As mentioned in prior summer posts, since there are no Rabbi Frand shiurim until Chodesh Elul, I would like to substitute a vort from other Rabbanim each week, rather than leaving the blog without a vort for shabbos. This week, I am attempting to repeat a vort heard from R' Eli Mansour as recorded on www.learntorah.com, Same rules as usual apply - I have attempted to reproduce the vorts to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiur and should not be attributed to the maggidei shiur.
The parsha begins with a statement "V'haya Eikev" - that in the event that you keep all of Hashem's mitzvos, there will be great blessings in both this world and the world to come.
R' Mansour asked a question as to why we hold the Aseres HaDibros - the Ten Commandments in such high regard. They are mitzvos, just like other mitzvos. Indeed, the Rambam writes that one should not stand up for the Ten Commandments alone. Either a person should stand for all, or sit for all.
R' Mansour answered his question by stating that all of the 613 mitzvos from Hashem and the 7 rabbinical mitzvos can be found in a letter of the Ten Commandments. It should not be surprising that there are 620 letters in the Ten Commandments.
R' Mansour gave a proof from the last rabbinical mitzva - the mitzva to light candles. He linked this to the last letter of the Ten Commandments which is Chuf. Chuf spelled backwards is Pach which hints to the flask of oil which stayed lit for eight days.
R' Mansour added that there are 172 words in the Ten Commandments. This is also the gematria of Ekev - 172. Hashem is hinting that if you keep the Ten Commandments which are 172 words, Hashem will give you all the berachos in this world and next.
R' Mansour then noted that there are three Avos, each with a specific trait. Avraham's trait was Chessed. Yitzchak represents Gevura and Yaakov is Torah as we state give Emes to Yaakov. Yaakov's name is spelled with a Yud which is ten that symbolizes the Ten Commandments. Thereafter the remaining letters spell Eikev - 172. This is a sign that if you keep the Ten Commandments you will keep the entire Torah.
R' Mansour gave one additional example of the meaning of 172. He stated that there are times of the year which are easier and more suitable to serve Hashem, These are the days between spring and fall. While the winter it is difficult to get out of one's house to do mitzvos, during the non-rainy season it is easier to go to shul or a shiur or to visit the sick.
When is the weather suitable? Between Pesach and Yom Kippur. Pesach falls on the 15th of Nissan and Yom Kippur on the Tenth of Tishrei. There are 172 days between Pesach and Yom Kippur.
R' Mansour next observed that we are judged on Rosh Hashanah. But why does Hashem need two whole days to Judge us? Couldn't it be done in a second? R' Mansour answered that the two days of Rosh Hashanah are different - the first is the strict day and the second is more lenient. Of course, one would want to be judged on Day 2. But how does one get to be judged then? R' Mansour answered that the word for Hashem's name in judgment is Elokim which is 86. If one were to multiply 86 by 2, the result would be 172. If one keeps the mitzvos, he is zoche to be judged on day 2.
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