Parshat Vayera

18 Cheshvan, 5777/November 19, 2016

Vol. 8 Num. 11

This issue is sponsored by Linda and Joey Fried

in memory of their dear friend, Ezra Lwowski zl

The Philosophy of Sdom

There are four human outlooks:
1. Whats mine is mine, and whats
yours is yours This is intermediate.
And some say it is the approach of
Sdom.
2. Whats mine is yours, and whats
yours is mine This is an ignorant
person.
3. Whats mine is yours, and whats
yours is yours This is a pious
person.
4. Whats mine is mine and whats
yours is mine This is a wicked
person. (Avot 5:10)
Intermediate or Sdom?
The first philosophy in the mishnah
seems to be clearly intermediate: one
does not wish to benefit from anothers
property, and does not wish for others
to benefit from his property. Why does
the mishnah suggest that this could
also be the philosophy of Sdom? We
may put forth two points of view.
On one level, the difference between
Intermediate and Sdom is in the extent
to which one applies this philosophy.
One may decide not to help another
person because he wishes to protect
his assets from harm; this is an
intermediate approach. However, if
this refusal to help becomes so
persistent that he refrains from
helping even when he would suffer no
loss, then this develops into the
approach of Sdom.
On another level, Intermediate and
Sdom are distinguished by divergent
motivations. It is not malignant to
declare Whats mine is mine, and
whats yours is yours when one

Yaron Perez
genuinely believes that each person
receives that which he deserves.
However, if Whats mine is mine is
driven by selfishness, such that one
also declines to receive lest he be
obligated to reciprocate, then this
displays the philosophy of Sdom.
Is it that bad?
However, the gravity of this equation to
Sdom remains difficult; how could an
approach which is potentially
inoffensive, and even logical, lead to the
evil associated with Sdom? Perhaps the
answer lies in the way that the worst
aspects of this approach mask
themselves as reasonable.
Whats mine is mine, and whats yours
is mine promotes theft. The actor, and
the community surrounding him,
recognize the corruption of this
philosophy, and even a wicked person
can experience regret, repent, and mend
his ways. On the other hand, Whats
mine is mine and whats yours is yours
is justifiable, and therefore repentance
i s m ore di ffi cul t. By ele vating
selfishness to the status of legitimate
political philosophy, Sdom eliminated
the possibility of repentance.
Enshrined in law
Our sages sought to combat this wicked
attribute by empowering the courts to
prevent people from standing on their
property rights. If a property owner
could allow someone else to benefit from
his property without any cost to the
owner, then the courts may compel him
to comply; one may not act in the
manner of Sdom.

In the modern Western world, property

rights are considered one of the
fundamental rights of a human being;
we own our property, no one else may
touch it, and no one may compel us to
allow others access. This sanctification
of property rights stands in contrast
with Jewish law which overrides
property rights in the pursuit of social
welfare and the elmination of evil.
The State of Israel is in the midst of a
great debate regarding the role of
Jewish law. Currently, a judge who
encounters a lacuna in the law is
licensed to adopt any judicial tradition
for addressing the case at hand; there is
no priority for the Jewish legal tradition.
A new law has been proposed, which
would give priority to Jewish law and
establish an institution to provide
judges with opinions founded on the
Jewish legal tradition. Many see no
value in such a law but based on what
we have seen, it is clear that the outlook
of Jewish law can differ from the
outlook of other systems, with
significantly different results. Indeed,
certain justices on Israels Supreme
Court already draw upon Jewish legal
tradition, including the principle of
preventing actions which are in the
manner of Sdom.
May we see the fulfillment of Isaiah
1:26, And I will restore your judges as
they once were, and your counselors as
they were at the start, such that you
will be called the City of Justice, the
Faithful City.
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Book Review: HaMishpat haIvri (Jewish Law)

HaMishpat haIvri (Heb.)
Jewish Law: History, Sources,
Principles (Eng.)
Rabbi Menachem Elon
Hebrew: Magnes Press (3rd ed.1988)
English: JPS 1994
This review is of the Hebrew edition.
About the author
Rabbi Dr. Menachem Elon was twelve
years old in 1935, when his family fled
Europe for then-Palestine. He studied in
the Chevron Yeshiva, and was ordained
by Rabbi Ben-Zion Uziel and Rabbi
Yitzchak HaLevi Herzog. He pursued a
decades-long legal career in private
practice and then at the Justice
Ministry, as well as a parallel career
teaching law at Hebrew University and
numerous universities outside of Israel.
Rabbi Elon was appointed to Israels
Supreme Court in 1977, and in 1988 he
became deputy president of the
Supreme Court; he served in that role
until his retirement in 1993. Justice
Elon received numerous awards,
including the Israel Prize (1979), the
Ben-Meir Prize (1979), the National
Jewish Book Award (1994) and various
honourary degrees. He passed away in
2013.

About the book

The four parts of HaMishpat haIvri,
spanning nearly 1,700 pages (aside
from indices and bibliographies), seek
to present the path of development of
Jewish law over the course of more
than 3,000 years. Sections deal with
the philosophy of Jewish law, the
various breeds of midrash which
function as source texts, the roles of
minhag and precedent, the unique
developments of each post-talmudic
era, and much more.
Rabbi Elon devotes particular focus to
the impact of European Emancipation,
and then the State of Israel, on the
modern development of Jewish law.
Centuries of separation of the Jewish
community from non -Jewish
government, such that rabbinical
courts were charged with managing
the internal affairs of Jews, compelled
our courts to harness law to the
realities of daily life. In contrast, Rabbi
Elon contends, the modern imposition
of secular law on Jewish communal
life has led to a more theoretical, and
less practical, development of Jewish
legal theory. This shifts again with the
modern State of Israel, and the friction
between Israeli law and Jewish law.

Israels Chief Rabbis: Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau
Born in Poland, 1937
Chief Rabbi of Netanya 1978-1988
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, 1993-2003
Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv 1988-1993, 2003-present
Life
Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau was born in 1937 in Piotrkw
Trybunalski, Poland. His father, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lau
was the last Chief Rabbi of the town. He is the 38th
generation in an unbroken chain of rabbis, a tradition which
has been carried on by his son, Rabbi Dovid Lau, the current
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel.
Most of Rabbi Laus family perished in the Holocaust. He
survived Buchenwald, and a photograph of him became an
iconic picture of the miraculous survival of children from the
Holocaust. He wrote a memoir of his life and the path he took
after the Holocaust, including his eventual appointment as
Chief Rabbi, which has been published in English as Out of
the Depths.
After the War, Rabbi Lau emigrated to Mandate Palestine and
was raised by his uncle and aunt. He studied in Yeshivat Kol
Torah under Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, as well as in
Yeshivat Ponevezh and Kenesset Chizkiyahu. He served as
Chief Rabbi of Netanya, then Tel Aviv, eventually being
appointed Chief Rabbi of Israel. Afterwards he returned to his
former position as Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, a position he still
holds. He also is the chairman of Yad VShem, and has
received the Israel Prize for his life work.

Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner

About the reader
HaMishpat haIvri may be used as a
resource for readers who wish to draw
on particular sections, and especially
on their extensive citations and
footnotes. However, the authors
intended benefit would be best
received by a full reading of the text,
from start to finish.
In his introduction to the first edition,
the author wrote, This book is not
only targeted at students and
researchers of law, or jurists. I hope
that it will be of interest to anyone for
whom the world of halachah is close to
his interest and heart, and anyone
who wishes to understand the
principles of the Torah of Judaism as a
whole. In the world of Jewish law and
its creativity are expressed many of the
unique traits of this nation incisive
thought and intellectual insight, ways
of life and justice, values of ethics and
righteousness, modes of thought and
philosophical insight, and above all
an unwavering will and capacity for
creativity and continuity.
[email protected]

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring

Legacy
Rabbi Lau has written several volumes of responsa, Yachel
Yisrael, covering all areas of Shulchan Aruch, as well as
modern medical issues. While sometimes he will offer a final
halachic position, at other times he argues that the issue
should be left to Torah scholars to weigh in on the halachic
and ethical issues involved. See, for example, Yachel Yisrael
89 regarding defining motherhood in cases of surrogacy.
Following Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Aurbach, he allows some
dying patients to reject medical care rather than endure
pain, while encouraging them to extend their lives if they are
so willing. (Yachel Yisrael 54-55)
Rabbi Lau engages many pressing modern issues. For
example, he devotes a lengthy responsum to the question of
why, and to what extent, customs are binding now that
historical communities have relocated to centres like Israel
and North America where many traditions are represented
(Yachel Yisrael 9-10). He also deals with ethical questions,
such as the parameters of the obligation to speak the truth.
(Yachel Yisrael 11)
Rabbi Lau is also known for his relatively lenient practice
regarding interfaith dialogue, and he met with Pope John
Paul II personally.
[email protected]

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Biography

Torah and Translation

Rabbi Chaim
Hirschensohn

A Democratic Mashiach?
Rabbi Chaim Hirschensohn, Malki baKodesh Vol. 1 #1

Rabbi Baruch Weintraub

Translated by Rabbi Baruch Weintraub

Rabbi Chaim Hirschensohn was born in

Tzfat in 1857. His father was Rabbi
Yaakov Mordechai Hirschensohn, one of
the founders of Chovivei Tzion, an early
Eastern European Zionist movement,
and the family had made aliyah to Eretz
Yisrael nine years earlier.
When young Chaim was one year old, his
family moved to Jerusalem, where his
father established Yeshivat Sukkat
Shalom. This yeshiva was unique, as it
used modern pedagogic methods and
pushed the students to academic
excellence, in contrast to the classic
approach which put the emphasis on the
act of learning itself, regardless of its
quality. In addition, Rabbi Yaakov
Hirschensohn advocated for openness
toward the study of modern science.
When Chaim was of age, he entered his
fathers yeshiva. After demonstrating
great success in his learning, he was
ordained by his father. In according with
his fathers instructions, he received
scientific training in addition to his
Torah studies.
In 1885, Rabbi Chaim became a teacher
in the Lemel school in Jerusalem, where
science was part of the curriculum. The
school was under a ban by zealous
opponents in Jerusalem, and teaching in
the school meant entering open war
against them. Rabbi Chaim was not shy
in his opinions, and four years later he
joined Eliezer Ben Yehuda to found the
Safah
Berurah (Plain Language)
society, advocating for the revival of
Hebrew as a daily language. This act was
the final straw, and the attacks on him
and his family became so vicious that in
1903 he had no other way but to leave
for Istanbul, where he managed a
Hebrew-speaking school.
In 1904, Rabbi Chaim participated in the
Sixth Zionist Congress in Basel, where
he accepted a rabbinic position in
Hoboken, New Jersey; he served there
until his passing in 1935. Rabbi Chaim
published more than forty books, many
of them dealing with questions regarding
halachah in modern times and the laws
of a Jewish state.
On
the
12 th
of
Cheshvan
we
commemorated the murder of prime
minister Yitzchak Rabin. On that note,
please see the accompanying translation
from Rabbi Hirschensohns thoughts on
Democracy.
[email protected]

Call our office at: 416-783-6960

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Question: How can we expect Mashiach

to appoint a king upon us, to possess the
monarchy for himself and his children for
eternity, once the whole world, and
especially the wise Jewish nation, knows
and recognizes that the time for
government by the people has come?
And we have already come to realize that
even a republic is not enough to fulfill the
duty to justice and righteousness, until it
is governed in a democratic way
Thus comes the question: how can we
perform the commandment of You shall
appoint a king upon yourself as this
commandment would contradict, Chas
VShalom, the ethical recognition that
history has taught us through many
trials, the ways of wisdom, and the
teachings of political theory? Did our
Sages not put forth a central principle in
their interpretation of the Torah,
addressing its challenges, the verse, Its
ways are pleasant and all its paths are
peaceful!...
Answer: Rabbi Yehudah said that Israel
was given three commandments as they
entered the land [appointing a king,
destroying Amalek and building the
temple] and Rashi in Sanhedrin wrote
that these depend on each other
And the logic is clear to anyone who takes
a historical view of the history of nations,
knowing that no nation was united into a
nation other than by pressure, and
generally external pressure All the more
so in a nation composed largely of
tortured slaves, which by their nature will
not unite by themselves to appoint heads
and leaders
We are not obligated to appoint a king
but for the sake of fighting Amalek And
nothing would be more proper than to
establish the world upon pillars of justice
and righteousness, using the democratic
way, without any tyranny, even by a
Jewish king.

The prophecies which prophesy regarding

the king Mashiach speak of a time in
which there will be no more envy and
competition in the world, as the world will
be filled with the knowledge of G-d. The role of the king will be just to lead the
people with Divine counsel And Israel and all of the nations will acknowledge him
and accept his spiritual monarchy over them. Then we will not need any democratic
reign, for democracy will be part of human nature. We will not need any reign or
government at all, for all of the good we seek via government will come through
refined human nature, and people will aspire only to knowledge and wisdom.

Weekly Highlights: Nov 19 25 / 18 Cheshvan 24 Cheshvan

Time
Nov. 18-19
Fri. 8:00 PM

Speaker

Topic

Location

Shabbaton in Clanton Park: Angels Among Us

R Jonathan Ziring

ONEG: Praying to Angels?

11 Josephine Rd

Yaron Perez

You, too
can create Angels!

Clanton Park

Derashah

R Mordechai Torczyner

Avraham 1, Angels 0?

Clanton Park

Derashah

Adam Friedmann

After hashkamah

Special Notes

Greeting the Angels of Shabbat:

A Unique Time Experience

Shaarei Tefillah

R Jonathan Ziring

Torah was not

Given to Angels

Or Chaim Minyan

R Mordechai Torczyner

Do Angels Live
in Heaven or on Earth?

Shaarei Tefillah

After minchah

Adam Friedmann

What is an Angel?

Or Chaim Minyan

After minchah

R Shalom Krell

Topic TBA

BAYT

Yaron Perez

Parent-Child Learning

Shaarei Shomayim

8:45 AM

R Jonathan Ziring

Responsa

BAYT

Hebrew

9:15 AM

R Shalom Krell

Book of Shemuel

Associated North

Hebrew

Adam Friedmann

The Purpose of Prayer

Mrs. Elliezra Perez

Hitbodidut: Talking to G-d

BAYT
Simcha Suite

Midreshet Yom Rishon

For Women

Mrs. Elliezra Perez

Tefillah: Connecting to G-d

Ulpanat Orot

University Women

7:00 PM

R Mordechai Torczyner

Legal Ethics with CPD:

Child Custody

Shaarei Shomayim

Laypeople welcome

8:30 PM

Adam Friedmann

Gemara: Arvei Pesachim

Clanton Park

8:30 PM

R Jonathan Ziring

Avodah Zarah 3 of 6:
Art in Halachah

Shomrai Shabbos

Third floor, Men

Mrs. Ora Ziring

Chullin / Hilchot Kashrut

Ulpanat Orot

University Women

R Jonathan Ziring

Business Ethics:
Insider Trading

R Mordechai Torczyner

Ezra 2: Names?

Shaarei Shomayim

Mrs. Ora Ziring

Tanach

Ulpanat Orot

10:00 AM

R Jonathan Ziring

Arguing with G-d 3 of 6:

The Blasphemer

Beth Emeth

12:30 PM

R Jonathan Ziring

May a Jew profit from

weapons?

2:30 PM

R Jonathan Ziring

Narratives of Exodus

[email protected]

8:00 PM

Adam Friedmann

Why do we?

Shaarei Tefillah

Mrs. Elliezra Perez

Netivot Shalom on Parshah

Ulpanat Orot

University Women

R Mordechai Torczyner

Shoftim: Drafting Soldiers

49 Michael Ct.

Women

R Jonathan Ziring

Laws of Onaah

Yeshivat Or Chaim

Advanced

After musaf
4:50 PM

6:00 PM

Simcha Suite

Sun. Nov. 20

10:00 AM to
11:20 AM
Mon. Nov. 21
9:30 AM-Noon

Tue. Nov. 22
9:30 AM-Noon
12:30 PM
1:30 PM

Miller Bernstein Lunch served; RSVP to

1801-5000 Yonge St. [email protected]

Wed. Nov. 23
9:30 AM-Noon

University Women
There is a fee; see
torontotorah.com/arguing

Zeifmans LLP
Lunch served; RSVP
201 Bridgeland Ave to [email protected]
Women

Thu. Nov. 24
9:30 AM-Noon
1:30 PM
Fri. Nov. 25
10:30 AM