Challenge – Page 33 – Peninim on the Torah

לא טוב היות האדם לבדו אעשה לו עזר כנגדו

It is not good that man be alone; I will make him a helper corresponding to him. (2:18)

The Torah clearly states that woman was created for the specific purpose of helping her husband. There are two ways to provide help for a person: the individual in need of assistance is aware of his need and understands that he cannot do it alone; the individual is unaware of his need– in fact, he thinks that he needs nothing and no one. In the latter circumstance, the helper must first make the individual aware of his own needs. Likewise, there are two forms of challengers and challenges. In one situation, the individual perceives the challenger as a threat and…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5773

איש על דגלו באתת לבית אבותם יחנו בני ישראל מנגד סביב לאהל מועד יחנו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Bamidbar

Each man by his banner, according to the insignias of their fathers’ household. (2:2)

Each tribe received a designated spot around the Mishkan. At first, Moshe Rabbeinu was concerned that a dispute might arise between the tribes. Quite possibly, each individual tribe had its own idea concerning its placement. Hashem told Moshe that he need not worry. The tribes knew their place, understanding that the configuration determined by their Patriarch, Yaakov Avinu, would apply now as well. The tribes accepted their grandfather’s decision; what he had decided hundreds of years earlier was still applicable today. How are we to understand this? The tribe that might question Moshe’s decision could just as well question Yaakov’s…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5773

איש על דגלו באתת לבית אבותם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Bamidbar

Each man by his banner, according to the insignias of their fathers’ household. (2:2)

Each tribe received a designated spot around the Mishkan. At first, Moshe Rabbeinu was concerned that a dispute might arise between the tribes. Quite possibly, each individual tribe had its own idea concerning its placement. Hashem told Moshe that he need not worry. The tribes knew their place, understanding that the configuration determined by their Patriarch, Yaakov Avinu, would apply now as well. The tribes accepted their grandfather’s decision; what he had decided hundreds of years earlier was still applicable today. How are we to understand this? The tribe that might question Moshe’s decision could just as well question Yaakov’s…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Ha'azinu

“A G-d of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is He.” (32:4)

One does not need to possess an astute mind in order to comprehend that Hashem is the Creator. As Horav Y. Neiman, z.l., notes, simple prudent logic dictates that one believe in Hashem. The ultimate test of emunah, faith, however, is when one notices occurrences which contradict human logic and thought patterns. The challenge to accept Heavenly decrees which seem harsh and perplexing is the ultimate test of human faith. At such a time, the individual must trust in Hashem with a profound belief that man cannot possibly begin to understand his Creator. The pasuk alludes to this. Man should…

Home -> Devarim -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Devarim

“May He make you so many more like you a thousand times, and may He bless you as He has promised you.” (1:11)

Just as Moshe Rabbeinu was on the verge of leaving Am Yisrael, he offered up a tefillah, prayer, that the nation be blessed with amazing future growth. He adds one word, however, which sheds light on the Torah‘s perspective upon Jewish survival. Moshe says, “May He make you so many more like you.” The true blessing is that the future generations are “like you,” following in the traditional path paved by their ancestors with blood, sweat, and tears. In order to insure that the Jewish children of today and tomorrow serve as links in the chain of tradition, it is…

Home -> 5753 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5753

“(Pinchas) has turned away My wrath from the Bnei Yisrael in that he was jealous for My sake among them (so) that I did not consume the Bnei Yisrael in My jealousy.” (25:11)

In its purest form, zealousness is contingent upon three criteria. The zealot must perform his act totally “le’shem shomayim,” for the sake of Heaven. There should be no personal prejudice or vested interest which “motivates” his urgent reaction. Second, it is imperative that the zealot not remove himself from the community. He must challenge any incursion from within. Running away and hurling stones at the sinners does not reflect true kana’us, zealousness. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., points out that a third contingency is regrettably often overlooked. Those individuals who exhibit unbounding devotion to Hashem’s ideals may react zealously and swiftly…

Home -> 5753 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5753

“I have set up the seven altars.” (23:4)

Bilaam emphasizes to Hashem that he had instructed Balak to erect seven altars. Rashi explains that Bilaam emphasized the number of altars for a specific reason. By virtue of erecting seven altars, Bilaam sought to negate the combined efforts of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, who had built seven altars through their combined efforts. Bilaam foolishly thought that he could equate his altars to the altars erected by the Avos, Patriarchs, by merely constructing the same number of alters. Horav D. Feinstein, Shlita, suggests that perhaps Bilaam attributed a special significance to the number seven. Since Bnei Yisrael had seven altars…

Home -> 5753 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5753

“And Hashem said to Moshe. Behold I am about to cause to rain for you bread from the Heaven, and the people will go out daily to collect (their daily portion) so that I can test them if they will follow in My Torah or not.” (16:4)

The Divine gift of manna was essentially the last of the great miracles which surrounded the Egyptian Exodus. These wonders were designed to illuminate our path and guide us in our belief in Hashem. Indeed, Chazal view the manna as the ultimate miracle which nurtured our emunah and stimulated our bitachon in Hashem. Hashem brought us through the desert in a long, circuitous way. He nourished us with manna from Heaven and water from the Well in order to imbue Torah into our bodies and souls. Relying upon Hashem to provide “parnasah,” livelihood, and believing in His “ability” to sustain…

Home -> 5775 -> Vayeitzei

וישג לבן את יעקב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5775

Lavan overtook Yaakov. (31:25)

Imagine how Yaakov Avinu must have felt when Lavan caught up with him. He made an attempt to escape. He knew that if Lavan overtook him, he had little chance to remain alive. No one could best Lavan. So Yaakov kept on running, while Lavan continued his pursuit. The Midrash teaches us that, while Yaakov was running from Lavan, unbeknownst to him, another enemy, his brother Eisav, was also in pursuit. Armed to the teeth with four hundred trusted soldiers, Eisav was finally free to rid himself of Yaakov. His brother would pay a hefty price for appropriating the blessings….

Home -> 5775 -> Vayeira

ויתפלל אברהם אל האלקים וירפא אלקים את אבימלך... וד' פקד את שרה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5775

Avraham prayed to G-d, and G-d healed Avimelech… Hashem remembered Sarah. (20:17) (21:1)

Rashi notes the juxtaposition of Sarah Imeinu’s conception and giving birth to Yitzchak Avinu upon Avraham Avinu’s prayer on behalf of Avimelech. He explains that the Torah put this passage (Sarah’s conception and giving birth) next to the incident of Avimelech to teach that whoever seeks mercy by praying for his friend, while he himself (the individual praying) needs that same thing (for which he is praying on behalf of his friend), he (the one praying), is answered first. Avimelech was in need – Avraham prayed for him; thus, he was answered by Hashem – before Avimelech. Imagine two people…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Bereishis ->

לא טוב היות האדם לבדו אעשה לו עזר כנגדו

It is not good that man be alone; I will make him a helper corresponding to him. (2:18)

איש על דגלו באתת לבית אבותם יחנו בני ישראל מנגד סביב לאהל מועד יחנו

Each man by his banner, according to the insignias of their fathers’ household. (2:2)

איש על דגלו באתת לבית אבותם

Each man by his banner, according to the insignias of their fathers’ household. (2:2)

“A G-d of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is He.” (32:4)

“May He make you so many more like you a thousand times, and may He bless you as He has promised you.” (1:11)

“(Pinchas) has turned away My wrath from the Bnei Yisrael in that he was jealous for My sake among them (so) that I did not consume the Bnei Yisrael in My jealousy.” (25:11)

“I have set up the seven altars.” (23:4)

“And Hashem said to Moshe. Behold I am about to cause to rain for you bread from the Heaven, and the people will go out daily to collect (their daily portion) so that I can test them if they will follow in My Torah or not.” (16:4)

וישג לבן את יעקב

Lavan overtook Yaakov. (31:25)

ויתפלל אברהם אל האלקים וירפא אלקים את אבימלך... וד' פקד את שרה

Avraham prayed to G-d, and G-d healed Avimelech… Hashem remembered Sarah. (20:17) (21:1)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!