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Home -> 5785 -> Metzora

זאת תהיה תורת המצרע

Sruly Schnair
In Metzora, 5785

This shall be the law of the Metzora. (14:2)

Tzaraas is the Heavenly-designated punishment for one who is motzi ra, speaks lashon hara, slander. One does not just speak lashon hara because he has nothing better to do. He always has a reason. It may not make sense; indeed, it may even be ludicrous, but to the one who is doing the speaking, it is a reason worth transgressing six aveiros, sins. One of the most “popular” reasons for speaking lashon hara is sinas chinam, unwarranted hatred: “I simply do not like that person. I have no legitimate reason, but, if you give me a few moments, I will…

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Home -> 5785 -> Metzora

כי תבאו אל ארץ כנען…ונתתי נגע צרעת בבית ארץ אחזתכם…והנה הנגע בקירת הבית…וצוה הכהן וחלצו את האבנים אשר בהן הנגע הנגע

Sruly Schnair
In Metzora, 5785

When you arrive in the land of Canaan… and I will place a tzaraas affliction upon a house in the land of your possession… and behold, the affliction is in the walls of the house… the kohen shall command and they shall remove the stones that contain the affliction (14:34,37,40)

Chazal (Vayikra Rabbah 17:6) teach that, when the Canaanim heard Klal Yisrael was on their way to take their Heavenly-designated land, they hid their jewelry and precious metals inside the walls of their homes to prevent the Jews from finding them. Thus, when the house is demolished due to the plague, that is on it, the hidden jewelry will be discovered. Obviously, we can say a lot concerning Hashem’s manner of rewarding the Jews. Surely, He must have a better, simpler way of giving them the gold and silver than having them dismantle their homes due to a plague. Let…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shemini

ויאמר משה אל אהרן קרב אל המזבח ועשה את חטאתך ואת עולתך

Sruly Schnair
In Shemini, 5785

Moshe said to Aharon: Come near to the Altar and perform the service of your sin-offering and your elevation-offering. (9:7)

Chazal (Toras Kohanim) teach that Moshe Rabbeinu had to coerce Aharon to participate in the holy service. Apparently, he was reluctant to approach the Mizbayach, Altar, because he saw the image of an eigal, calf, on top of the Mizbayach. The calf brought to mind his participation in the sin of the Golden Calf. As a result, he was self-conscious concerning coming forward and taking his rightful position at the Mizbayach. Moshe Rabbeinu noticed Aharon’s hesitancy and said, “Why are you embarrassed to go forward and serve? Indeed, l’kach nivcharta, it is specifically because of your extraordinary humility that you…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shemini

ותצא אש מלפני ד' ותאכל אותם וימותו לפני ד'

Sruly Schnair
In Shemini, 5785

A fire came forth from before Hashem and consumed them, and they died before Hashem. (10:2)

We cannot downplay the tragedy of Nadav and Avihu’s untimely passing on what would have been the most auspicious day of their lives. The commentators attribute a number of spiritual failings to them, which ultimately led to their offering an eish zarah, strange fire, a fire which Hashem had not commanded. We are a nation built on obedience to Hashem. We follow His Will when He expresses it, and, when He does not, we wait. We do not act on our own, independently of the word of Hashem. Among the infractions of which hashem held them culpable was, Shelo natlu…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shemini

וידם אהרן

Sruly Schnair
In Shemini, 5785

And Aharon was silent. (10:3)

Horav David, zl, m’Bohush (eldest son of Horav Yosef Friedman, son of the saintly Horav Yisrael of Ruzhin), was a unique personality, noted for his piety, scholarship, and humility. Although he did not assume the position as Rebbe, he was deeply revered as a tzaddik, and he served as a spiritual guide to many. He died during his father’s lifetime. In the court of Bohush, two gabbaim, aides, assisted the Rebbe: Rav Avraham Chaim and Rav Avraham Mordechai. The second gabbai (Rav Avraham Mordechai) was extremely close with Rav David. Thus, when he was niftar, passed away, Rav Avraham Mordechai…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shemini

ואת שעיר החטאת דרש דרש משה והנה שרף

Sruly Schnair
In Shemini, 5785

Moshe inquired insistently about the he-goat of the sin-offering, for, behold, it had been burned! (10:16)

Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen had opposing views concerning the Rosh Chodesh he-goat. The kohanim burned it, because they felt it was kodshei doros, consecrated forever, to be offered again and again. They felt that, since they were onenim, mourners, who had just witnessed the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, they could not partake of the meat. Although Moshe had said they were allowed to eat the first two korbanos (meal-offerings), they were kodshei shah, offering consecrate specifically for the Inauguration of the Mishkan. Moshe, however, felt they could eat the seir Rosh Chodesh, as well. Moshe accepted Aharon’s…

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Home -> 5785 -> Tzav

ואש המזבח תוקד בו

Sruly Schnair
In Tzav, 5785

And the fire of the Altar should be kept aflame on it. (6:2)

Chazal (Menachos 97a) teach, “When the Mizbayach, Altar, was extant, it would atone for man’s sins (he would offer his korban upon it). Now that we no longer have the Mizbayach, a person’s shulchan, table, atones for him.” Rashi explains that this refers to the piece of bread that he gives to guests. In other words, the tzedakah, material outreach, be it food or material support, that we render, protects us from Heavenly reciprocity for our less-than-noble behavior. The comparison between Altar and table requires elucidation – the time in which one places the meat and blood of a korban…

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Home -> 5785 -> Tzav

ופשט את בגדיו ולבש בגדים אחרים

Sruly Schnair
In Tzav, 5785

He shall remove his garments and he shall wear other garments. (6:4)

Rashi explains, “This is not an obligation, but rather, proper conduct, so that he not soil, through taking out the ashes, garments in which he serves constantly, garments in which he has cooked a pot for his master…” Therefore, he shall don garments inferior to the ones which he wears when he serves in the Sanctuary. A similar idea is to be found with regard to the clothing we wear on Shabbos. Shulchan Orach Chaim (262:2): “One should try to have for himself nice clothes for Shabbos.” The Mishnah Berurah adds that this is part of honoring Shabbos. This applies…

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Home -> 5785 -> Tzav

והכהן המשיח תחתיו מבניו יעשה אותה חק עולם

Sruly Schnair
In Tzav, 5785

The Kohen from among his sons who is anointed in his place shall perform it, it is an eternal decree from Hashem. (615)

The Kohen Gadol offers a minchas chavitin, meal offering, repeatedly baked every day of his tenure. This is his inaugural korban on the day that he becomes Kohen Gadol and continues throughout the period that he serves. It is almost as if every day is a new day of service; as if he is inaugurated anew every day. Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, explains that the Kohen Gadol must be infused with the knowledge that his position is a Heavenly gift that Hashem renews daily, which He can, just as easily, take away. (Hashem can strike him with a mum, physical…

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Home -> 5785 -> Tzav

אם על תודה יקריבנו

Sruly Schnair
In Tzav, 5785

If he shall offer it for a Thanksgiving-offering. (7:12)

Rashi explains that the Korban Todah, Thanksgiving offering, is brought by a person who had been the beneficiary of a Divine miracle (everything that happens to us is Divinely initiated). For example; One who: crossed the sea; traversed a wilderness, was released from prison/captivity; cured of an illness. Such people are to offer their gratitude to Hashem, as it is written in Sefer Tehillim (107:31,22), “Let them thank G-d for His kindness and His wondrous acts for humanity… Bring offerings of thanks and, with songs of joy, tell of His deeds.” Implied herein is the notion that the obligation for…

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