Pesach night: A night of protection from harm

Hi,

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Introduction: As part of normal Friday night services, we recite a post-Amidah prayer called מעין שבע or מגן אבות. However, if the Seder night is Friday night then we do not recite this prayer.

"One reason we do not recite מעין שבע if Pesach is Shabbat, is because that prayer was enacted for protection from harmful forces (מזיקין), and Pesach night is ליל שמורים, a night of special Divine protection."

(Taamei haMinhagim 501, from Tur Orach Chaim 487)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Is it Pesach or is it the Festival of Matzah?

Hi,

"Pesach is identified in the Torah as Chag haMatzot [the festival of matzah], but we call it Pesach [Gd passed over the Jewish homes and did not harm them].

"The reason for this is the biblical verse, 'I am for my beloved, and my beloved is for me.' We speak of the praise of Gd, and Gd speaks of the praise of the Jewish people."

(Taamei haMinhagim 498, from Kedushat Levi to Parshat Bo)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Using wheat for matzah

Hi,

"Another reason why we use wheat, specifically, for matzah, is that the Talmud (Berachot 61) compares the inclination for sin to a wheat kernel. We grind up that wheat in a mill, like one who is humbling his inclination for sin."

(Taamei haMinhagim 493)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Sensitivity to the deceased

Hi,

"Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi taught: In front of a corpse, one may only speak of the affairs of the deceased."

(Talmud, Berachot 3b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Worshipping Gd through our actions

Hi,

On the Torah's prohibition against worshipping Gd at a single-stone "matzeivah" monument, as opposed to a multi-stone "mizbeiach" altar:

"The matzeivah, a stone taken from Gd’s creation, represents a memorial to that which Gd has done for us in Nature and History, whereas mizbeiach, a structure built up out of several stones by human hands is meant to represent the devotion of human activity to Gd…

"With the presentation of the Torah, the matzeivah concept is not only included in and absorbed by the mizbeiach, but matzeivah becomes actually sinful. Merely worshipping Gd in His Greatness and Allmight is not only a form of homage which is not pleasing to Gd, but, as our text expresses it, henceforth Gd “hates” any worship of His Greatness and Allmight which does not seek to express the moral submission of the whole of the human being to His Law, His Torah."

(R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Commentary to Devarim 16:22, Grunfeld translation)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

From Prayer to Study, from strength to strength

Hi,

"One who leaves the synagogue and goes directly to the study hall will merit to receive Gd's Shechinah [presence], as it is written, 'They will go from strength to strength, they will be seen before Gd in Zion.'"

(Talmud, Berachot 64a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

On eating before prayer

Hi,

"Rav Pappa decreed a fast [to pray for rain], and rain did not arrive. He felt weak, so he swallowed a spoonful of cereal, and then prayed. Rain still did not come.

"Rav Nachman bar Ushpazti advised [sarcastically], 'Perhaps if the master would swallow another spoonful of cereal, rain would come!'

"Rav Pappa was embarrassed and became upset - and then rain came."

(Talmud, Taanit 24b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The badecken blessing

Hi,

"One reason why we bless the bride and groom before the chuppah is because Gd blessed Adam and Chavah, as it is written, 'And Gd blessed them.'"

(Taamei haMinhagim 956, citing Tanya 91)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Mourning a Death, Mourning a Torah

Hi,

"One who is present when a Jew dies is obligated to tear his clothing. It is like seeing a Torah scroll burned; the soul of each Jew is like a Torah; their sanctities are identical."

(Talmud, Moed Katan 25a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Asceticism and Fasting

Hi,

"Rabbi Yosi said: An individual is not permitted to cause himself to suffer through extra fasting, lest he need the aid of others who will not help him.

"Rav Yehudah cited Rav, saying: What is Rabbi Yosi's reason? It is written, 'And man became a living spirit' - Keep this soul, which I have invested in you, alive."

(Talmud, Taanit 22b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Praying with song

Hi,

"Rav Yehudah said, citing Shmuel: What is the essential source for music’s role in the avodah [the service in the Jerusalem Temple]?

"It is written, ‘And the priest will serve in the Name of HaShem, his Gd.’ Which type of service invokes Gd's Name? I’d say: Singing.

"Rav Matnah taught: It is written, ‘[You will be punished] because you did not serve HaShem your Gd with joy and with a good heart.’ What service is performed with joy and with a good heart? I would say: Singing."

(Talmud, Arachin 11a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A lesson of our berachot (blessings)

Hi,


"When we recite berachot (blessings), we begin, 'Baruch Atah,' 'Blessed are You.'

"Every Jew turns to Gd, whenever he wants, with the direct address of 'You!' Everyone merits this close relationship."

(Chafetz Chaim, recorded in 'Chayyav UPo'alav')

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Finding wealth in one's studies

Hi,

"There are many types of wealth [in Torah study]:
One who is learned in stories is rich in visible goods, like vineyards.
One who is learned in Talmudic minutiae is rich in private wealth, like coins.
One who is learned in a range of Talmudic statements is rich in stored, measured quantities like grain.
All require the student of Gemara, though, who can resolve contradictions and debates."

(Talmud, Bava Batra 145b, as explained by the commentator Rashbam)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tzedakah as Justice

Hi,

"The word tzedakah (צדקה) is from the word tzedek (צדק), which is justice, meaning for each one to receive his proper portion, and to give to all who exist that which is appropriate for them."

(Rambam, Moreh haNevuchim [Guide of the Perplexed] 3:53)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A Talmudic Quote on Asceticism

Hi,

Preface: A Nazirite vows to abstain from wine, among other things.

"Rabbi Elazar haKappar, son of Rebbe, said: The Torah says, 'A Nazirite must atone for his sin against the soul.' But against what soul did he sin? He pained himself by abstaining from wine.

"We see that a person who abstains from wine is called a 'sinner.' How much more so a person who pains himself by abstaining from anything else! We see that a person who fasts voluntarily is called a sinner."

(Talmud, Nedarim 10a)

Note: This should not be taken as a statement against people who feel a need to abstain from alcohol because of potential addiction. Rather, it is against unnecessary asceticism.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Divine aid for the Sages?

Hi,

"Although the visionary prophecy of prophets has been taken away, the prophecy of sages, which is in the manner of wisdom, has not been taken away. They know the truth with the Divine inspiration which is inside them."

(Ramban to Bava Batra 12b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Good people suffer first?

Hi,

An interesting observation regarding Divine punishment:

"Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmeni said, citing Rabbi Yonatan: Punishment comes to the world only when there are wicked people around, but it begins with the righteous.

"Thus the Torah says, 'When fire escapes and finds thorns, and grain is consumed..." Fire escapes when it can find thorns [ie wicked people], but it starts from the grain [ie righteous people]."

(Talmud, Bava Kama 60a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Finding reasons for mitzvot

Hi,

Here's another challenging statement from R' Moshe Sofer, aka Chatam Sofer:

"The deviant members of our people attempt to give a reason for every commandment in the Torah. On account of this the Torah will fade away, for they will say that once the reason is invalidated, so, too, is the commandment."

(Derashot Chatam Sofer 1:19a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Originality in Judaism

Hi,

This is a powerful statement, particularly given its source:

"All of the halachah which is contained in the Shulchan Aruch is that which was given equally to all Israel, with no one excluded. Yet he who possesses only Torah does not really even possess Torah, for then his performance becomes merely habit and custom passed on from generation to generation.

"Therefore, he who would achieve piety before his Creator will be recognized by his deeds – by those practices which he originates for the sake of heaven, and by all that his heart desires. In this no two individuals are alike, because no two men love Gd in the same way."

(Responsum of Chatam Sofer 1: Orach Chaim 197)

Shushan Purim Sameach,
Mordechai

Are we all friends on Purim?

Hi,

"One reason why we do not recite a blessing upon Mishloach Manot on Purim is because the essential mitzvah is, as recorded in the megilah, 'To send portions, ish l're'ehu,' which means 'each to his friend,' increasing peace. Who can examine hearts, to know if this person truly loves him?

"Therefore no blessings was enacted for this mitzvah, lest it be a blessing in vain."

(Taamei haMinhagim 897 from Orchot Chaim)

Chag Purim Sameach,
Mordechai

Gd's Name in Megilat Esther

Hi,

"One reason why the Name of Gd does not appear in the Megilah is that the Megilah was given to the Persian and Median scribes for recording."

(Taamei haMinhagim 879, citing the Mordechai)

Maharil explains: The concern was that Persian/Median scribes would think of their own gods when recording Gd's Name.

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Esther's instructions to the Jews

Hi,

"A reason why Esther instructed the Jews to fast for three days was this: Gd will not leave the righteous in trouble for more than three days.

"We find with Rachav [in her instructions to the Jewish scouts she sheltered], 'You will hide in the mountains for three days.'

"We find with Yonah, 'And Yonah was in the innards of the fish for three days.'

"And so regarding the future redemption it is written, 'He will renew our life after two days.'"

(Taamei haMinhagim 868, from Kad haKemach of Rabbeinu Bechayye)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Purim Costumes

Hi,

"We change into unusual clothing during the Purim Seudah [feast] and Purim celebration; this is not an empty practice.

"A reason is that this is a reminder of the sages' statement that the Jews of that time acted improperly only superficially (when they bowed to idols in the days of Babylonian king Nevuchadnezzar), and so HaShem acted improperly only superficially. Therefore, when we celebrate we wear unusual clothing, so that one cannot recognize the appearance of another."

(Taamei haMinhagim 893, from Bnei Yissaschar)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Torah is ours

Hi,

The Torah is ours, given to us to study and to apply. Therefore, rulings of Jewish law are determined through an established process of study and adjudication, and cannot be imposed by special intuition or even prophetic revelation:

"Permissive and prohibitive rulings are not for Elijah the Prophet to issue; as it is written (Devarim 30:12), 'The Torah is not in Heaven.'"

(Rashi to Shabbat 108a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Happy birthday, Moshe

Hi,

In tribute to our greatest leader, Moshe Rabbeinu, whose birthday and Yahrtzeit are both marked today (Tuesday), the 7th of Adar:

"And it was in those days, Moshe grew up and went out to his brethren. He saw their suffering. He saw an Egyptian man beating a Jewish man, from his brethren. He looked here and there and saw no man, and he struck the Egyptian, and buried him in the sand."
(Sh'mot 2:11-12)

"And Moshe returned to Gd and said, 'Please, this nation has sinned a great sin, and made golden idols for themselves. Now, if You will bear their sin - but if not then wipe me out of Your book, that You have written."
"And Gd said: My presence will depart, and I will lead from in front of you. And Moshe responded: If Your presence does not accompany us, do not take us up from here!"
(Sh'mot 32:31-32, 33:14-15)

"Moshe, My servant, is not like others. He is the most loyal member of My house. I speak with him from mouth to mouth, with a direct vision and without riddles; he gazes at Gd's picture. Why were you not afraid to speak against My servant, Moshe?"
(Bamidbar 12:7-8)

"And I pleaded with Gd at that time, saying, 'Master, Gd, You began to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand; what powerful entity in Heaven or Earth could perform acts like Your acts and Your might? Please, let me cross over and see the good land on the other side of the Jordan, the good mountain and the Levanon!'
But Gd was angry at me for your sake, and He did not listen to me."
(D'varim 3:23-25)

"And Moshe was 120 years old; his eye had not dimmed, and his vitality had not fled...No prophet ever again arose in Israel like Moshe, who knew Gd face to face. For all of the signs and miracles which Gd sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, for Pharaoh and all of his servants and all of his land. And for all of the mighty hand, and all of the great awe-inspiring acts, which Moshe performed before the eyes of all of Israel."
(D'varim 34:10-12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Sh'virat haMidot [breaking one's engrained traits]

Hi,

"If you will bend your will to treat your enemy as a friend, I [Gd] pledge that I will transform your enemy into your friend."

(Midrash, Mechilta of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai 23:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Forgiveness

Hi,

"How do we know that one who is to forgive may not be cruel? It is written (Bereishit 20), ‘And Avraham prayed to Gd, and Gd healed Avimelech…’"

[The cited passage from Bereishit follows the incident in which Avimelech kidnapped Sarah, Avraham's wife. Granted that Avimelech was unaware that Sarah was Avraham's wife, Avraham might still have been angry and less-than-willing to pray for Gd to heal Avimelech.]

(Mishnah, Bava Kama 8:7)

Have a great day,
Mordechai