Vayishlach – Page 7 – Peninim on the Torah

Eisav took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters… and all the wealth that he had acquired in the land of Canaan and went to a land because of Yaakov, his brother. (36:6)

Little things make a difference. It is striking, however, how these seemingly little things affect various people differently. We will present two examples of how little/minor actions had a negative effect on Yaakov Avinu, while a little act of decency on the part of Eisav earned him incredible reward. When Yaakov met with Eisav, he presented his family, consisting of his wives and their eleven children (see 32:23). Something is wrong – Yaakov had twelve children. Although this took place before the birth of Binyamin, what about Dinah? Her inclusion would have equaled twelve children. Chazal relate that Yaakov hid…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5770

“No longer will it be said that your name is Yaakov, but Yisrael, for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome.” (32:29)

The names “Yaakov” and “Yisrael” allude to two distinct periods in the spiritual condition of our People. Horav Meir Shapiro, z.l., presents an historical perspective based upon these two names. The name Yisrael, symbolizing strength and sovereignty, was evident in the period of “hode,” glory, in the life of our nation: when Torah and mitzvah went side by side; when their study and observance were part and parcel of every Jew’s “weltenshaung;” when faith in the Almighty beat in everyone’s heart. A period of “shiflus,” lowliness, unfortunately was also manifest in our nation: when we descended to the nadir of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5770

“Then Yaakov inquired, and he said, “Divulge, if you please, your name.” And he said, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” (32:30)

Rashi explains that an angel exists only to perform Hashem’s will, and his “name” reflects his mission. By asking the angel for his name, Yaakov Avinu sought to determine the nature of his mission. The angel replied that he had no established name, since the names of angels change in accordance with their mission. Horav Leib Chasman, z.l., posits that when the angel responded, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” it was a rhetorical question, constituting his response to Yaakov’s query. A person’s name indicates his essence and true nature. Adam HaRishon gave names to all of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5770

»So Yaakov called the name of the place Peniel…The sun rose for him as he passed Penuel”… (32:31,32)

Horav Yosef Konvitz, z.l., one of the early pioneers of Orthodoxy in America, applied this pasuk to explain the dismal state of Jewish observance in the early part of the twentieth century. Most Jews at the time viewed every aspect of religious life with a haphazard, begrudging, even antagonistic attitude. Many were ignorant of Torah law. Some even acted l’hachis, deliberately transgressing Torah and mitzvos for profit or power. Kashrus, which in Europe was accepted by everybody, was unreliable at best. America was devoid of spiritual hope, posing an alarming threat to Torah-based Judaism. The European immigrants who came to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5769

“No longer will it be said that your name is Yaakov, but Yisrael, for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome.” (32:29)

The names “Yaakov” and “Yisrael” allude to two distinct periods in the spiritual condition of our People. Horav Meir Shapiro, z.l., presents an historical perspective based upon these two names. The name Yisrael, symbolizing strength and sovereignty, was evident in the period of “hode,” glory, in the life of our nation: when Torah and mitzvah went side by side; when their study and observance were part and parcel of every Jew’s “weltenshaung;” when faith in the Almighty beat in everyone’s heart. A period of “shiflus,” lowliness, unfortunately was also manifest in our nation: when we descended to the nadir of…

Home -> 5769 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5769

“Then Yaakov inquired, and he said, “Divulge, if you please, your name.” And he said, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” (32:30)

Rashi explains that an angel exists only to perform Hashem’s will, and his “name” reflects his mission. By asking the angel for his name, Yaakov Avinu sought to determine the nature of his mission. The angel replied that he had no established name, since the names of angels change in accordance with their mission. Horav Leib Chasman, z.l., posits that when the angel responded, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” it was a rhetorical question, constituting his response to Yaakov’s query. A person’s name indicates his essence and true nature. Adam HaRishon gave names to all of the…

Home -> 5769 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5769

»So Yaakov called the name of the place Peniel…The sun rose for him as he passed Penuel”… (32:31,32)

Horav Yosef Konvitz, z.l., one of the early pioneers of Orthodoxy in America, applied this pasuk to explain the dismal state of Jewish observance in the early part of the twentieth century. Most Jews at the time viewed every aspect of religious life with a haphazard, begrudging, even antagonistic attitude. Many were ignorant of Torah law. Some even acted l’hachis, deliberately transgressing Torah and mitzvos for profit or power. Kashrus, which in Europe was accepted by everybody, was unreliable at best. America was devoid of spiritual hope, posing an alarming threat to Torah-based Judaism. The European immigrants who came to…

Home -> 5768 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5768

“No longer will it be said that your name is Yaakov, but Yisrael, for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome.” (32:29)

The names “Yaakov” and “Yisrael” allude to two distinct periods in the spiritual condition of our People. Horav Meir Shapiro, z.l., presents an historical perspective based upon these two names. The name Yisrael, symbolizing strength and sovereignty, was evident in the period of “hode,” glory, in the life of our nation: when Torah and mitzvah went side by side; when their study and observance were part and parcel of every Jew’s “weltenshaung;” when faith in the Almighty beat in everyone’s heart. A period of “shiflus,” lowliness, unfortunately was also manifest in our nation: when we descended to the nadir of…

Home -> 5768 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5768

“Then Yaakov inquired, and he said, “Divulge, if you please, your name.” And he said, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” (32:30)

Rashi explains that an angel exists only to perform Hashem’s will, and his “name” reflects his mission. By asking the angel for his name, Yaakov Avinu sought to determine the nature of his mission. The angel replied that he had no established name, since the names of angels change in accordance with their mission. Horav Leib Chasman, z.l., posits that when the angel responded, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” it was a rhetorical question, constituting his response to Yaakov’s query. A person’s name indicates his essence and true nature. Adam HaRishon gave names to all of the…

Home -> 5768 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5768

»So Yaakov called the name of the place Peniel…The sun rose for him as he passed Penuel”… (32:31,32)

Horav Yosef Konvitz, z.l., one of the early pioneers of Orthodoxy in America, applied this pasuk to explain the dismal state of Jewish observance in the early part of the twentieth century. Most Jews at the time viewed every aspect of religious life with a haphazard, begrudging, even antagonistic attitude. Many were ignorant of Torah law. Some even acted l’hachis, deliberately transgressing Torah and mitzvos for profit or power. Kashrus, which in Europe was accepted by everybody, was unreliable at best. America was devoid of spiritual hope, posing an alarming threat to Torah-based Judaism. The European immigrants who came to…

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Eisav took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters… and all the wealth that he had acquired in the land of Canaan and went to a land because of Yaakov, his brother. (36:6)

“No longer will it be said that your name is Yaakov, but Yisrael, for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome.” (32:29)

“Then Yaakov inquired, and he said, “Divulge, if you please, your name.” And he said, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” (32:30)

»So Yaakov called the name of the place Peniel…The sun rose for him as he passed Penuel”… (32:31,32)

“No longer will it be said that your name is Yaakov, but Yisrael, for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome.” (32:29)

“Then Yaakov inquired, and he said, “Divulge, if you please, your name.” And he said, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” (32:30)

»So Yaakov called the name of the place Peniel…The sun rose for him as he passed Penuel”… (32:31,32)

“No longer will it be said that your name is Yaakov, but Yisrael, for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome.” (32:29)

“Then Yaakov inquired, and he said, “Divulge, if you please, your name.” And he said, “Why then do you inquire of my name?” (32:30)

»So Yaakov called the name of the place Peniel…The sun rose for him as he passed Penuel”… (32:31,32)

YEARS

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