Halachic Times for Jerusalem Winter (Standard) Time Correct for TT #492 Ranges are for THU-THU, 15-22 MarCheshvan 5762 (November 1-8, '01) 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 - 4:13pm (Earliest - 3:45pm) Havdala - 5:27pm (Rabbeinu Tam - 6:05pm) Earliest Shacharit 4:51-4:56½am Sunrise 5:51-5:56½am (5:55½-6:01am) Sof Z'man Kri'at Sh'ma 8:36-8:39am (7:51-7:54am) Sof Z'man Shacharit 9:31-9:33am (9:01-9:03am) Chatzot (halachic noon) 11:22½-11:23am Mincha Gedola (earliest Mincha) 11:53-11:53am Plag Mincha 3:54¼ - 3:41pm Sunset 4:54¼-4:49pm (4:49½-4:44pm) It's about time... Take a look at what happens to Halachic noon (CHATZOT) throughout the year. (All times are in Standard time.) If you plot the following times on a graph, you will see the unusual "path" through the year of CHATZOT. November 2 and 3, CHATZOT in Jerusalem is 11:22:28, the earliest CHATZOT ever gets. On October 25th it was at 11:23. The day-by-day change at this time of the year is very slow. It will be back up to 11:23 on November 11. By December 6th it will be at 11:30. December 27 - 11:40. January 19 - 11:50. February 11 and 12 it is at its latest time, 11:53:32. By March 9th it is back to 11:50. April 13 - 11:40. At May 14 and 15 it hits 11:35:36 (not its lowest) and then gets later again. June 17 - 11:40. July 25 and 26 it hits 11:45:25 (not its latest, but it starts getting earlier). August 28th - 12:40. September 27 - 11:30. Back to October 25th at 11:23. Reaching its earliest on November 3rd. That's it. Rather than a high point (latest time) and then down (earlier), down, down to the lowest (earliest) and then back up, it is more complicated. 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. Thanks to RB/Raanana for pointing out the following: Kristallnacht is the name given to the Nazi pogroms of November 9-10, '38 during which 7500 Jewish businesses were destroyed, hundreds of shuls were burned (many totally destroyed), thousands of Jews were rounded up to be sent to concentration camps, many Jews were severely beaten, 91 Jews were killed. Ludicrously, the Nazi high command held the Jews accountable for financial losses of the night. Most significantly, many historians see Kristallnacht as the beginning of the Holocaust. Although the secular date for Kristallnacht is well known, we should also be mindful of its Jewish date - the 16th of Cheshvan. That falls on Thursday night - Friday, November 1-2. It would be appropriate for us to mark the Hebrew date, perhaps with lighting a memorial candle, saying of T'hilim, and/or the learning of Mishnayot. Multi-faceted Tests of Faith Let's take another look at something that was in an SDT last week, and bring it to the fore as the Lead Tidbit this week. (The tests of Avraham's faith span Lech L'cha and Vayeira, and according to some opinions, include the beginning of Chayei Sara as well.) We start with the Ramban's contention that Avraham sinned greatly (although inadvertently) by leaving the Land because of the famine, and by asking Sarah to say that she was his sister. These same two items are on many of the lists of the ten tests of faith that Avraham withstood (as mentioned in Pirkei Avot and as expounded several commentaries on Perek. The basic approach to explain the apparent contradiction is to differentiate between two aspects of the dilemmas that Avraham faced and as an extension, the dilemmas that each of us face. Let's look at the first famine as recorded in Lech L'cha (although there are similarities to the second one recorded in this week's sedra, Vayeira. Shortly after G-d had sent Avraham from his homeland, his birthplace, his father's house to an unknown land, a famine struck (commentaries say that it was the very first famine ever in the world, and it struck only the land of Canaan, so that Avraham would be tested thereby.) What was he to do? Should he flee to a nearby country where there was food to eat, until the famine would end? Or should he stay where G-d sent him, assuming and counting on G-d's help? After all, would G-d send him to a land only to die in a famine? Dilemma. Avraham made a decision in favor of his own human effort to cope with the situation. He did not rely on a miracle to save him. Perhaps he thought he was unworthy of such a miracle? This would fit with his great humility. Tough choice. Ramban says that he chose wrong. Others might applaud Avraham's choice. Others seem to say that it was acceptible to act as he did, but it would have been better had he stayed put. It seems that we can debate this issue. But let's look at another facet of the episode. Avraham could have said, "What kind of G-d can send me to a new, stange land and make all kind of promises to me, and then bring upon the land a devastating famine? What kind of G-d can taunt me with promises of a son and countless descendants, and then command me to bring that son as a sacrifice upon the Altar? That's the test of faith. Not the first part, how does one handle the situation. The test of faith is how one comes away from the tough situation, regardless of what choices were made and what paths were taken. Should Avraham have argued for Yitzchak's life, as he had for S'dom? Maybe. Maybe not. And irrelevant as far as the test of faith. From G-d's command to Avraham to offer Yitzchak as an OLAH, through the journey to Har HaMoriya, the actual building of the Mizbei'ach and the binding of Yitzchak upon it, his being stopped by the angel from doing anything to Yitzchak all that, and more (the aftermath: Sara's death, for example) that is the test of faith. What was the status of Avraham's faith in G-d after all of the above? "And he stood up to them all, to show us the great love Avraham had for G-d." Does this speak to us? It most certainly does! Maybe we can sum this up with an extension to the famous Serenity Prayer: G-d, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, the wisdom to know the difference, AND that my faith in You continues to strengthen and grow regardless of what trials and tribulations (or good things) come my way. Sedra-Stats 4th of the 54 sedras; 4th of 12 sedras in B'reishit Written on 252 lines in a Sefer Torah, ranks 5th 6 Parshiyot; 4 open, 2 closed (pssppp) 147 p'sukim - ranks 7th (4th) 2085 words - ranks 2nd (first) 7862 letters - ranks 3rd (2nd) Its p'sukim are above average in length (words and letters); this explains its rise in rankings from p'sukim to words (and letters). Vayeira essentially is the second largest sedra in the Torah. (Aside from Naso, the number 1 sedra with no rival - Bamidbar, Pinchas, and R'ei all take up more lines than Vayeira. However, those three sedras each have many parshiyot, which results in a lot of blank space being added to the number of lines.) MITZVA WATCH Although none of the 613 mitzvot are counted from Vayeira, there is a wealth of mitzva-lessons to be found in the sedra. We do not learn how to be good Jews only from the 613 mitzvot. Hospitality, for example, is usually considered part of the mitzva of G'milut Chasadim. But many of the details are derived from the behavior of Avraham Avinu. Similarly, Bikur Cholim is part of G'milut Chasadim as well as being part of the mitzva to emulate G-d. The connection is contained in the Midrashim on Vayeira (and other sources). Some mitzva-counters do count some individual forms of Chesed as their own mitzva. Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary Kohen - First Aliya - 14 p'sukim - 18:1-14 And G-d appeared to him (Avraham) [SDT] The use of the pronoun "him" rather than using the name Avraham is significant. EILAV (to him) refers us back to the previous parsha - Avraham's circumcision, indicating that the purpose of G-d's appearing to Avraham was Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick. Furthermore, the fact that the Torah does not indicate that G-d said anything to Avraham at this "appearance", tells us that He had another purpose, viz. Bikur Cholim. He is sitting at the entrance of his tent (watching for travelers to welcome) in the heat of the day. [SDT] It was unnaturally hot; that was G-d's doing, to spare Avraham the bother of visitors. However, Avraham is distressed by the absence of visitors, so G-d sends three angels to him in the guise of wayfarers. This can teach us something about how to behave towards the elderly and infirm. Sometimes, we insist that they rest or tell them what "conventional wisdom" says is good or bad for them. But each person is an individual. Calm, peaceful retirement works well for many older people. But not for everyone. Bed rest and taking things easy is a helpful formula for SOME recovering invalids. But not all. G-d, so to speak, first felt that Avraham needed rest. He then "realized" that in Avraham's case, his special activity of Hachnasat Orchim, hospitality, was a far better treatment for what ailed him, than resting. Avraham sees the three "men" and runs to greet them, after asking G-d to wait for him (so to speak). (From here we are taught the greatness of the mitzva of Hachnasat Orchim.) This is one of the ways to interpret the pasuk - that ADO-NAI means G-d, and that Avraham was addressing Him. ADONAI can also mean "my sirs", in which case Avraham could have been speaking to the men/angels. Each possibility causes minor awkwardness in the flow of the p'sukim. The word is considered holy (meaning the first opinion prevails), and Sofrim write it with the Kavana for G-d's name, but some say that one should use a conditional "sanctification". [SDT] "Speak little, but do much." This maxim from Pirkei Avot is manifest in Avraham Avinu. He offers the angels a bit of water and some bread, but in fact prepares for them (with the help of Sara and Yishmael) a sumptuous meal. The Mishna states that Avraham's meal for the strangers was proportionally greater than the feast of Shlomo HaMelech in celebration of the building of the Beit HaMikdash. Avraham and Sarah are the ultimate models for hospitality, one of the hallmarks of the Jewish People. One of the angels informs Avraham of the pending birth of Yitzchak. Sara's reaction is to laugh (a slight doubt in the ability of a 100 year old to father a child and of a 90 year old woman to give birth). G-d asks Avraham why Sara would doubt His ability to permit an old woman to conceive. [SDT] Rabbi Yehuda says in the name of Rav (Bava M'tzi'a): What Avraham did for his guests by himself, G-d did for the People of Israel by Himself; what Avraham did via another, G-d did likewise. Avraham said: YUKACH NA M'AT MAYIM. Rashi explains the strange grammatical form by saying that Avraham did not provided the water to the stangers himself (it does not say K'CHU...) So too, when G-d was to provide water to Avraham's descendants, He commanded Moshe Rabeinu to throw the stick into the water, to strike the rock, to speak to the rock. But Avraham fed the angels himself - "and I will get the bread, etc." When G-d needed to feed the People,He provided us with Manna. Moshe did not bring it about. G-d gave it straight to the People. [SDT] attributed to the Admor of Modzitz. Rashi teaches us the famous lesson from Avraham's behavior that "Hospitality is greater than greeting the Divine Presence". Maybe it isn't greater, maybe they are equal? No. In Kiddush L'vana we quote Rabbi Yishmael as saying that if we had only one opportunity in a month to greet the Sh'china, it would be sufficient. If Hachnasat Orchim were equal, then one act of hospitality a month would suffice. But it isn't. Hospitality is a constant ongoing mitzva. Hence it is greater than Kabalat P'nei HaSh'china. Levi - Second Aliya - 19 p'sukim - 18:15-33 Sara would like to deny that she laughed (and doubted), but she cannot. The three angels each had a single task: One to heal Avraham, one to announce the birth of Yitzchak (both missions accomplished), the third to destroy S'dom. That angel is now accompanied by R'fael, whose new task is to save Lot and family. Avraham escorts the angels on their way to S'dom. [SDT] Once again, we learn the proper behavior of a host from Avraham: it is considered even more important to escort guests out than to greet them! HaShem next tells Avraham of his intention to destroy S'dom. Avraham pleads and bargains on their behalf, but there aren't enough righteous people to save the cities. The dialog between Avraham and HaShem is an astounding (and unique) example of the close relationship between them. [SDT] Avraham's expression of humility before G-d is "and I am dust and ash". Says the Gemara, because of Avraham's humility, his children merited two mitzvot - the ash of the Para Aduma and the dust of the Sota. Torah T'mima (he was TT before Torah Tidbits) explains that the Para Aduma ash represents the epitome of spiritual purity (which can be thought of as the realm of "between the Jew and G-d" mitzvot). The hopeful outcome of the Sota procedure is Shalom Bayit, being a major example of interpersonal relationships. Thus the reward for Avraham covers the whole range of Jewish life. Shlishi - Third Aliya - 20 p'sukim - 19:1-20 The two angels arrive in S'dom and are taken in by Lot. [The nephew of Avraham Avinu has learned something from his uncle.] The people of S'dom demonstrate their evil nature. It is clear from the p'sukim as well as Midrashim and commentaries, that Lot was not sufficiently pious or believing in his own right, but he compared favorably with the people among whom he lived. [SDT] The word "and he lingered" is read with the rare trup mark, the shalshellet, which musically emphasizes the reluctance of Lot to (believe what he was told by the angels and) leave. The same word is used in contrast to this behavior of Lot, in describing the haste with which the Children of Israel left Egypt at G-d's command, symbolized by the matza which they hastily baked rather than to linger for the dough to rise and produce a "proper " bread demonstrating their faith and confidence in G-d. Interesting, is it not, that Lot is described as baking matzot for the visitors. Rashi's comment: It was Pesach. Lot is led out of the city by the angels, his wife and two daughters with him. They are told to flee for their lives, without looking back at the destruction of the cities. Lot pleads for permission to seek refuge closer by. R'vi'i - Fourth Aliya - 40 p'sukim - 19:21-21:4 2nd longest R'vi'i in the Torah Once Lot and family are safely away, the destruction of S'dom takes place. Lot's wife looks back - against orders - and turns into a pillar of salt. (Her punishment is specifically with salt as a measure-for-measure for her stinginess when guests were around.) "And Avraham gets up early in the morning to the place where he STOOD before G-d." [SDT] Avraham returns to the same spot to speak to G-d. From here is derived the idea of having a MAKOM KAVUA, a fixed place for prayer. The Talmud says: "he who fixes himself a place for davening, the G-d of Avraham will help him". Of course, more fundamentally, it is this pasuk and another that combine to "support" the Gemara's statement that Avraham instituted T'filat Shacharit. That AMIDA, to stand before G-d, means to pray is learned from the pasuk VAYA'AMOD PINCHAS VAY'PALEIL... And Pinchas stood in prayer (we can say) - T'hilim 106:30. The pasuk here in Vayeira links AMIDA with Avraham Avinu and with early in the morning, hence Shacharit. The Torah reiterates the point that Lot was saved in the merit of his uncle Avraham Avinu (and Ruth, the "mother of royalty" who was to come from Lot - G-d can work merit either from the past or the future). Lot's two daughters, having witnessed the total destruction of S'dom, assume that they are the sole survivors of mankind. They plot to get Lot drunk and sleep with him in order to continue humanity. Moav and Amon are the results. Avraham and Sara now travel to G'rar where they again present themselves as brother and sister. Sara is taken to Avimelech, but G-d appears to him and warns him not to touch her. Avimelech confronts Avraham who explains that his fears were based on the lack of "Fear of G-d" in the place. Avraham then prays on behalf of Avimelech and his people who were stricken with a disease which rendered them temporarily sterile. From this point (21:1) to the end of Vayeira, is the Torah reading of both days of Rosh HaShana. G-d fulfills His promise and Sara becomes pregnant. She bears a son to Avraham in his advanced age, and he is called Yitzchak. Avraham circumcises Yitzchak at eight days of age, as G-d has commanded. Avraham's having prayed on behalf of Avimelech for children is juxtaposed to Sara Imeinu conceiving. Our Sage teach us that selflessly praying for others can sometimes result in the same prayers being answered for yourself. Chamishi - Fifth Aliya - 17 p'sukim - 21:5-21 Avraham is 100 yrs. old when Yitzchak is born. Avraham makes a great party upon the occasion of his being weaned. Although the plain understanding of B'YOM HIGAMEIL ET YITZCHAK is when Yitzchak was weaned - Rashi says at 24 months of age, there is a REMEZ (hint/clue) in the word HIGAMEIL, HEI+GIMMEL = 8, MEM-LAMED, MAL, was circumcised. It can mean that the party in question was to celebrate Yitzchak's BRIT. As Yitzchak is growing up, Sara notices the potential negative influence of Yishmael and demands of Avraham that he send Yishmael and his mother, Hagar, away. Blinded by his great "kind heart", Avraham has to be told by G-d to listen to Sara. Hagar and Yishmael once again are on the verge of death in the wilderness, but Yishmael's prayers are answered and they are saved. Hagar is assured by an angel that they will survive. And indeed they do, and Hagar subsequently marries Yishmael off to a woman from the land of Egypt. Both Hagar and Yishmael prayed to G-d when Yishmael was dying. G-d heard "the lad's voice". Rashi says, from hear we learn that the strongest prayer offered on behalf of someone who is ill are those of the sick person himself. (Of course, others should pray on his behalf as well...) Shishi - Sixth Aliya - 13 p'sukim - 21:22-34 Avimelech and his commander Pichol (alway called Fichol because of DIKDUK rules) enter into a pact with Avraham. The pact has to do with wells that Avraham dug, that the servants of Avimelech stole, the return of those wells and the acknowledgement by Avimelech that the wells do actually belong to Avraham. The city of Be'er Sheva receives its name from the double meaning of the 7 sheep used as tokens of the covenant and the oath sworn between them. Avraham plants an "Eshel" in Be'er Sheva. In addition to being a type of tree, the word ESHEL is considered an acronym of the Hebrew words for Food, Drink, and Lodgings (or Food, Sleeping, Escort) - the symbol of hospitality for all times. Sh'vi'i - Seventh Aliya - 24 p'sukim - 22:1-24 This is the portion of the Binding of Isaac - Akeidat Yitzchak. The Akeida is one of the few passages from the Torah to be incorporated into our daily davening (there are those who did not include it in the davening). It represents the epitome of commitment to and love of G-d. It also belong is the portion of the davening called KORBANOT for the obvious reason. Although none of Avraham's descendants (we, the Jewish People) can ever be tested in so drastic a way, we do derive tremendous inspiration from this portion of the Torah. It is part of our Heritage and, even more, part of our Essence. Tests of Faith are relative to the individual. Each of us is challenged in different ways throughout our lives.This is also so for us as a Nation. May we be always guided by deep commitment to Torah & Jewish values. There is more. Akeidat Yitzchak is our identity card. It define who we are... even when our own behavior is contradictory to our Torah standards. We stand before G-d on Judgment Day - Rosh HaShana, and we blow the Shofar made from a ram's horn. We ask G-d to remember Akeidat Yitzchak and have mercy on His (sometimes undeserving) children. We read the Akeida in the Torah and we refer to it repeatedly in our Rosh HaShana davening and Slichot, to inspire us and to identify us. The parsha ends with mention of the birth of Rivka, to serve as a link to the next phase of the development of Judaism - viz., the means of its transmission and continuity. Haftara - 37 p'sukim -Melachim Bet 4:1-37 The sedra shows us the sharp contrast between the kindness and hospitality of Avraham & Sara on the one hand, and the cruel "business is business" and "what's in it for me" nature of S'dom. The haftara is about the widow of a prophet who was facing losing her two children because of her poverty and the twisted state of Israel's society that lost sight of the legacy of Avraham and Sara. The prophet Elisha performs a miracle and the family is spared that plight. The haftara also tells of the Shunamite woman who prayed so fervently for a son. She had a son but he died. He is miraculously resuscitated by Elisha. This forms a counterpart to the birth of Yitzchak and the subsequent almost-losing him at the Akeida. (According to a Midrash, the angel did not stop Avraham in time and Yitzchak died. There are prayers that refer to Yitzchak's ashes. this makes the connection between the sedra and haftara all the stronger.) THE JERUSALEM INSTITUTE OF JEWISH LAW Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Dean Lesson # 109 (introduction) • Torts Against Neighbors I was tempted to call this lesson torts against friends. The trouble with that is, after the torts described in this lesson and the several lessons that will IYH follow, the friends are now former friends. They are now unfriendly neighbors. The laws described in these lessons is to keep them as friends. I would say that about a third of all cases that come before our batai din deal with fights by, an among, neighbors. I am proud to say that in all of these situations the neighbors walked out as friends again. We can for the purpose of these lessons define a tort as a civil wrong, that means the government will not punish a person for most of the actions he takes here. However, in the mind of the person who has been damaged or injured or harassed, it is very much akin to a crime. From time to time we shall be discussing openings. By an opening as used here it means there was a solid brick wall that contained no windows or doors, and now the owner of the wall wants to remove some of the bricks and make a space for a window(s) and/or door(s) in the wall. In these lessons Reuven and Shimon are co-owners of a courtyard, which we shall call courtyard A, which lies between the land and building belonging to Reuven and the land and building belonging to Shimon. The entrance into, and egress from each house is by way of the courtyard. Thus they are in constant contact with one another as they cross the courtyard A to get in and out of their homes and when they just sit in courtyard A. Reuven and Shimon, and their families have been friendly neighbors for years. Suddenly Reuven wants to do things in and around the property that will alter the status quo and cause concern to Shimon. As far as Reuven is concerned he wants to do things that he truly believes is in conformity with the ownership of property, such as ownership of his own house and as part owner of the courtyard A. Shimon consults with his rabbi as how he can prevent Reuven from carrying out his proposed changes. In these lessons we shall be discussing three possible torts that Reuven threatens to do. (1) Reuven increasing traffic over courtyard A; (2) Reuven overviewing or even possibly overviewing Shimons property; and (3) Reuven blocking out Shimon's light. (1) I remember many years ago in Flatbush there was the following situation on our block. There were two couples, each consisting of two retired school teachers. We can call them the Cohens and the Levies. They had been good friends for many years and decided to buy a two family house in partnership. The Cohens moved into the upper apartment and the Levies lived downstairs. For several years they remained good friends and they took turns putting out the garbage pails and in shoveling the snow from the sidewalk. After about four years the married daughter of the Cohens was deserted by her husband and the Cohen daughter and her five children (the Cohens grandchildren) moved in with the Cohens in the upstairs apartment. The Cohen grandchildren were noisy and rowdy and the Levies were besides themselves. They wanted to have their golden years in peace and quiet and instead they had running feet over their heads and crying from babies at all hours of the night, and the older children brought friends home and listened to loud music. This is one way to increase traffic in a house. In our example of Reuven and Shimon the result would have been the same if Reuvens daughter and her children moved in and they brought friends all of whom used courtyard A for ingress and egress and just picnicking there. Shimon feels harassed. Generally the increased traffic can come about if Reuven (a) increases the number of residents residing in his house, (b) expands his house, or (c) builds a second floor onto his one-floor house. The halachah is that Reuven may not cause an increase in the number of persons who enter and leave courtyard A from or to his property. If he does so he is guilty of a tort, which I have designated as increasing the traffic. Shimon can take Reuven to Beth Din to have Reuven cease such conduct. (2). The second tort I mentioned above is the tort of overviewing. For example, Shimons teenage daughter Ruth was involved in an accident. Ruth was badly burned and her plastic surgeon has begun the process of redoing much of her face, but this will be a long process. Shimon has engaged a private tutor to teach Ruth her high school studies because she is too sensitive to go to school the way she looks with her face swaddled in bandages. Her doctor tells Ruth that she must have about three hours a day of fresh air. She goes out every day and sits in courtyard A at times that Reuven is not going in or out of his house across the courtyard. The side of Reuvens house that faces courtyard A has no windows so that Ruth is not concerned that she will be seen by Reuven. One afternoon, Reuven tells Shimon that he is going to make an opening for a few windows in the wall of his house that faces courtyard A. Ruth is very unhappy, to say the least. Shimon appeals to Reuven not to make those openings just yet but to wait until Ruth has completed her process of rehabilitation; Reuven refuses. Shimon can take Reuven to Beth Din to enjoin Reuven from building windows into the solid wall or to add windows and/or doors even if some already exist there). (3) The blocking out of Shimon s light can come about by Reuven building a wall or structure that will block out the light from Shimon's windows. There is a concept in halachah that occurs in some legal systems and does not occur in other legal systems, that is, the presumption (right) for continued access to light and, in some cases, to air. Shimon, in his house, which is close to the boundary line separating his property from Reuven's property, has a window that permits light to enter into his house. Reuven, on his side of the boundary line between their properties, decides to build a house at the boundary line that will block out the light that enters into Shimon's window. May Reuven build the house or a wall or any other type of structure that will block out the light from Shimon's window? If it is held that when Shimon built the window he acquired a presumption (right) to continue to have light enter that window, then Reuven cannot block out the light, and if he does block out Shimon's light, he is guilty of a tort against Shimon. Shimon can go to Beth Din to enjoin Reuven from building such wall. These lessons trace these three conflicts. In these lessons as in my books, I have translated the halachic measure of a cubit in distance to be 21 inches. Thus, the commonly referred to four cubits are seven feet. With this Introduction, I believe that the subject matter of the following lessons are easier to follow. The subject matter of this lesson is more fully discussed in Vol. V, Ch.154 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. VISITING THE SICK At the beginning of our parsha we learn that HaShem appeared to Avraham (Bereshit 18:1). Rashi explains that He came to visit the sick. Visiting the sick is considered one of the greatest acts of human kindness, and, partially based on our parsha, one of the ways in which humans can cleave to the ways of G-d. In order to understand the many sayings of our Sages about the importance and nature of visiting the sick, we have to preface one basic insight. Our Sages definitely did not view illness as something natural. Illness, as a deviation from the normal, is considered a time of extraordinary providence a time when HaShem is examining us more carefully. On the one hand this special providence carries a special danger: A person should always pray that he shouldnt fall sick, for if he becomes sick, he is told, bring a merit and free yourself (Shabbat 32b). The sick person is suddenly saddled with the burden of proof to demonstrate that he deserves life and health. On the other hand HaShems scrutiny is a kind of privilege, and we learn that the Divine presence supports the sick person and stands over his bed (Shabbat 12b). For this reason when we visit the sick we shouldnt sit much elevated over him (SA YD 335:3). The main mitzva of visiting the sick is to tend to the needs of the sick person. This is evident from the Hebrew term bikur cholim whose literal meaning is not visiting the sick but rather looking after them. This obviously has a positive effect on the sick persons condition. But visiting the sick also has a spiritual effect on the patients condition. Our Sages explain that performing acts of kindness is a way of cleaving to the Divine presence, because we are going in the ways of G-d Who constantly acts with loving kindness towards His creatures (Sota 14a). In this way the aspect of Divine kindness is among us, as it is aroused through our own actions, and this affects the judgment of the sick person. ONE OF HIS COHORT The Talmud states that visiting the sick is a mitzva even for one of the sick persons age, or cohort (ben gilo), who takes with him part of the illness. The meaning seems to be that the visitor himself may become somewhat ill (Bava Metzi'a 30b). We can understand this based on a Midrash which suggests that age cohorts and groups are sometimes judged collectively. Rebbe Yochanan said in the name of Rebbe Shimon be Yehotzadak, The Holy One, blessed be He, brings into the worlds ages and groups. If one of the age dies, all of that age should worry; if one of the group dies, all of the group should worry (Ruth Rabba 2:8). We already explained that sickness is an occasion for judgment and scrutiny. When someone of the sick persons cohort also visits the sick person and groups himself together with him, it is as if he is inviting to be judged together with him. On the one hand, this brings upon the visitor part of the illness. On the other hand, it ameliorates the misfortune on the whole, because it is basic principle of Judaism that the community is judged more leniently than the individual. FOUR BLESSINGS The Talmud states that one who visits a sick person merits four blessings: he is saved from the evil impulse, and from suffering, he will receive honor, and be blessed with faithful friends (Nedarim 40a). The Maharal explains that these correspond to the blessings of the sick person himself: a sick person is not troubled by the evil urge, and the visitor alleviates his suffering, honors him with his visit, and is a faithful friend to him (Netivot Olam Netiv Gemilut Chasadim 4). 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 questions, at www.jewishethicist.com or at www. aish.com. 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: What’s the rule on having someone work for you on Shabbat? We have someone come in to help us out only on Shabbat, and we lay money on the side for her to take when she is done. We want to hire someone to come just to serve a Shabbat or Yom Tov meal. Is this permitted? Answer: There are rules as to how to make use of non-Jewish help on Shabbat while avoiding halachic prohibitions. If you have a specific question in that regard, we will be glad to help you. There are several recent works that deal with modern applications of the issues (including some in English). Your question deals more with the matter of payment. The problem of payment for work on Shabbat is in regard to a Jew being paid for his work. The main way around that problem is to avoid earmarking payment for the Shabbat work but to lump it together with work done during the week (even if the majority of work is done on Shabbat) (see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 306:4). However, whatever a non-Jew can do on a Jew’s behalf for free on Shabbat, he may be paid for. [Ed. note: Reread the last sentence. Crucial to the topic (but not discussed in this answer). Exactly what a non-Jew can and cannot for a Jew is a complex issue. There are many misconceptions in this regard. People think that if you don't ask the non-Jew to do the task, then there is no problem. Many times, there are problems. People misunderstand the issue of hinting. And more. This answer only relates to the question of payment. And, of course, there is also the issue of a Jew doing (permitted) work on Shabbat for pay. Complex.] You raise the question of whether the actual payment can be made on Shabbat, and this is an issue even if the work was done during the week. The Mishna Berura (325:19) forbids calling the non-Jew on Shabbat to receive his payment, and the Shmirat Shabbat K’hilchatah (30:29) extends this to pointing out to him where the money is. The reason for the prohibition is that dealing in this way is included in the rabbinic prohibition of mekach u’memkar (commerce). For this reason, any discussion of payment should be done before or after Shabbat (otherwise, it becomes quite complicated - see Shulchan Aruch, OC 323). However, it is permitted to be involved during the week in negotiations and monetary discussions even regarding work which the non-Jew will do on Shabbat in a permitted way. Therefore, if the money is put aside before Shabbat, and the worker knows to take the money on her own without further discussion (and she certainly does it for her own benefit), then there is no problem Regarding a worker to help serve a Shabbat or Yom Tov meal, it is permitted (see Mishna Berura 512:8). 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) Since every person's soul is in part Divine, we must pity the Godly spark that is imprisoned inside of an evil person, and offer it our love. - Rabbi Shmuel Horovitz One must sweeten anger with compassion. - Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav Utterly righteous people who have never tasted sin are also worthy of mercy - lest they grow proud of their righteousness and become arrogant, which is the severest of sins. - Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk Every positive command in the Torah can be summed up thus: Act wisely. And every negative command in the Torah can be summed up thus: Don't be a fool. - Rabbi Simcha Buman of Pshis'cha Rite and Reason by Shmuel Pinchas Gelbard It is customary to leave some bread on the table when reciting Birkat HaMazon (Shulchan Aruch) REASON HaShem's blessing devolves only on something concrete. We find (Melachim Bet 4:2) Elisha telling his disciple's wife: "Tell me what you have at home", whereupon she answered, "your maidservant has nothing at all other than a measure of oil". Elisha told her to borrow as many vessels as she could and smear some oil in each. Then they miraculously filled with oil. G-d first created "something from nothing". From that time of B'reishit, He only creates something from something. REASON If a poor person arrives at his door requesting something to eat, it would be possible to assist him. REASON To remember to thank HaShem for having eaten, having been satisfied, AND having left over. (see also Melachim Bet 4:43) ArtScroll Series Mesorah Publications Ltd. WORDS OF WISDOM WORDS OF WIT by Shmuel Himmelstein A great talmid chacham was sitting with his talmidim when he suddenly asked them, "Do you believe in HaShem?" For a second, they were all taken aback, but then a powerful chorus of "Yes" echoed around the table... "That's interesting", said the rav, "because I don't believe in HaShem." As his students whispered to one another, "how can our teacher not believe in HaShem?" he continued. "Do you all BELIEVE that you are sitting around this table? Obviously not. You all KNOW that you're sitting around the table. By the same token, when I look around me at the sun, moon, stars everything in this wonderful world of ours I don't BELIEVE in HaShem, I KNOW that He rules the world." Excerpted with the permission of the copyright holder From the Desk of the Director Dear Torah Tidbits Reader, This week’s parsha Vayera introduces us several times to the concept of “tzechok” – laughter. Laughter recalls joy, and sometimes embarrassment. It also conjures up the jest of Lot’s sons-in-law and Ishmael’s mockery. Why then would Hashem have instructed Avraham to call the son of his old age, Yitzchak? We may find an answer by reviewing Avraham and Sarah’s respective reactions to the news of Yitzchak’s approaching birth. Sarah laughs inwardly and is consequently rebuked for her skepticism. In contrast, Avraham falls on his face and laughs with joy. According to the commentaries, Avraham’s celebration is the inspiration for Yitzchak’s name. As for Sarah, we note a change in her demeanor after Yitzchak’s birth. She no longer thinks of herself, but exclaims, “Hashem has made laughter for me; whoever hears will laugh for me”. Citing the Midrash, Rashi notes that many were grateful on account of Sarah: ‘Many barren women were remembered together with her, many sick were healed that day, many prayers were answered with hers, and there was great rejoicing in the world.’ This midrash effectively expresses the way in which we Jews should laugh. It indicates the positive, universal power of prayer and the explosive potential that can be released when we identify joyfully with the blessings of another. No wonder that Hashem commanded the father of our people to call his son Yitzchak. Sincerely yours, Menachem Persoff, Director, Israel Center Towards better Davening and Torah Reading I recently acquired the sefer: EIN LAMIKRA HASHALEIM, a guide to correct pronunciation, specifically in davening and Torah reading. It has been an eye-opener in pointing out many common mistakes that people make and are unaware that there is any problem. From time to time, I'd like to share some of the points in the book with Tt readers and those who attend Israel Center programs. - Phil Ch. Let's not start at the beginning, but rather let's jump right in. Some background first. Hebrew words are accented on the last syllable or the next to the last syllable. The former situation is the more common, and is called MILRA. sha-LOM, not SHA-lom. shab-BAT, not SHAB-bat. ba-RUCH a-TA, not BA-ruch A-ta. The latter situation is called MIL'EIL, and is less common. Most words that are accented MIL'EIL follow specific rules (which we will not go into now). BO-ker, not bo-KER (morning). ME-lech, not me-LECH (king). Statement: Pronouncing a word on the wrong syllable is one of many types of mispronunciation that we will present in this column. Usually, a mispronunciation of this type does not change the meaning of the word, but sometimes it does. When it does change the meaning of the word, the mistake becomes serious. A famous example that Rashi points out from B'reishit 29:6,9 is ba-A (is coming) and BA-a (came). If it happens in Torah reading, it challenges the acceptability of the reading. It can be similarly serious in certain parts of davening. If the word still means the same thing, the mis-accented word just detracts from the beauty of the prayer or reading. Either way, it is worthwhile working on, so that we can enhance our davening and Torah reading. As mentioned earlier, we're jumping into the deep water. There are some words that are regularly pronounced MILRA, but in specific phrases they are to be pronounced MIL'EIL. In the second bracha of the Amida, we have MI cha-MO-cha BA-al g'vu-ROT, u'MI DO-meh LACH... Who is like You?! The word is do-MEH (MILRA, pronounced on the last syllable), but in the phrase followed by LACH, the accent "retreats" to the previous syllable. This is called NASOG ACHOR, a retreating accent. This is the case often (but not always) when the word following the MILRA word is monosyllabic (has only one syllable) or has two syllables and is pronounced MIL'EIL. There are many "candidates" for the retreating accept that don't. In Tanach, the position of the TROP tells us where the accent should be. In the Siddur, words that deviate from the usual are often flagged to help us pronounce them correctly. And to further complicate matters, there are words whose accent retreats, even without the following word causing it. (Check out D'varim 13:5.) The NASOG ACHOR shift of accent is meant to allow for a more pleasant flow of the words. Not doing a NASOG ACHOR does not change the meaning of the word. But we should still try to pronounce words correctly. u'MI do-MEH LACH means the same as u'MI DO-meh LACH, but it isn't the correct way to pronounce the word. Another example of NASOG ACHOR is in Asher Yatzar. u'VA-ra VO, even though the word is ba-RA. And here's one where the accent does NOT retreat, even though it "should". In Kiddush, mik-ra-EI KO-desh (not mik-RA-ei KO-desh, as it would seem to be by the flow of words and the guidelines for NASOG ACHOR). In B'reshit 1:5, "and the darkness He called night, v'la-CHO-shech KA-ra LAI-la... The word is ka-RA. In this context, it is pronounced KA-ra. (If the Baal K'riya reads it ka-RA LAI-la, he should not be stopped. The "mistake" does not change anything. But... Parting (for this issue) note: Some people probably know all of this well. Other people are probably turned off by DIKDUK of any type. Hopefully, there are other other people who will "enjoy" this column. We could use feedback to know what's what. Thanks. ParshaPix Once again, this did not make it into the hard copy, due to lack of room, but here it is for the electronic versions. G-d's visit to Avraham was BIKUR CHOLIM. Right side of the PIX is Dr. Thermometer doing the same thing. The "ruggies" on the top were the UGOT that Sara baked for the angels. The turkey with all the trimmings represents the sumptuous meal that Avraham prepared for the angels. (Actually, it was tongue with mustard sauce.) The skull is the symbol of acid-rain, a good description of that which destroyed S'dom. Wine? Lot was given wine to make him drunk... The baby in the cradle is for the birth of Yitzchak. Alarm clock (look at the time) is for Avraham rising early in the morning. Father & son holding hands, And the two of them walked together... Bottom is the Akeida scene from Davka's Judaica clipart series. The Shofar "comes" from the ram caught up in the bramble, the one that replaced Yitzchak on the Mizbei'ach. That leave us with the dots in the upper-left. They constitute this week's PPP. 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 presented for 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 (Lech L'cha) TTriddles: [1] Avraham & Yosef each said it to a king [2] Indication that the work of the 15th century scholar R. Yehoshua Boaz b. Shimshon of the house of Baruch was holy [3] His names (one in No'ach, and the other in Lech L'cha) equal 294 and 351 [4] And here's a preview of next week... [5] Six in P'sukei D'zimra. Name the other four [6] Confused lizard, cloud authority, and hospitality pages And the envelope please... Almost all of last week's TTriddles were solved by several solvers. We're getting soft! But read on... [1] In 14:24, Avraham refruses to take any spoils of war from the king of Sedom (BERA). He exclaims, BIL'ADAI (Far from me!), but give something to my allies Aneir, Eshkol, and Mamrei. The word BIL'ADAI is translated differently in several translations. In any event, the word appears only once more in the Chumash, in B'reishit 41:16, when Yosef tells Par'o, BIL'ADAI, not by my power, but it is G-d Who answers the questions raised by dreams. (The word also appears in Yeshayahu and in I'yov.) [2] The Rishon in question wrote EIN MISHPAT, as well as NER MITZVA, TORAH OR, and MASORET HASHAS (plus commentary on the RI"F and the MORDECHAI). Pasuk 14:7 tells us that the place EIN MISHPAT is KADESH (close to KODESH, holy). Rav Aryeh Kaplan z"l in The Living Torah, brings an opinion that this place is KADEISH BARNEI'A, identified by Targum as REKEM and thought to be (perhaps) today's PETRA. [3] In Parshat No'ach, his name is mentioned twice - NIMROD. G'matriya = 294. In Lech L'cha, the King AMRAFEL is identified by Rashi as the same NIMROD. G'matriya of Amrafel is 351. On Torah Tidbits Audio (Arutz-7, Thursday night), the riddle was asked differently: He is introduced to us in Parshat No'ach and appears in Lech L'cha with a totally different name. One caller correctly answered Nimrod, but another called with an equally valid answer: SHEIM and MALKI-TZEDEK. [4] Solvers submitted two or three good answers, none matching the original intended answer of the TTriddle. But that doesn't matter. A good answer is a good answer. G-d tells Avraham about the birth of Yitzchak. That's a good preview in Lech L'cha for a major event in Vayeira. So too, when S'dom is mentioned, it says that it was before it was destroyed. Another preview of a major event in Vayeira. The original intended solution is from 17:1 - VAYEIRA HASHEM EL AVRAM... Vayeira is a preview of this week's sedra Vayeira. Maybe there are other solutions as well. [5] Towards the end of P'sukei D'zimra, we quote from Nechemya 9:8 that G-d made a covenant with Avraham promising him the lands of the K'naani, Chiti, Emori, P'rizi, Y'vusi, and Girgashi. Four additional territories are mentioned in the promises in Parshat Lech L'cha - Keini, K'nizi, Kadmoni, and R'fa'im. Those four are the correct solution to the TTriddle. [6] The answers to this one appear in 15:17, in the description of the BRIT BEIN HA'B'TARIM. The sun set and it was very dark - ALATA. AYIN-LAMED-TET-HEI. Lizard in Hebrew is L'TA'A. Confused lizard is a rearrangement of the letters AND a switch of the ALEF for the AYIN. Then there was a smoky furnace, TANUR ASHAN. Those letters rearrange to spell R'SHUT ANAN, the Cloud Authority. And a flaming torch, LAPID EISH, whose letters rearrange to spell DAPEI EISHEL, hospitality pages. Believe it or not, this TTriddle was solved by more than one solver. Finally, we come to the hidden (in the printed version) and announced (in the electronic version) PPP, ParshaPixPuzzle. In the upper-left corner of the ParshaPix was a Keep off the grass sign. This was a reference to the ethical dispute between the shepherds of Avra(ha)m and Lot. Avraham's were taught to respect the property of others and avoid GEZEL, theft, by not allowing their sheep to graze on others' land. Good solutions sets from ZviR, RHM, MM/Bklyn. Any of them might have won this week's prizes, had it not been for the entry of Ari, Nachum & Sally Stone. Theirs was just a bit better, crossing the finish line a proverbial nose ahead of the pack of veterans. Please be in touch concerning your prizes. Another note to TTriddle observers. Even those of you who do not attempt to submit solutions, might have fun with them a week later when armed with the solutions — especially if other members of the family have not seen the answers yet. Enjoy. This weeks TTriddles: [1] Get up & go! Who to whom, here & in come! [2] His Aramaic logo can be :) [3] Rotate it 180º, drop the dot, put it on top - and the trup will match the word [4] Lot's bug was slow to move [5] In Eilonei Mamrei. Where else and for whom else? Israel Center Notes: The Israel Center is pleased to announce the opening of a Beth Din to adjudicate and arbitrate monetary disputes, according to Jewish law With the Chagim behind us, the Beth Din is ready to function Apart from a registration fee of 200NIS (per case), there will no charge for this service Please call 566-7787 ext. 204 for further information Yitzhak Fund, Esq. Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Chairpersons Book Review DAYS OF MASHIACH Is Here, Now! • by Rabbi David Derovan Rabbi Kook teaches that the salvation of Israel will be preceded by the tshuva of the writers of Israel. Thats exactly what former Hollywood screenwriter, Tzvi Fishman, has done in his new collection of stories, DAYS OF MASHIACH. Fishman, who wrote the wonderfully enjoyable, TUVIA IN THE PROMISED LAND, is creating an exciting new literature of redemption. His first tale follows a young Shin Bet agent as he sets off to a Shomron settlement disguised as a Baal Teshuvah, equipped with bugged Mezuzot and a tiny microphone in his Tefillin. The next story takes place after the great religious revival in Israel. On the giant screen in Tzahals underground war room, nuclear warheads from all over the world are zeroing in on the tiny Jewish State. Yehuda, the only secular commander in the room, demands that the air force strike back. With only two minutes to go, the Chief Rabbi picks up the phone to Mashiach. In the next adventure, we are off to South Africa where rioting tribes are taking over the country. As Stanley Friedman speaks on the phone to his son, who is studying in an Israeli yeshiva, bullets smash through his villa window. Bleeding on the floor, he tells the boy, Your mother and I want you to come home. Its dangerous in Israel! While all of the stories are gripping parables, filled with deep Torah themes, The Discman is the books tour-de-force. This full-length novel is the Jewish Catcher in the Rye, whose young hero, Sam Singer, sets out to discover G-d and the meaning of life. If any of you thought of making a pilgrimage to India, Fishman takes you there in a hilarious spoof on ashrams and swamis. Off course, Sams round-the-world odyssey finally ends in Jerusalem. Though Sam never makes it to the Israel Center, the author will, on November 4, when he is scheduled to read from a selection of his stories. If daily headlines are getting you down, after reading DAYS OF MASHIACH, you will realize that the path to redemption can also be uplifting and fun. Days of Mashiach is a great read; fun, gripping and most of all, thought provoking! DAYS OF MASHIACH by Tzvi Fishman is available for 48 at the Front Desk of the OU Israel Center. NESTO Native English-Speaking Teen Olim The room was black, Rabbi Avi, the previous director, walked in. “Surprise” we all screamed, and so began another great Tuesday night activity at NESTO. Rabbi Avi was thanked for the dedication he demonstrated during the time that he spent with us at NESTO. Kate Deutsch, one of the NESTO board members, had the following to say: Raising our standards Ain't always easy, But you did that Because you are beautiful – It’s a fact. So… I‘m standing here reading my unsophisticated speech. Leaving is never easy. Variety is good!!! Everything has changed, Reminding us what we liked about you. Maybe you’ll miss us too. Anyhow, Anyway, Never doubt we appreciate everything you have done for us. Rabbi Silverman, thank-you for everything you put into making NESTO a successful place. We are going to miss you and we wish you a lot of luck and happiness. Menachem Persoff, Director of the Israel Center, was also there to show his appreciation to Rabbi Avi and to present him with a beautiful gift on behalf of NESTO and the Center. From the party atmosphere, we moved on to the more serious part of our evening. Over 35 NESTO members were present as we heard a presentation from Kids for Kids, an organization that provides support and help to young victims of terror in Israel. Jay Greenwald, a spokesperson for Kids for Kids, spoke about the reality of the current intifada. He discussed the personal pain that this terror inflicts not only on those directly involved, but also the emotional and mental scars we all carry around. We heard a moving and powerful account from Noam, a 16 year old Oleh, who was severely injured in a horrific bomb attack on Ben Yehuda four years ago. The NESTOites then had a chance to express their fears and opinions, not only of the terror attacks that are a part of our everyday life in Israel, but also the seemingly irrational and unexplainable attacks that are happening on a world-wide scale. Yeshara Gold, Int'l Director of Kids4Kids assured us that the situation is not hopeless. She introduced NESTO to her organization and described the current situation as being one of insanity, of a fight between good and evil. She explained how this is a fight in which we can — and in fact must play a part. This is where NESTO comes in, as our duty as Jews requires us to take action in the best way we know how. We can do this with Chessed, by raising money for casualties of terror, or simply through befriending someone whom has been a victim and showing them that we care. As Hillel HaTzadik said, “If I am only for myself then what am I?” Over the next few weeks we at NESTO will be planning how we can help Kids4Kids. Our first SHABBATON of the year is coming up next week... Parshat Chayei Sara, Nov.9-10 The theme is Zionism is Racism? We will develop a personal NESTO response to this claim highlighted in the UN Durban Conference. Places are limited, so reserve your spot with Naomi at 02-566-7787 ext. 246 or with Josh via email. That’s all from us, Shabbat Shalom,Josh, Chave, and Naomi From the NESTOers themselves... I got back from Poland last week and I was asked to write about my trip. What am I supposed to write? It was such a stupendous trip with so much to say, how can I possibly write all of it in a single column? There is so much but I will try. When we were there it was just... different. Me, my friends, rabbis, everyone we all dropped our differences. People I never spoke to before, people I never had anything in common with, people I did not like... Suddenly there was a feeling of unity. We were there for each other. Everyone. When someone talked everyone else was quiet. When we walked through the deserted shuls and concentration camps we were there for each other and if someone wanted to cry he had many shoulders to choose from. It was amazing being there and seeing everything that you hear about. No preparation can prepare you for what you see. If you think you can see it in museums and videos you are wrong. You have to go. You can't not go and you can't not go and not be changed. I think that the feeling of unity is one of the most important things that made my trip what it was. Shabbat Shalom, Daniel Gindis The Israel Center's youth program for Anglo-Israelis tel. 566-7787 ext. 245 • fax: 561-7432 spodek@netvision.net.il • www.zyworld.com/nesto Josh Spodek, Director • Naomi Skorecki, Bat Sherut MAKOM BALEV About a year and a half ago, the youth department of the Israel Center launched a new project: “Makom BaLev” (“A Place in the Heart”). Originally planned to be called NCSY B'YISRAEL, it was discovered that initials in English confused the Hebrew-speaking youth and did not "speak" to them. Hence the shift to MAKOM BALEV. However, the original name of NCSY-in-Israel can serve as a short description of the goals of Makom BaLev, since it is modeled after NCSY in the States – with modifications necessitated by cultural differences. Our goal is to provide Israeli teens around the country in grades 7-11 with a warm and welcome place in the afternoon hours. Our goal is also to fill the cultural void with Jewish values through personal contact, tiyulim, chugim, Shabbatonim, and other enriching activities. This BAYIT, situated within the community, contributes to its surroundings through chesed and volunteer projects. The teens find within this BAYIT an open ear; a place that elicits inner talents. With Hashem’s blessing, and together with the help of interested parties, we have opened a number of chapters throughout the country: in Ramle, Lod, Netanya, Nahariya, Yishrash, Chadid, and Achisemach. With G-d’s help, we hope to grow. We embarked on a mission to spread a little "Jewish" cheer on a weekly basis throughout the country. To date, Makom BaLev has 240 active members. GESHARIM A "sister" project of Makom BaLev is “Gesharim”. Here, we work with disadvantaged sixth graders to prepare them for bar/bat mitzva. At present, we are working with about 100 kids. With G-d’s help, these teens will serve as the promising future of a chapter (bayit) of Makom BaLev. To all adults and teens- if you should find yourself in the vicinity of one of our chapters, we invite you to drop in and see what we're doing with Israeli youth. Here's a (translated) letter from one of our young men in Netanya: Shalom! My name is Chai Ochion. I want to say how much I enjoy being in Makom BaLev. I think Makom BaLev is the greatest place in the world... nice activities, super trips, all the games, homework help, excellent counselors... It prevents kids from doing bad things. Makom BaLev lends strength and direction to do good things and teaches us to follow the right path, and does for us what comes hard to our parents. The counselors also give a lot of themselves and it gives us confidence and positive will to succeed. I want Makom BaLev to continue in order to provide us with a place and caring people where we feel secure... Thank you to all the supporters that help us feel good and successful... May HaShem give you so that you can give to us and all in need... With thanks, Sincerely, Chai Ochion For more information, contact: Yisrael Goren, Director, Makom BaLev Yael Chori, Co-ordinator, Gesharim Naomi Skorecki, Bat Sherut at the Israel Center - 02-5667787 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 pressing2 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 will be ready for you when you board the bus. Israel Center In-House Shabbaton, Shabbat Parshat Vayeira November 2-3, '01 with Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Emanuel Quint People in walking-distance of the Center are invited to join our davening and/or shiurim. See schedule and details. For those participating in the Shabbaton... Have a Great Shabbat! Tuesday, November 13th, 4:30-9:00pm • The Magical Jewish History Tour at the Israel Museum We're going to learn how to read & write K'tav Ivri. Then we will be able to read ancient seals, jug handles, and writings of our ancestors from the time of the first Beit HaMikdash. We will discuss its use and how it was discontinued. We will give you an opportunity to test your new-found knowledge.On the way, we will also see important displays in the museum and discover some of the many treasures that await you among the exhibits. with Barnea Levi Selavan • 70NIS p.p. (non-members 80NIS) Thoroughly Gush Etzion • Sunday, November 18th, 8:30am-4:45pm • Guided (in English) by LEAH SALTER • A tour of Efrat plus lookout over the Dagan and Tamar Hills • "The Lone Tree" - Ancient Oak Tree, reputed to be 700 years old. Symbol of the Gush • The path of the Patriarchs • A special mikva used for purification upon "Aliya L'regel" to Jerusalem • The Etzion Judaica Center - Exhibition and sales of Israel's finest Judaica artisans & artists, from throughout Israel and Gush Etzion • Kibbutz Kfar Etzion - Multi-media Sound & Light Show - Touching account of the history of Jewish Settlements in Gush Etzion and the bravery of the Gush's pioneers/defenders • Lunch at the Kibbutz • Tour of "Machon Tzomet" - specializing in patenting Shabbat elevators, wheelchairs and other Shabbat minded tools & appliances • A tour of Yeshivat Har Etzion, Hesder Yeshiva of HaRav Lichtenstein; Mincha • Price: 150NIS (mem)/160NIS (non-mem) includes hot lunch Tuesday, November 27th (100NIS p.p. - non-mem. add 20NIS) • A very special Tiyul to Tel Aviv with David Magence • New and unusual places in the first modern Jewish metropolis • Ben Gurion House: Get to know the real David Greene • Bialik House: "Meet" Israel's Poet Laureate. From Volozhin Yeshiva to Tel Aviv • Hagana Museum: Visit the home of Eliyahu Golomb, one of the founders of the Hagana whose house served as its clandestine headquarters • Museum of Tel Aviv: The history of Tel Aviv's development from ancient Yafo to Achuzat Bayit, a suburb of old Yafo, and into a major city • Beit HaTanach: Est. at the initiative of DBG, connecting Tanach to modern life, thru art. COME WITH US TO PARADISE! WED-THU and/or FRI-SHABBAT at the Paradise Negev Be'er Sheva Hotel Mehadrin, Shmita L'chumra) 2-day tiyul - Touring all the way down to Be'er Sheva with our guide ZVI BESSIN, who will TEL it like it is: Latrun Armored Corps Museum, site of Biblical & modern battles; TEL Beit Shemesh, the lost Ark returns; TEL Azeka, David & Golyat, overview of Mitzpeh Massuah (you can buy lunch there); TEL Be'er Sheva, how many Be'er Shevas are there? Then to the Cochin Jewish Museum and Shul in Nevatim, fascinating Jewish-Indian History. Wonderful dinner & great evening program. On Thursday morning we will visit many special places within Be'er Sheva and then in Paradise we will celebrate Thanksgiving with an elaborate, elegant dinner with "all the trimmings", Turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin, corn, apple pie and more. An experience you won't forget for a long time • Wednesday & Thursday,Nov. 21-22,'01, Leave Wed. 8:00am, return Thu. evening. (or... see box below), Bring lunch for Wed. • 485nis p.p. (dbl. occ. Single suppl. extra; non-members 570nis) Exciting ARTZEINU Weekend, Nov. 23-24 • Tour on Friday: Overlooking Tel Azeka, Kever Dan ben Yaakov, David & Goliat's confrontation site, Tel Be'e Sheva, Avraham's Well • Host: Rabbi Yeshaya Jacobs Round trip transportation • Full Board Shabbat • All entrance fees included Use of fitness room at hotel 485nis p.p. (dbl. occ. Single suppl. extra; non-members 570nis) Depart 8:15am Fri. morning (Please arrive by 8:00am) Return: Motza'ei Shabbat Or make it a long Thanksgiving weekend! • Wednesday through Shabbat, November 21-24 See above for details. For those staying the whole time, Thursday night-Friday will be on B/B basis. There will be ample time on Friday for use of the fitness room at the hotel and for roaming around Be'er Sheva Cost for the long weekend is 1195NIS p.p. (dbl. occ.; non-members 1395NIS) SINGLES !Young Marrieds Artzeinu Tours in conjunction with the Israel Center has a weekend idea for YOU! Singles Weekend - Nov. 23-24 Exciting, Adventerous, Educational at the Paradise Hotel, Be'er Sheva Safari Desert vehicle for trip from Jerusalem to Be'er Sheva, travel off the beaten track to places youv'e never seen before. The driver will give explanations based on Tanach Join this exciting weekend: • Full board Shabbat with guest speaker - panel discussions on marriage and other topics • Use of the fitness toom price includes: hotel, desert safari trip, Full board Shabbat, return bus ride on Motza'ei Shabbat 615NIS p.p. dbl. occ. (non-mem +60NIS) If your (grand)parents are members, so are you! Young married couples may join Artzeinu Tours in conjunction with the Israel Center presents... One-day tour of the Jerusalem Corridor and the Judean Sh'feila TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6th, 9:00am-2:00pm We leave Jerusalem for the Judean Sh'feila through the ancient route from Jaffa to Jerusalem. We stop at Hirbet Meitzad, and then at Shaar HaGai, the Eshtaol Fores. Next we enter the Presidents' Forest and the Derech Ha'P'salim arriving at ancient Beit Shemesh and then to ancient Tel Azeka. From here, we see Park Britannia and travel back to Jerusalem on the ancient route from Beit Guvrin or Ashkelon to Jerusalem. English language guide. Length of trip is approx. 5 hours (from Jerusalem to Jerusalem). 188NIS/$41 (min. 23 people; if more than 30 people are in the group, the price will drop to 169NIS/$37 per person). Non members add $7 p/p Two other one-day trips (different from this one and each other) to the Dead Sea - Ein Gedi area are planned for December and January. Watch for details. Educational Seminars on Wheels with outstanding tour guide HAIM SIDOR [1] Thursday, November 8th, 8:15am to 8:15pm (approx.) Caesaria - antiquities, Hannah Senesh film and Sdot Yam Caesaria Museum OR Recanti Caesaria Exhibition OR Glass Bottom Boat! (different options will depend upon weather and time considerations) 199NIS/$46 (non members add $8 p/p), all entrance fees included {2] Thursday, November 29th, 8:15am to 8:15pm (approx.) Akko - Prison / Crusader City / Port / Walk Along the walls / The Tunisian Mosaic Synagogue / Stories of the Jews of Akko (Ramchal/Rishonim/Nachman M'Breslov) cost:175NIS/$40 (non members add $8), all entrance fees included Call the Travel Desk (see above) for Schedule of Artzeinu Daily Tours, Also... Watch TT for announcements of tiyulim during Chanuka, the last week in December, January and other dates Travel Desk Specials Sheraton Plaza - Jerusalem Midweek - November 1 - December 2 • 500NIS per couple per night, B/B Neptune - Eilat valid November 1 - December 9 1200NIS per couple, B/B, for three-night stay Mid-week & weekends Sheraton Moriah Eilat November 1 - December 2 - MID-WEEK 370NIS per couple, double room, per night, B/B Herod's Palace Eilat October 31 - November 12 & November 14-28, Midweek - 550NIS per couple per night, B/B Ruth Rimon Inn - Tzfat Midweek - November 1 - December 31 530NIS per couple per night H/B (min. 2 nights) B/B = Bed & Breakfast • H/B = Half Board (breakfast and one other meal) 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, did it" visit into an unforgettable, special one! 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. FRIDAY EVENING People in walking distance of the Center are invited to join the davening and educational sessions of our IN-HOUSE SHABBATON We'll be davening Mincha at 4:25pm, followed by Kabbalat Shabbat, a Dvar Torah by Rabbi E. Quint, and Maariv 7:50pm (approx.), we will have an Oneg Shabbat with a play on half of Parshat Vayeira (incorporating commentaries, Midrashim, Gemara...) performed by The Quintessential Players, followed by a discussion, singing and refreshments SHABBAT DAY 7:30am • Pre-davening mini-shiur by Phil on Sharpening our Davening • 8:00am • Shacharit, Torah Reading, Drasha by Rabbi Quint, Musaf followed by Kiddush 11:30am • Shiur by Rabbi E. Quint followed by Mincha Gedola 2:45pm • Mini-shiur by Phil on Did Avraham Act Correctly? 3:15pm • Play and discussion by the Quintessential Players 4:15pm • Mincha - OR - Tea, coffee, and.. followed by continuation of the discussion, singing... Maariv (at 5:20pm) and Havdala MOTZA'EI SHABBAT Motza'ei Shabbat (and Sunday), November 3 (and 4) Exhibit Talk Sale of old prints and maps of Eretz Yisrael - The Damascus Gate - Bab El Amud (Gate of the Column) The northern entrance to Jerusalem (Sha'ar Sh'chem, to us) Lithograph by David Roberts (1796-1864), one of the most noted and admired architectural and landscape painters of his time. Hundreds of items will be on display (many are available to purchase at affordable prices) Exhibit opens on Motza'ei Shabbat at 8:00pm and will close on Sunday at 6:30pm Come on Motza'ei Shabbat, November 3, 8:30pm to hear the fascinating and informative story of the collection by the collector Menashe Hus DAF YOMI in English 3:00-4:00pm Sunday-Thursday SUNDAY 9:30am (women) Mystical Insights into the Months of the Year Golda Warhaftig N'shei Library 10:30-12:45pm 10:30am (women)Let's really Learn Chumash with Tonia Frohwein 11:30am (men & women) Parshat HaShavua Shprintzee Herskovits 12:30pm Great Jewish Stories Rabbi David Zitter Sunday, November 4th, 8:00pm Tzvi Fishman will read short stories from his new book "Days of Mashiach" (author of Tuvia in the Promised Land) MONDAY 9:15am NEW 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 Rambam's 13 Principles Rabbi Zev Leff 11:36am, NOV 5 •The Hasmonean Revolution: To the Heart of the Matter •Dr. Henry Goldblum 4:00pm NOV 5 NO CHARGE • Options in Aging ALONE AND GROWING OLDER Introductory lecture by Geriatric Social Worker, Leah Abramowiz (possibility of forming a self help group for people on their own) Topics include: Challenges as we mature • When, how & why to enter a senior facility Maintaining good health • assuring positive relationships with those dear to us 7:30pm • NOV 5• NLP workshop, Reducing Stress NLP relaxation techniques through anchoring, breathing, visualization, reframing, and peripheral vision with Rabbi Shlomo Kory 8:00pm NOV 5 • (Women only) • Music - a "SHIR" delight Learn Classical Chasidic Nigunimwith Chana Yaffe TUESDAY 9:00-9:50am TORAH TOPICS, Root and Development of Jewish Identity Dr. Hayim Abramson 9:55-10:45am SIDDUR TOPICS, In-depth study of ALEINU Dr. Hayim Abramson 10:50-11:40am Parshat HaShavua R. Mordechai Spiegelman RESUMES NOV. 20 • 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 8:00pm NOV 6 • Getting into Olam HaBa: Maharal vs. Rambam with Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Poupko WEDNESDAY 8:30am (women) T'HILIM WORKSHOP Eshet Chayil Foundation with Sara Wurtzel 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 Wednesdays at 8:00pm - pre-registration required Call 08-926-5247, Starting date to be determined by participants ANGER: The Inner Teacher Ongoing workshops with Rachel Trugman, MA 8:00-10:00pm Aliya Counseling with Miriam Bass 7:45-8:45pm Jewish Philosophy One week: Road map to the Prophets - Rambam's Guide for the Perplexed One week: Ramban's Commentary on the Torah and its Wellsprings with Rabbi Chaim Eisen This week: Ramban 8:00pm, Nov. 8, Israel's Water Crisis from a Torah Perspective with Dr. Akiva Wolff THURSDAY 9:30 and 10:30am 2 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 8:00pm Shir HaShirim with Reb Yosef Schreiber 8:00pm TRUTH - an open forum sponsored by the Jewish Values Education Institute with Dr. Daniel Stolper Thursday, November 8th, 2001 from 8:00-10:00pm Breakthrough to Success This is important to everybody because we all want to be successful, but not everybody is willing to pay the price! Yet it only takes small changes in our performance to get big changes in our results. This topic will be presented by Dale Carnegie Training, an international organization operating in over 120 different countries with more than 6 million graduates world wide." For additional information, call 055-777-684 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) Beginning Tuesday, October 16 at the Israel Center (Program in-formation) 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 Motza'Sh Chayei Sara (M'vorchim Kislev) Nov. 10, 8:30pm Rosh Chodesh Shiur of the Month #241 Rhyme & Reason in Rambam's Rationale Maharal vs. Maimonides on Taamei HaMitzvot with Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Poupko Sunday November 11 8:30pm, 25NIS members & students30NIS others Come celebrate a dynamic & inspirational evening with Jerusalem's No. 1 all-women's band... Tofa'ah NLP Jerusalem • How to Talk to People About Their Problems* A series of 6 weekly workshops for office managers, counselors, teachers, administrators and parents beginning Monday, Nov. 12, 7:30pm at the Israel Center Limited space-advanced registration advisable. Call: *so all of you can function better!, Rabbi Shlomo Kory, 02-5373690, 051 985 225, www.nlpjerusalem.com Day of the week, time of day, starting date - all to be determined by participants New in this country! For Parents, Therapists, Teachers Philosophical Counseling workshop on Parent Effectiveness training Interested? Call: (02) 671 6059 and/or 056-302-216 for details Sunday, November 18th, 8:00pm The unique mitzva that a Jew can't do today but a Ben Noach can! Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher Rhey R. Roasa Plus short video presentation Tuesday, November 20th, 8:00pm Lifestyle & Health Dr. David Adams Internal medicine Options in Aging Wed. at 4:00pm Tips on Improving Memory (Nov.14) Meaningful Living vs. Just Existing (Nov.28) 20 per lecture For more info, call Ester, 053 231951 Announcing the launching of the Israel Center Men's & Boy's Choir All interested parties can come to the Center on Thursday, November 15th at 8:00pm For further information please call Yisrael Shwarzstein: 02 583 3389 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 TT is published and printed "in house" at the Israel Center [The
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