Sruly Schnair

“Give ear O Heavens and I shall speak, and may the earth hear the words of my mouth.” (32:1)

These words, which begin Shiras Ha’azinu, present the essence of the song of Ha’azinu — as well as the entire Torah, which is compared to a song. What is a song? Horav Gedaliah Shorr z.l. explains that a song suggests something which is completely synchronized, as a song must be the essence of harmony. He notes that in a song, all of the notes of the score of the song, all of the instruments of the orchestra, and all of the voices in the choir join together to create a perfect harmonious blend. Likewise, so do all of the elements…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Vayeilech

“And their children who do not know, they shall hear and they shall learn to fear Hashem (31:13)

The Torah implies that all Jews are able to learn Torah, no matter what their background, talents, and skills are. The Steipler Rav z.l. writes that if one just applies himself diligently to learn Torah, he will succeed and achieve scholarship even if he is not intellectually astute. A young man once came to the Steipler and, in a voice full of chagrin, complained that even though he had been studying diligently in a yeshiva for five years, he still could not master the elementary level of erudition of Talmud and the basic commentaries. The Steipler responded, “Nonetheless, you must…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Vayeilech

“Assemble the people, the men, and the women, and the children.” (31:12)

The above pasuk relates the mitzvah of Hakheil. This was the time, during Succos immediately following the Shemittah year, in which all of the people were to assemble in the Bais Ha’Mikdash to listen to the Melech Yisrael, Jewish king, read Sefer Devarim. Rashi comments that, although the young children were not able to comprehend the meaning of the event, they were to be brought ovhthcnk rfa i,hk, “to give reward to those that brought them,” their parents. Rashi is citing the words of the Talmud in Chagiga 3a which attributes this interpretation to R’ Elazar ben Azaria. Indeed, the…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Vayeilech

“I can no longer go out and come in.” (31:2)

In his second interpretation of this pasuk, Rashi explains that the mesoros, traditions, and maayanos, wellsprings of wisdom, in which Moshe was so erudite were closed off from him. It seems perplexing that Moshe Rabbeinu, the quintessential teacher of Klal Yisrael, should “lose” his vast storehouse of knowledge on the day in which he reached perfection, immediately before his demise. One would think that Moshe should be able to learn until the very last moment of his life. We may suggest a novel interpretation of Rashi’s text. The choice of words employed is “mesorah,” tradition, and “maayan,” wellspring. Each of…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Vayeilech

“I can no longer go out and come in” (31:2)

Rashi explains that Moshe was not suggesting that the frailty of old age impeded him from going out and coming in. The Torah itself later attests to his remarkable vigorous health and physical vibrancy. Rather, Moshe indicated that Hashem had forbidden him from continuing in his current position as leader. Rashi’s explanation does not seem consistent with the literal definition of the word kfut which means “able”. The literal definition would be translated as, “I am no longer able.” This translation implies physical impediment and inability to continue. We may suggest that, indeed, when a tzaddik is prohibited from doing…

Home -> 5754 -> Nitzavim

Sruly Schnair In Nitzavim, 5754

“For the matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it.” (30:14)

There is a Midrash on the above pasuk which is particularly relevant at this time of year. Everyone is seeking areas in which to improve. Eliyahu Ha’Navi relates that he was once travelling from region to region, when he came across a man who sneered at him. Eliyahu was taken aback and immediately questioned the individual, “What will you respond to Hashem on the Day of Judgement?” The man quickly responded, “I have a simple answer to give my Father in Heaven. I will tell Him that I was not given sufficient understanding or intelligence to allow me to master…

Home -> 5754 -> Nitzavim

Sruly Schnair In Nitzavim, 5754

“And it came to pass when he heard the words of this curse that he bless himself in his heart saying: ‘I shall have peace, though in stubbornness of my heart do I walk that the water be added (unto him) with the dry.'” (29:18)

Rashi explains that Hashem will increase the retribution against the infidel in the following manner: The sins he had committed inadvertently, which in the past had been overlooked by Hashem, would be added to the accounting of his deliberate sins. He cites Targum Onkelos who concurs that the unintentional sins would be added to the intentional ones. We must endeavor to understand the intensity of this punishment. What is really so harsh about this punishment? The Satmar Rebbe z.l. offers a novel interpretation of this pasuk. Chazal explain that this “curse” and bris, covenant, refer to the agreement Hashem made…

Home -> 5754 -> Nitzavim

Sruly Schnair In Nitzavim, 5754

“You are standing this day all of you before Hashem your G-d, your heads, your tribes, all the men of Yisrael… from the hewer of your wood, unto the drawer of your water.” (29:9,10)

The Torah distinguishes among the various kinds of Jews, noting that the profession of each reflects his station in life. Indeed, the Torah indicates that all members of the Jewish “body” – from the “head” to the “foot” – were assembled on Har Sinai on that auspicious day. The Baal Ha’Tanya mentions that, at times, the “foot” will assume the role of the “head”. Metaphorically, although the head gives guidance to the foot, it is the foot which actually leads and carries the head and the rest of the body from place to place. Consequently, in the spiritual realm, it…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Savo

Sruly Schnair In Ki Savo, 5754

“And observe the words of this covenant.” (29:8)

Rashi explains that after forty years of travel in the desert, Klal Yisrael had attained a sublime level of dignity. They perceived gadlus Ha’Boreh, the greatness of Hashem, and appreciated the boundless beneficence He had showered upon them. They realized that their remarkable military prowess, as well as their continued success and well-being could only be attributed to Hashem’s generosity. At this juncture, Hashem chose to make an agreement (covenant) with Klal Yisrael so that they would not forget all that transpired these forty years. He wanted them to reflect upon their source of strength and not take personal credit…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Savo

Sruly Schnair In Ki Savo, 5754

“You shall plant vineyards and dress them but you shall not drink of the wine… for the worm shall eat them. You shall have olive trees throughout all your borders but you shall not anoint yourself (with the) oil, for your olives shall drop off.” (28:39,40)

These pesukim which represent the tochechah, curses, present a question. The curses concerning the wine/grapes and those relating to the olives/oil are distinct. Regarding the wine, the Torah states that the grapes will be ruined and therefore there will be no wine. Regarding the olives, on the other hand, the Torah apparently states that we will have olives, but we will not be able to use their oil. Consequently, it would seem that the curse regarding the wine/grapes was greater than that of the oil/olives. This concept, however, is inconsistent with Rabbi Yochanan’s statement in the Talmud, Bava Basra 8…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5754 ->

“Give ear O Heavens and I shall speak, and may the earth hear the words of my mouth.” (32:1)

“And their children who do not know, they shall hear and they shall learn to fear Hashem (31:13)

“Assemble the people, the men, and the women, and the children.” (31:12)

“I can no longer go out and come in.” (31:2)

“I can no longer go out and come in” (31:2)

“For the matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it.” (30:14)

“And it came to pass when he heard the words of this curse that he bless himself in his heart saying: ‘I shall have peace, though in stubbornness of my heart do I walk that the water be added (unto him) with the dry.'” (29:18)

“You are standing this day all of you before Hashem your G-d, your heads, your tribes, all the men of Yisrael… from the hewer of your wood, unto the drawer of your water.” (29:9,10)

“And observe the words of this covenant.” (29:8)

“You shall plant vineyards and dress them but you shall not drink of the wine… for the worm shall eat them. You shall have olive trees throughout all your borders but you shall not anoint yourself (with the) oil, for your olives shall drop off.” (28:39,40)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!