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| Parshas Matos 5771 |
| July 22-23, 2011 | Tammuz 20-21, 5771 | |
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FAREWELL RECEPTION Kollel of Ottawa invites the Ottawa Jewish Community to a reception honouring Rabbi Simcha Zev Baum and family & Rabbi Amir Hochstadter and family July 24, 2011 at 7:00pm at Kollel of Ottawa 1762 Carling Avenue Light refreshments will be served |
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| In this week’s Parashah we are introduced to the concept of vows. The Torah tells us that a person’s speech has the power to render forbidden to him that which was previously permitted. If a person says that a particular loaf of bread should hereby be forbidden to him, it actually becomes so. If he subsequently eats that loaf of bread, he has transgressed a commandment in the Torah, no different than had he eaten any other forbidden food item. A person’s speech is not simply a means by which to communicate thoughts, rather it can even create a forbidden status on an otherwise permissible item. We are now beginning the three weeks which lead up to Tish’ah B’av. Our sages teach us that the temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred between Jews. Almost all such animosity begins and spreads because of “Lashon Hara” – evil speech. Our speech is a powerful tool. It can render forbidden that which is permitted, and it can be used to hurt, slander and spread hatred. On the other hand it can also be used to spread love, friendship and cultivate camaraderie. Let us try to replace the baseless hatred amongst us with baseless love. Let’s try to use our speech in the pursuit of creating an environment of friendship and warmth between Jews, helping to bring about the rebuilding of the temple speedily in our days. Have a wonderful Shabbos |