Adar II 24, 5771 ·
3 30, 2011
THE SACREDNESS OF EACH DAY IN TORAH
Genesis Chapter 1
בְּרֵאשִׁית
Yom Revee´ee............Fourth day
יד וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי מְאֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם, לְהַבְדִּיל, בֵּין הַיּוֹם וּבֵין הַלָּיְלָה; וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים, וּלְיָמִים וְשָׁנִים. 14
And God said: 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years;
טו וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם, ְהָאִיר עַל-הָאָרֶץ; וַיְהִי-כֵן. 15
and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.' And it was so.
טז וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים, אֶת-שְׁנֵי הַמְּאֹרֹת הַגְּדֹלִים: אֶת-הַמָּאוֹר הַגָּדֹל, לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַיּוֹם, וְאֶת-הַמָּאוֹר הַקָּטֹן לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַלַּיְלָה, וְאֵת הַכּוֹכָבִים. 16
And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars.
יז וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים, בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם, לְהָאִיר, עַל-הָאָרֶץ. 17
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
יח וְלִמְשֹׁל, בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה, וּלְהַבְדִּיל, בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים, כִּי-טוֹב. 18
and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.
יט וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם רְבִיעִי. {פ} 19
And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. {P}
*Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides)
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides' classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Maimonides' Introduction to Sefer Hamitzvot
In Maimonides' introduction to the Sefer Hamitzvot ("The Book of Commandments"), he states the goal he set to accomplish with authoring this work.
The Talmud (end of Tractate Makkot) tells us that there are 613 biblical precepts-248 of which are "positive commandments," i.e., mitzvot that require an action on our part, and 365 "negative commandments," i.e., prohibitions. The 248 positive commandments correspond to the 248 limbs in the human body, each limb, as it were, demanding the observance of one commandment. The 365 negative commandments correspond to the 365 days of the solar year, each day enjoining us not to transgress a certain prohibition.
While the Talmud gives us these precise numbers, it does not list the 248 positive commandments or the 365 negative ones. Thus, numerous "mitzvah counters" have arisen throughout the generations - many who preceded Maimonides - each one attempting to provide a comprehensive listing of the mitzvot, each one's list differing slightly from all others'.
Maimonides prefaces his Sefer Hamitzvot with fourteen guiding principles that allow us to determine which Torah precepts are included in the count, and which are not. He then references these principles throughout the work, and thus arrives at precisely 248 positive commandments and 365 negative ones.
Maimonides explains in his introduction that the objective of the Sefer Hamitzvot is not to explain or elaborate upon the commandments. In an instance where he does speak about the details of a particular mitzvah, the intention is simply to identify which mitzvah he is referring to. The only goal of this work is to enumerate the biblical commandments and to provide explanation as to why certain precepts are counted while others are not.
The following are the fourteen principles (they will be explained at length in the following chapter):
Do not count Rabbinic Commandments in this list.
Do not include laws which are derived from one of the Thirteen Principles of Torah Exegesis.
Do not count mitzvot which are not binding on all generations.
We do not include "encompassing" directives in the count.
The reason for a mitzvah is not counted on its own.
A mitzvah that has both negative and positive components is counted as two.
The different applications of a mitzvah are not individually counted.
Do not count a negative statement amongst the prohibitions.
Do not count the number of times a commandment is mentioned in the Torah, only the act which is prohibited or commanded.
Do not count a preparatory act as an independent mitzvah.
If a mitzvah is comprised of a number of elements, do not count them separately.
When commanded to do a certain action, do not count each part of the action separately.
We do not count the amount of days a mitzvah is performed.
We do not count the punishment administered for each transgression.
*Today in Judaism
Today is: Wednesday, Adar II 24, 5771 · March 30, 2011
*Today in Jewish History
a) Blood Libel Declared False (1817)
b) On Adar 24, Czar Alexander I of Russia declared the Blood Libel -- the infamous accusation that Jews murdered Christian children to use their blood in the baking of matzah for Passover, for which thousands of Jews were massacred through the centuries -- to be false. Nevertheless, nearly a hundred years later the accusation was officially leveled against Mendel Beilis in Kiev.
*Daily Quote
a) "I am a stranger and a resident amongst you" (Abraham to Ephron the Hittite, Genesis 23:4). The Jew is a "resident" in the world, for the Torah instructs us not escape the physical reality but to inhabit it and elevate it. At the same time, the Jew feels himself a "stranger" in the material world -- his true home is the world of spirituality, holiness and G-dliness from which his soul has been exiled and to which it yearns to return. Indeed, it is only because we remain stranger" that we can maintain the spiritual vision and integrity required to reside in the world and sanctify it as a "dwelling for G-d."
*The Lubavitcher Rebbe
*Daily Study
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Tazria, 4th Portion Leviticus 13:24-13:28 with Rashi
Tehillim: Chapters 113 - 118
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 38
*Rambam:
a) Sefer Hamitzvos:
b) 1 Chapter: Tum'at Okhalin Chap. 10
c) 3 Chapters: Introduction Part 1, Introduction Part 2, Introduction Part 3
Hayom Yom:
NEWS
*Armed conflict and attacks
2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests:
2011 Syrian protests
Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, to address nation amid unrest (AFP via Google News)
2011 Libyan uprising
Muammar Gaddafi's forces capture the town of Ras Lanuf. (AFP via Google News)
After rebels retreat outside Ras Lanuf, the coalition has begun launching air-strikes at gaddafi's forces again. (Al Jazeera)
2011 Bahraini protests
Prominent Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al-Yousif is arrested as the 2011 Bahraini protests continue. (Global Voices Online)
*Arts and culture
The finalists are announced for the Man Booker International Prize including Wang Anyi, Juan Goytisolo, James Kelman, John le Carré, Amin Maalouf, David Malouf, Dacia Maraini, Rohinton Mistry, Phillip Pullman, Marilynne Robinson, Philip Roth, Su Tong and Anne Tyler. (Man Booker Prize)
Business and economy
The Australian dollar reaches a 29 year high against the US dollar due to high demand for commodities. (BBC), (Market Watch)
*Disasters
The United States and France announce plans to help Japan as Fukushima I nuclear accidents continue. [1]
Flooding across southern Thailand results in eleven deaths with thousands of people stranded. (AFP via Channel News Asia)
International Relations
The South Korean military holds a live-fire drill on Yeonpyeong Island which was shelled by North Korea last year. (Yonhap)
The Yonhap news agency in South Korea reports that the People's Republic of China has reinforced fences and increased patrols along its border with North Korea in order to stop a flow of refugees. (AFP via Yahoo! News)
*Law and crime
Three Filipinos are executed on drug charges in the People's Republic of China. (Yahoo! News Philippines)
A man suspected of being Umar Patek wanted for his alleged role in the 2002 Bali bombings is arrested in Pakistan. (The Australian)
*Politics
The State Peace and Development Council military government is officially dissolved in Burma. (BBC)
*Science
The first virophage virus found in a natural environment is discovered in Organic Lake in Antarctica. (Nature)(PhysOrg)
*Sport
Michael Clarke is announced as the captain of the Australia national cricket team in both test cricket and One Day Internationals replacing Ricky Ponting. (The Telegraph)
Gaddafi loyalists go on offensive, rebels pushed back
Forces loyal to Ouattara plan to seal Ivory Coast border
3 30, 2011
THE SACREDNESS OF EACH DAY IN TORAH
Genesis Chapter 1
בְּרֵאשִׁית
Yom Revee´ee............Fourth day
יד וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי מְאֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם, לְהַבְדִּיל, בֵּין הַיּוֹם וּבֵין הַלָּיְלָה; וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים, וּלְיָמִים וְשָׁנִים. 14
And God said: 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years;
טו וְהָיוּ לִמְאוֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם, ְהָאִיר עַל-הָאָרֶץ; וַיְהִי-כֵן. 15
and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.' And it was so.
טז וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים, אֶת-שְׁנֵי הַמְּאֹרֹת הַגְּדֹלִים: אֶת-הַמָּאוֹר הַגָּדֹל, לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַיּוֹם, וְאֶת-הַמָּאוֹר הַקָּטֹן לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת הַלַּיְלָה, וְאֵת הַכּוֹכָבִים. 16
And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars.
יז וַיִּתֵּן אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים, בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם, לְהָאִיר, עַל-הָאָרֶץ. 17
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
יח וְלִמְשֹׁל, בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה, וּלְהַבְדִּיל, בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים, כִּי-טוֹב. 18
and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.
יט וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם רְבִיעִי. {פ} 19
And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. {P}
*Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides)
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides' classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Maimonides' Introduction to Sefer Hamitzvot
In Maimonides' introduction to the Sefer Hamitzvot ("The Book of Commandments"), he states the goal he set to accomplish with authoring this work.
The Talmud (end of Tractate Makkot) tells us that there are 613 biblical precepts-248 of which are "positive commandments," i.e., mitzvot that require an action on our part, and 365 "negative commandments," i.e., prohibitions. The 248 positive commandments correspond to the 248 limbs in the human body, each limb, as it were, demanding the observance of one commandment. The 365 negative commandments correspond to the 365 days of the solar year, each day enjoining us not to transgress a certain prohibition.
While the Talmud gives us these precise numbers, it does not list the 248 positive commandments or the 365 negative ones. Thus, numerous "mitzvah counters" have arisen throughout the generations - many who preceded Maimonides - each one attempting to provide a comprehensive listing of the mitzvot, each one's list differing slightly from all others'.
Maimonides prefaces his Sefer Hamitzvot with fourteen guiding principles that allow us to determine which Torah precepts are included in the count, and which are not. He then references these principles throughout the work, and thus arrives at precisely 248 positive commandments and 365 negative ones.
Maimonides explains in his introduction that the objective of the Sefer Hamitzvot is not to explain or elaborate upon the commandments. In an instance where he does speak about the details of a particular mitzvah, the intention is simply to identify which mitzvah he is referring to. The only goal of this work is to enumerate the biblical commandments and to provide explanation as to why certain precepts are counted while others are not.
The following are the fourteen principles (they will be explained at length in the following chapter):
Do not count Rabbinic Commandments in this list.
Do not include laws which are derived from one of the Thirteen Principles of Torah Exegesis.
Do not count mitzvot which are not binding on all generations.
We do not include "encompassing" directives in the count.
The reason for a mitzvah is not counted on its own.
A mitzvah that has both negative and positive components is counted as two.
The different applications of a mitzvah are not individually counted.
Do not count a negative statement amongst the prohibitions.
Do not count the number of times a commandment is mentioned in the Torah, only the act which is prohibited or commanded.
Do not count a preparatory act as an independent mitzvah.
If a mitzvah is comprised of a number of elements, do not count them separately.
When commanded to do a certain action, do not count each part of the action separately.
We do not count the amount of days a mitzvah is performed.
We do not count the punishment administered for each transgression.
*Today in Judaism
Today is: Wednesday, Adar II 24, 5771 · March 30, 2011
*Today in Jewish History
a) Blood Libel Declared False (1817)
b) On Adar 24, Czar Alexander I of Russia declared the Blood Libel -- the infamous accusation that Jews murdered Christian children to use their blood in the baking of matzah for Passover, for which thousands of Jews were massacred through the centuries -- to be false. Nevertheless, nearly a hundred years later the accusation was officially leveled against Mendel Beilis in Kiev.
*Daily Quote
a) "I am a stranger and a resident amongst you" (Abraham to Ephron the Hittite, Genesis 23:4). The Jew is a "resident" in the world, for the Torah instructs us not escape the physical reality but to inhabit it and elevate it. At the same time, the Jew feels himself a "stranger" in the material world -- his true home is the world of spirituality, holiness and G-dliness from which his soul has been exiled and to which it yearns to return. Indeed, it is only because we remain stranger" that we can maintain the spiritual vision and integrity required to reside in the world and sanctify it as a "dwelling for G-d."
*The Lubavitcher Rebbe
*Daily Study
Chitas and Rambam for today:
Chumash: Tazria, 4th Portion Leviticus 13:24-13:28 with Rashi
Tehillim: Chapters 113 - 118
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 38
*Rambam:
a) Sefer Hamitzvos:
b) 1 Chapter: Tum'at Okhalin Chap. 10
c) 3 Chapters: Introduction Part 1, Introduction Part 2, Introduction Part 3
Hayom Yom:
NEWS
*Armed conflict and attacks
2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests:
2011 Syrian protests
Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, to address nation amid unrest (AFP via Google News)
2011 Libyan uprising
Muammar Gaddafi's forces capture the town of Ras Lanuf. (AFP via Google News)
After rebels retreat outside Ras Lanuf, the coalition has begun launching air-strikes at gaddafi's forces again. (Al Jazeera)
2011 Bahraini protests
Prominent Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al-Yousif is arrested as the 2011 Bahraini protests continue. (Global Voices Online)
*Arts and culture
The finalists are announced for the Man Booker International Prize including Wang Anyi, Juan Goytisolo, James Kelman, John le Carré, Amin Maalouf, David Malouf, Dacia Maraini, Rohinton Mistry, Phillip Pullman, Marilynne Robinson, Philip Roth, Su Tong and Anne Tyler. (Man Booker Prize)
Business and economy
The Australian dollar reaches a 29 year high against the US dollar due to high demand for commodities. (BBC), (Market Watch)
*Disasters
The United States and France announce plans to help Japan as Fukushima I nuclear accidents continue. [1]
Flooding across southern Thailand results in eleven deaths with thousands of people stranded. (AFP via Channel News Asia)
International Relations
The South Korean military holds a live-fire drill on Yeonpyeong Island which was shelled by North Korea last year. (Yonhap)
The Yonhap news agency in South Korea reports that the People's Republic of China has reinforced fences and increased patrols along its border with North Korea in order to stop a flow of refugees. (AFP via Yahoo! News)
*Law and crime
Three Filipinos are executed on drug charges in the People's Republic of China. (Yahoo! News Philippines)
A man suspected of being Umar Patek wanted for his alleged role in the 2002 Bali bombings is arrested in Pakistan. (The Australian)
*Politics
The State Peace and Development Council military government is officially dissolved in Burma. (BBC)
*Science
The first virophage virus found in a natural environment is discovered in Organic Lake in Antarctica. (Nature)(PhysOrg)
*Sport
Michael Clarke is announced as the captain of the Australia national cricket team in both test cricket and One Day Internationals replacing Ricky Ponting. (The Telegraph)
Gaddafi loyalists go on offensive, rebels pushed back
Forces loyal to Ouattara plan to seal Ivory Coast border
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