Today's Inspiration - Shabbat shalom!
Appreciating the Sabbath
Said the Gerer Rabbi: "We say in the Shabbat morning prayer: '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 discoverst that Israel appreciates the Sabbath and Holydays, which he presented to us, he is pleased."
Source: Siach Sarfei Kodesh
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
Day 45 – Reprove First
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Condition #3:
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Before speaking about a person with others, one must first discuss the issue with that person himself.? Trying to persuade the sinner to change his ways is a course which must be pursued before bringing anyone else into the picture.? (This would not apply if
speaking to the sinner might make it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the desired result through any other means.)
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Remembrance
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Remember what Hashem, your God, did to Miriam on the way, when you were leaving Eygpt (Devarim 24:7).
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In this verse, the Torah instructs us to remember four factors in the episode of Miriam’s sin and subsequent punishment: 1) Remember what HASHEM, your God, did — remember the punishment which He inflicted.
2) Remember upon whom it was inflicted — to Miriam. 3) Remember where this occurred — on the way.
?4) Remember at which juncture in our history it occurred — when you were leaving Egypt.
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Each of the above factors is significant, and its remembrance is of great benefit.
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As mentioned above, Miriam was punished with tzaraas for speaking wrongly of her brother Moshe. The metzora, upon being declared healed by the Kohen, must undergo a purification process which includes the taking of two birds. One bird is slaughtered, while
the other is set free upon the open field. The Midrash explains this as an allusion: Just as a slaughtered bird cannot return to life, so too there is no natural way for the metzora to become rid of his tzaraas; his only hope is teshuvah (repentance). And
just as the bird which is set free is allowed to return to its previous way of life, so too can the metzora’s repentance result in a complete cure so that he can return to normal living among his brethren.
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As mentioned above, the tumah (impurity) of tzaraas is extremely severe. The metzora must live in solitude, his clothing rent and his hair disheveled like a mourner, unlike any other tamei (impure person). Anyone who stands under the same roof as the metzora
contracts tumah.1 Moreover, the Sages liken a metzora to a dead person (Nedarim 64b).2
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Remember what HASHEM, your God, did to Miriam...
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1. Aside from a metzora, only a human corpse can transmit tumah in this way.
2. This lends added meaning to the above comparison to a slaughtered bird. |
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Time to count #31?
???????? ?????? ?' ?????????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ??????????? ????????????? ?????????? ??? ???????? ???????.?
???? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????/?????.?
????????? ???? ???????? ????? ???????? ????? ???????????? ???????????, ?????????? ??????????, ????? ?????.
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Thoughts on the parasha and "total victory"
Here's another interesting article by Rabbi David?Harbater?relating the parasha to current times. The “total victory” conundrum–lessons
from?Shemita
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From the very beginning of the war and until this very day,
Prime Minister Netanyahu has declared that the war against Hamas will not end
until Israel has achieved “total victory”. Now, aside from the difficulty of
defining what constitutes “total victory”, it is hard to imagine Israel ever
achieving it, given the fact that in some of the places in which the IDF
previously claimed to have dismantled Hamas’ command structure–such
as Jabalya in the north of Gaza and Zeitoun in the center??–and
then left, Hamas has returned and gained control once again. Furthermore,
Politico just reported that, according to US intelligence, in more than seven
months of war only 30-35 percent of Hamas fighters have been killed, around 65%
of the terror group’s tunnels are still intact, and, to make matters worse,
Hamas, in recent months, has recruited thousands of new members.
?
Thus, it appears that “total victory” over Hamas is an
unrealistic and unattainable goal. At the same time, I believe we can all agree
that, ideally, we?should?eliminate Hamas and its accomplices,
and we?should?reach the point when we can declare “total
victory”. The question at the heart of this matter is, therefore, to what
extent should we make strategic political and military decisions based upon
lofty ideals and to what extent should we make them based on concrete realities
on the ground? In addressing this complex question, I believe we can gain
insight from the biblical mitzvah of?Shemita?about which we
read in Parashat Behar this week.
?
The Torah says the following:
“The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai: Speak to the Israelite
people and say to them: When you enter the land that I assign to you, the land
shall observe a sabbath of the Lord. Six years you may sow your field and six
years you may prune your vineyard and gather in the yield. But in the seventh
year the land shall have a sabbath of complete rest, a sabbath of the Lord: you
shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. You shall not reap the
aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your untrimmed vines; it
shall be a year of complete rest for the land. But you may eat whatever the
land during its sabbath will produce–you, your
male and female slaves, the hired and bound laborers who live with you, and
your cattle and the beasts in your land may eat all its yield” (Leviticus
25:1-7).
?
According to this
text, we are prohibited from sowing and reaping the fields, as well as pruning
and picking vines, in the Land of Israel every seventh year. Instead, the land
is to lie fallow. During this year all the produce of the land is to be enjoyed
by all, landowners and neighbors alike. This is known as the mitzvah of?Shemita?(meaning
“release”), or the Sabbatical year. Some suggest that allowing the land to rest
for a year helps the soil renew and nourish itself, much as we need to rest on
the Sabbath day to renew ourselves, while others suggest that the purpose of
the mitzvah is to remind us of God, the Creator and Master of the world, and to
inculcate faith that even if we don’t work the land for a year, God will
provide for us.
?
Personally, I
think?Shemita?is a beautiful mitzvah that reflects some of
Judaism’s loftiest and most noble ideals. That is why, during the?Shemita?year,
I am delighted to have the opportunity to share with neighbors and friends the
delectable figs growing on our large fig tree outside our home in Efrat.
?
The problem with?Shemita,?however,
is that it doesn’t merely involve the sharing of fruit from our backyard
gardens but the shutting down of the entire agricultural industry which could
spell financial ruin and potential famine in agrarian societies, as were the
norm in biblical times. Indeed, because God foresaw the likely resistance to
this mitzvah, He promises “I will ordain My blessing for you in the sixth year
so that it shall yield a crop sufficient for three years.” (Leviticus 25:21).
In other words, God, in?Shemita,?is asking us to suspend our
real-world concerns and live instead by the ideals of faith and trust in Him.
?
While this is nice in
theory, it was not always easy to implement in practice. After the Bar Kokhba
revolt, the Roman government abrogated its previous tax exemption which forced
many Jews to compromise their observance of the?Shemita?and,
as a result, the Rabbis felt they had no choice but to relax some of the?Shemita?laws.
Furthermore, with the rise of Zionism and the settlement of the Land in the
late 19th?century, there was a real concern that, if the?Shemita?were
observed, the colonies would turn into wastelands which would spell the end of
the entire Zionist enterprise just when it was beginning to gain traction.
Thus, some leading rabbis at the time devised a halakhic (Jewish legal)
mechanism called?heter mechira?(lit., "sale permit") whereby the land
could be sold to a non-Jew for the duration of the?Shemita?year
under a trust agreement and it would revert to Jewish ownership when the year
was over. Since the land would belong to a non-Jew, the Jews could continue to
farm it.?This mechanism was later embraced by Rabbi?–the first Chief Rabbi of British Mandate Palestine–with some changes, and it
has been accepted by large segments of the religious Zionist community in
Israel ever since.
?
But
for those of us who rely on the?heter mechira,?what is to
become of the great biblical ideal of?Shemita? I believe the answer
can be found in an effort to preserve its spirit. For example, we can spend
more time during the year exploring nature and the outdoors, working to
preserve the environment, and sharing our material blessings with others.
?
Thus,?Shemita?serves
as an example of the tension that sometimes arises between the ideal and the
real, and the need to adopt a more realistic approach without forfeiting the
ideal altogether. I believe that the leaders of Israel today would do well to
learn from this example. Rather than declaring the idealistic, but apparently
unrealistic, goal of “total victory” over Hamas, they should decide on more
realistic goals while preserving the ideal as a clarion call for us to do what
we can and never rest until, one day, we will be able to declare the “total
victory” of light over darkness and of goodness over evil.
?
If you are interested in more articles of this
nature please follow me on Facebook at??and
if you would like to invite me to speak at your synagogue or community please
contact me at?dmharbater@...
?
Rabbi Dr. David?Harbater
Author | Public
Speaker | Jewish Educator
For interesting articles on the parasha and
current events:?
To purchase a copy of my book “In the
Beginnings”:?
For speaking engagements in your synagogue or
community, please contact me:?dmharbater@...
?
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ISO of Reliable Agency To Get Bituach Leumi Benefits for a Caregiver
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ISO Help for Senior Housing and Caregivers
I have a friend who lives alone and is finding it harder and harder to be mobile (uses a walker) and travel.
Can someone tell me what are the costs to move into a place like the Tamir or similar places in Jerusalem.?
Also, is there a service that sends out caregivers for a few hours?
Thanks
DF
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Time to count #30?
???????? ?????? ?' ?????????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ??????????? ????????????? ?????????? ??? ???????? ???????.?
???? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????/?????.?
????????? ???? ???????? ????? ???????? ????? ???????????? ???????????, ?????????? ??????????, ????? ?????.
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Who Imprisoned the Satan?
The Riziner said: "When I was imprisoned as a political prisoner, I understood why the midrash described the Satan, the Evil Impulse, as a fool. Even in prison the Evil Impulse would not leave me for a moment, Is he not then a fool? I was compelled to remain in prison, but who compelled the Satan to do so?"
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Source: Midor Dor
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
Day 44 – End Result?
Before relating negative information l’toeles, for a constructive purpose, one must carefully consider whether or not his words will, in fact, bring about the desired result.? Speaking negatively l’toeles is justified only if
there is a reasonable chance that the desired result will be accomplished.
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This point is of particular importance when one seeks to discourage a potentially harmful friendship, business association or shidduch (marriage match).? Often, a final decision has already been made, and speaking negatively of the other party will serve no
constructive purpose.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Miriam’s Affliction
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The Torah relates (Bamidbar ch. 12) how Miriam criticized her brother Moshe for not living with his wife after the Torah was given through him. Miriam did not realize that a man of Moshe’s humility and selflessness would not have done so unless he had been
commanded to be in a constant state of readiness to receive prophecy. Miriam was punished with tzaraas, and was subsequently healed through the prayers of Moshe.
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The Torah states: “Beware of a tzaraas affliction, to be very careful and to act; according to all that the Kohanim, the Levites shall teach you ...’’(Devarim 24:8). The very next verse exhorts the Jewish people to “Remember what HASHEM, your God, did to Miriam
on the way when you were leaving Egypt.’ Sifre comments:
?
Why are these two verses juxtaposed? — to teach that Miriam was punished [with tzaraas] only because she spoke loshon hora. It is a kal v’chomer (a fortiori): If Miriam, who spoke against her younger brother, was punished [so severely], then how much more so
one who speaks against someone greater than himself. Alternatively: If Miriam, whose words were heard by no one other than the Holy One, Blessed is He, as it is written, “And HASHEM heard” (Bamidbar 12:2), was punished [so severely] then how much more so one
who speaks disparagingly of his fellow in public.
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Ramban comments: “[With this verse,] we are commanded to make known [the episode of Miriam] to our offspring and to relate it to future generations. It would have been fitting to conceal this episode so as not to speak the disgrace of the righteous; nevertheless,
Scripture commands that we make it known and revealed, so that we be well versed in the prohibition of forbidden speech, which is a great sin and brings about many bad happenings, yet is transgressed frequently.’’ |
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Register Now for Our Next Yom Yerushalayim Sovereignty Tour on Mon. June 3rd
Our?Next Sovereignty Tour in Honor of?Yom Yerushalayim?will be on?Monday, June 3rdSovereignty & Governance Throughout the Land?
Our next Hebrew SOVEREIGNTY Tour will please G-d take place?on Monday, June 3rd
Dear Friends,
Join us for a tour in honor of Yom Yerushalayim.
All details are on the attached flyer or can be viewed at?
The tour is in Hebrew.
Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar
The Sovereignty Movement
8:30 am Departure from Teddy Stadium?Parking lot, near Malcha
4:30 pm Estimated Return to Teddy Stadium? For more details, please see the attached flyer.?
Cost: 150 NIS?We suggest you register today because limited space is available.?You can register by sending a WhatsApp message to Renee at 054-710-3240 and/or by paying online at:??-----------
Please bring food, drinks, a hat, and walking shoes
For details: Yehudit Katsover 050-7161818 ? Nadia Matar 050-5500834
Cost: ? 150 ? To Register: Renee 054-7103240 ? email: ribonut@...
Since there is a lot of interest in this Tiyul, to reserve your place please register & pay online at:??and please send a WhatsApp to Renee at 054-7103240?or an Email to ribonut@... with your full name, cellphone # & email address.
Cancellations less than 72 hours before departure will be charged in full.The Sovereignty tour is limited to the first 50 registrants.?Looking forward to seeing you,
Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar
The Sovereignty Movement
?Please visit our website at?
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Hi, I'm looking for a clothing Gamach, mainly with good dresses. Any leads will be appreciated.? Thanks, Sara
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 43: Preconditions
????????????
The fact that a situation falls under one of the previously listed categories does not necessarily mean that discussing it constitutes constructive speech.? No less than 7 conditions must be met before a critical statement about
an individual may be said.
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Condition #1: The first set of conditions deals with verification of facts. It is absolutely forbidden to make any critical statement about a person on the basis of information obtained through hearsay.? Only through first-hand information may one assume that
a Jew’s character or behavior is wanting.? An exception would be where one seeks to protect someone from potential harm; such instances would permit one to pass on second-hand information.? This will be discussed later.
?
Condition #2: Even if one has witnessed seemingly unacceptable behavior, he must not hastily pass judgement on what has occurred.? An incident taken out of context can be terribly misleading, both as a reflection on an individual’s character as well as in determining
who is right in a dispute between parties.? Circumstances must be carefully investigated before one can be sure that he understands a situation correctly.? Above all, before concluding that a person has, in fact, transgressed Jewish law, one must be knowledgeable
of the relevant halachos.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Poverty
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Above, we discussed the question of how it is that in our day those who habitually speak loshon hora are not afflicted with tzaraas. Another answer to this is found in Sefer Davar Kedushah, who cites Sefer HaKaneh:
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The sufferings of poverty take the place of tzaraas, for by being dependent upon others for survival, the poor man becomes rid of any arrogance — a prime cause of loshon hora.1 Moreover, the poor man is actually afraid to speak disparagingly of others, lest
they learn of his remarks and cease to assist him.
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Tikkunei Zohar, as well, states that this sin can lead to poverty. Therefore, one who seeks to avoid material strain should be zealous in shmiras haloshon.
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Time to count #29?
???????? ?????? ?' ?????????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ??????????? ????????????? ?????????? ??? ???????? ???????.?
???? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????/?????.?
????????? ???? ???????? ????? ???????? ????? ???????????? ???????????, ?????????? ??????????, ????? ?????.
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Each to His Work
The Satan came to the Lizensker with the warning that unless he he did not stop persuading people to repent, he would set aside all other labors and use his every power to tempt the rabbi. The Lizensker replied: "I am sure that you are already doing your utmost to lead me into transgression. I shall leave you to your work, and I shall go on with my own."
Source: Esser Tzachtzachoth
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Our Super Soul ( ???? ????)
The Besht said: "The Hasidic custom of eating the third Sabbath meal in company with comrades rather than in the midst of one's own family, is founded upon the follwoing reason: among good Jews, it is eminently desirable that a man offer up his soul in the presence of ten Jews. At the conclusion of the last Sabbath meal, we offer up our super-soul, received by us on the Sabbath. We desire to do this in congenial company."
Source: Siach Sarfei Kodesh
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Join us in spreading Torah and Gemilut Chassadim
Shalom Friends
Some years
ago, my husband and I began combining our various skills towards spreading
Torah, Tefillah and Gemillut Chassadim. We’d love to restart our International
Tehillim group. If you would like to join please let us know.
You might
know of the variation of a thrift store that I set up and managed for several
years, enabling us to assist orphans in Jerusalem at the time they marry as well as making
up care packages for Chayalim at the time of Operation Protective Edge. My work
assisting orphans is in the merit of my late father Nathan Gershon ben Nathan
a”h who was born an orphan and died tragically when I was in high school.
About 8
years ago, my mother (who is a widow) made Aliyah and came to live with us so
that I can take care of her through her retirement. With this change in our
responsibilities, I had to let go of my thrift cum bargain store to make space
for my mother. Since then, we have been reframing and altering some of what we
do. With a desire to help my mother and continue to spread Torah and Acts of
Kindness especially to widows and orphans I began doing some research and
discovered the concept of the socialpreneur, I also discovered the potential to
earn from one’s art and writing. So began an exciting new version of what we
wanted to do. We now have a range of books available for sale via Amazon with
more being written and created. We have wall art and creative gifts for sale on
my website
This is a work in progress with much to add to the store.
My husband
has a with a wide range of Torah topics.
Join us to
continue to grow and develop, increasing light, love and kindness to dispel the
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 42 – Parameters
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The most common constructive purposes which justify speaking negatively about a person fall under four categories:
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1) To help the person about whom one is speaking (e.g. to discuss a person’s faults with someone else in order to help the person improve).
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2) To help those who are being adversely affected by the person’s behavior:
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a) Providing help for people physically, psychologically or financially victimized by him;
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b) Protecting people from falling victim to his behavior in the future—including warning the unsuspecting who are seriously considering entering into an unhealthy social or business relationship with him.
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3) To help put an end to a dispute in which the person is involved and which threatens to divide the community.
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4) To help others learn from the person’s mistakes.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Affliction of the Soul
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The fact that tzaraas is a spiritual malady which afflicts the soul [aside from afflicting the body] is stated in the Midrash:
?
“One who guards his mouth and tongue, guards his soul from tribulations. (Mishlei?21:23)” ?“His soul
from tribulations” can be read homiletically, “One who guards his mouth and tongue guards his soul from tzaraas” (Yalkut Shimoni, Parashas Metzora).
?
Thus, one who is in the habit of speaking loshon hora should bemoan the state of his soul. Though Hashem has mercy on him and does not reveal his disgrace in this world, such will not be the case in the World to Come. There, the shame of his malady will be
revealed to all. Alone will he sit Above, outside the camp of Israel — unless he repented properly before departing this world. |
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Dedications and Sponsorships
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Do you know someone who needs a refuah shleima? A shidduch? Or perhaps a meaningful yahrtzeit is approaching?
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Time to count #28?
???????? ?????? ?' ?????????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ??????????? ????????????? ?????????? ??? ???????? ???????.?
???? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?????/?????.?
????????? ???? ???????? ????? ???????? ????? ???????????? ???????????, ?????????? ??????????, ????? ?????.
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Dena Gottlieb