2) Halakhat Hashavoua (Halakhot related to day to day life) By Hazzan David Azerad -
The Establishment of Torah Reading -Peninei Halacha
3) Holy Jokes!
4) For KIDS
This Week's Parasha Insight with Rabbi Eli Mansour
Parashat Behaalotecha: The Situation Does Not Have to be Perfect
The Torah in Parashat Behaalotecha (9:15-23) describes at length the system of Beneh Yisrael’s travels through the wilderness. We read that a special cloud hovered over the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and when it would rise, this signaled to Beneh Yisrael that they must journey from their current location. They would travel until the cloud once again descended, and the people would then encamp and remain in that spot until the next time the cloud rose.
The Ramban (Rabbi Moshe Nahmanides, Spain, 1194-1270) noted that whenever Beneh Yisrael encamped, they had no way of knowing for how long they would be remaining in that location. As the Torah tells us, there were times when the cloud remained in its lowered position just overnight, and there were times when it remained in that position for several years. Thus, Beneh Yisrael never knew ahead of time as they encamped when they would need to travel again. As they pitched their tents and unpacked their bags, they had no idea whether they would be traveling again the next day, or remaining in that place for several weeks, months of years.
Rav Eliyahu Dessler (1892-1953) writes that this is precisely the reason why the Torah saw fit to elaborate on this point in such great detail. The Torah wanted us to realize just how unstable and unpredictable the lives of our ancestors were in the wilderness, and that despite this constant state of instability, they nevertheless spent their time immersed in Torah study, learning from Moshe Rabbenu all day, every day. The lesson being conveyed is that we must be fully committed to Torah study even in periods of instability, and even when our situation is far from perfect. If Beneh Yisrael were able to learn and focus on Torah under such unstable conditions, when they never knew how much time they would remain in any given location, then we certainly can learn Torah even under circumstances that are uncomfortable or inconvenient.
As we have grown accustomed to the comforts and conveniences of the 21st century, too often people make all kinds of excuses why they are unable to learn Torah. It might be too cold or too hot. It could be that somebody was rushing in the morning and did not have his coffee. Or he received the wrong kind of coffee at the shop. Unmarried people feel that they cannot learn until they are married and feel more settled, whereas married people feel they cannot learn because of the pressures of raising a family. Businessmen excuse themselves from learning because their schedules are unpredictable, whereas professionals excuse themselves because they need to be available for the boss. Everyone has a different excuse. Beneh Yisrael’s experiences in the wilderness teach us that it is possible to devote time to Torah even under complicated and uncertain circumstances, and we must therefore avoid making excuses and instead make a genuine effort to allocate time for Torah regardless of our circumstances.
It is told that Rav Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk (1853-1918) had to flee from his home towards the end of his life with his family as a result of World War I. He resided in a city called Minsk, and soon after his arrival, he was visited by a certain prominent Rabbi. This Rabbi noticed how the small residence was in a state of utter disarray, as the family had not yet had a chance to get everything arranged and get themselves settled. And yet, when this Rabbi arrived, he found Rav Chaim engrossed in a deep discussion of an intricate Talmudic concept together with his sons. Rav Chaim did not wait for everything to be perfect and orderly before devoting energies and intense concentration to his Torah studies. Torah learning was too high a priority for him to be put on hold while he got himself settled.
The lesson we learn from our ancestors’ experience in the wilderness is that conditions do not have to be ideal or in perfect order for us to spend time learning. Torah study is an obligation that applies at every stage of life, and even under less-than-ideal circumstances.
Halachot this week are selected and Translated by Hazzan David Azerad
The Establishment of Torah Reading -Peninei Halacha
The mitzvah to learn Torah is a basic commandment, on which all the other mitzvot depend. There is no specific time for Torah study; instead, it is a mitzvah to learn Torah at all times, as it is written (Joshua 1:8), “You shall meditate upon it day and night.” To strengthen Israel’s connection to Torah, Moshe Rabbeinu instituted the Torah reading on Shabbat, and in Shacharit of Yom Sheni (Monday) and Yom Hameshee (Thursday), so that three days will not pass without hearing Torah (Rambam Tefillah 12:1).
The Chachamim teach (Bava Kama 82a) that this was instituted based on the verse (Exodus 15:22), “They traveled for three days in the desert without finding any water.” Moshe Rabbeinu and his disciples, the elders and the prophets, understood that the thirst for water resulted from three consecutive days during which Israel did not communally engage in Torah study. Torah is likened to water, for just as water sustains all that lives and grows in the world, so Torah sustains the soul. Since the nation became slightly detached from the Torah, the water springs also ceased to flow. Although the Torah scholars of that generation most probably learned Torah during those three days, for three days, the nation of Israel did not engage in Torah publicly. Therefore, it was established that the Torah would be read every Monday, Thursday, and Shabbat, so that never again will more than three days pass when Israel does not publicly read from the Torah.
Ezra HaSofer further instituted that, for the Torah reading on Mondays and Thursdays, three people are called up to the Torah. Each person called up reads at least three verses. All together, ten verses must be read (Bava Kama 82a; Shulchan Aruch 137:1-2).
Bevirkat Shabbat Shalom Umevorach
David Azerad
3) HOLY JoKeS!!
Selection of funny snippets, loosely related to this weeks parashah or current events, to brighten your day
4) FOR KIDS
Click on the image to open the youtube video
LIFECYCLE EVENTS
Celebrate a lifecycle event with us by sponsoring a Kiddouch
2) Halakhat Hashavoua (Halakhot related to day to day life) By Hazzan David Azerad -
The Six Days Following Shavu’ot -Peninei Halacha
3) Holy Jokes!
4) For KIDS
This Week's Parasha Insight with Rabbi Eli Mansour
Parashat Naso- Marital Harmony
The Torah in Parashat Naso discusses the procedure of the "Sota," which was required when a husband had reason to suspect his wife of infidelity. He would bring her to the Bet Ha’mikdash where the Kohen would conduct a special ceremony whereby her innocence or guilt would be determined.
In introducing this section, the Torah writes, "Ish Ish Ki Tisteh Ishto…" – "If a man’s wife strays…" The question immediately arises as to why the Torah here repeats the word "Ish" ("man"), as though it was saying, "A man, a man whose wife strays…" What is the purpose of this repetition?
One of the scholars of Musar suggested that the Torah here subtly addresses the question of why a married woman would enter into an extramarital relationship. What might cause a woman to betray her husband? The answer, the Torah teaches us, is often "Ish Ish" – that the marriage was only about the husband. A marriage is supposed to be "Ish Isha" – a husband and wife. But when one spouse dominates the relationship, concerning himself or herself with only his or her concerns and interests, without giving proper consideration and regard to those of the other spouse, the other spouse might naturally feel tempted to find emotional satisfaction elsewhere. Of course, this does not justify betrayal. But the Torah cautions the husband that a situation of "Ish Ish," if he does not pay sufficient attention to his wife’s needs and wishes, if he does not show her respect and care, he unwittingly builds her temptation to pursue other sources of gratification.
The Rambam (Rabbi Moshe Maimonides, Spain-Egypt, 1135-1204) writes that a husband is required to "honor his wife more than himself." Marriage must never become a one-way street. Each must respect and look out for the needs and wishes of the other, rather than focusing only on his or her own interests. This mutual care, respect and attention will help ensure that both spouses receive the happiness and satisfaction they seek, that the marriage will serve them both as an everlasting source of joy and fulfillment.
Halachot this week are selected and Translated by Hazzan David Azerad
The Six Days Following Shavu’ot -Peninei Halacha
When the Temple stood, there was a mitzva to make a pilgrimage three times a year, once on each festival, and to offer an ola and shelamim on the festival's first day. These offerings were referred to as olat re’iya and shalmei ḥagiga. One who did not offer them on the first day could fulfill his obligation to do so up through the festival's conclusion, meaning the seventh day of Pesaḥ or until Shemini Atzeret (Ḥagiga 9a). One who did not offer them on Shavu’ot could offer them in the following six days. Just as one had seven days to bring the ola and shelamim for Pesaḥ, so too one had a week to bring them for Shavu’ot (Ḥagiga 17a).
Since these festival sacrifices may be offered during the six days following Shavu’ot, an element of festival joy continues as well. Therefore, the custom is not to say Taḥanun during that time (MA; MB 131:37).
On the day after Shavu’ot, known as Isru Ḥag, fasting and eulogizing are prohibited. This is because it is “a day of slaughter,” meaning a day when sacrifices are sometimes brought. Specifically, when Shavu’ot was on Shabbat, the olat re’iya and shalmei ḥagiga would be postponed until Sunday, which was Isru Ḥag. Additionally, even when Shavu’ot was not on Shabbat, there were always many people who did not get a chance to offer all their sacrifices on the festival. What they did not manage to offer on Shavu’ot, they would offer the next day. A day on which sacrifices are offered is considered a day of simḥa. Therefore, one may not fast then (SA 494:3; Levush; MA ad loc. 3; SAH ad loc. 19; see above 2:13).
Bevirkat Shabbat Shalom Umevorach
David Azerad
3) HOLY JoKeS!!
Selection of funny snippets, loosely related to this weeks parashah or current events, to brighten your day
On 1 Foot – Parshas Nasso
12 Princes came to the Mishkan dedication party all bringing the same gifts.
Princes: “We all brought the same thing?!”
Torah: “Let me write this all down… Name please? Tribe? Gift? Next….”
Longest parsha ever.
THE END
Hair Jokes
Preventing baldness is simple. Just knot your hair from the inside.
A man was driving along the highway, and saw a rabbit hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the rabbit, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of the car and was hit. The driver, being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road, and got out to see what had become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit was dead. The driver felt so awful, he began to cry. A woman driving down the highway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong. “I feel terrible,” he explained, “I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it.” The woman told the man not to worry. She knew what to do. She went to her car trunk and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead rabbit, and sprayed the contents of the can onto the rabbit. Miraculously the rabbit came to life, jumped up, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped down the road. 50 yards away the rabbit stopped, turned around, waved and hopped down the road, another 50 yards, turned, waved and hopped another 50 yards. The man was astonished. He couldn’t figure out what substance could be in the woman’s spray can!! He ran over to the woman and asked, “What is in your spray can? What did you spray on that rabbit?” The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said: “Hair spray. Restores life to dead hair and adds a permanent wave.”
If you perm your hair twice in opposite directions, does it come out straight?
4) FOR KIDS
Click on the image to open the youtube video
LIFECYCLE EVENTS
Celebrate a lifecycle event with us by sponsoring a Kiddouch
