From Rabbi Bergman:
In Parshat Yitro, the Jewish people, received the Torah as a community in unity, (like one person with one heart - Rashi); yet each individual received the Torah in the manner necessary for them to internalize, highlighting that each person's relationship with the Torah is personal and unique.
This past week, we celebrated Tu B'Shvat with a beautiful community seder. We were inspired by each of the 7 species for which the Land of Israel is praised, as we reflected on the lessons of each one. The Fig in particular relates to this week's parsha.
In the Talmud, Eruvin 54, Rabbi Yochanan asks why the words of the Torah are compared to a fig tree as it says in Mishlei (Proverbs) 27:18, “He who guards the fig tree shall eat its fruit.”
Rabbi Yochanan’s answer is that in the case of the fig tree, every time a person handles it, they find a ripe fig, the same is true for the words of Torah: Every time a person studies them, they find flavour and meaning in them.
The same words of the Torah can provide never ending meaning and every time that we study Torah, we can always find a new idea.
Every person has their own portion in Torah as we pray for daily: Provide us with our portion in Your Torah. Some hearts lean towards Tanach, while others halacha, while others stories of the Righteous, while others the Talmud. Similarly, each person's heart and mind is attracted to different Torah teachers who bring the light of the Torah to life within them.
The compilation of midrashim, Yalkut Shimoni, presents a similar question to the one mentioned in Eruvin: Why is the Torah compared to a fig? Because most fruits contain something inedible- dates have a pit, grapes have hard seeds and pomegranates have a peel. But every part of a fig is good to eat. So too with the Torah- every part of it contains wisdom.
When studying Torah, there is always something new to find and ideas that one may have overlooked in previous years can suddenly become relevant.
May we all be inspired by the words of our Torah and see fulfilled, the vision of the prophet Micha 4:2-5:
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken it. For let all people walk everyone in the name of his god and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.
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Classes:
Sunday at 7 pm- KOT's Beit Midrash- The Laws of Mourning
Tuesday at 1 pm- Ethics of the Fathers
Tuesday at 4:30 pm- To Be a Jew- The what, why and how's of Judaism
Wednesday at 7 pm - class on the teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"tl.
You can access the classes HERE.
Thursday at 4:30 pm- The Power of Ideas by Rabbi Sacks
Learning Opportunity- 15 Minutes Chavruta with Rabbi Bergman
Too busy to attend a class during the week? Let's hop on the phone for 15 minutes at a time of your choosing and learn something that peaks your interest. To take part, call or text: 631-371-4201
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The KOT Beit Midrash
Join a super fun and friendly learning opportunity at KOT where we will delve into questions into relevant and interesting questions in Jewish life by learning Halacha from the sources in the Talmud through to modern day halachic authorities. We will be taking part in an international program with 22,000+ learners across the globe using a comprehensive and clear curriculum designed to make learning accessible to all. We will be covering topics such as the Laws of visiting the sick [bikur cholim], cosmetic surgery, artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization, aveilut and more. To take part and order a copy of our learning material please contact me at oribergman@gmail.com. Stay tuned for additional details.
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