After decades of service, some Bedouins aren’t sure about joining the Israeli army
- The Washington Post
Monday, 30 May 2016
Mixed Emotions for Bedouins re: Tzahal
From RRW
Saturday, 28 May 2016
Mussar: Bitachon, P. Behar
originally posted on May 19, 2012
From the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway.
The Rosh Yeshiva,
"I will command My blessings upon you in the sixth year, and it will grow the produce of three years, (25:21)." With this promise the Torah answers the question "what will we eat?" if we observe shmitah. The Alter of Novaradok points out that the promise of three years growth and the question "what will we eat" are surely asked during the previous years, not in the sixth year. Because in the sixth year either it grew and you have no question "what shall we eat," or it didn't grow and then it's too late to grow. Therefore the question "what shall we eat?" and its answer, must be a preparation for shmitah long before it comes. It represents laying the groundwork for bitachon in order to have bitachon when needed.
There are many levels of bitachon. The lowest level and the most fundamental, is knowing that everything that happens is from Hash-m. This belief is required of every Jew. The highest level bitachon is such a deep visceral trust in Him, that we are completely calm and at ease even in the face of what appears to be, or what indeed is, a disaster, chas v'shalom.
It seems interesting that shmitah teaches bitachon to Klal Yisroel under the most extreme of circumstances. The whole nation may not plant at the same time. There is simply no place for anyone to obtain food. The whole nation faces famine and desolation. Why is this, the most extreme of circumstances, chosen to teach bitachon? Wouldn't it be more successful if bitachon would be taught in a step by step manner?
Continue here:
http://yofr.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=8d6c4c1bfecc254b81b96c66c&id=b3c09fc7b7&e=e5f67bedea
Shalom and Regards,
RRW
From the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway.
The Rosh Yeshiva,
"I will command My blessings upon you in the sixth year, and it will grow the produce of three years, (25:21)." With this promise the Torah answers the question "what will we eat?" if we observe shmitah. The Alter of Novaradok points out that the promise of three years growth and the question "what will we eat" are surely asked during the previous years, not in the sixth year. Because in the sixth year either it grew and you have no question "what shall we eat," or it didn't grow and then it's too late to grow. Therefore the question "what shall we eat?" and its answer, must be a preparation for shmitah long before it comes. It represents laying the groundwork for bitachon in order to have bitachon when needed.
There are many levels of bitachon. The lowest level and the most fundamental, is knowing that everything that happens is from Hash-m. This belief is required of every Jew. The highest level bitachon is such a deep visceral trust in Him, that we are completely calm and at ease even in the face of what appears to be, or what indeed is, a disaster, chas v'shalom.
It seems interesting that shmitah teaches bitachon to Klal Yisroel under the most extreme of circumstances. The whole nation may not plant at the same time. There is simply no place for anyone to obtain food. The whole nation faces famine and desolation. Why is this, the most extreme of circumstances, chosen to teach bitachon? Wouldn't it be more successful if bitachon would be taught in a step by step manner?
Continue here:
http://yofr.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=8d6c4c1bfecc254b81b96c66c&id=b3c09fc7b7&e=e5f67bedea
Shalom and Regards,
RRW
Friday, 27 May 2016
Resource for Mitzvot Hatluyot Ba'aretz
From RRW
We thank Rav Reuven Tradburks for the following:
We thank Rav Reuven Tradburks for the following:
Not sure if people in chutz laaretz are aware of this organization, Machon HaTorah vHaaretz. They are the resource for all things agricultural, including coordinating many of the national shemita efforts last year of otzar beis din and the like. I, for example, have herbs and vegetables growing on our mirpeset and in being mafrish truma and maaser we are podeh the maaser sheni on a coin that needs to be meyuchad l'kach and be treated in a certain manner. By signing up with them, i am able to use their coin and they take care of the treatment of it.The website is full of many many shiurim and articles that would be apropos for parshat Behar but also many articles on many topics, including from Rav Ariel.
Thursday, 26 May 2016
Lag Ba'Omer Rashby - Shemeit or Simchat?
From RRW
The popular tradition has it - that R Shimon Bar Yohai passed away on Lag Ba'Omer.
Yom Shmeit Rashby
A great Torah Scholar claimed this is a defective girsa and that a Heith is missing
And it should actually read: "Yom SIMCHAT Rashb"y"
Who is this "radical textual critic" LOL?
Why
it is Rav Yoseh Chaim, author of the Ben Ish Chai - in his Da'at
uT'vunah! You never know who will fix a problematic girsa with
hagahah!
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
Torah and Homosexuality -- Reviewing the Complexity of the Issue
As the question of how the Orthodox world should relate to the gay community seems again to be in the forefront of discussion, I thought it would be worthwhile to again remind individuals of my thoughts on the subject in the over 30 years that I have contemplated the issue. The topic is not an easy one and that is why I felt that my first entry again into the discussion should actually be to remind everyone of how complex the matter really is. As such, I have recently authored a blog post on Nishma:Policy
Update Jun. 93: The March for Israel Parade and Halachic Decision Making
Earlier Post on Nishma: Policy -- Orthodoxy and Homosexuality
Commentary: The Same Sex Marriage and Defining Discrimination
Spark 5754-27: To'evah
to this effect and invite you to now read it as well.
In many ways, it is in furtherance of the presentation of the
Torah's great challenge of depth in this matter that I feel that I must share.
RBH Articles on Orthodoxy and Homosexuality
Update Jun. 93: The March for Israel Parade and Halachic Decision Making
Earlier Post on Nishma: Policy -- Orthodoxy and Homosexuality
Spark 5754-27: To'evah
Introspection 5761 -#1: Essential Conflict: Essential Study
Commentary Series on "Trembling Before G-d":
Analyzing Homosexuality & Orthodoxy
Tuesday, 24 May 2016
Modern Orthodox Judaism: A Documentary History -- by Rabbi Zef Leff
From RRW
From Rabbi Zev Leff:I am very pleased to write about the publication of my new reader on Modern Orthodox Judaism. [see above link to Amazon]The anthology includes nearly 170 sources that trace the Orthodox Jewish experience from 1825 until the present. It contains introductions and annotations to each text which will empower teachers and students and engender sophisticated discussion. My hope is that this documentary history will serve as a teaching tool in classrooms and in adult education settingsThe Jewish Publication Society will offer an extended offer to all those considering a bulk order for classes and congregations.I hope that you will consider this for your next season of shul classes and, especially, high school Jewish history courses.Fondly,R Zev Leff
Monday, 23 May 2016
Sunday, 22 May 2016
RJC, J Street Heads Debate Israel and 2016
From RRW
ttp://jewishinsider.com/6889/rjc-j-street-heads-debate-israel-and-2016/
ttp://jewishinsider.com/6889/rjc-j-street-heads-debate-israel-and-2016/
I saw a fellow named "Yaakov" on FB with a big American Flag supporting Bernie Sanders
As a scrolled down I saw a recipe for ground beef that said "add bacon".
Co-incidence?
Rav Asher Weiss website
From RRW
He covers a huge range of topics in Halacha. An excellent resource.
Many of the shiurim of Rav Asher Weiss, most in Hebrew (an American Hebrew) and also his Sunday night shiurim at Khal Chassidim in Shaarei Chesed in English are available at:
Friday, 20 May 2016
Thursday, 19 May 2016
What was the relationship between Haman and Amaleik?
From RRW
Question:What was the relationship between Haman and Amaleik?Please see this article from Parshat Zachor 5775 by R Yechezkel Rosenbaum for a fascinating approach.Parshas Tetzaveh – Zachor 5775This week, on the Shabbos preceding Purim, we read “Parshas Zachor.” This passage prescribes the biblical Mitzvah to never forget, and to orally recall, how the people of Amalek attacked us during our departure from Egypt. In addition, it obligates us to “erase the memory of Amalek from beneath the heavens.” This Dvar Torah explores the connection between these Mitzvos and the holiday of Purim.
The question, “Why do we celebrate Purim?” seems easy enough to answer. We rejoice because Haman/Achashveirosh decreed all Jews would die, and G-d miraculously orchestrated our salvation. Haman’s individual character and background would seemingly be trivial to the essence of the Purim story.
But this is not so. Both the Megillah and the Gemara portray the Purim story as a battle against Haman, particularly against Haman the Amalekite.
1. We read about the commandment to remember Amalek specifically on the Shabbos preceding Purim in order to be “makdim zechira la’asiah” -- to read about the Mitzvah to remember Amalek prior to the eradication of Haman, the latter being a descendant of Amalek. This Gemara implies that killing Haman was a fulfilment of the Mitzvah to eradicate Amalek. Sefer HaChinuch (603) goes further writing that “we should really read this passage on Purim itself because it is from the themes of Purim since Haman was from Amalek…” (See also, Ramban to Devarim 25:17)
2. The Gemara (Megillah 7a) notes that though the joy over the Purim salvation was great, it was initially unclear how the Jews were to mark the event. Esther requested that the Sages write the Purim story and include it in Tanach. Esther further requested that they establish the days of Purim as days of joy and reading the Megillah for future generations. At first, the Rabbis had doubts about this because they were unsure whether it was appropriate to add another description of our war against Amalek in Tanach. In the end, they found scriptural allusions that indicate that there is room to write about the battle of Amalek once again. Accordingly, the Sages composed Megillas Esther (the Scroll of Esther) and established Purim as an eternal holiday.
It is clear that the Megillah and the holiday of Purim only came into existence as an expression of the Mitzvah to eradicate Amalek. Absent Haman’s connection to Amalek we have neither the Megillah nor Purim.
3. Each Shabbos we read a Torah portion following a standardized annual cycle. However, on special days, like holidays, fast days, or Rosh Chodesh, we insert a special Torah reading that is "me'ein hame'ora," based on the character of the day. On Purim we read the story of how Amalek attacked us when we left Egypt. (Megillah 30b)
4. The prayers of Purim focus heavily on Haman. In “Shoshanas Yaakov,” we curse Haman. In “Asher Heinei” we mentioned Haman the Amalekite.
Why are we so obsessed with Haman? Why is the Amalek connection so important to the story of Purim? Shouldn’t the storyline primarily be that we were spared from death?
The Mechilta
The Torah writes (Shmos 17:14), “I (G-d) will erase the memory of Amalek from beneath the heavens.” The Mechilta (end of Beshalach) comments, “The word ‘memory’ teaches that Haman is included. ‘Amalek’ simply refers to Amalek ((עמלק כמשמעו”
The Mechilta is very difficult to understand. Haman was a descendant of Amalek. Why does the Torah need to add an extra word to teach us that Haman must also be eradicated?
R. Soloveitchik’s Amalek
R. Joseph B. Soloveitchik (Kol Dodi Dofek, ch. 10) quoted his father, R. Moshe Soloveichik, to explain the following discrepancy.
In Hilchos Melakhim (5:4) Rambam writes that we cannot currently fulfill the commandment to destroy the seven Canaanite nations because “their memory has already been erased,” i.e. they have been mixed in with other nations and we cannot identify them. However, in the very next Halacha, Rambam cites the commandment to destroy Amalek and neglects to mention that their memory has been erased. Why? R. Moshe Soloveitchik explained that the commandment to destroy Amalek does not apply only to biological Amalekites, but to any nation like Amalek who attempts to destroy the entire Jewish nation. Thus Rambam holds that the Mitzvah to destroy Amalek has contemporary relevance despite the fact that we cannot identify the nation of Amalek. [It is said that R. Joseph Soloveitchik applied this to the Nazis.]
As a Halachik (legal) matter this is difficult to accept. All non-Jewish lineage is paternal and is passed on biologically via one’s father. Where do we see that Amalek is different?
There is an incredible Yerushalmi (Yevamos 2:6). While discussing the position of R. Yochanan that non-Jews have no Halachik lineage, the Yerushalmi asks:
“But it says in the Megillah, “Haman, son of Hamedasa the Aggagite” [obviously non-Jews have recognized lineage]? [The Gemara answers] Do you think that Haman was actually Hamedasa’s son?! No, he was called such, because he was a murderer the son of a murderer.”
In other words, Haman was comparable to “Hamedasa” and Amalek in his enmity toward the Jews, but Haman did not biologically descend from Hamedasa, and hence from Amalek. (R. Yerucham Fishel Perlow to Sefer Ha-Mitzvos Le-Rasag understands the Yerushalmi this way).
This Yerushalmi strongly supports R. Soloveitchik’s idea. Though Haman was not a biological descendant of Amalek, our Sages clearly treat Haman as an Amalekite. This can only be understood in light of R. Soloveitchik’s novel thought that anyone who behaves like an Amalekite has the status of one.
But where did the Yerushalmi learn this? Where is the scriptural source that one who behaves like Amalek must be eradicated like an Amalekite?
This is the Mechilta. Comes the Mechilta and says, true, a biological descendent of Amalek is “Amalek” and we must destroy him. But how do I know that a non-biological replica of Amalek must also be exterminated? The Torah adds the word “memory” to say “even Haman” -- even R. Soloveitchik’s Amalekite -- must be eradicated.
Purim & Amalek
Perhaps this explains the significant attention given to Haman/Amalek. It is true that the Jewish population was spared from mass genocide. But the story of Purim transcends any particular national salvation. It is the story of G-d’s commitment, His oath, to eradicate not just Amalek but anyone who will follow in their ways and brazenly tries to kill the entire Jewish nation.
Purim was a true expression of “Milchama laShem ba'Amaleik midor dor;” “an eternal battle of G-d with Amaleik from generation to generation.” It is thus unsurprising that Purim is unique in its as eternal status as a holiday.
“…that it will stand forever; this is the greatness of Purim beyond the other festivals of the Jews, in that they will be nullified and the festival of Purim will remain forever.” (Yalkut Mishlei 9)
“All of the books of the Nevi'im (Prophets) and all of the Ketuvim (Hagiographa) are destined to be nullified in the messianic era, except for the Scroll of Esther; it exists like the five books of the Torah and the laws of the Oral Torah, which are never annulled.” (Rambam, end of Hil. Megillah)
Mark Twain famously wrote in the late 1800’s.
“The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other peoples have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"
Purim contains the answer. “Milchama laShem ba'Amaleik midor dor” - “an eternal battle of G-d with Amaleik from generation to generation.”
Haman ben Hamdata Ha'Agagi - Masechet SofrimRav Yosef in Masechest Sofrim, chaper 13 Halachah 6 gives the yichus of Haman right back to Esav. But there is no mention of Agag in the family tree.
R. Meir Salasnik, however, pointed out to me that Mikra Sofrim, in footnote Chet, brings a different girsa that includes Agag.
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
Tuesday, 17 May 2016
REMEMBERING THE RAV: IN TRIBUTE TO HARAV YOSEF DOV HALEVI SOLOVEITCHIK ZT”L
From RRW
Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future and the
Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon and
Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon
in partnership with OU Press present
Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon and
Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon
in partnership with OU Press present
REMEMBERING THE RAV: IN TRIBUTE TO HARAV YOSEF DOV HALEVI SOLOVEITCHIK ZT”L
Celebrating the launch of Chumash Mesoras HaRav Vayikra, Neuwirth Edition
Introduction
Rabbi Julius Berman
YU Trustee
Chairman, OU Press
Rabbi Julius Berman
YU Trustee
Chairman, OU Press
Keynote Shiur: Toras HaRavRabbi Hershel Schachter
Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS
Rosh Kollel, Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel
Senior Posek, OU Kosher
Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS
Rosh Kollel, Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel
Senior Posek, OU Kosher
Personal Experiences and Reflections of the Rav
Rabbi Kenneth BranderVice President for University and Community Life, YU
Aide and Student of the Rav
Rabbi Kenneth BranderVice President for University and Community Life, YU
Aide and Student of the Rav
Rabbi Lewis Wienerkur
Faculty and Israel Guidance Counselor, HAFTR High School
Aide and Student of the Rav
Faculty and Israel Guidance Counselor, HAFTR High School
Aide and Student of the Rav
Shiur and Video Featuring the Rav
Dr. Arnold Lustiger
Editor, Chumash Mesoras HaRav
Dr. Arnold Lustiger
Editor, Chumash Mesoras HaRav
Special RemarksRabbi Menachem Genack
Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS
CEO, OU Kosher
Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS
CEO, OU Kosher
Open to men and women ∙ Complimentary parking available
Copies of the Chumash will be available for purchase
Copies of the Chumash will be available for purchase
For more information, please contact kollelyomrishon@yu.edu
Monday, 16 May 2016
Why no Shehecheyanu for S'firah?
From RRW
Misconceptions re. Counting the Omer
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