Close To Torah

After the hair-raising curses found in our Parsha, the Torah discusses the laws of Erachin, giving the Torah set value of a person to the Beis HaMikdash. The commentators point out that this is found right after the curses and rebuke of Hashem in order to stress to us that one should not get disheartened by the curses and feel that he is not worth much. Each person is precious and valuable in the eyes of Hashem.

There are two types of monetary donations that one can give. One is if he promised to give the “Erachin, set Torah amount” of an individual, then the donor opens the Chumash and gives the amount prescribed by the Torah based on age and gender. Every person fits into a specific category and the price is always the same for the entire spectrum of people in that category regardless of health, honor or standing. If however, someone promised to give “Damim, the monetary market value” of another person, then the price fluctuates based on age, strength, skills and any other factor that are specific to that person (Megillah 23b). What is the difference?

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l (1895-1986) explains that each person has two values, one value is from being a part of the Jewish Nation and the other is through his or her individual talents. The Erachin stresses that each Jew is precious and given equal opportunity to greatness. If someone promised to give the Erech, Torah value, of Moshe Rabbeinu at age 120 and that of another simple Yid who was also a 120 year old male, he would pay the same amount. Each Jew is precious. If someone promised to donate the Damim, market value of Moshe Rabbeinu, that would be an entirely different amount than for any other Jewish person. The value would reflect Moshe’s individual greatness.

I once heard in the name of Rav Moshe Shapiro a brilliant insight based on the laws of the domains of Shabbos. The Reshus HaRabim, public domain, only lasts until 10 tefachim high, however, Reshus HaYachid, private property, goes up infinity high. This signifies that in a group there are limitations. There is a limitation as to how high a group can go as there are various impediments placed on them collectively. However, the individual’s growth and greatness are unlimited. Just as in Halacha one’s home is considered a Reshus HaYachid, so too spiritually, one can grow to unlimited heights together with his or her spouse and family as it says (Yehosua 24:15), “I am my household will serve Hashem.” Each family has their special blend and ability to achieve greatness!

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