Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

Moshe sent them – a thousand for each tribe for the legion, them and Pinchas. (31:6)

Rashi explains why Pinchas, and not Elazar, led the army in battle against Midyan. Hashem said that he who initiated the mitzvah, who originated the vengeance against this abominable nation, should complete the task. Pinchas, who slew Kosbi, should finish the job. What is the reason that “he who begins the mitzvah” is told to complete it? Horav Chaim Shmuelevitz, zl, comments that there is no comparison between an endeavor which is executed piecemeal and one which is performed in one complete unit. A number of people participating in a mitzvah – one after another – demonstrates the beauty of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Matos

So there was delivered from the thousands of Yisrael, a thousand from each tribe. (31:5)

Rashi says that the term “vayimasru,” “there was delivered,” implies that the Jewish soldiers were actually coerced into going to battle. They were well aware that Moshe Rabbeinu’s demise was dependent upon his carrying out this last war, and they did not wish to see their beloved leader die. Rashi adds that, interestingly, for much of their forty-year sojourn they either complained to — or about — Moshe. There was rarely a peaceful moment in their relationship. Now, when confronted with the imminence of his death, they do not wish to see him depart. This indicates their deep love for…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Matos

Take vengeance for Bnei Yisrael against the Midyanites; afterward you will be gathered unto your people. Moshe sent them – a thousand from each tribe for the legion, them and Pinchas…to the legion. (31:3,6)

We find two commands regarding the Midyanites. In the previous parsha, immediately following the tragic plague that resulted from the Midyanite’s advice which caused the Jews to sin with the daughters of Moav, Klal Yisrael was commanded to despise Midyan as enemies of the Jewish people. In this parsha, Hashem instructs Moshe to seek vengeance for the grave sin that Midyan catalyzed. Two mitzvos are presented: to hate and to avenge. Pinchas was chosen to lead a select group of soldiers in battle. Chazal say he was the one who initiated the mitzvah when he slew Zimri and Kosbi; he…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

To the Leviim shall you speak… When you accept from the Bnei Yisrael the tithe… you shall raise from it a gift… your gift shall be reckoned for you like grain from the threshing floor… (18:26,27)

The Levi who receives his portion of Maaser from the Yisrael must, in turn, give Terumah to the Kohen. The Torah tells us that this Terumas Maaser is considered the same as Terumah Gedolah, which is offered by the Yisrael. Imrei Yosef cites the Zidetchoiver Rebbe, zl, who claims that this pasuk alludes to an ethical lesson for he who has been raised above his peers to be selected for spiritual leadership. One might think that it is his virtue and scholarship, his good deeds and meticulous mitzvah observance, that effected this “promotion”. The Torah tells him not to permit…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

Fire emerged from Hashem and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who had offered incense… The fire pans of those who sinned against theirs souls – make them into beaten plates, a cover for the Altar. (16:35, 17:3)

As part of Korach’s rebellion, the two hundred and fifty men who were part of Korach’s group were to offer incense in fire pans. They received their due punishment in that they were being consumed by a fire from Hashem. Their fire pans, instead of being discarded, were melted and shaped into a covering for the Mizbayach. Until now the Altar had been a hollow frame which was filled with dirt every time Klal Yisrael camped. Now, the outside surface was to be covered with a thin mass plating composed of the sinner’s fire pans. This is enigmatic! Is it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

They gathered together against Moshe and against Aharon and said to them, “It is too much for you! For the entire assembly-all of them are holy.’ (16:3)

The Torah recounts a number of controversies that occurred during Klal Yisrael’s forty year sojourn in the desert. They complained and complained. They complained about water and about meat. There were spies who slandered Eretz Yisrael. Yet, after all is said and done, the one dispute that has been recorded in history as the paradigm of machlokes, controversy, is the machlokes of Korach. Why? At least Korach’s dispute had a spiritual dimension to it. They questioned the Kehunah. They sought to serve in the Bais Hamikdash and offer korbanos. They even made use of lomdus, logic, using a Tallis made…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, separated himself. (16:1)

The Torah deliberately traces Korach’s lineage back to Levi, stopping there. Why is Yaakov Avinu not included in Korach’s pedigree? Rashi explains that when Yaakov was reproving his two sons, Shimon and Levi, for their deplorable actions regarding the people of Shechem, he said, “Bi’kehalam al teichad kevodi,” “In their conspiracy may my soul not enter.” Yaakov Avinu did not want his name connected to the evil that their descendants would eventually generate. Rashi adds, however, that when the Torah mentions in Divrei Hayamim that a descendant of Korach was among the Leviim who sang in the Bais Hamikdash, it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Bamidbar

Count the Bnei Levi (according to their fathers’ household, according to their families) every male from one month of age and up shall you count them. Moshe counted them according to the word of Hashem as he had been commanded. (3:15,16)

Rashi cites a dialogue between Moshe Rabbeinu and Hashem. Moshe asked the Almighty, “How do I enter the tents to determine the number of infants in their home?” It would have been improper for Moshe to enter the Levite tents to count the number of suckling infants. Hashem responded, “You do yours and I will do mine.” Moshe would go to the entrance of each tent and wait outside while the Shechinah preceded him, after which a Heavenly voice would proclaim the number of babies in the tent. We must understand how it was that Moshe decided to do things…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Bamidbar

So did they encamp by their standards, and so did they journey, each one according to his families, by the house of his fathers. (2:34)

Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, explains the practical/symbolic meaning behind the formation of the tribes as they camped and traveled. In the front, to the east, under the degel of Yehudah, were the tribes of Yehudah, Yissachar and Zevullun. To the right, in the south, under the degel of Reuven, were Reuven, Shimon and Gad. To the left, in the north, under the degel of Dan, were the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naftali. Last, in the back, opposite Shevet Yehudah, under the degel of Efraim, were Efraim, Menashe, and Binyamin. Each of the three tribes which form the leading camp…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Bamidbar

Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying: “The Bnei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:1,2)

The Midrash discusses the remarkable level of sanctity achieved by Klal Yisrael as a result of their degalim, banners. Indeed, Chazal cite a dialogue between the gentile nations in which they attempt to dissuade Klal Yisrael from maintaining their allegiance to Hashem. Klal Yisrael’s response to the gentiles’ negativity was the beauty and sanctity of the degalim that evoked their pride in being Jewish. We must endeavor to understand what it is about the degalim that engendered such feelings of self – esteem and pride. Horav Mordechai Rogov, zl, offers two responses to this question. He explains that Torah and…

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Moshe sent them – a thousand for each tribe for the legion, them and Pinchas. (31:6)

So there was delivered from the thousands of Yisrael, a thousand from each tribe. (31:5)

Take vengeance for Bnei Yisrael against the Midyanites; afterward you will be gathered unto your people. Moshe sent them – a thousand from each tribe for the legion, them and Pinchas…to the legion. (31:3,6)

To the Leviim shall you speak… When you accept from the Bnei Yisrael the tithe… you shall raise from it a gift… your gift shall be reckoned for you like grain from the threshing floor… (18:26,27)

Fire emerged from Hashem and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who had offered incense… The fire pans of those who sinned against theirs souls – make them into beaten plates, a cover for the Altar. (16:35, 17:3)

They gathered together against Moshe and against Aharon and said to them, “It is too much for you! For the entire assembly-all of them are holy.’ (16:3)

Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, separated himself. (16:1)

Count the Bnei Levi (according to their fathers’ household, according to their families) every male from one month of age and up shall you count them. Moshe counted them according to the word of Hashem as he had been commanded. (3:15,16)

So did they encamp by their standards, and so did they journey, each one according to his families, by the house of his fathers. (2:34)

Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying: “The Bnei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:1,2)

YEARS

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