OU TORAH Covenant & Conversation By Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Covenant & Conversation Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks In two sentences in this week’s sedra, the Torah summarises the entire relationship between God and the people of Israel: You have affirmed [he-emarta] this day that the Lord is your, God, that you will walk in His ways, that you will observe His laws and commandments and rules, and that you will obey Him. And the Lord has affirmed [he-emirkha] this day that you are, as He promised you, His treasured people who shall observe all His commandments. (Deut. 26:17-18) Here, set out with disarming simplicity, is the dual relationship, the reciprocity, at the heart of the covenant. It is an idea made famous in the form of two jingles.

RAV KOOK ON Ki Tavo Part 3: Studying Together

Moses commanded the people: “Pay attention and listen!” (Deut. 27:9) The word has-keit — “pay attention” — is unusual. The Talmud gives the following homiletic interpretation: “Form groups (asu kittot) and study Torah; for Torah knowledge is only acquired through group study.” (Berachot 63b) Intolerance, Ignorance, and Iniquity Rabbi Yossi went even further. He warned that scholars who study alone are liable to acquire three negative traits: intolerance, ignorance, and sin. What is so terrible about studying by oneself? This question may be addressed both on a practical level, and in terms of the essential nature of Torah study. There are three practical benefits when scholars study together. The first advantage is that they become accustomed to hearing opinions different than their own. This trains them for greater openness and tolerance. Scholars who study by themselves are not exposed to their colleagues’ views and ideas. They grow to be intolerant of any opinion that differs from their own interpretation. This intolerance is a major factor in disputes, and can lead to verbal and even physical violence. Secondly, scholars who study alone or in small groups will not succeed in properly analyzing matters of faith and fundamental Torah views. In terms of these basic subjects, such reclusive scholars remain ignorant and misinformed. And finally, a lack of clarity in legal issues will cause those who study by themselves to err in Halachic decisions. As teachers and leaders, these scholars are judged according to their negative impact on the people. Furthermore, their solitude may lead to unnecessary stringencies, which are referred to as ’sinful,’ as in the case of the Nazarite.

RAV KOOk ON Ki Tavo Part 2: The Farmer's Declaration

Tax reporting in the Torah? In a way, yes.... Twice every seven years, in the fourth and seventh years of the Sabbatical cycle, the Jewish farmer must testify that he correctly distributed tithes from his crops. He makes the following declaration, preferably in the Temple itself: “I have removed all the sacred portions from my house. I have given the appropriate ones to the Levite and to the orphan and widow…. I have not violated Your commandments, and have forgotten nothing.” (Deut. 26:13) What exactly is this declaration? The Mishnah explains as follows: “I have not violated Your commandments” — I have been punctilious in all the laws of ma’aserot, such as tithing each type of produce separately. “And have forgotten nothing” — this does not refer to forgetting the mitzvah, but its spiritual context: I did not forget to bless You and mention Your Name when tithing (Ma’aser Sheini 5:11). What is special about tithing, that only this mitzvah requires such a declaration? Why must we testify that we were punctilious in all its minutiae, and remembered to praise God when distributing ma’aser to the Levite and the poor?

RAV KOOK ON Ki Tavo Part 1: Be Happy!

The Torah portion opens and closes with the same theme: simchah, joy. It begins with the mitzvah of offering bikkurim (first-fruits) in the Temple, an exercise in appreciating what God has given us, as it says, “You shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has granted you and your family” (Deut. 26:11). Afterwards, the Torah describes the terrible trials that will befall the Jewish people if they are unfaithful to the Torah’s teachings. This section concludes with the root cause for these punishments: “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy (simchah) and contentment (tuv leivav).” (Deut. 28:47) Not only does God expect us to keep the mitzvot, but we are to perform them with joy and contentment. What is the difference between these two emotions?

Aneinu Please Daven Surgery Thursday

Please daven for Shmuel Meer, a 15 year old boy from our community who will be having a serious spinal  fusion surgery this Thursday.His name for tehillim is Shmuel Ben Hadassah. Please have in mind that both the surgery and the lengthy recuperation  period should go smoothly.Thank you

Collive.com Baby Needs Urgent Tehillim

A one year old baby, son of shluchim, is having open heart surgery Monday morning. Please say tehillim for Nesanel Ben Chaya Rochel - Perek 20.

Aneinu Please Daven

Please daven for Aneinu member Elisheva Yael bas Allana Gavriella who is in the hospital.