Anticipating Fraud- Parshas Shoftim
Well known to all are the “Yud-Gimmel Ikkarim,” the Thirteen Principles of Faith, which form the cornerstone and basis for all of Judaism. These were written by the Rambam (in his commentary to Mishnayos) to elucidate the Mishnah in Sanhedrin (10:1), which states: כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל יֵשׁ לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וְעַמֵּךְ כֻּלָּם צַדִּיקִים לְעוֹלָם יִירְשׁוּ אָרֶץ נֵצֶר מַטָּעַי מַעֲשֵׂה יָדַי לְהִתְפָּאֵר. וְאֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם [...]
“Yemach Shemo”-Parshas Re’eh
Shlomoh Hamelech tells us in Mishlei (10:1): זֵכֶר צַדִּיק לִבְרָכָה וְשֵׁם רְשָׁעִים יִרְקָב – “The memory (or mention) of a righteous man is to be for a blessing, while the name of the wicked shall rot.” Thus it is that when recalling the name of a deceased tzaddik we customarily append the phrase: “zecher tzaddik liverachah”; and when referring to a rasha, we add “sheim resha’im yirkav” or the alternate “yemach shemo [...]
Borei Nefashos and the Giants-Parshas Eikev
The Mishnah in Berachos (6:8) outlines the blessings associated with drinking water: הַשּׁוֹתֶה מַיִם לִצְמָאוֹ, אוֹמֵר שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיָה בִּדְבָרוֹ... בּוֹרֵא נְפָשׁוֹת רַבּוֹת וְחֶסְרוֹנָן. “One who drinks water to quench his thirst recites ‘Shehakol niheyeh bidvaro’ (That all came into being through His word) .... (and) ‘Borei nefashos rabos v’chesronan’ (He creates many souls and their deficiencies).” Unlikely Neighbors It seems straightforward enough, on the surface of it. What is [...]
