Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“Hashem has made me a master over all of Egypt.” (45:9)

Yosef’s statement regarding his influential position in Egypt hardly seems the proper news to relate to Yaakov. Would Yaakov be impressed and overjoyed with “nachas” that his son has become the Viceroy of Egypt? We must therefore say that it is not the actual position which Yosef has assumed that is being emphasized, but rather it is Yosef’s description of this position. When one is elevated to a position, or receives a promotion of any kind, it is natural to say that it was either the result of the influence of an individual or a response to a specific action….

Home -> Vayigash -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayigash

“And Yosef said to his brothers, “I am Yosef – is my father still alive?” And his brothers were not able to answer him since they were frightened at his presence. (45:3)

Rashi explains “They were frightened because they were overwhelmed with shame. “Woe is to us the day of judgement – woe is to us the day of rebuke… Yosef was the youngest of the tribes and yet they could not stand up to his rebuke” (Midrash Rabba). This Midrash has become a source of inspiration and guidance for anyone seeking to properly repent before Hashem. What is the difference between “day of judgement” and “day of rebuke“. Are they not the same? We must say that the actions for which a person is accountable are varied. There are actions…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Mikeitz

(Indeed) (But) we are guilty concerning our brother. (42:21)

Teshuva is a spiritual phenomenon which must be expressed verbally as the Viduy (confession). The Rambam states that the major part of this Confession consists of the words “ubjbt kct ubtyj”. These three words acknowledge man’s failure in serving Hashem properly. It may be suggested that the inclusion of the word “but” is not only crucial, but is perhaps the device which allows us not only to sin, but also to maintain a facade of innocence and virtue. Very few people are really mean and malicious. Most people are decent, and truly admire virtue and righteousness. However, we tend to…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Mikeitz

“And Yosef called the name of his firstborn Menashe, for Hashem has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” (41:51) – “And the name of the second he called Ephraim, for Hashem has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (41:52)

In naming his two sons, Yosef reflects on the two reasons why a person abandons the faith of his people and his upbringing. One reason is because he is made to forget. He is forced to go to a foreign country , where he has no home, no money, no friends, where the language is a barrier. When he faces such circumstances he quickly forgets the teachings of his youth. He no longer has time to pray, to keep Shabbos, and to perform all the mitzvos he was taught. There is yet another reason why one forsakes his faith. One…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Mikeitz

The food will be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine.” (41:36)

The concept of taking moments of “abundance” and storing these moments so that they may be later utilized during moments of “famine” may be applied in our daily life. We often come upon moments of “famine”, when our spiritual strength is strained and we are in need of spiritual support to overcome the trials of the hour. How we have utilized our moments of “abundance” will decide how successful we will be when we face these rough times. The daily Tefillos (prayers) are prime sources of spiritual sustenance. The Kuzary compares the three daily Tefillos to the three daily meals….

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Mikeitz

“And Pharaoh dreamed, and behold he stood by the river.” (41:1)

The Torah recounts the story of Pharaoh’s dreams, how he saw seven healthy cows being consumed by seven meager and thin ones. He also dreamt a second dream where seven thin sheaves of corn consumed seven fat ones. All of Pharaoh’s wise men attempted to interpret these dreams, but not to Pharaoh’s satisfaction. Yosef’s interpretation of seven good years followed by seven years of famine was accepted, and Yosef was appointed the viceroy to the king. Why was this? What was so unique and significant about Yosef’s interpretation? The difference between the interpretations lies in the focus of the dreams….

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeishev

“And he went into the house to do his work.” (39:11)

Potiphar’s wife made every attempt to entice Yosef to sin. Chazal comment that it was the appearance of his father’s image which ultimately saved him from falling prey to her enticements. We may suggest a novel approach to the narrative of Yosef and Potiphar’s wife, which has its roots in Yosef’s whole approach to service of Hashem. Yaakov taught his children that one should be “a simple scholarly man dwelling in tents” and to simply maintain a low profile when associating with the rest of the world. This outlook mandates one to refrain from any form of assimilation, such as …

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeishev

“And it came to pass at that time and Yehudah went down from his brothers.” (38:1)

Rashi comments: This is to teach us that his brothers lowered him from his exalted rank, when they saw their father’s grief. They said “You said to sell him. Had you said to return him, we would have listened to you.” Sforno comments in even stronger terms by claiming that the tragic loss of Yehuda’s two sons was a punishment for not insisting that Yosef be saved. The accusation being leveled at Yehudah and the resulting punishments seem overly severe. Surely had Yehudah felt that his brothers would accept his words, he would have asserted himself and demanded that Yosef …

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeishev

“Because he was the son of his old age.” (37:3)

Rashi comments: And Unkelus translates ben zekunim as “he was a wise son to him” – whatever Yaakov learned from Shem and Ever he transmitted to Yosef. The commentary indicates that the source of the brothers’ jealousy of Yosef was that their father had transmitted to him the Torah he had studied at the Yeshiva of Shem and Eiver. They reasoned that just as with Avrohom and Yitzchok only one son was worthy of receiving the tradition from his father, so too, Yosef would be that one. The brothers then asked, “Why doesn’t our father also teach us the…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeishev

“And Yaakov dwelt in the land where his father settled.” (37:1)

Rashi comments: Yaakov desired to dwell in peace. And as a result the troubles of Yosef befell him. The righteous desire to dwell in peace! Hashem said, “Is it not sufficient for the righteous that which is prepared for them in Olam Haba, but they seek also in this world?” This Rashi needs explanation. It is hard to say that Hashem begrudges the righteous the benefits of this world. The Torah does not refer to the “retirement” of the righteous and their desire for various rewards. The reference is to the education and training of one’s children. Yaakov was…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5751 ->

“Hashem has made me a master over all of Egypt.” (45:9)

“And Yosef said to his brothers, “I am Yosef – is my father still alive?” And his brothers were not able to answer him since they were frightened at his presence. (45:3)

(Indeed) (But) we are guilty concerning our brother. (42:21)

“And Yosef called the name of his firstborn Menashe, for Hashem has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” (41:51) – “And the name of the second he called Ephraim, for Hashem has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (41:52)

The food will be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine.” (41:36)

“And Pharaoh dreamed, and behold he stood by the river.” (41:1)

“And he went into the house to do his work.” (39:11)

“And it came to pass at that time and Yehudah went down from his brothers.” (38:1)

“Because he was the son of his old age.” (37:3)

“And Yaakov dwelt in the land where his father settled.” (37:1)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!