Points you don’t want to miss:
One explanation of the “Ayin Hora” (evil eye) is that people look jealously at someone who is successful, and create an energy of judgment in heaven, which questions, “Does he or she really deserve that good bounty.” The common recommendation is to try to be discreet with blessing, and certainly not to flaunt in a way that would cause other people pain.
The noteworthy exception is Yosef, with this unique protective blessing passed onto his descendants as well. They were blessed “like the fish.” Just as the fish multiply without any concern of Ayin Horah, because they are in the water, concealed from sight, so, the descendants of Yosef have a legacy of protection from Ayin Horah, even as they live and interact with people “in the midst of the land.”
Rav Dessler suggests that the legacy of Yosef is to be awesomely benevolent, so that everyone gains from his success. This is what Yosef represented in his role as viceroy of Egypt, in providing food during the famine to the people of the land, and to his own family. Such a person does not cause pain to others from his success. on the contrary, all rejoice in his success and benevolence.
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On some level, every Rabbinic law is Biblical, because the Torah itself said to listen to the Rabbis. Nevertheless, a law that is rabbinic is often more lenient, because the rabbis specifically provided certain exclusions, such as (in some laws) leniency in the case of an ill person.
These leniencies are not just diplomatic or resulting from great sensitivity. The leniencies also serve a legal purpose, in that they provide a distinction between Biblical law and Rabbinic law. In this way, they did not “add” to the Torah, but merely safeguarded it, which is exactly what Hashem demanded of the rabbis in each generation.
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What is Baraisa and Bircas HaMazon? New terms to me. thanks
Hi! To explain Braisa, let me give some background: The Talmudic era was a time of great, high level scholarship. The Mishna is the official record of Jewish law, and the Talmud is structured upon the Mishna. But there were many other statements from scholars of the time, which are called Braisa. Sometimes the statements of the Braisa are from scholars not quoted in the Mishna. Other times the Braisa is stating a view that is also found in the Mishna, but the Braisa is less concise and therefore provides resolution for something that was in doubt.
The nature of the Talmud is to draw upon both Mishna and Braisa to delve and achieve clarity in whatever topic is at hand.
Bircas HaMazon is the four blessing prayer recited after eating bread, known in English as “Grace after meals.”
Best wishes, RMR
In Gen 28:21 Jacob says Hashem will be to to me a God. What does jacob mean by ( a God)? To me it sounds like one of many although I know it’s not one of many?
nice observation; too much is lost in translations, even good translations!
Jacob was acknowledging Hashem as G-d, and not merely a force of significance. “G-d” as Jews understand it, means the All Powerful Being.
Rabbi: I appreciate you answering my questions so promptly with clarity. Many Thanks I’m sure I will have more. Baruch Hashem
A pleasure Norman. Forge ahead. You are doing great! Good Shabbos!