Tuesday, June 30, 2015

YWN Petira Of Terror Shooting Victim Malachi Moshe Rosenfeld


Malachi Moshe Rosenfeld, who was seriously wounded at a drive-by shooting attack on Monday night, has R”L succumbed to his wounds at the Shaare Tzedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. He was 25-years-old. According to information released, it appears that the vehicle he was travelling in was ambushed by a passing vehicle with Palestinian plates on the Alon Road near Shvut Rachel at around 11:00PM Monday night. His three friends, with him in the car, were also wounded in the attack. Ads By Artscroll: Click Here! Rosenfeld was sitting in the passenger’s seat and according to another of the victims, Yair Hoffer, sustained injuries to his torso and lower body. The other two injured men were sent to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital for treatment. One was set to undergo surgery Tuesday morning, and the second was to be transferred to the surgical ward later in the day. The four, all of whom live in the Settlement of Kochav Hashahar, had been driving near Route 60, the main north-south artery running through the area, when they were attacked. Levaya details have not yet been announced. (Chaim Shapiro – YWN)

OU TORAH 19 LETTERS Letter #18: How to Strive Forward – Part 1 By Daniel Adler


Click here.

OU Torah Series Hashoneh Halachos 2 with Mishneh Torah Begins Friday, July 10 (Guess When It Ends!)


For those who want to study halacha – Jewish law – on a long-term basis but in easy-to-consume amounts, OU Torah has the perfect program for you! For almost four years, OU Torah has offered HaShoneh Halachos (“The one who studies Jewish laws”) from the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, the abridged code of Jewish law, by providing two laws a day on the OU Torah website, www.outorah.org, and via email to subscribers. The program began prior to the High Holy Days in 2011 and finishes up on Thursday, July 9. More than 2,000 subscribers have signed on. The four-year period of study, however, can be considered merely a warm-up for what is coming Friday, July 10. It is the Mishneh Torah, the Rambam’s (Maimonides’) great elucidation of Jewish law, composed in 14 tomes in the late twelfth century while he was living in Egypt. Mishneh Torah means “Repetition of the Torah.” The length of the program: a generation. As Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, Torah Content Editor for the OU website, www.ou.org, and coordinator of the HaShoneh Halachos program explains, “There are 14 books, each book is divided into a number of sections comprising groups of related subjects. So, for example, Sefer Z’manim (“The Book of Times”) includes Hilchos Shabbos, Hilchos Chametz u’Matzah,, Hilchos Megillah v’Chanukah, etc. “Each of those sections,” he continues, “is broken into chapters and those chapters into laws, totaling 15,018 laws. That number of laws at two a day comes out to… 20 years, six months and change.”

OU TORAH MISHNA BERURA YOMI (DIRSHU) MB 40a: Putting on and Taking off Tefillin Before and After the Zman (30:3-5) By Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD


Click here.

[Aneinu] YWN Father of Terror Victim: Please Daven for My Son With a Full Heart


The father of one of the victims of the Monday night Shomron drive-by terrorist shooting attack asks the tzibur to be mispallel for his son “with a full heart”. The victims in the attack are all residents of Kochav HaShachar, a yishuv in the Binyamin Regional Council district of Shomron. They were returning home from a basketball game in the sports center in Yishuv Eli when gunfire rang out from a passing vehicle on the Alon Road, near Shvut Rachel. Four victims were treated by EMS on the scene and transported to Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, both in the capital. The two victims in Hadassah are in moderate condition. One of the victims in Shaare Zedek is in moderate condition and the second critical. Critically injured is Malachi Moshe Rosenfeld, who lost his older brother, an air force pilot, during a hike in Nachal Tzeilim in 2002. Ads By Artscroll: Click Here! Mr. Eliezer Rosenfeld, his father, told reporters in Shaare Zedek on Monday night “We are in a difficult period. We are aware there is koach to your tefilos. Please daven for my son with a full heart that HKBH will send him a complete recovery and save him. We are confident He will send him the koach to fight and that the doctors will perform as they should. We trust them – they are big angels like our son. Thank you and thanks to all of Am Yisrael”. Malachi’s condition is described as “serious/life-threatening” at this hour. Following are names of some of the victims for Tehillim Malachi ben Sara (critical condition) Chananya ben Sara Shai ben Nili Yair ben Shoshana (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

Monday, June 29, 2015

[Aneinu] Please Daven for Terror Victims


Please daven for Malachi Menachem ben Sarah (critical condition), Chananya ben Sara, and Shai ben Nili, who were shot by terrorists while driving on Highway 60 near Shvut Rachel. The name of the 4th victim is not yet available.

Moadei Hashanah: Exile and Consolation - The Three Weeks and Tishah b'Av Turning Destruction into Growth by Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus IS AT KESHER STAM


THE 3 WEEKS START SUNDAY WITH THE 17TH OF TAMMUZ PREPARE WITH THIS. With his characteristic brilliance and fervor, Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus provides a unique and proper approach to this auspicious time. He adds new dimensions to our understanding of the Beis HaMikdash and our mourning over it; shows us how to transform the negative into a positive force for personal growth; and offers practical advice on how to make this time more meaningful and enriching. Moadei Hashanah: The Three Weeks and Tisha B'Av is the eighth sefer from Rav Shimshon Dovid Pincus zt"l to appear in English. It is part of the enormously popular Hebrew Sichos series, read by thousands of people across the world. Rav Pincus, venerated Rosh Yehsiva, beloved Rav of Ofakim, and worldwide lecturer, spoke passionately concerning the Three Weeks and Tishah b'Av and the proper way to approach them. These lectures are transcribed in this powerful work. Rav Pincus shows us how to appreciate the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash and our mourning over it. He teaches how to transform the negative into a powerful force for our positive growth, rejuvenating our very Jewishness. And he offers practical advice on how to make this time of mourning into a meaningful and enriching experience. Moadei Hashanah: The Three Weeks and Tisha B'Av enriches and adds new dimensions to the way we experience the Three Weeks and Tisha B'av. Rav Pincus' depth, relevance, and wit as expressed in this book are sure to inspire each person and raise him to a new level of appreciation for the Beis HaMikdash and Yerushalayim.(From Feldheim)

Aneinu Please Daven for Terror Victims


UPDATE 12:24 AM IL: Please daven for מלאכימנחם בן שרה, Malachi Menachem ben Sarah, one of the victims in the terror attack. UPDATE 12:02 AM IL: MDA spokesman Zaki Heller says 4 victims have been transported to Shaarei Tzedek and Hadasah Ein Kerem Hospitals in Jerusalem. 1 is in critical condition, and 3 victims are in serious conditions   UPDATE 11:56 PM IL : The IDF confirms that multiple terrorists were involved in tonight’s shooting attack near Shvut Rachel. At least 4 people have been injured following a terrorist drive by shooting attack in Israel.  At time of reporting, at least one of the victims is in serious condition.Emergency units are on scene reporting multiple injuries. The attack occurred on Highway 60 near Shvut Rachel.   Migdalim, Tapuach, Recheilim, Nofei Nechemya & multiple nearby communities are on high alert as a massive search for the gunman is underway.     Earlier on Monday, a female Israeli soldier was seriously wounded in a stabbing. An initial police investigation reveals that a Palestinian woman approached the checkpoint, pulled out a knife, and stabbed the soldier.   Security forces on site detained the assailant and confiscated two additional knives. This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.  

[Aneinu] Please Daven for the Jews of London


From Shirat Devorah, a letter from Aryeh Feingold of London: An open letter and Request to all of my non Jewish Friends and Jewish friends outside of the UK. July 4th, whilst essentially an American holiday, has long been associated with Independence, Freedom, celebrated in the USA by all regardless of religion, class, creed or race. However, 4th July 2015, here, in London, and indeed more specifically my neighborhood, just a 10 minute walk from my front door. We will play host to probably the most deeply distressing event in recent times to specifically target Jews living in the UK, and yes that includes me. As most of you know, I never play the minority card and rarely do talk about my specific religious beliefs, they are after all my own, and I respect everybody else’s choices. I’m truly humbled by how accommodating many of you have been when it has come to my odd dietary requirements or missed social events due to clashes with Jewish holidays. However, to say I’m troubled by what’s coming, is a huge understatement. A far right group is planning a rally in the heartland of the London Jewish community against what it calls "Jewification of Britain", they will march through my neighborhood, and intend to burn copies of the Talmud (Jewish holy book) because of its anti-white teaching, ironic as Ashkenazi Jews like myself are white. Believe it or not despite 1000s of requests the Home Office and Metropolitan Police can do nothing to stop the 4 July protest from happening. The rally is not about free speech but a deliberate attempt to provoke tension and anti-Semitism. Indeed, July 4th is a Saturday, and it’s been specifically chosen as Saturday is the Jewish day of rest, when most Jews will be walking to synagogues in the very same area. I kid you not this is the agenda for the rally in two weeks’ time: 1) The illegality of the Shomrim Police 2) What is Jewification? 3) International Jewry, the devils own hand 4) Why the holocaust didn’t happen 5) George Galloways 30 minute slot on Israel 6) A recorded audio speech by Joshua Bonehill You can see the link on their website, outlining their intentions, and attached are couple of flyers for the event, to give you an idea of the seriousness of the situation. http://joshuabonehill.net/2015/06/18/george-galloway-invited-to-speak-at-golders-green-demonstration/ This is not some random Facebook post or chain email, it’s a personal message from me. Can I please urge you to share the email / post with your friends and family to raise awareness of the dark situation that is developing on my doorstep. This isn’t Berlin 1938, its London 2015!! I end by quoting JFK, who was actually quoting Edmund Burke: for evil men to accomplish their purpose it is only necessary that good men should do nothing. Love Aryeh Feingold 24th June 2015, London, England

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Test Tuesday


Please daven for Lifsha bas Sylvia who is having an MRI tomorrow. Please daven that the test results should be good.

OU TORAH ONE+ONE Yocheved By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz


Many have the practice to recite, in the prayer following Shemoneh Esrei, a verse that starts and ends with the same letter as their name, or that contains their name, or both. This is considered a source of merit. In this series, we will briefly analyze these verses. ה’ יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד Hashem will reign forever and ever. – Exodus 15:18 In his Aramaic paraphrase of the verse for the name Yocheved, Onkelos renders it, “Hashem: His kingdom endures now and forever.” His reasons for changing the tense from the future to the present are the point of some discussion among the commentators but it would appear that he wished to clarify for the readers that G-d’s eternal rule is not an event that will begin in the future (Hashem will reign forever and ever). Rather, it is something that is always happening, and always will (His kingdom endures now and forever).

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Taana Devei Eliyahu IS AT KESHER STAM


Shalom Vagshal Productions is excited to introduce: The Menagnim orchestra is releasing its first taste from their quality upcoming album, called “Taana Devei Eliyahu“, which accompanied the glorious moments during the Siyum Daf Yomi of Halacha for the Dirshu international organization, which happened back in Nissan with an impressive display of Gedolim, together with thousands of celebrants in Israel and internationally. The album contains a collection of about 80 minutes worth of Chassidic music, together with the Menagnim orchestra, conducted by Moishe Roth, with the Malchus choir and the children’s Malchus Kinder choir, conducted by Pinchas Bichler. The list of professionals includes Rav Yermiah Damen, Isaac Honig, Shloime Cohen, Areleh Samet, Eli Herzlich, and others. The album has some of the standard classic Chassidic music throughout the generations, and some new material as well, composed by Rav Dovid Hofstedter, R’ Ari Seidenfeld, and others. Print discount here.

B’inyonei Tzitzis, U’bedin Im Yeish Lotzeis Yedei Brocha Oi Mikra Megilah Al Yedei HaTelephon”e Oi Ramkol By Rabbi Yaakov Moishe Shurkin


Click here.

MISHNA BERURA YOMI (DIRSHU) MB 38b: Tefillin (27:10-11) By Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD


Click here.

JI and JMR [Exclusive] The Single Is Here! I CAN BE – YAAKOV SHWEKEY


Almost twenty years ago my wife Jenine and her best friend started The Special Children’s Center from a one-room apartment. Back then they were just teenagers with a dream to change the world, one child at a time. They felt a tremendous need for special children to have a place to flourish, to receive the care and attention they need, and to wrap it up in happiness. With the help of so many believers, that endeavor grew into a multi faceted Center for more than three hundred special children across three locations. While there is no end to the demand, there is also no end to their determination. While traveling and performing all over the world for the last fifteen years I’ve seen with my own eyes the gift that music can give and the depths it can reach. The power is within every one of us… you can be anything, no matter what challenges you face. That is the magic of love, and the magic of this song. It is for you, the children and staff of the Center, and for you, all children around the world — each of you is precious, you can be anything. This song is for you.

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Surgery Thursday


Please daven for Dovid Noach ben Ita Tzipora, the father of an Aneinu member who is having a long and complicated surgery tomorrow morning, Thursday, June 25.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

JI Mendy J – Rebbe


Mendy J performing the classic song “Rebbe” in honor of Gimul Tammuz. (c) GO productions 2015

[Aneinu] Please Daven for wounded policemen in Eretz Yisroel


Tefilos are requested for the wounded border policeman in Eretz Yisroel, Roz ben Carmela, who was seriously wounded in a stabbing attack at Shar Shechem earlier Sunday, 4 Tammuz. He sustained stab wounds to his neck, chest and heart. He fired at the attacker before collapsing into cardiac arrest. The terrorist, a resident of the PA (Palestinian Authority), remains in serious condition. .

OU TORAH MISHNA BERURA YOMI (DIRSHU) MB 36b: Tefillin (27:1-4) By Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD


PLEASE LEARN FOR PESYA BAS YAAKOV MY BOBIE ON HER YORTZEIT. Click here.

JI and JMR Benny Friedman – Toda! The Music Video


Enjoy this brand new music video for “Toda“, the first track off Benny Friedman‘s hit album “Kol Haneshama Sheli.” Available online for digital download and in all Jewish music stores worldwide. Distributed by Aderet Music.

OU TORAH Introduction to the Book of (IYOV) Job By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz


PLEASE LEARN FOR PESYA BAS YAAKOV MY BOBIE ON HER YORTZEIT. Sefer Iyov is a most unusual book... By Rabbi Jack Abramowitz Job is a very unusual Book, unique in many ways. For starters, there is no consensus as to when Job lived – or even if he ever actually lived at all! The Talmud, in tractate Baba Basra (15a-b) relates a number of opinions. R. Yehoshua b. Levi says Job lived in Moses’ day; R. Yochanan and R. Eleazar say Job was one of the Babylonian exiles; R. Yehoshua b. Korcha says Job lived in the time of Esther; others say he lived at the time of Jacob. (There are still more views that I am not recounting here.) These opinions are generally based on other references in the text. For example, if I referred in writing to Hessians, you might infer that my piece was set during the time of the American Revolution, whereas a reference to Czechoslovakia would suggest that my piece was set between 1918 and 1992. Of course, this method is neither foolproof nor conclusive, as I could say that Abraham lived in Israel, although the territory was certainly not known by that name at the time.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Schottenstein Talmud Yerushalmi - English Edition [#30] - Tractate Yevamos vol 2 COMING SOON


For five generations of the Talmudic era, the great Sages of the Land of Israel flourished in the Galil. There, like the Sages of Babylonia, they debated, expounded, and applied the laws and principles of the Mishnah that were received at Sinai .The sacred learning of those years was gathered in the Talmud Yerushalmi ù The Jerusalem Tamud. They lived with Roman pogroms and persecution ù but the flame of Torah burned bright despite it all. Until about 350 C. E., when brutal Roman anti-Semitism decimated the Holy LandÆs yeshivos and silenced its voice of Torah. But the SagesÆ teachings live on in the Talmud Yerushalmi, just as the teachings of Babylonia live one in the Talmud Bavli ù The Babylonian Talmud. But while the Sages of Babylonia had another 150 years to redact, clarify and organize the text of the Babylonian Talmud, Roman persecution in the Holy Land made that impossible. Thus, the Jerusalem Talmud is exceedingly difficult, and ù despite its great significance û it has been a closed book to all but select, elite scholars. Now, thanks to the outstanding scholars who produced the classic Schottenstein Edition of Talmud Bavli, the lock is being removed on yet another treasure-house of Torah ShebÆal Peh, the Oral Law. This project has been enthusiastically welcomed and endorsed by Torah leaders in Israel and America.

ARTSCROLL'S NEW "SMART SIDDUR" IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ANDROID


Now Available: Nusach Ashkenaz (weekday), Nusach Sefard in preparation.Available for Android users! ARTSCROLL'S NEW "SMART SIDDUR" INCLUDES THESE AMAZING FEATURES: • ArtScroll's classic, beloved look and feel: the fonts, layout, and nikud of the ArtScroll Wasserman Siddur • Tap on a phrase and you get the ArtScroll translation, commentary, and laws. • Enlarge the font size – and still keep the classic ArtScroll format • Includes weekday Torah readings with phrase-by-phrase translation • The Search function allows you to find any phrase in the Siddur • Put in personal notes, highlight text and Bookmarks. • Set location to Eretz Yisrael and receive the appropriate tefillos and minhagim. Attention Rusty Brick Siddur users: You can upgrade to the ArtScroll Wasserman Digital Siddur for a reduced price.

THE JEWISH MUSIC SHOW #7


It’s been a long time, but Dov and Sruly joined together once again to bring an all new Jewish Music Show to the podcasting airwaves. It’s an extra special jam packed super sizes episode, 1 hour and 40 minutes long. Bringing you new music from 8th Day, Boruch Sholom, Yisroel Adler, Sruli Twerski, Eli Beer, Ohad, David Pearlman, Project Relax, Choni Grunblatt, and a new single from Yisroel Werdyger. Of course we also cover the same topics we always do from technology to kosher dining to classic Jewish music talk.

JI and JMR Yosef Chaim Shwekey – Chatan v’Kala


fter releasing the single “Hakol Letova” this past Winter which has quickly become a smash hit, singer Yosef Chaim Shwekey releases another single called “Chatan v’Kala” as he finishes completing his third album, to be released really soon

MISHNA BERURA YOMI (DIRSHU) MB 35b Tefillin (25:13) Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD


Click here.

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Surgery Thursday


Please daven for an infant, Yehosua ben Nechama Aliza who is scheduled to have surgery IY"H at 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning.

THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5775 Issue XXXIII Parshas Shelach Halachic Considerations Relating to People Who Aren't Properly Torah Observant The Meraglim and Counting Torah Desecrators as Part of a Minyan


In this week's parsha we read about the episode of the meraglim - the spies. At the onset, the meraglim were actually great leaders among the Jewish people, but sometime during their mission they veered from their greatness and ultimately denied Hashem publicly. Interestingly, the episode of the meraglim is the source that a minyan requires ten adult men. We learn this through the Torah's use of the word toch. Just as the word toch is used to refer to the ten meraglim it is also used in reference to devarim shebekedusha, teaching us that ten men are required in order to recite such prayers. The Igros Moshe (OC 1:23) notes that the meraglim were essentially kofrim i.e. Torah desecrators. We learn from here that just as the meraglim were nevertheless counted towards a minyan, so too, we can also count Torah desecrators as part of a minyan.

THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5775 Issue XXXIII Parshas Shelach Never Mind Your Sheital, Is Your Sheital Head Kosher? The Prohibition to Create an Image of a Human Being By Rabbi Tzvi Frank


The Gemara1 derives from the verse "Lo Sasun Iti Elokei Chesef Velokei Zahav"2 the prohibition to create an image of a human being. This action (“asiya”) is punishable by malkus. Further, by rabbinical decree, there is even a prohibition to retain an image of a person (“shehiya”), lest he be suspected of literally idolizing and worshipping said image3. Indeed, the Gemara relates that Shmuel commanded Rav Yehuda to deface a protruding image on his signet ring in order not to violate the above prohibitions.

NAALEH.COM and YU TORAH Rehabilitation And Reframing By: Mrs. Shira Smiles


Prior to their scheduled entry into Eretz Yisroel, Bnei Yisroel asked Moshe to send spies to reconnoiter the land promised to them. The result of that expedition is well known. Ten of the twelve spies with the exceptions only of Yehoshua bin Nun and Calev ben Yefuneh returned with a negative report, causing Bnei Yisroel to despair, cry and fear going forward into the land. We know the result of that night of crying. Not only did Hashem decree that that night would be a night of crying from generation to generation, a date upon which both Batei Mikdosh would be destroyed among other tragedies, but also that Bnei Yisroel would not enter the land immediately. Instead, Bnei Yisroel were destined to wander in the desert for forty years, one year for each day of the expedition, until this entire generation had died and their children could go forward and inherit the land of the Emori. Two related questions may trouble us. First, decreeing a full year for each day the spies were on their mission seems harsh. Further, the actual sin was in speaking negatively about the land, a sin that was only committed on the last day. Why was Bnei Yisroel punished for the full forty days? Click here for Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein.

NAALEH.COM Parshat Shelach: Simple Faith By: Rabbi Hershel Reichman


In this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses this week's Torah portion, Parshat Shlach, in which the tragic episode of the meraglim, spies takes place. Rabbi Reichman, based on the Shem MiShmuel, explains the underpinnings of sin of the spies and the Jewish People. This Torah class is available online in streaming video and for download in mp3 and ipod video formats.

OU TORAH and CHABAD.ORG Assembling Reminders By Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks


You are driving ever so slightly above the speed limit. You see a police car in your rear view mirror. You slow down. You know perfectly well that it is wrong to exceed the speed limit whether anyone is watching or not, but being human, the likelihood of being found out and penalized makes a difference.

YU TORAH Toronto Torah: Shlach 5775


Click here.

RABBI WEIN ON SHLACH 5775


Moshe, at the behest and request of the Jewish people, chooses twelve outstanding leaders and orders them to embark on a mission of spying regarding the Land of Israel and its current Canaanite population. Moshe is confident that this mission will reinforce the enthusiasm and commitment of the Jewish people to settle and build their national homeland, promised to them by God through their ancestors.

RABBI WEIN ON FIFA AND RABBI RISKIN


There is much irony present in the news of the day and there also are connections between stories about apparently disparate subjects that can be easily overlooked. As unlikely as it seems, I discern a distinct connection between the debacle and justified humbling of FIFA – the self-proclaimed holy guardian of world football/soccer and of international sports generally – and the ill-timed, ill- advised and wrongheaded attempt by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel to attempt not to renew Shlomo Riskin’s tenure as Chief Rabbi of Efrat.

RAV KOOK ON Shlach Part 3: Repairing the Sin of the Spies


One of the greatest tragedies in the long history of the Jewish people occurred when the spies sent by Moses returned with a frightening report about the Land of Israel. Their dire warnings of fierce giants and a “land that consumes its inhabitants” convinced the people that they would be better off returning to Egypt. Unlike other incidents in which the Israelites rebelled against God, on this occasion, Moses was unable to annul God’s decree. The entire generation died in the desert, never reaching the Promised Land. The best Moses was able to do was delay the punishment for forty years. Rav Kook wrote that even today we still suffer the consequences of this catastrophic error. The root cause for the exiles and humiliations of the Jewish people, throughout the generations, is due to our failure to correct the sin of the spies.

RAV KOOK ON Shlach Part 2: The Third Passage of Shema


Every evening and morning, we say the Shema, Judaism’s supreme declaration of monotheistic faith. In the first passage, we accept upon ourselves the yoke of God’s sovereignty. And in the second, we accept God’s commandments. Interestingly, the Sages added a third paragraph to the Shema — the passage commanding us to wear tzitzit (tassels) on the corners of our garments (Num. 15:37-41). Why did they decide to add this particular paragraph, out of the entire Torah, to the central prayer of Judaism?

RAV KOOK ON Shlach Part 1: Rejecting the Land of Israel


“And [the spies] began to speak badly about the land that they had explored.” (Num. 13:32) A dispirited discussion took place at Beit HaRav, Rav Kook’s house in Jerusalem, not long after the end of World War II. The Chief Rabbi had passed away ten years earlier; now it was his son, Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Kook, who sat at the head of the table. One participant at the Sabbath table had brought up a disturbing topic: the phenomenon of visitors touring Eretz Yisrael and then criticizing the country after returning to their homes. “These visitors complain about everything: the heat, the poverty, the backwardness, the political situation — and discourage other Jews from moving here,” he lamented. Rav Tzvi Yehudah responded by telling over the following parable, one he had heard in the name of Rabbi Samuel Mohilever, the rabbi of Bialystok.

THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5775 Issue XXXII Parshas Beha'aloscha The Carrier's Clumsiness and Its Consequence- Clothing Cleaning Costs I Stumbled While Carrying Food, Spilling it Onto Someone Else's Clothes By Rabbi Yitzchak Grossman


Question I stumbled while carrying some food, spilling it onto someone else and soiling his clothes. Am I liable for the damage or cleaning costs?

THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5775 Issue XXXII Parshas Beha'aloscha Texting, Talking, and Driving- A Dangerous Combination A Halachic Perspective of This Tragic Issue By Rabbi Micha Cohn


\The popularity of cell phones has had some dangerous consequences. Mobile communications are linked to a significant increase in distracted driving, resulting in injury and loss of life. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2012 driver distraction was the cause of 18 percent of all fatal crashes, with 3,328 people killed, and crashes resulting in an injury, with 421,000 people wounded. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. In most states texting or cellphone use while driving is illegal. In this article we will explore these issues from a halachic perspective.

NAALEH.COM Perpetual Prophets By: Mrs. Shira Smiles


Shira Smiles discusses Eldad and Medad.

NAALEH.COM Parshat Behaalotcha: Aharon's Unique Mission By: Rabbi Hershel Reichman


Rabbi Reichman discusses Aharon and Hashem's interchange, in this week's Parsha, regarding his service in the Mishkan, based on the Shem Mishmuel's understanding of the essence of a Kohen's role among the Jewish People. This Torah class is available online in streaming video and for download in mp3 and ipod video formats.

OU TORAH From Pain to Humility By Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks


David Brooks, in his new best seller, The Road to Character,[1] draws a sharp distinction between what he calls the résumé virtues – the achievements and skills that bring success – and the eulogy virtues, the ones that are spoken of at funerals: the virtues and strengths that make you the kind of person you are when you are not wearing masks or playing roles, the inner person that friends and family recognise as the real you.

CHABAD.ORG Power or Influence? By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks


There is a lovely moment in this week’s Parshah that shows Moses at the height of his generosity as a leader. It comes after one of his deepest moments of despair. The people, as is their wont, have been complaining, this time about the food. They are tired of the manna. They want meat instead. Moses, appalled that they have not yet learned to accept the hardships of freedom, prays to die. “If this is how you are going to treat me,” he says to G‑d, “please go ahead and kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”

RABBI WEIN B’HALOTCHA 5775


Without warning disaster strikes the people of Israel on their journey to the Land of Israel. Moshe boldly proclaimed that “we are traveling now on the way to the land of our destination.” The tribes have been numbered and counted, assigned flags and positions of march and they are accompanied on their journey by the Tabernacle of God placed in their midst. Everything is seemingly poised for their successful entry into the Land of Israel.

‘RABBI WEIN FIFE’ ON FIFA


Last week there were many dramas that took place regarding the international soccer association known as FIFA. Many of its top officials were arrested and more were indicted in the United States for brazenly corrupt practices. They were charged with accepting millions of dollars in bribes in assigning venues for the World Cup and other major soccer sporting events.

YU TORAH Toronto Torah: Behaalotcha 5775


Click here.

RAV KOOK ON Beha'alotecha Part 2: The Unique Prophecy of Moses


“Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses regarding the dark-skinned woman he had married.” (Num. 12:1) What was their complaint against Moses? The rabbinic commentaries explain that they were upset that Moses had separated from his wife Tzipporah, the dark-skinned daughter of Jethro. Miriam and Aaron were able to receive prophecy without resorting to celibacy. Why did Moses feel he needed to separate from his wife? The separation was in fact Moses’ idea; God had not commanded him to do this. The Talmud explains that Moses decided it was necessary after witnessing God’s revelation to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. Moses reasoned: “The Shechinah spoke with all of Israel only on one occasion and at a predetermined hour. Nevertheless, the Torah cautioned [the Israelites at Sinai], “Do not go near a woman.” Certainly I, with whom the Shechinah speaks at all times and with no set hour, must do the same.” (Shabbat 87a) The Sages noted that Moses’ reasoning was sound and God approved of his decision. Their proof: after the revelation at Sinai, God told the people, “Return to your tents” [i.e., return to your families]. But to Moses He said: “You, however, shall stay here with Me” (Deut. 5:27-28). Why was this separation something that Moses needed to work out for himself? And why was Moses the only prophet obligated to separate from his wife?