Halachic Times for Jerusalem Winter
(Standard) Time Candle lighting - 4:13pm (Earliest - 3:49pm) Havdala - 5:30pm (Rabbeinu Tam - 6:06pm) Earliest Shacharit 5:34½-5:35am Sunrise 6:34½-6:35am (6:40-6:40½am) Sof Z'man Kri'at Sh'ma 9:09-9:11am (8:21-8:23am) Sof Z'man Shacharit 10:00-10:02am (9:29-9:31am) Chatzot (halachic noon) 11:43½-11:46½am Mincha Gedola (earliest Mincha) 12:14-12:17pm Plag Mincha 3:48 - 3:53pm Sunset 4:52¾-4:58pm (4:47¾-4:53pm) 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... Without a Sanhedrin, our calendar is fixed by a method of calculation that does not involve a "human factor" in the process. That's not a perfectly accurate statement, because of some interesting opinions that our months are not pre-sanctified by a Sanhedrin of a long time ago (as is the prevalent opinion), but rather by the acts of the Jewish People (specifically in Eretz Yisrael) at the beginning of each month. Be that as it may, WITH a Sanhedrin, there is a significant human factor in the form of witnesses to the first visibility of the lunar crescent as well as certain discretionary powers of the Sanhedrin committee in charge of Kidush HaChodesh. The judges were required to make the astronomical calculations necessary to determine on which night the moon would first be visible. Although the testimony of witnesses was highly preferable as the basis on which the leader of Sanhedrin would proclaim Rosh Chodesh, the Sanhedrin had the power - if their calculations showed that the moon could have been seen - to declare Rosh Chodesh without witnesses. This, only when there was a "great need" to do so. If (when) this power was exercised, it would still be considered inferior to "Kidush" based on eye-witnesses. (more on this from time to time) A Worthy Topic Revisited Women. Dina bat Yaakov, Serach bat Asher, and (according to Tradition) Yocheved bat Levi were counted among the "70 souls" who form the foundation of the People of Israel. The Torah adds that in addition to the 70 were the wives of Yaakov's sons (and grandsons). Parshat Sh'mot, which introduces us to Moshe Rabeinu, our greatest prophet and teacher ever, points to several special women who were instrumental - more, essential - to the Geula process and in Moshe's birth, survival, and development. The sedra starts with the two midwives who defied Par'o and saved (gave life) to the Jewish babies they were commanded to kill. Rashi says that Shifra and Pu'ah were Yocheved and Miriam. The Midrash says that they were converts - Egyptian women who chose to "sign on" with an enslaved people that was in for very rough times. Leaving things to the men in Egypt would have meant the end of the Jewish People before we even got started. The men had decided to stop having children, for what good would it be to bring children into the world under the conditions of demeaning slavery and oppression. Miriam's prophecy to Amram brought about the reunion of husband and wife, which resulted in the birth of Moshe. The Torah credits Yocheved with saving Moshe by floating him on the river in a waterproof basket, and Miriam with keeping watch over him. Bat Par'o saves Moshe, not only from the water but from Par'o's decree as well. She raises Moshe and is acknowledged in Divrei HaYamim as his "mother". Tzipora saves Moshe's life by circumcising their son Eliezer. The Midrash tells us that while the men in Egypt despaired, the women built up their morale and gave them hope. Because of righteous women, our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt. Women. They did it. G-d took us out of Egypt, but it was the actions of many women that made it possible. And these noble women of ours in Egypt did not invent their roles. Sara Imeinu saw what was necessary for the proper continuation of the Chain of our Tradition. Avraham did not (could not) see it, and G-d told him to listen to Sara. Yitzchak was "blind" to that which Rivka saw clearly, and she "arranged" for Yitzchak's bracha to find its correct recipient. Rachel and Leah knew better than Yaakov what was necessary to form the solid foundation of the Jewish Nation. And they arranged it. And it continued beyond Mitzrayim. The women who did not give their gold towards the Calf, the daughters of Tzelafchad, Rachav, Yael, Devorah... Sedra-Stats 13th of the 54 sedras; 1st of 11 in Sh'mot Written on 215.2 lines in a Sefer Torah; rank: 18th 7 parshiot; 6 open, 1 closed 124 p'sukim - 15th (tied with Emor) 1763 words - 14th (Emor is 22nd) 6762 letters - 16th (Emor is 23rd) Parshat Sh'mot ranks 2nd in the Book of Sh'mot in all three categories Its p'sukim are above average in length (number of words and letters) The Book of Sh'mot has... 11 sedras, 1210 p'sukim, 16713 words, 63529 letters, 111 of the 613 mitzvot. It is written on 2130 lines in a Sefer Torah, just under 51 columns (of 245). There are 165 parshiyot in Sh'mot - more than any other Book. 70 open and 95 closed (for each type of Parsha it is in second place). Sh'mot is by far the most "statistically average" of the Five Books in number of sedras, p'sukim, mitzvot, and letters. It is slightly more wordy than average (Bamidbar is closer to the average). But it is closest to average in words and letters per sedra, p'sukim per sedra, and words per pasuk. (Bamidbar, by the way has 63530 letters - one more than Sh'mot.) Mitzvot SH'MOT contains none of the 613 Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary Kohen - First Aliya - 17 p'sukim - 1:1-17 Sh'mot begins with the conjunctive VAV to link the birth of the Jewish Nation with the foundation laid by the Patriarchs and "Sh'vatim" in the book of B'reishit. The sons of Yaakov are lovingly enumerated once again. The starting number of "70 souls" is repeated to impress upon us the tremendous growth of the people even under the oppression of Egypt, as described in the p'sukim. [SDT] The opening words of the sedra/book of Shmot form the initial letters of V'chayav Adam Lilmod Sh'nayim Mikra V'echad Targum - And a person is obligated to review the Torah text twice and once in translation. Baal HaTurim extends this acronym to the next two words. His whole statement is: "One who learns the sedra 2+1, singing it pleasantly, shall merit long life." [SDT] The final letters of the opening words (sofei teivot) rearrange to spell the word T'HILIM. When the People of Israel are in trouble (a play-on-words on Egypt - MITZRAYIM - MEITZARIM), they shall use T'hilim to help them focus their prayers to G-d, thereby meriting redemption. [SDT] Our first exile was associated with the number 70, the number assigned the members of Yaakov's family who went down to Egypt. The exile following the destruction of the first Beit HaMikdash lasted 70 years. The termination of the final exile will be associated with our dominance over, or recognition and respect by the 70 nations of the world. A new king "who does not know Yosef" considers the Jewish people a threat and takes measures to enslave and demoralize them. (Ironically, he is the first one to refer to us as a nation - "Am Bnei Yisrael" - sometimes it is our enemies who tell us who we really are.) Along those lines... over the last years (except, sadly, most recently), when Jews were "allowed" access to Har HaBayit, the Wakf restricted visits by religious Jews to groups of no more than 4 men. Their fear was that if groups of 5 were allowed onto Har HaBayit, two groups might combine, form a minyan, and PRAY. Sad that it is the Moslims that have to tell us that we are G-d's Chosen and that we have His ear (so to speak). They are more in awe and fear of our power of prayer than most Jews are. Par'o called us the Jewish Nation even before we felt that and knew that ourselves. Let us live up to who were are and let us realize all the potential in our being Am Bnei Yisrael. He even instructs the midwives to kill the baby boys at birth to prevent the development of his "potential enemies" (and to kill off the potential redeemer of the People). They refuse to do his bidding and save the lives of the boys. [SDT] Va't'chayena et HaY'ladim ...and they gave life to the boys". The Midrash says that not only did the midwives defy Par'o by not killing the boys, they also were responsible for saving those that might have died during childbirth. It is natural that some babies do not survive birth. The midwives were concerned that if they happened to deliver a stillborn, it should might appear as if they had carried out Par'o's orders. Their prayers were answered, and miraculously none of the babies died. Thus they are credited, not just with assisting in the births, but also with giving life to some of the babies. There is a parallel idea concerning the night of the Exodus. It is said that even the normal deaths that might be expected in a large population did not occur on the night of the Exodus, lest it detract from the miraculous nature of the Night. Thus, we have then similar miracles at either end of the Mitzrayim experience. [SDT] AND THEY EMBITTERED THEIR LIVES... The trup (Torah notes) on these words seem unduly happy for such sad words. The GR"A points out the "happy" result of the unusually harsh oppression, namely, that G-d reacted to Egypt's excess by cutting down our time in bondage to 210 years from the original prophecy of 400, by counting from the birth of Yitzchak, rather than from Yaakov's descent into Egypt. Understand that this is not just an exchange of 210 years of extra harsh conditions for 400 years of regular slavery. Commentaries say that if we did not get out when we did, we would not have made it to Nationhood. Levi - Second Aliya - 15 p'sukim - 1:18-2:10 When Par'o sees that his goal is not being accomplished, he orders that all male babies (Jew & non-Jew alike) be drowned. The People of Israel miraculously flourish under these adverse conditions. Amram reunites with Yocheved and a baby boy is born. When he is no longer able to be hidden (some say that Moshe was three months premature; that the Egyptians knew when Yocheved was due; therefore she was able to hide him only for those three months), Yocheved prepares a waterproof basket and sets him on the river under the watchful eye of his sister. Bat-Par'o finds Moshe and sends Miriam to bring a wetnurse for the crying infant who apparently will not nurse from an Egyptian breast. Miriam brings Yocheved, Moshe's mother, who takes Moshe until he is weaned. From that point on, Moshe is raised in the royal palace by Bat Par'o (Batya). She names him Moshe. [SDT] Egyptian astrologers read in the stars that Israel's redeemer was soon to be born. They recommended the systematic drowning of all baby boys (including non-Jews, since they were not sure of what nation this redeemer would come). When Moshe was floated on the Nile, the astrologers reported to Par'o that Israel's redeemer was indeed "cast into the river". As a result of this not quite accurate reading of the stars, Par'o withdrew the decree to drown the boys. [SDT] On the phrase: VAYEILECH ISH... And a man (from the house of Levi) went... the Baal HaTurim points out the only other occurrence of that phrase, in the book of Ruth: VAYEILECH ISH MI'BEIT LECHEM YEHUDA... In both cases, a redeemer of Israel results. In our case, Moshe. In Megilat Ruth, the progenitor of David HaMelech, his line, to Mashiach ben David. "And she called his name Moses, for from the water he was drawn." Does not quite make it in English. This is one of the demonstrations that the Torah was written in Hebrew. Similarly, ADAM was made from the ADAMA. Try that in English. Or other languages. Shlishi - Third Aliya - 15 p'sukim - 2:11-25 It is amazing how many significant events are packed into these 15 p'sukim. Moshe goes out to see what is happening with the Jewish People. He kills an Egyptian who was beating a Jew. He breaks up a fight between two Jews (Datan & Aviram). They had seen him kill the Egyptian and report him to Par'o. Moshe flees to Midyan where he saves Yitro's daughters from danger. He takes Tzipora as a wife. She gives birth to son Gershom. Meanwhile, the oppression in Egypt is greatly intensified. The People react by calling out to G-d. He too, reacts... [SDT] Yosef was identified by the Wine Steward as a NAAR IVRI, a Jewish lad. Moshe was identified by Yitro's daughters as ISH MITZRI, an Egyptian man. Yosef was privileged to have his remains buried in the Land of Israel. Moshe did not have that same "z'chut". R'vi'i - Fourth Aliya - 15 p'sukim - 3:1-15 Moshe is tending Yitro's sheep. An angel appears to him from a "burning bush that is not consumed". Moshe shies away; G-d calls to him. He tells Moshe that He has heard the screams of the People and that he is going to take them out of Egypt and bring them to a Land of Milk and Honey. Moshe asks "why me?". G-d assures Moshe that He will be with him and that as proof of the divine nature of his mission, Moshe will be bringing the people back to "this spot" (Sinai) to "serve G-d" (and receive the Torah). Furthermore, Moshe is to "reintroduce" G-d to the People. Moshe asks G-d what he should tell the People when he comes to them at G-d command. G-d's answer spans nine p'sukim (3:14-22). G-d identifies Himself as EH-YEH ASHER EH-YEH (Alef-Hei-Yud-Hei is one of the 7 names of G-d that may not be erased. Probably the least known of the list.) This name of G-d's has the meaning: I will be with you (Bnei Yisrael) in your time of trouble (in Egypt) as I will be with you in future situations of enslavement and oppression. At Moshe's suggestion, so to speak, G-d agreet to be identified to the people as EH-YEH, with the more comforting connotation of "I will be with you", without the implication that there will be other periods of oppression in the future. (based on Rashi). G-d gives Moshe detailed instructions as to what to say to the people. He tells Moshe how the people will react and how Par'o will react. He tells him about the plagues and about the "friendly" reaction of the Egyptian people. Chamishi - Fifth Aliya - 24 p'sukim - 3:16-4:17 The prophecy at the Bush continues... G-d tells Moshe: (a) to gather the elders of Israel and tell them that G-d will be taking them out of Egypt and bringing them to the Land of Israel, (b) the elders will accompany Moshe to present the demand for release before Par'o, (c) Par'o will not acquiesce, (d) I will smite Egypt and then they will send you out, (e) the Egyptians will "lend" the People of Israel many belongings. Moshe asks "on what basis will they believe me?" G-d gives Moshe 3 signs to perform for Par'o and the People. Moshe still questions G-d as to why him; G-d gets angry at Moshe for doubting His choice of leader. G-d informs Moshe that Aharon will assist in these matters. Moshe is instructed to have his special staff with him when he presents himself to the People and Par'o. [SDT] The Staff, HaMateh. Baal HaTurim says that there is/was a scribal custom to put Torah crowns on the TET in the word THE STAFF. This, to say that Moshe was the ninth righteous individual who had the miraculous staff in hand. (Pirkei Avot tells us that the Staff was one of the items created in the instant between the Six Days of Creation and the first Shabbat B'reishit.) The previous 8: Adam, Chanoch, No'ach, Shem, Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Yosef. [SDT] The Midrash says that Moshe had several names - Yered, Chever, Y'kutiel, Avigdor, Avi-Socho, Avi-Zanu'ach, Tovia, Heiman, Sh'maya. The Midrash further tells us that of all his names he is only called Moshe - even by G-d - to give honor to the acts of kindness of the one who found him and saved him from the water -Bat Par'o Shishi - Sixth Aliya - 14 p'sukim - 4:18-31 Moshe returns to Yitro and tells him that he must go to his brethren. Yitro sends Moshe on his way. G-d tells Moshe that it is safe for him to do so. Moshe takes his wife and sons and returns to Egypt. G-d reminds Moshe about the signs he is to use before Par'o, that Par'o will not listen, and that he (Moshe) is to say to Par'o that if he does not release the People, G-d will kill his firstborn. (Thus the last Plague was really the first warning to Par'o. All the other Plagues served their purposes, but all pointed to MAKAT B'CHOROT.) On the way, Tzipora circumcises her son. Commentaries explain that Moshe had neither circumcised his son Eliezer because of the danger in traveling when recently circumcised, nor did he postpone his return to Egypt, which would have been in defiance of G-d's command. It seems that he was in error in not having circumcised him, hence his life was in jeopardy until Tzipora performed the circumcision. G-d tells Aharon to greet Moshe. Moshe tells Aharon all that has happened. They gather the elders and Aharon tells them what will occur. The People believe what they hear and bow to G-d. [SDT] Rashi says that the donkey that Moshe used to bring his family to Mitzrayim was the same one that Avraham took to the Akeida and the one that the Mashiach will ride upon. Why not a regular donkey? To tell us that these monumental events were not haphazard, but specially prepared parts of G-d's master plan for the world. Sh'vi'i - Seventh Aliya - 24 p'sukim - 5:1-6:1 "And then, Moshe & Aharon go" to Par'o and say to him "Let my People go..." [SDT] Notice that the elders are not mentioned. Rashi tells us that one-by-one the elders "disappeared" (in fear of Par'o) as the entourage was going to Par'o, until only Moshe and Aharon were left. So it was to be at Sinai. The elders were left at the foot of the mountain and Aharon and Moshe ascended. (Then Aharon stopped and Moshe proceeded to the top alone.) Par'o refuses, questioning who this G-d of Israel is. He then increases the burden on the People (who obviously have too much free time because they ask for a 3-day release). The leaders of the People bear the brunt of the new edicts and complain to Par'o. Par'o blames Moshe; the People react with anger and disappointment. Moshe tells G-d that his efforts were counter-productive. G-d says that NOW you (Moshe) will see what G-d will do to Par'o... [SDT] G-d explains to Moshe that this "failure" is a prelude to the grand Exodus. The Gemara says that "Ben David (the Mashiach) will not come until... the people will despair of Redemption". (There are many variant ways that statement is made in the Gemara; this is one of them.) Here is the "proof" of the statement: G-d says NOW (and not before, when the People were still hopeful) the Geula is ready to come, because the people are so disappointed with the results of the latest visit with Par'o. Maftir is the last 3 p'sukim. Haftara - 23 p'sukim -Yeshayahu 27:6-28:13and 29:22-23 As the sedra tells of the family of Yaakov in exile, so does the prophet tell of the exiles of the People of Israel. The sedra contains G-d's prophecy to Moshe Rabeinu at the Burning Bush of the redemption of Israel, the subsequent Standing at Sinai, and the entrance into the Land flowing with Milk and Honey. The Haftara contains the prophecy that there will come a day when the Great Shofar will sound, and the exiles will come from their places of dispersion, and they will come to serve HaShem and bow to Him in Yerushalayim. The sedra speaks of the First Redemption; the haftara refers to the Complete Redemption. The parallels are very strong. We can summarize all of Jewish National life by saying that it began with the slavery in Egypt and the subsequent Exodus from there, and it "ends" (this long chapter of our existence) with the Ingathering of the Exiles and the other events associated with that great and greatly anticipated era. This is one of the sedras for which different communities read different Haftaras. Sephardim read as the Haftara for Sh'mot, the first chapter in Yirmiyahu, which is also the Haftara for Pinchas or Matot (the first of the 3 "sad" haftaras during the Three Weeks). In A Haftara Companion, Rabbi Jacobs points out the "obvious" connections between Parshat Sh'mot and the beginning of Yirmiyahu. We read of the first prophecies of Moshe and Yirmiyahu, their hesitations to respond to the call, and the fact that they were saved from the Nile by a maidservant and saved from a pit by a manservant respectively. Both had an active prophecy-career of 40 years. In the final p'sukim of the Haftara (S'fardi version) there is a beautiful reference made to our wandering in the Midbar. This is alluded to in Moshe's very first prophecy at the Burning Bush. THE JERUSALEM INSTITUTE OF JEWISH LAW Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Dean Lesson # 118 (part one) • Building a Dividing Wall We come now to a new topic that will IYH continue for several lessons. The topic is the joint ownership of real property. What are the rights and obligations of the joint (or adjoining) owners? Reuven and Shimon jointly own a piece of real estate. They agree to divide the jointly owned real estate. Or, assume that Reuven wants to divide the jointly owned real estate and Shimon does not want to divide the real estate. If the real estate is large enough to be divided, that is each party will be left after the division with at least 49 square feet (four cubits squared), then either party may sue the other in Beth Din to obtain a judgment compelling the division of the real estate. Or Reuven and Shimon are neighbors of real estate bordering one other other, having purchased their parcels without ever having been joint owners of the real estate. In any of these situations either party may compel the other to agree to build a wall to divide their properties so that neither can look onto the property of the other. The party who wishes to have the wall built may sue the other party in Beth Din an obtain a judgment compelling the wall to be built. Reuven may demand the building of the wall although the parties have lived many years without a dividing wall. The fact that Reuven permitted Shimon to overlook his premises for any years does not constitute a waiver of his rights to now protect against overviewing. Reuven may assert this right at any time, even after many years. Even if the law or the custom of the community is to prohibit the demand for building such walls. Reuven will prevail in Beth Din. The reason is that laws contravene the right to privacy. Both Reuven and Shimon, each pays one-ha1f of the expense of the wall. Neither can refuse to pay his half of the construction of the wall. Each pays for one-half the expense even if his lot is smaller than the other's lot. Reuven’s lot is twice the size of Shimon’s lot. Reuven still has to pay for only one half of he wall. Reuven is wealthy and can afford to build the entire wall. Shimon states that he would like to pay for his half of the wall but does not have the funds to do so. Reuven can build the entire wall on his own premises and pay for the entire wall, and Shimon cannot object that he wants the wall to be a party wall so that he, Shimon, can use the wall for the support of beams. one-half of the wall. There is an opinion in one of the commentaries to the Shu1han Aruch that in such a case Ruven can insist that Shimon obtain the money to pay for his half of the wall or that Ruven can tender Shimon the value of Shimon’s entire lot and purchase the lot from Shimon. I totally disagree with this statement. It offends the entire concept of the halachah being made by God for men to live with. I do not believe that the halachah requires those who are unfortunate, to have to lose their property because they are too poor to pay for the wall when the neighbor who can pay for the wall can afford to do it. If Reuven wants to he may lend the money to Shimon with the understanding that if Shimon is still too poor to repay it then he will not have to repay. Or Reuven can build the wall on both sides of the boundary, but Shimon cannot use the wall until he pays his share of the construction costs. Whenever Reuven builds the entire wall at his own expense, he should protect himself and obtain a writing witnessed by two people that he has built the entire wall at his own expense and/or the entire wall is on his side of the boundary line. If they are both too poor to contribute to the building of the wall, then the wall will not be built but each party should give consideration to the other party when he is in his part of the courtyard so as not to overview him. The parties may receive money from the charity fund for the building of a wall of shrubs or hedges in dividing their yards. The type of wall should generally conform to the practice of the community. The width of the wall should be the customary width. The materials used should also follow the community practice even for reeds and shrubs, provided that one cannot see through such a wall. The practice should not be followed if the walls are so flimsy that one can see through it or it will not remain standing. If the community has no set customs in these matters, then if the parties cannot agree between themselves, Beth Din will decide according to the facts of the situation. If the custom of the community is to erect a less-stable wall and Reuven desires, at his own expense, to build a stronger wall that shall be entirely on his side of the boundary, Shimon can object that he wants to follow the community standard. There is also an opinion that Shimon cannot object. Similarly, if Reuven, contrary to community standards, which provide for a stronger wall, desires to build a less-strong wall at his sole expense, Shimon can object. If after some time the wall falls down, the space on the ground where the wall stood, and the materials from the fallen wall are divided between Reuven and Shimon. These laws holds true even if all of the material is now in the yard of one of them. When the halachah speaks of a wall, whether in building a new wall or a wall that had fallen down, it anticipates a wall seven feet high. After the wall falls down either Reuven or Shimon can insist that the wall be rebuilt to a height of seven feet. If before the wall fell down it was wider than the custom of the community, after it falls down Reuven can insist that the rebuilt wall be built according to community standards. Similarly if the old wall was higher than seven feet, Reuven can state that he does not want the rebuilt wall to be taller than seven feet. Reuven and Shimon have the dividing wall between them with half of the wall on each one's property. Reuven wants to raise the height of the wall and Shimon does not agree. Reuven cannot compel Shimon to raise the wall, but Reuven may at his own expense raise the wall up to a height that does not interfere with Shimon's light or with Shimon's use of his side of the wall, nor will it endanger the wall. If damage is caused to the wall because of the additional weight, Reuven has to bear the expense. If Reuven, at his own expense, raised the wall to eight feet, he must bear the total expense of the extra foot. However, if Shimon thereafter raises the height to nine feet, Shimon must pay for this ninth foot and also pay for half of the cost of the eighth foot. If Shimon does anything to indicate that he wishes to take advantage of the extra work done by Reuven, he must pay for his share to the extent that he takes advantage. That which has been said regarding the height of the wall also applies to extending the length of the wall. The subject matter of this lesson is more fully discussed in Vol. V, Ch.157 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. Respect for the Worker Our parsha tells us that the Egyptians worked Benei Yisrael with “crushing labor” (befarekh – Shemot 1:13). While Rashi explains that this refers to work which crushes the body, one explanation of the Gemara is that this refers to demeaning work – giving men’s work to women and women’s work to men (Sota 11b). In Parshat Behar we learn that it is forbidden to work a Jewish slave “befarekh” (Vayikra 25:43). There also the Sifri explains that the prohibition is not from making your slave work hard, but rather to demean him by giving him busy work. The Sefer HaChinukh on this mitzva points out that if it is forbidden to work a slave in this way, we should learn that an ordinary worker should also be treated with respect. We can learn the same principle from the Rambam. The Rambam writes: “It is permissible to give crushing labor to a non-Jewish slave. And even though this is the law, it is pious and wise to be merciful and just, and not to put a heavy burden on his slave and oppress him... The Torah allowed us to do work with them, not to shame them, and one should speak to them gently, not with shouting and anger” (Avadim 9:8). We also learn “A person can feed his father fattened birds and yet [HaShem] drives him from the world, and another makes his father work on the grindstone and it brings him to the World to Come” (Kiddushin 31a, SA YD 240:4). The commentators explain that if the father’s work is essential for the family, it is not improper to put him to hard work; contrarily, even if a person indulges his father, he is sinning if he doesn’t speak to him respectfully. Again, human relations are the most significant consideration. There’s nothing wrong with asking employees to work hard, within the limits of what is customary in their line of work, but every effort has to be made to treat them with respect and dignity. (It goes without saying that the employee also needs to treat the boss with respect.) Rabbi Meir has recently 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 Qs — www.jewishethicist.com or www.aish.com From the virtual desk of the OU VEBBE REBBE The Orthodox Union – via its website – fields questions of all types in areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of them 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. Ask the Rabbi 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 thought it was forbidden to transfer ownership between people on Shabbat. Yet, people regularly bring over food when invited to friends' houses. Is that permitted? Answer: In explaining the prohibition of making donations to the Beit Hamikdash on Shabbat and Yom Tov, the gemara (Beitza 37a) says that it is included in the prohibition of commerce on these days. Rashi (ad loc.) cites two reasons for the prohibition of commerce: 1) The navi Yeshaya, taught us to stay away from weekday-like activities and speech on Shabbat; 2) Commerce could prompt one to write documents. Do these concerns apply to giving a present? The Beit Yosef (Orach Chayim 527) cites the Mordechai that one can transfer ownership of a lulav and etrog on Sukkot to one's friend in order to allow him to fulfill the mitzva. The Beit Yosef was surprised with this reasoning, because if one gives a present by handing it to his friend without a formalistic kinyan sudar, it should be permitted even without there being a mitzvah. Some bring proof to the Beit Yosef's own reasoning (see Beit Meir on Even HaEzer, siman 45). However, the consensus of poskim is like the Mordechai, that even though giving presents is not overly commercial in nature, it is included in the prohibition of commerce except for cases of mitzvah, (Magen Avraham 306:15; Mishna Berurah 306:33). What, then, constitutes a mitzvah? In addition to necessary religious articles like an etrog, one may give and receive presents which are needs of the day (Shmirat Shabbat K'hilchata 29:29). Based on this, people may give presents of food when going over to friends if they feel that they will be used to enhance the Shabbat meal (see Shulchan Aruch Harav 306:15 who corroborates). It is proper to make a realistic appraisal if the specific item given is likely to be used on this Shabbat (for example, giving milchig candy when going for lunch on a "short" Shabbat would be problematic). Giving presents to chatanim or bar-mitzvah boys is discussed by poskim (see discussion in Yechave Da'at III, 21). Even when one cannot transfer ownership of an object, one can give it physically on Shabbat in one of two ways: 1) To transfer ownership to the recipient before Shabbat (Shmirat Shabbat K'hilchata, ibid.), by buying the object on his behalf or having someone, (preferably outside the giver's family- see details in Shulchan Aruch OC 366:10), pick up the object on his behalf; 2) If the party(ies) have in mind not to affect the transfer of ownership, until after Shabbat. 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. And/or you can receive Hemdat Yamim by email weekly, by sending an email to lists@eretzhemdah.org with the message: Join Hemdatya - Please leave the subject blank. Ask the Vebbe Rebbe is partially funded by the Jewish Agency for Israel Hasidic Wisdom from the book by Simcha Raz (Elkins/Elkins) G-d calls upon all people according to
their nature: - Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav Just as people look into a mirror see their own blemishes, so those who see faults in others (should) know that they share some of the same faults. - Baal Shem Tov The Land of Israel is the same as the Divine Presence Itself. - Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk Rite & Reason by Shmuel Pinchas Gelbard Upon concluding the Amida, one takes 3 steps backwards. (Shulchan Aruch) REASON An AGADA relates that Moshe Rabeinu passed through three successive levels when he ascended Har Sinai to receive the Torah: Darkness, clouds, and deep blackness. Similarly when he descended he emerged from these three areas. Symbolically, upon concluding our prayer we too, step back three steps. REASON When the Torah was given at Har Sinai, the children of Israel retreated three MILIM (a certain distance) from the mountain, as the pasuk (Sh'mot 20:21) says: "and the people stood afar." REASON The spot where a person prays becomes a sacred area. Upon concluding his prayer he must emerge from the sanctified domain of prayer and return to mundane reality by taking three steps back. REASON Prayer corresponds to the daily sacrificial offerings. When the Kohen climbed the ramp leading up to the Mizbei'ach he ascended along the right side and descended along the left. Between the ramp leading to the Mizbei'ach and the Mizbei'ach itself there were three layers of stone and the Kohen used to step backwards three steps. We do the same after our AVODA (prayer corresponding to KORBANOT). ArtScroll Series • Mesorah Publications Ltd. WORDS OF WISDOM WORDS OF WIT • by Shmuel Himelstein For years, R' Mordechai of Nechchiz sought to have a tallis kattan made of wool woven in Eretz Yisrael. Finally, after great effort, he managed to obtain the fabric. One of his chassidim begged the rebbe to let him cut the tallis kattan out of the wool, and the rebbe agreed. The man was overjoyed at the opportunity. With fear and trembling, he embarked on the project. He was so nervous, however, that without realizing it, he cut out the neck portion of the cloth while the fabric was still folded in two. When the fabric was unfolded, he saw to his horror that there were two holes for the neck. The damage was irreparable. The crestfallen and terrified chassid approached his rebbe to tell him what he had done. R' Mordechai remained absolutely calm throughout the chassid's account. "Your work was perfect", he explained. "I needed two neck holes - one for the tallis katan and one to teach me the importance of holding my temper in check." Excerpted with the permission of the copyright holder A former student of mine, Rabbi Neil Fleishman, sends Divrei Torah and stories with lessons to an email list on a weekly basis. A while back, he included a story about a donkey that really made a point. He just resent it, and I'm taking this opportunity to share it with TT readers. - Phil This is a story of how a farmer allowed himself at first to be defeated, and then through, perhaps Divine guidance, the problem reversed itself. In every problem there is an opportunity... enjoy One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer decided to look down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off! Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up! And Moshe smote the Egyptian. Rashi says, that Moshe killed the Egyptian with the Ineffable Name. The Malbim asks why that is so, why don't we take the words to mean that Moshe physically killed the Egyptian. He answers that according to Jewish Law, a non-Jew who beats a Jew is liable to death - but only from Heaven. Our human courts cannot execute him in such a case. Hence, Moshe's use of SHEIM HA'M'FORASH. From the Desk of the Director In parshat Sh'mot we meet Moshe Rabbeinu as a young child brought up in the Egyptian palace. The commentators tell us that when Moshe matured he was told of his Jewish ancestry. Then a change came over him for now Moshe “went out to his brothers and saw their burdens.” So, when Moshe saw an Egyptian oppressing a Hebrew slave, “one of his brothers,” he suddenly witnessed something totally new. Like many of us, he was surrounded by evil but had been blind to it. It took a culture shock to galvanize Moshe. And then, when his true identity surfaced, he was forced to take the moral high ground. The text then relates that Moshe looked “this way and that.” Perhaps he was looking for a Jew to come to the slave’s rescue or even for an Egyptian lord to whom he could appeal. But he saw there was “no man” to promote the cause of justice. According to the Ramban, Moshe was so overcome with emotion that he raised his hand to the Egyptian. And suddenly, the most humble Moshe had taken the life of another. Maybe the “man” that Moshe did not see was Moshe himself whom he no longer recognized. While he is never formally indicted, the Midrash cites Moshe’s assault on the Egyptian as the final arbiter against his plea not to pass from this world. “Can you compare yourself to Me who gives life and takes it?” asks Hashem. Can any of us indeed? Shabbat Shaolm, Menachem Persoff, Director, Israel Center Towards better Davening and Torah reading Column #10. The contents of this weekly column are based on the sefer: EIM LAMIKRA HASHALEIM, by R' Nissan Sharoni, Ashdod, a guide to correct pronunciation of Hebrew, specifically in davening and Torah reading. We're still working on SH'VA NA and SH'VA NACH. Let's get some basics on the table. Let's take a word or two from the SH'MA that will illustrate the two kinds of SH'VA, and also introduce one of the rules related to them. (And, for the moment, we'll try to avaoid words with other "problems".) And with all your soul, NAF-SH'CHA. If you will "listen" to My mitzvot... TISH-M'U. And I will give the rain for your land... AR-TZ'CHEM. Enough for now. When there are two letters in a row (in the middle of a word), and both have a SH'VA under them, then the first one is a SH'VA NACH (no vowel sound at all for the letter) and the second one is SH'VA NA, which sounds like a very short vowel. NAF, as if the SH'VA under the FEI weren't there at all. SH'CHA, the SH'VA under the SHIN has a short vowel sound. (To write it as SHE-CHA would be to draw out the vowel too much, that is why we use SH'CHA.) In this same style of transliteration (and pronunciation), this week's sedra is SH'MOT (not SHEMOT, even though that's how it is written very often). Also, it isn't SHMOT, because that short-change the SH'VA under the SHIN. And here is another SH'VA rule: the SH'VA under the first letter of a word is NA, as in SH'VA, SH'MA, B'REISHIT, D'VARIM. (A possible exception to the first-letter-of-the-word rule is SHTEI (and SHTA-YIM), two, not SH'TEI, as in what Rivka said to Eliezer - SH'TEI, drink). On words like B'REISHIT, native English speakers should be extra careful not to let it sound like the BR from bright, bridge, or brain. In English, there are many initial two-letter blends, which do what their name implies. In Hebrew, they don't blend - the first letter with the SH'VA NA gets a short vowel sound and thus stays unblended with the letter that followed. CLAY in English, but K'LEI in Hebrew. But with the caution that it not sound like K' - LEI, as two syllables. It takes practice. Two SH'VAed letters in a row at the end of a word are both pronounced NACH. YAFT ELOKIM L'YEFET. Both the FEI and TAV are pronounced with SH'VA NACHs, i.e. without vowel sounds at all. This actually resembles the consonant blends of English. Some of them are easy to pronounce. Like this one. You (fem.) said - AMART. And he (No'ach) drank from the wine... VAYEISHT. But others are hard to say. When the K'na'ani attack Bnei Yisrael following the death of Aharon, the took a captive. VAYISHB MIMENU SHEVI. A SHIN with a SH'VA NACH followed by a BET with a SH'VA NACH is harder to say. But it is still supposed to be done without any vowel sounds for the SHIN and the BET. Again, practice will help. A SH'VA under a letter with a DAGESH (except at the end of a word) is a SH'VA NA. In SH'MA, taht I command you today... M'TZAV'CHA. Because the VAV has a DAGESH (dot) in it, the word is not M'TZAV-CHA, but M'TZAV'CHA. Actually, the dot in the VAV makes the VAV stronger (which is similar to a double letter in English) in addition to NAing the SH'VA. It makes the word M'TZAVV'CHA, with an emphasis on the V, almost as it the word is made up of two syllables - M'TAV and V'CHA. But without separating the two Vs. In this case, they definitely have to blend into a strong V sound. This effect of a DAGESH CHAZAK is a topic we'll explore somewhat later. There are many examples in our davening of this type of SH'VA NA. And they are commonly mispronounced (by certain types of Jews). Here are some examples. Psalm 130. KI IMM'CHA (not IM-CHA), KIVV'TA (not KIV-TA). Weekday Amida - T'KA... V'KABB'TZEI-NU (not V'KAB-TZEINU. Next bracha. L'VADD'CHA (not L'VAD-CHA). V'TZADD'KEI-NU (not TZAD-KEI). AL HATZADIKIM... ZIK-NEI (SH'VA NACH under the KUF), but AMM'CHA (SH'VA NA under the DAGESHed MEM, not AM-CHA). In scanning the Amida for examples of this kind of NACHed NA problem, many other "problem" words jumped off the page. IY"H we'll get to the SH'VA rules that govern them next week. IMO, they will be more difficult to correct than some of the other mispronunciations, because we (some of us) are so used to saying them incorrectly. SHO-F' TEI-NU (not SHOF-TEINU). O-Y'VE-CHA (not OI-VECHA). SO-F'REI-HEM (not SOF-REIHEM). V'LI-RU-SHA-LA-YIM I-R'CHA (not IR-CHA). And there are many more where these came from. The rules (and their exceptions) next week. In the meantime, don't be discouraged. Anyone who is making an effort to correct a lifetime of bad pronouncing habits should be commended and encouraged. Keep up the good work. Parsha Pix Long time no see this column (it has continued in the electronic versions of TT, uninterrupted). This week's PP is a classic (with a PPP added in). Upper-right and lower-left are two Davka Graphic pieces from the sedra. Miriam watching over Moshe in the basket on the river, and Moshe at the Burning Bush. Lower-right is the land flowing with milk & honey. This oft-repeated phrase is introduced to us in Sh'mot. Pyramids and ball & chain slavery and prisoners. Brick work (mentioned) and planting (field work). Moshe's Staff on the left side. The head of lettuce is the MAROR from the Seder Plate, and is based on the pasuk in Sh'mot, "And they embittered their lives..." Some of the elements this week are good to use with younger children and get them into the sedra. Use the head of lettuce with sharper, older kids and guests. What's left is a simple PPP. Simple, if you get it, that is. TTRIDDLES... are Torah Tidbits-style riddles on Parshat HaShavua (sometimes on the calendar). They are found in the hard-copy of TT scattered throughout, usually at the bottom of different columns. In the electronic versions of TT, they are found all together at the end of the ParshaPix-TTriddles section. Some TTriddles are also presentedfor call-in solution on Torah Tidbits Audio (Arutz-7, Thursday night). The best solution set submitted each week (there isnt always a best) wins a double prize a CD from Noam Productions and/or a gift (game, puzzle, book, etc.) from Big Deal Last week's (VAI-CHI) TTriddles: [1] Who is the pride among Yaakov's sons? [2] Herzl's turn to scramble the eggs [3] TTriDdle [4] Yaakov, Yosef, Yaakov again, and Edom [5] Represents both life & death [6] Eliezer and Yaakov ask for it; 2 of 13 And the envelope please... [1] This is a good example of the difference between a question on Parshat HaShavua and a TTriddle. In a question, pride would mean what it seems to mean at first glance. But in a TTriddle, one often must go to other meanings of words. Groups of animals have special names. A group of cows is a herd. Flock of sheep. Gaggle of geese. Pod of dolphins. Colony of ants. And here's ours... a PRIDE of LIONS. The answer, therefore is Yehuda, regardless if Yaakov was proud of him, which he probably was). GUR ARYEI, ARYEI, and LAVI would combine to a PRIDE. Congregation of plover? Gam of whales. Murder of crows. There are long lists of collective nouns on the internet. Have fun. Solved by several solvers. [2] Herzl is BINYAMIN Z'EV. Scrambled egg is BEITZA T'RUFA. The pasuk says, BINYAMIN Z'EV YITROF. BABOKER... Herzl will scramble the eggs for breakfast (in the morning). This one too was solved by several solution submitters. [3] This one did not have anything to do with the sedra. It was a tribute to TT #500. D = 500 in Roman numerals. Reading only the uppercase letters, we get TT D, meaning Torah Tidbits number 500. [4] Back to the sedra... The answer is VAIMA'EIN, and he refused. Yaakov refused to be comforted after the supposed demise of Yosef. Yosef refused the amorous advances of Potifar's wife. Yaakov again refused to accept Yosef's "correction" of the positioning of his (Yaakov's) hands while blessing Efrayim and Menashe. In the Torah (there are others in Tanach) there is only one more VAIMA'EIN, when Edom refuses to allow Bnei Yisrael to go through their territory. [5] The word CHANATA represents death in the meaning of embalming (although the purpose of embalming is to preserve the life form, I guess). It also means to bud, as in trees, and as such is a sign of life. [6] Yaakov asked Yosef to do him an act of CHESED VE'EMET and not bury him in Egypt. Eliezer asks Lavan and Betu'el to do a CHESED VE'EMET by telling him if Rivka will accept the proposal for her to be Yitzchak's wife or not. CHESED and EMET are 2 of the 13 Divine Attributes. And that's it for last week's TTriddles. As of this writing (sometime on Monday afternoon) there have been several submissions, but only one perfect one. This week's winner of the double prize is RHM. We haven't had a perfect solution in a while. Must be slipping. In any event, we encourage people to try solving the TTriddles and send or call in even a partial sol'n. Or at least, try to enjoy them. This week's TTriddles: [1] Guest TTriddle by YBD: If it were the Mississippi rather than the Nile, Moshe's name might have been... what? [2] Yitzchak, Rachel, Efrayim & Menashe, Yaakov, Moshe, Yitro, Avshalom, Barzilai [3] Study huge 'mounts of Torah [4] 10 brothers, the Rabeinu family, 12 stones Israel Center Notes: The Israel Center's Beth Din to adjudicate and arbitrate monetary disputes, according to Jewish law There is a registration fee of 200nis per case No other charges for this service Please call 566-7787 ext. 204 for further information We have forms for two types of cases: Those where both parties agree to submit their dispute to the Beth Din, and those where a complainant wants the Beth Din to summon the second party. If you have already contacted us, we will be in touch with you shortly. Please be patient.We are still ironing out some technical difficulties. Thank you. Yitzhak Fund, Esq. • Rabbi Emanuel Quint Chairpersons Kashrut Questions If you find a discrepancy between the Hebrew labeling and the original packaging... or if you have any other OU kashrut questions, call this toll-free number (from Israel to NY) 1-800-949-0123 From 4:00pm - midnight, you get a human; other times, leave a voice- message OU Kashrut in Israel office at the Center: 5667787 Israel Center Cafe After nourishing the soul, come nourish the body serving coffee, sandwiches, toasts, pizza, french fries, salads, eggs, stuffed potatoes, lasagna, soups... and more Located on the lower level of the Israel Center Hours: Sun.-Thu. - 9:00am - 2:30pm Ask about our catering services on or off the Center premises Thirsty? We now have a hot drinks machine with coffee, tea, & hot chocolate located on the ground floor, anda cold drinks (cans) machine on the first floor near the library. The Orthodox Union is bringing another solidarity mission towards the end of January. Some of the Tiyulim that are being planned for them will be open to Israel Center members. We suggest that you go onto the OU's website (see above) and check out the itinerary of the mission. While you are at it, there are many, many interesting webpages - including Torah Tidbits - available for your perusal. There is the latest news from Israel and the Jewish World, Torah pages, Public Affairs, NCSY, Kashrut, all kinds of information... It just goes on and on. The site is always changing and being updated. Great links too. And did we mention Torah Tidbits? Just surf over to ou.org and let your mouse do the clicking. Here is one of many emails, letters, and callswe received on the occasion of TT #500. 30thDecember, 2001 Efrat, Israel Dear Phil Chernofsky, As a weekly reader of the Torah Tidbits I want to offer you my sincerecongratulations on reaching the 500 mark this past weekend. You producea great piece of Torah literature that both you and the OU Organizationcan be very proud of. May you continue to be blessed with much success in all your future endeavors. With best wishes, I am Most sincerely, Irving M. Goldenberg The following is a Letter to the Editor of the Jerusalem Post that I wrote earlier this week. As far as I know, they have not printed it. I am taking this opportunity to print it in Torah Tidbits so that you,dear readers, may respond, comment, agree, disagree, and share your insights with others. Obviously, it is about the "incident" in Beit Shemesh that received copious coverage in the Post, if not as much elsewhere. Sunday, December 30, '01 To the Jerusalem Post The Christian Bible IN HEBREW given to a Jewish schoolboy by a missionary IS NOT a religious text, and should not be treated as such. It is a dangerous weapon, like an unexploded bomb, in a centuries-old spiritual war against the Jewish People. We should not burn the texts of other religions. We should, and must, safely dispose of weapons of our enemies. An unexploded bomb is harmlessly detonated to remove its potential danger. Those who compare the Beit Shemesh school incident with the Church's burning of the Talmud are making the same, sad, unfortunate mistake as those who compare Israel army response to a suicide bomber or other terrorist acts. The Jerusalem Post blew the incident way out of proportion with its screaming banner headlines. The teacher and principal apologized for the publicizing of what was done. Their act was probably politically incorrect, but does not warrant suspension or any other disciplinary action.. Phil Chernofsky, Ramot Eshkol In addition to your feedback about this particular issue, we'd appreciate your opinion as to whether something like this belongs in Torah Tidbits in thefirst place. Over the years, we have received comments on both sides of this question - from,Why don't you stick to Divrei Torah and Parshat HaShavua... to, Kol HaKavod for taking a hard stand on something that needed saying... to, I won't read Torah Tidbits anymore because you wrote so-and-so. Your opinion is valuable to us.We welcome your feedback. Speaking of feedback, we have received many comments about the DIKDUK column over the past two months that it has appeared. Only one person told us that it doesn't interest him (we're sure there are others equally disinterested), but many,many calls, comments, emails, faxes, and letters with favorable things to say about what was, in our old school days, a subject to be dreaded. We are planning a readers' survey for sometime in the not-too-distant future; we have a lot of questions we'd like our readers to address. But in the meantime, your comments are useful in shaping Torah Tidbits, and the Israel Center's programming in general. Speaking of TORATHON, which we weren't, we have a tentative date. We decided to deviate from our pre- or post-Purim format, which has allowed us in the past to focus on Purim and Pesach over several years. This year's TORATHON will take place IY"H on Thursday-Friday, April 25-26, which is during the Omer and will give us fresh topics to concentrate on. NESTO - Native English-Speaking Teen Olim Aviella Trapido, a dedicated NESTOer, wrote this article: This past Tuesday NESTO invited a guest speaker. A great guy named Mark Powers, who is the International Director of Jews For Judaism. He came to talk to us about missionaries trying to preach ‘Jews for Jesus’ to Jewish people and mostly targeting Jewish kids. The main question that he put forth to us at the beginning of the lecture was: “what is the difference between people trying to get followers to believe in Jesus and him trying to teach us to be Jewish?” He then went on to give us such brilliant answers and I think that everyone was truly satisfied and amazed. The conclusion was that first off, these missionaries try to find vulnerable people who are going through a hard time (almost everyone, these days). Some one who has lost a family member, families in financial trouble, parents getting divorced, or just finding it hard to fit into his surroundings. They tell you what you want to hear and promise you things like money and gifts. We, on the other hand, try to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth and then let us base our decisions. They try and quote the bible and basically it’s all twisted. Mr. Powers pointed out verses, which missionary people try to quote and he showed us what these verses really meant. He answered a lot of questions and told us how to handle yourself when placed in such a situation. They will try and catch you out by coming up to you and saying “hey, what did Issiah really mean in verse so-and-so?” Dont feel ashamed if you can’t answer him, like, hello we don’t walk around with our noses in the Bible all day... we have lives! Don’t get upset and tear their papers up or spit on them, you will only be supporting their theory (they believe that by enduring insults et al, they become closer to Jesus). Just treat them kindly and say something like, “gee, I don’t know. But I know who could help us, come I’ll take you to him/her.” I live in Beit Shemesh and I am sure that all of you know about what happened at one of our schools here last week. Things like that should be avoided in the future. Instead of worrying about burning books we should worry about what these people are doing to our children and our future as Klal Yisrael. There is only one truth! This Shabbat is our Community-based Shabbaton being held this year in Beit Shemesh at the Ohel Yonah Menachem Shul. We have a great schedule planned for Shabbat culminating in the wild and wacky Board-led Talent Show on Motzei Shabbat. If you haven’t already signed up, well, it’s too late. Hope to see you at the next one! Shabbat Shalom, Josh, Chave & Naomi JR. NESTO ANNOUNCEMENT!!! Are you in 7th or 8th Grade? Are you fed up of being excluded from all the hip and cool NESTO activities? Well... despair no more! JR NESTO is here for you. The excitement continues with our next fun-filled activity this Wednesday, January 9th, '02 at 6:30, in the Israel Center. We can't wait to see you there, Shabbat Shalom Robert, Rafi and Natalie The Israel Center's youth program for Anglo-Israelis tel. 566-7787 ext. 245 • fax: 561- 7432 spodek@netvision.net.il Josh Spodek, Director • Chave Abrahams, Asst. Dir. Naomi Skorecki, Bat Sherut NESTO is partially funded by the Jewish Agency for Israel NITZOTZ - Student Volunteering Program Did you hear about... Chanuka with NITZOTZ! The very excellent overseas student volunteers of Nitzotz trekked around Jerusalem during the cold nights of Chanuka, spreading light and joy to the less privileged. They held candle lighting parties and contributed in no small measure to the happiness of others. On the second night of Chanuka... Nitzotz volunteers from Yeshivat Shaarei Yerushalayim visited the children of Shalva, dancing and playing with the overjoyed youngsters. On the third night of Chanuka... Nitzotz volunteers from Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) visited the children’s ward in Shaarei Tzedek Hospital. They walked in and out of the children’s rooms, inviting them with big smiles to come and join the party. They played guitar, sang with the kids and their families, and gave out chocolate coins. On the fourth night of Chanuka... Nitzotz volunteers from Yeshivat Hakotel visited the autistic children of “Tishma Koleinu”. They set up refreshments, danced and sang with these special kids who responded marvelously to the one on one attention. On the fifth night of Chanuka... Nitzotz volunteers from yes, Yeshivat Hakotel again, visited the geriatric and children’s wards at Shaarei Tzedek Hospital. They did it all- sang, danced, played music, put on a magic show, and made many people - old and young - very happy. Kol Hakovod! Tizku la’asot! TIYULIM and SHABBATONIM 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. 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 9:00am to 1:00pm. 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. 18 shekel will get you a delicious sandwich, a refreshing drink (specify regular or diet) and a dessert. Your box lunch willbe ready for you when you board the bus. Change of Date! The Jewish Values Education Institute Shabbaton will take place IY"H on Shabbat Parshat Yitro (Feb. 2) Discount for early registration (until January 15) • Call us. Tuesday, January 8th • The Jerusalem You've Never Seen Before! The Chaim BeYerushalayim Foundation (on behalf of residents of the Old City) together with the Israel Center presents this unique opportunity for an "Off the Beaten Track" Tour of the Old City Learn first hand how a small brave group of families in the Old City are keeping the city whole and undivided. Meet a Jewish Sofer Stam in the middle of the "Shuq" Visit Prime Minister Sharon's apartment See rooftop views from "Galicia", "Beit HaMa'aravim", and "Beit HaZalam" See the "garbage dump" created by tons of remains dug out from the belly of the Temple Mount Visit amazing playgrounds and homes in the "Kotel Quarter" Watch a video and hear firsthand about current developments in East Jerusalem • Tour begins at 9:00am at the plaza just outside Jaffa Gate and ends at 1:00pm with Mincha at the Kotel. Tiyul is coordinated with the police and security forces, and is subject to change. This tour is not suitable for baby strollers or people who have difficulty with stairs Bring drinks. Light refreshments may also be purchased (from Jews) at stops along the way • 25NIS for individuals, 18NIS p.p.for a family • Call the Travel Desk for reservations KASHRUT POLICY: Food for Israel Center In-House programs is supervised by OU<-in-Israel - Mehadrin. Israel Center sponsored trips and programs are under Mehadrin Hashgacha. Hotels, restaurants, and tiyulim advertised by the Travel Desk or by outside parties are not necessarily Mehadrin and are not endorsed by the OU or the Israel Center. Travel Desk Specials For reservations at the hotels listed below or any other Israeli hotels not listed here, please call Sarah directly at the Travel Desk 566 7787, ext. 249. She'll be happy to accommodate you with any of your requests. Dan Pearl - Jerusalem • thru March 31 Midweek special package: 2 nights, B/B, 840NIS per couple Neptune, Eilat• January 6-12 380NIS per couple per night H/B (midweek only) Sheraton Moriah Eilat Special Glatt-Mehadrin offer: Sunday thru Thursday, January 27-31 425NIS H/B, 515F/B, per couple per night, min. 2 nights •Separate swimming hours in non-heated pool In conjunction with the above, there will be an Israel Center sponsored program: Sunday, January 27th, evening - Tu B'Shvat Seder Monday, January 28th - Tree Planting Tuesday, January 29th - Optional day tour to Petra with guide Dudu Cohen from a Jewish Tanachi/Mishnayot point of view • Call for transportation possibilities Grand Beach, Tel Aviv • valid all week - thru January 31 269NIS per couple per night B/B; child to 12 FREE in same room Kibbutz Lavi Winter Special • midweek, for tourists Double room in new wing, 3-night package, B/B, $225 B/B = Bed & Breakfast • H/B = Half Board (breakfast + one meal) • F/B (3 meals a day) Midweek = SUN, MON, TUE, WED nights • Weekends = THU, FRI, Motza"sh nights Join the OU Solidarity Mission on one of the following day-tours Thursday, January 24th • Golan Heights Solidarity • Gush Katif Solidarity • Shomron Solidarity • Archeological Dig/Neot Kedumim • Eretz Bereshit/Massada/Kfar • Adumim Details and prices to follow • Tours and/or programs subject to change at any time Torah Shield II •Join 200 students from Yeshiva University on a climatic Shabbaton at the Jerusalem Renaissance Hotel • January 18-19 • Price: $215 per couple including all meals and programming Attention: Students from Abroad: Are your parents planning on visiting you this year? If so, you want to speak to us (02-566-7787 ext. 249). We have many attractive deals for them and you. Let us turn an ordinary "been there, dit it" visit into an unforgettable, special one! A Heavenly Vacation in the Lowest Place on Earth •SUN to WED, February 10-13 EinGediGuestHouse •3 nights:717NIS • 2 nights: 510NIS •1 night: 269NIS • Free sulfur pools, mud baths, large outdoor sweet water pool with separate swimming hours, rides to separate swim at the sea and many more surprises We invite you to vacation in the dreamy, serene atmosphere of the beatiful guest house of Ein Gedi on the Dead Sea, lovely air-conditioned rooms set in an abundantly green, tree-filled botanical garden. Each cottage contains a kitchenette with coffee & cookies free all day, refrigerator, vault, video and more in a pleasant ambiance. Kashrut is L'mehadrin - Mashgiach T'midi. Scholar in Residence, Torah lectures, evening entertainment, exercise, tour of Botanical Gardens, tour of Nachal David. Price also includes Israeli Buffet breakfast, light lunches, festive evening meals. • Call the Travel Desk for details of the transportation options • Shulamit's tiyulim are always treats; Come! You'll also enjoy her delicious sweets. From the Philistine's Conquerors to the Returning Heirs Ashdod & Environs •Wed. Feb. 6, 8:00am-6:30pm • View of Ashdod from Jonah's Hill •Ashdod Yam Fortress •Ashdod Museum of Phillistine Culture • Ad Halom Battleground and Bridge, site of Halt of Egyptian Advance in 1948 • Egyptian War Memorial • Lunch break at Bnei Darom, Bring your own (or order from IC Cafe - p.17) •Visit their Olive Oil Visitors Center and production plant • Mincha in the Bnei Darom Shul ,see the only Torah Scroll retreived from Lebanon during the Operation Sh'lom HaGalil • Nir Galim "Bet Eidut", Museum & Center of Holocaust Studies, The only one dedicated to Pre-Holocaust religious Zionist European Jewry • 125NIS per person (135NIS non-members) • If you wish you will be able to dress up in costumes at the museum so be sure to bring your camera • Shulamit's tiyulim are always treats; Come! You'll also enjoy her delicious sweets. The Back Page of TT501 "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 (Membership is 225NIS per year) Many Israel Center programs are partially funded by the Jewish Agency for Israel SHABBAT DAY 3:00pm men & women Highlights of the Parsha Drinks are available •Rabbi Joel Litke MOTZA'EI SHABBAT Motza"Sh JAN 5 8:30pm Special Guest Shiur (in English) Open to men & women (separate seating) Yeshiva & seminary students welcome by Rabbi Meir Goldvicht Men who are looking to do some serious learning... We are in the process of reorganizing the morning Beis Medrash program. Rabbi Noam Gordon is currently giving a shiur at 10:00am, Sunday through Wednesday on Masechet Rosh HaShana. Please join us. Rabbi Hillel Ruvel is giving a shiur once again, from 4:30-5:30pm, Sunday through Thursday. The shiur on Masechet Kiddushin is followed by Maariv. Daf Yomi with Rabbi Shmuel Halpern continues Sunday through Thursday at 3:00pm.. All shiurim take place in the Ganchrow Beit Midrash at the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center (Israel Center), one flight up SUNDAY 9:30am (women) •Mystical Insights into the Months of the Year • Golda Warhaftig 10:30am (women)Let's really Learn Chumash with Tonia Frohwein N'shei Library - 10:30am - 12:45pm 11:30am (men & women) Parshat HaShavua Shprintzee Herskovits 12:30pm Flame of the Soul, Philosophical and Chassidic insights into Jewish Life • Rabbi David Zitter SUN JAN 6 8:00pm • Where do tumors come from anyway? A lecture on basic understanding of proper diet by HaRav Benzion Lehrer Sundays at 8:00pm • NOTE NEW DAY • The Open Forum with Daniel • The Jewish Values Education Institute program moves to with Dr. Daniel Stolper MONDAY 9:15am • Excursions into the World of Nevi'im (the Prophets) First topic: The 7 Prophetesses Mrs. Pearl Borow N'shei Library open on Mondays, 10:00am - 12:30pm 10:30am JAN 7 (men & women) • The Prophecy that keeps on giving A look at the 4 (8) "Terms of Redemption" • Phil Chernofsky (Rabbi Leff resumes IY"H on Monday, January 21st) 11:36am (women) • Strengthening your Emunah & Bitachon from Torah sources • Aviva Nissim Monday, Jan. 7, 8:00pm, Lecture by David Bedein on Revitalizing the Mitzvah of Hospitality in Your community, The Tragic missing Element in Jewish Communal Life Today TUESDAY 9:00-9:50am TORAH TOPICS, The World to Come in Jewish Sources Dr. Hayim Abramson 9:55-10:45am SIDDUR TOPICS, In-depth study of the AMIDA Dr. Hayim Abramson N'shei Library open on Tuesdays, 11:15am - 12:45pm 10:50-11:40am Parshat HaShavua R. Mordechai Spiegelman 11:45am (women) Chabad insights into Parshat HaShavua and the Actualia of Our Time Rachel Zisk 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 on Tuesdays from 10:00-12:00 Please bring ID TUESDAYS 4:00pm • Writing Your Personal Memoirs Everybody has a story to tell. No matter who you are and what you have done, your story is one that should be told. If you have been thinking about writing your personal memoirs and are not sure how to begin, you are invited to join a new writing workshop with Miriam Lock. We will be meeting on Tuesday afternoons at 3:00pm for a series of writing sessions and discussions of our work. The workshop will consist of eight meetings (fee to be announced) Tuesday, January 8th, 4:00-10:00pm at the Israel Center (25NIS p.p.) ROOT & BRANCH ASSOCIATION Jerusalem Bible Codes Conference 4:00-4:45 "New Approach to Bible Codes Research" • Illustrated lecture - in HEBREW Nahum Bombach, CPA 5:00-5:45 "The Bible Codes: New Discoveries" • Illustrated lecture - in ENGLISH Rabbi Dr. Yochanan Spielberg physicist; producer of Bible Research CD-ROM 6:00-6:45 "Systematic Exploration of the Torah Codes" • Illustrated lecture in ENGLISH Prof. Eliyahi Rips, Dept. Mathematics, Hebrew University 7:00-7:45 "Torah Codes and Current Events" • Illustrated lecture in HEBREW Dr. Moshe Katz past lecturer, Bioengineering, Technion; author CompuTorah (1996) 8:00-8:45 "Torah Codes: Nonesense, Miracles... or Both?" • Illustrated lecture in ENGLISH Art Levitt, Computer Analyst 9:00-9:45 "Treasures in the Sand: G'matriya - What there are and What they are Not" Computer-assisted lecture in ENGLISH Phil Chernofsky Education Director, Israel Center; editor, Torah Tidbits Email: rb@rb.org.il • Web Site: www.rb.org.il WEDNESDAY 9:30am Towards a More Meaningful Davening Experience Dr. Joel Luber 10:30am Break the Fear Habit... And Live! withAlan Romm P.C. 3:00pm Women in Tanach with Pearl Borow 7:45-8:45pm Jewish Philosophy Road map to the Prophets - Rambam's Guide for the Perplexed Now studying: Rambam's Approach to Korbanot Ramban's Commentary on the Torah and its Wellsprings Now studying: G-d's Ongoing Melacha & the Celestial Shabbat with Rabbi Chaim Eisen This week: Rambam 8:00-10:00pm Aliya Counseling with Miriam Bass THURSDAY in the morning Shiurum while you fold; Parshat HaShavua and/or the Calendar various presenters 10:30am SLIM FOR LIFE, Libby 651-8061 Elisheva 999-6479 No obligation for the first session resumes Jan. 17th • Male Choir Rehearsal Thursdays at 7:30pm Led by Yisrael Shwarzstein (for more information, 02 583 3389) Songs by Rosenblatt, Lewandowski, N. Shemer, Carlebach 8:00pm The Book of Yehoshua with Reb Yosef Schreiber Torah Tidbits Audio with Phil Chernofsky on Israel National Radio (Arutz-7), 98.7FM and 1539AM, Thursdays, 10:07-11:00pm, or anytime on www.israelnationalnews.com FRIDAY 9:00am In-Depth Pirkei Avot with Rabbi Chaim Eisen Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults Fall Program 5762 (2001 - 2002) At the Israel Center Tuesdays 9:00am A Study of the 613 Mitzvot with Rabbi Aharon Adler 10:15am, Parshat Hashavua with Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold 11:30am, A Study of the Haftarot with Esther Kitov Wednesdays 9:00am, Studies in Maimonides: The Jewish State and the Messianic Era with Rabbi Macy Gordon 10:30am, Tehillim: The Book of Psalms with Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold And at KEHILAT ZICHRON YOSEPH, 10 Agassi, Har Nof, Tuesdays, 8:00pm: Parshat HaShavua - Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold and Thursdays, 9:30am, Timeless Topics with Rabbi Zev Leff All JCA classes - 20NIS per class (payment is separate from Israel Center classes) Also on TUESDAYS at the CENTER Two Tuesday morning classes at the Israel Center by the Yad Yaakov Center for Jewish Education Separate fees. Call (02) 652-4601 for further information 9:00-10:30am The Journey of the Soul in Biblical Stories Rabbi Yosef Leibowitz 10:30-11:30am Rambam's Shmoneh P'rakim (8 chapters) Rabbi Yosef Leibowitz Upcoming atthe Israel Center Motza"Sh JAN 12, 8:30pm •PEACE NOW: WAR TOMORROW A PLO state represents a threat to the life of every Jew. Advocates for a PLO state brainwash you to believe that a PLO state would be innocuous Choice is yours - Watch a PLO state become a reality or to prevent it from happening • JOIN A TASK FORCE TO STOP A PLO STATE • The people who tell us that it is inevitable, want us to believe that it is. But it isn't inevitable. There does not have to be a Palestinian State within the borders of Eretz Yisrael.. If we don't want one - and if we do something about it. SUN JAN 13 • 8:00pm •Who says you can't make money in these economic times? Come and find out 5 good reasons to invest now in low risk/low volatility funds with consistent returns • Yitzchak Hutner MON JAN 14 12:30pm •right after classes • Rosh Chodesh Shvat Luncheon • Spend a delightful afternoon with our guest speaker, Clara Hammer The world famous "chicken lady", an extraordinary woman with an unusual story of an amazing Tzedaka project that she undertook many years ago..and its great success. A delicious chicken buffet luncheon will be served with salads, side dishes, desserts and more on the menu. • Price 44 NIS (50 non-mem) TUE JAN 15 8:00pm • Lawyer Micha'el Shindler of YAD RIVA will speak about this organization that gives free legal advice.• Questions & Answers period will follow Hold this date (and plan to come early!) Tuesday, January 22, 8:00pm - Prof. Yaffa Eliach incomparable teacher, educator, whose Tower of Life Museum in Wasington is world famous OU ISRAEL CENTER Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union
Jerusalem World Center Yitzhak Fund, President 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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