A peer review of Efriam Palvanov's lecture on Erev Rav
I am putting this analysis here for those who will listen to these lectures, for context and clarification and so nobody falls victim to sinat hinam or mistaken conclusions. I sincerely hope you benefit from it. I invite honest comments and encourage debate with the following conditions for comments: 1. Admit to and accept the truth of anything for which you cannot find evidence for objection or dispute and 2. Anything proven as the pashat (simple foundational meaning) of the words of our sages in the Gemara, that you do not apply irreconcilable interpretations or exegesis. The first lecture on Erev Rav seemingly disparages prayer at the graves of the righteous, so I would like to present a few sources to clarify where this tradition comes from and assert that the overwhelming consensus is that it is both called for, permitted and even required at times. Even the Rambam's Mishna Berurah on Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 581:4 explicitly states that "one should not direct...
After reading Rav Kessins sefer I see how wasting seed is mirroring the affects of Lashan Hara, is that correct?
ReplyDeleteIn the context of creating kitrugim (accusers), yes. The mechanism of Lashon Hara is different since it creates a general accusation that opens the entire file for review, whereas batel zeira - wasting seed creates actual souls, which in turn demand sustenance from their father. Those souls are killed after the individual repents, which relieves the accusations, BUT the person who repents is then guilty of bloodshed for causing the souls to be killed. Similar, yes, but very different outcomes. A general full accusation (L.H) versus a specific, limited accusation (B.Z). Both sins are ultimately bein Adam L'Chavero, not bein Adam L'Makom, so they need to be rectified before one can attain forgiveness and are not automatically forgiven on Yom Kippur. The effect of reciting Tikkun Klali and immersing in the mikveh is to kill these accusing souls. They are not inherently evil, as they were meant to become human. For more information, check out Rabbi Yaron Reuven's shiurim on the topic. Very scary stuff.
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