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Home -> Shemos -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich
In 5758, Shemos

Take this staff in your hand, that you may perform the miraculous signs with it. (4:17)

Moshe carried the mateh Elokim, staff of Hashem. It was the instrument that initiated the various plagues which assailed Egypt.  One might think that this staff was “dedicated” to  effecting punishment and exacting retribution.  We see in the Torah that when the Jews arrived in Marah and were confronted with the challenge of having nothing to drink, this staff served a different function.  The Torah tells us in Shemos 17:5, “And your staff, with which you struck the river, take in your hand.”  Rashi cites the Mechilta which takes note of the Torah’s emphasis on the staff “with which you…

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Home -> 5758 -> Shemini

Moshe Marcovich
In Shemini, 5758

And Aharon fell silent. (10:3)

The Ramban notes that Aharon maintained his silence only after first breaking into sobs.  The Abarbanel disagrees, asserting that Aharon did not react to the tragic death of his sons. In an attempt to defend the Ramban’s position, the Chasam Sofer explains that while Aharon did weep, he cried in response to his sins which he felt precipitated the tragedy that befell his sons.  Aharon’s silence was a sign of acceptance, of inner peace, of profound faith in the Almighty.  Aharon’s silence reflected his serenity at accepting the Divine decree issued against his sons.  How did he gather the fortitude…

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Home -> 5758 -> Shelach

Moshe Marcovich
In Shelach, 5758

They said to the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael…the land which we traversed …the land is good, very, very much so…(14:7)

The sin of the meraglim is,  indeed, difficult to understand.  After all, the meraglim did not really tell any lies about Eretz Yisrael.  The testimony that it is a land that “eats up its inhabitants” certainly appeared to be true, considering the many funerals that they had witnessed.  Veritably, they even recounted that it was a “land flowing with milk and honey.”  So, why were they punished to such an extent? The Yismach Yisrael cites his father, who posits that the meraglim were  aware of the superiority of Eretz Yisrael.   They felt the kedushah, holiness, everywhere they travelled.  The…

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Home -> 5758 -> Re'eh

Moshe Marcovich
In Re'eh, 5758

You are children to Hashem…you shall not cut yourselves and you shall not make a bald spot between your eyes for a dead person. (14:1)

Being Hashem’s Chosen People, His treasure in this world, carries with it immense responsibilities.  Being banim la’Makom, children to the Almighty, is not an attribute one can ignore.  We are, therefore, adjured to exert constraint when we are  confronted with the passing of a loved one.  The pagans  mutilated their bodies in an expression of grief.  Such manifestations of the depraved behavior that reigned in antiquity are strictly forbidden.  In the Talmud Sanhedrin, Chazal relate that when Rabbi Akiva came upon the coffin of Rabbi Eliezer, he beat his flesh until he broke the skin and began to bleed profusely. …

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Home -> 5758 -> Pinchas

Moshe Marcovich
In Pinchas, 5758

May Hashem… appoint a man over the assembly. Who shall go out before them and come in before them who shall take them out and who shall bring them in. (27:16,17)

The Jewish leader must possess the following  two qualities:  He must be strong, ready  to lead his people into battle —  not cowering  in the rear lines.  He must also take a stand on Jewish issues, even if his position is not a popular one.  When he sees the people veering from daas Torah, the perspective of Torah for our lives, then he must protest vehemently. He must  do everything within his power to prevent their deviation. He must go “lifneihem,” before them, he must lead – not be led.  He must do what is right,  even if the people…

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Home -> 5758 -> Naso

Moshe Marcovich
In Naso, 5758

May Hashem bless you and keep watch over you. (6:24)

The various commentators  render their interpretations of the Birkas Kohanim, priestly blessing.  Rashi cites the Sifri that views the blessing as a reference to material bounty.  “May Hashem grant that you be triumphant over your enemies and that your crops and business ventures succeed.  May your possessions increase, and may Hashem guard these possessions from  thieves.” In short, the blessing of “Yevarechecha,” May (Hashem) bless you, refers to receiving abundance, while the blessing of “Veyishmerecha” is a prayer that we be able to retain our blessing.  The Midrash Tanchuma supplements the blessing with an invocation that our increase in material…

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Home -> 5758 -> Naso

Moshe Marcovich
In Naso, 5758

He shall bring his offering to Hashem one unblemished sheep in its first year as an elevation offering, one unblemished ewe……..for a sin offering (6:14)

The Ramban explains why a nazir, who has taken it upon himself to live a limited period of time in sanctity and devotion, brings a sin-offering.  One who has the ability to live appropriately should continue his abstinence from worldly pursuits and pleasure by lengthening his vow of nezirus.  His decision to return to the world of the mundane, to physical pleasures and transitory aspirations, earns him the epithet of sinner.  Horav Yechezkel Abramsky, zl, questions Ramban’s statement.  If one is considered a sinner for not extending his vow of  nezirus,  how much more so should one – who had…

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Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich
In Ki Seitzei, 5758

And On ben Peles. (16:1)

On Ben Peles almost joined  Korach’s misguided group.  His wife  saved him.  The word “On” is related to “onen“, a mourner.  Chazal tell us that he was called On because he spent the rest of his life in aninus, mourning, over the error that nearly cost him his life.  Interestingly, Korach’s sons also repented.  Why were they not called On for their act of repentance?  Was their remorse different from that of On? Horav Zeev Weinberger, Shlita, comments that while both On and Bnei Korach showed remorse, Bnei Korach acted upon their remorse.   They resolved to change in  the…

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Home -> 5758 -> Ki Seitzei

Moshe Marcovich
In Ki Seitzei, 5758

Moshe stood at the gateway of the camp and said, ‘Whoever is for Hashem, join me!’ And all the Levi’im gathered around him. (32:26)

Moshe explained to the Jews that  they would have to take a stand.  They could not claim to be servants of Hashem while still professing allegiance to the Golden Calf.  Moshe cried out, “Mi l’Hashem eilai!”, “Whoever is for Hashem, join me!”  Shevet Levi  came forward.  They were the only ones who had the courage to take a stand, to make a total commitment to the Almighty.  Chazal question the poor response to Moshe’s challenge.  Who would not come forward  to swear allegiance to Hashem?  Chazal seek  to redefine Moshe’s question.  He asked, “Who was there that did not contribute…

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Home -> 5758 -> Emor

Moshe Marcovich
In Emor, 5758

For a crown, the oil of his G-d’s annointment is upon him, I am G-d. (21:12)

Bnei Yisrael would come to the Bais Hamikdash to  see the Kohanim performing the avodah, service, accompanied  by the Leviim, chanting their melodies and Psalms.   Only one shevet, tribe, had access to the internal workings of the Bais Hamikdash.  It must have troubled the average Jew that  this unique group of people were selected over everyone to become Hashem’s legion, His faithful servants.  They must have questioned this phenomenon.  What is really the reason that only the Kohanim and Leviim could act as agents for the people to offer korbanos.  What trait rendered them so special? Horav Y.A. Hirshovitz,…

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