Va’eschanan – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5761

“You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your possessions.” (6:5)

Throughout the millennia, Hashem has tested the Jewish nation. He has challenged us collectively as a nation, as well as personally as individuals. We have been subject to the most cruel and inhuman ordeals, and we have survived. We have maintained our faith in the Almighty with all of our heart and all of our soul. Today, most of us live in areas where threats to our physical survival rarely present themselves. There is, however, another area in which the committed Jew is tested: in the area of material advancement. We live in a society in which people are regrettably…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5760

“For inquire now regarding the early days… from the day when G- d created man on the earth…Has there ever been anything like this great thing or has anything like it ever been heard?” (4:32)

Horav Nissan Alpert z.l., offers an anecdote in explanation of this pasuk: A Jew once stood before a gentile magistrate, attempting to describe to him the greatness of the saintly Chafetz Chaim z.l. He told how the Chafetz Chaim’s prayers penetrated the Heavens to implore the Almighty’s blessing for those in need. He described the Chafetz Chaim’s spiritual eminence and his ability to have miracles made for him. The judge brushed him aside, refusing to believe all of the stories. Hearing the disdain in the gentile’s voice, the Jew looked into his eyes and, in an accusing voice said, “My…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5760

“Guard the Shabbos day to sanctify it, as Hashem, your G-d, has commanded you.” (5:12)

Rashi explains that Hashem commanded us to observe the Shabbos in Marah, even before the Giving of the Torah. Likewise, in regard to the mitzvah of Kibud Av v’Eim, honoring one’s parents, Rashi cites Chazal who assert that we were commanded to honor our parents in Marah. This is enigmatic, since in the parshah that tells about the manna, the Torah also details the laws of Shabbos. Why do they not say, “kaasher tzivcha,” “As He commanded you,” in the parsha of the manna? Horav Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, z.l., gives a practical response to this question. The mitzvos of Shabbos and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5760

“Do not kill and do not commit adultery, and do not steal, and do not bear false witness against your fellow. And do not covet.” (5:17–18)

Noting the order of these prohibitions, we may assume that they are written in a logical, descending order. The prohibition against murder, clearly the most grievous sin, is first, followed by the other “lesser” sins. In this manner, the Torah tells us that all of these acts are prohibited – not only the more serious ones. We wonder why the Torah joins these transgressions with the prefix “vav” – “and”? Horav David Feinstein, Shlita, explains that the Torah emphasizes to us that all mitzvos have equal significance. Had the Torah not used the “vav”, “and” prefix, we might think that…

Home -> 5760 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5760

“You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your possessions.” (6:5)

Throughout the millennia, Hashem has tested the Jewish nation. He has challenged us collectively as a nation, as well as personally as individuals. We have been subject to the most cruel and inhuman ordeals, and we have survived. We have maintained our faith in the Almighty with all of our heart and all of our soul. Today, most of us live in areas where threats to our physical survival rarely present themselves. There is, however, another area in which the committed Jew is tested: in the area of material advancement. We live in a society in which people are regrettably…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5759

And He declared unto you His covenant… And He wrote them upon two tablets of stone. (4:13)

The Aseres Hadibros, Ten Commandments, are supreme among the Torah’s precepts. This is the result of two factors. Primary is their fundamental and overwhelming importance. Second is the awe-inspiring, majestic manner in which Hashem revealed them to the entire nation of Klal Yisrael. The Revelation was undeniably the most incredible event in the history of the world. It gave birth to Klal Yisrael as a nation – a Torah nation, whose license to nationhood consists of its acceptance of, and adherence to, the Torah. The Torah is a Divine synopsis of our duties toward Hashem and our fellowman. The two…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5759

And this is the law which Moshe set/placed before the Bnei Yisrael. (4:44)

Chapel suggest that the word, “sam”, “placed,” with the Hebrew letter “sin” alludes to another Hebrew word with a similar sound, whose meaning is completely different. Sam ha’maves and sam ha’chaim, a potion whose effects are either therapeutic or deadly in nature. That is like Torah. To the one who is zocheh, merits, it is a potion that can engender life, that can have far-reaching benefits. For the one who is not zocheh, an encounter with Torah can be fatal. Moreover, Chapel say that it is the actual Torah which is “naasis lo,” becomes for him a deadly potion. Imagine,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5759

You shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart. (6:5)

“With all your heart” is a strong term, but one cannot serve Hashem in any lesser manner. Rashi cites Chazal who interpret “b’chol levavecha” as “bishnei yitzrecha,” with your two inclinations, your yetzer tov, good inclination, as well as your yetzer hora, evil inclination. We must endeavor to understand the meaning of loving Hashem with one’s good inclination. Certainly, there is nothing challenging about the yetzer tov. It encourages mitzvah observance and good deeds. What quality of the good inclination might be considered a challenge to overcome? Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, explains that at times, by following the intimations of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5759

And you shall teach them diligently unto your children. (6:7)

In a departure from the literal translation, Rashi defines “banecha,” which is usually translated as “your children, ” to mean “talmidecha,” your students. Why is this? We are taught that the respect for a rebbe, Torah teacher, takes precedence over respecting one’s father. One is obligated to show a greater degree of respect towards his rebbe than towards his father. Why would the Torah analogize a rebbe’s Torah-teaching to a father and son relationship? Moreover, we find that Elisha referred to his rebbe, Eliyahu Hanavi, as “Avi, Avi,” “My father, My father.” If a rebbe is to be held in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5759

When your son will ask you tomorrow saying, “What is the meaning of the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances which Hashem, our G-d has commanded you?” (6:20)

Chazal suggest that this question is asked by the “wise” son of the “four” sons of the Haggadah. We are taught that the Torah “speaks” to each of the four sons, representing four perspectives or types of Jews. Each one has his own focus, each one has his own perspective, analogous with his chosen way of life. What is the distinction of having four sons? It would seem that Chazal are lauding the fact that these “four sons” truly exist. Horav Chaim Soloveitchik, zl, distinguishes between secular studies — in which the text is divided according to one’s age or…

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“You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your possessions.” (6:5)

“For inquire now regarding the early days… from the day when G- d created man on the earth…Has there ever been anything like this great thing or has anything like it ever been heard?” (4:32)

“Guard the Shabbos day to sanctify it, as Hashem, your G-d, has commanded you.” (5:12)

“Do not kill and do not commit adultery, and do not steal, and do not bear false witness against your fellow. And do not covet.” (5:17–18)

“You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your possessions.” (6:5)

And He declared unto you His covenant… And He wrote them upon two tablets of stone. (4:13)

And this is the law which Moshe set/placed before the Bnei Yisrael. (4:44)

You shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart. (6:5)

And you shall teach them diligently unto your children. (6:7)

When your son will ask you tomorrow saying, “What is the meaning of the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances which Hashem, our G-d has commanded you?” (6:20)

YEARS

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