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לא תגנב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Yisro, 5775

Do not steal. (20:13)

The Talmud Sanhedrin 86a, teaches that the Lo signov, “do not steal,” associated with the Aseres Hadibros, Ten Commandments, is a reference to kidnapping. This is not about stealing money from someone; rather, it is a case of capital punishment for stealing a human life. Horav Yaakov Galinsky, zl, points out that stealing is often viewed relatively. In other words, if someone appropriates an object illegally, his warped mind will likely convince him that this object is now his, and whoever takes it from him is the thief. This idea applies across the board to every case of monies finding…

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Home -> 5775 -> Yisro

כבד את אביך ואת אמך למען יאריכון ימיך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Yisro, 5775

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be lengthened. (20:12)

The fifth commandment, to honor one’s parents, is a cornerstone of faith in the entire Torah. Our mesorah, tradition, is based upon a chain that has been transmitted throughout the generations from Har Sinai, where the Torah was given. This mesorah continues through this very day, through the vehicle of the parents of every generation. Each parent serves as a link to his child, maintaining this mesorah when he, in turn, becomes a parent. Without the respect demanded in the fifth commandment, we have no assurance that the other commandments will be observed. Hashem, father and mother are partners in…

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Home -> 5775 -> Yisro

אם את הדבר הזה תעשה... ויכלת עמד, וגם כל העם הזה על מקמו יבא בשלום

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Yisro, 5775

If you this thing… then you will be able to endure, and this entire people, as well, shall arrive at its destination in peace. (18:23)

Yisro intimated to Moshe Rabbeinu that, by following his advice, the people would be confident that they would be judged justly. They would, thus, be at peace, content with the rulings that had been administered. The words, yavo b’shalom, “shall arrive at its destination in peace,” is a phrase which is used in connection with the deceased. We say: lech b’shalom, “go in peace;” tanuach b’shalom, “rest in peace,” and v’saamod l’goralcha l’ketz ha’yamim, “and arise for your reward at the End of Days.” When speaking to the living, wishing them well, we say, lech l’shalom, “go to peace.” Why…

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Home -> 5775 -> Yisro

ויאמר יתרו ברוך ד' אשר הציל אתכם מיד מצרים ומיד פרעה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Yisro, 5775

Yisro said, “Blessed is Hashem, Who has rescued you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of Pharaoh.” (18:10)

Yisro maintains that the Jewish nation owes a special sense of gratitude to Hashem for His “personal” involvement in their liberation from Egyptian bondage. Rather than have Pharaoh release them of his own accord, Hashem forced his hand to make him send them out of the country. Indeed, if Pharaoh would have willingly participated in the redemption, we might have reason to believe that he too should be recognized and appreciated. Now we acknowledge that it is only to Hashem to whom we have an obligation of gratitude. The Chasam Sofer interprets this idea in his explanation of the Avadim…

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