OU Israel Center Torah Tidbits - Parshat Ki Tavo 5782 by Orthodox Union

ISSUE 1485 SEP 17TH '22 ב"פשת לולא א"כ PARSHAT KI TAVO AVOT CHAPTER 3 - 4 ה"ב OU ISRAEL 02-560-9100 | TorahTidbits.com | ADVERTISING 02- 560-9125 אובת יכ תשרפ YERUSHALAYIM IN/OUT TIMES FOR SHABBAT PARSHAT KI TAVO CANDLES 6:08PM • EARLIEST 5:27PM • HAVDALA 7:19PM • RABBEINU TAM 8:00PM ־ירפ ךורב ירפוךתמדאךנטב'ד:ח"כםירבד Walls Have Ears Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus page 12 GUEST ARTICLE Disconnecting to Connect Chaim Pelzner Deputy Director, OU Israel Center page 54

Disconnecting to Connect Chaim Pelzner

Confessing One’s Good Deeds Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb

In Answer to A Question Menachem Persoff

With the approach of Rosh Hashanah and end of the Shmittah year, a lender should complete the Pruzbul process. See page 73 for more information

The Mitzvah of Hefker during Shemitah Rabbi Ezra Friedman

Dear Torah Tidbits Family Rabbi Avi Berman

OU Israel Parenting Column Michal Silverstein

The Y- Files Weekly Comic Netanel Epstein

A Life of Verticality Rabbi Moshe Taragin

A Class For Two - An Unforgettable Memory Sivan Rahav Meir

About the Photo: The grapes are on a vine in our backyard. It is G-d's beautiful, juicy and tasty gift of produce in Eretz Yisrael, with kedushat hamitzvot. (In some years I've made wine from these grapes that grow in our backyard.)

The Significance of the Progression of Moshe’s Speech Rabbi Shalom Rosner

OU Israel Schedule

Walls Have Ears

Probing The Prophets

Rabbi Reuven Tradburks

Torah 4 Teens By Teens Rabbi Yosef Ginsberg // Ometz Shmidman

This Motzei Shabbat it is customary among Ashkenazi Jews to begin reciting Selichot

Rabbi Nachman Winkler

Selichos!

Does Pruzbol Ruin the Ability to Fulfill Shemittat Kesafim? Rabbi Daniel Mann

Buying Plants From Nurseries In 5783 Rabbi Moshe Bloom Choosing To Freeze Rabbi Gideon Weitzman

Helpful Reminders

This week's Torah Tidbits cover image!

Aliya By Aliya Sedra Summary

Photo By: David Mescheloff. We live in Moshav Hemed. We made aliya 49 years ago, in 1973, two months before the Yom Kippur War broke out. Where: Moshav Hemed (before shmitta last year)

Beautiful Bowing Rebbetzin Shira Smiles

2 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l

The Pursuit of Joy

Rabbi Judah Mischel Simchat Shmuel Rabbi Sam Shor

Table of Contents

Ginot Shomron5:276:24

7:105:196:147:19

OU ISRAEL CENTER 3

Gush Shiloh5:276:23 7:125:216:167:21

Tel Aviv / Giv’at Shmuel5:296:25 7:105:196:147:20

Giv’at Ze’ev5:276:24 7:105:196:157:20Chevron / Kiryat Arba5:276:24 7:135:226:177:22

Earliest Tallit and Tefillin 5:32 - 5:38

Raanana/ Tel Mond/ Herzliya/ K. Saba5:286:25 7:115:206:157:20

Aza area (Netivot, S’derot, Et al)5:296:26

Beit Shemesh / RBS5:286:27

Gush Etzion5:276:24 7:125:206:167:21

7:115:196:157:20

NITZAVIM

Ashkelon5:296:26 7:125:216:167:21Yad Binyamin5:286:25 7:095:186:087:19

ZVI SAND, PRESIDENT, OU ISRAEL

Tzfat / Bik’at HaYarden5:266:18 7:095:176:137:18Golan5:266:22

Be’er Sheva5:286:25 7:125:216:167:21

Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:28 - 9:29

7:115:206:057:21

Rehovot5:286:25

7:115:205:597:21

Petach Tikva5:286:08

Plag Mincha 5:29 - 5:18

Yerushalayim

Rabbeinu Tam (J'lem) - 8:00 PM • next week - 7:50 pm

OU Israel, Torah Tidbits does not endorse the political or halachic positions of its editor, columnists or advertisers, nor guarantee the quality of advertised services or products. Nor do we endorse the kashrut of hotels, restaurants, caterers or food products that are advertised in TT (except, of course, those under OU-Israel hashgacha). Any "promises" made in ads are the sole responsibility of the advertisers and not that of OU Israel, the OU Israel Center , Torah Tidbits.

Netanya5:286:25 7:125:216:167:21

MUNICIPALITYJERUSALEMRanges11days

Sof Zman Tefila 10:30 (According to the Gra and Baal HaTanya)

Haifa / Zichron5:286:15

Sunset (Including Elevation) 6:51 - 6:37

Mincha Gedola (Earliest Mincha) 1:05 - 1:01

David Katz, CFO, OU Israel | Chaim Pelzner, Director of Programs, OU Israel | Rabbi Sam Shor, Director of Programs, OU Israel Center Rabbi Sholom Gold, Dean, Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults 22 Keren HaYesod <> POB 37015 <> Jerusalem phone:91370 (02) 560 9100 | fax: (02) 561-7432 email: office@ouisrael.org website: www.ouisrael.org

AND HAVDALA TIMES CANDLE LIGHTING OU Kashrut  NCSY  Jewish Action  JLIC NJCD / Yachad / Our Way  OU West Coast  OU Press  Synagogue/Community Services  OU Advocacy  OU Israel MOISHE BANE, PRESIDENT OF THE ORTHODOX UNION Mitchel Aeder, Chairman of the Board, Orthodox Union | Esther Williams, OU Israel Chair | Gary Torgow, Chair, OU Kashrus Commission RABBI MOSHE HAUER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Rabbi Joshua M. Joseph, Ed.D. Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer | Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Exec. V.P. Emeritus | Shlomo Schwartz, Chief Financial Officer | Lenny Bessler, Chief Human Resources Officer OU KOSHER: Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO/Rabbinic Administrator OU Kosher | Rabbi Moshe Elefant, COO/Exec utive Rabbinic Coordinator ISRAEL: Rabbi Yissachar Dov Krakowski, Rabbinic Administrator | Rabbi Ezra Friedman, The Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education/Rabbinic Field Representative Headquarters: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 212-563-4000  website: www.ou.org Editor Emeritus: Phil Chernofsky Editor: Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider | aarong@ouisrael.org Advertising: Ita Rochel | 02-5609125 or ttads@ouisrael.org Website: www.torahtidbits.com Not getting enough TTs? Too many? None at all? Contact our DISTRIBUTION 050-577-2111 • ttdist@ouisrael.org TImes According to MyZmanim (20 min. before sundown in

Founders and initial benefactors of the OU Israel Center: George and Ilse Falk a"h most cities, 40 min. in Yerushalyim and Petach Tikva, 30 min. in Tzfat/Haifa)

OTHER Z'MANIM

Seymour J. Abrams • Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Cen ter • Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults • Wolinetz Family Shul • Makom BaLev • Birthright • Yachad • NCSY in Israel • JLIC in Israel • Pearl & Harold M. Jacobs ZULA Out reach Center • The Jack Gindi Oraita Program • OU Israel Kashrut

VAAD MEMBERS: Dr. Michael Elman | Stuart Hershkowitz | Moshe Kempinski | Sandy Kestenbaum | Harvey Wolinetz

Torah Tidbits and many of the projects of OU Israel are assisted by grants from THE JERUSALEM

Wed. - Shabbat

Yitzchak Fund, Former President, OU Israel Rabbi Emanuel Quint z”l, Senior Vice President | Prof. Meni Koslowsky, Vice President

Chatzot (Halachic Noon) 12:34 - 12:30

Sunrise 6:23 - 6:29

HAVDALATAVOEARLIESTCANDLES

7:105:195:59 7:125:216:177:22

7:115:206:177:20

7:105:196:157:20

HavdalaEarliestCandles7:19/ Maale Adumim5:276:08

Magen Avraham 8:51 - 8:53

Sept. 14-24 / 18-28 Elul

RABBI AVI BERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OU ISRAEL

Modi’in / Chashmona’im5:286:24 7:125:206:167:21

When we hear the word Shemita, most of us think of fruits, vegetables and farmers. The current Shemita year ends with Rosh HaShana. This makes some people sad thinking that they have to wait another 7 years to eat Kedushat Sheviit produce or pick Hefker fruit off of their neighbor’s tree. Others who were unclear about the Halachot of Shemita may feel relief. (PSA: You still have the final stretch of time to enjoy Kedushat Sheviit produce and can call or Whatsapp Rabbi Ezra Friedman on OU Israel’s Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education hotline at 050-2004432 with your questions.) Perhaps a lesser known aspect of the Shemita year is Shem itatShemitatKesafim.Kesafim

DEAR TORAH TIDBITS FAMILY

means that a per son who gave a loan forgives it when the seventh year ends. This is ultimately some thing beautiful. If someone has not been able to pay back a loan that they took from

I recently came across another incred ible technology which enables Jews to

perform a special mitzvah. Unlike the OU Direct database which is used daily, this is a once in a Shemita, every 7 years, oppor tunity. Nedivei Eretz partnered with the Torah VeHa’aretz Institute and Mekimi to enable us to perform the Mitzvah of Shem itat Kesafim, forgiving loans at the end of the Shemita year.

RABBI AVI BERMAN Executive Director, OU Israel the back

תמשנ יוליעל In loving memory of ל"ז רתסא לדניישו דוד לארשי תב הדירפ Frieda Schorer z"l on her 5th yahrzeit - לולא ג"כ Schorer, Shames, Apelbaum, Finkelman families Shabbat afternoon shiur this week with Rabbi Chanoch Yeres at 5:00pm in

4 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Living in the 21st century provides us with unique opportunities to perform mitzvot and help others perform mitzvot through technology. One of my favorite OU exam ples is a mega global database called OU Direct which enables companies that have OU Kosher supervision to get any piece of data they need that is not confidential at their fingertips. Using this database, companies can find any product and see which manufacturer is importing the exact product they need. This ensures that all the ingredients in their products are Kosher, providing us – the consumers – with an enormous array of Kosher foods which are composed of ingredients, flavors, col oring, etc. from all over the world. This database, and the professional service they receive from OU Kosher Rabbis and staff, is a tremendous Kiddush Hashem helping food companies around the world provide food for the Kosher consumer and helping expand their businesses.

garden of the OU Israel Center

Rabbi Avi Berman Executive Director, OU Israel aberman@ouisrael.org

You can learn more about this

OU ISRAEL CENTER 5

לולא א"כ

The Pruzbul enables individuals and institutions to give and take loans, but the downside is that we are ultimately giving up on the mitzvah of forgiving a loan. While it is true that an individual can give and then forgive a loan, this gets complicated if they don’t want to forgive every loan, such as banks and businesses. Here comes the beauty of what Nedivei Eretz does. A person signs a Pruzbol that includes all loans and investments except for one. The money will go towards fam ilies that Mekimi works with who have gone through their financial guidance program. For these families, the only obstacle to their financial independence is their debts. This Tzedakah enables them to pay off their debt and start the new year financially stable, and it provides the giver a once in seven years opportunity to enter Rosh HaShana with a new Mitzvah of Shemitat Kesafim.

The problem is that people stopped giv ing loans because they were concerned that they would not get their money back. Hillel realized this was happening and created a Pruzbul, a document you sign that makes sure that you don’t lose a loan because of Shemita. Aside from some that sign it at the beginning of the year, most Jews sign the Pruzbul at the end of the year.

תמשנ יוליעל In loving memory of ל"ז תידוהיו בד םוחנ ןב ןויצ-ןב

I’d also like to take this opportunity to remind each of you that we are grateful to once again be running Torah Yerushalayim in-person this year on 7 Tishrei / October 2 at the Ramada. I will be writing more about this special event as we get closer. For those of you who attended previously, I don’t need to encourage you to sign-up because you remember how incredible it was. For those of you who did not attend, I hope you take advantage of what is truly a special way to prepare for Yom Kippur. To view the full schedule and register: tick chak.co.il/TY2022. I look forward to seeing you there as we learn together and uplift ourselves before Yom Kippur.

you after several years, chances are they will not be able to pay it back in the near future. By nullifying the loan, you are giv ing them an opportunity to start fresh.

special Mitzvah opportunity at givechak. co.il/31085/en and be a part of the global Jewish community by ensuring that we are able to perform another mitzvah which we may not have done in the past. Alter natively, you can participate via the OU by signing a Pruzbul at the OU Israel Center or emailing Rachel at rstewart@ouisrael.org (please write Pruzbul in the subject).

Benjamin Spigelman z"l on his 36th yahrzeitSchorer, Spigelman, Sheinfeld families

Wishing you all an uplifting and inspiring Shabbat,

KI TAVO

Tavo has but 6 mitzvot. It is the beginning of the conclusion of Moshe’s charge to the people. It is followed by 4 very short parshiot, which combined would be a long parsha. Meaning, we are barely a parsha length from the end of the TEITZEII

6 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

SEDRAALIYA-BY-ALIYASUMMARY

This mitzvah of bikkurim, of first fruits, is a rich one. But besides its own beauty, lies its significance in the narrative of Devarim. In bikkurim, the successful farmer gives a full-throated expression of how fortunate he is to be where he is. He stands on the shoulders of our history. Egypt, redemption, the Land and now little me, enjoying a bounty in the Land. That is a beautiful mitzvah of gratitude and appreciation. But it is also foreshadowing. Know, my people, Moshe is saying, know that this is the way you should live. Appreciative, aware, a sense of history, placing G-d at the core of your success. And rejoicing, having simcha. This is a foreshadow to the horrible curses Moshe will outline should this ideal not be realized. Here is the way it should be. And could be.

In loving memory of my mother Pearl Katz a"h ה"ע באז םירפא תב הסעפ Memphis, Tennessee On her 21st Yahrtzeit - 18 Elul Ronnie Katz

Rabbi TradburksReuven

The Parsha begins the conclusion of our Torah. The book of Devarim consists of Moshe’s long speech at the end of his life. His speech is crafted beautifully, a mag num opus of past, present and future. He began with a review of our history, includ ing successes and failures and their lessons for the impending settling of the Land. He then outlined what a Jewish society shall look like; 170 mitzvot including ethical monotheism in all its color, nation building of judiciary, legislature and executive and the high ethical calling in the life of the individuals.ParshatKi

Director of

RCA Israel Region

2nd aliya (26:12-15) In the 3rd year, declare that all tithes have been given: I have given the holy tithes as well as those to the Levi and

Torah following Ki Tavo. This is the end of our Torah. And this section deals not with the present, the impending settling of the Land. It gazes into the future; the distant future, the exile that follows the successful settlement of the Land.

When settled in the Land, bring your first fruits as an offering. When offered, declare the following: My forefathers descended to Egypt, were enslaved, called out and You redeemed them with a strong arm, bringing them to this Land of milk and honey. And I am acknowledging that I have benefitted from all that, rejoicing in all the good I have been given.

1st aliya (Devarim 26:1-11)

OU ISRAEL CENTER 7

A brief statement but a powerful one. We are both committed: we to Him, He to us. This is our noble calling. The entire Torah has been this story; we are His people, He is our G-d.

4th aliya (27:1-10) Moshe with the elders commanded the peo ple: upon entering the Land, establish a monument of stones with this entire Torah written upon it. Build an altar in front of it, offer offerings and rejoice

3rd aliya (26:16-19) Today G-d is commanding you to keep His laws with all your heart. You declare today that He will be your G-d and you will keep His laws. And He declares that you will be a treasured nation, to ele vate you, to be a glorious and holy people.

The tithes include gifts to the Kohanim and Leviim; communal support of religious leaders. And it also encompasses a legis lated type of welfare state. Maaser sheni produce floods Jerusalem creating inexpen sive food, a safety net for the needy. And in the 3rd year, 10% to the poor themselves. In these first 2 very short aliyot, these 2 mitz vot encapsule Jewish living as it ought to be. Monotheism, centrality of His place in Jerusalem, religious sensitivity and care for the needy. Ethical monotheism. What we should be and what we could be.

True wholesaler from the diamond boursa with over 25 years experience member diamond dealers club Engagement Rings ∙ Stud Earrings Pendants ∙ Tennis Bracelets 050-573-9061www.JeffMorDiamondJewelry.comjeffmor36@gmail.com

the needy. I have done all that I have been commanded to do. Gaze down from Your holy place in the heavens and bless us in this Land flowing with milk and honey.

before your G-d. Moshe, the Kohanim and the Leviim spoke: know that today you are G-d’s people.

curses parents, alters the Land demarca tions with his neighbor, deceives the blind, manipulates justice of the weak, commits incest, strikes another privately, takes a bribe resulting in corporal punishment, or fails to keep the Torah. The Blessings and Curses: If you keep the mitzvot, you will be a glorious nation. You will be blessed with children, with produce, and flocks. The dramatic presentation of who is cursed is conspicuous; all things done in private. With all the needs of communal leadership, the core of our religious life is our personal relationship with G-d. It is the things done in private that truly convey our allegiance. When no one is looking, He is. And this is foreshadowing of the upcom ing blessings and curses. For we will never truly be in a position to assess the full ness of the righteousness or failing of our people, for who can see into the hearts of human beings.

We will meet at the main parking lot in Har Hamenuchot at 1:30pm Litke, Sorotzkin and Gruner Families

5th aliya (27:11-28:6) Moshe commanded the people: 6 tribes shall be on Har Gerizim, 6 on Har Eval. The Leviim shall be between the mountains, pronouncing the following, affirmed with Amen by the people. Cursed is the one who: makes idols in private,

6th aliya (28:7-69) You will be blessed with military success, with an abundance of G-d’s treasury, and excelling over others. But if you do not do the mitzvot: you will be cursed. In offspring, produce, flocks, ill ness. Enemies will chase you. You will be carrion in the field. Illness, blindness, dementia, wandering without direction. You will not enjoy the fruits of your labor; they will be snatched from you. This will all drive you mad. You will be carried off to other nations, serving idols there. Your efforts there will not be successful. You will sink, other nations rise. You will be derided as one who abandoned G-d, refusing to serve Him in your success. All will disinte grate; your family, your social structure,

We will mark the 6th yahrzeit of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Rabbi Joel Litke z"l on Friday afternoon, Sep. 16 לולא 'כ

Monuments, stone, permanence. The Torah shall be permanent in life in the Land. Note the people Moshe enlists here: first, the elders join him in commanding the people. Then, the Kohanim and the Leviim. The encouragement of the people comes from all levels of leadership.

And the word Hayom, today, occurs 3 times in just 4 verses in the previous aliya and 3 times in just 10 verses in this aliya. Rashi comments that the mitzvot should feel to us as if they were given to us today; fresh, exciting, relevant. But the other side of this reciprocal relationship should also be fresh daily; that we should feel daily, all the time, that G-d views us as a treasured nation. The mitzvot should be fresh; the majesty of our station should be fresh daily as well.

8 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Keren Malki empowers families of children with special needs in Israel to choose home care. Donations are tax-approved in Israel, US and HonoringUK.the memory of Malka Chana Roth ד”יה 1985-2001, killed in the Sbarro bombing.

7th aliya (29:1-8) Moshe called the people and spoke: You say all the wonders of Egypt, but it has taken to this day to understand its

OU ISRAEL CENTER 9

those dear to you. Illnesses will decimate you. In lieu of being as the stars of the heav ens, you will be miniscule. You will be thrown around the world, serving idols, finding no solace, fearful day and night. You will even end up back in Egypt, the place you were to never return. This is the covenant of the plains of Moav.

This aliya is the aliya of the curses; what will occur due to our abandonment of G-d and of mitzvot. And it is long; at 63 verses, one of the longest in the entire Torah. In this, Moshe moves well beyond the present. He has been preoccupied, understandably, with what is necessary to build the Jewish nation successfully. He has described what we can anticipate in life in the Land; its challenges, like idol worship, and its glory, its bounty. Now, he peers into the distant future. There will be a time of exile. I know, we haven’t even entered the Land, but there will be a time when we will lose this Land. We will lack gratitude, lack alle giance and be exiled. Our experience in exile will be horrible; illness, failure, inse curity, total societal breakdown. And how does it all end? Uh, well, it doesn’t. There is no happy ending. We are left hanging; wandering, suffering, decimated. Oh, but that is this parsha. In the most beautiful of parshiot of the Torah, Moshe returns to pick up the future next week, the parsha of Teshuva. But ending this description of the curses with no conclusion is powerfully poetic, leaving us with a terrible feeling of dissatisfaction and dread.

kerenmalki.org 02-567-0602

4th aliya (19:1-6) The people camped in the Sinai desert opposite the mountain. Moshe ascended the mountain. G-d told him: tell the people. If you will listen to Me, keep My

This could very well be the prime purpose of this Yitro story. For, in the very next story, the giving of the Torah, the very same theme of Moshe’s uniqueness as the one to whom G-d speaks is central.

It takes an honest leader to accept suggestions to improve. Moshe displays his honesty and humility – if the suggestion is good, embrace it. Just as Yitro accepted the news of the Exodus and affirmed One G-d, so too, Moshe admits he could improve his system. Two men of honesty and humility.

but you could possibly do them. For when it comes to communications from G-d, you are unique, irreplaceable, sui generis, one of a Thiskind.exchange presents a fundamental principle of the Torah: that G-d speaks to Moshe in a way that He does not, nor will He in the future ever do again with anyone else. When Moshe says that people come to him seeking G-d, what he means is: I have access to G-d. He speaks to me. (Speaking to G-d isn’t the trick; the trick is when He answers back.) Similarly, when Moshe says that he teaches G-d’s law, what he means is that G-d communicates those laws to him and to no one else.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 7

3rd aliya (18:24-27) Moshe heard. He chose judges, with only the most difficult cases brought to him. Moshe sent Yitro home.

MarSea Modest Swim & Casualwear www.MarSeaModest.net www.MarSeaModest.com(NIS)($USD) Marci 050-424-8359Rapp JLEM 02-628-8282 I TLV 03-720-8000 tzviair.com THE BEST DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND INSTALLATION OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. JUST ASK ANY OF OUR THOUSANDS OF HAPPY CLIENTS. davidz@AshkelonProperties.com LIVE OPPOSITE THE SEA 0544-332621 LIVE OPPOSITE THE SEA davidz@AshkelonProperties.comcallDavidat054-433-2621www.ashkelonproperties.com Take advantage now! Just 15% down payment! Interest rates rise, stock values decline, demand for our exclusive sea-view Ashkelon apartments goes up, and price increases will inevitably follow.

YESHAYAHU 60:1-22

1747 words - rank: 16 (2nd in D’varim) 6811 letters - rank: 15 (4th in D’varim)

6 of the 613; 3 pos. and 3 prohibitions MITZVOT

P’sukim are longer than average for the Torah, but short for D’varim

STATS

HAFTORAH

meaning. He guided you, defeated nations, giving you their Lands. So keep this cove nant, to live insightfully.

This deceiving short aliya has a surpris ing and profound brief statement. “It has taken til today to understand our history”. We shall never allow ourselves to be facile, to be presumptuous, to feel we understand history and G-d’s ways. It took those in the desert 40 years to fully appreciate their history, the dynamic of G-d in their his tory. Understanding His ways is no easy matter.

A SHORT VORT

series of seven “Haftarot of Consolation.”

The OU Israel Family wishes Mazal Tov to Rabbi Aaron & Karen Goldscheider and family on the birth of a granddaughter

In the end, the Jewish nation will no longer experience the hatred of the other nations, be despised and derided. The day will come when there will no longer be vio lence nor mourning, Hashem will shine His eternal light on His beloved people.

Written on 233 lines (rank: 13th) 21 Parshiyot; 5 open (P), 16 closed (S)

122 p’sukim - rank: 17 (2nd in D’varim)

BY RABBI CHANOCH words of the Torah on stones on the day

Targum Onkelos (Bereishit 49:24) explains the Hebrew word for stone ”EVEN” as AV-father and BEN-son. The Torah being etched in stone symbolizes the passage from one generation to the next. This is our secret to survival. Shabbat Shalom

YERES R av, Beit Knesset Beit Yisrael, Yemin Moshe In memory of my mother-in-law Rebbetzin Shlomit Fass on her yarzheit 16 Elul (ג-ב:זכ) ”תאזה הרותה ירבד לכ תא ןהילע תבתכו...תולדג םינבא ךל תמקהו..םויב היהו ”And it shall be on that day…you will set up great stones and write upon them all the words of this Torah.” (27:2-3)What is the significance of this act of writing the

50th of the 54 sedras; 7th of the 11 in D’varim

This week’s haftorah is the sixth of a

In exhilarating terms the navi describes what will unfold during the Redemption. Beginning with the resurrection of the dead and the ingathering of the exiles, continu ing with the joy and abundance the Jewish people will then experience. The navi also spotlights the gifts that will be brought to G d from all of the nations of the world.

The Abarbanel (1437-1508) points out that this pasuk clarifies the difference between the Israelites and the other nations. Other nations commemorate their conquests and victories by establishing monuments in their honor. The Nation of Israel does not make special tribute to their heroes but rather to the Torah which guides their lives and therefore etched in stone.

they will enter the land of Israel?

10 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

OU ISRAEL CENTER 11 All English Speakers Invited See Your Future in Person AToast and Bracha to the Upcoming NewYear movie and lecture hallswimmingpool Health Center and spaactivityLeisuregroups Organizedtrips ClinicGym and fitness room Synagogue THE ONLY RETIREMENT COMMUNITY IN JERUSALEM WHERE YOU OWN YOUR APARTMENT!! Hod Denya Hod Denya Jerusalem Assisted Living 21 Golomb St., Jerusalem Light Refreshments Cometo LiveHodDenyaandinaHotelfortheRestofYourLife!!

BY RABBI DR. TZVI HERSH WEINREB OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus

Sinning in secret is particularly offen sive in the religious personality. He or she who believes in a God who is omniscient, and who yet sins in private, is guilty, not merely of hypocrisy, but of heresy. If God knows all, how can you delude yourself into thinking that your secret misdeeds can go undetected?The

It is problematic, however, when we act hypocritically, presenting a pious and altru istic face to the world, while acting cruelly and crudely in our own homes and with our families.

Shulchan Aruch, the Jewish code of law, opens with a statement recognizing that a person’s behavior, when he is alone at home, is very different from his behavior when he appears before a great king. And it urges the religious person to be aware that he is always in the presence of the great King of Kings, the all-knowing God.

But it is not only from a spiritual perspec tive that it is wrong to act demeaningly in private. There is a practical aspect as well to the importance of behaving properly even in secret. There always is the very real possibil ity that our secrets will be “leaked” and that things we were sure would never be known will become embarrassingly exposed.

Nor do I suggest that there is anything wrong with the fact that we each are two persons, and perhaps even multiple per sons, depending upon the social context in which we find ourselves.

blessed. Rather, the Torah recognizes the tendency humans have to reserve the worst side of themselves for their secret social set tings, even when they behave meritoriously in their public social worlds. It is the façade, the contrast, between public demonstra tions of righteousness and private acts of fiendishness that is cursed.

12 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

We all have our secret lives.

I don’t mean to say that each of us has a sinister side, which we wickedly act out in some deep, dark, private world. What I do mean is that we all act differently when we are alone, or with a few close intimates, than we act when we are out in public, among others.There is no one who is so behaviorally consistent that he is the same person in the privacy of his own home as he is in the workplace or marketplace.

In no way does the Torah imply that he who strikes his fellow in public is to be

I know of no place where this is conveyed more cogently than in these words of

In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Ki Tavo, there appears a particularly piercing and perceptive verse: “Cursed be he who strikes his fellow in secret—and all the people shall say, Amen.”

Walls Have Ears

THE INPERSONTHEPARSHA

054-723-3863

OU ISRAEL CENTER 13

I am not so naïve as to think that we are required to act in an absolutely identical fashion in our “secret chambers” as we do out in the “real world.” To a certain extent, it is necessary and right that we maintain a façade of sorts when we interact in public. We all have, and need, our masks and personas.

Indeed, as Rashi says (Berachot 8b), the walls have ears.

The passage in this week’s Torah portion that condemns secret violence also gives quite a comprehensive catalog of other sins which tend to be performed behind closed doors. They include elder abuse, criminal business practices, deceiving blind persons, subverting the rights of the helpless, incest and bestiality, and the acceptance of brib ery. Quite a list, and one that has certainly not lost its relevance over the centuries.

Don’t revile a rich man, even in your bedchamber;Forabird of the air may carry the utterance,

“A person should always be God-fearing, privately and publicly, acknowledging the truth and speaking it in his heart.”

Eta: Rachel:054-723-3863052-546-6425

TODAYCALL

Private home in BAKA. 650 sqm of land, private gated property, arab styled old house that was completely restored. Huge front garden. Building rights. Actual living space >450 sqm plus basement. Call me if you are looking for a special property.

Amazing stand alone homes in OLD KATAMON, TALBIYA, BAKA, GERMAN COLONY Call for more info

Large beautiful property available in YEMIN MOSHE. Call for details.

Fabulous 3 room penthouse in BAKA, 89 sqm + 12 sqm sukkah balcony + 47 sqm of terrace on the roof (which can be upgraded to a swimming pool). 2 covered parking spaces and a 5 sqm storage unit. Price 5,200,000 NIS

Gorgeous apartmentgardenin

BAKA. 3 bedrooms 2.5 bathrooms, large registered garden. Completely renovated plus parking & storage. 6,950,000 NIS

Eta Morris Realty, etamorrisrealestate@gmail.comLtd.

Jerusalem Real Estate is my Business

New apartment for sale in BAKA 113 sqm with terrace 6.8 sqm. Shabbat elevator 4,700,000 NIS

And a winged creature may report the word.

Eta: 054-723-3863 · Rachel: etamorrisrealty.co.il052-546-6425

caution, to be found in Ecclesiastes (10:20):

But many times, we go too far and indeed split our personalities between the Dr. Jekylls of our external visible behavior and the Mr. Hydes of our inner sancta. How well advised we would be to set as an objective for ourselves the words of the Daily Prayer Book:

OLD KATAMON stand alone home on a full dunam, 600 sqm living space plus 200 sqm building rights. Surrounded by a beautiful private garden. Parking and additional basement area. Call me for more info.

New penthouse OLD KATAMON. Underground parking & storage. 240 sqm on one floor. Large terrace & Shabbat elevator. 10,000,000 NIS

Don’t revile a king, even in your intimate thoughts.

14 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

The Pursuit of Joy

“Then you will rejoice in all the good things that the Lord your God has given you and your family, along with the Levites and the stranger in your midst.” (Deut. 26:11)

Happiness, said Aristotle, is the ultimate good at which all humans aim.1 But in Judaism it is not necessarily so. Happiness is a high value. Ashrei, the closest Hebrew word to happiness, is the first word of the book of Psalms. We say the prayer known as Ashrei three times each day. We can surely endorse the phrase in the American Declaration of Independence that among the inalienable rights of humankind are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

But Ashrei is not the central value of the Hebrew Bible. Occurring almost ten times as frequently is the word simcha, joy. It is one of the fundamental themes of Deuter onomy as a book. The root s-m-ch appears only once in each of Genesis, Exodus,

תומשנ יוליעל ה״ע זייא דוד לארשי תב הדלוגו רשא בקעי ןב סחנפ ה״ע רטרש קחצי תב הינעמו בייל הירא ןב לאירזע Dedicated by Dr. Robert Sreter DDS., M.S.

Former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth COVENANT CONVERSATION&

Mazal Tov to Naftali (Neil) & Carol Scher and family on the marriage of their son Gilad & Tehila Tichman

May the learning of these Divrei Torah be תמשנ יוליעל HaRav Ya'akov Zvi ben David Arieh zt"l

The other context is quite different and astonishing. It occurs in the context of the curses. There are two passages of curses in the Torah, one in Leviticus 26, the other here in Deuteronomy 28. The differences are notable. The curses in Leviticus end on a note of hope. Those in Deuteronomy end in bleak despair. The Leviticus curses speak of a total abandonment of Judaism by the people. The people walk bekeri with God, variously translated as “with hostility,” “rebelliously,” or “contemptuously.” But

1 Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1.

Thoughts on the Weekly Parsha from RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ZT"L

Leviticus, and Numbers, but no fewer than twelve times in Deuteronomy. It lies at the heart of the Mosaic vision of life in the Land of Israel. That is where we serve God with joy.Joy plays a key role in two contexts in this week’s parsha. One has to do with the bringing of first-fruits to the Temple in Jeru salem. After describing the ceremony that took place, the Torah concludes as follows:

the curses in Deuteronomy are provoked simply “because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart out of the abundance of all things.” (Deut. 28:47)

Now, joylessness may not be the best way to live, but it is surely not even a sin, let alone one that warrants a litany of curses. What does the Torah mean when it attri butes national disaster to a lack of joy? Why does joy seem to matter in Judaism more than happiness? To answer these questions we must first understand the difference between happiness and joy. This is how the first Psalm describes the happy life:

For Sale in Zayit, Efrat 3 room apt. Great central location 1,625,000 NIS

For Sale in Gefen, Efrat Beautiful 5 room duplex garden 2,850,000 NIS

For Sale in Dekel, Efrat 4 room Contact2,150,00apt.0NISGabifor more info 0524588716

Happy is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat where scoffers sit. But his desire is in the Torah of the Lord; on his Torah he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in all that he does he prospers. (Ps. 1:1-3)

This is a serene and blessed life, granted to one who lives in accordance with the Torah. Like a tree, such a life has roots. It is not blown this way and that by every passing wind or whim. Such people bear fruit, stay firm, survive, and thrive. Yet for all that, happiness is the state of mind of an individual.

www.angelrealty.co.il

For Sale in Jerusalem, Amazing cottage with stunning view, 8.5 rooms, great location.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 15

For5,25Sale in Dagan, Stunning 8 room cottage, middle unit. 3 floors, 230m. 5,250,000 NIS

Simcha, joy, in the Torah is never about individuals. It is always about something we share. A newly married man does not serve in the army for a year, says the Torah, so that he can stay at home “and bring joy to the wife he has married” (Deut. 24:5). You shall bring all your offerings to the cen tral sanctuary, says Moses, so that “there, in

Happiness is an attitude to life as a whole, while joy lives in the moment. As J. D. Salinger once said: “Happiness is a solid, joy is a liquid.” Happiness is something you pur sue. But joy is not. It discovers you. It has to do with a sense of connection to other people or to God. It comes from a different realm than happiness. It is a social emotion. It is the exhilaration we feel when we merge with others. It is the redemption of solitude.

So I commend rejoicing in life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and rejoice. (Kohelet 8:15)

the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and rejoice in all you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.” (Deut. 12:7) The festivals as described in Deuteronomy are days of joy, precisely because they are occa sions of collective celebration: “you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites in your towns, and the strangers, the fatherless and the widows living among you.” (Deut. 16:11) Simcha is joy shared. It is not something we experi ence in solitude.

However many years anyone may live, let him rejoice in them all. (Kohelet 11:8)

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to rejoice in his work, because that is his lot. (Kohelet 3:22)

that there is nothing better for people than to rejoice and do good while they live. (Kohelet 3:12)

Paradoxically, the biblical book most focused on joy is precisely the one often thought of as the unhappiest of all, Kohelet, Ecclesiastes. Kohelet is notoriously the man who had everything, yet describes it all as hevel, a word he uses almost forty times in the space of the book, and variously translated as “meaningless,” “pointless,” “futile,” “empty,” or as the King James Bible

I posit in the Koren Succot Machzor that Kohelet can only be understood if we realise that hevel does not mean “pointless,” “empty,” or “futile”. It means “a shallow breath”. Kohelet is a meditation on mortality. However long we live, we know we will one day die. Our lives are a mere microsecond in the history of the universe. The cosmos lasts forever while we living, breathing mortals are a mere fleeting breath.Kohelet is obsessed by this because it threatens to rob life of any certainty. We will never live to see the long-term results of our endeavours. Moses did not lead the people into the Promised Land. His sons did not follow him to greatness. Even he, the greatest of Prophets, could not foresee that he would be remembered for all time as the greatest leader the Jewish people ever had. Lehavdil, Van Gogh sold only one

Mazal Tov to Irv & Miriam Klavan on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Elitzur and the birth of their great granddaughter Kedem Ruth

famously rendered it, “vanity.” In fact, though, Kohelet uses the word simcha sev enteen times, that is, more than the whole of the Mosaic books together. After every one of his meditations on the pointlessness of life, Kohelet ends with an exhortation to joy:Iknow

16 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

OU ISRAEL CENTER 17

wrote: “It takes moral courage to grieve; it takes religious courage to rejoice.”2 It is one of the most poignant facts about Judaism and the Jewish peo ple that our history has been shot through with tragedy, yet Jews never lost the capac ity to rejoice, to celebrate in the heart of darkness, to sing the Lord’s song even in a strange land.

2 Journals and Papers, vol. 2, Blooming ton, Indiana University Press, 1967, p. 493.

FOR MANY

02-651-4030

JERUSALEMPROPERTIES:MORESALESEXCITINGPROJECTS,BUILDINGS:Presales,UnderConstruction,ReadytoMove In.

Buildings and Villas w/building rights Call for more

+ permits

painting in his lifetime. He could not have known that he would eventually be hailed as one of the greatest painters of modern times. We do not know what our heirs will do with what we leave them. We cannot know how, or if, we will be remembered. How then are we to find meaning in life?

Kohelet eventually finds it not in hap piness but in joy – because joy lives not in thoughts of tomorrow, but in the grateful acceptance and celebration of today. We are here; we are alive; we are among others who share our sense of jubilation. We are living in God’s land, enjoying His blessings, eating the produce of His earth, watered by His rain, brought to fruition under His sun, breathing the air He breathed into us, living the life He renews in us each day. And yes, we do not know what tomorrow may bring; and yes, we are surrounded by enemies; and yes, it was never the safe or easy option to be a Jew. But when we focus on the moment, allowing ourselves to dance, sing, and give thanks, when we do things for their own sake not for any other reward, when we let go of our separateness and become a voice in the holy city’s choir, then there is Kierkegaardjoy.once

information OLD KATAMON * In a small building, 125 sqm, private entrance, 3 exposures, Excellent potential, NIS 4,300,000! * 5 Bdrms, 135 sqm spacious duplex, succah, private elevator. OLD MagniCITY cent 8+ room home with view to Har Habayit! HAR NOF * NEW ON MARKET! Centrally located! 4.5 rooms, low oor, elevator, MB en suite, succah, machsan, Immediate * Shlav A - 170 sqm duplex garden apt. , open view! * Shlav A - 4 bdrms, renovated, spacious LR DR, succah * Shlav B - 200 sqm garden duplex apartment, beautiful kitchen, wrap around garden. Eiferman Properties Ltd. VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE www.eifermanrealty.com ARNONA/TALPIOTBeit Hanatziv, Derech Hevron 101A RAMAT ESHKOL Shopping Center (Above Waﬄe Bar) (02) 674-3888 guarantee • Contact lenses • Beautiful frames It’s not only how you LOOK It’s how you SEE

Covenant and Conversation 5782 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charita ble Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l. These weekly teach ings from Rabbi Sacks zt"l are part of the ‘Covenant & Conversation’ series on the weekly Torah reading. Read more on www.rabbisacks.org.

18 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

• Do you agree with Kierkegaard that “it takes religious courage to rejoice”?

• How is the festival of Succot connect to joy?

Toward the end of his life, having been deaf for twenty years, Beethoven composed one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, his Ninth Symphony. Intuitively he sensed that this work needed the sound of human voices. It became the West’s first choral symphony. The words he set to music were Schiller’s Ode to Joy. I think of Judaism as an ode to joy. Like Beethoven, Jews have known suffering, isolation, hard ship, and rejection, yet they never lacked the religious courage to rejoice. A people that can know insecurity and still feel joy is one that can never be defeated, for its spirit can never be broken nor its hope destroyed. As individuals we may aspire to the goodness that leads to happiness, but as part of a moral and spiritual community, even in hard times we find ourselves lifted on the wings of joy.

• In the essay for Eikev, Rabbi Sacks noted that gratitude was a dominant theme in Devarim. Here he teaches us that another key theme is joy. Which links can you find between these two themes?

MASSAGE THERAPIST & FITNESS TRAINER 052.673.3704 I www.andyhealth.com | jerusalemmyhome@hotmail.com TUVIA ANDY HAAS BALANCE and FALL-PREVENTION SPECIALIST for OLDER ADULTS  Maintain Healthy Bones and Muscles  Decrease Stiffness and Joint Pain  Increase Strength! Stay Independent!

There are Eastern faiths that promise peace of mind if we can train ourselves into habits of acceptance. Epicurus taught his disciples to avoid risks like marriage or a career in public life. Neither of these approaches is to be negated, yet Judaism is not a religion of acceptance, nor have Jews tended to seek the risk-free life. We can survive the failures and defeats if we never lose the capacity for joy. Every Succot we leave the security and comfort of our houses and live in a shack exposed to the wind, the cold, and the rain. Yet we call it zeman simchatenu, our season of joy. That is no small part of what it is to be a Jew. Hence Moses’ insistence that the capacity for joy is what gives the Jewish people the strength to endure. Without it, we become vulnerable to the multiple disasters set out in the curses in our parsha. Celebrat ing together binds us as a people: that and the gratitude and humility that come from seeing our achievements not as self-made but as the blessings of God. The pursuit of happiness can lead, ultimately, to self-re gard and indifference to the sufferings of others. It can lead to risk-averse behaviour and a failure to “dare greatly”. Not so joy. Joy connects us to others and to God. Joy is the ability to celebrate life as such, knowing that whatever tomorrow may bring, we are here today, under God’s Heaven, in the uni verse He made, to which He has invited us as His guests.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

buy yourself

OU ISRAEL CENTER 19OU ISRAEL CENTER 75

and our next step will be to plant a fruit tree. I never thought of myself as being the agricultural type, but the feeling of settling and planting a portion of Eretz Yisrael, has been truly euphoric. Iy”H, when we plant our tree, and eat the fruits that will grow one day, I think we will be able to truly appreciate that unique Kedusha found in the fruit of Eretz Yisrael!

To conclude, when you buy your Tu B'shvat fruit this year, don’t search for those dried apricots and banana chips imported from Turkey. Rather, head over to the fresh produce and some nice juicy

Kedusha-filled Jaffa oranges and thank Hashem for bringing you to this land in order to be able to הבוטמ עבשלו הירפמ לוכאל, imbibing that Kedusha in every bite that you take!! Luxurious Penthouse Shai Agnon 11 project • 200 sqm built • 2 balconies • 51 sqm roof • 20 sqm rooftop pool • 12 sqm machsan • 2 covered parking spaces ApartmentBenAvnerNer3Garden • 171 sqm, 5 bedrooms • 88 sqm garden • 30 sqm basement • 51 sqm roof • Private entrance T : +972-2-567-0303 E: prosperity-realestate.cominfo@prosperity-realestate.com

This week’s haftarah, the sixth of the seven haftarot of nechama, is the 60th perek of Sefer Yishayahu, a chapter that, from start to finish, is one of comfort and consolation. The selection opens with the cry “Kumi Ori!! - calling upon Israel to “Arise and Shine”, as Hashem, the source of eternal light, will illuminate them despite the darkness that surrounds them. The navi envisions a time when the gentile nations, inspired by Hashem’s light, will turn to G-d bringing sacrifices and wealth to serve Hashem and His nation. Together with that, Yishayahu promises a return of Israel from the Diaspora, with bountiful exiles filling the streets and bringing their riches and good fortune with them. No longer would Yerushalayim be forsaken and despised, says Yishayahu, instead she will be a pride and joy for all future generations. The glori ous prophecy closes with the vision of Zion, blessed now with the secure of protection of

Rav Yehuda Shavit, z”l, comments that the magnificent prophecies and promises

BY RABBI NACHMAN (NEIL) WINKLER Faculty, OU Israel Center

20 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

al pi sheyitmahme’ah – im kol zeh achakeh lo b’chol yom sheyavo”

the One above, Who will provide you with His eternal light and glory.

Comforting words, indeed.

But I find most interesting the very last words spoken by the navi: “Ani Hashem b’itah achishenah,” - “I am Hashem; in its time, I shall hasten it!” This statement has given rise to a number of rabbinic inter pretations, the most well-known of them is found in the Talmud [Sanhedrin 98a], that G-d will hasten the geulah (“achishena”) –but, even if Israel is not deserving of that, the redemption will still come “in its time” (‘b’itah”). I find a more meaningful mes sage to be found in these words – a message that we have experiences during this past century. The navi is promising that “b’itah” – when the time finally comes, “achishena” – G-d promises that He will have the events bringing the redemption come very quickly, over only a relatively short period of time.

THEPROBINGPROPHETS

V’af

A truth about which we can testify.

Rabbi Winkler's popular Jewish History lectures can be viewed by visiting the OU Israel Video archive: https://www.ouisrael.org/video-library

יצח ' מע עבר ' מע פירטס יצח ' מע עבר ' מע פירטס A unique hospitality experience in the religious community of Har Shmuel between the vineyards of the Judean mountains in a pastoral biblical landscape. A short distance from Jerusalem. Upgraded and fully equipped villa: ● 8 spacious bedrooms (2 bedrooms can be added for extended family) ● Suitable for hosting families and groups of up to 26 people. ● Air conditioning, heating, spacious kitchen, garden, swimming pool, barbecue area, sauna and more ... ● All these create a warm atmosphere all while being luxurious and elegant. A selection of synagogues nearby. in the mountains of JerusalemUpscale holiday villa A vacation in Israel in a dreamlike atmosphere Avraham- 050-2604621 Book your vacation now! Enter and view the spectacular panoramic photo: https://www.datipage.co.il/biz/18114

A SHORT VORT

The theme of this week’s haftorah echoes the theme in our parsha which mentions both the death of Sarah and Avraham. King David was an older man and a woman was assigned to him to serve him and provide Adoniyahu,warmth.oneof

motti@mrashkelon.com | yearMakeAshkelon’swww.mrashkelon.comOwnAngloPropertyExpertAshkelonTwiceasNiceforHalfthePrice!thisthewhenyourdreams of a seaside apartment come true Call me 054 7312 118 ™ 26 TORAH TIDBITS / BESHALACH REBBETZIN5781

HAFTORAH CHAYEI SARAH

Faculty, OU Israel Center

OU ISRAEL CENTER 21

In a unique Old Arab style building - Spacious 110sqm, 4 room apartment with Sukah balcony, Shabbat elevator, parking & large separate storage room. lots of character, excellent condition, central A/C Truly one of a kind! 5,280,000nis

And the final words of Yishayahu speak loudly to us as well.

The Magid of Dubno (Jacob ben Wolf Kranz 1741-1804) explains that Avraham watched how he spoke in this tense situation in order to, both, state his truth and be able to keep the peace -Shalom Bayit. Avraham said, on the one hand, “I am a Resident’ due to G-d’s promise to receive this Land and on the other hand, I still need your agreement to purchase a plot. In other words, Avraham implied “I am the resident” and you are the “strangers”, while they understood him as saying that “they” are the residents and Avraham is the stranger. The peace was kept, and Avraham remained true to his ideals.

n a deeply powerful scene, Moshe Rabbeinu is found with his hands held high on top of the mountain praying for the people gripped in a raging battle with Amalek below. Ahron and Chur stood on either side of Moshe Rabbeinu holding his hands aloft (Shemot 17;10). Rashi teaches that Chur was the son of Moshe’s sister, Miriam. What more do we know about Chur? What is the symbolism of his joining with Ahron to support the hands of Moshe Rabbeinu?

For Sale - Gorgeous apartment in Old Katamon

7th Aliya (25:12-18) The generations of Yishmael are enumerated. Yishmael dies. His descendants dwell from Egypt to Assyria. Yishmael’s story is brief. He has numer ous and powerful offspring. The brevity

length.

The words of the navi in today’s haftarah gave much comfort to our people of the past generations and great encouragement for us today.And the words of the Torah set forth the challenge that we face to truly earn the title of a “treasured nation.”

BY RABBI CHANOCH YERES Rav, Beit Knesset Beit Yisrael, Yemin Moshe

King David’s sons, began to prepare for ascension to his father’s throne. This was despite the fact that King David expressed his wishes that his son Shlomo succeed him.

How remarkable to stand today and serve as witnesses to the truth of these words –both those from the Torah and those from the navi. We have seen the miracle of return to - and survival in - our land, in face of cruel enemies. Some may believe that we are not deserving of redemption today. But the words of the prophet say differently.

ries Keturah; they have 6 sons. All that Avraham has goes to Yitzchak; these are sent eastward with gifts. Avraham dies at age 175; he is buried by Yitzchak and Yishmael in Ma’arat Hamachpelah. Yitzchak is blessed by G-d: he lives in Beer L’chai Roi. The transition from Avraham to Yitzchak is complete. While G-d has been a silent partner in this parsha, here He completes the generational transfer – He blesses Yitzchak. The Jewish people will be Yitzchak and not Yishmael.

Tribute to the Trio

Adoniyahu convinces two very significant personalities - the High Priest and the commander of King David’s armies - to

When Avraham addresses the people of Cheit, trying to acquire a burial spot for his wife, he says “Ger V’Toshav Anochi Eimachem” (23:4) “A Stranger and a Resident am I with you” This seems to be a contradiction. If one is a stranger than he is not a resident, if he is a resident than he is no longer a stranger. What did Avraham mean?

12 TORAH TIDBITS 1440 / CHAYEI SARA 5782

For Sale – Old Katamon, Negba st., 1st floor, Arab house, 4 rooms, (total about 160m), high standard of renovation, Sukkah porch, 2 full bathrooms + guest bathroom, central a/c, elevator, parking, small machsan, asking $2,550,000

Truly, Hashem’s light shines upon us!

on the other hand, was a person who stood strong in his values, unbending and resolute in his beliefs. Chazal teach that Chur tried to challenge the people when they wanted to build the calf and they subsequently killed him. Chur, a descendent of Yehudah, was a person who was inflexible and strong like a lion. Truly, a combination of both qualities is necessary. In interpersonal relationships it is wise to follow Ahron’s path, to compromise and make peace whenever possible. However, in the service of Hashem and reinforcing kevod shamayim, one needs to follow Chur’s example and be resolute in his values. These two special people joined Moshe Rabbeinu to activate the merits of these approaches as he implored Hashem to have mercy on His people and vanquish Amalek, physically and spiritually.

Shabbat Shalom

We are a young senior couple looking for a 1 bedroom furnished apartment in Jerusalem from December 2021-June 2022 0524419731

SMILESSHIRA

Rabbi Roberts in Through the Prism of Torah explains that Ahron and Chur personified contrasting character traits. Ahron was a peacemaker, he constantly looked for ways to create harmony among his people. Indeed, he was ready to compromise his own values to achieve this goal, as we see in the story of the sin of the golden calf. Chur,

1 KINGS 1: 1-31

that fill this haftarah could be best summa rized as a fulfillment of the words we read in this week’s parasha [D’varim 26: 18-19]: “Hashem has distinguished you today to be His treasured people…..and to make you supreme above other nations…for praise, renown and splendor, and to be a holy peo ple to Hashem…”

But what still remains, is for us to become a holy nation that G-d desired for us – and from us. A nation of success and pride but also one of justice and kindness.

When we enter Israel, we and the land experience happiness. When Am Yisrael is not present in the land of Israel, it is not fertile. When the nation is in exile, the land does not bear fruit. Now that we returned, the land is once again blossoming and fer tile. There is a special connection between the Jewish nation and the land of Israel. Yet the happiness we feel is not complete unless we share it with others. That is why following bikkurim we are instructed to share the wealth with shevet levi, essen tially the educators whose life is dedicated to serving on behalf of the nation and who were not granted a portion of land. The Rambam declares that to experience true simcha in yom tov one needs to share what he has with the less fortunate as he states: רגל )ז”ט םירבד( ליכאהל בייח התושו לכוא אוהשכו ימ לבא ,םיללמאה םיינעה ראש םע הנמלאלו םותיל וניאו ותשאו וינבו אוה התושו לכואו ורצח תותלד לעונש הווצמ תחמש וז ןיא שפנ ירמלו םיינעל הקשמו ליכאמ

The Significance of the Progression of Moshe’s Speech

We need to keep in mind that Moshe is addressing a group of people that served as slaves (or descendants of slaves), who have no experience with the basics nec essary when considering establishing a society. The first three parshiyot focus on Emunah (faith). Devarim primarily focuses on the faith of the nation in God during the 40 year journey in the desert. Va’etchanan focuses on providing a deeper understand ing of faith (10 commandments and shema) and Ekev – the general value of mitzvot and one’s actions. This is followed by the next three parshiyot, Re’eh which focuses on national and communal laws, Shoftim, on judicial law, and Ki Tetze – relating pri marily to laws of war. After all of these preparatory items, we are now ready to enter the land of Israel.

Parshat Ki Tavo addresses the laws of bikkurim – offering one’s first fruits in

RABBI SHALOM ROSNER

Jerusalem, which was to occur after we set tled the land of Israel. The parsha begins with the word “היהו” – which connotes hap piness. The gra explains that the word היה is in the past and by inserting a letter “ו” at the beginning of the word it transforms the word to a future tense.

Rav Kehilla, Nofei HaShemesh Maggid Shiur, Daf Yomi, OU.org Senior Ra"M, Kerem B'Yavneh

22 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Sefer Devarim is Moshe’s final speech to Bnei Yisrael (it begins just 36 days prior to his death). At first glance, the significance of the order of his message may not be apparent. Rav Shlomo Aviner in his Sefer Tal Hermon (on Parshat Ki Tavo) offers an interesting insight into the structure of the message being relayed by Moshe Rabbeinu.

SEALING SERVICES Beautiful, spacious 4 room luxury unit, 2.5 baths, 2 oor, Shabbat elevator, large succa terrace, storage + covered parking. Exclusive! SHELLY LANDAU PROPERTIES LTD & EVA AVIAD REALTY www.aviadrealty.combayitsheli@gmail.com 052-385-9944 • 054-499-9043 Rehavia-Talbieh on quiet Radak

When a person eats and drinks [in cele bration of a holiday], he is obligated to feed converts, orphans, widows, and others who are destitute and poor. In contrast, a person who locks the gates of his courtyard and eats and drinks with his children and his wife, without feeding the poor and the embittered, is [not indulging in] rejoicing associated with a mitzvah, but rather the rejoicing of his gut.

In observance of the Shloshim of our friend Yehuda Leib Berren z"l Rav Menachem Weinberg will give a shiur in his memory "Heroic Joy" Monday evening, 23 November/ 8 Kislev 7:30pm

more about patient self-control than phys ical might. It is found in the Talmudic trac tate Kiddushin 40a, where the tale is told about a certain Rabbi Zadok, who resists the attempts of a particularly powerful noblewoman to lead him astray. He exerts moral strength, and to him the Talmud ap plies the following biblical verse: "Bless the Lord, O His angels, mighty creatures who do His bidding, ever obedient to His bid ding. Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ser vants who do His will." (Psalms 103:20-21)

Patience is necessary for those who fol low Isaac's way. But a wise woman taught us that patience is but another name for hope. That woman was Jane Austen, who put these words into the mouth of one of the characters in her great novel, Sense and Sensibility: "Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope."

May the Torah learned from this issue of TT be in loving memory and נ"על our dear parents whose yahrtzeits are in Kislev

המלש לאקזחי

Once we have our foothold in Israel and take care of the less fortunate., we ought to internalize our very essence and purpose. Following the commandments connected to ma’asrot, we are told to serve as an Am Segula – to set an example of moral and ethical behavior for all of the nations of the world.Rav

Isaac's way recognizes the necessity for great patience and forbearance. If we adopt Isaac's way, we must be prepared for a lengthy process before our challeng es are resolved. In the words of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, words which have been memorialized in a popular song, "An eternal people does not fear the long and arduous path."

ולסכ 'ד -ה"ע תב האל הרובד

OU ISRAEL CENTER 23OU ISRAEL CENTER 15

Zoom Meeting: 853 8980 1519 Password: Yehuda

םוי

תחמש )חיאלא:ו

SEALING SERVICES AND ROOFING

Aviner skillfully explains the pro gression of Moshe’s speech from the beginning of Devarim until Ki Tavo, high lighting the foundations upon which each message evolves. As the Yamin Noraim approach, we should take a moment to reflect and internalize these messages as well. We ought to strengthen our emunah and perfect our performance of mitzvot. Appreciate our connection to Eretz Yisrael which was gifted to us once again in our generation and do our part to enhance the lives of those less fortunate. Finally, to do our utmost to set the example of what it means to me a moral and ethical person that is part of the Am Segula!

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Chanoch & Esti Yeres and family on the birth of their 1st grand/son

Doris Weinberger a"h

Max Weinberger z”l

ולסכ ז"כ -ל"ז בד ןב ךלמילא

קרפ ,בוט תתיבש תוכלה ,ם”במר( וסירכ

Greatly missed by their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren Rav Aryeh and Dvora Weinberger Bernie and Leah Weinberger Menachem and Hannah Katten

What is the significance of one prostrat ing himself in this ceremony?

Beautiful Bowing

The objective of bringing bikurim is to internalize the reality that everything we have, everything we possess, are gifts from Hashem. The Tolne Rebbe explains that there is a certain potency in bringing the actual fruits as bikurim as opposed to bringing derivatives such as oil and wine. The fruit is closer to nature in its pristine

Rav Eisenberger in Mesilot Bilvavam notes that it is the self, the ego, that blocks us from recognizing that our gifts come from Above. People are mistaken when they think that they have what to be boastful about. One’s money, wisdom, talents or other qualities are all endowed to us by Hashem, and it is imperative to acknowledge that. Accordingly, when bringing bikurim, one “lays it down before Hashem” instead of merely hand ing the basket to Kohen. It is a powerful statement that it all belongs to Hashem, rather than the farmer feeling like he is “giving Hashem a gift.” The next step is to bow completely before Hashem. After acknowledging Hashem’s total

24 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO REBBETZIN5782 SHIRA

form. This reminds us that Hashem is the provider for all that we have, down to the very source of every item and article. We are thus obligated to show Hashem our gratitude. Bowing is an expression of complete surrender, a recognition that Hashem is the ultimate Sustainer.

SMILES

Our parashah this week opens with the mitzvah of bikurim. The farmer put the first fruits from his harvest into a beau tiful basket and brought it to the Kohen in the Beit Hamikdash. “Vehinachto lifnei Hashem Elokecha vehishtachavisa lifnei Hashem Elokecha – you shall set the bas ket down before Hashem and then bow down before Hashem” (Devarim26: 10).

Faculty, OU Israel Center

OU ISRAEL CENTER 25

Plot of 280m, with building rights up to 320m, quiet, charming, rare!

OLD KATAMON CLOSE TO GERMAN

in The Art of Jewish Prayer explains that each time we say the Modim prayer and bow, we should have this in mind. Standing erect is a posture of arrogance, whence one relies on his singular ability. Bowing acknowledges our limitations and our complete depen dency on Hashem. Every time we lower our heads we yield to Hashem as our Mas ter and break our resistance to feeling dependent on Him. Indeed, Chazal teach that tefillah is in place of bikurim. As we daven each day, we can work on acceding to Hashem’s control and loving care.

GERMAN COLONY, UNIQUE!

COLONY- New 3 room apartment, elevator, balcony with view, master bedroom, quiet, bright, 3,600,000 NIS

28, Kovshei Katamon Street, Jerusalem Tel: 02.5633008 - www.ben-zimra.com

OLD KATAMON - Large, 6 rooms, 210m, modern building, Shabbat elevator, accessibility without stairs, on one level, 3 balconies, 3 directions, storageroom, 2 parkings spots

sovereignty, the farmer can thoroughly submit himself to the reality that he is entirely in Hashem’s control and has nothing to feel prideful about. Likewise, he notes, this is a good lesson to keep in mind for those who search the world for segulot to “fix” the challenges they face. The best advice is to acknowl edge that every experience comes from Hashem. When one can look inward and humble himself, he can then become a receptacle for blessing from Above. Essentially, we must “place ourselves before Hashem,” emotionally prostrating ourselves in recognition of His transcendentRabbipower.Kirzner

UNIQUE HOUSE IN OLD KATAMONGreat location, beautiful house on a plot of a dunam, huge garden, Arabic style, quiet, 2 parkings spots, rare!

drama again and again. Finally, the Rebbe motioned to his gab bai and instructed him to summon the Yid. “Tell him to gather his things immediately; he is coming back with us to daven Selichos.”Theattendant knocked gently and the tipsy Yid opened the door with a look of bafflement. “Reb Yid, Shalom aleichem, please forgive me… what is your name?”

RABBI JUDAH MISCHEL

Through the window they saw an alter Yid, an elderly Jewish man, sitting alone at his table with a bottle of mashkeh, two glasses and an empty seat beside him. Peering in, the Rebbe saw this Yid lift his glass, tearfully mutter a few words toward the empty chair, pause attentively and then shout ‘L’chaim!” After drinking it down, he refilled his glass, and repeated the strange

“Really? Now this?!” I was stretched so thin, I could barely handle the pressure, and lashed out at God

“My name is Yankel, can I help you?” “Dear est Reb Yankel, the Rebbe is here. He asks that you gather your things and come with him to Selichos.” Yankel hesitantly peered outside, saw the Rebbe gazing at him from the carriage, and saw he had no choice but to heed the Rebbe’s instructions.

Mashpiah, OU-NCSY Executive Director, Camp HASC Author of Baderech: Along the Path of Teshuva (Mosaica 2021)

Selichos!

The journey to Belz passed in absolute silence. Yankeleh was so filled with trepi dation he could hardly breath. When they arrived at the shul, the entire congregation fell silent and turned to stare at the Rebbe and the elderly man. The Sar Shalom pulled Yankele close and whispered in his ear, “I saw you sitting there in your house drinking and want you to explain yourself donated by Marion & Michael Silman Ita Rochel 02-560-9125

26 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

The central Beis Medrash of Belz was packed with an overflowing crowd, throngs of chasidim eagerly anticipating the solemn beginning of the Yamim Nora’im. It was Motzaei Shabbos, the first night of Selichos, and the great tzadik, the “Sar Shalom”, Reb Shalom of Belz, was nowhere to be found. Little did the masses awaiting the Rebbe’s arrival know that he was miles away… Immediately following havdala, the Rebbe had instructed his attendant to sad dle the horses and head toward the edge of town and into the woods. The faithful gabbai humbly followed instructions as the horses weaved through the dark, dense for est until they arrived at a small hut with a light flickering within.

NEW LISTING! Luxurious garden apartment on a small lane of Old Katamon - 340m built on 2 levels, 8 rooms, separate unit with separate entrance, high ceilings, full of charm, very quiet and bright, 130m private garden, top of the line finishes, close to the parkDEBORAH - 054-4804767

NEW LISTING! Beautiful new penthouse in Greek Colony- 190m with 80m terraces, succah, beautiful views, 5 rooms, elevator, parking, renovated at very high standard, spacious living areas and huge kosher kitchen MAYA – 054-6650184

Shaking and still tipsy, Yankeleh began to speak, his voice cracking with emotion…

On a small lane of Baka, beautiful 190m penthouse, 6 rooms, 30m terrace to greenery views, Shabbatparking,elevator, small MAYA – 054-6650184

For Serious clients only! In the Orient Hotel unique 280m apartment on one level with large succah terrace, top standard, all 7furnished,rooms,all facilities of the hotel, pool, spa DEBORAH - 054-4804767

LEADING

Ben Maimon St. Duplex new apartment, 5 bedrooms, 4 ensuite, 4 terraces, private parking, Shabbat elevator, all renovated, 3 exposures, very sunny! DEBORAH - 054-4804767

new project, 280m penthouse, 100m terraces, finishes and layout according to buyer requests! DEBORAH - 054-4804767

This summer, my cow got sick; I asked Hashem to please have mercy on me and spare my parnassah. Considering all I’d been through, I was pretty worn down. One day I just said to the Ribbono shel Olam, “Come on, please! You’re the Master of the World! What’s the big deal in sparing my one old cow? If she doesn’t get better, I’m done with keeping Shabbos.” The cow died, I was without milk, and Hashem now spends Shabbos without hearing Kiddish and zemiros from me.

Most exquisite properties in Jerusalem!!

Talbieh - on the exquisite Balfour St, 300m apartment on one level terrace,standard,renovatedcompletelyattopsuccahparking

MAYA – 054-6650184

DEBORAH - 054-4804767

T&T www.real-estate-jerusalem.co.ilKing0544-80476702-6744000INVESTMENTSDavidSt.26

•

OU ISRAEL CENTER 27

to the tzibur.

On the ElchariziexquisiteSt.,Rechavia

In a small lane of the German ColonyGarden apartment with private entrance, 250m with private garden, parking, high ceilings, in an Authentic beautiful 3 apartment building

completely renovated,

“And then, I know it sound crazy, my goat got sick too! I couldn’t believe it, so I said to Hashem, “Really? Now this?!” I was stretched so thin, I could barely handle the pressure, and lashed out at God: “If you take my goat, that will be the last day I ever lay Tefillin.” So since my goat died, I haven’t worn Tefillin… and Rebbe, it gets even worse. My few remaining chickens got sick as well. This time, I was at the end of my rope, and I told God that I’d never speak to Him ever again if they didn’t make

“Oy Rebbe, I’m so embarrassed, what can I say? It has been a very painful tekufah, a very terribly difficult time. Only God knows how my wife and I prayed over the years to merit to have children. When she became ill, I davened with all my might for her to recover. I even threatened Hashem, and gave an ultimatum: if my wife doesn’t get better, I’m not coming to shul – not even to say Kaddish! But alas, she passed away and I was left alone, just me and my cow, a goat and a few chickens. I haven’t been back to shul since.

Private small building in Baka - Shimshon St. 300m with additional building rights, huge private garden, divided as 3 units so can be private house of 3 separated apartments, very attractive price DEBORAH - 054-4804767

BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE FIRM, O n M e n d e l e S t . T a l b i

This Motza’ei Shabbos, we Ashkenazim join our Sefardic brethren with the rec itation of Selichos. This service is formal invitation to stand before Hashem as a congregation and humbly place before Him our mistakes and wrongdoings. This year, let us use the opportunity of Selichos to reconnect with Hashem, no matter how distant we may have felt, and open up a sin cere conversation with Him.

יַזֲא ,תּודְדֹוּבְתִהְּב רֵזֹוע ְךַרָּבְתִי םֵּׁשַהֶׁשְּכ אֹולֲה :רַמָאְו ּוהֵעֵר לֶא ׁשיִא רֵּבַדְי רֶׁשֲאַּכ אּוה תּודְדֹוּבְתִהַה

3,990,000 NIS 6,500,000 USD In the heart of Baka - Derech Beit Lechem, 136 sqm duplex, tastefully designed Brand new 3 br garden apartment in the German Colony 02-5638221 zimuki.com 5,600,000 NIS Exquisite villa for sale in Talbiyah, Dubnov st. 307 sqm over 3 levels, with 190 sqm garden In the City Center of Jerusalem, high-up above everyone else, 2 level penthouse 165sqm + 77sqm balconies 6,100,000 NIS zimuki@zahav.net.il Ruth 054-8070677Abrahami

again.” And just like that, we sat down, made a few l’chaims and reconnected.

it. Unbelievably, they died as well. I was so angry, I decided that I was through with God, once and for all.

The Sar Shalom embraced the older Yid. Holding him tight, he turned to the con gregation and finally spoke, his own voice choked with tears: “Chevreh, did you hear what Yankeleh said? Let’s open our hearts to the Ribbono shel Olam, and move forward into the new year together.”

“So tonight, I figured I’d try the same thing with Hashem. I poured myself and the Ribbono Shel Olam a couple of l’chaims, and said, “Oy, My God… we have hurt each other enough! I’m sorry things have gotten to this point. Let’s call it even, start over and just go forward into the new year together….”

“But I then remembered something that happened years ago… I once had a major falling out with a dear friend, Reb Feivish the butcher. For months, we wouldn’t even wish each other a ‘good Shabbos’ when we saw each other in shul. One day, he showed up at my doorstep with a bottle of vodka and said, “My brother, we have hurt each other enough. Let’s forget the past and be friends

28 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

With an open heart, some vulnerability and honesty, we can begin to repair the difficult points in our relationship with HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

And Rebbe Nachman said: Indeed, when God assists…, hitbodedus, personal prayer, is like a conversation between friends (Likutei Moharan II:99).

“I held out for a while, I really kept my word, until I realized that Selichos Night was approaching. I thought to myself, ‘Gevalt, Yankeleh, how are you going to keep this up? How can you miss Selichos with the heilige Rebbe?” I was so confused and upset, and because of my neder, I real ized I was stuck, mamish in a jam.

With that, Yankeleh began to cry. “Oy Rebbe, I’m so embarrassed!”

Semi

KING

053-522-0822 zvilapian@gmail.com Tel. 054-447-3851 Toll free UK: 0800-098-8428 US: 1-800-376-1803 Join Zvi Lapian for an andexceptionalrelaxing SUKKOTattheNEVEILANHotelintheJudeanHills Oct 9-16 2022 Scholar in Residence RabbiDanielProfessorSinclair Mehadrin Rabbanut Shmitta Lechumra zvilapian@gmail.com Tel. 054-447-3851 Toll free UK: 0800-098-8428 US: 1-800-376-1803

054-700-9518 JHOMES

Luxury

Beautiful 3 room apartment in Rachel Imenu Street, minutes walk to sqm on 4th floor, and exposures. In (early) process of Tama (urban renewal program). Harush:

spacious. 3

Baka: Tama 130 sqm renovated apartment on 2nd floor + elevator. Private parking, 2 storage rooms (~30 sqm together). Rich:

350

OU ISRAEL CENTER 29 Bright! Rachel Rich: 058-680-5800

Ran Ben

beautifully renovated, bright, quiet

Beautiful 3 room apartment in a residence in the City Center, near Rechavia. sqm on ground floor, private parking + storage room. Olympic swimming pool, gym, doorman. Halfon:

058-680-5800

5 room Penthouse in City Center close

The Great

ד"סב

Jonas

furnished

Emek Refayim. 73

JERUSALEM IFTAH

Amazing to Synagogue. sqm + views. residence. parkings Halfon: - DAVID STREET, & YOAV BEN DAYAN, OWNERS

Rachel

5 room

054-700-9518

luxury

38,

& storage. Jonas

150 sqm balconies. Amazing

30 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

OU ISRAEL CENTER 31 In the heart of Baka - near Emek Refaim, beautiful apartment, 3 rooms, ground floor, balcony/sukkah, heating, parking, cellar, quiet, full accessibility 2500000 NIS ONLY ELISE 052-6724003 CITY CENTER - In a recent boutique building – Spacious 3 rooms, elevator, balcony with beautiful view, storage-room, parking 3700000 NIS MENDEL 052-8980111 TALBIEH - Building with high ceilings –4 spacious rooms, 108m + terrace, approx. 30m, elevator, to renovate MICHAEL 052- 3202488 BAKA- Huge penthouse, 160m, calm and bright, 6th floor + Shabbat elevator, immense terrace + roof, opened view, 3 wc, 2 bathrooms, storage-rooms, double parking MICHAEL 052-3202488 Flying Soon? Travel with Confidence 1UniTravel - Medical Insurance at great prices Choose from multiple options 1UniSim1unitravel.brokersnexus.com-SimsforUSAandWorldwide Starting at $40 Callsales@1unisim.com077-400-3199orUSA718-715-0001 MAXI BoX 053-7272-815 ד״סב Storage Your place for extra space

32 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Our Sedra opens with the familiar words:

V’haya Ki Tavo El Haaretz - And it shall be when you arrive upon the Land.

The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, in his com ments on this verse explains. V’haya - Lashon Simcha. Our arrival to the Land of Israel is something to celebrate and rejoice over!

Irecently

My discussion with Rabbi Gold, as typically happens when we sit together, returned to this very great blessing, of the building of Jewish Life here in the Land of Israel. Rabbi Gold reminded me of an idea he has shared with me on numerous occasions in the past.

It is often stated in the name of the great sage HaRav Moshe Feinstein ztvk’l, that in his esteemed opinion, the mitzva of Aliya to live in Israel in our time, is a mitzva kiyu mit- an optional mitzva. Rabbi Gold teaches that for many years he struggled to under stand this ruling of Rav Moshe, and then one day he finally came to this conclusion. Rav Moshe zt’l , was teaching us that a Jew should truly want to make aliya, not feel compelled to live in Israel, but rather should want to live here, should be happy and excited to build their life here in this sacred Land.

One of the great religious personalities of the pre-state Yishuv and early years of Medinat Yisrael, was the Ohalei Yaakov of Tel Aviv, Rabbi Yaakov Friedman, zt’l, the Admor of Husiyatin zy’a. The Rebbe of Husiyatin, was fortunate to make aliya from Poland, just ahead of the Nazi onslaught, settling in Tel Aviv in 1938, where he lived until his passing in 1954. Within the Rebbe’s beautiful teachings we not only find depth and inspira tion, but are often given a glimpse of this very challenging period in Jewish History.

When we look at the reality and spiritual circumstances here in Eretz Yisrael today (in 1952), one can’t help but ask-how are we to rejoice? Yes, indeed we have merited to receive the gift of Medinat Yisrael, and for the begin ning of the ingathering of the Exiles, but how can we rejoice when we look at the lack of spirituality which seems rampant among us. I do not wish to pass judgment, Chas V’Sha lom, rather our way is always to find merit

had the opportunity to sit and visit with Moreinu V’Rabbeinu, Rabbi Dr. Sholom Gold shlita, the beloved Dean of OU Israel’s Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults. As always, time spent with this giant of Jewish Life, left me inspired and feeling blessed. Blessed to have a role model and teacher like Rabbi Gold whose love of Torah, Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael is exuded with every fiber of his being; and blessed to know that I have been fortunate to follow in his footsteps, to build our family here in Artzeinu HaKedosha and contribute in our own unique way in building Jewish Life here in Eretz Yisrael.

V’haya - Lashon Simcha...

The Ohalei Yaakov shared a powerful mes sage on this Shabbat of Parshat Ki Tavo in 1952, The Rebbe points to this insight of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh:

BY RABBI SAM SHOR Program Director, OU Israel Center SIMCHAT SHMUEL

Elokecha.ThisSpiritual

Renewal will not come from America, or from England or from any other place, except for here in Eretz Yisrael.The Spiritual Renewal of Am Yisrael will indeed come forth from this Center of Jewish Life we are building now here in Eretz Yisrael....”

and see the good. There are three reasons for the spiritual malaise which is so worrisome and a cause for deep concern. 1. A portion of our people have received a poor education 2. A portion of our people live in difficult con ditions and circumstances, abject poverty 3. The Shoah which nearly decimated our peo ple, and left so many broken physically and despondent emotionally and spiritually, we have yet to However,recover.thereis no room for despair! The Torah has already promised us that indeed the Jewish People will return to the ways of Hakadosh Baruch Hu - V’Shavta Ad Hashem

Baruch Hashem, in the seventy years since the Rebbe shared this powerful message, the growth of Torah learning and Jewish commitment, and ritual observance has indeed grown exponentially. Yehi Ratzon, may we indeed merit to see continued spir itual transformation taking root here in our sacred Land, and may we experience in the days ahead the redemption and transfor mation of the entire world, which will flow forth from Artzeinu HaKedosha.....

OU ISRAEL CENTER 33

The Rebbe had the capacity to contextu alize the challenges of Jewish Life during the difficult formative years of Medinat Yisrael, and the vision to see the fledgling state being built in the Land of Israel, as a Center of Jewish Life, which would serve as a catalyst for strengthening Jewish identity and commitment.

After successfully completing the financing for the Mekor Chaim project, Bemuna proudly presents "Bemuna ir Hamorriya" project! Fixed annual returns and low profit tax! Call our investment expert Moshe Ehrlich at: 072-395-1096, or email us at: Invest@bemuna.co.il or visit our website at: www.bemuna.co.il הנומאבריע הירומה A safe alternative for your investment funds! Bemuna has won the bid for the new Givvat hamatos project!

34 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782 054-527-9356 DIRTY AIR, DAMP & MOLD EXPERTSTREATMENTGREEN - Corona Cleaning - Deodorization - Leak Detection Systems - Waterproofing - English + Hebrew Reports - Working at heights - Insured - Quality House Painting QUICK ESTIMATE/FREEADVICE:) • It’s almost the new year and your furniture should look new as well. Refinish any piece of furniture before Rosh Hashana and get a professional furniture marker to match that piece FREE OF CHARGE • PERMANENT REGLUING for all your loose & shaky furniture • EXPERT SOFA FRAME & RECLINER REPAIR • SEAT CORE REPLACEMENT - Remove broken wood seat and replace with much stronger wood • CANE SEAT/BACK REPLACEMENT • LEG TIPS - For quiet chair movement (your downstairs neighbor will thank you!) • Israel’s LEADING and MOST TRUSTED furniture repair company Glue with us once and you’ll stick with us forever Website: www.thefurnituredoctor.co.il Email: office@thefurnituredoctor.co.il Phone: 02 999 2418 WhatsApp: 058 787 3755 T RESTORE YOUR FURNITURE TO HEALTH! •••www.ashleywilde.co.ilCurtains&draperiesDesignercurtainsVenetian&Wovenwood blinds • Blackout, Vertical, Roller, Roman & Pleated shades

OU ISRAEL CENTER 35 *2349 Senior Living Community - Jerusalem Hills -

Building something meaningful. Together.

Come and discover Beresheet - a new residential experience for people ages 65 and over, which is being built at Ramat Motza in the Jerusalem mountains. Here you have the opportunity to be the pioneers and partners in a new residential concept and to take part in building a way of life that fits your worldview. Come and build a life full of meaning and interest together with people who know how to appreciate the amazing nature and landscape that surrounds the project,enjoy the atmosphere of Shabbat Kodesh and celebrate the Israeli holidays with a strong and cohesive community, which we built together.

Beresheet Resident

Last Chance for Pre-SaleOccupancyPrices2023

Only the owner of the land where fruit grows may perform the mitzvah of relin quishing ownership. In addition, the individual must be above the age in which they are required to perform mitzvot (Sdei Mordechai 14:3). Women who own land are also obligated in the mitzvah of hefker (Min chat Chinuch 84). The obligation to relinquish

One of the mitzvahs during the year of shemitah is to relinquish ownership of the produce in one’s garden. Hefker is relevant for both the industrial farmer as well as the owner of a private garden. This mitzvah in the language of our sages is referred to as Hefker Peirot (relinquishing ownership of shemitah fruit).

OU KASHRUTPAGE

BY RABBI EZRA FRIEDMAN Director, The Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education

ownership of the produce comes into effect only when the produce has reached the status of kedushat shevi’it. Grains and legumes maintain kedushat shevi’it when they reach a third of their growth during shemitah. Grapes and olives have the same “third of growth” rule in relation to shemitah. Vegeta bles (that are not included in the prohibition of Sefichin) are considered shevi’it once they have been picked during the shemitah year, even if they were ripe prior to shemitah. Fruit that has reached the level of “chani tah” after Rosh Hashanah maintains the status of holy shemitah produce. However, produce that has not reached the status of kedushat shviit is under the obligation of relinquishing ownership and one may prevent strangers from taking the produce (Rambam, Shemitah Veyovel 5:17).

Small amount of fruit

36 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

The Mitzvah of Hefker During Shemitah

Religious Caregiver

The parameters of the Mitzvah

The purpose of forfeiting ownership is to allow others to come and take the fruit. Halachic authorities dispute regarding a case in which there is a minimal amount of produce in one’s garden. Halachically, the owner is also allowed to take shemitah fruit from his property. Regarding the amount that can be taken authorities ruled that enough food for three meals for members of the household may be taken (Sefer Hashemitah 3:12). In such a case, authorities dispute whether one must perform the Mitzvah of relinquishing ownership or not. According to the Malbim (Vayikra 25:12) even though

Car owner

Kashrut Questions in Israel?

• The mitzvah may only be performed when the produce has reached the right stage of growth.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 37

• Both men and women are obligated in the mitzvah of Hefker Peirot during shemitah.

Performing the mitzvah at a later point

As previously mentioned each type of pro duce has a time in which one is obligated to forfeit ownership. It seems clear there is on obligation to perform the mitzvah of forfeit ing ownership at the exact moment when the fruit reaches the status of kedushat she vi’it. Rather, it should be observed when the fruit more or less reaches the desired stage. If the owner forgot to perform the mitzvah, as long as the fruit is still on the tree and remains edible, the mitzvah may be performed. In a case where the mitzvah of Hefker Peirot was performed at a later time this does not affect the status of the fruits and they may be consumed (Mishmeret Hashevi’it 11:8).

The OU Israel Gustave & Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education was created to raise awareness and educate the public in all areas of Kashrut in Israel. Rabbi Ezra Friedman, a Rabbinic Field Representative for the OU is the Center's director. the owner is allowed to consume the min imal amount (three meals worth for that household) the owner still must perform the mitzvah of Hefker Peirot and then he may reap the produce. Rav Shlomo Zlaman Auerbach (Ma’adnei Eretz 7:3), on the other hand, disagrees and rules that in such a case no mitzvah is required and the fruit may be harvested and consumed right away. One may abide by the ruling of Rav Auerbach.

• In a case where there is a minimal amount of fruit, the owner may con sume all the fruit in his garden and need not relinquish ownership.

• In a case where the owner forgot to relinquish during the designated time, it may be performed afterwards as long as the produce remains on the trees (or plants).

In summary:

Call or Whatsapp Rabbi Friedman at 050-200-4432

38 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

By Michael Kaiser

OU ISRAEL CENTER 39 PRI HADASH WOMEN'S WRITING WORKSHOP AT THE OU ISRAEL CENTER Monday mornings 10.30-12.30 For more details, call Ruth 02-628-7359 or Judy 054-569-0410 DOROT - The OU Women's Intergenerational Choir Director Hadassah Jacob Monday Evenings 7:00 - 9:00pm The author will address the theme of his innovative and inspirational book: The Akeidah, the haunting saga of faith which has intrigued the world for millennia and is a central focus of the Yamim Noraim. An Awe-Inspiring Book Launch for the Days of Awe The Akeidah The ConfrontationEpic of Din and Rachamim

OUSeptemberTHURSDAY22,20228:00pmISRAELCENTER22KerenHaYesodSt.Yerushalayim GET FIT WHILE YOU SIT: Exercise for ladies Join us on Sundays 12:45-1:30pm at the OU Israel Center Sura Faecher 0504153239 Knitting Club at the OU Israel Center every other Thursday beginning July 21, 1:30-3:00pm Call 052-734-6354 for details ...המלש האופר • Miriam Tovah Chaya bat Chanah Elisheva Rivka •Yosef Ezriel ben Chaya Michal הלחמ ןב ןתנוהי • החמש תב אנירש הרש • רתסא ןב המלש • לזייר הניס ןב ץרה ילתפנ •

40 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

OU ISRAEL CENTER 41

42 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

OU ISRAEL CENTER 43

44 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782 THE ISRAELB ONLINE COMMUNITY Connecting you with fellow Jews, Israel & the Jewish People! n Install the new ISRAELB APP from the google play store to your phones (Dedicated in memory of Elchanan Yosef ben Chaim Eliezer) n Advertise on our new ISRAELB BUSINESS CENTER to gain exposure for your business n We can help you WRITE SPEECHES AND DIVREI TORAH for family events & Smachot n Use IsraelB to ORGANIZE, PROMOTE AND PUBLICIZE your events and Smachot n Use IsraelB to help you SELL OR RENT OUT YOUR PROPERTY CONTACT BENJY SINGER: benjysinger@israelb.org or 053-285-1526 Subscribe to our IsraelB newsletter, follow us on Twitter (@IsraelBayit) and join our Facebook Page & Groups. (Links on IsraelB.org) IsraelB is your resource for jobs, events, community news, shiurim and much more!

OU ISRAEL CENTER 45 לארשי ץראל עסמה לארשי ץראל עסמה

Walking down King George St. in Jerusalem and want a cold bottle of water?

Thursday, September 15th - Rabbi Shai Finkelstein’s shiur is sponsored by Paula Rosenblum In memory of ל”ז קיזייא קחצי ןב באז היראYahrzeit לולא ה”כ

To help refill the supplysend tax deductible donations for Be’er Tziporah a"h Bottled Water Gemach to Chabad of RechaviaRabbi Yisroel Goldberg email Rabbi@JerusalemChabad.org02800-1717

URGENT TZEDAKAH APPEAL

OU ISRAEL CENTER 63

for very ill, lonely widow woman with no family. Cancer survivor/ serious heart condition. Desperately needs money for basic needs/ medical expenses/place to live.

joanmarastern@gmail.com Phone 058-778-0691

SHIUR SPONSORS

02-651-4030 www.eifermanrealty.com

Yoni thanks Hashem for having the opportunity of having Tziporah in his life, to learn of her caring, patience and happiness, to overcome her challenges. May Tziporah's Neshama be a light onto the world, in a time of darkness, and may her Neshama shine to Gan Eden. Yoni misses Tziporah with tears in his eyes, as Hashem gave him a gift, a crown jewel, now he returns her to Hashem. With thanks and Toda. Love, Yoni

Spacious Cottage, 235 sqm, 9 rooms, large succah, view, parking. close to synagogues!

HAR NOF

* 5 room 130 sqm Penthouse, renovated, large terrace, view

CITY CENTER

Come help yourself to a bottle at 52 King George.

Existing building with license to build. Currently zoned to build 3 apartments!

www.JerusalermChabad.org/DonateShekels

בוט יכ 'הל ודוה

Donations can be sent to: Rebbetzin Tzipporah Gottlieb-Heller, Neve Yerushalayim Seminary, 1 Beit Yitshak Street, Har Nof, Jerusalem 94130 or to Matat Mordechai Charity, Tax deductible Bank Mizrachi Tefachot. Bank 20. Branch 520, account 128764. Widows account 3649

In loving memory of Yoni’s wife Tziporah a"h, a true Eishes Chayil, always full of chessed, kindness and laughter, and brought life and strength to so many people, that she touched! She was like Aron, who loved peace and pursued peace.

3 Bdrms, 105 sqm, 1st oor, shabbat elevator, NIS 2,590,000

BAYIT V'GAN/ HOLYLAND

* Spacious Villas with rental units, view, quiet location!

Thursday September 15 - Rabbi Taub’s Halacha shiur is sponsored in memory of Yeshayah Meir ben Mordechai Shmuel HaCohen z”l, father of Alan Cohen (Yahrzeit 9 Elul) and Miriam bat Meir a”h, mother of Esther Cohen (Yahrzeit 7 Tishrei)

Rebbetzin Shira Smiles shiur is sponsored for the 2022 academic year by Dr. & Mrs. Menachem Marcus in memory of their parents Rose & Dr. Emanuel Marcus ל”ז סוקרמ השמ ןב יכדרמו ריאמ ףסוי תב לזייר

Be’er Tziporah a"h -Bottled Water Gemach

4 Bdrms, renovated, elevator, balconies, Short walk to the Old City.

Endorsed by: Rabbi Zev Leff/Rabbi Yaacov Hillel/ Rabbi Simcha Sheinberg/ Rebbetzin Dena Weinberg/Rabbi Yisrael Gans/Rabbi Dayan Dunner

To help refill the supplysend tax deductible donations for Be’er Tziporah a"h Bottled Water Gemach to Chabad of RechaviaRabbi Yisroel Goldberg email Rabbi@JerusalemChabad.org02800-1717

46 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

5 Bdrms, 135 sqm duplex, succah, private elevator spacious kitchen, living and dining area, GERMAN COLONY

www.JerusalermChabad.org/DonateShekels

Come help yourself to a bottle at 52 King George.

OLD KATAMON

* Spacious 3 Bdrm, succah, large storage room. handicapped access

Tuesday, September 20 - Rebbitzen Shira Smiles shiur is sponsored by Chana Spivack in loving memory of her son, Binyamin Eliezer ben David z”l on his 13th yahrzeit, 23 Elul and in celebration of her 11th Aliyah Anniversary on September 19

OU ISRAEL CENTER 47 in Ra’anana Performance Arts Center, Ha-Palmakh St 2א 6:30PM Reception | 7:30PM Show MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 19th, 2022 cordially invites you to LEADERSHIP DIVISION in Tel Aviv ZOA House, Daniel Frisch St 1 8:00PM Reception | 9:00PM Show WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 21st, 2022 SPONSORED BY

History redeems egotism

A Summary of Jewish History

MOSHE TARAGIN

R am, Yeshivat Har Etzion

The actual presentation of Bikkurim fruit in front of the mizbeach was prefaced by a ceremonious acknowledgment of Hashem’s hashgacha in delivering these crops and fruit. Oddly, our thanksgiving was prefaced by a historical summary of Jewish history and of yetziat Mitzrayim. The open ing four-pasuk section of Ki Tavo contains a succinct summary of our deliverance

48 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782 GEULAS YISRAELBYRABBI

Selected crops and grains of the seven minim were prepared as a donation to the mikdash and to the Kohanim. As the pil grims transporting Bikkurim approached the suburbs of Yerushalayim, sponta neous parades erupted, escorting these processions to the mikdash. The joyous ceremonies which began on Shavuot, lasted throughout the entire summer, as a steady bounty of exquisite fruit streamed to Yerushalayim.

from Mitzrayim: the first verse describes the descent to Egypt, the second portrays the slavery and bondage, the third details our prayers for divine rescue and the final verse articulates our miraculous departure andThisliberation.four-pasuk section is familiar to us as the “arami oved avi” portion recited as the heart of our Hagaddah conversation on Pesach night. It makes perfect sense to expound these verses on Pesach, but it is strange to recite them on Shavuot as the Bikkurim are delivered to the mikdash.

A Life of Verticality

Rabbi Soloveitchik claimed that this recital converts the bikkurim experience into a noble rather than egotistic moment. Celebrating material success and productive harvests can become self- indulgent and self- congratulatory. Looking back at a year of work and toil and relishing the delicious products can induce haughtiness orFramingself-centrism.thisBikkurim celebration with an account of Jewish history redeems this moment from selfishness and greediness. Our material success is cast in a narrative which is larger than ourselves. We are a small part of Jewish history, and our success advances our larger national arc, and not just our individual experiences or our personal convenience. Without a larger historical framework, material success can become egotistic. Embedded within the arc of Jewish

You can very well imagine the festive scene. By early spring, most of the crops and fruits had already ripened and many had already been harvested. Nature had fully awakened from her winter hiberna tion and the splendor of spring was in full bloom. Shavuot was approaching and the excitement was mounting.

The same strategy is schemed every day before we daven shemoneh esrei. Petition ing for personal success and health can also mutate into a self-centric and selfish moment. Persistently praying for our indi vidual needs can feel very narrow and very inward serving. To “redeem” prayer from the specter of selfishness, our nine teen requests are prefaced by a segment known as “geulah” which celebrates our first redemption and the launch of our com mon national history. Placed in the context of Jewish history, personal requests are no longer self- serving but serve a higher histor ical function. We ask for welfare and success so that we can advance the arc of Jewish history toward its terminus of final and com plete redemption. Having aligned ourselves with Jewish redemption, our shemoneh esrei no longer solicits personal needs, but rather aspires to a higher national calling.

Israel and historical consciousness

Geulah, then tefilla

A few weeks ago, I participated in a Rabbinic panel to which was posed the following question: which topic is most neglected in North American education? I responded that Jewish history isn’t being sufficiently educated. At best, recent Zionist and Holocaust history is being taught, but a broader survey of the genesis of our nation and how we arrived at our current state is rarelyHistoricalprovided.consciousness frames religious experience. Our religious duties are part of a larger historical heritage of commitment and covenant with Hashem. Generations who preceded us wrestled with their

history, personal milestones and individual success become noble and altruistic.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 49

50 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

We live hyper mobile lives, convincing ourselves that transportation and communication liberate us to live wherever we choose

Before we thank Hashem for our success we must align with our history. Else life will become egocentric.

Recently, I asked a Rabbinic acquaintance in Israel how he would have developed dif ferently had he remained in the USA. He thoughtfully considered my question and replied that his life, and religious hori zons would have been more “narrow”. I challenged his answer and cited the frus tration of many olim who are disappointed that Israeli communities are too narrowly constructed. Unlike the heterogeneous communities abroad, Israeli communities rarely demonstrate cultural or ideological diversity. Sadly, some voices even discour age aliyah citing the lack of diversity in Israeli communities as a disincentive. After all, in the USA you can live in a broad-spec trum community, whereas in Israel you are often forced to choose one ideology at the expense of the other. Is Israel a narrowing experience or a broadening one?

Historical Dislocation

historical predicament, displaying valiant heroism in bucking the historical odds and maintaining our Jewish mission and faith. Our generation is privileged to live in their wake, to reap the benefits of their perse verance and to author the final frames of history. Our unique historical moment can’t be taken for granted and must motivate both national duty and deeper religious commitment.

If life in Israel feels history “aware”, sometimes life outside of Israel can become historically disconnected. Two hundred years ago a person lived in the same house as his grandparents. One hundred and fifty years ago he probably lived on the same street as his grandparents. One hundred years ago he likely lived in the same city as his grandparents. Sadly, this is no longer true. We live hyper mobile lives, convincing ourselves that transportation and communication liberate us to live wherever we choose while still remaining “connected” to family. These technologies may “connect “ us to our past, but they rarely provide histor ical continuity and cultural heritage. We are in danger of losing our sense of history and of building a very myopic and tapered reli gious identity. Narrow religious identity is never durable and can easily be toppled. We are losing sense of our place in history. We are becoming isolated points in space rather than parts of a historical “line”. We are becoming “flat” and losing our verticality.

The answer, of course, all depends upon perspective. Indeed, the lack of ideologically blended communities in Israel is disappoint ing. However, in the wide-view, living in Israel stretches our horizons of peoplehood and history. Living in Israel binds us to the larger historical process which worldwide Jewry is launching with. This awareness both augments and expands religious iden tity. If we have been selected to live at this dramatic stage of history, we must validate that divine choice with devout commitment and passionate dedication.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 51 (718) 677-6886 • info@hebronfund.org www.hebronfund.org Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year from Hebron! Your donation supports the HEROES living in Hebron and the courageous SOLDIERS who keep the city safe. With a donation to Hebron you will receive a copy of the new 2022/2023 - 5783 HEBRON CALENDAR16-MONTHFUNDARTISTS with original artwork from three Hebron artists. * If you are a Hebron Fund donor, and you do not receive your calendar by September 1st, please contact our office. A STRONG HEBRON IS A STRONGIsrael! Israel!

Does Pruzbol Ruin the Ability to Fulfill Shemittat Kesafim?

FROM THE VIRTUAL DESK OF THE OU VEBBE REBBE

52 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Question: My community has a project that in our pruzbol (=prz – a mechanism to obviate shemittat kesafim (=sk)), one excludes a loan given through a gemach, upon which we fulfill the mitzva of sk (void ing loans at the end of Shemitta). Why can’t the prz apply to everything, and I still fulfill the mitzva by voluntarily waiving my right to payment of the loan of my choice?

Some say that prz is a way to “hand over one’s documents to beit din”, which obviates even Torah-level sk (see Tosafot, Gittin 36a). This is because, on some level, it makes the debt be considered collected already (see Ran, Gittin 19b of Rif’s pages) and/or because the lender is not collecting himself, but beit din is in charge of it (Rambam, Shemitta 9:15). Some see the prz as a direct creation of the Rabbis based on their control over the Jewish community’s finances (see Gittin ibid.; Yalkut Biurim ad loc. (176)). Others see

Answer: Various contemporary “projects” tap into the concept of sk, allowing the forgiving of certain loans. The systems can have two focuses: 1. Helping borrowers with debt burden, as Halacha did before prz was instituted. 2. Fulfilling the mitzva of sk. We applaud #1 without halachic analysis; your question focuses on #2.

RAV DANIEL MANN

Most Rishonim (see Mordechai, Gittin 380; Minchat Asher, Devarim 19) view sk as automatically erasing debt, after which the lender must not ask for a debt that no longer exists. The Yereim (164) champions another approach – the debt still exists, but the Torah demands the lender to waive payment. The Rosh (Gittin 4:20) posits that during Shem itta, the debt exists, but the lender may not

Two main questions affect your question: A. What does sk entail? B. How does prz effectively neutralize sk?

demand it; at the end of the year, the debt is cancelled. The various approaches are tested by the gemara (Gittin 37b) discussing the proper exchange between borrower and lender without a prz. The borrower offers payment; the lender proclaims “meshamet ani” (app., I accept the cancelling of my rights to loan payment); the borrower says “even so [I want to pay] … it is my [money], but I am giving it to you as a present.”

The gemara (Gittin 36b) posits that in our days, the Torah law of sk does not apply, but the Rabbis instituted it as a “remembrance of the Mikdash.” When Hillel saw this caused people to refuse to lend money, he instituted prz to provide a mechanism for ensured pay ment despite Shemitta.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 53

The Ben Ish Chai (I, Ki Tavo 26) suggests making at least a small loan after making his prz to apply sk to. Teshuvot V’hanhagot (VI:280) disapproves of making Hillel’s prz system look regrettable, but, in discussion of how one could apply sk, also assumes it would have to be with a loan to which prz does not apply. Rav Asher Weiss (ibid.) did not see the halachic sense in these efforts,

Our analysis is general, and we cannot, in this forum, answer your question according to every posek. However, according to most opinions, the Torah-level mitzva of sk entails following the rules whereby sk makes it for bidden to extract payment, which does not happen when there is a prz. Therefore, one who voluntarily agrees not to receive the money he may collect, while doing an act of kindness, is not following the mechanism of the mitzva of sk. Your idea that a prz does not prevent fulfilling sk, is feasible according to the Yereim – if the mitzva is always to not demand an existing loan, then the fact that there is a prz might not make a difference. On the other hand, the mitzva according to the Yereim is still talking about a case where it is forbidden to demand payment, whereas after prz, it is permitted. It is also difficult to predict how the Rabbinic nature of sk in our times impacts the mitzva mechanism (Min chat Asher, Shviit, 64).

Having a dispute?

especially if the “loan” (a misnomer) was never intended to be collected. If, though, one wants to show his excitement about the mitzva of sk, excluding it from the prz makes halachic sense.

the prz as an alternative means of remem bering the laws of sk (Hitorerut Teshuva I:151).

- Gazit’ Rabbinical Court: 077215-8-215 • fax: (02) beitdin@eretzhemdah.org537-9626

For a Din Torah in English or Hebrew contact ‘Eretz Hemdah

The Orthodox Union - via its website - fields questions of all types in areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of them are answered by Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, headed by Rav Yosef Carmel and Rav Moshe Ehrenreich, founded by HaRav Shaul Yisraeli zt”l, to prepare rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National Religious community in Israel and abroad. Ask the Rabbi is a joint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hemdah... and OU Israel’s Torah Tidbits.

54 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Deputy Director, OU Israel

Disconnecting to Connect

“How is it that you were able to fix the air conditioning so quickly?” asked the now calmer mother.

In a good area in the Moshava - 2-story garden apartment, 200m + 190m garden, in Tabu, has great potential, parking, storage, for renovation. Asking 8.2 million NIS In a good area in the Moshava2 apartments (can be connected), 1st floor, 170m, renovated, Sukkah porch, parking Palmach - 4 rooms, garden apt. about 100m asking 4.95million NIS Smadar 050-3114040 // smadi_bida@walla.co.il02-642-4329

Cell phones are either collected from the participants, or we ask the kids to turn them off (many of our activities happen to be in places with poor reception anyway). Interpersonal communication is extensive in nature and includes verbal communication, facial expression, active listening, and other qualities that are very much lacking today.Our attention today is focused on com puter screens and the like. So, what will be with our children? Our spouses? What will be with us?

I simply replied that as we were speaking I went to her son’s room and disconnected the Shabbat Clock from the air conditioner; now all is working just fine.

This episode taught me that we are lack ing direct communication skills and how important it is to disconnect from technol ogy in order to connect to those around us.

That sweet boy whose air conditioner “wasn’t working” because it was still con nected to the Shabbat clock, called his mother instead of talking directly to his counselor. Had he engaged in direct com munication, the problem could have been resolved much faster.

Since then, at all OU Israel youth pro grams, we make every effort to make cell phones “off limits” for our participants.

At 4 PM, my cellular phone showed an incoming call from the US. On the line was an irate mother, (justifiably so) asking me why the air conditioner in her son’s room was not working.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon more than ten years ago, I was in Ramat HaGolan as Executive Director of OU Israel’s Camp Dror with over 300 participants and staff members.

While she was still on the line, I answered this extremely upset mother and told her, “HaKol B’Seder. You are right and I have taken care of the problem.”

”It is so hot in Ramat HaGolan, how can you not have air conditioning in my son’s room?” she asked.

GUEST WRITER CHAIM PELZNER

When it comes to specialty

MeetExper(t)treatments,dentalyouneedcare.ourleadingspecialistsProfessionalismandserviceYoucantrust.

Dr. Yaakov Mizrahi, D.M.D., Sc.B

Dr. Marina Biber D.M.D.

Activities at Camp Dror and at OU Israel Youth Centers, Makom BaLev and Oraita, emphasize two precepts that can upgrade our lives.

Dr. Ariel Hirschhorn, D.M.D. Senior specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Sheba Medical Center

Specialist in oral rehabilitation

OU ISRAEL CENTER 55

a box to be the “Tech nology Box” where anyone entering the kitchen must turn their phone to silent and deposit their cellular phone in that box.

Call for your appointment at our clinic.

Just as we have gotten accustomed to the concept of an “Allergen Free Zone” (no nuts, no peanuts, etc.), it is worthwhile to adopt the concept of a “Technology Free Zone”.OUIsrael encourages and educates our participants to learn and to take advantage of the unlimited positive opportunities that modern technology affords us. We recog nize that as is true with all “good” things, boundaries need to be set for these opportunities as well.

The second is defining space. There are certain areas in the house that should be earmarked for discussions and listening, for instance, the kitchen or dining room. Cellular phones should not be allowed in these

The first is defin ing time. There are hours in the day that we should ded icate to oneself, one’s family and friends. We can accomplish this by actually turning off the cellular phone at regular intervals of the day.

www.exper.co.il 02-644-9349

For example, for two hours in the afternoon try to be just with your family, relating to them, talking to them, engag ing them, and plainly spending time with them.

Onespaces.candesignate

Expertise in treating high-risk patients and complex cases

Dr. Mitchell Rudy D.D.S.

Over 20 years of sensitive diagnosis and patient care

RABBI DR TATZAKIVA www.jle.org.uk/podcast WHY WAS THE INIMPRISONEDMAHARALHIS80’s? WHY WAS HE ACCUSSED INILLEGITIMACYOFHISYOUTH?RABBIAUBREYHERSH& MAHARAL OF PRAGUE

JEWS PROVENCEOF SCHOLARSEXILE PRAGUE CENSORSHIP1782EDICT BEGINNINGSAMERICAN THE JEWISH SPY THE PASSPORT INTRIGUESPOLITICAL LONDONPARIS TIME THE SCHISM THE CALENDARS GENIZACAIRO PRE-NUPS & YIDDISH THE SCANDALS OTHER EPISODES INCLUDE: UPCOMING SERIES THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK PIONEERS, APOSTATES & ERRORS Printers

58 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

I have removed all of the holy from the house, and I have also given it to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow. In accord with all of Your commandments that you have commanded me, I have neither transgressed any of Your commandments nor forgotten. …I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord, my God; I have done according to all You com manded me. (Deuteronomy 26:13-14)

One’sConfessing Good Deeds

Editor, Torah TidbitsGOLDSCHEIDERAARON

Vidui (confession) is so integral to the process of teshuvah (repentance), to the breast-beating and soul-searching that commences in Elul and culminates in Yom Kip pur, that we tend to associate it with that and that alone. But Parashat Ki Tavo features a vidui of an utterly different kind: vidui ma’aser. In the fourth and seventh years of the sab batical cycle, we make a declaration that we have properly fulfilled the mitzvot of taking and apportioning tithes:

The Sages called this declaration a vidui. What does that mean in a context where there is specifically no wrongdoing?

When Rav Kook was still an ado lescent prodigy of eighteen, he heard that Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, founder of the Musar movement had died. He immediately carried out the rit uals of mourning that apply when a great Torah figure passes. Although Rav Kook had the greatest admira tion for Rabbi Salanter’s program of Musar, he voiced concerns. He felt that policing one’s actions and thoughts on a constant basis and thinking lowly of oneself could be too emotionally taxing and stunt, or even reverse, spiritual growth.

RABBI

Torah study and mitzvah obser vance, Rav Kook firmly believed, should be pursued with good cheer and equanimity.

Rav Yisrael Salanter

Rav Kook was deeply drawn to the teach ings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, for whom self-worth and hope were central. In a cele brated discourse, Azamerah lelohai be-odi, based on the verse, “I shall sing to my God

Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook offered a beautiful answer. Confession, at its heart, is self-appraisal. Any honest assessment includes the good and the bad, the pros and the cons. Often we err in laying too much empha sis on our misdeeds and too little on our good deeds, which can ruin our mental and spiritual health. To avoid over-criticism, we must also recognize our positive acts and choices. Our relationship with God revolves as much around virtue as it does sin.

Rav Kook

OU ISRAEL CENTER 59

as long as I am” (יִדֹועְּב הָרְּמַזֲא) (Psalm 146:2), the rebbe urged his readers to find the good in themselves:

יַהֹול־אֵל

believe in ourselves, for God has faith in us as well. Rabbi Zal man Sorotzkin cited the Rizhiner Rebbe, who com mented on a line we say on Rosh Hashanah: “You remember everything for gotten (תֹוחָּכְׁשִנַה לָּכ רֵכֹוזְו).”

Rebbe Nachman read the verse to mean “I shall sing to my God with my od,” my little ounce of goodness. He compared this to a song that joins notes to create a tune. We, too, should put together our points of goodness to produce our very own song for God. Feelings of pride and selfworth propel us forward in our spiritual life, and are essential for our own happiness.Wemust

“Just as we must judge others favorably, even the wicked, to find in them good elements… so must a person do for himself, to judge himself favorably, and to find some element of good, in order to strengthen himself so he does not completely collapse. On the contrary, he will revive himself, and gladden his soul with the modicum of good that he finds in himself.”

The parashah that contains the vidui ma’aser is always read in the run-up to the Days of Awe. It is an important reminder that in the same way God does not forget any of our bad deeds, so too he does not for get or underplay a single good deed. As our next year hangs in the balance, we ourselves must preserve an internal balance, keenly pained by our shortcomings while healthily aware of our strong points.

minimize these and forget all about them, but God remembers “everything forgotten.”

While most of us think the forgotten deeds are our sins, the rebbe suggested that it refers to our good deeds. We might tend to

60 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

posits that the pilgrim makes a profession or confession (Vidui). In that spirit, the term appears to confer upon the pilgrim an overriding sense of poverty, imagined or otherwise, material or spiritual.

This line of thinking is supported by the fact that in the declaration, the pilgrim recalls how our forefathers were subjected to life-threatening situations that almost ruined them (Lavan the Aramean, famine, exile, persecution). Much depends on how one interprets the term OVED in the following phrase, “Arami Oved Avi,” pri marily because the word is associated with loss and destruction. Now, with thanks to Hashem, the pilgrim asserts that only because of Hashem’s beneficence were we saved and brought to Eretz Yisrael.

BY MENACHEM PERSOFF Special Projects Consultant, OU Israel Center menpmp@gmail.com

Like the pilgrim, we might want to thank Hashem for saving us from poverty and ruin. So then, in the Torah’s words, we can rejoice “in every good thing that God has given us.”

Of interest, of all the first fruit offerings and tithes, Ma’aser Oni, the levy desig nated for the poor, should have the most profound impact on us existentially. For the root letters of the Hebrew term ONI – Ayin, Nun, and Yud – referring to the poor, com prise the same root as the term Ve’ANita, employed in the ceremony of the First Fruits.Forafter the pilgrim places the fruits before the Kohen (who then sets them before the altar), the pilgrim utters his declaration in the spirit of the Torah’s injunction: “VE’ANITA Ve’amarta Lifnei Hashem Elokecha.” What does this term VE’ANITA mean?

In our Parsha’s opening lines, we learn of two legal institutions: the declaration of the pilgrim bringing First Fruits and his “confession” when offering tithes. The verbal statements are expressions of gratitude to Hashem for His bounty. Following Rav Hirsch, these proclamations also teach us to employ our material resources for the noble purposes Hashem has set before us.

So the pilgrim did answer a question, one he asked himself. And he concluded that we are all impoverished because all our material assets are ultimately gifts from Hashem; in a flash, He could deprive us of them! So, consequently, he asks himself if he had attended appropriately to all the “tithes” due to the topsy-turvy world in which he lived.

Literally, it means “and you shall answer.” But did anyone ask a question? So, one translation offers that the pilgrim begins his declaration (Silberman), while Rav Hirsch

In Answer to A Question

DIVREI MENACHEM

OU ISRAEL CENTER 61 LechumraShmitahandOtzarHaaretzProduce! ORDER ONLINE AND GET THE PRODUCTS YOU PREFER DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOOR! ORDER TODAY AND ENJOY SUPERIOR QUALITY, SELECTION AND SERVICE! order!firstyouroff5%saveandwelcome2ftfcodecouponUse www.FarmToFamily.co.il Netanel 050-344-6261 | Office 058-444-6260 AmericanService! SpecialtyProductsAmerican&Items! Are you tired of shlepping your groceries home? JERUSALEM REAL ESTATE ANGLO- SAXON-JERUSALEM ISRAEL’S LEADING REAL ESTATE NETWORK 3 Moshe Hess St., 0778038511Jerusalem Ilana Lederer053-4872526 2-4 room apartments + Penthouse(s). Classical boutique building, Terraces/Gardens, underground parking, storage rooms, elevator. Breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem: Mount of Olives, Old City, Mount Zion, King David Hotel, Windmill and more. Walking distance from the Old City, Cinematheque and The First Station complex. Galila Aizner 053-5200461 Office 077-9968746 | www.anglo-saxon.co.il JERUSALEM REAL ESTATE FOR RENT IN JERUSALEM LUXURIOUS APARTMENTS WITh OLd CITy VIEW 053-9345985 077-8038511

The Israel Calendar is an online platform showcasing virtual and in-person English-speaking programming throughout the country. All events posted on the calendar are designed for Olim seeking to connect with like-minded Anglos while benefiting from English-oriented events.

Visit The Nefesh B'Nefesh

Israel Calendar to explore Englishlanguage events taking place all over the country!

Post your events on the calendar and share your program with the expansive Nefesh B'Nefesh community all over Israel.

62 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782 www.theisraelcalendar.orgHostinganevent?

Menachem

Great Investment! 2 rooms in new building under construction in a great locationonly 1.69m NIS. 3 & 4 rooms also available

REALTY 054-461-3943

POB 36156 Romema Jerusalem Transfer? Contact Menachem menpmp@gmail.com - 050-570-1067

NACHI

c/o Persoff

CHESED FUND

Rosh

In a recently finished tama 38 building in Baka, close to Emek Refaim, 4 rooms. good shape, 2.99m NIS

Price reduction - Great opportunity in Musrara, 5.5 rooms. 3 bathrooms 130m duplex with 40m garden, private entrance, full of charm. Chulada Hanevia street. 3.97m NIS

YITZCHAK

OU ISRAEL CENTER 63OU ISRAEL CENTER 55 “TzviAir is a pleasure to work with and did an amazing job!” – Jamie Geller, Celebrity Chef AIRSALESCONDITIONING&SERVICE 02-628-8282 | tzviair.com

Bank

“CHESED VESHAINDEL”

Hashanah is approaching, and Our 'clients' are clamoring for help! Please send checks to:

Michal Silverstein, MS Dear R.T.

64 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

I will offer a few suggestions that I hope will make the process easier.

Leave a lot of room for choice. Give each child a few job options and ask which one your child prefers to do.

Start with small “easy” jobs and then thank your child and praise them for doing it. This positive attention and feedback will probably encourage your child to do it again the next time.

Finally, if you feel that your child needs a reward / incentive for doing their job let them have a say in what it will be. It can be in the form of praise, quality time with a parent, affection, treats or toys. Every person has their “ love language” which makes them feel loved and appreciated.

Dear OU Parenting

Firstly, Kudos on your com mitment to teaching your children to be responsible. It’s no easy task! Teaching kids to take responsi bility builds their self- esteem, allows them to feel capable and is an important life skill. Sometimes however the process of teaching this life skill is draining and overwhelming and leaves us wondering why we don’t just do it ourselves! Obviously we know that wouldn’t be a great choice as the demands of a family are too great to just fall on the parent.Since you’re asking kids of all ages with very different personalities to do a job, things get complicated.

Some kids become oppositional when they are told exactly what to do and when, so give them a window of time by when they have to complete the job. This way they feel like they have a certain amount of control, deciding when exactly they will do their job but within an acceptable time frame.

How do you recommend imple menting chores for a family of five children? The oldest is going away to a dorming high school and will be out of the house from Sunday to Thursday. The other children are aged 12,10,8 and 5. We have tried connecting allow ance to chores and also tried incentive charts. Some kids do the work and some kids either don’t do it or take forever to get it done. Hoping for some insights. R.T.

Once you give your child a specific job or chore, it’s very important to accept how they do it. Even if you show them, they will do it their own way.

OU ISRAEL PARENTING COLUMN

This process will be more successful if both parents are on the same page and back each other up concerning what they expect of their child.

The most important thing is to encourage a child to feel competent. Even if the job is

small and beneath his age level, if he’s will ing to do it, praise him. It’s all about taking baby steps, being successful and building upon that.

לאומש תב הנושרג

A child often feels proud of pitching in and being an integral, capable part of the family unit.Be’hatzlacha

Dedicated in loving memory of my mother Gail Mauer a”h הליג

םירבגה תלהקמ םילשורי תניר The Rinat Jerusalem Men's Choir to join the RINATMEN'SJERUSALEMCHOIR Musical Director: Jason Rosenblatt OPEN INVITATION to SERIOUS SINGERS Please contact Joe Paul058-4566905054-9257011 Program of Performances 2022-3 Weekly practices from 8.00 to 9.30 pm

Michal Silverstein has a MS in educational psychology and counseling. She facilitates parenting workshops in and around Jerusa lem and maintains a private practice.

Feel free to send in any parenting questions you may have to parenting@ouisrael.org (Details will be changed to preserve anonymity).

OU ISRAEL CENTER 65

66 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

OU ISRAEL CENTER 67

A Class For TwoMemoryUnforgettableAn

Clearly, each of us would have preferred to see a synagogue full of people, but Rabbi Kook just smiled and said: 'Gentlemen, let's learn together. It will be a true delight to make the two of you my Torah study part ners.' I will never forget those moments. And then he added: 'Listen well, do not be disappointed. It's worth it for me to make the effort to get up before dawn and to come here to the synagogue even if I can open the heart of even one Jew. And look, there are two Jews here with me.'

68 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782 THE DAILY PORTION BY SIVAN RAHAV-MEIR

Since then, fifteen years have passed. I am reminded of this story every year in the month of Elul. We are accustomed to speak of Elul in terms of dramatic deeds and grandiose changes, promising our selves the world. But every little act of ours is important. Even a class for two before dawn."

Rabbi Simcha Hakohen Kook zt"l

Can little, undramatic acts, without a crowd to witness them, have lasting meaning? Lior Frishman, chairman of the Rehovot Religious Council, told me the fol lowing story last night.

one else. That was it: me, the rabbi, and the gabai. The gabai's face turned as white as a sheet. He did not know what to do with himself. How embarrassing. Here he had invited the city's chief rabbi, troubled him to get up before dawn, but apparently had not sufficiently publicized his appearance and therefore no one had come. What was there to do?

"Once in the month of Elul, Simcha Hakohen Kook zt"l, the esteemed Chief Rabbi of Rehovot, conveyed to me his wish to say a few words of inspiration before the next day's Selichot (prayers for divine forgiveness) in one of the city's Sep hardic synagogues. I asked if I could drive him there and heAtagreed.4:15 the next morning I waited for him outside his home. He requested that I first take him to the mikveh on Shoftim Street. He immersed in the mikveh and then we drove to the Sephardic synagogue. We arrived there at 4:45, entered the synagogue, and saw . . . the gabai (synagogue manager) but no

10 Hillel St., Jerusalem | 36 Dam hamkabim st., Modiin 02-6255592,Madar@netvision.net.il050-3202909

OU ISRAEL CENTER 69

Family Law and Mediation Divorce, Child support, Custody Inheritance & Wills

Orit Madar,Adv.

Yariv Madar, Adv.

ENGLISH SPEAKING LAW FIRM

Bodily Injuries, Medical Malpractice Civil Litigation

Grass Turf rolls - Buy after Sivan 5783.

Question

TRANSFER YOUR OLD FILM/VIDEO's (All formats) In Quality to Digital Preserve Family History from Fading Michael 052.286.8626 Photography with Facebook.com/L'DorotfeelingPhotography

70 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Vegetable seeds - we can be lenient and buy them immediately after RH, since they have a long shelf-life and many are imported. Unless you know these seeds are from Israel and were made on the shemitah year.

- Buy only from nurseries supervised for kilei Ilan (forbidden tree grafts) and supervised for orlah if you want the nursery years to count for orlah years.

Annual flowers and seedlings - Middle of Tevet 5783. After this time many of the flowers in the nurseries will be from the 8th year plantings, and you allowed to but with out asking specifically when this plant was planted.Perennial

Trees

The rule of thumb is, that If the trunk diameter is 0–5 cm, the tree is less than 1 year old.

at the end of the 8th year, you can buy the tree if the trunk diameter is 0–5 cm, but if it is 5-15 cm, avoid buying it because it was probably planted during shemitah.Fruittrees

So if you come just after shemitah and the trunk is greater than 5 cm, you may buy it. If the trunk diameter is less than 5 cm, avoid buying it because it was planted during shemitah.Ifyoucome

TORAHINSTITUTEVEHA'ARETZ

flowers - You can be lenient (roses included) and buy them right after

Buy such items only from shemitah-obser vant nurseries until:

BY RABBI MOSHE BLOOM en.toraland.org.il

Rosh Hashanah is almost here and we want to know how we can buy plants from nurseries. After the New Year, may we buy bulbs from a bulb nursery, or must we wait a whole another year because they were pro mulgated during shemitah?

What about roses (bare rooted)? Vegetable seeds? Trees? Bushes? Seedlings?

Rosh Hashanah 5783. This is because there is a big chance these flowers were planted on the 6th year. There are Poskim who are mach mir even for perennial flowers, and suggest to wait till Middle of Tevet.

NurseriesPlantsBuyingFrom In 5783

Answer

Rent

OU ISRAEL CENTER 71

2 room apartment + large garden in a new boutique building in Arnona. Minute walk to Beit Knesset Shai Agnon. New, very nice kitchen, fully furnished. Possibility for a Sukkah Call 054-2144188 or shlomom77@gmail.com for more information

For for the Chagim:

RABBI GIDEON

them getting married. In some cases, they will not need to use the frozen eggs and will have a family naturally without any repro ductive technology.

WEITZMAN

Hundreds of women have been assisted, accompanied and supported by the egg freezing program at PUAH. The women realize that this is their best option, but are also counseled about the realistic expectations that they can have of egg freezing. It is not a cheap procedure, even though the price has dropped recently, but it does give the promise of some hope for the future.

Another clear case is a woman under going medical treatment that will have an adverse effect on her fertility. In such a case it is important to freeze eggs, both in order to preserve fertility and as part of the treat ment. Freezing eggs, and preserving fertility, can give a positive boost to such a patient and enable them to enter the treatment with increased confidence.

Machon Puah for Fertility and Gynecology in Accordance with Halacha

Choosing To Freeze

Last time we saw that while the process of egg freezing can be extremely beneficial to extend and preserve a woman’s fertility. On the other hand, a woman would need to freeze quite a number of eggs in order to later use them to have child. The exact number depends on many factors, but is closely related to her age at the time of the egg freezing.

The Puah Institute is based in Jerusalem and helps couples from all over the world who are experiencing fertility problems. Offices in Jerusalem, New York, Los Ange les & Paris. Contact (Isr) 02-651-5050 (US) 718-336-0603 www.puahonline.org

It appears from all the data that when pos sible and available the best chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy child would be trying to get pregnant naturally.

72 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

So we are left with the million dollar ques tion. Should a woman freeze her eggs or not?

That depends on her circumstances; in the case of a religious woman who is not mar ried but would very much like to get married, egg freezing may be the best option. In such a case the woman does not have other options to have a child. Egg freezing enables her to extend her fertility, and affords her more time in order to find a husband. This procedure reduces the pressure of the loud ly-ticking biological clock, and this can be conducive to finding a spouse, and getting married. We have seen a number of cases in which women froze their eggs and the reduction of pressure actually was the catalyst for

In the cases mentioned so far egg freezing is a good option, since it is the only option. But what about a couple who want to delay having children, should we encourage them to freeze eggs? More on this next time.

Pruzbul 5782

Please view this Pruzbul Q & A guide from the Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis.

https://oukosher.org/content/uploads/2022/09/Pruzbul-Q-and-A.pdf

Great opportunity Unique views.apartment.penthouseArnona.87SQMApt,70SQMPrivateroof,5SQMBalcony.2bedrooms,1.5bathrooms,2parkingspots,shulinbuilding.PanaramicLotsofpotentialAsking3,475,000NIS

https://ouintranet.org/newsletters/files/Pruzbul-5782.pdf

Sukkot Rental Available Large 3 bedroom apartment available from Yom Kippur throughout Sukkot! (Sleeps 5-6) New Building Central Yerushalayim! 1 min to Machane Yehuda Shuk! Between Yaffo and Agripas Street. 2 Bathrooms, Sukkah Porch, Shabbat Elevators! Beautiful View! For more info please WhatsApp 054-594-6540

Long term rental

With the approach of Rosh Hashanah and the end of the Shmittah year, a lender should complete the Pruzbul process. This must be done to ensure that any outstanding loans are not cancelled by Shmittah and any future collections are made in a halachically permitted manner. There is a widespread practice for all individuals, even those unaware of any outstanding loans, to complete a Pruzbul.

Yoel054-2074969Kaufman

Asking 8,000 NIS

The Orthodox Union and Rabbinical Council of America, together with their affiliated beit din, the Beth Din of America, have prepared the following Pruzbul form, which we are pleased to share. The Pruzbul process can be completed by following the instructions at the top of the Pruzbul form or under the guidance of your local rabbi.

Asking 5,300 NIS

Unique religious building. Perfect for retirement Floor 2, 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom, partial Sukah,shul in building. option to be furnished for 5,800 NIS pm

Mishkanot Hauma Zavulan Hammer Street, 95 sqm, 2 bedrooms, balcony, parking, machsan, close to all public transport, Shuk, light rail, restaurants, Shuls, Gan Sacher

I’d like to suggest that Simcha does not

There is a 7.95 billion worldwide population and only 0.2% of them are Jews. How did we get ourselves into that situation?!!?!?!

Essentially saying that if we don’t serve Hashem Besimcha then there will just be a few Jews instead of as many as the stars. In

Many commentaries discuss why we need the extra word vehaya, “and it will be.”

Parshat Ki Tavo opens with the words ״...ץראה לא יכ היהו״ “And it will be when you enter the Land (of Israel).”

אובת

TORAH 4 TEENS

Rabbi Yosef Ginsberg Co-Regional Director, NCSY Israel Simcha Le’Artzecha

74 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782 Please note advertising deadlines for the upcoming issues over the Chagim: * Rosh Hashana (issue 1486) deadline for adsSunday, Sep 18 * Yom Kippur - Sukkot (issue 1487) deadline for ads -Tuesday, Sep 20 * Shabbat Breishit (issue 1488) deadline for adsMonday, October 3 Please call Ita Rochel - 02 5609125 or email ttads@ouisrael.org

Ometz Shmidman 10th Grade, Alon Shvut Few But Many

In my love for Israel, the Ohr Hachayim Hakadosh spoke to me. He says that ‘Vehaya’ is a lashon of Simcha and there is no greater Simcha than that of the mitzvah of dwelling in the Land of Israel.

only mean happiness. It could mean happiness, but first and foremost I would define it as content. Not everything in Israel is easy or makes one happy. Not everything tastes as good as where one used to live or runs as smoothly as things used to. Coming to the Land of Israel is a sacrifice and won’t always make one happy. But knowing that you’re in the right place, where you belong, with your people and being content with that knowledge can trump any level of happiness. It gives one the ability to smile when they are sad and laugh when they are happy. We should be content and con fident in knowing that as hard as it may be and with all its challenges, we are living the word of Hashem. Shabbat Shalom!

The Rambam tells us that in order for a Mitzvah to be done properly a mitzvah needs the proper Kavanah, and in order to have the proper Kavanah the mitzvah needs to be done with Simcha. The question then begs to be asked, how about the mitzvot where you are commanded to be sad like that of mourning? How are you supposed to have Simcha?

BY TEENS NCSY ISRAEL

יֵבְכֹוכְּכ ם ֶתיִיֱה ר ֶׁשֲא תַח ַּת ט ָעְמ י ֵתְמִּב םֶּתְרַאְׁשִנְו“ )בס ,חכ( "ָךיקֹלֱא 'ה לֹוקְּב ָּתְעַמָׁש א ֹל־יִּכ

Well, to grow a nation takes time, but slowly-slowly we are growing. Proof of that is that one hundred years ago we were a lot fewer. In Parshat Ki Tavo It says בֹרָל םִיַמָּׁשַה –

Hoshea (א ,ב) It says םיה לככ לארשי ינב רפסמ היהו“ ”רפסי אלו דמיי אל רשא – saying that there is going to be so many Jews that there will be too many to count. Something to notice is ”היהו“ while the word seems like it’s talking about the present it is talking about the future (Hebrew, what do you know?). We see here that even though G-D threatens our nation’s extinction, there is a prophecy that says that there will be too many of us to count.

This is an example of ”הכמל הפורת םידקמ“ –G-D first brings the cure before the plague - and we might see that a lot in our dayto-day life. I can say that personally there are so many times that something doesn’t go according to plan and yet everything works out in the end. The most important thing is to remain calm and work on plan B :).

NCSY Israel is the premier organization in Israel, dedicated to connect, inspire, empower teen olim to the Land of Israel by encouraging pas sionate Judaism through Torah and Tradition. Find out more at israel.ncsy.org לייא תולבוה ד״סב www.premiummoving.co.il MovingPackingStorage 053-7272-815 Call +972507874049; email charless@ekmd.huji.ac.il SpaciouS cottage Quiet walkway off the street, 246 meters, 3 floors, 12 rooms, 6 bedrooms, 4 parking2bathrooms,gardens,spot,roof. Price NIS 8.5 million No agents GIvat OraNIm Your truﬆed corporation for purchasing privately regiﬆered land in Israel at the loweﬆ prices Moshe Keinan mk0522867038@gmail.com 03-5774277/052-2867038 ד"סב Land Inheritance Company Ltd. מ"עב ץראה תשורי תרבח Starting at $ 40,000 per dunam Flying with Peace of Mind with PassportCard Travel Insurance No matter what Norman Zysblat invites you to enjoy personal and professional service. • Personal agent service for policy implementation and at the time of any event • Accompanying and assisting clients throughout the medical underwriting process • Coverage for medical expenses using travel insurance abroad and Covid-19 rider • A unique insurance card that pays for medical expenses abroad • No deductible For more details: Tel: 02-6219684 | Cell: 054-4258671 | E-mail: normanz@shaham-orlan.co.il Through PassportCard Israel General Insurance Agency (2014) Ltd. The insuring companyDavid Shield Insurance Company Ltd. Subject to policy terms and conditions, exclusions and restrictions, and medical underwriting. No deductibles for medical services abroad using the card, and subject to card use limitations, withdrawal fees and specific limitations of various ATMs.

To resolve this, I will bring up the famous saying that negative prophecies can be canceled but positive ones will happen no matter what.

1221

The baby was laying on his mother's legs with a swollen face, tongue, and lips. The mother said the allergy was very sudden. The pair of EMTs asked the mother whether or not her son had any previous allergic reactions in order to ascertain the severity of the situation. The mother confirmed that her young son had a previous allergic reaction also to food, and that the young boy had recently tried eating some grapes for the first time. The duo then asked if an auto-injection device, such as an Epipen, was used in the previous instance, and the mother stated that the parents had received one but had not used it yet.

Beit Shemesh - On Friday afternoon, a baby boy, twenty months old, was eating grapes at his home on Ha’aliyah Street in Beit Shemesh. The baby began to have an allergic reaction and as the symptoms developed and became more serious the worried mother called emergency services for help.

Shai added ‘’Thanks to the Epipen injection device that I had with me, I was able to stabilize the baby and prevent the allergic reaction from escalating any further. I don't want to imagine what would have happened if we didn't have any Epipen auto-injection devices with us. Today, this tool saved the life of this young child.’’

Elchanan and Shai reported the information to dispatch and then made the decision to use the Epipen in order to mitigate the symptoms of the allergic reaction as the ambulance still hadn’t arrived yet.

Beit Shemesh Baby’s Life Saved With an Epipen

76 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

Shai Jaskoll, a United Hatzalah volunteer EMT, was in a shopping mall nearby having just finished his shopping for Shabbat when his proximity alert went off alerting him to the urgent medical emergency. He ran to his car and drove quickly to the address where the emergency was taking place. Another United Hatzalah volunteer EMT, Elchanan Wertheim had already arrived in the three minutes that it took Shai to traverse the distance. Elchanan waived for Shai to come and assist

When the Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance arrived, the paramedic checked the baby and seeing him in a now stable condition, helped the mother and child onto the ambulance and transported them to the hospital for further care.

‘Elchanan spoke about the incident afterward and said, ’I am thankful that Shai joined me in responding so that I could have a second opinion on this difficult case. Usually, Epipens are administered if two systems that are vital to survival are threatened or compromised.Additionally, whenever an Epipen is administered, protocols require that a mobile intensive care unit be called in to do the transport, in case the patient needs additional adrenaline on the way to the hospital. In this case I was glad to have confirmation that indeed two systems were affected. ’’

Real Life Rescues

Shay took the Epipen and injected it into the baby's thigh, and after a few minutes the swelling went down allowing the child to calm down and breathe properly.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 77 Beautiful house near the Waldorf Hotel. 3 bedroom, 3 bathrooms. Sleeps 6/7 Garden with patio for Sukkah. $15,000 ChagimMarcRentalFriedman, agent: Marcdfriedman1962@gmail.com0505-966-526Marc Friedman, agent: YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT IN Purchase/SellJERUSALEM Debisraelhomes@gmail.com Whatsapp 0532852345 We buy your Gold & Silver Personal home service - 30 years experience We also buy silverware, gold & silver coins! Please send me a picture to Whatsapp for free appraisals I pay cash! I will meet you where you want! Customer service! 972-54-219-2428 mail: absaffran@gmail.com Follow Us On Facebook

78 TORAH TIDBITS 1485 / KI TAVO 5782

OU ISRAEL CENTER 79 BUY YOUR DREAM PENTHOUSE ABOUT THE PROPERTY Unique penthouse apartment with panaramic views, lots of natural light, Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Arnona. The building has a Synagogue on the ground floor, which has daily services all year round. The building has a manager available on call for all your needs. Very friendly Anglo neighbours. Highly recommended option for a couple looking to retire in Jerusalem with a religious Anglo environment, good location, quiet, and beautiful views PRIMA LEVI FEATURES8 87 roomoffBalcony5roofPrivate70Apt.SQMSQMSQMliving 2 ElevatorShabbatparkingPrivateceilingsHighBathrooms1.5BedroomsAsking price 3,475,000 NIS Call us to arrange a viewing 054-2074969 AgentKaufmanEXCLUSIVERealtyfee-2%+VAT This new year you will learn Hebrew! Live zoom immersion courses for women Vibrant interactive classes * Exceptional teachers * Small groups * Years of experience * Proven results * Meticulouslyplanned lessons * Women only * Six levels * Approved by Mechanchim. Contact us now to book a free assessment and consultation. Sign up until October 2nd for a 10% discount. Call or Whatsapp: VisitEmail:Office@simplytalkhebrew.com972-58-651-9474ourwebsite:www.simplytalkhebrew.comCourseswillstartafterthechagim.