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Chassidut on the Torah |
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The week of Ki Tisa & Purim & Parshat Parah, 5762 Overview The Jews
were commanded to make a census in which each male over the age of 20 gave half
a shekel, and to make a washstand and basin, anointing oil, and incense for the
Tabernacle. Betzalel and Oholiav were chosen as the head craftsman for the
construction of the Tabernacle, its contents, the priestly clothes, oil, and
incense. The Jews were commanded to observe Shabbos, the day of rest. Believing
Moshe's descent overdue, the Jews asked Aharon to make them a deity. From gold
the Jews gave, a calf was formed which the Jews began to worship. On the
mountain, G-d told Moshe of what the Jews had done. Moshe pleaded with G-d not
to annihilate them, reminding His promise to the forefathers to make the Jews a
nation. Upon his descent, Moshe saw the Jews idolatrous behavior and threw down
the tablets of the 10 commandments, breaking them. Then G-d, Moshe and the
Levites punished offenders. G-d said that an angel would lead them in the
desert, but eventually agreed to Moshe's plea that He directly lead the Jews.
G-d granted Moshe a special vision of His glory. G-d told Moshe to carve out
two new tablets and return to the mountaintop. Moshe recited special verses
that mention G-d's attributes of mercy. The Jews were reminded not to commit
idolatry, not to make peace treaties with the nations living in Israel, to
observe Passover, Shavuos and Shabbos, to dedicate first born males, animals
and first fruit to G-d, that all men appear before G-d at the Temple thrice
yearly at certain times, and not to mix milk and meat. Moshe wrote down all the
commandments, and G-d wrote the Ten Commandments on the two new tablets. When
Moshe descended this time, his face was so luminous that he had to wear a veil
over it. Insights When Moshe came down from Mt. Sinai
with the tablets, he saw how the Jewish people had sinned with the golden calf.
In reaction to this, he threw down and broke the tablets in the sight of all
the Jewish People. The Midrash teaches that afterwards, Moshe felt bad
about having broken the tablets. G-d told him, “Don't be regretful! The first
tablets had only the Ten Commandments. The second tablets, which I will give
you, will have much more. Along with the second tablets, the Jews will also
receive (all of the commentaries, i.e.-) halachas, Midrash, Agadot, and the
entire Oral Torah.” Why didn't G-d include all these with the first set of
tablets? Why did G-d wait to give them until Moshe broke the first tablets? The Rebbe answers that in
order for someone to be ready to receive all of G-d's Torah, he or she must be
humble. True humility means that we understand that every asset we have is a
gift from G-d. Our job is to use these assets properly. When someone is focused
on serving Hashem and therefore attains humility, then he or she is fit to
receive the Torah. This is as it says in the prayer, “…and my spirit shall be
like dust before all; open my heart to Your Torah.” Once we become humble like
the dust of the earth, then our hearts are ready to accept the Torah. At the time of the giving of
the Torah, G-d chose the Jews from all the other nations, raising us above all
other peoples. The Children of Israel were on an exalted spiritual level. They
felt themselves to be very important, but they were lacking the humility
required in order to receive the Torah—“…my spirit shall be like dust before
all…” When Moshe broke the tablets for all to see, so too was broken the
haughty spirit of the Jewish people. True humility filled their hearts. They
immediately became fit to receive ALL of the Torah—the tablets as well as the
halachas and Midrash of the Torah. This is why G-d said to
Moshe “Be blessed for having broken them” (Rashi). It was not just a
consolation--G-d THANKED Moshe for breaking the tablets! Through their
breaking, Moshe caused the Jews to become humble in their own eyes, and
therefore fit receivers of the Torah. From this explanation we can understand
why the Ark in the Bais HaMikdash contained the pieces of the first broken set
as well as the two whole second tablets. For what purpose were the pieces of
the first tablets kept? It was to be a constant reminder to the Jews that in
order to receive the Torah, one must have humility, without any arrogance. The
next time something not so pleasant happens, think about how the Jewish people
felt when the tablets were broken. Maybe here too the Almighty is coming to
remind us of this lesson. Then, one's heart can be open to the holy Torah. (Adapted
from Mayan Chai) ********** The Rebbe said the following
about Purim: It is a Torah tradition that every Torah use of the words, “And it was,” concerns an unfortunate
situation. Purim is about being happy, so why does the Megilllah begin with “And
it was”? The answer is that the continuation of the verse reads “And it was in
the days of (King) Achashveyrosh” instead of the kingship of G-d and the
House of David. The sadness is that we are in exile and do not see with our
eyes the KINGSHIP of Heaven. Even though the Sages taught that Achashveyrosh is
a hint to the Almighty, but to know this you have to look in the commentaries.
With our own eyes, we only see an idolatrous king of flesh and blood. This is
as Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Bardichov would complain to G-d,” The problem is that
in the market place, we see the physical world and all of its attractions,
while the World to come, Paradise and the revelation of G-dliness, is
accessible only through the study hall and in Torah. But still, we have to be
happy!” Happy Purim & Shabbat Shalom, Shaul Donate a used laptop &
get a tax deduction. Write to director@ascent.org.il Rabbi Mordechai “Mo” Siev will be in the US for the next month. For an
appt. call 516-921-7949. |
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Ascent of Safed
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