Precious Fences

BY Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah (www.bircas.org)

Parshas Acharei Mos contains the basis for all Rabbinic decrees, such as muktzeh, yichud, stam yeinam and more. These laws, which make up so much of our day-to-day lives as Torah observant Jews, are designed to protect us from accidentally stumbling into a transgression of Torah law. The halachic basis for these decrees is the verse, “Ushmartem es mishmarti — you shall guard what I have given you to guard (Vayikra 18:30).” Because of this verse, the Rambam (Mamrim 1:2) states that a Jew who transgresses a Rabbinic decree has violated a Torah command (an issur d’Oraisa). Moreover, the Sages note (Avoda Zara 35a) that Rabbinic decrees are more precious than the Torah itself!

This seems exaggerated. Even if Rabbinic decrees are given the same severity as Torah commands, how can they be more important? After all, Rabbinic decrees were designed to protect against violating the Torah. Does that not imply that the Torah these decrees are protecting is more important, and that Rabbinic decrees serve only an auxiliary purpose?

Rabbeinu Yona (Shaarei Teshuva 3:7) explains that a law’s importance is not measured by where it comes from – the Torah or Chachamim – but rather, the yiras Shamayim (fear of heaven) that it expresses. The verse tells us that Yiras Shamayim is Hashem’s primary demand of us (Devarim 10:12). Scrupulous observance of the Rabbinic decrees is a prime expression of yiras Shamayim, because they are intended to prevent the slightest risk of sin.

Elsewhere (Avos 1:1), Rabbeinu Yona notes that one who keeps only the Torah law and not Rabbinic decrees would come very close to transgression. Indeed, whether or not he actually stumbles into them is irrelevant, because the fact that he does not care enough to keep far away from them demonstrates his lack of yiras Shamayim.

Indeed, taking this principal to the next step, observing Rabbinic decrees alone is not always enough. The Mesillas Yesharim (13) writes that one who notices a leaning toward a particular sin should make “decrees” of his own as preventative measures. One who designs and implements these “fences” conclusively demonstrates his own yiras Shamayim.

If we would assess our ways, we would surely find fences in need of repair. Do we eat in places without assessing who is certifying it kosher? In office settings, are we alert to potential yichud situations? Are we careful to avoid situations or events where we may be exposed to lashon hara? If we discover an area that we are negligent in, we must find ways to address them. In general, we must shake ourselves out of indifference and get to work on building our yiras Shamayim.

How do we build our yiras Shamayim? Rav Yechezkel Levenstein would advise that we remind ourselves regularly of the fact that there is s’char v’onesh – reward and punishment for all of our deeds. We start our day with a key reminder in Krias Shema—”Beware, lest your heart be seduced and you turn astray and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the wrath of Hashem will blaze against you…” When we say these words, it is an opportune time to instill this message in our consciousness — every one of our actions will be scrutinized, leading either to reward or, G-d forbid, punishment.

It is also useful to consider the sobering examples of s’char v’onesh in the Torah. Adam and Chava’s were expelled from Gan Eden, the world was destroyed in the Flood, and Hashem thoroughly punished the Egyptians, measure for measure. Indeed, even those closest to Hashem were not spared His punishment. A word spoken in anger kept Moshe Rabbeinu from entering Eretz Yisrael, and a few words spoken about Moshe incurred tzaraas for Miriam. There are many more examples. Our nation is being punished with exile to this day (even those of us who live in Eretz Yisrael). If we contemplate this idea, it will become clear to us that there is no such thing as “getting away with” misdeeds.

Harav Chanoch Leibowitz, the Rosh Yeshiva of Chofetz Chaim, suggests another way to grow in yiras Shamayim: observing the greatness of our Torah scholars. He would cite the Midrash (Tanchuma, Behaaloscha 11) in which Abba Hakohen Bar Pappa used to avoid passing places where Jews were sitting, to avoid obligating them to stand up in his honor. He would explain, “I don’t want to impose on the people.”

The Midrash says that Rav Yosef Bar Zavida refuted him, saying, “You must stand before them, so they can see you and stand up before you! With this, you will bring them to yiras Shamayim.”

Rav Leibowitz explains that the Chachamim are the representatives of Hashem in this world. When we behold their greatness, we will develop a sense of awe. In turn, this awe builds up our fear of Hashem (see Pesachim 22b).

When the Beis Avraham of Slonim was visiting Kamenitz, he surprised the chassidim accompanying him when he attended Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz’s shiur. Like a regular person, he sat among the students and listened avidly. Afterwards, he explained to his chassidim, “I wanted to watch Rav Baruch Ber say the words, ‘Zogt der heiligeh Rashba’ (the holy Rashba says). Observing his sense of awe as he said that was a lesson in yiras Shamayim!”

May we be zoche to build our yiras Shamayim and stay far away from sin!