Ki Seitzei – Page 15 – Peninim on the Torah

“You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and Hashem your G-d redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing.” (24:18)

The admonition to remember our status as slaves in Egypt is repeated four times in the Torah. It is mentioned here in regard to taking advantage of the widow and orphan. It is repeated when the Torah details the laws involving giving to the poor and needy. It is again recounted in reference to the laws prohibiting labor on Shabbos. Finally it is mentioned concerning the mitzvah of ha’annakah, sending off the eved Ivri, Jewish servant, with gifts that will raise his self-esteem. Considering the references to these mitzvos, why does the Torah emphasize the liberation from Egypt as the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5755

“Remember what Amalek did to you… and he did not fear Hashem.” (25:17,18)

The Brisker Rav, z.l., asserts that in the words, “And he did not fear Hashem,” lies the key to Amalek’s iniquity over that of all other nations who fought us. His lack of yiraas Elokim, fear of Hashem, is sufficient reason for earning him the title of archenemy of Hashem. What specific aspect of his miscreant behavior emphasizes his lack of fear of Hashem? The Talmud, Bava Kamma 79b, distinguishes between a ganov and a gazlan. The ganov is a robber who demonstrates fear of man, by virtue of the fact that he performs his invidious behavior only at night…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5755

Then you shall call out and say before Hashem your G-d, ‘An Aramean tried to destroy my forefather. He descended to Egypt and sojourned there.'” (26:5)

Rashi follows the Midrashic interpretation of the pasuk. The Midrash considers the “Aramean” to be none other than the deceitful Lavan, who left no stone unturned in his quest to destroy Yaakov Avinu. Yaakov subsequently descended to Egypt to be “greeted” by the tyrannical Pharaoh. The one who is bringing the Bikkurim expresses his gratitude to Hashem(the declaration begins with this pasuk), for without His intervention there would be no “zeicher,” remembrance, left of Klal Yisrael. Rashi’s choice of instances in which Yaakov was saved from certain destruction is enigmatic. Were these two crises the only situations in which he…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5755

“Then you shall call out and say before Hashem, your G-d, ‘An Aramean tried to destroy my forefather. He descended to Egypt and sojourned there.” (26:5)

The parsha of the declaration of Bikkurim includes in it the story of the Egyptian bondage. Horav Mordechai Ilan, z.l., explains the need for integrating our past afflictions into the essence of our gratitude to Hashem as we bring forth the first fruits of our labor. The time of “reishis,” beginning, is a special one for a person. It is the moment of ultimate fruition and success. Such a heightened moment should be consecrated to Hashem. When a person celebrates the first harvest, he recounts the entire process of the creation of the fruit, as it progressed from a mere…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5755

“Then all the peoples of the earth will see that the name of Hashem is proclaimed over you.” (28:10)

In a novel exposition of this pasuk, Horav Eli Munk, z.l., cites the Zohar Ha’Kadosh who lists four mitzvos by which other nations can “identify” the Jewish People. They are: the Tefillin, which are worn on the head; Shabbos, which is an island in time that distinguishes us from the nations of the world; the Yamim Tovim, which basically have the same distinction as Shabbos and distinguishes us even from those nations who observe a “day of rest”; and the mitzvah of Milah, a permanent sign on our body. In the Talmud, Menachos 55b, however, Chazal only mention the sign…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5755

“Because you did not serve Hashem your G-d, amid gladness and goodness of heart.” (28:47)

We may infer from the text of the pasuk that the curses to which Klal Yisrael will be subjected are a result of serving Hashem without joy. In other words, regardless of one’s actual performance of a mitzvah, if it is not carried out joyfully it is not considered to be a mitzvah. To the contrary, it is a source of curse. The commentators explore the importance of inherent joy in mitzvah performance. The Baal Ha’Tanya offers a profound explanation for this. Unhappiness indicates a total breakdown of personality. A true Jew must be happy! He is blessed — either…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5755

“Your life will hang in the balance, and you will be frightened night and day, and you will not be sure of your livelihood.” (28:66)

Rashi explains that in exile the Jewish People will be so insecure that they will never be safe from impending violence. Regarding their livelihood, they will be compelled to rely on daily purchases, never confident that the markets will be available to them the next day. In the Talmud, Menachos 103b, Chazal explain that this pasuk refers to a situation in which one has less and less to eat, in which he is relegated to go out daily to seek his bread. This is considered the epitome of unhappiness, not knowing whence one’s daily bread will come, living in constant…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5753

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son . . and all the men of his city shall stone him with stones that he die. (21:18,21)

Rashi offers the reason for this extreme punishment. The ben sorer u’moreh, rebellious son, is punished because of what he may become in the end. The Torah delves into his final intentions. In order to satisfy his insatiable desires, after first consuming his father’s wealth, he will stand at the crossroads and rob people. In order to satisfy his “needs,” he may even murder. Consequently, the Torah said, let him die innocent rather than guilty. This approach to retribution is, however, not consistent with Rashi’s thesis in Bereishis 21:17. When Yishmael was condemned to die as a child, the pasuk…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5753

“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 . . . and they shall say . . . ‘this our son is stubborn and rebellious he will not listen to our voice.'” (21:18,20)

The halachos that abound regarding the ben sorer u’moreh, rebellious son, preclude its practical application. Indeed, in Sanhedrin 71A the Talmud states that there has never been an incident of ben sorer u’moreh which culminated in the boy’s execution. According to the Talmud, the parsha of ben sorer u’moreh was included in the Torah for the sole purpose of study and reward. This indicates the importance of the parsha’s message regarding the proper method for the education of children. Nonetheless, the approach to teaching the specific message presented seems questionable. Why did the Torah not simply state the positive factors…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5753

“If a birds nest by chance be (found) before you . . . and the mother sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.” (22:6)

The halachah of Shiluach Ha’Kain, sending away the mother while keeping the eggs for oneself, is especially striking in that it applies only to birds and not to wild beasts. Throughout halachah, these two are considered the same, i.e. the law of covering blood after shechitah applies likewise to a wild beast and a fowl. Why should one be permitted to take a young deer away from its mother? Horav Zalmen Sorotzkin, z.l., suggests an explanation from which we may derive a profound insight into a parent’s relationship with his children. Animals, as well as humans, give birth to offspring…

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“You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and Hashem your G-d redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing.” (24:18)

“Remember what Amalek did to you… and he did not fear Hashem.” (25:17,18)

Then you shall call out and say before Hashem your G-d, ‘An Aramean tried to destroy my forefather. He descended to Egypt and sojourned there.'” (26:5)

“Then you shall call out and say before Hashem, your G-d, ‘An Aramean tried to destroy my forefather. He descended to Egypt and sojourned there.” (26:5)

“Then all the peoples of the earth will see that the name of Hashem is proclaimed over you.” (28:10)

“Because you did not serve Hashem your G-d, amid gladness and goodness of heart.” (28:47)

“Your life will hang in the balance, and you will be frightened night and day, and you will not be sure of your livelihood.” (28:66)

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son . . and all the men of his city shall stone him with stones that he die. (21:18,21)

“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 . . . and they shall say . . . ‘this our son is stubborn and rebellious he will not listen to our voice.'” (21:18,20)

“If a birds nest by chance be (found) before you . . . and the mother sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.” (22:6)

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