Hamaayan/The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Parashat Vayikra Volume VI/Number 24 (258) 9 Adar II 5752/March 14, 1992 Parasha Overview The book of Vayikra is often called "Torat Kohanim" as most of it relates to those Mitzvot which are performed by Kohanim, either for themselves or as agents of the Jewish people. The first Parasha (this week's) deals entirely with the subject of sacrifices. Commentaries note that nowhere in the Parasha does it say, "Bring a sacrifice!" Rather, the Torah says, "If the following type of sacrifice is brought, the procedure is..." The Hebrew word for sacrifices is "Korbanot" - from the word "Karov", meaning close - and it is up to man to decide whether he will bring himself close to Hashem (Bedibur Echod). Of course Hashem has no need for our sacrifices, and the Haftara (Yishayahu 43:21-44:23; Yemenites stop at 44:6) which is ordinarily read with Parashat Vayikra expresses this idea. "You have not brought Me your sheep," the prophet says in Hashem's name. People do bring sacrifices that is not for Hashem's good ("You have not brought Me your sheep"), it is for our own (R' Yehonatan Eyebschutz). Hashem doesn't want the sinner to go unforgiven, and He does not even wish the sinner to be shamed. This is part of the lesson of Parashat Zachor, which is read this week. Yalkut Shimoni explains that our reading of Amalek's unprovoked attack in the Sinai Desert is actually a subtle reminder of the sins which we continue to do today, since the anti-semitic spirit of Amalek is still very much alive.) These sins are not recalled openly, lest we be unnecessarily shamed. A similar idea is taught by the fact that the "Chatat" - sin offering - was slaughtered in the same area of the Bet Hamikdash as the "Olah" - burnt offering - so that the casual observer would not know that a sin offering was being brought, and the penitent would not be shamed. The special Haftara read today for Parashat Zachor (Shmuel I 15:1-34; Yemenites read 14:52-15:33) also discusses the subject of sacrifices. King Shaul disobeyed the prophet Shmuel's command to kill all of Amalek's animals, justifying his decision on the grounds that he intended to bring sacrifices from those animals. Shmuel's response is an important lesson in how to serve Hashem: "Does Hashem desire your sacrifices if you ignore His words?" First keep all of the Mitzvot, then worry about extra sacrifices. ************************************ "Divrei Torah" as "Mishloach Manot" R' Yonah Metzger, Shlita (Chief Rabbi of North Tel Aviv), discusses the following question: Can one fulfill his obligation to give "Mishloach Manot" (Purim gifts) by sending a compendium of Torah thoughts to his friend? At first glance, it would seem obvious that the answer is "No," for the Shulchan Aruch states explicitly that Mishloach Manot should consist of two, ready-to-eat food items. However, this is not the end of the matter, for tradition records that several scholars (among them R' Moshe Isserles and R' Shlomo Alkabetz) sent commentaries on Megilat Esther to their parents or in-laws as Mishloach Manot. On what did they rely? R' Moshe Isserles writes that if one sent Mishloach Manot but the intended recipient declined to accept them, the sender was nevertheless fulfilled his obligation. Why? Chatam Sofer explains as follows: There are two opinions regarding the reason for the Mitzvah of Mishloach Manot. Terumat Hadeshen maintains that it is to ensure that people have enough to eat at their Purim meal. However, R' Shlomo Alkabetz (in Manot Halevi, the very work which he sent to his in-laws as Mishloach Manot) maintains that the purpose of this Mitzvah is to promote friendship among Jews. This is important because of Haman's accusation (Esther 3:8) that the Jews are a divided people. Those who maintain that Mishloach Manot must be food apparently accept the view of Terumat Hadeshen. However, R' Moshe Isserles accepts the view of R' Shlomo Alkabetz. Thus he could send "Divrei Torah" as Mishloach Manot, since that too promotes friendship. For the same reason he holds that one has fulfilled his obligation even if the Mishloach Manot are not accepted. ("It's the thought that counts.") (Until here from the Chatam Sofer.) However, writes R' Metzger, one can argue that even if the purpose of Mishloach Manot is only to enhance the recipient's meal, one can still fulfill his obligation by sending Divrei Torah. Why? Because the Mishnah (Avot 3:3) states that if three people eat together, and do not tell each other Divrei Torah, it is as if they have eaten sacrifices brought before idols. Thus, by sending Divrei Torah one is, in fact, enhancing his friend's meal, because he is ensuring that his friend has Divrei Torah readily available to say at the table. (Sheilot U'teshuvot Miyam Hahalacha, O.C. section 113) [Please share this with those at your Purim meal, but do not rely on it in practice.] ************************************ The Ten Sons of Haman It is the common practice that when the person reading the Megilah reaches the names of the ten sons of Haman, he pauses to allow the congregants to read the names first. The reason commonly given for this is that since the Halacha calls for this is that since the Halacha calls for the names to be read in one breath, we are afraid that the congregants will miss a name as the "Ba'al Korai" (reader) hurries through them. There is another reason, according to R' Yosef Rosen (the "Rogatchover Gaon"). How do we fulfill our obligation to read the Megilah when someone else is reading? By the principle of "Shomai'a K'oneh" ("One who hears is like one who recited"). This works well as far as the actual reading, but remember, the names of the ten sons of Haman must be read in one breath. Can the Ba'al Korai breathe for us too?! (Klalei Tzofnat Pane'ach) ************************************ R' Chaim of Volozhin and the "Purim Shpiel" Even the "Purim Shpiel" is part of our history of Torah study! Why? Because it's said that R' Chaim of Volozhin invented the Purim Shpiel (or one of its forms, the "Purim Rav") to "help" him administer his Yeshiva. The "Purim Rabbonim" (Rabbis) were those individual appointed to many towns and Yeshivot to impersonate the Rabbi or Rosh Yeshiva for a day. Their tasks included all those of their genuine counterparts, including giving lectures and "Paskening" (deciding) imaginary Halachic questions. Why did R' Chaim of Volozhin introduce this charade? Because he knew that no one would ever rebuke or criticize him, even if he was deserving of such; however, if someone were allowed to impersonate him on Purim, when everyone was in a lighthearted mood, that impersonator would naturally take on R' Chaim's "worst" (i.e. funniest) characteristics, thus providing R' Chaim with much desired feedback. The Purim Rav was no clown; he was often one of the top students. He had to be, for among his responsibilities was delivering a lecture before all of the students of the Yeshiva. There was only one condition imposed on the contents of the lecture - that it be utter nonsense. Once, in the days of R' Yitzchak of Volozhin (R' Chaim's son), the Purim Rav delivered a brilliant discourse in which he first showed that a Halacha found in Rambam's code apparently contradicted an explicit statement of other Talmud Yerushalmi, and then drew together several disparate sources to resolve the contradiction in a most satisfying manner. There was no denying that this lecture (which presumably lasted an hour or more) was a work of true genius. The students, however, were furious. Was this "Purim Torah"?! Wasn't the Purim Rav explicitly instructed to speak only nonsense?! Then and there, the students' leaders brought the Purim Rav to a "Din Torah" (trial) before R' Yitzchak. "At first galnce," R' Yitzchak told the students, "you are right. The lecture was serious, and certainly brilliant. However, I must find against you for one reason. Neither the Rambam, the Yerushalmi, nor any of the sources quoted by the Purim Rav actually exists!" (Avee Hayeshivot) ************************************ The learning schedule for this Shabbat is: Daily Mishnah Kelim 25:6-7 (Learn two Mishnayot every day) Daily Halacha Orach Chaim (Mishnah Berura) 363:10-12 (Learn three paragraphs each day) Daf Yomi Ta'anit 9 (Learn two sides of a page each day) Shmirat Halashon: L.H. 7:3-4 Rambam Chapter/Day: Hilchot Shluchin v'Shutaphin - Chapter 1 3 Chapters/Day: Hilchot Maaseh Korbanot - Chapter 19, Hilchot Tmeedin V'Musafin - Chapters 1-2 Sefer Hamitzvot Sh:N89,P39,P29,N81,P30; Su:P28,P25,P40,P41,P27,P42; M:P43-P48,P50,P51; Tu:P161,N140; W:N132; Th:N120; F:N131 *********************************** The hard copy distribution of this week's Hamaayan is sponsored by: Dr. and Mrs. Alan Goldman in memory of Mr. Sam W. Goldman William Schwartz on the birthday of his wife, Sarah Tzipporah