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Ring and Finger, but Not the Ring Finger

The newly released book “Exhilarating Torah Insights on Recreation and Vacation” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF4ZHPKJ or by sending a WhatsApp to +972 54 849 5217. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 (Israel) or 917 732 2371 (United States) or send an email to [email protected].

This insightful and thought-provoking book delves into these questions and many more, offering profound insights. With over 50 meticulously crafted essays, it masterfully conveys the Torah’s perspective on recreation and vacation. As an indispensable guide, this work will enable readers to attain a deeper understanding of these important topics.

It makes a great gift for parents, siblings, friends, relatives, neighbors, business associates, acquaintances and learning partners. Purchase it at https://amzn.to/3eyh5xP.

Some of the questions discussed in this book are the following.

What role does recreation play in our service of Hashem?

What does the Torah teach us about music?

What lessons can we glean from specific types of recreation, such as sports?

Is there a mitzvah to take a vacation?

What does the Torah say about comedy and humor?

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Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years. He received Semicha from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of the books, Fascinating Insights and Incredible Insights. His writings inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. He lives with his wife and family in a suburb of Yerushalayim where he studies, writes, and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.

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Ring and Finger, but Not the Ring Finger

We know that the chosson under the chupah put the ring specifically on the kallah’s index finger. The obvious question is why?

image.gifIn listing the names of the five fingers, the gemara[1] tells us the index finger is called etzba. During the plague of lice, the Egyptians were unable to duplicate it as they had done with the first two plagues, the blood and the frogs. They were forced to admit אצבע אלה-ים היא,[2] it is the finger of Hashem. The chosson places the ring on the kallah’s index finger symbolizing that here too, it is all Hashem.

 

The word for a ring,טבעת , is rooted in the word טבע, nature. When the chosson puts the tabaas on the etzba, he is essentially declaring that all nature that took place in this shidduch is actually from Hashem.

 

Regarding why the chosson puts the ring on the kallah’s index finger, the Ben Ish Chai[3] cites the sefer Kemach Soles that in Tehillim 19, it says והוא כחתן יצא מחפתו, like a groom emerging from his bridal chamber.[4] There are five phrases there where the second word is Hashem’s name: 1) תורת י-ה-ו-ה תמימה משיבת נפש. 2) עדות י-ה-ו-ה נאמנה מחכימת פתי. 3) פקודי י-ה-ו-ה ישרים משמחי לב. 4)מצות י-ה-ו-ה ברה מאירת עינים. 5) יראת י-ה-ו-ה טהורה עומדת לעד. Accordingly, when one counts on the fingers of his hand starting each phrase with the thumb the name of Hashem consistently falls on the index finger.[5] Now, by kiddushin there is a unification of Hashem’s name י-ה-ו-ה. The י corresponds to the ring; the ה, which has a gematria of five, corresponds to the hand of the chosson who holds the ring, as the hand has five fingers; the ו corresponds to the index finger of the kalla which resembles the letter ו; finally, her outstretched hand to receive the kiddushin is represented by the ה, referring to the five fingers of her hand, as ה has a gematria of five.



[1] Kesubos 5a.

[2] Shemos 8:15.

[3] Parshas Shoftim, Shanah Rishonah, 9.

[4] Tehillim 19:6.

[5] This also points to the idea we mentioned that with shidduchim you seeאצבע אלה-ים היא , because the second word in each phrase is Hashem’s name and the index finger is called אצבע.

 

Writer of the weekly Fascinating Insights Torah sheet in Englishעברית ,אידיש and français
image.gifimage.pngAuthor of Nine Books including the recently released "Exhilarating Torah Insights on Recreation and Vacation"

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