Parshas Naso: “When a man or a woman separates their self to take a vow of abstinence to become a nazir for Hashem.” (Bamidbar 6:2)
T
he word “yafli” separate themselves has two meanings: either to be separate or to do something wondrous — a pele. In this case by separating themselves with the laws of nezirus they are doing something wondrous since most of the world follows their desires. (Ibn Ezra) However there remains a question on this double meaning. We can understand the concept of wonder once the person has already succeeded in his abstinence. This accomplishment is clearly phenomenal for the person has passed the test and resisted his desires. But in this case the word “wondrous” refers to the time a person accepts his vow of nezirus implying that the marvel begins at the moment the vow is taken. Why? (Rav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi Bircas Mordechai)
It was evening and I was exhausted. The day had been hot and humid and the whole house felt sticky. I glanced around the kitchen noting the juice spilled on the floor and the ketchup stains on the table. A milk carton was spoiling on the counter and the breakfast dishes had not yet been washed. Despite the heat I roused myself and announced to my children that we were having a “cleaning contest!” Using all the cheer I could muster I tried to engage them in scrubbing the table and sweeping the floor.
“Not like that” I chided my son as he gave a half-hearted swipe to the ketchup. “You have to scrub it hard.”
“Don’t flip the broom” I called to my daughter as bread crumbs went flying across the floor. “You’re spreading the mess instead of cleaning it.” Within minutes I had abandoned my fun-mother mode and my irritation was rising.
