The Anonymous Heroes Of Pesach Sheini The commandment of Pesach Sheini was taught only after the Timei’ei Meisim complained that they didn’t want to lose out on the Mitzva of Korban Pesach. Rashi says (9:7) that really Moshe should have taught the mitzva of Pesach Sheni earlier, but these timei’im were Zocheh to have the mitzva taught because of their complaint, since they showed a great desire to do the mitzva.
Rav Moshe Feinstein asks, “Why does the Torah not mention the names of the Timei’ei Meisim like it does when the Halachos of inheritance are taught through the complaints of Bnos Tzelafchad? If the whole point was to give the Timei’ei Meisim schar for their desire to serve Hashem, shouldn’t they be rewarded with honorable mention of their names?
Rav Moshe answers that the Torah wanted to teach us the great reward for anyone who truly desires to do a mitzva out of a love to serve Hashem, even if circumstances exempt them. The Bnos Tzelafchad were zocheh because of their personal greatness and therefore each one’s name is mentioned. However here the Torah is teaching each and every one of us that the Torah can be given through us, if we truly love to serve Hashem. Mentioning the names of the Timei’ei Meisim could only have detracted from the message the Torah is teaching, because we would then attribute this zechus to the personal greatness of the Timei’ei Meisim, which we surely cannot measure up to.
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Eldad & Meidad Prove That Greatness And Stature Are Not Related Moshe Rabbeinu tells Hashem that he cannot lead Bnei Yisroel alone. Hashem tells Moshe to gather 70 zekeinim in front of the Mishkan. Hashem then gives these zekeinim the Ruach of Moshe Rabbeinu. Eldad and Meidad are not included in this group, but they also get this Ruach and start saying Nevuah in the Machaneh.
Rav Shamshon Refoel Hirsh says that we learn from here that being appointed to an important position is not connected in any way to advancing in Kedusha. If a person is worthy of Ruach HaKodesh he will receive it whether he is officially a Rov, Rosh Yeshiva, or a simple Jew lacking any formal position. Eldad and Meidad were great men who were worthy of being one of the zekeinim. Their exclusion from this elite group did not in any way diminish their ability to reach great level of Dveykus B’ashem.
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Yovel, The Year Of The Traveler & The Free Food What does the word Yovel mean? Rav Itzele Volozhin says that Yovel means to be on the move. Anything that is not resting, and goes from place to place, is in a state of Yovel. “The reason why the fiftieth year is called Yovel,” he explains, “is because there is a mass return of displaced people after generations of moving. The original owners of sold properties come to lay claim to their estate, and slaves return home.”
“This,” says Rav Itzele, “explains the connection between Yovel and the fields being hefker for all to eat from. With the mass migration of people, how can they all possibly take enough food for the journey? Therefore, the Torah says that travelers are free to stop in any field and take what they need to refresh themselves and continue on their journey.”
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When You Are Out Of Words Life Is Over Rav Chaim Vital says that every person is alotted a certain amount of spoken words in his lifetime. Once he reaches his limit, he must die. Those who speak too much will die early, while those who choose their words carefully will live a full life.
The Elef HaMagen (Michaber of Peleh Yoetz) says that there is a remez from the pasuk (Behar 15:16), “Lfi Rov HaShanim Tarbeh Miknaso U’Lfi Mi’ot HaShanim Tam’it Miknaso Ki Mispar Tvuos Hu Mocher Lach.” Literally this refers to the price you pay for a field, and it means according to the number of the years you should increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of the years, you should diminish the price of it; for it is the number of crops he sells.
However,B’Derech Drush, the Elef HaMagen says that it can be read as follows: Lfi, the words of your mouth. Rov HaShanim, can bring you long life. When, Tarbeh Miknaso, your words contain a wealth of Torah and Mitzvos. U’Lfi, and because of the words of your mouth. Mi’ot HaShanim, your days will be numbered. Tam’it Miknaso if your Torah is minimal and your idle chatter is abundant. Ki Mispar, because a finite number. Tvuos, which is short for Teivos V’Osisos, words and letters. Hu Mocher Lach, Hashem grants you in this world. Use them wisely!
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Money Is Thicker Than Blood “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?
The Shelah HaKodesh answers, 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.
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What Do Har Sinai And Shmita Have In Common? “Vayidaber Hashem El Moshe B’Har Sinai” (Behar 35:1). Mah Inyan Shmita Eitzel Har Sinai? Rashi famously asks why does the Torah say that Shmitta was given on Har Sinai. Rashi answers that this teaches us, that just like Shmita, which was not mentioned in the Aseres HaDibros, was given on Sinai, so too were all the other mitzvos. But why is this lesson taught by Shmita as opposed to any mitzva?
The Ben Ish Chai answers that Sinai and Shmita had a fundamental attribute in common. They both symbolize that “less is more.” Har Sinai was chosen to host Matan Torah because it was the lowest and humblest of mountains. Its lack of greatness enabled it to be the site of the greatest event in history. Similarly, Shmita is a year where we allow the field to remain barren. We do not help it produce any fruit. Yet, Hashem promises that this will spark an abundant crop like no other, leading to yields of two to three years, from a single bumper crop in the sixth year. For this reason, says the Ben ish Chai, Shmita was the one mitzva that Hashem used to illustrate that the entire Torah was given at Har Sinai.

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