Mishpatim

This week, I took my eight year old son to Yerushaliyim for our yearly matzah baking.  In general, I don’t like these “father and son” trips, since, as a father, I don’t like spending time with my children.  And if I’m going on a trip, heck if I’m going to volunteer to take some of my private time and share it.  But, what can I do?  He deserves it.  He’s been working hard in his learning, he’s been helping around the house a lot, his behavior has been very good.  He deserves it.  So, we took a day trip, had some lunch, bought a few things, baked matzos, and caught the last bus home.

My friend on the other hand . . . we’ll see how he feels.  Last year, I wrote on his matzah box “Find a cockroach, win a prize!” and placed a plastic cockroach on the top of the matzos (and left a small prize on the bottom).  When he got home, he opened up the box to let the matzos cool off properly, and jumped quite high, when he saw a cockroach sitting there.

 
Michael Winner

This year, I wrote on his box “100% cockroach free!  Trust me.” and I placed a small plastic mouse on the bottom.  Can’t wait to receive the phone call by the end of Pesach.

Okay, on to Torah!

“Do not be a follower of the majority for evil; and do not respond to a grievance by yielding to the majority to pervert the law” (Shemos 23:1)

I heard recently a small dvar Torah brought up on this pasuk, in regards to the current societal situation we’re living in.  I’m hearing more and more pieces of strange, new, and sick levels of what’s considered acceptable and what’s not considered acceptable in the US.  One example I heard is the NFL is threatening Texas, never to allow a Super Bowl to be played there.  Why?  It seems Texas wants to code in law that public restrooms/dressing rooms are to be used according to a person’s gender that they were born with.  So, if a man feels like a woman and dresses up as one, according to the NFL, he should be given free access to the women’s restrooms and dressing rooms.  I’m being told that this is considered to be normal in many social circles in the US.  G-d help you all.

With this pasuk, the Torah tells us that we are not a society that bends according to the direction of social winds.  We have laws and beliefs that are immovable.  What is wrong, remains wrong.  What is right, remains right.  We have court systems to determine all the grey areas in practical application.  However, when the Torah lays down a system of clear-cut beliefs, we don’t sway from them, even if a majority of people believe in it. And it is because we have staunchly stood by these beliefs that we have continued to remain a nation for so many thousands of years.  May we continue to remain strong in those (now) unpopular beliefs and norms.

Have a great Shabbos!

A certain 3-year-old was having a small nuclear meltdown the other day. In the middle of his crying and screaming, the baby (known as “Mr. Shmooshers”) started impersonating the tones of the screaming. He did it so well, the even Mr. 3-Year-Old, realized that the baby was “making fun of him,” to which he immediately responded with, “DIE BABY, DIE!”

No matter how long I’m here for, it’s still hard to get it in my brain that “die” means “stop” in Hebrew . . .

Okay, on to Torah!
The first thing that we learn following the famous Ten Commandments is this week’s parsha which goes into great detail concerning financial law and property law, amongst other things.

Rav Avidor Miller wrote, “The Ten Commandments is the heart of our Torah, and it is like the Midrash that compares the Torah to an important matron; whenever she goes out in public, she is escorted before her and after her by noblemen. This escort is what indicates the matron’s importance. So too, the Torah is escorted by judgment, this is what enhances the importance of the Ten Commandments.

"Idealism is fine, but idealism without practical application will never be sustained. Idealism without legalism will never endure. The idealistic aspects of the Torah are not enough; it must be cloaked within the mantle of the law”.

I remember years ago speaking to somebody, and he explained to me his view on Judaism, “I believe in the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law.”

I never understood that . . . if you ignore the letter of the law, how do you understand the spirit of the law?

Years ago, I was learning Bava Kama (which deals with monetary law). Unfortunately, we only completed half of it. More unfortunately, I don’t remember it. FORTUNATELY, though, I learned that Bava Kamma is one of the life-changing things to learn, even if you are not learning out all the relevant halachos. Why? Because it makes you think before you do anything. Throughout the whole year, everything I started seeing, I started to think, “Is this legal? Is this proper? Whose responsibility is it?”

When you stick a political sticker on somebody’s wall, you are in fact damaging it. When you drive (and I can’t believe people do this) and your children are not buckled and standing on the back seat leaning forward, and G-d forbid something should happen to them . . . YOU are FULLY responsible, and should not be crying, “Why did this happen to me?” This is even for small things with good intentions.

In Jerusalem, it became a “custom” for people to hang or permanently attach tzedakah boxes to bus stops. Then one day, the government took them down (I think with a warning, I can’t remember), took all the money, and put it into one government charity fund. Of course, people were up in arms, but let’s ask the big question: Who says it was halachically legal to attach your tzedakah box to the bus stop?

We learn, “It has been told to you, O Man, what is good and what Hashem asks of you – to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk secretly with Hashem” (Micah 6:8). The first thing on the list is to do justice.

If you do not understand the basics of what belongs to whom, who has responsibility for what, etc., then you have no way of becoming a greater person. Before taking an action that might have an effect on another person, one must thing carefully, and ask proper authorities if such a thing is halachically acceptable.

I would like to finish up with a little bit more of Rav Miller: “Mesillas Yesharim, Chovos Halvavos, Orcahs Tzaddikim (books on ‘self-improvement’) are all fine and good, but one needs to know what to do not to damage his fellow man. A pious ignoramus full of idealism and good intentions – there is no telling the amount of damage he can contrive against his fellow man because he is not learned.”

The more one familiarizes himself with monetary and property laws, the more he becomes aware of other people, and the more he becomes aware of other people, the bigger tzaddik he can become.

Have a great Shabbos!

Michael Winner

You can tell that the election season is nearing with all the ads coming out for this party or that.

In the US, things are relatively boring. You have Republicans, Democrats, and a few Independents. Everybody, politicians and citizens alike, tend to stay with “their” party, and that’s it.

In Israel, you have a few “old time” parties such as Likud and Labour, but being “old time” doesn’t equal being powerful. Every election brings us new parties and politicians are constantly moving around as well.

Last election we saw the “Pirateem” (The Pirate Party—a European-based party, I believe), and a few years before that, we saw the “Pensioner” Party, whose sole goal was to gain the votes of old people to get more money and benefits for them. This year, somebody decorated their home with posters from what I thought was the “K’Chalon” Party (“Like a Window” Party . . . you know . . . everything they do is visible to everybody), until somebody told me “Kachlon” is somebody’s name.

And because each party gets seats according to how many votes they receive, you never know who’s going to end up in the Knesset and who will end up in the ruling coalition.

Far more entertaining than the US system!

Okay, on to Torah!
Note: This is a dvar torah to learn out a concept, not to learn practical halachah, so always ask your rav what to do in such a situation.

“After the majority, you shall follow” (Shemos 23:2)

This pasuk is clearly talking about concerning following the majority of sages in a Jewish court. If there is a difference of opinion in a court, you go after the majority.

However, there is another application used with this pasuk.

Let’s say you have a bowl into which three pieces of meat fell ACCIDENTALLY; two of them are super-kosher and one of them is super-pig. However, you don’t know which piece is which. According to the Torah, this mixture is considered kosher.

There is a disagreement between the Rosh and the Rashba (halachic commentators) if one is allowed to eat them together at once or if one can eat only one piece at a time.

According to the Rashba (for reasons too complicated to get into), there is a rabbinic enactment saying that one cannot eat them at once. Rather, one can only eat from one piece at I time, and he will have the mindset of “THIS piece is kosher, the non-kosher piece is one of the other two.”

The Rosh on the other hand brings in the pasuk, “After the majority, you shall follow.” According to this line of thinking, the Rosh rules that one is allowed to take little pieces from each piece and eat them together at once. Why? Because the Torah ruled that if this is the majority that is the end of the discussion; the entire mixture is completely kosher! This is probably one of the few, perhaps the only, case where you will be able to eat kosher pig.

In the end the Shulchan Oruch and the Rema both side with the Rashba. However, the Rema says that in a time where there would be some form of loss, one can rely on the Rosh.

We see that the Torah gives power to the majority, even going so far to make pig kosher!

Michael Winner

“And he sent the youths of the children of Israel and they offered burnt offerings” (Shemos 24:5)

To “seal” the covenant between the Jewish nation and Hashem, Moshe had the “youths” of Israel offer burnt offerings. The Ramban explains that these “youths” were young men who never sinned, since “they are the choicest and holiest members of the nation.”

Once, the Prime Minister of Israel wished to meet with Rav Shach to discuss an important matter with him. A member of the Prime Minister’s office wished to set up the appointment on a certain date and time. Rav Shach apologized and explained that he would not be able to meet at that time, since it was already booked with another important meeting. Needless to say, the office of the Prime Minister was not happy with, what they that was, a snub.

A few months later, a member of the Prime Minister’s office was visiting a religious family whom he was friendly with. They were discussing their son’s bar mitzvah which took place a month or so earlier. They happened to mention that they even went to Rav Shach to get his blessings for success. As the conversation continued, this person started to get a weird feeling. He began asking certain questions and then found out that the reason Rav Shach could not meet with the Prime Minister was because he had a more important meeting with a bar mitzvah boy!

He returned to the office the next day and said, “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. This man lives in a different world, one that is beyond our comprehension!”

Have a great Shabbos!

Michael Winner

My apologies for last week. My health was not at its best.

At nights, I work for two companies. One is run by two Brits and one is run by two New Yorkers. I’ve been working for them for years now and enjoy a good friendship with all of them. One gives me free internet service and a VOIP line (part of the work I do) and one just sent me a package of tea from England, since I’m running out and can’t stand non-English tea. All in all, I work well with them and enjoy my work with them.

However…

Working with New Yorkers takes its toll. Last week, things were getting stressful and one of our new sites was leaked to the public before we had a chance to make sure it’s working. We had over a thousand signups within a few hours, and I was rushing to fix things on the fly. Being so, I would take phone calls from within the company and hear their complaints about this or that. I would reply with something like, “I’m on it” and then hang up on them. I NEVER used to hang up on people. It’s not the nicest thing to do.

When I spoke with my boss about it the other day and how the New Yorkishness is having a negative effect on me, he tried to defend New York and say it really wasn’t THEIR fault or anything…

So, I hung up on him.
Okay, on to Torah!

“Two and a half amos shall be its length, an amah and a half its width and an amah and a half its height” (Shemos 25:10)

The Ba’al HaTurim notes that the measurements of the Aaron (the ark that carried the Ten Commandments, made ‘famous’ by “Raiders of the Lost Ark”), are all in half units. He explains that anybody who wishes to be successful in their learning, must break and humble themselves. A person who is haughty, might successfully gain raw knowledge of the Torah, but they will never incorporate it into their ‘system’.

Every year, different locals hold competitions for children in their area on who can learn and memorize the most mishnayos. Each year would produce children who were able to memorize dozens of mishnayos and repeat them and understand them without difficulty. One of my chavrusas once told me that somebody did an informal study on what happened to some of the winners of these competitions. Where are they holding years later in yeshivah? He found out that they weren’t anything special. One would think, with the ability to memorize mishnayos, a person’s ability to understand the Gemara would be far greater. However, these are kids. They did it for the prizes or the attention. They didn’t learn with the correct intentions (they ARE kids after all, certainly this is not an attack on these competitions), and therefore they were unable to digest their learning and incorporate it into their lives.

May we all see success from our hard work in learning.

Immediately after receiving the Torah at Sinai, we delve into the mundane halachos of “money matters”. One would think that right after such a holy event, we would move onto deep philosophical issues.

The Chazon Ish, in Sefer Emunah U’Bitachon, writes that it’s impossible for a person to develop himself spiritually without understanding and nurturing himself with halacha, Jewish law. He gives an example of a group of teachers who are upset over the opening of a new school in their area. They mistakenly think that it is wrong for somebody to open a new school, where there is one already, which in turn will endanger their livelihood. However, in the case of schools, the Gemara states (Bava Basra 21b), “envy of Torah scholars increases wisdom”, and the opening of new schools will only serve for the good. If these teachers were to protest, even though they are attempting to protect their livelihood, they would be going against halacha. Conversely, in the case of businesses, the opposite would be true.

When I was in university, somebody came over to me and asked me if I knew the laws of Nazirus (where a person takes an oath to abstain from wine, grows his hair long, etc… to separate himself from this word and focus solely on the spiritual… a whole dvar torah unto itself). Now, this person was very interesting. He wore a small kippah, ate non-kosher food (he held it was kosher), and was completely self “educated”, never once did he enter a yeshiva, and did not have a rav to speak to. A VERY interesting person. And before we continue, let me note: he was single.

I told him that I knew very little about it. Nonetheless, he decided to ask his question. “I decided to take upon myself the ‘nazarite vow’ again for 30 days, and I want to know if one has to refrain from relations during that time”.

Silence.

I don’t think even the birds chirped at such a question, coming from a NON MARRIED person who wished to “become a nazarite”.

I responded saying, that I don’t knw, but at the same time, since we don’t have a Beis HaMikdash, I don’t think it’s possible to become a real nazir. He assured me that I was wrong and went on his merry way.

I doubt he’s ‘religious’ today, but he serves as a good example. How many areas in Jewish law are we ignorant in? How many mitzvos are we not doing appropriately? I’m not talking stringencies… I’m talking basics. How will it look in the next world when we see all the mitzvos we did, were done incorrectly, only because we failed to learn properly?

By spending some time every day learning halacha, we will be able to perform our mitzvos more appropriately, and in some unfortunate cases, we can actually start to do them properly. With this, says the Chazon Ish, we will be spared the embarrassment after 120 years, of seeing our lives being led in error.

Have a great Shabbos!

If you were to ask my daughter what a television or movie is, she’ll have no idea. Ask her what a computer is, and she’ll tell you it’s something her parents use for work. Ask her about Disney or some other cartoon; she’ll give you a blank stare.

While I grew up with television and movies, she’s growing up in a Torah environment. Not only does it shape the personality, but it shapes the sense of humour as well.

One night, I told Rochel Leah to put on pajama pants and socks since it was very cold in the apartment. As she was getting dressed, she hikes up her white socks over her pants and says with a devilish grin, “Look Abba! I’m Chassidish!”

Frum humour. I love it!

Okay, on to Torah!
An excellent question is asked on this week’s parsha. One would think that after the experience at Sinai, the parsha following it would contain things for those on a very high spiritual level. Instead, we are bombarded with a parsha full of monetary and criminal halachos (laws). Why move from Sinai to something so mundane?

The Ramban hints to the fact that these minute laws give us the ability to keep those mitzvos that we received on Mt. Sinai. They are the basic “building blocks” for one’s neshama.

In order for anybody to move up the spiritual ladder of life, he needs to be well grounded in halacha to know exactly what is expected of him to do. I saw recently in the Aruch HaShulchan (Hilchos Talmid Torah 246:17) that a person who is working with little time to learn, should not use his time in Gemara, but rather in halacha.

I’ve been very thankful to be able to sit and learn throughout the day. Many times have I been forced to reconsider positions that held previously in halacha and hashkafah (Jewish outlook), simply because I’m actually learning properly, rather than learning by hearsay.

Recently, we learned the source of a certain halacha. While I was in the States, I was always under the impression from other people that those who kept this “stringency” were simply going beyond halacha. Now, I’m a tad wiser, and I understand that those few who kept that “stringency” were really keeping the halacha properly. It was everybody else who was relying on a leniency in halacha. A well-based leniency - but a leniency nonetheless.

An uneducated or partially-educated Jew will usually make a yardstick for himself with him in the middle. Anybody on the left of him is not as religious. Anybody on the right of him is a fanatic. An educated Jew will take the Torah as the yardstick. With proper knowledge of basic halacha in all areas of Torah, he is able to properly gauge where he is holding in life. He understands what the law is, what the leniencies and stringencies are, and when they are applicable. He will have a far better grasp on what Hashem wants of him and will be able to grow to spiritual heights that he would never had been able to achieve without this basic knowledge.

With this, I wish you all a great Shabbos!

Boys are fun. Now, granted compared to girls, they're pretty dumb creatures, but their ability to appreciate violence is something that needs to be respected.

Recently, Chaim has discovered my wife's garlic presser, which, in his eyes, makes a great set of numb chucks. Look, a wall! WHACK! Look, the floor! WHACK! Look, Rochel Leah's head! WHACK!

And he does it with a big smile on his face as if he's made the greatest discovery on earth.

It reminds me of a friend of mine when his oldest was around 5 years old. This boy comes from very calm parents. No television. No radio. No internet. Basically, no access to the concept of violence. Yet, when he saw a neat looking bug one day, he said, "Look Abba, a bug! Can I squish it?"

Men are men and boys are boys.

Okay, on to Torah!
For the past six months, our yeshiva has been learning Bava Kamma, which is the tractate in the Talmud (Gemara) that deals with damages. When is a person obligated to pay for damages? How much does he pay? What are the circumstances? Etc, etc...

A lot of Bava Kamma is based off of this week's parsha. People think that when the Torah is speaking of an ox goring an ox, it has no relevance to today's society. But, just learning the first two pages of Bava Kamma, changes that. You see clearly that when it says ox, it doesn't just mean literally an ox, but each part of the damage done (how it gored, who is gored, when it gored, where it gored, it’s history), represents different aspects of a case of damages.

Last Shabbos, I had a realization that changed how I looked at learning. Right now, our learning does not focus on halacha in modern day; we focus more on the Gemara. I try to follow up in the Shulchan Oruch over Shabbos, but we spend our time focused on the Gemara and some commentaries. For years I've wondered about learning Gemara without following through with the relevant halchos. How does it help you become a better Jew?

Over the past several months, I've noticed that I've become more sensitive to the topics brought up in Bava Kamma in our world. When you see people driving irresponsibly, when you see political stickers placed in public and private (other's) property, tzeddakah boxes molded onto bus stops (while it's a nice idea, I'm pretty sure it's completely forbidden), etc..., you begin to think how the Gemara thinks. You realize that you start thinking about questions that others have obviously not thought of.

I've always heard that a Ben Torah needs to internalize his learning. But how does one do that if he's learning only Gemara?

After a bit I realized that it IS possible. Even if you do not learn the actual laws, the more you learn a subject and try to internalize it, the more sensitive you become to that subject. Perhaps, you won't know the final halacha in a given situation, but you will begin to think about all the ideas of that situation.

In the case of Bava Kamma, the underlying message is: Be Responsible. The more you internalize it, the more your actions will be preceded with thoughts of, "Will this harm somebody else", "Is this dangerous?", "Can this damage something".

The Gemara (30a) says that if a person wants to be pious, he should learn Nizikin (damages), Brachos (Blessings/Davening), and Pirkei Avos. The Maharal writes that these three things represent the three "spheres" of a person's job in this world.

Brachos will help a person visa vie his relationship with Hashem. He will gain an appreciation for everything that Hashem has given him.

Avos will help a person with his relationship with himself. It helps him understand his mission in this world and how to view the world from a Torah perspective.

Nizikin (damages), will help a person with his relationship with other people. By constantly thinking about other people and their property, he becomes more sensitive to their needs.

If a person can internalize those three things, says the Gemara, he will be pious.

The key is to internalize. Not just learn it in a beis medresh. A person who will look at a case in the Gemara and say, "Of course he's obligated to pay for the damage he caused! He's a fool for putting himself in the situation in the first place!" and then later in the day a similar act of that which he condemned earlier, is an example of not internalizing it.

By internalizing our learning, even if it's not halacha, will help sensitize us to become better Jews.

Have a great Shabbos!

I was sitting in front of my computer the other night, on a ‘phone’ meeting with a client via Skype. I’m set up with a microphone and earphones so my wife shouldn’t be bothered too much by my talking. As we’re discussing some changes to a project, I notice two, long, stringy antenna pop over the top of my monitor, quickly followed by a two inch long cockroach.

What did my client hear at that time?

“What the… HOLY MOTHER!!! MALKA GET ME A CUP NOOOOOWWWWW!!!”

I quickly scooped it up and threw it out the window. Thankfully, my client lives in Israel and understands what an Israeli cockroach (even the non-flying kind) is like.

According to the Manly Manual of Manliness (2007 revised edition), even when a man has an alligator biting one arm, a snake wrapped around his leg, and a scorpion repeatedly biting him, it is absolutely forbidden for him to cry out in a womanly way. In fact, he is obligated to kill each creature with his bare hands while screaming in a manly way, and preferably make something useful out of their hides.

However, the manual continues and makes one exception: The Israeli Cockroach. In that case one is permitted under ANY circumstance to scream like a woman. No man is allowed to make fun of you if you do, for their size and hideousness are so evil.

And by the way… while I did let of a MANLY scream, I did not scream like a woman.

Okay, on to Torah!
"If a person steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it. He must pay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for the sheep" (Shemos 21:37)

Rashi comments that the reason that a thief must pay back less for a sheep compared to the ox, is because of the embarrassment he suffers for carrying the sheep.

I'm sure you're all questioning this right now. So let's go over it.

When a person steals an ox, he simply has to lead it away. Unless, he's the cockroach from my computer, he won't be able to put it on his back and carry it away. A sheep on the other hand, must be carried away, and running away with a sheep on your back can be quite embarrassing.

Rav Simcha Zissel commented that this is amazing thing. A thief is not known for being the most sensitive person around. Yet, he will still suffer a slight amount of embarrassment when he is running away with a sheep on his shoulders, and that embarrassment is considered to be a bit of a punishment in of itself.

Now imagine this. If that little bit of embarrassment has the power of taking away punishment, imagine the reward for the embarrassment somebody goes through for doing a mitzvah.

Many o'times, a person will stay away from doing a mitzvah because they will be made fun of by others. But that person should strengthen himself by reminding himself of the reward for doing a mitzvah under such circumstances. Imagine if a person was willing to give you $10,000 if you would allow them to make fun of you for an entire hour. You would do it! So, next time you feel uncomfortable doing a mitzvah in fear of others’ ridicule... just think of the reward you will receive in the future.

Have a great Shabbos!

This week's dvar torah is not for the faint of heart. Just a warning :)
Well, it's official: Israel's entire southern border with Egypt has been compromised. Israel is currently at one of its highest security alerts. The reason? Our dear Gaza friends, who have broken into Egypt, can now easily cross back into Israel, simply by walking through the fence that signifies the Israeli-Egyptian border.

And you know what? I really feel sorry for you folks. You're missing one heck of a show.

Let’s take a look at a few things.

Two years ago, the Israeli government destroyed the lives of thousands of families, by giving the Arabs, Gush Katif. As I hear it, American Jews have absolutely no concept of what the reality is here. Many probably have said, "Yes, that's terrible. But we must continue to support the State, since it's OURS and the only one we have".

Very nice.

What you probably don't know about is how it not only took away the jobs, property and homes of these people; but it destroyed families and lives. Divorce rates, family problems, unemployment, no homes... these are the things that the Gush Katif families have suffered through since they were kicked out. Before handing over, the government promised financial aid, homes, new communities, the ability to help the residents move, help finding new jobs, etc. None of that has occurred. The government took away their homes and possessions and left them with nothing but empty promises.

Imagine your shock if the Arabs did that instead of the Israeli government? Would you be looking at Gush Katif in the same way? I think not.

Now, Gush Katif is firmly in our enemies hands.

Let's talk about Sderot. Two years and going of constant rocket attack. Despite the fact that the government encouraged these people to move there, what are they doing to protect them?

Ignoring it. TWO YEARS of rocket attack and no help whatsoever for these people.

There were two small terrorist attacks nearby my neighborhood, where unfortunately, two border policemen were killed. One of them took place by the Arab neighborhood of Shuafat, which I just learned is technically a Palestinian Refugee Camp.

While Gush Katif residents are living in squander, Sderot residents are under constant rocket attack, Jerusalem residents daven that their city should not be split in half; Shuafat residents own beautiful homes, satellite dishes, and have free access within Israel.

Who helps pay for it? That's right, the government.

When the Shmittah year began, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the Rabbinate to certify certain fruits and vegetables as 'kosher' despite the fact that the Rabbinate thought the fruits were questionable at best. Since it's Shmittah and still many farmers do not keep Shmittah according to halacha, there will be a rise in prices for those who follow Jewish law in terms of fruits and vegetables, due to a lack of kosher supply. There was a push to allow more imports to offset these costs. However, the government felt differently and refused to allow more fruits and vegetables. Whether or not religious families would have to pay more for their basic needs is not the concern of the government.

Just this past week, a major frost hit Israel, destroying large amounts of crops. It’s pretty hard to find carrots, zucchinis, eggplant, etc. to buy, especially at a reasonable price. So, the government, after realizing that even they will suffer, has now decided that perhaps it's wise to allow imports after all.

The lesson: when Hashem wants something done, he gets it done. When you follow the Torah, no matter what the government may want to do, Hashem can easy go over their heads.

The point of this “rant” is to remind people, especially outside of Israel, of one thing. The ONLY one you can depend on is Hashem Himself. Many Americans still hold on to this belief that by 'supporting' Israel by going to protests, giving money to the government (which goes to the Shuafat Refugee Camp), and other assortment of things, they are actually helping Israel.

Well. They're not.

This week's parsha says, "For if you hearken to his voice and do all that I shall speak, then I shall be the enemy of your enemies and I shall oppress your oppressors. For My anger shall go before you and bring you to the Amorite, and the Hittite... and I will annihilate them."

I've said it before and it needs to be said more and more.

It's very easy to sit back when you live a life where the supermarket always has all the foods in the world, where you're not surrounded by people who want to kill you, and where one of your biggest concerns is who's going to win the Super bowl. It's easy to lose sense of what is going on in this world.

Thank G-d, when you are surrounded by people who do want to kill you, you don't always have all the food in the world (thank G-d there is food in the first place), where the government who is supposed to protect you is helping the enemy in nearly every way possible; you begin to be very much aware of Hashem's hand and the importance of being careful in your mitzvah observance.

We are living in trying times. Some people can see it, some cannot. Those who can see it understand what can be done about it.

While you watch the news every night and "tsk" or even get mad at what is going on in Israel, know one thing: There is a LOT more going on then you think and quite often who you think is your friend is really your enemy.

With this in mind, if anybody is taking what I say to heart, if you want to help out those living in Israel, you can do the following things:

1. Take on an additional mitzvah that you have not been doing or improve upon one that you are lax in. If you're not making it to davening on time, make it a point to improve on that. If you're not careful in dressing in a proper manner, do so. If you don't wear tzitzis, do so. Cut down on your loshon horah. The list is endless. There is no reason that each individual can find something tailored to him.

2. Work on your emunah, your faith. Next time you hear the local news about Israel being discussed, don't even think of saying: "Well, I think Israel should do this or do that" or "It's all the Arabs fault". Both of these statements are ridiculous and have no basis in emunah. As said above, the government has no power. They could do whatever they want. If we are not on the proper spiritual level as we should, it will only be for the worse. In terms of the Arabs, Hashem has directed them against us, BECAUSE OF US.

I have no doubt in the world, since I've seen it here on a smaller scale, many times, with many different people; working on your relationship with Hashem is the ONLY way to improve the situation for the Jewish people as a whole, and certainly for those living under fire.

If you want to say, "That's nice, but you need to do hishtadlus (make a conceited effort), by supporting the State in it's time of need with financial and emotional support, because they are the only country we have".

Well... I don't think the former residents of Gush Katif would agree with you.

Ahhhh….

This Sunday night marks the beginning of the month of Adar, the month of Purim. This will be followed by Nissan which carries Pesach.

Even more meaningful in some ways, is this the time when Eretz Yisroel begins to bloom again, with warmer weather, longer days, lots more sun, and a more festive atmosphere. This begins the time of the year where I praise Eretz Yisroel left, right, and center, annoying all who come in my way. Just a warning for the coming months…
This week's parsha contains a myriad of different halachos, ranging from the laws of slavery to the laws of Shmittah (not planting in Eretz Yisroel every seventh year). The core of this week's parsha is contained in its name: Judgment.

Rav Avigdor Miller notes that in last week's parsha, right before the giving of the Torah, Yisro advices Moshe on how to set up a proper judicial system to disseminate, clarify, and render halacha. Hence, the giving of the Torah is surrounded by the concept judgment and legalism.

"Idealism is fine, but idealism without practical application will never be sustained. Idealism without legalism will never endure. The idealistic aspects of the Torah are not enough; it must be cloaked within the mantle of the law", says Rav Miller.

The first piece of Gemara a child usually learns is the first chapter of Bava Kama, which deals with the laws of damages. In it describes how and when a person becomes liable to pay for damages, and consequently how much he is liable. In it, we also learn that when it comes down to a man doing damage to another man or his property, there is no such thing as "I didn't mean it". The law is clear; he must pay, no matter what his intentions are.

With this we see the importance of understanding halacha in a practical sense; along with the importance of rendering judgment.

Micah The Prophet stated, "It has been told to you, O Man, what is good and what Hashem asks of you - to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk secretly with Hashem" (Micah 6:8)

What is the first thing that Micah states? To do justice.

In Judaism, there is no concept of "I believe in the spirit of the law more than the letter of the law"

A person has to know and understand halacha in order to apply Torah in their everyday lives. A person, who has ideals, yet has no idea on how to properly apply those ideals can be quite dangerous to himself and society around him.

A beautiful example came from a conversation I once had with a person, who was very proud to be called a "Peace-loving Liberal". He asked me how killing off senior Hamas members is allowed, since the Ten Commandments clearly state: "Thou shall not kill".

First, I explained that he was incorrect, and that it was "Thou shall not murder". Then I began to explain the different areas where the Torah allows one to kill in order to save lives. He didn't quite get it.

So, I offered several examples, the last being the most potent.

“If you worked for the CIA and knew for a 100% fact that terrorists were going to hijack several planes and fly them into the World Trade Center, killing thousands of people, and you knew exactly where these terrorists are, would you kill them first?”

Within a split-second, he responded: “No. They didn't do anything wrong, yet”

This is idealism without judgment and law.

The Gemara, Shulchan Oruch, Mishnah Brurah, and a host of other books, contain the laws that a Jew needs to know and apply in everyday life. What does Hashem want from us? To know and follow these halachos, whether or not we understand the root reasons.

It's good to know that it's important not to kill, for example. But it's equally important to know all the details, including when you can, and when you are obligated to do so. Being ignorant of halacha can be dangerous.

We should all take to heart the underlying message of this week’s parsha: Try to study and apply halacha every day.

With that, I wish everybody an excellent Shabbos!

I heard a good line the other day. It seems that one of the guys in the yeshiva has a bed sheet that says “Bed” all over it. Rabbi Rosenthal said in jest that this particular boy was so holy that he needed the word ‘Bed’ printed on his bed, so he knew what it was; hinting that he stays up all night learning, never touching his bed. Another guy, Yudi Goldman (he deserves credit), then remarked, “Well, I guess that’s why my Gemara says ‘Gemara’ on it”

Okay, on to Torah!

“He shall make restitution; if he has nothing then he shall be sold for his theft” (Shemos 22:2)

This week’s parsha contains the laws concerning the punishment for theft. The Gedolim have taught us that one can learn how to properly serve Hashem (Avodas Hashem) from anything in the world. Including the thief.

Rav Bunim of Peshischa felt that there were three lessons to be learned from the thief. The first is that the thief is not lazy. Nothing stops him. Not the weather, nor the difficulty of his ‘mission’. Plus, in order to properly carry out his mission, he must be extremely resourceful, which is impossible to do if one is lazy.

The second is the thief never gives up. He is constantly trying. If he is unsuccessful at picking a lock, he’ll try again. If he’s still unsuccessful, he’ll continue to try until he gets it right.

Thirdly, the thief does not care about the size of his target. He’ll grab any chance that comes his way.

The Mezritcher Maggid adds a few more lessons to be learned.

A thief always works at night. While others are sitting around relaxing, the thief is at constant work. Also, due to the nature of his work, he sometimes needs to work together with other thieves, making trust between friends invaluable. Finally, the thief loves his work. It’s enjoyable, it’s a challenge, and it can be very rewarding.

The last lesson that can be learned was said in the name of the Gaon of Gastonin, who said, the thief does not only know how to steal, he actually does steal! He does not simply know his trade and not put it into practice; he puts every ounce of knowledge to work in order to be successful.

From the thief alone, we have learned seven lessons that can be incorporated into our Avodas Hashem. 1) We are not to be lazy 2) Never give up. Always keep trying 3) Grab any mitzvah that comes your way 4) The night is an opportune time to learn Torah, while others are wasting their time in front of the television 5) Always have friends who you can trust and rely on 6) Love being a Jew and all that it entails 7) Don’t just learn things, put them into practice. A Jew cannot be a proper Jew with knowledge alone. He must put all his energies into his ‘profession’.

With that, I wish you all a great Shabbos!