Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 10:29:52 +0000 Reply-To: yhe@jer1.co.il Sender: owner-yhe-parsha@jer1.co.il Precedence: bulk From: "Yeshivat Har Etzion" To: "VBM - Parashat Hashavua by Yeshivat Har Etzion Faculty" Subject: PARSHA - Parashat Naso X-To: yhe-parsha@virtual.co.il YESHIVAT HAR ETZION ISRAEL KOSCHITZKY VIRTUAL BEIT MIDRASH (VBM) ************************************************************** PARASHAT HASHAVUA ************************************************************** This shiur is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Bennett Gold (Rav Dov ben Dovid Meir) whose yahrzeit is Gimmel Sivan. - Shari and Jay Gold and Family. ************************************************************** PARASHAT NASO by Rav Yair Kahn Sefer Bemidbar opens with the establishment of "machaneh Yisrael" in the wilderness, in preparation for their epic journey towards Eretz Yisrael. The documentation is exhaustive, describing in minute detail the various aspects of the "machaneh;" the nation, its groups and subgroups, its leadership both religious and political. This account is followed by the various performances and preparations which culminate in the beginning of the actual journey (10:11). In light of the above, the halakhic section in Naso which deals with the laws of kofer be-pikadon (disavowing a monetary obligation), sota and nazir is baffling. These "ill-placed" laws fracture the thematic flow of the beginning of Sefer Bemidbar. The problem deepens in light of the fact that Sefer Bemidbar is essentially narrative. There are very few halakhic sections. The Ramban in his introduction to the sefer remarks: "There are no commandments for generations in this sefer, aside from a few regarding sacrifices which are not completed in Sefer Vayikra." The Ramban clearly characterizes Sefer Bemidbar in general as narrative. However, even were we to adopt his solution for the uncharacteristic halakhic elements in Bemidbar, we would remain troubled by the specific location within the sefer. This is especially puzzling regarding parashat Naso where these commandments are thrust so haphazardly into the midst of the preparations preceding the journey. The location of other halakhic sections found in Sefer Bemidbar seems obvious. Following the Korach affair, which included a challenge to the institutions of kehuna and leviya, the Torah introduces the laws of teruma and ma'aser, apparently with the intention of firmly establishing those institutions. The devastating decree in the wake of the meraglim incident is followed by halakhic material implicitly promising a brighter future when the children of Israel will eventually enter the promised land. (See Rashi Bemidbar 15:2.) Although the connections are less obvious in our parasha, we will nevertheless employ the same method. We will try to thematically weave the halakhic segments which discuss kofer be-pikadon, sota and nazir, into the narrative flow of Sefer Bemidbar. We will begin with kofer be-pikadon. When approaching this section, we are faced with an additional difficulty: The halakhot of kofer be-pikadon already appear in Sefer Vayikra (5:20-26). However, a closer comparison of the two parashot will reveal an aspect which is mentioned in parashat Naso, but was totally ignored in Vayikra. In Naso, there is mention of the specific case of "gezel ha-ger," where no one inherits the deceased creditor and therefore there is no one to claim the stolen debt. In this case, the stolen money is given to the kohanim. The continuation of this section (verses 9-10) clearly indicates that the focus is the payment to the kohen and not "kofer be-pikadon." In fact, kofer be-pikadon, where there is no inheritor, is mentioned in our parasha only as a case in which we give money to a kohen. However, considering gezel ha-ger as an example of "matanot kehuna" is very odd. Most examples of matanot kehuna are due to their special or consecrated status (i.e., teruma, bikkurim, bekhor, portions of the sacrifice etc.). In this unique case, we are discussing stolen property, which due to lack of a claimant, is given to the kohen. What is the basis for this singular halakha? In my opinion, this parasha expresses the role of the kohen vis-a-vis his involvement in civil disputes. The kohen who personifies the "machaneh shekhina," should not limit his concerns to the narrow confines of the mishkan. Although, the mishkan is his responsibility, his role extends beyond its borders. The kohen, as the representative of an ideal state of kedusha and tahara, must also be involved and thereby influence the ordinary affairs of the common man. There is no dichotomy in Yahadut cleaving civil matters from religious concerns. Therefore, the kohen, despite his involvement with religious issues, is nevertheless concerned with the mundane affairs of man. The other side of the coin (literally!) is that the debt owed the ger is not perceived only in monetary categories and does not dissolve if there is no claimant. With the death of the ger, the debt must be paid to the kohen. In more general terms, the unique halakha of gezel ha-ger is an expression of the relationship and interaction between the machaneh shekhina and machaneh Yisrael. When considered in these terms, this parasha flows naturally and smoothly into the opening of Sefer Bemidbar, which, as we mentioned, deals with the establishment and integration of machaneh Yisrael around the machaneh Shekhina. Having argued the case of gezel ha-ger, I will continue on to sota and nazir. In the parasha of sota, we have a similar expression of the kohen's involvement in machaneh Yisrael issues. While gezel ha-ger dealt with civil disputes, sota deals with domestic issues. Furthermore, not only is the kohen involved on an individual level, but the dispute is resolved in the mishkan itself (see verse 16), and God's name is violated and erased, to accommodate domestic tranquillity. The issue with which both parashot, gezel ha-ger and sota, is concerned, relates to our approach to man. Yahadut recognizes the human condition with all its frailties and limitations. There is an acute awareness of the human economic struggle which can drive man to desperate acts. There is an understanding of societal and psychological pressures which can lead to argument and violence. There is an appreciation of passions which can complicate husband-wife relations. In the civil arena, as well as the domestic one, man is vulnerable to tensions and pressures which are inherent in human nature. Therefore, the glorious vision of transforming a nation, any nation, into a "Goy Kadosh" is blurred when we focus on man in his natural state. (I am not referring to natural as opposed to societal.) Nevertheless, according to Yahadut, this vision is not attained by denying the human condition, but rather by redeeming it. Yahadut rejected the institution of the monastery which separates the holy few from society and removes them from the vulnerability of natural man. The Rambam (Hilkhot Teshuva 3:6,11) lists one who removes himself from involvement in society as one who has no portion in the world to come. Paradoxically, Judaism clings to the vision of becoming a "Goy Kadosh," whithout suggesting the negation of the human condition. How is this to be accomplished? This dilemma is addressed, in my opinion, in Parashat Naso. Machaneh Yisrael is being established, in preparation of the journey from Sinai to Eretz Yisrael. Sinai refers to the ideal of a goy kadosh, while Eretz Yisrael represents the actual application and realization of this vision. As we mentioned, Sefer Bemidbar begins with the establishment of Machaneh Yisrael, which is the context within which Bnei Yisrael will attempt this monumental journey. The basic structure is set up, and the details are treated, however, one crucial issue remains. The machaneh is comprised of human beings, who argue, steal and lust. How can this machaneh realize the vision of Sinai? The answer lies in the complex nature of the machaneh. There is actually a machaneh within a machaneh. At the center we find machaneh ha-Shekhina, the mishkan and the kohanim as a force of sanctity and purity, influencing and affecting machaneh Yisrael. This allows machaneh Yisrael to retain its human character; not negate but redeem it. The parashot of gezel ha-ger and sota will occur. Civil and domestic tension is inherent in any human society. However, the kohen, the mishkan will deal with these issues, educate, influence and train. They will try to instill a new set of values and change priorities. They will attempt to create and guide a goy kadosh. At this juncture we appreciate the nazir. While the two previous parashot deal with macheneh Yisrael as a whole, and the paradox inherent in the vision of a goy kadosh, the parasha of nazir deals with an individual response to this tension. The nazir is not satisfied with his role as a member of machaneh Yisrael, vulnerable to the passions and pressures of natural man. He prefers the paradigm of the kohen who resides within machaneh ha-Shekhina, removed from the tensions and strife of machaneh Yisrael. (The comparisons between the nazir and the kohen gadol are numerous. Compare for instance, Bemidbar 6:6-7 with Vayikra 21:11-12.) Again, we witness a halakhic parasha whose subject is the relationship of the machanot. The Torah sanctions the institution of nazir, however only on an individual basis, and for a limited period of time. In summary, based on the characterization of Sefer Bemidbar as a narrative, we discussed the suitability of the halakhic sections found in Bemidbar. We showed that it is possible to weave these segments into the narrative flow of the sefer. Regarding the specific question of parashat Naso, we noted that Sefer Bemidbar opens with the establishment of machaneh Yisrael. We proposed that the halakhic segments of gezel ha-ger, sota and nazir all deal with the interaction between machaneh Yisrael and machaneh shekhina. Thus, these halakhot complement the narrative and together paint a complete picture of machaneh Yisrael, and the vision of a mamlekhet kohanim ve-goy kadosh. For further study: 1. In the case of sota, the kohen is totally in charge of the ceremony, whereas in gezel ha-ger, he appears merely as the recipient of the payment. How can we explain the different roles here? 2. Explicit mention of the kohen in relation to nazir (as opposed to the implicit comparison of the nazir himself to kohen gadol) appears where a nazir tamei brings a korban in order to reinstate his nezirut (6,10-11). Compare this to the korban at the conclusion of nezirut (6,13-14). What is the reason for the distinction? (The actual bringing of the korban does mention the kohen's role - 6,6-20 - but, in opposition to the nazir tamei, he is not defined as the goal to which the korban is brought). 3. Sota and nazir are followed by birkat kohanim (6,22-27). Afterwards the Torah returns to the narrative, so this is clearly a conclusion of sorts to the halakhic section of Naso. How does BIRKAT kohanim serve as a conclusion to sota and nazir? 4. The nesiim make two donations: The second one is a korban, the "chanukat hamizbei'ach," which is described twelve times at length. Before that, though, there is a donation of six wagons and twelve oxen. In this case, God explicitly commands Moshe to accept the gift (7,5), as though this should not be taken for granted. What is happening here? ************************************************************** BE SURE TO VISIT THE "VIRTUAL CITY OF JERUSALEM" WWW.VIRTUAL.CO.IL ************************************************************** VISIT YHE'S WEB SITE: HTTP://WWW.VIRTUAL.CO.IL/EDUCATION/YHE ************************************************************** To subscribe send e-mail to: LISTPROC@VIRTUAL.CO.IL: subject:(leave blank or type word 'subscription'), on first line of text type: sub YHE-PARSHA . To participate in a weekly discussion group on this shiur, moderated by the instructor, please subscribe to YHE-PAR.D as described above. For direct questions or comments regarding this shiur, please send email to parsha@etzion.org.il. Copyright (c) 1997 Yeshivat Har Etzion. All rights reserved. ************************************************************** SHIURIM MAY BE DEDICATED TO VARIOUS OCCASIONS - YAHRZEITS, SEMACHOT, BIRTHDAYS, ETC. PLEASE E-MAIL YHE@VIRTUAL.CO.IL FOR AN APPLICATION. YESHIVAT HAR ETZION ISRAEL KOSCHITZKY VIRTUAL BEIT MIDRASH ALON SHEVUT, GUSH ETZION 90433 E-MAIL: YHE@VIRTUAL.CO.IL or OFFICE@ETZION.ORG.IL