Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

ויברא אלקים את האדם בצלמו בצלם אלקים ברא אותו

And G-d created man in his image, in the image of G-d He created him. (1:27)

According to Chazal, the creation of man was perfection personified. It was only after he sinned that his stature was diminished, that he became imperfect. Ever since then, no man has been born perfect. He must spend his infancy and youth developing his strength, his physical and intellectual abilities, leading up to a more perfect version of that to which man can and should aspire. This is accomplished through years of study, guidance from those more experienced, and much hard work. Why is it this way? The animal world does not seem to have this “problem.” Immediately after birth, animals enter the…

Home -> 5768 -> Bereishis

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמתנו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5768

And G-d said, “Let us make man in Our image, as Our likeness.” (1:26)

Man was created in Hashem’s image. This means that every human being, regardless of his or her position, shares a unique quality with Hashem. This is the Tzelem Elokim, image of G-d. While man’s physical appearance does not mirror G-d, he has a quality which is uniquely endemic to man – his ability to exercise free will, which relates him in some way to Hashem. While Hashem always chooses correctly – man does not. Man errs and is subject to his inclinations which very often reign over him. Thus, man’s ability to choose between good and evil is what makes him G-d-like….

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5767

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5767, V'zos HaBrachah

And by all the strong hand and by all the awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

The concluding pasuk of the Torah describes Moshe Rabbeinu’s greatest feat as the quintessential leader of Klal Yisrael and its consummate rebbe. His acceptance of the Luchos in his two hands and his subsequent shattering of them in the presence of the entire Jewish nation – because he felt that their sin concerning the Golden Calf negated the message of the Luchos – are considered Moshe’s greatest moments, the epitaph by which he is to be remembered. Moshe lived an incredible life of dedication to Hashem and to His nation. He achieved a position of leadership unparalleled, yet, he is…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5767

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5767, V'zos HaBrachah

And by all the strong hand and by all the awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

This is a nice ending to the Torah that Hashem gave to Klal Yisrael through Moshe Rabbeinu. In fact, this pasuk, describing Moshe’s shattering of the Luchos, serves as the quintessential leader’s epitaph, his greatest moment, and most significant achievement. What about the Jewish People? It is not very comforting to know that the Torah ends with their iniquity. Is it really that important to conclude the Torah with a recap of one of the most serious errors in Jewish history? Horav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zl, suggests that, in effect, this conclusion to the Torah is far from a critique…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5767

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5767, V'zos HaBrachah

And by all the strong hand and by all the awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

Rashi explains that the “strong hand” is a reference to Moshe Rabbeinu accepting the Luchos from Hashem in his hands. Although the Luchos were of extraordinary weight, Moshe was able to carry them. “Before the eyes of all Yisrael” refers to Moshe’s decision to break the Luchos in the presence of the entire nation, when he was confronted with the sin of the Golden Calf. Hashem ratified his action, as Chazal say, Yeyasher kochacha sheh’sheebarta, Hashem “thanked” him for breaking the Luchos. We wonder if it had really been necessary for Moshe to break the Luchos. Why did he not…

Home -> 5767 -> Bereishis

לפתח חטאת רובץ

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5767

Sin rests at the door. (4:7)

The yetzer hara, evil inclination, does not give up. It waits vigilantly for the yetzer hara, evil inclination, does not give up. It waits vigilantly for the opportunity to entice the individual to sin. The Midrash draws a comparison between the evil inclination and the dogs in Rome. Apparently, the dogs in Rome were extremely astute in providing sustenance for themselves. They would park themselves at the back of the baker’s door, where he stacked his freshly baked breads. As the baker stacked the breads, the dog feigned sleep in order not to arouse the baker’s vigilance. As soon as many breads…

Home -> 5767 -> Bereishis

ארורה האדמה בעבורך... כי עפר אתה ואל עפר תשוב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5767

“Accursed is the ground because of you…For you are dust, and to dust shall you return.” (3:17,19)

It is difficult to understand the way in which Adam HaRishon, the crown of Creation, Hashem’s handiwork, transgressed His explicit command, a command that was punishable by death. If this is so, as the Rambam states in his Moreh Nevuchim (1,2), why was he punished so severely? Anybody can err. Furthermore, why did Chavah believe the serpent’s assurances over Hashem’s explicit warning? Indeed, something was wrong with her reply to the snake, “Lest we die” (Bereishis 3:3). Did Hashem not say that death would clearly be the punishment? In his Madreigos Ha’Adam, the Alter, zl, m’Novardok, Horav Yosef Yozel Horowitz,…

Home -> 5767 -> Bereishis

וירא אלקים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאד

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5767

And G-d saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. (1:31)

After Hashem created the world in its entirety, the Torah declares that it was not only good, but it was very good. On an individual basis, each creation in isolation may be viewed as inherently good. When everything is combined into the larger context, it becomes very good. Even those creations that appear to be evil – such as misery, pain and even death – have their place in the larger scheme of things. Thus, in the total context of existence, we can view them as being very good. Indeed, the Midrash says: “Tov, good: this is the angel of…

Home -> 5767 -> Bereishis

ויאמר אלקים יהי אור ויהי אור

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5767

And G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (1:3)

In Sefer Tehillim (119:130) David Ha’melech says, “The introduction of Your words illuminates.” The Midrash in Sefer Shemos explains that this pasuk refers to the opening words of the Torah, “In the beginning G-d created.” Light preceded all of the rest of Creation. Similarly, the Aron HaKodesh, which housed the Torah, also called ohr, light, preceded the other vessels of the Mishkan. Light must precede every other creation; in fact, it must precede everything. The ability to see clearly, to understand the basic foundation of knowledge, is a prerequisite for an undistorted view of life. Clarity of vision is the…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5766

ולא קם נביא עוד בישראל כמשה...ולכל היד החזקה...אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5766, V'zos HaBrachah

And no prophet has arisen in Yisrael like Moshe… and for all the mighty hand… that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:10,12)

Moshe Rabbeinu was the quintessential leader of the Jewish People. His epitaph is stated in the last verses of the Torah, where he is lauded as the greatest Prophet in Yisrael who was the conduit for Hashem’s miraculous signs and wonders, which revealed Hashem in His Almighty power. Moshe displayed his “mighty hand,” the hand that would not brook any impudence from within – any form of deviation that would alienate his people from the truth. Moshe received the Torah from Hashem with his own hands. His hands were unique, representing an individual who had reached the epitome of service to…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Bereishis ->

ויברא אלקים את האדם בצלמו בצלם אלקים ברא אותו

And G-d created man in his image, in the image of G-d He created him. (1:27)

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמתנו

And G-d said, “Let us make man in Our image, as Our likeness.” (1:26)

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

And by all the strong hand and by all the awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

And by all the strong hand and by all the awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

And by all the strong hand and by all the awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

לפתח חטאת רובץ

Sin rests at the door. (4:7)

ארורה האדמה בעבורך... כי עפר אתה ואל עפר תשוב

“Accursed is the ground because of you…For you are dust, and to dust shall you return.” (3:17,19)

וירא אלקים את כל אשר עשה והנה טוב מאד

And G-d saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. (1:31)

ויאמר אלקים יהי אור ויהי אור

And G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (1:3)

ולא קם נביא עוד בישראל כמשה...ולכל היד החזקה...אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

And no prophet has arisen in Yisrael like Moshe… and for all the mighty hand… that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:10,12)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!