Naso 5775

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Naso is the longest parsha of the year, mainly due to the sacrifices brought by the 12 Nesi'im (princes). The Torah begins to list each nasi and his sacrifice starting with Nachshon ben Aminadav. However, he's the only one not called nasi in the verse. Why was his title left out? The Or Hachaim explains that Nachshon was fit to bring a sacrifice even if he wasn't a nasi (unlike the other 11). Secondly, Nachshon saw himself as one of the people and not as their leader. The Torah saw it fit to leave out his title because of his righteousness and humility. After all, he showed his trust in Hashem as he walked into the Sea of Reeds up to his nose.

Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5775

Friday, May 1, 2015

Of the many commandments in Parshas Kedoshim, the Torah warns us about cheating in business and immoral relations. The Gemara in Bava Basra (88b) compares the two sins and concludes that cheating is business is worse. How so? The Gemara answers that one can do teshuvah for immoral relations, but cannot do teshuvah for cheating in business. Rashi and Tosafos add that when one steals from a community, it is impossible to return money to each individual and therefore an incomplete teshuvah.

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