Hamaayan/The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim Volume VII/Number 27 (314) 10 Iyar 5753/May 1, 1993 The "Shnei Se'irim" - two goats - of the Yom Kippur service (described in this Parasha) symbolize the fateful choice which confronts every Jew on Yom Kippur, says R' Joseph Breuer, zatzal (1882-1980). The two goats must be exactly alike -- there are two paths of life which may be equally inviting. One is "L'Hashem" - to G-d. Hashem has given us the strength and perseverance of a fighting goat. We may place those qualities in the service of Hashem and subordinate ourselves (as one goat is subordinated through "Shechitah") to the Divine Will of G-d. However, a person is also free to oppose the demands of the Divine Will in stiff-necked egotism. We are free to turn our backs on the Sanctuary (just as one goat is led away from the Bet haMikdash). Alas, one who does so is sadly mistaken; like the goat that is led to "Azazel", such "Az" (stiffneckedness) is "Azel" (fading away) in the forlorn wastes of the desert. (A Time to Build II p.68) ************************************ Parashat Acharei Mot "For on this day (Yom Kippur) Hashem will atone for you, to purify you from all of your sins, before G-d you will be purified." (16:30) From this Pasuk we learn, says R' Gedalya Schorr, zatzal (1911- 1979), that after a person has sinned, he requires purification. Even if he has achieved atonement, purification is still necessary. This is because when a person sins, besides the fact that he becomes liable for punishment, he also blemishes his soul. Atonement relates to his liability for punishment; purification corrects the blemish on his soul. With this we can understand Chazal's teaching, "One sin leads to another sin." When one sins, he damages his soul. In turn, the soul is less attuned to holiness and more attached to sin. This cycle continues endlessly until one repents. Rabbi Yehuda haNasi states (Yoma 85b): "Yom Kippur automatically atones for every sin." Why then must we work so hard at repentance? Because Yom Kippur atones, but it does not purify! That only true repentance can do. (Ohr Gedalyahu "Aseret Yemei Teshuva" section 1) ************************************ This Parasha closes with a listing of incestuous and other adulterous relationships, and these verses were chosen by Chazal as the Torah reading for Yom Kippur afternoon. Says R' Moshe Schwab, zatzal (1918-1979; Gateshead Yeshiva Mashgiach): This choice says to a person, "Now, on Yom Kippur, you are like an angel -- you have no Yetzer haRa, you do not eat, etc. -- but tomorrow will be business as usual. Now, on Yom Kippur, is the time to resolve not to be enticed by any forbidden pleasures." As a person recites the Vidui (confession), he should ask himself, "Do I really want to change?" If the honest answer is that he does not, he cannot continue the Vidui; he must first realize the enormity of his sins. However, if the answer is in the affirmative, that person must progress to the next question, "What will I do about it? How will I bring about changes?" The answer is two-fold: of course, each sin has its specific method of correction [obviously beyond the scope of this discussion]. However, there is also a general requirement, i.e. study Mussar (ethical works)! (quoted in Nedivut Lev p.310) ************************************ Parashat Kedoshim "Do not take revenge and do not bear a grudge..." (19:18) On the subject of free-will, R' Avraham Yishayahu Karelitz, zatzal (1878-1953; the "Chazon Ish") wrote, "There is absolutely no difference between a thug and a lunatic." Does this mean, R' Yitzchak Hutner, zatzal (1904-1980), was asked, that a thug, just like a lunatic, is not held accountable for his deeds?! There are very few statements that are universally true, R' Hutner explains. Rather, most facts, or statements can be understood and are valid only in a certain context. For example, in the Book of Shmuel (II 17) we read that Shimi ben Gera cursed King David and the latter accepted it with equanimity, recognizing it as the will of G-d. Later, however, David ordered his son Shlomo to exact revenge from Shimi. This was not hypocritical; different times and different contexts require diff+went responses. To take two more examples: We are required to have faith in G-d and to minimize our pursuit of a livelihood. Yet we would not, of course, tell a beggar who came to our doors, "Have faith, G-d will provide for you." We are also required to believe that everything that happens is for the best, even if, for example, our houses would be burgled. Yet we would not forgive the burglar on that basis! We would take him to a Bet Din and exact the appropriate fines and penalties. In light of this, we can understand what the Chazon Ish is teaching us: Of course the thug is held responsible for his actions, i.e. in the eyes of G-d or in court. However, should the wronged person personally take revenge or bear a grudge against him? No! In that context, it is proper to think of him as a lunatic who is not responsible for his actions. (Pachad Yitzchak Igrot No. 43) ************************************ "....And you shall love your fellow as yourself." (19:18) The Tanna (sage of the Mishnah) Hillel said, "'What is hateful to you do not do to your friend.' This is the whole Torah -- the rest is commentary." R' Chaim Friedlander, zatzal (died 1986) explained that the basis of our service of Hashem is to see ourselves as His slaves. Our neighbors, too, are nothing but Hashem's slaves. If all of us are the same and our goal is the same -- only to serve Hashem, the possibility of harming another will never cross our minds. (Siftei Chaim p.16) ************************************ Pirkei Avot "Whoever takes upon himself the yoke of Torah will have the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly cares removed from him." (3:6) R' Joseph B. Soloveitchik, zatzal (1903 - first day of Chol haMoed Pesach, 1993) said in one of his annual Teshuva lectures: "Bondage to G-d is all-encompassing and, by definition, releases man from all other ties and bonds." A psychiatrist once said to R' Soloveitchik, "Had I the authority to do so, I would eliminate the prayer recited on the High Holy Days that begins with the words, 'Cast Your fear' ("v'Chain Tain Pachdecha"), as fear is the major cause of mental illness that beset mankind." R' Soloveitchik responded, "Everyone seems to be beset by fears of some kind -- fear of losing wealth or status, fear of sickness, etc. Man is constantly plagued by all sorts of fears. There is one major source of fear, however, that can wipe out all of those other sources of fear, and that is fear of G-d. That is the reason for that prayer. We pray that this great fear will free us from all the other fears which destroy our lives." (quoted in Insights: A Talmudic Treasury p.190) ************************************ The learning schedule for this Shabbat is: Berachot 5:5-6:1 O.C. 591:1-3 Nedarim 75 Yerushalmi - Kilaim 11 Rambam Ch/Day - Hilchot Gerushin - Ch. 8 3 Ch/Day - Hilchot Mikvaot - Chs. 2-4 Sefer Hamitzvot Sh:P109; Su:P109; M:P109; Tu:P109,P237; W:P240; Th:P238; F:P241 ************************************ The hard copy distribution of this weeks Hamaayan is sponsored by: Shlomo and Sharona Katz and family for a "Refuah Shleimah" for Professor Gil Ginsburg Aaron and Rona Lerner in memory of their fathers John Lerner and Alvin Cohn Elaine and Jerry Taragin on the birth of grandson Jonathan Isaac Gardner (born to their children Linda and Michael Gardner) ************************************ Donations to Hamaayan are tax deductible