DANS CE BULLETIN / IN THIS ISSUE:

Parachat Dévarim en bref

What happened on the 9^th of Av

Chabbat Hazon

Devarim Quiz

Les valeurs du judaisme

Which events took place on the following dates

Proverbes Yiddish

The Shabbat smile

PARACHAT DEVARIM EN BREF

Le premier du mois de Chevat (37 jours avant qu’il ne quitte ce monde), Moïse commence sa répétition de la Torah. Devant les Enfants d’Israël assemblés, il retrace les événements survenus et rappelle les Lois reçues au cours des quarante années vécues en route vers la Terre Promise. Les fautes, les iniquités commises sont remémorées et il est demandé au peuple de rester attaché à la Torah, d’en observer les commandements sur la terre où il va entrer et que D.ieu lui donne en héritage pour l’éternité.
Moïse rappelle aussi la nomination des hommes chargés d’exercer la magistrature afin d’alléger son propre fardeau, le voyage dans le désert, grand et redoutable. Et aussi l’envoi d’explorateurs et la réaction du peuple qui, entendant leur récit, crut impossible l’entrée en Terre Promise : ainsi fut-il décrété que toute cette génération-là périrait dans le désert.
Moïse fait également le récit d’événements plus récents : le refus des nations de Moab et Ammon d’autoriser les israélites à traverser leurs territoires ; les guerres contre les rois émorites, Si’hon et Og et l’installation des tribus de Réouven et Gad (et d’une partie de la tribu de Manassé) sur leurs terres.
Enfin Moïse enjoint à Josué, son successeur, d’entrer en Terre Promise et de conduire le peuple à sa conquête. Nulle crainte ne doit être éprouvée : « car l’Eternel votre D.ieu, c’est Lui qui combattra avec vous ».

What Happened on the Ninth of Av?

On the ninth day of the month of Av (“Tisha B’Av”) we fast and mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Both the first Temple (833–423 BCE) and the second Temple (349 BCE–69 CE) were destroyed on this date. The Shabbat preceding the fast day is called the “Shabbat of Vision,” for on this Shabbat we read a chapter from the Prophets (Isaiah 1:1–27) that begins, “The vision of Isaiah . .

The 9th of Av, Tisha b'Av, commemorates a list of catastrophes so severe it's clearly a day set aside by G‑d for suffering. Learn seven historical events that took place on

The 9th of Av, Tisha b'Av, commemorates a list of catastrophes so severe it's clearly a day set aside by G‑d for suffering. Learn seven historical events that took place on Tisha b'Av, the Jewish day of mourning.

1. The Spies Returned With a Bad Report

Picture this: The year is 1313 BCE. The Israelites are in the desert, recently having experienced the miraculous Exodus, and are now poised to enter the Promised Land. But first they dispatch a reconnaissance mission to assist in formulating a prudent battle strategy. The spies return on the eighth day of Av and report that the land is unconquerable. That night, the 9th of Av, the people cry. They insist that they'd rather go back to Egypt than be slaughtered by the Canaanites. G‑d is highly displeased by this public demonstration of distrust in His power, and consequently that generation of Israelites never enters the Holy Land. Only their children have that privilege, after wandering in the desert for another 38 years.

2. Both Holy Temples Was Destroyed

The First Temple was also destroyed on the 9th of Av (423 BCE). Five centuries later (in 69 CE), as the Romans drew closer to the Second Temple, ready to torch it, the Jews were shocked to realize that their Second Temple was destroyed the same day as the first.

3. The Battle at Betar Was Lost

When the Jews rebelled against Roman rule, they believed that their leader, Simon bar Kochba, would fulfill their messianic longings. But their hopes were cruelly dashed in 133 CE as the Jewish rebels were brutally butchered in the final battle at Betar. The date of the massacre? Of course—the 9th of Av!

4. The Romans Plowed the Beit Hamikdash

One year after their conquest of Betar, the Romans plowed over the Temple Mount, our nation's holiest site.

5. The Jews Were Expelled From England

The Jews were expelled from England in 1290 CE on, you guessed it, Tisha b'Av.

6. The Jews Were Banished From Spain

In 1492, the Golden Age of Spain came to a close when Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand ordered that the Jews be banished from the land. The edict of expulsion was signed on March 31, 1492, and the Jews were given exactly four months to put their affairs in order and leave the country. The Hebrew date on which no Jew was allowed any longer to remain in the land where he had enjoyed welcome and prosperity? Oh, by now you know it—the 9th of Av.

7. Both World Wars Began

The Jews were expelled from England in 1290 CE on, you guessed it, Tisha b'AvReady for just one more? World War II and the Holocaust, historians conclude, was actually the long drawn-out conclusion of World War I that began in 1914. And yes, amazingly enough, Germany declared war on Russia, effectively catapulting the First World War into motion, on the 9th of Av, Tisha b'Av.

What do you make of all this? Jews see this as another confirmation of the deeply held conviction that history isn't haphazard; events – even terrible ones – are part of a Divine plan and have spiritual meaning. The message of time is that everything has a rational purpose, even though we don't understand it.

© Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with Chabad.org's copyright policy.

CHABBAT HAZON

Le Shabbat qui précède le jeûne du 9 Av est appelé « Shabbat ‘Hazon » en raison du premier mot de la Haftara que nous lisons ce Shabbat, et qui relate les prophéties de Yésha’ya sur la destruction du 1^er Temple et l’exil d’Israël.

50. livre de Dévarim – le dernier des 5 livres de la Torah – est aussi surnommé « Mishné Torah » puisqu’il constitue une sorte de « résumé » de toutes les lois de la Torah contenues dans les 4 autres ‘Houmashim. Ce « récapitulatif » a été réalisé par Moshé Rabbenou juste avant sa mort. Dans ce livre de Dévarim, Moshé Rabbenou réprimande aussi Israël sur les diverses fautes qu’ils ont commis envers Hashem, comme la faute des explorateurs ou la faute du Veau d’or. Il leur donne aussi les dernières instructions avant qu’ils ne pénètrent en Israël.

Le livre de Dévarim peut apparemment sembler superflu puisqu’il ne contient que des choses déjà enseignées dans les précédents livres de la Torah. Pourtant, le livre de Dévarim n’est absolument pas dévalorisé vis-à-vis des 4 autres livres de la Torah puisque selon la Halacha, un Séfer Torah dans lequel il manque ne serait-ce qu’une seule lettre est Passoul (inapte) (Rambam chap.10 des règles relatives au Sefer Torah, règle 1).

Ceci, en raison du fait que chaque « pointe » de lettre contient en elle un nombre incommensurable de lois (Guemara Mena’hot 29b).

Quelles est donc la fonction et la spécificité du livre de Dévarim ?

Le Midrash enseigne (Midrash Rabba sur Dévarim 2-5) :

Moshé s’adressa à Hashem et lui dit :

« Maître du monde ! Les ossements de Yossef vont entrer en Erets Israël et moi non ?! »

Hashem lui répondit :

« Celui qui admet son attachement à la terre d’Israël, a le mérite d’y être enterré. Celui qui ne l’admet pas, ne mérite pas d’y être enterré. »

Yossef a admit son attachement à la terre d’Israël, car lorsque la femme de Potifar l’a accusé d’avoir tenté de la violer, elle le qualifia « d’hébreu », et il n’a pas nié ses origines puisqu’il dira lui-même plus tard en prison : « J’ai été enlevé à la terre des hébreux… »

Moshé n’a pas admit son attachement à la terre d’Israël car lorsque les filles de Ytro l’ont qualifié « d’égyptien » (« un homme égyptien nous a sauvé de la main des bergers… »), il s’est tue. (Fin du Midrash).

Devarim Quiz

1) Q. Moshe rebuked the Jewish people shortly before his death. From whom did he learn this?

A. From Yaakob, who rebuked his sons shortly before his death. Subsequently, Yehoshua

rebuked the people before his death, and King David rebuked his son Shlomo before his death

(although David’s was more a warning than a rebuke).

2) Q. In verse 1:5, Rashi states that Moshe explained the Torah in the seventy languages of the

ancient world. Why did Moshe do this?

A. There are those who believe that the Torah is limited in scope and doesn't apply to the

modern world. To combat this idea, the Ketav Sofer explains that Rashi states that Moshe taught

the Torah in seventy different languages to stress that the Torah is valid at all times and in all

situations. Although it is highly unlikely that Moshe actually did this, Rashi is trying to teach this

important lesson. It also shows that what is important is not the actual words and the actual

letters, but what the words mean and what the Torah teaches. It can be taught in any language,

as long as the ultimate goal of fulfilling God’s commands is achieved.

3) Q. What were some of the achievements that resulted from the “dwelling” at Mt. Sinai?

A. They received the Torah, built the Mishkan and all of its vessels, appointed a Sanhedrin,

and appointed officers.

4) Q. Why were the Jewish People permitted to provoke Moab but forbidden to provoke Ammon?

A. Abraham’s cousin Lot had 2 daughters. After Sedom was destroyed, Lot had relations

with both his daughters on consecutive nights. They both gave birth to boys. One daughter

named her son Moab, which in English translates to from my father. This made it obvious that

her son was a product of an incestuous relationship with her father. The other daughter was more

discreet and named her son Amon. Amon was the progenitor of the nation that dwelt on the east

bank of the Jordan opposite Jericho. According to the midrash, because of the discretion of

Amon’s mother, the tribe was rewarded, by God forbidding us from attacking them on our way

into Israel. Conveniently, Sichon conquered Amon and opened the way for us to enter

LES VALEURS DU JUDAISME:

Devarim, le dernier des cinq livres de la Torah, est aussi appelé Michné Torah, « Une répétition de la Torah ». Moïse s’y adresse directement au peuple juif, rappelant les grands événements et les préceptes inscrits dans les quatre autres livres de la Torah. On peut se demander pourquoi cette répétition était nécessaire. Moché Rabbénou – « Moïse notre Maître » – estimait-il que ses élèves avaient besoin d’une révision ? De fait, cette répétition était si importante que Moïse lui consacra les derniers jours de sa vie. C’était à l’évidence l’avenir même de sa chère nation qui se jouait

Examinons les faits: les valeurs du judaïsme nous enrichissent. Elles nous procurent un centre moral, une profondeur spirituelle et donnent un sens à notre vie. Elles nous relient à des millénaires de tradition qui remontent au mont Sinaï, lorsque D.ieu a donné la Torah au peuple juif. Il est difficile d’imaginer ce qui pourrait être plus important.

Peut-être Moïse a-t-il passé ses derniers jours sur terre à répéter les leçons qu’il avait déjà enseignées pour souligner la nécessité de l’éducation. La résistance de chaîne de l’histoire est celle de son maillon le plus faible. Nous devons veiller à ce que la prochaine génération reste connectée à son patrimoine et comprenne la profondeur et la richesse que le judaïsme a à offrir. L’éducation est la clé. L’avenir est entre nos mains.

Examinons les faits: les valeurs du judaïsme nous enrichissent. Elles nous procurent un centre moral, une profondeur spirituelle et donnent un sens à notre vie. Elles nous relient à des millénaires de tradition qui remontent au mont Sinaï, lorsque D.ieu a donné la Torah au peuple juif. Il est difficile d’imaginer ce qui pourrait être plus important.

Peut-être Moïse a-t-il passé ses derniers jours sur terre à répéter les leçons qu’il avait déjà enseignées pour souligner la nécessité de l’éducation. La résistance de chaîne de l’histoire est celle de son maillon le plus faible. Nous devons veiller à ce que la prochaine génération reste connectée à son patrimoine et comprenne la profondeur et la richesse que le judaïsme a à offrir. L’éducation est la clé. L’avenir est entre nos mains.

Which events took place on the following dates?

a) 17 Tamuz; b) 18 Tamuz; c) 19 Tamuz; d) 1 Elul; e) 10 Tishre; f) 1 Nisan

(The answers below are based on tradition even though they are not absolute and not all agree

on them.)

a) Moshe came down from Har Sinai and broke the Tablets. (This day is also a fast day

because it was the day the wall around Jerusalem was destroyed leading to the destruction of

the Temple)

b)Moshe burned the golden calf and punished the offenders.

c) Moshe went up a second time to Har Sinai.

d) Moshe went up a third time to Har Sinai. (This is also the day we start saying Selichot)

e) Hashem forgave the Jewish people and gave Moshe the Second Tablets. (This is also Yom

Kippur)

f) The Mishkan was completed.

PROVERBES YIDDISH

Chacun sait ce qui bout dans sa marmite

Dieu ne pouvait être partout à la fois, c'est pourquoi il a créé la mère

Chaque vendeur fait l'éloge de ses marchandises

Le jour appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt.

Le rire est un lien universel qui rassemble tous les hommes

Le visage divulgue le secret.

L'aubergiste aime l'ivrogne, mais pas comme gendre.

Ne fourrez pas votre cuillère dans la soupe de votre voisin

Quand un voleur t'embrasse, compte tes dents.

Deux mains dans les poches n'ont jamais fait un bon travailleur.

THE Shabbat SMILE;

Morris a building contractor was being paid by the week for a job that was likely to stretch over several months. He approached the owner of the property and held up the check he'd been given.
" This is two hundred dollars less than we agreed on," Morris said.
"I know," the owner said. "But last week I overpaid you two hundred dollars, and you never complained."
Morris said impatiently.... "Well, I don't mind an occasional mistake. But when it gets to be a habit, I feel I have to call it to your attention

A passenger jet was suffering through a severe thunderstorm. As the passengers were being bounced around by the turbulence, a young woman turned to a Lubavitcher Chasid sitting next to her and with a nervous laugh asked, "Rabbi, you are a man of G-d, can't you do something about this storm?"

To which he replied, "Lady, I'm in sales, not management...."

Rabbi Albert H. Friedlander of England's Westminster synagogue, who is known for his soft, melodious voice, often tells this story when visiting a community and preaching a sermon.

"Before I begin my sermon (talk), I must make a confession. It is not really a confession, because you have already begun to realize that I have a soft, quiet voice. To be honest: IT PUTS PEOPLE TO SLEEP. And why not? A fifteen minute snooze might help a congregant far more than anything else I can do for him or her. However, I really object when the president of my congregation always falls asleep within two minutes of my starting the sermon. Once, I challenged him: "Max, WHY do you always fall asleep as soon as I begin to preach?" "Rabbi," he said firmly, "I trust you."

A woman went to the Post Office to buy stamps for her Chanukah cards.

"What denomination?" asked the clerk

"Oh, good heavens! Have we come to this?" replied the woman. "Well, give me
50 Conservative, 2 Orthodox, and 37 Reform ones."

Going to the front desk of New York's exclusive Pierre Hotel, Mr. Mendelbaum requested some stationery.

The clerk asked, "Are you a guest at the hotel?"

Mr. Mendelbaum snapped indignantly, "No, I am not a guest. I am paying $300 a day

CHABBAT CHALOM

MAGHEN ABRAHAM

DAVID HASSON