Ki Sisa – Page 12 – Peninim on the Torah

The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

As part of an annual compulsory tax, the Torah instructs each member of Klal Yisroel to give a half-shekel towards the korbanos tzibur, communal offerings. The Toldos Yaakov Yosef explains that the requirement for half a shekel underscores the importance of unity among Jews. No Jew is complete unless he joins with others. Indeed, even the simple person has the potential to complete the most noble Jew. In the beginning of Meseches Shekalim, the Mishnah says: On Rosh Chodesh Adar, they (Bais Din) would proclaim regarding the obligation to contribute the Shekalim and Kilayim, reminding people to rid themselves…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Ki Sisa

For six days work may be done and the seventh day is a day of complete rest. (31:15)

Rabbeinu Bachya says that Shabbos is the principle of faith. It is equivalent to all the mitzvos because it confirms our belief in the creation of the world. As we believe that Hashem created the world in six days, we affirm that He rested on the seventh. Throughout Rabbinic literature, Chazal underscore the mitzvah of Shabbos and emphasize its significance. Throughout the ages, Jews have sacrificed material comfort – and even their lives – in observance of this mitzvah. The following story reinforces this idea: Horav Simcha Kaplan, Shlita, Rav of Tzfas, relates that when he studied at the Mirrer…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Ki Sisa

And the people gathered around Aharon and said to him, “Rise up, make for us gods…The entire people removed the gold rings… He (Aharon) took it from their hands and bound it up in a cloth, and fashioned it into a molten calf. (32:1, 3,4)

One of the most grievous sins and tragic episodes in the history of our People is the chet ha’eigel, sin of the Golden Calf. What makes things worse is Aharon HaKohen’s involvement in its construction. Indeed, when Moshe questioned Aharon about his role in its creation, he responded that he was overwhelmed by the people. Hoping to create some delay, he had them bring their gold and jewelry to him. Regrettably, their response to his request was incredible. It always seems to be like this when people have the passion of sin in their hearts: nothing stands in their way. …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Ki Sisa

And now if You would but forgive their sin! But if not, erase me now from this book that You have written. (32:32)

Rashi explains that the word, “misifrecha“, “from Your book,” applies to the entire Torah. Rashi suggests a reason for Moshe’s well-known reaction to Hashem’s desire to punish Klal Yisrael with annihilation: “That they should not say about me that I was not worthy to implore mercy for them.” This is mind-boggling! We are referring here to Moshe Rabbeinu, the “anav mikol adam,” the most humble of all men. He is prepared to have his name erased from the nitzchiyus, eternity, of Torah, simply because of what they may say, asserting that he was not capable/worthy of achieving clemency for Klal…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ki Sisa

“When you take a census of Bnei Yisrael according to their numbers, every man shall give an atonement for his soul.” (30:12)

The census of Bnei Yisrael was accomplished by taking a half-shekel coin from each person and then counting the coins. Bnei Yisrael used the proceeds of this collection to purchase the korbanos tzibbur, communal Mizbayach offerings. While the collection of funds was associated with a census, the Torah does not mention any specific reason for the actual census. It certainly was not needed for military purposes, as was the case later in the time of Shaul Ha’Melech and David Ha’Melech. We must, therefore, accept the explanation that Rashi suggests in the beginning of Sefer Bamidbar. He posits that Hashem counts…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ki Sisa

“And the people saw that Moshe delayed in descending the mountain, and the people congregated around Aharon and said to him, ‘Rise up, make for us gods that will go before us….This is your god, O’ Yisrael, which brought you up from the land of Egypt.” (32:1,4)

Klal Yisrael’s reaction to Moshe Rabbeinu’s apparent delay returning from Har Sinai has concerned Chazal. The commentators attempt to explain Klal Yisrael’s ingratitude. Chazal compare the revelation at Har Sinai to a wedding between Hashem Yisborach and Knesses Yisrael. Does such an exalted relationship deteriorate simply as a result of lateness? Why were the people so impatient? Do we expect patience only of others but not of ourselves? The consensus of opinion is that either a misunderstanding existed regarding the time of Moshe’s return, or, as Chazal relate, the Satan “showed” Bnei Yisrael that Moshe’s body was being carried in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ki Sisa

“And now if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, make Your way known to Me.” (33:13)

Moshe implored Hashem to explain to him the meaning of finding favor in Hashem’s eyes. Moshe sought to understand the manner in which Hashem rewards those who adhere to His precepts. According to the Talmud Berachos 7a, Moshe was referring to the age-old question of, “Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?” This question has fascinated many a human being and, truthfully, its answer is beyond human comprehension. Indeed, no answer would suffice for those who choose to question. The believer, however, accepts the challenge of dealing with this issue by addressing it through the vehicle of emunah,…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Ki Sisa

“You shall make a copper laver… and put water there… Now take for yourself choice spices… of it you shall make sacred anointing oil… Take for yourself spices… You shall make it into a spice compound (for the incense)…” (30:18,23,25,34,35)

The section devoted to the Mishkan and its appurtenances closes with a discourse regarding three natural substances which are designated for use in the Mishkan. They are: water, reserved for washing and consecrating the Kohanim; choice spices, which were to be mixed with oil to anoint the Kohanim and various holy objects; and sweet spices, assigned to the offering of incense. Horav Eli Munk, z.l., conjectures that although no obvious thread connects these elements with sanctity, nonetheless, they, each have a distinguishing characteristic that makes them well-suited for holiness. Water’s clarity and simplicity are the traits that symbolize external purity….

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Ki Sisa

“The people saw that Moshe had delayed in descending the mountain, and the people gathered around Aharon and said to him, ‘Rise up, make for us gods… for this man Moshe… we do not know what became of him.'” (32:1)

In the Yalkut Shimoni, Chazal relate a dialogue that transpired between the Satan and Bnei Yisrael on the fortieth day after Moshe went up the mountain. “Where is Moshe your teacher?” asked the Satan of Bnei Yisrael. “He went up the mountain,” they responded. Undaunted by the people’s faith in their leader, the Satan attempted to convince them that he was late in returning and had probably died. After all, could a human being survive forty days without bread or water? Yet, they maintained their devotion to Moshe despite the Satan’s efforts to dissuade them. In a final attempt to…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Ki Sisa

“I have seen this people and behold they are a stiff-necked people.” (32:9)

One of the most difficult incidents which took place in the history of Bnei Yisrael is the chet ha’eigal, sin of the Golden Calf. Moshe Rabbeinu responded to the nation’s sudden iniquity by breaking the Luchos. It is difficult to grasp Hashem Yisborach’s eternal retribution reflected in his statement, h,sepu hsep ouhc, “In the day when I remember (when they will continue to sin) I will remember this sin (also).” Why did Moshe respond in such a fashion? It seems as if he was “giving up,” as if he felt that the people had gone beyond the limits of no…

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The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

For six days work may be done and the seventh day is a day of complete rest. (31:15)

And the people gathered around Aharon and said to him, “Rise up, make for us gods…The entire people removed the gold rings… He (Aharon) took it from their hands and bound it up in a cloth, and fashioned it into a molten calf. (32:1, 3,4)

And now if You would but forgive their sin! But if not, erase me now from this book that You have written. (32:32)

“When you take a census of Bnei Yisrael according to their numbers, every man shall give an atonement for his soul.” (30:12)

“And the people saw that Moshe delayed in descending the mountain, and the people congregated around Aharon and said to him, ‘Rise up, make for us gods that will go before us….This is your god, O’ Yisrael, which brought you up from the land of Egypt.” (32:1,4)

“And now if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, make Your way known to Me.” (33:13)

“You shall make a copper laver… and put water there… Now take for yourself choice spices… of it you shall make sacred anointing oil… Take for yourself spices… You shall make it into a spice compound (for the incense)…” (30:18,23,25,34,35)

“The people saw that Moshe had delayed in descending the mountain, and the people gathered around Aharon and said to him, ‘Rise up, make for us gods… for this man Moshe… we do not know what became of him.'” (32:1)

“I have seen this people and behold they are a stiff-necked people.” (32:9)

YEARS

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