TOLDOS 5777

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 6

PARSHAH INSIGHTS mitzva is an item that was acquired through a sin. When one performs a mitzva while transgressing a sin, the mitzva is not invalidated if the sin was performed erroneously. However, if one “… So that my (Yitzchok) soul may bless you (Esav) mistakenly uses an item for a mitzva that emerged from a sin, the before I die.” (27, 4) mitzva is invalidated because an ‘item of sin’ cannot connect to a mitzva. Since Yakov seemed quite righteous, why didn’t Yitzchok also bless him? Why did he focus only on Esav? We can now understand why Yitzchok only warned Esav in this instance not to bring an animal that was stolen. Generally, a Rav Shmuel Dovid Walkin zt’l answered as follows. Many mitzva that is being performed while performing a sin would be people would approach the Chofetz Chaim to receive a brocha. a mitzva if Yitzchok was not privy to the fact that a sin was The Chofetz Chaim would respond, “Why are you coming to me occurring. However, at this point in time, Yitzchok wanted to use for a brocho? Doesn’t the Torah promise blessings for those who the animals that Esav would bring as sacrifices (Pirkei D’Rebbi study Torah (Bechukosai 26, 3; Ki Savo 27, 26)? Study Torah Elozor 32). Since a korban is an item of mitzva, the korban would and you will be blessed by Moshe Rabeinu, who blessed those be invalidated if it originated from a sin, even if Yitzchok was not who study Torah.” aware of the sin. Since Yakov was studying Torah, he did not need to be blessed by Yitzchok, because the Torah had already blessed him. Esav, TABL E TALK on the other hand, was a man of the field (Toldos 25) and did not study Torah. That is the reason Yitzchok wanted to give Esav a brocho. PARSHA DILEMMA

And Esav said, “Look, I am going to die, so what use will I have

from the Bechora?” (25, 32)

“Now sharpen, if you please, your gear… and catch game Esav said, “What is the nature of the Service that the Bechor for me.” (27, 3) performs?” Yakov responded, “Several prohibitions, From game that is ownerless and not from game that is stolen. punishments and death penalties are associated with it, such () as,“The following are included in the death penalty, those who serve after drinking wine and those that serve while having long Up until this point, we do not find that Yitzchok warned Esav hair.” Esav responded, “I am going to die if I will be the Bechor. about bringing stolen food. Why did Yitzchok find it necessary, If so, what is there in it that I should want?” (Rashi) at this point specifically, to warn Esav not to bring stolen food? Before the Mishkan was built, Bechorim performed the Service If Yitzchok was concerned that Esav was stealing, why didn’t he and the Service was performed on a bama. Once the Mishkan was reprimand him long ago regarding this behavior? built, the bama was prohibited and only Kohanim performed the Rav Eliezer Moshe Horowitz zt’l (Sukka 30b) explains that even Service. (Bamidbar Rabba 4, 8) though Chazal say that gentiles are not careful about other The Ramban says that one who performs the Service on a bama people’s properties, many of them do not steal. Therefore, the while intoxicated is not punished by the death penalty (Vayikra above doubt as to the ownership of the food only concerned the 10, 9). If so, Esav could have done the Service on a bama while fulfillment of a mitzva. being drunk and would not have been punished? The above answer is difficult to understand. If an item is stolen and a person uses it in the performance of a mitzva not knowing WHO AM I? that it was stolen, he has performed a mitzva (Chemdas Shlomo 1 My source is not in the ‘father of the king’ Orach Chaim 29). If so, why did Yitzchok warn Esav not to bring 2 The first was my similarity a stolen animal? 3 Double was my portion The Shaarei Yosher (3, 19) answers that there are two types of 4 I established the ‘Offering”

“mitzvas performed through a sin.” 1) The act of the mitzva is Last week’s clues: We are similar to Achashveirush’s rule, We done while performing an act of sin. 2) The item used for the were all good, The bind stooped us, I am the name the title now.

SPONSORED BY THE GOLDBERG FAMILY לעילוי נשמת צביה בת יצחק ע"ה MRS. SYLVIA BROOK A”H Answer: Chayei Sorah, the years of Sorah’s life. Why didn’t his strict fulfillment of this mitzva influence him to fulfill more mitzvos? Congratulations to: Yerachmiel Diamond, Aryeh Leib and Yisrael Hunger, Ronen Lowenthal, Gretchen Shapiro and Dr. Esav placed too much stress on one mitzva - honoring his father, Ricky Prizant. while allowing his observance of other mitzvas to wane. A person’s heavy emphasis on a specific mitzva can prevent him WHO AM I? from performing other mitzvas properly. 1 I was ready 2 I was a double BULLETIN BOARD 3 I am ‘done’ 4 I got my hands MAZEL TOV Rabbi and Mrs. Eli Graiser on the birth of a boy. Last week’s clues: I have four sets, I was four hundred, I am also Rabbi and Mrs. Naphtali Burnstein ‘ahead’, I am the ‘double’. Rabbi and Mrs. Boruch Hirschfeld on the engagement of Answer: The Meoras HaMachpeila Chaya Braina. Congratulations to: Yerachmiel Diamond, Aryeh leib and Dr. and Mrs. David Lever on the birth of a granddaughter. yisrael Hunger, Ronen Lowenthal, Baruch Neimen, Gretchen Mr. and Mrs. Malachi Muskal on the birth of a girl. Shapiro and Dr. Ricky Prizant, Y.D Solomon. Mr. and Mrs. Gary Weiss on the engagement of Yaffa.

Mr. and Mrs. Morry Weiss

TORAH RIDDLE

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However, the Radal quotes sources, including the Baal Haturim, which say that the text is wrong and should read Iris. Pirchei at Zichron Chaim/Yavne Congratulations to: Yerachmiel Diamond, Hunger family, Lowenthal family, Dr. Ricky Prizant, Y.D Solomon. Grades 1 – 2: 3:25 Yavneh basement Grades 3 – 4: 3:35 Yavneh dock Please send “Who Am I” and “Torah Riddle” answers to Grades 5 – 6: 3:35 14370 Washington Blvd. [email protected] by next Wed. and be Grades 7 – 8: 3:50 Yavneh Bais Medrash Motza’ai Shabbos Avos u’bonim entered in a raffle for a “High end designer watch” for the month of Cheshvan/Kisleiv. (Bring your fathers) The answers will IY”H appear in next week’s issue 7:00 at Zichron Chaim (2203 S. Green)

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Bnos 2:30 – 3:30 A GLIMPSE OF GREATNESS Grade K Esti Klahr 14390 E. Carroll After World War I, a large movement arose to publicize the Grade 1 Nomi Koval 4404 Churchill importance of Shabbos observance. In light of Chazal Grade 2 Leah Kaliff 2421 Claver (Yerushalmi Taanis 1, 1) who say that if Bnai Yisroel would Grades 3 – 4 Nechama Markovich 2444 Laurelhurst observe one Shabbos, Moshiach would arrive, people were eager Grades 5 – 6 Elisheva Chafetz (4:15- 5:15) 2585 Lafayette to influence others to observe Shabbos.

Rallies and speeches were arranged throughout Europe to further this cause. There were even those who wished to hold a RECEIVE ‘ONEG SHABBOS’ BY EMAIL convention in Berlin to bring attention to the issue. The Telzer If you would like to receive the Oneg Shabbos each week by Rosh , Rav Yosef Leib Bloch zt’l, was asked his opinion email, please subscribe online at www.beachwoodkollel.com, on the matter. or email [email protected].

Rav Yosef Leib answered, “There are 613 mitzvas in the Torah \ and we are obligated to equally stress the fulfillment of each one If you wish to have an announcement or event posted on the of them. When people stress the importance of one mitzva over Kollel Bulletin Board or to sponsor an issue, others, the importance of the other mitzvas fall by the wayside.” call 216-626-KYCM (5926) or email With this approach to mitzva observance, Rav Chaim Mordechai [email protected] Katz zt”l answered a perplexing question in this week’s Parsha. Esav was the ‘poster boy’ of one who honors his father properly.

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