every new moon throughout the months of the year. 15 And one he-goat
for a sin-offering unto the LORD; it shall be offered beside the continual
burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof.
Different from Shabbos and daily offerings, on
Rosh Chodesh, one brought a male goat to atone for sins during the month.
16 And in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the
month, is the LORD'S Passover. 17 And on the fifteenth day of this
month shall be a feast; seven days shall unleavened bread be
eaten. 18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation; ye shall do
no manner of servile work; … 25 And on the seventh day ye shall have
a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work.
The Torah now goes on to explain each and every
Yom Tov and the three Regelim, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
26 Also in the day of the first-fruits, when ye bring a
new meal-offering unto the LORD in your feast of weeks, ye shall have a holy
convocation: ye shall do no manner of servile work; 27 but ye shall
present a burnt-offering for a sweet savor unto the LORD: two young bullocks,
one ram, seven he-lambs of the first year; 28 and their
meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for each bullock,
two tenth parts for the one ram, 29 a several tenth part for every
lamb of the seven lambs; 30 one he-goat, to make atonement for
you. 31 Beside the continual burnt-offering, and the meal-offering
thereof, ye shall offer them--they shall be unto you without blemish--and their
drink-offerings.
This is Chag HaShavous. The first fruits Bikkurim
start now until Chag Sukkos.
29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye
shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no manner of servile work; it is a
day of blowing the horn unto you. 2 And ye shall prepare a
burnt-offering for a sweet savor unto the LORD: one young bullock, one ram,
seven he-lambs of the first year without blemish; 3 and their
meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil, three tenth parts for the bullock,
two tenth part for the ram, 4 and one tenth part for every lamb of
the seven lambs; 5 and one he-goat for a sin-offering, to make atonement
for you; 6 beside the burnt-offering of the new moon, and the
meal-offering thereof, and the continual burnt-offering and the meal-offering
thereof, and their drink-offerings, according unto their ordinance, for a sweet
savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Besides the blowing of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it is
also Rosh Chodesh and has to be treated with sacrifices.
7 And
on the tenth day of this seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation; and ye
shall afflict your souls; ye shall do no manner of work;
Afflicting the soul on Yom Kippur meaning, no eating,
drinking, marital relations, washing and wearing shoes.
…
12 And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have a holy
convocation: ye shall do no manner of servile work, and ye shall keep a feast
unto the LORD seven days; 13 and ye shall present a burnt-offering,
an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: thirteen young
bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs of the first year; they shall be without
blemish; 14 and their meal-offering, fine flour mingled with oil,
three tenth parts for every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth parts
for each ram of the two rams, 15 and a several tenth part for every
lamb of the fourteen lambs; 16 and one he-goat for a sin-offering
beside the continual burnt-offering, the meal-offering thereof, and the
drink-offering thereof. 17 And on the second day ye shall present
twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs of the first year without
blemish;
Each day a number of rams during Sukkos to atone for the nations
of the world reaching 70 in number. Today in the UN has 183 or 186 nations but
some literally belong to others. Lichtenstein, Monaco, Micronesia, etc. are parts
of large country of the 70.
…
35 On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no
manner of servile work; 36 but ye shall present a burnt-offering, an
offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram,
seven he-lambs of the first year without blemish; 37 their
meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for
the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the
ordinance; 38 and one he-goat for a sin-offering; beside the
continual burnt-offering, and the meal-offering thereof, and the
drink-offering thereof. 39 These ye shall offer unto the LORD in your
appointed seasons, beside your vows, and your freewill-offerings, whether they
be your burnt-offerings, or your meal-offerings, or your drink-offerings, or
your peace-offerings.
On the eight day of assembly is a special Korban
of one for the one nation alone in the world. The number 7 is within Teva aka
Nature aka ELOKIM. The number 8 is above that of Teva and in the Realm of
Yud-Kay-Vav-Kay. That is the angelic nation Yisrael with the EL within the
name.
30:1 And Moses told the children of
Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.
The Three Weeks by Rabbi Shraga Simmons Shlita
An overview to the
laws of the Three Weeks of Mourning for the Beis HaMikdash.
The "Three
Weeks" between the 17th of Tammuz and the Tisha B'Av have historically
been days of misfortune and calamity for the Jewish people. During this time, both
the First and Second Temples were destroyed, amongst other terrible tragedies.
These days are referred to as the period "within
the straits" (bein hametzarim), in accordance with the verse:
"all her oppressors have overtaken her within the straits" (Lamentations 1:3).
On Shabbat during the Three Weeks, the Haftorahs are
taken from chapters in Isaiah and Jeremiah dealing with the Temple's
destruction and the exile of the Jewish people.
During this time, various aspects of mourning are
observed by the entire nation. We minimize joy and celebration. And, since the
attribute of Divine judgement (“din”) is acutely felt, we avoid potentially
dangerous or risky endeavors.
ASPECTS OF MOURNING DURING THE THREE WEEKS
- No weddings are held. (However, engagement
ceremonies are permitted.)
- We do not listen to music.
- We avoid all public celebrations --
especially those which involve dancing and musical accompaniment.
- We avoid exciting and entertaining trips
and activities. (Kaf HaChaim - OC 551:41)
- No haircuts or shaving. (Fingernails may
be clipped up until the week in which Tisha B'Av falls.)
- We do not say the blessing Shehecheyanu on
new food or clothes, except on Shabbat.
THE NINE DAYS
The period commencing
with Rosh Chodesh Av is called the "Nine Days." During this time, a
stricter level of mourning is observed, in accordance with the Talmudic
dictum (Taanis26): "When the
month of Av begins, we reduce our joy."
(1) We avoid
purchasing any items that bring great joy.
(2) We suspend home
improvements, or the planting of trees and flowers.
(3) We avoid
litigation with non-Jews, since fortune is inauspicious at this time.
(4) We abstain from
the consumption of meat (including poultry) and wine. These foods are symbolic
of the Temple service, and are generally expressions of celebration and joy.
- On Shabbat, meat and wine are permitted.
This applies also to any other seuduat mitzvah -- for
example, at a Brit Milah or at the completion of a tractate of Talmud.
- Wine from Havdalah should be given to a
child to drink.
(5) We refrain from wearing
newly laundered garments, or laundering any clothes.
- If the "freshness" has been
taken out of a garment prior to the Nine Days, it may be worn.
- Fresh clothes may be worn for Shabbat.
- The clothing of small children, which gets
soiled frequently, may be laundered during the Nine Days.
- Clothes may not be laundered even if done
in preparation for after Tisha B'Av, or even if done by a non-Jew.
(6) We do not bathe
for pleasure.
- It is permitted to bathe in order to
remove dirt or perspiration, or for medical reasons. This may be done only
in cool water.
- Furthermore, the body should be washed in
parts, rather than all at one time.
- Bathing in warm water is permitted on
Friday in honor of Shabbat.
with thanks to Rabbi Moshe
Lazerus
American
Jews and July 4th.
https://aish.com/jews-and-july-4th/
Picture
it. A Jew in a waistcoat, knee breeches, holding a shotgun? Yet of the over
2000 Jews in colonial America, many adult Jewish males took part in the Revolutionary
War from fighting to financing. A few were royalists, but most American Jews
supported the fight for independence.
Francis Salvador, a southern Jewish Patriot.
In 1774,
Francis Salvador, a recent arrival from England, is the holder of several Revolutionary
records. He was elected to the First Provincial Congress in Charleston in 1774,
making him the first professed American Jew to hold such a high elective
office. The following year, when a South Carolina republic was established, he
signed and stamped the new currency. A volunteer militiaman, participating in
an expedition against Indians and Tories, he was also the first Jew to die for
his country. He was killed early in the war (August 1, 1776) by Cherokee
loyalists in an ambush near the Keowee River. Salvador’s commander described
this scene to South Carolina President, John Rutledge. “With a savage head
wound, he asked whether the enemy had been beaten. He was glad ... and then
said farewell.”
The
bicentennial celebration of the Jewish community of Charleston, 1950, included
the creation of a commemorative stone in honor of the patriot. The inscription
starts: "First Jew In South Carolina To Hold Public Office and To Die for
American Independence.”
The Jew’s Company 1780
Such
a large number of Southern Jews wanted to join the Revolutionary cause, Captain
Richard Lushington, a Jew from Charleston, South Carolina, formed what was
known as “the Jews’ Company” which included 28 Jews comprising about half his
men.
Mordechai Sheftall and Philip Minis
A merchant and son of
a Jewish colonist who arrived in 1733, Mordecai Sheftall, chaired the committee
in Savannah, Georgia, enforcing the decisions of the American patriots against
British interests in 1775. The meeting is also attended by Philip Minis,
also a son of one of the original Jewish colonists. In 1778, Sheftall, was
appointed Deputy Commissary General for federal troops in Georgia and South
Carolina. Late in the year, as Savannah's defenses are overrun by British
troops, many American soldiers escaped by swimming across the Savannah River.
British troops captured Sheftall who stayed behind with his teenage son, Levi.
The following year, Philip Minis, a member of Georgia’s patriot committee and
Levi Sheftall were guides to French and American forces in their attempt to
recapture Savannah from the British.
In 1782, the Jewish
community in Philadelphia, with an increased population of Jews from other
cities, under Sheftall’s leadership, built its first permanent synagogue
and Haym Salomon, a financier of the revolution, was a major financial
contributor.
The man who saved the
war chest: Haym Solomon
There is
scarcely a USian who hasn’t heard of the sacrifices of Haym Salomon. It could
be said that this Polish-born Jew who came to New York in 1772, was largely
responsible for us beating the Brits.
Salomon
acted as a secret agent in British-occupied New York City. After fleeing to
Philadelphia in 1778 to escape arrest, his financial skills helped rescue the
Continental government. He acted as supplier to American troops and as
paymaster general to French forces assisting the patriots. Along with Robert
Morris he raised funds for the colonial coffers. Salomon also loaned gelt at
nominal rates to members of the Continental Congress in need, among them James
Madison. An ardent Jew, in 1782, he made the largest contribution toward the
building of the Mikveh Israel Congregation. In 1784, he stated in print:
"I am a Jew; I do not despair that we shall obtain every privilege we
aspire to enjoy along with our fellow citizens." At the time of his death,
January 6, 1785, he was technically bankrupt. His heirs claimed that the U.S.
government still owed him in excess of $350,000 – and I doubt that’s with
interest.
In Chicago
there is a statue linking Washington, Salomon and Robert Morris, with the
words: "...The government of the United States which gives to bigotry no
sanction to persecution no assistance."
Frankly
Speaking
Colonel
Isaac Franks: Known as George Washington’s right-hand man, the two became
dear friends when, on November 1 in 1793, he provided his home in Germantown,
Pennsylvania to the future first President when, on his way to the Third
Continental Congress in Philly, the yellow fever epidemic hit. Washington and
Franks remained good friends and he became the first Jew to have his portrait
painted by Gilbert Stuart.
A Family
Affair: Isaac Frank’s sister Rachael married … Haym Solomon!
David
Salisbury Franks, a distant relation to Isaac, had a checkered but
colorful career! In 1780, when Benedict Arnold turned his coat by tipping off
the British of the American surrender of the fort at West Point, his aide de
camp was none other than David Franks. This was not mazel. He, along with
Arnold’s other aides were arrested. He was acquitted, but outraged, requested
an additional court inquiry to completely clear his name. Franks was promoted
and given 400 acres of land. (Is this Jewish or what?) It gets better. He
became a diplomatic courier carrying documents to Benjamin Franklin in Paris
and John Jay in Madrid. But more … in 1784 he was appointed vice consul in
Marseilles, France, becoming the first Jew to serve in a U.S. diplomatic post.
We won,
let’s eat
In a great
parade in Philadelphia in 1788 to honor Pennsylvania's ratification of the U.
S. Constitution, the chazan (cantor) of the synagogue marched
arm and arm with two clergymen. At the public feast that accompanied the
celebration there was a table with kosher food that, according to one
participant consisted of "soused salmon bread and crackers, almonds,
raisins, and more."
When George
Washington was elected the first president of the newly formed republic of the
United States his 1789 inauguration was held at Federal Hall on Wall Street in
Manhattan. Noted Jewish leader Gershom Mendes Seixas, chazan of
New York's Jewish congregation, was one of 14 religious leaders who attend the
ceremonies.
Second Shabbos in Bnei Brak & How the Friday
Kollel(s) started
I was in Bnei Brak five
and a half years ago for my eldest’s grandson’s Sheva Brachos. I walked up and
down the hills of Bnei Brak looking for the Schul where the family was praying.
I found one grandfather but not the main family.
Fast forward with water
on my knee and other problems, I ended up using a walker form in the middle of
Corona, after walking outside for months, my legs failed me. I still do a bit
of walking and don’t give up on exercise on the elliptical machine. The wedding
hall was wheel chair accessible but not the toilets.
This time I was informed
that I had to go up a minimum of 5 steps to the apartment I would be staying in
and a relative short walk to the Schul. Shorter than from my house to the
in-door Minyanim in my area. I would then go up two flights to the hall where
meals were served. So, I took a cane and my wife too just for good measure. The
streets and sidewalks were uneven and bumpy. I was sorry that I did not take my
walker. I hate being dependent on my son or others to take the walker up to the
hall. I barely walked the few hundred yards to the Schul. On the way back, I
used both canes like long distance hikers on trails and was able to walk
semi-normal.
What can I tell you
about the long-long Shabbos meals? I am used in the summer to accepting a late
Shabbos coming home about 8:30 and finishing eating about 10 to 10:30 and as
the story goes: “The pokey little puppy went straight to bed.” The services
started the same time as the Modiin area but there was a sermon/lecture and
only about 9:30 we finished. I was not used to staying up to 12:30 AM for the
blessings. I believe that I made the blessings before sleeping at 1AM.
Shabbos morning, ah this
time we davened just the extended families and prayers ended about 10:45 with
Kiddush called for 11AM all right that is similar to Chabad’s time. Then the
meal and blessings went to after 1PM when I usually doze off at about noon or a
bit earlier/later.
Finally, the last
Shabbos Meal started 7:30PM so that we would pass 8:33PM and pray with 7Brachos
Motzei Shabbos aka 2days of Sheva Brachos for the bride and groom within
25hours. So, getting married Thursday before sundown and to Motzei Shabbos
counted as 4 days of blessings. Thursday-Friday wedding, Shabbos-Motzei
Shabbos.
The bride’s father and I have a lot in common.
Sometime between 44-46 years ago, I used to live in Rehovot. I would pray
early, eat and get the children to school by eight go home, return at noon to
pick them up from school. At some point, I decided to stick around in the
Poali-Agudath-Yisrael Schul and learn. Reb Beedle used to make tea sense, tea and
cup up a lemon for Shabbos. I began learning and had a few cups of tea along
with the Gemara or whatever I was learning.
At some point, I started
learning with Dr. Stuart Weisrose of IAI. We were learning but he suggested
that we be guided by Rabbi Avraham Reisman, a Rosh Kollel, Shulchan Aruch who
lives in Rehovot and teaches in Ashkelon. We learned the Prophet Chaggai. Later
in the day I learned with ‘HaYayin HaTov’ Rabbi Tuvia Wein, Ztzal, the uncle of
Rabbi Beryl Wein and a person from the Weitzman Institute who had become Frum
in Russia joined us.
After a while, both
Rabbi Reisman and Dr. Weisrose could no longer learn with me and I continued on
by myself. After a while, I got an idea. Elta, IAI, Tadiran, Telrad, Weitzman
Institute and other places had hundreds of people not working on Friday.
Opening up a kollel after prayers and Shabbos Shopping would be ideal. I went
to Rabbi Simcha HaCohain Kuk Ztzal and he got the Rabbinute to put out a flyer
advertising his Friday Morning Shiur for working men and a little learning. A
professor from Bar Ilan University, Dr. Lee Spetner who was a company head in
the technology center of Rehovot and author of “Evolution Revolution”, “Not by
chance”, etc. and I learned together as partners and others in different
partnership. I told my friend and like big brother guide Rav Yerachmiel Kram
Ztzal and he organized a Shiur in Elta, others in Tadiran and eventually the
Kollelim spread to Rabbi Lerner in Petach Tikva, Chashmonayim and other places.
Still there was a gap in the learning of Avrachim of the five-day Kollelim, but
that was not in my capacity to do anything about it.
Thinking alike: Rabbi
Eliezer Zolberg, Shlita, the father of my new granddaughter-in-law, saw the
same need that I saw for Avrachim. He did something about it. He began raising
money and opened up a series of small Kollelim with 300 young Rabbis or
Rabbinical Students learning about the laws of Beis HaMikdash and writing down
guides. I told him how I figured out a color-coded floor tile system to put in
the Mikdash for the closest exit so that if one became Tuma he would leave the
closest and quickest way out.
So, the two Baalei Beis
and Avrachim Yom Sheshi Kollelim now have a united family.
In
memory of David Yehuda Isaac, who was absolutely a man of good news:
"This
morning, the details of David Yehuda Yitzhak were published, the only killed in
Operation Jenin, a fighter in a nut. David volunteered at Nahal club by us in
the settlement. Nahal - Giving a smile to a child and he did give a smile. Lots
of smiles !
He
was our special son Yehandav's mentor for years. Tonight there will be a
Yehandav Bar Mitzvah party...
Exactly
a year ago Yehandav celebrated his 12th birthday. Along with the official
picture of David that was published, we wish to publish this picture: David
Yehuda makes our son happy on his 12th birthday, in the Nachal camp in the
north, with his soldiers in the Egoz patrol. Photos can be found on Sivan
Rachav Meir (author) Facebook Page.
Milestone: R’ Avrohom Moshe Melohn, 62, a noted community leader and
philanthropist from Manhattan. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373501
Milestone: Alan Arkin, 89, https://www.timesofisrael.com/alan-arkin-jewish-actor-with-uncommon-versatility-dies-at-89/
Milestone: Miami Beach - In a devastating turn of
events, the Miami community was plunged into deep sorrow as they learned of the
sudden and tragic petira of esteemed Rebbetzin Chana Rochel Stern A”H. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373667
Inyanay Diyoma
July 1 – 3
At 1:10 AM Israel opened up the
Jenin Operation House and Garden. Sofar 4 terrorist known to be Shachidim and
probably more in the ‘refugee’ high-rise bricks and reinforced concrete camp. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373579
Attack on Syria – Iran terror
positions. Rocket lands. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373537
IDF to purchase 25 more F-35. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373554
Son’s return flt to US delayed
planned rampage. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373578
Fijian Peace-keepers did not have
liquid cocaine. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373581
https://www.timesofisrael.com/far-right-german-party-notches-another-win-in-mayoral-race-as-it-jumps-in-polls/ https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/06/27/record-number-of-violent-antisemitic-incidents-in-germany-in-2022-new-report/
112 https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-shot-dead-in-nazareth-in-incident-reportedly-linked-to-turf-war/
https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/06/27/what-will-happen-when-the-palestinians-strongman-leader-finally-dies/ https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/06/27/house-foreign-affairs-chairman-introduces-resolution-declaring-nuclear-iran-not-acceptable/
Smuggling attempt again. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373512
Different smuggling: During the X-ray inspection, 868
packets of foreign-made cigarettes and 1,430 units of HNB tobacco were found. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373553
Man caught robbing Yeshiva. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373564
Monique B. sent me this. It is good
for the USA and minus attacking Holocaust Memorials good for the Elite,
Egalitarian and “Enlightened” left in Israel. Closing down the airport or ship
port and trying to destroy the currency is not off bounds. In the name of “civil rights” and “freedom” these savage
rioters will always show their true face and go after Holocaust memorials. It’s
because they can’t help it. It’s not about democracy or freedom it’s about hatred
chaos and lawlessness! Make no mistake - the same billionaires that are behind
the progressive left in Europe are funding these riots. Why? Because only
through chaos and despair people are willing to surrender their freedoms for
the sake of eradicating this mess. Johann Fichte used the terms thesis,
antithesis, and synthesis. Hegel used this type of structure to advance his
philosophy: Fuel the two sides of the crisis and you’ll get the result that you
really want.
July 4th
PLO was close to bankruptcy. Now
they have 10 Shachidim, 120 wounded and 120 prisoners to finance. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373647
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/david-beckham-i-am-proud-to-be-part-of-the-jewish-community/
Including some terrorists.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-flee-jenin-as-israel-indicates-terror-crackdown-will-continue/
My son was supposed to fly out last
night at midnight to Dulles but made it to Sheva Brachos and the plane was
supposed to fly at 5 AM only at 9:30AM he got his seat. https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-tussle-with-anti-government-protesters-as-chaos-erupts-at-ben-gurion-airport/
Phila: 4 dead, 6 injured https://www.foxnews.com/us/philadelphia-shooting-suspect-ballistic-vest-leaves-dead-others-injured This is after Baltimore shooting.
Rocks, shooting and vandalism. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373635
UN checks if 1 of 2 Hezballah tents
voluntarily removed. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373638
Terror attack in Bnei Brak. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373619
Spheres from meteor. https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/skzfdtaoh
Aspartame found to cause cancer. https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/hyboccq00h
Ed-Op Ben Dror Yemeni on Israel
today not translated yet on the PLO. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkmkrk0o2
Russian assassin squad. https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-748478
Ramming and stabbing attack in Tel
Aviv. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373681
July 5th
BDE possibly friendly fire kills
chief or master Sgt. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373692
Who won in Jenin theory of
relativity. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-748907
Can’t trust even a terrorist 40years
in the grave. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373693
5 rockets fired from Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373699
Not much physical damage but the
woman whose house was hit psychologically damaged.
IDF replies. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-strikes-gaza-after-rocket-attacks-as-fighting-shifts-following-jenin-offensive/
114 https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-shot-to-death-in-northern-town-amid-unrelenting-crime-wave/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/monday-was-worlds-hottest-day-ever-recorded-us-data-shows/
WSJ imprisoned reporter may be
swapped. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjjrsxgkn
Diane W. Bederman: Suicide-by-Democracy - Diane Bederman-Your Passionate
Voice of Reason https://dianebederman.com/suicide-by-democracy-2/
Cocaine found in white house. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373706
PLO demonstration by Haifa Arabs. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373702
Anti-Judicial Reform protest at
Modern Orthodox Yeshiva. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373711
S. Korea recovers N. Korean
satellite. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373707
Soldier injured in training
accident. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373696
Syrian Rebels. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-748913
Evidence in Madeline McCann case
points to main suspect. https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-748775
Judicial Reform Bill on
reasonableness passes. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-748813
European Cities Air Quality. https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-748837
July 6th
BDE Israeli maybe a soldier murdered
terrorist neutralized by Givati Soldiers. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373791
Syria second airstrike this week.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373789
Russian Israeli researcher abducted.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373767
Policeman thought Autistic Arab
wielding knife was a terrorist. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373792
Left riots blocks roads in 40 places
main blockage Tel Aviv. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373747
BBC journalist
Anjana Gadgil on Wednesday shut down her Twitter account, apparently over
backlash following her interview with
former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in which she insisted that "the Israeli forces are
happy to kill children.” https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373751
After burning the Koran, Swedes want
to burn the Torah. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373755
Cocaine found at White House west
wing. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373757
Right regains some losses not
enough. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373743
Nun sues church. https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-748405
Endangered. https://www.jpost.com/science/the-natural-world/article-748178
A 53-year-old man was shot dead on Sunday in
the northern Druze town of Yarka, in the 115th violent death in Israel's Arab
community this year. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-11-28/ty-article/.premium/murder-suspects-father-shot-dead-115th-victim-in-israels-arab-community-this-year/
July 7th
BDE Staff Sgt. Amir murdered
yesterday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373803
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-palestinian-gunmen-killed-in-clashes-with-idf-in-nablus/
Defense Gallant-Austin meet. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373806
FDA on Thursday granted traditional full approval
to the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, the first medicine proven to slow the course
of the memory-robbing disease. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373818
Norway’s antisemitic stand.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373823
Poll the Likud recovers after Jenin.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-749225
Twitter sue Meta. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-749165
US has a strategic stockpile of
Germanium. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749129
Russian TV propaganda against
Prigozhin. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749207
A healthy, peaceful and
restful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
BDE Staff Sgt. Amir murdered
yesterday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373803
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-palestinian-gunmen-killed-in-clashes-with-idf-in-nablus/
Defense Gallant-Austin meet. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373806
FDA on Thursday granted traditional full approval
to the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, the first medicine proven to slow the course
of the memory-robbing disease. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373818
Norway’s antisemitic stand.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373823
Poll the Likud recovers after Jenin.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-749225
Twitter sue Meta. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-749165
US has a strategic stockpile of
Germanium. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749129
Russian TV propaganda against
Prigozhin. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749207
BDE Staff Sgt. Amir murdered
yesterday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373803
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-palestinian-gunmen-killed-in-clashes-with-idf-in-nablus/
Defense Gallant-Austin meet. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373806
FDA on Thursday granted traditional full approval
to the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, the first medicine proven to slow the course
of the memory-robbing disease. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373818
Norway’s antisemitic stand.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373823
Poll the Likud recovers after Jenin.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-749225
Twitter sue Meta. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-749165
US has a strategic stockpile of
Germanium. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749129
Russian TV propaganda against
Prigozhin. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749207
BDE Staff Sgt. Amir murdered
yesterday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373803
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-palestinian-gunmen-killed-in-clashes-with-idf-in-nablus/
Defense Gallant-Austin meet. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373806
FDA on Thursday granted traditional full approval
to the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, the first medicine proven to slow the course
of the memory-robbing disease. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373818
Norway’s antisemitic stand.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373823
Poll the Likud recovers after Jenin.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-749225
Twitter sue Meta. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-749165
US has a strategic stockpile of
Germanium. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749129
Russian TV propaganda against
Prigozhin. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749207
BDE Staff Sgt. Amir murdered
yesterday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373803
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-palestinian-gunmen-killed-in-clashes-with-idf-in-nablus/
Defense Gallant-Austin meet. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373806
FDA on Thursday granted traditional full approval
to the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, the first medicine proven to slow the course
of the memory-robbing disease. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373818
Norway’s antisemitic stand.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/373823
Poll the Likud recovers after Jenin.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-749225
Twitter sue Meta. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-749165
US has a strategic stockpile of
Germanium. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749129
Russian TV propaganda against
Prigozhin. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-749207
A healthy, peaceful and
restful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
