Various Topics: Kilayim, Writing a Book, Explanation in the Haggadah
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Question
Hello Rabbi, first of all, thank you very much for the previous answer. My first question is halachic, but my second question is not halachic at all, yet I would appreciate it if the Rabbi could answer it as well. My first question: In Rambam's book Zeraim, Chapter 2, Halacha 6, it is written that there is no prohibition to plant one type of legume next to another as long as they are not mixed. I find it difficult to understand the Gemara in Bava Batra, page 2a-2b, which states that if a fence between two fields is breached, it must be repaired due to the concern of kilayim because the work of the vineyard may enter the neighbor's field. And if, according to Rambam, it is permissible to plant even nearby, what is the concern? And this is my second question: I am a 15-year-old boy, and thank God, I am blessed with a talent for writing and this year I managed to print a booklet with innovations on the Haggadah of Pesach. My aspiration is also to publish a book, so I started to write seriously about the Haggadah of Pesach, where my pen flows especially. The Haggadah I want to publish is divided into several parts: 1. Innovations 2. Explanations 3. Customs 4. Pearls (from the great generations) After consulting with my parents, it seemed from their words that this is less appropriate for a young man who has not yet matured in learning, and I want to ask if it is correct that it is better for me to write only for myself and not for publication? C. And on the same topic, it is written in the Haggadah "And on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments, I and not the messenger," and in Tosafot at the beginning of Kiddushin it is written that wherever the Lord is mentioned in the Torah, it is clear and known who that messenger is, and where in the Torah is it said who that messenger is?
Answer
Hello
A. Rambam spoke about two types of legumes, and the Gemara refers to a field next to a vineyard, where the prohibition of planting side by side is from the Torah.
B. Fortunate are you that you have the desire to innovate and write. It is certainly worthwhile to engage in this to get used to thinking, studying, and writing words of Torah. [But not at the expense of established study schedules].
It is very advisable that you first write for yourself, according to the order you think, and after some time show it to Torah scholars to see if there is merit in printing for the public. Your main benefit is even if you print only one copy for yourself. Because this will sharpen you and get you used to writing, and it will benefit you in your continued ascent in Torah.
C. The commentators are divided on this matter:
The opinion of Rabbeinu Bachya and other commentators is that the messenger is the well-known angel appointed for missions, called 'Metatron'.
The opinion of Rabbi Yitzchak Arama is that the messenger here is the element of water, [according to him, angel, seraph, messenger, other - they are the four elements: air, fire, water, earth].
The opinion of Rabbi Shlomo Kluger is that the messenger is Moshe Rabbeinu, who was the messenger to bring Israel out of Egypt and to perform the plagues. And here it was not done through him.
Source
Rabbeinu Bachya, Exodus 12:12 (Parashat Bo)
I, and not the messenger sent by Him for all actions done on earth, and this is the great angel called therefore Metatron. And so it is
in Maharal, and
other commentators.
Akeidat Yitzchak, Exodus, Gate 38 (Parashat Bo)
I, and not the messenger to the element of water, as it is said (Job 5) and sends waters on the open places (Psalms 147). Sends His word to the earth, etc., and next to it, giving snow like wool.
Haggadah Sh"P, the work of the Creator's hands, the Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Kluger.