Rabbi

Tiny Rambam Tefillin Mehudarim

Posted on February 18, 2014January 6, 2021 by Gindi

Tiny Rambam Tefillin Mehudarim – Pitzponim פצפונים
$1,886.00 Add to cart

Rambam Tefillin: Tiny Tefillin Mehudarim According to Rambam

Perashiot written on Klaf Me’ubad by Rabbi Steve (Yishayahu) Bar Yakov Gindi like in the picture. All Perashiot are checked by computer and a Rav Magia. Each letter takes about 5 seconds to form. I write them with natural Kulmus pens. For Ashkenazi tefillin I use a feather quill kulmus, for Sepharadi I use a Bamboo kulmus, both of which I form myself. Klaf Me’ubad explained below.

: Perashiot written on Klaf Me’ubad by Rabbi Steve Bar yakov Gindi

: Perashiot written on Klaf Me’ubad by Rabbi Steve Bar yakov Gindi

Extremely beautiful Tiny Gassot Batim Boxes with Hut Hisoni 23-24 mm square, Shin Meshucha, Hand Made Straps

: Tiny Gassot Tefillin For Traveling Businessmen

These Tefillin are also ideal for Yeshiva students who like to wear Tefillin while they study.

Hand made Straps

For those who travel often I can include a cloth glasses case

Klaf Meubad made according to Rambam

The method of making klaf parchment using “Afatzim” Oak Galls is the method that the Talmud (Megila 19a top of page) says that parchments need to be made for Sefer Torah’s, Tefillin, Mezuzot and Megilot. Today the standard method is to use Lime.

Ramba”m Maimonides states very clearly that klaf parchment must to be completed using “Afatzim” Oak Galls. He says

If they take the skin, after the fur has been removed and divide its thickness in half like the Leather tanners do, [dividing it] until they become tow skins. One [skin] is thin is the part closer to the fur, and one thick [skin] that is closer to the meat, They work salt into it, followed by Flour and afterwards with “Oak Gall” (Afatzim in Hebrew) and the like…. (Rambam halachot Tefilin, Mezuzah and Sefer Torah Ch 1 Halacha 7)

Today, many people have decided to follow the Rambam always, even if most Torah following Jews don’t. They feel that Klaf made with Sid – Lime is little better than paper, or just like writing on a raw, unprocessed piece of leather.

Mara”n Rabbi Yosef Karo in the Shulchan Aruch (O”H 32 – 8) states that you can use klaf parchment whether made with Lime (Sid) or “Afatzim” Oak Galls. He usually decided the halacha law according to Rambam, yet here he differs by Accepting the opinion of Rabenu Tam in the Tosafot ( Megila 19a)

Even those who believe that Klaf may be tanned with Lime accept that Afatzim – Oak Gall is Kosher.

Megilat Esther written on Gvil by Rabbi Steve Bar Yakov Gindi

Posted on February 18, 2014January 6, 2021 by Gindi

$2,776.00Add to cart

Megilat Esther written on Gvil by Rabbi Steve Bar Yakov Gindi

Each Megila on Gvil is a work of art. They are written on Gvil which is a leather parchment which has been processed with Afatzim – Oak gall.

I have been writing Megilot on Gvil since 1990.

: Megilat Esther written on Gvil

: Megilat Esther written on Gvil

: Megilat Esther written on Gvil

Why Are We Still in Galut – Abe M. Gindi

Posted on February 18, 2014January 6, 2021 by Gindi

Abe M. Gindi

December 1, 2013,

28 Kislev 5774

This is my theory of why we are in galut (exile) for so long and why Hashem does not seem to respond to our prayers and our needs. To do that we have to look at some of the past history.

About 2,500 years ago our first Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed by the Babyonians. It was a short time later that the Babylonians were defeated for destroying the Beit Hamikdash. Remember the writing on the wall: mene mene tekel ufarsim predicting the fall of Babylonia and the victory of Persia and Midea. We find about this time the story of Esther. Haman, the evil one, plotted to destroy all the Jews, but Hashem turned it around and made it so that Haman himself was hanged and the Jews were saved. Hashem responded very nicely for the Jewish people. For this we celebrate Purim every year.

The galut at that time only lasted 70 years. That was done for the sin of avodah zarah (idol worship). The second Beit Hamikdash was built only 70 years after the first one was destroyed.

Now we go about 200 years later and we find that the Greek army had completely engulfed and dominated all of the land of Israel and forced the Jewish people to disobey their laws. Then came a group, the Maccabees, a small group who defeated the large powerful Greek army, chased them out of Eretz Yisrael, rededicated the Temple, lit the menorah—and for that we observe the holiday of Hanuka.

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Vayakhel – Creativity in Judaism

Posted on February 17, 2014January 6, 2021 by Gindi

Vayakhel – Creativity in Judaism

Imagine if a physicist had Ruach Hakodesh and could design a truly safe Nuclear Power plant.

How does this relate to ordinary creativity? What really is creativity? and how does a person become creative? These question have been asked for centuries.

In Our Perasha it says (Shemot 36 – 1)

And Betzalel, Aholiav and each person of thoughtful heart to whom G-d gave wisdom and insight to know and do all holy work, they did everything which G-d commanded.

Perhaps a discussion about these talented craftsmen can give us some insight into the nature of creativity.

Psychologists have discussed whether the “Aha” syndrome exists? The “Aha” syndrome is a sudden zap of creative energy which enables a person to immediately and sometimes miraculously understand something. (Creativity: Genius and other myths, Robert Weisberg) Perhaps the “Aha” syndrome is the wisdom which G-d gave Betzalel.

Rashi, in his explanation for Perashat Ki Tisa, explains the following Pasuk (Shemot 31 -3):

I will fill him with the spirit of G-d, with wisdom, insight and knowledge of every craft to think thought to make with gold, silver and brass.

Rashi says that wisdom refers to knowledge which is learned from others. Insight (tvunah) refers to developing something new from something that was already known. Knowledge, however, refers to Ruach Hakodesh which is, perhaps, wisdom that is G-d given. It says in our Pasuk (36-1) that G-d gave knowledge to those thoughtful people.

Here we see three different types of “knowledge.” The second type refers to what we call creativity. The last type which Rashi called Wisdom comes from G-d and is far better than ordinary creative energy.

We can understand the answer to our question according to Rashi.

A creative burst of energy which may be experienced by a Scientist is certainly the second type. This creative burst is the combining of all that he has previously learned. It all comes together to make a major discovery.

According to Ibn Ezra, Betzalel and Aholiav were the greatest craftsmen of their day. These artisans used what was then state of the art methods to build the Mishkan. They used their knowledge to improve the different methods used to construct it.

The “knowledge” which Rashi refers to was what they learned from G-d himself about how things must look and how they should be done. Knowledge from G-d through Ruach Hakodesh is certainly superior to the shortcoming of even the greatest Human mind.

G-d made the Sun which is a huge Nuclear power plant. He could choose to impart this knowledge on to the new “Artisans.”

mailto:steve@gindi.co.il

Perashat Tetzaveh – Pleasant Ways of The Torah

Posted on February 6, 2014January 6, 2021 by Gindi

Perashat Tetzaveh

What is the best Torah lesson that we can teach our children? The Pasuk in Mishle says it best Deracheha Darke Noam Vekol Netivoteha Shalom – Her ways are pleasant ways and all of her paths are peace.

Following mitzvot and learning Torah add breadth to a person’s life. You get insight into human nature, how to live a peaceful life, and to come close to G-d. These are certainly great things to teach children. When they are ingrained into a person’s life he will follow the “Pleasant ways.” It is important to instill this into children instead of some of the other messages which are prevalent in America.

Our Perasha starts off by telling us:

And now you command The children of Israel to bring to you pressed olive oil perfect for light, to bring the constant light.

And now you command The children of Israel to bring to you pressed olive oil perfect for light, to bring the constant light

This Mitzvah of lighting the Menorah is placed here between the mitzvah of how to build the Mishkan and what the Kohen should wear when he works in the Mishkan. This is placed here to tell us that in reality the main function of the Kohen is to teach the “Pleasant ways of G-d” to the people.

We know this from another Pasuk in Mishle: Ki Ner Mitzvah Vetorah Or – Because a mitvzah is a candle and the Torah is light. The Torah is like light and oil. It is like light because it enlightens people. That is clear.

Why is it like olive oil? Why not like other light sources? The Midrashim (and Philo) say that Other oils do not give off a clear light. Either they flicker or are to bright. If you watch the olive oil burn in an oil candle you will see that it is more pleasant than other oils. I have seen this on Chanukah. The light is not harsh.