Moshe Marcovich

And Adam named his wife Chavah, because she was the mother of all living. (3:20)

Adam and Chavah, the first humans, serve as an example. From the perspective of marriage, as well as human relationship in general, they represent a living lesson in the manner in which one interrelates with others. Horav Zalman Sorotzkin, zl, infers a compelling lesson from Adam’s reaction to Chava’s sin. According to some commentaries, Adam gave Chavah her name, a name emphasizing her positive contribution to humanity and prime focus in life–“the mother of all living,” after she had catalyzed his sin. Chavah caused Hashem to decree death on the world. Yet, Adam did not turn his back on…

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Moshe Marcovich In Bereishis, 5758

And dust shall you eat all the days of your life. (3:14)

What to some individuals may be perceived as a curse could actually be a blessing in disguise — and vice versa. The serpent was cursed with having to eat tasteless dust his whole life. Imagine being relegated to a life in which one’s entire sustenance is without any taste. A life of no satisfaction, no pleasure, is truly a curse. But is it? While the serpent’s food is not appealing, it is always available. He never has to worry about the source of his next meal. We have only to ask someone who struggles to earn a livelihood how…

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Moshe Marcovich In Bereishis, 5758

And Hashem Elokim called to the man, and said unto him, ‘Where are you?’” (3:8)

It seems strange that Hashem, Who knows everything, asked Adam, “Where are you?” Obviously, Hashem knew where Adam was. The Midrash tells us that Hashem certainly knew where Adam was; He just wanted to talk to him, to engage him in conversation. Hashem wanted to interact with Adam, to get him to open up and talk about the act that he had committed. Horav Moshe Swift, zl, offers a thoughtful insight. Whenever one senses a rift in a relationship, he should maintain contact in order to sustain hope of reconciliation. The tragedy is when there is no contact. When a…

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Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

Moshe heard the people weeping in their family groups. (11:10)

To express their displeasure publicly, entire families gathered outside their tents and wept. Rashi explains that the word “families” alludes to the real reason for their complaint. The family laws that were initiated at Har Sinai became a source of frustration for them. They did not care to have their relationships governed by the Torah. Rather than viewing the laws of family life and morality as a privilege reserved for the nobility that comprises Klal Yisrael, they viewed them as an infringement on their freedom. Horav Yitzchak Blazer, zl, suggests a novel interpretation to the word “families.” The manna descended…

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Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

They journeyed from the mountain of Hashem a three day journey and the Aron of the covenant journeyed before them…to search out for them a resting place. (10:33)

Rashi contends that the “Aron Bris Hashem” — which was taken out with Bnei Yisrael when they went to battle — contained the broken Luchos. The “Shivrei Luchos” retained a unique power which served as a protective armor when Bnei Yisrael were in a difficult predicament. We must endeavor to understand why the Aron that contained the broken Luchos accompanied Bnei Yisrael in time of war. What was the significance of the Shivrei Luchos? What influence did they maintain over the people? We suggest that the broken Luchos represent the integrity of Torah and each Jew’s mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice, to…

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Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

This is the workmanship of the Menorah…according to the vision that Hashem showed Moshe, so did he make the Menorah. (8:4)

Chazal tell us that Moshe had difficulty in forging the Menorah. They say that Hashem “showed” Moshe by pointing a “finger” and describing the exact image of the Menorah. In the end, according to one statement of Chazal, Moshe threw the talent of gold into the fire and a finished Menorah emerged. A number of explanations address Moshe’s difficulty in perceiving the image of the Menorah. Horav Nissan Alpert, zl, views this from an homiletic point of view. He suggests an analogy between the fabrication of the Menorah and two people who were given the necessary materials for building a…

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Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

Speak to Aharon…When you kindle the lamps, towards the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps light. (8:2)

Rashi addresses the relationship between Aharon’s lighting the Menorah and the previous parsha, which recounts the offerings of nesiim, princes, for the dedication of the Mizbayach. He says that Aharon was upset that neither he, nor any member of shevet Levi, was included in the dedication. Hashem comforted Aharon saying that his service, preparing and kindling the Menorah, was more significant than theirs. We wonder at Aharon’s chagrin. Obviously, his reaction must have had some validity, as Hashem responded by comforting him. We must also endeavor to understand the meaning of the phrase, “Yours is greater/more significant than theirs.“ This…

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Bamidbar

The families of Bnei Kehas would encamp on the side of the Mishkan, to the south. (3:29)

Rashi notes that shevet Reuven camped nearby. This close proximity between Shevet Reuven and shevet Kehas is what caused Dasan and Aviram of the tribe of Reuven to be “pulled” along, to be influenced by Korach. His vilification of Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon Hakohen gave him the distinction of being the first one to rebel against Moshe Rabbeinu’s leadership. Dasan and Aviram stood at the forefront of Korach’s ill-fated group of followers. They were “nimshach”, pulled along, by Korach because they were near him. Rashi’s use of the word “nimshichu”, they were pulled, as opposed to any other phrase denoting…

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Bamidbar

These are the offspring of Moshe and Aharon…These are the names of the sons of Aharon…(3:1,2)

The Torah is about to enumerate Moshe and Aharons’ offspring. The pasuk, however, mentions only the sons of Aharon. In the Talmud Sanhedrin 96, Chazal infer that one who teaches Torah to someone else’s children is regarded as if he has begotten them. Moshe was their rebbe; he taught them the Torah, which would sustain them. He was like their father. This idea applies to anyone who imparts his Torah knowledge to others. Our influence is far-reaching; our ability to inspire is unlimited. Moshe was mentor and spiritual father to Aharon’s sons. What about the rest of Klal Yisrael? …

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Bamidbar

Their count, for the tribe of Menashe; thirty two thousand, two hundred. (1:35)

The count for shevet Menashe was about thirty-two thousand men. There is no doubt that every census was determined by Hashem. Consequently, there must have been a reason that the number thirty-two played such a prominent role in Menashes’ census. Horav Chaim Pardes, Shlita, expounds on the significance of the number thirty-two through the perspective of Chazal. The Talmud Yevamos 62b states that Rabbi Akiva’s twenty four thousand students died during the period between Pesach and Shavuous because they were not accustomed to showing proper kavod, honor/esteem, one for another. The Maharal M’Prague makes a profound statement in regard to…

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Back to Home -> Bereishis ->

And Adam named his wife Chavah, because she was the mother of all living. (3:20)

And dust shall you eat all the days of your life. (3:14)

And Hashem Elokim called to the man, and said unto him, ‘Where are you?’” (3:8)

Moshe heard the people weeping in their family groups. (11:10)

They journeyed from the mountain of Hashem a three day journey and the Aron of the covenant journeyed before them…to search out for them a resting place. (10:33)

This is the workmanship of the Menorah…according to the vision that Hashem showed Moshe, so did he make the Menorah. (8:4)

Speak to Aharon…When you kindle the lamps, towards the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps light. (8:2)

The families of Bnei Kehas would encamp on the side of the Mishkan, to the south. (3:29)

These are the offspring of Moshe and Aharon…These are the names of the sons of Aharon…(3:1,2)

Their count, for the tribe of Menashe; thirty two thousand, two hundred. (1:35)

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