Attitude – Page 69 – Peninim on the Torah

“And the sons of Aharon, Nadav and Avihhu, each took his own incense-pan… and they offered before Hashem strange fire… and then a fire came out from Hashem’s Presence and consumed them.” (10:1-2)

Rashi cites one reason for the death of Aharon’s sons to be their decision to voice halachic rulings in the presence of their teacher, Moshe. The Talmud (Eiruvin 63a) explains that they asserted the halacha about placing wood shavings on the Altar, despite the fire’s miraculous descent from heaven. The Talmud confirms that the act of rendering halachic decisions in front of one’s Rebbe is punishable by death. To illustrate this point, the Talmud quotes a story concerning a student of Rabbi Eliezer who rendered a decision in his Rebbe’s presence. Rabbi Eliezer mentioned to his wife that the student…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5752

“This is the law of the sin-offering, where the burnt offering is slaughtered shall the sin-offering be slaughtered.” (6:18)

A Jew was required to bring a sin-offering when he transgressed unknowingly. It might seem strange, perhaps even unjust, that if one sinned through sheer forgetfulness, he was required to bring an animal offering as penance. Chazal maintain, however, that if someone is truly separated from evil, even that sin would not have occurred. A sin is able to penetrate an individual’s defenses because it has found an opening. An inadvertent sin does not just happen, it grows from a tiny spark of evil to which one has not attended. The Medrash states that one who does not bring a…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5752

“This is the law of the burnt offering, such burnt offering shall remain on its firewood upon the Altar.” (6:2)

Rashi explains that every individual instance in which the word “Torah” is used, the implication is that one particular law is applicable. In this case “Torah” refers to all sacrifices that “come up” on the Altar, even if they become unfit. They remain, since they have already “come up”. This law applies only to those sacrifices which become unfit in the Sanctuary. Those which become unfit prior to being brought into the Courtyard of the Sanctuary, however, are not offered as sacrifice. Horav Yehudah Zev Segal Zt”l remarks that we may derive a profound lesson regarding our focus in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5752

“Command Aharon and his sons saying, “This is the law of the burnt offering.” (6:2)

Rashi notes the specific use of the emphatic term “command” as opposed to “say” or “speak”. Armed with this strong approach Hashem enjoined the Kohanim to be especially zealous in performing this service, as well as in transmitting the exhortation to future generations. Emphasis is necessary whenever a possibility of monetary loss exists, as is this case. This can be likened to a warning sign on a road in which there is a remote chance of an accident occurring. Similarly, the Torah cautions us whenever there is a likelihood, no matter how remote, of a weakness related to the performance…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayikra

“If a man from among you would bring an offering near to Hashem.” (1:2)

It is difficult to define the word “icre” in order to adequately express the underlying concepts. The unfortunate use of the term “sacrifice” implies giving up something which is of value to one individual or the benefit of another or of living without something of value. Rabbi Shamshon Raphael Hirsch Z”l remarks that these ideas are not only absent from the nature of a korban, but they are diametrically opposed to it. Likewise, the definition “offering,” does not really define this word. The idea of an offering suggests that it fulfills a requirement mandated by the One to Whom this…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayikra

“And He called unto Moshe.”(1:1)

It has long been a Jewish tradition to begin a child’s Chumash education with Parshas Vayikra. The Yalkut Yehudah maintains that this custom is based upon the essence of this parsha. The korbanos, the focus of this parsha, represent sublime purity. Similarly, young children are pure and innocent of all sin. Let those who are pure involve themselves in Torah study through this parsha, which deals with man’s pure activity and duty – sacrifices to Hashem. The Avnei Azel employs the theme of sacrifice to address a parent’s necessary attitude towards Jewish education. In order to properly inculcate Torah…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Pekudei

“And all the work of the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed was completed; and Bnei Yisrael did according to all that Hashem commanded Moshe, so they did.” (39:32)

The seemingly redundant words, “so they did” actually mean, “precisely they did.” Bnei Yisrael were tested after receiving the Torah at Sinai. At Sinai they had learned the lesson of perfect obedience to Hashem’s word through Moshe, without concern for their own reasoning. The construction of the Mishkan, which encompassed thousands of details almost for which no reason had not been given, demanded an exemplary from of compliance. This type of obeidence was demanded of the many thousands of individuals who had participated, who quite possibly could have substituted many more desirable designs. They never questioned what difference one slight…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Pekudei

And all the work of the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed was completed.” (39:32)

The Midrash states that originally no one was capable of erecting the Mishkan. Betzalel, the prime artisan who so beautifully fashioned the Mishkan, was at a loss. Even Moshe, who was the leader of Am Yisrael and the Mishkan’s initiator, was not capable of raising it up. The Midrash states that this was due to Moshe’s disability as a result of a depression brought on by his exclusion from the work of the Mishkan. We may well be amazed by Moshe’s attitude. Was he envious of Bnei Yisrael? Was he not the one who had pleaded with Hashem on their…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5752

“And you shall make a plate (on the forehead) of pure gold.” (28:36)

A special characteristic of the (forehead plate) was that anyone who gazed upon it would be moved to feelings of remorse for his previous transgressions. These emotions often stimulated complete repentance. The Zohar states that this same characteristic also applied to one who inhaled smoke from the Ketores (incense). These are but a few examples of the exemplary form of Divine intervention which existed in the Bais Hamikdash. One needed only to seize the opportunity for complete spiritual development. The Alter from Kelm Z”l states that this attitude was inherent in Moshe. The pasuk (Shemos 3:4) states “And Hashem…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5752

“And you shall make around its edges pomegranates of blue wool… and golden bells around them. And it shall be on Aharon to serve, and the sound will be heard when he enters the Holy and when he leaves and thus he will not die.” (28:33-35)

The purpose of the priestly vestments was to distinguish the Kohen Gadol from the people, investing him with an aura of royalty. It is, therefore, noteworthy that one of the garments was a cloak designed with striking detail. The hem of the cloak was decorated with golden bells and pomegranates in order to herald the Kohen Gadol’s approach. The Midrash states that the Kohen Gadol’s entrance into the House of Hashem serves as a prototype for every individual as he enters the home of his friend – or even his own home. Courtesy demands that one give advance notice of…

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“And the sons of Aharon, Nadav and Avihhu, each took his own incense-pan… and they offered before Hashem strange fire… and then a fire came out from Hashem’s Presence and consumed them.” (10:1-2)

“This is the law of the sin-offering, where the burnt offering is slaughtered shall the sin-offering be slaughtered.” (6:18)

“This is the law of the burnt offering, such burnt offering shall remain on its firewood upon the Altar.” (6:2)

“Command Aharon and his sons saying, “This is the law of the burnt offering.” (6:2)

“If a man from among you would bring an offering near to Hashem.” (1:2)

“And He called unto Moshe.”(1:1)

“And all the work of the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed was completed; and Bnei Yisrael did according to all that Hashem commanded Moshe, so they did.” (39:32)

And all the work of the Mishkan of the Ohel Moed was completed.” (39:32)

“And you shall make a plate (on the forehead) of pure gold.” (28:36)

“And you shall make around its edges pomegranates of blue wool… and golden bells around them. And it shall be on Aharon to serve, and the sound will be heard when he enters the Holy and when he leaves and thus he will not die.” (28:33-35)

YEARS

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