Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“This is the decree of the Torah … and they shall take to you a completely red cow …” (19:2)

Although the mitzvah of Parah Adumah is difficult to comprehend, a number of lessons can be derived from its unique halachos. The Midrash takes note of the fact that only a female is acceptable for this korban. For other sacrifices, in contrast, a male or female are equally eligible. Chazal explain that the Parah Adumah serves to cleanse Klal Yisrael from the sin of the Golden Calf. This concept has given rise to the saying, “Let the (mother) cow atone for the defilement created by the (golden) calf.” Thus, only a female is accepted for the Parah Adumah. In expounding…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5755

“For the maaser (tithe) of the Bnei Yisrael … I have given to the Leviim as a heritage; therefore I have said to them, among the Bnei Yisrael they shall not inherit a heritage.” (18:24)

The Levi receives no portion in Eretz Yisrael. He is, consequently, absolved from the labor and toil involved in working the soil and other “mundane” material pursuits. He is to devote himself totally to the service of the Almighty. Hence, he receives the maaser gifts from his fellow Jews to sustain him in his spiritual vocation. In his commentary to Sefer Devarim 10:9, Rashi states that since the Leviim were set apart for the service of the Altar and are not free to plow and to sow, they are to receive a designated gift (maaser) from the house of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5755

“And it was on the next day… and behold the staff of Aharon of the House of Levi, had blossomed, it brought forth a blossom, sprouted a bud and almonds ripened.” (17:23)

Immediately following the premature deaths of Korach and his band of evildoers, Hashem commanded Moshe to collect twelve staffs, representing each of the twelve tribes and place it before the Aron Ha’Kodesh. Hashem caused a miracle to occur which would certainly convince the skeptical Jews that Hashem was ultimately in charge. It was Hashem who chose Moshe and Aharon as leaders. It was He who directed the affairs of the world. Demonstrating his choice of Aharon for the position of Kohen Gadol, Hashem miraculously caused Aharon’s staff to blossom and sprout buds and almonds. It seems strange that Hashem did…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5755

“And Korach took … they gathered together against Moshe and Aharon and they said to them, ‘It is too much for you … why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of Hashem?'” (16:1,3)

Korach’s rebellion stands alone as the most vicious rebellion against Rabbinic authority. Korach’s attempt to usurp the leadership of Klal Yisrael from Moshe in order to undermine Divine authority over Klal Yisrael established his reputation as the paradigmatic baal machlo’kes, one who initiates conflict. What rationale can we find to explain Korach’s reprehensible behavior ? Chazal teach us that Korach maintained a prominent position in the hierarchy of the Leviim. His traits were a combination of superior qualities which few people could emulate. Descending from the family of Kehas, the most distinguished of the Levite families, he had an illustrious…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5755

“That you do not stray/turn after your own heart.” (15:39)

What does it mean to “stray after one’s heart”? In the Talmud Berachos 12b, Chazal state that this pasuk refers to apostasy. To turn after one’s hearts is to become an apikor’es, a non-believer. Horav Moshe Swift, z.l., expounds upon the remarkable and profound words of Chazal and their application in contemporary Jewish society. The modern trend away from religion is by no means motivated by reason. There is no logic which “inspires” one to leave the fold. Wisdom is not a prerequisite for apostasy, and the agnostic is not necessarily an astute thinker. Those professors and intellectuals whose religious…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5755

“And the people wept that night.” (14:1)

The slanderous statements of the meraglim, spies, achieved their intended purpose; Bnei Yisrael believed them and were terrified to enter Eretz Yisrael. That night, which happened to be Tishah b’Av, the people withdrew to their tents and began lamenting the terrible “fate” in store for them. Thus began a night of ceaseless crying, one which would go down in history as a night of unwarranted weeping. The Talmud in Taanis 28a states that Hashem said to Bnei Yisrael, “You wept without reason, I will provide you with a weeping for generations.” This refers to Tishah b’Av when both Batei Mikdash…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5755

“And Calev silenced the people toward Moshe.” (13:30)

Calev attempted to still the rebellious hysteria of Bnei Yisrael. Confident that he would continue with the same type of slander as the other spies, the people listened to him when he rose to speak. He began his remarks in an inciteful manner by saying, “Is that all the son of Amram has done to us?” Upon hearing this opening statement, the crowd became silent anticipating a vicious censure against Moshe Rabbeinu. Calev, however, sought to attract their attention. He added, “He took us out of Egypt, split the sea, brought us the manna, and gathered together the quail.” Although…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5755

“Send forth for you men and let them spy out the land of Canaan.” (13:2)

The narrative of the meraglim, spies, and the ensuing reaction of Klal Yisrael to the unfounded slander against Eretz Yisrael, constitute one of the saddest moments in Jewish history. Twelve great men left for a mission, but only two return with their faith in the Almighty intact. The other ten returned with an account of the land that was, at best, sufficiently ambiguous to dishearten the people. This led to a night of weeping whose sin is still commemorated on Tishah b’Av, our national day of mourning. Why did the scouting mission to Canaan fail so miserably? After all, the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5755

“And Moshe said to him, ‘Are you being zealous for my sake? Would that the entire people of Hashem could be prophets'” (11:29)

Two elders prophesied in the camp. When Moshe’s son, Gershom, heard the prophecies, he ran to tell his father. According to one comment in the Midrash, the prophecy predicted Moshe’s imminent death in the desert and Yehoshua’s ascension to leadership. Moshe received the news of the prophecy calmly. Yehoshua, on the other hand, was greatly shaken by the prediction, and he asked Moshe to imprison the two prophets. Moshe’s response to his student Yehoshua reveals his greatness and underscores his brilliance as the quintessential leader of Klal Yisrael. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., derives from Moshe’s perspective the necessary attitude a…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5755

“Gather to Me seventy men from the elders of Yisrael, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers.” (11:16)

In Sanhedrin 29, Chazal state that these men constituted the Sanhedrin. This group of elders served as the Egyptian taskmasters over the Jews. They were selected for this prestigious position because of their unparalleled devotion to Bnei Yisrael — to the point of self-sacrifice. When Pharaoh insisted that they punish Bnei Yisrael, these foremen opted to be beaten mercilessly themselves, rather than inflict punishment upon their brethren. Chazal derive from the emphasis upon this character trait that one who risks his health and welfare on behalf of Klal Yisrael merits to achieve prominence and Divine inspiration. When Pharaoh selected these…

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“This is the decree of the Torah … and they shall take to you a completely red cow …” (19:2)

“For the maaser (tithe) of the Bnei Yisrael … I have given to the Leviim as a heritage; therefore I have said to them, among the Bnei Yisrael they shall not inherit a heritage.” (18:24)

“And it was on the next day… and behold the staff of Aharon of the House of Levi, had blossomed, it brought forth a blossom, sprouted a bud and almonds ripened.” (17:23)

“And Korach took … they gathered together against Moshe and Aharon and they said to them, ‘It is too much for you … why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of Hashem?'” (16:1,3)

“That you do not stray/turn after your own heart.” (15:39)

“And the people wept that night.” (14:1)

“And Calev silenced the people toward Moshe.” (13:30)

“Send forth for you men and let them spy out the land of Canaan.” (13:2)

“And Moshe said to him, ‘Are you being zealous for my sake? Would that the entire people of Hashem could be prophets'” (11:29)

“Gather to Me seventy men from the elders of Yisrael, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers.” (11:16)

YEARS

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