VOLUME 111 NUMBER 2
Sivan 8, 5784
June 14, 2024
PARSHAS NASSO
Candlelighting Time 8:11 PM
Whenever one swears falsely denying the claim of an item to its owner, a sacrifice is required to atone for that offense. However, in this week’s parsha there is an additional dimension added when the affronted is a convert. The offender is considered as though he has stolen from Hashem. Therefore, if the convert to whom the item is owed is no longer living and he doesn’t have any heirs, then the compensation is given to the Kohanim. Why is that considered an appropriate measure, perhaps the money should go to the neediest people nearby or to an entirely different cause, why the Kohanim? Also why is it considered a robbery from Hashem?
Chasam Sofer explains that when the convert is offended by another Jew he begins to doubt the validity of his decision. After all, didn’t he join our nation because he was impressed with our integrity and honesty. It seems that his choice was wrong because the same cheating and lying that he noticed amongst the nations of the world occurs with the Jewish people as well! This attitude espoused by the convert is actually a desecration of Hashem’s veneration, displaying total and unabated disgrace of His nation. Therefore, the Torah terms the offender as possessing a guilty soul. The convert’s exposing of the lack of decency amongst our people is outright sacrilege due to the actions of the one guarding his item, therefore the blasphemy is attributed to him.
Sforno seems to take this theme of the Chasam Sofer to another level. He notes that this law is pertinent in the times of the Beis Hamikdash. Apparently he is suggesting that when Hashem is omnipresent, there is a bigger accountability to revere Him. When we witness all the miraculous events that occur in the Beis Hamikdash we must internalize the majestic nature of Hashem’s supremacy and propose to disseminate it. Certainly, acting in a manner that diminishes that splendor and brilliancy indeed borders on the profane. Subsequently, Hashem’s Name is defiled and excessive refurbishment in the form of confession is necessary.
Perhaps that is why the mitzvah to confess for a sin is mentioned in conjunction with this particular instance. Of course, every wrongdoing requires penitence accompanied by a declaration asserting that the person will not repeat his transgression. However, is there a possibility that one can veer off in such an offensive manner that confession is insufficient? This violation of Hashem’s nobility and confessing that crime is an incisive illustration of the power of acknowledging one’s flaws.
Chizkuni states that Hashem is the ‘father’ of converts and therefore it is appropriate that He inherits the money owed to the litigant, the convert. As a result, the children of the ‘father’ receive the money. That is why the Kohanim collect the money owed to the convert. Clearly, although Hashem protects us all, obviously those who are at a definite impediment obtain more security. We should realize this and understand that when we need more safety Hashem is always present to insure our security.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
Since the princes all brought the exact same donations for the Mishkan when it was inaugurated therefore avoiding jealousy, Hashem rewarded them to allow the sacrifices to be brought even on Shabbos despite the fact that they were private offerings and not brought on the national level.
CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABBOS
YESTERDAY WE CELEBRATED THE WONDERFUL HOLIDAY OF SHAVUOS. IT WAS FULL OF SIMCHA AND JOY. HOWEVER, WE CANNOT FORGET OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL WHO ARE UNDER SEIGE. IN THE MERIT OF THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOURS THAT WERE SPENT STUDYING TORAH WE HOPE TO SEE AN END TO THE WAR IN ISRAEL AND A REBULDILNG OF THOSE AREAS THAT WERE REVAGED BY HAMAS MANY MONTHS AGO.
