Acharei Mos – Page 8 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5764

“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, 5764

“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, 5764

“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, 5763

“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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5763

“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 -> 5763 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5763

“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 -> 5763 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5763

“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 -> 5762 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5762

“For on this day, he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you, from all of your sins.” (16:30)

Yom Kippur provides atonement – if it is not too late. Horav Yitzchak Blazar, z.l., the famous Rav Itzele Peterburger, primary disciple of Horav Yisrael Salanter, z.l., spoke prior to Rosh Hashanah in the Bais HaMussar of Kovno. After his ethical discourse, the assemblage began to recite various perakim, chapters, from Sefer Tehillim. At the end, together they recited the verses of Shema Koleinu, Hear our Voices, a heartrending appeal which follows the Selichos prayer. When they reached the pasuk, Al tashlicheinu l’eis ziknah, “Do not discard us when we grow old,” Rav Itzele stopped, turned around to the kahal, those…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5762

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

Targum Onkelos explains the words, V’chai bahem, “by which he shall live,” as referring to chayei alma, eternal life. In other words, as the Chafetz Chaim, z.l., explains in his preface to the Mishnah Berurah, the Torah is the spiritual food of the neshamah, soul. By studying Torah in this world, we are preparing ourselves for chayei olam, eternal life in Olam Haba. This is the meaning of the phrase, V’chayei olam nota b’socheinu, “He planted eternal life within us.” With the study of Torah, we plant the seeds from which we will one day subsist in the eternal world. We…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5762

“Let not the Land disgorge you for having contaminated it.” (18:28)

Eretz Yisrael will tolerate us as long as we act appropriately, as befits a land that is pure and holy. The Maggid m’Dubno offers a valuable analogy that sheds light on the reason Klal Yisrael is compelled to go into exile. A wealthy man exemplified the middah, character trait, of hachnosas orchim, welcoming wayfarers and providing for their immediate needs. His home was a veritable restaurant that fed anyone in need – from the abject poor to the business traveler who needed a home-cooked meal and a bed. Acutely aware of the varied backgrounds of his guests, he divided his dining…

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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)

“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 to cleanse you, from all of your sins.” (16:30)

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

“Let not the Land disgorge you for having contaminated it.” (18:28)

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