Ki Seitzei – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

Hashem said to Moshe, “Carve for yourself two stone tablets like the first ones.” (34:1)

After forty days of prayer for Divine forgiveness, Moshe received a command to carve out two new stones to be used as the Luchos. Moshe ascended the mountain on Rosh Chodesh Elul to remain there for forty days. On the tenth of Tishrei, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, he descended with the new Luchos and a complete pardon for Klal Yisrael’s participation in the Chet Ha’eigal, sin of the Golden Calf. Teshuvah, repentance, is a process which effects Divine mercy. Forgiveness is the result of man’s efforts, his fasts and prayers. Every individual is eligible to become the beneficiary…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

And Moshe did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant when He had spoken to him. (34:29)

Rashi says that the Karnei Hod, Rays of Glory, which emanated from Moshe were the result of Hashem’s Hand that sheltered Moshe as he was shown a glimpse of His glory. Chazal question the merit that made Moshe worthy of receiving the Rays of Glory. They say that when Moshe completed the writing of the Torah, there were a few drops of ink left. Hashem took the quill and passed it over Moshe’s face which resulted in the Karnei Hod. While this Midrash is fascinating, it demands clarification. We can understand that a human being would find it difficult to…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

Korach the son of Yitzhar the son of Kehas the son of Levi took (16:1)

The Torah purposely omits Yaakov’s name from this pasuk. He was Korach’s great-grandfather, but as a result of the dispute, he implored Hashem to exclude his name from Korach’s pedigree. He did not want his name connected with machlokes, controversy. Did Yaakov think for one moment that people would forget the Patriarch from whom Korach had descended? What did he gain by having his name excluded? Horav Eliyahu Lopian, zl, comments that in recounting an individual’s lineage, we rarely go back further than the father; we surely never mention the great-grandfather. The Torah makes an exception, however, when it…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

And On ben Peles. (16:1)

On Ben Peles almost joined Korach’s misguided group. His wife saved him. The word “On” is related to “onen“, a mourner. Chazal tell us that he was called On because he spent the rest of his life in aninus, mourning, over the error that nearly cost him his life. Interestingly, Korach’s sons also repented. Why were they not called On for their act of repentance? Was their remorse different from that of On? Horav Zeev Weinberger, Shlita, comments that while both On and Bnei Korach showed remorse, Bnei Korach acted upon their remorse. They resolved to change in the…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

They gathered together against Moshe and Aharon. (16:3)

Korach was not an average person. He was a revered scholar with an illustrious pedigree. He had acquired wealth and power. Yet , it was his guile that helped him acquire his distinguished following. He used false and misleading arguments to undermine the Torah, to present its disseminators in a selfish and even foolish role. We will focus on some of his arguments in order to manifest the pattern of machlokes, controversy. We will also demonstrate how this timeless evil continues to thrive in contemporary times. First, Korach brought his two hundred and fifty followers clothed in garments made of…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

It is too much for you, O’offspring of Levi (16:7)

In the Talmud Sotah 13b, Chazal say, “With rav,” (it is) “too much.” He/Moshe notified them (Korach and the Bnei Levi). With “rav,” Hashem notified him that he would not enter Eretz Yisrael. Rashi implies that Moshe was held accountable for the way he spoke to the Bnei Levi. In other words, Hashem ignored Moshe’s prayers, his hundreds of entreaties to be allowed entry to Eretz Yisrael, because of the way he spoke to Korach. We must endeavor to understand the depth of his sin. What did Moshe do that warranted such a response from Hashem? Moreover, where is the…

Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Ki Seitzei, 5758

It is too much for you, O offspring of Levi…It is not enough for you that the G-d of Yisrael has segregated you from the Assembly of Yisrael to draw you near to Himself. (16:7,9)

Moshe Rabbeinu turned to Korach’s supporters from shevet Levi. He told them they had already received great honor, so they should not be demanding more. Once, after finishing his shiur at Yeshivas Slabodka, Horav Yechezkel Abramsky, zl, turned to his students and said emphatically, “You should know that you study Torah unimpeded by any pursuits. You are the greatest mezakei horabim, source for bestowing merit for Klal Yisrael. On you, rests the world. You give courage and faith to Klal Yisrael. Indeed, you are on the highest spiritual plane in Klal Yisrael.” This was the underlying message that Moshe communicated…

Home -> 5757 -> Ki Seitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5757

You shall surely send away the mother…so that it will be good for you and you will prolong your days. (22:7)

Hashem grants success and longevity in response to the performance of the mitzvah of Shiluach Ha’kein, sending away the mother bird. Only the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents effects comparable reward. Why does the Torah single out these two mitzvos for such a significant reward? Also, what is the relationship between these two seemingly disparate mitzvos? Honoring one’s parents is a difficult mitzvah to perform correctly, while Shiluach Ha’kein is a simple task. Horav Zalmen Sorotzkin, zl, comments that actually a strong parallel exists between these mitzvos which accounts for the similarity of the reward. One must set the mother…

Home -> 5757 -> Ki Seitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5757

An Amoni or Moavi shall not enter the congregation of Hashem….because of the fact that they did not greet you with bread and water on the road when you were leaving Egypt. (23:4,5)

The character flaw which Moav exhibited was sufficient reason for the Torah to exclude them from Klal Yisrael. We must address how this negative trait was manifest in descendants of Lot, Avraham Avinu’s nephew. Lot was a person who risked his life to fulfill the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim, hospitality to the wayfarer/stranger. His daughter died as a result of his commitment. Their family exemplified a conviction to chesed, kindness to others. How then did they become so degenerate that several generations later the family served as the paradigm of those who lack chesed? Meilitz Yosher explains that the primary…

Home -> 5757 -> Ki Seitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5757

An Amoni or Moavi shall not enter the congregation of Hashem…Because of the fact that they did not greet you with bread and water…And because he hired Bilaam ben Be’or….to curse you. (23:4,5)

The Torah mentions two reasons for not accepting the Amoni and Moavi into Klal Yisrael. The first appears to be a character flaw; the second seems more substansive. We can understand taking a strict attitude towards a people that have sought to harm us, but why should their lack of decency play a role in their rejection as converts? Chazal give a number of reasons for this. Horav Nissan Alpert, zl, offers a thoughtful insight into their behavior which demonstrates their utter hatred for the Jews. Consequently, he explains why such a people should be eternally excluded from joining Klal…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Ki Seitzei ->

Hashem said to Moshe, “Carve for yourself two stone tablets like the first ones.” (34:1)

And Moshe did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant when He had spoken to him. (34:29)

Korach the son of Yitzhar the son of Kehas the son of Levi took (16:1)

And On ben Peles. (16:1)

They gathered together against Moshe and Aharon. (16:3)

It is too much for you, O’offspring of Levi (16:7)

It is too much for you, O offspring of Levi…It is not enough for you that the G-d of Yisrael has segregated you from the Assembly of Yisrael to draw you near to Himself. (16:7,9)

You shall surely send away the mother…so that it will be good for you and you will prolong your days. (22:7)

An Amoni or Moavi shall not enter the congregation of Hashem….because of the fact that they did not greet you with bread and water on the road when you were leaving Egypt. (23:4,5)

An Amoni or Moavi shall not enter the congregation of Hashem…Because of the fact that they did not greet you with bread and water…And because he hired Bilaam ben Be’or….to curse you. (23:4,5)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!