Why does the Torah use redundant language? If the fire on the Altar is supposed to burn continually, of course it should not be extinguished.

Our Sages explain that the last part of the verse is conveying a separate law concerning the fire on the Altar. The fire shall continue to burn, even when it travels (Talmud Yerushalmi Yoma 4, 6).

The Reisher Rav, Rabbi Aharon Levine zt'l, explains the Yerushalmi's elucidation of this verse homiletically - providing us with an important insight regarding a person's daily conduct. When a person is conducting his daily affairs in the proximity of his friends and relatives, it is very difficult to stray from the proper path. Not only will loved ones correct him should he fail to behave according to accepted guidelines, the discipline and structure of every day life on home turf will keep him from improper behavior.

However, when a person travels from home and conducts his affairs on foreign territory, most of his encounters are with people who do not know, nor care for, him. He is very distant from the structure and watchful, caring eyes of those close to him. Being in a situation devoid of people who subconsciously control his actions, a person can easily fall into the traps set in front of him by the yetzer hora. During such situations, it is possible that a person will surrender to temptation and stray from the proper path.

Therefore, Dovid HaMelech states, "Happy is each person who fears Hashem, who walks in his ways" (Tehillim 128, 1). The word "his" in this verse can be understood to refer to "each person" (and not to "Hashem"), which interprets the verse as follows - "Happy is each person who remains G-d fearing (even) when he walks in his ways", meaning when the person is travelling away from home. The true test of one's commitment to Hashem is how he acts when he is away from the watchful confines of his home and community.

With this understanding, the message that the Torah, based on the Yerushalmi's interpretation, is conveying becomes imminently clear. "A fire shall be kept burning on the Altar continually" - the fire of love and fear of Hashem shall continually burn in a person's heart. This fire "shall not go out, even when it travels" away from home. If a person keeps the flame of Torah and service to Hashem continually ablaze in his heart, it will not become extinguished even when he is on the road.

Our Sages (Berachos 33b) teach as follows: "In the presence of Rav Chanina, a man once began enumerating praises (of Hashem) in his daily prayer (the Shemone Esrei). He said, 'The Great, Powerful, Awesome, Mighty, Strong, True, Fearful One.'

Rav Chanina said to him, 'Have you completed enumerating all the praises of your Master? Now, if Moshe had not said these three; 'Great', 'Powerful', and 'Awesome' in the Torah (Devarim 10, 17), and the Anshe Knesses HaGedolah (Men of the Great Assembly) had not introduced them into prayer, we would not be allowed to say them. Yet you have mentioned so many.

This is likened to a king who owned thousands upon thousands of golden dinars, and you praise him with a gift of a few dinars of silver. This is nothing but a disgrace to him."

Based on Rav Chanina's statement, the Maharal of Prague zt"l concludes that it is not permitted for a person to praise Hashem. Our praises are insignificant and can never do justice to the awesome nature of Hashem. Therefore, one who attempts to praise Hashem in this limited, mortal manner is actually disgracing Him. The parable to the king who has thousands upon thousands of golden dinars, and was given a gift of a few dinars of silver is well understood, since there is a qualitative difference between gold and silver and a major difference between thousands and a few.

With this being the law, the Maharal asks, how are we allowed to praise Hashem during the seder? Praises which fall short of the mark are actually degrading.

The Maharal answers that although words of praise are not permitted for the purpose of praising Hashem, it is permitted to express words of praise for the purpose of giving thanks to Hashem. Although it is impossible to praise a very rich king, it is certainly appropriate and proper for the servant to thank the king for sustaining him and giving him opportunities in life. Therefore, during the seder, although we utilize expressions of praise, they are with the intention of thanking Hashem for all that he has done for our ancestors and us. In showing our appreciation there are no limitations or restrictions, and we are encouraged to express gratitude to Him without end.

To prove that expressions of praise may be used for a purpose other than praising Hashem, the Maharal cites the Gemora in Berachos mentioned above. The Maharal asks, if one is not permitted to praise Hashem under any circumstances, how was it possible for Moshe to declare to Bnei Yisroel that Hashem is Great, Powerful, and Awesome?

The Maharal says that we learn from here that it is permissible to use words of exaltation of Hashem for a non-exaltation objective. Moshe's desire was to instill into Bnei Yisroel fear of Hashem, and he accomplished this goal by describing some of Hashem's attributes.

The Maharal concludes that since it is permissible to use words of praise in order to accomplish a goal other than the pure exaltation of Hashem, it is permitted to use words of praise as a means to thank Him for the good he has bestowed upon us. Therefore, during the seder we use laudatory expressions for Hashem in order to thank Him for everything that He has done and does for us.

TABLE TALK

THE DILEMMA
(What is permitted to do in this situation?)

One day Boruch forgot his bus pass. By the time he realized it, the bus had already arrived at the stop. The bus driver recognized Boruch and told him that he did not have to pay, because he knew that Boruch had a monthly pass. Is it permissible for Boruch to take this "free ride"?

During the day, Boruch was telling the story of his forgotten bus pass to one of his co-workers. Another co-worker, who had a bus pass, overheard this conversation. Since this co-worker did not need his bus pass for the next couple of days, he offered to lend it to Boruch so that he would not have to pay for the bus ride home. Is it permissible for Boruch to use his co-worker's bus pass, since Boruch really does possess a pass of his own?

(Consult your Rav for a proper halachic ruling)

Last week's clues and answer: My purpose lies within and without; I hold "sacrifices" but I am not an altar; I have symbolism over substance; I am taken for interrogation - A Seder Plate

Congratulations to Dovid Kramer, Mr. Marc Millstein and Rochel Rina Millstein

TORAH RIDDLE

Is it possible for a person to eat the proper amount of matzoh and morror in the proper amount of time, with the proper kavana (intentions) and still not fulfill the obligation of matzoh and morror?

(Please send us your answer by e-mail to gkrainess@adelphia.net. The answer will appear in next week's issue)

Last week's question and answer: Is it possible for a person not to become an onein immediately after the death of a close relative? Yes. 1) If someone dies on Shabbos or Yom Tov, the immediate family does not become an onein until after the conclusion of Shabbos or Yom Tov. 2) If someone dies in prison, and the authorities prevent his immediate family from gaining immediate possession of the body, then they will not become an onein until after they secure the body. (This only applies if the family knows that they will be able to gain possession of the body). 3) If a person does not know that their relative died, then he will not become an onein until he finds out about the death (This only applies if the person found out about the death prior to the burial). 4) A Kohen Gadol never becomes an onein.

Congratulations to The Hefter Family and Mr. Michael Post

THE KOLLEL FAMILY

MAZEL TOV

Mr. and Mrs. Yanky Gecovich upon the birth of a son

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gecovich and Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Schwersenski upon the birth of a grandson

WELCOME

Mr. and Mrs. Yehoshua Roth

Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Zomber

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

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The Kollel's nightly shiur on "Haggadah - pshat and insights" at 9:15 continues, with the last shiur to be held on Monday, March 25.

(Please inform us if you wish to have a happy or solemn occasion or a community or personal event posted on the Community Bulletin Board - Thank you.)

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