Torah and Tea 5784 – Parshas Bahar, Pesach Sheni, and Lessons in Emunah
1. The Yahrzeit of Yisroel Aryeh Leib – The Rebbe’s Brother
Today, the 13th of Iyar, marks the yahrzeit—anniversary of passing—of Yisroel Aryeh Leib, the youngest brother of the Rebbe. The Rebbe’s parents had three sons: one perished tragically, and the other two were the Rebbe and his brother Yisroel Aryeh Leib. He left Russia and lived in Israel for a time, where he pursued a strong secular education and became a notable scientist. The Rebbe held his brother in high regard and was deeply involved in transferring his body to Tzfat after his passing in England.
Through the Rebbe’s letters from that period, which we study in the mornings, we see how much care he took regarding his family. Notably, the Rebbe never told his mother about her son’s passing, feeling it would be too traumatic for her. He went to great lengths to shield her from this pain—even sending cards in his brother’s handwriting for Rosh Hashanah to maintain the illusion that he was still alive. During shiva—the mourning period—for his brother, the Rebbe continued visiting his mother daily for tea, even disguising his sneakers with black polish so she wouldn’t notice he wasn’t wearing leather shoes.
This devotion shows how much the Rebbe tried to protect his mother from further suffering. Today in Tzfat, people gather at Yisroel Aryeh Leib’s gravesite to pray as per the Rebbe’s wishes. When we last visited Israel, we also went to daven at his kever—gravesite. My grandson is named Yisroel Aryeh Leib after both the Rebbe’s brother and my father-in-law (the Rebbetzin’s father), making it especially meaningful for our family.
2. Pesach Sheni – The Second Chance
Tonight begins the 14th of Iyar: Pesach Sheni—the Second Pesach. This commemoration starts at night; unlike some holidays where Tachanun—supplicatory prayers—are omitted at Mincha beforehand, on Pesach Sheni we still say Tachanun by Mincha. The celebration itself is marked by not saying Tachanun at night and by eating some matzah (some have a tradition specifically to eat shmura matzah).
In Temple times, those who missed bringing their korban Pesach—Passover offering—on 14th Nisan were given another chance on 14th Iyar. This teaches us that it is never too late—the Torah always provides an opportunity for return or correction. Even someone who missed out deliberately (not just accidentally) could bring their offering on Pesach Sheni.
The lesson is powerful: even if we make mistakes intentionally or miss opportunities in our spiritual lives, Hashem gives us another chance. It encourages us never to despair or feel that all is lost—we can always come back and make things right.
3. Laws of Slavery – Supporting Families and Deeper Meanings
The parsha discusses laws regarding someone who sells himself into slavery (eved Ivri). Sometimes a person is sold by beis din—rabbinate court—if he stole and cannot repay, while other times he sells himself due to financial hardship.
The Torah addresses this both in Parshas Mishpatim and Parshas Bahar. In Mishpatim, when a slave goes free after seven years, it says “his wife goes free with him.” Rashi asks: why mention the wife? She was never sold! Rashi explains that if you purchase a slave, you are obligated to feed his wife and children during his servitude—a responsibility that ends when he goes free.
This makes sense when beis din sells him: since they are responsible for selling him (to pay back theft), they must ensure his family is supported during this time. But when someone sells himself (as discussed in Bahar), upon reaching yovel—jubilee year—he goes free “with his sons.” Again Rashi clarifies: this means the master no longer has to feed them.
This raises a question: why should a master be obligated to feed a slave’s children? If you hire someone for work today, you might provide lunch for him but not for all his children! Perhaps since someone selling himself as a slave has no means to support his family otherwise, Torah obligates their support as well.
4. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai – The Value of Continuity
This week also leads up to Lag BaOmer (18th Iyar), celebrating Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Rashbi). Rashbi teaches that it is crucial for a father to leave behind children—a continuation of oneself is deeply valued by Hashem.
This idea helps explain why Torah obligates supporting a slave’s children: sons are considered an extension of their father. If you must feed the father (slave), you must also care for those who are essentially part of him—his children.
This concept extends spiritually as well: we are all considered children of Hashem (Banim atem laHashem Elokeichem—“You are children to Hashem your G-d”). Just as Hashem never abandons us in exile or hardship, so too does He ensure our sustenance and protection wherever we are.
5. Exile and Divine Protection – Lessons from Chabad History
The previous Lubavitcher Rebbe faced tremendous persecution under Soviet rule and was sentenced first to death then exile. Before departing into exile, he encouraged those gathered not to despair: “Our souls have not been given over into exile.” No government can control our spiritual connection or commitment to Torah and mitzvos (Torah u’mitzvos). Only Hashem determines our spiritual destiny.
The Torah’s obligation on masters to feed slaves’ families reminds us that even physically—regarding food or livelihood—Hashem remains our true provider wherever we are exiled or challenged. We must remember that Hashem is always with us—He neither slumbers nor sleeps—and especially watches over Eretz Yisroel at all times (“God's eyes...from beginning of year until end”). This faith keeps us strong through difficulties.
The Rebbe also advised practical caution alongside faith: after an attack near Kfar Chabad someone asked if they should walk alone for work purposes—the Rebbe replied no, adjust your schedule so you walk with others despite trust in Hashem's protection. We do our part naturally while maintaining unwavering trust that ultimate protection comes from above.
6. Shemitah Cycles – Rest for Land and People
The parsha discusses Shemitah—the sabbatical year every seventh year when land rests from agricultural work—mirroring Shabbos after six days of labor each week. The Zohar comments intriguingly that just as land rests every seventh year so too should slaves rest then—but this seems problematic since slaves go free after six years regardless of where Shemitah falls on the calendar!
The commentators ask: how can Zohar link these cycles? A slave's seventh year may not coincide with Shemitah—it depends on when he began serving! Yet there is an added completeness when these cycles align—just as there is extra wholeness when Sefiras HaOmer counting begins on Sunday so seven full weeks culminate perfectly on Shabbos/Shavuos.
The Rebbe explains that sometimes mitzvos can be fulfilled more completely—when cycles align it brings extra blessing even if technically each cycle stands alone.
7. Yearning for Redemption – Shemitah, Yovel, and Eretz Yisroel
Currently we lack true Shemitah and Yovel observance because most Jews do not reside in Eretz Yisroel together—a prerequisite according to halacha (dinei haTorah). Our prayers focus on returning all Jews home with mercy (b’rachamim) so mitzvos can be performed fully as intended by Hashem.
No matter where Jews live—even those physically residing in Israel—we acknowledge through prayer that we remain spiritually exiled until full redemption arrives with Moshiach (Moshiach Tzidkeinu) and rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash (Mikdash shlishi). Only then will Eretz Yisroel reach its destined holiness and completeness.
8. Hope for Geulah – Trusting Hashem’s Promise
The cycles of six years working toward a seventh year of rest parallel world history: 6,000 years correspond to six days of creation before entering an era of universal peace and spirituality—the “seventh millennium.” We are now nearing completion of 5,784 years since creation—approaching this promised time but still tasked with much work before full redemption arrives.
We pray confidently—in merit of Rashbi (Lag BaOmer), Pesach Sheni (second chances), and tzaddikim like Yisroel Aryeh Leib—that Hashem will send Moshiach speedily: taking us out of exile joyfully (“b’simcha u’vetuv leivav”) breaking all boundaries (“b’li gevul v’hagbalah”) until salvation belongs solely to Hashem (“L’Hashem haYeshua… v’anachnu b’Shem Hashem Elokeinu naskir… ve’nir’eh b’nitzachon amiti!”) May we merit only good news with the coming redemption remaining with us always!