Beha’alosecha – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5759

From fifty years of age, he shall withdraw from the legion of work and no longer work. (8:25)

While the Levi must “retire” at age fifty from the heavy labor of carrying the holy vessels on his shoulders, he continues to perform the remainder of Levite services, such as singing, closing the gates and loading the wagons. In Pirkei Avos 5:21, the Tanna addresses the various stages of an individual’s life. At age fifty, his advice is valued. The Bartenura cites this pasuk regarding the Levi who leaves the workforce and stays on to help his fellow Leviim. He serves them through the advice he gives them. The experience he has gathered throughout the years is of great…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5759

On the day the Mishkan was set up, the cloud covered the Mishkan…And in the evening there would be upon the Mishkan like a fiery appearance until morning. (9:15)

This is the way it always was: a cloud by day and a fire at night. Horav Shlomo Yosef Zevin, zl, says this is a foreshadowing of our future: a cloud by day and a fire at night. When man is doing well, when his success is encouraging, the sun shines brilliantly before him. At such a time, he must remember that it is not always going to be like this. There will be times when the cloud will cover the sunshine, and the radiance will not penetrate. Conversely, he who is plagued with suffering, overcome with pain and affliction,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5759

Moshe said to him, “Are you being zealous for my sake ? Would that the entire people of Hashem would be prophets.” (11:29)

When Moshe delegated authority to the seventy Elders, he was teaching a significant lesson regarding the dissemination of Torah throughout Klal Yisrael. Moshe brought the Elders to his own tent. This was the tent from which he taught Torah, from which the “bottom line” in halachah was decided and disseminated for one purpose – to instruct the elders in their goal as teachers of Klal Yisrael. They were given the lofty responsibility of transmitting Torah throughout Klal Yisrael. Indeed, Chazal say that the day of the appointment of the Zekeinim, Elders, was as beloved to Hashem as the day He…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5759

And the man Moshe was exceedingly humble. (12:3)

The word “v’ha’ish,” “and the man,” seems to be superfluous. It should have been written, “and Moshe.” Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch,zl, cites the pasuk in Shmuel I, 15:17, “Though you are small in your own eyes, you are the head of the tribes of Yisrael,” in which the Navi criticizes Shaul ha’Melech for being overly humble. In the end, this misplaced humility resulted in Shmuel telling Shaul, “You have rejected the word of G-d.” Evidently, the only blemish to be found on Shaul’s character was his excessive humility. Should this have been sufficient cause for the Navi to so severely…

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Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

Speak to Aharon…When you kindle the lamps, towards the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps light. (8:2)

Rashi addresses the relationship between Aharon’s lighting the Menorah and the previous parsha, which recounts the offerings of nesiim, princes, for the dedication of the Mizbayach. He says that Aharon was upset that neither he, nor any member of shevet Levi, was included in the dedication. Hashem comforted Aharon saying that his service, preparing and kindling the Menorah, was more significant than theirs. We wonder at Aharon’s chagrin. Obviously, his reaction must have had some validity, as Hashem responded by comforting him. We must also endeavor to understand the meaning of the phrase, “Yours is greater/more significant than theirs.“ This…

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Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

This is the workmanship of the Menorah…according to the vision that Hashem showed Moshe, so did he make the Menorah. (8:4)

Chazal tell us that Moshe had difficulty in forging the Menorah. They say that Hashem “showed” Moshe by pointing a “finger” and describing the exact image of the Menorah. In the end, according to one statement of Chazal, Moshe threw the talent of gold into the fire and a finished Menorah emerged. A number of explanations address Moshe’s difficulty in perceiving the image of the Menorah. Horav Nissan Alpert, zl, views this from an homiletic point of view. He suggests an analogy between the fabrication of the Menorah and two people who were given the necessary materials for building a…

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Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

They journeyed from the mountain of Hashem a three day journey and the Aron of the covenant journeyed before them…to search out for them a resting place. (10:33)

Rashi contends that the “Aron Bris Hashem” — which was taken out with Bnei Yisrael when they went to battle — contained the broken Luchos. The “Shivrei Luchos” retained a unique power which served as a protective armor when Bnei Yisrael were in a difficult predicament. We must endeavor to understand why the Aron that contained the broken Luchos accompanied Bnei Yisrael in time of war. What was the significance of the Shivrei Luchos? What influence did they maintain over the people? We suggest that the broken Luchos represent the integrity of Torah and each Jew’s mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice, to…

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Moshe Marcovich In Beha'alosecha, 5758

Moshe heard the people weeping in their family groups. (11:10)

To express their displeasure publicly, entire families gathered outside their tents and wept. Rashi explains that the word “families” alludes to the real reason for their complaint. The family laws that were initiated at Har Sinai became a source of frustration for them. They did not care to have their relationships governed by the Torah. Rather than viewing the laws of family life and morality as a privilege reserved for the nobility that comprises Klal Yisrael, they viewed them as an infringement on their freedom. Horav Yitzchak Blazer, zl, suggests a novel interpretation to the word “families.” The manna descended…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5757

Speak with Aharon…when you kindle the Menorah toward the face of the Menorah.(8:2)

Rashi explains the juxtaposition of the command to Aharon to light the Menorah upon the previous parsha, which discussed the dedication offerings brought by the nesiim to dedicate the Mizbayach. Aharon was depressed and concerned that neither he nor any member of his tribe had a role in the dedication of the Mizbayach. He felt that this comprised retribution for his part in the sin of the Golden Calf. Hashem assuaged his feelings by telling him that his role, of lighting the Menorah, holds greater importance. The Mizbayach serves its purpose only as long as there is a Mikdash, while…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5757

And Aharon did so…as Hashem commanded to Moshe. (8:3)

Aharon was asked to do one thing – to light the Menorah. It would seem that such a simple task would provoke Aharon to act in response. Perhaps, he might feel that a position as important as his merits a more noble service. After all, he was the Kohen Gadol. Aharon followed his orders to the letter. Chazal laud him for not changing Moshe’s directive at all. It is difficult to sacrifice one’s individuality to the greater cause. Obstinacy has destroyed more than one promising career. The criteria for greatness is the ability to suffer an indignity for the cause,…

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From fifty years of age, he shall withdraw from the legion of work and no longer work. (8:25)

On the day the Mishkan was set up, the cloud covered the Mishkan…And in the evening there would be upon the Mishkan like a fiery appearance until morning. (9:15)

Moshe said to him, “Are you being zealous for my sake ? Would that the entire people of Hashem would be prophets.” (11:29)

And the man Moshe was exceedingly humble. (12:3)

Speak to Aharon…When you kindle the lamps, towards the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps light. (8:2)

This is the workmanship of the Menorah…according to the vision that Hashem showed Moshe, so did he make the Menorah. (8:4)

They journeyed from the mountain of Hashem a three day journey and the Aron of the covenant journeyed before them…to search out for them a resting place. (10:33)

Moshe heard the people weeping in their family groups. (11:10)

Speak with Aharon…when you kindle the Menorah toward the face of the Menorah.(8:2)

And Aharon did so…as Hashem commanded to Moshe. (8:3)

YEARS

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