Hi,
[Continued from yesterday's post]
Regarding shatnez, the Maharil argued that costumes are not truly “worn.” Just as the gemara (Yevamot 4b) notes that merchants who sell Shatnez goods may drape them on their own bodies for display and we do not consider this an act of “wearing clothing,” so the Maharil considered dressing up in costume as an act of display rather than an act of donning clothing.
Regarding the prohibition against cross-dressing, the Rambam ruled that intent is irrelevant; the phenomenon of cross-dressing is, in itself, an act associated with idolatrous rites. However, other authorities viewed it as an issue of leading to sexual license, and so they argued that it depends on intent, and so Maharil, Rav Yehuda Mintz and other early authorities permitted the cross-dressing costume, so long as it was limited to the special occasion of Purim.
And so we are heirs to a centuries-old tradition of dressing up on Purim, mirroring the events of Purim, inducing joy and marking our transition. We might also mark two other Purim practices described by Rav Klonymus ben Klonymus: “They send portions to each other from the seven species, but gifts to the poor are minimized, like the rest of the year.”
Sending mishloach manot which include the seven species for which Israel is known is an excellent way to connect Purim to our national return from Persia to Israel, which was advanced by the miracles of the day and which we have merited to witness in our own time.
As far as the observation that people stinted on matanot la’evyonim in centuries past, may we merit to see ונהפוך הוא, a Purimesque reversal, such that we will follow the Mishneh Berurah’s advice (694:3) and make sure that our primary Purim expenditure is not on costumes, or even on the feasting and mishloach manot of the day, but on ensuring that we provide for the needy.
Have a wonderful Purim,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Purim: Dressing for Success, or for Trouble? Part I
Hi,
[From an article I published in Toronto Torah for Parshat Terumah this year.]
Today, Purim costumes are largely the province of children and shul rabbis, but historically Jews of all ages costumed themselves for Purim. Notwithstanding the Mishneh Berurah’s recommendation (695:3) to wear Shabbat clothes on Purim, for at least 750 years adult Jews have also dressed up in costume for Purim.
Rav Klonymus ben Klonymus, living in late 13th and early 14th century France, wrote in his Even Bochan, “And on the fourteenth of Adar, for the sake of honor and beauty, young men are glorified and exalted, acting in a manner of insanity and foolishness… One wears a woman’s dress and a necklace about his throat, one acts like one of the fools, with a drum and a dance and joy…”
Numerous reasons are offered for this practice, including:
• Relating to the events of Purim itself, Megilat Esther revolves around changes of clothing, from the clothes of Achashverosh’s party, to Vashti’s refusal to undress, to Esther’s pageant, to Mordechai’s sackcloth, to Mordechai’s parade, to Haman’s pre-party downfall, to Mordechai’s elevation to royal robes.
• The sefer Eleh haMitzvot suggested that since the gemara states that the Jews sinned “for show” in bowing to idols in the days of Nevuchadnezzar, and HaShem only acted “for show” in endangering us (Megilah 12a), and so we, too, display a façade which does not match who we are underneath.
• Chassidic authors discuss changing clothing in order to induce the joy and laughter that comes with the unexpected and unusual.
• Anthropologists describe liminal festivals, in which individuals or societies mark a rite of passage by erasing their old identities and taking on something new. Jeffrey Rubenstein, in his Purim, Liminality and Communitas, mentions this as a possible explanation for why masks have such appeal on Purim, a day of transitions and reversals, a time when we re-accepted the Torah (Shabbat 88a), a moment when we were transformed from endangered vassals to a celebrated population en route to a new Beit haMikdash.
Despite these various explanations, the practice of dressing up has, historically, raised troubled halachic eyebrows. Two specific questions were raised regarding potential prohibitions against Shatnez and Cross-dressing, but prominent halachic authorities justified the practice.
(To be continued...)
Have a wonderful Purim,
Mordechai
[From an article I published in Toronto Torah for Parshat Terumah this year.]
Today, Purim costumes are largely the province of children and shul rabbis, but historically Jews of all ages costumed themselves for Purim. Notwithstanding the Mishneh Berurah’s recommendation (695:3) to wear Shabbat clothes on Purim, for at least 750 years adult Jews have also dressed up in costume for Purim.
Rav Klonymus ben Klonymus, living in late 13th and early 14th century France, wrote in his Even Bochan, “And on the fourteenth of Adar, for the sake of honor and beauty, young men are glorified and exalted, acting in a manner of insanity and foolishness… One wears a woman’s dress and a necklace about his throat, one acts like one of the fools, with a drum and a dance and joy…”
Numerous reasons are offered for this practice, including:
• Relating to the events of Purim itself, Megilat Esther revolves around changes of clothing, from the clothes of Achashverosh’s party, to Vashti’s refusal to undress, to Esther’s pageant, to Mordechai’s sackcloth, to Mordechai’s parade, to Haman’s pre-party downfall, to Mordechai’s elevation to royal robes.
• The sefer Eleh haMitzvot suggested that since the gemara states that the Jews sinned “for show” in bowing to idols in the days of Nevuchadnezzar, and HaShem only acted “for show” in endangering us (Megilah 12a), and so we, too, display a façade which does not match who we are underneath.
• Chassidic authors discuss changing clothing in order to induce the joy and laughter that comes with the unexpected and unusual.
• Anthropologists describe liminal festivals, in which individuals or societies mark a rite of passage by erasing their old identities and taking on something new. Jeffrey Rubenstein, in his Purim, Liminality and Communitas, mentions this as a possible explanation for why masks have such appeal on Purim, a day of transitions and reversals, a time when we re-accepted the Torah (Shabbat 88a), a moment when we were transformed from endangered vassals to a celebrated population en route to a new Beit haMikdash.
Despite these various explanations, the practice of dressing up has, historically, raised troubled halachic eyebrows. Two specific questions were raised regarding potential prohibitions against Shatnez and Cross-dressing, but prominent halachic authorities justified the practice.
(To be continued...)
Have a wonderful Purim,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The good old days
Hi,
"'And it was, in days of Achashverosh (Esther 1:1)' - Rabbi Levi, or some say Rabbi Yonatan, declared: We have a tradition from the Great Assembly that whenever the text says, 'And it was,' this is only an expression of pain:
"'And it was, in the days of Achashverosh' - and Haman arose. 'And it was, in the days of the judging of the judges' - and there was a famine...
[The gemara then challenges this point, pointing out that there are positive 'And it was' references in the Torah.]
"Rav Ashi said: 'And it was' may be negative or positive. 'And it was, in the days of,' is only an expression of pain."
(Talmud, Megilah 10b)
I would add, homiletically: When people live exclusively in the past, talking about, 'It was, back in the day,' then the nation is headed for trouble...
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"'And it was, in days of Achashverosh (Esther 1:1)' - Rabbi Levi, or some say Rabbi Yonatan, declared: We have a tradition from the Great Assembly that whenever the text says, 'And it was,' this is only an expression of pain:
"'And it was, in the days of Achashverosh' - and Haman arose. 'And it was, in the days of the judging of the judges' - and there was a famine...
[The gemara then challenges this point, pointing out that there are positive 'And it was' references in the Torah.]
"Rav Ashi said: 'And it was' may be negative or positive. 'And it was, in the days of,' is only an expression of pain."
(Talmud, Megilah 10b)
I would add, homiletically: When people live exclusively in the past, talking about, 'It was, back in the day,' then the nation is headed for trouble...
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Accepting the Torah on Purim
Hi,
"[Regarding the Jews at Sinai, the Torah says:] ‘And they stood at the bottom of the mountain’ – Rav Avdimi, son of Chama bar Chasa, said: This teaches that Gd overturned the mountain atop them, like a barrel. He said to them, ‘If you accept the Torah, good. If not, there will be your grave.’
"Rav Acha bar Yaakov said: This is a great response to the Torah [and its obligations]!
"Rava said: Despite this, they again accepted it in the days of Achashverosh. The megilah says: ‘The Jews upheld and accepted’ – They upheld that which they had already accepted."
(Talmud, Shabbat 88a)
Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai
"[Regarding the Jews at Sinai, the Torah says:] ‘And they stood at the bottom of the mountain’ – Rav Avdimi, son of Chama bar Chasa, said: This teaches that Gd overturned the mountain atop them, like a barrel. He said to them, ‘If you accept the Torah, good. If not, there will be your grave.’
"Rav Acha bar Yaakov said: This is a great response to the Torah [and its obligations]!
"Rava said: Despite this, they again accepted it in the days of Achashverosh. The megilah says: ‘The Jews upheld and accepted’ – They upheld that which they had already accepted."
(Talmud, Shabbat 88a)
Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A uniform for prayer
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
Monday, February 22, 2010
Speech: A matter of life and death
Hi,
"Since Tanach already says, “Their tongue is a drawn arrow,” why does it also need to say, “Death and life are in the hands of the tongue?”
"It is as Rava taught: One who desires life will find it with his tongue, and one who desires death will find it with his tongue."
(Talmud, Erchin 15b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Since Tanach already says, “Their tongue is a drawn arrow,” why does it also need to say, “Death and life are in the hands of the tongue?”
"It is as Rava taught: One who desires life will find it with his tongue, and one who desires death will find it with his tongue."
(Talmud, Erchin 15b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The once and future Light
Hi,
"Rabbi Yehudah, son of Rabbi Simon, said: The light Gd created on the first day was sufficient to enable Man to gaze and see from one end of the world to the other. When Gd looked at the generation of the Flood and the generation of the Tower of Bavel, with their corrupt deeds, He stood and hid it and prepared it for the righteous in the future.
"How do we know He hid it? “And he hid from the wicked their light (Iyyov 38).”
"How do we know He prepared it for the future? “And the path of the righteous is like the light of morning, continuing to grow in its illumination until the day is established (Mishlei 4).”"
(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 11:2)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Rabbi Yehudah, son of Rabbi Simon, said: The light Gd created on the first day was sufficient to enable Man to gaze and see from one end of the world to the other. When Gd looked at the generation of the Flood and the generation of the Tower of Bavel, with their corrupt deeds, He stood and hid it and prepared it for the righteous in the future.
"How do we know He hid it? “And he hid from the wicked their light (Iyyov 38).”
"How do we know He prepared it for the future? “And the path of the righteous is like the light of morning, continuing to grow in its illumination until the day is established (Mishlei 4).”"
(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 11:2)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Holidays: For Gd or for us?
Hi,
"Rabbi Eliezer said: The only thing one does on Yom Tov is eat and drink or sit and learn.
"Rabbi Yehoshua said: Split it; take half for eating and drinking, and half for study.
"Rabbi Yochanan said: Both learned from the same text. One verse says, “A celebration for HaShem, your Gd,” and another verse says, “A celebration for you.” Rabbi Eliezer understood that to mean the day would be entirely for HaShem or entirely for you, and Rabbi Yehoshua understood it to mean we split it, half for HaShem and half for you."
(Talmud, Pesachim 68b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Rabbi Eliezer said: The only thing one does on Yom Tov is eat and drink or sit and learn.
"Rabbi Yehoshua said: Split it; take half for eating and drinking, and half for study.
"Rabbi Yochanan said: Both learned from the same text. One verse says, “A celebration for HaShem, your Gd,” and another verse says, “A celebration for you.” Rabbi Eliezer understood that to mean the day would be entirely for HaShem or entirely for you, and Rabbi Yehoshua understood it to mean we split it, half for HaShem and half for you."
(Talmud, Pesachim 68b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The importance of exposure to death
Hi,
"Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of drinking, for it is the end of all Man, and the living shall put this into their hearts."
(Kohelet 7:2)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
"Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of drinking, for it is the end of all Man, and the living shall put this into their hearts."
(Kohelet 7:2)
Have a good day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
When we create the Ark
Hi,
"Abba Chanan said, citing Rabbi Elazar: One text says, 'And you [Moshe] shall make the Ark of wood,' and another says, 'And they [the nation] shall make the Ark of shittim wood.' How is this so?
"The latter [credit for the community] is when we do as Gd wants, the former [credit just for Moshe] is when we are not doing as Gd wants."
(Talmud, Yoma 3b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Abba Chanan said, citing Rabbi Elazar: One text says, 'And you [Moshe] shall make the Ark of wood,' and another says, 'And they [the nation] shall make the Ark of shittim wood.' How is this so?
"The latter [credit for the community] is when we do as Gd wants, the former [credit just for Moshe] is when we are not doing as Gd wants."
(Talmud, Yoma 3b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
More about pranking on Purim
Hi,
"People who grab from each other [on Purim] in a manner of joy do not violate “Do not steal.” This is the practice, but only so long as one does not do anything violating municipal edicts."
(R’ Moshe Isserles, Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 696:8)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"People who grab from each other [on Purim] in a manner of joy do not violate “Do not steal.” This is the practice, but only so long as one does not do anything violating municipal edicts."
(R’ Moshe Isserles, Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 696:8)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 15, 2010
A Justification for Cross-Dressing on Purim
Hi,
A 15th century justification for cross-dressing in costume, as well as pranking, on Purim:
"So, too, in our case, one does not intend to wear this for immorality, but rather to enhance the joy of Purim. Therefore, just as they did not erect a fence regarding theft since it is only for two nights and a day, so, too, here; theft and adultery emerge from the same root in a person’s nature."
(R’ Yehudah Mintz, Responsum #15)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
A 15th century justification for cross-dressing in costume, as well as pranking, on Purim:
"So, too, in our case, one does not intend to wear this for immorality, but rather to enhance the joy of Purim. Therefore, just as they did not erect a fence regarding theft since it is only for two nights and a day, so, too, here; theft and adultery emerge from the same root in a person’s nature."
(R’ Yehudah Mintz, Responsum #15)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Purim Celebrations of 1000 years ago
Hi,
"On the days of Purim, the global custom is for young men to make an image of Haman and suspend it from the rooftops for four or five days, and then on Purim to make a bonfire and throw the image into it. They stand around it and sing, and they have a ring suspended above the fire, and people jump [through it] from one side of the fire to the other."
(R’ Natan baal ha’Aruch, Aruch, שוור)
Have a great day,
Mordchai
"On the days of Purim, the global custom is for young men to make an image of Haman and suspend it from the rooftops for four or five days, and then on Purim to make a bonfire and throw the image into it. They stand around it and sing, and they have a ring suspended above the fire, and people jump [through it] from one side of the fire to the other."
(R’ Natan baal ha’Aruch, Aruch, שוור)
Have a great day,
Mordchai
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Purim Celebrations of 700 years past
Hi,
"And on the fourteenth of Adar, for the sake of honor and beauty, young men are glorified and exalted, acting in a manner of insanity and foolishness… One wears a woman’s dress and a necklace about his throat, one acts like one of the fools, with a drum and a dance and joy…"
(R’ Kalonymus ben Kalonymus, Even Bochan, pg. 30)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"And on the fourteenth of Adar, for the sake of honor and beauty, young men are glorified and exalted, acting in a manner of insanity and foolishness… One wears a woman’s dress and a necklace about his throat, one acts like one of the fools, with a drum and a dance and joy…"
(R’ Kalonymus ben Kalonymus, Even Bochan, pg. 30)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Purim Threat
Hi,
"Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai told his students: The Jews [of Shushan] only participated [in bowing to Haman] for show, and Gd only threatened them for show."
(Talmud, Megilah 12a)
[This is sometimes quoted as a source for Purim costumes.]
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai told his students: The Jews [of Shushan] only participated [in bowing to Haman] for show, and Gd only threatened them for show."
(Talmud, Megilah 12a)
[This is sometimes quoted as a source for Purim costumes.]
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Reluctance to kill animals to use their hide for clothing
Hi,
"The custom is to say, “May you wear it out and get something new,” to a person who is wearing new clothes.
"Some have written not to do this for new shoes, or for clothes made of animal hide; he would have to kill another animal before he could have a new garment, and it is written, 'His mercy is on all of His creations.' This reason appears quite weak and illogical, but many people are careful not to say this statement for such items."
(Rama in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 223:6)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"The custom is to say, “May you wear it out and get something new,” to a person who is wearing new clothes.
"Some have written not to do this for new shoes, or for clothes made of animal hide; he would have to kill another animal before he could have a new garment, and it is written, 'His mercy is on all of His creations.' This reason appears quite weak and illogical, but many people are careful not to say this statement for such items."
(Rama in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 223:6)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Three unforgiveable sins
Hi,
"All who descend to Gehennom [Hell] also ascend, except three: One who lives with another’s wife, one who embarrasses another in public, and one who creates a negative nickname for another."
(Talmud, Bava Metzia 58b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"All who descend to Gehennom [Hell] also ascend, except three: One who lives with another’s wife, one who embarrasses another in public, and one who creates a negative nickname for another."
(Talmud, Bava Metzia 58b)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 8, 2010
Egyptian Slavery as punishment for lashon hara
Hi,
"Moshe wondered, ‘What sin did the Jews commit, to be uniquely enslaved?’
"When he heard [Datan]’s words [Shemot 2:14], he said, ‘They have harmful speech in their midst! How will they ever merit redemption?’ And so he said, ‘Now, the matter is known’ – Now I know why they are enslaved."
(Midrash, Shemot Rabbah 1:30)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Moshe wondered, ‘What sin did the Jews commit, to be uniquely enslaved?’
"When he heard [Datan]’s words [Shemot 2:14], he said, ‘They have harmful speech in their midst! How will they ever merit redemption?’ And so he said, ‘Now, the matter is known’ – Now I know why they are enslaved."
(Midrash, Shemot Rabbah 1:30)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The challenge of publishing Mussar (ethical instruction)
Hi,
"Therefore Sefer Chasidim was written, for people in awe of Gd and all people who return to their Creator with a complete heart to read it and know and understand their responsibility and that from which they need to be careful.
"But it is not written for the wicked, for if they would read it then many of these words would appear foolish in their eyes, and if the words were spoken in their ears then they would mock...
"As it is written, ‘For the ways of Gd are straight; tzaddikim will walk in them and sinners will stumble in them.’ You have thus learned that the paths of piety and humility and awe are a stumbling block for the wicked and a source of uplift for the righteous."
(R' Yehudah haChasid, Sefer Chasidim 1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Therefore Sefer Chasidim was written, for people in awe of Gd and all people who return to their Creator with a complete heart to read it and know and understand their responsibility and that from which they need to be careful.
"But it is not written for the wicked, for if they would read it then many of these words would appear foolish in their eyes, and if the words were spoken in their ears then they would mock...
"As it is written, ‘For the ways of Gd are straight; tzaddikim will walk in them and sinners will stumble in them.’ You have thus learned that the paths of piety and humility and awe are a stumbling block for the wicked and a source of uplift for the righteous."
(R' Yehudah haChasid, Sefer Chasidim 1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Repentance heals!
Hi,
"Repentance is great, for it brings healing to the world; it is written (Hosheia 14), 'I will heal their repentance.'"
(Talmud, Yoma 86a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"Repentance is great, for it brings healing to the world; it is written (Hosheia 14), 'I will heal their repentance.'"
(Talmud, Yoma 86a)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Thursday, February 4, 2010
I am your Gd
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…
"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 am the Lord thy Gd.’… Here is the threshold of Jewish life, the condition and basis of all that follows."
(R' Shimshon 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…
"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 am the Lord thy Gd.’… Here is the threshold of Jewish life, the condition and basis of all that follows."
(R' Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, Horeb, paragraphs 2-3)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Before Job One: Believe in Me
Hi,
Following up on yesterday's email:
"I have seen that the Baal Halachot did not count this mitzvah among the 613...
"It appears that the Baal Halachot believed that the 613 included only Divine decrees which He commanded us to perform or prohibited us from performing. Belief in Gd’s existence, of which He informed us with signs and miracles and Divine revelation before our eyes, is the essence and root from which the mitzvot are born, and it is not counted among them."
(Ramban's comments to Sefer haMitzvot Aseh 1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Following up on yesterday's email:
"I have seen that the Baal Halachot did not count this mitzvah among the 613...
"It appears that the Baal Halachot believed that the 613 included only Divine decrees which He commanded us to perform or prohibited us from performing. Belief in Gd’s existence, of which He informed us with signs and miracles and Divine revelation before our eyes, is the essence and root from which the mitzvot are born, and it is not counted among them."
(Ramban's comments to Sefer haMitzvot Aseh 1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Job One: Believe in Me
Hi,
"The first mitzvah is that Gd commanded us to believe in Gd, meaning to believe that there is a Catalyst and Cause which creates all that exists, as the Torah says, ‘I am HaShem your Gd.’
"At the end of Tractate Makkot the sages said, '613 mitzvot were told to Moshe at Sinai. What is the verse for this? ‘Moshe commanded us Torah’' – Meaning, the number of ת-ו-ר-ה.
"The sages then challenged this, for ת-ו-ר-ה is 611, and their answer was that the Jews heard Anochi and Lo Yihyeh directly from Gd. It is clear from this that Anochi HaShem is one of the 613 mitzvot. This is the commandment to believe, as we have explained."
(Rambam, Sefer haMitzvot, Aseh 1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"The first mitzvah is that Gd commanded us to believe in Gd, meaning to believe that there is a Catalyst and Cause which creates all that exists, as the Torah says, ‘I am HaShem your Gd.’
"At the end of Tractate Makkot the sages said, '613 mitzvot were told to Moshe at Sinai. What is the verse for this? ‘Moshe commanded us Torah’' – Meaning, the number of ת-ו-ר-ה.
"The sages then challenged this, for ת-ו-ר-ה is 611, and their answer was that the Jews heard Anochi and Lo Yihyeh directly from Gd. It is clear from this that Anochi HaShem is one of the 613 mitzvot. This is the commandment to believe, as we have explained."
(Rambam, Sefer haMitzvot, Aseh 1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Monday, February 1, 2010
Jews and Figs
Hi,
"R’ Yuden said: This fig, in the beginning they collect it one by one, then two by two, then three by three, until they collect it with baskets and shovels. So in the beginning was Avraham, then Avraham and Yitzchak, then Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, until “And the Jewish people bore fruit and spread and multiplied…”"
(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 46:1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
"R’ Yuden said: This fig, in the beginning they collect it one by one, then two by two, then three by three, until they collect it with baskets and shovels. So in the beginning was Avraham, then Avraham and Yitzchak, then Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, until “And the Jewish people bore fruit and spread and multiplied…”"
(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 46:1)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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