Pirkei Avos

Youre the man!

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The Chafetz Chaim offers us a parable to explain this Mishnah even further.

The Hasmonean High School Weekly Sedra Sheet

Dvar Torah

Living Torah
Issue No: Shabbos In: Shabbos Out:

, , A land-owner, poritz, was once offered a cup of tea by a . , . local innkeeper, a rather simple fellow. He gratefully , , . accepted, but took one sip and then spat it out. Dont . you know you have to use filtered, mineral water when making tea? This water is filthy and full of impurities. Hillel used to say: A brutish man cannot fear sin; an Next time, only use distilled water! ignorant man cannot be pious, nor can the shy man learn, or the impatient man, teach. He who engages A few months later, a fire that started in that inn spread excessively in business cannot become wise. In a place and ravaged the surrounding town, including the landwhere there are no men strive to be a man. owners mansion. Furious, he asked the innkeeper why he hadnt put out the fire. This line from Pirkei Avos has been quoted in many different situations and contexts. So what does it actual- I couldnt in time, replied the innkeeper, because you ly mean? told me I must use only filtered water.
According to the Rashi, this means that when there is nobody dealing with communal matters, you should be the one to fill the vacancy. However, when there are already people fulfilling all the necessary roles and your involvement would be unnecessary, possibly even futile, then you should use your time wisely and get involved in other things, such as learning Torah. Enraged, the land-owner responded: You foolish person! When a fire is burning, any water will put it out, even dirty water. But for a cup of tea, only pure water will do!

" 14th July 2012

406 20:57 22:22

Coco Pops, the Korban Tomid and a thank you

A regular olah offering such as that which was made at Har This even applies to a skydiving instructor who said that the Sinai, for a pleasant aroma, a fire offering before Ha- thrill of jumping out of a plane wears off eventually! shem. (28:6) On closer inspection, this seemingly unremarkable posuk holds an incredibly important lesson for our everyday lives, and in-fact links very well into the editorial teams work on the Living Torah over the past year. We know that the Korban Tomid was brought twice a day, rain or shine, Shabbos, weekday and Yom Kippur. What seems out of place in this posuk is the statement: such as that which was made at Har Sinai Why does the posuk connect the Korban Tomid which we are commanded to bring every day, and the Korban which was brought at the dedication of the Mishkan at Har Sinai? Lehavdil, whilst eating Coco Pops, I am not particularly interested in the first USA release of the breakfast cereal in 1958. What lesson is there to be learnt from this? The Sifrai and Gemara in Chagiga discuss this issue, and the Sages offer various halachic intricacies which can be derived from the structure of this posuk. Additionally, Rav Yosef Salant points out that there is a crucial philosophical idea which can be inferred from the addition of this reference to Har Sinai in our posuk. It is on this that I would like to focus. Rabbi Frand points out that this is the potential pitfall of the Korban Tomid. This sacrifice was brought every day, morning and evening, whenever the Mishkan or the Beis Hamikdash was standing. There was a very real risk that even this unbelievably distinctive and special task would become mechanical and without inspiration. This is why the Torah found it necessary to remind us A regular olah offering such as that which was made at Har Sinai, for a pleasant aroma, a fire offering before Hashem. Har Sinai, the event in Jewish history which was impossible to find unexciting, the event which created the Jewish nation, the event at which everyones heart beat faster and everything was new and exciting. The posuk tells us to reach into the past and draw that inspiration into our activities of the present, so that nothing becomes routine or dull. On that note, I would like to thank the editorial team of the Living Torah this year. Without their constant excitement and joy for this publication, whether it be the first edition of the year or the twenty fifth, it would have been almost impossible to continue. I would also like to thank Rabbi Meyer for his guidance and direction, and all the contributors from Hasmoneans teaching staff, student body, and beyond, who filled the blank pages of this weekly sedra sheet with words of wisdom and wit since last September. Most importantly, I would like to thank our readers for their support, communications, complaints, and compliments. It is our readers who we produced this sheet for every week, and we hope that it has brought you at least a small amount of joy, knowledge and intrigue at some point in the past year.

In days gone by, in better times, fewer leaders were needed to lead the Jewish people. But nowadays, explained the Chafetz Chaim, there is much more to be The Rambam has an entirely different approach. He done. Like a fire that needs to be put out, the urgency is interprets the words of the Sages to tell us that if there extremely great! are no educators or refined educational institutions that will teach us to grow spiritually and improve ourselves Therefore, all of us, each and every one, must take acand unleash our potential, then we have to try our best tion. to do these vital tasks ourselves. Various other commentators deduce these words to tell us an entirely different, yet equally important message. When there are no men around, in the literal sense, so that you are physically alone; it is then that you need to do your utmost to strive to be a man, and overcome your Yetzer Hara. When there is no man nowadays, since there is so much more that can be done, there needs to be more people that can do it. Each and every one of us has our own unique talents and devices that no other man has, and only we can use that for the greater good.

Not a single person can claim that he lacks the qualities of a leader. R Paysach Krohn says that a Gadol is not 6 years ago, in the 2nd Lebanon war, Roi Klein, a major in born a Gadol; they are born a human being. So are the elite Golani Unit, jumped on a grenade, absorbing its Reshoim. It is only through hard work that we can transfull impact. Had he not acted quickly, the grenade would form ourselves into huge Gedolim. have taken the lives of several of his soldiers; thus he So what are you waiting for? saved their lives. Major Klein, a religious Jew, practised this teaching of the Mishna and thus lived it; shouting - Go be that man! out Shema Yisrael just before the grenade exploded.
Mazal Tov to Alex Jaffe, Johnny Harounoff and Mikey Lebrett on their appointments as Head and Deputy Head Boys of Hasmonean. A massive yasherkoiach to the Living Torah Editorial Team for their excellent work throughout the year.

For latest updates, to make a suggestion, or to receive a weekly online edition of the Living Torah, please email hasmolivingtorah@gmail.com Editorial Team: Micha Athersych - Avraham Grant Yossi Prager - Mikey Lebrett - Shmuli Margulies Director: Rabbi D Meyer

If you grant me the liberty, I would like to ask you to think back to the first time you put on Teffilin, lit Shabbos candles, or made a bracha as a bar/bas mitzvah boy/girl. These moments stick in a persons mind. The care, attention and love displayed when these experiences are new are extremely special. However, as time goes on, Teffilin are put on later and taken off earlier, Shabbos is prepared for with less care and more stress, and brachos are said quieter and more quickly as each day passes. Anything that is done every day or every week, however exciting and wonderful Wishing everyone a Good Shabbos and a relaxing summer that activity is, will become routine, stale and automatic. from the Living Torah Team!

Story

Dvar Torah

Blintzes
One cold winter day in Chicago a poor Jewish cheese," consoled Max. man was slowly walking home from the factory "Look here" she called out again. "It says we when he passed by a fancy, expensive restau- need walnuts, honey and raisins!" "Forget that rant. He stopped before the huge glass window stuff, too," he advised. "Oh you are such a good and gazed for several minutes at the rich people husband Max! But, what's this? What about sitting in the plush warm room talking and cinnamon and brown sugar," she read out from laughing while eating delicious cheese blintzes, the book. "Not necessary!" he decreed. "Just completely oblivious of him as though they please start baking already, Sarah, I'm really were on another, higher plane of existence. and continued home. hungry." flour and water, rolled it into cigar shapes put "Blintzes," he muttered to himself as he turned So she ceremoniously lit the oven, mixed the "Sarah," he announced to his wife as he closed them in to bake and in just minutes there they the door behind him and threw his coat over a were, sitting on a plate before a very happy chair, "Sarah, I've been thinking, do you think Max, napkin tucked into his collar. you could make me blintzes? I would really like His knife and fork immediately went to work some blintzes." best." and within seconds he was actually doing it! He fancy restaurant. "Of course Max," she answered. "I'll try my was eating blintzes just like the rich guys in their Sarah took out her old cookbook and opened it Sarah watched him proudly as he slowly swalup to "Blintzes". "Aha!" She happily exclaimed. lowed his portion of what were essentially "Here they are blintzes!" bread rolls. After several seconds of complete Two cups of flour, a cup of water... "Oh, look silence she couldn't resist. "Nu, what do you here, Max, it says we need cream cheese. We think? Do you like it?" don't have cream cheese," she said sadly. "You know, Sarah," said Max. "You know, I don't understand what those rich people see in "Listen Sarah, you know what? Forget the blintzes."

Its all About the timing!

and yet fail in his endeavours. The bnos Tzelafchad were aware that it made a crucial difference when they approached Moshe. They understood human nature sufficiently to know the appropriate time The daughters of Tzelafchad were praise- for their presentation. This understanding worthy for many reasons. They were well and insight helped them to succeed. versed in Torah knowledge. They demonstrated a clear grasp of Jewish jurispru- It has been noted that common sense is dence, and their claim to a portion of Eretz highly uncommon. A man can master the Yisrael was not rooted in their desire for complexities of a supercomputer, yet not more possessions. They were motivated by be able to interact with his fellow man. a pure and sincere love of Eretz Yisrael. This Through the study of Torah, with the analylove was so deep that it overshadowed sis and honest introspection of mussar, we their normal desires for material acquisi- can deepen our understanding of human nature. With this greater understanding tions. one can hopefully build the bridges that Although these women had many virtues, divides so many of us unnecessarily. the Medrash highlights one virtue in particular their timing. They waited for the The three weeks are about realising every most opportune time to approach Moshe humans potential, giving every fellow man and only then presented their claim. Why the respect and understanding that they does the Medrash single out this seemingly deserve. Everyone can make a difference to minor attribute for praise above all the oth- this world in their own unique way. The Second Beis Hamikdash was destroyed due er fine qualities they possessed. to the lack of respect one Jew had for anR Henach Lebowitz ztl explains: The other. If we can build our understanding of Medrash is teaching us that the crowning human nature, realise the potential every virtue of a human being is seichel com- human has and really appreciate that each mon sense. Without this, a person can pos- individual makes a difference, we shall suresess intellectual brilliance, be a storehouse ly merit in seeing the rebuilding of the of knowledge with wonderful intentions, Third Beis Hamikdash in Yerushalayim! and they approached; the daughters of Tzelafchad...They stood before Moshe and before Elazar HaKohen and before the princes.

Gematria:
This weeks sedrah begins by describing the reward that Pinchos received for killing Kozbi and Zimri, thus returning Hashem from his anger. The posuk (25:12) writes lochein emor hinnee nosein loi es brisi sholoim, therefore say behold I give unto him my covenant of peace. The Baal Haturim points out a simple but poignant gematriah. Sholoim has the same gematriah as Moshiach. What did Pinchos do so right that he deserved this remarkable reward? Pinchos was surrounded by sin yet he was able to see the right path. Zimri was a prince of the nation yet Pinchos realized that if he allowed the act to go on the entire Am Yisroel was in danger. Often, when we observe wrong doing around us, we do nothing claiming that it is not our place, it is not the right time, to enforce our opinions on others. But we must learn from Pinchos. When we see things that Hashem tells us is wrong we must make a stand.

Riddle:
Who will next year's Living Torah editors be? (Find out in September)

Answer to Last Weeks Riddle:

Of which two people in the Torah can it be said that their names spelled backwards are words used by the Torah to describe them?
Aimee

Noach and Er, son of Yehudah. Concerning Noach the verse says "Noach found favor (chein) in Hashem's eyes." Chein is Noach spelled backwards. Concerning Er the verse says "And Er, Yehudah's firstborn, was evil (rah) in Hashem's eyes.