Sruly Schnair

“In the beginning, Hashem created.” (1:1)

In the Yalkut Shimoni, Chazal explain why the Torah begins with the letter “Bais.” The Midrash relates that when Hashem was about to create the world, each of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet came before Him and asked that the world be created specifically with its letter. The “Taf” felt it should be first since it begins the word “Torah.” This scenario continued, with each letter vying for the honor of being chosen for this most sublime “occasion.” At the end, the letter “Bais” entered and said it should be selected since the Bais is used for blessing…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Vayeilech

When all Yisrael comes to appear before Hashem…in the place He will choose. You shall read this Torah in their ears… Gather together the people…so that they will hear so that they will learn…and be careful to perform all the words of this Torah. (31:11,12)

Once every seven years, on the first day of Chol Hamoed that followed the Shemittah year, all of Klal Yisrael was enjoined to gather together at the Bais Hamikdash to listen to the king read from Sefer Devarim. He would read pesukim that dealt with our allegiance to Hashem, the Covenant, and reward and punishment. The primary doctrine of Jewish life is the Torah. Without it, we are nothing. With it, we have the capacity for attaining the greatest spiritual rewards. Consequently, it is only proper that all Jews stand in affirmation of the Torah. Chazal infer from the Torah‘s…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Vayeilech

And Hashem said to Moshe, Behold your days are drawing near to die, summon Yehoshua and both of you shall stand in the Ohel Moed, and I shall instruct him. (31:14)

It would seem that Hashem could instruct Yehoshua, even if Moshe’s days were not drawing to a climax. Why does the Torah seem to emphasize that Yehoshua was receiving his instruction only because Moshe’s life was ending? Could Yehoshua not have received his charge after Moshe’s demise? The Netziv, zl, cites Chazal in the Talmud Bava Basra 75a who teach us that the zekeinim, elders of that generation, compared the “face” of Moshe to the “face” of the sun and the “face” of Yeshoshua to that of the moon. The analogy is interpreted in the following manner: The moon receives…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Vayeilech

And Moshe went. (31:1)

Moshe went. From where did he come, and to where did he go? The pasuk does not address these simple questions. He simply went! Horav S.Y. Levin, zl, distinguishes between amidah, standing still, and halichah, walking/moving. Each one has its own advantage according to the situation. Moving forward is beneficial, as long as one goes in the right direction. If one has a prescribed course and he maintains it, then the more he walks, the closer he moves to his destination. In such a situation, moving is obviously more advantageous than standing still. Conversely, when one is lost — or…

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Sruly Schnair In Nitzavim, 5756

(The) Life and death I have set before you, the blessing and the curse; therefore/and you (should) choose life. (30:19)

The Mirrer Mashgiach, Horav Yechezkel Levinstein, zl, was known as a person who approached mitzvah performance with enthusiasm and exuberance. His vitality and vigor did not wane even as he advanced in age. He truly embodied the pasuk in Tehillim 92, “A righteous man will flourish like a date palm…They will be fruitful in old age, vigorous and fresh they will be.” Each of his tefillos, prayers, were the result of a unique rejuvenation. Each mussar lecture was a new experience. To listen to him was to share in the re-invigoration of his spirit. No aspect of his spiritual ritual …

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Sruly Schnair In Nitzavim, 5756

It will be when all these things come upon you…then you will take it unto your heart…and you will return unto Hashem… Hashem…will place all these curses upon your enemies…and you shall return… When you will listen to Hashem your G-D…when you shall return to Hashem your G-D, with all your heart and all your soul. (30:1-2,7-8,10)

Horav Yechezkel Abramsky, zl, infers three levels of teshuvah, repentance, from the sequence of the pesukim. The lowest rung on the ladder of repentance is the teshuvah that emerges as a result of experiencing punishment. After all, you do not find many non-believers in the hospital! The pain has begun; the punishment is imminent. The reality of his wrong-doing is readily apparent. Indeed, only the obstinate and arrogant will continue to refrain from performing teshuvah. “It will be when all these things come upon you,” as it begins to hurt – it is now efficacious to perform teshuvah. The middle…

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Sruly Schnair In 5754, V'zos HaBrachah

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

This last pasuk in the Torah is also Moshe Rabbeinu’s epitaph. It is a tribute to Klal Yisrael’s quintessential leader and Rebbe. Rashi explains that “yad chazakah,” strong hand, refers to the luchos which Moshe received on Har Sinai in his hands. He shattered these luchos “before the eyes of all Yisrael.” He took it upon himself to perform this courageous deed, an act which was affirmed by Hashem. Why does this act serve as such a great testimonial to Moshe’s character of leadership? Is it more critical than his role in the exodus from Egypt and the ensuing forty…

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Sruly Schnair In 5754, V'zos HaBrachah

“And He buried him in Gai.” (34:6)

Rashi explains that Moshe was buried personally by Hashem. In the Talmud Sotah 14 Chazal remark how the final activity in the Torah is an act of chesed, loving-kindness. They reflect upon the fact that the Torah begins with an act of chesed, Hashem clothing Adam and Chavah, and closes with Hashem burying Moshe. This is why the Torah is referred to as Toras Chesed, the Torah of loving-kindness. The Maharsha explains that Chazal are describing the true nature of Torah as the ultimate source of chesed. Every commandment has its source in the development of chesed. The Me’il Tzedakkah…

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Sruly Schnair In 5754, V'zos HaBrachah

“(The) Torah (that) Moshe commanded us (is) the heritage of the congregation of Yaakov.” (33:4)

Chazal expound upon the concept of Torah as an inheritance. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, differentiates between an inheritance which belongs to the heirs to transform as they please and a heritage which is to be transmitted to the next generation in its entirety. Reflecting this idea, parents have a demanding responsibility to transmit to their children the whole Torah excluding their own commentary and personal opinions. The Torah in its pristine form is the inalienable right of our children. To deny them this right is more than an infringement upon the right of possession. Rather, it is an impingement upon…

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Sruly Schnair In 5754, Ha'azinu

“For Hashem’s portion is His people, Yaakov his measured inheritance.” (32:9)

Klal Yisrael became a nation while still in the desert — without a land to live in. Hashem did not permit His people to grow as a nation under the influence of the land of Egypt and its inhabitants. “For Hashem’s portion is His people.” This people was to be and remain “the people of Hashem.” Horav S.R. Hirsch z.l. explains that common nations are linked to the soil of their land in the same manner that Am Yisrael is linked to Hashem. Other nations view their land as the foundation of their national existence. It serves as the home…

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“In the beginning, Hashem created.” (1:1)

When all Yisrael comes to appear before Hashem…in the place He will choose. You shall read this Torah in their ears… Gather together the people…so that they will hear so that they will learn…and be careful to perform all the words of this Torah. (31:11,12)

And Hashem said to Moshe, Behold your days are drawing near to die, summon Yehoshua and both of you shall stand in the Ohel Moed, and I shall instruct him. (31:14)

And Moshe went. (31:1)

(The) Life and death I have set before you, the blessing and the curse; therefore/and you (should) choose life. (30:19)

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

“And He buried him in Gai.” (34:6)

“(The) Torah (that) Moshe commanded us (is) the heritage of the congregation of Yaakov.” (33:4)

“For Hashem’s portion is His people, Yaakov his measured inheritance.” (32:9)

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