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The waving of the sacrifices is an example of such a nonessential "remnant." This act is not crucial to the fulfillment of the commandment, and a person discharges his obligation even without waving the sacrifice. In this regard the Sages teach, "The dispensable ingredients of a precept [when performed] ward off punishment."
Just as a pious person is careful to fulfill with perfection those commandments which relate to serving God, so does he strive perform with perfection those commandments which affect the way he relates to his fellow man, trying to help whoever he can in any manner he can. This is what the sages call "bearing the burden with one's fellow."
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
31 - 31. The Service of the Pious
32 - 32. The Root of the Trait of Piety
33 - 33. More on the Trait of Piety
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The ancient Jewish pietists were even careful to bury their thorns and glass three handbreadths deep in the earth in order not to hinder the plow. In doing this they were going beyond they letter of the law in order to avoid causing damage to others.
To a certain degree, preventing possible danger or damage to others constitutes a greater measure of piety than performing kindness toward others, because if you do a favor for somebody he becomes thankful and feels indebted to you. This is not true in a case where one prevents his fellow from suffering loss, for a person is less inclined to feel as if you have done him a favor when you do not give him something of your own.
This is all the more true when a person does not even know that you have spared him some potential damage. Such an act is true kindness, for no thanks is ever expressed. This is true piety. Therefore the sages say, "A person who wishes to be pious should uphold the laws of damages."
This does not mean that a person should merely refrain from harming others, for while a person who does not cause damage to others is not evil, he is nonetheless not pious. Rather, what this means is that a person should fulfill the laws of damages wherever he sees something that is likely to cause damage to others. He must remove any sort of health hazard or obstacle which endangers others, and thus prevent potential damage.
The students of R' Zakkai asked their master: "Through what merit did you live to such a ripe old age?" He replied, "Never in my life did I call a person by a nickname." By this he meant even a nickname that was not derogatory. "And never in my life did I miss making Kiddush on Sabbath. Once my aging mother sold her head cover in order to bring me wine for Kiddush."
This is an example of piety which goes beyond the letter of the law. R' Zakkai, because he did not have any means to buy wine, was in fact exempt from making Kiddush. Nonetheless, he did so out of piety. These are examples of pious conduct between man and his fellow man and between man and the Creator, and with God's help we shall discuss these matters in greater detail next time.
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Some of the translated Talmudic sources in the above article were taken from or based upon Davka's Soncino Judaic Classics Library (CD-Rom) or Feldheim's "Path of the Just."
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
