No nation has suffered that which the Jewish people have experienced from its very infancy. Hashem has used adversity as the crucible for tempering our spiritual growth – and it has succeeded. The Jewish people have manifested incredible religious commitment, continuing to grow by leaps and bounds in their spiritual devotion, Torah study, and mitzvah performance. Nonetheless, a major portion of our people do not even know what it means to be Jewish. They are biologically Jewish, but, unfortunately, they are unaware of the uniquely Jewish spiritual persona that defines us. Many of them, although they do not practice religiously,…

The Torah authorizes only the Kohen to pronounce a plague as Tzaraas. Only the Kohen can render a plague tamei, spiritually impure. Chazal (Mishnah Negaim 3:1) teach that all are fit to view or diagnose a nega. Only a Kohen can make the pronouncement of tamei or tahor. If a Kohen is (sadly) not knowledgeable in the laws pertaining to Tzaraas, we seek a talmid chacham, Torah scholar, who is proficient in recognizing the purity or impurity of a given plague, and he instructs the Kohen concerning what pronouncement to make. The Tolna Rebbe, Shlita, quoted his grandfather Horav David,…

Tzaraas is the Heavenly-designated punishment for one who is motzi ra, speaks lashon hara, slander. One does not just speak lashon hara because he has nothing better to do. He always has a reason. It may not make sense; indeed, it may even be ludicrous, but to the one who is doing the speaking, it is a reason worth transgressing six aveiros, sins. One of the most “popular” reasons for speaking lashon hara is sinas chinam, unwarranted hatred: “I simply do not like that person. I have no legitimate reason, but, if you give me a few moments, I will…

Chazal (Vayikra Rabbah 17:6) teach that, when the Canaanim heard Klal Yisrael was on their way to take their Heavenly-designated land, they hid their jewelry and precious metals inside the walls of their homes to prevent the Jews from finding them. Thus, when the house is demolished due to the plague, that is on it, the hidden jewelry will be discovered. Obviously, we can say a lot concerning Hashem’s manner of rewarding the Jews. Surely, He must have a better, simpler way of giving them the gold and silver than having them dismantle their homes due to a plague. Let…

Chazal (Toras Kohanim) teach that Moshe Rabbeinu had to coerce Aharon to participate in the holy service. Apparently, he was reluctant to approach the Mizbayach, Altar, because he saw the image of an eigal, calf, on top of the Mizbayach. The calf brought to mind his participation in the sin of the Golden Calf. As a result, he was self-conscious concerning coming forward and taking his rightful position at the Mizbayach. Moshe Rabbeinu noticed Aharon’s hesitancy and said, “Why are you embarrassed to go forward and serve? Indeed, l’kach nivcharta, it is specifically because of your extraordinary humility that you…

We cannot downplay the tragedy of Nadav and Avihu’s untimely passing on what would have been the most auspicious day of their lives. The commentators attribute a number of spiritual failings to them, which ultimately led to their offering an eish zarah, strange fire, a fire which Hashem had not commanded. We are a nation built on obedience to Hashem. We follow His Will when He expresses it, and, when He does not, we wait. We do not act on our own, independently of the word of Hashem. Among the infractions of which hashem held them culpable was, Shelo natlu…

Horav David, zl, m’Bohush (eldest son of Horav Yosef Friedman, son of the saintly Horav Yisrael of Ruzhin), was a unique personality, noted for his piety, scholarship, and humility. Although he did not assume the position as Rebbe, he was deeply revered as a tzaddik, and he served as a spiritual guide to many. He died during his father’s lifetime. In the court of Bohush, two gabbaim, aides, assisted the Rebbe: Rav Avraham Chaim and Rav Avraham Mordechai. The second gabbai (Rav Avraham Mordechai) was extremely close with Rav David. Thus, when he was niftar, passed away, Rav Avraham Mordechai…

Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen had opposing views concerning the Rosh Chodesh he-goat. The kohanim burned it, because they felt it was kodshei doros, consecrated forever, to be offered again and again. They felt that, since they were onenim, mourners, who had just witnessed the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, they could not partake of the meat. Although Moshe had said they were allowed to eat the first two korbanos (meal-offerings), they were kodshei shah, offering consecrate specifically for the Inauguration of the Mishkan. Moshe, however, felt they could eat the seir Rosh Chodesh, as well. Moshe accepted Aharon’s…

Chazal (Menachos 97a) teach, “When the Mizbayach, Altar, was extant, it would atone for man’s sins (he would offer his korban upon it). Now that we no longer have the Mizbayach, a person’s shulchan, table, atones for him.” Rashi explains that this refers to the piece of bread that he gives to guests. In other words, the tzedakah, material outreach, be it food or material support, that we render, protects us from Heavenly reciprocity for our less-than-noble behavior. The comparison between Altar and table requires elucidation – the time in which one places the meat and blood of a korban…

Rashi explains, “This is not an obligation, but rather, proper conduct, so that he not soil, through taking out the ashes, garments in which he serves constantly, garments in which he has cooked a pot for his master…” Therefore, he shall don garments inferior to the ones which he wears when he serves in the Sanctuary. A similar idea is to be found with regard to the clothing we wear on Shabbos. Shulchan Orach Chaim (262:2): “One should try to have for himself nice clothes for Shabbos.” The Mishnah Berurah adds that this is part of honoring Shabbos. This applies…

The Kohen Gadol offers a minchas chavitin, meal offering, repeatedly baked every day of his tenure. This is his inaugural korban on the day that he becomes Kohen Gadol and continues throughout the period that he serves. It is almost as if every day is a new day of service; as if he is inaugurated anew every day. Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, explains that the Kohen Gadol must be infused with the knowledge that his position is a Heavenly gift that Hashem renews daily, which He can, just as easily, take away. (Hashem can strike him with a mum, physical…

Rashi explains that the Korban Todah, Thanksgiving offering, is brought by a person who had been the beneficiary of a Divine miracle (everything that happens to us is Divinely initiated). For example; One who: crossed the sea; traversed a wilderness, was released from prison/captivity; cured of an illness. Such people are to offer their gratitude to Hashem, as it is written in Sefer Tehillim (107:31,22), “Let them thank G-d for His kindness and His wondrous acts for humanity… Bring offerings of thanks and, with songs of joy, tell of His deeds.” Implied herein is the notion that the obligation for…

The well-known Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 1:15) derives an important lesson from Moshe Rabbeinu’s behavior: “Any Torah scholar who lacks daas, wisdom, decorum, conduct, and manners is worse than an animal carcass; neveilah is better than he is.” Moshe Rabbeinu, the father of wisdom, the father of prophets, who took the Jews out of Egypt and was the medium through whom many miracles were wrought and who concerned himself with all aspects of the building of the Mishkan, did not enter the innermost chamber until Hashem called him. Rav Yitzchak Hutner, zl, explains why Chazal state that a talmid chacham who…

Of all those who bring a korban nedavah, voluntary offering, the Torah refers only to one who brings a Korban Minchah, meal offering, as nefesh, soul (person). This korban is the least costly of all offerings. Thus, it was the korban of choice for the economically challenged, poor man. Hashem says that one who brings this offering is considered as if he had offered his soul. Let us sit back and analyze this idea. A poor man was to take his life’s savings and purchase a large cow as a korban. It makes sense that he was giving everything/his soul,…

Asher can be translated as “when,” indicating the inevitability of the ruler’s unintentional sin. It often comes with the territory. Power and wealth make great demands on a person, and sometimes a ruler is distracted or overwhelmed by the stress of his role. Rashi cites Sifra that translates Asher as alluding to Ashrei, fortunate. This implies that the generation whose leader does not resort to cover-up or spin to validate his actions – who concedes that he has erred – is truly a fortunate generation. This is a leader whom we can respect. His integrity is more important to him…

Simply, the Mishkan was the abode of the Aron HaKodesh which contained within it the Luchos HaEidus, Tablets of Testimony. Noticeably, the word Mishkan is repeated, alluding to the two Mishkanos. Chazal teach that this refers to the two Batei Mikdash which were taken from us. Mishkan is a resting place. It can also be transformed (changing the vowels) to mashkon, collateral. Thus, the dual Mishkan in our pasuk alludes to the two mashkanos, collaterals (Batei Mikdash), that were taken from us, to be returned only when the collective nation repents and, consequently, is restored to its original glory. We…

A king commissioned a master craftsman to build a summer mansion. The king gave him the approved architectural drawings and instructed him to build the mansion in accordance with the drawings. The craftsman was a brilliant builder who had ideas of his own which he incorporated into the edifice. When it was completed, he felt that the mansion was far more beautiful than what he would have constructed based upon the architect’s drawings. He was beyond proud of himself. It, therefore, came as a surprise when the king frowned upon seeing and entering the mansion. “What did you do?” asked…

Rashi explains that the rimonim were colored wool, shaped as a ball and hollow within. Between each two rimonim hung a gold paamon which served as the sound-maker to inform people that the Kohen Gadol was approaching. Ramban disagrees, contending that rimonim were not present to “hang around” between the paamonim. He feels that the rimonim were hollow for one purpose: so that the paamonim would be placed inside of them. Clearly, the Bigdei Kehunah, Priestly vestments, and indeed all of the klei, vessels, of the Mishkan were there for a lofty purpose, with concealed esoteric secrets to be derived…

The present anointment of the Kohanim prepared them to transmit the Kehunah to their children as well. The Kehunah now was to remain in the family eternally. We have studied the previous meshichos, anointments, in which the Mishkan, its vessels, the Mizbayach, Aharon HaKohen, and now his sons were anointed. It never mentioned kaasher moshachta es avihem. Why did Hashem instruct Moshe to anoint Aharon’s sons in a manner similar to the way he anointed Aharon? Why should this anointment be different? The Meshech Chochmah explains that Moshe Rabbeinu was considered to be a Kohen; thus, he had the power…

Of the seven days of the week, Shabbos stands out as kodesh, holy, consecrated for Hashem. Chazal (Bereishis Rabbah 11:8) relates a dialogue that ensued between Shabbos and Hashem: “Shabbos said before Hashem, ‘All of the days of the week have a zug/mate, but I have no mate.’ Hashem replied, ‘Knesses Yisrael will be your mate!’” Simply put, each day of the week is matched with another day (Sunday/ Monday, Tuesday/ Wednesday, Thursday/ Friday), making three matches, leaving Shabbos as the odd day out. Others explain that each day of the week has as its mate the various entities which…

The Gemorah records a debate among Chazal (Shabbos 70a) about why the Torah singled out the prohibitive mitzvah of creating fire on Shabbos – as opposed to the other 38 acts of labor. One Tanna opines havarah l’lav yatzas, havarah, kindling fire, was singled out to be a mere prohibition – not a capital crime. The other Tanna contends havarah l’chaleik yatzas, it was singled out to separate the melachos, forms of labor, into distinct categories of liability. Each melachah is an act of chillul Shabbos and carries with it its own punishment. If one performs two melachos, he is…

Chazal (Shemos Rabbah 49:2) teach that zahav, gold, kesef, silver; and nechoshes, copper – all allude to the Avos, three Patriarchs. The connotation of the pasuk (based upon Chazal’s interpretation) is that the Shechinah rests His Divine Presence in the Mishkan in the merit of the three Avos. Gold alludes to Avraham, whose faith was put to a test when he was flung into a furnace – a process which is used to refine gold. Silver represents Yitzchak, who was purified when he was bound upon the Altar. Unlike gold, which is heated in a furnace to test its quality,…

In his Avodas Ha’Gershuni, commentary to Shir HaShirim, the nephew of the Gaon, zl, m’Vilna (son of Horav Avraham, the Gaon’s brother) writes that he heard from his revered uncle a reason why Succos is celebrated during the month of Tishrei (fifteenth), rather than Nissan which coincides with the liberation from Egypt. The Torah (Vayikra 23:43) indicates that the Succos festival was initiated because, “I caused Bnei Yisrael to dwell in succos/huts when I took them out of the land of Egypt.” If so, why is Succos not celebrated in Nissan? The Gaon explains that the underlying reason for Succos…

The Torah command those twenty-years old and up to give one half-shekel as part of the census.  The Torah counts men to be participants in the census over al ha’pekudim, everyone who passes through the ranks of the counted.  The pasuk implies that two groups exist:  those who are among the counted; and those who are not.  The mass of people about to be counted are, upon giving their half-shekel, now among the ranks of the counted.  This is an amazing transformation which occurs when the individual drops a half-shekel into the pushke box.  The giver is now among the…

The mitzvah of machatzis ha’shekel, half a shekel, as outlined by the Torah ensures equality in contributing to the korbanos tzibur, communal offerings.  However, Horav Elimelech, zl, m’Lishensk sees a deeper meaning in its spiritual symbolism.  It is a message that applies to every Jew – he who is spiritually wealthy and has performed a treasure trove of mitzvos, and his destitute brother, whose spiritual achievements are lacking. The poor, representing those who feel spiritually deficient due to their errant behavior, are reminded not to despair.  Even if they personally feel themselves to be distant from Hashem, He still loves…