Home

To complete Membership Form through Google, please click the link below:

MEMBERSHIP GOOGLE FORM

A short beautiful idea on Shoftim, to uplift and to be shared on your Shabbat table with Friends and family. 

Why can’t we destroy everything like in a normal war? What is disposable in life? Are physical objects important?

Shabbat Shalom, Eliyahou Binyamin Moses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOMNj0mcXGc

Dear Mogen David Family,

The last two of the forty-one mitzvos contained in parashat Shoftim concern the mitzvah of eglah arufah. If the corpse of a murder victim is found in the Land of Israel, the elders of the city closest to the corpse participate in a ritual whereby a cow that has not yet reached its second birthday is brought to a valley whose land is too harsh to have been worked. The cow is killed by someone axing the back of its neck. The elders then recite "ya-deinu lo shofchu ha-dam hazeh - our hands have not spilled this blood."

Rashi quotes the Gemara in Sotah 46b which asks the obvious question: Would we really suspect that the leaders of the Jewish community actually committed the murder, such that our suspicion necessitates this declaration? No. Rather, they declare that they did not allow the murdered individual to leave the community without provisions and without a levaya (an escort).

What is the significance of levaya? The Maharal in his commentary on the above gemara explains that there are two distinct entities: the individual and the klal (the group). The protection and Divine providence that a klal experiences is much greater than that experienced by an individual. Thus, the act of levaya transforms the status of the individual to that of a member of the klal. Hashem notes this change of status and affords additional protection. It is thus understandable that Rav Yochanan teaches that when one neglects to escort his guest, it is akin to spilling his blood, as he deprived him of the additional protection.

The Maharal's understanding of levaya is that the individual attains the additional merit of the klal, thereby affording him greater protection. Perhaps, one can say that in addition the individual becomes part of the klal by yielding his stance - showing flexibility for the benefit of the klal. Baruch Hashem, our Kehilla is famous for its warmth and hospitality. We don't stand on ceremony and all who come to visit our synagogue receive first-class treatment. As we see from the end of our parasha, this isn't just going 'above and beyond,' but is expected by the Torah that we act in such a hospitable and welcoming manner. May we merit to host many more guests over the coming year, and may all who come to our Kehilla--guests, members, and occasional drop-ins--feel 'at home,' warm and welcome.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda Moses Rav HaKehillah/Senior Rabbi