Announcements

SELICHOT

Sundays 7 am

Weekdays 6 am

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Mazal Tov

Jonathan & Rachel Goodman

invite the kahal to the

Bar Mitzva

of their son

Ollie

this coming Shabbat

Parashat Ki Tetze

in Whitefield Synagogue

Ollie will be wearing his Tefilin

on Thursday 9th Elul – 31/Aug/17

Special Mazal Tov

to our dear friends

Mr & Mrs Shlomo Cohen

on the Bar Mitzva

of their grandson

May he grow in Torah, Mitzvot & Maasim Tovim

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JOINT LEARNING PROJECT

To be completed by 17th Cheshvan [nearly 3 months so plenty of time!!!]

[*not daf]

Contact Rabbi Stamler to reserve your section 07738002480

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SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץתשע"ז

Summer Timetable 5777 – 2017

* For those not in synagogue, but wishing to bring in Shabbat with the community, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all cases.)

Mincha 6:00 pm

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Children’s Service From 10am Every Shabbat morning

Children’s Tehilim straight after Musaf

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Anyone wishing to donate a Kiddush Please email Moorlanenews

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Q & A on Parashat Ki Tese

All references are to the verses and Rashi’s commentary, unless otherwise stated

1. Why must a captured woman mourn her family for a month in her captor’s house?
   21:13 – So her captor will find her unattractive.
2. What fraction of the inheritance does a first-born receive if he has a) one brother? b) two brothers?
   21:17 – a) 2/3 b) 1/2
3. What will become of a ben sorer u’moreh if his parents don’t bring him to court?
   21:22 – He will eventually rob and kill to support his physical indulgences.
4. Why is it a degradation to G-d to hang a criminal’s body on the gallows overnight?
   21:23 – Because humans are made in G-d’s image; and because the Jewish People are G-d’s children.
5. What do you do if you find a lost object that costs money to maintain?
   22:2 – Sell it and save the money for the owner.
6. Why does the Torah forbid wearing the clothing of the opposite gender?
   22:5 – It leads to immorality.
7. Why does the Torah link the mitzvah of sending away the mother-bird with the mitzvah of making a railing on the roof of your house?
   22:8 – To teach that one mitzvah leads to another, and to prosperity.
8. When is it permitted to wear wool and linen?
   22:12 – Wool tzitzit on a linen garment.
9. What three things happen to a man who falsely slanders his bride?
   22:18 – He receives lashes, pays a fine of 100 silver selah, and may never divorce her against her will.
10. Although the Egyptians enslaved the Jewish People, the Torah allows marriage with their third-generation converts. Why?
    23:8 – Because they hosted Yaakov and his family during the famine.
11. Why is causing someone to sin worse than killing him?
    23:9 – Murder takes away life in this world, while causing someone to sin takes away his life in the World to Come.
12. If one charges interest to his fellow Jew, how many commandments has he transgressed?
    23:21 – Three; two negative commandments and a positive commandment.
13. What is the groom’s special obligation to his bride during their first year together?
    24:5 – To gladden her.
14. When is a groom required to fight in a non-obligatory war?
    24:5 – When he remarries his ex-wife.
15. What type of object may one not take as collateral?
    24:6 – Utensils used to prepare food.

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz’l

חודש אלול – מעשה במרן זצ"ל בענין שמיעת מוזיקה

כתב מרן רבינו עובדיה יוסף זצ"ל: חסד גדול עשה ה’ יתברך עם עמו ישראל, כאשר גילה להם, כי יום המשפט הוא יום א’ בתשרי. (כי באמת, גם אומות העולם נדונים ביום זה, אבל אין להם ידיעה על כך, ולכן אינם מתכוננים כראוי ליום זה, ומפסידים טובה הרבה). וכמו שנאמר בתהלים, "תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר בַּכֵּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ, כִּי חֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא מִשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב". כי בנוהג שבעולם, מי שעבר על החוק, ונתפס אצל שוטר והלה יקחהו באופן מיידי לפני שופט, להשפט בצורה מהירה, הלא קרוב לודאי שלא יוכל להתמודד מול האשמות שהוא מואשם בהן. מה שאין כן אילו תנתן לו האפשרות לדעת את מועד המשפט, ויוכל להתמודד ולהתיעץ עם עורך דין טוב, בכדי שידע מה לטעון במשפט ומי יסנגר עליו, שאז בודאי יש תקוה שיוכל לצאת זכאי במשפטו.

כמו כן אנו, מיום ראש חודש אלול, מריעים בשופר וקמים לסליחות ומתכוננים ליום הדין שאומרים בו הרת עולם היום יעמיד במשפט כל יצורי עולם, ואז מתחילים גם כן לומר בתפילה, המלך הקדוש, המלך המשפט, ובאלול אנו מתכוננים כראוי להכין פרקליטים גדולים לפני הקדוש ברוך הוא, ואלו הם פרקליטיו של אדם, תורה ומצוות ומעשים טובים (שבת לב.), ובתוספתא אמרו, צדקה וגמילות חסדים, פרקליטים גדולים הם בין ישראל לאביהם שבשמים. וכן שנינו באבות, כל העושה לו מצוה אחת, קונה לו פרקליט אחד. ואם הפרקליט הוא גיבור ואיש מלחמה, כגון שהוא נוצר מפי תלמיד חכם העוסק בתורה, בודאי שאז אותם המקטרגים לא יהיו אלא כשועלים קטנים מחבלים כרמים, שגערה אחת מאת סנגור כזה תשתק את כולם. וכמו שאנו אומרים בסליחות, חתום פה שטן ואל ישטין עלינו, ויעמוד מלאך ומליץ טוב בעדינו, הוא יגיד יושרנו. הרי פתח רחב להוציא אותנו זכאים לפני ה’ יתברך, וכמו שאמרו במסכת ראש השנה, על הפסוק, כי מי גוי גדול אשר לו אלקים קרובים אליו, כה’ אלקינו בכל קראנו אליו.

רבינו האר"י ז"ל כתב בשער הפסוקים, על הפסוק העוסק בבריחת הרוצח לעיר מקלט, ששם לא יאונה לו כל רע, וכפי שנאמר "אנה לידו ושמתי לך" (מקום אשר ינוס שמה). ראשי תיבות "אלול", לרמוז כי חודש אלול ניתן לתשובה, ושב ורפא לו. והכל צריכים לחזור בתשובה, וכן אמרו על הפסוק: ומל ה’ אלהיך "את לבבך ואת לבב" זרעך, ראשי תיבות אלול, לרמוז על הבא ליטהר, מסייעין אותו. ובפרט בענין התשובה שהקדוש ברוך הוא אמר לישראל, פתחו לי פתח כחודו של מחט, ואני אפתח לכם פתח כפתחו של אולם. וזוהי הסיעתא דשמיא לחזור בתשובה.

ועוד נרמז חודש אלול בפסוק, ומשלוח מנות "איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים", ראשי תיבות אלול. כי זהו הזמן הראוי ביותר למצות הצדקה, שמכפרת עוון. וכמו שאמרו במדרש, הקרבנות אין מכפרים אלא על השוגג, והצדקה מכפרת בין על השוגג ובין על המזיד.

בימי חודש אלול, על האדם להתבונן ולעשות חשבון נפש עם עצמו, להתחזק בעבודת ה’. ואפילו מי שזכה לעבוד את ה’ כראוי, עליו להתחזק ביתר שאת בימים אלה, ברצינות גדולה ובריכוז, כדי שלא יאבד ימים יקרים אלה.

ומעשה היה, לפני כשש שנים, שנסע מרן זצוק"ל ברכבו לאיזה שיעור תורני, ובשעת הנסיעה רצה הנהג שלו להסב לו קורת רוח, לכן הפעיל "דיסק" עם מוזיקה ייחודית שמרן זצ"ל היה אוהב לשמוע. פנה אליו מרן זצ"ל בנעימות וביקש ממנו שיכבה את המוזיקה, מהרי ימים אלה הם ימי חודש אלול!!! ישמע חכם ויוסף לקח!

The Month of Elul

Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l writes that Hashem bestowed a great kindness upon his Jewish nation by revealing to them that the Day of Judgment is on the First of Tishrei (for in truth, the other nations of the world are also judged on this day, but since they do not know about this, they do not prepare themselves accordingly and they miss out on a substantial benefit), as the verse states, “Blow the Shofar on the [new] month, on the designated day of our festival. For it is a statute for Israel, a [day of] judgment for the G-d of Yaakov.” Usually, if one breaks the law and is caught by a police officer, if the officer takes him immediately in front of a judge to be judged in a swift manner, it is almost certain that the defendant will not be able to cope with the charges being leveled against him. If, however, he is made known of the court-date and given the chance to meet with and seek adequate legal counsel and know who will represent him in court, he surely has hope to be found innocent in his case.

Similarly, from the day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, we begin blowing the Shofar and waking up early in the morning to recite Selichot (prayer service for atonement) in preparation for the Day of Judgment when we will proclaim, “Today is the world’s birthday; today He shall make [everyone] stand for judgment, all creations of the world,” and is likewise the day we begin to recite “Ha’Melech Ha’Kadosh” and “Ha’Melech Ha’Mishpat” in our prayers. During Elul, we prepare great “attorneys” before Hashem; one’s “attorneys” are Torah, Mitzvot, and worthy deeds (Shabbat 32a). The Tosefta states, “Charity and acts of kindness are great defenders between Israel and their Father in Heaven.” We have also learned in Pirkei Avot, “One who performs one Mitzvah acquires for himself one defending attorney.” If the defender is strong and mighty, such as one formed by a Torah scholar who delves in Torah, certainly the other prosecuting angels will only be like small foxes in comparison and one roar from the defending angel shall be sufficient to silence them all. As we say in Selichot, “Seal the mouth of Satan so that he may not prosecute us; may a good-speaking advisor stand up for us and speak of our righteousness.” This is a tremendous opportunity to allow us be found innocent in the eyes of Hashem, as the Gemara in Rosh Hashanah expounds the verse, “For who is a great nation that has a God who is close to him, like Hashem our G-d [who is close to us] whenever we call him.”

Rabbeinu HaAri z”l writes in his Sha’ar Ha’Pesukim regarding the verse which deals with the fleeing of a murderer to a City of Refuge where no harm will befall him, as the verse states (in Hebrew), “Eenah Le’Yado VeSamti Lecha,” which is the acronym of “Elul.” This hints to us that Elul is the month of repentance and if one returns, he shall be healed. All must repent, as the verse states, “U’mal Hashem Elokecha Et Levavecha Ve’et Levav Zar’echa,” which is likewise an acronym of “Elul,” to hint that if one comes to purify himself, he is aided from Above. This is especially so regarding repentance about which Hashem tells the Jewish nation, “Open for me like the opening of a needle and I shall open for you like the opening of a hall.” This refers to the Heavenly assistance offered to repent.

The word “Elul” is also hinted in the verse, “U’mishloach Manot Ish Le’Re’ehu U’Matanot La’Evyonim,” to teach us that this is the most opportune time to fulfill the Mitzvah of charity, which atones for sins. As the Midrash tells us, “Offerings atone only for sins performed unknowingly, but charity atones for sins performed knowingly or unknowingly.”

During the month of Elul, one must carry out self-introspection and strengthen one’s self in the service of Hashem. Even one who serves Hashem properly must strengthen himself even more during these days amid much seriousness and focus so as not to lose out on these precious days.

An incident once occurred approximately six years ago when Maran zt”l was on his way to deliver a Torah class. His personal driver wanted Maran to relax and enjoy himself a little so he turned on a CD of special music that Maran enjoyed. Maran zt”l turned to the driver and pleasantly requested that he turn off the music, for we are in the midst of the month of Elul!

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During the week

Shiurim in our Bet Hakeneset

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Announcements

This week is

Shabbat Vaetchanan

&

Shabbat Nachamu

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Aseret Hadiberot

Standing or sitting?

http://www.darkeabotenou.com/

‘Aseret haDiberot – The Ten Utterances

It is the minhag of all Jews from North Africa, as well as our brothers, the Ashkenazim, to stand up during the reading of the ‘aseret hadiberot on Shavu’ot, Parashat Yitro, and Perashat va-Ethanan.[1] Ribi Shalom Messas zt”l[2] writes that we stand in order to stir feelings of fear and trepidation, as we felt at Har Sinai. However, this minhag has been disputed amongst some halachic authorities.

The Gemara (Berachot 12a) relates that at sunrise, the Kohanim would call out the ‘aseret hadiberot together with the shema’:

“Ribi Yehuda said in the name of Shemuel: They even wanted to call out the ‘aseret hadiberot by the borders, but this decree was nullified because of the claims of the heretics (Qaraim). Rashi explains that they were worried that the heretics will tell the ignoramus that the reason they call out only the ‘aseret hadiberot and the shema’ is because they only read out what Hashem told us from His “mouth” at Har Sinai, whilst the rest of the Torah is not true.”

Following this line of reasoning, Rambam zt”l[3] writes not to stand for the ‘aseret hadiberot because the heretics will claim, “we only attribute importance to these ten misvot as they are the only ones that are true; the rest of the Torah is not true,” has veshalom. E”H Hacham ‘Ovadia Yosef s”t[4] and e”H Hakham Yishaq Yosef s”t[5] share the opinion that we should not stand during the ‘aseret hadiberot as per Rambam’s response. Yemenite Jews, along with those of ‘Edot haMizrah (Middle Eastern communities), also do not have the minhag to stand during the reading of the ‘aseret hadiberot.[6] However, this minhag existed even before Rambam and the question is: Why did Rambam make such a decree against it? And why do the majority of Jews today continue to follow this minhag, which seemingly contradicts Rambam’s pesaq?

The reason we continue to follow this minhag, is because the heretics back then at the time of the Rambam were much different then the heretics of today because the heretics of today do not make any such claims.[7] Ribi Shalom Messas zt”l[8] is also of this opinion and explains further that whether we were to remain seated or we stood during the ‘aseret hadiberot it would not change the perception of the heretics; either way they would find ways to deny the Torah. Also, it is clear that since we continue to read the remainder of the Perasha – and not solely the ‘aseret hadiberot – there is no reason to worry about such claims.[9] Furthermore, Maran haHida zt”l[10] explains that since we make berachot before and after each ‘aliya laTorah – and not just the ‘aliya of the ‘aseret hadiberot – we have no worry that the heretics will make a claim that the rest of the Torah is untrue. However, Maran haHida zt”l[11] cautions us to stand from the beginning of the ‘aliya in order to show that we stand for other pesuqim as well. He also adds that it is very important that if the majority of the qahal (congregation) is standing, one should NOT sit, as this shows as if they are belittling the ‘aseret hadiberot, h“v. Nonetheless, Ribi Yishaq Hazan zt”l[12], Ribi Yossef Messas zt”l[13], and Ribi Refael Berdugo zt”l[14] all say that the common minhag is to stand only once we reach the ‘aseret hadiberot for we are not concerned about the claims of the heretics.

Summary: There are posqim, such as Rambam zt”l and e”H Hakham ‘Ovadia Yosef s”t, who prohibit standing during ‘aseret hadiberot for fear of the heretics’ claims. The majority of posqim are not concerned with these heretics’ claims for various reasons and thus permit standing. Each one should follow the minhag of the synagogue regarding which point to stand.