Bar Mitzvah Archives - Page 4 of 6

What’s Written Inside The Black Boxes of Tefillin? Firstborn

Posted on November 10, 2013January 6, 2021 by Gindi

INSIDE TEFILLIN – FIRSTBORN

And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break its neck

וכל פטר חמר תפדה בשה ואם לא תפדה וערפתו

Tefillin has redeeming the first born donkey

The Torah commands us, in the Perashiot that we don in our Tefillin every day, to redeem all of the Jewish firstborn boys. These are written in the Second Perasha of the Tefillin. At the same time we are commanded to give all kosher first-born animals as a sacrifice to G-d. Most un-kosher animals are exempt from being given to G-d. However, A firstborn donkey must be exchanged for a lamb that is given to the Kohen. The lamb does not need to be sacrificed. The firstborn donkey’s neck is cracked, if for some reason the donkey is not exchanged for a lamb. (Shemot 13)

Redeem the Donkey in tefillin — Redeem the Donkey in Tefillin

Many people daily ponder this concept, which they tie upon themselves daily. However, many do not. The stated reason in the Torah regarding the firstborn is to remember slavery and exodus from Egypt. The greatest plague that G-d brought on Egypt was the death of firstborn Egyptians. This is a central episode in the story of the Jews leaving Egypt. The story of leaving Egypt itself is central to Judaism.

When we daily put on Tefillin we also remember leaving Egypt. This is part of “Kabalat ol Malchut Shamayim – Accepting the yoke of Heaven”

Firstborn male children who are to be redeemed need to be firstborn from their mother. A father needs to redeem every firstborn that different women might bear with five silver coins.

The firstborn Jews were supposed to have been holy to G-d like the Kohanim. The reason for this is due to the killing of the Egyptian firstborn. However, the firstborn were exchanged for the Kohanim. This was done one for one. There were exactly 22000 Kohanim and 22273 firstborn. The extra firstborn needed to exchange themselves with 5 silver coins, as we are commanded to do with each firstborn. (Bamidbar 3)

Another reason that is discussed about laws of sacrificing firstborn kosher animals and redeeming people and donkeys is related to the Bikurim – First fruits. Each individual also brings these to the Bet Hamikdash in a fancy ceremony.

It has been discussed by Our Rabbis of Blessed Memory as to why the donkey is singled out, over all other un-kosher animals, to need redemption. Rashi states these opinions, first, that The Egyptian firstborn were compared to donkeys. The second reason is because every Jew who left Egypt took lots of donkeys that carried tons of cash and gold that was taken from the Egyptians.

mailto:steve@gindi.co.il

Tefillin, Mezuzot and Megilat Esther – Are They Really Kosher ?

Posted on November 4, 2013January 6, 2021 by Gindi

Shalom,

Now is the time to order Tefillin for your son’s Bar Mitzvah, Mezuzot and Megilat Esther. This year is a leap year, very many people order Megilot Esther. Call 00972544572366 or email steve@milknhoney.co.il

Our Torah website http://torah.milknhoney.co.il/ has been redesigned. You can find hundreds of Divrey Torah Discussions there.

You can see samples of my Sofer Stam work at https://milknhoney.co.il/gallery3/

For many years you have been taught to be very careful about from whom you purchase Tefillin, Mezuzot, Megilat Esther and Sifrey Torah from. They say ninety-nine percent kosher equals one hundred percent passul (not kosher)

I am often called upon to check people’s Tefillin. I and the honest Sofrim that I know rarely find Tefillin that aren’t kosher! When I have found Tefillin that are unkosher they are always over 30 years old, written before the Jewish world became more careful in these issues. Indeed, thrity years ago all the honest sofrim would not charge people for checking Tefillin. This is because it was pretty guaranteed that they were clearly not kosher. Today an honest Sofer will always charge to check Tefillin. Sewing up the modern Gassot Tefillin in a manner that will look nice, in the same condition received is a lot of work. So much so that I, personally, contract someone else to sew and seal them.

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Inside Tefilin – Shema Yisrael Unity and Education

Posted on October 20, 2013January 6, 2021 by Gindi

Inside Tefilin – Shema Yisrael Unity and Education Vaetchanan

Shema Yisrael A-donai E-loheynu A-donai Echad.

Shma Yisrael — The prayer of Shema Yisrael is a universal declaration of the Unity of G-d. Each Jewish person declares to his friend that G-d is One.

The prayer of Shema Yisrael is a universal declaration of the Unity of G-d. Each Jewish person declares to his friend that G-d is One. This is like saying, Hey! Jewish people, The G-d, who created the universe is our G-d and He is One. The concept of universally declaring this concept demonstrates the centrality of education. We need to teach it to our children and regularly ponder it ourselves.

The prayer of Shema Yisrael is written in the Torah in the book of
Devarim, Ch. 6 4. There is an oft-quoted Midrash from the Sifri on
this. The Sifri mostly contains halachic discussions, however, on this pasuk the discussion is very Aggadic. In other words it tells us a story about the prayer of Shema Yisrael.

Rabbi Akiva says that the prayer of Shema Yisrael refers to Yisrael,
Yisrael being another name for Yaakov Avinu, and not to Avaraham or Yitzhak. The reason is that Avraham and Yitzhak had children who were waste products. Avraham had Yishmael; Yitzhak Esav. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai totally disagrees with this interpretation.

The Midrash further states that Yaakov constantly worried that one of his children will be a waste, like some of his fathers€ children. He constantly prayed and educated his twelve boys in the ways of G-d. He was especially concerned when he learned that his son Reuven had slept with his concubine / maid Bilhah. He then learned that Reuven had repented through fasting and prayers.

Yaakov Avinu was on his deathbed in Egypt. He called in his sons one by one and rebuked them. After this he called them all in together and asked them, Do you have any issues with the One whose statement created the universe? They answered, Listen Yisrael our father, just as you do not have anything against G-d neither do we have such an issue, rather G-d is our L-ord and he is One. Yaakov was very thankful at this unified statement by his sons, including Reuven, as to the absolute Unity of G-d.

One cannot determine whether this Midrash has any historical value. However, it seems to make clear statements regarding the
interconnection between the unity of the Jewish people in their total acceptance that G-d is One. As a side note it points out that even if people are not perfect they can always repent. Since G-d is One there is no bureaucracy in heaven in accepting anyone€s repentance.

Yaakov’s constant effort, worry and prayers helped to educate and
unify his children in their acceptance that G-d is One.

The Pasuk of Shema Yisrael is followed by several Pesukim that tell us that we need to internalize the Unity of G-d and to teach it to our
children and constantly ponder Him.

The Tefillin Experience

Posted on October 20, 2013January 6, 2021 by Gindi

To Order Tefillin Call 0544572366 or 029991554 or email steve@gindi.co.il

I offer a wonderful program for those who purchase Tefillin. This is great for Bar Mitzvah boys. It is grandparent approved too. You actually assist in producing the Tefillin. It is called the Tefillin Experience. It consists of up to three meetings.

The three meetings are hands on. The first meeting involves the boy making crowns on the letters of his Shema Yisrael parchment, In The second meeting we together place the Perashiot in the Batim and sew them. The third meeting is for the whole family, We learn some Halachot, some stories and everyone learns how to write a few letters on parchment

The Tefillin have many Hidurim and are reasonably priced. I personally write the Perashiot. The Gassot have Chut Hatefira, Shin Meshucha, Hand made straps and many more Hidurim. All Perashiot are computer checked and checked by a rav.

I have over 25 years of experience.

Gassot Tefillin – 2600 Shekels

Peshutim Mehudarim 1400 Shekels

Those living far away from Jerusalem can benefit from the new Live Program via internet Video Chat: Tefillin: The Spirit of Bar Mitzvah

You can see samples at https://milknhoney.co.il/gallery

Call 0544572366 or 029991554

Inside Tefillin – Introduction to Tefillin

Posted on October 16, 2013January 6, 2021 by Gindi

There are four perashiot (paragraphs written on leather parchments) inside Tefillin boxes. The same four appear both in the Tefillin that are placed on the head and the one on the arm. These perashiot speak about central concepts in Judaism.

The first perasha of “Kadesh li” discusses the freedom from slavery in Egypt. Two of the four sons from the Passover Seder are found in these paragraphs. The second perasha of “Vehaya Ki Yevi’acha” speaks about the plague of the first born of Egypt. The death of the first born of Egypt, in addition to redeeming of out first-born sons and animals, actuate a rejection of the strengths of idolatry and magical powers. The first born of the Egyptian as well as those of other nations were priests. The sanctity of the first born within Judaism is actually a rejection of idolatrous beliefs.

The final two paragraphs that are written in the tefillin are the most famous in Judaism. They are the first two paragraphs of “Shema Yisrael”. The portion of “Shema Yisrael” speaks about the Unity of the Blessed Creator and loving him. The final perasha is “Vehaya im Shmo’a”. It discusses Devine Providence and heavenly reward and punishment.

There is a distinct relationship between these four perashiot. They all mention the importance of study and internalization of these subjects. Additionally, educating children in these particular subjects is mandatory. One needs to constantly teach them to his children and even more so during the Passover Seder.