Re’eh – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

“Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him; and you shall grant him enough for his lack which is lacking for him.” (15:8)

When a poor man comes to the door requesting assistance, he certainly needs a comforting word, some sound advice, even a nice Torah thought. We often forget, however, that he is there for one purpose: to raise sorely needed funds for himself and his family. His time is limited, and his needs are great. The Dubno Maggid once went on a fundraising mission. He came to the home of adistinguished scholar who was also quite wealthy. The wealthy man was honored to have someone of the Maggid’s stature visit him, and he reciprocated this honor. Prior to asking for a…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5761

“You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for because of this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you.” (15:10)

The Torah is teaching us a significant lesson: Tzedakah is our insurance policy. It protects us, as it circumvents any evil from coming close to us. The following story is one of countless episodes that recount the remarkable consequence of giving tzedakah. We must add that, as in all instances, there are many variables which play a role in a given situation. We do see, however, in the following episode, how giving tzedakah with mesiras nefesh, utter devotion and self-sacrifice, saved a life. A poor woman once knocked on the door of the home of a very special Torah scholar,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5760

“You shall not eat any abomination.” (14:3)

When the cemetery in Kovno was emptied, the Chevra Kadisha found two bodies that were untouched by time; the bodies of the Kovno Rav, z.l., and that of a Jewish soldier upon whose tombstone was engraved, “Here lies the kosher/proper Jewish soldier.” These were the two bodies that had defied the natural process of decomposition. What merit catalyzed this miracle? It is told that this soldier, who was conscripted into the Polish army, absolutely refused to eat non-kosher food. He would not eat the army’s rations, sustaining himself on vegetables alone. One day a group of anti-Semitic soldiers decided to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5760

“And you shall eat it before Hashem, your G-d… the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil… so that you will learn to fear Hashem…” (14:23)

Daas Zekeinim emphasize the “your” part of the grain, wine and oil. They explain that the pasuk conveys a profound message: If you give Maaser, if you tithe your grain, oil, and wine, then it is yours. In other words, Hashem grants us these possessions because we listen to His command and either share it with the Levi or the poor man, or we eat it in Yerushalayim. Giving Maaser does more than fulfill a mitzvah, it creates our ownership, it grants us license to claim these possessions as our own. Whatever Hashem created is for a purpose – to…

Home -> 5760 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5760

“Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him; and you shall grant him enough for his lack which is lacking for him.” (15:8)

When a poor man comes to the door requesting assistance, he certainly needs a comforting word, some sound advice, even a nice Torah thought. We often forget, however, that he is there for one purpose: to raise sorely needed funds for himself and his family. His time is limited, and his needs are great. The Dubno Maggid once went on a fundraising mission. He came to the home of adistinguished scholar who was also quite wealthy. The wealthy man was honored to have someone of the Maggid’s stature visit him, and he reciprocated this honor. Prior to asking for a…

Home -> 5760 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5760

“You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for because of this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you.” (15:10)

The Torah is teaching us a significant lesson: Tzedakah is our insurance policy. It protects us, as it circumvents any evil from coming close to us. The following story is one of countless episodes that recount the remarkable consequence of giving tzedakah. We must add that, as in all instances, there are many variables which play a role in a given situation. We do see, however, in the following episode, how giving tzedakah with mesiras nefesh, utter devotion and self-sacrifice, saved a life. A poor woman once knocked on the door of the home of a very special Torah scholar,…

Home -> 5759 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5759

See, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

Life presents us with one of two extreme situations:. We either evoke blessing, so that everyone looks up to us, respects our word, and reveres our religion; or, we symbolize curse, dust of the earth, to be stepped upon and trampled. The Vilna Gaon, zl, notes that the word “Re’eh” is written in the singular. He explains that the Torah speaks to each individual. Man is not judged by the deeds of society as a whole. Rather, Hashem judges each individual according to his own actions. Do not see yourself reflected in the world. Avraham preached to an entire world. …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5759

Safeguard and hearken to all these words… In order that it will be well with you and your children… When you do what is good and right in the eyes of Hashem, your G-d. (12:28)

Gemillas chesed, performing acts of loving kindness, is unquestionably the most rewarding type of deed one can perform. They are rewarding in both a material and spiritual sense. Classic Rabbinic material is replete with references to the merit one engenders for himself when he helps others. Each different category of chesed is demanding in its own unique manner. Visiting the sick and infirm means more than getting into a car or sending flowers. It means empathizing with the sick person, feeling his pain and easing his burden. Probably the most important message we can convey to a sick individual that…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5759

Therefore, I am commanding you, saying, open your hand to the needy and poor breathren in your land. (15:11)

Generally, the word “leimor,” saying, is used when the speaker wishes to have his words conveyed to others. This approach creates a problem in regard to this pasuk’s translation. It would seem that Hashem is saying, “I command you to say – you shall open your hand to the needy and poor.” This does not translate smoothly. Why would Hashem instruct us to say, “You should open your hand to the needy and poor”? To whom should we say this? The Vorker Rebbe, zl, explains that the mitzvah of tzedakah consists of two aspects. First and foremost is the actual…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5759

Three times a year all your males should appear before Hashem, your G-d, in the place that He will choose. (16:16)

The Shalosh Regalim are spiritually uplifting times, when we celebrate with Hashem. The Torah enjoins us to come to the Bais Hamikdosh during each of the festivals to experience the holiness and joy of the moment, in the city and edifice where the Shechinah reposes. The Torah mentions the mitzvah of Aliyah l’Regel, going up to Yerushalayim on Yom Tov, three times. There is an inconsistency in the text concerning the manner in which the Torah refers to Hashem in each of these three presentations. In our parsha, He is referred to as “Hashem, your G-d”. In Parshas Mishpatim (Shemos,…

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“Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him; and you shall grant him enough for his lack which is lacking for him.” (15:8)

“You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for because of this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you.” (15:10)

“You shall not eat any abomination.” (14:3)

“And you shall eat it before Hashem, your G-d… the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil… so that you will learn to fear Hashem…” (14:23)

“Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him; and you shall grant him enough for his lack which is lacking for him.” (15:8)

“You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for because of this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you.” (15:10)

See, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

Safeguard and hearken to all these words… In order that it will be well with you and your children… When you do what is good and right in the eyes of Hashem, your G-d. (12:28)

Therefore, I am commanding you, saying, open your hand to the needy and poor breathren in your land. (15:11)

Three times a year all your males should appear before Hashem, your G-d, in the place that He will choose. (16:16)

YEARS

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