THE Parshas B’Har — Bechukosei
Torah Teaser
Q Questions to ask your children
1. The torah tells us (Bichukosai 27:10) that is a person designates and animal for a Korban he may not later switch it for a different animal. Not only for an inferior animal does this issur apply but he may not even switch it for a stronger and healthier animal. Why would the Torah forbid upgrading ones Korban and punishing this infraction, borne out of good will, with Malkos? Ans… Rav Chaim Zaitchek in Ohr Chadash explains that when a person decides to bring a Korban, it is because a holy spirit from beyond enters his heart. His thoughts are pure and they stem from the goodness and love of Hashem planted deep in his heart. The actual offering is the climax and materialization of this purity. This, however, is only the first moment, while his actions are connected to the spiritual. However, as the Korban takes on a physical dimension in the shape of an animal, this spirit evaporates and all his subsequent thought are more earthly and mundane. If he replaces the weaker animal for a stronger one, he is in essence replacing his korban borne out of pure intentions for one far less holy. The first korban is the korban that Hashem cherishes. Therefore He commands us to bottle the initial purity and not switch it for a fatter piece of meat.
2. If we learn Torah and keep the mitzvos, Hashem promises (Bichukosai 26:9), “U’Fanisi Aleichem V’Hifreisi Es’chem; I will turn to you and I will multiply you.” What does this “turning” do for us, and what is the connection to the bracha of abundant population? Ans… The Yagdil Torah brings the Besamim Rosh who quotes the Medrash that says that Shevet Levi had the fewest people, since they were responsible for the Aron Kodesh, and the slightest aveira killed them. (We also see that Nadav and Avihu were killed when they came too close to Hashem.) Since Hashem promises, “U’Fanisi Aleichem; I will be close to you,” this raises the concern that being too close to the proximity of pure Kedusha will kill us. Therefore, Hashem promises, “Even though I will dwell among you, still ‘V’Hifreisi Es’chem, You will have many children,’ and a vast healthy population that will suffer no harm from My presence.”
3. “Al Sonu Ish Es Achiv”, one shall not cheat his brother (Behar 25:14). “V’Lo Sonu Ish Es Amiso”, one shall not harass his friend (Behar 25:17). Why concerning cheating does the Torah say “brother”, but concerning “Ona’as Devarim” – harassing with words, does it say your “friend”? Ans…The Shelah HaKodesh answers that people tend to harass other Jews with hurtful words, but refrain from doing so to their own brother (family). That is why it says, “V’Lo Sonu Ish Es Amiso” – Do not harass your friend. However, when it comes to cheating, one will even cheat his own flesh and blood. That is why the Torah must warn -“Al Sonu Ish Es Achiv” – Don’t cheat your brother.
4. At the end of the Tochacha, Hashem says (Bichukosai 26:42), “V’Zacharti Es Brisi Yaakov V’Af Es Brisi Yitzchok V’Af Es Brisi Avrohom; Hashem remembers the promise to the Avos HaKedoshim,” and salvages the remnants of the Tochacha. All the Meforshim starting with Rashi ask, “Why does Hashem remember the Avos in reverse order, starting with Yaakov instead of Avrohom?” Ans… Rav Chaim Kanievsky takes a very simplistic approach. When it comes to memory, a person remembers recent memories better than the older ones. Therefore, Hashem remembers Yaakov first and then Yitzchok and then finally Avrohom. Of course, says Rav Chaim, Hashem doesn’t need to remember. The reason why the Torah chooses to write it in the way people remember things can be explained by all the Drashos of Chazal.
5. At the end of the tochacha (Bichukosai 26:45) Hashem offers us solace and tells us that He will not forget the “Bris Rishonim Asher Hotzeisi Oisam Mei’Eretz Mitzrayim”. What good does remembering Yetzias Mitzrayim do when Hashem is angry that we have not kept the mitzvos? On the contrary, Hashem would be more angry at our behavior considering what He has done for us. Ans … Rav Levi Yitzchok answers with a Mashal: If a person marries a girl because she is wealthy, and then he later finds out that her family is penniless, he is rightfully angry. However, if he marries a girl who is known by all to be poor, then he can no longer hold that against her. So, too, after punishing us for our lack of diligence in Mitzvos, Hashem remembers where we came from. We became Hashem’s chosen nation when we left Mitzrayim. True, we became the Am Segula and were given the Torah, creating great expectations from Hashem. However, at our marriage, we were a rogue nation and completely empty and bereft of mitzvos. “Therefore,”Hashem says, “I cannot be angry. This is the girl I agreed to marry.”
6. “V’Nasati Sholom BaAretz UShichavtem V’ein Macharid – I will give peace in the land and you will sleep and not tremble.” Is that the best reason for peace? To get a good night’s sleep? Ans… The Maharal Tzintz brings the Gemara in Brachos (55) that says that Dovid HaMelech never had a good dream at night during his entire reign. The reason is that he was constantly fighting wars. Hashem promises us that if we keep the mitzvos, we will live in an era of true peace. War fare will not be on anyone’s mind, and we will all sleep peacefully.

This week is B’Zchus Rav Shraga Thav who has started a new shiur on Hagadata Gemorah entitled “The Great Debates of the Gemorah” every Thursday evening at the Kolel.

Distributed by the Chevra Marbitz Achdus D’NMB

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