The Value of Learning

Every day before we begin our prayers, we recite a brief statement by our Talmudic sages found in the tractate Shabbat, 127a: “These are the commands (activities) for which a person eats the fruits in this world but the bulk of the reward is in the World to Come: honor to parents, acts of loving kindness, early attendance at school morning and evening, welcoming quests into our home, visiting the sick, providing for a bride, attending to the dead, concentration in prayer and making peace with our fellow man; and study of Torah is ,כנגד “keneged,” all of them.”

Many questions are raised regarding this list of mitzvot, but I want to address the last statement, “and the study of Torah is “keneged” all of them. What is the meaning of this remark? The term “keneged” can be translated many ways depending on the context. Two translations are “accompany” and “outweigh.” This Talmudic statement, “the study of Torah is keneged all of them” is expressing two different but related values that learning plays in Judaism.

One value to learning in the system of Judaism is that no mitzvah can be fully accomplished or performed devoid of knowledge. A person must study and understand how to visit the sick, honor parents, etc. This backdrop of knowledge is true for every mitzvah in the Torah. What exactly constitutes the prohibition of meat and milk? What precisely comprises the structure of a sukkah? How does one fulfill the command “to return a lost object”? There is no way to intuit or feel our way through any mitzvah, even given the best intentions.

Performing a mitzvah out of knowledge is transformative. It changes the activity from something instinctual, emotional, or perfunctory into an intelligent and meaningful act. I have yet to find a person that does not want to behave intelligently in everything they do.

From a purely practical standpoint, if God commanded us, we must fully understand His command to ensure our proper compliance. After all God tells us in the opening sentence of last week’s Torah portion, “See, I present before you today a blessing and a curse.” God’s blessing, as the Torah goes on to say, is bestowed upon us for following the command as directed. So, unless one studies each command to know precisely what, how, when, where, who and why, the performance is deficient and lacking. Simply put, knowledge is the bedrock that accompanies every mitzvah in Judaism.

However, there is a second, more important value to learning expressed here by our sages. It is the concept that learning per se, intrinsically, inherently, is the ultimate good for mankind. Included among our daily mitzvot is for every Jewish person “to be involved in the pursuit of knowledge.” Learning under this framework, rather than elevating the act, transforms the person in a profound way. It directs his or her energy to that which is truly and uniquely human, acts of thinking, reasoning, and discovery. When learning in this realm, the person becomes, “a pursuer of God’s wisdom.”

As he or she pursues knowledge, the person glimpses the vast array of astounding ideas behind the world around us, the vast universe and Torah. Such a person comes closer to God. As a direct result of learning in this framework, a greater love and appreciation for the Creator, the source behind these ideas, is instilled within learner. The student becomes naturally drawn to the activity of learning, facilitating the opportunity of seeing more of the Creator’s wisdom.

“The study of Torah,” then, refers to Torah, with a capital “T,” encompassing all of God’s wisdom. What is the proof for this assertion? Judaism has two unique blessings. One is recited when we see an eminent Torah scholar. But another blessing, “… Who has given from His wisdom to human beings,” is recited when we see a renown secular scholar, Jewish or non-Jewish. Thus, Judaism recognizes that our relationship to God is forged whether understanding the structure of a cell or the structure of a sukkah. The source of the wisdom behind both our physical and religious realms is God. Our great Torah scholars, past and present, were and are very knowledgeable in secular fields of study as well, some even experts.

In short, the conclusion of our sages, “the study of Torah outweighs all of them,” is their way of telling us to become life- long learners. Learning is the activity that we and we alone are uniquely designed to do. It is the hallmark of human endeavor and affords mankind the greatest blessing possible… closeness to God.

At Posnack Jewish Day School part of our mission is to assist in the development of our students so they choose to act out of knowledge. We also strive to engender in them as well the desire to be life-long learners. By combining these two values of learning, our students will be on the path to be the beneficiaries of the blessings promised to us in the Torah by God.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Robert Kaplan

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This Dvar Torah is dedicated to the memory of my teacher, mentor and friend, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz, z’l who passed away this past Sunday. He dedicated his life to knowing and living the truth.

With the conclusion of Shabbat tomorrow night, we initiate the holiday of Shavuot. The required Havdalah procedure that formally concludes Shabbat is incorporated into the Kiddush we say at the start of every yom tov. What is it, exactly, that we are celebrating on Shavuot? All of our Yomim Tovim celebrate ideas. What, then, is the central concept that we should take away from our commemoration of “the time of giving our Torah, זמן מתן תורתנו?”

By the third month after leaving Egypt, בני ישראל had reached their first destination, the base of Mount Sinai. The purpose for the exodus from Egypt, to make the Jewish nation a “kingdom of priest and a holy nation,” was just days away. But how was this transformation to a new way of life to occur?  What change had to happen to those original members of the Jewish religion? What was for them, and for us today, the fundamental attitude that they and each succeeding generation of Jews must embrace and internalize?

The drama of the original experience is captured for all eternity in פרשת יתרו (Shemot, chapter 20) and again in פרשת ואתחנן (Devarim, chapter 5) . Prior to knowing what was going to transpire or what would be asked of them, בני ישראל gave  Moses their assurance and commitment saying unanimously, “Everything that Hashem has spoken, we will do, and we will listen.” It is probably the only time in Jewish history that all the people agreed.

We are all familiar with twice daily commanded to recite the שמע, Shema. According to our Sages, it is this one mitzvah, out of all the others, which expresses the concept of accepting the עול מלכות שמים, “the yoke of the Kingship of Heaven.” Webster’s Dictionary says, “ a ‘yoke’ is an arched device laid on the neck of a defeated person.” Such a person is now under the control of the victor and must be submissive to the victor’s demands.

Thinking about all of the 613 mitzvot found in the Torah, the Shema doesn’t come to mind when considering what would be a submissive, burdensome, or difficult mitzvah to do. True it must be said within a certain time frame. In the morning, the Shema should be recited within first three hours after sunrise. At night, it may be said all night until dawn.

Surely there are more onerous commands than the recital of the Shema. Restrictions on the foods we eat, commands that limit our opportunities in business or agriculture, prohibitions against performing physically creative work on Shabbat and Yom Tov, obligatory tithes imposed on our crops and wealth, are but a few examples of more challenging mitzvot that come to mind long before the mitzvah of saying the Shema. Any of those would seem better qualified to represent, “accepting the yoke of heaven.”

Even more startling, the Talmud says the practice of idol worship, whatever form it takes, is considered בלי עול, “without burden.” How could human sacrifice practiced by the Incas, for example, be considered “non-burdensome” while saying the Shema is considered “burdensome?” Let me suggest an answer I heard from my Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yisroel Chait.

 In idol worship each person or society sets up a system to deal with or ward off the fears people face in life.  Fears may stem from external phenomena like earthquakes or hurricanes, or they may also arise from internal sources such as the fear of illness or death. To combat these fears, people create their own systems for coping. Since these systems arise from the imagination of the human psyche, they are self-satisfying. The most ridiculous performances are easily rationalized and justified. Even the murder of innocent young men, women and children becomes sanctified and justified by calling it a “sacrificial” ceremony.  A system revolving around the projections of our inner feelings onto reality is truly “without burden.” The individual is doing exactly what he or she wants to do.

In contradistinction to idol worship, the system of Torah given to the nation of Israel on Shavuot is not the creation of human imagination. It is not designed to escape the complexities and difficulties of human life. But by adhering to its precepts, a person will first harness unruly parts of his or her nature.

 A second benefit is that through the mitzvah of תלמוד תורה, the person will learn to redirect the vast reservoir of their human energy into understanding how reality works. Such a person will then have the best existence possible. Secure in the knowledge of reality, such a person can face any challenge. In fact, as one of my teachers and friend, Rabbi Morty Moskowitz once explained, as a person attains a higher philosophic level, the common strivings of mankind become silly and superficial.

But there is one catch. A person must come to accept that there is an עול מלבות שמים, a reality outside of our imagination. The acceptance of an objective reality regarding how to live life was the transformation everyone at Mt. Sinai had to make in heart, mind and performance. This transformation by our ancestors at Har Sinai is the same starting point from which every scientist embarks on in their  quest to understand the physical world. He or she accepts that there are objective rules governing the phenomena to which he or she adheres. Then, the scientist goes about trying to understand them.

Neither system, the system of the laws governing the universe or the system of Torah, both created by God have anything to do with whether we like it or not. Travel, for example, is becoming more and more burdensome. The flight of a bird seems so easy and enjoyable, but humans can’t. And sure, eating whatever we want, whenever we want has its advantages. Having to wait between eating certain foods is annoying. But we must. Why? What? When? Where? How? Who? All are good questions. What is the person to do? Go and learn.

When בני ישראל responded to Moshe, נעשה ונשמע, “we will do and then we will listen,” they were in essence saying we accept that we must submit our actions to the will of God.  At the same time, we will study and learn how they make sense and afford every person the best possible human existence. This is the most fundamental idea in the approach to understanding the system of Judaism. It is formulated succinctly in the opening line of the Shema.

Shavuot marks the seminal event, the grounding of all that we do as Jews. The transformation that our ancestors made long ago is the same transformation that every subsequent generation of Jews must make, including us.  Just as our ancestors affirmed at Har Sinai their acceptance of the עול מלכות שמים, the objective reality of how to live life, by saying נעשה ונשמע, “we will do and then go learn,” so too let us reaffirm this Shavuot our commitment to “the yoke of kingship of heaven” embracing the King’s commands through doing and learning.

In this merit May Hashem continue His protecting care over Israel, Jews and God-fearing people the world over.

Wishing the entire Posnack Jewish Day School family, a שבת שלום and a חג שמח. As this is my last Dvar Torah for the school year, I also want to wish the entire Posnack Family and readership  a healthy, peaceful and productive summer break,

Shabbat Shalom & Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Robert Kaplan

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Over the next two weeks Posnack Jewish Day School will celebrate the culmination of another successful academic year. Festivities will begin with our Fischer High School Commencement ceremony this coming Sunday evening. The following night will see our 8th Graders participate in a Moving Up exercise marking their transition into the last four years of their Upper School advanced academic studies. Last, but not least, 5th Graders at our two Posnack campuses, one in Davie, the other in Hallandale,  will officially bring to a close their  primary school education. Each program not only highlights our students’ high academic achievement but their “midot” (fine character traits), and their commitment to community near and far.

Our mission at Posnack is, perhaps, encapsulated by the well-known verse in the Torah, "תורה צוה לנו משה מורשה קהלת יעקב" “The Torah that Moshe commanded us is the heritage of the Congregation of Jacob.” (Devarim 33:4) Our great sages in the Talmud state, “If someone says, ‘there is wisdom in the nations of the world,’ we believe him. But if someone says, ‘there is Torah in the nations of the world,’ we do not believe him.”  What is the difference?

The attainment of knowledge and the advancement of wisdom is within the capability of every human being. Throughout the world people are grateful to thinkers past and present. Their intellectual breakthroughs not only provide a window to the wisdom underlying God’s universe, but often they provide very practical benefits, easing the burden of our daily lives. These men and women bring all of us to participate in fulfilling the verses, “How abundant are Your works, Hashem, with wisdom You made them all, the earth is full of Your possessions,” ( Psalm 104) and “ fill the earth and subdue it.” (Bereishit 1:28)

 Our understanding and appreciation of the workings of the universe are enhanced with each new intellectual breakthrough. The most common of these, the ones we are most familiar with, are those in the fields of science and technology. But life changing insights occur in all domains of human investigation. In fact, the rabbis recognize this truth and created a ברכה, a blessing upon seeing an outstanding secular scholar, regardless of his religious or non-religious affiliation. “Blessed are You ... Who has given His knowledge to flesh and blood (human beings).”  Should you find yourself in the presence of a Nobel Prize winner, for example, excluding the non-academic Peace Prize, recital of this blessing would not only be appropriate but obligatory as well.

That being said, this is not what is meant by מורשה, the “heritage” or “legacy” of the Congregation of Jacob. Certainly, at its core is knowledge. Each morning we recite a Mishnah at the outset of our prayers, “… and the study of Torah outweighs them all.” But Torah here does not just mean Chumash and Jewish law. It is Torah with a big “T” meaning it embraces all areas of knowledge for as we said above, that leads to a recognition and appreciation of the Creator. But that is not all the legacy or מורשה  is.

Rather, this מורשה, heritage, includes an entire approach to life for mankind. It is an all-encompassing system not just for those with superior intellectual ability. It is a complete system for life that, if you embrace, works to properly direct and channel every human desire as well. The opening verse of this week’s Torah portion, בהר, alludes to this idea. “God spoke to Moshe at Mt. Sinai saying.” (Vayikra 25:1) Rashi asks, “Why does the Torah connect Mt Sinai with the laws of the Sabbatical year?” He answers, “Mt Sinai is mentioned here to teach us just like the general laws and specific details of the Sabbatical year were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, so too every command and its details were given to Moses at Mt Sinai.” In other words, our heritage was given whole and complete. Thus, our heritage makes possible for every person, from the “get go,” to have the opportunity to get the most out of our temporary physical existence while at the same time developing the inner person, the soul, for eternal existence.

God, the same Creator of that fantastic wisdom behind the universe,  wants us to have and enjoy the full range of human existence. So, the legal, ethical, and philosophic aspects of His Torah are designed perfectly for mankind to bring that result about. Of course, without study, insight  and practice a person will never realize these benefits. So, in מורשה קהלת יעקב, we would never find, for example,  a great scholar who lived a foolish lifestyle. The mathematician and philosopher, Descartes, comes to mind. An intellectual elite not also deeply concerned with the plight of their fellow man, both in word and action, such as those who supported the Nazi regime in the 1930’s and 40’s, is alien to the concept of “ the heritage of the Congregation of Jacob.”

So yes, profound wisdom is found in the nations of the world; and whatever is proven to be true, we accept as human beings and as adherents to Judaism. But one harmonious system, designed for the perfection of man, to refine his unruly physical and psychological desires as well as to develop his thinking and intellectual pursuits, a holistic system specifically designed for the benefit of the total human being, this is the unique מורשה, “heritage of the Congregation of Jacob.” Anyone can come and join the Congregation of Jacob but this heritage, מורשה, remains forever in their sole possession.

This is the message we try to impart to our students in some way at their level. They are the heirs to this God given heritage. As they move through their stages in life, we have every confidence in their ability to learn, live, maintain, defend and when their time comes, to pass it on whole and complete to the next generation of the Congregation of Jacob.

My heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduates, to our 8th and 5th Grade students, and to their families for the milestones they have reached in their lives; and “Kol HaKavod” to the Posnack Administration, Faculty, Staff, and dedicated PTO Volunteers for all they do day in and day out for the students of Posnack Jewish Day School.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Robert Kaplan

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This week’s Torah reading, parshat Emor, begins with many technical laws pertaining to the Kohanim, the priestly subdivision within the Tribe of Levi. The Kohanim was comprised of Aaron, his sons, and their direct descendants. The Kohanim had the special responsibility of performing the sacrificial ceremonies in the Holy Temple. With this responsibility came many restrictions pertaining to when and whom of the Kohanim could enter the Temple to perform its service.

As the Kohanim grew numerically, they became divided into twenty-four groups, each group known as a משמר, “mishmar” or “watch.” The Kohanim were the שומרים, “the guardians” of the Temple. Each “mishmar” served one week of a 24-week rotation. Each “mishmar” then  was on duty at the Temple 2 weeks a year. Of that week of service, perhaps an individual kohain had a duty to perform at 9 am on Wednesday. Not a very heavy workload considering all the Kohanim in each “mishmar.” So, we must ask, what did the kohanim do the rest of their time both while on duty and back home, when off duty?

The answer is found in the very last portion of the Torah, וזאת הברכה. This portion records the blessing Moshe gave to each tribe at the end of his life. Regarding the Tribe of Levi he said, “They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your Torah to Israel; they shall place incense before Your presence and burnt offerings on Your alter. Hashem will bless His legions…” (Devarim 32: 10-11)

The second chapter of the prophet Malachi is devoted to the Kohanim. “And now this commandment is for you, O ye priests… For the priest’s lips  should guard knowledge, and they (the general population) should seek the law at his mouth. For he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts.”

It is clear from the Torah and Malachi that the primary job of the Levites and Kohanim is to teach Torah to the Jewish people. Secondarily, they are to administer and perform the sacrificial service in the Temple. In short, the job of the Kohanim was to bring people close to God. A person closeness to God is primarily through the acquisition of knowledge; secondarily, a person can be brought close to God through participation in the Temple service.

Since the Tribe of Levi and the Kohanim in particular were designated to be the nation’s teachers, they did not receive a specific portion in the land of Israel. Rather, they were given forty-eight cities, spread throughout the land of Israel in which to live. In this way, teachers would be accessible to all the inhabitants. In return for their work as educators, not having the economic opportunity to develop their own tract of land, God created a legal system of tithes on produce and designated portions of sacrifices that were to be given to the Kohanim and Levites in order to sustain them and their families.  

The Rambam writes:

 “Why did the Levites not receive a portion in the inheritance of the land of Israel and in the spoils of war like their brethren? Because they were set aside to serve God and minister unto Him and to instruct people at large in His just paths and righteous judgments, as it says, "They will teach Your judgments to Jacob and Your Torah  to Israel." Therefore, they were set apart from the ways of the world. They do not wage war like the remainder of the Jewish people, nor do they receive an inheritance, nor do they acquire for themselves through their physical power. Instead, they are God's legion, as states: "God has blessed His legion" and He provides for them, as it states: "I am your portion and your inheritance." (Rambam Mishnah Torah: Laws of Shmitah and Yovel, 13:12)

However, there is a problem. Just before God gave the Torah to Israel, He tells them, “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”(Shemot, 19:6). How is that possible? Were they all to be priests or are the priests to come from the Tribe of Levi? If they were all to be priests, how would they have sustenance? Who would be growing the crops, raising the cattle, building a vibrant economy?

To answer we must posit that there are two systems or planes of existence recognized by the Torah. One is the “halachic” plane where individuals and society operate by a fascinating system of technical, legal (halachic) rules and regulations, specific delegations of responsibilities, and such. But in addition to the halachic system, there is also a meta-technical or metaphysical plane of operation as well. In that realm each individual can direct his or her energy into the world of learning and ideas.

In that metaphysical plane of existence, the more one is emersed, the less he or she is involved with the physical world. Basic and minimal physical sustenance is all that is needed. God, in His infinite wisdom, designed the physical world in such a way that basic needs are provided for and met. This is the underlying concept of גן אדן, “the Garden of Eden.” In that realm, man’s necessities for life are provided for by the way God structured the natural universe. Man’s energy is then freed to be used for his true aim and pursuit, knowledge of God. In that state of being, a person is not caught-up chasing after objects the local culture values. Rather, the personality of such a person is transformed and all of his or her activities become sanctified employed for a much higher pursuit.

Finally, it is crucial and vital to know that this metaphysical realm of existence is not just for Jews. All mankind is composed of the same nature and potential. Consider carefully, again, the words of the Rambam:

  “Not only the tribe of Levi, but any one of the inhabitants of the world whose spirit generously motivates him and he understands with his wisdom to set himself aside and stand before God to serve Him and minister to Him and to know God, proceeding justly as God made him, removing from his neck the yoke of the many considerations (involvements) which people seek, he is sanctified as holy of holies. God will be His portion and heritage forever and will provide what is sufficient for him in this world like He provides for the priests and the Levites. And thus, David declared in Psalms 16:5, "God is the lot of my portion; You are my cup, You support my lot." Blessed be the Merciful One who provides assistance.” (Rambam Mishnah Torah, Laws of Shmitah and Yovel, 12:13)

Every human being can be “sanctified as the holy of holies,” can be a person whose essence is tied to the knowledge of God.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Robert Kaplan

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Having just completed our celebration of the Pesach holiday and last week’s commemoration of the horrors of the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah, fresh in our memory is the historical record of our ostracism, isolation, vilification, and attempted annihilation by various societies and governments over the last 2000 years. The Haggadah references this phenomenon when we read, “ In every generation there arise those who want to destroy us, but the Holy One Blessed is He saves us from their hand.” We need to ask, what creates this reaction in others to our existence? The very name of this week’s Torah portion, Kedoshim, this one word, encapsulates the answer.

Kedoshim derives from the word קודש, “kodesh.” Often translated as “holy,” or “sacred,” a better translation would be “special,” or “unique.” The cup I use for reciting Kiddush, “Kiddush cup,” is so termed because it is only used for drinking wine on special occasions, Shabbat or Yom Tov. If I used that same cup all the time when drinking (water, juice, wine, beer, or soda), it would not be special.

 The second verse of this week’s parsha challenges us, קדושים תהיו כי קדוש אני..., “You (the Jewish people) be special/unique because I, Hashem, am special, unique.” The Jewish people, of course, are unique and special only if they live differently than everyone else. But this uniqueness is not to be an end in itself, just for the sake of being different. Rather, being different is a result of our responsibility to ourselves and others to model the pathway to the high level of human existence all people can attain.

We should not be surprised, therefore, that later in our Torah portion we come across directives concerning converts. Given our social history described above, why would anyone of their own free will convert to Judaism? But this very phenomenon attests to the fact that proper modeling of life can lead others to make life-altering changes in how they live. Regarding the convert the Torah instructs in two specific mitzvot. “You shall not taunt him. You shall love him as yourself.” (Vayikra 19: 32-34) Verse 34 concludes with the reason for these two commands, “for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

But we must ask, what is the need for these two specific commands? We are already enjoined by the Torah, “do not abuse any person, and “to love your neighbor as yourself.” Isn’t the convert, then,  already included and protected by these two commands? Why the need for two additional commands? Furthermore, why does the Torah provide a reason or explanation for these special mitzvot regarding a convert?

Converts are in a very vulnerable situation. In fact, the Hebrew term for a convert is גר, meaning “stranger.” No longer practicing their previous lifestyle, converts are estranged from their former group. At the same time, they may not be fully accepted by their new group, the Jews. In short, converts face the distinct possibility of being shunned or ostracized by both their old and new associates.

Here, the Torah comes along and tells us, the “card carrying members” of the convert’s new group, to be on guard about our own shortcomings. Looking down at a convert points out serious flaws within ourselves. This attitude stems from base parts in our own psychology. One is the mechanism of denial, which attempts to protect us from our painful reality. Another powerful, internal force at play functions to determine our friends and associates by the shallow emotion of identification.

These flawed character traits can quickly surface and are on display by hurtful and taunting words hurled at the convert, or behind his/her back. No wonder that the Haggadah includes the honest and true account that our forefather, Terach, was an idol worshiper. In truth and with full disclosure, our philosophical lineage is no different than the convert’s. We must recognize our own process in coming to the correct way of life. It was solely due to the teaching and modeling of our father, Abraham.

Moreover, the convert has freely chosen as the Rambam writes, “come under the wings of Hashem’s divine presence.” By dint of his or her own strength of intellect and personal fortitude, the convert has decided to fully align his or her life with the will of God, regardless of any personal harm that may come as a consequence of this choice. “Hashem loves converts, as the Torah states, ‘I, God, love a convert.’” (Rambam, Laws of Conduct, 6:4)

Therefore, any natural born Jew, who truly lives in line with the Torah, must also love the convert. Not too, would be tantamount to denying God’s plan for mankind. The Torah therefore reminds us here, by the laws of a convert, that we too were subject to societal rejection in Egypt, “You were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

Let us commit to use last week’s commemoration of the Shoah and this week’s Yom HaZikaron and celebration of Yom Haatzmaut to tap into and stimulate the high potential of life every person can achieve. How can we accomplish that goal? Only by us being “kadosh,” distinct, special and unique. My good friend and teacher, Rabbi Reuven Mann, often remarked about the Hatikvah, that the words להיות עם חפשי, “to be a free nation,” should be changed to  להיות עם קודש, “to be a holy (unique, special) nation.” Only when we relate to others in that framework can we be “the light to the nations,” that the prophet Isaiah tells us God selected us to be. At that time all animosity toward us will cease.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Robert Kaplan

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