Friday March 21,1997                       Erev Shabbat AdarII 12, 5757

Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26) Parshat Zachor ( Deuteronomy 25:17-19 )

Something to think about:

        This week we again read from two Torah scrolls.  In the first we
read the opening Parsha from the third book of the Torah, Vayikra. In the
second we read a short paragraph outlining our battle with the nation of
Amalek.  This is always read on the Shabbat preceding Purim since Haman,
the villain of the Purim story, is a descendant of Amalek. 

        Much of the book of Vayikra focuses on the Temple service.  One of
the offerings was brought as part of the repentance process for denying
having an object that one was safeguarding. "If a person sins and commits
a trespass against G-d by denying ... which was entrusted to him." (5:21)
Why does the text calls this a "trespass against G-d". The commentary
Rashi cites Rabbi Akiva's statement (1st century Rabbinic leader) that
since this kind of transaction is often done without witnesses, except
Hashem; by denying receiving the item he is denying G-d's presence. 

        If denying what we have received from another human being in seen as a
denial of G-d, certainly denying some thing received by Hashem would be
blasphemous!  Each of us have been blessed special qualities and talents that
can benefit the world around us.  We may not deny having these gifts.
 Humility does not mean pretending that I am not talented or capable.
 Humility means recognizing that these are Divine gifts and not something
earned or accomplished.  Moses, the humblest of all people, did not walk
around pretending to be a simpleton!

        Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan (The "Chofetz Chaim", died early 20th
century) was famous for his books on the subject of careful speech.  He
was once on a train and a fellow passenger [who did not recognize him]
asked "Do you by any chance know the great and righteous Rabbi Kagan?"
Reb Yisroel Meir answered that he was familiar with the rabbi in question
and that he was neither great nor so righteous.  The young man slapped the
insolent traveler.  Later this young man came to visit the famous rabbi. 
Imagine his shock and embarrassment when he was greeted by the same person
he had slapped!  After calming the young man, Reb Yisroel Meir told him,
"You have taught me a valuable lesson.  Until now I knew that a person is
forbidden to speak poorly about another; now I know that this is forbidden
even about one's self!"


Good Shabbos!!                             Rabbi  Hirsh Michel Chinn