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Why does the Torah (תורה) forbid kohanim from taking large steps on the altar ramp? The shiur explores the Toras Kohanim's connection between "lo sigaleh ervascha" and the prohibition against psi'os gasos (large steps). Taking large steps creates an awareness of one's physicality—a bizayon in a makom kodesh—and parallels the requirement in din not to make logical leaps, where self-awareness and presumption replace rigorous step-by-step reasoning.
The shiur opens with a passage from Toras Kohanim that juxtaposes two seemingly unrelated verses: the prohibition against ascending the altar with steps that would reveal ervah, and the opening of Parshas Mishpatim ("v'eleh ha'mishpatim"). The Toras Kohanim asks what connection exists between these two topics and answers that just as the Torah (תורה) prohibits kohanim from taking large steps (psi'os gasos) on the altar, so too one must not take large steps in din (legal reasoning). Rabbi Zweig delves into the technical halacha (הלכה): kohanim must walk on the altar ramp with small steps, such that the heel of one foot remains parallel to (b'tzad) the big toe of the other foot, rather than stepping far ahead. The participants discuss what exactly constitutes a psi'a gasa (large step) versus a normal step, clarifying that the prohibition is not against any forward movement but specifically against overly large strides.
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Parshas Mishpatim; Toras Kohanim; Shemos 20:23
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