Richmond Hill Country Shul
9225 Bathurst St. L4C 6C2 Richmond Hill, ON, Canada

Tuesday's Talmud Tidbit The maximum height of a Sukkah = 20 cubits (30'). Its minimum height = 10 handbreadths (40.5"). ... Its minimum number of walls = 3. Its minimum S'chach (roof) covering = more than 50% of the roof area. (Eruvin 2a) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yerachmiel Nechemia Yitzchok ben Shula Ita

Monday's Talmud Minute If a dead body lies under a roof, the impurity is spread under the entire roof, and Kohanim are prohibited from entering the area. [Thus Kohanim do not enter the funeral chapel proper, and many chapels construct a separate structure adjacent to but actually outside of and unattached to the main chapel.] ... (Shabbat 157b) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yosef Menachem ben Sara Perel

Thursday's Talmud Quote Said R. Eliezer: 'Repent one day before you die.'... His disciples asked: "How does one know which day he'll die?` To which he replied: 'Then repent today, lest you die tomorrow!` Rabbi Mordechai Pogremanski asked, isn't there more to repentance than fear of death?! Doesn't the Mishna teach that one moment of Teshuva, repentance, and good deeds in this world are worth more than all the rewards in Heaven? Repentance is a glorious and exalted experience! Rabbi Mordechai explained with a parable: The Carlsbad Springs produce water that is sold all over the world. But the closer you get to the actual spring, the fresher and more rejuvenating the water. The 'day of death' is meant as a source of inspiration. On our monuments, we don't praise people for all the 'toys' they have accumulated in this world. We speak of Midot Tovot, sterling character that this person exemplified, and outstanding Chesed and support of others they supplied. Thus the advice to consider each day as the day before we depart this world. Where would our focus be? What actions would we engage in, and which would we skip? (Shabbat 153a) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yerachmiel Nechemia Yitzchok ben Shula Ita

Sunday's Talmud Quote A star - gazer informed Rabbi Akiva that his daughter was destined to die by a snakebite on the day of her wedding. The night prior to her special day, she removed her golden hairpiece and (unknowingly) pierced the head of a snake while pinning it to its stand.... In the morning, she found the dead serpent, and related the incident to her father. Rabbi Akiva asked if anything unusual had occurred the previous day. She responded that a poor man knocked at the door, asking for food, but the household was bustling with wedding preparations, and no one paid attention to him. The Kallah thus offered her own meal to the indigent individual. Rabbi Akiva proclaimed, "Tzedaka rescues us from death!" (Shabbat 156b) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Rachel bat Simcha

Shabbat's Talmud Quote "The Righteous One knows the Law of the Poor" (Proverbs 29) Said R. Yonah:... 'The Righteous One' refers to G-d; 'The Law of the Poor' refers to the dog. The Almighty knows the dog's sustenance is meagre, and thus crafted its three - day digestive process. Said R. Papa: There is none poorer than the dog, and nine richer than the swine. (Shabbat 155b) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yosef Menachem ben Sara Perel

Friday's Talmud Quote [The Mishna cites two opinions that rule where an animal collapsed under its burden, one must help unload at no charge. Said Rava:... Both opinions agree that one is obligated under Torah Law to alleviate the pain of an animal.] (Referenced in Rashi, Shabbat 154b) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Elisheva Chana Chaya bat Aviva Orly

Thursday's Talmud Quote Said R. Eliezer: 'Repent one day before you die.'... His disciples asked: "How does one know which day he'll die?` To which he replied: 'Then repent today, lest you die tomorrow!` Rabbi Mordechai Pogremanski asked, isn't there more to repentance than fear of death?! Doesn't the Mishna teach that one moment of Teshuva, repentance, and good deeds in this world are worth more than all the rewards in Heaven? Repentance is a glorious and exalted experience! Rabbi Mordechai explained with a parable: The Carlsbad Springs produce water that is sold all over the world. But the closer you get to the actual spring, the fresher and more rejuvenating the water. The 'day of death' is meant as a source of inspiration. On our monuments, we don't praise people for all the 'toys' they have accumulated in this world. We speak of Midot Tovot, sterling character that this person exemplified, and outstanding Chesed and support of others they supplied. Thus the advice to consider each day as the day before we depart this world. Where would our focus be? What actions would we engage in, and which would we skip? (Shabbat 153a) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yerachmiel Nechemia Yitzchok ben Shula Ita

From the desk of Rabbi Yosef Sanders A Tale of Two Soles Shalom, ...Continue reading

Wednesday's Talmud Widget The Sages taught: "The soul returns to G-d Who [originally] gifted it." (Isaiah 57:2)... This verse subtlely advises us to return our soul - Neshama - to Him in purity, as He gave it to us. A parallel can be drawn to a King who distributes royal garments to his servants. The clever ones folded them and placed them in a secure spot. The foolish ones put them on and wore them to work. After some time, the King asked for his garments back. The clever servants returned them in pristine condition. The foolish ones returned then encrusted in dirt. The King was happy with the wise servants, and angry with the fools. Of the wise, it is said: "Place the item in the storehouse" This means their Neshama is placed under the Heavenly Throne. Of the fools it is said, "Let their items be given to the cleaner". This means their Neshama is purified through the sufferings of Gehenna. (Shabbat 152b) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Rachel bat Yosef

Tuesday's Talmud Tidbit R. Gamliel son of Rebbi said: All who have mercy on those He has created (i.e. giving Tzedaka - Maharsha), the Heavens have mercy on them.... ... and all who are not merciful with those He has created, the Heavens are not merciful with them, as per the verse, "He will give you mercy (the capacity to be merciful with others - Rashi), and will be merciful with you and increase [your numbers]. (Shabbat 151b) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yerachmiel Nechemia Yitzchok ben Shula Ita

Monday's Talmud Minute Said Rabbah son of Bar Chana in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: One may think Torah thoughts in all places, except for the bathhouse and the washroom, as per the verse, "Your living spaces shall be holy".... From this we see that the default presumption of Jewish life is to be engaged in thoughts of Torah. (Rashi) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yerachmiel Nechemia Yitzchok

Sunday's Talmud Quote Gambling, i.e. playing cards for money, etc., is prohibited by Rabbinic Law. This is because, although all explicitly agree to pay the winner - and thus it does not carry a Torah Law prohibition - still, this agreement is not considered to be whole - hearted, as one only plays because (s)he anticipates winning. (Shabbat 149b) ... Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yerachmiel Nechemia Yitzchok ben Shula Ita

Shabbat's Talmud Quote Every 'Shmita' (Sabbatical) year, all debts are cancelled [unless one has processed proper documents giving them over to Bet Din]. Should a borrower attempt to pay his debt in the Shmita year, the lender must advise him that the debt is cancelled.... Should the borrower insist on paying regardless, the lender is permitted to accept the funds. (Shabbat 148b) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Yerachmiel Nechemia Yitzchok ben Shula Ita

The Bar Mitzvah of 2033 Shalom, , I would like to share this anonymous message I received via WhatsApp:...Continue reading

Friday's Talmud Quote [One must be careful not to pronounce Holy words in a place that is unbecoming. Nevertheless, when necessary, this is permitted, as exemplified by the following anecdote:] A discipile of Rabbi Meir followed him into the bathhouse, [and Rabbi Meir instructed him in a matter of Jewish Law in order to avoid a transgression.]... (Tosfos to Shabbat 147b) Dedicated to the speedy recovery of Rachel bat Simcha