עבד כנעני

The concept of עבד כנעני was mentioned in this week's Parsha. This refers to a non-Jew who takes upon himself the status of Canaanite slave with the knowledge that he becomes the permanent property of his Jewish master.

It is also required that he accept all of the Mitzvot that a woman observes. He goes through a one year trial period. After it is clear that he understands what is expected of him and he convinces all around him that he will diligently keep the commandments, he is accepted. He undergoes circumcision and Mikve.

In the event he is freed, either because of an injury sustained, or his master frees him for a Mitzva, he becomes a complete Jew with his freedom.

The עבד כנעני is viewed as one who desires to observe Mitzvot. For this reason, he goes free immediately if his master takes him out of Israel and prevents him from observing the laws that can only be observed in Eretz Yisrael.

Yesterday was 40 with ספירת העומר

The Sound of Rustling Leaves

Shavua Tov. In today's double Parsha, we had the תוכחה, or the rebuke. Moshe Rabbeinu makes it clear that there will be great reward for the observance of the Mitzvot and severe punishment for the violation of the commandments.

There is a frightening Pasuk in the תוכחה that uses the words, קול עלה נדף, which means the sound of rustling leaves. Moshe is warning that there will come a time that you live in such fear that you will always feel that someone is chasing you. You will run away in fear when the sound you are running from is only the sound of rustling leaves.

We must thank Hashem every day that we live in a time where Jews are free to practice their religion all over the world. And, even more importantly, the doors to Eretz Yisrael are open to welcome any Jew that wishes to come here. Nearly half of our people are here. We need to pray that the other half gets here soon.

Yesterday was 39 with ספירת העומר

One Sin Leads to Another

One of the themes of the Parshas this week is how one sin leads to another. In Pirkei Avot we say עבירה גוררת עבירה, that one sin drags us into more sins.

The Parsha begins with the laws of the Sabbatical year. If one does not keep שמיטה, he will begin to be impoverished to the point that he will be forced to sell his movable objects. When he uses up this money, he will have no choice but to borrow money with interest, which is forbidden. If he remains stubborn and does not do Teshuva, he will continue to fall financially to the point that he's forced to sell himself into slavery. The only one willing to hire him, will be a non-Jewish master, who is likely to oppress him. All of this began because of the lack of faith of refusing to follow the Shmitta laws.

The message of the Parsha is clear and simple. If we observe the commandments and work hard to do what is right in the eyes of Hashem, all will be good for us and we will receive abundant blessings. Shabbat Shalom

Yesterday was 37 with ספירת העומר

Securely in our Land

It is interesting that the Parshiot of בהר-בחוקותי always fall around Yom Yerushalayim. Each Parsha mentions the idea of וישבתם בארץ לבטח, that you will live securely in your land. The commentary of the Rabbis to these verses is that בארץ אתה יושב לבטח ולא בחוצה לה, that in your land you live securely but not outside of the land.

This idea is also the basis for how Jews are to behave while living in the Galut. Jews are to keep a low profile and are to be careful not to flaunt their wealth and arouse the jealousy of the nations where they live.

It must be further emphasized that we are to act like guests when we are living among the nations. History has taught us that we can never be sure when we have worn out our welcome and are no longer wanted.

We must be reminded that the only home for the Jews is in Israel. This is why ultimately, in Israel we live securely but not outside of Israel.

Yesterday was 36 with ספירת העומר

Money- A Test of Faith

The classic question asked by Rashi regarding פרשת בהר, as to what does שמיטה have to do with הר סיני? Aren't all of the Mitzvot given on Mount Sinai? And the classic answer is that just as Shmitta was given on Mount Sinai, so, too, were all Mitzvot given on Mount Sinai. In other words, the Torah chose Shmitta as an apparent random example of a Mitzva given on Mount Sinai.

It seems that this is an incomplete answer. The question still remains as to why Shmitta, the Sabbatical year, was randomly chosen as the example of a law given at Sinai.

The real answer seems to be that the test of a Jew's true faith is in his wallet. Leaving the land fallow in the seventh year, and trusting completely in Hashem takes a great deal of faith. Our view of money, in general, also requires faith. Do we trust Hashem to reimburse us for the charity we give? Are we prepared to walk away from a business deal that promises great profits but is borderline ethical, because it is more important to do what is right in the "eyes of G-d?"

Shmitta is the example of a law given at Sinai to remind us that we must always rely on Hashem- especially in money matters.

Yesterday was 35 with ספירת העומר

Keep Your Word

The Rambam in ספר המצוות, elaborates on the obligation for one to be careful to fulfill what comes out of one's mouth. Initially, we take this as referring to various pledges that we might make.

There are times that we make a vow or an oath that we must be certain to fulfill. This is equally true of monetary commitments in the form of charity  that we must also be sure not to forget to pay as soon as possible.

The Rambam also speaks of another type of speech. He refers to how careful we must be to keep our word. When we say we are going to do something, we must do it. We must never mislead people.

In a business transaction, we must give the other party the benefit of the doubt if what we said might be misunderstood. It is better to even take a loss of money, rather than have our good name compromised. We should be careful to make ourselves clear so that there not be any misunderstandings. Guarding our mouths poses a much bigger challenge than we might realize. It is a major test of faith.

Yesterday was 34 with ספירת העומר

Collective Impurity

A little known fact related to Temple service involves a situation of collective defilement for coming in contact with the dead. Particularly with the קרבן פסח, it would still be offered and eaten, if the majority of the Jewish people were טמא מת.

What is unusual about the Pesach sacrifice is that it is also permitted to eat from that sacrifice even in a state of ritual impurity.

There is an incident mentioned from the Tanach where King Chizkiyahu was  confronted with such a problem. He was reprimanded for electing to postpone the offering of the Korban Pesach to Pesach Sheini a month later.

This does not really have ramifications for today but it is interesting to see how important it was to continue Temple service under surprising conditions such as the masses having contracted the ritual impurity that comes from having come in contact with the dead.

Yesterday was 33 with ספירת העומר

Lag B'Omer

Shavua Tov. Tonight is Lag B'Omer which is a happy day in the Jewish calendar. It is the day that the plague that killed 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva ended.

It is also the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who authored the Zohar, the main book of Kabbalah. It was his wish that this day be one of celebration and joy. The bonfires were to be viewed as Yahrtzeit candles for Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

It was also a custom to go out with bows and arrows on this day. The word for bow and the word for rainbow is the same, קשת. Because of Rabbi Shimon's holiness, there was never a rainbow in his lifetime. Hashem never had to consider destroying the world because Rabbi Shimon was in the world. Therefore, on Lag B'Omer there began the custom of bows and arrows.

The count for ספירה is obvious.

The Kohein

Parshat Emor is filled with over sixty out of the 613 Mitzvot. A big focus of the Parsha are the laws that are unique to Kohanim. They are to keep themselves in a holier state than the rest of the population.

One of the laws of the Kohanim comes from the word וקידשתו. It is a positive Mitzva to sanctify the Kohein. We do this by calling him up first to the Torah, he is asked to lead the benching, and he is offered food first at a meal. We are really supposed to be careful not to ask a Kohein to provide services for us.

In the Beit Hamikdash, a Kohein was not permitted to serve if he had a מום, a physical blemish. The Rambam lists a possible 140 blemishes that would prevent a Kohein from doing the Avoda. The Temple needed to be very elegant and holy at the same time. A physical blemish could be a distraction to the sanctity of the moment.

Although a Kohein with a מום could not serve, he could still eat the parts of sacrifices allotted to the Kohanim. He was also able to enjoy the twenty-four gifts given by the Torah to the Kohein.

It was and is a great honor to be a Kohein. Probably the most special aspect of the Kehuna, is the ability to bless. The Rabbis say that the Shechina, Divine Presence, passes through the fingers of the Kohein, when he blesses the people each day. May you all be blessed with a Shabbat Shalom!

Yesterday was 30 with ספירת העומר

Kiddush Hashem

This coming week's Parsha, Emor, has the positive commandment of Kiddush Hashem and the negative commandment of Chilul Hashem, against desecrating the name of G-d.

Obviously these two commandments are extremely important and needs some explanation.

The Rambam views Chilul Hashem as the most severe sin and the most difficult to atone for. Only one's death brings full atonement because a Chilul Hashem can make Hashem look bad.

It should be our goal to sanctify G-d's name in all that we do.

The classic example brought in the Talmud describes the ultimate Chilul Hashem and Kiddush Hashem. If one studies Torah and serves Torah scholars, but his business practices are corrupt, and he does not speak kindly to people, what is said of such an individual? Woe to his father and teachers who taught him Torah. See how corrupt are his ways. This epitomizes Chilul Hashem.

But one who does the reverse and is honest and treats people properly, of him it is said that Hashem is glorified through him. He is a walking Kiddush Hashem. We must strive to sanctify Hashem's name in all that we do.

Yesterday was 29 with ספירת העומר

וחי בהם

It is always important to know the source of a specific Mitzva. An example of this comes from the words in אחרי מות where it's written ״וחי בהם״, that we are to live by the Mitzvot and not die by the Mitzvot.

Two important rules come from these two words. The first is the concept of פיקוח נפש, that if someone is in danger, one may violate certain commandments such as Shabbat and Kashrut.

The Talmud in מסכת סנהדרין quotes Rav Yochanan who describes an important vote among the rabbis in the city of Lod. It was there that they came out with the ruling regarding Kiddush Hashem based on the words, "וחי בהם".

They ruled as follows: All of the sins of the Torah, if one threatens a Jew with death or violation of the Mitzva, he should violate the Mitzva, and live. However, if the same threat is made regarding murder, idol worship, or immorality, one should allow himself to be killed rather than violate. Kiddush Hashem, sanctifying G-d's name, outweighs the וחי בהם when otherwise, it would be a חילול ה׳, a desecration of Hashem's name.

A great deal of very significant Halacha is learned from those two words, וחי בהם.

Yesterday was 28 with ספירת העומר

Flying Jews of Israel

At the end of both Parshiot, we have the same Pasuk that says ולא תקיא הארץ, that the land should not vomit you out. Based on this, the Rabbis say that the holy land of Israel cannot tolerate unworthy individuals who do not act in a way that is worthy of meriting being able to live here.

This also is the reason why it's written that anyone who lives in Israel is a Tzaddik. If the land did not reject him, it is a sign that he is worthy of partaking in the holiness of Eretz Yisrael. This worthiness gives the Israeli Jews, the title of Tzaddik.

There is a strange Midrash that says that in future times, the Jews who struggled to live here and remained, will be rewarded in that they will be able to fly! When other immigrants come out of necessity in order to escape and survive, they will also want to fly. The Midrash continues and says that because they were "weighed down" with materialism that prevented them from coming, they are still grounded. They are not on the same level as their brothers and sisters who disconnected themselves from the comforts of the Galut, in exchange for the sanctity of what Israel offers.

Yesterday was 27 with ספירת העומר.

קדש עצמך במותר לך

The Talmud in Yevamot 20, says, קדש עצמך במותר לך, sanctify yourself with what is permitted to you. This continues the theme of Parshat Kedoshim of making ourselves holy because Hashem is holy.

The Rambam expands on this idea by saying that it's actually forbidden not to partake of that which is permitted. We are encouraged to marry, to wear nice clothes, and to live in a nice home. This is learned from the Nazir who has to offer a sin offering for the period he did not drink wine or cut his hair.

The point of the Rambam is that we elevate all that we do. We don't eat just to eat. We eat to be rejuvenated so that we will better be able to serve Hashem. The same is true with sleep or exercise that it is for the purpose that we are better able to serve G-d.

A student once told me that he brushed his teeth not only to have clean teeth. He brushed his teeth so that his mouth would be fresh and clean when he offered praises and thanksgiving to Hashem. This is how we explain קדש עצמך במותר לך.

Yesterday was 26 with ספירת העומר

A Lesson from Flies

Shavua Tov. A theme of today's Parsha, is to strive for holiness and to try to separate from materialism and strive for spirituality.

The של״ה הקודש says that the reason why the Shunamite was so impressed with the Prophet Elisha was that she noticed that no flies came near him while he was eating his food. She, therefore, created for Elisha a special upper chamber with a bed, table, and lamp. Elisha ultimately revived her son who apparently passed away and brought him back to life.

The של״ה הקודש tells us that if we notice flies are attracted to us, it could be a sign that one is too much focused on materialism and he needs to work on his spirituality. It could also mean that one has too much גאוה, haughtiness, and he needs to work on his ענוה.

While screens are a good way to keep away flies and this is a strange commentary, we should still try to gain from the message.

Yesterday was 25 with ספירת העומר

Submitting to Hashem

I counted seventy seven Torah laws in the double Parsha of אחרי מות-קדושים. This is more Mitzvot than on any one Shabbat during the year. This number is according to the של״ה הקודש. I haven't checked to see if Torah Tidbits agrees.

The end of the second Parsha seems to sum up what our overall attitude is supposed to be regarding Halacha. Rashi brings the concept of גדול המצוה ועושה משאינו מצוה ועושה, that it is a higher level to observe a Mitzva we are commanded, more than a Mitzva we are not commanded.

Rashi brings a proof of this from a statement of Rav Elazar Ben Azaria, a Tanna. "One should not say that my soul detests the flesh of the swine. But it is preferred that he says he would love to eat pork. But the only reason he won't eat it, is because we are commanded against it.

We must remember that our observance of the Torah comes from our submission and surrender to Hashem's word over what we might think is right and work. As it says in Pirkei Avot, we must make our will coincide with Hashem's will. Shabbat Shalom.

Yesterday was 23 with ספירת העומר

Hashem is Watching

This week is a double Parsha of אחרי מות-קדושים. There are numerous laws particularly in קדושים that deal with laws between man and man.

The Pasuk ויראת מאלוקך, and "You should fear ה׳", is found twice in the Parsha. One example follows לפני עוור לא תתן מכשול, not putting a stumbling block before a blind person. And the second time comes after והדרת פני זקן, that we should glorify the elderly.

The connection between these two cases is that we can act as if we are not putting such a stumbling block (by giving bad advice. And it even applies to a non-Jew by selling him articles of עבודה זרה) Or, we can claim that we are showing proper respect to the elderly, when we are not. We are to remember to fear Hashem.

The overall message is that we cannot fool Hashem. He knows what our true intentions are. We are to remember that we are to act in private as we would in public, in the sense that nothing is hidden from Hashem. It may be a simple message but it is one that we need to be reminded of from time to time.

Yesterday was 22 with ספירת העומר.

G-d and the State of Israel

Another point that Rav Shmuel Eliyahu made regarding Yom Ha'atzmaut, is to see the similarities between the redemption from Egypt and today.

Every time there was an incident of strife in the desert where G-d was questioned, the troublemakers always accused Moshe Rabbeinu of taking them out from Egypt as if it was his own idea.

We see this before the splitting of the Red Sea, and we saw it when they complained for lack of meat, and it was the excuse for creating the Golden Calf. Each time Hashem had to make it clear that Moshe was the messenger and Hashem in His glory, redeemed us.

Today we must never make this same mistake and attribute the miracle of the State of Israel to anything less than it being ONLY because Hashem decided that now is the time to rebuild the House of Israel.

I was deeply saddened to see the prime minister of Israel being unable or unwilling to give gratitude to Hashem, in a brief Independence Day message. Netanyahu claimed that he's often asked by world leaders how to explain the establishment and incredible growth of the State of Israel. Instead of sanctifying the Name of G-d by telling all who will hear that we are enjoying G-d's blessing and that is the only explanation, he praises the citizens of Israel.

It is true that the Jewish people are a great people with intense faith and amazing resilience. However, as we say in the Haggadah, if G-d had not taken us out, we would still be in Egypt no matter how wise and intelligent we were. Now, more than ever, when we have so much to point to and be proud of, we must not forget that without Hashem, none of these achievements would have come to be.

Yesterday was 21 with ספירת העומר

Independence Day 5777

Years ago Rav Meir Kahane used to begin his lecture tour with the following opening statement: "Anyone who has witnessed the events since 1948 and does not see the Hand of G-d, is not a non-believer, is not a scoffer, he is blind!"

This quote has been stuck in my mind this Yom Haatzmaut as Israel celebrates its 69th birthday. The accomplishments of this little country in such a relatively short amount of time, is nothing less than miraculous.

I was privileged to hear Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, the chief rabbi of Tzfat rattle off these miracles in the context of prophecies made over 2500 years ago. Some of his observations:

-The Jewish population in 1800 was only 7000 and in 1920, roughly 50,000. By 1948, the population rose to 650,000 and in 2017, nearly 6,500,000.

-There is a prophecy regarding the widening of the roads to Jerusalem. Our transport minister, Yisrael Katz, told Rav Eliyahu that his purpose in building a Tel Aviv-Jerusalem speed train, and the widening of the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, is in preparation of the building of the Beit Hamikdash.

-Israel is considered the eighth superpower in the world militarily, when we had only a makeshift army in 1948.

-According to Rav Eliyahu, the birth rate of Jewish women has surpassed that of Arab women, when once the average for the Arabs was 9.1.

-The number of countries desiring to have diplomatic relations has been rapidly increasing, where the nations of the world want to glean from Israel's wisdom and technological advances.

-A final point that is so significant is that the growth of the State of Israel, proves that G-d has not rejected the Jewish people. On the contrary, Israel is the number one reason for the huge increase in non-Jews flooding our Jewish courts seeking conversion. As a rabbi, it has become easier to prove G-d's existence, by simply pointing to our modern day miracles.

Indeed, anyone who doesn't see the Hand of G-d that we are witnessing today, has to be blind. We must give thanks to Hashem that we have merited seeing the fulfillment of these prophecies in our lifetime. Chag Atzmaut Sameach!

Yesterday was twenty with ספירת העומר

The Miracle of the State of Israel

Y ears ago Rav Meir Kahane used to begin his lecture tour with the following opening statement: “Anyone who has witnessed the events since 1948 and does not see the Hand of G-d, is not a non-believer, is not a scoffer, he is blind!”

This quote has been stuck in my mind this Yom Haatzmaut as Israel celebrates its 69th birthday. The accomplishments of this little country in such a relatively short amount of time, is nothing less than miraculous.

I was privileged to hear Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, the chief rabbi of Tzfat rattle off these miracles in the context of prophecies made over 2500 years ago. Some of his observations:

-The Jewish population in 1800 was only 7000 and in 1920, roughly 50,000. By 1948, the population rose to 650,000 and in 2017, nearly 6,500,000.

-There is a prophecy regarding the widening of the roads to Jerusalem. Our transport minister, Yisrael Katz, told Rav Eliyahu that his purpose in building a Tel Aviv-Jerusalem speed train, and the widening of the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, is in preparation of the building of the Beit Hamikdash.

-Israel is considered the eighth superpower in the world militarily, when we had only a makeshift army in 1948.

-According to Rav Eliyahu, the birth rate of Jewish women has surpassed that of Arab women, when once the average for the Arabs was 9.1.

-The number of countries desiring to have diplomatic relations has been rapidly increasing, where the nations of the world want to glean from Israel’s wisdom and technological advances.

-A final point that is so significant is that the growth of the State of Israel, proves that G-d has not rejected the Jewish people. On the contrary, Israel is the number one reason for the huge increase in non-Jews flooding our Jewish courts seeking conversion. As a rabbi, it has become easier to prove G-d’s existence, by simply pointing to our modern day miracles.

Indeed, anyone who doesn’t see the Hand of G-d that we are witnessing today, has to be blind. We must give thanks to Hashem that we have merited seeing the fulfillment of these prophecies in our lifetime. Chag Atzmaut Sameach!

Israel Remembrance Day

Tonight is יום הזיכרון, where we remember our fallen soldiers from various wars. It is a very heavy day as we pay tribute to those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives so that the Jewish people would have a secure Homeland.

I am reminded of King David in the first chapter of Shmuel II, how he laments the fall of King Shaul and his three sons. (His best friend Jonathan among them.) Some of the verses are exceptionally beautiful at expressing the loss we feel today for our modern day heroes.

A few examples: "O precious One of Israel, how have the mighty fallen? Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death not parted. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle? Jonathan, slain upon your heights? I am distressed over you my brother Jonathan; you were so pleasant to me! Your love was more wondrous to me than the love of women! How have the mighty fallen and the weapons of war gone to waste?

May the memory of the fallen on this solemn day be for blessing and may we no longer need to spill the blood of our people.

Yesterday was nineteen with ספירת העומר.