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Shabbat Parashat Toldot 5775

Toldot | 29 Cheshvan 5775 | 22/11/2014

Parashat Hashavua: No Chance or Disqualified?

The end of Chayei Sarah deals with the less illustrious of Avraham’s children, the children of the concubines. Avraham gave them “presents” and sent them away from Yitzchak (Bereishit 25:5-6). This action is reminiscent of the fact that Avraham, at Sarah’s demand and with Hashem’s agreement, sent away Yishmael, as it was Yitzchak alone who was to continue Avraham’s legacy (ibid. 21:10-14). In order to not leave any doubt, our parasha begins with an introduction of the life of “Yitzchak, the son of Avraham; Avraham begot Yitzchak” (ibid. 25:19), which again teaches that it is Yitzchak who continues the legacy.

Ask the Rabbi: A Teacher’s Responsibility for Theft of Phones

In my son’s class, a teacher forced the children to put their smartphones in the front of the classroom. On the first day of the policy, one of the phones was stolen. Apparently, the parents are considering demanding that the teacher to pay, and the kids are talking about it. What does halacha say?

Ein Ayah: Dealing with Adversity on Shabbat

Rabbi Chanina said: It is with reluctance that they permitted to console the bereaved and visit the sick on Shabbat.

P'ninat Mishpat: Rights of Bar Metzra (Neighbor)

The main reason for the halacha of bar metzra is to allow the neighbor to maximize the potential of his property, by making use of the proximity or expand boundaries. It is therefore not clear that this rule should apply if the neighbor is planning to sell it to someone else. [Ed. note – this idea is slightly surprising, given that halacha recognizes the importance of having neighbors with whom one can get along.] On the other hand, Shimon still has elements of bar metzra, as Reuven and Shimon had only theoretical rights in half the property and now Levi will get specific rooms. This leaves Shimon to receive full control over other rooms, from which he will receive benefit as a result of the law of bar metzra.

Toldot 5775
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Toldot 5775

Hemdat Yamim

is dedicated

to the memory of:

All those who

fell in the war for our homeland.

George Weinstein,

Gershon ben Yehudah Mayer,

a lover of the

Jewish Nation Torah and Land.

Mrs. Sara Wengrowsky

bat R’ Moshe Zev a”h.

who passed away on 10 Tamuz, 5774

Jack Levin, Chaim Yaakov

ben Shlomo Yitzchak HaLevi – by his family.

Tamar Lichtenstadt z”l.

May her memory be a blessing.

R' Meir
ben

Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld

o.b.m

Rabbi Yosef Mordechai Simcha

ben Bina Stern o.b.m

who passed away

21 Adar I, 5774

R' Yaakov ben Abraham & Aisha

and

Chana bat Yaish & Simcha

Sebbag, z"l

R' Shmuel Shemesh z"l

Eretz Hemdah's

Board Member

who passed away

17 Sivan, 5774

Hemdat Yamim

is endowed by

Les & Ethel Sutker

of Chicago, Illinois
in loving memory of
Max and Mary Sutker
and

Louis and Lillian Klein, z”l

A weekly divrei Torah leaflet: A Glimpse at the Parasha, Ask the Rabbi, From the writings of Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, zt”l, Pninat Mishpat (Jewish Monetary Law).