Rabbi L. Scheinbaum

The hidden things (sins) are for Hashem, our G-d, but the revealed things (sins) are for us. (29:28)

If ever there has been a pasuk that addresses the ills of contemporary society, it is this one. On all levels of exegesis, it speaks to us and the issues which plague many of us. Simply, the Torah is addressing those who contend that they cannot be held responsible for those Jews who sin covertly, who conceal their miscreancy, often under a façade of righteousness. Not only are they not sinners – they are righteous! How dare anyone impugn their spiritual integrity? Hashem’s response is quite forward: Do not worry about them. The hidden sin(s) are in My domain. I…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5771

And He cast them to another land. (29:27)

It is obvious that the entire lamed of va’yashlicheim, “And He cast them,” is enlarged. Nothing is happenstance in the Torah. Every letter, spelling, nuance, is the foundation for many halachos and Torah lessons. Clearly, a lesson can be derived from the shape of the lamed. The Ridvaz, zl, quotes the Tur in his commentary to the Shulchan Aruch, who says that if someone were to throw his wallet into the reshus ha’rabim, public domain, it becomes hefker, ownerless. Whoever finds it is free to take it. However, if a string is attached to it, then regardless of the distance…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5771

You are all standing today… for you to pass into a covenant of Hashem, your G-d, and into His oath, that Hashem, your G-d, forges with you today. (29:9,11)

Chazal teach that when Klal Yisrael accepted the oath at Har Gerizim and Har Eival – naasu areivim zeh la’zeh, “They became guarantors one for another.” The principle, Kol Yisrael areivim zeh la’zeh, “All Jews are guarantors for one another,” is the foundation for many halachos, laws, which relate to Torah observance for the individual and the community. We must care for one another, because we are responsible for each other. This is the novel idea that was declared at Arvos Moav, the Plains of Moav. We wonder what is so novel about this idea that had not been indicated previously by…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5771

You are all standing today. (29:9)

Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, posits that nitzavim, standing, has a deeper meaning, beyond describing Klal Yisrael’s vertical position as Moshe Rabbeinu delivered his last homily to the nation he had shepherded for the last forty years. Nitzavim has a much more powerful connotation than standing. It is derived from – or closely related to – the word matzeivah, a pillar, a monument. In his last oration to the people, Moshe tells them, “You are the matzeivah, the foundation, the pillar, the force – the very future – and eternal carriers of the flame of Torah. You perpetuate the banner of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5771

You are all standing today, before Hashem, your G-d. (29:9)

Much has been written today concerning the meaning of the above pasuk. What is the significance of the nation’s “standing” before Hashem? Also, why enumerate them according to class: leaders, elders, officers, men, women, children, and converts? Horav Karlinstein quotes the halachah that during those parts of the davening when one must stand, he must stand freely. This means that if he leans against something, such as a shtender, lectern, to the point that if it were to be removed he would fall over, it is not considered standing. This is considered leaning. Rav Karlinstein derives an important lesson concerning…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5771

“Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Torah, Hashem will bring them upon you.” (28:61)

One would think that ninety-eight curses should be sufficient warning to impact the nation. One has only to read the curses specifically, and his hair would stand on end from fright. Yet, it appears that Hashem seems to “throw in” one more curse for “good measure.” In case there might be something that was missed, any sickness or plague that was not specifically mentioned, it too will be included. Horav Shimshon Pincus, zl, explains that the Tochachah is more than an admonition. It is referred to as Divrei HaBris, Words of the Covenant. Indeed, the tragedies, the misfortunes that are…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5771

If you will not be careful to perform all the words of this Torah… to fear this honored and awesome Name: Hashem your G-d. (28:58)

The Torah is admonishing us to guard the Torah by observing its tenets, the mitzvos which Hashem has given us. A lack of observance is indicative of a lack of fear concerning the awesome Name of Hashem. The Torah intimates that Torah observance is intrinsically connected to a Jew’s reverence and fear of Hashem. One who understands and reflects on the awe-inspiring, exalted nature of Hashem simply must respond with total observance and complete devotion to His Torah. There just cannot be any other way. To acknowledge the awesome nature of Hashem is to fear Him. To fear Hashem is to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5771

You will grope at noontime as a blind man gropes in darkness. (28:29)

The Talmud Megillah 24b quotes Rabbi Yosi who asks: What difference does it make to the blind man whether he is groping around in the afternoon or in the evening? Regardless of the external light, the blind man’s world remains dark. Rabbi Yosi says that he was troubled by this question for some time, until once he was walking through the streets on a very dark night. As he walked, he noticed a blind man groping his way down the street. What was unusual about the blind man was that he was carrying a torch in his hands. “Why carry…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5771

Hashem will strike you with madness…You will go mad from the sight of your eyes. (28:28, 34)

Twice we are cursed with the dreadful affliction of she’gaon, insanity. Is once not enough? If we peruse the Tochachah, Rebuke, we note that with each successive curse of the ninety-eight curses, the misfortune that has to befall us gets greater and greater. Since each curse is associated with a harsher punishment, it is strange that the Torah repeats the curse of insanity. Insane is insane! Does making a person “more” insane add to the curse? The Ketzos HaChoshen explains that there are truly variant levels of insanity. When a person loses his mind, when he no longer thinks rationally,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5771

All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you hearken to the voice of Hashem, your G-d. (28:2)

The word v’he’sigucha, “will overtake you,” is enigmatic. Are we running from blessing, that it must overtake us? If that is the case, let us stop running! The answer is simple. At times, a person thinks he is chasing blessing, when, in truth, what he is pursuing is far from a blessing. What he thinks is beneficial and fortuitous could actually catalyze his downfall. Thus, the Torah tells us that the blessing, the real blessing – the one which we mistakenly thought was not a blessing – will overtake us, even though we have done everything to prevent it from…

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The hidden things (sins) are for Hashem, our G-d, but the revealed things (sins) are for us. (29:28)

And He cast them to another land. (29:27)

You are all standing today… for you to pass into a covenant of Hashem, your G-d, and into His oath, that Hashem, your G-d, forges with you today. (29:9,11)

You are all standing today. (29:9)

You are all standing today, before Hashem, your G-d. (29:9)

“Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Torah, Hashem will bring them upon you.” (28:61)

If you will not be careful to perform all the words of this Torah… to fear this honored and awesome Name: Hashem your G-d. (28:58)

You will grope at noontime as a blind man gropes in darkness. (28:29)

Hashem will strike you with madness…You will go mad from the sight of your eyes. (28:28, 34)

All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you hearken to the voice of Hashem, your G-d. (28:2)

YEARS

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