Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael and say to them: You shall be holy.” (19:2)

Rashi explains that this section was proclaimed when all the people were assembled because most of the fundamental laws of the Torah are dependent on it. Many other mitzvos apply to only a particular segment of the nation, such as kohanim, leviim, the first-born, the males, etc.. The call to holiness, however, includes all of Klal Yisrael. Each person is implored to sanctify himself to the best of his ability. Each and every Jew has their own individual uniqueness which should be nurtured, developed, and sanctified l’shem shomayim, for the sake of Heaven. As Horav Eli Munk, z.l., notes, the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5755

“You shall observe My decrees and My laws which man shall carry out and by which he shall live.” (18:5)

From the words, ovc hju, “and by which he shall live,” Chazal have derived that mitzvos are not to be performed in a way that would endanger someone’s life. Literally, the pasuk is read to mean that mitzvah performance enables one to achieve physical well-being and often longevity. This is in addition to a spiritually healthy moral life replete with the joy and peace of mind inherent when one acts in accordance with the dictates of Hashem. Rashi, however, interprets these words as referring to spiritual longevity in the World to Come, since everyone in this world must eventually die. …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5755

“This shall be to you an eternal decree to bring atonement on Bnei Yisrael for all their sins once a year.” (16:34)

Why does the Torah emphasize that the atonement of Yom Kippur occurs once a year? This should be obvious. Horav Tzvi Hirsch Farber, z.l., cites Horav Yaakov Charif, z.l., who compared this metaphorically to a sick man whose medical specialist is in a distant city. Whenever his illness becomes serious and life-threatening, they must take him to the big city to have medication administered to him by this doctor. At times, however, the illness becomes so severe that he can not wait until he reaches his own doctor. Consequently, at each station stop along the way, he seeks a doctor…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5755

“One lot for Hashem and one lot for Azazel.” (16:8)

One of the least understood and most fascinating services performed in the Bais Ha’Mikdash was the Yom Kippur service involving the two he-goats. These two goats were both holy korbanos which expiated the sins of Klal Yisrael. That, however, is the point at which their similarities ended, for, the manner in which each was sacrificed was disparate to the extreme. One goat’s blood was sprinkled in the Kodesh Ha’Kodoshim, while the other one entered the Kodesh only momentarily during its lifetime, immediately prior to being sent to a terrible and desolate death. The commentators, each in their own inimitable way,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5755

“He shall don a sacred linen tunic; linen breeches shall be upon his flesh … he shall immerse himself in water and then don them.” (16:4)

On Yom Kippur, the Kohen Gadol would change into his regular gold vestments or into his white linen garments. He changed his clothing a total of five times, each time immersing himself in the mikveh. He wore the simple white garments when he performed the service inside the Sanctuary. In contrast, he wore the gold ones outside. Horav Moshe Swift, z.l., remarks that in everyday life we, too, perform both ohbp ,sucg, service on the inside, and .uj ,sucg , service on the outside. Service to one another within the parameters of our homes and community defines avodas penim, while…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5755

“And Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying: Speak to the Bnei Yisrael and say to them, any man who will have a discharge from his flesh … is contaminated.” (15:1,2)

In this pasuk, the Torah uses the word urcs in the plural form. In contrast, the Baal Ha’Turim notes that regarding the laws of negaim, plagues, the Torah does not use the word, urcs in the plural form. The distinction implies that Aharon was excluded from transmitting the laws of negaim to Bnei Yisrael. He asserts that Aharon’s involvement in the sin of the Golden Calf precluded his ability to teach the laws of negaim since the Golden Calf was the precursor of the negaim which were to strike Bnei Yisrael as punishment for their treasonous worship. This explanation is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5755

“The one to whom the house belongs shall come and declare to the kohen, saying, ‘Something like an affliction has appeared to me in the house.'” (14:35)

It is interesting to note that when the Torah refers to someone who has an affliction on his body, it says, ivfv kt tcuvu, “He shall be brought to the kohen (14:2). In contrast, in regard to a plague afflicting a house it says here “He shall come to the kohen.” What reason is there for this disparity between the two plagues ? Horav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, makes a noteworthy observation. The plagues which strike one’s body, clothes, or home are an indication from Above that something is wrong with this person. The affliction progresses from the individual to his…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5755

“And he shall take one bird… and he shall send away the living bird.” (14:5,7)

This is one of two instances in the Torah in which two animals are selected: Both times, one serves as a korban, while the other is sent away to the desert. The first selection, which occurs on Yom Kippur, is carried out through the use of lots. The goat whose lot is marked L’Hashem is used as a korban, while the goat whose lot is marked L’Azazel is sent into the desolate desert to die. Why is there no lottery used in this case to select which bird will live and which bird will die as a korban ? It…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5755

“And there shall be taken for the person being purified two birds.” (14:4)

Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, observes that there are two types of baalei lashon hara, slanderers. There are those who are blatant, who disparage without shame. Their lack of sensitivity for others is overshadowed only by their own personal lack of self-respect. There is yet another type of baal lashon hara: one who attempts to veil his invidious activities, because he is embarrassed by his reprehensible maligning of others. He seeks to hurt; he has no qualms whatsoever about character assassination, but he doesn’t want to have his own name revealed as the cause of this embarrassment. The Torah addresses itself…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5755

“The Kohen shall command, and there shall be taken for the person being purified two birds … and cedarwood, crimson thread and hyssop.” (14:4)

Atonement for sin requires that the moral flaw which activated the misdeed be purged. One who speaks disparagingly of others is arrogant. A person who puts others down is haughty. The metzora must now humble himself as contrition for his sin. Rashi explains that the three items which the metzora brought allude to the metzora’s resolve to humble himself: Cedarwood which grows tall, imposing and wide, symbolizes arrogance. The wool thread which is dyed with a pigment made from a lowly creature and the hyssop, which is a lowly bush, represents the penitent’s newly found humility. He who used to…

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“Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael and say to them: You shall be holy.” (19:2)

“You shall observe My decrees and My laws which man shall carry out and by which he shall live.” (18:5)

“This shall be to you an eternal decree to bring atonement on Bnei Yisrael for all their sins once a year.” (16:34)

“One lot for Hashem and one lot for Azazel.” (16:8)

“He shall don a sacred linen tunic; linen breeches shall be upon his flesh … he shall immerse himself in water and then don them.” (16:4)

“And Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying: Speak to the Bnei Yisrael and say to them, any man who will have a discharge from his flesh … is contaminated.” (15:1,2)

“The one to whom the house belongs shall come and declare to the kohen, saying, ‘Something like an affliction has appeared to me in the house.'” (14:35)

“And he shall take one bird… and he shall send away the living bird.” (14:5,7)

“And there shall be taken for the person being purified two birds.” (14:4)

“The Kohen shall command, and there shall be taken for the person being purified two birds … and cedarwood, crimson thread and hyssop.” (14:4)

YEARS

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