Pirkei Avos

Perfecting society in 3 easy steps

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acts, as this is the logical result of such actions; it is on account of such goodness that the world is worthy enough to continue. On an external level, a peaceloving society breeds tolerance, without which it may destroy itself from within. Indeed, Yirmiyahu (29:7) promulgates praying for peace in exile, so that the Jewish people with live in peace. Furthermore, this is why we find later in Pirkei Avos (3:2) that we must pray for the welfare of our government. In our case, this means praying for the Queen (and the Royal family), who is currently celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, 60 glorious years on her Throne. In that time, tolerance in our society has developed, whilst her diplomatic skills have assured this country a strong and relatively peaceful future on the international front. However, this also carries a profound internal message; in order to preserve ourselves, we must not descent into petty squabbles that divide us. We may not all come from the same strand of Jewry, yet the world views us all as the same. To survive as a nation, our only hope is to work together, for our own Shalom, peace (and security) can only truly be achieved through our internal Shlaimus - completeness.

The Hasmonean High School Weekly Sedra Sheet

Dvar Torah

Living Torah
Issue No: Shabbos In: Shabbos Out:

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"Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel said: On three things does the world endure: justice, truth and peace, as the possuk says, 'Truth and [judgments of] peace judge in your gates'" This Mishna appears to be contradictory to 1:2, in which Shimon HaTzadik explains that the world stands on Torah, prayer, and charitable activities. Indeed, many answers have been offered to deal with this anomaly of sorts. The Maharal (Sefer Derech Chaim) explains that the 3 ideas brought here directly correspond to those found above. Truth corresponds to the Torah, a wholly true book; both Torah and the pursuit of the truth leads a person to perfection. Taken as a more general point, this means that society cannot function without intergrety; without this, society becomes immoral and will eventually collapse. Justice corresponds to prayer, as both the service of G-D and the pursuit of justice create a partnership between man and G-D: Every judge who judges a sincere case correctly becomes a partner with the Holy One, Blessed is he, in creation. (Shabbos 10a) This is because G-D created His world to operate within a framework of Mitzvos, and our judiciary of old, the Sanhedrin, would enforce such laws with diligence, thus partnering G-D in His creation of the world. The fact that they would sit and judge next to the Mizbeach (altar) emphasised the enormity of this partnership borne out of their role. But this Mishna is also coming to teach us a wider lesson, in that it is the existence of courts of law that hold the fabric of society together. As Chief Rabbi Dr. Hertz (zl) once put it, Justice is truth in action. He explains that as a people, we have suffered many injustices, and so must ensure that at least within our own society this issue is rectified. Lastly, we find that Peace corresponds to Charitable

31st March 2012

400! 19:16 20:24

Pride and fire - a balancing act

The Chachomim teach us that a person who suffers with the middah of arrogance will be punished with some form of fire. There are many instances where this penalty was inflicted - the generation of the Mabbul, Pharoah, Sancheiriv, Nevuchadnetzar and several others. themself and thinks that they are useless is also at fault. That person will never realise their full potential and without necessary selfrespect they will remain below par in all endeavours and anything they strive to do. In particular, when it concerns matters of yiddishkiet one needs to stand up for covod shomayim and to protest against rebellious In the second possuk of this weeks sedra, people and fight for our traditional heritage. (Perek vav Possuk beis) the Torah warns, Hee hoolah ul mokdoh. Literally translated as It It has been suggested that our Rabbis had this is the Olah offering (that stays) on the flame. in mind when they said that the only reason The Medrash Raboh explains a deeper mean- cedar trees were created was for their use in ing in the Possuk and darshens that the verse the Beis Hamikdosh and the Mishkan. Metais implying that if one considers themself high phorically, this means that because of their and mighty they will suffer from being burned. towering height and majesty, cedars represent imperiousness, which is an attribute that There is a well known principle that Hashem should only be used to honour Hashems name punishes midah ceneged middah, with a pun- and to enhance religious observance. ishment somewhat connected to the crime committed. What is the connection between Therefore, it is key, to strike the right balance. haughtiness and fire? A degree of pride is necessary and when utilised correctly is extremely beneficial. HowevGayvah is a character defect which brought er, in excess, it can destroy the neshama and about the downfall of many individuals. Kor- can only lead to negative consequences. ach, Yerovom, Yoav and the ten spies all suffered from this difficulty of self-worship and Perhaps with that we can see the connection paid a dear price. It is a failing which Hashem between arrogance and fire, because a flame hates and without help from the Ribono Shel has very similar properties to this middah. If Olom nobody can overcome lifes temptations kept under control and properly directed, fire and will backslide. is extremely beneficial to mankind. But once it gets too big and beyond restraint, it leaves However, someone who possesses no pride in only destruction in its wake.

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Story

Dvar Torah

SEDER IN BERDITCHEV: OF RABBIS AND PORTERS

The saintly Kedushas Levi, R Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, was once very pleased with the way his Seder had gone on a particular Pesach night. He was reviewing the entire night, and was satisfied that he had managed to infuse each section of the Seder with the correct Kabbalistic intentions. However, at that moment, the Kedushas Levi felt a message emanating from Heaven which declared: Be not proud of your achievements, for there is a Jew called Chaim the porter, and his Seder was even loftier than yours! The Rabbi asked his Chassidim if they had ever heard of this Chaim who works as a porter. One of them had heard of him but did not know where he resided. R Levi Yitzchok expressed that if they could bring the porter to him on that night he would be most pleased. Immediately, the Chassidim started combing the streets of Berditchev, until a couple of them found his dilapidated cottage. His wife answered the door, and asked why they wanted her husband, for he was completely drunk and was sleeping on the floor. They explained the Rebbe wanted to see him, and proceeded to carry him to their Rebbe. The Rabbi asked the porter if he had searched his dwellings for Chametz the previous night, in order to burn it. Yes, he had. And did you, Reb Chaim the porter, conduct a seder tonight? The porter turned red and was very embarrassed. Rebbe, Ill tell you the truth. I heard that I wouldnt be able to drink vodka for eight days. So I drank enough vodka to last me for 8 days. I then fell asleep in a drunken stupor. My wife woke me up after night and asked me if I was going to make a seder like all other Jews worldwide. I responded that I was an ignoramus, the son of an ignoramus, going a few generations back. I knew that some time ago we were slaves amongst the gypsies and God redeemed us, and now were in exile again, and God will redeem us soon from this exile as well! I then saw the matzah, wine and eggs on the table, so I ate the matzah and eggs and drank the wine. Then I fell asleep again. The Tzaddik, R Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, told his Chassidim they could return the porter to his house.

The instruction manual

The word Tzav which begins this weeks Parsha means command. It is deliberately expressed in a form that can refer to both the past and the future. In other words, the commandments of Hashem are as applicable today as they were when first promulgated. The Torah is not old fashioned. The rules governing a persons behaviour and a persons devotion to G-d are timeless. Consequently our observance of the Torah should not be marked by tired, listless effort. When we pray, we should not stumble and mumble through the Teffillos out of habit. Rather, we should remember Whom we are addressing and say each word carefully. The same applies to our observance of Shabbos and our Torah learning. They should not be routine, but rather, should be moments of inspiration. delivering the instructions. When the boss returned he was shocked to see the condition of his factory. Machines needed repairs and workers stood around idle. He angrily called in the manager and asked him for an explanation. Did you follow the instructions I left behind with you? Why of course, the manager defended himself. I read them to all of the workers every day while you were gone.

He then told his Chassidim: Hashem was very pleased with the mans words; for he had no ulterior motives whatsoever. Everything he did When he entered, R Levi Yitzchok put out a tonight was wholehearted and his sincerity is chair for him. He asked the porter if had recited so unblemished he knew absolutely nothing Avadim hayinu, the section of the Haggada said more than what he said! on the Shabbos before Pesach (Shabbos Hagadol). The porter replied that indeed he had.

Now I know why there is such a mess! cried the boss. You only read these instructions but didnt bother to see whether they were carried out. The lay workers took advantage of your foolishness and almost ruined my entire business. Do you think that I left behind these The following story, told by the Chofetz Chaim, illus- instructions only for reading? I gave them to you so that trates the fallacy of reciting our prayers mechanically you would know how to run the factory in my absence. and by rote. When we pray, we should really mean every Reading them has not achieved this goal. word we say. The behaviour of the poor manager is similar to that All employers report to the managers office. exhibited by the people who study Torah and pray daily The call went out over the factorys public system and only out of force of habit. They recite the words, but soon all the workers were assembled before the manag- they consider them as reading material, not as a plan of er. This procedure had been going on each day for sever- action. The Torah and the Tefillos are like the list left by al weeks, ever since the company owner had left the the master, a set of instructions on how to act practicalcountry on an important business trip. He had always ly. If we do not realize this, and we do not actually pracdirected the factorys operations but now he had ap- tice what we say, then our words have no meaning or pointed a manager to oversee the work of his employees purpose at all. and to ensure that everything functioned smoothly Rabbi Shimon said: Be careful with the reading of Sheduring his absence. Now all of these employees listened ma and with prayer, and when you pray make not your bored as this manager read aloud the instructions left prayer a habit, but an appeal for mercy. (Avos 2:18) behind by the boss. He carefully pronounced each word Adapted from by Rabbi Mordechai Katz. just as the owner had ordered and did a masterful job of Good Shabbos!

Gematria:
The main theme of this weeks ,in continuation with that of last weeks is the offering of the .The begins in an interesting, if not unique, way. - This is the law of the ,which is the .What does this irregular expression mean and what is it coming to teach us? In modern times, now that the has been destroyed, it is very easy to disregard the about the as irrelevant and unimportant. Such a view is very much misguided. are very important. They offer us a connection with , an unparalleled opportunity to do .The of the is the .If we attempt to learn the appropriate , , considers it as we offered the various despite the fact that we are now in .In the of our , may we be to see the bringing of the in the .

Riddle:
Which Mitzvah only applies to someone who is sitting, reclining or lying down? (The answer is not Pesach related, do you know why?)

Answer to Last Weeks Riddle:

In what situation is it a mitzvah to eat, but you may eat only foods that are Parev?
At Malave Malke during the Nine Days, after having eaten meat. [There is a dispute amongst the Poskim whether meat left over from Shabbat may be eaten at a Malaveh Malka during the "Nine Days." Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, ZT"L, was asked about this matter, and he said it's better to be strict.]