A Bracha Under The Influence 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?”
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.
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The Surprising Korban Of Nesanel Ben Tzu’ar 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?
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.
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A Bracha For The Wealthy In Birchas Kohanim Rashi says the words, “Yivarechicha Hashem V’Yishmarecha; Hashem will bless you and watch you,” referring to one’s material wealth. The Iturei Torah brings from Toras Moshe that the next two brachos follow up this theme perfectly.
The second bracha is, “Yisa Hashem… ViChuneka, Hashem will grant you Chein,” grace in the eyes of other people. This is especially important since often rich men are not very beloved by the jealous people around them.
The third bracha is a bracha of peace. Money often brings along with it many other problems including the internal drive to accumulate even greater wealth. Often more money means less peace of mind and more internal struggling and confusion. Hashem gives us a bracha that we should have great wealth, yet be able to maintain both socially and personally a gratifying and satisfying life.
This all pertains to material wealth and happiness. Therefore, Hashem ends, “V’Samu Es Shmi Al Bnei Yisrael; I will put my name on Bnei Yisrael.” To ensure your success and happiness is complete, Hashem will rest the Shechina among us.
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For The Leaders It’s All About The Money 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?
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.
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A Match Made in Heaven? Rashi tells us why the Torah places the parsha of Sotah near the parsha of one who does not give Terumos and Maasros to the Kohen. He explains that if one does not come to the Kohen to give the Matnas Kehunah, he will have to come to him to bring his wife as a Sotah.
The Maskil L’Dovid asks, “Isn’t this the classic case of “Tuvya Chata Zeegud Mingid?” – Tuvya sins and Zeegud gets punished? The husband did an Avairah, by not giving the proper gifts to the Kohen, and his wife gets punished by becoming a Sotah?
The Maskil L’Dovid answers, “This husband who stole the gifts from the Kohen will have to come back to this world as a Gilgul to repay his debts. In his reincarnation, he will remarry another woman. We know that ‘Zivug Sheini Lfi Maasov’- the type of woman that a man marries in his second marriage is based on his deeds. Therefore, this husband who was a thief in his first lifetime, will marry a woman who will become a Sotah – since that is what he is worthy of, based on his deeds.
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Many Confess… Few Make Amends “Vihisvadu Es Avonam … V’Hayshiv Es Ashamo”. The pasuk discusses one who steals, denies it and swears falsely. If he admits his sin, then he shall return the principal plus 1/5 to the one he stole from. Why does the pasuk use the plural when speaking about their admission of sin (“Vihisvadu”), and the singular when discussing returning the object (“V’Hayshiv”)? The Meforshim explain that many people admit their sins (plural “Vihisvadu”), however only few actually do something about it to become better (singular “V’Hayshiv”).

Created By Avrohom Sherman
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