Shabbat Hagadol

Perhaps a bit of information can give us a bit of hope. This year, Pesach falls on Thursday, as it did in Egypt. We know this because the שה, the lamb, was taken on the tenth of Nissan. (In spoken Hebrew, the lamb is called, טלה.) A גדי, a baby goat known as “kid,” could also be used as קרבן פסח. The animal needed to be taken,had to be less than a year old. On the tenth of Nissan, a lamb was taken and tied to the bed posts. It was a great miracle that the Egyptians saw this and did not object, despite the fact that they worshipped these animals. In addition, we read in the Haftarah this Shabbat, from the Book of מלאכי. The Haftarah mentions, הנה היום הגדול בא, “Behold, a great day is coming.” This refers to the coming of Mashiach. For these two reasons of the taking of the lamb and the Haftarah, this coming Shabbat is called, שבת הגדול.

Only Judaism is True

There is a Pasuk in the Hagaddah that is very powerful and proves the truth of Judaism as opposed to other religions. Moshe Rabbeinu tells the nation, “או הניסה אלוקים לבוא לקחת לו גוי מקרב גוי באותות ומופתים.” “Has G-d ever attempted to take one nation from the midst of another nation, with signs and wonders?” Moshe is pointing out that no religion ever began in such a spectacular manner as did the Jewish religion. With Hashem’s help, Israel decimated the superpower of the world. All other religions began in a far more modest way. Perhaps it was with a handful of disciples witnessing an alleged miracle, that a specific religion began. Compare this with Judaism and its beginning. This is what Moshe is telling the nation. Truth is not relative. The only truth when it comes to religion, is Hashem and Israel. Everything else is simply false.

בדיקה, ביעור, ביטול, ומכירת חמץ

Regarding חמץ, there are four different types. The first is בדיקת חמץ, where we search for חמץ, the night before Pesach. The Bracha we make while searching, is על ביעור חמץ, on burning Chametz. This is the second type of Chametz and the blessing is on the burning, which completes the searching. So that ביעור refers to the actual destroying of the Chametz the following morning. The third type is ביטול חמץ, the nullification of the Chametz. Actually, according to the Torah, this declaration of ביטול, is all that is necessary to get rid of our Chametz. We are declaring that we no longer own the Chametz and consider it like the dust of the earth. The Rabbis required that we thoroughly clean our homes. And the fourth category of Chametz, is מכירת חמץ, the selling of Chametz. This was instituted by the Rabbis to avoid a great loss of money. Originally, it was designed to help Jews who were in the alcohol business. They were unable to sell their whiskey and beer, and were allowed to temporarily sell their wares to a non-Jew in order to save money. These are the four categories of Chametz that we are to be focused on between now and Pesach.

Good Intentions

Shavua Tov. Regarding קרבנות, unlike Christianity, that assumes that now that we no longer have sacrifices, we need another means of atonement. And they think they have the answer as to how to achieve atonement. Judaism, on the other hand, believes that even when we did offer sacrifices, if they were offered with bad intent, they do not achieve their intended goal. We see this in the story of King Shaul and Shmuel, where Shmuel clearly tells Shaul that Hashem doesn’t care about sacrifices, if the one offering them does not listen to His voice. The Prophet Isaiah begins his book with the words, למה לי רוב זבחכם, “Why do I need your abundant sacrifices?” Hashem sees the intent that the one offering the sacrifices has. This is why the poor man’s meal offering, that comes with good intentions, carries with it more importance than the bull offered with bad intentions by the wealthy person. In general we learn that one’s כוונה, good intentions, are what is necessary for Mitzvot to bear fruit. This is the message learned from the קרבנות.

קרבנות

We begin the third book of the Torah this week. Vayikra focuses mainly on the offering of sacrifices. The Netivot Shalom says that there was a custom to teach children ויקרא before learning any of the other books of the Torah. The reason for this is that children are pure and innocent, and the קרבנות also purify. The fact that so many chapters deal with sacrifices, shows it’s importance. In פרקי אבות we are told that the world is based on תורה, עבודה, וגמילות חסדים. Torah refers to its study. גמילות חסדים refers to doing acts of kindness. And עבודה refers to the קרבנות. The offering of sacrifices carries with it a unique responsibility. Unlike other laws that we can pressure one to observe, such as by ציצית, Beit Din could force one to observe. קרבנות had to be offered לרצונו, with good will and good intent. The proper intent carries with it great importance. Without such intent, the קרבן is not accepted by Hashem. We should have proper intent, or כוונה, in all that we do. But the principle is learned from the offering of קרבנות.

מעות חיטים

As Pesach approaches, we are meant to fulfill the Mitzva of מעות חיטים, literally, money for wheat. It is also referred to as קמחא דפסחא, which is Aramaic, and means, flour for Pesach. This was a special Mitzva instituted to help the poor prepare for Pesach. It is considered a Mitzva that is separate from our obligation to give Tzedaka. The money is used to purchase flour, wine, meat, and fish. The idea of מעות חיטים was very much connected with the concept of freedom. We were to be aware that we could not truly enjoy our Pesach Seder, knowing that we haven’t done our share to help the poor. This is very much in line with the prayer that we say before the מה נשתנה at our Seder, titled, הא לחמא עניא, this is the bread of affliction. Therefore, מעות חיטים is not only a commandment to give money, but it is teaching us to be considerate of others.

Adar-Nissan

We begin tonight the month of Nissan. This is the month of redemption. The Rabbis say that just as we were redeemed in Egypt in this month, so, too, will our future redemption take place in Nissan. It is understandable that what the world is going through is beyond our comprehension. There are many theories and much “G-d playing” is going on around us. What should give us hope is that we are going through this during the months of אדר, referred to as אני ה׳ רופאיך, “I am Hashem, your healer.” It is a happy month as we say that when Adar enters, Simcha comes with it. Adar rolls right into the joyous month of Nissan. The first twelve days of the month celebrates the dedication of the Mishkan. Each day, a different tribe offered his own special sacrifice. The fourteenth was the day the קרבן פסח was prepared. We have the seven days of Pesach, followed by אסרו חג. The Rabbis predicted that in the future, there will be seven days of happiness when Mashiach comes. Therefore, the entire month of Nissan is a special month. All of this, should give us hope that we will soon be passed all of this, and again, the days of joy will return.

Forty-Two Challenges

The last Pasuk of ספר שמות, ends with the words, כי ענן ה׳ על המזבח בכל מסעיהם, that the cloud of Hashem rested on the Mishkan in all of the travels of the Jewish people. The Netivot Shalom points out that there is significance to the last two words, “בכל מסעיהם,” in all of their travels. He says that there is a hint to the journey that every Jew goes through during his lifetime. Just like the Jewish people visited forty two locations during their forty years in the desert. Similarly, each one of us goes through forty two journeys during his lifetime. These represent forty two challenges or difficulties that we may need to overcome. These challenges may be large or small, but we are required to rise to each occasion to make the right decisions in doing what is right in the eyes of G-d. It could be that the current situation may be one of our biggest tests that we need to pass. (Perhaps the Coronavirus counts as more than one journey!) Nevertheless, the Torah ends ספר שמות by reminding us that Hashem was always with us to help us through. There was the Cloud of Glory by day, and a fire by night. A total reliance and dependence on Hashem, will allow us to succeed in every challenge.

ויקהל-מקוה

The Netivot Shalom observed that the Gematria, numerical value of the word, “ויקהל” is equal to the word, “מקוה.” Just as a Mikva purifies, so, too, does Jewish unity as reflected in the word, ויקהל, also purifies. When there is collective, unified prayer, there is great strength. Just like all contributed generously to the Mishkan, and there was a collective feeling of a common goal being fulfilled, the same applies when all join together in prayer to remove a difficult decree facing the Jewish people. The Netivot Shalom adds that within the word, מקוה, there is also the word “קוה” meaning “hope.” When one feels that he is not alone, and he is part of a whole, he has hope. Losing hope can be devastating. The combination of ויקהל and מקוה, remind us to keep ourselves purified and to always remain part of the greater whole.

Biddud-Hitbodedut

Shavua Tov. Today’s double Parsha began with ויקהל. The word, “ויקהל”, means, “to gather.” It reflects the importance of Jewish unity. We have a number of slogans that reflect this idea. We speak of the Jewish people on Sinai as איש אחד בלב אחד, “one man, one heart.” We also say in שמונה עשרה, “ברכנו אבינו כלנו כאחד”, that Hashem should bless us as one entity. Yet, on this very Shabbat, we are instructed to stay in our homes and distance ourselves from one another. The explanation for this apparent paradox is that “unity” is not reflected by physical proximity. It is reflected more by a spiritual connection. The message here is that the current situation is one of reflection and introspection. We are united stronger than ever despite the physical distance when we pray for one another, and pray for the welfare of עם ישראל. It is no coincidence that the word בידוד, which means “isolation”, is very close to the word, “התבודדות”, which means, “meditation”. The isolation allows us to meditate on what is important in life. And that will lead to meaning Jewish unity.

פרשת החודש

This coming Shabbat is פרשת החודש and ויקהל-פקודי. We read החודש on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Nissan, or on Rosh Chodesh. The Parsha discusses the month of Nissan being the first of the months in the Jewish calendar. It also discusses some of the laws related to Pesach preparations and the removal of Chametz from our homes. This section from the twelfth chapter of Shemot also teaches the special permission granted to cook on Yom Tov. This is learned from the words, אך אשר יאכל לכל נפש, “except for that which is needed for food for the soul.” There is a difference of opinion between בית שמאי and בית הלל, regarding carrying on Yom Tov. As usual, Beit Shamai takes the more strict opinion. They only permit carrying which is related to אוכל נפש, the preparation of food. Beit Hillel permits any kind of carrying, even if not related to food. They are more lenient because they felt that שמחת יום טוב, rejoicing on Yom Tov was also important. And carrying was possible to add to the joy of the day. The Halacha is, of course, according to בית הלל.

תשובה מאהבה

In times of crisis, we are told that we are supposed to do a self-check of our Midot. We are to realize the power of Teshuva and crying out to Hashem. If we look at the Tanach, we see desperate situations where sincere, mass repentance, changed the decree. Two such examples are the people of Nineveh in the Yona story, and the fasting and Teshuva in the Purim story. In both cases, things looked desperate and hopeless. The power of prayer and repentance changed the evil decree. The Netivot Shalom describes two kinds of תשובה. When one repents מיראה, out of fear, his זדונות, sins done intentionally, become שוגגות, as if done unintentionally. When one repents מאהבה, out of love for Hashem, his זדונות become זכויות, merits. The current crisis should be one of self reflection, and we should all merit doing תשובה מאהבה, to put an end to the Corona virus visiting us.

Become Complete

The Netivot Shalom used the idea of the מחצית השקל to teach the importance of taking our place as part of the community. The idea of a half shekel showed something incomplete. Half is still missing and is completed when one connects with his Judaism. One method of completion would come when one is careful to share his Torah knowledge with others. The Rabbis say that דברי תורה אינם מתקיימים ביחיד, that words of Torah are not fulfilled when one is alone. We complete the other half when we cleave to Hashem. We do this by trying to have our daughters marry a Talmid Chacham, or our sons marrying the daughter of a Talmid Chacham. And we can further cleave to Hashem by being close to the גדולים, the great rabbis of the generation. We are to accept that we cannot remain hermits. We must be involved with the needs of the community, share our Torah knowledge, and cleave to Torah scholars.

Hashem’s Unfathomable Ways

The dialogue between Hashem and Moshe Rabbeinu, after the חטא העגל, is very interesting. Moshe saw this as an עת רצון, an opportune time to learn about Hashem’s essence. Among Moshe’s questions, was the classic צדיק ורע לו and רשע וטוב לו. Why does it appear that the righteous seem to suffer, and the wicked seem to have it so good in the world. A great deal was revealed to Moshe at that time when he asked Hashem to, “Show me Your glory.” He was taught the effectiveness of the recitation of the Thirteen Attributes, and how its utterance brings G-d’s mercy, instead of harsh judgement. But ultimately, Moshe is told, “כי לא יראני האדם וחי”, that no man can see Me and live. We must accept that Hashem’s ways are far above our own comprehension. And today, more than ever, we see how Hashem is running the world.

שמן המשחה

There is a Gemara in מסכת כריתות that speaks of the magic of the שמן המשחה, anointing oil that was prepared by Moshe Rabbeinu. There were a total of twelve לוגים of oil that was prepared. Each לוג was 21 and a half ounces. Yet, these three gallons of oil lasted for a very long time, and covered a great deal. The entire משכן and all of its utensils were anointed with this שמן המשחה. Aharon and his sons, were anointed with this oil. Every High Priest and king in the First Temple, was anointed with this oil. This שמן המשחה was meant to last forever. There still exists some of that original, miraculous שמן המשחה. It is hidden in Jerusalem, together with the ארון קודש, Holy Ark. The Torah says, זה לי לדורותיכם, “This is for Me for all generations.” זה equals twelve, referring to the twelve לוג of שמן המשחה, that was to last for generations. The שמן המשחה was clearly one of the unknown, amazing miracles alluded to in the Torah.

פרשת פרה

Shavua Tov. Today we read פרשת פרה, in preparation for the offering of the קרבן פסח. Everyone needed to be in a state of purity as they prepared to be עולי רגל, when they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The Red Heifer was meant to purify for having come in contact with the dead. This Mitzva is a חוק, which means that we are not meant to understand its reason. The parallel reading in the Haftarah of פרשת פרה, is from ספר יחזקאל. The Prophet spoke of the purification of the Jewish people before the final Redemption. He seems to be speaking of the times that we are living in today. He speaks of a time when Hashem will decide that He would like to see His name sanctified. He will rebuild the House of Israel and bring Jews from all corners of the earth. He is doing this, not because we deserve it, but because of the sanctification. We will be sprinkled with waters of purification to eliminate the impurities we accumulated during our years in the Galut. We are to appreciate that the rebuilding of the State of Israel is a קידוש ה׳, meant to make Hashem’s name great. Parshat Parah teaches about the need for purification as a prerequisite for קרבן פסח, as well as a prerequisite for the building of the House of Israel.

Reason for Golden Calf

This Shabbat we read about the חטא העגל, the sin of the Golden Calf. The Netivot Shalom has an extremely novel interpretation as to why בני ישראל were capable of performing such a grievous sin. The Netivot Shalom does not accept that the generation of the desert known as דור דיעה, the generation of knowledge, who witnessed קריעת ים סוף and the revelation at הר סיני, could consciously rebel against Hashem. He says that the חטא העגל was a manifestation of the Divine will. Hashem wanted this to happen! This was to prepare the עם as to how to act if there would ever be a communal sin in the future. This explains what Moshe was asking when he said, הראני נא את כבודך, “ Show me Your glory.” He was asking for an explanation as to why it was necessary to have the Jewish nation, sin. Hashem answers that nobody can truly fathom His ways. We must submit to the נסתר, the hidden way that Hashem runs His world. Only in the time of Mashiach, will He act in a revealed way. This explanation of the Netivot Shalom is pretty radical. If anyone but him had given such a theory, he would have been called out on it bordering heresy.

Mordechai’s Strategy

The story of Purim as told in the Megillah gives a realistic look at the obstacles presented to a Jewish leader. Clearly, Mordechai was the hero of the Purim story, but he did not have a 100% approval rating. The Gemara in מסכת מגילה comments on the last Pasuk of the Megillah. We are told how Mordechai became the second to the king, spoke well of his people, and was רצוי לרוב אחיו, accepted by MOST of his brothers. The comment of the Gemara was, רוב אחיו ולא כל אחיו, most of his brothers, but not all of his brothers. We are shown that many Jews were not in agreement with Mordechai’s provocative tactics. He made waves and loudly challenged the villain, Haman. Their feeling was to take a low profile and work behind the scenes in a more discreet manner. Even when it was proven that Mordechai was right and there was a happy ending, he was still second guessed by many Jews. It is certainly a difficult task to be a leader of the Jewish people.

Mitzvot of Purim

It is probably a good idea to review the basic laws of Purim that we need to observe. מחצית השקל We fulfill this Mitzva with three half shekels, minimally. It is preferred to give around thirty shekels to do the Mitzva in the best way. קריאת מגילה The Megillah needs to be heard twice for both men and women. It can be heard all night to fulfill night obligation, and all day for the daytime obligation. מתנות לאביונים A small amount of money should be distributed to at least two poor people on Purim day. משלוח מנות At least two ready to eat foods requiring different Brachot, should be given to at least one friend. סעודת פורים The meal should begin before sundown on Purim day. It should ideally include wine and meat. The על הניסים prayer is said even if the סעודה ends after dark. Purim Sameach to all, and stay calm!

אורים ותומים

The most fascinating of the garments worn by the כהן גדול, was the חושן משפט, or breastplate. On it, were the אורים ותומים, that acted in a magical way. The Yerushalmi explains that the אורים gave light to Israel. And the תומים, were navigators that showed Israel the path they were to take. This is explained further by saying that only when the Jewish people were תמים, complete, would they be given the proper direction. The תורה תמימה clarifies this statement by saying that only when ישראל were תמימים in their Derech and in their Midot, would they merit receiving a clear answer from the אורים ותומים. We see, for example, that King Shaul consulted them at the end of his life, and he received no answer. Perhaps this is a lesson that in order for any endeavor to bear fruits, it comes only when we act in a genuine way with good Midot.