Hagaon Rav Meir Simcha zt”l on Parshat Vayikra -read
(from Meshech Chokhma on Vayikra) Nighttime Light The Torah (Vayikra 3:2) speaks of slaughtering sacrifices, “at the opening of the Tent of Meeting (‘petach Ohel Moeid’).” At first glance this refers to a place – the opening of the Tent. The Sages, however, comment (Zevachim 55b) that “opening” refers to a point in time – […]
Hagaon Rav Ovadia Sforno zt”l on Parshat Pekudei – read
(from Sforno on Shemot) Counting the Gold of the Mishkan The Torah counts all of the precious metals that went into the building of the Mishkan, listing exactly how much gold, silver, and copper was used. The Sforno makes a powerful observation. The amount of precious metals that went into the Mishkan pales in comparison […]
Gaon Yaakov on Parshat Vayakhel – read
The Gaon Yaakov, brought in the Chidushei Geonim (Shema Betzeil . . .) on the Ein Yaakov to Berakhot 55a The Gemara (Berakhot 55a) presents the following conversation between Moshe and Betzalel: When G-d told Moshe to tell Betzalel to make the Mishkan (structure), Aron (ark) and rest of the vessels, Moshe switched the order […]
Hagaon Rav Ketoret Samim zt”l on Parshat Ki Tissa – read
(from Ketoret Samim quoted in Mayana Shel Torah) Moshe, the Wealthy Tzaddik After G-d forgave the people for the sin of the golden calf, he told Moshe to fashion two new tablets, “Pesal lekha shnei luchot avanim.” The Sages, building on the verb “pesal” (fashion, carve out), say (Midrash Rabbah 46), “The remnants (pesolet) of […]
Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Mecklenberg zt”l on Parshat Tetzaveh – read
(from Haktav Vehakabala ) The Seemingly Misplaced Mizbeiach (Incense Altar) The Mizbach Haketoret (incense altar) seems to be out of place in Parshat Tetzaveh. In Parshat Teruma the Torah presents the command to construct the Aron, Shulchan, Menora, and Mizbach Hanechoshet, along with the external structure of the Mishkan. Parshat Tetzaveh is primarily devoted to […]
Hagaon Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk zt”l on Parshat Teruma – read
(from Meshech Chakhma on Shemot) The Poles of the Aron That Carries its Carriers The Torah makes a curious distinction between the poles of the Aron (Ark of the Covenant) and the poles of the Mizbeiach (incense altar) and Shulchan (table of the showbreads). It is forbidden to ever remove the poles from the Aron, […]
Hagaon Rav Eliahu of Vilna zt”l on Parshat Mishpatim – read
(from Kol Eliahu on Mishpatim) Two Hints by the Gra An Eye for an Eye The Sages have a tradition that the biblical pronouncement, “An eye for an eye – ayin tachat ayin,” (Shemot 21:24) refers to a monetary payment. The Gra shows how this is hinted at in the words of the Torah. Why, […]
Hagaon Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin zt”l on Parshat Yitro
(from Haamek Davar on Shemot) Preparing for Holiness The Torah seems to unnecessarily repeat a fact when it tells the story of the giving of the Torah. We are told (Shemot 19:2), “They traveled from Refidim and they came to the Wilderness of Sinai,” even though we already know (Shemot 17:1) that they were in Refidim [and […]
Hagaon Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov zt”l on Parshat Beshalach
(from Kedushat Levi ) Preserving Joy The introduction to the Shirat Hayam ends in a seemingly inappropriate way. “Then Moshe and the Children of Israel sang this song to G-d. They said ‘to say’ . . .” The last word, “leimor,” (to say) seems out of place. It usually means to tell others. For instance, […]
Hagaon Rav Yosef Chaim zt”l on Parshat Bo
(from Ben Ish Chai Parshat Bo) The Tefillin-Torah Connection The Torah follows the command to put on tefillin with, “ . . . In order that the Torah of G-d should be in your mouth,” implying a causal connection between tefillin and Torah. How does putting on tefillin make sure that G-d’s Torah stays in […]
