Challenge – Page 20 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Korach took/separated himself… They gathered together against Moshe and Aharon.” (16:1,3)

Korach is one of the most tragic figures in the Torah. He had such amazing potential for achievement. In fact, he was one of those who participated in carrying the Aron Ha’Kodesh. This distinction, together with the massive wealth he had accumulated, was still not sufficient to quell his feelings of envy, his lust for power. Chazal refer to Korach’s incursion as “shtus,” foolishness. We would assume that a man who carried the Aron would know better. Did he not know that the Aron was not carried by its carriers, but that actually the Aron supported itself, as well as…

Home -> 5756 -> Korach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5756

“And Korach took.” (16:1)

What incited Korach to challenge Moshe and Aharon? Indeed, Chazal characterize his behavior as “shtus,” an act of sheer stupidity. They say that he had a vision of his future descendants, among whom was Shmuel Ha’Navi. This was the source of his downfall. He assumed that if such virtuous scholars would descend from him, then he himself must be intrinsically virtuous. Chazal state that his mistake stemmed from his lack of awareness that his sons had repented during the last few moments. What lesson can we derive from Korach’s error? Horav Baruch Ezrachi, Shlita, cites the Midrash in Vayikra that…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bamidbar

“From twenty years and upward all that are able to go forth to war in Yisrael, you shall number them by their hosts.” (1:2)

All male members of the tribes were soldiers – except the Leviim. The census counted everyone from age twenty and above -except Shevet Levi. Is this not ironic? Who came forward with his brother, Shimon, to avenge the shame of their sister, Dinah, if not Levi? When Bnei Yisrael sinned with the Eigel Ha’zahav, Golden Calf, Moshe Rabbeinu called out for “volunteers” to expunge the evil from the people. “Mi L’Hashem Eilai,” “Who is for Hashem (shall come) to Me!” he declared, and who came, if not Shevet Levi? When Zimri, the Nasi of Shevet Shimon, publicly desecrated Hashem’s Name…

Home -> 5758 -> Vayeira

Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

And Hashem tested Avraham and said to him, “Avraham,” and he replied, “Here I am.” (22:1)

Avraham Avinu’s loyalty to Hashem was ratified through ten trials, which he passed with exemplary devotion. Every trial had its own unique degree of challenge. The tenth, and most significant trial, was the Akeidah — when Hashem instructed Avraham to bind Yitzchak and sacrifice him. Avraham responded, “Hineni,” I am prepared and ready to serve You in any way that You ask. In response to a test of this caliber, the Satan was working overtime, challenging Avraham every step of the way. The Satan appeared to Avraham in the guise of an old man. He questioned Avraham regarding his destination. …

Home -> 5758 -> Toldos

Moshe Marcovich In Toldos, 5758

And Yitzchak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, daughter of Besuel the Arami from Paddan Aram, sister of Lavan the Arami (25:20)

Rashi remarks that although Rivkah’s background was well-known, the Torah repeats it to reinforce its praise of her. She was the daughter of a wicked man and the sister of a wicked man; she was raised in an environment that was wicked. Yet, she was able to maintain herself on a high level of virtue, remaining uninfluenced by her environment. We may question this statement. Is there nothing else about Rivkah that evokes praise for her? In Parashas Chayei Sarah, the Torah lauds her remarkable sensitivity and her commitment to performing acts of loving-kindness. The Torah teaches us that…

Home -> 5758 -> Tetzaveh

Moshe Marcovich In Tetzaveh, 5758

And Aharon shall bear the judgment of the Bnei Yisrael on his heart constantly before Hashem. (28:30)

This pasuk is a reference to the Choshen, Breastplate, which Aharon wore. The Choshen was folded in half to form a pocket into which was placed a parchment containing Hashem’s Ineffable Name. This was called the Urim V’Tumim. The Urim V’Tumim catalyzed the individual letters of the names of the shevatim which were inscribed on the Choshen to light up and give answers to questions of national importance. The zechus, merit, of wearing the Choshen was given to Aharon because of his special character. When he was coming to greet Moshe, after Moshe had been selected by Hashem to be…

Home -> 5758 -> Shoftim

Moshe Marcovich In Shoftim, 5758

Judges and officers shall you appoint …and they may judge the people with righteous judgement. (16:18)

The Midrash Tanchuma translates “shoftim” as judges and “shotrim” as executive officers who guide the community in the spirit of the law. Together, they unite the Jewish nation around Hashem and His law. In this way, Hashem’s imprimatur is establsihed on the land, giving it the character of a Torah state. Horav Shlomo Breuer, zl, feels that this was the underlying meaning of king Yehoshafat’s admonishment to the judges when he warned, “Behold what you are doing; you do not sit in judgement of men, but of G-d, for He is with you at every pronouncement of the law.” (Divrei…

Home -> Shemos -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Shemos

Take this staff in your hand, that you may perform the miraculous signs with it. (4:17)

Moshe carried the mateh Elokim, staff of Hashem. It was the instrument that initiated the various plagues which assailed Egypt. One might think that this staff was “dedicated” to effecting punishment and exacting retribution. We see in the Torah that when the Jews arrived in Marah and were confronted with the challenge of having nothing to drink, this staff served a different function. The Torah tells us in Shemos 17:5, “And your staff, with which you struck the river, take in your hand.” Rashi cites the Mechilta which takes note of the Torah’s emphasis on the staff “with which you…

Home -> 5758 -> Shemini

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…

Home -> 5758 -> Shelach

Moshe Marcovich In Shelach, 5758

They said to the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael…the land which we traversed …the land is good, very, very much so…(14:7)

The sin of the meraglim is, indeed, difficult to understand. After all, the meraglim did not really tell any lies about Eretz Yisrael. The testimony that it is a land that “eats up its inhabitants” certainly appeared to be true, considering the many funerals that they had witnessed. Veritably, they even recounted that it was a “land flowing with milk and honey.” So, why were they punished to such an extent? The Yismach Yisrael cites his father, who posits that the meraglim were aware of the superiority of Eretz Yisrael. They felt the kedushah, holiness, everywhere they travelled. The…

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“And Korach took/separated himself… They gathered together against Moshe and Aharon.” (16:1,3)

“And Korach took.” (16:1)

“From twenty years and upward all that are able to go forth to war in Yisrael, you shall number them by their hosts.” (1:2)

And Hashem tested Avraham and said to him, “Avraham,” and he replied, “Here I am.” (22:1)

And Yitzchak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, daughter of Besuel the Arami from Paddan Aram, sister of Lavan the Arami (25:20)

And Aharon shall bear the judgment of the Bnei Yisrael on his heart constantly before Hashem. (28:30)

Judges and officers shall you appoint …and they may judge the people with righteous judgement. (16:18)

Take this staff in your hand, that you may perform the miraculous signs with it. (4:17)

And Aharon fell silent. (10:3)

They said to the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael…the land which we traversed …the land is good, very, very much so…(14:7)

YEARS

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