Friday, September 7, 2007

Wonders 59- Blessing for Clothing

Why is the blessing for clothing so significant that it follows that of the eyes according to ashkenaz & that of standing upright , according to Sefarad ?
Why do we wear clothing in general , are we ashamed of the magnificent unique body Hashem has provided us with ?
The answer is that clothing are much more meaningful than the appearance they portray. They serve to remind us of who we are. We are not a body that contains a soul , rather , we are a SOUL that has a body as its container.
Your car is not you
Your clothing is not you
Your home is not you.

We need to thank Hashem for our clothing , home , a car etc , but not to lose sight of thanking Him for the ikor , our Soul.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Secret Function of Fingers

Daf 5b of Kesubos teaches the secret function that Hashem intented us to use our fingers.
??
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

W. 58 - Another Level

When we consider the ability to open our eyes , there are limitations & challenges at times such as blind spots or color blind.
There is another level that has been linked to the plague of Darkness in the Torah , Shmos 10:23. It says that it was so dark that the Egyptians could not see each other.
A person could not see his brother. !
This can apply in many ways when we fail at times to see each others needs with sufficent concern.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Monday, September 3, 2007

W. 57 - Open Eyes

When a person knows who he is he is ready to open his eyes to see with inner vision. Pokeiach , means not only to open , but to be clever with an insightful mind & heart.
The Talmud , Nedarim 64b teaches that a sightless person is considered as dead. Why is that ?
Also, why do we group together a poor person , blind , leper & childless , Hashem should save us from all 4 ?
This has been explained that all 4 are limitations which restrict a persons free will causing him to lose out on Mitzva opportunities.
Thus in the morning we take stock of our good fortune to thank Hashem for the great gifts that He bestows on us daily.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Did You Know ?

* Today is the day you can begin the great study of
Mesechtas Kesubos with thousands of Jews all over , with the Daf Yomi program. ?

* There was a time in History when every first marriage would be on wednesdays , while a second marriage would take place on a thursday. See first Mishna in Kesubos.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Wonders 56 - Double Thanks

A Man says - thanks for who I am.
A Woman says - thanks for making me as He desired.
Obviously , they both need to thank Hashem for making them who they are & for the gift of a spouse.
If we were all the same we would not get the entire message. Baruch Hashem now we realize that a man has more Mitzvos including the one to study more Torah. For that he must be grateful & thank Hashem daily.
She , on the other hand , has more responsibilities to inspire her husband & her children to become great in Hashems service.

For example , Rebbe Akivas wife gets all the credit for motivating him to dedicate himself to becoming so great. And he gets for following through with his persistance to develop his greatness for 24 years in Yeshiva.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Mitzva Count - Haazinu / Zos Habracha

There are no specific Mitzvos , in general
- We have the fourth of the 10 Songs of history, which Moshe Rabeinu taught the last day of his life.
- We must keep the Torah ... It is like Rain.
- We must appreciate & praise Hashem
- His ways are just.
- We have freewill to choose to serve Hashem
- Remember all of Hashems kindnesses to you.
- Hashem has a system of rewards & punishments


***
Zos Habracha


* Moshe blesses all the Jews
* He praises them.
* He praises Hashem.
* he passes away on Har Nevo by a kiss of death from Hashem.
* Moshe Rabeinu was the greatest prophet in History
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com