Attitude – Page 12 – Peninim on the Torah

... וקרבנו קערת כסף אחת

Sruly Schnair In Naso, 5783

His offering one silver bowl… (7:13)

The twelve Nesiim brought identical offerings. Yet, the Torah details each Nasi’s korban. This is because each arrived at his formulation independently, and each had a different set of symbolisms for his choice of components. In other words, on the surface, they appeared identical, and, in reality, they all brought the same offerings; however, the underlying motif and symbolism differed from one Nasi to another. Each Nasi’s kavanah, intention for his korban, differed from that of his peer. Horav Shimshon Pincus, zl, derives from here an important lesson concerning one’s avodas hakodesh, service to Hashem. People live within an established…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5783

והלוים למטה אבתם לא התפקדו בתוכם ... וידבר ד' אל משה לאמר אך את מטה לוי לא תפקד

Sruly Schnair In 5783, Bamidbar

The Leviim, according to their father’s tribe, were not counted among them. Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, “You shall not count the tribe of Levi.” (1:47,48,49)

Apparently, Moshe Rabbeinu did not count the Leviim even before Hashem instructed him to exclude them from the census. Ramban and Sforno rationalize Moshe’s decision. Every shevet, tribe, had a Nasi, leader, who represented the tribe. Shevet Levi did not, because Hashem did not tell Moshe to appoint one. As a result, Moshe deduced that Hashem had other plans for the tribe of Levi. While this is all well and good, we wonder why Hashem did not preempt Moshe’s decision by telling him up front that Shevet Levi was not to be counted. Horav Mordechai Gifter, zl, explains this with…

Home -> 5783 -> Emor

ויניחהו במשמר לפרש להם על פי ד'

Sruly Schnair In Emor, 5783

They placed him under guard to clarify for themselves through Hashem. (24:12)

The incident of the megadef, blasphemer, is a sad entry in the history of our people. It is not as if we have not had wicked, insecure people whose actions against Hashem warranted swift and extreme punishment. He was, however, the first to act so contemptibly. Thus, the punishment to be meted out to him was uncertain. Hashem had to inform Moshe Rabbeinu what form of execution – if any – he should receive. He was placed in a holding cell until Hashem clarified his punishment. The megadef was not the only sinner spending his time in a cell. The…

Home -> 5783 -> Tazria

וביום השמיני ימול בשר ערלתו

Sruly Schnair In Tazria, 5783

On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:3)

The custom among Jews is to wish the father of the newly-circumcised infant, K’sheim she’nichnas l’bris, kein yikanes l’Torah, u’lechuppah, u’lmaasim tovim, “As the infant enters into the covenant of Bris Milah, so, too, should he enter into Torah, chuppah/marriage and the performance of good deeds.” Many commentators have offered interpretations of this statement by Chazal (Shabbos 137b) – each one intimating an important lesson. I will share but a few. Tochachas Chaim explains the concept behind k’sheim she’nichnas, “As the (infant) enters into the Bris”: When a father brings his newborn son into the covenant of Avraham Avinu, it…

Home -> 5783 -> Metzora

להורות ביום הטמא וביום הטהור זאת תורת הצרעת

Sruly Schnair In Metzora, 5783

To rule on which day it is contaminated and on which day it is purified; this is the law of tzaraas. (14:57)

The one who speaks lashon hora, who slanders with impunity, has a jaundiced view of people. In order to speak negatively about someone, it is natural (and probably necessary) to knock down his personal opinion of the subject of his lashon hora a few notches. He, therefore, has no qualms about humiliating him, because, after all, what is he? While this attitude may not course through the mind of every baal lashon hora, the mere fact that he is callous and unfeeling concerning the feelings of his fellow Jew is an indication that he has a low opinion of him….

Home -> 5783 -> Tzav

אם על תודה יקריבנו

Sruly Schnair In Tzav, 5783

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

One who has survived a life-threatening crisis brings a thanksgiving offering to Hashem as an expression of his gratitude. This gratitude goes far beyond the korban. On the contrary, it begins with the korban and should continue in every aspect of his life. He should never forget that he is alive by the grace of Hashem. Throughout Sefer Tehillim, David Hamelech reiterates his praises of Hashem in his gratitude to the Almighty for sustaining him throughout the difficult moments in his life. He went further than just thanking Hashem for the good. He understood that, with regard to Hashem, there…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5783

אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד'

Sruly Schnair In 5783, Vayikra

When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem. (1:2)

The underlying concept of korbanos, ritual offerings, is shrouded in deep, esoteric wisdom. The early commentators – such as Rambam, Ramban, Ibn Ezra – each presents his individual approach and opinion concerning the efficacy and purpose of korbanos. For our purposes, I will cite from the Ramban’s commentary to the beginning of the parshah: “Since the actions of humans are consummated through thought, speech and action, Hashem commanded that, when a person sins, he shall bring an offering. He shall place his hands on it, corresponding to the action component of his sin. Then he shall confess his sin, verbalizing…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5783

והנשיאם הביאו את אבני השהם ואת אבני המלואים לאפוד ולחשן

Sruly Schnair In 5783, Vayakhel

The Nesiim brought the shoham stones and stones for the settings for the eiphod and the Choshen. (35:27)

Rashi notes that, concerning the Chanukas HaMizbayach, dedication of the Altar, the Nesiim were the first to bring their donations. With regard to the donations for the Mishkan, however, they waited, saying, “We will donate whatever is needed to complete the Mishkan once the people have given their part.” They waited too long, underestimating the zeal with which the nation came forth to donate. Thus, all that was left for them to donate was the setting stones. As a ramification of their waiting too long, a letter (yud) is missing from their name. Chazal give a number of reasons for…

Home -> 5783 -> Terumah

ונתת את הכפרת על הארן מלמעלה ואל הארן תתן את העדת

Sruly Schnair In Terumah, 5783

You shall place the lid on the Aron from above, and into the Aron you shall put the Testimony. (25:21)

Rashi notes that the Torah previously mentioned (Ibid. 25:16), “And you shall put into the Aron the Testimony.” He explains that it is teaching us that, while it is an Aron alone without the Kapores, lid, on it, he shall place the Eidus, Testimony (Torah) into it, and afterwards he should place the lid on it. Ramban argues, claiming that the pasuk indicates the sequence to be Kapores – then Eidus. Rashi clearly is of the opinion that when the Aron was brought into the Mishkan, the Eidus was already inside of it, and the Kapores was above. Once it…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5783

ויוסף אמר לאשר על ביתו קום רדף אחרי האנשים והשגתם ואמרת אליהם למה שלמתם רעה תחת טובה

Sruly Schnair In 5783, Mikeitz

Yosef said to the one in charge of his house, “Arise, chase after the men; when you overtake them, you shall say to them, “Why do you repay evil for good?” (44:4)

One would have expected Yosef to instruct his agent to simply ask the brothers, “Why did you take the cup? Why did you repay evil for good?” This is not the first question one asks of someone who has just stolen his silver cup. The Zera Shimshon explains that Yosef asked this question by design, in order to send home a message to the brothers. He intimated, “When our father made me a multi-colored coat, you became jealous. You became so jealous that it was sufficient reason for you to sell me as a slave. “If, however, you were to…

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... וקרבנו קערת כסף אחת

His offering one silver bowl… (7:13)

והלוים למטה אבתם לא התפקדו בתוכם ... וידבר ד' אל משה לאמר אך את מטה לוי לא תפקד

The Leviim, according to their father’s tribe, were not counted among them. Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, “You shall not count the tribe of Levi.” (1:47,48,49)

ויניחהו במשמר לפרש להם על פי ד'

They placed him under guard to clarify for themselves through Hashem. (24:12)

וביום השמיני ימול בשר ערלתו

On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:3)

להורות ביום הטמא וביום הטהור זאת תורת הצרעת

To rule on which day it is contaminated and on which day it is purified; this is the law of tzaraas. (14:57)

אם על תודה יקריבנו

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

אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד'

When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem. (1:2)

והנשיאם הביאו את אבני השהם ואת אבני המלואים לאפוד ולחשן

The Nesiim brought the shoham stones and stones for the settings for the eiphod and the Choshen. (35:27)

ונתת את הכפרת על הארן מלמעלה ואל הארן תתן את העדת

You shall place the lid on the Aron from above, and into the Aron you shall put the Testimony. (25:21)

ויוסף אמר לאשר על ביתו קום רדף אחרי האנשים והשגתם ואמרת אליהם למה שלמתם רעה תחת טובה

Yosef said to the one in charge of his house, “Arise, chase after the men; when you overtake them, you shall say to them, “Why do you repay evil for good?” (44:4)

YEARS

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