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שבת שלום - פרשת יתרו
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Video Shiur
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Click play to watch
Rav Herschel Shechter's shiur about Ahavat Hashem and Yirat Hashem |
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News and Notes
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This week was a full
week of learing in the
yeshiva. With Rosh Yeshiva
in the US for interviews,
our Menahel Ruchani,
Rav Moshe Simkovich,
taught Rav Kahn's shiur.
They explored the methodology
of the Brisker derech
of learning.
Thursday
night, Rav Wolicki's
sicha dealt with the
issue of "Developing
one's personal individuality
within the collective".
After the sicha, the
students supplemented
the weekly cholent with
a birthday cake for Rav
Wolicki. Happy 40th!
Rav
Daniel Krentzman, a certified
shochet, gave a guest
shiur: "An Overview of
the Laws of Shechita".
The shiur included a
display and explanation
of the various knives
used for shechita.
This
coming Thursday, the
yeshiva and a number
of the rebbeim and their
families will go north
for the annual Tzfat
Shabbaton. The Shabbat
in Tzfat is always one
of the highlights of
the year.
To all prospective
students: please remember
to apply ASAP, as we
will begin formally accepting
students within the next
couple of weeks. You
can apply through our
website at www.yesodei.org.
If you are
interested in interviewing
for a place at Yesodei
HaTorah, please tell
your Israel guidance
counselor, or contact
the yeshiva office at
972-2-992-3099 or yeshiva@yesodei.org.
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Parasha Insights
By Rabbi Rav Lichtman
Besides containing some very important practical halachot, the Ten Commandments teach us many crucial hashkafic lessons, as well. One such lesson is that bein adam lechaveiro precepts are just as important as the bein adam laMakom variety. This is indicated by the fact that each Tablet contains an equal number of each of these types of mitzvot. Simply put, G-d wants us to honor and respect not only Him, but also our fellow man.
But the lesson goes even deeper. The Ibn Ezra points out that all of the Torah's commandments can be divided into three categories: 1) precepts of the heart, 2) precepts relating to speech, and 3) precepts involving action. Prof. Nechama Leibowitz z"l (under whom I had the zechut to study) uses this concept to explain the order of the Ten Commandments.
The first five commandments, which pertain to man's obligations to his Creator, begin with two thought- related mitzvot (belief in G-d and the repudiation of idolatry), continue with a precept of the tongue (taking G-d's name in vain), and conclude with two "practical" mitzvot (Shabbat and honoring one's parents - see Kiddushin 30b to understand why this is considered bein adam laMakom). In contradistinction, the last five commandments, which deal with our relationship with other people, follow the exact opposite order. First, the Torah prohibits us from harming other people physically (murder, adultery, and robbery); then it warns us not to speak against our fellow man (bearing false witness); and finally, G-d limits the way we may think or feel about others ("You shall not covet").
Nechama explains this difference as follows: "Our attitude to our Maker must first be determined in our hearts, and from there it surges forth to govern our speech and, ultimately, direct all of our activities. Religious beliefs and convictions are not sufficient, unless they find practical expression in word, deed, and family relations [kibud av ve'eim]." With regard to our attitude towards other human beings, on the other hand, "Good deeds and social justice in everyday life are not in themselves sufficient, if they signify nothing more than strict observance of the laws governing society, backed by the guardians of law. Man must also control his speech and even the inner feelings of his heart" (Studies in Shemot, the World Zionist Organization, p. 343).
In other words, the Torah begins each set of precepts with the most obvious type of commandment, working its way up to the most novel or unexpected one. When it comes to the Almighty, everyone understands that belief is important, but many people think that that's where it ends. "As long as I believe, I'm OK." Judaism rejects such an outlook, teaching that one's inner beliefs must be translated into concrete action. Similarly, everyone understands that it is wrong to harm another human being, but most people consider it perfectly legitimate to talk behind someone's back and certainly to think badly of him. The Torah expects much more from us, demanding that we respect our fellow man to such an extent as to not even covet what he has that we don't.
Let us try our hardest to fulfill all of G-d's commandments - no matter how difficult or demanding they may be - "for they are our life and the length of our days."
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Moshe Lichtman teaches Gemara, Chumash, and Nach at Yesodei HaTorah and is the translator of several books, including the classic work Eim HaBanim Semeichah, and Simcha Raz's biography of Rav Kook, zt"l, An Angel Among Men. Rabbi Lichtman is also the author of Eretz Yisrael in the Parasha published by Devora Publishers.
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