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זאת חקת התורה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Chukas, 5777

This is the statute of the Torah. (19:2)

The parsha begins with the words, chukas haTorah, statute of the Torah, when, in fact, it is addressing the laws of Parah Adumah, Red Cow, which is a chok, statute whose rationale defies human logic. In other words, the parsha should have begun with the words, “This is the statute of the Red Cow.” Horav Yaakov Galinsky, zl, takes a practical approach towards explaining this, saying that a corollary exists between Torah and Parah, in that the anomaly which distinguishes Parah Adumah as a chok likewise applies to the Torah. The primary chok of Parah Adumah (exclusive of the entire…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5777

ואולך אתכם קוממיות

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5777, Bechukosai

And I led you erect. (26. 13)

Being a true servant of Hashem is not compatible with being/walking erect. Indeed, a little crimp in his walk, a slight curvature, rather than standing fully erect, demonstrates a sense of humility before Whom he stands. Horav Baruch, zl, m’Medziboz, explains that the epitome of hishtachavus, bowing, genuflection, is achieved when one stands straight, externally manifesting a regal, dignified, appearance, while internally he bows before Hashem. In other words, one does not have to show that he is bowing – as long as, in his mind and psyche, he is bent over. Horav Menachem Mendel, zl, m’Vorko, was wont to…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5777

ונתתי שלום בארץ ושכבתם ואין מחריד

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5777, Bechukosai

I will provide peace in the Land, and you will lie down with none to frighten you. (26:6)

The blessing of peace, of Jews getting along with one another, is awesome – and also quite daunting. This is especially true when envy enters the question. Jealousy is quite possibly the greatest catalyst for discord among fellows who “used to be” friends. One becomes jealous of the other, or, as often happens, a spouse become jealous, and, by allowing one thing to lead to another, two friends, or even brothers, can suddenly be transformed into rivals – or worse, enemies. In addressing the above pasuk, the Ksav Sofer cites the Alshich Hakadosh in his commentary to Sefer Koheles 5:11,…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5777

אם בחקתי תלכו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5777, Bechukosai

If you will follow My decrees. (26:3)

A clear difference exists between a Jewish child reared in a lifestyle replete with Torah values and one who is not. Is there a cure –to all of society’s ills, to American family crisis, to the troubles that haunt our youth and plague our adults? Yes, there is, and it is to be found in the words of the Midrash’s commentary to the opening pasuk of our Parshah. Im bechukosai teileichu, “If you will follow My decrees.” The Midrash quotes David Hamelech, Bechol yom veyom ha’yisee mechashev lemakom peloni, u’l’vais dirah pelonis ani holeich, v’hayah raglai molichos osi l’batei kneisios…

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Home -> Bechukosai -> 5777

אם בחקתי תלכו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5777, Bechukosai

If you will follow My decrees. (26:3)

Rashi interprets “following” in Hashem’s decree as, Shetiheyu ameilim baTorah, “You will toil in Torah; engage in intensive Torah study.” If one studies Torah in a lackadaisical manner, it undermines the importance of Torah. One does not take chances; his mind will not wander when he is holding dynamite. He will be very careful. Likewise, one who lacks the respect for the Torah as manifest by his lack of intensity, will ultimately reject the Torah and everything for which it stands. Horav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, zl, was a gadol, Torah giant, whose ameilus, toil, was evident when he gave shiur,…

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Home -> Behar -> 5777

וכי ימוך אחיך... והחזקת בו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5777, Behar

If your brother becomes impoverished… you shall strengthen him. (25:35)

The Pele Yoetz writes: “Chesed, performing acts of kindness, is a pillar of the world. It is one of those mitzvos whose fruits are eaten in this world, but whose principal remains for him (generating reward) in Olam Habba, the World to Come.” The Chafetz Chaim writes that the performance of chesed can engender such incredible merit that it has the power to overwhelm the Middas HaDin, Attribute of Strict Justice. Rebbetzin Miriam Shmuelevitz, wife of the venerable Rosh Yeshivah of Mir Yerushalayim, was very involved in a successful chesed organization that reached out to Jews all over Yerushalayim. I…

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Home -> Behar -> 5777

ולא תונו איש את עמיתו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5777, Behar

Each of you shall not aggrieve his fellow. (25:17)

Horav Shlomo Levinstein, Shlita, asks: What is the difference between a tzaddik, righteous person, and a chasid, pious person? Simply, a tzaddik follows halachah to the letter of the law. He is meticulous in his observance, never cutting corners, always doing exactly what is expected of him. A chasid goes the extra mile. He carries out mitzvos lifnim meshuras ha’din, beyond the letter of the law. Not only does he not look for shortcuts, but he also takes the longer, more strenuous route. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, offers a powerful distinction between these two approaches toward serving Hashem. A tzaddik…

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Home -> 5777 -> Beha'alosecha

והאספסוף אשר בקרבו התאוו תאוה... ואכלתם בשר... לא יום אחד תאכלון ולא יומים...עד חדש ימים עד אשר יצא מאפכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Beha'alosecha, 5777

The rabble that was among them cultivated a craving … and you shall eat meat… not for one day shall you eat, nor two days… until a month of days, until it will come out of your nose. (11:4, 18, 19,20)

An individual who lacks the basic character trait of hakoras hatov, gratitude, is a deficient person. His negativity toward those from whom he benefits engenders a negativity throughout his entire character, eventually leading to a lack of appreciation for all that Hashem does for him. Perhaps referring to an ingrate as deficient is not strong enough. An ingrate is a non-person. Part of humanness is the ability to recognize, acknowledge and appreciate the benefits one receives from others. Without this vital character trait, one is not a mentch, decent human being. Having said this, we refer to the Torah’s account…

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Home -> 5777 -> Beha'alosecha

האנכי הריתי את כל העם הזה ...כי תאמר אלו שאהו בחילך כאשר ישא האמן את הינק

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Beha'alosecha, 5777

Did I conceive the entire people…that You say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom,’ as a nurse carries a suckling? (11:12)

Nowhere in the Torah do we find that Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu to carry Bnei Yisrael in his bosom. Why does Moshe intimate this to be true, that Hashem did, in fact, indicate to Moshe that his responsibility as a leader of the nation went beyond the accepted understanding of walking in front of the nation? He would have to carry them as a parent carries his child. Horav Yeruchem Levovitz, zl, (cited in Im Levavi Asicha) explains that, if a person is created with such ability that he is able to care for others as a father cares for…

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Home -> 5777 -> Beha'alosecha

ויהי העם כמתאוננים רע באזני ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Beha'alosecha, 5777

The people were like those who seek pretexts of evil in the ears of Hashem. (11:1)

Our parsha begins with the Menorah, relates the laws of Pesach Sheini and then, in what appears to be a sad turn of events, records a series of puzzling complaints originally initiated by the eirev rav, mixed multitude, with an added participatory voice from the people. It is not as if the complaints had any positive substance – or any substance at all. For the most part, they complained for the purpose of complaining, something atypical of a happy people who had recently been liberated from crushing servitude. They craved meat – and cried. They claimed they missed the free…

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