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Home -> 5751 -> Ki Savo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Ki Savo, 5751

“And you shall be mad at the sight of your eyes which you shall see.” (28:34)

In today’s society, when the world is filled with so much distortion of the truth, and overwhelmed with deceit and hypocrisy, it is indeed viritually impossible for people to see the truth. There are, however, individuals who, because they maintaining a Torah true observance, have access to a clear perspective of what society should be. Their clarity of vision is nonetheless denounced, their message is distorted and treated as the ramblings of madmen. This can be the interpretation of the above posuk. Those who, because of their ability to see, have chosen not to follow the decadent course taken by…

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Home -> 5751 -> Ki Savo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Ki Savo, 5751

“Hashem will strike you with insanity, and with blindness, and with numbness of the heart.” (28:28)

  Rashi defines cck iuvn, as obstruction or numbness of the heart. This refers to a spiritual numbness which brings about a weakening and crippling effect on one’s faith which prevents him from viewing life clearly through a Torah perspective. Troubles befall a person and he wonders why? He doesn’t recognize Hashem’s binding force in everything that transpires. While numbness of the heart is a result of sin, it is also a basis for future sin and a prime hindrance for performing teshuva (repentance). Thus do we say in the very last “Al Chayt” of the Yom Kippur confession: “And…

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Home -> 5751 -> Ki Savo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Ki Savo, 5751

“And you shall build there (on Mount Evol) an altar to Hashem your G-d.” (27:5)

It seems rather peculiar that Mount Evol, the place where the curses were uttered, was chosen as the site for the erection of an altar for offering peace sacrifices and great rejoicing in tribute to Hashem. Would not Mount Gerizim, which was the site where the blessings were pronounced, have been a more suitable place? Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Zt”l points to expediency by which the curses brought about Jewish observance rather than to that of the blessings. Hashem in His infinite compassion employs disciplinary and punitive methods only as a means to induce us into the correct observance of His…

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Home -> 5751 -> Ki Savo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Ki Savo, 5751

“I have listened to the voice of Hashem, I have done all that You have commanded me.” (26:14)

There are degrees of intensity in performing Hashem’s mitzvos. One may discharge His mandate instinctively, without any forethought This individual is definitely performing the mitzvos, although he is missing the essence of the observance. The sanctity and purity which one develops by performing Mitzvos by rote is diminished, and the whole meaning of his Judaism is thereby endangered. The proper course is one where he is aware of Hashem’s Presence, constantly, vigilant, awaiting the opportunity to serve Hashem. Rabbi Mordechai Gifter Shlita explains the transgression of the rebellious son “he does not listen to the voice of his father and…

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Home -> 5751 -> Ki Savo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Ki Savo, 5751

“And you shall rejoice in all the good which Hashem your G-d has given you, and to your house, you and the Levi and the stranger that it is in your midst.” (26:11)

The Torah is making us aware that all the “good” which one possesses is of no value if he takes it only for himself, and does not share it equally with those less fortunate than he. When one is ready to share in the good which Hashem has given, that he is truly in possession of “all the good”. We learn from this posuk that one must implant in his mind that whatever he possesses is a gift from Hashem. This gift is given to him on the condition that he exercise his ownership over it properly, by sharing it…

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