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Kovetz Limmud Yud Shvat Yud Shvat 5772

On Yud Shvat we mark the Yom Hillulah of the Frierdiker Rebbe. Amongst other minhagim, the Rebbe encouraged that on this day one should learn Mishnayos beginning with the letters of the Frierdiker Rebbe's name. For this occasion, Yagdil Torah has published a booklet containing the full Mishnayos for the Frierdiker Rebbe.

The publication will be available in local shuls, at the Heichal Halimmud, and at our office.

It is also available for download.

The PisgamLiterally Hashem's word Yud Shvat 5772

And it is in this that an intellectual should contemplate, and awe and fear will befall him while studying Torah, when he will take to heart that it is literally Hashem's word that was told to Moshe at Sinai..

And this is what our sages have taught us, based on the fact that the verse "and you shall notify of them your children and grandchildren" is immediately followed by the verse "the day when you stood" etc. (before Hashem at Chorev), that just as at Chorev there was great awe and fear etc. so too here etc. (during Torah learning). For at mount Sinai all the nation saw the sounds and Hashem spoke with them face to face. However this is not the case when an individual studies Torah on his own. Rather the explanation is... that also the study of Torah of any individual, at any given time, is literally Hashem's word that was spoken to Moshe at Sinai. And it is through this that an awe and fear will fall upon him, as if he had received it today from mount Sinai.

Torah Or p. 67b

Gold or Diamonds? Yud Shavt 5772

In the previous bulletin a question was raised regarding a Jew who left a will stating that that all of his physical assets should be divided between his sons alone, while all gold and silver ornaments and objects that belonged to him should be divided between his daughters and granddaughters as well. Among his gold objects, many were constructed of simple pieces of gold, but were inlaid with many precious stones and diamonds. What is the status of these objects: Are they considered to be gold objects, thus making the daughters and granddaughters their rightful heirs, or are they considered to be diamonds and precious gems, thereby making the sons alone their rightful heirs?

This question was asked of the Maharsham (2:224). He ruled that they are considered as gold objects, because the base of an object determines its status. Therefore, since the base of these objects was gold they are considered as gold objects, despite the fact that the diamonds and precious stones contained therein were exceedingly more valuable than the gold.

Putting Everything Aside for Torah Yud Shevat, 5772

Reb Daniel [name changed] owns and directs a multimillion dollar company. He works long, hard hours each day and has very little time to spare.

Yet each morning after Davenning, even with the numerous pressing issues swimming through his mind, he often sits for a significant period of time and learns. He doesn't just learn; he becomes completely engrossed. Reb Daniel learns complicated meforshim, and will cover every possible angle of the topic. Even in his "free" time, such as while driving, he listens to shiurim.

While he is learning, all the worries and troubles of his business seem to disappear. There is but one thing that exists: Limmud HaTorah.