Friday, May 25, 2018

Dvar Torah for Parshas Nasso


       Parshas Nasso contains some of the highest and lowest points of spiritual episodes in Jewish life. On one hand, it contains the famous “Parshas Hanesi’im”, the account of the gifts each Nasi brought in celebration of the opening of the Mishkan. It also contains the story of the Sotah, a woman suspected of adultery, with strong but circumstantial evidence behind the accusation. There are several tragic elements to this story, the obvious one being that a Jewish woman could even be suspected of such an act and the discord in her relationship that led to this possibility. From a different perspective, the fact that we erase Hashem’s name in the water she drinks from (and is ‘judged’ by) is also something we do not take lightly. In fact, the administering Kohen reminds her again and again of the ramifications of doing so, only in order to avoid erasing the Name.
       The Ramban points out a unique element in the case of Sotah. The basic process of the Sotah drinking is simple, she drinks the water containing the pesukim detailing the laws of Sotah erased in it. If she is guilty, the second the water touches her lips, her body immediately begins to warp and deform until she passes away very shortly after. Furthermore, Chazal learn out from the pesukim that the guilty man, even though he isn’t in the Beis Hamikdash or required to drink from the water, will suffer the same fate at the same exact time as the woman!
       While there are many instances where the Torah requires us to live based on the principle that Hashem will provide whatever we need, never are we promised there would be a supernatural occurrence derived directly from a physical action. In fact, says the Ramban, this is the only time in the entire Torah where a law is upheld based on an open miracle! This is in accordance with what Chazal teach us about Hashem and Creation; He set up a natural order  for the word to run and He prefers for it to operate in that fashion. It’s rare that an open miracle occurs, which is why we make a big deal in every instance they do. And open miracles are always to reward, punish, or make a statement; never just to uphold the laws of the Torah. That is the responsibility of Beis Din. So how come Hashem made this one exception by Sotah?   
       He explains that our principle still holds; the primary reason for the miracle of the Sotah water was not to punish, but for effect. In order to impress upon the nation the degree of severity with which He treats acts of lewdness, Hashem was willing to change the laws of nature and create a unique punishment for this circumstance. In order to maintain the holy stature of Bnei Yisrael, Hashem will change the entire world.
       However, this concept only existed as long as Bnei Yisrael held themselves to a higher standard. The Sotah water was only used if we weren’t sure of the woman’s guilt. If it was proven she (or the man) was guilty, the Sotah water was not used. Similarly, Chazal teach us that when the episodes of Sotah became more frequent, they stopped using the Sotah water. When the level of holiness is clearly not there, then the miracle of the water is not only not necessary, but not applicable. With average spiritual levels comes the natural order of the world.
       While this concept is illustrated by Sotah, the idea is true in all aspects of life. As long as we hold ourselves to a higher spiritual standard, Hashem will continue to design the world around that standard; which means less nature and more open exposure of Hashem. Hashem can operate the world any way He wants, He chose to design nature as it is because it made the most sense for the world. However, the more we expose ourselves to Him, the more He can expose of Himself to us. Therefore, the more breakoffs from nature, the more Hashem is showing Himself in this world. As we reach higher levels of kedushah, we will begin to see Hashem more clearly, not only in a case of Sotah, but in all corners of reality.

Shabbat Shalom!


There is no Podcast this week.




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AIMeM

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Dvar Torah & Podcast for Shavuos

       As Shavuos comes around once again, we must find ways to connect to the greatest gift Hashem gave us, the Torah. The primary way of connecting is through study, i.e. showing how much we appreciate this great gift. However, even for those who cannot or don’t study it, there are other ways to use it to connect to Hashem. Not only the Torah itself, but the reality surrounding it is full of connections. By understanding this reality, we can cultivate a connection.
       The last parsha in the Torah is Vezos Habracha, where Moshe blesses the different shevatim before his death. The parsha begins with a reference to the giving of the Torah. “וַיֹּאמַ֗ר יְהֹוָ֞ה מִסִּינַ֥י בָּא֙ וְזָרַ֤ח מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ לָ֔מוֹ הוֹפִ֨יעַ֙ מֵהַ֣ר פָּארָ֔ן וְאָתָ֖ה מֵרִֽבְבֹ֣ת קֹ֑דֶשׁ מִֽימִינ֕וֹ אֵ֥שׁ דָּ֖ת לָֽמוֹ” “And he (Moshe) said, ‘Hashem came from Sinai and shown forth from Seir to them; He appeared from Mount Paran and came with some of the holy myriads; from His right hand was a fiery law for them.” (Devarim 33:2). The various commentaries explain that this pasuk comes before the blessings of Moshe because the entire reason why the nation could be blessed was because they had received the Torah.
       However, a part of the pasuk doesn’t seem accurate. It reads, “Hashem came from Sinai”; Hashem didn’t come from Sinai to deliver the Torah, He came towards Sinai and delivered it on top! The pasuk seems to have it backwards. Rashi explains that it means to say that Hashem brought His Shechinah towards the Bnei Yisrael, similar to a groom going to meet his bride. But the pasuk could have said instead that Hashem came from heaven towards Bnei Yisrael. Why say Sinai when that is not an accurate statement?
       The Kli Yakar explains with another similarly perplexing statement. The very beginning of Avos reads, “משה קבל תורה מסיני” “Moshe received the Torah from Sinai” (Avos 1:1). What does it mean Moshe received the Torah from Sinai? The more correct version should read either he accepted it on Sinai or from Hashem; what is the meaning behind this phrasing? The answer to both these question lies in the famous medrash why Har Sinai was chosen as the mountain upon which to give the Torah.
       Even though there were many other taller and more beautiful mountains, Hashem chose the small, plain Sinai to make a point. The Torah is the greatest gift imaginable, within it are contained all the secrets of the universe and receiving it is the greatest proof of Hashem’s love. With all this significance, it is vital to remain exceedingly humble while possessing it. This is what is mean by Hashem coming from Sinai; He was showing Bnei Yisrael the proper way to accept the Torah. And the Mishna shows us that Moshe, who the Torah teaches was the most humble man ever, internalized this lesson and accepted the Torah not on Sinai, but from Sinai. The message of the mountain was received.
       Shavuos has a specific goal attached to it, to connect ourselves to the Torah in the best way possible. This is not accomplished only by showing our love for it through study, but in showing that we truly internalize the messages it gives us. Let us learn from Hashem, Moshe, and Har Sinai, and work this Shavuos to internalize Torah in every way.

Chag Sameach!

Click here for a Dvar Torah & Podcast for Parshas Bamidbar

Click here for a previous year's Dvar Torah for Shavuos




Click here to listen this this week's Podcast (Also available on Apple Podcasts) 

For any questions, comments, or to subscribe to our email list, please email us at AIMeMTorah@gmail.com.

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Don't forget to check out hashkafahandbook.com to learn about my book,Reality Check. And Like it on Facebook.

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Check out our other AIMeMTorah project, Nation's Wisdom!



AIMeM

Thursday, May 10, 2018

No New Dvar Torah this Week

Due to extenuating circumstances, there is no new Dvar Torah this week. Please click here for a Dvar Torah for Parshas Beharand Bechukosai. We will return, b'ezrat Hashem, next week with a brand new Dvar Torah.

Shabbat Shalom!






Click here to listen this this week's Podcast (Also available on Apple Podcasts) 

For any questions, comments, or to subscribe to our email list, please email us at AIMeMTorah@gmail.com.

Please Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @aimemtorah

Don't forget to check out hashkafahandbook.com to learn about my book,Reality Check. And Like it on Facebook.

Don't forget to check out the Dvar Torah on parshasheets.com!

Check out our other AIMeMTorah project, Nation's Wisdom!



AIMeM

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Dvar Torah & Podcast for Parshas Behar


       Due to the eighth day of Pesach falling out on Shabbos, Eretz Yisrael and CHU"L will be one parsha off for the next few weeks. Since we are based in Eretz Yisrael, we will be following their schedule. Please click here for a Dvar Torah and Podcast for this week's CHU"L parsha (Emor).       

       While the mitzvos written in Parshas Behar seem to be strictly technical and ordinary, there are underlying societal and cultural reasons to each of them. While some are more obviously spiritual, like Shemittah for example, others are harder to understand, like property buy-back laws. Another example is the issur of Ribbis, the prohibition against lending Jews money with interest.
       At first glance it seems simple why you shouldn’t lend with interest; the money we are given is a gift from Hashem, he could just as easily given it to someone else. Therefore, it’s a responsibility to help those in need, and of course you can’t charge interest for that. However, at the same time, there are many other instances where a person uses their money and is not allowed to charge interest. A person is allowed to do business with their money, and charging interest is a form of business. So why is it completely forbidden to operate with interest in all dealings concerning fellow Jews?
       The Kli Yakar gives a beautiful explanation to answer this question. Some people have jobs which pay a set salary at a certain time. However, many people’s income depends on the success of their various projects. These people are in reality being completely reliant on Hashem helping them be successful. Even if a person doesn’t choose to live this way, this circumstance provides him the opportunity to put a tremendous amount of faith in Hashem and raise his level of emunah and bitachon. Essentially, his job is helping further his relationship with Hashem.
       Once you lend with interest, you lose this reliance on Hashem. It’s one thing to lend money while only getting the same amount in return; in that manner, you haven’t made any money. But lending with interest guarantees you a return, it’s the same as having a guaranteed salary. In which case, you lose that special connection with Hashem. While the Torah knew that some people would make money in a guaranteed fashion, it wasn’t going to set up a system where there was a mitzvah (to lend money) that would eventually end up lessening your connection to Hashem. By prohibiting Ribbis, all aspects of our lives continue to be opportunities to come closer to Hashem.

Shabbat Shalom!


Click here for previous year's Dvar Torah for Parshas Behar




Click here to listen this this week's Podcast (Also available on Apple Podcasts) 

For any questions, comments, or to subscribe to our email list, please email us at AIMeMTorah@gmail.com.

Please Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @aimemtorah

Don't forget to check out hashkafahandbook.com to learn about my book,Reality Check. And Like it on Facebook.

Don't forget to check out the Dvar Torah on parshasheets.com!

Check out our other AIMeMTorah project, Nation's Wisdom!



AIMeM