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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5752

“Do not take revenge, and do not bear a grudge against the members of your nation. Love you neighbor as yourself.” (19:18)

The Talmud in Shabbos 31a relates the famous incident of the gentile who came to Hillel with the intention of converting to Judaism, if he only could be taught the whole Torah while “standing on one foot”. Hillel’s response was the classic dictum of “What is hateful to you; do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah: the rest is commentary. Go and study it.”   The Mahrsha explains the gentile’s request and Hillel’s response in the following manner: The gentile was searching for a unique statement of faith which encompasses the foundation of the entire Torah….

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Home -> 5752 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5752

“You shall not make a cut in your flesh for the dead.” (19:28)

  The word “seret” refers to any kind of wound, even a graze or a scratch, inflicted either by hand or by means of an instrument. This wounding is prohibited only if it is performed as a reaction to a death, but not if it is performed due to any other type of loss. This law is derived from its consistent connection with the word “nefesh” – soul. The law does not merely restrict the expression of the loss which we feel when we wound or inflict pain upon ourselves. This prohibition concerns not only the act of tearing or…

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Home -> 5751 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5751

“You shall not round off the corners of the hair of your head.” (19:27)

This posuk clearly forbids the removal of sideburns, the place where one’s hair ends at the temples, and which marks the division corresponding to the cerebrum and the cerebrellum respectively. This prohibition teaches us the following. The hair at the temples is a natural veil which hides the view of the back of the head. The relation of the frontal part of the skull containing the cerebrum to the back part with the cerebellum is that of the human element to the animal element within us. In order to maintain a strict degree of sanctity within ourselves, the animal factor…

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Home -> 5751 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Kedoshim, 5751

“And you shall show respect to elders and fear your G-d.” (19:32)

The honor and respect afforded to a Torah scholar and teacher is expressed in the following statement: “The fear of your teacher shall be similar to your fear of Heaven” (Avos 4:15). Chazal in various places have described in clear terms the severe punishments for those who do not show proper respect to their Torah teachers. Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz Zt”l explains that the rationale for this is because improper respect for teachers and elders weakens their leadership and diminishes their overall influence on us. Lack of respect for elders means, in effect, the elimination of Torah leadership over Klal Yisroel….

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