by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Sfas Tamim Foundation QUESTION  When a notary recognizes a voice over the phone – may he notarize through oral recognition or must the person actually be in front of the notary – from the perspective of Halacha?  ANSWER:  Rav Elyashiv paskened that the notary must actually see him otherwise it is sheker and forbidden.  This is the method where items are notarized and it MUST BE FOLLOWED!  Titain Emes L’yaakov #200 in teh name of Rav Yitzchok Berkowitz shlita. ***Why not subscribe to the parsha sheet that promotes truth – emes?  Each week the parsha sheet features 4 columns:  The first is a dvar Torah on the Parsha highlighting Emes.  The second is a column that inspires us toward truth.  The third column is halacha – culled from the writings of Rav Nachum Yavrov zt”l (and others) and the 4th column is a translation of classical texts on truth.  To subscribe – send the word “subscribe” in an email to yairhoffman2@gmail.com ON THE PARSHA ­In this week’s Parsha, the Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuvain asked Moshe Rabbeinu to permit them to remain outside of eretz yisrael so they could inherit land that they said was more suitable for their abundant livestock. They told Moshe, “We will build enclosures for our livestock here and cities for our children.” (Bamidbar 32:16).  When Moshe responded, he switched the order of the request citing first the need to care for the children and then the need to care for the livestock.  Moshe said, “Build yourselves cities for your children and enclosures for your sheep, and what has proceeded from your mouth you shall do.” (Bamidbar 32:24) Why did Moshe change the order of the request?  Also, Moshe’s words at the end of the posuk, “… and what has proceeded from your mouth you shall do” seem to be extra.  Why doesn’t he just say, “and then do what you said?” Rav Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer zt”l (1815-1871), also known as the Ksav Sofer, explains that Moshe is really delivering to the Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuvain a very deep and powerful lesson in honesty. The Ksav Sofer says that someone whose nature is to be drawn toward possessions and monetary gain, and values this more than his own body – one should never trust his word – for the desire for Mammon (money) takes over him to the point where he will not live up to nor fulfill his words.   Moshe was telling the bnei Gad and bnei Reuvain that since you valued money so much that you gave your possessions preference over your own children – your words cannot be trusted.  However, once you prioritize things correctly, and begin to value [yourselves and] your children more than your possessions – then the desire for money will not consume you.  THEN there will be integrity in your words and you will fullfill your committments, just as Moshe says, “…and what has proceeded from your mouth you shall do.”  In other words, “and then you will be a person who speaks only truth.”  Speaking truth is one of the traits of Hashem Himself.  When we dedicate ourselves to speaking only truth – we fulfill the Torah Mitzvah of V’Halachta B’Drachav – Walking in His ways. Dr. Joseph McArdle once […]

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