Sruly Schnair

“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…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Savo

Sruly Schnair In Ki Savo, 5754

“Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field.” (28:3)

The Midrash adds to this pasuk. “In the merit of the mitzvos that you perform in the city you will be blessed therein; and in the merit of the mitzvos which you perform in the field, you will be blessed in the field.” What is this message and what are the mitzvos of the city and the field? Horav Mordechai Rogov z.l. interprets this Midrash homiletically. The city is an analogy for rest and solitude, peace and tranquility. It alludes to life in a structured, secure environment. The field, on the other hand, represents a place fraught with danger and…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Savo

Sruly Schnair In Ki Savo, 5754

“And you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the ground… and you shall speak up and say before Hashem your G-d… When you make an end of the tithing of all the tithe… and you shall give unto the Levi, the ger, the orphan and the widow. And you should say before Hashem your G-d.” (26:12,13,25)

The parsha refers to two mitzvos which applied only when Klal Yisrael occupied Eretz Yisrael. They are the mitzvos of bikurim, the bringing of the first fruits, and maaser, the giving of tithes to the Levi, the widow and the orphan. Another tithe was maaser sheni, which was brought to Yerushalayim to be eaten among family and friends in joyful celebration. The fulfillment of each of these mitzvos was accompanied by a tefillah, prayer. One was known as mikra bikurim, the reading of pesukim of thanksgiving for the first fruits; the other was known as viduy maaser, the confession of…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Savo

Sruly Schnair In Ki Savo, 5754

“And the Egyptians dealt ill with us and afflicted us.” (26:6)

Most commentators translate the word osanu as lanu, to/with us, referring to the harsh treatment to which we were subjected at the hands of the Egyptians. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, suggests that the literal meaning is a more propitious definition. When the Egyptian leadership sought to enslave and ultimately destroy the Jewish people, they realized it would be difficult to convince the average Egyptian citizen to participate in this blatant anti- semitism. They understood that first they must perform a successful campaign of vicious character assassination against the Jewish people. This negative propaganda would veil their virulent hatred of the…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Seitzei

Sruly Schnair In Ki Seitzei, 5754

“You shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.” (25:19)

What is the meaning of the “remembrance of Amalek”? Is it not sufficient simply to destroy Amalek? Horav S.R. Hirsch z.l. explains that it is not Amalek who is so threatening to the future of humanity. Rather, “zecher Amalek,” the remembrance of Amalek, the glorifying of Amalek’s memory, is the prime danger. As long as in the annals of history the murderers and plunderers are venerated as heroes, as long as these heinous criminals are not buried into oblivion, their names will gradually be “cleansed.” With each successive generation individuals will arise who seek to glorify these “great warriors.” These…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Seitzei

Sruly Schnair In Ki Seitzei, 5754

“Remember what Amalek did to you.” (25:17)

How does one fulfill the imperative to remember Amalek’s treachery towards our ancestors? The mitzvah to blot out Amalek’s name is hardly applicable in contemporary times, while Am Yisrael is in galus, exile — even if we were able to identify clearly a member of this contemptible nation. Horav Moshe Feinstein z.l. infers a profound lesson to be derived from this pasuk. Amalek’s dastardly act demonstrated that man can be aware of Hashem’s infinite greatness and unlimited power and still descend to the nadir of depravity. Indeed, Chazal compare Amalek to one who jumps into a tub of scalding water,…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Seitzei

Sruly Schnair In Ki Seitzei, 5754

“An Amoni or Moavi may not enter Hashem’s marriage group even after the tenth generation… (This is) because they did not greet you with bread and wife water.” (23:4,5)

The spiritual fate of Amon and Moav was sealed not because of immorality, murder, or other vicious crimes, but because of their lack of chesed, kindness. An Egyptian who converts, even an Amalkite, is accepted into Hashem’s congregation after the third generation. This is not the case with an Amoni or Moavi. This exclusion is due to their apparent disdain of the middah, character trait of chesed. Klal Yisrael’s most vicious enemies, perpetrators of the most heinous acts of murder, can one day “make it.” In contrast, the one who rejects chesed can not. This is perplexing! What greater lack…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Seitzei

Sruly Schnair In Ki Seitzei, 5754

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son that will not listen (to) the voice of his father or the voice of his mother.” (21:18)

Chazal make a powerful statement in regard to the ben sorer u’moreh. This boy, who has just reached the age of maturity demonstrates unusual insubordination. He is defiant towards all authority. He simply does whatever he wants, regardless of his parent’s pain regarding his life of spiritual degeneration. His parents together are obligated to bring him to Bais Din for punishment. They must assert their role as prosecutors by clearly stating “this is our son,” “he does not listen to the voice of his father or to the voice of his mother.” Horav Moshe Swift z.l. suggests that this act…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Nitzavim ->

“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)

“Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field.” (28:3)

“And the Egyptians dealt ill with us and afflicted us.” (26:6)

“You shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.” (25:19)

“Remember what Amalek did to you.” (25:17)

“An Amoni or Moavi may not enter Hashem’s marriage group even after the tenth generation… (This is) because they did not greet you with bread and wife water.” (23:4,5)

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son that will not listen (to) the voice of his father or the voice of his mother.” (21:18)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!