|
Weekly Torah Email
Jan. 28, 2010 |
Weekly Torah Email
from
Jewish Everything. Net
Click here to visit our website for many great features.
Click Here FOR A LIST OF ALL KOSHER RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD
Click Here FOR A GUIDE TO BLESSINGS ON OVER 1,000 FOODS
Click Here For Yahrtzeits, Biographies, and Pictures of Gedolim
Sponsorship
Today's learning of Torah is sponsored by the Manela Family for a Refuah Shlemah for Gutta Fruma bas Feiga Gruna and in memory of Aron & Malka Fuchs, ZTL, Shimon and Hinda Manela, ZTL. Sincerely, Zalman Manela Jewish Everything. Net
|
|
|
|
A Thought On Parshas Beshalach
_____________________
"...l'man anas'enu ha'yelech b'torasi im lo..."
"...in order to test them: will they follow My Torah or not..." (16:4)
HaShem explains to Moshe that the challenges which come our way from Above are for a purpose. Will we follow the ways of Torah or will we neglect and forsake them when facing adversity?
The Rambam (Moreh HaNevuchim 2:31, 3:24,32) writes that challenges and struggles are not given to us in order that we act, or react, correctly. The goal is not to provoke behavior on our part, as valuable as that action may seem. Rather, the goal which we should aim for when responding to a challenge is both intellectual and spiritual. HaShem designs our challenges in order that we learn from them, and in order that we grow from them.
The learning which we are expected to accomplish involves our increased understanding of our role in this world and how a Jew must conduct him or herself in times of strife and uncertainty. The spiritual growth is that we should challenge ourselves to accept that no matter what seems to beset us, there is a Divine plan and an appropriate choice for us to make.
At Marah (14:25), the Torah writes that HaShem gave us chok u'mishpat - a statute and a rule. The Rambam explains that these represent those same two levels of focus. Chazal have told us that the "statute" refers to observing the Shabbos. The "rule" refers to following laws of justice.
These are the symbols for the "intellectual learning" expected of us, and the "spiritual growth" as well. Allegiance to integrity and justice of behavior is not just for its own sake. It is in order that we learn that HaShem wants us to set as our cognitive priority the importance of removing evil from the world.
The Shabbos is not observed only for its own sake. Rather, Shabbos symbolizes that there is a Divine Presence to whom we have utter allegiance and devotion. This then governs our spiritual priority of living by our faith and our belief.
"...na'chisa b'chasdecha am zu go'alta nihalta b'uzecha..." (15:13)
"...You guided the nation You redeemed with kindness and led them with power..."
The Rosh presents parallel concepts with a somewhat mystical spin. He notes that Chazal have taught that the universe is founded on three principles: Torah, Service and Kindness. HaShem wants us to adhere to the Torah, to serve only Him, and to bestow charitable and loving acts unto others.
He writes that each of these principles has a Divine basis, alluded to in our verse. "You guided with kindness" refers to acts of gemilus chasadim. "You led with power" refers to Torah, which is called "oz" as we see in Tehillim 29:11. Our verse closes by saying that HaShem guided and led us to "ne'vea kodshecha" - His Holy Shrine. This alludes to the Great Temple in Jerusalem where our highest form of worship was undertaken.
The actions which we undertake in this world have a higher source. They are anchored to the Divine teachings of living according to Torah law, devoting ourselves faithfully to HaShem and emulating His values or attributes by taking care of others and abolishing evil and cruelty.
The Rambam deduces this from HaShem's formal teachings to us. The Rosh deduces this from the Heaven-sent events we witnessed during times of miraculous wonder.
Good Shabbos from Jerusalem, karta d'shufraya. D. Fox |
Reader's Question:
If I eat and leave the place I left forgetting to make a bracha acharona, and when I remember, it's not possible or practical for me to return to the place where I ate, should I make the bracha acharona wherever I am?
Answer:
Besides for Birchas Hamazon (which in most cases you need to return to at least the room where you ate), you may recite any other Bracha Achrona wherever you are when you remember.
Reader's Question:
There is a famous saying that "Hashem only gives you what you can handle." My father and I were discussing this and wondered if this is a true passuk/idea from Chazal or Gemara that has a true source (if so where is it from) or is this a secular quote that just sounds nice with "G-D" substituted as "Hashem" ?
Answer:
That is a very real idea based on Chazal.
The source that I can think of on top of my head is the Gamara in Avoda Zara 3a, where it says "Ain HaKadosh Baruch Hu Ba B'trunia Im Briyosav" which basically means that Hashem does not expect people to do things that they cannot do.
See also Ramban Parshas Vayeira Perek 22:1 where he touches upon this idea as well.
This idea is found all over, including Gemara, Chovos HaLevavos, MaHaral, Michtav M'Eliyahu just to name a few, and is a basic tenet of Torah-True Judaism!
If Hashem gives you a Nisayon, it has been taylor made for you! And nobody else would be able to pass it, as it is your test.
In fact, the Seforim say that the Nisayon of Akeidas Yitzchok was taylor made for Avraham, and not for Sarah as she would not have been able to handle it. And in fact when she was ultimately informed of it (by Og Melech HaBashan who was not supposed to inform her) she actually died! (see Rashi Parshas Chayei sarah 23:2)
(reprinted with permission from halachafortoday.com)
A Torah a Minute
When Tu Bishbat falls on Shabbath by Rabbi Ya'aqob Menashe
When Tu Bishbat falls on Shabbath, when should the fruits be eaten? There are those who have the custom, every Leil Shabbath (Friday night), to eat fruits between Qiddush and Hammosi (the sanctification on the wine and the meal). But many Posqim do not approve of this custom.
It is best, therefore, to eat the fruits after reciting Birkath Hammazon (Grace after meals). If one were to eat all the fruits one eats on Tu Bishbat before starting the meal, one would not be able to eat the meal with a hearty appetite. (If one were to eat them during the meal, there are different opinions as to the need to recite a blessing on them).
There is no problem of unnecessary blessings if they are eaten after the meal, since it is common practice in many homes to do this on a regular Shabbath in order to make up the additional Berakhoth (blessings) that we need on Shabbath.
(See Maamar Mordehai Hilchoth Hagim, 61: 10. Rambam Hilchoth Tefillah 7:16)
|
|
|
