Re’eh – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

“His requirement, whatever is lacking to him.” (15:8)

While we are not obligated to make the supplicant wealthy, we are enjoined to see to it that he receives his due in accordance with his needs. Everybody’s needs are different. One who had previously been wealthy and lost everything cannot subsist on the meager alms that would suffice for one who had always been poor. The Torah is probably the only ethical system that takes the poor man’s self-esteem – his present frame of mind – in account when it prescribes the manner in which we are to sustain him. We have to make a person feel good about himself…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5761

“You shall not eat any abomination.” (14:3)

When the cemetery in Kovno was emptied, the Chevra Kadisha found two bodies that were untouched by time; the bodies of the Kovno Rav, z.l., and that of a Jewish soldier upon whose tombstone was engraved, “Here lies the kosher/proper Jewish soldier.” These were the two bodies that had defied the natural process of decomposition. What merit catalyzed this miracle? It is told that this soldier, who was conscripted into the Polish army, absolutely refused to eat non-kosher food. He would not eat the army’s rations, sustaining himself on vegetables alone. One day a group of anti-Semitic soldiers decided to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5761

“And you shall eat it before Hashem, your G-d… the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil… so that you will learn to fear Hashem…” (14:23)

Daas Zekeinim emphasize the “your” part of the grain, wine and oil. They explain that the pasuk conveys a profound message: If you give Maaser, if you tithe your grain, oil, and wine, then it is yours. In other words, Hashem grants us these possessions because we listen to His command and either share it with the Levi or the poor man, or we eat it in Yerushalayim. Giving Maaser does more than fulfill a mitzvah, it creates our ownership, it grants us license to claim these possessions as our own. Whatever Hashem created is for a purpose – to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5761

“Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him; and you shall grant him enough for his lack which is lacking for him.” (15:8)

When a poor man comes to the door requesting assistance, he certainly needs a comforting word, some sound advice, even a nice Torah thought. We often forget, however, that he is there for one purpose: to raise sorely needed funds for himself and his family. His time is limited, and his needs are great. The Dubno Maggid once went on a fundraising mission. He came to the home of adistinguished scholar who was also quite wealthy. The wealthy man was honored to have someone of the Maggid’s stature visit him, and he reciprocated this honor. Prior to asking for a…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5761

“You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for because of this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you.” (15:10)

The Torah is teaching us a significant lesson: Tzedakah is our insurance policy. It protects us, as it circumvents any evil from coming close to us. The following story is one of countless episodes that recount the remarkable consequence of giving tzedakah. We must add that, as in all instances, there are many variables which play a role in a given situation. We do see, however, in the following episode, how giving tzedakah with mesiras nefesh, utter devotion and self-sacrifice, saved a life. A poor woman once knocked on the door of the home of a very special Torah scholar,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5760

“You shall not eat any abomination.” (14:3)

When the cemetery in Kovno was emptied, the Chevra Kadisha found two bodies that were untouched by time; the bodies of the Kovno Rav, z.l., and that of a Jewish soldier upon whose tombstone was engraved, “Here lies the kosher/proper Jewish soldier.” These were the two bodies that had defied the natural process of decomposition. What merit catalyzed this miracle? It is told that this soldier, who was conscripted into the Polish army, absolutely refused to eat non-kosher food. He would not eat the army’s rations, sustaining himself on vegetables alone. One day a group of anti-Semitic soldiers decided to…

Home -> 5760 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5760

“And you shall eat it before Hashem, your G-d… the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil… so that you will learn to fear Hashem…” (14:23)

Daas Zekeinim emphasize the “your” part of the grain, wine and oil. They explain that the pasuk conveys a profound message: If you give Maaser, if you tithe your grain, oil, and wine, then it is yours. In other words, Hashem grants us these possessions because we listen to His command and either share it with the Levi or the poor man, or we eat it in Yerushalayim. Giving Maaser does more than fulfill a mitzvah, it creates our ownership, it grants us license to claim these possessions as our own. Whatever Hashem created is for a purpose – to…

Home -> 5760 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5760

“Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him; and you shall grant him enough for his lack which is lacking for him.” (15:8)

When a poor man comes to the door requesting assistance, he certainly needs a comforting word, some sound advice, even a nice Torah thought. We often forget, however, that he is there for one purpose: to raise sorely needed funds for himself and his family. His time is limited, and his needs are great. The Dubno Maggid once went on a fundraising mission. He came to the home of adistinguished scholar who was also quite wealthy. The wealthy man was honored to have someone of the Maggid’s stature visit him, and he reciprocated this honor. Prior to asking for a…

Home -> 5760 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5760

“You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for because of this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you.” (15:10)

The Torah is teaching us a significant lesson: Tzedakah is our insurance policy. It protects us, as it circumvents any evil from coming close to us. The following story is one of countless episodes that recount the remarkable consequence of giving tzedakah. We must add that, as in all instances, there are many variables which play a role in a given situation. We do see, however, in the following episode, how giving tzedakah with mesiras nefesh, utter devotion and self-sacrifice, saved a life. A poor woman once knocked on the door of the home of a very special Torah scholar,…

Home -> 5759 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5759

See, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

Life presents us with one of two extreme situations:. We either evoke blessing, so that everyone looks up to us, respects our word, and reveres our religion; or, we symbolize curse, dust of the earth, to be stepped upon and trampled. The Vilna Gaon, zl, notes that the word “Re’eh” is written in the singular. He explains that the Torah speaks to each individual. Man is not judged by the deeds of society as a whole. Rather, Hashem judges each individual according to his own actions. Do not see yourself reflected in the world. Avraham preached to an entire world. …

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“His requirement, whatever is lacking to him.” (15:8)

“You shall not eat any abomination.” (14:3)

“And you shall eat it before Hashem, your G-d… the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil… so that you will learn to fear Hashem…” (14:23)

“Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him; and you shall grant him enough for his lack which is lacking for him.” (15:8)

“You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for because of this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you.” (15:10)

“You shall not eat any abomination.” (14:3)

“And you shall eat it before Hashem, your G-d… the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil… so that you will learn to fear Hashem…” (14:23)

“Rather, you shall surely open your hand to him; and you shall grant him enough for his lack which is lacking for him.” (15:8)

“You shall surely give him, and let your heart not feel bad when you give him, for because of this matter, Hashem, your G-d, will bless you.” (15:10)

See, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

YEARS

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