For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L &
Yissachar ben Havah ZT’L (family who has passed away hours ago in Eretz
HaKodesh).
Baruch Hashem
(Thank G-d) for Parashat Va’et’hanan! This Parasha is packed with chizuk lines
and stories, but we want to focus only on a few today. Rashi in the beginning
of the Parasha comments on a pasuk
(verse) that is crucial for the viewpoint of how Judaism should be practiced for
all Jews. The pasuk states that one should not overdo or underdo the Mitzvot
and should live with a balanced principle. Anything is not encouraged from the
words of the Torah, which are the words of Hashem. Rashi on Devarim 4:2
explains that “one should not add on to any Mitzvot by adding another parasha
(passage from the Torah) to the Four Main Parshiyot in the Tefillin boxes we
wrap around our bodies every morning, or by adding another specie to the Four
Main species that we shake during Sukkot or another string to the Four Main
strings of the Tzitzit and the same goes for lo tigreu, do not decrease.”
There are an endless amount of questions one can raise
regarding this Rashi. Why does Rashi bring examples of Mitzvot that include
four things? Why does Rashi only speak about tangible objects in regards to
Mitzvot and not spiritual things like singing on Shabbat or the amount of time
we pray or anything intangible? Why does Rashi mainly focus on adding and not
decreasing if both are discussed in the Pasuk? Obviously there are more
questions to ask on this single Rashi (its only about 1 and a half lines long
and look how many concepts are discussed, imagine a Rashi that is half a page
long or all the other commentators on the Torah!), but let’s focus on one.
Why does Rashi only focus on tangible objects? The answer is
simple and based on logic only (I have not looked at commentary on Rashi yet):
Rashi could have easily said one should not greaten their praying time or the
amount of money they want to give. Why? Because these things are dependent on
the situation and they don’t have a set number or figure attached to it.
Tefillah (prayer), which is directly linked to our Parasha with Moshe pleading
in 515 prayers to Hashem to enter Eretz Yisrael, is something that has no
limit. Tefillah can be expressed through a single yell to Shamayim with one’s
full heart or one tear from the eye of happiness or even from three hours at
the Kotel opening one’s heart fully to Hashem. Tefillah is something THAT
CANNOT BE BOUNDED!
Rashi in a hidden message tells us there are certain things
in the Torah that have their boundaries, like Tzitzit with only 4 strings, NO
MORE, Lulav & Etrog, only 4 species, NO MORE, Tefillin Box with only 4
parshiyot, NO MORE. But Tzedakah? Gemilut Hassadim? Lesameah Hatan veKalah
(celebrating at a wedding)? All these things and many more should be done to
the maximum! G-d willing next week there is a wedding in Brooklyn with no males
invited because the Hatan (groom) is not from New York, the Jewish community is
responsible in bringing people to go to that wedding to bring happiness to him!
G-d willing more information will be provided as the week begins bli neder.
G-d willing this Shabbat let’s do it 110% and put more
effort because the concept of lo tosifu
(do not add) does not apply to Ruhaniyut (spiritual) things. Dream big and ACT
BIG.
SHABBAT SHALOM &
Tu B’Av Sameah!
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Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one! Click the Donate Button
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