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Behar - Bechukosai 5770 - Notes in the Wall |
Behar |
| There it was. The radio transmission that still overwhelms me with emotion each time I hear it. Mota Gur's famous declaration that capped a dramatic Nes - Har HaBayit B'Yadeinu.
And yet, over 40 years later, what DO we have? Har HaBayit, indeed all of Yerushalayim is subjected to being a pawn in a tenuous chess game between Bnei Esav of Europe and America and Bnei Yishmael. Ignorance of the significance of Yerushalayim is rampant throught the scandal-ridden Memshala and even the general populance of the state. Yerushalayim itself is home to many Hafganot and battles among her citizenry about fundamental spiritual matters like Shemirat Shabbat and Toavot Arayot that have led secular Israelis in a recent Maariv poll to consider their Chareidi brethren a greater threat to Israel than her Arab enemies. V'Al Eileh Ani Bochiya. So what DO we celebrate on Yom Yirushalayim? What is the great celebration we contemplate today?
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Emor 5770 - Chevron: Now and forever for Kohanim too? |
Emor |
| The Torah informs us that the Kohein is to be accorded special
honor (V'keedashto) because Hashem himself is Kadosh. Now seriously, there
are many reasons to honor a Kohein but simply because Hashem is holy too?
Isn't that a reason to perform all Mitzvot? Why specify it here?
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Acharei Mos - Keddoshim 5770 Mentsches Wear White |
Acharei Mos |
| Parshas Kedoshim, begins with God telling Moshe, 'speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for holy am I, God, your Lord.' '(Vayikra 19:2). Rashi, citing the midrash, notes that from the fact that God told Moshe to address his remarks to the entire assembly of the people, we learn that this parsha was said at a gathering of the entire assembly of Israel, because most of the essentials of the Torah depend upon it. What does 'the essentials of the Torah' mean and why are included in THIS parsha? Moreover why does THIS section need to be delivered before the entire nation?
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Tazria - Metzora 5770 What IS Eretz Yisrael?? |
Tazria |
| So however and whenever one wants to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut this week (Heh Iyar is Monday, the Chief Rabbinate called for celebration on Tuesday), let us appreciate the land that was so appreciated by the Avos who desired to be buried there and Moshe Rabbeinu who longed to live there by making our declaration of Hodaah to Hashem loud and clear - Nodeh Lecha Al SheHinchalta L'Avoseinu Eretz Chemda Tova U'Richava. Thank you Hashem for giving us the chance to say thank you for Eretz Yisrael.
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Shabbos Hagadol 5770: Stealing the Bacon?: Afikomen and Halacha |
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| The Talmud (Pesachim 109a) notes that Chotfin Matzo on the night of Pesach so that the kids will not fall asleep. Rashi explains Chotfin means to lift the Keara . He offers a second opinion that Chotfin means they would eat fast so that people don't fall asleep. Rashbam adds that the Gemara is trying to warn us not to eat too much on Seder night so that the kids do not fall asleep after they eat. |
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Vayikra 5770 - Taking the Lead: Teenage Chazzanim |
Vayikra |
| This week's Chaburah examines a question concerning Korbanos and
those potentially not required to bring them. |
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Ki Sisa/Para 5770 - The Makings of a True Tzaddik |
Ki Sisa |
| People err. They sin to Hashem and, at times, even to each other. When one recognizes his misdeeds anddesires to correct them, he undergoes a process. He apologizes, recognizes his misgiving and decides not to repeat thosemisgivings in the future. Such a process of changing one's style of action is difficult but signifies a true change in a person. |
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Terumah 5770: Trading places?: A fundraising folly? |
Terumah |
| Sometimes good thoughts do make the action. Moshe commanded the Jewish nation to begin donating funds for thepurpose of building the Mishkan. The Torah records the request: V'Yikchu Lee Terumah. Rashi pounces upon this demand and comments that the purpose of giving was'L'Shmee' for the name of God. |
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Mishpatim 5770: To damage divine? |
Mishpatim |
| What happens when our priorities clash? What do we do when we are negligent in caring for our Bein Adam L'Chaveiro because of our zeal to serve Hashem? |
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Yisro 5770: Tzoveia - Handkerchiefs and bloody noses |
Yisro |
| The Michaber (328) notes that one is not allowed to use a tourniquet or handkerchief on Shabbat to stop bleeding if it will cause the garment to become discolored. The Mogen Avraham (also cited by Mishna Berurah 328:28) notes that if one uses a red garment to stop the bleeding then he is certainly in violation. This idea seems perplexing. What is the possible violation here? And why the Mogen Avraham's Chumra?
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