Chesed – Page 17 – Peninim on the Torah

And Hashem said; Let us make man in our image after our likeness. (1:26)

Just as a human head of state confers with his cabinet before issuing a decree or enacting a law, so does Hashem “take counsel” with His angels. When Hashem said, “Let us make man,” He was addressing His ministering angels, He was soliciting their “opinion” in the matter. The Midrash describes the following discussion that went on in Heaven: Some angels were opposed to Adam’s creation, while others were in favor. The middah, characteristic, of chesed, kindness, affirmed, “Let him be created,” because he will perform acts of kindness. The middah of emes, truth, stood in opposition. It protested, “He…

Home -> 5778 -> Tzav

אם על תודה יקריבנו

Roberto Szerer In Tzav, 5778

If he shall offer it for a Thanksgiving-offering. (7:12)

a Korban Todah, Thanksgiving-offering, to express his gratitude to Hashem and as a manner of declaration that he acknowledges that no one other than Hashem saved him. Hakoras hatov, recognizing the benefits/good that we receive from others, is a critical mitzvah, quality, which defines a human being. One who is a kafui tov, denies the good that he receives, is deficient in humanness. It is a never-ending mitzvah which one cannot completely repay, because we do not know the complete extent of the benefit and consequences that we have received. Indeed, Horav Moshe Aharon Stern, zl, explains that it is…

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כל חלב לד'

Roberto Szerer In Uncategorized

All the choice parts for Hashem. (3:16)

Concerning all offerings, all the choicest parts are to be offered to Hashem on the Mizbayach, Altar. Rambam (at the end of Hilchos Isurei Mizbayach) writes that this idea applies to everything across the board: the choicest, the best, is to be designated exclusively for ruchniyos, spirituality. Among the examples that are given is the idea that the shul in which one davens, prays, should be more impressive, fancier than his home. David Hamelech lamented the fact that he lived in a palace made of cedar wood, while the holy Aron, Ark, was ensconced in a tent. It should be…

Home -> 5778 -> Tetzaveh

ועשו בגדי קדש לאהרן אחיך לכבוד ולתפארת

Roberto Szerer In Tetzaveh, 5778

You shall make garments of sanctity for Aharon your brother, for glory and splendor. (28:2)

The Kohanim were attired in special vestments that were resplendent in their beauty, as befitting the spiritual mentors of Klal Yisrael, individuals who served in the Sanctuary and represented the nation. They also represented the glory of their mission and the One before Whom they served. The Kohanim were the agents of the Jewish People who served Hashem on their behalf. Halachah teaches that the Bigdei Kehunah, Priestly Vestments, were paid for by public funds. The Kedushas HaLevi explains that, since the Kohen represents the nation, it is only proper that his garments be supplied by the kahal, congregation, that…

Home -> 5778 -> Terumah

ועשית את הקרשים למשכן עצי שטים עמדים

Roberto Szerer In Terumah, 5778

You shall make the planks of the Mishkan of shittim (Acacia) wood, standing erect. (26:15)

The Midrash observes that atzei shittim refers to wood derived from a tree that does not bear fruit. Chazal explain that, if in the future, a person would want to build a house of wood from a fruit-bearing tree, he would be prevented from doing so by applying a simple logic. If the King of Kings, Hashem, to Whom everything in this world belongs, said that His Mishkan should only be built from wood from a type that does not bear fruit, how can a human being make a different decision? We derive from here that whatever we do, regardless…

Home -> 5778 -> Mishpatim

ואנשי קדש תהיון לי

Roberto Szerer In Mishpatim, 5778

And men of a holy calling shall you be to Me. (22:30)

The Torah does not say anashim kedoshim, holy men; rather, it says anshei kodesh, men of a holy calling. Not all men can achieve the apex of kedushah, holiness, but all men can – and should – live as individuals who are charged with a Heavenly mission to achieve holiness. Our goal must be to become holy. Kedoshim tiyehu, “Be holy!” would then be interpreted: as strive for holiness; imbue your life with kedushah; attempt to reach the level whereby you are sanctified. Demanding personal holiness might be difficult for the individual. Expecting everyone to strive for holiness, to focus…

Home -> 5778 -> Vaeira

ואלה שמות בני לוי לתלדתם גרשון וקהת ומררי

Roberto Szerer In Vaeira, 5778

These were the sons of Levi in order of their birth: Gershon, Kehas and Merari. (6:16)

Shevet Levi was the one tribe that was excluded from the Egyptian bondage. They studied Torah all day, while their brethren slaved for Pharaoh. One should not think for a moment that they had it “easy,” since they did not work. Pharaoh was no fool. He knew that, as long as a segment of the Jewish People maintained its bond with the Torah, the nation would survive. In order to break Levi’s bond with the Torah, Pharaoh decreed that only those who worked were entitled to food: no work; no food. He thought that he could starve the Leviim into breaking…

Home -> Shemos -> 5778

ויגדל משה ויצא אל אחיו וירא בסבלתם

Roberto Szerer In 5778, Shemos

Moshe grew up and went out to his brethren and observed their burdens. (2:11)

Moshe Rabbeinu grew up. What was his act of “growing up”? How did he manifest his maturity? He went out to his brethren and observed their burdens. In other words, Moshe’s act of maturation was his identification with his people. How did he identify with them? He did not just wear a “yellow star” as an armband; he intended to see their suffering and grieve with them. It is easy to identify with the Jewish People when they are riding high. What about when they are bent over, suffering from back-breaking labor, ridiculed for being different, disdained and debased as…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5778

ואת יהודה שלח לפניו אל יוסף להורות לפניו גשנה

Roberto Szerer In 5778, Vayigash

He sent Yehudah ahead of him to Yosef, to prepare ahead of him in Goshen. (46:28)

Yaakov Avinu sent Yehudah ahead of the family to make the proper arrangements for their arrival. The Midrash focuses on the word l’horos, to prepare, which also means to teach. This implies that Yaakov sent Yehudah to Goshen to establish a yeshivah, a house of study. This set the priority for every Jewish community to first and foremost have a makom Torah, a place where Torah will be studied. A community that does not revolve around Torah is missing its soul. I think the word l’horos, to teach, imparts a lesson concerning the type of yeshivah that Yaakov wanted to…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5778

ויוסף הוא השליט על הארץ הוא המשביר לכל עם הארץ

Roberto Szerer In 5778, Mikeitz

Now Yosef – he was the viceroy over the land, he was the provider to all the people. (42:6)

Simply translated, the pasuk informs us that Yosef was both ruler and provider to the people. Horav Moshe Cheifetz, zl (cited by Tzeil Ha’Eidah), derives from here that a community/group accepts the guidance/ rulership/governance of a person only after he has shown that he cares/provides for all of them. Thus, he interprets the pasuk as: Yosef was the (accepted) ruler because he was the provider to all the people. When the ruler provides, people listen; when the ruler thinks only of himself or those close to him, he will eventually deal with a mutiny, people rebelling against him. Obviously, one achieves…

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And Hashem said; Let us make man in our image after our likeness. (1:26)

אם על תודה יקריבנו

If he shall offer it for a Thanksgiving-offering. (7:12)

כל חלב לד'

All the choice parts for Hashem. (3:16)

ועשו בגדי קדש לאהרן אחיך לכבוד ולתפארת

You shall make garments of sanctity for Aharon your brother, for glory and splendor. (28:2)

ועשית את הקרשים למשכן עצי שטים עמדים

You shall make the planks of the Mishkan of shittim (Acacia) wood, standing erect. (26:15)

ואנשי קדש תהיון לי

And men of a holy calling shall you be to Me. (22:30)

ואלה שמות בני לוי לתלדתם גרשון וקהת ומררי

These were the sons of Levi in order of their birth: Gershon, Kehas and Merari. (6:16)

ויגדל משה ויצא אל אחיו וירא בסבלתם

Moshe grew up and went out to his brethren and observed their burdens. (2:11)

ואת יהודה שלח לפניו אל יוסף להורות לפניו גשנה

He sent Yehudah ahead of him to Yosef, to prepare ahead of him in Goshen. (46:28)

ויוסף הוא השליט על הארץ הוא המשביר לכל עם הארץ

Now Yosef – he was the viceroy over the land, he was the provider to all the people. (42:6)

YEARS

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