This weeks Parshah is Nasso. In this weeks Parshah we learn the laws of the Nazir a man who separates himself from wine does not cut his hair in an effort to connect to Hashem. Yet while the Torah commends his efforts he is also instructed that when his sworn term as Nazir is over he must bring a sin offering to apologize for not using the gift of wine G-d gave him.
Surely a man who reject the world in order to gain a more spiritual existence is not to be punished but rather to be praised. this would seem to be an act of piety and devotion. furthermore does this mean that one should overindulge or try forbidden foods and pleasure or risk the wrath of G-d for deny himself one of His gifts?
The lesson is that while separating form the world and sitting cross-legged on a mountain top or as a hermit in the woods or rejecting wine,and meat, marriage, and any item The Almighty intended for us to use may be an extremely spiritual and pious lifestyle but it is definitely not a Jewish one. We are not a people that reject the world as unholy we are the people that elevate the world so it became holy so it becomes worthy of being G-ds resting place.
While this certainly does not allow Any forbidden desires or to advise gluttony of any kind we have a duty to elevate any permissible item into a G-dly one. This is done through Making a Brocha or any way of using an item for Hashem.
May we soon see the day where our efforts are rewarded and this entire world becomes a place of holiness and Kedushah with the Holy One Blessed Be He’s presence is directly felt with the coming of Moshiach.
On this note I invite you all to join me in lifting your glass be it filled with wine or Mashka say a Bracha and wish a Lechayim to Yossi Weiss and Meir Roetter my brothers by choice and wish them only happiness in life. May each of their weddings be celebrated in a good time and may they both have nothing but brachos and may we soon all celebrate together in Yerushlayim with Moshaich.
