Vayeilech – Page 5 – Peninim on the Torah

“This song shall speak up before it as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring.” (31:21)

This is the only consolation for a prophecy foretelling Klal Yisrael’s slide into a life of sin and rebellion against the Almighty. The Torah might be ignored; it might even be snubbed, but it will never be completely forgotten. Throughout history, there has always been a revival of Torah study following a period when many thought that its end was near. During the Holocaust of World War II, when Europe was burning, there were those doomsayers that said the end of Torah was near. It would die with European Jewry. This was not the case. Those who miraculously survived did…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayeilech

Hashem spoke to Moshe, “Behold, your days are drawing near to die; summon Yehoshua, and both of you shall stand in the Ohel Moed, and I shall instruct him.” (31:14)

The changing of the guard, the transference of leadership, was about to occur. Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu to summon Yehoshua. In the Midrash, V’zos HaBrachah, Chazal teach that ten “deaths” were written concerning Moshe. Ten times the Torah writes about the concept of death as it related to Moshe – but the decree had still not been sealed until…. Moshe did not take the entire idea of his death to heart and conjectured: “Klal Yisrael sinned many a time, sins that were certainly much more egregious than anything I have ever done. Even as a young child I did not sin….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayeilech

So now, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the Bnei Yisrael, place it in their mouths. (31:19)

Chazal (Eiruvin 54b) derive from the words simah b’fi’hem, “Place it into their mouth,” that Torah must be taught in such a manner that the student fully comprehends the material, to the point that he becomes fluent in it. Indeed, Ramban opines that a rebbe, Torah teacher, must review the material as often as necessary until his students are proficient. If the going is slow, he may not become angry; rather he must keep on explaining. In a letter to educators, Horav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, zl, underscored the need for a rebbe to present an amicable countenance, so that the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayeilech

“Then this song shall speak up before it as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring.” (31:21)

The Torah guarantees us that it will not be forgotten. This refers to the Torah in its entirety. It will be with us until the end of time. This assurance has been put to the test during each generation, reaching epic proportions during some of our darkest periods of history. In his Chayei Olam, the Steipler Rav, zl, takes the reader on a journey throughout history, recounting the many challenges that we have confronted: We were hurt; we were exiled; we were persecuted; but our commitment to the Torah remained intact. The Torah has undergone nine exiles: Bavel; North Africa;…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayeilech

Moshe wrote this song on that day, and he taught it to the Bnei Yisrael. (31:22)

It is noteworthy that the prophecy concerning the vicissitudes and challenges facing the Jewish People in the future is written as a song. The Bostoner Rebbe, zl, observes that, indeed, it is typical of the Torah and Hashem’s great love for the Jewish People. Even when the Almighty wanted to warn and rebuke the nation through Moshe Rabbeinu, He did so with a song. For a song has the ability to move the heart, to rebuke with love, to involve the whole person and to teach him as well. Rebuke is also an attitude. For example, one sees another person…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5770, Vayeilech

“And many evils and troubles shall come upon them, and they shall say on that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because G-d is not in our midst?’ And I will surely have concealed My face on that day.” (31:17-18)

These two pesukim begin by asserting Hashem’s anger, followed by the concealment of His countenance as a result of Klal Yisrael’s transgressions. Afterwards, when the nation recognizes that its suffering is due to Hashem’s concealment, the next pasuk continues with Hashem concealing Himself once again. This is enigmatic. One would think that recognition of sin is a step towards teshuvah, repentance. Surely, it should not be followed with more hester Panim, concealment of Hashem’s countenance. Indeed, this is a difficult and most tragic prophecy. What could be worse than Hashem removing Himself from our midst? It is softened only…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5770, Vayeilech

“This song shall speak up before it as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring.” (31:21)

This is the only consolation for a prophecy foretelling Klal Yisrael’s slide into a life of sin and rebellion against the Almighty. The Torah might be ignored; it might even be snubbed, but it will never be completely forgotten. Throughout history, there has always been a revival of Torah study following a period when many thought that its end was near. During the Holocaust of World War II, when Europe was burning, there were those doomsayers that said the end of Torah was near. It would die with European Jewry. This was not the case. Those who miraculously survived did…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5769

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5769, Vayeilech

“And many evils and troubles shall come upon them, and they shall say on that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because G-d is not in our midst?’ And I will surely have concealed My face on that day.” (31:17-18)

These two pesukim begin by asserting Hashem’s anger, followed by the concealment of His countenance as a result of Klal Yisrael’s transgressions. Afterwards, when the nation recognizes that its suffering is due to Hashem’s concealment, the next pasuk continues with Hashem concealing Himself once again. This is enigmatic. One would think that recognition of sin is a step towards teshuvah, repentance. Surely, it should not be followed with more hester Panim, concealment of Hashem’s countenance. Indeed, this is a difficult and most tragic prophecy. What could be worse than Hashem removing Himself from our midst? It is softened only…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5769

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5769, Vayeilech

“This song shall speak up before it as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring.” (31:21)

This is the only consolation for a prophecy foretelling Klal Yisrael’s slide into a life of sin and rebellion against the Almighty. The Torah might be ignored; it might even be snubbed, but it will never be completely forgotten. Throughout history, there has always been a revival of Torah study following a period when many thought that its end was near. During the Holocaust of World War II, when Europe was burning, there were those doomsayers that said the end of Torah was near. It would die with European Jewry. This was not the case. Those who miraculously survived did…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5768

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5768, Vayeilech

“And many evils and troubles shall come upon them, and they shall say on that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because G-d is not in our midst?’ And I will surely have concealed My face on that day.” (31:17-18)

These two pesukim begin by asserting Hashem’s anger, followed by the concealment of His countenance as a result of Klal Yisrael’s transgressions. Afterwards, when the nation recognizes that its suffering is due to Hashem’s concealment, the next pasuk continues with Hashem concealing Himself once again. This is enigmatic. One would think that recognition of sin is a step towards teshuvah, repentance. Surely, it should not be followed with more hester Panim, concealment of Hashem’s countenance. Indeed, this is a difficult and most tragic prophecy. What could be worse than Hashem removing Himself from our midst? It is softened only…

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“This song shall speak up before it as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring.” (31:21)

Hashem spoke to Moshe, “Behold, your days are drawing near to die; summon Yehoshua, and both of you shall stand in the Ohel Moed, and I shall instruct him.” (31:14)

So now, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the Bnei Yisrael, place it in their mouths. (31:19)

“Then this song shall speak up before it as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring.” (31:21)

Moshe wrote this song on that day, and he taught it to the Bnei Yisrael. (31:22)

“And many evils and troubles shall come upon them, and they shall say on that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because G-d is not in our midst?’ And I will surely have concealed My face on that day.” (31:17-18)

“This song shall speak up before it as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring.” (31:21)

“And many evils and troubles shall come upon them, and they shall say on that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because G-d is not in our midst?’ And I will surely have concealed My face on that day.” (31:17-18)

“This song shall speak up before it as a witness, for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring.” (31:21)

“And many evils and troubles shall come upon them, and they shall say on that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because G-d is not in our midst?’ And I will surely have concealed My face on that day.” (31:17-18)

YEARS

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