1)

Why does the Torah juxtapose the Parshah of Nazir to that of Sotah?

1.

Rashi: Because whoever sees a Sotah in her disgrace 1 should make a Neder of Nezirus, to abstain from drinking wine, since wine leads to adultery 2 (grow his hair - the antidote to bachelors who curl their hair in order to beautify themselves 3 - since growing hair leads a person to worry; therefore he is Kadosh, and guard from Tum'ah, since he is a Kohen who serves his G-d - Moshav Zekenim, citing the Ri).

2.

Targum Yonasan: Because seeing a Sotah in disgrace is a major reason that prompts people to become Nezirim.


1

How they abuse her by uncovering her hair and part of her body (Sifsei Chachamim).

2

See also Torah Temimah, note 1.

3

Their hair is not long, but they curl it (PF).

2)

What is the significance of the three Dinim of a Nazir - the prohibition against becoming Tamei Meis, drinking 'wine and shaving one's hair?

1.

Refer to 6:2:0.1:1.

2.

They symbolize the three things that take a person out of this world 1 Kin?ah (envy) ? (Tum'as Meis); 2 Ta?avah (lust) ? wine and Kavod (pride) - hair.


1

See Avos 4:21.

2

As the Pasuk writes in Mishlei, 14:30 "u'Rekav Atzamos Kin'ah".

3)

What are the implications of the words "Daber el B'nei Yisrael ... "?

1.

Nazir, 61a: It implies that Nochrim are not subject to Nezirus. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 2. Refer also to 6:7:2:2 & 6:11:0.1:1.

4)

Why does the Torah add the words "Ve'amarta aleihem"?

1.

Nazir, 61a: To incorporate Avadim in the Din of Nezirus.

5)

What is the meaning of "Ish ki Yafli ... "?

1.

Rashi #1: It means a man who separates from wine.

2.

Rashi #2 (in Chagigah, 10a, citing Targum Onkelos): It means a man who expresses (verbalizes) a Neder of Nezirus

3.

Seforno: It means a man who separates from the vain pleasures of this world. 1

4.

Temurah, 2b: The Torah uses the Lashon "Yafli" to render valid the Nedarim of a 'Mufla ha'Samuch le'Ish' - a bright twelve-year old boy 2 and eleven year girl who know in whose Name they are declaring the Neder (who understand the implications of making a Neder).

5.

Sifri: "Yafli" implies that the person makes the Neder of his own free will and is not being pressurized to do so. 3 .


1

Seforno: Which the words "Lindor Neder Nazir" imply.

2

See Torah Temimah, note 9.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 10.

6)

Why does the Torah insert the word "Ish"?

1.

Having stated "Ki Yafli", 1 he Torah mentions "Ish" to include a thirteen-year old boy (and a twelve-year old girl) who is not in the category of Hafla'ah.


1

Refer to 6:2:2:4.

7)

What is the significance of the fact that the Torah uses the unusual expression "Ki Yafli" twice - here and in Bechokosai Vayikra, 27:1?

1.

Sifri: It serves as a hint at Heter Nedarim - "Achas le'Isur, ve'Achas le'Heter' - which has no clear source in the Torah. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 8.

8)

Why does the Torah insert the lengthy expression "Lindor Neder Nazir"?

1.

Targum Yonasan: Refer to 6:2:0.1:2. The Torah is saying whether he becomes a Nazir because he saw a Sotah in disgrace or for any other reason.

9)

Bering in mind that the Torah is discussing both a Nazir and a Nezirah, why does the Torah write "Lindor Neder Nazir" (masculine) and not "... "Neder Nezirus'?

1.

Yeruhakmi Nazir, 2:2: To teach us that if a woman undertakes Nezirus using the masculine term 'Hareini Nazir', Nezirus takes effect.

10)

What are the implications of the words "Lehazir la'Hashem"?

1.

Rashi: To refrain from drinking wine for the sake of Hashem.

2.

Seforno: It implies that the objective of Nezirus is to dispel every vestige of materialism 1 and to belong totally to Hashem' - to study His Torah, to go in His ways and to cleave to Him.

3.

Nazir, 4b: It implies that the Nazir undertakes to become a Nazir purely for the sake of Hashem - like the Nazir with beautiful locks of hair who explained to Shimon ha'Tzadik how he decided to become a Nazir, when seeing reflection in the water he felt a surge of pride at his beautiful looks, so he decided to shave of his hair le'Shem Shamayim. 2


1

Seforno (on Pasuk 3): Not by fasting, which impedes one's Avodas Hashem - as Chazal have said, or by self-flagellation, but by desisting from wine, which diminishes one's desires and subjugates one's Yeitzer-ha'Ra, without diminishing one's strength in the service of Hashem.

2

See Torah Temimah, citing Sotah (Ibid.) and note 15.

11)

Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) word "Lindor Neder Nazir Le'hazir'?

1.

Nedarim 3a: To incorporate Kinuyei Nezirus 1 and Yados Neziros in the Din of Nezirus. 2

2.

Nazir, 5a: To teach us that a second Nezirus takes effect on an existing one. 3


1

With reference to locations where the people mispronounce certain letters - due to a speech-defect. See Torah Temimah, note 11.

2

With reference to someone who declares himself a Nazir, and who indicates a Nezirus without actually mentioning the word 'Nazir. See Torah Temimah, note 11. See also Torah Temimah DH 'Neder Nazir Lehazir' #2 and note 12, where the Gmara (in Nedarim, Ibid.) learns Yados by Nedarim from Nezirus and the basics of Hataras and Hafaras Nezirus from Nedarim. See Torah Temimah, note 13.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 14.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

12)

Rashi writes that whoever sees a Sotah in her disgrace should take upon himself Nezirus. How does this apply also to men?

1.

Moshav Zekeinim (citing the Ri): Because the water kills also the adulterer.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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