Torah

The Maharal writes that when Hashem places Jews in positions of power, from which they are able to save their people, this reveals His special love and protection for us. The Purim story, the incredible hashgachah, and the fact that Mordechai and Esther were appointed to positions of authority to bring about Haman’s downfall, teaches us the importance of emunas chachamim.

Chazal quote a midrash that the reason why Moshe Rabbeinu’s name does not appear in the entire Parshas T’tzaveh is because, after the sin of the Golden Calf, Hashem intended to eradicate the Jewish people and create a new nation out of Moshe’s descendants.

The Baal HaTurim writes that since the holy Aron was constructed to contain the Luchos, it is symbolic of the talmid chacham, who contains the Torah inside of him. The measurements of the Aron were given in half amos (2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5) as compared with the other keilim, to reflect that a Torah scholar must maintain his humility inside and out and always see himself in half-measures (chatzi shiur) – not living up to his full potential. There’s always more to learn.

There are certain people who give tz’dakah because they feel it is a calling in life. Others give because they are pressured to donate, or to show the world just how generous they are. Some people like to see their money being put to immediate use and are happy to donate to poor people or organizations that assist the indigent.

Throughout the ages, many a Jewish community has encountered enemies comparable to the evil Haman of the Purim story. Sometimes the Jews succumbed to his persecutions, Rachamana litzlan; in other instances, there was a reversal of fortune, and they were saved. At such times, a Purim Katan, a local Purim, would be enacted. Its observance on that same date in future years would serve to commemorate their deliverance from impending disaster. Where the sequence of events rendered it appropriate, a day of fasting was instituted on the day previous to the new Purim.

If a man steals an ox and slaughters or sells it, he must repay the animal’s owner five times its worth. However, if he steals a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay the owner only four times its worth. Why does he pay less for the sheep? Rashi quotes the answer from the Gemara. It is somewhat degrading to the thief when he carries the sheep away on his shoulders. The Torah considers this embarrassment as a partial compensation for the theft. Therefore, the thief pays a reduced fine.