This week’s Parsha Preview is co-dedicated to the refuah of the following people:
Men
Dov Ber Ben Yehudit, Reuven Mordechai Ben Chana Batya, Menachem Mendel Ben Faigie Ruchel, Gilon Chaim Ben Yonit, Ofek Ben Tali, Shimon Ben Miriam, Avraham Moshe Ben Miriam Tova, Baruch Kalman Ben Leiben Jacobs, Mendel Ber Ben Sarah, Aharon Ben Tamar, Shmuel Baruch Ben Golda.
Women
Meira Bat Sarah, Natalie Bat Sarah. Sarah Bat Channah, Chana Leah Bat Esther, Kreindel Bat Esther, Kreynah Leah Bat Rachel, Simcha Bat Mazel, Sara Bat Hodda, Kyla Chaya Bat Sarah Polson, Leiba Bat Devorah Esther, Tova Rochel Bat Chaya and Yocheved Yaakovite bat Leah.
May Hashem grant them all a speedy recovery and a complete healing.
Daven for the release of Gilad Shalit-Gilad Ben Aviva-may Hashem bring him home safe and sound. If you asked to have someone put on the refuah list please update me on how these people are doing. If you would like to add someone to the list please send me an e-mail parshapreview@gmail.com
Once again, you can have this Parshah Preview dedicated in honour or memory of a loved one, you can ask for a refuah or simply acknowledge a milestone. It does not cost a thing all you have to do is ask. There is a tremendous zechut (benefit/reward) to have someone learn on your behalf.
Join my blog @ http://parshapreview.blogspot.com/2010/10/yitzis-parsha-preview-%20Vayeitzei.html%20
or
Join my facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124915804223995
Happy Birthday to:
Inga Biniashvili, Thursday, November 11, 2010
Orly Salter. Thursday, November 11, 2010
Leslie Brown, Saturday, November 13, 2010
“Ad Meyah Vesrim Shannah”
Parshah Vayeitzei - Genesis 28:10-32:3
Torah Reading for Week of November 7-13, 2010 - Cheshvan 30-Kislev 6, 5771
Candle Lighting for Toronto is 4:37 P.M.
Candle Lighting for Thornhill is 4:37 P.M.
Number Of Mitzvot in Parshat Vayeitzei: 0
0 Mitzvot Aseh (Positive Commandments)
0 Mitzvot Lo Taaseh (Negative Commandments-Prohibitions)
Haftora: Additional portion, from Prophets, which is read after the Parsha)
Hoshea 12:13-14:10 (Ashkenazim);
Hoshea 11:7-12:12 (Sepharadim);
Hoshea 11:7-13:5 (Sepharadim)
New Torah Webinar
Every Wednesday evening starting at 8:00 P.M. via Skype-Torah direct to you in the comfort of your home. The shiur is ½ hour long I will be looking at the Parsha of the week, some Mussar (Jewish Ethical Teachings) and the halochot (Jewish Law) pertaining to Shabbat.. If you would like to participate please email me with your Skype contact details and I will add you as a contact and call you for the seminar @ parshapreview@gmail.com or add me on Skype @ Yitz007 or “Yitzchak Alloul”.
Presidential Dreams
Mahmoud Ahmedinijad, Iran's latest President, called George W. Bush on the phone late one night.
"I've had a remarkable dream, Mr. Bush", he said, "and it's something you should know about."
"Well Mr. Mindinajar, what was your dream all about?", queried the President.
"I dreamed that the USA had gone through an enlightening reformation", he said, "and in front of every house was a huge banner."
"That's intriguing, Mr. Mindinajar. Tell me, what did it say on these banners?", asked Bush.
"They all said the same thing: Allah is God, Allah is great", stated Mahmoud, as if he could taste victory.
"It's quite odd that you should call me about a dream, as I had one the other night as well", said Bush.
"And what was your dream about, Mr Bush?
"I dreamed that Iran had gone through a reformation as well, and on every house was a flagpole."
"So, what was on the flags?", asked the Iranian.
"I have no idea", said Bush, "I can't read Hebrew."
The Torah Reading on Shabbat day is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya (meaning to go up) since for each Aliya, one person "goes up" to make a bracha on the Torah Reading. We invite the Cohen first, followed by a Levite who then in turn is followed by an Israelite. When a Cohen is not in attendance we call an Israelite in their place, if a Levite is not in attendance then the same Cohen is called in their place.
Parsha Summary – Parshah Vayeitzei
Yaakov experiences the famed prophecy of "Yaakov’s Ladder".
Yaakov arrives in Charan, encounters Rachel, and contracts with Lavan for her hand in marriage.
Lavan switches Leah for Rachel forcing Yaakov to negotiate another 7 years of service for Rachel. Leah gives birth to Reuven, Shimon, Levi, and Yehudah. Rachel marries off Bilhah to Yaakov who gives birth to Dan and Naftoli. Leah marries off Zilpah to Yaakov, and she gives birth to Gad and Asher.
Rachel contracts with Leah for Reuven's mandrakes, after which Leah gives birth to Yisachar and Zevulen. Rachel finally gives birth to Yoseph, and Yaakov approaches Lavan to negotiate a proper salary for continued service.
Yaakov's uses his vast knowledge of nature and husbandry to amass a fortune in sheep and cattle. After 6 years he decides with Rachel and Leah to flee from Lavan.
They flee and Lavan catches them. Hashem intervenes and Yaakov, while confronting Lavan for his years of duplicity, unwittingly curses Rachel.
Yaakov and Lavan separate and Yakov arrives at the border of Canaan in 2205.
Parshah Vayeitzei
A Ladder Is a Perfect Representation of the Jewish People
The pasuk [verse] says, "And Yaakov left Beer Sheva and he went to Charan..." Yaakov had a dream about a ladder whose feet were on the earth and which stretched all the way up to the heaven.
The Medrash says that when the verse refers to the ladder "emplanted on the earth" it refers to the fact that Yaakov was (prophetically) shown Korach about whom it is written, "and the earth opened its mouth (to swallow Korach)". The Medrash goes on to say that when the pasuk says that the head of the ladder reached the heaven, it refers to the fact that Yaakov was (prophetcially) shown Moshe about whom it is written "Come up to HaShem [G-d] (in Heaven)."
What does this Medrash mean? Rav Mordechai Ilan comments that what G-d showed Yaakov was the essence of the nation who would descend from him. Klal Yisrael is like a ladder.
The Talmud in Megilah says, "This nation is compared to the dust and compared to the stars -- when they go down they descend to the dust; but when they go up they ascend all the way to Heaven."
A ladder is the perfect representation of the Jewish people. No one ever remains standing on a ladder. It is either used to go up or to go down. People sit on chairs, on sofas, or beds. Those are pieces of furniture used for stationary positioning. Nobody ever uses a ladder for simply standing.
That is what the Jewish People are all about. We are a nation that cannot remain stagnant. Either we will ascend and achieve wondrous heights or we will go in the opposite direction -- to the dust!
This is what the Medrash means by saying that G-d showed Korach and Moshe to Yaakov. They were the two ends of the spectrum. On the one hand there was a person who was consumed with jealousy and what was his end? "The earth opened its mouth..." Because he was not ascending, he descended to the greatest depths possible. On the other hand, there was a Moshe Rabbeinu [our teacher], who demonstrated the far outer limits of what a human being is capable of achieving.
There is no standing in the middle. Stagnation itself is descent. Klal Yisrael (and indeed life in general) is a ladder with feet on the ground and the top reaching toward the heavens. It is up to the individual to decide which direction he will be heading -- up toward Heaven or down to the greatest depths. This was the dream that G-d showed Yaakov about his future nation.
Halacha of the Week
Please note that the Halachot discussed here are according to Sephardic Tradition as outlined by The Maran Shulchan Aruch. This is just a summary and in no way deemed as a Halachic ruling. Please contact your local Orthodox Rabbi for help.
I will be reviewing the laws concerning Shabbat observance.
Reheating Solid Food With Some Liquid on Shabbat
The Shulhan Aruch, in a famous ruling, distinguishes between solid and liquid foods with regard to the permissibility of reheating on Shabbat. When it comes to liquids, the Shulhan Aruch rules that “Yesh Bishul Ahar Bishul,” which means that once a liquid food has cooled, reheating it constitutes cooking and is forbidden. It is therefore forbidden to reheat cold liquid food on Shabbat in any manner. With respect to solids, however, the Shulhan Aruch maintains that “En Bishul Ahar Bishul,” meaning, the food cannot be “cooked” twice. Even after the cooked food has cooled, reheating it does not constitute a new “cooking.” It is therefore permissible to reheat solid foods on Shabbat over a covered flame or hotplate. Common examples of such food include rice and Kugel.
The authorities debate the question of whether or not one may reheat on Shabbat food that is mainly solid, but has some liquid, as well. It must be clarified that we do not refer here to foods that contain liquid inside; nearly all foods have some water inside them. We refer here to a situation such as a roast which is a solid food but has some gravy sitting on the bottom of the pot. This question depends on how one interprets a certain passage in the Bet Yosef, as well as the correct text of the passage in question. In short, the Minhat Kohen, based on his interpretation of the Bet Yosef, held that a food which is primarily solid has the status of a solid food with respect to this Halacha. Even though it contains some liquid, the food’s status is determined by the majority, and therefore it may be reheated on Shabbat despite the presence of some liquid. It is recorded that the practice in Jerusalem was to follow this ruling.
Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Yehave Da’at, accepts this lenient position of the Minhat Kohen and allows reheating on Shabbat food that contains some liquid. Interestingly, in a recorded public lecture, Hacham Ovadia appeared to express some ambivalence on the matter, and many understood that he rescinded the ruling issued in Yehave Da’at. But in a later publication (Yabia Omer, vol. 9), Hacham Ovadia clarified that he did not retract his ruling, and that he indeed permits warming such foods on Shabbat. He does, however, add that those who are stringent are “worthy of blessing,” as they satisfy all opinions. This point is made by Hacham Ovadia’s son, Hacham Yishak Yosef, in Yalkut Yosef. Strictly speaking, though, according to Hacham Ovadia, Halacha follows the lenient view of the Minhat Kohen.
Other authorities, however, disagreed. Hacham Ben Tzion Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998), for example, ruled stringently on this issue and maintained that one may not reheat liquid under any circumstances, even if the liquid constitutes the minority of a food which is mainly solid.
As for the final Halacha, those who have a non-Jewish housekeeper working on Shabbat should preferably ask the housekeeper to place such a food on the Blech or hotplate, rather than doing so themselves. This is permissible according to all views. Those who do not have a non-Jew working in their homes may reheat food that contains some liquid, though it is preferable to be stringent in this regard.
Shabbat Shalom Umevorach-A peaceful and Blessed Shabbat
Yitzchak Alloul
Men
Dov Ber Ben Yehudit, Reuven Mordechai Ben Chana Batya, Menachem Mendel Ben Faigie Ruchel, Gilon Chaim Ben Yonit, Ofek Ben Tali, Shimon Ben Miriam, Avraham Moshe Ben Miriam Tova, Baruch Kalman Ben Leiben Jacobs, Mendel Ber Ben Sarah, Aharon Ben Tamar, Shmuel Baruch Ben Golda.
Women
Meira Bat Sarah, Natalie Bat Sarah. Sarah Bat Channah, Chana Leah Bat Esther, Kreindel Bat Esther, Kreynah Leah Bat Rachel, Simcha Bat Mazel, Sara Bat Hodda, Kyla Chaya Bat Sarah Polson, Leiba Bat Devorah Esther, Tova Rochel Bat Chaya and Yocheved Yaakovite bat Leah.
May Hashem grant them all a speedy recovery and a complete healing.
Daven for the release of Gilad Shalit-Gilad Ben Aviva-may Hashem bring him home safe and sound. If you asked to have someone put on the refuah list please update me on how these people are doing. If you would like to add someone to the list please send me an e-mail parshapreview@gmail.com
Once again, you can have this Parshah Preview dedicated in honour or memory of a loved one, you can ask for a refuah or simply acknowledge a milestone. It does not cost a thing all you have to do is ask. There is a tremendous zechut (benefit/reward) to have someone learn on your behalf.
Join my blog @ http://parshapreview.blogspot.com/2010/10/yitzis-parsha-preview-%20Vayeitzei.html%20
or
Join my facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124915804223995
Happy Birthday to:
Inga Biniashvili, Thursday, November 11, 2010
Orly Salter. Thursday, November 11, 2010
Leslie Brown, Saturday, November 13, 2010
“Ad Meyah Vesrim Shannah”
Parshah Vayeitzei - Genesis 28:10-32:3
Torah Reading for Week of November 7-13, 2010 - Cheshvan 30-Kislev 6, 5771
Candle Lighting for Toronto is 4:37 P.M.
Candle Lighting for Thornhill is 4:37 P.M.
Number Of Mitzvot in Parshat Vayeitzei: 0
0 Mitzvot Aseh (Positive Commandments)
0 Mitzvot Lo Taaseh (Negative Commandments-Prohibitions)
Haftora: Additional portion, from Prophets, which is read after the Parsha)
Hoshea 12:13-14:10 (Ashkenazim);
Hoshea 11:7-12:12 (Sepharadim);
Hoshea 11:7-13:5 (Sepharadim)
New Torah Webinar
Every Wednesday evening starting at 8:00 P.M. via Skype-Torah direct to you in the comfort of your home. The shiur is ½ hour long I will be looking at the Parsha of the week, some Mussar (Jewish Ethical Teachings) and the halochot (Jewish Law) pertaining to Shabbat.. If you would like to participate please email me with your Skype contact details and I will add you as a contact and call you for the seminar @ parshapreview@gmail.com or add me on Skype @ Yitz007 or “Yitzchak Alloul”.
Presidential Dreams
Mahmoud Ahmedinijad, Iran's latest President, called George W. Bush on the phone late one night.
"I've had a remarkable dream, Mr. Bush", he said, "and it's something you should know about."
"Well Mr. Mindinajar, what was your dream all about?", queried the President.
"I dreamed that the USA had gone through an enlightening reformation", he said, "and in front of every house was a huge banner."
"That's intriguing, Mr. Mindinajar. Tell me, what did it say on these banners?", asked Bush.
"They all said the same thing: Allah is God, Allah is great", stated Mahmoud, as if he could taste victory.
"It's quite odd that you should call me about a dream, as I had one the other night as well", said Bush.
"And what was your dream about, Mr Bush?
"I dreamed that Iran had gone through a reformation as well, and on every house was a flagpole."
"So, what was on the flags?", asked the Iranian.
"I have no idea", said Bush, "I can't read Hebrew."
The Torah Reading on Shabbat day is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya (meaning to go up) since for each Aliya, one person "goes up" to make a bracha on the Torah Reading. We invite the Cohen first, followed by a Levite who then in turn is followed by an Israelite. When a Cohen is not in attendance we call an Israelite in their place, if a Levite is not in attendance then the same Cohen is called in their place.
Parsha Summary – Parshah Vayeitzei
Yaakov experiences the famed prophecy of "Yaakov’s Ladder".
Yaakov arrives in Charan, encounters Rachel, and contracts with Lavan for her hand in marriage.
Lavan switches Leah for Rachel forcing Yaakov to negotiate another 7 years of service for Rachel. Leah gives birth to Reuven, Shimon, Levi, and Yehudah. Rachel marries off Bilhah to Yaakov who gives birth to Dan and Naftoli. Leah marries off Zilpah to Yaakov, and she gives birth to Gad and Asher.
Rachel contracts with Leah for Reuven's mandrakes, after which Leah gives birth to Yisachar and Zevulen. Rachel finally gives birth to Yoseph, and Yaakov approaches Lavan to negotiate a proper salary for continued service.
Yaakov's uses his vast knowledge of nature and husbandry to amass a fortune in sheep and cattle. After 6 years he decides with Rachel and Leah to flee from Lavan.
They flee and Lavan catches them. Hashem intervenes and Yaakov, while confronting Lavan for his years of duplicity, unwittingly curses Rachel.
Yaakov and Lavan separate and Yakov arrives at the border of Canaan in 2205.
Parshah Vayeitzei
A Ladder Is a Perfect Representation of the Jewish People
The pasuk [verse] says, "And Yaakov left Beer Sheva and he went to Charan..." Yaakov had a dream about a ladder whose feet were on the earth and which stretched all the way up to the heaven.
The Medrash says that when the verse refers to the ladder "emplanted on the earth" it refers to the fact that Yaakov was (prophetically) shown Korach about whom it is written, "and the earth opened its mouth (to swallow Korach)". The Medrash goes on to say that when the pasuk says that the head of the ladder reached the heaven, it refers to the fact that Yaakov was (prophetcially) shown Moshe about whom it is written "Come up to HaShem [G-d] (in Heaven)."
What does this Medrash mean? Rav Mordechai Ilan comments that what G-d showed Yaakov was the essence of the nation who would descend from him. Klal Yisrael is like a ladder.
The Talmud in Megilah says, "This nation is compared to the dust and compared to the stars -- when they go down they descend to the dust; but when they go up they ascend all the way to Heaven."
A ladder is the perfect representation of the Jewish people. No one ever remains standing on a ladder. It is either used to go up or to go down. People sit on chairs, on sofas, or beds. Those are pieces of furniture used for stationary positioning. Nobody ever uses a ladder for simply standing.
That is what the Jewish People are all about. We are a nation that cannot remain stagnant. Either we will ascend and achieve wondrous heights or we will go in the opposite direction -- to the dust!
This is what the Medrash means by saying that G-d showed Korach and Moshe to Yaakov. They were the two ends of the spectrum. On the one hand there was a person who was consumed with jealousy and what was his end? "The earth opened its mouth..." Because he was not ascending, he descended to the greatest depths possible. On the other hand, there was a Moshe Rabbeinu [our teacher], who demonstrated the far outer limits of what a human being is capable of achieving.
There is no standing in the middle. Stagnation itself is descent. Klal Yisrael (and indeed life in general) is a ladder with feet on the ground and the top reaching toward the heavens. It is up to the individual to decide which direction he will be heading -- up toward Heaven or down to the greatest depths. This was the dream that G-d showed Yaakov about his future nation.
Halacha of the Week
Please note that the Halachot discussed here are according to Sephardic Tradition as outlined by The Maran Shulchan Aruch. This is just a summary and in no way deemed as a Halachic ruling. Please contact your local Orthodox Rabbi for help.
I will be reviewing the laws concerning Shabbat observance.
Reheating Solid Food With Some Liquid on Shabbat
The Shulhan Aruch, in a famous ruling, distinguishes between solid and liquid foods with regard to the permissibility of reheating on Shabbat. When it comes to liquids, the Shulhan Aruch rules that “Yesh Bishul Ahar Bishul,” which means that once a liquid food has cooled, reheating it constitutes cooking and is forbidden. It is therefore forbidden to reheat cold liquid food on Shabbat in any manner. With respect to solids, however, the Shulhan Aruch maintains that “En Bishul Ahar Bishul,” meaning, the food cannot be “cooked” twice. Even after the cooked food has cooled, reheating it does not constitute a new “cooking.” It is therefore permissible to reheat solid foods on Shabbat over a covered flame or hotplate. Common examples of such food include rice and Kugel.
The authorities debate the question of whether or not one may reheat on Shabbat food that is mainly solid, but has some liquid, as well. It must be clarified that we do not refer here to foods that contain liquid inside; nearly all foods have some water inside them. We refer here to a situation such as a roast which is a solid food but has some gravy sitting on the bottom of the pot. This question depends on how one interprets a certain passage in the Bet Yosef, as well as the correct text of the passage in question. In short, the Minhat Kohen, based on his interpretation of the Bet Yosef, held that a food which is primarily solid has the status of a solid food with respect to this Halacha. Even though it contains some liquid, the food’s status is determined by the majority, and therefore it may be reheated on Shabbat despite the presence of some liquid. It is recorded that the practice in Jerusalem was to follow this ruling.
Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Yehave Da’at, accepts this lenient position of the Minhat Kohen and allows reheating on Shabbat food that contains some liquid. Interestingly, in a recorded public lecture, Hacham Ovadia appeared to express some ambivalence on the matter, and many understood that he rescinded the ruling issued in Yehave Da’at. But in a later publication (Yabia Omer, vol. 9), Hacham Ovadia clarified that he did not retract his ruling, and that he indeed permits warming such foods on Shabbat. He does, however, add that those who are stringent are “worthy of blessing,” as they satisfy all opinions. This point is made by Hacham Ovadia’s son, Hacham Yishak Yosef, in Yalkut Yosef. Strictly speaking, though, according to Hacham Ovadia, Halacha follows the lenient view of the Minhat Kohen.
Other authorities, however, disagreed. Hacham Ben Tzion Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998), for example, ruled stringently on this issue and maintained that one may not reheat liquid under any circumstances, even if the liquid constitutes the minority of a food which is mainly solid.
As for the final Halacha, those who have a non-Jewish housekeeper working on Shabbat should preferably ask the housekeeper to place such a food on the Blech or hotplate, rather than doing so themselves. This is permissible according to all views. Those who do not have a non-Jew working in their homes may reheat food that contains some liquid, though it is preferable to be stringent in this regard.
Shabbat Shalom Umevorach-A peaceful and Blessed Shabbat
Yitzchak Alloul
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