Emes – Page 91 – Peninim on the Torah

Therefore, say “behold, I give him My covenant — the peace.” (25:12)

Pinchas received his reward from Hashem – the covenant of peace. He represents peace. Chazal tell us that Pinchas is Eliyahu Ha’navi, the harbinger of Moshiach Tzidkeinu. Pinchas’ bold action on behalf of Hashem earned him the privilege of becoming the bearer of the Divinely inspired peace on earth. We are taught that the “vav” in the word shalom is broken in half, so that it must be written in two parts. Horav Shlomo Breuer, zl, interprets this as a characterization of the lofty task of every Jewish leader, whose goal in life is to bring about the peace for…

Home -> 5759 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5759

Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon Hakohen, turned back My wrath from you Bnei Yisrael. When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

Pinchas acted on behalf of the Almighty. He reacted with jealousy and with vengeance, as he witnessed Zimri publicly desecrating Hashem’s Name. Rashi emphasizes the word, “kinaasi,” “My jealousy/wrath”. Pinchas reacted in the same manner that Hashem would have. He became angry as Hashem would. Hashem’s anger was his anger; he accepted Hashem’s “hurt” as his own hurt. Horav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Shlita, delves into the concept of “kinaasi” in an attempt to explain its significance. We find that Rashi previously had mentioned that the tribes, especially Shevet Shimon, were criticizing and demeaning Pinchas for his descent from a Midyanite…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

Fire emerged from Hashem and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who had offered incense… The fire pans of those who sinned against theirs souls – make them into beaten plates, a cover for the Altar. (16:35, 17:3)

As part of Korach’s rebellion, the two hundred and fifty men who were part of Korach’s group were to offer incense in fire pans. They received their due punishment in that they were being consumed by a fire from Hashem. Their fire pans, instead of being discarded, were melted and shaped into a covering for the Mizbayach. Until now the Altar had been a hollow frame which was filled with dirt every time Klal Yisrael camped. Now, the outside surface was to be covered with a thin mass plating composed of the sinner’s fire pans. This is enigmatic! Is it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, separated himself. (16:1)

The Torah deliberately traces Korach’s lineage back to Levi, stopping there. Why is Yaakov Avinu not included in Korach’s pedigree? Rashi explains that when Yaakov was reproving his two sons, Shimon and Levi, for their deplorable actions regarding the people of Shechem, he said, “Bi’kehalam al teichad kevodi,” “In their conspiracy may my soul not enter.” Yaakov Avinu did not want his name connected to the evil that their descendants would eventually generate. Rashi adds, however, that when the Torah mentions in Divrei Hayamim that a descendant of Korach was among the Leviim who sang in the Bais Hamikdash, it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Bamidbar

Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying, “The Bnei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household, at a distance surrounding the Ohel Moed shall they encamp.” (2:1,2)

An inconsistency seems to be manifest in the text of this pasuk. Hashem enjoins Klal Yisrael to camp “mineged,” at a distance, and “saviv“, surrounding. Are they to camp mineged or saviv? If it is opposite it is not close. The Satmar Rebbe, zl, cites his father in his sefer, “Yetev Lev.” He explains this apparent contradiction in light of Rashi’s interpretation of the phrase, “b’osos l’bais avosam,” “according to the insignias of their fathers’ household,” as a reference to the signs that Yaakov gave his sons, regarding the formation of his sons when they were to serve as his…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Matos

And you shall be clear before Hashem and before Yisrael.” (32:22)

In this pasuk Moshe is addressing the two and a half shevatim. He is informing them that after they have completed their part in conquering Eretz Yisrael, they will be considered “nekiim,” clear. This means that they will have fulfilled their obligation to Hashem and to Klal Yisrael. In the Yerushalmi, Shekalim 3:2, Chazal delineate the parameters of this obligation. One must be careful to deal with his fellow man with the same integrity that he deals with Hashem. Just as we must be sure to ferret out any vestige of inappropriateness in our behavior towards Hashem, so, too, must…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5755

“Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon Ha’Kohen turned back My wrath from upon the Bnei Yisrael when he zealously avenged Me amongst them.” (25:11)

Pinchas’ act of zealousness is described in Parashas Balak, while his reward is presented in this parsha. Was it necessary to “wait” between the deed and the reward? Horav Yitzchak Goldwasser, Shlita, explains that, indeed, it was necessary to contemplate whether a reward was appropriate! This concept applies to every act of kana’us, zealousness. Is it truly a deed motivated l’shem Shomayim, for the sake of Heaven, and — therefore — worthy of reward Or is it what it appears to be — a wanton act of murder cloaked in a banner of zealousness? Only after contemplating the act, the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chukas, 5755

“This is the decree of the Torah … and they shall take to you a completely red cow …” (19:2)

Although the mitzvah of Parah Adumah is difficult to comprehend, a number of lessons can be derived from its unique halachos. The Midrash takes note of the fact that only a female is acceptable for this korban. For other sacrifices, in contrast, a male or female are equally eligible. Chazal explain that the Parah Adumah serves to cleanse Klal Yisrael from the sin of the Golden Calf. This concept has given rise to the saying, “Let the (mother) cow atone for the defilement created by the (golden) calf.” Thus, only a female is accepted for the Parah Adumah. In expounding…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5755

“For the maaser (tithe) of the Bnei Yisrael … I have given to the Leviim as a heritage; therefore I have said to them, among the Bnei Yisrael they shall not inherit a heritage.” (18:24)

The Levi receives no portion in Eretz Yisrael. He is, consequently, absolved from the labor and toil involved in working the soil and other “mundane” material pursuits. He is to devote himself totally to the service of the Almighty. Hence, he receives the maaser gifts from his fellow Jews to sustain him in his spiritual vocation. In his commentary to Sefer Devarim 10:9, Rashi states that since the Leviim were set apart for the service of the Altar and are not free to plow and to sow, they are to receive a designated gift (maaser) from the house of the…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bamidbar

“Count the sons of Levi, according to their fathers’ household, according to their families, every male from one month of age and up shall you count them” (3:15)

The Leviim were counted in a completely different manner than the rest of Klal Yisrael. While the other tribes were counted between the ages of twenty and sixty, the Leviim were counted from the age of one month. Indeed, no minimum age requirement restricted the counting of a Levi; the one month minimum was to ensure the viability of the newborn. In addition, no maximum age limited the counting of the Leviim. Regardless of their advanced age, they were counted. This indicated that the sanctity of Shevet Levi transcended the constraints of physical age and strength. At the end of…

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Therefore, say “behold, I give him My covenant — the peace.” (25:12)

Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon Hakohen, turned back My wrath from you Bnei Yisrael. When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

Fire emerged from Hashem and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who had offered incense… The fire pans of those who sinned against theirs souls – make them into beaten plates, a cover for the Altar. (16:35, 17:3)

Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, separated himself. (16:1)

Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying, “The Bnei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household, at a distance surrounding the Ohel Moed shall they encamp.” (2:1,2)

And you shall be clear before Hashem and before Yisrael.” (32:22)

“Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon Ha’Kohen turned back My wrath from upon the Bnei Yisrael when he zealously avenged Me amongst them.” (25:11)

“This is the decree of the Torah … and they shall take to you a completely red cow …” (19:2)

“For the maaser (tithe) of the Bnei Yisrael … I have given to the Leviim as a heritage; therefore I have said to them, among the Bnei Yisrael they shall not inherit a heritage.” (18:24)

“Count the sons of Levi, according to their fathers’ household, according to their families, every male from one month of age and up shall you count them” (3:15)

YEARS

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