4-11-2011
THE SACREDNESS OF EACH DAY IN TORAH
Genesis Chapter 1
בְּרֵאשִׁית
Yom Shaynee ............Second day
ו וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם, וִיהִי מַבְדִּיל, בֵּין מַיִם לָמָיִם. 6
And God said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.'
ז וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים, אֶת-הָרָקִיעַ, וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ, וּבֵין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ; וַיְהִי-כֵן. 7
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.
ח וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ, שָׁמָיִם; וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם שֵׁנִי. {פ} 8
And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. {P}
Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides)
• Nissan 7, 5771 • 4 11, 2011Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides' classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Negative Commandment 10
• Studying Foreign Theologies
•
1. "Do not turn to the idols"-Leviticus 19:4.
2. We are forbidden to study or even dabble in idolatrous teachings. Such activity can lead an individual without sufficient intelligence or knowledge to stray after these false teachings. Furthermore, it is forbidden to even gaze at an idol or idolatrous icon.
•
• Negative Commandment 47
• Straying After Incorrect Beliefs and Illicit Pleasures
•
1. "And that you stray not after your heart and eyes"-Numbers 15:39.
2. We are to keep our eyes and hearts in check, never succumbing to the allure of beliefs and urges antithetical to Torah values. We are obligated to maintain control over our thoughts-not to allow our hearts to lead us to heretical beliefs, nor our eyes to lead us to indulge in thoughts about illicit pleasures.
•
• Negative Commandment 60
1. Cursing G-d
2. "Do not curse G-d"-Exodus 22:27.
3. We are forbidden to curse G-d. This prohibition applies whether using one of G-d's holy names, or even if referring to Him through other monikers.
•
• Negative Commandment 6
• Unique Modes of Idol Worship
•
1. "Do not worship them"-Exodus 20:5.
2. We are forbidden to worship an idol employing any practice unique to that idol. For example, in ancient times there was an idol called Markulis. Its worship called for casting a rock in its direction. Throwing a rock at Markulis would be a violation of this prohibition-while throwing a rock at any other idol would not.
3. (This is in addition to specific modes of idol worship that are forbidden whether or not they are part of the protocol prescribed for that deity. See Negative Mitzvah 5 for more on this topic.)
•
• Negative Commandment 5
• Idol Worship
1. "Do not bow down to them"-Exodus 20:5.
2. It is forbidden to worship any deity other than the One G-d in any of the following manners: 1) Bowing. 2) Slaughtering a sacrifice. 3) Pouring a libation. 4) Burning a sacrifice on an altar. These prohibitions apply even if these acts are not the accepted way of worshipping that particular deity.
3. Aside for these four actions, it is also forbidden to verbally declare belief in a deity other than G-d.
•
• Negative Commandment 2
• Manufacturing Idols
•
1. "Do not make any carved idols for yourself"-Exodus 20:4.
2. It is forbidden to make, or to commission the making of, a graven image for the sake of worshipping it.
•
• Negative Commandment 3
• Making Idols for Others
•
1. "Do not make gods out of metal for yourselves"-Leviticus 19:4.
2. It is forbidden to create a graven image for another, even for a non-Jew.
• Negative Commandment 4
•
1. Ornamental Statuettes
2. "Do not make with Me gods of silver or gold; you shall not make for yourselves"-Exodus 20:20.
3. We are not allowed to create the graven image of a human being, even if only for ornamental or decorative purposes.
•
• Negative Commandment 15
•
1. Inciting a Group to Idol Worship
2. "Neither let [idolatry] be heard from your mouth"-Exodus 23:13.
3. It is forbidden to incite a populace to idolatry.
•
• Positive Commandment 186
•
1. City of Idol Worshipers
2. "And burn the city with fire"-Deuteronomy 13:17.
3. If the citizenry of a city has been influenced to worship idols, we are commanded to destroy the city, kill its inhabitants, and burn all its property.
•
• Negative Commandment 23
•
Rebuilding the "Apostate City"
"It shall remain a ruin forever; it shall never be rebuilt"-Deuteronomy 13:17.
A city that has been destroyed because its citizens were persuaded to worship idols (see Positive Commandment 186) may never be rebuilt.
•
• Negative Commandment 24
•
1.
2. Benefiting from the "Apostate City"
3. "Let nothing that has been condemned to destruction remain in your hand"-Deuteronomy 13:18.
4. Everything contained within the "Apostate City" (see Positive Commandment 186) must be burned. It is forbidden to use, or derive any benefit from, any object from such a city.
•
• Today in Judaism
• Today is:, Nissan 7, 5771 • 4 11, 2011
• Today's Laws & Customs
• Today's 'Nasi': Ephraim
In today's "Nasi" reading (see "Nasi of the Day" in Nissan 1), we read of the gift bought by the nasi of the tribe of Ephraim, Elishama ben Amihud, for the inauguration of the Mishkan.
•
• Sanctification of the Moon
•
Once a month, as the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah, "the sanctification of the moon," praising the Creator for His wondrous work we call astronomy.
1. Kiddush Levanah is recited after nightfall, usually on Saturday night. The blessing is concluded with songs and dancing, because our nation is likened to the moon-as it waxes and wanes, so have we throughout history. When we bless the moon, we renew our trust that very soon, the light of G-d's presence will fill all the earth and our people will be redeemed from exile.
2. Though Kiddush Levanah can be recited as early as three days after the moon's rebirth, the kabbalah tells us it is best to wait a full week, till the seventh of the month. Once 15 days have passed, the moon begins to wane once more and the season for saying the blessing has passed.
• Today in Jewish History
• Jews Prepare to Cross into Canaan (1273 BCE)
1. The Jewish nation mourned for thirty days following the passing of Moses. (During this time, Joshua, the new leader of the Jewish nation, sent scouts to spy on the land of Canaan, see Jewish History for the 5th of Nissan).
2. On the 7th of Nissan, the first day after the mourning period came to an end, Joshua instructed the Jews to stock up on provisions and prepare themselves to cross the Jordan river and begin the conquest of the Promised Land. This was the first time Joshua addressed the nation, and they unconditionally accepted him as their new leader.
3. The actual crossing occurred on the 10th of Nissan
•
• Daily Quote
•
Sanctify. Cleanse. Appetizer. Break. Tell. Wash. Bread. Matzah. Bitter. Wrap. Set the Table. Hidden. Bless. Praise. Accepted.
- The fifteen steps of the Passover Seder (from the Haggadah)
• Daily Study
1. Chitas and Rambam for today:
2. Chumash: Acharei, 2nd Portion Leviticus 16:18-16:24 with Rashi
3. Tehillim: Chapters 39 - 43
4. Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 40
5. : Lessons in Tanya
6. Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
• 1 Chapter: Kelim Chap. 6
• 3 Chapters: Avodah Kochavim Chapter One, Avodah Kochavim Chapter Two, Avodah Kochavim Chapter Three
7. Hayom Yom:
•
• Topics in the news
•
1. Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo is arrested after a months-long crisis. The old guy just could not let go….
2. In golf, South African Charl Schwartzel wins the Masters Tournament. The Tiger is seemingly a little pussy cat now…
3. American film director Sidney Lumet (pictured) dies at the age of 86.
4. A gunman opens fire in a shopping mall in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands, killing himself and six others. Please pray for all the families and all the souls lost
5. At least 27 people are killed in anti-government protests in the Syrian city of Daraa.
6. The government of the People's Republic of China announces the arrest of artist and dissident Ai Weiwei.
•
• Current events of 11 4 2011
•
•
• Armed conflicts and attacks
•
• 2011 Syrian protests
•
1. Students take part in a demonstration at Damascus University to express solidarity with protesters killed in the unrest. (Al Jazeera) (Al Bawaba) (Press TV)
2. Student killed after Syria forces attack Damascus University protest. (Haaretz)
3. 2011 Egyptian revolution: Demonstrators remain in Tahrir Square calling for the acceleration of reforms. (Reuters)
4. At least 5 people are killed and dozens are injured in the blast at Oktyabrskaya metro station in Minsk. (RT)
5. 2010-2011 Ivorian crisis/Second Ivorian Civil War:
6. Laurent Gbagbo is captured and arrested in Abidjan. Gbagbo has been reportedly taken to the headquarters of Alassane Ouattara. French reports claim he was captured by Ouattara supporters while contradictory reports suggest he was captured by French special forces. (Washington Post) (France 24)
7. 2011 Libyan civil war: Libyan rebels reject an African Union peace plan. (Reuters)
8. Fighting between rebels and government forces kill 27 people in the Central African Republic. (AFP via Google News)
•
• Arts and culture
•
The French law banning the burqa and niqab comes into effect. (AFP via News Limited) (BBC)
•
• Business and economy
•
Mexican businessman Carlos Slim is again the richest man in the world according to the Forbes list of billionaires. (BBC)
•
• Disasters
•
1. Over 14,000 people are still missing in Japan, a month after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. (Kyodo News)
2. The President of the Tokyo Electric Power Co. visits the government offices of Fukushima Prefecture and the command centre for the Fukushima I nuclear accidents to apologise. (Kyodo) (CNN)
3. The government of Japan announces plans to evacuate more towns near the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant as the crisis continues. (CNN)
4. Japan is hit by a magnitude 6.6 aftershock one month after the the main earthquake, knocking out power to Fukushima I for nearly an hour. (Washington Post)
•
• International relations
•
India repatriates 39 Pakistani prisoners in a goodwill gesture. (Times of India) (Dawn)
•
• Law and crime
•
1. Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil is sentenced to three years in prison by a military court for criticising the army. (BBC) (AP via Google News)
2. Farooque Ahmed is sentenced to 23 years in jail in the US for plotting attacks on the Washington Metro system. (Washington post)
•
• Politics
•
1. Uganda's opposition leader Kizza Besigye is arrested after calling for a protest against recent fuel price increases. (AFP via Google News) (BBC)
2. Stephen Smith, the Australian Minister for Defence, orders an investigation into the way women are treated at the Australian Defence Force Academy following recent sexual abuse allegations. (ABC News Austalia)
3. The President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh welcomes a proposal by the Gulf Cooperation Council that would see him stand aside for his Vice-President. (Reuters via Ynet)
4. British Prime Minister David Cameron has been criticised by Oxford University for an "incorrect and highly misleading" claim that only one black student was enrolled there in 2009. During a question and answer session on the effect of higher tuition fees on poorer students, Cameron had called the figures "disgraceful". The University says that at least 26 black students started there that year. (BBC)
5. In a confidential letter to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, the party's former leader of Liverpool City Council, Warren Bradley, urges Clegg to pull out of coalition government before the Lib Dems "disappears into the annals of history". (BBC)
•
• Sports
•
1. American businessman Stan Kroenke acquires 62.89% of English Premier League side Arsenal FC. (BBC)
2. Australian cricket player Shane Watson breaks the world record for number of sixes in a One Day International in the second match in the series against Bangladesh. (Super Sport)
4 11, 2011
British seaman appears in court, charged with murder after shooting on nuclear submarine
Shiites protest against discrimination in Bahrain
Iceland voters reject deal to repay billions to UK, Dutch
THE SACREDNESS OF EACH DAY IN TORAH
Genesis Chapter 1
בְּרֵאשִׁית
Yom Shaynee ............Second day
ו וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי רָקִיעַ בְּתוֹךְ הַמָּיִם, וִיהִי מַבְדִּיל, בֵּין מַיִם לָמָיִם. 6
And God said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.'
ז וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים, אֶת-הָרָקִיעַ, וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ, וּבֵין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ; וַיְהִי-כֵן. 7
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.
ח וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ, שָׁמָיִם; וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם שֵׁנִי. {פ} 8
And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. {P}
Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides)
• Nissan 7, 5771 • 4 11, 2011Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides' classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
• Negative Commandment 10
• Studying Foreign Theologies
•
1. "Do not turn to the idols"-Leviticus 19:4.
2. We are forbidden to study or even dabble in idolatrous teachings. Such activity can lead an individual without sufficient intelligence or knowledge to stray after these false teachings. Furthermore, it is forbidden to even gaze at an idol or idolatrous icon.
•
• Negative Commandment 47
• Straying After Incorrect Beliefs and Illicit Pleasures
•
1. "And that you stray not after your heart and eyes"-Numbers 15:39.
2. We are to keep our eyes and hearts in check, never succumbing to the allure of beliefs and urges antithetical to Torah values. We are obligated to maintain control over our thoughts-not to allow our hearts to lead us to heretical beliefs, nor our eyes to lead us to indulge in thoughts about illicit pleasures.
•
• Negative Commandment 60
1. Cursing G-d
2. "Do not curse G-d"-Exodus 22:27.
3. We are forbidden to curse G-d. This prohibition applies whether using one of G-d's holy names, or even if referring to Him through other monikers.
•
• Negative Commandment 6
• Unique Modes of Idol Worship
•
1. "Do not worship them"-Exodus 20:5.
2. We are forbidden to worship an idol employing any practice unique to that idol. For example, in ancient times there was an idol called Markulis. Its worship called for casting a rock in its direction. Throwing a rock at Markulis would be a violation of this prohibition-while throwing a rock at any other idol would not.
3. (This is in addition to specific modes of idol worship that are forbidden whether or not they are part of the protocol prescribed for that deity. See Negative Mitzvah 5 for more on this topic.)
•
• Negative Commandment 5
• Idol Worship
1. "Do not bow down to them"-Exodus 20:5.
2. It is forbidden to worship any deity other than the One G-d in any of the following manners: 1) Bowing. 2) Slaughtering a sacrifice. 3) Pouring a libation. 4) Burning a sacrifice on an altar. These prohibitions apply even if these acts are not the accepted way of worshipping that particular deity.
3. Aside for these four actions, it is also forbidden to verbally declare belief in a deity other than G-d.
•
• Negative Commandment 2
• Manufacturing Idols
•
1. "Do not make any carved idols for yourself"-Exodus 20:4.
2. It is forbidden to make, or to commission the making of, a graven image for the sake of worshipping it.
•
• Negative Commandment 3
• Making Idols for Others
•
1. "Do not make gods out of metal for yourselves"-Leviticus 19:4.
2. It is forbidden to create a graven image for another, even for a non-Jew.
• Negative Commandment 4
•
1. Ornamental Statuettes
2. "Do not make with Me gods of silver or gold; you shall not make for yourselves"-Exodus 20:20.
3. We are not allowed to create the graven image of a human being, even if only for ornamental or decorative purposes.
•
• Negative Commandment 15
•
1. Inciting a Group to Idol Worship
2. "Neither let [idolatry] be heard from your mouth"-Exodus 23:13.
3. It is forbidden to incite a populace to idolatry.
•
• Positive Commandment 186
•
1. City of Idol Worshipers
2. "And burn the city with fire"-Deuteronomy 13:17.
3. If the citizenry of a city has been influenced to worship idols, we are commanded to destroy the city, kill its inhabitants, and burn all its property.
•
• Negative Commandment 23
•
Rebuilding the "Apostate City"
"It shall remain a ruin forever; it shall never be rebuilt"-Deuteronomy 13:17.
A city that has been destroyed because its citizens were persuaded to worship idols (see Positive Commandment 186) may never be rebuilt.
•
• Negative Commandment 24
•
1.
2. Benefiting from the "Apostate City"
3. "Let nothing that has been condemned to destruction remain in your hand"-Deuteronomy 13:18.
4. Everything contained within the "Apostate City" (see Positive Commandment 186) must be burned. It is forbidden to use, or derive any benefit from, any object from such a city.
•
• Today in Judaism
• Today is:, Nissan 7, 5771 • 4 11, 2011
• Today's Laws & Customs
• Today's 'Nasi': Ephraim
In today's "Nasi" reading (see "Nasi of the Day" in Nissan 1), we read of the gift bought by the nasi of the tribe of Ephraim, Elishama ben Amihud, for the inauguration of the Mishkan.
•
• Sanctification of the Moon
•
Once a month, as the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah, "the sanctification of the moon," praising the Creator for His wondrous work we call astronomy.
1. Kiddush Levanah is recited after nightfall, usually on Saturday night. The blessing is concluded with songs and dancing, because our nation is likened to the moon-as it waxes and wanes, so have we throughout history. When we bless the moon, we renew our trust that very soon, the light of G-d's presence will fill all the earth and our people will be redeemed from exile.
2. Though Kiddush Levanah can be recited as early as three days after the moon's rebirth, the kabbalah tells us it is best to wait a full week, till the seventh of the month. Once 15 days have passed, the moon begins to wane once more and the season for saying the blessing has passed.
• Today in Jewish History
• Jews Prepare to Cross into Canaan (1273 BCE)
1. The Jewish nation mourned for thirty days following the passing of Moses. (During this time, Joshua, the new leader of the Jewish nation, sent scouts to spy on the land of Canaan, see Jewish History for the 5th of Nissan).
2. On the 7th of Nissan, the first day after the mourning period came to an end, Joshua instructed the Jews to stock up on provisions and prepare themselves to cross the Jordan river and begin the conquest of the Promised Land. This was the first time Joshua addressed the nation, and they unconditionally accepted him as their new leader.
3. The actual crossing occurred on the 10th of Nissan
•
• Daily Quote
•
Sanctify. Cleanse. Appetizer. Break. Tell. Wash. Bread. Matzah. Bitter. Wrap. Set the Table. Hidden. Bless. Praise. Accepted.
- The fifteen steps of the Passover Seder (from the Haggadah)
• Daily Study
1. Chitas and Rambam for today:
2. Chumash: Acharei, 2nd Portion Leviticus 16:18-16:24 with Rashi
3. Tehillim: Chapters 39 - 43
4. Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 40
5. : Lessons in Tanya
6. Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvos:
• 1 Chapter: Kelim Chap. 6
• 3 Chapters: Avodah Kochavim Chapter One, Avodah Kochavim Chapter Two, Avodah Kochavim Chapter Three
7. Hayom Yom:
•
• Topics in the news
•
1. Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo is arrested after a months-long crisis. The old guy just could not let go….
2. In golf, South African Charl Schwartzel wins the Masters Tournament. The Tiger is seemingly a little pussy cat now…
3. American film director Sidney Lumet (pictured) dies at the age of 86.
4. A gunman opens fire in a shopping mall in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands, killing himself and six others. Please pray for all the families and all the souls lost
5. At least 27 people are killed in anti-government protests in the Syrian city of Daraa.
6. The government of the People's Republic of China announces the arrest of artist and dissident Ai Weiwei.
•
• Current events of 11 4 2011
•
•
• Armed conflicts and attacks
•
• 2011 Syrian protests
•
1. Students take part in a demonstration at Damascus University to express solidarity with protesters killed in the unrest. (Al Jazeera) (Al Bawaba) (Press TV)
2. Student killed after Syria forces attack Damascus University protest. (Haaretz)
3. 2011 Egyptian revolution: Demonstrators remain in Tahrir Square calling for the acceleration of reforms. (Reuters)
4. At least 5 people are killed and dozens are injured in the blast at Oktyabrskaya metro station in Minsk. (RT)
5. 2010-2011 Ivorian crisis/Second Ivorian Civil War:
6. Laurent Gbagbo is captured and arrested in Abidjan. Gbagbo has been reportedly taken to the headquarters of Alassane Ouattara. French reports claim he was captured by Ouattara supporters while contradictory reports suggest he was captured by French special forces. (Washington Post) (France 24)
7. 2011 Libyan civil war: Libyan rebels reject an African Union peace plan. (Reuters)
8. Fighting between rebels and government forces kill 27 people in the Central African Republic. (AFP via Google News)
•
• Arts and culture
•
The French law banning the burqa and niqab comes into effect. (AFP via News Limited) (BBC)
•
• Business and economy
•
Mexican businessman Carlos Slim is again the richest man in the world according to the Forbes list of billionaires. (BBC)
•
• Disasters
•
1. Over 14,000 people are still missing in Japan, a month after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. (Kyodo News)
2. The President of the Tokyo Electric Power Co. visits the government offices of Fukushima Prefecture and the command centre for the Fukushima I nuclear accidents to apologise. (Kyodo) (CNN)
3. The government of Japan announces plans to evacuate more towns near the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant as the crisis continues. (CNN)
4. Japan is hit by a magnitude 6.6 aftershock one month after the the main earthquake, knocking out power to Fukushima I for nearly an hour. (Washington Post)
•
• International relations
•
India repatriates 39 Pakistani prisoners in a goodwill gesture. (Times of India) (Dawn)
•
• Law and crime
•
1. Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil is sentenced to three years in prison by a military court for criticising the army. (BBC) (AP via Google News)
2. Farooque Ahmed is sentenced to 23 years in jail in the US for plotting attacks on the Washington Metro system. (Washington post)
•
• Politics
•
1. Uganda's opposition leader Kizza Besigye is arrested after calling for a protest against recent fuel price increases. (AFP via Google News) (BBC)
2. Stephen Smith, the Australian Minister for Defence, orders an investigation into the way women are treated at the Australian Defence Force Academy following recent sexual abuse allegations. (ABC News Austalia)
3. The President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh welcomes a proposal by the Gulf Cooperation Council that would see him stand aside for his Vice-President. (Reuters via Ynet)
4. British Prime Minister David Cameron has been criticised by Oxford University for an "incorrect and highly misleading" claim that only one black student was enrolled there in 2009. During a question and answer session on the effect of higher tuition fees on poorer students, Cameron had called the figures "disgraceful". The University says that at least 26 black students started there that year. (BBC)
5. In a confidential letter to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, the party's former leader of Liverpool City Council, Warren Bradley, urges Clegg to pull out of coalition government before the Lib Dems "disappears into the annals of history". (BBC)
•
• Sports
•
1. American businessman Stan Kroenke acquires 62.89% of English Premier League side Arsenal FC. (BBC)
2. Australian cricket player Shane Watson breaks the world record for number of sixes in a One Day International in the second match in the series against Bangladesh. (Super Sport)
4 11, 2011
British seaman appears in court, charged with murder after shooting on nuclear submarine
Shiites protest against discrimination in Bahrain
Iceland voters reject deal to repay billions to UK, Dutch
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