Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“And the princes brought the Shoham stones.” (35:27)

The Midrash relates that when the princes of each tribe heard that Hashem wanted a Mishkan erected, they suggested to Moshe that they would supply all the necessary materials for the Mishkan. Moshe responded that Hashem would accept contributions from anyone who was willing to give. The Nesiim then decided, that rather than donate together with Klal Yisroel, they would supply whatever would be lacking. They underestimated the generosity of the Bnei Yisroel, who gave eagerly and lovingly, so that no more material was needed. The Nesiim were left excluded. Seeking to still have a part in the building of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayakhel

“And every wise person among you shall come and do all that Hashem has commanded. (35:10)

The Baal Shem Tov offers an insight into the Torah‘s concept of wisdom from this posuk. There is no wisdom as the wisdom of action. The most elevated form of all wisdoms, the highest aspect of being a true wise person is not to be a wise individual in theory alone, but rather to do all that Hashem has commanded us. A person who performs a mitzvah because of a sense of understanding, applying his “wisdom” in “agreement” with Hashem, is not serving Hashem in its true essence. He must learn to serve and do without “wisdom”, and act because…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayakhel

“Six days work shall be performed.” (35:2)

This posuk translated according to the vowel points under the word “vag,” is defined in the following manner: “Six days work shall be performed”, thus the emphasis is on the work which is performed. This is in contrast to the vowel points being read as “vag,” which would translate as “six days “you” should perform work.” Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried Zt”l explains that only one who truly believes that his sustenance is from Hashem, and that the amount of work which he performs will not influence his livelihood, can rest peacefully on Shabbos. This is in contradinction to one who feels…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Ki Sisa

“And Hashem said to Moshe hew out two tablets of stone like the first ones.” (34:1) – “And no man shall go up with you and neither let any man be seen throughout all the mountain.” (34:3)

Says Rashi: “The first tablets were given amidst great pomp and upheaval, therefore the evil eye had power over them (they did not endure and were destroyed when the Jews worshipped the Golden Calf.) There is no finer quality than modesty.” Rashi explains the apparent contrast between the way the first set of tablets was given and the manner in which the second set was given. Thus the second set of tablets which was given in silence in the presence of only one human being endured. To the modern mind the suggestion that because revelation occurred amidst pomp…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Ki Sisa

And he made of it a molten calf. Then they said “these are your gods Yisroel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt.” (32:4) – “And on the day when I remember, I will remember their sin against them.” (32:34)

As we read the Torah‘s account of the sin of the Golden Calf, we only wonder in amazement at the rapid transformation of the Jewish people. Having reached the awesome plateau of belief in Hashem which they experienced at Mount Sinai, for them to then fall to such depths of degradation, is astonishing. However, as the commentaries explain, it was the Eirev Rav (mixed multitude) who came with them from Egypt who were actually the perpetrators of this terrible transgression. Those individuals who were involved in the actual sin of making and serving this makeshift idol were punished either by…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Ki Sisa

For this man Moshe brought us up out of the land of Egypt we do not know what became of him.” (32:1)

Rashi says: An image of Moshe was shown to them by the Satan as Moshe was being carried in the sky. Rashi explains how the Satan was able to deceive the Jewish people into believing that Moshe had died. The Daas Zekainim states that there were three groups involved in the incident of the Golden Calf. One group intended only to create a leader to replace Moshe but not to make an idol of the calf. A second group accepted the Golden Calf as an idol. The third group consisted of the members of the tribe of Levi,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Ki Sisa

“And in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom.” (31:6)

Regarding this posuk the Talmud states that “Hashem only grants wisdom to those in whom wisdom is already present“. Hashem only uses as an instrument for His Divine wisdom one who already possesses, having developed on his own, the gift of human wisdom. What is the indication that one has developed his gift of human wisdom? Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz Zt”l explains that one must be one “who seeks the word of Hashem”. A person must exhibit an unrelenting quest to attain an understanding of Torah in its depth and breadth. He must be diligent in guarding the fruits of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5751

“And bring near Aharon your brother.” (28:1)

The Ibn Ezra explains that Aharon was chosen to carry the mantle of priesthood since he was married to Elisheva, the sister of the famous Nachshon Ben Aminadav, who was the first one to enter the Red Sea. Rather than delve into the significance of being Nachshon’s sister, we may suggest another insight to be derived from the Ibn Ezra. It is the basic understanding that children are the products of their parents. Their character development is greatly influenced by the distinct character traits they individually inherit from their parents. The Ibn Ezra is teaching us that even the parents…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5751

“Aharon and his sons shall arrange for the lamps to burn from evening until morning.” (27:21)

The Kohanim were obliged to tend the lights of the seven-branched Menorah every morning and evening. The Kohain in charge was to kindle the seven wicks in the following order: working from the last light on the right side toward the center, and then working from the last light on the left side toward the center. The Sforno explains this procedure as intending to convey the central point of unity to which all Jews, no matter what their position – whether to the right or to the left – must convene and rally. In Parashas Beha’alosecha he explains that the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5751

“Aharon and his sons shall arrange for the lamps to burn from evening until morning.” (27:21) – “And bring near your brother… to be Kohanim to Me.” (28:1)

Aharon was enjoined regarding the preparation and kindling of the Menorah even prior to his being selected as the Kohain Gadol. This would seem to indicate that Aharon’s task of lighting the Menorah was exclusive of his position as Kohain Gadol. It was due to Aharon’s exemplary character traits that he merited the position of lighting the Menorah, as well as being selected as Kohein Gadol. The Menorah, being the symbol of the light of Torah which spreads throughout the world, can serve as a vehicle from which to derive certain basic formulas for the proper approach to teaching Torah….

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“And the princes brought the Shoham stones.” (35:27)

“And every wise person among you shall come and do all that Hashem has commanded. (35:10)

“Six days work shall be performed.” (35:2)

“And Hashem said to Moshe hew out two tablets of stone like the first ones.” (34:1) – “And no man shall go up with you and neither let any man be seen throughout all the mountain.” (34:3)

And he made of it a molten calf. Then they said “these are your gods Yisroel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt.” (32:4) – “And on the day when I remember, I will remember their sin against them.” (32:34)

For this man Moshe brought us up out of the land of Egypt we do not know what became of him.” (32:1)

“And in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom.” (31:6)

“And bring near Aharon your brother.” (28:1)

“Aharon and his sons shall arrange for the lamps to burn from evening until morning.” (27:21)

“Aharon and his sons shall arrange for the lamps to burn from evening until morning.” (27:21) – “And bring near your brother… to be Kohanim to Me.” (28:1)

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