Lech Lecha – Page 15 – Peninim on the Torah

Go away to yourself, from your land, from your birthplace. (12:1)

Ever since Hashem had driven Adam from Gan Eden to wander throughout the world, man has been seeking for Hashem. Even man’s early attempts to worship idols began as a form of searching for the source of all being. Avram was the one who discovered the secret, but not by exploring remote heights. The Midrash relates that “by himself he studied Torah“. We may suggest that he didn’t merely study by himself, but the meaning here is that he studied from himself, from within himself. His introspection led him to reflect upon the precision by which the universe is ordered….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5752

“And Lot lifted up his eyes and beheld all of the plain of Jordan.” (13:10)

The narrative concerning Lot is puzzling. He accompanied his mentor, Avraham, throughout his exile. His physical resemblance to Avraham reflected the spirit of an individual who maintained a high standard of morality. Suddenly he separated as Lot sought out the fertile lands. In Lot’s next appearance he had been transformed into a depraved individual with the result that the Torah prohibits his male descendants from being included in Am Yisrael. How are we to rationalize this enigma? Horav Yisrael Salanter Z”l tells of a Yeshiva student who was diligent in Torah study. Upon leaving the sheltered walls of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5752

“And Sorai said to Avrom, My wrong be upon you.” (16:5)

Rashi explains that Sarai’s complaint was based upon the fact that Avraham had not prayed to Hashem on her behalf. It seems noteworthy that she felt this way. Sarai had made every imaginable attempt to conceive a child, but to no avail. She even took her maidservant into her home for Avraham, an attempt which was later copied by Rachel and Leah. She still felt that something was lacking, – her husband’s prayer! All attempts are of no apparent value unless they are accompanied by prayer. This is the most necessary ingredient for success and accomplishment. The material world consists…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5752

“And that I will not take from all that is yours, lest you say I have enriched Avram.” (14:23)

Although Avram had previously accepted goods from Pharaoh, he refused to accept anything from the evil Sodom. Accepting gifts from the wicked inhibits the recipients from criticizing the giver, and Avram had no intention of ceasing to rebuke Sodom. This thought may be noted from the choice of words in this pasuk. It does not state, “Lest I say … ” which would imply that by accepting these gifts from Sodom, he might forget that all wealth and prosperity comes solely from Hashem. Had this been the reason, he should have similarly refused Pharaoh’s gifts. The pasuk, likewise, does not…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5751

And Avrom took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all their belongings, as well as the people they had gathered…” (12:5)

Rashi comments that the “apb” which they made in Charan, refers to the many people which Avrom and Sarai had the opportunity to convert. Avrohom dedicated his life to one goal and purpose – to disseminate Hashem’s truth throughout the world. Wherever he went and whenever the opportunity arose, Avrohom would spread the word of Hashem. His house was open to all so that he might teach and guide more people in the ways of Hashem. Rabbi Avohu said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: “Why was Avrohom punished that his children were enslaved in Egypt for 210 years?”…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5751

“And the one who escaped came and told Avrom Haviri and he dwelt in the plains of Mamre the Amorite.” (14:13)

When speaking of Lot in posuk 12 the Torah uses the term “and he was living”; when speaking of Avrom in posuk 13 the Torah uses the term “and he dwelt”. These phrases contrast the attitudes of Avrom and Lot in their relations with their neighbors. The posuk tells us that Avrom remains the Ivri, which means “one who stands on the other side”, whether this means spiritually in opposition to the whole world, or geographically from across the river, he was known as an outsider. The Torah describes this relationship to his neighbors with the term “and he dwelt”,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5751

“And he led him outside and said, look towards the heaven and count the stars if you are able to count them. And He said to him so shall be your seed.” (15:5)

This posuk can be read as a dialogue between Hashem and Avrohom. After he is told to count the stars in the heaven, Avrohom proceeds to do the impossible and begins to count. Hashem then stops him and says, “do you really think you can count the stars in heaven? So will be your seed.” Just as you attempted to fulfill my “impossible” command without question, so too will be your seed. They will observe My commandments without seeking a reason or rationale for their fulfillment. “One’s will should not be measured by ability, but rather ability should be measured…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5751

And Hagar bore to Avrom a son.” (16:15)

Here we have a testimonial as to the Divine origin of the Torah. No human writer would have attributed the Ishmaelite nations to Avrohom. At most, he would perhaps have given them lineage from a brother of Avrohom. The fact that the Torah openly declares that Yishmoel was born to Avrohom is clear evidence that no human author composed the Torah. From the days of Moshe the Ishmaelite nations were idolators and enemies of Am Yisroel. It would therefore be unthinkable that any Jewish author would confer upon them the pedigree of descent from the hallowed Father of our Nation….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5751

“At the age of eight days every male among you shall be circumcised.” (17:12)

Bris mila teaches us that man must rise above nature. The seven days of the week symbolize the realm of natural forces, since the physical world was created in seven days. Bris mila is performed on the eighth day of a child’s life to symbolize the goal of rising above nature. Adam was born circumcised since he was a superior being, however he failed to maintain himself on this level. By sinning he fell prey to the natural forces which originally were there to serve him. Avrohom saw miracles everywhere in the physical world, and the various natural abstractions that…

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Go away to yourself, from your land, from your birthplace. (12:1)

“And Lot lifted up his eyes and beheld all of the plain of Jordan.” (13:10)

“And Sorai said to Avrom, My wrong be upon you.” (16:5)

“And that I will not take from all that is yours, lest you say I have enriched Avram.” (14:23)

And Avrom took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all their belongings, as well as the people they had gathered…” (12:5)

“And the one who escaped came and told Avrom Haviri and he dwelt in the plains of Mamre the Amorite.” (14:13)

“And he led him outside and said, look towards the heaven and count the stars if you are able to count them. And He said to him so shall be your seed.” (15:5)

And Hagar bore to Avrom a son.” (16:15)

“At the age of eight days every male among you shall be circumcised.” (17:12)

YEARS

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