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This Weeks Issue is Dedicated in Loving Memory of

Shlomo ben Batsheva

Light Candles Shabbat Ends 4:14 PM 5:15 PM
This weeks Parsha contains something unusual and very interesting. As Yaakov was nearing the city of Charan, he realized he needed to turn back the other way. Miraculously, his destination came to meet him halfway, the sun set prematurely and Yaakov proceeded to camp there for the night. He placed 12 stones around his head, fell asleep and had the following dream: A ladder was planted on the ground and its top reached up toward heaven. Hashems Angels were going up and down on it. Suddenly he saw Hashem standing over him (28:12-13). This dream seems rather vague. What is the Torah trying to depict with this vision? The famous book Megaleh Amukot (Revealing the Depths) brings down an interesting insight. It explains that man can be likened to a ladder. A ladder has two sides which are connected by rungs. So too, humans have two sides, their physical and spiritual, and the Torah links these two sides together. Furthermore, there is a Midrash that states that Yaakov saw two individuals in his dream. He saw Korach, who was swallowed by the ground (as hinted by the ladder planted to the ground) and Moshe, who ascended to the Heavens (as hinted by the ladder reaching the heavens). What connection do Korach and Moshe have to the ladder? The answer Rabbi Yissochar Frand offers is as follows. The Tur (1268-1340) bring down that the numerical value of the Hebrew word ladder, [136] is equal to the numerical value of the word money, [136] and is also equal to the numerical value of the word poverty, [136]. This comes to signify that just like a ladder can be used to go either up or down, so too money can either bring an individual up or down. If money is used as a spiritual rung with which we perform Mitzvot, support the needy, and brings joy to our family and friends then that that can serve as a rung which connects our spiritual and physical sides. However, if we use our money for our own selfish reasons then that can only lead us to the lowest of the low. Both Korach and Moshe were wealthy individuals. However, while Moshe ascended to great heights and became the leader of G-ds chosen nation, Korach, on the other hand, was corrupted by his money and that led to his great downfall.

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This Weeks Issue of

Halacha Insight is Dedicated in Loving Memory of Yosef HaCohen ben Chevtzi

& David ben Tamar

Is it permissible to pray in front of a window in which one can see his reflection? The question surrounding the permissibility of praying facing such a window arises from a discussion of the Radbaz (Rabbi David www.CHAZAQ.org Ben Zimra, Egypt, 1480-1574) regarding praying in front of a mirror. It is forbidden to pray in front of a mirror for two reasons. First, the sight of ones reflection will likely disrupt his concentration which should be focused on his prayer. Secondly, Get the CHAZAQ Weekly via when one prays in front of his reflection, he gives the appearance Email EVERY Week! as though he bows to himself. Does this prohibition apply to Just send us an Email to praying in front of a window? ChazaqWeekly@gmail.com HaRav Ben Sion Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998) ruled that one Note: CHAZAQ Publications in may pray in front of a window if he keeps his eyes closed. Closing Hebrew & Russian are also ones eyes avoids the problem of the distraction caused by viewing available upon Request! oneself. As for the concern that one may appear as bowing to himself, HaRav Ben Sion claimed that this concern does not arise If you have any Questions or Comments when one prays in front of a window. Even though his reflection is please E-mail: visible, he does not give the appearance of praying to himself, ChazaqWeekly@gmail.com since the window is not made for the purpose of providing a reflection. Needless to say, the simpler solution, when possible, would be to move to the side so as not to stand directly in front of the window while praying. It should be noted that just as one may not pray in front of a mirror even with his eyes closed it is similarly forbidden to pray in front of a picture of a person or animal, as this would give the appearance of bowing and praying to the image.

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