Why does the Torah mention Avodah-Zarah and other Mitzvos here?
Rashi and Ramban (citing the Sifra): It is to warn the Eved Ivri not to declare 'Since my master commits adultery, serves idols and does not observe Shabbos, I will do likewise!' 1
Seforno: It is a warning to an Eved Ivri, against thinking that, since he is subservient to Nochrim, he is no longer under the jurisdiction of Hashem, and is free to do as he wishes. 2
Moshav Zekenim #1: It warns someone who sells himself to a Nochri to stipulate with him 'I will not serve idolatry or work on Shabbos. I must fear the Mikdash and go there three times a year', and all the Mitzvos.
Moshav Zekenim #2: Hashem is warning the Eved Ivri that he is Hashem's Eved, he should not honor any other god.
What is the significance of all the Parshiyos listed in B'har up to here?
Rashi: After teaching the Dinim of Shemitah, the Torah warns that someone who covets money and is suspect on Shemitah will eventually have to sell his moveable items, then his fields and then his house; and, if he does not do Teshuvah, he will be forced to borrow on interest and to sell himself, first to a Yisrael and finally to a Nochri. 1
What is the difference between "Lo Sa'asu" and "Lo Sakimu"?
Yerushalmi Avodah Zarah, 4:4: "Lo Sakimu" implies that if the image is about to fall, one should not prop it up.
What is the definition of "Even Maskis"?
Rashi: A marble-slab which covers the floor 1 (on which one prostrates oneself - Rashi in Mas'ei Bamidbar, 33:52).
Rashi: As in Ki Sisa, Sh'mos, 33:23.
Rashbam: To look at them - as in Tehilim, 73:7. See also Rashi, Lech-L'cha, Bereishis 11:29. Targum Yonasan: One may however, install such stone-slabs in the Beis-Hamikdash though one is not permitted to prostrate oneself on them.
Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim: Because it looks as if one is prostrating oneself to the images..
What are the connotations of "Lehishtachavos?
Rashi: It means to prostrate oneself on the ground, hands and feet outstretched.. 1
See Sifsei Chachamim.
What does the La'av of "Lo Sishtachaveh alehah entail?
Rashi: It entails prostrating oneself on a stone slab 1 anywhere in the land, 2 except for in the Beis-Hamikdash. 3
Rashbam and Targum Yonasan: It entails placing stone slabs with pictutes engraved on them anywhere else other than in the Beis-Hamikdash, 4 though not in order to prostrate oneself on them.
See Torah Temimah. note 4.
And how much more so in Chutz la'Aretz ? See Oznayim la'Torah, DH 've'Even Maskis ... '.
The Gemara in Megilah, 22b actually learns the Heter to do so in the Beis Hamikdash from the word "Lehishtachavos Alehah", which precludes the Beis-Hamikdash from the prohibition.
Refer to 26:1:5:1**.
What are the connotations of "Ki Ani Hashem Elokeichem"?
Seforno: It is a warning to an Eved Ivri, against thinking that, since he is subservient to Nochrim, he is no longer under the jurisdiction of Hashem, and is free to do as he wishes. 1
Seforno: This is a warning not to make the mistake that many made at the time of the Galus, when they said to Yirmiyah 'If a master sold his slave and a man divorced his wife, what claim does he have on them?'
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that one who is suspected about Shemitah will eventually have to sell his Metaltelim? The author of Stam Sifra (Beraisa that expounds a Pasuk in Vayikra) is R. Yehudah, who only Darshens Semuchim in Sefer Devarim?
Moshav Zekenim: Since there is a 'Vav' connecting the Parshiyos ("ve'Im Timkeru"), it is considered a Hekesh. We find that R. Yehudah expounds the Semichus "ve'Im Al Todah" (Kidushin 53a).
Rashi writes that one who is suspected on Sh'mitah will eventually have to sell his Metaltelim? . But the Gemara in Kidushin 20a confines this to someone who does business with Shemitah-produce?
Rashi did not say which aspect of Shevi'is he is suspected of. Perhaps it is doing business with Peiros Shemitah! (PF)
