5755

“Ascend to this Mount of Avarim … and die on the mountain … and be gathered to your people just as Aharon your brother died on Har Ha’Har.” (32:49,50)

Rashi responds to the obvious question: How can a man be commanded to die ? Does one pass from this world of his own free-will ? He explains that Hashem commanded Moshe to prepare for a serene death like that of his brother, Aharon. Preceding his demise, Aharon was privileged to observe his son Elazar assume the mantle of Kehunah Gedolah, garbed in the sacred priestly vestments. Aharon was subsequently instructed to lay down, stretch out his hands and feet and close first his eyes and then his mouth. As he lay there calm and serene, at peace with himself…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“For they are a generation of reversals, children whose upbringing is not in them.” (32:20)

The Navi Malachi proclaims, “Behold I will send to you Eliyahu Ha’Navi… and he will return the heart of fathers to their children and the heart of children to their fathers.” Horav Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, z.l., writes that he once heard a novel interpretation of this pasuk in conjunction with the above pasuk from our parsha. Parents are required to teach their children Torah, placing emphasis upon their religious observance so that they merit Olam Haba. Children, on the other hand, are obliged to care for the physical well-being of their parents, concerning themselves with their parents’ Olam Hazeh. Regrettably,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“Is it to Hashem that you do this? O’ vile and unwise nation! Is He not your Father, your Master; has He not created you and firmed you?” (32:6)

The word “naval” is a strong adjective used to describe a person who is vile, whose behavior is reprehensible. It is, therefore, noteworthy that both Rashi and the Ramban attribute this person’s shameful behavior to a lack of hakoras ha’tov, gratitude. The Ramban writes that one who repays a kindness with evil is called a “naval.” Indeed, what type of person would repay good with evil, if not one who is “naval” ? The generation living prior to the destruction of the first Bais Ha’Mikdash is reproved by Yeshayahu Ha’Navi as being worse than animals. The prophet declares, “The ox…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“May my teaching drop like the rain, may my utterance flow like the dew.” (32:2)

Moshe Rabbeinu prayed that the words of Torah would continue to nurture the Jewish soul just as rain and dew nourish the soil. The various commentators suggest reasons that Moshe used the similes of rain and dew to describe the Torah’s essence and inspiration. This writer once heard the following: Rain falls from the heavens to give life to the earth. Dew, on the other hand, rises from the ground to provide moisture for the growing vegetation. Rain and dew interact with one another to provide the optimal climate for physical growth. Nature presents us with the model for spiritual…

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YEARS

“Ascend to this Mount of Avarim … and die on the mountain … and be gathered to your people just as Aharon your brother died on Har Ha’Har.” (32:49,50)

“For they are a generation of reversals, children whose upbringing is not in them.” (32:20)

“Is it to Hashem that you do this? O’ vile and unwise nation! Is He not your Father, your Master; has He not created you and firmed you?” (32:6)

“May my teaching drop like the rain, may my utterance flow like the dew.” (32:2)

BOOK OF BEREISHIS

BOOK OF SHEMOS

BOOK OF VAYIKRAH

BOOK OF BAMIDBAR

BOOK OF DEVARIM

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