Today's Learning: Midot 2:4-5 Sponsored by O.C. 565:1-3 Nathan & Rikki Lewin Nidah 23 in memory of mother Peppy Sternheim Lewin (Pessil bat Rav Naftali a"h) Hamaayan / The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Devarim Vol. XI, No. 43 (526) 6 Av 5757, August 9, 1997 Rabbenu Yonah introduces his commentary to Parashat Devarim with the verse (Mishlei 24:23), "Also these are for the wise; showing favoritism in judgement is not good." He explains that while much of Sefer Devarim appears, at first glance, to be repetitive, there is good reason for this repetition. Although Moshe had rebuked Bnei Yisrael throughout the 40 years in which he lead them, they were eager to hear more reproof in order to constantly improve themselves. As King Shlomo wrote elsewhere (Mishlei 9:8), "Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you." "Showing favoritism in judgement is not good." Many people use their last days to appease their opponents. Moshe, however, did not do so; until the very end he fulfilled his obligation as a leader to rebuke his people for their wrongdoings. ****************** Parashat Devarim in Halachah * Two of the Torah's 613 mitzvot appear in Parashat Devarim. (Sefer Hachinuch) * Sefer Hachinuch introduces the Book of Devarim as follows: Ramban writes that this Book is the Mishneh Torah/review of the Torah. In it, Moshe repeats the mitzvot which are most necessary for the generation that will enter the Land. He warns them repeatedly regarding these mitzvot and scares them with threats of punishment. In some cases he offers additional explanations of the mitzvot. Regarding the mitzvot which apply to the kohanim, however, Moshe does not say a word. This is because kohanim are zerizim/alert regarding their obligations. There are also some knew mitzvot in this Book--for example the laws of yibum, one who defames his bride, divorce and false witnesses. There is no doubt, however, that all of these laws were taught to Moshe either at Har Sinai or in the Tabernacle during the first year after the Torah was given. The only part of the Torah which was given for the first time in the Wilderness of Moav (on the border of Eretz Yisrael) was the covenant described in Parashat Ki Tavo. This is why it does not say, "Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, `Command Bnei Yisrael. . .'" or a similar expression in this Book. Do not be amazed, however, that these mitzvot are not mentioned earlier, for Chazal have said in several places that the Torah does not necessarily follow chronological order. The reason for this is that the Torah includes all knowledge in addition to its peshat/plain meaning and the mitzvot. It could be that for this reason certain sections or letters have to be where they are. In any case, it was all planned by the Master of All Wisdom, Blesses is He, and that is explanation enough. ****************** "You are passing through the boundary of your brothers, the children of Esav, who dwell in Seir. . . You shall not provoke them . . . for as an inheritance to the children of Esav I have given Mount Seir." (2:4-5) In the book of Yehoshua (24:4) we read, "I gave Mount Seir to Esav to inherit it, and Yaakov and his sons descended to Egypt." Rav Aharon Bakst z"l asks, "Are the two parts of the verse parallel? Is this a trade that we can be happy about? After all, Esav's children became kings of Seir, while Yaakov's children became slaves in Egypt." Rav Bakst explains: When an animal is born, it can stand and run and feed itself in a very short time. By the age of one year, animals such as calves and lambs practically are adults. Not so humans--a parent is not free of raising a child for two decades. Why? The answer, very simply, is that because man has a higher calling in life, his training takes longer. Man must build himself and the world, and he therefore must take the time necessary to gather all of the tools which he will need. A similar contrast exists between Yaakov and Esav. Esav went off to inherit Mount Seir because G-d had no further mission for Esav. But Yaakov and his sons? They descended to Egypt to begin the long and difficult process of growing up. (Lev Aharon) ****************** From the Humor of Our Sages . . . "Do not fear any man." (1:17) Rav Shmuel of Salant z"l once ruled against a certain ruffian in monetary dispute. That man became angry and shouted, "I won't let this go quietly. I'll break all of your windows." "And do you think that I will let that go quietly?" responded Rav Shmuel. Immediately the ruffian fled, thinking that Rav Shmuel would call the police. But those close to Rav Shmuel knew that he would never do that. "What did you mean?" they asked. "I meant that if he breaks my windows, I will call a glazier to fix them." ****************** Rav Menachem ben Zerach z"l born approx. 5070 (1310) - died 10 Menachem Av 5145 (1385) Rav Menachem's father, Rav Aharon--"ben Zerach" was their family name-- was a native of France. When Philip IV (the Fair) expelled all of the Jews from his realm in 1306, Rav Aharon settled in Estella, in the Kingdom of Navarre. There, Rav Menachem was born. Rav Menachem's parents and four brothers were murdered in an anti-Semitic outbreak in 1328. Rav Menachem, too, was injured and left for dead, but he was found by a knight who had been friendly with Rav Aharon. That non-Jew took Rav Menachem into his home and nursed him back to health. After regaining his health, Rav Menachem moved to Toledo, where he studied under Rav Yehoshua ibn Shuiv and under Rav Yehuda son of Rabbenu Asher. Rav Menachem writes that he studied the entire Talmud with Rav Yehuda; on those tractates on which there is gemara, they studied it with the commentary of the Tosafist, Rabbenu Peretz. The Orders of Zeraim and Taharot (on which there is no gemara), they studied with the commentary of Rav Yehuda's father, the "Rosh". From 1350 until 1368, Rav Menachem served as rabbi in Alcala de Henarez, near Toledo. In the Civil War which broke out in the latter year, Rav Menachem lost all of his possessions, as well as his job. Thereafter, the Jewish nobleman, Don Shmuel Abarbanel, secured the positions of rabbi and rosh yeshiva of Toledo for Rav Menachem. Because Don Shmuel's service of the king did not allow him much time for Torah study, Rav Menachem wrote a halachic compendium, Tzeidah Laderech, for Don Shmuel's benefit. This work is interspersed as well with remarks on ethics and philosophy. The date given above is one opinion as to when Rav Menachem died. Some say that he died on the 7th of Av, and some say on the first of Iyar or Tamuz. Some say he died in the year 5134 (1374). (Sources: The Artscroll Rishonim; Shem Hagedolim, Ma'arechet Sefarim; Melizei Aish) ****************** Donations to Hamaayan are tax-deductible ******************