Emor 5776 May 20, 2016

A Taste of Stories For The Soul The Big Kehuna Heed the Call By Mordechai Fleisher based on a story on revach.net The story is told of a poor ignoramus who sanctifies you.” (Emor 21:8) When Rabbi (1908- suddenly won the lottery and became Rabbi Moshe Alshich (1508-1593) 1995) was a young man learning in rich overnight. That Shabbos, the gabbai , he had the opportunity to points out a number of problems with visit the saintly (Rabbi (sexton) of the local synagogue, aware this verse. The previous verses make of the newfound prestige of the once- ; 1839-1933). In clear that the kohanim are sanctified the course of the visit, the Chofetz unnoticed member, seated him on the by G-d; why, then, is additional Chaim asked him if he was a kohein eastern wall, right next to the rabbi. sanctification by other Jews necessary? (priest). Rabbi Schwab answered that All Shabbos long, as the newly-minted Furthermore, what is meant by “he shall he was a yisrael. The Chofetz Chaim millionaire sat next to the rabbi, he remain holy to you” – isn’t this included then said, “I am a kohein. Do you know scratched his head and wondered in the commandment to make them what difference it makes whether I am what he could discuss with the town’s holy? What is added by ensuring that a kohein or a yisrael? When Mashiach most learned and respected citizen. It they “remain holy?” (See Rashi ibid. comes, we’ll all go up to Jerusalem was late Shabbos afternoon, and the for an approach to these two issues.) and we’ll all clamor to enter the Bais congregation was reciting the several What is the relevance of mentioning Hamikdash (Temple) to bring sacrifices. verses customarily inserted toward the that Hashem Himself is holy – and that We’ll run to the gates of the Bais end of the Shabbos mincha prayers, He makes us, the entire Jewish Nation, Hamikdash and then, suddenly, we including, “Man and animal You save, holy? will be stopped. I will be allowed to enter the Bais Hamikdash, but you will Hashem.” (Psalms 36:7) A lightbulb The Alshich answers that there are two be forced to remain outside. Those suddenly went on in the man’s head. separate sanctities being presented to us. who are forced to wait outside will be Turning to the rabbi, he said, “Honored One of these is the status of priesthood extremely jealous of the kohanim who rabbi, I am wondering about the conferred upon Aharon and the sons of are allowed in to perform the service.” meaning of this verse. Why is animal Aharon by Hashem Himself. But this The Chofetz Chaim continued, “What placed next to man?” The rabbi, not sanctity, explains the Alshich, is not that caused this situation? Three thousand thrilled with his new seatmate, muttered much greater than the holiness all Jews years ago, when the Jewish People under his breath, “Perhaps the gabbai are imbued with. However, the Torah made the Golden Calf, Moshe stood can answer that question!” demands that the rest of the Jewish by the gate of the camp and cried It seems that people often get honor for People actively sanctify the kohanim out, ‘Whoever is for Hashem should the wrong reasons. Yet, the tells because of what they do, namely, the join me!’ My ancestors hurried to us that the great author of the Mishna, service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and stand before Moshe, ready to do as Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi, would honor Bais Hamikdash (Temple). True, other he directed. Your ancestors, however, the wealthy. (No, he did not need their Jews are unable to do this; the kohanim did not answer his call. My ancestors merited the kehuna (priesthood) as money. Besides being the greatest Torah are qualified by dint of their initial level reward for their deeds.” scholar of his time, he was extremely of holiness. But the fact that this is their wealthy and the political leader of station in life demands that the other The Chofetz Chaim then said, “Why am I telling you this? Because every person the Jewish People. He enjoyed a close members of the Jewish People sanctify has moments when an inner call rings personal relationship with the Roman them. out, ‘Whoever is for Hashem…’ One emperor, as well.) The verse is thus stating that non- day, when you hear this call in your In this week’s parsha, the Torah kohanim must sanctify the kohanim. heart, take action and don’t be lazy! discusses the sanctity and attendant The inherent holiness of the kohanim, Don’t repeat the same mistake that responsibilities and obligations of however – referred to with “he shall your forefathers made, which caused the kohanim, the priests, who are the remain holy to you” – is not the source them to lose such a valuable gift!” descendants of Aharon. The Torah of this obligation. Rather, the obligation In this week’s parsha, the Torah commands the rest of the Jewish People, is “for he offers the food of your G-d.” discusses the special sanctity of the “And you shall sanctify him, for he offers The inherent sanctity of the kohanim kohanim, a sanctity they earned through the food of your G-d; he shall remain given by Hashem Himself, however - “he their dedication to Hashem and His holy to you, for holy am I, Hashem, who shall remain holy to you” - is very similar Torah. Continued on back Kollel Happenings Increase Your Jewish IQ ENSURING YOUR By Rabbi Yaakov Zions PHILANTHROPY ACHIEVES Last week we asked: On the Shabbos Talmud (Brachos 16b) as the Talmudic sage ITS GOALS AT JUNE 1st preceding Rosh Chodesh, the custom is Rav’s daily post-amidah addition, without TORAH FOR TYCOONS to insert special prayers. What part of this the reference to the upcoming month. prayer is of relatively recent origin? Join Bruce DeBoskey, J.D., This week’s question: : After every amidah A: The opening paragraph “Yehi ratzon” prayer, we customarily add an additional Philanthropic Strategist (recited by most Ashkenazic communities) prayer beginning with “Yehi ratzon.” When with The DeBoskey Group, only gained widespread acceptance in the else is this recited? and Rabbi Aron Yehuda 19th Century. Its original source is in the Schwab, Dean of the Denver To submit an answer to Rabbi Zions, email [email protected]. Community Kollel, as they generate an approach for your generosity. June 1st, 12- Lives of Our Torah Leaders 1:15 p.m. at the East Side Kosher Deli. Cost: $25. RSVP The Rambam Part I [email protected]. Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, or the to Saladin, Sultan of Egypt. LEARN-A-THON & SIYUM Rambam, is regarded as one of the greatest The Rambam was born on the 14th day of ON JUNE 5TH and most influential Torah authorities the Jewish month of Nissan, Passover eve, of the Middle Ages. Leader of the Jewish in the year 1135 (some say 1133; others, Join the communal community in Egypt, his advice was sought 1138) in Cordova, Spain. His father, Rabbi completion of an entire by his brethren in many other communities. tractate of Talmud in the His great Torah scholarship made him one Maimon, was a great Torah scholar in his course of one hour of of the foremost halachic authorities of his own right, and was a judge on the bais din ! Men, sign up time. His many works in areas of Torah (Jewish court) of Cordova. The Rambam’s and study a preassigned commentary, halacha, and philosophy are ancestry traced back to Rabbi Yehuda section of Tractate Sotah extremely influential until this day. He was Hanassi, the author of the Mishna and, by with a class or chavrusah. also one of the most acclaimed physicians of extension, to King David (as Rabbi Yehuda Women, sign up and attend his time, serving as the personal physician was a descendant of King David). a special study session.

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[email protected], or A Taste of Torah call 303-820-2855. Continued from front The siyum will be part to the holiness that every Jew possesses – the wealthy. Not because the wealth they of the completion of an thus, the verse continues, “for holy am I, were granted by Hashem is grounds for entire order of Talmud, Hashem, who sanctifies you.” honor. But, rather, the responsibility that Seder Nashim, that is being Why the need to distinguish between these comes with the wealth, the work they are completed by two types of holiness? The Alshich explains tasked with in utilizing that wealth, means participants around the that other Jews may have cause to question that they must be provided with a special world. the disparity between themselves and the status by others. LEARN 2 LEARN kohanim, as evidenced by the many special Wherever we turn in this world, we meet laws that apply to kohanim. “Aren’t we all people occupying various stations in life. You have long dreamed Jews, descendants of the same Patriarchs and We often wonder why some receive more of acquiring the tools to Matriarchs? Why are they so much greater prestige and recognition, just because of achieve proficiency in learning than we?” some might gripe. The Torah, their job description, lineage, or wealth. Gemara on your own. But therefore, makes it clear that their inherent While it is true that in the World of Truth, how? The Denver Community holiness is not terribly different than that no one is granted preferential treatment Kollel offers a comprehensive, of all other Jews. However, the role filled by based on their status in this world – on step-by-step, level-by-level the kohanim requires that other Jews sanctify the contrary, with power and wealth comes program crafted for people them. The work they do, the mission they greater accountability – the Torah teaches just like you. All you need is fulfill, is of such great sanctity, that they us that when Hashem places a person in the ability to read Hebrew; need to be placed on a pedestal by the rest of a position where the potential and the we will teach you the rest. For the Jewish Nation. expectations are great, the rest of us must more information, contact By the same token, Rabbi Yehuda honored recognize and appreciate that individual’s [email protected]. role in this world.

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