DOUBLE ISSUE Covers two weeks: Bamidbar, Shavuot, Naso

Transcription

1 1044 xacna zereay Third decade Second thousand `yp b"ryz'd oeiq zerxe deg` dad` May '13 DOUBLE ISSUE Covers two weeks: Bamidbar, Shavuot, Naso No Torah Tidbits the week of Shavuot Next TT, #1045 for B'haalot'cha Due out IY"H Wed. May 22nd Submissions by Sun. May 19th (Monday is doable, but Sunday is preferred) In honor of Yom Yerushalayim: :m lfrîc r e dÿ r n FO r l ai a q 'd e D l ai a q mi x d m lẅex i In honor of Parshat Bamidbar: K i zÿlel M z a d «` K i ½ xer p c q g ÆK l i Y x³ k f ' ½d x n ` dÿ M... µ :d «rex f ` Ÿl u x ` A x ½Ä c O A Æi x g «` K³ Y k l In honor of Shavuot:...WF cẅ if b e mi p dÿ «M z k l n n i² lîei d «Y m Y ` e In honor of Parshat Naso: :m«k x«ä ` i p `«e l ` x U i í p AÎl r i n WÎz ` E nü e Jerusalem in/out times for Parshat Bamidbar 6:51pm (earliest - 6:01pm) / 8:06pm (R'Tam - 8:38pm) Checked and double checked for Bamidbar See p 3 and Pull-Out for more Fri nite:.x nfer l mi nï d räa x ` e zfereeaẅy dẍy Wy m d Wy mfei mi räa x ` e dẍy Wy mfeii d RED HEIFER STEAKHOUSE co-owned Wolf& Lamb NYC "Best Steaks in Jerusalem..." - Jerusalem Traveler's Guide 26 King David Street, Jerusalem RSVP (02) e"dl

2 ParshaPix Explanations on pp Word of the Month With the announced molad on Friday morning, the first opportunity for Kiddush L'vana according to Minhag Yerushalayim is Monday evening, May 13th. Although many (most?) shuls/people have the custom to wait until Motza'ei Chag (Wed. nite, May 15th), those who follow MY will take the first op. First op for strict 7-days-after-the-molad people will say KL on Motza'Sh Naso, May 18th. Those who say KL specifically on Motza'ei Chag do so because of the larger numbers of people and the festive mood.

3 See the Shavuot Pull-Out section for Candle lighting and Havdala times for Bamidbar, Shavuot, and Naso...mi H g xi v w i xem A ½L l d U r«y ÆzŸrªa «Ẅ b³ g e And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the first fruits of wheat harvest... (Sh'mot 34:22) Photo by Yehoshua Halevi. For more scenes and inspiration from the Land of Israel, visit Israel365.com

4 LEAD TIDBIT The Expanded Shavuot Agenda The Basic Agenda for Shavuot includes Davening, hearing Megilat Ruth, hearing the Torah reading, Torah Learning, eating Dairy foods, enjoying Yom Tov meals, enjoying Yom Tov itself... and a few other items you can probably think of on your own. All of the above is the relatively easy agenda for the Chag. There is an extended agenda for Shavuot - as there is for every special day on the Jewish Calendar. The Torah tells us that when the people of Israel arrived at the Sinai Wilderness, they (actually, he) camped there as one person with one heart. This is not just an anecdote - it is a challenge. Jewish Unity is a significant goal and challenge for each of us and for all of us - in all times. It does not involve homogenizing and becoming just like everyone else. That's not unity. Unity involves maintaining one's identity, and thoughts, and principles AND recognizing the other people might have different thoughts and principles - but striving to be able to accept others and to join with one another for the sake of the Jewish People and our National Dreams. Commentaries on the phrasing in the Torah concerning the Receiving of the Torah, speak about our challenge to continually experience Matan Torah and to be able to learn and practice Torah with the enthusiasm, freshness, and commitment, as if we received the Torah today. That takes work. It doesn't happen automatically when we eat cheesecake or when we hear Megilat Ruth. And it doesn't happen by itself even when we spend hours learning Torah. We need to put in effort. We need to take the challenge seriously and we need to internalize and personalize the experiences. And we need to work at transmitting the messages and feelings to our children and grandchildren. Shavuot is the culmination of the Exodus process. It is not just at the Seder table that we are supposed to re-experience Y'TZI'AT MITZRAYIM. That is an ongoing process. It was supposed to continue throughout the Omer period. We need to undergo the process of self-elevation, from what ever level of TUM'A we are at. We are supposed to be better people today than we were yesterday. And you shall be unto Me... a holy nation. Blintzes don't make us holy. Torah and Mitzvot do. And not just learning Torah and doing Mitzvot. We must strive to the levels and attitudes that are reflected by the words in the AHAVA RABBA bracha said right before Sh'ma of Shacharit. We ask G-d to 'Enlighten our eyes in Your Torah (that's more than just studying it) and let our hearts cling to Your commandments (that's a lot more than just going through the motions). These are not just Shavuot agenda items - they are tasks and goals for us to work on every single day of our lives. gny bg OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 4 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

5 Bamidbar 34th of 54 sedras; first of 10 in Bamidbar Written on 263 lines in a Torah, ranks 3rd 30 Parshiyot; 23 open, 7 closed, ranks 4th 159 p'sukim - ranks 3rd (3rd in Bamidbar) 1823 words - ranks 13th (4th in Bamidbar) 7393 letters - ranks 9th (3rd in Bamidbar) Note the difference in rank from p'sukim to words. BaMidbar's p'sukim are among the shortest in the Torah - average: 11.5 words/pasuk. Compare - Vayelech: 18.4 (longest p'sukim), Book of Bamidbar: 12.7, the Torah: 13.7 MITZVOT Of the 17 sedras with none of the Taryag (613) mitzvot, Bamidbar is the largest. Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary [P> X:Y (Z)] and [S> X:Y (Z)] indicate start of a parsha p tucha or s tuma. X:Y is Perek:Pasuk of the beginning of the parsha; (Z) is the number of p'sukim in the parsha. Numbers in [square brackets] are the Mitzva-count of Sefer HaChinuch AND Rambam s Sefer HaMitzvot. A=ASEI (positive mitzva); L=LAV (prohibition). X:Y is the perek and pasuk from which the mitzva comes. In memory of d"r ield ikcxn za dig on her 56th yahrzeit on Shavuot her remaining son, Natan Leibler grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren Kohen - First Aliya 19 p'sukim - 1:1-19 [P> 1:1 (19)] The command from G-d is to count the people, specifically the males from 20 years and up. 20 is the Torah's age for military service. Assisting in the census are Aharon and a representative of each tribe. The command came a year and a fortnight out of Egypt, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar The census was carried out as commanded. SDT: Commentaries point out that the command to count the people was given to Moshe and Aharon (as opposed to just Moshe) because the census was done by collecting half-shekels from the people. Since money was involved, it is not proper to have only one person dealing with the matter - even if that person is Moshe Rabeinu! This became the ethical standard of dealing with public funds. On the other hand... Another commentator suggests that this census was not done with shekels, but rather with a direct head count. Although we learn that it is improper, and even potentially dangerous, to count people directly, in this case there was a direct command from G-d to count the people. Hence, no harm would befall them during the carrying out of these Divine orders. This, in contrast to Ki Tisa, where the Torah says, "When YOU count, then you MUST OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 5 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

6 collect the half-shekel, etc. There, the language in the Torah implies that the counting was optional or practical, but not obligatory. Therefore, the indirect method was necessary. K'RU'EI HA'EIDA, a term for leaders of the people, is written with a YUD in place of the VAV as in the word's pronunciation. Baal HaTurim says that we can look at the YUD as a chopped VAV, to tell us that among the leaders was a "not so worthy" individual. He says that Shlumiel b. Tzuri-shadai, the leader of Shimon, was Zimri b. Salu, who caused G-d's anger to kill many thousands of people, until Pinchas's act put an end to Zimri (and to the plague). Having G-d's name in his name didn't help him. Note that there is a broken VAV in the Pinchas story, the VAV of BRITI SHALOM. Could be a REMEZ-level connection. Here is the list of the leaders of the tribes as presented in the opening p'sukim of the book and sedra of Bamidbar. Note the order of the To the blessed memory of our beloved daughter and sister d"r ryil` lgx dppx p"rl on her 10th yahrzeit, oeiq `"i and in memory of beloved Savta Helen d"r and Saba Chaim (Lionel) l"f jexa mxkf idi Angie & Benny Elisha and family The Atkins and Frankel families tribes. They are not always listed in the same order, and not always in birth order or "mother" order. No attempt is here made to explain the order; just a suggestion to note it. After some of the names are comments from Midrashim, culled from the book ISHEI HATANACH. Reuven: Elitzur b. Sh'dei'ur One of the leaders of Korach's gang Shim'on: Sh'lumi'el b. Tzurishadai a.k.a. ZIMRI b. SALU and SHA'UL ben HaK'naanit Yehuda: Nachshon b. Aminadav credited as jumping into Yam Suf first, before it split - an act that G-d acknowledged as a Kiddush HaShem... ancestor of Naomi... died in the second year after the Exodus Yissachar: N'tan-el b. Tzu'ar a Torah scholar unmatched in his tribe Z'vulun: Eli'av b. Cheilon Yosef... Efrayim: Elishama b. Amihud offered his gift to the dedication of the OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 6 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

7 Mizbei'ach on the seventh day, which was Shabbat. How can this be? Individual offerings do not push aside Shabbat? In this case, G-d decreed that one Nasi should offer his gifts each day (including Shabbat) Menashe: Gamli'el b. P'datzur [a note on pronunciation. The HEI in the name P'datzur is unvoweled. Such a HEI is totally silent, as is a HEI at the end of a word, unless it has a MAPIK in it. In contrast, the tribal leader of Naftali in Parshat Nas'ei is P'DAHH-EIL b. Amihud. In his name, the HEI has a SH'VA under it. A SH'VA under a HEI is ALWAYS NACH and gives a sound to the HEI, in the same way that a MAPIK gives a sound to a final HEI.] Binyamin: Avidan b. Gid'oni Dan: Achi'ezer b. Amishadai Asher: Pag-i-eil b. Achran Gad: El-yasaf b. D'u-eil Naftali: Achira b. Einan Levi - Second Aliya 35 p'sukim - 1:20-54 Your American Optometrist in ISRAEL Comprehensive Eye Exams Expert fitting of multi-focal lenses -- starting at only 950å! Contact lens professionals Wide selection of frames to fit all budgets We guarantee your satisfaction 2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: 16 King George (upstairs from Bank Ha poalim) (02) Ramot Eshkol Shopping Center Rechov Paran 9 (02) [S> 1:20 (2)] The Torah lovingly records the census results for each Tribe, beginning with Reuven, identified as Israel's firstborn. In light of all the "problems" that Reuven had, and the fact that Yehuda, Yosef, and Levi each ended up with an element of that which might have been Reuven's, it is Jonathan Rosenblum DPM Pediatric and Geriatric Foot Care, Bunions, Hammertoes, and Diabetic Wound Care OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 7 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

8 interesting that Reuven retains the title "B'chor" - and not just here. Rank in population among the 12 tribes indicated by the number in parentheses - it is not in the text. Reuven's count was 46,500 (7) [P> 1:22 (2)] Shimon, 59,300 (3) [P> 1:24 (2)] Gad, 45,650 (8) [P> 1:26 (2)] Yehuda, 74,600 (1) [P> 1:28 (2)] Yissachar, 54,400(5) [P> 1:30 (2)] Zevulun, 57,400 (4) [P> 1:32 (2)] Yosef - Efrayim, 40,500 (10) [P> 1:34 (2)] Menashe, 32,200 (12, smallest tribe at this counting) Note that by combining Efrayim and Menashe, Yosef's total would be 72,700, and move it into 2nd place. [P> 1:36 (2)] Binyamin, 35,400 (11) [P> 1:38 (2)] Dan, 62,700 (2) [P> 1:40 (2)] Asher, 41,500 (9) [P> 1:42 (2)] Naftali, 53,400 (6) [P> 1:44 (4)] After the count of each Tribe, the Torah gives the grand total as 603,550. FOR SALE Villa in Efrat 450 sq meters Swimming Pool FOR SALE The figure that is generally used to describe the multitude that left Egypt is 600,000. It is obviously rounded from the actual total. And with women and children, the number of people who left Egypt is probably somewhere between 2 and 3 million. [P> 1:48 (7)] The Leviyim were not to be counted together with the rest of the Nation, but were to be counted separately. It was the Leviyim who were charged with carrying the components of the Mishkan and with dismantling and erecting the Mishkan each time the People traveled. Non-Leviyim were not to anger G-d by approaching the Mishkan in an improper manner. This applied to the encampment as well; the Leviyim were camped around the Mishkan and the Tribes kept their distance in their camps. SDT: Livnei Yehuda... for all the tribes the term Livnei is used, except for Bnei Naftali. Baal HaTurim says that they had more women than men. In the later census, "Bnei" is used for all the tribes since the men died out - all had more women. SDT: Commentaries point out that the low population figures recorded for Levi were closer to what would be expected according to natural demographics. The figures for the rest of the people were unnaturally high. This is a result of the Torah's telling us, "and as they were tortured, so they multiplied". Among the many miracles that occurred in Egypt, was the fact the the people OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 8 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

9 proliferated so greatly under very adverse conditions. Since the tribe of Levi was not subjected to the harsh conditions of slavery, its growth was "normal". Shlishi - Third Aliya 34 p'sukim - 2:1-34 [P> 2:1 (9)] The next command deals with the position of the Tribes during encampment and the traveling order of the units. Three Tribes each formed a "camp" under one banner at one of the compasspoints around the Levite camp. The leader of each "banner camp" is the leader of the "main" Tribe of the three, as indicated by the name of the camp. The camp of Yehuda was to the east and was to be the first to travel. Under the leadership of Nachshon b. Aminadav, the group included Yissachar and Zevulun, in addition to Yehuda. Totals for each tribe are repeated when the four flag-groups are described. Total for Machane Yehuda was 186,400. [S> 2:10 (7)] Reuven Camp on the south followed them. Joining Reuven were Shimon and Gad. Total for Machane Reuven was 151,450. G er man C olony - Original Greek villa in prime location, high ceilings and carefully preserved original features, 500m built space on over 600m of land. Potential to double the built area to 1000m N ew APARTM E N TS in new building on E lfas s i St., Rehav ia! 4 and 5 rooms apartments, succah balconies, luxury entrance, Shabbat elevator, private parking and storage to each flat, delivery in 6 months In a s mall lane of N ahlaot, charming private corner house full of character, 240m, patio, succah, 7 rooms, high ceilings, next to parking O n Yor de As s ir a St., O ld Katamon, spacious garden apartment,4 rooms with a separate unit, magic Arab style, high ceilings, private 200m garden, parking In Talbieh, in a luxurious residence with facilities 136m luxurious apartment, nice succah balcony, very bright, nice views, parking, storage In G er man C olony, in a small new building, 5-room apt., 170m on one level, 30m succah balcony, private parking, height ceilings of 3.1m Small lane of G er man C olony, in an Authentic Arab style house, magnificent 150m apartment full of character, 4m high ceilings, succah balcony O n B en M aimon St. Rehav ia, charming building, 200m apartment on one level, 3 balconies, facing South, high ceilings, immediate [S> 2:17 (1)] Then the Leviyim with the Mishkan were to follow, so that they and it would be within the people, not at its periphery. OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 9 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

10 [S> 2:18 (7)] Then follow Efrayim Camp from the west. Menashe and Binyamin were part of Machane Efrayim. This camp was all from Rachel Imeinu. Total 108,100. [S> 2:25 (7)] And the last to travel was the Dan Camp, from the north. Joining Dan were Asher and Naftali. Their total was 157,600. [P> 2:25 (7)] The Torah next gives the total again, 603,550, and then reiterates that Levi was not counted among the Tribes, and that the People did as commanded. SDT: The lead tribe of each camp was based on OTOT, signs, transmitted by Yaakov Avinu. Baal HaTurim points out a correspondence between Yaakov's blessings to his sons and these camp-heads. Each son that Yaakov addressed in second person was to be a leader of a camp. "Revuen, YOU are my firstborn", "Yehuda, YOU your brothers will acknowledge", "Dan... YOUR salvation", "Yosef... the G-d of YOUR father... blesses YOU". The other sons are referred to in third person. SDT: Now try this: Look at the middle tribe of each camp. Yehuda was with Yissachar and Zevulun, so the middle one is Yissachar. For the Reuven camp, the middle tribe is Shimon. Menashe and Asher are the middle tribes of their camps. Now look at the names of the leaders of these 4 tribes: Netan'el, Sh'lumi'el, Gamli'el, Pagi'el. These four N'si'im have ALEF-LAMED (one of G-d's Epi«zFa ` i dÿl ` e Epi«dŸl ` 'd Li«pẗ N n ofvx i d i m i«nẍ d o n d n l W d `Et x dx d n g l W Y W mi lfg l seb d z `Et xe W t«p d z `Et x lcii` deg za diav dwax za xzq` dxy za dewz dnlq dqcd za dxy dpzi` lfiix dig xzq` za lhib dpg za oeiq ilxe` dlib za ixiy mixn za dkln xzq` lfiix za `ail lgx za dpipt `lcpd dpicr za rliia dxy dxetv zxt` za xzq` libia` le`y lh`n za dig `biit za `vpixty lh`n lri za dwax dxeac diti za dxiy lgx lfiix za dwax dpg lgx za dgny xzq` za deg lhia` lkin za dngp dilce` dig za decg Elisheva bat Henna Rasha Frumet bat Chana Mirel Menya Leba bat Yitta Chaya Shoshana Abra bat Chaya Beila dpic za dxe` dgepn zwepizd dpic oa wepiz `hr dxeac oa l`eny iyi liigd dtlf oa wgvi diqg oa oxd` l`kin zicedi oilx` oa ozp `ib zibg oa sqei l`ixfr d`l oa l`ipc mely lqix oa dyn ryedi dnila oa `pipg mdxa` miig xzq` oa cec lgx oa mingx `prd oa aiil dcedi xe` oxw oa mxei dcedi daia` oa ediryi mdxa` dxetiv lgx oa aec l`ipc dpeniq dxeac oa l`ingxi xi`n.l ` x U i i lfg x ` W KFz A OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 10 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

11 names) at the end of their name. Symbolically, this can represent G-d's promise of V'SHACHANTI B'TOCHAM, and I will dwell in your midst. Further, these four tribes - the middle ones - are #2, 5, 8, and 11. Add those numbers together and you get 26, the gimatriya of G-d's name. Again - dwelling in our midst. (Heard from NC who heard it from HaRav Tzvi Slutz) R'vi'i - Fourth Aliya 13 p'sukim - 3:1-13 [P> 3:1 (4)] The Torah proceeds to name the sons of Aharon and Moshe. Actually, Moshe's biological sons are not mentioned. The commentaries point out that Aharon's sons are considered to be Moshe's as well, because he (Moshe) taught them Torah. This explains only why Aharon's sons are also Moshe's. It does not explain why Moshe's own sons are not mentioned. One reason given is that they were "protected" from the Egyptian experience by their maternal grandfather Yitro and as a result were never really part of Klal Yisrael. Remember that Moshe went out to see what was happening... [P> 3:5 (6)] The Tribe of Levi is to be assigned the tasks of assisting the kohanim in their work and in safeguarding the Mishkan and its vessels. [P> 3:11 (3)] In essence, the Levi is to replace the B'chor who was sanctified from the day of the Exodus (even before). The b'chor was originally meant to perform the sacred tasks of the Leviyimkohanim but lost the privilege in the wake of the Golden Calf fiasco. Chamishi 5th Aliya 26 p'sukim - 3:14-39 [P> 3:14 (13)] Moshe is commanded to count the Leviyim - OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 11 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

12 INTERIOR HOME RENOVATIONS Small renovations, to complete remodelling of your apartment Call Alan Halpert Many references 26 years home renovations contractor males from the age of one month. The three main families of Levi are Gei-r'shon, (the proper way to pronounce the name in Hebrew, not Ger-shon), K'hat, and M'rari. Geir'shon subdivides into Livni and Shim'i. K'hat divides into the families of Amram, Yitzhar, Chevron, and Uziel. M'rari's family groups are Machli and Mushi. Gershon's count is They camp on the west of the Mishkan. Their leader is Elyasaf b. La'eil. They are to be in charge of the curtain material of the Mishkan, including the coverings and the courtyard enclosure. [S> 3:27 (13)] K'hat's total is They will camp to the south of the Mishkan. Elitzafan b. Uziel is their leader. (One of the things that angered Korach... or made him jealous and resentful.) They are in charge of the main holy furnishings of the Mishkan, including the Aron, Shulchan, Menora, and Mizbachot (Altars). Elazar b. Aharon HaKohen is in charge of all the Leviyim. M'rari numbers Their leader is Tzuriel b. Avichayil, and they 3rd in a row, and 5 others camp to the north of the Mishkan. They are in charge of the structural materials: the wall-boards, support rods, foundation sockets, pillars. Moshe, Aharon and sons camp to the east of the Mishkan. In all, 22,000 Leviyim are counted. Clarification... If one adds up the numbers of the three families of Levi, he gets 22,300, not 22,000, the number used in the exchange with the firstborns. Rashi explains that the 300 "missing" Leviyim were themselves B'chorim, and were not part of the official exchange... SDT: Choose your neighbors well. Rashi points out that the proximity of the Yehuda camp to the encampment of Moshe and Aharon and family, had a positive influence on the three tribes of Yehuda, Yissachar, and Zevulun - the three tribes famed for their Torah scholarship. On the other hand, Reuven's closeness to Korach and In loving memory of l"f ield yxid iav oa xi`n l`tx Richard M. Harris l"f on his first yahrzeit, 2 Sivan May his memory be a blessing by his wife, children and grandchildren OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 12 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

13 his (Korach's) to Datan and Aviram, produces disaster. Shishi - Sixth Aliya 12 p'sukim - 3:40-51 [S> 3:40 (4)] G-d next tells Moshe to count the firstborns of the Tribes, from one month of age and older, so that there can be an official exchange ceremony of Leviyim for B'chorim. Moshe counts and finds that there are 22,273 b'chorim. [P> 3:44 (8)] A mass "redemption of the firstborns" is conducted by an exchange of 22,000 (non-b'chor) Leviyim for 22,000 firstborns (non-leviyim) and a payment of five silver sheqels each for the remaining 273 firstborns to Aharon and his sons. The exchange of firstborn animals mentioned in 3:45 refers to firstborn donkeys and NOT kosher domesticated animals, which may not be redeemed. Rashi further says that one sheep of a Levi can exchange more than one donkeyb'chor (since there is no mention of a surplus). Sh'VII Seventh Aliya 20 p'sukim - 4:1-20 [P> 4:1 (16)] A second census of Leviyim is begun with the counting of the family K'hat - males between the ages of 30 and 50. This was the work-force in the Mishkan. The people of K'hat first waited for Aharon to enter the Mishkan, remove the Parochet and cover the vessels with special cloths. Only then could vessels be handled by the Leviyim. Elazar, the son of Aharon, was personally responsible for the special oils and incense of the Mishkan. OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 13 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

14 [P> 4:17 (4)] The Torah warns the kohanim not to endanger the people of K'hat by not properly preparing for their handling of the most sacred vessels. This parsha of 4 p'sukim is reread for the Maftir. Haftara 25 p'sukim Hoshei'a 2:1-22 The prophet foresees the day when a united and prosperous people will return to Zion. However, he now brings the message of the people's unfaithfulness, their embracing of Ba'al and the punishment of exile that they will suffer because of it. But just as G-d led the people in the wilderness when they (we) came out of Egypt, He will take the people back, having abandoned idolatry, as G-d's bride, in righteousness, loving kindness, faithfulness. The main connection between sedra and haftara, Rabbi Jacobs z"l points out is the contrast between the counted, numbered people in the sedra, and the innumerable people of Israel referred to by Hoshei'a. Midbar is a theme that occurs in both sedra and haftara. The last p'sukim of the haftara beautifully describe the betrothal, 7 led by ALEFs; 2 by NUNs Rehavia border Shaarei Chesed (Abarbanel) 3.5 rooms, ground fl private entrance, quiet, needs renovation, lot of potential Kiryat Shmuel (Palmach) 4 rms, 4th fl + elevator (Shabbat), views, balcony, needs renovation only 2.25 million NIS Old Katamon (Kovshei Katamon) beautiful 2 rms, 2nd floor, renovated completely, balconies, full of light Center (luxury project) 4 rooms, 120m, beautifully renovated, sukkah balcony, Shabbat elevator, parking, storage $ 1,000,000 Surrounded in greenery! Heart of Talbiyeh, 2.5 rooms, 60m, 2nd floor, balcony, bright, NIS 1.5 million Old Katamon (HaLamed Hei) 4 rooms, second floor, renovated, bright, master, 1.9 NIS million - exclusive In the heart of Shaarei Chesed, tastefully renovated villa! 250m, private elevator, balconies, patio, master suite, high ceilings, luxurious Near the theater, 3 bedrooms, first floor, beautifully renovated, bright, fully furnished, nice balcony, master bedroom, immediate, long term, NIS 8000/month Talbiya (Jabotinsky) 2 rms, renovated, fully furnished, lg balcony, immediate, parking, 4000NIS incl. arnona Yitzchak Kowalsky so to speak, of G-d with Bnei Yisrael. How appropriate to read of this on our Aufruf Shabbat - the Shabbat before the "wedding" at Sinai, the occasion on which we took mutual oaths with G-d. These last two p'sukim are said when the strap of the T'filin of the hand is wound around the middle finger three times; T'filin wearers relive this bethrothal scene between G-d and the people of Israel on a daily basis. Sponsors sought for film on danger of US aid to PLO armed forces Volunteers sought to help write letters to elected officials in Israel and abroad Contact: David Bedein DBedein@yahoo.com OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 14 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

15 Forming buyers group in Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef overlooking Harei Yehuda 4-5 room apartments, large balconies, huge gardens, expansion options High standard, affordable, EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY Prices start at 930,000 nis Professional service Group closing June 1st (02) Shoshana Shlomo Public Invitation from Gail Winston Event to mark 2nd yahrzeit of my husband, Emanuel Winston, who advocated for Israel throughout his career Event will launch a website to acquaint a new generation with Emanuel Winston s writings: Key note speech: PROFESSOR MOSHE ARENS, who served as Foreign Minister and Defense Minister of Israel, as well as Israel s Ambassador to the U.S. Israel s Lavi Aircraft: The Legacy of Israel s Quest for Independence followed by a panel discussion with Prof. Arens and prominent writers: Caroline Glick, Jay Shapiro, Ruthie Blum, Yisrael Medad Sunday, May 19th Menachem Begin Heritage Center, Jerusalem 6:30pm Refreshments 7:00pm Program RSVP (seating limited) Winston@WinstonGlobal.org Michael Horesh Experienced Business Coach & Mentor Helping you start a new business Moving your company forward 42 Bezalel, Jerusalem info@b-laguf.com Retail High tech NPO Services OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 15 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

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17 mgpn ixac Divrei Menachem The question is asked why this week's parsha opens with the statement that Hashem spoke to Moshe in the Wilderness of Sinai. Perhaps because the following narrative will dwell on the subject of the Mishkan, the focal point of a whole people's service in the desert. Alternately, the modest Mount Sinai, situated in the emptiest of places on earth, may serve as a metaphor for Man's lowly and lonesome confrontation with the awesomeness of the Divine. The Hebrew word for the wilderness is MIDBAR, a term which invokes many associations. The letters spell out MEDABER, the one who speaks. For, paradoxically, it is the very silence of the desert that allows us to speak to ourselves, to contemplate the meaning of Sinai, the Mishkan, and our purpose in the world. The root of this term is DAVAR, most commonly translated as, "A thing". This expression is so loose, so vague, that in essence it applies to everything. When Hashem thus speaks to Moshe, BEMIDBAR, he is saying that all that I tell you is relevant, that everything, however seemingly innocuous like Sinai, is pertinent and infused with my Essence. Yes, every aspect of creation is suffused with the spirit of Hashem without which, in the twinkling of an eye, all would be nothingness. The dream is surely to elevate the arid emptiness of the desert - the apparent non-descript entities in this world - to the serene status of the DVIR, the "The Inner Sanctuary", wherein the most supernal Divinity is revealed in this world. Max's rival in wine & the bread of Avraham Q OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 17 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

18 from the virtual desk of the OU VEBBE REBBE T he Orthodox U nion - via its website - f ields questions of all types in the areas of Kashrut, J ewish L a V alues. Som e of them are answered by Eretz Hem da, the Institute f or A dvanced J ewish Studies, J e headed by R av Yosef Carm el and R av M oshe Ehrenreich, f ounded by HaR av Shaul Yisraeli z t" l, to p rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National R eligious com m unity in Israel and abroad. A sk the R a joint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hem da... and OU Israel' s T orah T idbits. Publicizing a Sin Question: It seems that we do not follow the Rambam's opinion (Teshuva 2:5) to publicly announce our sins between man and his fellow. If my observation is correct, why is this? Answer: The gemara (Yoma 76b) discusses the appropriateness of two related steps one might include in the teshuva (repentance) process. One is specifying the aveira (sin) he transgressed, which is the subject of a disagreement among Tana'im if it is necessary. A few lines earlier, the gemara raises an apparent contradiction between p'sukim: one says, "Praiseworthy is one who covers up sin" (T'hilim 32:1); the other says, "One who covers up his sins will not succeed" (Mishlei 28:13). The gemara provides two distinctions to reconcile the p'sukim: 1. One admits publicized sins; one conceals unpublicized sins; 2. One publicizes sins between man and his fellow man; he keeps quiet about sins between man and Hashem. The Rambam you cited mentions only the second distinction, and speaks positively about publicizing sins to his fellow as part of the teshuva process. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 607:1) recommends but does not require specifying one's sins. If one does not have to specify a sin, he obviously does not have to publicize it (publicizing refers to specific sinssee Bach, OC 607). Indeed the Shulchan Aruch does not mention publicizing sin as part of the process. All he says regarding involving others is that when one is appeasing someone he slighted, he takes three people with him up to three times if the victim does not forgive him at first (OC 606:1). In truth, while the Rambam requires specifying sins (Teshuva 2:3), he does not require publicizing sins. Rather, in Teshuva 2:5 he says: "It is very praiseworthy for one who repents to admit the matter in public and whoever is haughty and does not inform others but conceals his sins does not have complete teshuva." The previous halacha recommends the repenting sinner to "scream constantly before Hashem in tears and go into exile " Rambam thus is apparently talking about some combination of the following situations: someone who decided to perform a very high level of teshuva; the perpetrated sin OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 18 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

19 was particularly grievous. Otherwise the steps recommended are extreme. The language and context implies that publicizing is done in similar situations. There are other factors that justify not publicizing sins toward one's fellow man. Rashi (Yoma 86b) says that one publicizes because embarrassment helps in the atonement. However, embarrassment can also hold people back from action. We find, in certain monetary contexts, takanot hashavim: special dispensations made for those who sinned, for would they be held to the strict law, many would lack the moral commitment to repent (see Gitin 55a). Certainly when the letter of the law suffices with privately appeasing the victim, demanding the sinner to reach high levels of teshuva may be counterproductive for many. Secondly, the embarrassment often affects the victim as well. Making a big deal of the affront may relive the event or focus the public's attention on the victim's weakness that was exposed during the sin. In Living the Halachic Process, vol. I, H-5, we explained that the sinner should not further hurt the victim as part of the teshuva process. The Mishna Berura (606:3) says that one should not specify the aveira while appeasing the victim if it will cause him pain. If that applies to specifying, which is a more integral part of the teshuva process, certainly it applies to publicizing. Thus we can summarize our response to your observation that people do not publicize their sins toward others, as follows. The Rambam apparently only recommended it, for great people or severe affronts, both of which are rare (indeed, on rare occasions, there are public apologies). In any case, basic teshuva does not require it, explaining why the Shulchan Aruch does not mention it. Where the prospect of publicizing will either discourage repentance or cause the victim pain, it is counterproductive. Rav Daniel Mann, Eretz Hemdah Institute Having a dispute? For a Din Torah in English or Hebrew contact Eretz Hemdah - Gazit Rabbinical Court: fax: (02) beitdin@eretzhemdah.org OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 19 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

20 Rabbi Weinreb's Weekly Column: Bamidbar 'Flourishing in the Desert' I trace back my love of poetry to Mr. Perle. He taught freshman English in the high school I attended. I remember him as diminutive in stature, but not at all diminutive in his ability to inspire reluctant students to read, and to actually enjoy, fine literature. He had a way of finding poets and poems that we could relate to as teenagers. One of the more unusual collections of poems to which he directed us was a slim volume entitled archy and mehitabel. In case the critical reader of these lines hastens to correct the fact that the "a" and "m" of the names of the protagonists are in lowercase, let me assure you that that is precisely the way the author, Don Marquis, insisted those names be spelled. In these poems, the future of our civilization is envisioned in a shockingly pessimistic way. Again and again, the poet predicted that the world we know would eventually, and perhaps quite soon, be transformed into a desert. Let me give you some examples: it won't be long now it won't be long man is making deserts of the earth it won't be long now before man will have it used up so that nothing but ants and centipedes and scorpions can find a living on it What man calls civilization always results in deserts It won't be long now it won't be long till earth is barren as the moon and sapless as a mumbled bone Over the years, I find myself returning from time to time to archy and mehitabel, mostly because of my fascination with the image of the desert as antagonistic to civilization. I understand this fascination to be related to the fact that the formation of the Jewish people took place in the desert. That story is told in the book of the Chumash which we begin this Shabbat. Although this book is known in the English language as the book of Numbers, in Hebrew, the name of the book is Bamidbar, which actually translates as "In the Desert". Bamidbar is the name of the entire book and is also the name of this week's Torah portion, "In the Desert". The desert is the context in which the Torah was given. Indeed, this week's Torah portion, Bamidbar, immediately precedes the Festival of Shavuot, the holiday celebrating the giving of the Torah on Mount OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 20 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

21 Sinai. Why? What connection can there possibly be between the desert, which evokes the images of desolation reflected in the poems of Don Marquis, and the Torah? Why would the Almighty choose the desert in which to give us His treasure? These questions are made even stronger by the fact that it is not just some 20th-century poet who describes the desert as a place of desolation. The Torah itself describes the desert in severe terms. "He found him in a desert region, in an empty howling waste." (D'varim 32:10) " A land of deserts and pits, a land of drought and darkness, a land no man had traversed, where no human being had dwelt." (Yirmiyahu 2:6) Rambam, in his Guide to the Perplexed, has a very insightful answer to why the Jewish people had to experience the desert wasteland on their path towards nationhood. He asserts that in order to appreciate what is good in life, one must first experience suffering. The very fact that the desert was so challenging enabled the Jewish people to embrace the Torah and cherish the Land of Israel. Other commentators suggest a slightly different approach. The Powerless over your emotions? Emotions Anonymous 12-step program meeting weekly at the Israel Center. Call Libby for details Family Reunions Shabbat Retreats Day Conferences at the Mendlowitz Family's YISHI COUNTRY Suites Jacuzzis Private heated pool Beautiful Country Setting, up to 60 ppl. 30 minutes from Jerusalem, on a moshav across from Beit Shemesh "Just minutes away... a world apart" desert is an example of nature in the raw. Unprocessed, untamed, unchanged since the six days of Creation. The Mishna tells us that when one beholds the desert, he is to recite the blessing: "Blessed are you, HaShem Author of creation." The desert is the archetype of a work of nature which is untouched, but which awaits human hands to cultivate it and extract its inherent potential. The Jewish nation begins as a desert and awaits the power of the Torah in order to become transformed from a wasteland into a luxurious garden. Perhaps this is why the Torah was given in the desert and why Jewish people had Dr. Eliezer Rosenblum NYS Licensed and Board Certified Chiropractor Offices in Jerusalem, EFRAT, Ramat Beit Shemesh OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 21 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

22 its beginnings there. Hence the vision of Yeshayahu: I will turn the desert into ponds, the arid land into springs of water. I will plant cedars in the wilderness I will set cypresses in the desert (41:18-19) I have long understood one of the beautiful customs of the holiday of Shavuot as an attempt to build upon the imagery of this connection between the desert and the giving of the Torah. I refer to the custom of decorating the synagogue and the home with flowers and greenery as part of the celebration of the holiday. It is as if the Jew is actively transforming the arid desert, which is the venue of the Torah passage that is read the Shabbat before Shavuot, into the lush and fertile environment which symbolizes the theme of the day, "matan torahtenu, the gift of the Torah." The message here is an important one. The desert indeed begins as a barren and desolate place, even a place of danger. As well, civilization can deteriorate into a desert. But the desert need not remain what it was originally. When touched by Torah, by God-given guidelines for ethical behavior and moral conduct, the desert undergoes a metamorphosis. JONATHAN POLLARD 10,033 days in prison And so it is with civilization. Without Torah, society runs the danger of becoming corrupt, degenerate and perverse. With Torah, society can be refined, elevated and perfected. This is what we can learn from the fact that this week's Torah portion, Bamidbar, the desert, invariably precedes (or rarely, follows) the holiday of Shavuot. When we, each in our own way, receive the Torah and its message this coming week on the Festival of Shavuot, we will be prepared to sing the song of the Prophet: He has made her wilderness like Eden, Her desert like the garden of the Lord. Gladness and joy shall abide there, Thanksgiving and the sound of music. (51:3) That is the theme and the message of the beautiful holiday which we will soon be privileged to celebrate together. Sometimes sympathy is the only solution that is needed. from "A Candle by Day" by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein Sara Genstil, Ph.D. Psychologist, Social Worker Focus on relationships, psychosomatic issues, eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, post-trauma and depression Orientation: Self-Psychology and Intersubjective System Theory English & Hebrew OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 22 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

23 The following is from Gold from the Land of Israel A New Light on the Weekly Portion from the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook by Rabbi Chanan Morrison website: ravkooktorah.org URIM PUBLICATIONS, J'lem NY Yaakov's Signs Adapted from Midbar Shur, pp Ancestral Signs During their sojourn in the Sinai desert, the Jewish people were instructed to encamp according to tribe: The Israelites shall encamp with each person near the banner carrying his paternal family s signs. (Bamidbar 2:2) What were these ancestral signs? The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabba 2:8) explains that this deployment of twelve tribes surrounding the Mishkan was in fact a 200-year-old family tradition. Once before, the Jewish people had marched through the wilderness, from Egypt to the Land of Israel. This took place when Yaakov died in Egypt. Each of Yaakov s twelve sons took his place around the coffin, as they brought their father to burial in Hevron. Before his death, Yaakov informed his sons where each one would stand around his coffin. The arrangement that Yaakov established was the paternal family s signs that would later determine the position of each tribe around the Mishkan, as they traveled in the wilderness. Why did the tribes need separate encampments? Would not an integrated camp bring about greater national unity? And why was it Yaakov who determined the tribal formations in the wilderness? Yaakov and Moshe We find that the Torah is associated with both Yaakov and Moshe, as it says (D'varim 33:4), Moshe prescribed the Torah to us, an inheritance of the congregation of Yaakov. Yet, the relationship of these two great personalities to the Torah was not identical. The Zohar states that Yaakov s connection to the Torah was from the outside, while Moshe s connection was from within. What does this mean? In any field of study, there are two ways in which the student connects to the subject material. First, there is the student s innate interest and aptitude for that particular topic. And secondly, there is the bond that is created through the study of the subject matter. Computer repairs on-site service Upgrade your computer at a great price Professional website design and hosting FREE virus checkup Ben-Zion Cassouto benzion@mail.com J'lem, Beit Shemesh, T.A., Raanana OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 23 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

24 So too, our relationship to Torah contains two aspects. The first is an innate readiness and inclination to assume the yoke of Torah study. We inherited this readiness to accept the Torah from Yaakov - an inheritance of the congregation of Yaakov. Through his profound holiness, Yaakov was able to transmit to his descendants a natural receptiveness to Torah. This quality of the soul is like a pot-handle, enabling us to better grasp the Torah. But when compared to the Torah itself, the soul s predisposition towards Torah is like an outer garment. Therefore, the Zohar refers to our spiritual inheritance from Yaakov as being external, from the outside. Moshe, on the other hand, exemplifies a connection to the Torah itself. The Torah is called the Torah of Moshe (Malachi 3:22). In the formulation of the Zohar, the connection through Moshe is internal, from the inside. Uniformity and Plurality The Torah itself is unified. There shall be one Torah and one law for you (Bamidbar 15:16). Within the Torah itself, there are no divisions, no room for divergent paths. The Torah reflects the inner soul, which is indivisible. Thus, in the center of the encampment in the wilderness, there stood a single Communion Tent, a focal point for God s instructions to His people. l Happy B-day, Roy K O The soul s natural receptiveness to the Torah, on the other hand, is a function of individual character and personality traits. Here, there exist numerous paths. In these external aspects, in the ways we choose to approach the Torah and fulfill its mitzvot, in the kavanot and intentions by which we focus our minds, it is natural that there will be diversity. When Yaakov s twelve sons brought their father back to the Land of Israel, each son found his own place around the coffin. Each son positioned himself in accordance to his soul s natural disposition. Yaakov s holiness imprinted upon each of his children a special connection to the Torah according to his individual nature. That holy procession determined the future arrangement of the tribes of Israel, as they marched to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. Each tribe had its own special flag and unique place within the encampment of Israel. CHESED FUND Several needy families and individuals turn to our Chesed Fund for help. Your donation will allow us to help them. Make checks payable to the "Chessed Fund" and send them to Chesed Fund att. Menachem Persoff POB / Jerusalem or leave them at our front desk OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 24 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

25 CHIZUK! IDUD Divrei Torah from the weekly sedra with a focus on living in Eretz Yisrael - Chizuk for Olim & Idud for not-yet-olim A number of deceivingly unassuming verses found in this week's parasha provide the backdrop to a controversy which has been simmering since the establishment of the State of Israel. At the beginning of the parasha, Moshe is told to conduct a census of all males 20 years of age and older. The Torah does not tell us why the census is being conducted, and we are left wondering what purpose could there be for having an exact and detailed accounting of the members of each tribe. Ramban lists several possible reasons: 1) The census is intended as a display of the greatness of G-d who enabled the Jewish nation to grow from 70 souls to over 600,000. 2) The census is a means allowing Moshe and Aharon to bestow a personal blessing upon each and every individual. 3) The census is the first step in the formation of the first Israeli army in preparation for entering the land. Each one of these proposed explanations must surely make sense of the fact that the census did not include the Mazal Tov to Shmuel & Tzivia Polsky and family on the birth of a granddaughter tribe of Levi. The far-reaching ramifications of this fact according to the last proposed explanation, are clearly felt today. The Rambam informs us, at the conclusion of the laws of Sh'mita and Yovel, that the tribe of Levi was not included in the general census since they are set apart to serve G-d. The Leviyim are to dedicate themselves solely to the study and teaching of the Torah, and therefore are exempt from military service. The Rambam then proceeds to expand upon this definition writing that the exemption encompasses: " not the tribe of Levi alone but each and every person throughout the world whose spirit has uplifted him and whose intelligence has given him the understanding to stand before God, to serve Him, to worship Him, to know God." Kosher B&B Zimmer in Rosh Pina Folberg Family (04) folberg@bezeqint.net OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 25 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

26 The present demand that Yeshiva students be exempt from military service is based on these seminal words in which the Rambam almost idolizes such individuals, claiming that "such a person has been sanctified as the holy of holies". In , after several Rabbis wrote a letter stating that all Yeshiva students should be granted a military exemption, Rabbi Zevin famously wrote an anonymous monograph (translated and republished in Tradition, 1985) vehemently rejecting this contention. The divisive nature of this controversy is literally tearing the Jewish people apart. In an article expounding the philosophy of the Hesder Yeshivot, Rav Aharon Lichtenstein questions whether the modern Yeshiva student could truthfully "look himself in the mirror, and tell himself that he ought not go to the army because he is kodesh kodashim, sanctum sanctorum, in the Rambam's terms." This same test of religious selfevaluation could be applied to other areas of our religious life as well. Next time we hollowly repeat the time-worn mottos of old - we might want to take a good hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves, do we really mean it when we proclaim LESHANA HABA'A BI'YERUSHALAYIM HABNUYA! Rabbi Yerachmiel Roness Ramat Shiloh, Beit Shemesh Parsha Points to Ponder Bamidbar 1) Why was the tribe of Levi significantly smaller than the other tribes (see 3:39)? 2) Why does the Torah say I AM G-D after teaching that the tribe of Levi is dedicated to His service (3:45)? 3) What does the Torah mean when it describes people in Levi as COMING TO THE ARMY (4:3) if the tribe of Levi did not serve in the army? Parsha Points to Ponder by MK Rabbi Dov Lipman Rabbi Lipman is Chaver Knesset (Yesh Atid), an educator, author lipmanknesset@gmail.com The suggested answers are elsewhere Ponder the questions first, then see further Rabbi Elan Adler Warm, personable and humorous American Rabbi now in Israel, BH. Available for Life Cycle events, lectures, scholar-in-residence Visit elanadler.com for details OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 26 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

27 Using a Holistic Approach Sima Gordon, Mentoring Supervisor The following demonstrates how mentoring and counseling can work together to benefit the entire family. Shaya (name changed) was referred to Kav L Noar by his school, where he was struggling academically and socially. He was a challenging teen - abrasive, verbally abusive, oppositional, and hyperactive. He had poor social skills and a history of vandalism. He was difficult to manage at home and had no friends. Fortunately, Kav L Noar was able to provide supportive counseling for the distressed parents and a mentor for Shaya. Initially, Shaya related to the mentor as he did to others. He was demanding, competitive, argumentative and manipulative. Despite the negative behaviors, the mentor continued with Shaya, demonstrating a level of caring Shaya had not experienced before. He became less suspicious and more open with the mentor, and because of the relationship, was able to accept boundaries set by the mentor. He eventually used his new relationship skills to get along better with peers and family. He learned to recognize and care about others. He spent the summer working in a children s hospital, which would not have been possible previously. Through their counseling sessions, Shaya s parents have strengthened their marriage so that his behavior is no longer a threat to their stability. All family members are now on the same page and relating more effectively to one another. After 18 months, Shaya is busy with friends and no longer needs a mentor. His parents have acquired new parenting tools for use in the future with Shaya and their other children. Kav L Noar provides comprehensive and culturally-sensitive social services in English or in Hebrew. kavlnoarcenter@gmail (02) OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 27 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

28 A look at Bamidbar from Flags and Banners There was a banner and sign for every tribe (Bamidbar 2:1-2). B nei Yisra el must have been a colourful sight, not only when they moved but when they encamped. All arrayed around the centrepiece of the Mishkan, the components of the camp all had their own mark of identity, their own rallying point, their own logo and symbol. Where did the idea come from? The explanation of the Sages is that it reflected the pattern in heaven, where each group of angels has its own name, identity and distinguishing mark. Impressed at the thought, the Israelites asked God to organise something similar for their camp on earth. The Almighty agreed, and the result was as described in B midbar. One of the questions we ask is why heaven needs banners and flags. It should not be assumed that angels have no differences between them, even though they work together under the superintendence of the Holy One, blessed be He. Ophanim are not Seraphim, Er elim are not Cherubim - they are all distinctive, but the important principle is that they work together. What their pattern shows us on earth is that human beings are not all clones of one another but have their distinctive traits and traditions. The important thing is to follow your individual identity, to respect the other person s distinctiveness, and to work together as one band doing the will of the Almighty. Arnona To rent - 4 rooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 parkings, 90m, equipped kitchen, appliances and closets, Shabbat elevator, machsan, quiet, suitable for the elderly. Paul , (02) OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 28 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

29 for Fertility and Gynecology in Accordance with Halacha Natural Conception Last week we presented one way that the Talmud uses the expression "a miraculous occurrence" to describe an event that is impossible and goes against the regular nature of the world. In order to explain how such an event did happen, the Talmud calls it miraculous. During pregnancy Leah's male child was changed through her prayer into a female child called Dinah. The letter SAMACH stood in the LUCHOT despite it not being connected to the stone. Both of these, and many other such events, were called miraculous as they contradict the known laws of nature. If this is the definition of a miracle then it could be argued that fertility treatment involves a process that is different and distinct from the natural course of conception. Therefore some would claim that since this conception is "unnatural", if the child was born on Shabbat then the BRIT MILA would not take place on Shabbat. It should be stated that some poskim disagreed with this position since they did not consider fertility treatment to be unlike natural conception. Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu zt"l told me that in his opinion conception through fertility treatment is analogous with natural conception since in both cases OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 29 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

30 conception occurs and life begins with the meeting between sperm cell and egg cell. When these two cells, each containing half of the genetic material needed to create a human being, meet the cell is complete and starts to divide. This same process occurs in-vivo, inside the body, in natural conception, or ex-vivo, outside of the body, during in-vitro fertilization, but the biology of both processes is identical. In Rabbi Eliyahu's opinion, any conception caused by meeting of sperm and egg cannot be considered supernatural regardless of how it was achieved. He claimed that if we would be able to produce fertilized eggs through cloning then this would be halachically considered super-natural since the new life form would not have been created through the meeting of the two cells. The same could be said of haploidization where embryologists take a regular zygotic cell that contains all the required genetic material and through a biochemical process divide it into two gamete cells that each contains half of the genetic material. In other words they create a sperm or egg cell that can then be used to fertilize another cell and form a fertilized egg. This process could be described as unnatural and therefore a child conceived in this manner who is born on Shabbat would not be circumcised on Shabbat. More on this next week. Rabbi Gideon Weitzman Parsha Points to Ponder Suggested answers 1) The Ramban teaches that the miraculous growth of the Jewish people in Egypt was done to combat the terrible persecution. Since the tribe of Levi was not enslaved, they were not blessed with this growth and remained much smaller than the other tribes. 2) The Ohr HaChayim answers that this teaches that even when the firstborn are restored to their position of service in the Temple, the Leviyim will continue. Just as I AM G-D and that remains forever, the same with the status of the Leviyim. 3) Rav Hirsch explains the word TZAVA, which we usually understand to mean ARMY, does not mean military service specifically. Rather, in his words, it means STEP OUT OF HIS SIMPLE PRIVATE LIFE INTO THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE COMMUNITY. The rest of the nation does this through their military service while Levi does this through their service in the Mikdash. Need a Mohel? Rav Hayim Leiter Your pace, your language, your Simcha The Puah Institute is based in Jerusalem and helps couples from all over the world who are experiencing fertility problems. Puah offers free counseling in five languages, halachic supervision, and educational programs. Offices in Jerusalem, New York, Los Angeles, Paris. Contact: (02) (Isr) (US) OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 30 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

31 Real Estate.co.il your home, our mission FOR SALE - exclusiv e Bayit Vegan (HaPisga) - 4 rms, newly renovated, lg terrace, sukka, Mamad Eliezer Old Katamon - 4 room garden apartment, close to shtieblach, renovated Gila Old Katamon/Kiryat Shmuel - Quiet, 3 rms, renovated, elevator, parking, view Gila Rechav ia/sharei Chessed - Newly renovated spacious 4 rm apt, view Judith Rassko - 4 rooms, quiet, green views, renovated, large machsan Eliezer Har Choma - 6-rm duplex, 4 bathrooms, parking, machsnan, balconies+views Eliezer Rechav ia - long term rental - 4 rm garden apt, lg garden, renovated, 2 baths Yael Sharei Chessed Long Term Rental - 3 room, garden apt. renovated Yael GOLD Real Estate (02) Shai Agnon, Jerusalem OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 4 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

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34 Maharal on the Sedra Sixty Myriads Bamidbar 1:46 - And the total of the counting was 603,550. Gevurot Hashem 3:27b - The Torah could not be given to Israel until they had acquired the critical mass of sixty myriads, for this is a completed number. Torah which is eternal could not be received by any of the patriarchs, however fitting they were, for they were individuals who were mortal, and a nation was required to qualify to receive it. The same number is found at their departure from Egypt [Sh'mot 12:37], their second year in the desert [Bamidbar 1:46], and on the plains of Moab [26:51]. From this it is seen that the completion of the spiritual formation of Israel is a population of 600,000. The reason is well known, as six is a complete number designating the physical world which spreads out in six directions - up. down, east, south, west and north. The limits of the spread are the extremities of these directions. Each direction has a length and a width, and each of these has a beginning, midpoint, and end as follows: These nine points have an added inclusive supernal one that ties them together to equal ten, the multiplier. The Kingdom of Heaven is expressed in six words - SH'MA YISRAEL HASHEM ELOKEINU HASHEM ECHAD. One is the Unity and the unifier. Ed. note - Dr. Kuhr, quoting the Maharal, referred to six as a complete number. The number 6 has some mathematical properties that 'agree' with that idea. 6 = and 6 = 1 x 2 x 3 The proper factors of 6 are 1, 2, and 3 which add to 6, making 6 (in number theory) a perfect number. Column prepared by Dr. Moshe Kuhr Dr Kuhr is the author of two volumes (so far) of Lion Cub of Prague OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 34 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

35 this OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 35 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

36 Highest quality, friendly service Kashrut: Rabbanut Yerushalayim LiMehadrin Coupon 10% off with ad from Psalms - An Eternal Treasure by Zalman Eisenstock Prepared for TT by the author SHABBAT and JERUSALEM The spirit of Shabbat permeates the words and verses of Psalms. Just as the Kabbalists of Safed went out to greet the incoming queen, so Psalm 95 beckons us to "go forth and sing in exultation to G-d. Come forth before Him with thanksgiving." The psalms that we sing on Friday night also emphasize another concept. Throughout these chapters, God is described as the "king who rules over all of creation. He appears as the king cloaked in royal garb." For HaShem is a great god, and a great King above all gods (Psalm 95:3). But despite the fact that the "entire world belongs to the creator", nowhere does His kingdom shine more brightly than in the holy city of Jerusalem. I remember my first Shabbat in Jerusalem when I arrived for my year of learning in Our yeshiva (Beit Midrash LaTorah) was preparing to walk from Rechavia on our way to the Old City and the Kotel. I recall feeling the silence and the solemnity of those moments as we walked down the streets, observing the sun slowly setting in the distance. It was as if we were all transported back in time walking with the kings and prophets of old. They joined us as we entered the Old City and danced down to the Kotel. We were home - the home that King David had conquered for all time 3000 years ago. And in a few moments we were going to sing the psalms that he composed. We all began singing in unison and with enthusiasm: "Return to Jerusalem in mercy". At the Kotel were thousands of others who had also come to greet the Shabbat queen. There were tourists, men and women, old and young. In addition, every week the students from Yeshivat Hakotel also came down, and we joined them in dancing and singing. These were moments that I would never forget; moments that made me feel that Jerusalem was not only King David's city, but my city as well. And one day, this city which has known too many wars and suffering, will truly be recognized by all nations as the city of the King. As it says in Psalms: G-d who is great in Zion Is now high above all the nations. They shall render homage to Your name Great and awesome, holy is it... (T'hilim 99:2-3) The book is available from the author (02) or zjeis1@gmail.com OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 36 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

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38 TIYULIM We're going places! Travel Desk (02) Sheindel Lori Esther Reba-Rivka Sundays 12:00-14:00 Mondays 11:00-14:00 Tuesdays 10:00-16:00 Wednesdays 10:00-16:00 Thursdays 10:00-14:00 At other times, please leave a clear message with name and phone no. Call Shulamit on the day of tiyul if running late or last minute cancelation Cancelation fee at our discretion Programs and places of the Tiyulim are Subject to Change and/or to cancelation based on numbers of participants Israel Center tiyulim are partially subsidized by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Dept of Tarbut Torani, Misrad HaChinuch in cooperation with the Israel Center offers you a dedicated phone line, (02) with daily service: Sunday 9am - 6pm Mon-Thu, 9am - 11pm Friday, 9am - noon When Travel Deal offices are closed, callers can leave messages Shavuot Retreat at the Nir Etzion Hotel Mon-Thu, May Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Baruch Taub Hosts: Menachem & Chanie Persoff To the Taubs, Menachem & Chanie and those going to Nir Etzion Hotel with them for Shavuot... Have a great time a Chag Samei'ach Learn well & Enjoy! OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 38 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

39 Churva Synagogue Friday, May 24th 10:20-11:30am Have you ever visited the newly rebuilt Churva Shul in the Jewish Quarters? If not (or you want to again) this is your opportunity 36NIS per person Space limited! Sign up now with the Travel Desk (02) Shulamit's Tiyulim are always treats; come! you will surely enjoy her delicious sweets! Connecting Heaven and Earth in Beit El with Judy Simon, enthusiastic Beit El Tourism Coordinator Tuesday May 28th, '13 (19 Sivan) 8:00am-6:00pm Join us for a wonderfully uplifting day in Beit El! Our visit begins at the BEIT EL TEFILLIN FACTORY, where we will observe the production of Tefillin from beginning to end. You will be astounded by the artistry required in preparing these humble boxes and straps! Visit the boutique BEIT EL WINERY for an explanation by local vintner Hillel Manne, plus some wine tasting The "Lift Your Eyes Observation Tower" with a stunning view of the Promised Land, including an imbedded mosaic floor map of the entire Land of Israel Crowning the day is a visit to JACOB'S ROCK, the very place where Yaacov Avinu dreamt his famous Ladder Dream and received Divine Blessings, an unforgettably moving experience. (How do we know where Jacob dreamt? Join the tour to find out!) Here we will also see the most ancient wormwood oak tree in Israel, archeological ruins attributed to Yarovam ben Nevat, plus dozens of Maccabean burial caves, and a unique Olive Oil Factory Cave from the time of the Holy Temples Over lunch (PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN) see the film "The Ladder and the Dream" followed by a meeting with the mayor of Beit El, Moshe Rosenbaum (whose late wife was an active OU member) Visit HERBY'S BAKE SHOP and hear this Memphis native's fascinating story Our day will end at the incredible CHAVAT EPHRAIM MINI-ZOO, where more than 30 varieties of animals, including rabbits, foxes, peacocks, deer, donkeys, a camel, and a beautiful duck pond, are lovingly cared for in memory of 11-year-old Ephraim Zur 145NIS member / 160NIS non-member Call the Travel Desk at (02) to reserve your place Shulamit's Tiyulim are always treats; come! you will surely enjoy her delicious sweets! OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 39 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

40 Architectural Tour of Special Sites in and around Haifa Led by Ron Traub Architect and Tour Guide WED, June 5th 8:00am to 5:00pm ARCHITECTURE A physical manifestation of the prevailing times THE COPPER HOUSE is an example of prefabricated housing which first made its appearance during the Mandate Period. All parts of the structure were assembled in a factory, transported to the site and assembled on site. Assembly on site could take as little as one day, and it was hoped that this could solve the housing shortage which was prevalent at the time THE SAIL TOWER is defined as High-Tech Architecture. Proponents of this style claim that by using aircraft technology, defects in earlier steel and glass structures could be overcome. THE HAIFA POWER PLANT is the first electrical infrastructure established in Israel. Built in 1935, it was housed in a building designed in the International Style. Characteristic of the International Style is its indifference to location or climate and its rejection of historical precedent or the local vernacular style. AMOS GITAI ARCHITECTURAL MUSEUM is housed in the former studio of the late Bauhaus architect - Munio Gitai Weinraub. His son Amos, also an architect, converted the studio into a museum in honor of his late father and other Bauhaus architects who fled Germany with the rise of Nazism. The Bauhaus movement was started by Walter Gropius in Germany who in 1919 perceived an architectural style free of historicism. Bring your own lunch 145NIS member / 160NIS non-member Sign up now with the Travel Desk (02) to insure your place on the bus Shulamit's Tiyulim are always treats; come! you will surely enjoy her delicious sweets! We are going to the Majestic, Magnificent, Marvelous NIRVANA (Leonardo Club) 5-star Hotel in Ein Bokek at the Dead Sea Sunday to Wednesday June 30 - July 3 Luxurious Deluxe rooms, 4 meals a day, incl. midnight supper Mehadrin - under the supervision of Rabbi Moshe Nachshoni of Rishon Letzion Rabbi Landau and Eida Chareidit products 24-hour free bar at the pool Hot & cold drinks all day long Coffee & cake served every afternoon All facilities separate for men and women, including dry & wet sauna, jacuzzi, salt- and sweet-water pools, private beach, spa, physical fitness room & solarium Rich cultural programs, performances by famous artists each evening 1900NIS mem 2000 NIS non-mem Dbl occ Single supp available Public transport direct to hotel: 486 from Jerusalem bus station Sign up today with the Travel Desk (02) Shulamit's Tiyulim are always treats; come! you will surely enjoy her delicious sweets! OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 40 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

41 TtRiDdLeS Prizes for best solutions - Noam CDs or... 8 FUN PLACES TO SHOP Stop by often; new items all the time Jerusalem (3 stores) 15 Malchei Yisrael in Geula Rechov Lunz right off Ben Yehuda Midrachov in the center of town Kanfei Nesharim 64 Ramat Beit Shemesh RBS Alef Shopping Center Bnei Braq Rabbi Akiva Street Ra'anana R' Achuza 110 Rishon L'Tziyon Kenyon HaB'eir Efrat Dekel Shopping Center Previous (B&B) TTriddles: [1] INFORMATION Police ten-code for INFORMATION is [2] Juxtaposed, we ask. Subtracted, we get 29 When Har Sinai and Sh'mita are mentioned in the Torah, we ask MA INYAN SH'MITA EITZEL HAR SINAI? When we subtract the two - SH'MITA = = 364 minus HAR SINAI = (205) (130) = 335 equals 29. [3] You're on your own for the rest of the table What table? The multiplication table. The Torah, in the beginning of B'har, tells us that 7 times 7 is 49 (in the counting up to the Yovel year). We have to take it from there and learn the rest of the table on our own. [4] And Judah of the kings in Be'er Sheva until this day VIHUDA = = 36, as in the number of mitzvot in B'har (24) and B'chukotai (12) combined. The kings = HA-M'LACHIM = = 145, as the incorrect number of p'sukim in the double sedra (there are only 135 p'sukim - sorry, careless mistake). B'EIR SHEVA AD HAYOM HAZEH = (203) (372) (74) (61) (17) = 727. B'HAR = (207) + B'CHUKOTAI = (520) = 727. The TTriddle was supposed to read: The 36 mitzvot in the 135 p'sukim of B'har-B'chukotai. Ed. note: The MM/Bklyn regularly solves most of each week's TTriddles is one thing. But he is one of the few that can solve a TTriddle with a mistake (as he did this one) is a higher level of TTriddling. Kol Ha- Kavod, Mike. [5] We shall have fish and bread this Shabbat FISH = DAGIM = = 57 p'sukim of B'har. BREAD = LECHEM = = 78 p'sukim of B'chukotai. Afterthought for this TTriddle, could have added: and the prohibition of MELACHA. This would refer to the 39 categories of creative activities forbidden on Shabbat, matching the Omer count for this Shabbat of 39 days. Short and Long Term Rentals English Speaking / Shomer Shabbat phone US phone JerusalemApartmentRentals.com OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 41 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

42 Rabbi Atik z"l used to ask... For B'har: Har Sinai. What other names does it have in the Torah? What mountains have 2 names in the Torah? What other mountains are mentioned in the Torah? In Parshat Sh'mot, Har Sinai is called HAR HA-ELOKIM. In Ki Tisa, it is called HAR CHOREIV. In V'zot HaB'racha, the mountain that Moshe ascends is HAR NEVO. In Pinchas, it is called HAR HA- AVARIM. In Haazinu, it is called both names. In D'varim, HAR CHERMON; in Va'etchanan, the same mountain is called HAR SI'ON. In the book of B'reishit there are 4 mountains referred to. In No'ach, HAREI ARARAT & HAR HAKEDEM. Vayeitzei: HAR HAGIL'AD. Vayishlach mentions that Eisav dwelt in HAR SEI'IR. Only Har Sinai is mentioned in Sh'mot and Vayikra. In Bamidbar we find two other mountains besides HAR HA- AVARIM - Chukat HAR HAHAR and in Mas'ei we find HAR SHEFER. In D'varim we find 4 additional mountains to the ones already mentioned above - D'varim: HAR HA- EMORI, HAR G'RIZIM, HAR EIVAL, HAR PARAN 2 rooms available for 2 religious females S/L-term in Katamon. Immediate entry. Chavi For B'chukotai: What pair of antonyms occur in the same pasuk in the sedra? (3 answers) YASHAN and CHADASH. ZACHAR and N'KEIVA. TOV and RA. The name of which sedra is in B'chukotai? CHUKAT. B'chukotai is spelled BET- CHET-KUF-TAV-YUD. CHUKAT are the 3 middle letters of B'chukotai. Rabbi Atik z"l used to ask... For Bamidbar: What word occurs five times in the sedra, referring to the head-count of the people? The same word (or a variation) occurs twice in the book of Sh'mot - in what contexts? Which Egyptian plague is mentioned in the sedra? For Naso: The word for flour - KEMACH - occurs once in Parshat Naso and only one other place in the Torah. Where and in what context is it mentioned in each place? Taken from a new book: Rabbi Atik's Torah Teasers by Rabbi Moshe Erlbaum Amazon.com keyword Torah Teasers Apartment Management Itzhak Kotler also vacation rentals (02) Since 1978 See us at OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 42 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

43 The major component of the ParshaPix for Bamidbar is/are the flags - 12 of them - representing the flags of the tribes, as they camped and as they marched. The flags here do not represent any specific tribes, but the one with the crown could be for Shevet Yehuda. And the one with a bunch of carrots marked 2.50 is our whimsical suggestion for the flag of Machane Yehuda. The one with the flower could be for Reuven, perhaps. Don't try to figure out others - they were not meant to specifically represent the Tribes The compass stands for the different sides of the Mishkan the different groups camped, both among the Leviyim and the 12 Tribes The parking meter represents the encampments, since the modern Hebrew word for parking has the same root as to encamp. LACHANOT Abacus is for the Lacey Shells / Lacey Leggings NEW! COTTON STRETCHWEAR New! NETANYA YAD BINYAMIN MarSea Modest Swim & Stretchwear Marci Rapp marci@bezeqint.net RBS Chashmona'im Har Nof Gush 80 Old City Telz Stone Efrat Karnei Shomron Ramot Eshkol For women & girls Made in Israel 26" Pencil Skirts / Lacey Vests OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 43 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

44 various countings The skull with the 5 on it comes from Bamidbar 3:47 in the portion of the exchange between firstborns and Leviyim (who were not themselves firstborns). In English, we would say, 5 shekel a head. The Torah uses the term GULGOLET, skull Desert scene with the cactus and blazing sun is for MIDBAR, even though our Midbar is better translated as Wilderness, rather than desert, but there's plenty of desert too The three diamond engagement rings are for the final two p'sukim of the haftara, the words we say when winding the T'filin strap around the middle finger of the left hand (or right hand, for lefties), symbolic of our betrothal to G-d Garlic and the chemical formula for sugar. The Sugar formula is raised to the third power, or CUBED. These then represent the sugar cube and garlic clove that are a common "gift" to those at a Pidyon HaBen. In the sedra, we find a mass Pidyon of the first-borns of the 12 tribes. One explanation given for this minhag is that it gives those in attendance something from the Seuda of the Pidyon to take home and use in SPRING LECTURE SERIES RABBI BEREL WEIN Monday evenings, 8:30pm M ay 13 Expulsions and Burnings Bet Knesset Hanassi 24 Ussishkin, near Keren Kayemet, Jerusalem 20nis/15nis Destiny/Hanassi members NO CHARGE FOR STUDENTS Free set of tapes or CD to attendees (one per family) For more info or to dedicate shiurim call Miriam their next kugel (or whatever calls for garlic and sugar), thereby "stretching" the festive meal of the Pidyon beyond its location and its day HI in Morse code is and represents the 6 dots above the name AHARON in Bamidbar 3:39, indicating that he wasn't included in the count The Ashkelon emblem is for the sports club there, Elitzur. Elitzur b. Sh'dei-ur was the Nasi of Reuven The pair of T'filin are for the last two p'sukim of the haftara - as explained earlier The two fellows in the picture are the stars of the TV series called NUMB3RS, as in the English name for the book of Bamidbar The logo below the two brothers is for the organization called EZRAT ACHIM, which is a play on the name ACHI-EZER, the tribal leader of DAN The two images in the lower-right are related to each other. One is the emblem of the town of ITAMAR and the other is a photo of the town - as in Itamar ben Aharon HaKohein, mentioned in the sedra LE3 refers to 3 people whose names begin with ELI (or LE in TTriddlese), namely - ELITZUR, leader of Reuven, ELIAV, leader of Zevulun, and ELISHAMA, leader of Efrayim MazalPic is an old emblem of the Minnesota Twins for Gemini. APPEAL for a lonely, sick woman a cancer survivor who suffers from a severe heart condition which needs constant monitoring and care. She desperately needs money for the most basic living expenses and medical expenses. We beseech you to open your heart and help her generously. Please send your tzedaka to Rabbi R. Roseman via Reb. Tzipporah Heller c/o Neve Yerushalayim 1 Beit Yitzchak Street, Har Nof, Jerusalem May you be blessed with much bracha & good health Endorsed by Rav G ans, Rav Yaacov Hillel, Rav E. Barclay OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 44 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

45 presents A CONVERSATION: PAST AND FUTURE Rabbi Emanuel Feldman Rabbi Berel Wein M oderated by Jonathan Rosenblum Come listen in as Rabbi Feldman and Rabbi Wein discuss topics relating to their lives, our people and our homeland Monday, May 27th 8:30pm Bet Knesset Hanassi 24 Ussishkin Street near Keren Kayemet Street, Jerusalem Admission Fee: 20 NIS/15 NIS (Destiny/Hanassi members) NO CHARGE FOR STUDENTS For more info call Miriam KATAMONIM CLOSE TO PARK SAN SIMON 3 rooms, second floor, succah balcony, renovated, quiet 1,250,000NIS REHAVIA Large 2 rooms, 50m, in well kept Jerusalem stone building third floor, 2 succah balconies, 1,420,000NIS OLD TALPIOT CLOSE TO BAKA 4 rooms, nice stone building, first floor, succah balcony, in good shape, Large storage unit, only 1,800,000NIS OLD KATAMON - RARE OPPORTUNITY! Beautifully renovated and spacious, 5 rooms, 30m terrace, quiet, 2.5 floors up, exclusive, 2,600,000NIS GANEI ZION Spacious 5 room renovated apartment with amazing view, large balcony, storage, Shabbat elevator, parking, 3,050,000NIS OLD KATAMON Garden apartment, 4 rooms + studio, 100m private garden, storage, parking, 3,750,000NIS CHARMING HOUSE, HEART OF OLD KATAMON Unique! 470m built on a private plot of 600m, beautiful garden, Arab style, private entrance, exclusive OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 45 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

46 Moses's Census - Take Two The first chapters of the book of Bamidbar read like one long census, but it s not so easy to use them to find traces of contemporary Jewish families. If your family lived in Jaffa, Acre, Jerusalem, Safed or even Alexandria in the nineteenth century though, the chances are you ll find them mentioned in the long lists still preserved in the Montefiore Endowment Library in England. The Jewish obsession with numbers and counting has a long history, one fascinating page of which was compiled by Sir Moses Montefiore during his visits to the Holy Land between 1839 and Lists of all the Jews living in the area - not only the poor ones - were prepared before the famous philanthropist s arrival and included personal details and family particulars, occupations and countries of origin, together with surveys of Jewish religious institutions. There were relatively few cases of objections to the census, whether for halakhic or political reasons - probably due to the harsh economic conditions under which Jews then struggled to exist. The facts compiled were used by Sir Moses to determine what amount on a fixed sliding scale should be given to each person who applied to him for help. Now these handwritten records have been transcribed by the Israel Genealogical Society and the Montefiore Endowment is in the process of publishing them online at together with a search engine in Hebrew and English which allows the browser to find individual names and families. Published with permission from Segula Jewish History Magazine Find us on facebook at Segula-The-Jewish-Journey-Through-History for a free issue and Torah Tidbits special offer subscription details WORLDWIDE CALLING PLAN STARTING AT $9.95 A MONTH LONG DISTANCE RATES AS LOW AS 2 A MINUTE TRAVELING TO THE U.S? VISITING ISRAEL? CELL PHONE / SIMCARD RENTAL - LOWEST RATES IN THE MARKET! LOCAL PHONE NUMBERS AVAILABLE FOR US, ISRAEL AND MORE FREE 1 MONTH SERVICE FOR REFERRALS AND HIGH COMMISIONS FOR SALES MSMnetphone (US) OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 46 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

47 New workshop for women is forming now Wellsprings Discovering and Revitalizing your Innate Creativity Based on The Artist s Way and integrated within a Torah context, Wellsprings is a series of workshops designed to help you open your own unique, inner channels of creativity. If you have creative interests and aspirations, and experience difficulty in actualizing them... if you ve experienced blockage in being true to your own deeper self, then this series will give you a treasury of tools with which to grow and experience a breakthrough. Taught by Mrs. Esther Sutton teacher/facilitator Please call immediately for information and registration Old Movies & Video Quality Transfer to DVD Michael: (02) Preserve family history Photography for those personal and intimate occasions Men over 50 Natural, herbal supplement to treat male ED Safe, effective, powerful, kosher US Citizenship for your Children and Grandchildren Michele Coven Wolgel Attorney and Notary Specializing in American Immigration and Naturalization Law for over 20 years PL EASE NOTE DUE TO NEW REGULATIONS EARLY FILING FOR CITIZENSHIP IS ESSENTIAL!!! w.co.il ww.facebook.com/uscitizenshipin la wyer@wolgela w.co.il tel: ( 02) Member, AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) Of Counsel to Bretz & Coven, LLP 10% off with this ad until Shavuot OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 47 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

48 We all serve the mirror image. from "A Candle by Day" by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein Servicing the entire country Cafe and in-house catering are under the supervision of u-israel Mehadrin Look forward to the reopening of the CAFÉ right after Shavuot All new pareve & meat menu Note: The catering continues uninterrupted OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 48 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

49 OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 49 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

50 NASO 35th of 54 sedras; 2nd of 10 in Bamidbar Written on 311 lines in a Sefer Torah That's a record breaking 7.4 columns 26 Parshiyot; 18 open, 8 closed Only 4 sedras have more parshiyot 176 p'sukim, 2264 words, 8632 letters Indisputably the longest sedra in the Torah, however you count length. Naso is well below average, though, in length of p'sukim, but not enough to affect its first place ranking in all categories MITZVOT 18 mitzvot; 7 positive, 11 prohibitions - the most of any of Bamidbar's sedras Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary Kohen - First Aliya 17 p'sukim - 4:21-37 [P> 4:21 (8)] The second count of Levi continues with the family unit Gei-r'shon. The first count was of males from 30 days old and up. This count is of males from30 to 50 years of age. That constitutes the workforce for the Mishkan. Note: The starting age for a Levi's service is 30. In the Beit HaMikdash, there is no maximum age. In the Mishkan, however, since a Levi's work required carrying Mishkan components in addition to singing and guarding, there was a mandatory retirement age of 50 for the strenuous tasks. Also note that the family-branch of K'hat was counted and their tasks were enumerated at the end of Bamidbar (which also began with the same words - NASO ET ROSH...) Gei-r'shon's tasks include: the three coverings of the Mishkan - the Mishkan, the Ohel, and the Michseh; the curtain at the entrance of Ohel Moed; the linen curtain material that surrounded the courtyard, and the entrance curtain of the courtyard; the securing stakes and related tools.

51 Leviyim were to function only as instructed by the kohanim. The supervisor of family Gei-r'shon is Aharon's son Itamar. [S> 4:29 (9)] Family Merari was also counted - males between 30 and 50 years of age. They were in charge of the wallboards of the Mishkan, beams, posts, and foundations. Similarly, the courtyard posts, stakes, foundation sockets, and related tools. Itamar was their supervisor too. (Merari used 4 of the 6 wagons - see towards the end of the sedra - and Gershon, the other 2. K'hat used their shoulders.) The counts of the workforces of Levi came to: 2750 for K'hat... Levi - Second Aliya 12 p'sukim - 4:38-49 The position of "Sheni" might vary in different editions of the Chumash. [S> 4:38 (12)] 2630 for Gershon, and 3200 for Merari. The total workforce of Levi in the Mishkan was Shlishi - Third Aliya 10 p'sukim - 5:1-10 [P> 5:1 (4)] People who are ritually defiled from any of three specific types (ZARAAT, ZAV, T'MEI MEIT), are to be excluded from the camp pending purification [362,A31 5:2]. We are taught that the three have different restrictions, as follows: A "m'tzora" is excluded from the entire camp of Israel and must Eiferman Properties Ltd Real Estate & Investment Agency THINKING OF S ELLING? FREE APPRAIS A T AL BI E H - Mag nificent Villa 800+m, 8 bedrooms, internal elevator, many extras! TALBIEH - GARDEN APT. Renovated, - 2 bedrooms (1 en suite), private entrance, includes furniture & appliances! S HAAREI CHES ED 3 bedrooms, balconies, low floor, quiet street NIS 2,485,000 OL D KAT AM ON Beautiful g arden apt., 2 bedroom private entrance, renovated! NACHLAOT (Rechavia)- Cottag e, 180+m, quiet street! CI T Y CE NT E R - Near the Old City, 2 bedrooms, low floor, 1,340,000NIS HAR NOF Pen th o u s e, 5 rms., 120m + 50 m balcony, view! Co tta g e, 150m, newly renovated, private entrance, view VILLAS & LOTS with bldg rig hts to 800+m RE NT AL S rooms in Nachlaot, Rechavia, Talbieh, G. Oranim MORE PROPERTIES?! To receive our Newsletter: eiferman@g mail.com EIFERMAN PROPERTIES (02) remain in isolation until purification. A "zav" and "zava" are permitted in the camp of Israel, but are banned from the Levite camp (and, of course, from the area of the Mikdash). [Har HaBayit today, outside the area where the Beit HaMikdash and its courtyard stood, has the sanctity of the Levite camp (according to some authorities).] A person who came into contact with a dead body is banned only from the "Camp of the Divine Presence" (Mikdash and its courtyard) [363,L77 5:3]. Protect assets for your spouse and children Tirtza Jotkowitz, Esq. Halachic Estate Planning (02) OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 51 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

52 [P> 5:5 (6)] A person who sins is required to verbally confess (when repenting) [364,A73 5:6]. He/she must also make restitution (if money was involved) and pay a penalty to the victim. Take a close look at the portion in the sedra dealing with repentance. It speaks of a man or a woman sinning and of THEIR (plural, not his or her) requirement to confess and do T'shuva. It is often the case that when an individual sins, others are somewhat responsible. Perhaps a parent who did not educate the child properly. Maybe someone who made stealing (for example) too easy and/or tempting. Does society bear some of the responsibility for a sinner's actions, because of misplaced emphasis on the wrong values? A person is primarily accountable for his actions. But the Torah's use of the plural, reminds us of our duty to develop an environment of Torah values that will be conducive for all members of society to enthusiastically follow a Torah way of life. This is part of KOL YISRAEL AREIVIM ZEH BAZEH. +3,+4,-2,-2,-2,+1,+1,+1,+1,+1,-5,0 According to Rambam (and others), this is the one Torah mitzva among the laws of repentance. When (not if) a person sins, and repents, in addition to the various elements of T'shuva, including regret for the past, acceptance for the future, changing one's ways, the repentant individual must verbally confess his sins before G-d. One can suggest that Rambam holds that T'shuva itself is not one of the 613 mitzvot, but rather a natural result of a Jew's accepting G-d's gift - the opportunity for a second chance. When a person sins and does T'shuva... The mitzva is to confess (as part of the process of T shuva) and not to let the process be exclusively in one's heart and mind. Another way to explain why the mitzva of T'shuva per se is not on Rambam's list of 613 is because it spans all mitzvot, rather than being a specific mitzva on its own. For example... The Torah forbids doing melacha on Shabbat. If one violates this prohibition, he is required to repent. Repentance is part of the OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 52 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

53 mitzva prohibiting melacha on Shabbat. So too for all mitzvot, positive as well as prohibitions. On the other hand, others disagree with Rambam and DO count T'shuva as one of the 613. Some include VIDUI in the mitzva of T'shuva and some count it separately. R'vi'i - Fourth Aliya 48 p'sukim - 5:11-6:27 [P> 5:11 (21)] If a wife is unfaithful to her husband, and there is no proof of her adultery -or- if a man suspects his wife of unfaithfulness, even if it is unwarranted, he may formally warn her in front of witnesses not to be seen in the company of a specific man. This warning is a precondition to the whole topic of Sota. Suspicion alone, or even actual adultery, does not produce the conditions for Sota without a formal, witnessed warning by the husband. Once the warning is issued, it is a mitzva (requirement) to proceed with the Sota-process [365,A223 5:12]. The husband must bring his wife to the kohen at the Beit HaMikdash. A barley-flour offering is brought. No oil [366,L104 5:15] or spice [367, L105 5:15] is used with it, since the issue at hand is so serious and unpleasant before G-d. The kohen prepares a potion consisting of water from the KIYOR, earth from the floor of the Mikdash, and the dissolved writing OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 53 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

54 of this portion of the Torah. (Parshat Sota is written on klaf and then the writing is dissolved in the Sota potion.) The kohen administers an oath to the woman asking her to swear to her innocence, if that be the case, or to admit her guilt. The woman is warned of serious adverse effects of the potion which she will be given to drink, if in fact she has committed adultery, and of the favorable effect of the potion if she is innocent. The seriousness with which the Torah treats the issue of Sota is motivated by G-d s desire (so to speak) to bring harmony between husband and wife (when feasible) and the notion that doubt is extremely detrimental to a relationship. G-d, so to speak, permits (nay, requires!) His Name to be written and then erased in order to advance the cause of marital harmony. There are many other details, too numerous to include here, concerning the conditions necessary for the Sota-process to go though to its end. In other words, there David would be many situations when the oath and potion would not be used. [P> 6:1 (21)] A man or a woman may make a Nazirite vow to G-d. This is usually, but not always, for a period of one month. A Nazir is forbidden to drink wine [368,L202 6:3], eat grapes [369,L203 6:3], raisins [370,L204 6:3], grape seeds [371, L205 6,4], and grape skins [372, L206 6:4]. A Nazir may not cut his hair [373, L209 6:5], but rather must let his hair grow long [374,A92 6:5]. A Nazir may not come into contact with a dead body [375,L208 6:6], nor become ritually defiled even from contact with the body of a close relative [376,L207 6:7]. If a Nazir does become defiled, he must purify himself (over a 7 day period), shave his hair, bring two doves and a lamb as korbanot, and begin his period of Nazir anew. When a Nazir successfully concludes the term of his vow, he brings two lambs and a ram plus various types of flour-oil offerings and wine for libation [377,A93 6:13]. Included with these korba- OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 54 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

55 not is a sin offering. (This implies that it is not entirely proper for one to accept upon himself a Nazirite vow. The Torah often provides extreme measures for one who feels he must live a stricter life in order to correct certain shortcomings, but still reminds us that it is not a preferable way of life.) Part of this mitzva is for the Nazir to shave off his hair, which is put into the fire under his korban. Afterwards, he may drink wine. [P> 6:22 (2)] Next, the Torah presents the "three-fold blessing" which forms the text of "Birkat Kohanim". When the kohanim pronounce this blessing, G-d will bless them and the people of Israel. Birkat Kohanim is a mitzva upon kohanim, daily [378, A26 6:23]. Unusual as this might seem, each pasuk of Birkat Kohanim is a separate parsha (s'tuma). [S> 6:24 (1)] The first pasuk: May G-d bless you, and keep you; [S> 6:25 (1)] The second pasuk: May G-d make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; [S> 6:26 (1)] The third pasuk: May G-d lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. [S> 6:27 (1)] And the final statement on this issue from G-d: And they (the kohanim) will place My name on Bnei Yisrael, and I will bless them (either the people or the kohanim or both). One first-place holder is two shy of twice the other Is your teen having difficulties at school or home? Experienced mentor can help your child and you get through his teens. Private mentoring for teenagers 15 years consultation experience with teens and young adults, including teens-at-risk Author of bestselling book Just One Jew Call to schedule a private meeting Moishe Mendlowitz Old City, Jerusalem Chamishi 5th Aliya 41 p'sukim - 7:1-41 From this point until the end of the sedra and into the beginning of the next sedra are the readings for the 8 days of Chanuka. (Some start from the Birkat Kohanim portion at the end of R'vi'i.) [S> 7:1 (11)] On the day the Mishkan was completed, it and its furnishings, altar and its utensils, were anointed and sanctified. The tribal leaders gave to the Mishkan six covered wagons and twelve oxen, two to pull each wagon. The wagons were to be distributed to the Leviyim proportional to the tasks of the different families. Gershon received two wagons and four oxen. Merari received four OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 55 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

56 wagons and eight oxen. No wagons were given to K'hat, since they were responsible for the sacred articles which had to be carried by shoulder. That the Aron was to be carried on the shoulders of Leviyim from family K'hat is a mitzva [379, A34 7:9]. Next follow 12 portions of 6 p'sukim each, which are practically identical. Each portion contains the name of a tribal leader and a description of the gifts of gold and silver vessels and animals for sacrifices that were presented on one of the twelve days of dedication of the Mishkan. [S> 7:12 (6)] Nachshon b. Aminadav of Yehuda was the first to present his gifts. [P> 7:18 (6)] On the second day, the leader of Yissachar presented his gifts to the Mishkan. [P> 7:24 (6)] On the third day, the leader of Zevulun offered his gifts. [P> 7:30 (6)] Reuven's leader is on the fourth day. Caregiver - Companion for elderly or ill women Dedicated, Responsible, Experienced Excellent references (02) Underwriting requirementswill need to be completed in the U.S. [P> 7:36 (6)], and Shimon's is on the fifth day. The gifts of the fifth day conclude the fifth Aliya, CHAMISHI. Shishi - 6th Aliya 30 p'sukim - 7:42-71 [P> 7:42 (6)] And the gifts of the sixth day begin the SHISHI Aliya. [P> 7:48 (6)] On the 7th day, the leader of Efrayim, Elyasaf b. D'u'el. [P> 7:54 (6)] On the 8th day, Menashe's NASI, Gamliel b. P'datzur. [P> 7:60 (6)] The camp of the children of Rachel Imeinu conclude their offerings with Binyamin on the ninth day. [P> 7:66 (6)] The final camp - the north Dan camp, begins its gifts on the tenth day with Achiezer b. Amishadai. OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 56 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

57 Sh'VII Seventh Aliya 18 p'sukim - 7:72-89 [P> 7:72 (6)] On the 11th day, Asher's leader brought his gifts. [P> 7:78 (6)] Finally, the leader of Naftali presents his gifts B'YOM SH'NEIM ASAR YOM... [P> 7:84 (6)] The final six p'sukim summarize the gifts of the 12 leaders of the tribes. Then the Torah presents totals and summaries of the "Dedication" gifts. ZOT CHANUKAT HAMIZBEI'ACH... The last pasuk seems to go beyond the summary. When Moshe came to Ohel Moed to speak to HaShem, he heard the Voice speaking to him from the KAPORET from between the two K'RUVIM, and that is how G-d spoke to Moshe. All aspects of getting the Mishkan to function are completed. Then the Torah tells us how G-d 'spoke' with Moshe. The last three p sukim are repeated for the Maftir. Join us for an unforgettable summer MACHANE HINENI in ARAD For girls finishing grades 8 and 9 A religious summer sleep away camp with a difference that makes a difference For details and to sign up Haftara 24 p'sukim Sho-f'tim 13:2-25 The sedra teaches us the laws of the Nazir. The haftara tells us of a famous Nazir, Shimshon. The nazirship of Shimshon is not typical. His was "ordered" by G-d via a heavenly angel and was to be a Nazir from birth, for Shimshon's entire life. The nazir's outward appearance - his unshorn hair - should be the external evidence of an inner sanctity. In Shimshon's case, his nazirship was accompanied by miraculous feats and heroic achievements against the Philistines who were Israel's major adversaries of the time. The angel instructs Shimshon's mother (wife of Mano'ach of the tribe of Dan) as to how she must behave when she becomes pregnant. She must not drink wine nor eat anything Tamei. May we suggest - by analogy - that this is a demonstration of the fact that alcohol intake of a pregnant woman affects her child? What do you do for a life? from "A Candle by Day" by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein Hadar Wiznitzer Expert Physiotherapist/Osteopath Excellent treatment for many complaints Home visits and clinic in Yefe Nof or hadar_ressistal@yahoo.com OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 57 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

58 Arnona - Amazing Multi-Level Penthouse, 110m, 3 rooms, 54m terrace, 108m attic with 2 rooms, 4 directions of airflow, 4 bathrooms, parking and storage adjacent to the apartment. Asking 3,800,000NIS Orli Raz RE/MAX Vision "Our vision... fulfilling your dream" Buying or selling? Free Market analysis Our professional team of 21 agents are ready to help you! (02) Exclusive listings with RE/MAX Vision... Armon Hanatziv Garden Home One of a kind property surrounded by greenery, 200m garden, 5 rooms, private parking, private entrance, handicap accessible. 20m studio/workspace/classroom with a/c + private storage room, Asking 2,000,000NIS Rachel Gluck Har Homa - Sol Liptzin St. Garden Apt, 85m, ground floor, 4 spacious rooms (incl. master bedroom), 2 full baths, fully renovated, Shabbat elevator, patio + lg. garden (75+m), central A/C, private parking, handicap accessible, amazing view, close to shopping, parks, clinics, shopping center, shuls, transportation, Near Talpiot! Metziah at 1,550,000NIS! Shlomo Benzaquen Ramat Eshkol Dream Home 10 rooms, Ramat Hagolan over 200m on 350m lot with 3 room Rental Unit!! Private Entrance, Master bedroom, 4 full bathrooms + 3 half bathrooms, Renovated, 4 patios, garden, A/C, parking, storage space, service balcony Rental Unit with amazing view, 3 directions of airflow Asking: 6,300,000NIS Shlomo Benzaquen Kiryat Shmuel/Old Katamon - Nili St. Lovely 4-room, 2 full bath, beautiful stone bldg with large balcony, 1st fl with Shabbat elevator, parking 2,900,000NIS Felicia Mizrachi German Colony- Modern Elegance, magnificent duplex - 5 rms (240m net) + huge master ensuite + study, additional full 2 room apartment on lower level (grandparent suite), 3.5 bathrooms, huge entertaining areas, state of the art gourmet kitchen, large sukkah balcony, elevator, 2 underground parking spaces $3,950,000 Alyssa Friedland Stunning Penthouse close to Arnona!!! Armon Hanatziv, near all the new building in Arnona - 5th floor with elevator and large machsan, 133m, renovated, 5 spacious rooms, flooded with light and great air, 85m succah balcony with breathtaking views!! A ONE-OF-A-KIND PROPERTY!! Asking only 2,250,000 NIS Rachel Gluck German Colony Penthouse - Luxurious pent-cottage overlooking new"rail park" on Harakevet St. 7 rms, 3 full baths, 200m / 2 levels, entry on 1st fl (25 steps), 5 sukka balconies. Near public transport and shuls, 2 min to Emek Refaim, pastoral atmosphere. 6,350,000NIS Raphi Bloch Susan Lerner Great Location in Nachlaot! Charming 4 room apt, 2nd floor, elevator, 80m, 3 balconies (2 Succah), 3 directions of airflow, very light and quiet. ONLY 1,700,000NIS Elliot Kwestel Talbieh - Hovevei Zion Old Arab Charm! Spacious 3 rm, private entrance, enclosed balcony, garden view, approx 113m, 6 steps to entrance. Authentic vintage floors, private land, walk to Kotel. Yocheved Zemel Want our newsletter? alyssa1@014.net.il Come by our office Derech Beit Lechem 41, Baka OU Israel Center TT 1044 page 58 > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

59 The Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults and OU Israel's Project YEDID are the educational parts of the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center and include the classes & lectures of the OU Israel Center Rabbi Sholom Gold, Dean Phil Chernofsky, Educational director Due to space-limitations in this Double Issue of TT, the schedule will be condensed Yom R'vi'i 28 Iyar Yom Yerushalayim WED May 8th Festive Davening at the Center - beg. at 8:00am Rabbi Taub at 9:30am Reuven Wolfeld at 9:45am Rabbi Wolicki at 10:45am Gabriella at noon Video in Library at 12:30pm TaiChi at 12:45 & 1:30 Pearl Borow at 2:15pm Dr. Assis at 7:15pm Rabbi Eisen at 7:30pm Mrs. Tzipora Heller at 8:00pm Yom Chamishi 29 Iyar THU May 9th Dr. Tova at 9:00am Dr. Abramson at 10:30am Salads, Salads, and more Salads at 10:30am (L'Ayla) Knitting, etc. at 1:30pm in the Library Yom Shishi Rosh Chodesh Sivan FRI May 10th Kollel Yom Shishi at 8:30am Rabbi Eisen at 9:00am Shabbat Parshat Bamidbar 2 Sivan May 11th Shiur by Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Poupko Must Arrogance Abound for Mashiach to Materialize? Sun-Thu in the Ganchrow Beis Medrash (first floor) Rabbi Bienenfeld Sun/Tue/Thu 10:00am RCA Daf Yomi 11:15am Mincha 1:20pm Rabbi Ruvel Sun/Mon/Wed/Thu 4:30pm Yom Rishon 3 Sivan SUN May 12th L'Ayla 10:00 - Mrs. Rivka Segal - T'hilim 11:10am - Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz - Aseret HaDibrot OU Israel Center TT 1044 BackPage A > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

60 12:00n 10NIS Improve your Hebrew reading (and conversation) while previewing Parshat HaShavua with Haya Graus 12:00n Sefer HaKuzari - Rabbi Chaim Eisen 2:00pm Ruth's Field of Dreams Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher 7:30pm SUN May 12th 8:00pm 1½ hrs The Book of Mishlei - Rabbi Mordechai Machlis no fee PSYCHO-SPIRITUAL SHAVUOT WORKSHOP Re-experience Divine Revelation Guided visualization based on Torah text on Har Sinai Feel, See, Hear your personal Truth/Purpose Experience and integrate that you count and matter to the Creator Chaya Sara Brand LMSW Expansive, eclectic approach, synthesizing Torah spirituality with psychology; Facilitating emotional/spiritual healing and growth through workshops, groups, individual therapy and coaching. 8:30pm Rabbi Dr. Joseph C. Klausner/Yedidyahu no fee Yom Sheini 4 Sivan MON May 13th N'SHEI LIBRARY MOMMY & BABY WITH JACKIE 9:30 & 10:30 Pearl Borow 9:15am Rabbi Zev Leff 10:30am Women's Exercise 11:30am Gabriella 11:30 Shavuot - attitudes to conversion and converts Video in Library, 12:30 - Rabbi Gold on Ruth & Revelation part 4 Pearl Borow 2:00pm Phil 3:00pm Women's writing workshop 5:20pm Rabbi Yehoshua Rubin Tuesday, Erev Shavuot - closed until 6:30pm gny bg LEIL SHAVUOT PROGRAM - see Pull-Out section The Center will re-open IYH for regular programs on Thursday, May 16th OU Israel Center TT 1044 BackPage B > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

61 Thu & Fri, May 16 & 17 See previous Thu & Fri (except no L'Ayla on Thu) Sun & Mon, May 19 & 20 See previous Sun & Mon - with the following differences: Rabbi Sprecher topic: The Nazir - Holy Sinner? No Psycho-Spiritual Workshop Gabriella will not be giving class Video on Monday - To Conquer the Mountain or Die - The Life of Menachem Begin MASK on Monday night, May 20th Yom Sh'lishi 12 Sivan TUE May 21st The Israel Center and the Old City Free Loan Association Gemach - Free Loan Society providing interest-free loans for people in financial distress (living in the J'lem area). Interviews at the Center Bring ID Hours: and 19-20:15 9:00am 10:15am 11:20am 11:20am and 1:00pm women 12:30pm no fee 2¼ hrs Rabbi Aharon Adler on the Rav's Hespeidim Rabbi Sholom Gold - Parshat HaShavua Women's T'hilim group for Shiduchim and Refu'ah Sh'leima in the Café T'fila - Jewish Prayer - Its Purpose, Its Meaning, Its Secrets with Esther Sutton and at 1:00pm The Art of creative writing Dr. Maurice E. Joseph Jewish Video Resource Center presents... The Counterfeit Traitor True story of an American businessman in Sweden during World War II who was blackmailed by British agents into becoming a spy... Powerful, brilliant but little known film... Tuesday, May 21st 3:00pm Fall Prevention Workshop for Seniors Vital Topics We will Cover Include: The Impact of Aging on Balance Five Steps to Better Balance Risk Factors for Falling How to Avoid Fallings Hazards at Home All are welcome! For more info, call Tuvia Andy Haas, Certified Fitness Trainer and Licensed Massage Therapist Visit: www. andyhealth.com OU Israel Center TT 1044 BackPage C > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

62 Tuesday, May 21st 6:13pm Dale Carnegie Course FREE Preview :30pm Rabbi Yonatan Kolatch Thru the Eyes of the Meforshim Wed, Thu, Fri - May 22,23,24 See previous Wed, Thu, Fri - with the following differences: (No Festive davening }) Gabriella will not be giving class Video on Wed. - Dr. Robert Werman, Z"L- "Living with an Aging Brain" Tuesday evening, May 28th at 8:00pm Dr. Henry R. Hashkes will speak on "Advances in heart diseases, stroke, diabetes and hypertension" Dr. Hashkes is a well-known medical practitioner who attends major medical conferences throughout the world and shares the knowledge gained with a multitude of doctors here in Israel. Come and hear some of the latest findings! You will not want to miss this uniquely special evening Sponsored by Yehoshua and Shulamit Neaman in memory of their parents and other relatives Thursday, May 30th 8:00pm no charge The Joy Club with Rabbi Zelig Pliskin The following is excerpted with permission from Rabbi Wein on Parshat Bamidbar It is interesting to note that the count of the Jewish people in the desert that appears in this week's parsha is a count of each of the tribes of Israel individually - with the entire population of the Jewish people divided into four separate groupings, and the kohanim and Levites forming another separate grouping completely. Why all of this particularism? Why is the Torah not contented to give a single population figure for the entire Jewish nation? I believe that the underlying message here is the reinforcement of the Torah's view of the Jewish people and in fact of all of humankind, as many different individuals and never as a monolithic whole. In fact, this is the origin of the Torah's opinion that one should never count people individually in a direct and personal fashion. No two people are alike.and no two people are bound to hold exactly like opinions. OU Israel Center TT 1044 BackPage D > Bamidbar-Shavuot-Naso 5773 issue

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