The 39 Melachos

In the Mishkan In order to make the coverings of the Mishkans, the skins of the ram and the Tachash (a species of animal that appeared miraculously at the time of the Mishkan but is now extinct) were required. In order to remove the skin, the animal first had to be slaughtered- Shochait. The Basic Premise of Shochait Although the term Shocheit seems to imply ritual slaughtering, the Melacha has nothing to do with the process of Shechita. The basic premise of Shochait is Netilas Neshama, taking the soul. Therefore, ending the life of any living being by any method is Shochait, whether this is achieved by drowning, poisoning, strangling, actually slaughtering or any other method. It is also forbidden to mortally wound a healthy living creature, even if the creature doesnt die until after Shabbos.

inconspicuous manner referred to as Dorso LFi Tumo. For example, if one wanted to kill a non -life threatening snake then he could act is if he was walking normally and he merely happened to stamp on the snake. Even though he fully intends to stamp on it and is really just acting, it is permitted.

Causing Bleeding Interestingly, it is possible to transgress Shochait without killing a living creature. Inflicting a bleeding wound is also Shochait as the Torah refers to blood as the Nefesh, soul, so drawing blood is equivalent to taking the soul. Some Poskim also hold that causing bleeding is a Toldah of Dosh, threshing, as the blood is extracted. Therefore, it is forbidden to remove a scab if it will bleed, and to apply pressure to an open wound as blood will come out. This is also why it is forbidden to brush your teeth with a dry brush if it is likely to cause your gums to bleed. Inflicting a bruise is also Applications of Shochait forbidden under Shochait as a bruise is caused by capillaries Shochait applies to almost every living creature from any being broken and blood seeping out. According to some species. The Gemara says that killing even the tiniest insect Poskim, causing a bruise is also Tzovaya, dyeing, as the skin is equivalent to killing a large animal. Therefore, it is is coloured black and blue from the de-oxygenated blood. forbidden to walk on a swarm of ants or spray insecticide at If you do not attend Hasmonean, you can pre-order an insect. However, there is one exception. It is permitted the... to kill lice and nits on Shabbos as they do not reproduce like other animals because they only develop and thrive in unsanitary conditions. Other animals such as maggots that develop in carcasses or rotting food are essentially the same as lice as they thrive in decay. However, it is Rabbinically including FREE door-to-door delivery prohibited to kill these animals as it has the outward appearance of Shochait.

- 22nd March 2014

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Issue No: 461 Shabbos In: 6:00 Shabbos Out: 7:07 Sof Zman Krias Shema: 9:03

The tremendous joy of the inauguration of the Mishkan was marred by the tragic deaths of Aharon's two oldest sons, Nadav and Avihu. The Torah relates that upon learning of their deaths, Aharon remained silent.

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day, the mother has had the opportunity to immerse in a mikvah and become permitted to her husband, allowing them to also enjoy the occasion. Based on the Gemara's reasoning, we may explain that Aharon was the primary participant in the joy of the inauguration of the Tabernacle, in which he On this verse, there is a perplexing Midrash Pliah. served as Kohen Gadol. From the Torah's emphasis on Aharon's silence, the Midrash understands that there was something After seeing the lengths to which the Torah goes to which he wished to say but didn't. What complaint ensure that the parents are able to be happy at was he holding inside? their son's circumcision, Aharon was bothered that he lost two of his children on the day which was The Midrash answers cryptically that Aharon would supposed to be so dear to him. have argued based on the verse in Tazria (12:3), ... - When a woman gives birth Aharon's argument would have been bolstered by to a male child, the baby should be circumcised on Rashi's comment (Shemos 24:10) that Nadav and the eighth day. What possible connection could Avihu should have been killed at Har Sinai for this have to the events of our parsha? What do the irreverently indulging in food and drink while gazing Halachos of Bris Mila have to do with the deaths of at a prophetic revelation of G-d, but He spared their Nadav and Avihu? lives temporarily so as not to mar the joy of the giving of the Torah. Aharon could have easily Several commentators explain by noting that the questioned why he wasn't entitled to enjoy this day Gemara questions why circumcision is performed like Moshe at Mount Sinai and the parents at a on the eighth day and not on the seventh day. The circumcision, but he remained silent and was Talmud answers that when a woman has a male rewarded for his unquestioning acceptance of child, she becomes impure and forbidden to her Hashem's just ways. husband for seven days. If the circumcision was performed on the seventh day, the guests would be Have a Good Shabbos! rejoicing while the parents, the central figures at the celebration, would still be sad. On the eighth

Rishonim Story

Dvar Torah

(Continued from last week: the Jews of Blois have been accused of using the blood of Christian children for baking Matzah, and some members have now been captured by the Count of Blois).

The Jews called to the Christians, By your own laws you should let us go free for you see we came out alive from the ordeal by fire. They struggled to get out, but were overpowered and were helplessly pushed back into the house which was set on fire. In their desperation they The Count had no evidence against the Jews, and so was seized an executioner and the Christians outside chose to unable to execute them. Instead, he sent a Jew to the save their brethren and put out the fire, instead neighbouring communities to discuss a possible ransom. massacring all the Jews of Blois by the sword. The Jews consulted with the imprisoned hostages and arrived at a sum of 180 pounds, a minimal amount so that Rabbi Baruch ben Dovid Hakohen had witnessed the the Christians wouldnt be encouraged to capture more atrocity after coming to arrange terms for the release of Jews in the future. the Jews of Blois. However, as he fled the scene he managed to save all the Sifrei Torah and Seforim of Blois. However, before the negotiations could be completed, Additionally, a letter was compiled by the Jews of Orleans, the Bishop arrived and insisted he would be able to a neighbouring city close to Blois, who sent it to Rabbeinu prove their guilt. The Bishop would try them by the Tam, Rashis grandson. The letter detailed how as the ordeal of water. A huge tank would be filled with water flames mounted high, the Jews began to sign a Niggun in and the servant who saw the Jew, would be put into it. If harmony. The Christians came over and asked Rabbi he floated, his words were true, if he sank, he had lied. Baruch, What kind of a song is this, for we have never Inevitably the Jews were found guilty and were taken and heard such a sweet melody? And he replied, we knew it put into a wooden house around which were placed thorn well, for it was the Niggun we sang for Oleinu- It is our bushes and firewood. At the Counts command, two of duty to praise the L-rd of all... for He has not made us like the leading Jews, both Kohanim, Rabbi Yechiel and Rabbi the nations of the lands... Yekusiel, were taken and tied to a single stake to be burned in order to encourage the others to give in to the At the time, all the communities of France, England, and wilful demands of the Count and convert. At the Counts the Rhineland took upon themselves to observe the 20th command, the firewood was set alight. The fire spread to of Sivan as a day of mourning and fasting. This was also the cords on their hands which snapped and the two confirmed by Rabbeinu Tam, who wrote letters to them Rabbis came out of the fire. informing them that it was proper to fix that day as a twenty-four hour fast day.

In this weeks Parsha, have are given the various We find this occurring with the Bnei Yisrael in criteria and guidelines as to what animals are Mitzrayim. They were on the lowest spiritual level kosher. At the end of this, we are told: possible, on the 49th level of Tumah. In one second, though, Hashem took them up from this - And you shall make lowly level and put them of the 49th level of yourselves holy and be holy. (10:44) Kedusha. We are then told not to eat insects, and, in the Now lets learn this idea back into the Passuk: next Passuk, we are told that the reason for this is - if you decide, in that one second in because: inspiration, to be holy, then - For I am immediately, in that moment, you will become Hashem that brought you up from the land of holy, you will be raised up to this extremely high Egypt. spiritual level. If you are unsure as to how this can be the case, do not question this, - For I am Asks the Nachlas Zvi: Why does the Passuk use the Hashem who brought you up from the land of word that brought you up? Surely it Egypt, I brought you up from the 49th level of would make more sense to say that took Tumah to the highest level of Kedusha in one you out? This is seemingly quite a strange choice second. of word. Answers the Nachlas Zvi: A person who is in a bad place spiritually may mistakenly think to himself that he is unable to purify himself and make himself holy. He will think that he is so far gone, so down-and-out, that he has no hope of changing. However, this is not the case. In one second of hisorrerus, spiritual awakening, a person can decide to change his ways, and to do Teshuva. In that second, he is given siyatta dishmaya and becomes Kadosh. This is the reason the Passuk uses this strange lashon of , who brought you up. Hashem is telling us that in one moment of teshuva, we can leave all of our past behind and enter into a realm of kedusha, as happened when He took us out of Egypt. Good Shabbos!

Q) Why do we mention so many Melachim in the Melachim and the upper realms of Shemayim. Berachos before Krias Shemah? Finally, we focus on Hashem himself during the Amidah. Sruli Gluck Hasmonean Beis Rabbi A) We try and move up in Kedushah as Shachris progresses. Therefore we focus on more If you have a question on any topic you would like mundane, wordly aspects in Birkhas Hashachar, to have answered, just email us at Hashems influence on the world in Pesukei Hasmolivingtorah@gmail.com or send a text to DZimrah and before Krias Shema we focus on the 07779579188

Riddle:
Which Mitzvah is performed on Wednesday and Thursday only? Answer in next weeks Living Torah Last weeks riddle: Apart from Chanukah and Chol Hamoed, when is the Torah read 5 days in a row? Answer: When the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on a Thursday. The Torah is read on the two days of Rosh Hashanah and then on Shabbos. Sunday is Tzom Gedalya and Monday is the regular Torah reading for the next Parshah.