NEWS & JUDAISM STUDY

Today is: Yom Shlee'shee, Av 16, 5771 • 8 16, 2011

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Topics in the news

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Google announces an agreement to acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion.

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The Saint Petersburg Dam (pictured), aimed to protect Saint Petersburg from catastrophic flooding, is completed in the Gulf of Finland.

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Scientists discover the first evidence of live birth among plesiosaurs.

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In an intellectual property dispute, Apple wins a temporary injunction blocking the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in most of the European Union.

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Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania report preliminary success in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia using gene therapy.

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Current events

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Armed conflicts and attacks

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2011 Syrian uprising:

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Iran has canceled its plan to fund a multi-million dollar army base in Syria after the recent crisis. (PressTV)

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The Israeli Air Force launches an air strike east of Gaza City in response to a rocket launched at Israel which landed in the Negev Desert. (Jerusalem Post)

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A United States drone attack in the Pakistani province of North Waziristan kills four militants. (AFP via Dawn)

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Business and economy

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Australian airline Qantas announces that it will be cutting 1000 jobs while steel maker OneSteel announces the loss of 400 jobs. (AAP via News Limited)

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The economy of Germany grows by only 0.1% in the second quarter of 2011 raising concerns about the European economy as a whole. (AP via Washington Post)

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Law and crime

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Indian social activist Anna Hazare is arrested in New Delhi ahead of a proposed fast against corruption. (IBN Live)

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International relations

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Qatari diplomat Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser was named as next President of the United Nations General Assembly for 65th seasion that will be held on September 13. (Xinhuanet)

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Sports

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Former Brazilian football star, Zico has signed a contract to manage the Iraq national football team. (SAG)

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Daily Quote

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The angels hastened to indict [Ishmael], exclaiming: "Master of the Universe! Would You bring up a well for one who will one day slay Your children with thirst?" "What is he now," asked G-d "righteous or wicked?" "Righteous," said the angels. Said G-d: "I judge man only as he is at the moment."

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- Midrash Rabbah on Genesis 21:17

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Daily Study

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Chitas and Rambam for today:

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Chumash: Eikev, 3rd Portion Deuteronomy 9:4-9:29 with Rashi

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Tehillim: Chapters 79 - 82

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Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 5

Rambam:

• Sefer Hamitzvos:

• 1 Chapter: Zechiyah uMattanah Chapter Two

• 3 Chapters: Bikkurim Chapter 3, Bikkurim Chapter 4, Bikkurim Chapter 5

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Hayom Yom: "Today's Day"

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The travels of the Baal Shem Tov when he first revealed himself were for three purposes: Redemption of captives, buttressing Torah and piety, and revealing the Inner Torah (Chassidus).

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The Mitteler Rebbe would explain: The Revealed Torah1 is called water; one goes to water. The Inner Torah is called fire; one fears fire. Therefore, the mashpiya (the one who gives to another)2 must go to the recipient and say to him, "Do not fear, for Hashem your G-d is a consuming fire."3

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FOOTNOTES

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1. Talmud, halacha etc.

2. Such as a teacher, rabbi, instructor of Chassidus etc.

3. A possible explanation: The mashpiya says, in effect, "do not fear the fire that you see in Inner Torah; it is the fire of G-dliness."

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Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides)

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Negative Commandment 149

A Non-Priest Partaking of the Holiest Sacrifices

"But a stranger shall not eat of them because they are holy"—Exodus 29:33.

A non-priest may not eat of the "Holy of Holies" sacrifices (e.g., the flesh of the Sin Offering).

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Positive Commandment 132

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Declaration of the First Fruits

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"And you shall call out and say before G‑d, your G‑d: 'An Aramean [sought to] destroy my father..."—Deuteronomy 26:5.

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When bringing the First Fruit to the Holy Temple, the owner is commanded to speak of G‑d's kindness towards us and express gratitude to G‑d for saving us ever since the times of Jacob, and rescuing us from the slavery and the tormenting of the Egyptians. The owner then beseeches G‑d to continue showering blessing upon us.

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Women are not obligated to make this declaration.

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THE SACREDNESS OF EACH DAY IN TORAH

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Genesis Chapter 1

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בְּרֵאשִׁית

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Yom Shlee´shee.........Third day

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וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם אֶל-מָקוֹם אֶחָד, וְתֵרָאֶה, הַיַּבָּשָׁה; וַיְהִי-כֵן. 9 And God said: 'Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear.' And it was so.



י וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לַיַּבָּשָׁה אֶרֶץ, וּלְמִקְוֵה הַמַּיִם קָרָא יַמִּים; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים, כִּי-טוֹב. 10



And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called He Seas; and God saw that it was good.



יא וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע, עֵץ פְּרִי עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי לְמִינוֹ, אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ-בוֹ עַל-הָאָרֶץ; וַיְהִי-כֵן. 11



And God said: 'Let the earth put forth grass, herb yielding seed, and fruit-tree bearing fruit after its kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth.' And it was so.



יב וַתּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע, לְמִינֵהוּ, וְעֵץ עֹשֶׂה-פְּרִי אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ-בוֹ, לְמִינֵהוּ; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים, כִּי-טוֹב. 12



And the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and tree bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after its kind; and God saw that it was good.



יג וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם שְׁלִישִׁי. {פ} 13



And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. {P}