2022/5782

Adapted from Rabbi Yamim Goldsmith’s FMT series

The last Pasuk from last week’s Parashah, Parashat Yitro, tells of the prohibition of building stairs on the Mizbei’ach. The Pasuk states that there should not be stairs ascending the Mizbe’ach “Asher Lo Tigaleh Eivatcha Alav,” “so that your nakedness should not be exposed to it” (Shemot 20:23). 

The first Pasuk of this week’s Parashah, Parashat Mishpatim, says, “Ve’Eileh HaMishpatim Asher Tasim Liphneihem,” “These are the laws that you should put before them” (Shemot 21:1). The Torah specifically places the Issur of building stairs on the Mizbe’ach next to the introduction of the laws. Why does the Torah juxtapose these two seemingly unrelated topics? 

The Midrash Tanchuma comments that the Torah’s reason for the Issur of building stairs on the Mizbe’ach is not to prevent the Kohein’s nakedness from facing the Mizbe’ach, as Kohanim wear pants as part of their Bigdei Kehunah. Rather, the Issur prevents Kohanim from walking with Pesiot Gasot, long and quick strides. The Midrash adds that this Pasuk is the proof for the requirement of judges to be deliberate in their judgments. Just as Kohanim shouldn’t walk with quick strides in the Beit HaMikdash, so too judges shouldn’t judge too quickly; instead, they should judge deliberately. What does this Midrash mean? What is so bad about Pesiot Gasot? 

Rav Yehoshua Weitzman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Ma’alot, asks this exact question. Rav Weitzman says that to better understand the essence of Pesiot Gasot, one must first look at another place in which Pesiot Gasot is mentioned. The Gemara (Shabbat 113b) quotes Rabbi Yishmael saying that walking with Pesiot Gasot takes away 1/500th of someone’s vision. Rav Weitzman states that a judge should not judge a case with Pesiot Gasot because one must be attentive to be a good judge. A judge must be observant and not miss any details. If a judge walks with Pesiot Gasot, the judge may lose part of his vision and not be fully attentive to the case. 

The same is true with Kohanim. Kohanim should work with Zerizut and enthusiasm. However, they should not rush through the Avodah with Pesiot Gasot. Kohanim must be attentive and focused on every part of the Avodah. If they walk with Pesiot Gasot, the Kohanim may lose part of their vision and miss details of the Avodah. They must make sure not to go too quickly; Instead, they must be observant and careful with every aspect of the Avodah. 

The same is true with us, says Rav Weitzman. Although we should act with Zerizut and eagerness, that should not come at the expense of having to walk with Pesiot Gasot. We must be attentive and observant of the miracles that are happening around us. We may not walk with Pesiot Gasot so that we can be aware of all of the blessings that Hashem gave us.