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To Volunteer...Or to Donate?
Yud Ches Sivan 5773

The average non-profit frum mossed needs a lot
of donations to help it run smoothly.

The average non-profit frum mossed needs a lot
of volunteers to help it run smoothly.

Which is it?

The answer is, both.

In order to execute much of what we do, we need workers. We have the regular, in-office staff, but we often have to hire out as well. These added costs are a strain on our budget. If the workers which we hire out-for jobs which can often, though definitely not always, be done by your average "Yossi"-were to volunteer their time, it would be a substantial help to us. Yes, we get donations, but many of the contributions go towards our programming. When a big chunk is used for pay, it subtracts what could be going towards other projects. Essentially, a volunteer who helps out for two hours a week is giving 10 times what the average donor contributes!

Many don't realize how much the assistance of volunteers benefits a mossed. We're here to let you know that the amount of help given by a volunteer to a mossed such as ours is hard to believe!

Please support Yagdil Torah by volunteering a little of your time. You'll be surprised at how much you can help us by doing what seems like so little, and our appreciation for your time will know no bounds.

Call 347.223.5943 today to sign up as a volunteer.

Yud Ches Sivan 5773

Someone Is Waiting For You

There is a wedding tonight. I know that you are busy, that your boss has already let you leave work early twice this week for Simcha’s in the family, that you still haven’t scheduled the plane ticket to the upcoming Bar Mitzva, and, to top it all off, there is a concert tonight supporting your son’s school-but there’s no choice: you have to be at the wedding. After all, it’s your relative who’s getting married; your family is expecting to see you. Even if they weren't, though, you know you have the responsibility of attending. It’s just not right for you not to be there. And so, you somehow carve out time from your crazed, busy schedule for the chasunah.

Tes Sivan 5773

In the last issue, the question was raised regarding a glasses lens that fell out of its frame on Shabbos. May the lens be replaced? If not, may one use the lens to help him see by holding it up to his eye?

These questions were asked to the Gaon Reb Meir Arik, A"H. Regarding the first question, Reb Meir explained that to replace the lens tightly is definitely not allowed, for that would constitute the creation of a k'li, which is forbidden on Shabbos due to the Melacha of Boneh or that of Makeh B'patish. However, perhaps one can argue that one may fit the lens in place loosely, for then, he seemingly cannot be said to have created a k'li.

Despite this "plausible" idea, Reb Meir posits that even replacing the lens loosely is forbidden. He gives two reasons for this Psak:

Tes Sivan 5773

The Whole Tanya in Two Words! Part 2

In the last article, we asked how one would encompass the entire Likkutei Amarim into two words. No answer was given. The article ended with acknowledgement of the necessity of becoming inspired by what is around us in order to serve Hashem properly. However, we had not yet figured out the path to follow in order to allow this inspiration to take place!

MASTER TORAH'S COMING TO TOWN!
Tes Sivan 5773

For the very first time, Yagdil Torah will actually be bringing the Master Torah Program created by Rabbi Meir Pogrow to Crown Heights.

If you came to the presentation about how it works, then you know how much you don't want to miss this one-of-a-kind presentation!

Keep your eyes open; details are to follow (for best results make sure you are on our email list).

or·gan·i·za·tion /ˌôrgəniˈzāSHən/
Tes Sivan 5773

Noun

1. The action of organizing something

2. The structure or arrangement of related or connected items

The first is well-known and well understood. The second is often forgotten or overlooked.

Yagdil Torah is not an existence unto ourselves. We simply act as a medium which works to bring out your interests and combine them together to form something out of them.

Tes Vov Iyar, 5773

You are sitting in the Heichal Halimmud studying a Ma'amar with a Chavrusa when, suddenly, you hear a "clink," coupled with a sudden inability to see the words on the page clearly. What just happened? One of the lenses of your glasses has fallen out! You had realized it was a bit shaky in the morning, but figured you'd take care of it later. Now you have no choice but to interrupt your shiur and get it fixed.

Although this is a typical experience, if this occurs on a Shabbos, it poses more of a problem. For someone with a high prescription, waiting until Motzei Shabbos to replace the lens is not easy. He may have great difficulty Davening, learning, and even recognizing his friends for the rest of the day.

A double question then arises: May the lens be put back into the frame on Shabbos? If not, may one hold the lens to the eye to aid his eyesight until it can be replaced?

Tes Vov Iyar, 5773

The Whole Tanya in Two Words!

If you could put the whole Likkutei Amarim into two words, which would you choose? Which two words could possibly encapsulate the most common concept which the Alter Rebbe attempts to teach and explain throughout the entire Likkutei Amarim?

In the Hakdama of Kuntres Hispa'alus the Mitteler Rebbe gives a very strongly worded rebuke to those who do not want to get “mushy” about Elokus after learning Chassidus, or in general. He explains how this “mushiness” is actually an integral part of our Avoda to Hashem! In order to serve Hashem properly, we must constantly look for inspiration and let ourselves get inspired.

However, if that’s the case, what is stopping people from getting inspired? Why is there such a blockage in our Avoda?

Open Doors and Free Raffle Entry Beis Iyar, 5773

Make sure to visit the Heichal Halimmud this Lag B’Omer!

You have the opportunity to be mechanech your children about this special day.

What better way is there to spend a day with the kids, while at the same time reiterating to them the essence of this joyous day according to the Rebbe–Limmud haTorah? (See the full quote below.) Be a real example and show your children the joy found in learning. As you walk down Kingston towards the local Lag B’Omer carnival on E. New York Avenue, stop in at the Heichal Halimmud. The Heichal is located at 574 Empire Blvd (right off the South-West corner of Kingston, between Kingston and Lamont). Demonstrate to your children how a true Yom Tov is spent both with family, and with Torah.

In light of the above...

This Lag B'Omer there will be a special opportunity for all men and boys who stop in at the Heichal Halimmud. Every person who walks inside will be entered into a raffle to win an English Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch (four winners) on Hilchos Talmud Torah. Additionally, runner-ups will become the proud new owners of their own Tanya maps. Best of all, entering the Heichal, and having you and your children see what it is and how it can be utilized, gives them and yourself an appetite for learning.

Make sure to be at the Heichal Halimmud, 574 Empire Blvd, between 12:30 PM and 6:30 PM.

Beis Iyar, 5773

In the previous issue the question was raised regarding a man who built a new bookcase to house his ever-growing collection of Seforim. He wanted to use his old bookcase to hold miscellaneous items. Was he permitted to do so, or was his old bookcase considered a "Tashmish Kedushah" which could not be used for "Divrei Chol?"

The Rov in the man's town asked this question to the Gaon Reb Meir Arik A"H. In his Teshuvah, Reb Meir explained that although printed Seforim do contain Kedushah, most people are lenient when it comes to printed Seforim, as opposed to by written Seforim. An Aron Kodesh, which contains Sifrei Torah written on parchment, is considered to be a Tashmish Kedushah, while a bookcase, which holds printed Seforim, is not.

A "Ba'al Nefesh," however, might choose to be strict in this regard and consider a bookcase a Tashmish Kedushah. Reb Meir therefore continues his letter by writing a method through which a Baal Nefesh is able to use such a bookcase, as well. He quotes the Shulchan Aruch's ruling (Yoreh Dei'ah 282:15): "Golden and silver apples that are used to beautify a Sefer Torah are considered Tashmishei Kedushah. They may not be [sold and subsequently] used for mundane purposes unless one's intent is to purchase a Sefer Torah or Chumash [with the money of the sale]."

We can infer from this Halachah that if one sells Tashmishei Kedushah with the intent of using the money to purchase holy items, the Tashmishei Kedushah can subsequently be used for mundane purposes. To apply this to our scenario, the old bookcase could be sold to a friend for a minimal sum of money, and this money would then be used to purchase Seforim. The friend could then give the bookcase as a gift back to its original owner, or sell it to him for another small sum of money. Then, the bookcase could be used for "Divrei Chol."

Certain Poskim are of the opinion that Tashmishei Kedushah cannot be used for "Divrei Chol" upon being sold. In this case, however, being that most people are lenient with regard to printed Seforim, one can definitely follow the above suggestion and then use the bookcase for anything he desires.

(Shu"t Imrei Yosher #45)

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All Headlines

To Volunteer...Or to Donate? Yud Ches Sivan 5773

MASTER TORAH'S COMING TO TOWN! Tes Sivan 5773

or·gan·i·za·tion /ˌôrgəniˈzāSHən/ Tes Sivan 5773

Open Doors and Free Raffle Entry Beis Iyar, 5773

To Volunteer...Or to Donate?
Yud Ches Sivan 5773

MASTER TORAH'S COMING TO TOWN!
Tes Sivan 5773

or·gan·i·za·tion /ˌôrgəniˈzāSHən/
Tes Sivan 5773