---------------------------------------------- Parshas Vaetchanan (Nachamu) Vol. I, No. 52 - August 16, 1997 * 17 Av, 5757 ---------------------------------------------- Questions on the parsha: 1. To which period of time is the verse "at the end of days you will return unto Hashem your G-d" (4,30) referring? 2. The words `zachor v'shamor' -- `remember and safeguard" of the Aseres Ha'Dibros (10 Commandments) were mentioned in a single utterance as our sages relate. Which one of them was written on the tablets? 3. Under what circumstances could Bnei Yisroel make a treaty with the Canaanites and allow them to remain in Eretz Yisroel? *** Safeguard the Shabbos day. Dvarim 5:12 The Ramban writes that when G-d uttered the commandment of Shabbos, Moshe heard `zochor' -- `remember' and Bnei Yisroel heard `shamor' -- `safeguard'. On Moshe Rabbeinu's awesome level of spirituality, the holiness of Shabbos is a completely positive phenomenon that one who understands its significance could not possible desecrate it. The positive command of the Shabbos `remember' contained within itself the impossibility of any violation. A person who loves another does not need any warning not to harm that person. People on a lower level, however, did not grasp this exalted nature of Shabbos, hence they heard the negative commandment of safeguarding the Shabbos. (HaRav Gedalya Shor) *** You shall not add to the word that I commanded you, nor shall you subtract from it. Dvarim 4:2 The commentators explain the meaning of the verse to mean that one may not add to the Torah in order not to wind up detracting from it. The Dubno Maggid has a famous parable which depicts this point. A man borrowed a wooden spoon from his friend and then returned two to him. The friend asked him where the second spoon had come from and he answered that the first spoon had given birth to the second spoon. The friend realized that he was dealing with a fool, so he happily took both spoons. This went on for some time- each time he borrowed a utensil the friend returned two. One day the man asked to borrow a silver candelabrum and his friend was delighted to lend it, for he was sure he would receive two. This time the man did not return anything. Finally, after some time, the friend came to ask for the return of the candelabrum. The man told him "The candelabrum died." The lender screamed out "Are you crazy? How can a candelabrum die?" The borrower laughed and answered "If utensils can give birth, they can also die." The moral is that the Torah is a gift from Hashem. If one is able to add to it, he is also able to detract form it. *** I implored Hashem at that time saying. Dvarim 3:23 Our Sages in Sotah 14a state in the name of R'Simlai: "Why did Moshe Rabbeinu desire so greatly to enter Eretz Yisroel? Did he then need to eat of its fruit or be satisfied from its good? Rather Moshe said, "Israel was commanded many mitzvos, and they cannot be fulfilled except in Eretz Yisroel. I wish to enter so that they will be fulfilled by me." R'Chaim of Volozhin raises a question. It is evident from the Mishna in Pirkei Avos Chapter 1,3 that one should not perform the mitzvos in order to receive reward. ("Be not like servants who serve their master for the sake of receiving reward"). If so, how can our Sages tell us that this was Moshe Rabbeinu's intent? R'Chaim's answer gives a profound insight into the nature of all the mitzvos. He answers that Moshe had no selfish goal at all by desiring to fulfill the mitzvos in Eretz Yisroel in order to receive reward. Rather his sole interest was to help achieve the purpose of creation, i.e. to enable G-d to bestow good upon mankind. *** Hashem your G-d shall you fear. Dvarim 6:13 The Talmud in Temurah 4a derives from this verse a warning against saying G-d's name in vain. There is a discussion among the codifiers whether one may enunciate G-d's name while reading a blessing or a verse mentioned in the Talmud, or must one say in its place `Hashem'-meaning `the name'. The Torah Loda'as cites many authorities that permit saying the name of G-d in a verse mentioned in the Talmud. See Mishna Brura 215:14 who permits it. HaRav Moshe Feinstein writes that it is forbidden to say Hashem instead of G-d's name in a place where the whole verse is mentioned (Igros Moshe OC 2:56). The Sheloh and others write that it is a mitzvah to read the verses pronouncing G-d's name. The Orach HaShulchan, on the other hand, prohibits it and writes that the custom is to refrain. Regarding the Brochos that are mentioned in the Talmud-one may not mention G-d's name, but when a child is being taught a brocha the teacher may pronounce G-d's name. HaRav Moshe Feinstein writes that also when teaching an adult a brocha one may say G-d's name. *** Points to Ponder: * By definition, perfection cannot be improved upon. For one to add or subtract from the commandments of the Torah is an unacceptable implication that G-d's Torah is lacking. Hence "You shall not add nor shall you subtract." Stone Chumash. * Only if you remember the laws and perform them perfectly will you be respected by the nations, but if you permit forgetfulness to pervert your proper performance of the commandments you will be regarded as fools. Rashi * The word `venoshantem' (and you will have been long) in the verse "and you will have been long in the land" has the numerical value of 852. Our sages write in Gitin 88a that this is an allusion to the number of years the Jews would be in their land until the destruction. The Ramban writes that the Jews were aware that this Parsha included an allusion to exile, but only after the exile, retroactively, did they understand what the allusion was.* The verse states "You will do what is fair and good in the eyes of G-d" (6,18). The Ramban cites from our Sages that this refers to compromising in a lawsuit and not stubbornly insisting on one's rights. He writes that after the Torah instructs us to heed the commandments, G-d commanded us that the rest of our actions should be guided by a sense of what is `fair and good' in G-d's eyes. We determine the definition of "fair and good" from what we learn from the Torah's requirements to show compassion to others as it is impossible to spell our all alternatives and situations that could arise.* A person who adds a mitzvah violates the prohibition of not to add to the Torah. When our Sages added various matters they were primarily safeguards to ensure that the Torah is kept. This concept of safeguards is included in the Torah, its source being from the verse "You shall hear My ordinances" (VaYikrah 18:30). * The mourning over the destruction is the first step in preparing to coronate the Creator and draw closer to Him during the Days of Awe which are to follow. A person must feel anguished over the fact that the Divine Presence does not have a permanent dwelling place in the world which results in the creation remaining distanced from G-d. Only as such will he endeavor to promote G-d's sovereignty on Rosh Hashana. HaRav Wolbe *** Halacha: The letter `vav' at the beginning of a word can be used in two different ways. It can be used as the word `and', it can be used to transform a verb written in the future tense to mean past and visa versa.The `vav' connoting `and' and the `vav' that is used to change a verb from past to future usually have the same vowels. The method to discern the difference between the two is by noticing which part of the word is accented. The vav that changes usually has the accent on the latter part of the word (the only exception is when the third letter of the root is an alef in which case the accent will be on the beginning of the word.)There are a few examples of this `vav' that changes a verb from past to present in `Kriyas Shema'. `Vaahavta, Vedibarta, Venasasi, Veasafta, Vechara, Veamarta'. We should therefore be extra cautious while reciting Shema to accent these words correctly in order not to change their meaning. *** Zemanim for Shabbos: Candle lighting Friday night: 7:38 p.m. Latest time for Shema: Acc. to Magen Avraham 9:06 am Acc. to Vilna Gaon 9:42 am *** This week's Torah Bits is sponsored by Debra F. Fink, D.M.D. M.S. P.C. Adult and Child Orthodontics 314-984-9900 *** Torah Bits is compiled by Rabbi Gidon Nitsun under the direction of the Rosh Kollel. *** Week's Announcements St. Louis Kollel announces its annual raffle to be held on Sukkos, October 20, 1997. First prize is two round trip tickets to Israel. (Donated by Easy Returns Worldwide). Second prize is one night (Sun.-Thurs.) accomodations for two and dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. (Donated by the Ritz Carlton Hotel.) For tickets, please contact Michael Weiss or Gavin Kark. 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To subscribe to the free weekly e-mail edition, contact Dmitry Reznikov (872-1676), or e-mail your request to me at dimmy@genetics.wustl.edu Look for our Web Page at: http://genome.wustl.edu/dept/others/dsglab/dimmy/kollel.html *** Schedule of St. Louis Kollel Classes ú * Sun 8:30-9:45pm, Shemiras Halashon, Rabbi Yerachmiel Frank at Agudas Israel. ú * Mon 8:45-9:45, Halacha 101, Learn how to use Mishna Brura, Rabbi Norman Lowenthal at Agudas Yisrael. ú * Tue 1:30-2:30pm, Ein Yaakov, Rabbi Mordechai Yaroslawitz at Agudas Israel. ú * Wed 8:45-9:45pm, Insights into Parsha, Rabbi Gershon Zeffren at Agudas Israel. ú * Wed 7:45-8:45, A Heart of Prayer, Rabbi Gidon Nitsun at Young Israel. ú * Thu 8-9:00pm, Jewish Outlook on Life, Rabbi Gidon Nitsun at TICK. ú * Thu 8-9:00pm, Laws of Shabbos, Rabbi Mordechai Yaroslawitz at TICK. ú * Sun-Thu 9:30-9:45pm, and Fri, Sat after Maariv, Mishnayos, Rabbi Chona Muser at Agudas Israel. ú * Mon-Fri 7:30-7:50am Halacha Yomi, Rabbi Yerachmiel Frank at Agudas Israel. *** Answers to the Parsha questions: 1. According to the Ramban, it is referring to the end of the Babylonian exile when Jews would return to their land. According to the Sforno it refers to the time before the coming of the Moshiach. 2. The Ramban writes that the word remember (zachor) was inscribed on both the first and second tablets.3. If they would agree to accept the seven Noachide laws and pay certain taxes they could remain in the land. This is according to the Rambam and Ramban, however, there are other opinions that differ. *** Torah Bits are distributed to all of the St. Louis area Orthodox shuls. To sponsor Torah Bits or place an announcement for the upcoming Shabbos please contact Dmitry Reznikov at (314) 872-1676. Rates announcements: $5 for individuals $10 for organizations sponsorship: $50 per issue. TORAH BITS FROM THE ST. LOUIS KOLLEL HAS TORAH CONTENT, PLEASE TREAT IT RESPECTFULLY ( AND YES, YOU MAY TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU ).