Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“And take for you pure olive oil.” (27:20)

“Hashem has called you a verdant olive tree.” (Yirmiyahu 11:16) What made Yirmiyahu compare Bnei Yisroel to an olive tree? All drinkable liquids mix with each other, but oil stands alone. So too, Bnei Yisroel, do not mix with the other nations. As it says (Devarim 7:3) “And you should not be intermarried with them” (Midrash). The Jewish people are gifted with a very special attribute. Similar to oil which does not mix with water, so too, Bnei Yisroel by virtue of their Divinely inspired nature cannot intermingle with other nations, even if it is their choice to do…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5751

“And you shall make the beams for the Mishkan of Shitim wood.” (26:15)

Chazal explain that the Shitim wood from which the walls of the Mishkan were made were from trees that did not bear fruit (Shemos Rabba 35:5). There is a lesson to be derived from this statement. It is not the structure that bears fruit; even the most beautiful building will not produce the spirit of Judaism. Buildings are but mere edifices of wood and stone, architectural monuments to mankind; but without the people inside, they are nothing. The Shitim wood of the Mishkan will not produce observant Jews and Torah scholars. It is the teaching that goes on inside which…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5751

“And you shall make two cherubim of gold.” (25:18)

Rashi explains that they had the form of the face of a child. The Holy Ark which contained the Torah, symbolized the importance of the proper attitudes necessary for the study of Torah. The faces of the Keruvim which were placed above the Ark had the form of children. There are various lessons to be derived from this. Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik Zt”l inferred that educating children is the foundation for the Divine Presence to dwell among us, since children are the guardians of the Torah, and therefore the security of maintaining the Jewish people as an eternal nation….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5751

“And they shall make for Me a sanctuary, then I will dwell in their midst. (25:8)

Rashi explains, and they shall make for My Name a house of holiness. Rashi emphasizes the correct attitude and proper intention one must have when donating to the Mishkan. A person is measured by the degree of his spiritual development which is realized through his relationship with holy sources. One source is man’s soul which is a minute fragment that is Divinely inspired. Another source is the dimension of time, namely shabbos during which one can experience spirituality. The Mishkan is a place in this world where one can attach himself to a source of holiness. This can only…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5751

“Speak unto the Bnei Yisroel and they shall take for Me an offering from every man whose heart makes him willing you shall take My offering.” (25:2)

From this parasha, where for the first time the Jewish people are requested to donate of themselves and their possessions, many of the commentators derive insights into the nature of the mitzvah of Tzedaka (charity). Various interpretations are given to the unusual wording of the posuk. One “gives” charity, therefore it should have said “and they shall give” rather than “and they shall take”. Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried Zt”l remarks that “they should take” connotes the very essence of the mitzvah. One who gives charity is really taking for himself, since he himself gains as a result of the performance of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5751

“And Moshe entered into the midst of the cloud, and he went up into the mountain. (24:18)

Rashi explains that this cloud was like a kind of smoke, and Hashem made for Moshe a path in the midst of it. In Parashas Yisro it states: And Moshe drew near to the thick darkness where Hashem was. (20:18) Rashi explains that Moshe went inside the three divisions: darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. There are three degrees of darkness expressed in the words darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. On this occasion, Moshe was able to penetrate all three layers of darkness, to the very heart of the heavens. We may apply this image of Moshe ascending to Hashem,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5751

“And Moshe took the blood and threw it towards the people and he said behold the blood of the covenant.” (24:8)

Moshe took the blood of the sacrifices and divided it, sprinkling half on the altar, and the other half towards the people. This expresses the idea that every drop of blood, that we use in carrying out Hashem’s will in this world, is returned to us in the full measure and precise manner that we give it to Hashem. This is Hashem’s response to the Naase Vnishma of the Bnei Yisroel. The blood symbolizes the mutuality of the covenant. We receive our lifeblood from Hashem, and we only have true possession of ourselves, if we dedicate ourselves to Him.

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5751

“When you lend money to My people, to the poor that are with you, do not be to him as a demanding creditor, nor shall you place any interest upon him. (22:24)

Chazal, when explaining this posuk, detail the various forms of kindness necessary in lending money. The lender should perceive the sensitivities of the borrower, and experience feelings of shame and embarrassment as he stands before him. Yet, the Torah strongly admonishes the lender not to take any interest. Yecheskel Hanovi, when castigating the usurer declares “And he shall not live!” (Yecheskel 18:13), which is a very unusual punishment for a negative commandment. However, rather than considering this a punishment, it should be viewed as an evaluation of the usurer’s unworthiness to live. Nevertheless, why is there such strong rebuke and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5751

“And these are the laws that you shall set before them.” (21:1)

Rashi explains that whenever the term “vkt” (these) is stated, it excludes the preceding sections, but when the term “vktu” (and these) is stated, it adds to the preceding. Just as the preceding laws were given at Mount Sinai, so too, were these given at Mount Sinai. Rashi reveals here the essential difference between Torah laws and the laws of the nations. The laws of the nations are founded upon the decision and approval of individuals who are readily influenced by the environment and age in which they live. Their various lifestyles and value systems will play a great role…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Bechukosai

“But if you will not listen to Me, and will not do all these commandments, and you will despise My laws. And your souls reject My regulations, so that all My commandments, not be fulfilled, whereby you break My covenant.” (26:14-15)

Rashi cites the Toras Kohanim who develops these pesukim into the seven point step-by-step spiritual deterioration of an individual. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch Zt”l vividly explains the cause and effect of each step of this regressive deterioration. “But if you will not listen to Me” – The decline begins with “not listening” to Hashem’s word which is defined as not “learning” the Torah’s precepts. The person who does not study and acquaint himself with Hashem’s precepts, becomes disobedient. The result of this theoretical sin is practical defection, or “you will not do”, one who does not “learn” will…

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“And take for you pure olive oil.” (27:20)

“And you shall make the beams for the Mishkan of Shitim wood.” (26:15)

“And you shall make two cherubim of gold.” (25:18)

“And they shall make for Me a sanctuary, then I will dwell in their midst. (25:8)

“Speak unto the Bnei Yisroel and they shall take for Me an offering from every man whose heart makes him willing you shall take My offering.” (25:2)

“And Moshe entered into the midst of the cloud, and he went up into the mountain. (24:18)

“And Moshe took the blood and threw it towards the people and he said behold the blood of the covenant.” (24:8)

“When you lend money to My people, to the poor that are with you, do not be to him as a demanding creditor, nor shall you place any interest upon him. (22:24)

“And these are the laws that you shall set before them.” (21:1)

“But if you will not listen to Me, and will not do all these commandments, and you will despise My laws. And your souls reject My regulations, so that all My commandments, not be fulfilled, whereby you break My covenant.” (26:14-15)

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