Challenge – Page 19 – Peninim on the Torah

“The princes brought the Shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the Choshen.” (35:27)

As soon as the nesiim heard that Hashem had commanded Moshe to build a Mishkan, they offered to supply all of the materials necessary for constructing this edifice. They believed that Hashem would rather repose in a Mishkan built of their donations than one constructed with the gifts of Klal Yisrael. First, they were not involved in the sin of the Golden Calf, as the other Jews were. Second, their motivation was pure and unblemished; they would contribute with a pure heart since they were outstanding in their wisdom and character. They believed that a Mishkan built with their contributions…

Home -> 5757 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5757

When a woman who conceives and gives birth to a male…on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:2,3)

The commentators, each in his own unique manner, offer various reasons that one is required to perform the bris milah on the eighth day. One of the fundamental reasons is to make sure that the child has lived through a Shabbos. The kedushah, sanctity, of the seventh day/Shabbos infuses a holiness into the child which prepares him for entrance into Klal Yisrael. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, notes that while on the one hand we infer the remarkable kedushah of Shabbos, we also note that milah bizmanah, a circumcision performed at the designated time, the eighth day, overrides Shabbos. One may…

Home -> 5757 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5757

He was zealous for My sake in their midst…Because he was zealous for his G-d and made atonement for the Bnei Yisrael. (25:11,13)

What is the significance of the fact that Pinchas performed his act of zealousness “in their midst”? Sforno comments that Pinchas avenged Hashem’s honor in the sight of all. Although they had originally seen Zimri’s despicable act, and they did not protest, they could find atonement for not protesting against Pinchas. What Sforno is saying is that the masses were guilty of apathy. They witnessed blatant acts of harlotry and idolatry, yet they failed to object or to intervene. Their atonement would now be attained by permitting Pinchas to publicly carry out his act of zealousness. Sforno teaches us that…

Home -> 5757 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5757

Let them place My name upon Bnei Yisrael, and I shall bless them. (6:27)

Chazal, at the end of Meseches Uktzin, say, “There is no greater container to hold Klal Yisrael’s blessings than peace.” One may have everything – health, prosperity, and fame – but without peace these gifts have no significance. Consequently, the blessings which the Kohanim are to impart upon Bnei Yisrael are sealed with the hope for peace. A community can catalyze peace in one of two ways. The first way is the positive approach, in which people work towards ironing out their differences, seeking ways to increase harmony and good will. Discord is viewed as taboo, so the slightest infraction…

Home -> 5757 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5757

A man or woman who shall do something wondrous by taking a Nazarite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem. (6:2)

Why would someone choose to become a nazir? It may be the result of a harmful experience associated with drinking wine. Alternatively, it may be the product of a conviction that one should abstain from mundane pleasures. The individual feels that he is too involved with himself. Consequently, he goes to the extreme, taking a vow to abstain from his usual pleasures. The nazir must make sure that he does not defile his nezirus by coming in contact with a dead body. If this does happen, the nazir becomes tamei, ritually unclean. He must go through a purification process after…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Mikeitz

“And he said to his brother, my money has been returned… and they turned trembling one to another, saying, ‘What is it that Hashem has done to us?'” (42:28)

If we were to analyze the brothers’ response to this occurrence, we might be tempted to say, “What did you expect?” They had sold their brother into slavery, and Hashem was delivering their retribution. Why are they complaining?” Indeed, in the Talmud Tannis 9a Chazal allude to this. They cite the pasuk in Mishlei 19:3 iuveles adam tesalef darko v’al hashem yezaef leebo.“The foolishness of man perverts his way; and his heart frets against Hashem.” A fool makes a mistake and then complains about the punishment he receives from the Almighty. Likewise, the brothers had sold Yosef and now they…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Mikeitz

“And Yosef called the name of his firstborn Menashe; for Hashem has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” (41:51)

Today, we equate “forgetting one’s father’s house,” with an attempt to break with tradition. Ostensibly, this was not Yosef’s intention. Yet, is it proper for an individual to boast about being able to forget the home of his youth? Is this a phenomenon for which one thanks Hashem? While it is true that Yosef’s homelife left much to be desired, he did leave behind a grieving father. A more sensible way to view Yosef’s statement reflects upon his refined character traits. If we were to put ourselves in Yosef’s shoes, bearing a grudge would probably be a restrained reaction. Indeed,…

Home -> 5757 -> Korach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And the earth opened up its mouth and it swallowed them…and all the men that belonged to Korach. (16:32)

All those who joined Korach in his conflict met their end tragically. Korach’s sons, however, did not die. As Sforno comments, “They were not drawn after him in the matter.” It seems strange that such a charismatic demagogue as Korach had no permanent influence upon his children. Chazal assert that Korach was imbued with the ability to see the future. Therefore, he was secure in his success, since he foresaw his noble descendants. Ostensibly, Korach’s ability was limited. He saw the tzaddikim that would be his progeny, but he did not see his own disaster. In any event, what happened…

Home -> 5757 -> Korach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And Korach ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi separated himself. (16:1)

Korach was not simply another hatemonger who sought to usurp Moshe and Aharon as a result of intense feelings of envy. Korach was among those who “carried” the Aron Ha’kodesh. He was obviously sensitive to the fact that the Aron was in reality carrying those who attempted to carry it. It would be unrealistic to think that an individual who was so aware of Hashem should stoop to such machlokes, controversy, unless something “noble” motivated him. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, explains that Korach sought Kehunah, He felt that he could serve Hashem better if he were a Kohen. His complete…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ki Sisa

“And now if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, make Your way known to Me.” (33:13)

Moshe implored Hashem to explain to him the meaning of finding favor in Hashem’s eyes. Moshe sought to understand the manner in which Hashem rewards those who adhere to His precepts. According to the Talmud Berachos 7a, Moshe was referring to the age-old question of, “Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?” This question has fascinated many a human being and, truthfully, its answer is beyond human comprehension. Indeed, no answer would suffice for those who choose to question. The believer, however, accepts the challenge of dealing with this issue by addressing it through the vehicle of emunah,…

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“The princes brought the Shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the Choshen.” (35:27)

When a woman who conceives and gives birth to a male…on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:2,3)

He was zealous for My sake in their midst…Because he was zealous for his G-d and made atonement for the Bnei Yisrael. (25:11,13)

Let them place My name upon Bnei Yisrael, and I shall bless them. (6:27)

A man or woman who shall do something wondrous by taking a Nazarite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem. (6:2)

“And he said to his brother, my money has been returned… and they turned trembling one to another, saying, ‘What is it that Hashem has done to us?'” (42:28)

“And Yosef called the name of his firstborn Menashe; for Hashem has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” (41:51)

And the earth opened up its mouth and it swallowed them…and all the men that belonged to Korach. (16:32)

And Korach ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi separated himself. (16:1)

“And now if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, make Your way known to Me.” (33:13)

YEARS

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