CLD #776

As known by many, the book Orhot Tzadikkim breaks down its content into different middot (characteristic traits). One of the bolded negative characteristic traits is laziness. The author speaks heavily about the disastrous events that an individual causes for him/herself in this world and in the world to come when acting ina  lazy fashion. However, in a part of the chapter, the author brings down a mashal (parable) to explain why being lazy is in fact the opposite of wisdom.

Sometimes we believe that by avoiding a task or a mission, spiritual or not, we win by not exerting the effort into the assignment. For example, sometimes we think we are so much smarter than those who wake extra early to pray in the earliest minyan in the morning, when we are warm and cozy in our comfortable mattress snuggling under the blanket. Another example is those who put extra effort in their studies to strain themselves to understand a sugiya (a part of Gemara) or a Mishnah when we just lay back to ignore our misunderstanding and simply let ourselves go with the flow.

The Orhot Tzadikkim explains this phenomenen through the following parable. He explains that there are a select group of people who are assigned by the honorable king himself to do certain tasks for the king that are not so easy to accomplish. The king says that whoever does the task will be rewarded and whoever doesn’t will not loose anything. Meaning, there is no force behind this mission.

One of the chosen people who got the opportunity to choose between doing and not doing the task says to himself: “Why go through all this effort and extraneous activities, I won’t loose if I don’t participate! I am so smart! Let all those crazy people do the king’s wishes and I will chill here.” After the people come back successfully with the king’s wishes, the person puts on a smirk and thinks he is so smart. We all know the end of the story: the king rewards all those who put in the effort and the person is upset and looks like a loner who lost. Even though he did not do anything or get any punishment he really lost so much.

The same is with us in Olam Haze (this world). We are given a Torah, a guide to life that helps us cling to kedusha (purity) and Hashem. We are also given free choice. The question is: will we be the people who go out to do all the Mitzvot and accomplish Hashem’s will or will be the people who are “so smart” by following their desires and doing whatever they think is real happiness (when in fact its all some show and emptiness)?

The decision is yours.

Judaism=Think.

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)!

Read More

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

Translated from Yalkut Yosef:

1. An individual who bathed and after doing Netilat Yadayim (washing his/her hands without a beracha) they touched a covered part of their body (e.g. their shoulder) does not have to repeat the Netilat Yadayim because their body is clean after showering. However, an individual who touched their feet must do Netilat Yadayim even after bathing.

2. Whoever urinated in a place other than a toilet/urinal, for example on a field, there are those who say that the individual does not have to do Netilat Yadayim to bless the Asher Yatzar blessing (which is said after relieving oneself) if he/she did not touch any covered places (such as their stomach, etc.). Only is one enters a restroom with a toilet or touches a covered place while using the restroom then does he/she need to do Netilat Yadayim. In any case, one should still do the suggested practice of washing their hands after relieving themselves to say the Asher Yatzar blessing or simply wipe their hands on clean parts of their clothing if they cannot find water.

Sponsor today’s Halachot 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)! 

Read More

CLD #775

Shovavim, the six week period that we are dealing with now, that focuses on Shemirat HaBerit (watching over one’s modesty, especially one’s reproductive system) is a time to reflect on our relationship as a Jewish nation with Hashem. A big problem today is dealing with the challenges Hashem gave each and everyone of us and how we are able to overcome them. Each person is different and we must understand every person was brought into this world with a specific task that only that individual can overcome and succeed in.

Rav Yaakov Yisrael Lugasi shlit’a writes in his book Takanat HaShav, that we must know and remember that Hashem LOVES US. Everyday we say in Tefillat Arvit (the evening prayer) Ahavat Olam Ahavtanu…Baruch Ata Hashem Ohev Amo Yisrael, Hashem: Your love for us is the love of the entire world, Blessed are You Hashem who loves His nation, Israel. This means that if you take all the love in the world, the love between a man and his wife, a wife and her husband, a grandchild with their grandfather, a father and his daughter, a poor person with their financer, etc. All this love in the entire world does not equal to the love that Hashem has FOR YOU!

So if we think about it, with all the desires, whether since birth or a desire that was taught from the environment; everything was placed in our hearts and minds from Hashem for our best! This is tough to accept, but if we regulate ourselves to remember Rav Meir’s teaching that we are always seen as “the children of Hashem,” then we can begin to accept that everything is for our own good.

Be’ezrat Hashem during this time of reflection, these six weeks of practicing to improve our modesty and Shemirat HaBerit we should have success to overcome all the obstacles and challenges that Hashem throws at us. May we remember that by overcoming every task, we progress in life and in our goal to glue ourselves to Hashem’s greatness.

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)! 

Read More

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

Translated from The Shulhan Aruch (Jewish Code of Law):

1. A man is forbidden to be alone with a woman, unless he is married and his wife is with him because his wife acts as a ‘shomer’ who watches over the situation that no forbideen acts will occur. However, a Jewish woman is not allowed to be alone with a non-Jewish man even when the non Jewish man’s wife is with them.

2. It is forbidden to have a Jewish child be taught by a non Jewish teacher, whether he/she be teaching the child a profession or a scholarly topic.

Sponsor today’s Halachot 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)! 

Read More