Building the Foundations of the Jewish People
Why does the Torah send a soldier home from the front in the middle of a war, just because he got married? Rabbi Klapper sets out the two parshiyos. In Parshas Shoftim, a man who has only done kiddushin, erusin, is sent home from battle, but the Mishnah in Sotah says he still provides water, food and road repair for the army. In Parshas Ki Seitzei, a man who has completed nisuin is free of every war-related duty, with nothing at all placed on him. Why go that far? Because his first year is not a vacation. It is the chirus of avodah, not chofesh, and he is laying the foundation of a home. Klal Yisrael went down to Mitzrayim ish u'veiso and was counted by its families, so every home is a brick in the building of Klal Yisrael. Drawing on Rav Noach Weinberg's five levels of pleasure, Rabbi Klapper explains that a soldier risks his life for what he believes in, and what the Jewish army defends is the homes of Klal Yisrael. The new husband is building the very thing they are fighting for. So why can't he stay home and help from there? Because the Torah wants no communal obligation on him at all, so his wife can always come first. The needs of the tzibur would push his own aside. Rabbi Klapper tells of a couple who took on kiruv work in their first year and nearly lost their marriage to it. A shana rishona can be repaired later, but it is far harder than building it right the first time. Ready to see your home as the front line of Klal Yisrael? Tune in. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!