Moshe Marcovich

Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, “Take vengeance for the Bnei Yisrael against the Midyanim; afterward you will be gathered unto your people. (31:1,2)

Moshe is instructed to seek vengeance for the harm Midyan caused Bnei Yisrael. Chazal tell us that Moshe responded to Hashem, “If we had been idol worshippers they would not have harmed us. They persecuted us only because we believe in You. Therefore, the vengeance is Yours, Hashem, not mine.” Thus, when Moshe conveyed Hashem’s message to Bnei Yisrael, he spoke only of avenging Hashem’s honor, not his own. Moshe’s death was connected with executing vengeance against Midyan. The Yalkut Shimoni tells us that Hashem was apparently aware of Moshe’s distress over his “inability” to respond to Zimri’s blatant desecration…

Home -> 5758 -> Lech Lecha

Moshe Marcovich In Lech Lecha, 5758

Your name shall no longer be called Avram, but your name shall be Avraham. (17:5)

In the Talmud Berachos 13A, Chazal remark that anyone who refers to Avraham Avinu as Avram violates a negative and a positive commandment. Interestingly, we do not find this distinction in regard to Yaakov Avinu, whose name also underwent a change. We note (in Bereishis 32:29 and 35:10) the Torah states: “Your name shall not always be called Yaakov, but Yisrael shall be your name.” What difference is there between Yaakov and Avraham? While Yaakov’s name was also changed, it had no halachic consequences? We still refer to him as Yaakov. Horav Zaidel Epstein, Shlita, explains that the difference lies…

Home -> 5758 -> Lech Lecha

Moshe Marcovich In Lech Lecha, 5758

Walk before Me and be perfect. (17:1)

Rashi says that Avraham’s perfection, his capacity to be tamim, was attained by his observance of the mitzvah of Bris Milah. As long as he had the arlah, foreskin, he had a physical imperfection. With its removal, he now became perfect. We may wonder why Avraham needed the mitzvah of Milah to become a tamim; Noach was called a tamim without the mitzvah of Milah. Horav Dov Eliezrav, Shlita, distinguishes between Noach’s virtue and that of Avraham. We find that Noach’s righteousness is the topic of a dispute among Chazal. Was he a tzaddik only because he lived in a…

Home -> 5758 -> Lech Lecha

Moshe Marcovich In Lech Lecha, 5758

And Sarai, Avram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her maidservant…and gave her to Avram her husband, to him as a wife. (16:3)

Avraham and Sarah had almost everything, they lacked only a child to carry on their legacy. Sarah suggested that Avraham take Hagar, her Egyptian maidservant, as a wife. Sarah would raise the child, that would hopefully be born to them, as her adopted child. One would think that Hagar would be enthusiastic about the idea of becoming Avraham’s wife. Indeed, her father told her, “Better to be a maidservant to Avraham and Sarah than a mistress anywhere else.” Rashi, however, says that Sarah had to convince Hagar to marry Avraham. This hardly seems consistent with a person who pursued any…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

It is too much for you, O offspring of Levi…It is not enough for you that the G-d of Yisrael has segregated you from the Assembly of Yisrael to draw you near to Himself. (16:7,9)

Moshe Rabbeinu turned to Korach’s supporters from shevet Levi. He told them they had already received great honor, so they should not be demanding more. Once, after finishing his shiur at Yeshivas Slabodka, Horav Yechezkel Abramsky, zl, turned to his students and said emphatically, “You should know that you study Torah unimpeded by any pursuits. You are the greatest mezakei horabim, source for bestowing merit for Klal Yisrael. On you, rests the world. You give courage and faith to Klal Yisrael. Indeed, you are on the highest spiritual plane in Klal Yisrael.” This was the underlying message that Moshe communicated…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

It is too much for you, O’offspring of Levi (16:7)

In the Talmud Sotah 13b, Chazal say, “With rav,” (it is) “too much.” He/Moshe notified them (Korach and the Bnei Levi). With “rav,” Hashem notified him that he would not enter Eretz Yisrael. Rashi implies that Moshe was held accountable for the way he spoke to the Bnei Levi. In other words, Hashem ignored Moshe’s prayers, his hundreds of entreaties to be allowed entry to Eretz Yisrael, because of the way he spoke to Korach. We must endeavor to understand the depth of his sin. What did Moshe do that warranted such a response from Hashem? Moreover, where is the…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

They gathered together against Moshe and Aharon. (16:3)

Korach was not an average person. He was a revered scholar with an illustrious pedigree. He had acquired wealth and power. Yet , it was his guile that helped him acquire his distinguished following. He used false and misleading arguments to undermine the Torah, to present its disseminators in a selfish and even foolish role. We will focus on some of his arguments in order to manifest the pattern of machlokes, controversy. We will also demonstrate how this timeless evil continues to thrive in contemporary times. First, Korach brought his two hundred and fifty followers clothed in garments made of…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

And On ben Peles. (16:1)

On Ben Peles almost joined Korach’s misguided group. His wife saved him. The word “On” is related to “onen“, a mourner. Chazal tell us that he was called On because he spent the rest of his life in aninus, mourning, over the error that nearly cost him his life. Interestingly, Korach’s sons also repented. Why were they not called On for their act of repentance? Was their remorse different from that of On? Horav Zeev Weinberger, Shlita, comments that while both On and Bnei Korach showed remorse, Bnei Korach acted upon their remorse. They resolved to change in the…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

Korach the son of Yitzhar the son of Kehas the son of Levi took (16:1)

The Torah purposely omits Yaakov’s name from this pasuk. He was Korach’s great-grandfather, but as a result of the dispute, he implored Hashem to exclude his name from Korach’s pedigree. He did not want his name connected with machlokes, controversy. Did Yaakov think for one moment that people would forget the Patriarch from whom Korach had descended? What did he gain by having his name excluded? Horav Eliyahu Lopian, zl, comments that in recounting an individual’s lineage, we rarely go back further than the father; we surely never mention the great-grandfather. The Torah makes an exception, however, when it…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

And Moshe did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant when He had spoken to him. (34:29)

Rashi says that the Karnei Hod, Rays of Glory, which emanated from Moshe were the result of Hashem’s Hand that sheltered Moshe as he was shown a glimpse of His glory. Chazal question the merit that made Moshe worthy of receiving the Rays of Glory. They say that when Moshe completed the writing of the Torah, there were a few drops of ink left. Hashem took the quill and passed it over Moshe’s face which resulted in the Karnei Hod. While this Midrash is fascinating, it demands clarification. We can understand that a human being would find it difficult to…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5758 ->

Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, “Take vengeance for the Bnei Yisrael against the Midyanim; afterward you will be gathered unto your people. (31:1,2)

Your name shall no longer be called Avram, but your name shall be Avraham. (17:5)

Walk before Me and be perfect. (17:1)

And Sarai, Avram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her maidservant…and gave her to Avram her husband, to him as a wife. (16:3)

It is too much for you, O offspring of Levi…It is not enough for you that the G-d of Yisrael has segregated you from the Assembly of Yisrael to draw you near to Himself. (16:7,9)

It is too much for you, O’offspring of Levi (16:7)

They gathered together against Moshe and Aharon. (16:3)

And On ben Peles. (16:1)

Korach the son of Yitzhar the son of Kehas the son of Levi took (16:1)

And Moshe did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant when He had spoken to him. (34:29)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!