Halocho #361- We're back in sync

As we learnt in Halocho 338, for the past 5 weeks the Parsha being read in Israel was one ahead of the one being read in the Diaspora.

This week in Israel we will read Parshat Balak - בלק, while in the Diaspora they will read the double Parsha of Chukath-Balak - חוקת-בלק.

Henceforth we will be once again be reading the same Parsha again for almost 3 years, until after Pessach 2012 - ה'תשע"ב when we will diverge again for 6 weeks. (Pessach will end on Friday on Israel, and on Shabbat in the Diaspora.)

This week's Haftara includes one of the admonitions to remember: עַמִּי, זְכָר-נָא מַה-יָּעַץ בָּלָק מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב, וּמֶה-עָנָה אֹתוֹ, בִּלְעָם בֶּן-בְּעוֹר O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Bilam the son of Beor answered him... (Micha 6:5)

Shabbat Shalom,

- Danny Thursday, 10 Tamuz 5769

Written L'Ilui Nishmas Reuven Ben Shlomo Dov

Halocho #358 - May one consult a wizard?

In this week's Torah Reading we will read all about Bilam the Wizard's failed attempts to curse the Jews.

The Torah commands us to kill all witches and wizards. (Shmot 22:17)

It's forbidden to consult with soothsayers, witches, wizards and their ilk.

To treat a life threatening situation that seems to be caused by the occult one may use a non-Jewish witch or wizard.

(Whether witches and wizards really exist, or if they are simply muggles adept at sleight of hand, is a matter of dispute amongst Rabbinical authorities.)

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 166:5

- Danny Monday, 7 Tamuz 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #117 - Don't behave like Bilam

The Parsha this week is Balak; all about Bilam the Wizard's failed attempts to curse the Jews. It's a Torah prohibition to curse a fellow Jew. E.g. Saying "Darn him!" is an sin. Cursing a fellow Jew using any reference to Hashem - in any language - would result in 39 lashes by Bet Din. E.g. Saying "The Almighty should punish Ploni" is a Torah prohibition for which one deserves 39 lashes by Bet Din. Using G-d's "real" name in any language (e.g. G-d, or Hashem as said during prayers) would add a second sin of saying His Name in vain. Even invoking the loss of a blessing - "The Merciful One shouldn't let Ploni succeed" - is a Torah prohibition. Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 6:3 Be Blessed! - Danny Tuesday 5th Tamuz 5768

Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה - who is undergoing chemotherapy