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A Future Investment
‘… A Halacha For The Days Of Moshiach’
(Sanhedrin 51b)

 

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Our Gemara is in the midst of a discussion of the Arba Missos Beis Din – the capital punishments administered by the Jewish court. R. Yosef questions the entire discussion and the ruling of R. Yosef b. R. Chanina, who explains the differentiation in punishment for adultery of a betrothed woman and one who was married. What is its necessity, as we no longer have an active Sanhedrin?

Abaye retorts, “If so, why study the laws of kodshim – after all there is no Beis HaMikdash nowadays; obviously these laws are also impractical.” Therefore, Abaye explains, “Drosh vekabel sechar” – we are to study it and receive reward. Similarly, the laws of capital punishment are to be studied to receive reward.

 

Torah Lishma

Indeed, one is rewarded for the study of Torah purely for the sake of understanding even where there is no practical halachic application (see Responsa Beis HaLevi Vol. 1:66:1; Ohr Yisrael – Rabbi Yisrael Salanter – Siman 31).

 

The Source

Semag (in his preface to the Mitzvos Aseh) cites the scriptural source as the verse (Vayikra 22:31), “U’shemartem mitzvosai va’asisem osam,” You shall observe my commandments and perform them – that one is required to perform them as well as observe them. We are to simply do so for the sake of understanding Hashem’s word.

 

Practical Takes Precedence

The Chavos Yair (Siman 124), Magen Avraham (Orach Chayyim 429), and Shach (Yoreh De’ah 245 sk 5) while not disputing the principle of “drosh vekabel sechar,” stress the importance of studying practical halacha as a means of maintaining proper daily conduct. Chavos Yair goes so far as to opine that the topics of practical halacha take precedence over the study of topics which bear little or no halachic relevance today.

 

Virtue Of Study

The Chafetz Chaim, who was famous for his pioneering the study of kodshim in our time, in his preface to his Likutei Halachos on kodshim, states that although practical halacha is important, there is great virtue in the study of the laws of kodshim. He offers the following reasons.

Studying sections of the Torah which have no practical relevance is particularly pleasing to Hashem because it demonstrates one’s love for His Torah in that he is studying it for its own sake and not only for practical instruction. He cites as well the Gemara (Menachos 110a) that one who studies the laws of korbanos is considered as if he actually offered a sacrifice to Hashem.

 

Korbanos Will Be Restored

Lastly, in anticipation of Moshiach, when the Beis HaMikdash will be rebuilt and our sacrifices restored, it will be essential for kohanim to be knowledgeable about the service in the Temple. It will be essential as well for non-kohanim (levi’im and yisraelim) to be versed, as well as some of these laws relate to them as well. Moreover, at that time there will be a great need for scholars who are versed in these halachos in order to provide guidance to all involved in the Temple avodah.


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Rabbi Yaakov Klass is Rav of K’hal Bnei Matisyahu in Flatbush; Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; and Presidium Chairman, Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim.