Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Parshah Tazria

Heard from Rabbi Isaac Bernstein Zt”l:


The Netsiv asks, the zohar seems to indicate, from the 4 names for man that "adam" is the most elevated. So why does the Torah discussing leprosy which is caused by such vile sins use the most elevated name?

Rabbi Nissan Alpert zt"l explains beautifully, what is this part about?

We have a HUGE error as Jews on what a perfect or good person is! We think that it means someone without flaws and mistakes. It actually is someone who has mistakes but wants to be better, wants to do good....we all have mistakes.


The person with leprocy says “oh G-d!”, there is an issue here, and it says

(Vayikra 13:2) "ve’hoovah el Aaron ha’Kohen …” = "he comes to Aaron the Priest"....he WANTS to be better. Such a person is a great person, they see their errors and are not content, and want advice from the kohanim and want to be better, even if they are doing horrible sins....and for such a person the Torah uses an elevated name "Adam" for them.

Such an amazing answer! Such a great question…. Just beautiful.

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Monday, April 16, 2007

Sefirat HaOmer

I have heard and compiled hte following ideas from Rabbi Akiva Tatz shiurim (link to some classes on the right panel) - any mistakes are my own:

The Arizal(I think) says that the Hebrews were on the 49th level of impurity. And that they couldnt stay ONE MORE MOMENT in the state of leaving. They left on eagles wings they had to go so quickly.

The Maharal disagrees entirely! He says, every ten in the Torah are related to eachother. The ten sayings of creation (Gemara lists ten), the ten trials of Avraham, and the ten plagues. The ten acts of creation build the world, but Egypt did put impurity there! Hashem in every makah removes a layer of creation so that he can re-build it in purity!!! How is this? The Maharal explains that Choshech (2nd last) reverses the 2nd creation. the Last of killing "firstness" (first born) is a reversal of "firstness" of "Bereshit" (the creation of starting). The Maharal explains that Hashem is undoing this in almost reverse order like an onion because the levels are almost built on eachother. I would say, that is precisely why G-d did the tenth plague! No other emmissary even EXISTED to do it...Hashem's oneness was left in the spiritual realm etc...

Btw, you want to see beauty? The tenth plague destroying impure firstness, and the 1st saying creating perfect firstness.... What is the tenth of Abraham's tests?!? To sacrafice his first born (firstness)!?!? That is a Torah idea at an amazing level!!!

And what about the Ten Commandments!? The Gemara says that Bereshit Bara is the physical un-ravelling of the Torah. Spiritually the first word that un-ravels the Torah is "Anochi Hashem". The Ten parallel EXPLICITLY!!! I think This is an amazing idea of Torah.

At any rate...the Maharal states that they were on the POSITIVE 49th level. Staying would bring the Moshiach immediately (The 50th level being the point of no return)! So why does G-d do this!?

He shows you what you CAN do, then takes it away so that you will earn it. How can you shoot for something if you dont know the target or whats possible? It is like a Father who stands his child up. The child knows what it means to stand and walk, but the father removes his hand! The child feels abandoned, but realizes (when he learns to walk) that it was for his good, and NECESSARY!

The Pesach astrological sign is that of a sheep that is lead everywhere. Next is the Bull, who does EVERYTHING in its own strength. And what is the Shavuos? Remarkably...it is "gemini" twins...perfect harmony!

First your shown the gift. Then you work entirely on it for yourself, but of course you dont achieve what you were shown (its beyond you almost), but together the reward and effort unify you to that level.

This is EVERYWHERE...why does it say in the Gemara that a child in the womb learns Torah? This is a deep idea, but superficially, this is the light (on his own head) that lets him see the universe he can learn so he has a "taste" of what is to be. He has that first sight, then he must work for it!

This concept is at the root of EVERY EVENT!


So...how does this apply to today's sefira? Pesach you are promised that any attribute you want to perfect or work on, you can attain. But you MUST put in the effort during shavuos! Its like "fly now pay later". Btw, aim for something possible, shooting too high and falling back because you cant work that hard could be worse then not getting the taste for it in the first place.

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Thursday, April 05, 2007

Greetings

I read an interesting vort. The Alter of Slobodka was walking one morning and said "Good Morning" to a house. The person walking with him asked, who hears this good Morning?

The Alter responded, "They have to hear it?!"

A great level imo, he said it not because he wants the man to hear it, but rather he truly wants that person to have a good morning. I read the story from Rav Avigdor Miller Zt"l and he adds a great point (which is perfect here):

Hakadosh Baruch Hu promised Avraham:
"Va'averachah mevarachecha" = "I shall bless those who bless you".

Bamidbar 6:27:
"Vesamu es Shemi al Bnei Yisroel va'ani avarecheim".

"Place my name on Bnei Yisroel and I will bless them". Usually understood as the Kohanim by placing the name on Bnei Yisroel cause Hashem to bless bnei yisroel. But as Rav Avigdor Miller zt"l continues to explain the gemara explains that it is "va'averchah mevarachecha" = "will bless those who bless you". Hashem blesses the KOHANIM, why? Because they bless Bnei Yisroel!

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