Join our weekly Peninim on the Torah list!

  • Reset
Category

5758

YEARS

5751
5752
5753
5754
5755
5756
5757
5758
5759
5760
5761
5762
5763
5764
5765
5766
5767
5768
5769
5770
5771
5772
5773
5774
5775
5776
5777
5778

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich
In 5758, Bamidbar

The families of Bnei Kehas would encamp on the side of the Mishkan, to the south. (3:29)

Rashi notes that shevet Reuven camped nearby.  This close proximity between Shevet Reuven and shevet Kehas is what caused Dasan and Aviram of the tribe of Reuven to be “pulled” along, to be influenced by Korach.  His vilification of Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon Hakohen gave him the distinction of being the first one to rebel against Moshe Rabbeinu’s leadership.  Dasan and Aviram stood at the forefront of Korach’s ill-fated group of followers.  They were “nimshach”, pulled along, by Korach because they were near him.  Rashi’s use of the word “nimshichu”, they were pulled, as opposed to any other phrase denoting…

Continue Reading

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich
In 5758, Bamidbar

These are the offspring of Moshe and Aharon…These are the names of the sons of Aharon…(3:1,2)

The Torah is about to enumerate Moshe and Aharons’ offspring.  The pasuk, however, mentions only the sons of Aharon.  In the Talmud Sanhedrin 96, Chazal infer that one who teaches Torah to someone else’s children is regarded as if he has begotten them.   Moshe was their rebbe; he taught them the Torah, which would sustain them.  He was like their father.  This idea applies to anyone who imparts his Torah knowledge to others.  Our influence is far-reaching; our ability to inspire is unlimited.  Moshe was mentor and spiritual father to Aharon’s sons. What about the rest of Klal Yisrael? …

Continue Reading

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich
In 5758, Bamidbar

Their count, for the tribe of Menashe; thirty two thousand, two hundred. (1:35)

The count for shevet Menashe was  about thirty-two thousand men.  There is no doubt that every census was determined by Hashem. Consequently, there must have been a  reason that the  number thirty-two played such a prominent role in Menashes’ census.  Horav Chaim Pardes, Shlita, expounds on the significance of the number thirty-two through the perspective of Chazal.  The Talmud Yevamos 62b states that Rabbi Akiva’s twenty four thousand students died during the period between Pesach and Shavuous because they were not accustomed to showing proper kavod, honor/esteem, one for another.  The Maharal M’Prague makes a profound statement in regard to…

Continue Reading

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich
In 5758, Bamidbar

Count the heads of the whole of the congregation of Bnei Yisrael. (1:2)

When it was necessary to conduct a census, the vehicle of counting was the contribution of  a half – shekel coin to be used for the construction and maintenance of the Mishkan.  The people elevated their status by contributing to charity.  Hence, we understand the word “seu”, “raise up/elevate the heads”.  The counting also served as a means to elevate the people.  Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, supplements this idea with a profound thought.  By using a contribution as the symbol of counting, the Torah is telling them  that a Jew is ‘counted’ as belonging to the congregation of Klal Yisrael…

Continue Reading

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our weekly Peninim on the Torah list!

You have Successfully Subscribed!