Posted on Nov 4, 2013 |
Question submitted to “Ask the Rabbi” by: Name: Michael Abels City: Jerusalem, Israel Full Question: Does the Mitzvah to chase away the mother bird apply regardless of wanting the eggs or babies? If you take the eggs or babies, can you eat them? If not, why are you chasing the mother bird to acquire them?” Rabbi Tully Bryks responds: One of the 613 commandments is to shoo away the mother bird prior to taking the baby birds or eggs[1]. Like all other Divine commandments, we can never fully comprehend all of the potential multiple benefits and ripple effects of this Mitzvah. Here is just a glimpse at the potential meaning behind this Mitzvah: Instills compassion in the one performing the Mitzvah[2] Displays compassion for the mother bird[3] Helps to preserve G-d’s creations[4] Evokes G-d’s compassion on the world[5] Hastens the Redemption and the coming of the Mashiach (Messiah)[6] Recognizes the mother bird’s bravery in protecting her young[7] In addition to these and many other potential physical and spiritual benefits to performing this Mitzvah, there are also specific rewards ascribed to this Mitzvah. These include: Longer life[8] Getting married[9] Having children[10] Obtaining a house[11] Protection from evil spirits[12] With regard to whether this Mitzvah applies even if one has no desire for the baby birds or eggs, the answer is “sort of.” If one desires the baby birds or eggs, then the Mitzvah is obligatory and one must shoo away the mother bird first. If one has no need for them, then even though there is no obligation to shoo away the mother bird according to most authorities, many still rule that performing the action of temporarily shooing away the mother (in the proper fashion) would still be commendable. In other words, while one would not be obligated to take any action, one would reap the benefits of performing a Mitzvah by doing so[13]. It is noteworthy that one can only fulfill this Mitzvah with a Kosher bird[14] (such as a dove, duck, goose and some types of pigeons) or a bird which exhibits kosher signs, even though we may not consume them in the absence of a clear tradition[15] (such as a cardinal or robin). However, one cannot fulfill this Mitzvah with birds which are definitely not kosher (such as predatory birds). To learn more, click on any of the suggestions below the footnotes: [1] Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:6-7, Sefer Hachinuch, Mitzvah 545 [2] Ramban (Nachmonides), Devarim 22:7 [3] Rambam (Maimonides), Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed) 3:48 – While this may seem to contradict the Mishna in Berachos (33B) which tells us to silence a person who claims the reason for this Mitzvah is compassion for the mother, it could be that the Mishna only meant to admonish someone who claims that compassion for the mother is the ONLY reason. [4] Sefer Hachinuch, Mitzvah 545, Rabbeynu...
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Posted on Oct 22, 2013 |
Thank you so much to Drs. Nilza and Bob Karl for sponsoring our website this week. The learning is sponsored in memory of their parents, Max and Anita Karl, and Ernesto and Maria Secomandi. CLICK HERE for Sponsorship...
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Posted on Oct 2, 2013 |
Question submitted to “Ask the Rabbi” by: Name: Eliana City: Los Angeles, CA Full Question: Why haven’t we rebuilt the Third Temple? Does is have to do with politics or something else?” Rabbi Tully Bryks responds: Even if we accept that one is not only permitted to come to Israel, but that there is also some sort of Mitzvah in doing so (this in it of itself is subject to debate), the question of the rebuilding the Third Beis HaMikdash (Temple) contains many potential uncertainties: As of 2012, 42.9% of the world Jewish population lives in Israel.[1] Perhaps the Mitzvah to build the Third Beis HaMikdash only kicks in after the majority of Jews live in Israel?[2] Perhaps the Mitzvah to build the Third Beis HaMikdash only kicks in after the Mashiach comes?[3] Perhaps we may not build the Third Beis Hamikdash until Amelek (personification of evil in this world) is eradicated?[4] Perhaps we may not build the Third Beis HaMikdash until a prophet instructs us to?[5] Perhaps the Third Beis Hamikdash would actually descend from heaven?[6] Even if one concludes that we are allowed and/or there is a Mitzvah for us to build the Third Beis HaMikdash today, other questions and complications would still remain: Being that we are in a state of “Tumah” (Spiritual impurity), we are not permitted on certain areas of the Temple mount. Since we have been in exile for so long, there is not a clear Mesorah (tradition) as to which areas we are permitted to stand on. While some rabbis are confident that they have figured out which areas we may stand on, disagreement remains. In order for the Kohanim (Priests) to do their work in the Third Beis Hamikdash, they would be required to wear the Bigdei Kehuna (priestly garments). Included among their wardrobe is the thread of Techeles (“blue” string). How to obtain Techeles is also a source of debate, with some authorities maintaining that we simply don’t know how to properly obtain it. There are numerous intricate laws associated with the building of, and worship within, the Third Beis Hamikdash. As with many others areas of Jewish law, there are various conflicting opinions in both the Talmud and subsequent commentators as to how to properly fulfill these laws. But when it comes to laws that we have always observed for the past 3,300 years, we know how to observe these laws despite the conflicting opinions. Even young children know what a Lulav Esrog and Tefilin look like. They know that Shabbos starts on Friday night rather than on Saturday morning. But when it comes to laws concerning the Beis Hamikdash, some of which have not been practiced in 2,000 years, and those unique to the Third Beis HaMidash have never been practiced, there is no clear Mesorah as to which opinions we follow for each of the many different laws. In conclusion, aside from the...
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Posted on Sep 17, 2013 |
It isn’t safe for David to wear his Kipah in Croatia and he has no access to kosher food. But David still wants to be an Orthodox Jew! He converted…
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Posted on Sep 15, 2013 |
All of the learning on our website this month has been sponsored in honor of a speedy Refuah Shleima (complete recovery) for 16-year-old Orly Ohayon and to honor the memory of her mother, Esther. Both of them were tragically hit by a car as they were walking to Synagogue for Kol Nidrei on Yon Kippur night, sending Oryl to the hospital in critical condition and taking the life of her mother. While I never had the opportunity to meet Orly’s mother, I have heard only wonderful things. And Orly is one of the most caring and inspiring teens that I know. She is passionate about her love of Torah and the Jewish people and I look forward to seeing her smiling face back in Israel soon! CLICK HERE for Sponsorship...
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