Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“And they shall take to them (every) man a lamb for their father’s house, a lamb for a household.” (12:3) – “And they shall slaughter it the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisrael… and they shall take of the blood and they shall put it upon the two doorposts and on the lintel.” (12:6,7)

In this pasuk we note the first mitzvah in which Bnei Yisrael are enjoined as they prepare for the Exodus from Egypt. It focuses upon the head of the house, while it also embraces the whole family. Even though there is great need for collective communal involvement, the individual is not absolved of his own personal responsibility. We have become so dependent upon communal institutions that we may have forgotten what it means to fulfill our obligations personally. We send the aged to be cared for by the communal organization and the poor to central tzedaka funds, while we relegate…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5753

“And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields.” (8:9)

The second plague to strike Egypt was frogs which swarmed all over the land. They found their way into every house, into the bedrooms, even into the ovens and kneading troughs. The Midrash extolls the virtue of these frogs. Their devotion to serving Hashem at the expense of their own lives has served as a paradigm of exemplary Kiddush Hashem. Their willingness to enter the burning hot ovens was totally alien to their natural instincts for survival. Yet, they overcame their very nature to serve Hashem. When the day arrived for that plague to subside, the frogs from all over…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5753

When Pharaoh will say to you. deliver a proof, then say to Aharon; take your staff and cast it before Pharaoh and it will turn into a crocodile.” (7:9)

In the Midrash, Chazal ask, “Why specifically did this miracle of the staff turning into a crocodile occur?” They respond that Pharaoh is compared to a crocodile. They cite the following pasuk in Sefer Yecheskel (29:3) – uhruth lu,c .curv kusdv ohb,vw A great animal of the sea which rests peacefully in its stream. Pharaoh said, “If the son of Abraham will come to me, I shall kill him.” When Moshe came to him, Pharaoh at once became as ineffective as a staff. We suggest that Chazal’s comparison of Pharaoh to a crocodile, who lies peacefully in the water awaiting…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5753

“And I will harden the heart of Pharaoh.” (7:3)

We are taught that every person has before him two paths: the path of good and life, and the path of evil and death. One of our prime tenets of faith is that we the have the freedom to choose between these contrasting paths. Pharaoh was evidently so evil that this opportunity was denied to him. There is a divergence of opinions among the commentaries regarding this denial. A unique insight offered by Horav Simcha Zissel, z.l., of Kelm sheds light upon this problem. He explains that by increasing Pharaoh’s obstinacy, Hashem was revealing the true character of evil-doers who…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5753

“And Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon, and he charged them to (lead) Bnei Yisrael (6:13)

Rashi explains that Hashem enjoined Bnei Yisrael‘s first “leadership” to guide them gently and patiently. The Midrash is more explicit in demanding forbearance from Bnei Yisrael’s leadership. Regardless of the people’s reluctance to obey, even if they respond to their leaders with animosity and impudence, the leaders must, nonetheless, patiently accept their behavior. Community service is demanding and may become demeaning. It can literally destroy a lesser individual. One who cannot maintain his composure in stressful situations is not qualified for a position of community leadership. Horav Shlomo Wolbe, Shlita, emphasizes that patience and forbearance are necessary attributes for…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Shemos

“And Hashem said I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt and their cry I have heard … because I know of their pain.” (3:7)

Hashem appeared to Moshe for the very first time in a burning thorn bush. Rashi explains the symbolism of the bush as representing Hashem’s “personal” sensitivity to Klal Yisrael’s pain and anguish – vrmc hfbt ung. Indeed, as Rashi states later in Parashas Mishpatim (24:10), even after the redemption Hashem kept brickwork from the time of the Egyptian bondage under His Heavenly throne. This attribute of caring for others and sharing their affliction is an essential attribute of a Torah leader. Upon seeing the burning bush, Moshe pondered why it was not being consumed. As he neared the bush, he…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Shemos

“Take off your shoes from your feet, for the place wherein you stand is holy ground.” (3:5)

This is the first reference in the Torah to the consecration of sacred ground. Hashem instructed Moshe to remove his shoes when treading upon this sacred soil. The custom to walk barefoot in the Bais Hamikdash originated from this pasuk. Indeed, even today the Kohanim remove their shoes when they approach the Duchan to bless the people. Although shoes have become an accepted convention to cover a part of the body, they were essentially designed for protection. Horav Moshe Swift, z.l., suggests that Hashem’s imperative to Moshe has a profound meaning for us. One whose feet are protected can walk…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Shemos

“And when Hashem saw that he turned aside to see, Hashem called to him from the midst of the bush.” (3:4)

Horav M. D. Soloveitchik, Shlita, notes the Torah‘s emphasis on Moshe’s “turning aside to see.” Such a wondrous fire burning in the desert should have attracted attention. Moshe, however, was the one who (was) ,utrk rx – turned to identify this unique fire. Moshe sought every opportunity to perceive, to attain whatever wisdom he could grasp. His love of wisdom was a natural result of his search for truth. This is the essence of a true talmid chacham. He is the consummate student of wisdom, always searching to satisfy his incessant desire for spiritual excellence. One who is complacent and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Shemos

“And these are the names of Bnei Yisrael who came into Egypt.” (1:1)

Rashi cites the Midrash which states that Bnei Yisrael were counted twice as a result of Hashem’s great love for them. They were counted when they were about to go down to Egypt. They were counted a second time after their deaths. They made their mark both in life and in death. It is not sufficient to have lived and made one’s mark only during one’s lifetime. How many of us bequeath a legacy after death for our children and ensuing generations to inherit? People are born and die. During their lifetimes, many lead productive lives. Each individual must examine,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5751

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master” (Haftara)

“A son honors his father, this refers to Eisav who honored his father very much” (Midrash Rabba). When Chazal choose to describe the essence of the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents, they adopt Esov’s performance as the epitome of observance of this mitzvah. They teach us that the honor Eisav showed his parents was so superior, that in its merit alone he nearly superceded Yaakov. If so, we may ask how could Eisav have remained so wicked? Does one not better himself through the performance of mitzvos? Why is this mitzvah so commonly found among people who otherwise place so…

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“And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields.” (8:9)

When Pharaoh will say to you. deliver a proof, then say to Aharon; take your staff and cast it before Pharaoh and it will turn into a crocodile.” (7:9)

“And I will harden the heart of Pharaoh.” (7:3)

“And Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon, and he charged them to (lead) Bnei Yisrael (6:13)

“And Hashem said I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt and their cry I have heard … because I know of their pain.” (3:7)

“Take off your shoes from your feet, for the place wherein you stand is holy ground.” (3:5)

“And when Hashem saw that he turned aside to see, Hashem called to him from the midst of the bush.” (3:4)

“And these are the names of Bnei Yisrael who came into Egypt.” (1:1)

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master” (Haftara)

YEARS

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