Hi,
"And all of the wise people who were performing the sacred tasks, each one from his own work, came to Moshe and told him: The nation is bringing a lot more than is needed for the work of each task Gd has instructed us to perform!
"And Moshe instructed, and a message was passed through the camp, saying: Each man and woman should not do more for the task of donating sacred property! And the nation stopped bringing.
(Exodus 36:4-6)
Perhaps, one day, our tzedakah funds and Federation campaigns will be in the same position - but based on Deuteronomy 15:11, not necessarily...
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Torah is not truly an inheritance
Hi,
"Why don't we find that the children of Talmidei Chachamim become Talmidei Chachamim?
"Rav Yosef said: So that people won't say that Torah is an inherited property."
(Talmud, Nedarim 81a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Why don't we find that the children of Talmidei Chachamim become Talmidei Chachamim?
"Rav Yosef said: So that people won't say that Torah is an inherited property."
(Talmud, Nedarim 81a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Which came first - the heavens or the earth?
Hi,
A debate which may be about priority rather than timing:
"Beit Shammai said: The heavens were created first, and then the earth, for it is written (Genesis 1:1), 'In the beginning of Gd's creation of Heaven and Earth...'
"Beit Hillel said: The earth was created first, and then the heavens, for it is written (Genesis 2:4), 'On the day Gd made Earth and Heaven.'"
(Talmud, Chagigah 12a)
[Note: The debate continues on that page; it does not simply stop at this point.]
Have a great day,
Mordechai
A debate which may be about priority rather than timing:
"Beit Shammai said: The heavens were created first, and then the earth, for it is written (Genesis 1:1), 'In the beginning of Gd's creation of Heaven and Earth...'
"Beit Hillel said: The earth was created first, and then the heavens, for it is written (Genesis 2:4), 'On the day Gd made Earth and Heaven.'"
(Talmud, Chagigah 12a)
[Note: The debate continues on that page; it does not simply stop at this point.]
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Silence is worthwhile
Hi,
"If a word is worth one coin, silence is worth two."
(Talmud, Megilah 18a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"If a word is worth one coin, silence is worth two."
(Talmud, Megilah 18a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Honesty and Torah Scholarship
Hi,
"If a Torah scholar is not the same inside and out, he is not a Torah scholar."
(Talmud, Yoma 72b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"If a Torah scholar is not the same inside and out, he is not a Torah scholar."
(Talmud, Yoma 72b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Daily Torah Thought - 2/22
Hi,
"There are three creatures of particular chutzpah - the dog among the animals, the rooster among the birds, and the Jew among the nations.
"Rabbi Yitzchak bar Redifa said, citing Rabbi Ami: You may think this is derogatory, but it is actually praise for them - we will either live as Jews, or be killed."
(Midrash, Shmot Rabbah 42:9)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"There are three creatures of particular chutzpah - the dog among the animals, the rooster among the birds, and the Jew among the nations.
"Rabbi Yitzchak bar Redifa said, citing Rabbi Ami: You may think this is derogatory, but it is actually praise for them - we will either live as Jews, or be killed."
(Midrash, Shmot Rabbah 42:9)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Power of Happiness
Hi,
In honor of Purim Katan and Shushan Purim Katan:
"A person of good [happy] heart is at a perpetual feast."
(Proverbs 15:15)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
In honor of Purim Katan and Shushan Purim Katan:
"A person of good [happy] heart is at a perpetual feast."
(Proverbs 15:15)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Daily Torah Thought - 2/20
Hi,
"Gd helps a person walk upon the path he chooses to walk."
(Talmud, Makkot 10b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Gd helps a person walk upon the path he chooses to walk."
(Talmud, Makkot 10b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 18, 2008
Benefiting from one's Torah accomplishments
Hi,
"One who makes use of the crown of Torah for personal gain will, in the end, be uprooted from this world. [Babylonian king] Belshazzar made use of holy vessels which had been de-sanctified and he was uprooted from the world, how much more so for one who uses the crown of Torah, which is eternal!"
(Talmud, Nedarim 62a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"One who makes use of the crown of Torah for personal gain will, in the end, be uprooted from this world. [Babylonian king] Belshazzar made use of holy vessels which had been de-sanctified and he was uprooted from the world, how much more so for one who uses the crown of Torah, which is eternal!"
(Talmud, Nedarim 62a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Gideon's too-large army
Hi,
At Gd's instructions, Gideon has gathered an army to lead a Jewish revolt against Midian. However, Gideon's efforts are too successful, and so:
"Gd said to Gideon: Your army is too big for me to give Midian into their hands, lest the Jews glorify themselves over Me, saying, 'My own hand saved me.'"
(Judges 7:2)
Read the rest of the chapter to find out how Gideon pared down his forces; the JPS translation is available here.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
At Gd's instructions, Gideon has gathered an army to lead a Jewish revolt against Midian. However, Gideon's efforts are too successful, and so:
"Gd said to Gideon: Your army is too big for me to give Midian into their hands, lest the Jews glorify themselves over Me, saying, 'My own hand saved me.'"
(Judges 7:2)
Read the rest of the chapter to find out how Gideon pared down his forces; the JPS translation is available here.
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The right Chazan
Hi,
On the importance of a proper Chazan:
"It is written (Jeremiah 12), 'She has put upon me with her voice; therefore I have hated her.' To whom does this refer?
"Mar Zutra bar Tuviah said, citing Rav - and some said it was Rabbi Chama citing Rabbi Elazar - this is an unworthy Chazan who goes to lead."
(Talmud, Taanit 16b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
On the importance of a proper Chazan:
"It is written (Jeremiah 12), 'She has put upon me with her voice; therefore I have hated her.' To whom does this refer?
"Mar Zutra bar Tuviah said, citing Rav - and some said it was Rabbi Chama citing Rabbi Elazar - this is an unworthy Chazan who goes to lead."
(Talmud, Taanit 16b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Daily Torah Thought - 2/15
Hi,
Please note that I have stopped cross-posting the "Weekly Torah Portion Outline" on the Daily Torah Thought list. If you wish to see it, go here. You can also sign up there for weekly delivery.
Simple advice on Jewish education:
"It is written, 'Educate each child according to his path, and even when he ages he will not stray therefrom. (Proverbs 22:6)'
"If you see that a child succeeds in Tanach and not Talmud, don't rush him, to teach him Talmud. And if he understands Talmud, don't press him, to teach him Tanach. Train him in that which he can comprehend.
"It is also written (Avot 5:21), 'At the age of 15, he should learn Talmud.' What is the application of this lesson? That if one sees that his [15 year old] son does not merit success in Talmud, he should teach him the great laws, midrash and Tanach."
(Rabbi Yehudah haChasid, Sefer Chasidim 308)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Please note that I have stopped cross-posting the "Weekly Torah Portion Outline" on the Daily Torah Thought list. If you wish to see it, go here. You can also sign up there for weekly delivery.
Simple advice on Jewish education:
"It is written, 'Educate each child according to his path, and even when he ages he will not stray therefrom. (Proverbs 22:6)'
"If you see that a child succeeds in Tanach and not Talmud, don't rush him, to teach him Talmud. And if he understands Talmud, don't press him, to teach him Tanach. Train him in that which he can comprehend.
"It is also written (Avot 5:21), 'At the age of 15, he should learn Talmud.' What is the application of this lesson? That if one sees that his [15 year old] son does not merit success in Talmud, he should teach him the great laws, midrash and Tanach."
(Rabbi Yehudah haChasid, Sefer Chasidim 308)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Daily Torah Thought - 2/14
Hi,
"All is envisioned by Gd beforehand; even the evil which Gd does not want to take place is foreseen...and Gd gives permission for that to occur, too."
(Maharal on Pirkei Avot 3:15)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"All is envisioned by Gd beforehand; even the evil which Gd does not want to take place is foreseen...and Gd gives permission for that to occur, too."
(Maharal on Pirkei Avot 3:15)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The advantage of ugliness, for a scholar
Hi,
"The daughter of the Caesar told Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiah: The splendid Torah is in ugly jugs!
"He replied: Learn from your father's household; in what do they place wine?
"She said: In clay jugs.
"He asked: Everyone uses clay jugs, and you use clay jugs? You should put it in silver and gold jugs!
"She went and put the wine in silver and gold jugs, and the wine went bad. He said to her: Torah is this way, too.
"She asked: But aren't there sages who are attractive and learned?
"He replied: If they were ugly, they would be more learned."
(Talmud, Nedarim 50b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"The daughter of the Caesar told Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiah: The splendid Torah is in ugly jugs!
"He replied: Learn from your father's household; in what do they place wine?
"She said: In clay jugs.
"He asked: Everyone uses clay jugs, and you use clay jugs? You should put it in silver and gold jugs!
"She went and put the wine in silver and gold jugs, and the wine went bad. He said to her: Torah is this way, too.
"She asked: But aren't there sages who are attractive and learned?
"He replied: If they were ugly, they would be more learned."
(Talmud, Nedarim 50b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 11, 2008
Daily Torah Thought - 2/12
Hi,
"It is appropriate for a person to have fine clothes which are set aside for prayer, like the clothing of the Kohanim. Not everyone can spend money on this, but it is good, at least, to have a pair of pants which are designated for prayer in that they are kept clean."
(Tur, Orach Chaim 98)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"It is appropriate for a person to have fine clothes which are set aside for prayer, like the clothing of the Kohanim. Not everyone can spend money on this, but it is good, at least, to have a pair of pants which are designated for prayer in that they are kept clean."
(Tur, Orach Chaim 98)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Daily Torah Thought - 2/11
Hi,
"There is a religious demand to develop those virtuous dispositions that would motivate us to act benevolently, independent of divine commands... At the same time, we do not want our independent spiritual yearnings to cause us to lose the sense of being beholden to divine command."
(Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, Purity of motivation and Desiring the world to come, Torah UMadda Journal Vol. 14 pg. 154)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"There is a religious demand to develop those virtuous dispositions that would motivate us to act benevolently, independent of divine commands... At the same time, we do not want our independent spiritual yearnings to cause us to lose the sense of being beholden to divine command."
(Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, Purity of motivation and Desiring the world to come, Torah UMadda Journal Vol. 14 pg. 154)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The message of a miracle
Hi,
On the purpose of a miracle:
"Miraculous grace places upon man an absolute responsibility to fulfill the larger imperative that calls out from the miracle. A transcendental imperative always accompanies miraculous activity, 'Command the children of Israel (e.g. Numbers 5:2, 28:1, 34:2, 35:2).'
"Woe unto the beneficiary of a miracle who does not recognize it for what it is, and whose ear is deaf to the echo of the imperative that arises out of this metahistorical event."
(Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Kol Dodi Dofek (Gordon translation), pg. 23-24)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
On the purpose of a miracle:
"Miraculous grace places upon man an absolute responsibility to fulfill the larger imperative that calls out from the miracle. A transcendental imperative always accompanies miraculous activity, 'Command the children of Israel (e.g. Numbers 5:2, 28:1, 34:2, 35:2).'
"Woe unto the beneficiary of a miracle who does not recognize it for what it is, and whose ear is deaf to the echo of the imperative that arises out of this metahistorical event."
(Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Kol Dodi Dofek (Gordon translation), pg. 23-24)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Daily Torah Thought - 2/8
Hi,
Here, in discussing gratitude, Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch speaks on a macro level, regarding nations. Nonetheless, he provides an important lesson/reminder regarding gratitude on a personal level: Although I may at times experience abuse from others, it is important for me to be grateful for the good they have done.
"Learn to forget the centuries of oppression and misery, of the inhuman scorn and the inhuman degradation which folly and lack of understanding brought upon you in your wandering in the Galut [exile], and remember gratefully the good that you found everywhere - and still find.
"And when you, yourself, find merely an abode, are allowed only a pitiful existence, even for that be thankful, show gentleness and love to every citizen of those states that have welcomed you and have given you their protection; let him learn from you the love that he has denied you."
(R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Horeb, paragraph 587)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Here, in discussing gratitude, Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch speaks on a macro level, regarding nations. Nonetheless, he provides an important lesson/reminder regarding gratitude on a personal level: Although I may at times experience abuse from others, it is important for me to be grateful for the good they have done.
"Learn to forget the centuries of oppression and misery, of the inhuman scorn and the inhuman degradation which folly and lack of understanding brought upon you in your wandering in the Galut [exile], and remember gratefully the good that you found everywhere - and still find.
"And when you, yourself, find merely an abode, are allowed only a pitiful existence, even for that be thankful, show gentleness and love to every citizen of those states that have welcomed you and have given you their protection; let him learn from you the love that he has denied you."
(R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Horeb, paragraph 587)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The nature of Gd
Hi,
On the nature of Gd:
"Gd is termed 'chei haolamim חי העולמים', the life of two worlds, [such as in our liturgy], because He connects two realms."
(Vilna Gaon, Aderet Eliyahu to Devarim 32:40)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
On the nature of Gd:
"Gd is termed 'chei haolamim חי העולמים', the life of two worlds, [such as in our liturgy], because He connects two realms."
(Vilna Gaon, Aderet Eliyahu to Devarim 32:40)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 4, 2008
Praying for ourselves and for others
Hi,
"Among the benefits of a community is this: A community does not pray for the harm of an individual, but an individual might pray for that which will harm other individuals.
"It is even possible that there may be, among the individuals [who make up the community], some who will pray for that which harms themselves [because they are praying for the community]."
(Kuzari 3:19)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Among the benefits of a community is this: A community does not pray for the harm of an individual, but an individual might pray for that which will harm other individuals.
"It is even possible that there may be, among the individuals [who make up the community], some who will pray for that which harms themselves [because they are praying for the community]."
(Kuzari 3:19)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Tefillin and the Name of Gd
Hi,
"It is written (Deuteronomy 28), 'And all of the nations of the land will see that the Name of Gd is called upon you.'
"Rabbi Eliezer haGadol said: This refers to the tefillin worn on one's head."
(Talmud, Menachot 35b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"It is written (Deuteronomy 28), 'And all of the nations of the land will see that the Name of Gd is called upon you.'
"Rabbi Eliezer haGadol said: This refers to the tefillin worn on one's head."
(Talmud, Menachot 35b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Daily Torah Thought - 2/3
Hi,
"You may, again, recognize the world as the temple of Gd's omnipotence, without, however, feeling that every spot on which you tread in this temple is hallowed to Gd. You may recognize in the multitude of created beings a great concourse of the servants of Gd, without, however, regarding and feeling yourself as also a creature and a servant of Gd. You may have recognized the lofty vocation of Israel as Gd's instrument in history for the education of the human race, without feeling yourself to be in every fibre a son or daughter of Israel. So long as this is so, your knowledge is barren. The flower of actual life does not spring from it.
"It is for this reason that Israel's life-history opens with the words, 'I, the Lord, Who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, I am the Lord thy Gd.'"
(R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Horeb, paragraphs 2-3)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"You may, again, recognize the world as the temple of Gd's omnipotence, without, however, feeling that every spot on which you tread in this temple is hallowed to Gd. You may recognize in the multitude of created beings a great concourse of the servants of Gd, without, however, regarding and feeling yourself as also a creature and a servant of Gd. You may have recognized the lofty vocation of Israel as Gd's instrument in history for the education of the human race, without feeling yourself to be in every fibre a son or daughter of Israel. So long as this is so, your knowledge is barren. The flower of actual life does not spring from it.
"It is for this reason that Israel's life-history opens with the words, 'I, the Lord, Who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, I am the Lord thy Gd.'"
(R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Horeb, paragraphs 2-3)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
