‘Parsha Growth Spurts’
Rabbi Dani Staum
Parshas Emor
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not remove completely the corners… for the poor and the proselyte shall you leave them…” (Vayikra 23:22)
Rashi, quoting Sifra, explains that the Torah states the laws of Matnos Aniyim (the gifts the farmer must leave for the poor) in the middle of its discussion of the Yomim Tovim of the year to teach that if someone leaves the gifts for the poor, it is regarded as if he built the Bais Hamikdash and brought the korbanos in it.
What is the connection between Matnos Aniyim and rebuilding the Bais Hamikdash, and what is the connection to the annual cycle of festivals?
Rav Shimon Schwab zt’l explained that the Torah is alluding to the fact that when Moshiach comes Tisha B’av will be transformed into a Yom Tov (see Zechariah 8:19).
Megillas Rus relates that Boaz was particular to fulfill the laws of Matnos Aniyim. Therefore Rus came to find grain in his field, which ultimately led to their marriage, and their becoming the progenitors of the Davidic dynasty. The third Bais Hamikdash will be built by Moshiach ben Dovid.
Therefore, the Torah relates these laws specifically between its discussion of the holidays of Shavuos and Rosh Hashanah as that is when the future holiday will be observed.
Rav Schwab adds that if Tisha B’av is the first day of the future holiday it stands to reason that Tu (the fifteenth) B’av will be the seventh day of the holiday. Just as Pesach begins and ends with a day of added kedusha (when melacha is forbidden), so too will the future holiday begin and end with a day of added kedusha. That is part of the joy we feel on Tu B’av; we are celebrating the imminence of a new Yom Tov.
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“For the poor and the proselyte shall you leave them…” (ibid)
Why do we leave raw materials in the field for the poor; would they not benefit more from ready made meals?
Rav Aharon Bakst explained that the Torah is teaching us a psychological insight. The fact that the poor collector still has to be active in the process of preparing the food mitigates his shame for having to accept charity. His efforts afford him some measure of satisfaction so that he doesn’t feel like a total failure.
At times one may care for an elderly parent or someone who is handicapped. If the parent/patient offers to participate in some of the family chores or help cook, the caretaker may defer the offer in his well-intentioned effort to spare the parent or patient any added stress. But at times the parent/patient may feel a sense of satisfaction from his efforts. In addition, it can help him feel that he is not a complete burden on others since he is able to contribute too.
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“You shall count for yourselves… seven weeks, they shall be complete.” (Vayikra 23:15)
Sefer Hachinuch explains that counting the Omer demonstrates our anticipatory pining for Kabbolas HaTorah on Shavuos.
If that is true, why do we count upwards; if a student is eagerly awaiting graduation day he counts down the days, not up?
Rav Shimshon Pinkus zt’l explained with a parable: If a man won the lottery for a million dollars and was told that in a hundred days he would receive the money, every day will seem like an eternity. Such a person will surely count down the days with bated breath, trying to pass the time, for that is the only thing between him and his winnings.
However, if he was told that in order to receive his due he will have to work for it, and for the next hundred days for each day he works he will be compensated ten thousand dollars, his experience will be vastly different. For him the hundred days pass quickly, because each day represents another massive earning.
If we were merely counting the Omer in order to arrive at Shavuos then indeed it would be more logical to count down the days. However, counting the Omer represents a journey of growth, a journey towards character perfection, and a journey of attainment of spiritual greatness. Therefore, each day is another investment into the earnings we will receive in totality on Shavuos when we have are prepared to collect our wages by receiving the Torah anew.
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Sources: Rav Schwab – Ma’ayan Bais Hashoeivah; Rav Bakst – heard in his name; Rav Pinkus – Sichos Pesach (‘Sheva Shabbasos’)