בס“ד Toronto Torah Beit Midrash Zichron Dov

Parshat Emor 20 Iyyar 5772/May 12, 2012 / 35 Omer Vol.3 Num. 30

To sponsor an issue of Toronto Torah, please contact [email protected] or 416-783-6960 A Kohen and a Levite Hillel Horovitz Fresh from reading Acharei Mot and guarding the Beit haMikdash rather than As described by Moshe in his blessing to Kedoshim, with their focus upon the performing the priestly service. The the tribe of Levi (Devarim 33:10), the sanctity of the Jewish people and its Haftorah then continues to describe the Kohanim are charged with two tasks: individuation from the rest of the family demands placed upon the Kohen and the "They will teach Your laws to Yaakov, of nations, we continue to discuss gifts he would receive from the Israelites, and Your Torah to Israel; they will place matters of holiness in Parshat Emor. matters which appropriately complement incense before You and whole offerings This portion presents laws related to the the contents of our Torah portion. upon Your altar." The first task, sanctity of Kohanim, and the sanctity of teaching Israel, is assigned to the entire Let us focus on Yechezkel's interesting Time as expressed via the holidays. tribe of Levi; the second task, service in turn of phrase, "the Kohanim the the Beit haMikdash, is assigned to the The connection between the two Levites." Are there Kohanim who are not Kohanim, sons of Aharon. The sanctities described in our portion is Levites? This expression first appears in expression, "The Kohanim the Levites", profound in meaning and message. To Devarim 17:9, and understanding its emphasizes the former role of understand it well, let us examine the meaning in context may aid us in education, which stems from the dual Haftorah which complements Parshat understanding what Yechezkel intends to role of serving G-d and educating the Emor, a prophecy from the book of add to the normal term, "Kohen." Yechezkel (44:15-31). This comforting people, facilitating the spirituality of the Devarim 17:9 says, "And you shall come prophecy, presented to the exiled Jewish Children of Israel. to the Kohanim the Levites, and to the nation approximately fourteen years Yechezkel teaches us why the children judge who will be there in those days, after the destruction of the first Beit of Tzaddok will merit to serve in the Beit and you will inquire, and they will tell haMikdash, describes the return of the haMikdash: They have the potential to you the verdict." This instruction is Kohanim to the Beit haMikdash. be "The Kohanim the Levites", priests as stated regarding the judicial process, and well as teachers. Regarding Kohanim The Haftorah begins (Yechezkel 44:15), so it may be assumed that the purpose is who remember their duty to the nation, "And the Kohanim the Levites, to approach a judge for a ruling, not to understanding that they serve in the descendants of Tzaddok, who guarded approach a Kohen for a priestly service. Beit haMidrash as well as Beit My Temple when the Children of Israel The court ought to include Kohanim (Sifri haMikdash, G-d says, "They will bring wandered away from Me, will draw near Devarim 153), and the location is the offerings upon My table, to serve Me." to Me to serve Me." Yechezkel informs Temple Mount, but the function is legal. the Jewish people that the Kohanim And to return to our portion and its Further along, in Devarim 27:9, we find, who will serve in the Sanctuary will be sanctities of the Kohanim and of Time, "And Moshe and the Kohanim the Levites those who had guarded the Beit the Haftorah teaches that we need "The addressed all of Israel, saying: Listen, haMikdash, meaning those who had Kohanim the Levites", connecting the Israel! Today you have become a nation observed Divine commands and not Kohanim who serve in the Beit for HaShem your G-d." Here, too, we do strayed. This excludes Kohanim haMikdash and the nation who comes not speak of the service performed in the described earlier in the chapter (44:10), to celebrate the holidays. The days Beit haMikdash; rather, we describe an who had not fulfilled their Divinely when the nation comes to the Temple assembly for blessings and curses. If so, commanded duty, who would be are ideal for Kohanim to fulfill their why does the Torah emphasize the consigned to serving only in the role of educational role for the entire nation. presence of "The Kohanim the Levites"? During our holidays we repeat regularly, Parshah Questions are found on the back page this week "You selected us from all of the nations," "You sanctify Israel and the [appointed] times." These times draw us Walk with our team Join us at our close to G-d, elevating Israel to a state at the UJA Walk with Israel Haramat Kosit Open House of joy and national sanctity. The Haftorah teaches us that this is the true st on Monday May 21 in honour of and central role of the Kohanim: To

Yom Yerushalayim create a national educational framework  which leads to sanctity, by being  present in the study halls and at the Join our Team On-Line occasions of spiritual elevation. The or Sponsor Us Sunday May 20 Kohanim will live in the hub of spiritual activity, and join the nation with their at 6 to 8 PM Father in Heaven. http://bit.ly/IJ88Jj 12 Midvale, Clanton Park [email protected] Aninut on Hitoriri: R’ Dovid Zirkind Jewish Spirituality

Journey to Redemption After completing the distribution of expense of the deceased’s honour. tithes, one recites vidui maaser, Danzig records the custom to follow the Yair Manas declaring that he was scrupulous in approach of Tosafot and not perform following the detailed laws involved. One mitzvot, at least until all the In describing the mitzvah of Sefirat such law is that the owner does not eat arrangements have been completed. (See HaOmer, the Chinuch (Mitzvah 306) any of his maaser while in a state of also Gesher HaChaim 163:4.) explains why we count from Pesach to aninut. (Devarim 26:14) If a death occurs on Shabbat or Friday, Shavuot: “The rationale for this mitzvah What is aninut? The Gemara explains without time to arrange burial before is that the Torah is the essence of the (Berachot 17b) that aninut refers to the Shabbat, relatives are confronted with Jewish people… and it is the reason period immediately following the death the overlap of Shabbat and aninut. that they were redeemed and they left of a relative, when the family is involved Halachah prohibits burial on Shabbat, Egypt, in order for them to accept the in caring for the deceased and and many arrangements may not be Torah at Sinai and abide by it.” Thus preparing for burial. At this sensitive made on Shabbat. Aninut is therefore , to the Jewish people counted to the time, a series of unique halachot apply a large extent, on hold until Shabbat is receiving of the Torah, which happened to mourners. An onen (one who is in a over. For this reason, the relatives may 49 days after the exodus from Egypt. state of aninut) may not eat meat or eat meat and drink wine like on an drink wine, recite berachot, say Shema ordinary Shabbat. A number of halachot It is well known that each of us must or daven. related to this issue are subject to consider himself as if he had left Egypt. The Rambam (Hilchot Chametz Rashi and Tosafot (commenting on the varying customs, including: wearing freshly laundered Shabbat clothes, U’Matzah 7:6) writes: “In each Gemara in Berachot) debate why the generation a person must consider onen is excused from performing singing Shalom Aleichem and blessing the children on Friday night. (See Nitei himself as if he himself had escaped mitzvot during this period. According to from the subjugation of Egypt.” If so, Rashi, the halacha of the onen is Gavriel, Laws of Mourning 1: Chapter 25.) The local Rabbi should be consulted then we must also view ourselves as if reminiscent of that of a groom on the we are the ones who are traveling in the night of his wedding, who is similarly regarding the community’s practice. desert, on our way to receive the Torah. excused from reciting Shema. When a In some respects, Shabbat during aninut Just like a child counting toward his person is focused intently on a mitzvah is similar to Shabbat during shivah, birthday, so too, lehavdil, we must before him he is not responsible to regarding the laws of aveilut which are count to receiving the Torah, the perform other mitzvot (osek b’mitzvah still observed in private. Marital relations “essence of the Jewish people.” patur min hamitzvah). Tosafot, citing the are forbidden, the mourner may not Yerushalmi, suggests a mourning- wash himself and the mirrors must Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks specific explanation; the mourner is remain covered. Technically speaking, articulates: “Leaving Egypt was only the excused from performing mitzvot when the onen is permitted to participate in beginning of freedom. Without a moral confronted so intimately with death. Seudah Shlishit in shul, although the code - the commandments heard at Rabbi Avraham Danzig (Poland 1748- custom is not to do so. Nitei Gavriel Sinai - the Israelites might have gained 1820) elaborates that the Sages demand suggests that this custom developed release from oppression, but they had one postpone the performance of because Seudah Shlishit often extends not yet acquired liberty. The counting of mitzvot out of respect for the deceased beyond the conclusion of Shabbat, at the days expresses the unbreakable (Chochmat Adam 153:1). According to which point the onen would no longer be connection between Pesach and Rashi, if one chooses to perform mitzvot able to participate. When Shabbat Shavuot as stages on a single journey concludes, the aninut resumes. from slavery to redemption. Freedom while preparing for a relative's funeral, he may do so. However, Tosafot would May we know happy occasions. begins with exodus but it reaches its view the ambition as coming at the fulfillment in the acceptance of a code [email protected] of conduct, the Torah, freely offered by G-d, freely accepted by the people. The 613 Mitzvot: #152 counting of the Omer is thus an act of retracing the steps from individual Drinking and Judging Don’t Mix freedom to a free society.” (Rabbi Jonathan Sacks , pg.68) R’ Mordechai Torczyner This time of the year is a time to Many of our mitzvot elevate wine to a rulings while intoxicated, and prohibits become excited in anticipation of position of honour; for example, we inebriated people from entering the Beit receiving the Torah, to confirm our drink wine under the chuppah at a haMikdash. commitment to studying and teaching wedding. We recognize the Torah’s it, and to reaffirm our faith in the observation (Tehillim 104:15) that Similarly, we are instructed not to daven everlasting word of G-d. May we all be wine gladdens our hearts, and we when we are inebriated; even one who is successful in this exalted task. even pour it on the mizbeiach [altar] capable of stating the words should not when we bring offerings in the Beit daven if he would not be able to [email protected] haMikdash. concentrate. This rule is not only stated regarding wine; all alcoholic beverages are At the same time, Judaism warns us included. (Aruch haShulchan Orach that intoxication handicaps a person Chaim 99:6) and removes his ability to address issues of sanctity. Therefore, Mitzvah [email protected] 152 forbids a judge from issuing legal

2 Visit us at www.torontotorah.com Biography: Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer R’ Ezra Goldschmiedt Ha’Aretz

קלי“ה Torah in Translation Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer (1795-1874) Kalia

was born in Lisa, Germany. Known at a R’ Baruch Weintraub Brit Milah for a Baby young age for his brilliance and הקיבוץ קלי " ה , הממוקם בצפון ים of a Non-Jewish Mother diligence in Torah study, he learned המלח , ליד העיר יריחו , הוקם בצורתו under the guidance of Rabbi Yaakov Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer Lorberbaum (author of Chavot Daat) הנוכחית בשנת 8691, מעט לאחר מלחמת .and Rabbi Akiva Eiger ששת הימים. Responsa of R’ Esriel Hildesheimer

Vol. 1 Yoreh Deah 129 After his marriage, Rabbi Kalischer האיזור בו נמצא היישוב קרוי ' מגילות ', ,settled in his wife's hometown of Torun וזאת על שם מגילות ים המלח שנמצאו Translated by R’ Ezra Goldschmiedt Poland. Many communities had asked שם. המגילות, בנות כאלפיים שנה , נתגלו Three questions were presented in the for the young Rabbi to serve as their ב8691. הן נמצאו על ידי נער בדואי , אשר ;Rav, but Rabbi Kalischer had refused הביא אותן לסנדלר על מנת להכין לעצמו American newspapers regarding events in New Orleans, concerning men who wronged only in Torun did he accept a position, סנדלים מחתיכות העור . הסנדלר , אשר their souls, connecting with non-Jewish and then only on condition that he זיהה כי מדובר במגילות עתיקות , קנה .women and producing sons. Although they receive no compensation for his services

אותן מהנער , ולבסוף התגלגלו החתיכות sinned, the heart of Israel rooted in their לידיו של פרופסור סוקניק ) אביו של While working tirelessly for his hearts the idea of having their males community, Rabbi Kalischer continued הרמטכ " ל לעתיד יגאל ידין ( ממש ביום circumcised. The mothers did not protest פרוץ מלחמת העצמאות . במהלך השנים his studies and wrote a number of circumcision, but did not allow immersion significant Torah works in both law and הבאות נתגלו עוד ועוד מגילות , בסך הכל i.e. full conversion]. The Rabbi there philosophy; these writings solidified his] כ128-118 מגילות נפרדות. forbade circumcision for them… decreed standing as one of German Jewry's most בין החוקרים נטוש ויכוח לגבי זהות that circumcising them would be considered authoritative leaders. His work Derishat כותבי המגילות , אך הדעה המקובלת a sin and iniquity for the mohel who would Tzion, in which Rabbi Kalischer מזהה אותם עם ה ' איסיים ', כת יהודית circumcise them, and disqualified the mohel developed his vision for bringing about who would violate this… the Messianic age, was unique for its מימי הבית השני , אשר דגלה בפרישות קיצונית , ואנשיה פרשו למדבר על מנת Concerning this, the Americans have time. He was convinced that the Jewish לקיים את מנהגיהם . אנשי הכת כפרו presented three questions: people's ultimate goal was to be realized בתורה שבעל פה ובחכמי ההלכה , ,A: By religious law, is there any through a natural and active process ובמגילות ניתן למצוא הלכות אשר transgression to circumcise such children? and that the first steps in making this a מוזכרות בחז " ל כהלכות שהחזיקו בהן -B: Does the Rabbi have the ability to reality was the settlement of a self הצדוקים. .disqualify a mohel who disobeys his order? sustaining nation in the land of Israel C: Would it be considered sinful if another In Derishat Tzion, Rabbi Kalischer also ראשית ההתיישבות בקלי " ה בעת Jew would give his son to this mohel? advocated for the reinstitution of המודרנית הייתה בשנות השלושים של sacrificial service, despite the absence of המאה העשרים , על ידי חברת " קליה : According to my immature opinion: a Beit HaMikdash. His ideas were met שפת ים ומבראה בע " מ " , כשכונה של Concerning the first question… It seems to with controversy, with leading Torah פועלי כריה . חברה זו פעלה בצפון ים .me that circumcising them is not a sin, but authorities on both sides of the debate המלח עד למלחמת העצמאות , והפעילה only a mitzvah… The first proof is that Rabbi Kalischer spent much of his life מלון , מסעדה ושאר אתרים באזור . behold, should a non-Jew come to have his raising funds for the realization of these במלחמת העצמאות נכבשה השכונה son circumcised, we would circumcise him ideas, particularly construction of ונהרסה ע " י הירדנים . כאמור , לאחר and it would be a mitzvah. agricultural settlements in Israel. Tirat מלחמת ששת הימים הוקם היישוב Yoreh Deah 268:9 says, "If a non-Jew Tzvi, a religious kibbutz in the Bet מחדש כהאחזות נח " ל , ולאחר מכן .comes to us to cut off his foreskin on She'an Valley, is named after him account of a wound, a Jew may not cut it." כקיבוץ. [email protected] Therefore, if the non-Jew intends for ritual מקור השם קלי " ה : החברה כשלעצמה , circumcision, it is a mitzvah for the Israelite Therefore, when a non-Jew comes to be נקראה על שם האשלגן ) to circumcise him... kalium circumcised, we should open up his free בלטינית ( שבים המלח . עם השנים I will further present… that which reason will through this. When he honestly and נשתכחה משמעות השם , ושם היישוב will agree with. Now, the Creator, all that sincerely decides to enter the Israelite נדרש כראשי תיבות של המילים :" קם inhabit the earth are his handiwork. One community, he will accept the immersion לתחייה ים המוות". מדרש שם זה מסמל G-d created us, and so, when He appeared and mitzvot with ease. If we don't לא רק את תחייתו של היישוב שנהרס in His kindness to adorn Israel with the gift circumcise him, we are nullifying his free במלחמת העצמאות , אלא גם את חידוש of the Torah, He desired in His mercy to give choice, for it will not be easy to subject הישוב היהודי שהיה קיים בתקופת בית it to the whole world, as the Sages taught… himself to the pain of circumcision in his שני. …and when He saw that they were of cloudy old age spirit, unwilling to accept it, He gave it to Additionally, it should be pointed out [email protected] Israel alone. Similarly, it is written, “For that concerning such an immersion, mine is the entire world; you shall be to Me when the father is an Israelite, we are themselves and their sons (Ezra a kingdom of priests,” (Shemot 19:5-6)… more obligated to prepare for him a way 9:2), and he said, “They have mixed You [Israel] are like priests with respect to of free choice than for one born from a their holy seed among the nations all who inhabit the earth; when you bring non-Jew. Legally, the child is like her of the land.” Because of this, if yourselves close to Me, they will also see the regarding his lineage, but we find that he there is the possibility of removing light. And in truth, this is what has is called “holy seed.” When Ezra this corrupted seed from its happened, for all the believers of the castigated Israel for having married non- impurity, removing it from its nations, their foundation is from the holy Jewish women, they told him that they prison and returning it to holiness, Torah… had married non-Jewish women, how good and pleasant is our lot!

Visit us at www.torontotorah.com 3 Parshah Answers R’ Meir Lipschitz

Is there significance to the “him and Ba’al HaTurim calculates that the Netziv refers to Ramban, who explains his son” masculine wording of the numerical value (Gematria) [1901] of this that when a holiday occurs on Shabbat law against slaughtering an animal phrase has the same numerical value as: one should not violate Shabbat in order and its offspring on the same day? “ain omrim kedushah b'pachot to fulfill the mitzvah of Simchat Yom (22:28) mei'asarah- we do not recite [declaration Tov. We normally permit the Rashi says that the law applies only to of] sanctity with less than ten.” slaughtering and preparing of an females, despite the gender in the text. Torah Temimah, based on Berachot animal for a Yom Tov meal, but this is Ramban quotes Rashi's interpretation 21b, connects this phrase with a verse in prohibited when the holiday is on but notes that the Torah's choice of Korach (Bamidbar 16:21) to teach that Shabbat. words seems odd if the law speaks one may not recite kedushah without a R’ S.R. Hirsch explains that both strictly about females. He explains that minyan. Shabbat and the holidays are times of

the rule is restricted to females, but Why do the laws of Yom Tov begin enhanced sanctity and closeness to males are mentioned because of the with the laws of Shabbat? (23:3) HaShem, but Shabbat's sanctity was language of the surrounding context. Rashi says that it is done to compare designated by HaShem, whereas the Chizkuni also cites Rashi, explaining the two: If one fulfills or desecrates the holidays are sanctified by the Jewish that the prohibition only applies to holidays, it as though he had fulfilled or people. Despite this, the two animals which are bound, or attached, desecrated Shabbat. celebrations go hand in hand: The to each other - which excludes birds, Gur Aryeh expounds on Rashi, and Jewish people's sanctity is dependent wild animals, and fathers. He then explains the connection between upon the sanctity of Shabbat, and the adds that although there is no Shabbat and the holidays. Since sanctity of the times (holidays and new punishment for slaughtering a father Shabbat is the seventh day of the week, months) are dependent upon the and child, it is still prohibited. and there are seven holidays (2 days of sanctity of the Jewish people. Ner Uziel cites the Vilna Gaon and What lessons may be learned from Pesach, 1 of Shavuot, 1 of Rosh explains that the Torah's mention of six the words “I shall be sanctified HaShanah, , and two of days of work and one day of rest does among the Children of Succot), they are equal to each other. not refer to Shabbat as we know it, but Israel?” (22:32) Ma l b i m also explains Rashi's to the holidays themselves. On six of Rashi claims that the phrase teaches interpretation, claiming that a person the holidays we may do [some] work us that we should be willing to give our may think that he need not properly (Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh HaShanah, and lives to sanctify G-d's name. observe the holidays since they are Succot) – referring to work which is Ramban makes a similar point to merely sanctified by the Beit Din, and necessary in food preparation - but the Rashi, but then adds that this is why not intrinsically by HaShem like seventh day (Yom Kippur) is a Shabbat, we were redeemed from Egypt, in order Shabbat (see R' Hirsch below). The Torah and we may do no work. to sanctify G-d's name by performing, compares Shabbat and holidays to teach and not violating, His commands. us that they are equally important. [email protected] Schedule for May 12 - May 18 / 20 - 26 Iyyar Shabbat May 12 7:45 AM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Rav Kook on the Parshah, Or Chaim, not this week Tuesday, May 15 10:20 AM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Parshah, Clanton Park 1:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Zecharyah: The Final Chapter, 5:30 PM R’ Ezra Goldschmiedt, Strictly Speaking: When Mekorot, Shaarei Shomayim are Chumrot Appropriate?, BAYT, women 7:15 PM R’ Ezra Goldschmiedt, Ramban, BAYT 95 minutes before minchah R’ Baruch Weintraub, 8:00 PM Hillel Horovitz, The Early Prophets, Bnai Torah Netivot Shalom, Clanton Park 8:15 PM Yair Manas, Minchat Chinuch, Clanton Park 1 hour before minchah Yair Manas: Gemara Sukkah, Mizrachi Bayit Wednesday, May 16 45 minutes before minchah R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Daf 10:00 AM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Dramas of Jewish History: Yomi: Tamid 27, BAYT The Holocaust, BEBY, with Melton After minchah R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Alone with Akum: 7:30 PM Yair Manas, Responsa, Clanton Park, men Gemara Avodah Zarah, BAYT 8:00 PM R’ Dovid Zirkind, Gemara Beitzah, 2nd Perek, Shaarei Shomayim Sunday, May 13 8:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Living Midrash: Angels Among 9:15 AM Hillel Horovitz, Parshah, Zichron Yisroel, Hebrew Us, BAYT, women 11:00 AM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Hilchot Melachim, Or 8:30 PM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Hilchot Melachim, Shomrai Chaim, collegiates Shabbos, men 6:00 PM R’ Baruch Weintraub, Halachic issues in Israel: Daat Torah, Hebrew, 4 Tillingham Keep, mixed Thursday, May 17 40 minutes before minchah R’ Baruch Weintraub, 8:00 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, X-Files of the Talmud 3 of 4, Halachic issues in Israel: Daat Torah, Hebrew, MNJCC Clanton Park, men

Monday, May 14 Friday, May 18 8:30 PM Hillel Horovitz, Deep Siddur, Clanton Park, men 8:00 AM R’ Dovid Zirkind, Friday Parshah Preview, Village Shul 8:30 PM R’ Mordechai Torczyner, Medical Halachah with CME: Obligations to Heal and Be Healed, Shaarei Shomayim

4 We would like to thank koshertube.com for filming our shiurim! Visit us at www.torontotorah.com