Shemini – Page 11 – Peninim on the Torah

Moshe said to Aharon: Of this did Hashem speak…”I will be sanctified through those who are nearest to Me,thus I will be honored before the entire People.” (10:3)

In this parsha, the Torah recounts the tragic loss of Aharon’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu. The tragedy in itself is overwhelming; the fact that two such remarkable young men were taken from us under such circumstances makes it even more difficult to accept. Yet, this is part of the Divine plan. Who are we to question the Almighty? Indeed, Chazal state a number of reasons to explain the punitive divine measures against Nadav and Avihu. They are to be considered spiritually deficient only in the context of their lofty plateau of holiness. “Bikrovai Ekadesh;” “I will be sanctified through…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5759

These shall you abominate from among the birds, they may not be eaten – they are an abomination…the chasidah. (11:13,19)

One would think that with a name as impressive as chasidah, a derivative from chesed, kindness, this bird would rate a high standard of kashrus. Why is it included as a non-kosher fowl? Commenting on the Talmud Chullin 63a, Rashi attributes the name chasidah to the kindness it displays towards members of its species by sharing food with them. Yet, its comparison is not recognized . The Chidushei Ha’Rim explains that it directs its kindness only towards its own species / fellow. In other words, chesed is not a commodity that we control at our pleasure. If someone does not…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5759

If an animal that you may eat has died, one who touches its carcass shall become contaminated. (11:39)

We can derive some thoughtful lessons from the laws of tumah and taharah, ritual purity. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, contends that the various cases of ritual contamination are derived from the principal source of tumah, the avi avos ha’tumah, “father of the fathers of contamination,” the human corpse. Death is the ultimate expression of the separation of the soul and spirit from the matter which we call the human body. Hence, the corpse represents the physical dimension in its totality, in its most absolute form, severed from the moral freedom that life offers us. The freedom to choose between right…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shemini, 5758

I will be sanctified through those that are nearest to me, thus I will be honored before the entire people. (10:3)

This pasuk expresses the entire concept. Hashem expects and demands more from those who are close to Him. Those who serve as an example must live up to the values which they represent. This idea is regrettably foreign to those outside of Torah circles. It has become the accepted norm that social and intellectual accomplishment grants one license to pursue whatever moral transgressions his heart desires. We have only to look at the secular leadership of modern society to recognize this unfortunate truth. Not so our Torah leadership; they must be the paragon of moral purity, the model of dignity…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shemini, 5758

And Aharon fell silent. (10:3)

The Ramban notes that Aharon maintained his silence only after first breaking into sobs. The Abarbanel disagrees, asserting that Aharon did not react to the tragic death of his sons. In an attempt to defend the Ramban’s position, the Chasam Sofer explains that while Aharon did weep, he cried in response to his sins which he felt precipitated the tragedy that befell his sons. Aharon’s silence was a sign of acceptance, of inner peace, of profound faith in the Almighty. Aharon’s silence reflected his serenity at accepting the Divine decree issued against his sons. How did he gather the fortitude…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shemini, 5758

And the pig, for its hoof is split and its hoof is completely separated, but it does not chew its cud, it is unclean to you. (11:7)

We are presently considered to be in the exile of Edom, the nation whom Chazal have compared to the pig. Just as the pig stretches out its kosher sign, its leg, claiming that it is kosher, so does the Edomite government boast of its just laws and democracy, while concealing its immoral and depraved behavior. We are subject to the influence of the culture and society we live in. How often have our own people fallen prey to the sham that constitutes today’s society. History has demonstrated time and time again that the “pig” shows its true colors and lashes…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shemini, 5758

You shall hallow yourselves and be holy, for I am Hashem who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your G-d. (11:44,45)

Hashem adjures us to sanctify ourselves, to act differently, to be kadosh, because He brought us up from Egypt. We were raised up from the murky depths of depravity which symbolized the land of Egypt. We are to be separate. We are to be different. We are to distinguish ourselves in the way that we live; in the way that we act among ourselves and in the manner that we interface with others. We suggest that Chazal are teaching us an important lesson. How are we to respond and execute this distinction? Are we to be reclusive, hiding from…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shemini, 5758

You shall not contaminate yourselves through any teeming thing that creeps on the earth. For I am Hashem who elevates you from the land of Egypt. (11:44.45)

What is the relationship between the exodus from Egypt and the prohibition from eating insects? Horav Mordechai HaKohen in his sefer Al HaTorah cites a thoughtful response. Certain individuals are extremely careful not to eat any insect. They painstakingly check vegetables with a microscopic lens to make certain that even the tiniest bug, not visible to the naked eye,enters their mouth. Regrettably, these same people have no problem swallowing up a person, enslaving their brethren, spilling their blood and flaying their skin. They have no feelings for their fellow Jew. Disparaging comments can destroy a life. Subjecting a fellow…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5757

And Moshe spoke to Aharon: Approach the Altar and offer your (korban) Chatas and your (korban) Olah. (9:7)

Chazal explain why it was necessary for Moshe to speak emphatically to Aharon saying, “Approach the Mizbayach.” Aharon was “shy,” afraid to approach the Mizbayach. He saw the likeness of an ox with its horns in the Mizbayach, and he was afraid. Moshe told him, “Take courage and approach the Mizbayach.” Aharon was anxious, reflecting a fear that ought to take hold of any conscientious leader who assumes his position. He understood the heavy responsibility of his position and the lofty mission of being leader, teacher, and interpreter of d’var Hashem. His fear, however, had an additional aspect. The image…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5757

And Aharon was silent. (10:3)

Ramban explains that Aharon actually did cry. Aharon silently accepted Hashem’s decree only after Moshe consoled him by telling him of the enormous kiddush Hashem, sanctification of Hashem’s Name, which Nadav and Avihu had effected. Aharon’s response to the tragic deaths of his two eldest sons serves as a paradigm for those who confront tragedy. He was silent, accepting the decree. Did Aharon exhibit the loftiest form of acquiescence, or is there another — more exalted — way of confronting Hashem’s decree? Tiferes Shlomo, the Admor m’Radomsk, zl, comments that Chazal laud Aharon Ha’kohen for his “silent” response to his…

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Moshe said to Aharon: Of this did Hashem speak…”I will be sanctified through those who are nearest to Me,thus I will be honored before the entire People.” (10:3)

These shall you abominate from among the birds, they may not be eaten – they are an abomination…the chasidah. (11:13,19)

If an animal that you may eat has died, one who touches its carcass shall become contaminated. (11:39)

I will be sanctified through those that are nearest to me, thus I will be honored before the entire people. (10:3)

And Aharon fell silent. (10:3)

And the pig, for its hoof is split and its hoof is completely separated, but it does not chew its cud, it is unclean to you. (11:7)

You shall hallow yourselves and be holy, for I am Hashem who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your G-d. (11:44,45)

You shall not contaminate yourselves through any teeming thing that creeps on the earth. For I am Hashem who elevates you from the land of Egypt. (11:44.45)

And Moshe spoke to Aharon: Approach the Altar and offer your (korban) Chatas and your (korban) Olah. (9:7)

And Aharon was silent. (10:3)

YEARS

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