Ha’azinu – Page 12 – Peninim on the Torah

May my teachings drop like the rain, may my utterance flow like the dew. (32:2)

Moshe hoped that the words of the Torah would penetrate the nation as rain and dew penetrate the earth. Moshe was essentially comparing Torah to water. Water imbues the earth, softening it, nourishing the soil to provide the seed with the proper environment for growth. So, too, does Torah permeate an individual, refining him, preparing him so that Torah will have a greater effect on his life. Horav Eliyahu Meier Bloch, zl, notes that the similarity between water and Torah is even more profound. Water seeps into every particle of the earth. Likewise, Torah enters into every corner of a…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ha'azinu

The Rock–Perfect is His work, for all His paths are justice. (32:4)

Hashem’s judgment is meticulous and fair. Our inability to comprehend His justice is not a reason to disdain those areas of Heavenly justice to which we do not relate well. Hashem has reasons for every Heavenly act and decree. Most are not within our scope of comprehension. Therefore, we need emunah, faith. We are to trust in Hashem that everything He does is good–even though we do not necessarily understand His decree. Life is all part of one great continuum. Everyone has his “day in court.” We are not on this world long enough to see or comprehend everything…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ha'azinu

 Because you trespassed against Me among the Bnei Yisrael at the waters of Merivas Kadesh….because you did not sanctify Me among Bnei Yisrael. (32:51)

Rashi attributes Moshe and Aharon’s sin to their non-compliance with Hashem’s original command to speak to the rock. Instead, they chose to strike the rock. The actual change did not elicit the punishment. It was, as Rashi explains, their failure to take advantage of an opportunity for increased Kiddush Hashem, sanctification of Hashem’s Name. Had Moshe spoken to the rock, Bnei Yisrael would have made a kal v’chomer, an fortiori argument. They would have reasoned: If a stone that does not receive reward or punishment listens to Hashem’s command, should not we surely do so? Horav Simcha Zissel Broide, Shlita,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Ha'azinu

“The Rock! Perfect in His work, for all His paths are justice. A G-d of faith without iniquity, righteous and fair is He.” (32:3,4)

Hashem’s judgement is perfect! The fact that we may not understand His ways does not in any manner affect the righteousness of His judgement. We must view every decree that Hashem issues as perfect. The essence of emunah is our belief that Hashem in His infinite wisdom knows what is best for us. We find this concept expressed in the Talmud Avodah Zarah 18b in an incident concerning Rabbi Chaninah ben Tradyon. Together with his wife, he recited these pesukim as he was led to a most terrible and painful death. It is difficult for a human being with limited…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Ha'azinu

“Is He not your Father, your Master?” (32:6)

Horav Chaim Berlin, zl, translated the word “kanecha,” as a derivative of the word “ken,” nest. This would then mean that Hashem is Klal Yisrael’s nest, their home, their source of sustenance and protection. He rendered this interpretation in light of an interesting story that occurred when he was Rav of Moscow. One day a Jew came to him and implored him to circumcise his newborn son – secretly. This strange behavior aroused the Rav’s curiosity, and he questioned the man regarding his desire to keep his son’s circumcision secret. The man responded that he was a totally assimilated Jew…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Ha'azinu

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

The people are reproved for their unwillingness to take counsel, to listen to the voice of experience. Those who have lived through ordeals, who have experienced the ups and downs of life, who have seen the reward and punishment incurred by the behavior of previous generations, have advice for us. We must seek out their guidance and listen to their opinion. The voice of experience is not hypothetical. It has lived through various situations and has learned how to handle them. Horav Aharon Walkin, zl, supplements this idea. The determining factor by which one can discern who is a chacham,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Ha'azinu

“And Yeshurun became fat and wicked, you became fat, you became thick, you became corpulent. And it deserted G-d its Maker, and was contemptuous of the Rock of its salvation.” (32:15,16)

Why is the text redundant? The Dvar Avraham explains that the second part of the pasuk states the reason for the nation’s rebellion. What occurred that catalyzed Klal Yisrael’s corpulence? What transformed them from G-d fearing, decent, refined human beings into ox-like personalities who would reject the yoke of Hashem? The answer lies in the “taf,” the suffix of the words. This letter transforms the word into second person, which implies, you became thick, you became corpulent. Thinking only of yourself, you excluded yourself from the nation. This attitude of exclusivity led to the individuals completely separating themselves from the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Ha'azinu

“When he sees that every power progresses, and none is saved or assisted.” (32:37)

The power of Klal Yisrael’s enemies will have grown to the point that they are apparently unassailable. It seems as if there is no hope. In the Talmud Sanhedrin 96a, Chazal derive from this pasuk that Moshiach will not arrive until the Jewish people have given up hope for salvation. Specifically when the future looks the bleakest, Hashem will “step in.” This is enigmatic! Is it necessary to forsake one of the thirteen principles of our faith, the belief in the advent of Moshiach, in order for him to arrive? Horav Yaakov Kamenetzky, zl, addresses this question and offers an…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

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

Moshe Rabbeinu prayed that the words of Torah would continue to nurture the Jewish soul just as rain and dew nourish the soil. The various commentators suggest reasons that Moshe used the similes of rain and dew to describe the Torah’s essence and inspiration. This writer once heard the following: Rain falls from the heavens to give life to the earth. Dew, on the other hand, rises from the ground to provide moisture for the growing vegetation. Rain and dew interact with one another to provide the optimal climate for physical growth. Nature presents us with the model for spiritual…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“Is it to Hashem that you do this? O’ vile and unwise nation! Is He not your Father, your Master; has He not created you and firmed you?” (32:6)

The word “naval” is a strong adjective used to describe a person who is vile, whose behavior is reprehensible. It is, therefore, noteworthy that both Rashi and the Ramban attribute this person’s shameful behavior to a lack of hakoras ha’tov, gratitude. The Ramban writes that one who repays a kindness with evil is called a “naval.” Indeed, what type of person would repay good with evil, if not one who is “naval” ? The generation living prior to the destruction of the first Bais Ha’Mikdash is reproved by Yeshayahu Ha’Navi as being worse than animals. The prophet declares, “The ox…

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May my teachings drop like the rain, may my utterance flow like the dew. (32:2)

The Rock–Perfect is His work, for all His paths are justice. (32:4)

Because you trespassed against Me among the Bnei Yisrael at the waters of Merivas Kadesh….because you did not sanctify Me among Bnei Yisrael. (32:51)

“The Rock! Perfect in His work, for all His paths are justice. A G-d of faith without iniquity, righteous and fair is He.” (32:3,4)

“Is He not your Father, your Master?” (32:6)

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

“And Yeshurun became fat and wicked, you became fat, you became thick, you became corpulent. And it deserted G-d its Maker, and was contemptuous of the Rock of its salvation.” (32:15,16)

“When he sees that every power progresses, and none is saved or assisted.” (32:37)

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

“Is it to Hashem that you do this? O’ vile and unwise nation! Is He not your Father, your Master; has He not created you and firmed you?” (32:6)

YEARS

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