Kedoshim – Page 8 – Peninim on the Torah

“With righteousness shall you judge your fellow.” (19:15)

We judge people all of the time. Interestingly, to become a judge, one must have training. He must have profound knowledge of the law coupled with an acute understanding of people. Yet, we sit in judgment of people – all of the time. We certainly are not qualified for this position. Chazal teach us that in addition to its simple meaning, our pasuk is teaching us to be dan l’kaf zchus, give everyone the benefit of doubt. Regrettably, this does not coincide with human nature. The average person judges people according to his proclivity towards them. Horav Yaakov Beifus, Shlita, cites…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5762

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.” (19:18)

In his Nusach HaAri Siddur, the Baal HaTanya writes that it is proper and correct that one say before davening, “I accept upon myself the positive commandment, ‘You shall love your fellow as yourself.’” The mitzvah of ahavas Yisrael is the entranceway to be able to stand before Hashem in prayer. Pardes Yosef interprets this idea into the pasuk in Bereishis 37:26, Mah betza ki naharog es achinu, “What gain will there be if we kill our brother?” The letters of the word betza – bais, tzaddik, ayin, form an acronym for: boker, morning; tzaharaim, afternoon; erev, evening, the three Tefillos,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5762

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.” (19:18)

Toras Kohanim cites Rabbi Akiva who says that this is the fundamental rule of the Torah. The Mizrachi cites the Talmud in Shabbos 31a in which Hillel says, “What is hateful to you, do not do unto others.” This is what Hillel told the gentile who wanted to convert to Judaism. If the Torah conveys this mitzvah in a positive light, encouraging us to love our fellow, why do Chazal seek an interpretation that emphasizes and focuses on the negative? Horav Simchah Scheps, z.l., cites Horav Yerucham Levovitz, z.l., who explains the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos 3:2 in the following manner:…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5761

“Do not turn to the idols, and molten gods shall you not make for yourselves.” (19:4)

Rashi’s explanation of the pasuk conveys a profound message. The elil, idol, is nothing. It is man-made and has no powers. Yet, explains Rashi, if someone is foolish enough to turn to this elil, he will slowly begin to respect it and, before he realizes it, it will have become a god to him. Rashi is teaching us, says Horav Yerucham Levovitz, z.l., that idols are gods made by man. At first they are nothing, and man knows that they are nothing. Regrettably, however, it does not remain that way. He transforms them into a god! Idolatry is a…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5761

“You shall not lie to one another.” (19:11)

One day, a number of the prominent householders of Brisk came to their rav, Horav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, z.l., the Bais HaLevi, complaining that the kefirah, heresy, spouted by members of the Haskalah, enlightenment movement, was rampant. These people were being eminently successful and making serious incursions into the observant community. Regrettably, this was the scenario in many Jewish communities. Why were they succeeding? After all, everything they were expounding was founded in falsehood. Rav Yosha Ber turned to them and queried, “Why are you surprised? Truth always prevails.” “Rebbe, how can you say that? How can you refer to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5761

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.” (19:18)

This pasuk has become the global standard-bearer for defining human inter-relationships. Love your fellowman as yourself. What does it mean to care about someone else as well as we care about ourselves? Horav Yosef Zundel Salant, z.l., explains that the word kamocha, like yourself, applies to an individual who has the same vocation or position as you. It once happened that a Jew opened a grocery store on the same block as another Jew. One can imagine that the resulting competition brought about ill will. When the man who had been there first complained to Rav Yosef Zundel, the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5760

“Do not turn to the idols, and molten gods shall you not make for yourselves.” (19:4)

Rashi’s explanation of the pasuk conveys a profound message. The elil, idol, is nothing. It is man-made and has no powers. Yet, explains Rashi, if someone is foolish enough to turn to this elil, he will slowly begin to respect it and, before he realizes it, it will have become a god to him. Rashi is teaching us, says Horav Yerucham Levovitz, z.l., that idols are gods made by man. At first they are nothing, and man knows that they are nothing. Regrettably, however, it does not remain that way. He transforms them into a god! Idolatry is a…

Home -> 5760 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5760

“You shall not lie to one another.” (19:11)

One day, a number of the prominent householders of Brisk came to their rav, Horav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, z.l., the Bais HaLevi, complaining that the kefirah, heresy, spouted by members of the Haskalah, enlightenment movement, was rampant. These people were being eminently successful and making serious incursions into the observant community. Regrettably, this was the scenario in many Jewish communities. Why were they succeeding? After all, everything they were expounding was founded in falsehood. Rav Yosha Ber turned to them and queried, “Why are you surprised? Truth always prevails.” “Rebbe, how can you say that? How can you refer to…

Home -> 5760 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5760

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.” (19:18)

This pasuk has become the global standard-bearer for defining human inter-relationships. Love your fellowman as yourself. What does it mean to care about someone else as well as we care about ourselves? Horav Yosef Zundel Salant, z.l., explains that the word kamocha, like yourself, applies to an individual who has the same vocation or position as you. It once happened that a Jew opened a grocery store on the same block as another Jew. One can imagine that the resulting competition brought about ill will. When the man who had been there first complained to Rav Yosef Zundel, the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5759

Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael and say to them: You shall be holy, for holy am I. (19:2)

Rashi explains that the concept of “Jewish holiness” refers to distancing oneself from immorality and idol worship. We see two extremes, each at an opposite end of the spectrum. On the one hand, we are enjoined to sanctify ourselves, our behavior and our thoughts; on the other hand, Rashi tells us that the opposite of kedushah, holiness, is immorality and degradation. We must understand how these two extremes co-exist. Chazal view kedushah as being the zenith of spiritual ascendence: How do you admonish someone who strives for that pinnacle of human behavior to distance himself from illicit relationships and debauchery? …

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“With righteousness shall you judge your fellow.” (19:15)

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.” (19:18)

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.” (19:18)

“Do not turn to the idols, and molten gods shall you not make for yourselves.” (19:4)

“You shall not lie to one another.” (19:11)

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.” (19:18)

“Do not turn to the idols, and molten gods shall you not make for yourselves.” (19:4)

“You shall not lie to one another.” (19:11)

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.” (19:18)

Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael and say to them: You shall be holy, for holy am I. (19:2)

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