CLD #602

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

How do we know where we are spiritually balanced? By the physical realm. Meaning when one becomes alerted on a physical level if they are spiritually lacking or not. The famous guide to a life with Hashem, Gan Emunah (The Garden of Emunah), speaks about the clear messages from Shamayim (Heavens) where one can know where they are holding with their closeness/relationship with Hashem.

The human body is made up of 365 sinews (a piece of tough muscle tissue uniting muscle to bone) and 248 limbs. What does this have to do with kedusha (purity). The Torah commands a Jew 365 prohibitions and 248 positive Mitzvot (commandments). Therefore whenever there is a single pain/awakening or any form of difference in one of these sinews and/or limbs there is a message from Shamayim for this Jew.

Gan Emunah brings down a story from the time of the Ba’al Shem Tov, where there was a poor man who was sick and all his limbs and sinews crashed in his body. The doctors had no hope and no future was seen for this person. The Ba’al Shem Tov came out and after a short time the man revived and began asking for soup and some other foods. What happened?

The Ba’al Shem Tov told the doctor that he spoke with the man to get him to do Teshuva because he reached such a low point where his entire physical system crashed due to his poor spiritual life.

Therefore, B’H we should know that everything to the tiniest detail is a message from Shamayim to get stronger and become a happier Jew who is close to Hashem.

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Chai Yaakov ben Margalit shlit’a.

Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. The prohibition of kilei begadim (a mix of fabrics), or today known as Sha’atnez stands in Israel and outside of Israel and in our time and during the time of the Bet HaMikdash. Sha’atnez is prohibited to women as it is to men. All who wear this mix of sheep wool and linen violate a Torah another prohibiton every moment and moment. If one wears this crossbread of Shatnez while praying, his/her Tefillah is not accepted [in Shamayim].

2. Our Hachamim (Sages) prohibited one from wearing silk with wool because silk looks like linen. However, today silk exists in clothing production and society and people know what silk looks like, therefore there is no such prohibiton of mar’it ayin (which is to bring someone just to think that you are breaking a Torah prohibition even if you are not) no longer stands and one can wear silk with wool.

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CLD #601

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

How do we know that falling in sin is not from the intense pleasure or incilination to sin but rather from the lack of Emunah in the Teshuva of sinning? Meaning, how do we know that returning to sin is from our lack of believing in the power of Teshuva, repentance, and its not some crazy and intense feeling of “I need to do this or I will go crazy.”

What is so different in the need to be with a woman that is not the same with other things? It actually rests in our Emunah in Hashem. How? When someone falls and after the het (sin) they experience this depression of hormonal activity in their body. They do not have the esh zara (strange fire), or simply the need to be with a woman, it all rests in their hisaron (missing part) of Emunah. So logically it makes sense. At this moment after the fall, the person does not want to continue being with the woman, for example in Amnon’s case in Shmuel Bet he actually kicked out Tamar from his bedroom after raping her. He was disgusted by his actions.

Therefore, where does the ta’ava (lust) to continue falling into sin come from? The lack of belief in Teshuva. We must put it concrete in our minds: The Power of Teshuva is BEYOND AND ABOVE THIS WORLD! Teshuva is so powerful that it brings the person back and even to a higher level than before the sin. But at the same time we cannot whatsoever believe that we can sin because there is such a thing as Teshuva. Why? Because the Yetzer Hara will bring us to such low levels of sin and hallucinations that we will say: “I want to continue and returning to do Teshuva does not match the pleasure I am receiving from these sins.”

 

Basically, do not play games with angels and the spiritual realm. Let’s be honest, we are only human with Hashem giving us the power of speech. Limud Torah, Tefillah and Gemilut Hassadim can all be accomplished through speech. B’H these mitzvot should save us from the hands of the Yezter Hara.

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Chai Yaakov ben Margalit shlit’a.

Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. In a case where one tells his friend “I will sell you this home and everything in side it for $X  or in this box/sack” and the friend agrees to the deal, there deal does not exist because the friend does not know what he is buying. This is like a game of dice/gambling.

2. One is not considered to be the owner of something that has not come into the world. Meaning, one who tells his friend “I will sell you the vegetables that will come from this field in the next season to be, or from the tree, or from the offspring of this animal,” it is not considered like any deal has been made. One can discharge the deal/agreement even after the animal gave birth/the tree bore fruit.

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CLD #600

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

From Rav Ovadya’s Halacha Yomit e-mail.

"ויסעו מרפידים יובאו מדבר סיני ויחנו במדבר ויחן שם ישראל נגד ההר"

שמות יט:ב

They joruneyed from Rephidim, and they arrived in the desert of Sinai, and they encamped in the desert, and Israel encamped there opposite the mountain.

The Or HaHaim, Rav Haim Ben Atar ZT’L, asks a simple question from the event of Har Sinai in the Torah. It says “…they encamped in the desert, and Israel encamped there opposite the mountain.” Why does the Pasuk repeat the same information twice? It also says this information before that Israel reached the desert in another Pasuk (verse)?!

The Or HaHaim continues to explain that this Pasuk teaches us three main pillars of Torah and having the Torah become part of our lives. The first one lies in the beginning of the Pasuk, “VaYisu MeRephidim,” They journeyed from Rephidim. Before Matan Torah, the giving of the Torah, Am Yisrael were lazy and weak from work. However; the giving of the Torah was only a short amount of time away. What did they do? They overcame this laziness and difficulty and fixed their character and middot to get pumped and excited for Shavuot by learning Torah in a strict and serious matter. Even though they were in such a difficult and weak situation, they overcame this time by putting out of the ordinary exemplary effort into their studies and they journeyed out of Rephidim, out of a state of riphion, meaning weakness.

The second state one needs to work on is reaching a level of encamping in the desert. This means Am Yisrael became one with the desert. The desert symbolizes ultimate modesty. Everyone walks on the desert, it is a place where no one owns anything and feels they are in charge, because Torah rests upon people with modesty and runs away from people with Ga’ava (pride that blocks Hashem out of the picture). Therefore the Torah was given by Moshe Rabbeinu, the most modest of all and on the smallest Har (mountain, Sinai).

And the most important and final lesson we learn from this powerful pasuk, especially before entering Shabbat Kodesh and Yom Tov, is the power of VaYichen Sham Am Yisrael, which means Israel encamped… which is said in individual Hebrew (meaning in a single form). This showed the Achdut (unity) and the power of Am Yisrael to accept so much Ruchniyut and Shefa (spiritual power and energy) from shamayim ONLY WHEN WE ARE UNIFIED.

Rav Ovadya shlit’a’s email ends with a blessing of how praised we are to unite and go together to the Batei Midrash to learn and make Hashem happy on such a holy night. Just like 3,324 years ago Am Yisrael were modest, thanked Hashem for whatever reality they were facing, and were united so too we will be the same to have the Shechina (Divine Presence) rest upon us and have the privelige to receive the Keter Shel Torah (Crown of Torah).

Especially when Shavuot follows Shabbat BaMidbar.

Shabbat Shalom & Hag Sameah!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Chai Yaakov ben Margalit shlit’a.

Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. A non-Jew or Housekeeper that comes to turn on the light in a Jewish home for the Jew’s benefit solely must be rebuked to end this practice. However, if the light is turned on for the non-Jew’s benefit as well, rebuke is not needed and if one wants to mention something against this they can.

2. A housekeeper who begins to sew a loose button or a button that fell from one’s clothing needs to be told to stop this melacha. If it is obvious that the button/clothing that needs fixing is her own clothing then no one needs to tell her to stop and no rebuke is needed.

3. One’s way of walking on Shabbat needs to be different from a regular weekday’s way of walking, therefore this means one cannot run on Shabbat. In any case, one gains a Mitzvah when he/she runs to Shul or to the Beit Midrash. One who runs to a Mitzvah, even if its on Shabbat Kodesh has a grand reward from Hashem. One can also run on his/her way when there is suspicion of rain in order to prevent from getting wet.

4. The obvious minhag (custom) in all of Israel is to stay up all night on Shavuot and La'Asok BaTorah (learn Torah) until Alot HaShachar, based on the Zohar HaKadosh. The Zohar explains that whoever stays up on this night and learns in True Simcha, is blessed 70 Brachot personally by Hashem and is crowned by the crowns of the Olam HaEmet (Olam Haba). The Achronim (Rabbis from 1500-present) explain that the reason for this minhag is to fix the Pgam (damage) that Am Yisrael did wake up on the night of Kabbalat HaTorah (at Har Sinai). On that night Am Yisrael had to be awakened to accept the Torah, which was a big mistake.

5. One should put most effort on Yom Shavuot to be englufed into Limud Torah (learning), as it says in Masechet Psachim "Half for Hashem, Half for you." Meaning one should split the Chag to sanctify it: half in shul & for limud torah and half for the simcha, the seuda, etc. Rav Ovadya says the best Limud should be learning the Halachot of the Rambam and reading from Sefer Tehillim because David HaMelech (Tehillim's composer) died on Shavuot. Some also say it is good to read all of Megillat Rut without a bracha.

 SHABBAT SHALOM & HAG SAMEAH!

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CLD #599

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

The story of Amnon and Tamar is probably one of the most difficult stories to think about from the book of Shmuel. The story goes somehwat like this: after David HaMelech goes through the entire situation with Bat Sheva (the mother of Shlomo, the smartest person in the history of the world), and is punished  with four decrees of death for his children by Hashem.


What happens? Amnon, the son of David HaMelech who was the step-brother of Tamar, had an intense life-threatening love for Tamar. Even though through the Malbim's Pirush Amnon was allowed to do Nisu'in (wedding) with Tamar, Amnon ended up aggresively bringing Tamar over to his sleeping location and raped her.

Now, let's try to dig deeper into the story. What is going on here? Who are we talking about? The event is clear: it's rape, Hashem yaazor. But still, WHO ARE WE SPEAKING ABOUT?


The children of David HaMelech, the composer of Tehillim!!! Can we even comprehend the greatness and Kedusha (purity) behind the connection of Tehillim and this world? Its one of the books of Tanach, a book that is so popular throughout Am Yisrael. {And it is definitely not a "woman's" book. Connecting with Hashem is for all of Am Yisrael not only for women and that can easily be done through reading Tehillim.} So being the son of David HaMelech means Amnon was filled with Kedusha of the Torah from birth! Imagine Rav Ovadya Yosef shlit'a or Rav Eliyashev shlit'a (may they have a Refua Shlema) being YOUR FATHER! How holy will they raise you as a child? How much more so the children of David HaMelech?!


This shows us the power of the Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination) and how strong it is! We must never believe in ourselves that we are strong enough to 'fight' off the Yezter Hara, everything is from the help of Hashem. 


Therefore, before all the major turbo times in the Jewish Calender (including Shavuot Motzei Shabbat) the average Jew will always have a very strong Yetzer Hara trying to bring him/her down. Whether it be a week filled with Nisyonot (tests) of anger, Shemirat Enayim (not looking at deragotry pictures/women), happiness, Chessed, Ahavat Hinam (Brotherly Love), etc.; each Jew will have to face something big. Stay strong! A key tip to this is Tefillah (prayer).


Even though Shavuot is three nights away, we can still work to perfect our actions, Care for Mitzvot, respect, Derech Eretz and our overall Avodat Hashem (service of Hashem). 

Never give up and smile, because Hashem is with you the whole way.

Judaism=Think.

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Guest Writer Special: Hag Shavuot!

B'Zchus the Refuah Sheleima of Kayla Rus bas Chaya Rachel

Shavuos: All Night Long?

We know that Shavuos is the holiday when we celebrate Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah).  Nowadays (and for the past 500 years or so), we Jews have the minhag (custom) to stay up all night Shavuos night learning Torah. The question I’ve always wondered about is, is that really the smartest idea? Speaking practically for a minute, most people who stay up all night learning are usually spending most of the next day sleeping anyway, so what’s the gain? Additionally, we all know the quality of most of the learning that takes place after the clock strikes 2. At the end of the day, it would seem that one would actually learn more Torah both quantitatively and qualitatively if one would learn for a couple hours at night and then several the next day. So why do we have this seemingly counterproductive minhag of staying up all night learning Torah?

I believe a possible answer is that we do it because we need to make a statement for ourselves. We need to capitalize on our inspiration and make it into something real. We’ve been counting down till Shavuos for 49 days! We’ve been waiting for this moment for seven weeks! We’re so pumped for Shavuos! We’re so inspired! But then what happens? The same thing that happens a little after every time we get inspired. The inspiration fades away. So how do you make the inspiration into something real, something that will last? You have to immediately get on that train at the inspiration station and ride it until the end of the track. That’s why I believe we learn all Shavuos night! It’s not about the hours of learning. Perhaps it’s not even about the quality of learning. It’s about not letting the moments of inspiration just come and pass. It’s about taking advantage of those inspiring feelings and doing something real with them. May we all be able to do this and have a truly elevating Shavuos!

Contact Daniel Eisenberg at:

 DanielEricEisenberg@gmail.com

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Chai Yaakov ben Margalit shlit’a.

Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. On the sixth of Sivan (Motzei Shabbat this year) begins Hag Shavuot (literal translation: weeks), after counting Seven Weeks of Sefirat HaOmer, which lasted 49 days. Why is Hag Shavuot named after a time period? Because after Bnei Israel left Mitzrayim Hashem hinted to them that in the end of 50 days they will receive the Torah. Out of love and excitement Bnei Yisrael from day one began counting to the big day.

2. One needs to be stringent in regards to the time of saying Kiddush for Erev Shavuot on wine, meaning one must wait for the time of Tzet HaKochavim in order to say Kiddush (9:02pm EST). However, in countries where this time is very late at night (ex. France: 10:38pm), a family can rely on the Rabbanim who are lenient and can say Kiddush earlier. If these European families can wait until Sunset, that is best. However, even if they do Kiddush early, it is good to eat a Kazayit (27 grams) of bread after Tzet HaKochavim, and they should be praised.

HAG SAMEACH!

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CLD #598

"נפלאתה אהבתך לי מאהבת נשים"

שמואל ב א:כו

"Your love was more wonderful to me than the love of women"

Baruch Hashem there is so much Siyata Dishmaya (Divine Providence) in regards to Shavuot being right around the corner. Shavuot is the Hilulah (azkara/yortzite) of The Great David HaMelech. Recently all I have been hearing about is David HaMelech and things regarding Tehillim, Shmuel 1-2, and other books of the Tanach that relate to David HaMelech.


A couple weeks ago on FB someone asked me if there was a sexual relationship between two great Tzadikkim in Tanach, I am afraid to even mention the phrase, David HaMelech and Yehonatan (Shaul's son). It does indeed say in Tanach many times the love that existed between David and Yehonatan and how great it was. At Yehonatan's eulogy, which was run by David HaMelech, David literally states how his love for Yehonatan was greater than that of a woman.


What is going on here? Obviously the people without any Torah knowledge or any Torah insight or time put into learning Torah will think the most extreme negative things about David HaMelech. However, Rav Yoshiyahu Pinto answered the question: what is going on in this pasuk between David and Yehonatan?!?!


Rav Pinto answered a question that was so simple and direct, literally you just need to have a clear mind of today's distractions and you can come up with it yourself (which makes the Rabbis in our day so holy because they have the skill to do that with Hashem's help). Rav Pinto explained "than the love of women" very simply. 


It is known that David comes from Shevet Yehuda (the tribe of Judah) and Yehonatan comes from Binyamin (the tribe of Benjamin). The mother of Yehuda was Leah and the mother of Binyamin was Rachel. If you look at previous CLDs, you will see we brought down the Rashi that says Rachel gave up her spot to get married with Yaakov for Leah. So David, Leah's great grandson, was thanking Yehonatan, Rachel's great grandson, for "the love of women;" basically the love between the two sisters Rachel and Leah.


B'H with the eve of Shavuot coming close we will have the zechut to feel the Kedusha between the love of Am Yisrael and rise up to love each other with Achdut and Simcha (happiness and unity).

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Chai Yaakov ben Margalit shlit’a.

Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. The Berachot of the Torah that one must say every morning should be said cautiously and as soon as possible because one cannot partake in any Torah learning whatsoever until saying these Berachot (blessings). This applies to every single type of Torah learning, if its Gemara, Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash, Tanach, etc.

2. One is allowed to think about pieces of Torah learning and go over the Torah he has learned recently in his mind before saying the Birkot HaTorah, because the basis of Torah learning is saying it out loud and not thinking it (here the Yalkut Yosef brings down many Pesukim that prove this). Also Chazal (our Sages) have not constructed a Beracha (blessing) based on thinking/cognition. However, one who writes a Dvar Torah/piece of Torah down must say the Birkot HaTorah before writing it down.

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*HOLIDAY ALERT*

ROSH CHODESH SIVAN 5772!

Tonight, 1 Sivan

May 21-22 (Sunset to Sunset)

Tefillot without Tachanun

CHODESH TOV!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Chai Yaakov ben Margalit shlit’a.

Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. Those who are accustomed to praying the “short” Mincha, without the Hazarat HaShatz, is not a correct custom and should be ended immediately. However; if there are only 10, 11 or 12 people in the minyan and most are not so focused to answer ‘Amen’ during the Hazara, it is better to pray this “short” version of Amidah, even in Shaharit. When there is a large group of people who are Yereh Shamayim (obtain a fear of Heaven) and there is most probably 10 people who will answer “Amen” to the Berachot of the Hazara, its an obligation to do a regular Mincha service, and G-d forbid should they be lenient and run a short Mincha. People should avoid looking into books/going on their phone during the Hazara.

2. It is a pleasant and recommended minhag (custom) to say “Baruch Hu UBaruch Shemo” after the Shat’z(Shaliah Tzibbur/Hazzan) recites Hashem’s name during the Hazara. Therefore, the Shat’z should wait a few moments after saying Hashem’s name during the Hazara to let people answer and then end of the Beracha so they answer Amen as well.

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Segula for Today, May 21st until Sunset!

Today, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan is a day of Tefillah. Considering the Shelah HaKadosh (Holy Jewish Rabbi from 1600s) set up a special Tefillah for one's present/future children to be raised in the way of Torah and grow to become big in Torah especially for today, I think it is best to spread the word and share the Prayer with everyone.

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRAYER!

Even though it is for one's children, Hashem's hears all Tefillot (prayers) and may save today's prayer for the future when you are in need of this to take effect, trying to have a child, or simply want to get closer to Hashem.


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PIC OF THE WEEK!

The goal of every father is to have his son walk in the path of Hashem: the Holy Torah.

Here, Rav Ovadya shlita kisses his sick son, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, the author of Yalkut Yosef.

May he see a Refua Shlema Bekarov Karov.

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CLD #597

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

When one begins construction on a plot of land, especially in New York where chances are the land is occupied with another building, they begin by demolishing the building and digging to construct a foundation for the new home/building structure. There is no difference in the concept of Middot and the life long task of perfecting them (our characteristic traits).

When one begins to get into a life of Torah, they understand that with it comes the responsibility of becoming a better human being in general. Such Middot like Zerizut (speed), Anava (modesty), Ga’ava (pride), Ka’as (anger), Ahava (love), Rahamim (mercy), etc. all need to be magnified in their intensity and thought out well in order to reach some Jewish stabilization of personality.

Sp what does this have to do with construction? Before we begin we must face an identity reality check. We must understand to the deepest level who we are as a Jew and who we are as a human being. Get deep into yourself and figure out what makes you tick, what makes you overjoyed, what makes you cry and definitely what makes you passionate and truthful. These key questions help us dig deep into ourselves before we begin establishing a foundation. It is pretty self explanatory. Before building a structure we need to clear out the space it will stand on.

However, with Middot its much more than clearing the space underneath it. It is actually digging deep under that spot to have a solid foundation where it can stand forever. The only way to reach that level is by learning the appropriate Mussar books.

B’H we should have the zechut to take at least 30 minutes out of our busy day to learn the depth behind Mussar. Rabbis say if one only has a little time in the day it is better to learn Mussar before anything.

SHAVUA TOV!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Chai Yaakov ben Margalit shlit’a.

Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. The Hachamim (Sages) forbid the consumption of bread from Christians because they constructed this decree to avoid any closeness between them and us (so there will be no inter-marriage). In places where there is no Pat Yisrael, there is this notion of being lenient and eating Pat Nochri. If one will begin eating Pat Nochri they will end up eating in the non-Jew’s home.

2. Bread that was baked in a non-Jewish kitchen and is given to the Jew in the non-Jew’s home is prohibited forever. There is no difference between Christians who are idol worshippers and Arabs who are not idol worshippers. The decree stands to prevent Jews and non-Jews from inter-marrying.

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MUST-READ!

Why more than 40,000 Orthodox Jews are expected to pack CIti Field today to protest the "evils of the Internet" - NYPOST.com


Shavua Tov


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CLD #596

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

The Emet is something we cannot run away from. We said on Erev Shabbat on theCLD that the Mitzvot that Hashem tells us to do in the first Pasuk of Parashat Behukotai we heard this morning is speaking about Amal baTorah, the full absorption of implementing Torah in one’s life. But where is the hidden message between the letters?

The rest of the Pasuk ends like this: “…Va’Asitem Otam.” Otam is spelled Aleph-Tav-Mem. These three letters also make up the word Emet, truth. The underlying foundation behind the work in a Jew’s life must be truth. Being honest with Hashem and with yourself leads you to grow and succeed in your spiritual path and direction. We must understand that without Emet, the Torah, faith in Hashem and trust that Hashem’s path is the most secure and reliable; then there is no chance of life to be filled with Simcha (happiness) and prosperity.

This is why it fits so beautifully with the rest of the Parasha that speaks about shemita, the Seventh year of the Seven years cycle where one leaves the land bare from work. We just let the land rest and not make any money from it. This is where the Emet behind a Jew’s life stands. Are we real with ourselves and can give up an entire year’s of Parnasah (work) and believe Hashem will have our back?

 

Can we trust Hashem like we trust the dollar bill in our pocket? I hope we do not even compare the two, lehavdeel.

SHAVUA TOV!

Judaism=Think.

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

L’yilui Nishamt Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

From Yalkut Yosef:

1. One should be cautious and modest when putting on and taking off clothing and not say I am in a private place and no one is watching me, because Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu fills up the entire world. All parts of the body that are usually covered should stay covered and not revealed even in private places to respect Hashem. One should be quick to get up from bed and dress in the morning. And a small child who has some intellect of where he/she is and how the world functions should be taught to always dress modestly.

2. Even in a place where the person must reveal him/herself like in the shower or while bathing (dipping in the mikveh) in a lake or ocean they should act in modesty and put a great effort to wear a Kippa where necessary. One should undress and dress around the place where they must go in undressed.

SHAVUA TOV!

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CLD #595

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

What is Behukotai talking about? Keeping the Mitzvot. But wait!!!!!! Hasen’t there been already over 30 Parshiyot in the Torah before this telling us that? Why is this so important to come to teach us the commandement of keeping the Mitzvot?

The answer is given straight up in the Holy Rashi’s commentary. He asks the question and answers so simply, this specific time of telling us to follow the Mitzvot is for the sole purpose of pushing us to be Amelim BaTorah. Being Amal BaTorah is being completely absorbed in the Torah. Wherever you go in a pleasant way and in a natural way you begin to live Hashem, you breathe Hashem you think Hashem and you sleep Hashem.

 

So the question is: I am completely filled with sin? I have such horrible friends that stray me away from the more spiritual occasions and take me to places no Jew should be at. How do I get this unbelievable gift of feeling a life of Torah and spiritual excellence and ecstacy?

The answer is being Amal BaTorah, which also means learning the Torah. Because at the end of the day we can put on tefillin everyday, listen to classes online, do chessed, go to the mikveh, even have amazing Middot, BUT without learning Torah one cannot behave at his highest spiritual potential.

It cannot be explained, it just has to be done and then you will know what I am talking about. I only had the zechut for a couple days in Israel to feel what that means during my year in yeshiva in Yerushalayim. It is something you cannot explain in words. It is the essence of all the Simcha in this entire world.

From my heart to yours listen to my advice: open up a book of Torah this Shabbat and really break your head to understand what Hashem is telling us. After all, Shabbat was given to Am Yisrael as a gift from the hidden treasures of Hashem in order for us to explore the world of Prayer and the intellectual mysteries of the Torah.

SHABBAT SHALOM UMEVORACH!

Judaism=Think.

Want today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA

L’yilui Nishamt Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.

From Yalkut Yosef:

1. It is a Mitzvah to light Shabbat candles by the Shabbat table, so one can do Kiddush and eat Shabbat food by their light and this symbolizes the essence of Oneg Shabbat. The ikar of Hadlakat Nerot is lighting them in the room you are eating by. If one wants to light them in their bedroom or any other room they cannot say a Beracha. One must enjoy from the light of the candles even a little time during Shabbat in order for the Beracha on the Nerot not be said in vain (Berachot LeVatala).

2. From the Ikar of the Halacha, one only needs to light and say the Berachot of Nerot Shabbat in the room they are eating in, because all the rooms in the home have electric light. However, if one wants to light Shabbat candles throughout all the rooms in the home they can and may they be praised, but they cannot say a Beracha on each lighting!

SHABBAT SHALOM!

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CLD #594

There is a saying when playing Shesh Besh (backgammon) called Na'gata Nasata. This saying means: You touched it, you play it. Whenever one touches their player on the board and lets go of it they must leave it there and not redo the move. This is a common Shesh Besh rule.


What does this have to with our Avodat Hashem (service of Hashem/life of Torah)? We must learn that when someone lives there life with Hashem 100%, not 99% and not 90%, then Hashem puts this turbo feeling of Nagata Nasata where there is this feeling of always being close to Hashem. 


Hashem loves us and always wants us to get closer to Him with Simcha (happiness). We must learn BS'D how to channel our feelings and emotions in the greatest way to follow the Torah and use them for positive things. For example, to use our jealousy to be jealous of Talmidei Hachamim who have the privelige to learn Torah all day or to use our happiness to do Mitzvot and Thank Hashem for all He does for us.


B'H we should have the zechut 9 days before Shavuot to experience a spiritually uplifting Shabbat Kodesh with zemirot, Oneg Shabbat and overall closeness with Hashem.

SHABBAT SHALOM!

Sponsor theCLD for the Ilui Neshama (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the name(s)!

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