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נפש כי תחטא ומעלה מעל בד'

“If a person will sin and commit a treachery against Hashem.” (5:21)

How does one relate to his non-observant brethren? While there are certainly various approaches and responses to this question,  Horav Meir Shapiro, z.l., the famous Lubliner Rav and founder of the Daf HaYomi , study of one blatt, page, of Talmud daily, gave the following response. A businessman once lent a large sum of money to his friend, who later went bankrupt. There was no way he could pay back the loan. In such a situation, the lender is willing to take anything that he can, regardless of its value or significance. Whatever he is able to put his hands  on…

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אשר נשיא יחטא

“When a nasi/ ruler sins.” (4:22)

In the Talmud Horiyos 10b, Chazal make an intriguing statement. They say that the word asher alludes to ashrei, fortunate. This implies that the generation whose leader seeks atonement, even for his inadvertent sins, is truly a fortunate one, for he will repent his intentional sins. We must understand the good fortune in having a ruler that sins – because he becomes a model of someone who repents his sins. Horav Elimelech, z.l., m’Lishensk, gives the following explanation: Klal Yisrael is comprised of tzaddikim, righteous, pious Jews, and also peshutei ha’am, common, simple Jews. Due to the vast spiritual dichotomy between…

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אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד' מן הבהמה מן הבקר ומן הצאן תקריבו את קרבנכם

“When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem from animals, from the cattle or from the flock shall you bring your offering.” (1:2)

If Reuven slaps Shimon across the face for no reason, Shimon’s  physical pain will not be as great as his emotional pain. Being slapped for no apparent reason is truly an emotional trauma. On the other hand, if Shimon had first struck Reuven with a powerful blow, and then Reuven reciprocated – Shimon would not be that upset. He would understand that he deserves what he has received. Horav Baruch, z.l., m’Kosov applies this analogy towards  explaining the concept of mesiras nefesh al Kiddush Hashem, dedication to the point of self-sacrifice for the purpose of sanctifying Hashem’s Name. If a person…

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