Tue Jul 3 '07 - 17 Tammuz 5767

• Verse (Posuk) of the day
  And the word of G-d of hosts came unto me, saying: Thus said G-d of hosts, the fast of the fourth month (17th of Tamuz), and the fast of the fifth (9th of Av), and the fast of the seventh (3rd of Tishrei), and the fast of the tenth (10th of Teveth), shall be to the house of Judah, to joy and gladness, and cheerful seasons, only if you love truth and peace. (Zechariah Chapter 8:19)
  
  
• Gemara (Talmud or Midrash) of the day
  Five things happened to our ancestors on the 17th day of Tamuz and 5 on the 9th day of Av. On the 17th of Tamuz 1)the tablets (the 1st two Luchos of the 10 commandments) were broken, 2)the Kurban Tumid (which was sacrificed on the altar every morning & evening) was abolished 3)the city (Jerusalem, under siege from the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar) was penetrated 4)Apostomus (commissioner of Antiochus) burned the Torah (at the narrow pass of Lydda or in Tarlosa, see Jerusalem Talmud Taanit 23b) 5)An idol was erected in the Temple. On the 9th of Av 1)a decree was issued on our ancestors (after the return of the Twelve spies-Meraglim) that they will not enter the (promised) land (Israel) 2-3)the 1st & 2nd temple were destroyed 4)The city of Betar was killed (after the fail of the Bar Kokhba revolt) 5)the city (Jerusalem) was plowed. (This fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 3:12) (Mishnah Taanit, 4:6)
  
  
• Character Trait (Middah) of the day
  The Netziv dramatically expands the understanding of the sinas chinam which caused the churban. He says that the hate was not limited to those who "wronged" a person. Rather, it extended to those who served Hashem differently. If one would see a halachic leniency, he would brand it heresy, and distance himself from that person. He would then mistakenly justify attacking that person, even to the point of murder.
  The Netziv laments that such internal hatred within the observant community existed in his time (the late nineteenth century) as well. Hating someone who "wronged" us is necessarily limited. With how many people can we fight over money or honor? But if we hate those who differ with us on matters of halacha or hashkafa, the sinas chinam is unlimited. Unfortunately, Orthodox individuals and communities with different halachic practices and/or ideologies are still guilty of this type of sinas chinam, which is preventing the ge’ula. (Meishiv Davar 1:44)
  
  
• Quote of the day
  Rend your hearts, not your garments (Joel 2:13) (repentance is the main ingredient for Teshuva, not the torn sackcloth’s)
  
  
• Halacha (Jewish Law) of the day
  We are obligated to fast on Tisha B'Av {ninth of the month of Av}, and on the seventeenth of Tammuz and on the third of Tishrei and on the tenth on Tevet because of the bad things which occurred on them.
  Even though it says in the pasuk: "On the fourth month, on the ninth of the month, the city was breached" {Jeremiah 39,2}, we do not fast on the ninth of it {Tamuz}, rather [we fast] on the seventeenth, because even though for the [destruction of the] first [temple] it was breached on the ninth, since for the second [temple] it was breached on the seventeenth of it, they determined to fast on the seventeenth of it, because the destruction of the second temple is harsher for us. (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, 549:1-2)

Mon Jul 2 '07 - 16 Tammuz 5767

• Verse (Posuk) of the day
  The gathering and praise of the Jewish nation
  At that time will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you, for I will make you to be a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I turn your captivity before your eyes, said G-d. (Zephaniah 3:20)
  
  
• Gemara (Talmud or Midrash) of the day
  Standing ground without being biased
  There was one young scholar who had a bad reputation (rumors were circulating that he was an adulterer). Rabbi Yehudah said: What shall we do regarding this case? Shall we excommunicate (Cherem) him? The rabbis need him (he was a teacher). Shall we not? The name of Heaven will be profaned. He asked Rabbah bar bar Chanah: Did you hear anything about such a case? He answered him: Rabbi Yochanan said: "It is written [Malachi 2:7]: The kohen's lips safeguards knowledge and people seek Torah from his mouth, for he is like an angel of Hashem. That means: If the teacher resembles an angel, Torah may be sought from his mouth, but not otherwise. Thereupon Rabbi Yehudah excommunicated him. Subsequently, Rabbi Yehudah was taken ill and the rabbis made him a sick-call, among whom was also that young scholar. When Rabbi Yehudah saw him, he laughed. He said to Rabbi Yehudah: Is it not enough that you excommunicated me, you still laugh at me? Rabbi Yehudah answered him: I do not laugh at you, but in the World to Come I will be proud to say that I was not biased even towards so great a man as you. (Tractate Moed Katan 17a)
  
  
• Character Trait (Middah) of the day
  Quietness
  Shimon his son (of R' Gamliel) says: All of my life I was growing up among the wise and I didn't find something more wholesome then quietness. If for the wise quietness is the best tool, how much more is it a good thing for the foolish. (Avot de-Rabbi Nathan 22:1)
  
  
• Quote of the day
  Be there for yourself, cause no one else will
  "If I am not to myself, who will be? And when I am to myself, who am I? And if not now, when?" (Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14)
  
  
• Halacha (Jewish Law) of the day
  Remembrance of the testruction of the temple
  After the destruction of the Temple, it was ordained by our Sages (may their memory be of blessing), that at every celebration there should be a reminder of the destruction, as it is says (Psalms 137:5-6): "If I forget you, O Jerusalem... If I do not raise Jerusalem over my joy". They ruled that a Jew should not build for himself a building with walls that are lime-plastered and decorated like a building of the kings, nor should he plaster all his house with lime-plaster. Rather, he should plaster his house with cement and then lime-plaster it, and leave (on a wall) one cubit by one cubit, opposite the doorway, without plaster, in order to remember the destruction. And why people don't do this now, we do not know a clear reason. (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 126:1)

Fri Jun 28 '07 - 13 Tammuz 5767

• Verse (Posuk) of the day
  Be a holy nation
  And G-d spoke unto Moses, saying: Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your G-d am holy.
  
  
• Gemara (Talmud or Midrash) of the day
  When you’re wrong, retract!
  Why are the words of Shammai & Hillel mentioned in vain (since the Scholars argued on their words of testimony in the mishna's proceeding this mishna, upon which they obviously had to retract from their misleading testimony, then why was it necessary to write down what they said before) ?
  To come to teach the future generations, that a person should not be stubborn and hold on to what he wrongly said (once the person realizes he made a mistake, he shouldn’t be embarrassed to retracted) since even the fathers of the world didn't stand by their words (as soon as they realized they were wrong, they retracted without being shy about it). (Tractate Eduyot 1:4)
  
  
• Character Trait (Middah) of the day
  What work/job should a person do & bituchan
  One who finds in his nature and charachter wishing for a particular kind of work/job and his body is suited for that work/job and he sees himself being able to carry the burden and any hardships that comes with it, that person should then go after this work/job and make this his primary cause of livlihood, and the person should bear the burden of any sweetness or bitterness that might come along the way and should not despise it when his livlihood is abstained from him throught various times, but should believe & trust Hashem that he will provide him with livlihood all of his life. (Duties of the Heart--Chovos HaLevavos Chapter 3)
  
  
• Quote of the day
  "Who is wise? He who learns from every person"
  "Who is strong? He who subdues his personal inclination"
  "Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot"
  "Who is honored? He who honors others" (ethics of the fathers 4:1)
  
  
• Halacha (Jewish Law) of the day
  Talking during prayers
  It is forbidden to engage in frivolous conversation during the reader's repetition of the prayer. And if one does talk, he is a transgressor, and his sin is too great to bear, and one should rebuke him (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 124:7)
  
  
• Did you know of the day
  Did you know that Giraffes & Buffalos are Kosher Animals?
  http://www.kashrut.com/articles/buffalo/
  http://www.kashrut.com/articles/giraffe/

Thu Jun 28 '07 - 12 Tammuz 5767

• Verse (Posuk) of the day
  Declaration of bond between G-d & Israel
  G-d did you avouched (declared, accepted) today, to be your Lord and to walk in his ways, and keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His ordinances, and hearken unto his voice. And G-d had avouched you today to be his people of treasure, as he had promised unto you, and that you should keep all his commandments. and to make you high, above all nations that he had made, in praise, and in name, and in glory; and that you may be a holy people unto G-d your Lord, as he had spoken. (Deuteronomy 26:17-19)
  
  
• Gemara (Talmud or Midrash) of the day
  How to be a disciple of Aaron
  Hillel and Shammai received the Torah from them. Hillel said: Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving your fellow creatures and bringing them close to the Torah. (Ethics Of The Fathers 1:12)
  
  
• Character Trait (Middah) of the day
  Moderation in Materialism
  There are eight things of which a little is good and much is bad: travel, mating, wealth, work, wine, sleep, hot drinks, and bloodletting. (Tractate Gittin 70a)
  
  
• Quote of the day
  Time is money?
  "The world says that time is money, but I say that money is time. In order to earn enough money to satisfy his desires, one must sacrifice inordinate amounts of time. For me, that sacrifice is too great." (Chofetz Chaim)
  
  
• Halacha (Jewish Law) of the day
  Kissing the Mezuzah
  Since the Mezuzah is intended to recall the unity of His name, blessed be He, therefore as one leaves from the entrance of one's house and one enters, one should kiss it(the Mezuzah). However, one should not place one's hand on the Mezuzah itself(the parchment. Rather, one should take care that there is a glass (covering) over G-d's name. When one leaves one's house and places one's hand on the Mezuzah, one should say: "G-d is my Guardian. G-d is my shadow on my right hand. May G-d protect my going out and returning now, and forever".[paraphrase of Psalms 121 verses 5 & 8] (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 11:24)

Wed Jun 27 '07 - 11 Tammuz 5767

• Verse (Posuk) of the day
  The hunger for the word of G-d
  Behold, the days will come, said the Lord G-d, And I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of G-d. (Amos 8:11)
  
  
• Gemara (Talmud or Midrash) of the day
  The Shechina at the Western Wall (Kotel HaMaaravi)
  "He stands behind our wall" [the Shechina, Song of songs 2:9] behind the western wall of the temple, which will never be destroyed. And it also says [Psalms 11:4]"And G-d is in his holy temple" if its destroyed or is not destroyed (it doesn't matter, the Shechina will always be there) (Yalkeit Shimoni C:2 C:986)
  "He stands behind our wall" behind the western wall of the temple, why? because Hashem made an oath to him that it will never be destroyed.(Midrash Raba Song of songs 2:26)
  Says R' Achai forever the Shechina will not move away from the western wall as it says "He stands behind our wall" [the Shechina, Song of songs 2:9] (Midrash Raba Exodus 2:2)
  (my 2 cents: This Midrash is got to strengthen your Emunah tremendously, since this is something no one could have guessed 1800 years ago, but yet here the wall is standing even after all the wars around it, see more: http://israel613.com/books/SHECHINA_KUNTRES_LEOLAM.pdf )
  
  
• Character Trait (Middah) of the day
  Being kind and friendly to all
  One should welcome every person with kindness & hospitably, how is it? If a person gives for his friends all kinds of great favors and his face is burried towards the ground, the passage looks at him as if he wouldn't have given anything, however if one welcomes his friend with kindness & hospitably even though he didn't give him anything, the passage looks at him as if he would have given him all of the greatest gifts in the world. (Avot de-Rabbi Nathan C:13 C:4)
  
  
• Quote of the day
  Kiddush or Havdalah
  "If a Jew doesn't make Kiddush (to sanctify himself by maintaining a distinctly Jewish lifestyle), then the non-Jew will make Havdalah for him (by making the Jew realize he is truly different)." (R' Chaim of Volozhin)
  
  
• Halacha (Jewish Law) of the day
  The holy lifestyle
  A man should accustom himself to increased holiness and pure thought and proper mindset, in order to prevent himself from stumbling in matters of illicit relations. And he should be warned against yichud (being alone with a forbidden relationship) because this is the major cause. And he should accustom himself to distance himself from levity (lack of appropriate seriousness, too much comedy) and drink (being a drunkard, too much alcohol) and words of lust (meaning, words of laughter and desire). And he should not remain without a wife, as this custom will lead to great purity. And more that all this, they said: He should turn himself and his thoughts to words of Torah, and broaden his mind with wisdom, so that thoughts of forbidden relations only overcome those who are empty of wisdom. (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer, 25:1)

Tue Jun 26 '07 - 10 Tammuz 5767

• Verse (Posuk) of the day
  The Lovingkindness of Hashem
  Give thanks to G-d with a harp, with the psaltery of ten strings sing praises to him. Sing to him a new song, sing skilfully amid shouts of joy. For the word of G-d is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the lovingkindness of G-d fills up the earth. (Psalms 33:2-5)
  
  
• Gemara (Talmud or Midrash) of the day
  The significance of Livelihood (Parnasah)
  "Hamalach Hagoel Osi" (The angel who had redeemed me) R' Eluzar says: he compared redemption (Geulah) to livelihood (Parnasah) and livelihood to redemption, same as redemption is marvelous so too is livelihood, same as redemption happens each day so too is livelihood. R' Shmual the son of R' Nachman says: livelihood is bigger then redemption, since redemption comes through an angel as it says [Genesis 48:16] "The angel who had redeemed me", whereas livelihood comes straight from the hands of G-d, as it says [Psalms 145:16] "You open your hand, and satisfy" (every living thing with favor). R' Yehosua the son of Levi says: livelihood is bigger then the splitting of the reed sea, since the verse says: [Psalms 136:13-25] "To him who divided the reed sea in sunders" and then it says "To him who gives food to all flesh" (Yalkeit Shimoni Genesis C:48 C:157)
  
  
• Character Trait (Middah) of the day
  Revealing a secret
  A person should never reveal a secret of their friends for nobody, even for his wife, and even if he commands the listener not to repeat the secret over to other people, this would not help since the listener would do the same and tell his friend on a condition that he doesn't tell anybody (hence until the whole town knows about it), and it says in the Zohar (Parshas Hazinu page 294) that a person who reveals someone else’s secret it is as if he would have killed a human and worship idols, and not only is it a secret when his friend commands him so, but even when his friend didn't outright tell him that he may tell it over to other people we assume that it is a secret as the gemura explains this in Yuma 4b. (Pele Yoetz, Secret)
  
  
• Quote of the day
  Harmony & being poor vs. quarrel & being rich
  Better is [to eat old] dry bread and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife [vigorous or bitter conflict]. (Proverbs 17:1)
  
  
• Halacha (Jewish Law) of the day
  Dress Code for Praying
  It is written: [Amos 4:12] "Prepare to meet your G-d, O Israel" Meaning, a person should prepare himself to stand in the presence of G-d, blessed be He. He should wear suitable clothes when he goes to pray, like one who goes before an important minister. Even if one prays alone in his house, he should dress himself in the proper manner. In places where it is customary to wear a belt, it is forbidden to pray until one puts on a belt. (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 12:1-15)
  The Shulchan Aruch HaRav 91:5 writes that it is improper to pray while barefoot or while wearing only sandals.
  The Mishna Berurah 91:12 adds that it is improper to pray in boots if it is not customary to stand in the presence of great people while wearing them. Similarly, that text rules against praying while wearing gloves and advises wearing a second hat in addition to the yarmulke during prayer.

Mon Jun 25 '07 - 9 Tammuz 5767

• Verse (Posuk) of the day
  Cast your bread upon the water, for after many days thou shall find it (Ecclesiastes 11:1) (i.e. true today you have enough bread, but who knows maybe tomorrow, next week or next year you might be hungry and looking for something to eat, this piece of bread will come to your rescue)
  
  
• Gemara (Talmud or Midrash) of the day
  R’ Yehoshua was asked:
  1) Why is it that when a male is born he is with his face down and when the female is born she is with her face up?
  He said to them: the male look onto his place of creation (the ground) and the female looks onto here place of creation (the bone)
  
  2) Why is it that a woman needs to fragrant herself and the man doesn’t need to fragrant himself?
  He said to them: Adam (the man) was created from soil, and Chava (the woman) from the bone, if for example you leave a piece of meat 3 days without salting it will stink, whereas the soil will never stink.
  
  3) Why is it that the woman’s voice travels far and not the man’s (A female has a higher-pitched voice then the male, and a high-pitch sound travels further then a low-pitch)
  He said to them: Its like for example if you fill up a pot with meat, the cooking sound doesn’t go too far, however once you throw in a bone the sound goes further.
  
  4) Why is it that it’s easy to get remission from a man its but not easy to get remission from a woman?
  He said to them: Adam (the man) was created from soil and as soon as you put a drop of water on soil it melts immediately and Chava (the woman) was created from bone which even if you soak it many days in water it won’t melt.(Midrash Rabah Parsha 17:8)
  
  
• Character Trait (Middah) of the day
  Be humble: Rabbi Levitas of Yavneh said: Be exceedingly humble in spirit, for the anticipated end of mortal man is worms. (Ethics of the fathers 4:4)
  
  
• Quote of the day
  "It's not how much or how little you have that makes you great or small, but how much or how little you are with what you have." (R' Samson Raphael Hirsch Horeb, vol. 1, pg 46)
  
  
• Halacha (Jewish Law) of the day
  It is forbidden to speak about retribution to befall another Jew. (This applies) even to saying: "If so and so were alive, he would surely come here," for "a covenant has been established with the lips" (Mo'ed Koton 18a). Similarly, one should not try to frighten a child with an unclean animal, telling him "A cat or dog will seize you." The same applies to other similar statements. One must be very careful from making statements out of habit. (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 33:14)