B"H
Friday, Iyar 9, 5784 / May 17, 2024 (24th day of the Omer)
This week’s Parsha, Emor, begins with commandments for a Kohen (priest) and Kohen Gadol (High priest), whose role was to serve in the Holy Temple. A kohen must not come close to a dead body, except for seven relatives which he may attend to. The Parsha tells us which blemishes disqualify a kohen from serving in the Temple and which disqualify an animal from being brought as a sacrifice.
In the latter half of the Parsha the Torah commands us about observing the holidays, beginning with Shabbat, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
One of the mitzvot in this week's Parsha is the prohibition to slaughter a cow and her calf on the same day. It applies when slaughtering the animals to eat or for a sacrifice in the Holy Temple. This prohibition applies even when the calf is not slaughtered in front of its mother.
What is the reason behind this prohibition? According to the Holy Zohar, the reason for this prohibition is that we should not become insensitive and develop bad character traits.
Our sages tell us that one of the character traits in which the Jewish people excel is mercy ("Rachmanut"). The Talmud says that one can identify a descendant of the Patriarch Abraham, a Jew, by the fact that he or she is merciful to others. If anyone needed proof of this, it is very apparent in the way the IDF soldiers conduct themselves even when in battle…
The Torah prohibition not to cause suffering to animals is very strict. The Torah commands us that when one sees an animal weighed down under a heavy load, that person must help to ease the animal's burden. Also, according to Jewish law, one is not permitted to eat before feeding their animals. The animal must be fed first!
Our sages also say, "Whoever shows mercy for all of G-d's creatures will in turn cause heavenly mercy upon themselves.”
Rabbi Chayim Palagi says, “When a person is in distress or sick, he or she should make it a point to be kind to animals, like feeding birds or other animals. This invokes G-d's mercy upon us.
The Talmud tells a story about Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, compiler of the Mishna, that for many years he suffered great physical pain as a punishment for not coming to the aid of a calf that ran under his coat for safety, while being led to the slaughterhouse.
Then, one day when he saw the maid in the house chasing away little kittens, he ordered her to stop. He told her that just like G-d's mercy is upon all His creation, so too, we must have mercy upon all creatures. As a result of this kind act, Rabbi Yehuda's illness disappeared, and his pain was gone.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 8:03 / Shabbat ends: 9:17
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
B"H
Thursday, Iyar 8, 5784 / May 16, 2024 (23rd day of the Omer)
This Shabbat we study the third chapter of Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers). The following are a few excerpts from this chapter:
Rabbi Akiva said: "Everything is given on collateral and a net is spread over all the living; the shop is open, the shopkeeper extends credit, the ledger is open, the hand writes, and whoever wishes to borrow, let him come and borrow; the collectors make their rounds regularly, each day, and exact payment from man with or without his knowledge… And everything is prepared for the feast".
These words were said 2,000 years ago. How true are these words in today's world when we rely so much on credit. It may seem free and easy in the beginning, but there is a payment to be made one day.
"The shop is open." This world is like a store. We have free choice in whatever we do. However, "The ledger is open and the hand writes." An accurate record is kept up in heaven, for which accountability will have to be given. Rabbi Akiva concludes with, "Everything is prepared for the feast." This implies that there is great reward for those who have conducted themselves accordingly and who have accomplished their mission in this world. They lived their life knowing that there is accountability and a price to be paid for everything.
Rabbi Eliezer of Bartota said: "Give Him (G-d) of that which is His, for you and whatever is yours are His". Rabbi Eliezer teaches us that we must realize that when we give to charity, we are in reality giving G-d that which is His to begin with. It was given to us on the condition, so we can do good deeds with it. Giving to charity and helping others in need is our mission in this world. We are in reality the conduit through which Hashem helps others. He gives it to them through us, so that we will have the mitzvah and reward for this act which He could have done Himself. Thus, a person should view that whatever one gives to charity was meant to be given to charity in the first place.
Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa said: “Anyone with whom his fellowmen are pleased, G-d is pleased with him; but anyone with whom his fellowmen are not pleased; G-d is not pleased with him."
Rabbi Eliezer ben Azariya said: "Anyone whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds, to what can he be compared? To a tree whose branches are numerous but whose roots are few, and the wind comes and uproots it and turns it upside down. But anyone whose good deeds exceed his wisdom, to what can he be compared? To a tree whose branches are few but whose roots are numerous, so that even if all the winds in the world were to come and blow against it, they could not move it from its place."
"Man is compared to the tree of the field" (Deut. 20:19). Good deeds are like roots which keep the tree firmly in place. It is of great importance to educate children from a very young age in the performance of mitzvot, kindness and good deeds. These deep roots will guard and guide them throughout life.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
B"H
Wednesday, Iyar 7, 5784 / May 15, 2024 (22nd day of the Omer)
This Shabbat we read Parshat Emor, Towards the end of the Parsha, the Torah tells us about the observance of the holidays, "G-d spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: The festivals of G-d you shall proclaim to be holy convocations. The following are My festivals…”
Then the Torah goes on to describe the holiday of Passover; the Omer sacrifice; the mitzvah of counting the Omer for a period of seven weeks; the holiday of Shavuot and the sacrifice of the Two Breads on Shavuot; Rosh Hashanah; the sounding of the Shofar; fasting on Yom Kippur - the day of atonement; Sukkot and its mitzvot and the mitzvah of Lulav and Etrog.
In the middle of describing the holidays and the sacrifices which shall be brought in the Holy Temple during the holidays, the Torah commands about the mitzvah of helping the poor. "And when you reap the harvest of your land you shall not completely reap the corner of your field and the gleaning of your harvest you shall not gather; for the poor and for the stranger you shall leave them: I am the L-rd your G-d".
Q. Why did the Torah tell us about the mitzvah of charity ("for the poor and for the stranger you shall leave them") while speaking about the holidays and their particular sacrifices?
A. According to our sages it is to teach us the importance of charity. “G-d credits whoever gives charity as if they built the Beth HaMikdash (Holy Temple) and presented offerings therein."
In other words, the Torah tells us that a gift to the poor is really a gift to G-d! Today, when we don’t have the Temple, giving to charity is our only way of offering gifts to G-d.
Rabbi Akiva was once traveling on a ship when he noticed in the distance another ship which was sinking. Rabbi Akiva knew that there was a scholar on the sinking ship who would no doubt drown. Rabbi Akiva was very pained. But when Rabbi Akiva came to shore and visited the synagogue, he saw the man engaged in study!
"How were you saved from the sinking ship?" Rabbi Akiva asked him.
"Your prayers must have helped me for I was thrown from wave to wave until I found myself on shore."
"What good deed did you do to merit being saved?" asked Rabbi Akiva.
"As I boarded the ship, a poor man came and asked for food. I gave him one loaf of bread. The poor man said to me, 'Just like you have saved my life, may G-d save your life.'"
Upon hearing this, Rabbi Akiva reminded everyone the words of King Solomon, "Cast your bread upon the water and in time you will find it!" Charity is our gift to G-d which in turn brings G-d’s gifts to us.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
B"H
Tuesday, Iyar 6, 5784 / May 14, 2024 (21st day of the Omer)
Yesterday Israel remembered the fallen heroes – men and women who gave their lives to protect the Land of Israel and the People of Israel. It also celebrated Independence day. This year the celebrations were with heavy hearts for those who were slaughtered, murdered, mutilated, raped and all who were taken hostage.
On the one hand, we thank G-d every day for choosing us as His Holy Nation and giving us the Holy Land of Israel. It is nothing short of a miracle from G-d that we have been able to defend Israel for the past 76 years against overwhelming odds which were, and are, stacked against us, to this very day.
At the same time our hearts are pained for those who have lost loved ones in the brutal savagery at the hands of Hamas terrorists and for those who are suffering in captivity. May they ALL be freed now.
Israel is a constant miracle. It is only because G-d is with us, that Israel is ours today. As the Torah says, “For it is He Who gives you the power to do battle.”
Israel is constantly dependent on G-d for its existence. As Moshe told the Jewish people, “Because of your connection to G-d, you are all alive today.”
Story: The mikveh (ritual bath) in the city of Premishlan, was located behind a steep mountain. During the summer months the people would take the short route to the mikveh, which went over the mountain. However, in the winter, the mountain was covered with snow and ice, it was dangerous to go up and down the mountain, so they would take the long way and go around the mountain.
The Chassidic Rabbe of Premishlan, Rabbi Meir, would take the shortcut all year round. He would go over the mountain even in the winter and would always safely get to the mikveh and back. People spoke with admiration about their illustrious holy rabbi, how G-d watched and protected him.
There were a few wise guys who made fun of the people who viewed this as a miracle. They said, “This is no great deal. We can do it too.” One winter day, they started climbing up the mountain to prove their point. Halfway up, they lost their footing, slipped, and rolled down the mountain, hurting themselves badly. When they recovered, they came to Rabbi Meir and asked for his forgiveness. Then they said, “Rabbi we recognize that this is not humanly possible. How do youdo it?”
Rabbi Meir replied, “When one is attached on high, one doesn’t fall below.” Because we are connected to on-high, He protects us down here. Our dependenceis the secret of our independence.
After Biden unjustly proclaimed that he was withholding from supplying Israel necessary armaments to wipe out Hamas terrorists-murderers, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said, “Israel will have to do it alone.” The truth is that Israel is never alone.G-d was, is, and always will be with Israel.
Long live the people of Israel in the land of Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
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