How does one deal with a reality that challenges one preconceived notions? Rivkah our Mother A’H was married some nineteen years when she became pregnant. Rivkah and her husband Yitzchak our Father A’H prayed for many years beforehand (25:20-21,26)
25:22 relates that Rivkah’s pregnancy was so difficult that she wondered why she ever yearned for or prayed for children (see 25:22 Rashi ZT;L ZY’A “Lamah zeh anochi” ) Rabbi Moshe been Nachman (RAMBAN) ZT’L ZY’A Rivkah did not know what pregnancy wa…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on November 20, 2009 at 3:20am —
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Each evening the declaration of faith contained in recitation of Shema is prefaced by stating that “ . . . they [the words of Torah] are our life and the measure of our days . . .” The Ba’al Haturim ZT’L ZY’A among his observations on Bereshith 1:1 notes Bereshith is an acrostic for From the beginning G-D saw that Israel will accept the Torah. Therefore, these and other sources imply a powerful connection between Israel’s connection to Torah and creation itself. Consequently, words of Torah on a…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on November 13, 2009 at 4:30am —
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It was no longer tenable for uncle and nephew to live together. Avraham the Patriarch A’H ZY’A tells Lot to separate (Bereshith 13:8-12). Rashi (13:7) explains Lot’s shepherds reasoned since G-D had promised the land to Avraham (12:7) and his heirs, which at the time meant Lot so it was appropriate to allow their flocks to pasture wherever they pleased even if the land was privately owned. Avraham’s shepherds respected the indigenous population and only allowed their flocks to graze on public la…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 29, 2009 at 5:00am —
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The Torah describes two events that fundamentally reshaped the human condition, the Flood and the Tower of Babel. The breakdown in society that lead to the flood that laid waste to the world G-D created. Rashi ZT’L ZY’A commenting on 6:13 points out there were rampant sexual perversion , idolatry and theft. Rabbi Joseph Dov Solavechik the Beit HaLevi ZT’L ZY’A emphasized the abandonment of moral restraint was so prevalent that animals and even plant life were influenced by human behavior. Societ…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 23, 2009 at 4:52am —
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As the cycle of Torah readings begins anew a preliminary question presents itself, what is the nature of Torah? Is the Torah a legal text? Or is there a broader purpose encompassing the whole of human endeavor and experience? Indeed, Rashi ZT’L ZY’A opens his commentary on Torah by posing essentially this question.
Beginning with what appears as a historical narrative scripture takes a long time till commandments are promulgated to the entire nation (Exodus 12 starting with the commandment to s…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 16, 2009 at 1:28am —
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The end of Succoth, Hoshna Rabbah and Shemini Atzereth/ Simchat Torah are not merely the concluding days of Succoth. Instead these two (three outside of Eretz Yisrael) really are the culmination of Fifty one days of introspection, repentance and rejoicing that began nearly two months ago on the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul. The Ta’amei Minhagim U’Mikorei HaDinim (paragraph 811) quoting the Bene Yissachar ZT’L ZY’A that Hoshina (please [G-D] save us) should be let the 51 days of prayer be a mer…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 8, 2009 at 7:16am —
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Once one accepts the notion of emunah, faith especially in Chassidic thought one understands nothing is beyond G-D’s purview, nothing. Recognizing the reach of G-D’s providential down to the intimate details of one's life as well as the juxtaposition of events. Needless to say the first day of Sukkot coinciding with Shabbath has a special significance for the present year.
The Torah commands that on the first day of Sukkoth one must take up a palm branch (lulav), myrtle (hadassim), willows (ara…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 1, 2009 at 7:45am —
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The widespread custom on the Shabbat before Yom Kippur the Rabbi or more accurately the Rabbi who is the leading Torah personality of the city address the community at large.(Mateh Ephraim 602:41). The content of this oration is evidently a matter of debate .
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Ladi ZT’L ZY’A in Schulchan Aruch 429:2 comments that the content of pre-Yom Kippur Shabbat speech originally an outline of the laws of Succoth and the four species. [Often the Sabbath before Yom Kippur is also the S…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on September 24, 2009 at 7:20am —
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The Jewish New Year is called “ . . . a day of rest, a memorial of Treuah a day declared Holy..” (VaYikrah 23:24 Rashi ZT’L ZY’A explains this refers to the portions of the Mussaf service on Rosh HaShana called Zechronoth, remembrance and Shofaroth ,sounding the shofar in order to recall the merit of the Patriarch Yitzchak A’H who was prepared to be offered as a sacrifice was exchanged for a ram.
The Shofar apparently is the quintessential symbol of Rosh HaShana. The sounds which constitutes a…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on September 17, 2009 at 6:30am —
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The nexus between season and sidra continues as the year draws to a close. Devorim 30:1-10 is commonly called Parashat HaTeshuvah, the chapter of return/repentance.
The Torah testifies that eventually after experiencing the blessing and curse, all the events and travail of exile to distant nations and cultures that were hostile to Judaism Upon reflection and contemplation individually and nationally Jewry arrives at the conclusion, it all came from G-D and it all was necessary 30:1 speaks about…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on September 10, 2009 at 7:30am —
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Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur and Succot are rapidly approaching thought Succot is specifically called the season of rejoicing the Days of Awe are nonetheless days of celebration. Understanding what G-D wants Jewry be keep in mind at times of celebration would be very important in taking observance from merely following the forms of observance to level where they are filled with substance as well.
Despite Ki Tavo opening with the Bikurim First Fruits ritual observed on Shavuoth the Sidra is deeply c…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on September 3, 2009 at 5:37am —
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The Talmud (Megila 25a) condemns one who calls out in prayer “Your mercy [is so great] reaches to a bird’s nest . . . is silenced.” the Talmud explains referring to the commandment to send away the mother bird before taking the fledglings (Devarim 22:6-7) as an expression of D-vine compassion reduces the underlying basis for the Torah’s commandments as expressions of compassion and ignoring the commandments’ status as D-vine law. Yet, even the most technical and mundane commandment carries an un…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on August 27, 2009 at 2:46am —
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Elul is far more than the name given to the month preceding Rosh HaShana it is a mindset and worldview. Most importantly the upcoming Days of Awe and Judgment convey the messages that one’s behavior matters, one has the opportunity to improve oneself. The obvious question is, who does not want to do the right thing? Yet how does one engage in self improvement? Does the call of the coming judgment require an extreme makeover or does even a slight positive change count as well?
The sidra sheds so…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on August 19, 2009 at 2:11am —
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When events coincide, failing to notice, is to miss a heaven sent message that is unique to that particular point in time. The Shabbath is not just the week’s conclusion but also preface the week to come. So when as this Shabbath a new Month’s arrival is blessed it is only natural to look to that week’s Torah reading for guidance for insight what the content of the coming month should be. The month’s agenda alluded to in the weekly Torah reading become all the more critical when the month is Ell…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on August 13, 2009 at 7:30am —
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These weeks between Tisha B’Av and Rosh HaShanah are best understood in the context of self evaluation and gleaning lessons for inspiration. While Ekev has many topics to examine there are some comments about the Land of Israel, Eretz Yisrael that are particularly worthy of comment.
11:12 relates that “ [Eretz Yisrael is ] A land which the L-RD your G-D seeks its welfare constantly, the eyes of the L-RD your G-D are upon {the land}from the year’s beginning till the last day of the year”
The in…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on August 6, 2009 at 6:00am —
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The trauma of Tisha B’Av remains fresh in the community’s collective consciousness as Shabbat Nachamu, The Shabbat of consolation approaches. Hopefully, the lasting effect of the day is a renewed and sustained resolution to correct whatever personal or communal shortcomings which remain as reasons to remain in exile and obstacles to redemption. However, viewing the sidra’s message only in a post Tisha B’Av perspective misses the main point, there are but a mere 7 weeks left till the days of Judg…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 31, 2009 at 9:04am —
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“As the month of Av enters one diminishes their joy” (see Ta’nit 29a),Schulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 551:1 Sha’arei Zion 1). One is advised not to litigate during this period as the season is inauspicious. Though there are many reason why the Ninth of Av is observed as a fast the main event which overshadows the others is the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem 68 CE.. It is the loss of the Temple which more than anything else that symbolizes the present state of exile. Consider that even…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 23, 2009 at 8:10am —
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First Rashi points out that despite wandering in the desert was G-D’s punishment there were 14 pre-sin of the spies journeys leavening. just 28 stations which averages only 0.737 trips per year. So that even though the Bene Yisrael were serving out a sentence Given by G-D Himself out in response to the people initially accepting the spies’ report regarding the land of Israel and the years of wandering were not too taxing. Rashi then cites the Tanchuma recalling the stations of Bene Yisraels’ tra…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 17, 2009 at 7:30am —
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G-D the Mishnah teaches has ownership over five things, Torah, Heaven and Earth, Avraham Avinu A’H ,The Jewish Nation and The Holy Temple.,. This is perplexing and simply cannot be taken at face value How could one claim any limit on G-D’s dominion over His creation? Therefore, to be a kinyan, an acquisition of G-D’s implies a special relationship.
The word Kinyan denotes ownership, exclusive control or as Rabbi Yossef Yavetz ZY’A suggests a kinyan is a profound connection, one of desire, delig…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 10, 2009 at 12:26am —
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Four categories are identified among those who attend the Beit HaMedrash, the place dedicated for Torah Study and prayer. There is one who goes to the Beit Medrash but does not learn, he receives reward for going. The second is one who learns in solitude at home and does not attend the actual Beit Medrash, he receives reward for his learning. The person considered pious both attends and learns in the Beit HaMedrash. Whereas the fourth who nether attends the Beit HaMedrah or learns Torah is deeme…
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Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 2, 2009 at 5:13am —
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