Dear Friends;

I hope that you’ll enjoy the following Parsha summary followed by a Dvar Torah;

” Parsha in a Nutshell”

After Hashem commands Moshe to purify the camp, the Torah describes the process to be carried out with a Sotah, a wife who was warned by her husband not to seclude herself with another man and was subsequently found doing so. She is taken to the Kohen in the Temple and, if she doesn’t admit her guilt, given sacred bitter waters to drink which will lead to one of two results: The waters will either establish her innocence, removing any doubt from her husband’s mind by blessing her with a child, or the waters will prove her guilt through a miraculous, horror death.

The Torah then describes the laws of the Nazir, a person who has voluntarily accepted upon himself to adopt a special state of holiness, usually for thirty days, by abstaining from eating or drinking any grape products, from cutting his hair, and from becoming contaminated through contact with a dead body.

After relating the blessings by which the Kohanim will bless the people- “May Hashem bless you and protect you …….”, the parsha concludes with a lengthy listing of the offerings brought by each of the twelve tribal leaders during the dedication of the Mishkan for regular use. Each prince brought identical gifts which included gold, silver, animal, and meal offerings.

“ Dvar Torah “

In this week’s Parsha, the Torah discusses the laws of “Nazirut”. Nazir is someone who takes a vow in front of a Kohen to distance himself from some physical pleasures and to engage himself in spirituality for a certain period of time. He may decide to become a Nazir for a few different reasons. It may be that he has witnessed a miracle and he feels the urge to come close to G-d, or he may do so in order to please Hashem and ask for a specific blessing, or he may just do so because he feels distance from G-d. Anyhow, a person theoretically becomes a Nazir as a means of abstaining from the passions of this world. The person decides not to indulge in certain normal worldly pleasures. “Nazirut” may be thought of as a type of “spiritual diet” one undertakes when he feels he is “too overweight” with the temptations and indulgences of this world. The Nazir remains on this diet until he feels he has things back under control, although the recommended time is 30 days.

The laws of Nazir is quite simple. The Nazir is prohibited from drinking wine and consuming grape products; he is not allowed to cut his hair; and finally, he is not allowed to come near a dead person –- even his close relatives.

The Torah then says that when the Nazir completes his designated period of Nezirut, he must bring a set of “Korbanot” [sacrifices] to the Temple. One of the sacrifices that he must bring is “Korban Chatat”, a “sin offering”. Korban Chatat is usually brought by someone who has committed a sin and wants to be pardoned. So, the question that is brought up by our sages is quite simple. What on earth did the Nazir do wrong? What kind of a sin did the poor Nazir commit? We are talking about a holy man who has control over his desires and wants to get closer to Almighty. He has chosen spirituality over earthly pleasures and fun. If you ask me, not only he shouldn’t bring a “sin offering” to the Temple, but instead, the Temple should give him a prize for his courage and enthusiasm!!

Once again Rabbi Yissachar Frand gives a beautiful pshat (explanation). Although the Nazir who has taken upon himself to distance himself from earthly temptations and wants to enhance his soul, but on the other hand, he has the tendency to isolate himself from the rest of the community too. When you are not going to drink wine, when your hair becomes long and messy, you will have less desire to attend parties or to participate in other people’s happy occasions. You won’t be able to go to any funerals and share in other people’s sorrow either. You’ll participate less in the upcoming festivals where you have to recite blessing over the wine. You’ll tend to stay in more and become less sociable. And that is the Nazir’s ill behavior that needs to be forgiven by bringing a sin offering. He has brought upon himself isolation and anti-socializing behavior which is not pleasant in the eyes of Hashem. G-d wants us to socialize with each other and to take part in each other’s joy and sorrow occasions. Benei Yisrael are suppose to be united and be together at all times whether good or bad, and socializing is a tool to bring us closer together. Isolating ourselves from the rest of the community is unfortunately considered a sin!

Yes my friends, believe it or not, socializing is a mitzvah. When you talk to your friend and you ask him about his welfare, spouse and children, it shows that you care about him and Hashem likes that. When we participate in other people’s celebrations, or G-d forbid, in their sorrow, it shows that we care about them and means that their joy is our joy and their sorrow is our sorrow. When we go to Kanissa on Shabbats and Yom Tovs, although it’s very important to pray to G-d and elevate ourselves spiritually, it’s as important to socialize with friends and family after the services. That’s why a synagogue is called “Beit-Kenesset” which means a gathering hall and not “Beit-Tefillah” which means a praying hall! Most synagogues have a Kidush table after the services so that the people will spend some time socializing among friends. Because socializing brings friendship and “unity” among the people, and our unity inevitably brings joy to our Creator!

So remember my friends, a Nazir with all his spiritual growth and closeness to G-d, could not offset his anti-socializing behavior. He still had to bring a sin-offering…….

Shabbat Shalom & Regards;

Martin