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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 -
Leĥem Mishneh (Two Loaves) and Cutting the Bread - Peninei Halacha
3) Holy Jokes!
4) For KIDS
This Week's Parasha Insight with Rabbi Eli Mansour
Parashat Lech-Lecha: A Jew Never Despairs
We read in Parashat Lech-Lecha of Abraham Abinu’s miraculous military victory against four large empires. These empires had waged war against the city of Sedom and the surrounding cities, capturing all their citizens, including Abraham’s nephew, Lot. When Abraham heard about his nephew’s capture, he immediately mobilized his servants into an army of 318 men, and pursued the four kings. In miraculous fashion, Abraham defeated them and freed all the captives.
The Midrash, as several commentators cite, tells that Abraham did not, in fact, launch his attack with 318 soldiers. Rather, he was accompanied by just one person – his faithful servant, Eliezer. The name "Eliezer" has the numerical value of 318, and thus when the Torah speaks of Abraham mobilizing 318 men, it really means that he took Eliezer. The two of them fought alone and miraculously triumphed.
Rabbenu Bahya (1255-1340), one of the great Spanish commentators, adds more details to the Midrash’s account. He explains that Abraham initially did have 318 men, but they all left him before battle. Torah law requires that before the army sets out for battle, the Kohen must speak to the troops and announce certain exemptions, including for those who are frightened and may thus discourage their comrades. Abraham followed this procedure, and all 318 men promptly left, as they were frightened by the prospect of waging combat against four powerful armies. In the end, Abraham fought this war accompanied only by Eliezer.
Rav Tzadok Ha’kohen of Lublin (1823-1900) viewed this episode as establishing a vitally important precedent and infusing within the Jewish Nation one of its most remarkable qualities. Namely, we do not despair. The Jews arose from the gas chambers of the Holocaust to create a sovereign state and rebuild our nation. We have always believed and lived with a keen sense that "Yeshuat Hashem Ke’heref Ayin" – G-d can resolve even the most seemingly intractable crisis in an instant. This quality originates from the story of Abraham and Eliezer. After the 318 men left, Abraham found himself alone and, seemingly, helpless. How could he possibly wage a war against four powerful armies by himself? Yet, he didn’t despair. He took his trusted servant, and they prevailed.
Rav Tzadok noted that the numerical value of the word "Yeush" ("despair") is 317. Eliezer – whose name has the numerical value of 318 – represents the need to transcend despair and believe that G-d can always help. This is the lesson of this story, and it is a lesson which we need to apply every day throughout our lives as we confront challenges and hardships. A Jew never despairs, because a Jew knows that G-d is all-powerful and can bring the solution in an instant. No matter how desperate one’s situation is, he must never lose hope, and remember that G-d is capable of helping.
Halachot this week are selected and Translated by Hazzan David Azerad
Leĥem Mishneh (Two Loaves) and Cutting the Bread - Peninei Halacha
There is a mitzva to use two loaves of bread on Shabbat, to commemorate the double portion of manna that fell on Fridays when the Jews were in the desert and that was referred to as leĥem mishneh (Shabbat 117b). There are many double aspects to Shabbat. Its mitzvot are two-fold – Zakhor and Shamor; its sacrifices are double – two perfect lambs; its punishment is double, and so is its reward. The bread we use is doubled to express that the day is doubly great (based on Yalkut Shimoni, Beshalaĥ §261).
The person breaking bread should hold both challot in his hands while reciting the berakha, but it is sufficient if he cuts only one. By holding both challahs during the berakha, he has already fulfilled the mitzva of leĥem mishneh (Rambam, Rashi, SA 274:1). However, others maintain that one should cut both challahs (Shlah, Vilna Gaon). Those who wish to follow this custom should make sure to use small challahs so that they can finish them during the meal. The widespread custom is to cut only one loaf.
There are many customs as to how to arrange the challahs for the berakha. Some put one loaf on top of the other and cut the bottom one (SA 274:1). Others cut the top challah (Arizal). Others cut the bottom challah at night and the top challah during the day (Rema ad loc.) Those who cut the bottom challah should draw it closer to themselves when reciting the berakha (MB 274:5). Some follow Arizal’s custom of having twelve small loaves on the table at every meal (Kaf Ha-ĥayim 263:2).
Ideally, the challahs should be completely whole. Accordingly, one should not remove the sticker often found on the loaves of bread (in Israel) until after the berakha, since doing so may peel away a bit of the crust, thus rendering the challah not quite whole. If there are no whole loaves available, one should use the ones that are closest to whole. If necessary, he may use frozen bread for leĥem mishneh (SSK 55:12). If there are no complete uncut challahs but there are two whole loaves of pre-sliced bread, be-di’avad one can make “ha-motzi” on them. This is because some maintain that since they are whole loaves, and their package serves to preserve them as one unit, they are considered whole (Meshiv Davar §21). If there are no loaves available but only slices, one should make the berakha over two slices (SSK 55:17).
At se’uda shlishit as well, one is obligated to use two loaves in order to give expression to the double nature of Shabbat (SA 291:4). If he does not have two loaves, he should make “ha-motzi” over one whole loaf. For when the manna fell, our ancestors in the desert were left with only one loaf for se’uda shlishit (Rema ad loc.).
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
