The disastrous episode of the spies that were sent to investigate Eretz Yisroel certainly seems to defy explanation. After all, Rashi comments that these twelve individuals were the leaders of their respective tribes. Yet they returned with intended information that would discourage their compatriots from going there. Hashem had guaranteed…
The tribe of Levi was designated to serve in the Mishkan and later in the Beis Hamikdash. Upon their assignment, their entire body was shaven in order to prepare them for this honor. Perhaps one would find this odd that those selected to serve in the highest capacity in the…
Wagons were donated to the Mishkan to carry the beams that encompassed the inner sanctum. However, the Torah states that the descendants of Kehas, the eldest son of Levi, were not privy to those wagons because they carried the most reverent items of the Mishkan such as the Aron.
The two brothers Zevulun and Yisochor and their respective tribes had a very interesting relationship. Yisochor personified the ultimate scholars of Torah. Zevulun were very accomplished merchants and became wealthy. They supported the entire tribe of Yisochor so that they could devote themselves to the study of Torah exclusive of…
We are forewarned by the Torah that upon ignoring our obligations there will be retribution. Unfortunately, we have seen this fulfilled many times in our past. The commentators explain that the chastisement mentioned in this parsha refers to the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash. The downfall of the nation…
On the second day of Pesach a special offering was brought in the Beis Hamikdash, referred to as the Korban Omer. It consisted of barley and permitted the use of that grain in Eretz Yisroel. Although we don’t have the opportunity to bring that unique sacrifice, we count the days…
The inauguration of the Mishkan was marred with the death of Aron’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu. Rabbinic literature is replete describing their oversight. One of the better known reasons is that they rendered their opinion on a halachic matter despite the fact that their mentor Moshe was present.…
We live in a world of comparisons. We often judge others within a limited and narrow theme. Doing so makes many of us champions. After all, paralleled to others we feel much more secure and exceptional in our own lives. Perhaps one davens in a more enhanced fashion than his…
Finally, after months of preparation, the day has arrived for the inauguration of the Mishkan. The Divine Presence would enter the midst of the nation and we would merit all the blessings that accompany that manifestation. For seven days Moshe served as the Kohen and the Mishkan was nearing its…
Ahron and his sons were commanded to bring the Olah sacrifice which was totally consumed upon the altar. The Midrash explains that the language used in this verse, ‘Tzav’ is emphasizing the need for alacrity involving this mitzvah not only for the present but for all future generations. Of course,…
Vayikra discusses many variations of sin offerings. The first scenario is that of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. In contrast to the sin offering of a regular individual, he offers his atonement by sprinkling the blood towards the curtain separating the most inner chamber of the Mishkan from the…
After the recap of the entire handiwork of the Mishkan the Torah states that the people did as Hashem commanded, so did they do. Maharal Diskin questions the end of the verse that is repetitive that they indeed followed as they were directed to do. His explanation offers a tremendous…
The Mishkan was the central point of Hashem’s ‘concentration’ in the desert. The professionalism that was present in its construction was nothing short of amazing. A nation of former slaves without any skilled training produced a beautiful edifice with remarkable talent.
The Shabbos preceding Purim which falls out at the end of next week, Friday is auspicious. Although in the Haftarah we remind ourselves of King Saul’s failure to eradicate Amalek, we read the special parsha urging and motivating us to fulfill the obligation to destroy any remnant of that evil…
This Shabbos we read the parsha dealing with the half-shekels that each person gave with which to purchase the animals for sacrificial purposes in the Mishkan, and later in the Beis Hamikdash, during the year. Of course, the obvious question is why wasn’t the donor base fashioned upon each person’s…
We are prohibited to offer sacrifices to other ‘gods,’ only to Hashem Himself. The terminology invoked to stress that we should serve exclusively Hashem is somewhat lengthy and furthermore, since one involved in idol worship deserves the death penalty, doesn’t that automatically denote that we should only serve Hashem?
Yisro joins the Jewish nation and immediately recommends that instead of Moshe administering justice to all the disputes that occur with the people, rather there needs to be a judicial system with many judges to arbitrate all these matters. And he is very strong about his suggestion stating that if…
During the traveling in the desert, they were bereft of water and complained to Moshe that they were very thirsty. The only available water was bitter and unfit to drink. Moshe took a stick as commanded by Hashem which was caustic and tossed it into the water. The acerbic piece…
The time had come for the nation to leave Egypt which was anyhow in ruins and almost completely destroyed. However, before they exited their house of bondage there was a request. At the time when Hashem informed Avrohom that his descendants would be enslaved a promise was made that they…
When Hashem commanded Moshe to lead the uprising against Pharoah and extricate the nation from bondage, he retorted that they will not believe me. Hashem punished him for that and to insure that their faith would be strengthened he gave Moshe signs to present to the people.
