Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Emor #1- Watching Mitzvot?
The Torah tells us in this week’s parsha, “u’shmartem es mitzvosai, v’aseesem osum — watch the mitzvot and do them” (Vayikra 22:31). What does watch mitzvot mean? If one does a mitzvah he is surely doing more than watching them. According to Torah.org perhaps we should look out for mitzvot to do. We have many times to do mitzvot but sometimes miss the opportunity so this passuk is saying look for mitzvot that aren't clearly in front of you
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Rashi on this pasuk says that ושמרתם teaches that one must learn about the mitzvot and ועשיתם teaches that one must do the mitzvot. I think this makes a lot of sense as it explains the literal meaning of the pasuk and explains why the pasuk seems to be redundant.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Rabbi Daniel, Hashem specifically uses the term "watch" in the commandment to do mitzvot for the purpose of emphasizing the power of mitzvot. Since, mitzvot are so special in the eyes of Hashem, Hashem says to "watch" mitzvot and do them. The double command is for the emphasis of how important mitzvot truly are and to make it clear to the nation that we must perform these mitzvot because they are so important to Hashem.
ReplyDeletemy jewish learning.com says that we must watch others do mitzvot so that way we can get inspired to do mitzvot ourselves. Postive peer pressure can encourage to do things, such as mitzvot, that we otherwise would not have done. -rachel malek
ReplyDeleteRabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky says that the reason the passuk says to watch for mitzvot is for two reasons. First he says it is because people do not always take the opportunity to preform mitzvoth because you are not aware of them, so he says you should be watching for an opportunity to do mitzvot. The second thing he says is that doing the mitzvah is not enough, you also need to be watching the action you are doing and realize that you are doing this mitzvah.
ReplyDeleteRav Hirsch says that it says that shemira is teaching and guarding the mitzvot is teaching them. The Cohen's main job is shemira, to guard by continuing teaching and learning and to instill that in the minds and hearts of the nation.
ReplyDeleteRabbi Shlomo says that the reason the pasuk says watch the mitzvos is that not only are you supposed to watch other people do mitzvos and learn from that, you are supposed to watch the effects that your Mitzvah had on your life, and realize that by doing that mitzvah, you're following HaShem and it'll impact you for the better.
ReplyDeleteThe Chasam Sofer talks about another point when the word "watch" was used. When Yosef is recounting his dreams it says that Yaakov "watched the incident." In that context Rashi explains that "watch" means to wait in anticipation of fulfillment. The Chasam Sofer explains that once again the Torah uses watch in the same manner. The Torah is telling us to anticipate mitzvot to fulfill, to always be ready to jump up and do a mitzvah when the opportunity arises, not to only observe but to anticipate and be ready to act.
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