Tetzaveh

We have local elections next week and this time, not only did my wife and I receive our voting papers, so did my oldest daughter.  What a weird, weird feeling.  It's strange how your children can get older, yet you feel just as immature as ever ….

"You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly" (Shemos 20: 2).

Rav Chaim Erentroy wrote that if one had two cups of oil, both with the same colouring, same taste, same level of purity, there is still one thing that will make it kosher only for certain offerings or will make it kosher for the Menorah.  If the oil was crushed by hand or if it was crushed in a mill.  If by a mill, it's kosher for offerings. If by hand, it's kosher for the Menorah.

The Menorah is often deemed the symbol of Torah knowledge.  Just as light pushes away darkness, so does Torah.  The Menorah itself, is a vessel which holds the oil, and the oil itself is what lights up the world.

From the above pasuk, we learn two halachos regarding this oil. 

The first halacha is that it must be pure, with no foreign substances involved.  I would personally think that this has two meanings.

The first is that when Torah is learned, it cannot be learned "in relation to modern day and modern man."  We don't go to the outside world and see how it relates to Torah and how Torah relates to it.  We don't need to bring in modern societal issues and see if we can "learn out" of the Torah ways to support the latest political or societal fad.  Any learning of Torah must be clean of such things.  Torah is learned within its own framework, and when there is a political or social issue that comes up, we will know what the Torah itself says, not what we think/want the Torah to say.

Another meaning could be that as individuals, we need to be pure from outside influences. I know that this example is a bit extreme, but it makes my point.  A have a good friend who makes the boxes for Tefillin.  He has a very good name for himself, and if you want to buy from him, you need to contact him three years in advance.  Several years ago, he took some courses on writing Tefillin as well.  Not so much to do it as a business, but because many people will bring the parchments to him and ask him if he thinks it's worth the money being charged.  He said that while he can see from the writing if it's good enough, one must be very careful on choosing WHO is writing the Tefillin.  He knew somebody that listened to Madonna while writing them!  Not exactly a "pure" thing to do while doing such holy work.

We are no different in our learning and our mitzvos.  When we allow non-Torah ideas into our souls, we cannot be surprised that we are not so successful with our spiritual endeavors.

Another halacha that we learn from the pasuk is that the oil must be crushed by hand and not by another other process.  A person can become rich by not lifting a finger.  He can win the lottery, inherit money, marry somebody rich …. However, Torah is not like that.  Perhaps a person can be born into a family and have certain tools at his disposal that others might not have.  Nonetheless, he must still use those tools and toil if he wishes to be successful.  Even a person who is naturally intelligent and can grasp Torah quickly, still does not spiritually "acquire" it until he works hard on it and internalizes it.  If you want to grow spiritually, you need to work hard for it and earn it.

With these thoughts, I wish you a quiet Shabbos.

Ten weeks ago, the wife of one of the rabbeim in my yeshiva in Yerushaliyim had a sudden heart attack and was left in a coma-like state.  Naturally, it's been a living hell for her husband.  Anybody who knows them, knows that they are a couple that have a very close bond with each other.

Unfortunately, there is not much for many of us to do.  Thankfully, all his children are grown up, and are able to take care of themselves and also take turns at the hospital.  However, an idea came up and I asked him if he wanted to, he can come up north and I would rent a car and take him to see "Rebbe Dovid," the grandson of the Baba Sali, who has a very good "track record" with brachos.  He readily accepted, and this Monday, I picked him up at the train station in Nahariya.  We went to Rebbe Dovid, both received brachos (I'm certainly not going to waste such an opportunity), drove to Meron to daven mincha (of course we spiritually prepared ourselves by eating shwarma, the most spiritual food in this world), followed by the old cemetery in Tzvat, where we davened at the graves of the Beis Yosef (author of the Shulchan Oruch) and the Arizal (I'll try to post a photo I took at the end of the Dvar Torah).

To hear such pain in a person is very difficult to do.  Especially somebody who you have an ongoing relationship with and who has helped you in the past.  The first words he told me when I picked him up from the train was, "I never knew what a Bal Yisurim (a person who suffers) was until now."  And I know that he's been through a lot before.  But to have, literally, your second half, lying on a bed in such a state, not knowing what will be?  It's something I cannot, nor really want to, imagine.

We should not know of such things.

So, if we can learn in the merit of Chaya Ariella bas Fanny Tzipporah, it would greatly be appreciated.

"Man is born to toil" (Job 5:7).

Rav Yaakov Meir Schecter, as we quoted last week, wrote on the importance of having the correct view in life.  Most people, when asked why they work so hard to make money, will reply so that when they are older (or even sooner) they will have enough to retire and to relax for the rest of their lives.

The Torah view takes the opposite approach.  We don't work to rest, we rest to work.

Right in the beginning of the Torah we are taught that we have six days to work and one day to rest.  And that day is a "recharger," for the upcoming week.  It's not the "end all be all."

The Midrash says that when Avraham was living in Mesopotamia, he saw the people relaxing, and he asked "Let my portion not be in this land" and when he arrived In Eretz Yisroel and saw the people working the land, he asked, "Let my portion be in this land."

However, as Jews, our work isn't the "work" of the rest of the world.  Hashem did not put me on Earth to write code for programs.  He did not put my friend on the planet in order to "better it" by installing and fixing electrical systems.  That's not the primary function of the Jew.  Our primary work is obviously to toil in Torah and mitzvos.

Our work, which we make money from, is just that, it allows us to live in this world.

However, it does not necessarily mean that it's not holy.  Even our work can be holy and we can earn plenty of merit with it.   When my friend rushes shortly before Shabbos to fix somebody's electric outage, he's doing a great mitzvah of chessed and of Shabbos for another family.  A doctor who helps heal people, obviously, it's a great mitzvah.  Even a programmer, who's programs are used by others can gain merit, by simply being honest in his work.

Even beyond that, you have another level that one can turn "regular work" into holy work.

Simply ask yourself: why are you working?  If you're working to save money to retire early and relax, then it seems that there's no mitzvah involved.  If you're working in order that you can learn the hour or so that you have available, or in order to send your children to school to receive a proper Jewish education, or in order to give out the money you make to tzedakah, then you are making your "regular work," "holy work."

If a mother is a "stay-at-home" mother, she is to receive tons of merit in raising her children according to the Torah.  Unfortunately, many might look down on such women, but what is their basis for such an attitude?  Certainly not in the Torah.

By simply recalibrating our attitudes towards the work we do, we can turn a daily eight-hour mundane period, in to an eight-hour period where we actually receive reward.

I remember when I was living in Chicago, somebody once spoke on this concept.  He said that if a person (is able to and) learns Torah in the morning before work and learns in the evening after work, on a constant basis, using those time periods properly, he can "demand" from Hashem reward for the period in between which he was working.  Why?  He is showing Hashem that he WANTS to toil in Torah throughout the day, however, he needs to support his family, so he has no choice but to "take a break" to do so.  If he did not need to, he would of course use even THAT time to sit and learn!

Something to think about, no?

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Every once in a while, one receives special Assistance from Above in learning, however, for me it happens only during weird occasions.

In the afternoon, I’m learning a Gemara that deals a lot with the holidays.  The Rosh Kollel, who sits behind me and is learning the same Gemara, leaned over and said, “They say that the aggadatah (non-halachic parts of the Gemara) in a specific tractate are all somehow connected to the theme of the tractate itself.  So, how does the aggadatah you are currently learning, apply to the holidays?”

So, what was the particular piece?  The Gemara (Beitza 32b) says that there are three people whose lives aren’t considered lives: 1) a person who is totally dependent on another for his income, 2) a person whose whole body is in pain, and 3) a person whose wife rules over him.

Somehow, I received my Heavenly Assistance, and  was able to answer him on the spot: “Simple!  The Gemara is speaking of a husband on Erev Pesach!  1) He has no more money, 2) his whole body is in pain, and 3) his wife rules over him.

I got a big smile for that one.

“And I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel” (Shemos 29:45). 

The Gemara (Megillah 29a) says that even when the Jewish nation went into exile, G-d's presence went with them, dwelling in shuls and study halls.  The Gemara in Berachos (8a) relates that Hashem has no place in this world outside the “four cubits of the law, ” being houses of study.

The shul and beis medrash have always held a central role in Jewish life.  There are many different halachos that go into how to respect such buildings; what you are allowed to do inside and what you are not allowed to do;  where you can build it and how you can build it, etc.  However, there is another aspect of respect which, unfortunately, is a worldwide problem (perhaps not for the Sphardim, to their credit), which is the concept of coming on time to davening and learning.

It’s known (and I don’t have the source on me), that the first ten people of a minyan get the credit for the entire minyan.  I also saw in the Pela Yoetz, that it’s a segula for long life to be the first person to come.  I saw somewhere (sorry…don’t have that source either), that the reason for this is that when the second person comes, he sees the first and it gives him inner strength to stay and start davening himself.  And as the minyan grows, the strength of each individual grows, which all is credited to the first person.

Unfortunately, my choices of minyamim are rather limited.  And every Ashkenazi minyan suffers from this problem here.  Half the year I end up davening at a sphardi minyan because of this issue (the other half I cannot, since they daven before sunrise, which in itself is a problem halachically, if you have no pressing need to). 

When one walks into a shul that begins at 7:30 a.m., for example, and it’s full of people already with their tallis and tefillin, it brings honor not only to the members of the minyan, but also to the shul itself.  It shows that we care about it.  And the opposite is true as well.  When one walks in and sees only 4 people davening, and the rest will show up in another 5-10 minutes…

What’s even worse is what it teaches the younger generation.  It’s a known rule in Jewish education: What you consider to be “b’dieved” (not ideal), they consider to be “lechatchilla” (ideal).  So when you come late every day to davening, don’t expect them to come on time or even at the same time as you.  They will come even later!  I have witnessed this way too many times for my liking.

So, perhaps, starting this Shabbos, if we feel that we are being a bit negligent in this area, we can get up a bit earlier and come to davening on time.  Not only will it be good for you and your children, but it will bring real honor to the entire community.

As a note, and a possible suggestion: I have only one chavrusa (study partner); that’s my 10-year-old son.  He’s not a “Mr. Learner," who likes to sit and read books, but he’s doing well, and I consider him to be an normal kid, with a good head on his shoulders.  For the past year, he has been waking up Shabbos morning nice and early to come learn with me in shul 30 minutes before davening.  He gets a cup of coffee (decaf) as his "reward" to make him feel like a "big man," and we go over what he learned that week.  Then, he’s there from the beginning of davening to the end.  What will be in his future, when he’s on his own?  That will be up to him.  At least, I can honestly say that I’m doing my job trying to educate him in this way.  And with this setup, not only is he being trained, but we’re spending time together, and he knows and feels that he’s doing something special, since nobody else is doing what he’s doing.

Have a great Shabbos!

Every once in a while, one receives special Assistance from Above in learning, however, for me it happens only during weird occasions.

In the afternoon, I’m learning a Gemara that deals a lot with the holidays.  The Rosh Kollel, who sits behind me and is learning the same Gemara, leaned over and said, “They say that the aggadatah (non-halachic parts of the Gemara) in a specific tractate are all somehow connected to the theme of the tractate itself.  So, how does the aggadatah you are currently learning, apply to the holidays?”

So, what was the particular piece?  The Gemara (Beitza 32b) says that there are three people whose lives aren’t considered lives: 1) a person who is totally dependent on another for his income, 2) a person whose whole body is in pain, and 3) a person whose wife rules over him.

Somehow, I received my Heavenly Assistance, and  was able to answer him on the spot: “Simple!  The Gemara is speaking of a husband on Erev Pesach!  1) He has no more money, 2) his whole body is in pain, and 3) his wife rules over him.

I got a big smile for that one.

“And I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel” (Shemos 29:45). 

The Gemara (Megillah 29a) says that even when the Jewish nation went into exile, G-d's presence went with them, dwelling in shuls and study halls.  The Gemara in Berachos (8a) relates that Hashem has no place in this world outside the “four cubits of the law, ” being houses of study.

The shul and beis medrash have always held a central role in Jewish life.  There are many different halachos that go into how to respect such buildings; what you are allowed to do inside and what you are not allowed to do;  where you can build it and how you can build it, etc.  However, there is another aspect of respect which, unfortunately, is a worldwide problem (perhaps not for the Sphardim, to their credit), which is the concept of coming on time to davening and learning.

It’s known (and I don’t have the source on me), that the first ten people of a minyan get the credit for the entire minyan.  I also saw in the Pela Yoetz, that it’s a segula for long life to be the first person to come.  I saw somewhere (sorry…don’t have that source either), that the reason for this is that when the second person comes, he sees the first and it gives him inner strength to stay and start davening himself.  And as the minyan grows, the strength of each individual grows, which all is credited to the first person.

Unfortunately, my choices of minyamim are rather limited.  And every Ashkenazi minyan suffers from this problem here.  Half the year I end up davening at a sphardi minyan because of this issue (the other half I cannot, since they daven before sunrise, which in itself is a problem halachically, if you have no pressing need to). 

When one walks into a shul that begins at 7:30 a.m., for example, and it’s full of people already with their tallis and tefillin, it brings honor not only to the members of the minyan, but also to the shul itself.  It shows that we care about it.  And the opposite is true as well.  When one walks in and sees only 4 people davening, and the rest will show up in another 5-10 minutes…

What’s even worse is what it teaches the younger generation.  It’s a known rule in Jewish education: What you consider to be “b’dieved” (not ideal), they consider to be “lechatchilla” (ideal).  So when you come late every day to davening, don’t expect them to come on time or even at the same time as you.  They will come even later!  I have witnessed this way too many times for my liking.

So, perhaps, starting this Shabbos, if we feel that we are being a bit negligent in this area, we can get up a bit earlier and come to davening on time.  Not only will it be good for you and your children, but it will bring real honor to the entire community.

As a note, and a possible suggestion: I have only one chavrusa (study partner); that’s my 10-year-old son.  He’s not a “Mr. Learner," who likes to sit and read books, but he’s doing well, and I consider him to be an normal kid, with a good head on his shoulders.  For the past year, he has been waking up Shabbos morning nice and early to come learn with me in shul 30 minutes before davening.  He gets a cup of coffee (decaf) as his "reward" to make him feel like a "big man," and we go over what he learned that week.  Then, he’s there from the beginning of davening to the end.  What will be in his future, when he’s on his own?  That will be up to him.  At least, I can honestly say that I’m doing my job trying to educate him in this way.  And with this setup, not only is he being trained, but we’re spending time together, and he knows and feels that he’s doing something special, since nobody else is doing what he’s doing.

Have a great Shabbos!

It was a hard week for the neighborhood where we used to live. Three women buried their mother, who was killed on the Bnei Brak bus crash a few days ago, and we were neighbors with the girl who is engaged to be married in 3 weeks, and is currently in the ICU in Tel Aviv.

She’s one of 11 children in the family (who are all very close) and all of them have turned out to be unbelievable people. My wife once asked the father what he did to merit having such children, and he gave a simple but important piece of advice: Always think ahead of what issues are going to come up, and speak it over with your spouse so you can both provide a strong, thought-out, united stance on that particular issue when it comes up. It’s one of those pieces of advice that my wife and I rely on quite often.

My wife spoke to the girl’s older sister last night, and of course, the sister was trying to make my wife feel better, instead of the other way around. She said that she was in such a bad situation when she was brought in, that her father had to give a DNA sample in order to identify her. Then they had to sever her hand and foot and reattach them. She’s in stable, but critical condition, but her sister insists that people need to continue to daven for Sarah bas Dina, and that they are seeing constant improvements in her heath.

Interesting to note: the boy who she is engaged to went to see Rav Chaim Kanievsky, one of the leading rabbeim in our generation, and who is credited for "miracles" in his brachos. Rav Kanievsky told the boy not to push off the wedding that’s scheduled in three weeks. Thinking that the rav did not hear properly (he is older after all), he repeated the situation, making it clear that she had to have her foot and hand reattached, and again the rav said, “Do NOT push off the wedding!” So . . . both families are taking it as a brachah, and it should be interesting to see where things will be in another three weeks. You never know . . ..

Okay, on to Torah!
“Whom I have invested with a spirit of wisdom” (Shemos 28:3)

A group of talmidei chachamim once went to see Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer to discuss a few issues in learning with him. After the conversation turned to a certain halachic issue, a young man who was there joined the conversation and mentioned a certain halachah that the Shach relates in the Shulchan Oruch.

Rav Meltzer rose from his seat and heaped praise on this young man for such an amazing novelty in thinking! The young man started to feel uncomfortable and tried to explain that it wasn’t a novelty, he was simply quoting the Shach. But every time he was about to speak, Rav Meltzer just gave more praises.

Finally, after everybody left, Rav Meltzer said to him, “I know that the Shach states the halachah you mentioned. However, since you are an older who needs a shidduch, I wanted to help you , and I therefore seized the opportunity to praise you before the many Torah leaders who were in my house. This will cause your reputation as a talmid chacham to spread, and people will want to make a shidduch with you.”

When Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerback heard this story, he added another twist to Rav Meltzer’s greatness. When Rav Meltzer made the "mistake" of not knowing this Shach, he was actually embarrassing himself, because the other talmidei chachamim might think that he himself didn’t know this Shach.

Sometimes the biggest chesed we can do is not with money, but using our wisdom on when to use our power of speech.

Have a great Shabbos!

Michael Winner

The month of Adar (the month we are currently in), is known as the month of miracles. I recently experienced a series of them in a few hour span.

Earlier this week, my wife and I had to borrow a car and travel to Haifa to take care of something. I can’t go into the entire story, but it consisted of “protexia” (Israeli “who you know can get you what you need that you can’t get through normal channels”), and a general miracle that everything worked out the way it did in such a short amount of time. Those who know the story will think that THIS was big miracle. However, I beg to differ. That day happened to have been my wife’s 21st birthday again (amazing how that works). Naturally, I didn’t have anything prepared (what’s new). As we were leaving, we both realized that we didn’t eat much for breakfast and were quite hungry. There happens to be only one restaurant that I know of in Haifa (a great shwarma/falafel place), but since Haifa is impossible to get around, I had no idea where it was. I said to my wife, “wouldn’t it be great if we found that shwarma place?” A few minutes later, I took a wrong turn and two minutes after that, we passed that exact shwarma restaurant. We took it as a sign from G-d Himself, that we were obligated to eat shwarma. SO… for the first time in five years, I ate shwarma in a lafa (oversized pita), no children were around to annoy me, AND my wife accepted it as me officially taking her out for her birthday.

Can you think of a bigger miracle than THAT???

Okay, on to Torah!
This week’s parsha begins with the commandment that each adult male is required to donate a half-shekel coin. In fact, it is stated in the beginning of Mesechta Shekalim that every Rosh Chodesh Adar the officers of the Beis HaMikdash would begin collecting this half-shekel from everybody throughout the country. This money was collected for two reasons: 1) It enabled us to take an accurate census and 2) the money went towards the buying of korbonos (sacrifices) that were brought twice a day on behalf of the entire nation, and the general upkeep of the Beis HaMikdash. Therefore, everybody had a “piece” in these communal sacrifices.

The rav of the city spoke last week about this mitzvah and he asked a very simple question. It’s very clear that a half-shekel coin must be donated. A rich man cannot give more and a poor man cannot give less. The poor man, we can understand, but why couldn’t the rich man give more? Why specifically a half-shekel coin?

The rav explained that one has to always remember, that even though he is an individual and the sole responsibility of his growth depends on he himself, he is nevertheless part of a whole, and he shares the responsibilities of helping foster an environment that will help others grow as well. He is never “whole,” but is always, part of something bigger than himself.

I was speaking to a friend of mine about a certain kollel which was not doing so well. People were coming in late, not coming at all, etc., etc., and who were the ones who suffered the most? Those who came on time and worked hard. Why? Because it’s difficult to grow in a vacuum. Of course, if you have to, you have to. However, there is something to be said about having a warm environment that will help you push yourself forward. Had the lazy ones thought for a moment that they are not only shooting themselves in the foot, but they are actually harming others, perhaps (though unlikely, I admit) they would understand that they are also part of a whole.

This is applicable to all areas of our lives. When we begin to understand even something as simple as showing up on time to daven or to learn, where you are not doing anything directly, you are nonetheless making a difference in other people’s growth.

Have a great Shabbos!

Michael Winner

I was watching Simcha (1.5 year-old) attempt to destroy our home the other day, and as I was watching this little terror with poofy-hair, I couldn’t help but think: Oh Gosh… my son is a mix between Godzilla and Richard Simmons!

Okay, on to Torah!
Kohanim had special clothing, and obviously the Kohen Gadol was to have something even more unique. So unique it was, that it held small bells tied to the bottom of his robe, so when he would walk in the Mishkan/Beis HaMikdash, all would know that he is approaching. Since the Kohen Gadol was holier than the other Kohanim, it is fitting that his clothes should represent that stature.

The Midrash states that despite everything that we experienced in Egypt, we kept our unique identity as Jews. We did not change our dress, language, or names.

Unfortunately, in our generation, we are all affected by secular society to some point. We are either enamored by what we see or we are ashamed for who we are. Even I, who live in Eretz Yisroel, have sometimes felt a few seconds of being uncomfortable walking into certain places with my hat and jacket (I live in a mainly secular, even non-Jewish city remember…. They even sell X-Mas trees here now….). Why should I? This is MY land that I’m living in! I’m wearing the clothes of a person who is showing allegiance to Hashem IN ERETZ YISROEL! Yet, I should have an ounce of shame of what somebody else thinks of me?

We are a unique nation with a unique purpose in this world. We should not have any shame in who we are and what are doing here. We should feel proud to stand out with our clothes, our names, our customs, and laws. A soldier, when walking in the street, feels proud for what he is doing for his country. Even a mere Private who works as a mechanic. Are we any less than that? We too should not feel any shame in our uniforms, and instead walk with pride.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Michael Winner

My mother-in-law was in for a week this past week.

On Wednesday night, I rented a small car from somebody to drive her to the airport. Thankfully, after a winter that I haven’t seen in seven years, the hills and mountains of the north were green will grass and trees. It was a very nice drive.

After dropping her off, I continued towards Jerusalem, since I had my annual matzah baking the next evening. I spent the night at one of my rabbeim and spent the entire next day going shopping for my wife. Since “Jewish” life in the north isn’t as big as it is in the center, we have no access to books, CDs, certain kosher products, etc… Jerusalem, to us, is the materialistic center of our lives.

How strange is that?

I shopped, baked matzos, saw some rabbeim, watched one of them wake up boys in the dorm with a super-soaker, ate a falafel, listened to people speaking English on the streets, and davened that this car shouldn’t break down on the middle of the highway.

All in all… a successful strip.

Okay, on to Torah!
I received a call from my mortgage broker the other day. “I have this wonderful dvar torah I thought you might like!”

This guy’s great. He teaches Gemara in Bar Ilan University, works as a mortgage broker during the afternoons, and spends his ‘free time’ learning. He’s finished tractates of Gemara on his bus rides to and from Tel Aviv. Of course, he’s a fellow former-Chicagoan, and all around great guy.

So, here’s what Rabbi Adam Siegel said…

In last week’s parsha, the Torah said, “They shall make Me a Sanctuary (Asu li Mikdash), so that I may swell among them” (Shemos 25:7)

(Last week’s and this week’s parshos are both connected, being that they are dealing with the construction of the Mishkan, the predecessor of the Beis HaMikdash, hence I’m using last week’s parsha.)

So, asks Rabbi Siegel, where else do we see the term “Mekadesh” being used? When a man and a woman get married, it’s called Kiddushin and he says to her as he gives her the ring, “Harei Ze Mekudeshet Li”, “With this you are sanctified to me”.

What is Kiddushin? It’s when a man and woman come together in “sanctification” to raise a family and work on becoming closer to Hashem. So too was the Mishkan, it was a place of sanctification that brought people together in order to become closer to Hashem. Furthermore, says Rabbi Siegel, so too is the Torah. We’re supposed to use it as “kiddushin”, working together as one in our relationship with Hashem.

At the end of his dvar torah, I asked him, “Where did you see this?”

“I thought of it myself.”

Have a great Shabbos!

Every month, a standard Israeli learning in kollel, receives 700 shekels as a stipend, which today comes out to be around $190 (non Israelis receive something like $60). Of course, anywhere from 90-340 shekels a month goes right back to the government for just property taxes alone (depending on their other income). And that's if their yeshiva receives money from the government. So, if you belong to Brisk, Satmar, Toldos Ahron, and several other groups, you simply don't receive anything from the government. (Yes... It because of this huge some, we evil Ultra-Orthodox are able to live off of society, sucking it dry wherever we go...)

Throughout the year, government officials come to the yeshiva out of the blue to take attendance and make sure those people that are receiving money in the yeshiva, are really there. If the yeshiva does not have a certain attendance rate, they stand to lose a lot of money. It's fair. The government is giving out money, and they want to make sure that it's not going to people bumming around.

Fine.

No problems.

Recently, they have made even more stringent rules concerning their checks. Now, keep in mind, if you have to go to government offices or banks or many other places, you have to go during yeshiva hours, since they all close down during the afternoon for their 2 or 3 hours lunch break. Unfortunately, that's not an excuse by government standards.

Again... I have no problem with these checks. However, I did have a question in the back of my head.... Why is it that universities, where many of the students receive much more in stipends, do not have such checks to see if they come to class? Why can they sign up for university, show up for the tests, and not bother to go to class at all if they want? Why is it that government offices, where barely anybody comes on time, have few working hours, have a powerful union to back them up for salary increases, and must have a rule that at least 75% of paid workers must be on duty to watch the coffee being made do not have such checks?

Why is it only those in kollel must submit to these checks over such a meager sum, compared to other areas that are allocated far larger portions in the yearly budget?

My friend liked that question so much, he's planning to ask the inspectors next time they come and visit. I'll pass on the answer when it comes in.

Okay… enough silly ranting. On to Torah!
"And I will dwell in the midst of the Children of Israel" (Shemos 29:45)

The Gemara in Megilla (29a) tells us that even when the Jewish people went in exile, the Shechina (Hashem's Presence) went with them. Where does He dwell? The Gemara in Brachos (8a) answers, the Hashem has no place in this world outside the "four cubits of Torah", in the yeshivos throughout the world.

For some reason, this has been the theme for us over the past several weeks: the centrality of the Jewish nation. I'm not sure why. It just happened that way. However, we are continuously seeing more and more proofs that our lives are to be centered around the Torah and nothing else. We can use the world to help us with that goal, but Torah should be our day-to-day goal.

When I was in the hospital and recovering, I spent some time doing some much awaited research on Rav Shimshon Rafoel Hirsch and his ... for the lack of a better word… concept... of Torah Im Derech Eretz. The author of the book that I was reading, wrote long and hard how Rav Hirsch has been misunderstood over the years. Many people falsely believed that he put Torah and secular knowledge on the same pedestal. In truth, it was not even a question. Rav Hirsch believed that before delving into secular knowledge, a person should be extremely well-versed in Torah, in order that he should be able to sift out the non-kosher material from the kosher.

Today, people who are barely fluent in Torah will learn and partake of secular society and based off of their little and erroneous learning, will have their own ideas on what the Torah wants from us.

The Shechina resides in the yeshivos, not the libraries, not the internet, not the universities. In order to properly engage in such things, one needs to be well grounded in Torah, and the only place to do that is in the shuls, yeshivos and kollels. When you put yourself in the midst of the Shechina, and use it properly, you will be able to engage in society in a Torah manner.

Have a great Shabbos!

In case you haven't noticed, you will generally not see married, religious couples touching each other in public. There's a PDA (Personal Display of Affection) rule within the religious world that prohibits this. However, I have seen it a couple of rare times, and that led me to do a little research. I wanted to know if this is an actual halacha or is it simply a strong minhag (custom).

So, I asked one of my rabbeim in yeshivah, and of course, since he knows practically all of Shulchan Oruch by heart, said "Of course it's halacha". So, I responded, "Show me where".

He took out a Shulchan Oruch (Aven Ezra 21:5) , pointed out a Rama and said "Read!!!" (he had a lot of coffee in his system).

So I read.

"One should not touch his wife (in public) even in affectionate way. An example of a non-affection way would be, when she checks his hair for children in front of others".

"What?"

"That's what it says, 'if she checks his hair for children (banim)"

He grabbed the Shulchan Oruch, looked inside, and said, "It's a printing error. It's not supposed to be ‘banim’, it's supposed to read ‘kinim’, change the first letter and it means lice".

Printing error? Right... we know what the printer really thought of children...

Okay, on to Torah!
"And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light to cause the lamp to burn always" (Shemos 27, 20)

The Midrash comments that Hashem does not really need the light, but you should nonetheless make a light for Him just as He makes light for you.

The point of this light, according to the Midrash, was specifically for Hashem. Why would it be for Hashem, when He will make no use of it, and not for us, who do make use of the light.

Rav Yeruchem Levovitz comments that from here we see what total kindness is. Usually, a person who does kindness for another person has resentment towards that person if he did not show any gratitude for that kindness.

While this is natural, albeit not correct, one should be doing kindness simply because it's the proper thing to do. In fact, the person doing the kindness should go out of his way to make the recipient feel as if he's not even going through any trouble. That is why Hashem is 'taking the blame' for the light. Even though He doesn't need it he asks us to light it for His sake as if He needs it himself, despite the fact we are the ones who actually need it.

A teacher at Eitz Chayim Yeshiva in Jerusalem recalled a time when a child of his was seriously ill. He and his wife had to stay by the child's bedside at night until the effects began telling on their nerves and health.

One night Rabbi Aryeh Levin and his wife turned up at their home. "Go to sleep now," said Rav Aryeh. "The two of us will stay with your child." He explained with his own brand of genial, charming apology, "We have to talk something over that is very important and we cannot do so at home where our children may eavesdrop" (A Tzaddik in Our Time, p.132)

In order to show that the kindness he was really doing, was 'not really a kindness', Rav Levin, was able to do it without anybody feeling any sense of shame or debt.

With that, I wish you a good Shabbos!

I’m very excited.

This year, I’ve been invited to join my neighbor’s “Matzah Chabura”. This means, tomorrow, I will join twenty other people to bake our own matzahs for Pesach.

Since the entire process of making one batch of matzahs must be done within eighteen minutes, every person will have a small job. One person will man the timer, one will prepare the water for the dough, one will prepare the dough, one will roll it, one will make the holes, one will place it in the oven, etc, etc…

Do to the fact, that I am me, I told my friend that I should have a job away from the dough, since I’ll probably end up doing something really foolish and ruining everything. I recommended that I have my own “special” job. That being, I will be the guy wearing Viking horns, with two leather straps across my chest, beating a drum every second, “BUM… BUM… BUM… BUM…”, to help everybody keep pace. He liked the idea a lot, but since there is no need for Viking drummers in matzah-making, he put me in another position: I’m the Official Matzah-Packer.

That’s right, this extremely time-honoured tradition of packing the matzahs in boxes has been left to me! It’s difficult, but I’m sure I can do it.

Okay… stop laughing at me… I don’t see any of YOU making your own matzahs!

On to Torah!

“It must be on Aharon to minister, its sound shall be heard when he enters the Sanctuary… and when he leaves” (Shemos 28:35)

This week’s parsha contains the description of the special clothing that the Kohen Gadol wore. Attached to the bottom of his robe are a series of small bells which would make a noise whenever he would walk. This noise was made to signal when he would enter the Sanctuary on Yom Kippur and when he would leave.

There are many deep reasons for these bells. However, for sake of brevity, we will look into one specifically.

Rav Aharon Zakai applies this pasuk to a Ben Torah. When he enters the shul or yeshiva, his sounds are pleasant to the ear. His davening is sweet, his learning is intense, and his behaviour is exemplary.

When he leaves the shul or yeshiva to earn a living, his behavior is no different. He still speaks of Torah, he deals with others in a calm and respectable manner, his heart continues to be in the heavens.

For a true Ben Torah, the “sounds” he makes when he enters the shul is no different then the “sounds” he makes when he leaves. His religious standards do not deviate one iota. His connection to Hashem is not compromised in any way. The fervor that his begins his day with in shul, continues throughout the day outside of the shul.

Despite the many obstacles that today’s society places in front of our spiritual growth, our standards in the business world should be no different than the ones we have in our shuls and yeshivas.

Have a great Shabbos!

Mmmm...not too happy right now.

For those who do not know, there is a 'small little controversy' right now concerning a book that was published by somebody here in Israel. I'm not going to go into detail about the situation since this is not the place, nor do I have all the facts at my disposal. A lecture was recently delivered about a ban on three of the author's books. The rabbi giving the lecture is close to one of the leading Torah leaders today, and before giving the lecture, went over it point by point with him to make sure everything was 'kosher'. I was given an audio copy of this lecture by one of my friends at the yeshiva and asked to get some more information on it. So... after listening to it, I went online to do a little research. Needless to say, it was interesting.

A NICE number of well-known, accepted, Torah leaders (not some simple shul rabbis. We're talking the big of the big), have banned three of the books of this one author. The book deals with certain aspects of science and Torah. It seems that one of the main problems the Gedolim (Jewish leaders) have with these books is how the religious aspect, not so much the scientific aspect, has been presented. Thanks to the internet, rumours fly and people suddenly promote themselves to all-knowing beings, simply because they have a blog to write their views on. What I've seen has been quite sad. Never have I seen such loshon horah being spoken about concerning the leaders of the Jewish people. Many people accuse these rabbeim of 'not reading the books', or being 'anti-science', or 'trying to suppress free-thought', etc... Now, I'm all for science and free thought and what not. Anybody who knows my background in astronomy and science can testify to that. However, for some guy who is spending his time online to read and hack about rumours galore, and attack the leaders of this generation, simply to blow off some steam is wrong.

Several decades ago, there were strong disagreements between the Satmar Rebbe and Rav Aharon Kotler. It was quite 'fierce' and both sides had 'followers' who were more than willing to stand up to 'defend' the honour of their rav. Yet, Rav Kotler referred to the Satmar Rebbe as follows: "He is one of the greatest of the generation both in Torah knowledge and general leadership, even though we disagree sharply on many issues". When Rav Kotler passed away, the Satmar Rebbe, against his doctor's orders, went to his funeral and delivered a tearful eulogy. The point? The Gedolim might have disagreements, but they don't make it personal and they don't say loshon horah about each other. While they disagree, they still have respect for one another. Too bad others feel a need to be more vicious.

The current situation is dealing with a very bright author in his thirties on one side and a nice number of Gedolim on the other. For people to come out and attack the Gedolim is unfortunate and sad. Especially, when you read their blogs, that they are basing their opinions off of rumour and hearsay.

There are more than enough stories and cases, that every real frum Jew knows of how the Gedolim have helped others in all fields. Rabbis don't become Gedolim by being ignorant! They are highly intelligent people who have spent their entire lives delving in Torah, not wasting it driveling their opinions on blogs! In order to understand things, they go to different experts in different fields, whether it be medical, scientific, or what not. Unfortunately, there are those who have spent little time both learning Torah and delving into complex questions with medical and scientific leaders, who would rather attack than listen to the leaders of the generation. Tell me something: Who would you trust to know more about Judaism? A sage with 70+ years of yeshiva experience, who is widely accepted as one of the Jewish leaders, or some guy sitting behind his computer who 'knows better'?

What's the point to this little ramble? When there is something that the Gedolim of our generation come together and say, either 'stay away from this' or 'come close to this', we should listen. These people have spent their lives learning Torah and researching things from experts in all fields. You and I have not. Since Moshe Rabbeinu, we have always followed the Gedolim and they have led us through thousands of years of exile. To join the ruckus, like the followers of Korach did, is not only an insult to the Gedolim, but an insult to Torah. Okay, on to more Torah!

Speaking of Gedolim....

"And you shall slaughter the ram and take its blood and put it upon the tip of Aharon's ear... and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the big toe of their right foot" (29:20)

As mentioned above, the Gedolim are not a group of old guys placed in their positions by some political game. They were chosen by the leaders of the previous generation and 'ratified' the acceptance of the religious world. They were not chosen for their looks or charms, but rather they were chosen for the superior knowledge of Torah, their character traits, and a host of other reasons.

This week's parsha deals with the clothing of the Kohen Gadol, and the installation of Aharon as the first Kohen Gadol. The commentators point to this pasuk in the Torah as a qualification that the Kohen Gadol or a Torah leader needs to have. Why did the ear, the thumb and the big toe have blood dipped on them, compared to any other body part?

The ear represents the ability to listen and hear. Before dealing with any case, whether it be judicial or to give advice, the Sage must have the ability to not only listen, but to hear the needs and situation of the person. When going to ask a question to an halachic authority, it is important for you to give them the entire situation. When they have an understanding on your background and circumstances, then they can give you the best help.

The hand represents the need for the Sage to give his assistance. Anybody who lives close to one of the many Gedolim can testify that they are open to the public as long as they can. They don't have time for themselves due to the nature of their position. They are not in a leadership position to serve themselves; they are there to serve us.

The foot represents the need for the Gadol to 'go the distance'. When there is a crises at hand, or a situation the needs his tending, it is his obligation to go out and take care of it. Whether it be visiting the sick, giving speeches, taking a stand on an issue, or a slew of other obligations.

Our Gedolim are people who have spent years in intense learning. But ones intellect is not what throws him to the level of a Gadol. It is his personality, his character traits, and his ability to give all his energy for the good of the nation. May we all have the merit in seeing these Gedolim in person to see first hand how a Jew should live his life.