G-D SPOKE TO MOSHE IN THE WILDERNESS OF SINAI, IN THE TENT OF MEETING, ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH, IN THE SECOND YEAR SINCE LEAVING EGYPT...THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL ENCAMP, EACH MAN BY HIS FLAG ACCORDING TO THE SIGNS OF THEIR FATHERS' HOUSEHOLD, AT A DISTANCE AROUND THE TENT OF MEETING THEY WILL ENCAMP (Vayikra 1:2, 2:2).
Why did the Jewish people wait a year before organizing themselves with tribal flags?
The tribal flags potentially cause divisiveness. Each tribe may become devoted to itself at the expense of national unity. The nation needed to wait until the establishment of the mishkan. Then they could camp under tribal flags. The mishkan became a central focus uniting the nation. Only when the nation felt a common purpose could they also strengthen the identity and unique traits of each tribe (R. Yaakov Kamenetsky).
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Behar
YOU SHALL SANCTIFY THE FIFTIETH YEAR AND PROCLAIM LIBERTY IN THE LAND FOR ALL INHABITANTS. IT IS A JUBILEE FOR YOU; EVERY MAN SHALL RETURN TO HIS HEREDITARY PROPERTY AND FAMILY (Vayikra 25: 10).
What does Jubilee (Yovel) mean?
The word means "to bring", in this case to bring a person or to where he is suited to be, or a thing to whom it really belongs. Hebrew slaves return to freedom and homes return to original owners. It is an opportunity for national rebirth under G-d (Rav SR Hirsch).
What does Jubilee (Yovel) mean?
The word means "to bring", in this case to bring a person or to where he is suited to be, or a thing to whom it really belongs. Hebrew slaves return to freedom and homes return to original owners. It is an opportunity for national rebirth under G-d (Rav SR Hirsch).
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Emor
G-D SPOKE TO MOSHE SAYING, SPEAK TO THE ISRAELITES AND SAY TO THEM: THESE ARE MY APPOINTED TIMES THAT YOU MUST CALL AS HOLY TIMES. THESE ARE MY APPOINTED TIMES. SIX DAYS WORK MAY BE DONE, BUT THE SEVENTH DAY IS A SABBATH OF SABBATHS (Vayikra 23:1-3).
Following this verse are the commandments to observe Pesach, Shavuos, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Succos. Why is this topic introduced by Shabbos?
Shabbos is equal to all the mitzvos. In the Shabbos maariv we say "[Shabbos is] the end point of heaven and earth. You blessed it above all days, and sanctified it above all times." Shabbos is above the Jewish holidays.
Shabbos is the soul of Torah, of creation, and of the Jewish holidays. Ramban comments that Shabbos, unlike the Jewish festivals, has no sin offering included in its observance. It has no aspect of sin. Shabbos is a mate for Israel, and is characterized by complete shalom.
All mitzvos aim for d'vekus (communion) with G-d, and Shabbos is the highest degree of d'vekus.
Or Hachaim comments that G-d started the world with the power to last only six days, and it is only Shabbos which renews creation to enable an additional week (Nesivos Shalom).
G-D SAID TO MOSHE, SAY TO THE KOHANIM, SONS OF AHARON, AND SAY TO THEM, DO NOT DEFILE ONESELF FOR THE DEAD AMONG HIS PEOPLE (Vayikra 21:1).
Why is it written "say to the Kohanim" and then "say to them"? Isn't this repetitious?
Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berdichov, a Chasidic master of the eighteenth century, answers these questions in a way that teaches us how to relate to our fellow Jews.
Following this verse are the commandments to observe Pesach, Shavuos, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Succos. Why is this topic introduced by Shabbos?
Shabbos is equal to all the mitzvos. In the Shabbos maariv we say "[Shabbos is] the end point of heaven and earth. You blessed it above all days, and sanctified it above all times." Shabbos is above the Jewish holidays.
Shabbos is the soul of Torah, of creation, and of the Jewish holidays. Ramban comments that Shabbos, unlike the Jewish festivals, has no sin offering included in its observance. It has no aspect of sin. Shabbos is a mate for Israel, and is characterized by complete shalom.
All mitzvos aim for d'vekus (communion) with G-d, and Shabbos is the highest degree of d'vekus.
Or Hachaim comments that G-d started the world with the power to last only six days, and it is only Shabbos which renews creation to enable an additional week (Nesivos Shalom).
G-D SAID TO MOSHE, SAY TO THE KOHANIM, SONS OF AHARON, AND SAY TO THEM, DO NOT DEFILE ONESELF FOR THE DEAD AMONG HIS PEOPLE (Vayikra 21:1).
Why is it written "say to the Kohanim" and then "say to them"? Isn't this repetitious?
Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berdichov, a Chasidic master of the eighteenth century, answers these questions in a way that teaches us how to relate to our fellow Jews.
The Kohanim have a prominent role to play among the Jewish people, in charge of the service in the Beit Hamikdash. This is a holy task, but it carries the danger that they may see themselves as better than their fellow Jews. That is arrogance, while G-d desires humility from His servants.
To remedy this potential problem, the verse is divided into two distinct statements. (1) "say to the Kohanim" [that they are] "Aharon's sons." (2) Afterwards the Torah commands the Kohanim regarding their distinct role e.g. not defiling themselves to bury their fellow Jews.
The kohanim are ready to fulfill their role only when they realize their priveleged position is inherited from Aharon and not from their own efforts.
To remedy this potential problem, the verse is divided into two distinct statements. (1) "say to the Kohanim" [that they are] "Aharon's sons." (2) Afterwards the Torah commands the Kohanim regarding their distinct role e.g. not defiling themselves to bury their fellow Jews.
The kohanim are ready to fulfill their role only when they realize their priveleged position is inherited from Aharon and not from their own efforts.
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