Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

This is the law for every tzaraas affliction… to rule/teach about which day it is impure and on which day it is purified. (14:54,57)

Toras Kohanim quotes Chanina ben Chachinai who asks why the Torah uses the word, l’horos, which primarily means “to teach.” He explains that a Kohen may not view and determine the contamination of a plague unless he had first been taught by his rebbe. It is no different than a medical student who must be taught the various intricacies of medicine “hands on”. The above issue is reflected in recent rabbinic discussions concerning the halachic attitude towards the time-honored approach to medical education of bedside rounds. This involves performing activities of clinical care at a patient’s bedside. The Netziv, zl, focuses on…

Home -> 5771 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5771

This shall be the law of the Metzora. (14:2)

There is a famous Chassidic tale which addresses the ramifications of lashon hara, slanderous speech, that is well worth repeating: In a small town in Eastern Europe a fine man lived who had one failing: he talked too much. He was well-liked and, thus, successful in his business endeavor. The problem was that when one is successful due to his personality, obviously a lot of talking is involved. Inevitably, it leads to talking about people, with the details often embellished to garner greater interest. This is lashon hara. Otherwise, the fellow was a real “nice guy.” One day, this “nice…

Home -> 5771 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5771

This shall be the law of the metzora. (14:2)

Parshiyos Tazria and Metzora are dedicated primarily to the deleterious effects of an uncontrolled, slanderous tongue. Various plagues which strike the human body – and even the individual’s house and possessions – are all attributed in some way to lashon hara, evil speech, and its “derivatives.” The Torah does not come out and clearly present the connection between lashon hara and tzaraas; rather, it alludes to it in Sefer Devarim 24:8, 9: “Beware of a tzaraas affliction, to be very careful and to act… Remember what Hashem, your G-d, did to Miriam.” According to Rashi, a distinct connection exists between…

Home -> 5771 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5771

He is to call out, “Impure, Impure!” (13:45)

Rashi explains that the reason for the declaration, Tamei!, Tamei!, is that it is a benefit for others, warning them not to come in contact with the spiritually defiled metzora. In the Talmud Shabbos 67a, Chazal explain that when he notifies the “world” that he is tamei, people will hopefully take pity and pray for him. While it is clearly commendable, how do Chazal derive from the words, Tamei, Tamei, Yikra that the metzora should encourage others to pray for him? It makes more sense that these words are a warning, so that people will not err and come in contact…

Home -> 5771 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5771

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

The Parshah begins with the laws that apply to a woman following childbirth. The Bais HaMikdash is off-limits to her for a set period of time following the birth, subsequently, she brings a korban, offering. After she has completed the time of spiritual defilement, followed by the korban, she may once again visit the Bais HaMikdash and partake of Kodoshim, sanctified foods. The Shem MiShmuel observes three distinct phases in the taharah, spiritual purification process of the yoledes, woman who gives birth, in which she is considered tamei, spiritually defiled: a) the first seven days, following the birth of a…

Home -> 5771 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5771

“I will be sanctified through those who are close to Me, and thus, I will be honored before the entire people.” (10:3)

Rashi offers the accepted interpretation of this pasuk. When Hashem imposes His attribute of Strict Justice, even on those closest to Him, He is feared and honored. People say, if this is how Hashem punishes those who are close to Him, surely the punishment in store for those who disobey Him is far worse. Well, at least this is how it should be – how the world should react when tragedy strikes Hashem’s intimate ones. The Torah expects an intelligent person to derive a positive lesson from an act of G-d which appears to the human eye to have a…

Home -> 5771 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5771

And Nadav and Avihu, the two sons of Aharon, each took his fire pan…and they brought before Hashem an alien fire that He had not commanded them. (10:1)

Asher lo tzivah osam, “That He had not commanded them.” Herein lies the error of Nadav and Avihu – two individuals whose piety brought them into the league of Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen. Yet, they did not make it, and were struck down, because they performed what they thought was a great service. The Chidushei HaRim derives from the words; “that He had not commanded them,” that man’s claim to distinction in serving Hashem is only relevant to the extent that he carries out Hashem’s command, that he executes His Will. Nadav and Avihu were very righteous, and they…

Home -> 5771 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5771

Moshe said to Aharon: “Come near to the Altar…and provide atonement for yourself and for the people.” (9:7)

Aharon HaKohen was not prepared to perform the service in the Sanctuary, because he felt undeserving and ashamed as a result of his involvement in the sin of the Golden Calf. Moshe Rabbeinu convinced him to go forward and execute the mission for which he had been selected. Indeed, Moshe addressed his reluctance, challenging him: “Why are you ashamed? Indeed, l’kach nivcharta, this is (specifically) the reason you were chosen.” Why was Aharon reluctant? Why was he ashamed? He had a number of valid justifications for his involvement with the Golden Calf. He was attempting to delay the people from…

Home -> 5771 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5771

“This is the thing that Hashem has commanded you to do; then the glory of Hashem will appear to you.” (9:6)

The adage that the “main thing is to be a Jew in one’s heart” is popular among those who have acculturated themselves to the prevalent gentile culture and society. According to this approach, mitzvah performance and a Torah oriented lifestyle are unnecessary. G-d’s primary objective is that Jews maintain Jewish hearts. This means that one believes in Hashem. In his heart, he is an Orthodox Jew. In practice, however, he is far from the Orthodox perspective. They often quote the Rabbinic dictum, Rachmana liba ba’i, “Hashem desires that a Jew have a pure heart.” Also, machshavah tovah Hakadosh Baruch Hu…

Home -> 5771 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5771

Aharon and his sons carried out all the matters. (8:36)

Rashi states that the Torah is teaching and praising the level of Aharon HaKohen’s and his sons’ commitment. “They did not deviate ‘right or left’” from all that they were commanded, and did exactly as instructed despite the voluminous details and minutae involved in these laws. Sifra comment that this alludes not only to their execution of the mitzvah, but also to the joy inherent in their performance. Although they did not hear the command directly from Hashem, Aharon and his sons performed it with enthusiasm and zest. There was no volunteering someone else, shrugging of shoulders, or exhibiting false modesty. They…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Metzora ->

This is the law for every tzaraas affliction… to rule/teach about which day it is impure and on which day it is purified. (14:54,57)

This shall be the law of the Metzora. (14:2)

This shall be the law of the metzora. (14:2)

He is to call out, “Impure, Impure!” (13:45)

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

“I will be sanctified through those who are close to Me, and thus, I will be honored before the entire people.” (10:3)

And Nadav and Avihu, the two sons of Aharon, each took his fire pan…and they brought before Hashem an alien fire that He had not commanded them. (10:1)

Moshe said to Aharon: “Come near to the Altar…and provide atonement for yourself and for the people.” (9:7)

“This is the thing that Hashem has commanded you to do; then the glory of Hashem will appear to you.” (9:6)

Aharon and his sons carried out all the matters. (8:36)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!