8/14/2019 Reeh Selections from Rabbi Baruch Epstein
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PARSHAS REEH SELECTIONS
From Rabbi Baruch HaLevi Epstein
PRIORITY TO THE LEVI
: - - - - :
The intent is to include Shmitos and Yovlos, even though Maaser
(for the Levi) is not taken in these
years, nevertheless, it is forbidden to forsake the Levi and
must give to him in order that he might live.The special reason is
that even though the Jews had no usage of the land in those years
(and, as such,
were similar to the Leviim), they were owners of the land in the
previous years and had the ability to
stock food, which the Leviim did not possess such a possibility.
However, this does not apply when
outside of Israel, since no one has a portion of that land and
thus, Leviim were like everyone else.
The sefer, Beer Sheva, asks about this derasha from " '. We know
the general principle that aCohen takes precedence over the Levi
and the Levi takes precedence over the Yisrael, and no
distinctionis made whether this occurs in Israel or in Galus. T.T.
This is a wonder since in that place the law is
regarding matters of holiness and giving of honored positions
(like an Aliyah to the Torah). And
certainly, the Leviim have special holiness for honors even in
Galus. But in this derasha the subject isgifts of the Leviim that
the Torah provides, Maaser to the Leviim. Yet, Maaser does not
apply in Galus,
and thus, special care needs to be taken not to forsake the
Leviim, since they have no land they need to
receive special care.
The Bais Yosef, the Gra, and others learned these matters
together and discuss whether the Leviim
receive special honors in our time in Galus. T.T. It appears
that the Leviim certainly receive specialhonors in our time just as
the done for the Cohanim.
DWELLING IN ERETZ YISRAEL
T.T. It is possible to explain the reason for this general rule,
since it is impossible to do many mitzvosunless you are living in
Eretz Yisrael. Further, many mitzvos done in Galus are only done so
that when
we return to the Land, they would not be like new ones. Thus,
the mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael is
equal to all mitzvos since it is the foundation to fulfillment
of the mitzvos.Many Rishonim hold that this mitzvah is from the
Torah even today, but the Rambam does not list this asone of the
mitzvos, except in the time of the Bais HaMikdash. This opinion
states that this mitzvah only
becomes obligatory again when the Geulah comes.T.T. As we
explained above, this mitzvah of dwelling in Eretz Yisrael is the
foundation for all mitzvos,
then, it appears that Rambam is correct. Nowadays, without the
Bais HaMikdash, it is impossible to domost of the mitzvos that are
dependent on living in Eretz Yisrael, and thus, this mitzvah of
dwelling in
Eretz Yisrael can only be when all the mitzvos can be
obligatory.
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8/14/2019 Reeh Selections from Rabbi Baruch Epstein
2/3
PARSHAS REEH SELECTIONS
From Rabbi Baruch HaLevi Epstein
' "
T.T. What are the many things that are said on the Matzos?
The story of the going of Egypt, Hallel, the Song of Praise,
Bircas haMazon
Concept of Not Being Empty
( )
It is possible to understand these words according to the Zohar
that HaShem does not rest His Presenceexcept on a matter that is
already in this world, even if it is only a small item. The main
concept is
that HaShem adds His Blessing to increase something that is
small (since all is small in comparison)to Him. However, He does
not rest His Presence on something this is empty, since that would
create
a new item (see the Taz Hil. Chanukah 570:1).
Regarding this matter, one can appreciate the Rambam regarding
the laws of Going up to the Templeduring the Yomim Tovim. Rambam
learns the law (Chagigah 1:2) that no minimum amount is
established in what one brings to the Holy Temple, and relies on
the verse (Devarim 16, 17) . However, Rambam does not rely on the
previous verse , even ' though this seems to imply any amount would
be acceptable.
Rather, in the context of many other places, the word does not
imply any amount, no matter how
small. Rather, in other places (gifts to an emancipated slave or
when the Jews left Egypt), theopposite of implies a large amount
(and thus, does not imply a minimum amount).Thus, Rambam does not
use the verse containing to teach a minimum amount, but a
differentverse.
Simcha on Shabbos
From this phrase we understand that a concept of Simchah exists
on Shabbos. This concept is expressedin the verse from Parshas
Bahaaloscha that the word refersto Shabbos (see the notes from the
Gra)
Further, we can derive this concept of Simcha on Shabbos from
the verses at the end of Parshas Reeh in
the matter of Chag Shavous , since Shabbos isalso connected with
remembering the servitude in Egypt (Devarim 5:12-15), and it is
explained that ' this connection indicates that Simchah on Shabbos
is a mitzvah. (Even though the main concept of
Shabbos is from Creation that seventh day HaShem rested,
nevertheless, Shabbos has a strong
connection to events involving the Redemption from Egypt. Thus,
the Kiddush on Friday nights
mentions both aspects of Shabbos).Similarly, we see the law that
when Purim falls on Shabbos the meal of Purim is pushed off until
the next
day. Since the meal is the expression of Simcha of Purim, this
can not be done on Shabbos, since it
would be mixed with the Simcha of Shabbos, and would not be
recognizable on its own (contrary to
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