Moshe Marcovich

These are the generations of Noach, Noach was a righteous man. (6:9)

The Torah begins by stating that it will list the “generations” of Noach. Instead, it proceeds to relate that Noach was a righteous man. Are we discussing his offspring or his good deeds? Rashi cites the Midrash that infers from this pasuk that the primary generation, the principle legacy of a righteous person, is his good deeds. This is what he bequeaths to the next generation. Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, remarks that offspring and good deeds should be analogous. No good deed should be viewed as inconsequential. The same love that one manifests toward his offspring should, likewise, be demonstrated…

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Moshe Marcovich In Nitzavim, 5758

The hidden (sins) are for Hashem, our G-d, but the revealed (sins) are for us and our children. (29:28)

Simply, we are not responsible for the hidden sinners, for those who conceal their evil. We will, however, be called to task for the actions of those who openly rebel. We are all responsible to maintain the integrity of Klal Yisrael. We suggest another interpretation of this pasuk. Those thoughts that are concealed within us, thoughts which we are astute enough not to express, belong to the Almighty. They exercise no influence on those around us, they hurt no one but ourselves. They are between us and G-d. Our revealed actions reflect the thoughts that we could not or did…

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Moshe Marcovich In Nitzavim, 5758

The later generation will say – your children who will arise after you and the foreigner who will come from a distant land. (29:21)

The Torah addresses the “later” generation, who will question the devastation that befell the Jewish People and their land. They will surmise that Klal Yisrael forsook Hashem for deities that were nothing more than figments of their imagination. This resulted in Hashem’s reciprocal response. The Bais Halevi approaches this pasuk homiletically, but practically. He observes that one day “your children will arise -who will know as much about Jewish tradition and its noble heritage as the nachri, stranger/non-Jew.” This, regrettably, is the gradual development of years of assimilation, years of lack of pride, years of attempting to fade into a…

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Moshe Marcovich In Nitzavim, 5758

For you pass into the covenant of Hashem, your G-d, and into his imprecation that Hashem, your G-d, seals with you today…Perhaps there is among you a man or woman, whose heart turns away today from being with Hashem. (29:11,17)

The parsha opens with everyone gathered together as Moshe initiates Klal Yisrael into the covenant for the final time. This may be the most idyllic moment in Jewish history. Everyone is together, unified in harmony one with another, about to be charged by Moshe at the closing scenes of his tenure as the quintessential leader of Klal Yisrael. It is a inspirational moment, marked by excitement about a job well done. This moment truly calls for the proverbial “pat on the back.” They have made it! We observe, however, a turn of events. During this exalted moment in time, Moshe…

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Moshe Marcovich In Nitzavim, 5758

You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem, your G-d, the heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers…from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water. (29:9,10)

Since the Torah says “kulchem — all of you“, it obviously includes everyone from the “wood chopper” to the “water drawer.” Why is it necessary to reiterate the various classes or positions held by individual Jews? Horav Elyakim Schlesinger, Shlita, suggests that the covenant did not necessarily bind only the klal, the collective community of Klal Yisrael, but also each individual Jew, regardless of his station in life. If ever a breakdown in the spiritual fabric of Klal Yisrael would occur, if the leadership for some reason errs, the covenant would be sustained via the individual Jew. The Brisker Rav,…

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Moshe Marcovich In Nitzavim, 5758

You are standing today, all of you. (29:9)

When the people heard the frightening klalos, curses, of Parashas Ki Savo, they despaired. They felt they had no opportunity for survival; Hashem no longer cared for them. Hashem responded with the comforting words, “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem. — You are standing today, all of you.” Hashem had sustained them in the past despite their iniquities; He would continue to maintain them in the future. The Midrash Tanchuma advances this thought with the comment, “Fallen nations never rise to stand again. (Klal) Yisrael falls, but rises to stand once more.” Jewish resilience is integral to our heritage. Indeed, tenacity is…

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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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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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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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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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These are the generations of Noach, Noach was a righteous man. (6:9)

The hidden (sins) are for Hashem, our G-d, but the revealed (sins) are for us and our children. (29:28)

The later generation will say – your children who will arise after you and the foreigner who will come from a distant land. (29:21)

For you pass into the covenant of Hashem, your G-d, and into his imprecation that Hashem, your G-d, seals with you today…Perhaps there is among you a man or woman, whose heart turns away today from being with Hashem. (29:11,17)

You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem, your G-d, the heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers…from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water. (29:9,10)

You are standing today, all of you. (29:9)

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)

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

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)

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

YEARS

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