The Medrash says that one of Amalek’s tactics in their war against the Yidden was that they went to Mitzrayim and got hold of the records with the names of the Yidden. They would stand next to the Amud HaAnan and call out, “Reuven! Come out, we want to do business with you!” When a Yid came out of the protection of the cloud, Amalek would attack.
In this week’s parsha, the Torah teaches about makkos. The Chida writes that if a person is struggling with impure thoughts, it is a segulah to learn Maseches Makkos.
The Torah forbids kilayim—plowing with an ox and a donkey together. The Baal HaTurim gives a fascinating reason. An ox is a kosher animal and chews its cud, so it keeps bringing its food back up and appears to be eating all the time. When the donkey sees this, it feels bad because it has nothing to eat. The Sefer HaChinuch adds that if the Torah is concerned about the feelings of animals, then certainly we should not place two very different types of people in charge of the same job if it will cause friction and pain.
The Shvus Yaakov discusses whether a dayan who cannot see well without glasses may serve on a beis din for chalitzah, since the passuk says “לעיני הזקנים” (“before the eyes of the elders”). He concludes that he may, because the Torah specifically says zekeinim (elders) Since elderly people commonly have weaker eyesight, wearing glasses must not disqualify them!
Story
Rav Ezra Attiya zt”l was once giving a shiur on Maseches Chullin, where the Gemara discusses the mitzvah of shiluach hakein. The Gemara asks an unusual question: If a bird’s nest is found on a person’s head, is there an obligation to perform shiluach hakein?
One of the people in the shiur exclaimed, “Why is the Gemara discussing such nonsense? A bird could never build a nest on someone’s head!”
Rav Ezra answered firmly, “Every word of the Gemara is holy. There is definitely no nonsense in something the Gemara says, no matter how unlikely one thinks it is.” Still, the man was unconvinced and skeptical. Rav Ezra quietly davened that Hashem would show him the holiness and truth of the Gemara.
A few minutes later, someone who had not attended the shiur for a long time walked in. Everyone warmly welcomed him and asked where he had been.
He explained that he had been away on business in India. Then he began describing some of the strange things he had seen there. “I saw a man sitting next to a tree. He had been meditating for days without moving. He sat so still that the birds thought he was part of the tree and built a nest on his head, and he still didn’t move!”
Everyone was amazed. Hashem had immediately shown them that every word of the Gemara is true and holy.
#1 Is there a mitzvah to destroy Amalek’s animals as well?
#2 Why is the mitzvah of tzitzis written immediately after the prohibition of kilayim?
#3 A worker is allowed to eat fruit while working in a field. May he eat as much as he wants?
Answers: 1) Yes. Rashi explains that “zecher” includes even their possessions. (Rashi 25:19) 2) To teach us that tzitzis may be made from kilayim. (Rashi 22:12) 3) No. He may not eat an achilah gasah (an excessive amount). (Rashi 23:25) Parsha Pix: For answer look in פרק כד פסוק ה
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 95.