Watch: Rabbi Dubi Hennig, Chabad Shliach to the Chinese city Chengdu, making Havdalah at the Airport in China joined by his Family and Other Israelis, as they are on their way to Israel due to the spread of Coronavirus.

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In the wake of repeated violent physical attacks on synagogues and Jews in New York and elsewhere, Herut North America, a leading Zionist activist organization, is offering a new, cutting-edge guide to help congregations better organize their security efforts to protect synagogue attendees. The “SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT©” is being offered free of charge to all members of the Jewish community interested in improving security as well as synagogue leaders.

Please email office@herutna.org today to request your free copy of the “SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT©”

“We have developed this ebook guide as a hands-on tool to aid synagogues with both evaluating their security needs as well as organizing their own security teams,” explains Moshe Phillips, the national director of Herut North America. “This information packed booklet is specifically designed to give Jews the information they need to feel empowered around security related needs and issues. We have included checklists, assessment worksheets, planning guides, practical advice, and more.”

The Herut team responsible for this booklet includes IDF veterans, individuals trained in counter-terrorism, longtime community security volunteers, and legal professionals. Users of the guidebook will find practical, actionable ideas whether their synagogue has a security plan in place currently or is now considering forming a volunteer security team and needs an action plan.

“In light of the recent spate of attacks against Jews across multiple states we are offering the SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT©; A Hands-on Guide to Preventive Safety for Your Congregation” ebook. This free reference to protecting your community will help you develop a security plan that you can implement in a synagogue, kollel, yeshiva, camp, or day school. Our goal is to have this booklet utilized by synagogues in all 50 states so that further anti-Jewish violence and bloodshed can be prevented,” states Joshua Goldstein, chairman of Herut North America. “Please, help us reach our goal of preparing synagogues all across America to be more secure by ensuring the leaders of your synagogue see this booklet as soon as possible.”

The “SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT©” also specifically addresses the fact that Orthodox Jews have been heavily targeted in recent attacks by including a section titled “Self-Defense Tips While Walking To / From Synagogue” in the booklet.

“Action is required now,” says Herut’s Goldstein. “Please help us reach our goal in making the streets safer for Jews across America. Download and use this free resource yourself and also please share on social media the news that this ebook is now available so Jews everywhere will have access to this potentially life-saving material.”

Please email office@herutna.org today to request your free copy of the “SYNAGOGUE SECURITY TOOL KIT©”

Other Important Info for you!

Are you in the US? Vote for Herut Zionists Slate 10 today in the World Zionist Congress elections at https://www.zionistelection.org/election/2a3b7a80-ba00-42ec-957e-c0375167a065 – Please help Herut to Defend Traditional Zionist Values!

Follow Herut on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/zionuniteherut/  to keep up to date on the latest Synagogue Security information from Herut.

Herut North America’s work to further synagogue security in the U.S. is made possible through the generous assistance of Gelt Financial. Visit their website at www.GeltFinancial.com

The Lamdeini fundraising campaign ended Monday night at midnight raising close to $60,000, an incredible achievement for the Yerushalayim based tutoring organization that helps students connect to their Gemara learning. “The worldwide response to Rabbi Yitzchak Berkovits’ call to support Lamdeini was unprecedented,” says Rabbi Meir Oratz, founder and director of Lamdeini. “Especially on a communal level, so many individuals here in Yerushalayim generously donated their resources to make this campaign a success.”  

Rabbi Berkovits invested tireless efforts in personally leading the campaign and raising significant funds, despite his innumerable communal responsibilities and packed schedule as Rosh Yeshivah of Aish Hatorah, Rosh Kollel, and leading posek of the English speaking community. This clearly demonstrates Rabbi Berkovits’ passionate belief that helping our children succeed in their learning is nothing less than hatzalas nefashos! Rabbi Oratz also highlights the tremendous enthusiasm of parents whose children have been tutored by Lamdeini and the valuable role they played in getting the campaign off the ground. He also notes the participation of mothers who felt this cause was so crucial, they even volunteered to call local families to canvass their support. 

The response to Ari Goldwag’s clip featuring a brand new song about Lamdeini was simply overwhelming. “Viewing the struggles faced by a young boy who wanted nothing more than to understand his learning and hearing Ari’s new composition was a moving experience that left people inspired to help Lamdeini,” relates Rabbi Oratz. “The stirring song so beautifully conveyed the challenges in learning Gemara and the need for intervention. Many fathers became emotional recalling the difficulties they endured in their childhood understanding and enjoying their Gemara classes.” Rabbi Oratz is so grateful to Ari for his devotion to Lamdeini and sparing no effort in releasing his clip just in time for Lamdeini’s campaign.

LISTEN:

For more info email the4minuteshiur@gmail.com.

AMUD ALEF:

AMUD BAIS:

TOSAFOS IN SUMMARY:

HALACHOS OF THE DAF:

TO ACCESS ALL PRIOR SHIURIM, CLICK HERE.

To listen to the shiurim on Kol Halashon, call 718.906.6400 and then press 1, then 2, then 1, then 27, and then press 1 for the daf, 2 for shakla vetarya, 3 for Tosafos, or 4 for halachos of the daf.

{Matzav.com}

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Mayer Reuven Berkovits zt”l, rov of the Whispering Pines-Nusach Sefard shul in Lakewood, NJ

Rav Berkovits had battled illness for the last while and his kehillah had been holding regular asifos tefillah in his zechus. He passed away this morning.

A talmid chochom of note, Rav Berkovits was a beloved figure in Lakewood, spending his days immersed in limud haTorah and guiding his mispallelim and others.

A talmid of Satmar, Rav Berkovits learned for many years at Bais Medrash Govoah and went on to become a respected rov and morah horaah.

Rav Berkovits carried himself with tremendous hachna’ah and humility, and he endeared himself to one and all.

Rav Berkovits is survived by his dedicated wife, Rebbetzin Pearl Berkovits, and their wonderful family.

The levayah will be held today at noon at the Whispering Pines Shul, located at 47 Whispering Pines Lane in Lakewood, NJ. The aron will then be taken to Monroe, New York for kevurah in Kiryas Yoel.

Yehi zichro boruch.

Photos (Flash 87 Images):

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com

There is an Exxon Gas Station store located in Lakewood, New Jersey with a kosher food section.  The store carries kosher nosh, sandwiches, and even all the Jewish magazines.  There is also a foreign worker behind the counter who secretly films single girls and married women shopping and paying for their food and posts the videos on the internet.  Specifically, he posts the filming that he takes on Tik Tok – a controversial video app that some experts suspect is a spy app by the communist government in China.  Apparently, the worker pretends he is texting on his phone while he does the filming.

THE MACHLOKES REGARDING PHOTOS

Although it is morally reprehensible to be posting videos of other people without their permission – is it against halacha?  Also, if it is not against halacha – is it against the law?  If it is against the law, is doing so a violation of Dina d’Malchusa Dina?

In Sefer Shaarei Aharon (Kuntrus Shaarei Ish p. 29 cited in Vayehi Binsoah by Rabbi Moshe Sofer p. 537) the following incident is related:

The Chazon Ish was once travelling on a ship when he observed people trying to take his photograph.  He told them that he did not give them permission to do so.  When he noticed that they felt that they did not need his permission to take his picture he further told them, “If you wish to steal – then, by all means, go ahead and steal.”

On the other hand, in Orchos Rabbeinu Vol. III #63, Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita is quoted in the name of his father, the Steipler Gaon that technically one cannot prohibit another person from taking his picture according to halacha.  However, it is a violation of derecho eretz and decency to photograph someone against their will.

There is no question that these girls and women would not want themselves filmed and certainly would not want these videos to appear on the internet.

So, if these sources are correct – according to the Chazon Ish it would be a violation of Halacha, while according to the Steipler, it is morally wrong – but not necessarily forbidden.  However, it could very well be that this was only said in reference to a photograph – but not to a video.

It is logical to assume that the Steipler’s rationale in permitting it may involve the idea that it is a regular activity that people generally do.  This is not, however, the norm in regard to videoing people and posting it without their permission.  Thus, even according to the lenient view it may be forbidden as well.

NEW JERSEY STATE LAW

This author is not a lawyer, but it seems that New Jersey State law only forbids recording in places where there is an expectation of privacy.  However, according to HG.org, a legal resource site, it may be recognized as an invasion of privacy – and the young women and married women – may have an actionable tort.  In other words, they might perhaps be able to sue if the information on that site is correct.

A big yasher koach to the two Lakewood bochurim concerned for the tznius of bnos Yisroel, who brought this matter to this author’s attention.  They themselves are not on the internet – one was told that a video of him appeared on it.

Some have also questioned whether one may use the cholov Yisroel milk near the coffee station, as there is also other milk in an open bottle nearby.

The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com.

{Matzav.com}

More than 26,000 people in 107 countries have downloaded the “All Daf” app, an innovative free digital platform for Daf Yomi learners created by the Orthodox Union (OU), the OU tells Matzav.com.

Beyond offering shiurim on the daily daf, All Daf offers participants of all backgrounds the opportunity to enhance their learning with a host of topics related to the day’s daf, including Jewish history, lomdus, Tanach and other sources and resources. Daily shiurim on the daf are offered by world-renowned maggidei shiur such as Rabbis Moshe Elefant, Shalom Rosner, Sruly Bornstein and Shlomie Schwartzberg. All Daf introduces participants to fascinating subjects in the daf with written and video content from teachers such as Dr. Henry Abramson, dean of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, on historical subjects related to the day’s daf; and audio content focusing on the pesukim quoted in the daf from Rabbi Yaakov Trump, rabbi of the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst, among others.

The app has been downloaded in 107 countries, including: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Curacao, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guinea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and others.

“All Daf is the largest Torah initiative to date spearheaded by the OU. We created it to open up Daf Yomi learning to an even broader group of Jews at all learning levels,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane. “As we developed the app, we knew that it would be a tremendous resource and tool for those looking to learn Daf Yomi but it has exceeded our expectations because it offers something for everyone, both the experienced learner and the person new to Daf Yomi.”

“The OU is constantly looking for new ways to make Torah accessible to the global Jewish community and we’re so happy to see that Jewish people in South America, Central America, the Arabian Gulf, Africa and the Southern Hemisphere are utilizing the app to be part of a worldwide Torah learning community,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin.

“With a plethora of options of shiurim and commentaries, All Daf enables participants of every background with the ability to customize their learning experience wherever they may be studying,” said Orthodox Union Daf Yomi Initiative Director Rabbi Moshe Schwed. “The app provides an alternate option for those who cannot attend a daily Daf Yomi shiur or who want to do a more in-depth review of what they learned in their shiur or are simply on-the-go.”

All Daf is available in the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and at https://alldaf.org/.

Image: Elazar Dorfman on a business trip learning Daf Yomi with All Daf in Marrakech Morocco.

Links to download the free All Daf.

Apple: go.alldaf.org/Apple

Android: go.alldaf.org/Android

Or browse online beta site AllDaf.org

{Matzav.com}

By Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss

In this week’s parsha, Beshalach, which is said every day in our morning prayers is the song of Az Yashir.  In Az Yashir we say the verse, “Azi v’zimras Ka, vayehi li li’shua, zeh Keili v’Anveihu.”  Literally this means, “G-d, You are my strength and my song, and You are a salvation to me.  This is my G-d and I will glorify Him.”  Rashi informs us that the term ‘v’zimras’ also means to ‘cut-down.’  As well, we often find in the Gemora that the related term ‘zomar’ refers to ‘pruning.’  Thus, in this context, the verse is to be understood that G-d is my strength, and He cut-down the Egyptians – thereby becoming a salvation for me.  The Targum Onkelus interprets the phrase “Keili v’Anveihu” to mean ‘I will build a Beis HaMikdash,’ a Temple.  Obviously, Onkelus is translating the word ‘v’Anveihu’ from its root ‘naveh’ which means a habitat – and thus understands it as a commitment to build a Domicile to G-d, namely the Temple.

The Birchas Ish wonders what the connection is between the beginning of the verse – which speaks about G-d’s strength and the cutting-down of the Egyptians – with the latter part of the verse which mentions the building of the Beis HaMikdash.  He explains that, in Chronicles, we are taught that Hashem informed Dovid HaMelech that he would not be able to build the Temple.  Hashem explained further that since Dovid was involved in wars and shed blood, his hands could not build the Temple, a place of Peace and the residence of Hashem.  Only Shlomo, who during his reign had tranquility and harmony, was allowed to build the Beis HaMikdash.

Thus, the Birchas Ish concludes that the connection of the two parts of this posuk is easily understood.  For, if the Bnei Yisroel had smitten the Egyptians with their own hands, they would have been blocked from building the Mishkon, the Tabernacle, in the desert.  But since “Azi v’zimras Ka,” it was G-d Who cut them down, then – as the posuk informs us, “Hashem yilachem lachem, v’atem tacharishun – Hashem will fight for you and you will be silent,” all of them went to a watery grave in the Yam Suf and the Jews did not bloody their hands.  Therefore, they could perform “zeh Keili v’Anveihu,” and build the Mishkon in the desert.

This explanation is also of vast contemporary importance for every married couple has a mission to build a Mikdash Me’at in their home.  It is important for them, if they want to succeed at this ambition, to keep any kind of violent emotion away from their home.  Anger and rage is anathema of creating a place for the Shechina, while couples that zealously try to create an aura of gentleness and calm in their home have a great chance of succeeded at the ideals of building bais ne’eman.

I would like to suggest, however, another possible explanation for the juxtaposition of these two verses.  Tosefos, in Masechtas Pesachim, tells us that the letters of the word ‘perech’ (which describes the rigorous labor that the Jews performed in Egypt) in the gematria of A”t Ba”sh, becomes the letters vav-gimel-lamed.  He then takes it a step further.  The numerical value of vav-gimel-lamed equals thirty-nine.  With this, he reveals the fact that in Egypt we were forced to do all the thirty-nine labors from which we abstain on Shabbos.

This then beautifully explains why, in the second set of the Ten Commandments, we say that Shabbos commemorates the Exodus since on Shabbos we abstain from these thirty-nine creative labors in order to commemorate that G-d saved us from the Egyptians who enslaved us with them.

Now, how do we learn out the connection of the thirty-nine melachos with Shabbos?  The Gemora in Masechtas Shabbos says that the subject of Shabbos is referred to in the Torah in proximity to the discussion of building of the Mishkon and we are prohibited from doing the thirty-nine labors on Shabbos that were used to build the Mishkon.

Now we come beautifully full-circle.  When G-d saved us from the thirty-nine labors that we were forced to do in Egypt and said that, ‘Instead of being servants to Paroh, you are now My servants,’ to show our homage to Hashem, took those same thirty-nine labors, and built a Mishkon with them.

Now our original verse fits like a glove.   “Azi v’zimras Ka – You are my strength and You, O G-d, cut-down the Egyptians.”  “Vayehi li li’shua,” and You were a salvation for me from the thirty-nine labors that they forced me to perform.  Therefore, “zeh Keili v’Anveihu,” I will build a Beis HaMikdash using these very same thirty-nine labors in honor of your Holy Name.

In the spirit of our attempting to understand the redemption in Mitzrayim, may we merit the final redemption with good health and prosperity speedily and in our days.

Start the cycle of Mishna Yomis anytime with Rabbi Weiss by dialing Kol Halashon at 718.906.6471.  Listen to Rabbi Weiss’s daily Shiur on Orchos Chaim l’HaRosh by dialing 718.906.6400, then going to selection 4 for Mussar, and then to selection 4.   Both are FREE services.

Rabbi Weiss is stepping up his speaking engagements.  To bring him to your community, call (718) 916-3100 or email RMMWSI@aol.com.

Rabbi Weiss’s Rebbetzin, Shoshy Weiss, LCSW-R is moving her therapy practice from Monroe and Monsey to Boro Park and Staten Island.  She will be in Boro Park on Mondays and Staten Island on Tuesdays.  She caters to women and girls only and specializes in the treatment of anxiety, low self-esteem issues, depression, trauma, and relationship enhancement.  She is a specialist in EMDR and IFS (Internal Family Systems) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy).  She has been practicing for over two decades.  To get a slot, call or text 845.270.3699.

Shelley Zeitlin takes dictation of, and edits, Rabbi Weiss’s articles.

To receive a weekly cassette tape or CD directly from Rabbi Weiss, please send a check to Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss, P.O. Box 140726, Staten Island, NY 10314 or contact him at RMMWSI@aol.com.

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Shalom Chavarim,

My name is Shlomo Eliyahu Barron. Up until last week, Boruch Hashem things seemed to be going on the up and up, we just won the housing lottery. My company HomeCrew.il just launched and things were starting to get better for us overall.

Until last week our son Dovid Yosef Ben Chana Shoshana was your normal 11 year old. He was going to school, learning Torah, playing with his friends and just being a kid.

Than one day, he came home complaining about some issues with his vision and headaches. Naturally, we went to the doctors. That’s when I got the terrible news. He was diagnosed with DIPG, which for those who don’t know is one of the most aggressive and inoperable forms of a brain tumor.

We are falling apart, my children, my wife we are trying to maintain but every day brings new challenges. We have been exploring many experimental treatments but these are not covered by the National Insurance.

I have no time to work, let alone breathe, and we are struggling everyday to take care of our other 4 children.

We are trying to raise $300,000 now to help cover travel, lodging, treatments and any other costs as well as our basic living expenses. We are heartbroken and can’t even think about these things.

You can donate by clicking this link- https://thechesedfund.com/lLEe2j/11yrsoldneedsyourhelptofighttheclockwithabraintumor

With your help, we’ll be able to get Dovid Yosef Ben Chana Shoshana the help he needs to please Gd recover quickly and continue to be the ben torah he is.

Every dollar counts, so please friends, help us, help our son. WIth your donation, Hashem should help you with tremendous hatzlacha, bracha, mazal parnossa and we should merit the coming of Moshiach NOW and end all tzoros.

You can donate by clicking this link-https://thechesedfund.com/lLEe2j/11yrsoldneedsyourhelptofighttheclockwithabraintumor

Thank you ,

Your friend, Shlomo

HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, Shlita and Many Senior Gedolei Yisrael to Participate

By Chaim Gold 

“Our FATHER is making a simcha! This is a simcha of Hashem Yisborach Himself who is saying, ‘chazu banai chavivai – Look at my dear children who forget all their difficulties and immerse themselves in Torah to such an extent that they have taken tests on all of Shas!!’”

These were the impassioned words of HaGaon HaRav Shimon Galei, shlita, last month at the massive Dirshu World Siyum at the Yad Eliyahu Stadium in Tel Aviv, when he addressed thousands of Yidden who had taken Dirshu tests throughout Shas; among them more than 400 ‘Shas Yidden’ who had been tested cumulatively on all of Shas!

In the United States, however, the Torah accomplishments of heroic lomdei Dirshu, especially the myriad true Shas Yidden who have invested their hearts and neshamos into learning and being tested, have never been celebrated on the grand scale that they deserve. 

This coming Sunday at the Prudential Arena in Newark, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and at the Newark Symphony Hall, a grand celebration of true Torah accomplishment of lomdei Torah who have learned, toiled, reviewed, reviewed and reviewed yet again and have been tested on Shas, will be celebrated by all of Klal Yisrael led by Gedolei Yisrael who represent the entire gamut of Torah Jewry!

Indeed, the tens of thousands of men and women attending will collectively celebrate the simcha of our FATHER in Newark this Sunday. 

Gedolei Yisrael from Eretz Yisrael and America to Grace and Address the Siyum

One of the highlights of the event will be the presence of the venerated Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, who will be making the journey from Eretz Yisrael specifically to attend and address the siyum. Rav Dovid has seen firsthand the colossal positive impact that learning with Dirshu programs has had on his talmidim and will share his deep impressions as well as the magnitude of the simcha that will celebrate the eternal, unbreakable bond between Klal Yisrael and the Torah Hakedosha. 

There will be numerous other Roshei Yeshiva, Admorim, Rabbonim and Dayanim both from the United States and abroad who will be gracing this truly historic event where the simcha of immense Torah achievement will be celebrated. 

Celebrating the Creation of a New Generation of Real Kinyan Shas Yidden!

The Dirshu World Siyum in America this Sunday will be a celebration of hodaah al ha’avar, thanks for the past – thousands of Shas Yidden was a concept that many thought was nearly extinct, a dream from pre-war Europe before Hitler murdered the towering gaonim of the past -as well as a bakasha and celebration of the asid, the future. Beginning with Masechta Brachos, many thousands of new lomdim have joined Dirshu’s accountable Kinyan Shas program where, as Dirshu’s Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, recently said with tremendous emotion, “Chavrei Dirshu don’t ‘do the Daf’, they don’t ‘learn the Daf’,’ they LIVE the Daf! The Daf is their life, it is their very essence, it is the air that they breathe! A Dirshu Yid wakes up in the morning thinking about the Daf and goes to sleep thinking about the Daf. A Dirshu Yid leaves no crack and crevice in his day for the yetzer hara to enter. He takes advantage of every minute to learn; more, better, deeper. He is not satisfied with a small chelek in Torah, he wants a KINYAN and that comes with total commitment to learning.”

This will be celebrated this Sunday, at the massive completely sold out events at the Prudential Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), and by Dirshu women at the New Jersey Symphony Hall, all in Newark, and by tens of thousands more who will tune in on various platforms to the live-streaming of the World Siyum all over the world. 

The Front Line Heroes and the Behind The Scenes Heroines 

The obvious heroes of Dirshu are those Yidden who day in and day out, year in and year out, plug away, learning and chazering, such as the Yid from Antwerp who was at the recent Dirshu European Siyum in London. This yungerman works in a supermarket and returns home daily at 6:00 p.m. On the week of his Dirshu test, after returning home from work, eating a quick dinner and seeing his wife and children, this yungeman goes to sleep for several hours. At 12:00 a.m., he is back in the bais medrash where he learns for 7-8 hours until Shacharis! This is something that he has done repeatedly for more than 7 years! It wasn’t a one time thing. 

That yungerman and any other lomeid Dirshu would not be able to do what they do without their equal partners in learning, the heroic Dirshu wives who possess unparalleled love of Torah and are willing to sacrfice so much because they love the Torah so much. Indeed, most of them don’t look at what they do as a sacrifice because the payback in simchas hachaim, love of Torah and sipuk hanefesh that their husbands and children derive as a result makes it all worthwhile. 

At the Newark Symphony Hall, the climactic events at the Prudential Center will be shown live. In addition, the women there will be treated to special programing designed just for them. A keynote address will be given by the prestigious Rebbetzin Sarah Meisels, a daughter of the illustrious Bobover Rebbe, Rav Shlomo Halberstam, zt”l. There will also be a live original musical production made especially for the Dirshu World Siyum by world renowned inspirational composer and singer, Mrs. Miriam Israeli as well as live productions by Mrs. Bracha Jaffe and Mrs. Malky Giniger and much more. 

Guidance and Support from Senior Gedolei Yisrael 

The siyum in America is the culmination and climax of an entire series of Dirshu World Siyumim throughout the World, from Yerushalayim to Manchester, from France to Johannesburg, from London to Tel Aviv… where Torah Jews have gathered to show how much they value accountable limud haTorah and how Dirshu is literally transforming the Torah landscape throughout the world. 

It is the Gedolei Yisrael from all over the world, however, who are setting the tone by serving as Dirshu’s guiding lights in all matters, and showing Klal Yisrael how much they value the complete revolution in limud haTorah that Dirshu has accomplished. 

The venerated Sar HaTorah, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, who rarely ventures from his home came with great mesiras nefesh to the Dirshu Siyum several weeks ago in Yad Eliyahu. He wrote, “In our times, there is no greater yom tov than today – when thousands of talmidei chachomim in the Dirshu program have completed Shas!”

The Sanzer Rebbe, shlita, expressed his joy about the grand scale siyumim, “It is clear that more people are joining the Daf HaYomi because of the large gatherings celebrating the accomplishments of the lomdim. Recently, while travelling to and from America, I saw so many Yidden, learning the Daf HaYomi. This wasn’t always the case. Large siyumim facilitate so much limud haTorah!” 

Perhaps the greatest way to encapsulate the simchas haTorah of the World Siyum to be held this Sunday are the words said by the Gadol Hador, HaGaon HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, zt”l, at Dirshu’s previous World Siyum when, at the age of 103, he came with mesiras nefesh. He said, “A gathering of tzaddikim is good for them and good for the world. A gathering of Reshaim is bad for them and bad for the world. It is good,” Rav Shteinman exclaimed forcefully, “to make gatherings like this! They strengthen us all, especially in [difficult times] like this…”

LISTEN:

For more info email the4minuteshiur@gmail.com.

AMUD ALEF:

AMUD BAIS:

TOSAFOS IN SUMMARY:

HALACHOS OF THE DAF:

TO ACCESS ALL PRIOR SHIURIM, CLICK HERE.

To listen to the shiurim on Kol Halashon, call 718.906.6400 and then press 1, then 2, then 1, then 27, and then press 1 for the daf, 2 for shakla vetarya, 3 for Tosafos, or 4 for halachos of the daf.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

[Links below.] Today, Tuesday of Parshas Beshalach, is a special day. Seforim tell us that it is extremely prudent to utilize this day to pray for parnassah, livelihood, for the next 12 months.

It is a widespread and accepted custom to recite “Parshas Hamonn,” the portion in the Torah that describes the way Hashem provided monn (i.e., parnassah from heaven) for the Yidden in the Midbar. This can be found in Sefer Shemos, Perek 16: 4-36. It is customary to read the pesukim twice and the Targum once, and also to recite a short tefillah for sustenance beforehand. (Click here for the tefillah as well as for the ArtScroll English translation of these pesukim. Click here for the parsha, including the Targum Onkelos.)

Reciting this parsha reminds us that just as Hashem sustained the Jews then, so too, He – and He alone – provides for each and every one of us now.

With Hashgacha Pratis, Divine Providence, Hashem looks after our every need down to the most minute and seemingly mundane detail.

The following is a short yet powerful essay by Rav Yissocher Frand, which teaches us an important lesson:

One Who Cheats In His Business Doesn’t Believe in G-d

By: Rav Yissocher Frand

Parshas Mishpatim begins “And these are the statutes that you shall place before them.” There is a very famous Rashi on the words “And these”. Normally “these” would mean “to the exclusion of others”. But Rashi says that the conjunction “and” adds to what came before (vov mosif), in Parshas Yisro.

In Parshas Yisro, G-d gave us the Ten Commandments. Rashi here says that just as the Ten Commandments were given at Sinai, so too the laws that are recorded in Parshas Mishpatim were also given at Sinai.

The truth of the matter is that this Rashi requires understanding. There is another famous Rashi [Vayikra 25:1] on the words “On Mount Sinai” (mentioned in connection with Shmita) which asks, “What is the connection between Shmitah and Mount Sinai?” Rashi there answers that just like the laws of Shmita were given with all their rules and intricate details at Sinai, so too all other commands were given with their rules and intricate details at Sinai.

If that is the case, what is Rashi adding here, by telling us that the laws of Parshas Mishpatim were given at Sinai? We know that — the whole Torah was given at Sinai!

The Ramba”n says a very interesting thing. According to the Ramba”n, Parshas Mishpatim and the Parsha of the Ten Commandments were said together at the initial meeting of G-d with Moshe on Sinai (prior to the 40 day period when Moshe learned the rest of the Torah). Subsequent to that, Moshe Rabbeinu came down, taught the Jewish people what he had learned from G-d and then went back up to Mount Sinai to learn more.

What emerges from this Ramba”n is that the laws of one ox goring another ox, of digging a hole in the public domain, or paying workers on time, all the mundane intricacies of life have the same status and were given at the same time as the Ten Commandments. Therefore, Rashi is stating something significant.

But, is it not peculiar that almost in the same breath as G-d spoke “I am the L-rd your G-d who took you out from Egypt…”, the foundation of Judaism, He also told us about our responsibilities when we borrow our neighbor’s car?

Why does Parshas Mishpatim rate the same session as “I am the L-rd your G-d”?

Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, said that this comes to teach us that if a person does not keep Parshas Mishpatim (monetary laws), he doesn’t believe in “I am the L-rd your G-d” either.

“I am the L-rd your G-d” is the theory — I believe. But the other side of the coin, the practice, is do you cheat in your business? If you cheat in your business, you do not believe in “I am the L-rd your G-d”.

Rav Moshe continues, if a person believes in G-d with more than lip service, then the person believes that G-d provides him with a livelihood. If a person believes that G-d provides the livelihood, then what reason is there to cheat? “A person’s livelihood is fixed for him from Rosh HaShannah” [Beitzah 16a]. If one believes that, there is no need to cheat. Anyone who cheats, does not believe it.

That is why “I am the L-rd your G-d” is in the same session as the law of how to pay one’s workers.

There was recently a meeting in New York of the Association of Jewish Certified Public Accountants; an organization appropriately called Cheshbon. Rav Schwab told this group that a person who is dishonest in business is a Kofer b’Ikkar (He denies G-d). For the same reason that we just mentioned — that if a person really believed, he would not need to cheat. One cheats because he thinks — “this will get me the parnossah”. Cheating indicates that he does not believe that G-d will take care of him.

Then Rav Schwab continued by saying the following. “You will ask that we see people who cheat a tremendous amount and are nonetheless, successful. Now if parnossah comes from G-d, how can that be?”

Rav Schwab explained that such people’s money comes from the ‘Sitra Achra’, from the forces of impurity in the world, not from G-d. No good will ever come out of the money that comes from the powers of impurity (Kochos HaTumah) in the world. He or his children or someone down the line will never see satisfaction (nachas) from that money.

The ‘test’ of earning a livelihood is not only a test of telling the truth, of not stealing, etc. It is a test of ‘I am the L-rd your G-d’. Daily, we are put to the ‘test’ of whether or not we really believe. If we really, really believe, then there is never a reason to be less than 100% honest in our dealings with other people and with ourselves.

{Matzav.com Newscenter}

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The Yemenite admor and kabbalist Rav Avner Efgin Shlita will hold mass tefillos at Kever Shmuel HaNavi for those who donate to his Torah institutions.

Rav Avner Efgin, head of the Bais Halevi mosdos, the fame of whose teffilos has spread throughout the entire Jewish world, is launching a special fundraiser to save his institutions. The names of donors along with their personal requests will be mentioned at historic prayer events at Kever Shmuel HaNavi, events which are famous throughout the Jewish world for the miracles they have worked in the past.

To donate and submit your name email: emesveshulem@gmail.com

His teffilos are considered to work open miracles, and untold numbers have seen yeshua thanks to his intense prayer events at Kever Shmuel HaNavi, with tears and supplications for klal Yisroel in its distress. Now, for the first time in his life, he’s launching a special fundraiser to save the Bais Halevi institutions, whose renown has spread across the country, and he’s calling on the wider public to join the effort, promising to move heaven and earth in teffilos for their personal yeshuos and requests.

Rav Avner Efgin founded his mosdos in Rosh HaAyin several decades ago, leading to a spiritual revolution in the city. Today the mosdos include a yeshiva gedolah in Rosh HaAyin, a dozen kollelim for avreichim, tzedakah distribution of millions NIS a year, and unparalleled kiruv activism, through which youths who are distant from Torah and mitzvos are brought closer to Hashem. The decision to launch a fundraiser came as a result of the institutions’ deteriorating financial situation. Though it is centered in Rosh HaAyin, the institution has spread its branches across the country, bringing countless Jews back to their roots. The massed teffilos led by Rav Avner Efgin are known the world over for working open miracles, as Rav Efgin has brought yeshua to many childless couples through the power of his davening, and his miracles in other fields have earned his davening the reputation of tremendous influence.

The fundraiser begins today, Tuesday, and will continue through midnight on Wednesday. Thousands have already joined the holy effort, and put in their names to be mentioned at Kever Shmmuel HaNavi in Yerushalaim and at the home of Maran Sar HaTorah Rav Chaim Kanievsky.

To donate and submit your name, email: emesveshulem@gmail.com

As The known R’ Chaim Vital has said this segulah has brought yeshuos “thousands of times.”

WHERE DOES THIS POWERFUL AND POTENT SEGULAH COME FROM? 

Reb Chaim Vital performed this renowned pidyon twice a year, for himself. he writes in his sefer Pri Eitz Chaim “Thousands of times this segulah has been tried and proven“.

While the Arizal revealed this powerful pidyon, it was the holy Reshash who instructed us how to perform it, The Reshash wrote that one should set aside 160 pure silver coins, recite special kabalistic tefilos, and donate these coins to talmidei chachamim who are moser nefesh to learn Torah.

The 160 coins, equivalent to the numerical value of “eitz,” symbolize man who is likened to a tree, an “eitz” hasadeh. Through this segulah, the person receives a pidyon nefesh (redemption of his soul) where judgment is transferred from the person to the coins and the person receives a new tzelem Elokim.

The pidyon Rashash is cited and referred to in countless sefarim. Many illustrious gedolim and rebbes have quoted and performed the renowned Pidyon Rashash.

The sefer ‘Shemen Sason’ writes that for whoever the pidyon Rashash is performed will certianly live through the year! Who can deny themselves the promise of life?!

The Sefer Sha’arei Rachamim describes the Pidyon Reshash as a segulah received from Eliyahu HaNavi, himself.

WHERE DID KOLLEL CHATZOS COME TO PERFORM THIS INCREDIBLE SEGULAH? 

While the segulah is tremendously potent every time, it is particularly powerful after midnight. When the Ropshitzer Rav was sick, the Ateres Tzvi even wrote to the Zera Kodesh that he will perform the pidyon for him after chatzos and “certainly, certainly, certainly, you will merit a yeshua!”.

We are living in desperate times. Klal Yisroel is looking out for Refuos, Shidduchim, Nachas, Parnassah, etc. It is mekubal that often- time there are wonderful hashpaos and yeshuos waiting to come down, but we are not worthy of them. Once the pidyon Rashash is performed, we are pure, with a new tzelem Elokim, clearing the path for the hashpaos tovos to descend.

Every year, on 10 Shvat, on the yahrtzeit of the Reshash, the Kollel Chatzos’s talmidei chachamim perform this segulah and distribute the coins amongst the Kollel learners. These talmidei chachamim, who sacrifice their

nights for Torah, are most worthy to perform the pidyon, for they truly personify Torah with mesirus nefesh. They recite the lengthy tefilos individually for each supplicant, in the most mehudar way. And perform the pidyon at the most opportune time – after chatzos.

 IS THERE A STORY DEMONSTRATING THE POWERS OF THIS SEGULAH?

Every year, after performing the pidyon for yidden, who are longing for yeshuos, in the most stellar way possible, the Kollel merits to hear story upon story about individuals whose lives have been transformed by the Pidyon. In the time of the emperor Napoleon, the holy Chasam Sofer did the “Pidyo Rashash” for all the residents of Pressburg, and although all the homes were destroyed in the war, not one Yid perished. It was a truly wonderful miracle. The holy Magid of Mezritch did the “Pidyon Rashash” for an esteemed woman who was critically ill, and she miraculously recovered. When the holy mekubal Rav Mordechai Sharabi was asked to pray on behalf of Jews who were very ill with the dreaded machala,” (cancer), he would do the “Pidyon Rashash for them and would say “it is a proven Segula”. It will take place on Tuesday Night, Feb. 4 at the Tziyon of the holy Tana Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Try it Out for Yourself.

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Original writing of the holy Rashash with precise instructions on how to perform the Pidyon