Archive for August 2013

Around the Shabbat Table- Parshat B’haalotcha

August 4, 2013 Kid's Section No comments

 by Rabbi Gedalia Fogel – Pre 1A – Yeshiva Ketana of Queens

 

Hi! This is Rebbe speaking:

This week’s parsha, Parshas B’haalotcha, speaks about the avodah, the work that Aharon Hakohen, the High Priest, did in the Beis Hamidkash, (the Holy Temple).  It says that Aharon Hakohen did what Hashem commanded of him and he didn’t change. He lit the Menorah every day.

The head of each Shevet (tribe) brought Karbanot right after the Mishkan was built. Aharon felt bad that his Shevet, Shevet Levi, did not partake in this Avodah of bringing Karbanot. But he was appeased when Hashem told him that his Avodah was to light the Menorah daily.

Just like Aharon Hakohen lit the Menorah every day so too, our Avodah is to do Mitzvot, pray and to learn Torah daily. The more this becomes a habit the greater the reward will be. When one plants a seed he must work the field every day. He will not see results immediately but eventually he will enjoy the fruits of his labor. One who prays daily may not always see the results of his prayers, but one day he will see that every word of prayer was significant.  Rabbi Nachman of Breslov compares this to a king who had a tree in his garden that took 100 years to bear fruit. For one hundred years the king’s gardeners toiled and only then did they see results.

When one works on himself spiritually he will reap greater and greater reward. With each consecutive day that he learns, prays and does Mitzvot he will get more satisfaction and compensation. Rabbi Akiva saw a rock that had a hole in it. How can this be? Rabbi Akiva noticed that a drop of water dripped on this rock continuously and eventually the drops bore a hole. One may find it hard to pray and learn Torah on a daily basis but with consistency it will get easier and will have far reaching effects.

The first question asked when one reaches the heavenly court is whether he set aside time each day for Torah learning. One must learn for a period of time each day. He must make sure that this becomes a daily ritual and one he would never miss. If one keeps to this commitment it will become second nature and they will not feel as if it is a burden.

Rabbi Avigdor Miller taught us this lesson with doing Chesed, a kind deed. He stated that one must make sure to do at least one Chesed each day. The Torah stands on three pillars: Torah, Avodah and Gemillat Chasadim. Torah is making sure that one sets aside a time for learning Torah each day. Avodah is prayer and Gemillat Chasadim means doing Chesed, kindness.

There were no time restrictions when it came to see Reb Shmuel Salant, the Rav of Yerushalayim. He was getting older and his family wanted to set a certain time of day when Reb Shmuel would answer Halachic questions. But the Rav refused. He said, “One must always copy the ways of Hashem. He does not restrict our communication with Him. Hashem does not have hours. His doors are open at all times for prayer and repentance. So too, my Chesed, my door to others will always be open.

A Talmid, a disciple, asked the Chazon Ish, “Why give so much of your time to others? It is hard for you to always be available. Your time is so precious. You can spend more time learning Torah.” The Chazon Ish answered, “If I had a lot of money I would give Tzedaka regularly. But since I do not, the least I can do is listen to others at all times without limits.

Dear children, we learned about the importance of doing something daily without stopping. We can easily achieve this. There is great power to doing something on a constant basis. Let us try to make sure that a day does not pass without Chesed, prayer and Torah learning.

What have we learned today?

What is the significance of lighting the Menorah each day?

It teaches us the importance of doing something daily.

What three pillars does the world stand on?

Torah, Avodah and Gemillat Chasadim. One should set aside time for each of these three things daily. He should make sure to learn Torah, pray and do Chesed each day.

Around the Shabbat Table- Parshat Eikev

August 4, 2013 Kid's Section No comments

By Rabbi Gedalia Fogel

 

Hi! This is Rebbe speaking:

 

 

In this week’s parsha, Parshat Eikev, Rashi comments on the words “והיה עקב תשמעון”. Rashi translates עקב to mean “heel”. He states that if you listen and do the Mitzvot that you do with your heel (small Mitzvot) than you will merit the rewards that Hashem has promised. Even the Mitzvot that one walks right over with their heel, Mitzvot that go unnoticed, are counted and the reward that was promised will be fulfilled. One may think that only big Mitzvot, only good deeds that are major get reward. But this is not so. The small good deeds also receive great reward in the World to Come.

 

The wife of the Gra (the Rabbi of Vilna) and her friend Miriam, two righteous women took the troubles of their hometown into their hands. They would go from door to door and collect food and money for their poor townspeople. It was not an easy task. The wife of the Gra and Miriam would walk through the streets and knock at each door requesting a donation.

“Would you be so kind and help your Jewish brothers who have no food to feed their youngsters?” Miriam would ask. “Whatever the donation, food or money, big or small, would surely help them immensely.” the wife of the Gra would add. Many would give with a full heart. But there were those that would not contribute often, without even a kind word in response to their request.

For many years both friends had the merit of doing this great Mitzvah. As the years went on their great deed became more of a challenge for both women. They were not young anymore. But they were not about to stop what they had been doing for decades long.

The bond between both women was strengthened through this great Mitzvah. They made up that whichever woman would die first, would come to the other in a dream and tell them what had transpired in the World to Come.

The wife of the Gra passed away and left Miriam alone to continue this great Mitzvah. Shortly after Miriam’s death, the wife of the Gra came to Miriam in a dream. “You cannot fathom what great reward awaits you. Every step that you take, every knock on a door, every word of request, each are worth more than one can fathom.”

“Do you recall that time that we went to Meir, a wealthy man’s home only to discover that he was not home? I then spotted Meir walking across the road. I pointed my finger and showed you that Meir was heading toward his home. We both got great merit for this Mitzvah but I received a greater remuneration. Since I was the one that pointed Meir out to you, I received an extra reward for lifting my finger and pointing out that Meir was there, thus allowing us to get a donation from him.

The Mishna in Perkei Avot states “Be careful with a small Mitzvah as much as a big Mitzvah, since we do not know the reward of the Mitzvah. You should be careful to perform all Mitzvot since we do not know which good deed is big in the eyes of Hashem. One should be diligent with any Mitzvah, even those seemly small Mitzvot, since they may be more significant than they seem.

Offer a man $100 for a day’s work and he will work a day. Offer him $500 for a week and he will work a week. Offer him $3000 a month and he will work a month etc… Mitzvot are worth much more and even though we do not know exactly how much each Mitzvah is worth, we still know that comparatively it is priceless. Catch as many Mitzvot as you can.

Reb Shimon worked in a meat factory. He would greet Peter, the guard at the door each morning with a cheerful “hello” and each evening on his way out, he would thank Peter and wish him a “good night”.

One evening Peter was frantic as the owner of the factory was about to lock up. “Reb Shimon did not leave the factory. He must be somewhere inside the factory still.” “How can you be sure of that? Maybe he left in a hurry and you did not see him.” Peter responded with confidence, “He did not leave! Shimon does not leave without saying “good night”. He has done this for many years and has never missed a night. ”

Peter followed the owner into the factory and searched each room. They finally opened the deep freezer only to discover Reb Shimon half-frozen, barely moving. They quickly carried him out and covered him and warmed him up, until he came back to himself. “You saved my life. How did you know that I was still here? I was positive that no one would know that I was locked into the freezer. I was sure you all had gone home.” “Actually you saved your own life.” responded Peter. “I was positive that you were still here because you were meticulous in telling me “good night” each evening. I knew that you had come to work today because you greeted me in the morning and I did not receive your daily “good bye”. It’s your credit, your good deed of greeting me each day that saved your life.”

In this story we see how a small deed saved someone’s life. This shows us what small Mitzvot can achieve for us in the World to Come. A seemingly insignificant deed can go a long way.

 

 

What have we learned today?

 

 

 

Does it pay to do large Mitzvot over small Mitzvot?

 

Any Mitzvah is worthy of reward. Sometimes what seems insignificant is really worth much more than one can fathom. Do all Mitzvot that come your way both big and small.

 

 

What are some Mitzvot that seem insignificant? Which Mitzvot can girls and boys your age perform?

 

Greeting each person with a smile. Answering Amen to a Bracha. Sharing. Holding the door open for others. Listening to your parents the first time. Saying Brachot out loud. Playing nicely with your siblings and friends. Praying for someone in need.

 

I’m sure you all have great examples that you have performed and will continue to do. Hashem cherishes each Mitzvah big and small.

American Classic

August 4, 2013 Achdut- Unity No comments
 

There are certain events in history, that if one is a part of it, he would be defined as privileged. An example would be, if one is part of a home crowd where their team is playing the seventh and deciding game of the World Series. At the last at bat where the bases are loaded with two outs and in dramatic fashion, the home team batter hits a grand slam home-run. What a dream it is to be a part of the moment in the stadium with thousands who are watching this great classic, epic event. Such is the case, last week at the twelfth Siyum Hashas, where 90,000 plus, Orthodox Jews attended to celebrate finishing the seven year cycle of the Talmud. Although, not wild like what was just described, the crowd a bit more subdued, tamed, and a lot more dignified, but you can tell that everybody there had this inner simcha – happiness that was so gratifying.

Besides the proud accomplishment of finishing the cycle, Jews and American Jews, especially, should be proud of the incredible, well-organized and well-orchestrated display of speakers, video presentations, musicians, cantors and choirs. They brought the best in the business to the grand stage of the biggest crowd, in the history of a Jewish religious sit-down, with your potato chips and $3.50 bottled water, event. This was an awesome display of modern technology and Torah, where you had four jumbo size big screens at the four corners of the stadium and the acoustics were amazing.

Rabbi Yissachar Frand, who is one of the top gun American speakers in the Jewish circuit, spoke very well. It was an American style speech, getting the large crowd to clap with enthusiasm every so often similar to the classic American orators that we see so frequent on television. It reminded me of those Republican/Democratic conventions or State of the Union addresses style that the Americans have always been able to orchestrate so well. Once again, Jews have mimicked their host country. I believe it’s a very positive mimic. The American Jews made an event that was impressive with class in a breathtaking big way on a grand scale like no other. I’ve often mentioned my multi-cultural background, though ironically, I feel it’s hard to connect to any particular group. It’s sad that you cannot call anything home; however, because of my familiarity, I’m able to appreciate fully a culture very fine points, since I often bounce around from flag to flag. Those of you who were born in America or grew up here will understand where I’m coming from and realize and understand the American Jewish pride was brought out in this enormous event.

It’s a shame many of our brethren  did not attend, they would have seen Orthodoxy at its best – to observe what’s in our heart and what we are proud of in a pageantry way.  Sometimes words cannot do justice to what’s in the heart; however, an event like this speaks for itself.

An example of what I mean, it was the sixth game of the famous 1986 Word Series where the New York Mets won in dramatic fashion. The announcer, Vince Scully, said words cannot describe what just transpired and he let the camera roll for about five minutes without a word spoken. Similarly, this event “you had to be there”; no YouTube or television would do it justice. I regret not bringing loved ones and friends. I just hope in seven and a half years from now, the next Siyum Hashas, I will have the opportunity, G-d willing, to bring those loved ones and friends and not say a word; just let the breathtaking event speak for itself.

Tidbits on Parshat Eikev

August 4, 2013 Kriat Shema No comments
    

       As we discussed in the highlights section of this newsletter, the second passage in the Shema, Ve’haya im sha’moa, which is one of the most famous prayers, is found in this week’s Parsha. It is written here, that these words should be recited twice daily. It emphasizes one should take upon himself the acceptance of G-d’s commandments. Generally, this section, as opposed to the previous section, G-d promises supernatural rewards (rain and prosperity) for fulfillment of the Mitzvot, and punishment (drought and exile) for their abandonment, is written in plural form. It’s implying that the reward and punishment are conferred only in response of the majority.

Interesting to note, the Gemarah in Brachot 15:b, derives from the word ve’limaditem –  and you should teach them – which implies that your studies shall be pure – that one must pause between those words that tend to be attached. My grandfather, who was a chazzan, would emphasize to me, to be clear and look up when you talk. Here the Gemarah implies that we should enunciate the words flawlessly. Indeed, we find in many of the siddurim, one of which, here, is Sharai Tsion, where there are warning signs where one could err. If one notices in the picture, some words where it could be problematic, there is an asterisk on an ending letter of a word and one at the beginning letter of the next words. Implying, one should stop and be careful in the pronunciation and not crunch them together. Many are careful in reciting the Shema.

 

In the verse (10:12), “What does your G-d ask of you,” “what” in Hebrew is pronounced ‘ma’. Ma is also defined as a hundred. So it could be read “A hundred is what G-d asks of you.” The verse alludes to a Rabbinical ordinance requiring each Jew to recite a hundred brachot daily. This ruling was instituted due to the following events:
In King David’s time, G-d caused a plague which tragically took the lives of 100 Jews each day. Searching for the reason of this punishment, David perceived through prophesy that the Jews failed to bless G-d sufficiently for His daily kindness to them. David, therefore, decreed that every Jew recite 100 blessings daily. The plague then stopped.
It’s a bit difficult to achieve this daily. A few helpful tips is the brachot we say first thing in the morning (about 15) and the Amida – silent prayer – both in silent and the repetition (about 38).

The Danger of Hope and its Desires

August 4, 2013 Uncategorized No comments
    

“YOU WILL EAT THE MANN WHICH YOU AND YOUR FATHERS NEVER TASTED” (Devarim8:3).  Many things have been revealed to Avraham, our forefather, about the future. “I will make you into a great nation”, G-d proclaimed. Indeed, from his genealogy sprouted out the chosen people, the Jews. Avraham was the first Jew and G-d mapped out the blueprint for the future generations. However, there is one bit of information that was not revealed to our great forefather, Avraham. If Avraham googled MANN, the heavenly food, nothing would come up but a Jamaican calling his fellow. MANN was given to the Jews while they were in the desert. Whatever one desired, the MANN would taste like that food. Steak, spaghetti, pastrami on rye and even osh palow, the Jews would enjoy through tasting the MANN. So, if it was so special, why wasn’t it revealed to Avraham?

Rav Henoch Leibowitz z’l answers, if it was revealed to Avraham, then, when G-d would offer it to the Israelites in the desert years later, the Jews would have replied “Nah, we ate this already in Egypt and rejected it. We shared this MANN with the Egyptians”. Just like the Jews were mistaken, where their recollection of events were not very accurate, when they complained to Moshe “you brought us here to the desert to die with no food. We ate fish in Egypt and it was so good..bla bla bla.” They never ate fish in Egypt. The Egyptians didn’t give them straw for work, why would they give them fish?” Rashi, the mainstream commentary in the Torah, was in wonderment; he couldn’t believe the audacity of their complaint. If G-d would have revealed to Avraham about the MANN, then years later, the Jews in the desert would have been familiar with the concept and passed it over as nothing special, “We ate it already in Egypt”. Why would they say they ate MANN in Egypt when they didn’t?  Were they lying because they didn’t want to accept G-d’s kindness?

 

Apparently, they really thought they ate MANN in Egypt. How could they make such a mistake? They were considered one of the smartest generations in the history of the world. Rav Henoch teaches us a startling concept in human nature. If the Israelites, who were still in Egypt, would have heard that they would be eating MANN in the future, in the desert, they would have experienced such pleasure from imagining and dreaming of what it would be like, because the nature of man is to have pleasure now for something he knows he will get later. Therefore since they were getting the MANN – imaginary pleasure – through their longing desires and hope, there was that mistaken strong possibility after many years that they would believe they actually really did eat it in Egypt.

We learn that when the mind projects strong hope, many years later, the memory of hope which one projected might translate as something that actually happened. How scary is that? This is the reason the MANN wasn’t disclosed to Avraham because his descendants would have rejected something really special.

The mind is a very tricky component and one has to differentiate between strong hope, desire, and accuracy of what actually happened.

Parshat B’haalotcha

August 4, 2013 Highlights on the Weekly Parsha No comments
First Portion
* B’haalotchaa means to elevate. This terminology was used instead of beh-hadlikatcha – to light. G-d elevated Aharon, the high priest, by appointing him to prepare and light the Menorah. In the last Parsha, the nesi’im (leaders) of the twelve tribes inaugurated the Mishkan’s alter (Temple) with their sacrifices. It seemed the Levy tribe was left out. Apparently, G-d has saved the best for last. This honor, lighting the Menorah, will be passed down through generations of Kohanim, most notable, the Maccabees. The Maccabees were victorious over the Greeks who wanted to destroy the Jews spiritually. G-d is hinting, by the kohanim gaining elevation through doing this particular commandment, that the Jews through the generations will always get spiritually elevated.
Second Portion
* For the most part, in all the trials and tribulations of the Jewish people, the tribe of Levy always remained loyal and never doubted G-d. This is true whether it be in Egypt or the incident of the golden calf or many other occasions. As a reward, they were chosen to be G-d’s messengers, or a more appropriate term, liaison, between G-d and the Jews. The job was taken away from the first born who failed to prevent the golden calf disaster to occur and given to them.

Third Portion

* There was a group of fine good samaritan Jews who came to Moshe and to Aharon to voice a complaint. “We are impure, because as agents of the Jewish nation, we guarded and carried the coffin of Yosef. Should we be deprived of the mitzvah (commandment) of the Pesach sacrifice because we carried the coffin on behalf of the community?” The law is that someone who is impure cannot bring a Pesach offering. G-d then instructed the laws of Pesach Sheni, the second or minor Pesach. If a Jew is impure or is far from the sanctuary, he offers a sacrifice on the Fourteenth day of the month of Iyar, a month later. Today, we commemorate Pesach Sheni by eating Matzoh on the fourteenth of Iyar. Just like G-d showered brachot at those who did His commandments with sincerity and self-sacrifice to an extent where he added a second Pesach on their behalf. So too He should he look at us with favor for doing His commandments.

 

 

* G-d was impressed with the Jews of the desert having to move sometimes on the spur of the moment. It is most difficult to travel (schlep) with children and the elderly and, one can just imagine, the Israelites did it quite often in the wilderness without complaint. They followed the cloud of glory which has instructed, and was their compass. This trait remained with us as we are called the “traveling Jews”. It’s quite important not to lose ourselves, not to lose our identity on business trips or vacations. We still have to maintain the same degree of excellence and modesty as our ancestors did in the desert.

 

 

Fourth Portion
* Moshe’s status was one similar to a king. Therefore, G-d instructed that trumpets be made on His behalf. Two trumpets were made, both out of silver, and they were exactly identical. The trumpets were blown by each departure in the wilderness, as well as assembly callings. Later, they were blown when the Israelites were going into battle against their enemies. Music, or more accurately in this case, instrumental sounds, were made to arouse the people and to get them in the proper frame of mind. These trumpets were hidden before Moshe’s death and never found.

 

Fifth Portion
* Yitro informs Moshe, his son-in-law, of his plans to return to Midyan. Although he converted to Judaism and was extremely sincere in belief in G-d, Yitro had an un-orthodox way of strengthening his belief in Judaism. He put himself in challenging situations, daring, and testing himself constantly. While many of us, and evidently so, try to protect ourselves by living in a Jewish neighborhood and sending our children to Yeshivot, Yitro put himself in un-spiritual dangerous situations and conquered his evil side, escaping unscathed. He was one of the extreme minority to be successful in this philosophy; a unique person with tremendous gifts. This explains how he was able to persuade Moshe to permit his son to travel with his grandfather. He expected his grandson to be strong like himself. Although Yitro was able to overcome, his grandson was not as fortunate.

 

 

Sixth Portion
* There is a prayer we say every time we open the Ark, “Vayehi binsoah Aron”. This prayer is recited every time we open the ark to take out the Sefer Torah. It’s strange, the Maharsha gives an answer why there is an inverted form of the letter nun. Just like in the prayer Ashrai which is composed of consecutive letters of the entire alef bet with the exception of the nun; the reason is, nun represents nefila – fall of Israel. Similarly, here, the nun represents the downfall of Israel. G-d shows through the inverted letters that He will turn the downfall nun into a triumphant rise.
* The Israelites, in the desert, were eating mann, heavenly food. However, this was not enough. Some bad apples in the basket influenced the rest. The nation started to complain of lack of food and a shortage of meat. They complained, “We had such delicious tasting meats in Egypt, and those days are sorely missed.” G-d got angry and punished them accordingly. Sometimes what one wants is not what he needs. In fact, that ‘want’ could eventually be the punishment itself. He instructed Moshe to tell the people they will have meat for thirty days straight.

 

Seventh Portion
* G-d punished the people with death after an abundance of quails landed at their doorstep and they ate.
* The laws of speaking negative about someone is not a double standard; it applies to all whether it be the leaders as well.

The Power of Music

August 4, 2013 G-d and Us, Music, MUSSAR HASKEL/ A Lesson No comments
       I am going to quote, out of all things, a Bugs Bunny episode. “How crude” you probably think, “this is some sophisticated publication with the cup of coffee picture and all that!!” Well, sorry to disappoint you….so bring out the loony tunes!!
       For many years I thought Bugs Bunny contained some MUSSAR HASKEL -great wisdom, however, I was misled. Although there is some truth to it, by no means is it foolproof. As a matter of fact, what I am going to reveal here in this newsletter is quite the opposite of what the popular belief is.
       Our hero, Bugs Bunny, is being chased by a ferocious gorilla. But the smart bunny gets his way, as usual, and out wits the gorilla by calming him down playing soothing music in front of him. He even, by the end of the episode, enlists the big great ape to work for him. This is all done by playing the soothing music. The moral of the story: “music calms the savage beast” Well, sorry, but not exactly.
       Over the years there were a great many debate in Israel (aren’t there always great debates in Israel!) about whether the music of the classical composer Richard Wagner should be played or not. Wagner was a well known anti-Semite. His music and philosophy fueled and motivated Hitler, the German dictator, who attempted to annihilate the Jewish nation.
       On May 10 2013, a disturbing article was published in the New York Times. The article pertains to Wagner as the Wagner followers are commemorating 200 year anniversary of his death. Here are excerpts of the article:
       “This year the news magazine, Der Spiegel, featured a picture on its front cover of the composer [Wagner] holding a fire-breathing dragon on his lap with the words “200 Years of Richard Wagner: The Mad Genius”. For many, Wagner has come to symbolize the seeds of anti-Semitic sentiment in German culture that would grow into the Nazi terror.”

 

       “A cascade of boos during Saturday’s opening night performance turned into a flood of complaints about scenes of shootings and gassing.
It is not uncommon for stage productions in Germany to incorporate totalitarian themes, as the country continues to examine its troubled 20th-century past. According to news media reports, the opera showed the title character dressed as a concentration camp guard shooting Jewish prisoners. The opera’s statement said that distraught audience members even sought medical attention after watching the depictions of executions” the article continued.

 

       “The director, Burkhard C. Kosminski, declined to make changes to soften the impact of the violence. He told the newspaper Westdeutsche Zeitung that he had been completely transparent with the opera house about his intent for the production and that he was not a “scandal director.”‘

       Some very interesting lessons can be derived from the actual article quoted by the New York Times, published in Der Spiegel, which was written by Dirk Kurbjuweit. Here is a translation of an excerpt:

 

       “The composer still casts a dark shadow today. Music and the Holocaust come together in that shadow: one of the most beautiful things created by man, and one of the worst things human beings have done. Wagner, the mad genius, was more than a composer. He also influenced Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich, even though he was already dead when the 12-year-old Hitler heard his music live for the first time when he attended a production of “Lohengrin” in the Austrian city of Linz in 1901. Describing the experience, during which he stood in a standing-room only section of the theater, Hitler wrote: “I was captivated immediately”.
       Many feel the same way as well. They listen to Wagner and are captivated, overwhelmed, smitten and delighted. Wagner’s hateful essay “Judaism in Music” offered Hitler an idea of how far one could go with anti-Semitism. The composer invoked the downfall of the Jews. To quote Nazi propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, “Richard Wagner taught us what the Jew is.”

 

       Our Sages teach us to never underestimate the power of music.
Is it possible that Wagner’s anti- Semitic feeling penetrated the souls of the Third Reich through his music?
If that’s true, then music doesn’t really calm the savage beast
       Let us examine the one person who embodied the concept of music and wrote the masterpiece work, Tehilim -Psalms, which is the root of many songs, King David.
Why is Tehilim so important?
Why do we read Tehilim in times of trouble or when people are sick?
Why do some psalms start with LEDAVID MIZMORE -for David a song, while others start off with MIZMORE LEDAVID – a song for David?
       There are four ways one can connect to G-d. One way is through “thought”. Meditation, which if one does intensely through thought, is a prime means of reaching a high level of spirituality. By the way, concentrating on breathing is a big part of meditation. “G-d blew into mans nostrils” ( Bereshit 2:8). One can achieve superior feeling with breathing exercises.
       Another way to connect to G-d is through speech. Speech is a very powerful tool that each man possesses. The optimal way of prayer is through using words. By constructing the 22 Hebrew letters forming words and pronouncing them properly and correctly, one then is able to pave a direct link  to the Heavens. The Sages have cleverly constructed the prayers in the most optimal way. It is vital that one say every word clearly, thereby preserving the formula, structure and sequence.
       The third way is through raising your voice, which is screaming or sighing. We know that G-d heard the screams of the Jews in Egypt and after 210 years, opened the door to freedom for them. Because of their suffering, they were not able to express themselves verbally, merely sighing and crying. This was deliberately orchestrated by the enemy, working them to an exhaustive level until the point that words couldn’t come out, because they knew the power of the Jew is in his speech. Words have power. However, through an emotional sigh one can communicate with G-d as well.
The last is through music.
       In this week Parsha we discuss the Levites and their task in the Temple. One of their tasks was to sing. The sages ask, was the commandment to sing verbally or perhaps they hummed a tune? ( playing an instrument would fall in that category) Arguments can be made for both approaches.
       Speech is a gift and when the words are mixed with music, it becomes a potent weapon. As a mater of fact, this is why we sing in Synagogue.  The Chazzan is there to lead the congregation and entice them to sing along. SHIR is song and the root of SHIR is YASHAR -straight. In other words, if one sings his prayers properly, they will go straight to Heaven. The words give the prayers direction.
        However, some argue that a NIGUN -tune without word, is a higher level. Words constrict and limit the concept. It doesn’t fully express what’s in the heart. A NIGUN’s -tune’s capability is unlimited; only the sky is the limit.
        At some of the  Chassidim’s  happy occasions, one leads the crowd in a tune with no words. It’s an uplifting and amazing experience. A NIGGUN  is special in that every person in this universe is different. There are no words for our mixed emotions, and so when we sing a song together, our individual experiences get expressed in a unified way. We understand that the song connects us even when our individual stories may be somewhat different. Music transcends language. Perhaps that is why mothers sing to their babies and babies respond and connect positively to their mothers.
       Music uplifts the soul. The Mystics say that the reason music is so heavenly is because it actually does come from Heaven. It comes from the highest level of heaven “seventh heaven”. There, the Angels sing to G-d and one has to be privileged to be invited to the concert.
       Music can either come from a holy source or from evil. It trickles down to us and we feel good and react accordingly depending on the source.
 Since music is an expression of the heart, one has to be careful what he hears, as music easily transcends from soul to soul. An evil person transfers his negativity through his music.
The purpose of music
 
       King David was tested many, many times. He had a very difficult life. However, David persevered and was able to connect to G-d through music.Every time David went through an experience, whether good or bad, he wrote TEHILIM -Psalms. Here, David showed his love, appreciation and confidence in G-d. Tehilim screams out to G-d and proclaims that what ever happens, I believe in you. This is the reason why David was a favorite of G-d. When we read Tehilim, we connect with G-d just like David did.
       A person has many moods which are triggered by the occurrences in his life. David is no different. However, if one wants to reachRUACH HAKODESH- Divine spirituality, one has to be happy. Music makes a person happy.
        In Tractate Pesachim 117a, the Gemarah teaches us that when it says in Tehilim MIZMOR LEH DAVID, it means David had to first listen to music in order to get his spirits up and be happy. He then was able to reach Divine spirituality. When it says LEH DAVID MIZMOR,  it means that the Divine inspiration came to David first before he sang.
MUSIC IS A VEHICLE TO REACH SPIRITUALITY. MUSIC IS A WAY TO MAKE A PERSON HAPPY.
       This was the Levites task. Their job was to lift the spirits of the Kohanim doing their important work and lift the spirits of the people through singing. Then they can reach greater spirituality. We sing in Synagogue just like the Levites did to raise the level of happiness so our prayers will be accepted.
Does music calm the savage beast?
It only calms the beast when the composer of the music is a good person.

Around the Shabbat Table- Parshat Shelach

August 4, 2013 Kid's Section, Sensitivity To Others, Trust No comments

 by Rabbi Gedalia Fogel – Pre 1A – Yeshiva Ketana of Queens

  

Hi! This is Rebbe speaking:

In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shelach, Moshe Rabbeinu sent 12 spies to check out the land of Eretz Yisrael. They saw giants and came back to the Jewish nation with the following report. “We were like grasshoppers and they saw us like that too.” The Medrash asks, “How did they know what the giants thought of them? Maybe Hashem made them see the spies as angels? Moshe Rabbeinu had told the spies to be strong and not to be scared. There sin was that they did not trust in Hashem. They were only worried about what others thought of them.

Many of us, at times, are worried about what others think of us; sometimes to the extent that we refrain from doing the right thing. We must always remember that when we do the right thing Hashem is on our side.

One should not do things only to impress others. We learn this from Yaakov Avinu. Yaakov told his sons to go down to Mitzrayim and purchase wheat. But they still had wheat. Why did they have to go to buy more? There was a hunger and Yaakov did not want to show off what he had while others did not. Yaakov did not want the Goyim to be jealous of his food supply, so he did not show that he had any.

Another place that we learn this is in Parshat Devarim. It says that Hashem told the Jews to go “Tzafon” literally meaning “North”. But the Kli Yakar says in his commentary that the word “Tzafon” can also mean “Hidden”. One must hide their wealth. They should not flaunt their riches. A Jew must always be aware not to incite the Goyim. Eisav is still upset with Yaakov that he took away his blessing from Yitzchak their father. Eisav’s descendants get angered and jealous when they see the Jews flaunt their wealth.

The Gerrer Rebbe was walking by a beautiful, palatial house under construction. They were building new front steps. The Rebbe started giving the owner instructions on how the bricks should go, what color they should be, how wide, etc. To which the man answered, “These are my steps. I will do it the way I want.” The Rebbe responded jokingly, “You are making fancy steps for those that pass your house. So in essence you are building them to impress me. Therefore I would like to tell you just how I like it so that I will enjoy it each time I pass.”  The Rebbe was trying to teach a lesson. One should not do things just to impress others.

Yeravam Ben Nevat did Avodat Zorah, worshiped idols and he incited others to do Avodat Zorah. It is a grave sin to worship idols, but is much worse to encourage others to sin too. Hashem told Yeravam, “Do Teshuva and your terrible sin will be erased. Then you will merit walking with Me and David Hamelech in Gan Eden.” Yeravam then asked, “Who will walk first David Hamelech or me?” To which Hashem responded “David Hamelech”. Yeravam’s pride did not allow him to do Teshuva, for he knew that in the end David Hamelech would still walk ahead of him.

There are amazing stories about those that went out of their way to stay low key and not to show off to others.

Some have a custom to say a D’var Torah when they are the Baal Simcha. This particular week, both Raphael and Pinchas were making a wedding. It was Shabbat and they gave a Kiddush in Shul. Raphael stood up and said a nice D’var Torah. Pinchas did not say anything, although he had prepared a speech. Only at the meal did Pinchas say the speech he had prepared. His family asked him, “Why didn’t you say your D’var Torah at the Kiddush as is your custom? You prepared an outstanding commentary.” Pinchas answered, “Raphael spoke before me. His D’var Torah was nice. But I was afraid that my D’var Torah was better than his and if I speak after him, no one would be appreciate his D’var Torah.

Shlomo was an extremely wealthy man. He was marrying off his daughter. All anticipated a glamorous wedding. But Shlomo took a smaller hall. It was a beautiful wedding but not the biggest talk of the town. Shlomo did not want to show off his wealth, so he took the money that he saved by lowering the cost of his daughter’s wedding and quietly, without fanfare, paid for a wedding of an orphan that got married that same night.

 

Everyone gathered into the synagogue to hear the speeches of two Torah scholars. The first, Reb Yankel got up to speak. He took out his notes and delivered a beautiful, insightful speech. Then the second, Reb Naftali stepped up to the podium. He too took out a paper and delivered a remarkable speech. Mordechai had heard Reb Naftali speak many times before and he never had any papers in front of him. When Reb Naftali went to rest, Mordechai checked Reb Naftali’s jacket pocket. Sure enough the paper he took out was empty. Reb Naftali did not want others to comment on the fact that he could say a speech by heart, while Reb Yankel needed to look into his notes.

One should make an effort to do what’s right and not to care about what others think. We must not look to impress those around us.

What have we learned today?

 

What was the sin of the spies?

They did not trust in Hashem. They were worried and scared about what the giants thought of them.

 

What lesson can we learn? 

One should make sure to do what’s right and trust that Hashem will be on his side. One need not go out of his way to impress others. One should not flaunt his wealth and his capabilities.

 

Step Up to the Plate

August 4, 2013 Uncategorized No comments
       Every Shabbat, we read a portion of the haftorah, most similar related to the Parsha. This week’s haftorah, one can learn a very interesting and inspiring lesson from its main character, Rachav.
       Yehoshua, the leader of the Israelites, who proceeded as leader after Moshe, sent out spies to the promised land 39 years after the first disastrous attempt; apparently, it cost the Jews dearly. Yehoshua’s intention was to find out the mood of the enemy. The Israelites will soon be invading Canaan. To learn the pulse of who they’ll be invading shortly, they had to travel through Rachav’s house. Since travelers from all parts of the land passed through her inn, she was continually aware of the country’s mood. Why was her inn so popular? Well, it wasn’t her inn that was popular; it was she.
        The Gemarah (Megila 14, zevachim 117) says she was one of four of the most beautiful women that ever lived. She was so beautiful, she would make an impotent man be able to function. She had a uniqueness as to how to make a man perform, and she did it through her intelligence, in which, she was able to transform herself and act like whoever her client imagined her to be; a psychologist par excellence. With those tools, no man can resist her advances. Rachav was a prostitute, and the best in the business. In fact, the word Rachav means “to spread”; meaning she would say yes to everybody weather a king or a commoner. Rachav would sleep with any guest that would travel to her inn.
       When the two spies, Kalev and Pinchas, arrived at her inn, she sensed a certain distance. The sages say that man has two sides; it doesn’t matter how holy he is, he can even be seduced in the Bet Hamikdash (temple). However, with her new guest, it felt like a different script. She sensed a certain purity she never felt before and she was impressed. With all the pleasures that Rachav experienced, beauty plus intelligence equals power, whether through kings and interesting places and situations, she now saw a different side of the world. Rachav’s eyes opened and discovered new pleasures, in which she never thought existed. As a young girl, at age ten, she heard of the miracles, splitting of the sea, revelation at Mount Sinai; it made an impression; however, it seemed so remote.
       The King of Jericho sent a message to Rachav, “Get them out, they’re spies.” “They came to me, I didn’t know who they were. They left a little while later and I don’t know where they went.” Rachav hid them on the roof. Apparently, sometimes one gets a message from G-d and you’re fortunate enough to realize the sign. She said to G-d “I would sin – my inn has a window that my clients climb up with a red rope and hide in the flax up on the roof. Now I’m doing G-d’s commandment – hiding these Jews as they climb up on the red rope and hide on the roof.”
       She threw the king’s soldiers off the trail. When the coast was clear, she said to the spies, “I know G-d gave you the land; our people are scared of you because of your G-d. The miracles that occurred were frequent and make the people in this country tremble.” She then went through all the conquest of the Israelites, as if it’s on the mind of all the inhabitants. “Please save myself and my family. Their reply, “Tie this very same red rope around your house and you and your family will not be touched.”
       One of the qualities of Rachav was positive reinforcement. She was a master at projecting that. The spies felt confident and reassured that the enemy is scared of them. She imbedded into their psyche, “You have G-d on your side.” Here is this non-Jewish prostitute giving a pep-talk to these accomplished stars of the Jewish hierarchy. When the spies arrived back, they confidently reassured the people.
The quality of having the ability to reassure and the fact that she risked her life by hiding the two spies was a tremendous act of kindness. As a reward, she eventually, after she converted, married Yehoshua, the leader of the Jews.
      What merit did she have? She stepped up to the plate. Rachav, psychologically, set the tone for the Jewish people. She had an opportunity and grabbed it; throwing away her identity and starting new.
It is astonishing. Here is the most powerful woman that ever lived, having looks, brains, personality, education, class, money, power, charm, and grace. She can get any man she wants. Besides the fact, she was in her prime. There were not many women like her; a master in giving and receiving pleasure. However, she gives up on that life for a life of being a Jewish mama!! She felt it would be more fulfilling playing the role of building a Jewish home, raising children with her husband. It would be more real, more fulfilling as a woman. How funny is that? She used her powers and her gifts on her husband and children. Many famous prophets came out of the union of Yehoshua and Rachav; most notable, Yirmiyahu.

Parshat Shelach

August 4, 2013 Hafrashat Challah, Highlights on the Weekly Parsha, Trust No comments

First Portion

* Got to have faith!! That is the underlying message of the episode of the spies which we read about this week. Our ancestors were on the verge of entering the land of Israel. G-d had wanted the event of entering into Israel to be as open of a miracle as the splitting of the sea and receiving the Torah, and with the blind faith of the famous words the Israelites uttered Na’aseh ve nishma – we will do as You wish without asking. However, the Jews screamed “Wait!! Let us send spies to investigate the land. They will advise us which cities can be conquered easily so we should know who to attack first. The spies will also ascertain the native language, for then we can be trained to uncover their strategies easily.” They were preparing for war where it was unnecessary. “Just have faith in Me and everything will be okay”.

 In today’s times, we are required to do effort and not rely on miracles. But G-d specifically said there is no need for any effort; in this incident, just rely on G-d. However, the Israelites wanted confirmation by eyewitness reports that the promised land was, in fact, good. G-d replied “Have I not already said the land is good?” G-d’s words are true and require no tests. This is a fundamental essential of Judaism ‘faith’. Similarly, we have to refrain from conducting business on Shabbat, even though, in some vocations, it’s considered a very active day. This was especially a big test many years ago in the United States, where on Sunday, virtually everything was closed. So the pressure on Shabbat – Saturday – was very tempting. It was the busiest day of the week. Who would have thought that today, banks and liquor stores would be open on Sunday. This relieves the pressure on our beloved Shabbat. So G-d reluctantly permitted Moshe to select and send out spies even though disaster was imminent. G-d sets the table for us to make the right decision but it’s our choice, and whatever we decide, He helps us reach those goals. By doing so, he strengthens the freedom of choice process.
* Moshe selects a representative from each tribe to enter the land for the spy mission.

Second Portion
* The spies returned from spying the land at the end of 40 days. All but two spies, Kalev ben Yefuneh and Yehoshua ben Nun, gave the land a thumbs up.
* Many reasons have been given as to why the majority of the spies gave a bad report. A few are: They each had high positions in the desert and were afraid they would lose it once the nation arrives in the new land. Another reason – human nature is such where it’s hard to adjust to change. It seems they were content in the desert.
* The people panicked and cried out to Moshe “Why did you take us out of Egypt – to die in this land?”

Third Portion
* G-d threatens to annihilate the Jewish people; however, Moshe intercedes on their behalf and saves the day. Well, almost. G-d punishes measure for measure. The generation of the wilderness, who reluctantly rejected to proceed to the promised land, will die in the desert. The Israelites will remain there for 40 years until all will be deceased. Only their children will have the opportunity to enter Israel.
* Moshe achieved partial forgiveness for the Jewish people by appealing to the Divine Attribute of Mercy. G-d had promised that He would always respond favorably to these. There are Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, but Moshe appealed only to six at that time. He felt that the Jews had not done repentance for their rebellion against G-d. He therefore asked for postponement of punishment to prevent immediate and complete destruction.

Fourth Portion
* The punishment was postponed. Unfortunately, however, the inception of  ‘that day’, referring to the ninth of Av, where our nation has had one bad omen after another, began, as a result of the spy incident. Every Tisha B’av, for as long as the Israelites were in the desert, they would be instructed to place themselves in their own graves which was dug out before. The next day, when the smoke cleared, they would tally up who survived and who perished.

Fifth Portion
* It was inevitable that the morale would be down among our nation. So G-d decreed and instructed a new meal offering that will only be observed when entering the promised land .This showed a vote of confidence to the future and young generation that G-d intends to fulfill His promise in which His children, the chosen people, will inherit the land.

Sixth Portion
* While in the wilderness, the Israelites did not set aside a portion from their dough. They became obligated only after entering the land of Israel. From then on, whenever someone made a quantity of dough from one of the five types of grain (wheat, barley, oats, spelt, or rye) he was required to separate a part of the dough termed challah. This portion was given to the Kohen. Our sages ordained that challah be separated today as well. Today, our challah has to be burned. Again, we fulfill the obligation, whether it be in Israel or abroad, by separating and burning that very small piece of the dough. We then recite the blessing Baruch ata…..asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehafrish challa min haissa — separate challah from the dough. If one forgets to take challah from the raw dough, he must still take it from the bread. Although anyone in the household may separate challah, this mitzvah was specifically commanded to the wife. She thereby amends the sin of the first woman, Chava. Adam was created completely pure without evil desires. Chava caused him to lose his purity. After he sinned,  he and his descendants were drawn to physical desires. The mitzvah to separate challah has the potential to bring back the purity of spirit that was lost through Adam’s sin. Hence, by fulfilling the mitzvah, a woman rectifies Chava’s sin. One should be careful to fulfill this Mitzvah of separating challah. Famine is brought upon the world as a result of neglecting it while its observance brings bracha to the household.

Seventh Portion
* The Shabbat is one of the fundamental essentials of Judaism; this is the reason its juxtaposes next to the section of idolatry; both are equally important in Jewish faith. The Torah records an incident of a violator and the consequences.
* G-d presented us with one commandment that has the purpose of reminding us of all His other commandments. This is the commandment of Tzitzit. Tzitzit means fringes. They refer to threads attached to a four-cornered garment. The aim is for a Jew to look at them and remember G-d. It is attached to four corners which is aimed in four different directions to remind us that we are obligated to act in a Jewish manner, wherever we turn.

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