Motzei Shabbos Maaseh #3- Tazria-Metzorah

Living in Israel, we don't even realize what we speak. I mean, we speak Ivrit, (Hebrew) but that language truly comes from the language of the Torah- Lashon HaKodesh.

Why is Lashon HaKodesh called Lashon HaKodesh- the holy language? Is there something so unique about it that it deserves to be called holy? (Besides for the fact that the Torah is written in it, and so therefore it is holy- it should be holy by itself in order to have the Torah written in it.)

The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide to the Perplexed) gives an answer to it, that since Lashon HaKodesh has no bad language- no curses or swear words, therefore, it is called holy. This seems interesting- why does that give it the designation of holiness? Just because it doesn't have bad language?

In this week's parsha, it discusses Tzaaras, leprosy- which is a punishment for speaking Lashon Hara- negative facts about another person. It is very interesting, as it is a unique punishement for that sin.

R' Yerucham Levovitz, former Mashgiach of Mir, states some interesting facts about Tzaaras. Tzaaras is given not as a punishment for speaking negatively about another person, but it is a natural outgrowth of the person's negativity. As if the person himself has a flaw, and that flaw causes the natural outspurt of a physical problem. It's as if the flaw manifests itself on the outward part of a person.

A non kosher animal, known as a Behaimah Temaiah (impure animal), has signs of impurity- that it doesn't have split hooves, or chew it's cud. However, we might think that that is what makes it impure, unfit for Jewish people to eat. The answer is not that- but rather, that because these animals are not-kosher, they innately have this certain impurity, and therefore, it manifests itself on their outward apperance.

The same goes for holiness- if something is innately holy- it will express itself outwardly. There seems to be an outpouring of holiness from something, which expresses itself in the physical world.

That is why Lashon HaKodesh is holy. Because it itself is holy- it's "Kadosh Hu- it is holy"- as the Rambam says, so therefore, it has no bad language. It expresses the holiness in itself, and that is why the world was created and the Torah was written with Lashon HaKodesh.

Motzei Shabbos Maaseh #2

It's that time of week again!

Parshas Vayikra:

It says in this week's parsha that Moshe heard the Voice [of G-d] emanating from the Ohel Moed- Tent of Meeting, and he went to speak to Hashem. Rashi makes a very interesting comment on the fact that it says 'from' the Ohel Moed?
Rashi comments that 'the' of the words 'the Voice' makes it into a softer form, a lighter version of the word. But the word 'from' shows that the sound did not reach past the Tent of Meeting- although G-d's voice is mentioned in other places as being strong and mighty- here G-d spoke softly- Namuch, in Hebrew, and it didn't reach past the Tent of Meeting.
So why is this so important- that Hashem chose to speak to Moshe in a softer tone of voice?
The answer lies in a simple fact- a soft voice is harder to hear. You have to be watching out and listening for it, for you to even know it's there.
Hashem sends us messages constantly- all day, in fact. But Hashem speaks softly- you have to be waiting for it, anticipating it- asking yourself, what does G-d want from me now- what messages is He sending me?
And then you'll hear it, loud and clear, despite the decibel tone.

On a seperate note, I had a teacher who once suggested keeping a Hashgacha Pratis (divine intervention) diary- trying to look for Hashem's hand in our lives daily. And you know? When you start looking, there is no end to the HP that you can find. So try it sometime- see that Hashem is watching over and helping you all the time.

Motzei Shabbos Maaseh #1

I've decided to start a new series, although this one is not purely my own. I was discussing with Mr. NMF how much I really enjoyed his Divrei Torah this Shabbos, (as I do every Shabbos) and I offered to write them down. Jokingly, he remarked, "How 'bout on your blog?". And so, I think I'll take him up on it. Motzei Shabbos Maaseh it is!

Parshas Vayakhel:

In this week's parsha, Bnai Yisroel are commanded to build the Mishkan, the tabernacle, which would serve as a place to worship Hashem. All of Bnai Yisroel were asked to donate items for the Mishkan, and they did so hurriedly, causing the Or HaChaim to remark on the words "M'Lifnei Moshe"- "from before Moshe"- that they even beat Moshe to the punch, they were so quick.

The Nasi'im, the princes and leaders of each tribe, however, did not donate immediately. As Rashi states- their name is written without a "yud"- incomplete, marking a criticism of the Nasi'im because they said, "We won't donate right away, but whatever is missing, we will make up the total."

Rabbi Flaum, zt"l, comments that that seems to be a praise of the Nasi'im, not a criticism. After all, who collecting donations wouldn't want someone who said, "Collect all you can, and I'll make up what ever is missing." That seems to be a major praiseworthy act, not a wrongdoing.

The answer lies in the parsha. Bnai Yisroel ran to give. They wanted to give no matter what, even if there was nothing needed to give. They gave and gave, because there was a spirit of giving, of chesed inside them. And when there is that spirit, that drive to give, everyone should jump on the bandwagon and give. And for that, the Nasi'im are criticized- for not joining in the spirit of Hisorrirus- of elevation- of giving with a full heart, even if it's not needed.

That is true chesed, true giving to others.
How do we know?

Because of Avraham Avinu, the epitome of chesed. Avraham sat, the third day after his bris (circumcision) and waited for guests, but no one came. He was so saddened, that Hashem sent him angels in the guise of guests. Why was Avraham sad? Thank G-d, no one needed his charity and open house that day- he should be happy! But no- Avraham was such a giver, such a person of chesed, that he wanted to give no matter what- even if it was not needed. That is true chesed- the spirit of giving no matter what.

That is what the Nasi'im were lacking- they felt they only had to give if there was a need. But Bnai Yisroel gave without the need.
And that's true chesed.
Gut Voch and Shavuah Tov!

Erev Shabbos #11- Conversationalism

Ever noticed what we converse about?
I once heard that old saying-
Small people talk about others
Medium people talk about things
Great people talk about ideas

I never was totally sure about it- as most conversations tend to generalize about all three, but it is true that the more a person talks about others, the worse the conversation tends to be. The Chofetz Chaim was once approached by someone who asked him how it was possible to have a conversation free of Loshon Hara (derogatory speech about others). "I mean, what is there to talk about?!" R' Yisrael Meir Kagan shook his head, and asked, "You mean that you can't find a single thing to talk about except about others? That's very sad."

I've found that conversation, unless you have decided to get into an intellectual debate with someone, usually focuses around what you've been doing lately. For those in school, it's their finals and tests. For those who are married, it's Shabbos preparations, or timing of graduate school classes. For those who are parents, it's their child's latest antics. And so it continues. (These are all examples. Please don't read into them.)

I happen to enjoy the intellectual debate type of conversations, but there are very few people in this world who are interested in conducting one with me. I mean, how many people are interested in debating Nosson Slifkin's view of the universe and the perspective of the Rabbanim involved, or the fact that entropy figures in an excellent Ramban in Bereshis....
And particle physics- well, I can't discuss that with most anyway. Oh well.

So my conversations tend to range along the lines of most of the other stuff. And, people are content by this.

On Shabbos- my table abounds with conversation. In my parents' home, it used to revolve around the parsha. My parents would make it a point to read the entire parsha in English straight from Artscroll on Friday night, whether or not everyone had learnt it already. And when I say read, I mean every word. People were encouraged to chime in with Divrei Torah at appropriate intervals. At my table, conversation can range from all sides of the spectrum. But, discussion of Torah does remain paramount.

I think that's an important idea in conversation. All the week, at the table, we discuss the commonplace things. But on Shabbos- conversation should have some measure of Kedusha, holiness, in it. It doesn't matter if you read straight from Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski's Parsha Points, or you interweave your own Devar Torah from the sources you've learnt. It doesn't even have to go with the parsha of the week. But there should be something there.

Something more than straight old conversation for conversations' sake.
Gut Shabbos Everyone!

Ais Melchama- A Time for War

There is a time for everything- a time to sow, and a time to reap. A time for sorrow and a time for rejoicing. There is a time for peace, and even a time for war.

We all would like war not to come to our fair land. We would prefer that our boys stay home, safe and well, that our innocent children not be bombed out of their homes and into shelters. But if Hashem sends war- there is a time for that as well.

All things are in G-d's hands- there is even a pasuk, "Lev Melachim B'Yad Hashem"- the hearts of kings are in the hands of Hashem. We can't control it sometimes- sometimes, the only thing we can do is daven, and pray for our people.

A long time ago (I can't believe we're about to finish Sefer Bereshis, but this week is Parshas Vayechi- there is a time to start and a time to finish as well.) we read Parshas Vayishlach.

There is a Medresh that states that there is a complaint against Yaakov that he didn’t have enough bitachon (trust) in Hashem, and he sent messengers to Aisav before Aisav even approached him. One would think that would be planning ahead, worrying about the future, and acting appropriately. Yet Yaakov is criticized for it.

The Aitz Yosef states that Yaakov should have had further bitachon in his heart. He shouldn’t have worried about Aisav and the threat that Aisav could bring. On Yaakov's level ,(and again, we are talking about Yaakov Avinu, patriarch of our people) he could have just ignored Aisav and continued on in his life, rather than preempting him.

This seems again, like a tough concept to absorb. How to know when to do something- when is extra efforts alright, and when should we relax. When should we try for peace, and when should we head for war.

The Ramban states one reason that we are now in Galus Edom (the Roman exile that the Jews are in from the time of the 2nd Temple until the coming of Mashiach). The Jews in the time of the 2nd Temple sent messengers to Rome trying to make peace.

This seems to be a similar way of handling things, with a similar problem. They might have been able to have further bitachon in Hashem- further trust in Hashem, rather than preempting themselves and the countries around them by running to Edom.

So how do we know when to choose peace and when to choose war? How do we know when to make peace and when to fight for our lives? How do we know when we have enough bitachon- trust in G-d?

I for sure can't answer that question. But it is interesting on how this plays out again and again in our history.

In Israel, sometimes there are two factions in politics: those that believe that we should do whatever other countries say, especially for peace- like giving away land, creating ceasefires, stopping to bomb even when bombs are hurling down on our children's heads.

And the other side says: "Kain anachnu yecholim!" (for all who don't recognize it- that's the Shas slogan) We believe in Hashem, we trust in Him, and we can do it- don’t need help from other parts of the globe. We don't need to listen to the PR, or to the countries that say we should just put up with the bombing, or stop the "occupation", or other such things.

Efshar L’Haamin- we can believe….
Build in ourselves- bitachon, have trust- rely on Hashem. Daven. Daven because Hashem has put us in a situation where there is a time of war. And as such- we have only one place to turn to- our Father in Heaven. Sometimes- we have to fight, and ignore the naysayers. And, the most important- realize it's all in Hashem's hands.

(Credit due to Mr. NMF as well- for the excellent take on politics and chumash.)
This should be a zechus for Eldad ben Rivka- the chayal who I'm davening/learning for.
To get a name, or submit a name- call 02-581-9111.

Whew!

Well, Succos is over- my 5 kg washing machine is trying to handle the 10 loads of laundry I have left, and my out-of-town guests have packed up and out. In short, it's Isru Chag.

It kind of collapses with a bump- that the month spent cooking, cleaning, preparing, davening, and celebrating all ends with massive amounts of dishes to wash, and a regular old Shabbos to prepare.

But in truth- we all gained immensly from Yom Tov- and when it comes around again, we'll have new meaning to take to the holiday, something garnered away from last year and brought out to shine again- like the Succos decorations waiting to find their space in my machsan (storage space).

Here's a short Dvar Torah for all interested....otherwise, better get back to my sponja!

Short Dvar Torah- Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are celebrated on the same day here in E"Y, which is interesting- what do the two have in common?

Shmini Atzeres is based upon the fact that after Succos, Hashem tells Bnai Yisroel that their parting is too hard, and so they should celebrate for another day of Yom Tov.
Simchas Torah is based upon the fact that we finish the annual completion of reading the entire Torah- and we want to show our love for it.

In reality, the two are related. Shmini Atzeres is us wanting to show our connection to Hashem, to rejoin each other for yet another day of Yom Tov, and to show our love to Hashem that we want to stay for another day. What better way to do that with a show of the greatest connection we have to Hashem- the Torah! The Torah shows our desire to have Hashem in our midst, and shows our connection to His Torah as well.

So that's why Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are celebrated on the same day!

Credits: Mr. NMF (hey, I've got to give credit where credit is due!)