Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chana bat Shmuel, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Mordechai HaLevi ben Miriam Tovah, Moshe ben Itta Golda and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
Both our parasha and Parashat Korach contain an expression that refers to Hashem’s unique knowledge of mankind:
 
They [Moshe and Aharon] fell on their faces and said, “O G-d, the G-d of the spirits of all flesh, if one man sins, shall You be angry with the whole congregation?” (Sefer Bamidbar 16:22)
 
“Let the L-rd, the G-d of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation” (Sefer Bamidbar 27:16, these, and all Bible translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach)

The original Hebrew for “the G-d of the spirits of all flesh” is “Elokei haruchot l’kol basar.” In the course of his commentary on Parashat Korach, Rashi (1040-1105) bases himself upon Midrash Tanchuma, Parashat Korach 7, and explains our phrase as “He who knows the innermost thoughts of man” (“yoday’ah machshavot”):
 
…But You know the thoughts of man; You know who has committed a sin and who has not committed a sin. You know who has rebelled and who has not rebelled. You know the spirit [i.e. nature] of each one of them. Therefore, the Torah utilizes the expression: “Elokei haruchot l’kol basar” (“the G-d of the spirits of all flesh,” translation my own).

In our parasha, Rashi explicates this expression in a different manner: “...the unique nature of every living person (da’ato shel kol echad v’echad) is manifestly evident before You, O’ Ruler of the world, and [You know] that they are not similar to one another...” (27:16)  In contrast to his first explanation of Elokei haruchot l’kol basar, focusing upon people's thought processes and behaviors, here Rashi emphasizes the mahut adam — Hashem’s knowledge of the fundamental essence of each person and every detail of their being. Taken in tandem, he is teaching us that the Master of the Universe knows all aspects of mankind, including our thoughts, motivations and intentions. In short, He knows the spirit of each of us.
 
In contrast to Rashi’s comments, the beloved Chasidic rebbe, Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev zatzal (1740-1810), one of the greatest advocates of the Jewish people, simultaneously emphasizes and reinterprets the words “l’kol basar” (“all flesh”) that conclude our phrase, “Elokei haruchot l’kol basar:”
A human being is, after all, comprised of flesh and blood. As a result, he has numerous needs that must be fulfilled in pursuit of his livelihood (parnassah). [They are, in fact, so diverse in nature,] that, on occasion, they may very well cause one to be unable to serve Hashem at all times (b’tamidut). (Kedushat Levi, Parashat Pinchas, s.v. yivkode Hashem, this and the following translations my own)
 
Rav Levi Yitzchak recognizes that mankind is imperfect; as such, there will inevitably be times when the pursuit of parnassah will negatively impact our service of Hashem. Based upon his boundless love for the Jewish people, Rav Levi Yitzchak presents this observation in a non-pejorative manner, and intimates that this fundamental human failing should never drive a wedge between the Almighty and His people.
 
Rav Levi Yitzchak extends this notion, suggesting that the ideal Jewish leader, like Hashem Himself, should not only accept man’s inherently flawed nature, but be willing and able to be melamade zechut (find merit) in our actions:
This, then, is the meaning of: “Let the L-rd, the G-d of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,” that is, a judge and a leader who will continuously be melamade zechut on the Jewish people — just like You, Hashem, are melamade zechut on an individual who does not continuously serve You [due to the daily demands of making a living].
 
In Rav Levi Yitzchak’s view, Moshe was beseeching Hashem to choose his successor based upon the capacity to find the good in the Jewish people — even when their actions would eventually fall far short of what they ideally should be. In this sense, a true leader of the Jewish people is one who focuses upon the possibilities and promise of our nation, rather than upon our pitfalls. Hashem found this crucial quality in Yehoshua, about whom the Torah states:
The L-rd said to Moses, “Take for yourself Joshua the son of Nun, a man of spirit (ish asher ruach bo), and you shall lay your hand upon him.  And you shall present him before Eleazar the kohen and before the entire congregation, and you shall command him in their presence. You shall bestow some of your majesty upon him so that all the congregation of the children of Israel will take heed.” (27:18-20)
 
Like our teacher Moshe Rabbeinu, Yehoshua was blessed with the capacity to be melamade zechut upon the entire Jewish people. This, I believe, is the meaning of the phrase, “ish asher ruach bo,” that Hashem used when He presented Yehoshua as the next leader of klal Yisrael (the Jewish people). Significantly, “ruach” is the very same word used to describe the Almighty as “Elokei haruchot l’kol basar.”
 
May Hashem continue to be melamade zechut upon us and bring the Masiach (Messiah), the “ish asher ruach bo,” speedily and in our time. V’chane yihi ratzon.
 
Shabbat Shalom
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name.
 
The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com.
 
*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd
 
*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.
 
 

Rabbi David Etengoff 
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chana bat Shmuel, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Mordechai HaLevi ben Miriam Tovah, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world. 
 
The most celebrated pasuk (verse) of our parasha is “mah tovu:” “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!” (Sefer Bamidbar 24:5, this and all Bible and Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) As early as the beginning of the 15th century, its recitation was common practice within the world of Ashkenazi Jewry: “When entering the synagogue in the morning, is there anyone who does not say ‘mah tovu’ and a few other verses?” (Responsa Maharil, 150:9, Rabbi Yaakov ben Moshe Levi Moelin, 1365-1427)  Closer to our own time, Rabbi Yechiel Michal ben Aharon Yitzhak Halevi Epstein (1829-1908) provides further support for the inclusion of mah tovu in the morning service in his classic work, Aruch HaShulchan, Orech Chaim 46:17: “The text of tefilah (the prayer) to be recited prior to Baruch She’amar is printed in the prayer books. When one initially enters the synagogue he should say, mah tovu ohalecha Ya’akov — “How goodly are your tents O Jacob…” 

How and why did our verse achieve this singular placement? This question is particularly significant, since mah tovu contains the words of the sorcerer Bilam, whose goal was to lead the Jewish people away from Hashem, in order to destroy them. Therefore, it seems counterintuitive that Bilam’s statement, regardless of its inspiring content, would become one of the oft-quoted pasukim (verses) of the Jewish people. Indeed, the Maharshal (Rabbi Shlomo Luria, 1510-1573) voiced just such an objection to its recitation: “When I come to synagogue I begin with the verse ‘But as for me, in the abundance of Thy lovingkindness...’ (Sefer Tehillim 5:8) and skip the first verse, mah tovu ohalecha Ya’akov, because Bilam first uttered it, and he said it as a curse...” (Responsa Maharshal 64) 

Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 105b, identifies the phrase, “mah tovu ohalecha Ya’akov,” with synagogues and houses of Torah study; in so doing, it helps us understand why our pasuk has captured the hearts and minds of our people over the substantive objection of the Maharshal: 

Rabbi Johanan said: From the blessings of that wicked man [Bilam] you may learn his intentions; he wished to curse them so that they [the Jewish people] should possess no synagogues or houses of study, [this is deduced from] “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob.”… Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: “All of them [the blessings] reverted to a curse, except the synagogues and houses of study, for it is written, ‘But the L-rd, your G-d, did not want to listen to Bilam, so the L-rd, your G-d, transformed the curse into a blessing for you, because the L-rd, your G-d, loves you’ (Sefer Devarim 23:6) – the curse, but not the curses [i.e. only “mah tovu ohalecha Ya’akov” was completely fulfilled as a blessing].” (Translation, The Soncino Talmud, with my underlining and explanatory emendations) 
 
The explanation of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana sheds light on exactly why mah tovu begins our daily morning synagogue experience: It is the one statement of Bilam that began as a curse, but ultimately became a total blessing, and infuses our synagogues and batei midrash (houses of study) with kedushah (holiness) until our own historical moment. Little wonder, then, that the Maharil declared, “When entering the synagogue in the morning, is there anyone who does not say ‘mah tovu’ and a few other verses?” 
 
Rashi (1040-1105), basing himself upon Talmud Bavli, Baba Batra 60a, offers a very different approach to mah tovu: “For he (Bilam) saw that the entrances [of the Jewish people’s tents] were not facing each other.” (With my emendations) On the peshat (direct) level, it appears that even Bilam, the advocate of all manner and variety of salacious behaviors, recognized the kedushah that reigned supreme amongst the Jewish people. Their desire to protect their privacy and family modesty was so intense that they even concealed their tent entrances from one another.  

The great Chasidic rebbe, Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman HaLevi Epstein (1751-1823), in his work of Torah analysis, Maor Va’Shemesh, analyzes this Talmudic statement in a highly creative and original fashion.  He suggests that the phrase, “the entrances [of the Jewish people’s tents] were not facing each other,” hides more than its direct meaning reveals: 

We have an overarching rule [regarding the pursuit of authentic Torah-based religiosity]: Each tzaddik (righteous individual) must grasp [and develop] their own manner and approach toward kedushah and create their own unique opening [to the spiritual wellsprings of holiness] for himself (u’patach lo petach l’atzmo), rather than engage in a [mere] “command of the people that has been taught” [that is, someone else’s approach] (See Sefer Yeshayahu 29:13, this and the following translations and additions my own). 
 
Rav Epstein further elaborates upon this metaphorical redefinition of the phrase, “the entrances [of the Jewish people’s tents] were not facing each other:”  

This means that even though one may have seen their rebbe do something, or their friends perform certain actions and behaviors, and he at first glance thinks this is the manner in which he must proceed — this is certainly not the correct approach. Instead, each person must “open their own opening” [and find their own] gates of kedushah for themselves.  
 
At this juncture, Rav Epstein explains that this approach to spirituality will, with the Almighty’s help, enable each person to have the holy Schechinah (Divine Presence) rest upon them: 

This, then, is the meaning to the phrase, “And he (Bilam) saw that the entrances [of the Jewish people’s tents] were not facing each other:” In other words, no one “looked” to walk upon the path of kedushah that their friends had created for themselves. Instead, each person walked solely upon the path they had forged for themselves, and in this way, the spirit of Hashem would rest upon them — that is, the Schechinah rested upon them.  
 
Each of us has the capacity to strengthen our relationship with Hashem, so that we, too, may feel His glorious presence in our lives. He is always waiting for us to do so, for as the Torah teaches us, no matter how far from Him we may be, He has promised us: “And from there you will seek the L-rd your G-d, and you will find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Sefer Devarim 4:29)  Beyond a doubt, the spiritual journey is the greatest and most important one of our lives. May each of us reach out to Hashem in our own unique manner so that we, too, can declare Mah Tovu! V’chane yihi ratzon. 

Shabbat Shalom 
  
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org  
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name. 

The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com. 

*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd 

*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link. 
 ​

 
Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chana bat Shmuel, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Yakir Ephraim ben Rachel Devorah, Mordechai HaLevi ben Miriam Tovah, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
The mitzvah of the Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) is the focal point of the beginning of our parasha:
This is the statute of the Torah that the L-rd commanded, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel and have them take for you a perfectly red unblemished cow, upon which no yoke was laid.” … It shall be an everlasting statute for the children of Israel and for the proselyte who resides in their midst. (Sefer Bamidbar 19:2 and 10, this and all Bible translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach)
 
The goal of this commandment is to purify an individual who has become tamei (ritually impure) as a result of contact with a corpse. It is intrinsically mystifying in nature since, in the course of its fulfillment, the individual who has come into contact with a corpse becomes tahor (ritually pure), whereas the one who assists in the purification process is paradoxically rendered tamei.
 
Sefer Melachim I: 3:12 teaches us that Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon), the wisest individual who ever lived, was blessed by Hashem with the greatest da’at (native intelligence) and most profound binah (insight into the interrelationship of things) that anyone could ever achieve: “Behold, I have done according to your word; behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, nor after you shall any arise like you.” Yet, even he was stymied by the Red Heifer’s irreconcilable contradictions and poignantly lamented: “All this I tested with wisdom; I said, ‘I will become wise,’ but it was far from me.” (Sefer Kohelet 7:23) According to a variety of Midrashim, the word “it” specifically refers to the Parah Adumah.
 
The great 19th century sage, Rabbi Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik zatzal (1820-1892), in his Torah commentary, Beit HaLevi, on Sefer Shemot, Chapter 31, presents an exposition of the Parah Adumah that helps us understand its essential meaning. He notes that the phrase, “this is the statute of the Torah that the L-rd commanded, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel and have them take for you a perfectly red unblemished cow...,’” is very unusual, since the Red Heifer is singled out as being the “statute of the Torah.” He therefore asks: “At face value, the Parah Adumah is simply one of the [613] mitzvot of the Torah. Why, therefore, is it given the unusual label of the “statute of the Torah?” His answer expresses his fundamental beliefs regarding the search for the underlying rationale of the mitzvot:
… for it is precisely from the Parah Adumah that it is revealed to man that he, in reality, does not know anything regarding [the true meaning inherent] in any mitzvah of the Torah, since, [as this verse suggests,] the entire Torah is a statute (chukah) [that defies our understanding]. (This and the following translations my own.)
 
Rav Soloveitchik proceeds to elaborate upon this statement:
 
And the explanation of this concept is the following; behold all of the mitzvot are inextricably connected to, and interwoven with, one another. Moreover, each one depends upon the other – just as we find in reference to lowly man who has 248 limbs and 365 sinews – all of whom are attached one to another, and all of whom depend upon one another. This is the case, as well, regarding the mitzvot wherein the 248 Positive Commandments and the 365 Negative Commandments are attached to one another and form one unit. [As a result,] it is impossible to comprehend even one of the mitzvot without understanding all of them. Therefore, when we encounter the Parah Adumah and we do not understand its underlying principle – it is clear that we really know nothing at all [regarding any of the mitzvot].
 
Given these thoughts, the Red Heifer emerges as a protection against man’s natural hubris and potential for intellectual arrogance:
…the Parah Adumah is, therefore, a fence and a protective measure for man who utilizes his intellect (hamitbonane b’sichlo) to examine the reasons inherent in the mitzvot. It prevents him from erring in their regard... and from bursting forth [against the mitzvot] and declaring: “I am the one who knows their rationale!” For were he to do so, he would soon err and add or subtract [from the mitzvot].
 
In Rav Soloveitchik’s view, there is only one way to demonstrate acceptance of, and loyalty to, the commandments:
One must perform all of the mitzvot, with all of their specific details, according to what we have received from our Rabbis according to the overarching rules of the Torah, and the established halacha, without any deviation whatsoever from the words of the Shulchan Aruch. This is the case since he himself recognizes that he does not comprehend the depth of these matters… (Translation and emphasis my own)
 
In sum, the Parah Adumah may be viewed as the mitzvah that provides us with a conceptual model for approaching all of the other mitzvot, as it reminds us, perhaps more than any other commandment, that Hashem is the measure of all things. With the Almighty’s help, may we be zocheh (merit) to serve Him with humility and devotion as we strive to fulfill His holy Torah. V’chane yihi ratzon.
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name.
 
The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com.
 
*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd
 
*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.
 
 

Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chana bat Shmuel, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Yakir Ephraim ben Rachel Devorah, Mordechai HaLevi ben Miriam Tovah, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
Our parasha contains a rich array of stimulating narratives that challenge our understanding and cry out to us, “Darshani!” (“Interpret me!”)  One of these is known as the “Test of the Matot (Staffs):”

The L-rd spoke to Moses saying: “Speak to the children of Israel and take from them a staff for each father’s house from all the chieftains according to their fathers’ houses; [a total of] twelve staffs, and inscribe each man’s name on his staff. Inscribe Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, for there is [only] one staff for the head of their fathers’ house. You shall place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting before the [Ark of] the Testimony where I commune with you. The staff of the man whom I will choose will blossom, and I will calm down [turn away] from Myself the complaints of the children of Israel which they are complaining against you.” (Sefer Bamidbar 17:16-20, this and all Bible translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach)
 
A direct reading of our passage indicates that the Almighty commanded Moshe to undertake these actions so that, “I [Hashem] will calm down [turn away] from Myself the complaints of the children of Israel which they are complaining against you [Moshe].” Midrash Tanchuma suggests that this process was crucial, since the people were strongly opposed to the Kehunah (Kohanim) being under Aharon’s control (b’yad Aharon). (Parashat Acharei Mot VIII, translation my own) While this interpretation is certainly helpful, it does not explain the underlying reason our ancestors’ passionate resistance to Aharon’s stewardship of the Kehunah.

We are fortunate that Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk zatzal (1843-1926) addresses this issue in his classic work, Meshech Chachmah, and, in so doing, enables us to understand the “story behind the story.” In his view, the people’s negative attitude toward Aharon being granted the Kehunah was fomented by none other than Korach and his band of rebels:

For the error of Korach and his followers was that they thought the Kehunah was not a matter of segulah (unique choice by Hashem) and [genealogical endowment] to Aharon’s descendants. [Instead, they thought it was] solely a matter of the [present Kohanim’s] ability to effectively carry out the actions that they were called upon to perform (kishron pe’ulah) — which had put them in good stead in conjunction with their elevated status. If so, over time when the Kohanim would eventually sin, or the majority of the people would [potentially] achieve higher levels of kedushah (holiness) than the Kohanim, then [they thought the Kehunah could be wrested from Aharon’s future offspring] and others more deserving of this honor would join the Kehunah... (Parashat Korach 17:17, this and all translations and brackets my own)
 
Rav Meir Simcha’s position is clear: The error of Korach and his followers regarding the status of the Kohanim and the Kehunah was predicated upon a radical misconception, namely, that the Kehunah was a meritocracy, rather than a segulah and eternal covenant between Hashem and Aharon’s biological heirs. This notion is explicitly stated in reference to Pinchas, wherein we find: “Therefore, say, ‘I [Hashem] hereby give him [Pinchas] My covenant of peace. It shall be for him and for his descendants after him [as] an eternal covenant of Kehunah (brit kehunat olam)...’” (Sefer Bamidbar 25:13)
 
Rav Meir Simcha continues his presentation by alluding to the following pasukim (verses) in our parasha that describe the manifest miracle that took place concerning Aharon’s staff:

Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and all their chieftains gave him a staff for each chieftain according to their fathers’ houses, [a total of] twelve staffs, and Aaron’s staff was amidst their staffs. Moses placed the staffs before the L-rd in the Tent of the Testimony. And on the following day Moses came to the Tent of Testimony, and behold, Aaron's staff for the house of Levi had blossomed! It gave forth blossoms, sprouted buds, and produced ripe almonds. (17:21-23)
 
 
Rav Meir Simcha suggests that this kind of nes (miracle) which utilized common everyday objects, yet took them above the laws of nature, was necessary in order to provide incontrovertible proof that Aharon was uniquely both:

genealogically and [through] Hashem’s Divine choice (tevi v’seguli’i) [the progenitor of the Kohanim] — just like we find in reference to the election of the Jewish people [as the Chosen People]. [Moreover, we must ever remember] that the Holy One blessed be He took an oath that He would never replace us [with any other nation], which is the case, as well, regarding Aharon [and his future descendants], for their covenant, too, is everlasting in nature (literally a “covenant of salt,” brit melach).
 
Rav Meir Simcha concludes that just as Hashem chose the Jewish people as His segulah nation, so, too, did He choose Aharon and his descendants to be the Kohanim. As such, Korach’s idea to replace Aharon and the other Kohanim violated Hashem’s will, and His holy Torah.
 
While the Kehunah specifically rests with Aharon and his descendants, our Sages have taught us that it is laudatory for all the nations of the world to emulate the Kohanim and Levi’im, and in so doing, they will be rewarded by the Almighty. The Rambam (1135-1204) was one of the greatest scholars to give voice to this idea:

Not only the tribe of Levi, but any one of the inhabitants of the world whose spirit generously motivates him and understands with his wisdom [how] to set himself aside and stand before G-d to serve Him and minister to Him and to know G-d, proceeding justly as G-d made him … is as sanctified as the holy of holies. G-d will be His portion and heritage forever and will provide what is sufficient for him in this world, just like He provides for the Kohanim and the Levi’im. (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Shemitah v’Yovel 13:13, translation, Rabbi Eliyahu Touger)
 
May we be counted among those who, as the Rambam describes, develop such closeness to Hashem that we become a kingdom of Kohanim, dedicating ourselves to sanctifying His holy Name throughout the entire world. Then, with the Almighty’s help and our fervent desire, may we participate in the realization of Zechariah’s grand vision: “And the L-rd shall become King over all the earth; on that day shall the L-rd be one, and His Name one.” (Sefer Zechariah 14:9)  May this time come soon and in our days, v’chane yihi ratzon.
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org/ using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name.
 
The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com.
 
*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd
 
*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.

​
 
Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chana bat Shmuel, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Yakir Ephraim ben Rachel Devorah, Mordechai HaLevi ben Miriam Tovah, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
Our parasha is unique as it contains the only instance in the Torah with pasukim (verses) preceded and followed by an inverted letter “nun.” (Sefer Bamidbar 10:35-36)  One of the better-known discussions regarding this distinctive occurrence is found in Talmud Bavli, Shabbat 115b-116a:

Our Rabbis taught: “So it was, whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, ‘Arise, O L-rd, may Your enemies be scattered and may those who hate You flee from You.’” “And when it came to rest, he would say, ‘Repose O L-rd, among the myriads of thousands of Israel.’” (Sefer Bamidbar 10:35-36, these verses and all Tanach translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach): The Holy One, blessed be He, provided signs for this section above and below, to teach that this is not its place. Rabbi [Yehudah HaNasi]said: “It is not on that account, but because it ranks as a separate Book.” With whom does the following dictum of R. Samuel b. Nahmani in R. Jonathan's name agree: “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.” (Sefer Mishle 9:1) [Are you suggesting that] this refers to the seven Books of the Law? With whom [that is, whose opinion does this follow?] With Rabbi [Yehudah HaNasi]. (Translation, Soncino Talmud, with my brackets and emendations)
 
Although there are two opinions in this passage concerning our pasukim, Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi’s view is more widely-known, and considered to be the generally accepted position.  In his view, the Torah is comprised of seven, rather than five, separate books: Bereishit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bamidbar (until our pasukim), Bamidbar 10:35-36 (our verses), Bamidbar (after our pasukim) and Sefer Devarim.
 
I find the first of our two pasukim particularly difficult to comprehend; in particular, the phrase, “and may those who hate You flee from You,” seems to hide far more than it reveals. After all, exactly who are those “who hate You?” Moreover, what does it actually mean to “hate G-d?” Fortunately, these questions were addressed long ago in the Midrash Sifrei on our pasuk:

“May those who hate You flee from You:” And are there really haters [that stand before] the One who spoke and the world came into being? Rather, the text is teaching us that anyone who hates the Jewish people is as if he hates the One who spoke and the world came into being. We find this idea, as well, in another verse, “And with Your great pride You tear down those who rise up against You; You send forth Your burning wrath; it devours them like straw.” (Sefer Shemot 15:7)  And are there really those who rise up against the One who spoke and the world came into being? Rather, the Torah is teaching us that anyone who rises up against the Jewish people is as if he has risen up against the Omnipresent One (HaMakom). (Pesikta 84, translation and brackets my own)
 
According to this Midrash, no one actually hates or rises up against Hashem. Instead, anyone, be they individuals or nations, who has abject antipathy for our people and wreaks havoc against us is included among those who are called sonei Hashem (haters of Hashem). Professor Nechama Leibowitz zatzal (1905-1997), one of the previous generation’s greatest exponents of Torah analysis, offers an interpretation of our midrashic passage that is particularly apropos:

Accordingly, the enemies of Israel are synonymous with the enemies of G-d. Whether we are worthy or not of this title; those bent on our destruction regard us as the standard-bearers of truth and justice and the representatives of the divine Law. And it is for this reason they persecute and hate us. (Studies in Bamidbar, page 91, translated and adapted from the Hebrew by Aryeh Newman)
 
Professor Leibowitz buttresses her insights with the following synopsis of Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch’s zatzal (1808-1888) interpretation of our pasukim:

Hirsch, commenting on this passage, remarks that Moses was aware that enemies would rise up against the Torah from the moment that it was given. Its demands for justice and altruism were bound to antagonize aggressors and tyrants and stand in the way of their designs. The Torah’s call to holiness would not only arouse hatred, but active persecution. (Ibid.)
 
Taken in tandem, Professor Leibowitz provides us with a clear path for understanding the very nature of anti-Semitism, and why, for example, the Haggadah solemnly proclaims: “B’kol dor v’dor omdim aleinu l’kaloteinu” — “In each and every generation there are those who rise against us to completely destroy us.” In sum, we are “the standard-bearers of truth and justice and the representatives of the divine Law.” In addition, the Torah itself, and we as its representatives, are antithetical to everything for which the tyrants of the world have stood and continue to stand.  “Its demands for justice and altruism,” coupled with the Torah’s “call to holiness,” are ideals by which our enemies cannot abide. As a result, as the “People of the Book,” that is, as representatives of Hashem’s holy Law, we continue to be hated and persecuted until this time. 
 
With the Almighty’s help and our fervent desire, may the time come soon and, in our days, when the words of Zechariah the prophet are fulfilled and proclaimed by all the nations of the world: “And the L-rd shall become King over all the earth; on that day shall the L-rd be one, and His Name one.” (14:9) Then, and only then, will the endless cycles of hatred and injustice against us cease and the words of Yermiyahu the prophet be realized, as we hear: “the sound of mirth and the sound of joy, the voice of a bridegroom and the voice of a bride, the sound of those saying, ‘Thank the L-rd of Hosts, for the L-rd is good, for His loving-kindness endures forever,’ bringing a thanksgiving offering to the House of the L-rd...” (33:11)  V’chane yihi ratzon.
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org
 
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org/ using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name.
 
The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com.
 
*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd
 
*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.

 
Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chana bat Shmuel, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Yakir Ephraim ben Rachel Devorah, Mordechai HaLevi ben Miriam Tovah, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
The laws pertaining to the Nazir (Nazirite) are found in this week’s parasha, and begin with the following passage:

The L-rd spoke to Moses saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, and you shall say to them: A man or woman who sets himself apart by making a nazirite vow to abstain for the sake of the L-rd. He shall abstain from new wine and aged wine; he shall not drink [even] vinegar made from new wine or aged wine, nor shall he drink anything in which grapes have been steeped, and he shall eat neither fresh grapes nor dried ones. (Sefer Bamidbar 6:1-3, this and all Tanach and Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach)
 
Chazal (our Sages of blessed memory) often chose a haftarah (reading from the Prophets) with an underlying theme that parallels a subject found in its associated Torah portion. Our haftarah follows this approach, and focuses upon the miraculous events preceding the birth of the most famous Nazir of all time, Shimshon HaGibor  (Samson the heroic one). The essence of our narrative begins in the following manner:

And there was one man from Zorah, from the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and had not borne. And an angel of the L-rd appeared to the woman, and said to her, “Behold now, you are barren, and have not borne; and you shall conceive and bear a son. Consequently, beware now, and do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing. Because you shall conceive, and bear a son; and a razor shall not come upon his head, for a Nazirite to G-d shall the lad be from the womb; and he will begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” (Sefer Shoftim 13:2-5)
 
A number of pasukim (verses) later, the haftarah concludes with the birth of Shimshon and explicit statements that Hashem both blessed and rested His Divine spirit upon him: “And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the lad grew, and the L-rd blessed him. And the spirit of the L-rd began to come to him at times in the camp of Dan...” (Sefer Shoftim 13:24-25)
 
Based upon his colorful nature and the all-too famous incident with Delilah, Shimshon emerges as one of the most misunderstood figures in Tanach. We are indeed fortunate that Chazal (our Sages of blessed memory) address these misperceptions and help reveal his authentic persona. The Torah teaches us that two of the twelve tribes received the appellation “gur aryeh.” Ya’acov Avinu (our father Jacob) bestowed this title on Yehudah and his descendants, whereas Moshe Rabbeinu (our teacher Moses) did so regarding the tribe of Dan:

A cub (gur) [and] a grown lion (aryeh) is Judah. From the prey, my son, you withdrew. He crouched, rested like a lion, and like a lion, who will rouse him? (Sefer Bereishit 49:9)
 
And of Dan he (Moshe) said: “Dan is a young lion (gur aryeh), streaming from Bashan.” (Sefer Devarim 33:22)
 
Midrash Bereishit Rabbah (Parashat Va’yechi VII) explains “gur aryeh” as Ya’acov’s blessing to Yehudah to acquire “the strength of a lion and the temerity (chutzpah) of a lion cub.” Little wonder, then, that in his Commentary on the Torah on this pasuk (Sefer Bereishit 49:9), Rashi (1040-1105) notes that Ya’acov’s use of gur aryeh prophetically refers to Yehudah’s most famous descendant and forebear of the Mashiach, Dovid HaMelech (King David), who embodied both lion-like strength and great boldness. In addition, seven pasukim later we find, “Dan will avenge his people, like one, the tribes of Israel.” Herein Rashi, basing himself on a variety of passages found throughout Rabbinic literature, states:

All Israel will be like one with him, and he will avenge them all. Concerning Samson he [Jacob] uttered this prophecy. We can also explain, “like one, the tribes of Israel,” [as follows]: like the special one of the tribes, namely David, who came from Judah.
 
Rashi’s gloss strongly underscores the perception of Chazal regarding the relationship between the tribe of Yehudah and the tribe of Dan, as epitomized by their most famous descendants, King David and Shimshon. This idea is given powerful voice in Midrash Bereishit Rabbah, Parashat Vayechi 14: “Ya’acov Avinu saw him [Shimshon in a prophetic vision] and thought he was the Melech HaMashiach (the King Messiah)…” Clearly, Shimshon’s potential was nearly unlimited.
 
In my estimation, Shimshon’s status as one of the most outstanding Judges and protectors of the Jewish people is given its most powerful expression in Rabbi Yochanan’s words in Talmud Bavli, Sotah 10a:
​
Rabbi Yochanan said: “Shimshon judged the Jewish people just like their Father-in-Heaven. As the text states, ‘Dan will avenge his people, like one [Rashi — the One of the World Who renders righteous judgment], the tribes of Israel.’” (Sefer Bereishit 49:16). And [in addition] Rabbi Yochanan said: “Shimshon was named after the name of the Holy One blessed be He. As the text states: ‘For a sun (shemesh — similar in Hebrew spelling to Shimshon) and a shield is the L-rd G-d; the L-rd will give grace and glory; He will not withhold good from those who go with sincerity.’” (Sefer Tehillim 84:12, Talmud translation my own)
 
Rabbi Yochanan compares Shimshon to the Almighty in two respects, as an honest and forthright judge and as a true shomer Yisrael — guardian and defender of the Jewish people. In his view, this was the real Shimshon, even though he grievously erred with Delilah, among others.
 
I believe another aspect of Shimshon’s greatness is found in his willingness to do teshuvah (returning to the proper path of serving Hashem), just as Dovid HaMelech did in the wake of his initial involvement with Batsheva. Shimshon rose to this level when he beseeched Hashem for the strength to destroy his idolatrous Philistine captors. When Hashem granted him this power, Shimshon was able to mekadash shame Shamayim b’rabim — sanctify Hashem’s name before the entire world:
​
And the people [Philistines] saw him (Shimshon) and praised their god, because they said, “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy and the destroyer of our land, and who has slain many of us.” And Samson called to the L-rd and said, “O L-rd G-d, remember me and strengthen me now, only this once O G-d, that I may be avenged the vengeance for one of my two eyes from the Philistines.” And Samson grasped the two pillars of the center, upon which the house rested, and leaned upon them, (the) one with his right hand and the other with his left. And Samson said, “Let my soul die with the Philistines,” and he bent with (his) might, and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. And the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his lifetime. (Sefer Shoftim 16:24,28-30)
 
With Hashem’s help and our fervent desire, may we live lives that are mekadash shame Shamayim and bring honor to His holy Torah. V’chane yihi ratzon.
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org
 
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org/ using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name.
 
The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com.
 
*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd
 
*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.

 
Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chana bat Shmuel, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Yakir Ephraim ben Rachel Devorah, Mordechai ben Miriam Tovah, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
As the Torah attests, Ya’akov Avinu’s (our father, Jacob’s) emigration from the Land of Israel to Egypt was the collective action of a family:

And these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt; with Jacob, each man and his household came: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. Now all those descended from Jacob were seventy souls, and Joseph, [who] was in Egypt. (Sefer Shemot 1:1-5, this and all Bible and Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach)
 
This family’s 210-year sojourn in Egypt engendered a major change in their status, as during this period they became known as a people: “A new king arose over Egypt, who did not know about Joseph. He said to his people, ‘Behold, the people (Am) of the children of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we are.’” (Sefer Shemot 1:8-9). In a variety of midrashic passages, our Sages teach us that this recognition resulted from our ancestors’ unwillingness to change their names, dress and language. Outwardly, at least, they remained distinct from their Egyptian neighbors.
 
Sadly, however, many of the Jewish people at this time were spiritually weak and unable to maintain the uncompromising monotheism that Avraham had brought to the world. This is illustrated by the well-known midrash wherein the malachai hasharet (Ministering Angels) declared at the Sea of Reeds: “These [the Egyptians] and these [the Jews] are idol worshippers; why, then, are you saving the Jewish people and drowning the Egyptians in the Sea [of Reeds], for in truth, there is no difference between them?!” (Midrash Tehillim 1:20, 15:5, Zohar, Parashat Terumah 170, translation my own) 
 
We are indeed fortunate that the Master of the Universe had very different plans for us. He knew there was but one way to guarantee the continuity of our people; namely, we would have to abandon idol worship and become “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Sefer Shemot 19:6)  In order to achieve this goal, we needed to undergo a radical transformation — we had to become gerim (converts), and accept the Torah and Mitzvot.
 
This is precisely the significance of Shavuot, for it is on this day that we embraced the Torah and declared “na’aseh v’nishmah” (“We will do and we will hear/learn,” Sefer Shemot 24:7). At that auspicious moment, we simultaneously became gerim and Hashem’s chosen people. As the Torah states: “And now, if you obey Me and keep My covenant [that is, the Torah], you shall be to Me a treasure out of all peoples, for Mine is the entire earth.” (Sefer Shemot 19:5) My rebbe and mentor, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zatzal (1903-1993), known as “the Rav” by his students and followers, expanded upon this idea in a public lecture that analyzed the connection between our becoming gerim and the reading of Megillat Rut on Shavuot:
​
The Parsha of Mattan Torah, receipt of the Torah at Mount Sinai, was the story of Gayrus, conversion of the Jewish people. The children of the patriarchs converted en masse [as a total group] at Ma’amad Har Sinai [the Revelation]. Hence the connection to Ruth. The story of Mattan Torah and Ruth together comprise the topic of conversion…The principle of conversion is a fundamental connection between the events at Mount Sinai and the story of Ruth.
 
As Boaz tells Ruth, she should be blessed for leaving everything behind to join a people that she did not know and for coming under the wings of the Shechina [the Divine Presence] of the G-d of Israel. In other words, she converted. The same idea is found at Ma’amad Har Sinai where the Torah tells the story of the conversion of B’nai Yisrael [the Jewish people] in conjunction with the Revelation of G-d on Mount Sinai. (Direct transcription of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s public lecture on 5/24/68. Source: www.parsha.net/Bamidbar/Shavuos2-60.doc, italics, underlining and brackets my own.)
 
The Rav is well-known for underscoring the concept that the exalted night of Pesach is existentially a re-experiencing of Yetziat Mitzraim (the Departure from Egypt). This, he opines, is what the Ba’al Hagaddah (Editor of the Haggadah) meant when he wrote, “B’chol dor v’dor chaiyav adam lirot et atzmo k’ilu hu yatza mi’Mitzraim”  (“In each and every generation a person is obligated to view himself as if he personally went out of Egypt”).  In other words, for the Rav, the Exodus must never be viewed as a mere historical event; rather, all Jews, for all time, were and ever will be active participants in its continuous unfolding in our lives.
 
In my estimation, we can build upon this idea of the Rav and extend it to Shavuot. In so doing, we can perceive this majestic Yom Tov as the time to declare, “na’aseh v’nishmah,” and, like Rut, come “under the wings of the Shechina of the G-d of Israel.” With Hashem’s help and our fervent desire, may this be so. V’chane yihi ratzon.   
 
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach
 
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org
 
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org/ using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name.
 
The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com.
 
*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd
 
*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.

Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Chana bat Shmuel, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Yakir Ephraim ben Rachel Devorah, Mordechai ben Miriam Tovah, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
The first three words of our parasha present a significant interpretative challenge. The phrase, “Im bechuchotai taleichu,” could readily be translated as: “If you will walk after (or follow) My chukim.” According to this approach, “chukim” refers to those commandments whose reasons remain unknown. This class of mitzvot is most often contrasted with mishpatim, commandments whose rationale can be logically deduced. The difference between these two categories is clearly presented in the following well-known Talmudic passage:

Our Rabbis taught: “You should perform my mishpatim” (Sefer Vayikra 18:4). These are matters that were they not actually written [by G-d] it is logical that they would have been. These are some examples: the prohibitions of idol worship, illicit sexual behavior, murder, stealing, and cursing Hashem. “… and you should guard my chukim” [Ibid.] These are matters wherein the Satan [Rashi, yetzer harah, the “evil inclination”] attempts to disprove their validity and veracity. These are some examples: the prohibitions of eating pig flesh, wearing garments comprised of a mixture of linen and wool threads, the act of relieving a brother-in-law of his obligation to marry his widowed sister-in-law (chalitzah), the ritual purification of the individual afflicted with tzarat, and the scapegoat rite [of Yom Kippur]. [Since you cannot understand them] perhaps you will say that they are completely worthless and devoid of meaning! Therefore the Torah states [ibid.]: “I am the L-rd your G-d.” I am He who has decreed it [i.e. the chukim] and you do not have permission to question them. (Talmud Bavli, Yoma 67b, translation, my own)
 
Rashi (1040-1105) takes a different approach, however, and does not translate bechuchotai as referring to chukim and the fulfillment of the Torah’s precepts even when their rationale is elusive. Instead, he explains our term as a synonym for intense involvement in Torah study:

If you follow My statutes I might think that this refers to the fulfillment of the commandments. However, when Scripture says, “and observe My commandments,” the fulfillment of the commandments is [already] stated. Therefore, what is the meaning of “If you follow My statutes [chukim]?” It means that you must toil in the study of Torah (Commentary on the Torah, Sefer Vayikra 26:3, this and all Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach, with my emendations)

Rashi’s deviation from our above-cited Talmudic passage is based upon Midrash Torat Kohanim 26:3:

“If you follow My statutes (chukim)” — I would have thought that this refers to the mitzvot. This, however, is the case when the Torah writes: “…and My mitzvot you will keep and perform them” — this is, indeed, referring to the mitzvot. [If so,] how do I fulfill “If you follow My statutes (chukim)?” — this refers to intense involvement in Torah study (amalim ba’Torah). (Translation and emphasis my own)
 
At first glance, it appears strange that the Midrash would interpret the word chukim in this manner.  The Malbim (Rabbi Meir Leibush ben Yechiel Michel, 1809-1879) notes, however, that our Sages explained the term in this manner on a number of occasions. By way of illustration:

Our Sages, however, explained the term “chukim” many times as referring to Torah study. This is noted in the Midrashim. [This explanation of our term] is based upon the numerous Torah laws and interpretations that result from the standard rules of exegesis and grammar, and upon the explanatory principles [such as Rabbi Yishmael's 13 hermeneutic principles] that are as authoritative [literally “fixed”] as the statutes pertaining to the heavens and the earth [i.e., the Laws of Nature] that Hashem established in His world. (Commentary on the Torah, Sefer Vayikra 26:3, subsection 2, translation my own)
 
In the Malbim’s estimation, this connotation of the term “chukim” is “based upon the standard rules of exegesis and grammar, and upon the explanatory principles.” Rashi’s interpretation of chukim as referring to intense involvement in Torah study is, therefore, congruent with the midrashic analysis of this term.

Based upon our passages from Midrash Torat Kohanim, Rashi and the Malbim, we are in a much better position to understand one of the key elements for rebuilding and strengthening our relationship with Hashem. May our dedication to depth-level Torah study send a glimmer of light to penetrate the spiritual darkness that so often surrounds our souls, and envelopes our time. With the Almighty’s help and our heartfelt desire, may each of us renew our commitment to the study of His holy Torah and thereby encounter Him anew, and relieve our finest moment at Mount Sinai. V’chane yihi ratzon.

Shabbat Shalom

Dear Chevra,
A number of people have asked to dedicate one or more drashot in honor of a life-cycle simcha, refuah shlaimah, or in memory of a loved-one. In the future, these dedications will appear immediately following the drasha.
​
Dedication opportunities:
     One Year Dedication (52 weeks): $360
     One Month Dedication (Four weeks): $72
     One Week Dedication: $36
 
How To Dedicate:
 
1.Send an email to dedicatethisdrasha@gmail.com stating the following:
The Hebrew, transliterated, or English name of the honoree, choleh, or person being memorialized
The desired time frame for dedication (1 week, 1 month, or 1 year)
2.Modes of Payment:
PayPal  Please use PayPal Name: david.etengoff@yahoo.com
Zelle (through the App or your bank’s website) to (718) 490-0192
*Please Note: Dedication information and payment must be received by Wednesday of the week prior to the Sunday of the drasha’s publication, in order to ensure inclusion.

Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org/ using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name.

The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you have family or friends you would like to have added, please do not hesitate to contact me via email mailto:rdbe718@gmail.com.

*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd

*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.

 
Rabbi David Etengoff
 
Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra bat Yechiel, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, Shoshana Elka bat Avraham, Tikvah bat Rivka Perel, Chana bat Shmuel, Peretz ben Chaim, the Kedoshim of Har Nof and Pittsburgh, and the refuah shlaimah of Yakir Ephraim ben Rachel Devorah, Mordechai ben Miriam Tovah, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
 
Our parasha begins with the following famous words: “And the L-rd spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying.” (Sefer Vayikra 25:1, this and all Bible and Rashi translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach)  They are immediately followed by a pasuk (verse) focusing on the mitzvah of Shemittah (the Sabbatical Year of the Land) that has captured the attention of midrashim and meforshim (commentators) throughout the ages: “Speak to the children of Israel and you shall say to them: When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to the L-rd.”  In his Commentary on the Torah, Rashi (1040-1105) cites the Midrash Torat Kohanim on this verse and asks the following famous question: “What [special relevance] does the subject of Shemittah have with Mount Sinai? Were not all the commandments stated from Sinai?” His answer, drawn from the same source, teaches us an overarching concept inherent in the transmission of the Torah from Hashem to Moshe: “[This teaches us that] just as with Shemittah, wherein its general principles and finer details were stated at Sinai, likewise, all of them [the mitzvot] were stated — their general principles [together with] their finer details — at Sinai.”
 
In his work of Torah exegesis, Me’ain Beit Hashoavah, Rabbi Shimon Schwab zatzal (1908-1995) takes issue with the Torat Kohanim’s answer, and asserts that “it would have been quite possible to have referenced any other mitzvah in its connection to Mount Sinai in order to teach this selfsame idea.” (Parashat Behar, s.v. behar Sinai, number one, this and the following translations and brackets my own)  In other words, the Midrash  does not teach us why Shemittah was specifically singled out regarding the Revelation, rather than another mitzvah.  Rav Schwab proceeds to address this problem and, in so doing, provides us with a trenchant teirutz (response) to his kashah (objection) that illuminates the inherent import of Shemittah and the divine nature of the entire Torah:

And it seems that Shemittah is different in kind and degree [from other mitzvot], since the very essence of the commandment teaches us that it must have been commanded on Mount Sinai — and that it is [incontrovertibly] Torah min hashamayim (Torah from Heaven).   
 
Next, Rav Schwab provides us with the conceptual underpinning as to why Shemittah definitionally represents Torah min hashamayim:

Perhaps one might think that the commandments of the Torah were invented by the Sages of the Jewish people and were based upon their own intellectual efforts — just as those who deny the G-d-given nature of the Torah mistakenly believe. Yet, were that to be true, there would never have been a commandment such as Shemittah in the Torah! This is the case, since man’s intellect naturally withdraws from the very idea of this mitzvah...for [from a purely logical perspective,] the Sages never would have decreed that all fields and vineyards should simultaneously lay fallow during the same year — as this would naturally cause a famine in the Land, and bring about a financial crisis!
 
At this juncture, Rav Schwab further explains why Shemittah, and Shemittah alone, was singled out by the Torah:
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Based upon the above, [we have a better insight as to why] the Torah specifically emphasizes Shemittah and its connection to Mount Sinai, rather than any other of the Taryag Mitzvot (613 Commandments), namely, this particular mitzvah has the seal of Mount Sinai imprinted upon it. As such, everyone must admit that it represents the words of Hashem from Heaven itself — since [it is counterintuitive to man’s basic needs, and, therefore,] it is virtually impossible that it was invented as a result of man’s intellect. [Now we can understand why our Sages said,] “Just like Shemittah was stated at Mount Sinai with all its general principles and finer details, so, too, were all the other mitzvot.”
 
In Rav Schwab’s estimation, Shemittah emerges as the proof case of the divine nature of the Torah. In addition, its pivotal status informs our understanding of all of the mitzvot, for each of them were revealed by Hashem to Moshe, in all their glorious “general principles and finer details,” at Mount Sinai. As a result, each time we perform a mitzvah, we recognize that it is divrei Elokim emet — the authentic words of the Almighty, and that we, like our ancestors before us, are responding to and communicating with the Voice that ever emanates from Mount Sinai. May this always be so, v’chane yihi ratzon.
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org
 
They may also be found on http://www.yutorah.org/ using the search criteria Etengoff and the parasha’s name.
 
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*** My audio shiurim for Women on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: http://tinyurl.com/8hsdpyd
 
*** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.