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Shabbat Parashat Matot | 5768

Matot | 23 Tammuz 5768 | 26/07/2008

Assimilation Warning

The parasha’s account of the war with Midyan forms the background for the laws of tevillat keilim (immersion of utensils). Bnei Yisrael acquired spoils, including food-related utensils. Moshe taught: “Whatever goes into fire shall be passed through fire and be purified, but in the waters of niddah it shall be purified” (Bamidbar 31:23). Firstly, one has to kasher the utensils in which forbidden foods were cooked so they can be used for kosher foods.

Workers in the House When Shabbat Has Been Accepted Early

If I start Shabbat early, can my contractor (all workers are non-Jewish), who is building an extension to my house, work until regular Shabbat begins in town.

Things That Delay Redemption

Gemara: Due to three things, people should not enter a churva (building in ruins): due to suspicion (that he is involved in illicit relations), due to collapse, and due to damagers (demons).

The Obligation of One Who Has Work Done by a Worker From a Temporary Employment Agency – part II

We continue to investigate the halachic outlook on the law regarding the rights of one who does work for a would-be employer (mazmin) under a contract with an employment agency. To what extent is the mazmin the employer of the worker, and as a result, to what extent is the law that obligates him to provide workers’ rights to the worker in line with halacha?

This edition of Hemdat Yamim is dedicated in loving memory of

MinaPresser bat Harav David and Bina
on the occasion of her yahrzeit 24 Tammuz

and members of her family who perished in the shoah Al Kiddush Hashem

as well as

R ' Meir ben Yechezkel Shraga Brachfe

o.b.m

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).