Ha’azinu – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

“For it (the Torah) is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life.” (32:47)

When the Torah tells us that the Torah is our life, it means just that – it is our source of living. Without the Torah we are not alive. A parent may say to his child, “You are my life,” but despite the overwhelming affection the parent is trying to convey, his very life and existence are not dependent upon his child. The Torah, however, is meticulous in everything it says. Therefore, if the Torah asserts that it is our life, it is certainly no exaggeration. Horav Mordechai Gifter, z.l., cites the Rambam who states that all physical matter falls…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5763, Ha'azinu

“Hashem spoke to Moshe on that very day… ‘Ascend to this mount of Avarim… and die on the mountain.’” (32:48- 50)

Rashi tells us that the phrase, “b’etzem ha’yom ha’zeh,” “on that very day,” is mentioned in two other places. When Noach entered the Teivah, Ark, the Torah writes that he entered “on that very day”(Bereishis 7:13). Also, when the Jews left Egypt, the Torah writes that they left “on that very day” (Shemos 12:51). The reason for emphasizing when they left and when Noach entered the Ark, is to demonstrate that even if the people would have said, “We will not let Noach leave; we will not let the Jews depart Egypt,” Hashem enabled them to leave in the middle…

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הלד' תגמלו זאת עם נבל ולא חכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“Is it to Hashem that you do this, o’ vile and unwise people?” (32:6)

In the list of middos, character traits, that can possibly define one’s personality, the middah of hakoras ha’tov, appreciation and expression of gratitude, is of pivotal significance. Relationships, our attitude toward Hashem and our fellowman, indicate our true character. Our Sages were meticulous in their “observance” of this middah. They made every effort to “recognize” every bit of benefit they received – directly or inadvertently, from another person – and return the favor, always cognizant of their “debt” of gratitude. Elisha Ha’navi was the beneficiary of a simple favor from the Shunamis. His appreciation of her gift compelled him to pray…

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זכר ימות עולם בינו שנות דר ודר שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“Remember the days of yore, understand the years of generation after generation; ask your father and he will relate it to you; your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

argum Yonasan interprets this pasuk as a reference to listening to daas Torah, the Torah’s perspective, as expounded by our gedolei Yisrael, Torah leaders. The answer to all of our questions is in the Torah. A talmid chacham, Torah scholar, using his acutely “Torah- developed” mind, is able to render a response to our every issue, regardless of its mundane nature. Torah encompasses every aspect of our lives. We should look to it and its disseminators for guidance. Nachlas Tzvi cites a powerful story that illustrates the incredible depth of daas Torah: The story is about a young man who…

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שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“Ask your father and he will relate to you, and your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

The Kelmer Maggid, z.l., addressed the redundancy of this pasuk homiletically. In earlier generations, children asked their father questions regarding religion, its codes and laws – and they received an answer. Regrettably, in contemporary times, many fathers are no longer “equipped” with the answer. Thus, they tell their children to turn to their elders, the grandfather who still remembers the answer. Let us for a moment analyze what has occurred. While it is true that many fathers are ill-prepared to respond to their children, what is the reason for this? Where were their fathers, the grandfathers, to whom we are now…

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צור ילדך תשי ותשכח קל מחללך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“You ignored the Rock Who gave birth to you, and forgot G-d Who brought you forth.” (32:18)

Every faculty with which man is endowed can be used positively or negatively. Certainly, Hashem’s desire is that we use these G-d- given faculties for a positive goal. The Kotzker Rebbe, z.l., says that the ability to forget is a perfect example. Shikchah, forgetfulness, is a gift, a vehicle through which we are able to proceed beyond our past troubles. If we do not forget the unpleasant occurrences in our lives, they will gnaw at us, wreaking havoc upon our emotional stability. Regrettably, some of us use this gift to forget Hashem’s beneficence and patience with us. The Dubno Maggid, z.l.,…

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ויבא משה וידבר את כל דברי השירה הזאת באזני העם הוא והושע בן נון

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“Moshe came and spoke all the words of this Song in the ears of the people, he and Hoshea bin Nun.” (32:44)

Moshe Rabbeinu stood with his trusted disciple, Yehoshua, indicating that the transfer of leadership would soon occur. It was important for the people to see Yehoshua up there together with Moshe during Moshe’s lifetime, so that no one would say that he rose to power only after Moshe’s death. Interestingly, here the Torah refers to Yehoshua by his original name, Hoshea. Moshe had changed his student’s name prior to leaving for Eretz Yisrael with the meraglim, spies. The added letter was to protect him from the spies’ false counsel. Kli Yakar explains that since that whole generation was now gone, he…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, Ha'azinu

“May my teaching drop like rain; may my utterance flow like the dew.” (32:2)

Ibn Ezra explains the simile to rain and dew as meaning that the words of Torah should penetrate the nation and make it fruitful, just as the rain and dew nourish the earth. Horav Mordechai Gifter, z.l., notes that rain and dew have an effect only on earth, but not on stones. Only soil contains the requisite minerals and nutrients which are conducive to growth, while stones do not. Likewise, in order to be successful, a rebbe must have someone with whom to work. The student must possess certain basics upon which to build. First and foremost is attitude. The weakest…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, Ha'azinu

“Ask your father and he will relate it to you.” (32:7)

Parents are always there for us – or, at least, they should be. They advise, direct, guide and offer support and comfort – when necessary. Parents provide our most enduring form of support, being there for us even after they are no longer here in this world. How often does one go to the cemetery and “unload” his troubles to his parents and leave somewhat relieved? We entreat them to be meilitz yosher, intercede, in our behalf – and they do. I recently came across a poignant story which illustrates this phenomenon. The story is about a young girl who…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, Ha'azinu

“For it (the Torah) is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life.” (32:47)

When the Torah tells us that the Torah is our life, it means just that – it is our source of living. Without the Torah we are not alive. A parent may say to his child, “You are my life,” but despite the overwhelming affection the parent is trying to convey, his very life and existence are not dependent upon his child. The Torah, however, is meticulous in everything it says. Therefore, if the Torah asserts that it is our life, it is certainly no exaggeration. Horav Mordechai Gifter, z.l., cites the Rambam who states that all physical matter falls…

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“For it (the Torah) is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life.” (32:47)

“Hashem spoke to Moshe on that very day… ‘Ascend to this mount of Avarim… and die on the mountain.’” (32:48- 50)

הלד' תגמלו זאת עם נבל ולא חכם

“Is it to Hashem that you do this, o’ vile and unwise people?” (32:6)

זכר ימות עולם בינו שנות דר ודר שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

“Remember the days of yore, understand the years of generation after generation; ask your father and he will relate it to you; your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

“Ask your father and he will relate to you, and your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

צור ילדך תשי ותשכח קל מחללך

“You ignored the Rock Who gave birth to you, and forgot G-d Who brought you forth.” (32:18)

ויבא משה וידבר את כל דברי השירה הזאת באזני העם הוא והושע בן נון

“Moshe came and spoke all the words of this Song in the ears of the people, he and Hoshea bin Nun.” (32:44)

“May my teaching drop like rain; may my utterance flow like the dew.” (32:2)

“Ask your father and he will relate it to you.” (32:7)

“For it (the Torah) is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life.” (32:47)

YEARS

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