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"Adina," Meir’s voice took on a note of urgency. "We’re not talking about just any anniversary. This is Mommy and Daddy’s 30th! It’s a big deal. We need to do something to show them just how much this means to us!"
"Absolutely," Adina concurred. "Do Miri and Elisheva have any ideas?"
"We’ve been brainstorming," Meir responded. "I’m just not sure if what we’ve come up with will work. It’s the wrong season for a family ski event, Mommy gets seasick, so the dinner cruise is out, and a hot air balloon won’t fit all of us."
"How about if we try a different direction altogether." Adina paused. "How about if we keep it local, you know, just like, rent out a hall, and get one of the better caterers, and a few piece band, and stuff like that. What’s wrong with that?"
"Adina, I can’t believe you’re talking like this!" Meir exclaimed. "How will Mommy and Daddy know how happy we are for them? What’s going to make it seem really personal, like this whole event is about them?"
"Personal? Personal! Meir, I’ve got it!" Adina shouted into the phone. "We’ll get them a cake. A huge cake. And it will have Mommy and Daddy’s picture on it! I know a bakery where you can order cakes with edible printed pictures. With a personalized cake like this, there won’t be any doubt in Mommy and Daddy’s mind that this party is all about them!"
"Adina, you’re brilliant! Mommy and Daddy will love it. And everyone will be so excited to eat…" Meir’s voice trailed off. "Wait a second! That means we’re going to be cutting up a picture of Mommy and Daddy, and then everyone will be eating their picture. Isn’t that a little, eh, odd? I mean, is it even allowed?"
Answer of Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, shlita:
It is forbidden to cut a cake with a picture of one’s parents on it, because it is a form of degradation of the parents.
There is an incident involving our forefathers, which demonstrates this principle. The Yalkut Shemoni (Parshat Vayechi, remez 172 and Samuel II, remez 173) states that, at the time of the burial of Yitzchak Avinu, Yaakov entered Me’arat Hamachpela (the cave in which the forefathers are buried), and proceeded to cry over the death of his father. His sons left the cave, in order to allow Yaakov to cry unobserved. As Yaakov’s brother, Esav, entered the cave, Yehuda feared that Esav planned to kill Yaakov. Yehuda followed after Esav, and saw that Esav was, in fact, attempting to murder Yaakov! Yehuda stood behind Esav, and preemptively killed him. Why did Yehuda choose to kill Esav from behind, rather than while standing in front of Esav? Because Esav’s face resembled that of Yaakov. Therefore, Yehuda chose to kill Esav from the back, in order to accord honor to the image of Yaakov.
Answer of Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl, shlita:
It is permitted for children to order a cake which features a picture of their parents. This is not a degradation of the parents. In fact, the opposite is the case. It is a form of honor for the parents, in that the children are demonstrating that the parents are worthy of the effort expended in procuring such a cake.
(It should be noted, however, that it would be forbidden to cut the image on Shabbat. One would have to cut around the picture, in such a case.)
In summary: According to Rabbi Zilberstein, it is improper to create a cake which features the image of one’s parents, because it would be disrespectful to cut and eat the picture. According to Rabbi Nebenzahl, it is permitted and even praiseworthy to create such a cake.
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)
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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
