Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“Yosef is a charming son, charming to the eye.” (49:22)

The commentaries offer varied interpretations of Yaakov’s blessing to Yosef. They all share the common concept that Yosef’s blessing is imbued with the warmest terms of affection. Yaakov keeps his most commendatory blessing for Yosef, the one who is twice referred to as “son.” After all his suffering, Yosef receives his due acclaim and reward. Horav Eli Munk, z.l., defines Yosef’s distinction in the following manner: Yehudah was proclaimed the undisputed leader over the brothers. He demonstrated natural authority and enjoyed uncontested popularity. Yosef, however, whose spiritual and physical attributes were greater, always provoked the jealousy and hatred of the…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayechi

Shimon and Levi are brothers… cursed be their anger for it is fierce and their fury for it is hard.”(49:5,7)

Rashi notes that even during his reproach to Shimon and Levi, Yaakov designated only their anger as inappropriate. Their action and resulting consequences were not Yaakov’s focus. Rather, he deplored their origin. Unrestrained fury ignited their fiery response to their sister’s debasement. Indeed, anger is viewed by the Arizal as the ultimate contaminant of morality. When anger begins to direct a man’s conduct, the sparks of holiness which permeate his soul depart from him, only to be replaced by the powers of spiritual impurity. Countless times Chazal have described the consequences suffered by a person who becomes angry. Although this…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayigash

“And these are the names of Yisrael’s children who came to Egypt.” (46:8)

From the ensuing list of names, we see that all of Yaakov’s children maintained their names. Only these original names are used whenever the children are mentioned in the Torah. By recording these names, the Torah emphasizes the importance of keeping names of Jewish origin especially when facing dangers of assimilation, such as those which threatened Bnei Yisrael who entered the Egyptian exile. Maintaining their Jewish names created for the Jewish people a moral and spiritual safeguard. It also served as a self- defense mechanism against the winds of assimilation. Indeed, one of the principle merits of Bnei Yisrael cited…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayigash

“And Yaakov said to Pharaoh… few and unhappy have been the days of the years of my life.” (47:9)

The Daas Zekeinim cite the Midrash that states that Hashem shortened Yaakov’s life-span as compared to Yiztchak’s because of this remark. Hashem told Yaakov, “I saved you from Eisav and Lavan and returned Dinah and Yosef to you, and yet you complain that your life has been short and unhappy. You shall not live as long as your father did!” Horav Benzion Bruk, z.l., in a thesis on the depth of judgement which Hashem applies to the righteous, cites this Midrash as the source of a great moral lesson for us. Imagine, if you will, one who has suffered overwhelming…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayigash

“Hasten and go up to my father and say unto him, so said your son Yosef” (45:9) – “And behold your eyes see… that it is my mouth that speaks to you” (45:12) – “And when he (Yaakov) saw the wagons which Yosef had sent… then the spirit of Yaakov their father revived.” (45:27)

When Yosef and his brothers met, they reconciled. Yosef quickly dispatched his brothers to bring their aged father to Egypt. He subtly communicated to his father that he still remained his son in the truest sense of the word – ;xuh lbc rnt vf. “Although I am geographically distanced from you, I am nonetheless your Yosef. I never yielded to temptation or capitulated to the adverse influences of the Egyptian lifestyle.” He continued this dialogue by underscoring his ability to speak lashon ha’kodesh, the holy language. “Your eyes see that it is my mouth that speaks to you.” The text…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Mikeitz

“And Yisrael said, why have you dealt ill with me, to tell the man that you had yet a brother.” (43:6)

From his loss of Yosef until this juncture, the Torah refers to the Patriarch as Yaakov. This is the first instance in which the Torah refers to him with the name Yisrael, signifying strength. The name Yaakov implies a depressed state of mind in which one feels despondent It describes one who is “limping behind” circumstances (as in uag ceg – Eisav’s heel), unable to master over them. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., explains his sudden change in the following manner: The believing Jew only feels despondent when he is at a loss to know what he should do. The righteous…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Mikeitz

“We are all sons of one man….your servants are not spies.” (42:11)

The Ramban offers insight into the dialogue between Yosef and his brothers. Yosef questioned the need for all the brothers of such a prestigious family to journey to Egypt to purchase food. Obviously, such a mission could have been accomplished by a few of the brothers, together with an entourage of servants. The brothers responded that “we are sons of one man” – and our father, seeking to minister to the needs of brotherhood and unity, insisted that we travel together. Such a journey of togetherness would promote brotherly love. Horav A. H. Lebowitz, Shlita, notes that Yaakov’s decision…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Mikeitz

“For Hashem has made me forget all my previous misfortune and all my father’s house.” (41:51)

The usual translation for ohekt hbab is “Hashem has made me forget, (all my previous misfortune and all my father’s house).” This notion engenders a distasteful feeling. It seems objectionable that Yosef would be anxious to disassociate himself with his elderly father and all of his family. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., notes that this would explain Yosef’s deficiency in getting in touch with his family for such a long time. To state, however, that Yosef’s heart was so cold is simply preposterous! The various commentaries imply justifiable reasons for Yosef’s inaction. Horav Hirsch cites another interpretation for the word hbab….

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Mikeitz

“So now let Pharaoh look for a man discreet and wise. And set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, appoint officers over the land and impose a fifth on the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty.” (41:33,34)

Yosef advised Pharaoh to seek a wise man who would be capable of managing Egypt during the ensuing years of plenty and famine. Yosef was chosen for this position because of his profound wisdom. He proceeded to suggest that food be stored during the years of plenty in order to provide sustenance for the Egyptian people during the approaching years of famine. At first glance, Yosef’s advice hardly indicates great wisdom! Any person with minimal intelligence would realize that one must prepare for the years of famine during the years of abundance. What was the mark of Yosef’s great wisdom?…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayeishev

“And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt, and his baker had sinned against their master, the king of Egypt.”(40:1)

Later on in the story the pasuk refers to them in a slightly different way. “And Pharoah became angry against his two officials, the prince of the butlers, and the prince of the bakers.” (40:1) While in the first pasuk they are simply referred to as butler and baker, they are referred to as “prince” of the butlers and “prince” of the bakers in the second pasuk. Horav S. R. Hirsh, z.l., notes the apparent mockery reflected in the pathos of these “princes.” They are princes to those beneath them in status, but to those above them they are merely…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5753 ->

“Yosef is a charming son, charming to the eye.” (49:22)

Shimon and Levi are brothers… cursed be their anger for it is fierce and their fury for it is hard.”(49:5,7)

“And these are the names of Yisrael’s children who came to Egypt.” (46:8)

“And Yaakov said to Pharaoh… few and unhappy have been the days of the years of my life.” (47:9)

“Hasten and go up to my father and say unto him, so said your son Yosef” (45:9) – “And behold your eyes see… that it is my mouth that speaks to you” (45:12) – “And when he (Yaakov) saw the wagons which Yosef had sent… then the spirit of Yaakov their father revived.” (45:27)

“And Yisrael said, why have you dealt ill with me, to tell the man that you had yet a brother.” (43:6)

“We are all sons of one man….your servants are not spies.” (42:11)

“For Hashem has made me forget all my previous misfortune and all my father’s house.” (41:51)

“So now let Pharaoh look for a man discreet and wise. And set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, appoint officers over the land and impose a fifth on the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty.” (41:33,34)

“And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt, and his baker had sinned against their master, the king of Egypt.”(40:1)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!