Tetzaveh 5774 February 8, 2014

A Taste of Torah Stories For The Soul Nothing to Sneeze At The Man Makes the Clothing By Rabbi Mordechai Fleisher Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman (1901- It can be offered only inside the world with G-d, only ketores ties evil 1987), the Rosh HaYeshiva (Dean) of building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), back to its Source, thereby bringing it Ner Israel of , once travelled to not in the courtyard like other sacrifices. purification. In fact, points out Rabbi Eretz Yisrael. Upon his return to the United It is able to stop raging plagues (see Schorr, the word ketores comes from the States, he was asked to identify the pinnacle Bamidbar 17:9-15). Its service was word katar, which means to tie, as the of his trip. He responded, “I was privileged coveted by Korach and his followers. Its ketores ties the parts of Creation furthest to purchase a mantel (covering) for a Torah altar is discussed separately from all the from G-d back to Him. scroll.” When his students heard this, they other vessels of the Mishkan. What is were a bit taken aback. Certainly, this is a this item of distinction? It is for this reason that the Incense wonderful accomplishment, but one does Altar is discussed separately, and located not have to travel to Eretz Yisrael to make It’s the ketores, the incense offering. inside the Mishkan structure itself, for such a purchase! And, as you’ve probably gathered by while the rest of the Mishkan provides a Rabbi Ruderman then explained that now, it is most unique and enigmatic place to connect Earth with Heaven, the he had met a young Torah scholar who among the various services performed ketores goes a step further; it reconnects exemplified greatness in Torah in a manner in the Mishkan. But what makes it so even that which appears to lack any trace unlike anything he had ever witnessed. This exceptional? After all, there are lots of of G-dliness back to Him. And, for the young man’s diligence and erudition were sacrifices brought, yet only the ketores same reason, the ketores stops a plague astounding. During their conversation, possesses all of the aforementioned that was decimating the Jewish People. Rav Ruderman noticed that the young qualities. Our Sages say that when Aharon offered man’s kapota, long frock, was worn out and the ketores following Korach’s rebellion tattered. When Rav Ruderman offered to Rabbi Gedaliah Schorr (1910-1979) and subsequent fall from grace, he buy him a new one, he just shrugged and points out another special attribute stopped the Angel of Death dead in of the ketores: there are eleven spices his tracks. The reason? Ketores takes evil responded that he could live without it. in it. The numbers seven and ten are and reconnects it to G-d, eliminating its Rabbi Ruderman had persisted until the of special significance in Judaism, as power to destroy. young scholar relented: “Finally he agreed, seven represents the completion of the and I had the merit to purchase a kapota for natural, physical world, while ten is the We live in a world where evil appears him. This is what I meant when I said that I complete manifestation of the physical to operate without any limits, and we purchased a mantel for a Sefer Torah - for a and spiritual worlds. But eleven? Where sometimes wonder how such terror can live Sefer Torah.” did eleven come from? exist in a world created by the ultimate The name of the young Torah scholar? Source of goodness, G-d himself. The Rabbi Chaim Kanievski, who is today Eleven, says Rabbi Schorr, is because ketores teaches us that we, through recognized as one of the greatest Torah there is an extra, foul-smelling spice, our lives, have the ability to take all scholars of the Jewish people, whose advice added to the ketores, galbanum. Our that is bad, overcome it, and bring it and blessings are sought by Jews worldwide. Sages teach us that even the wicked back to purity. We may not have the In this week’s parsha, Hashem instructs members of the Jewish People must be ketores today, as we await the arrival of Moshe regarding the vestments worn by the included, and they are represented with Moshiach and the restoration of the kohanim (priests), as well as the Kohein Gadol the galbanum. Thus, we have ten, the Temple in Jerusalem, but every Jew can (High Priest) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), complete perfection of Creation, along grab evil by the horns and display that it, and, later, in the Beis Hamikdash (Temple). with one more, the imperfect, the evil too, is a creation of G-d, given to us to Clothing is important, but the person wearing side of Creation. And herein lies the overcome, thus displaying that G-d does, the garments must recognize that he must live power of the ketores: While all sacrifices indeed, rule over everything. up to the level symbolized by the clothing. are a means of connecting the physical Kollel Happenings Interpersonal Issues KOLLEL’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION The Laws of Lashon Hara (Slander) ON MARCH 11TH If one is aware that one party plans as both parties are treating each other on deceiving the other in a partnership deceitfully and are equal. Nonetheless, The Denver Community Kollel or marriage agreement, but knows that as circumstances may vary as to the will hold its 16th Anniversary the other party is also not planning on severity of the deceit, competent Celebration on Tuesday, March 11th at 6:30 pm at Aish Denver, keeping its end of the deal, then no Rabbinic guidance must be sought as to 9550 E. Belleview Ave. The Kollel information may be shared with anyone, how to proceed. is honoring Bob and Allison Weiss, Michael and Randy Weiss, and Jeremy and Sora Ask the Rabbi Simblist for their commitment No Soap to, and excellence in, shteiging, Sandra Block from Scottsdale, AZ garment only if the stain will come out Torah growth. Noted speaker, educator and Rabbi wrote: with water alone. One may not clean a Yochanan Zweig will be the priestly garment if it requires neter or guest speaker for the evening. Dear Rabbi, ohel to clean it. This is because “There To RSVP or place an ad in the is no poverty in a place of riches.” journal, visit www.denverkollel. I was wondering if there is any org, email journal@denverkollel. mention in the Torah or about Neter was a type of white earth called org, or call 303-820-2855. “cleansers” that may have been used in in Old French nitra, which in English is cleaning “holy” garments such as those called saltpeter. Ohel was derived from LEARN 2 LEARN that may have been worn by Aharon or the root of an herb by that name. the kohanim? These garments had to You have long dreamed of be “clean and pure” when worn in the The Talmud list other types of cleansers acquiring the tools to achieve Temple. used in those days. Some seem to have proficiency in learning Gemara on your own. But how? The been quite caustic and effective. They Denver Community Kollel offers Someone once mentioned that the used plant roots, sulfur, and even urine a comprehensive, step-by-step, word “fuller” comes up in the Torah. I and dog manure to clean garments. level-by-level program crafted was a bit skeptical of that remark! I can’t for people just like you. All help but think of the Fuller Brush Co. A “fuller” or “foller” was a type of coin, you need is the ability to read Are you aware of any mention anywhere and is mentioned in the Jerusalem Hebrew; we will teach you the of what they used in those days? It’s Talmud. Despite rumors, neither rest. For more information, probably a very strange question, but I “Amway” nor “Tupperware” appear contact [email protected]. have a curiosity about it. Rav Todot. anywhere in the Talmud.

A DEEPER LOOK Dear Sandra Block, Sources: Join Rabbi Shachne Sommers as he discusses a number of Maimonides writes: “It is a Maimonides Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Klei difficulties encountered in commandment that the priestly Hamikdash 8:4,5 the weekly Torah portion, and clothing be new, beautiful, and long like Zevachim, 88a, 89a develops a comprehensive the clothing of dignitaries. If they are Rashi Tractate Shabbos 15, 50b & 89b approach to resolve the issue, soiled or ripped, the service carried out Hametargem simultaneously conveying in them is invalid. A priestly garment Tractate Shabbat 89b, 90a a deeper understanding of which is stained should neither be Talmud Yerushalmi Peah 1:1 the material being discussed. whitened nor cleaned; rather it is to be Sunday nights, 7:40-8:30 pm, at used for the wicks (of the menorah), Reprinted with permission from Ohr the Kollel for men, 1516 Xavier, and new clothing is worn.” Somayach, Jerusalem, www.ohr.edu and Tuesday nights at Aish Denver, 8-9 pm, for men and The source for the above is the Talmud women. which says that one may clean the priestly The Torah Weekly is made possible through a generous grant from the Harry H. Beren Foundation of Lakewood, NJ, in memory of Harry H. Beren, z”l. Denver Community Kollel: 1516 Xavier Street, Denver, CO 80204 Tel: 303-820-2855 Fax: 303-820-2806 Email: [email protected] Web: www.denverkollel.org To receive Torah Weekly by email, send an email to [email protected]