Fw: Weekly Mitzvah - 33: Laws of Commerce

Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Rabbi Moshe Goldberger" <RabbiG@torah.org>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:05:15
To:weeklymitzvah@torah.org
Subject: Weekly Mitzvah - 33: Laws of Commerce

Mitzvos Relating to Our Fellow Man

33: Laws of Commerce

"When you make a sale to your friend or make a purchase from him... [you
shall buy and sell fairly]." (Vayikra 25: 14-15)

In Parshas Behar, we are given a number of guidelines on how we should buy
and sell assets. Land is acquired by money, a document, or the physical
act of working the field (chazakah). It is a mitvah to follow the Torah's
guidelines in all transactions of buying and selling.

We can ask, why does the Torah provide all these guidelines? Why can't
people just do what they want?

We are taught that everything in Hashem's world has a purpose, and each
person has his time and place (Avos 4:3). Thus, there are Torah methods
of establishing ownership which attach an item to its owner in a
meaningful way and make it part of his responsibility in life.

Upon one's entrance to the World to Come, the first quesiton he will be
asked will be, "Were you honest in your business dealings?" (Shabbos 31a)

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One Step - 4

Singing Torah

Our Sages teach that we should train ourselves to reveiw our Torah studies daily as a song that we love.
Have you ever enjoyed a song to the point that it kept playing over & over again in your mind ? One reason for this may be that you were focusing & paying attention to it with the feeling I wish I could have more of this.
Hashem may be assisting you to enjoy it even more.
Rashi in Sanhedrin 99b (top line ) explains this - by continuously reviewing your learning it becomes more imprinted in your mind & heart. It becomes internalized & eternalized !!

What is the flipside ?
This may be shocking so grab a seat. One who studies Torah but does not review it is like a person who plants but does not harvest.

It is like saying , I don't really care about this gem of Torah. Hashem may respond with , if so than I don't know if I will make it a part of your collection of treasures.

***
Life
Is
What
We
Make
Of it.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.

www.GemsofTorah.com

One step - 3

How many times a day do you use this powerful tool ?
Every time you go from place to place you use it !

When you think let me do ... You are activating this system Hashem designed for your benefit.
The key now is to learn how to use this great skill more effectively. To use it intentionally to serve Hashem.
For example the Talmud teaches us - give a Tenth to Charity with the intention that you want to become wealthy.
What does that mean ?
Rabeinu Chananel explains that whenever you give you should be thinking - I want to give more. But I may not be able to afford it now ? So Hashem please help me do it ! ! Hashem will lead if you are eager to.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

One step - 2

It starts with our thoughts. The Torah instructs us Choose Life. We have been granted by Hashem with the ability to think & choose.
This is why our thoughts are the most precious treasure we have & Mishlei cautions us

" More than anything one gaurds watch your heart / mind because that is where all the results of life are derived from ".
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Concepts of Mitzva Treasures.

Sazria has 7 Mitzvot
1 - after a woman has a baby she has to recuperate for a period of time ...
2 - she may not even handle holy items during that time.
3 - than she is to bring some offerings.

How wonderful to appreciate these concepts. There are priorities in life. There are times to take off & focus on specific needs & don't lose the focus even when certain issues are holy at other times.
And then focus on thanking Hashem for His super gifts to us.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

One Step - Now - 1

Preface

What is the secret that activates every step we take in life ?

Our Sages spell it out ( Makos 10 b ) :
On the path one is determined to go he will be led.

If we utilize this Torah principle with the proper Torah guidelines the results can be amazing.
This may be the yesod - foundation that can make a great difference in our lives.
The question that comes to mind is how can a person develop his DETERMINATION ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Mitzva count

Sazria - has 5 positive
& 2 prohibitions

Metzora - has 11 action commandments
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Most Important Skill

If you could spend an hour today on the most important skill for you to achieve in life , what would that be ?

The Talmud ( Chulin 89 a ) teaches the answer -

The skill of mouth control !

Homework - how does this connect to the parsha this week ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Place & Time

We would be pleased to meet you if you will be in Lkwd on Sunday for the Yarzeit gathering of Rav Miller ztl.
At the Shul called Kollel Choshen Mishpot on the corner of
7 th st. & Forest av
At 8 pm.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

A Religious Bird ?

The Torah tells us of a bird called Chasida which translates into the kind / generous / pious bird. But surprizingly the Torah says it is unkosher ??
The Talmud explains that the name is due to its habit to be kind to its associates. But then why is it unkosher ? This is explained because it limits itself only to those. To others it is cruel which exposes it to be a fraud & a lesson for us to be kind to all.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Food smart

The Torah teaches us which foods we may eat & which we must avoid. This serves as a model to remind us that we can control our diet & benefit greatly.
We can maintain a healthy weight & eat the kinds of foods that will provide us with energy , strength & spiritual lessons.
When we follow Hashems rules He helps us succeed.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Mitzva Count in Parshas Shmini

How many mitzvos are there ?
The Sefer Hachinuch lists 17.
6 positive &
11 prohibitions = 17 ( the total of 1+7 is 8 which is the name of the parsha Shmini )
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

To meet You

If you can make it (in 3 days) to join us for the gathering on the Yarzeit of Rav Miller ztl we would love to see you.
Sunday evening in Lkwd N. J. At 8 pm. At the shul on the corner of 6th & Forest av.
The topic will be How to enjoy life based on the Life & teachings of the great Rav.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Special for Yarzeit

In honor of the Yarzeit of the great Rav Avigdor Miller ztl we are making available some of his great Seforim /books.
Rejoice o youth
Sing You Righteous
Awake My Glory these 3 on Ideology
& Praise My Soul on the Siddur
All 4 for a 100 $ contibution to Yeshiva Fund
Box 82
S. I. N. Y. 10309

Any single book for a 26 $ donation. Tizku lemitzvos
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

The Day After

Why is the day after a holiday so significant that we are required to celebrate with food & drink ? Why is it considered , in some ways , even greater than the festival itself ? See Succah 45b

This is how we demonstrate our regret & reluctance that the Chag is over. We wish it could be longer.

Today may also be a good time for you to check out our new website and to let us know how we can improve it for your benefit. Thank you.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Third day of Omer

Consider - do you study some new Torah insights every day ?

The Daf Yomi program begins Mesechta Chagiga this coming Monday.
It could change your life ! In about 26 days you get a new view into how to celebrate our lives in Hashems world.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

4 reasons for MATZOH

1 - to remember our affliction

2 - to focus on Hashems Power to get us out of Egypt quickly

3 -we avoid chometz because idol worshippers used that in their service

4 - we are like Cohanim who ate Matzah by a Mincha offerring.

See Rav Millers sefer on Vayikra Pg 266.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

The Big Three

Why is it that of the big 3 Mitzvos of Pesach- pesach , Matzoh & Moror , only the Matzoh comes with us every day until the end of the holiday ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

Counting Days

For Thursday - second day of Omercount- first day of Chol haMoed.
True freedom has to be guided by what is the purpose of our lives. Thus we begin to count the days for 7 weeks until the day we received the Torah.
Each day we should ask ourselves how can I get more Torah treasures in my mind & heart. ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com

The greatest

Which Mitzva of the holiday is the greatest , most encompassing of them all ?

Some say it is the Mitzva to be happy & joyous throughout the festival !!

We wish you a Chag Someiach.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
www.GemsofTorah.com