Emes – Page 47 – Peninim on the Torah

See and make, according to their form that you are shown on the mountain. (25:40)

Rashi explains that Moshe was unable to construct the Menorah. Hashem showed him a Heavenly vision of a Menorah of fire. Moshe was still unable to build the Menorah. Hashem then told him to cast the mass of gold into the fire and give it one blow with the hammer. A finished Menorah would emerge. Moshe did as he was told, and the Menorah miraculously emerged from the fire. We must endeavor to understand why Moshe was shown the Menorah if he would not be able to recreate the design. He was still unable to grasp its fabrication. The Sefas…

Home -> 5758 -> Terumah

Moshe Marcovich In Terumah, 5758

You shall cover it with pure gold, from within and from without you shall cover it.

The Aron’s connection with the Torah is obvious. Indeed, the arrangment of pure gold both within and without symbolizes Chazal’s dictum that a Torah scholar’s public behavior must be consistent with his inner character. He cannot profess one set of beliefs in his relationship with Hashem while acting in a manner unbecoming a person of his spiritual stature in his interaction with people. A talmid chacham is–and should be–the embodiment of Torah. This should be reflected in his total demeanor. The Talmud, Berachos 28a, relates that when Rabban Gamliel was the Nasi, prince, he decreed that any student who was…

Home -> 5758 -> Metzora

Moshe Marcovich In Metzora, 5758

This shall be the law of the metzora. (14:1)

In the Midrash, Chazal recount the story of a rochel, peddler, who plied his wares in the villages surrounding Tzippori. He would proclaim, “Who wishes to buy an elixir of life?” Understandably, buyers from the entire area sought to purchase such a desirable commodity. Rabbi Yanai, who was studying Torah in the proximity of the peddler’s announcement, called down to him, “Come up and let me purchase your wares”. The peddler responded, “People of your caliber have no need for my wares.” Refusing to be brushed aside, Rabbi Yanai was determined to see this elixir. Finally, the peddler…

Home -> Shemos -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Shemos

And Hashem said to Moshe,…’Go, return to Egypt, for all the people who seek your life have died’.(4:19)

Rashi explains that Moshe’s enemies were not really dead; they had been reduced to poverty and had no power whatsoever; it was as if they were dead. Dasan and Aviram, Moshe’s nemeses, had lost their possessions and, consequently, their positions of power. Moshe could now return to Egypt with nothing to fear. It is interesting how what one thinks is a terrible curse could in truth be a wonderful blessing in disguise. They tell a story about a certain chasid whose whole fortune overturned, and he went bankrupt. Penniless, he traveled to his Rebbe, the Chidushei Ha’rim, zl. He asked…

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Moshe Marcovich In 5758, Shemos

And I have heard its outcry because of its taskmasters. (3:7)

The Zohar Hakadosh points out that among the various expressions used to describe an impassioned plea to Hashem, the most intense and most meaningful is “tzaakah”. This form of crying out is a supplication which emanates from the innermost recesses of one’s heart. It is the essence of truth and reaches up to the source of truth–Hashem. The Ozrover Rebbe, zl, makes an analogy to lend deeper meaning to this idea. In the Mishnah, Meseches Keilim 17:13, Chazal assert that if one makes skins from the hides of creatures that live in the sea, they are tahor, ritually clean, and…

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…

Home -> 5758 -> Shemini

Moshe Marcovich In Shemini, 5758

I will be sanctified through those that are nearest to me, thus I will be honored before the entire people. (10:3)

This pasuk expresses the entire concept. Hashem expects and demands more from those who are close to Him. Those who serve as an example must live up to the values which they represent. This idea is regrettably foreign to those outside of Torah circles. It has become the accepted norm that social and intellectual accomplishment grants one license to pursue whatever moral transgressions his heart desires. We have only to look at the secular leadership of modern society to recognize this unfortunate truth. Not so our Torah leadership; they must be the paragon of moral purity, the model of dignity…

Home -> 5758 -> Shelach

Moshe Marcovich In Shelach, 5758

That you may see it and remember all the mitzvos of Hashem. (15:39)

The Torah reveals to us that by seeing the tzitzis we might remember all of the mitzvos. Consequently, we will be inspired to perform them. How does this transpire? Rashi explains that the numerical equivalent of tzitzis is 600. In addition, there are eight threads and five knots, bringing it to a total of 613, the number of mitzvos which we are commanded to observe. In the Talmud Menachos 43b Chazal comment that the techeilas, turquoise wool, which was the color of one string of each fringe, brings the Almighty to mind. Techeilas is similar to the color of the…

Home -> 5758 -> Shelach

Moshe Marcovich In Shelach, 5758

They ascended toward the mountain-top saying,”We are ready, and we shall ascend to the place which Hashem has spoken, for we have sinned. (14:40)

The people were embarrassed. They sought to compensate for their sin. They finally realized that their reaction to the spies’ slander of Eretz Yisrael was terribly wrong. They were, however, too late. Their teshuvah was long overdue. How many times can a people rebel against Hashem, apologize and proceed with life as planned? They would not accept a negative response, insisting upon going on to Eretz Yisrael. They failed; their fate was sealed. They were attacked and thrown back. Why did Hashem reject their teshuvah? They acknowledged, “We have sinned.” What more should they have done? The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh…

Home -> 5758 -> Nitzavim

Moshe Marcovich In Nitzavim, 5758

The hidden (sins) are for Hashem, our G-d, but the revealed (sins) are for us and our children. (29:28)

Simply, we are not responsible for the hidden sinners, for those who conceal their evil. We will, however, be called to task for the actions of those who openly rebel. We are all responsible to maintain the integrity of Klal Yisrael. We suggest another interpretation of this pasuk. Those thoughts that are concealed within us, thoughts which we are astute enough not to express, belong to the Almighty. They exercise no influence on those around us, they hurt no one but ourselves. They are between us and G-d. Our revealed actions reflect the thoughts that we could not or did…

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Back to Home -> Terumah ->

See and make, according to their form that you are shown on the mountain. (25:40)

You shall cover it with pure gold, from within and from without you shall cover it.

This shall be the law of the metzora. (14:1)

And Hashem said to Moshe,…’Go, return to Egypt, for all the people who seek your life have died’.(4:19)

And I have heard its outcry because of its taskmasters. (3:7)

And Aharon fell silent. (10:3)

I will be sanctified through those that are nearest to me, thus I will be honored before the entire people. (10:3)

That you may see it and remember all the mitzvos of Hashem. (15:39)

They ascended toward the mountain-top saying,”We are ready, and we shall ascend to the place which Hashem has spoken, for we have sinned. (14:40)

The hidden (sins) are for Hashem, our G-d, but the revealed (sins) are for us and our children. (29:28)

YEARS

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