[Par-reg] For Parshat Re'ay - two short additional shiurim
Menachem Leibtag
mleibtag at gmail.com
Thu Aug 13 08:50:47 EDT 2015
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THE TANACH STUDY CENTER [http://www.tanach.org]
In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag
Shiurim in Chumash & Navi by Menachem Leibtag
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For Parshat Re'ay // Who's to Blame, or What's to Gain
There's a short sentence in Parshat Re'ay, that appears to be
'misplaced' – for it commands us to 'remember our slavery in Egypt'
specifically on the holiday of Shavuot! [See Devarim 16:12]
Would it not have made more sense to include this commandment together with
the laws of Passover?
In the following shiur, we'll explain how this 'misplaced pasuk' is
precisely where it belongs, by considering its connection to a mega-theme
of the Bible (and Sefer Devarim).
Hopefully, it will also shed some light on what we can relate to more
'current' events.
INTRODUCTION
As you were probably aware, the Torah 'repeats' the holidays towards the
end of Parshat Re'ay (see 16:1-17). In that section, we find three
distinct 'parshiot'; corresponding to Pesach (16:1-8), Shavuot (16:9-12),
and Succot (16:13-17).
[In Chutz la'aretz, this section is the Torah reading for 8th day of
Passover, 2nd Day of Shavuot, and Shmini Atzeret!]
Even though these laws seem to be pretty much a repeat (or summary) of the
laws of the holidays recorded earlier in Chumash (see Shmot 23:14-17,
Vayikra 23, and Bamidbar 28-29), this unit adds (and emphasizes) an
additional element - the need to celebrate these three 'pilgrimage
holidays' at "ha'makom asher yivchar Hashem" [the site that God will
choose].
[See 16:2,6,7,11,15 & 17! - In our previous shiur, we explained how this
was congruent with theme of "ha'makom asher yivchar Hashem" that began back
at the beginning of Parshat Re'ay.]
However, there is another "chidush" [something new] in this section, i.e.
the commandment of "simcha" (see 16:11 & 16:14-15) – i.e. to rejoice before
God. Yet for some reason, this commandment is mentioned specifically in
regard to Shavuot and Succot (and not in regard to Pesach).
To explain why, we must take a closer look at how the Torah words this
commandment 'to rejoice'. In doing so, we will arrive at a deeper
understanding why the Torah tell us immediately afterward 'to remember'.
SIMCHAT YOM TOV – FOR WHOM?
Let's begin our study with the laws of Shavuot in Parshat Re'ay. Note how
the opening psukim describe what appears to be a very simple agricultural
holiday, thanking God for the seasonal grain harvest.
"Count seven weeks; from the time the sickle is first put to the standing
corn, you shall begin to count seven weeks.
And you shall keep the 'feast of weeks' unto Hashem your Lord – by the
measure of the freewill-offering of thy hand, which you shall give as
Hashem has blessed you." (16:9-10)
This commandment to keep "Shavuot" is followed by the special mitzvah
to rejoice on that holiday. As you read these psukim, pay careful
attention to WHO is commanded to be happy:
And you shall REJOICE before HASHEM... you & your son & your daughter &
your man-servant, & your maid-servant, & the Levite that is within your
gates, & the stranger, & the orphan & the widow, that are in your midst -
in the place which Hashem shall choose to cause His name to dwell there.
And your shall remember that you were once a slave in Egypt..." (see
16:11-12)
Two obvious questions arise :
1) Why doesn't the Torah just tell us that EVERYONE must be happy? [Why
such a lengthy list of people?]
2) What is the purpose of the 'additional' commandment to remember that we
were once slaves in Egypt? Wasn't that the purpose of the holiday of
Passover, celebrated only six week earlier!
Furthermore, when the Torah continues with the laws of Succot, we find a
similar commandment to REJOICE on that holiday as well, followed by an
almost identical lengthy list of people who need to be happy (see 16:14)!
Yet for some reason, this 'mitzvah to rejoice' is only recorded by Shavuot
and Succot, but not by Pesach.
The answers to these questions (as you probably guessed) are inter-related,
and relate to the purpose of these two harvest holidays – Shavuot, when we
thank God for our grain harvest; and Succot – when we thank God for our
fruit harvest.
LAND OWNERS & HAPPINESS
Take a look once again at the list of the people who the Torah commands to
rejoice, noting how just about all of them do not own land. The Levite by
the Torah's decree (see 18:1), the stranger due to his social predicament,
the orphan and widow due to a family tragedy.
Note how this list looks more like a roster of those who are NOT happy at
this time of the year – as everyone around them are gathering their wealth
(while own nothing).
In other words, the land owner will be very happy during this time of
year - even if the Torah didn't command him to be happy; while the other
people in the Torah's list will not be happy (more likely jealous),
commandment or not!
And this is exactly what the Torah is talking about!
Unlike our original assumption, the Torah does not command everyone in
this list to be happy; rather it commands the land owner to share his
natural happiness with the 'have-nots'.
Surely he must rejoice by thanking God for his harvest, but he
accomplishes this by sharing his produce with the downtrodden, helping them
rejoice at this special time of the year.
This interpretation also explains why this mitzvah of "simcha" is
recorded in regard to Shavuot and Succot – which are both seasonal harvest
holidays, and not on Pesach – when the harvest is just beginning, and its
outcome remains in doubt
[This does not imply that there is not a mitzvah of "simcha" on Pesach,
rather its application by providing for the needy does not apply in realm
of agriculture (harvest produce), as it does on Shavuot & Succot .]
REMEMBER YOU WERE ONCE A 'HAVE-NOT'!
This interpretation also neatly explains why the Torah reminds us to
remember that we were once slaves in Egypt, specifically after this
commandment to rejoice with the downtrodden on Shavuot. Recall once again
the juxtaposition of these two commandments:
"... REJOICE before HASHEM... you & your son & your daughter & your
man-servant, & your maid-servant, & the Levite that is within your gates, &
the stranger, & the orphan & the widow, that are in your midst....
** Remember that you were once a slave in Egypt!"
This 'reminder' to - remember you were once a slave – should not be
understood as an additional commandment, but rather as a 'statement of
motivation'. In other words, to make sure that we fulfill the Torah's
commandment that we share our happiness with the needy, the Torah reminds
us that once the entire nation of Israel was in the position of the
'downtrodden' under Egyptian bondage. That difficult experience should be
remembered to sensitize our feelings toward the poor, and hence motivate
our commitment to follow God's command to share our rejoicing on Shavuot
and Succot with the 'have-nots'.
In fact, that may have been the very reason why God put is through that
difficult period of "shiabud mitzraim" – enslavement in Egypt- in order to
sensitize our national character, to ensure our constant awareness to care
for social justice.
THE SAME PHRASE THROUGHOUT SEFER DEVARIM
To support our interpretation that to 'remember you were once a slave in
Egypt' should be understood as a 'statement of motivation' (and not a
separate mitzvah). Let's examine how this identical phrase is used
numerous times in Sefer Devarim, and always in this same context, i.e. as a
motivator to follow commandments relating to social justice.
EVED IVRI
Previously in Parshat Re'ay, in regard to the laws of how to free an "eved
ivri" [a Hebrew servant], we find this exact same phrase:
"If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, be sold to you, he shall
serve you six years; and in the seventh year thou shall let him go free.
And when our let him go free – don't let him go empty; You shall furnish
him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy threshing-floor, and out of
thy winepress; of that which Hashem has blessed you...
** Remember that you were once a bondman in the land of Egypt, and Hashem
redeemed you..." (see 15:12-15)
Clearly, in this context, this phrase serves as a 'motivator' to keep
the previous commandment (and not as a commandment in itself). [Note how
most all of chapter 15 relates to social justice.]
IN PARSHAT KI-TEZE
Later on in Sefer Devarim, we find numerous mitzvot relating to social
justice, and especially in chapter 24. We bring two examples where this
phrase is used once again as a 'motivator':
"Do not oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be your
brother or a stranger in your land... In the same day thou shalt give him
his hire....
Do not pervert the justice due to the stranger, or to the orphan; nor take
the widow's raiment to pledge.
Remember that you were once a bondman in Egypt..."
(see 24:14-18)
Only a few psukim later, when the Torah discusses the laws of "leket" &
"shikcha", we find this phrase once again:
"When you reap thy harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the
field, thou shalt not go back to fetch it; it shall be for the stranger,
for the orphan, and for the widow ....
When you beat your olive-tree, do not go over the boughs again; it shall be
for the stranger, for the orphan and widow.
When you gather the grapes of thy vineyard, do not glean it, it shall be
for the stranger, for the orphan and widow.
Remember that you were once a bondman in Egypt..."
(see 24:19-22)
IN THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!
Based on these examples, we can bring one final (and thematically
significant) proof from Sefer Devarim – and this time from the Ten
Commandments!
Recall how the Fourth Commandment - to keep Shabbat - is worded
differently in Sefer Devarim. Not only is the opening word "shamor"
instead of "zachor", but the very reason for keeping Shabbat is different.
According the Commandment in Shmot, the reason for resting on Shabbat is to
remember that God created the Heavens & Earth in seven days; while the
reason to rest in the Sefer Devarim version is to allow your workers a day
of rest!
As you read this Commandment, note how we find our 'phrase', and how
once again it is employed as a 'motivator' – to ensure that we keep this
commandment:
"Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy...
You shall not do any work, you, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy
man-servant, nor thy maid-servant...
nor the stranger that is within thy gates; in order that your man-servant
and thy maid-servant may rest as well as you!
Remember that you were once a bondman in Egypt and the LORD thy God brought
you out..." (see 5:11-14)
We are commanded to rest on Shabbat, in order that our workers can rest
– followed by the 'motivator': Remember you were once a slave in Egypt –
and there, your bosses never gave you a day of rest!
Based on these numerous examples, the meaning of the phrase 'Remember
you were once a slave in Egypt' is very clear in Sefer Devarim. It
consistently serves as a 'motivator' to encourage us to keep a rather wide
range of laws, but all relating to social justice – and our need to be
sensitive to the needs of others.
A MEGA-THEME
Let's return for a minute the concluding lines of the mitzvah to keep
Shabbat in Sefer Devarim. Even though it is commonly understood that the
reason for Shabbat in Devarim is to remember the Exodus ("zecher l'yetziat
Mitzraim"), a careful reading of its final lines leads us to slightly
different conclusion:
"Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy ... You shall not do any manner
of work... in order that your servant and maid-servant may rest as well as
you. Remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and God
brought you out with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; THEREFORE God
commanded you to keep the sabbath day " (5:11-14)
Note how the purpose of Shabbat, according to this commandment, is NOT to
remember the Exodus, but rather to allow your workers a day rest! This
commandment, as we explained above, is followed by the 'motivator' –
Remember you were once a slave in Egypt. In other words - when you were
slaves in Egypt, you masters never gave you a day of rest. Now that you
have become God's special nation, be sure give your servants the kindness
that you wished your masters had given you.
However, immediately after this 'motivator' statement, we find an
additional comment, which explains HOW God brought us out of Egypt (see
again the quote above). It appears that the Torah wants us to remember (on
Shabbat) not only that we were once slaves in Egypt, but also HOW God took
us out of Egypt.
In the context of giving our workers a day of rest, it makes sense that
we must remember our 'slavery in Egypt', but why must we also remember that
God took us out? Is this simply an expression of gratitude, or does this
comment serve as a 'motivator' as well? If so, what is its meaning?
To answer this question, we must return to our discussion of the
purpose of "brit bein ha'btarim" (see related shiurim on Parshat Lech
Lecha, Sefer Shmot, and the Haggada), and the reason why God forecasted Am
Yisrael's 'bondage in a foreign land' at the same time when he chose
Avraham Avinu to become the forefather of His special nation.
In those shiurim, we explained how God chose Avraham to establish
'model nation' (characterized by "tzedek u'mishpat" /Breishit 18:18-19),
that would bring the 'Name of God' to mankind. Towards this purpose, God
promised Avraham not only offspring and a special land – but He also
forecasted the need for his offspring to endure decades of slavery followed
by redemption – in order to become that nation. We posited that one of the
reasons for that 'slavery experience' would be to 'sensitize' the nation –
to encourage them to establish a nation with a much higher moral and
ethical standard (than Egypt).
If so, one could suggest that the Torah mentions the Exodus in relation
to Shabbat in order that we remember WHY God took us out Egypt (and not
simply that He took us out).
In this sense, our mention of the Exodus on Shabbat serves not only as
an expression of gratitude, but more so as a 'recognition of destiny and
purpose'.
[This would be the deeper meaning of "zecher le'yetziat mitzraim" that we
mention in Kidush on Friday night. See also Rashi on Shmot 13:8 ("ba'avur
zeh"), where he explain to our children how God took us out of Egypt in
order that we eat matza (& keep all of His mitzvot); in contrast to eating
matza - because God took us out of Egypt.]
This mega-theme is congruent with Sefer Devarim, for in the main
speech, Moshe Rabeinu is teaching Bnei Yisrael the mtizvot that they must
keep once they enter the Land of Israel. As the overall purpose of these
mitzvot is to establish Am Yisrael as a nation representing God, it only
makes sense that we find this theme of 'remembering you were a slave in
Egypt' repeated so often. [See Devarim 4:5-8 and 26:16-19.]
A SIGNIFICANT CONTRADICTION
This apparent contradiction in regard to the reason for Shabbat between
Shmot (to remember Creation) and Devarim (to be kind to your workers)
carries a very powerful message.
By intentionally 'contradicting itself', the Torah expects the reader to
notice this contradiction and contemplate why! In other words, why would
the Torah first provide a reason for Shabbat in the realm of one personal
relationship with God ("bein adam la'makom"), and in a later version of the
Ten Commandments provide a totally different reason in the realm of man's
relationship with his fellow man ("bein adam le'chaveiro").
This contradiction may be precisely the message! The simple recognition by
man that God created the heavens and earth is not enough. For that
knowledge to become meaningful, man must translate his intellectual
understanding into the realm of his daily actions, or in our case, to the
realm of social inter-action. In this manner, he not only shows God his
belief in Creation, but also his recognition of its purpose.
[It should be noted that these two 'complementing' reasons for Shabbat
appear in Sefer Shmot itself (and are not only a contradiction between
Devarim and Shmot). See Shmot 23:9-12, noting the context on Shabbat
within the laws of Parshat Mishpatim.]
BACK TO SHAVUOT
With this background, we can return to the laws of Shavuot in Parshat
Re'ay. Recall how the first commandment is to rejoice before God at the
time of your grain harvest (see Devarim 16:9-11) – which was followed
immediately afterward by the commandment to rejoice together with those who
don't own their own land.
Here were find a theme very similar to what we found in regard to Shabbat.
The Torah wants the farmer to recognize that his harvest comes from God,
but to formalize that intellectual understanding, the Torah commands the
farmer to take action. He must rejoice in front of God by sharing his
harvest with those who are needy - with those who would otherwise be rather
depressed during this time of the agricultural year.
We find a beautiful expression of this understanding in Rashi's commentary
to these psukim:
"The Levite, stranger, orphan, and widow: - My four against your four: your
son, daughter, servant, and maidservant. If you make My four happy, I
[God] will make your four happy." (See Rashi on 16:11.)
BACK TO SEFER SHMOT
This concept, that our slavery in Egypt should serve as a 'sensitizing
experience' for all future generations of Am Yisrael, finds a similar
expression in Sefer Shmot – both at the beginning and end of a full set of
ethical laws within Parshat Mishpatim (see 22:19 thru 23:9). That section
of ethical laws begins with:
"And a stranger shalt thou not wrong, neither shalt thou oppress him; for
you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Do not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. Should afflict them in any
wise--for if they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry...."
And concludes with:
"Keep thee far from a false matter ....Do not take a bribe...
Do not oppress the stranger - for you know the soul [nefesh] of a stranger,
seeing you were strangers in the land of Egypt." (see 23:7-9)
This theme which he have discussed in Sefer Devarim had already emerged
when the Torah presented its first set of laws that followed the Ten
Commandments (in Parshat Mishpatim).
BACK TO THE FUTURE
We will never know for sure exactly why God found it necessary to put us
through such a difficult bondage in Egypt. Was it in punishment for the
sins of our forefathers, or was it in preparation for the challenges of our
future?
We may conjecture and ponder, but we trust that God is just in all His
ways (see Devarim 32:4-6).
However, based on our shiur, we do have a pretty good idea of how God
wanted us to learn from those negative experiences; and how our national
suffering can become the impetus for the improvement of our own behavior.
Similarly, we will never know for sure exactly why God has brought upon
us such calamity throughout the thousands of years of our history, even in
our own time. We may conjecture and ponder, but we will never know for
sure.
But we can be pretty sure that God would expect that we become
sensitized by our experiences.
After national calamities, we usually tend to dedicate our energies in
search of who's to blame, or to gloat in 'I told you so', or to conjecture
regarding God's deeper motives.
However, we can also contemplate the suffering in those events, and take a
'hint' from God that maybe He would like us to improve ourselves. To
increase our sensitivity for those who are homeless, for those in need of
food, and for those in need of friendship.
If we follow the lesson from Parshat Re'ay, we have much to gain – if
we can translate the understanding of our experiences into actions of
increased "chessed", "mishpat", and "tzedaka" in the months and years to
come.
If not, we will only have ourselves to blame.
shabbat shalom,
menachem
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PARSHAT RE’AY - Part Two
Bad influences? Surely we should stay away from them,
but how do we identify them? In Parshat Reay, we find an
example of how the Torah deals with this problem, as Bnei
Yisrael prepare to enter the land.
INTRODUCTION
Our previous shiur on Parshat Re'ay, discussed how
"ha'makom asher yivchar Hashem" - emerged as its primary
topic. Even though this holds true for chapters 12 and 15,
chapters 13 and 14 appear to form a digression from this
topic.
To illustrate how the topic of 'bad influences' is
sandwiched with the topic of "ha'makom asher yivchar", the
following table summarizes the main topics of the Parsha:
* HA'MAKOM ASHER YIVCHAR HASHEM
12:1-19 - Establishing the Bet ha'Mikdash as the national
center
12:20-28 - Permission for eating meat outside of that center
* BAD INFLUENCES
12:29-31 - Don't seek after the gods of the nations of Canaan
13:2-6 - Don't follow the instructions of a false prophet
13:7-12 - Don't follow a family member who may lead you astray
13:13-19 - Ir ha'nidachat - when an entire city goes astray
14:1-21 - Misc. dietary laws (what one cannot eat)
* HA'MAKOM ASHER YIVCHAR HASHEM
14:22-27 - Eating "maaser sheni" (there) in years 1,2,4,& 5
14:28-29 - Giving this "maaser" to the poor in years 3 & 6
15:1-18 - The laws of "shmittah" for the 7th year
15:19-23 - Bringing the 'first born' to "ha'makom asher..."
16:1-17 - Celebrating the "shalosh regalim, ba'makom asher..."
====
As you most probably have guessed by now, in our shiur we
will search for a theme that ties all of these topics
together.
FOUR 'BAD EXAMPLES'
To begin our shiur, we must first explain why we
categorized all of the topics in chapter 13 as 'bad
influences'.
Note how each topic relates to a certain warning that
'somebody else' will not lead you astray towards following
other gods.
First we find a warning against following the gods of
your 'non-jewish' neighbors (12:29-31). Then we are warned
not to follow a charismatic leader (be he a 'prophet' or
'dreamer'), even if he performs a miracle, should he suggest
that we worship a different god (13:2-6). Afterward, we are
warned against following a family member or close friend who
may secretly suggest that we worship a different god.
Finally, as a society, we are warned not to allow an entire
town to go astray; and if so, that entire town must be
destroyed.
Note how we find examples of influences from:
a) society at large, i.e. our global community
b) our leaders, either religious or lay
c) our family and close friends
d) our city, i.e. our local community
These laws are followed by a lengthy list of dietary laws
in 14:3-21. Note however that the reason for keeping these
laws is given both at the beginning and end of this unit, in
14:2 and 14:21 - for you are an "am kadosh l'Hashem elokecha"
- a designated [holy] nation for your God - hence you must
separate yourselves from them.
Even though the Torah does not explain HOW these laws
accomplish this goal, we know quite well from our daily life
how the laws of "kashrut" severely limit our cultural contact
with people of other religions. Therefore, we find yet
another example of how the laws of the Torah protect us from
the influences of those who may lead us towards following
other gods.
With this in mind, we must now consider the connection
between this unit of 'bad influences' and the primary topic of
"ha'makom asher yivchar Hashem".
INFLUENCES - GOOD & BAD
When we consider the purpose of "ha'makom asher yivchar
Hashem", i.e. the establishment of the city of Yerushalayim
and the Bet ha'Mikdash as the nation's vibrant cultural and
religious center, we find yet another example of what will
influence the society of Am Yisrael, this time from the
positive aspect.
In other words, Parshat Re'ay discusses all types of
influences that will shape the nature of society (as Bnei
Yisrael prepare to enter the land). First and foremost, by the
establishment of "ha'makom asher yivchar Hashem" and the
requirement that every jew frequent that site and eat his
"maaser sheni" in Yerushalayim, we assure the proper
development of Am Yisrael as an "am kadosh l'Hashem".
By warning against bad influences, the Torah attempts to
make sure that the fabric of that society won't crumble.
In Parshat Shoftim, we will find additional examples of
what will provide a 'good influence' upon the nation. The
Torah will discuss the judicial system, the priesthood, and
the various other institutions of political leadership in
their ideal form.
Till then,
shabbat shalom
menachem
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