Parshas Naso 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
לא יצק עליו שמן ולא יתן עליו לבנה כי מנחת קנאת הוא ... (ה-טו)
Parshas Naso discusses the detailed process and halachos of the Sotah. As part of the procedure, the sotah had to bring a korban mincha. A flour-based offering. While the typical mincha contained oil שמן -, and frankincenseלבונה - , hers did not. Rashi explains the reason for the lack of לבונה. He says that our אמהות are likened to לבונה, and she deviated from their altruistic ways. Thus, her mincha offering is lacking לבונה.
One may ask: What does doing good or, chas v’shalom, the opposite have to do with our forebears? When reading in Parshas Vayeishev, of Yosef Hatzadik and Mrs. Potifar, Rashi tells us that according to one מאן דאמר, in order to prevent Yosef from possibly succumbing to her entreaties, the דמות דיוקנו of his father appeared to him. When he saw the image of Yaakov, there was no longer a threat of sin. Clearly, a powerful tool to avoid the yetzer hara’s devious tactics is to constantly ask oneself, “What would my father say if I were to fail this nisayon”? That parental disapproval is so meaningful and potent that one must constantly live with this image. Thus, the sotah, who clearly didn’t, could not have the לבונה.
Perhaps this runs a bit deeper. Our DNA is wired such, that we received certain in-born traits from our ancestors. Chazal speak to us numerous times regarding the three innate middos of a Yid. Rachmanim, Bayshanim, and Gomlei Chasadim. We, as a people, are compassionate, possess a keen sensitivity, and dole out to others generously. Therefore, the Sotah, having veered from the traits of our nation, showed clearly, that she is undeserving of certain ingredients. So yes, our actions and molecular makeup are directly connected to our forefathers. And when we perform mitzvos and maasim tovim on this world, their “accounts” are credited as well. It is our fervent tefillah that our deeds pave not just a one-way street, but a two-way street, enabling them to be, oif yenner velt, meilitzei yosher for Klal Yisroel. שנשמע ונתבשר בשורות טובות ישועות ונחמות!