Va’eschanan – Page 2 – Peninim on the Torah

והיו הדברים האלה אשר מצוך היום על לבבך ושננתם לבניך

And these matters that I command you today shall be upon our heart. You shall teach them thoroughly to your children. (6:6,7)

The Alshich HaKadosh writes: “If these matters will penetrate deep into your heart and not simply be superficial, then your words will be able to penetrate into the hearts of your children/students.” The Sefer HaYashar (Rabbi Zerachyah or Rabbeinu Tam), expresses a similar thought, “Anything that emanates from the heart will enter into the heart (of the listener).” Whatever the mouth simply expresses will not get past the ear. In other words, only one who accepts upon himself the yoke of Torah, who makes it a part of himself, can effectively transmit that Torah to others. Horav Shraga Grossbard, zl,…

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שמע ישראל ד' אלקינו ד' אחד

Sruly Schnair In Va'eschanan, 5780

Hear, O’ Yisrael: Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is the One and Only. (6:4)

Judaism’s seminal verse, the pasuk that accompanies us as we end our sojourn in this world is: Shema Yisrael: Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad; “Hear, O’ Yisrael, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One.” The Tur Orach Chaim 61 rules that one places his hand over his eyes when he recites the Shema. What is the significance of Shema, and why does one cover his eyes upon reciting it? In his preface, the Kol Arye observes that two of Hashem’s Sheimos, Names, are seemingly contrary to one another. The name Elokim/Elokeinu is the Name that represents the Almighty’s, middah, attribute, of…

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ראה למדתי אתכם חוקים ומשפטים כאשר צוני ד' אלקיך

Sruly Schnair In Va'eschanan, 5780

See, I have taught you decrees and ordinances, as Hashem, my G-d, has commanded me. (4:5)

Chazal derive an interesting halachah from this pasuk. Moshe Rabbeinu enjoins the nation to observe his manner of teaching the law to the nation. Just as he performed his mission gratis, likewise, when a Jew teaches Torah to his fellow Jew, he should not do so for remuneration. Does that mean that the thousands of rebbeim, moros, roshei yeshivah, rabbanim, roshei kollel, menahalim, anybody who teaches and disseminates Torah, should relinquish payment? Does this indicate that their profession is a “non-profession”? You get what you pay for. The salary one commands indicates the significance and value of the position. If…

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ויאמר ד' אלי רב לך אל תוסף דבר אלי בדבר הזה

Sruly Schnair In Va'eschanan, 5780

Hashem said to me, “It is too much for you! Do not continue to speak to Me further about this matter.” (3:26)

The Midrash Tanchuma (Va’eschanan 4) relates that Moshe Rabbeinu said to Hashem, “Ribon HaOlamim, You referred to me as Moshe, My servant (Bamidbar 12:7). I truly am Your servant. You also wrote in Your Torah (Shemos 21:5) that the eved Ivri, Hebrew bondsman who refuses to leave servitude after the prescribed six years goes through a process and avado l’olam, he remains in servitude until Yovel. Thus, Hashem, I ask to be allowed to remain in my position as an eved and continue serving You.” Hashem replied, “Rav lach, it is too much for you. It has already been decreed…

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ואתחנן אל ד' ... אעברה נא ואראה ... ויתעבר ד' בי למענכם

Sruly Schnair In Va'eschanan, 5780

I implored Hashem at that time… Let me now cross and see… But Hashem became angry with me because of you. (3:23,25,26)

Moshe Rabbeinu prayed and prayed. Chazal say that the word, va’eschanan, I implored, implies that Moshe prayed 515 times, which its numerical equivalent. The word, va’eschanan, is derived from chinam, free, alluding to the nature of this prayer. Being one of the ten terms of prayer, it is used when one seeks an undeserved favor from Hashem. Why did Moshe use this term? Surely he was deserving. The righteous never feel that they have a claim on Hashem’s favor. His mercy is reserved for those who feel “worthy” of it. The righteous and the humble feel that Hashem owes them…

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ויתעבר ד' בי למענכם

Moshe Marcovich In Va'eschanan, 5778

But Hashem became angry with me, because of you. (3:26)

Moshe Rabbeinu’s address to Klal Yisrael is enigmatic. Our quintessential leader was not one to share with the people what appear to be his personal issues concerning not being allowed to enter Eretz Yisrael. He erred, and Hashem did not forgive him. Indeed, why did Hashem not forgive Moshe? Incredibly, according to the Midrash, he offered five hundred and fifteen supplications to Hashem! Moshe knew how to pray. Yet, his prayers were not accepted. Moshe said to Hashem: “I spent so much time and trouble to inspire Klal Yisrael to be faithful, to believe and to observe. It was not…

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אנכי ד' אלקיך אשר הוצאתיך מארץ מצרים

Moshe Marcovich In Va'eschanan, 5778

I am Hashem, your G-d, Who took you out of Egypt. (5:6)

In his Bais Elokim (Shaar Hayesodos 12), the Mabit observes that the first five Dibros/Commandments, which were on the right side of the Luchos, address mitzvos which are bein adam laMakom, between man and Hashem. The five commandments on the left side address mitzvos bein adam la’chaveiro, between man and fellow man. Interestingly, the commandments which relate to mitzvos between man and G-d are textually much longer than those which are bein adam la’chaveiro. Three of these are comprised of two words. He explains that, while each letter of the commandments has great cosmic significance [there are 620 letters in…

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כבד את אביך ואת אמך

Moshe Marcovich In Va'eschanan, 5778

Honor your father and your mother. (5:16)

The Luchos, Ten Commandments, are divided into two parts: bein adam la’Makom, between man and G-d; bein adam la’chaveiro, between man and fellowman. The fifth commandment, the mitzvah to honor one’s parents, almost appears misplaced, since it is included among the dibros bein adam la’Makom, when, in fact, one may argue that respect for parents, according them pleasure and satisfaction, belongs among the dibros bein adam la’chaveiro. Upon perusing the commentary of the Rishonim, we note that this is actually the case. The Sefer HaChinuch writes that among the shoroshei hamitzvah, root/origin of the mitzvah, is to teach a person…

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ואהבת את ד' אלקיך בכל לבבך ובכל נפשך ובכל מאודך

Moshe Marcovich In Va'eschanan, 5778

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

B’chol nafshecha, “with all your soul”: Afilu Hu noteil es nafshecha, “Even if He takes your soul.” According to the Mizrachi, this means that a person should be willing to give up his life for the sanctification of Hashem’s Name – when the situation warrants it. Eimek HaNetziv explains this as an enjoinment for one to feel a sense of love from Hashem even if his life is being taken for His sake. Horav Don Segal, zl, notes that Rashi uses the word noteil (es nafshecha), takes (your soul), rather than titein (you), give. He explains that while giving up…

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ואתם הדבקים בד' אלקיכם חיים כלכם היום... ושמרתם ועשיתם כי היא חכמתכם ובינתכם... ככל התורה הזאת

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5777

But you who cling to Hashem, your G-d – you are alive today… you shall safeguard and perform them, for it is your wisdom and discernment… as this is the Torah. (4:4,6,8)

We have been bequeathed an incredible gift: the Torah. It is the source of our wisdom, understanding, character refinement, religious observance; indeed, it is chaim kulchem hayom, our life – today – and every day. Without Torah in its entirety we are lost. We may not accept the Torah piecemeal in accordance with our comfort zone. That is not Torah. It is everything – or else it is simply intellectual knowledge. It is a life source only when it is imbibed, seen, studied, understood and observed. What about someone who has had little opportunity to learn or has started late?…

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והיו הדברים האלה אשר מצוך היום על לבבך ושננתם לבניך

And these matters that I command you today shall be upon our heart. You shall teach them thoroughly to your children. (6:6,7)

שמע ישראל ד' אלקינו ד' אחד

Hear, O’ Yisrael: Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is the One and Only. (6:4)

ראה למדתי אתכם חוקים ומשפטים כאשר צוני ד' אלקיך

See, I have taught you decrees and ordinances, as Hashem, my G-d, has commanded me. (4:5)

ויאמר ד' אלי רב לך אל תוסף דבר אלי בדבר הזה

Hashem said to me, “It is too much for you! Do not continue to speak to Me further about this matter.” (3:26)

ואתחנן אל ד' ... אעברה נא ואראה ... ויתעבר ד' בי למענכם

I implored Hashem at that time… Let me now cross and see… But Hashem became angry with me because of you. (3:23,25,26)

ויתעבר ד' בי למענכם

But Hashem became angry with me, because of you. (3:26)

אנכי ד' אלקיך אשר הוצאתיך מארץ מצרים

I am Hashem, your G-d, Who took you out of Egypt. (5:6)

כבד את אביך ואת אמך

Honor your father and your mother. (5:16)

ואהבת את ד' אלקיך בכל לבבך ובכל נפשך ובכל מאודך

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

ואתם הדבקים בד' אלקיכם חיים כלכם היום... ושמרתם ועשיתם כי היא חכמתכם ובינתכם... ככל התורה הזאת

But you who cling to Hashem, your G-d – you are alive today… you shall safeguard and perform them, for it is your wisdom and discernment… as this is the Torah. (4:4,6,8)

YEARS

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