Miracles

Hi,

"Rabbi Yannai said: One should never put himself in a dangerous position and say, 'They will perform a miracle for me,' lest they not perform a miracle for him - and even were they to perform a miracle for him, they would also reduce his merits."

(Talmud, Taanit 20b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

One more pre-Shavuot email

Hi,

"Rabbi Elazar said: When the Jews committed to fulfill the Torah before they had even heard what was in it, a voice emerged from Heaven and said to them, 'Who revealed to My children this secret of the angels?'

"For it is written [Psalm 103], 'Bless Gd, His mighty angels, who do His bidding, to hear His words.' First they do, and then they hear."

(Talmud, Shabbat 88a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

No Pain, No Gain

Hi,

"Ben Hei Hei taught: The reward received matches the pain invested."

(Pirkei Avot 5:23)

Rambam (Maimonides), known for his rigorous approach to study, noted: The only knowledge retained is knowledge which comes through strain and work, and respect for the teacher. Enjoyable reading, performed while resting, neither lasts nor benefits.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Applying the lessons of Torah study

Hi,

We are taught, 'Make your Torah study permanent, and practice what you learn.'

This refers to the practical application of the lessons one has studied. One should not be lenient for himself and strict for others, or the reverse. Rather, apply your learning evenly, and so your learning will be permanent, for yourself and for others.

(Binyan Yehoshua on Avot d'Rabbi Natan 13:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The respect of teacher for student

Hello,

"Just as a student is obligated to show respect to his teacher, so a teacher is obligated to show respect to his students, and bring them close. The sages instructed: The honor of your student should be, to you, as your own.

"One must be careful in dealing with his students, and he must love them, for they are the children who benefit him in this world and in the next."

(Rambam {Maimonides}, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Torah Study 5:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Torah study, korbanot and the Mind of Gd

Hello,

"Torah study is more beloved before Gd than burnt offerings, for a person who studies Torah knows the Mind of Gd, as it is written (Proverbs 2:5), 'Then you will understand awe of Gd, and you will find the Mind of Gd.'"

(Avot d'Rabbi Natan (I) 4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Yom Yerushalayim

Hi,

In honor of the forty-first anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalayim:

"A song of steps, of David. I rejoiced when they said to me: 'Let us go to the house of HaShem.'

"Our feet stood at your gates, Jerusalem. A built-up Jerusalem is like a city united together, where the tribes ascended, the tribes of HaShem, a testimony to Israel to give thanks in the name of HaShem.

"For there thrones sat for justice, the thrones of the house of David.

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper. May there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your palaces. For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will say, 'May there be peace within you.' For the sake of the house of HaShem our Gd, I will seek good for you."

(Psalm 122)

Have a great day,
Mordechai