NEWS & JUDAISM

CROWN OF THE WEEK:

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Today: Erev Shabbat, Av 26, 5771 • 8 26, 2011

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Tomorrow: Shabbat, Av 27, 5771 • 8 27, 2011

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SHABBAT SHALOM

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Topics in the news

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Steve Jobs (pictured) steps down as chief executive officer of Apple and is succeeded by Tim Cook.

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The unmanned Progress M-12M spacecraft fails to achieve orbit on a mission to resupply the International Space Station, after a malfunction of its Soyuz-U carrier rocket.

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A 5.8-magnitude intraplate earthquake, the strongest in the eastern United States since 1944, occurs in Virginia.

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Jack Layton, Canadian Leader of the Opposition, dies of cancer at the age of 61.

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Current events



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Armed conflict and attacks

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Al Arabiya television reports that three rockets have hit the border area between Kuwait and Iraq. (Reuters)

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The Japanese National Police Agency reveals that 90 per cent of cyberattacks on its web site on July 10 came from Internet Protocol addresses in the People's Republic of China. (Kyodo)

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As many as ten people are feared killed after a bomb explodes at a United Nations building in Abuja, Nigeria. (The Guardian), (Sky News)

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Arts and culture

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The Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China bars 100 songs from music download sites including Lady Gaga's Judas and Katy Perry's Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.). (AP via Google News)

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Business and economy

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Ben Bernanke, the Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve, gives a keynote address at a central banks conference at the US resort of Jackson Hole, Wyoming as statistics show that the US economy grew by 1%. (Reuters via CNBC)

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Disasters

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Hurricane Irene

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Hurricane Irene approaches the east coast of the United States ahead of making landfall on Saturday with 50 million people in its path. (WRAL), (Reuters)

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The United States Navy sends the United States Second Fleet out of its base in Naval Station Norfolk to ride the storm out at sea. (Reuters)

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A state of emergency is declared in a number of states including North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. (BBC), (Fox News)

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The unveiling of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington D.C. is postponed indefinitely. (Daily Mail)

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The casinos in Atlantic City close as gamblers and residents evacuate from the New Jersey coast. (AP via NJ.com)

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Politics

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2011 Quds Day Protests:

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For the first time, protests held in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. (Tabnak)(PressTV)

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Massive rallies have commenced in Iranian cities on the International Quds Day in support of the Palestinian resistance against Israel. (PressTV)

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Israel has prevented Palestinians from holding a rally in Jerusalem. (PressTV)

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President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wants governments to vote for Palestine's independence on September 2011 during the United Nations General Assembly season. (IRNA)

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Oh Se-hoon resigns as the Mayor of Seoul after losing a referendum on free school lunches. (AP via Google News)

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Naoto Kan announces his resignation as Prime Minister of Japan after the Parliament of Japan passes two key pieces of legislation. (AP via NineMSN), (AP via San ose Mercury News)





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Today in Jewish History

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• Tzemach Tzeddek Departs Petersburg

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In 1843, the Interior Ministry of the Czarist government convened a rabbinical conference in the Russian capital of Petersburg, to the end of imposing changes in Jewish communal life and religious practice. Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (1789-1866, known as the "Tzemach Tzeddek" after his Halachic works by that name) was invited; as a primary figure in the leadership of Russian Jewry, his compliance was required to lend legitimacy to the government's proposed "reforms". In the course of the conference, the Tzemach Tzeddek was placed under arrest no less than 22 (!) times for his refusal to cooperate. When he finally departed Petersburg on the 26th of Av, he had successfully prevented the government's disruption of traditional Jewish life.

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Daily Quote

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The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the student of the law from between his feet, until Shiloh [=Moshiach] comes, and to him will be a gathering of peoples

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- Genesis 49:10

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Daily Study

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Chitas and Rambam for today:

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Chumash: Re'eh, 6th Portion Deuteronomy 15:1-15:18 with Rashi

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Tehillim: Chapter 119, Verses 97-176

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Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, end of Epistle 7

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Rambam:

• Sefer Hamitzvos:

• 1 Chapter: Zechiyah uMattanah Chapter Twelve

• 3 Chapters: Beis Habechirah Chapter 8, Kli Hamikdash Chapter 1, Kli Hamikdash Chapter 2

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Hayom Yom: "Today's Day"

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From my father's sichot: In the chassidic "exodus from Egypt" there is the Mitzva of recounting the "Exodus" verbally, to tell chassidic stories and to "sense" and apprehend the story in one's deepest inwardness. One must know that every narrative is guidance for living. Every story must bring forth (in the listener) a fine character trait, an inner enthusiasm for hidur mitzva,1 and should enable the listener to sense the "ways of pleasantness" of chassidic teachings.

FOOTNOTES

1. Performing the mitzva with "beauty," beyond the minimal obligation.

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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 22

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Guarding the Temple

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"And you [Aaron] and your sons with you, before the Tent of Testimony"—Numbers 18:2.

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We are commanded to station guards in and around the Temple, and that these guards patrol the Temple all night. This honor guard is a way of demonstrating respect for the Temple, exalting and glorifying it. As the Midrash says, "One can not compare a palace that has guards to a palace that does not."

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The priests guard the Temple from within and the Levites guard and patrol it from the outside.

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Negative Commandment 67

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Neglecting to Guard the Temple

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"And you shall keep the charge of the Sanctuary"—Numbers 18:5.

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We are forbidden to neglect supplying the Temple with an honor guard that watches and patrols the Temple at night.

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Positive Commandment 35

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The Oil of Anointment

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"And the high priest, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured"—Leviticus 21:10.

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We are commanded to have an anointing oil, made of a special recipe [detailed in the Torah], ready to be used for anointing newly appointed high priests. Some kings are also anointed with this oil.

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This oil was also used to anoint the Tabernacle and its utensils—but that was a one time occurrence.

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Negative Commandment 83

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Recreating the Oil of Anointment

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"You shall not make any like it, according to its composition"—Exodus 30:32.

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It is forbidden to make anointing oil using the same formula as the anointing oil described in the Torah.

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Negative Commandment 84

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Anointing a Foreigner with the Oil of Anointment

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"Upon the flesh of a man it shall not be daubed"—Exodus 30:32.

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It is forbidden to anoint any individual – other than high priests and kings – with the anointing oil manufactured by Moses.

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Today is: Shabbat, Av 27, 5771 • August 27, 2011

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Today's Laws & Customs

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• Blessing the New Month

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This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim ("the Shabbat that blesses" the new month): a special prayer is recited blessing the Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") of upcoming month of Elul which falls on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

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Prior to the blessing, we announce the precise time of the molad, the "birth" of the new moon.

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It is a Chabad custom to recite the entire book of Psalms before morning prayers, and to conduct farbrengens (chassidic gatherings) in the course of the Shabbat.

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• Ethics of the Fathers: Chapter 6

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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 Six.

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*Daily Study

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Chitas and Rambam for today:

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Chumash: Re'eh, 7th Portion Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17 with Rashi

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Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, Epistle 8

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Rambam:

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• Sefer Hamitzvos:

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• 1 Chapter: Shechenim Chapter One

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• 3 Chapters: Kli Hamikdash Chapter 3, Kli Hamikdash Chapter 4, Kli Hamikdash Chapter 5

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Hayom Yom: "Today's Day"

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The month of Elul is the month of reckoning. In the material world, if a businessman is to conduct his affairs properly and with great profit, he must periodically take an accounting and correct any deficiencies... Likewise in the spiritual avoda of serving G-d. Throughout the year all Israel are occupied with Torah, Mitzvot and (developing and expressing) good traits. The month of Elul is the month of reckoning, when every Jew, each commensurate with his abilities, whether scholar or businessman, must make an accurate accounting in his soul of everything that occurred in the course of the year. Each must know the good qualities in his service of G-d and strengthen them; he must also be aware of the deficiencies in himself and in his service, and correct these. Through this excellent preparation, one merits a good and sweet year, materially and spiritually.

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Today's Mitzvah

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

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Negative Commandment 85

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Replicating the Incense

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"You shall not make for yourselves according to its composition"—Exodus 30:37.

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We are forbidden to produce incense with the same formula used in the Holy Temple, for the sake of enjoying its fragrance.

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Negative Commandment 82

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Offering Sacrifices on the Golden Altar

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"You shall not offer on it strange incense, nor a burnt or meal-offering; neither shall you pour a libation upon it"—Exodus 30:9.

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It is forbidden to offer any sacrifice on the Golden Altar in the Holy Temple's sanctuary.

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Positive Commandment 34

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Transportation of the Holy Ark

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"Because the service of the holy belongs to them, they shall bear upon their shoulders"—Numbers 7:9.

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The kohanim (priests) are commanded to carry the Ark [containing the Tablets] on their shoulders—when necessary to transport it from one location to another.

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Although the Levites were originally entrusted with this task, this was only in the desert, when the kohanim population was very small. But in all future generations, this is a task reserved for the kohanim.

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Negative Commandment 86

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Removing the Ark's Poles

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"The poles shall be in the ark's rings; they shall not be removed from them"—Exodus 25:15.

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It is forbidden to remove the poles of the ark [which were used in order to transport it from location to location] from their designated rings on the ark's exterior.

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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.

Genesis Chapter 1

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בְּרֵאשִׁית

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

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Genesis Chapter 2 בְּרֵאשִׁית

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א וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ, וְכָל-צְבָאָם. 1



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.