Welcome back to another episode of NachDaily with Nechemiah, chapter 10.

[May this segment be a merit for the aliyas neshamos of Raizel bas Moshe, Avraham Aharon ben Yisroel Yitzchok, and Refael ben Yehoshua Falek.]

This chapter is a continuation of events. After having returned to Hashem, the Jews signed a document or contract with Him reiterating their commitment to the Torah of Moshe Rabbenu.

The chapter essentially consists of signatures of the Kohanim, Leviim and Zikeinim who were at the teshuva gathering, 84 in all. The document committed them to uphold the Torah.

The simplest understanding is that only the 84 zekeinim signed the document. However, the Medrash brings that after everyone signed the document, they left it face open on the floor of the Beis Hamikdash. The next morning, they found it signed with Hashem’s name. This was a miracle to show Hashems’s acceptance of their teshuva. Rav Shwab posits that perhaps Hashem’s signature was one of His Names, or the word Emes – truth, because we know Hashem’s chosem, signature, is Emes.

Rav Shwab is quick to point out that Ezra’s name is missing from the list of people who signed the document. Apparently after the gathering Ezra had withdrawn from public view in order to seclude himself to refocus his attention on the spiritual side of life.

It’s remarkable that Ezra left the scene. One would think the leader needs to be with the people all the time, especially after such a momentous occasion, but we see from here that even the leader needs to take time to focus on what Hashem wants from him. This is a lesson for us to take time every day, no matter how busy we are to sit in seclusion, to settle our minds, regain self-composure, and focus our attention on what truly matters in life, Hashem.

The rest of the chapter lists more specific things to which they committed. Here are some of them:

· No more intermarriage.

· Not buying any produce or items on Shabbos.

· Keeping the Shemita year.

· Giving more than a half a shekel to the Beis Hamikdash every year for Korbanos and upkeep.

· Donating to the daily lotteries for the Leviim and Kohanim in the

Beis Hamikdash for Korbanos.

· Bringing the first fruit, bekurim, and the first-born animal, peter rechem, to the Beis Hamikdash.

· Committing to tithing ma’aser and truma

· Not neglecting the Beis Hamikdash.

It should be noted that one obvious thing missing from this list is not to do Avodah Zarah, worship idols. This points to a major spiritual event which took place at that time. The Gemarah in Sanhdrin 64a explains that after the Jews fasted and prayed for 3 days at the teshuvah gathering, they suddenly no longer felt the need to do Avodah Zarah. They were successful in their tefilos for Hashem to remove all desire of idol worship. Even today, only an outlier worships idols.

Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily. We’re just 3 perakim

away from finishing the entire Tanach, which is really exciting! Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.