Aliyot on Simhat Torah

Q: Why do we call up so many people, all actually, on Simhat Torah?

A: The Talmud refers to only the final Torah reading of the year ,V’Zot HaBeracha, on the Festival of Simhat Torah.  It remains silent on any other Simhat Torah observance.  The final reading of the Text has a name: it is called Hatan Torah. This is an especial honor reserved for a worthy member of the congregation.

The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Law) states that in Ashkenazic commuitiies it was customary to call up many people to the Torah on this Festival- even to the point of repeating the same passages form Torah!  From that time onward, the practice of calling up all members of a congregation to receive an aliya on Simhat Torah was enacted.  Where practicable, people say the blessing over the Torah until all have participated.

The joy of Simhat Torah is so great (and restrictions so few) that we make the day even brighter by extending honors to all.

Eye for an Eye

Q: Do Jews believe in an “eye for an eye?”

A: The ancient Hebrew law of Lex Talionis  is often misunderstood.  Some have even misused this statement citing the cruelty of the Jew.

It has always been recognized that the Torah speaks in terse language. The task of the scholar and the rabbi is to just leave interpret the Holy Writ in accordance with its context and taking into consideration hermeneutic principles.

Judaism declares that an individual must not suffer greater affliction than that which he caused. That is, the aggrieved must not exact retribution greater than the loss. Further, the law goes on to distinguish between accidental harm and intentional harm.

The Talmud further elucidates the principle of lex talionis by refining its meaning and importance. According to the Sages, when a grievous act is committed resulting in bodily harm, e.g. “an eye for an eye” meant the cost of an eye. Total or partial loss of a limb would be assessed by: 1) How much time will be lost at work, 2) physical pain, 3) mental anguish at the disability, and 4) medical expenses incurred.

Weddings during Omer

Q: Why are we not allowed to conduct weddings during the time after Passover?

A:  In the first decades of the second century, a plague swept through the holy land killing thousands. Rich and poor like were taken by the epidemic.

Although the exact date of the plague is unknown it occurred during the weeks after Passover. Claiming the lives of a great many scholars and Rabbis, the disease finally subsided after 33 days.  That is why, in remembrance of the terrible toll that killed so man, we refrain from festive events until the 33^rdday after Pesach (or Omer).  The thirty-third day of the Omer is also called Lag B’Omer when many celebrate with fires and outings.

Torah Reading

Q:If no one is available to read from the sacred Torah scroll on Shabbat, is it permissible to leave the door open while reading from a book, a Humash?

A:The halacha, law, eight that the reading must be done correctly, from a sefer Torah.  However, in the instance where no one is able to read from it is permissible for someone to stand aside the scroll, read from the Torah, while another person points to the text and reads along with him.

Abortion

Q: What is the Jewish attitude to abortion?

A: To destroy a potential life is a grave sin but does not constitute murder. In the words of our sages, “His blood is not redder than yours.” However, in the instance of a pregnant woman being endangered by the fetus, it is halachicallycorrect that the mother’s life takes precedence over the unborn.   Jewish law goes even further to say that if rape or incest is committed and the mental health of the woman is at stake, an abortion is permitted.  Alive and well-being of the mother takes precedence in Judaism.

Transplants

Q: What is the Jewish attitude to organ transplants?

A: This subject is vast. Basically there are three considerations and organ transplants that require a response. 1. The donor must actually be dead if an organ is “harvested” from his body.  While it is tempting to keep the body alive to preserve the organ that wants to be harvested, Jewish law forbids this. 2. It is forbidden to mutilate a corpse. 3. It is forbidden to benefit from a corpse.

On the other hand, it is of paramount importance than a life be saved. It is therefore permissible to transplant an organ from a deceased individual. It must be certain, however as stated, that a natural death has occurred.  In such an instance it is permitted to benefit from the dead in order to save a life.

While we normally prohibit any mutilation of a deceased person this prohibition is set aside in the instance of saving another human being. In a similar vein, where life depends on it, one may even eat on Yom Kippur.  Most Jewish laws are suspended when life is in danger.

Mezuzah

Q: What is a mezuzah and what is its function?

A: The word mezuzah literally means “doorpost.”  We enter our homes though the doorposts (mezuzot) several times each day.

However, the Torah states that the Jewish people are obliged to write God’s Commandments, “on the doorposts of your homes and upon your gates” (Deut. 6:9).  In order to fulfill the word of God, we inscribe the message on all entry points of our domicile. We have come to refer to these words, and no longer just the doorpost, as a mezuzah.

So as not to allow casual destruction of a Torah passage by scuffing, scratching and general wear we place this Deuteronomic passage on a small parchment, attach it to the lintel of our door in a protective case. Sometimes made of metal or rock, clay or even plastic the outer shell of the mezuzah of protects the precious insert.

While some folks where the emblem of the mezuzah around their neck, these are not true mezuzot as they are not doorposts, nor do they contain the sacred parchment. Instead they are a symbol, like the Star of David.  Similarly, while it has become fashionable to have a “car” mezuzah this is not a doorpost so none is required and it is not a mezuzah.