Rabbi Yair Bachrach zt”l on Parshat Kedoshim – read
(quoted in Mayana Shel Torah, Vayikra, p. 116-117, R. Alexander Zushia Friedman) Rebuke Your Friend Giving rebuke, though often necessary, is one of our most difficult tasks. Besides being difficult, it is often ineffective, for the listener is frequently turned off and ignores the message. How can one give rebuke in a way that does […]
Hagaon Rav Meir Simcha zt”l on Parshat Acharei Mot – read
(from Meshekh Chokhma on Vayikra) The Constant Yom Kippur The opening of Parshat Acharei Mot outlines the Yom Kippur Temple service, culminating in the Kohein Gadol’s entering the Holy of Holies. The Torah, as the Vilna Gaon points out (based on a Midrash), does not limit this to Yom Kippur. Aharon the Kohen could enter the […]
Rabbi Shmuel Bornshtein zt”l on Parshat Metzora – read
(from Shem Mishmuel Vayikra, Metzora 5673, “V’hizartem . . .,” p. 247) Preparing for the Festivals Our parsha discusses the laws of purity and impurity connected with leprosy and bodily discharges. These laws are for practically relevant only for one who wants to enter the Beit Hamikdash (Temple in Jerusalem) or eat sacrifices or Teruma. […]
Hagaon Rav Moshe Sofer zt”l on Parshat Tazria – read
(from Chatam Sofer on Vayikra) The Plague: Man’s Shame and Pride The Torah follows the passages about the permissible and forbidden animals (the end of Parshat Shmini) with the laws of purity pertaining to humans (Parshiot Tazria and Metzora). Rav Simlai in the Medrash comments, “Just as man’s formation (“yetzirato”) follows that of the animals, […]
Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov zt”l on Parshat Shemini – read
(from Baal Shem Tov Al HaTora, quoting the Degel Machanei Efraim) Approach the Altar On the day of the dedication of the Mishkan, Moshe tells Aharon, “Approach the altar (kerav el hamizbeiach) and make your sin offering and burnt offering . . .” Rashi explains that Aharon (because of his involvement in the sin of […]
Hagaon Rav Drash V’iyun zt”l on Parshat Tzav – read
(from Drash V’iyun quoted in Mayana Shel Torah) The Traveling Fire “The fire should burn on the altar constantly; it should never be extinguished.” (Vayikra 6:6) The Yerushalmi in Yoma (4:6) comments from the extra, “it should never be extinguished,” we learn that even while the Mishkan is being transported the fire should stay lit. […]
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 […]
