Torah Teasers
Parshas RE’EY
1. “Lo Sisgodidu.” The simple meaning of the pasuk is that one should not make scrapes in his body when mourning over a dead person. The Gemara also learns from these words – “Lo Saasu Agudos Agudos; Do not make Klal Yisrael inyo many different groups by having Divergent Halachic Practices. What is the connection between the simple meaning, which concerns mourning, and the Drash, which has to do with the unity of Klal Yisrael? Ans… Some say pshat that we find that when it comes to Availus each person tries to show that he is in greater mourning than another person. This can bring us to Machlokes; when for example 2 people want to Daven for the Amud, or when 2 people have Yahrtzeit and each one feels that his Availus is more important. For this reason we connect the 2 Limudim of the pasuk, “Lo Sisgodidu.” When mourning, do not cause separation and Machlokes in Klal Yisrael. This can also be the reason why concerning Availus we go according to the Maikel – in order to lessen strife and Machlokes among the Jewish nation.
2. In Parshas Shmini (11:17-18) when listing the non-Kosher birds, the Shalach bird is listed 3 positions before the Racham. In Parshas Re’eh (14:16-17) the Shalach slides down the list four places and is listed after the Racham. Why? Ans… Rav Chaim Kanievsky answers that the Gemara (Chulin 63a) says that when Rebbi Yochanan saw a Shalach he said the pasuk, “Mishpatecha Tihom Rabba; Your judgement is a deep abyss.” When he saw a Racham he said, “Rachamim came to the world.” The Shalach represents Din and the Racham represents mercy. In a perfect world Din which is perfectly just, rules. That is how Hashem wanted to create the world until He saw that world needed Rachmanus to survive. Now the world is not perfectly just since mercy is mixed in. LeAsid Lavo Din will reign supreme once again. Before the Chait of the Meraglim, Moshe was supposed to enter Eretz Yisrael and Moshiach would have come. Until the Chait the world was set to march towards perfection and Din ruled. Therefore, in Parshas Shemini, the Shalach which is Din, is listed before the Racham. In Parshas Re’eh, as the Bnei Yisrael are set to conquer Eretz Yisroel without Moshe, and destined to go to Galus once again, Hashem shines his Rachamim on the world, and the Shalach is pushed down the list, letting the Racham come out on top.
3. Hashem tells Bnei Yisrael that He placed before them Bracha and Klallah. The pasuk then says (Devarim 11:27), “Es Habracha Asher Tishmi’u El Mitzvos; The bracha that you will listen to the mitzvos.” Shouldn’t it say the bracha “if” you will listen, like it says by the Klallah? Ans… The Netziv answers that in the beginning Hashem helps every Yid do the mitzvos. Then he leaves you on your own to see how you will fare. If you continue on the path that Hashem already placed you on, you will earn additional reward. Therefore, it says, “Asher Tishmi’u,” because everyone listens at first.
4. “LiShichno Sidrishu Uvasa Shama; Seek His Presence and come there (Re’eh 12:5).” Moshe gave over the commandment to build a Bais HaMikdash but did not reveal the location. The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim (3:45) says that after Avrohom Avinu went to Har HaMoriah for the Akeidah he called it Har Yeira’eh and this holy ground was revealed as the place for the Bais HaMikdash. Moshe surely knew this, so why did he purposely hide its location and not reveal it? Ans … The Rambam gives three reasons why. 1. He didn’t want the other nations to know about this. He was worried that they would get thetr first and build a Temple to their idols because of the Kedusha of the area. This would give them a historical precedence. 2. The local people might destroy the area knowing that it is designated to be the pinnacle of Jewish spirituality and authority. 3. “The most important and true reason,” says the Rambam, “is that Moshe did not want the Shevatim to know where the Bais HaMikdash would be because he was scared the Shevatim in whose territory it wasn’t, would wage war on the Shevet that received that territory. Moshe wanted to avert a civil war. Therefore, only after there was a King with firm control over Am Yisrael, did Hashem reveal the location to Dovid HaMelech.”
5. “USimachtem Lifnei Hashem Elokeichem Atem UVneichem UVnoseichem…V’HaLevi” (Re’eh 12:12). The Torah tells us that we should build a Bais HaMikdash and bring all our Korbanos there. Then we can be happy with our family and the Levi. Where does a Levi come into the picture? We do not give him any gifts from the Korban, or specially in Yerushalayim, only the Kohein receives these gifts. Ans… Rav Rav Yehonoson Eibushitz explains that the Levi is always out of place and feels like an outsider, since he has no territory in Eretz Yisrael to call his own. He lives in cities borrowed from other Shevatim that are scattered throughout the land. Yerushalayim is a city that is open to all and belongs collectively to Bnei Yisrael. In this great city, when you come to be joyful with your korbanos, the Levi can also celebrate with a full heart since here he has equal standing, and is no less a Baal HaBayis then anyone else.
6. Chazal tell us (Kidushin 39b), “Schar Mitzva B’Hai Alma Leka”, there is no reward for Mitzvos in this world, only in the next. The pasuk by Tzedaka (Re’eh 15:10) seems to contradict this and says that if we give Tzedaka, Hashem will give a bracha to all our work. Is there reward in this world or not? ANS… The Ksav Sofer answers that for the mitzva itself there is no reward in this world. However for the Simcha, the joy with which you do the Mitzva, there is a reward in this world. If we look carefully at the pasuk, we see that the pasuk clearly says this. לוֹ תִּתֵּן נָתוֹן, give tzedaka. לוֹ בְּתִתְּךָ לְבָבְךָ יֵרַע וְלֹא-, there should be no ill will in your heart when you give it, only joy in doing Hashem’s mitzva. מַעֲשֶׂךָ בְּכָל אֱלֹהֶיךָ יְהוָה יְבָרֶכְךָ הַזֶּה הַדָּבָר בִּגְלַל כִּי – because of this aspect of the mitzva Hashem, the simcha you had, you will be rewarded in this world.

RE’EY Test Me….Just Test Me…..I Dare You!
1. What were the sites designated for the “blessings and the curses” to be pronounced by the people? – Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Eval, respectively.
2. On what condition will Bnei Yisrael receive the blessings from Hashem? – On condition that they listen to Hashem’s commandments.
3. Why does the Torah use idolatry as an example when describing one who strays from the path that Hashem commanded? – Because those who worship idols are considered as if they have strayed from the entire Torah.
4. What was to be the sign for the Jewish People that they would inherit the Land? – The miracles that would occur while crossing the Jordan River.
5. During the 14 years of the conquest and division of the Land, what types of offerings were permitted on private altars? – Vow offerings or free-will offerings.
6. What must one do with consecrated animals that develop a blemish? – They must be redeemed and may then be eaten.
7. In what ways does a consecrated animal that develops a blemish retain a degree of kedusha (holiness) even after it has been redeemed? – Eating it is permitted, but use of its milk or fleece is forbidden.
8. Why was the tribe of Yehuda not permitted to conquer Jerusalem? – When Avraham bought ma’aras hamachpelah, he made a covenant of peace with the Hittites who sold it. His descendants honored this pact regarding the Hittite descendants in Jerusalem.
9. In consecutive verses, the Torah repeats the prohibition against eating blood. What two types of blood are referred to? – Blood that seeps slowly from the incision as soon as the cut is made and again after it no longer gushes. Blood absorbed into the limbs of the animal.
10. Why were the Jewish People allowed to see the extermination of the Canaanites? – To learn not to follow in their depraved ways.
11. What forms of idol worship are punishable by death? – Slaughtering or burning a sacrifice on an altar, pouring libations, prostrating oneself, and any normal manner of worshipping that idol.
12. If a person performs miracles in the name of Hashem and then says that the laws of the Torah have been revised, what is done to this person? – He is put to death.
13. The Torah says, “to Him (Hashem) you shall cleave.” How does one fulfill this command?
– One should emulate Hashem’s actions by performing good deeds, assisting in burying the dead and visiting the sick.
14. The trial of a person accused of encouraging others to worship idols differs from the trial of other capital cases. How? – If he was acquitted and new information of a condemning nature arises, he is retried. If he was judged guilty, he is not returned to court to plead in his favor.

Created By Avrohom Sherman
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