Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech

"He is such a positive person. It's a pleasure having him as a guest.
Whenever he comes for Shabbos, we stay around the table saying divrei Torah
and singing zemiros (Shabbos songs)."

"There must not be among you a root whose fruit is gall and wormwood
(bitter fruits)." (Divorim 29:17 -Referring to types of people) Bitter
people create a negative atmosphere, but to really grow in Judaism, one must
be positive about G-d, himself, and others.

What kind of atmosphere do you create??

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom

Dear Rabbi Flom,
That was a great lesson!! However,wasn't the posuk talking about idolatry and not bad middos?
Sincerely,
Mark

Dear Mark,
Thanks for the question.
You should know, that I almost didn't write this dvar Torah, because I had your question !! The first part of the sentence says "There shouldn't be...any man...who goes and worships idols." The second part of the sentence is what I quoted. I said at first that the second part of the sentence is EXPLAINING the first half, by saying that even if it isn't someone who goes out and out converting us to avoda zara, but a slow process, we must watch out. But I looked at the sentence again, and I didn't find that it is defining or explaining the first part. Then I saw "Majesty of Man" (based primarily on the Torah of Rav Henoch Leibowitz shli"ta) that he in fact says that the first part is talking about Mr. Evil and the second part is talking about a frum person who has some evil lurking in him (my words). I didn't use his explanation, but I felt that I could safely learn that the sentence was referring to 2 entirely different people, one idolator and one with a bad trait. Since some of the commentaries talk about the fruits being bitter, that was the emphasis of my dvar Torah.
I hope that this answers your question.
Take care.
Rabbi Flom

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rabbi Flom,

L´Shanah Tovah

Dear Rav.

Rashi´s commentary goes on chapter 29:28 " The hidden things belong to the lord, our G-d", those who are sinful of thought, hidden will be punished by our lord, but the community would be responsible for any collective sin this is entitled to be punished I quote " The revealed things apply to us and to our children- we are responsible for detecting the sins committed openly -( my word- like Idolatry in your explanation)- and to erradicate any evil among us". There is a mandatory responsability among all jew to care and protect the community since I quote Rashi´s "For then, they accepted upon themselves the oath at Mount Gerim and Mount Ebal, and thereby became responsabile for one another". You say " ... the second part is talking about a frum person ho has some evil lurking in him(My words)" As I understand if his evil is within him inside of himself would be as hired and he would be entitled directly to G-d punishment alone being susceptible to a harder punishment than a collective one since The oath was given to all the community. On the other hand our father gives us a way out " to circumcise our heart" that is to love , to keep his Torah close and to choose life instead of death ( darkness). So this Frum with bad traits still can come and be gracious before our king of kings by circumcising his heart and come closer ahava to Ado-i.

Thank You very Much

Lej Leshalom.

Dear Ochao,
What you wrote about Teshuva is 100% correct. If a person wants to do Teshuva Hashem will "circumsize" his heart, even though inherently it is quite difficult to do Teshuva.
I am not quite sure what you meant with:

quote:

As I understand if his evil is within him inside of himself would be as hired and he would be entitled directly to G-d punishment alone being susceptible to a harder punishment than a collective one since The oath was given to all the community.

Take care. Have a good Shabbos.
Rabbi Flom

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
. Then I saw "Majesty of Man" (based primarily on the Torah of Rav Henoch Leibowitz shli"ta) that he in fact says that the first part is talking about Mr. Evil and the second part is talking about a frum person who has some evil lurking in him (my words). I didn't use his explanation, [QUOTE]
Dear Rabbi Flom,
What was Rabbi Leibowitz's explanation?
Sincerely,
Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech



"There must not be among you a root whose fruit is gall and wormwood
(bitter fruits)." (Divorim 29:17 -Referring to types of people

I looked up "gall and wormwood "in the dictionary ( dictionary.com) and came up with this definition: Bitterness of spirit, deep resentment.

So this verse must be commonly interpreted the way that Rabbi Flom interpreted it.

Where else in the bible is the term "gall and wormwood" used? Anywhere else?

quote:

Originally posted by Fine:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
. Then I saw "Majesty of Man" (based primarily on the Torah of Rav Henoch Leibowitz shli"ta) that he in fact says that the first part is talking about Mr. Evil and the second part is talking about a frum person who has some evil lurking in him (my words). I didn't use his explanation, [QUOTE]
Dear Rabbi Flom,
What was Rabbi Leibowitz's explanation?
Sincerely,
Mark

Dear Mark,
Rabbi Leibowitz's explanation was based on the Ramban, that the person, even though he was keeping mitzvos, always had certain "problems" with G-d. I used "bitter" in a more literal sense, that it is a bitter person who can cause harm.
I hope that this is satisfactory.
Rabbi Flom

quote:

Originally posted by Raybin:

quote:

Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech



"There must not be among you a root whose fruit is gall and wormwood
(bitter fruits)." (Divorim 29:17 -Referring to types of people

I looked up "gall and wormwood "in the dictionary ( dictionary.com) and came up with this definition: Bitterness of spirit, deep resentment.

So this verse must be commonly interpreted the way that Rabbi Flom interpreted it.

Where else in the bible is the term "gall and wormwood" used? Anywhere else?

Dear Raybin,
Thanks for your comment and question. The phrase "gall and wormwood" isn't used elsewhere, but for example "bitter as wormwood" is used in Proverbs (5:4).
Since the sentence before says idolatry explicitly, I guess that is why others don't use the the phrase as a bitter person.
Thanks. Take care.
Rabbi Flom

Thank you for looking that up! There does seem to be a parallel between the two verses. "gall and wormword" in referance to idolatry, and "bitter as wormword" in referance to heresy. The two are similar, or the same.

You find bitter people in all religions, and I am sure that all religions preach against them. You don't even have to be religious to preach against them, bitterness is a "bad" trait. But it is people who are truly bitter against G-d that we should be concerned about. It manifests itself in heresy and idolatry. To truly love G-d you must be content with what G-d gives you, and you must love your neighbor as yourself. You must trust G-d for all of your needs and not turn your heart and mind away. I would love to have someone over on Shabbat who laughs and sings and recites torah. But I would also love to share it with my father who is quiet and knows Torah only in his heart and soul. And with my mother who is a real shrew. Yes, bitter people can sometimes spoil the fun (or try to) but they usually can't help it that that is the way that they are and should still be accepted as part of this great Jewish family. Sorry if I have a tendancy to come across as bitter at times.