Yesod HaTorah - News & Torah

Oz Amos - Chaburahs

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Terumah

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

- This week started off with an amazing Simcha for the whole Yeshiva family. Rabbi & Rebbitzen Fayazi married off their daughter, Sunday night in Yerushalayim to Yair Michael of Bnei Brak. The dancing was unbelievable and lasted into the wee hours of the night. All the boys in the Yeshiva, as well as the Rabbeim, were mishtatef in the simcha as if it was there own. We extend a Mazal Tov to the Rabbi and Rebbitzen and much Mazal & Beracha to the new couple.

- On Monday, the Yeshiva was zoche to have Rabbi Shlomo Diamond from the Deal Kollel visit the Yeshiva and deliver Divrei Chizuk to the boys. He spoke about the chashivut of learning Torah and the zechut that we have learning in Eretz Yisrael. To listen, click here.

- Tuesday marked the annual paintball game, where qualifying talmidim who showed exemplary attendance, were treated to a paintball afternoon.

- On Wednesday night, as a continuation of the Simcha on Sunday night, the Yeshiva hosted Sheva Berachot in the Yeshiva's dining room. The divrei beracha included words from Rabbi Zecharyish, Rabbi Kassin, Rabbi Mishaan, and our very own Nathan Dabbah - Shanna Alef.

- Thursday, Oz Amos delivered an in depth chaburah on the sugya of 'Mitzvot Tzrichot Kavanah'. Click here to listen

- Later on Thursday, Shlomie Ruben completed the 1st perek of mesechet Megillah with Rabbi Cabessa. Maabrook!

Shabbat Shalom

QV2 - Parshat Terumah

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas Terumah!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“You shall make a Menorah of pure gold, beaten out shall the Menorah be made, its base, its branch, its goblets, its knobs, and its flowers shall be hammered from it.”

Shemos 25:31

‘Shall the Menorah be made’ - on its own. Because Moshe found it difficult [how he was supposed to make the Menorah], the Holy One Blessed is He said to him, ‘Throw the block [of gold] into the fire, and it will be made by itself.’ This is why [the verse] didn't write, ‘You shall make.’

Rashi ibid.

This idea seems difficult to understand. If the Menorah would ultimately be made by itself, why was it necessary for Hashem to show Moshe how to make it in the first place?

What’s Pshat?!

The Sfas Emes explains that this teaches us a very essential concept concerning mitzvos. When a person tries with all his effort to perform a mitzvah, then even those things which lie beyond his ability, are still able to be accomplished. He could be sure that once he pushes the limits of his own power, the Heavens will take over and complete the rest. Surely, it is impossible for anyone to perform a mitzvah to perfection, and in truth, it is not even expected of him to do so. All that is expected is that he makes the greatest possible effort, and the Hashem will fulfill the rest.

So too, Hashem instructed Moshe to produce a Menorah, at which Moshe had great difficulty. So Hashem told him, ‘just do your best and throw the brick of gold into the fire, and it will be made by itself.’

‘Whoever comes to be purified is assisted from Heaven.’ - Shabbos 104a

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#66*

*Abaye said: Yerushalayim was only destroyed because they desecrated the Shabbos*

Talmud Bavli; Shabbos 119b

Have a Stunning Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

QV - Parshat Terumah

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas Terumah!
*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“And the skins of rams dyed red, and skins of techashim and acacia trees”
Shemos 25:5

Techashim: It was a species of animal, existing only at that time, which had a many-colored hide. Thus, the Aramaic translation of the word is sasgona, derived from sas and gavna, meaning an animal that proudly flaunts it coloration.

Rashi ibid.

Why does Rashi find it necessary here to explore the etymology of the Aramaic translation? Moreover, how does he know that this is indeed the source of the word? Perhaps the Aramaic word for tachash just happens to be sasgona?

What's Pshat?!

The Chanukas HaTorah explains: When Adam named all the creatures of the world, he did so in Lashon HaKodesh [Hebrew]. Later, during the Generation of the Tower of Bavel, the other languages, including Aramaic, developed and consequently, the animals received assorted other names in other languages.

The Gemara (Shabbos 28b) tells us, however, that the tachash only existed at the time the Jewish people were in the Desert. There was no tachash during the Generation of the Tower of Bavel when the Aramaic language was formed, nor was it there when Onkelos translated the Torah into Aramaic in Roman times. How did it come about then, that there should be an Aramaic word for tachash at all? Surely the speakers of Aramaic had no cause to incorporate into their tongue a word for an animal which did not exist at the time, and concerning which they had no knowledge at all?

Therefore, Rashi concludes that the word sasgona offered by Onkelos is not an Aramaic translation of the word; rather, it is an Aramaic paraphrasing of the tachash’s essential nature.

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!
--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#19*
*A person must sanctify his thoughts on the Day of Shabbos and separate it from all the physicality of this world – because the entire essence of Shabbos is Holy*

Reishis Chochmah 3:4

Have a Delectable Shabbos Kodesh
Rabbi Schwartz

Rabbi Shlomo Diamond - Guest Speakers

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Torah - Hashem within you

Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Rebbitzen Fayazi on the Wedding of their Daughter on Sunday Night

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Rebbitzen Fayazi on the Wedding of their Daughter, Malka, on Sunday night to Yair Baruch Michael of Bnei Brak.

May the new couple be zoche to build a binyan adei ad.

QV2 - Parshat Mishpatim

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas Mishpatim!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work for six years, and on the seventh he shall be free and clear”
Shemos 21:2

Elsewhere, the Torah (Shemos 6:13) tells us that Hashem commanded Moshe and Aharon to go to the Jewish people. The Talmud Yerushalmi (Rosh Hashana 3:5) asks: “With regard to what did He command them? With regard to the topic of the emancipation of slaves.”

Apparently, there was a specific covenant at the time of the Exodus with regard to the freeing of Hebrew slaves. The question arises: We only find mitzvos that were relevant at the time, such as Shabbos, being given to the Jews before leaving Egypt. The emancipation of slaves, however, would not apply until the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael. Why then was it singled out to be given before the rest of the Torah?

What's Pshat?!

Rabbi Chaim Shmulevitz explains that it goes against human nature to set one’s slaves free. A person becomes accustomed to the role of master, and although his slave yearns for freedom, agonizing through each additional day of bondage, the master is insensitive to these feelings and finds it difficult to fulfill this mitzvah.

Therefore, the Torah wanted the Jewish people to be introduced to this commandment at the time that they themselves were just being liberated from slavery and at the time when they were experiencing the overwhelming joy of emancipation. This was the propitious time for the absorption of the Divine command to set the slaves free in the seventh year.

The occasion of the emancipation of the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage became part of their collective memory. Therefore, the mitzvah of freeing of the slaves became an essential part of their consciousness, and its violation was inexcusable. As the Yerushlami (ibid.) concludes, “The Jewish people were condemned to exile because of their disregard for the emancipation of slaves.”

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!
--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#18*
*On this day of Shabbos, all distress, wrath, and pressure is forgotten from the entire world – because it is the celebration day of the King*

Zohar, Parshas Emor 95:1

Have a Euphoric Shabbos Kodesh
Rabbi Schwartz

QV - Parshat Mishpatim

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas Mishpatim!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“Then his master shall bring him to the court and shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore through his ear with the awl, and he shall serve him forever. ”

Shemos 21:6

[Is it the] right [ear that is pierced] or the left [ear]? A gezeirah shava [a talmudic law based on the use of similar words in different passages] of ‘ear’ and ‘ear’ is needed to teach us the matter…Just as over there it is the right [ear], so too, here is the right [ear].

Rashi ibid.

Usually, concerning the performance of mitzvos, preference is always given to the right side. So, why, when we are dealing with the mitzvah for a master to bore a hole in his servant’s ear, do we even entertain the possibility that it is the left ear that is pierced? Why should this mitzvah be any different that we need a special limud to teach us something that should be obvious?

What’s Pshat?!

The D’rush Shmuel answers based on these teachings found in the following Midrash and Gemara:

‘He kissed me with the kisses of His mouth’ (Shir HaShirim 1:2) – this teaches that the utterance

[at Sinai] went forth from the right side of Hashem and entered the left side of the Jewish people.

Shir HaShirim Rabah 1:13

What is it about the ear that it is pierced and not the other parts of the body? Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai says, ‘that ear that heard on Mount Sinai ‘thou shall not steal’ and went and stole – should be pierced.’

Kiddushin 32b; Rashi ibid.

Through these two teachings of Chazal, we see that it was the left ear specifically that heard the rules of the Torah, which included the commandment against stealing. Therefore, we might naturally assume that the left ear, and not the right, should be pierced for it violated the commandment at Sinai, and stole. For that reason, the gezeirah shava is needed to teach us, that indeed, the right ear is pierced.

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#65*

*One of the most important fundamentals of Judaism is that Shabbos Kodesh is called ‘the wellspring of blessings’. This idea was set in the natural world at the time of Creation*

Sefer Nefesh Shimshon; Shabbos Kodesh; 67

Have a Luscious Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Mishpatim

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

YESHIVA EVENTS

- Rewinding to last week… On Motzei Shabbat, Rabbi Mishaan celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of his son Ephraim. There was a Melave Malka celebration in Beitar and many of the Rabbeim and talmidim came to wish their Mazal Tovs. Maabrook!!

- On Thursday of last week, Rabbi Ahron Lopian, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Lev Aryeh gave a powerful mussar shmooze. Click here to listen

- Later that afternoon, the Yeshiva visited the Blind & Deaf Museum in Holon. It was an amazing experience to help appreciate the wonderful chesed of Hashem who has bestowed us all with the gift of sight and hearing. It was surely an important and meaningful experience for all.

- This past Motzei Shabbat, Rabbi Amar hosted a Melave Malka for the boys in his home. There was live kumzitz music by Rabbi Russo and a powerful shmooze by Rabbi J.T. Music, Ekels, & Torah - what could be better!

- On Monday, the Yeshiva spent 1st seder in the Mir Yeshiva. After shtegin' in 'Beis Yeshaya' - we were zoche to hear divrei chizuk from HaRav Nissim Kaplan. Afterwards, the boys got the grand tour of 'Mir City' - the 4+ beis medrashes, sefarim stores, 24 hr bakery, etc. It was a really inspirational experience for everyone.

- On Thursday, Moshe Tawil - Shana Bet, gave a great chaburah on the sugya of 'shomeya k'oneh'. Clear and to the point! To listen, click here.

- Mazal Tov to Rabbi Monczyk and his Megillah Shiur - Eddie Anzarouth and Jack Beyda - on completing the mesechet! Great job boys!!

- Finally, the latest addition to the 'Shteig-a-Daf' - Shlomi Ruben!! He shteiged out Daf Chet (8) of Megillah, probably the hardest daf in the entire mesechet - keep it up!

Shabbat Shalom

Moshe Tawil - Chaburahs

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

QV - Parshat Yitro

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas Yitro!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be lengthened upon the land”

Shemos 20:12

This is one of the mitzvos mentioned in the Torah that explicitly guarantees reward in return for its observance. However, there are many commandments in the Torah which have great importance, why did the Torah see fit that the mitzvah of honoring one's parents have the reward written alongside the commandment?

What’s Pshat?!

Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld offers the following explanation. He quotes the Gemara Kiddushin:

Honor: One must give [to his parent] food and drink, dress and cover him, bring him in and take him out. They asked, ‘from whose [money are the needs of the parents provided]?’ ...The Rabbis rendered a decision...in accordance with the one who says from the father's.

Kiddushin 32a

We see from this Gemara that a person is not required to incur a personal monetary loss when performing the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents. However, what about the valuable time that a person invests in giving honor to his parents? How is one reimbursed foe this ‘expense’?

This is why the Torah tells us here that the reward for this mitzvah is lengthening of days. One does not have to be concerned over ‘losing time’ when honoring his parents, for all such losses are guaranteed to be returned in the form of added longevity.

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#64*

*Shabbos is equal to the whole Torah. One who transgresses it, it's as if he reverts the world to emptiness and nothingness*

Reishis Chochmah; Shaar HaYirah; 11:24

Have a Brilliant Shabbos Kodesh

Rabbi Schwartz

Rabbi Ahron Lopian - Guest Speakers

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Mann - Test of Our Times

QV2 - Parshat Yitro

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas Yisro!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“I am Hashem, your G-d, Who took you out of the land of Egypt”

Shemos 20:2

This first of the Ten Commandments speaks of the fundamental mitzvah of Emunah in Hashem. Concerning this obligation, the Midrash states that ‘whatever good the Jews enjoy in this world, is only reward for their Emunah.’ However, this seems strange. Why is this only for the mitzvah of Emunah and no other?

What's Pshat?!

Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Lublin answers this question by introducing a related issue. The Talmud that ‘there is no reward given in this world for the mitzvos one does’ (Kiddushin 39b). Why is this so? Doesn’t the Torah itself stipulate that ‘you shall pay his hire on its day’ (Devarim 24:15) – that one is obligated to pay his worker on the same day that he performed the work? Then why does Hashem delay giving payment until the World to Come, why not on that ‘day’ - in this world?

The Gemara qualifies the Torah’s obligation to pay a worker on the same day:

If the worker was hired via a messenger, the prohibition does not apply and the employer does not violate the prohibition of ‘do not delay payment’, for the employer can claim, ‘I did not hire you,’ and the messenger can claim, ‘You did not work for me.’

Bava Metzia 110b-111a

The Torah, with its many mitzvos, was given to us by G-d’s messenger, Moshe. Therefore, Hashem does not violate any prohibition by rewarding us in the World to Come and not paying us immediately in this world. However, the Talmud (in Makkos 23b & Horiyos 8a) teaches that the first two of the Ten Commandments, ‘I am Hashem, your G-d’ & ‘You shall have no other gods’, were given to the Jews by Hashem Himself. These two commandments define our fundamental beliefs regarding G-d, His existence, His interest in humanity and the Jewish people, His control over the world, and His unity.

Since the Master ‘hired the workers’ Himself for only these two mitzvos of Emunah, they are the only commandments for which the Master is obligated to pay the workers on the same ‘day’ in which they worked - that is, in this world. Therefore the Midrash can say with justification that ‘whatever good the Jews enjoy in this world, is only reward for their Emunah.’

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#17*

*Through a person's observance of Shabbos according to Halacha, he will sense the additional soul in his spirit*

Sefer Reishis Chochmah, Shaar HaKedushah 2:22

Have a Felicitous Shabbos Kodesh

Rabbi Schwartz

QV - Parshat Beshalach

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas Beshalach!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“He would not remove the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”

Shemos 13:22

This is saying that the pillar of cloud would overlap the pillar of fire, and the pillar of fire would overlap the pillar of cloud - for before this one set, the other would rise.

Rashi ibid. quoting Gemara Shabbos 23b

This Gemara that Rashi quotes seems to learn the fact that the two pillars were overlapping, from our posuk itself. However, there does not seem to be any indication in our verse that the two pillars overlapped, it just seems that they appeared consecutively. So, where does the Gemara know this from? Furthermore, what is the significance of the words ‘before the people’? These words hardly seem to add anything to the understanding of our posuk.

What’s Pshat?!

The Brisker Rav explains with the help of the following Gemara:

Twilight is like the blink of an eye, this one entering [night], this one leaving [day], impossible to pinpoint.

Talmud Bavli; Shabbos 34b

The human eye cannot pinpoint the exact moment of the transition from day to night. Since it happens in a flash, or as the Gemara terms it, a ‘blink of an eye’, that exact moment escapes human perception.

Regarding the changing of the guard between the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, the same concept should apply. Really, this transition should escape human perception. However, the Torah tells us that this event took place ‘before the people’. In other words, the posuk is telling us that the people were indeed able to observe the transition. For this to be so, as Chazal so aptly conclude, there must have been some overlap, otherwise, it would have been impossible to discern the exact moment of exchange.

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#63*

*When the entire world rests, the true reality and the attribute of the awesomeness of Hashem are able to be revealed*

Sefer Shabbos Malkisa; p.163

Have a Calorific Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

QV2 - Parshat Beshalach

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas Beshalach!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“Hashem said to Moshe, ‘Write this down as a remembrance in the Book and place it in the ears of Yehoshua. For I shall surely erase the memory of Amalek from under the heavens’ ”

Shemos 17:14

The Torah commands us here (and more explicitly in Devarim 25:19) to obliterate ‘the memory of Amalek’. This expression requires explanation. Why does the Torah not simply tell us to obliterate Amalek, in which case their memory would certainly perish along with them? Why is there such an emphasis on Amalek’s ‘memory’?

What's Pshat?!

Reb Chaim from Brisk says that the answer to this question may be found upon analysis of the words of the Rambam. In Hilchos Melachim (5:4) he writes: It is a positive commandment to obliterate the seven nations [of Canaan], as it says, ‘You shall utterly destroy them’ (Devarim 20:17) ...But their memory has already ceased to exist.

The Radbaz explains that this last sentence in the Rambam is referring to that which the Gemara Berachos 28a teaches us. There, the Gemara says that the Assyrian King Sancheriv forcibly deported all the peoples of the region to faraway lands and effectively erased the national identities of all those nations. The people who live in Moav are no longer Moavites; the inhabitants of Edom are no longer Edomites, etc. It is therefore impossible, for practical reasons, to carry out this commandment of the Torah any longer.

When it comes to the mitzvah to blot out Amalek, however, the Rambam writes in Hilchos Melachim (5:5): It is a positive commandment to obliterate the memory of Amalek, as it says, ‘You shall obliterate the memory of Amalek.’

In this case, the Rambam conspicuously omits the cautionary clause, ‘But their memory has already ceased to exist’- that he wrote concerning the seven nations of Canaan. Apparently, then, this mitzvah still applies today. Why is this so? Did Sancheriv somehow overlook the Amalekites when he exiled all the nations and intermingled them with one another?

We can infer from these words of the Rambam that when it comes to Amalek the Torah’s commandment is not to physically annihilate the individuals who descend from that nation, for they are certainly no longer identifiable after Sancheriv. Rather, the Torah commands us to eradicate the memory of Amalek, that is, their legacy – their philosophy and values. Amalek is the personification of evil and sacrilege. As Rashi tells us in Devarim (25:18), when the Amalekites attacked Bnei Yisrael, they cut off their foreskins and threw them towards the heavens in defiant mockery of the precept of circumcision. This sort of attitude is, unfortunately, very much in existence nowadays, and the mitzvah to strive to annihilate it is still operative. That, says Reb Chaim, is why the Torah speaks of obliterating the ‘memory of Amalek’ rather than simply ‘obliterating Amalek’

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#16*

*Israel will only be redeemed in the merit of Shabbos observance*

Midrash VaYikra Raba

Have an Effervescent Shabbos Kodesh

Rabbi Schwartz

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Beshalach

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

- Another jam packed week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah! Monday, led by our fearless Rav Moshe Bakshi, the Yeshiva went on a tiyul featuring caves & tanks. We started off by the Bar-Kochva caves - crawling in really tight tunnels in complete darkness.

Then, we went to the Mearat HaNetifim stalactite caves to explore the wonders of Hashem.

A quick stop at Kever Dan ben Yaakov, one of the Shivatim for a quick but meaningful Mincha.

Finally, wrapping up the day in Latrun, at the IDF tank museum, where the boys got a hands on look at how the armored division of the army operates.

- Thursday, the Yeshiva went to Aish HaTorah's famous Discovery Seminar in the Old City, for a thought-provoking day of classes. Not to mention a sick rooftop view of the Kotel and Old City!

- This Shabbat is an IN Shabbat hosted by Rav Moshe Bakshi and Family

Shabbat Shalom!

Parshat Bo '12 - Rabbi Preschel's Chumash Shiur

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

UPDATED: Rabbi Fayazi & Rabbi Amar visiting the USA

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Rabbi Fayazi will be visiting the US from Sunday, January 29th - February 8th. He could be reached on his cell 609-489-9430.

Rabbi Amar will be in the US from Sunday, January 29th- Thursday February 2nd. He could be reached at 516-203-4393

Check back here for details of the events to follow.

TODAY! Alumni Event this Sunday in Deal

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Alumni Event

At the home of the Anzarouth Family

THIS Sunday, January 29th

7:00 PM
127 Larchwood Avenue

Oakhurst, NJ 07755

Rabbi Fayazi & Rabbi Amar will be present!

Can't wait to see you there

QV - Parshat Bo

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas Bo!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“But against all the Children of Israel no dog shall whet its tongue, neither against man nor beast, so that you should know that Hashem differentiates between Egypt and between Israel.”

Shemos 11:7

The Rabbis taught: If the dogs are whimpering - the Angel of Death has come to the city. If the dogs are frolicking - Elijah the Prophet has come to the city.

Talmud Bavli; Bava Kama 60b

Our verse tells us that on the night of the plague of the death of the firstborn, the dogs were silent throughout the land of Egypt. However, according the Gemara cited above, they should have been whimpering as an indication of the presence of the Angel of Death. If so, why were the dogs silent?

What’s Pshat?!

The Chasam Sofer explains according to the posuk with Rashi’s commentary later on in our parsha.

and against the gods of Egypt I shall carry out punishment - I am Hashem.

Ibid. 12:12

I, by Myself, and not through an agent

Rashi citing the Pesikta Zutrasa

The rule that the Gemara Bava Kama taught us about the behavior of the dogs did not apply on the night of the plague of the death of the firstborns. Since the punishment was meted out by Hashem Himself and not through agency of the Angel of Death, there was no reason for the dogs to whimper. On the contrary, their very silence attested to Hashem’s presence in Egypt on that night, and to the fact that He Himself has slain the firstborn Egyptians.

This is implied in the sequence of the posuk as well. Since ‘no dog shall whet its tongue,’ then ‘you should know that Hashem,’ Himself, and not an angel, ‘differentiated between Egypt and between Israel,’ when He slew the firstborn.

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#62*

*That we should be free from our dealings, for the honor of the Day, to set in our souls the belief of the creation of the world, which is the rope which pulls in all the foundations of our religion*

Sefer HaChinuch; Mitzvah 32

Have a Pastoral Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

QV2 - Parshat Bo

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas Bo!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“...Pharaoh will surely drive you out. Please speak in the ears of the people: Let each man request of his fellow and each woman of her fellow silver vessels and gold vessels”

Shemos 11:1-2

The juxtaposition of these two verses is most perplexing. What does the fact that Pharaoh will drive out the Jews have to do with requesting utensils from their Egyptian neighbors? What's the connection?

What’s Pshat?!

The Chanukas HaTorah answers with the help of the following two Gemaras:

If a hired worker quits before completing his assignment, he has the disadvantage. If the one who has hired him quits before completion of the assignment, he has the disadvantage.

Bava Metzia 75b-76a

Elsewhere the Talmud relates the following incident:

The Egyptians appealed to Alexander of Macedonia [a.k.a. Alexander the Great], “Let the Jewish people return the plunder they took from Egypt [as recorded in our posuk 11:2],” - to which the Jewish people countered, “Let the Egyptians pay the wages of six hundred thousand men who were enslaved by the Egyptians.”

Sanhedrin 91a

If Hashem had so desired, He could have forced Pharaoh, against his will, to free the Jewish people from Egypt. However, had the Jews left under these conditions, they would have been exactly like the worker who quits in the middle of his assignment [since the Jews had been in Egypt for only 210 of the 400 years decreed]. Therefore, according to the ruling in the Gemara Bava Metzia, they would not have been entitled to claim their wages for the work they had performed.

However, since ‘Pharaoh will surely drive you out’, it is comparable to the case where the employer quits in the middle of the work, in which case, as the Talmud rules, the worker is entitled to be compensated for his work.

This explains the juxtaposition of these two verses. Hashem informed the Jewish people that “because ‘Pharaoh will surely drive you out’, therefore you have every legal right to ask the Egyptians for their utensils, because of the work you did during the 210 years you were in Egypt.”

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#15*

*Homes are destroyed by fire due to the desecration of the Shabbos; people’s livelihoods are lost as a result of Shabbos desecration*

Chofetz Chaim in Nidchei Yisrael, Chapter 39 - based on the Talmud Shabbos 119b

Have a Peppy Shabbos Kodesh

Rabbi Schwartz

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Bo

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

- This past Shabbat, the boys enjoyed an inspirational Shabbaton in Givat Ze'ev HaChadasha, by the home of Rabbi Cabessa. There was amazing Shabbat spirit, Divrei Torah, and moving Zemirot. Yashar Koach to the Rabbi and his Rebbitzen for preparing such an unbelievable Shabbat!

- On Tuesday, Rabbi Avraham Stulberger, Rosh Yeshivas Valley Torah in Los Angeles, gave wonderfull Divrei Chizuk about appreciating the Chesed of Hashem. To listen, click here

- Tuesday night was another Shwarma night arranged by Rabbi Monczyk as part of the 2nd seder chizuk program. Thanks to Rav Moshe for organizing the dinner.

- This Shabbat is an 'Out Shabbat'

Shabbat Shalom

Parshat Vaeira '12 - Rabbi Preschel's Chumash Shiur

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Rabbi Avraham Stulberger '12 - Guest Speakers

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Appreciating the Chesed of Hashem

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Vaeira

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

YESHIVA EVENTS

- On Monday, we were happy to have Lee Cohen, Alumnus '09-'11, visit the Yeshiva for sometime and attend some shiurim throughout the week.

- On Wednesday, 2nd year Chaim Malka, gave a great chabura on the sugya of women's chiyuv in certain mitzvot. Click here to listen.

- Wednesday afternoon, the Yeshiva celebrated a siyum mesechet by Harry Zebede who was misayem Mesechet Megillah! What an accomplishment! It was also a goodbye suedat preida for Harry, who has been learning in the Yeshiva for the past year and a half, and will be returning to the USA to continue his learning and college. Beautiful words of chizuk and praise were spoken about Harry - we wish him much hatzlacha in everything!

- Elliot Antebi - Alumnus '09-'11, also returned to the Yeshiva for a short recharge in the Holy Land. When El saw that the Shteig-a-Daf contest was in full swing, he took the liberty to pound out the 1st Daf of Mesechet Berachot, by heart!! Great job and kein yirbu! Also check out the night seder scene with Lee & Elliot learning, just like the old days.

- This Shabbat Rabbi Cabessa and Family will be hosting the Boys at their home in Givat Zev for a Shabbaton - everyone is looking forward to it.

Shabbat Shalom

QV2 - Parshat Vaeira

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas Vaeira!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“Hashem carried out this word the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died, and of the livestock of Bnei Yisrael not one died. Pharaoh sent and behold, not until one of the livestock of Yisrael had died – yet Pharaoh’s heart became stubborn and he did not send out the people. ”

Shemos 9:6-7

There are obvious inconsistencies between these two pesukim. Firstly, in the first verse it states that concerning the Jewish livestock ‘not one died’. However, in the second posuk it says ‘not until one’ had died – which implies that one did die! Furthermore, why does it refer to the Jews as ‘Bnei Yisrael’ in the first posuk, while in the second posuk it just calls them ‘Yisrael’?

What’s Pshat?!

The Kehilas Yitzchak answers these questions in the following fashion. The posuk in Parshas Emor(24:10) relates to us the episode of the Blasphemer, who was the son of an Egyptian man and a Jewish woman. The Ramban explains therethat the law that a gentile or slave who has relations with a Jewish woman - that the child is a Jew, only applies after the Torah was given. However, before Matan Torah, the law would follow that of the other nations, where the child follows after his father’s ancestry, and would thereby be a gentile.

According to this, it turns out that when the Jews were in Egypt, the Blasphemer was considered an Egyptian. He was therefore subject to all the plagues that befell the Egyptians, likewise, his livestock perished in the pestilence as well. Therefore, the first posuk tells us that ‘of the livestock of Bnei Yisrael not one died’ – to the exclusion of the livestock of the Blasphemer, for he was technically an Egyptian. However, Pharaoh thought that the Blasphemer was a Jew, for he lived amongst them. Therefore, when Pharaoh saw that his livestock did not did not die out in the plague, he thought that Moshe’s words were not fulfilled – and hence his heart was hardened.

That is why it says ‘Pharaoh sent and behold, not until one of the livestock of Yisrael had died’ – but one did die, the livestock of the Blasphemer! This is also why the verse states ‘Yisrael’ and not ‘Bnei Yisrael’ to teach us that, in actuality, he was not a Jew.

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#61*

*The Shabbos and the Festivals were only given to toil in the words of Torah*

Talmud Yerushalmi Shabbos 15:3

Have a Halcyon Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

QV - Parshat Vaeira

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas Vaeira!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“For if you do not send out My people, behold, I shall incite against you, your servants, your people, and your houses, the swarm of wild beasts; and the houses of Mitzrayim shall be filled with the swarm, and even the ground upon which they are.”

Shemos 8:17

All different types of wild animals…

Rashi quoting Shemos Raba 11:3

The end of our posuk is most puzzling. How could we even understand the simple meaning of the verse when it states, ‘and even the ground upon which they are?’ What are these words adding to the nature of the plague? Furthermore, what is this Midrash relating to us by saying that all different types of animals invaded the Egyptian homes?

What’s Pshat?!

The Vilna Gaon solves this enigma in his inimitable style. He cites the following Mishna:

The Adoni Sadeh is considered a Chaya [wild beast]

Kelaim 8:5

The commentators on this Mishna explain that this creature, the Adoni Sadeh, is a wild animal that has a long cord extending from his stomach that anchors it to the earth. This beast draws its nutrients from the ground by way of this umbilical cord, just like a plant. It is exceedingly ferocious and will ravage anything that comes into its reach. It is impossible to trap it; the only way it could be killed is by shooting arrows at its cord, thereby severing it from the ground.

Rashi cited the Midrash above that states that all types of wild animals were included in this plague - meaning that every species of beast was present, the Adoni Sadeh included. However, how could this be possible? The Adoni Sadeh is attached to the ground and cannot go further than the range of its cord - if it would, it would die. Therefore, the posuk states, ‘and even the ground upon which they are’ – part of the miracle of this plague was that Hashem uprooted the actual earth upon which the Adoni Sadeh stood and brought it to Mizrayim so that it could also invade Egypt and partake in this plague.

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#14*

*One who keeps Shabbos will merit Yiras Shomayim [Fear of the Heavens]*

Talmud Bavli Yevamos 96a

Have a Dulcet Shabbos Kodesh

Rabbi Schwartz

Chaim Malka - Chaburahs

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Parshat Shemot '12 - Rabbi Preschel's Chumash Shiur

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

QV - Parshat Shemot

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas Shemos!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“The woman conceived and gave birth to a son and she saw that he was good [tov] and she hid him for three months.”

Shemos 2:2

‘and she saw that he was good...’ - this verse teaches that Moshe was born circumcised.

Shemos Raba 1:20

How does this Midrash derive from our posuk that Moshe was born with a Bris Milah? There does not seem to be anything in the verse to indicate this fact.

What’s Pshat?!

The Chanukas HaTorah answers with the help of these following two passages of Chazal.

‘Yiftach went to a land that was good [tov]’ (Shoftim 11:3) - Is the diaspora good? Yes, in one sense it is. The produce of the diaspora is exempt from the law of maaser [tithing].

Yerushalmi Shevi'is 6:1

The Torah equates the fruit of the land to the fruit of the womb. Just as the fruit of the land requires tithing, so too, the fruit of the womb requires tithing. What is the tithe of the fruit of the womb? It is circumcision.

Devarim Raba 3:5

Now we could understand the Midrash in Shemos. The Yerushalmi teaches us that the word ‘tov’ is only used to describe something that is exempt from the obligation of tithing. However, if a child, the fruit of the womb also requires ‘tithing’ in the form of circumcision, as we saw in the Midrash in Devarim, why would the Torah describe Moshe immediately after birth as being ‘tov’? The Midrash in Shemos therefore concludes that Moshe was born circumcised and was exempt from the obligation of tithing. The Torah was indeed justified in using the term‘tov’ to describe the newborn boy.

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#60*

*By virtue of which merit is wealth granted to affluent Jews living outside of the land of Israel? They are deserving of wealth because they honor the Shabbos.*

Talmud Bavli, Shabbos 119a

Have an Illustrious Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Shemot

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

YESHIVA EVENTS

- This week started off with a beautifully presented chaburah by Albert 'Papi' Sutton on the sugya of 'migu'. To listen, click here.

- Monday night, the sofer Rabbi Babiyon, came to the yeshiva to check the boys tefillin. Everyone got a hands on look at the importance of the mitzvah of tefillin and keeping them in proper shape.

- Tuesday, Rabbi Monczyk and his Bekiut shiur, completed the 1st perek of mesechet Megillah. Congrats to Eddie Anzarouth, Jack Beyda, Shawn Israeli, & Harry Zebede!

- The week ended off on Thursday, with the Annual Yeshiva Bowling Tournament. The was heavy competition on hand. But in the end, for the 4th year in a row, a Rebbe took the trophy - Rabbi Monczyk! Check out the finalist pic below.

- This Shabbat is an IN Shabbat hosted by Rabbi Yellin and Family.

Shabbat Shalom

QV2 - Parshat Shemot

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas Shemos!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“Hashem heard their moaning, and Hashem remembered His covenant with Avraham, with Yitzchak, and with Yaakov. ”

Shemos 2:24

We must try to understand the peculiar language in this posuk. Why does the Torah write - ‘with [es] Avraham, with [es] Yitzchak, and with [es] Yaakov’? The posuk should have stated instead ‘with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.’ What is the reason for the seemingly extraneous words?

What’s Pshat?!

The Sefer Tzafnas Paneach explicates our posuk with the help of the following Gemara:

Eliyahu [HaNavi] often visited the academy of Rebbi. One day, it was Rosh Chodesh, [Eliyahu HaNavi] was late and had not come. [When he finally did come, Rebbi] said to him, “what’s the reason master was late?” [Eliyahu HaNavi] said to him, “By the time I awoke Avraham and washed his hands and he prayed, and laid him back to rest, and the same with Yitzchak and the same with Yaakov, [it was already to late.” Rebbi] asked him, “But [master] should wake them all up together!” [Eliyahu HaNavi replied,] “They maintain [in Heaven that the Patriarchs] will overwhelm [the Heavenly realms] with prayer and bring the Messiah before his proper time. [Therefore, I am not allowed to awaken them together.”]

Bava Metzia 85b

We see from this Chazal that if the three Patriarchs would join together in prayer, they would be able to hasten the time for the redemption.

Furthermore, the posuk in Parshas Ki Sisa concerning the Kiyor [The Laver, the washing vessel in the Mishkan] states – “From it, Aharon and his sons shall wash [es] their hands and [es] their feet.” (Shemos 30:19). Rashi (ibid.) explains that they must wash their hands and feet together. The Sifsei Chachomim [A major commentary on Rashi] writes that Rashi knows that the hands and feet must be washed as one, since the posuk states es - es twice.

Therefore, says the Sefer Tzafnas Paneach, concerning our posuk that discusses the turning point in the redemption from the Egyptian exile, one could ask, ‘how could Hashem bring the geula at this point – it was well before the end of the four-hundred year decree?’ To that our posuk says that Hashem remembered the covenant ‘with [es] Avraham, with [es] Yitzchak, and with [es] Yaakov’ – which means that all the Patriarchs were joined together – as we saw from the commentators on the posuk in Parshas Ki Sisa. Now, that the Avos were all together, they were able to hasten the redemption well ahead of the predetermined time - as the Gemara in Bava Metzia taught.

Torah is like Cholent – the more stuff you put in, the better it tastes!

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#13*

*In the merit of Shabbos observance, Hashem sends success and blessing to one’s endeavors*

Chofetz Chaim, Parshas Ki Sisa

Have a Sprightly Shabbos Kodesh

Rabbi Schwartz

Albert Sutton - Chaburahs

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat VaYechi

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

YESHIVA EVENTS

- Chanukah was rounded up with a leibadik Chanukah Mesiba at the home of Rabbi Amar. The food and drinks were flowing. Rabbi Maxi Sutton came and gave beautiful Divrei Chizuk about the power of Torah. The evening was wrapped up with some chanukah games and a heartful kumzitz

- On Motzei Shabbat, Rabbi Fayazi hosted the Yeshiva at his home for a Melave Malka. As usual, the Rebbetzen went all out with the ekels. Rabbi Russo brought his guitar for some musical accompaniment during the kumzitz. Afterwards, everyone suited up and head over to the Ramat Shlomo gym, where we had a Rebbe vs. Talmidim dodgeball game. The Rabbeim held there own, but in the end the boys didnt let up (J.D.- you know who you are) and beat the Rabbis.

- Sunday, Harry Zebede dazzled everyone with a great chaburah on the sugya of 'hashev t'shivem' in Mesechet Bava Metzia. Great Job Harry!! To listen to the chaburah, click here.

- On Tuesday, Rabbi Schwartz and his bekiut shiur - Oz Amoz, Albert Cohen, Nathan Dabbah, & Jake Dweck - completed the 3rd perek of mesechet megillah. Only one perek left till the siyum mesechet!

- Wednesday, Albert 'Papi' Sutton finished the 4th perek of Bava Metzia with Rabbi Monczyk. Keep it up!

- We would like to welcome back - Nathan Franco - who has come for a 3 week 'winter break' recharge in the Yeshiva. Great to have you back!

Shabbat Shalom

QV2 - Parshat VaYechi

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas VaYechi!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“Then Yaakov called for his sons and said, ‘Assemble yourselves and I will tell you what will befall you in the End of Days. Gather yourselves and listen, O sons of Yaakov, and listen to Yisrael your father. ”

Bereishis 49:1-2

He [Yaakov] wanted to reveal to them the end [when the redemption will take place] and the Divine Presence departed from him.

Rashi ibid.

He wanted to reveal to them the end. Hashem said to him, ‘No longer will it be said that your name is Yaakov, but Yisrael.(Bereishis 32:29)’

Midrash P’liah

This Midrash is an enigma! What does Yaakov Avinu wanting to divulge the secret time of the final redemption to his children have to do with his name being changed to Yisrael?

What’s Pshat?!

The Shnei HaMeoros solves this puzzling Midrash in the following way:

The Gemara Sanhedrin (98a) teaches that there are two possible times for the final redemption hinted to by the prophet Yeshaya. It says in the posuk (Yeshaya 60:22), ‘B’Ita Achishena’- ‘in its time I will hasten it’. The first time the geula could take place is ‘B’Ita’ – at a predetermined time, even if the Jews are not worthy. The second possible time for the redemption is ‘Achishena’ – at anytime the Jews are worthy, Hashem will hasten the geula.

Furthermore, Chazal teach us that when the Jews are doing the will of Hashem, they are called ‘Yisrael’. However, if, chas v’shalom, the Jews are not fulfilling the will of Hashem, they are referred to as ‘Yaakov’.

When Yaakov wanted to reveal the predetermined time for the final redemption, Hashem told him, ‘No longer will it be said that your name is Yaakov, but Yisrael.’ – meaning that Hashem was telling Yaakov that ‘if the Jews will be performing My will and they will be called Yisrael, that will inevitably hasten the geula.’ It is therefore impossible to reveal that way of the redemption, for we have the opportunity to make it happen at anytime.

We still have a chance – it’s up to us!

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#59*

*The whole world disappears, everything rests, and the Groom and Bride – the Almighty and Klal Yisrael – are together in the Yichud room*

Sefer Nefesh Shimshon; Shabbos Kodesh; 105

Have a Stirring Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

QV - Parshat VaYechi

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas VaYechi!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“Yaakov was told, ‘Behold - your son Yosef has come to you.’ So Yisrael strengthened himself and sat up on the bed.”

Bereishis 48:2

How did Yaakov find the strength to sit himself up on his bed? Furthermore, what role did Yosef’s visit play in Yaakov being able to overcome his feebleness?

What’s Pshat?!

The Alshich cites the following Gemara to explain our posuk:

Anyone who visits the sick takes one-sixtieth [away] from his illness (Nedarim 39)

Simply speaking, when Yosef visited his sick father, he took 1/60^th of his sickness away and that gave Yaakov the strength to sit up in his bed. But here’s the beauty hidden in the words of the Torah. The posuk states, ‘Behold - your son Yosef has come to you.’ The Gematria [numerical equivalency] of the word ‘Behold’ or ‘Heenay’ is 60. The posuk continues, ‘So Yisrael strengthened himself and sat up on the bed.’ The Gematria of the word ‘the bed’ or ‘HaMittah’ is 59. The posuk itself is alluding to this Gemara! ‘Heenay’ (60) Yosef visited his father and took away the 1/60^th of his sickness that enabled him to sit up on ‘HaMittah’ (59)!

ViLeka Midi D’Lo ReMiza BiOraysa!!!

There is nothing that isn’t hinted to in the Torah!!!

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#12*

*All of the finances of a person are set/determined for him from Rosh HaShanah until Yom Kippur besides for the expenditures of Shabbos. For if someone lessens [his Shabbos expenditures] they subtract from him [from the amount that was determined for that year]; if he adds, they add onto him*

Talmud Bavli Beitzah 15b

Have an Exemplary Shabbos Kodesh

Rabbi Schwartz

Harry Zebede - Chaburahs

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

QV2 - Parshat VaYigash

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas VaYigash!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“And Yosef said to the people, ‘Behold, I have bought you today, as well as your lands, for Pharaoh.’ ”

Bereishis 47:23

Why did Yosef find that it was necessary to enslave the entire population of Egypt to Pharaoh? Moreover, why would the Torah tell us this seemingly futile fact?

What’s Pshat?!

The Meshech Chochmah explains that Yosef was anticipating events destined to occur at a later time.

He cites the Gemara Sanhedrin (91a) that tells us that when Alexander of Macedonia conquered the lands of the east, the people of Egypt made a claim before him against the Jewish nation. When the bondage of the Jews had ended and they left Egypt, they took with them gold and silver vessels that they borrowed from their Egyptian neighbors. These vessels had never been returned, and now, they claimed that the Jewish people owe them these ‘stolen’ goods.

The Jews had a clever man, Geviha ben P’sisa, who represented their defense. He argued that these borrowed vessels rightfully belong to the Jewish people as payment for all their years of slave labor and, if anything, the Egyptians owed the Jews great sums of money. The Egyptians withdrew their claim.

This argument exempted the Jewish nation from returning vessels borrowed from Pharaoh, since he was the one who enslaved them. However, how did this rebuttal entitle the Jews to keep the vessels of their Egyptian neighbors?

This was the potential counter-argument that Yosef was anticipating when he subjugated the entire Egyptian populace to become Pharaoh’s property. This now meant that all their possessions reverted to Pharaoh. As a result of this, the Jewish people were entitled to take anyone’s vessels as payment for the debt owed to them by Pharaoh.

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#58*

*Just as the body needs nourishment for it’s survival, so too, the soul needs it’s particular sustenance - spiritual nourishment. This food for the soul is the Holy Shabbos*

Nesivos Shalom, Kuntras Nesivei Noam Shabbos, 64

Have a Robust Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

Rabbi Gavriel Friedman - Guest Speakers

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Chanukah Mesiba '11

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Yellin - Chanukah - Our Rabbeim

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Mesirut Nefesh

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Miketz - Chanukah

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

- The week started off with an uplifting Melave Malka at Rabbi Cabessa's home on Motzei Shabbat. There was delicious food and hours of Divrei Torah and kumzitz ruach - a perfect preparation for Chanukah's arrival.

- On Tuesday, Ezra Sakkal (Shana Bet), gave an intricate Chaburah on the sugya of 'Yachloku' - Bava Meztia. To listen, click here.

- Tuesday night was the first night of Chanukah and the Yeshiva spent the evening visiting some of the Gedolei Yisrael in Yerushalayim. The 1st stop was Chacham Yaakov Hillel, who hosted the boys in his home for Divrei Chizuk & beracha.

Next stop was Rav Yitzchak Sheiner, Rosh Yeshivas Kaminetz. The boys enjoyed the wonderful Divrei Torah and berachot that was conveyed with exceptional warmth by the Rav.

We then got a sneak peek of the magnificent Belz Beis Medrash. Truely Malchus!

Lastly, Rav Reuven Elbaz met with the Yeshiva for more Chanukah Torah and inspiration. What an amazing way to start off the Holiday!

- Wednesday night was the Yeshiva Chanukah Mesiba in the Yeshiva dining room. Live music, dancing, and a festive seudah was on hand. The Chanukah spirit was enjoyed by all. Reb Gavriel Friedman spoke in his usual animated way about the dangers of Yavan. To listen, click here.

- Thursday, Rabbi Yellin gave a fiery shmooze about the mesirut nefesh of Chanukah. Click here to listen.

Shabbat Shalom

QV - Parshat Miketz

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort 2 (QV2) for Parshas Mikeitz!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“Then he gathered them into a ward for a three day period... If you are truthful people, let one of your brothers be imprisoned in your place of confinement while you go and bring provisions for the hunger of your households.”

Bereishis 42:17-19

Why did Yosef have to keep all the brothers under guard for three days before deciding to hold only one brother while allowing the rest to go? He could have offered this compromise right away! Certainly Yosef had a reason for this peculiar behavior.

The Brisker Rav answers with the help of this following Mishna Terumos (8:12):

If idolaters tell a group of women, ‘Hand over one of you for us to defile, and if you don’t, we will defile all of you.’ - better they should defile all the women than one single Jewish woman should be given over willingly to them.

The Talmud Yerushalmi (quoted by the Rash) extends this law to a case where idolaters ask a group of people to hand over one person to be executed, or else they will all be killed. No Jewish life may be willingly sacrificed, even if this will ultimately cost the lives of many more people.

If Yosef had made his offer of keeping one of the brothers hostage at the outset, the offer would have certainly been refused. The brothers would have been obligated to stay together rather than abandon one of their own to an ‘idolator’ of the Egyptian authorities, as per the Mishna/Yerushalmi quoted above. Therefore, Yosef, who of course knew this law, incarcerated all the brothers at first, and only later released all but one. This way the brothers were not required to hand over anyone, for Shimon was already imprisoned.

The Kedushas Shabbos Quote
~The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day~

*KSQ#57*

*When Minchah time arrives [on Shabbos day] which is the climax of the Shabbos, it is a time of the illumination of the World to Come in all of its intensity…and it is the most powerful time [eis ratzon] that could be found in our world *

Sefer Shabbos Malkisa, Part 3, Ch.18

Have a Serene Shabbos Kodesh!

Rabbi Schwartz

QV2 - Parshat Miketz

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas Mikeitz!!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“And as for the repetition of the dream to Pharaoh twice - it is because the matter is correct from G-d, and G-d is hurrying to carry it out”

Bereishis 41:32

Yosef explained to Pharaoh that the reason for the reoccurring dream was to show firstly, that the dream is correct and also to show that Hashem will carry it out soon. The question is - why was it necessary for Yosef to state the obvious? Why would he think that the dream was not correct, and if it was correct, why would there be any reason to delay the actual occurrence?

What's Pshat?!

The Beis HaLevi explains that the Gemara Sukkah (29a) teaches that a solar eclipse is a bad omen for the non-Jews. If the eclipse occurs in the morning, the evil events are to occur in the near future; if towards the evening, it is a sign for a disaster in the more distant future. Rashi explains that the sooner in the day the omen comes, the sooner the bad event is destined to come about. We may apply the same principle to dreams that foretell future events: The sooner in the night they come, the more immediate is the fulfillment of the prediction, and if they come at the end of the night they are a signal for more distant events.

However, the Gemara Berachos (55b) explains that a dream that one sees at the end of the night is more likely to have significance as an indication of a future event. This is because the dreams at the beginning of one's sleep are usually nothing more than a reflection of the thoughts that had gone through that person's head during the course of the day.

Yosef told Pharaoh that because he dreamt his dream twice it was especially significant. If the dream would have occurred at the beginning of the night it might be discounted as being inconsequential, as the Gemara in Berachos explains. On the other hand, if it had come at the end of the night, it would have been an indicator of events in the distant future. However, the dream occurred twice – once in the beginning of the night and once at the end. The fact that it was seen at the end of the night showed that “the matter is correct”, as opposed to being a mere reflection of Pharoah’s own subconscious thoughts of the day. And the fact that it was also seen at the beginning of the night showed that “G-d is hurrying to carry it out,” as the Gemara in Sukkah says.

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#10*

*One who faithfully guards Shabbos needs only to utter a decree, and [Hashem Yisborach] causes its fulfillment*

Midrash Raba Parshas Shelach 25:15

Have a Jovial Shabbos Kodesh & a Luminous Chanuka

Rabbi Schwartz

Ezra Sakkal - Chaburahs

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Mazal Tov to Adam Gemal on his engagement

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Mazal Tov to Adam Gemal on his engagement to Lynda Saadia. May they be zoche to build a binyan adei ad.

Maabrook!

Parshat VaYeishev '11 - Rabbi Preschel's Chumash Shiur

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat VaYeishev

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Events this Week

- The Yeshiva had another week packed with Shteiging & action. Tuesday, Rabbi Schwartz and his Megillah shiur (Oz Amos, Albert Cohen, Nathan Dabbah, & Jake Dweck) completed the 2nd perek of the mesechet. Great job boys - the end is near.

- On Wednesday, Rabbi Amar gave an inspirational shmooze detailing the importance of completing Mitzvot that were started. To listen, click here.

- Thusday was a chill & action day in Park Menachem Begin in Ramat Gan. The boys enjoyed some BBall in the park and Rav Moshe 'hooked up' an amazing BBQ. Some boys tried some challenging watersport in the lake - Wakeboarding! Not everyone was successful getting the hang of it, but everyone certainly enjoyed.

- Shteig-a-Daf is still moving along nicely. A newcomer to the contest, Shana Bet Harry Zebede eloquently said over the 1st Daf of Bava Metzia, great job Harry!! Papi is still doing some heavy damage as he completed another 5+ Daf this week, nearing the end of the 2nd perek of Bava Metzia - keep up the unbelievable work!!

- Shabbat will be hosted by Rabbi Fayazi & family in the Yeshiva.

Shabbat Shalom!!

QV - Parshat VaYeishev

Rabbi Adam Schwartz — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

A Quick Vort (Q.V.) for Parshas VaYeishev!!

*The Q.V. is the weekly Torah grab, for all readers, regardless of attention-span issues*

“…and Yosef would bring evil reports about them [his brothers] to their father.”

Bereishis 37:2

evil reports about them – that they ate flesh from a living animal…

Rashi ibid.

How could one believe that the holy Shevatim [Tribes] were actually guilty of such a serious offense, such as eating ever min hachai? However, if we say that they really did not commit these transgressions, how could Yosef speak slanderously against these great men and fabricate this tale? Surely Yosef would not accuse his brothers wrongly.

What’s Pshat?!

The Shela Hakadosh exonerates both Yosef and the Shevatim with the following explanation.

Rav Chisda and Rav Huna created a calf on every Erev Shabbos with the Sefer Yetzira.

Gemara Sanhedrin (65a)

Avraham Avinu wrote the Sefer Yetzira [Book of Formation, see QV Parshas Bereishis] through which one could use the mystical secrets of the permutations of Hashem’s names to manipulate the physical world. Avraham then passed this book onto Yitzchak, then to Yaakov, and eventually to the Shevatim. Now, only an animal born into this world naturally requires shechita [ritual slaughter]. However, an animal that is created through supernatural means, such as the one in the account in the Gemara Sanhedrin, does not need shechita and therefore may be eaten even before it was killed.

This, says the Shela Hakadosh, is exactly what the Shevatim did. However, Yosef did not know this and reported to his father exactly what he saw. So we see that the Shevatim were not committing any sin, and Yosef, also, wasn’t just devising some libel against his brothers, rather, he was just conveying the episode that he saw.

[The Shela Hakadosh also vindicates the other sins that Yosef reported to his father (see Rashi) in the same manner]

And now---The Kedushas Shabbos Quote!!!

--The *KSQ* is a one-line quote from a vast array of Torah sources regarding the holiness and unique nature of the Shabbos day--

*KSQ#9*

*The Blessed One Be He gives an additional soul to every man on Erev Shabbos; on Motzai Shabbos He takes it from him*

Talmud Bavli Beitzah 16b

Have an Iridescent Shabbos Kodesh

Rabbi Schwartz

Rabbi Yossi Amar '11 - Our Rabbeim

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

The Responsibility of Completion

Parshat VaYishlach '11 - Rabbi Preschel's Chumash Shiur

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat VaYishlach

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Events This Week

- This week started off with a special simcha in the Yeshiva. Rabbi & Rebbitzen Fayazi made a simchat erusin in honor of their daughter's engagement. Catered by the Rebbitzen herself, aka Jerusalem Maza inc., and hosted in the Yeshiva dining room - a festive melave malka celebration was enjoyed by all. May they have much nachat from the new couple!!

- On Monday, Isaac Goldman - Shana Bet, departed from the Yeshiva. A seudat preida was held in the beit midrash. Some of the Rabbeim and boys, both 1st & 2nd year, expressed their sentiments about Isaac and how he left an indelible impact on their lives. We wish him much hatzlacha in all his future endeavors.

- Wednesday evening, Rabbi Monczyk put together the 2nd seder chizuk ShwarmaFest. All talmidim who showed significant attendance by 2nd seder, were invited for a little 'miToch SheLo L'shma, Bah L'shma' shwarma incentive. Thanks to Rav Moshe for arranging the meal and amazing spread!

- The Shteig-a-Daf program is still in full swing. Albert 'Papi' Sutton is still charging through mesechet Bava Metzia, with another 6 daf this week ba'al peh! We switched to Gatorade for the completion of every 2 daf. Keep it up!!

- This week is an 'In-Shabbat' hosted by Rabbi Amar & Family. Everyone is looking forward to an uplifting Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom

Parshat VaYeitzei '11 - Rabbi Preschel's Chumash Shiur

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Parshat Toldot '11 - Rabbi Preschel's Chumash Shiur

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat VaYeitze

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

- This week started off with a beautiful Rosh Chodesh breakfast sponsor by Sonny Halawani in honor of his wedding that evening. Rebbitzen Fayazi catered the sumptuous seudah. Rabbi Mishaan gave an inspirational shmooze that could be heard here.

- Later on Sunday, Rabbi Schwartz and his Megillah class - Oz Amos, Albert Cohen, Nathan Dabbah, Jake Dweck - finished the 1st perek of the Mesechet. Maabrook!

- Keeping track of the 'Shteig-a-Daf'- Shawn Israeli completed the 1st daf of mesechet Megillah. However, he earned an Arizona AND a Gatorade because he said it over - WORD FOR WORD by heart! Great job, kein yirbu!! Also, Papi started his trek though Eilu Metziot and punded out 1.5 Daf in that perek!

- On Tuesday, Rabbi Dovid Felt, the Principal from Valley Torah in LA, gave a shmooze about Yaakov and Eisav. To listen, click here.

- Thursday morning the Yeshiva went to Gan Sacher for park day. Heavy B-Ball and chilling as on hand (see for yourself)

- On Motzei Shabbat, Rabbi & Rebbitzen Fayazi will be making an Engagement seuda in celebration of their daughter becoming a Kallah. Mazal Tov and much nachat!

Shabbat Shalom

Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Rebbitzen Fayazi on the Engagement of their Daughter

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Rebbitzen Fayazi on the Engagement of their Daughter.

May they be zoche to build a binyan adei ad!

Rabbi Dovid Felt - Guest Speakers

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Eisav and Kibud Horim

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Toldot

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

- Welcome back to Rabbi Fayazi who rounded up his recruiting trip to the USA. Its great to have you back.

- The Shteig-a-Daf contest is in full swing! We have 2 new members this week. Both Jake Dweck & Eddie Anzarouth succeeded in saying over the 1st Daf of Bava Metzia by heart. As did our veteran 'Shteig-a-Dafian', Albert Cohen, who has accumulated a total of 4 Daf so far (3 Megillah & 1 Bava Meztia). Some other boys are gearing up for their 1st Daf/Arizona - we'll keep you posted.

- Mazal Tov to Sonny Halawani - "H", on his upcoming wedding on Sunday. May he and his new kallah have much success and happiness in their future together!

- Finally, this Shabbat will be hosted by Rabbi Cabessa and Family - everyone is looking forward to an uplifting Shabbos Kodesh.

Shabbat Shalom

Maabrook to Sonny Halawani on his upcoming Wedding

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Maabrook to Sonny Halawani & Sara Mizrahi on their upcoming wedding next Sunday.

May they be zoche to build a Bayit Ne'eman B'Yisrael!

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Vayeira

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

- The week started off with a boost in spirit! After an amazing 'IN' Shabat with Rabbi Mishaan and family - Rabbi Yellin hosted a Melave Malka in his home on Motzei Shabbat. Divrei Torah, fine foods, and an uplifting kumzits were enjoyed by all the boys.

- On Tuesday, the shocking news of the petira of HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel ZT"L, the Mir Rosh Yeshiva, took the world by storm. The entire Yeshiva joined the masses and took part in the very tragic levaya. Every Chanuka, a major highlight of the boys year was going to visit the Rosh Yeshiva ZT"L to hear Divrei Chizuk and receive brachot. Unfortunately, this year we will be unable to do so. Here's a photo of a past visit to the Rosh Yeshiva.

- On Thursday, the Yeshiva headed south for a beautiful tiyul. Nachal Tamar with the challenging ropes and ladders was an exciting adventure. Then to the gorgeous water hike of Ein Bokek. Finally, winding up in the Dead Sea for a dip in one of the natural wonders of the world. We even passed by "Lot's Wife" - so fitting for the Parsha!

- Lastly, Maabrook to Ovadia "Papi" Sutton on completing the entire 3rd perek of Mesechet Bava Metzia - Shakla V'Tarya BY HEART! Great work and may you be zoche to do so for the rest of SHAS!

- Rabbi Preschel gave a knockout Parsha class. Click here to listen.

This Week in Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah-Parshat Lech Lecha

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EDT

- The Yeshiva had another great week of learning, BH.

- Another bunch of Arizona's have been accumulated in the 'Steig-a-Daf' contest. Albert Sutton (Shana Bet) is trucking his way through the 3rd perek of Bava Metzia. To date he has 4 Daf down cold, and there's more to come.

Shana Alef's, Baruch Menache, earned for himself a smooth raspberry iced-tea, but locking down the 1st Daf of Bava Metzia by heart - great job & kein yirbu!!!

- Rabbi Yellin gave a shtark shmooze entailing how we identify our own nisyonot with the trials of Avraham. Listen here

- Rabbi Mishaan and family will, be'H, be joining the Yeshiva for Shabat followed by a Melave Malka hosted by Rav Yellin in his home.

SHABAT SHALOM