Parashat Naso
Sivan 14, 5783 / June 2-3, 2023
Torah: Numbers 4:21 - 7:89
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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REPENTANCE FROM WITHIN
"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the Children of Israel: A man or woman who commits any of mankind's sins, to commit sacrilege against the Lord, and that person becomes guilty - they shall confess their sin that they committed - they shall make restitution for their guilt plus an additional one-fifth, and give it to the one whom they have wronged.'" Numbers 5:5-7
In his Mishneh Torah, Rambam (Maimonides) says that the commandment to confess is the foundation of teshuvah, repentance. For sins against God, we confess to God. For sins against our fellows, we confess to them and to God - for sins against others are also sins against God.
Why confession? Shouldn't restitution, especially with an additional amount, be sufficient? If the guilty party has made the victim whole, what is the point of confession? Compare this with the American legal system. Every day, hundreds of lawsuits are settled with the payment of settlement money (not called "damages"), but with no admission of wrongdoing. We accept this as a way to end litigation, but we know intuitively that it is not the solution to the problem. It seems like the guilty party is buying a license - perhaps to sin yet again.
Why confession? In part, one must convince both humans and God that one will not commit the sin again. But many of us can be convincing actors. We might even convince ourselves. An answer may be found in the Hebrew grammar for the word "confess" which appears in verse 7. The word is hitvadu, a reflexive form of the verb. The point is to cause introspection, to find the true source of the wrongdoing, to avoid the blame game. Someone who has confessed, both outwardly and inwardly, who has thoroughly examined the self, is much less likely to commit another offense. Some things money can't buy! True repentance comes from within.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
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My weekly divrei torah are available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!
Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.
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Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live.
We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov.
NO LUNCH AND LEARN ON JUNE 6.
On June 13, we'll be at BT Shabbat 88a, page 165 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 - "...ת'ש דתניא בסדר עולם" - "Come and learn! We are taught in Sedar Olam...”
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria:
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents
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Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/
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Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/
Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at:
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com
On June 13, we'll be at BT Shabbat 88a, page 165 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 - "...ת'ש דתניא בסדר עולם" - "Come and learn! We are taught in Sedar Olam...”
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria:
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/
Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at:
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
------------------------------------------------------
REPENTANCE FROM WITHIN
"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the Children of Israel: A man or woman who commits any of mankind's sins, to commit sacrilege against the Lord, and that person becomes guilty - they shall confess their sin that they committed - they shall make restitution for their guilt plus an additional one-fifth, and give it to the one whom they have wronged.'" Numbers 5:5-7
In his Mishneh Torah, Rambam (Maimonides) says that the commandment to confess is the foundation of teshuvah, repentance. For sins against God, we confess to God. For sins against our fellows, we confess to them and to God - for sins against others are also sins against God.
Maimònides - Bronze Statue in Còrdoba
Why confession? Shouldn't restitution, especially with an additional amount, be sufficient? If the guilty party has made the victim whole, what is the point of confession? Compare this with the American legal system. Every day, hundreds of lawsuits are settled with the payment of settlement money (not called "damages"), but with no admission of wrongdoing. We accept this as a way to end litigation, but we know intuitively that it is not the solution to the problem. It seems like the guilty party is buying a license - perhaps to sin yet again.
Why confession? In part, one must convince both humans and God that one will not commit the sin again. But many of us can be convincing actors. We might even convince ourselves. An answer may be found in the Hebrew grammar for the word "confess" which appears in verse 7. The word is hitvadu, a reflexive form of the verb. The point is to cause introspection, to find the true source of the wrongdoing, to avoid the blame game. Someone who has confessed, both outwardly and inwardly, who has thoroughly examined the self, is much less likely to commit another offense. Some things money can't buy! True repentance comes from within.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B'nai Hayim
הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1------------------------------------------------------
My weekly divrei torah are available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!
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