VOLUME 111 NUMBER 4
Sivan 22, 5784
June 28, 2024
PARSHAS SHELACH
Candlelighting Time 8:14 PM
Although as a rule everyone in the desert complied with the laws of the Torah there was one individual who desecrated Shabbos and was therefore put to death. Even though he was warned to stop what he was doing, he refused and therefore the death penalty was imposed upon him. Truly a tragedy to have such an occurrence however it certainly strengthened the resolve of the entire nation to be very careful observing Shabbos.
The next parsha in the Torah deals with the mitzva of Tzitzis. We are commanded to place specially designed strings on the corners of a four-cornered garment. The commentators question what is the connection between these two matters. What does the Torah’s presentation of one who desecrated Shabbos have to do with this mitzvah?
Rashi explains that the incident of Shabbos desecration is mentioned right after the sacrifice brought for idolatry. This emphasizes the severity of Shabbos desecration likening it to idolatry, totally disregarding our relationship with Hashem because observance of Shabbos is tantamount to performing all 613 mitzvos. Tzitzis, which reminds us of the mitzvos is therefore equivalent to the 613 mitzvos. The Torah posits the importance of wearing tzitzis with that of Shabbos. Therefore, we should be prudent and fulfill that mitzvah with alacrity and excessive attentiveness.
Perhaps there is another caveat to Rashi’s explanation. He seems to equate the importance of the mitzvah of tzitzis to the actual observance of Shabbos. In other words, when one heeds this mitzvah it is as though he has truly performed all of the 613 mitzvos. And the reason is that when a person dons a garment with tzitzis it serves as a reminder of all of the mitzvos. That reminder impels a person to commit to serve Hashem with total devotion. And that powerful resolution and dedication are considered as though one has essentially performed all the mitzvos of the Torah. This is a novel approach to understanding the significance of the mitzvah of tzitzis but it seems that this is the interpretation of Rashi. Certainly, such an opportunity should not be passed up.
One of the early commentators cites a Midrash that Moshe noted to Hashem that by the mitzvah of Tefillin the Torah states that its importance is that wearing Tefillin instils Torah into the individual. The sanctity of that mitzvah has such a intense effect that it shields one from transgressing the Torah. One is not allowed to wear Tefillin on Shabbos and if the person who desecrated Shabbos would have had protection from sin then he would not have disregarded the purity of Shabbos. Therefore, Hashem gave us the mitzvah of tzitzis and we have a continuous safeguard from corrupt behavior.
Clearly, this is another angle to understand the importance of tzitzis that it is considered as though one has fulfilled 613 mitzvos. Since we are guarded by that mitzvah, subsequently that promotes a person to search for accomplishing mitzvos. Therefore, it certainly follows that a person’s passion to avoid the pitfalls seriously promotes adherence to the mitzvos. Hence it is deemed as though he fulfilled the entire Torah.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The Midrash states that the one who desecrated Shabbos forgot it was Shabbos and therefore Hashem gave us the mitzvah of tzitzis as an ongoing reminder of our obligations. However, Shabbos is itself a sign of our allegiance to Hashem so why indeed didn’t he remember. We are much more affected by the actions that we do therefore putting on tefillin or wearing tzitzis have a stronger impact on the person whereas Shabbos unless one focuses on the importance of that day he will not be as inspired.
S’FAS EMES
GOOD SHABBOS
THE THREAT TO THE SECURITY OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ERETZ YISROEL GROWS DAILY. WE ARE SURROUNDED BY DANGEROUS ADVERSARIES AND THEY ARE NOT RELENTING IN THEIR DESIRE TO ELIMINATE US. HOWEVER, WE MUST ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THAT WE ARE FULLY PROTECTED BY HASHEM AND THE MORE THAT WE FOCUS ON OBSERVING THE TORAH THE MORE SO WE WILL MERIT DIVINE PROTECTION.
