Rashi says: "Rav Simlai said: Jut as the creation of mankind came only after that of every animal, beast and bird in the Work of Creation (Maaseh Breishis) so too his teaching (regarding the status of purity and impurity accompanying a persons birth) is explained only after the teaching regarding animals, beasts and birds."
Rav Nosson in Lekutei Halachos (Hilchos Orlah 5:19) says that what R' Simlai is coming to teach us here is more than just a comparison of the order of events both here and in Bereishis. The fact that man was created after even the lowliest insect, and that man's laws of purity and impurity are discussed after those of even the lowliest insect is to put mankind in his place. The reason man was brought into the world is to spread the word and therefore the glory of Hashem. The way that is done is by learning the Torah. The only way to truly learn Torah is by being humble. That's what the Torah told us in Bereishis and that's what the Torah is reminding us now, "If you start thinking that it's all about you, that you're the man, just remember that even the mosquito came before you and not just once but twice."
But what does it mean to be truly humble? Lets jump ahead a bit to the beginning of parashas Metzora. "V'tziva ha'kohen v'lakach la'mitaher shtei tziparim chayos tehoros v'eitz erez u'shnee tolaas v'eizov./The Kohen shall command; and for the person being purified there shall be taken, two live, clean birds, cedar wood, crimson thread, and hyssop." (Vayikra 14:4) 5:23) Thus the Torah is referred to as something that induces boldness, as it is written, 'Most people believe that the humble person should act like a spineless doormat, always yielding and never taking a stand, demonstrating his total submission to all of humanity by walking with his head bent down. Rabbi Nachman says that true humility is responding appropriately, as each situation demands. There are situations which require that we should be as yielding as a reed and as lowly as a hyssop bush, and yet there other situations that demand just the opposite, when we must take the initiative in aggressive and firm action, like a cedar wood tree. Our sages call this azus d'kedusha, holy boldness. Rabbi Nachman explains how azus d'kedusha applies to Torah study and prayer. "There are two types of daring. There is azus d'kedusha, without which it is impossible to assimilate the Torah into one's being, as our sages teach, 'The bashful person does not learn.' (Talmud: Avot 2:5) The sages also taught, 'Why was the Torah given [only] to Israel [and not to any other nation]? Because they are daring. (Talmud: Beitza 25b) In yet another teaching, the sages say, 'Be bold as a leopard...to carry out the will of your Father in Heaven.' (Talmud: AvotHashem gives [a doctrine of] boldness [the Torah] to His people.' (Psalms 29:11) Conversely, those who lack holy humility and daring are connected with the brazenness of the forces of evil, as our sages taught, 'Whoever is brazen-faced, it is certain that the feet of his ancestors did not stand at Mount Sinai [the place where the Torah was given. In other words, the spiritual energies of holy daring that were present at the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, were not assimilated into his soul. The souls of all those who were destined to receive the Torah, then and in the future, were at Mount Sinai].' (Talmud: Nedarim:20a)
Azus d'kdusha is necessary for prayer as well. For Hashem has arranged that that things go a certain way, with each star and constellation set in its own individual order [through which nature is controlled]. Yet the individual comes with his prayer and wants to rearrange the order [of the stars and constellations], which will change nature and work wonders. [It takes nerve to attempt to undo what Hashem has decreed. A humble person might easily feel embarrassed to come before Hashem with a request that Hashem change something. Therefore, when we prays we must dislodge this embarrassment and utilize azus d'kdusha, as it is written, "In You (Hashem) our fathers trusted...they trusted [prayer is dependent upon trust] and were not embarrassed." (Psalms 22:5, 6)
Rav Nosson goes further and says that Azus d'kdusha is needed not only for prayer and for Torah learning, all of Judaism is dependent upon azus d'kedusha, as the holy Tur says, right in the beginning of the Shulchan Aruch "Boldness is a basic and vital requirement for serving Hashem. There are times when a person wishes to perform a commandment but desists, due to his fear that someone will ridicule or reject him. He is too embarrassed to perform the commandment in front of other people. Therefore, the Mishna (Avot 5:20) warns that a person must be very bold in the face of mockers and not be embarrassed." (Tur: Orach Chaim 1:1)
The rituals of the m'tzora also entailed the use of a scarlet thread, called tola'at shani, to tie the cedar wood and the hyssop together. We already know that a thing's name reflects the spiritual energies it contains. The word tola'at, thread, also means worm in Hebrew. So the spiritual energies contained within the scarlet thread were similar to those found within the worm. Concerning the worm, our sages say, "Despite the pitiful weakness of the worm, it does have strength (a'zus) in one area. Armed with nothing more than its mouth, the worm destroys the mighty cedars. Thus, this soft and flexible organism can topple the rigid and hard tree. Similarly, Israel smites the nations, armed with nothing more than the prayers in their mouths [and the study of Torah]." (Midrash Shocher Tov) The mighty cedar, as mentioned above, contains the spiritual energies of strength and the lowly hyssop, meekness. Since the tola'at thread is associated with the spiritual energies of the worm, which possesses the spiritual energies of both strength and meekness, it is only fitting that it be used in bringing the two opposites, the cedar and the hyssop, together. From this, we can see that the popular perception of what constitutes humility is flawed.
So let's start being bold when we need to and through that begin to become truly humble and through that merit coming closer to Hashem everyday and bringing the Mashiach speedily! In our days! Amen!
Have a great Shabbos!
peace & joy,
Etan
P.S. Be sure to stay tuned for our special Yom ha'atzaut edition!
till then..........
1 comment:
You make some interesting comments here regarding azus kedusha.
Shalom !
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