Discipline, reward and punishment is a critical part of the educational process.  An astute and caring parent knows when and how much to discipline and how to be certain that it is an act of love.  When a child senses his parent’s love, the discipline takes on a different image.  If the parent metes out the punishment with anger or worse, the child will harbor a sense of fear, or an unpleasant attitude toward that parent.  The first mechanech, Torah educator, was Avraham Avinu.  Indeed, the paradigmatic pasuk describing Hashem’s love for Avraham is based upon Avraham’s devotion toward transmitting…

Ish is a man, a distinguished man, a gavra, as translated by Targum Onkeles.  The translation rendered by the popular translator transforms the word ish into av.  For our purposes, I will use the word ish as a springboard for understanding the profundity of the pasuk.  Fathers are human beings and, as such, influenced by their emotions.  Many spend their time, money and health to provide their children with the finest material and spiritual advantages.  Thus, it is not unreasonable for a parent to be entitled to some return in the way of Yiddishe nachas.  Understandably, when this does not…

When Moshe Rabbeinu descended Har Sinai and confronted the sin of the Golden Calf in all its indecorous ignominy, he shattered the Luchos.  Chazal teach that this was not an act of impulsivity, but a deliberate and well thought out response.  A nation that reveled around a molten idol was not worthy of the Luchos.  There is, however, one caveat.  Prior to shattering the tablets, the sacred letters ascended Heavenward.  Without the letters, the Luchos were no longer worthy of preservation. Yet, those letters did not vanish. The Tzlach suggests that Hashem gathered and secured them until Moshe fashioned the…

Moshe Rabbeinu prayed and prayed, ultimately petitioning Hashem 515 times to allow him to enter Eretz Yisrael.  In contrast, as noted by Megaleh Amukus, Aharon did not offer up a single prayer.  He apparently accepted the degree issued by Hashem following the Mei Meirah, waters of strife, debacle, after which Hashem decreed that neither Moshe nor Aharon would enter the Holy Land.  Horav Tzvi Bergman, Shlita, cites Yalkut Shimoni (Chukas) that quotes Hashem saying to Moshe, “Please do me a favor and tell Aharon about his upcoming petirah, for I am ‘embarrassed’ to tell him.”  Obviously, Chazal’s words are, at…

These two concepts contained in one pasuk clearly have a connection with one another.  The prohibition against adding or subtracting mitzvos is understandable.  How is it connected with the despicable worship of the Peor god-head?   Horav Shimshon Pincus, zl, quotes his father, who explains that the avodah, service, performed before the Peor and the underlying motif of this service have one primary commonality with adding and subtracting mitzvos.  They both apply to one who seeks to live an undisciplined life in which he is in charge, he makes the decisions, he determines right and wrong, important and insignificant. One who…

One of the most demanding mitzvos is to love Hashem with all your heart.  Love is an emotion. How can one be commanded to love?  The Torah itself intimates the answer, when it commands a person to think and teach Torah.  When one studies Torah, he is granted a tiny window into Hashem’s Infinite wisdom. When one absorbs this, he revels in Hashem’s wisdom, praise and love for the Author.  Horav Yosef Zundel Hutner, zl (Rav of Alshishok, author of Ulam HaMishpat), wonders why we, sadly, find Torah scholars who, albeit proficient in Torah, have not reached the level of…

Moshe Rabbeinu’s parting devarim, words, were not figures of speech.  They were deliberate, carefully selected and nuanced words of rebuke.  They were veiled, but not subtle; clear, but couched in love.  It was not a simple goodbye, a parting of the ways; rather, it was what was intended to be a leader’s direction for life—not just the present, but for generations.  In a departure from the usual Peninim style, I would like to present the following scenario with the hope that it leaves an impact on our own lives. Reb Ploni was the embodiment of the devoted husband and father. …

The Torah’s vocabulary choice is striking.  What are the “words”?  These words were a veiled rebuke of the nation.  They were an admonishment.  Why did the Torah not begin its report of Moshe’s farewell address with: “These are the rebukes,” or “Moshe admonished Klal Yisrael”?  Why did it use a neutral term, such as “words” to soften what was actually a rebuke?  True, Moshe Rabbeinu wanted to preserve the dignity of the nation, so he alluded to past failings with sensitivity and restraint, but he delivered much more than mere “words.”  Thus, the question remains: If this is tochachah, call…

Rashi explains Moshe’s Rabbeinu’s logic in attempting to traverse Sichon’s land peacefully.  He conjectured, “Although Hashem did not command me to make overtures of peace toward Sichon, I learned to do so from that which Hashem taught us in Midbar Sinai.  When Hashem was about to give the Torah to Klal YIsrael, He first offered it to the descendants of Eisav and Yishmael.  He made a gesture of peace towards them.  I, too, went to Sichon with words of peace.” It was very nice of Moshe to attempt to circumvent war with overtures of peace, but what about Og?  Apparently,…

Chazal (Makkos 11A) explain why the unintentional murderer’s term is linked to the death of the Kohen Gadol.  As the spiritual leader of the nation, the Kohen Gadol should have prayed on behalf of his nation that unintentional murders not occur. I think the value of human life plays a critical role in any form of murder – other than pure accident, for which there is no punishment whatsoever.  The Kohen Gadol represents the epitome of life and a Jew’s purpose in living.  It is not about the physical, the material, or the mundane.  When a person appreciates the greatness…

Damesek Eliezer cites a Midrash pliah. Midrash pliah literally means a “wondrous,” “astonishing” Midrash.  This is a Rabbinic statement often found in the broad body of Midrash that is cryptic, puzzling, or seemingly illogical.  It begs elucidation and further analysis.  On the surface, it may sound confusing or even paradoxical.  It is usually a brief statement of few words which is meant to encourage deeper thinking and intellectual intensity.)  “This is what is meant by the pasuk in Sefer Tehillim (49:13), V’adam bikar bal yalin nimshal ka’beheimos nidmu. ‘Man, in honor, does not remain; he is likened to the animals.’” …

Not defiling one’s power of speech consists of two aspects: negative and positive.  One who cheapens or denigrates his speech allows for a spiritual corrosion to set in, just as rust sets in on metal.  Just as rust dulls and weakens a once sharp, smooth utensil, the coarsening of language impedes the spiritual power of his words.  Even when one seeks to do the right thing, to reach out and help his fellow, to offer words of encouragement, uplifting words that would inspire and help him extricate himself from his morose state, the influence for good, the power to inspire…

With his remarkable act of zealotry in killing the two profligate perpetrators – Zimri and Cozbi — Pinchas turned the tide of blatant immorality and saved the nation from destruction.  His proactive stand earned him a place in the Priesthood, such that eventually every Kohen Gadol would descend from his lineage.  A leader is generally expected to be calm, deliberate, patient and decisive, reflecting deep sensitivity and empathy for the needs and emotions of every individual.  Pinchas was less-than-passive, responding to the flagrant desecration of Hashem’s Name and Moshe’s leadership with deliberate decisiveness.  This was a moment of urgency when…

Part of the transference of leadership from Moshe Rabbeinu to Yehoshua was semichas yadayim, whereby Moshe placed his hands on Yehoshua.  Clearly, much more than simple symbolism is involved here.  Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, suggests that it was meant to symbolize that Yehoshua should be attached — and subordinate to — Moshe throughout his life, so that he should direct his mind and focus on the truth that Moshe received from Hashem Himself.  Throughout the generations, Rebbe to talmid has conferred semichah, which we translate as ordination, but has a deeper significance.  A chain of Torah transmission of the Mesorah…

How hypocritical can one be?  Bilaam, who represents the nadir of depravity, sought to die the death of the upright.  He wanted to be like the Avos HaKedoshim, while living a life counterintuitive to everything they represented.  On the other hand, Bilaam was no ordinary pagan.  He was their greatest prophet, a man who peered in the loftiest spiritual realms, who could articulate blessings of extraordinary depth; yet, he lived a life driven by base desire, ego and moral turpitude.  He wanted to die like a tzadik, but he refused to live as one. A tzadik is not defined by…

The Jews who sinned in Shittim did not have the option to return.  Their sin demanded an immediate Heavenly response.  Bilaam was well aware of this.  He knew that Hashem had forgiven (to an extent) the sin of the Golden Calf.  The punishment for the sin of the meraglim, spies, was meted out over the remainder of their journey – albeit they were no longer worthy of entering Eretz Yisrael.  What about Shittim claimed their lives?  Horav Shimshon Pincus, zl, explains that, as long as the sin/discord remains within the “family,” behind closed doors, no room exists for negotiation.  Once…

Miriam HaNeviah is a study in contrasts, a striking paradox of leadership without fanfare.  While she is known for her far-from-passive leadership and for her merit in sustaining the nation with water for forty years, she did not seek recognition.  Indeed, it is under such tension – true leadership and devotion to truth – that her greatness emerged.  Her most outstanding merit, which she manifested time and again, was her unyielding emunah, faith in Hashem.  She did not wait for a miracle to buttress her faith.  She anticipated it as if it were already a reality. Let us peruse a…

The controversy Korach initiated against Moshe Rabbeinu serves as the paradigm of a machlokes shelo l’shem Shomayim – a dispute that is not for the sake of Heaven.  Korach rebelled against Moshe Rabbeinu and, by extension, against Hashem and His Torah. Chazal teach that such a dispute is destined not to endure, for it is rooted, not in truth, but in ego and self-interest. What is a machlokes?  The word is rooted in chelek – a portion, a division. A baal machlokes is one who separates himself from others, creating fragmentation where there should be unity.  He does not merely…

I had a rebbe in yeshivah who would emphasize to me (more often than I care to admit) that a person who is wearing blue-colored lenses will always see blue.  This was his way of telling me that I was looking at things through a distorted, self-serving perspective.  The most compelling tragedy of Korach (among the many tragedies of Korach) was not merely the argument that he promoted, but the manner in which he misused the greatness with which he had been endowed. Hashem grants a person gifts: talent, perception, emotional depth, even flashes of Ruach HaKodesh, Divine Inspiration.  These…

Machlokes, discord, controversy, is one of the most destructive forces in a person’s life.  It does not merely create disagreement – it consumes perspective, distorts judgment, and unravels long-time relationships to the point that it can erode one’s entire quality of life.  At the root of the problem is that, in the heat of discord, a person loses himself.  It suddenly becomes only about “me.”  The need to be right, to win, to prove my point, takes center stage over the truth.  It is no longer about clarity, but validation.  The individual denigrates the actions of his antagonist, because after…

The Torah introduces the meraglim stating, kulam anashim, “All were men.”  Chazal explain anashim as a term reserved for men who are honorable, upright, men of stature.  This explanation only intensifies the question that is on everyone’s mind:  How did such distinguished personalities err so egregiously?  Their reaction and the manner in which they later riled up the nation led to the people’s ultimate exclusion from entering Eretz Yisrael, transforming that night – the Ninth of Av – into our national day of mourning.  If these men were such kesheirim, men of integrity, how did they fall so catastrophically? I…

Rashi notes the juxtaposition of the meraglim debacle upon the story with Miriam in which she spoke against Moshe Rabbeinu.  She spoke negatively of her brother, underscoring his departure from his wife’s tent. He did not know when Hashem would summon him; thus, he must always be prepared.  Miriam looked askance at this behavior, feeling it was not fair to Tziporah, Moshe’s wife.  Her words were considered slanderous and, as a result, Hashem punished her with tzaraas, spiritual leprosy, which confined her to seclusion for seven days.  Due to her extraordinary distinction, Hashem had the entire nation remain encamped until…

Rashi explains that Moshe Rabbeinu’s mention of a tree is an allusion to a tzadik.  He wanted the spies to find out if a righteous person was living in the land, in whose merit the people would be sheltered from attack.  This refers to Iyov, who was a saintly and virtuous man – but who died right before the spies reached the land.  With this in mind, we infer that Moshe did not require the services of the meraglim to ascertain the Jews ability to conquer the land.  Hashem would provide for their triumph.  If a righteous man lived in…

Rashi adds, the Torah is underscoring the praise of Aharon – she’lo shinah; he did not deviate in any way from the instructions that Hashem had given him.  This is written after Aharon was consoled, for neither he nor his shevet, tribe (Levi), were to be included in the Chanukas ha’Mishkan, inauguration of the Sanctuary.  Hashem told him, Shelcha gedolah mi’she’lahem, “Yours is greater because you will light the Menorah, which would continue throughout their journey in the wilderness and in the Bais HaMikdash.” (Actually, the lighting of the Chanukah Menorah, which continues to this very day, is a continuation…

Some men were ritually impure due to contact with a human corpse, and they could not sacrifice the Pesach-offering on that day … These men said, “We are ritually impure through contact with a human corpse.  Why should we be diminished, so as not to bring the offering of Hashem on its appointed time?”  (9:6) One must be ritually pure in order to offer the Korban Pesach (or any Korban for that matter).  These men were tamei meis, ritually impure, due to their contact with a human corpse.  Confronted with the circumstance, they came to Moshe Rabbeinu and offered their…