DVAR TORAH These are the heads of their tribes, the sons of Reuven, the firstborn... (Shemot 6:14)
To introduce Moshe Rabbeinu's ancestry, the Torah begins first with a list of Reuven's children, then Shimon's children, and finally Levi's children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and great-great-great grandchildren - most notable among Moshe and his family.
According to some commentators, the Torah begins with Levi's two older siblings to maintain their honor and only list Levi's offspring after listing Reuven's and Shimon's children. On the other hand, Rashi suggested that this was how the Torah counteracted the negative things that Yaakov said about these tribes before he died.
But why list so many generations of Levi and only the children of Reuven and Shimon?
Rabbi Ovadia Sforno suggested that Levi's grandchildren were much more critical and accomplished than Reuven's and Shimon's. And he credited this to the fact that Levi lived longer than they did and was able to teach his own grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
This uniqueness of Levi should give us all pause when teaching our children—because, without a doubt, Reuven and Shimon's later generations must have had great teachers as well. But no one should ever underestimate the power of families and tradition. The more our entire families can be involved in the education of our children, the more powerful that education will be! HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Washing Hands Before Eating Bread Our Rabbis decreed that before eating bread a person must wash his/her hands. There are two reasons for this law. The first is practical, so that a person would become accustomed to washing hands before eating certain sacred foods (e.g., terumah and tithes). The second reason is more spiritual, to create a level of sanctity associated with cleanliness [Aruch haShulchan, Orech Chayim 158:1-2].
Is one required to remove rings before washing hands for a meal?
Since the Rabbis applied the law of "chatzitza" (any item that "blocks" the water from direct contact with the body) that governs one's immersion in a mikvah to the law of washing hands [Talmud Chullin 106b]. As a result, a ring may be forbidden to wear while washing - since the water cannot easily reach all parts of the finger if it is worn.
Of course, there are loose-fitting rings, but since it is hard to determine what rings are loose enough and which are not, generally all rings should be removed before washing [Orech Chayim 161:3]. However, if one who forgot to remove a loose ring and has already washed, one can be lenient and not wash hands a second time [Mishnah Berurah 161:18].
Interestingly, the rule that a ring is a "chatzitza" applies only to men or women who sometimes, even on rare occasions, remove their ring from their finger. This is because the occasional removal signifies that the person is sometimes particular about having the ring on his finger, rendering it a "chatzitza". However, if one NEVER takes off his ring, even when performing manual labor, that person may wash hands for a meal while wearing that ring [Mishna Berura 161:19; Aruch haShulchan Orech Chayim 161:6].
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MAZAL TOV * to Mark and Miriam Sommer on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Raanan Branda, in Silver Springs. * to Rabbi Michael and Bonnie Myers on the birth of a great grandson in Israel.
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Seudah Shlishit at KINS North is sponsored by the Leib and Silverman families in commemoration of the 12th yahrtzeit of their husband, father and grandfather, Barry Leib, Beryl Shlomo ben Isser z’l.
A Donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Eva Gertzfeld in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her husband, Gilbert Gertzfeld z”l. * Esther Cardash in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her mother, Anna Wilensky – Ani bas Harav Dov Berish z’l. * Dr. Avy and Yisraela Dachman in honor of Avy making a Siyum on Masechet Nedarim.
The Day of Learning, Monday January 30th – 8th of Shevat, is sponsored by Judy Schultz in commemoration of the 2nd yahrtzeit for her mother, Rochelle Schultz z’l.
The Parent/Child Learning this week is sponsored by David and Tikva Levitt in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Tikva’s father, Moshe Dov ben Yaakov Yitzchak Weinberg z’l.
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