Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“And you say in your heart my power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth. But you should remember Hashem your G-d, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth.” (8:17,18)

Horav E. Dessler, z.l., explains that all which comprises an individual’s creative personality, including his capacity to earn a livelihood, his intelligence, foresight, business acumen, and skill, are the products of Hashem’s beneficence. In fact, every facet of one’s existence is derived from Hashem. The miracle of physical and mental health is not the direct result of the nutrition inherent in the food we eat. Rather, Hashem employs the food as a vehicle by which He imparts this seemingly natural blessing. Horav Dessler cites Targum Onkelos, who explains that the thought process which catalyzes every endeavor is actually the work…

Home -> 5753 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5753

“And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless Hashem your G-d for the good land which He has given you.” (8:10)

This pasuk implies that Bircas Ha’mazon is not merely a formal offering of gratitude for the meal which we have eaten. Rather, it proclaims our acknowledgment that Hashem is the source of all things. Indeed, we even submit our thanks to Hashem for providing us with our land. This seems enigmatic. Imagine being invited to someone’s home for dinner and, after the meal, thanking the host for the use of his furniture and home during the course of the meal. This expression of gratitude is undoubtedly excessive. Why, then, is it necessary to specifically mention the land during Bircas Ha’Mazon?…

Home -> 5753 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5753

“And you shall teach them diligently to your children.” (6:7)

Rashi explains that “your children” refers to one’s students. Indeed as Rashi notes, “talmidim,” students, are often referred to as “banim,” children. It seems puzzling that the Torah would refer to students as children, thereby attributing to the rebbe, teacher, the status of a father. Chazal clearly state that a rebbe has greater halachic status than a father, since the rebbe “brings” the student into “Olam Ha’bah,” while the father brings him only into Olam Ha’zeh. Horav M. Feinstein, z.l., explains that, just as a father bequeaths his child specific natural traits, so, too, a rebbe imbues his student with…

Home -> 5753 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5753

“Love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your might.” (6:5)

The Talmud in Berachos explains “with all your heart,” “levovcha,” is the plural form of “lev,” which implies two hearts or two distinct natural drives, the good nature and evil nature of a person. This statement seems enigmatic. How does one serve Hashem with his evil inclination? Should not evil be uprooted? Horav Moshe Rosenstein, z.l., posits that serving Hashem with one’s evil impulse is actually easier and less complex than serving Hashem with one’s good nature. Horav Rosenstein explains that to love someone means to relinquish one’s possession to the other person. The ability to surrender an object, to…

Home -> 5753 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5753

“And now Yisrael, listen to the statutes and the laws . . . so that you may live and go and take possession of the land.” (4:1)

Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., notes that this pasuk presents the Torah’s prescription for life. Free-willed obedience and adherence to the laws mandated by Hashem allows us truly to “live.” Only by devoting all of our energies to the observance of Hashem’s laws do we attain life. His laws must shape our thought processes and regulate our sensitivities. If Torah does not regiment our life, if its values are not our values, then we have not lived; we have merely existed. Free-willed obedience to the Torah serves as the criterion for our individual lives, transforming mere existence into true living. So,…

Home -> 5753 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5753

“And see with your eyes.” (3:27)

Rashi explains that Hashem responded to Moshe’s request that he be permitted to see the “good land” by showing him the entire land. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., questions this response. Did Moshe merely want to “see” Eretz Yisrael? The Talmud in Sotah 14A states that Moshe’s yearning for Eretz Yisrael originated from a deep longing to perform the specific mitzvos which are applicable only in Eretz Yisrael. Why, then, did Moshe want to “see” the land, and what was Hashem’s response? Horav Alpert explains that Moshe cherished Eretz Yisrael for its holiness. He sought the opportunity to imbue Klal Yisrael…

Home -> 5753 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5753

“And I beseeched Hashem at that time, saying.” (3:23)

Chazal state that Moshe prayed 515 prayers, entreating Hashem to permit him to enter Eretz Yisrael. He was even willing to enter as an animal, sustaining himself on grass and water, as long as he could be in Eretz Yisrael. When Hashem denied him this request, he asked to be transformed into a bird which could fly throughout the land. Hashem also denied Moshe this plea. This Chazal demands an explanation. What could Moshe have accomplished in Eretz Yisrael as an animal or a bird? If he could not perform mitzvos in Eretz Yisrael what value would his merely dwelling…

Home -> Devarim -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Devarim

“And we circled Mount Seir many days. And Hashem spoke to me saying ‘you have long passed this mountain, turn you northward.'” (2:1,2,3)

The Midrash interprets the phrase vbupm ofk ubp “turn you northward,” as vru,k ofk ubhpmv “hide yourselves for Torah.” This Midrash suggests a profound idea. Throughout our history, we have attempted to solve all of our problems with one common panacea, assimilation. If only we would develop a greater, more open-minded relationship with the gentile world, we would be accepted as equals and all of our problems would dissipate. Unfortunately, a perusal through Jewish history indicates the opposite. Every time we have attempted to break through the religious barriers by assimilating with our gentile neighbors, we have been driven back…

Home -> Devarim -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Devarim

“And you murmured in your tents and said ‘because Hashem hated us, He has brought us forth out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Emori to destroy us.” (1:27)

In Parashas Shelach the Torah extensively addresses the sin of the meraglim, spies. In this parsha, a new dimension to this sin is revealed as Moshe recounts Klal Yisrael’s past iniquities. In their unfounded complaint against Hashem, Klal Yisrael added the above statement, “Because Hashem hated us, He took us out of Egypt.” Such harsh criticism is not offered in any other context. In fact, this explains the eternal punishment effected by the sin of the meraglim. Klal Yisrael experienced the greatest miracles in Egypt. The Red Sea was wondrously split before their eyes. They were fed manna in the…

Home -> Devarim -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Devarim

“How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance and your burden and your strife?” (1:12)

The Midrash in Eichah distinguishes among three prophets who prefaced their prophecy with the word “Eichah.” The first was Moshe, who remonstrated about his obligation to deal personally with all of Klal Yisrael’s strife and complaints. Yeshayahu, the second, lamented Bnei Yisrael’s infidelity with the words vbuzk v,hv vfht, ‘How had the faithful city become like a harlot?” Third, Yirmiyahu, who beheld Klal Yisrael in their disgrace, said, ssc vcah vfht, “Alas, she (Klal Yisrael) sits in solitude.” These three statements apply to our people in the various stages of their development and ultimate disgrace. Horav M. Rogov, z.l., explains…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Eikev ->

“And you say in your heart my power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth. But you should remember Hashem your G-d, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth.” (8:17,18)

“And you shall eat and be satisfied and bless Hashem your G-d for the good land which He has given you.” (8:10)

“And you shall teach them diligently to your children.” (6:7)

“Love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your might.” (6:5)

“And now Yisrael, listen to the statutes and the laws . . . so that you may live and go and take possession of the land.” (4:1)

“And see with your eyes.” (3:27)

“And I beseeched Hashem at that time, saying.” (3:23)

“And we circled Mount Seir many days. And Hashem spoke to me saying ‘you have long passed this mountain, turn you northward.'” (2:1,2,3)

“And you murmured in your tents and said ‘because Hashem hated us, He has brought us forth out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Emori to destroy us.” (1:27)

“How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance and your burden and your strife?” (1:12)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!