Shemini – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

“And David danced before Hashem with all his might, and David was girded with a linen eiphod.” (6:14)

Why is David’s name repeated? We may also question the significance of David’s wearing a linen eiphod. The Zekan Aharon suggests that we are being taught here that one must serve Hashem regardless of the situation and in spite of the predicament in which he is placed. David Ha’Melech demonstrated his commitment by dancing before the Aron Ha’Kodesh in a manner that some might have deemed inappropriate for someone of his noble position. Yet, he was not deterred by what people might say – He was serving Hashem! On the other hand, David wore the eiphod, a garment designated for…

Home -> 5755 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5755

“And Moshe and Aharon came to the Ohel Moed and they went out and they blessed the people.” (9:23)

The beginning of the parsha focuses on the events surrounding the eighth day of the Mishkan’s inauguration. This was the day Aharon Ha’Kohen and his sons were invested into the priestly service. During the days of the inauguration, the first family of kohanim offered sacrifices in anticipation of the Shechinah “descending” to repose in the Mishkan. Rashi notes that all of Klal Yisrael assembled to witness the consecration of this holy edifice to which they had all donated generously. Yet, despite their devotion and sacrificial offerings, the Shechinah did not descend. Moshe and Aharon entered the Mishkan to beg Hashem…

Home -> 5755 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5755

each took his firepan … and they brought before Hashem an alien fire … and a fire went out … and consumed them and they died before Hashem.” (10:1,2)

Chazal cite a number of reasons for the terrible decree accorded to Nadav and Avihu. Undoubtedly, their sins are to be viewed as relative iniquities in accordance with the sublime level of kedushah, holiness, attained by Nadav and Avihu. One reason presented by Chazal is difficult to accept. They state that Nadav and Avihu walked behind Moshe and Aharon and remarked, “When will these two old men (Moshe and Aharon) die, so that we can assume the mantle of leadership ?” How do we reconcile ourselves to this statement ? Are we to believe that these two spiritual giants would…

Home -> 5755 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5755

“Of this did Hashem speak saying: ‘I will be sanctified through those who are nearest Me, thus I will be honored before the entire people.'”(10:3)

Rashi cites Moshe’s dialogue with Aharon immediately following Nadav and Avihu’s deaths. “I knew the Mishkan would be sanctified in those whom Hashem’s glory reposes,” Moshe said to Aharon, “but I thought it would be either one of us. Now I know that they were greater than either one of us.” Indeed, Chazal view Nadav and Avihu, who met their deaths in such a tragic manner, as being great tzaddikim. In the machzor for Yom Kippur, it is stated that one who sheds tears over the deaths of the two sons of Aharon will not see the premature demise of…

Home -> 5755 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5755

“Wine and strong drink you shall not drink … when you go into the Ohel Moed.” (10:9)

This halacha similarly applies to any intoxicating drink which the kohen imbibes. The punishment of death is incurred, however, only in the event the kohen drinks an intoxicating quantity, which Chazal have determined is even a reviis of undiluted wine. There is obviously no question of the kohen actually being drunk, since this small amount would not cause intoxication. There is, however, a fear that his mind will not be totally clear and tranquil. To transmit Hashem’s charge, one’s mind must be sharp, his intelligence, clear. Only then can he maintain the proper focus in order to guide and inspire…

Home -> 5755 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5755

“And the Chasidah (stork).” (11:19)

It seems strange for a bird to have a name which is connected with chesed, kindness. The Talmud in Chullin 63a remarks on the bird’s name and states that, indeed, it is a bird which demonstrates kindness towards members of its own species. One may wonder why the Torah saw fit to prohibit such a “compassionate” bird from human consumption. After all, if we are what we eat, is compassion not a character trait everyone should seek to possess ? There are a number of answers to this question. Probably the most notable is one attributed to the Imrei Emes. …

Home -> 5754 -> Shemini

Sruly Schnair In Shemini, 5754

“This is the thing which Hashem commanded that you should do, that there may appear to you the glory of Hashem.” (9:6)

This pasuk seems enigmatic. Bnei Yisrael had already performed everything that was demanded of them. What else were they expected to do? Chazal comment that Moshe said to Bnei Yisrael, “Remove the yetzer hora from your hearts so that you will be imbued with one common awe with which to serve Hashem. As He is one, so, too, should your service to Him be one.” This Midrash begs clarification. The Netziv z.l. offers a classical explanation which carries with it a timeless message. He explains that during Moshe’s tenure as leader, some individuals already charted their own path for experiencing…

Home -> 5754 -> Shemini

Sruly Schnair In Shemini, 5754

“And the sons of Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, each took his pan… and they offered before Hashem a strange fire.” (10:1)

Nadav and Avihu brought a “strange fire” on the mizbayach, an offering that Hashem had not commanded them to bring. This violation resulted in their immediate death. The Yalkut Shimoni points out that this erroneous offering was the result of their not consulting with Moshe or with each other. This criticism seems questionable. Indeed, they should have consulted with their Rebbe, Moshe prior to offering the fire, but why were they censured for not consulting one another? Indeed, if such erudite and righteous men as Nadav and Avihu reached the same conclusion independently, it would seem obvious that consulting each…

Home -> 5754 -> Shemini

Sruly Schnair In Shemini, 5754

“The camel, because she chews the cud, but parts not the hoof, she is unclean to you… and the pig, because he parts the hoof… but chews not the cud, he is unclean unto you.” (11:4,7)

The Midrash notes that even when Hashem describes the impure characteristics of the unclean animals, He identifies their pure features before mentioning the reason for their uncleanliness. This seems enigmatic! The Torah is listing the various unclean animals, such as the camel and the pig. Why does the Torah specify their pure characteristics altogether? What purpose can be served by this? Horav Yerachmiel Shulman z.l. derives an important lesson from this seeming verbosity. The Torah teaches that when we are about to render the pig, camel, or any other unclean animal unacceptable for Jewish consumption, we must be considerate not…

Home -> 5754 -> Shemini

Sruly Schnair In Shemini, 5754

“Whatever has a split hoof and is wholly cloven footed and chews its cud among the beasts, you may eat.” (11:4)

The two features stated in this pasuk are signs which identify permitted animals. No reason is stated as a rationale for their permissibility. The Abarbanel suggests that animals which chew their cud are not capable of crushing and chewing up bones. Consequently, they feed on plants, and they do not have the ferocity of wild animals. Their split hooves do not have claws, suggesting that these are peaceloving and relatively harmless animals. Indeed, these animals reflect the traits of compassion and mercy, which are the hallmarks of the Jewish personality. In a similar sense, Rabbi S.R. Hirsch z.l. explains that…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Shemini ->

“And David danced before Hashem with all his might, and David was girded with a linen eiphod.” (6:14)

“And Moshe and Aharon came to the Ohel Moed and they went out and they blessed the people.” (9:23)

each took his firepan … and they brought before Hashem an alien fire … and a fire went out … and consumed them and they died before Hashem.” (10:1,2)

“Of this did Hashem speak saying: ‘I will be sanctified through those who are nearest Me, thus I will be honored before the entire people.'”(10:3)

“Wine and strong drink you shall not drink … when you go into the Ohel Moed.” (10:9)

“And the Chasidah (stork).” (11:19)

“This is the thing which Hashem commanded that you should do, that there may appear to you the glory of Hashem.” (9:6)

“And the sons of Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, each took his pan… and they offered before Hashem a strange fire.” (10:1)

“The camel, because she chews the cud, but parts not the hoof, she is unclean to you… and the pig, because he parts the hoof… but chews not the cud, he is unclean unto you.” (11:4,7)

“Whatever has a split hoof and is wholly cloven footed and chews its cud among the beasts, you may eat.” (11:4)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!