Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

כי מראש צרים אראנו ומגבעות אשורנו הן עם לבדד ישכן ובגוים לא יתחשב

“For from its origins, I see it rocklike, and from hills do I view it. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude and not be reckoned among the nations.” (23:9)

Rashi explains Bilaam’s description of Klal Yisrael as a nation whose origins are firmly entrenched and established as rocks and hills – the rocks allude to the Patriarchs and the hills to the Matriarchs. The nation’s loyalty to their illustrious forebears protects them, allowing them to remain firm and resolute in their commitment to Hashem. In his Simchas HaTorah, Horav Simchah Shepps, zl, observes that here Bilaam is revealing the secret of Klal Yisrael’s invincibility, their ability to withstand the tremendous external pressures and challenges that have beset them from their earliest moments as a nation. Their roots herald back…

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אם יתן לי בלק מלא ביתו כסף וזהב לא אוכל לעבר את פי ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5774

“If Balak were to give me his houseful of silver and gold, I cannot transgress the word of Hashem.” (22:18)

Rashi notes that by speaking of silver and gold, Bilaam revealed his true character: a greed-filled desire for money and the power that accompanies it. The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos 6:9, relates that the Tanna Rabbi Yose ben Kisma once met a Jew from another community who offered the sage the opportunity to move to his city where he would set him up with whatever material needs he would require. Rabbi Yose replied, “If you were to give me all the silver, gold and precious stones in the world, I would only make my home in a city of Torah.”…

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ויאמר אלקים אל בלעם לא תלך עמהם לא תאר את העם כי ברוך הוא

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5774

G-d said to Bilaam, “You shall not go with them! You shall not curse the people, for it is blessed.” (22:12)

Bilaam really wanted to do his job, to carry out his mission to curse the Jews. Hashem told him that he should not go. Bilaam offered to send a curse via long distance from his home. Hashem reiterated His position: no cursing the Jews. Bilaam then offered (out of the kindness of his heart) to bless the Jews. Hashem replied, “They do not require your blessing. They are a blessed people.” Rashi analogizes this to a bee whose honey is very tasty and beneficial, but, accompanying procuring the honey, is the chance that one might get stung. We tell it…

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וישלח מלאכים אל בלעם בן בעור פתורה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5774

He sent messengers to Bilaam ben Beor to Pesor. (22:5)

The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (5:22) distinguishes between the talmidim, disciples, of Bilaam ha’rasha, and those of Avraham Avinu. The three character traits which are the hallmarks of Avraham’s students are: ayin tovah, a good eye, ruach nemuchah, lowly, humble spirit; and nefesh shefalah, a meek soul. Ayin tovah is listed first – and rightfully so – because it plays a leading role in defining one’s character. Rabbeinu Yonah explains ayin tovah as generosity of spirit, a middah of the kindhearted person who goes out of his way to perform good deeds, to shower his benevolence on others. He cites…

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וישלח מלאכים אל בלעם בן בעור פתורה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5774

He sent messengers to Bilaam ben Beor to Pesor. (22:5)

The parsha introduces us to Bilaam ha’rasha, the wicked, evil Bilaam, the prophet who was the designated pagan counterpart of Moshe Rabbeinu. While our quintessential leader certainly had no equal, Bilaam, as the Midrash explains, was the Heavenly response to the pagan world’s request for equal leadership. Although Bilaam could not have been less like Moshe, he did have within him the ability to rise very high in prophetic powers. As we mentioned, he was a degenerate; as such, he was precluded from rising to spiritual ascendency. In which specific aspects of his behavior did Bilaam manifest these shortcomings, which…

Home -> 5774 -> Acharei Mos

כמעשה ארץ מצרים אשר ישבתם בה וכמעשה ארץ כנען... לא תעשו... ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5774

Do not perform the practice of the land of Egypt in which you dwelled; and do not perform the practice of the land of Canaan… and do not follow their traditions. (18:3)

Rashi explains that Klal Yisrael is herein enjoined not to emulate the customs and practices of the nations, such as attending theaters and stadiums to watch the gladiators battle one another. We are being taught here a new perspective on Judaism. There are areas of human endeavor which, although not Biblically or Rabbinically prohibited, are nonetheless inappropriate for the Jew. As we will see in the next parsha, which begins with the words, Kedoshim tiheyu, “You shall be holy,” the Jew has a higher calling: to sanctify himself. It is not enough to perform mitzvos and distance oneself from sin;…

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וכפר הכהן אשר ימשח אתו ואשר ימלא את ידו לכהן תחת אביו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5774

The Kohen who has been anointed or who has been given the authority to serve in place of his father. (16:32)

The Kohen Gadol’s son is first to succeed him, providing that he is suitable for the position. The Torah underscores the notion that he serves in place of his father. This teaches us, observes Horav Gamliel Rabinowitz, Shlita, that the Kohen Gadol must deeply understand his roots and realize that he is there only b’zchus, in the merit of, his father. If the Kohen Gadol appreciates that his position is an “inheritance,” that he has succeeded in achieving the apex of spiritual leadership due to z’chus avos, the merit of his past lineage, then he is fitting to be Kohen…

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כי בענן אראה על הכפרת

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5774

For in a Cloud will I appear upon the Ark-Cover. (16:2)

No one was permitted to enter the Kodesh HaKedoshim, Holy of Holies, except for Aharon HaKohen and future Kohanim Gedolim. This would take place once a year, on Yom Kippur. It was in the Kodesh HaKedoshim, from within a Cloud hovering above the Kapores, Ark Cover, that Hashem’s Glory was manifest. Hashem’s Glory is hidden beneath many veils. It is within the innermost area of sanctity and, even then, it is shrouded within a cloud. Horav Gamliel Rabinowitz, Shlita, derives a powerful, inspirational lesson from Hashem’s clandestine Presence. Ki be’anan eiraeh, “For in a Cloud will I appear.” Every time,…

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אחרי מות שני בני אהרן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5774

After the death of Aharon’s two sons. (16:1)

Nadav and Avihu were great tzaddikim, righteous and pious persons. Indeed, Hashem attests to their virtue when He says, Bikrovai akadesh, “I will be sanctified through those who are nearest to Me” (Vayikra 10:3). The average person taking a cursory look at this tragedy will, no doubt, have pressing questions that challenge the core of his faith in the Almighty. After all – why? The question screams out at us. Let us posit that, indeed, Nadav and Avihu erred by getting so carried away by their consummate love for Hashem that they just had to go into the Mishkan and…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5759

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayikra

If the annointed Kohen will sin, bringing guilt upon the people; for his sin that he committed he shall offer a young bull, unblemished, to Hashem as a sin-offering. (4:3)

The Ramban notes that regarding the Kohen Gadol’s transgression, the Torah does not end the process of korban and atonement with the phrase, “And he shall provide him atonement for his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.” Regarding the Kohen Hedyot, common Kohen, Nasi, ruler, or entire kahal, community, the Torah does use this phrase. He explains that, indeed, the Kohen Gadol, who provides the standard for spiritual dimension in Klal Yisrael, cannot receive atonement just by bringing a korban. No; he needs more than the average Jew. He must implore Hashem to forgive him; he must pray fervently…

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כי מראש צרים אראנו ומגבעות אשורנו הן עם לבדד ישכן ובגוים לא יתחשב

“For from its origins, I see it rocklike, and from hills do I view it. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude and not be reckoned among the nations.” (23:9)

אם יתן לי בלק מלא ביתו כסף וזהב לא אוכל לעבר את פי ד'

“If Balak were to give me his houseful of silver and gold, I cannot transgress the word of Hashem.” (22:18)

ויאמר אלקים אל בלעם לא תלך עמהם לא תאר את העם כי ברוך הוא

G-d said to Bilaam, “You shall not go with them! You shall not curse the people, for it is blessed.” (22:12)

וישלח מלאכים אל בלעם בן בעור פתורה

He sent messengers to Bilaam ben Beor to Pesor. (22:5)

וישלח מלאכים אל בלעם בן בעור פתורה

He sent messengers to Bilaam ben Beor to Pesor. (22:5)

כמעשה ארץ מצרים אשר ישבתם בה וכמעשה ארץ כנען... לא תעשו... ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו

Do not perform the practice of the land of Egypt in which you dwelled; and do not perform the practice of the land of Canaan… and do not follow their traditions. (18:3)

וכפר הכהן אשר ימשח אתו ואשר ימלא את ידו לכהן תחת אביו

The Kohen who has been anointed or who has been given the authority to serve in place of his father. (16:32)

כי בענן אראה על הכפרת

For in a Cloud will I appear upon the Ark-Cover. (16:2)

אחרי מות שני בני אהרן

After the death of Aharon’s two sons. (16:1)

If the annointed Kohen will sin, bringing guilt upon the people; for his sin that he committed he shall offer a young bull, unblemished, to Hashem as a sin-offering. (4:3)

YEARS

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