Today's Inspiration - Shabbat shalom!
Appreciating the Sabbath
Said the Gerer Rabbi: "We say in the Sabbath morning paryer; 'May Moses rejoice in the gift of his lot.' When the giver of a gift sees that the recipient appreciates it by? caring for it earnestly, he rejoices. Likewise, when Moses discovers that Israel appreciates the Sabbath and the Holydays, which he presetned to us, he is pleased."
Source: Siach Sarfei Kodesh
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Anyone need to hear Eicha
Shalom?
Anyone need to hear Eicha and unable to get to a reading? My husband will be reading, you can join us via Zoom.??
Reply to this email if you would like to join us tomorrow.?
Have an easy fast?
Shoshanah?
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Today's Inspiration - easy and meaningful fast
God's Secret Tears
Rabbi Bunam narrated this parable: "A king beheld the evil conduct of his only son, and he concealed his most precious valuables in an inner chamber of the palace. He thought to himslef: 'When my son improves his ways , I will reveal the treasure to him.' Later the palace was cosnumed by fire, and nothing was saved. Everyone bewailed the heavy loss, but the king lamented most in secret. He alone knew of the magnitude of the loss.
"Likewise, when the Holy Temple was destroyed, everyone wept at the loss of outward possessions, but God lamented most in secret. He alone knew of the precious spiritual treasures which He had hidden there as it is said (Jeremiah 13:17): 'My soul shall weep in secret for your pride.' "
Source: Simchath Israel
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 126 – Old Information??????????
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The prohibition against speaking rechilus may apply even if the listener is already aware of the information being conveyed. Rechilus includes any statement which may foster animosity; repeating how someone maligned or acted against
the listener might make the listener better aware of details that would be cause for added hatred.? Moreover, if the listener had not yet given much thought to the information, repeating it could be cause for animosity to form.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Recipe for Success
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The infinite benefit of avoiding strife in financial matters through proper bitachon, trust in Hashem, can be understood with the following parable:
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A father distributed portions of food to his sons who were gathered around his table. One son reached over and snatched his brother’s portion. When the victim saw that his portion would not be returned, he went to the head of the table and told his father what
had happened. “I am sure, Father,’’ said the son, “that you do not want me to fight with my brother. That is why I am requesting another portion for myself.’’ Upon hearing this, the father kissed his son on the head and handed him a larger portion than before.
The father said, “Let your foolish brother keep your original portion. The next time we eat together, you will receive a double portion, while he will get nothing.’’
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Now, what would the father’s reaction have been had the victimized son yelled at his brother and attacked him physically until he succeeded in retrieving his portion? Surely the father would have been very upset. He would have told the victim, “I would have
gladly given you another portion rather than have you and your brother come to blows with one another. What utter foolishness you have demonstrated!’’
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When a Jew adversely affects another’s financial affairs and refuses to honor a request that he cease his wrongful practices, and the victim pleads before Hashem that He replenish his losses—surely he will find favor Above for demonstrating his trust in Hashem
and pursuing the path of peace. And his trust will be rewarded with yet greater success in his business endeavors.
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However, if one chooses to feud with the person who has done him wrong, he will not find favor before Hashem, like the victimized son in our parable who upset his father by taking matters into his own hands.1
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1. Of course, the victim has every right to seek restitution in a Jewish court of law or pursue other avenues which are sanctioned by halachah.
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Keep reading Day 127, the lesson for Tisha B'av
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 127 – Overt and Covert??????????
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As with other forms of?loshon hora, halachah?does not differentiate between?rechilus?that is stated explicitly or merely implied. A statement in which names are omitted is still?rechilus?if the listener
can deduce the identities of the people involved. Also, it is forbidden to communicate?rechilus?through body motion, sign language or any other means. Likewise, it is forbidden to make available written or recorded material if awareness of its contents
could create ill feelings between individuals.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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The Folly of Dishonesty
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Above, we spoke of the great reward for avoiding strife in situations where one has clearly been wronged. And what of the one who committed the wrong, who profited at the expense of his neighbor’s loss? He acted wickedly and foolishly, for his sinful tactics
will not earn him one cent more than what has been decreed for him on Rosh Hashanah. By denying his neighbor that which was rightfully his, he will ultimately be denied that which had been decreed for himself. In the end, his wrongful gain will cause his rightful
earnings to become lost as well, for, as the Sages teach, the punishment for forcing one’s personal burden upon another Jew is the loss of one’s possessions (Succah?29b).
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The Sages further teach: “If you take that which is not your own, your own will be taken from you” (Derech Eretz Zuta?ch. 3). To be dishonest in financial matters is to exchange the channel of sustenance that Heaven provides for one that is sinful.
Hashem declares: “It is not enough that the wicked rob, but they even inconvenience Me to return the money to its rightful owner” (Sanhedrin?8a).1
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The above is illustrated in the episode of Yaakov and Lavan. Before fleeing Lavan’s house, Yaakov was shown in a prophetic dream that the birth of unusually colored sheep in his flock was Divinely decreed compensation for Lavan’s ill treatment of him. As?Rashi?explains,
an angel had brought colored sheep from Lavan’s flock to Yaakov’s so that this would occur. As justification for such Divine intervention, Yaakov was told in his dream, “... for I have seen all that Lavan is doing to you” (Bereishis?31:12). And as
Yaakov later told Lavan directly, “I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages a hundred times” (ibid. v. 41).
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1. Obviously, nothing is difficult for Hashem to do. “They inconvenience Me” means that the settling of accounts might require changes in the natural course of events (see?Maharsha, Ben Yehoyada).
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Live and recorded broadcast Rav Chaim Ilson will explain the Kinnot tomorrow morning
Tisha B'Av Kinot at? Beit HaKnesset Migdal HaShoshanim the Pinsker Shul? With Rabbi Chaim Ilson there wil be a live broadcast as well as a recording
Here the is the link for youtube?
Rabbi Ilson will begin at 10:00 am Mincha Gedola 1:30 pm Rav Ilson's remarks are based on the Chiddushim? of? Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik ?????? with whom Rav Ilson studied for over 10 years. Please join us in person at 22 Pinsker Street Jerusalem? or by ZOOM. Meeting ID: 818 0729 3842 Password: 693872 Look for program on Facebook! For information call 054-805-0425
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Half-shekel coin from revolt against Romans 2 millennia ago uncovered in desert cave
Hi Everyone!
The Israel Antiquities Authority announced the coin's discovery just before
Israel enters into the Jewish fast day of Tisha B'av,
which begins Wednesday evening.
The Hebrew coin was minted by rebels as part of the underground
Jewish economy and was used to pay tax at the Temple in Jerusalem.
Full article with short video clip at:
Copy of the article without video at:
I also updated the Tisha B'Av page including:
- Torah Tidbits: Tish'a b'Av Review
- Philo Torah: Tish'a b'Av Review
- HaMizrachi Magazine: Tisha B'Av 5783
May we see the rebuilding of the Temple in our days and that
Tisha B'Av becomes a day of celebration.
If you are fasting:
Have a meaningful fast.
Jacob
jrichman@...
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JOB : Helping an Elderly Woman in Unsdorf
Job Opportunity: Helping an elderly woman
In the Unsdorf area, 3 mornings a week ?3-4 hours a timeWell paid Please reply here if interested
Devorah Rosenblum EMAIL: coachrosenblum@...
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On Tue, Jul 25, 2023, 6:56 AM Sharon Spira < bashert17@...> wrote: A Day for Peacemaking
The Bershider narrated this experience: He came once to a town on the 9th of Av. The townspeople informed him of a bitter quarrel between two factions, and asked him to act as peacemaker. "We suppose, however, " they said, "that you will not care to consider this matter on the 9th of Av."
"Quite the contrary," replied teh rabbi. "The destruction of the Temple was caused by unfounded hatred, according to the Talmud (Yoma 9). What can be more appropriate than to abolish unfounded hatred on this day?"
Source: Midrash Pinchas
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The Truth of the Transgressor?
The Berditschever on the 9th of Av encountered a Jew who was eating in public. He stopped him and said: "You must have forgotten that today is the 9th of Av."
"No, I have not forgotten," was the reply.
"Then perhaps you are unable to fast because you are unwell?" continued the rabbi.
"Oh no," answered the man.
The rabbi lifted his eyes skyward and exclaimed: "O Lord, behold how Israelites love truth. Even while transgressing , a Jew declines to speak falsehood."
Source: The Hasidic Anthology
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 125 – Ultimate Result
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Included in the prohibition against speaking rechilus is relating information which might ultimately cause ill will if it were to be passed on to a certain person or persons.
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Therefore, it is forbidden to say anything to anyone that might cause animosity between any two people. One must assume that whatever is told to even one person is likely to be repeated to others – and could ultimately be heard by just about anybody. Only if
the listener is warned not to tell anyone what he is about to hear, and can be trusted to heed this warning, would it be permitted to share such information with him (provided, of course, that the information is not of a derogatory nature; otherwise, it would
be loshon hora).
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Infinite Merit
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As mentioned above, one who seeks to acquire the quality of shmiras haloshon must strengthen his bitachon, trust in Hashem, so that he will not become upset if someone will cause him any sort of hurt or loss. With proper bitachon, one will refrain from speaking
negatively in such instances and will refrain, as well, from feuding with or shaming the guilty party. Rather, he will be confident that Hashem will replenish his losses in the way that He sees fit.
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The Talmud states: “Whoever places his trust in the Holy One, Blessed is He, will merit that He will be a refuge for him in this world and the next” (Menachos 29b). This assurance is granted even to those whose trust is not predicated on a desire to honor God’s
Name. Surely, then, one will merit this reward if he refrains from argument out of concern that he might utter that which the Torah prohibits. Moreover, one who refrains from “exacting his rightful measure” out of concern that Hashem’s Name not be desecrated,
and instead places his trust in Him, will surely merit infinite reward.
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Day 125 – Ultimate Result
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Included in the prohibition against speaking rechilus is relating information which might ultimately cause ill will if it were to be passed on to a certain
person or persons.
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Therefore, it is forbidden to say anything to anyone that might cause animosity between any two people. One must assume that whatever is told to even one person is likely to be repeated to others – and could ultimately be heard by just about anybody. Only if
the listener is warned not to tell anyone what he is about to hear, and can be trusted to heed this warning, would it be permitted to share such information with him (provided, of course, that the information is not of a derogatory nature; otherwise, it would
be loshon hora). |
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This summer, it’s all about Ice cream at JetLek Jerusalem
This summer, it’s all about the Ice cream. Come make a refreshing stop at Machane Yehuda Jet Lek! ?
Extreme desserts, Ice Creams and many more sweet surprises ?
We are waiting for you at our new branch ? Jaffa 104 (opposite Shuk Machane Yehuda)
? For orders and deliveries call: 02-996-6760
? For online orders >>
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Don't Miss this! Mordechai Shapiro and Mini Israel - All inclusive Bein Hazmanim Event!
Bein Hazmanim Concert & Attractions
at Mini Israel! Sunday 6th August 2023 (19 Av) Mordechai Shapiro? and Shmuel - ?Sunset Concert At: Amphitheater Mini Israel Family activities from 3pm - 7 pm  Explore Mini Israel
 Shlomi and Stam show
 Mikdash Tent
 Challenging Quiz
 Fun Activities at Eretz HaTanach
------------------------ Mordechai Shapiro concert starts at 7:30 pm
ALL INCLUDED in 1 ticket!! Entrance to Mini Israel/Activities and the Sunset Concert!
5th ticket is half price!! Separate Seating Tickets on Tickchak or Glatticket:? Or call: 073-740-80-80
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I offer narrative therapy sessions in a caring environment with a focus on helping people through in person or online sessions and writing exercises.
Coming soon: our Holistic pilot program for recovering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).??
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A Day for Peacemaking
The Bershider narrated this experience: He came once to a town on the 9th of Av. The townspeople informed him of a bitter quarrel between two factions, and asked him to act as peacemaker. "We suppose, however, " they said, "that you will not care to consider this matter on the 9th of Av."
"Quite the contrary," replied teh rabbi. "The destruction of the Temple was caused by unfounded hatred, according to the Talmud (Yoma 9). What can be more appropriate than to abolish unfounded hatred on this day?"
Source: Midrash Pinchas
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Delicious Gourmet Meat & Wine Evenings at Neve Ori farm in Gush Etzion!
Gourmet Meat & Wine Evenings at
Neve Ori farm in Gush Etzion!
Thursday evenings in August (8:30pm).
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Come and enjoy Neve Ori's meat - the
perfect evening for those who like quality meat and look for the best!
You'll have a unique experience from
starters through perfectly prepared meats to dessert – all in a beautiful
natural setting.
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Meats served will include:
Lamb chops, smoked lamb shoulder,
rib-eye steaks, London broil and lots more delicacies. All meat is Glatt.
Free beer & first glass of wine on
the house!
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During August, each event will also
include a special program (in Hebrew):?Meet a Winemaker, Tips for Carnivores, The Story of a
Farm, Neve Ori's Birthday, Selichot Performance.
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The Neve Ori Farm was established in
memory of Ori Ansbacher. The farm connects Gush Etzion to Jerusalem, boosts
security in the area, and also hosts a youth-empowerment project.
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Come and visit our farm and enjoy a
special night out!
You'll also be contributing to the
development of Neve Ori – an initiative to keep Jewish land and support our
youth.
? The menu is attached for your perusal.
10% discount?if
you order 5 or more tickets.
Reserve your spot now:?
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 124 – Parties at Odds
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As rechilus is defined as any statement that may cause ill feelings between Jews,
one might think that statements where ill feelings already exist would be excluded from this category. In fact, this is not the case. It is forbidden to strengthen existent animosity or even to remind someone of his negative feelings towards his fellow.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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The Strength of His Worlds
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Our above discussion is capsulated in a single verse cited above:
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“Trust in Hashem forever, for in God, Hashem, is the strength of the worlds (Yeshayahu 26:4).”
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“Trust in Hashem forever ...’’ Even after the Temple has been destroyed and the Jewish people finds itself in exile while the wicked prosper, nevertheless, trust in Hashem and He will help you, for His power is infinite and eternal.
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All of creation continues to exist only by way of Hashem’s unceasing will that it be so, as the Sages? formulated in the morning prayer, “and in His goodness renews daily, perpetually, the work of Creation’’; and as Scripture states, “And You give them all
life” (Nechemiah 9:6). Hashem’s involvement in this world is unchanging and He continues to watch over those who place their trust in Him. Therefore, the above verse concludes “for in God, Hashem, is the strength of the worlds.” Hashem created His worlds with
the Name spelled with the letters yud heh; the upper world with the letter yud, and this world with the letter heh. His will, as represented by the letters of His Name, continues to be the “strength,” of His worlds.
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Educational Resources about Tisha B'Av
Shalom.
Tisha B'Av is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar because
of the incredible series of tragedies which occurred on that
date throughout Jewish History.
Tisha B'Av means "the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av".
Tisha B'Av primarily commemorates the destruction of the first
and second Temples, both of which were destroyed on the ninth
of Av - the first by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second
by the Romans in 70 C.E.
Although this day is primarily meant to commemorate the
destruction of the Temple, it is appropriate to consider on
this day the many other tragedies of the Jewish people, many
of which occurred on this day, most notably the expulsion of
the Jews from Spain in 1492.
This year 5783 - 2023 we observe the fast day of Tisha B'Av
starting from Wednesday after nightfall, July 26,
until nightfall on Thursday, July 27.
You can learn more about this Jewish fast day at:
May we see the rebuilding of the Temple in our days and that
Tisha B'Av becomes a day of celebration.
If you are fasting:
Have a meaningful fast.
Shavua Tov,
Jacob Richman
jrichman@...
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 123 – Cynicism
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It is forbidden to relate to a member of a community, family or organization that someone spoke cynically of his group; to do so is to speak rechilus. This is true even when members of that community, family, or organization regularly
joke about themselves. It is common for people to poke fun at themselves, yet be offended when others make similar comments.
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The same applies regarding a school. Students who regularly joke about their school or class are often offended when outsiders make similar comments. Therefore, mentioning to students that someone spoke negatively of their school is speaking rechilus.
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[It should be noted that joking about one’s own school generally involves loshon hora or at least avak loshon hora.]
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Children of Hashem
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Denial of God’s glory is possible only in this world. Only in his earthly existence can man, with his corporeal desires, be drawn away from His service and thus deny that which is true and sacred. In the upper world, however, all the Heavenly angels perceive
Hashem’s glory, recognize how He sustains and guides them, and declare His praise and bow before him, as it is written, “And the hosts of Heaven bow before You” (Nechemiah 9:6).
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In truth, this world is not even like a tiny seed when compared to the totality of worlds Above, where countless Heavenly contingents exist, each consisting of an infinite numbers of angels, as it is written, “A thousand thousands serving Him, and myriad myriads
standing before Him” (Daniel 7:10). Thus, the wicked’s flouting of His will in this world is of little significance when viewed within the scope of creation in its entirety.
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In this world, the Holy One, Blessed is He, takes pleasure in the Jewish people, who are so beloved to Him that they are called “Children of Hashem” (Devarim 14:1). He takes pleasure, as it were, in the voice of their prayer and study, as it is written, “Let
Me hear your voice” (Shir HaShirim?2:14). Shouldn’t we be ashamed not to trust in the One Who gives
life to all the worlds and the myriads of angels? How can man fret and worry, “Whence will come my sustenance, the fulfillment of my needs?’’ Indeed, such worry and concern is cause for greater wonder than the concern of the fool in the above parable, who
worried that the rebellion of an insignificant village would deprive the king’s bird of its sustenance!
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It is incumbent upon us to strengthen ourselves spiritually, to concentrate on fulfilling God’s will — and not to worry about our material situation. As “Children of Hashem” we are like children of a king, who need not worry that they may go hungry. |
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Hospitality and the Shechinah
Referring to the Talmudic saying that hospitality is greater than welcoming the Shechinah (Shabbath 127), a rabbi said: "Were this not so, a man could refuse hospitality on the pretext that the wayfarer may speak slander of some persons, thereby causing the departure of the Shechinah. Or, in the event a man's wife is opposed to the extra trouble of caring for passers-by, the husband could excuse himself for this failure not to welcome strangers in his home, inasmuch as the Divine Presence cannot abide where man and wife quarrel (Kiddushin 30). But since hospitality is greater, a man should practice it, even though his guests may be guilty of tale-bearing, and even if his wife may quarrel with him for his generosity."
Source: Peer ve-Khavod
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Jacob Richman
