The sotah, wayward wife, has deviated from the prescribed moral path of a Jew by acting inappropriately and cavorting with another man after being admonished by her husband to desist from this relationship. The word sotah may also be derived from shoteh, which denotes a fool/an individual who has deviated from the normal psychological profile. The shoteh has no emotional control. The sotah has acted in a manner that bespeaks a breakdown of her mental faculties. Indeed, Chazal say that one does not sin unless he has first had a mental lapse. To deviate morally is not simply a shortcoming in…
Rashi cites the Midrash Tanchuma which declares, “Fortunate is a tzaddik and fortunate is his neighbor.” Because the tribes of Yehudah, Yissachar and Zevulun encamped on the east near Moshe Rabbeinu, who was constantly engaged in Torah study, they themselves became great in Torah. A tzaddik has the ability to leave an indelible impression upon those who are in his proximity. Chazal address the concept of a neighbor with whom one spends quite some time, one who, while in a tzaddik’s presence, falls under the impression and influence of a tzaddik. This is a phenomenon that occurs even during a short…
After Klal Yisrael was counted, Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu concerning their order of encampment, each tribe in a specific place with its own individual banner. This order was not merely good advice; it was a Divine edict that no member of the tribe of Zevulun reside next to the tribe of Yissaschar, etc. Hashem determined who should be neighbors with whom. Afterwards, Hashem made known where the ligyono shel Melech, King’s legion, Shevet Levi, should camp. The three Levite families are listed according to the place of their encampment – one directly to the north of the Mishkan; one to the…
If they confess their sins, why does Hashem say, “I, too, will behave toward them with casualness”? Why does He not accept their repentance? Horav Shimon Schwab, z.l., explains that when one peruses the parsha, he will note that the underlying sin for which Klal Yisrael is held in contempt is the sin of keri, casualness. Their lackadaisical attitude to everything is what led to their downfall. Yet, when they confess, they admit only to avonam, their actual sin. They also happen to confess to their casualness – disregarding the fact that it was specifically this apathetic observance that catalyzed their…
Rashi cites the Sifra, which suggests that the positioning of the blessing of peace climaxes the precious blessings of material abundance. The Torah teaches us that peace is equivalent to all the other blessings combined. What a wonderful blessing – peace among people. Imagine a community with no strife, no controversy. Indeed, when people are embroiled in dispute, they have no time or energy to enjoy the fruits of their success. They are too busy fighting. How is peaceful co-existence achieved? Commenting on the pasuk, Ibn Ezra explains, shalom beineichem, “peace among you.” Usually, we translate beineichem as “among you.” Perhaps,…
Rashi understands the concept of following Hashem’s decrees as engaging in intensive Torah study. Ameilus, toil, in Torah is a critical aspect of Torah study. The Taz in Orach Chaim 47 writes, “The Torah is retained only by he that toils in it diligently and with great intensity. Those who study Torah casually – amid comfort and without toil – will not retain it.” The study of Torah is unlike any other scholarly pursuit. For a Jew, it is his lifeblood and must be viewed as such. Horav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, z.l., explains that one who toils in an endeavor or…
וכי ימוך אחיך ומטה ידו עמך והחזקת בו
The responsibility to help a Jew in financial need is a serious one. We live in a time when financial struggling has, regrettably, become a way of life for many. Throughout Jewish history, there have always been those who give and those who take. Due to circumstances beyond our control, today’s times are creating more who are relegated to take and fewer who are able to give. Yet, the Jewish people have always risen to their appellation of being rachamanim bnei rachamanim, compassionate sons of compassionate ones. We help, many doing so beyond their means. Let us peruse some of the…
ואיש כי לא יהיה לו גאל
What a terrible feeling – not to have anyone. It is our obligation to see to it that no Jew is alone or feels alone. Some individuals make it their business to see to the physical and emotional needs of their brethren, realizing how important this is. One individual who was a towering example of chesed at its zenith was the Skverer Rebbe, Horav Yaakov Yosef Twersky, z.l. After World War II, he took a small apartment in Bucharest, Romania. During the three years that he spent there, this tiny apartment served the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of thousands…
ואכלתם לשבע וישבתם לבטח עליה. וכי תאמרו מה נאכל בשנה השביעת... וצויתי את ברכתי לכם בשנה הששית
Klal Yisrael is assured that, in return for observing the Shemittah laws and allowing the land to rest during the seventh year, they would not be exiled. Furthermore, to those of little faith, who question how only one crop can sustain them for more than one year, Hashem promises that the prosperity will be to such an extent that their questions will be without basis. Yet, the Torah felt that the question of Mah nochal, “What will we eat?” was of such significance, that it was eternalized in the Torah. This question, however, should have been asked only once. After their…
ולא תונו איש את עמיתו
The Sefer Yereim contends that just as there is an admonition against onaas devarim, hurting a person with words, saying something to him that disconcerts and makes him feel bad, there is also an enjoinment against looking at someone with a bad/evil look. The way we look at someone – be it with disdain, scorn, or hatred – can and does hurt. Onaas mamone is the prohibition against cheating someone financially. It is a surreptitious form of stealing. In truth, one only fools himself. Horav Menachem Mendel, z.l., m’Varko, said, “According to Halachah, one should not cheat another Jew. Lifnim meshuras…