Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“Zevulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea, and he (shall be) a shore for ships.” (49:13)

Rashi explains that Zevulun’s descendants would always be found in the region of the ports to which ships would bring their wares. Zevulun engaged in commerce and provided sustenance for the tribe of Yissachar, while Yissachar engaged in Torah study. This is consistent with the pasuk in Devarim 33:18 in which Moshe bids his farewell to Klal Yisrael saying, “Rejoice Zevulun in your going out (to commerce) and Yissachar in your tents.” Indeed, the relationship between Yissachar and Zevulun was truly a remarkable one. This may be understood from the fact that the Torah places Zevulun before Yissachar, since Zevulun…

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ולא יכול יוסף להתאפק לכל הנצבים עליו... ולא עמד איש אתו בהתודע יוסף אל אחיו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Vayigash

Now Yosef could not restrain himself in the presence of all who stood before him… Thus no one remained with him when Yosef made himself known to his brothers. (45:1)

If ever a passage in the Torah has been laden with ambiguity, it is the episode of Yosef with his brothers. Clearly, whatever explanation we offer is superficial. The story of Yosef and his brothers is replete with profound esoteric principles that absolutely defy our ability to understand. These are the ways of G-d. We are not capable of understanding Hashem’s reasons for causing Yaakov’s troubles, Yosef’s loneliness, and the brothers’ envy which precipitated the twenty-two year separation of the father from his beloved son. The manner in which Yosef and his brothers finally became reunited and reconciled is no…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayechi

“Yehudah, you, shall your brethren praise, your hand (shall be) on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down before you.” (49:8)

The name “Yehudi,” which is a term applied to all Jews, is taken from the name Yehudah. The qualities which gave Yehudah pre-eminence should be found within the Jewish nation. This is an inherent component of their national personality, fulfilling their mandate as “Yehudim.” What does the name Yehudah signify? Horav Mordechai Ilan z.l., suggests that Yehudah implies two perspectives. The essence of Yehudah is malchus, sovereignty and kingship. Every Jew’s demeanor should carry an air of malchus. This is consistent with Chazal’s statement in the Talmud, Shabbos 111a, “All Jews are the sons of kings.” A certain refinement within…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayechi

“And he blessed them on that day saying, ‘with you Yisrael (Jewry) will bless (their children) saying: Hashem should make you like Efraim and Menashe.'” (48:20)

This blessing has become the standard for blessing children throughout history. Yaakov’s words express the hope that every Jewish child will follow in the path of Yosef’s two sons. What traits did Efraim and Menashe exemplify that distinguished them from any of the other shevatim? Horav Meir Bergman, Shlita, makes a profound observation. The “way of the world” is that each ensuing generation digresses a bit more spiritually. As we become increasingly distant from the source of spirituality, we lose sight of our spiritual roots. Our ambitions no longer translate into lofty goals. We become complacent and settle for achievements…

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ויגש אליו יהודה ויאמר

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Vayigash

Then Yehudah approached him and said. (44:18)

To approach someone prior to speaking to him is self-evident. Unless one wants to shout across the room, he must move over towards the individual with whom he is about to speak. Why does the Torah seem to underscore that Yehudah “approached” Yosef? It could have written simply that Yehudah spoke with Yosef, without mentioning that he approached him. Indeed, every word in the Torah has a purpose. The Torah is Divinely authored. Hashem places a word in the Torah for a distinct reason, to convey an important and meaningful message. What is Vayigash, “And he approached,” teaching us? Horav…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayechi

“And Yosef saw that his father had placed his right hand on Efraim’s head … and Yosef said to his father, ‘Not so, my father, this one (Menashe) is the first-born. Place your right hand on his head.’ And his father refused.” (48:17-19)

Prior to blessing his grandsons, Yaakov placed his right hand upon Efraim and his left hand upon Menashe. In Yosef’s eyes, this seemed inappropriate, since Efraim was the younger son. Consequently, he attempted to move his father’s right hand and place it upon Menashe’s head. Yaakov immediately resisted, insisting upon keeping his right hand on Efraim’s head. The Midrash lends an amazing insight into the dialogue between Yaakov and Yosef at this time. Yaakov told Yosef, “You want to push aside the hand that fought off one third of the world!” This reference is to Eisav’s angel who fought with…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayigash

“Now I can die since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.” (46:30)

The word ogpv, “now,” does not seem to fit into the text. Rashi cites Chazal who reveal a message underlying Yaakov’s words. Yaakov told Yosef, “Now that you are alive, I will die only once.” There are two types of death. First, there is the physical death which confronts every being of flesh and blood. Second, there is another, more definitive form of death — spiritual death. Such spiritual extinction is characterized by the lack of eternity in the individual. Yaakov proclaimed, “I see that you and your children have continued to maintain and forge future links in the legacy…

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הפעם אודה את ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5774

This time I will give thanks. (29:35)

Rashi explains that Leah Imeinu’s present expression of gratitude coincided with the birth of her fourth son, Yehudah, because she now realized that she had received more than her equal share. Since Yaakov Avinu had four wives and was destined to have twelve sons, each wife would be expected to have three sons. With the fourth son, Leah had taken more than her share. In the Talmud Berachos 7b, Chazal make what seems to be an enigmatic statement. “From the time that Hashem created the world, no one had come forth and thanked Hashem until Leah came along and offered…

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וישא את קולו ויבך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5774

And he raised his voice and wept. (29:11)

Horav Yaakov Galinsky, Shlita, relates that he once visited the Steipler Gaon, Horav Yaakov Kanievsky, zl, and the Gaon’s countenance was illuminated. The Steipler was the essence of Torah, and, undoubtedly, this was Torah related – which it was. “Sit down; I want to share a chiddush, original thought, with you. When Avraham Avinu sent Eliezer to seek a wife for Yitzchak, he did not send him empty handed. The Torah details the wealth of gifts that Eliezer brought with him to ‘seal the deal.’ Clearly, Yitzchak Avinu sent his son with no less. Yet Yaakov Avinu bemoaned the fact…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayigash

“And Yehudah he sent before him to Yosef, to show (the way) before him to Goshen.” (46:28)

Rashi explains that Yaakov did not have Yehudah precede the rest of the family merely for a practical purpose. He sent Yehudah to Goshen to establish a Bais Ha’midrash from which Torah would emanate. Despite Yaakov Avinu’s original uncertainty, he was finally satisfied that Yosef was alive and well. The decision to leave his home and take his entire family to a country characterized by corruption and immorality was not an easy one. Nonetheless, Yaakov prepared for this sojourn in Egypt in a unique way. Indeed, his preparations should serve as prototype for us, wherever we may be, regardless of…

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“Zevulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea, and he (shall be) a shore for ships.” (49:13)

ולא יכול יוסף להתאפק לכל הנצבים עליו... ולא עמד איש אתו בהתודע יוסף אל אחיו

Now Yosef could not restrain himself in the presence of all who stood before him… Thus no one remained with him when Yosef made himself known to his brothers. (45:1)

“Yehudah, you, shall your brethren praise, your hand (shall be) on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down before you.” (49:8)

“And he blessed them on that day saying, ‘with you Yisrael (Jewry) will bless (their children) saying: Hashem should make you like Efraim and Menashe.'” (48:20)

ויגש אליו יהודה ויאמר

Then Yehudah approached him and said. (44:18)

“And Yosef saw that his father had placed his right hand on Efraim’s head … and Yosef said to his father, ‘Not so, my father, this one (Menashe) is the first-born. Place your right hand on his head.’ And his father refused.” (48:17-19)

“Now I can die since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.” (46:30)

הפעם אודה את ד'

This time I will give thanks. (29:35)

וישא את קולו ויבך

And he raised his voice and wept. (29:11)

“And Yehudah he sent before him to Yosef, to show (the way) before him to Goshen.” (46:28)

YEARS

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