Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, V'zos HaBrachah

“And by all the strong hand, and all the great fear which Moshe did in the eyes of all Yisrael.” (34:12)

In the Talmud, Shabbos 87, Chazal interpret “And by all the strong hand,” as referring to Moshe’s act of breaking the luchos. It is notable that Moshe’s epitaph, the climax of the career of Klal Yisrael’s greatest leader, recorded the smashing of the luchos as his greatest moment. Should not Moshe have been remembered for a more “positive” act, rather than for an act of destruction ? Horav Eli Munk, z.l., infers from here that this was Moshe’s ultimate act of authority. He took a “positive” stand against the tide of alienation. He reacted angrily to a wave of liberal…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, V'zos HaBrachah

“May Reuven live and not die, and may his population be included in the count.” (33:6)

Rashi explains that the tribe of Reuven should not have been counted among the census of the other brothers. Reuven is the only tribe for whom no material, spiritual or moral distinction is mentioned. The only exception is Shimon, who is not mentioned at all. The other tribes, however, are characterized by either their spiritual or moral activity or by their socio-economic status. Reuven, regrettably, had a distinction in neither the spiritual nor the material spheres, having lost his superior position as the firstborn. The tribe of Reuven was constantly exposed to attacks by its gentile neighbors on the east…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, V'zos HaBrachah

“He became king over Yeshurun when the numbers/leaders of the nation gathered the tribes of Yisrael in unity.” (33:5)

Virtually all of the commentators translate “roshei am” as the leaders of the nation. Rashi, however, seems to disagree. He translates it as, “the numbers,” referring to the inclusion of all Jews under one unified banner. Regardless of definition, the pasuk emphasizes the need for unity in the midst of Am Yisrael in order to effect “Hashem becoming king.” Horav Aharon Rotter, Shlita, cites the “Eish Dos,” who contends that it is impossible to have a unified nation unless the people all follow the dictates of the gedolei ha’dor, Torah leadership of each generation. The Eish Dos uses this thesis…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, V'zos HaBrachah

“The Torah that Moshe commanded us is the heritage of the congregation of Yaakov.” (33:4)

A number of issues regarding the text of this pasuk should be addressed. First, why is the Torah designated as the “heritage of Yaakov” — and not the heritage of Yisrael, a name which is used more commonly ? Second, why does the Torah use the term “kehillas Yaakov,” congregation of Yaakov, instead of sons of Yaakov in describing the Jewish people ? Horav Yaakov Kameneztsky, z.l., lends a profound insight into the matter. Our Torah is different from any other religious code. Our Torah belongs to every Jew, regardless of his intellectual acumen or socio-economic stature. Our Torah is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“Ascend to this Mount of Avarim … and die on the mountain … and be gathered to your people just as Aharon your brother died on Har Ha’Har.” (32:49,50)

Rashi responds to the obvious question: How can a man be commanded to die ? Does one pass from this world of his own free-will ? He explains that Hashem commanded Moshe to prepare for a serene death like that of his brother, Aharon. Preceding his demise, Aharon was privileged to observe his son Elazar assume the mantle of Kehunah Gedolah, garbed in the sacred priestly vestments. Aharon was subsequently instructed to lay down, stretch out his hands and feet and close first his eyes and then his mouth. As he lay there calm and serene, at peace with himself…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“For they are a generation of reversals, children whose upbringing is not in them.” (32:20)

The Navi Malachi proclaims, “Behold I will send to you Eliyahu Ha’Navi… and he will return the heart of fathers to their children and the heart of children to their fathers.” Horav Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, z.l., writes that he once heard a novel interpretation of this pasuk in conjunction with the above pasuk from our parsha. Parents are required to teach their children Torah, placing emphasis upon their religious observance so that they merit Olam Haba. Children, on the other hand, are obliged to care for the physical well-being of their parents, concerning themselves with their parents’ Olam Hazeh. Regrettably,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“Is it to Hashem that you do this? O’ vile and unwise nation! Is He not your Father, your Master; has He not created you and firmed you?” (32:6)

The word “naval” is a strong adjective used to describe a person who is vile, whose behavior is reprehensible. It is, therefore, noteworthy that both Rashi and the Ramban attribute this person’s shameful behavior to a lack of hakoras ha’tov, gratitude. The Ramban writes that one who repays a kindness with evil is called a “naval.” Indeed, what type of person would repay good with evil, if not one who is “naval” ? The generation living prior to the destruction of the first Bais Ha’Mikdash is reproved by Yeshayahu Ha’Navi as being worse than animals. The prophet declares, “The ox…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“May my teaching drop like the rain, may my utterance flow like the dew.” (32:2)

Moshe Rabbeinu prayed that the words of Torah would continue to nurture the Jewish soul just as rain and dew nourish the soil. The various commentators suggest reasons that Moshe used the similes of rain and dew to describe the Torah’s essence and inspiration. This writer once heard the following: Rain falls from the heavens to give life to the earth. Dew, on the other hand, rises from the ground to provide moisture for the growing vegetation. Rain and dew interact with one another to provide the optimal climate for physical growth. Nature presents us with the model for spiritual…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayeilech

“So now, write this song for yourselves and teach it to the Bnei Yisrael, place it in their mouth.” (31:19)

In a sermon delivered at the writing of a new Sefer Torah, Horav Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, z.l., offered the following parable to explain this pasuk. There once were two sisters who met a number of years after they had each been married. One sister, who had married a young man from a wealthy family, dressed in a manner which reflected her material success. The other sister had married a poor fellow who did not have the good fortune to better his lot during his married life. It was truly surprising that at their meeting both sisters bemoaned their lot in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayeilech

“And I will surely have concealed My face on that day.” (31:18)

There will be times when Am Yisrael will be in such desperate straits that they will feel that Hashem has forsaken them as a result of their iniquity. Hashem responds to this fear, assuring that He will never forsake His People. His presence may be concealed, but it will never disappear. In a homiletic rendering of the pasuk, the Baal Shem Tov interprets the words rh,xt r,xv as, “I will hide the hidden.” Hashem will send His blessing in a concealed manner — through the vehicle of pain and suffering. In fact, the blessing will be hidden so well, the…

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“And by all the strong hand, and all the great fear which Moshe did in the eyes of all Yisrael.” (34:12)

“May Reuven live and not die, and may his population be included in the count.” (33:6)

“He became king over Yeshurun when the numbers/leaders of the nation gathered the tribes of Yisrael in unity.” (33:5)

“The Torah that Moshe commanded us is the heritage of the congregation of Yaakov.” (33:4)

“Ascend to this Mount of Avarim … and die on the mountain … and be gathered to your people just as Aharon your brother died on Har Ha’Har.” (32:49,50)

“For they are a generation of reversals, children whose upbringing is not in them.” (32:20)

“Is it to Hashem that you do this? O’ vile and unwise nation! Is He not your Father, your Master; has He not created you and firmed you?” (32:6)

“May my teaching drop like the rain, may my utterance flow like the dew.” (32:2)

“So now, write this song for yourselves and teach it to the Bnei Yisrael, place it in their mouth.” (31:19)

“And I will surely have concealed My face on that day.” (31:18)

YEARS

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