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Beha'aloscha 5775 Beha’aloscha 5775 June 5, 2015 A Taste of Torah Second Offering Stories For The Soul By Rabbi Yaakov Zions A Different Perspective How much of our life is spent and remembers after Shabbos, he has, thinking about missed opportunities? The unfortunately, missed the opportunity, The Maggid of Mezeritch (Rabbi frustration, anger and inability to simply notwithstanding whatever excuse he may Dov Ber of Mezeritch; d. 1772) was turn back the clock seems to get to everyone have. once asked by some of his followers, at some point. We often tell ourselves, Perhaps we can understand this with “The Talmud states that one must “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” But, how something written by Rabbi Yitzchok I. many of us actually take the challenge to Prag (quoted by Rabbi Moshe Eisenmann bless G-d for the bad just as he does figure out how to be proactive, salvage the in his commentary to Chronicles II, for the good. How is it humanly moment and grow in the process? Chapter 30). He explains that the objective possible for anyone to reach such a In this week’s parsha we read of the of the Pesach offering is different than level to sincerely do so?” The Maggid Pesach offering on the first anniversary all other offerings. While other offerings told them that his student, Rabbi of the Exodus from Egypt. This took are brought as a means of atonement or place in the Sinai Desert and, as Rashi to come closer to Hashem, the purpose Zusha of Anipoli (1718-1800), could notes, ended up being the only Pesach of the Pesach offering is to remove us answer their question. sacrifice during the Jews’ 40-year sojourn from idol worship as much as possible. In They went to the Bais Medrash in the Wilderness. The Torah relates Egypt, the Jewish People were commanded that there were individuals who, due to take a sheep, as it was worshipped by and found Reb Zusha. He was a to their ritually impure state, were the Egyptians. The Jews were told, as part sickly man, poverty-stricken, with excluded from participation in this of the process of preparing the sheep, to worn clothes and little food to eat. event. They complained to Moshe saying remove themselves from that idolatry The men asked Reb Zusha their (Beha’aloscha 9:7), “Lama nigara”, why that they had adopted due to Egyptian question. Reb Zusha replied, “I really should we be diminished (i.e., left out) influence. Among the proofs he brings to from this mitzvah? Their complaint seems this is that the Torah tells us that a convert don’t know why the Maggid sent you puzzling: They were unfit, and they missed doesn’t bring this offering immediately to ask me this question! I haven’t their chance; what did they expect Moshe upon his conversion if it isn’t the proper had any troubles in my life. On the to do? Perhaps even more intriguing is time of Erev Pesach (see Rashi here 9:14 contrary, Hashem has showered me what follows: Moshe asks Hashem what and Shmos 12:48). This indicates that it with goodness and blessings. Go to do and receives the commandment of could have been appropriate for a convert Pesach Sheni. This unique mitzvah allows to bring this offering as he leaves idolatry find someone with troubles, and ask individual Jews who were unfit or unable to join the Jewish Nation. This also him your question!” to sacrifice on the fourteenth of Nissan explains why King Chizkiyahu invested a The men realized that their another chance to do so on the fourteenth lot of resources into bringing the Pesach of the following month, Iyar. offering immediately after destroying the question had been answered – it is a There is an amazing lesson here. Had idol worship of his father, King Achaz matter of perspective. Reb Zusha was these individuals gone on, complacent (see Chronicles II, ch. 30). Separation thankful for all he had, despite his with the fact that they had done what they from idolatry – be it the type that involves misfortunes; he thus did not feel he could have, they would have missed out worship of animals or forces of nature, or was suffering on the opportunity to bring the Pesach the type that involves worship of other sacrifice. For many of them, this would things, be it food, money or sports heroes In this week’s parsha, the Jewish prove to be the final Pesach offering of – is a prerequisite to connecting to G-d. People complain about the manna their lives. It was due to their concern that Thus, these Jews who missed the Pesach that Hashem provided for them. As they merited this unique opportunity, as offering felt a need to bring the Pesach well as having the merit of introducing offering at a different time – and Hashem great as they were, they were taken to this new mitzvah to us. agreed with their request. May we all merit task for failing to properly appreciate One more basic question needs to to separate ourselves from the idolatries the great goodness Hashem provided be asked: Why do we find this unique that pull us away from Hashem, and to for them. phenomenon at the Pesach offering merit bringing the Pesach sacrifice in the alone? No other mitzvah has a make- rebuilt Temple very soon. up date; if one missed making Kiddush Kollel Happenings Increase Your Jewish IQ THE M.B. GLASSMAN By: Rabbi Yaakov Zions FOUNDATION GOLD LUNCH & LEARN PROGRAM Last week we asked: When do we repeat section of shacharis, is recited during the The M.B. Glassman Foundation an entire chapter of Psalms twice inone Shemoneh Esrei of mussaf. set of prayers (including shacharis-mussaf)? GOLD Program is a division of This week’s question: When we recite the Denver Community Kollel A: 1) When Rosh Chodesh occurs on the tachanun prayer, we say the words dedicated to bringing Torah study to seniors in the community. Don’t Sunday, the shir shel yom (daily Psalm “va’anachnu lo naidah”, and then we stand miss a great Lunch and Learn class recited at the end of the morning prayers) up. Why is this done? on the weekly parsha at the East is Psalm 24, the same one recited when To submit an answer to Rabbi Zions, email Side Kosher Deli, 499 S. Elm St. returning the Torah to the Aron (Ark) at 11:30 am. There is no charge following the reading of the Torah. 2) [email protected] for the lunch or the learning! On both days of Rosh Hashana, Psalm Transporation can be arranged. 150, recited during the Pesukei D’zimrah For more information, contact [email protected] or call 303- 820-2855. A DEEPER LOOK AT THE PARSHA The weekly parsha is replete with Ask the Rabbi halachic issues. Every week, Rabbi Testing G-d Mordechai Fleisher will choose one topic based on the parsha, and Ben Waldbaum from Washington University, lead an in-depth exploration of the sources and practical halachic Dear Rabbi, conclusions of that issue. I heard someone advise a student at In this week’s Torah portion, Jacob The class takes place Sunday mornings at EDOS, 198 S. Holly St. my university that they can say, “I made a conditional vow: “Jacob took Shacharis is at 7:30 am, and is will study five pesukim (Torah verses) a vow saying: If G-d will be with me... followed by breakfast and the class this week if You, G-d, give me an “A” give me bread to eat and clothes to at approximately 8:15 am. on an exam.” Is someone allowed to wear, and I return in peace to my For more info, please contact Rabbi say this? If it is allowed, why is it not father’s house... then this stone Fleisher [email protected] considered testing Hashem? Thanks which I have set up as a pillar shall a lot! become a house of G-d...” (Bereishet THE FAR SIDE OF THE TALMUD 28:21-2). Dear Ben Waldbaum, Aggada, the passages of the However, a person should not make Talmud that focuses on Jewish Did he mean that he will study the vows, because the punishment thought and outlook, provides Torah verses first, and as a result he keen insights into human nature, for breaking a vow is very severe. and offers advice on how to live our expects G-d to reward him with an “A” Furthermore, making a vow smacks lives, can be difficult to understand, on the exam? If so, this is considered of arrogance, like saying, “I’m so but the knowledge and wisdom testing G-d and is forbidden. (One perfect that, not only do I fulfill hiding beneath the surface is may test G-d only in regard to giving 100% of my obligations to G-d, but ample reason to make the effort. tithes and charity.) I’m even taking on extra obligations!” Be fascinated and inspired as Rabbi Moshe Heyman presents a whole Or did he mean that if he gets an “A” Source: new dimension in Torah learning he will then study five Torah verses? -Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah 247:4 based on the classic work Ain If so, this is not testing G-d. Rather, Yaakov. Tuesdays, 1:45-2:45 pm it’s like a conditional vow. It’s like Reprinted with permission from Ohr at the Kollel Torah Center, 9550 saying: “If I get an A, then I vow to Somayach, Jerusalem, www.ohr.edu Belleview Ave.
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