Judaism613 - Parsha

Parshas Naso 5786

An Outstanding Promise

“Speak to Bnai Yisrael and say to them: When a man or woman who yafli (shall dissociate) himself by taking a Nazirite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem... he is holy to Hashem.” (Bamidbar 6:2, 6:8)

The Gemara (Nedarim 9b) records a famous statement by Shimon Hatzaddik: Only once in his life did he eat the trespass-offering of a Nazir who had become tameh.

He relates that a handsome young shepherd with beautiful, thick locks of hair came from the South country. Shimon Hatzaddik asked him, "My son, what reason did you see to destroy your beautiful hair?"

The young man replied that while drawing water from a well, he saw his reflection and his evil inclination rushed upon him, trying to drive him to sin through vanity. He rebuked his lust, saying: "Wretch! Why do you take pride in a world that is not yours, in one who is destined to become worms and dust? I swear that I will shave you off for the sake of Heaven."

Upon hearing this, Shimon Hatzaddik kissed the youth's head and declared: “My son, may there be many nazirites such as you in Israel!”

What Made This Shepherd Different?

Until this encounter, Shimon Hatzaddik refused to eat the korban of a Nazir. He believed the average person took the vow impulsively and would eventually regret it, rendering the sacrifice retroactively invalid (chullin b’azara). What did he see in this young shepherd that changed his mind?

The answer lies in the word “yafli” used in the verse. While Rashi defines it as "to dissociate," the Ibn Ezra explains it as “who shall do something astounding.”

But is refraining from wine and letting one's hair grow for thirty days truly so astounding? Compared to building a kollel or opening a soup kitchen, it seems minor. Why did it warrant the title of "holy"?

The Power of Purity: Shimon Hatzaddik saw that the young shepherd was motivated purely l’shaim shamayim (for the sake of Heaven). He was completely alone by the well when he made the vow. No one saw him, and no one heard him. Because it was done purely for self-mastery and not to seek the approval of others, it was totally kadosh (holy).

The Secret to Great Spiritual Heights

Chazal teach us that a person can perform an objectively massive mitzvah, yet its spiritual value is minimized if it is motivated by a desire for honor, status, or wealth.

Conversely, the hidden mitzvos carry immeasurable weight. When a mother quietly wakes up in the middle of the night to comfort her child, or when someone supports a friend in distress without any fanfare—these are the actions that shake the heavens.

There is ultimate credit for a simple mitzvah done in purity, simply because it needed to be done.