A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parshas Tazriah-Metzorah
Toras HaAdam
The study of smichas haparshiyos always reveals fascinating insights into the inner meanings of Torah. Text and context are so vital in shaping the values and mores that are to shape our outlook as well. One significant message is presented by Chazal as we traverse the yesodos of parshas Shimini, read last week, and begin the study of parshas Metzorah this Shabbos. It is a bridge which reminds us of the proper context of our avodas Hashem still today.
Chazal note that parshas Shmini concludes by summing up the laws of kashrus using the phrase, “zos Toras habihayma.” Our parsha begins with the renewal of human existence and the birth of children entering the world and the words “zos Toras hayoledes.” The commentaries wonder why the Toras habihama precedes the Toras haadam. Surely, it is people who are the focus of creation. Shouldn’t we study the creation of man and then follow it with the Toras habihama? What is to be understood from the sequence of these psukim?
To answer this question, the Midrash introduces the parsha with the posuk from Tehillim (139:4) Achor vakedem tzartani — “backwards and forwards You shaped me.” Says R’ Yishmael bar Tanchum “Achor l’chal hamaasim v’kodem l’chol ha’onshim…— you are last with regards to your actions (you are the pinnacle of creation), yet you are the first for all of consequences (if you abuse life).” The Midrash continues—if you are worthy then all of creation was prepared for you. However if r”l one is unworthy then even the gnat has preceded you in ma’aseh breishis.
The message of this lesson is powerful. Of all the creatures of the world only human kind needs guidance and training to be successful. Beavers need not attend engineering school. Fish do not take swimming lessons and bees are exempt from food chemistry courses. It is only people that need education and coaching to master their destiny and fulfill their role in this world. Our performance is in our own hands. Chazal are reminding us that the sequence of Toras habihayma preceding Toras haadam is to deliver context and meaning to our spiritual destiny. If we learn, study and continually grow, then the Toras habihayma and indeed, the entire world is the gift which greets us to enjoy a beautiful world filled with all of His bounty. By providing us a world ready with all that we need, Hakadosh Baruch Hu has given each of us all of the tools we could possibly desire to achieve our spiritual destiny. We can rise to the apex of piety and the spiritual nirvana toward which we aspire to soar.
But, if the gift of life and the opportunity to do mitzvos are not taken advantage of, and His bountiful blessings are wasted through our apathy, indifference and self-centered laziness, resulting in sin, then we are truly no different than the insignificant gnat created early on in the six days of creation. In fact we are worse. They, after all, are fulfilling their prescribed role but we, who have free choice, are not doing ours. What a waste.
As we progress through the “count-up” to Shavuos this lesson is a vital reminder of our personal and national mission as an ohr l’amim. We can only illuminate the world if we are willing to use His gifts to bring kavod and glory to His name through our actions. That is the true purpose of life, to take the Toras habihayma and all of the olam hagashmi it symbolizes and sanctify it through the spiritual potential of Toras haadam.
The yetzer hara is a constant companion. When confronted with the challenge of living a life of Toras habihayma or Toras haadam, what will our choice be? Applying this maxim of Chazal, the answer should be easy!
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