Well Chanukah is around the corner, and we all love those doughnuts. well last week I decided to try to experiment and baked some doughnuts... well they came out amazing..even two days later they still taste great. I hope I can reproduce it or maybe I was having a lucky night. Look for recipe at the bottom of page.
So why I don't I just fry them? well for one I am weight conscious and two heating oil is not good for you.
Let's talk about olive oil- the greatest oil for the heart.
Apparently bringing olive oil to a smoking point creates a health risk as it increases the amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs. The finer the extra virgin olive oil the worse it is
PAH
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a group of chemicals which are formed when petroleum, petroleum products, coal, wood, cellulose, corn, or oil are burned. There are over 100 PAHs which have been studied. During oxidation and detoxification in the liver they are thought to form substances which damage DNA, starting a chain of events which could lead to cancer. A few of them have been classified by the EPA and The Department of Health and Human Services as carcinogenic. Bringing any type of oil to a smoking point can increase the amounts of PAHs Oil of any kind which has been heated repeatedly to its smoking point will lose its natural antioxidants and accumulate free radicals and other cancer causing substances. Let's see what Dr. Hari has to say, and then try my doughnuts.
FREE RADICALS: A MAJOR CAUSE OF AGING AND DISEASE
by: Sharma, Hari, M.D.
Dr. Sharma is Professor of Pathology and Director of the Cancer Prevention and Natural Products Research at the Ohio State University College of Medicine. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Pathology, and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is a consultant to the National Institute of Health, Alternative Medicine Section. He has lectured around the world to medical audiences including the World Health Organization. He has published over 100 scientific research articles and has recently published Freedom From Disease, a book about free radical control, based on India's traditional health care system, ayurveda.
FAT Unsaturated fat is of two types: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated. Polyunsaturated fat is not good; it ultimately causes damage. Polyunsaturated fat has multiple double bonds which can become oxidized and cause an increased production of free radicals and increased incidence of colon cancer. All these vegetable oils are polyunsaturated fatty acids which become very easily oxidized. Oxidation also occurs in fried foods and meats. It is in beef, lamb and chicken. Monounsaturated fat does not get oxidized and these are olive oil and mustard oil. Olive oil increases high density lipoproteins (HDL - good cholesterol) and vegetable oil decreases them. All those are all right. But stay away from polyunsaturated oils. And don't heat your olive oil too high.
GHEE Clarified butter, known as ghee, contains the conjugated linoleic acid which has anti-cancer properties. Casein which is a harmful protein is removed by this process. You take the butter, slowly heat it until butter solids precipitate on the top and then you filter it through a cloth and you will have a liquid that can be stored at room temperature. This is the best combination of different fatty acids for human consumption. Safflower oil and most vegetable oils get oxidized and damage the liver and heart. Clarified butter does not cause this damage.
SESAME OIL which is cold pressed is very powerful. It contains natural antioxidants and when it is cured by heating, the long molecular chains are broken down to shorter chains and become very powerful antioxidants. When you massage your whole body with sesame oil, apart from the nice effect of massage, you are also introducing antioxidants.
So after all Chanukah is here and my doughnuts were success. Healthier than frying for sure and less calories for sure, try them you wont be able to eat just one.
Baked Doughnuts
Doughnuts:
•1 1/3 cups warm milk, 95 to 105 degrees
•2 teaspoons instant yeast
•2 tablespoons butter, I used earth balance palm oil
•2/3 cup granulated sugar or evaporated cane sugar
•2 large eggs
•5 cups all-purpose flour : 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour + 3 cups all purpose flour = 5 cups
•A pinch or two of nutmeg, freshly grated
•1 teaspoon salt
Topping:
•1/2 cup butter, melted
•½ cup honey cup + ½ cup granulated sugar
•1 tablespoon cinnamon
•Directions
•Place the warm milk in the bowl of an electric mixer. Stir in the yeast and sugar. Add the butter. Mix the eggs, flour, nutmeg, and salt. Beat the dough with the dough hook attachment (or with a wooden spoon and eventually your hands) for 2-3 minutes at medium speed. Adjust the dough texture by adding flour a few tablespoons at a time or more milk. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl and be very soft and smooth but still slightly sticky - don't overflour! Knead the dough for a few minutes (again, by mixer or by hand) and then transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for about an hour or until it has doubled in size (the exact time will depend on the temperature of your kitchen).
•
•Punch down the dough and roll it out to about 1/2-inch thickness on a lightly floured counter. Using a doughnut cutter or a 2-3 inch circle cookie cutter, cut out circles in the dough. Carefully transfer the circles to a parchment- or silpat-lined baking sheet and stamp out the smaller inner circles using a smaller cutter. Be sure to make the holes large enough that as the doughnuts rise again and bake, they don't fill in the doughnut hole with the puffiness of the dough. Cover the tray with lightly greased plastic wrap. (At this point, you can refrigerate the doughnuts overnight or proceed with the recipe.) Let the doughnuts rise for about another 45 minutes, until they are puffed and nearly doubled.
•Bake in a 375 degree F oven until the bottoms are just golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Start checking the doughnuts around minute 8. They should still be pale on top, not golden and browned, and just baked through.
•Remove the doughnuts from the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes. Dip each one in the melted butter and toss or sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar. Serve immediately
Printed from Mel's Kitchen Cafe (www.melskitchencafe.com) with Surie Weinberg's changes. 416-890-4928
and my quinoa doughnuts were a great success as well but more like a muffin:
Ingredients
•1 cup whole wheat white flour (or gluten free baking mix), minus 2 tablespoons
•1/2 cup quinoa flour
•2 tablespoons corn starch
•2 tsp baking powder
•1 tsp salt
•¾ cup coconut palm sugar (or sugar of choice)
•¼ teaspoon cinnamon
•1 T butter or earth balance, melted and cooled slightly
•2 eggs or egg replacer
•1 cup cooked quinoa
•1 cup buttermilk (Or 1 cup almond milk mixed with 1 T lemon juice)
•1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.Measure out a cup of whole wheat white flour.
3.Remove two tablespoons of the flour and return to the flour bin.
4.Place flours in a sifter and add two tablespoons of corn starch, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, coconut palm sugar and cinnamon.
5.Sift.
6.Place melted butter, eggs or egg replacer, quinoa, buttermilk and vanilla in a blender or food processor.
7.Process until smooth.
8.Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
9.Place batter (it will be thick) in a miniature cake doughnut pan about 2/3 of the way full.
10.Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. (If you are using a full size doughnut pan you will need to adjust cooking time accordingly.)
11.Remove from oven and take a butter knife and run it around the edges of the donuts.
12.Allow to cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes and remove from pan, using the butter knife again on the ones that do not easily pop out.
13.Allow to completely cool on a wire rack.
14.Top with glaze or sugar.
15.To make sugar donuts, place evaporated cane sugar (or other sugar of choice) in a plastic bag and and 2 to 3 cooled donuts at a time.
16.Shake until coated.
17.To make a glaze, combine 1/4 cup water and a teaspoon of vanilla in a small sauce pan.
18.Heat until warm and add 2 cups of confectioners sugar.
19.Stir with a whisk until smooth.
20.Dip donuts and top with sprinkles if desired.
21.Allow to sit on a wire rack or parchment paper for 10 minutes prior to serving.
22.Makes 24 mini doughnuts
There has been so much talk about "Fats". Which ones are ok? Scientists universally agree the trans fats-increase risk of cardiovascular disease.
But how about saturated fats? For a long time it has been a big "NO NO". Yet scientific evidence has begin to show us this may not be true. There has been research that saturated fat has been to be protective. The source of the fat is very important.
Dairy foods provide vitamins A and D. There is a link between vitamin D deficiency and a significant increase of cardiovascular mortality. The calcium and phosphorus and the fatty acids might help the heart.
Vitamin A is needed for eye sight for growth and tissue healing healthy skin and lowering cancer risks. So don't throw away those dairy products just yet.
Fat has a higher energy content per gram in comparison with protein and carbohydrates. Fat might have more calories, but a calorie is not just a calorie, and a low fat diet led to unhealthy lipid pattern and increased insulin resistance. The proportion of energy from consumed fat has fallen from 40% to 30% yet obesity has sky rocketed.
When the food industry started to take out the fat they replaced it with sugar. This started a rise on juvenile diabetes and a factor for metabolic syndrome and obesity in younger and younger children.
so lets talk about some good fats.
Coconut oil a saturated very stable oil anti viral anti bacterial it has so many wonderful properties and uses. You cant imagine what I have used it for.
It does not smoke at high temperature which leads to less free radicals(damaged cells).
"Butter" is not as bad as we think, it included vitamins A, E, K2 it also has Fatty Acid Butyrate which helps against bacteria in the colon. It also has the Wulzen Factor that aids in arthritis in many ways.
A moderate amount of butter weekly has many good benefits.
Olive oil, king of oils... this wonderful oil is associated with lowering heart disease, by lowering your cholesterol. it helps normalize blood clotting. Olive oil helps with blood sugar control and insulin levels which helps in proper weight levels.
References to all I have written about is available upon request.
Here is a great raw spread that is beneficial for the heart:
cold pressed coconut oil
cold pressed olive oil
hemp seeds- (a whole food with all amino acids)
nutritional yeast (wonderful for diabetics and acne)
garlic powder
onion powder
Himalayan sea salt (for great minerals )
Mix all together for a wonderful healthy heart spread.
For the past 35 years I have been involved in the school system. I have taught children form ages 6 months thru university students. One day when I was young teacher I saw a child open his lunch box and he had a doughnut for lunch.... from that day on I decided I will make a change.
Along my journey I have met many children that have been diagnosed ADD or ADHD. The past few years I have become a Holistic Registered Nutritionist and have learned a lot about Sugar, Carbohydrates, Grains and GMO products and the intestinal tract.
Many of the same factors that cause , ear infections, colic, urinary urgency, high blood pressure and diabetes in children, also cause hyperactivity, short attention span and behavior and learning problems. In 1950 , a typical classroom averaged one hyperactive child, today that would be a teacher's dream. These beautiful children are often disruptive, impulsive, and exhibit poor concentration. They are fidgety and irritable.
Many children suffer from poor nutrition and faulty digestion, even if it might not be noticeable. Food Allergies and environmental toxins can also be a problem. All of the above can affect the child's nervous system.
Why would they be suffering from poor nutrition? Because the small intestine is not absorbing properly and weakening the immune system and allergies to emerge.
According to Dr. Robert Lustig a pediatric endocrinologist, his practice is growing and doubling by the year with children with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Look him up.
Some simple changes to the child's diet may produce a pronounced affect.
Processed white sugar is stripped of it's vitamin B's which is needed for the nervous system. Lots of carbohydrates spike the body and insulin, which make lots of children ill and gain weight. Many food dyes are known carcinogens. Soft drinks and candy with yellow dye are high in tartrazine, which has been linked to bronchial asthma.
I am on a campaign to change the way our school systems give out doughnuts, candy and sweets. Let's come up with alternatives.
I am happy to come speak to any school or Mother's Association or group of parents, for FREE and try to CHANGE the system.
Residents are invited to join Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) as they kick off Fire Prevention Week at North Thornhill Community Centre (300 Pleasant Ridge Ave, Thornhill Woods) on Oct. 6th, from 10 am to 3 pm.
This fun-filled day will include children's activities, an auto extrication by VFRS, inflatable slides and obstacle course, and meet-and-greet with Sparky the Fire Dog from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children will also have the opportunity to use a fire hose, while adults can learn how to operate a fire extinguisher with hands-on training.
Fire Prevention Week is an annual educational campaign designed to prevent injuries and deaths caused by fire. This year it will be held from Oct. 6 to Oct. 12 and will focus on preventing kitchen and cooking fires.
First of all, thank you to all who have donated your school seforim! If anyone has any seforim to donate please contact me.
I've put together a webpage that lists the seforim currently available. If you are looking for specific seforim or books, please check the webpage to see if its there. If what you are looking for is not there, please let me know what you are looking for and I can post a list of seforim/books needed.
Burlington Children’s Festival
Spencer Smith Park & The Beachway
http://cms.burlington.ca/Page512.aspx
Sat: 10am-4pm, Sun: 10am-10pm
Free
A weekend filled with crafts, live entertainment, fun activities, play zones, an infant marketplace and activities and cuddly mascots.
Blue Flag Beach Bonanza
Woodbine Beach
http://environmentaldefence.ca/issues/blue-flag-canada/2013-blue-flag-be...
10am-4pm
Free
Fun at the beach for the whole family including yoga classes, sand castle competitions and kite flying.
Outdoor Guided Walk: Appetizing August Preserve Walk
Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre
67 Pottery Rd
http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/featured-events.htm#todmorden
1:30-2:30pm
$5.31/adults, $2/children
Tour the grounds and nature preserve to see a delicious display of flowers! Learn which flowers and herbs the European settlers or First Nations groups included as part of a wholesome harvest. Refreshments provided after the walk.
Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Tommy Thompson Park
Foot of Leslie St, S of Lakeshore Blvd E
http://www.tommythompsonpark.ca/home/special.dot
8-11am
Free
Take a guided bird hike at TTP during spring migration. Search for birds in the Baselands and along the nature trails to the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station. Meet the guide at the TTP entrance at 8am and be sure to dress for the weather, bring plenty of water and snacks, and a pair of binoculars.
This is a new take on the Geulah b'Rachamim material. It is
an overview set to original music. Access the entire seminar through http://www.thirtysix.org
Rabbi Vinsiksy spoke to us last week about Tefila, Tehillim and Tisha B’Av: A Game Plan for the Three Weeks. Here is a brief summary of his shiur. To hear a recording of Rabbi Vinsisky shiur, please go to Kol Halsohon. To hear the shiur on Kol Haloshon: dial 416-800-2146; then press 1-5-10; then push 1; then choose 209.
Rabbi Vinsisky has the ability to bring lofty ideas down to earth and he was able to explain to us, what exactly we are mourning for in this
time period and what our actions are supposed to be producing.
Rabbi Vinisksy started by saying that just as a general reviews his plans before he goes to battle, we should also review
Our game plans as to how we desire to bring about refuahs and yeshouahs in the next few weeks. Our plan will have 3 parts-Tefila, Tehillim and Tisha B’AV
Tefila is a contradiction-On one hand Hashem wants our tefilos very much and on the other hand, tefila is a chutzpah-who sent the illness , or withheld the
cure in the first place so why Are we davening to the one who brought the tozors? And furthermore, who are we to ask Hashem to change his mind-where is
our bitochon that all is for the best? And it is ridiculous that we have to tell Hashem over and over again, what we want-he knows better that we, what we want.
Rabbi Vinsisky explained that when we daven and we ask Hashem for things, we start by praising him and we end by praising him. Our requests for asking for things
is sandwiched between our emuna for Hashem . .Every time we daven we reinforce our emuna in Hashem and we actuality improve ourselves. And by doing this
, we are hoping that Hashem re-elevates his position and hopefully in our new improved selves, Hashem will judge us more favorably. Rabbi Vinisksy went on to discuss
why is our tefila stronger when we daven b’tizbur-in a group. The judgment that Hashem gives on a group overwrites the judgment on the individual-so
even if the individual doesn’t deserve that chesed, but if he is part of the group-Hashem will give his brocha to the entire group. And besides that, Hashem loves ‘achdus’.
From the time, Hashem told us about the building of the Bais Hamikdtash till it was actually built was 400 years-why did it take so long, because it took 400 years for there to be enough achdus among the shovitim, that Hashem would even consider building his home amongst us. When we daven b’achdus, Hashem loves us and in that zchus he will help the cholim.
The 2nd part of the plan is Tehillim-but why Tehillim-tehillim is not a book of requests? Why not 4 shomonei esrays in a row-there we have the praise and the requests
for all we need? Why when we want something major in our lives-we take out sefer Tehillim. Rabbi Vinisky spoke about the greatness of Dovid HaMelech
Only 3 people in history who could raise us back to the spiritual level we lost when Adom Harishon sinned in Gan Eden- Adom Harishon, Dovid HaMelech & Moshiach.
But Dovid saw that he was not going to be able to get all of Klal Yisroel to the same spiritual level he was on, so he decided instead to write sefer Tehillim.
Dovid HaMelech could be viewed in a million different ways, a tzaddick, an artist, a warrior, a musician-everybody could relate to him but above all, but
his only desire was to become closer to Hashem. His greatest accomplishment was that he left us the blueprint to attain spiritual perfection (for more on this,
listen to rabbi Vinisksy shier number 55 in our archives). Tehillim are not prayers-it is 150 recipes for spiritual growth and accomplishment. Rabbi Vinisksy ,
when he teaches Sefer Tehillim (he has a popular Sunday evening class) always teaches the group-what is the lesson to be learned from this perek.-everything
we need to know , is in Sefer Tehillim.
Dovid HaMelech also taught us another legacy-how to really desire something, so that it totally encompasses you. This we learn from his yearning to build the
Bais Hamikdatch. Even though he wasn’t zocha to build it, his desire was so huge, that it is called after him Bais Dovid, and not after son, who actually build it.
. When we come together as a group, and we want to show Hashem that we are growing in our yiddishkeit, it is perfect, rather than saying additional prayers, that we say sefer Tehillim-the blueprint of how to be a good Jew-sefer Tehillim, written by a tzaddik who really worked on getting closer to Hashem-that it consumed his every breath.
This is what we say when we talk to Hashem-we want to say the lesson plan of life.
Why is plan one and 2-tefila and Tehillim especially important now, at the beginning of the 3 weeks -this brings us to Part 3-tisha b’av
Why is this so important in the 3 weeks,- we need to answer 2 questions: tisha b’av is a moed-it will be a joyous occasion after Moshiach. How is that
Possible? How could we celebrate the destruction of the Bais Hamikdatch and the death of so many people? Moed doesn’t mean holiday, moed is an
appointed meeting time-moed is a scheduled time where we have agreed to meet with Hashem to spend time together-a time of closeness . Every year, on
different occasions-i.e. chol hamoed-Hashem peeks thru the door in the moed to see how we are doing, to see what we have learned from his lessons and punishments.
It is a time when we can give our father nachas In the future we will look back and see how all these tragedies of tisha b’av fit into Hashem’s master plan).
So when we are told that tisha b’av will be a moed in the future it means we will have a meeting with Hashem and we will understand how he did what he did. And
we will see the lessons we learned from it.
Another question-the Bais Hamkidatches were destroyed for different things- The2nd one for sinas chinum-so we should be doing teshuva for all the aveiros
that caused the Bais Hamikdatch to be destroyed-that seems logical. Instead we adopt 3 weeks of mourning and act as if are ‘aveilim’. When a person does an
aviera, he does teshuva and hopes to be forgiven. He doesn’t ’stop getting haircuts, stop listening to music, stop eating meat. If we want to do teshuva for sinas
chinom, why don’t we dodo something specifically to compensate. Why do we act like mourners?
The point is we did not get a punishment for our sins, rather , we got cut off from a key part of Hahsem. Hashem severed our relationship. We weren’t’ punished, rather
Hashem said he had enough of us and he threw us out of his house. And said don’t come back till I am convinced that you are worthy of living in my house
We were severed, we were cut off. Without the bais hamikdatach we don’t exist-but that seems hard to understand-we live,we go to work, we have children but
True living is not a girl waking up to having most of her family killed, or a people who know how to grid search for a missing person, we have been cut off from our existence.
At the time of the churban, not only Hashem kicked us out, but the whole world kicked us out and slammed the door behind us.
Without an existence close to Hashem we are dead. We are not mourning for the bais hamidktcah , we are mourning for ourselves, we are almost dead.
Hashem wants to know, how much did you miss me, did you want to come back into the house.. Every generation that is not rebuild, it is as if that generation destroyed it.
How? Hashem came to the moed, and peeked thru the door to see how we are doing and he didn’t invite us back us, so that generation is just as dead as the
generation that was kicked out
so our game plan is -We want to daven, we want to show Hashem we want back in, we say Tatty in himmel we remember and we want to grab your coat and we want to
come home. And hopefully if Hashem sees how hard we have worked on ourselves in these 3 weeks, when he comes to visit on us on the ‘moed’ he will forgive us
and let us come home.
-To hear Rabbi Vinsisky shiur, please go to kol halsohon
To hear the shiur on Kol Haloshon: 416-800-2146
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Aneinu women's teleconference shiur this week was given by Roiza Weinreich, a popular women lecturer in the NY area. She spoke about the terrible tragedy we have just suffered in the death of Yehuda ben Nachmun.
She of course spoke about how lost we all feel, and don’t know how to respond to this tragedy. She said reading every bit of information on how it happened is not the right response, giving up hope and feeling pessimistic is not the correct response either (Rebbetzin Jaegar also spoke about these 2 facts-it is the yetzer horo that wants us to be depressed and pessimistic and hanging on to the facts of what happened is not for our ‘toales’). To ask is Hashem with us, as the Yidden did in the desert is also incorrect. After the Yidden did that, Amalek came and attacked them.
She said we can learn a lot from the bnos Tzelefchod-which we will read this shabbos. They could have given up hope, they had no father, he had been killed by Bais Din for a sin he commited, they were all older singles, about 100-really there seemed to be no hope for them, that they would get inheritance in Eretz Yisroel and there would be a continuation to their family line. But , they did not give up. They walked up to Moshe (they had no brothers to speak for them) and they said, “Tinoh Lonu Nachala”, the plain meaning is, give us an inheritance, but their words could be taken to mean, “we have a vision, an ‘achuaza’ and we are going to hold onto it, till it becomes real. Roiza explained we all have our needs-a shidduch, a child, parnasa and many times we say, if we don’t get what we want, we will give up, but the bnos tzelechad also had a need-an inheritance, but they went to Moshe and said, tinoh lono achuzah-we are holding on, we are continuing , we are not giving up, we need a family, we need an inheritance and we will continue to daven till we get it. And Roiza explained when we daven for our needs-instead of saying , Hashem we need a shidduch, we need health –we should be saying Hashem we need you, we need Moshiach . If we felt that our hope lay in Hashem, and that is our true need, the rest will come.
She quoted the Steipler Gaon who said that a mother who says bentching out loud is giving real protection to her children against car accidents, illness and other tragedies. When we bentsch out loud , we create angels who guard our children
-To hear roiza’s shiur, please go to kol halsohon
To hear the shiur on Kol Haloshon:
416-800-2146
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We are all reeling from the tragedy that occurred last week. Last night we had a live teleconference giving divre chizuk after the tragedy that occurred this week. Rabbi Simcha Bunim and Rebbetzin Jaegar spoke-to hear it call kol Haloshon and to to Aneinu’s erev rosh section and wait for last recorded shiur:
416-800-2146
Then 1-5-10
Then 2
Then 23
A Rosh Yeshiva that I spoke to explained that before Moshiach comes, it is written that there will be terrible happenings that will challenge our bitochon and emuna in Hashem. The Rosh Yeshiva said, that it will be the strengthening of the bitochon of the frum Yidden in Hashem after these occurances that will ultimately bring Moshiach. The nisoyon of the generation before Moshiach is faith in Hashem and these occurances will test that. He explained that human nature is such that people want to ‘lean’ on things for security, i.e. money, family ties, education and if all else fails, we want to lean on ‘knowledge’-this is how it happened…this gives us security knowing the details and trying to understand. As we see in this tragedy knowledge is not going to help us. And pure emuna is believing in Hashem without anything to lean on, just to believe the way it is says in Shir Hashirim, to be as a child is being held in the mother’s arms-to have total and complete faith in Hashem, that he runs the world and all is good-that is our goal and by striving for that high level of emuna, we will bring Moshiach Tzidkano b’Mahra B’yomeinu.
In addition, Chava Friedman , who is certified as a stress reducer penned the following divre chizuk for us:
As we continue to mispallel for the mishpucha and know that Yehuda Ben Nachman z"l is in the closest place to the Ribbono Shel Olam, it is important to accept that as we are Btzelem Elokim, made in the image and likeness of Hashem, that each one of us has the Pintele Yid with in us, that we have a piece of the essence of Moshe Rabbeinu with in us. So too in our human kelem, our human mind we can not begin to really understand the chesbon that Hashem has for this pure korban. How do we integrate accepting Hashem’s Will and unify our will with Hashem’s Will. By going to the place of knowing that not everything is understandable. As Yidden we know that our limited minds cannot define who we are or everything that goes on around us. We have to seize the moment of disturbance that brings agonizing and immediately escape to Hashem. We must take that moment of trigger and recognize we can, with Hashem’s help be productive even now in the midst of shiva and run to do a mitzvah in ileiu nishmas of Yehuda Ben Nachman z"l. We cannot afford to dwell on details but only to focus on what we can do right now to be B’achdus with being close to Hashem’s Compassion and Mercy. How? By gently attuning to the acceptance that each one of us can make a difference by being productive with our time, with our thinking and with our actions that keep us close to Hashem. That which is not the Yetzer HaTov, wants obsessive thinking, As long as one is distracted and busy with rehashing thoughts its as if one is watching a DVD over and over again. When that happens, the rehashing over and over again then one is no longer in present time. We must take the netzchias of Avraham Avinu and stay in present time. In present time one can be aware that Hashem is comforting the mishpucha, in present time one can even feel that Yehuda Ben Nachman z"l is in the best place. In present time we can accept the pain of such tragedy and stay grounded to go vita. There has always been the philosophical question that one who wants to help people asks. How far do I put my foot into the muddy waters when trying to help someone get out of their plight. If you put one foot into the muddy water and one foot on dry land, than it is possible that the foot in the muddy water is still going to slip and pull the person into the mud. If we stand with both feet on the land, yet be B’achdus with the person in the mud, then we can see there is a tree and a rope in hand’s reach. We can tie the rope around the tree and throw the rope in and help the person see there is a rope to hold on to. And, then we can help cheer the person on to take the rope and pull themself up and then help them out of the muddy water. When we accept the pain, when we are open to want to be gentle and productive with ourselves and trust that Hashem is here, The Heilighe Baal Shem Tov says, "Vee a Yid Shtite un Vee a Yid Gite es Hashem Emoi", Where a Yid stands and where a Yid goes Hashem is here. By being in present time knowing Hashem is right here right now, then we can be strengthened and further strengthened and therefore not be distracted with the human tendencies of confusion. The deer says, I acknowlege Hashem’s kindness and in my pain I escape to the Ribbono Shel Olam. As Yidden in Golus we must escape to Hashem. I affirm I am B’Tzelem Elokim, Tzedukah, Tefillah and Teshuva is what keeps us going. Being in close to Hashem in our actions, doing a mitzvah for the pure sake of a mitzvah keeps us actively feeling Hashem’s presence.
Wednesday’s shiur was given by Mrs. Chavie Krieger. Her topic was, Forgive Yourself and Then Forgive Others The shiur was ,sponsored by an Aneinu member Lelue nishmas Hinda bas Avrohom Yitzchok, and for a zivug tov for gittel bas basya
And by a 2nd member l’ilu nishmas her grandmother Sara Masha bas Avrohom, who was just nifteres this past Sunday evening At the age of 99. These niftaras should be a meliz yoshar for their families and for all of Klal Yisroel.
Chavi is a big believer in the power of tefila-the more we put in the more we take out. We have dubbed her the shmonei esrai lady, because she has come on many times in the past and she feels very strongly, that women, no matter how little time they have should give it to their supreme effort to say 2 shomona esrays a day-their benefit to ourselves and to Klal Yisroel is unfathomable.
In last night’s shiur, she told over how she was speaking with a Chassidishe Rebbe and she was saying how she is davening but she doesn’t feel her tefilos are being answered.
And the Rebbe answsered, “are you holding a grudge against someone?” She was not expecting this answer and this set her on her quest to delve into this topic in greater detail.
And she learned that when we hold a grudge against someone for a wrong we feel they did to us, this grudge hampers our tefilos and the tefilos of that person in reaching the Kisah HaKovod.
She explained, that contrary to what many of us have come to believe, that when we are insulted or hurt by someone else, we need to keep quiet and swallow it. Rather the meforshim say and specifically the Rambam that we are obligated to ‘stand up for our rights’. And interestingly enough, if we find that a certain person keeps bothering us or similar situations keep occurring , we should know it is a sign from Hashem, that he wants us to learn ‘ to be assertive’.
And what this means, that in a nice way we have to tell ‘our oppressor’ that her behaviour is unacceptable. By facing our opponent directly, we are less likely to to speak loshon hora about them to someone else and even if the other person doesn’t listen to us-being proactive might ensure that we do not hold a grudge, which hampers
our tefilos immensely.
The important thing to remember, Chava said, is when we are being hurt by someone else, we must remember that the message if from Hashem and the person is just a messenger he is delivering some sort of message and It behooves us to try to figure out what is Hashem trying to tell us. And by realizing that this person is just a messenger we are less likely to be upset at her and hold a grudge.
The Chofetz Chaim writes in his sefer, Ahavas Yisroel”-Lo Tiznah Ochicho B’livovach” we are not allowed to hate our brother in our heart-if he is bothering us-we must deal with it. And It is not healthy to bottle things up. If we are able to forgive the person, without confronting him, then that is good also, and if we confront the person and they are unresponsive, we are to realize that even that is from Hashem and the point is not to hold a grudge.
Chavi also spoke about how we are too hard on ourselves when we do something wrong and we never forget that we messed up. Really, the process is ‘vidu, charata and kabala al haysid’ We have to admit our shortcoming, regret it , and take on ourselves to try not to do it again and then it is over. We are not supposed to mull on our wrong action for days, weeks and years.
Interesting, the torah speaks about ‘charoto’which means –regret-it does not mean –feel guilt. Many people feel guilty and don’t let go. And because that is how they Judge themselves, then they are definitely going to judge their ‘oppressor’that way and not forgive and forget.. And we are to remember that if we follow these 3 steps
Then we are sin-free and we have to continue our life as if we didn’t commit that sin, because now the sin no longer exists.
Thursday, Yom Kippur Koton for chodesh tammuz, we had Rebbetizn Aviva Feiner speak to us about the month of Tammuz. At this time, we know
we are facing the 3 weeks-a time of mourning. This is also summertime-‘kayitz’ in Hebrew. Rav Shamshon refael Hirsh said, the ‘kayitz’the summer is from
the 15th of sivan to the 15th of Av .
It is a time when people feel free, they feel “ayin chodosh nachas hashemesh” every day floats into the next, we want to be carefree, suntan under the sun
No cares, no worries. But Rav Shamshon Rafael Hirsh explains that the ‘kayitz’is here to ‘l’hokitz’ to wake us up, to make us realize that if we allow ourselves to
Go under the sun’s spell-to just bask in nature, then there will be ‘ayin chodosh nachas hashemesh’-then we will allow ourselves to be ruled by the ‘shemesh’by
Nature, by statists. But the Maharal says, Jews live “mayal hashemesh” and “yesh chodosh” and there is new potential every day. Rav Shamshon Rafael Hirsh
says that the ‘kayitz’ should be our wake-up call, “hisnarai m’ofor kumi” we have to wake up and realize that our neshomos are beautiful. We may look like the
goyim from the outside, but inside we are special.
We sit on the floor on tisha b’av, because the mourning for the churban is real to us-we feel it, but once tisha b’av is over, we sit up, ‘livshi bikdei ami” I am proud
To be who I am. I will not allow the summertime beauty to make me lose myself to ‘teva’ to nature. ‘Libi Or’-my heart is alive, it is waking up-I believe that the geual
Is almost here and I am going to work hard to make it come speedily.
Wednesday’s shiur was given by Rabbi Yisroel Tepper, a popular Gateways speaker.His topic was “ Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People”
Now before we enter the 3 weeks, it is a good idea to discuss this concept because many tragedies befell us in the 3 weeks-Kristalnacht, the jews left Spain
on tisha B’av, the churbans.
Rabbi Tepper explained that we don’t know what is ultimately bad-because many things that seem bad at the beginning, years later might have turned out
great i.e. person breaks his leg, take an x-ray and find he is at the beginning stages of cancer that would not have been detected otherwise. And we also don’t
know who is ‘good’-only
Hashem knows who qualifies for that description. Yaakov was a tzadik, but he had many nisyonos-his brother wanted to kill him, he mourned for his son
For 22 years, his daughter Dina was raped-so one can ask why did he have to suffer so?
Rebbe-Rabbi Yehuda Hanosi who was a wealthy man, once came down to his wine cellar and found that his 400 barrels of wine had turned to vinegar. The Gemara
Says when a person is faced with a hardship, they need to “yifashfash b’maasov” they need to examine their deeds to see where they are lacking.
If a person says, I want to live a comfortable easy life, free of stress, they are in for a surprise-no one has a life like that (unless Hashem just gives them all the good
They deserve in this world and in the next world will deal with their aveiros). We were all put on this earth to fulfill a task. Rabbi Tepper said, imagine we are actors
In a play and we all have to play the part we are given and we have to be the best we can be.
And we were given the props we need to achieve our potential-our height, our looks, our intellectual capacity-these are all tools we need to help our neshama attain
perfection.
Hashem created us because he wants us to reach our perfection and he wants us to enjoy getting there.
Many times, the nisyonos are the ‘putch’ the smack Hashem gives us, to wake us up to work on ourselves.
The shiur was sponsored by none other than our favourite Shayna Malov for the yorzeit of her
Father in law Mordechai Aharon ben Shmuel zal. It is a zchus for us at Aneinu to finally do something for Shayna.
She is always there for us and we owe her a tremendous hakoras hatov.
-To hear Rabbi Tepper’s shiur, please go to kol halsohon
To hear the shiur on Kol Haloshon:
718-906-6400
then 1-5-10
then 1
then 205
to hear Rebbetzin Feiner;s shiur
after pressing 1-5-10
press 2
and then wait for last recorded shiur
Last Thursday, yom kippur koton for chodesh tammuz we were addressed by Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner. She spoke about how we are to
Deal with these wonderful summer months, where it is very easy for us to allow ‘teva’ to take over. The beauty of nature, the beauty of the sun
Can rule our lives unless we realize that more is expected of us.
To hear her shiur, please dial
718-906-6400
Then 1-5-10
Then 2-then wait for last recorded shiur or press 22.
We dedicated the teleconference lilu nishmas Rav Chaim Stein, zt”l the Rosh hayeshiva of Telz in Cleveland who was niftar last week.
We are eternally grateful to Rav Stein, because in the year 2001 , Aneinu organized kinusim around the world on the yorzeit of the chofetz chaim which is on cof gimmel elul.
And little did we know when we organized it, that on the day that the women would gather to say tehillilm in their homes, shuls, auditoriums, that day
would turn out to be the infamous 9-11. As the towers burned, jewish women around the world were already organized to say Tehilim. We asked Rav
Stein for a brocha and it was his brocha that was the impetus for us to pursue that enormous project.
Tehillim names
Shulamis bas Esther
Branna Sussel Bas Minka
Yosef Simcha ben Zakah Basya.
Chana bas Shoshana
Yeshayhu ben Brocha
Noach Avrohom ben Adina Baila
One day a Yid from Yerushalayim traveled to Bnei Brak to ask the legendary Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh, Rav Shmuel Rozovsky, about a boy in the Yeshiva for his daughter who reached eligible age.
He asked the Rosh Yeshiva how many hours a day the boy learned. Was he punctual in arriving to Seder and did he spend his time diligently. Did he come to davening on time and did he actively participate in Shiur. Did he ask relevant questions and did he understand the answers.
After receiving a favorable report in regard to his questions he thanked Rav Shmuel for his time and began to leave. At that point Rav Shmuel in his gentle and noble manner turned to father and said, until now you asked me questions, is it okay if I ask you some questions? The father agreed.
It seems to me that you are inquiring about the boy for your daughter and you seem happy with the report I gave you. You obviously think that all your daughter needs to know is whether he comes on time and he is a Lamdan. However it is entirely possible that your daughter would like to know if he is a mentch.
It would seem fitting that you ask me, how often does he brush his teeth. Is he pleasant to sit near. How does he behave in the dining room. Does he arrive first to the dining room and take the biggest portion, or does he linger after mincha for a few minutes to learn with a Chavrusa and eat whatever portion is left.
What does he do when the pitcher is empty on the table, does he sit patiently waiting for someone else to fill it up for him or does he run to fill it up himself? Does he occasionally go into the kitchen to thank the staff for preparing the food? Does he eat the food even if he doesn't like it and thank them graciously for preparing it or does he just go to the nearby kiosk to buy something he likes?
You came to the conclusion that he is a masmid, did you ask what he does when he finishes learning late at night and his roommates are sleeping? Does he take off his shoes and tiptoe in so as not to wake them or does he walk in noisily? Does he make his bed and keep his things neat?
I think, said Rav Shmuel that you need to check these things out. If he is spoiled and he arrives home in the afternoon and does not like the food your daughter worked hard to prepare, his face will crumple in obvious dissatisfaction. Will your daughter then be happy that her father checked the boy out with the Rosh Yeshiva who told him that he knows every Ktzos and Rebbi Akiva Eiger in Bava Basra? Will you daughter say, it's true that he has no manners and no social skills but I respect him anyway because he knows all the intricacies of the sugya of the bees and the mustard in Bava Basra?
This was Rav Shmuel's approach to finding a fine boy for your daughter!!
It’s that time of year again – academia is sending forth another generation
of graduates.
In time-honored tradition, prominent guest speakers launch them out into the
world with words of wisdom meant to inspire the young men and women ready to
begin their careers.
I love to read synopses of these contemporary guides to the perplexed. Many
of them are merely clichés dressed up in fancy clothes. But some are truly
profound messages that bear listening to, not only by the graduates starting
out in life but all of us as well.
And this year I struck gold. One of the guest speakers, addressing those
getting their degrees at the College of William and Mary, illustrated an
idea that long-ago changed my life. Speaking from the perspective of an
extremely successful businessman, he echoed a concept that my teacher shared
with me many years ago.
I was a very young boy and I didn't understand something we learned about
Moses. The Torah tells us Moses was "heavy of speech and heavy of tongue;"
he had a speech defect. Here was the man destined to be the greatest leader
of the Jewish people, the Rabbi par excellence, whose stuttering should have
made him as unsuitable for his role as the English monarch in the recent
Oscar winning movie, *The King's Speech.* King George VI had to be helped in
order to properly serve as monarch. Yet Moses remained with his disability.
"Since God can do anything," I asked my teacher, "why didn't He heal Moses?"
As all good teachers do, my rabbi first complimented me on raising a very
interesting difficulty. He told me that many commentators address the issue,
with a host of different answers, and as I get older I would be able to
choose from among these various replies. He shared with me the answer that
he personally preferred, and told me to always keep it in mind in how I
relate to God with my problems in the future.
Yes, Moses would have been far better off had he had the gift of eloquence
in addition to all of his other virtues. His stuttering was a disability and
of course God could have easily removed this stigma. So why didn't He?
Because Moses never asked.
In all his humility, Moses didn't feel worthy of making the request. And God
wanted to show us by way of His dealings with the greatest Jew in history
that the prerequisite for His answering our prayers is for us to verbalize
them.
Never be afraid to ask anything of God, my teacher concluded. If you're
withholding a request because you think it's too much to ask for, that's an
insult to the Almighty, almost as if you're implying it's too hard for Him
to accomplish. If God wants to say no, that's up to Him. Your role is to
make clear you believe in His power to accomplish anything, no matter how
difficult.
Learn to ask is the message I internalized.
Think Big
Which is why I found the graduation address given by Joseph J. Plumeri, the
chief executive of Willis Group Holdings, so fascinating.
He began by asking the students whether they heard of this big building in
Chicago called the Sears Tower. Of course they all had. He reminded them
that it's the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. And then he shared
with them how some years ago he told people that he was going to rename it
the Willis Tower.
People laughed at him, telling him it's impossible. The name Sears had been
there since 1973. "Who are you to come along and change the name?" they said
to him,
He told them that Sears hadn't been in the building since 1993. He then met
with the owner of the building which was 20% vacant and said, "I need 2% of
the space." He negotiated the price and when the owner asked, "Do we have a
deal?" he told him, "Almost, except for one small thing. Your name is a
jinx. You need a new name, a vibrant name, a name that signifies the future,
not the past. I want to change it."
"When we dedicated that building," Joseph Plumeri said, concluding his
speech, "I was on the evening news with Brian Williams and he said to me,
'How, Joe, after so many years it was called the Sears Tower, how did you
get them to change the name to Willis?' And I looked into the camera and I
said, 'I asked.'"
When I had the wisdom to ask, God showed me He had the will to answer.
One of the classic Yiddish folk tales by Isaac Leib Peretz is the story of
Bontsha the Silent. Heartbreaking in its depiction of a truly saintly soul
who is unaware of his goodness, it describes the scene in heaven when
Bontsha appears for his final judgment. The angel speaking on his behalf
records all of his pious deeds. Bontsha has always suffered in silence.
Mistreated throughout his lifetime, Bontsha never complained or questioned
God's ways. The heavenly court could find no fault with him. The prosecutor
is speechless, he too unable to find a single blemish in Bontsha’s life.
The heavenly court comes to a unanimous decision: "Everything in paradise is
yours. Choose. Take what you want, whatever you desire. You will only take
what is yours by right."
The story closes:
“Well then,” - and Bontsha smiles for the first time – “well then, what I
would like, your Excellency, is to have for breakfast every morning a hot
roll with fresh butter."
As great as Bontsha was, life had beaten him down so he no longer knew how
to dream. His tragedy was a tragedy that many of us replicate in our own
lives when our aspirations become so diminished that we don't dare to hope
for more than hot rolls and butter.
We are all children of God. We have Someone in heaven Who cares for us
deeply. Our mistake all too often is not that we seek too much from the
Almighty but that we don't have the sense to ask Him for enough.
When we are troubled and our difficulties seem insurmountable, we should ask
Him to intervene.
When we need help in a situation that seems humanly impossible to be
resolved, we should ask Him to get involved.
When we suffer and feel helpless, we should seek out the One who promised to
come to the aid of all those who have no one else to turn to and ask for His
assistance.
I have learned this lesson well from my own personal experience: When I had
the wisdom to ask, God showed me He had the will to an
At the Hakhel Shiur yesterday, Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, Shlita, advised that before beginning Shemone Esrei, one should picture himself about to enter Heichal Kadsho, to have a personal encounter with the Melech Malchei HaMelochim! He provided two additional suggestions to help prepare for the first Bracha of Shemone Esrei: First, as one takes three steps forward, he/she should straighten out his/her clothing, much in the way as when you have just been called into an interview, you fix your jacket, tie, or dress, so that it appears correct. Second, he suggested simulating the Bracha in a practice exercise from time-to-time, so that without pressures one could review the words and the phrases slowly, gaining insights which will improve the Bracha’s recitation going-forward.
We continue now with a few brief thoughts on the second Bracha of Shemone Esrei, which is where we are focusing our special Kavanna this week, building on last week’s Kavanna in the first Bracha:
a. Chazal teach that a person who sleeps is experiencing ‘one-sixtieth of death.’ Therefore, we suggest that every morning one should have special appreciation for the Gevuras Hashem in bringing him back to life!
b. We recite Mi Chamocha Ba’al Gevuros--Gevuros is not only in the plural because there are so many Gevuros Hashem, but also because they are so very diverse. The same Hashem who protects me personally BeHashgacha Pratis--also brings the sun, rain, and sustenance to the entire world!
c. The Sefer Berumo Shel Olam brings from the Sefer Reishis Chochma, that the Gevuros referred to in this Bracha are all tied to and sweetened by Chesed (Gevurah Keshura B’Chesed). Recite the phrases with this meaning--Mechalkel Chayim B’Chesed, Mechayeh Meisim B’Rachamim Rabbim, Someich Noflim, VeRofeh Cholim, U’Matir Assurim, U’Mekayeim Emunaso…. Indeed, even when we say Melech Maimis--it is immediately followed by U’Mechayeh. We should greatly appreciate, then, how the purpose of all of Hashem’s Gevurah is to bring Chesed upon us!
Special Note Three: The oft-quoted words of HaRav Boruch Ber Lebowitz, Z’tl, Rosh HaYeshiva of the Kamenitz Yeshiva is quoted in Growth Through Torah (p.287) as follows: “What can I compare to my situation? I wake up in the morning, and it is as though I have the Shaagas Aryeh, the Ketzos HaChoshen and Rebbe Akiva Eiger at my bedside. I can’t wait to wash my hands and arise to my riches!”
Truth be told, the riches referred to by Rav Boruch Ber are not unique to Roshei Yeshivos or world renowned Talmidei Chachomim, but, as Shlomo HaMelech teaches in Mishlei (3:14 ) “For its [the Torah’s] commerce is better than the commerce of silver, and its gain [is better] than fine gold.” We must remember that unlike money, which is fixed, objective and extrinsic (you put it in your pocket--not in your heart or brain), Torah is so infinite, subjective and internal that it relates to every single person living at any time in his own way and on his own particular level. In fact HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita, learns that when the Gemara (Nidah 30B) teaches that an Angel learns Torah with a fetus in his mother’s womb--it does not necessarily refer to all of Torah, but **TO THAT PERSON”S **chelek, or part, in Torah. While we are expected to cover some ground in Torah before some ground covers us, in no event will two individuals’ quantity or quality of learning be the same.
It is truly a primary responsibility to discover our part in Torah, in at least the same way as we try to be successful in our business, at our jobs, or even when shopping. Not always is what is easy or convenient most meaningful. The G’ra writes in Sefer Evan Sheleima that one can go to many lectures, and hear many “shmuessen”--but ultimately a person’s strategy must come from within--from his particular self-knowledge, to be successful. As succinctly stated by Hillel in Avos (1:14)--“If I am not for myself who will be for me?”
As we reach closer and closer to Shavuos, we all, men, women and children alike, should begin to prepare for the “closing”--for the acquisition of something more precious than anything we can even imagine. Somehow the coveted contract is ours--unbelievably, we are the purchasers! So what can we do to prepare for this day? Each person must reflect upon, research and study what he is going to do with his new acquisition. Is he learning enough now? What is his potential? What must he change? Will he leave more learning to retirement age--even though the wisest of all men has already told him which business is more important?
This reflection can be accomplished by actually sitting down with a pad and paper and an open mind. This is by no means limited to men--there are many Halachos and Hashkafos, shiurim, books and self-study that are imperative for women, as well.
We **ALL** should wake up every morning to our riches at our bedside--why leave them in the locked Bais HaMedrash?
Special Note Four: It is now about one week to Shavous…and counting (Baruch Hashem)! We should remember that in addition to our commemoration of receiving the Torah, there are other mitzvos associated with Shavuos.
Firstly, although Shavuos is only one or two days, the Mitzvah of Simcha is no different on Shavuos than on Pesach or Sukkos. To properly prepare for this Mitzvah, we must make sure that everyone has what they need to be in the proper state of Simcha on Yom Tov (including sleep!). This especially means that meat, wine, new clothing and special treats must be purchased as needed. Indeed, the Mishna Berura (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 529, seif koton 2) quoting Chazal (Baitza, 16A), writes that a person’s exact income is determined on Rosh HaShanah, except that if one expends additional monies on certain designated Mitzvos, his income will be increased “dollar for dollar” for the additional monies spent on these Mitzvos. One of these Mitzvos is additional money spent for the sake of Yom Tov. [One should consult with his Rav or Posek if he is already in credit card or other debt, or cannot pay his bills in the ordinary course, for Halachic instruction on Yom Tov purchases.]
Secondly, the Shulchan Aruch (ibid.) writes that one must make sure that the “Ger, Yasom, Almonah, together with other poor people, are taken care of on Yom Tov, as well.” Accordingly, we must give Tzedaka now (i.e., today!) to make sure that others less fortunate than ourselves have the opportunity to celebrate Simchas Yom Tov in Eretz Yisroel and abroad. Tzedaka organizations in Eretz Yisroel are especially hurting—hurting--for funds to feed the poor. You can go to www.YadEliezer.org right now to help a family in the Holy Land smile and be happy on Shavuos together with you, to fulfill Chazal’s teaching--“I was happy, and I made others happy too.”
Thirdly, we should remember that there are certain mitzvos relating to the Yom Tov--actually, essential to the Yom Tov--which we will be unable to perform this Shavuos unless the Moshiach arrives first. The Mitzvos of Aliyah L’Regel to the Bais HaMikdash--yes, even for only one day; the various Karbonos, including the special Kivsei Atzeres, Shtai Halechem, Olas Re’iya,Shalmei Chagiga and Korbanos Musaf are all physically and spiritually, shatteringly and irreplaceably, lost from us if the Moshiach does not come.
At the very least, we should attempt to study these Mitzvos as a preparation for or at least on Yom Tov itself, so that we are not totally forsaken of them. For starters, one can study the Sefer HaChinuch, the Siddur Bais Yaakov of HaRav Yaakov Emden, or even easier, the Parshios of the Torah relating to these many Mitzvos. We should also purposefully daven over the next week that we fully and finally celebrate this Shavuos with the Shechina in Yerushalayim Ihr Hakodesh!
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Hakhel MIS
It is reported that HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, Shlita, has been hospitalized. Please daven for Chaim Pinchas ben Yospa.
Hakhel Note: HaRav Scheinberg, Shlita, was once asked if he could provide “hadracha”, or guidance, in how one could better study Torah. He provided a two-word response: “Learn more.” HaRav Scheinberg is also said to respond to some who request a Brocha for themselves or their children in Torah study, “I will give the Brocha--but they have to do their part--will they take upon themselves to study a few extra minutes a day?” In fact, the Sefer Orchos Tzadikim (Shaar HaZerizus) writes that “...for “sha’ah achas”--one hour of Torah study, even if it is only to learn one teaching or lesson, is better than anything else in the world....”
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B’EH This Monday morning, May 30 (Memorial Day), Hakhel will be hosting a Yarchei Kallah at Agudath Israel of Madison Zichron Chaim Tzvi, 2122 Avenue S in Flatbush. Shacharis will be 8AM, followed by refreshments. At 9AM, Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, Shlita, Rav of Agudath Israel of Madison, will speak on “Sefer Tehillim: The Songs of Dovid HaMelech.” At 10AM, Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff, Shlita, Rav, Agudas Yisroel, Bais Binyomin, will speak on “The Royal Lineage-Past, Present and Future.” At 11AM, Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, Shlita, Rosh Yeshiva, Torah Vodaas and author of the recently-published volume of Shailos and Teshuvos entitled Manos HaLevi, will answer many Shailos, including those in the areas of tochacha, mechilah, relying on hasgacha at a catering hall, light grape juice, slurpees, Hilchos Yom Tov, and what to put in a will. Free admission, for men and women. For more information, please call 718-253-5497 or 718-258-2210.
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Madison Commercial Real Estate Services, together with the Business Halacha Institute, is presenting an exclusive shiur to New York area loan officers, mortgage brokers and attorneys. Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, Shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and author of The Laws of Ribbis by Artscroll, will address the topic “Hilchos Ribbis as it pertains to Real Estate Mortgages”. Q&A Session to follow. Questions can be emailed in advance to asteinberg@madisoncres.com Refreshments served. Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Time 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM. Location: Glatt a la Carte, 5123 18th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11204. RSVP asteinberg@madisoncres.com or call 732-333-2263.
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Special Note One: Relating to yesterday’s Note on all that occurs is by the Hand of Hashem, with nothing--absolutely nothing--by chance or by accident, a reader pointed out that the letters of ‘Mikreh’(chance) can be rearranged as ‘Rak MeiHashem.’ We add that a commonly used word in last week’s Tochacha was ‘Keri’ (happenstance)--seeming to indicate that a fatal cause of Tochacha is the attitude of ‘BeMikreh’--it was happenstance, chance, etc.--not recognizing the Yad Hashem in the 'news' of your day...or the world's day. Let us keep the BeMikreh words off our lips and out of our thoughts--or at least rewrite and rethink them to…Rak MeiHashem!
Special Note Two: We received the following from a reader: “HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita, was asked what American Jews should do in order to improve their difficult situation relating to illnesses, Chinuch problems, and Parnassah, and in general how the ‘charon af’ apparent in the world could be removed. HaRav Kanievsky responded as follows: ‘Ya’asu Yom Kippur Koton’--they should organize and participate in Yom Kippur Koton gatherings. At this crucial point in history, with worldwide turbulence in many areas, and with the ‘friendship’ of the Malchus Shel Chesed on shaky ground, we note that Yom Kippur Koton next week is on Thursday, June 2nd. If it is as all possible for one to find his way to a Yom Kippur Koton Minyan, he would certainly be demonstrating a level of care and concern--and following the advice of HaRav Kanievsky on what to do about it! If one can organize a special Yom Kippur Koton Minyon in his office or workplace minyan, he will clearly be Mizake all of those around him as well. It is only approximately an additional one-half hour--and the results are boundless! Artscroll has published a special pamphlet (The Sohn Edition Yom Kippur Koton Service) which is available in Seforim stores, or online at www.artscroll.com. Once again, if at all possible--join or organize Yom Kippur Koton at Mincha this coming Thursday! Help make yourself a better person...and the world a better place!
Special Note Three: As we have just completed a cycle of daily study of the Sefer Chofetz Chaim and commenced the last daily cycle of the 5771 year to end on Erev Rosh Hashanah, we provide by the following link a summary review of the Seven Prerequisites that are necessary in order to permissibly relate what would otherwise be considered Lashon Hara http://tinyurl.com/3n7kbk2 You can print it out, cut it into the size of a card, and leave it in your wallet. On the other side of the card, you can put the following notation: “Any questions--call the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation Shemiras HaLashon Shailah Hotline: 718-951-3696, 9:00 to 10:30 PM, EST.
Hakhel Note: There is a meaningful Mashal given by the Chofetz Chaim. He tells of the wealthy person who became more miserly as he got older, and decided that he could get by eating a little less and a little less every day. Each month he saved a little more…five rubles…then ten rubles…then fifteen rubles. By the fourth month, however, he was so weak that he had to spend money to go to the doctor. After reviewing his situation, the doctor advised him that his was in real danger of starvation--and that it would cost 200 rubles for medicine to heal him. The elderly man's plan to save a few rubles resulted in a huge and disastrous expense. The Nimshal is to a person who raises a Machlokes because of a few dollars here, or speaks Lashon Hara because of a few dollars there. He may be upset and concerned about --and even ultimately save the money here and there--but the severity of the machlokes and the deleterious effects of the Lashon Hara will far, far, far, exceed the gain from the few dollars or even ‘the principle of the thing.’ We therefore must urge ourselves on to look at these Seven Prerequisites, and to ask a Shailah when in doubt…in order to save much more than those 200 rubles way down the line--in Olam HaZeh and Olam Haba!
Special Note Four: The following is excerpted from Praying with Fire, by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, Shlita, Day 50: “Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk would say the following words before entering a Shul to pray: ‘Know where you are entering; What you will do there; Who is in this house; Whose house it is; and Who empowered you to enter this house.”
Hakhel Note 1: Even if we don’t have these words committed to memory, we can and should readily think of similar thoughts in order to better appreciate the great opportunity before us. Some recite the Posuk “VeAni BeRov Chasdecha Avo Veisecha Eshtachaveh El Haichal Kadshecha BeYirasecha” (Tehillim 5:8) as they bow and enter into Shul.
Hakhel Note 2: Just as the way we enter Shul is an important portal to how we will conduct ourselves there, so too, will Kavanna in the first Bracha of Shemone Esrei put us on the appropriate track for the remainder of our Meeting with Hashem in Shemone Esrei. The Tur writes in the name of his brother (Rebbi Yechiel, Z’tl) that the first Bracha has 42 words, which corresponds to Hashem’s Name of 42 letters (see Kiddushin 71A). With this, we should appreciate every words of the first Bracha for each word is an inherent part in the formation of the Sheim Hashem. An astonishing allusion to this, is that the Bracha begins with a ‘bais’ (the numerical equivalent of two), and ends with a ‘mem’ (the numerical equivalent of 40)--adding up to 42 as well--every word and indeed every letter is permeated with Kedusha!
Special Note Five: We continue with our Erev Shabbos Halachos of Shabbos Series:
A. We are instructed to always emulate the ways of Hashem. One of Hashem’s traits is ‘LeHachayos Lev Nidkaim’--to give spirit, to give life to those who are downcast. Certainly on Shabbos Kodesh we should be ever vigilant to uplift one who appears down--as on Shabbos one is not himself permitted to have thoughts or undertake actions which will lead him to be sad. Let the day be one of Oneg--for everyone you encounter!
B. Every Wednesday, HaRav Yisroel Dov Webster, Shlita, noted Posek , Dayan Shaarei Mishpat, and author of The Halachos of Pregnancy and Childbirth, gives a Hakhel Shiur to women in Boro Park attended by approximately 100-125 woman. This past winter he gave a series of Shiurim on Hilchos Bishul, and at the end of the series the women were given a bechina of 100 questions. Questions 16-20 were covered last week. We now continue with a summary of those questions:
Bishul Achar Bishul - Cooking After Cooking
Liquids
There is a dispute among the Poskim as to whether a liquid that has been cooked and then cooled is subject to the laws of Bishul. Some Poskim say that if the liquid has cooled below Yad Soledes Bo, it is subject to Bishul, and others argue that once the liquid has been cooked, it is no longer subject to the laws of Bishul even if it is now cool. Somewhat of a compromise is reached in the final ruling, as follows:
In general we apply the principle of "Yesh Bishul Achar Bishul BeDavar Lach" - there is cooking after cooking in the case of a liquid. It would therefore be prohibited to reheat cold chicken soup. However, if the liquid is still warm enough to be considered appreciably warm/hot, even though it is not Yad Soledes Bo, then the Poskim are lenient and Bishul does not apply. Therefore. it would be permitted to reheat warm chicken soup even though it is not Yad Soledes Bo.
Solids
With cooked solids, however, we apply the rule, "Ein Bishul Achar Bishul BeDavar Yavesh--there is no cooking after cooking with a dry solid. Therefore, a solid food that has been fully cooked but has since cooled may be reheated on Shabbos by placing it in a Keli Rishon that has been removed from the fire. It is however forbidden to place the solid in a Keli Rishon standing on the fire--since to the onlooker this appears to be an act of cooking.
Why the difference between solids and liquids? There are two elements to the cooking process:
Heating
Cooking
In the case of a liquid, the main function of Bishul is heating, and therefore Yesh Bishul Achar Bishul BeDavar Lach. With a solid, the main aspect of Bishul is the transformation of a solid from a raw, inedible food into an edible, cooked food. Once this has been achieved, reheating is not considered Bishul - Ein Bishul Achar Bishul BeDavar Yavesh!
Special Note Six: As we move closer to Shavuos, we begin to sense a greater closeness to climbing the mountain itself. During this special period, the Yetzer Hara may be at serious work, actually attempting for us to have a yerida, rather than an aliyah. He has many techniques and trials available to challenge you with at this time: This may go wrong with davening, that may go wrong with learning. This may go wrong at work, that may go wrong at home.... We must especially bolster ourselves, and if there is, in fact, a yerida, we should try to make sure that it instead takes us to a further aliyah. Rather than stumbling, or even despairing from any new, unique or strange pre-Shavuos circumstances or situations--we should use it to propel us higher up the mountain. As Chazal teach, Lefum Tza'ara Agra--according to the necessary effort (such as a steeper mountain) is the fruit born.
In this important regard, Rabbi Eliyahu Schneider, Shlita, provides a great observation. He explains that Pesach and Sukkos may, at least in theory. begin on their own simply by closing your doors at home, driving to a hotel, handing them your credit card, and taking pleasure in the days of Yom Tov. No, preparation, no sweat in advance--and hopefully enjoying Oneg and Simchas Yom Tov with family and/or friends! Shavuos, however, is very different, as its name indicates. There is no Matzah or Seder as there is inherent in Pesach, nor is there a Sukkah to dwell in or a Lulav and Esrog to take, as is part and parcel of Chag HaSukkos. Instead, the essence of the Yom Tov is the ‘Shavuos’--the weeks that precede it--that lead up in preparation to the Yom Tov. Only after, as the Torah refers to it, the Sheva Shabbosos Temimos, can we celebrate Shavuos! There are no particular Mitzvah or Mitzvos associated with this Yom Tov at all, because the preparation for our Kabbalos HaTorah is the essence of the Yom Tov--and the climax is in our hands reaching up and out as we reach the top of the mountain!
We should take the time this Shabbos to reflect upon our preparation and where it will be going over the next 10 days. What will I begin that is new? What is it that I will reinforce? How can I make sure that I will enter Shavuos with the term properly referring to is as Shavuos? Hashem has blessed us with a mind to use. Let us use it for this most sublime and lofty of purposes--which literally fulfills our lives, and even more literally fulfills the world!
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Hakhel MIS
WHAT A GEMACH IDEA FOR YOUR SHUL OR YESHIVA! We received the following wonderful Gemach notice from Kollel Bnei Torah in Flatbush, to which six Shayne coats were anonymously donated.
Kollel Bnei Torah (blue/grey) Shayne Coat Gemach.
You forgot your coat at home and are in shul during the downpour?
No problem!
Borrow one of our coats from the coat room... just return within 24 hours!
Hakhel Note: Why not bring this Chesed to your Makom Torah or Tefillah?!
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Special Note One: The Gemach concept is indeed an incomparable one. The Chofetz Chaim (in Sefer Shemiras HaLashon, Chasimas HaSefer) provides the following powerful points regarding the establishment of a Gemach:
A. A Gemach that is established by more than one person (such as a loan fund to which many contribute, or the rain coats above which a few people purchase jointly) is a more powerful Mitzvah than a Mitzvah performed by one individual. The source for this, writes the Chofetz Chaim, is actually the Sifra in this week’s Parsha (10:4), in which Chazal teach that one cannot compare one person or party performing a Mitzvah, to many doing so. The Chofetz Chaim continues that it appears ‘pashut’ that Hashem will consider each person’s contribution as if he himself was performing the Chesed of the entire Gemach, since without him the Chesed would not have been possible. See there for further details.
B. A mitzvah for which money is spent is much greater, as the Zohar describes in Parshas Teruma.
C. A Gemach is at work even when one is sleeping or involved in business.
D. One should seek Mitzvos which are ‘Kevua LeDoros’--which can continue beyond one’s lifetime into future generations. If one can accomplish this, continues the Chofetz Chaim then even when ‘he is sitting in Gan Eden’, ‘Yitosef Lo Noam VeOhr Al Nafsho--additional pleasantness and light will be awarded to his soul’ through the Mitzvos taking place through the monies or articles that he had originally provided while in this world.
Take the Chofetz Chaim’s guiding light--and work on establishing a Gemach for your neighborhood, shul or community--with its light to shine upon you for eternity!
Special Note Two: In response to our question to why older people get white hair, we received the following wonderful insight from Rabbi Boruch Leff, which is actually an excerpt from his book Are You Growing? We add that the book is available, at a 40% discount by the following link:
http://image.aish.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Boruch%20Leff/AreYouGrowing.html
“Rav Shalom Schwadron, ztl, the Magid of Yerushalayim would tell the following story. He once visited a nursing home and saw some old men sitting on the bench arguing about something. One said, “It was number 24,” while the other countered, “It was not! It was 25!” Rav Shalom asked them what they were arguing about and why they were so passionate. The men told him that they have nothing to do all day so they decided to sit outside and count the buses that go by. Inevitably, one of them loses count and they begin to argue. “At least it gives us something to live for, something to get excited about, right rabbi?”
Rav Shalom would tell his audience and conclude, “So, the choice is yours. Do you want to be counting and arguing about buses when you are older? Or perhaps you would rather argue with your chavrusa about the Rashi and the Tosafos? The choices you make today will form what you will become, and how you will want to spend your days when you are retired.”
A famous aphorism states, “Watch your thoughts. Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, and habits become who you are.”
If we don't create good habits when we are young, if we don't train ourselves to value wisdom when we are youthful and vigorous, if we live unsatisfied, unfulfilled lives, we significantly reduce our chances to make the most of the wisdom of old age. By living meaningfully and wisely now, we will enhance and sharpen our life's purpose as senior citizens.
We all want to get old. The alternative--dying young--is on nobody’s wish list. Let us live productively when young, leading to a wise embracing of the aging process.”
Special Note Three: For a masterful discussion of Lag BaOmer, we refer you to the linked issue of Halachically Speaking. To download Volume 7, Issue 5 (Lag B’Omer), see http://tinyurl.com/3mwnd9x Halachically Speaking archives are available at www.thehalacha.com.
Hakhel Note: In honor of Lag BaOmer, we provide the following Note which has received a very favorable response in past years:
As we reach the Lag BaOmer milestone, we are faced with a perplexing question: What is really the sudden cause for celebration at this time? After all, from what we know of our past during the Omer period, 24,000 senior scholars--the students of Rebbe Akiva passed away for not properly respecting each other; even Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai, one of the surviving students, eventually passed away on this day; later, the Crusades took their great toll on Ashkenazic Jewry during Sefira; then, the great Posek for Ashkenazim, the Rema passed away on Lag BaOmer, like Rebbe Shimon; and, most recently, much of Hungarian Jewry was hurriedly annihilated during the period from Pesach to Shavuos in 1944--to such an extent that the survivors of Hungarian Jewry who do not know when their relatives or friends were murdered observe the Second Day of Shavuos as their Yahrzeit. So, what is the joy--the songs, the bonfires, the bows and arrows about? Why are weddings allowed, and Tachanun not recited?
Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita (following the lines of the Gra’s Commentary on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim, 493) teaches we celebrate that in all events, there were those who remained. Indeed, the resemblance in all of the aforementioned tragedies is striking: Rebbe Shimon passed his legacy to his students (it is no coincidence that so many other future generations of Tannaim are buried right around Rebbe Shimon in Meron). Similarly, even after the Crusader massacres killing Rabbeinu Tam and many others in many communities, the Baalei Tosfos flourished for many generations, culminating in the Rosh, and his son, the Tur, as the basis for our Shulchan Aruch; the Rema, rather than being the final word in Halacha for Ashkenazim, became the basis and guide for the scores of future poskim; the remnants of Hungarian Jewry fill the Yeshivas from Bnei Brak to Borough Park.
But it is more than that we are just survivors. It is the fulfillment of the Posuk (Devorim 32:23): “Chitzai Achaleh Bom”--I will finish my arrows in them--which Chazal (Sotah 9A) explain to mean--my arrows will be finished in them, but they will not be finished. Hashem has guided us through events, times, places and tragedies of immense proportions, while the other 70 nations of the world disappeared from far less calamitous events. Perhaps this is the symbol of the bow and arrow on Lag BaOmer--the arrows are done, but we are not. Why is this so--why has our history--our experience in this world been so different than all other nations?
We suggest that the answer to this, too, brings us to this time of year--it is, once again, not coincidental that all of this is happening as we prepare to receive the Torah--for it **IS THE TORAH** that has made our lives so different and so endurable. It is the Torah, created well before the world as we know it was created, that has given us the “supernatural” force for us to thrive and survive. At this special time of year, we should especially demonstrate our recognition of the importance of Torah in our lives and in the lives of K’lal Yisroel.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTION: For the coming two weeks until Shavuos, in whatever you are learning, whether it is a thought on the Parsha, Daf Yomi, or even a Torah email, think about how important Torah study in our lives. It is not academics, nor a body of knowledge, but the one part of our life that permeates and invigorates us--and the bonfire that warms and enlightens us every day of our lives.
Special Note Four: The following is excerpted from Love Your Neighbor by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, Shlita, on this week’s Parsha (p.336): …"and a man shall stumble upon his brother ... " (Vayikra 26:37). Rashi cites the Sifra which explains this verse thus: "One shall stumble through the iniquity of another, for all the people of Israel are responsible for each other." (Sifra; Sanhedrin 27b). The Chofetz Chaim used to relate the following analogy: Mr. Cohen loaned Mr. Green a large sum of money. Mr. Shapiro agreed to guarantee the loan; he would pay Mr. Cohen if Mr. Green will be unable to pay. If Mr. Green were investing his money in a business that was sure to lose money, Mr. Shapiro would definitely do everything in his power to prevent Mr. Green from becoming involved in that business. Mr. Shapiro knows that if Mr. Green wastes his money, the obligation to repay the loan will be his. "The same applies to preventing others from sinning," said the Chofetz Chayim. "If someone has the ability to stop another person from transgressing and fails to do so, he will ultimately be held liable for that offense. Therefore, we must do everything we can to prevent transgressions."
Special Note Five: We continue our Erev Shabbos--Halachos of Shabbos series:
A. We would like to remind our readers of a suggestion that we provided a while ago. That is, on every Erev Shabbos to Daven to Hashem that you will not be Mechalel Shabbos in any manner, including BeShogeg and BeOness.
B. For those who inquired, the Sefer Shemiras Shabbos KeHilchasa (12:16) writes that one is allowed to leave the strainer at the bottom of his sink on Shabbos, and there is no problem of Borer, because everything is really p’soles that is going into the sink--it is only that one does not want the larger pieces of p’soles to clog up the drain upon entering. Borer is separating Ochel from p’soles--and not p’soles from p’soles.
C. Every Wednesday HaRav Yisroel Dov Webster, Shlita, noted Posek , Dayan Shaarei Mishpat, and author of The Halachos of Pregnancy and Childbirth, gives a Hakhel Shiur to women in Boro Park attended by approximately 100-125 woman. This past winter he gave a series of Shiurim on Hilchos Bishul, and at the end of the series the women were given a bechina of 100 questions. The following is a portion of them, BE”H bli neder we will post more of the questions and answers in the coming weeks . If anyone has any further follow-up questions regarding the answers, he should contact his own Rav for there may be another opinion, or contact Rabbi Webster at 718-259-2063.
Questions 1-15 were covered last week. We now continue with questions 16-20. One reader commented that relating to last week’s questions, we should have provided the Tenaim of Chazara. We leave this for each individual’s review.
16. Before I went to sleep I took the cover off the cholent to check it. Am I permitted to re-cover it?
Only if it is completely cooked. Hagoan Harav Moshe Feinstein ZT”L held that one should not recover the pot while it is area A of the blech(over the fire). Other poskim are of the opinion that it is permissible to recover the pot as long as the food is completely cooked.
17. Why with respect to a solid food do we say בישול אחר בישול אין, while regarding a liquid we say בישול אחר בישול יש?
Because in a solid, the food is changed from a raw state to a cooked state. However, in liquids, the purpose of the cooking process is not to change the quality of the food as with a solid, but simply to heat up the liquid--so one will be able to drink the liquid while it is hot. Therefore, when the liquid cools off, it is considered as if one is cooking it again for the first time.
18. If a liquid is cooked to yad soledes bo, is one allowed to put it into a place where it will become boiled?
There is a dispute among the Poskim, according to HaRav Moshe Feinstein ZT”L it is permissible, the Eglai Tal and others held that it is prohibited .
19. Since we are of the opinion that בישול אחר בישול אין in a solid, is one permitted to place it on the blech on Shabbos?
No, due to the prohibition of chazarah.
20. Is one permitted to take boiled chicken and reheat it on top of a cholent pot?
Yes
Special Note Six: In this week’s Parsha, we learn in the Tochacha that much punishment comes from our failure to observe the Shemitta. Rabbi Refoel Shain, Shlita, asks a pointed question: The Shemitta year applies to people who work the earth. What about all of the businessmen? Don’t they continue to do business the entire Shemitta year? If so, how do they glean the lessons of Kedusha and Emunah so inherent in Shemitta’s observance? Fascinatingly, he explains that because Shabbos occurs once every seven days, every day of his Shabbos observance will add up to an entire Shemitta year after seven years. The land, however, continues to ‘work on Shabbos’, as plants and trees continue to grow, and so the Shemitta year is needed to ‘catch-up.’ Furthermore, the fiftieth year of Yovel can be understood as comparable to the aggregate of 50 years of seven days of Yom Tov (two days of Pesach, one day of Shavuos, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkos, and Shemini Atzeres) that the businessman observes every year, which the land does not, so that over the 50 years through Yovel--one has observed a year of Yamim Tovim--which the land has not. Accordingly, in the Yovel, the land has its turn!
We as ‘businessmen’ who are not working on the land of Eretz Yisroel should learn to appreciate the power and potency of each day of Shabbos and Yom Tov--our personalized portion of a Shemitta year--and inhale its Kedusha and Emunah to take us through…until the next Shabbos or Yom Tov!
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Hakhel MIS
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We continue with Part II in our series on onaas devarim. Once again, our power of speech is used during all of our waking hours, and not only in one, two, or even three parts of the day. It is, therefore, imperative for us to take the Torah’s strong lessons in this area and enhance (or if necessary, change our ways).
Today’s bulletin has been adapted from the Bais HaVaad weekly Journal of Talmudic Law and has been reprinted with permission from the author Rabbi Chaim Morgenstern Shlit”a. It is an outstanding and moving review of the Halachos and Hashkafos of onaas devarim.
To sign-up to receive the Bais HaVaad’s exceptional weekly email Journal, please email subscribe@BaisHaVaad.com or visit http://www.baishavaad.com/journal/
Onaas Devarim- Words that Hurt
It is unimaginable for any G-d fearing Jew to earn a living by cheating (onaas mamom). However in our daily lives, we may be transgressing a more severe prohibition than cheating - onaas devarim. Chazal say that onaas devarim is more severe than onaas mammon because:
a) a person feels more distressed when his feelings are hurt and
b) money earned dishonestly can be returned, however, hurt feelings cannot be undone (Bava Metzia 58b).
When we speak about prohibited speech, the first thing that comes to our minds is lashon hara. Although many of us are aware of the severity of speaking lashon hara, there seems to be a lack of awareness of both the scope and severity of the prohibition of onaas devarim.
General Principles
The Torah commands us "Lo sonu ish es amiso," - do not aggrieve one another (Vayikra 25:17). Chaza"l explain this to be a prohibition against causing pain or anguish to another with words, hence the term "onaas devarim." Nevertheless, this issur is not limited to words, hurting another's feelings in writing or with a gesture is also included in this prohibition (Chafetz Chaim,Chovas Hashemira ; Shulchan Aruch Hagra"z, Hilchos Ona'a) There is a famous homiletic saying on the passuk, "Ki ve'apam hargu ish,"(literally, "in their anger they killed a person", Bereishis 49:6) with a mere "twist of the nose (af)," one can kill a person.
One does not have to give another person "a devastating blow" to transgress the prohibition of onaas devarim. The Chazon Ish writes that onaas devarim applies even if the other's feelings were only momentarily hurt (Letters, Vol. 1 #211). For example, if a person was distracted immediately after being hurt and does not feel the discomfort or emotional pain anymore. This applies especially with children, who may be easily distracted and then forget their previous distress.
The prohibition applies even when no one else is present, and applies even in the privacy of your home between husband and wife or parents and children (Shaarei TeShuva 3:214, Chafetz Chaim, P'Sicha, Prohibition # 13).
Embarrassing another or hurting another's feelings in the presence of two other people is a more severe aveira, as it also includes the prohibition of malbin pnei chaveiro be'rabim, shaming another person in public.
Unintentional
One transgresses the issur of onaas devarim even if he had no intention of hurting the other's feelings (Chovas Hashemira in Maalas Hashemira #4).
At times, when one hurts another's feelings, he will rationalize that the other person is too sensitive and should really not have been insulted by such an "innocent" remark. Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz proves from Chazal that this is an erroneous assumption. He explains that transgressing a mitzvah bein adam lachaveiro is like a raging fire. Just as a forest fire consumes anything in its path even if lit unintentionally, so too, one is held responsible even for unintentional onaas devarim (Sichos Mussar, p, 328, 447). Thus, before speaking, one must think one step ahead and consider in advance whether his remarks could cause another person any pain.
Once, when Rav Moshe Feinstein's young grandchild was playing with some friends, he saw his grandfather pass by and immediately ran to him. Rav Moshe kissed his grandchild and then also kissed the other children, so as not to hurt their feelings. (Bastion of Faith, p.16)
Children
The prohibition of onaas devarim applies even to ketanim, minors, including one's own children (Sefer Hachinuch, mitzvah 338). Hurting a child's feelings is even more stringent, since a child cannot be mochel (forgive) until he reaches bar/bas mitzvah.
Unfortunately, many people are lax in this area and, not realizing the severity of what they are doing or saying, treat children as if they have no feelings.
The Steipeler Rav once showed up unexpectedly at a bar-mitzva. After wishing the bar-mitzvah boy mazel tov he whispered something in his ear and started to exit. Although the parents were extremely honored that the Gadol Hador partook in their simcha, the curious father, who was neither a relative nor an acquaintance of the Rav, went to the Rav and asked him why he took off from his precious time to participate in their bar mitzvah celebration. The Steipeler then explained:
During the davening one Rosh Hashanah, there were some children playing outside the Shul. When they started raising their voices and disrupting the tefillos, I went outside to try and quiet them down. Upon leaving, I saw your child standing in the corridor and reprimanded him for playing next to the Shul. With an innocent expression, your child told me that he was merely looking for a sefer and that the children who were making the noise quickly ran away when they saw me approaching. I then realized that I embarrassed him and hurt his feelings by wrongly accusing him of something he didn't do. Since he was a katan and I couldn't ask his mechila, I asked him his name, address and birthday so that I would waste no time in asking mechila on his bar-mitzva day.
Although the Rambam writes (Hilchos Talmud Torah 4:5) that if a student is lax or lazy in his studies the Rebbi can rebuke him with sharp words, (and we can assume that the same applies to a parent rebuking his child), nevertheless, one must determine whether the rebuke is stemming from a sincere desire to improve the child's behavior or whether it is a result of a need to release accumulated tension and anxiety.
Stress causes irritability resulting in the loss of one's patience. Thus, a Rebbi, teacher or parent may get angry at a student or child and use sharp words of rebuke not for the child's sake, but because he is in a bad mood stemming from lack of sleep, loss of money, quarrelling with a spouse, boss or headmaster. As soon as the child gets out of hand, he immediately receives a downpour of sharp words, which can also be accompanied by a potch.
A very thin line separates the legitimate intent from insincere motives. Rebuking another person requires sensitivity and expertise. We must all be careful lest chinuch be used as a guise to legitimize bad midos.
Additionally, the Rambam is not referring to rebuking or scolding a student or child in the presence of others causing him unnecessary embarrassment. (Rav M. Y. Lefkowitz, Darkei Chaim, p.59, see below, Halachos # 8)
Cautious Reactions
Another form of onaas devarim is hurting another's feelings by making a negative remark about an item that the other person purchased, such as saying, "you purchased poor quality merchandise" or "you overpaid." Even if you are correct, not only are you prohibited from making a negative comment, you must also give compliments and say words of praise (unless the item can still be exchanged or returned). Although this might seem to be untruthful, the Maharal explains that because the other person feels differently than you do about the item (he finds the item suitable for himself), complimenting is not considered lying, since it is true in the purchaser's eyes (Chidushai Agados, Kesubos 17a).
One can also include in this category appreciating gifts. Generally speaking, the satisfaction of the giver is proportionate to the reaction of the receiver; and the giver will feel disappointed if he feels that the receiver is not fully satisfied with the item or service he gave. Thus, when a person receives a gift or a favor from a spouse, child or guest, the immediate reaction should be a warm expression of appreciation and thanks.
What should a husband do if his wife's cake is missing an ingredient, or if the main course is too salty, spicy, oily or slightly burned? After all, a wife wants to please her husband and values his honest opinion. Rav Aharon Feldman offers an interesting insight:
Shortly after the marriage of one of his teachers, his wife served him burnt potatoes for supper. Instead of complaining, he told her "Oh, what a wonderful dish you've made tonight." His wife was so pleased that she made the same dish each evening for supper. Although he duly complimented her after each meal, it was becoming more and more difficult for him to eat burnt potatoes. When her husband saw that there was no way out of the dilemma that he had created for himself, he finally told her, "Let's try something new. One can get tired of anything" (The River, The Kettle and The Bird, p. 49). One never knows the effort involved in preparing a meal, giving a surprise present or doing a favor, and showing even the slightest dissatisfaction can cause disappointment and hurt feelings.
Another example of causing discomfort is when someone is eager to tell you a good tiding you have already heard. By letting him know that you are already aware of it you diminish his satisfaction. Rather, you should respond with joy as if you are hearing it for the first time. This often occurs when a few different people tell someone about a birth or engagement, each one thinking that he is the first one to report the good news. The following story illustrates this point.
During the Russian Czarist rule, all young men were conscripted into the army. Bachurim tried various ways to be exempted because of the devastating religious consequences of serving in the Imperial Army. Yaakov, a student of the Kovno Rav, Rav Yitzchak Elchanan Spector, was one such applicant, and each day the Rav waited eagerly to hear the news of his army status.
One day, while the Rav was sitting in beis din, the door opened and a young man put his head into the room and exclaimed excitedly, "Yaakov is exempt!" The Rav breathed a sigh of relief and, with a radiant smile, said "May Hashem bless you with long years and good health for bringing me this wonderful news."
A few minutes later another student opened the door and, not knowing that the Rav had already heard the good news, proceeded to inform him about Yaakov. "Oh, how wonderful!" exclaimed the Rav, giving the boy the same enthusiastic blessing as he gave the first boy. Subsequently, four more boys came in at different times with the same news, each one unaware that others had preceded him. Nevertheless, Rav Yitzchak Elchanan smiled at each one and expressed his gratitude for the good news, making each one feel as important as the first (Adapted from The Maggid Speaks, pp 62-3).
The Halachos of Onaas Devarim in Brief
(Based on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat 228: 4-5):
1. It is prohibited to ask a shopkeeper the price of an item if you have no intention of purchasing it. This is because it will make the owner feel disappointed when you don't buy it as he thinks you intended to purchase something from him. Even though today it is common for people to compare prices and asking the price may lead to a future purchase, nevertheless, since we are dealing with a Torah prohibition, if you have no immediate intention of purchasing the product, you should tell the storekeeper that you are asking out of curiosity. This is especially true if one already purchased an item and goes to another store to see if he overpaid.
(This prohibition can apply even when shopping in a department store if the salesman receives a commission on his sale.)
2. It is forbidden to remind a person about his or her family's past misdeeds, for example saying to a baal teshuva, "I remember when you (or your parents, siblings, etc.) didn't keep kosher." This also applies to anything that a person might be ashamed of. For example, one should not say, "Are you still a compulsive eater?"
This issur also applies within family relationships when a husband or wife remind the other of a previous grievance even after an apology was made; or when parents remind their children of their previous wrongdoings. Once one spouse forgives the other, or a parent forgives their child, the whole matter should be forgotten.
3. It is forbidden to call someone by any derogatory name. Even if he is accustomed to the name, you may not call him by it if your intention is to shame him. This is termed by Chazal as mechaneh sheim ra lechaveiro and is a more severe issur than onaas devarim (Bava Metzia 58b). It makes no difference whether the nickname was given because of physical appearance (fat, thin, short, tall, etc.) or whether it is simply a funny-sounding twist to the person's first or last name. Children who are overheard calling others derogatory names should be taught the severity of the aveira.
An interesting insight about giving names is given by the Chazon Ish, who advised parents not to give their children strange sounding names so that the children will not suffer when they are older (Raboseinu, p.85).
Additionally, there is a special issur not to call someone a slave, mamzer or rasha (Kiddushin 28a).
4. If someone is suffering, it is prohibited to say "you deserve this for your previous aveiros." For example, telling someone with a toothache that he is suffering because he spoke lashon hara.
5. It is forbidden to embarrass someone by asking him a question that he cannot answer. For example, asking a Chumash teacher to answer a question in halacha. Likewise, it is prohibited or to ask someone to speak knowing that he's not prepared or is not a speaker. This is the source of the minhag of interrupting a chasan or bar-mitzva boy from saying his speech. We interrupt all chasanim and bar-mitzva boys so as not to embarrass the ones who are unprepared or cannot speak well.
6. Scaring another person, such as hiding behind a door in a dark room and startling him when he enters is forbidden (Choshen Mishpat 420:32). This includes jokingly scaring someone by telling him false information, such as saying, "Someone stole your bike," or "Your coat (or tape recorder) is missing" (Chofetz Chaim, end of Chovas Hashmira. Withholding another's belongings, even as a joke, is also an issur of stealing, [Choshen Mishpat, 248:1])
It is also quite obvious that all forms of practical jokes are ossur because they usually cause the recipient some type of pain or anguish. A simple example of this is spilling disappearing ink on someone's clothing, couch or tablecloth. Another example is if someone asks you where to purchase a certain item and you direct him to a shop that does not sell it, such as sending someone to a bakery when he wants to buy some tools.
7. There is an additional issur if one hurts the feelings of a widow, orphan or any other unfortunate person, since these people are more sensitive than others. The Torah writes that Hashem will hear their cries and will respond personally with retribution to those who caused them pain (Shemos 22:21, Rashi ad. loc.).
8. From the mitzvah of rebuke (tochacha) we learn that hurting another's feelings is assur even for the sake of fulfilling a mitzvah. It is prohibited to rebuke another person if it cannot be done without embarrassing, insulting or hurting his feelings, such as doing it in public or with harsh words (Erchin 16b; Rambam Hilchos Dayos, 6:8).
Additionally, Rav Chaim Volozhin writes that someone who cannot rebuke gently without hurting the other's feelings is free from the mitzvah of rebuke (Keser Rosh # 143.)
(As in all matters of Halacha, readers should consult their halachic authority regarding practical ramifications.)
The Power of Facial Expressions
The Sefer Yerei'im (5:180) writes that even showing a sad facial expression is a form of onaas devarim. When I was a child there was a song entitled, "When you smile the whole world smiles with you." The opposite is also true - when a person is sad he is liable to make the people around him sad too. Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, the Alter of Slabodka, once remarked that a person who walks around with a sad expression on his face is likened to a bor birshus harabbim - a pit in a public domain. J ust as a pit causes people to stumble and fall into it, so does a person who projects a sad facial expression cause others to be sad. On the contrary, people should strive to greet others with a cheerful expression as stated in Pirkei Avos (1:15).
Rav Yisrael Salanter once saw someone who had a sad expression on his face. Engaging him in conversation in order to try and comfort him, it became clear that all was well in his personal life. Puzzled, Rav Yisrael asked him, "What then seems to be troubling you?"
"Rebbi," the man replied "don't you know that we are in the Aseres Yemei Teshuva now? Yom Kippur is only a few days away, and I'm nervous about my upcoming judgment."
"Excuse me," Rav Yisrael replied, "but why do I have to suffer because of your Yom Hadin?"
Rav Avrohom Grodzinsky, the last mashgiach of the Slabodka Yeshiva in Europe, worked on greeting people besaiver panim yafos, with a pleasant and cheerful facial expression, for two years until he mastered this trait. Even during the last days of the Slabodka Ghetto, when the Jews were being taken away daily to be killed, he would still greet people besaiver panim yafos to uplift their spirits in the last days of their lives (Alei Shur, vol I p. 192). People claim that it is difficult to smile after a long hard day of working, learning or tending to the children. However, we observe receptionists, flight attendants and waiters who always seem to give "service with a smile," because their jobs depend on it. Similarly, if someone were offered twenty-five dollars for every smile he greeted his spouse or child, it would suddenly become a lot easier for him to do so!
Isn't a pleasant, enjoyable evening or a happier child worth the ten-second effort of greeting your family beseiver panim yafos? We might add that there is nothing better than a smile to promote success and goodwill. Shalom bais and hatzlacha blossom and bloom when enriched by the rays of a heartwarming smile.
Think Before Speaking!
The Sefer HaChinuch (338) writes that it is not possible to list all the different categories of onaas devarim. Therefore, a person must refrain from saying or doing anything that even appears to be onaas devarim (safek de'o'raysa le'chumra), and he should realize that Hashem knows his true intentions (cf Rashi Vayikra 25:17). The Peleh Yoetz advises that when in doubt, one should think, "Would I want another person to say this to me?" He should apply the halacha of not doing to another what is hateful to yourself.
Just as we are careful with what we put in our mouths insuring that the food has a proper hechsher, we must be equally careful what comes out of our mouths, i.e., not to hurt another's feelings with our words.
We say on Yom Kippur, Ve'al cheit shechatanu lefanecha bevitui sefasayim, "We have sinned with the uttering of our lips." The Siddur HaGra explains that this phrase with the passuk in Mishlei (12:18), "One can utter words that are like a piercing sword."
Rav Moshe Aharon Stern compares a mouth to a loaded gun. Before a person shoots, he is in complete control of the bullet. It can be aimed harmlessly at a target or into the air. But once he shoots, he is no longer in control of it, and if it is aimed toward a crowd, it cannot be retracted and will strike anything in its path. Likewise, before one speaks he is in control of his words. However once harmful words are uttered, they can do irreparable damage.
Reprinted with permission from the author.
About the author
Rabbi Morgenstern has been active in Jewish education and outreach for over two decades. He also does family counseling and lectures extensively in Israel and abroad on shalom bayis, chinuch habanim, family communication, shidduchim and personal growth, and has produced a popular CD & series on these topics. For more information or to schedule a lecture contact Rabbi Morgenstern at: 011-972-8-974-1229, U.S. line: 1-952-236-4197 email rabbi@toras-chaim.org or visit www.toras-chaim.org
The Bais HaVa’ad operates out of its centers in Yerushlayim and in Lakewood and acts as a forum serving the Halachic needs of The Klal. The Bais HaVaad is available for Shailos and Halachic Consult during business hours. Shailos are answered the Dayanim and Rabbannim of Kollel Zichron Gershon in Lakewood N.J. and the Bais HaVaad of Yerushalayim. For questions or services please contact The Bais HaVaad at 1.888.485.VAAD(8223) or email info@BaisHaVaad.com
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In last week’s Parsha we find the great Mitzvah of “VeLo Sonu Ish Es Amiso” (Vayikra 25:17)…each of you shall not aggrieve his fellow. Chazal (Bava Metzia 58B) teach that this Pasuk refers specifically to causing pain with words--Ono’as Devorim. The Mishna and Gemara (ibid.) elaborate on the prohibition against Ono’as Devorim and further details are brought LeHalacha in Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, Chapter 428, which is dedicated to this topic.
Because this is a Mitzvah which is so pervasive--which involves so much of our waking day--we hope to spend the next three days reinvigorating ourselves in this crucial area. Success in the Mitzvah will literally bring you to a different place in Olam Haba--and Olam Hazeh. We begin with a Bulletin note previously published, which Baruch Hashem has been very positively received:
The Power of Words, a sefer by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, Shlita is dedicated to improvement--and mastery--of this crucial Mitzvas Bain Odom LeChaveiro, which so much impacts on our Bain Odom LeMakom, as well. Indeed, the Pasuk cited above actually continues “VeYoraisa MaiElokecha--and you shall fear Hashem”--for in properly fulfilling this Mitzvah, one demonstrates that he fears Hashem Who sees, knows, and understands our thoughts and actions. Accordingly, we provide below many salient points gleaned from this wonderful sefer, which are indeed “suitable for framing”--and which certainly should be reviewed from time to time--and especially when you well know that you are about to have a challenging encounter. We present the points by number, for ease of reference.
1. The Chazon Ish wrote, “Even if what you say will cause someone pain or discomfort for only a brief moment, it is a violation of this Torah commandment.”
2. Be aware of what the consequences of what your words will be. Any time your words will cause someone pain it constitutes Ono’as Devorim.
3. Some people can suffer again and again for years because of insulting remarks people have made to them.
4. One of the easiest ways to make enemies is to insult people.
5. Someone who studies Torah has a greater obligation than others to avoid all forms of Ono’as Devorim. Failure to do so will cause others to learn from his negative example, and could even cause people to have negative feelings about Torah study in general.
6. Any statement that disparages the appearance of another person is considered Ono’as Devorim.
7. It is forbidden to say or do things to scare other people.
8. The laws of Ono’as Devorim are based in the subjective response of the person you are talking to. Even if many other people don’t mind a certain statement, if the person you say it to will be distressed, upset, angry or offended, it is forbidden.
9. Don’t disparage the Torah thoughts of others. If you want to disagree, do so in a polite manner.
10. Don’t insult someone for being different from you in personality, thought, background, habits, etc.
11. It is Ono’as Devorim to say things to a person which would imply that he is not normal.
12. Needlessly saying things to cause someone worry is Ono’as Devorim.
13. When you have conflicting interests with someone, master the art of finding peaceful solutions. Find the basic needs of both parties and try to find ways that the needs of both parties can be met.
14. Statements made in a sarcastic tone of voice constitute Ono’as Devorim, even though the words themselves might sound Kosher.
15. Asking people personal questions about matters they would prefer not to discuss causes them discomfort and is Ono’as Devorim.
16. It is counterproductive to say to someone, “If I told you once, I told you a thousand times…”
17. Avoid saying, “You don’t understand,” when you are discussing ideas with others.
18. If you see that a person is very tired or in an especially irritable mood, be very careful with what you say to him.
19. People who are very perceptive and notice all kinds of details about personality and character of others must be careful to use this gift as a tool to help--not to hurt--others.
20. It is easy for married couples to cause each other much emotional pain by insulting one another. Even if two people disagree or are disappointed with each other, they should still speak to each other with respect.
21. Anger does not give you permission to violate the prohibition against Ono’as Devorim.
22. Humor at someone else’s expense is Ono’as Devorim.
23. Accepting other people and their differences is one of the keys to observing this Mitzvah.
24. When you have internalized the awareness that people are created BeTzelem Elokim--in the image of Hashem--you will experience great respect for each person you encounter.
25. When you communicate with others, be aware of your goal. Most insults and derogatory comments are counterproductive and will not help you achieve your goal.
26. The more difficult it is to refrain from insulting someone, the greater the reward.
27. Whenever you refrain from saying anything that would be Ono’as Devorim, feel the joy of fulfilling a Mitzvah.
28. You are what you say. By transgressing the laws of Ono’as Devorim you are lowering your own spiritual level.
29. Any time that someone hurts your feelings in some way, view it as a learning experience to teach yourself to be more sensitive to causing others distress with words.
30. Imagine standing before Hashem after 120 years and being confronted with all of your Ono’as Devorim statements.
31. “It’s your fault for taking offense.” If someone will feel pain because of what you say, you have an obligation to avoid saying it and you cannot blame the other person for feeling hurt.
32. “I hope that this doesn’t offend you, but…” Starting off with this statement does not render your Ono’as Devorim permissible.
33. When you want to influence someone to do something, always try to motivate him with an approach that will be based on his needs, wants, and personality.
34. There are many statements that if said with a smile will not cause a person distress--even though they might if a person were to say the words with a serious expression on his face.
35. There are always ways of disagreeing with someone that show a basic respect for him even though you disagree with what he said.
36. The laws of Ono’as Devorim apply even to parents when they speak to their children.
37. The laws of Ono’as Devorim apply even to small children. Insulting a young child or frightening him as a joke is forbidden.
38. If someone is angry, it is an act of kindness to calm him down. Be careful not to say things that would be Ono’as Devorim to someone who is presently angry.
39. When you speak to a stranger, you might not be aware of his particular sensitivities and therefore might cause him pain unintentionally. Note the facial reactions of the people you speak to.
40. When you see someone insulting another person, have the courage to say something to stop him.
41. Be willing to make a public commitment to your family and friends that you will be careful with Ono’as Devorim.
42. Statements that can easily be Ono’as Devorim:
“I heard Lashon Hora about you”
“Everybody knows”
“Do you remember me?”
“Why aren’t you married yet?”
“You don’t care”
“You don’t understand”
“You should have asked me”
“Talk it into yourself”
“Keep your mouth…”
“Get lost”
“I don’t care”
“So what?!”
“I see that you are nervous”
“I never do that…”
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As we all know, the Parsha has reminded us of this Mitzvah this particular week, at this particular point, and even at this particular juncture in our lives [this is what Hashgacha is all about], because it is something for each and every one of us to work on in his own particular way. Let us each meet the challenge--and fulfill this great Mitzvah in a way that brings us a wonderful Nachas Ruach--which will bring along with it Nachas Ruach to others…and, in a magnificent way, to our Creator as well!
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This Wednesday May 11 we will be having Hindy Perr speak to us about Chana, the mother of Shmuel Hanavi. Shmuel’s yorzeit is coming up at the end of Yiar.
Sponshorships are available.
Time: 9:15 PM Phone Number: 212-990-8000 Pin number 8020#
UPDATE ON BOYS IN JAPAN The final verdict in the trial of Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel is scheduled for next Monday May 16, which is Sunday in America. The closing arguments for Yoel Zeav ben Mirel Risa Chava is scheduled for this Thursday May12th which is Wednesday in America. The trial for Yoel Zev is watching the verdict Of Yaakov Yosef very carefully. As the attachment shows, the rabbonim are asking that we increase our davening for them in this most crucial week. In addition, there is a chart attached giving out Tehillim perokim for people to say every day. This coming Motzei Shabbos, May 14th at 10 PM NY time, there will be a Tehillim teleconference for the boys in Japan
The number is the same as our call in number for our shiruim: 212-990-8000 Pin number 3067# Please let your group know about these developments.
RENA KENARAK-GIVING SHIUR ON SEFER TEHILLIM
Starting this Wednesday afternoon,May 11th at 1:15-2:15 PM, Rena Kenarak will be teaching us Sefer Tehillim perek by perek. We are just before Shavous, the yorzeit of Dovid HaMeleck, how better to prepare ourselves for this Yom tov.
The call in number is 212-990-8000 Pin number 3067#
Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, certified social work will be answering Questions about sholom bayis and personal growth . The date and time has not yet been set. He did have a session last week and that is already on Kol Haloshon. The prompts are 1-4-36
Both of these classes will be on Kol Haloshon, so they can be heard after They are taped. Next week, we will give the number of where they are in The archives.
This past Wednesday we had roiza Weinreich speak to us Real Happiness Now. The Harrisburg Aneinu Tehillim Group Sponsored the shiur l’refuah shelaima their wonderful rebbetzin, Laya Adina bas Chaya Esther, who underwent Major surgery immediately after Pesach-a heart and lung transplant The shiur was also sponsored by Rachelle Myers, an Aneinu member from Silver springs Ma in commemoration of the First yorzeit of her dear mother, Devorah bas Moshe Reuven whose yorzeit came out exactly on the night of the shiur-the first Day of Rosh Chodesh Iyar. She explained that starting from Pesach till Shavous, Hashem showers us with tremendous ahava-love.When we were in Mitzraim, we did not deserve to be freed, we were on the 49th level of tumah. The angels told Hashem, why are you freeing The Yidden, both they and the Mitzrim are ovdei avoda zoro-worship idols. But because Hashem loves us so much, he Said,” I am not listening to all the points of middas hadin-I am freeing the Yidden” and this love that starts at Pesach, continues Through sefiras haomer and culminates in Shavous. Roiza explained beautifully that we all know how to deal with Yiras Hashem-fear of Hashem. This we learn from our young Ages how to deal with the yomin noarim-with Yom Kippur-with fasting –who will die, by which way will they die this year, The words of nisana tokef ring in our years during that time period. But she said, it behooves us to learn how to deal with Ahavas Hashem-love of Hashem-which permeates the air at the time Of Pesach and Sefiras HaOmer. Roiza explained that when the Torah writes that in golus, Hashem hides himself from us, it also means that in these times, Hashem is so hidden from us, that we don’t’ realize how much we really need Hashem. We daven for health, wealth, nachas Etc, but what we need to daven for primarily is “Hashem, I need you “ . (She gave an example of someone who buys a fancy Mixer, assembles It and turns it on, but it doesn’t go. When the mixer is returned to the store and the woman says it is damaged, The owner of the store shows her-but you forgot to plug it in). So too we, must plug ourselves into Hashem-rejuvenate our Connection with him-and that is Real Happiness. As Dovid HaMelech says, “Kirvas Elokim Li Tov” The best thing for me is to be Close to Hashem. The Arizal writes that if a person changes his nature, he will be worthy of great gifts from Hashem. Why? Because just as he changes His nature to do Hashem’s will, Hashem will change nature to shower the person “mikol toov” with all that is good. Rav Shimshon Pinkus writes, that if a person feels slighted or is insulted by another person. If he holds his tongue and does not Answer back, then at that moment, he can ask Hashem for anything. He changed his nature for Hashem, Hashem will change nature For him. Roiza has developed excerises to help us bring Hashem more into our lives, and brings us happiness. For those who live in Brooklyn, she is starting a workshop at Shalheves on Monday evenings at 8:15 PM beginning this Monday May 9th. It will be a series of 4 lectures. The workshop is titled, “Real Happiness Now, Mastering the art of thinking well. Opening new pathways Of understanding, Improving your health and elevating your mazel”. She will be giving out review materials and practical skills and 15 one minutes attitude boosters. For more info, call Shalheves at 718-633-3005
Kol Haloshon:
To hear Rabbi Feldman’s shiur dial 718-906-6400 Then 1-5-10 Then choice 2 Then wait for last recorded shiur
To hear Roiza’s shiur dial 718-906-6400 Then 1-5-10 Then 1 Then wait for last recorded shiur or press 198
Important Numbers
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