Weekly Bulletin on the Parshah s"xc Shevi'i Shel Pesach April 3rd 2021 Pachad David st Published by Mosdot “Orot Chaim U’Moshe” in Israel 21 of Nisan 5781 Under the auspices of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita Son of the tzaddik Rabbi Moshe Ahron Pinto, zt”l, and grandson of the holy tzaddik and miracle-worker Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a MASKIL LEDAVID 897 Weekly talk on the Parshah given by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

Torah and Brit Milah Bring an Abundance of Holiness On the verse in Tehillim (114:3), "The sea saw and However, Avraham Avinu a"h, even before under- fled", expound (Midrash Tehillim 9, 114:3), going circumcision, meticulously observed the Torah "What did it see? It saw the coffin of Yosef". and mitzvot with great self-sacrifice, not for the sake The question is, Chazal tell us (Bereishit Rabba of receiving a reward, always prepared to selflessly 5:4), "Rabbi Yochanan said, Hashem made a condi- carry out Hashem's will. tion with the sea that it should split for Yisrael, as it Furthermore, he brought the whole world to unity says (Shemot 14:27), 'and toward morning the water with the Creator and converted the population, as went back to its power'. Do not read 'to its power' it says (Bereishit 12:5), "and the souls they made This being the in Charan". Chazal say (Bereishit Rabba 39:14) that ."( )לתנאו 'but 'to its condition (לאתנו) Paris • Orh ‘Haïm Ve Moché case, the sea should have split for Yisrael even without this means he brought them under the wings of the 32, rue du Plateau • 75019 Paris • France seeing Yosef's coffin because this was a condition that Shechina and transformed them into believers in the Tel: 01 42 08 25 40 • Fax: 01 42 06 00 33 Hashem made when the sea was created. Creator of the world. Avraham withstood all kinds of [email protected] Furthermore, it says (Shemot Rabba 23:12) that tests, seemingly despite the lack of a covenant be- the sea split for Bnei Yisrael because it saw that they tween him and Hashem. This is what caused Hashem observed the mitzvah of Brit Milah. The Netivot Sha- to choose Avraham as the one from whom the Chosen Jérusalem • Pninei David lom asks: Even without this the sea would have had Nation would descend. Rehov Bayit Va Gan 8 • Jérusalem • Israël to split because of the condition that Hashem set in Now we can understand the condition that Hashem Tel: +972 2643 3605 • Fax: +972 2643 3570 place at the very beginning of creation. This being the made with the sea, that it should split for Bnei Yisrael. [email protected] case, why suddenly, only when seeing the mitzvah of This condition was specifically for those who had Brit Milah, did the sea agree to split? been circumcised, those upon whom the Name of These questions can be answered by first introduc- Hashem was proclaimed, but not for those who were Ashdod • Orh ‘Haim Ve Moshe ing another topic. We know that Avraham Avinu a"h uncircumcised. Presumably, many of the Erev Rav (Mixed Multitude) who were not yet circumcised were Rehov Ha-Admour Mi- 43 • Ashod • Israël fulfilled all the mitzvot and the entire Torah even Tel: +972 88 566 233 • Fax: +972 88 521 527 before it was given. He performed the mitzvot out of among those who approached the sea, or it could be [email protected] his own will even though he was not yet commanded that some of Bnei Yisrael were not circumcised, for to do so, as it says (Bereishit 26:5) "Because Avraham example those who had just been born, or those who obeyed My voice, and observed My safeguards, My were sick and therefore did not have an obligation of Ra’anana • Kol ‘Haïm commandments, My decrees, and My Torahs". Brit Milah. But how did the sea know to differentiate This gives rise to a question. Would it cross our between the uncircumcised and circumcised Jews? Rehov Ha’ahouza 98 • Ra’anana • Israël Tel: +972 98 828 078 • +972 58 792 9003 minds that Avraham would transgress G-dly com- It seems that this is the meaning of the verse (Te- [email protected] mands? Of course he obeyed Hashem's word, what hillim 114:3), "The sea saw and fled". What did it see? novel idea is the verse telling us? It saw the coffin of Yosef. Seeing the coffin of Yosef It seems that there is place to think that Avraham among Bnei Yisrael was a sign for the sea that all of Avinu might not have observed the mitzvot since he Bnei Yisrael were circumcised and guarded this holy was not yet circumcised. For only one who is circum- sign, for Yosef was the one who guarded the holy Hilula cised enters into a covenant with Hashem and has the covenant and abstained from sin, even while in Egypt power to observe Torah and mitzvot and thereby be (Vayikra Rabba 32:5). 21 – Rabbi Chaim Greineman protected from all spiritual damage. This is because Nevertheless, the sea did not yet agree to split until 22 – Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchak Kalish, the circumcision is a sign of the holy covenant and the Nachshon son of Aminadav jumped into the sea with Admor of Vurka symbol of Judaism. self-sacrifice and the waters reached his thigh, the 23 – Rabbi , In support of this idea, we can quote the Gemarah place of the holy covenant. Then indeed the sea felt the Admor of Kaliv (Nedarim 32a) that offers two interpretations on the that Bnei Yisrael were circumcised and it was for these 24 – Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Chaikin, verse (Yirmiyahu 33:25), "If My covenant with the people that Hashem created the condition that it will Rosh Yeshiva of Aix-les-Bains night and with the day would not be". One explana- have to split for them when they leave Egypt. And so 25 – Rabbi Chaim Halberstam, the tion says that 'covenant' refers to the covenant of the sea split its waters for them. Admor of Torah because without Torah there is no world, while This explains why Hashem wanted Bnei Yisrael to 26 – Rabbi Ephraim Navon, author of the second opinion says that 'covenant' refers to Brit be circumcised before they left Egypt so that the 'Machane Ephraim' Milah without which there is no world. This shows sea should split for them. Had they arrived at the 27 – Rabbi Yehuda Kahana, author of us that circumcision and Torah are intertwined, the sea uncircumcised, unwilling to serve Hashem with 'Kuntrus Hasfekot' reason being that one who is circumcised is endowed self-sacrifice, how would the sea split for them since with the power to observe the mitzvot and study the splitting of its waters also demanded a measure Hashem's Torah. of self-sacrifice? Walking in their Ways Tidbits of faith and trust penned by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

On the Road Toward Fear of Heaven Once, when driving with my escort, we were suddenly pulled Timely Topic over by the police. I realized that I wasn’t wearing a seat belt, so I hurried to reach for it but the seat belt was stuck and I couldn’t Is The Rebbi Really Still Alive? fasten it in place. The great tzadikim demonstrated extreme fervor when reciting One of the officers noticed my feeble attempts and began the 'Song of the Sea', to the extent that Rabbi Mordechai of Lyak- reprimanding me, “Now you’re trying to buckle up?! Now it’s hovichi zt"l declared: "Since there is a bird that hums and sings Shira too late. You should have done it at the beginning of the trip, to Hashem until its stomach splits, while I pray and nevertheless not when you’re caught red-handed!” remain perfectly healthy, what significance does my prayer have?" I immediately went out of the car and kissed the police officer Rabbi Yitzchak of Neshchiz zt"l was told that there was a certain on the head. Then I removed a few bills from my pocket. “Here is zoo that had a bird who sang Shira to Hashem once in its lifetime. the money to pay the fine. Now you can do as you see fit. Either This Shira is so full of emotion, from minute to minute its voice grows write out a ticket which I deserve for driving without a seat belt, louder and out of its great exertion to sing, it falls and dies. When or accept the money. And I thank you from the bottom of my the Rebbi of Neshchiz heard this, he was so overcome with awe that heart for the invaluable lesson you have taught me.” The police- he decided to see it for himself. man was stunned, so I clarified my words. He travelled to that town and booked a room in the guesthouse. He sent his attendant to tell the zoo director that he came specially “The lesson you taught me is the following: Unfortunately, I was to see how this bird sings. He would like to request that he call him more fearful of you, an ordinary officer of flesh and blood, than I as soon as the bird begins to sing. am of Hashem. Now I had a tangible demonstration of what Yirat "The will of those who fear Him He will do". Hashem did his will Shamayim should be. I was afraid of being caught without a seat and just a few days later, the director sent a message to the tzaddik belt but do I feel such fear when I sin? I would like to thank you that the bird had begun to sing. He immediately went to the zoo for teaching me just how much one must fear Hashem, never and as soon as he arrived, he heard the bird singing an indescribably allowing Him to catch us ‘red-handed,’ as you put it.” melodious tune, with powerful emotion. It sang for a few hours like The man still did not know what I wanted from him and refused this and from moment to moment, its voice grew stronger and more to accept the money. He finally sent me back to the car, with the poignant until it fell and died from exertion… following words, “If you learned what you were supposed to, I The Rebbi of Neshchiz thanked the director and returned to the will forego the fine. Travel safely and good luck! guesthouse. He considered the fact that if a bird that has neither a Yetzer Hara nor a Yetzer Hatov, sings Shira to Hashem with such sweetness, emotion and self-sacrifice until it actually dies, while The Haftarah he prays and remains healthy, what then is his prayer worth? "David spoke" (Shmuel II, 22) He contemplated the matter that night and began to under- The connection to the Parsha: In the Haftarah, we read about David's stand how he should pray the shacharit prayer appropriately. Song of Gratitude which he had sung "on the day that Hashem delivered When he rose in the morning, he began his Avodat Kodesh in him from the hand of all his enemies". David's Shira also contains allusions holiness and purity and recited 'Korbanot' and 'Pesukei Dezimrah' to the Exodus from Egypt, after which Moshe sang Shira to Hashem with with great enthusiasm and sweetness. When he came to 'Shirat Bnei Yisrael. "Smoke rose up in His nostrils", "He sent forth His arrows and Hayam', the Song of the Sea, he began singing a most tuneful scattered them…The depths of the sea became visible". melody, with powerful emotion and devotion. It appeared that his soul was about to leave him out of such fervor and in fact, due Guard Your Tongue to his fiery flashes of emotion, one of his lungs tore… An expert professor who was called to his bedside pronounced To Impress Others? Without Lashon Hara! that there was no hope; his days were numbered. However, he Just like any other Torah prohibition, one cannot justify oneself for recovered and regained his health. Later the Rebbi of Neshchiz speaking lashon hara because of a personal need or practical purpose. declared to Hashem: "Did I wish to pray only one prayer in this Every Jewish person must be prepared to forgo his comfort, social stand- way? I want to pray more!" And he was healed and regained ing and even his livelihood, rather than transgress a Torah prohibition. It his strength. is unnecessary to say that one is forbidden to speak lashon hara so as to Sometime later, he happened to be in another town and acquire someone's friendship or impress someone. his chassidim came to bask in his presence. The same profes- This teaches us that one should not submit to social pressure and be sor passed by and saw many people streaming by. He asked, drawn after rechilut, just as one does not compromise on kashrut mat- "Where are all these people flocking to?" And he was told: The ters because of social pressure. One is forbidden to relent if one's boss tzadik from Neshchiz is here! In great surprise, he claimed, "Is he demands that one reveal information that is considered lashon hara, still alive?!" He could not believe it and went to see for himself even if one will lose one's position as a result. (Sifran Shel Tzadikim). Treasures Based on the teachings of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pearls of the Chag Pinto, shlita

Avodat Hashem Involves Challenges "I love Him, for Hashem hears my voice" (Tehillim 116:1) We all want Hashem to listen to our prayers. How do we accomplish this? Harav Shach zt"l told over the following story: An Admor told his chassidim that each one should pray for something that is really important to him and he will then tell Seudat Emunah on Shevi’i Shel Pesach them if Hashem accepted their prayers. Of course, they each went to pray and then Many devoted Jews would prepare a festive immediately approached the Admor and asked: "Did Hashem accept our prayers?" meal after Shevi’i shel Pesach, which is called The Admor replied, "Before I tell you what He replied, I will tell you what you Seudat Mashiach. The Sephardim in Morocco and asked for. You said as follows: "I have problems, I lack money, good health etc., so the eastern countries have the custom to prepare put a million dollars in my bank account, not for me to use but just for the feeling a Mimouna meal after the holiday. The word mi- of serenity. I also want to ask for a fixed income of ten thousand dollars and nachat mouna is derived from emunah. My father, zy”a, from the children and success with their shidduchim. If You give me this, I promise used to say that Pesach is the festival of emunah. to change, I will be in the Beit Knesset from sunrise to sunset. We believe that Hashem will send the geulah. And Right, this is what you said?" although we have not been redeemed at the begin- The Chassidim confirmed the 's words and then asked, "And what did ning of this Chodesh Nisan, meriting the rebuilding Hashem answer?" of Yerushalayim, and offering the korban Pesach, "He said, 'Without favors!!!'" we continue believing that the geulah will arrive. Rav Shach explained, "Hashem wants you to fulfil the mitzvot amid difficulties, it The basis for these festive meals is emunah in is no big deal to fulfil the mitzvot when everything goes easily, therefore we must Hashem and the redemption, when the world will ask for siyata dishmaya. We can ask for help, but Hashem does not need the favor receive its complete tikkun, and Hashem’s Name of serving Him free of any challenges or difficulties" (Umatok Ha'or). will be recognized. This custom was established In Tranquil Times Too One Must call Upon Hashem immediately after Pesach, to teach us that Shevi’i "As He has inclined His ear to me, so in my days shall I call" (Tehillim 116:2) shel Pesach is the day upon which Hashem is coro- Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin zt"l said that with this verse David Hamelech is teach- nated upon the entire world, just as our ancestors ing us a powerful lesson: crowned Him as their King in Mitzrayim and at Not only in times of trouble and distress should one call out to Hashem and await Kriyat Yam Suf. His salvation, but also in more tranquil times when one does not lack anything, one Shevi’i shel Pesach is an auspicious time to re- should still call out to Him (Otzrot HaTorah). solve to become sanctified and closer to Hashem, Fleeing: The Question Is, From Who? like a servant before his master, and like a slave "He turned the sea to damp land and the water split" (Shemot 14:21) before his king, the King of the world. "In the name of Hashem, Moshe ordered the sea to split but it did not consent. If we are not redeemed on this day of Hashem’s Moshe showed it his stick but it did not consent. To what can this be compared? coronation, it is our fault, for our devotion is not yet To a king who had two gardens, one within the other. He sold the inner one. The complete. Therefore, immediately after the festival, buyer wished to enter but the guard did not allow him. He said to him, 'I order you we take pleasure with our King and continue serving in the name of the king' but he did not consent. He showed him the king's seal but Him, believing that the redemption is near. the guard did not consent until the king himself arrived. When the king arrived the We begin this connection with Hashem at the be- guard began to flee. The buyer said to him, 'The entire day I have been demanding ginning of the festival, and maintain it throughout. in the name of the king but you did not consent, so why just now are you fleeing?' We also begin counting the Omer up to the day of He answered, 'I am not fleeing from you but from the king'. Matan Torah, the day upon which were given the In the same way, Moshe came and stood by the sea and ordered it to split in the Ten Commandments, which rectify and connect all name of Hashem, but the sea did not consent. He showed it his stick but it did not worlds, alluded to in the ten sefirot (Zohar III, 69a; consent until Hashem came and revealed Himself to it. When Hashem Himself ap- Sefer Yetzirah 14). We resolve to continue strength- peared, the sea began to flee as it says, 'The sea saw and fled'. ening our connection to Hashem after the festival. Moshe said to it, "The entire day I have been demanding in the name of Hashem Moreover, the ten sefirot are hinted at in the is numerically פסח The word . שביעי של פסח but you did not consent, and now 'What ails you, O sea, that you flee'?" It replied, words ,(flour). Chazal state (Avot 3:21) קמח Not before you, son of Amram, but 'Before the Lord's Presence'" (Yalkut Shimoni). equivalent to" Who Desires Money? “If there is no flour, there is no Torah; if there is no On Shevi'i Shel Pesach night, chassdim were sitting around the table of the holy Torah, there is no flour.” In this manner, we continue 'Yesod Ha'avodah' of . Suddenly the tzadik turned to them and asked, "Is there raising our level of emunah even after the holiday. anyone who desires money? Who wishes to inherit some 'spoil from the sea'?! But After Shevi’i shel Pesach, we continue upholding not one chassid asked for money for his livelihood. our connection with Hashem. It is a bond which Only one elderly man stood up and called out to the Rebbe: will never be broken. With perfect faith, we await "Rebbe, what we want is the faith that our fathers possessed when they stood the Mashiach to make his appearance, speedily in by the sea…" our days. This will bring about the rectification of The tzadik was very impressed with this reply and praised it greatly (Misod Siach the entire world, and all will believe in the Kingship Chassidim). of Hashem. A NOVEL LOOK AT THE PARSHA

Yair and could not threaten the Sea that he Rabbi Chaim turned to the child and asked would dry it up? him, "What do you wish to be when you The answer is that when Hashem created grow up?" the world, He made a condition with the "I want to be like the Rav" was his answer. entire creation that they should subdue When Rabbi Chaim heard this, he asked themselves to the Torah and those who toil the Rabbanit to bring some wine from the in it, and the reign and control over nature siyumim. He poured for all those present that those who toil in Torah possess, is like and they drank a 'l'chaim'. A Second CAT Scan? On Whose the reign of Hashem. After that, he told the father, "Go back to Account? According to this, when Rabbi Pinchas ben the hospital in Yerushalayim and ask them to The Holy Ohr HaChaim gives us a glimpse Yair declared, "If you don’t split I will decree do another CAT Scan. If they want you to pay into why it is possible to carry out a repeat that you should dry up" this is nothing spe- for it, pay however much they ask, as long CAT Scan without fear. cial, it is simply the nature of creation. But as they agree to do another test. Moshe Rabbeinu arrived at the Sea before They went back to Yerushalayim and the When Moshe Rabbeinu ordered the Sea the Giving of the Torah. The Sea's retort to split, it did not wish to listen to him, say- father told the doctor that Rabbi Chaim had implied, "You are coming to me without instructed them to do another CAT Scan. ing, "I am older than you since I was created the Torah? If so, I am older". To this Moshe "There's no way," answered the doctor, on the third day of creation while you were Rabbeinu had no reply so Hashem placed "just yesterday evening we did the test. created on the sixth day". Moshe Rabbeinu His right on Moshe's right because "from His There is no medical justification and it is an told Hashem that the Sea does not want to right hand He presented the fiery Torah to expensive test". split. What did He do? Hashem placed His them" ( 33:2). Hashem was hinting right hand on Moshe's right and the Sea split. to the Sea, "You should know that Moshe "No problem", answered the father, "I am There is a well-known story brought by Rabbeinu is considered as a Ben Torah even prepared to pay the full amount, but I have a the Gemara (Chulin 7a) about Rabbi Pinchas before the Giving of the Torah, therefore you condition. If the results are exactly the same ben Yair who went to redeem captives. He have to split for him". as yesterday, indeed there was no justifica- tion to re-do the test and I will pay for it. But arrived at the Gina'i river and wished to cross This is a most wonderful principle: When- if other findings turn up, it will mean that it. Rabbi Pinchas called out, "Gina'i, split your ever any tzadik commands a certain creation it was worthwhile performing the test and waters and then I will be able to cross". The to do something, it is obligated to carry out then the hospital has to pay for it". angel appointed over the river said, "You are his command because this was the condition going to fulfil the will of your Creator and for creating the world! The professor agreed. They performed I am going to fulfil the will of my Creator. the test which showed that his head was Rabbi Shlomo Levenstein shlita heard the While it is questionable whether you will completely clear!! following story from HaRav Chinkis shlita. be successful, I will certainly be successful" When he was sitting shiva for his mother, But the doctors still did not agree to re- (and according to the Gemara, a doubt never Rabbi Ran Ilan shlita, who serves as Rosh lease the child, they wanted to do one more overrides a certainty). Kollel in Beit Shemesh came to pay him a test in case the previous one had not been Rabbi replied, "If you do condolence call and told him that some time performed accurately. not split, I decree upon you that no water will ago one of his Kollel avreichim rang him at They repeated the test for the third time ever flow in you" and the river split. two in the morning, crying. and once again it was completely clear. The child was released and his father took him Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair crossed and the "What happened?" He inquired. river continued flowing. Rabbi Pinchas ben straight to , back to Rabbi Chaim He told him that his youngest son had not Yair then called out, there is someone who is Kanievsky shlita. been feeling well so they took him to Hadas- bringing wheat for baking matzot and if the When they came in and the Rav saw their sah hospital for tests. The results showed wheat gets wet it will become chametz. Split jubilant faces, he said to those present: "You that he had a very dangerous growth in his certainly think that some miracle happened once again and allow him to cross. The river head and according to the doctors, his situ- here, maybe due to the wine of the siyumim, split, the wheat owner crossed and then the ation was hopeless! river resumed its flow. Rabbi Pinchas ben but you should know: When I heard that the Yair said, there is a Yishmaeli who is accom- "So how can I help you?" asked the Rosh child aspires to become a Talmid Chacham, I panying us. Split once more for him so that Kollel, sharing in his pain. told his father to re-do the test. I meanwhile others should not say: this is how those who "I would like to go with you to Rabbi Chaim prayed to Hashem that He should have accompany are treated? Indeed, the river Kanievsky." mercy on the child, for I think one must ex- split for the third time. "Ok. Come to me an hour before vasikin ert oneself in prayer for a child who wishes to become a Talmid Chacham. And Baruch The Gemara points out that the Splitting of and we will travel together to Bnei Brak. Hashem, my prayer was answered"… the Sea was a one-time incident, while Rabbi After the vasikin prayers we will speak to Pinchas ben Yair split the river three times. the Rav. This is a demonstration of "they [the pow- ers of nature] should subdue themselves to The Holy Ohr Hachaim asks: Why did They travelled to Bnei Brak and spoke to the Torah and those who toil in it"! (Umatok Moshe Rabbeinu not use the same tactic Rabbi Chaim who told them to bring the Ha'or) as Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair? Would it cross child to him. one's mind to think that Moshe Rabbeinu Several hours later they returned with was of lesser stature than Rabbi Pinchas ben the child.