May 30, 2008
To the Bear Stearns Minyan, one last time:
After two great years at the Bear, and having been observant for about the same amount of time, I have chosen to exit galus and the world of gashmius (at least temporarily) in order to immerse myself in the ruchnius that I hope to find at Ohr Somayach in eretz Yisroel. I had been planning to go learn at some point, and despite having had a potential opportunity to go over to JPMorgan, the events that took place in mid-March made my decision that much clearer. Not only has Hashem provided me with the ability to go learn but he has blessed me with a “scholarship” care of JPM.
The Bear mincha minyan was really my first regular minyan and it provided me with much inspiration. The whole concept was foreign to me. The idea that a few dozen men at a major financial institution would take time out of their busy schedules and express their gratitude to Hashem, in a conference room within the building no less, was a big motivator for me. Moreover, nobody was talking, rarely were there any cell phone interruptions, and some were even able to achieve serious kavanagh. Thank you to everyone who davened for inspiring me with your tefillah.
While I sympathize with those who lost money and jobs, we know that everything happens for a reason and it will all work out for the best. That being said, the collapse of BSC provided a great deal of mussar to all who wish to see it. There are some employees who gave their heart and soul to the company for many years, and some lost thousands or even millions of dollars (Jimmy literally lost a billion!) – they learned the hard way that money is fleeting. Still there are others who were with the company for only a few months who will receive a nice severance package and have already accepted offers elsewhere at higher salaries. There are those, who because of the extraordinary amount of time that they spent at the office, missed out on many milestones (birthdays, weddings, etc.), and lost it all. And there are those who were just in the right place at the right time. And of course there are stories of everything in between. There are no accidents. Hashem is in charge of the world. Sometimes when we are in certain situations it is difficult to have a clear perspective. In the business world it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day and to lose sight of what really matters This experience has truly served to clarify for me the idea that the only “things” that are timeless are the mitzvahs that we do and the tzedakah that we give in olam hazeh. Bear Stearns will soon be a distant memory but hopefully this lesson will remain with us.
There is a famous story of an extraordinarily wealthy man who wrote two wills. When he passed away his children were instructed to immediately open will #1 and then 30 days later to open will #2. Will #1 indicated that the man’s last wish was to be buried in his favorite pair of socks. The chevra kadisha informed the children that this would not be possible. The children pleaded, informing them that their father was a very powerful man who had given a substantial amount of tzedakah throughout his life. They asked, “Do you know who our father is?” Still, the chevra kadisha told the children that it was not halachically permissible. They informed the children that the dead could only be buried in a white kittel. The children sadly buried their father unable to fulfill his final request. After 30 days had passed will #2 was read to the children. “By now children, you have buried me without my socks. I want you to realize that no matter how many millions of dollars you accumulate in your lifetime, you cannot even take your socks with you to the next world.”
There was once a man traveling through Europe in the 1800’s. He came to the town where the Chofetz Chaim had lived. The traveler stopped in to meet the great Talmid Chuchum. When he arrived at the house, he saw that the Chofetz Chaim lived in a tiny home. He knocked on the door and when he looked inside he saw a nearly empty one-bedroom apartment. The traveler asked the Chofetz Chaim, “aren’t you the great Chofetz Chaim? How can you live like this? Where are all of your possessions?” The Chofetz Chaim turned to the traveler and posed the same question. “Where are all of your possessions? All you have with you is a suitcase.” The traveler answered, “Well, I am just passing through,” to which the Chofetz Chaim responded, “I too am just passing through.”
These are old stories but their messages are powerful. It is of course important to make a living and support a family but it is also important to learn Torah b’yom u b’layla, to treat others with respect, to be a Kiddush Hashem and to always act l’shaem shemayim. As I have been inspired by everyone at the minyan, and certainly affected by the events that have transpired at Bear, I hope that you are all inspired by the messages that Hashem sends us on a daily basis and that you continue to strive to achieve a true closeness to the Rabbeinu shel Olam.
Nachum and I had a brief conversation with our CEO, Alan Schwartz, in the elevator on the way to Mincha yesterday. We invited him to daven with us though we conveyed our feelings that maybe our prayers for the well-being of Bear Stearns had not been received in the way that a lot of people had hoped. He had a meeting to attend but he left us with some great mussar. He said something along the lines of ‘don’t worry fellas – your prayers are being answered – we just don’t know how.’ Now I don’t know if he has been meeting with a Rabbi over the past few months or if it was just the power of the pintele Yid but I thought it was a great attitude reflecting on what has no doubt been the most tragic part of his career. Hashem sends us messages all the time and from the most unexpected places.
A big hakores hatov to Andy on behalf of the entire minyan for all his hard work and for being our shaliach mitzvah. By the way, if you have noticed that Andy hasn’t been around as much lately it is because he has been spending his mornings learning in Yeshiva. Yafeh!
Hatzlacha vBracha!
Robert Savit
Vice President
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
It has happened far too often, that I have danced at weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other celebrations and have found myself not knowing the words of the song that is being played by the band. Nevertheless, in the spirit of the simcha, I continue dancing and muttering random sounds that seem to somewhat flow well with music.
After discussing the matter with a few of my friends they too have confessed that they often find themselves in this same situation.
My good friend CR has answered our silent outcry and has set out on a mission to correct this problem. He has constructed a blog that methodically goes song by song, writing out the words of the songs and their translations. He then follows with a beautiful anecdote that explains and adds meaning to the words of each song.
I very much encourage that everyone check out his blog. Not only will it enrich your simcha but it will also bring more meaning to the songs (www.knowthewords.blogspot.com).
Kol HaKavod CR! And I anxiously await your every post.
Within the context of Hilchos Brachos and the specifics that surround them, many discuss the topic of shinui makom. Much ink has been spilled (Baruch Hashem) on the topic, and as the situational norms change on this topic, so do their applications in Halacha.
A contemporary issue that has risen is the question of whether or not saying a bracha in a car is considered to be a makom kavua. The nafka mina being the moment that one leaves the car. If the car is considered to be a makom, then the moment that one leaves his car, in order to continue his meal/drink he would have to make a new bracha. If the car is not considered to be a makom however, then saying a new bracha upon leaving the automobile would be unnecessary.
We conclude that if the subject began eating or drinking while the car was in motion, he may continue eating once he gets to his target location without the need for a new bracha. This is because eating in a moving vehicle is considered eating without any set place. Halacha would even maintain that he can continue eating, even if, upon making the initial bracha, he had no intention of continuing his meal/snack after reaching his destination.
If however, he began his food in a stationary vehicle, with the intention of finishing his meal while still parked, but nonetheless his meal extends until after the car starts moving again. He may continue eating without having to say a new bracha, as long as he stays in the car. The moment that he leaves the car it would require a new bracha.*
*See the The Daily Halacha Discussion, who quotes the MB 178:42, as explained in B’tzeil ha-Chochma 6:73-74 and V’sein Beracha, pg.148, quoting Harav Y.S. Elyashiv.
The three prong objective of active service work, Jewish textual studies and supplementary education while on the Yeshiva University Winter Kollel and Service Corps in Israel was both thought evoking and life altering. Our Rabbi’s teach us that the Torah was given to the nation of Israel on condition that we act and fully embrace its texts. The launch of placing these three objectives together ultimately brought this dream and wish to fruition.
Besides for the mystical ability for this setup to build an uncanny sense of comradery between a group of twenty men, it also reiterated and reinforced that our Torah is not just a book of letters, but that its words are alive. Although the Torah was given thousands of years ago all of its values are as much alive today as they ever were.
Starting from Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and then following suit at the Tower of Babel, the world has been plagued with strife, the Shmitta “issue” in Israel has proven to be no exception. The nation of Israel is socially, economically, politically and halachikally torn on this topic and briefly having the chance to hear all sides unfold was truly mind boggling. Nonetheless, it seems that the only antidote to this plague and strife is through the mediums in which we utilized during this trip. We were given the opportunity to listen from an American unbiased perspective, as representatives and specialists from different social groups within Israeli society expressed their enthusiasm and personal angst from Shmitta. I found it to be exciting that these members of Israeli society were legitimately discussing and toiling with the proper way to observe this biblical commandment (albeit possibly rabbinic nowadays). This was an inspiring and overwhelming experience that I for one, did not entirely soak up until the trip was entirely over and had already landed back in New York City.
By taking what I gained from this overseas excursion in Israel, and applying it back to my everyday interactions, will provide new light to the way that I study as well as interact with my contemporaries. The greater Jewish community has been blessed with a love and willingness to offer a helping hand. This compassion and sincerity towards others is otherwise known as, Tikkun Olam. While participating on Yeshiva University’s Winter Kollel and Service Corp, I found myself in situations which I had never dreamed that I would ever be in. I was in soup kitchens and warehouses that were donated to enriching the lives of the needy. I helped a woman who had virtually lost her entire livelihood in Gush Katif by partaking in weeding her greenhouses. I picked oranges from a 150 acre orchard that was entirely donated to charity. By having these interactions with the needy it made their predicaments real to me. These experiences humbled the fortunate and made us more willing to give. No longer was the needy woman in the soup kitchen just a story, but she became my story. The second that I helped her she helped me. While fully engulfed in these occurrences the words “kol yisrael areivim zeh ba zeh” rang in my ears. I recalled hearing teachings from my Rabbi’s who said, “Anyone who saves one life within the nation of Israel is as if he saved an entire world”. The amazing part about this adage is that while it is true that we helped many a person, they kindly reciprocated by helping us become better Jews.
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups -porcelain plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eying each other's cups.
Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee G-d has provided us."
G-d brews the coffee, not the cups........ .. Enjoy your coffee!
"I am still struggling in the toils of the three thousand years of Jewish history. Once you get into it, you find there is no easy way of getting out again. Have you ever tried reading the talmud? It is a very strange work - difficult at first to get the hang of - but it exercises a certain fascination. I think that I may settle down to reading it through. There seems to be no other way of really finding out what is in it..." (Ibid., 528).
“Uliaviv shalach kazos, asara chamorim nisiim mitov mitzraim” 45:23
Chazal says that mitov mitzraim is referring to “old wine”which is something that old people enjoy.
Why is old wine seen as something that old people enjoy?
The Baal Tiv Gitten says that Wine is the one and only thing that gets better when it is older rather than younger. Therefore elderly people like old wine because it speaks well for them (the wiser the greater).
The Kihilos Yitzchak asks, why is old wine considered to be the greatest commodity of Mitzraim, it seems that the Egyptians did not know anything about this?! Yaakov was seemingly better off getting his Wine in Eretz Yisrael!
In Sefer Isaiah it says that Mitzraim is called Rahav – which means arrogant (gaaiva), this is because the Egyptians were always entrenched in their own desires and riches this made them baalei gaaiva.
The Gemara in Bava Basra (98) says that the wine of an arrogant person will become vinegar. This is why Mitzraim does not have good wine and Kol Shekein that they do not have aged wine.
For this exact reason Yosef sent Yaakov aged Egyptian wine. He wanted to show his father that he had not learned from the ways of the Egyptians.
This is also why this wine was valuable, because nice wine was hard to come by in Egypt because it would become vinegar because of their arrogance.
The Torah Temima however say that the reason why the wine was so valuable was because when people drink wine they like to drink stuff that is older than they are. This is seen in Megilla (12) by the feast of Achashveirosh, “Viyayin malchus rav” – everyone drank wine that was older than them in years. Therefore it was impossible to find wine that was older than Yaakov in Eretz Yisrael because at that time Yaakov was 130 years old, and Chazal tell us that at that time rain only fell once every 70 years in Eretz Yisrael. This is why Yosef sent Yaakov old wine from Egypt.
In this weeks Parsha we see the reuniting of Yosef and Yaakov after 22 years of separation.
The pasuk says, (46:29,30) “Yosef harnessed his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen; and he appeared to him, fell on his neck, and he wept on his neck excessively. Then Israel said to Yosef, I can die this time, after my having seen your face, because you are still alive.”
In Meseches Brachos( 58: ), as well as in the Tur Shulchan Aruch Siman 225 it says that if someone sees his friend after not seeing him for 30 days he should say a Shehechiyanu. If he hasn’t seen him for 12 months then he should say a “baruch michayei mesiim” because he is elated to see him after not seeing him for such a long time. All of these brachos should be said with shem and malchus as well.
If a person receives a letter from a friend who he has not seen for over a month, there are those Achronim who hold that a Shehechiyanu is required. The Mishna Brura paskins that safek brachos lihakel. By michayei meisim however, everyone agrees that a baruch michayei meisim is not said, if he had heard from him within the year.
The reason for this is written in the sefer chiddushei agados which says that the entire reason for why the bracha of michayei meisim is said is because every year people are judged between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur to see whether or not they will live or die. Therefore if one does not see someone from one Y”K to the next then a aruch michayei meisim is definitely in order but if one hears from him then it is not in order because the din is understandable.( According to this if someone does not see his friend for even 10 days from before R”H to after Y”K of the same year he would have to say a baruch michayei meisim)
This din does not differ whether it is for a man or a woman. If one is elated to see his/her friend then a bracha is in order. A man however only makes this bracha on his wife, mother, sister, and daughter. If this is true then for a woman then it would follow a similar scale; husband, father, brother and son.
The Mishna Brura says that if someone goes over 12 months without seeing a friend then a “baruch michayei meisim is said and not a shehechiyanu”. If one sees a “Chacham mei chachei Yisroel” then one should say on him, “asher chalak mikivodo lireiav” in addition to a michayei meisim and a shehechiyanu if you hadn’t seen him within 30 days.
If someone had never seen his friend and their relationship is entirely dependent upon being a “penpal”. After seeing them for the first time a bracha is NOT said. This because your relationship is not dependant on a personal relationship. Only once they become accustomed with each other’s physical appearance only then is a bracha said.
The Pri Megadim says that if a someones wife gives birth while he is in midinas hayam then after seeing the child for the first time a shehechiyanu / baruch michayei hameisim is said because you are immediately elated to see your own child.
The Ben Ish Chai says that a person should never say one of these brachos with shem hashem or malchus and the Kaf HaChaim says, that if one is in such a town where they are not noheg to say this bracha then they should say shehechiyanu without shem hashem and malchus and should say “baruch michayei meisim in his heart. This same thing applies with a new kid who is born to a man in a place where they are not noheg to say the bracha. He should eat a new fruit and have the baby in mind when eating the fruit.
R’ Ephraim Greenblatt says in his sefer, “Rivivos Ephraim”, that never in his life had he ever seen anyone say these brachos on seeing a person a new after not seeing each other for a while. He suggests that the reason for this is because people do not know how happy they have to be to see a person in order to say these brachos!
My friend sent me this article that he found on Aish.com, and Boy O Boy is it true:
A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small
As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger...he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.
If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn't seem to mind.
Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave?)
Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home... not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our longtime visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush.
My Dad didn't permit the liberal use of alcohol. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.
I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked... and NEVER asked to leave.
More than 50 years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents' den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures. His name?
We just call him, "TV."
And the stranger has a wife now. We call her "Internet."
