I hope the ideas contained below, will provide you with some topics for discussion, at your Shabbos table.

The recent “expenses scandal” in parliament was a truly shocking revelation. We discovered that the elected representatives of the nation, were taking public money for their own uses, while pretending they were entitled to it. In all probability, they managed to persuade themselves, they were doing nothing wrong. It seems to confirm what Lord Acton said, “power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Indisputably it is an utter necessity that an impartial body should decide what expenses they are entitled to.
This weakness seems to have been anticipated in this week`s Parshah. For every type of sin it says “And if the person sins. (Chap. 4 Verse 3 and Chap 4 Verse 25). But when it talks about a prince sinning, it says “Asher”. that a prince sins,(Chap. 4 Verse 22) implying that his princely status almost inevitably makes hin sin. (Rashi gives another explanation.
However it is not only the great and mighty who are capable of self-delusion. We are taught that if a person knew for sure, with hindsight, that he had sinned by accident, he had to bring an offering which cost at least one sixth of a Shekel. But if there was a doubt whether he had sinned, he had to bring an offering which cost at least two Shekel-much more. The reason was, if there was only a possibility he had done wrong, he would persuade himself that he had not erred, and would never repent. If he knew for sure he had done wrong, he would be more likely to repent and therefore did not need such a big offering.
If we are, for example, not sure whether something is correct for Pesach, we soon persuade ourselves it is in order. But in fact it might be Chametz! The only solution, is to ask an impartial authority. In all areas of religion, we must always try and avoid the trap of self-delusion.

SOURCES: Chumash Haamek Dovor Chap. 4 Verse 22, & Ever Since Sinai by Irving Bunim Page 104-105.
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QUESTION FOR THE WEEK;

Why are yeast and honey forbidden on the altar? (Chap.2 Verse11)

ANSWER:

The Sefer Hachinuch says it is difficult to know the reason. But perhaps part of the reason is; yeast represents allowing time for the dough to rise. In other words procrastination, and not doing Mitzvot eagerly and promptly. Honey represents, indulgence in the luxuries of life, which distract from service of Hashem.

SOURCES: Sefer Hachinuch