JUNE 4, 1999 VOL 2, ISSUE 36 20 SIVAN 5759

 

Chabad of Northern Beverly Hills, 409 Foothill Road . Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Rabbi Yosef Shusterman 310/271-9063

PARSHAT BEHALOTECHA

The Torah relates in Beha'alosecha that when the Jews brought the Paschal offering in the desert, some individuals could not participate because they were ritually impure. In response to their cry, "Why should we lose the privilege of bringing the offering," G-d said that those who were unable to bring the offering at the appointed time could do so one month later. This "makeup" offering is known as Pesach Sheni, in contrast to the regular Pesach Rishon. Among the differences between Pesach Rishon and Pesach Sheni: a) during Pesach Rishon, leavened products are prohibited in the person's domain, on Pesach Sheni, however, the person may have such products in his house; b) Pesach Rishon extends for the seven days of Passover, while Pesach Sheni lasts only one day.

Since Pesach Sheni serves as a "makeup" for Pesach Rishon, one might think it would be similar in all aspects; why do they differ so radically? The Pesach Rishon offering is in accord with the orderly pattern of Torah - it is brought in its time. Pesach Sheni involves an offering that is not. This is akin to the difference between the service of a wholly righteous individual, a tzaddik, and a penitent. A tzaddik serves G-d in an orderly manner - in harmony with the order of Torah. A penitent, however, having by definition transgressed the orderly pattern of Torah, is afforded the opportunity to make up for that which he is lacking.

The service of a penitent, however, contains a quality that a tzaddik's service lacks. The tzaddik's service deals solely with permissible matters; his experience with evil is limited to subduing or negating it. Consequently, the tzaddik is unable to transform evil into holiness. A penitent, however, returns to G-d out of love, and is able to transform evil - his past iniquities - into merits. This explains the differences between Pesach Rishon and Pesach Sheni: Pesach Rishon - the service of the tzaddik - has nothing to do with evil. Leavened products - symbolic of evil - are thus not to be found. This is also why Pesach Rishon lasts seven days: the orderly and progressive spiritual service of the tzaddik consists of "seven days" - a complete cycle.

Pesach Sheni, however - the service of the penitent - can transform evil into holiness; leavened products are thus permitted to exist, for they can be transformed into good. Furthermore, the holiday lasts but one day, for the service of the penitent transcends limitation and division, and this is symbolized by the indivisible "one day" - a level that transcends division and orderly progression. In practical terms, Pesach Sheni teaches us: a) that it is never too late - even an individual whose spiritual impurity resulted from a conscious desire to exist in that state can still rectify his error; b) that "one day" suffices, or as the Zohar writes: repentance can be accomplished in an instant. (From: Wellsprings, Based on Likkutei Sichos Vol. XVIII pp. 118-122.)

"When you kindle the lamps...." (8:2) QUESTION: The Gemara (Menachot 86a) says that the olives were squeezed three times. The oil of each pressing was divided into three quality levels. The first level of the first pressing was supreme, and it was used for the kindling of the menorah. The second oil of the first pressing and the first oil of the second pressing were of equal grade for menachot - meal- offerings - but only the first oil of the second pressing could be used for the menorah, and not the second oil of the first pressing. The third oil of the first pressing and the second oil of the second pressing and the first oil of the third pressing were all equal for menachot, but only the first oil of the third pressing could be used for the menorah. Why should the first oil of the third pressing have priority for the kindling of the menorah over the second and third oil of the first pressing?

ANSWER: All men are not alike. Some have better faculties and some poorer. King Shlomo says, "Ner Hashem nishmat adam" - "A man's soul is the candle of G-d (Proverbs 20:27), and all the details connected with the menorah contain teachings which apply to man's life. The teaching of the different levels of oil is that Hashem does not expect one person to be like another

 

 

person, but He does expect him to achieve his utmost. Therefore if he is capable of being on the highest level, he may not suffice with being second. On the other hand, if he has the capabilities of only being of the second level and he excels in that, his achievement equals that of the one who is uppermost in the first level.

It is related that the famous tzaddik Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli once said, "When I come before the heavenly tribunal, I am not afraid they will demand of me, 'Why wasn't Zusha like the patriarch Avraham?' But I am afraid lest they ask me, 'Why wasn't Zusha as Zusha could have been?' "

"Make for yourself two silver trumpets - make them hammered out." (10:2) QUESTION: Why were the trumpets, the cheruvim on top of the Ark (Shemot 25:18), and the menorah (Shemot 25:31) all made "mikshah" - hammered out of one piece? ANSWER: The word "mikshah" stems from the word "kashah" - "difficult." Hammering something out from one piece is quite difficult and laborious. The cheruvim were images of children (see Shemot 25:18, Rashi). The menorah represents Torah and mitzvot, as stated: "For a mitzvah is a lamp and Torah is light" (Proverbs 6:23). The trumpets were used to gather together and unite Klal Yisrael. Raising children successfully, progressing in Torah and mitzvot, and uniting Klal Yisrael are all not easy tasks. On the contrary each one is "kashah" - "very difficult" - and each requires "mikshah" - "hammering" - much laborious effort. (From: Vedibarta Bam by Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky)

LAWS OF LASHON HARA

The prohibition, "Do not accept a false report" teaches us that loshon hora should not be listened to and must not be accepted. However, when the information being conveyed is important to know for constructive reasons, it merits one's attention and may be listened to. Just as relating negative information l'toeles, for a constructive purpose, is not considered speaking loshon hora, so too is listening for a constructive purpose considered responsible and proper. Information that one may listen to includes anything that might help to prevent or correct undue harm to any individual, be it the listener, the speaker, the person spoken about, or another party. It would also include information that could help prevent or correct damage that is physical, financial, emotional or spiritual. It is correct to listen to a person's claim against someone else if one thinks that he can be of help in rectifying the situation, or if the listener or someone else might be vulnerable to similar treatment by the person being spoken about. It is permissible to listen to information about a person with whom one is planning to collaborate in a joint venture, if the information is pertinent to that relationship. In all of the above instances, the information is being listened to for a constructive purpose, and hence is not considered loshon hora. (From: Chafetz Chaim A Lesson a Day)

INSIGHTS TO REDEMPTION

"I am in the midst of the people, 600,000 men on foot..." (11:21) This verse intimates the mystical principle that there is a spark or part of Moses in every one of his people ("I am in the midst of the people..."). Moses, therefore, was connected with every Jew, and this enabled him to be the "faithful shepherd" of Israel and its redeemer from Egypt. The same applies to Moshiach. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov teaches that within every Jew there is a spark of the soul of Moshiach. This spark constitutes the very core of everyone's soul which each one is to unveil and release to govern his life. Each one will thus redeem himself and this will bring about the national redemption for all of Israel. Moshiach, too, therefore, is connected with the entire nation of Israel, with every single Jew, and that is why he is able to redeem all the Jewish people. (From: Insights to Geula, Chabad in Cyberspace)

To do righteousness and justice is more choice to Hashem than sacrifice.

- King Solomon

 

The Alter Rebbe explains (in Tanya chapter 3) that the three faculties of intellect, Chochma-Bina-Da'at, and the seven emotive powers, evolve from the ten supernal Sefirot. All this applies to Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshama (three aspects of the soul) which are enclothed within the body of man. However, Mesirat Nefesh, the readiness for self-sacrifice for G-d (that a Jew neither desires nor is capable of being - G-d forbid - separated from G-dhood (1) comes from the Essence of the En Sof (the Infinite One, may He be blessed) which transcends the Sefirot, the first of which is the Sefira of Chochma. (2) (From Rebbe's Hayom Yom Sivan 21).

 

 

PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY CLASSES

Sunday

8:00 AM

Gemara-Tractate Berachot (men)

Monday

8:00 PM

Chumash (men and women)

Tuesday

8:00 PM

Gemara-Tractate Baitza (men)

Wednesday

8:30 PM

Halacha and Tanya (women)

Thursday

10:00

AM

Chassidus (women)

8:00 PM

Class for Beverly Hills Highschool Students

Daily

6:45 to 7:15 AM

Chasiddus

Between Mincha and Maariv

Halacha

 

 

DAILY MINYONIM:

Shacharit: Mon-Fri 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM

Sunday 9:00 AM

Mincha/Maariv: 8:00 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHABBAT MORNING

 

 

 

LATEST TIME FOR SHEMA 9:17

Chumash

8:45 AM

Shacharit

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Pirkei Avos

9:30 AM followed by Kiddush & Cholent

6:45 PM

Mincha

 

Shabbat ends

7:30 PM followed by Seuda Shlishit

8:43 PM

Any one who would like to sponsor a Kiddush or Seuda Shlishit can contact Rabbi Shusterman at (310) 271-9063

Happy birthday to Mr. E. Wintner, Avinoam Rav-Noy, Avshalom Ben-Levy,

Happy Anniversary to Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Lipsker.

Mazel Tov to the Sussman family on the birth of a new grandson & to the parents Mr. & Mrs. Danny Sussman of Monsey N.Y.

Mazel Tov to Rivka Illulian, Esther Levy, Racheli Rav-Noy, Estee Shusterman & Rochel Leah Shusterman on their graduation.

 

GOOD SHABBOS!