Acharei Mos – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5757

And his cupped handful of finely ground incense-spices. (16:12)

The Kohen Gadol is finally prepared to appear before Hashem to implore His atonement on behalf of Klal Yisrael. He has said his Viddui and slaughtered his personal Korban Chatas. He is now ready to offer the Ketores, incense, in the Kodesh Ha’kodoshim. The Kohen Gadol enters the Holy of Holies once a year, on Yom Kippur. The first service he performs, the first request he makes of the Al-mighty, is to seek atonement for the sin of lashon hora, speaking gossip and slander. The Ketores serves as the vehicle for this request. How does the offering of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5757

This shall be to you an eternal decree to bring atonement upon Bnei Yisrael…And (Aharon) did as Hashem commanded Moshe. (16:34)

Rashi comments that when Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, arrives, Aharon was to carry out the service in the prescribed manner. The emphasis is placed upon the fact that when Aharon performed the Avodah, garbed in the regal vestments of the Kohen Gadol, his attitude was completely selfless; he did it only because it was the command of Hashem. Horav Simcha Zissel Broide, Shlita, notes the compelling nature of this statement. We are taught that Rav Chanina ben Dosa was once immersed in prayer. So profound was his devotion during tefillah that when a snake bit…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5757

You shall safeguard My charge not to do any of the abominable traditions that were done before you. (18:30)

This pasuk is enigmatic. One would think that the purpose of observing mitzvos, of safeguarding the Torah’s dictate, would be to develop a closer relationship with Hashem. We attain a level of spiritual ascendancy commensurate with our commitment to observe. That, however, is not what the Torah says. We are adjured to safeguard the Torah ,so that we will decline to perform the abominable practices of the heathens into whose land we are entering! While these seem to be pretty strong words, it is not uncommon to find such statements throughout the Torah. One who observes, grows. In contrast, one…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5756

“Do not perform the practice of the land of Egypt where you dwelled; and do not perform the practice of the land of Canaan to which I bring you.” (18:3)

Why are these two nations singled out from among the other nations of the world? The prohibition against following the immoral practices of the nations applies to all of the nations. Horav Itzele Voloshiner, zl, explains that people tend to justify their environment. The Jews might have thought they could follow the practices of the Egyptians because they lived in Egypt. After all, “When in Rome do as the Romans.” It is especially difficult to live in a country and act “different” from everybody else. Perhaps, the Jews thought that since Hashem was bringing them to Canaan, it might be…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5756

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

The mitzvos of the Torah were given for the sake of life – not death. We generally accept that the concept of mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice, is a reference to one who is prepared to give up his life for Hashem. Horav E.M. Schach, Shlita, posits that this is not the Torah’s intent. Rather, mesiras nefesh is defined by man’s devotion to “live” as a Jew – despite challenging situations. The Torah values human life, demanding that we maintain a lifestyle of Torah and mitzvos throughout our lifetime. People are frequently prepared to go to war to risk their lives for…

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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 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

“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

“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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Sruly Schnair In Acharei Mos, 5754

“After the doings of the land of Egypt… you shall not do… and after the doings of the land of Canaan… you shall not do, and in their statutes you shall not walk. My ordinances you shall do and My statutes you shall keep to walk therein.” (18:3,4)

Rashi cites the Sifra which derives from the words “to walk therein” that one should not think that he can exempt himself from mitzvos. In other words, one shall not say, “I have learned the wisdom of Yisrael, I shall now go and learn the wisdom of other nations.” To act in such a manner is equivalent to exempting himself from Torah and mitzvos. This seems vexing. Why should studying the culture of other nations be viewed as being diametrically opposed to a Torah way of life? Horav Boruch Sorotzkin z.l. suggests the following explanation. Limud ha’Torah is not merely…

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And his cupped handful of finely ground incense-spices. (16:12)

This shall be to you an eternal decree to bring atonement upon Bnei Yisrael…And (Aharon) did as Hashem commanded Moshe. (16:34)

You shall safeguard My charge not to do any of the abominable traditions that were done before you. (18:30)

“Do not perform the practice of the land of Egypt where you dwelled; and do not perform the practice of the land of Canaan to which I bring you.” (18:3)

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

“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)

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

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

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

“After the doings of the land of Egypt… you shall not do… and after the doings of the land of Canaan… you shall not do, and in their statutes you shall not walk. My ordinances you shall do and My statutes you shall keep to walk therein.” (18:3,4)

YEARS

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