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Table of contents
1) Perashat Hashavoua - Rabbi Eli Mansour
2) Halakhat Hashavoua (Halakhot related to day to day life) By Hazzan David Azerad - Halachot of Beit Ha Knesset (Eating or drinking)
3) Holy Jokes!
The first of the Four Special Shabbatot is Shabbat Parshat Shekalim. It occurs either on the last Shabbat of the month of Shevat, or on the Shabbat which in that year coincides with Rosh Chodesh Adar, or on a Shabbat early in Adar. A special reading, taken from Parshat Ki Tisa (Shemot 30:11-16) is appended to the regular Torah reading.
1)PERASHAT HASHAVOUA
This Week's Parasha Insight with Rabbi Eli Mansour
Parashat Mishpatim: Our Religious Resume
Parashat Mishpatim presents a long series of laws, involving mainly interpersonal relations. We find here, for example, the prohibition against speaking insensitively to a widow or orphan, the responsibility to compensate for damages which one caused, laws governing liability for damages to people’s possessions with which one is entrusted, and so on.
This Parasha begins with the words "Ve’ele Ha’mishpatim Asher Tasim Lifnehem" – "And these are the laws which you [Moshe] shall place before them." Rashi notes that this verse, unusually, begins with the letter "Vav" ("Ve-"), which means "and." As we were all taught in school, a new section should not begin with the conjunction "and."
Rashi explains that this letter is very significant, in that it connects the laws of Parashat Mishpatim with the laws mentioned at the end of the previous Parasha, Parashat Yitro – specifically, the Ten Commandments. The Torah connected these two Parashiyot with the letter "Vav," Rashi explains, to teach us that just as the Ten Commandments were pronounced at Sinai, the laws in Parashat Mishpatim were likewise transmitted to our ancestors at Mount Sinai.
If we would be asked what makes us "religious," to put together a "resume" affirming our religiosity, we would probably include things such as Shabbat observance, eating only kosher, adhering to the laws of Taharat Ha’mishpaha (family purity), Halachically-appropriate attire, and praying three times a day. Certainly, these are crucially important components of a religious life that must be included in this resume.
But there are many other things that are no less integral to a religious resume. Being courteous, honest, hard-working, speaking respectfully to all, especially to one’s spouse, children and other family members, giving charity, treating one’s employees properly, extending a helping hand to people in need – these are no less important parts of our religious resume than Shabbat, Kashrut, and praying with a Minyan.
It is told that somebody once approached Rav Shimon Schwab (1908-1995) and asked him to explain the phenomenon of religious Jews who conduct their business affairs dishonestly and cheat on their taxes. He replied, "How do I explain this? The same way I explain how religious Jews could eat on Yom Kippur."
The person didn’t understand what the Rabbi meant. "Somebody who eats on Yom Kippur isn’t religious!" he said.
"And somebody who lies and cheats on his taxes isn’t religious," Rav Schwab said.
Rav Yitzchak Hutner (1906-1980) explained that this is the meaning of Rashi’s comment regarding the "Vav" at the beginning of Parashat Mishpatim. The Torah wanted to emphasize to us that the laws in this Parasha, which deal with proper interpersonal relations, are no less integral to religion than our obligations to Hashem. The laws of Parashat Mishpatim were also given to us at Mount Sinai together with the rest of the Torah. Dealing with people kindly, honestly and courteously is no less of a religious obligation than Shabbat and Kashrut.
The Yahrtzheit of Rav Yisrael Salanter (1810-1883), the founder of the Mussar movement, is 25 Shebat. Appropriately, this day is always around the time of the reading of Parashat Mishpatim, the Torah’s code of interpersonal conduct. Rav Yisrael Salanter very strongly emphasized the importance of our interpersonal obligations as an integral part of Torah life.
It is told that before his students went to bake Masot for Pesach at the factory, they approached him to ask which stringencies he felt they should observe. He replied, "The woman who works at the factory is a widow – remember to speak to her kindly and respectfully."
This was the most important thing for them to remember. There are numerous stringencies which are appropriate to observe when baking Masot for Pesach, but they are only stringencies, which are not required on the level of strict Torah law. Speaking respectfully to a widow, however, is an outright Torah obligation. This takes priority.
This is the lesson of the letter "Vav" at the beginning of Parashat Mishpatim – that the way we deal with people is also part of Torah, and must be included in our religious resume.
2) HALAKHAT HASHAVOUA
Halachot this week are selected and Translated by Hazzan David Azerad
Halacha of Beit Haknesset , according to the rulings of Rabbi Obadiah Yosef ZT”L
Is it allowed to eat/drink in the synagogue?
In the Synagogue, one should not be eating nor drinking , but for the purpose of a mitzvah, it is permissible, such as a lesson(shiur) in halacha and Diverey Torah, and the congregation is served tea and coffee and various foods to strengthen them while listening to the lesson, as well as Talmidey Chachamim who study there regularly, can eat and drink there.
In what way is it recommended to hold Seudat Mitzvah in the synagogue?
According to the Halacha , it would be permissible to hold Seudat (feast)Mitzvah such as Seuda Shelisheet and the conclusion of a tract in Talmud (Siyum) in the synagogue, provided that people are careful not to engage in idle conversations etc… and alike. Since we see that it is difficult to be careful about this, therefore it is not appropriate to hold a feast there except in the adjacent room, however, If we distribute few types of food in order to make Berachot L’eiluy Nishmat (Upliftment of a soul) in a Mishmara for example, that may be given inside the synagogue.
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
