Yom haZikaron

Hello,

For Yom haZikaron, in memory of those who have been murdered, in war or in acts of terror, in Israel and in defense of Israel:

One who is buried in Israel is considered as though he had been buried next to the Temple Altar.
(Talmud Bavli, Ketuvot 111a)

Their memory is a blessing.

Be well,
Mordechai

Israel

Hello,

In honor of Israel's 60th birthday:

"One who walks four cubits in Israel is forgiven for all of his sins."

(Talmud, Ketuvot 111a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Maintaining peace

Hi,

"One who degrades his neighbor lacks heart, but a man of discernment holds his peace."

(Mishlei [Proverbs] 11:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Student Entrance Qualifications

Hello,

"Beit Shammai said: One should only teach a person who is wise, modest, of humble spirit, a child of ancestors and wealthy.

"Beit Hillel said: One should teach everyone, for there were Jewish transgressors, and once they became close to Torah study, pious and righteous people came from them."

(Avot d’Rabbi Natan, additional note to Version I, Chapter 2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Righteous flourish, bear fruit and regenerate

Hi,

"Rabbi Chiyya bar Lulayni taught: What is the meaning of the verse (Psalms 92), 'A righteous person will flower like a date tree, he will grow tall like a cedar of Lebanon?' If he is comparable to a date tree, why introduce a cedar? If he is comparable to a cedar, why introduce a date tree?

"Had the verse only mentioned a cedar tree, I would have said that just as a cedar does not produce edible fruit, so a righteous person does not necessarily produce edible fruit, just as a cedar does not produce edible fruit. Therefore, the date tree is mentioned.

"Had the verse only mentioned a date tree, I would have said that a righteous person does not regrow after he falls, just as a date tree does not regenerate after it is chopped back. Therefore, the cedar is mentioned."

(Talmud, Bava Batra 80b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

In memory of Mort Levy, z"l

Hello,

In memory of Mort Levy, a good friend who passed away last night:

"Shammai taught: Make your Torah study regular, speak little but do much, and greet every person pleasantly."

(Pirkei Avot 1:15)

Have a good day,
Mordechai

The severity of rabbinic law

Hello,


"Rabbi Zerika said, citing Rabbi Elazar: One who takes the mitzvah of hand-washing [before eating bread] lightly will be uprooted from the world."

(Talmud, Sotah 4b)

Rashi explains, citing the Talmud elsewhere: "For one who violates the words of the sages is liable for death, as it is written (Ecclesiastes 10), 'One who breaks through a fence will be bitten by a snake.'"

This ought to provide pause on both sides - by those who would violate rabbinic law, obviously, but also by those who would create it. Creating laws which others will take lightly presents a serious stumbling block to the public.

Have a great day,
Mordechai