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Shabbat Parashat Yitro 5782

Yitro | 20 Shevat 5782 | 22/01/2022

Parashat Hashavua: Connecting to the Torah through Unity

The midrash (Bamidbar Rabba 15:18) connects the pasuk “Gather for Me seventy men” (Bamidbar 11:16) to the pasuk “… His bundle on the earth He founded” (Amos 9:6), and posits (to the extent this can be said) that Hashem’s throne is secure only when Bnei Yisrael make themselves one bundle (i.e., are unified). Why is unity in Israel so critical? Chazal also comment on Hoshea 4:17 that even if one worships idols, if he is well connected to his compatriots, he will be left without immediate severe punishment (Bereishit Rabba 38:6). Why is the unity of even the wicked of such value?

Ask the Rabbi: Beracha on Hearing Aids

I am excited to be getting hearing aids, which will improve my quality of life greatly, so that it deserves a Shehecheyanu. Considering that my family will find it easier to speak to me, should I recite Hatov V’hameitiv?

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Course of Study in Contemporary Times

The improvements in the realm of regulating slavery by the light of Torah were helpful only until we and our fathers sinned, but from the day the Temple was destroyed and we were scattered among the nations of the world, the curses to which we have been exposed increased continually. Specifically then, the Dark Ages emerged and warped the rectitude of lifestyles. At that point, slavery became a monster, and slavery no longer worked to protect the weak in society from the powerful and wicked by making people responsible for their “property.” At this point, human society decided to stop the idea of legal slavery, which was causing more damage than providing benefit. This was not enough to stamp out the practice of “natural slavery” or remedy the abuse from which legal slavery had been able to protect.

P'ninat Mishpat: Where Could the Investment Money Go?

The plaintiffs (=pl) invested 200,000 NIS with the defendant (=def), an investment corporation owned by def2, in a project to build a commercial building. The following provisions are included in an investment agreement signed in 07.2015: 1. When def will receive a building permit, they will create a subsidiary for this project, in which pl will have a 6.6% stake. 2. If the project does not work (criteria detailed, but not in this presentation), pl’s investment will be used for another project, chosen by pl. 3. Until the subsidiary is formed, pl’s money will be kept in escrow. The property still lacks a building permit, and def has used pl’s money, not keeping it in escrow. Pl accuses def of being evasive about information, assuring them that the building permit is coming soon, and for a long time keeping as a secret that the money is not in escrow. Pl asked to have the money transferred to other investments, but def offered only a loan with interest, which pl turned down. Therefore, pl demand their money back along with expected profits of 7% annually, and compensation for his lawyer’s fee. Def2 responds that he told pl there was a potential for loss. The project became more complicated and expensive than envisioned, and pl’s money has been spent, and will not be available until the project is finished. Def2 claims that the clause about escrow was a technical mistake, as money needed for a project would be useless in escrow. Def2 also rejects pl’s demand that he accept personal liability since the contract was with def.

Yitro 5782
Microsoft Word Document

Yitro 5782

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

Rav Shlomo Merzel z”l
Iyar 10, 5771

Rav Reuven & Chaya Leah Aberman z"l
Tishrei 9 ,5776 / Tishrei 20, 5782

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

Mr. Zelig & Mrs. Sara Wengrowsky

Tevet 25 5782 / 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

R' Abraham Klein z"l

Iyar 18 ,5779

Mrs. Gita Klein z"l

Av 4

Rav Moshe Zvi (Milton) Polin z"l
Tammuz 19, 5778

R' Yitzchak Zev Tarshansky z"l

Adar 28, 5781

Nina Moinester z"l

Nechama Osna bat Yitzhak Aharon & Doba

Av 30, 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).