Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

ויאמר ד' אלקים לא טוב היות האדם לבדו אעשה לו עזר כנגדו

Hashem Elokim said, “It is not good that man be alone; I will make him a helper corresponding to him.” (2:18)

The words lo tov, not good, tell it all. Man was independent and self-sufficient. Procreation was an ability with which he was created. So, why did he require a helpmate? A life alone is “not bad,” but it is also “not good.” For man to achieve his primary function, he needs the companionship, support and challenge inherent in every good marriage. Hashem wanted the children born to Adam and his future mate to be born from and raised by a father and mother. Interestingly, prior to the creation of woman, Hashem brought every species of animal – wild beast and…

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וייצר ה' אלקים את האדם עפר מן האדמה ויפח באפיו נשמת חיים ויהי האדם לנפש חיה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5774

And Hashem Elokim formed the man of dust from the ground, and He blew into his nostrils the soul of life; and Man became a living being. (2:7)

Adam HaRishon, and, subsequently, all of mankind are a creation comprised of both earthly and Heavenly elements. His body is composed of dust of the earth, his soul from the spirit. As the Zohar HaKadosh comments to Vayipach b’apav nishmas chaim, “And He blew into his nostrils the soul of life,” One who blows flows from within himself, thereby indicating that man’s soul is an aspect of Hashem’s essence. It was this soul that was blown into him that made man into a living being. Targum Onkelos defines this metamorphosis as transforming Adam into ruach memalela, “speaking spirit.” Thus, the…

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ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5774

And G-d said, “Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness. (1:26)

The Midrash Rabbah relates that, when Moshe Rabbeinu was writing the Torah as Hashem’s “secretary,” he came to the above pasuk. He asked Hashem incredulously, “Ribbono Shel Olam, why give an excuse to the heretics?” This pasuk appears to imply that Hashem either needed assistance in creating or had partnered with the angels. In any event, it seems to dispute the Oneness of Hashem. The Almighty replied, “He who wants to err – will err.” This statement begs elucidation. There are many places in which we find Hashem doing things – even miraculous occurrences – to prevent people from making…

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בראשית ברא אלקים את השמים ואת הארץ

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5774

In the beginning of G-d’s creating the heavens and the earth. (1:1)

Who does not know the opening words of the Torah? Bereishis – “In the beginning” seems to be a very appropriate way to commence what is Hashem’s Magnum Opus, His Book, our Heavenly guide to life. What does seem strange is that the Torah begins with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet – bais. One would think that a “beginning” commences with the first letter – aleph. Many and varied are the responses to this question. Perhaps the most notable is the one given by the Midrash Rabbah (1:10). Bais is the lashon, language, of b’rachah, blessing; aleph is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bechukosai

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak; and also My covenant with Avraham I will surely remember, and I will remember the Land.” (26:42)

This pasuk presents an apparent change in the sequential order of the Avos, Patriarchs. Rashi interprets the pasuk to indicate that the merit of Yaakov should be sufficient to bring redemption to his children. If Yaakov’s merit is not worthy of effecting redemption, Yitzchak Avinu’s zechusim, merits, will add to the virtue on behalf of Klal Yisrael. If Klal Yisrael is still in need of support, the merits of Avraham Avinu will tip the scale in favor of Klal Yisrael. The commentators question this sequence. Yaakov Avinu is the bchir ha’Avos, the chosen of the Patriarchs, his name is engraved…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bechukosai

“You will flee with no one pursuing you.” (26:17)

What is the curse implied in fleeing from non-existent pursuers ? On the contrary, it should be a blessing that no one is pursuing us! The Gaon M’Vilna explains this pasuk by first citing the pasuk in Koheles 3:15, “Hashem always seeks (to help) the (one who is) pursued.” According to the Midrash, this applies even in the instance in which a tzaddik is chasing after a rasha; Hashem will protect the rasha, since he is the “underdog.” This is the implication of the curse: No one will be chasing us, so that we will not be assisted by Hashem….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bechukosai

“I broke the staves of your yoke and I led you erect.” (26:13)

The Midrash interprets the word ,uhnnue to mean “upright and erect”, without fear of any man. Horav Tzvi Hirsch Farber, z.l., defines this “posture” as relating to the Jew’s spiritual realm, rather than the physical. Unfortunately, some individuals tend to be apprehensive about public mitzvah observance. Our Jewish pride should not permit us to cast mitzvah performance by the wayside as a result of fear or ridicule. It is self-destructive for an individual to disavow himself from his inherent belief. To deny one’s nobility and genuine religious conviction out of fear of public reaction indicates a low spiritual self-esteem and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bechukosai

“If you will walk in My laws (My decrees) and My mitzvos you will guard/observe and perform them.” (26:3)

Mitzvah observance is the prime focus of this parsha. This pasuk presents a refreshing perspective on mitzvah observance. Many individuals desire to fulfill the mitzvos to the highest degree in order to achieve an unparalleled relationship with Hashem. The Sidduro Shel Shabbos posits that the words, “And My mitzvos you will guard,” suggest an orientation to mitzvah observance that can be summed up with one word — yearning. One should possess an inner longing to observe mitzvos to the point that he anticipates the opportunity for performing a mitzvah with love and increasing desire. This type of devotion symbolizes an…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bechukosai

“If you walk in My laws/follow My decrees.” (26:3)

The Midrash cites the pasuk in Tehillim 119, “I contemplated my path and my feet returned me to Your testimony.” It also presents Dovid Ha’Melech’s explanation of his allusion in the pasuk. Dovid Ha’Melech explained that every day he organized his activities and decided where to go. He would begin on his way, but instead of proceeding to his intended destination, his feet literally propelled him to the Bais Ha’Midrash. This Midrash begs further explanation. First, what connection is there between the pasuk, “If you will walk in My laws,” and Dovid Ha’Melech’s statement ? Second, Dovid Ha’Melech’s original statement…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Behar

“My Shabbosos you shall observe and My Sanctuary you shall revere.” (26:2)

We may question this seemingly repetitive statement and its juxtaposition to the pasuk dealing with idol worship. Rashi explains that the Torah is adjuring the Jewish slave who is sold to a gentile not to assume that since he is subservient to a gentile, he may engage in whatever heathen practices his master advocates. If this is the case, why does the Torah specifically emphasize Shabbos observance and reverence for the Sanctuary ? In response to these questions, Horav Moshe Feinstein, z.l., offers a novel lesson to be derived from this pasuk. As a result of his servitude to a…

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ויאמר ד' אלקים לא טוב היות האדם לבדו אעשה לו עזר כנגדו

Hashem Elokim said, “It is not good that man be alone; I will make him a helper corresponding to him.” (2:18)

וייצר ה' אלקים את האדם עפר מן האדמה ויפח באפיו נשמת חיים ויהי האדם לנפש חיה

And Hashem Elokim formed the man of dust from the ground, and He blew into his nostrils the soul of life; and Man became a living being. (2:7)

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

And G-d said, “Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness. (1:26)

בראשית ברא אלקים את השמים ואת הארץ

In the beginning of G-d’s creating the heavens and the earth. (1:1)

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak; and also My covenant with Avraham I will surely remember, and I will remember the Land.” (26:42)

“You will flee with no one pursuing you.” (26:17)

“I broke the staves of your yoke and I led you erect.” (26:13)

“If you will walk in My laws (My decrees) and My mitzvos you will guard/observe and perform them.” (26:3)

“If you walk in My laws/follow My decrees.” (26:3)

“My Shabbosos you shall observe and My Sanctuary you shall revere.” (26:2)

YEARS

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