Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 4

‫בס“ד‬

Toronto Torah Beit Midrash Zichron Dov


Parshat Toldot 29 Marcheshvan 5770/November 6, 2010 Vol.2 Num. 10

The Parting of Chessed and Gevurah R’ Azarya Berzon

‫ואלה תולדות יצחק בן אברהם; אברהם הוליד‬ “Chesed” he lets people share in his i s cap a bl e or d e se r v i ng of
‫את יצחק‬ actions and possessions. It entails understanding him.
And these are the generations of revelation and communication.
“G‟vurah”, on the other hand, is a When we speak of the “Gedolei
Yitzchak the son of Avraham; Yisrael”, the great Rabbinic leaders of
Avraham begot Yitzchak. (Breishit retreat into a private world. It is
joining the Al-mighty. “Kedusha” is European Jewry of 100 years ago, we
25:19) say their symbol was “Chesed”; to
always manifested by privacy.
Yitzchak is a cryptic figure; the Torah teach and to mix with the people.
enveloped him in a cloud of mystery. Thus the “Aron Hakodesh” is a symbol These giants of “Chesed” exemplified
We do not learn much about him save of holiness and is therefore always loving kindness and charity. They
for two episodes – his sojourning in covered. The Sefer Torah is covered championed the cause of the poor and
the land of Gror with Rivka, and the and even when placed on the “Bimah” the downtrodden. Yet there were
confrontation of Yaacov and Esau it is kept covered when it is not in use. other “Gedolim” who were locked up
regarding the “brachot”. In these two That is why the “Kodesh Kadashim” was in their Batai Medrash where they
narratives Yitzchak appears to react separated from the rest of the Mikdash, s t u d i ed a n d p r ay ed w i t h o u t
rather than to act. The Chumash and always concealed. The symbol of communication with the people. Such
devoted three Parshiot to Avraham “Kedusha” is covering up. That is why were the personalities of the Gaon of
and several to Yaacov but Yitzchak is Judaism hates nudity or nakedness. Vilna and the Bal Shem Tov.
the central figure in one Parsha only. We consider the body holy, a small
Beit Hamikdash, perhaps more sacred In the daily prayer of “Uva L’zion” we
Why? recite “Titen Emet L‟Yaakov – Chesed
than the one made of stone and wood.
The Ba’alei Kabalah give an answer. The body is covered because it was L‟ A v r a ham ”. Yi t zc ha k i s n ot
Each of the “Avot” represent one of created “B’Zelem Elokim”, in G-d‟s mentioned and remains a mystery.
the “Midot” (attributes) of the Al- image. Because of Yitzchak‟s middah of
mighty. Avraham manifests the midah G‟vurah, he is always covered by a
of chesed (loving kindness). Yaacov “G’vurah” is identical with “Kedushah”. mysterious cloud.
exemplifies “Emet and Tifereth” (truth Yitzchak was the symbol of sacrifice ‫וישב אברהם אל נעריו ויקמו וילכו יחדו‬
and beauty). Yitzchak personifies the and there is no higher form of holiness. :‫אל באר שבע וישב אברהם בבאר שבע‬
quality of “G’vurah” (withdrawal and Yitzchak is covered in a mantle of )‫ יט‬,‫(בראשית פרק כב‬
holiness). “Chesed” expresses itself mystery. The Torah reveals so little
Following the Akedah, Avraham
in expansion; when one does about him and even what is told is
difficult to comprehend. Not everyone returns to Be‟er Sheva without
Yitzchak. Why couldn't Avraham take
Parshah Questions R’ Meir Lipschitz Yitzchak along? Yitzchak achieves
complete “G’vurah” when he offers
Answers are provided on the back page. himself to the Al-mighty on the
 What did Rivkah‟s words of ‫ עלי קללתך בני‬mean? mizbayach. Be‟er Sheva is the place of
(Onkelos Bereishit 27:13) the alon - the tree - which symbolizes
the hostel where strangers come to
 Why did Rivkah add the words '‫ לפני ד‬when repeating Yitzchak‟s words?
(Rashi, Ramban, and R‟ S.R. Hirsch to Bereishit 27:7)
Avraham to receive chesed. Yitzchak
is sheltered in his tent, withdrawn in
 When pregnant, to what question did Rivkah seek an answer? kedushah. The midot of Chesed and
(Ibn Ezra, Rashi, Rashbam, Ramban, Seforno, Ohr HaChaim, and HaEmek G’vurah part ways.
Davar to Bereishit 25:22, and Bereishit Rabbah 63:6)
 For children: Why did Yaakov cook lentils? aberzon@torontotrah.com
(Rashi Bereishit 25:30) mlipschitz@torontotorah.com

This Toronto Torah is sponsored anonymously in honour of Craig Guttman‟s Siyum haShas. Mazal Tov!
To sponsor a Toronto Torah in memory or in honour of a loved one for $180, please email sponsorship@torontotorah.com or call 416-781-1777.
Two Tents of Education: The Yeshiva and the Home R’ Yaakov Neuburger

"...and Yaakov was a simpler both. Where has Rashi already given themselves for the building of
person, sitting in us some insight into the teachings of the mishkan.
tents" (Braishis 25:27) Shem and Eiver? Shem, according to
Rashi, was King Malki Tzedek, (14:18) Is it not strange that Yaakov sought
"Sitting in tents" certainly does not who greeted Avraham after his his instruction far from home? Why
conjure up in our minds a rigorous miraculous victory over Kedorlaomer did the multiple tents of training not
and ennobling course of training that and his imperial army. It is on that include the beis hamedrash of
would mold the third of our Avos. Yet, occasion that Shem recognizes the Yitzchak? Is there anything he could
that is precisely how the Torah handiwork of Hashem and introduces not learn from his saintly father and
describes the events of Yaakov's life the concept of tithing and berachos the mesorah that he bore? The Ksav
that did indeed give him the into the world, coining phrases that Sofer suggests that even though the
wherewithal to successfully navigate later became part of our daily teacher (Yitzchak) and the Torah
through the unfriendly waters of his davening. In our terms these concepts would be unsurpassed, still the
"Diaspora", and take his place grow out of the study and observance environs of Eisav had to be avoided
amongst angels as well. Accordingly, of mitzvos and parshiyos such as at all costs. Yaakov was simply afraid
Rashi, quoting chazal, interprets that Shabbos, yomim tovim, teffilin, hilchos that he would be influenced by the
"sitting in tents" refers to the total avodah zara, tzedaka, korbanos character of his older brother, and
immersion in the study of Hashem's shelamim and ahavas Hashem. The that concern came above all else.
will, perhaps contributing to the weltanschauung that is associated with The Ksav Sofer notwithstanding, is it
development of the modern phrase, Shem would clearly guide Yaakov as not possible to suggest that the
"sitting and learning". With that kind he sets out from his parents' home and multiple tents in which Yaakov
of commitment, Yaakov would dreams of travels that are governed studied did indeed include both
develop all the principles and by angels sent from Above. Eiver is father and school? That is, the tents of
insights of what would be our Torah, introduced by Rashi as a prophet who Yitzchak, Shem and Eiver? Thus the
all of which would deliver his named his son Peleg (10:25) to training of Yaakov may have required
children safely from the trauma forewarn of the impending events the partnership of home and
of Mitzrayim to the sacred slopes of surrounding the Tower of Bavel. From the yeshiva, a model with which we
Sinai. Eiver, Yaakov would come to have become so familiar.
Apparently, one tent would not understand how to foresee upcoming
events and try to make the necessary If so, then we must assume that just as
assure the nascent patriarch of the
preparations. This beis the yeshivos of Shem and Eiver had
necessary learning and instruction,
hamedrash would focus on maaseh different contributions to make, so to
and therefore Yaakov studied, as
avos siman lebanim with all its the tents of home and yeshiva have
Rashi explains, in both the yeshiva of
attendant demands and teachings, on significantly different contributions to
Shem and the yeshiva of Eiver. We
preparing his integrity at the house of make to the growth of our children,
must assume that these
Lavan, on preparing his children to an idea which should give us all much
two yehsivos had distinct teachings to
maintain their uniqueness throughout pause. Indeed, does not every child
impart and Yaakov wished to absorb
the Mitzrayim years and ready require two tents - one that measures
according to one's achievements, and
demands responsibility and
613 Mitzvot: Mitzvah 61 productivity; and another that clearly
and continuously communicates
Punishing Seduction absolute, unconditional and
unwavering nurturing and
acceptance. Together the home and
Mitzvah 61 instructs us to punish a Rashi and Ramban to Shemot 22:15 the yeshiva, each one emphasizing its
man who seduces a woman. debate whether the term „seduction‟ role almost exclusively, can, with
“Seduction” is defined as persuading includes persuasion with false
warmth and love, raise another
a woman to engage in inappropriate statements; Ramban argues for the
generation that will bring so much
behavior, and although the woman is broader interpretation of the term.
a willing participant, the man is pleasure to the partnership with
Because of Ramban‟s position, the Taz
punished in three ways: He must pay (Orach Chaim 127:4) argued that one whom they are entrusted.
a flat fine, he must pay for any should not say in Tachanun, ‫ומתפתה‬ Copyright 2004 by TorahWeb
physical damage done to her, and he ‫בתחנונים‬, that G-d is “seduced” by our Foundation. Reprinted with
must also pay for any embarrassment pleas for mercy, lest we appear to be Permission.
caused to her. persuading G-d with falsehood.

torczyner@torontotorah.com

2 Visit us at www.torontotorah.com
Ha’Am V’Ha’Aretz
R’ Yehuda Ayyash R’ Mordechai Torczyner The Biblical Zoo
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo opened in
1928 as a children's zoo on Harav Kook
Eating Roasted Meat Dur- Rabbi Yehudah Ayyash was born Street in central Jerusalem. The zoo was
toward the end of the eighteenth founded and established by the late
ing the Day on Pesach century in Algeria, and he was one of Professor Aharon Shulov, one of the
(Beit Yehudah Orach Chaim 51) the most prominent rabbis to emerge pioneers in the field of zoology at
from that Algerian Jewish community. Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In
Part of a dynasty of Torah – both his 1941, a somewhat larger zoo was
[Background: The responsum addresses the
father and his son were leading rabbis established on Shmuel Hanavi Street in
question of whether one may roast the zroa Jerusalem. This one covered an area of
– he became the Chief Rabbi of Algiers,
for the seder plate on Yom Tov, given that 4.5 dunams (a little over one acre). In
as well as the head of its beit din.
one may only cook foods which will be 1947 the zoo was moved to Mt. Scopus,
consumed that day.] Rabbi Ayyash‟s halachic guidance was where Hebrew University had set aside
One should not permit roasting the zroa sought throughout the Sephardic a plot of land to hold it. As a result of
[on Pesach night] by saying it will be community, from Morocco in the west the suffering of the animals during and
suitable for consumption on Pesach during to Egypt and Israel in the east to Italy in after Israel's War of Independence in
the day, and that the custom of not eating the north. Maharit Algazi praised him as 1948, a decision was made to transfer
roasted meat on Pesach applies only at “The holy, pious man, who resembles the zoo once again, this time to a new
night, the time when one would eat the the heavens above.” He was respected and larger area in Givat Komuna,
korban pesach. True, the korban pesach in Ashkenazi circles as well; Rabbi adjacent to the neighborhood of
was eaten only at night, and if meat Yonatan Eibeschutz termed him, “The Romema. The zoo remained there for
remained until the morning it was glory of the generation, who is known 41 years, from 1950 to 1991. During this
[prohibited as] notar. However, this in Israel as a great man of great deeds.” time it gradually developed into a well-
known and beloved attraction.
linkage [between the timeframe of this Rabbi Ayyash wrote prolifically,
custom and the timeframe of eating the publishing commentaries on Torah, The zoo reopened in its current
korban pesach] is not correct; the practice Rambam‟s Mishneh Torah and parts of location near the southwestern
of refraining from eating roasted meat, Shulchan Aruch. Some of his responsa Jerusalem neighborhood of Manahat
where that is the practice, applies both at were published in a work of responsa (formerly Malkha) in 1993 and was
night and by day. We do not say that this called Beit Yehudah. renamed The Tisch Family Zoological
custom precisely parallels the korban Gardens in Jerusalem. Today, the
pesach. In the year 1756, a man appeared to Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, as it has
become unofficially known, stretches
Were this custom parallel to the korban Rabbi Ayyash in a dream and instructed across an area of 250 dunams (62
pesach, then according to the view that the him to ascend to Israel and establish a acres) in a lovely valley surrounded by
korban pesach was consumed only until yeshiva there. He did so, travelling with green hills and new neighborhoods.
midnight – which is the view accepted in his students through Italy before
The zoological collection centers on
the fifth chapter of Zevachim and at the settling in Jerusalem. Rabbi Ayyash
two main themes:
end of Pesachim, when we learn that after
passed away in Jerusalem in 1760. The first emphasis is placed on animals
midnight the korban pesach communicates
impurity to one‟s hands – one could eat mentioned in Tanach. The majority of
roasted meat after midnight, since eating it lamb roasted in entirety], which would these animals are now extinct in Israel;
at that time would not resemble resemble the korban pesach, but we most of them were lost in the twentieth
consumption of korbanot. That time is not prohibit even calf and birds, and any century. This group of animals includes
the time of consuming the korban pesach. creature which requires shechitah. species with fascinating histories, like
But this is not so; the mishnah says, [The expansion of the custom to include the Persian fallow deer, the Arabian
“Where they do not eat [roast] on Pesach Oryx, and the Nile crocodile.
other meats and to include poultry is
night, one may not eat it,” and this sounds The second emphasis is on endangered
like it is referring to the entire night. That mentioned in Shulchan Aruch Orach species from around the world. This
mishnah is universally accepted. Chaim 476:2, based on Yerushalmi group includes the golden lion tamarin,
rare macaws and cockatoos, the ibis,
Although that mishnah also says P es ach i m 4 : 4, and se e Aru ch
and the Asian elephant.
“night” [which seems to indicate that one haShulchan Orach Chaim 476:2. On the
may eat roast during the day], the other hand, roast is permitted during A few of these animals were
language is not specific. It was meant only the day according to many Ashkenazi confiscated from smugglers, but the
to emphasize that where the custom is to and Sephardi authorities, including vast majority of animals in the zoo were
eat roast, one may even do so at night. born in captivity. As a matter of policy,
Magen Avraham 473:8, Shaarei none of the animals in the Jerusalem
Further, were we to limit this custom to Teshuvah 473 ‫ צלויה‬and Shut Yechaveh Biblical Zoo are collected directly from
consumption which is parallel to that of the Daat 3:27. MT] the wild.
korban pesach, we would only prohibit
mtorczyner@torontotorah.com Adapted from an article originally
consumption of gdi mekulas [a goat or
published by Torah miTzion.

Visit us at www.torontotorah.com 3
Parshah Answers R’ Netanel Javasky

 Ibn Ezra learns that Rivkah felt was concerned that due to the
What did Rivkah’s words of ‫עלי‬
internally as if the children were pains one of her children would
‫ קללתך בני‬mean?
trying to escape. She asked the die in utero, and inevitably this
 Onkelos explains that Rivkah was would risk her own life. She
local women if this was a normal
informing Yaakov that she had
pregnancy feeling. q u es t io n e d wh y e v er y o ne ,
been told through a nevuah,a
 Rashi also assumes that Rivkah including her husband, prayed for
prophecy, that no harm would
questioned her internal pregnancy this pregnancy, if the result could
come to him for following through be her demise.
pains, asking why she was having
and taking the blessings instead of
 HaEmek Davar
Eisav.
says that Rivkah
Book Launch: An Italian Renaissance: assumed that her
Why did Rivkah add
complications in
the words '‫ לפני ד‬when Choosing Life In Canada pregnancy stemmed
repeating Yitzchak’s Please join Beit Midrash Zichron Dov and Torah In from the fact that she
words?
 Rashi explains these
Motion to hear Eli Rubinstein discuss his fascinating was naturally a
and deeply moving account of how his Holocaust barren woman. She
words to mean that now questioned her
the blessing was survivor parents succeeded in reconstructing their own body. She didn‟t
given with the shattered lives in Toronto. seem to be a barren
consent and
Where: Shaarei Shomayim Congregation woman anymore, but
a ut h o ri za t i on of her body didn‟t seem
Hashem. When: Sunday, November 7 at 8:00PM
capable of carrying a
 Ramban elaborates baby. This is what
upon Rashi‟s such a strange pregnancy. He she went to seek counsel about.
approach and says that Rivkah was adds, like the Rashbam, that
warning Yaakov that this blessing Rivkah went to the Beit Midrash of For children: Why did Yaakov cook
was a spiritual, holy blessing with Sheim to seek counsel. lentils?
great powers. She warned that if  Ramban explains that Rivkah
 Rashi explains that Avraham had
Yaakov would not act now, Eisav actually questioned her existence. just passed away, and Yaakov
would receive this powerful She said that perhaps it would be cooked lentils as a sign of
blessing and he would forever be better if she would die, or if she mourning.
impossible to overcome. had never been born, if she must njavasky@torontotorah.com
experience this.
When pregnant, to what question  S e f o r n o elaborates upon
did Rivkah seek an answer? Ramban‟s idea, saying that Rivkah

Schedule for the Week of November 6, 29 Marcheshvan


Tuesday, November 9
1:30PM R‟ Mordechai Torczyner: Yoel, at Shaarei Shomayim, with
Shabbat, November 6 Mekorot - cancelled this week
7:45AM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Ramban al haTorah, Or Chaim 8:00PM Dovid Zirkind: Interactive Parshah Discussion, Westmount
After Hashkama R‟ Azarya Berzon: Parsha Issues, Clanton Park Learning Centre
One hour before mincha R‟ Azarya Berzon: Gemora In-depth, 8:30PM R‟ Mordechai Torczyner: Minchat Chinuch at Clanton Park -
Mizrachi Bayit cancelled this week
8:30PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Halacha and Hashkafa for Life, Lessons to
Sunday, November 7 be Learned from Sarah Imainu, BAYT, 3rd floor, classroom #1
9:15AM Itamar Zolberg: Parshah & Issues b‟Ivrit, Zichron
Yisrael Wednesday, November 10
9:15AM R‟ Mordechai Torczyner: Hosheia, 239 Franklin Women
7:30PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: The Study of Masechet Megilah,
Babysitting provided. - cancelled this week
Shaarei Shamayim
7:00PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Gemara B‟Iyun, Highlights of the week‟s
8:30PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Gemara In-depth, Shaarei Shamayim
shiurim, 12 Midvale Road
Monday, November 8 8:30PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Gemara B‟Iyun, Shomrai Shabbos
8:30PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: The Rambam and the Mitzvah of 9:00PM R‟ Mordechai Torczyner: Responsa that changed Jewish
Tzedaka, Clanton Park History, Week 5: Martyrdom, Part II, BAYT
8:45PM R‟ Meir Lipschitz: Gemara Beitzah Chaburah, Shaarei Thursday, November 11
Shomayim 8:00PM R‟ Netanel Javasky: Landmark Halachic Responsa, Bnai Torah
9:20PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: The Ramban on the Mitzvah of 8:00PM David Teller: Secrets of the Shema, Week 2: What should I be
Obeying the Prophet, 12 Midvale Road Hearing? Shaarei Tefillah
8:30PM R‟ Azarya Berzon, Yishuv Eretz Yisrael: Can one spouse force
the other?, Clanton Park

4 We would like to thank koshertube.com for filming our shiurim! Visit us at www.torontotorah.com

Вам также может понравиться