by Rav Hillel Fendel.
Technical laws, when they are given by
G-d's holy Torah, can teach us much about even our inter-personal relations.
This week's Torah portion of Tzav (Leviticus, Chapters 6-8),
discusses many details of the Holy Temple service. For instance, the
sin-offering sacrifice (ḥatat) is to be slaughtered in the northern part of the Temple's
main Priestly section, north of the large Altar. The Torah does not tell us
this detail in a straightforward manner; we rather have to figure it out
ourselves. How so?
The Torah states, "In the place
that the burnt-offering [olah] is slaughtered, there the ḥatat shall be slaughtered" (Vayikra 6,18). And
where is this place, the Talmud asks (Z'vahim 48a)? It is in the north, as written,
"He shall slaughter [the olah] north of the Altar."
(Though the context is referring to the Priest, the owner of the sacrifice may
also slaughter; see Z'vahim 31b.)
This simple but technical law regarding
the location of the hatat offering teaches us a very important ethical
lesson: If there would have been a specific place set aside only for
sin-offerings, then the sinners who bring them would be quite embarrassed;
everyone who sees them in that place would realize that they have sinned. In
order to prevent this, the sinners and those who bring other sacrifices are all
assigned to the same place. So explains the Jerusalem Talmud (Yevamot 8,3).
How does the Talmud know that this is
the reason for slaughtering the ḥatat there? Perhaps there
is something special about the "northern" part of the Altar? The
answer is that though this is certainly true, it seems obvious that the Torah
could have simply stated straight out, "Slaughter it in the north!" But
it didn't; it rather linked the ḥatat with the place of
the olah, indicating to our Sages that the place of the ḥatat is not connected
specifically to the north, but rather just that it should be together with
other sacrifices – in order to avoid embarrassment.
There are several other Torah laws as
well that teach us that the dignity even of sinners must be maintained. For
instance, it is well-known that our primary prayer, the Amidah (Shmoneh Esreh),
must be recited quietly. Why is this? Because it includes the blessing S'laḥ lanu, "Forgive us for
we have sinned," in which the worshiper can add his own words of
repentance for specific sins. In order that others not hear his words of
confession, the entire Amidah is recited silently.
Even a thief in the midst of carrying
out his crime is sometimes given extra consideration! The Torah tells us
(Sh'mot 21,37): "If a man steals an ox or sheep and sells it or
slaughters it, he is liable to pay five [times the value] of the ox, or four
times the sheep." Why the difference between an ox and a sheep? Rashi
cites the famous explanation of the Talmudic sage R. Yochanan: Because the
thief must carry the sheep on his shoulders, he is "compensated" for
the blow to his dignity by having to pay less than one who steals an ox, which
can walk on its own. Both are gravely punished, of course, but the Torah makes
this "token" difference in order to teach us how careful we must be
when dealing with a human being – even a sinner.
Another fascinating example:
The Torah tells us (D'varim 20) that during
wartime, everyone must participate in the battles – except for certain
exceptions. These include one who built a new house and did not yet dedicate
it; one who betrothed a woman and did not yet marry her – and one who is
afraid. R. Yosi HaGlili explains in the Talmud that this refers not necessarily
to one who is physically afraid, but rather fears that his sins will cause him
to lose Divine protection. And the reason all of these exceptions are grouped
together is so that no one will know who is turning back from the war because
of his sins and who for the other reasons. Again we see that the sinner must be
accorded the same "protection from shame" that everyone else is.
It should also be noted that when,
unfortunately, a death sentence must be carried out, a woman convict is treated
extra modestly – for even when she is about to be executed, her dignity is
still an important priority.
Let us bring a final example,
unconnected to sinners, but one that emphasizes how careful we must be not to
shame another – even inadvertently! If Reuven owes money to Shimon, but he does
not have the money to pay him back, Shimon must be careful not to have Reuven
even see him on the street! That is, when Shimon sees Reuven happening to walk
in his direction, Shimon must cross over to the other side, so that Reuven not
be embarrassed before him. So precious are the Torah's ways and commandments!
As we began: "In the place where
the olah is slaughtered, there – and not in its own reserved section –
shall the hatat be slaughtered."
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