The Invisible Tree -Wonders 45

What is the most important part of a tree ?
Its not what we can see - rather it is the roots which keep the tree alive & growing continuously. The roots are the most significant part of a tree as we are taught in Avos 3:22 , as a comparison to a persons actions.

There is a profound lesson here. A person may be missing out on the most important part of his mission in this world , without realizing it.
There are a great amount of Mitzvos of the mind / heart which we to perform primarily in an invisible manner , as the Chovos Halvovos teaches.
We should ask ourselves- how often do I think , I love Hashem ? What about , do I love other people ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Trust in Hashem

Which Mitzva can a person perform evrytime one looks at a bill or coin ?

Devorim 18: 13
Trust completely in Hashem , your G-d.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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W. 44 - Sound of Tears

For Hashem has heard the voice of my tears , Tehilim 6.
Infants cry for food , for comfort , for attention , for relief. As we mature , we cry for our needs that we yearn for , for a loss Hashem should protect us from , or out of joy Baruch Hashem.
The common denominator is the word bechi , for weeping , which is of the root word becho which means in you. Tears express the innermost , essential feelings of a person. That is why Hashem listens , because it is the authentic you.

Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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W. 43 - A Tearful Message

We see from car windshield wipers that have a cleanser resovoir that shoot out the fluid to interact with the wipers , how beneficial it is. But there are times when the regular washing may be insufficent & it may be sent to a carwash for a major cleansing.
Tears serve as a major overhaul when there is an emotional situation which requires deeper thoughts of repentance.
But why does Hashem create so many protective devices for the eyes - the eyelids have eyelashes , above which there are also eyebrows ?
Obviously , Hashem is urging us to appreciate how precious are our eyes & how we should protect them from inappropriate vision.
The entire eye is surrounded by shock absorbers which shield the eyes from blows.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Mitzva Count - Shoftim

There are 41 Mitzvos

10 relating to
Judges & leaders
* Appoint a Judge & officers in all towns that have 120 people.
* Follow their instructions
* Don't turn away from their words.
* Appoint a king.
* But not someone a stranger.
* He may not get too many horses.
* Don't move to Egypt , where they bred the horses.

* Not to marry many wives.
* Not to get too much silver or gold.
* To write for himself another Sefer Torah.

*****
3 for Respect

# No planting trees near the Beis Hamikdosh
# No monuments which were used for idolatry.
# An animal with a blemish may not be used as an offering.
###
6 for Kohanim

- No share of loot from wars.
- No inheritance of land , besides the 48 cities for them.
- Give them 3 portions of meat
- Give him Teruma of grain , wine & oil.
- Give him of your first wool shearings.
- He should serve Hashem at the Beis Hamigdosh.

****

10 types of avoiding the false & following true Prophets
* No using methods for trying to predict the future.
* No Witchcraft
* No snake charming.
* No consulting dead bones sorcery
* or Yidoni , bird bones.
* or seeking to connect with the dead.

** Listen to the true Prophets.
# It is forbidden to prophesy falsely.
* or to speak in the of other idol ,gods.
# Don't fear a false prophet , put him to death.

****
5 of Peoples rights
- Set aside 3 cities of refuge to rehabilitate one who killed someone by accident.
- Don't have pity on someone who deserves a death penalty.
- Don't shift the fence of someones property.
- A single witness cannot incriminate a person.
- 2 witnesses who were caught lying are punished , measure for measure , as they were intending to do to others.

***
7 for War situations
* Have no fear of the enemy , trust in Hashem.
* A special Kohen should encourage the people.
* Always strive for Peace first.
* Don't allow any of the terrorists to remain alive.
* Don't destroy trees when going to attack.
* if a dead person is found between two cities , a calf is brought & killed ...
* The area where the Mitzva is done is to be left unplanted as a memorial.
10
3
6
10
5
7
____

41.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.

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W. 42 - 2 Incredible Cameras

Click , click ?
No. You don't even hear a click as your eyes keep on taking instant color pictures.
How often do the lenses have to be cleaned ?
Baruch Hashem , thank Him for designing an automatic cleansing system which dissolves all dust & spreads an antiseptic fluid to keep the eyes spotless & germless. It happens about every 5 seconds & we don't even notice it.
Do we need to apply any wipers ?
Believe it or not , Hashem has created an eyelid cover with an automatic blinking / cleansing system. The eyeshield wipers disappear on top when not in use , but they can be lowered intentionally at any time to shield the eyes from improper harmful sights or they close for a blink by Hashems built in programming.
But we have a homework question for you - what is the signifigance of tears & why are they linked to the eyes ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Wonders 41 - Drops of Blessing

Why does Hashem cause the rain to fly down to us in small , gentle drops ?
What a gift of refreshing sustenance granted with loving care for such an abundance of purposes.
- All types of drinks ,
- Clean Clothes
- Baths & showers
- to cook food
- sprinkle the lawns
- Wash our hands & faces

Hashem says , why should I trouble you to go to the ocean , river or lake , I will deliver these precious drops to your house. Free Home delivery service. Baruch Hashem !
Rain has been called Liquid Sunshine. It is about equal in its incredible value & it may be easier for it to wake us up to the reality that Hashem is providing us with , as it taps us gently in the face. Yes , we need to thank Hashem for this most magnificent gift.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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E-Z Pass for the Soul

Why does E-Z pass work & how can we use it to develop our spiritual level ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Smoke Alarm- Wonders 40

Have you thanked Hashem lately for the unique smoke alarm system He has attached to your body ?
First of all why did He decide to position it right in the center of your face ?
One reason , Rav Miller explained is so that it can hold your glasses in place in case you may use them.
But it serves much more than that. It is a most amazing machine that can breathe & keep us alive as a divers snorkel. It can process & identify millions of molecules which constantly fly through the air.
Besides the early warning smells for protection , it provides pleasure , such as to inform you in advance of the delicious supper your wife has waiting for you.
It stands gaurd as a sentry over your mouth , as a security gaurd with a sniffing dog to detect spoilage of that which may cause harm.
Your small nose has about 10 million super advanced computers of receptor cells that run all types of programs. That is nothing to sneeze at. And if you do hear someone sneeze , once in a while , thank Hashem for the wonderful relief cleansing system of a sneeze. Baruch Hashem.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.

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Prayer Posture - W. 39

We have guidelines in Shulchan Oruch Siman 95 as to how to utilize all of our body parts to participate in prayer to Hashem.
To pray the Shmone Esrei ,
* Keep your two feet close together as one to resemble an Angel.
* Bend your head slightly downward in a humble manner.
* your eyes also focus downward

* your hands folded over your heart
* your heart / mind thinking heavenly thoughts.

Mishna Berura adds that we sway with the whole body also in fulfillment of - All my bones say , who is like You !
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Tree Links - Wonders 38

What is the connection between
Eitz - a tree
Eitzem - a bone
& Eitza - advice ???

1 - is a display stand , rack , for leaves , fruit , wood to serve as a frame for providing us with many useful materials.

2 - Bones are similar in that they grow , maintain , support & protect the body. They keep the body in shape to live & accomplish.

3 - Advice serves as a spiritual support system to help us think straight to guide & sustain us to grow in all areas of life.

Your creations are many , Hashem , they are all made with profound wisdom ... Tehillim 104 :24
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Mitzva Count - Parshas Reay

This Sedra has the third most Mitzvos in one Parsha.
* 6 dealing with Holy & the opposite
- Destroy places of idol worship where we own the area.
- Don't destroy that which is sacred to Hashem.
- Bring offerings to the Holy Temple
- Don't burn a sacrifice anywhere else.
- An Olah can only be brought there.
- If an offering animal became blemished it is to be redeemed.
###

8 laws of eating restrictions

* One may not eat out of Yerushalayim -
Maaser Sheini of grain
Of wine
Of oil.
A kohen may not eat of a firstborn animal
Nor the meat of certain offerings outside of the Temple courtyard
Nor of any olah offering
Nor of a voluntary offering until the blood applications.
- A kohen may not eat Bikurim until it is placed in the Beis Hamikdosh.
*****
13 laws of Priorities
- Always help the Levites & those who are devoted to always study Torah
- Never eat meat from a live animal
- Not until the animal was slaughtered in the Kosher manner
- An offering is only permitted in Hashems chosen place.
- Never add to a Mitzva
- Nor subtract
- never listen to a false prophet
- Don't like one who persaudes people to sin
* don't listen to his pleas for mercy
* don't save him from danger
* don't try to argue on his behalf.
* don't cover up if you have something negative to say.
* we must destroy such wicked people.
#####
10 more to investigate the Truth & avoid the negative
- Beis Din must check witnesses carefully.
- If an entire city sinned , we destroy it all by fire.
- Never to be rebuilt.
- Don't use anything from there.
- don't cut your skin as idol worshippers did.
- nor to tear your hair as they did.
- Do not eat anything called an abomination.
- Only eat birds that are Kosher.
- Do not eat flying insects.
- Do not eat Nevela , if it died.

*****
10 laws of Giving

* Give a Tenth , to eat in Yerusholayim.
* Every third year give a tenth to the poor.
* Every Shmita release debts that are owed to you
* Don't ask for payment.
* Do collect from non - jews.
* Don't close your heart & hand from helping the poor.
* Open your hand to give.
* Don't stop giving loans before Shmita.
* Don't send a jewish servant away empty.
* Give him tips & bonuses.
####
8 more laws of Timing
- Do not work with a firstborn animal which is holy.
- Do not shear wool off of a holy animal.
* No eating Chometz Erev Pesach in the afternoon
* No leaving over from the meat of a Korban Chagiga
* No bringing a korban Pesach in a private place
* Rejoice on the Holidays.
* 3 times a year come before Hashem at the Beis Hamigdosh.
* Don't come empty handed - bring a Korban.
***
We have 55 Mitzvos in Reay.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.

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Thanking Hashem for Food

The Torah says , When you finish eating say the Blessings.
But why are there 4 blessings ? Why not just thank for the food ?
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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First Lesson - W. 37.

What is the first & foremost lesson a tree teaches us ?
What is the great lesson of Silence ?
Why & how is silence the fence for wisdom ?
Rav A. Miller ztl taught the answer to these 3 questions in that we learn that Hashem created every tree. When we are quiet we can think Hashem created us & everything around us.
Silence can provide the energy to refuel our minds & recharge our souls.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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W. 36 - Be like a Tree

How often does Hashem expect me to speak up & criticize or teach others ?
You know the saying -
Reach in & teach someone.
A tree is a model for many lessons including ,
If you are still , consistent , quiet as a tree , you can be teaching in a way that is louder than words !
* silence is the fence for wisdom.
* Say little & do a lot.

Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Round trees - Wonders 35

Why does Hashem keep making trees round , whereas people keep making houses rectangular shaped ?
The answer is who says trees should be compared to homes ? Rather , they are like pipes & all pipes are made like trees. Have you ever seen a square pipe ?
" All of Your deeds You have made with profound wisdom ".
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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W. 34. Don't Bark

One of the lessons we learn from the soft , gentle skin Hashem has granted us is that we should not bark at people. Trees have rough bark & dogs bark , but we should communicate gently.
On the other hand we need to learn from the Torah when & how to develop a thick skin to ignore insults. The Torah is called the tree of life & it teaches us the good fortune to ignore & be save from 100 evils ( Sanhedrin 7 a. ).
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Shield of Armor - W. 33

Why is the skin of a person different than the bark of a tree ?

One simple difference is that Hashem has provided us with the brains & the capacity to put on a sweater , jacket or coat as it gets colder. We can also walk in to a warmer place & turn up the heat.
The tree is rooted to its position , however , in the sun or cold weather. Thus Hashem provides it with a " thick skin " to cope with the elements.
But how do we know when to go where & what to wear ?
Hashem has designed skin receptors that register heat , cold , contact , pressure & pain. This skin wrapper , grows & regrows with the person to fit snugly & securely around us perfectly.
Look at the amazing network of lines on your hands to accomodate all of the flexing movements that your miraculous fingers & hands are capable of , Baruch Hashem.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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What is a Tree ? - W. 32

- An Umbrella
- A Display stand for Fruit
- Food production Plant Factory
- An Educational Institution
- Wood supply for home building , furniture & telephone poles.
- Scenic background
-Hashems Hotel system

* Purpose of a tree ?
Hashem created everything so that we should be aware of Him , Koheles 3:14.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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Mitzva Count - P. Eikev

There are 8 Mitzvos with the pattern of
Turn away from evil & do good.

- Any silver or gold that was used for an idol is forbidden.
- One may not bring anything from an idol into ones home.

***
- After eating one is obligated to thank Hashem with Blessings.
- There is a special Mitzva to love a convert who forsakes his past & becomes a genuine Jew.

- Fear Hashem
- Serve Hashem , for example with your heart as you pray.
- Cling to Hashem by becoming close to Torah Sages.
- Only swear with Hashems name when there is no alternative.
Now may be a good time for a gem of Torah study.
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