Truth and Falsehood
Keep far from a false matter; and do not slay the innocent and righteous; for I will not justify the wicked.
Once a Chosid asked Rabbi Dov Ber [of Mezritch?]: “It says in Tehillim that “Truth will grow out of the earth” (Psalms 85). If truth springs up so easily, why is there so little of it in the world?” The Rebbe replied: “Yes, truth does spring up from the ground - but not on its own. It must first be sown. The way to sow truth is to bury falsehood in the ground. Once that is done, truth will grow all over.”
Sipurei Chasidim
Distance yourself from a false word; etc. (23:7)
בשם ר"ר זוסיא, מדבר שקר תרחק, פי' כשאתה אומר דיבור של שקר מיד אתה מרחיק את עצמך מהשי"ת: סחנפ ירמא רפס- שער א – תנ "ך
In the name of The Rebbe R' Zusha of Anapoli ZY"A, from falsehood you shall distance, meaning, when you say a false word, you are distancing yourself from Hashem Yisborach.
Sefer Imrei Pinchos
Social Justice and Matzos
You shall observe the festival of Matzos; etc. (23:15)
Once, Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev ZY”A discovered that the poor orphan daughters, who were hired by the community to knead the dough for the Pesach Matzos, were forced to work hard from early morning until late at night for a measly allowance. Hurriedly, he summoned the congregation to the Beis Midrash, ascended the Biemah, and cried out: “Those who hate Klall Yisroel falsely accused us of baking Matzos with the blood of Gentiles. But, no, we bake them with the blood of Jews!” Shamed, the community relieved the plight of the orphans.
Sipurei Chasidim
First Fruits and Mixtures
The choice first fruits of your soil you shall bring to the house of Hashem your G-D. You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk. [23:19]
From this Possuk Tzaddikim ZY”A taught us that we can learn two of many more lessons. Firstly, the beginning of everything in every action, the beginning of the day, the beginning of the week, the start of every era in one’s life shall be “Beis Hashem”. The semblance of Hashem’s House, a dwelling of Hashem and for the sake of Hashem. Doing such we shall be a Nachas Ruach (sense of pleasure) to Hashem, as all are beginnings will bring a continuation to steadily do His desire.
As for the Issur (prohibition) of cooking Bossor ViCholov (meat and milk) together, we may learn from Sifrei HaMitzvos and Meforshim ZY”A, that the Issur (prohibition) is the actual mixing of the items, both can be Kosher LiMehadrin, Glatt Kosher and Cholov Yisroel. But if they are mixed together, then it is ossur (forbidden), the mixing alone can also be an Issur. This can teach and symbolize to us, good is good and bad is bad, but even worse can be when there is a forbidden mixture, even of good and good. This is a very important lesson for our times.
Based on Sefer Hachinuch Mitzvoh 92 and other Seforim
