Acharei Mos – Page 5 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5772

“Like the practice of the land of Egypt…and like the practice of the land of Canaan…you should not do.” (18:3)

The Egyptian and Canaanite nations were the most degenerate of all nations. Immorality was their way of life, licentiousness was their culture. We are adjured not to follow in their statutes and traditions. The Sefarim HaKedoshim add that even in those areas which are permitted to us, we should act with restraint, holiness and refinement. In other words, we should abide by a Jewish standard of behavior, a Torah approach to living. As Torah Jews, we must strive to act, live and interact differently than what is in vogue in contemporary society. Our lives are different, our goals are different,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5772

“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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5772

“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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5771

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

The Midrash says that when Iyov heard about the tragic deaths of Aharon HaKohen’s two sons, he said, Af l’zos yecherad libi v’yitar mimkomo, “Even for this, my heart trembles and it leaps from its place” (Iyov 37:1). Iyov had suffered as no other man. He believed that he did not deserve to suffer such extreme pain and misery. He felt that had led a virtuous and pious life, and had not done anything wrong – certainly nothing of the caliber to warrant such serious punishment. Iyov claimed that the physical/emotional pain of losing his children and his possessions paled in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5771

No one, no one of you shall approach any close relative to uncover nakedness… And you shall not give any of your progeny to pass through for Molech… I am Hashem. (18:6,21)

After enumerating a list of sexual aberrations, the Torah concludes with an exhortation not to give one’s child “to pass through for [the] Molech [god].” Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, explains the rationale for this juxtaposition. He suggests a practical reason for the prohibition of the laws concerning ervah, physical relations with close relatives. He explains that a relationship between husband and wife should be predicated upon bonds of mutual love, which is the result of marriage. Any relationship which has been linked prior to marriage by bonds of mutual attachment and affection, or of familial love, precludes the link founded in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5770

“For on this day he shall provide atonement for you.” (16:30)

In a drasha, lecture, during the month of Elul, the Klausenberger Rebbe, z.l., told the following story: The author of the Yeshuos Yaakov lived in the city of Yarislov for a number of years following his marriage. He davened in that city’s main shul. He witnessed the following story. – One year, on Erev Yom Kippur shortly before Kol Nidrei, a man entered the shul and walked up to the amud to lead the service. This person gave the outward appearance of piety, virtue and dignity. He did not ask permission to daven; he just went up to lead the…

Home -> 5770 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5770

“Like the practice of the land of Egypt…and like the practice of the land of Canaan…you should not do.” (18:3)

The Egyptian and Canaanite nations were the most degenerate of all nations. Immorality was their way of life, licentiousness was their culture. We are adjured not to follow in their statutes and traditions. The Sefarim HaKedoshim add that even in those areas which are permitted to us, we should act with restraint, holiness and refinement. In other words, we should abide by a Jewish standard of behavior, a Torah approach to living. As Torah Jews, we must strive to act, live and interact differently than what is in vogue in contemporary society. Our lives are different, our goals are different,…

Home -> 5770 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5770

“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…

Home -> 5770 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5770

“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…

Home -> 5769 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5769

“For on this day he shall provide atonement for you.” (16:30)

In a drasha, lecture, during the month of Elul, the Klausenberger Rebbe, z.l., told the following story: The author of the Yeshuos Yaakov lived in the city of Yarislov for a number of years following his marriage. He davened in that city’s main shul. He witnessed the following story. – One year, on Erev Yom Kippur shortly before Kol Nidrei, a man entered the shul and walked up to the amud to lead the service. This person gave the outward appearance of piety, virtue and dignity. He did not ask permission to daven; he just went up to lead the…

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“Like the practice of the land of Egypt…and like the practice of the land of Canaan…you should not do.” (18:3)

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

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

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

No one, no one of you shall approach any close relative to uncover nakedness… And you shall not give any of your progeny to pass through for Molech… I am Hashem. (18:6,21)

“For on this day he shall provide atonement for you.” (16:30)

“Like the practice of the land of Egypt…and like the practice of the land of Canaan…you should not do.” (18:3)

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

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

“For on this day he shall provide atonement for you.” (16:30)

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