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Shabbat Parashat Vayakhel 5785

Vayakhel | 22 Adar 5785 | 22/03/2025

Parashat Hashavua: A World of Repairing

To a great extent, Vayakhel and Pekudei are a repeat of the preparation of the Mishkan and things that pertain to it, which we found in Teruma and Tetzaveh. In between these sets of parshiyot is Ki Tisa, which focuses on the Sin of the Golden Calf. Much has been written on the need for detailed repetition, as well as the question as to whether Hashem commanded to build the Mishkan before or after that sin. We will not attempt to decide which position is correct.

Ask the Rabbi: Owning Guns

I am interested in purchasing firearms for personal protection, particularly within the context of today’s American “social climate,” with increased anti-Semitism. What is the Torah’s perspective on owning guns? I would appreciate if you could relate to Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat 427:7-8 and 409:3 about having around dangerous things and animals?

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I

I just received my good friend’s letter. I am very surprised that you assume my words have false intentions. Why would anyone think I would force those who do not agree with the lenient [Shemitta] ruling to eat what is forbidden according to their opinion? My intention is only to stand in the breach against those who cast aspersions on those who come to settle Eretz Yisrael and have no choice but to rely on the well-known leniency, which has a basis in the Talmud and poskim. These aspersions damage the Yishuv spiritually and physically.

P'ninat Mishpat: Unsuccessful Transfer of Yeshiva – part I

The defendant (=def), a non-profit run by the rosh yeshiva (=rydf) had run a yeshiva for years and did not want to continue due to financial and educational difficulties. They negotiated with the plaintiff (=pl), another educational non-profit, to have them take over the yeshiva at its location and pay rent to def. A written agreement was signed in June 2022. After starting to enter the educational sphere and preparing, physically and educationally, at the end of the 5782 “academic year,” pl informed the students’ parents soon before the 5783 academic year that pl would be closing the yeshiva. [We will deal with different elements of the dispute in installments.] Pl cites various examples of def’s breach of contract, claiming they prevented pl from continuing the yeshiva’s operation. Breaches include that def did not tell pl they would have to pay rent also to a shul and a small school who share the building, def withheld names of potential donors, and they spoke against pl to students (thereby increasing damaging behavior). Pl sued def for189,300 NIS for workers who worked on the project, 60,900 NIS spent on students, and 200,000 NIS for hurting pl’s reputation, after they were forced to close the doors. Def responds that the agreement between them is invalid because it was signed by only rydf and not the second legal signatory (=ssgn). Def claimed they told pl about the need to negotiate with the other institutions and told pl repeatedly that they would not be reimbursed for any investment.

Vayakhel 5785
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Vayakhel 5785

We daven for a complete and speedy refuah for:

Tal Shaul ben Yaffa

Nir Rephael ben Rachel Bracha

Moshe Mordechai ben Zina

Itamar Chaim ben Tzipporah

Ori Leah bat Chaya Temima

Arye Yitzchak ben Geula Miriam

Neta bat Malka

Meira bat Esther

Together with all cholei Yisrael

Hemdat Yamim is dedicated

to the memory of:

Those who fell in wars

for our homeland

Prof. Yisrael Aharoni z"l

Kislev 14, 5783

Rav Shlomo Merzel z”l
Iyar 10, 5771

Rav Reuven & Chaya Leah Aberman z"l
Tishrei 9 ,5776 / Tishrei 20, 5782

Mr. Shmuel & Esther Shemesh z"l

Sivan 17 / Av 20

Mr. Moshe Wasserzug z"l

Tishrei 20 ,5781

R' Eliyahu Carmel z"l

Rav Carmel's father

Iyar 8 ,5776

Mrs. Sara Wengrowsky

bat R’ Moshe Zev a”h.

Tamuz 10 ,5774

Rav Asher & Susan Wasserteil z"l
Kislev 9 / Elul 5780

R' Meir ben

Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld z"l

Mrs. Sara Brachfeld z"l

Tevet 16 ,5780

R 'Yaakov ben Abraham & Aisha

and

Chana bat Yaish & Simcha

Sebbag, z"l

Rav Yisrael Rozen z"l
Cheshvan 13, 5778

Rav Benzion Grossman z"l
Tamuz 23, 5777

R' Abraham & Gita Klein z"l

Iyar 18, /5779Av 4

Rav Moshe Zvi (Milton) Polin z"l
Tammuz 19, 5778

R' Yitzchak Zev & Naomi Tarshansky z"l

Adar 28, 5781/ Adar II 14 5784

Nina Moinester z"l

Nechama Osna bat

Yitzhak Aharon & Doba

Av 30, 5781

Rabbi Dr. Jerry Hochbaum z"l

Adar II 17, 5782

Mrs. Julia Koschitzky z"l

Adar II 18, 5782

Mrs. Leah Meyer z"l

Nisan 27, 5782

Mr. Shmuel & Rivka Brandman z"l

Tevet 16 5783/ Iyar 8, 5781

Mr. Gershon (George) ben

Chayim HaCohen Kaplan z"l

Adar II 6

Hemdat Yamim
is endowed by
Les z"l & Ethel Sutker
of Chicago, Illinois
in loving memory of
Max and Mary Sutker
& Louis and Lillian Klein 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).