‫בס“ד‬

Toronto Torah Beit Midrash Zichron Dov

Parshat Tzav/Shabbat haGadol 12 Nissan 5770/March 27, 2010 Vol. I Num. 24

Studying Torah Pesach Night Russell Levy

'‫עבדים היינו לפרעה במצרים ויוציאנו ה‬ which the Torah mandated us to recite
can perform this mitzvah, whereas an
‫אלוקינו משם ביד חזקה ובזרוע נטויה‬ in specific situations. The rule of
incomplete passuk would be
keeping verses intact does not apply to
We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and statements the Torah requires us to inadequate.
Hashem took us out of there with a strong recite, and so we may use these partial However, another type of Talmud Torah
hand and an outstretched arm. verses during the Seder. does not require pesukim: Torah
The Haggadah, as traditional a text as R’ Eliezer Waldenberg, in his Tzitz shebe’al peh, the Verbal Torah. The
any in our canon, breaks a fundamental Eliezer (9:17:10), offered a different rules for the Verbal Torah vary from
talmudic rule of Torah reading: ‫ כל‬solution. He explained that the authors those of the Writtne Torah, torah
‫ פסוק דלא פסקיה משה אנן לא פסקינן‬of the Haggadah subtly altered the sh’bichtav. Whereas in torah shebichtav
one fulfills his obligation by reading
‫ליה‬, Any verse that Moshe did not split, verses in use in the Haggadah. In the
something without understanding, one
we are not permitted to split! example given above, the Haggadah
has not performed any mitzvah
The Sfat Emet pointed out this problem, reads “from there,” while the Torah whatsoever in studying torah shebe’al
noting that the Haggadah contains says “from Egypt.” Therefore, it is not a peh without comprehension. The more
many incomplete verses. For example, direct quote, and so it does not one delves into torah shebe’al peh, the
after the Four Questions we begin the contradict the original dictum. more one can glean from it; the more
retelling of the story of the Exodus with Both of these answers are lacking, one discovers independent insights, the
the words, “We were slaves to Pharaoh though; some of the Haggadah’s partial greater is his fulfillment of the mitzvah.
in Egypt.” However, that is only the verses do not fit into their formulations.
Based on the above, it would seem that
second portion of Devarim 6:21; the
To solve this problem, it is important to both the Sfat Emet and the Tzitz Eliezer
verse begins with the words, “And you
understand why the rule of kol are assuming that the retelling of the
shall answer and say.” The Sefat Emet
psuka exists. One approach is rooted in Exodus is a fulfillment of the mitzvah to
questions the permissibility of using
the opinion of the first Lubavitcher learn torah shebichtav, the Written
this verse as the introduction to the
Rebbe, R’ Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Torah. Therefore, the rule of kol psuka,
Haggadah, for it seems to violate the
echoed by R’ Yaakov Kaminetzky and R’ which applies to the recitation of fixed
rabbinic dictum!
Yoseph Soloveitchik, that the study of texts, would apply here too. However, it
The Sfat Emet answered that the the Written Torah does not require is possible that the Haggadah is actually
incomplete verses used in the understanding; simply reading the a fulfillment of the mitzvah of torah
Haggadah are exceptions to the words fulfills the mitzvah of Talmud shebe’al peh.
talmudic rule. These verses are Torah, of Torah study. If this is the
At the beginning of the Haggadah, we
preceded in the Torah by the mitzvah, what is the cheftza shel
state, “And even if we were all…Torah
instruction, “And you shall say,” mitzvah, the mitzvah object? A complete
scholars, we would still be obligated to
implying that the partial verses are passuk. Reading a complete passuk
retell the story of the Exodus from
actually considered full statements would constitute an object on which one
Egypt. He who expands on it is
Parshah Questions R’ Meir Lipschitz praiseworthy.” It is this expansion which
is the key to the retelling of the Exodus.
(Sources are provided to help the reader research answers) Every new idea, every new nuance, and
 Why is it significant that Hashem commanded Moshe to gather the whole nation to the ohel every new explanation is fundamental to
moed (meeting tent)? the Seder. Our Seder is not meant to just
(Rashi, Ramban, and Ibn Ezra to Vayikra 8:2-4) be a recitation of a fixed text; through
adding our own insights into the story,
 Did the Kohanim, Aharon and his sons, really not leave the entrance of the ohel moed
(meeting tent) for a full seven days? through a deeper understanding of the
(Ramban, Ibn Ezra, Chizkuni, and Netziv to Vayikra 8:32-35) Exodus, we can re-experience the
redemption of more than 3000 years
 Why is the term ”‫ “צו‬used at the beginning of the parshah, instead of the more common ago, and possibly begin to comprehend
terms ”‫ “דבר‬or ”‫?“אמר‬
(Rashi, Ramban, Baal Haturim, Alshich, Chizkuni, Kli Yakar, Malbim, Netziv, Gur Aryeh, and hasten the coming redemption,
Shaarei Aharon, Ohr HaChaim, and Oznaim L’Torah to Vayikra 6:2, and Torat Kohanim 1:1) speedily in our days.
 For children: Who brings a korban todah, and why? rlevy@torontotorah.com
(Rashi Vayikra 7:12)
Thanksgiving in Nissan R’ Meir Lipschitz

The baker’s favorite korban, the 7) asked: Why does the korban todah bringing a korban, this person
Korban Todah, is featured in this require forty loaves, to be consumed sanctifies the name of G-d. This is
week’s parshah. The Todah thanks G in only one day’s time, while the reflected in the modern day
-d for a miracle and is a variety of other varieties of shelamim require halachah of creating a seudat
the celebratory Korban Shelamim, only ten loaves, which may be hodaah, a meal of thanks; we invite
but it is unique in that one brings consumed in two days? There should guests to partake of a festive meal in
forty loaves of bread, which must be be more time, not less, to consume which we recount the miracle that
eaten in a shorter time period, along the extra loaves! was performed for us.
with an animal.
The Netziv’s answer offers us a lesson We may extend this idea to the
‫ ִאם‬.‫ לַד‬,‫ אֲ ֶשר י ְַּׁק ִריב‬,‫ זֶ בַ ח הַ ְּׁשל ִָמים‬,‫וזֹאת ּתו ַֹרת‬
in thanksgiving: A person who needs opening line of the maggid section of
‫זֶ בַ ח הַ ּתו ָֹדה‬-‫וְּׁ ִה ְּׁק ִריב עַ ל‬--‫ י ְַּׁק ִריבֶ ּנּו‬,‫ּתו ָֹדה‬-‫עַ ל‬
‫יקי מַ ּצוֹת ְּׁמשֺ ִחים‬ to consume more food in less time
ֵ ‫ ְּּׁור ִק‬,‫חַ ּלוֹת מַ ּצוֹת בְּׁ לּוֹלת בַ ֶשמֶ ן‬ the Pesach Seder, when we
will be forced to invite guests to
-‫ עַ ל‬.‫ חַ ֹּלת בְּׁ לּוֹלת בַ ָשמֶ ן‬,‫סלֶת מֺ ְּׁרבֶ כֶת‬ ֹ ְּׁ‫בַ ָשמֶ ן; ו‬ proclaim, “This is the bread of
share in his meal of gratitude.
‫ ּתו ַֹדת‬,‫זֶ בַ ח‬-‫ עַ ל‬,‫ י ְַּׁק ִריב ָק ְּׁרבָ נ ֹו‬,‫חַ ֹּלת לֶחֶ ם חָ מֵ ץ‬ affliction that our forefathers ate in
Through this large group, the miracle
,‫בְּׁ יוֹם ָק ְּׁרבָ נ ֹו‬--‫ זֶ בַ ח ּתו ַֹדת ְּׁשלָמָ יו‬,‫ ּובְּׁ ַשר‬... .‫ְּׁשלָמָ יו‬ the land of Egypt. Whoever is
.‫ב ֶֹקר‬-‫ עַ ד‬,‫ ַיּנִיחַ ִממֶ ּנּו‬-‫ ֹלא‬:‫יֵָאכֵל‬
will be publicized and the name of G- hungry, let him come and eat!
d will be glorified. This is the model Whoever is needy, let him come and
This is the law of the feast peace- for thanksgiving: Invite people to join celebrate Pesach!” Our retelling of
offering that one will offer to HaShem. in a seudah, and relate the wondrous the story of our miraculous salvation
If he shall offer it for a thanksgiving- deeds performed on your behalf. from Egypt begins with an open
offering, he shall offer with the feast invitation for any and all to come join
thanksgiving-offering unleavened The Netziv expanded on this theme in us. In this the Seder is the ultimate
loaves mixed with oil, unleavened his other commentary on chumash, seudat hodaah; we recount and
wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of the Herchev Davar. Commenting on relive the story of the Exodus, and
scalded fine flour mixed with oil. With the repetitive, confusing, and we invite guests—both family and
loaves of leavened bread shall he possibly contradictory language of friends—to join us to properly thank
bring his offering, with his feast Tehillim 116:17-19, he suggested that HaShem for all that He has done.
thanksgiving peace-offering…. And there are two distinct parts to a
the flesh of his feast thanksgiving korban: the animal being sacrificed,
May it be His will that this year we
peace-offering must be eaten on the and the accompanying meal. By bring a real korban todah in His Beit
day of its offering; he shall not leave gathering people together at a lavish
haMikdash and partake of a seudah
any of it until morning. meal of thanksgiving to celebrate his
recounting the miracle of the
offering, and using this as an ultimate redemption.
The Netziv (Haameik Davar Vayikra opportunity to explain why he is mlipschitz@torontotorah.com

The 613 Mitzvot – Mitzvah 30 :

Invoking G-d’s Name for a False or Vain Oath YU Pesach To Go

Judaism’s belief in a personal overfamiliarity, instructing us not to Don’t forget to pick

relationship with HaShem, and its invoke HaShem’s Name for a false or
promotion of Ahavat HaShem, love vain oath.
up a YU Pesach-To-
of G-d, risks the possibility that we
The term “vain oath” includes oaths
Go at your shul. You
might be drawn into treating G-d affirming well-known facts or may also access it
with less than total respect, or that
we might take the mitzvot less
swearing to perform impossible acts. by visiting
The issue is not any falsehood, only
seriously, contending, ,‫ וותרן הוא‬that
that taking such an oath www.yutorah.org/
G-d will lovingly overlook our
wrongs (Bava Kama 50a).
demonstrates a lack of respect for the togo/pesach
Name of G-d, and therefore for
Mitzvah 30 combats that concern by HaShem Himself.
building a barrier to prevent torczyner@torontotorah.com

2 Visit us at www.torontotorah.com

Netanya
Netanya, capital of the Sharon district,
is located close to the seashores of the
Mediterranean Sea (Yam Hatichon),
between Poleg stream and Wingate
Institute in the south and the Avichail
stream in the north. Its proximity to
the sea (14 kilometers of the most
beautiful shores in the world) and its
pleasant climate have made the city a
most desirable tourist attraction and
resort area.
Netanya was founded in 1929 by
citrus farmers, but now is primarily a
center for tourism and the diamond
trade. Israel is one of the world’s
largest exporters of diamonds (this is
the country’s principal export to the
U.S.), and Netanya is home to many
diamond-cutters and polishers who
came to Israel primarily from Belgium
before and during World War II. It
was named in honor of philanthropist
Nathan Straus, the owner of Macy’s
department store in New York at the
turn of the century.
Netanya, the largest city on the
crossroads between Tel- Aviv and
Haifa, forms a connecting link
between the northern and central
parts of the country. Due to its central
location near the Tel Aviv - Haifa
railroad tracks, 30 kilometers north of
Tel-Aviv and 50 kilometers south of
Haifa), Netanya has become a center
for tourists as well as for industrial
development. Three features have
contributed to the development of
Netanya as a city of tourism and
leisure: beautifully maintained sea
shores offering a variety of high
standard services, a wide selection of
hotels, restaurants and places of
entertainment appealing to the
national as well as the international
tourist, and the central geographic
location allowing easy access to
tourist sites all over the country.
Nearby services provide a wide
variety of activities from nature walks
for the whole family to sports such as
paragliding, miniature plane flying,
jeep tours, horseback riding and sail
boating.
Adapted from an article originally
published by Torah miTzion.
Visit us at www.torontotorah.com
Ha’Am V’Ha’Aretz
R’ David ben Yosef Abudarham Russell Levy
R’ David ben Yosef Abudarham, a native of
Torah in Translation
Seville, lived in the 14th century. Though
Why do we search for Chametz? very little is known of his personal life, his
Sefer Avudraham: Seder Bedikat last name, “Abudarham”, derives from an
Chametz ancestor whose name was also David. This
ancestor served as the tax collector under
Before one looks [for chametz, bedikat Sancho IV in Toledo and was given the
chametz RL], one blesses, “Blessed are title, “Abu-darhanim”, which means
You… who commanded us regarding “collector of taxes” in Arabic. (The
Christians had already reconquered
destroying chametz” (Pesachim 7b). We do
not bless before we nullify chametz; the act Toledo by the end of the 11th century, but
the Jewish community resembled that of a
of nullification depends on the intentions in
community under Muslim rule for more
one’s heart and one is not required to utter
than two centuries.)
any words and no deed is involved at all,
and one does recite a blessing on any It is believed that R’ Abudarham was a
mitzvah which is devoid of action, as we student of R’ Yaakov ben Asher, son of the
wrote in the introduction to this book. We Rosh and author of the monumental
halachic work, “Arba Turim”. His
do not bless upon searching for chametz,
extensive commentary on the siddur,
because that is a rabbinic mitzvah.
originally called “Chibbur Perush
After the bedikah, one must say, “All haBrachot v’haTefillot”, was completed in
chametz that is in my possession that I have the same year R’ Yaakov passed away, in
not seen and I have not destroyed, and 1340 (5100).
about which I do not know, shall be R’ Abudarham’s commentary, widely
nullified and considered like dust.” One referred to as “Sefer Avudraham”, covers
should not say, “that is in this house,” but the gamut of Jewish liturgy, elucidating the
“that is in my possession,” as one might various customs and laws associated with
possess chametz in a different location. daily, Shabbat and holiday prayers; the
You might ask: Why does one need to weekly readings from the Torah and the
check for chametz in the corners and associated haftarah; blessings we say
throughout the year, such as birkat
remove it from his house, which is more
hamazon, tefillin, tzitit, bedikat chametz
than is required for other forbidden items,
and other mitzvot; blessings said before
such as the forbidden fat of an animal and eating, drinking, or gaining other benefit
meat that was not ritually slaughtered? You from the world; blessings of praise and
might answer that people separate from thanks; and the special holiday practices
forbidden fat and meat that was not ritually such as reading the megillah on Purim, the
slaughtered throughout the year, so we do Haggadah of Pesach, and Sefirat haOmer.
not worry lest one accidentally partake of With a focus on the customs of the Jews of
them, but one normally eats chametz and so Spain and southern France, the Sefer
we must worry. However, the question still Avudraham was quoted extensively by
stands, as we do not require a nazir to later works, such as R’ Yosef Caro’s
remove wine from his possessions even Shulchan Aruch and the glosses of the
though he only separates himself from it Rama, R’ Moshe Isserles.
during the time of his vow. Furthermore, With his commentary, R’ David achieved
even though we eat grain all year round, his goal of reaching the masses and
and the new grains are forbidden to be enhancing the layman’s understanding of
eaten until the 16th of Nisan even in the the services.
Diaspora, we are not required to remove it rlevy@torontotorah.com
from our houses!
Rather, we may explain that we are forbidden [in a mixture RL] as long as
stringent regarding chametz because the they can be tasted. This even applies to
Torah itself warned us more regarding wine used for libations to an idol;
chametz than regarding other mitzvot, though even a minimal quantity of such
prohibiting us from seeing chametz or wine prohibits wine into which it is
having it found in our possession. mixed, it only prohibits other
Therefore, our Sages were more stringent substances into which it is mixed so
and required us to perform bedikah to long as it can be tasted. On the other
ensure we do not have a stumbling block. hand, any minimal amount of Chametz,
in mixtures with both similar and
You can see that this is true from the fact
dissimilar substances, prohibits the
that non-chametz prohibited foods are
entire entity. rlevy@torontotorah.com
3
NEW! Men’s Summer Kollel, May 3-June 11
8:00 Shacharit
8:40 Light Breakfast
9:00 Hilchot Tevillat Keilim with R’ Torczyner
9:30-12:00 Seder with Maareh Mekomot
11:00 Shiur Tuesdays and Thursdays with R’ Berzon
$50 weekly stipend for those who attend daily,
Monday through Friday, full sedarim and shiurim.
For more info, contact summerkollel@torontotorah.com.
Sunday, April 18: Yom haZikaron learning
Monday, April 19: Yom haZikaron and Yom
haAtzmaut Program with Mizrachi Canada
May 3-June 11: Women’s Weekly Study Program
Sunday, May 9: Women’s pre-Shavuot learning
program featuring R’ Meir Goldwicht
Wed, May 12: Yom Yerushalayim program
Sunday, May 16: Pre-Shavuot learning