Tag Archives: creating

September 15, 2011 · 1:15 PM

Happy to Serve You

Parshas Ki Savo

The Torah discusses at length many curses and catastrophic results that will befall our people. These are effects of failing to properly keep Hashem’s Mitzvos. Ninety-eight curses are enumerated, and the heart shudders when reading through them. Among the curses is the assertion that this outcome develops “in lieu of not serving Hashem your G-d with happiness and a glad heart”.

Question 

Doesn’t this seem an overly harsh consequence for lacking happiness? We are talking about people who performed what they were meant to perform, avoided what they are required to avoid, and such people are punished? One can speculate that perhaps withholding blessing might be more appropriate.

Answer

In Parshas Ki Savo  it is written “cursed is one who doesn’t uphold Torah” Rabbenu Yonah in The Gates of Repentance explains this refers to rejecting even one of the minor Mitzvos. For example one who accepts the whole Torah except Shatnez is called an apostate and is considered as though he has rejected the entire Torah. Imagine a servant who says “I do whatever you want, except I won’t bring you breakfast in bed”. This is a break on his whole servitude.

A person who doesn’t enjoy what he is doing breaks his whole attitude of service. If a person does what he must, and does not enjoy it, is evidently doing it from a feeling of duty. Such a relationship is a strained relationship. It is built only on the power and strength of one party and the submission to that power. Given the chance to release himself he would jump at the opportunity. That is not a true servant.

Conversely, the Arizal says all the exceptional levels he reached in understanding the hidden attributes of Torah was due to his enjoyment in doing Mitzvos.

Lesson

Perhaps more important than correcting particular deeds, let us focus on the relationship we have with Hashem.

Story 

Two centuries ago in Eastern Europe, a kosher set of Lulav and Esrog was difficult to obtain largely due to the local climate. Even when available they were very costly. Communities would pool their resources together in order to acquire kosher set.

Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer – the Vilna Gaon (1720 -1797) once sent his students on a mission to purchase a set of the four species on his behalf. “Spare no expense” he instructed them. That year was a particularly difficult year and they couldn’t find neither a set nor a possible vendor. At long last they heard of a merchant who had a full kosher set. They immediately hurried over to make contact with him. To their dismay he refused all their offers; he was a wealthy man and was not interested in their money.

“So tell us”, the students asked “What will entice you?” The merchant replied, he is prepared to give away the set at no cost, but for this year he will receive the reward in the World to Come for the Gaon’s mitzvah of taking a Lulav and Esrog. The students were stunned by the offer, this is not what they had in mind. After much deliberation decided to go ahead with his plan and completed the “sale”. On returning to the Rabbi they reluctantly told the Gaon about the deal. The Gaon was ecstatic, he taught “All his life he had been striving to perform a mitzvah without any personal intent – solely for the sake of heaven and this was a perfect opportunity”.

Weekly Halacha

One is permitted to wipe a spill on Shabbos (without squeezing) even though the napkin will become stained.

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September 7, 2011 · 11:01 PM

When Lust is Overpowering

Parshas Ki Seitzei

During the frightening antics of battle, a warrior’s moral defenses become weakened. He is now more susceptible to temptation. Seeing women of beauty, the soldier may conjure an irresistible urge to live with them. The Torah recognizing this drowning desire actually permits the soldier to marry the captives.

Question 

This is not the only instance of an overwhelming temptation. The Psalmist says “the Evil one, eyes the righteous, and attempts to kill him, but Hashem won’t leave him in his control” this means, when man’s evil inclination increases, G-d assists him to overcome this passion. Why does Hashem sometimes “permit” the sin and on other occasions help us resist temptation?

Answer

Hashem lets man field his own way, hence the divine method depends on the development of the inclination. If the temptation is of human origin, as is the case with war and battle, Hashem’s says I will not aid to suppress the craving, but since it is unconquerable, I will permit the forbidden. However where the lust is the work of the evil inclination, Hashem says if you do all you can, I will help you defeat the weakness even if it requires supernatural means.

Lesson

The Torah recognizes exceptional circumstances; however barring the exceptional, man can exercise self control.

Story 

Life takes precedence over the laws of Yom Kippur. In a case where an expectant mother whose unborn child smells food and the resulting desire to taste that food is not satisfied, the lives of both mother and child are in danger. Therefore she must be given to eat from that food until she recovers.
The Sages nevertheless attempted to satisfy the hunger of such a woman without violating the ban of eating on Yom Kippur. Two incidents are recounted by the Talmud:
When such a case came before Rebbi (Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi 135-219) he instructed: whisper to the expectant mother that “Today is Yom Kippur.” This was done and the unborn child’s hunger ceased. Rebbi then quoted Jeremiah regarding that child: “Before I formed you in the belly, I knew you…” That child grew up to be the great sage Rabbi Yochanan.
When such a case came before Rabbi Chanina (2nd Century), he gave the same instruction: whisper to the expectant mother that “Today is Yom Kippur” but the fetus did not respond until his mother was actually fed. Rabbi Chanina quoted the words of Psalmist in regard to this child: “Evil ones are strangers to Hashem from the womb” The child turned out to be the wicked Shabsai, he cornered the market on a basic commodity, and then charged poor people exorbitant prices for the food.

Weekly Halacha

One should not sit outside on Shabbos with the intention of tanning, one may sit outside with no intention to tan.

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September 1, 2011 · 7:40 PM

Locating a Rebellion

Parshas Shoftim

The Torah as handed down through the ages was a single unified code. Were it to occur that a sage would be at odds with his local court, the Torah says,“You should rise and ascend to the place chosen by Hashem your G-d.” In that chosen place resided the Supreme Court. They adjudicated any scruples that threatened to fracture this unity and preserved the singularity of the code. A secondary deduction is made from this law: the temple had to be on a mountaintop. As the verse states, “You should rise and ascend to the place.”

Question 

Why is the instruction for location of the Beis Hamikdash, cryptically included within the section of the rebellious elder?

Answer

The Beis Hamikdash was the central focal point of the nation. Thrice yearly, everybody, from the young  to the old, went on a pilgrimage to bask in its aura. Perched on a mountaintop added to its centricity, with all heads looking upward towards this single edifice. The Beis Hamikdash unified the nation physically and spiritually.  The rebellious elder threatens the harmony of the nation. To avoid any splintering factions the Great Sanhedrin established in the temple would deal with the slightest dissent thus sustaining the oneness of the people.

Furthermore it is for this reason, that when the nation was in discord with each other, the temple was destroyed. It is not just that disharmony brought it down, but the temple had lost its purpose.

Lesson

Our synagogues, which represent a micro Beis Hamikdash, should be a communal center fostering unity.

Story 

Once two witnesses came to the Sanhedrin and testified “We saw the moon in its time and the next night we didn’t see it”. Rabban Gamliel accepted them.

Rabbi Dosa ben Horkenes said “They are false witnesses, how can a woman give birth (the new moon is referred as “born”) and the next day still be pregnant? Rabbi Yehoshua said to him, your words appear correct to me.

Rabban Gamliel told Rabbi Yehoshua “I command you to come to me with your staff and your money, on the day Yom Kippur would fall out, according to your calculations of the new moon”.

Rabbi Yehoshua took his staff and his money in his hand, and went to Rabban Gamliel on the day he calculated to be Yom Kippur. Rabban Gamliel stood up and kissed him on his head, and said to him, “Come in peace my teacher and my disciple; my teacher in wisdom and my disciple in that you accepted my words”.

Weekly Halacha

One who does not  have two whole Challos, should use one whole and one cut Challah.

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August 18, 2011 · 10:04 PM

Serving to … Serve

Parshas Eikev

The theme conveyed in the second paragraph of Shema is acceptance of G-ds commandments. Alongside, comes the enforcement by reward and punishment. The structure of the paragraph is
Part 1: If you listen to my precepts bounty will be your fortune.
Part 2: If you turn away, exile will be your destiny.
Part 3: Meditate on this passage daily, and place this text in your Tefillin and Mezuzos.
Part 4: “in order that I shall increase your days” 

Question 

What is the message of this final verse?

It is possible, this increase of days, is rewarding the compliance in performing the Mitzvohs. If this were the case, one would expect it to have been mentioned earlier in Part 1, together with the promise of our land yielding large harvests, Why the misplacement?
It seems more accurate, that this statement “in order…” is characterizing why we perform the Mitzvos. However the statement is astounding; is the motive for executing the Mitzvos merely so we and our offspring should live a long life?

Answer

Given the opportunity to assist a dignitary, a truly noble aristocratic person is an honor. The ability to please and gratify a truly honorable human is in itself a pleasure. For example, nothing would please us more then to be able to serve the Chofetz Chaim a cup of tea. Moreover, we would be elated, if he further requested, “Next time I visit could you please make me the same tea again”. That would be the best possible consequence of serving him. Thus we have the answer to our question: Serving Hashem is an honor, if we delight in executing the Mitzvohs, Hashem will increase our days. For what purpose? To do more Mitzvohs. This is not a merely payback and reward, rather the result of performing G-ds will is that we will have our days increased thereby having more opportunity to serve Him.

Lesson

The thrill in doing Mitzvohs is just that, the ability to serve Hashem. 

Story 

Rav Saadia Gaon (892 – 942) developed a concept called Repentance for the Righteous in contrast to Repentance for the Sinners. Once while travelling incognito, he stayed at a wayside inn. “Did you see Rabbi Saadia Gaon?” people asked the innkeeper.
“Saadia Gaon?” replied the bewildered old Jew, “what would the great Rav Saadia be doing in a place like mine? Rav Saadia Gaon in my inn? No…I’m sure that you are very mistaken! There was no Rav Saadia Gaon here”
They explained to him how he looks, when suddenly the old Jew held his head and began yelling: “Oy! Rav Saadia, Rav Saadia was here! You were right!! Oy, Oy!” and he ran outside, in the direction that I took. After a short time when he caught up to me, and fell at my feet moaning: “Please forgive me, Rav Saadia. Please forgive me; I didn’t know that it was you!”
I made him stand up and brush himself off, and then said to him, “listen here, my friend, you treated me very well, you were very kind and hospitable. Why are you so sorry? You have nothing to apologize for.”
“No no, Rebbi” he replied, “If I would have known who you are, that you are the great Rav Saadia, I would have treated you differently!”
Days went by, and it wasn’t long before the innkeeper put the incident behind him, trusting that the great Saadia Gaon had indeed forgiven him for his mistake. However, not the Gaon. Rather than forget the incident, the Gaon took some very serious lessons from it, and developed the Repentance of the Righteous. When I think of that old innkeeper I say to myself “Oy! If I had known about Hashem in the beginning of the day what I know now, I would have treated Him differently!”

Weekly Halacha

One is not permitted to lay poison on Shabbos to kill ants.

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August 11, 2011 · 8:31 PM

The Wise Solution

Parshas Vaeschanan

For this is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations, when they hear all these statutes they will say “Surely a wise and understanding nation is this great nation”. For what great nation has a G-d as close as Hashem, our G-d, whenever we call Him.

The Torah states that our mitzvahs will impress to the degree, that people will say we are a great nation. This is readily understandable. Wise laws are attributes of a great nation. The Torah clarifies the relevance in being a great nation: We have a G-d close to us whenever we call Him.

Question 

Why are we trying to impress the nations with our wisdom?

How do we progress from being a wise and understanding nation to having a G-d close whenever we call?  

Answer

The Torah here is providing the true antidote to anti-Semitism. Preventing aggresion is not engendered by amassing mighty armies that intimidate our neighbors from attacking. Rather, when the nations witness our statutes and perceive “our wisdom and our understanding” they realize we are a great nation. Our being a great nation intimidates them. How so?

There can only be one explanation for the sophistication in developing such a wise legal, moral and ethical system. It can only be from G-d himself that such laws can originate. They will then correctly assume G-d must be close to us whenever we call. Surely a nation scrupulously following His code, are intimately close to him. This will forever constrain them from attacking. Who wants to fight a nation that has a supernatural deity fighting their cause?

Lesson

You do your job and Hashem will do His.

Story 

It is related that the Vilna Gaon (1720 – 1797) was once staying in a Jewish-owned inn. In the early hours of the morning the innkeeper arose to recite his morning prayers and in the customary manner, wrapped himself in his tallis, and donned his tefillin. The Gaon did likewise in the privacy of his own room at the same time. Suddenly, a stranger marched into the room where the innkeeper was praying and started to attack him. The Gaon, reacting to the anguished cries of the innkeeper, opened his door to see what was happening. The gentile took one look at the Gaon and fell flat on the floor in a dead faint.

The innkeeper turned to his prominent guest, full of wonder, and asked him, “What did you do?”

To this the Gaon answered, “What are you so surprised about? The Talmud says, “And when you enemies see your tefillin on your head, they will fear you”.

The innkeeper responded, “But I was also wearing tefillin.”

The Rabbi elucidated. You are wearing tefillin on your head, I am wearing tefillin in my head. The Gaon added further, “For the words of the Torah to be fulfilled, it is not sufficient that one just put on one’s tefillin without internalizing the message of the tefillin. The fear generated by the tefillin only takes effect when the person wearing the tefillin becomes one with the tefillin.

Weekly Halacha

One is permitted to run to escape the rain.

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July 21, 2011 · 9:00 PM

Creative Vows

Parshas Matos

This parsha begins with an analysis of Nedarim and applicable laws. One who makes a vow proscribes for himself something generally permitted. “I vow,” he states,”that I will no longer eat doughnuts”. From that statement forward, doughnuts become a forbidden food for him, as indeed lobster and shrimp are forbidden. He has taken upon himself a constraint with all the force of a Torah commandment. That which was allowed, is now denied him. It is a new statute, even if binding only on him. The Gemara advises that one who makes an oath, and neglects it, is punished with the death of his minor children.

Question 

In the Earthly Courts, lashes are meted out to punish one who is lax in his vows. Why is the Heavenly consequence for forgetting a neder so severe? Whatever deprivation one pledged is “extra credit,” positively taken in order to grow, to improve. This was not something that he was obligated to do. Why then is he so severly punished? 

Answer

Man has a G-d-like ability to create. This is reflected in both the spiritual and the physical realms. The highest creative power a person has in the corporeal dimension, is not building skyscrapers, but to replicate oneself, to produce children. In the spiritual arena, one can actually create by changing something’s nature and status from permitted to prohibited.  If one abuses the power of development in the celestial domain, his power to create in the physical realm is curtailed.

Lesson

High voltage lines come with a cautionary sign, for they can bring great destruction as well as extensive power. So too, our creativity is labelled “CAUTION: Grievous harm results from misuse.” We have been endowed with abundant capabilities. These abilities bring with them tremendous responsibility. 

Story 

A childless man once came to Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky (1899-1985, known as “the Steipler”) for a bracha.  Having spent many years being blessed by various rabbis, the man was no longer satisfied with a bracha alone.  He pressed the Steipler to promise him that he will have a child. Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel refused to accede to his request.  Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel returned to his learning, yet still the man remained.  Some time passed.  ”What do you want of me?” asked the Steipler. ” Why don’t you leave?”
“A promise!” the man answered.
“No, I cannot promise!” insisted Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel. “I cannot give promises!”
The man would not give up, and was so distracting the Steipler, that the latter told him to leave at once. “Hashem should help you and you will soon have a child!” he concluded.

A year later, this man returned in a far different frame of mind, to ask Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel to participate as Sandek in his son’s bris.  This man’s father-in-law wondered why Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel was chosen for this honor, and he was not. The father replied that it was due to the Steipler’s promise that the baby was born.

When the grandfather asked about the miracle that followed this promise, the Steipler replied ” When the father refused to leave, I gave him a bracha of sorts and returned to my learning. Later on, I realized that the wording may have construed as an unconditional promise. My son Rabbi Chaim (1928 – ) suggested that I pray for him.  I stayed awake until morning, reciting the whole of Tehillim. There really was no miracle – the gates of prayer were open.”
The grandfather replied “There is an impressive miracle in this: that one Jew should stay up all night reciting Tehillim for another!”

Weekly Halacha

One should not use a toilet disinfectant which colors the water.

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