Yechiel Michel Epstein

“ This means to say that one should not ask 'If the evil inclination only tries to seduce one to transgress the will of G-d, why was it created?' The truth is that the intent of the evil inclination is that man should overpower him and not listen to him, but G-d has nevertheless created him to test whether man will transgress G-d's will, in order that one should serve G-d through free will and not as one forced by instinct. This is the ultimate purpose of the creation of man, and through this ability he is even greater than an angel, as I have written in section 1. ”

“ This state of affairs gives rise to a constant struggle within man all the days of his life, with his animal nature pining for physical desires, while his pure soul opposes such pursuits, inspiring man to turn to his real purpose, to serve G-d like an angel. ”

“ It is also a positive commandment to connect oneself to Torah sages and their students in order to learn from their behavior, as the verse states: "To Him you should cling." Now is it possible for one to cling to G-d? Is He not likened to a consuming fire? Rather the meaning is that one should connect himself to the Torah sages and their students. (Gemara Kesuvos, 111.1) . He should sit amid the dust of their feet and drink in their words with thirst. ”

“ This means to say that fear and love are opposites, but through fear of G-d's vast loftiness they can dwell together, that through the recognition of the great, exalted stature of the Blessed One he is feared with an 'enlightened fear', and he is loved with all of one's heart and soul. ”

“ The intent is that one should not let thoughts of apostasy arise in his mind. If they should spontaneously occur, he should banish them right away, strengthen his Torah study and fear of G-d, and turn his eyes away from immoral influences. Similarly, if he chances upon an immoral sight, he should turn his mind away and strengthen himself (in Torah and fear of G-d) .
Section 15 We have learnt in the fourth chapter of Ethics of the Fathers:
Rabbi Yaakov would say: "This world is comparable to an entrance way before the world to come. ”

“ The ten commandments did not end up being set as part of the congregational prayers, because heretics might read it and proclaim that that is the whole Torah and there is nothing more (as is stated at the end of the first chapter of Gemara Brachos) . In fact, this question has been asked on the Beis Yosef’s mention of the ten commandments in sif (section) five, and the answer given is that only an individual may say them. This is what the Rema writes in his glosses: “Only as an individual one may recite the ten commandments every day. ”

“ Animals, on the other hand, have such drives, but lack intelligence. The result is that angels cannot receive reward for their service, as they have no negative drives to overcome, and animals cannot be punished for their actions, as they do not have the intelligence necessary to overcome their drives.
Section 2 Therefore G-d found it necessary to create man on the sixth day, and He created him with competing drives: Man possesses a spiritual soul that enables him to recognize the creator as does an angel, as the verse states: “Man’s soul is G-d’s lamp...” ”

“ We learnt: When is the 'acceptable time' to pray? When the community prays together, in a minyan. (See there) .
On the other hand, it is true that the Gemara Yevamos 72.1 explains that this 'acceptable time' also occurs at halachic midnight (See there) . Furthermore, Gemara Yoma (69.2) also explains that there is an 'acceptable time' that is not at a set time or with a minyan, as does Gemara Taanis (24.2) , which records an account of Rava having a dream in which he was told 'Today is an acceptable time to pray' (See there further) . ”

“ Therefore, one who denies the validity of the oral Torah has no portion in the G-d of Israel.
Section 13 Other basic principles of the religion include belief in the concept of reward in the world to come, punishment in gehinom, the coming of the messiah and the resurrection of the dead.
It is also considered a fundamental principle of the religion to perform all the mitzvos not because they are dictated by one's intellect (as many of the commandments between man and man would seem to be) , but rather because the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded us to perform them. ”

“ Therefore it is critical not to waste time in this world, because time is the most valuable commodity, and a day passed does not return. The time we are force to expense on our worldly needs is enough as it is, and life is short. In addition, when one grows old he sees that all that pertained directly to this life was unimportant. About this idea King Solomon stated: "Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the bad days come, and you reach years when you say 'I have no desire in them'." (Koheles 12.1) . The 'bad days' in this verse refer to the days when one is elderly. ”

“ Here too, the explanation is that the purpose of man is his G-dly soul. Therefore, since one's purpose is G-dliness and matters of the soul, before all else a person needs to know the foundation concepts of our holy and pure Torah.
Section 5 The central principle on which the Torah and divine service rests is the knowledge that there is one singular, indivisible G-d, and He created all the worlds that exist, which he directs and attends to at every moment. If for any reason He would remove his attention from these worlds, G-d forbid, they would immediately return to non existence. ”

“ It further states in the Medrash “Why was a song not sung on the manna? ...On account of the foolish words they uttered over the manna. Therefore the Holy One Blessed be He said: ‘I do not want from you your complaints or your praises.” (See there) . Since there is so much negative behavior surrounding this section the manna was not established to be recited by the congregation (so it appears to me) .
Section 25 The sections of the Tamid and the Kitores are not recited at night, as they were only offered in the daytime. ”

“ It’s absence is due to the fact that this parsha in the Torah is largely taken up with the people’s complaints against G-d. There are numerous examples: “Because I have heard your complaints...” (Shmos 16) , “I have heard the complaints of the Children of Israel...”, as well as others (see there) . Also, the people murmured against the manna itself, as it says: “But now, our bodies are dried out, for there is nothing at all; we have nothing but manna to look at. ”

“ This is why the commandment of shabbos and honoring one's parents in the second giving of the ten commandments ends with the qualifier, "as the L-ord your G-d commanded you." (Devarim 5. 12,16) . After all, many nations and cultures might deem it important to rest one day of the week in order to ensure man's health and well being, and many cultures and peoples may agree to the importance of honoring one's parents. Therefore the Torah states: "Observe the shabbos and keep it holy, as the L-ord your G-d commanded you.", and "Honor your father and mother, as the L-ord your G-d commanded you." ”

“ His soul further insists that even necessary physical needs, such as eating, drinking, and sleeping, should be done with intent to better serve G-d, and on this the verse has been stated: “I have placed G-d before me constantly.” (Psalms 16.8)
After man’s death he is shown on high that all his actions were recorded, as though in a book, with his own signature. If he has followed the path of Torah and mitzvos, he inherits heaven (Lit. 'Gan Eden') which is a limitless and endless spiritual joy. ”

“ The explanation of this verse is as follows: We should believe with a complete belief that all of our tribulations and all of our migrations are not a form of revenge, G-d forbid, but rather a means to refine us. If this was not the case we would have ceased to exist as a people already many centuries ago, and there is no greater sign than our longevity to attest to the Divine providence guiding us, for He neither turns away nor removes His attention even for a moment, like a father who supervises over his only son and reproves him for his own good. ”

“ The intent of this statement is then to use all of the four classically understood qualities of the physical world that are found in a man's body only for matters pertaining to the Blessed Creator and not for matters pertaining to this world. ”

“ Section 4 Anyone possessing intelligence should also consider the following: If you see a human king building a grand palace, you will notice opposites among the construction materials. There will be precious stones, such as jasper and onyx, as well as other fine materials. There will also be cement, clay, and earth. Does one think that the intent of the king is for the clay and earth? ”

“ Similarly, the King of Kings the Holy One blessed be He created man from a pure spiritual soul which is a part of the divine, and she returns to G-d after death. And as for the biological material that the body is made of, which in reality is no different than clay and earth, can anyone think that the purpose of man is for that material? Anyone who thinks so can only be a fool, and not in his right mind. ”

“ Section 18 Regarding the maxim of Ben Tema quoted above to be 'as strong as a lion": Every morning when one rises from his bed he should strengthen himself 'as a lion' to serve the Creator. Even if one's base inclinations should complain in the winter saying "How can you get up now when it is so bitterly cold?!" ”

“ Section 17 Our teacher the Rema writes:
"I place G-d before me always." (Tehillim 16.8) - This is a central principle in Torah and character development for those that journey in the path of G-d. For the manner in which one behaves when he is alone in his home is not the same as the manner in which he behaves when he is before a great king. He does not speak in the same casual and easy manner that he uses with his relatives and friends. ”

“ Even when one is taking care of his own needs by himself, or laying down on his bed, he should realize before whom he is, and immediately upon awakening he should rise with zealousness to do the service of the Creator, Blessed and Lofty is He. ”

“ Section 1 It is written: “The path of life is above the intelligent person, in order that he turn away from the grave below.” (Mishlei 15.24) . This verse's intent requires a preface: The angels were created as part of the spiritual world on the second day, and although it is not explicitly stated in the Torah, it is stated in the Midrash and alluded to in the Psalm (‘Borchi Nafshi’ 104.4) – “Who roofs His upper chambers with water; Who makes clouds His chariot, which go on the wings of the wind. He makes winds His messengers, burning fire His ministers.” ”

“ Perhaps the answer is based on the ruling that the mincha offering and its wine can be brought even at night (unlike the sacrifice it is paired with) , so that we are also not overly concerned with linking the two in prayer. Furthermore, the kohanim in the Temple itself recited the Shema and the Shemona Esrei immediately after the slaughtering of the tamid, as is mentioned the fifth chapter of Mishnayos Tamid, while the Song of the Day was actually sung quite a bit later. Therefore we conduct ourselves likewise. ”

“ Rav Ovadiah m'Bartenura explains what Yehuda ben Tema meant by each clause in his maxim:
"brazen as a leopard" - Not to be embarrassed to ask from your teacher what you do not know, for one easily ashamed does not learn. "light as an eagle" - To pursue after Torah learning without tiring [IS THIS CORRECT?] , as the verse "...they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired..." (Yeshaya 40.31) . "swift as a deer" - To run after fulfilling mitzvos. "strong as a lion" - To conquer your inclination to sin. ”

“ Therefore, even when he is among people - he should perform what is incumbent upon him of the mitzvos of G-d, and not be embarrassed if he is ridiculed, for his embarrassment before G-d should overpower his embarrassment before people. ”