The Yerushalmi comments on the last mishna in Bikkurim. It states that Bikkurim are a property of the Kohen and compares Bikkurim to Sefer Torah. Here is the last comment in Bikkurim:
תני, המוכר ספר תורה של אביו אינו רואה סימן ברכה לעולם. וכל המקיים ספר תורה בתוך ביתו עליו הכתוב אומר (תהלים קיב) הון ועושר בביתו וצדקתו עומדת לעד
He who sells the Torah Scroll of his father never sees a sign of blessing. He who maintains a Torah Scroll in his house, of him it states, Property and wealth are in his house and his righteousness endures forever".
I suggest three potential understandings, each deeper than the other.
1. The commentators explain that the Yerushalmi teaches us a halachic point. We might think that since it is a mitzva to purchase a Sefer Torah, it is justifiable to sell the scroll that a person inherits in order to produce or purchase his own. However, this is not so. We should find another way of funding the purchase of a new scroll, other than selling the one that we had inherited.
2.In every generation we are commanded to relate to the words of Torah as a new and living reality, "as if the were just given this day (see Rashi to Devarim 6,6 and 11:13)". We might understand this imperative as mandating that every generation must write its own Torah and not suffice with what we received from our fathers. This passage tells us that it is a grievous error to think so. We must not exchange the Torah of our fathers for a 'new' understanding. Rather we must hold one to what they bequeathed us and find the excitement of newness therein.
3.Yet, deeper. It is known that Torah Scroll is associated with the Yesod of Abba (Shaar Hakkavonos, Krias Hatorah, Derush 1; Otsros Chaim, Nekuddim 6 where this is explained, but see Pardes 23, Sefer Hachaim) . This is precisely what is alluded to in this text.
May we return to your splendor, Yerushalmi Zeraim and may your splendor shine upon us.
May we return to your splendor, Yerushalmi Zeraim and may your splendor shine upon us.
Aren't you using the word "hadran" twice in order to teitch it that way?
That is, if hadar means splendor, how can it mean return at the same time?
Posted by: Shmendrik | March 11, 2007 at 12:42 AM