Moshe Marcovich

And he asked Pharaoh’s courtiers who were with him in the prison….”Why do you appear downcast today?” (40:7)

Four words! Yosef turned to the dejected, deposed courtiers of Pharaoh, noticing their downcast appearance, he asked them, “Why are you so downcast? What is the cause of your depression?” Yosef’s sensitivity catalyzed circumstances that changed his entire life and the history of Klal Yisrael. Our course of history was altered because Yosef asked a simple question. He noticed–he cared–he took action. First and foremost, however, he noticed. This caring for another human being ultimately led to Yosef’s salvation from imprisonment and elevation to the position of viceroy. Thus, his father, Yaakov, was able to come down to Egypt…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayeishev

There is no one greater in the house than I, and he has denied me nothing but you, since you are his wife; how can I have perpetrated this evil? (39:9)

Sforno interprets the idea of “this evil,” to mean the performance of bad in return for good. Yosef’s prime concern was the gratitude he owed his master. He could not respond to the advances of his master’s wife because of his hakoras hatov, the appreciation he felt to Potiphar. We may infer from here a lesson regarding the significance of hakoras hatov, and how far one must go to fulfill his obligation to acknowledge gratitude. Yosef was subject to the blandishments of Potiphar’s wife on an almost constant basis. She tried to entice him in every way possible. She would…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayeishev

And Reuven returned to the pit, and behold Yosef was not in the pit! So he rent his garments. (37:29)

The Midrash questions from where did Reuven return? They respond that he was sitting in sackcloth and fasting, remorseful over his impetuous reaction to Yaakov moving his bed into Bilhah’s tent. Although Reuven did nothing more than tamper with his father’s bed, the Torah viewed his action as being a transgression. He now repented for his sin. The Midrash continues that Hashem told Reuven that previously no one had ever sinned and repented. Since he initiated teshuvah, he was to merit that his descendant, Hoshea, would petition Klal Yisrael to perform teshuvah with the clarion call of “Shuvah Yisrael.” Two…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayeishev

Behold, a caravan of Yishmaelim was coming from Gilead, their camels bearing spices, balsam, and lotus…(37:25)

What does the composition of the Yishmaelim’s cargo mean to us? Rashi claims that Hashem intervened on Yosef’s behalf. Yishmaelim usually carry foul-smelling cargo. In order to spare Yosef from being subjected to the harsh odor, Hashem “arranged” that this caravan carry only sweet-smelling spices. This is enigmatic! Imagine being sold as a slave — with no hope for redemption. Yosef’s life was literally falling apart in front of his eyes. Should he be concerned about the odor of the cargo that was to accompany him? Horav Mordechai Pogremonsky, zl, compares this to a sick man who has undergone a…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayeishev

And Yaakov settled in the land of his fathers’ sojourning. (37:1)

The words “vayeshev,” settled, and “megurei,” sojourning, contrast with one another. One implies permanence, while the latter alludes to a temporary state. Indeed, this formulation catalyzes Chazal to suggest that after a long exile and numerous struggles, Yaakov finally wished to settle down, to live peacefully. Hashem sent the anguish of Yosef to disturb his efforts. Hashem told him, “Are the righteous not satisfied with what awaits them in Olam Habah that they expect to live at ease in Olam Hazeh?” In other words, the righteous have no right to demand tranquillity in this world. We must attempt…

Home -> 5758 -> Vayeira

Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

And Hashem tested Avraham. (22:1)

With the Akeidas Yitzchak, Avraham Avinu reached the summit of spiritual commitment to the Almighty. He was prepared to sacrifice everything–even his only son, his future–to serve Hashem. Avraham Avinu demonstrated obedience by listening to the command of Hashem. He showed unparalleled yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven, when he listened to Hashem without question. The Netziv, zl, emphasizes Avraham’s readiness to accept Hashem’s command without questioning, as one might listen to a close friend. Avraham was in awe of Hashem, a state of being which precludes the question, “Why”? Fear is equated with unequivocal acquiescence; no questions are asked, one…

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 -> Vayeira

Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law and he said, “Get up and leave this place, for Hashem is about to destroy the city. But he seemed like a jester in the eyes of his sons-in-law.”

In the Midrash, Chazal recount the dialogue between Lot and his sons-in-law. When Lot implored them to leave because of the impending doom, they countered derisively, “The city is singing and dancing, music is playing, and you say the city is about to be destroyed? Nonsense!” Horav A. Henach Leibovitz, Shlita, observes that Lot’s sons-in-law would have heeded the warning to leave the city had they not seen the people in a state of joy and frivolity. They believed that Hashem could destroy the city; they did not believe that He would. Intellectually, they knew it might happen, but the…

Home -> 5758 -> Vayeira

Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

Avraham came forward and said, “Will You also stamp out the righteous along with the wicked?” (18:23)

Avraham’s love for all people is exemplified in its noblest form as he intercedes on behalf of the people of Sodom. Even the wicked inhabitants of Sodom were worthy of his sympathy. He prayed to Hashem to spare them from impending doom. Avraham Avinu’s most significant strength was his total devotion to Hashem. Representing the greatest aspect of his personality, this trait caused Hashem to say that during the ten generations from Noach until Avraham, He spoke to no one other than Avraham. Avraham’s commitment, to the point of self-sacrifice, was definitely the zenith of his life’s achievement. Chazal,…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayeilech

So now, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the Bnei Yisrael, place it into their mouth. (31:19)

The commentaries discuss to which song Moshe was referring. The question is whether Chazal consider the entire Torah to be a song, or whether the reference is to a specific part. Why is the Torah called a song? Simply put, the Torah represents harmony, a unity of perfection in which every phrase, every verse, every mitzvah is perfect. The Torah is not vulnerable to reform or change. Because it is a Divine composition, it is perfect in every sense. Just as a musical score loses its flavor if one makes a single variation in the notes or rhythm, so, too,…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5758 ->

And he asked Pharaoh’s courtiers who were with him in the prison….”Why do you appear downcast today?” (40:7)

There is no one greater in the house than I, and he has denied me nothing but you, since you are his wife; how can I have perpetrated this evil? (39:9)

And Reuven returned to the pit, and behold Yosef was not in the pit! So he rent his garments. (37:29)

Behold, a caravan of Yishmaelim was coming from Gilead, their camels bearing spices, balsam, and lotus…(37:25)

And Yaakov settled in the land of his fathers’ sojourning. (37:1)

And Hashem tested Avraham. (22:1)

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

And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law and he said, “Get up and leave this place, for Hashem is about to destroy the city. But he seemed like a jester in the eyes of his sons-in-law.”

Avraham came forward and said, “Will You also stamp out the righteous along with the wicked?” (18:23)

So now, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the Bnei Yisrael, place it into their mouth. (31:19)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!