בס“ד

Parshiyot Acharei-Kedoshim 13 Iyar, 5778/April 28, 2018 Vol. 9 Num. 31 This issue of Toronto Torah is dedicated by Jeffrey Silver in great appreciation of the amazing past Winter (Choref) Zman conducted by Rabbi Torczyner, Rabbi Ziring, Adam Friedmann and Yaron Perez The Mitzvah of Instruction For Whose Benefit? Yaron Perez “Do not hate your brother in your “that this will provide peace and Similarly, Ramban (Commentary to heart. You shall surely instruct your goodwill between people.” We may Vayikra 19:17) sees in the mitzvah of brother, and bear no sin because of extrapolate that the Torah commanded instruction a solution for the problems him.” (Vayikra 19:17) What is the goal “Do not hate” before stating the mitzvah which accompany hatred, as presented of the mitzvah of instructing others? Is of instruction to teach that one who in the ensuing biblical verses. When one the mitzvah for the benefit of the hates is prohibited from instructing. He tells his brother of the offense, the instructor, or the person receiving is not at peace with the other, and his offender will repent, and the offended instruction? hatred will lead to shaming. party will forgive. This will avoid revenge and grudges and enable “Love your The (Erchin 16b) comments on Similarly, Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim neighbour as yourself.” (Vayikra 19:18) this verse: Luntschitz (Kli Yakar to Vayikra 19:17) • ‘In your heart’ – the verse speaks of wrote that when one person hates Taking this idea a step further, Rabbi hatred in your heart. another, he will not instruct or prevent Moshe Bochcho writes, “A Jew may not • How do we know that one who sees the other from stumbling. Just the allow hatred for others space in his something disgraceful in another opposite - he will cause the other to sin, heart, even a little. Not because this person must instruct him? ‘Instruct.’ and he will be happy when it happens. hatred will harm the other, but because • If he instructs, and it is not Per Rabbi Luntschitz, this is the hatred it will destroy his own traits. One who accepted, how do we know that one which existed at the time of the hates cannot be good and straight should instruct repeatedly? The text destruction of the second Beit before G-d and man. So a Jew must says Hocheiach tochiach [doubling haMikdash, and it remains among us. instruct the other – loving instruction – the word ‘Instruct’] – meaning to do to overcome his own defect or habit. If so in any case. According to this approach, the goal of he would be silent, the hatred would • Even if his face changes [colour]? It instruction is to benefit the sinner, ferment within him, but upon says, ‘Bear no sin because of him.’ which requires that the instruction instructing he will silence his hatred, by come from love. turning to helping the other.” (Iyunei Rambam followed the lead of this Moshe) Or as the last Lubavitcher talmudic passage, enumerating three Connection 2: Defusing Hatred Rebbe wrote (Hayom Yom for 26 Iyar), mitzvot: Several commentators take a different “’Do not hate your brother’ precedes 1. Do not hate your brother in your approach, presenting the mitzvot as a ‘You shall surely instruct,’ for this is a heart; path to relieving an offended party of his precondition for instruction. It then 2. Instruct your brother; hatred. Rabbi Yosef Bechor Shor says, ‘And bear no sin because of him,’ 3. Do not cause shame. (Commentary to Vayikra 19:17) sees in for if the instruction is ineffective, you However, the majority of commentators the process a means of determining the must be guilty [of hatred], such that the resist making a complete division truth behind an apparent offense. One instruction did not come from the between these mitzvot, and seek a who speaks directly with the offender heart.” shared purpose between them. Some may discover that his impression of see them as mitzvot which help the events is false, or that there had been May we merit to instruct others in a sinner, and others see them as mitzvot no intent to offend. Alternatively, the manner which will fulfill both goals, which help the observer of sin. offender may improve his ways. As a freeing ourselves of animosity and result, the offended party will not keep aiding the sinner with love. Connection 1: Aiding the Sinner the hatred in his heart, and so he will Sefer haChinuch (#239) explains that not sin via hatred. [email protected] the root of the mitzvah of instruction is

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CHAVERIM NADAV GASNER, COREY KAMEN, JAY KARON, BJ KOROBKIN, YEHUDA LEVI, COBY LYONS, ZACK MINCER, RONI PEREZ, JOSH PHILLIP, AARON ROSENFELD, MORDECHAI ROTH, DANIEL SAFRAN, EYTAN WEISZ, URIEL WEISZ, BARUCH WISE, ELI Find our upcoming shiurim on-line at WOODROW www.torontotorah.com WOMEN’S BEIT MIDRASH MRS. ORA ZIRING, MRS. ELLIEZRA PEREZ CHAVEROT NOA BORDAN, MINDY CHAPMAN, SOFIA FREUDENSTEIN, LEORA KARON, We are grateful to ARIELLA SNOWBELL, MIRIAM RIVKA WEISS Continental Press 905-660-0311 והורשתם את הארץ וישבתם בה )במדבר לג( Marking the State of ’s 70th Year! Israeli Landmark: Masada Rabbi Jonathan Ziring Masada is an ancient fortress in the 66 CE. After the Second Temple was This position was vehemently rejected Judean desert. The Roman-Jewish destroyed several years later, more by the majority of rabbinic authorities. historian, Josephus Flavius, writes that members joined them. In 73 CE, the (For a full discussion, see Yechezkel the site was first fortified Roman governor of Judea, Lucius Shraga Lichtenstein’s HaMe’abed Atzmo by Hasmonean ruler Alexander Flavius Silva laid siege to the fortress. L’Daat) Jannaeus in the first century BCE. He When the Romans finally breached the further writes that Herod the Great walls, they found that everyone Most of the archeological excavations at captured it in the power struggle that defending Masada had already Masada were carried out by Yigael followed the death of his committed suicide. Josephus records Yadin. One can now see the father Antipater. It survived the siege of that their leader, Elazar, had synagogues, stores houses, water the last Hasmonean king Antigonus II convinced them to die free, rather than cisterns, and homes. Remains of a Mattathias, who ruled become slaves of the Romans. Elazar Byzantine church which was there in with Parthian support. According to also reminded them of the immortality the 5th-6th century can also be seen. Josephus, between 37 and 31 BCE of the soul that would survive their Herod the Great built a large fortress on bodies. Masada was declared a UNESCO World the plateau as a refuge for himself in Heritage Site in 2001. In 2007, the the event of a revolt, and erected two The accuracy of Josephus’s report has Masada Museum in Memory of Yigael palaces at the site. However, no been questioned by many, as noted Yadin opened at the site, in which Hasmonean-period building remains above (see Zuleika Rodgers, ed. archaeological findings are displayed in could be identified during (2007). Making History: Josephus And a theatrical setting. It is situated in the archaeological excavations, leading Historical Method) This has ideological Masada National Park and is a popular scholars to question this version of the implications, as many have been tourist site. One can go up the events that transpired there. uncomfortable with this endorsement mountain via one of two hiking trails, of fanatical suicide. Nevertheless, one the Snake Trail or the Roman Ramp Masada is most well-known for the rabbinic authority, Rabbi Shlomo Trail. Alternatively, visitors can take a story recorded in The War of the Jews, Goren, accepted the story and used it cable car up the mountain. Book 7. Josephus writes that a group of as one of his sources for arguing that Jewish rebels, the radical Sicarii it was better for Israeli soldiers to [email protected] (discussed in talmudic passages in commit suicide than be captured by Gittin) settled in Masada after enemies (http://www.daat.ac.il/daat/ overcoming the Roman garrison there in kitveyet/mahanaim/gvurat-2.htm).

The Zionist Idea: Pesach Sheni and Zionist Activism Rabbi Baruch Weintraub

This Sunday, the 14th of Iyar, we will commemorate Pesach Dov Soloveitchik’s endorsement of Zionism. Rabbi Sheni – the day which is dedicated for those who are unable Lichtenstein explained that while this tendency towards to participate in the Korban Pesach on its original date, the activism had some of its roots in Rabbi Soloveitchik’s 14th of Nisan. Now, a month later, they are given a second philosophical training, it mostly came from his view of chance to bring their korban upon the altar. halachah. The Torah does not call man to remain inactive and frozen, but rather it encourages him to act and take Pesach Sheni is unique when viewed against the backdrop of responsibility for his surroundings. the other holidays. It is the only biblical holiday which was not prescribed from above, but rather was initiated by Interestingly, halachah is depicted by Rabbi Lichtenstein – human beings. The Torah (Bamidbar 9), tells us that those following his great father-in-law – not only as calling for who were impure during the first Pesach celebration activism, but also as a “being” which is active itself. petitioned Moshe for a way to join the rest of the nation in Referring to the establishment of the State of Israel by this special mitzvah; Moshe took their request to G-d, who people who were sometimes far from Torah and its values, answered by giving them this additional holiday. he quotes Rabbi Soloveitchik’s eulogy for his uncle, Rabbi Velvel Soloveitchik: “Halachah is determined and powerful. Some of the commentators, following the Zohar, have It does not turn away from an event, even when the latter emphasized a lesson learned from the way Pesach Sheni was rebels against it. It will assail the event once and again, and revealed to us: the importance of an “awakening from shall not stop, till it will succeed in casting the supreme below” (Itaruta D’letata). Man must not be passive in Divine ideal over it.” receiving the Torah and in creating our nation’s history; on the contrary – he is called by G-d to stand up and be active. Thus Pesach Sheni, nested in our calendar between Yom In this way he not only proves himself deserving of the Divine Ha’Atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim, serves well to remind redemption, but he also becomes a partner in bringing it us that our decisions and acts will shape the historical about. events around us – and determine their sanctity and sacredness. The human role in the unfolding of our sacred history is one of the main pillars on which stands. My [email protected] rabbi and master, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein ztz”l, saw this point as the key component in understanding Rabbi Yosef

2 Visit us at www.torontotorah.com & www.facebook.com/torontotorah Torah and Translation Biography Striking a Neutralized Terrorist Rabbi Yaakov Ariel Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Self-Defense, Techumin 10 Rabbi Jonathan Ziring Translated by Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner

There is room to discuss our question יש מקום לדון בבעייתנו עפ “ י דינ י Rabbi Yaakov Ariel was born in based on the laws of war. In war, rules המלחמה. במלחמה נוהגים כללים אחרים in 1937. He studied in the .that differ from those of civilian life apply מאשר בחיים האזרחיים. במלחמה, גם אם of Kfar HaRoeh, Midreshet Noam in Pardes Chana, and Mercaz HaRav. He In war, even if the pursuer halts his at- הרודף הפסיק את רדיפתו ונסוג, מסתבר became one of the close students of tack and retreats, it is logical to permit שמותר למותקפים לרדוף אחריו ולהורגו, Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Kook, the Nazir, and those who have been attacked to pursue ואינם חייבים להביאו לדין. וכך הוא הנוהג Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli; he derived his him and kill him, and they would not be בכל המלחמות בעולם, וגם בישראל: methodology of halachic decision making obligated to bring him to justice. Such is done in all wars, including in Israel: “I ” ארדפה אויבי ואשיגם, ולא אשוב עד .from Rabbi Yisraeli will pursue my foes and catch them, and כלותם “ )שמ “ ב כב, לח(. הטעם לכך הוא, -I will not retreat until they are fin שמלחמה שונה מסכסוך אישי. היא עימות Rabbi Ariel is a leading halachic ished.” (Samuel II 22:38) This is because בין עם לעם )גור אריה פרשת וישלח(, ואין authority in the Religious Zionist war is different from personal strife; it is בית דין שיכול לדון בין העמים. רק על מלך community, and his many students hold ,international confrontation (Gur Aryeh המשיח נאמר ” ושפט בין הגויים “ )ישעיהו important posts in yeshivot and Parshat Vayishlach), and a religious ב(. אולם עד אז אין לעמים אפשרות אחרת communities throughout Israel. As a court cannot judge between nations. Only אלא להגן על עצמם מפני תוקפיהם על ידי respected authority, he has issued many ,regarding the king, Mashiach, is it said השבת מלחמה שערה עד הנצחון הסופי. public halachic positions on a series of -He will judge between the na“ ולכן יש לפגוע בתוקף גם אחרי בריחתו. important, and often controversial matters. He is the current Chief Rabbi of tions.” (Isaiah 2:4) But until then, the Ramat Gan, the president of Yeshivat nations have no other path than to de- Ramat Gan, and the head of a rabbinical fend themselves from those who would court. He was one of the founders of the attack them, by taking the war to the rabbinic organization Tzohar, and served gate until final victory. (cf. Isaiah 28:6) as president until 2013. Tzohar is Therefore, one should strike powerfully dedicated to making the Rabbanut even after he flees. friendly for the average Israeli, and But war, specifically because it has a אלא שמלחמה, דווקא משום שהיא נושאת .especially for secular Jews -public character, must be run by the gov אופי ציבורי, חייבת להתנהל ע “ י המלכות, -ernment or some authorized public agen או ע “ י סמכות ציבורית מרכזית אחת, ולא Rabbi Ariel previously served as the Rosh ,cy, and not by individual people. Further ע “י אנשים פרטים. יתירה מזאת, הצלחתה Yeshiva in Yamit (an abandoned ,the success of a war depends, first of all של המלחמה מותנית ראשית כל במשמעת settlement in the Sinai Peninsula) and -upon the individual’s loyalty to the com הפרט למסגרת הכללית. פריקת המסגרת the rabbi of Kfar Maimon, and he was -munal structure. Overthrowing the com הציבורית מסכנת את הכלל ואת הפרט גם .the founder of the Machon HaMikdash He has attempted to become the Chief munal structure endangers the commu- יחד. הנצי “ ב בהעמק שאלה סי ‘ קמב Rabbi of Israel, but has failed twice, once nity and individual alike. The Netziv האריך להסביר עפ “ י הנחה זו הלכות רבות due to opposition by Charedim and the (Haamek She’eilah 142) went on at length הנוגעות לשעת חירום. ולדעתו, המפר .second time due to his advanced age ,to explain, based on this assumption משמעת בשעת חירום נחשב לרודף, וחייב many laws relating to a state of emergen- -cy. In his view, one who disobeys an or מיתה. He has written many books, including commentaries on the Talmud, halachic der during a state of emergency is consid- responsa, books on the holidays, and a ered a rodef, and is liable for death. record of the building and destruction of the Yamit settlement. He has also But this also teaches the opposite point: if it truly is a time of war, one should not אולם היא הנותנת. אם אמנם השעה היא published weekly thoughts in see every private, civilian initiative as שעת מלחמה, אין לראות כל יוזמה פרטית newspapers and taught in Bar Ilan damaging the communal structure. It is אזרחית כפוגעת במסגרת הכללית. בהחלט University, thus extending his influence certainly possible that a private citizen תיתכן אפשרות שאזרח פרטי ייתקל בשעת beyond the confines of his yeshiva or will encounter a dangerous enemy during מלחמה באויב מסוכן, ויפגע בו ללא פקודה .city war, and strike him without an order and וללא משפט, אולם במעשה זה הציל את [email protected] without due process, but in this action העם כולו. האמנם נדון אותו כפושע חלילה? save the entire nation. Would we truly וכי מי נתן פקודה ליעל להרוג את judge him as a criminal, G-d forbid? Who סיסרא?... ordered Yael to kill Sisera?...

If so, the calculation of whether a specific initiative aids or harms must be assigned .to security forces before any legal claim א “כ, השיקול אם פעולה פרטית מועילה או Certainly, a private individual may not מזיקה חייב להינתן בידי אנשי הבטחון .take, in general, his personal initiative עובר לתביעה משפטית. בודאי שאסור -But afterward, when he has already tak לאדם פרטי לנקוט, בדרך כלל, יוזמה en the initiative, this is not always a אישית משלו. אולם בדיעבד, כשכבר נקט .transgression יוזמה, לא תמיד זו עבירה.

Call our office at: 416-783-6960 3 The 613 Mitzvot: #5-6 - The Korban Pesach, Week 2 Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner (continued from last week) Divrei haYamim II 28:19, and Rambam and Raavad, Hilchot Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer’s argument for restoring the Beit haBechirah 6:14.] However, other authorities rule that korban pesach today was opposed by Rabbi Akiva Eiger and korbanot, and especially the korban pesach, may be brought Rabbi Yaakov Ettlinger (author of the Aruch LaNer), among without a Beit haMikdash. [See Mishnah Eduyot 8:6, Hilchot others, and he was never able to implement his ideas. Beit haBechirah 6:15 and She’eilat Yaavetz I 89.]

One of the objections was that we don’t presently have a For more on this debate, see Rabbi J. David Bleich, Beit haMikdash – and even if we were licensed to build a Contemporary Halakhic Problems I pp. 244-269 and http:// Beit haMikdash, some authorities rule that it would not be www.koltorah.org/ravj/korbanottoday.htm.

holy without a prophet and a new act of sanctification. [See [email protected] Weekly Highlights: Apr. 28 — May 4 / 13 Iyar — 19 Iyar Time Speaker Topic Location Special Notes

Apr. 28 שבת

After Hashkamah Adam Friedmann Parshah Analysis Clanton Park

Before Avot R’ Jonathan Ziring Daf Yomi BAYT Rabbi’s Classroom After minchah R’ Mordechai Torczyner Gemara Avodah Zarah BAYT Simcha Suite Sun. Apr. 29 Pesach Sheni 8:45 AM R’ Jonathan Ziring Responsa BAYT Hebrew Practicing Medicine in the Medical Ethics w/CME 8:45 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner BAYT Jewish Community Laypeople welcome 7:45 PM minchah Dr. Tovah Lichtenstein In Memory of Yeshivat Or Chaim 8:00 PM program R’ Moshe Lichtenstein Rav Aharon Lichtenstein Mon. Apr. 30

Psak of Israel’s Chief Rabbis 1 Third Floor; 8:30 PM R’ Jonathan Ziring Shomrai Shabbos Rabbi For men Tues. May 1

S. Y. Agnon’s Women; there is a fee 10:00 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Adath Israel Lag ba’Omer Celebration [email protected] 1:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Nechemiah: A Prayer Shaarei Shomayim 7:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Yehoshua 129 Theodore Pl. On Hiatus Wed. May 2 Celebrating 70, Week 2: torontotorah.com/ 10:00 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Beth Emeth 1972: The Langer Affair celebrating 2:30 PM R’ Jonathan Ziring Exploring Bamidbar 32 Timberlane Ave. For Women 8:00 PM Adam Friedmann Why do we do that? Shaarei Tefillah Shaarei Shomayim הפרשה ואני PM Yaron Perez 8:00 Thu. May 3 Lag ba’Omer 1:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner Shoftim: Kidnapping Wives? 49 Michael Ct. For women Fri. May 4 10:30 AM R’ Jonathan Ziring Muktzeh Yeshivat Or Chaim Advanced

For University Men, at Yeshivat Or Chaim 10:00 AM Sunday, Rabbi Aaron Greenberg, Gemara Beitzah 11:00 AM Sunday, Yaron Perez, Contemporary Halachah: The Jewish Status of Ethiopian olim 8:30 AM Monday, Rabbi Jonathan Ziring, Nefesh haChaim 8:30 AM Friday, Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner, The Book of Yeshayah

For University Women, at Ulpanat Orot 9:30-11:30 AM Monday, Mrs. Elliezra Perez, From Rachel Imeinu to Racheli Frenkel 9:30-11:30 AM Tuesday, Mrs. Ora Ziring, Shabbat 9:30-11:30 AM Wednesday, Mrs. Ora Ziring, Contemporary Halachah 9:30-11:30 AM Thursday, Mrs. Elliezra Perez, Parshah in the Eyes of Chassidut