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Home -> 5751 -> Yisro

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Yisro, 5751

“Anyone who will touch the mountain will die.” (19:12)

The Chofetz Chaim applies this posuk as a lesson of the respect and reverence to be given to a Torah scholar. The Jewish people were instructed not to touch Har Sinai, due to its consecration as the place where the Torah would be given. This honor was extended to a harain, although it has no mind or feelings; how much more so should one be careful of in the respect afforded to a Torah scholar, one who has actually studied and absorbed the Torah. The Ateres Mordechai suggests a more homiletic approach. Often ulterior motives and personal interests can cloud…

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Home -> 5751 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tetzaveh, 5751

“Aharon and his sons shall arrange for the lamps to burn from evening until morning.” (27:21) – “And bring near your brother… to be Kohanim to Me.” (28:1)

Aharon was enjoined regarding the preparation and kindling of the Menorah even prior to his being selected as the Kohain Gadol.  This would seem to indicate that Aharon’s task of lighting the Menorah was exclusive of his position as Kohain Gadol. It was due  to  Aharon’s exemplary character traits that he merited the position  of  lighting  the Menorah, as well as being selected as Kohein Gadol.  The Menorah, being the symbol of the light of Torah which spreads  throughout the world, can serve as a vehicle from which to derive certain basic formulas for the proper approach to teaching Torah….

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Home -> 5751 -> Terumah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5751

“And you shall make two cherubim of gold.” (25:18)

  Rashi explains that they had the form of the face of a child. The Holy Ark which contained the Torah, symbolized the importance of the proper attitudes necessary for the study of Torah. The faces of the Keruvim which were placed above the Ark had the form of children. There are various lessons to be derived from this. Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik Zt”l inferred that educating children is the foundation for the Divine Presence to dwell among us, since children are the guardians of the Torah, and therefore the security of maintaining the Jewish people as an eternal nation….

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Home -> 5751 -> Terumah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5751

“And they shall make for Me a sanctuary, then I will dwell in their midst. (25:8)

  Rashi explains, and they shall make for My Name a house of holiness. Rashi emphasizes the correct attitude and proper intention one must have when donating to the Mishkan. A person is measured by the degree of his spiritual development which is realized through his relationship with holy sources. One source is man’s soul which is a minute fragment that is Divinely inspired. Another source is the dimension of time, namely shabbos during which one can experience spirituality. The Mishkan is a place in this world where one can attach  himself to a source of holiness. This can only…

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Home -> 5751 -> Terumah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Terumah, 5751

“Speak unto the Bnei Yisroel and they shall take for Me an offering from every man whose heart makes him willing you shall take My offering.” (25:2)

From this parasha, where for the first time the Jewish people are requested to donate of themselves and their possessions, many of the commentators derive insights into the nature of the mitzvah of Tzedaka (charity). Various interpretations are given to the unusual wording of the posuk. One “gives” charity, therefore it should have said “and they shall give” rather than “and they shall take”. Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried Zt”l remarks that “they should take” connotes the very essence of the mitzvah. One who gives charity is really taking for himself, since he himself gains as a result of the performance of…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5751, Bechukosai

“But if you will not listen to Me, and will not do all these commandments, and you will despise My laws. And your souls reject My regulations, so that all My commandments, not be fulfilled, whereby you break My covenant.” (26:14-15)

  Rashi cites the Toras Kohanim who develops these pesukim into the seven point step-by-step spiritual deterioration of an individual. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch Zt”l vividly explains the cause and effect of each step of this regressive deterioration.   “But if you will not listen to Me” – The decline begins with “not listening” to Hashem’s word which is defined as not “learning” the Torah’s precepts. The person who does not study and acquaint himself with Hashem’s precepts, becomes disobedient. The result of this theoretical sin is practical defection, or “you will not do”, one who does not “learn” will…

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Home -> Behar -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5751, Behar

“And Hashem spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai saying.” (25:1)

Rashi asks: Why does the Torah emphasize that Shmittah and its laws were given at Sinai, were not all the laws given at  Mount Sinai?  He answers: It comes to teach us that just as the Shmittah laws with all their rules and details were given at Sinai, so too were all the laws of  the  Torah with all their rules and details, revealed at Sinai.  Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Zt”l explains that before the Torah was given on Har Sinai, people were taught to observe mitzvos because of social, moral or psychological reasons. Such a method, while it relates to…

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Home -> 5751 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5751

“If he offers it by reason of gratitude.” (7:12)

The accepted definition of the word “todah” is the acknowledgment of gratitude and appreciation to one who has performed a specific act. In reality there is another concept expressed by the word todah. We may define todah as an act of admission and concession. When one confesses to another, he is in fact conveying a message of agreement with the other party’s opposing view. The idea which connects these two contrasting approaches to the meaning of “todah”, whether it be an expression of gratitude, or as an act of admission, lies in the depths of man’s natural instinct. Man’s innate…

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Home -> 5751 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5751

“This is the offering of Aharon and his sons.” (6:13)

The offering described in this posuk and in the following psukim according to explanations in the commentaries, are the Chavitei Kohain Gadol, a daily morning and evening offering to be brought by the Kohain Gadol, and the Minchas Chinuch of the Kohain Hedyot, a minchah which every Kohain brought upon his induction to the priestly service. In essence these two offerings were the same, except in name, and in mode of offering. The Kohain Gadol, brought this offering daily, offering half in the morning, and the other half in the evening, while the ordinary Kohain brought it once, on the…

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Home -> 5751 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5751

“And the Kohain shall put on his linen garment… and lift up the ashes which the fire has consumed.” (6:3) – “Then he shall remove his clothes and put on other clothes and carry out the ashes.” (6:5)

Prior to lighting the fire for the new day’s offerings, the Kohain would perform the ritual of lifting up the ashes. This act does not belong to the preparation of the altar for this day’s service, but rather this is the culmination of the previous day’s service and may only be performed by a Kohain dressed in the complete priestly vestments. The ashes are then placed on the east side, next to the altar, to serve as an remembrance of the devotion represented by the sacrifices of the previous day to Hashem. A new idea is learned from this ritual…

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