Parshas Matos: Expanding Kedusha Into a Life of Hallel

AI summary (may contain mistakes)

Why does the Gemara insist on reading Ataros v'Divon three times when the Targum adds nothing? The Vilna Gaon answers that kedusha expands, and Ataros v'Divon, across the Jordan, is already such an expansion, yet the Gemara still requires the full reading. Eating and sleeping for avodas Hashem carry kedusha into all of life. The Rambam's 123 halleluyas, matching Aaron's 123 years, point to a life lived as one Hillel.

Key points

• The Gemara requires shnayim mikra v'echad targum even for Ataros v'Divon.
• The Vilna Gaon teaches that kedusha by its very nature expands beyond its borders.
• One suggestion: hakedosha in bentching fits, since holiness by its essence flows outward.
• The Rambam in Hilchos Chanukah counts 123 halleluyas in Hillel, like Aaron's years.
• Every moment of Aaron's 123 years was avodas Hashem, a life lived as Hillel.

In this shiur

1. 0:00Shnayim mikra and Ataros v'Divon
2. 5:04The Vilna Gaon on expanding kedusha
3. 9:13Hakedosha in bentching
4. 12:00Parshas Masei and Aaron's 123 years
5. 13:07The Rambam's 123 halleluyas
6. 14:09Breakfast as avodas Hashem
7. 16:00Eating and sleeping for Hashem
8. 17:14Ahalela Hashem b'chayai

Topics

• Shnayim Mikra V'Echad Targum
• Kedusha
• Hillel
• Avodas Hashem