Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

“The Bnei Yisrael should encamp each man by his banner/flag according to the insignias of their fathers’ household, at a distance surrounding the Ohel Moed.” (2:2)

Bnei Yisrael were divided into formations of three tribes each. These formations were known as degalim, banners/flags. They represented the grouping of the tribes according to their history, personality and individual strengths. The degalim took effect one year after Bnei Yisrael’s liberation from the Egyptian bondage. We may wonder why Hashem waited so long to form the designated encampments and divisions. Why were they not arranged in their distinct order immediately upon their exodus from Egypt? Horav Yaakov Kamenetzky, zl, offers a practical insight which carries with it a timeless message. The division of Bnei Yisrael into harmonious but distinct…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bamidbar

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their father’s household, by number of the names…. from twenty years of age and up, everyone who goes out to the legion in Yisrael.” (1:2,3)

This is the third census within a relatively short period of time. When Bnei Yisrael left Egypt, the Torah (Shemos 12:37) states, “About six hundred thousand men on foot aside from children.” Once again, after the sin of the Golden Calf, Hashem counted them by means of a half shekel to determine how many were left after the sinners had died. The Torah (Shemos 38:26) states, “A half-shekel … for everyone who passed through the census takers, from twenty years of age and up for the six hundred three thousand, five hundred fifty.” As they are now counted once again,…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bamidbar

“From twenty years and upward all that are able to go forth to war in Yisrael, you shall number them by their hosts.” (1:2)

All male members of the tribes were soldiers – except the Leviim. The census counted everyone from age twenty and above -except Shevet Levi. Is this not ironic? Who came forward with his brother, Shimon, to avenge the shame of their sister, Dinah, if not Levi? When Bnei Yisrael sinned with the Eigel Ha’zahav, Golden Calf, Moshe Rabbeinu called out for “volunteers” to expunge the evil from the people. “Mi L’Hashem Eilai,” “Who is for Hashem (shall come) to Me!” he declared, and who came, if not Shevet Levi? When Zimri, the Nasi of Shevet Shimon, publicly desecrated Hashem’s Name…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bechukosai

“Any tithe of cattle or of the flock, any that passes beneath the staff, the tenth one shall be holy to Hashem.” (27:32)

The process of maaser beheimah, tithing of animals, is unique indeed. The entire newborn herd or flock is put into a corral with a narrow opening, and the animals are permitted to leave one by one. The owner then touches each tenth animal with a paint-daubed stick, designating it as maaser. This procedure is enigmatic. Why can he not simply take one tenth of his herd and give it away as maaser? Is this process not cumbersome? Horav Shlomo Aharonson, zl, once posed this question to two brothers who were renown for their philanthropic work. The Rav had approached the…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bechukosai

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham I will remember.” (26:42)

Rashi comments on the order in which the Patriarchs are listed in this pasuk. The order implies that the merit of Yaakov is sufficient to bring redemption to his descendants. If his merit is found to be insufficient, we can turn to Yitzchak in whose merit our redemption will be effected. If this is still not enough, we rely upon Avraham Avinu’s merit to bring about our redemption. We may question the reversed sequence of the Avos. Is not Yaakov considered to be the bchir ha’Avos, chosen of the Patriarchs? Why, then, is he listed first? In sequence, Yaakov should…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bechukosai

If you follow My decrees… then I will provide your rains in their time… But if you will not listen to Me… then I will do the same to you.” (26:3,4,14,16)

This parsha is often misunderstood to be dealing with reward and punishment, blessings and curses. This is absolutely not true. Hashem does not curse. The correct name given to that portion of the parsha in which the reader recites the various “responses” to our iniquitous behavior is the “tochachah,” warning, admonishment. Horav Moshe Swift, zl, remarks that reward and punishment are applicable in the hereafter. In this world, however, we deal with direct consequences. Every action or endeavor promotes a consequence. If we walk in Hashem’s path, if we observe His mitzvos, then the consequences are positive. We will receive…

Home -> Behar -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Behar

“If you will say, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year?’ I will ordain My blessing for you in the sixth year and it will yield a crop sufficient for three years.” (25:20,21)

What really is the question? Let us see the sixth year’s yield. If it is sufficient for three years, why is the individual questioning Hashem? If it is insufficient, what response are we giving to him? The commentators respond with various approaches to this obvious question. The Alter M’Novardek, zl, offers a powerful insight into the concept of bitachon, trust in the Almighty, which sheds light on the pesukim. The individual of no faith does not wait until the sixth year to question Hashem. He does not wait patiently until the last minute, anticipating a cure, a livelihood, an answer…

Home -> Behar -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Behar

“The Shabbos/Shemittah growth of the land shall be yours to eat.” (25:6)

In the Talmud Avodah Zarah 62a, Chazal infer that we may eat that which grows during the Shemittah year. The produce, however, may not be bought and sold commercially. Chazal expound upon the stringency of the command prohibiting any form of commerce with the fruits of shviis, the seventh year. What is so unique about this prohibition is that there seems to be such an anathema about it? Indeed, Chazal teach us that one who buys or sells peiros sheviis will ultimately lose all of his possessions. He will be compelled to beg for his sustenance, to the point that…

Home -> 5756 -> Emor

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5756

“The son of an Israelite woman went out and he was the son of an Egyptian man… and the son of the Israelite woman pronounced the Name and blasphemed …. the name of his mother was Shlomis bas Divri of the tribe of Dan.” (24:10,11)

Why does the Torah place such great emphasis upon the mother of the blasphemer? Rashi comments that her name, Shlomis, was given to her as a result of her frequently addressing others, “Shalom to you,” as an opening for a conversation that would lead to gossip. Horav M.D. Solovetichik, Shlita, feels that her lack of tznius, modesty and discretion, her constant chattering with whomever came her way, was the basis of her son’s miscreancy. When the mother is not a tznuah, the child may gravitate towards evil behavior. Horav Soloveitchik cites the Talmud Yumah 47b, which relates that Kimchis had…

Home -> 5756 -> Emor

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5756

“These are My appointed festivals: for six days labor may be done, and the seventh day is a day of complete rest. A holy convocation.” (23:2,3)

Rashi explains that some basic halachic differences differentiate Shabbos from the mo’adim, festivals. They are, however, listed together in order to teach us that one who desecrates the festivals is considered as if he desecrated the Shabbos. Likewise, one who upholds the festivals is viewed as if he upheld the Shabbos. What is the underlying message of this lesson? Horav David Feinstein, Shlita, offers a novel insight into Rashi’s comment. Hashem Yisborach is not only the G-d of Creation, He is also the G-d of history. We believe that just as Hashem created the world, He continues to direct every…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5756 ->

“The Bnei Yisrael should encamp each man by his banner/flag according to the insignias of their fathers’ household, at a distance surrounding the Ohel Moed.” (2:2)

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their father’s household, by number of the names…. from twenty years of age and up, everyone who goes out to the legion in Yisrael.” (1:2,3)

“From twenty years and upward all that are able to go forth to war in Yisrael, you shall number them by their hosts.” (1:2)

“Any tithe of cattle or of the flock, any that passes beneath the staff, the tenth one shall be holy to Hashem.” (27:32)

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham I will remember.” (26:42)

If you follow My decrees… then I will provide your rains in their time… But if you will not listen to Me… then I will do the same to you.” (26:3,4,14,16)

“If you will say, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year?’ I will ordain My blessing for you in the sixth year and it will yield a crop sufficient for three years.” (25:20,21)

“The Shabbos/Shemittah growth of the land shall be yours to eat.” (25:6)

“The son of an Israelite woman went out and he was the son of an Egyptian man… and the son of the Israelite woman pronounced the Name and blasphemed …. the name of his mother was Shlomis bas Divri of the tribe of Dan.” (24:10,11)

“These are My appointed festivals: for six days labor may be done, and the seventh day is a day of complete rest. A holy convocation.” (23:2,3)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!