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THE HOLIDAY OF PASSOVER CONTINUES
The Holiday of Pesach continues through this Tuesday, April 30. Yizkor is said on that day.
Congratulations to all you 'wise' ones who remembered that we teach the "Chacham" the wise son the laws of the Afikomen. By doing this, we are reminded that the best way to produce a Chacham is to make sure that the sweet taste of Torah always remains with him just as the taste of the Afikomen lingers on Pesach. Hopefully, the wicked Rasha learned that lesson as well and will become a Chacham one day.
It's no mistake that the Rasha -the wicked son is mentioned immediately following the Chacham. Shouldn't the Rasha be last? Why would we place him next to the Chacham at the Seder?
Perhaps, our sages are showing us the best way to reach all our people effectively. Let the Rasha hear the Chacham's questions and be enlightened by the answers. Let him see that there is still hope for him if he stops excluding himself from our people. Let us not fear that the Chacham will be corrupted by the Rasha; quite the contrary. Let the power, the beauty and the truth of the Torah change the Rasha for the better. However, the seating arrangement sends a message to the Chacham as well.
The Chacham should remember that he shares his destiny with his close neighbor, the Rasha and he must reach out to him with love and genuine concern for their mutual benefit. Indeed, the Rasha has much to gain by sitting next to the Chacham but the Chacham needs to be near the Rasha as well.
Reb Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch teaches that the Chacham must be taught that if he ever stumbles, he will never become a Tam (a simple one) or a She'eno Yodea Lishol (one who doesn't know how to ask). When a Chacham fails, he becomes a Rasha. This powerful message warns the Chacham to never stop using his intellect in the service of Hashem. By placing the Chacham and the Rasha together, each has the opportunity to learn the lessons crucial to their survival.
PARSHAT ACHAREY MOT
This Shabbat we bless the New Month of Iyar and Rosh Chodesh begins on Wednesday May 8 and Thursday. May it bring to us the blessings of Hashem.
It has been said that knowing when to speak and when to remain silent is the essence of character. Perhaps, this is what Hashem had in mind when he designed the human tongue.
What differentiates man from Hashem's other creations is the ability to express our thoughts through speech. So powerful is the tongue, say our sages, that our Creator restrained it like no other organ. The tongue is enclosed by the lips as well as the teeth to teach us to use the gift of speech very carefully.
As our Parsha begins, we find Hashem speaking to Moshe with instructions for Aharon, Moshe's brother, the Kohain Gadol. Aharon had just suffered the devastating loss of his two sons, Nadav and Avehu and was about to perform the Yom Kippur Service. This is the same great leader, Aharon the peacemaker, who was known for using his words to bring people together.
Indeed, as we begin Pirkei Avot once again on the first Shabbat after Pesach, we find the name of Aharon in the very first chapter. "Ohev Shalom V'rodef Shalom, Ohev Et Habriot Umekarvan Latorah," [1:12]. The students of Aharon continued his legacy: loving peace and pursuing it; loving Hashem's creations and bringing them closer to Torah. Aharon knew how to carefully select his words, and turn them into Mitzvot. What was Aharon's response when his beloved sons died when they attempted to approach Hashem?
Did Aharon protest? Did he ask why this happened? Did he doubt Hashem? There is a time to speak and there are times when one's silence is more eloquent than words can ever be. What great act of faith - what powerful statement did Aharon make when faced with a personal family tragedy? "...Vayidom Aharon," and Aharon was silent [Vayikra 10:3]. He accepted the will of Hashem and went on with his life of Mitzvot.
Kol Tov! Our best to you...it's all good. Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom, CM
CHADISH FORUM - PLEASE TELL US
From our Parsha our Sages connect the passing of Aharon's sons with the concept of repentance on Yom Kippur. What do these ideas have in common?
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