262. Devorim

‫הריני בא ללמוד תורה לשמה לעשות נחת רוח לאבינו שבשמים‬ ‫מוצאי שבת ר"ת‬

‫מוצאי שבת‬

262

Issue

‫פקד יפקד ה' אתכם‬

MORE NOW THAN EVER

‫בס"ד‬

)‫פרשת דברים (חזון‬ ‫ד' אב תש"פ‬

25 July 2020 '‫אבות פרק ב‬

‫קבלת שבת‬

JLM

MAN

LON

JLM

BMTH

GLSCW

GHD

MAN

LON

JLM

BMTH

GLSCW

GHD

MAN

LON

9.04

10.29

10.13

8.21

10.05

10.56

10.37

10.27

10.04

7.05

8.48

9.23

9.07

9.02

8.45

SAY

PHONE A

WRITE A

thank letter friend you

Cheer

SOMEONE

up

A time to be kind

Spread a little happiness and bring Moshiach SAY SOMETHING

kind BE

patient

Smile

:)

Tzedokah

TELL A

OFFER TO

joke help

‫ספר דברים‬

‫ספר במדבר‬

‫לע"נ ר' יקותיאל זלמן נאה ז''ל‬ ‫בן ר' חנניה יו''ט ליפא הי''ד‬ ‫נלב''ע ט''ז אדר תשע''ז‬

‫לע"נ מרת טויבא רחל נאה ע''ה‬ ‫בת ר' שמואל שמעלקא הי''ד‬ ‫נלב''ע כ''ה מנחם אב תשע''ז‬

GIVE

‫ספר ויקרא‬

‫ספר שמות‬

COOK A

meal

add your act of kindness

‫ספר בראשית‬

Please daven for

‫הב' אברהם יוסף אריה‬ ‫בן רוחמה אילה נ"י‬

‫לרפואה שלימה בתוך חולי ישראל‬ ‫לע''נ ר' מרדכי בן ר' שלום ז''ל‬ ‫נלב''ע ט''ו סיון תשס''ב‬

‫לע''נ ר' בנימין בן ר' מאיר דוד ז''ל‬ ‫נלב''ע ב׳ אדר תשע''ז‬

myaquauk.com

To Sponsor or Advertise here, please contact sponsor@oneg.org.uk

MEDIA PARTNERS N OW R E AC H

ING

OPLE 24,000 PUENTRIES I N 24 C O

Yerushalayim, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Baltimore, Beit- Shemesh, Birmingham, Borehamwood, Budapest, Cancun, Detroit, Edgware, Elstree, Gateshead, Gibraltar, Glasgow, Hale, Henderson, Hong Kong, Ilford, Johannesburg, Lakewood, Larnaca, Las Vegas, Leeds, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Melbourne, Memphis, Miami, Milan, New York, Oslo, Paris, Petach Tikva, Philadelphia, Pressburg, Radlett, Rio de Janeiro, Rotterdam, Ruislip, Santiago, Sao Paulo, Stanmore, Southend, Tallinn, Tarzana, Toronto, Uman, Vienna, Zurich

2

Oneg Shabbos Issue 262

Destroyers: The Offspring of Sins Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Schechter Author of Seforim, Parshah Pshetl

‫“אלה הדברים אשר דבר משה אל כל‬ ‫ במדבר בערבה מול‬,‫ישראל בעבר הירדן‬ ‫סוף בין פארן ובין תפל ולבן וחצרות ודי‬ ”.‫זהב‬ “These are the words that Moshe spoke to all of Yisroel, on the other side of the Jordan, concerning the Wilderness, concerning the Aravah, opposite the Sea of Reeds, between Paran and Tofel, and Lavan, and Chatzeiros, and Di Zahav.”

(Devorim 1:1) Moshe Rabbeinu is about to pass on from this world, and he gives mussar to Klal Yisroel. This Parshah is always lained before Tisha Ba’av, for we are to take lessons from this Parshah and do teshuva. What are we to learn from these important words of Moshe Rabbeinu? “‫ ”אלה הדברים‬is meramez to Shabbos Chazon, the Shabbos before Tisha Ba’av, for it is the time to change klolos into brochos. The roshei taivos of “‫”שבת חזון‬ spells “‫ ;”חש‬Chazal tell us that one who is ‫ – חש בראשו‬has a headache - should toil in Torah and he will be healed.

One who is concerned about what he has done all of the years of his life, being busy with the folly of this world, should take upon himself from now and going forward that he will toil in what’s referred to as “‫”טל תורה‬. His toiling in Torah must be done with great humility and lowness of spirit. It is this type of limud haTorah which is called “‫טל‬ ‫תורה‬.” Torah is compared to water, for water always flows to the lowest place, which refers to one who is very humble. “‫ ”טל‬is the gematria of 39, as in the 39 melochos. It is also the gematria of the For questions on Divrei Torah, please email the editor Rabbi Yonasan Roodyn at editor@oneg.org.uk

letters ‫ה‬, ‫ י‬and ‫ – ו‬in their full form (=‫ ו’ – וא”ו‬,6 = ‫ ה’ – ה”א‬,20 = ‫ יו”ד‬- ’‫י‬ 39=20+6+13 :13). It is through the ‫ טל תורה‬that Klal Yisroel will be zoche to the ultimate yeshuah with the coming of Moshiach Ben Dovid. (‫)מגן אברהם‬ There was a story of a wicked person who was barren. He went to a chasiddishe Tzaddik and beseeched him for a brocha that he should have children, and not be barren anymore.

The Tzaddik bentched him, “‫יהי רצון‬ ‫“ – ”שתהיה עקר‬May it be His will that you will be barren.” The wicked person asked the Tzaddik , “What kind of brocha is that?” He was already barren, so it appeared that the Tzaddik wasn’t doing anything, besides for strengthening that he should remain barren. The talmidim of the Tzaddik explained to the rasha that he did not understand the brocha of the Tzaddik.

The Tzaddik was saying that he should be barren from creating ‫משחיתים‬. If he is barren from creating ‫משחיתים‬, that means that he did teshuva. If he does teshuva, then he will be healed from him being physically barren, and will have children. We see this in Yeshaya (54:1): “‫“ – ”רני עקרה לא ילדה‬Sing out O barren one, who has not given birth”.

The barren one is singing out for they did not bear children to gehinom; or as we explained, for they were barren from creating ‫משחיתים‬. It says in the sefer ‘Tomer Devorah’ that afflictions come upon a person in this world mainly from the pain and anguish they cause to the Shechina, kevayachol. The pain comes from the creation of these ‫משחיתים‬. This is the meaning of our Posuk in Yeshaya here, “‫ – ”על מה‬what are near the letter of, “‫ ”מה‬are ‫נולד‬.

It is because one does not foresee the future, and does not see that every sin he transgresses creates a ‫ ;משחית‬it To receive this via email please email subscriptions@oneg.org.uk

is for this reason that one will be punished in the world. (‫)ברכת חיים‬ Moshe Rabbeinu was telling Klal Yisroel then, and all future generations as well, that we must connect ourselves to the Torah Hakdosha. We must seek to follow Hakodosh Boruch Hu, and be extremely careful with those sins which we have transgressed in the past. We must look to the future. This Shabbos is ‘Shabbos Chazon – the Shabbos of Vision’, the word with which this week’s Haftorah begins. Having a vision means to know what one seeks in the future.

We must all have a vision of where we want to get to – to elevate ourselves in ruchniyos. Sinning creates evil things, while learning Torah and performing good deeds creates good. May we be zoche to create much good in the world, and not create evil. In the zechus of us creating good, may we be zoche to see the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash, ‫ !במהרה בימינו אמן‬M

To suggest an idea or a response to the ideas exchange please email ideas@oneg.org.uk

25 July 2020

‫ד' אב תש"פ‬

‫פרשת דברים‬

3

The Shmuz on the Parsha

MAN REPROGRAMMED FOR GREATNESS Parshas Devarim

Before the makkah (disease), Hashem prepares the refuah (cure).

Within this week’s haftorah, warning us about the impending doom, we find a message of hope and salvation.

“The ox knows its owner and the donkey the stall of its master; but Yisrael doesn’t know, My nation doesn’t contemplate.” (Yeshaya 1:3) Yeshaya HaNavi began the rebuke of his nation with these words.

Rashi explains what he was saying. The ox doesn’t change its nature. It doesn’t say, “I will no longer plough.” The donkey doesn’t say, “I will no longer haul loads.” Each animal follows its nature, unquestioningly doing what it was created to do. Klal Yisrael, however, is different. You have veered off course and changed your ways. And so, you are lower than the animals created to serve you.

A horse and rider

This Rashi is difficult to understand. When a man mounts a horse, the man might weigh 150 pounds; the horse might weigh over 2,000 pounds. Yet, the man commands the horse to ride, gallop, turn and stop. And the horse obeys. Why does the huge, powerful horse submit to the will of the little, weak man?

The reason is because that is the nature of a horse. Its instinct is to obey. It doesn’t think about it. It doesn’t decide to yield. Built into the very being of the horse is a temperament of subservience to its master.

Man, however, wasn’t constructed that way. Man has conflicting wishes and desires. Man has forces pulling him in competing directions. So how can Rashi compare the nature of a beast, which was created to comply, to that of man? The two natures are so different?

The nature of man

The answer to this question is based on a more focused understanding of human nature: The Chovos Ha’Levovos (Sha’ar Avodas Elokim) explains that Hashem created man out of two distinct parts: the Nefesh Ha’Sichli (Soul) and the Nefesh Ha’Bahami (animal instincts). The Nefesh Ha’Sichli comes from the upper worlds, and so it only wants to do that which is right and proper. It only wants to serve Hashem and accomplish great things. Its very nature is to strive for perfection.

The Nefesh Ha’Bahami on the other hand, is shaped by base instincts and desires. Much like any animal in the wild kingdom, man was pre-programmed with all of the impulses and drives needed for his survival. This part of man hungers for things. It doesn’t think about consequences or results. It can’t see into the future. It is made up of hungers and appetites.

Man is a synthesis: a perfect Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier balance between Founder, Shmuz.com two competing forces. If he chooses to listen to his pure nefesh, he grows and accomplishes, reaching his potential and purpose in Creation. If he chooses to listen to his animal instincts, then he destroys his grandeur and majesty, becoming lower than even the behaimah. What we know as free will is this ability to choose which of his natures he will listen to.

Man is pre-programmed for greatness

This seems to be the answer to this Rashi. Man is preprogrammed for greatness. Half of man’s personality is screaming out for meaning, purpose and greatness. There is a powerful instinct within him that only desires that which is proper. If man follows that side of his inner nature, he is pulled towards perfection. But that is the point; the need for perfection is built into his very nature. Deep within him is a hunger to grow, to accomplish, to do that which is noble and great. This isn’t something that he needs to learn; it isn’t something that he needs training in. It is part and parcel of his very being.

For a person to reach anything short of perfection, he must make a conscious choice: he must choose not to listen to the pulling of his soul.

And so Yeshaya rebuked his nation: “Being good isn’t foreign to your nature. Following the Torah’s ways isn’t something that is imposed upon you — it is built into your essence. If you have veered off, then you have rebelled against your very nature. You have subverted the pull to greatness that dwells within your heart. And in that sense, you are lower than the animal kingdom, because animals obey the nature that Hashem put into them.”

May we learn to recognize the mercy of Hashem; even while He warns us of what will be, He prepares us for the return.

May we learn to listen to that Voice inside, and quickly end this long exile, once again taking our place as the Exalted Nation— Hashem’s Chosen People. M Rabbi Shafier is the founder of the Shmuz.com. The Shmuz is an engaging, motivwating shiur that deals with real-life issues. All of the shmuzen are available free of charge at www.theShmuz.com or on the Shmuz App for iphone or Android. Simply text the word “TheShmuz” to the number 313131 and a link will be sent to your phone to download the App.

Do you have an interest in a business or properties in America with an American bank account?

Capitalize on the protection! You or your business may be eligible to enjoy the long-term, tax-free return on investment and business protection.

Please call Leo (Itzy) Eckstein +1 347 838 0869 for details.

4

Oneg Shabbos Issue 262

DEVARIM – THE CONNECTION BETWEEN MENUCHA AND BITACHON

P

arashas Devarim begins with Moshe Rabbeinu rebuking the Jewish people for the various sins that they committed in the desert. One of the first sins that he addresses is that of the spies. Moshe recalls the events that led to this tragic occurrence. “And you all approached me and said, ‘Let us send men ahead of us who will spy out the land for us, and they will tell us the way which we should go in it, and which cities we should come to’.”1

Given that all of Moshe’s words involve some kind of rebuke, the question arises: what exactly is the criticism found in these words? Rashi explains that the way in which they approached Moshe was inappropriate. “You all approached me in an irbuvia,2 the children pushing ahead of the elderly, and the elderly pushing ahead of the leaders.”3 The simple understanding of this criticism is that Moshe was rebuking them for a lack of derech eretz (respect) and kavod HaTorah (respect for Torah). Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l writes that it is difficult to say that this was the focus of Moshe’s reproof.

It is clear from the account of the spies in Parashas Shelach, that the main failing of the spies was a lack of bitachon (trust in HaShem). This caused them to be fearful of the mighty people living in Eretz Yisroel, and to mourn their perceived inability to conquer the land. Accordingly, what is the connection between the fact that the people approached Moshe in an inappropriate manner, with the lack of bitachon that was the true cause of the sin?

Rav Kamenetsky explains that indeed, the lack of bitachon was the cause of the sin of the spies; the lack of derech eretz displayed was merely a symptom of that lacking. Had they had the appropriate level of trust, then they would have calmly approached Moshe, in the correct order. However, since they felt a great deal of anxiety about entering the land, they acted with behala (ie. in an agitated fashion), and broke the conventions of who should approach Moshe first. In this way, their lack of bitachon was the cause of their agitated behavior.4 Rav Kamenetsky uses this idea to answer a pressing question in the story of the spies. In Parashas Shelach, the order of the 1 Devarim 1:22.

2 Irbuvia is most accurately translated as a mixture or muddle – it means that there was no order in how they approached him as is explained above.

3 Rashi, Devarim, 1:22.

4 Emes L’Yaakov, Devarim, 1:22.

spies is not the same as anywhere Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen Rabbi for Keter HaTorah else in the Torah.

Normally, they are written according to their age, but here they are not. The commentaries offer various suggestions as to the reasoning behind the order.5 Rav Kamenetsky suggests that there is no reasoning to the order of the spies in this instance; the spies, with the exception of Yehoshua and Calev, felt the same anxiety as the people, therefore they also approached their entry to Eretz Yisroel in a state of behala. Behala results in a lack of order; accordingly, it is appropriate that the spies are mentioned in no specific order, as a reflection of their agitated attitude.

We have learnt from the principle of Rav Kamenetsky, that when a person acts in an agitated or hurried fashion, there is a strong possibility that his behaviour stems from a lack of trust in HaShem. A person who has such trust, will feel no sense of panic when he needs to do something, and will have no sense of impatience when events do not take place as quickly as he would like them to. Rather, he recognizes that HaShem is constantly guiding him, and any tests that he undergoes are HaShem’s way of giving him opportunities to grow. However, when a person does not have the security that bitachon provides, he feels no sense of calmness (menucha), and may feel eager to make events happen quicker than they should.

The first lesson that one can take from this idea is to be aware of situations when he may have a tendency to be impatient or agitated. When he is aware that he is in this state, he should make every effort to refrain from any action that he may later regret.

Rather, he should try to step back and take a measured view of the situation at hand. Secondly, he should understand that his behaviour may well stem from a lack of bitachon, and he should try to internalize that which intellectually he knows to be true – that HaShem is with Him and therefore, there is no need to get agitated.

May we all merit to develop the bitachon that will enable us to live with menucha. M 5 Shelach, 13:4. See Ramban on the passuk, who writes that the order is in terms of greatness, and Seforno, on the passuk, who writes that the order is in terms of age.

25 July 2020

‫ד' אב תש"פ‬

‫פרשת דברים‬

5

MIN SIDDUR SNIPPETS RABBI EFRAM GOLDBERG

SENIOR RABBI, BOCA RATON SYNAGOGUE (BRS)

Join nearly 2500 people getting snippets delivered right to their phone, by signing up for the Siddur Snippets.

Sign up at www.rabbiefremgoldberg.org or search "6 Minute Siddur Snippets" on your favourite podcast app.

W ֶ‫מודה ֲאנִ י ְל ָפנ‬ ,‫ך ַחי ְו ַקיָּ ם‬6 ‫יך ֶמ ֶל‬ ֶ

A Closer L

k

Grammatically, it would be more correct to say “‫אני‬ ‫מודה‬,” so why do we flip the words? Many of the commentaries say that it is for a very simple reason: the first words that come out of one’s mouth everyday cannot be “‫”אני‬. A person cannot wake up with a selfish instinct, thinking that all of the pleasure and happiness in the world belongs solely to them, and that they can do whatever they please. If a person wakes up with an attitude that the world is there to serve them, then their day is over before they even get out of bed. Instead, they should get up with a sense of “‫”מודה‬, thinking, “Wow, I am grateful; today will be an amazing day. No matter what task I face, no matter what adversity I may have to overcome, I will begin my day with gratitude and I will begin my day by looking for and identifying something that I have to be appreciative for,” because everyone has something to be thankful for.

Real-Life Idea We have not purified ourselves and are not primed for the day, but even before we fully awake, the first words out of our mouth are ‫ מודה אני לפניך‬- we are immediately expressing our sense of appreciation. This line is so critically important, because it is all about how we should start our day with an attitude of gratitude. Before anything has been done, the first sentiment is ‫מודה‬, which signifies that I am grateful for living; my soul has been restored, and I am ready to greet another day. If I am alive, most of the war has already been won, regardless of what may happen later in the day.

Potential Perspectives Rav Pinkus

The attitude with which we begin our day determines our success of that day. If Hashem sees that we are beginning our day with a mindset of recognition and are appreciative of all the berachos in our day, then He will empower us to have our best day yet. However, if we wake up with a sense of “‫אני‬,” thinking about how unhappy we are, we are guaranteeing ourselves a self-fulfilled, miserable day, so we should have that “‫ ”מודה‬attitude, finding something good, no matter how challenging the circumstances may seem.

Rav Chaim Volozhiner

It is clear that the way we wake up and the attitude that we forge is the determinant in how successful our day will be.

Being grateful is not an attitude; it is a decision, so we have to wake up with that decision to be happy, and when we decide to do so, Hashem will enable us to continue with that momentum.

The gemara in Makkos says that the road we desire is the path that we are taken on. If we wake up with gratitude and look for a blessing, we will surely find one and be able to live with great fortune; if we wake up with that “‫ ”אני‬feeling, then the day is shot before it has even begun.

The Importance of Mindset Rav Chaim Volozhiner says that we are guaranteed to have a blessed day if we wake up looking for blessing, because no matter how miserable one’s day may be, they will nonetheless manage to find a blessing within the day. Some people have said, “I have never had a bad day in my life,” even though they have actually had several miserable days, because if a person lives with a “‫ ''מודה אני‬mentality, then they will never truly have a bad day in their life.

When are we able to live with such a frame of mind? When we realize that everything is for a purpose, and that only Hashem has complete control.

But when is the Ribono Shel Olam truly in charge as a King? When he is ‫ ;חי וקים‬when he is alive and vibrant in our lives.

6

Oneg Shabbos Issue 262

Torah Links

Oneg Shabbos is privileged to receive submissions from Rabbonim and Mechanchim from across the world. Here are links to their personal parsha sheets and websites to provide you with even more Torah content and inspiration during these challenging times.

All Daf Created under the auspices of the OU, All Daf is a revolutionary learning platform where users experience the Daf from both an individualized and holistic perspective.

HaRav Meilech Biderman Shlita

All Daf's broad range of topics are channeled through personalized, userfriendly feeds, which adapt to each learner's interests. The platform has been specifically designed to enrich the learning of learners of all stripes and backgrounds, regardless of skill level or interests.

To subscribe: dafinfo@alldaf.org

Send subscribe & your name to +1 (845) 293-2166.

Number must be saved to receive daily clips, we now have english subtitles only list. Easy signup Link: https:// wa.me/18452932166?text=Hi%2C%20I'd%20like%20to%20Subscribe%2C%20 I%20saved%20this%20number%20in%20my%20contacts-eu1

BGLG - Bein Gavra L'Gavra

Journey to Better Speech

Weekly Torah compendium on the Parsha and more

The Chafetz Chaim states that every parsha teaches us something about the correct way to use our mouth. JTBS is a weekly injection of inspiration that explores these concepts, with tips, stories, halachos and thought-provoking ideas. To sign up, please send an email to support@journeytobetterspeech. com

www.bglg-parsha.blogspot.com To Subscribe to the weekly mail out please email: mayermwinter@aol.com

Covenant & Conversation Join Rabbi Sacks’ mailing list to receive his weekly Covenant & Conversation parsha commentary essays as well as other shiurim, educational content, articles and speeches at www.

RabbiSacks.org/Subscribe. You can also access this content by joining his WhatsApp groups via www.RabbiSacks.org/WhatsApp

Chafetz Chaim Daily A 2 minute snippet from Rav Noiky Roberts that follows the daily Chaftez Chaim Companion ‫לע"נ בנימין אשר ז"ל בן יהושע שמעון שיבלחט"א‬

Follow this link to join my WhatsApp group: https://chat. whatsapp.com/KNacISYIJlyCCShOQuXclb

Daf Shavua A fast paced, crisp and clear 10 minute shiur Monday to Friday covering one daf of Gemara each week (Gemara/Rashi with occasional Tosfos) Shared on whatsapp and podcast, commencing Meseches Makkos on Monday 21 Tammuz / 13 July. To subscribe please email arilevy1@gmail.com

Daily Lifepoints Machon Or Hachasidus - Likras Shabbos To subscribe please email peninim@likras.org

The Siddur and I Do you ever wish that your davening was more meaningful?

Do you ever feel that there is so much about the Sidur that you wish you knew...? If so - welcome! Come join a group with short daily recordings that will change the way you daven, making your daily davening more meaningful, learning Halachos you never knew, sparking the words you always said to a new meaning - All this and more! Your davening will be special and meaningful.

You are welcome to join 'The Sidur and I' through the following link (Recordings by Rabbi Eliyahu Silverman) Follow this link to join my WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ixj6T9sWgRYCyXKfVkREZi

HaRav Asher Weiss This group will only send out Rav Asher Weiss' Shiurim, writings... Given or written in English. https://chat.whatsapp. com/Bjfa2QIf5sXBOcc5zHkz1R For the Hebrew group, click here https://chat.whatsapp.com/LvZwrNwg061FzF05ClPe8s

Daily Chizuk Clips from Rav Meilech Biderman Shlita's Shiurim in Yiddish, With English Subtitles.

Time 4 Tefila & Shmiras Shabbos Daily Rabbi Roodyn gives a daily insight into our Tefillos, enabling us to grow in our relationship with Hashem through the prism of Tefillah. These short ideas are based on the calendar, join now for specific insights into galus and geulah.

Rabbi Roodyn also sends out a daily halacha clip, based on Rav Neuwirth’s authoritative sefer, Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa. This is perfect for anyone who wants to review or brush up on their knowledge of this important, complex and diverse area of halacha. To sign up please email rabbiroodyn@gmail.com

Mevaser Israel A small sample of a weekly Shiur on the sedra given for the Yungeleit in the Halacha Kollel in Yerushalayim, trying to point out important details in Avodas Hashem for the contemporary Ben Torah. To add please write to abrahamblick@gmail.com

PowerYourPrayer R’ Avi Slansky WhatsApp group sending out daily 2-3 minute Life Altering Tefillah Clips/ Quotes based on the teachings of Shearim B’Tefilah/ R’ Shimshon Pincus Ztz’l. Message “Add me” to +1 516422-2285 to join

A Daily Dose of Mussar and Avodah.

Two short five minute shiurim: Gain inspiration from Pirkei Avos and enter a new world of the Avodah in the Beis Hamikdash. A clear, concise description of the avodah and korbonos based on the writings of the Chafetz Chaim's son in law. Also available series of shiurim on tefillah, based on the sefer 100 Amos High and series on chesed and middos. Subscribe by sending email to taboravrohom@gmail.com

MishnaMail Delivering daily mishnayos via email & Whatsapp in a textual, audio and video format. Its free and all it takes is under 5 minutes a day. To join email: mishnamail@gmail.com / or Whatsapp +447589429094

25 July 2020

‫ד' אב תש"פ‬

‫פרשת דברים‬

Questions and Answers By Rabbi Daniel Travis based on divrei halachah heard from Rav Azriel Auerbach, Rav Zalman Nechamiah Goldberg and Rav Yaakov Hillel. Subscribe by emailing qa@rabbitravis.org

Rabbi Efram Goldberg You can now listen to Siddur Snippets on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-minute-siddursnippets-feed-podcast/id1485180410.

If you know of others who want to join Siddur Snippets please send them this link - https://chat.whatsapp.com/K3yByF9UHlm6NQjlJieFDs. For short, inspirational messages from Rabbi Goldberg, join the Emunah WhatsApp group here - https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0fiFlQKIHIEzcA9bBeM7N. For past snippets, and more of Rabbi Goldberg's content, including classes, writings, and more, please visit www.rabbiefremgoldberg.org. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-minute-siddur-snippets-feedpodcast/id1485180410.

If you know of others who want to join Siddur Snippets please send them this link - https://chat.whatsapp.com/K3yByF9UHlm6NQjlJieFDs. For short, inspirational messages from Rabbi Goldberg, join the Emunah WhatsApp group here - https://chat.whatsapp.com/E0fiFlQKIHIEzcA9bBeM7N. For past snippets, and more of Rabbi Goldberg's content, including classes, writings, and more, please visit www.rabbiefremgoldberg.org.

Messages of the Prophets A weekly hashkafic essay on the weekly Haftara, pshat and insights relevant for our times. Subscribe by e-mailing: jonathanshooter613@gmail.com

Quick Weekly Divrei Chizuk by Rabbi Shlomi P Milun CEO of Gift

7

Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch In this 10 minute weekly Parasha podcast, Rabbi Simi Lerner guides us in deeply understanding the groundbreaking works of Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch. With challenging yet deeply rewarding works that partain as much to this generation as it did in the 18th century. Website - http://www.ravhirsch.org/ WhatsApp https://chat.whatsapp.com/BP9e7MVfRez5Ek9VodLZLT iTunes, Spotify and all podcasting platforms title 'Judaism From Within podcast'. Jle website - https:// jle.org.uk/showevent.php?id=1815

Rabbi Yaacov Haber 3 Minute Weekly Parsha Message https://chat.whatsapp.com/ FlT5fWolTppFyqlFVlvsTH To sign up to the newsletter visit yaacovhaber.com.

The Guiding Light A weekly email list written by well-known author, Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen, covering the weekly Parsha and Chagim with a focus on gleaning practical life lessons based on Chazal and the commentaries. To subscribe, email: Gefen123@inter. net.il

Real Clear Daf Is a Daf Yomi audio shiur that is offered on realcleardaf.com and via its iOS and Android applications. Created after the 12th siyum HaShas, Real Clear Daf has been met with great acclaim from learners of all backgrounds as a powerful tool to help people in their journey through Shas. Rabbi Shmuel Wise, Real Clear Daf's maggid shiur, spends many hours researching, recording, and editing each shiur in order to achieve the high level of quality that Real Clear Daf is known for. In the mobile app, Real Clear Daf's one-of-a-kind shiur is offered along with the ability to change the speed, use an English elucidation, download, search through Shas and much more. Real Clear Daf is offered as a free service for Klall Yisroel in memory of R' Wise's brother, Aryeh Wise

Subscribe by emailing sandormilun@gmail.com

Shvilei Pinchas Rabbi Moshe Kormornick

Articles about the Torah and the dates of the year on the Pardes Road by Rabbi Pinchas Friedman Shlita. Subscribe by emailing: mamarim@shvileipinchas.com

ShortVort.com - With thousands of short vorts and you can write your own! b) Rabbi Moshe Kormornick - Sign up for the weekly short vort at ShortVort.com

Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

Thank you Hashem for Shabbos Kodesh AC TE H

TEACH613 is an organization which promotes Torah 613 and mitzvah education through classes and virtual media. Rabbi Rhine is Rav in the White Oak neighborhood in Silver Spring, Maryland. To subscribe to his Parsha, Take Ten for Talmud, or Shemiras halashon messages, please visit teach613.org

Weekly Torah Sheet Subscribe at: Shabbos@tyHnation.com tyHnation.com

Circle Time at your Shabbos Table for a meaningful and Entertaining Shabbos with your children.

Short and Powerful Message by Rabbi Nosson Greenberg

You can sign up at circmag.com/shabbos.

To subscribe please e-mail ravgreenbergkmt@gmail.com

Tiv HaKehila - HaRav HaTzaddik R’ Gamliel Rabinowitz Shlita

SoulWords.org

Weekly Inspirational Torah and Story Sheet by HaRav HaTzaddik R’ Gamliel Rabinowitz Shlita

is a video site featuring classes and lectures from Rabbi Shais Taub on a variety of Jewish subjects meant to educate and inspire. Subscribe at: https://soulwords.org

Judaism Reclaimed Lively discussion of controversial aspects of Jewish thought from a Torah perspective. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ JudaismReclaimed/

Subscribe by emailing: shmuel191@msn.com

Torah on the go is a platform where the working person can share a meaningful short thought on the sedra To subscribe please WhatsApp the word subscribe to -Torah on the go 07973417338

8

Oneg Shabbos Issue 262

Restoring the primacy of Choshen Mishpat Under the auspices of Harav Chaim Kohn ‫שליט"א‬

Rabbi Meir Orlian Halachah Writer, BHI

This page is sponsored by nextgenrealestate.co.uk

DEFAMATION LAWSUIT Mr. Moses sat down in his chair after completing his day’s work. He thumbed through the local newspaper, 20,000 copies of which were distributed in his neighbourhood; he was surprised to see his name in one of the articles.

He began reading the article and started turning livid!

A competitor had written an article attacking him and referred to him in very derogatory terms. Not only that, he cast aspersions on Mr. Moses’s integrity.

“What chutzpah!” Mr. Moses declared. “How dare he write this about me!” Mr. Moses was concerned, since the newspaper was read by many members of his shul, and also by clients of his.

Sure enough, when Mr. Moses went to shul that Shabbos, he sensed a certain chill from people who had formerly been friendly with him. During the following weeks, he began to see a slow but steady drop in his clientele. When he inquired why his clients stopped coming in, he received mostly evasive answers, but a few acknowledged that it was because of the article.

Mr. Moses was furious at the writer. In addition to defaming his name, he had also caused financial loss, which was becoming significant.

Mr. Moses confronted the writer. “To the best of my knowledge,” the writer justified himself, “what I wrote was true.”

“It’s mostly inaccurate hearsay, which I can disprove,” Mr. Moses emphatically denied. “Moreover, even if it’s true, what right do you have to publicly shame me?!” Mr. Moses demanded that the writer post a new article retracting what he wrote and apologizing. He threatened to sue the man if he would not retract, but the writer remained obstinate. “If you sue, I’ll consider writing a follow-up article…” he added.

Mr. Moses refused to accept this response. He sued the writer in Rabbi Dayan’s beis din.

‫לע''נ אריאל יהודה ז''ל בן ר' פינחס צבי נ''י קליין‬

person who embarrasses verbally, without physical contact, is legally exempt.

Nonetheless, it is a great sin. Spreading lashon hara about a person is included in verbal embarrassment” (C.M. 420:38-39).

Some explain that verbal embarrassment is considered grama (indirect damage), which does not carry halachic legal culpability, but only an obligation b’dinei Shamayim. Therefore, Shulchan Aruch writes that beis din should penalize the violator as they see fit, and pressure him to appease the victim.

Shulchan Aruch Harav (Hilchos Nizkei Mamon #1) similarly writes that it is prohibited to cause damage to another, whether through action or speech, and that anyone who causes damage – even if he is legally exempt – is liable b’dinei Shamayim. His examples include speech that is true but causes unwarranted damage.

Defamation of a talmid chacham is a most grave sin.

Rambam rules, based on the Yerushalmi, that the violator should be penalized a hefty sum of gold. This no longer applies, but beis din can penalize him according to the stature of the two parties (Hilchos Talmud Torah 6:12; Y.D. 243:6-7).

A number of countries and many U.S. states have defamation laws, which provide legal recourse for the victim of defamation. Nonetheless, the various legislations have many exemptions, many of which are not in consonance with the laws of lashon hara. For example, many accept the defense that the statement was true, whereas lashon hara applies even to injurious or degrading statements that are true, as derived from Parashas Behaalosecha.

“The writer should compensate me for the embarrassment and financial loss that he caused,” Mr. Moses demanded.

“Perhaps the legislation reflects the halachic position that verbal embarrassment does not usually carry legal liability,” concluded Rabbi Dayan, “but it does not reflect the severity of the matter, nor the obligation b’dinei Shamayim to appease.”

“Although a person who injures another is liable also for the embarrassment he caused (bosheis),” replied Rabbi Dayan, “the Gemara (B.K. 91a) teaches that a

Verdict: A person who defames another is usually not legally liable but is required b’dinei Shamayim to appease him. M

Provided by Business Halacha Institute. The BHI is a non-profit organization based in New York that educates and guides people in up to date applications of monetary halacha. For more information or to browse the BHI archives, visit www.businesshalacha.com

25 July 2020

‫ד' אב תש"פ‬

‫פרשת דברים‬

9

SHEMIRAS HALOSHON

SHALOM STRATEGIES WHAT IS SHALOM WORTH TO YOU? Your neighbour borrows your lovely silver Kiddush cup and brings it back three weeks later, deeply dented. It looks like someone has dropped an axe on it. When you ask how the cup acquired the dent, your neighbour tells you that it was there when he borrowed it.

“Oh, I think you’re mistaken,” you say calmly.

“We don’t even use it. It just sits in the silver cabinet. I don’t think it could have been dented.”

“Maybe you just didn’t notice,” says the neighbour.

You are 100 percent positive that your neighbour ought to pay for this repair. You’re equally positive that you won’t be able to uphold your rights without getting into a debate, perhaps an argument, maybe a beis din or even a long-running family feud.

Now you have a choice. You can let the tiny, weak flame of discord die out, or you can fan it.

You can turn a $100 repair into an issue that will take over your life, as well as your neighbour’s.

The question to ask yourself in such a case is, how much am I willing to pay for serenity? Is your inner peace worth the $100 price of the repair? How much aggravation are you willing to endure in order to retrieve the money? Is it worth the loss of friendship? Is it worth the discomfort every time you run into each other in shul or at a simchah? Will your conflict become a neighbourhood feud in which people will take sides and spread the rancour?

Many of our aggravations in life result from relatively small expenses caused by someone else’s irresponsible or misguided action. In such a case, the Chofetz Chaim tells us to treat shalom as the mitzvah that it is. We spend money on an esrog, matzah, wine, challah, tzitzis, etc; we can expect to spend money on this mitzvah as well. If money will solve the problem, says the Chofetz Chaim, then spend it. M

FOOD FOR THOUGHT TO SPARK N CONVERSATIO

MAY I REPORT A CRIME?

YOU’RE AWARE THAT SOMEONE HAS CHEATED ANOTHER JEW OUT OF MONEY. WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THAT INFORMATION?

THE DILEMMA You are an accountant for a large, Jewish-owned company and you have discovered that the Chief Financial Officer has been siphoning money out of the business’s funds. What should you do with this information?

THE HALACHA Helping someone receive restitution for a loss is considered a constructive purpose, and therefore you would be allowed to relate what happened. First you should verify your suspicions if you’re not certain; then you should speak to the perpetrator, if possible.

However, a problem arises if reporting the incident would cause consequences that are beyond what halachah would allow. Since halachah doesn’t allow people to be jailed for monetary offenses, reporting such an incident to the police—or to someone else who would then report it to the police— would be problematic. In cases like this, a competent rav must be consulted. M See Beis Yosef, Yoreh Deah 159; Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 159:3; cf.

Shach ad loc #6. See also sources cited in “A Lesson a Day” p. 419, footnote 97.

The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation Reviewed by Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Lowy. For discussion only; actual halachic decisions should be made by a rav or halachic expert on a case-by-case basis.

10

Oneg Shabbos Issue 262

Rabbi Jonathan Shooter Kollel Midrash Shmuel The author publishes a weekly detailed essay on the Haftara which can be received by writing to jonathanshooter613@gmail.com. More details about his books can be found at www.jonathanshooter.com

The verse says, “If your sins will be like scarlet, they will whiten like snow; if they have reddened like crimson, they will become as wool” (1:18). The Meshech Chochmah says that the first part of the verse refers to what took place in the First Beis Hamikdash: they hung up a thread of scarlet, and following the avoda on Yom Kippur, it would turn the colour of snow, to show that there had been forgiveness.

In the Second Beis Hamikdash, it only whitened “like wool,” which is not a pure white. This verse represents the spiritual status of the Jews during each of those two periods. During the time of the First Beis Hamikdash, their sins were only on the outside. They gave in to tayvah, but their inside was actually full of love of Torah, and they were at peace with each other. This is like the scarlet thread: it was white, but dyed scarlet. Therefore, when the scarlet is removed, it becomes as white as snow.

During the times of the Second Beis Hamikdash, their sins made the thread “reddened like crimson.” This meant that it was intrinsically stained. This shows that the Jews were guilty of sins from within, like baseless hatred.

Therefore even after teshuva the thread would only become like wool. Such sins are much harder to cleanse since they affect the inside and core of a person. The proof of this is that the First Beis Hamikdash was rebuilt after only seventy years, while the Second Beis Hamikdash remains destroyed over 2,000 years later.

Following this, we have a section in the Haftora where Hashem laments the service and mitzvos that the Jews do. “When you come to appear before Me, who sought this from you, to

trample My courtyards?” (1:12). How can this be called “trampling” when Hashem has commanded the bringing of korbonos? Rashi explains that this, indeed, is called “trampling,” because their hearts were not complete toward Hashem. On the outside, it looked like they were doing the holy service, but inside they couldn’t be further from Hashem. Perhaps the prophet is referring to the difference between the “letter of the law” and the “spirit of the law.” The “ritual” side of Judaism says that one brings sacrifices onto the altar. The “spiritual” side says that this mitzvah is meant to bring you closer to Hashem. By having the correct attitude and intentions, a sacrifice can raise one’s level and bring him to teshuva, to closeness to Hashem. When it is but mere ritual, it is just empty acts; it cannot achieve any of this. One is just trespassing in the holy Sanctuary doing avoda that Hashem doesn’t desire. On the contrary, in this instance, it wasn’t just lack of intent, but the opposite was going on: the Jews had thoughts of idolatry in their hearts. This theme continues: “You shall not continue to bring Me a worthless meal offering, incense of abomination it is to Me. New Moon and Shabbos . . . I cannot have sin with assemblage” (1:13). Rashi says that here we have a mixing of two elements: on the one hand, there is

the gathering for the festival, which should be a holy occasion. On the other hand, Hashem cannot bear the sins in their hearts, as they follow idolatry simultaneously. Therefore, since these elements cannot mix, the gathering itself becomes detestable to Hashem.

The verse then says, “When you spread your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even if you were to increase prayer, I do not hear; your hands are full of blood” (1:15). We would think that prayer is a meritorious thing to do at all times. Yet Hashem instructs us to look beneath the surface. When the same hands raised in prayer are also full of blood, how can such a prayer be listened to? I once heard Rav Kreiswirth zt’l explain the verse “Who sought this from you, to trample My courtyards?”

Sometimes a person comes from Chutz la’Aretz to Israel, supposedly with the intention to learn. When he arrives, he is unreceptive to what is going on around him: to the Torah, the hashkafa, and the opportunities for growth.

Rav Kreiswirth tells us that “Who sought this from you, to trample My courtyards?” refers here to someone who brought his feet to Israel, but left his head behind in Chutz la’Aretz; such a person is only “trampling” on the Holy Land, but letting none of it affect him. M

25 July 2020

‫ד' אב תש"פ‬

‫פרשת דברים‬

‫פרקי‬ ‫אבות‬

11

Norway Photo Credit: Skeye

Chapter 2 Mishna 4

LIVING LESSONS DON’T JUDGE! Once, the idolatrous king Menashe appeared to Rav Ashi in a dream. He challenged Rav Ashi with a difficult halachic question, to which Rav Ashi had no answer. Rav Ashi pleaded with King Menashe to reveal the answer to him, promising to teach it in his name.

Menashe agreed, and shared his answer.

Impressed, Rav Ashi retorted, “So if you are indeed so wise, how did you come to worship idols?”

“Had you lived in my generation,” Menashe responded, “you would have personally lifted the hem of your cloak and sped after me (to worship avodah zarah.)” Rav Ashi understood that in Menashe’s time, the temptation to worship avodah zarah was so strong, that even the greatest men could not resist it.

When you see someone do wrong, don’t rush to judge them. It is likely that you don’t understand what is motivating them to act that way. Ask yourself, “If I were in their situation, with their upbringing, nature and yetzer hara, would I be any better?” M

Table

Shabbos

Convenr satio Starter

to make o d e w n ca t a h W ore this Tisha B’Av m meaningful?

What do you feel we are lacking without a Beis Hamikdash?

g What can we do to brin Geulah?

the

Oneg Shabbos would like to thank the Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of America for providing this page +1 (347) 838-0869

Please be careful to dispose of this sheet in the proper manner as required ‫על פי הלכה‬.

Please do not read this publication during ‫קדיש‬, ‫ קריאת התורה‬or ‫חזרת הש''ץ‬. Please do not read the adverts on Shabbos or Yom Tov. Please would you ensure that there are ample sheets left in shuls for Shabbos before taking one home. ‫בברכת שלא ימוש התורה מפי זרעינו ומפי זרע זרעינו מעתה ועד עולם‬ IN ASSOCIATION WITH BHNY