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Shabbat Parashat Behaalotcha 5774

Beha'alotcha | 9 Sivan 5774 | 07/06/2014

Parashat Hashavua: Menora or Chanukiya?

Our parasha begins with the instructions to Aharon about lighting the seven-candled menora in the Mikdash (Bamidbar 8:2). The haftara deals with a golden menora that was foreseen, with the prophet addressing the kohen hagadol, Yehoshua, who served at the beginning of the time of the Second Temple, and spoke about the coming of Tzemach, which is normally a reference to Mashiach. This menora, shown to Zecharia in his prophetic vision, had seven lamps and had olives to either side of it. This section of Zecharia was also selected as the haftara of the Shabbat of Chanuka, at which time we, of course, remember the special miracle that allowed for the continued lighting in purity of the menora later in the period of the second Beit Hamikdash. The question arises whether Chazal saw the miracle of Chanuka as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zecharia.

Ask the Rabbi: Returning a Lost Item That the Owner Knows About

Neighbors on an upper floor have several little kids who regularly throw toys and even heavy objects onto our ground floor garden. For years we have picked up and returned the items and dealt with a mess, as they have refused to put up screens or come promptly to pick them up. We believe that if we leave the toys, they will change their behavior. Is that permitted?

Ein Ayah: Importance of and Limitations on Individual Thought

While the basket is still on the shoulder [of the one bringing bikurim], he recites from “I have told today to Hashem, your G-d” (Devarim 26:3) until he finishes the entire Torah portion. Rabbi Yehuda says: He recites until “Arami oved avi” (ibid. 5). When he gets to “Arami oved avi”, he takes the basket down from his shoulder and holds its sides. He puts his hand under it and waves it and reads from “Arami oved avi” until he finishes the whole Torah portion. Then he puts it by the side of the altar and bows down and leaves.

P'ninat Mishpat: Partners in Practice, but Not in the Documents

It is clear that Yaakov has rights to half of the house, due to his chazaka in it (the indication from his occupancy of the property over a long period of time). One might counter that since the property is written in Yitzchak’s name, Yaakov should need all the criteria of chazaka. Regarding chazaka, we find that if the one who is the known original owner and the one claiming that he acquired part of it are living under one roof, the latter does not have a chazaka (Bava Batra 29b). The Rashbam and the Ramban argue whether the chazaka is lost only when the original owner shares the premises with the one who claims chazaka or even when he just passes by. However, in this case, it seems that Yitzchak shared the premises. Nevertheless, regarding those parts of the house where Yaakov lived privately, without Yitzchak’s involvement, chazaka should work. Regarding the areas of the house that were rented out to others, it is well known that Yaakov would receive his share of the money as a partner.

Hemdat Yamim

is endowed by

Les & Ethel Sutker

of Chicago, Illinois
in loving memory of
Max and Mary Sutker
and

Louis and Lillian Klein, z”l

Hemdat Yamim

is dedicated

to the memory of:

R' Meir
ben

Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld

o.b.m

Rabbi Yosef Mordechai Simcha

ben Bina Stern o.b.m

who passed away

21 Adar I, 5774

R' Yaakov ben Abraham & Aisha

and

Chana bat Yaish & Simcha

Sebbag, z"l

A weekly divrei Torah leaflet: A Glimpse at the Parasha, Ask the Rabbi, From the writings of Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, zt”l, Pninat Mishpat (Jewish Monetary Law).