Beha’alosecha – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

Speak to Aharon…When you kindle the lamps, towards the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps light. (8:2)

Rashi addresses the relationship between Aharon’s lighting the Menorah and the previous parsha, which recounts the offerings of nesiim, princes, for the dedication of the Mizbayach. He says that Aharon was upset that neither he, nor any member of shevet Levi, was included in the dedication. Hashem comforted Aharon saying that his service, preparing and kindling the Menorah, was more significant than theirs. We wonder at Aharon’s chagrin. Obviously, his reaction must have had some validity, as Hashem responded by comforting him. We must also endeavor to understand the meaning of the phrase, “Yours is greater/more significant than theirs.“ This…

Home -> 5758 -> Beha'alosecha

Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

This is the workmanship of the Menorah…according to the vision that Hashem showed Moshe, so did he make the Menorah. (8:4)

Chazal tell us that Moshe had difficulty in forging the Menorah. They say that Hashem “showed” Moshe by pointing a “finger” and describing the exact image of the Menorah. In the end, according to one statement of Chazal, Moshe threw the talent of gold into the fire and a finished Menorah emerged. A number of explanations address Moshe’s difficulty in perceiving the image of the Menorah. Horav Nissan Alpert, zl, views this from an homiletic point of view. He suggests an analogy between the fabrication of the Menorah and two people who were given the necessary materials for building a…

Home -> 5758 -> Beha'alosecha

Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

They journeyed from the mountain of Hashem a three day journey and the Aron of the covenant journeyed before them…to search out for them a resting place. (10:33)

Rashi contends that the “Aron Bris Hashem” — which was taken out with Bnei Yisrael when they went to battle — contained the broken Luchos. The “Shivrei Luchos” retained a unique power which served as a protective armor when Bnei Yisrael were in a difficult predicament. We must endeavor to understand why the Aron that contained the broken Luchos accompanied Bnei Yisrael in time of war. What was the significance of the Shivrei Luchos? What influence did they maintain over the people? We suggest that the broken Luchos represent the integrity of Torah and each Jew’s mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice, to…

Home -> 5758 -> Beha'alosecha

Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

Moshe heard the people weeping in their family groups. (11:10)

To express their displeasure publicly, entire families gathered outside their tents and wept. Rashi explains that the word “families” alludes to the real reason for their complaint. The family laws that were initiated at Har Sinai became a source of frustration for them. They did not care to have their relationships governed by the Torah. Rather than viewing the laws of family life and morality as a privilege reserved for the nobility that comprises Klal Yisrael, they viewed them as an infringement on their freedom. Horav Yitzchak Blazer, zl, suggests a novel interpretation to the word “families.” The manna descended…

Home -> 5757 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5757

Speak with Aharon…when you kindle the Menorah toward the face of the Menorah.(8:2)

Rashi explains the juxtaposition of the command to Aharon to light the Menorah upon the previous parsha, which discussed the dedication offerings brought by the nesiim to dedicate the Mizbayach. Aharon was depressed and concerned that neither he nor any member of his tribe had a role in the dedication of the Mizbayach. He felt that this comprised retribution for his part in the sin of the Golden Calf. Hashem assuaged his feelings by telling him that his role, of lighting the Menorah, holds greater importance. The Mizbayach serves its purpose only as long as there is a Mikdash, while…

Home -> 5757 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5757

And Aharon did so…as Hashem commanded to Moshe. (8:3)

Aharon was asked to do one thing – to light the Menorah. It would seem that such a simple task would provoke Aharon to act in response. Perhaps, he might feel that a position as important as his merits a more noble service. After all, he was the Kohen Gadol. Aharon followed his orders to the letter. Chazal laud him for not changing Moshe’s directive at all. It is difficult to sacrifice one’s individuality to the greater cause. Obstinacy has destroyed more than one promising career. The criteria for greatness is the ability to suffer an indignity for the cause,…

Home -> 5757 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5757

Make for yourself two silver trumpets…and they shall be yours for the summoning of the assembly and to cause the camps to journey…when you go to wage war in your Land, against an enemy who oppressed you, you shall sound short blasts of the trumpets…on a day of your gladness, and on your festivals…you shall sound the trumpets. (10:2,9,10)

Hashem commanded Moshe to make two silver trumpets, which would be for Moshe’s exclusive use. They were used either to summon the entire nation or just the leaders to come to Moshe — or to signal that they were about to move on. The trumpets were also sounded to arouse Klal Yisrael in the event that a catastrophe struck Eretz Yisrael. The blasts of the trumpets, comments the Rambam, were a call to repentance. It was a clarion call to the people, telling them that the impending disaster was not happenstance, but rather a message from Hashem that they had…

Home -> 5757 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5757

The banner of the Bnei Dan, the rear-guard of all the camps, embanked according to its legions. (10:25)

Rashi explains why Shevet Dan traveled at the rear of the procession. They were the most populous of the tribes. They traveled at the rear in order to retrieve and return any item lost by its owner – who had traveled in front of them. Tosfos explain that any member of the other tribes who was detained for some reason would also travel along with them. Bnei Dan were people of integrity, helping out those who straggled behind – both physically and spiritually. Michtav M’eliyahu emphasizes that they collected the “lost souls” along the road, restoring them to Judaism. Why…

Home -> 5757 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5757

Did conceive this entire people… you say to me, carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a suckling. (11:12)

Moshe is expressing the idea that leading a nation can become very difficult at times. Hashem imposed upon Moshe and Aharon the duty to care for the Jewish people with patience and forbearance, even if they should become abusive. The Jewish leader is compared to a nursemaid who patiently and devotedly cares for him charge. The word used to describe a nursemaid is written in the male gender – “inut” rather than “,bnut” in the female gender. Why is this? Horav Mordechai Ilan, zl, derives a profound lesson here. An “omein,” which is the male gender for a nurse, because…

Home -> 5756 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5756

“Speak to Aharon and say to him, ‘When you kindle the lamps.'” (8:2)

Rashi questions the juxtaposition of the parsha that discusses the Menorah and Aharon’s role in its preparation, upon that of the dedication of the Mishkan and the offerings of the Nesiim. He comments that Aharon was distressed by the fact that neither he nor any member of his tribe was represented in the dedication of the Mishkan. Aharon’s love for Hashem, and everything connected to Him, was so intense that he wanted to participate in every endeavor that was related to sanctifying His Name. Hashem comforted Aharon by saying that his service of preparing and kindling the Menorah was more…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Beha'alosecha ->

Speak to Aharon…When you kindle the lamps, towards the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps light. (8:2)

This is the workmanship of the Menorah…according to the vision that Hashem showed Moshe, so did he make the Menorah. (8:4)

They journeyed from the mountain of Hashem a three day journey and the Aron of the covenant journeyed before them…to search out for them a resting place. (10:33)

Moshe heard the people weeping in their family groups. (11:10)

Speak with Aharon…when you kindle the Menorah toward the face of the Menorah.(8:2)

And Aharon did so…as Hashem commanded to Moshe. (8:3)

The banner of the Bnei Dan, the rear-guard of all the camps, embanked according to its legions. (10:25)

Did conceive this entire people… you say to me, carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a suckling. (11:12)

“Speak to Aharon and say to him, ‘When you kindle the lamps.'” (8:2)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!