Bamidbar – Page 8 – Peninim on the Torah

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

The tribes camped around the Mishkan in a manner designated by Hashem. They were organized into formations of three tribes each. Their place around the Mishkan corresponded to the places which Yaakov Avinu designated to his sons when he instructed them on how to escort his bier to its final resting place. The Moinistritcher Rebbe notes that Parashas Bamidbar, which includes the chapter detailing the order of the degalim, banners, is always read on the Shabbos immediately prior to Shavuos. He posits that this is appropriate, especially given the fact that one of the forty-eight qualities by which Torah is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5764, Bamidbar

“Count the sons of Levi…every male from one month of age and up…” (3:15)

Rashi explains that the little infants of Bnei Levi were counted from the tender age of one month and up. Already at this young age, they were called by the title of honor and distinction that they would achieve as adults. Why grant such an esteemed title to a baby? Are we so sure they will live up to the title? Apparently, Shevet Levi had this “track record.” Those thirty-day-old infants were sure to grow up to become Shomrei Mishmeres HaKodesh, Guardians of the Holy Watch. Yet, how could we be so certain of their outcome? We see regrettably, how…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5763, Bamidbar

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

Rashi explains that as a result of Klal Yisrael’s dearness to Hashem, He counts them all of the time. The Mishkan, the site of the Revelation of the Divine Presence, was erected on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. On the following month, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Hashem counted them. The commentators struggle with the thirty-day lapse between the time the Mishkan was erected and the time Hashem counted Klal Yisrael. One would think that because of Hashem’s great love for Klal Yisrael, He would count them on the most auspicious day, the day the Mishkan was erected. A number of reasons are given…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5763, Bamidbar

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

The tribes camped around the Mishkan in a manner designated by Hashem. They were organized into formations of three tribes each. Their place around the Mishkan corresponded to the places which Yaakov Avinu designated to his sons when he instructed them on how to escort his bier to its final resting place. The Moinistritcher Rebbe notes that Parashas Bamidbar, which includes the chapter detailing the order of the degalim, banners, is always read on the Shabbos immediately prior to Shavuos. He posits that this is appropriate, especially given the fact that one of the forty-eight qualities by which Torah is…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5763

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5763, Bamidbar

“Count the sons of Levi…every male from one month of age and up…” (3:15)

Rashi explains that the little infants of Bnei Levi were counted from the tender age of one month and up. Already at this young age, they were called by the title of honor and distinction that they would achieve as adults. Why grant such an esteemed title to a baby? Are we so sure they will live up to the title? Apparently, Shevet Levi had this “track record.” Those thirty-day-old infants were sure to grow up to become Shomrei Mishmeres HaKodesh, Guardians of the Holy Watch. Yet, how could we be so certain of their outcome? We see regrettably, how…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Bamidbar

“Each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household shall Bnei Yisrael encamp, at a distance surrounding the Ohel Moed shall they encamp.” (2:2)

After Klal Yisrael was counted, Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu concerning their order of encampment, each tribe in a specific place with its own individual banner. This order was not merely good advice; it was a Divine edict that no member of the tribe of Zevulun reside next to the tribe of Yissaschar, etc. Hashem determined who should be neighbors with whom. Afterwards, Hashem made known where the ligyono shel Melech, King’s legion, Shevet Levi, should camp. The three Levite families are listed according to the place of their encampment – one directly to the north of the Mishkan; one to the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Bamidbar

“Those who encamped before the Mishkan to the front, before the Ohel Moed to the east, were Moshe and Aharon and his sons.” (3:38)

Rashi cites the Midrash Tanchuma which declares, “Fortunate is a tzaddik and fortunate is his neighbor.” Because the tribes of Yehudah, Yissachar and Zevulun encamped on the east near Moshe Rabbeinu, who was constantly engaged in Torah study, they themselves became great in Torah. A tzaddik has the ability to leave an indelible impression upon those who are in his proximity. Chazal address the concept of a neighbor with whom one spends quite some time, one who, while in a tzaddik’s presence, falls under the impression and influence of a tzaddik. This is a phenomenon that occurs even during a short…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Bamidbar

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

The Torah pays great attention to the individual pedigree of each Jew. Indeed, the Yalkut states that when Klal Yisrael received the Torah, the nations of the world became jealous: “Why did Hashem give the Torah to Klal Yisrael rather than to any other nation?” Hashem responded to them, “Bring Me your Sefer Yuchsin, Book of Lineage, as My children did.” This is a reference to pasuk 18, “and they established their genealogy.” Since the count was done according to tribe, the people had to establish the tribe to which they belonged either by written documents or valid witnesses. One reason…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5761

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, Bamidbar

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

Rashi explains that as a result of Klal Yisrael’s dearness to Hashem, He counts them all of the time. The Mishkan, the site of the Revelation of the Divine Presence, was erected on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. On the following month, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Hashem counted them. The commentators struggle with the thirty-day lapse between the time the Mishkan was erected and the time Hashem counted Klal Yisrael. One would think that because of Hashem’s great love for Klal Yisrael, He would count them on the most auspicious day, the day the Mishkan was erected. A number of reasons are given…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5761

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, Bamidbar

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

The tribes camped around the Mishkan in a manner designated by Hashem. They were organized into formations of three tribes each. Their place around the Mishkan corresponded to the places which Yaakov Avinu designated to his sons when he instructed them on how to escort his bier to its final resting place. The Moinistritcher Rebbe notes that Parashas Bamidbar, which includes the chapter detailing the order of the degalim, banners, is always read on the Shabbos immediately prior to Shavuos. He posits that this is appropriate, especially given the fact that one of the forty-eight qualities by which Torah is…

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“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

“Count the sons of Levi…every male from one month of age and up…” (3:15)

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

“Count the sons of Levi…every male from one month of age and up…” (3:15)

“Each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household shall Bnei Yisrael encamp, at a distance surrounding the Ohel Moed shall they encamp.” (2:2)

“Those who encamped before the Mishkan to the front, before the Ohel Moed to the east, were Moshe and Aharon and his sons.” (3:38)

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

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