העורך Editor

An Article to Save: Follow the Torah, NOT the Rabbis!

Two highlights:

The other “Lo Tasur” verse (Devarim 28:14):

ולא תסור מכל הדברים אשר אנכי מצוה אתכם היום ימין ושמאל…

Also refers to all rabbis. Just, em, not the way you think…

(See Seforno.)

Quoting Rabbi Aaron Kotler, a geshmack Litvak:

Rav Aaron Kotler comments on the statement of Chazal that Lot was saved from death in the merit of keeping silent when Avraham told Elimelech that he was Sarah’s brother and not revealing that Avraham was really her husband. Why, asks Rav Kotler, did Lot need to rely on this merit to be saved? Wasn’t his practice of הכנסת אורחים welcoming guests, even at the risk of his own life in Sodom, enough to save him? After all, this was a great mitzvah. He answers that when Lot was hospitable to guests, he was not doing this from inner conviction, as a mitzvah of chesed, but only in imitation of his uncle Avraham, for he had grown so used to this practice that he did it as a matter of course. But when he refused to reveal Avraham’s true relationship with Sarah, at this point he was acting out of conviction, from a wish to save his uncle. This was the “true Lot” and therefore he was rewarded for this action.

Continue reading the rest here…

Beis Vaad L’Chachamim has said similar things in the past (e.g., here).

Temple Mount and Tikun Chatzos, A Short Tale

Once Upon a Time, a Jew who only ascends the Temple Mount met a Jew who only says Tikun Chatzos.

The Tikun Chatzos Jew called out: “If you really care about the Holy Temple, mourn heartfully by reciting Tikun Chatzos!”

The Temple Mount Jew called out even louder: “If you really care about the Holy Temple, help restore it by ascending the Temple Mount!”

“Humph!” said the one.

“Humph!” said the other.

“Move your heart!” said the one.

“Move your feet!” said the other.

“Humph!” said the one.

“Humph!” said the other.

And they all lived uneasily ever after.

The End (humph.)