Torah Teasers
Parshas Emor

1. At the end of Parshas Acharei Mos the Torah warns us about Arayos, incestual relationships. Right in the middle between all the Arayost he Torah tells us about the issur of Molech, according to some this means that they actually threw their children into the fire. Why would the Torah place it here? Even if it were somehow related, shouldn’t the Torah write it either just before or just after? Ans… The Shalal Rov brings from Rav Dovid Shlomo Sloshatz of Odessa that it is hard to believe that parents would act so cruelly and throw their own children into a fire. However, around the world you will find that children that are born out of a shameful relationship are often disposed somehow, by humiliated parents, to remove the embarrassing stain from their name. The Torah tells us the issur of Molech among the Arayos to teach us that even if someone gives birth to a Mamzer, Hashem does not allow you to kill the child under any circumstances. Therefore, the pasuk of Molech, is brought right after the illicit relationships that can produce children. and right before. it forbids a relationship with another man or animal which cannot produce any offspring.
2. Moshe told Aharon after the deaths of Nadav and Avihu that he now knows that they were greater than himself and Aharon. That is why Hashem chose them to make a Kiddush Hashem during the inauguration of the Mishkan. What bothered Moshe, says Rav Shimshon MiOstropolia (MiShulchan Gavo’a) was why Hashem needed to kill them. Why couldn’t He take them to Shamayim alive, just like Chanoch and Eliyahu? Ans… Rav Shimshon MiOstropolia says that the answer is that Chanoch and Eliyahu only became Malachim. Their Neshamos needed to ascend to Shamayim to the dwelling place of the Malachim. In that realm they were able to go up with their bodies intact. Nadav and Avihu were even more Kadosh and their Neshamos rose up to the Olam HaAtzilus, the highest world. In the Olam HaAtzilus no earthly bodies are admitted so they needed to leave their Gufim down here on earth. This is the meaning of the pasuk, says Rav Shimshon MiOstropolia. “Acharei Mos Shnei Bnei Aharon”, why did Aharon’s children need to die? “BiKorvasam Lifnei HaShem Vayamusu”, because their closeness to Hashem did not allow them to ascend with their body.
3. The Pasuk (VaYikra 18:3) says “K’Maaseh Eretz K’Naan Asher Ani Meivi Es’chem Shama Lo Sa’asu, U’ViChukoseihem Lo Seileichu”, do not follow the ways of the goyim. The Medrash Yalkut Shimoni asks, with all the restrictions the Torah placed on us, what is left that we can copy from the goyim? The Medrash answers, it means their protocols and etiquette. How could a little politeness hurt? Come on. Ans… Rav Elyashiv in Divrei Agada says that this is the meaning of the Mishna in Pirkei Avos (3:17) “Im Ein Torah, Ein Derech Eretz”. There are many things we do that we consider polite and common etiquette. However warns Rav Elyashiv, to the extent that they are contrary to the letter and spirit of our laws, the torah, they should not be followed. This is not called Derech Eretz. This is called Maasei Eretz K’Naan!
4. “V’Al Yavoi B’Chol Eis El HaKodesh; Do not come any time you desire inyo the Kodesh HaKodashim.” (Acharei Mos 16:2) The Gemara in Kesubos (50a) asks on the pasuk (Tehilim 106:3), “Ashrei Shomrei Mishpat Oseh Tzedaka B’Chol Eis; How can a person give Tzedaka, ‘B’Chol Eis’ at all times?” Ans…The Gemara answers that this refers to someone who supports his young children. That is called Tzedaka B’Chol Eis. There was once a man who refused to give tzedaka. He excused himself based on the above Gemara that he supported his children, which is tzedaka B’Chol Eis. “Why should I give to others as well?” he asked. It is said that the Vilna Gaon answered him, “V’Al Yavoi B’Chol Eis El HaKodesh. True, supporting you children is Tzedaka B’Chol Eis, however, the Torah warns us that with this tzedaka only, we will not attain any level of kedusha, and we will not be admitted into the Kodesh.”
5. “With these Korbanos Aaron will enter the Kodesh” The Pasuk in Mishlei says “Yikarah Hee MiPeninim” – The Torah is more precious than “Peninim”. The Gemara in Horios (13a) explains that the Torah is more precious than the Kohen Gadol entering the Kodesh HaKadashim (Pninim – The most inner part of the Bais HaMikdash). What is the significance of the comparison to the Kohen Gadol? Ans… R’ Yisroel Salanter answers, there is no greater Jew than the Kohen Gadol; no greater day than Yom Kippur; and no holier place than the Kodesh HaKadashim. When the Kohen Gadol enters the Kodesh HaKadashim on Yom Kippur, it is the ultimate holiness. Still, the pasuk tells us, “Yikarah Hee MiPeninim” – the Torah is still more precious.
6. “And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year.” What is meant by “once a year”? Ans… This is the way of Hashem. If a person’s sins are not too serious, he can hold out until Yom Kippur when he visits the famous doctor (Hashem) on the holiest day. However, if his spiritual health is deteriorating, and he won’t be able to last until Yom Kippur, Hashem sends him smaller Yom HaKippurims during the year – sicknesses, deaths of Tzaddikim etc. as a wake up call to do Tshuvah. This is what the Pasuk means – If you are spiritually healthy you will only need Yom Kippur once a year!
7. The Pasuk places the prohibition of having relations with an Aishes Ish (a married woman) next to worshipping the Avodah Zara Molech. What is the connection? Ans… Rabaynu Bachyeh answers, when one’s wife has an illicit relationship with another man, this brings about a jealousy in her husband. So too, when one worships the Molech, this brings about a jealousy in Hashem (Kaviyachol). It says that Hashem will not forgive, because he is “Kail Kana”- a jealous G-d.

Created By Avrohom Sherman
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