Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

ראה אנכי נותן לפניכם היום ברכה וקללה

See! I place before you today a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

Noticeably, the Torah begins with the word Reeh, see, in the singular, and concludes with nosein lifneichem, “(I) give before you,” in the plural. Why is this? The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, explains that each and every person has his own unique perspective and individual understanding of Torah which coincides with his spiritual level. Thus, it says, “See,” to the individual. The Torah, however, was given to all Jews collectively, which is alluded to by the words lifneichem, before you, in the plural. Horav Yitzchak, zl, m’Vorka, traveled together with Horav Avraham Moshe, zl, m’Peshischa to visit a certain tzaddik, holy,…

Home -> 5776 -> Re'eh

ראה אנכי נותן לפניכם היום ברכה וקללה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5776

See! I present before you today a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

The Daas Zekeinim m’Baalei Tosfos offer a novel interpretation of the word reeh, see, focusing on what it was the nation was to look at. Moshe Rabbeinu said to Klal Yisrael: “See – look at me. I chose the derech tov, the path which leads to blessing. As a result, I look different.” This is reference to the karnei or, rays of Divine light, which emanated from Moshe, causing his countenance to radiate. Horav Eliyahu Svei, zl, observes that, although Moshe presented the people with a choice of two divergent paths, one, which leads to blessing, and the other, which…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5762

ויקבר אתו בגי... ולא ידע איש את קברתו עד היום הזה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, V'zos HaBrachah

“He (Hashem) buried him in the depression…and no one knows his burial place to this day.” (34:6)

Hashem did not want Moshe’s burial place to become a shrine for those who deify national heroes. This idea begs understanding. Should not Moshe Rabbeinu, the quintessential teacher and leader of Klal Yisrael, have some form of matzeivah, monument, erected in his memory? A monument is a symbol, a place where people can assemble, to daven, recite Tehillim, supplicate the neshamah, soul, of the deceased to intercede on their behalf. Should our great Moshe Rabbeinu not have a matzeivah just because some people might use his burial place inappropriately? I think the answer lies in the definition and purpose of a…

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וימת שם משה עבד ד...' על פי ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In V'zos HaBrachah

“So Moshe, servant of Hashem, died there…by the mouth of Hashem.” (34:5)

The Torah ends with Moshe Rabbeinu’s passing from his earthly abode. Others died, but none with such ceremony, with Hashem Yisborach serving as the Chevra Kadisha, Jewish Sacred Burial Society. There are some things in life that are inevitable. Everyone must take leave of this world. When this occurs is up to Hashem. How it occurs is more or less up to us, as we decide the amount of preparation we are willing to do. We are instructed to “repent one day before you die.” Since no one knows his end of time, he should prepare his entire life with teshuvah,…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5762

וישכן ישראל בטח בדד עין יעקב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, V'zos HaBrachah

“Thus, Yisrael shall dwell secure, solitary, in the likeness of Yaakov.” (33:28)

Horav Yitzchok Aramah, z.l., the Baal Akeidas Yitzchak related a story to interpret this pasuk. The king of France became very ill. Doctors were brought in from near and far, and no one could devise a therapy for the king’s illness. The king of Spain heard about the French king’s dilemma and sent a message that he had a brilliant physician who could care for the king. He was a Jewish apostate who had left his faith in pursuit of fame and fortune. The French king refused to accept this doctor. He explained that if he was truly so proficient, it…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5762

ויבא משה וידבר את כל דברי השירה הזאת באזני העם הוא והושע בן נון

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“Moshe came and spoke all the words of this Song in the ears of the people, he and Hoshea bin Nun.” (32:44)

Moshe Rabbeinu stood with his trusted disciple, Yehoshua, indicating that the transfer of leadership would soon occur. It was important for the people to see Yehoshua up there together with Moshe during Moshe’s lifetime, so that no one would say that he rose to power only after Moshe’s death. Interestingly, here the Torah refers to Yehoshua by his original name, Hoshea. Moshe had changed his student’s name prior to leaving for Eretz Yisrael with the meraglim, spies. The added letter was to protect him from the spies’ false counsel. Kli Yakar explains that since that whole generation was now gone, he…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5762

צור ילדך תשי ותשכח קל מחללך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“You ignored the Rock Who gave birth to you, and forgot G-d Who brought you forth.” (32:18)

Every faculty with which man is endowed can be used positively or negatively. Certainly, Hashem’s desire is that we use these G-d- given faculties for a positive goal. The Kotzker Rebbe, z.l., says that the ability to forget is a perfect example. Shikchah, forgetfulness, is a gift, a vehicle through which we are able to proceed beyond our past troubles. If we do not forget the unpleasant occurrences in our lives, they will gnaw at us, wreaking havoc upon our emotional stability. Regrettably, some of us use this gift to forget Hashem’s beneficence and patience with us. The Dubno Maggid, z.l.,…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5762

שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“Ask your father and he will relate to you, and your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

The Kelmer Maggid, z.l., addressed the redundancy of this pasuk homiletically. In earlier generations, children asked their father questions regarding religion, its codes and laws – and they received an answer. Regrettably, in contemporary times, many fathers are no longer “equipped” with the answer. Thus, they tell their children to turn to their elders, the grandfather who still remembers the answer. Let us for a moment analyze what has occurred. While it is true that many fathers are ill-prepared to respond to their children, what is the reason for this? Where were their fathers, the grandfathers, to whom we are now…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5762

זכר ימות עולם בינו שנות דר ודר שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“Remember the days of yore, understand the years of generation after generation; ask your father and he will relate it to you; your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

argum Yonasan interprets this pasuk as a reference to listening to daas Torah, the Torah’s perspective, as expounded by our gedolei Yisrael, Torah leaders. The answer to all of our questions is in the Torah. A talmid chacham, Torah scholar, using his acutely “Torah- developed” mind, is able to render a response to our every issue, regardless of its mundane nature. Torah encompasses every aspect of our lives. We should look to it and its disseminators for guidance. Nachlas Tzvi cites a powerful story that illustrates the incredible depth of daas Torah: The story is about a young man who…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5762

הלד' תגמלו זאת עם נבל ולא חכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Ha'azinu

“Is it to Hashem that you do this, o’ vile and unwise people?” (32:6)

In the list of middos, character traits, that can possibly define one’s personality, the middah of hakoras ha’tov, appreciation and expression of gratitude, is of pivotal significance. Relationships, our attitude toward Hashem and our fellowman, indicate our true character. Our Sages were meticulous in their “observance” of this middah. They made every effort to “recognize” every bit of benefit they received – directly or inadvertently, from another person – and return the favor, always cognizant of their “debt” of gratitude. Elisha Ha’navi was the beneficiary of a simple favor from the Shunamis. His appreciation of her gift compelled him to pray…

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ראה אנכי נותן לפניכם היום ברכה וקללה

See! I place before you today a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

ראה אנכי נותן לפניכם היום ברכה וקללה

See! I present before you today a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

ויקבר אתו בגי... ולא ידע איש את קברתו עד היום הזה

“He (Hashem) buried him in the depression…and no one knows his burial place to this day.” (34:6)

וימת שם משה עבד ד...' על פי ד'

“So Moshe, servant of Hashem, died there…by the mouth of Hashem.” (34:5)

וישכן ישראל בטח בדד עין יעקב

“Thus, Yisrael shall dwell secure, solitary, in the likeness of Yaakov.” (33:28)

ויבא משה וידבר את כל דברי השירה הזאת באזני העם הוא והושע בן נון

“Moshe came and spoke all the words of this Song in the ears of the people, he and Hoshea bin Nun.” (32:44)

צור ילדך תשי ותשכח קל מחללך

“You ignored the Rock Who gave birth to you, and forgot G-d Who brought you forth.” (32:18)

שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

“Ask your father and he will relate to you, and your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

זכר ימות עולם בינו שנות דר ודר שאל אביך ויגדך זקניך ויאמרו לך

“Remember the days of yore, understand the years of generation after generation; ask your father and he will relate it to you; your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

הלד' תגמלו זאת עם נבל ולא חכם

“Is it to Hashem that you do this, o’ vile and unwise people?” (32:6)

YEARS

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