Commitment – Page 31 – Peninim on the Torah

“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it, it shall not be extinguished.” (6:5)

In Pirkei Avos (5:5), Chazal teach us that miraculously the rains never put out the fire of the wood-pile on the altar. The Mizbayach was situated in an open space, exposed to the elements. Yet, the fire continued to burn even during the heaviest rains. It seems strange that such a miracle would be choreographed. Why did Hashem simply not have it rain upon the Mizbayach so that such a miracle would not be necessary? Horav Chaim M’Volozhin, zl, infers a valuable lesson from this miracle regarding our commitment to serve Hashem under all circumstances. Hashem could certainly have prevented…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Vayikra

“And He (Hashem) called unto Moshe.” (1:1)

The Midrash views Hashem’s call to Moshe as a command to continue his leadership over Klal Yisrael. In all humility, Moshe Rabbeinu felt his tenure as leader should cease because his mission had been completed. The Midrash cites a pasuk which is interpreted by Chazal as alluding to three distinct groups of individuals who serve Hashem. Let us focus on the pasuk and its applications. David Ha’Melech writes in Sefer Tehillim, 103:20, “Bless Hashem, O’ His angels, the strong warriors who do His bidding, to obey the voice of His word.” The divergent opinions in Chazal are in understanding the…

Home -> 5777 -> Bereishis

וישמעו את קול ד' אלקים מתהלך בגן לרוח היום ויתחבא האדם ואשתו מפני ד' אלקים בתוך עץ הגן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5777

And they heard the sound of Hashem Elokim walking in the garden in the wind of the day, and Adam and his wife hid from before Hashem among the trees of the garden. (3:8)

The concept of Hashem “walking” in the garden or the “sound” that He makes in the wind has anthropomorphic overtones which do not apply to Hashem, Who has no physical presence. Rashi and Ibn Ezra define kol as voice, rather than sound, and ruach as direction, rather than wind. This would be a reference to the direction of the sun at the end of the day. A voice travels as it increases with intensity. Thus, the pasuk is interpreted: And they heard the voice of Hashem steadily increasing in the garden towards the end of the day. Bearing this in…

Home -> 5758 -> Vayishlach

Moshe Marcovich In Vayishlach, 5758

I sojourned with Lavan and have lingered until now. (32:5)

The numerical equivalent of “h,rd“, “garti” is 613, or dhr,, taryag, which is the number of mitzvos the Jew is commanded to observe. Thus, the Midrash interprets Yaakov’s words to mean, “Although I have sojourned with Lavan, I have observed the 613 mitzvos, and I have not learned from his evil ways.” Yaakov was affirming his righteousness, despite his exposure to Eisav’s evil environment. We can derive an important lesson from this pasuk. Yaakov Avinu stated emphatically that he had observed all 613 mitzvos. Yet, he also asserts that he had not been influenced by Lavan’s evil ways. Is it…

Home -> 5758 -> Vayeira

Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

And Hashem tested Avraham. (22:1)

With the Akeidas Yitzchak, Avraham Avinu reached the summit of spiritual commitment to the Almighty. He was prepared to sacrifice everything–even his only son, his future–to serve Hashem. Avraham Avinu demonstrated obedience by listening to the command of Hashem. He showed unparalleled yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven, when he listened to Hashem without question. The Netziv, zl, emphasizes Avraham’s readiness to accept Hashem’s command without questioning, as one might listen to a close friend. Avraham was in awe of Hashem, a state of being which precludes the question, “Why”? Fear is equated with unequivocal acquiescence; no questions are asked, one…

Home -> 5758 -> Vayeira

Moshe Marcovich In Vayeira, 5758

Avraham came forward and said, “Will You also stamp out the righteous along with the wicked?” (18:23)

Avraham’s love for all people is exemplified in its noblest form as he intercedes on behalf of the people of Sodom. Even the wicked inhabitants of Sodom were worthy of his sympathy. He prayed to Hashem to spare them from impending doom. Avraham Avinu’s most significant strength was his total devotion to Hashem. Representing the greatest aspect of his personality, this trait caused Hashem to say that during the ten generations from Noach until Avraham, He spoke to no one other than Avraham. Avraham’s commitment, to the point of self-sacrifice, was definitely the zenith of his life’s achievement. Chazal,…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayakhel

These are the things that Hashem has commanded, to do them…on six days, work may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy. (35:1,2)

The Torah introduces the laws regarding the building of the Mishkan with an admonition to observe Shabbos. Rashi notes the juxtaposition of these laws and infers that building the Mishkan does not override the observance of Shabbos. Abarbanel explains that since building the Mishkan is a symbol of the strong bond that exists between Hashem and Klal Yisrael, one might think that it should take precedence over everything, even Shabbos. After all, action is a positive expression of our love and commitment to Hashem. Should it not have preeminence over the observance of Shabbos, which represents a cessation from action? …

Home -> 5758 -> Toldos

Moshe Marcovich In Toldos, 5758

And Yitzchak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, daughter of Besuel the Arami from Paddan Aram, sister of Lavan the Arami (25:20)

Rashi remarks that although Rivkah’s background was well-known, the Torah repeats it to reinforce its praise of her. She was the daughter of a wicked man and the sister of a wicked man; she was raised in an environment that was wicked. Yet, she was able to maintain herself on a high level of virtue, remaining uninfluenced by her environment. We may question this statement. Is there nothing else about Rivkah that evokes praise for her? In Parashas Chayei Sarah, the Torah lauds her remarkable sensitivity and her commitment to performing acts of loving-kindness. The Torah teaches us that…

Home -> 5758 -> Re'eh

Moshe Marcovich In Re'eh, 5758

You shall not do this to Hashem your G-d. Rather, only at the place that Hashem, your G-d chose…to place His Name shall you seek out His Presence and come there. And there shall you bring your elevation offerings. (12:4,5,6)

The commentators, each in his own initimable style, explain what it is that we “shall not do” to Hashem. Horav Itzile M’Volozhin, zl, offers a practical interpretation of this pasuk. We find that in order to facilitate the unintentional murderer’s “escape” to the Arei Miklat, Cities of Refuge, the people erected signs at various crossroads to indicate the most efficient way to reach his destination. They did this in order to ensure that the rotzeach b’shogeg, unintentional murderer, would not have to ask people for directions as he sought his destination. We may wonder why this helpful idea was…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Mikeitz

When one of them opened his sack…he saw his money and behold–it was in the mouth of his sack. (42:27)

Rashi comments that the “echad,” the individual who opened his sack and found the money, was Levi. Abarbanel says that it was by design that Levi found the money first. Yosef had Levi’s money placed by the top of his sack, so that he would be the first to discover the money. Since he was the one most responsible for Yosef’s sale into slavery, the distress he experienced would provide atonement for his sin. In any event, the one who found the money first would be the one to impose a feeling of fear and remorse upon the rest of…

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“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it, it shall not be extinguished.” (6:5)

“And He (Hashem) called unto Moshe.” (1:1)

וישמעו את קול ד' אלקים מתהלך בגן לרוח היום ויתחבא האדם ואשתו מפני ד' אלקים בתוך עץ הגן

And they heard the sound of Hashem Elokim walking in the garden in the wind of the day, and Adam and his wife hid from before Hashem among the trees of the garden. (3:8)

I sojourned with Lavan and have lingered until now. (32:5)

And Hashem tested Avraham. (22:1)

Avraham came forward and said, “Will You also stamp out the righteous along with the wicked?” (18:23)

These are the things that Hashem has commanded, to do them…on six days, work may be done, but the seventh day shall be holy. (35:1,2)

And Yitzchak was forty years old when he took Rivkah, daughter of Besuel the Arami from Paddan Aram, sister of Lavan the Arami (25:20)

You shall not do this to Hashem your G-d. Rather, only at the place that Hashem, your G-d chose…to place His Name shall you seek out His Presence and come there. And there shall you bring your elevation offerings. (12:4,5,6)

When one of them opened his sack…he saw his money and behold–it was in the mouth of his sack. (42:27)

YEARS

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