It is written in Perkei Avos that whomever
quotes something in the name of the original person brings redemption into the
work. Therefore the name of Hansen’s Disease came from Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig
Shlita, but I did not have his name when I posted it. His weekly Drasha is at INFO@SHABBATSHALOM.ORG
Parsha Kedoshim Part 2
Leviticus 19:1 –
20:27
Once one has made holy his actions
in his private life by keeping his marital and other relationships pure, he can
become holy. As we see that HASHEM is holy and expects us to be holy too.
19:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the
children of Israel, and say unto them: Ye shall be holy; for I the LORD your
God am holy.
The theme of this Parsha is for all
of the Bnei Yisrael to be holy for I the L-RD your G-D am holy. Am Yisrael
essentially has been chosen to be HIS Holy Nation.
3 Ye
shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and ye shall keep My sabbaths:
I am the LORD your God.
The first thing of being a Holy
People is to honor the Holy Shabbos. Shabbos is in the plural and it is weekly
or perhaps it also includes Yomim Tovim or all the other holidays in holiness.
4
Turn ye not unto the idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD
your God. 5 And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD, ye
shall offer it that ye may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day ye
offer it, and on the morrow; and if aught remain until the third day, it shall
be burnt with fire. 7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is a vile
thing; it shall not be accepted.
It has become stale and is gluttony
it is called Pegul.
8
But every one that eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned
the holy thing of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from his people. 9
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the
corner of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest. 10
And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the fallen
fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the stranger:
I am the LORD your God.
Gleaming from the poor is like
stealing for we see the juxtaposition with the next sentence.
11
Ye shall not steal; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another. 12
And ye shall not swear by My name falsely, so that thou profane the name of thy
God: I am the LORD.
Swearing falsely in Beis Din is the
first step in stealing from the other person in the court case.
13
Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him; the wages of a hired servant
shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
Not paying the hired person (not
contractor) his day’s wage may prevent him from eating.
14
Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling-block before the blind, but
thou shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. 15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment;
thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor favor the person of the
mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.
The words here speak for themselves. We shall continue next week.
I spent over 10 hours between this computer being down and purchasing on El Al
an alternative flight to the one I had bought for my vacation that I ran out of
time. Next week hopefully will complete.
16
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt
thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor: I am the LORD. 17 Thou shalt not
hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not
bear sin because of him.
You should not hate a fellow Jew despite his misbehavior but try
to rebuke him.
18
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy
people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.
Three commandments here: not to revenge, not to keep grudge and
put love towards your neighbor above his negative character traits.
19
Ye shall keep My statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse
kind; thou shalt not sow thy field with two kinds of seed; neither shall there
come upon thee a garment of two kinds of stuff mingled together.
The laws of shatnez either in fruits/vegetables, animals or wool
and linen. The famous picture of an elephant and giraffe pulling a wagon in the
Dr. Seuss Book It Happened on Mulberry Street would be forbidden as an
ox pulling with a mule.
20
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, designated for a
man, and not at all redeemed, nor was freedom given her; there shall be
inquisition; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 21 And
he shall bring his forfeit unto the LORD, unto the door of the tent of meeting,
even a ram for a guilt-offering. 22 And the priest shall make atonement for him
with the ram of the guilt-offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath
sinned; and he shall be forgiven for his sin which he hath sinned.
If you desire the bondmaid [who has
gone to Mikveh to convert upon being freed but is still a non-Jewish
slave/servant], then free her and marry her but don’t treat her has the
southern slave owners did with their slaves. {In the case of Thomas Jefferson,
he loved his slave and she sired children for him. While is wife was more or
less for social events in his era.}
23
And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of
trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as forbidden; three years
shall it be as forbidden unto you; it shall not be eaten. 24 And in the fourth
year all the fruit thereof shall be holy, for giving praise unto the LORD.
Orlah is the skin on the male child
prior to his Bris. The first three years of fruit are called Orlah also and
forbidden to eat. [This is general for the vineyard as many other fruits don’t
produce so quickly.] In the fourth year, it should be eaten in Yerushalayim.
25
But in the fifth year may ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto
you more richly the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God.
The fifth year onwards, it is yours
to do what you want.
26
Ye shall not eat with the blood; neither shall ye practice divination nor
soothsaying.
Eating of blood involves Kares and
Divination could bring on the death penalty. All these three items are
forbidden.
27
Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the
corners of thy beard.
There are 5 points. Two are the
sideburns area and certain modern haircuts don’t leave enough hair that one can
grasp there. One needs for a cut at least an eighth inch of hair and not too
close to the skin. In fact, a quarter of an inch is better. One does not need
long peyos. I work on Kiruv with non-religious and too much peyos might turn
them off, but a man who knows some engineering, science and medicine and can
carry on a conversation on a reasonable level helps in bring the non-religious
to a “primitive antiquated” religion.
28
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor imprint any
marks upon you: I am the LORD.
The Shiites in Lebanon shave their
heads and puts a razor on their head drawing blood in a ceremony for a dead
prophet. If I am not mistaken, this is where the prohibition of making Tattoos
comes from.
29
Profane not thy daughter, to make her a harlot, lest the land fall into
harlotry, and the land become full of lewdness.
Unlike the fertility cults, Judaism
is a holy religion that views a woman for inner beauty, wisdom and advice in
modesty.
30
Ye shall keep My sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Shabbos is one of the most important of Mitzvos. It elevates
holiness and refreshes the holy eternal soul in man.
31
Turn ye not unto the ghosts, nor unto familiar spirits; seek them not out, to
be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
No seances even though I have been
told that they work. We are supposed to live our lives as G-D wants not knowing
the future. If for some reason he reveals the future to us it is HIS WILL that
something happen and we are supposed to act in accordance.
32
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man,
and thou shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
The hoary head could be a senior
that G-D has kept alive. But the real meaning of this is a Talmud Chacham or
Rebbetzin known for their meticulous service for HASHEM and not a boor or
common man who aged and wanders around aimlessly without doing one Mitzvah.
33
And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not do him wrong. 34
The stranger that sojourns with you shall be unto you as the home-born among
you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of
Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Strangers other than tourists mean
Ger Toshav and they must accept the unity or oneness of HASHEM, courts of law,
Jewish Rule of Eretz Yisrael and the seven Mitzvos of the Bnei Noach.
35
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in
measure. 36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye
have: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
I interpret this as having justice
scales, balances and measures. In modern terms a standards institute and
calibration of instruments and scales from time to time. {One of my sub-jobs
were writing standards for projects and periods to calibrate instruments. It is
interesting to note that the fellow in charge of calibration was from Bnei Brak
and only worked half a day with the other half learning in Kollel but he need
the morning job to pay support for his large family. He only worked to get by
and Torah was his main priority.}
37
And ye shall observe all My statutes, and all Mine ordinances, and do them: I
am the LORD.
You shall learn all the laws of
Torah, observe and obey them. Compare this to the beginning of Bechukosai.
20:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Moreover, thou shalt say to the
children of Israel: Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the
strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth of his seed unto Molech; he shall
surely be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3 I
also will set My face against that man, and will cut him off from among his
people, because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile My sanctuary,
and to profane My holy name
4 And if the people of the land do at all hide
their eyes from that man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and put him
not to death; 5 then I will set My face against that man, and against his
family, and will cut him off, and all that go astray after him, to go astray
after Molech, from among their people.
It appears to me hearing stories of
Jews in the mountains of Morocco that would place the new born near coals right
after birth that Molech process with fire started out like this. The Rabbis
were against this process as it was too similar to Molech worship. When a
person started a god of fire and priests. But the roots seem to be from warming
up a new born after leaving the womb into the cooler air. A reminder from last
week of the “seed to Molech”.
This is a ceremony where a baby is
passed above glowing embers/coals or a fire.
Rashi: For Molech. This is a pagan deity called Molech, whose form of
worship was as follows: The
person
hands over his child to the priests of the idol, two large fires are made, and they pass the child
on foot through the two pyres of fire. You must not give. This refers to handing him over to the priests. To have pass through to Molech. This refers to passing the child through the fire.
6
And the soul that turns unto the ghosts, and unto the familiar spirits, to go
astray after them, I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him
off from among his people.
Seances, contacting bones, and
other ceremonies.
7
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am the LORD your God. 8
And keep ye My statutes, and do them: I am the LORD who sanctify you. 9 For
whatsoever man there be that curses his father or his mother shall surely be
put to death; he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon
him.
Instead of honoring his parents, he
is dishonoring them in the worst way.
10
And the man that commits adultery with another man's wife, even he that commits
adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall
surely be put to death.
In Parsha Yisro with the Ten
Commandments, this was forbidden the addition here is the death penalty if one
was warned that she is a married woman. The only example when the death penalty
does not occur is if a man went overseas and came one or two witnesses to the
Beis Din in the town that so and so Cohen, Levi or some other popular name died
and we have lost contact with him. After 90 days, his wife can remarry and it
turns out that such and such Cohen that died lived in the city elsewhere and
the husband was alive. Then having been married by Beis Din, she must get
divorced from both and no death penalty is involved.
11
And the man that lies with his father's wife--he hath uncovered his father's
nakedness--both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon
them.
It is a wife other than his mother.
This would lead to a complete depraved society if allowed.
12
And if a man lie with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to
death; they have wrought corruption; their blood shall be upon them.
This is a reverse relationship of
the above as it was most likely a younger man with an older woman while this is
an older man with a younger woman but corrupting society.
13
And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed
abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Male homosexuality is forbidden by
wasting seed and just like Er and Onan were punished by not engaging in be fruitful
and multiply with Tamar so here the Torah says to execute them. Female
homosexuality did not entitle the death penalty is considered lewd and
forbidden by Rabbinical Injunction. In Tractate Shabbos it is written that a
Cohain should not marry such a woman as she has slept next to another body.
14
And if a man take with his wife also her mother, it is wickedness: they shall
be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
This behavior is so wicked and lewd
that the only repair to society is to give them a more horrible death by “burning”
or pouring molten lead into their mouths. It would make the nation shudder at
the thought.
15
And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death; and ye shall
slay the beast. 16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down
thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to
death; their blood shall be upon them.
I wrote in Chapter 18 that this is depraved
and perverse. This is more than plowing with two different species or mixing
wool and linen in garments it is a disgusting act.
17
And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's
daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness: it is a shameful
thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people:
he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
This is continuation of the
prohibition on incest.
18
And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her
nakedness--he hath made naked her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain
of her blood--both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
This can be between husband and
wife during mensuration and not strangers. See the laws of family purity.
19
And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy
father's sister; for he hath made naked his near kin; they shall bear their
iniquity. 20 And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife--he hath uncovered
his uncle's nakedness--they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
One cannot have relations with an
aunt in anyway. A brother of the father with a niece for land inheritance was
permitted.
21
And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered
his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
This is during his brother’s
lifetime if the brother died childless it is the Mitzvah of Yebum (liverate
marriage).
22
Ye shall therefore keep all My statutes, and all Mine ordinances, and do them,
that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, vomit you not out. 23 And
ye shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I am casting out before
you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24 But I
have said unto you: 'Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you
to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.' I am the LORD your God, who
have set you apart from the peoples.
You shall be a holy people in a holy
land.
25 Ye shall therefore separate between the
clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean; and ye
shall not make your souls detestable by beast, or by fowl, or by anything
wherewith the ground teems, which I have set apart for you to hold unclean.
A reminder to keep the laws of
Kashrus.
26
And ye shall be holy unto Me; for I the LORD am holy, and have set you apart
from the peoples, that ye should be Mine.
We started out the Parsha with being
holy and end it on this note.
27 A
man also or a woman that divines by a ghost or a familiar spirit, shall surely
be put to death; they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon
them.
All this contacting the dead and
other sorts of witchcraft or divination is forbidden.
Parsha Emor
Leviticus
21:1 – 24:23
We now return to the Cohanim in their holiness as their Kedusha is
higher than that of the ordinary Tribes or Levi.
21:1
And the LORD said unto Moses: Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say
unto them: There shall none defile himself for the dead among his
people; 2 except for his kin, that is near unto him, for his mother,
and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his
brother; 3 and for his sister a virgin, that is near unto him, that
hath had no husband, for her may he defile himself. 4 He shall not
defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
For 7 close relatives a Cohain can
go and bury a dead person and later on the Rabbis add a Mays Mitzvah (or a
stranger found dead on the way or in the street). Today in the States, we would
call 911 or in Israel 100 and let the police handle it.
5 They
shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the
corners of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. 6 They
shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the
offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer;
therefore they shall be holy.
This is the custom of the Shiites
and is foreign to Judaism not only for a Cohain but for an ordinary Yisrael or Levi.
7 They
shall not take a woman that is a harlot, or profaned; neither shall they take a
woman put away from her husband; for he is holy unto his God. 8 Thou
shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of thy God; he shall be
holy unto thee; for I the LORD, who sanctify you, am holy. 9 And the
daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the harlot, she
profanes her father: she shall be burnt with fire.
In last week’s Parsha, I wrote that
the Rabbis ruled out a Lesbian for a Cohain too. The divorced woman might have
been divorced because the husband was blemished but being divorced or put away
makes her unacceptable to a Cohain. He should take a virgin so that he
potentially could become Cohain Gadol but if he takes a widow that is OK as she
has not been in any way rejected whether her fault or not.
10 And
the priest that is highest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing
oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let
the hair of his head go loose, nor rend his clothes; 11 neither shall
he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his
mother; 12 neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the
sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is
upon him: I am the LORD. 13 And he shall take a wife in her
virginity. 14 A widow, or one divorced, or a profaned woman, or a
harlot, these shall he not take; but a virgin of his own people shall he take
to wife. 15 And he shall not profane his seed among his people; for I
am the LORD who sanctify him.
A divorced woman might have been a
bad marriage prospect for a Cohain but a widow did nothing wrong. In fact, a
simple Cohain can marry a widow. A Cohain Gadol can only marry a virgin as he
is holier than his brethren.
16 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 17 Speak unto Aaron, saying:
Whosoever he be of thy seed throughout their generations that hath a blemish,
let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For whatsoever
man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame,
or he that hath any thing maimed, or anything too long, 19 or a man
that is broken-footed, or broken-handed, 20 or crook-backed, or a
dwarf, or that hath his eye overspread, or is scabbed, or scurvy, or hath his
stones crushed; 21 no man of the seed of Aaron the priest, that hath
a blemish, shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire; he
hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.
He cannot offer the bread but can
eat the bread. The same with a Korban that he can eat in purity and these
people usually frayed the skins of the animals and helped in maintenance of the
holy areas. Perhaps they also were teachers of younger Cohanim.
22 He
may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the
holy. 23 Only he shall not go in unto the veil, nor come nigh unto
the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not My holy places; for I
am the LORD who sanctify them. 24 So Moses spoke unto Aaron, and to
his sons, and unto all the children of Israel.
This is only for the Cohain Gadol
who wears the Mitre and has the bells to go into the veil on Yom Kippur. These
laws in this chapter were learned thoroughly by the Cohanim.
22:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Speak unto Aaron and to his
sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of
Israel, which they hallow unto Me, and that they profane not My holy name: I am
the LORD.
Do not become over close with the
holy items as did Nadav and Abihu when they died.
3 Say
unto them: Whosoever he be of all your seed throughout your generations, that
approaches unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the
LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from before
Me: I am the LORD.
This is a profane act and a blatant
violation of the job of the Cohain.
4 What
man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath an issue, he shall not eat
of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso touches any one that is
unclean by the dead; or from whomsoever the flow of seed goes out;
The Metzora has to be outside of
the camp and therefore cannot be in the area of the Mishkan/Mikdash.
5 or
whosoever touches any swarming thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man
of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he
hath; 6 the soul that touches any such shall be unclean until the
even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his flesh in
water. 7 And when the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward
he may eat of the holy things, because it is his bread.
Once he has become ritually clean,
he can eat Challah or the cakes of a Korban.
8 That
which dies of itself, or is torn of beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself
therewith: I am the LORD.
But neither can a Jewish/Levi
Stranger (non-Cohain) eat Trafe or Nevailah.
9 They
shall therefore keep My charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if
they profane it: I am the LORD who sanctify them. 10 There shall no
common man eat of the holy thing; a tenant of a priest, or a hired servant,
shall not eat of the holy thing.
Now the law applies to a non-Cohain
not eating food holy to Cohanim.
11 But
if a priest buy any soul, the purchase of his money, he may eat of it; and such
as are born in his house, they may eat of his bread.
His non-Jewish Servant or Jewish Servant until the Shmita Year may
eat of Teruma.
12 And
if a priest's daughter be married unto a common man, she shall not eat of that
which is set apart from the holy things.
Neither the daughter nor the
son-in-law of a Cohain can eat of the Teruma if she is married to a non-Cohain.
13 But
if a priest's daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and is
returned unto her father's house, as in her youth, she may eat of her father's
bread; but there shall no common man eat thereof. 14 And if a man eat
of the holy thing through error, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto
it, and shall give unto the priest the holy thing. 15 And they shall
not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they set apart
unto the LORD; 16 and so cause them to bear the iniquity that
bringeth guilt, when they eat their holy things; for I am the LORD who sanctify
them.
If the widow or divorcee be
childless, she may return to her parent’s house and eat Teruma.
17 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 18 Speak unto Aaron, and to his
sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them: Whosoever he be
of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that bringeth his
offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their free-will-offerings,
which are brought unto the LORD for a burnt-offering; 19 that ye may
be accepted, ye shall offer a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the
sheep, or of the goats. 20 But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall
ye not bring; for it shall not be acceptable for you.
We learned already that a Cohain
cannot have a blemish to serve in the Mishkan/Mikdash. Now we learn that the
Korban itself is not allowed to be blemished.
21 And
whosoever bringeth a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD in fulfilment
of a vow clearly uttered, or for a freewill-offering, of the herd or of the
flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish
therein. 22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scabbed,
or scurvy, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire
of them upon the altar unto the LORD. 23 Either a bullock or a lamb
that hath anything too long or too short, that mayest thou offer for a
freewill-offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted. 24 That
which hath its stones bruised, or crushed, or torn, or cut, ye shall not offer
unto the LORD; neither shall ye do thus in your land. 25 Neither from
the hand of a foreigner shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these,
because their corruption is in them, there is a blemish in them; they shall not
be accepted for you.
In this section the types of
blemishes that make a Korban Pasul also make a Cohain Pasul.
26 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 27 When a bullock, or a sheep, or
a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; but from
the eighth day and thenceforth it may be accepted for an offering made by fire
unto the LORD.
This is the minimum time for the
animal who gave birth and the newborn to be sacrificed. This goes for a calf
whose mother was slaughtered and found alive inside. It does not require kosher
slaughter but cannot be killed until the 8th day.
28 And
whether it be cow or ewe, ye shall not kill it and its young both in one
day. 29 And when ye sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the
LORD, ye shall sacrifice it that ye may be accepted. 30 On the same
day it shall be eaten; ye shall leave none of it until the morning: I am the
LORD. 31 And ye shall keep My commandments, and do them: I am the
LORD. 32 And ye shall not profane My holy name; but I will be
hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD who hallow
you, 33 that brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I
am the LORD.
It is extremely cruel to kill an
animal and its offspring on the same day. Especially the mother and calf, lamb,
etc.
23:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them: The appointed seasons of the LORD, which ye shall
proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My appointed seasons. 3 Six
days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, a
holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of work; it is a sabbath unto the LORD
in all your dwellings.
Another reminder of the holiness of
Shabbos and the prohibition of doing Melacha on Shabbos.
4 These
are the appointed seasons of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall
proclaim in their appointed season. 5 In the first month, on the
fourteenth day of the month at dusk, is the LORD'S Passover. 6 And on
the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the
LORD; seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day ye
shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile
work. 8 And ye shall bring an offering made by fire unto the LORD
seven days; in the seventh day is a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile
work.
After Shabbos in holiness are the
festivals. The first one is Pesach.
9 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses saying: 10 Speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them: When ye are come into the land which I give unto
you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring the sheaf of the
first-fruits of your harvest unto the priest. 11 And he shall wave
the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you; on the morrow after the
sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 And in the day when ye wave the
sheaf, ye shall offer a he-lamb without blemish of the first year for a
burnt-offering unto the LORD. 13 And the meal-offering thereof shall
be two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made
by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savor; and the drink-offering thereof shall
be of wine, the fourth part of a hin. 14 And ye shall eat neither
bread, nor parched corn, nor fresh ears, until this selfsame day, until ye have
brought the offering of your God; it is a statute forever throughout your
generations in all your dwellings.
This is Chag Shavuos. The counting
of 50 days starts after the first day of Pesach or on the 51st day
will be Shavuos. The Karities take this literally and therefore Motzei the
first Shabbos after Pesach.
15 And
ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the day of rest, from the day
that ye brought the sheaf of the waving; seven weeks shall there be
complete; 16 even unto the morrow after the seventh week shall ye
number fifty days; and ye shall present a new meal-offering unto the
LORD. 17 Ye shall bring out of your dwellings two wave-loaves of two
tenth parts of an ephah; they shall be of fine flour, they shall be baked with
leaven, for first-fruits unto the LORD. 18 And ye shall present with the
bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and
two rams; they shall be a burnt-offering unto the LORD, with their
meal-offering, and their drink-offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a
sweet savor unto the LORD. 19 And ye shall offer one he-goat for a
sin-offering, and two he-lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of
peace-offerings. 20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of
the first-fruits for a wave-offering before the LORD, with the two lambs; they
shall be holy to the LORD for the priest. 21 And ye shall make
proclamation on the selfsame day; there shall be a holy convocation unto you;
ye shall do no manner of servile work; it is a statute forever in all your
dwellings throughout your generations. 22 And when ye reap the
harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corner of thy field,
neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest; thou shalt leave them
for the poor, and for the stranger: I am the LORD your God.
The mention of the first fruits
(Bikkurim) and which animals are used for Korbanos.
23 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 24 Speak unto the children of
Israel, saying: In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall be a
solemn rest unto you, a memorial proclaimed with the blast of horns, a holy
convocation. 25 Ye shall do no manner of servile work; and ye shall
bring an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
This is Rosh Hashanah.
26 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 27 Howbeit on the tenth day of
this seventh month is the day of atonement; there shall be a holy convocation
unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; and ye shall bring an offering made
by fire unto the LORD. 28 And ye shall do no manner of work in that
same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before the
LORD your God. 29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted
in that same day, he shall be cut off from his people. 30 And
whatsoever soul it be that doeth any manner of work in that same day, that soul
will I destroy from among his people. 31 Ye shall do no manner of
work; it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your
dwellings. 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of solemn rest, and ye
shall afflict your souls; in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto
even, shall ye keep your sabbath.
On Yom Kippur, one should afflict
themselves and rest similar to Shabbos.
33 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 34 Speak unto the children of
Israel, saying: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of
tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. 35 On the first day shall
be a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile
work. 36 Seven days ye shall bring an offering made by fire unto the
LORD; on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation unto you; and ye shall
bring an offering made by fire unto the LORD; it is a day of solemn assembly;
ye shall do no manner of servile work. 37 These are the appointed seasons
of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to bring an
offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt-offering, and a meal-offering, a
sacrifice, and drink-offerings, each on its own day; 38 beside the
sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and
beside all your freewill-offerings, which ye give unto the
LORD. 39 Howbeit on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye
have gathered in the fruits of the land, ye shall keep the feast of the LORD
seven days; on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day
shall be a solemn rest.
This is now the holiday of Sukkos.
40 And
ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of
palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and ye shall
rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. 41 And ye shall keep it
a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year; it is a statute forever in your
generations; ye shall keep it in the seventh month.
These are the four species for
Sukkos making up the Lulav and Esrog.
42 Ye
shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are home-born in Israel shall dwell
in booths; 43 that your generations may know that I made the children
of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I
am the LORD your God. 44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel
the appointed seasons of the LORD.
The huts or booths in modern times
are more protected that those of the past and sometimes easier constructed.
24:1
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'Command the children of
Israel, that they bring unto t hee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to
cause a lamp to burn continually. 3 Without the veil of the
testimony, in the tent of meeting, shall Aaron order it from evening to morning
before the LORD continually; it shall be a statute forever throughout your
generations. 4 He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick
before the LORD continually.
The olive oil used in the Mikdash for
lighting consists of oil that drips from the olive and not pressed or when put
in with other olives. This is called extra virgin in today’s language “extra
virgin olive oil”.
5 And
thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth parts of
an ephah shall be in one cake. 6 And thou shalt set them in two rows,
six in a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. 7 And thou shalt
put pure frankincense with each row, that it may be to the bread for a
memorial-part, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 8 Every
sabbath day he shall set it in order before the LORD continually; it is from
the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant. 9 And it shall be
for Aaron and his sons; and they shall eat it in a holy place; for it is most
holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, a perpetual
due.'
This section deals with the
Shewbread and the continuous flame on the Mizbayach.
10 And
the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among
the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelitish woman and a man of
Israel strove together in the camp. 11 And the son of the Israelitish
woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him unto Moses. And his
mother's name was Shulamit, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of
Dan. 12 And they put him in ward, that it might be declared unto them
at the mouth of the LORD.
This whole section was going along
very smoothly. It is holy and all of a sudden we have the profanation of the
DIVINE NAME. His mother was from Dan but his father was non-Jewish from birth
and perhaps did not even convert.
13 And
the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 14 'Bring forth him that hath
cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his
head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And thou shalt speak
unto the children of Israel, saying: Whosoever curses his God shall bear his
sin. 16 And he that blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall surely
be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him; as well the
stranger, as the home-born, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to
death.
This blasphemy was unexpected and the law was taught. Therefore he
was to be put to death.
17 And
he that smites any man mortally shall surely be put to death. 18 And
he that smites a beast mortally shall make it good: life for
life. 19 And if a man maim his neighbor; as he hath done, so shall it
be done to him: 20 breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth;
as he hath maimed a man, so shall it be rendered unto him. 21 And he
that kills a beast shall make it good; and he that kills a man shall be put to
death.
As long as the Torah has written
about the death penalty so we continue with the laws of the murderer and a
review of the laws of damages.
22 Ye
shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for the home-born;
for I am the LORD your God.' 23 And Moses spoke to the children of
Israel, and they brought forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stoned
him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
The Perpetual Burning Flame for Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5785/1430-32.html
A tangible hush swept
through the study hall. It was Lag B’Omer, 1926. Morning prayers had just
ended, and the air still shimmered with echoes of devotion. The chasidim
gathered around their Rebbe, Rabbi Yisrael of Chortkov, cups of l'chaim in
hand, drawn close by their strong feelings of reverence and love.
Everyone knew of the
deep, mystic bond between the Chortkov dynasty and the heavenly sage, Rabbi
Shimon bar Yochai, dating back to the Rebbe's great-grandfather, the renowned
Rabbi Yisrael of Rhyzhin, for whom he was named. His grandfather, son of the
heiliger ['holy'] Rhyziner and first of the Chortkov dynasty, the saintly Rabbi
David Moshe, had a soul-connection with the tzaddik of Meron that defied words.
He was the one who
established the lighting of the Ner Tamid-the perpetual flame-at Rabbi Shimon's
tomb in Meron. He sent money from Eastern Europe to his followers in the holy
city of Safed, to be distributed to the poor and to purchase oil for the Ner
Tamid that it will forever be burning continuously at the gravesite.
Rabbi Yisrael followed
in his father's footsteps (and after him, his son, Rabbi Nachum Mordechai). Lag
B’Omer was celebrated with particular festivity in the study hall of Rabbi
Yisrael.
During World War I,
the Rebbe had fled to Vienna, where he settled and soon became a beacon to Jews
of every stripe-chasidim, secular, learned, and many of those who had not
previously been exposed to chasidic ways. All found in him a listening ear, and
many came to partake of his radiant presence and to be uplifted by his love for
every Jew. Especially on Lag B’Omer, his court overflowed.
L'chaim! To
life!" the Rebbe's voice rang out, rich with joy and yearning.
The crowd responded
with a hearty chorus that reverberated through the hall. Then silence dominated
again, and in that stillness the Rebbe's voice rang out.
"The word spread
about my father," he began, "that he carried the soul of Rabbi Shimon
within him. Indeed, their connection was wondrous. For years, Jews have been
flocking to Meron to pray at Rabbi Shimon's gravesite, especially on Lag B’Omer,
the day of his passing. Yet for some reason, no one ever lit a flame there that
would be maintained without pause, until my father established this sacred practice."
The Rebbe then blessed the crowd, praying that the merit of the divine sage
would stand in their defense.
After a brief pause he
continued to speak, at the same time his eyes scanning the sea of faces.
"I want to tell you of a miracle I witnessed myself. A wonder born of that
continually burning flame at Rabbi Shimon's tomb."
"It happened not
long ago," the Rebbe said. "A man knocked on my door, a religious Jew
who had come all the way from the city of Cologne, Germany. In his arms, he
carried his little daughter, as limp and motionless as a rag doll. Her eyes
were blank. Her lips silent. She made no sound. All she did was stare with a
blank, expressionless gaze.
"The man burst
into tears. 'Please, Rebbe. Help us!' he begged. 'My daughter was perfectly
healthy. Then, one day, suddenly she became paralyzed. She stopped speaking;
stopped hearing; stopped moving.
"'I took her to
the best doctors-in Cologne, Berlin, throughout the region -but not one of them
could diagnose the cause of her losses or find a cure. So I came to Vienna, my
last hope. But even here…the expert doctors each told me there's no
hope.'"
The Rebbe's voice
softened. "I looked into his face, and I saw a soul unraveling. My heart
ached for him. I tried to encourage him and strengthen his faith. I also told
him: Doctors have permission to heal, but not to despair.
"He wept harder.
'Rebbe,' he whispered, 'I believe you have the power to save her.'
I answered that I'm no
miracle worker, so the best I could do was pray for mercy on her behalf. Only
the Holy One Above heals the sick.
"But I did refer
him to a specialist who was famous throughout Europe. Perhaps he would be G-d's
agent to bring healing. The man left, a flicker of hope rekindled within him.
He went straight to the famous doctor. Given the urgency, the doctor agreed to
see the girl immediately.
"But the next day
he returned, crushed and despairing. The renowned specialist also saw no
possibility for a cure. His last hope had evaporated.
"As he turned to
leave, the child in his arms like a silent stone, a sudden thought flashed
through my mind. I remembered I had a small vial of oil from the Ner Tamid in
Meron-sent to me from the tomb of Rabbi Shimon!
"'Wait,' I called
him back. I handed him the vial. 'This is oil from the perpetually burning
flame at Rabbi Shimon's tomb in Meron. Anoint your daughter with it. May the
tzaddik's merit stand for you in this hour of need, and may your daughter
experience a swift salvation.'"
"He did as I
instructed. Within just a few days, she began to move. Two weeks later, she
walked into my room with her father on her own two feet. Whole again. she could
walk, hear, and speak as though she had never been ill.
"Her father broke
into a dance like King David before the Ark, right there in my study,
overwhelmed by the miracle and unable to contain himself. I sent him straight
back to the great doctor who had given up on her so that he could see the
wonder for himself.
"Later, the man
reported back to me how the astonished doctor had placed his hands on his chest
in disbelief, and exclaimed: 'This… this is unbelievable,' he exclaimed. 'A
miracle.'. 'A genuine divine miracle!'"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Heavily revised by Yerachmiel Tilles from a "ChatGPT"
translation of an article in an issue of the Israeli Hebrew weekly Sichat
HaShavua for Lag B’Omer, 2017, based on the book, "Doresh Tov" by R'
David Spiegel, who was present in Chortkov at the time of the event.
Why This Week? Clearly there is a connection to Meron (and
Lag B'Omer), which falls towards the end of next week [so save it!], but the
connection to this week and this month is also strong, as the Jewish month of
IYAR as known as the "Month of Healing" (for several reasons).
Biographical notes (in order of appearance):
Rabbi Yisroel Friedman (10 Iyar 1854 - 13 Kislev 1934), the second Chortkover
Rebbe, had chasidim numbering in the tens of thousands. These included quite a
few famous Rebbes and Rabbanim. When World War I broke out he moved to Vienna,
where he lived for the rest of his life. In the first international convention
('Knessia Hagedola') of Agudas Yisroel in 1923, he was elected to be the head,
along with the Chafetz Chaim and the Gerer Rebbe, both of whom deferred to him.
His books, Tiferes Yisroel, Yismach Yisroel, and Ginzei Yisroel, are considered
classic works.
Rabbi
David-Moshe Friedman (20 Cheshvan 1828-21 Tishrei1903), the first Chortkover
Rebbe, was the fifth of the holy six sons of the famed R. Yisrael of Rhyzhin
(1797-1850), who attracted a large following after the death of his father. He
is the author of Divrei Dovid.
Omer Counting By Rabbi
Jacobson Shlita (click link below)
Week 4 Endurance (and Ambition)
During
the fourth week of counting the Omer, we examine and refine the emotional attribute
of endurance known as Netzach. Netzach means endurance, fortitude and ambition
and is a combination of determination and tenacity. It is a balance of
patience, persistence and guts. Endurance is also being reliable and
accountable, which establishes security and commitment. Without endurance, any
good endeavor or intention has no chance of success. Endurance means to be
alive, to be driven by what counts. It is the readiness to fight for what you
believe, to go all the way. This, of course, requires that endurance be closely
examined to ensure that it is used in a healthy and productive manner.
Day
22 – Chesed of Netzach: Lovingkindness in Endurance
For anything to endure it needs to be loved. A neutral or indifferent attitude
will reflect in a marginal commitment. If you have difficulty making
commitments, examine how much you love and enjoy the object that requires your
commitment. Do I love my work? My family? My choices?
For endurance to be effective it needs to be caring and loving. Does my
endurance cause me to be, or seem to be, inflexible? Does my drive and
determination cause me to be controlling? Am I too demanding? Do others (my
employees, friends, children) cooperate with me out of the sheer force of my
will and drive, or out of love?
Exercise for the day: When fighting for something you believe in, pause a
moment to ensure that it is accomplished in a loving manner..
Day
23 – Gevurah of Netzach: Discipline in Endurance
Examine the discipline of your endurance. Endurance must be directed toward
productive goals and expressed in a constructive manner. Is my endurance and
determination focused to help cultivate good habits and break bad ones? Or is
it the other way around? Does my endurance come from strength or weakness? Does
it come out of deep conviction or out of defensiveness? Do I use my endurance
against itself by being tenacious in my lack of determination?
Exercise for the day: Break one bad habit today.
Day
24 – Tiferet of Netzach: Compassion in Endurance
Healthy endurance, directed to develop good qualities and modifying bad ones,
will always be compassionate. The compassion of endurance reflects a most
beautiful quality of endurance: an enduring commitment to help another grow.
Endurance without compassion is misguided and selfish. Endurance needs to be
not just loving to those who deserve love, but also compassionate to the less
fortunate. Does my determination compromise my compassion for others? Am I able
to rise above my ego and empathize with my competitors? Am I gracious in victory?
Exercise for the day: Be patient and listen to someone who usually makes you
impatient.
Day
25– Netzach of Netzach: Endurance in Endurance
Everyone has willpower and determination. We have the capacity to endure much
more than we can imagine, and to prevail under the most trying of
circumstances. Ask yourself: Is my behavior erratic? Am I inconsistent and
unreliable? Since I have will and determination, why am I so mercurial? Am I
afraid of accessing my endurance and committing? Do I fear being trapped by my
commitment? If yes, why? Is it a reaction to some past trauma? Instead of
cultivating endurance in healthy areas, have I developed a capacity for
endurance of unhealthy experiences? Do I endure more pain than pleasure? Do I
underestimate my capacity to endure?
Exercise for the day: Commit yourself to developing a new good habit.
Day
26 – Hod of Netzach: Humility in Endurance
Yielding – which is a result of humility – is an essential element of enduring.
Standing fast can sometimes be a formula for destruction. The oak, lacking the
ability to bend in the hurricane, is uprooted. The reed, which yields to the
wind, survives without a problem. Do I know when to yield, out of strength not
fear? Why am I often afraid to yield?
Endurance is fueled by inner strength. Hod of Netzach is the humble recognition
and acknowledgement that the capacity to endure and prevail comes from the soul
that G-d gave each person. This humility does not compromise the drive of
endurance; on the contrary, it intensifies it, because human endurance can go
only so far and endure only so much, whereas endurance that comes from the
Divine soul is limitless. Do I attribute my success solely to my own strength
and determination? Am I convinced that I am all-powerful due to my level of endurance?
Where do I get the strength at times when everything seems so bleak?
Exercise for the day: When you awake, acknowledge G-d for giving you a soul
with the extraordinary power and versatility to endure despite trying
challenges. This will allow you to draw energy and strength for the entire day.
Day
27 – Yesod of Netzach: Bonding in Endurance
Bonding is an essential quality of endurance. It expresses your unwavering
commitment to the person or experience you are bonding with, a commitment so
powerful that you will endure all to preserve it. Endurance without bonding
will not endure.
Exercise for the day: To ensure the endurance of your new resolution, bond
with it immediately. This can be assured by promptly actualizing your
resolution in some constructive deed or committing yourself to another.
Day
28 – Malchus of Netzach: Nobility in Endurance
Sovereignty is the cornerstone of endurance. Endurance that encompasses the
previous six qualities is indeed a tribute and testimony to the majesty of the
human spirit.
Is my endurance dignified? Does it bring out the best in me? When faced with
hardships do I behave like a king or queen, walking proudly with my head up,
confident in my G-d-given strengths, or do I cower and shrivel up in fear?
Exercise for the day: Fight for a dignified cause.
Week 5 Humility
During the fifth week of counting the Omer, we examine and
refine the emotional attribute of Hod or humility. Humility – and the resulting
yielding – should not be confused with weakness and lack of self-esteem. Hod or
humility is modesty – it is acknowledgment (from the root of the Hebrew word
“hoda’ah”). It is saying “thank you” to G-d. It is clearly recognizing your
qualities and strengths and acknowledging that they are not your own; they were
given to you by G-d for a higher purpose than just satisfying your own needs.
Humility is modesty; it is recognizing how small you are which allows you to
realize how large you can become. And that makes humility so formidable.
A full cup cannot be filled. When you’re filled with yourself
and your needs, “I and nothing else”, there is no room for more. When you
“empty” yourself before something greater than yourself, your capacity to
receive increases beyond your previously perceived limits. Humility is the key
to transcendence; to reach beyond yourself. Only true humility gives you the
power of total objectivity. Humility is sensitivity; it is healthy shame out of
recognition that you can be better than you are and that you can expect more of
yourself. Although humility is silent it is not a void. It is a dynamic
expression of life that includes all seven qualities of love, discipline,
compassion, endurance, humility, bonding and sovereignty.
Day 29 – Chesed of Hod: Lovingkindness in Humility
Examine the love in your humility. Healthy humility is not demoralizing; it
brings love and joy not fear. Humility that lacks love has to be reexamined for
its authenticity. Sometimes humility can be confused with low self-esteem,
which would cause it to be unloving. Humility brings love because it gives you
the ability to rise above yourself and love another. Does my humility cause me
to be more loving and giving? More expansive? Or does it inhibit and constrain
me?
Exercise for the day: Before praying with humility and acknowledgment of
G-d, give some charity. It will enhance your prayers.
Day 30 – Gevurah of Hod: Discipline in Humility
Humility must be disciplined and focused. When should my humility cause me to
compromise and when not? In the name of humility do I sometimes remain silent
and neutral in the face of wickedness? Humility must also include respect and
awe for the person or experience before whom you stand humble. If my humility
is wanting, is it because I don’t respect another?
Exercise for the day: Focus in on your reluctance to commit in a given area
to see if it originates from a healthy, humble place.
Day 31 – Tiferet of Hod: Compassion in Humility
Examine if your humility is compassionate. Does my humility cause me to be
self-contained and anti-social or does it express itself in empathy for others.
Is my humility balanced and beautiful? Or is it awkward? Just as humility
brings compassion, compassion can lead one to humility. If you lack humility,
try acting compassionately, which can help bring you to humility.
Exercise for the day: Express a humble feeling in an act of compassion.
Day 32 – Netzach of Hod: Endurance in Humility
Examine the strength and endurance of your humility. Does my humility withstand
challenges? Am I firm in my positions or do I waffle in the name of humility?
Humility and modesty should not cause one to feel weak and insecure. Netzach of
Hod underscores the fact that true humility does not make you into a “doormat”
for others to step on; on the contrary, humility gives you enduring strength.
Is my humility perceived as weakness? Does that cause others to take advantage
of me?
Exercise for the day: Demonstrate the strength of your humility by
initiating or actively participating in a good cause.
Day 33 – Hod of Hod: Humility in Humility
Everyone has humility and modesty in their hearts, the question is the measure
and manner in which one consciously feels it. Am I afraid to be too humble? Do
I mask and protect my modesty with aggressive behavior? Humility must also be
examined for its genuineness. Is my humility humble? Or is it yet another
expression of arrogance? Do I take too much pride in my humility? Do I flaunt
it? Is it self-serving? Is my humility part of a crusade or is it genuine?
Exercise for the day: Be humble just for its own sake.
Day 34 – Yesod of Hod: Bonding in Humility
Humility should not be a lonely experience. It ought to result in deep bonding
and commitment. There is no stronger bond than one that comes out of humility.
Does my humility separate me from others or bring us closer? Does my humility
produce results? Long term results? Does it create an everlasting foundation
upon which I and others can rely and build.
Exercise for the day: Use your humility to build something lasting.
Day 35 – Malchus of Hod: Nobility in Humility
Walking humbly is walking tall. Dignity is the essence of humility and modesty.
The splendor of humility is majestic and aristocratic. Humility that suppresses
the human spirit and denies individual sovereignty is not humility at all. Does
my humility make me feel dignified? Do I feel alive and vibrant?
Exercise for the day: Teach someone how humility and modesty enhance human
dignity.
This is an excerpt from “Counting the Omer – A Spiritual Guide”
by Rabbi Simon Jacobson. This unique book is now available at our online store.
Life Threatening
Danger at the Tombstone of Rabbi Shimon
By Rabbi Yerachmiel
Tilles
https://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1431-33
It was on the day before Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, in the final month
of the devout elderly chasid Rabbi Naftali-Zvi Goldberg's life. Originally from
Reitzpert, Hungary, he lived now in Jerusalem. Feeling that his days in this
world were numbered, Rabbi Naftali-Zvi called for his grandson, Shlomo-Zalman
Goldberg, then a young man.
"My dear grandson," he asked, "do you know what
the name Tammuz stands for?" The boy stayed silent, and the grandfather
continued, "Tammuz is an acronym for Zemanei Teshuvah Memashmeshin
U'ba'im-'the times of repentance are drawing near.' So we must begin to repent.
And since I feel that my end is near, I want to share with you a story that
happened many years ago. Until now, I've kept it secret. But before I go to the
World of Truth, I want to pass it on to you, so you can share it with future
generations."
"For many years," he began, "I dedicated the
months of Elul and Tishrei to serving the Creator. During that time, I would
leave my home, disconnect from the distractions of the world, and sit at the
gravesite of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron. There, I would immerse myself in
Torah study and prayer.
"One year, I was in Meron, wrapped in
a tallit and adorned with tefillin, studying Torah with a
partner in the large hall between the graves of Rabbi Shimon and his son, Rabbi
Elazar. Since we were alone at the time, we locked the doors to avoid unwanted
visitors-especially shady characters who sometimes wandered through the area.
"As we sat there deeply engrossed in study, we suddenly
heard a sound from above. We looked up, and to our shock, saw two Bedouins
lowering themselves through the small window in the ceiling. They were armed
with swords and wore boots with sharp metal soles. Just seeing them was enough
to strike terror into our hearts.
"We froze.
"We well understood the danger threatening our lives. Their
appearance and the way they entered left no doubt about their evil intentions.
Running was not an option-they would catch us instantly. Screaming wouldn't
help either; no one would hear us. In another few moments, they'd be upon us.
Our minds raced, searching for a way to escape.
"After thinking for a second, I turned to my friend and
said, 'Whatever happens to us is in God's hands. But at the very least, we must
protect our tefillin from becoming defiled by these heathens.'
"In one corner were extinguished coals that we had used to
cook our meals. We quickly jumped up, removed our tefillin and hid them among
the coals.
"Right after that, we each retreated into a different
corner of the room and began saying Vidui (confession) and reciting Shema
Yisrael with intense focus. Without realizing it, I let out a heavy sigh,
overwhelmed by what we were about to face. It was hard to accept that such a
tragedy would strike us specifically here, in this holy place, in the shadow of
the great tzadik and sage, the saintly Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
"As I prayed, thoughts swirling in my mind, I suddenly felt
as if two strong hands gripped my waist and lifted me up. The next few seconds
went by in a blur, but the next thing I knew, I was standing on a hill with my
partner there beside me., looking down at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon.
"We stood there silently for several minutes, stunned,
looking at each other. We were still shaken by the fear of what had almost
happened, unable to grasp yet at the same time in awe of the miracle we had
just experienced. We realized that we were saved by the merit of Rabbi Shimon,
who performed salvations in his lifetime and no less after his passing.
"After we regained our composure, we hurried to the nearby
village, where Rabbi Yochanan the Sandal Maker is buried. We sought out the
Arab merchants who lived there that had befriended us when we shopped for food.
We told them what had happened.
"The Arabs quickly formed a group and headed to the
gravesite, hoping to capture the two Bedouins who had dared break into a holy
place and tried to harm us. But by the time they arrived, the intruders had
vanished without a trace."
Rabbi Naftali-Zvi ended his story, leaned forward towards his
grandson, and added:
"Right after the incident, my friend and I resolved to keep the whole
episode a secret. We didn't want our names to be associated with stories of
miracles and wonders, nor did we want people to think we had special powers.
But now, in my final days, I feel it is my duty to share the story, so that
everyone will know the holiness of Rabbi Shimon's resting place."
Less than a week later, on the 6th of Tammuz, Rabbi Naftali-Zvi
Goldberg passed away in Jerusalem and was buried on the Mount of Olives. His
gravestone is inscribed [in Hebrew]:
Here lies the devout and distinguished chasid, diligent in Torah
study and prayer, God-fearing, Rabbi Naftali-Zvi, son of the renowned chasidic
sage, a holy man of God, our teacher Rabbi Ze'ev-Wolf, head of the Rabbinical
Court of the Reitzpert community in Hungary, and student of the holy Rebbe,
Rabbi Yitzchak-Isaac of Kaliv. His eternal rest is in Tzfat.
```````````````````````````
Source: Heavily revised by Yerachmiel Tilles from a "ChatGPT"
translation of an article in the issue of the Israeli Hebrew weekly Sichat
HaShavua for Lag B’Omer, 2006, based on the version in the Yiddish book,
"Di Brucha Een Shtub" [Mosdot Karlin-Stolin]
Compiler's note:
If anyone can inform me of the year of his passing, I will surely appreciate
it.
What Blessing do we make on a hot
dog in a bun? Perhaps 57-60years ago one of the students posed the question to my
Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yacov London Ztzal. It is not a simple matter. The main
reason one purchases it is for the hot dog or perhaps hamburger and not the bun.
However, the staple of a meal is bread. The argument went if somebody gave you
the bun without the hotdog you would not purchase it. So the main reason you
are eating it is for the hotdog. (With my low gluten diet today, I would throw
away the bun) But the conclusion was that if you eat it with the sauerkraut,
mustard, relish and ketchup in the bun then you are eating a meal and therefore
you have to bless the bread. Chabad came out with a similar question if the bun
is like cake or not and the conclusion was the same. Is
a Hot Dog a Sandwich? - Chabad.org
Milestone: Margot
Friedlander, 103, a Holocaust survivor and witness to the atrocities of Nazi
persecution, passed away. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408114
Milestone: Magda Baratz,
96, Holocaust survivor, passed away last Friday – two weeks after her
great-grandson, Master Sergeant (res.) Asaf Cafri, fell in battle
in Gaza. She is survived by three children, ten grandchildren, and seventeen
great-grandchildren. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408156
Inyanay Diyoma
May 10th and May 11th
Day 582 and Day 583 start of week 84
https://www.timesofisrael.com/two-idf-soldiers-killed-six-wounded-in-southern-gaza-fighting/
IDF,
Yamam and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) forces on Friday operated in the
area of Shechem (Nablus) in order to apprehend the terrorist Noor Beitawi, the
head of the Islamic Jihad's terror network in Jenin. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408111
Steve
Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, discussed Trump's
approach to foreign policy with Breitbart News, focusing on the President's
preference for diplomacy over military intervention in resolving global
conflicts, especially in regard to Iran’s nuclear program. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408115
The
IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced on Friday evening that they
struck several Hamas terrorists who were operating in the area of Jabaliya, in
northern Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408113
Airlines that suspended service but British
passed June 15th already. https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/1jhr05g65#autoplay
Hegseth will not visit Israel. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-853336
Syrian Border reinforced. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-853330
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-total-reset-negotiated-china-tariff-talks-geneva
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/army-medic-speaks-honored-saving-14-year-old-girls-life-call-duty
Arab in fighting death. https://www.timesofisrael.com/8-year-old-killed-several-others-hurt-in-shooting-on-bedouin-wedding-convoy-in-south/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/yeshiva-university-rescinds-approval-of-lgbtq-student-group/
Remains of American Reporter found in Syria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408133
F-16 drops munitions in Jezreel Valley. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408124
U.S.
Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a warning to the Iran-backed
Houthi rebels, stating that further attacks on Israel could carry serious
implications for the United States. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408125
Former
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking on the weekend at the "Lion of
Israel" award ceremony organized by the Magbit Foundation, which works to
strengthen Israel's national resilience, warned that "Israel has a narrow
window of opportunity that may not return—we must act now against Iran's
nuclear program before it is too late." https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408135
Lieberman will run for PM. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408136
Widow shares the last words of soldier on a
mission. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408127
Nine
soldiers from the Jerusalem Brigade (16) were lightly injured due to an
explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) during an operational
activity in northern Gaza. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408123
Shuk(market) for new immigrants to sell their
wares. My neighbor and wife without their 4 children selling their product. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVJJwUKtZ1I
May 12th
Day 584
https://www.timesofisrael.com/tehran-says-4th-round-of-nuclear-talks-difficult-while-us-encouraged/
Goth or Bluth? An IDF combat
reservist and father residing in the Malachei Hashalom community in the
Binyamin region has been barred from his home and from all of Judea and Samaria
by an administrative order signed by the IDF Central Command chief, Maj. Gen.
Avi Bluth. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408171
No
indictment in Qatergate. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408226
German
violently attack Israelis in Hungary. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408222
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-attacks-yemens-hodeidah-houthi-interior-ministry-says/
May 13th
Day 585
Maki,
a researcher at Al Jazeera's media institute, believes that the Hamas terror
organization stands to benefit significantly from the deal that led to the
release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408235
A comprehensive new survey unveiled at the European Jewish
Association's (EJA) Annual Conference in Madrid paints a sobering picture of
rising antisemitism across Europe, largely fueled by imported hatred and the
ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict. The findings reflect a continent grappling
with the consequences of foreign conflicts seeping into domestic discourse and
fueling anti-Jewish sentiment. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408220
Head of Egyptian Intel was in on Oct. 7th
attack. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408223
American-Israeli
hostage Edan Alexander is expected to be released from Hamas captivity on
Monday, and if his medical condition allows it, he will depart for Qatar to
meet with President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408230
During
a cabinet meeting on Sunday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir raised
the issue of a recent visit by Jibril Rajoub, a senior Palestinian Authority
(PA) official, to a relative in an Israeli hospital. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408198
Reservist
Daniel Yahalom, 32, from Haifa, was sentenced to five days in prison for
refusing to serve in Judea and Samaria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408214
Op-Ed Dr. Fanger Iran is up to its old tricks. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408190
May 14th
Day 586
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-intercepts-houthi-ballistic-missile-2-hurt-running-for-shelter/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-to-saudi-arabia-youll-join-abraham-accords-in-your-own-time/
In a
tense session of the Knesset's Aliyah and Absorption Committee, harrowing
testimonies were presented about the condition of Israeli children held in
welfare facilities in Guatemala since December, after being removed from the
extremist “Lev Tahor” cult. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408326
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-signs-agreements-qatar-defense-boeing-purchases
An
armored vehicle from the IDF’s Caracal Battalion overturned on Route 10 in
southern Israel — reportedly due to driving at a speed unsuited to road conditions.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408341
In a
pre-dawn operation on Wednesday, approximately one hundred police officers and
Civil Administration inspectors, backed by heavy machinery, arrived at the Noda
B' Yehuda hill near Maale Amos in eastern Gush Etzion and carried out a
demolition of structures at the site. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408333
Following
a historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed
al-Sharaa, during which the US President called on Syria to join the Abraham
Accords, a senior Syrian official is not ruling out the possibility.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408365
The IDF revealed new intelligence indications demonstrating the
continued terrorist activity of the Hamas organization from within and near
civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, including hospitals, educational
institutions, and other civilian facilities.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408371
Amid
international efforts to end the war and free the Israeli hostages from Hamas
captivity, US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has formulated a new
framework for the release of the hostages and the end of the war, which leaves
Hamas out of power. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408376
Hamas Spokesman believed to be a Shachid. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408370
Facebook and security concerns of
Jewish Groups. I moderate/Administrate a number of FB Groups. I noticed that
“new” people one day on Facebook wanted to join the group or somebody named
Hasan, Mohammed, etc. all of a sudden was interested in Judaism. I just quietly
keep them out of the group. Or a certain Hertzi HaLevy wanted to join a Virtual
IDF Group. Now really for sure! Suddenly, on groups that I don’t moderate and
post, my posts are spam or reported! I understand what is going on but those
who never worked with Israeli Security do not realize the infiltration. Same
with a Conversion Group where the potential Convert is I love J.C. Jews for
Cheeses etc.
May 15th
Day 587
Five Terrorists killed in Operation. IDF forces
continue to search for the terrorists who murdered Tzayla Gez, who was on her
way to give birth, on Wednesday outside the community of Bruchin in Samaria. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408422
Schneider
Children’s Medical Center reported Thursday morning that the newborn delivered
following the deadly terror attack near Peduel is in serious but
stable condition. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408395
Bennett: Netanyahu Government is in shock from
changes in the region. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408423
Measles outbreak. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-854053
Pekuach Nefesh to vaccinate children against
measles. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408418
In 1957 a few months before my 10th birthday there was a
measles outbreak. Children were quarantined and forced to stay in dark rooms. I
was so weak it was hard to get out of bed to go to the toilet or bathe. There
was no injection to prevent it then. Now there is don’t play games with your
children!
Cleveland Nazi: A man checked
out dozens of books on Jewish history and other marginalized topics from a
public library in a heavily Jewish Cleveland suburb before filming himself
apparently setting fire to them, local authorities said. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408408
It took 76years but MIA laid to rest. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408413
East Jerusalem Groom Party weapons seized. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-854091
Trump proposes Freedom Zone in Gaza. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-854120
https://www.timesofisrael.com/trumps-sanctions-on-icc-prosecutor-said-to-have-halted-tribunals-work/
On
Thursday, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and his wife, Ayala,
were confronted during an unplanned visit to the city of Beit Shemesh. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408419
May 16th
Day 588 end of week 84
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/shabat
Israeli
journalist Barak Ravid responded to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's post criticizing
the government for "paralysis" by publishing a comprehensive
fact-check in which he refuted a number of the main claims presented by
Bennett.
Correction of name of mothe, who was murdered
by terrorist, Tzayla Gez.
FBI vs. terrorism: A 19-year-old
man from Melvindale, Michigan, and former member of the Michigan Army National
Guard, was arrested after attempting to execute a mass-casualty terror attack
on a US military installation in Warren, authorities announced Wednesday. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408426
Lag
B’Omer Celebration: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408434
Israel
advances into the finals of the European Song Contest. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408444
Minister
Itamar Ben Gvir, a member of the Security Cabinet, sent an official letter to
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, demanding an urgent Cabinet
meeting to discuss advancing the death penalty law for terrorists. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408443
Report Global Hit Squads from Teheran. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408438
The IDF confirmed on Thursday that a week ago, during a joint IDF
and ISA activity in Gaza City, the terrorist Jasser Hussein Ali Shamieh was
eliminated. The terrorist was responsible for raising funds for Hamas' military
wing and previously served as a battalion commander in Hamas' Gaza Brigade. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408428
Have a healthy, happy, blessed and
peaceful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
