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In fact, it seemed that, as far as Yitzchak was concerned, prayer was not an essential component of the synagogue experience. Naturally, he would arrive with his tallit bag under his arm, walk over to his seat, unfold and don his tallit, open his siddur, and… apparently that was as much religious activity as he could handle. He would spend the remainder of the services engaged in conversation regarding crucial matters such as baseball scores, local housing prices, and the advisability of buying his children pet goldfish. To be fair, Yitzchak didn’t talk the entire time. He did give his full attention as the synagogue president made the announcements.
While Yitzchak didn’t take much notice of the goings on in shul, the shul members certainly took note of him. His conversations were not just incessant. They were loud. And, while the others in the room might have preferred, at times, to focus on the services, the chazzan and baal korei just couldn’t compete with Yitzchak’s level of volume.
The gabbai stood, fuming, as he attempted to listen to the Torah reading. They had tried everything. Polite requests, and even some less polite ones, had been ignored. The threats that had followed shortly after achieved the same results. It was time to act.
The baal korei completed the reading of the fifth aliya. "Yaamod Yitzchak ben David, shishi" chanted the gabbai, using the traditional formula to call up Yitzchak to recite the blessings over the sixth aliya.
Yitzchak, who was in the midst of a heated discussion as to the merits and demerits of buying wrinkle free shirts, looked up in surprise when he heard his name. Quickly, he jumped to his feet, straightened his tallit, and ran up to the bima. The gabbai waited until he was sure that Yitzchak was looking in his direction, at which pointed the gabbai gestured toward the Torah scroll, indicating that Yitzchak should raise the Torah to perform hagbaha.
Yitzchak, who hadn’t been paying much attention to the goings on in shul until this point, was completely unaware of the fact that the gabbai had announced that Yitzchak would be reciting the blessings over the sixth aliya, and that the baal korei hadn’t completed the Torah reading yet. Therefore, taking his cue only from the inaccurate hand motion he had received from the gabbai, Yitzchak took the Torah scroll in his hands, and lifted it in full view of all of the congregants, who proceeded to burst out laughing at Yitzchak’s mistake.
Sudden understanding came over Yitzchak, as his face went from horseradish-white to kiddush-wine-red. Shaking, he replaced the Torah scroll on the bima, and, shoulders slumped, returned to his seat. For the first time in the history of his shul attendance, Yitzchak sat silently for the remainder of the services. He had never felt so low in his life. That is, until the gabbai approached him after services, and whispered to Yitzchak "if you had been paying attention, instead of talking, you would have known that I called you up for the sixth aliya!"
Did the gabbai act appropriately, by teaching Yitzchak a lesson in this manner?
Answer of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, shlita:
The actions of the gabbai were completely forbidden! Humiliating a person in public is a severe transgression. In the Shulchan Aruch it says "One may not engage in idle conversation while the chazzan is repeating the Shemoneh Esrei. One who does talk at this time is sinning, and his sin is too great to bear, and he should be rebuked." (siman 124, se’if 7) Therefore, he needs to be corrected, repeatedly, if necessary. If the warnings are not effective, and he continues to talk, it is proper to penalize him, and withhold from him the honor of being called to the Torah. (This is the case even if the offender is a Kohen, and there is no other Kohen present.) However, there is no allowance for embarrassing him in public, which is tantamount to murder!
In summary:It was forbidden for the gabbai to embarrass Yitzchak in public. He should have tried to solve the problem in other ways.
The Laws of Ben Adam LeChavero Politeness, Manners & Etiquette- the True Israeli Approach!
Ein Aya Shabbat 3, 8
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
