Imo Anochi – Peninim on the Torah

אמר אל הכהנים בני אהרן ואמרת אליהם לנפש לא יטמא בעמיו

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and you shall say to them: to a (dead) person he shall not become impure among his people. (21:1)

Chazal (Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 26:6) quotes the pasuk in Sefer Tehillim (19:10), Yiraas Hashem tehorah omedes la’ad, “Fear of Hashem is pure, it will stand for all eternity.” Rav Levi said, “Because Aharon HaKohen maintained such fear of Hashem, he was given this parsha, which will accompany his children and their descendants until the end of time.” Which parsha is this? The parsha which addresses the avoidance of impurity. It sounds as if the primary requirement imposed upon the Kohanim is the mandate that they maintain a heightened level of purity. What about the prohibition against marrying a divorcee or…

Home -> 5771 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5771

“For the hand is on the Throne of G-d: Hashem maintains a war against Amalek from generation to generation.” (17:16)

Sensitivity to the feelings of others is a given. No decent, upstanding ben Torah would knowingly hurt his fellow Jew. What about our behavior toward Hashem? Are we cognizant of the effect our actions and words have in the Heavenly sphere? While the concept of “feelings” “emotions,” are corporeal and, thus, do not apply in the spiritual dimension – certainly not to Hashem – that should not excuse our thoughtless behavior. The following vignette is an example to what I am alluding. When the Chafetz Chaim, zl, reached an advanced age, his congregants took note of the fact that the…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5777

וקל שקי יתן לכם רחמים לפני האיש

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5777, Mikeitz

And many Keil Shakkai grant you mercy before the man. (43:14)

The Midrash Tanchuma questions why Yaakov Avinu blessed his sons using the Name Keil Shakkai. They explain that our Patriarch endured much adversity in his life. While yet in the womb, he fought with his twin brother, Eisav. It was not easy growing up with such a brother, having to look over his shoulder constantly to see if Eisav was planning a terror attack against him. Finally, when the opportunity materialized, Yaakov escaped home, only to land in the home of his corrupt uncle, Lavan. After twenty years of swindling and deceit, Yaakov once again escaped. Three days later,…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Emor ->

אמר אל הכהנים בני אהרן ואמרת אליהם לנפש לא יטמא בעמיו

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and you shall say to them: to a (dead) person he shall not become impure among his people. (21:1)

“For the hand is on the Throne of G-d: Hashem maintains a war against Amalek from generation to generation.” (17:16)

וקל שקי יתן לכם רחמים לפני האיש

And many Keil Shakkai grant you mercy before the man. (43:14)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!