Justice vs Korbanot

Hi,

"Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Shimon said: One who practices righteousness and justice is considered as though he had brought burnt offerings and celebration offerings to Gd, as it is written [Mishlei 21:3], 'One who practices righteousness and justice is more choice to Gd than a celebration offering.'"

(Midrash, Midrash Mishlei 21)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The effect of tzedakah upon one's children

Hi,

"Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Shimon said: One who pursues [opportunities to give] tzedaka will have children who are masters of tzedakah, as well as Torah and Aggada [Torah which is not law-oriented]."

(Midrash Mishlei 21)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The limits of personal responsibility

Hi,

"One is not held responsible for actions taken during his moment of pain."

(Talmud, Bava Batra 16b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

True Friends

Hi,

Background:
Taanit 23a says, "One must have friends, or death."
But Bava Batra 16b says, "One must have friends like those of Job, or death."

Maharsha to Bava Batra 16b explained, "This text teaches us that 'one must have friends' does not mean just any friends, but friends like thoes of Job, who traveled many parasangs in order to comfort him."

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tu b'Av - The Fifteenth of Av

Hi,

We are taught (Taanit 30b-31a) that Tu b’Av (the 15th of Av, celebrated Sunday night and Monday July 25-26 this year) is one of the two greatest days on the Jewish calendar, sharing the title with Yom Kippur. The gemara enumerates seven elements of Tu b’Av’s special character:

On Tu b’Av, the die-off of the Desert Generation stopped, so that the remaining Jewish nation knew they would enter Israel.

On Tu b’Av, the Civil War between Binyamin and the rest of the Jews (see the end of the book of Shoftim) stopped.

When Moshe announced that Israel’s land would be divided among patrilineally determined tribes, and that men would inherit land, Machlah, Noah, Chaglah, Milkah and Tirtzah requested the power to inherit their deceased father’s portions. This was granted to them, but among the consequences was a decree that women who inherited land would need to marry within their tribes, guaranteeing that the land would remain within the tribe. This decree was lifted, broadening marriage options and gladdening shadchanim everywhere, on Tu b’Av.

After the Bar Kochba revolt was smashed by the Romans, the victors refused to allow us to bury our dead. Years later - on Tu b’Av - the Romans pioneered the now-routine practice of returning murdered Jews, and permitted us to bury them.

When the Northern Kingdom of Yisrael split off from the Southern Kingdom of Yehudah, Yeravam, leader of the north, set up roadblocks to keep Jews from the north away from Yerushalayim and the Beit haMikdash. Those roadblocks were removed, generations later - on Tu b’Av.

Tu b’Av, coming midway through the summer heat, is when we finish cutting wood for the korbanot of the Beit haMikdash, and so it is a day of siyyum, celebrating completion of this great mitzvah.

Tu b’Av comes at around the time when the nights begin to lengthen and the days begin to shorten (not precisely, of course, since Tu b’Av is a lunar date!). From this point on, then, we have less time to work in the fields, but more time to study Torah at night!

Have a great Tu b'Av,
Mordechai

Estate Advice

Hi,

"Shemuel said to Rav Yehudah: Sharp one! Do not be among those who shift portions, even from a bad son to a good son."

(Talmud, Bava Batra 133b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The Value of Momentary Righteousness

Hi,

"And R’ Yitzchak said: We only judge a person according to his actions at that time, as it is written, “For Gd has heard the voice of the youth, as he is there.”"

(Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 16b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai