('מה טובו אהל יעקב )כד' ה
Zera How good are your tents, Yaakov (24:5).
(
The Zera Shimshon asks that if Bila’am’s intention was to praise the
Shimshon tents of Yaakov (the Batei Kenesi’os) why did he add the word מה, how good
etc. why didn’t he just say it as a statement – The tents of Yaakov are good?
As well, why did Bila’am choose to refer to the Jewish people as
Yaakov?
Balak The Zera Shimshon explains that the Mekubolim teach (Rikanti
nan) that the secret of the Mezuza is that the word מזוזתbecomes מות זז
Va’eschanan)
The Zera Shimshon, Rav Shimshon
Chaim ben Rav Nachmon Michoel
Nachmani, was born in 5467 – death is removed, meaning that a structure with a Mezuza protects those
(1706/1707) into an illustrious that are inside from death.
family with great Rabbinical
lineage. He studied the revealed and
concealed parts of the Torah by the As well, the ‘inside’ of the word מזוזותis זוזוwhich has the numerical
Torah greats of his day. value of twenty six – the same numerical value as the name of Hashem ()הוי"ה.
He served as Rav of Modena, Pisa,
Sayna and Reggio, Italy, and was The ‘outer’ letters of מזוזותare – מתdeath. Implying the name of Hashem
recognized as a holy and pious
individual, as well as a tremendous separates the מfrom the תand protects us from death.
Torah scholar in all areas of Torah.
He passed away on the 6th of Elul Shuls - Batei Kenesi’os,, are exempt from the obligation of placing a
5539 (1779).
His Seforim were named, Toldos Mezuza on their doorposts. This is because they are intrinsically places of life.
Shimshon (The ‘Offspring’ of
Shimshon) on Pirkei Avos and Zera They therefore, do not need the Mezuza to save those in them from death.
Shimshon (The ‘Seed’ of
Shimshon) on the Parshi’os of the When Bila’am said these words, ““HowHow good are your tents, Yaakov” he
Torah. In his introduction, he
explains that since his only son had was referring to the Batei Kenesi’os. This is why he said מה טובוas opposed to
died during his lifetime, he wrote
his Seforim to perpetuate his own only טובוsince the words מה טובוhave the numerical value as the word – חיי
memory after his passing.
life. They both equal sixty eight. This hints to the fact that the Batei Kenesi’os
Kenesi’
The following is his passionate
request to learn his works. are places of life.
“I implore of you with ten terms of
supplication to choose from my This is also why he specifically chose to refer to the Jewish people by
Chiddushim (novella) the piece that
finds favor in your eyes, for your the name Yaakov. The passuk says (Micha 7:20) תת אמת ליעקב,“ תתBestow truth to
learning will sooth my soul etc…
“This righteousness will stand by Yaakov”. The word אמתhas the same make-up up as the word מזוזות. This is as
you forever – to ‘eat’ in this world, follows. The מand the תare clearly the same in both words.
words And the אis in
and be satiated in the next. In this
merit, Hashem will repay you with reality made up of two יand a ו.. These letters have the numerical value of
children, health and sustenance.
“…and now my brothers and twenty six – the same as the name of Hashem ( )הוי"הwhich itself is also hinted
friends etc. do a true kindness, and
with your eyes you will see children to in the word מזוזותas explained.
and grandchildren surrounding
your table, houses filled with all Since the trait of Yaakov is the trait of אמת,
אמתwhich has the same
that is good, wealth and honor will
not cease from your children…” properties as the word Mezuza,, Bila’am used the name Yaakov since it is
לזכר נשמת most connected to what he was saying. (The words were in reality placed in
רבינו שמשו חיי ב רב נחמ מיכאל זצ"ל
בעל הזרע שמשו זיע"א
his mouth by Hashem as he himself told Balak.)
ויה"ר שיתקיימו בנו ברכותיו של אותו צדיק This also explains what the Gemara says (Ta’anis 5b) that Yaakov
לזכר נשמת Avinu did not die. Since Yaakov Avinu’s trait is the trait of אמתand the
יעקב יצחק ב שושנה אסתר
לרפואה שלימה properties of this word negate death ((as
as explained above)
above therefore, Yaakov
רוני דינה בת סימי Avinu did not die.
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