The dangers of formal prayer

Hi,

"Rabbi Eliezer taught: If a person makes his prayer keva [literally translated: formal], then it is not an acceptable plea before Gd.

"What does keva mean? Rabbi Yaakov Bar Idi explained: If prayer appears to be burdensome for him."

(Talmud, Berachot 29b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

We need each other's ideas

Hi,

"To our sorrow, reality exceeds our intellect and schisms have multiplied beyond the eye's ken, and so each of us should rejoice in his friend's ideas and counsel."

(Rav Avraham Yitzchak haKohen Kook, "Shalom b'Shem")

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A Jew dare not lie

Hi,

"If you were to turn truth and justice into lies and deception you would be detested by Gd, for He could no longer acknowledge you as His image - and how could you then still claim to belong to His people and to His estate? You would have lost your human dignity, and yet still want to be a Jew? Would not Gd's Name be desecrated if He let you prosper?"

(R' Samson Raphael Hirsch, Horeb, paragraph 358, based on Deuteronomy 25:13-16)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Test Gd with tzedakah

Hi,

"One may not test Gd [by demanding a reward for a mitzvah], other than in the matter of tzedakah, for Gd said regarding tzedakah (Malachi 3:10), 'Bring all of the tithes to the storage house, and test Me, please, with this: See if I do not open up the windows of the heavens and pour out upon you endless blessings!"

(Talmud, Taanit 9a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Work and Success

Hi,

"Rabbi Yitzchak said: If someone tells you, 'I worked and did not see any result,' don't believe him. If someone tells you, 'I didn't work and I saw a result,' don't believe him. If a person tells you, 'I worked and I saw a result,' believe him.

"This is referring to Torah study, but in commerce the results are aided by Heaven. Even when it comes to Torah study, this is only regarding sharp, deep understanding, but memorization is aided by Heaven."

(Talmud, Megilah 6b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Be generous with people who are in your debt

Hi,

"If you take your friend's (night-time) garment as collateral, return it to him by sunset. This is his only clothing, this is the garment for his skin; in what will he sleep? When he calls out to me, I will listen, for I am giving."

(Exodus 22:25-26)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Describing angels?

Hi,

"What do prophets mean they report seeing winged, fiery angels?

"It is all prophetic vision, and it is all in riddles, and that image means to teach that these entities have neither mass nor weight, as bodies have.

"Similarly, it is written, 'For HaShem your Gd is a consuming fire,' and that fire is only a metaphor.

"Similarly, it is written, 'For Gd creates His angels as winds.'"

(Maimonides, Laws of the Foundations of Torah 2:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A message of the word "Sh'ma"

Hi,

The "Sh'ma (Hear O Israel)" prayer contains the essence of Jewish beliefs, and is recited at least twice daily - at the morning and evening services.

Avudraham, an early commentary to the prayer book, points out that the word "Shma," שמע, may be read as an acronym: Si'u Marom Eineichem [שאו מרום עיניכם] - Raise your eyes heavenward.

Ultimately, all of our Jewish beliefs can be distilled into that message [as seen in Chavakuk 2:4 and a related comment in Makkot 24].

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The importance of humility

Hi,

"Rabbi Yirmiyah asked Rabbi Zeira: What is the meaning of the following verse (Job 3), 'Small and great will be there in the Next World, and slaves will be free of their masters?' Don't we know that small and great people will be there?

"It means that anyone who makes himself small for the sake of studying Torah in this world will be great in the next world. Anyone who makes himself like a slave for the sake of studying Torah in this world will be great in the next world."

(Talmud, Bava Metzia 85b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Woe

Hi,

"Rabbi Shimon Ben Pazi said: Woe is me from my created nature, Woe is me from my Creator!"

Rashi [12th century French commentator] explains: Woe is me from my Creator if I follow my natural inclinations, and woe is me from my natural inclinations if I listen to my Creator!

(Talmud, Berachot 61a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Work for food

Hi,

"Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar said: Even Adam tasted food only after having worked, as it is written, 'And Gd placed him in the garden to work it and to guard it,' and then it is written, 'You may eat from any tree in the garden.'

"Rabbi Tarfon said: Gd did not dwell among the Jews until they worked, as it is written, 'And they will build a Temple for Me, and I will dwell among them.'"

(Avot d'Rabbi Natan 11:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Limits of Self-Reliance

Hi,

"When a person depends on his own mind and thoughts, his spirit is darkened, without a straight path, for he is always in doubt."

(R' Isaac Abarbanel, Commentary to Chavakuk 2:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Deep and the Hidden, Part 3 of 3

Hi,

(continued from Thursday, still explaining Daniel 2:22, "He reveals deep and hidden things")

"R' Yehudah bar Simon said: From the beginning of the creation of the world, "He reveals deep and hidden things."

""In the beginning, Gd created the heavens" and He did not explain it. Where did He explain it? Isaiah 40:22, "He extends the heavens like a curtain."

""And the earth" and He did not explain it. Where did He explain it? Job 37:6, "He tells the snow, be [on the] land," and Job 38:38, "When the dirt was hardened into a solid."

""And Gd declared, 'There will be light' and He did not explain it. Where did He explain it? Psalms 104:2, "He is cloaked in light, like a garment.""

(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 1:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Deep and the Hidden, Part 2 of 3

Hi,

(continued from yesterday)

"Alternatively: "He reveals deep and hidden things" – These are the deeds of the wicked, as in Isaiah 29:15, "Woe, those who dig deep, from Gd";

""Hidden" are the deeds of the wicked, as it continues, "to hide their counsel."

""He knows that which is in darkness" – The deeds of the wicked, as it continues, "Their deeds are in darkness."

""And light resides with Him" – The deeds of the righteous, as in Mishlei 4:18, "The path of the righteous is like radiant light," and Psalms 97:11, "Light is planted for the righteous, etc.""

(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 1:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Deep and the Hidden, Part 1 of 3

Hi,

Daniel 2:22 says Gd "reveals deep and hidden things". What does this mean?

"R' Yehudah bar Simon began: "He reveals deep and hidden things" –

""He reveals deep" is Gehennom, as in Proverbs 9:18, "[The fool] does not know that spirits are there [in the depths]; those she called are in the depths of the grave," and Isaiah 30:33, "For tifteh was arranged from yesterday; it is even prepared for the king, deep and broad, its pile is fire and a great amount of wood, the breath of Gd is like a stream of sulphur burning there."

""And hidden" is the Garden of Eden, as in Isaiah 4:6, "And [on Mount Zion] there will be shelter for shade by day from dryness, for protection, a hidden place, from storms and rain," and Psalms 31:21, "You hide them in the hidden area of Your presence.""

(Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 1:6)

To be continued...

Have a great day,
Mordechai

An approach to the success of apparently wicked people

Hi,

"Rav Huna said: What is the meaning of Chavakuk 1:13, "Why do You look upon traitors, why are You silent when the wicked swallow the one who is more righteous?" Does a wicked person swallow up the righteous? It is written (Psalms), "He will not abandon him to his hand", and "No bad thing will happen to the righteous"!

"Rather, the wicked can swallow up one who is more righteous than he is, but not one who is fully righteous. Alternatively, the time which is opportune for the wicked is different."

(Talmud, Berachot 7b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A curriculum for life

Hi,

"Yehuda ben Teima used to say:
When one is 5 years old he should learn Scripture.
When one is 10 he should learn Mishnah.
When one is 13 he becomes obligated in mitzvot.
When one is 15 he should learn Gemara [the explanation of the Mishnah].
When one is 18 he should wed.
When one is 20 he is pursued [This is Rashi's explanation: One who is 20 is liable for physical punishments in court].
When one is 30 he has strength.
When one is 40 he gains understanding.
When one is 50 he becomes an advisor.
When one is 60 he begins to age.
When one is 70 he is aged.
When one is 80 he shows that he has great strength [by surviving to that point]..."

(Pirkei Avot 5:21)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The battles of Torah scholars

Hi,

"Rabbi Yirmiyah said, citing Rabbi Elazar: When two Torah scholars sharpen each other in legal discussions, Gd is joyous, and they ascend to greatness. This does not happen if they do it for non-altruistic motives, though, or if they become arrogant."

(Talmud, Shabbat 63a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The mark of a Torah scholar

Hi,

A Torah scholar is recognizable by four traits:
a. His expenditures;
b. His temper;
c. His drinking;
d. His cloak.

Some add: His speech.

(Derech Eretz Zuta 5)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Build a strong foundation

Hi,

"Elisha ben Avuyah said: To what may one compare a person who performs good deeds and also learns a great deal of Torah?

"To a person who builds a wall using stones in the lower part and then bricks on top of them. Even if a lot of water flows to the wall, the wall not be worn away."

(Avot deRabbi Natan 24:1)

[And yes: The identity of the author is interesting.]

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The music of idols

Hi,

"When Solomon married the daughter of the Pharaoh, she brought him one thousand musical instruments. She said, "So they play for this idol, and so they play for this idol," and he did not protest."

(Talmud, Shabbat 56b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Concealing the name of the wicked

Hi,

Most prophets are introduced in their texts with the list of kings during whose reign they prophesied. However:

"Yoel, Nachum and Chavakuk prophesied in the days of King Menasheh. Because Menasheh was not kosher, they were not identified with his name."

(Midrash, Seder Olam 20)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Queen Esther's strategy

Hi,

"The sages taught: Why did Esther invite Haman to her meal with Achashverosh?

"R' Eliezer: She planted a trap for him, as it is written (Psalms 69), 'May your table be a trap before them.'

"R' Yehoshua: While in her father's household, she learned that it is written, 'If your enemy hungers, give him bread.'

"R' Meir: So that Haman wouldn't consult his advisors and plot a rebellion against Achashverosh (as he would think everything was fine).

"R' Yehudah: So they shouldn't realize she was Jewish.

"R' Nechemiah: So the Jews wouldn't rely on having a sister of theirs in the palace, and stop praying to Gd for mercy.

"R' Yosi: So that Haman would be before her (in the presence of the king, and she could make him stumble).

"R' Shimon ben Minasya: Perhaps Gd would see the depths to which she had to stoop, and have mercy and perform a miracle.

"R' Yehoshua ben Karcha: I'll be friendly to him before the king, and the king will kill both of us.

"Rabban Gamliel: Achashverosh was whimsical (and might change his mind if it would take time to carry out his decree).

"Rabban Gamliel said: We still require the words of Moda'i, as it is taught: R' Eliezer haModai said: To cause jealousy of Haman from both the King and his other officers.

"Rabbah said: It is written (Proverbs 16), 'Arrogance comes before one is broken.'

"Abayye and Rava said: It is written (Jeremiah 51), 'In anger I will set their feasts (punishment will come at their feasts).'

"Rabbah bar Avuha encountered Eliyahu (the Prophet), and asked: Which explanation is the one which Esther saw, which motivated her to do this?

"He replied: Esther saw all of the rationales of these various sages."

(Talmud, Megilah 15b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

An original Torah thought

Hi,

"They asked R' Eliezer: Will so-and-so enter the next world? He replied: You asked me about this other person?

"They asked: Is a shepherd obligated to save a lamb from a lion? He replied: You only asked about the lamb?

"They asked: Is one obligated to save the shepherd from a lion? He replied: You only asked about the shepherd?

"They asked: May a mamzer inherit? He replied: May a mamzer perform yibbum?

"They asked: May one line his home with lime today [after the destruction of the Temple]? He replied: May one line a grave with lime today?

"He did not want to lead them afield verbally, but he never said that which he had not heard from his rebbe."

(Talmud, Yoma 66b)

To which the Sfat Emet commented:
"It appears that this was specifically while their rebbe lived; they avoided this as a stringency, for their rebbe's honour, even when it was legally permitted. After their deaths, though, the students taught and judged."

(R' Yehudah Leib Alter, Sfat Emet to Yoma 66b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Originality in Torah study

Hi,

"Once R' Eliezer stayed in the Upper Galil and the residents asked him about 30 laws of succah. For twelve he said, "I've learned this," and for eighteen he said, "I have not learned this."… They said to him, "All of your words are only received tradition!"

"He replied, "Will you compel me to say something I haven't heard from my rebbeim [mentors]? No one has ever preceded me to the study hall, I have never slept for extended or brief periods in the study hall, I have never left anyone behind me in the study hall, I have never spoken of mundane matters, and I have never said anything I did not hear from my rebbe.""

(Talmud, Succah 28a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai