VOLUME 112 NUMBER 6
Elul 10, 5784
September 13, 2024
PARSHAS KISEITZEI
Candlelighting Time 6:52

We are allowed to offer voluntary sacrifices in the Beis Hamikdash. After our decision to self-obligate then we must fulfill our mandate. Postponing that commitment is prohibited and if one does delay its fulfillment after a certain period of time, than he transgresses the mitzvah of a self-imposed vow. However, the extent of this transgression is even more severe. The Torah states that Hashem Himself will pursue the individual who has deferred executing his duty after his pledge to bring an offering to the Beis Hamikdash. Why is this such an horrendous sin more so than any other unfulfilled vow? Furthermore, the Jerusalem Talmud comments that when a person vows to bring an offering and delays it, then in Heaven that person’s file of his conduct is reviewed and scrutinized. Indeed, the Talmud relates that one who had pledged and had not performed his duty suffered the punishment that one of his ships sank during an ocean voyage. Certainly, an indictment for not having fulfilled his vow which seems to be rather extreme!

The commentators on the Jerusalem Talmud explain that since one is offering a voluntary sacrifice, it appears as though he is asserting that he is of such stature to perform such a deed. Although the average individual would not involve himself in this type of undertaking which demands traveling time to Jerusalem to bring the sacrifice, the energy to travel there and back to his hometown and last but not least the cost itself of the offering. Therefore, one who proclaims himself to be of extraordinary integrity and rectitude is examined by the Heavenly Court to determine his actual status. Even this explanation requires more clarification because why is he subject to such investigation. Even if he is not of that caliber person that would normally bring a sacrifice who is this individual harming?

Perhaps we may suggest that when a person assumes a status not appropriate to his true standing, then people actually begin to believe that he is of such caliber. So again, one might ask, is this calamitous that we must so severely punish him. And the answer is absolutely and the reason is that although he is an overachiever in this situation he may be an underachiever elsewhere. In other words, he may be lax in other areas of halacha which will lead others astray as they follow his lead. Furthermore, still other people may perceive said individual as not being genuine rather simply a fraud. When a person professes to be  one of stature and then falters, it desecrates Hashem’s Name because it seems that even outstanding and eminent people are not really authentic in their observance of the Torah.  

Perhaps this vow involving an offering is more publicly noted and attracts more attention lending to the above problems. We often don’t realize that our conduct is noted and observed by others. Even if we are sold on the idea that we are not important and therefore our actions should not be noted, perhaps we are mistaken in that notion. We carry the banner of Torah within and without. We must seek to be leaders, each in our right, to our coreligionists and to the outside world as well. When we strive to promote the ideals of Torah then Hashem ‘looks’ upon us favorably and we can foresee to merit another year of good health, happiness and success in all of our endeavors.    

A BYTE FOR SHABBOS

We are mandated to help a fellow Jew with his donkey’s burden to assist him in placing it on the animal. However, if he refuses to participate then we are exempt. And this is a theme of life when we attempt to observe the Torah in its totality, then we can count upon assistance from Hashem as well. However, to the extent that we don’t struggle to follow the Torah then we truthfully cannot expect that Hashem will assist us anyway.  

CHOFETZ CHAIM

GOOD SHABBOS

EVERYONE IS FOCUSED ON THE DEBATE BETWEEN TRUMP AND HARRIS. WHO WILL BE THE BETTER OF THE TWO. HOWEVER, WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HASHEM INDEED CONTROLS WHAT WILL HAPPEN. WE SHOULD BE AS FOCUSED ON OUR OBLIGATIONS TO HASHEM AS MUCH AS WE ARE CONCERNING THE DEBATE!