TT 472 Halachic Times for Jerusalem (Summer time) Correct for TT #472 • Ranges are for THU-THU, 16 Sivan - 23 Sivan (June 7 - June 14) For sunrise and sunset, first time takes into account the elevation above sea level of Jerusalem, 825m (the times in parentheses do not take elevation into account). For the deadlines of Shma and Shacharit, the first times are according to the GR"A, the day being reckoned from sunrise to sunset. (The times in parentheses are according to the Magen Avraham, the day being reckoned from dawn to stars-out.) Candle lighting - 7:08pm (earliest - 6:19pm) Havdala - 8:28pm (Rabbeinu Tam - 9:01pm) Earliest Shacharit • 4:28-4:28am Sunrise •5:28-5:28am (5:34-5:33am) Sof Z'man Kri'at Sh'ma • 9:03-9:03am (8:07-8:07am) Sof Z'man Shacharit • 10:14-10:15am (9:37-9:38am) Chatzot (halachic noon) • 12:38-12:39½pm Mincha Gedola (earliest Mincha) • 1:14-1:16pm Plag Mincha • 6:18-6:21pm Sunset • 7:48-7:51pm (7:42½-7:45½pm) WORD OF THE MONTH A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem. The 20th of Sivan is a day of multiple tragedies for the Jewish People. In 1171 CE, 21 Torah scholars were executed as a result of a blood libel, first being given the chance to forsake their religion. This was part of the Crusades which decimated European Jewry. Rabbeinu Tam declared the 20th of Sivan as a fast day and Slichot and Kinot were composed to mark the day. Almost 500 years later, devastation was brought again upon European Jewry in the form of the massacre of tens of thousands of Jews at the hands of Chmelnitsky's hordes. The tragic nature of the date was reconfirmed. 19 years ago, the 20th of Sivan put another notch on its gun. The most costly battle of the Lebanon War, the battle of Sultan Yaqub, left more than 20 of our soldiers dead and several missing, even until today. Although the 20th of Sivan is not one of our official public fasts, it nonetheless demands our serious attention. There is hope, we just... Wednesday evening, 15 Sivan. Just returned from the Kotel. Hope to go to the Hafgana in Kikar Tzion as well. Finished everything for TT before I went to the Kotel (no small accomplishment) except for this Lead Tidbit. Don't usually leave it for last. Wanted to see if my experience this late afternoon would guide what I'd write here. There's good to report... and maybe some things on the down side. There were thousands and thousands of Jews at the Kotel to join together and petition G-d to help us in the Situation we find ourselves in. The T'hilim was lead alternately by S'fardim and Ashkenazim, and the change from the S'fardi sing-songy chant to the Ashkenazi plaintive tones and back again served both as a reminder of our diversity and of our commonality. We might say/sing T'hilim differently, but it's the same T'hilim. And the same YUD-GIMMEL MIDOT. That was especially powerful, because you can't say it on your own, as you can with T'hilim. But the most inspiring part of the experience was hearing the CHATZOTZROT. In the sedra summary you will find a long MITZVA WATCH on the topic of the Silver Trumpets, one of the mitzvot from this week's sedra. But that is just an academic presentation of the topic. But standing at the Kotel and hearing the haunting sound of the Chatzotzrot, in (possible) fulfillment of the Torah's command to blow them in times of national calamity, and knowing very well and from close up the tragedies that warrant the davening and fasting and the Chatzotzrot – that is not academic. That is real. And that is frightening. But there is hope. Just as Rabbi Akiva knew that if the terrible prophecies of Churban come true, then so will the wonderful prophecies of the Geula, so too, we must hear the sound of the Chatzotzrot which were caused by terrible destruction and loss, and know with Akiva-like certainty that we will hear the Shofar of Mashiach and the joyful sounds of the Chatzotzrot of the Mikdash and Festivals. Sedra-Stats 36th of the 54 sedras; 3rd of 10 in Bamidbar Written on 240 lines in a Sefer Torah (5.7 cols.)ranks 10th in the Torah 16 Parshiyot; 11 open, 5 closed One of the parshiyot (it's a S'TUMA) is separated from the parshiyot before and after it by more than blank space (as is usual) - namely, backwards NUNs. Consequently, this parsha is the most isolated of all parshiyot. 136 p'sukim, ranks 11th, 4th in Bamidbar 1840 words, ranks 12th, 3rd in Bamidbar 7055 letters, ranks 12th, 4th in Bamidbar The p'sukim of B'ha'a'lo't'cha are of average length MITZVOT 5 of 613 mitzvot, 3 positive and 2 prohibitions Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary [Numbers] refer to the Sefer HaChinuch's mitzva-count Kohen - First Aliya - 14 p'sukim - 8:1-8 Aharon is instructed to tend the lamps of the Menora. [SDT] Rashi explains the connection between this portion and that of the gifts of the N'SI'IM at the end of Parshat Naso. Aharon, as leader of the tribe of Levi was embarrassed that he had not offered gifts for the dedication of the Mishkan as did the other leaders. G-d is telling him that his gift - daily service in the Mishkan - is far greater than the other gifts. Theirs are material and transitory; his is spiritual and permanent. The MITZVA to tend and light the Menora is recorded and counted elsewhere in the Torah. This fact makes the DRASHOT explaining the connection to Parshat HaN'si'im stand out all the more, since the P'SHAT is sort of redundant (not quite). Ramban sees in this portion an allusion to a future generation when Aharon's descendants (the Hasmoneans) (re)dedicated the Mikdash by lighting the Menora. If we look at the two topics that flank chapter 7, we find the two Temple practices that survive until this day (as opposed to the short-lived nature of the gifts described in chapter 7) - Birkat Kohanim, still practiced daily as commanded by the Torah, and the Menora, commemorated by the yearly observance of Chanuka. This perhaps is part of G-d's message to Aharon. The Menora is described again with specific reference to the wicks (flames) of the lamps facing the "face (central stalk) of the Menora". Next G-d commands Moshe to separate the Leviyim from among the People and to purify them. Ritual waters, shaving their hair, cleansing their clothes, and various sacrifices and ceremonies accomplish this "separation". Levi - Second Aliya - 12 p'sukim - 8:15-26 After the above procedures, the Leviyim are qualified to perform their holy tasks in the Mikdash as aides to the Kohanim. They, instead of the firstborns of Israel, shall function in the Mikdash. The Torah explains that the sacred functions were originally to be performed by firstborns who were sanctified as a result of their being spared in Egypt. (The special position of the firstborn actually predates the Egypt experience.) As a result of the sin of the Golden Calf, the Leviyim, who unilaterally reacted in defense of G-d's honor, were taken by Him in lieu of the firstborns of all the Tribes. Moshe, Aharon and the People of Israel did to the Leviyim as Moshe was instructed. After purification, the Leviyim were to come to the Mishkan to "report for duty". From age 25 until 50, the Levi was eligible for Mishkan service. (From 25-30 the Levi studied and trained for Temple service, at 30 he began serving. Age 50 was the retirement age for the "carrying chores", but the singing and guarding functions of the Levi continued beyond that age). Shlishi - Third Aliya - 14 p'sukim - 9:1-14 G-d spoke to Moshe in the Sinai wilderness during Nissan of the second year from the Exodus. He commanded (reminded) him to tell the People to bring the Korban Pesach. The Torah records that on the 14th of Nissan in the afternoon, the first annual Korban Pesach was indeed brought as was commanded. [This Pesach Sheni episode occurred before the counting of the People as recorded in the opening portion of Bamidbar. It was not placed at the beginning of the book because it is embarrassing to the People of Israel that they (we) only brought one Korban Pesach in the entire Wilderness period.] Then the Torah tells us that there were people who were ritually unclean and thus unable to participate in the Korban Pesach. They approached Moshe and complained that it was unfair that they were unable to join in this mitzva with the rest of the People. Moshe called upon G-d to answer their "complaint". [It is important to understand that the laws of Pesach Sheni are a part of the original Torah miSinai. However they were not revealed to the People until this point.] A person who is "tamei" or far away from the Mikdash and is unable to bring the K.P. shall bring K.P. on the afternoon of the 14th of Iyar [380] and eat it that night [381] with matza and maror. Nothing of it may be left over for the morning [382] and no bone of it may be broken [383]; all rules of K.P. apply to this Pesach Sheni (actually there are differences concerning peripheral details, but the korbanot themselves are the same). Intentionally not bringing K.P. is punishable by "karet" (excision). Note: Although the Torah mentions two specific "excuses" for not bringing K.P., anyone who did not bring K.P. for any reason - including someone who intentionally did not bring it - is eligible and obligated to bring Pesach Sheni. The Torah once again emphasizes that there is one law for the born-Jew and the convert. MITZVA WATCH POINT: RAMBAM says that a boy or girl who reaches the age of mitzvot after Pesach but before Pesach Sheni, should not participate in the first Pesach (as a child) and should bring Pesach Sheni (as a halachic adult). If, however, they did eat Pesach Rishon, then they do not bring Pesach Sheni. POINT: A non-Jew who converts between the Pesachs, would not have been allowed to eat of the first Pesach. He would bring Pesach Sheni as a (new) Jew. POINT: A woman is obligated on Korban Pesach (the first one, on the 14th of Nissan), just as a man is obligated. Even though it is time-related, it is part of the package deal of Pesach mitzvot, which includes the prohibitions of Chametz, and we are dealing with THE set of mitzvot at the hub of Jewish life - "everything" is related to Y'tzi'at Mitzrayim - women are obligated. Pesach Sheni is different. It is more the "classic" time-related positive mitzva, and women are exempt. However, a woman who wants to bring P2 (if the conditions for P2 are present, of course), may do so. But not on Shabbat. Then, she must be part of a CHABURA that includes a man. This is so because an optional korban cannot push aside Shabbat; only a required one can (and the man's P2 is a requirement). R'VI'I - Fourth Aliya - 19 p'sukim - 9:15-10:10 From the day that the Mishkan was erected, it was covered by a heavenly Cloud during the day and a fiery cloud at night. Only when the cloud would lift would the People travel. And when the cloud rested, the People would camp. It happened that sometimes the People traveled a few hours after they had camped; sometimes it was for a period of days or months or years. By G-d's command the People camped and by G-d's command the People would travel. The pasuk (9:18) says: "AL PI HASHEM (by the word of G-d) the People of Israel shall travel, and by G-d's word they shall camp." The SHLA"H HAKADOSH writes that this is the source for the concept that a person should use the phrases Im Yirtzeh HaShem, Baruch HaShem, B'ezrat HaShem, and the like whenever he speaks of doing something. Our travels and every activity should also be AL PI HASHEM. G-d commanded Moshe to fashion two silver trumpets [384] to be used to assemble the People (or their leaders) and to signal their movement. The T'KIYA sound on both trumpets was a call for everyone to gather to Moshe. The T'KIYA on one trumpet was a call to the leaders of the people. The T'RU'A sound indicated that traveling was to commence - one T'RU'A for each camp (of three tribes each). Kohanim are charged with the mitzva of sounding the trumpets when appropriate. The above-mentioned purposes of the trumpets applied to the generation of the wilderness only, but the mitzva for future generations concerning the trumpets is as follows: When the People enter the Land of Israel, the trumpets are to be used during times of troubles and on festive occasions during Temple service. MITZVA WATCH Let's clarify the issue of the applicability of the mitzva of the CHATZOTZROT. The uses of the Silver Trumpets in the Midbar were for that generation only, and are therefore not part of the mitzva. (A requirement of a mitzva being counted among the Taryag is that it be a command in perpetuity. G-d's command to No'ach to build the Teiva is an obvious example of a non-mitzva. If the CHATZOTZROT were only for Midbar purposes, then they would not constitute a mitzva either. But they do have other functions - functions that the people are commanded to perform. And this command is forever. Mitzva. When does the mitzva apply? The blowing of the CHATZOTZROT in the Beit HaMikdash, to accompany the offering of certain korbanot, obviously applies when the Beit HaMikdash is standing. What about the blowing during crises? Some authorities hold that the mitzva does not apply in our time - only at the time of the Mikdash. Some say that this aspect of the mitzva would apply in our time except that we do not know how to make CHATZOTZROT, and therefore we cannot fulfill this mitzva on a "technicality". Others disagree and hold that the mitzva of blowing in times of trouble DOES apply and we use CHATZOTZROT made today to the best of our knowledge and ability. Rabbi J. David Bleich in his Contemporary Halachic Problems mentions a fascinating opinion on this topic. Rather than the Mikdash being a requirement for this mitzva, it is Jewish sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael that activates the mitzva of CHATZOTZROT (just the blowing for crisis aspect). Therefore, according to this opinion, we are dealing with a mitzva - maybe the only one - that reactivated in 1948. Be that as it may (as the expression goes), there are CHATZOTZROT that have been made for the performance of the mitzva, and - unfortunately - they have been blown - by kohanim - on several occasions in the past many years. The CHATZOTZROT, if they are accepted by a future Sanhedrin, stand ready to be fully activated for the third Beit HaMikdash. May we soon hear their happy blasts. Chamishi - Fifth Aliya - 24 p'sukim - 10:11-34 On the 20th of Iyar in the year following the Exodus, the Cloud lifted from the Mishkan. The People of Israel travelled through the Sinai wilderness and the Cloud rested in the Paran Desert. First in line to travel was the "flag-camp" of Yehuda consisting of the Tribes of Yehuda, Yissachar and Zevulun. The Mishkan was dismantled and the Levi-families of Gershon and M'rari followed with their ladened, covered wagons. Then came the grouping of Reuven, Shimon and Gad. Then the Levi family of K'hat carrying the sacred vessels followed. Next came Ephraim, Menashe, Binyamin followed by the "camp collectors", Dan, Asher and Naftali. (This description of travel conforms to the simple reading of the text and one of the Talmudic opinions on the subject.) Moshe informs his father-in-law Yitro of Israel's traveling plans and asks him to come along. Yitro declines the invitation and returns to his home. The People travel from Sinai for 3 days, led by the Aron which was searching for a resting place, so-to-speak. G-d's Cloud accompanied and protected the People. At this point in the Torah, we are 13 months out of Egypt and neither the people nor Moshe Rabeinu have done what later caused them to be barred from entry into Eretz Yisrael. After Moshe talks to Yitro, it was supposed to be a three-day trip (condensed into one day) to bring us WITH Moshe, into the Land of Israel. But then we started messing things up. Shishi - Sixth Aliya - 31 p'sukim - 10:35-11:29 The two special p'sukim about the moving and resting of the Aron are quoted in our davening when the Torah is taken out and returned to the Ark. In the Torah this 2-pasuk portion is flanked by the letters "nun" written backwards. This serves to "split the Book of BaMidbar into separate books". Rashi indicates that this portion does not belong here and the unusual "scribal parentheses" indicate its abnormal placement. Next follows another "black period" in the early history of the Nation - the Complaints. The People complained and were punished. They complained about the Manna and demanded meat. With great chutzpa, they remembered the fish and other "fine foods" they ate in Egypt. And they disparaged the wonderful, miraculous sustenance from G-d. Even Moshe Rabeinu complained about G-d's anger with the People and expressed his difficulty in handling the People alone. Moshe also questioned where he would possibly be able to get enough meat to satisfy the People's demands. G-d told Moshe to gather 70 elders who would help ease the burden of leadership. G-d would instill in them the Divine Insight so that Moshe would not have to lead them alone. To the People, G-d promised meat (quail) which would descend in such great quantities for a sustained period of time (a month) until the People would become "sick of them". Moshe expressed doubt as to how so many people could be thus fed. G-d reproaches Moshe for the doubt. Moshe speaks to the People and gathers the Elders who were given the gift of prophecy by G-d. Two of these "new prophets" (Eldad and Medad) remained within the camp and prophesied amongst the People. (Commentaries tell us that they prophesied Moshe's death and Yehoshua's accession to leadership.) Yehoshua, protective of his mentor Moshe, pleads with him to punish them. Moshe assures Yehoshua that it is G-d's will that they should prophesy. About 18 times in the Tanach, it says "And G-d got angry with..." Yisrael or Bnei Yisrael, or His people. When the People complained about the Manna, etc., the Torah says VAYICHAR AF HASHEM M'OD, G-d got VERY angry. Why? Kedushat Levi explains that usually, when G-d got angry at the People, Moshe would rise to their defense and pursuade G-d, so to speak, not to punish them. This time, the Torah says that "and in Moshe's eyes it was bad". Moshe Rabeinu was more upset with the people than usual. This "angered" G-d all the more. Sh'vi'i - Seventh Aliya - 23 p'sukim - 11:30-12:16 Moshe and the Elders gather the People. G-d sends the quail, as He has promised, carried by a Divine wind. The supply is overwhelming. The People spend day and night collecting the quail. No sooner had they started eating that G-d's anger was manifest in a devastating plague that struck the People. The location became known as Kivrot Ha'ta'a'va, because that is where the "complainers" were buried. Miriam speaks critically against Moshe to Aharon by belittling Moshe's unique stature among prophets and people. G-d rebukes them and clearly states how unique Moshe is among all prophets, past and future. Miriam is stricken with Tzora'at. Moshe offers a short but eloquent prayer on behalf of his sister. The People delay their travels for the week of Miriam's isolation. (81 years previously, Miriam had stood by the Nile protectively watching over her baby brother Moshe in the basket. Her "reward-in-kind" is this 7-day delay. The Mishna points out that good deeds are thusly rewarded.) The People then move on to the Paran desert. Haftara - 21 p'sukim -Zecharya 2:14-4:7 As if to offset the depressing sequence of events from the sedra, and to answer the question as to how it is possible for the People of Israel to rise from the depths of their iniquity, the Haftara provides us with the optimistic prophecies of messianic times, when G-d will once again be completely in our midst. The haftara contains Zecharya's vision of the Golden Menora flanked by olive branches. This serves as an appropriate counterpoint to the description of the Menora in the Mishkan at the beginning of the sedra. The Haftara also tells about a Kohen Gadol (Yehoshua in the haftara, corresponding to Aharon in the sedra). This vision of the Menora was borrowed by the State of Israel to be the national emblem (not exactly, but close). Wouldn't it be wonderful if our leaders would heed the words of the prophet in explaining that vision: "Not by might nor by power, but by My spirit..." Only when we act properly, which is also differently from the nations of the world, will we merit redemption. THE JERUSALEM INSTITUTE OF JEWISH LAW Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Dean Lesson # 89 •Mortgages The name of this lesson in Shulhan Aruch. Hoshen haMishpat, is “'The Giving Of Security Interest In Fields Or Slaves." The concept as to slaves now being only of historical interest, I have omitted this subject. A security interest, whether an apotica or a mashkanta (as defined below), is not as some people have called them a mortgage in the sense it is known in Anglo-American common law. Even as it refers to rights in a specific property, the property may still sometimes be sold free of the security interest, and other property substituted therefor. This lesson deals with the types of security interests one may bargain for; whether the property to which it attaches may be sold; and if so, whether the security interest follows the property; whether a security interest can attach to personal property; and how the debtor can frustrate the rights of the creditor in the secured property. It will also deal with the situation where, after the giving of the security interest, the realty becomes valueless. For example, as when a river charts a new course that puts the secured property permanently under the waters of the river. This lesson deals with creditors who may extend credit or the bride who is owed her kethubah. The lender or the extender of credit is obviously a creditor of the person to whom the loan is made or to whom credit is extended. The wife at the wedding ceremony receives from her husband a written document called a kethubah. The kethubah obligates the husband to pay a sum certain to his wife in case he divorces her. It also provides that in the event of his death his estate will pay to the wife a sum certain. It may also provide for other undertakings by the husband to the wife. The wife, by receiving the kethubah, has a security interest in the property of the husband, the same as any other creditor of the husband. A security interest may be one of three types that I shall designate Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Type I may attach to a specific property, but when the time comes for the repayment of the debt, it may be " paid or collected from other property of the debtor, as described below. Type 2 may be repaid only out of a specific property of the debtor and from no other property of the debtor. In Type 3 the creditor may enter upon the secured property until the loan is repaid. In Type I, the debtor and creditor agree that the creditor "shall collect from this field." If the field became inundated and worthless, ' the creditor may enforce collection of the loan from other realty the debtor now possesses. If he possesses no other assets. collection may even be from realty the debtor had sold to third parties, which the debtor owned at the time the loan was made and a note of indebtedness was written with the requisite witnesses signing there-upon and the requisite delivery of the note to the creditor in the presence of at least two witnesses. There is also the opinion that the sold realty of the debtor may not be levied upon in substitution of the inundated realty, and that the creditor may only levy on the property, whether realty or personal property owned by the debtor at the time that the levy is made. If the debtor still owns the realty to which the security interest attaches, there are four possible opinions in the matter. 1. In favor of the creditor. This view holds that the creditor has the option to enforce his claim against the realty to which the security interest attaches, or he may enforce collection from the type of realty on which he could have levied had he had no security interest in the realty. 2. Neither the debtor nor the creditor may request that the creditor receive payment from realty other than the realty to which the security interest attaches. 3. Both the debtor and the creditor have the option to exchange the security interest to another field that is bainanith. 4. In favor of the debtor. The debtor has the option to permit enforcement of collection of the debt to the realty on which there is the secured interest or to any bainanith field of his. Even according to this view, if the debtor dies, the option does not inure to the benefit of the heirs. In all events, the debtor, or the heirs, or the purchaser of the debtor's realty may pay the debt with money or the equivalent of money. There is an opinion that the debtor may not sell the secured realty except with the provision that the sale is for a period of time to terminate when the debt becomes due. This is a minority view. The prevailing view is that the secured realty may be sold. If the debtor sells the realty to which the security interest is attached, then, if he still has other property upon which to levy when the debt is due, the sold property will be exempt from the levy. If when the debtor sells the realty to which the security interest is attached he no longer has other assets to satisfy the debt, and still has no assets when the debt becomes due, then the creditor can levy on the sold property. If when the debtor sells the realty to which the security interest attaches he still has assets enough to pay the debt, but when the time comes to pay the debt he has sold his other assets and no longer has assets to pay the debt, there are opinions both ways. There is the view that the sold secured property may be levied upon by the creditor in the hands of the purchaser, and there is the view that the purchaser can claim that when he purchased the secured property the debtor still had sufficient realty to pay the debt and that the creditor should look to the later purchasers of the debtor's assets. In Type 2 the debtor and creditor agree that the creditor shall collect his debt "only from this field." The creditor cannot collect the debt from any other property of the debtor, whether sold or unsold. Even if the realty becomes inundated and worthless, the creditor may not levy on other property of the debtor. If the realty is lost to an prior creditor, the current creditor who holds the security interest has lost the realty on which to make the levy. However, if the debtor never had title to the secured realty, the creditor is not limited to the realty that was taken from the debtor by its rightful owner. If the debtor sold the secured realty, and the debtor has other property on which to make a levy, the majority opinion is that the creditor may levy on the secured realty in the hands of the purchaser or may levy on other property of the debtor. Some would limit the creditor to enforcement only out of the unsold property of the debtor. If the debtor has no other property on which to levy, then all would hold that the creditor can levy on the realty in the hands of the purchaser. The debtor may at any time, including after the debt became due and prior to the creditor levying on the secured realty, pay off the debt with money and have the realty released from the security interest. Neither the purchaser of the secured realty nor the heirs of a deceased debtor may pay the creditor the amount of the debt, but must give up the realty to the creditor. In Type 3, the creditor takes possession of the secured realty. The creditor receives all of the profits from the realty and credits such profits to the debt, either for a specified time or until the entire exact amount of the debt is paid off. By agreement the debtor and creditor can specify if the creditor/possessor is similar to Type 1 above and may collect from other realty in the event of inundating of the realty or if the realty is not worth enough to pay the debt. or is similar to Type 2 above and the creditor may look only to this realty and not to any other. even if the realty becomes inundated. Laws of security interest in favor of the creditor against the purchasers from the debtor do not apply to personal property even to a specific chattel with the understanding that the creditor can look only to that chattel for payment. It does not apply even if there was a writing of the security agreement, and even if a purchaser of the chattel from the debtor was aware of the security interest of the creditor. The reason is that there cannot be any impediment to orderly market procedures. There are also no priorities in security interests in personal property. If a subsequent creditor levied on the secured chattel first, his levy will not be disturbed. The subject matter of this lesson is more fully discussed in Vol. IV, Ch.118-119 of A Restatement of Rabbinic Civil Law by E. Quint, published by Jason Aronson, Inc. and on sale at local Judaica bookstores. Questions to quint@inter.net.il MEANING IN MITZVOT by Rabbi Asher Meir Each week we discuss one familiar halakhic practice and try to show its beauty and meaning. The columns are based on Rabbi Meir's commentary Meaning in Mitzvot on Kitzur Shulchan Arukh. Halakhic Commemoration of Chanukah Our parsha begins with the commandment to Aharon to light the menorah in the Mishkan. This comes immediately following the end of last week’s parsha which describes the special donations of the leaders of the tribes, the Nesiim. Rashi cites a Midrash that the order of these two portions hints that Aharon was envious of the important contribution of the Nesiim, and that HaShem consoled by reminding him that the daily service of lighting the menorah, which is reserved for Aharon and his offspring the Kohanim, is far more important. Noting that the “consolation” to Aharon relates specifically to the menorah and not to any other aspect of the Temple service, the Ramban suggests that this Midrash hints at the Chanukah miracle, in which the Kohanim consecrated the altar and lit the menorah. He cites a version of the Midrash which says explicitly that HaShem’s message to Aharon is that of a future inauguration “in which I will bring to Israel through your sons miracles and salvation and an inauguration which will be called after them”. Of course the Chashmonaim Kohanim did not only consecrate the altar; they were also the temporal leaders who led the rebellion and the actual military campaign which successfully eliminated Greek sovereignty from our land. Yet the consolation HaShem offers Aharon refers explicitly only to the role of the Kohanim in the Mikdash. Aharon’s feeling of the superiority of the Nesiim seems to be partially related to their secular leadership of the tribes, yet HaShem doesn’t emphasize that the Kohanim will also be princes and in fact kings of Israel at the time of the Chanukah miracle. The main miracle we celebrate on Chanukah is that of the military victory. There is nothing miraculous per se in the inauguration of the altar, and the miracle of the oil is not inherently more awesome than many other miracles documented in the Scripture, or even than the miracles which occurred continually in the Mikdash, as we learn in the Mishna (Avot 5:7). But the victory of the tiny, poorly equipped and poorly trained Jewish army over the mighty Greek conquerors was truly supernatural. Even so, our Sages are constantly drawing our attention away from the military and political significance of the victory and emphasizing the spiritual significance. This is true not only of the Midrashim, but also in the halakha. • The “al hanisim” blessing which we mention in prayer and in grace after meals starts off mentioning the military victory, but then turns to the consecration of the altar and the miracle of the oil. • The most visible mitzva of the holiday is that of the Chanukah lights, which publicizes both miracles but obviously particularly emphasizes the miracle of the Mikdash and not that of the war. • While the Rambam in the Mishneh Torah does mention that restoration of Jewish sovereignty as a central attainment of the Chashmonaim rebellion, he does not mention foreign sovereignty as a cause of the rebellion. (Rambam, Megillah and Chanukah 3:1.) By basing the celebration of the Chanukah miracle on our political attainments but giving precedence in observance to the spiritual attainments, our Sages emphasize that the importance of the political acheivements themselves are in their spiritual consequences. Rabbi Meir HAS JUST COMPLETED writing a monumental companion to Kitzur Shulchan Aruch which beautifully presents the meanings in our mitzvot and halacha. Rabbi Meir authors a popular weekly on-line Q&A column, "The Jewish Ethicist", which gives Jewish guidance on everyday ethical dilemmas in the workplace. The column is a joint project of the JCT Center for Business Ethics, Jerusalem College of Technology - Machon Lev; and Aish HaTorah. You can see the Jewish Ethicist, and submit your own questions, at www.jewishethicist.com or at www. aish.com. ASK THE REBBE from the virtual desk of the OU Vebbe Rebbe The Orthodox Union – via its website – fields questions of all types in the areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of the questions are answered by Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, founded by HaRav Shaul Yisraeli, zt"l to prepare rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National Religious community in Israel and abroad. The Ask the Rabbi project is a joint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hemdah... and the Israel Center. The following is a Q&A from Eretz Hemdah... Question: I received a bottle of non-kosher wine worth about $140 as a gift from a non-Jewish co-worker. Our liquor store will exchange it for kosher wine of similar value if they can sell mine. May we make the exchange? Answer: If the wine is asur b’hana’a (forbidden to receive benefit), what you describe is forbidden. However, the status of regular, non-kosher wine is the source of a major dispute. There are two parts to the Rabbinic prohibition of Stam Yeinam (lit. "plainly, their wine", wine which has been exposed to non-Jewish contact). One part is a prohibition to drink the wine, out of fear that such behavior leads to intermarriage (Avoda Zara 36b). There is a potential for a Torah-based prohibition to benefit by wine – when wine is involved in idol worship. Because these two prohibitions could be confused one with the other, Chazal added a Rabbinic prohibition on benefit from standard, improperly handled wine (Avoda Zara 29b; see Beit Yosef, Yoreh Deah, beginning of siman 123). Regarding the Rabbinic prohibition on benefit, the classic sources indicate significant room for leniency. Shulchan Aruch (YD 124:6) states that non-Jews who are not involved in idol worship do not create a prohibition of benefit, just drinking. Rambam (Ma’achalot Asurot 11:7) applies the rule to Moslems. Regarding religions with less perfect forms of monotheism, the situation is less clear. The Rama (YD 123:1) provides the bottom line for Ashkenazi Jews: “Nowadays, that libations of wine by non-Jews are not common, some say that a non-Jew’s touching of our wine doesn’t prohibit benefit and, so too, their unsupervised wine is permitted for benefit and one could take wine from a non-Jew as payment to prevent losing a debt, and to prevent other losses (i.e. he already bought or sold). However, he shouldn’t initiate such sales in order to gain. There are those who are lenient even in such cases [to initiate], but it is proper to be strict.” Nishmat Adam (75:14) concurs. If your situation is that the present was received as a bonus from an employer, or you are expected to reciprocate with a present of your own, etc., one could consider the sale of the wine a way to prevent loss. Additionally, in times and places when there is little true idol worship, one can be more lenient regarding what kind of contact creates a full prohibition (see Rama, YD 124:24). “Ask the Rabbi” Q&A is part of Hemdat Yamim, the weekly parsha sheet published by Eretz Hemdah. You can read this section or the entire Hemdat Yamim at www.ou.org or www.eretzhemdah.org. If you would like to receive Hemdat Yamim by email, on a weekly basis, please send an email to lists@eretzhemdah.org with the message: Join Hemdatya - Please leave the subject blank. Hasidic Wisdom, from the book by Simcha Raz (Elkins/Elkins) This world is the least of all worlds. And yet, at the same time, it is greater than any other. - Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi The clock is the king of modesty and humility. Indeed, it declares: Another hour has gone by and what have I fixed in this world? - Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin Rite and Reason by Shmuel Pinchas Gelbard It is customary to recite EISHET CHAYIL on Friday evening before Kiddush. REASON R. Shimon bar Yochai taught - Shabbat declared: Master of the Univedrse, every day of the week has a spouse except for me. The Almighty answered: Kneset Yisrael will be your spouse. REASON This chapter contains praise for one's wife who exerted herself and prepared Shabbat delicacies. REASON: Eishet Chayil is an allusion to the Torah (CHAYIL=48, ways to acquire Torah). The Torah was given on Shabbat. G'MATRIYA There used to me many more G'matriyas in TT than lately. This one is repeated here to honor the memory of the master of meaningful g'matriyas, Rabbi Yaakov Auerbach z"l. DIVREI HATORAH HAZOT (the words of this Torah, a phrase appearing several times in the book of D'varim) = 1245. L'HA'ALOT NEIR TAMID (to light the eternal flame) = 1245. The former phrase relates to TORAH, the latter one to LIGHT. LIGHT is also equated to TORAH as in the pasuk from Mishlei: KI NEIR MITZVA V'TORAH OR (for a mitvza is a candle and Torah is light). The numeric value of this pasuk is 1245. The one, the other, and both together - all with the same value (1245). And here's another 1245: T'hilim 96:3 states: Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all the peoples. Think OR LAGOYIM and PIRSUMEI NISA. From the Desk of the Director Reading about the two hatzotzrot or silver trumpets mentioned in this week’s parsha should surely wake us up. For they were intended, among other designs, to summon an entire nation, especially in times of distress. So why today, during these difficult times, should we not blow these trumpets on every hilltop in Israel? One answer is clear: Rashi notes that the trumpets were for Moshe’s exclusive use; they were blown in honor of his accepted status as king. Consequently, according to tradition, the original hatzotzrot were hidden just before his death. Nevertheless, just as the double tekiah blast used to galvanize the people to gather at the Mishkan, and the shofar’s sounds on Rosh Hashanah have encouraged us to search our ways, so the trumpet call today could and should have a similar effect of stirring our collective conscience. The Bible tells us that the blowing of the hatzotzrot was, “for you an eternal decree for your generations.” So how appropriate it would be for us now if we could hear a single tekiah blast from but one of the silver trumpets. For that would be the signal for our leaders to assemble. Then the trumpet sound might just induce them, as the “heads of Israel’s thousands,” to realize finally their responsibilities to Am Yisrael. Sincerely yours, Menachem Persoff, Director, Israel Center ParshaPix The Menora in the upper-right corner is the one referred to in the beginning of the sedra, on the P'SHAT level. Aharon is commanded to tend to the Menora daily. Ramban and others see also, on a REMEZ level, an allusioning to the kohanim of over 1100 years later, who rededicated the Beit HaMikdash and rekindled the Menora. To commemorate the Chanuka miracles, we like a menora-like candelabrum called CHANUKIYA (and incorrectly, but commonly called a Chanuka Menora). The lamb labeled 2 stands for Pesach Sheni, one of the themes of this sedra. Upper-left are the silver trumpets commanded to be made, and used in times of troubles, and festive occasions as well. The Chatzotzrot were also used as a call to assembly and for moving the people during the Midbar years. The former functions are part of the mitzva, the latter functions were "for the hour". Next row down, "reading" right to left, you have: when the cloud lifts, that is a sign to travel. Hence the green light. The date of the first such occurrence was the 20th of the 2nd month (Iyar) in the year 2449. It is proper to designate Iyar as month 2, rather than February, since the Torah says: This month is YOURS as the first of the months... Nissan is our 1, not January. Etc. (One who needs to use the secular date should write out the name of the month or use its abbreviation (June or JUN), rather than identify it by number. A minority of authorities actually consider this to be a halachic issue. Most consider it preferable not to use the numbers, but do not go as far as to say that it is forbidden to use numbers for the secular months. The next row pictures the result of the Cloud's lifting and the go-ahead for traveling: The four flag-camps are marching in the direction of the arrow. Bottom row, left, is an Aron Kodesh. We borrow the p'sukim from this sedra to recite with the opening and closing of the Ark in shul. The smiling watermelon in the thought bubble is a reference to 11:5, one of the people's black moments, when they complained to G-d about the manna, by "remembering" the wonderful foods of Egypt. To the right is the quail that fell in such abundance, but was no blessing. The snowflake is a reminder of Miriam's punishment for Lashon HaRa. The eyes are Yitro. TTriddles TTriddles are Torah Tidbits-style riddles on Parshat HaShavua (sometimes on the calendar events of the week). The best solution set submitted each week (there isn’t always a best) wins a double prize — a CD from...Noam Productions 8 Malchei Yisrael, Geula & the Rav Shefa mall CDs, tapes, equipment - broad selection, good prices, personal attention and a gift (game, puzzle, book, etc.) from...Big Deal•15 Malchei Yisrael in Geula• Rechov Lunz right off the Ben Yehuda Midrachov in the center of town• Rabbi Akiva Street in Bnei Braq. You never really know what you’ll find there A fun place to shop. Even if you can’t solve any, they are fun (and sometimes informative) to read about in the weekly TTriddles report (which is what you’re reading now). Last week's (NASO) TTriddles: [1] He's our Javier Sotomayor, Mike Powell, and Jonathon Edwards [2] Watch out for Naso, Bo, and Ki Teitzei [3] The confused children NASHIR TIKRA U'G'MAR [4] Not FIFO nor LIFO... but FIFI The envelope please... Correction for the week before last [1] Sana’a (or San’a or Sanaa) is the capital of the Republic of Yemen. Many Yemenite Jews came on Aliya from there and other cities in Yemen in the early years of the State of Israel. Aramaic is associated the Teimanim. Targum Onkeles for the number 2 is TREIN (the way Hebrew is transliter- ated in Torah Tidbits) or TRAIN, the way that word is pronounced. So the number of the train from Sana’a would be 2. I don’t know what confused me on this one, but I thank several readers (including RE) for pointing out my error. Also, in [3] I messed up the palindrome - Was it a cat I saw?” Thanks to the reader that pointed that mistake out. Speaking of palindromes, different commentaries point out and explain the message of two different palindromic words in the Torah. One is V’NAT’NU and you shall give... referring to the Half-Shekel donation. “Giving” is a two-way street. One who gives also receives... etc. The other word is V’HIKAHU, and he struck him... Hitting another, say the commentaries, is also a two-way street - one who hits others, often gets hit in return. As for last week’s modest set of TTriddles... [1] Javier Sotomayor holds (or held) the world record for the high jump (2.45m, over 8 feet). Mike Powell holds (or held) the world record for the long jump (over 29 feet, almost 9 meters). Jonathan Edwards holds (or held) the world record for the triple jump (18.29m, that’s 60 feet). These are three world champion jumpers. Our champion jumper (L’HAVDIL) is Nachshon ben Aminadav, the one who jumped into the sea, so that it would agree (so to speak) to split. K’FITZAT NACHSON, Nachshon’s jump, is a well-known idiom in Hebrew, meaning an initiater, the one who will be first to jump into a situation, without it having to be proved safe by someone else first. [2] These three sedras each have a parsha very near their beginning that begins the same way. If a Baal Korei (Baal K’riya) is not careful when he points to the place for the first aliya in each of these sedras, he’s liable to point to the wrong place. [3] These words in Hebrew contain the letters (in a confusion) of the names of the children of LEVI: Gershon, Kehat, and Merari. [4] This is the second TTriddle (that makes 50%) whose answer is Nachson. He was not first in first out, nor last in last out, but was FIRST IN the Sea, and FIRST IN with the gifts to the dedication of the Mizbei’ach. Shimon Lerner, perfect solution set. This week's TTriddles: [1] How much for the bookends for the Travel & Leisure section [2] How is the height of the Menora hinted at in the text? [3] Same Rule, one & u and one & g, different senses [4] Napoleon, yes - Bonaparte, no FYI We've come a long way! There might be some who wouldn't agree with the sentiment of the following words, but we think it says something special. For the last several weeks, we've held a Shabbat afternoon shiur on Pirkei Avot in the Center. The report from this past Shabbat was... "everything was good except that the room was too cold." Last Shabbat, if you remember, we were in the grips of a SHARAV. And at the Israel Center it was TOO COLD. How wonderful to hear, after years of people suffering and complaining about the heat at 10 Straus. Of course, we will adjust the thermostat more carefully from now on. And hopefully, people will not be TOO COLD at the Center. Neither during the winter nor the summer. But we cannot help but smile at the summertime complaint we had never heard before. Special thanks to those who contributed to our a/c campaign. Plaques will be up in the near future, IY"H. NCSY B'YISRAEL NEWS Now in its 3rd year! •Kollel in Kharkov For whom? Graduating 10-12th grade boys When? July 23 - August 13 What? A three week, unforgettable experience in the Ukraine, learning, teaching, working with, and touching local Ukrainian kids. Visit the great Chasidic centers of old – Berdichev, Uman, Mijbijzh – connecting your own Jewish roots at the same time as those of the Jewish Kharkov community. How? Call the NCSY office, 5667787 ext. 240. Limited registration.•Option for 4-5 day trip to Poland (July 18-23) •Stay tuned for more exciting summer programming! For The summer of your Life! •Imagine… Two glorious weeks living, learning, dancing, swimming & hiking WHO? 6-11 graders Boys/girls SEPARATE LOCATIONS • Special “ETGARI/Survival” program for 9-11 graders WHEN? July 9-22 WHERE? Girls: Keshet, Ramat HaGolan Boys: Shadmot Mechola, Jordan Valley WHAT? Chugim, daily Torah learning, camping, water hikes, Shabbat NCSY ruach, sports, & more Safety precautions and procedures per Ministry of Education and Chevra L’Haganat HaTeva For more information and registration call the NCSY office 02-5667787, x240 Rabbi Michael Fredman, Director Daniella, Ilana, Sara, B'not Sherut 22 Keren Ha'Yesod, POB 37015, Jerusalem (02) 566-7787 ext. 242 • fax: (02) 566-0156 ncsy_isr@netvision.net NESTO•Native English-Speaking Teen Olim NESTO gratefully acknowledges the successful work of our Outgoing Board: Yoel Kahn, Har Nof •Jeremy Saltan, Nofei Aviv •Michal Stillman, Efrat•Aviella Trapido, Migdal Hamayim And excitedly looks forward to a fantastic year with ourIncoming Board: Katie Deutsch, Nachlaot •Michelle Gelband, Rechavia •David Miles, Har Nof •Jeremy Saltan*, Nofie Aviv *Jeremy only served half a year on the board this year, and it was, therefore; decided that he was entitled to run for a second year. The ZULA continues to be open on Tuesday nights until the end of the month, from 7:00-9:00pm. Because of bagriyot, we've extended the deadline for submissions to NESTO NOTES to Tue. June 12. All entries should be given to Ilana The Israel Center's youth program for Anglo-Israelis tel. 566-7787 ext. 245 • fax: 561-7432 silvera@mail.biu.ac.il • www.zyworld.com/nesto Rabbi Avi Silverman, director Daniel Stambler, asst. dir. • Ilana Milo, Bat Sherut Dear Mryna, (our student volunteering project coordinator) On behalf of Mercaz Harmony, I would like to thank you and the staff of Nitzotz for your support and assistance over the past year. We especially appreciate your help in recruiting volunteers from the boys’ yeshiva programs, as that has been difficult in the past. Both the afternoon volunteering program at Gan Harmony and the Big Brother/Sister program were very successful, in no small part due to your efforts. Throughout the year I have maintained contact with Ilana, your Sherut Leumi volunteer, and would like to mention that it was a pleasure working with her. I found her to be extremely responsible and dedicated. We look forward to working with you next year. Sincerely, Jill Cohen-BatemanVolunteer Coordinator, Mercaz Harmony TIYULIM Call the TIYUL HOTLINE Dial the Israel Center's number 5-66-77-87, then press 211. You'll hear "thank you, one moment please", and then the phone system's music for 15 seconds. Then the Tiyul Hotline message begins. You can listen to the whole message and then press 2 to leave your message, or you can interrupt by pressing 2 right away and then leaving your message. NOTE CHANGES IN HOURS THE TRAVEL DESK • The TRAVEL DESK of the Israel Center exists... to make registration and detail-receiving for Israel Center tiyulim more efficient and less head-achy for you. To help you - whether you live in Israel or are visiting - plan private tiyulim and make in-Israel travel arrangements Sarah will be happy to assist you on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Call Sarah at the Center, 566-7787 ext. 249. Note: When a tiyul says "Bring your own lunch", you can do that... or this: Call the TRAVEL DESK or the TIYUL HOTLINE up to the day before the TIYUL and order a box lunch from the Israel Center Cafe. 20 shekel will get you a delicious sandwich, a refreshing drink (specify regular or diet) and a dessert. Your box lunch will be ready for you when you board the bus. The next... Israel Center In-House Shabbaton Our next in-house Shabbaton will take place IY"H on Shabbat Parshat Chukat •June 29-30 We've almost finalized plans with a guest scholar, but we'll wait a couple of more days to announce. The price is 160NIS for members and 180NIS for non-members. As a special bonus, those who reserve by Sunday, June 10th will receive a gift. When you call, let us know if you have your own housing arrangements or if you want us to house you. That can be done either with a family in the neighborhood or at the Windmill (for an extra charge of 300NIS per couple). Also, please let us know in advance of any special dietary details, so we can accommodate you. Remember, reserve early (as some have already done) to avoid the disappointment of "Sorry, we're booked solid" Remember the unusual storm that postponed a tiyul? Well, here it is... even better! The Wonder Tiyul • Wed. June 13th 8:00am to 7:00pm •[1] Azrieli Observatory, 49th floor of the Round Tower, Tel Aviv. Highest spot in center of country, unbelievable, magnificent, 360° view [2] Ayalon pre-State secret munitions plant, near Rehovot. Underground spot with camouflaged exits. A hidden bullet factory with an amazing story [3] The national home of JNF, video presentation, special tour, on the 100th birthday of KKL [4] plus one more special site - a surprise! plus Shulamit's Choices & Sweets 80/100 NIS • Bring your own lunch Sponsored by Moadon Sanhedria in conjunction with the Israel Center Jerusalem - A Nature Reserve?! Lesser Falcons in Yerushalayim a species on the world’s endangered species list – and efforts to save it •Tue. June 19, 3:30-7:30pm (approx)• Meet at Beit Ha’am (Gerar Behar Center on Betzalel Street) with guide Rabbi Zalman Cohen, a rabbi very much involved in conservation efforts• Starting at the most unlikely birds nest of all in the neighborhood that never was! Proceeding to observe feeding doves and nestling hawks, We’ll then go on to a tree that supports a shul, Rainwater cisterns that helped purchase neighborhoods The great railway scare… of windows and widows, time and shoelaces… We will visit inside an original home Souvenirs of efforts to save a species 100 yr. old chessed, Batei Rand Who hewed these stones? Batei Gorde How to feed 1,000 people Mazkeret Moshe Beit David and Harav Kook Nesting - the spectacular night life of the kestrels •We are pleased to present a program that is certainly musical and informative. And since we want many to participate, we are keeping the fee quite low •Sign up immediately 25/30nis Travel Desk Special• THU-SUN June 14-17• minimum 2 nights at the Sheraton Moriah Eilat •NIS600 per couple per night for double room - Bed & Breakfast 1 child (ages 2-12) in parents' room - NIS 90 per night Prices do not include transportation to/from Eilat Specials subject to change or cancellation at any time• Call the Travel Desk or Tiyul Hotline for reservation information Artzeinu Tours in conjunction with the Israel Center presents... THU June 14 - 9:15am to 1:00pm •½-day tour around the Jerusalem neighborhoods with tour guide Basha Zusman, to include: highlights of Me'ah She'arim, Bucharim... done in a most expressive manner. See the little "vinkelach" (alleyways) and experience the personal touch of the guide.• Meet at Moniyot Geulah on Straus 9:15-1:00•$15 for members ($26 non-members) THU June 21 - 2:00pm to 12:30am•Massada night audio visual presentation along with Arad and Be'er Sheva with tour guide Moshe Oberman •meet at Israel Center•$45 for members ($72 non members) FRI June 15 & 29 - 9:30am to 1:30pm•Kotel Tunnels, Southern Wall excavations and the Old Citywith Rabbi Yeshaya Jacobs •Meet at entrance to the Kotel tunnels•$20 for members ($33 non-members)• Option: without Kotel Tunnels - $15 mem ($22 non members) WED June 20 - 8:15am to 9:15pm•Kivrei Tzadikim with Chaim Sidor•Daven and learn the history at Kever Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, Rambam and Rabbi Akiva, T'veriya. Tzfat option of Kvarim (ARI Z"L's mikve for those who want) or Old City walk•$45 for members ($67 non-members) THU June 28 - 9:15am to 1:00pm•½-day tour around the Jerusalem neighborhoods with tour guide Basha Zusman to include: highlights of the courtyards around Shaarei Chesed. See where Rabbi Arye Levin lived and experience an unusual encounter with J'lem neighborhoods•Meet at the Davidka (opp. the Klal Bldg.)•$15 for members ($26 non-members) Advance registration required • Minimum for member price 23-25 participants•Return times are approx. • Departure from 22 Keren HaYesod unless otherwise stated Call 02 5871718 for more details Grand Spectacular Weekend • 4 FULL DAYS, 3 NIGHTS at the Kinar Hotel•THU-SUN, July 12-15 with Rabbi Yeshaya Jacobs• Shabbat - full board; Thu & Sun - half board • THURSDAYmeet at the Israel Center at 8:15am •Tour the north - Caesaria aqueduct; Tsfat -- ancient alleyways,Stairs that the Mashiach will ascend in the future;candle factory; meet with artist of the unique "shtender" - Noach Greenberg with an unusual demonstration; daven at the Kever of Choni Hama'agel' visit Chatzor Haglili (bring packed lunch) •FRIDAY •Leisure - enjoy the pool and beach (all separate swimming) as well as the sports room with modern equipment, jacuzzi and sauna of the Kinar Classic Hotel (game room and activities for children)• SHABBAT•Enjoy the atmosphere -- both spiritual and physical, including optional story hour for children and shiurim for adults • SUNDAY•Take advantage of the KINAR services in the morning (pool, gym etc.); leave for the Golan Heights - tour to include Yom Kippur war sites and a meaningful audio visual presentation, as well as Syrian bunkers at Tel Fachar; experience the refreshing "Big Apple" cider factory; return for dinner at the KINAR before heading back to Yerushalayim (arrival approx. 9:30pm pm)• Cost for entire package (includes hotel, meals, round trip transportation; tours and all entrance fees) Garden rooms: $285/1180nis (299/1235 non-mem)•Brand new deluxe rooms $315/1310nis (330/1365)•Special prices for children Call the travel desk•Advance registration and deposit required•min. 25 participants 11th Annual Macrobiotics Health Seminar MON-THU July 23-26, at Yad Binyamin Expert lectures and demonstrations in nutrition, reflexology, cooking, medicinal herbs, exercise... and more Shulamit: 02 5811958, 050 937932•Ruth Brand: 02 5353973 •Sponsored by Moadon Sanhedria ISRAEL CENTER SCHEDULE "Regular" Israel Center classes & lectures - 15NIS for members, 20NIS for non-mem. Life members, free.•No one will be turned away for lack of ability to pay. SHABBAT Shabbat afternoons at 5:00pm: Shiur in Pirkei Avot•Men & Women invited•Different speakers weekly•This week (2nd perek): Rabbi Eddie Abramson•Cold drinks will be served and whole-wheat treats courtesy of Landau's Whole Wheat Bakery MOTZA"SH June 9th, 9:30pm•Do Women have a Superior Role in Judaism?•Guest speaker: Rabbi Efraim Sprecher BEIS MEDRASH PROGRAM•SUN-THU, 9:30-12:30•Shiurim at 10:00am•Magid Shiur and supervisor HaRav Hillel Ruvell•For men who want some serious learning DAF YOMI in English 3:00-4:00pm•Sunday-Thursday SUNDAY 9:30am (women only)•Mystical Insights into the Months of the Year•Golda Warhaftig N'shei Library •10:30-12:45 10:30am (women)•Let's Study Chumash•with Tonia Frohwein 11:30am•(This class is open to men and women)•Parshat HaShavua•Shprintzee Herskovits 12:30pm (men & women)•The Pintele Yid•Rabbi David Zitter June 10th, 8:00pm• Movie Time at the Center•Relax, enjoy... think & feel MONDAY 9:15am• This week: HOSHEA•The Prophetic Dozen•Study of the books of TREI ASAR•Rabbi Eliezer Grunbaum June 11th, 10:30am•Netilat Yadayim under the microscope,A close look at the laws, practices, and concepts of ritual washing of the hands•Phil Chernofsky N'SHEI lending library 10:00-12:30 June 11th, 11:36am•Biweekly series on the Jewish History of Bayit Sheni•In the third century BCE: Bet. Jerusalem & Alexandria•Dr. Henry Goldblum June 11th, 8:30pm•The Jewish Values Education Institute of the Israel Center presents...•The Jew Confronts Society: a new video-assisted series with Rabbi Nachum Amsel•This week: Is doing nothing a punishable offense? Based on the last episode of Seinfeld• and next week's session is...Is it ethical to tell on a friend who committed a crime? Based on the film "Scent of a Woman" June 11th, call 051-985225•NLP Workshop given by Rabbi Shlomo Kory, Certified NLP master-practitioner•How to communicate with almost anyone TUESDAY 9:00-9:50•TORAH TOPICS•Kiddush HaShem•Dr. Hayim Abramson 9:55-10:45•SIDDUR TOPICS•In-depth study of Kaddish•Dr. Hayim Abramson 10:50-11:40•Parshat HaShavua•Rabbi Mordechai Spiegelman 10:12:00•The Israel Center and the Old City Free Loan Association Gemach - Free Loan Society to provide interest-free loans for people in financial distress. Interviews at the Center from 10:00-12:00 • Please bring ID 11:45am (women)•Chassidic insights into Parshat HaShavua and the Actualia of Our Time based on Chabad teachings•Raizel Zisk June 12th, 8:00pm•An evening in memory of the late Sylvia Berman a”h (mother of Shulamit Neaman)•The famous, illustrious Esther Shlisser world renown director of the Holy Temple Museum in the Jewish Quarter and a guide par excellence: Yerushalayim: Har HaBayit Now & Then (accompanied by slides)•An inspiring evening you don’t want to miss•Come and pay tribute to a great community leader•Special refreshments•Admission free!•Men and women invited WEDNESDAY 8:20am•Resumes IY"H June 20th•The Eshet Chayil Foundation in conjunction with the Israel Center, is pleased to announce a class on TEHILIM with Sara Wurtzel•Each session will begin with the reading of a chapter of Tehilim, followed by a study of the same perek. 9:30am•Towards a more Meaningful Davening Experience•Dr. Joel Luber 10:30am•for everyone•Break the Fear Habit ...and LIVE!•Alan Romm, P.C 11:30am-1:00pm•Spiritual Intelligence in PIRKEI AVOT•Batya Yaniger 3:00pm•Resumes IY"H June 27th•Women in Tanach•Pearl Borow•This class is open to men and women June 13, 5:30pm•Options in Aging•Practical Solutions for Living Discomforts•Dina Chaviv, O.T. Home Care Specialist•20NIS (members), 25 non-mem 7:45-8:45pm•Jewish Philosophy•Rabbi Chaim Eisen•One week: Road Map to the Prophets: Rambam's Guide of the Perplexed•One week: Ramban's Commentary on the Torah and its Wellsprings•This week: Ramban June 13&20, 8:00pm•Kesher presents... Living with your teenager: Strategies for Survival• A 6-session workshop for parents of adolescents or pre-adolescents• Topics to be covered include: the rebellious teen who is leaving religion difficulties with the teen oleh learning problems coping with their anger... etc. For details call: Paula Mandel MSW•058 628 435 or 02-5868325 (after 8pm) 8:00-10:00pm•Aliya Counseling•Miriam Bass THURSDAY 10:30am•Shiur while you fold 10:30am•SLIM FOR LIFE•Group weight-loss program for women•Qualified Nutritional Advisor (BSC Hons) on hand•No obligation for the first session•Libby - 651-8061 • Elisheva - 999-6479 June 14th, 7:30pm•NLP Workshop given by Rabbi Shlomo Kory, Certified NLP master-practitioner•Reducing Stress 8:00pm•Shir HaShirim•Reb Yosef Schreiber FRIDAY 9:00-10:00am•In-Depth Pirkei Avot Rabbi Chaim Eisen Upcoming at the Israel Center: Sun-Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu June 17-21: 7:30pm each evening Successful Investment Strategies for Very Uncertain Times: A week of dialogue & workshops hosted by Mark van Gelderen and the Financial resource Network•call 6274-316 for more details. Sunday, June 17: Real Estate Opportunities in Israel Monday, June 18: 10 Investment Concepts for Uncertain Times Tuesday, June 19: Investments that Don't Lose Wednesday, June 20: High-Return Israeli Investment and Savings Programs Thursday, June 21: - Meet Leading Israeli-American manager OU ISRAEL CENTER Seymour J. Abrams • Orthodox
Union•Jerusalem World Center This publication and many of the programs of the Israel Center and NCSY b'Yisrael are assisted by grants from The Jewish Agency for Israel TT is published and printed "in house" at the Israel Center [The
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