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Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5784

ויאספו אליו כל בני לוי

Sruly Schnair
In 5784, Ki Sisa

And all Bnei Levi gathered around him. (32:26)

Moshe Rabbeinu issued a call to arms, and Shevet Levi, the tribe which stood strong, defying the rabble-rousers who created the Golden Calf, came forward in his support. What happened to the rest of the nation? In total, only three thousand men worshipped the molten idol. Where was everyone else? Did they not hear Moshe call out Mi l’Hashem eilai, “Whoever is for Hashem, join me!”? Horav Leib Chasman, zl, explains that, while one may not agree with the rebellion against Hashem and not support them in any way, he still may not be ready to take a stand against…

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Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5784

ויחר אף משה וישלך מידיו את הלוחות וישבר אותם תחת ההר

Sruly Schnair
In 5784, Ki Sisa

Moshe’s anger flared up. He threw down the Tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain. (32:19)

To break something which Hashem made is an act that transcends. Unquestionably, for someone of Moshe Rabbeinu’s stature to make such a move requires remarkable insight into what he was about to do. This was not a simple decision. Indeed, the fact that Hashem agreed with Moshe is in and of itself an indication that Moshe did not act out of anger, but rather, because he felt that it was the correct and proper thing to do. The commentators endeavor to provide a rationale to come to grips with this decision. Horav Shimon Shkop, zl, offers a novel explanation. He…

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Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5784

ועתה אם תשא חטאתם ואם אין מחני נא מספרך אשר כתבת... מי אשר חטא לי אמחנו מספרי... ועתה לך נחה את העם

Sruly Schnair
In 5784, Ki Sisa

And now if You would but forgive their sin! – but if not, erase me now from Your book that you have written. Whoever has sinned against Me I shall erase from My book… And now lead the people. (32:32,33,34)

The Torah narrative relating the dialogue that ensued between Moshe Rabbeinu and Hashem is enigmatic. First, to which sefer is Moshe referring? Second, Hashem’s response to Moshe’s demand that his name be erased from the “book” appears, superficially, to suggest that Hashem was dismissing Moshe with prejudice. Yet, Hashem immediately tasks Moshe with leading the nation. How did indignation disappear only to be replaced with compassion? Horav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg, zl (Seridei Eish), explains this as part of an earlier pasuk in which Hashem says to Moshe, V’Ata hanichah Li v’yichar Api bahem, v’e’escha l’goi gadol; “Desist from Me. Let…

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Home -> 5784 -> Tetzaveh

ואתה תצוה את בני ישראל

Sruly Schnair
In Tetzaveh, 5784

Now you shall command Bnei Yisrael. (27:20)

A name is important, but, for some people, it is sadly all they have. They feel that lineage of any sort will pave the way for their future. While in some instances it might be true, the lineage will not preserve their legacy. This is not meant to demean the value of a name. It can carry cultural, historical or familial significance, which is meaningful, not only to the person, but also to those who revere his lineage and what it represents. Legacy is established, however, by the impact one makes on his surroundings, his friends and his students. One’s…

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Home -> 5784 -> Tetzaveh

ויקחו אליך שמן זית זך כתית

Sruly Schnair
In Tetzaveh, 5784

And they shall take for you pure, pressed olive oil. (27:20)

Chazal (Midrash Rabbah, Shemos 36:1) quote the pasuk in Yirmiyahu (11:16), Zayis raanan yefei pri to’ar kara Hashem shemecha, “Hashem named you verdant olive tree, fair, with choice fruit” to indicate the comparison of Klal Yisrael to olive oil. Chazal state three characteristics of the Jewish People which mimic the characteristics of olive oil. First, the olive does not give forth its oil until it has been smashed and pressed. Likewise, (some of) the Jewish People return to Hashem through teshuvah, repentance, once they have suffered at the hands of anti-Semites of all creeds, who have persecuted them with all…

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Home -> 5784 -> Tetzaveh

ונשא אהרן את שמות בני ישראל בחשן המשפט על לבו

Sruly Schnair
In Tetzaveh, 5784

Aharon shall bear the names of Bnei Yisrael on the Choshen Hamishpat (Breastplate of judgment) on his heart. (28:29)

Aharon HaKohen merited to wear the breastplate on his heart due to the manner in which he accepted Moshe Rabbeinu’s appointment as the leader of the Jewish People. Prior to Moshe’s entrance on the scene, Aharon had been the Navi and leader of the Jewish people. Suddenly, his position transformed from leader to assistant. Not only did Aharon not complain, but the Torah says V’roacha v’somach b’libo, “He will see you and he will rejoice in his heart” (Shemos 4:4). Aharon’s humility was such that he manifested no ego whatsoever when he lost his position to his younger brother. This…

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Home -> 5784 -> Tetzaveh

שבעת ימים ילבשם הכהן תחתיו מבניו אשר יבוא אל אהל מועד לשרת בקודש

Sruly Schnair
In Tetzaveh, 5784

For a seven-day period, the Kohen who succeeds him from his sons, who shall enter the Ohel Moed to serve in the Sanctuary shall wear them. (29:30)

The son of the Kohen Gadol (if he is worthy) takes precedence over any other Kohen to succeed his father. Two Kohanim actually served in the positions of Kohen Gadol – the regular High Priest – and Kohen Mashuach Milchamah – a Kohen Gadol ordained specifically prior to the nation’s entrance into a war. This latter one was a specially designated Kohen Gadol whose purpose it was to address the nation and give his charge before the battle, encouraging them that Hashem will protect them. The Kohen Mashuach Milchamah is forbidden to marry a widow and may pose questions to…

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Home -> 5784 -> Terumah

ויקחו לי תרומה

Sruly Schnair
In Terumah, 5784

And let them take for Me a portion. (25:2)

Chazal (Midrash Rabbah Shemos 33:1) expound on the pasuk’s expression, V’yikchu Li, “They shall take for Me.” The Midrash compares the Torah to a good acquisition (mekach) of which people are unaware of its value. When they consider how much the buyer paid the broker, however, they realize the value of the purchase. Likewise, how does one determine the true value of the Torah which we received? We look at the payment made to Moshe Rabbeinu: the skin of his face becoming otherworldly radiant. The Midrash further expounds, discussing an acquisition during which the seller sells himself along with the…

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Home -> 5784 -> Terumah

ועצי שיטים

Sruly Schnair
In Terumah, 5784

And shittim (acacia) wood. (25:5)

Rashi quotes Midrash Tanchuma that Yaakov Avinu’s foresight (through Ruach HaKodesh, Divine Inspiration) was the reason that Klal Yisrael had shittim wood available for the Mishkan. Yaakov knew that his descendants would one day erect a Sanctuary in the wilderness. This edifice would require wood. Therefore, he planted trees when he arrived in Egypt, using seeds that he had brought with him from Eretz Yisrael. He commanded his sons (who obviously commanded it to their sons) that, when they would finally leave Egypt, they should cut down the trees and take them along. Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch, zl, derives a…

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Home -> 5784 -> Terumah

ואל הארון תתן את העדת אשר אתן אליך

Sruly Schnair
In Terumah, 5784

And into the Aron you shall put the Testimony that I shall give you. (25:21)

This pasuk (21) seems redundant. In pasuk 16, the Torah writes, “You shall place in the Aron the Testimonial Tablets that I shall give you.” Two pesukim – same message. Rashi explains that we derive from this redundancy that it was prohibited to place the Kapores, Cover, on the Aron unless the Luchos were already in there. There is no such thing as an empty Aron in the Sanctuary. If there are no Luchos, the Aron is incomplete; hence, no Kapores is placed over it. Chezkuni explains that the first pasuk refers to the first Luchos, while the second pasuk…

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