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Shabbat Parashat Balak 5781

Balak | 16 Tammuz 5781 | 26/06/2021

Parashat Hashavua: Micha’s Mashiach

The minhag is to read, as the haftara of Parashat Balak, the section of Micha 5-6, apparently because of one of its p’sukim: “My nation, remember what Balak, King of Moav, advised and what Bilam ben Be’or answered him …” (Micha 6:5). We will suggest another explanation. Micha was of the generation of Yeshayahu but received his prophecies later, starting with the time of King Yotam. There was apparently not that long between them, as Chazal tell us that Yeshayahu’s opening prophecy was on the day that Uziyahu was stricken with leprosy, which was actually the time when Yotam started his rule. The prophecies of Yeshayahu and Micha look very similar, but it is important to note differences.

Ask the Rabbi: How Many Challot to Take Home?

My neighbor works in a bakery, and when they have a lot of unsold challot, he often takes home dozens of them and encourages people at Maariv of Shabbat to come take as many as possible. I took what I thought I might use but not what I knew would go straight into the freezer because I thought it was hachana (preparation for after Shabbat). Is that correct?

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Are Languages the Solution?

If I were not so preoccupied, I would … show you how to broaden correct ideas from the depths of the straight heart. This is in contrast to those who think the only way to complete one’s intellect is by force-feeding several languages. True realization becomes clear to a person when he identifies the foundation of his inner rectitude. For a Jew, it depends on the degree that the light of Torah, in action and in thought, spread broadly through his heart and that fine attributes are deeply rooted in his soul. Then he will be full of the pleasantries that come from the divine aura and delight in Hashem and His goodness with satiating happiness, quiet tranquility, and internal bliss, full of confidence and power. “Those who know Your Name will rely upon You, for You, Hashem, did not abandon those who seek You” (Tehillim 9:11).

P'ninat Mishpat: Withholding Rental Payment due to Problems with Apartment

The plaintiffs (=pl) rented out their apartment to the defendant (=def) from 02.2019 until 01.2020 for 2,400 NIS a month with a rental contract. Def was required to pay va’ad bayit payments, which was run by a management company; def did not pay, and pl eventually paid instead. During the year, def made claims of problems with the apartment and pl reduced the rent by 6,000 NIS, allegedly to avoid disputes. At year’s end, pl wanted to end the rental (claiming that def often paid late, was difficult to contact, and did not allow workers into the apartment to fix things). They eventually agreed as a chesed (the apartment def was to move to was not yet ready) to extend the lease for a month with a new contract, which included an arbitration agreement to go to Eretz Hemdah and large penalties for late payment. Def has not paid rent or va’ad bayit for the additional month or any late payment penalties. Pl is suing for payment of rent (2,400 NIS), va’ad bayit (200 NIS), and penalties (11,000 NIS for rent and, if possible, 11,000 NIS for va’ad bayit). They cannot sue for last year’s va’ad bayit because it is not included in the arbitration agreement, and def refuses to give beit din jurisdiction. Def deflects culpability for lateness during the year and is, in theory, willing to pay for the month’s rent, except that he claims to be in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings. Def claims to not be obligated to make penalty payments because pl relinquished rights in return for def’s promise not to tell potential renters about problems with the apartment. He also says a mistake in the paragraph about late payments renders it ineffective. He claims not to owe va’ad bayit, as others in the building refused to pay because of the bad job the company did.

Balak 5781
Microsoft Word Document

Balak 5781

We daven for a complete and speedy refuah for:

Nir Rephael ben Rachel Bracha
Yisrael ben Rivka

Rivka Reena bat Gruna Natna

Arye Yitzchak ben Geula Miriam

Neta bat Malka

Meira bat Esther

Together with all cholei Yisrael

Hemdat Yamim is dedicated

to the memory of:

Those who fell in wars

for our homeland

Eretz Hemdah's beloved friends

and Members of

Eretz Hemdah's Amutah

Rav Shlomo Merzel z”l
Iyar 10, 5771

Rav Reuven Aberman z"l

Tishrei 9 ,5776

Mr. Shmuel & Esther Shemesh z"l

Sivan 17 / Av 20

Mr. Moshe Wasserzug z"l

Tishrei 20 ,5781

R' Eliyahu Carmel z"l

Rav Carmel's father

Iyar 8 ,5776

Mrs. Sara Wengrowsky

bat R’ Moshe Zev a”h.

Tamuz 10 ,5774

Rav Asher & Susan Wasserteil z"l
Kislev 9 / Elul 5780

R' Meir ben

Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld z"l

Mrs. Sara Brachfeld z"l

Tevet 16 ,5780

R' Yaakov ben Abraham & Aisha

and

Chana bat Yaish & Simcha

Sebbag, z"l

Rav Yisrael Rozen z"l
Cheshvan 13, 5778

Rav Benzion Grossman z"l
Tamuz 23, 5777

Rav Moshe Zvi (Milton)

Polin z"l

Tamuz 19, 5778

R' Abraham Klein z"l

Iyar 18 ,5779

Mrs. Gita Klein z"l

Av 4

R' Yitzchak Zev Tarshansky z"l

Adar 28, 5781

Hemdat Yamim
is endowed by Les z"l & Ethel Sutker
of Chicago, Illinois
in loving memory of
Max and Mary Sutker
& 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).