Pemikiran Yahudi Mazmur 35:13: Yesod Mora VeSod HaTorah

There is a commandment that is essential, and it has limitations, such as the Nazirite who abstains from wine and any grape product throughout the duration of their vow. Wine increases desire and clouds the mind. We see this in the example of Daniel, who abstained from wine during Passover, even though it is only a rabbinic prohibition. Similarly, the Nazirite is prohibited from consuming vinegar, grape products, raisins, and grape seeds. They must not shave their hair, allowing themselves to appear attractive to women. The reason for this is that if one takes a vow to abstain from wine alone, they will not be fully dedicated and holy to the name of God unless they observe all the mentioned commandments. Our ancestors acted similarly on Yom Kippur, where eating is forbidden. This is the essence because any form of self-affliction that connects with the soul in the entire scripture is considered a fast. It is so because the soul's desire resides in the liver (Deuteronomy 12:20), as it is stated, "The desire of your soul." (Job 33:20) "His soul longs for food." Leviticus 7:18 states, "The soul that eats." The witnesses confirm this, as it is written in Isaiah 58:3, "Why have we fasted, and you do not see it? Why have we afflicted our souls, and you take no notice?" The reason is twofold. Similarly, in Isaiah 58:5, it says, "Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day pleasing to the Lord?" Furthermore, in Isaiah 58:5, it states, "You will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." I have already explained the concept in Psalm 35:13, "But as for me, when they were ill, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer returned to my own lap." Why does the word "Nefesh" (soul) begin with a Bet in the context of fasting? It is because it is also forbidden to drink during fasting. This is found in Deuteronomy 14:23, "And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose to make his name dwell, the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil." In the case of Daniel, in Daniel 10:12, it says, "I did not eat any choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips." This teaches us to comprehend and engage in fasting. There is no mention of bathing during fasting, and they said that one may wash if they have a seminal emission. How eager were the ancient sages! As it is said in Pirkei Avot 2:1, "Be as careful with a minor commandment as with a major one." Additionally, in Pirkei Avot 4:2, it states, "The reward for a mitzvah is a mitzvah."