Recap for 18 Cheshvan 5777 (Parsha Vayeira)

This shabbos, we discussed parsha Vayeira, including commentary by Rav Yeager.  We also discussed some of the halakhah of shabbos.  I would like to thank David and Linda for hosting our kiddush.  David Schlesinger led discussion.

We discussed some of the halakhah of Shabbos.  On Shabbos, we are not allowed to turn on a flow of electricity.  We discussed that if we accidentally turn on a light by walking through a neighbor’s sensor, it is not a violation, however we should try not triggering the sensor in the future.  We discussed that in some cases, even if we are certain to turn on a light, we are allowed to do it.  For example, we discussed the opinion that we are allowed to trigger a neighbor's sensor going in and out of our front door on Shabbos.  However, we all need to check with our Rabbi on this.

Rob brought up some interesting issues that may become more and more important in the future.  Rob shared his thoughts that there will be more and more video surveillance cameras in our neighborhoods.  There may be many that we are not aware of.  Or we may be aware of them, but it is extremely difficult to avoid them.  These cameras may be programmed to turn on when alerted by sensors.  These are issues that we should all discuss with our Rabbi, especially a local Rabbi who is familiar with our neighborhood.  

We discussed how the work prohibitions on Shabbos apply to Yom Tov.  We discussed that on Yom Tov we cannot start a fire from scratch, however we can use an existing flame to start one.  We are not allowed to put out a fire, either, however, we do not have to stop a fire from going out due to a diminishing fuel source.  We do not have to feed logs to a fire in the fireplace.  One of the interesting things we discussed, is that we can cut off the gas supply to a stove or fireplace, however we cannot put a fire out with water.

Yaki spoke about how Judaism is based on faith.  He emphasized the importance of believing, even if we do not completely understand.  We discussed what would happen if we only believed in what we understood.  In this case, we would not follow halakah such as kosher laws, and fail to follow many of Hashem’s commandments.  We discussed that it is important to follow all of Hashem’s commandments whether we understand them or not.

In his dvar torah, Efroni discusses how Abraham did not question Hashem about the commandment to sacrifice his son, Isaac, but did question Hashem about the plan to destroy Sodom.  Dave W mentioned that with the commandment to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham was told exactly what he was to do.  Efroni mentions this as well, and how Abraham was not told explicitly what to do with the plan to destroy Sodom.  Efroni commented that Abraham figured out that Hashem wanted Abraham to talk him out of his plan, although Hashem did not come out and explicitly ask Abraham to talk him out of it.

The same way Abraham had to figure out what Hashem wanted with respect to Sodom, when we encounter something new or unusual in our lives, we should ask ourselves what Hashem wants us to do.  This is a point made by both Efroni, in his video dvar Torah, and David.  The Torah does give us some very specific commandments, but sometimes Hashem wants us to do things that we figure out on our own.  When we meet people, or encounter events, we should apply the Torah and ask ourselves what it is that Hashem desires. 

We discussed this Shabbos, the connections we have with our children.  We discussed that we can gain connections with anyone, however, these connections are conditional on friendships that are not guaranteed to be permanent.  Our connections with our children are unconditional.  The same way Hashem gives us unconditional love, we give our children the same.  David shared that we should try to influence our children, rather than control them.   This is what Hashem does with us.  We talked about how we tend to put more focus on our children than on our parents.  We discussed that this may be because we are descended from Adam who had no parents.

Finally, Dave W mentioned that the custom to have dairy before meat comes from the week’s parsha.  Also, we discussed the difference between “good enough” and being perfect.  We discussed that our best use of time may be to be "good enough" with one thing, and then moving on to another, rather than trying to be perfect with everything.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.

Recap for 11 Cheshvan 5777 (Parsha Lech Lecha)

This Shabbos we discussed parsha Lech Lecha, including commentary by Rav Yeager.  We also discussed halacha related to melachot.   It was a special Shabbos, as this is Norm’s barmitzvah parsha.  Lech Lecha also marks the anniversary of our early minyan.  I would like to thank David and Linda for hosting our Kiddush.  David Schlesinger led discussion.

Rav Males spoke about how Hashem wants us to finish the act of creation with both the body and soul.  He spoke about how brit milah, which is a part of the parsha, symbolizes man finishing the act of creation with the body.  The same way we do the mitzvah of brit milah, we also need to finish the act of creation with the neshama (soul).  Rav Males spoke about how we can do this by trying our best to develop positive character traits, and remove (or diminish) negative character traits. 

One of the halacha we discussed is that when a prophet contradicts an earlier prophet, we go with the first prophet unless the second prophet gives us good news.  David shared from his father, Rav Dr. George Schlesinger, the idea that being commanded by Hashem to do something, even something like sacrificing your own child, is always good news.  This is because the command  is coming from Hashem, who has the complete picture and knows everything.  Although Hashem first said that Isaac would have children, which is contradicted by later asking us to sacrifice him, in this case the second prophecy does override the first.  The lesson here is to be careful judging what is and is not good news.  

This Shabbos, we discussed the meaning and reason for Shabbos, which we observe every 7 days.  We discussed how we imitate Hashem, who also worked for 6 days, and then rested on the 7th.  We discussed exactly what it means to "rest" on Shabbot.

“Rest” means first of all that on Shabbos we are prohibited from performing the 39 types of melachot(work) that were performed in building the temple.  We discussed how these original 39 types of work need to be interpreted and applied to the current times.  For example, the Rabbis have determined that operating an automobile, causes fires to be started in the engine, and have ruled that this is prohibited work on Shabbos, even though automobiles are not mentioned in the Torah.

Jason shared about how the Torah is written for the times, which is why there is nothing in there about automobiles on Shabbos.  Jason mentioned that historically, we could best relate to phrases such as “hand of Hashem”, although today we know that Hashem does not have a physical hand.  We discussed how we rely on Rabbi’s to interpret the Torah and apply it to the current times.  Jason shared how the Torah is true, even though we may not be able to take certain things literally.  He shared that there is an idea that some of the passages in the Torah may actually be from a dream.

We discussed how “rest” also means that we take a break from our weekday activities, even those that may not specifically be one of the 39 types of work.  David spoke about how removing the distractions of our normal routines, makes it possible to engage in spiritual activities on Shabbos and find and experience meaning in the day.  We discussed how it is very important to not just refrain from work, but to have a spiritual, special day as well.  One of the ways we do this very well in Memphis, is with our kiddush and learning. 

It is easier for Hashem to communicate to us on Shabbos, with distractions removed.  On Shabbos, we should listen to what he is telling us, through his Torah and in other ways.  By removing the distractions of our everyday activity, such as smart phones and televisions, we can better focus in, pray and meditate and focus in on the spiritual nature of the day.

We discussed why Hashem choose Abraham to come to Israel and be the beginning of our nation that has a special relationship with Hashem.  Yaki spoke about how Abraham exhibited a large amount of chesed (kindness).  We discussed the idea that Abraham was chosen because not only did he reject idol warship, he taught and inspired others to believe in Hashem and did this for many years.  We also discussed the idea that Abraham was chosen, simply because this was Hashem’s plan, and that Hashem maintains a special relationship with all Jews regardless of whether or not we are all deserving, and this included Abraham. 

Regardless of the reason, we discussed that coming to Israel was simply the next step in Abraham’s spiritual growth.  Just like Abraham, the next step in our own spiritual growth may be to go to Israel.  We discussed from Rav Yeager how Noah was just a private individual, whereas Abraham represented all the Jewish people.  Therefore there is a big difference between Hashem choosing Noah, and Hashem choosing Abraham.  We discussed how Abraham was not explicitly mentioned in the Torah as a righteous man, and this could be either because we are expected to figure this out on our own, or because it wasn’t just Abraham being chosen but the entire nation which would follow.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.

Recap for 4 Cheshvan 5777 (Parsha Noach)

This Shabbos we discussed Parsha Noach, including commentary from Rav Yeager and Rav Efraim. I would like to thank Pincus and Becky for hosting our Kiddush, and Rob and Yaki for leading our learning.  It was a special Shabbos, as it was Becky’s birthday, and also Linda's birthday during the week.  I would like to say mazel tov to Ariav and Ale and the entire family on their wedding.

We discussed Parsha Noach, and how those who lived during this time were the ancestors of what would later become the Jews. Yaki commented that the people did have a relationship with Hashem during the times of Noach, however it was based on fear. We discussed how Hashem punished the people with an enormous flood that killed all the people, and all living creatures except for Noah, his family and pairs of animals from each species.

Yaki commented on why animals who do not have the same free will that humans, were included in those who were punished with the flood. Yaki commented that the same way physical illness spreads by virus to everyone in the vicinity, so too does spiritual illness behave like a virus and affect all those who live in the vicinity.

We discussed how generations later, Abraham, the first Jew was born. Yaki commented that Abraham began the period of time in which our relationship of Hashem was based on love, and not only fear. In the times of Noah, we did not show love for each other, or for Hashem, however beginning with the times of Abraham, we started a new stage in which we expressed and were motivated by love. Rav Males spoke about how prayer for others, for example when we pray for the sick, shows Hashem that we love others. Rav Males commented that this prayer for others always serves a purpose, even if it does not have an effect on someone’s illness or struggles.

We discussed how the arc was built according to Hashem’s instructions, and why it took 120 years to complete. We discussed that the long time period was to give the people time to do T’Shuva. However, unfortunately, they did not, and only Noah, his family, and a select number of animals were able to board the arc and survive the flood.

We discussed how after the flood, Noah planted a vineyard and ended up getting drunk. Howard commented that anyone who had been through what Noah had been through would want to have a few drinks. Nevertheless Hashem was not pleased with the lack of spirituality going on.

We discussed how Hashem gave the people some laws they must follow, which are known as the “7 laws of Noah”. These laws were given before Abraham became the first Jew, and thus apply to all human beings, including non-Jews.

Rob shared from Rav Yeager specifics of how the flood was produced. Hashem simply stopped controlling the release and flow of water. The same way the people had lost control with their behavior of drunkenness and sexual crimes, Hashem “lost” control of the waters which were stored in clouds above the ground, and wells below the ground.

Howard asked an interesting question which is why Hashem choose to use water, rather than another form of plague, such as those used in Egypt during the time of the Exodus? One possible answer is that water symbolizes purity. The same way we use water to flush out harmful substances, water can be used to clean out a world that is not spiritual.

One of the interesting things we discussed, is that this use of water as reward or punishment continues to this day. Every year Hashem makes decisions concerning where and when it will rain. In our siddur we pray for rain. Of course, when the Torah refers to “rain” it may be referring to a broader definition that includes all types of reward in general.

We discussed from Efraim Greenblatt’s book, a summary of parsha Beirishit, and this parsha Noach. Rob commented from the book, how Hashem said it was good after every creation, but then said “very good” after man was created. We discussed 2 possible reasons why Hashem said “very good”. One of these is as an indication that man was the purpose of the creation. The other one is that the “very good" refers to everything that had been created in total.

We discussed some other ideas from Rav Efraim’s book. We discussed what it means that Hashem “came down” and revealed himself during the time of Noah. Perhaps this was to generate fear, which is what Yaki spoke on. We discussed the tower of Babel, which angered Hashem and caused him to disperse the people. We discussed the tree of knowledge, and how it contained both good and bad. And we discussed how the people went from “very good” after creation, to “good”, to “not good”, during the times of Noah.

Finally, we discussed how Hashem really does create everything, including the “tests” that he gives us. Hashem created the tree of knowledge, as well as temptations we all face in our daily lives every day. Without any temptation, we would automatically do the right thing, and be more like robots than human beings. Hashem wanted human beings created in his image, rather than robots.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.

Recap for 27 Tishrei 5777 (Parsha Beirishit)

This Shabbos I would like to thank Pincus and Becky for hosting our Kiddush, and Rob and Yakki for leading our learning. We had a very interesting discussion of Parsha Beirishit and various other topics. 

We discussed how in this parsha, Hashem creates everything in 6 days, and then rests on the 7th. We discussed how our observance of Shabbos is an imitation of Hashem who also rested on the 7th day.
Yaki spoke about how we are all descendant from Adam, and how Adam’s soul was at a high level - very close to Hashem, but not quite at Hashem's level.  Yaki spoke about how Adam had all the souls that man would have. 

We discussed how Adam wanted to know even more and be at Hashem's level.  This is more than Hashem intended, however Adam ate from the tree of knowledge in an attempt to have all that Hashem has.  We discussed Hashem’s reaction, which was to let Adam know he was where he was for a reason, and to drive home the point changed things so man would have to work in the physical world from that point forward.  

We discussed how Eve thought Hashem was simply mistaken about the tree of knowledge, and that it would not be a problem to eat from this tree. This is all a lesson for all of us, that we can follow in our lives today, that Hashem is not mistaken in what he commands us, and we should follow his commandments whether they make sense or not. There are many halakuh, known as chokim, that do not make sense, but we still need to follow them.  One of the ideas that Efroni has discussed is that Hashem has the complete picture of everything, and we do not.

Yaki spoke about how the Torah, which begins with Beirishit, contains an incredible amount of knowledge, much more than we may be aware of. The stories of lives, both in the past, present, and future, are contained in the Torah. We can find details of our own life in the Torah.  We can find parts of our own life that parallel the story of our ancestors in Egypt, the desert, and Israel.

Rob spoke about how the Torah is always relevant, however, we have needed the assistance of courts and Rabbi’s to interpret the information and apply it to the current times. One of the examples we discussed, is the prohibition against lighting a fire. The Torah (chumash) does not contain a specific prohibition against driving a car because cars did not exist at the time the Torah was given to us. However, the Rabbis have interpreted the work prohibitions on Shabbos to apply to driving, and there will most likely be other things coming up in the future that become prohibitions that we are not aware of today.

Howard commented that this is analogous to how secular law works, and how the supreme court has to apply our constitution to new situations that may come up. Of course the justices on the supreme court do not always agree, and it is the same with our Rabbi’s. But many decisions have been made, and it is important that we follow them, whether we agree with them or not. Norm brought up the example of eating chicken and dairy together. This is not specifically prohibited in the Torah, however was implemented by the Rabbi’s in order to create a fence and prevent us from perhaps mistaking beef for chicken.

Harold Katz, a regular reader of the notes, commented that Beirishit is an amazing parsha that describes the creation of something out of nothing, which could only be done by Hashem, and has never been satisfactorily described by science or any other secular subject alone.  I remember that Howard once remarked at one of our kiddushes that other than the Torah, noone has ever explained the creation of something out of nothing.  It is very interesting that the Torah was written long before science finally caught up and now agrees that time has a beginning.

We discussed this Shabbos some of the overall ideas of Judaism, that doing as well as believing is what is most important. We contrasted this with the ideas of other religions. In Judaism it is not sufficient to believe something, we have to demonstrate that belief with our actions. That's why we have all the mitzvah and commandments in the Torah.  Hopefully, our actions such as putting on tefillin, observing Shabbos, hanging mezuzzahs, waiving the lulav and Etrog, all of these help increase our awareness and consciousness of Hashem and the Torah he has given us.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.