Tag: Weekly Reading

Divine Scrutiny

dvar for parashas Bamidbar 5781

“Take a census of the entire assembly of the Children of Israel.”

– Leviticus 1:2

The Hebrew, translated here as “take a census, literally means “to lift up the head.” literal translation, ‘lift up the head.” This can be understood in different ways. In a positive sense,  that the people being counted within the census, would be exalted. Otherwise, a negative connotation would be to have their heads lifted off from upon them, meaning demerited. This dual meaning is found in regard to Joseph’s interpretation of the butler and the baker: one who was elevated to his former status, the other who was executed (Genesis 40:13, 19). The phrase implies that if the people were worthy, they would be elevated; however, if not, they would be judged (Ramban).

The census itself, is associated with divine scrutiny from Above. Therefore, it is feasible to comprehend that there would be two possible outcomes, along a continuum: pass or fail. This is akin to the predicament every year on Rosh HaShannah, when all mankind is judged for the year. Moreover, the Judgment at the end of history, when all inhabitants on earth are judged for what manner our lives were lived. Why a census itself is a time of scrutiny is unclear; it’s as if along with counting every individual, our deeds and misdeeds are also taken into consideration for good or bad.

drash: Behar-Bechukosai 5781

“And the L-RD spoke unto Moses in Mount Sinai, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a Sabbath unto the L-RD.”

– Leviticus 25:1-2, JPS 1917 Tanach

The Torah, specifically, mentions that the commandment of Shemitah, wherein the land is to lie fallow every seven years, “a Sabbath unto the L-RD,” was given on Mount Sinai. Why is this particular commandment, singled out, as being given at Mount Sinai? The Sages say, that this serves as a reminder that all the commandments, not only the Decalogue – the Ten Commandments – were given at Sinai. Yet, this still does not answer the question, why is the commandment of Shemitah given prominence?

Shemitah is a commandment that requires strong emunah (faith): for it is the trust in H’Shem to provide enough crops in the previous year, to eat, while the land lies fallow, until the third year, when the harvest arrives. Emunah (faith), the essential element that was initially exhibited at Sinai, when B’nei Yisrael committed to observing the commandments, before actually hearing them (na’aseh v’nishmah) is also required for Shemitah.

This faith is integral to receiving the commandments on Sinai, inasmuch that G-d guarantees that during the seventh year, when the land lies fallow, He provide enough food from the previous year, to last throughout the seventh year, as well as the next year, when the crops are being planted. Yet, the Torah warns of the consequence for not having faith in regard to the Shemitah year:

“And you will I scatter among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you; and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste. Then shall the land be paid her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye are in your enemies’ land; even then shall the land rest, and repay her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall have rest; even the rest which it had not in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it” (Leviticus 26:33-35, JPS).

This chastisement was carried out towards the end of the first Temple period, as is mentioned, “to fulfill the word of H’Shem by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had been paid her sabbaths; for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years” (2 Chronicles 36:21, JPS). Thus, failure to observe Shemitah led to the Babylonian exile.

shiur: Behar-Bechukosai 5781

shiur for parashas Behar-Bechukosai 5781

“Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the produce thereof. But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath unto the L-RD; thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.”

– Leviticus 25:3-4, JPS 1917 Tanach

What is more important, the symbol or what the symbol conveys? The sages say that on Shabbos we get a glimpse of Olam Haba (the World to Come). While we look forward to a day of rest every week, the greater import is its likeness to Olam Haba. Therefore, both the weekly Shabbos, a twenty-five hour period of rest, and what the Shabbos conveys have significance. We enjoy our day of rest in this world, and are inspired, even reassured by the forthcoming thousand year Sabbath, that precedes Olam Haba, in the next world, when the new heavens and the new earth appear (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22).

A similar question, what is more tangible, the symbol or what the symbol points toward? Regarding Shabbat, it seems quite apparent that three festive meals, two of them preceded by Kiddush, are well worth waiting for throughout the previous six days of week, and very tangible realities. Yet, they are ephemeral; and, after havdallah, although our souls are somewhat comforted by the smell of the besamim (spices, usually cloves), we still have the mundane weekdays ahead of us.

Because we cannot conceive of the World to Come, Olam Haba is described in “the negative,” as follows: Kitvei Kodesh (Holy Scripture) describes Olam Haba as a place in time, whereof no eye has seen, nor ear heard of its delights (Isaiah 64:3). Although Olam Haba may seem less tangible, from our perspective in Olam HaZeh (This World), Olam Haba will last forever – food for thought.

The commandment of Shemitah, wherein the land lies fallow every seventh year, is also symbolic of the Millennial Shabbos. The first six years, wherein the land was worked represent the six thousand years of history mentioned in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98). In the seventh year, the land lies fallow, pointing towards the thousand years of peace. Thus, the implied message may be taken that there is a reward for our efforts in this world, on a spiritual level, so that the souls that are written in the Book of Life, may partake of eternal life at the Tehillas HaMeisim (Resurrection of the Dead).

“This world is like a corridor before Olam Haba; prepare yourself in the corridor, so that you may enter the Banquet Hall.” – Pirkei Avot 4:21

dvar: Behar-Bechukosai 5781

 “And the L-RD spoke unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a Sabbath unto the L-RD.”

– Leviticus 25:1-2, JPS 1917 Tanach

At the beginning of the parashas, an emphasis is placed on the Shemitah commandment, in particular, being given at Mt Sinai. All of the commandments were given at Sinai; therefore, the question may be asked, why is Shemitah singled out from amongst the other commandments? First of all, it may be understood within the context of emunah (faith). For, H’Shem guarantees, “I will command My blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth produce for the three years” (Leviticus 25:21, JPS 1917 Tanach).

To rely on H’Shem’s word that he would bestow a blessing upon the children of Israel, so that their crops would produce an abundance of yield, enough to last for three years, this is an act of emunah (faith). Only H’Shem could make this guarantee; so, inasmuch that Torah specifically notes the commandment to observe the Shemitah year, wherein the seventh year the land is to lie fallow, this is a reminder that H’Shem gave the commandment on Mt. Sinai, He is the Guarantor. Man could not guarantee such a promise; only G-d could assure the people that by placing their trust in him through following the commandment of Shemitah, He would provide for them until the new crop of the following year produced a yield.

The Shemitah cycle also conveys the essential truth, the epitome of historical realization from a Biblical perspective, that after six thousand years, there will be a Sabbatical Millenium (Nachmanides, otherwise known as the Ramban). The thousand year Sabbath begins with the reign of Moshiach (Messiah) in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem); this is considered the first part of Olam Haba (the World to Come). Therefore, in light of this expectation, we are to prepare ourselves in this world, so that we may partake of the reward, likened to a banquet, in the next world.

“‘This world is like a corridor before the world to come [Olam Haba]; prepare thyself in the corridor, so that thou mayest enter into the banquet hall.'” – Pirkei Avos 4: 21

drash: parashas Emor 5781 – the Holy Days

“And the L-RD spoke unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: The appointed seasons of the L-RD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My appointed seasons.”

– Leviticus 23:1-2, JPS 1917 Tanach


Torah explains the imperative to observe “the fourteenth day of the first month,” when the Pesach offering was made (Leviticus 23:5). Also, the Torah prescribes a seven-day observance, beginning on the fifteenth of Nissan, when we refrain from eating chometz. This is “the Feast of Unleavened Bread” (Leviticus 23:6). Next, “When ye are come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest” (Leviticus 23:10, JPS 1917 Tanach). This was brought to the kohein [priest], on the day after the first rest day of Pesach. The offering is referred to in Torah as the waving of the Omer; it was only enacted after B’nei Yisrael entered the Promised Land.

Then, the Torah mentions, “even unto the morrow after the seventh week shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall present a new meal-offering unto the L-RD” (Leviticus 23:16, JPS). That is, fifty days were counted from the second day of Passover, onward until on the fiftieth day, the first wheat offering of the harvest was brought “unto the L-RD.” (The offering that was made prior to this – the Omer – on the second day of Passover, was the first of the barley harvest). Today, we refer to the fiftieth day after Passover as Shavuot (Weeks), in commemoration of Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah).

In Autumn, we celebrate Rosh HaShannah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Sukkot, which follows Yom Kippur, is considered a Festival, like Passover, and Shavuot; so, it is the third of the Festivals: “Ye shall dwell in booths seven days” (Leviticus 23:42, JPS). We build Sukkot (Booths) to commemorate the protection we received from the Clouds of Glory, while dwelling in booths, during our forty-day sojourn in the desert. On the eighth day, we celebrate Shemini Atzeret, symbolizing Olam Haba (the World-to-Come).

shiur: parashas Emor 5781

“I will be sanctified among the children of Israel.”

– Leviticus 22:32, JPS 1917 Tanach

Selfless behavior could be defined as being in tandem with the theme of mesiras nefesh – self-sacrifice. By way of explanation, mesiras nefesh may be viewed as an ongoing act, in the sense of subduing the yetzer hara (evil inclination), for the sake of sanctifying H’Shem’s name. The resultant reward is that we ourselves become sanctified, every time that we do not give in to our own character weaknesses. This is a challenge that appears in many circumstances on a daily basis; therefore, it is best to be on guard against temptation, by strengthening ourselves through constant vigilance.

To be selfless, in respect to mesiras nefesh on the level of morality, is to actively engage in diminishing our own will in favor of the ratzon (will) of the L-RD. When we negate ourselves, we renew ourselves for the sake of H’Shem who sanctifies us. This is a two way street of reciprocity; in other words, like two sides of the same coin. Whereof we are sanctified by H’Shem, through our own efforts to become holy; when we separate ourselves from unholiness, we are blessed with an equal measure of kedushah from the L-RD. By serving H’Shem, we bring kavod (glory) to Him.

“You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

– Isaiah 49:3

dvar: parashas Emor 5781

“You shall not profane My holy name, that I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people – I the L-RD who sanctify you.”

– Leviticus 22:32, sefaria.org

In struggling against the yetzer harah (evil inclination) we confront the part of ourselves that is inclined towards what Freud would call our instinctual drives. His theory, in regard to the id, ego, and superego, explains that without putting a reign on the Id, man would be subject to these drives, to the extent of not being able to function within the limits of societal norms.

Man, himself, is composed of two natures, the godly soul and the animal soul. Freud’s Id represents, to some degree, the instincts of the animal soul; moreover, the ego’s role, from his point of view, is to place the Id in check, according to what he called the Reality Principle. This is done by applying the standards of the superego, an amalgamation of moral values instilled in us through family upbringing and collective societal norms.

Inasmuch that Judaism teaches the significance of following the inclinations of the godly soul, as opposed to that of the animal soul, the standards are raised – Torah calls us to a higher standard. Especially, consider that the values of Austrian society that dominated Freud’s time and place at the time of his psychoanalytic practice (Vienna, from1886 to 1938) are not held in esteem by the majority of the world today. Rather, modernity is influenced, to a lesser or greater degree by norms that would be considered substandard, when compared to those that Freud was familiar with. This decline epitomizes the lack of a substantial claim to consistent values, over the years, within society.  

Yet, the L-RD’s ways, given to us through the Torah do not change. “His ways are higher than our ways; His thoughts are higher than our thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8). We are expected to be righteous to the extent of subduing the inclinations of the “yetzer hara,” akin to the “animal soul,” by way of self-denial. In doing so, we make ourselves an offering, by denying ourselves for the sake of following a higher path, than the one that our animal soul would follow, were we to let it lead (G-d forbid). Shall a donkey lead the rider? Nay, a donkey (chomer) represents the body, which must be guided by the soul. In this manner shall the L-RD’s name be sanctified amongst us: “That I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people – I the L-RD who sanctify you” (Leviticus 22:32, sefaria.org). Through H’Shem’s help, we will be sanctified.

weekly Torah: parashas Acharei-Kedoshim 5781

At the beginning of parashas Acharei, the Torah briefly mentions the deaths of two of Aaron’s sons, Adav and Navihu, whose lives were taken by the L-RD, when they approached near to Him (Leviticus 16:1).  Immediately afterwards, the H’Shem commands, in regard to Aaron, “that he not come at all times into the the holy place within the veil, before the ark-cover which is upon the ark; that he die not; for I appear in the cloud upon the ark-cover” (Leviticus 16:2, JPS 1917 Tanach).

The juxtaposition of this admonition along side the mentioning of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu hints to one reason why they were consumed by fire: H’Shem’s warning to Aaron, not to enter at all times, implies that Nadav and Avihu made an unbidden entry into the Holy of Holies, for which their lives were taken. For, “The L-RD thy G-d is a devouring fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24, JPS 1917 Tanach).

Next, the Torah begins to relate the various details of the Yom Kippur service: “Aaron shall come into the holy place” (Leviticus 16:3).  Only the Kohein Gadol could enter the Kadosh Kadoshim (Holy of Holies), and only on one day of the year, the Day of Atonement. The Sages ask, why are the deaths of Nadav and Avihu are juxtaposed with the Yom Kippur service: In like manner that the Yom Kippur brings atonement, so does the death of the righteous also bring atonement” (Yerushalmi Yoma 1:1). Even though Nadav and Avihu were consumed, the Torah credits them as righteous (Leviticus 10:3), because of their intentions to draw close to H’Shem. So, the juxtaposition of their deaths with the Yom Kippur service points toward the understanding that the death of the righteous atones for sin.

The nature of atonement may be better understood in light of the following commentary: “For the life [nefesh, soul] of the flesh [basar, body] is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life” (Leviticus 17:11, JPS 1917 Tanach). Rashi comments on ci nefesh habasar, “for the life of the flesh” of every creature, “not only of animals brought as sacrifices, is dependent on its blood (badam hiy), and it is for this reason that I have placed it [on the altar] to make expiation for the life of man: Let life come and expiate for life” (Rashi, commentary on Leviticus 17:11, sefaria.org).

Torah shiur: Acharei-Kedoshim 5781

“Everything is in the hands of heaven except the fear of heaven.”

– Talmud, Tractate Berakhot 33b

The Sages teach that both love and fear are necessary in our avodah our service to H’Shem. What is our avodah? Prayer from the heart. Chasidism teaches that prayer only ascends to the L-RD on two wings – love and fear.  Nadav and Avihu may have over-exemplified the “love component” in their service (avodah) to H’Shem. They sought to draw near to the L-RD; yet, they did so in a way that was disrespectful to Him. Although they had good intentions, they did not exhibit the necessary component of fear of the L-RD, inasmuch as they disregarded the fact that they had not been commanded to perform this particular incense service. They did not have permission from the L-RD to approach the Mishkan (Sanctuary). 

Immediately following their deaths, Aaron receives an admonition: “Drink no wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tent of meeting that ye die not; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. And that ye may put difference between the holy and the common, and between the clean and the unclean” (Leviticus 10:9-10, JPS 1917 Tanach). This implies that one of the reasons Nadav and Avihu were consumed by the fire of the L-RD was because they were intoxicated, when they brought their incense offering.

“And the L-RD spoke unto Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the L-RD, and died; and the L-RD said unto Moses: ‘Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil, before the ark-cover which is upon the ark; that he die not; for I appear in the cloud upon the ark-cover’” (Leviticus 16:1-2, JPS 1917 Tanach). Here the Torah infers another reason for the deaths of Nadav and Avihu.

Whereas the Torah previously records that that they approached the Mishkan (Sanctuary). Here the Torah infers that they approached the L-RD’s presence that would appear between the two golden cherubim on the kapores (Ark cover). When Aaron is admonished in this passage, not to enter the Kadosh Kadoshim at all times (only once-a-year on Yom Kippur) this implies that Nadav and Avihu entered the Kadosh Kadoshim behind the paroches, the curtain that separated the inner sanctuary where the ark of the covenant was kept, from the rest of the Mishkan.

“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am the L-RD your G-d.”

– Leviticus 20:7, JPS 1917 Tanach

divrei Torah: Acharei-Kedoshim 5781

“Ye shall be holy, for I the L-RD your G-d am holy.”

– Leviticus 19:2, JPS 1917 Tanach

We are created b’tzelem Elokim – in the image of G-d – as is written, “And G-d created man in His own image, in the image of G-d created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:27, JPS). We are to imitate G-d, in a sincere effort to live up to that image. In specific, we should focus our efforts an attempt to approach His level of holiness, even if this may not be within our own power to do so. A steady walk on the path of righteousness, will at least bring us closer to that ideal.

Additonally, in terms of approaching G-d’s presence in prayer, we must remain humble. Consider, Nadav and Abihu, who raised themselves up above their status as kohanim, sons of Aaron (Leviticus 10:1-2). They did not recognize the boundaries placed before themselves and H’Shem. They approached H’Shem in a manner that was less than respectful, in order to perform an unbidden incense service. The Torah infers that they approached H’Shem’s presence that appears between the two golden cherubim on the kapores – the cover of the Ark.

When Aaron is admonished in this passage, not to enter the Kadosh Kadoshim at all times (only once-a-year on Yom Kippur) this implies that Nadav and Avihu entered the Kadosh Kadoshim, behind the paroches, the veil or curtain that separated the inner sanctuary where the ark of the covenant was kept, from the rest of the Mishkan.Therefore, they served as a negative example, neglecting to maintain a high level of respect, awe, and reverence towards H’Shem.

H’Shem tells Moshe, “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them: Ye shall be holy; for I the L-RD your G-d am holy” (Leviticus 19:2, JPS). A question may be asked, relevant to the theme of kedushah (holiness), how are we able to even approach the level of G-d’s holiness? The example of Nadav and Avihu show that this is risky. Again, this is an ideal standard, that we are to simply set as our goal. Yet, its attainment is by no means simple, nor even possible without H’Shem at the helm of our ship, guiding our way upon the ocean of life.