THE Parshas Naso
Torah Teaser
Q Questions to ask your children
1. The halacha is that when one brings a Korban, the sacrifice of the animal always comes before the bringing of the Mincha which is made of flour. Yet by the Nesi’im we find curiously that first they brought the Mincha and only then did they bring the Korbanos. Why is this? Ans… Rav Moshe Shternbuch answers that bringing a Korban is as if we brought ourselves for a Korban, sacrificing our own flesh and blood with Mesiras Nefesh before Hashem. The mincha, which represents our material assets, shows that all our needs, down to the bread we eat, comes from Hashem. A person must first show Mesiras Nefesh before dealing with his physical needs. However, when it comes to a leader of Klal Yisrael, his first priority is to concern himself with the physical welfare of his people. Only after that, should he be concerned about his own personal Mesiras Nefesh. Therefore, the Nesi’im brought the all important korban mincha prior to spilling their own flesh and blood before Hashem.
2. Each and every Nasi brought a Korban on his own day. This korban was identical for each and every Nasi. Rashi explains the remazim that were involved in the Korban, which were kineged Adam HaRishon, the 70 Umos, the Torah, Avrohom, and so on. Interestingly, Rashi discusses all this for the Korban of Nesanel ben Tzu’ar, who was not the Nasi of the first day, but rather the second day. Why does Rashi skip Nachshon’s opening day korban and wait until Nesanel’s korban? Ans… The Chasam Sofer answers that on the first day, Rashi had no proof that these korbanos represented something other than a generous gift. It was only when the second Nasi brought an identical korban, that Rashi could know that there was something deeper than just random gifts. This also fits in with the Ramban who says that each Nasi brought an original korban based on ideas that represented his Shevet’s unique qualities. The intentions of Nesanel were not at all the intentions of Nachshon. It just happened to be that the Korban was the same.
3. The Gemara in Taanis (26b) says that the reason why Birchas Kohanim is written right after the Parsha of Nazir is to teach us that just like it is assur for a Nazir to drink wine, so too, it is assur for a Kohein to do Birchas Kohenin under the influence of wine. Rav Shmuel Aharon Yudelevich, the Me’il Shmuel, asks, “We see before Yitzchok gave Yaakov the Brachos, he drank wine and only then gave Yaakov the Bracha. Does wine enhance the bracha or pasul it?” Ans… The Me’il Shmuel answers that wine before a bracha is good, as it puts the Mivarech in good mood, and the Bracha is given with joy. The reason why a Kohein cannot be under the happy influence of wine during Birchas Kohanim is because he is not the one giving the Bracha – Hashem is. We want to make this point very clear, and, therefore, the Kohein must be wine free.
4. The last words of Birchas Kohanim are “V’Yaseim Licha Sholom”. The Medrash says, “Sholom B’Knisasech, Sholom B’Yitziasech, Sholom Im Kol Adam,” peace in your coming, your going, and peace with every man. What is meant by this? Ans… The Iturei Torah brings the Ksav Sofer who explains this Medrash. The Gemara in Brachos (59) tells us the interpretation of many different dreams. Among these dreams, three of them tell of peace; the kettle, the river, and the bird. The Ksav Sofer says that these represent three different kinds of peace. The kettle represents peace in your home, where all the household members use the same kettle. The river means peace in your country, where all the citizens share the water and benefits of the country’s river. The bird symbolizes world peace, like a bird who is not limited to any specific area and can fly wherever its wings take it. When Hashem gives us a bracha of peace, it is all encompassing. The Medrash says, “Sholom B’Knisasech,” you will have peace in your coming, meaning within the confines of your home. “Sholom B’Yitziasech,” peace when you go outside and interact with your countrymen. “Sholom Im Kol Adam,” no matter where and no matter with whom, peace will reign supreme!
5. A Nazir Tamei, before he starts his Nazirus again, brings three korbanos, one of them being a Chatos. The (Nedarim 10) Gemara asks, “What did this holy Yid do wrong?” The Gemara says that a Nazir is called a Chotei because he refrains from drinking wine. “From here,” says the Gemara, “we learn that HaYoshev BaTaanis, someone who undertakes fasting when not required to by Halacha, is also called a Chotei. Why? Ans The Chasam Sofer says that the whole point of a fast is to remove yourself from the indulgences of Olam HaZeh and to become inspired to do Tshuva. A person must commit to change during the course of the fast or else he has gained nothing. People are classified in two ways, either as Holchim, moving up and bettering themselves or Yoshvim remaining in your place in life and not elevating yourself towards Shamayim. The Chasam Sofer explains that, HaYoshev BaTaanis, someone who undertakes a fast but remains a Yoshev and does not contemplate his life during the fast, has not gained anything by his fast except weakening his body. For that, he is called a Chotei. However, if someone uses the Taanis which weakens his body to better his neshama, he is Holeich and surely not a Chotei.

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