Remarkable! The Midyanim were to receive their due punishment in response to their involvement in the Jews’ sins of immorality and idolatry. This punishment resulted in the deaths of 24,000 Jewish souls. Hashem told Moshe that this “unfinished business” should be addressed now, since his death was tied to it. In other words, Moshe was going to leave this world as soon as he carried out this last retribution. Our quintessential leader, Moshe Rabbeinu, could easily have taken his time in executing Hashem’s command. He did not. Indeed, he did it immediately, so great and intense was his love for…
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Rarely do we find a mitzvah in the Torah in which we are told not only to execute a certain deed, but never to forget that we are enjoined in this mitzvah. These mitzvos are zechiros mitzvos in which there is a specific duty to remember a specific occurrence. This act of perpetuating the occurrence will spur us to carry out a specific mitzvah or not to do a prohibited activity. For instance, we are enjoined to remember what Hashem did to Miriam HaNeviah, and how she was publicly censured for speaking ill of Moshe Rabbeinu. Although it was not actual…
It is sad, but true: A person is most often judged by his external appearance. His manner of dress, be it conventional or “different,” determines our first opinion of him. We become caught up in the chitzoniyus, externals, and ignore the “real” Jew, the pnimiyus, internal essence of the person who stands before us. I have found this to be a reality, especially in dealing with individuals of both genders who are incarcerated for various felonies – some light, others serious, but felonies no less. At first glance, they might present themselves in an unsavory light, but, upon getting to…
Korach was no fool. Yet, he acted in a manner unbecoming a person who possesses even a modicum of common sense. He had it all. Why did he throw everything away for a chance at a moment of glory? Did he not realize that he had no prospects of succeeding in this ill-fated endeavor? Rashi explains that his “eye” threw him off (16:7). He saw a succession of distinguished offspring descending from him. The illustrious Shmuel HaNavi, who was to succeed Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen as the nation’s spiritual leader, stood at the helm of this revered lineage. How…
The Midrash Tanchuma observes that Yaakov Avinu’s name is glaringly omitted from Korach’s lineage. The Midrash says that it was by design, so that Yaakov’s name not be included together with that of Korach. The mere thought of dispute distances Yaakov Avinu from these people. This reverts to Bircas Yaakov, the blessings the Patriarch gave his sons shortly before his death. He said, B’sodam al tavoh nafshi, b’k’halom al teichad kevodi, “Into their conspiracy may my soul not enter, with their congregation do not join, my honor” (Bereishis 49:6). This refers to the Korach controversy. Did it mean that much…
Rashi explains that the individuals who complained, “We have nothing to anticipate but the Manna,” were countered by Hashem, Who said, “The Manna was like a coriander seed with a color similar to crystal.” As the commentators explain, it had the taste of dough saturated with oil. Rashi understands that Hashem was alluding to the world, “Look at what My children are complaining about! They say the Manna is nothing worth waiting for, and I show you that it is indeed quite special.” This does not mean that the Jewish People were full of complaints. It is possible that they…
Rashi explains that the three wicks on the right and the three wicks on the left were all directed towards the Menorah’s central stem, thereby concentrating the light toward the center. Since its light was focused, rather than spread out, the Menorah symbolized the idea that Hashem does not need its light. As the Source of all light, Hashem does not need the Menorah to illuminate the Sanctuary. The Shem MiShmuel quotes his father, the Avnei Nezer, to explain the need for seven lights, all focused on the center. The Yalkut Shimoni makes a fascinating statement concerning the Menorah: “Why…
Shemittah is a mitzvah which infuses emunah and bitachon, faith and trust, in a Jew. Each Shemittah (Sabbatical year), a Jew turns his back on what seems to be the source of his sustenance, and he does not work his field for an entire year. Living through a Shemittah provides one with an incredible test of his faith in Hashem. One who emerges triumphant from this test has indeed strengthened his emunah in the Almighty. Imagine an individual walking off the job that has been his source of support for the past six years, saying, “I am not working this…
The circle of permitted marriages diminishes as one rises higher in the social/spiritual hierarchy. The Torah places restrictions upon the Levi and Yisrael concerning certain marriages. The Kohen has even greater limitations, while the Kohen Gadol, High Priest, is in a very tight circle with regard to marriage. These provisions concerning marriage are governed primarily by the principle of yichus, pedigree, and the nobility of untainted family descent. The preservation of the blood lines is one of the principles of Jewish family life. In its purest form, yichus is conveyed through the male line from generation to generation by marriages…
After enumerating a list of sexual aberrations, the Torah concludes with an exhortation not to give one’s child “to pass through for [the] Molech [god].” Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, explains the rationale for this juxtaposition. He suggests a practical reason for the prohibition of the laws concerning ervah, physical relations with close relatives. He explains that a relationship between husband and wife should be predicated upon bonds of mutual love, which is the result of marriage. Any relationship which has been linked prior to marriage by bonds of mutual attachment and affection, or of familial love, precludes the link founded in…
