Volume 27 Number 12
Produced: Fri Oct 10 1:09:39 1997
Subjects Discussed In This Issue:
13 Middot
[Joseph Tabory]
Cleaning a Shofer
[Yeshaya Halevi]
Daf Audio and women learning
[F Smiles]
Ha-lashem / Hal-Ashem
[Clive Silverman]
Kovetz Sefat Ha-Ohel
[Michael J Broyde]
Organization of the Tanach
[Ron Degany]
Our Parents Are Closer To Sinai?
[Israel Rosenfeld]
Smelly Shofar
[Yehoshua Kahan]
Status of a Geyoret Who Renounces Judaism
[Roni Grosz]
Yom Kippur Vidui
[Boruch Merzel]
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From: Joseph Tabory <taborj@...>
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 1997 08:05:08 +0200 (WET)
Subject: Re: 13 Middot
Two explanations have been offered for the short quotation of the
thirtenn middot. One is that the limitation on quoting pesukim exists
only when quoting, when including a passage from the bible in a prayer
or other context it is not necessary to quote a whole pasuk. There are
numerous examples of partial quotations in the liturgy, one of the most
notable being the beginning of the Friday night kiddush, "yom
ha-shishi".
[Similar responses sent in by:
Gershon Dubin, Yehoshua Berkowitz, Ezriel Krumbein
Mod]
The second explanation is that in this case the Torah implies that the
sentence consists of separate units. This has been used to explain why
we begin the passage with the name of G-d, rather than with the
beginning of the pasuk. The Torah tells us that the prayer is to begin
here and the first part of the pasuk just tells us who recited this
passage. This explanation works better for the beginning of the passage
but it can be used also for the end, depending on how you understand the
division of the 13 middot.
A gmar hatima tova to everybody
Yosef Tabory
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From: <CHIHAL@...> (Yeshaya Halevi)
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 12:49:00 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Cleaning a Shofer
Shalom, All:
Yechezkal Shimon Gutfreund <sgutfreund@...> asks, "Any advice on what to
do about a smelly Shofar?"
Before I get into specifics of how one may clean a shofar, please let
me radically say that perhaps one should NOT completely remove that smell.
Why not completely remove it? Because when the ba'al tekia (blower)
blows it, he is influenced on audio, visual and tactile sensory levels. He
hears it, he sees it and he feels it. _Smelling_ the shofar adds a sensual
component to the mitzva, and maybe lifts the blower to a higher spiritual
level.
Smelling the shofar also reminds us this was a living creature,
created by God, and smelling said creature helps us move towards atonement.
I recall reading scientific studies which stated that the sense of smell is
a more potent memory trigger than sight, touch etc. Smelling even reminds us
of the days when animals were used for a karban (sacrifice).
As to cleaning it, I'd go along with Sarah Doshna's advice on using
white vinegar for a short period of time, but would strongly caution it be
used only on the inside, not the outside. Just plug up the smaller end and
pour vinegar into the shofar until it is filled, then position it in a
FLEISHIG (meat) sink so that the vinegar doesn't leak -- but if does, it goes
down the drain, thereby giving your pipes a cleaning.
Similarly, one can use 90% rubbing alcohol in the same manner.
Whichever method you use, thoroughly rinse out afterwards.
Yeshaya Halevi (<Chihal@...>)
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From: <fsmiles@...> (F Smiles)
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 1997 13:36:19 -0700
Subject: Daf Audio and women learning
Daf Yomi Audio on the net can be heard at http://www.613.org/daf.html .
The 14 cd audio set of all the talmud is not shipping until after succos.
It is available in either English or Yiddish. You will need a computer to
run the cd's. contact
Torah Communications Network 1 718-436-4999 (usa )
1618 43rd st. Brooklyn, N.Y.
11204 for more information or to order now .( not an ad )
They are shipping a daf audio for barachos only for 10$ which also has the daf
on the cd.
Master DAf http://www.jewishsoftware.com/cgi-local/shop.pl/page=masterdaf.html
(from TES )also sells an audio daf on cd with all kinds of extras.
see http://www.613.org/daf.html for all the links or phone numbers or email
me.that cd is about 49 dollars or so.
About women learning. Rav Besdin z'l told us do it don't talk about it.
So if you what to hear a women learning on the net, see
http://www.613.org/speakers/smiles.html for over 20 hours of Shira Smiles'
classes. Hundreds hear her in person in Los Angeles.
also find speeches by Rav Moshe z'l 's daughter -in -law
http://www.613.org/speakers/sfeinstein.html
Ivy Kalazan - http://www.613.org/speakers/kalazan-i.html
and if you search the http://www.613.org/new.html page , you can find speeches
by Rookie Billet, Lisa Aiken, and also
Mrs. Heller at http://www.613.org/jle/hel-fem.ram on Feminism.
Shana tova
f smiles at 613.org Audio and Video of Jewish Men and Women from around the
<world.fsmiles@...>
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From: Clive Silverman <parchment@...>
Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 15:09:42 +0300
Subject: Re: Ha-lashem / Hal-Ashem
Yisrael Dubitsky wrote:>
> The first word(s) of Devarim 32:6 present an interesting situation.
> My question, however, refers to the Mesorah note by CD Ginsburg: he
> writes that "...ken le-Suarai heh le-.hud, le-Hashem le-.hud;
> le-Neharde`ai Hal le-.hud, Hashem le-.hud. Ve-KHEN BE-SEFER `EZRA.
> uve-sefarim a.herim HalHashem mila .hada."
>
> 1) What is the meaning of the reference to sefer `Ezra?
>
> 2) How do most ba`ale keri'ah lain this word(s)?
This note may be a little late for this year but the above question was
of interest to me although on the first point I have no idea what source
the sefer Ezra refers to.
However, regarding the second question; I am a seasoned Baal Koreh and
have read Parshat Haazinu on several occasions over the years (this year
included). I came across an interesting footnote in a Yemenite Tikkun
printed by Yosef Hasid in Jerusalem. He attatched a commentary called
"Masoret Meduyekket" which has a lengthy note on this word. The author
notes the different traditions for writing the word - in this tikkun the
heh is written regular size but separate from the lashem. The author
noted the Minchat Shai and the quotation you took down from Ginsburg,
(ken lesuarai.....). Interestingly he omits the reference to Sefer Ezra.
He then writes about the pronunciation of the word, discusses the
different possibilities for a variety of prefixes that occur in the
Torah and concludes that according to all traditions, FOR THIS PASUK,
G-d's name should be pronounced with a sheva under the first
letter. i.e. it should have an audible value as if the word stood on its
own. "Hal is therefore read apart as a separate Teivah or Hal-Ashem for
the whole word.
I hope this is clear. Should Yisrael or another reader like to see the
Masoret Meduyekket on this point I would be happy to send them a
photocopy (bli neder) - just drop me a note to my e-mail at:
<parchment@...>
Clive Silverman
Kibbutz Beit Rimon - D. N. Hamovil 17950 ISRAEL
FAX: 972-6-6509646
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From: Michael J Broyde <mbroyde@...>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 11:49:39 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Kovetz Sefat Ha-Ohel
I am looking for a work entitled Kovetz Sefat Ha-Ohel (5744), page 98,
which contains, I have been told, an article quoting the late Rav
Shlomo Zalman Auerbach as arguing with the Mishnah Berurah's assertion
that zeluta milta applies to women reading megilla to women, and instead
limits it to women reading for men.
If anyone can find the publication and send me a copy, I would be deeply
grateful. Please fax it to me at 212 807-9183.
Michael J. Broyde
Emory University School of Law
Atlanta, GA 30322
Voice: 404 727-7546; Fax 404 727-3374
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From: <rdegany@...> (Ron Degany)
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 12:08:35 +0200
Subject: Organization of the Tanach
Hello,
I have learned from various sources (books and knowledgeable people)
that the organization of the Tanach into books and chapters as it is
generally published today was performed by Christian theologians. I
was presented with examples of how this organization differs from the
traditional Jewish organization. The sources, however, did not provide
me with the information of when this organization (by the Christian
theologians) took place. Can someone please tell me when this was
done, and if possible, by whom?
Thank you,
Ron Degany
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From: Israel Rosenfeld <iir@...>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 16:10:47 +0000
Subject: Re: Our Parents Are Closer To Sinai?
> From: <rhendel@...> (Russell Hendel)
> Chana Luntz writes >>..I think we have lost something quite precious.
> >>Because part of what it once meant to be a Jew was that one accepted
> the yoke of Torah as transmitted by one's parents AND IT WAS UNDERSTOOD
> THAT THEY WERE CLOSER TO SINAI THAN WE WERE>>>
>
> This is not the first time I have heard this but I know of no legitimate
> primary source that supports this.
I believe the source is from the following story:
Some 10 years ago HR"HG Yaakov Kaminetsky ZT"L came to visit
Eretz Yisrael. His son flew with him to help him (he was 80+ at
the time).
Not far from his seat on the plane was Yerucham Meschel the then
Histadrut (worker's union) leader and YM's son who were returning
from a visit to USA.
Immediately after takeoff, Harav Kaminetsky (the son) started
badgering his father: Tatti (daddy in yiddish) you want a pillow?
Another pillow? A cover? Another cover? Tea? Water?
Change your position? etc. etc. etc.
Harav Kaminetsky (the father) begged his son to 'let him be' with
little success. Finally, YM asked Harav Kaminetsky (the father)
why he (YM) as a Yemenite had brought up his (YM's) son to
respect his father but never got a treatment anywhere near what
Harav Kaminetsky (the father) was getting.
Harav Kaminetsky answered, "We believe we come from Adam, the
apex of creation so a child respects his parent who is closer to
the summit. You believe you come from the apes..."
Behatzlacha raba.
Yisrael
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From: <orotzfat@...> (Yehoshua Kahan)
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 1997 06:56:20 +0200
Subject: Smelly Shofar
In MJ 27-7, Yechezkal Shimon Gutfreund asked what to do about a smelly
shofar. I was told years ago to wash out my shofar with Arak, that
anise-flavored liquor of the Middle East. This not only imparts a pleasant
aroma to the shofar, but, and this is the main reason for using it - cleans
out any deposits which might impair the sound. Fill shofar, cover the ends
with your hands, shake vigorously for a minute, pour out contents, and set
on end to dry well before intended use!!
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From: Roni Grosz <gro@...>
Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 16:57:14
Subject: Re: Status of a Geyoret Who Renounces Judaism
Sam Gamoran wrote:
>Suppose there is a geyoret (feamle convert to Judaism) who underwent a
>halachically valid conversion and was observant for a goodly number of
>years. This woman was also married k'dat Moshe v'Yisrael (a Jewish
>wedding) and had children who, of course, halachic Jews and are being
>brought up in Jewish fashion?
>What if she is divorced (halachically) and then marries a non-Jewish
>man? What is the status of children born in this subsequent marriage
>who have no Jewish connection?
>Suppose the woman, at a later point in life, renounces her Judaism?
>What is her status? What is the status of her children? What if she
>causes the children to lead a non-Jewish lifestyle?
In principle she remains Jewish and everything is judged accordingly. I.e.
she has all the obligations and prohibitions than any other converted Jew
has. Her children are Jewish, she is making a transgression if she raises
them non-Jewishly, she is forbidden to marry a non-Jew, subsequent children
are Jewish.
But, everything hinges on the validity of the Guir (conversion) . When you
write "halachically valid conversion" you imply that the Bet Din was a
respected orthodox one which has the power to act in such matters. The
questions is was there Kabbalat Ol Malchut Shamayim (acceptence of the yoke
of the Heavenly Kingdom) and Kabbalat Ol Mitzvot (acceptence of the yoke of
Mitzvot with the resolve to keep them inreal life) at the time of the Giur.
It is the most difficult thing to check because (at the time of the Giur)
it is only in the head of the candidate. Usually, if the Ger (convert)
keeps mitzvot, no one questions whether or not there was real Kabbalat Ol
Malchut Shamayim and Kabbalat Ol Mitzvot because his behavior confirms it.
The fact that someone, in this case the mentioned woman, kept Mitzvot seems
to confirm that she accepted them. The fact that she later rejected Jewish
life does not change this fact. Would we question her sincerity for what
she kept for a number of years or are we choshesh (suspecting) that she was
only acting? I think we should take her actions for years after the Giur as
sufficient proof for her sincerity. Whatever happened to her later on,
rachmones (pity on her)!
Roni Grosz
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From: <BoruchM@...> (Boruch Merzel)
Date: Thu, 9 Oct 1997 12:52:21 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Yom Kippur Vidui
Before Yom Kippur, I'd like to share an insight of the Baruch
She'omar (Rav Boruch Epstein Z"L, the author of Torah T'mima) concerning
the paragraph following the Vidui. We state:
"Sarnu mimitvosecha umimishpatecha, etc." This is usually understood
and translated as :"We have turned away from Your mitzvos and laws, that
are good, "v'lo shava lanu" and it has not profited us".
The Baruch She'omar pointedly asks: If it had profited us to turn
away from the mitzvos, would that have been justification for our acts?
He believes "v'lo shava lanu" should be read " v'lo shavu (plural)
lanu" and that the word "shavu" should be understood in the sense of
having no worth or value as in Esther 5:13 and refers back to the
mitzvos and laws from which we turned away.
The sentence should, therefore, be understood as follows: "We have
turned away from Your mitzvos and laws, because they were of little
worth or value to us." The real sin we have to confess on Yom kippur is
the fact that we hold G*d's mitzvos in too low esteem and donot
appreciate their real worth and value in the conduct of our daily lives.
May we all achieve true T'shuva this Yom Kippur, learn to fully value
and appreciate G*d's Torah and Mitzvos in our personal lives so that
this year will witness, at long last, Israel's ultimate redemption.
Boruch Merzel
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End of Volume 27 Issue 12
