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Moshe Marcovich
In Emor, 5758

Every native in Yisrael shall dwell in booths (23:42)

Every Jew is commanded to dwell in a succah for the prescribed period of seven days.  Indeed, our ancestors went  to great lengths to ensure that they fulfilled the mitzvah of succah according to halachah.  A poignant story occurred concerning  Horav Mordechai M’Nedverne that, while its focus is not actually on Succos,  teaches us a timely lesson.  In Rav Mordechai’s city,  there was an outbreak of cholera, a very contagious plague.  The doctors warned the general populace to exercise extreme care in regard to sanitary conditions.  It just so happened that it was just before the festival of Succos.  Despite…

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Home -> 5758 -> Emor

Moshe Marcovich
In Emor, 5758

For a crown, the oil of his G-d’s annointment is upon him, I am G-d. (21:12)

Bnei Yisrael would come to the Bais Hamikdash to  see the Kohanim performing the avodah, service, accompanied  by the Leviim, chanting their melodies and Psalms.   Only one shevet, tribe, had access to the internal workings of the Bais Hamikdash.  It must have troubled the average Jew that  this unique group of people were selected over everyone to become Hashem’s legion, His faithful servants.  They must have questioned this phenomenon.  What is really the reason that only the Kohanim and Leviim could act as agents for the people to offer korbanos.  What trait rendered them so special? Horav Y.A. Hirshovitz,…

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Moshe Marcovich
In Emor, 5758

“You shall sanctify him for the bread of your G-d he offers, he shall be holy unto you.” (21:8)

Horav Elyakim Schlesinger, Shlita, cites the Chazon Ish who once commented regarding a certain Torah scholar. This man had  disagreed with him regarding a halachic matter.  He  said that the scholar was actually an am ha’aretz, illiterate.  The Chazon Ish explained that the degree of one’s erudition is consistent with his ability to appreciate another person’s gadlus, superiority, in Torah learning. One who has himself achieved literacy in Torah, recognizes its profundity.  He will, consequently, defer to another’s academic attainment in Torah.  One who is truly illiterate, and whose arrogance denies him the ability to perceive his own deficits, will…

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Home -> 5758 -> Emor

Moshe Marcovich
In Emor, 5758

Say to the Kohanim,…and tell them (21:1)

Rashi explains that the Torah’s dual injunction,  “Emor V’omarta, emphasizes the significance of “saying.”  This suggests “I’hazhir gedolim al haketanim,” that the older ones should warn and instruct the younger ones.  In a salutary lesson for the Kohanim, the Torah teaches us a valuable lesson. Only by appropriate attention to the education of the children can  our future  be assured.  Ignoring the process of education can have devastating effects. Deviating from the usual interpretation of this pasuk, Chazal assert that in the normative educational process, the older generation should  teach the younger generation.  Woe is the generation in which the…

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Home -> 5758 -> Eikev

Moshe Marcovich
In Eikev, 5758

And you shall teach them to your sons. (11:19)

Regarding the word “v’nitzaltem” “and you will empty out (Egypt)“, in Sefer Shemos (3:22), Rashi comments that the word “v’limadtem,” “and you will teach them“, which appears in our pasuk, is the piel form, intensive conjugation, of the word “lilmod,” to learn.  Actually, the word that should be used to describe “teaching” should be the ‘hiphil,” causative form, of the verb.  Hence, the Torah should have said, le’halmid, to make someone learn.  This would be similar to the word, l’halbish, to dress someone.  What is the reason for this change in the conjugation of the word? Horav Yosef Berl, zl,…

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Home -> 5758 -> Eikev

Moshe Marcovich
In Eikev, 5758

And Hashem loves the ger/convert to give him bread and garment…you shall love the ger for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (10:18,19)

The Torah repeats the mitzvah of Ahavas Ha’Ger, loving the convert, no less than thirty-six times!  One would assume that the Torah would reiterate mitzvos such as Shabbos, the prohibitions against idol worship and murder, emphasizing their obvious importance. Indeed, the Torah does not repeat these critical mitzvos.  The Torah is very careful with its words; every word has its own specific message.  Yet, the Torah has no qualms about reminding us numerous times of our obligation to the ger.  Why? We can derive a profound lesson from this pasuk regarding human nature. Man’s natural instinct is to denigrate those…

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Home -> 5758 -> Eikev

Moshe Marcovich
In Eikev, 5758

At that time Hashem said to me: Hew for yourself two tablets of stone like the first…and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets…and I placed the tablets in the Aron which I had made. (10:1,2,5)

Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl., makes note of the fact that when the Torah discusses the Luchos, tablets, it mentions the material, avanim, stone, of which they were composed.  This teaches us that the words of the law are engraved in stone.  They are unalterable and absolute as stone.  This lesson is especially significant in contemporary times when there are those who would raise their quill against the Torah, attempting to “modify” its laws to suit their own purposes.  In the past, this practice has been the exclusive domain of the non-practicing Jew.  Today, however, this malady has spread even to…

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Home -> 5758 -> Eikev

Moshe Marcovich
In Eikev, 5758

He afflicted you and let you hunger, then he fed you the manna that you did not know, nor did your forefathers know. (8:3)

Moshe recounts the trials and tribulations of Klal Yisrael’s sojourn in the desert, as well as the effects it produced.  Hashem had tested them, but it was for a specific purpose.  As the Ramban explains, at times a father must chastize his son in order to prepare him for the future.  It was better to endure the hardships of the wilderness, so that they would more freely appreciate the riches and the beauty of Eretz Yisrael.  The commentators address the “affliction” and “hunger” which Moshe mentions.   Moshe is referring to the Heavenly food, the manna, which Chazal in the…

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Home -> 5758 -> Eikev

Moshe Marcovich
In Eikev, 5758

This shall be the reward when you listen to these ordinances. (7:12)

The word “eikav,” when or because, also means heel.  Thus, Rashi interprets the phrase to mean: when you listen to those mitzvos that appear to be of lesser significance, commandments which a person might tread upon with his heel.  In Pirkei Avos, 2:1, Rebbi says, “Be as scrupulous in performing a minor mitzvah as a major one, for you do not know the rewards given for mitzvos.” Can we view any mitzvah to be minor?  Yes, if we view mitzvos to be a confirmation of ceremonies and rituals.  When we realize that each mitzvah is one component in a vast…

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Home -> Devarim -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich
In 5758, Devarim

All of you approached me and said, “Let us send men ahead of us and let them spy out the land. (1:22)

Chazal claim that the key to their error lies in the word “kulchem” – all of you.  All of Klal Yisrael came together in total disarray, with disrespect for their elders, each one pushing ahead of the other.  This approach contrasted the situation at Kabbolas HaTorah, when everyone maintained proper decorum as they prepared to accept the Torah.  The Netziv, zl, contends that “all of you” is not factual.  Certainly, not everyone came forward.  Only the leaders of the tribes, the noblemen who represented the masses  came forward, requesting that spies go to search out the land. Horav Elyakim Schlessinger,…

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