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Volume 2, Issue 8
PARSHA INSIGHTS You shall not plant for yourself an Asheira of any kind of tree beside the altar of Hashem your G-d…" (Shoftim 16, 21).Rashi comments on this verse as follows: "This prohibition is addressed to one who would plant a tree or build a house on the Temple Mount." Rashi is teaching us that not only is it prohibited to plant on the Temple Mount a tree that was used for idol worship, it is also forbidden to plant a tree which was not utilized for idolatry. What is the intent of Hashem regarding the prohibition of planting an unworshipped tree or building a house on the Temple Mount? Don't these objects enhance the beauty of the area? The Avnei Ezel zt"l answers that a person is supposed to understand that the beauty of a holy place lies in its sacredness, not in its external adornments such as picturesque landscaping or impressive detail. If one believes that the beauty of a holy place lies totally in its superficial adornments, it is an indication that he lacks appreciation for the true beauty and magnificence of holiness. Our Sages say that "anyone who commissions a judge who is not worthy is considered as if he had planted an Asheira tree beside the altar" {Sanhedrin 7b). The Avnei Ezel explains the comparison in a similar vein. One who hires a dayan (judge) based solely on superficial considerations such as education and superb oratory skills, will very possibly engage a judge who is completely lacking in the proper characteristics of a Jewish judge - piety and morality. If a person does not focus on the inner beauty of the Torah and concentrates on superficial and external issues, it is similar to planting an Asheira next to Hashem's altar, for in both instances he has tainted the sacred with the mundane.
"Then the officers shall speak to the people. Saying, 'Who is the man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house; lest he die in war and another man will dedicate it. And who is the man that has planted a vineyard and not redeemed it? Let him go and return to his house; lest he die and another man will redeem it. And who is the man who betrothed a woman and not married her? Let him go and return to his house; lest he die in the war and another man will marry her?' " (Shoftim 20, 5-7). Rashi says that the other man dedicating his house or redeeming his vineyard or marrying his betrothed causes anguish to the soul of the Jewish soldier. How is it possible that someone would be anguished by the thought of another man dedicating his house or using the produce from his field or living with his wife, when the thought of dying in battle would be sufficient to anguish a person who is on the way to the front? On the other hand, one who is going to battle and is willing to be moser nefesh on behalf of Hashem should be going to battle with joy and a light heart, since he is fulfilling Hashem's will. Therefore, why would a thought of distress occupy his mind at all? Rabbi Shimon Schwab zt"l explains that indeed it is not the idea of another man dedicating his house, using his fruit and living with his wife which causes him anguish. The thought which irks him is that the other man will not use his house, field or wife for the purpose of furthering Hashem's will. The thought that the other man will not do acts of kindness, give tzedaka, raise his children to be Torah scholars and be sufficiently engaged in mitzvos with his house, field and wife is what pains the Jewish soldier on the way to battle. The notion that the other man will not live up to the ideals and goals which he established for his home and homestead is what occupies the soldiers mind. This anguish is not borne out of selfishness. The thought that his desire, for his physical possessions to be used for a higher purpose, not coming to fruition is what causes the soldier tremendous distress.
TABLE TALK THE DILEMMA When Boruch and Nachman are out of sight of the boathouse, a bee lands on Nachman's forehead. While attempting to swat the bee, Boruch overturns the canoe. They swim to a nearby island, pulling the canoe with them and emptying the water from the canoe. They return the canoe to the water and continue canoeing for the rest of the afternoon. When they return the canoe to the dock, there are no signs that the canoe had overturned, since they had cleaned it out and it was now completely dry. Are they obligated to report that the canoe overturned?
(Consult your Rav for a proper halachic ruling) WHO AM I?
1. I am always desired but not always delivered.
(Please send us your answer by e-mail to gkrainess@adelphia.net. The answer will appear in next week's issue) Last week's clues and answer: Last week's clues and answer: We are world travelers, but don't generally travel first class; Our future is guided by our past; We could use a good chiropractor; We were identified by our father but are now called after his son - The Jewish People Congratulations to Reuven Mandel and Getzel Setnik
A GLIMPSE OF GREATNESS After a Chinuch Atzmai meeting, Reb Moshe Feinstein zt"l and Reb Yaakov Kamenetzky zt"l stood outside a waiting car discussing who should sit in the more desirable front seat and who should sit alone in the back. Upon concluding, Reb Yaakov took the front seat and Reb Moshe sat in the back.
After Reb Moshe exited from the car, Reb Yaakov turned to the driver and explained, "We were discussing who would be getting off first and decided that he should sit in the back. If the person exiting first would sit in the front, the longer-riding passenger would be left in the back, leaving you alone at the wheel, resulting in your appearing as a chauffeur. However, we appreciate your importance and did not want to compromise your dignity." TORAH RIDDLE What minhag (custom) is based on the incident of Bnei Yisroel interrupting Hashem when He was presenting the Torah at Har Sinai and requesting that Hashem finish the presentation through Moshe? (Please send us your answer by e-mail to gkrainess@adelphia.net. The answer will appear in next week's issue) Last week's riddle and answer: When healthy twin boys are born, is it possible for the one who was born second to have a bris (circumcision) before the one that was born first? Yes. 1) The first boy was born Friday during bein hashmashos and the second boy was born on Friday night. 2) The first boy was born by c-section and the second was born naturally. Congratulations to Dr. Michael Eleff, Rabbi Calman Fishman THE KOLLEL FAMILY MAZEL TOV Dr. and Mrs. Peter Laufer on the engagement of their son Dovid WELCOME Mr. and Mrs. Yeruchem Friedlander Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Klarfeld CONDOLENCES Mr. Arnold Altman and Mrs. Robert Schottenstein on the passing of their mother Mr. Joey Edelstein on the passing of his brother COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD The Community Women's Lecture will meet this Shabbos at the home of Mrs. Barbara Wieder, 2355 Beachwood Blvd., Beachwood at 5:15 p.m. Rebbetzin Shoshana Schur will speak on "From the Depths of Our Heart".******************************************************** The "Bain Hazmanim Program" at the Cedar-Green Community Kollel for elementary, high school and bais medrash boys is in full session. Shachris commences at 8:45 on Sundays and 8:30 on weekdays, followed by a light breakfast and a seder for learning. Many boys participate in the evening seder as well. Everyone is encouraged to attend. ******************************************************** The Cedar-Green Community Kollel has reconvened for the Elul Zman. The schedule is as follows:
Shachris - 7:40
(Please inform us if you wish to have a happy or solemn occasion or a community or personal event posted on the Community Bulletin Board - Thank you.) To sponsor an issue of Oneg Shabbos, please contact Leib Chaim Krainess, Director of
Kollel Development at (216) 559-0638 or gkrainess@adelphia.net. SPONSORED BY
CEDAR-GREEN COMMUNITY KOLLEL: |
Shema Yisrael Torah Network
info@shemayisrael.co.il
http://www.shemayisrael.co.il
Jerusalem, Israel
732-370-3344