NEWS & JUDAISM

Today & Tomorrow, The Crown Of The Week:

Today Erev Shabbat, Av 19, 5771 • 8 19, 2011

& Tomorrow is: Shabbat, Av 20, 5771 • 8 20, 2011

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Topics in the news

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Indian social activist Anna Hazare agrees to leave his jail cell after Delhi police allow a 15-day hunger strike against corruption.

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Astronomers announce that TrES-2b has the lowest known albedo of any planet, reflecting less than 1% of the starlight falling upon it.

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Google (headquarters pictured) announces an agreement to acquire Motorola Mobility for US$12.5 billion.

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In golf, Keegan Bradley wins the 2011 PGA Championship.

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Indian actor Shammi Kapoor dies at the age of 79.

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Current events

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Armed conflicts and attacks

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A Taliban attack on a British Council centre in Kabul, Afghanistan, results in the death of at least eight people. (BBC) (CNN) (Reuters) (AFP via The Strait Times)

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Arts and culture

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The Pukkelpop music festival in Belgium is cancelled following the death of at least five people in a storm. (Voice of Russia)

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Business and economy

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August 2011 stock markets fall

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The Tokyo Stock Exchange's Nikkei Stock Average falls by 1.9% in early trading as the trend of stock market falls continues. (Wall Street Journal)

The All Ordinaries Index on the Australian Stock Exchange falls by 4.4% with Asian markets generally down. (AAP via The Australian)

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Disasters

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A 6.8 magnitude earthquake occurs off the coast of Japan with a tsunami warning issued and then retracted. (Reuters), (AP via Sydney Morning Herald)

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Daily Quote

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They hung it from two poles, each with two men at each end; thus it required eight men to carry the cluster of grapes. One man carried a fig, and one a pomegranate

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- Rashi on Numbers 13:23, describing how the Spies brought back the fruit of the Land of Canaan

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Daily Study

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Chitas and Rambam for today:

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Chumash: Eikev, 6th Portion Deuteronomy 11:10-11:21 with Rashi

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Tehillim: Chapters 90 - 96

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Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 5

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Rambam:

• Sefer Hamitzvos:

• 1 Chapter: Zechiyah uMattanah Chapter Five

• 3 Chapters: Bikkurim Chapter 12, Shemita Chapter 1, Shemita Chapter 2

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Hayom Yom: "Today's Day"

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Those who daven with four pairs of tefillin follow this procedure:

1. Put on Rashi hand - and head - tefillin before saying Chapter Eizehu (p. 23), and daven in them until after ach tzadikim... (p. 85).

2. Remove the Rashi tefillin from the head and put on - without a b'racha - Shimusha Raba tefillin for the head. Recite sh'ma... until emet; then recite the daily portion of Tehillim (as the Tehillim is divided into the days of the month). The meticulous would study those chapters with the commentaries of Rashi and Metzudot.

3. Then put on - without a b'racha - Rabeinu Tam tefillin,1 recite sh'ma... until emet, then chapter Kadeish... (p. 85) and the Remembrances printed in the Siddur (p. 86). Then study a chapter of Mishna, each according to his comprehension.

4. Remove the Rabeinu Tam tefillin from the head and put on the Ra'avad tefillin for the head - without a b'racha. Recite sh'ma... until emet; study the day's portion of Chumash with the commentary of Rashi - on Sunday (the first parsha) until sheini, Monday the second parsha, etc.

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FOOTNOTES

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1. It is critical to note that the Rebbe of righteous memory has instructed and requested all of Bar-mitzva age and older to regularly put on Rabeinu Tam tefillin. Viz. sichot of Purim 5736, Motza'ei Va'eira 5739, Pekudei 5741.

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Today's Mitzvah

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A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"

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Positive Commandment 82

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The Unredeemed Firstborn Donkey

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"And if you do not redeem it, you shall break its neck"—Exodus 34:20.

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We are commanded to break the neck of a firstborn male donkey—if the owner does not wish to redeem it.

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Positive Commandment 135

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Abstaining from Agricultural Work during the Sabbatical Year

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"During the plowing and harvest [seasons] you shall rest"—Exodus 34:21.

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We are commanded to abstain from agricultural work during the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year. This command is repeated in the Torah several times.

This mitzvah, according to biblical law, applies only in the Land of Israel.

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Negative Commandment 220

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Working the Fields during the Sabbatical Year

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"You shall not sow your field"—Leviticus 25:4.

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It is forbidden to sow the fields during the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year.

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Negative Commandment 221

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Working the Orchards during the Sabbatical Year

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"You shall not prune your vineyard"—Leviticus 25:4.

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It is forbidden to do agricultural work on fruit trees during the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year.

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Negative Commandment 222

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Harvesting Wild Field Crops during the Sabbatical Year

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"That which grows of its own accord of your harvest, you shall not reap"—Leviticus 25:5.

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It is forbidden to harvest – in normal fashion – that which grows wild in the fields during the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year. One may only harvest it as if it was ownerless, i.e. without extensive preparation or arrangement, and not in bulk.

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Shabbat, Av 20, 5771 • 8 20, 2011

Today's Laws & Customs

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• Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 5

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During the summer months, from the Shabbat after Passover until the Shabbat before Rosh Hashahah, we study a weekly chapter of the Talmud's Ethics of the Fathers ("Avot") each Shabbat afternoon; this week we study Chapter Five.

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Today in Jewish History

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• Zohar Published (1558)

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First printing of the Zohar, the fundamental work of the Kabbalah (Jewish esoteric and mystical teachings), authored by the Talmudic sage, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

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• Passing of R. Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (1944)

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Av 20 is the yahtzeit (anniversary of the passing) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (1878-1944), in Alma Ata, Kazakhstan. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was Chief Rabbi of Yekaterinoslav (currently Dnepropetrovsk), and was arrested and exiled to Kazakhstan by the Stalinist regime as a result of his work to preserve Jewish life in the Soviet Union.

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A Brief Biography

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Rebbetzin Chana Scneerson's biography, which includes her account of her husband's heroism, arrest and passing.

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Daily Study

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Chitas and Rambam for today:

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Chumash: Eikev, 7th Portion Deuteronomy 11:22-11:25 with Rashi

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Tehillim: Chapters 97 - 103

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Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 5

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Rambam:

• Sefer Hamitzvos:

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• 1 Chapter: Zechiyah uMattanah Chapter Six

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

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Hayom Yom: "Today's Day"

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Just as with the mitzva of tefillin for example, there is a designated place for them on the head and arm, and one feels the weight of the head-tefilla and the tightness of the hand-tefilla, so too with the mitzvot of ahava and yira, love and fear (awe) of G-d. As Rambam writes, in Yesodei Hatorah 2:1: It is a commandment to love and fear the revered and awesome G-d, as it is said, "Love Hashem your G-d", and "You shall fear Hashem your G-d."

Now the degree of fulfillment of these mitzvot is that there be a bodily sensation, that the very flesh of the heart actually feel (the love or the fear); just as, for example, when one meets a truly devoted friend. Not only does he feel good and forget all his troubles, he even enjoys a newly-awakened inner liveliness and optimism - all stemming from his cheerful mood.

So, too, with (the opposite emotion of) fear (of G-d); he is seized by a great dread and fright, for at that moment he recalls whatever was undesirable in his thoughts, words and deeds. His heart feels a palpable pain from his dread of punishment, his fear of Heaven. At times he may experience yirat boshet, an overwhelming shame,1 or yirat harom'mut, awe of G-d's transcendent majesty.2

FOOTNOTES

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. This day marks the yahrzeit, in 5704 (1944) of Rav Levi Yitschak Schneerson of blessed memory, father of the Rebbe of righteous memory . "He was imprisoned and exiled for his work in strengthening Judaism, and he passed away in exile, on the twentieth day of the month Menachem Av..." (Wording on the headstone at the resting-place of Rebbetzin Chana of blessed memory).

1. At his own insignificance.

2. Viz. Tanya, Ch. 4. This fear-sensation is beyond even that of yirat boshet.

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Today's Mitzvah

A daily digest of Maimonides’ classic work "Sefer Hamitzvot"

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Negative Commandment 223

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Harvesting Fields during the Sabbatical Year

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"Nor shall you gather the grapes of the un-pruned vine"—Leviticus 25:5.

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It is forbidden to harvest – in normal fashion – the fruit of the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year. One may only harvest it as if it was ownerless, i.e. without extensive preparation or arrangement, and not in bulk.

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Positive Commandment 134

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Rendering Fields Ownerless during the Sabbatical Year

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"But [during] the seventh year you shall let it rest and abandon it"—Exodus 23:11.

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We are commanded to render ownerless all that the land produces during the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year, making all the fields' output free for all to take.

This mitzvah, according to biblical law, applies only to the produce of the Land of Israel.

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Positive Commandment 141

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Forgoing Loans on the Sabbatical Year

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"But if you have any claim against your brother, you must relinquish it"—Deuteronomy 15:3.

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During the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year, we are commanded to cancel any debts owed to us [by fellow Jews].

Biblically, this mitzvah only applies when the Jubilee laws regulating agricultural are in effect (see The Jubilee Year).

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Negative Commandment 230

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Collecting Debts following the Sabbatical Year

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"Every creditor that lends anything to his neighbor shall release it"—Deuteronomy 15:2.

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We are forbidden from demanding payment of a debt once the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year has passed. Rather, all debts must be cancelled.

This biblical prohibition applies only in the Land of Israel, and only when the Jubilee laws regulating agricultural are in effect (see The Jubilee Year). The Sages, however, extended this prohibition to apply to all locations and all times.

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Negative Commandment 231

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Refusing to Lend Money in Anticipation of the Sabbatical Year

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"Beware lest there be an [unworthy thought in your heart...]"—Deuteronomy 15:9.

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It is forbidden to refuse to lend money to another before the advent of the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year, for fear that the debt will be cancelled.

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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 Ha´shee´shee ....Sixth day

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כד וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, תּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה לְמִינָהּ, בְּהֵמָה וָרֶמֶשׂ וְחַיְתוֹ-אֶרֶץ, לְמִינָהּ; וַיְהִי-כֵן. 24



And God said: 'Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind.' And it was so.



כה וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ לְמִינָהּ, וְאֶת-הַבְּהֵמָה לְמִינָהּ, וְאֵת כָּל-רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה, לְמִינֵהוּ; וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים, כִּי-טוֹב. 25



And God made the beast of the earth after its kind, and the cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.



כו וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ; וְיִרְדּוּ בִדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם, וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבְכָל-הָאָרֶץ, וּבְכָל-הָרֶמֶשׂ, הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאָרֶץ. 26



And God said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.'



כז וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ, בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ: זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה, בָּרָא אֹתָם. 27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.



כח וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם, אֱלֹהִים, וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם אֱלֹהִים פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת-הָאָרֶץ, וְכִבְשֻׁהָ; וּרְדוּ בִּדְגַת הַיָּם, וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם, וּבְכָל-חַיָּה, הָרֹמֶשֶׂת עַל-הָאָרֶץ. 28



And God blessed them; and God said unto them: 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that creepeth upon the earth.'



כט וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת-כָּל-עֵשֶׂב זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע אֲשֶׁר עַל-פְּנֵי כָל-הָאָרֶץ, וְאֶת-כָּל-הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר-בּוֹ פְרִי-עֵץ, זֹרֵעַ זָרַע: לָכֶם יִהְיֶה, לְאָכְלָה. 29



And God said: 'Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed--to you it shall be for food;



ל וּלְכָל-חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ וּלְכָל-עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּלְכֹל רוֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר-בּוֹ נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, אֶת-כָּל-יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב, לְאָכְלָה; וַיְהִי-כֵן. 30



and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is a living soul, [I have given] every green herb for food.' And it was so.



לא וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת-כָּל-אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה, וְהִנֵּה-טוֹב מְאֹד; וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי-בֹקֶר, יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי. {פ} 31 And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. .

THE SACREDNESS OF EACH DAY IN TORAH

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Genesis Chapter 1

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בְּרֵאשִׁית

Yom Shabbat Rest.......7th Day

Genesis Chapter 2 בְּרֵאשִׁית

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א וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ, וְכָל-צְבָאָם. 1

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And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.



ב וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה; וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, מִכָּל-מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. 2 And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.



ג וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ: כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל-מְלַאכְתּוֹ, אֲשֶׁר-בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת. {פ} 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God in creating had made.