Showing posts with label Bechukosai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bechukosai. Show all posts
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Q&A - Bechosai
Understanding of the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe ממ"ש
QUESTION: We find the Rabbis in the Gemara, seemingly “cursing” another and later it is interpreted as a blessing. Why not just say a blessing in the first place?
ANSWER: Curses in the Torah (like this week’s parsha) and from the Rabbis are in fact blessings, even wonderful blessings. However, since the source is so “high” (not apparent) the blessing must be enclothed in the opposite manner (like a curse) since not able to be received by us in the revealed format. לקוטי שיחות כרך א עמ' 287) (
QUESTION: Why does the Torah allude to the concept of learning Torah (using intellect) with חוקים (beyond intellect)?
ANSWER: חקיקה – engraving’s advantage over written letters is that they are not an independent entity, but an integrated part of the whole. Study of Torah needs labor until engraved. If one learns Torah with commitment of Kabolas Ol (Chukim), then one is rewarded with potential to “progress” further. ׁ(לקוטי שיחות כרך ג, עמ' 1013)
QUESTION: What does the last two Mitzvos (Bechor and Maaser) of the Parsha and of Sefer VaYikra teach us?
ANSWER: Mitzvah of Bechor is an inherent holiness that comes from high. This represents the inspiration from Above that seeks to motivate our service below. The Mitzvah of Maaser is accomplished by the service of Jews in this world, indicating the inspiration from below. Our service utilizes both, however, everything goes after the conclusion (Maaser) that our avodah in this world is primary. (לקוטי שיחות כרך יז, עמ' 332)
QUESTION: Verbal expressions of Vidui without complete Teshuvah do not affect personal or communal redemption. Does it have any value?
ANSWER: Verbal expressions (Vidui) even without Teshuvah, still has effects:
1. Outward expression brings out the feelings of Teshuvah that are in the heart and thoughts of the person
2. Extra push to complete the process of Teshuvah in the person that is in the midst of Teshuvah
3. Reminder of past deeds triggers Teshuvah (due to dichotomy between speech & the heart)
A declaration of Teshuvah might not be sincere, nevertheless, it is not worthless, since it will ultimately lead to complete Teshuvah (לקוטי שיחות כרך כז, עמ' 207)
QUESTION: Why the stress on physical rewards in our Parsha (isn’t spiritual the main area of reward)?
ANSWER: Stress on physical rewards in this Parsha emphasizes that the rewards are a direct consequence of our actions, and they happen to our physical and spiritual lives. Physical rewards express the desirability of Torah and Mitzvos that effuses blessings also to our physical lives. (לקוטי שיחות כרך לז, עמ' 174)
QUESTION: We find the Rabbis in the Gemara, seemingly “cursing” another and later it is interpreted as a blessing. Why not just say a blessing in the first place?
ANSWER: Curses in the Torah (like this week’s parsha) and from the Rabbis are in fact blessings, even wonderful blessings. However, since the source is so “high” (not apparent) the blessing must be enclothed in the opposite manner (like a curse) since not able to be received by us in the revealed format. לקוטי שיחות כרך א עמ' 287) (
QUESTION: Why does the Torah allude to the concept of learning Torah (using intellect) with חוקים (beyond intellect)?
ANSWER: חקיקה – engraving’s advantage over written letters is that they are not an independent entity, but an integrated part of the whole. Study of Torah needs labor until engraved. If one learns Torah with commitment of Kabolas Ol (Chukim), then one is rewarded with potential to “progress” further. ׁ(לקוטי שיחות כרך ג, עמ' 1013)
QUESTION: What does the last two Mitzvos (Bechor and Maaser) of the Parsha and of Sefer VaYikra teach us?
ANSWER: Mitzvah of Bechor is an inherent holiness that comes from high. This represents the inspiration from Above that seeks to motivate our service below. The Mitzvah of Maaser is accomplished by the service of Jews in this world, indicating the inspiration from below. Our service utilizes both, however, everything goes after the conclusion (Maaser) that our avodah in this world is primary. (לקוטי שיחות כרך יז, עמ' 332)
QUESTION: Verbal expressions of Vidui without complete Teshuvah do not affect personal or communal redemption. Does it have any value?
ANSWER: Verbal expressions (Vidui) even without Teshuvah, still has effects:
1. Outward expression brings out the feelings of Teshuvah that are in the heart and thoughts of the person
2. Extra push to complete the process of Teshuvah in the person that is in the midst of Teshuvah
3. Reminder of past deeds triggers Teshuvah (due to dichotomy between speech & the heart)
A declaration of Teshuvah might not be sincere, nevertheless, it is not worthless, since it will ultimately lead to complete Teshuvah (לקוטי שיחות כרך כז, עמ' 207)
QUESTION: Why the stress on physical rewards in our Parsha (isn’t spiritual the main area of reward)?
ANSWER: Stress on physical rewards in this Parsha emphasizes that the rewards are a direct consequence of our actions, and they happen to our physical and spiritual lives. Physical rewards express the desirability of Torah and Mitzvos that effuses blessings also to our physical lives. (לקוטי שיחות כרך לז, עמ' 174)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tosefes Beracha - selections - Bechukosai
ויקרא פרק כו יז
וְנָתַתִּי פָנַי בָּכֶם וְנִגַּפְתֶּם לִפְנֵי אֹיְבֵיכֶם וְרָדוּ בָכֶם שׂנְאֵיכֶם וְנַסְתֶּם וְאֵין-רֹדֵף אֶתְכֶם:
The scholars of the Hebrew language express the distinction between the word אויב and the word שונא, both of which mean an adversary. The noun אויב implies an enemy that hates in a revealed manner and does wrong actively. Whereas, the noun שונא is someone that hates at times only in their heart and does not take negative actions. This distinction in found in many verses in Tanach.
Rashi explains (Devarim 1, 44) on the verse, “They would pursue you like bees.” Just like bees sting a person, the bee immediately dies, so should happen to one’s adversary that when they do bad to you, they should immediately die.
And this is the explanation of this verse. When an adversary (אויב) performs negative acts to the Jews, the result should be that the adversary should die (like the example of the bee), and then the שונא (who hates internally) would be left to rule over us, and the language of the verse is precise.
ויקרא פרק כו מד
וְאַף גַּם-זֹאת בִּהְיוֹתָם בְּאֶרֶץ אֹיְבֵיהֶם לֹא-מְאַסְתִּים וְלֹא-גְעַלְתִּים לְכַלֹּתָם
Evidently, this verse is a reference to a future time when the Jews are in Galus and HaShem promises for the future. Yet, the verse is written in the past tense requiring an explanation.
Possibly, the concept of repulsiveness (מאוס) has two types. One type is repulsive for a set time due to a reason that will pass and then the matter would become likable again. For example, food when one has a sickness or indigestion, then food appears to be repulsive. However, when one feels better, food returns to being attractive and desirable.
Then, another state of repulsiveness is constant, for all times. Even thinking about the item, would bring feelings of disgust.
Thus, this verse is saying like the first type. Even with all these degrading actions while in their lands, the disgust would be a thing that is limited to the past, and would not be so disgusting to continue into the future. Thus, then the time passes, one would return to have mercy and have good feelings.
Thus, one can possibly explain the end of Megilas Eichah where the verse says מאוס מאסתנו. How could the author of that Megilah end the Megilah with a negative statement (contrary to the well-known principal that one does not end a Parsha or Sefer with negative concepts)? However, this could be an allusion to comforting, as if to say that the disgusting matters will not remain forever disgusting to us since the anger against us would be removed, we would return in Teshuvah to a state of a loving relationship.
Besides Megilas Eichah, we also find three other Books in Tanach that seem to end in negative concepts. The others are Megilas Koheles, Yeshayahu, and Malachi. A sign to remember these four books isאקים את סוכת דוד – איכה, קהלת, ישעיה, מלאכי הרחמן הוא יקים לנו את סוכת דוד ב"ב
וְנָתַתִּי פָנַי בָּכֶם וְנִגַּפְתֶּם לִפְנֵי אֹיְבֵיכֶם וְרָדוּ בָכֶם שׂנְאֵיכֶם וְנַסְתֶּם וְאֵין-רֹדֵף אֶתְכֶם:
The scholars of the Hebrew language express the distinction between the word אויב and the word שונא, both of which mean an adversary. The noun אויב implies an enemy that hates in a revealed manner and does wrong actively. Whereas, the noun שונא is someone that hates at times only in their heart and does not take negative actions. This distinction in found in many verses in Tanach.
Rashi explains (Devarim 1, 44) on the verse, “They would pursue you like bees.” Just like bees sting a person, the bee immediately dies, so should happen to one’s adversary that when they do bad to you, they should immediately die.
And this is the explanation of this verse. When an adversary (אויב) performs negative acts to the Jews, the result should be that the adversary should die (like the example of the bee), and then the שונא (who hates internally) would be left to rule over us, and the language of the verse is precise.
ויקרא פרק כו מד
וְאַף גַּם-זֹאת בִּהְיוֹתָם בְּאֶרֶץ אֹיְבֵיהֶם לֹא-מְאַסְתִּים וְלֹא-גְעַלְתִּים לְכַלֹּתָם
Evidently, this verse is a reference to a future time when the Jews are in Galus and HaShem promises for the future. Yet, the verse is written in the past tense requiring an explanation.
Possibly, the concept of repulsiveness (מאוס) has two types. One type is repulsive for a set time due to a reason that will pass and then the matter would become likable again. For example, food when one has a sickness or indigestion, then food appears to be repulsive. However, when one feels better, food returns to being attractive and desirable.
Then, another state of repulsiveness is constant, for all times. Even thinking about the item, would bring feelings of disgust.
Thus, this verse is saying like the first type. Even with all these degrading actions while in their lands, the disgust would be a thing that is limited to the past, and would not be so disgusting to continue into the future. Thus, then the time passes, one would return to have mercy and have good feelings.
Thus, one can possibly explain the end of Megilas Eichah where the verse says מאוס מאסתנו. How could the author of that Megilah end the Megilah with a negative statement (contrary to the well-known principal that one does not end a Parsha or Sefer with negative concepts)? However, this could be an allusion to comforting, as if to say that the disgusting matters will not remain forever disgusting to us since the anger against us would be removed, we would return in Teshuvah to a state of a loving relationship.
Besides Megilas Eichah, we also find three other Books in Tanach that seem to end in negative concepts. The others are Megilas Koheles, Yeshayahu, and Malachi. A sign to remember these four books isאקים את סוכת דוד – איכה, קהלת, ישעיה, מלאכי הרחמן הוא יקים לנו את סוכת דוד ב"ב
Torah T'mimah - Bechukosai - selections
PROPERTY OF A WIFE THAT DIED
ויקרא פרק כו כ וְתַם לָרִיק כֹּחֲכֶם
מדרש רבה
זה המשיא את בתו ונותן לה ממון הרבה ולא הספיקו שבעת ימי במשתה לצאת עד שמתה בתו, נמצא קובר את בתו ומאבד את ממונו
In general, a husband becomes the owner of the wedding gifts after the wedding. Thus, in event of a death of the daughter immediately after the wedding, the father stands to lose his daughter and the money of the gifts for the wedding (נדוניא). Tosefos does honor the written request of the father that writes that the gifts to his daughter do not transfer to the son-in-law, if the daughter was to die soon after the wedding. The intent of the father is that the gifts to his daughter are for her benefit and not someone else.
Most recognize the concept that the husband inherits the wife is a rabbinical decree. Therefore, based on this Medrosh, Rabbenu Tam and the Rabbis of France issue a decree that if a wife was to die during the first year after the wedding, then the all the bride’s personal property would revert to her father or her legal heirs (not to the spouse). In the lands of Poland and the East, they decreed that if the wife was to die during the first three years of marriage, all her personal property would go to her heirs (and not the spouse). And if this occurred in the fourth and five years after the wedding, then the husband and her heirs would split the property 50-50.
REDEMPTION OF THE ANIMAL AND ADDING A FIFTH
ויקרא פרק כז יג וְאִם-גָּאֹל יִגְאָלֶנָּה וְיָסַף חֲמִישִׁתוֹ עַל-עֶרְכֶּךָ:
תורת כהנים זה בבעלים אמור
If the owner redeems the animal from Hekdesh, then needs to add a fifth (which means a fifth of the total sum after the addition value is added-in plain words one adds 25%, making the added value 1/5 of the total result (125%/25%)). This applies only to the owner, since the verse uses the word גאל, which is applicable mainly to the former owner, since anyone else would be acquiring (and would have used a word such as קנה).
It is proper for the former owner to add a fifth to the value since the object has more value to the former owner (sentimental or otherwise). Further, the mitzvah of redemption only applies to the former owner. Please note that Rambam at the end of Hilcos Terumah provides another reason.
ויקרא פרק כו כ וְתַם לָרִיק כֹּחֲכֶם
מדרש רבה
זה המשיא את בתו ונותן לה ממון הרבה ולא הספיקו שבעת ימי במשתה לצאת עד שמתה בתו, נמצא קובר את בתו ומאבד את ממונו
In general, a husband becomes the owner of the wedding gifts after the wedding. Thus, in event of a death of the daughter immediately after the wedding, the father stands to lose his daughter and the money of the gifts for the wedding (נדוניא). Tosefos does honor the written request of the father that writes that the gifts to his daughter do not transfer to the son-in-law, if the daughter was to die soon after the wedding. The intent of the father is that the gifts to his daughter are for her benefit and not someone else.
Most recognize the concept that the husband inherits the wife is a rabbinical decree. Therefore, based on this Medrosh, Rabbenu Tam and the Rabbis of France issue a decree that if a wife was to die during the first year after the wedding, then the all the bride’s personal property would revert to her father or her legal heirs (not to the spouse). In the lands of Poland and the East, they decreed that if the wife was to die during the first three years of marriage, all her personal property would go to her heirs (and not the spouse). And if this occurred in the fourth and five years after the wedding, then the husband and her heirs would split the property 50-50.
REDEMPTION OF THE ANIMAL AND ADDING A FIFTH
ויקרא פרק כז יג וְאִם-גָּאֹל יִגְאָלֶנָּה וְיָסַף חֲמִישִׁתוֹ עַל-עֶרְכֶּךָ:
תורת כהנים זה בבעלים אמור
If the owner redeems the animal from Hekdesh, then needs to add a fifth (which means a fifth of the total sum after the addition value is added-in plain words one adds 25%, making the added value 1/5 of the total result (125%/25%)). This applies only to the owner, since the verse uses the word גאל, which is applicable mainly to the former owner, since anyone else would be acquiring (and would have used a word such as קנה).
It is proper for the former owner to add a fifth to the value since the object has more value to the former owner (sentimental or otherwise). Further, the mitzvah of redemption only applies to the former owner. Please note that Rambam at the end of Hilcos Terumah provides another reason.
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