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Home -> 5758 -> Naso

Moshe Marcovich
In Naso, 5758

One, nasi, prince, each day shall they bring their offering… The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nachshon ben Aminadav, of the tribe of Yehudah. (7:11,12)

The words “es korbano” are not found regarding the korbanos of any of the other nesiim.  Nachshon was unique among the nesiim.  Along with his korban, he brought himself, his devotion, his spirit of sanctity, his mitzvos and maasim tovim, good deeds.  The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh says that while all the nesiim brought “themselves” along with their korbanos, Nachshon was the most outstanding.  Consequently, the Torah emphasizes  “es korbano, his korban, himself. The Torah does not refer to Nachshon as a nasi. Why?  Ohr Hachayim explains that he viewed himself as just another Jew,  not as the greatest of the…

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Home -> 5758 -> Naso

Moshe Marcovich
In Naso, 5758

May Hashem bless you and keep watch over you. (6:24)

The various commentators  render their interpretations of the Birkas Kohanim, priestly blessing.  Rashi cites the Sifri that views the blessing as a reference to material bounty.  “May Hashem grant that you be triumphant over your enemies and that your crops and business ventures succeed.  May your possessions increase, and may Hashem guard these possessions from  thieves.” In short, the blessing of “Yevarechecha,” May (Hashem) bless you, refers to receiving abundance, while the blessing of “Veyishmerecha” is a prayer that we be able to retain our blessing.  The Midrash Tanchuma supplements the blessing with an invocation that our increase in material…

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Home -> 5758 -> Naso

Moshe Marcovich
In Naso, 5758

He shall bring his offering to Hashem one unblemished sheep in its first year as an elevation offering, one unblemished ewe……..for a sin offering (6:14)

The Ramban explains why a nazir, who has taken it upon himself to live a limited period of time in sanctity and devotion, brings a sin-offering.  One who has the ability to live appropriately should continue his abstinence from worldly pursuits and pleasure by lengthening his vow of nezirus.  His decision to return to the world of the mundane, to physical pleasures and transitory aspirations, earns him the epithet of sinner.  Horav Yechezkel Abramsky, zl, questions Ramban’s statement.  If one is considered a sinner for not extending his vow of  nezirus,  how much more so should one – who had…

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Home -> 5758 -> Naso

Moshe Marcovich
In Naso, 5758

For it is a meal-offering of resentments, a meal-offering of remembrance, a reminder of iniquity. (5:15)

The Midrash notes that while the word, “zikaron“, remembrance, usually indicates a memorial for good, in this pasuk it serves as a reminder of  evil.  This reflects Rabbi Tarfon’s view.  Rabbi Akiva, on the other hand, disagrees, contending that this meal-offering can also be considered a remembrance of something good, invoking the memory of the woman’s good deeds.  Rabbi Yishmael gives an example of the category of good deeds that could possibly delay the woman’s punishment for up to a period of twelve months.  Indeed, she may drink bitter waters and appear to be innocent,  when actually she is not. …

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Home -> 5758 -> Naso

Moshe Marcovich
In Naso, 5758

And they shall confess their sins which they perpetrated, and he shall make restitution for his sin. (5:7)

The Torah does not frequently mention Vidui, confession.  Indeed, this is one of the few places in which the Torah expresses  the obligation to confess.  Interestingly, the Torah  mentions confession here specifically  in reference to theft.  Why?  The Chidushei Ha’Rim responds that theft is the “avi avos,” primary category, of sin.  Hashem has given us every organ and limb of our body  for a particular purpose-to serve Him.  When we veer from that goal we are guilty of theft – not simply petty theft,  but stealing from Hashem.  When we violate the “terms” of our “loan” from Hashem, we are…

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