Book review Edmonton Federation Cemetery – Jewish Tribune

Edmonton Federation Cemetery- Rebbetzin Aviva Landau-published by the Federation of Synagogues. By Eli Kienwald. All cemeteries are hallowed places. A feeling of foreboding and a subconscious fear pervade visitors when they are made starkly aware of the finality of life, of the existence of another world that they cannot see, and of the presence of ancestors who still possess social agency. Perhaps these feelings are mediated somewhat by the realisation that our moral obligations towards the departed are what differentiates humans from the animal world. This creates a continuum between the dead and the living and establishes a bond that is one of the basic tenets of our social structure. The dead cannot bury themselves.

Parshas Acharei Mos – Kedoshim

Chazal tell us that the mitzvah of קדושים תהיו was said at a gathering of all Klal Yisrael. Perhaps one can suggest that the significance of this context, is to explain the environment

Parshas Tazria-Metzoroh

The famous story is told in the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah) about a pedlar who travelled around the neighbourhood of Tzippori, offering for sale the elixir of life. From his study, Rebbi Yanai heard the pedlar proclaiming: מאן בעי סם חיים “who wants the potion for eternal life? Rebbi Yanai asked him for a sample. The pedlar refused saying “People like you do not need it”. After much importuning however, he consented to show it R’Yannai. He took out a book of Psalms and, opening it, pointed to the text: מי האיש החפץ חיים ... נצור לשונך מרע ... סור מרע וגו’ “Who is the man who desires life?... guard your tongue from evil…” on seeing this R’Yannai exclaimed: כל ימי הייתי קורא פסוק זה ולא הייתי יודע היכן הוא פשוט עד שבא רוכל זה והודיע מי האיש החפץ חיים “All my years I have read this verse without knowing the simple explanation of the words, and now this pedlar has shown me their meaning.”

Parshas Shemini

The above interpretation needs clarification. Nadav and Avihu brought a Korbon when they weren’t commanded to. How can the Ohr HaChaim say it was not a punishment? They made what seems an obvious mistake; they brought an Aish Zorah - an alien fire, as the Passuk (10:1) tells us.

Parshas Tzav and HaGadol

Can all utensils be kashered by dipping them in the bubbling pots at a public hagolas keylim? No. Halochoh requires that kashering be done with the same level of heat as the item was exposed to when it became chometzdig or treif. There are four types of kashering. Below is a short explanation of each method, and examples for when it is required

Hamaor Pesach 5778

This edition of Hamaor should be reaching you sometime towards the end of March – chances are that Purim is already a distant memory and erev Pesach is creeping ever closer. But the work on the magazine you hold in your hands began many months ago, not long after the end of Succos, in fact.

Parshas Vayikroh & Hachodesh

e usher in the month of Geulah with the additional maftir of Parshas HaChodesh. The Bnei Yisrael are given the ability to bring kedusha into the physical world through the calendar and the mitzvah of Kiddush HaChodesh. We are commanded to start the process of redemption through slaughtering the sheep, the Egyptian deity. This is followed by roasting it whole and eating it with Matza and Maror. This enabled us to leave Mitzrayim as free men, liberated from the slave mind-set, ready to embark on the journey towards Kabalas HaTorah.

Parshas Vayakhel-pekudei & Poroh

In practical terms, when companies and businesses are making deals and transactions frequently, it is often not so practical to expect both parties to sign a Heter Iska each time. Therefore, we advise people to sign a Heter Iska Klali. Once a company, business or individual have a Heter Iska Klali, then all that is required is to insert a clause in all future contracts, stating: “This agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the company’s/ business’s/my Heter Iska Klali, signed on the ………………….., a copy of which is attached” Once both parties sign an agreement/ contract with such a clause, it is as if they have both signed a Heter Iska specific to that deal.
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