Acharei Mos includes the Yom Kippur service where the Cohen Gadol cast lots to designate two goats — one to be sacrificed, the other to be driven to a place called Azazel — after the Cohen Gadol(the High Priest) confessed the sins of the people upon its head. Today it is a phrase in the vernacular in Israel in the heat of an argument to instruct another person to “go to Azazel.” I don’t believe the intent, however, is to look for the goat….
The goat sent to Azazel carried away the sins of the Jewish people. This, I surmise, is the source of the concept of using a scapegoat. One thing you can truly give credit to the Jewish people — when we use a scapegoat, at least we use a real goat!
The Torah then proceeds to set forth the sexual laws — who you are not allowed to marry or have relations with. If one appreciates that the goal of life is to be holy, to perfect oneself and to be as much as possible like God, then he/she can appreciate that it is impossible to orgy at night and be spiritual by day.
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Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
The Torah states:
“And you shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, which a person shall do and live by them, I am the Almighty.” (Leviticus 18:5)
What lesson for life can we learn from the words “and live by them”?
Rabbi Yeshayahu Hurwitz (author of Shnai Luchos HaBris) comments that when you do mitzvot they should be done withlife — that is, with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. This makes your whole being come alive.
There is no comparison between doing a mitzvah feeling oppressed or forced as opposed to doing the mitzvah with joy and excitement. The life of a person who lives with joy is a life of pleasure and elevation — and one which motivates others. When they see how much enjoyment you have from doing good deeds, they will be motivated to emulate your behavior.
What does one do if he doesn’t feel enthusiasm? Mesilat Yesharim, The Path of Righteousness (a spectacular book on how to perfect your character and available in English), teaches that the outward act brings the inner appreciation. Act as if you felt enthusiasm and you will feel enthusiasm!
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Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
The Torah states:
“My ordinances you shall do, and My statutes you shall observe, to walk with them, I am the Lord, Your God.” (Lev. 18:4).
What does the Torah mean “to walk with them?”
The Ksav Sofer, a famous Hungarian rabbi, commented that the words “to walk with them” mean that a person needs to walk from one level to the next level. That is, a person should constantly strive to grow and elevate himself.
Recognize the challenge or obstacle, set yourself to overcome it, make a plan, take action … and take pleasure that you made the effort!
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