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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5774

וכל מעשר בקר וצאן כל אשר יעבר תחת השבט העשירי יהיה קדש לד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5774, Bechukosai

Any tithe of cattle or flock, any that passes under the staff, the tenth of one shall be holy to Hashem. (27:32)

Every tenth animal of those born during the current season must be consecrated as an offering to Hashem. This is Maaser beheimah, the tithe of cattle or flock. All of the animals are put into a large corral and allowed to leave individually. Every tenth animal is marked with a dab of paint to distinguish it from the other animals. Horav Eliezer Gordon, zl, founding Rosh Yeshivah of Telshe, visited Kiev in order to solicit funds for his growing yeshivah. He came to the home of one of the wealthiest men in Russia and presented his case on behalf of…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5774

ונתן את הערכך ביום ההוא קדש לד' וכל ערכך יהיה בשקל הקדש

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5774, Bechukosai

And he shall pay the evaluation of that day, it is holy to Hashem. (27: 23)

Every valuation shall be in the sacred shekel. (27:25) In the Talmud Arachin 24a, Chazal state, Ein l’hekdesh ela mekomo u’sheato, “Hekdesh has only its place and time.” This means that, if a man makes an erech – vow, but lacks the means to pay for it, the gizbar of Hekdesh, the Sanctuary’s treasurer, must assess his possessions to establish the amount that the donor can really afford. The assessment of value is commensurate with the place and time in which the vow occurred. For example, if the donor possesses a slave who is worth twenty dinarim, but when he…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5774

ורדפו מכם חמשה מאה ומאה מכם רבבה ירדופו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5774, Bechukosai

Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand. (26:8)

Rashi notes the discrepancy in the ratio of five to one hundred. If five Jews can pursue one hundred, which is a ratio of one to twenty, then a hundred Jews should pursue two thousand – not more. Yet, the Torah states that one hundred will pursue ten thousand. This teaches that when more people are united in serving Hashem, the effectiveness of their actions increase exponentially. The same Reuven and Shimon who had earlier been pursuing one hundred are now able to achieve much more. They have not changed, but their power has, because they are part of a…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5774

אם בחקתי תלכו ואת מצותי תשמרו ועשיתם אתם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5774, Bechukosai

If you will follow My decrees and observe My Commandments and perform them. (26:3)

At first glance, the pasuk appears repetitious: follow My decrees; observe My commandments; perform them. The Torah is not written in synonyms. Every word – indeed, every letter – has profound significance. How are we to understand what appear to be variegated nuances for heeding Hashem’s word? Rashi explains that the pasuk is teaching us the process by which we proceed from learning to action. The combined meaning of the pasuk is: If you will follow My decrees by engaging in ameilus ba’Torah, intensive Torah study, with the intention that this study will lead to; observe My commandments properly, and,…

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Home -> 5774 -> Balak

ויאמר אלקים אל בלעם לא תלך עמהם לא תאר את העם כי ברוך הוא

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Balak, 5774

G-d said to Bilaam, “You shall not go with them! You shall not curse the people, for it is blessed.” (22:12)

Bilaam really wanted to do his job, to carry out his mission to curse the Jews. Hashem told him that he should not go. Bilaam offered to send a curse via long distance from his home. Hashem reiterated His position: no cursing the Jews. Bilaam then offered (out of the kindness of his heart) to bless the Jews. Hashem replied, “They do not require your blessing. They are a blessed people.” Rashi analogizes this to a bee whose honey is very tasty and beneficial, but, accompanying procuring the honey, is the chance that one might get stung. We tell it…

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Home -> 5774 -> Acharei Mos

כי בענן אראה על הכפרת

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5774

For in a Cloud will I appear upon the Ark-Cover. (16:2)

No one was permitted to enter the Kodesh HaKedoshim, Holy of Holies, except for Aharon HaKohen and future Kohanim Gedolim. This would take place once a year, on Yom Kippur. It was in the Kodesh HaKedoshim, from within a Cloud hovering above the Kapores, Ark Cover, that Hashem’s Glory was manifest. Hashem’s Glory is hidden beneath many veils. It is within the innermost area of sanctity and, even then, it is shrouded within a cloud. Horav Gamliel Rabinowitz, Shlita, derives a powerful, inspirational lesson from Hashem’s clandestine Presence. Ki be’anan eiraeh, “For in a Cloud will I appear.” Every time,…

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Home -> 5759 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Tzav, 5759

Take Aharon and his sons with him…He poured from the oil of anointment upon Aharon’s head…Moshe brought the sons of Aharon forward. (8:1,12,13)

Hashem commanded Moshe to sanctify and induct Aharon and his sons into the Kehunah, Priesthood.  Hashem chose Aharon and his four sons – Moshe’s brother and his four nephews – over everyone to serve in the holy Priesthood.  We can understand why some people might question the choice of Moshe’s close relatives.  Let us understand  why Amram and Yocheved merited to have such special children and grandchildren: Moshe, Aharon and Miriam and their offspring who stood at Klal Yisrael’s helm.  What was their unique zechus, merit?  Why was Aharon selected to be Kohen Gadol and progenitor of the Kehunah?  We…

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Home -> 5759 -> Yisro

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Yisro, 5759

On the third day…there was thunder and lightning…and the entire people that was in the camp shuddered. (19:16)

Klal Yisrael was not the only one to shudder from the noise.  That awesome sound, the “mysterium tremendum” that accompanied the Revelation and Giving of the Torah, echoed far beyond the periphery of that mountain.  It reached an entire world.  They all gathered together, the kings and princes, the common man and scholar, to offer praise to the Almighty.  The Midrash says that they were scared; they feared for their lives.  They thought the world was coming to an end.  Perhaps Hashem was deluging the world with another mabul, flood.  They went to their “wise man,” seeking  guidance and encouragement. …

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Home -> 5759 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Mishpatim, 5759

You shall not cause pain to any widow or orphan…for if he shall cry out to Me, I shall surely hear his outcry. (22:21,22)

  Hashem promises to listen to cries of the widow and orphan.  They have no one to whom to turn,  other than their Father in Heaven, Who listens very closely to those that are vulnerable to abuse.  A classic story  occurred, involving the Bais HaLevi, that demonstrates how sensitive we must be to the plight of the unfortunate – especially those who have nowhere to turn.  When the Bais HaLevi was a young boy studying in cheder, he witnessed the rebbe striking a young orphan boy who had fought with another boy, who just happened to be wealthy.  The Bais…

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Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5759

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5759, Ki Sisa

The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

  As part of an annual compulsory tax, the Torah instructs each member of Klal Yisroel to give a half-shekel towards the korbanos tzibur, communal offerings.  The Toldos Yaakov Yosef explains that the requirement for half a shekel underscores the importance of unity among Jews.  No Jew is complete unless he joins with others.  Indeed, even the simple person has the potential to complete the most noble Jew. In the beginning of Meseches Shekalim, the Mishnah says:  On Rosh Chodesh Adar, they (Bais Din) would proclaim regarding the obligation to contribute the Shekalim and Kilayim, reminding people to rid themselves…

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