4 13 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, לְהָאִיר 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.
Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides)
Nissan 9, 5771
April 13, 2011
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides' classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Negative Commandment 11
A Structure Designated for Worship
"Do not erect a monument which the Lord, your G-d, despises"-Deuteronomy 16:22.
It is forbidden to erect a structure designed for people to gather around it to worship-even to worship the One G-d. This is forbidden because erecting such a revered structure was common practice amongst the ancient idol worshippers.
Negative Commandment 12
Kneeling Stones
"You shall not install a kneeling stone in your land, to bow down upon it"-Leviticus 26:1.
It is forbidden to make designated stones upon which to bow down-even if bowing to the One G-d. This is forbidden because it was common practice amongst the ancient idol worshippers to decorate "kneeling stones" and place them before their idols.
Negative Commandment 13
Trees in the Temple
"Do not plant for yourself an Asherah of any tree near the altar of the Lord your G-d"-Deuteronomy 16:21.
It is forbidden to plant any tree near the altar, or anywhere in the Holy Temple. This is forbidden because it was common practice amongst the ancient idol worshippers to plant beautiful decorative trees in their temples.
Positive Commandment 185
Destroying Idols
"Destroy all those places"-Deuteronomy 12:2.
We are commanded to utterly eradicate all vestiges of idol worship from the Land of Israel. To shatter, burn, destroy and cut down-any method needed to destroy the idols, their altars, and their houses of worship.
Negative Commandment 25
Benefiting from Idolatry
"Do not bring an offensive [idol] into your house"-Deuteronomy 7:26.
We are forbidden from deriving any benefit from an idol, or any of its implements. For example, it would be forbidden to cook on a fire fueled by wood from an Asherah (worshipped) tree.
Negative Commandment 22
Benefiting from Idolatrous Decorations
"Do not covet the silver or the gold that is on them"-Deuteronomy 7:25.
It is forbidden to derive any benefit from idolatrous accoutrements, such as jewelry used to adorn an idol or the idol's gold plating.
Negative Commandment 48
Treaties with the Seven Nations
"You shall not make a treaty with them"-Deuteronomy 7:2.
It is forbidden to make a peace treaty with the members of the seven nations of Canaan and to allow them to live peacefully in our midst-unless they agree to abandon their pagan ways.
Negative Commandment 50
Kindness towards Idol-Worshipers
"Do not show mercy towards them"-Deuteronomy 7:2.
We are not to show mercy to idol-worshippers, nor are we permitted to praise them. It is even forbidden to say about an idol-worshipper, "Look at how attractive this individual is!"
Negative Commandment 51
Allowing Idol-Worshipers to Reside in Israel
"They shall not dwell in your land lest they make you sin against Me"-Exodus 23:33.
We must not allow idol-worshippers to dwell in our midst in the Holy Land, lest we learn from their heretical ways. And it is certainly forbidden to sell or even rent real estate to an idol-worshipper in the land.
In fact, if an idol-worshipper wants to pass through our land while en route to his final destination, we do not allow passage unless he forswears idolatry.
Negative Commandment 30
The Practices of the Heathens
"You shall not walk in the practices of the nation that I am sending away before you"-Leviticus 20:23.
We are forbidden from imitating the practices of the idolaters-even in those areas not associated with their pagan rites. Even something as simple as saying, "Since they dress in purple wool, I, too, will dress in purple wool..." is forbidden.
Negative Commandment 33
Interpreting Omens
"There shall not be found among you... one who interprets omens"-Deuteronomy 18:10.
It is forbidden to base one's actions on supposed good or bad omens. The Midrash gives examples of "bad" omens: "My bread fell out of my mouth, my staff fell out of my hand, a snake passed me on my right, a fox on my left..."
Negative Commandment 31
Soothsaying
"There shall not be found among you... a soothsayer"-Deuteronomy 18:10.
It is forbidden to use any of the methods employed by psychics to stimulate their supposed clairvoyant talents-and to then predict the future based on these actions.
Negative Commandment 32
Astrology and Divination
"There shall not be found among you... a diviner of times"-Deuteronomy 18:10.
It is forbidden to predict the auspiciousness of times or dates based on astrological formations: "This day is auspicious, and this day not so." It is also forbidden to act based on such predictions.
Also included in this prohibition is sleight of hand. It is forbidden to deceptively use sleight of hand to convince others that one has magical powers.
Topics in the news
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency raises the severity of the Fukushima I nuclear accidents to level 7, the highest on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo (pictured) is arrested after a five-month standoff with Alassane Ouattara.
At least 12 people are killed and over 200 injured in a bomb attack on the Metro in Minsk, Belarus.
France implements a controversial ban on full-length face covering.
Iceland rejects a plan to repay the British and Dutch governments over guarantee savings after Icesave's failure.
In golf, South African Charl Schwartzel wins the Masters Tournament.
American film director Sidney Lumet dies at the age of 86.
Current events of 13 April 2011
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Malaysiakini Malaysian news website is attacked ahead of elections in Sarawak. (AFP via Channel News Asia)
Business and economy
Toyota closes several plants in Europe for part of April and May due to parts shortages caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. (AP via Forbes)
Royal Dutch Shell announces that it will close the Clyde oil refinery in Sydney, Australia resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Disasters
Japan's Sendai Airport partially reopens for the first time since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. (Kyodo News)
International relations
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The government in the West Bank is largely ready to govern a Palestinian state, the United Nations has said. (BBC) (Washington Post) (Al Jazeera)
Law and crime
Egyptian authorities detain former President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak and his sons Alaa Mubarak and Gamal Mubarak, for questioning for 15 days as part of an investigation of charges of corruption and abuse of power. (Al-Arabiya), (BBC), (AFP via Yahoo! News)
English actor Brian Regan is charged with the murder of a bouncer in a pub in Liverpool. (BBC)
April 13, 2011
Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's spaceflight marks fifty years of human space travel
Ohio executes two-time murderer
NASA celebrates 30th anniversary of first shuttle launch; annouces new homes for retired shuttles
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, לְהָאִיר 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.
Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides)
Nissan 9, 5771
April 13, 2011
Today's Mitzvah
A daily digest of Maimonides' classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"
Negative Commandment 11
A Structure Designated for Worship
"Do not erect a monument which the Lord, your G-d, despises"-Deuteronomy 16:22.
It is forbidden to erect a structure designed for people to gather around it to worship-even to worship the One G-d. This is forbidden because erecting such a revered structure was common practice amongst the ancient idol worshippers.
Negative Commandment 12
Kneeling Stones
"You shall not install a kneeling stone in your land, to bow down upon it"-Leviticus 26:1.
It is forbidden to make designated stones upon which to bow down-even if bowing to the One G-d. This is forbidden because it was common practice amongst the ancient idol worshippers to decorate "kneeling stones" and place them before their idols.
Negative Commandment 13
Trees in the Temple
"Do not plant for yourself an Asherah of any tree near the altar of the Lord your G-d"-Deuteronomy 16:21.
It is forbidden to plant any tree near the altar, or anywhere in the Holy Temple. This is forbidden because it was common practice amongst the ancient idol worshippers to plant beautiful decorative trees in their temples.
Positive Commandment 185
Destroying Idols
"Destroy all those places"-Deuteronomy 12:2.
We are commanded to utterly eradicate all vestiges of idol worship from the Land of Israel. To shatter, burn, destroy and cut down-any method needed to destroy the idols, their altars, and their houses of worship.
Negative Commandment 25
Benefiting from Idolatry
"Do not bring an offensive [idol] into your house"-Deuteronomy 7:26.
We are forbidden from deriving any benefit from an idol, or any of its implements. For example, it would be forbidden to cook on a fire fueled by wood from an Asherah (worshipped) tree.
Negative Commandment 22
Benefiting from Idolatrous Decorations
"Do not covet the silver or the gold that is on them"-Deuteronomy 7:25.
It is forbidden to derive any benefit from idolatrous accoutrements, such as jewelry used to adorn an idol or the idol's gold plating.
Negative Commandment 48
Treaties with the Seven Nations
"You shall not make a treaty with them"-Deuteronomy 7:2.
It is forbidden to make a peace treaty with the members of the seven nations of Canaan and to allow them to live peacefully in our midst-unless they agree to abandon their pagan ways.
Negative Commandment 50
Kindness towards Idol-Worshipers
"Do not show mercy towards them"-Deuteronomy 7:2.
We are not to show mercy to idol-worshippers, nor are we permitted to praise them. It is even forbidden to say about an idol-worshipper, "Look at how attractive this individual is!"
Negative Commandment 51
Allowing Idol-Worshipers to Reside in Israel
"They shall not dwell in your land lest they make you sin against Me"-Exodus 23:33.
We must not allow idol-worshippers to dwell in our midst in the Holy Land, lest we learn from their heretical ways. And it is certainly forbidden to sell or even rent real estate to an idol-worshipper in the land.
In fact, if an idol-worshipper wants to pass through our land while en route to his final destination, we do not allow passage unless he forswears idolatry.
Negative Commandment 30
The Practices of the Heathens
"You shall not walk in the practices of the nation that I am sending away before you"-Leviticus 20:23.
We are forbidden from imitating the practices of the idolaters-even in those areas not associated with their pagan rites. Even something as simple as saying, "Since they dress in purple wool, I, too, will dress in purple wool..." is forbidden.
Negative Commandment 33
Interpreting Omens
"There shall not be found among you... one who interprets omens"-Deuteronomy 18:10.
It is forbidden to base one's actions on supposed good or bad omens. The Midrash gives examples of "bad" omens: "My bread fell out of my mouth, my staff fell out of my hand, a snake passed me on my right, a fox on my left..."
Negative Commandment 31
Soothsaying
"There shall not be found among you... a soothsayer"-Deuteronomy 18:10.
It is forbidden to use any of the methods employed by psychics to stimulate their supposed clairvoyant talents-and to then predict the future based on these actions.
Negative Commandment 32
Astrology and Divination
"There shall not be found among you... a diviner of times"-Deuteronomy 18:10.
It is forbidden to predict the auspiciousness of times or dates based on astrological formations: "This day is auspicious, and this day not so." It is also forbidden to act based on such predictions.
Also included in this prohibition is sleight of hand. It is forbidden to deceptively use sleight of hand to convince others that one has magical powers.
Topics in the news
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency raises the severity of the Fukushima I nuclear accidents to level 7, the highest on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo (pictured) is arrested after a five-month standoff with Alassane Ouattara.
At least 12 people are killed and over 200 injured in a bomb attack on the Metro in Minsk, Belarus.
France implements a controversial ban on full-length face covering.
Iceland rejects a plan to repay the British and Dutch governments over guarantee savings after Icesave's failure.
In golf, South African Charl Schwartzel wins the Masters Tournament.
American film director Sidney Lumet dies at the age of 86.
Current events of 13 April 2011
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Malaysiakini Malaysian news website is attacked ahead of elections in Sarawak. (AFP via Channel News Asia)
Business and economy
Toyota closes several plants in Europe for part of April and May due to parts shortages caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. (AP via Forbes)
Royal Dutch Shell announces that it will close the Clyde oil refinery in Sydney, Australia resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Disasters
Japan's Sendai Airport partially reopens for the first time since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. (Kyodo News)
International relations
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The government in the West Bank is largely ready to govern a Palestinian state, the United Nations has said. (BBC) (Washington Post) (Al Jazeera)
Law and crime
Egyptian authorities detain former President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak and his sons Alaa Mubarak and Gamal Mubarak, for questioning for 15 days as part of an investigation of charges of corruption and abuse of power. (Al-Arabiya), (BBC), (AFP via Yahoo! News)
English actor Brian Regan is charged with the murder of a bouncer in a pub in Liverpool. (BBC)
April 13, 2011
Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's spaceflight marks fifty years of human space travel
Ohio executes two-time murderer
NASA celebrates 30th anniversary of first shuttle launch; annouces new homes for retired shuttles
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