‫בס“ד‬

Toronto Torah Beit Midrash Zichron Dov

Parshat Acharei Mot/Kedoshim 10 Iyyar 5770/April 24, 2010 Vol. I Num. 27

Just Keep Counting R’ Netanel Javasky

, ‫" (קהלת ג‬.‫”לכל זמן ועת לכל חפץ תחת השמים‬ exclusively with refining one‟s Describing the loss of the 24,000
)‫א‬ character. students of Rabbi Akiva, the gemara in
“For everything there is a time and Yevamot describes the world as
Along similar lines, sifrei chasidut note
season under the heavens.” (Kohelet desolate; the Torah scholars were
that Sefirat HaOmer, unlike the counting
3:1) of the years of the shemitah cycle, is a completely eradicated. But the count
mitzvah which is incumbent upon the must go on. Our count towards
The period between Pesach and religious growth and strengthening our
Shavuot is a time designated for individual. One mass counting for the
avodat Hashem can‟t be put on hold for a
growth in avodat Hashem. We count Jewish People does not adequately
few days as we try and comprehend the
towards the holiday of Shavuot, the day fulfill the Torah obligation, “usfartem
lachem- And you shall count for loss. We pause, we reflect, we analyze
on which we stood at the foot of the and discuss, but the count must
mountain, and in an unprecedented yourselves.” Indeed, many acharonim
(See Biur Halacha 489:1) note that continue.
display of hashra’at haShechinah
Hashem presented His holy treasure, counting the Omer is different from Throughout life, countless distractions
the Torah, to mortal man. Using these most other verbal mitzvot: Generally, and events require our attention and can
weeks as a time of religious growth as in the case of kiddush, one who set us off course from our growth-
and development can be a repeat listens to a recitation by another person oriented trek. One lesson we can learn
experience of the spiritual journey of fulfills his own personal obligation. from Sefirat HaOmer is that growth must
bnei yisrael, in which we morphed Sefirat HaOmer is different, though; this never take a break. No matter what else
from a conglomeration of slaves individualistic mitzvah can never be we are dealing with, and what life
suffering spiritual dearth, to a pure, fulfilled through someone else‟s throws our way, we must continue the
holy and unified Nation, in just forty- recitation. This symbolizes that the climb towards a more complete,
nine days. growth during this period is very spiritual existence.
personal, requiring introspection and
On an individual level, these are days personal attention. The Rambam writes in Hilchot Talmud
for refining our middot and maturing Torah that every single person has a
and developing in our avodat Hashem. Amidst the focus on our personal responsibility to learn Torah. Whether
This is one of the reasons why during growth as individuals and our one is rich or poor, old or young,
the six weeks between the conclusion communal growth as a Nation, we are healthy or ill, the responsibility to learn
of Pesach and Shavuot we have an age- forced to cope with a national tragedy remains. Similarly, as we climb the
old custom of learning Pirkei Avot, the of enormous proportion, which spiritual and religious ladder we must
section of Mishnah which deals threatens to knock us off course. remain focused, continue to reach
higher and higher in our religious
commitment, and continue to strengthen
Parshah Questions R’ Meir Lipschitz our personal relationship with Hashem.
(Sources are provided to help the reader research answers) njavasky@torontotorah.com
 Is ‫ עזאזל‬a person, place, or thing?
(Rashi, Ramban, and Ba‟al Haturim to Vayikra 16:8) Save the Date!
 What is the mitzvah of ‫?קדושים תהיו‬ R’ Meir Goldvicht
(Rashi, Ramban, Ralbag, Da‟at Zekeinim Miba‟alei HaTosafot, Ba‟al Haturim, Siftei Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva
Chachamim, Netziv, Ohr HaChaim, and R‟ S.R. Hirsch to Vayikra 19:2)
University/Yeshivat Rabbeinu
 Why does the Torah say that one may not curse a deaf person? Yitzchak Elchanan
(Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Rashbam, Ramban, Rabbeinu Bachaye, Rekanti Seforno, Kli Leil Shabbat, May 7
Yakar, Siftei Chachamim, Netziv, R‟ S.R. Hirsch, Shaarei Aharon, and Da‟at Mikra
to Vayikra 19:14, and Sefer HaChinuch 231) Tisch at Ayin L’Tzion
Shabbat Day, May 8
 For children: Should a Jew want cheeseburgers?
(Rashi to Vayikra 20:26) Derashah at Ayin L’Tzion
mlipschitz@torontotorah.com

Yeshiva University
Center for the Jewish Future
A Love/Hate Relationship Russell Levy
‫ רבי עקיבא אומר זה כלל גדול‬,‫ואהבת לרעך כמוך‬ a measuring rod, he approached Hillel authority, but as Pirkei Avot describes,
‫בתורה‬ with the same question. Hillel it was “l‟shem shamayim”, for the sake
Love thy neighbour as thyself: Rabbi immediately responded, “That which of Heaven. He understood and argued
Akiva says: This is an important rule of you hate, do not do to your neighbour. that this is the message that must be
the Torah. The rest is commentary -- go and learn conveyed: If we see an action as hateful,
it.” it is antithetical to Judaism to do this to
Important rules abound in our another.
literature; the Mishnah describes them Many have traditionally melded these
for Shabbat and Shvi‟it [the sabbatical two statements into one overarching Unfortunately, this message and
year]; the Yerushalmi applies one to principle: Be nice to others. However, warning was not heeded by the Jewish
ma‟asrot [tithes]. However, by far the Rashi on the Gemara hints that we ought community. Around 60 years after Hillel
most famous one is that which occurs in not combine these two mitzvot; he passed away, the Beit haMikdash was
our Parsha, “Love thy neighbour as explains that Hillel was not paraphrasing destroyed because of sinat chinam,
thyself”. a verse in Kedoshim, but one from baseless hatred. It was in this world that
Mishlei. It would seem that each rule has R‟ Akiva was the spiritual leader of the
Though each of these are described as a distinct message, both for the times of Jewish people, one in which people
an important or great rule, it would Hillel and R‟ Akiva, and ours. should have realized their error of sinat
seem the others are more limited. The chinam, and for this world Rabbi Akiva
other principles are limited to a specific It would seem that Hillel was speaking to formulated a separate overarching
subcategory of halachot -- “This is an his generation, not only teaching a principle: Love thy neighbour.
important rule of shabbat/shvi‟it/ lesson for the ages. Living before the
ma‟aser”. However, with respect to destruction of the Beit haMikdash, Hillel Even if the generation had learned the
loving your neighbour, R‟ Akiva did not would have seen rampant sectarianism lesson not to hate their neighbour, the
state, “This is an important rule of in Judaism. Each sect tried to assert its Talmud informs us that they did not
interpersonal relations”, but a rule of authority in its own way, and to any achieve the heights they could have
the entire Torah. outside observer, it would seem that the achieved in loving their neighbour. The
Torah taught us to hate those who are Talmud explains [Yevamot 61b] that
Many mitzvot govern interpersonal different. This was similar to any other 24,000 students of R‟ Akiva died during
relations. What makes this rule an Western religion at the time, as is seen the Omer because they did not show
overarching theme of the Torah, more in the persecutions Jews and other honour to each other. It would seem that
than any other rule? minorities received at the hands of the the issue was not baseless hatred -- they
dominant empires for the hundreds of did not hate each other, and did nothing
In addition to this statement of R‟ Akiva, years around Hillel. that they would see as hateful to their
we have a similar statement of Hillel the fellow man. However, they did not
Elder in the Talmud [Shabbat 31a]. A Hillel understood that this was not what achieve the heights of love, either.
potential convert wanted the entire Judaism was about. When he argued
Torah explained to him on one foot. with anyone, be it Shammai or sectarian R‟ Akiva, unlike his students, realized
After being shooed from Shammai with Jews, he was not doing this to assert his that when a cup breaks, you cannot just
put the pieces back together without
glue; one cannot assume that what
The 613 Mitzvot – Mitzvah 32 : would work before the destruction
(avoiding hatred) is enough to merit the
Refraining from Melachah on Shabbat rebuilding after it has been destroyed.
In every relationship, be it with our
parents, our spouses, our children, our
The word melachah, as used in the spend Shabbat thinking about friends, or Hashem, the amount of effort
context of Shabbat, refers to the tasks HaShem‟s creation of the universe. needed to continue good rapport is
performed in the mishkan (Shabbat  O n a n o t h e r l e v e l , S h a b b a t much less than we require after the
49b; Bava Kama 2a). All of these tasks, relationship is hurt in some way.
commemorates our freedom from
and tasks which have similar slavery in Egypt. A slave cannot rest; R‟ Akiva realized that after the
purposes or methods, are prohibited we are given a day of rest to show that destruction, after our relationship with
on Shabbat, as an outgrowth of the HaShem made us into free people. Hashem was damaged, we needed to do
Torah‟s instruction, “You shall
more than blot out hatred from the
perform no melachah.”  In yet another approach, Rav
world. We are required to the extra step
Shimshon Raphael Hirsch suggested
The sages have identified many and to respect, to love other Jews, just
that on Shabbat we cease creating in
benefits of refraining from performing as we want to be loved. Today, this is
order to recognize that we are not
melachah on Shabbat: the great rule of the Torah, and it is
unlimited masters of this world, to through following this rule completely
 One reason, as brought by the Sefer manipulate it as we choose. that we will merit a rebuilding of the
haChinuch, is that we are meant to torczyner@torontotorah.com Beit haMikdash.rlevy@torontotorah.com

2 Visit us at www.torontotorah.com
 Ha’Am V’Ha’Aretz
Maharshal-R’ Shlomo ben Yechiel Luria R’ Mordechai Torczyner

Torah in Translation Rabbi Shlomo ben Yechiel Luria

(Maharshal) was born in
Following the Zohar approximately 1510 in Poland, to a
Responsa of Maharshal 98 rabbinic family which traced its roots
to Rashi. He was a cousin of Rav Moshe
[Note: Of course, there are other the Agur recorded that he found Isserles, with whom he engaged in on-
going halachic and philosophical
halachic points of view. We do not cite three laws in the Zohar, one of which disputes, and he studied with some of
this as a halachic ruling.] is the one we have mentioned, and all the greatest halachic minds of the
of our ancestors studied and analyzed generation.
You asked whether I don the hand-tefillin greatly that work [the Zohar], and yet
Rabbi Luria served as rabbi in Brisk
while sitting or standing, because you they were not concerned for it. The and other communities before coming
have seen many careful people do it Agur himself wrote that he did not to Lublin to head a yeshiva, in 1567,
while seated. find this law in the work of other where he remained until he passed on
writers in his day. Open your eyes in 1573. Rabbi Luria was independent
Know, my friend, that new people have and see! If this ruling had substance, in his thinking, researching every
come from nearby, wishing to be among it is impossible that it would not have halachic idea to its core and accepting
nothing as a given, and he criticized
the kabbalists, those who analyze the been mentioned by some author, that
the stances of others without asking or
secrets and whose eyes are too weak to all hints in Talmud Bavli or giving any quarter. He wrote, “Many
see, but they have never seen the light of Yerushalmi, Sifra, Pesikta or Sheiltot are ordained, but few know anything.”
the Zohar and know not its rising and would have been lost. Rav Yosef Maharshal‟s published works include
setting and intent, only that they have Karo‟s position was accurate, in commentaries to the Talmud, to the
found this in the books of Rabban Shimon bringing many things from the Zohar Sefer Mitzvot Gadol and to Rashi on the
bar Yochai. Torah, in addition to halachic
but not bringing this law; he was not responsa.
concerned for it.
Know, my friend: I saw that all of my holy
mentors and ancestors, who served the Further, know that Rabban Shimon
this seal, for the essential seal is in
great ones, practiced only the words of bar Yochai‟s intent was to distinguish
the hand-tefillin, as it is written, „Like
the Talmud and halachic authorities. If between the hand and head tefillin,
a seal upon his [sic] arm.‟
Rabban Shimon bar Yochai would stand as though they were built on two
before us and scream that we should separate foundations, the hand tefillin Therefore, my friend, do not go with
alter our ancestral custom, we would not linked to seated prayer and the head them upon the path; you have no
listen; the halachah does not follow most tefillin linked to standing prayer… involvement in the hidden matters of
of his rulings, as Rav Yosef Karo wrote. One who comes to analyze will those who arrogantly create new
There is proof in that he wrote great analyze, but the truth will show its phenomena as though they knew and
secrets and marvelous cautions against path, and one who does not know understood the secrets of Torah. I
reciting two berachot on the head and how to grasp its secret properly will wish they knew the revealed parts of
arm tefillin, and we pay him no attention come, swiftly, to cut the saplings Torah!...
and we recite two berachot. He also [meaning, to err in fundamental
wrote that one who dons tefillin on chol matters]. I will also tell you that I received from
hamoed is liable for death, and we don my great father-in-law, R‟ Klonymus
tefillin and recite a berachah upon them! I have also found [see commentary of z”l, who received from the great
Granted that Israelis do not don tefillin the Rokeiach to Shma] that one must chasid Rabbi Daniel z”l, disciple and
on chol hamoed at all, for the Rashba don tefillin while standing because servant of the Terumat haDeshen z”l,
nullified the practice based on the view there is nothing more sacred than this who saw that his custom matched
of the R”i, but that was not solely act; it is like a servant before his ours. Therefore, practice your custom
because of the Zohar. master, accepting his seal of and they will have theirs, but know
servitude. They do not distinguish that all who alter have the lower
Do not say that our ancestors lacked between the hand and head tefillin, hand. We have the upper hand.
knowledge of the apocryphal works and it also seems clear that one
which were found before the kabbalists; should stand immediately to receive torczyner@torontotorah.com

Visit us at www.torontotorah.com 3
 Summer Morning Kollel
For Women

9:15 AM Preparation Time

Shiur

Mondays:
Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner:
Hilchot Tevilat Kelim
10:00 AM
Thursdays:
Rabbi Aaron Greenberg:
Sefer Bamidbar -
The Turbulence of Traveling

10:45 AM Shiur Ends

Free! * Located in Thornhill

summerkollel@torontotorah.com
or call 416-781-1777 to register

Schedule for the Week of April 24, 10 Iyyar

Shabbat, April 24
Derasha R‟ Mordechai Torczyner Ateret Mordechai
7:50AM R‟ Azarya Berzon, Ramban al haTorah,Or Chaim
Following Hashkama R‟ Azarya Berzon, Clanton Park
5:30PM Women‟s Shiur, R‟ Mordechai Torczyner BAYT
6:40PM R‟ Azarya Berzon, Mizrachi Bayit
Sunday, April 25
Community Beit Midrash, FHJC: R‟ Mordechai Torczyner, Am I
Butting In, Or Am I Doing You A Favour?
9:15AM Itamar Zolberg, Shiur B‟Ivrit Zichron Yisrael
8:30PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Masechet Kiddushin Shaarei Shomayim
Monday, April 26
8:35PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Hilchot Talmud Torah Clanton Park
Tuesday, April 27
11:00AM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Masechet Pesachim, Clanton Park
Men
1:30PM R‟ Mordechai Torczyner: Sefer Amos with Mekorot,
Shaarei Shomayim Women
8:15PM Russell Levy: Big Questions, Westmount
7:00 PM Itamar Zolberg, Megilat Ruth, Shaarei Tefillah
8:30PM R‟ Mordechai Torczyner: Minchat Chinuch off this week
Wednesday, April 28
9:15AM R‟ Mordechai Torczyner, Pirkei Avot, 239 Franklin, Babysitting
provided Women
7:30PM Rabbi Meir Lipschitz, Ramchal‟s Derech Hashem, Kehillat Shaarei
Torah Men and Women
Thursday, April 29
11:00AM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Masechet Sukkah (Advanced), Clanton Park Men
3:40PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Hilchot Muktzah (Advanced), Clanton Park Men
8:30PM R‟ Azarya Berzon: Halachah and Life Issues, Clanton Park Men
9:00PM Russell Levy: Contemporary Halachah: Converting for Marriage,
B‟nai Torah
9:15PM R‟ Azarya Berzon:Halachic Man, Clanton Park Men
Our separate men’s and women’s Summer Kollel
programs for young adults start May 3. To sign up or
for more information, call 416-781-1777 or e-mail
summerkollel@torontotorah.com.