RAV KOOK ON Ki Tisa Part 2: Moses' Extraordinary Prayer

Perhaps the lowest point in the history of the Jewish people occurred shortly after the Torah’s revelation at Mount Sinai. Without Moses’ leadership and guidance, the people turned to idolatry, worshipping a golden calf. Divine justice demanded that this terrible betrayal be punished severely, but Moses “pleaded before God” on their behalf (Ex. 32:11). The word for ‘pleaded’ — 'va-yechal' — is not the usual expression for prayer. The Sages offered several explanations why the Torah used this particular word to describe Moses’ prayer. Rabbi Elazar noted that 'va-yechal' shares the same root as choleh (’sick'). Moses prayed for the sake of Israel so intensely that he became ill from the effort. According to Rabbi Eliezer the Great, the word 'va-yechal' even indicates the specific illness that afflicted Moses. Moses suffered from achilu, a fever in the bones. Why should Moses’ efforts for the sake of the Jewish people make him ill? What is the significance of a fever in his bones?

RAV KOOK on Ki Tissa Part 1: A Lesson in Leadership

Moses was on top of Mount Sinai, experiencing divine revelation on a level beyond the grasp of ordinary prophets. At the foot of the mountain, however, the people began to worry. Not knowing why Moses was taking so long, not understanding how he could live without food and water for forty days, they felt abandoned and leaderless. They demanded that Aaron make them a golden calf, and they worshipped it. God’s response was immediate — He banished Moses from Mount Sinai. “Leave! Go down! The people whom you brought out of Egypt have become corrupt.” (Ex. 32:7) It seems unfair. The people sin, and Moses is kicked off the mountain?

Halacha Yomis - Insect identification OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)

Q. If an insect is not identifiable without magnification, but is definitely noticeable to the naked eye as “something”, is it forbidden? A. The OU follows the opinion of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l (Halichos Shlomo Moadim (Pesach), p. 176) and Rav Shmuel HaLevi Wosner zt”l (Shevet HaLevi 7:122) that if the only way to identify the dot as an insect is through magnification, it would be permitted. However, it should be noted that often one who is familiar with insects can identify the “thing” as an insect through subtle shapes and forms, even though a layman might not know to do so. For example, the one who is familiar with insects might spot a wing-part, or the armor like structure of the abdomen. In such instances, the insect is considered to be visible and is prohibited. In addition, if the insect is alive and its movement can be detected, the insect is considered visible to the naked eye and is prohibited.

B’inyan HaNoitel Kedeiras Chaveiro Mei’al Gabei H’aish B’ Shabbos B’ein Daaito lachzor, V’oid inyanei Shabbos By Rabbi Yaakov Moishe Shurkin

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Shlock Rock Concert! Sunday, March 6, 2016 • 26 Adar I 5776 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Shlock Rock is coming to Skokie Valley! Family concert. 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Pizza/refreshments available for purchase.

[Aneinu] Please Daven

From an Aneinu member: My friend's husband (in Israel) is going through a very difficult illness that came on pretty suddenly. He's been diagnosed with an autoimmune skin disease that has him in Hadassah Ein Kerem for a month and he is unable to return to his work as a professional gardener, so they are left with no parnassa. His name is Michael David ben Miriam Esther Thank you for your tefillos and may we hear b'sorot tovot.

Halacha Yomis - Checking Vegetables OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)

Q. Is someone required to check vegetables for insects with a magnifying glass? A. The OU maintains that there is no obligation to check vegetables for insects with external visual aids, but they may be used if it will make the checking easier. Rav Shlomo Kluger in Tuv Taam V’Daas (Kuntres Acharon) and Aruch HaShulchan (Yoreh Deah 84:36) write that there is no requirement to use magnification to identify insects. The basic rationale not to require magnification is “lo nitna Torah le’malachei hashares” (The Torah was not given to angels). The consensus of contemporary poskim including, Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l (Igros Moshe, Yoreah Deah II: 146), Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l (Halichos Shlomo, Moadim (Pesach) p. 176) and Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, (Yechaveh Daas 6:47) is to follow this lenient approach.