Об этом документе

Torah Studies — Studies-Mishpatim-imp 5784

Выпуск: Torah Studies — Studies-Mishpatim-imp 5784. Темы: parsha_commentary. Поисковые термины: недельная глава, парша, parsha, פרשה, פרשת השבוע. Schneerson Adapted by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks OBM Former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth PARSHAS MISHPATIM 5784 A Torah discourse of the Lubavitcher Rebbe usually revolves around a question, sometimes a seemingly microscopic tension, serving as a point of departure for the Rebbe`s discussion. Mishpatim M I S H P AT I M T O F AST OR N OT T O F AST We learn in the Torah portion of Mishpatim:1 "When you see the donkey of your enemy lying under its load, you will [be tempted] to refrain from helping him, [but] you must come to his aid." In commenting on this verse, the Mechilta notes2 instances when one is not obliged to render assistance: when the donkey belongs to a gentile and the load belongs to a Jew, or when the animal is in a cemetery and the person who would render assistance is a kohen, for the kohen may not ritually defile himself by entering a cemetery. 3 Torah Studies Now, we observe that Rashi, in discussing the Midrashic exceptions, omits the instance mentioned in the Mechilta of the animal being in a cemetery, and instead mentions that when the individual who would offer assistance is old and the conduct would be entirely inappropriate, he is not obliged to help. Now, while the instance of the older person is indeed mentioned by our Sages,4 they mention it in explaining the verse in Devarim:5 "If you see your brother's ox or sheep going astray....." How could Rashi possibly omit the example quoted by the Mechilta on this verse and substitute an example derived from another verse? In the first instance, fasting atones for iniquities, while in the latter instance, it either follows repentance, or there was no sin at all; the individual is merely "polishing the soul clean before G-d."8 Rashi's two examples of "an old person..." and "a gentile's animal...." are predicated upon the two instances when one does not "come to his [the body's] aid" through purification and refinement alone, but also through fasts. - sins, his body and animal soul are torn away from holiness and come under the temporary rule of unholiness; they become "a gentile's animal." Yet, even the greatest Jewish sinner is filled with mitzvos9 - a "Jewish load" - especially so since, even while a sin 7 Shulchan

Издание

Torah Studies

Дата

9 февраля 2024 г.

Страниц

12

Темы: parsha_commentary