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Home -> 5760 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5760

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

In the Talmud Yoma 85, Chazal derive from this pasuk that the mitzvos are given to us to live by – and not to die by. In other words, we are obligated not to allow the fulfillment of a mitzvah to stand in the way of human life, except for the three cardinal sins: murder; adultery, and idol-worship. While there are other places which imply that pikuach nefesh, saving a life or any life-threatening situation, does not override these three sins, there is a profound lesson to be derived from the implication of “vchai bohem”. Horav Yitzchok Goldwasser, Shlita, infers…

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Home -> 5760 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5760

“You shall not present any of your children to pass through for Molech.” (18:21)

  The Bais Hamedrash of Horav Yehoshua Tzeitles, z.l., was eclectic in nature. Jews from all walks of life felt comfortable entering to ask questions or to have a dialogue with Rav Yehoshua. At times, some of the most erudite Christian Bible scholars would come to ask him to elucidate some of the “difficult” passages in the Torah and Chazal. Rav Yehoshua was patient, responding with lucid and penetrating answers to the most complex questions. Once, a Christian scholar asked him about Chazal’s commentary to the prohibition of passing one’s child through the deadly fires of the Molech idol. Chazal state…

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Home -> 5759 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5759

Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of Aharon’s two sons… And Hashem said to Moshe: Speak to Aharon, your brother… (16:1,2)

The Midrash says that Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu to speak words of consolation to Aharon to help ease his period of bereavement.  He was told to use the phrase found in Yeshaya (40:2), “Speak to the heart of Yerushalayim,” which were the Navi’s words of nechamah, consolation, to Yerushalayim following the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash and ensuing exile.  We must endeavor to understand the meaning of the words, “speaking to the heart”.  What was Moshe to convey to Aharon HaKohen?. Horav Mordechai Rogov, zl, explains that the Navi’s  words of consolation to Klal Yisrael are meaningful in the context…

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Home -> 5759 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5759

Aharon shall place lots upon the two he-goats; one lot “for Hashem,” and one lot “for Azazel.” (16:8)

Chazal teach us that both he-goats must be equal in height, appearance and value.  There can be no difference between these two animals other than their ultimate end, which is determined by the lots.  Al HaTorah offers a thoughtful exposition of this equality.  Human nature dictates  that people spend money on many personal and secular pursuits.  Regardless of the price, people always find the money to spend on themselves.  For some it is the theater; for others, sports-related amusements;  or, for still others, trips that spare no expense, money is always available.  Then there are those humanitarians who feel they…

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Home -> 5759 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5759

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

The phrase, “once a year,”  underscores the significance of Yom Kippur.  We find a similar idiom regarding the festival of Succos. The Torah declares, “You shall celebrate it as a festival for Hashem, a seven-day period in the year” (Vayikra 23:41).  It seems that these two Yamim Tovim, festivals, distinguish themselves in that their hashpaah, spiritual influence, is to endure for “the year.”  Horav Mordechai Ilan, zl, notes that this idea applies only to Succos and Yom Kippur.  The parallel that exists between them is that the avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty, which is intrinsic to these festivals is…

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Home -> 5758 -> Acharei Mos

Moshe Marcovich
In Acharei Mos, 5758

He shall don a sacred linen tunic; linen breeches shall be upon his flesh. (16:4)

The Kohen Gadol performed all of the daily rituals, as well as  part of the Yom Kippur service, while wearing  his golden vestments.  When the Kohen Gadol entered the Kodesh Hakodoshim, the Holy of Holies, to seek penance for Klal Yisrael, he  changed into the simple linen vestments. Since the Jewish People had sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf, it would have been inappropriate to seek penance wearing gold.  The material of gold acts as a prosecuting agent against the Jewish People.  Hence,  gold vestments are not  the appropriate attire  for effecting a positive response for forgiveness. We infer from…

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Home -> 5758 -> Acharei Mos

Moshe Marcovich
In Acharei Mos, 5758

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

Chazal have derived from the words, “V’chai bahem“, “by which he shall live,” that the mitzvos were given for the sake of life, not death.  Consequently, if the performance of a ritual becomes life threatening, such as during a life threatening situation on  Shabbos,   life certainly takes precedence.  This is not considered to be a violation of the laws of Shabbos. The exceptions to this rule are the three cardinal sins:  idolatry, murder or adultery —  or chillul Hashem, in which violating a mitzvah would desecrate Hashem’s Name. We suggest another interpretation of “V’chai bahem“.  Many  people  would give…

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Home -> 5757 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5757

After the death of Aharon’s two sons, when they approached before Hashem, and they died. (16:1)

The Midrash cites a number of causes for the premature deaths of Nadav and Avihu. In the final analysis, were they so bad? Could they have been worse than Titus ha’rasha, who entered the Kodesh Ha’kodoshim and emerged unscathed? Horav Chaim Moshe Schneider, zl, explains that apparently the difference lies in the nature of the individual. One’s responsibility to answer for his actions is commensurate with his spiritual level.  Nadav and Avihu had reached such a high plateau of closeness to the Al-mighty that even the slightest error in judgment was manifest as a grave sin.   Horav Schneider emphasizes…

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Home -> 5757 -> Acharei Mos

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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Home -> 5757 -> Acharei Mos

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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