Thursday, January 31, 2019

פרשת משפטים



From Stealing To Giving

וְאֵלֶּה הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר תָּשִׂים לִפְנֵיהֶם:כִּי תִקְנֶה עֶבֶד עִבְרִי שֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים יַעֲבֹד וּבַשְּׁבִעִת יֵצֵא לַחָפְשִׁי חִנָּם:
 (שמות כא

And these are the laws that you shall put before them. If one buys a slave…” (21:1-2)

After Mount Sinai, the Torah tells us all the laws that relate to how people should treat one another.  We would think that the Torah should start with a law that pertains to everyone.  Instead, the Torah chooses a law that only pertains to a criminal.

The Torah tells us that if a man steals something and he is not able to pay back what he stole, the Bet Din (Jewish house of law) can sell him as a slave so that he can make money to pay for his deed.

If the punishment needs to fit the crime, why is selling a thief a fair punishment for the crime?

Why does the Torah start with this law?

Maimonides, in reference to the laws of a thief sold as a slave, (the laws of slaves 1:9) teaches us; “If the master has only one good loaf of bread or one cup of good wine, he must give it to his slave.  If there is only one pillow, the master must give it to his slave and sleep on the ground himself.”  

What is the reason that we treat this criminal like a king, he is being punished for harming someone!?

To answer all these questions, we need to understand what we are trying to teach the thief by punishing him.  What he did was steal. Now we show him that there is also something called giving.  By the master giving him everything, he can see how we are supposed to live our lives.  It is for this reason that the Torah starts with the laws concerning a Jewish slave to teach us and remind us how important giving is.

Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Questions

1) Why does the account of the building of the משכן start with the מזבח, get interrupted by משפטים (civil laws), and then continue with תרומה (monetary gifts given for the משכן)?
(רש"י שמות כא:א)

2) For how long could a עבד עברי be sold by בית דין? (שמות כא:ב)

3) How would a Jewish person become a עבד עברי before being set free again? (רש"י שמות כא:ב)

4) Could the עבד עברי stay longer with the master if he wanted to? How? (שמות כא:ה-ו)

5) Why is this done at the door post? Why in the ear? (רש"י שמות כא:ו)

6) לפי התורה, what is the punishment of a person who kills intentionally? (רש"י שמות כא:יב)

7) What is the הלכה if one unintentionally kills someone? (שמות כא:יג)

8) If one strikes his parents or curses them, חס ושלום, what is his punishment? In want manner is this done? (שמות כא:טו ועוד עיין ברש"י)

9) What are the 5 aspects of one must pay for if they injured another person? Explain each.
 (רש"י שמות כא:כה)

10) Explain עין תחת עין. (רש"י שמות כא:כד)

11) What happens to a עבד כנעני that gets their eye or tooth knocked out? (שמות כא:כו-כז)

12) What is the הלכה regarding a person that creates a בור ברשות הרבים? (שמות כא:לג-לד)

13) When must a גנב pay four or five times as much as what they have stolen? Explain.
(שמות כא:לז ועוד עיין ברש"י)

14) What do we see from the הלכה taught to us of אם במחתרת ימצא הגנב? (רש"י שמות כב:א)

15) What is a thief חייב to pay if the stolen animal is found in their רשות? (שמות כב:ג)

16) כִּי־תֵצֵא אֵשׁ וּמָצְאָה קֹצִים וְנֶאֱכַל גָּדִישׁ אוֹ הַקָּמָה אוֹ הַשָּׂדֶה שַׁלֵּם יְשַׁלֵּם הַמַּבְעִר אֶת־הַבְּעֵרָה:. Why?
(רש"י שמות כב:ה)

17) Name the four שומרים. (שמות כב:ט-טו)

18) Why are we not allowed to hurt a גר in any way? (שמות כב:כ)

19) What will happen to a person who hurts a יתום ואלמנה? (שמות כב:כא-כג)

20) What is the מצוה of אם כסף תלוה את עמי? (רש"י שמות כב:כד)

21) Explain לא תשימו עליו נשך. Why do you think this is the הלכה? (רש"י שמות כב:כד)

22) When does one NOT need to help unload a fallen donkey of your enemy? Explain.
(רש"י שמות כג:ה

23) What are the שלש רגלים. (שמות כג:ידיט ועוד עיין ברש"י)

24) What is the מצוה of לא תבשל גדי בחלב אמו? (שמות כג:יט)

25) At the end of פרשת משפטים, we find משה ascending to הר סיני. When was this?
(רש"י שמות כד:א)

26) How did the בני ישראל respond to hearing the words of the תורה? (שמות כד:ז)

27) What did משה read to them that got this answer? (רש"י שמות כד:ז)

28) How did Hashem react to this answer of the בני ישראל? (גמרא שבת פח.)

29) Why was the appearance of the Heavens כמעשה לבנת הספיר? Explain. (רש"י שמות כד:י)

30) For how long was משה רבינו on הר סיני? (שמות כד:יח)


Virtual Classroom Check-in!
Questions about what we are learning online!


1) What would we be concerned about if one's table is in their house and they are sitting in their Sukkah?

2) What proof is being offered from the story of Rabbi Yochanan Ben HaChorani?

3) Why is it not a proof?


Click Here for Mishnah videos!


Torah Math

In this week’s Parasha we are taught to run away from lies and dishonesty.

The word Sheker is made up of letters only from the end of the Alef Bet and all have pointy bottomed letters.  None of these letters can stand.  The word Emet is made up of the first letter the middle letter and the last letter in the Alef Bet.  Also, each letter has a straight bottom and can stand on its own.

שקר - אמת

TORAH TRIVIA!

Super Stumper Question:
This a question to ask others and discuss the answers.

Last week’s question: When can a boy under the age of 13 be called up for an Alyah in Shul (not including Simchat Torah)?

Answer to last week’s question:  We could call a boy under 13 up to the Torah for an Alyah for Maftir.

Question of the week: Why do we cover the Challah on our Shabbat table? (2 reasons)


Kollel Quiz 
NEW QUESTIONS COMING SOON!

#1 Who Am I?
1. I has blossoms even in water.
2. I was a fiery creation.
3. I can be found on the “Arch of Titus”.
4. I cause the Kohen Gadol to walk the longer route.

#2 Who Am I?
1. I was only for the first.
2. I was a three-in-one deal.
3. I occupied on space.
4. Beware! I can cause death.


Submit this answer by clicking here


 FOOD Section!


Can you guess what this recipe connects to this week’s Parsha?

MEATLESS CHEESEBURGER

Ingredients:
1 (2-ounce) hamburger bun, shredded
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 (15.25-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon grated lime rind
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 cup of magic ;)

Preparation:
1. Place bun in a food processor; process 4 times or until crumbs measure about 1 cup. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Combine 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, and beans in processor; pulse 8 times or until beans make a thick paste. Scrape bean mixture into bowl with breadcrumbs. Stir in rind and remaining ingredients. With moistened hands, divide bean mixture into 4 equal portions (about 1/3 cup mixture per portion), shaping each into a 3-inch patty.

3. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; reduce heat to medium, and cook 4 minutes or until bottom edges are browned. Carefully turn patties over; cook 3 minutes or until bottom edges are done.

Putting together the sandwich:
Lightly toast a hamburger bun
Spread a small amount of mayo on each side of the bun (to taste)
Place some shredded lettuce on the bottom half of the bun
Place the burger on top of the lettuce
Put a slice of cheese directly on the burger
Add 1 thin slice of a large tomato on top of the cheese
Place a few thin slices of red onion
Gently put 2-3 slices of sandwich pickles on top of the tomato
Add ketchup and/or mustard to taste
Close the bun


Serve with a side of fries, cole slaw, and a refreshing drink!

Friday, January 25, 2019

פרשת יתרו 2


MISHNAH TEST THIS TUESDAY (2:1-6)! 


Virtual Classroom Check-in!

1) How many meals does a person HAVE TO EAT on Sukkot?

2) Can one eat a snack outside of a Sukkah?


Wednesday, January 23, 2019

פרשת יתרו 1




Is it just a rumor?!?

(שמות יח:א) וַיִּשְׁמַע יִתְרוֹ כֹהֵן מִדְיָן חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֱלֹקים לְמֹשֶׁה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ כִּי הוֹצִיא ה' אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרָיִם:
And Yitro heard” (18:1)

(שמות יח:ח) וַיְסַפֵּר מֹשֶׁה לְחֹתְנוֹ אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה ה' לְפַרְעֹה וּלְמִצְרַיִם עַל אוֹדֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵת כָּל הַתְּלָאָה אֲשֶׁר מְצָאָתַם בַּדֶּרֶךְ וַיַּצִּלֵם ה':
And Moshe told” (18:8)

The Torah relates to us the view of an outsider during the time of Yetze’at Mitzrayim (the leaving of Egypt).  Yitro, the father-in-law of Moshe, at the time of all the excitement of the Jews leaving Egypt and becoming a nation, lived in Midyan.  The Torah tells us that “Yitro heard all that happened to Moshe and the Jews…” and Rashi explains to us that what he heard was the splitting of the sea and the war with Amulak.  When Yitro arrived in the Jewish camp the Torah tells us after his welcoming procession, “Moshe told him all that happened”.  Again, Rashi, in explaining this Pasuk tells us that what Moshe told Yitro was the splitting of the sea and the war against Amulak.  This seems a bit strange; the whole reason that Yitro came in the first place to the Jewish camp was that he heard about the splitting of the sea and the war with Amulak, why is Moshe telling it to him again?

The Torah is teaching us about the laws of Shmirat Halashon (guarding our speech).  Yitro was not there to see all the miracles that had taken place for the Jews right before their eyes, the only way that he knew about them was because someone else had told the stories to someone who told it to the next person… Yitro wanted to check out the stories that he had heard to see if they were true since hearsay is not reliable.  Therefore, when he arrived in the Jewish camp he asked Moshe to confirm that all the things which he had heard were really true from an eyewitness.

This shows us how much we need to check out whatever we hear to be sure that it is true, whether we heard it on the news or read it in the paper.  We need to be careful about what we say over to others if we do not know its validity.

Shabbat Shalom!


Parsha Questions


1) Who was יתרו? What were his other names? (שמות יח:א ועד עיין ברש"י)

2) Why were ציפורה, גרשם ואליזר with יתרו and not with their father? (רש"י שמות יח:ב)

3) Why did משה name his sons גרשם and אליעזר? (שמות יח:ג-ד)

4) וַיֵּשֶׁב מֹשֶׁה לִשְׁפֹּט אֶת־הָעָם וַיַּעֲמֹד הָעָם עַל־מֹשֶׁה מִן־הַבֹּקֶר עַד־הָעָרֶב. What bothered יתרו about this arrangement? (שמות יח:יג-יח)

5) What was the advice of יתרו to משה? (שמות יח:יט-כג)

6) וַיְשַׁלַּח מֹשֶׁה אֶת־חֹתְנוֹ וַיֵּלֶךְ לוֹ אֶל־אַרְצוֹ, why did יתרו leave, and not stay with the בני ישראל?
(רש"י שמות יח:כז)

7) What was the difference between the בני ישראל resting at הר סיני and other times they set up camp? (רש"י שמות יט:א)

8) בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁי לְצֵאת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה בָּאוּ מִדְבַּר סִינָי. What is wrong with the wording in this פסוק and how can we explain what it is teaching us? (רש"י שמות יט:א)

9) How is Hashem’s protection of בני ישראל similar to an eagle’s protection of its young?
(רש"י שמות יט:ד)

10) What was the punishment for touching the mountain? (רש"י שמות יט:יב)

11) List the עשרת הדברות in order? (שמות כ:א-יד) [Summarized in Hebrew and English]

12) Where in Davening do we remember all of these commandments? (List an example)

13) How many דברות were said by Hashem directly to בני ישראל? Which ones?

14) What can the מזבח NOT be build out of? Explain why. (שמות כ:כב)

15) How should one go up on a מזבח? Why? (רש"י שמות כ:כג)

16) It total, how many מצוות עשה and מצוות לא תעשה are there in the תורה?

  
 TORAH TRIVIA!

(שמות יט:ה) וְעַתָּה אִם שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמְעוּ בְּקֹלִי וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת בְּרִיתִי וִהְיִיתֶם לִי סְגֻלָּה מִכָּל הָעַמִּים...

The Pasuk tells us that Hashem told us if we keep all of the Torah and Mitzvot we will be a Treasure to him above all the other nations.  How is this, what do we do that is so special? 

The Ba’al Haturim explains that within the words of this Pasuk we are told that the Mitzvot of Brit Milah is this awesome treasure, check it out:

וִהְיִיתֶם לִי סְגֻלָּה מִכָּל הָעַמִּים

The last letter in each of the words unscrambled is the word Milah!


Super Stumper Question:
This a question to ask others and discuss the answers.

Last week’s question: What should one Daven for on Tu  Bishvat???

Answer to last week’s question:  One should Daven for a nice Esrog on Tu Bishvat!

Question of the week: When can a boy under the age of 13 be called up for an Alyah in Shul (not including Simchat Torah)?



 FOOD Section!


Can you guess what this recipe connects to this week’s Parsha?

Livonian
Cheesecake Pops

Ingredients

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
24 lollipop sticks
10 ounces white confectioners' coating miniature semisweet chocolate chips


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in the sour cream and blend thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour, vanilla, and salt and mix well.
Add the eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly before adding the next egg, but do not overbeat. Pour batter into a 9-inch springform pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes or until the edges of the cake just begin to turn golden. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out round balls of cheesecake. Roll them into 1 1/2-inch ball and place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Push a lollipop stick into each cheesecake ball. Place the tray in the freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.

Melt the white confectioners' coating (or semi-sweet chocolate). Dip each cheesecake pop into the melted coating. Then dip into one of the toppings. Place on waxed paper until coating is set. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Store in the refrigerator.