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Home -> 5785 -> Ki Savo

ונתנך ה' לראש ולא לזנב

Sruly Schnair
In Ki Savo, 5785

Hashem shall place you as a head and not as a tail. (28:13)

On the surface, these two terms demonstrate an apparent redundancy. Obviously, if one is a head/leader, he is not a tail/follower. Ramban explains that it is possible for a nation to be a leader to some, but a follower of others. This is “sandwich” leadership, where one’s leadership is of relative value. Klal Yisrael will ultimately be worthy of everyone’s respect, which represents true leadership. The concept of rosh v’lo zanav comes into play on Rosh Hashanah night when, during the simanim (symbolic foods eaten to signify hopes and prayers for a good year), we underscore our hope to be…

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Home -> 5785 -> Ki Savo

והיית משוגע ממראה עיניך אשר תראה

Sruly Schnair
In Ki Savo, 5785

And you will go insane, from what your eyes will see. (28:34)

This is a difficult punishment. Losing one’s mind and the ability to be a rational human being is a frightening punishment. The Torah’s text however, is puzzling. It adds, “from what your eyes see.” One who becomes insane suffers an emotional breakdown as a result of all the suffering, pain and affliction. The enslavement and degradation ultimately wear him down until he no longer can take it. Physical and emotional anguish can torment a person to the point that he loses his mind. But what does the Torah mean when it says you will go mad from what your eyes…

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Home -> 5785 -> Ki Seitzei

כי יהיה לאיש בן סורר ומורה

Sruly Schnair
In Ki Seitzei, 5785

If a man will have a wayward and rebellious son. (21:18)

Seeing the whole picture is the only way one can say that he has actually seen something. Looks are deceiving, and what on the surface appears to be harsh may actually be the opposite. The case of the ben sorer u’moreh, wayward and rebellious son, is a perfect example. A boy who has just become a bar-mitzvah is persistently acting wayward and rebellious. He refuses to obey his parents, and he indulges in gluttony and stealing from his parents to support his drives. The parents bring him before bais din who rule that, in his case, since he will do…

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Home -> 5785 -> Ki Seitzei

כי יהיה לאיש בן סורר ומורה

Sruly Schnair
In Ki Seitzei, 5785

If a man will have a wayward and rebellious son (21:18)

In his commentary to Bamidbar 13:3, Rashi writes that ish/anashim is a singular title describing a distinguished, accomplished man. The meraglim, spies, that left to do a reconnaissance tour of the Holy Land were men of repute and stature—when they left. Sadly, their positions did not save them from plummeting to the nadir of slandering Eretz Yisroel. Where do we see that the father of the ben sorer u’moreh is a distinguished member of the community? The Torah refers to him as ish; wherein is his ishius manifest? Maharal Tzintz (Melei Ha’Omer) explains that it takes a strong, resolute man…

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Home -> 5785 -> Ki Seitzei

הקם תקים עמו

Sruly Schnair
In Ki Seitzei, 5785

You shall surely stand them up with him (22:4)

From the words Hakeim takim imo, we derive that the assistance we lend to someone in need should be carried out imo—with him. If the owner of the animal (providing that he is able) sits back and wants to watch as you do the lifting and carrying, you have no obligation to help. Our responsibility to help extends to one who is trying to help himself. If the owner sits idly by refusing to make an effort, the mitzvah no longer applies. We wonder why this is so. While it may be true that the owner, due to his lack…

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Home -> 5785 -> Ki Seitzei

וירקה בפניו

Sruly Schnair
In Ki Seitzei, 5785

And she shall spit before him (25:9)

Every mitzvah in the Torah makes demands on a person, enjoining him to leave his comfort zone to serve Hashem. Some mitzvos ask more than others—but that is part and parcel of the religious experience. At times, a mitzvah makes such demands that a person must go against his nature, character and even emotions. Nonetheless, this is the meaning of obedience. It does not always have to be geshmak, pleasant. The fact that we are fortunate to serve Hashem and carry out His dictates is what makes the endeavor geshmak. If we were to pick and choose only those mitzvos…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shoftim

כי השוחד יעור עיני חכמים

Sruly Schnair
In Shoftim, 5785

For the bribe will blind the eyes of the wise. (16:19)

We must endeavor to understand the necessity of a Biblical prohibition against accepting a bribe.  Anyone with a modicum of intelligence understands that accepting a bribe is unethical.  It perverts one’s thought process, encouraging partiality in favor of the one who offers him the bribe.  The Chazon Ish, zl (Emunah U’Bitachon 3:30), teaches otherwise, explaining that the prohibition of shochad is a special decree from Hashem.  It has nothing whatsoever to do with rationale.  Proof positive is the fact that the Torah does not prohibit a person from issuing a halachic ruling for himself.  A Jew may inspect a newly-slaughtered…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shoftim

לא תטע לך אשרה כל עץ אצל מזבח ד' אלקיך

Sruly Schnair
In Shoftim, 5785

You shall not plant for yourselves an idolatrous tree, any tree, near the altar of Hashem, your G-d. (16:21)

An idolatrous tree refers either to a tree which was worshipped (as was the accepted service of the pagans) or to any kind of tree that is planted in the proximity of the Mizbayach.  The idolators would often landscape their idols and temple with lush foliage and trees in order to attract worshippers to its aesthetically enhanced surroundings.  Chazal (Sanhedrin 7B) focus on the juxtaposition of asheirah to dayanim, judges. Reish Lakish says, “If one appoints an unqualified judge over the community, it is as if he has planted an asheirah in Yisrael.”  In a well-known exposition, Horav Chaim Soloveitchik,…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shoftim

והאיש אשר יעשה בזדון לבלתי שמוע אל הכהן ... ובערת הרע מישראל וכל העם ישמען ויראו

Sruly Schnair
In Shoftim, 5785

And the man that will act with willfulness, not listening to the Kohen … And you shall destroy the evil from among Yisrael, the entire nation shall listen and fear. (17:12,13)

The zakein mamrei, rebellious elder, is someone who is, for all intents and purposes, one of the nation’s erudite scholars.  He disagreed with his colleagues concerning certain halachah.  While debate and disagreement are allowed — and even encouraged — once the halachah is established, everyone must accept and adhere to the ruling.  One who does not – especially an elder, a scholar who defiantly disagrees and rules against the Sanhedrin— endangers the very underpinnings of halachic authority.  He is to be executed during the next Regel, Festival, of the Shalosh Regalim, when all of Klal Yisrael is present to witness,…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shoftim

ואמרת אשימה עלי מלך ... שום תשים עליך מלך אשר יבחר ד' אלקיך בו

Sruly Schnair
In Shoftim, 5785

And you will say, “I will set a king over myself” … You shall surely set over yourself a king who Hashem, your G-d, shall choose. (17:14,15)

Unlike secular royalty, the melech Yisrael is not merely a ruler, but rather, a spiritual shepherd, warrior, judge and unifier, who embodies the highest level of yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven, and humility.  While he represents the glory of our nation, he remains a servant of the people.  His presence inspires awe and fear of Heaven, with his very being reminding us of malchus Shomayim, the Heavenly kingdom.  Ideally, the melech Yisrael (if he is worthy) is the institution through which Hashem enables the people to live in peace and justice, maintaining the ability to serve Him in preparation for…

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