Speak to Aaron, saying: Any man among your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect, shall not come near to offer up Hashem’s food. Any man among Aaron the kohen's offspring who has a defect shall not draw near to offer up the Lord's fire offerings. (21:17-21)
Rashi asks a question from Torath Kohanim 21:54 “But has this prohibition of Posuk 21 not already been stated in Posuk 17? To answer this we can compare an insight from Harav Shaul Brach of Kashau ztz’’l in Sefer Avos Al Banim on a famous Mishna in Avos 3:
The Rav brings a practical question of the Alsheich Hakadosh: When a person has an urge to do something, how can he tell if it is really a Mitzvah, or a sin that is being imposed on you by the Yetzer Harah that it is a Mitzvah? The Alsheich gives tremendous advice. When in doubt, begin to do the act and stop and then reflect your inner feelings. If you feel regret for what you just did, then it is from the Yetzer Harah and a sin. However, if you feel happy and satisfied then it is a Mitvah and continue doing it. The Alsheich derives this from what happened with David and Shaul Hamelech (Shamuel 1 25).
Shaul took three thousand picked men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats to kill him. Shaul went in to cover his feet, while David and his men were staying at the end of the cave. David's men said to him, "Behold the day concerning which the Lord said to you, 'Behold, I shall deliver your enemy into your hand; and you shall do to him as it will seem good in your eyes.' And David arose, and secretly cut the corner of Shaul's coat."
The reasoning of David's men sounded right as Shaul wanted to kill David. Yet David wanted to be sure he was doing the right thing and that is was really a Mitzvah. Therefore, he only cut a small part and reflected with himself. The Posuk states:
“And it was afterwards, that David's heart suddenly felt a deep hard feeling in him, for he had severed Saul's skirt. And he said to his men, "The Lord forbid it for me, that I should do this thing to my lord, to the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth my hand upon him, for he is the Lord's anointed." This was proof that it was the advice of the Yetzer Harah and a sin. Shaul knew what happened and said to David: “And now, behold, I know that you will reign, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand."
Says the Alsheich Hakadosh, this advice should be followed and a person would not sin. Based on this insight, says Harav Shaul Brach that this is can be the meaning reflect in yourself after you began to do an act, and accordingly you will know if to proceed or not.
Based on this we can now answer the question of Rashi: The Torah is alluding to the insight of the Alasheich Hakadosh. We can explain, a person wanting to do a deed, he must reflect and see after he began to do the deed and stopped to reflect and he feels regret for what he did: he shall not draw near to offer up the Lord's fire offerings. This means he shall not continue, as it is not a Mitzvah. David Hamelech advises us (Tehilim 119:162): "I rejoice over Your word as one who finds great treasure." After doing a Mitzvah a person has to rejoice and have Simcha. When we are in doubt if the urge is from the Yetzer Harah, we have the advice of the Gemara Kiddushin 30a “if the evil inclination, encounters you, pull it into the study hall, go and study Torah."
The orders of the Lord are upright, causing the heart to rejoice; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. This means that Torah will bring you Simcha and a clear thought.
(Yehuda Z. Klitnick)
