TorahFax torahfax613@gmail.com B"H Tuesday, Iyar 23, 5775 (38th day of the Omer) / May 12, 2015 The Shabbat Torah readings since Pesach (Passover) were not the same in Israel and in the Diaspora. Israel was one Parsha ahead of us. But, this Shabbat Israel and the Diaspora will both conclude the Book of Leviticus, thus adjusting the two readings. It will be done as follows: In Israel they will read only one Parsha, B'chukotei, the last Parsha in the Book of Leviticus (Vayikra). In the Diaspora, where we are one Torah portion behind Israel, we will read two Parshiot, B'Har & B'chukotei. From this Shabbat on, Israel and the Diaspora will have the same Torah readings. One of the mitzvot in Parshat B'Har is the commandment to help another person in need. The Torah says, "And if your brother will become poor and his means will fail, you shall uphold him..." The Torah commentary, Rashi, explains, "Do not wait and let him go down until he falls completely.. for then it will be difficult to raise him. You must uphold him at the time when he begins to fail." Rashi explains this concept with the following parable: "This is similar to a burden which has shifted upon a donkey and is weighing the animal down. While the donkey is still standing even one person can shift the load back into place and keep the donkey up. But once the donkey collapses, even five people may not be able to raise it back up again." Thus, the Torah commands us not to wait until the other person is completely destitute. But we must help him at the earliest possible opportunity. When we help someone else, in reality we are helping ourselves. The Zohar tells the following tale: A poor man approached Rabbi Yitzchak and asked for help so that he can feed his wife and children. Rabbi Yitzchak himself was a poor man and had very little. "A half a maah (a very small amount) is all I have. How will you be able to buy food with such a small amount?" asked Rabbi Yitzchak. "I too have half a maah on me, together with your half I will be able to buy a bread to feed my family," replied the poor man. Rabbi Yitzchak gave him the coin. That night Rabbi Yitzchak had a dream. In it he was thrown into the ocean and was about to drown when he noticed his teacher Rabbi Shimon standing with stretched out hands to save him. But try as he may, he couldn't reach to grasp Rabbi Shimon's hand. Suddenly the poor man appeared, and brought him to Rabbi Shimon. Rabbi Yitzchak related his dream to his students. "Fortunate is the one who helps the poor," he told his students. "For ultimately, it will save the giver in a time of need." HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY Remember: Positive thoughts.. brings positive results ---------------- Mailing Address: Torah Fax - Box 373 Station Snowdon. Montreal, Que. H3X 3T6 Canada Tel: (514) 342-1988 Fax: (514) 73-Torah (738-6724) E-mail: torahfax613@gmail.com Web: www.torahfax.net