Eikev – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

“Lest you eat and be satisfied, and you build good houses and settle… and your heart will become haughty and you will forget Hashem, your G-d.” (8:12,14)

The text of these pesukim is ambiguous. The Torah seems to imply that satisfaction and success in Eretz Yisrael are doubtful, while haughtiness and forgetting Hashem, the Source of success, seems to be a certainty. Horav Yosef Konvitz, z.l., explains that if we scan Jewish history, we will note that during those times when we were blessed with material success, we were, regrettably, not able to withstand the allure of sin that inevitably accompanies it. The yetzer hara, evil inclination, works very hard to ensnare his prey. When he utilizes material benefits and comforts, he has added ammunition for success….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5763

“Then you shall remember Hashem, your G-d; that it was He Who gave you strength to make wealth.” (8:18)

How easily we forget what Hashem does for us. When we are in need, we know to Whom to turn in prayer and supplication. When we are answered, however, our attitude takes a sudden change of course. We no longer attribute our success to the Source of all success. We quickly say that it was our endeavor, our strength, our ability that catalyzed the success that we enjoy. What happened? How did we suddenly become myopic, failing to recognize that it was Hashem Who was clearly the one Who brought about every achievement that we attribute to our own prowess?…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5763

“And Hashem gave me the two tablets of stone.” (9:10)

The word “luchos,” tablets, is usually written with a “vav” to designate the plural. Rashi explains that the word luchos is written here without a “vav,” in the singular. Yet, it is vocalized in the plural, by design. This indicates that while there were two luchos, they had equal significance as if they had been one. Horav David Feinstein, Shlita, adds that the word “shnei,” two, also indicates that the two luchos were really one, reflected by the apparent redundancy of the word. Obviously, the word luchos, which is the plural form, implies two luchos, since, as Chazal teach us,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5762

“For just as a man chastises his son, Hashem, your G-d, chastises you.” (8:5)

The word yesurim also indicates suffering. Hence, the suffering we sustain in this world is actually Hashem’s chastisement of us. Perhaps this is the only way one can endure the pain and anguish of suffering: he knows it comes from a loving Father. He also knows that he is not alone in his suffering. I once visited a young woman who was suffering through the terrible pain of end-stage cancer. I wondered what to say to her. Her life was dependent upon a miracle. The pain she sustained was excruciating. The mental anguish she suffered knowing that she would probably not…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5762

“Bnei Yisrael journeyed from Beeros Bnei Yaakon to Moserah; there Aharon died.” (10:6)

The story of Aharon Hakohen’s passing is juxtaposed to the breaking of the Luchos. Chazal derive from here that the death of a tzaddik carries with it the same impact as the breaking of the Luchos. Chazal also teach us that when a tzaddik passes from this world, he is immediately replaced by another tzaddik. Once the sun “sets” on one tzaddik, it begins to shine on another. This is especially true if the son of a tzaddik is eminently qualified and capable to assume his father’s leadership role. Aharon passed away from this world after an exemplary “career” of leadership…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5762

“And to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (11:13)

Rashi says this pasuk refers to avodas halev, service of the heart, which alludes to prayer. The word b’chol, with all, has a powerful meaning. When we pray to Hashem it has to be “with all,” with an all encompassing, unequivocal devotion to Him. Nothing should disturb or distract us when we are in communion with the Almighty. Yet, we all know that this is far from true. Many of us do not find the time to daven with a minyan. Regrettably, we daven with complete attention to Hashem only when we are in need. Perhaps if we would daven correctly…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5762

“You shall place these words of Mine upon your heart… you shall bind them for a sign upon your arm… And you shall teach them to your children… And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house.” (11:18-20)

Three mitzvos follow in close succession after Hashem’s threat of exile. Is there a relationship between these mitzvos and the exile? Rashi cites the Sifri that connects the juxtaposition in the following manner. We are enjoined to observe these commandments even in exile, so that when the redemption occurs, these mitzvos will not be foreign to us. There is a danger that when the Jewish People are in exile living in a non- Jewish environment, speaking the language of the host nation, adopting its customs and lifestyle, there is a real threat of assimilation. It is for this reason that we…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5761

“That as a man will chasten his son, so does Hashem, your G-d, chasten you.” (8:5)

Some people experience yisurim, suffering, in greater measure than others. The Torah is defining for us the essence of suffering: It is a loving Father’s necessary and beneficial act toward His child. Although many of us acknowledge this notion from an intellectual perspective, when it hurts, it truly hurts. When we experience pain and suffering, our intellect does not necessarily influence our emotions. Great and righteous people throughout history have accepted Hashem’s decree with great faith and love. Indeed, countless stories detail the devotion of the great, as well as the simple, believing Jew. We have selected two narratives…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5761

“You will eat and you will be satisfied, and bless Hashem, your G-d.” (8:10)

The following story, related by Horav Yitzchak Zilberstein, Shlita, does not actually address the parsha. Its lesson and message, however, is compelling. It is especially significant in that it conveys to us the far-reaching effect of our behavior. We hope that our actions will all have similar positive consequences as evidenced in this episode. A young kollel fellow in Yerushalayim went to a Judaica library in search of a certain volume not accessible in the local shuls. Knowing that the library was not located in an area that had a kosher restaurant, he brought along a sandwich for lunch. After…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5761

“Lest you eat and be satisfied, and you build good houses and settle… and your heart will become haughty and you will forget Hashem, your G-d.” (8:12,14)

The text of these pesukim is ambiguous. The Torah seems to imply that satisfaction and success in Eretz Yisrael are doubtful, while haughtiness and forgetting Hashem, the Source of success, seems to be a certainty. Horav Yosef Konvitz, z.l., explains that if we scan Jewish history, we will note that during those times when we were blessed with material success, we were, regrettably, not able to withstand the allure of sin that inevitably accompanies it. The yetzer hara, evil inclination, works very hard to ensnare his prey. When he utilizes material benefits and comforts, he has added ammunition for success….

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“Lest you eat and be satisfied, and you build good houses and settle… and your heart will become haughty and you will forget Hashem, your G-d.” (8:12,14)

“Then you shall remember Hashem, your G-d; that it was He Who gave you strength to make wealth.” (8:18)

“And Hashem gave me the two tablets of stone.” (9:10)

“For just as a man chastises his son, Hashem, your G-d, chastises you.” (8:5)

“Bnei Yisrael journeyed from Beeros Bnei Yaakon to Moserah; there Aharon died.” (10:6)

“And to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (11:13)

“You shall place these words of Mine upon your heart… you shall bind them for a sign upon your arm… And you shall teach them to your children… And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house.” (11:18-20)

“That as a man will chasten his son, so does Hashem, your G-d, chasten you.” (8:5)

“You will eat and you will be satisfied, and bless Hashem, your G-d.” (8:10)

“Lest you eat and be satisfied, and you build good houses and settle… and your heart will become haughty and you will forget Hashem, your G-d.” (8:12,14)

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