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Proper Etiquette for a Guest

07.30.06 (2:03 pm) [edit]

Halacha of the Day (7/30/2006) By Rabbi Eli Mansour

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Description: Proper Etiquette for a Guest

The Shulchan Aruch writes (Orach Chayim 170:5; listen to audio for precise citation), "One who enters a house shall do whatever the host tells him." Halacha requires that a guest obey all his host's instructions, even those that he might deem beneath his dignity.

The source of this ruling is the Gemara's comment in Masechet Pesahim (86), "You shall do anything the host tells you, except, 'Leave'." The only instance when a guest reserves the right to refuse the host's request is when the host instructs him to "leave." This does not refer to terminating the guest's visit; a host is certainly entitled to tell his guest to leave his home. Rather, this refers to a host's instruction to the guest to go somewhere - such as to run an errand - in an area that is not familiar to him. Since traveling about in unfamiliar territory entails a degree of danger, a guest is not required to comply with such a request.

The Shela (Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz, Prague, 1565-1630) suggested a novel interpretation of the Gemara's remark, "You shall do anything the host tells you, except, 'Leave'," suggesting that the "host" refers to the Almighty. We are enjoined to obey all of God's instructions and commands, with the exception of the command, "Leave!" The story is told of an apostate named Elisha Ben Avuya, who once heard a heavenly voice declare, "Return, O wayward children - except for Elisha Ben Avuya!" Elisha relied on this heavenly voice as an excuse not to repent and to continue his lifestyle of sin and heresy, but in truth, he should have paid no attention to this voice. "You shall do anything the host tells you, except, 'Leave'." If the Almighty tells a Jew to "leave," that He is no longer interested in his return to the proper path, one should not listen. The gates of repentance remain open even for such an individual, and this is the one instance when one need not obey the word of our "Host

."

Summary: A guest must obey all requests made of him by his host, unless some danger is involved, such as if the host asks that he run an errand for him in an unfamiliar place.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Audio Length: 2:31 Minutes

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Proper Etiquette for a Guest

07.30.06 (2:03 pm) [edit]

Lessons in Tanya: Sunday, July 30, 2006 Iggeret HaKodesh (Conclusion of Epistle One)

07.30.06 (1:58 pm) [edit]

B"H

Menachem Av 5, 5766 * July 30, 2006

========================= ======
L E S S O N S   I N   T A N Y A
========================= ======

Today's Lesson:

Iggeret HaKodesh
(Conclusion of Epistle One)
------------------------- --

And now once more I put forth my hand a second time with an additional
explanation and a twofold request, extended and proposed to all men of
the chassidic brotherhood, those who are near and those who are far,
to undertake the following: On all weekdays, businessmen - who do not
have so much time - should not step down before the Ark [to lead the
congregation in prayer]. Only those who have the time [should lead the
prayers], such as teachers or those who are supported by their
parents, who at the morning service are able to pray at length for at
least about an hour and a half (55) on all week-days. (56)

One of them should step down before the Ark, chosen by lot or by
consent of the majority [of the congregants]. He should gather around
him all those who are supported by their parents, or teachers, who are
able to pray at length like himself, [and will thus not be distracted
by the haste of others. This arrangement is] not to be changed, I beg
and beseech you!

On the Sabbaths and festivals, however, when all the businessmen, too,
have the time and opportunity to pray at length, devoutly
concentrating their heart and soul to G-d, - moreover, their duty to
do so is much greater, as is stated in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim,
(57) and as is written in the Torah of Moses: (58) "Six days shall you
work... and the seventh day is a Sabbath unto the L-rd your G-d,"
stating clearly that the Sabbath is to be devoted wholly unto G-d, -

[Unlike the festivals which are "partially unto G-d and partially unto
you," the Sabbath ought to be wholly dedicated to spiritual matters.
Since the reason for this is that it was preceded by six mundane days
of labor, it follows that those who were engaged in this labor during
the weekdays -businessmen and the like - should surely utilize the
Sabbath "wholly unto G-d."] on Sabbaths and festivals, therefore, they
too can step down before the Ark, according to lot or by assent of the
majority, as I wrote last year.

Moreover, it should be made known that, G-d willing, it is my
intention to send spies secretly to all congregations, (59) to find
out and to notify about anyone who has the ability and the time to
worship at length and to meditate while at prayer, but is slothful. He
shall be punished by estrangement, being distanced by both hands when
he comes here to hear chassidic teachings. (60) And from the negative
you may infer the positive (61) - [that those who are more generous in
the time they devote to their prayers will be assured of a warm
welcome.] Pleasant be the lot of those who hearken; may the blessing
of goodness light upon them, - and (62) - "there is no "good" but
Torah...."

Footnotes:

55. Cf. Zohar I, 62b and its commentaries; the letter published in the
    anthology entitled Meah Shearim 2b, and the sources indicated in
    the footnote there. See also op. cit., 9b. (Note of the Rebbe
   .)
56. The statement (Berachot 32b) that even the early chassidim [of
    Talmudic times] would devote one hour to the prayer itself, refers
    to the Amidah [alone]. (Note of the Rebbe.)
57. Gloss to 290:2; see also Shulchan Aruch HaRav, Orach Chayim 290:5.
    Note of the Rebbe: See also the maamar entitled Mi Yiten-
    cha, in Torah Or.
58. Shmot 20:9.
59. In the original, minyanim; a minyan is a group of at least ten men
    constituting a congregation, and, by extension, signifies a place
    of communal prayer.
60. Lit., the words of the living G-d.
61. A Talmudic term; cf. Nedarim 11a.
62. Avot 6:3.

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Crisis in Israel: A Call to Action!

The hearts and minds of Jews all over the world are with our brothers and sisters in the land of Israel.

Most of us are hundreds or thousands of miles away; yet our very being cries out: What can we do?

Click here to take action: http://www.chabad.org/397164" title="http://www.chabad.org/397164" target="_blank"http://www.chabad.org/397164

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Today's Day: Sunday, July 30, 2006

07.30.06 (1:54 pm) [edit]

B"H

Menachem Av 5, 5766 * July 30, 2006

=======================
"T O D A Y ' S   D A Y"
=======================

Friday, Menachem Av 5 5703

Torah lessons: Chumash: Devarim, Shishi with Rashi.
    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp; Tehillim: 29-34.
    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp; Tanya: "My sin is (p. 383)...are passed over.
    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp;   &nbs p;     ; (p. 385).

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (1)

The Baal Shem Tov commented: Every physical object whose use is
permissible possesses good and evil elements. *

The material element is evil, and the G-dly life-force that gives
life to the physical is good.

The person utilizing the physical object must "turn from evil" - not
desire the physical pleasure which is in its materiality, and "do
good," i.e. he should desire to be nourished and supported by the
G-dly vitality in that object.

"Seek peace and pursue it":

Whoever fulfills "turn from evil and do good" must seek and pursue
means for making peace (2) between the physical and the G-dly
life-force that vitalizes it.

Footnotes: 1. Tehillim 34:15.
    & nbsp;   &n bsp; 2. I.e. bringing harmony.
    & nbsp;   &n bsp; * See Supplementary Footnotes, (p. 128 in the printed
    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp; version).

>>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>

Crisis in Israel: A Call to Action!

The hearts and minds of Jews all over the world are with our brothers and sisters in the land of Israel.

Most of us are hundreds or thousands of miles away; yet our very being cries out: What can we do?

Click here to take action: http://www.chabad.org/397164" title="http://www.chabad.org/397164" target="_blank"http://www.chabad.org/397164

>>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>

Compiled and arranged by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 5703 (1943) from the talks and letters of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe. Note: day of week and Torah lessons indicated are from 5703 (1943).

For a glossary of terms used in "Today's Day" please click here:
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Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides): Sunday 07/30/2006 * Menachem Av 5, 5766

07.30.06 (1:51 pm) [edit]

B"H Menachem Av 5, 5766 * July 30, 2006 ========================= =========================

D A I L Y M I T Z V A H (M A I M O N I D E S ) ========================= =========================

Today's Mitzvah (Day 331 of 339): Negative Mitzvah 195; Positive Mitzvah 37 Negative Mitzvah 195: It is forbidden to eat or drink more than our needs demand -Leviticus 19:26 "You shall not eat anything with blood" HaShem provides us with many things to enjoy. Food is certainly one of the most important things that we enjoy. From the moment we are born, eating becomes part of our daily lives. Many of us don't just eat to build our bodies and keep our health! We often nosh, eating foods just because they taste good. HaShem wants us to enjoy our food, but not to eat or drink too much. For example, on Shabbat and Holidays, we often have special cakes and dishes. This adds to the enjoyment of the holiday. While we all know that food should taste good and we should enjoy what we eat, the Torah warns us that eating or drinking too much is not good for our bodies. This Negative Mitzvah cautions us not to develop wrong eating habits, by drinking or eating in excess of our needs. (In the Torah there is a description of what is called a "stubborn and rebellious son" - Ben Sorer U'Moreh. This description (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) provides us with an account of what exactly is meant by eating and drinking too much.)

Positive Mitzvah 37: Burials in which a Priest must be involved -Leviticus 21:3 "For her, he may become impure" The Torah regards priests as very holy. They should not become impure (see Negative Mitzvah 166). Therefore, they must not come in contact with a dead body (see Positive Mitzvah 107). Nevertheless, the Torah commanded them to attend the funeral of their closest relatives.

The Torah lists these relatives as follows: Mother; Father; Son; Daughter; Brother; and unmarried Sister.

>>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>

Crisis in Israel: A Call to Action! The hearts and minds of Jews all over the world are with our brothers and sisters in the land of Israel. Most of us are hundreds or thousands of miles away; yet our very being cries out: What can we do? Click here to take action: http://www.chabad.org/397164 >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>

To listen to an audio version of today's lesson, please click one of the following links: MP3: http://www.chabad.org/dailystudy/audio.asp?what=seferhamitzvot&a mp" title="http://www.chabad.org/dailystudy/audio.asp?what=seferhamitzvot&a mp" target="_blank"http://www.chabad.org/dailyst...;tDate=07/30/2006&for mat=m3u

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Daily Lift #1016 - Resilience: The Art of Bouncing Back

07.30.06 (1:49 pm) [edit]

Daily Lift #1016

Resilience: The Art of Bouncing Back

Build up your ability to be resilient, your ability to bounce back after a fall. As it states in Mishlei (24:25), “A righteous person will fall seven times and rise up.” Everyone can fall; the main thing is to get up again.

When you think in terms of building your self-image, you will focus on the fact that you rose up after you fell. Of course, it would be best never to fall at all. But since falling is part of life, build your self-image by keeping your focus on what you are doing right. And when you fall, keep your focus on what you need to do to bounce back.

(From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s new book: “Building Your Self-image and the Self-image of Others” (Artscroll) Chapter 65)

Please to got cnn website & vote yes in the QuickVote ...

07.22.06 (3:40 pm) [edit]

about the Israeli army inside Lebanon being justified!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/1 4/mideast/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/1 4/mideast/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD...

Please to got cnn website & vote yes in the QuickVote ...

07.22.06 (3:39 pm) [edit]

about the Israeli army inside Lebanon being justified!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/1 4/mideast/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/1 4/mideast/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD...

Please to got cnn website & vote yes in the QuickVote ...

07.22.06 (3:39 pm) [edit]

about the Israeli army inside Lebanon being justified!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/1 4/mideast/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/1 4/mideast/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD...

Please to got cnn website & vote yes in the QuickVote ...

07.22.06 (3:38 pm) [edit]

about the Israeli army inside Lebanon being justified!

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/1 4/mideast/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/1 4/mideast/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD...

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers

07.20.06 (1:36 pm) [edit]

(courtesy of www.SephardicCouncil.org)

16 July 2006Action for Israel

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Soldier

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers
Prayer for Gilad Shalit, to be read by all communities,
composed by the Rishon Le'Sion,
Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Shelomo Amar.
(Psalm readings: Chapters 70, 13, 142, 126)
OFFICIAL LETTER FROM CHIEF RABBINATE

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers

MAY it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our fathers, that these Psalms which we have read before You today should come to You favorably, and be accepted before you as if King David Your anointed one – peace be on him – had said them himself. Please take action for the sake of Your Holy names which are written in them, and which are alluded to in them, and accept with mercy and favor our prayers and requests, so that our supplications reach You. Have pity, show concern and extend mercy to the captives, Ehud ben Malka Goldwasser; Eldad ben Tovah Regev; and Gilad ben Aviva Shalit, and save them, showing redemption and mercy, together with all captives and prisoners from Your nation Israel.

MAY the One who can liberate captives release them from their detention, deliver them from captivity to liberty, from tyranny to redemption, and from gloom to brightness, and restore them to complete health – a healing of the soul and of the body – and revitalize their spirit, reinvigorate their strength, and help them in happiness and joy; then they will be strengthened and healed and will have eternal happiness.

MAY the merit of the prayers, the cries, and the supplications of the multitudes who plead for them all over the world stand for them as a shield and a protection, freeing them from their captivity. Please tear asunder any negative judgments. May all their merits be presented before You, the Blessed One, and all that they have achieved and done for the sake of our nation and our heritage. Tear up their verdicts for the merit of the Holy Name that is alluded to in the initial Hebrew letters of the phrase “Accept the prayer of your nation; fortify us, purify us, You who are so awesome.”

MAY the words of this scriptural verse (Isaiah 53:10) be fulfilled for them: “God’s captives will return and come to Zion in joy; eternal happiness will be on their heads, they will be invested with joy and happiness, and sorrow and anxiety will be banished.” May this happen very soon!

Translation by Rabbi Mayer Waxman, Director of Synagogue Services, Orthodox Union
Edited by David Olivestone, Director of Communications, Orthodox Union

Gilad Shalit is a corporal in the Israel Defense Forces. He comes from Mitzpe Hila in the Western Galilee, and holds dual Israeli and French citizenship. Gilad is the first Israeli soldier captured by Palestinians since Nachson Wachsman in 1994. Early on Sunday morning, June 25, 2006, Shalit was kidnapped by Palestinian Arab terrorists who attacked an army post in Israel after crossing the border from Gaza via a tunnel near the Kerem Shalom crossing at the south Gaza Strip border. During the morning attack, two Israel Defense Force soldiers were killed and four others wounded.

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers

07.20.06 (1:36 pm) [edit]

(courtesy of www.SephardicCouncil.org)

16 July 2006Action for Israel

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Soldier

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers
Prayer for Gilad Shalit, to be read by all communities,
composed by the Rishon Le'Sion,
Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Shelomo Amar.
(Psalm readings: Chapters 70, 13, 142, 126)
OFFICIAL LETTER FROM CHIEF RABBINATE

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers

Translation by Rabbi Mayer Waxman, Director of Synagogue Services, Orthodox Union
Edited by David Olivestone, Director of Communications, Orthodox Union

Gilad Shalit is a corporal in the Israel Defense Forces. He comes from Mitzpe Hila in the Western Galilee, and holds dual Israeli and French citizenship. Gilad is the first Israeli soldier captured by Palestinians since Nachson Wachsman in 1994. Early on Sunday morning, June 25, 2006, Shalit was kidnapped by Palestinian Arab terrorists who attacked an army post in Israel after crossing the border from Gaza via a tunnel near the Kerem Shalom crossing at the south Gaza Strip border. During the morning attack, two Israel Defense Force soldiers were killed and four others wounded.

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers

07.20.06 (1:35 pm) [edit]

(courtesy of www.SephardicCouncil.org)

16 July 2006Action for Israel

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Soldier

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers
Prayer for Gilad Shalit, to be read by all communities,
composed by the Rishon Le'Sion,
Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Shelomo Amar.
(Psalm readings: Chapters 70, 13, 142, 126)
OFFICIAL LETTER FROM CHIEF RABBINATE

Prayer for the Deliverance of the Captured Israeli Soldiers

Translation by Rabbi Mayer Waxman, Director of Synagogue Services, Orthodox Union
Edited by David Olivestone, Director of Communications, Orthodox Union

Gilad Shalit is a corporal in the Israel Defense Forces. He comes from Mitzpe Hila in the Western Galilee, and holds dual Israeli and French citizenship. Gilad is the first Israeli soldier captured by Palestinians since Nachson Wachsman in 1994. Early on Sunday morning, June 25, 2006, Shalit was kidnapped by Palestinian Arab terrorists who attacked an army post in Israel after crossing the border from Gaza via a tunnel near the Kerem Shalom crossing at the south Gaza Strip border. During the morning attack, two Israel Defense Force soldiers were killed and four others wounded.

Lessons in Tanya: Thursday, July 20, 2006

07.20.06 (2:03 am) [edit]

B"H

Tammuz 24, 5766 * July 20, 2006

========================= ======
L E S S O N S   I N   T A N Y A
========================= ======

Today's Lesson:

Iggeret Hateshuvah
(Conclusion of Chapter Eight)
-------------------

After the (7) "wind [of forgiveness] passes over [the souls of
sinners] and purifies them," then their souls are enabled to return
literally unto G-d Himself, to ascend the greatest heights, to their
very Source, and cleave to Him with a remarkable unity, in ultimate
union with Him, just as before the soul was blown forth by the breath
of His mouth to descend and be incorporated within the body of man.

(8) (To illustrate this unity: Before one exhales, the breath is one
with the person, inseparably.)

[Likewise, just as the soul was utterly united with G-d before it was
"blown" or "breathed" into the body, so too, does it now unite with
Him after repentance].

This is perfect return - Teshuvah.

This state of unity and this return are called teshuvah ila'ah, the
higher level of repentance, that follows teshuvah tata'ah, the lower
level of repentence.

The Zohar, in Ra'aya Mehemna (Parshat Nasso), (9) explains that
Teshuvah ila'ah means engaging in the study of the Torah, in awe and
love of the Holy One, Blessed be He....

[The Zohar goes on to say that doing so makes one worthy of the
revelation of the letter vav of the Tetragrammaton], for this [letter
vav] is the child of yud-hei, or Binah...

[Binah is the level of Teshuvah ila'ah, the return of the higher
letter hei of the Tetragrammaton.

The word itself is a composite of the words "ben yud-hei." This
alludes to the spiritual emotions of love and fear (represented by the
letter vav) that are born of the intellective levels of the
Tetragrammaton, the yud of Chochmah and the hei of Binah].

(10) (Herein lies the superiority of pentinence over the perfectly
saintly.

[Seemingly, the study of Torah permeated with love and fear of G-d, is
not the unique prerogative of pentinence; the perfectly saintly do
this as well. Wherein lies the superiority of baalei teshuvah?]

As the Zohar states in Parshat Chayei Sarah, (11) "They draw upon
themselves with a more intense longing of the heart, and with great
forcefullnes, to approach the King....")

Footnotes:

7. Note of the Rebbe: "Iyov 37:21. The meaning of the verse is
   that the wind clears the heavens of clouds. So too in analogue, the
   breath of repentance spirits away the dense cloud of sin."
8. Parenthesis are in the original text.
9. Zohar III, 123a.
10. Parenthesis are in the original text.
11. Zohar I , 129b.

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Crisis in Israel: A Call to Action!

The hearts and minds of Jews all over the world are with our brothers and sisters in the land of Israel.

Most of us are hundreds or thousands of miles away; yet our very being cries out: What can we do?

Click here to take action: http://www.chabad.org/397164" title="http://www.chabad.org/397164" target="_blank"http://www.chabad.org/397164

>>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>

To listen to an audio version of today's lesson, please click one of the following links:

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Lessons in Tanya: Thursday, July 20, 2006

07.20.06 (1:24 am) [edit]

DCompanion - Day 56 - Action without Judgment Shmiras Haloshon Yomi 24 Tammuz, 5766 / July 20, 2006

07.20.06 (1:21 am) [edit]

Shmiras Haloshon Yomi

24 Tammuz, 5766 / July 20, 2006
Day 56 - Action without Judgment
SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM — Laws of Loshon Hora 6:9-10
We have been learning about kaballas loshon hora, the prohibition against believing loshon hora which is related in one’s presence. The Chofetz Chaim states that this prohibition applies not only to a report of current improper behavior, but to any information which we are forbidden to repeat. For example, if we were to hear that the father of a respected community member had a controversial past, we would not be permitted to believe it. We are also forbidden to believe a negative assessment of someone’s intelligence or physical abilities.
The Chofetz Chaim returns to the subject of listening to negative information l’toeles, for a constructive purpose. If someone is considering taking a partner into his business and then receives derogatory information concerning him, he is permitted to suspect that the information is true and to act on that suspicion. However, he is not permitted to believe it (without further investigation) or to take aggressive action against the person in question. Similarly, if one hears that a storekeeper cheats people, he can protect himself, but he may not attempt to harm the person’s reputation based on this information.
(Whether he can warn others is a complex issue which needs additional study. For further details see Sefer Chofetz Chaim, hilchos rechilus, klal tes.)
Furthermore, he must act toward the person with the same friendliness and kindness that he showed before hearing the report.
To take action upon hearing information but not to believe it may seem a very difficult challenge. However, as the Chofetz Chaim himself is reported to have said, “If it were impossible to keep the laws of loshon hora, Hashem would never have written them in His Torah.” We are, in fact, quite capable of acting based on mere suspicion or remote possibility. We engage in such action every time we enter a car and buckle the seat belt. The chances of a crash or even a short stop are remote, yet we safeguard ourselves.
In a similar way, when hearing loshon hora which may affect us if proven true, we must train ourselves to believe that in all probability the information is false. Nevertheless, we “buckle up for safety,” and take all necessary precautions.

Truth - Day 54 - The Power of Teshuva 24 Tammuz, 5766 / July 20, 2006

07.20.06 (1:16 am) [edit]

Lessons in Truth

24 Tammuz, 5766 / July 20, 2006
Day 54 - The Power of Teshuvah
SEFER SHEM OLAM — Chapter Three: Approaching Mitzvos with Alacrity (cont.)
There is another method which the yetzer hara uses to wreak spiritual harm. When a person has transgressed many serious sins which cannot possibly be considered insignificant, he may decide that the time has come to repent. At that point, the yetzer hara takes an opposite approach, magnifying the sins to such a degree that teshuvah (repentance) seems impossible. “Your situation is hopeless,” the evil inclination tells the sinner. “You can never attain forgiveness for what you’ve done.”
What is the result of this? It is like a doctor who tells his patient, “The situation is hopeless.” The patient reasons, “Well, in that case, I might as well enjoy life while it lasts.” With the sinner, the result is the same; by despairing of any chance for repentance, he sinks deeper and deeper into the quicksand of sin.
This form of yetzer hara and its fallacy was addressed by the prophet Yechezkel:
Now, you, Ben Adam, say to the family of Israel: “Thus have you said, saying, ‘For our misdeeds and sins are upon us, and through them, we pine away — so how can we live?’”
Say to them: “As I live, the words of my Lord, Hashem Elokim, I do not desire the death of the wicked one, but the wicked one’s return from his way so that he will live. Repent, repent from your evil ways; why should you die, O family of Israel?” (Yechezkel 33:10-11).
When a person returns to Hashem through teshuvah, Hashem responds by drawing him close as if he had never sinned. To the words “Hashem, Hashem,” which are the first of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, our Sages expound, “I am He [the God of mercy] before a person sins, and I am He after a person sins and repents” (Rosh HaShanah 17b). This means that Hashem’s ways are very different from the ways of man. When a man sins against his friend and later seeks to correct his mistake and begs forgiveness, even if the friendship will be restored it is doubtful that it will be as it once was. However, Hashem is not this way. Through teshuvah, a person can restore the original closeness with Hashem that he once enjoyed.
In the Book of Yirmiyahu, Hashem declares: “If you repent, O Israel — the word of Hashem — you will return to Me” (Yirmiyahu 4:1), meaning “You will return to your original honor and greatness” (Rashi ad loc.).
Rambam writes (Hilchos Teshuvah 7:6): Great is teshuvah for it brings one close to the Divine Presence, as it is written, “Return, Israel, unto Hashem, your G-d” (Hoshea 14:2)... Yesterday, this man was contemptible, distant from God — but today, he is loved and desired, close and beloved... Yesterday, he was separated from Hashem, God of Israel — but today, he cleaves to the Divine Presence, as it is written, “You who cling to Hashem, your God — you are all alive today” (Devarim 4:4).

Kindness - Day 13 - Protecting the Business

07.20.06 (1:15 am) [edit]

Loving Kindness

24 Tammuz, 5766 / July 20, 2006
Day 113 - Protecting the Business
SEFER AHAVAS CHESED — Part II Chapter XX
One person takes 10 percent out of every dollar that comes to him. At the end of the year, these deductions amount to $5,000. Another person hears of a cause that moves him greatly, and writes a $5,000 check to support it. It so happens that this $5,000 is the correct amount to satisfy this second person’s tithing obligation. The Chofetz Chaim looks at these two types of giving, and determines that the person who routinely takes 10 percent out of his income gains far more from his giving than does the person who is moved to write out the check to a worthy cause. The first person, who has made tithing a part of his life, is declaring through his act that Hashem has a portion in everything he does. He is making Hashem a partner in his enterprise and recognizing Hashem’s hand in the other 90 percent that he keeps for himself.
Flowing from this perspective is a great sea of protection. A business partner does not extend his care and supervision only to his portion of the business, for he knows that the size of his portion depends on the size of the whole. When a person has Hashem as a partner, he invites His involvement in his entire enterprise. Because the person has aligned his goals with Hashem’s goals, he has a guarantee that Hashem will help his business prosper and protect it from harm. He has Hashem’s protection against fraud, misjudgment, overwhelming competition and the many other disasters that can throw a business into a tailspin.
That is the practical benefit of regularly turning 10 percent of one’s income over to charity, but there is also a further, more spiritual aspect to this practice. If a person looks at each dollar that comes to him as the source of 10 cents for charity, he has in fact sanctified the entire dollar. The money for charity is the real fruit of this person’s labor. Just as a person prunes, waters and cares for an apple tree solely to obtain the apples it yields, a person with this perspective works at his business — buying, stocking, selling, traveling, accounting, advertising, hiring — all to obtain the charitable contributions it yields. His effort toward earning money is sanctified because its purpose is to yield the tithe that will spread the light of Torah and alleviate the plight of those in need.
Step by Step
As I put aside money for tithing, I will make myself conscious of the idea that I am giving Hashem, my partner, His share.

Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides): Thurs, July 20, 2006 * Tammuz 24, 5766

07.20.06 (1:13 am) [edit]

B"H

Tammuz 24, 5766 * July 20, 2006

========================= =========================
D A I L Y M I T Z V A H (M A I M O N I D E S )
========================= =========================

Today's Mitzvot (Day 321 of 339):

Negative Mitzvah 317; Positive Mitzvah 178
------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------

Negative Mitzvah 317: It is forbidden to curse another Jew

-Leviticus 19:14 "You shall not curse (even) the deaf"

We are forbidden to curse any Jew.

Though this Negative Mitzvah mentions the deaf, it applies to all people.

We may think that expressing anger or frustration against a deaf person and uttering a curse is not so bad because the deaf person will not be able to hear us anyway!

However, the Torah cautions us never to curse anyone, neither
a deaf person, nor even people who can hear.

------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------

Positive Mitzvah 178: Giving Evidence

-Leviticus 5:1 "And he is witness, whether he has seen or known of it"

Shimi was going to spend the weekend with his grand-parents who lived out of town. He was happy that his father and mother agreed let him take the train alone.

His parents drove him to the station and left him to wait on line in front of the ticket counter. Shimi waited patiently. The lady before him was carrying many packages and had difficulty managing them.

Shimi offered to hold her bags so that it would be easier for her to pay for her ticket.

After she purchased her ticket, Shimi's turn came. He felt very independent ordering his ticket and paying for it himself. When he received it, he put it in his wallet and boarded the train.

Shortly after the train pulled out of the station, the conductor came to punch tickets. When the passengers saw him approach, they took out their tickets, but one woman couldn't find hers.

The conductor demanded that she purchase another one, but she protested; "I bought a ticket. It's just that I can't find it. Why should I have to pay for another one?"

The conductor would not listen: "I've got nothing against you ," he explained. "But, there have been too many people sneaking on trains recently. I've been instructed not to accept anybody's word. You'll have to purchase a new ticket."

Shimi looked up. This was the same woman who had been standing before him in line. He jumped up from his seat and approached the conductor.

"Please, sir," he called out. "Listen. This woman really did buy a ticket. I saw her. I was standing behind her at the counter.

Do you see all the packages she has? She had trouble carrying them and I'm sure that the ticket just slipped out of her hand."

One of the other passengers piped up: "Mr. Conductor, I'm a lawyer. If I was given this case, I'd convince the judge to accept that testimony." Everybody laughed. Even the conductor smiled and proceeded on to next passenger.

Someone else might have thought: "Why should I speak up, I'll just mind my own business." However, the Torah states that this is his business!

If a Jew happens to witness an incident and it is brought before the judges, he is obligated to testify. He is not allowed to withhold the evidence he witnessed - he is commanded to tell it to the judges.

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Crisis in Israel: A Call to Action!

The hearts and minds of Jews all over the world are with our brothers and sisters in the land of Israel.

Most of us are hundreds or thousands of miles away; yet our very being cries out: What can we do?

Click here to take action: http://www.chabad.org/397164" title="http://www.chabad.org/397164" target="_blank"http://www.chabad.org/397164

>>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> ;>>>>>> >>>>>>& gt;>>>>>&g t;>>>>>