Torah Teasers
Parshas Emor

1. A Kohen may become Tamei to his close relatives. A Nazir may not. Why? Ans… The Shem MiShmuel says in the name of his father the Avnei Nezer that the Kedushas Kohen is inherited. It is a family kedusha. Therefore, just like he received his kedusha from the family, he may not turn his back on them, even if dealing with them would make him Tamei.
2. “Ayin Tachas Ayin Kasher Yitein Moom BaAdam Kein Yinasein Bo; An eye for an eye when you maim your friend the same should be done to you.” (Emor 24:20) The Halacha L’Moshe MiSinai tells us that despite what the words appear to say, the Torah means that the perpetrator pays for the injury rather than Bais Din maiming him. If so why does the Torah clearly say that we avenge him in kind? Ans… The Iturei Torah brings from Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik that had the Torah told us the halacha explicitly, we would become less sensitive to the value of a person’s limb. We would see it as a price tag. We would get the feeling that you can injure someone, if the math added up, and it was worth your while. When the victim will be angry, the perpetrator will ask him why he is so angry since he will compensate him for the full value. But even though the Torah limited the punishment to a monetary value, surely it is not a fair trade.
3. “They (Kohein) shall not marry a woman who has been divorced by her husband.” Why not? Ans…The Shach explains that a Kohen symbolizes unity. He brings Klal Yisrael close to Hashem. Aaron was Ohaiv Shalom V’ Rodef Shalom. Therefore, he should not marry a woman that went through a process of Pirud – separation. When a woman gets divorced, not only is there separation on this world; the couple’s souls are separated in Shamayim, too.
4. When the Mikallel was taken out to be stoned to death for his crime, the Torah says (Emor 24:23), “Vayirgimu Oisoih Aven,” using the singular one stone. By the Mikoshesh Eitzim, who was Michallel Shabbos, and was also put to death by stoning, it says, “Avanim,” he was killed with many stones. What was the difference? Ans…The Iturei Torah brings from Rav Yeshayahu Mushkat, that there is an opnion that the Mikoshesh was Michallel Shabbos L’Shem Shamayim. He had a point to make and was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of Heaven to teach the lesson of the sanctity of Shabbos. Some people understood this, and threw their stones with a heavy heart and great sadness. Others did not, and threw it with a vengeance. Many stones had many different intentions behind them. When it came time to kill the Mikallel, everyone had the same Kinas Hashem. Their stones may have been different, but they all were meant to eradicate the evil sinner.
5. “V’Hu Isha Bibsuleha Yikach” (Emor 21:13) When the Torah tells the Kohanim who they may marry it gives lists of women that are forbidden to them. Similarly we find this with the Kohen Gadol. Why does the Torah speak twice about a Bisula for the Kohen Gadol and mentioning it also as a Mitzvas Aseh? Ans…Rav Itzele Volozhin says that the Torah forbids Bnei Yisroel, because of their Kedusha, to marry the Arayos. Kohanim are even more Kadosh and are forbidden from women that other Jews are permitted to marry. The Kohen Gadol is the most Kadosh of them all and one would think that he should refrain from marriage altogether. Therefore the Torah tells us that indeed the Kohen Gadol is forbidden from certain women that a Kohen Hedyot may marry. However to remain alone is also forbidden. He must get married… but to the right girl.
6. Hashem commands us to keep all the Mitzvos and to be Mikadesh Sheim Shamayim. These are two great tasks that require Siyata Dishmaya. Not always do we have the opportunity to do every mitzva at any time. What can we do? Ans… The Chasam Sofer says that these pasukim instruct us. “Ushmartem” aside from meaning to keep the mitzvos, also means to bide our time. We must bide our time anxiously awaiting an opportunity to do each and every mitzva. Rebbi Akiva while being raked with iron combs he said that he waited all his life for this chance. If you yearn for this opportunity then Hashem gives you credit as if you actually did the mitzva.
7. When telling us who a Kohen can become tamei for, the pasuk (Emor 21:2) says L’Imo U’L’Aviv, to his mother and father. However when it lists who a Kohen Gadol may not be Mitamei to, it says (21:11) L’Aviv U’L’Imo mentioning his father first. Why is the order reversed in these two places? Ans… Rav Chaim Kanievsky answers that Tosfos (Ksubos 52a) brings the Yerushalmi that says that women die earlier than men. Therefore the Torah mentions the mother first, since she will probably die first. However a Kohen Gadol is usually the son of a Kohen Gadol. The gemara (Pisachim 87b) tells us “Oi La L’Rabanus SheMikaveres Es Baala”, woe is unto leadership that it buries its owner. Leaders die young. Therefore the Kohen Gadol’s father is more likely to die before his mother and is mentioned first.
8. It is assur for every Jew to cut off his Payos or cut his beard with a razor. Why then does the Torah (Emor 21:5) say this issur in Parshas Emor when speaking of special issurim that apply only to a Kohen? Ans… Rav Yehonoson Eibshitz answers that the Kochos of Tumah grab on to a persons hair. This is why Eisav was so hairy and Yaakov was so smooth. This is why a Mitzora must shave all his hair in the Tahara process. This is why the Levi’im were shaved when they entered into their service. Because of Tumah’s natural attraction to hair, says Rav Yehonoson Eibshitz, one would think that a Kohen who must maintain a high level of Kedusha, must shave his hair so as not to be easy prey for the Kochos HaTumah. Therefore the Torah tells us that even a Kohen may not cut his payos or razor his beard, despite the added dimension of danger it brings him.

Created By Avrohom Sherman
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