V’zos HaBrachah – Page 9 – Peninim on the Torah

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5763, V'zos HaBrachah

And by all the strong hand and for all the awesome power that Moshe T performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

The Torah records every significant moment of Moshe Rabbeinu’s life that impacted his nation for all time to come. His activities — whether in the area of leadership or social justice, his relationship with the Almighty, or his character traits — are all presented either overtly or in the context of a subtle lesson. If we were to sum up his life’s endeavor and search for the crowning lesson — that action for which he is to be remembered for posterity — it would be found in the closing words of the Torah. The words that seemingly serve as our quintessential…

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וישכן ישראל בטח בדד עין יעקב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, V'zos HaBrachah

“Thus, Yisrael shall dwell secure, solitary, in the likeness of Yaakov.” (33:28)

Horav Yitzchok Aramah, z.l., the Baal Akeidas Yitzchak related a story to interpret this pasuk. The king of France became very ill. Doctors were brought in from near and far, and no one could devise a therapy for the king’s illness. The king of Spain heard about the French king’s dilemma and sent a message that he had a brilliant physician who could care for the king. He was a Jewish apostate who had left his faith in pursuit of fame and fortune. The French king refused to accept this doctor. He explained that if he was truly so proficient, it…

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ויקבר אתו בגי... ולא ידע איש את קברתו עד היום הזה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, V'zos HaBrachah

“He (Hashem) buried him in the depression…and no one knows his burial place to this day.” (34:6)

Hashem did not want Moshe’s burial place to become a shrine for those who deify national heroes. This idea begs understanding. Should not Moshe Rabbeinu, the quintessential teacher and leader of Klal Yisrael, have some form of matzeivah, monument, erected in his memory? A monument is a symbol, a place where people can assemble, to daven, recite Tehillim, supplicate the neshamah, soul, of the deceased to intercede on their behalf. Should our great Moshe Rabbeinu not have a matzeivah just because some people might use his burial place inappropriately? I think the answer lies in the definition and purpose of a…

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וזאת הברכה אשר ברך משה איש האלקים

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, V'zos HaBrachah

M“And this is the blessing that Moshe, the man of G-d, bestowed.” (33:1)

Moshe Rabbeinu’s last official action as leader of Klal Yisrael was to bless the people prior to his leaving this world. The Torah calls him ish Elokim, man of G-d – a very impressive appellation. What did he do to deserve this title? Ish Elokim is a title comprised of two almost paradoxical aspects: ish, man, relating to people, interacting on an earthly level; and Elokim, G-dly, spiritual, divested of earthly contacts. It is a title that bespeaks his ability to be a person, and, simultaneously, to transcend the physical aspects, desires and emotions that are intrinsic to human beings….

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אף חבב עמים כל קדשיו בידך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, V'zos HaBrachah

“He also showed love to peoples, all its holy ones are in Your hands.” (33:3)

In an alternative explanation, Rashi explains that even at a time when Hashem demonstrates endearment towards the gentile nations who persecute the Jews, Klal Yisrael’s righteous ones remain true and continue to cleave to Hashem. They overcome the challenge to their faith as a result of their strong commitment to faith in the Almighty. The extreme devotion and commitment exhibited by the Klausenberger Rebbe, z.l., during the Holocaust years is legend. Regardless of the success of the Nazi’s, the Rebbe’s religious fervor never waned. He refused to eat anything that might not be kosher. During his entire stay in the…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5761

שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהליך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, V'zos HaBrachah

“Rejoice, O Zevulun, in your excursions, and Yissachar in your tents.” (33:18)

Rashi explains that Zevulun should be happy and successful as he goes out to commerce, because Yissachar, his brother and partner, is studying in the tent of Torah. If Zevulun’s reason for joy is his support of Yissachar’s Torah study, should not Yissachar’s name have preceded that of Zevulun? Rashi says that this is specifically why Zevulun’s name precedes Yissachar’s. It was Zevulun’s support than enabled Yissachar’s Torah. Horav Aharon Kotler, z.l., offers another reason for the significance of Zevulun preceding Yissachar. He cites the pasuk in Mishlei 23:24 in which two forms of joy, gilah and simchah are mentioned: “The…

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שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהליך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, V'zos HaBrachah

“Rejoice, O Zevulun, in your excursions, and Yissachar in your tents.” (33:18)

Horav Yehudah Tzadakah, z.l., was known for his incredible diligence in Torah study. In his youth, he would spend his day studying in the yeshivah bais ha’medrash, and at night he would go to the Beer Sheva shul and study through the early hours of the morning. In his later years, one of his grandsons asked why he chose this specific shul. He explained that the shamashim, caretakers, of the various shuls were frugal and limited the amount of kerosene used for the lamps. The shamash at the Beer Sheva shul, however, did not spare any kerosene, giving as much…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5761

שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהליך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, V'zos HaBrachah

“Rejoice, O Zevulun, in your excursions, and Yissachar in your tents.” (33:18)

H orav Shlomo Heyman, z.l., related that when Rabbeinu Saadya Gaon left Egypt to become Rosh HaYeshivah in Sura, the people of Sura took it upon themselves to build the yeshivah building. Rabbeinu Saadya sent out a proclamation, urging all communities to join in support of this project. A certain wealthy Egyptian Jew decided to contribute a considerable sum to sponsor the Aron Kodesh. When he arrived in Sura, he discovered — to his chagrin — that someone had already preceded him in dedicating the Aron Kodesh. He was extremely upset that he would not be able to sponsor the holiest…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5760

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5760, V'zos HaBrachah

“He (Moshe) carried out Hashem’s justice and His ordinances with Yisrael.” (33:21)

In Pirkei Avos, 5:18, Chazal teach us, “Whoever makes a multitude meritorious; no sin shall come through him…” Moshe Rabbeinu attained virtue and brought the multitude to virtue; therefore, the merit of the multitude is attributed to him, as it is stated, “He carried out Hashem’s justice and His ordinances with Yisrael.” We live in a complex world, in an environment that is not necessarily conducive to spiritual growth. While whether or not to sin consciously is based upon individual discretion, it is often difficult to avoid an inadvertent sin. When we act in haste without forethought, we might suffer…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5760, V'zos HaBrachah

“And the days of tearful mourning for Moshe ended.” (34:8)

In the Talmud Shabbos, 106a, Chazal say, “Whoever lets down/ weeps over the passing of an adam kasher — upright, virtuous man — Hashem counts his tears and puts them aside in His treasury.” What is the meaning of “counting tears,” and what is its significance? Olas Shlomo on Seder Kedoshim, cited by Shai LaTorah, explains that it is human nature to weep for a person who passes from This World, regardless of the level of his virtue. We are an emotional people. Therefore, when someone dies, our first reaction is to express our emotion – an emotion that may…

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ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

And by all the strong hand and for all the awesome power that Moshe T performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

וישכן ישראל בטח בדד עין יעקב

“Thus, Yisrael shall dwell secure, solitary, in the likeness of Yaakov.” (33:28)

ויקבר אתו בגי... ולא ידע איש את קברתו עד היום הזה

“He (Hashem) buried him in the depression…and no one knows his burial place to this day.” (34:6)

וזאת הברכה אשר ברך משה איש האלקים

M“And this is the blessing that Moshe, the man of G-d, bestowed.” (33:1)

אף חבב עמים כל קדשיו בידך

“He also showed love to peoples, all its holy ones are in Your hands.” (33:3)

שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהליך

“Rejoice, O Zevulun, in your excursions, and Yissachar in your tents.” (33:18)

שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהליך

“Rejoice, O Zevulun, in your excursions, and Yissachar in your tents.” (33:18)

שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהליך

“Rejoice, O Zevulun, in your excursions, and Yissachar in your tents.” (33:18)

“He (Moshe) carried out Hashem’s justice and His ordinances with Yisrael.” (33:21)

“And the days of tearful mourning for Moshe ended.” (34:8)

YEARS

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