The following is a brief summary of some of thoughts said over by R' Frand on the parsha this evening. I have attempted to reproduce these 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 R' Frand.
In Devarim 17:18 the Torah provides the law that a king must write a Sefer Torah, stating וְהָיָ֣ה כְשִׁבְתּ֔וֹ עַ֖ל כִּסֵּ֣א מַמְלַכְתּ֑וֹ וְכָ֨תַב ל֜וֹ אֶת־מִשְׁנֵ֨ה הַתּוֹרָ֤ה. R' Frand quoted the Ibn Ezra who explains that the timing of the writing of the Sefer Torah is when the king first takes his position.
R' Frand next quoted the Medrash Rabbah on Esther which compares a Jewish king and a gentile king. By Achasveros the Megillah states K'Shivto - because he will not have a legacy. But by a Jewish king it states in Sefer Shoftim - B'Shivto - because he will have an enduring legacy.
But then how does one explain the B'Shivto in our parsha?
R' Frand quoted the Chidushei HaRim who notes that the mitzva of writing the Sefer Torah is at the moment that the king ascends the throne - at a time that he has enthusiasm for becoming king. The king should use this Torah as a resource throughout his reign and constantly learn it and remember the feeling when he became king.
R' Frand said that this message is appropriate at this time of year. There are many weddings and much Torah said about how a Chassan is compared to a king. The Chassanim should remember as they continue through marriage the feeling that they had at the time of marriage and the promises they made to consider their spouse's view and be M'Vater.
R' Frand said that similarly as this is the beginning of the Zman and the students are enthusiastic about the start of learning on the first day - they should carry that forward and remember the energy throughout the year.
R' Frand said a second vort on the concept of Ir Miklat. He noted that Ir Miklat is connected to Elul Chazal use the Roshei Teivos of the pasuk in Mishpatim (Shemos 21:13) - אִנָּ֣ה לְיָד֑וֹ וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י לְךָ֙ as a hint to Elul. But what is the connection between Ir Milat and Elul? And why does someone who kills accidentally get sent to an Ir Miklat?
R' Frand answered the second question first by observing that the killer is sent to an Ir Milat because he was not careful about human life and did not consider what a life would be worth.
R' Frand then quoted the Gemara in Avodah Zara about R' Chanina Ben Tradion and his executioner who asked that if he hastened R' Chanina's death would he go to Olam Haba. After receiving confirmation, the executioner did his act and then jumped in the fire with R' Chanina, following which a Bas Kol said - there are those who achieve Olam Haba in one hour.
The Gemara says after that Rebbi cried when he heard this. But why? Did he feel that he wasted his life in that he could have taken one action and earned Olam Haba? Of course not. Rather he cried because he saw what could be accomplished with even one hour of time.
R' Frand said that this is the lesson for the killer - he is sent to an Ir Miklat and live among the Levi'im - people who devote themselves to honoring and serving Hashem. The killer will see what a proper life is and how it can be lived in the utmost spirituality.
R' Frand also tied this to the concept of Ma'aser Sheni from Parshas Re'eh where the Torah states in Devarim 14:23 - לְמַ֣עַן תִּלְמַ֗ד לְיִרְאָ֛ה - that the mitzva of going up to Yerushalaim to eat Ma'aser Sheni is so that one cane learn to fear Hashem.
But how does a purely physical mitzva of eating the food that you grew, teach fear of Hashem?
Tosafos in Bava Basra 22 quotes the Sifri which explains that by going to Yerushalaim and staying there until the food is consumed, the person lives among the Kohanim and Levi'im and observes and learns from their sprituality.
R' Frand remarked that certain cities have famous attributes - Detroit is the Motor City. Los Angeles is the entertainment capitol. L'Havdil, Yerushalaim is the spiritual capitol and by staying there, a person will come to have Yiras Shamayim.
R' Frand closed the vort by quoting the Maggid M'Kelem who told a Mashal about an angel coming to the cemetery and telling the dead they could arise for 1/2 hour. Each person went to do an important Mitzva - to learn Torah or visit the sick or take care of a parent. But no one went to the office. Why? Because having seen the reward in Olam Haba, they knew what was important was doing more mitzvos.
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