Challenge – Page 17 – Peninim on the Torah

ולא יכלו אחיו לענות אתו כי נבהלו מפניו

But his brothers could not answer him because they were left disconcerted before him. (45:3)

The Midrash notes the difficulty individuals experience in accepting rebuke. Bilaam ha’rasha, the evil pagan-prophet, could not stand up to the criticism of his donkey. The Shivtei Kah, the sons of Yaakov Avinu, were overwhelmed with fear when Yosef merely uttered the two words: Ani Yosef, “I am Yosef.” Imagine, says Abba Kohen Bardela, when we come before the Heavenly Tribunal and each and every one of us will be rebuked lfi mah she’hu, according to what he is, (or what he could have been). How will we stand up to this Heavenly remonstrance? In the Talmud Berachos 4b,…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5778

ברך עלינו... את השנה הזאת

Roberto Szerer In 5778, Mikeitz

Bareich aleinu… es ha’shanah ha’zos. Bless us…this year

B’zeias apecha tochal lechem, “By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread” (Bereishis 3:19). Is this a curse – or a blessing? Horav Yitzchak Kirzner, zl, explains that people would now have to work to earn a living. The idyllic state of living in Paradise had come to a quick end. As a result of their sin, Adam and Chavah had plummeted from their original spiritual perch to a life filled with challenges. Had they remained on their exalted spiritual level, earning a livelihood would have had a negative connotation. Why waste so much precious time? Now, however,…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5778

יוסף ... היה רעה את אחיו בצאן

Roberto Szerer In 5778, Vayeishev

Yosef … was a shepherd with his brothers by the flock. (37:2)

As parents, we have an awesome responsibility to infuse our children with proper middos, character traits, coupled with yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven, and an abiding commitment to Torah study and mitzvah performance. As parents, we are our children’s first and primary mentors. The rebbeim and moros that we choose for them are a reflection of our standards. Last, the joy in mitzvah observance that we present will have a lasting impression upon our children as they journey forward in the world. Horav Nissim Yagen, zl, relates the story of two American families who, on the outside, maintained similar lifestyles,…

Home -> 5778 -> Vayishlach

עכרתם אותי להבאישני בישב הארץ

Roberto Szerer In Vayishlach, 5778

You have decomposed me, making me odious among the inhabitants of the land. (34:30)

Although the men of Shechem were collectively guilty of Dinah’s violation, either for harboring the perpetrator or for not preventing the outrage, Yaakov Avinu felt that the actions of his two sons had disgraced him. To the average unlearned student of the “Bible,” this would be another “example” of Jewish obsequisness, fear of retaliation, of taking a stand for what is right. Baruch Hashem, there are those who understand the depth of Yaakov’s shame as being related to his position as the b’chir ha’Avos, chosen of the Patriarchs. Horav Mordechai Ilan, zl, observes that Yaakov’s middah, attribute, was emes, truth….

Home -> 5778 -> Chayei Sarah

ותמת שרה בקרית ארבע

Roberto Szerer In Chayei Sarah, 5778

Sarah died in Kiryas Arba. (23:2)

Rashi expounds on the juxtaposition of the sudden passing of Sarah Imeinu upon the Akeidah, Binding of Yitzchak. Apparently, Satan came and informed Sarah of Avraham Avinu’s intention to slaughter Yitzchak. U’kimaat shelo nishchat, “And before he could have been slaughtered,” she died. Sarah heard that Yitzchak was about to be slaughtered, and she died. Why does Rashi emphasize the fact that she died before he was slaughtered? It is obvious what happened. Rashi could have simply said that the very news that her son was on the way to his death, to be slaughtered by his father, was too…

Home -> 5778 -> Bo

והיה כי יאמרו אליכם בניכם מה העבדה הזאת לכם

Roberto Szerer In Bo, 5778

And it shall be that when your children say to you, “What is this service to you?” (12:26)

The Torah addresses four “sons” – each one different from the other. One is wise; one is (called) wicked; one is simple; the last one is uninitiated, unable to ask. They all have one common denominator: they are sons. One deals differently with a son. One does not attempt to “best” a son; one seeks to teach a son, to enlighten, to help him understand, to inspire him. Thus, regardless of who the son is, how he acts, or how he presents his questions – remember, he is still your son. We do not seek to prevail, to triumph, over…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5765

אשריך ישראל מי כמוך עם נושע בד' מגן עזרך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5765, V'zos HaBrachah

Fortunate are you, O Yisrael. Who is like you! O people delivered by O Hashem, the Shield of your help. (33:29)

Our salvation is only in Hashem, Who is the Shield of our salvation. This relationship is truly unique; it is one that we must acknowledge and sustain through our tefillos. Horav Chaim Friedlander, zl, explains the nature of prayer as the medium for maintaining our closeness with Hashem and as the vehicle for catalyzing our salvation in times of need. He cites the Midrash that comments concerning Mordechai’s salvation from Haman’s diabolical plan to hang him on the scaffold that he had prepared for him. Suddenly, the tables were turned, and Mordechai was no longer the victim. He was dressed in…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5764

אף חבב עמים כל קדשיו בידך והם תכו לרגלך ישא מדברתיך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5764, V'zos HaBrachah

He also showed love to peoples, all its holy ones are in Your hands; and Ithey were brought in at Your feet, He would bear Your utterances. (33:3)

In an alternative exposition of this pasuk, Rashi says that the love that Hashem demonstrated is a reference to a time in which Hashem manifests endearment to the nations of the world. He shows them a smiling countenance when He delivers Klal Yisrael into their hands. Nonetheless, “all its Holy ones are in Your hands.” Despite this g’zar din, difficult decree, against the Jewish People, its righteous ones and its good ones have cleaved to Hashem, never once doubting Him. Hashem, therefore, guards them. These deeply committed Jews accept Your decree with love and joy, declaring: Torah tzivah lanu Moshe morashah…

Home -> 5764 -> Bereishis

ארור אתה מכל הבהמה ומכל חית השדה... ועפר תאכל כל ימי חייך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5764

“Accursed are you beyond all the animals and all the beasts of the Ofield…and dust shall you eat all the days of your life.” (3:14)

One wonders if this is much of a punishment. On the contrary, the snake will never have to search for food. Why does Hashem say to the snake, “Accursed are you beyond all the animals and all the beasts of the field”? We derive from here that an easy life, a life without challenge and trial, is not necessarily a blessing. We grow and develop from our challenges. Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, remembers when a bachur about to be married asked Horav Moshe Schneider, zl, Rosh HaYeshivah in London, for a brachah, blessing, prior to his wedding. Rav Moshe asked…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5761

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…

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ולא יכלו אחיו לענות אתו כי נבהלו מפניו

But his brothers could not answer him because they were left disconcerted before him. (45:3)

ברך עלינו... את השנה הזאת

Bareich aleinu… es ha’shanah ha’zos. Bless us…this year

יוסף ... היה רעה את אחיו בצאן

Yosef … was a shepherd with his brothers by the flock. (37:2)

עכרתם אותי להבאישני בישב הארץ

You have decomposed me, making me odious among the inhabitants of the land. (34:30)

ותמת שרה בקרית ארבע

Sarah died in Kiryas Arba. (23:2)

והיה כי יאמרו אליכם בניכם מה העבדה הזאת לכם

And it shall be that when your children say to you, “What is this service to you?” (12:26)

אשריך ישראל מי כמוך עם נושע בד' מגן עזרך

Fortunate are you, O Yisrael. Who is like you! O people delivered by O Hashem, the Shield of your help. (33:29)

אף חבב עמים כל קדשיו בידך והם תכו לרגלך ישא מדברתיך

He also showed love to peoples, all its holy ones are in Your hands; and Ithey were brought in at Your feet, He would bear Your utterances. (33:3)

ארור אתה מכל הבהמה ומכל חית השדה... ועפר תאכל כל ימי חייך

“Accursed are you beyond all the animals and all the beasts of the Ofield…and dust shall you eat all the days of your life.” (3:14)

אף חבב עמים כל קדשיו בידך

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

YEARS

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