B"H
Friday, Iyar 2, 5784 / May 10, 2024 (17th day of the Omer)
The Torah reading this Shabbat is Parshat Kedoshim. The Parsha begins, “G-d spoke to Moshe saying, Speak to the entire congregation of the Children of Israel, and say to them, You should be holy, because I, G-d your G-d, am holy. A person should fear his mother and father and observe My Shabbat for I am G-d, your G-d.”
Parshat Kedoshim is unique in that G-d told Moshe to gather the entire congregation and relate the mitzvot of this Parsha to everyone at the same time. Usually, Moshe would teach his brother, Aaron first, then Aaron’s children, then the elders and after that to everyone else. It shows the special importance of this Parsha.
Q. Why does the Torah connect fearing/honoring parents and the mitzvah of observing Shabbat?
A. The sages explain that this teaches us that although a person must respect parents, G-d’s commandments take precedence. Thus, if parents command a child to violate a mitzvah, such as desecrating Shabbat, one must listen to G-d’s commandment and not violate the Shabbat. The reasoning behind it is because parents also have to observe G-d’s commandments.
Another reason: The Talmud tells us that there are three partners in the creation of a child; father, mother and G-d. The reason we observe Shabbat is stated in the Ten Commandments, “Six days you shall work and perform all your labor, but the seventh day is a Shabbat to G-d your G-d… because in six days G-d made the heaven and earth... and He rested on the seventh day.”
Shabbat is our confirmation that G-d is the creator of the universe. Honoring parents and observing Shabbat is our expression of gratitude to the three partners responsible for bringing us into this world: G-d and our parents. This is why the Torah combines respecting parents and observing Shabbat.
Q.Why does the Torah add the word, “A person” should fear his father and mother. The Torah should just have said, “You should fear your father and mother”?
A. The word “Ish” – “a person”is used for someone who is anadult. By adding the worda person the Torah wants to emphasize that even when one is an adult and is not dependent on his/her parents anymore, they still have the mitzvah to honor their parents. Parents are parents no matter how old they or their children are. One must honor and respect parents not for any ulterior motive, only because they are our parents.
The mitzvah of honoring parents applies even after their passing. This is why we are obligated to observe their yartzeit and recite Kaddish after their passing. Giving charity in their honor is a great merit for their Neshama-soul. The connection between us and our parents is everlasting.
SHABBAT SHALOM & HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Montreal candle lighting time: 7:55 / Shabbat ends: 9:07
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
Thursday, Iyar 1, 5784 / May 7, 2024 (16th day of the Omer)
Today is the second day Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month Iyar. The mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh was given to the Jewish people, while still in Egypt, as they were getting ready for the Exodus.
Q. Why is Rosh Chodesh so significant?
A. Rosh Chodesh is based on the lunar cycle, which is a monthly cycle. At the end of every month the moon is not visible. When the moon reappears, that day is Rosh Chodesh.
Rosh Chodesh is a sign of hope for the Jewish people. It reminds us that no matter what hardships we may encounter, we will always resurface and shine again, just like the moon.
Rabbi Meir Shapiro was a legend in pre-Second World War Poland. He built the famous Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva, in Lublin, Poland. Young men, with exceptional minds, from all over Europe, were the students of his yeshiva. He initiated the daily study of Daf Yomi – a page of Talmud daily. Rabbi Meir Shapiro was also a member in the Polish parliament. In addition to his many achievements, Rabbi Shapiro was also known for his wonderful wit and humor.
With a population of three million Yiddish speaking Jews in Poland, there were many Jewish newspapers in the Yiddish language, printed there. There was a newspaper called the “Moment;” another one was called “Heint” (Today) and one of a religious nature was called, “Der Yid” (the Jew).
One day, walking by a newsstand, Rabbi Shapiro asked for “Der Yid.” The proprietor said to Rabbi Shapiro, “Why do you want Der Yid? Why don’t you buy the more sophisticated papers, like the “Moment” or the “Heint?” In fact, you see that “Der Yid” is all the way on the bottom of the pile, beneath the “Heint” and the “Moment!”
“But I insist on buying “Der Yid!” said Rabbi Shapiro. The proprietor bent down and pulled out Der Yid from the bottom of the pile and handed it to Rabbi Shapiro. “I’m very curious,” he said to the Rabbi, “Why did you insist on buying “Der Yid?” After all, this newspaper has a small circulation and is of lesser quality than the other newspapers. In fact, you see that I keep “Der Yid” all the way at the bottom.
Rabbi Shapiro smiled and replied, “Look at the names of the other papers: Heint means Today, and Moment, is a moment. The moment will be gone in a moment and the Heint will be gone in a day. But Der Yid, at this moment and today may be at the bottom… However.in the end, Der Yid (The Jew) will rise to the top!”
This is why Rosh Chodesh is so significant for the Jewish people. It reminds us that although in the moment and today we may experience difficulties and hardships, but in the end, with G-d’s help, we will regain our full light and shine. May it be very soon. May we merit the coming of Moshiach NOW.
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & CHODESH-MONTH
B"H
Tuesday, Nissan 29, 5784 / May 7, 2024 (14th day of the Omer)
This week’s Parsha is “Kedoshim.” The Parsha begins, “G-d spoke to Moshe saying: Speak to the entire congregation of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I, G-d your G-d, am holy.”
In the Parsha the Torah enumerates many of the mitzvot which G-d commands us to observe and prohibitions which we have to refrain from doing. By observing these commandments, we become more holy. One of the many mitzvot in the Parsha is, “Love your fellow like yourself.”
These days as we are experiencing a new wave of the old-new antisemitism, slogans of hate etc., we, Jews, strive to be a holy people, through love and kindness.
One of the survivors of the Holocaust was Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Halbershtam, of blessed memory. His wife and 11 children were all murdered in the Holocaust.
He miraculously survived the harsh labor camps and later settled in America and then in Israel in the city of Netanya, There he established the Kloizenberg Chassidic dynasty. In Netanya, in addition to his many spiritual activities, he also built the famous Laniado Hospital.
During his time in the concentration camps and even after losing his entire family, he never lost hope. He would also encourage other Jews not to lose hope. He told them to keep their faith and hope for the day that will come when they will be liberated.
One time after one of the SS Nazis beat him mercilessly, another inmate asked him, “Rabbi, are you still going to be saying that you belong to the chosen people?”
“Yes. I will say it with more meaning,” replied the rabbi. “I will be thanking G-d for choosing me to be a JEW, and not a murderer, a barbaric, cruel and inhumane, Nazi!”
As we see the world going crazy, chanting antisemitic slogans against Jews and the surfacing of hatred against us, it makes us prouder to be Jewish. To become holier - through love.
Q. One of the ways we remember the martyrs is through reciting the Kaddish. What is the significance of the Kaddish, which we recite after those who passed away? Also, why is it said in Aramaic and not in Hebrew?
A. The "Kaddish" in which we praise, glorify, and sanctify G-d's name, serves two functions: It benefits the soul of the deceased to rest in peace in Gan Eden. It also shows that the mourners accept G-d's judgment and proclaim His justice. This, too, benefits the soul of the deceased.
The Kaddish is recited in Aramaic because at the time the Kaddish was introduced the majority of the Jewish people spoke Aramaic and didn't understand Hebrew. In order that everyone in the congregation would understand the meaning of these words, it was established in Aramaic.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, PEACEFUL & SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.
B"H
Monday, Nissan 28, 5784 / May 6, 2024 (13th day of the Omer)
Today in Israel has been designated as Yom HaShoa - Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Today we remember our 6,000,000 brothers and sisters, men, women and children, who were brutally murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators close to eighty years ago.
Yom HaShoa, this year, is not like every other year. Today it has more significance than any other year. “Yom HaShoah” carries greater importance today, after the massacre on October 7, when 1,200 innocent Israelis were murdered and over 200 taken hostage - The worst loss of Jewish life in one day since the Holocaust!
Today we again witness open antisemitism so rampant all over the world. From Ivy League colleges and university campuses to the streets of major cities around the world where antisemitism and anti-Israel demonstrations has become the new norm. The chants, “From the River to the Sea,” which literally means the annihilation of ALL Jews living in Israel, G-d forbid, is chanted in public without any shame.
At the Pesach Seder, which we celebrated last week, we raised our cup of wine and recited the, "Vehi She’amda" in which we are reminded that, "In every generation there are those who want to annihilate us, but G-d saves us from their hands." It had so much more meaning and hit closer to home this year than in previous years.
The slogan“NEVER AGAIN” has much more meaning today than ever. However, in today’s antisemitic atmosphere it sounds more like a prayer than a statement…
A friend of mine told me the following story of his little grandson. When the child heard that Israel was at war with the Hamas, he exclaimed to his mother, “For sure Israel will win.”
“But how do you now?” His mother asked him. He innocently replied, “Because G-d is on OUR side!”
Yes, G-d IS on OUR side and will save and protect us, as He did during the past 3,000 years.
We pray that G-d grant victory to the soldiers of the I.D.F. who are risking their lives on the front lines of battle. May G-d protect them, their families and all who live in Israel. May G-d send a Refuah Shleimah – a complete healing to all the wounded. May ALL the hostages be reunited with their loved ones immediately.
Our greatest tribute to the victims of the “Shoah” is being proud with our Jewish heritage and tradition. Doing whatever we can to assure Jewish education and Jewish continuity.
May we merit the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days. Amen.
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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