Parshat Naso – Chag HaShavuos
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha the section regarding "gezel hager", stealing from a convert. The Torah repeats the halacha taught in parshat Vayikra concerning one who stole money and swore falsely, after which he confesses to his theft and his false oath. He is required to bring aKarban Asham and to pay back what he stole plus a fifth. Rashi explains that this section is repeated in our parsha to teach us that when one steals from a ger tzedek who dies the payment goes to the Kohen, and also to teach that one has to confess in order to be obligated in the karban and the extra payment. This requirement of confession is taught by the pasuk stating (Chapter 5, Pasuk 7), V'Hisvadu es Chatasam Asher Asu, and they shall confess the sin which they committed. The Rambam in Hilchos Teshuva (Chapter 1, Halacha 10) brings this pasuk as the source for the obligation to confess as a fundamental requirement any time one needs to perform the mitzvah of Teshuva.
The Sfas Emes teaches that the ability to confess and do Teshuva comes from the Torah. The pasuk when describing the sin of one who steals and swears falsely states (Chapter 5, Pasuk 6), V'Ashmah Hanefesh Hahee, one's soul becomes tainted. And the ability to undo the blemish done to the soul comes from the Torah. The pasuk says in Tehillim (Chapter 19, Pasuk 8), Toras Hashem Temimah Meshivas Nafesh, the Torah of Hashem is complete, it revives the soul. How does the Torah revive the soul of one who has sinned?
Rashi in the beginning of the parsha of the Sotah teaches that the words (Chapter 6, Pasuk 12) Ki Sisteh Ishto, if his wife goes astray, teach us that one doesn't sin unless a "ruach shtus" enters him. Onkelos teaches on the pasuk in Bereishis (Chapter 2, Pasuk 7), Vayehi Ha'Adam L'Nefesh Chayah, Ruach Memalela. According to Onkelos, the essence of man is his ability to speak. Therefore, when a "ruach shtus" enters man and he sins, he needs to counter the ruach of sin with the "ruach" of speech, he needs to counter the sin with the words of confession; confess to his actions, state his remorse and accept not to return to the sin.
This ability of Teshuva through speech is unique to Am Yisrael. It is precisely our unique power of speech, the Kol Yaakov which inherited from our father Yaakov Avinu, which separates us from other nations. Our ability to speak words of Torah and Tefillah enables us to do Teshuvah. As we said above, the Torah enables us to revive our soul through the words of Torah by repenting.
However, one might ask that we see examples of gentiles doing Teshuvah. The people of Ninveh, for example, did Teshuvah during the time of Yonah. And Hashem waited for the people of the world to do Teshuvah before bringing the Mabul.
The Sfas Emes explains that the Teshuvah of the non-Jew is to change his ways; Hashem through his compassion then provides forgiveness. But Am Yisrael who received the Torah at Har Sinai have the ability to revive their souls and remove the blemish caused by sin. The Toras Hashem Temimah Meshivas Nafesh revives the weakened soul of V'Ashmah Hanefesh; the Ruach Memalela of divrei Torah counteracts the impurities of the ruach shtus. This ability is a result of the bond we established with Hashem upon receiving the Torah.
The month of Adar before Pesach parallels the month of Elul before Rosh Hashanah. While Elul is a time of Teshuva m'Yirah, from fear, Adar is a time of Teshuvah m'Ahavah, from love. As the pasuk in Mishlei states (Chapter 12, Pasuk 10), Al Kol Pesha'im Techaseh Ahavah, love covers over all sins. The culmination of this period of closeness through love which began with Adar leading into Pesach, is the completion of sefirah and the receiving of the Torah on Shavuos. Our accepting of the Torah on Atzeres (Shavuos in the language of Chazal) must be with love. When we have true Ahavas HaTorah, love for the Torah, this brings us closer to Hakadosh Baruch Hu and our song of love for the Torah removes all vestiges of blemish caused by sin and enables us to purify our soul.
Good Shabbos and Chag Sameach
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