5-Bullet Friday: Parshas Vayikra

~ Torah Parallels ~
5-Bullet Friday

This week is Parshas Vayikra! Check out this week's d'var torah here.

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Here is this week's 5-Bullet Friday, a quick summary of thoughts I’ve been pondering during the week:
:

  • Question I'm pondering (on the parsha): hat’s the connection? The parsha begins discussing some of the halachos regarding various karbanos. The passuk (Vayikra 1:2) states, “When a person from among you will bring an offering to Hashem...”. Rashi is bothered why as to why the Torah writes “Adam” (a person) as opposed to the more conventional terminology of “ish” (a man). Rashi answers that the Torah is teaching us that just as Adam, the first man, did not bring a karbon from that which was stolen, since everything was his, so too 'you' must not bring an offering from that which was stolen. Why did the Torah choose this indirect way of alluding to the fact that a karbon cannot be stolen? There are so many ways to derive this halacha without needing to go and use a reference from the beginning of time.
  • Concept I am considering: Kol pesuka d’lo paskei Moshe, anan lo paskinan (literally: Any passuk that Moshe did not break, we do not break); The gemara in Megillah 22a discusses this concept in the context of resolving how to split parshiyus into three parts for krias hatorah when there aren't at least three passukim for each aliyah. The gemara presents this as a machlokes Rav and Shmuel whether splitting a passuk is a valid alternative when considering other sensitivities regarding to krias hatorah that are factors as well.
  • Hashkafic idea I'm reflecting on: Zecher michias Amalek; Remembering what Amalek did to us and bearing on mind the commandment for us to wipe out Amalek. Amalek attacked us when we were leaving mitzrayim. Hashem had (very) publicly demonstrated His control and involvement in the world, producing great miracles for the world to see and yet Amalek had the audacity to jump into the proverbial boiling hot tub and risk being scathed for the purpose of demonstrating that it is not crazy to jump in even if the results are fatal. This flawed logic and audacity to the maximum degree infused an evil into the root of Amalek as a people - with no exception - in such a way that even the seemingly sweetest and kindest person or animal from that lineage is recognized by Hashem as evil.   
  • Middah on my mind: Acting like an animal. The phrase “acting like an animal” is generally used in a derogatory way. However, as the mishna in Avos states, there are animals that we are meant to emulate (at least certain aspects).  R’ Yehuda ben Teima advised that one should be bold like a leopard, with ease like an eagle, run like a deer and be valiant like a lion to do the Will of your Father in Heaven. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch brings this down in the context of preparing oneself for the day in the morning Bold like a leopard - not to be embarrassed from people making fun of you simply because you keep Torah and mitzvos. Light like an eagle - quick to close your eyes as to not see things that could lead to aveirah. Run like a deer - fast to do good deeds and mitzvos. And strong like a lion to conquer the yetzer harah and stay true to avodas Hashem.  
  • Part of Tefillah I'm concentrating on: Ashrei. "B’chol yom...” The Radak writes that “b’chol yom…” refers to Olam Ha’zeh and “...l’olam va’ed” refers to Olam ha’baah. We daven daily and it is very easy for davening to become monotonous. We have to appreciate the realness of it and make it real for us daily. 
What's on your mind? 

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

 Parallely yours, 

 Daniel

P.S:
  • Completely random thought I'm thinking about: Pushed or pulled. There are many ways to bucket things or categorize in order to make decisions with higher clarity. One way to maintain focus amongst emotions is by thinking deep if you are being pushed or pulled. Thinking of things in these terms will help define if you are trying to head towards Point B, move away from Point A, or being pushed from Point A. Challenge: The next time you are trying to decide to leave something behind for something else, think about it in these terms. Are you being pulled towards something, avoiding something, or being pushed away? 
Have comments or thoughts on this week's bullets? Have other random thoughts on your mind? Send an email to torahparallels@gmail.com. Thank you!

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