Hamaayan/The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Parashat Emor Volume VII/Number 28 (315) 17 Iyar 5753/May 8, 1993 Chazal say that the "Arba'ah Minim" (the four species) which we hold in our hands on Sukkot represent four types of Jews: The Etrog, which has taste and smell, represents the Jew who both studies Torah and performs good deeds. The Lulav, which has taste (it comes from the date tree) but no smell represents the Jew who studies Torah but does not do good deeds. The Hadas, which has smell but no taste, represents the Jew who does good deeds but does not study Torah. Finally, the Aravah, which has no taste or smell, represents the Jew who has neither quality. All of these species are held together on Sukkot, thus symbolizing the unity of the Jewish people. R' Avraham Atlas, shlita (Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Chasidei Gur in Haifa), notes that even though the Aravah represents the Jew who has neither Torah nor good deeds, it is nevertheless a species which grows near water. (In the Pasuk it is called "Arvei Nachal" -- "willow of the creek.") Since Chazal often use water as a metaphor for Torah, the Aravah too must represent a Jew who has some connection, however slight, to Torah. The Gemara, however, identifies a species known as "Tzaftzefa" which is similar to an Aravah, but is not Halachically acceptable for the Mitzvah. The Tzaftzefa does not grow near water; it has no connection to Torah. Another characteristic of the Tzaftzefa is that its "mouth" (its edge) is like a saw. The Tzaftzefa is "Metzaftzef" -- it mocks -- Torah Jewry. Such a plant cannot be joined to the group which represents all Jews. (quoted in Coalition, Shevat 5753) ************************************ The following are thoughts on Sukkot, one of the holidays discussed in this week's Parasha: The Sukkah represents the Land of Israel, says R' Yitzchak Arieli (died 1975; Mashgiach of Yeshivat Merkaz haRav and author of Einayim laMishpat). Thus we read in the prophets (Amos 9:11) regarding the redemption, "On that day He will establish David's falling Sukkah." The four Minim, on the other hand, represent the Jewish people (see page 1). Because Eretz Yisrael is the goal of the Jewish people, as the verse (Divrei haYamim I 17:21) says, "Who is like Your nation Yisrael, one people in the Land," the holiday is named after the Sukkah, not after the four species. (quoted in b'Sdeh haRe'iyah p.372) ************************************ Chazal say that shaking the Lulav is each direction stops the bad winds which come from that direction. There is nothing mystical about this, says R' Yechezkel Abramsky, zatzal (1886- 1976). Pointing in each direction and recognizing Hashem's miracles and acts of kindness which have originated from that direction is the greatest merit for stopping bad tidings. (quoted in P'ninei R' Yechezkel II p.56) ************************************ Every citizen in Yisrael shall sit in Sukkot." (23:42) Says R' Yekutiel Yehuda Halberstam, shlita (the "Klausenberger Rebbe"): Hashem has set aside many opportunities for repentance. Some people can feel the spirit of Yom Kippur as early as the 20th of Sivan (one month from now). Some people, on the 15th of Av. Others, during Elul, and so on. Some people, however, let even Yom Kippur come and go, and they do not repent. Hashem does not want even those individuals to be left behind. The straw which the Torah suggests as S'chach (roof of the Sukkah) represents those "leftover" Jews who are gathered into the Sukkah. Everyone has a place in the Sukkah. (quoted in Sukkat Bet Ropshitz p.17) ************************************ P i r k e i A v o t R' Eliezer ben Yaakov said: One who performs one Mitzvah acquires one spokesman on his behalf. One who performs one sin acquires one prosecuting angel. Repentance and good deeds shield one from sin. (ch. 4) R' Eliyahu Lopian, zatzal (1872-1970) explained this Mishnah as follows: R' Eliezer ben Yaakov spoke in the present tense because he referred to one who performs a single Mitzvah repeatedly and perfects it. Indeed, Kabbalists teach that every person should choose one Mitzvah to perfect and make his own. One who does so acquires "one spokesman," i.e. the spokesman who is foremost among angels. This refers to Michael who is the "highest-ranking" angel. On the other hand, a person who repeatedly commits the same sin until he "perfects" it, he acquires one prosecuting angel, i.e. the angel of death himself, who is foremost among prosecuting angels. This is a scary thought, notes R' Lopian. This is why R' Eliezer ben Yaakov immediately adds, "Repentance and good deeds shield one from sin." Never give up hope. Based on this we can better understand the verse in Tehilim (19:19; recited on Shabbat morning), "The Mitzvah of Hashem is clear and enlightening." Why does this verse refer to one Mitzvah? It is speaking of the Mitzvah which each person chooses to perfect. (Lev Eliyahu: Shevivei Lev No. 34) ************************************ "And the Kohen who is bigger than his brothers..." (21:10) In a letter to a community that was installing a new Rabbi, R' Yitzchak Hutner, zatzal (1904-1980) wrote: In old cities of yesteryear there was always a clock tower that was higher than any other building. People suggested two reasons for its height: The simpler people thought it was only so that all the townsfolk could see the time. The wiser residents knew, however, that the clock tower was built so tall that no one could tamper with the time. The latter is how a community Rabbi must be treated. He must be regarded with such high esteem that he can guide and teach unhindered. A Rabbi whom the community can change according to its own whims is not a leader but a follower. (Pachad Yitzchak Igeret 132) ************************************ The learning schedule for this Shabbat is: Berachot 8:1-2 O.C. 599:1-600:2 Nedarim 82 Yerushalmi-Kilaim 18 Rambam Ch/Day: Hilchot Yibum Vchalitzah - Ch. 2 3 Ch/Day: Hilchot Nizkay Mamon - Chs. 12-14 Sefer Hamitzvot Sh:P241; Su:N244,P239; M:P208,N271,N272; Tu:N246,N243 W:N245; Th:N247; F:N265 ************************************ The hard copy distribution of this week's Hamaayan is sponsored by: The Goodman family in memory of Marcia Goodman's father Yehuda Zvi ben Shlomo haLevi The Rutstein family on the Yahrzeit of mother and grandmother Pesha Batya bat Zemach (Bessie Rutstein) ************************************ Donations to Hamaayan are tax deductible