YOM TOV SELECTIONS BS"D

1) One who would die late Friday afternoon or on Shabbos could not be buried for two days.

2) In the days when there was no refrigeration vegetables would wither.

KAPOROS

This is a ritual where one takes a live object, commonly a rooster for a male and a chicken for a female, and says a prayer, entreating Hashem to forgive his/her sins and symbolically having any evil decrees transferred to the bird. Others use a fish or another live animal. It is then slaughtered and then it (or its value) is given to the poor. Some use money and afterwards give it to charity. One should not use a species that is acceptable as a sacrifice on the altar at the Beis Hamikdosh, such as pigeons.

The earliest sources for this custom:

1) Rashi on the gemara Shabbos 81b D.H. "hai farpisa" says that there was a custom to place seeds into a planter before Rosh Hashonoh and once it sprouted, it was swung over the heads of people and a prayer was said that a year of life should be granted.

2) The gemara K'suvos 5a asks, "If Yom Kippur falls out on a Monday, shouldn't the Rabbis adjust the calendar to push off Yom Kippur lest someone come to inadvertantly slaughter a bird on the previous Shabbos?" Rashi says that it was everyone's practice to slaughter many birds for the very large erev Yom Kippur meal. However, Rav Amrom Gaon says that people would slaughter birds on the eve of Shabbos. This is obviously too early for the erev Yom Kippur meal and must have been the practice of slaughtering KAPOROS. (Otzeir Ha'yoshon)

The one who will slaughter the bird should be the one who waves the bird above the head of the owner. (Tzeidoh La'derech)

If the bird is found ritually unfit for consumption through improper slaughtering, "n'veiloh," another bird should be used. (Knaf Raananoh) If it is found to be a "treifoh," having a physical disorder which renders it not kosher, there is a doubt if another bird is required, so money equal to its value should be given to the poor. (S'dei Chemed on Yom Kippur vol. 1, #13)

SEDER AMIDAS YOM KIPPUR - FROM THE TEXT OF THE STANDING SILENT PRAYERS:

"Ki Atoh SOLCHON l'Yisroel u'MOCHOLON l'shivtei Y'shurun" - Why are the words SOLCHON and MOCHOLON used, rather than "Ki Atoh SOLEI'ACH l'Yisroel u'MOCHEIL l'shivtei Y'shurun?"

The Holy Admor Rabbi Yisroel of Ruzhin answers with the gemara Bovo Metzia 33a which derives from the word "roveitz" (Shmos 23:5) to exclude a "ravtzon." There is a mitzvoh to help a fellow man with his load-bearing animal which has buckled under the weight of its load. However this only applies if the animal buckles occasionally, as indicated by the word "roveitz," meaning - it buckles. However if the animal constantly does so when it carries a load, it has the status of a "ravtzon," meaning a "buckler." This is an appellation that indicates an occupation, a reliably constant activity. When a friend's "buckler" is in need of help, there is no mitzvoh requirement to come to its aid. Similarly, had the text of our prayer been MOCHEIL and SOLEI'ACH it would indicate that Hashem sometimes forgives and pardons. However, by saying MOCHOLON and SOLCHON, we are stating that Hashem is a constant and reliable FORGIVER and PARDONER.

SEDER HO'AVODOH OF MUSSOF OF YOM KIPPUR

"K'she'hoyoh Hashem yotzei mipi Kohein Godol," - When the Holy Name of Hashem EMANATED from the mouth of the Kohein Godol" - The Shulchan Oruch of the Ari z"l explains why the words "Yotzei mipi Kohein Godol" are used rather than "K'she'omar Kohein Godol" - when the Kohein Godol SAID Hashem's name. He says that the Kohein Godol did not actually say Hashem's name but rather only opened his mouth and the name of Hashem miraculously emanated from his mouth. With this he explains a difficult verse in Shmos 20:24. "B'chol mokom asher AZKIR es sh'mi ......" The literal translation is: "In every place that I will cause My name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you." Rashi says that to understand this verse we must switch around the phrases and explain as follows: Wherever I come to bless you, which means the Beis Hamikdosh, you may mention My name. This teaches us that in the Beis Hamikdosh, Hashem's name is pronounced exactly as it is written. We have two difficulties here. One is that we have to switch around the phrases, and the second is that the word AZKIR is not well translated. Rashi explains it to mean that you, the Kohein, may mention My name, but the verse says AZKIR, I will cause My name to be mentioned. According to the Ari z"l's explanation, everything flows smoothly because Hashem is saying His Own Holy name through the conduit of the Kohein Godol's mouth.

PARSHAS EMOR SECTION DEALING WITH YOM KIPPUR

Vayikroh 23:27: "ACH be'osor" - ACH denotes limitation (see Rashi Eruvin 105a, P'sochim 5a, 71a). Other Yomim Tovim are honoured with holiday clothing and festive foods. On Yom Kippur, where eating and drinking are prohibited, honouring the Yom Tov is limited to wearing holiday clothing. (Baalei Tosfos in Hadar Z'keinim)

Vayikroh 23:31 "Kol m'lochoh lo saasu chukas olom l'doroseichem" - The Meshech Chochmoh asks why the verse only mentions the restriction to work as a statute for all time, and not the restriction to eat or drink. He answers that since King Shlomo waived the restriction to eat or drink on Yom Kippur when the Beis Hamikdosh was completed, the prohibition to eat and drink is not for all times. Therefore our verse only mentions the restriction to work as a law for all times.

I have a bit of difficulty with this from Vayikroh 16:31 which says, "Shabbas Shabbosone hee lochem v'ini'sem es nafshoseichem chukas olom." We see the Torah mentioning that the law applies to all times regarding both the restraint from work and to afflict oneself (fasting). Perhaps the word "l'doroseichem" missing in 16:31 and appearing in 23:31 makes a difference.

Vayikroh 23:32: "Shabbas Shabbosone" - The Kli Yokor explains the double expression of "shvisoh" used for Yom Kippur. He says that Shabbos brings with itself a rest from the external activities of the body, namely creative work. It does not, however, contain a rest from the internal urges of a person, which are heightened by eating and drinking, which charge the blood and fat (dam v'cheilev). The prohibitions to eat or drink on Yom Kippur bring a second form of rest, that of the internal urges. This seems to explain why the double term is not used by Yomim Tovim, but Shabbos does have the double term in numerous places, as mentioned above, in spite of having no eating or drinking restrictions. The Kli Yokor might have to explain this by saying that Shabbos has a total restriction including carrying and "t'chumin," which some say does not apply to Yom Kippur. Any insights would be appreciated.

ATONEMENT THROUGH REPENTANCE IS BEYOND OUR COMPREHENSION

The gemara Yerushalmi Makos 2:5 relates: Wisdom was asked, "What is the proper punishment for a sinning soul?" Wisdom responded, "Chato'im t'ra'deif ro'oh" (Mishlei 13:21), that sinners will suffer from their sins. There is no way out. Prophecy was asked the same question and answered, "Ha'nefesh hachoteis hee somus" (Yechezkel 18:4) a sinning soul must die. Hashem was asked and He responded, "Let the soul repent and it will be atoned, as per the verse, 'Al kein yoreh chato'im badorech'" (T'hilim 25:8).

The verse in Yechezkel 33:11 says, "I swear, says Hashem, that rather than wanting to have the sinner die because of his sins, I want him to repent from his bad ways and live." To grasp how atonement is well beyond our comprehension the Chofetz Chaim offers a parable based on this verse. Imagine a person relating something that is hard to believe. If this person is either unknown to his audience or does not have a reputation of always being truthful, he might even swear that he is telling the truth to impress the veracity of his story upon the listeners. If, however, he is a person whose words are always upright and truthful and has a reputation for this, there is no need for him to swear. An exception might be if he relates something that is so far-fetched that no one would believe it, even when coming from this honest person. Then even he would have to swear to the truthfulness of his words.

If we find that Hashem makes a statement and swears to its veracity, you can be sure that it would otherwise be impossible to believe. Indeed, this verse in Yechezkel, attesting to the efficacy of teshuvoh, is predicated by Hashem's swearing. This clearly shows the "chidush" of teshuvoh.

THE ELEVATED STATUS OF A BAAL TESHUVOH

Rabbi Avohu said, "Baal'ei teshuvoh stand in a location where even perfectly righteous people do not stand" (gemara Brochos 34b). Although numerous esoteric and psychological explanations are given to explain this enigmatic statement, the Magid of Dubno offers a down-to-earth easily understood explanation, through a parable, of course.

A fabulously wealthy man had a most reliable worker who tended to all his needs. This worker not only tended to numerous tasks with expertise and alacrity, but also supervised a team of underlings who also worked for the wealthy master. This went on for numerous years, and then the wheel of fortune turned. The formerly wealthy master had to let go of almost all of his possessions and his workers as well, including the head of the group. Things got so bad that he had no livelihood and was looking for employment, even to do menial work, anything to keep body and soul together.

Another person became rich suddenly and was searching for an executive overseer of all his possessions and his household workings. Two people applied for this position, the formerly wealthy person and his former executor. Whom would you hire? At first glance you would probably choose the experienced worker. He has years of experience of doing exactly what a wealthy person needs done, and a reputation of excelling at it as well.

However, our nouveau riche man hired the formerly wealthy person rather than his former worker, and rightly so. Although he has no experience in being an executive caretaker, nevertheless, as a formerly wealthy man he has experience in maximizing his wealth and the ensuing luxuries of life that follow. This is because he has worked for HIMSELF. One who works for himself has experience in giving it his all. Although the former caretaker was very skilled, experienced, successful, and worked with alacrity, nevertheless, he always worked for another person. When working for another person one never gives it his all, as the benefit is not his own. The formerly wealthy man has experience in giving it his all with every fibre of his being. Although now he will be working for someone else, he still has the experience of having worked for his own benefit and will be better at working for another person than one who always worked for another.

So too, with a repentant sinner compared to a perfectly righteous person. The perfectly righteous person is exactly that, a perfectly righteous individual who has always been in the service of Hashem. There is a limit to his level of commitment. All his acts were to comply with Hashem's wishes. Although most noble, this is still working for Another. Not so with a sinner. He sinned in pursuit of life's pleasures. Although this was a grave mistake and no doubt he lost out in that pursuit, but by working for himself he gave it his all. Armed with this experience, once guided to serve Hashem properly, he will do so in a better manner than a person who has never sinned.

n.b. A caveat to the statement of Rabbi Avohu: See Ohel Torah in the name of the Holy Admor of Kotzk. Also the Biur haGR"A on O.Ch. #53 writes that this is limited to one who has sinned a limited number of occasions and not a wholesale sinner.

REPENTANCE IS NOT A FREEBIE

Rabbi Meir said, "Teshuvoh is so great. When even just one person repents it brings atonement upon the whole world" (gemara Yoma 86b). Rabbi Akiva Eiger in his Gilyon haShas cites Rabbi Menachem Azarioh of Panu in Maamar Chikur Hadin 1:4 who explains this statement as follows: We are each responsible for the acts of our fellow bnei Yisroel, "kol Yisroel a'reivim zeh bo'zeh" (gemara Shovuos 39a). When one sins all bnei Yisroel are held responsible to correct this person. When he properly repents and the sin is expunged, every ben Yisroel is forgiven the shortcoming of not having corrected this person.

Thus the atonement for the whole world is very limited, encompassing only the responsibility of "arvus."

Similarly, when our sages taught that three people have their sins atoned, a convert, one who is given a position of prominence, and one who marries (gemara Yerushalmi Bikurim 3:3, see Rashi on Breishis 36:3), this is also when accompanied by repentance. One who has converted obviously elevates himself from his previous position as a gentile, taking upon himself greater responsibilities. One who is given a position of prominence also has to rise to the occasion, as a person of lower class would either not have been given the position in the first place, or will shortly lose it if he doesn't pull himself up. The source for one who marries is from Eisov who married Mochalas (Breishis 28:9), alluding to "mechiloh," forgiveness. The Moshav Z'keinim asks why he should be given atonement gratis and answers that we must say that he had at least some minimal thoughts of repentance. It is obvious to these Baa'lei Tosfos that atonement is not a freebie.

This concept is most aptly derived from the words "Vayom ha'zeh y'cha'peir a'leichem l'ta'heir es'chem mikole chatoseichem" (Vayikroh 16:30). Although normally translated as, "On this day He will forgive you to purify you from all your sins," Rabbi Yisochor Dov of Bendin places a comma after the word "y'cha'peir," and translates these words as, "On this day He will forgive. It is incumbent upon you to purify yourselves from your sins, "a'leichem l'ta'heir es'chem mikole chatoseichem."

THE DANGER OF FEELING SMUG ABOUT ONE'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

The gemara N'dorim 9b relates the story of a young person who was extremely handsome, and upon noting his striking features when seeing his reflection in a pool of water, especially his well groomed hair (note that he didn't look into a mirror), his Narcisian evil inclination took hold of him and was ready to make him sin to the extent that he would lose his share in the world to come. Immediately he vowed to become a Nozir, thus obligating himself to shave his head at the end of his 30-day Nozir period, and ridding himself of his alluring head and side-lock hair.

Rabbi Shimon the Righteous never partook of the sacrifice of a Nozir who was defiled and had to begin his 30-day count again. He feared that the Nozir totally regretted his vow, as it would now take longer to complete the Nozir stringencies to term. Upon hearing the story of this Nozir he made an exception, feeling that he truly took upon himself the Nozir vow in earnest, and was not distraught nor regretted having taken this responsibility upon himself even after he had to begin his count again.

The Maharsh"a explains the words "upon noting his beauty his evil inclination took a hold of him and was ready to make him sin to the extent that he would lose his share in the world to come" in a homiletic manner. The evil inclination used his beauty as a tool to make him sin. This can be the intention of the words "Tzofeh rosho latzadik um'va'keish lahamiso" (T'hilim 37:32). The evil inclination is the "rosho." He peers at the righteousness, the beauty of the tzadik, telling the tzadik to be quite pleased with himself and his righteous actions, to rest on his laurels, and through this he attempts to bring him to his death, to a spiritual downfall.

REALITY CHECK - CANDY CONVENTION

One who allows these most opportune days to slip past him without making changes and improvements and finds himself a few days later sitting in his Sukoh enjoying "tzimmis" is like a young child whose father has returned from the annual business convention. Unfortunately the father has returned with the majority of his wares in hand, having sold almost nothing. There is the loss of time and financial investment in goods that have not sold, travel and accommodation expenses, and of course upcoming living expenses for the family. The father brings back candy for his child from the convention and the child is very happy with the sweets, oblivious to the mounting losses. We are just like this child if we do not "clear out" our warehouse of sins and are quite pleased with eating "tzimmis" on Sukos. (Rabbi Yitzchok Blazer of Peterberg)

May we maximize the opportunities presented us during Elul and the days of awe.

GMAR CHASIMOH TOVOH. A GUTTEN SHABBOS KODESH. FEEL FREE TO DISTRIBUTE BY COPY OR ELECTRONICALLY.

FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED. TO SUBSCRIBE, KINDLY SEND REQUEST TO: SHOLOM613@AOL.COM

See also Oroh V'Simchoh - Meshech Chochmoh on the Weekly Parsha and Chasidic Insights