Beha’alosecha – Peninim on the Torah

“And Miriam and Aharon spoke against Moshe… and when the cloud was removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam (was) leprous (as white) as snow.” (12:1,10)

Why was Miriam punished specifically with tzaraas, leprosy? Is there a definite relationship between her punishment and her sin? Horav Boruch Sorotzkin z.l. offers a profound response, based upon a novel interpretation of the meaning of sin and its effect. Sin can be viewed from two distinct perspectives. Fist, sin is a transgression of the Divine imperative. When the king issues an edict, one is obligated to adhere to it to the fullest extent. No excuses compensate for such an infraction. Second, sin may be compared to a disease. Just as there are physical ailments and disease, so, too, are…

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Sruly Schnair In Beha'alosecha, 5754

“And the mixed multitude that was among them felt a lusting and then wept again also the Bnei Yisrael and they said, “who will give us meat?” and Moshe heard the people weeping in their families… and in the eyes of Moshe it was evil.” (11:4,10)

The narrative regarding the asafsuf is vexing. As mentioned previously, Bnei Yisrael lacked no food. Chazal teach that the manna, which descended daily, had an amazing quality. Its taste varied in accordance to each person’s desire. Indeed, each individual’s craving was satisfied. Nonetheless, Bnei Yisrael cried out for meat. Their ingratitude was magnified when they expressed their desire to return to the “wonderful” Egypt. Moshe’s response also seems atypical. When Bnei Yisrael sinned with the Golden Calf, Moshe entreated Hashem on their behalf. He exhausted every effort to save them from complete destruction. In this situation, Moshe “gave up” in…

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Sruly Schnair In Beha'alosecha, 5754

“And he (Moshe) said leave us not… and you shall be to us instead of eyes.” (10:31)

In one interpretation of this pasuk, Rashi explains that Moshe’s request of Yisro refers to the future. His request was that the people be able to approach Yisro for enlightenment concerning any concept which they could not understand. This seems perplexing! Considering all of the wise men and elders in Klal Yisrael, was there no one to whom the people could go for advice and instruction? Why was Yisro’s counsel determined to be the most prudent? Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, suggests that Yisro’s background as a baal–teshuva rendered his advice most propitious. One who has been nurtured from birth to…

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Sruly Schnair In Beha'alosecha, 5754

“And if you will come into war in your land against the enemy that oppresses you, then you shall blow an alarm with trumpets, and you shall be remembered before Hashem your G-d and you shall be saved from your enemies.” (10:9)

Discussing Klal Yisrael‘s entry into battle, in Parashas Ki Tzeitzei (Devarim 21:10), the Torah does not seem to outline any specific means of aggressive attack. The Torah simply states, “When you go forth to war against your enemies, and Hashem your G-d will deliver them into your hands.” Why is there such a disparity between the two parshios dealing with waging war on the enemy? The Kotzker Rebbe z.l. distinguishes between two contrasting types of war. He suggests that the term “war” is actually an allusion to man’s constant battle with the yetzer hora, evil inclination. The differential is determined…

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Sruly Schnair In Beha'alosecha, 5754

“Make for you two trumpets of silver… and they shall be for you for the calling of the congregation… and when they shall blow with them they shall gather together unto you all the congregation.” (10:2,3)

Rashi explains that these trumpets were to be used only by Moshe. Moshe had been elevated to the unparalleled position of king over Am Yisrael. The trumpets were symbols of honor and prestige for him. Before he passed on, the trumpets were put away never to be used again. In contrast, all of the other vessels created for specific use in the Mishkan, i.e. the Aron, Luchos, Shulchan, and Menorah were to be passed down from generation to generation. The Satmar Rebbe z.l. offers a profound explanation for this distinction. Everything can be bequeathed from generation to generation. The chatzotzros,…

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“And Miriam and Aharon spoke against Moshe… and when the cloud was removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam (was) leprous (as white) as snow.” (12:1,10)

“And the mixed multitude that was among them felt a lusting and then wept again also the Bnei Yisrael and they said, “who will give us meat?” and Moshe heard the people weeping in their families… and in the eyes of Moshe it was evil.” (11:4,10)

“And he (Moshe) said leave us not… and you shall be to us instead of eyes.” (10:31)

“And if you will come into war in your land against the enemy that oppresses you, then you shall blow an alarm with trumpets, and you shall be remembered before Hashem your G-d and you shall be saved from your enemies.” (10:9)

“Make for you two trumpets of silver… and they shall be for you for the calling of the congregation… and when they shall blow with them they shall gather together unto you all the congregation.” (10:2,3)

YEARS

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