Emes – Page 46 – Peninim on the Torah

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, V'zos HaBrachah

And Moshe, the servant of Hashem, died there…and He (Hashem) buried him.” (34:5,6)

In His glory, Hashem buried Moshe Rabbeinu. The Midrash relates how it happened that Moshe merited for Hashem to personally take charge of his burial. During the final days prior to the exodus from Egypt, while everyone was occupying themselves with “relieving” the Egyptians of their money, Moshe sought to fulfill the promise made many years earlier to Yosef: that his bones would be taken out of Egypt. Moshe spent three days and nights searching throughout the country, looking everywhere in the hope that he would locate Yosef’s coffin. According to one tradition, Serach bas Asher approached Moshe to ask…

Home -> 5758 -> Vayishlach

Moshe Marcovich In Vayishlach, 5758

Their flocks, their cattle, their donkeys, whatever was in the town and whatever was in the field, they took. (34:28)

The behavior of Bnei Yaakov begs explanation. Why did they take the cattle and sheep? Let us conjecture that they were justified in killing Shechem and Chamor for their immoral treatment of Dinah. Perhaps they were compelled to kill the men of Shechem for fear that they would seek vengeance. What, however, would justify pillaging their livestock? This act would cause people to think that their motivation for killing was really not sincere. Horav Elchanan Sorotzkin, zl, feels that Bnei Yaakov’s actions regarding the livestock communicates a significant message regarding the underlying reason for Shechem and Chamor’s original offer to…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayigash

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

Yaakov sent Yehudah ahead of the family to prepare for their arrival. The Midrash understands the word “l’horos” according to its Hebrew definition, “to teach.” Yaakov sent Yehudah to found a yeshivah, a place where their family could study Torah. We infer from Yaakov’s action that Torah study takes priority over any other endeavor. When a community is being developed, one must first establish a Torah institution, nurturing its inhabitants spiritually. The commentators address the fact that Yehudah, not Yosef, was chosen to establish the yeshivah, even though Yosef was a distinguished talmid chacham, who had already been in…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayigash

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

Rashi interprets the word “l’horos” to mean “to teach.” Yaakov sent Yehudah to prepare a makom Torah, a place for Torah study, to lay the foundation for Torah dissemination in Egypt. The Midrash asserts that Yaakov sent Yehudah because he was on good terms with Yosef. Certainly, Yosef would have done everything within his power to assist any emissary of his father. The Midrash implies, however, that it would have been inappropriate to send Yehudah to establish a yeshivah had his relationship with Yosef not been one of total harmony. This seems difficult to understand. Yehudah was selected because of…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayechi

Water like impetuosity–you cannot be foremost, because you mounted your father’s bed; then you desecrated Him Who ascended my couch. (49:4)

Reuven’s impetuosity cost him his right to national leadership. We may wonder if Reuven’s action was really that inappropriate. After all, he was demonstrating overwhelming respect to his mother. Indeed, the Torah lists Reuven together with the rest of his brothers. This causes Chazal to comment that Reuven was as righteous as they. He did not sin. He erred and was deserving of a formal reprimand. Why, however, should he have lost the bechorah? Horav Zaidel Epstein, Shlita, makes a compelling statement. Reuven was certainly demonstrating concern for his mother’s feelings, fulfilling the mitzvah of kibud eim, honoring his mother….

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

And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law and he said, “Get up and leave this place, for Hashem is about to destroy the city. But he seemed like a jester in the eyes of his sons-in-law.”

In the Midrash, Chazal recount the dialogue between Lot and his sons-in-law. When Lot implored them to leave because of the impending doom, they countered derisively, “The city is singing and dancing, music is playing, and you say the city is about to be destroyed? Nonsense!” Horav A. Henach Leibovitz, Shlita, observes that Lot’s sons-in-law would have heeded the warning to leave the city had they not seen the people in a state of joy and frivolity. They believed that Hashem could destroy the city; they did not believe that He would. Intellectually, they knew it might happen, but the…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Vayeilech

It will say on that day, “Is it not because my G-d is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me?” (31:17)

The Sfas Emes cites Horav Bunim M’Pechischa, who states that the actual idea that one says or even thinks that “Ein Elokai b’kirbi,” “My G-d is not in my midst,” constitutes a grave sin which may be the source of his troubles. How does one have “yiush,” how does one despair? Every Jew is enjoined to believe whole-heartedly that Hashem is with him at all times, through all circumstances, under all conditions. Hashem does not, and will not ever, forsake us. We need to be able to say the same regarding our relationship with Him. The Kotzker Rov was once…

Home -> 5758 -> Vayeitzei

Moshe Marcovich In Vayeitzei, 5758

And he became frightened and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the abode of G-d.” (28:17)

In his second interpretation of this pasuk, Rashi cites the Talmud in Chullin 91, which relates that Yaakov traveled to Charan to find a wife, according to his parents’ request. After a long journey, he reached Charan. When he arrived, he realized that he had passed by Har Ha’Moriah without having stopped to pray there. He was shocked at his oversight. How could he have passed the place where his father and grandfather used to say their tefillos and not take advantage of the opportunity to do the same? He immediately turned around and began the journey all the way…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Pekudei

These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of Testimony, which were reckoned at Moshe’s behest. (38:21)

Sforno cites various differences that distinguished the Mishkan from its two successors, the Batei Mikdash. He posits that these differences ensured the Mishkan’s eternal viability, providing that it would never fall into the hands of enemies and be destroyed. First, the Mishkan contained the two Luchos: Second, it was initiated through Moshe Rabbeinu; Third, the avodah, service, was carried out through Isamar Hakohen and the Leviim. Fourth, the fact that Betzalel was the architect and builder of the Mishkan helped to guarantee its everlasting nature. Indeed, all those who occupied themselves with the building of the Mishkan were men of…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5758 ->

And Moshe, the servant of Hashem, died there…and He (Hashem) buried him.” (34:5,6)

Their flocks, their cattle, their donkeys, whatever was in the town and whatever was in the field, they took. (34:28)

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

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

Water like impetuosity–you cannot be foremost, because you mounted your father’s bed; then you desecrated Him Who ascended my couch. (49:4)

And Hashem tested Avraham. (22:1)

And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law and he said, “Get up and leave this place, for Hashem is about to destroy the city. But he seemed like a jester in the eyes of his sons-in-law.”

It will say on that day, “Is it not because my G-d is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me?” (31:17)

And he became frightened and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the abode of G-d.” (28:17)

These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of Testimony, which were reckoned at Moshe’s behest. (38:21)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!