Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers, Avraham and Yitzchak. (48:16)

Why does Yaakov mention his own name before he mentions his father and grandfather? Why does he not demonstrate the mitzvah of Kibud Av, honoring one’s father? Horav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, suggests a practical reason for this omission: Yaakov was saying that his grandsons should be a source of such nachas that not only should I be pleased, but even my forefathers will be filled with nachas. Kol Yehudah suggests that Yaakov was referring to the attributes represented by each of the Patriarchs. Avraham Avinu devoted himself to the middah of chesed. He reached out with kindness to an entire…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayechi

He blessed Yosef and he said,…”O G-d who shepherds me from my inception until this day.” (48:15)

Targum Unkeles understands “ha’roeh osi,” “Who shepherds me”, as “Who sustains me.” Interestingly, Yaakov Avinu finds no other time suitable to offer his gratitude to the Almighty for sustaining him and providing for his basic material needs. He refers to the G-d before whom his ancestors walked, whose angel redeemed him from all evil, and adds – “Who has sustained me.” Why did Yaakov find it necessary to supplement his praise of Hashem with the more “basic and simple” praise of sustenance? Horav Gershon Leibman, Shlita, Rosh Hayeshiva of Bais Yosef in France, extends this question. We thank Hashem for…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayechi

But as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died on me on the road…and I buried her there on the road to Efras, which is Bais Lechem. (48:7)

On what basis did Yaakov expect Yosef to bury him in the Meoras Ha’Machpeilah, when Yaakov did not do so for Yosef’s mother, Rachel? Sensing Yosef’s possible quandary, Yaakov Avinu responded with the reason that he purposely buried Rachel by the roadside. When the Jewish people were to be led to captivity after the destruction of the first Bais Hamikdash, they would receive solace from Rachel’s grave. When they passed along the road to Bais Lechem, anguished, persecuted, depressed and exhausted, Rachel’s soul would come to her grave to supplicate the Almighty on their behalf. Rachel’s cries for her children…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

And Lavan came up with Yaakov. And Yaakov pitched his tent on the mountain and Lavan with his brethren pitched in the mountain of Gilaad. (31:25)

Lavan was intent on destroying Yaakov. What prevented him from executing his diabolical plan? Chazal tell us that Lavan feared two things: First, Hashem told Lavan to stay away from Yaakov. Second, Lavan was aware that Eisav was coming toward Yaakov with an army of four hundred men. If Lavan had killed Yaakov, his brother Eisav would have sought revenge. Lavan was not prepared to risk his life to kill Yaakov. What an incredible statement! The four hundred men who were apparently viewed as the enemy were, ironically, actually his savior in disguise. Horav Chaim Zaitchik, zl, takes this lesson…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

And Yaakov kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. (29:11)

Rashi cites various reasons which Chazal mention for Yaakov’s weeping upon meeting Rachel. One reason is that Yaakov lamented the fact that when Eliezer came to Rivkah, at Avraham Avinu’s behest to seek a wife for Yitzchak, he came with jewelry and precious stones. In contrast he was coming with nothing. Rashi explains that Yaakov gave all of his possessions to Elifaz, Eisav’s son, who at his father’s command had chased after him to kill him. At the last minute, however, Elifaz just could not do it. He was overcome with doubt, confused by a life of error and misconception. …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

And will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear… and Hashem will be a G-d to me. (28:20, 21)

The Baal HaTanya and the Kedushas Levi, Horav Levi Yitzchak M’berditchev, were mechutanim, relatives by marriage, through the marriage of their grandchildren. At the wedding, which these two tzaddikim graced by their presence, the Baal HaTanya offered a “l’chayim” to his mechutan: “L’Chayim, mechutan! Hashem Yisborach should help us with gashmius and ruchnius, material and spiritual needs,” said the Baal HaTanya. The Berditchever quickly asked, “How is it that you ask for material needs prior to spiritual needs?” “Is it any different than Yaakov Avinu, who first asked for bread and then asked that Hashem be a G-d to him?”…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

Then Yaakov took a vow, saying, “If Hashem will be with me, will guard me on this way that I am going; will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear. (28:20)

The Midrash Tanchuma notes that Hashem responded to all of Yaakov’s requests, with the exception of his request for parnassah, livelihood. Hashem said that He would be with him, protect him from his enemies, and guarantee his safe return home. He did not acquiesce to Yaakov’s simple request for bread and clothes, explaining, “If I guarantee his food, what will he pray for?” In other words, Hashem “held back” His assurance regarding Yaakov’s livelihood, to ensure that Yaakov would continue to supplicate Him for it. This is an incredible statement when you consider that Yaakov Avinu was not requesting luxuries. …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

And he lay down in that place. (28:11)

Rashi cites the Midrash that emphasizes that Yaakov Avinu lay down now – for the first time in fourteen years. His Torah study was so diligent that he had not laid down at night since he had left his parents’ home fourteen years earlier. Let us examine this statement. Certainly, Yaakov studied at the yeshivah of Shem and Eivar prior to his untimely departure from home. The Torah does not mention his lack of sleep there. What was so unique about these fourteen years that he never laid his head down? Horav Yechiel M’Ostrovtze, zl, explains that these were two…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

He took from the stones of the place, which he arranged around his head. (28:11)

In the Midrash, Chazal render this pasuk to mean that Yaakov Avinu took several stones, which began “quarrelling,” each one vying for the tzaddik to rest his head on it. “Alai yaniach tzaddik es rosho,” “Upon me shall this tzaddik rest his head.” Noticing this arguement, Hashem combined them all into one stone upon which Yaakov would rest. Horav Zaidel Epstein, Shlita, derives a profound lesson from here. Jewish tradition disapproves of machlokes, conflict, regardless of its goal, even if the dispute is about upon which stone the tzaddik should rest his head. As long as the “alai“, “me”, is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

He encountered the place and spent the night there because the sun had set. (28:11)

Chazal credit Yaakov Avinu with introducing Tefillas Arvis. Thus, the word “vayifga,” which is usually translated as “he encountered,” means, “and he prayed.” Prayer is, in essence, an encounter with the Almighty. The Patriarchs initiated each of the daily tefillos. Regarding Avraham Avinu, who originated Tefillas Shacharis, the Torah says, “Avraham rose early in the morning to the place where he had stood before Hashem” (Bereishis 19:27). The Torah uses the word, “amidah,” standing, regarding Avraham. In contrast, pegiah, encounter, is used in regard to Yaakov. Finally, the word, “sichah,” – “Yitzchak went out to supplicate (lasuach) in the field,”…

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May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers, Avraham and Yitzchak. (48:16)

He blessed Yosef and he said,…”O G-d who shepherds me from my inception until this day.” (48:15)

But as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died on me on the road…and I buried her there on the road to Efras, which is Bais Lechem. (48:7)

And Lavan came up with Yaakov. And Yaakov pitched his tent on the mountain and Lavan with his brethren pitched in the mountain of Gilaad. (31:25)

And Yaakov kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. (29:11)

And will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear… and Hashem will be a G-d to me. (28:20, 21)

Then Yaakov took a vow, saying, “If Hashem will be with me, will guard me on this way that I am going; will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear. (28:20)

And he lay down in that place. (28:11)

He took from the stones of the place, which he arranged around his head. (28:11)

He encountered the place and spent the night there because the sun had set. (28:11)

YEARS

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