OHR SOMAYACH'S ASK THE RABBI 
Issue #254, November 13, 1999 
Parshat Toldot
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In this issue:
G-D'S LITTLE JOKE 
FRUM, AIN'T IT? 
BAD MOUTH
YIDDLE RIDDLE
PUBLIC DOMAIN 
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G-D'S LITTLE JOKE

Name@Withheld from Beckville, Texas wrote:

Dear Rabbi,
Sometimes I feel like G-d put me down here as a joke.  How can I fight 
this hopeless feeling?

Dear Name@Withheld,

	G-d is totally Benevolent.  When He creates something, it is always 
with a positive purpose in mind.

	The Talmud states that although plants and animals were created en 
masse, the human being was created alone in order to teach us that each 
person as an individual is vital to the world.  We are created "in the 
image of G-d," meaning that we have an infinite soul, a moral capacity, 
and free will.  If you are challenged by life, you have also been given 
the power and strength to overcome the challenge.

	Everyone has failures and sometimes feels hopeless.  But we are 
also given the power to recoup our strength and to carry on.  I suggest 
reading an excellent book by Dr. Abraham Twersky, called "Let Us Make 
Man."

	It might help you to know that your feelings are not uncommon.  All 
great people have struggled with the riddle of existence, and everyone 
feels down at times.

************

FRUM, AIN'T IT?

Yonasan Shapiro <shapie@juno.com> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,
What is the definition of "frum" and what determines if you ain't "frum?"

Dear Yonasan Shapiro,

	Frum is a Yiddish word.  It originally meant "pious."  In Europe, 
when all Jews were Torah-observant, "frum" meant one who was 
exceptionally religious and righteous.

	Today, when so many Jews are not Torah-observant, "frum" has come 
to mean anyone who believes in the Torah and is observant of its laws.

************

BAD MOUTH

Xandra from Florence, Vermont <chai@together.net> wrote:

Dear Rabbi,
What is my obligation if I walk into or through a room where five people 
are engaged in lashon hara (derogatory speech) about another worker who 
is temporarily absent?

Dear Xandra,

	It is a Torah prohibition to listen to derogatory speech.  
Therefore, if you have no business in the room at the time, then it is a 
mitzvah to leave.  And joining the group or expressing interest in what 
is being said is prohibited.  If you need to be in the room for some 
reason, then you have to try to listen to as little as possible, and try 
not to accept any of it as fact.

	Certain leniencies apply to listening without the intent of 
accepting.  Mainly, if you think some benefit may come out of it for you -
- for example, they are speaking about someone whom you are considering 
for a business partner -- or, alternatively, if by listening you think that 
you will be able to rectify some wrong, then it may be permitted to 
listen.  Here too, you're only allowed to suspect that the information 
might be true in order to protect yourself, but you're not allowed to 
believe it as fact.

Sources: Sefer Chafetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Hara, Klal 6

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YIDDLE RIDDLE

	In which weekly parsha (Torah portion) is the number of verses 
equal to the numerical value of the last word of the parsha?  

Answer Next Week...

* Riddle submitted by Mike Marmor, Toronto <mike.marmor@reuters.com>

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THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Comments, quibbles, and reactions 
concerning previous "Ask-the-Rabbi" features

Re:  Goodyear (http://www.ohrnet.org/ask/ask251.htm#Q1):

	In a recent edition, you wrote about the year 5760.  I wanted to 
add something my Grandfather, Rabbi Harold Konovitch, said about the year 
5760.  He foresees this year as a wonderful one for Jewish people.  Why?  
Because when you add up the digits of the year, 5+7+6+0, what do you get?  
18!  Chai!  Life!

                                                       <Levys118@aol.com>


Re: Correction (http://www.ohrnet.org/ask/ask249.htm#Q1):

	Sisera was the leader of the Canaanite army based in Hazor, not 
Assyrian, as you wrote.

                                    Yitzhak Weiss <rweiss@ozemail.com.au>

Re: Rabbi Tatz's Classes (http://www.ohrnet.org/audio/ra/tatz/index.htm):

	To Ohr Somayach for putting Rabbi Tatz's Torah classes on the web, 
I'd like to thank you -- his lectures are literally changing my life.  
Thank you again -- you have a share in each person's Olam Haba (eternal 
reward) created by the personal impact of these lectures which you 
disseminate.  Ya'asher Koach!

                                                    <Imloachshav@aol.com>
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