Naso #3

Parsha Naso states in perek ד pasuk מז of במדבר that 

[A Levi] from the age of thirty years and upward until the age of fifty years, who is fit to perform the service for the service 

and the work of carrying, in the tent of meeting. 

This pasuk seems rather ambiguous, it does not explicitly mention what the "service for the service" is that the לביים  should be performing. 

Rashi says that the "service for the service" refers to the music of the symbols and harps that the לביים played. This playing music was a service to the other service of the קרבנות.

Why were the לביים specifically ordered to be the ones to perform the service for the service? Is there anything else the service for the service could be referring to? 

Naso #2

In this weeks Parsha, Parashat Naso the Kohamin are commanded to bless the Jewish people.

It is interesting to note that the first of these three Brachos, “yivarechicha Hashem v’yishmirecha” speaks of blessing us in a material way.

Rashi explains that yivarechicha is a request from Hashem to “bless our possessions”. Yishmirecha is asking of Hashem to protect us from robbers in an attempt to steal our property. Hashem is both giver and guardian of our possessions. Rashi makes a similar point in Parshas Bereishis, where he states that Shabbos was blessed and made holy through the giving of the man. Again we see that the bracha is a giving of physical substance, not spiritual.

The Netziv explains that the bracha asks that Hashem should add and increase to what has already been given to us. He agrees with Rashi that yishmirecha is a form of protection. However, he views it as a spiritual protection, that we should not come to use our possessions for bad and that they should not be the source of our tzaar.

Seforno also feels that this is a blessing of physical. However, the ultimate end is the spiritual, for as we are told “im ein kemach ein Torah”.

Creds to Sha'alvim for Women

Question: Which other ways can the Kohanim’s blessings be related as both spiritual and physical blessings?

Fun fact: Parashat Naso is the longest parsha in the whole Torah with 176 pesukim!

Shabbat Shalom!

Naso #1

In Parshat Naso, The concept of Nazir is introduced. We know that becoming a Nazir is an extraordinary act and one that is full of purity. However, pasuk yud aleph contradicts this by saying:

 "וְעָשָׂה הַכֹּהֵן אֶחָד לְחַטָּאת וְאֶחָד לְעֹלָה וְכִפֶּר עָלָיו מֵאֲשֶׁר חָטָא", which means, 

"The kohen shall prepare one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering and atone on his behalf for sinning" How could this act of self righteousness require a sin offering? Rabbi Elazas Hakafar says, that the sin of the Nazir was causing himself distress by abstaining from wine. This world was given to us to enjoy and appreciate its wonders. He who assumes additional and optional abstentions is sinning.

What are other reasons given for the Nazir's sin? What are other reasons a sin offering is necessary? 

Behar-Bechukotai #4

In Bechukosai (26:42),

וְזָכַרְתִּי אֶת בְּרִיתִי יַעֲקוֹב וְאַף אֶת בְּרִיתִי יִצְחָק וְאַף אֶת בְּרִיתִי אַבְרָהָם אֶזְכֹּר וְהָאָרֶץ אֶזְכֹּר

and I will remember My covenant [with] Jacob, and also My covenant [with] Isaac, and also My covenant [with] Abraham I will remember. And I will remember the Land

Why are the forefathers written out of order?

The rebbe says that chazal taught us that the world stands on three things; Torah study, the service of Hashem, and kind deeds.  Each father was known for one of these traits.  Yaakov embodied Torah study, Yitzchak represented service of Hashem, and Avraham was the paradigm of the trait of kindness.  The order of the fathers in the pasuk corresponds to the order utilized by chazal to enumerate the three things which the world depends on-- Torah, service of Hashem, then kindness.

What are other reasons that their names are written in this order? What is the significance of stating the names of Avraham, Yitchak, and Yaakov? 

Behar- Bechukotai #3

Why does God command us to do shmitah? What's the reason behind it? Does it work?
Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk says that God wants us to appreciate the land and enjoy the goodness of it and realize that He is responsible for the benefit we have.

Behar-Bechukotai #2

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֶל משֶׁה בְּהַר סִינַי לֵאמֹר:

Behar-Bechukotai starts out with describing Shmita. Right before, we hear about Har Sinai. What relevance does Shmita have with Har Sinai? Weren't all the mitzvoth given at Har Sinai? Why specifically Shmita? (AKA, what is the Smichut Parshiot?)

Rashi says that it teaches us that, just like all the other mitzvot, the whole mitzvah (with its details and all) was given at Har Sinai. However, Rashi asks, why is Shmita used to prove this rule? 

Before entering Eretz Yisrael, Moshe reiterated all the Mitzvoth and Halachot to Bnei Israel) which makes up the book of D'varim. But since we don't see the halachot of Shmita of the land mentioned in D'varim, we learn that all of the mitzvah (general principles, details, etc..) were given at Har Sinai. 

What are some other reasons for the Smichut Parshiot? 

Behar-Bechukotai #1

But in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest a Sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field, nor shall you prune your vineyard.

דוּבַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִת שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן יִהְיֶה לָאָרֶץ שַׁבָּת לַיהֹוָה שָׂדְךָ לֹא תִזְרָע וְכַרְמְךָ לֹא תִזְמֹר:

How is the seventh year a “Sabbath to the Lord”? 

The Ramban explains that the relationship between Shemitah and Shabbat is that they both offer proof to Hashem’s creation and show that he rested on the seventh day.

Why does Hashem implement a seventh year of no work? How does the land have complete rest? What are other restrictions that Hashem put in place during Shemitah?