Emor – Page 11 – Peninim on the Torah

“If the daughter of a man who is a Kohen will be defiled through having an illicit relationship, she defiles her father.” (21:9)

Why does she defile her father more than her mother? Chazal teach us that the father is also punished. If, prior to his daughter’s defilement, he had been considered a respected member of the priesthood and the community, he is demoted. It seems that this degradation is due to his status as a Kohen. Why should this “punishment” be limited to Kehunah? Should the Yisrael who does a poor job raising his daughter be different? Last, according to those commentators who translate the phrase “ki seicheil” as “who begins,” rather than “who defiles,” why is the punishment restricted to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5760

“And you shall rejoice before Hashem, your G-d, for a seven-day period.” (23:40)

The mitzvah of joy on the festival of Succos is intrinsic to the chag. It is an integral aspect of the festival’s identity. It occurred on one of the days of Succos that the daughter of Horav Meir, z.l., m’Premishlan became gravely ill. On Simchas Torah, the situation had deteriorated to the point that the young woman was at death’s door. Yet, Rav Meir Premishlaner danced the hakafos, traditional Simchas Torah dance with the Torah, with his usual joy and devotion. His chassidim were aghast at the Rebbe’s behavior. How could he exhibit such jubilation at a time like this?…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5760

“Aharon shall arrange it, from evening to morning.” (24:3)

The Torah tells us in this pasuk that Aharon HaKohen was responsible for arranging the lamps of the Menorah. In Parashas Tetzaveh, when the Torah records this ritual, it mentions that Aharon’s sons also arranged the lamps of the Menorah. Why is only Aharon’s name mentioned here? The Baal HaTurim explains that after Nadav and Avihu died in the Sanctuary, Aharon no longer permitted his remaining sons to enter alone. He always accompanied them into the Sanctuary. These are amazing words! The Baal HaTurim’s penetrating insight into Aharon’s behavior is both profound and pragmatic. How are we to understand this?…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5759

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them: Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person among his people. (21:1)

Why is it necessary to have two “amiros,” sayings? Rashi cites Chazal in the Talmud Yevamos 114a who say that the Torah is emphasizing the need for “the gedolim to warn the ketanim.” The Kohanim, scholars and teachers of the people, were to convey this teaching to others who were not necessarily obligated by this mitzvah. The adult Kohanim were cautioned to make sure that their children not become contaminated. The Midrash says that the word gedolim is a reference to the “beings,” angels in Heaven Above, for whom one amirah, admonishment, suffices. The tachtonim, human beings who walk the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5759

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them, Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person. (21:1)

The various commentators address the Torah’s redundancy in its enjoinment to the Kohanim regarding the laws of tumah, ritual contamination. Rashi cites Chazal who say that the Torah is emphasizing the need for the gedolim, adults, to warn the ketanim, children. In a homiletic rendering of the pasuk, the Chasam Sofer focuses upon what has regrettably become common practice: We take an interest only in the “gedolim,” while we ignore the “ketanim“. For example, when a member of the community passes away, we make an effort to provide everything for the “niftar ha’gadol,” the distinguished deceased. We prepare a “great”…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5759

The Kohen who is exalted above his brethren – upon whose head the anointment oil has been poured. (21:10)

The Kohen Gadol “stands” above the other Kohanim as a result of certain qualities with which he has been vested. Chazal enumerate five areas in which he was “greater” than the others. One of these was strength. The Kohen Gadol was exceptionally strong. This is indicated by Aharon Hakohen’s ability to consecrate twenty-two thousand Leviim – in one day. This process involved physically raising each one and moving them back and forth, up and down. The magnitude of this task is evident when one realizes that this was all performed in the space of one day! Let us analyze this…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5759

The son of an Israelite woman – and he was the son of an Egyptian man… the son of the Israelite woman pronounced the Name and blasphemed… the name of his mother was Shlomis daughter of Divri. (24:10,11)

The Torah relates the story of a Jew who committed the heinous sin of blaspheming the Name of Hashem. The Torah records this person’s mother’s name as Shlomis bas Divri. Rashi attributes the name Shlomis to her tendency to greet everyone, striking up a conversation with everyone she meets. The name Divri also implies that she was a dabronis, talked very much with everyone. Apparently, her proclivity to talk excessively led to all forms of sinful speech and behavior. The Chasam Sofer questions Rashi’s statement. It would seem that Rashi was giving us a reason why this woman gave birth…

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Moshe Marcovich In Emor, 5758

Say to the Kohanim,…and tell them (21:1)

Rashi explains that the Torah’s dual injunction, “Emor V’omarta, emphasizes the significance of “saying.” This suggests “I’hazhir gedolim al haketanim,” that the older ones should warn and instruct the younger ones. In a salutary lesson for the Kohanim, the Torah teaches us a valuable lesson. Only by appropriate attention to the education of the children can our future be assured. Ignoring the process of education can have devastating effects. Deviating from the usual interpretation of this pasuk, Chazal assert that in the normative educational process, the older generation should teach the younger generation. Woe is the generation in which the…

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Moshe Marcovich In Emor, 5758

“You shall sanctify him for the bread of your G-d he offers, he shall be holy unto you.” (21:8)

Horav Elyakim Schlesinger, Shlita, cites the Chazon Ish who once commented regarding a certain Torah scholar. This man had disagreed with him regarding a halachic matter. He said that the scholar was actually an am ha’aretz, illiterate. The Chazon Ish explained that the degree of one’s erudition is consistent with his ability to appreciate another person’s gadlus, superiority, in Torah learning. One who has himself achieved literacy in Torah, recognizes its profundity. He will, consequently, defer to another’s academic attainment in Torah. One who is truly illiterate, and whose arrogance denies him the ability to perceive his own deficits, will…

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Moshe Marcovich In Emor, 5758

For a crown, the oil of his G-d’s annointment is upon him, I am G-d. (21:12)

Bnei Yisrael would come to the Bais Hamikdash to see the Kohanim performing the avodah, service, accompanied by the Leviim, chanting their melodies and Psalms. Only one shevet, tribe, had access to the internal workings of the Bais Hamikdash. It must have troubled the average Jew that this unique group of people were selected over everyone to become Hashem’s legion, His faithful servants. They must have questioned this phenomenon. What is really the reason that only the Kohanim and Leviim could act as agents for the people to offer korbanos. What trait rendered them so special? Horav Y.A. Hirshovitz,…

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“If the daughter of a man who is a Kohen will be defiled through having an illicit relationship, she defiles her father.” (21:9)

“And you shall rejoice before Hashem, your G-d, for a seven-day period.” (23:40)

“Aharon shall arrange it, from evening to morning.” (24:3)

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them: Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person among his people. (21:1)

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them, Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person. (21:1)

The Kohen who is exalted above his brethren – upon whose head the anointment oil has been poured. (21:10)

The son of an Israelite woman – and he was the son of an Egyptian man… the son of the Israelite woman pronounced the Name and blasphemed… the name of his mother was Shlomis daughter of Divri. (24:10,11)

Say to the Kohanim,…and tell them (21:1)

“You shall sanctify him for the bread of your G-d he offers, he shall be holy unto you.” (21:8)

For a crown, the oil of his G-d’s annointment is upon him, I am G-d. (21:12)

YEARS

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