Attitude – Page 85 – Peninim on the Torah

Command Aharon and his sons. (6:2)

Rashi quotes Toras Kohanim that comments, “Tzav, the word, ‘command,’ can only be meant to express urging on, miyad u’le’doros, for the immediate moment and for future generations. (Furthermore) The Torah must especially urge in a situation where there is a loss of money.” The Kohanim sustain a financial loss because they are not paid for their service. In order to perform it, they must be readily available, thus precluding any other form of livelihood. The Torah makes this point within the context of the Olah – Elevation/Burnt Offering, because the loss of income in this case is especially significant….

Home -> 5773 -> Tetzaveh

ועשית בגדי קדש לאהרן אחיך לכבוד ולתפארת...והיו על אהרן ועל בניו בבאם אל אהל מועד...לשרת בקדש...חקת עולם לו ולזרעו אחריו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5773

And make holy garments for your brother Aharon, for honor and distinction… They shall cover Aharon and his sons when they enter into the Ohel Moed… to serve in the Sanctuary…It shall be a statute forever for him and for his descendants after him. (28:2,43)

The idea of clothing making the man is a Madison Avenue stratagem. In truth, as we see from the Bigdei Kehunah, Priestly vestments, clothing is actually a reflection of the man. They do not make a person, but they do convey a message and allow us a window into the wearer’s personality and character. The Bigdei Kehunah were an essential part of the character of the Kehunah, Priesthood. Their significance is evident from the instructions concerning their construction. The validity of the sacrificial service is dependent upon the priestly garments. Indeed, they are a chukas olam, statute forever, such that,…

Home -> 5773 -> Shoftim

ולא תקים לך מצבה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5773

And you shall not erect for yourselves a pillar. (16:22)

The Torah addresses various forms of idolatrous worship which were common practice among the pagans. Horav Levi Yitzchak Berditchev, zl, interprets the pasuk homiletically, adding a practical twist. Chazal teach that This World, Olam Hazeh, is compared to a vestibule before Olam Habba, the World to Come. Everything which we do in this world is but a preparation for the World to Come. We eat and drink, so that we are nourished and healthy enough to perform the mitzvos which will be our access to Olam Habba. Our entire lives revolve around Olam Habba, with life on this world nothing…

Home -> Shemos -> 5773

וילך איש מבית לוי ויקח את בת לוי

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Shemos

A man went from the House of Levi and took a daughter of Levi. (2:1)

The Torah presents the lineage of Moshe Rabbeinu in a very clandestine manner, almost as if it is attempting to hide the names of his parents. It is only later, in Parashas Vaeira, that we are finally introduced to his parents. Clearly, the Torah must have a reason for concealing their identities. Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, explains this, providing us with a practical application for parents. Nachas, satisfaction, is something we all seek from our children. Because parents are naturally biased, we take pride in our children’s achievements, especially when they demonstrate talent and outstanding character traits. Undoubtedly, Amram and…

Home -> 5773 -> Shelach

במדבר הזה יפלו פגריכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5773

In this wilderness shall your carcass drop. (14:29)

During their forty-year trek through the wilderness, Klal Yisrael breached their relationship with Hashem, as they committed a number of transgressions. Yet, the Almighty punished the actual perpetrator and forgave the rest of the populace. These were not simple sins. The chet ha’eigal, sin of the Golden Calf, was no simple transgression. Shortly after they left Egypt, Klal Yisrael committed a sin of grave proportions, as they turned their backs on Hashem, Who had done so much for them. They were scared; their leader, Moshe Rabbeinu, was late in descending the mountain, so they sinned. This was no excuse. Yet,…

Home -> 5773 -> Pinchas

בקנאו את קנאתי בתוכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5773

When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

Kanaus, zealousness, is not a trait that one should exhibit indiscriminately. As the paradigm of the kanai, zealot, Pinchas exemplifies the true zealot. He acts definitively for the sake of the community, placing the needs of the klal, congregation, above his own safety and reputation. The kanai is not lauded; dinners are not rendered in his honor, nor does he have a large collection of friends. People are actually afraid of him, never knowing where and when he will strike; what will anger him; what he will see that is wrong. The kanai lives in a select circle, revered by…

Home -> 5773 -> Nitzavim

ושבת עד ד' אלקיך ושמעת בקלו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5773

And you will return unto Hashem, your G-d, and listen to His voice. (30:2)

The Torah admonishes the sinner to repent. The encouragement often comes in the guise of physical, emotional and financial challenges. Yet, there are those who ignore the message, claiming that it either is not addressed to them, or it really is not a message. It is simply “one of those things” that happen to the best of us. Just forget about it. The believer, however, knows better. Nothing “just happens.” Whatever occurs in our lives is meant to be and is most often a call from Hashem to get our spiritual act together. If so, why does the person not…

Home -> 5773 -> Mishpatim

והגישו אדניו אל האלקים...ורצע אדניו את אזנו במרצע ועבדו לעלם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5773

Then his master shall bring him to the court… and his master shall bore through his ear with the awl, and he shall serve him forever. (21:6)

Rashi interprets Elokim as bais din, the Jewish court of law. Why would the court be compared to the Almighty to the point that they carry his Name? While there is no doubt that the members of the court are distinguished scholars, men of repute and distinction, but referring to them with G-d’s Name seems to be carrying their distinction a bit too far. Horav Gamliel Rabinowitz, Shlita, views this from a practical standpoint. An individual stands before the Bais Din and presents his claim in a clear manner. He lays out the proof, clears up any ambiguity that might…

Home -> 5773 -> Mishpatim

ואם אמור יאמר העבד אהבתי את אדני...לא אצא חפשי והגישו אדניו אל האלקים והגישו אל הדלת או אל המזוזה ורצע אדניו את אזנו במרצע ועבדו לעולם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5773

But if the bondsman shall say, “I love my master… I shall not go free… then his master shall bring him to the court and shall bring him to the door or to the door post, and his master shall bore through his ear with the awl, and he shall serve him forever. (21:5,6)

The Torah takes a dim view of an eved Ivri, Hebrew bondsman’s, desire to continue his servitude. His ear is bored with an awl as he stands near the doorpost. Why the ear? The ear (together with the rest of the body) stood at Har Sinai and heard Hashem declare, “Lo signov, Do not steal.” Yet, the man went ahead and stole. He had a list of excuses to justify his behavior. But, at the end of the day, he was a ganov, thief, and must pay for his actions. He had no money – otherwise, why would he steal?…

Home -> Masei -> 5773

והצילו העדה את הרצח מיד גואל הדם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Masei

The Assembly shall rescue the killer from the hand of the avenger of the blood. (35:25)

The bais din is enjoined to seek every possible way to circumvent the death penalty. We always give the accused every possible benefit of the doubt. Likewise, if the court judges that the death was caused by a truly unavoidable accident, it must rule that the killer does not require exile. Consequently, the goel ha’dam, relative who is the avenger of the blood, must desist. He has no right whatsoever to harm the killer. It was an accident which Hashem made happen – end of story. The Talmud Sanhedrin 17a teaches an interesting halachah, which at first glance seems perplexing….

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Tzav ->

Command Aharon and his sons. (6:2)

Command Aharon and his sons. (6:2)

ועשית בגדי קדש לאהרן אחיך לכבוד ולתפארת...והיו על אהרן ועל בניו בבאם אל אהל מועד...לשרת בקדש...חקת עולם לו ולזרעו אחריו

And make holy garments for your brother Aharon, for honor and distinction… They shall cover Aharon and his sons when they enter into the Ohel Moed… to serve in the Sanctuary…It shall be a statute forever for him and for his descendants after him. (28:2,43)

ולא תקים לך מצבה

And you shall not erect for yourselves a pillar. (16:22)

וילך איש מבית לוי ויקח את בת לוי

A man went from the House of Levi and took a daughter of Levi. (2:1)

במדבר הזה יפלו פגריכם

In this wilderness shall your carcass drop. (14:29)

בקנאו את קנאתי בתוכם

When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

ושבת עד ד' אלקיך ושמעת בקלו

And you will return unto Hashem, your G-d, and listen to His voice. (30:2)

והגישו אדניו אל האלקים...ורצע אדניו את אזנו במרצע ועבדו לעלם

Then his master shall bring him to the court… and his master shall bore through his ear with the awl, and he shall serve him forever. (21:6)

ואם אמור יאמר העבד אהבתי את אדני...לא אצא חפשי והגישו אדניו אל האלקים והגישו אל הדלת או אל המזוזה ורצע אדניו את אזנו במרצע ועבדו לעולם

But if the bondsman shall say, “I love my master… I shall not go free… then his master shall bring him to the court and shall bring him to the door or to the door post, and his master shall bore through his ear with the awl, and he shall serve him forever. (21:5,6)

והצילו העדה את הרצח מיד גואל הדם

The Assembly shall rescue the killer from the hand of the avenger of the blood. (35:25)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!