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Home -> Mikeitz -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich
In 5758, Mikeitz

Then Pharaoh said to Yosef, since Hashem has informed you of all this, there can be no one so discerning and wise as you. (41:39)

Pharaoh sounds like a believer!  A man whose entire life is devoted to idol-worship, who considers himself a deity, reverts to believing in Hashem’s Word.  His successor, the Pharaoh with whom Moshe dealt, was not as compliant.  He exclaimed to Moshe, “Who is Hashem that I should listen to Him?”  Indeed, all the miracles and wonders that transformed Egypt, seemed to have left no impression on him.  What was the difference between these two Pharaohs?  Is it possible that “Yosef’s” Pharaoh was a kinder, gentler and more committed pagan than his successor? Horav Yaakov Neiman, zl, comments that actually both…

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Home -> 5758 -> Lech Lecha

Moshe Marcovich
In Lech Lecha, 5758

Walk before Me and be perfect. (17:1)

Rashi says that Avraham’s perfection, his capacity to be tamim, was attained by his observance of the mitzvah of Bris Milah.  As long as he had the arlah, foreskin, he had a physical imperfection.  With its removal, he now became perfect.  We may wonder why Avraham needed the mitzvah of Milah to become a tamim; Noach was called a tamim without the mitzvah of Milah.  Horav Dov Eliezrav, Shlita, distinguishes between Noach’s virtue and that of Avraham.  We find that Noach’s righteousness is the topic of a dispute among Chazal.  Was he a tzaddik only because he lived in a…

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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 -> Ki Savo

Moshe Marcovich
In Ki Savo, 5758

But Hashem did not give you a heart to know, or eyes to see, or ears to hear, until this day. (29:3)

Moshe began his final charge to Klal Yisrael  by putting the experiences of their forty years in the wilderness into perspective.  The commentators offer  a number of explanations for “hayom hazeh,”  “this day” to which Moshe is referring.  Simply, in the  forty years of miraculous survival, Klal Yisrael were exposed to the highest degree of spiritual revelation;  they were nurtured and taught by the greatest teachers.  Klal Yisrael could now fully appreciate the overwhelming debt of gratitude they owed to Hashem.  They were finally ready to really serve Him.  He could now expect more from them. Rashi suggests  another analysis. …

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Home -> 5758 -> Chayei Sarah

Moshe Marcovich
In Chayei Sarah, 5758

And Sarah died in Kiryas Arba….And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to cry for her. (23:2)

Rashi explains that the narrative regarding Sarah’s death is juxtaposed upon the previous parsha, which relates the story of Akeidas Yitzchak, because her death is intrinsically related to the Akeidah.  When she heard the news that her only child was about to be slaughtered, “parchah nishmassah,” her soul “flew out” and she died.  We may question why Rashi discusses Sarah’s death and its connection with the Akeidah while commenting on the pasuk which mentions Avraham’s eulogy.  He should have raised this issue in the beginning of the parsha, when the Torah says, “And Sarah died.”  Second, it is difficult to…

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Home -> 5758 -> Beshalach

Moshe Marcovich
In Beshalach, 5758

Hashem said to Moshe: “why do you cry out to Me? Speak unto Bnei Yisrael that they go forward.” (14:15)

Rashi explains Hashem’s response to Moshe as he stood in supplication before Him.  Hashem told Moshe, “Now, when Bnei Yisrael are in distress is not the appropriate time to prolong prayer.  Let them go forward.  The merit of their forefathers and their own emunah, faith, which they have exhibited, are sufficient reason for the Sea to split before them.”  This interpretation is enigmatic.  Moshe was praying to Hashem during a time of severe crisis.  Hashem told Moshe that now, when Bnei Yisrael were teetering on the brink of disaster, was not a time for prayer.  There is no  more propitious…

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Home -> 5758 -> Beshalach

Moshe Marcovich
In Beshalach, 5758

The Bnei Yisrael went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

The Mechilta describes the scenario and the dialogue that took place among the tribes prior to the splitting of the Sea.  Bnei Yisrael were standing by the shores of the Red Sea; the Egyptian army was literally breathing down their necks.  Suddenly, they began to argue about who should go into the water first.  Each tribe vied for the opportunity to enter the Red Sea first.  During the negotiations, Nachshon ben Aminadav of the tribe of Yehudah jumped into the threatening waters.  The tribe of Yehudah was indeed lauded for this singular act of devotion, as it is stated in…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich
In 5758, Bechukosai

And if you will not listen to Me….and I will set My face against you. And you shall be smitten before your enemies…..and I will bring a sword upon you executing the vengeance of the Covenant….and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. (29:14,17,25)

The main feature in Parashas Bechukosai is the Tochachah, admonition,  the curses to befall Klal Yisrael as a result of their transgressions.  The Torah speaks in a sharp tone as it describes in detail the terrible calamities to strike us for our iniquitous behavior.  Destruction, havoc, terrible illness and devastation are the main topics of these curses.  Did the Torah have to go into such detail?  Could the punishments not have been tempered,  expressed in milder language?  Such strong words could really frighten someone! Horav Moshe Swift, zl, feels that this specifically was the Torah’s intention.  Tell it like it…

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Home -> 5758 -> Bereishis

Moshe Marcovich
In Bereishis, 5758

And Kayin said to Hevel his brother. (4:6)

We have  no record of that conversation.  We have no idea what they spoke about and what catalyzed the first murder.  Targum Yonasan records a lengthy theological debate between Kayin and Hevel. Kayin offered strong criticism of Hevel’s way of life and of his belief in the Almighty.  It went so far that Kayin exclaimed, “Les din v’les Dayan,” “There is no law and there is no Judge.”  He rejected the Ribbono Shel Olam!  The question that begs elucidation is simple:  Why was Kayin so jealous of Hevel’s communion with some non-existent Deity?  If Kayin believed in nothing, then he…

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Home -> 5758 -> Balak

Moshe Marcovich
In Balak, 5758

Hashem opened the mouth of the she-donkey and it said to Bilaam, “What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?” (22:28)

Chazal note that the Torah does not use  the word “pe’omim,” which means “times.” Rather, the Torah uses the word “regalim” which is an allusion to the Shalosh Regalim, Three Festivals — when Klal Yisrael went on Pilgrimage to Yerushalayim  — and to the Bais Hamikdash.  Bilaam wished to harm a nation whose devotion to Hashem was so strong, whose commitment so intense, that they left  their fields and homes three times each year to serve Hashem in Yerushalayim.  How could Bilaam think that the Almighty would permit him to harm such a dedicated nation?  It is interesting to note…

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