Sruly Schnair

“And Kayin knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Chanoch, he became a city builder and named the city after his son, Chanoch.” (4:l7)

A name carries a great deal of meaning. What is the significance of Chanoch’s name that Kayin selected it over any number of similarly appropriate names? Also, why did he use the same name that he gave to his son for his first city? The Koheles Yitzchak relates a novel explanation for the use of this name, in the name of a Gadol Echod. In retrospect, Kayin was distressed over his reprehensible act of killing Hevel. He asked himself how someone of his stature and nobility could kill his brother in cold blood? Where did he get that burning passion…

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Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5756

“The blood of your brother cries out to Me from the ground.” (4:10)

The word d’mei is written in the plural, lending itself to be translated as “bloods.” Chazal infer from this plural distinction that Kayin’s violent crime was not directed at Hevel alone. Indeed, he is held responsible for shedding the “blood” of all future generations. In an alternative interpretation, Chazal indicate that Hevel bled from different wounds. Not knowing how to kill his brother, Kayin flung sticks and rocks which inflicted many wounds upon his entire body. Only after he struck his neck did Hevel die. Hashem, upon demanding justice from Kayin, emphasized that each and every wound, every bit of…

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Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5756

“And they heard the sound of Hashem… and the man and his wife hid from Hashem… ‘Where is Hevel, your brother?’ and he (Kayin) said, ‘I do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?'”(3:8, 4:9)

Two serious sins were committed in this parsha, one by a father and the other by his son. A remarkable lesson can be derived from the progression of the sins and the apparent degeneration in the attitude that the father and son each demonstrated towards his transgression. When Hashem confronted Adam, the Torah relates that he “hid” from Hashem. The Targum Yonasan comments that he hid out of shame. He simply could not face Hashem after what he had done. When Hashem inquired if Adam had eaten from the Eitz Ha’Daas, Adam immediately confessed his guilt. There was no cover-up,…

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Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5756

“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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“And Kayin knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Chanoch, he became a city builder and named the city after his son, Chanoch.” (4:l7)

“The blood of your brother cries out to Me from the ground.” (4:10)

“And they heard the sound of Hashem… and the man and his wife hid from Hashem… ‘Where is Hevel, your brother?’ and he (Kayin) said, ‘I do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?'”(3:8, 4:9)

“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)

YEARS

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