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I’m currently involved in a long-term effort to obtain a Sefer Torah. I’m about a year into this effort and tt will take me about five more to obtain this goal. Most of the people in my neighborhood know about this particular goal of mine, are very supportive, and would like to see me accomplish it.
There is one person in my neighborhood who, like everyone else, is also supportive of my goal. However, this person keeps insisting that once I obtain my Sefer Torah, I should donate it to the Israeli Army for use by the chayalim. I’ve told him that that’s not the plan, but he keeps bringing it up anyway.
While I support the Israeli Army and the chayalim in their work and would wholeheartedly approve of someone else donating their Sefer Torah to it, I do not personally want to do this. Part of the reason I’m engaged in this goal is that I want to be able to read from it in my shul (I’ve been a regular ba’al kriah for thirty-six years). If I donate my Torah to the Israeli Army, I will obviously not be able to do so. In addition, I’d like to eventually pass it down to my children and their families someday.
So, am I hypocritical (or perhaps just selfish) to simultaneously recognize the good work of the chayalim, recognize that they could probably use another Sefer Torah, want to support them, and, at the same time, not want to hand over the Sefer Torah to them when I actually obtain it?
The Wolf
(Please, no posts disparaging the IDF/State of Israel. That’s not what’s in dispute with this question. Just take it as a given that I support them and answer accordingly. Yes, this post is all about me, not the IDF/State. Thank you.)
People often have wonderful ideas of what other people should be doing with their hard-to-come-by gains.
Tzedaka by guilt is extortion. When someone leans heavy on the would-be Mitzvah it causes a momentary guilt or internal battle. This is why it is deeply annoying when, after you already decided how much you’ll donate, the fundraiser keeps going. (It is also a form of Geneva according to Sefer Chasidim.)
You can tell this fellow that if he’ll donate the Shul and Aron Kodshim you’ll consider giving the Sefer that you worked to get for 5 years.
In simple terms it is ridiculous for him to pester you about this.
What is stopping this fellow from raising money and fulfilling his own idea? Why does it need to be the one you’re working to get?
I don’t understand the question
If someone makes money and uses it to have self care (vacation, eating out) is he selfish, because he didn’t give it to tzedakah?
Just like there isn’t anything wrong with self care once in a while I don’t see a problem with this either
Just my humble opinion
1) Why “the Israeli Army and the chayalim” either write “soldiers” or “Tzeva HaYisraeli”.
2) Really stupid question. I supported Ted Cruz. Was it hypocritical that I didn’t give him my living room couch?There are Orthodox synagogues in New York City
that have more than a dozen Torah Scrolls.There are Orthodox synagogues in New York City
that have twice (2x) as many Torah Scrolls than they need,
or even thrice (3x) as many Torah Scrolls than they need,These synagogues should consider donating some
of their Torah Scrolls to Orthodox synagogues in
Eretz Yisrael, or some other place that truly needs them.If I remember correctly, there was a non-profit organization
around 20 or 25 years ago, whose only purpose was to
transfer Torah Scrolls from Orthodox synagogues
in the USA who had more than they could use,
to poor Orthodox synagogues in Eretz Yisrael.Sorry, but I do not remember the name of that organization.
As you said so, I will not reply regarding the idf, but in relation to you writing/aiming for a sefer torah for yourself, no, it is not at all selfish, in fact the mitzvah of writing a sefer torah to donate it for somewhere else, whilst may be a nice thing, is not the core mitzva of attaining a sefer torah. The mitzvah is more for you to have personal benefit ie reading from it.
It is more of a hiddur if you will be using it yourself, or have benefit from it.
Hope that helps.You’re not a hypocrite, and it is not “selfish” of you to want to have your own Sefer Torah; on the contrary, it is a Mitzvah, and you are to be commended for what you are doing.
It is a true Kiddush Hashem that you are working on a six-year plan to fulfil this Mitzvah in the best way possible. [Most people never have their own Sefer Torah, instead relying on the Rishonim who say we can fulfil the Mitzvah by purchasing other Seforim.]
The fact that you also plan to lein from your own Sefer on a weekly basis is a marvelous Hidur Mitzvah in Krias HaTorah. At the same time, it is also a tremendous display of Kavod HaTorah that you will make regular use of your Sefer.
I’m sure your friend means well, but I think he’s wrong about this.
You are not a hypocrite. It’s YOUR mitzvah and you have no obligation to expalin to anybody what you plan to do with it. Your friend should mind his own business.
The main thing is that you shouldn’t talk during leining. Everything else is commentary.
FYI- most hold that if you donate a sefer torah then you lose your mitzva of ksivas sefer torah.
Best practice if you want to be mikayim the mitzva is to lend it to whomever will use it, while keeping ownership of the ST yourself.Also Mishna Berura says that if you know how to lein and know the nikud, it is ideal to be maavir sedrah from a sefer torah- MB- Siman 185
i dont understand the question, if you want something you do it, if this Zionist fellow wants to give it to the IDF let HIM fundraise, simple. you can avoid him from now on.
People donate sifrei Torah to a shul because they want their loved ones to be remembered in that specific shul. Sometimes they actually remain the property of the donor and they’re kept there for use at certain occasions and when the donor moves away they take it with them. Nobody has a right to just transfer a sefer Torah.
> main thing is that you shouldn’t talk during leining.
Obviously, Wolf is trying to fulfil this by buying his sefer Torah and leining it. Do you think he will be talking between the pesukim?
PS Even AAQ does not talk when called to the Torah, the time I am walking past others to the Torah is usually enough to exchange all the jokes I have for the day.
pekak:
Thank you for sharing those very valid facts!
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lakewoodbt:After 120 years, G*D will judge you for Sinat Chinam
against Torah-observant members of the IDF.
You are not good enough to polish their shoes.You will also be judged for your inexcusable lack of gratitude
(Hakarat HaTov) towards members of the IDF,
who make gigantic sacrifices protect Jewish land and Jewish lives.Last but not least, the people who taught you to hate
will be punished for teaching Sinat Chinam and ingratitude.Square Root,
Why did the Torah have to come from an “Orthodox Shul”?
Every Orthodox, Conservative & Reform Shul has the exact same Torah. If it’s Kosher it’s Kosher &
What better way to show Kavod HaTorah then to take a Torah from a Reform Shul & “elevate” it to being used by Torah true Yidden?
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