Shabbat Parshat Ki Teitzei August 20-21, '10 - 11 Elul 5770 We read/learn the 2nd chapter of Pirkei Avot www.ttidbits.com for PDF files of TT (whole, lite, XL), ParshaPix, text file, Palm version, Torah Tidbits Audio mp3 files... and more! Orthodox Union OU Kashrut <> NCSY <> Jewish Action <> NJCD / Yachad / Our Way <> IPA <> JLIC <> Synagogue Support Services <> OURadio.org <> Young Leadership <> Project Areivim <> OU West Coast Stephen Savitsky, President, Orthodox Union Harvey Blitz, Chairman of the Board, Orthodox Union Rabbi Steven Weil, Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Exec. V.P. Emeritus Headquarters: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 212-563-4000 <> website: www.ou.org OU ISRAEL Seymour J. Abrams <> Orthodox Union <> Jerusalem World Center Founders and initial benefactors of the Israel Center: George z"l and Ilse Falk OU Israel Center programs <> Makom BaLev <> Lev Yehudi <> Pearl & Harold M. Jacobs ZULA Center <> Machon Maayan <> NESTO <> The Jack Gindi Oraita Program <> Mashiv HaRuach <> OU Kashrut Israel Yitzchak Fund, President, OU Israel Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Senior Vice President Prof. Meni Koslowsky, Vice President Dr. Simcha Heller, Vaad member Stuart Hershkowitz, Vaad member Moshe Kempinski, Vaad member Sandy Kestenbaum, Vaad member Zvi Sand, Vaad member Ben Weiner, Vaad member Harvey Wolinetz, Vaad member Rabbi Avi Berman, Director-General, OU Israel David Katz, CFO, OU Israel Menachem Persoff, Director of Programs, Israel Center Phil Chernofsky, Educational Director and TT editor 22 Keren HaYesod <> POB 37015 <> Jerusalem 91370 phone: (02) 560 9100 <> fax: (02) 566-0156 email: office@ouisrael.org <> website: www.ouisrael.org Torah Tidbits and many of the projects of OU Israel are assisted by grants from The Jewish Agency for Israel Founders and initial benefactors of the Israel Center: George z"l and Ilse Falk Torah Tidbits Phil Chernofsky, editor <> tt@ouisrael.org <> (02) 560-9100 ext. 124 Advertising: Ita Rochel <> ttads@ouisrael.org <> (02) 560-9100 ext. 125 Torah Tidbits is produced, printed*, collated, and folded in-house at the Israel Center TT Distribution <> ttdist@ouisrael.org <> 0505-772-111 website: www.ou.org/torah/tt Z'manim (correct for Jerusalem) Ranges are 10 days, WED-FRI 8-17 Elul (Aug 18-27) Earliest Talit & T'filin 5:13-5:19am Sunrise 6:06-6:12am Sof Z'man K' Sh'ma 9:24-9:26am (Magen Avraham: 8:35-8:38am) Sof Z'man T'fila 10:30-10:30am (Magen Avraham: 9:58-9:59am) Chatzot 12:43-12:403/4pm (halachic noon) Mincha Gedola 1:17-1:14pm (earliest Mincha) Plag Mincha 5:57-5:481/4pm Sunset 7:24-7:14pm (based on sea level: 7:19-7:09pm) Candle lighting & Havdala times - Israel Summer Time Candles (earliest) Ki Teitzei Havdala Next week 6:42pm (5:56) Yerushalayim 7:55pm 6:34 (5:49) 7:46 6:59pm (5:58) S'derot 7:57pm 6:51 (5:51) 7:48 6:57pm (5:56) Gush Etzion 7:55pm 6:49 (5:49) 7:46 6:59pm (5:57) Raanana 7:57pm 6:51 (5:51) 7:48 6:58pm (5:56) Beit Shemesh 7:56pm 6:50 (5:50) 7:47 6:59pm (5:57) Rehovot 7:57pm 6:51 (5:50) 7:48 6:59pm (5:58) Netanya 7:57pm 6:51 (5:51) 7:48 6:56pm (5:57) Be'er Sheva 7:56pm 6:48 (5:50) 7:47 6:58pm (5:57) Modi'in 7:56pm 6:50 (5:50) 7:47 6:42pm (5:57) Petach Tikva 7:57pm 6:34 (5:50) 7:48 6:42pm (5:55) Maale Adumim 7:54pm 6:34 (5:48) 7:46 6:58pm (5:57) Ginot Shomron 7:56pm 6:50 (5:50) 7:47 6:57pm (5:56) Gush Shiloh 7:55pm 6:49 (5:49) 7:46 6:57pm (5:56) K4 & Hevron 7:55pm 6:49 (5:49) 7:46 6:57pm (5:56) Giv'at Ze'ev 7:55pm 6:49 (5:49) 7:46 6:59pm (5:57) Yad Binyamin 7:56pm 6:50 (5:50) 7:48 6:59pm (5:58) Ashkelon 7:57pm 6:51 (5:51) 7:48 6:47pm (5:56) Tzfat 7:56pm 6:39 (5:49) 7:47 6:59pm (5:57) Zichron Yaakov 7:57pm 6:51 (5:50) 7:48 Rabbeinu Tam havdala - Parshat Ki Teitzei - 8:33pm NOTES: Note about Candle Lighting and Havdala times. Candle lighting times are rounded down to the minute, in other words, seconds are ignored. Havdala times, on the other hand, are round up to the next minute. Further explanations and notes on Z'manim are available on the website www.ou.org/torah/tt - click on Halachic times * Important clarifications concerning the Candle Lighting times Petach Tikva officially accepts upon itself to light Shabbat candles according to the Jerusalem custom. (This is due to the fact that the Ashdkenazi community of PT was founded by people from Jerusalem who brought their customs with them.) Up until this week, we understood that to mean that in PT one lights candles 40 minutes before sunset, just like we do in Jerusalem. We contacted the Religious Council in PT and found out that the official candle lighting time for PT is the same as Jerusalem's (not 40 min. before sunset, but the same time as J'lem). Petach Tikvians (or whatever they are called) must realize that their sunset is earlier than Jerusalem's and therefore they do NOT have 40 minutes after the posted time until sunset - more like 30-35. So too for Maale Adumim. They light candles at the same time as J'lem too. Sunset is also earlier in Maalei Adumim. One of the rabbis from Ascent of Safed (that's Tzfat) told us that there are differing opinions concerning when Candle Lighting is there. All say 30 min. before sunset, but some say the sunset that does not take into account the elevation of Tzfat, and some say to use the sunset time that does take elevation into account. We print the earlier time, in case. Halachic Zmanim and Shabbat times in Torah Tidbits are calculated by CHAZON SHAMAYIM, a computer program by R' Eitan Zakuni of Netivot. The latest version (beta), called HAZON NET is available as a free download on www.sky-view.co.il WORD OF THE MONTH A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... Kiddush L'vana for Elul is now in full swing. Minhag Yerushalayim people and most others who prefer Motza"Sh and are not insistent to wait for 7 full days after the molad have already said KL last Motza'ei Shabbat. The strict 7 day people had their first op on Tuesday night. Those who have not yet said KL are encouraged to do so (Elul is a good month to be more careful with this and all mitzvot) and have until TUE Aug 24, not later than 1:53am (of WED). This means another Motza"Sh opportunity, but better not to wait. LEAD TIDBIT: MitzvaWatch Parshat Ki Teitzei is the most mitzva-rich of all sedras, with 74 of the Torah's 613 mitzvot - slightly over 12% of all the mitzvot in this one of the 54 sedras. Parshat Ki Teitzei also has the most parshiyot in the Torah - 44. Let's focus in on one specific parsha, one with two p'sukim, each pasuk containing a single prohibition. (We focused on this parsha three years ago - we call your attention to it and its significance again.) You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. You shall not wear a garment of shaatnez, (i.e.) wool & linen together. D'varim 22:10,11 Noteworthy are the similarities in the wording of these two p'sukim. They each start with LO and a verb in second person singular future tense. You shalt not plow/wear. They each mention the two things that are not to be mixed: ox and donkey / wool and linen. The both finish with the same word - YACHDAV - together. These two prohibitions are among several forbidden mixtures and combinations in the Torah. As such, it is no surprise to find them in consecutive p'sukim. It is, however, a bit surprising to find them sharing the same parsha in a sedra with so many parshiyot, many of which contain a single mitzva. What makes them very noteworthy are the differences between these two prohibitions - not in the wording of the p'sukim, but in the details of their respective halachot. One may not wear a garment of wool and linen together. What about cotton and wool? Permitted. Should one be strict, and avoid cotton and wool as a CHUMRA? No. meaningless to do that. Can one make a tapestry wall-hanging of wool and linen together? Yes. Is it within the spirit of the mitzva not to? No. Pointless. Only wearing and only wool and linen are forbidden. Shaatnez is specifically, exclusively wool and linen and wearing. What about the partner mitzva to Shaatnez that shares the same parsha with it? Can I harness a horse and an ox to pull a cart? No. That would be a Torah prohibition. But a horse isn't a donkey anymore than cotton isn't linen? And pulling a cart is as different from plowing as hanging on the wall is from wearing? This prohibition "works" differently. Ox and donkey and plowing are not exclusive - they are inclusive of any (non-compatible) animals and any activity. The Torah prohibits the harnessing of two giraffes and an elephant to pull a circus bandwagon, as is pictured in Dr. Seuss's "And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street". Not just a rabbinic prohibition - Isur D'Oraita! Two mitzvot, so similar in wording, in consecutive p'sukim, sharing a single parsha, each forbid a mixture of some kind - yet they are quite different in the ways described. How do we know the above? And what does it mean? The answer to the first part is relatively simple - TORAH SHEB'AL PEH, the ORAL LAW. It tells us when only wool is wool and when a wallaby is a donkey. Without the Oral Law we only have part of the Torah. That's part of the point of this Lead Tidbit. What does it mean? Many things. For example, that not everything has to make sense, be logical, be understood by our finite minds. There are mitzvot that lend themselves easily to our understanding and common sense; there are CHUKIM which defy logic sometimes and are enigmatic. Words in the Torah can be exclusive or inclusive - Does YOM mean day, as opposed to night or does it mean a full 24-hour period? At times one; some- times the other. Sometimes a donkey is only a donkey. Sometimes it represents all animals. Etc. Etc. The Torah and the mitzvot it contains were not meant to be self-explanatory from the Written Word alone. This is not a "defect"; G-d wanted the Torah to be taught from person to person, from parent to child, from teacher to student. And that requires an Oral Tradition to go along with the Written Word. This is all part of the relationship G-d wants with us. May we be worthy of it. And may we work well during the month of Elul and beyond to strengthen our commitment to Torah and Mitzvot... for ourselves, our families, and all of Klal Yisrael. Ki Teitzei 49th of the 54 sedras; 6th of 11 in D'varim Written on 212.8 lines in a Torah (rank: 21) 44 Parshiyot; 2 open, 42 closed (rank: 1) 110 p'sukim - ranks 28th (5th in D'varim) 1582 words - ranks 23rd (5th in D'varim) 5856 letters - ranks 26th (6th in D'varim) Slightly larger than average p'sukim; below average for D'varim. Overall, an average-sized sedra. But Mitzva-wise... MITZVOT 74 of Taryag - 27 positives, 47 prohibitions Ki Teitzei has the most mitzvot (12%), most positive mitzvot (10.9%), most prohibitions (12.9%), and most parshiyot of any sedra in the Torah. Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary Numbers in [square brackets] are the Mitzva-count of Sefer HaChinuch AND Rambam's Sefer HaMitzvot. A=ASEI (positive mitzva); L=LAV (prohibition). X:Y is the perek and pasuk from which the mitzva comes. [P> X:Y (Z)] and [S> X:Y (Z)] indicate start of a parsha p'tucha or s'tuma respectively. X:Y is Perek:Pasuk of the beginning of the parsha; (Z) is the number of p'sukim in the parsha. Kohen - First Aliya 12 p'sukim - 21:10-21 [S>21:10 (5)] The "beautiful captive": A Jewish soldier must resist the "normal" temptations of battle, but is permitted to take a captive woman only according to the approved Torah procedures [532, A221 21:11]. Looking at this mitzva from both ends, we first see it as a "concession to the base inclinations of a man", in the heat of battle. On the other hand, it demands more of the Jew than is common of soldiers all over the world (obviously, not all soldiers), who are notorious for immoral behavior. If he decides after the one-month waiting period not to marry her, he must release her without abusing, humiliating, or selling her [533, 534; L263,264 21:14]. A Jew's marriage to a Y'FAT TO'R is also conditional on her conversion to Judaism. If she does not want to, he must release her. If she does convert and they want to marry, then it is a full, regular Jewish marriage, with K'dushin & Ketuba... [S>21:15 (3)] A man may not favor the son of his beloved wife over his firstborn from a "less- loved" wife. (Implication from the juxtaposition of these two topics is that marrying for the wrong motive is likely to lead to a "hated wife".) This passage is the source of the firstborn's inheritance. Ramban counts two mitzvot here - the positive command to give the firstborn a double portion and the prohibition of not giving it to him. Rambam and the Chinuch include the rules of the firstborn as part of the laws of inheritance from Parshat Pinchas and not separately here. This is just one of many examples of different countings among the Sages who attempted to identify the traditional 613 mitzvot. SDT: The Vilna Gaon sees a hint to the double portion of the B'chor in the letters of the word B'CHOR: BET-KAF-RESH. Each letter is double the letter before it - BET (2) is double ALEF (1), KAF (20) is double YUD (10), REISH (200) is double KUF (100). (No other letter is double its predecessor.) [S>21:18 (4)] The "rebellious son" is warned by his parents to mend his ways. If he continues to defy them, violates certain mitzvot, engages in a specific sequence of actions, and if he is of a specific age and at a particular stage of physical development, and his parents are healthy, normal, and deemed to be on equal levels of character, then, and only then, would it be possible to execute him as a "Ben Sorer U'moreh". Although it is (almost) impossible to reach that ultimate point - and sources indicate that there never actually was a case of "the rebellious son" - this portion of the Torah serves as a stern warning to wayward children AND their parents! Some mitzvot seem to be intended primarily as deterrent and Mussar. Just as one example of the improbability of there actually being a BEN SORER UMOREH, the boy in question would have to be between 13 and 13 years old and would have to be at the beginning stage of puberty. If that three month window of time does not coincide with the onset of puberty, he cannot be an "official" rebellious son. There are so, so many other technical conditions that must be met that it seems obvious that we were not expected to actually execute a BEN SORER UMOREH... Levi - Second Aliya 9 p'sukim - 21:22-22:7 [S>21:22 (2)] Those executed by stoning were hung after death [535,A230 21:22] for a brief period before sunset. They were then buried [536,L66 21:23] (with the hanging post) to avoid extra embarrassment to the Divine image in which we were all created. The hanging of the body after execution (which is done in some cases, not all) serves as a deterrent for others and is part of the atonement process for the soul of the guilty party. Using "Kal VaChomer" (if this is the respect shown the body of an executed felon, how much more so...), we are taught that burial, in general, and "as soon as is feasible", in particular, is the proper procedure for the dead [537, A231 21:23]. This is part of the Torah law. [S>22:1 (3)] One is required to return identifiable lost objects to their rightful owners [538,A204 22:1], even if doing so is difficult. One cannot ignore this responsibility [539,L269 22:3] even if it is easier to just leave the object alone. Technically, the laws of LOST & FOUND apply to possessions of fellow Jews. However, with the potential for Kiddush HaShem and its opposite, depending upon what one does, it is important to go out of one's way to return a lost item to a non-Jew as well (and even more so!). This too is part of halacha, not just nice to do. [S>22:4 (1)] Nor may one ignore a fellow's beast of burden that has collapsed under its load [540, L270 22:4]. One is required to help his fellow load his animals [541,A203 22:4]. Sefer HaChinuch points out that this mitzva-pair applies to other animals, not just donkey, and it applies to people as well, by reasoning a KAL VACHOMER. If you see a fellow human over-loaded with what he or she is carrying (or trying to carry), it is a mitzva to help out. Furthermore, if you are approached by friend or neighbor who offers to help you carry some of your packages, you should consider letting him/her, rather than the typical, "It's okay, I got it." It allows your burden to be eased while the other person does a mitzva. Everyone benefits. [S>22:5 (5)] Men and women may not interchange apparel [542,543; L39,40 22:5] nor do certain things that are specific to the opposite sex. R' Yonatan b. Uziel in his Aramaic translation/commentary on Torah, "defines" the prohibition of a woman wearing a man's garb, as the mitzvot of Talit and T'filin. Not everyone agrees, but it's something to think about. [P>22:6 (2)] When one happens upon a (kosher) bird's nest (in the wild), it is forbidden to take the mother bird alone or with her eggs or chicks [544,L306 22:6], but one may (must? - this is the subject of a dispute with a decidedly kabalistic flavor on the side that suggests it is an imperative rather than the assumed "if you want the eggs...") take the eggs/chicks if one first sends the mother bird away [545, A148 22:7]. This is an enigmatic mitzva that defies logic. It is shrouded in mysticism, more so than most mitzvot. Although our Sages attribute kindness to animals as the reason (or part of the reason) for some mitzvot - e.g. not muzzling an animal that is working with food, helping to unload a beast of burden, not plowing with an ox and a donkey together - they (our Sages) were more cautious with this mitzva of SHILU'ACH HAKEN. It can be argued that it is far kinder to leave a nest alone than to chase away the mother bird (which is simultaneously kind and cruel - one way of looking at it). This mitzva is more CHOK-like than other mitzvot involving animals. Shlishi - Third Aliya 29 p'sukim - 22:8-23:7 [S>22:8 (2)] One is required to build a protective fence around one's (habitable) roof [546,A184 22:8]. It is forbidden to leave safety hazards on one's property [547, L298 22:8]. Oral law defines these mitzvot as more inclusive than just one's roof. Rabbinic law, "taking the Torah's lead", extends "safety & health" rules further into many areas, e.g. secondary smoking. Rambam says that a person may not tell others: "Don't tell me what to do; if I want to risk my health or life, it's my business". Saying this can make a person liable to the punishment of MAKAT MARDUT (under conditions when that punishment was meted out). This is something to keep in mind when you decide to "talk to" your favorite smoker (for example). With secondary smoking, it is most definitely your business too. But even primary smoking is your business - All Israel are responsible for each other. One may not plant mixed grains in a vineyard [548,L216 22:9], nor may one eat the resulting products [549,L193 22:9]. "Strangely", these two mitzvot - MAAKEH and Mixed Grain - share a single parsha. What connects them to each other more than other mitzvot? [S>22:10 (2)] Plowing with ox and donkey together is forbidden, as is the tying together of any non-compatible animals (or humans) for any purpose [550, L218 22:10]. Rambam holds that the Torah prohibits any combination of a kosher and non-kosher animal, based on the fact that the Torah's example is one of each. Rambam says that combinations of two kosher or two non-kosher animals is forbidden by Rabbinic law. Many authorities challenge Rambam's distinction and say that it is all Torah law. Do not wear Shaatnez (wool and linen) [551,L42 22:11]. Can a person wear linen pants at the same time he wears a wool jacket? Yes, because each garment can be removed independently of the other. But a linen shirt under a wool jacket is problematic because you cannot remove the shirt without first taking off the jacket. That makes the wool and linen "together". [S>22:12 (1)] ...put tzitzit on all four-cornered garments that you wear. [counted elsewhere] [S>22:13 (7)] It is a mitzva to marry according to Jewish Law and for the husband to write a K'TUBA for his wife with various promises and assurances [552, A213 22:13]. The juxtaposition of tzitzit to marriage seems to be the source of the minhag of many Ashkenazi Jews of starting to wear a Talit when one marries (even though the Talit Katan is worn from early childhood). Other communities disagree with waiting until marriage to wear Talit Gadol. If a man had falsely accused his (betrothed) wife of infidelity, he may not divorce her (unless she so desires) [553,554; A219,L359 22:19]. Penalties are also paid to the girl's family for the insult. [S>22:20 (2)] If the betrothed maiden did, in fact, willfully, intentionally have relations with another man, and there are kosher witnesses and properly administered warning, and all the other rules of evidence. then she is an adulteress and can be executed (by stoning). [S>22:22 (1)] If a man and married woman has relations (knowing full-well the married status of the woman), and neither was forced, then they are both subject to the death penalty for adultery. [This prohibition is counted from Commandment #7 in Parshat Yitro, and repeated in Va'etchanan.] [S>22:23 (2)] The same applies if the woman is "just" betrothed (this is more than engagement in our time). The specific incident of stoning is generalized to the mitzva upon the court to carry out the punishment of "stoning" whenever required [555, A220 22:24]. [S>22:25 (3)] Both consenting parties to a forbidden relationship are culpable. However, if it is possible to consider the woman an unwilling partner, then she must not be punished. We must not punish anyone who might not be responsible for their actions [556, L294 22:26]. This is the source of giving people the benefit of the doubt. This does not mean that the person always deserves the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they actually sinned. The answer, it will have to be left to G-d to punish them; we are obligated to explain the situation as in this example - certainly the girl screamed but there was no one to save her. [S>22:28 (2)] A man who forces himself on an unmarried maiden must pay a fine to her father. If the girl wants to be married to the man, he must marry her and never initiate divorce (she, of course, may insist that she wants nothing to do with him and then the court will force him to divorce her had they married) [557,558; A218,L358 22:29]. [S>23:1 (1)] A man may not marry his father's former wife (even after his father's death). [S>23:2 (1)] Castrated men (not all - it depends on how their situation happened) have marriage restrictions [559,L360 23:2]. [S>23:3 (1)] A "mamzer" has marriage restrictions [560,L354 23:3]. Mamzer is the offspring of a union that is prohibited by the Torah, with a death penalty. This includes incestuous and adulterous relationships. A mamzer has marriage restrictions. He may, however, marry a mamzeret or a female convert to Judaism. And vice versa for a mamzeret. [S>23:4 (4)] Amonite and Moabite males may not marry into the "Congregation of G-d" [561, L53 23:4], because of the cruel, inhospitable behavior of those two nations towards Israel. And also because they hired Bil'am to "bless" us. Nor may we ever offer those two nations peace as an alternative to war, as is required of our other enemies [562,L56 23:7]. Note that the Torah is giving a reason for a mitzva, something that it rarely does. (We are supposed to do mitzvot because they are G-d's commands, not for other reasons.) However, in this case, it is precisely the reason given for this mitzva that allowed our Sages to declare Ruth the Moavite able to marry into the Jewish Nation. It was the Moavite men who displayed that unforgivable behavior, not the women, who did not "go out" and confront Bnei Yisrael. R'VI'I - Fourth Aliya 17 p'sukim - 23:8-24 [S>23:8 (2)] OTOH, converts from Edom and Egypt are not to be discriminated against, but can fully integrate only from the 3rd generation on [563,564 L54,55 23:8]. [S>23:10 (6)] A military camp must be kept spiritually and physically clean. Sanitary facilities must be provided outside the camp and soldiers must be equipped with appropriate tools for maintaining proper sanitation [566,567; A192, 193 23:13,14]. An offshoot of this mitzva: entry to Har HaBayit (referring to the area where the Beit HaMikdash and its courtyard DID NOT stand) by people with certain types of ritual impurity is forbidden [565,L78 23:11]. (The area where the Mikdash stood - or might have stood - is off-limits to all T'MEI'IM.) Conceptually, we must realize that G-d's presence among us is affected by our moral behavior. Thus, these mitzvot have ramifications to Jewish society as a whole, and not merely in a military setting. [S>23:16 (2)] A slave who runs from his master to us for protection, may not be returned. Nor may we abuse a slave who seeks haven in Eretz Yisrael [568,569; L254, 255 23:16,17]. [S>23:18 (2)] Prostitution is forbidden [570,L355 23:18] and its revenues may not be used for sacred matters [571,L100 23:19]. (Some sources consider the prohibition sex between unmarried people as part of mitzva #570.) [S>23:20 (2)] Although interest on personal loans may not be taken from a Jew, it is acceptable (and correct) to lend to non-Jews with interest [572,573; L236, A198 23:20,21]. This is so because society in general accepts the reasonableness of moderate interest on loans. Since a non-Jew can charge a Jew interest, the Torah gives us permission to take interest from them. Usury, loan sharking, would be recognized as a "universal" wrongdoing; the ban against any interest at all is a special spiritual requirement of the Jew. [S>23:22 (3)] Pledges to the Mikdash must be fulfilled within the cycle of the three festivals [574, L155 23:22]. It is advisable to refrain from making promises, but once made, a person must keep them [575, A94 23:24]. (Hatarat N'darim provides an "out" for certain ill-advised promises, within limits. Consult a Rav for specific cases.) Chamishi 5th Aliya 6 p'sukim - 23:25-24:4 [S>23:25 (1)] Workers are entitled to eat of the food they are working with [576,A201 23:25], but may not take extra (home) without permission [577, L268 23:25]. [S>23:26 (1)] Workers mustn't eat while they are working [578, L267 23:26]. In other words, their right to eat [576] is restricted to their breaks. We see a beautiful balance in the area of Torah Law as it relates to boss- worker relations. On the one hand, the worker is allowed to eat from that which he picks. On the other hand, he cannot do this while he is actually working, as this would reduce his efficiency, thereby short-changing his boss. On the other hand, the boss must provide breaks during the day, when the worker is allowed to eat. On the other hand, the worker may not take any of the fruits home with him, without permission. Talmudic law adds to this list for both sides. For example, it advises a worker not to overdo the eating, although it is permitted, lest the word get out and people will stop hiring him. Boss may not take advantage of worker, and worker may not take advantage of their boss. [S>24:1 (4)] If a married couple wants to end their marriage, it must be done with a proper "get" [579, A222 24:1]. If a divorcee has remarried, and is subsequently widowed or divorced, she cannot remarry her first husband [580, L356 24:4]. Shishi - Sixth Aliya 9 p'sukim - 24:5-13 [S>24:5 (2)] A man is exempt from military service during the first year of his marriage [581, L311 24:5], during which time he is to see to it that his wife is happy [582,A214 24:5]. One may not take vessels used for preparing food as a security against a loan [583,L242 24:6]. We must be sensitive to the needs of the borrower. Another example of two different mitzvot that share a parsha - note- worthy because Ki Teitzei has so many parshiyot, one wonders why these were not each in its own parsha. Again we ask, are they more connected than other mitzvot? (We do not know an answer.) [S>24:7 (1)] Kidnapping and selling the victim is a capital offense. Kidnapping is already counted as a prohibition from Commandment #8, LO TIGNOV (i.e. stealing a person) in Yitro. That was the "warning"; this is the "punishment". Both are needed. [S>24:8 (2)] We must not remove signs of "Tzora'at" [584,L308 24:8]. A blemish is TZORAAT iff (if and only if) declared so by a kohen. If this happens, then using medicines or surgery to remove the affliction is forbidden, as well as counter-productive. A person's spiritual and religious growth is triggered by the NEGA. It needs not surgery or medication, but rather introspection and repentance. Always remember what happened to Miriam. [Although Rambam and Chinuch do not count this ZACHOR among the 613, other mitzva- counters do.] What happened to Miriam is that she was punished for speaking ill of her brother Moshe and she was afflicted with Tzoraat; hence, the connection between these two p'sukim that share a parsha. [S>24:10 (4)] We must not be overly forceful in the taking of a security from a poor person who has borrowed from us [585,L239 24:10]. We must not withhold that which has already been taken from him; if he needs it, we must return it to him [586,587; L240, A199 24:12,13]. Another positive- prohibition pair of mitzvot. Think about this: We are commanded to lend money to our fellow Jew if he is in need and if we can afford it. We may not take interest on that loan. But, we may take something of value from him as security for the loan. There are certain types of things we may not take as security. And we must observe certain protocol when we take a security. AND we are commanded to return the security if the person needs it. Even though he hasn't repaid the loan yet. And even though the purpose of taking a security is to have something of value in case the borrower defaults on the loan. So why am I giving him back the security? It isn't logical. Right, it isn't logical. But mitzvot are G-d's commands, regardless of whether they make sense to our limited finite brains or not. Worried about the loan? Have some faith in G-d. You believe He created the world - you can believe He knows what He's doing with loans and everything else. Sh'VII - Seventh Aliya 28 p'sukim - 24:14-25:19 [S>24:14 (2)] We may not take unfair advantage of our less- fortunate workers. A day-laborer must be paid on time [588, A200 24:15]. The prohibition of delaying his wages is counted elsewhere. Another 2-sided mitzva. [S>24:16 (1)] Close relatives may not testify against (or for) one another in criminal cases [589, L287 24:16]. There is also the implication here that a person will not be punished for deeds of his parents or children. This is an example (one of many) of a pasuk teaching us two or more quite different things. In this case, one is a mitzva among Taryag, the other is a "teaching". [S>24:17 (2)] One must not pervert justice even on behalf of an orphan [590,L280 24:17]. Securities for a loan must not be taken from a widow [591, L241 24:17]. Our experience in Egypt is to be remembered as the motive for many of these "sensitizing" mitzvot. [S>24:19 (1)] That which is forgotten in the fields after harvesting must be left for the poor; one should not return for it himself [592,593; A122,L214 24:19]. [S>24:20 (3)] The previous parsha set down the rules of SHICH'CHA; this parsha adds rules for proper kind behavior when picking olives and grapes. Again we are reminded of our Egyptian experience. Even though Egypt was unspeakably cruel to us, our experience there is supposed to make us kinder and more sensitive. [S>25:1 (4)] The punishment of makot (whipping) is to be administered by the courts to those found guilty of sins punishable thusly, but care must be exercised not to exceed the required number of lashes [594, 595; A224, L300 25:2,3]. The prohibition of not exceeding the approved number of lashes, also includes the more general prohibition of striking a fellow Jew. Do not muzzle an animal when it is working with food [596,L219 25:4]. [S>25:5 (6)] The widow of a man without offspring is forbidden to marry anyone else [597,L357 25:5] until... She either "marries" her brother-in-law (Yibum) [598, A216 25:5] or the relationship is severed by chalitza [599,A217 25:9], in which case she may marry anyone else (but not a kohen). The Torah speaks of a man dying without having had a BEN. Does that mean "son" or "child"? Is the word BEN in this context, exclusive or inclusive? This is a very important question. Sometimes (usually) BEN means male child and sometimes it includes sons and daughters. In the case of a man dying, the word BEN includes any offspring. If a man has no sons, only a daughter, and he dies, his widow is free to marry anyone except a Kohein Gadol. And she may not marry her late husband's brother. That is a high level prohibition. If the man had no offspring, his widow must* marry his brother (*or receive Chalitza). Total opposites, depending upon exactly what BEN means. How do we know? Torah She'b'al Peh, the Oral Law. We cannot under- stand Torah without it. [S>25:11 (2)] If person "A" is pursuing "B" to kill him, we must save B's life even if it means killing "A" [600,A247 25:12]. We cannot show mercy to the pursuer, "A" [601,L293 25:12]. If it is possible to stop "A" without killing him, we must do so - to kill him in this case would be an act of murder. [S>25:13 (4)] (Not only may one not use false measures, but) mere possession of false dry or liquid measures or weights is forbidden [602,L272 25:13]. Honest weights and measures is one of the pillars of society; G-d despises those who cheat in business. [P>25:17 (3)] The final portion of the sedra is "Zachor". We are commanded to remember what Amalek did to us on our way out of Egypt [603,A189 25:17]. The Jewish People as a whole are commanded to destroy the rem- nant of Amalek from this world [604, A188 25:18]. We (each Jew) must never forget what Amalek did [605,L59 25:19]. Technically, these mitzvot apply to the specific Amalek nation. The idea, however, must be extended to the Amalek-types that have plagued us throughout Jewish history. These final 3 p'sukim of the sedra are reread for the Maftir. Special note for Shabbat Parshat Ki Teitzei in the year before a 13-month year (like now): Because of the upcoming Adar Bet, more than 12 months will have past from the last Parshat Zachor until the next time we read it. Some say that the official period of "forgetting" is 12 month. (Some say it is a year of any length, rendering this comment irrelevant.) If we say 12 months, then we have a potential violation of LO TISH- KACH, thou shalt not forget. To remedy this, some say (the same some, as above) that we should ask the BK (Baal K'ri'a or Baal Korei, as he is referred to, correctly or incorrectly) to have the mitzva of remembering Amalek in mind when he reads the last three p'sukim of the sedra (either or both times). And the congregation should be reminded to have the mitzva in mind when they hear the reading. This, despite the fact that this is not the Shabbat that was designated for the mitzva of Zachor. Haftara 10 p'sukim Yeshayahu 54:1-10 This is the 5th of the 7 haftarot of consolation. It prophesies an end to the Exile, a reconciliation between the People of Israel and G-d. G-d is likened to the husband of His estranged wife, Israel. The couple will reconcile, so to speak. G-d says that the Exile is to Israel as the Flood was to No'ach. He promises no more exile. No more anger. The Exile was temporary. His Love is everlasting. THE JERUSALEM INSTITUTE OF JEWISH LAW, Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Dean THE CHALLENGE OF MONEY: WAGES AND LABOR; EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE by Dr. Meir Tamari MISC section - contents: [1] Vebbe Rebbe [2] Candle by Day [3] Wisdom and Wit [4] From Aloh Naaleh [5] Parsha Points to Ponder [6] Portion from the Portion [7] From Machon Puah [8] Person in the Parsha [9] Praying with Passion [10] Towards Better Kashrut Awareness [11] Divrei Menachem [1] From the virtual desk of the OU VEBBE REBBE The Orthodox Union - via its website - fields questions of all types in areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of them are answered by Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, headed by Rav Yosef Carmel and Rav Moshe Ehrenreich, founded by HaRav Shaul Yisraeli zt"l, to prepare rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National Religious community in Israel and abroad. Ask the Rabbi is a joint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hemdah... and the Israel Center. The following is a Q&A from Eretz Hemdah... NO COLUMN THIS WEEK [2] Candle by Day NO COLUMN THIS WEEK A Candle by Day - The Antidote - The World of Chazal by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein Now available at 054-209-9200 [3] Wisdom and Wit by Shmuel Himelstein R' Yisrael Salanter noted that there are people who go to great lengths not to harm others in any way, but have no compunctions about berating people who insult them or who do things which are against halachah. Chazal tell us that the words of a person may indeed cause harm to others. Thus, said R' Yisrael, anyone who berates others is no different from a person who causes physical damage or harm to others, and such behavior is totally forbidden. For this reason, he was always very careful about everything he said. # # # # # The Baal Shem Tov said that it is as difficult to describe to another person one's love of Hashem as it is to describe to someone the taste of a food that the person has never tasted. [4] CHIZUK and IDUD for Olim & not-yet-Olim respectively NO COLUMN THIS WEEK TORAH THOUGHTS as contributed by Aloh Naaleh members for publication in the Orthodox Union's 'Torah Insights', a weekly Torah publication on Parshat HaShavu'a [5] Parsha Points to Ponder NO COLUMN THIS WEEK Points to Ponder is prepared by Rabbi Dov Lipman who teaches at Reishit Yerushalayim and Machon Maayan in Beit shemesh and is the author of "DISCOVER: Answers for Teenagers (and Adults) to Questions about the Jewish Faith" (Feldheim) and "TIMEOUT: Sports Stories as a Game Plan for Spiritual Success" (Devora) His Hagada commentary, "FOUNDATIONS" will be published by Targum before Pesach ppp@ouisrael.org [6] Portion from the Portion by Rakel Berenbaum FEEDback to berenbau@actcom.net.il NO COLUMN THIS WEEK [7] from Machon Puah - for Fertility and Gynecology in Accordance with Halacha NO COLUMN THIS WEEK [8] Person in the parsha by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NO COLUMN THIS WEEK [9] Praying with Passion - V'ani Tefillah Foundation - Praying with Fire NO COLUMN THIS WEEK [10] Towards Better Kashrut Awareness no column this week [11] Divrei Menachem Ki Tetzei opens with a reference to those who go out to war against the enemy. The Chassidic masters naturally proposed that our enemies comprise those negative human drives that lead us away from Hashem and into misdemeanors of all kinds. But how many commentators would ever translate the Hebrew words Ki Tetzei to mean, "If you would go out of your way" to overcome your evil inclination, a.k.a., your ego? Consider that later in the parsha we are bidden several times to look after those unfortunate individuals who are unable to take care of themselves - the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger in our midst. We are to pay them on time; we are not to take away their essential clothing as collateral. Once having been slaves, we should know better than to take advantage of vulnerable souls. We would think that assisting the weak was an obvious ethical imperative. Moreover, we altruistic types would clearly not anticipate any recognition for our charitable deeds! Or would we? For why would the Torah go out of its way to tell us well-meaning folks that if, at night, we return the pledged garment to the destitute debtor, "it will be considered an act of righteousness before Hashem" (D'varim 24:13)? The answer, Rashi advises us, is because, despite our bloated high opinion of ourselves, we were still disappointed (and sometimes disgusted) at not having received any thanks at all from our downtrodden defaulter. Shabbat Shalom, Menachem Persoff Towards Better Davening and Torah Reading NO COLUMN THIS WEEK Parsha Pix Starting in the upper-left: An Xed out noose. That's not the hanging that is meant in Ki Teitzei - it is the hanging the body after execution. Soldier in a tank, represents the many times "army" issues are mentioned in the sedra - The Beautiful Captive, the cleanliness of an army camp, exemption from service for a groom for the first year of marriage... Warning lights to prevent someone getting injured from a hazard in one's property - the flip side of MAAKEH Boot is for CHALITZA and the whole subject of YIBUM Nest with eggs happens immediately after the fulfillment of Shiluach HaKen. Couple under the CHUPA stands for several topics related to marriage Hands taking money out of wallet = different monetary mitzvot in the sedra - not to borrow with interest, to pay a laborer on time, fulfill one's pledges... Cluster of grapes on top of a stalk of wheat to represent K'LAI KEREM Garden shovel is the YATEID, digging tool, that is required of soldiers to have and use for proper hygienic "bathroom" Toilet is for requirement of having sanitary facilities outside an army camp String around finger is for the various mitzvot to remember - what happened to Miriam, being in Mitzrayim, Amalek The grave-marker is for the mitzva to bury our dead, and reasonably quickly The donkey = many references to either donkey or other animal. The donkey gets lost, he is overburdened, he cannot pull a plow with an ox... Barbells with different weights on each end represents false weights and measures. Forbidden even to possess Aardvark and giraffe are tied together. That is a Torah violation of plowing with an ox and a donkey together Timeclock = paying the worker on time, and also the mitzvot related to workers' & employers' rights, as well Purim grogger stands for ZACHOR and especially wiping out Amalek. KEY=KI, the word that starts the sedra off and appears 48 times Apple tree can be for the rules of SHICH'CHA or the location of a nest, or for the rules to allow apple pickers to eat during their breaks T'filin are not mentioned in Ki Teitzei. Here it refers to the prohibition of a woman's wearing K'LEI GEVER, men's apparel - according to Targum Yonatan Ben Uziel Pawn ="Something given as security for a loan...", which is in the sedra. Xed out cat-o-nine-tails. MAKOT, whipping, punishment for many violations, was with a broad leather strip meant to hurt but not cut Goldfish and a dog = a pair of pets or parapets meaning MAAKEH Upper-right, murex trunculus from which T'cheilet is made, for G'DILIM TAASEH LACH... Bubble bath for KETZEF in haftara Dove with olive branch for MI NO'ACH in haftara. TAGIM for SHAATNEZ (GETZ) 3 Unexplaineds (hint: Mitzvot) TTRIDDLES... are Torah Tidbits-style riddles on Parshat HaShavua (sometimes on the calendar). They are found in the hard-copy of TT scattered throughout, usually at the bottom of different columns. In the electronic versions of TT, they are found all together at the end of the ParshaPix-TTriddles section. The best solution set submitted each week (there isn't always a best) wins a double prize a CD from Noam Productions and/or a gift (game, puzzle, book, etc.) from Big Deal Last issue's (SHO-F'TIM) TTriddles: [1] Home of the Blue Devils 26 different varsity teams of Duke University are nicknamed Blue Devils. Being in Durham, NC, these can be called using area code 919. [2] The Cottonera Lines surround theirs ...a massive line of fortifications surrounding the 3 Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, in Malta. The sedra mentions three cities of refuge. [3] idiom for losing one's temper Flying off the handle - one opinion as to what happened in the classical SHOGEG situation in the sedra. [4] Bible for $200: What's the first word of each? The Jeopardy answer to which this is the correct question is ANOCHI ANOCHI (first words in the haftara; first word in each version of the Aseret HaDibrot. [5] This week's two shows SHOW-f'tim and SHOW-t'rim [6] mujeragaubayo Mujer is Spanish for woman or wife (like ISHA is both in Hebrew). Bayo is Spanish for horse. Ag = silver and Au = gold. All that a king is forbidden to have in excess. [7] Same as Tzav, but admits to it. Shoftim and Tzav each has 97 p'sukim. After the sedra, for Shoftim, the number is 97. Tzav is listed as having 96, the gimatriya of Tzav. [8] This Shabbat, two previews Ki Teitzei at Mincha, and earlier, in the sedra, also KI TEITZEI [9] Unexplained On first glance, it looks like the white king has too many horses, but a third can be acquired when a pawn is promoted, having reached the 8th rank (row). This still can be in violation of the prohibition of too many horses. However, it is known that a king with two knights cannot force a mate on the solitary black king. With a third knight, he can. The third horse is necessary for war - MUTAR. This week's TTriddles: [1] Maftir Yona before Shavuot [2] Is there a problem having a catseye with a sulphide together? [3] When each side of the lock is different [4] D'varim's two 3-end20 mitzvot [5] Sh'mot, Vayikra, D'varim: Shoftim, Ki Teitzei twice Israel Center Miscellany See website for the "standard" entries of this file. Help young couples (evacuees and children of evacuees) from Gush Katif and N. Shomron get ready for the arrival of their babies - Tzedaka - Matan B'Seter; The money collected will be used to buy carriages, cribs, layettes... Make checks out to the Israel Center. Write on the envelope: Gush Katif - Baby Fund, Also collecting good second-hand baby items, For more info. call Sara 0505-444-397 CHESED FUND - Recently, we have had some new, serious requests for financial aid, and are finding it difficult for us to be of help. We urgently need your help so that we can meet these needs - Please give to our Chesed Fund - Make checks to "Chesed Fund" and send to: Chesed Fund Israel Center att. Menachem Persoff POB 37015 / Jerusalem 91370 A great way to wissh your family and friends SHANA TOVA Rosh HaShana Greetings to be included IY"H in TT #922, The Trippple Issue for Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Rosh HaShana, Haazinu-Shuva 54nis (3 times CHAI) per insertion (names only) Call for further details and to submit a greeting (02) 560-9125 Do you "do" Facebook? If so, how about beoming a "fan of Torah Tidbits" - follow this link: tinyurl.com/m2t6u4 Sponsor a Shiur or a morning or a whole day's learning Sponsorship can be in memory of a loved one...or in celebration of a birth, Bar/Bat mitzva, engagement, marriage, anniversary, special birthday, Aliya of family or friends... The dedication will be included in Torah Tidbits, will be announced at the beginning of the shiur, and will be posted at the entrance to the room. Obviously, we need advance notice to properly process your sponsorship. Call us for further details: (02) 560-9125 Name: ________________________________ Phones: ____________________________ Dedication (circle one): Single Shiur (180NIS) What shiur? __________________________ Morning (360NIS) or full day (500NIS) Indicate which day: ________ In honor of _______________________________________ Occasion (birth, Bar/Bat Mitzva, graduation, engagement, marriage, anniversary, special birthday, recovery, Aliya), other - specify:_______________________________ In memory of _______________________________________ Occasion - yahrzeit, how many years; other: ____________________________________ The Yair Landau Memorial Library Update BOOKS Over the summer we have acquired interesting new books. They include a gift from the family of Bernie Kastner entitled "Understanding the Afterlife in This Life," written in memory of their beloved son, Gedalia Natan A"H, who passed away at the age of nineteen. Another interesting and informative book, "Torah of The Mothers," was recently reviewed by our esteemed teacher Rebbitzen Pearl Borow. TAPES We recently received a rich collection of English language Torah tapes of some of the most popular teachers and rabbis of our generation - also from the Kastner family - and we are now looking for VOLUNTEERS to help us sort and label them. Call us at 560-9135 and leave your name and contact details so that we can reach you. VIDEOS We have had a most successful summer and there are more showings scheduled on Mon/Tue/Wed in the library at 12.30pm. The showings are free of charge: Bring a friend, lunch, and relax and enjoy in the cool comfort of the library while you watch a film of Jewish interest. MUSIC We always looking for more donations of CDs to add to our growing collection... Call us for membership information. Meanwhile, we wish all our members and "clients" a Shana Tova. The staff and library volunteers Schocketino Shabbat Take-Home Appetizers Sweet & sour meatballs 12nis Stuffed peppers 12nis Gefilte fish 10nis Grilled fillet of salmon 15nis Potato/mushroom blintzes 10nis Main Courses Honey mustard turkey 18nis Corned beef 28nis Brisket Italian Style 24nis BBQ chicken 15nis Chicken in fruit sauce 15nis Salads Coleslaw 5nis Potato salad 5nis Cucumber salad 5nis Cherry tomato salad 5nis Sun-dried tomato pasta salad 5nis Quinoa/wheat salad 6nis Side dishes Potato kugel 5nis Yerushalmi kugel 5nis Rice with mushrooms & onions 5nis Herbal garlic potatoes 5nis Zuchini in tomato sauce 5nis Stir fried vegetables 6nis Prices are per portion Minimum order - 4 portions per item Orders must be placed by Wednesday 10:00pm with Chaim 052-855-1538 Pickup - Friday at the Israel Center 10:30-12:00 Glatt Kosher - OU Mehadrin Israel Travel Desk - DIRECT LINE: 560-9110 or 050-725-8392 THE TRAVEL DESK is for making reservations and receiving info about Israel Center tiyulim. Please note that ALL Israel Center tiyulim require advance registration. Please note Travel Desk Hours": At your service SUN 12:00-5:00pm - MON 11:00am-4:00pm THU 11:00am-3:00pm - Other times, leave message at 560-9110 Call Naomi at the OU Israel Center Travel Desk, 560-9110 or 050-725-8392; fax: 566-0156; email: tiyul@ouisrael.org - Outside Travel Desk hours, please leave a message... Call Shulamit Neaman at 050-593-7932 on the day of a tiyul or the evening preceeding it. Also, if you are running late for a tiyul or for last minute cancelation. CANCELLATION POLICIES: We reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee in case of last-minute cancellations. Also... Price of tiyul is based on a minimum number of participants, meaning that we can cancel a tiyul with too low registration BOOKED? When a tiyul is listed as BOOKED - you can call to be wait-listed; you will be called back if there is a cancellation, if we add a bus, or when we fix a new date for the tiyul. KASHRUT POLICY: Food for Israel Center In-House programs is supervised by OU-Israel Mehadrin. Israel Center sponsored trips and programs are Mehadrin. Hotels, restaurants, and tiyulim advertised by outside parties are not necessarily Mehadrin and are not endorsed by the OU or the Israel Center. Calls from abroad: Due to time differences, we recommend that people from abroad, email tiyul@ouisrael.org or fax 972-2-5660156 for attention of OU Israel Travel Desk Please be sure to include email or fax number for reply, in addition to phone number. Israel Center tiyulim are partially subsidized by the Jewish Agency for Israel LAST CALL - Upcoming Shabbaton - Shabbat Parshat Ki Tavo; Friday-Shabbat, August 27-28, Two Shabbatot before Rosh HaShana, Drasha and Shiur by Rabbi Sholom Gold Other shiurim by Rabbi Chanoch Yeres, Phil Chernofsky plus mini-shiurim, Divrei Torah, Tidbits, trivia... and more 250nis members / 300nis non (why be a non?) - Call 560-9125 Travel Deal Israel in cooperation with the Israel Center NOW offers you a dedicated phone number, (02) 999-6035 with daily service: Sunday 9am - 6pm, Monday-Thursday, 9am - 11pm and Friday, 9am until noon When our offices are closed, callers will be able to leave messages that will be recorded as being via the Travel Desk of the Israel Center. TRAVEL DEAL - www.traveldealisrael.com SPECIALS for the coming week... Kibbutz Lavi: AUG. Midweek, 4th night Free Leonardo Plaza J'lem: AUG. midweek, child free in parents room, Free dinner Inbal: Discounted rates for children + free child meal by the pool! Nir Etzion: 20% off the from Aug. 15-29th Golden Tulip Eilat: week of August 22nd free dinner Prima Kings: 25% off the week of August 22-29 Ramada Jerusalem: Stay 2 nights - 10% off, 3 nights 15% off, 4 nights 25% off Jerusalem Gate: AUG. Midweek, 2nd night 50% off (02) 999-6035 - www.traveldealisrael.com - res@traveldealisrael.com Return to the Rova - WED Aug. 18 3-5pm Wheelchair Tour of the Jewish Quarter with tour guide Reb. Feiga Kahana Among the places we'll be touring, are the Cardo, Rothschild plaza, the broad wall and, of course, the rebuilt Churva Synagogue. Limited to 5 participants in wheelchairs - Each one may bring along a caregiver or other assistant, 30NIS - Please call Shulamit Neaman (02) 58-220-58 BOOKED - CALL TO BE WAITLISTED - An Exciting Trip to Mystical Ts'fat in Elul - HOLY CITY, KABBALISTIC CENTER, PICTURESQUE HOME OF ART AND ARTISTS with historian and guide: GABRIELLA LICSKO Tuesday, August 24th - 14 Elul 5770 8:00am to 8:00pm - Very well worth the effort! As we ride up North to the Holy City, we shall have a mini-course on the history, communities and most famous residents of Ts'fat, including the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever, the kabbalistic renaissance of the middle ages and life story of the Ari z"l, Rav Yosef Karo and the Shulchan Aruch, the Chassidic aliya of the 19th century, groups like Kosov, Vizhnitz, Sanz etc., the city's heroic fight in the War of Independence, the influx of artists from the 1950s, the significance and presence of Chabad and Breslov chassidut in the city in the last 30 years, the Carlebach followers. Hesder yeshiva (and the Torani and Dati Leumi crowd). And of course, Ts'fat as a unique tourist center. History of the kabbalistic way of thinking from Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai until Rav Aryeh Kaplan z"l. Become more familiar with the different kabbalistic schools (sephardi, litvish, chassidish) In the city visit the famous Abouhab Synagogue, the Sephardi Ari shul, Rav Yosef Karo shul, the art colony and galleries. Get to know the Kiryat Breslov and Kiryat Sanz neighborhoods, Hesder Yeshiva, Ascent of Ts'fat famous, successful Chabad outreach center and more. 150nis/170nis Don't wait - people may take away your place - Call the Travel Desk immediately at (02) 560-9110 or 050-725-8392 to reserve your seats on the bus for this highly inspiring pilgrimage! Shulamit's tiyulim are always a treat; Come! You will enjoy her delicious sweets! BELZ SHUL - Sunday, August 29th 4:00pm, 25nis per person Adv. registration and payment required - Sign up with the Travel Desk - (02) 560-9110 or 050-725-8392 Agnon House and Old Talpiot with Nachman Kupietzky TUE, Aug. 31 10am - 12:30pm Walk through the old Talpiot neighborhood stopping at the Eliezer Ben Yehuda House. We will also see the grove where Agnon's shtiebel was located, and is today, the Sephardic Synagogue. Continuing on to the W.W. I British cemetery and Agnon's Tiferet Yisroel Synagogue. The tiyul will conclude with a tour of the Agnon House. 36NIS members / 45NIS non-mem - Call Naomi to reserve your place (02) 560-9110 or 050-725-8392 THE Tour for which we've all been waiting - The newly rebuilt Churva Synagogue in the Old City (originally built by Rabbi Yehuda HaChasid) - Sunday, Sept. 5th 3:00pm, Limit: 28 people, 30NIS Call the Travel Desk (02) 560 9110 or 050 725 8392 A Millennium of Jewish Fighters, Valor and Heroism with Gidon Abramowitz as our erudite Guide Thursday, September 2 8:00am to 6:30pm approx. Latrun Israel's Armored Museum, memorializing the major battles fought in the area throughout history, from Joshua to the War of Independence and the Six Day War. Largest collection of armored vehicles in the world... a documentary of Israeli armored might. The tour will emphasize the special section honoring the Jewish soldiers and partisans, and their invaluable contribution to the Allied war effort and victory over the Nazi tyranny. Beit Hagdudim The Jewish Legion Museum, est. 1961 by Jewish men and women, veterans who volunteered to fight in the British Army and who later founded Moshav Avichail, where the Museum is located. The display speaks for the soldiers who began as a small battalion in WWI and grew to a force of over 30,000 in WWII. Border Police Museum and Heritage Center... depicts the on-going vigilance of the Border Police, and their fight against internal and external terrorism... a testimony to the operational capabilities and resolve of this branch of Israel's fighting forces... The rich display relates the many operational episodes throughout Israel's war on terrorism from 1949 to present day. 180NIS members / 200NIS non-members - Sign up with Naomi at the Travel Desk (02) 560-9110 or 050-725-8392 - Shulamit's tiyulim are always a treat; Come! You will enjoy her delicious sweets! Fire Station Tiyul - Grand tour of the largest fire station in Jerusalem. Learn about the methods used for fire-fighting. See and learn about brave people who protect us. Visit the beautiful SHUL with its magnificent lights - the only shul in any of Israel's fire stations. Sunday, Sep. 19th 10:00am - NIS 25 (02) 560 9110 or 050-725-8392 Philanthropists and Leaders from Antiquity to Modernity: Herod to Rothschild - Connecting Rabbi Akiva to the State of Israel via Caesarea with Teacher of Tour Guides Dr. Hagi Amitzur Tuesday, September 21st - 8:00am to 6:00pm We will visit Hefziba, cradle of modern Jewish settlements... plus a delightful area of water and nature We will continue our tour with Caesarea, a dream come true by Herod, walk through the Hippodrome where R. Akiva was executed and visit the archeological remains of the aqueducts, mosaic floors, villa, theatre and more. On our way we will view the most advanced computerized interactive presentation: "Journey in the Past" We are very pleased that Dr. Amitzur will be available to guide us on this highly educational and exciting tiyul 175nis members (195nis non-mem) - Call Naomi at the Travel Desk (02) 560-9110 or 050-725-8392 Shulamit's tiyulim are always a treat; Come! You will enjoy her delicious sweets! Save this Date - Chol HaMoed Sukkot Special Family Outing to the COCA COLA Factory in Bnei Braq - Sunday, September 26th, 9:30AM-4:00pm (approx) -80nis/100nis; Call now to reserve your place before the tiyul fills up Call Naomi at the Travel Desk (02) 560-9110 or 050-725-8392 Home Home on the Coastal Plain, where the Olives & Buffalo range - TUE Oct. 5th / 08:00-18:30 / Guided by Hughie Auman WEIZMANN INSTITUTE where landmark research and medical solutions have changed lives in Israel and abroad. The Clore Garden of Science: the latest, coolest exhibits... Get an insider's view of the life of Israel's first president at The Weizmann House... The Solar Complex, one of the world's most sophisticated solar research facilities OLIVE OIL VISITORS CENTER Olive Harvest at Moshav Bnei Darom... Modern cold olive press... learn about ancient & modern methods of Olive Oil production. Taste & purchase different strains of Olive Oil and the new line of Gourmet Olive Oil products... TWO UNIQUE TORAH SCROLLS See and hear about the scroll which was carried by the last person to leave Kibbutz Kfar Darom in 1948 as well as the last Torah Scroll to be rescued from Lebanon by the Israeli Paratroopers in "Operation Sh'lom HaGalil" WATER BUFFALO DAIRY FARM See the huge docile buffalo at the Triester Dairy Farm. Taste and buy the delicious Buffalo cheese and yogurt. 190nis members / 210nis non-members // Call 560-9110 or 050-725-8392 - Shulamit's tiyulim are always a treat; Come! You will enjoy her delicious sweets! Save this Date for a very exciting and inspiring Shabbaton in the Nir Etzion Hotel with our very own Rabbi Zev Leff - Fri. morning thru Motza'ei Shabbat; Oct. 15-16 - Parshat Lech Lecha - More details to follow Call Naomi at the Travel Desk (02) 560-9110 - 050 725 8392 The Back Page of TT920 The Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults - Dean, Rabbi Sholom Gold, is the educational component of the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center and incorporates all the classes & lectures of the OU Israel Center. "Regular" IC classes & lectures - 25nis members, 30nis non-members. 5nis maintenance fee for life members. Special rates for mornings with two or more shiurim: 40nis members, 50nis non-members. 10nis for life members. Yearly membership 360NIS couple, 275NIS single. Life membership, call us. Programs of the Center are partially funded by the Jewish Agency for Israel, No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Yom R'vi'i, 8 Elul, - WED, August 18th 9:20am Contemporary Halachic Issues Rabbi Macy Gordon 9:45am Parshat Ki Teitzei with Reuven Wolfeld - "Rebellious son - Yishmael?" and "Ye - bum" 10:45am Parshat HaShavua R' Yosef Wolicki various MINI-Shiur/Divrei Torah while you fold 12:30pm Dr. Maurice E. Joseph Jewish Video Resource Center presents... VIDEO in the LIBRARY: Rabbi Natan Lopes Cardozo, Ph.D. "Understanding Halacha" - Part 1 12:45pm TaiChi for Health with Avi Hirsch 1:30pm Medical Chi Kong with Avi Hirsch 050-7671-722 2:30pm Women's Beit Midrash - Pearl Borow First hour: the KUZARI; Second hour on Chumash with Rashi 7:30pm Rabbi Chaim Eisen's shiur - Truth Will Sprout from the Earth Yom Chamishi, 9 Elul - THU, August 19th 9:00am Exercise Class for Women at the ISRAEL CENTER Focus on balance, correct posture, back and abdominal strengthening Given by DR TOVA GOLDFINE Chiropractor/Rehabilitation FOR WOMEN OF ALL AGES AND EXERCISE FITNESS LEVEL What to wear... loose clothes What to expect... fun and challenging exercise and movement Leaving you wanting more and more... and for sure, take home tips for you to continue your strengthening at home 25NIS members 20NISnon-mem PLEASE BRING A BOTTLE OF WATER AND AN EXERCISE MAT Contact Dr Tova 052-420-1201 chirodivine@gmail.com 10:30am (to 12:30) Aggadata and Midot Tovot Dr. Hayim Abramson various MINI-Shiur/Divrei Torah while you fold 1:30pm Verna with the knitting needles (and D'var Torah) in the library Knitting 101 on Thursdays in the library, 1:30-2:30. Open to men and women who are beginners. Questions? Please call Verna 054-842-6696. No charge for this class. THU Aug. 19 8:00pm Singles Program (ages 35-48) For more information: hmeller@013.net Friday 10 Elul / August 20th 9:00am Rabbi Eisen's shiur on Aggada 11:00am RCA Daf Yomi SHABBAT 11 Elul - Augsut 21st 5:00pm Shiur by Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Poupko 6:00pm MINCHA Sun-Thu in the Ganchrow Beis Medrash (first floor) 10:00am Rabbi Jeff Bienenfeld - Starting Brachot - 4th perek 10:00am MONDAY New shiur Mishnayot Yoma (8th perek) with Michael Newman 11:15am RCA Daf Yomi by Rotation (and Fri. at 11:00am) 1:20pm Mincha (this time stays the same throughout the year) 3:15pm Hilchot Shabbat - Rabbi Chaim Sendic (052-668-0312) - Tuesday and Wednesdays 4:30pm Masechet K'tuvot with Rabbi Hillel Ruvell (not Tuesdays) Sunday 12 Elul / August 22nd L'AYLA - Elul-time program for young women - Reaching higher... Together - (for further details and to arrange for babysitting, call Mrs. Rivka Segal (02) 625-3634 rsegal@ouisrael.org) Preparing for the Yamim Noraim Sunday, August 22, 12 Elul 9:15 Living Tehillim - Mrs. Rivka Segal 10:25 Exploring the tefillos of the Yamim Noraim - Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz 11:30 The Art of Listening - Mrs. Yitti Bisk Classes will be held at the OU Israel Center - Each class 20nis, 40nis for the morning 9:30am Let's Study the Yom Kippur Machzor Tonia Frohwein women 10:30am Mystical Insights into the Months of the Year Golda Warhaftig women AMIT Lunch & Learn - Guest speaker: ESTI ROSENBERG 'On the Righteous and on the Pious; Who is Truly Righteous?' Lunch 11:45am - Shiur 12:30pm 40nis XXX Life: A fantastic adventure - Alan Romm 12:00pm Hebrew for Beginners Learn to read and converse in Hebrew and feel more comfortable when you daven. Given by Haya Graus with Cecily Davis 10nis per session 2:00pm Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher (August 22nd) - The Shofar: Cry of Fear or Song of Love? 5:20pm Pri Chadash Women's Writing Workshop (2 hrs) - resumes next week Contact: Ruth Fogelman (628-7359) and Judy Caspi (054-569-0410) 7:30pm Rabbi Eisen's Shiur - Ramban's commentary on the Torah and its wellsprings New Unit - Lech L'cha: Whence the selection and identity of Eretz Canaan as G-d's Land 7:30pm The Book of Nechemya - Rabbi Mordechai Machlis 8:30pm Rabbi Dr. Joseph C. Klausner/Yedidyahu will give a 4-part series exploring the T'shuva Movement from Tanach to Today. 3rd session: Con-vention in Spontaneous Tradition Monday 13 Elul / August 23rd N'SHEI LIBRARY: 10:00-12:30 9:15am Excursions into the Book of Shoftim Pearl Borow 10:30am Elul & the Yamim Nora'im Rabbi Zev Leff 11:35am Fit Forever: Look & Feel your Best! Exercise for women of all ages - Call Sura Faecher 993-2524 Monday, August 23rd, 11:35am - Eretz Yisrael - G-d's Favorite Piece of Real Estate A fascinating talk by Rivka Epstein, graduate, Lander School of Tourism 12:30pm Dr. Maurice E. Joseph Jewish Video Resource Center presents... VIDEO in the LIBRARY: Rabbi Stewart Weiss "The Flight of Yona- Escapism in Jewish Life" Women's Beit Midrash 2:00pm "Bring on the Blessings" - Pearl Borow 3:00pm Mishna, Mitzvot, and More - Phil Chernofsky (resumes next week IY"H) Rabbi Dr. Elie Assis a senior lecturer of Tanach at Bar Ilan: On Summer recess. Watch for announcements. Contact Sam Finkel 052-469-1263 MASK - J'lem Chapter at the Israel Center - maskjerusalem.cjb.net 050 754 2717 - NEXT MEETING: Monday, August 30 7:30-9:30pm with Dr. Judy Belsky Mondays, August 23, 30, September 6, 13 6:30-9:30pm Personal Breakthrough Workshop Series given by Shlomo Kory, certified NLP Master-Practitioner #1 Decision Making - Intuitive and Intellectual #2 How to Achieve your Goals #3 How to Motivate Yourself #4 Creating Resourceful Emotional States and Upgrading Your Behaviors to Meet Challenging Situations (Regular) 75NIS per workshop, (IC members) 65NIS per workshop For more information: email: shlomokory@gmail.com or visit www.nlpjerusalem.com Yom Sh'lishi 14 Elul - TUE August 24th L'AYLA - Elul-time program for young women - Reaching higher... Together - (for further details and to arrange for babysitting, call Mrs. Rivka Segal (02) 625-3634 rsegal@ouisrael.org) Preparing for the Yamim Noraim Tuesday, August 24, Elul 14 9:15 Highlights of Shir haShirim - Mrs. Batya Weinberg 10:25 Motherhood and the Shofar - Rabbi Moshe Miller 11:30 Bringing the Almighty into All of our Relationships - Rebbetzin Devorah Singer Classes will be held at the OU Israel Center - Each class 20nis, 40nis for the morning 10-12am, 7-8:30pm - G'mach 9:00am Rabbi Aharon Adler - Torah of Eretz Yisrael 10:15am Rabbi Sholom Gold - Parshat HaShavua In recess Jewish History, 2nd Temple Period - Dr. Henry Goldblum 11:20am Esther Sutton's inspirational Elul series: (women only) Sweeter than Honey - an in-depth study of the gifts of Elul; Teshuva, Compassion and Renewal 12:30pm Dr. Maurice E. Joseph Jewish Video Resource Center presents... VIDEO in the LIBRARY: Rabbi Natan Lopes Cardozo, Ph.D. "Understanding Halacha" - Part 2 1:00pm Writing as self-discovery (women only) - Exploring the stories of your life - Esther Sutton 8:00pm Through the eyes of the Meforshim - Rabbi Yonatan Kolatch Yom R'vi'i 15 Elul - WED August 25th XXX Contemporary Halachic Issues Rabbi Macy Gordon 9:45am Parshat Ki Tavoi with Reuven Wolfeld 10:45am Parshat HaShavua R' Yosef Wolicki various MINI-Shiur/Divrei Torah while you fold 12:30pm Dr. Maurice E. Joseph Jewish Video Resource Center presents... VIDEO in the LIBRARY: Rabbi Zev Leff - "Seeking G-d During the Yamim Nora'im" XXX TaiChi for Health with Avi Hirsch XXX Medical Chi Kong with Avi Hirsch 050-7671-722 2:30pm Women's Beit Midrash - Pearl Borow First hour: the KUZARI; Second hour on Chumash with Rashi 7:30pm Rabbi Chaim Eisen's shiur - " Truth Will Sprout from the Earth" Meet the Author - Wednesday, August 25th 8:00pm - Book evening - One of the most important books to appear in the last years, demonstrating the mitzva of living in Eretz Yisrael in every parsha of the Torah - 2 vol., 900 pages by Rav Nachman Kahana (books will be on sale) Speakers include: Rav Nachman Kahana, Rabbi Sholom Gold, Mrs. Sara Friedman, Mrs. Rachel Lobell Yom Chamishi 16 Elul THU August 26th 9:00am Exercise Class for Women 10:30am (to 12:30) Aggadata and Midot Tovot Dr. Hayim Abramson various MINI-Shiur/Divrei Torah while you fold Verna with the knitting needles in the library - Knitting 101 class will be held regularly on Thursdays in the library, 1:30-2:30. Open to men and women who are beginners. Questions? Please call Verna 054-842-6696. No charge for this class. Dvar Torah is read before the group starts to knit. Thursday, August 26th, 8:00pm - The Joy Club Special Elul Edition - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin Yom Shishi 17 Elul FRI August 27th 9:00am Rabbi Eisen's shiur on Aggada 11:00am RCA Daf Yomi Shabbaton - Parshat Ki Tavo - see tiyul section for more information upcoming... at the Israel Center Invest in your Neshama! - Guaranteed Returns - The OU Israel Center is honored to present its Yamim Nora'im Lecture Series Sun. Aug. 29 8:00pm Rav Yitzchak Breitowitz - The Sound of the Shofar and the Cry of the Heart Mon. Aug. 30 8:00pm Rabbi Berel Wein - Old and New Years Tue Aug 31 8:00pm Rabbi Chaim Eisen - Cosmic Deadline - Does Redemption depend on Repentance? Wed. Sep. 1 8:00pm Rabbi Macy Gordon - What is Rosh Hashana Really About? Thu. Sep. 2 8:00pm Dr. Henry Goldblum - The Leadership of the Nation, Talmud Rosh Hashana SELICHOT night Sep 4 9:30pm Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Poupko - T'shuva with a Flick of the Wrist? (Slichot follows) Sep. 4 11:30pm Rabbi Jeff Bienenfeld - The Way to God's Heart and... Forgiveness (Slichot follows) Sun. Sep. 5 8:00pm Rabbi Aharon Adler - The Relevance of the Akeida to the Rosh Hashana Experience Mon. Sep. 6 8:00pm Rabbi Zev Leff - Judgement of Rosh Hashana, What is Hashem Looking For? Sun. Sep. 12 3:30pm (Tzom Gedaliya) Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher - Who will Live and Who will Die? - Why do the righteous suffer? (followed by Mincha, mini-shiur, Maariv, break-fast) Sun. Sep. 12 8:00pm Shira Smiles (for women only) - Revealing the Light of Yom Kippur Mon. Sep. 13 8:00pm Rabbi Yosef Wolicki - Lest your Heart Grow Haughty - The Problem of Pride Tue. Sep. 14 8:00pm Dr. Avivah Gottlieb-Zornberg - Jonah - Submission or Surrender? Wed. Sep. 15 8:00pm Rabbi Sholom Gold - Shortcuts to Teshuva according to Reb Zushe of Annapole Price per Shiur: 25nis members; 30nis non-members Entire Series: 120/175nis KTIVAH VA'CHATIMA TOVAH First Slichot (x2) - Motza'ei Shabbat Nitzavim-Vayeilech, September 4th 9:30pm Pre-Slichot Shiur - Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Poupko - "T'shuva with the Flick of a Wrist?" 10:30pm Slichot - Rabbi Eddie Abramson 11:30pm Pre-Slichot shiur - Rabbi Jeff Bienenfeld 12:30am (after chatzot) Slichot - David Katz MOMMY & BABY MUSIC CLASSES with Jackie - Register now for classes starting September 13th Call Jackie 054-533-9305 or email dcorre@zahav.net.il TEENS, THIS IS FOR YOU... (females, ages 13-20) Here is what you'll learn: How to Maintain Proper Posture, Exercise and Aerobics, Total Body Toning, Importance of Abdominal Strengthening Come learn excellent tools that you can use every day such as how to correctly sit at a computer or how to carry that heavy backpack. It doesn't end there; get ready to move with Dr. Tova's challenging exercise routines! Dr. Tova is a creative and enthusiastic educator who will teach you new skills in a fun and interactive way. Please refer to my latest blog on Teens and Correct Posture www.chirodivine.com REGISTER TODAY! 25nis per one-hour class - MONDAYS 4:00pm; Duration: 6 weeks at the OU Israel Center Dr Tova Goldfine, 30 years Chiropractor/Rehabilitation Specialist - chirodivine@gmail.com 052-420-1201