VOLUME 112 NUMBER 5
Elul 3, 5784
September 6, 2024
PARSHAS SHOFTIM
andlelighting Time 7:04

We are commanded not to plant any type of tree including one that is used for idol worship near the altar upon which we sacrifice our offerings. Why would such an innocuous act of planting a tree near the altar be prohibited? Also, how would one come to plant, of all things, a tree used for idol worship amidst the area that we utilize to serve Hashem? The Sanhedrin, the ruling court of the nation is situated right next to the altar as well. Is there some kind of correlation between the prohibition of planting a tree and the situating of the Sanhedrin?

Meshech Chochma provides an eye-opening essay to explain the above questions. Our Sages point out that when the Torah discusses sacrifices a specific name of Hashem is solely used. Only that name of Hashem that directly denotes His quintessence is utilized. That states Hashem does not rely on any sustenance from anyone or anything in the entire world.  Any other name referencing definitive qualities of Hashem are not used. The reason is that we must be extremely cognizant that the essence of Hashem, which is of course beyond our feeble comprehension, is not in any way enriched or augmented by our fulfillment of the Torah. The only winner when we realize achievement of the Torah is our nation. It is forbidden to entertain the thought that anything that we do effectively enhances Hashem’s very being. Therefore, only that name that alludes to the omnipotence and supremacy of Hashem is used.   

Noticeably, the material used to construct the altar was stone. Stone does not have innate ability to expand rather only when additional coatings of that material are layered upon stone does it achieve any degree of ‘growth,’ whereas plants and animals have the ability to actually grow and expand. The expansion of the living occurs when they are sustained and nourished. Of course, sustenance is not a requirement for Hashem for his reality is an actuality. Therefore, placing something such as a tree which requires external support is an absolute defilement of the crux of the precept of the altar. The additional prohibition of the idol is because in Hebrew this idol is referred to as ‘asheira’ which means that it is empowered by its constituents. This is, of course, fundamentally divergent from our basic principle that we are empowered by Hashem, the core of our sustenance and well-being, but of course we do not in any way endow Hashem. 

A judge represents a similar theme. Any external interference of his judgment from either of the litigants or from outside interests are illegal and render the judge as invalid. The mission of a judge parallels in principle that of Hashem which was the creation of the world. Indeed, our Sages compare a judge who rules accurately to Hashem in His role as the Creator of the cosmos. Just as Hashem’s ‘being’ is independent of the world’s existence, so too, the judge rules unfettered of outside intrusion. Therefore, the chamber of the Sanhedrin was also placed adjacent to the altar designating its purpose and its basis upon which it functions in order to rule properly.  

In a world knee-deep in confusion and instability, the origin of that conundrum is the influx of foreign ideas and culture encumbering our minds and our ability to think clearly and decisively. Would our Torah GPS function well we would not have such a difficult time knowing the absolute truth. The shofar blowing that began this week heralds the time to prepare for Rosh Hashana with the thought in mind that hopefully those loud blasts joggled our thinking enough to recalibrate and reassess where we are heading and begin that journey.

A BYTE FOR SHABBOS

We provide the Levites with our tithes since they did not inherit a portion in the Land of Israel. In today’s setting, the Torah institutions and those whose promote Torah study assume the stature of the Levites and it is incumbent upon us to support them.  

CHOFETZ CHAIM

GOOD SHABBOS

WE WERE SADDENED TO HEAR THE NEWS THAT HAMAS SLAUGHTERED SIX SACRED SOULS BEFORE THEY COULD BE RESCUED. IT IS AT TIMES A CHALLENGE TO RECOGNIZE HASHEM’S ROLE WHEN SOME HOSTAGES ARE RELEASED OR RESCUED WHILE OTHERS ARE EXECUTED. HOWEVER, WE MUST CONTINUE TO BELIEVE WITH INTENSITY THAT BEYOND OUR  FEEBLE COMPREHENSION THERE’S A TREMENDOUS MASTER PLAN THAT AT THE END OF DAYS WILL REVEAL TO US THE INCREDIBLE DESIGNING OF THE  EVENTS THAT ARE TRANSPIRING. WHEN HASHEM WILL ‘SEE’ OUR EXCEPTIONAL FAITH IN HIM THEN WE SURELY WILL MERIT THE SALVATION OF OUR PEOPLE FROM OUR ENEMIES.