V’zos HaBrachah – Page 12 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, V'zos HaBrachah

“He became king over Yeshurun when the numbers/leaders of the nation gathered the tribes of Yisrael in unity.” (33:5)

Virtually all of the commentators translate “roshei am” as the leaders of the nation. Rashi, however, seems to disagree. He translates it as, “the numbers,” referring to the inclusion of all Jews under one unified banner. Regardless of definition, the pasuk emphasizes the need for unity in the midst of Am Yisrael in order to effect “Hashem becoming king.” Horav Aharon Rotter, Shlita, cites the “Eish Dos,” who contends that it is impossible to have a unified nation unless the people all follow the dictates of the gedolei ha’dor, Torah leadership of each generation. The Eish Dos uses this thesis…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, V'zos HaBrachah

“May Reuven live and not die, and may his population be included in the count.” (33:6)

Rashi explains that the tribe of Reuven should not have been counted among the census of the other brothers. Reuven is the only tribe for whom no material, spiritual or moral distinction is mentioned. The only exception is Shimon, who is not mentioned at all. The other tribes, however, are characterized by either their spiritual or moral activity or by their socio-economic status. Reuven, regrettably, had a distinction in neither the spiritual nor the material spheres, having lost his superior position as the firstborn. The tribe of Reuven was constantly exposed to attacks by its gentile neighbors on the east…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, V'zos HaBrachah

“And by all the strong hand, and all the great fear which Moshe did in the eyes of all Yisrael.” (34:12)

In the Talmud, Shabbos 87, Chazal interpret “And by all the strong hand,” as referring to Moshe’s act of breaking the luchos. It is notable that Moshe’s epitaph, the climax of the career of Klal Yisrael’s greatest leader, recorded the smashing of the luchos as his greatest moment. Should not Moshe have been remembered for a more “positive” act, rather than for an act of destruction ? Horav Eli Munk, z.l., infers from here that this was Moshe’s ultimate act of authority. He took a “positive” stand against the tide of alienation. He reacted angrily to a wave of liberal…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, V'zos HaBrachah

“Hashem came from Sinai, and rose from Se’ir unto them; He shined forth from Har Paran.” (33:2)

Chazal derive from this pasuk that Hashem offered every nation on earth the opportunity to receive the Torah, only to receive a rejection from all of them. Why, then, does the Torah mention only two nations, Se’ir and Paran, the descendants of Eisav and Yishmael, respectively? Horav Z. Sorotzkin, z.l., suggests the following explanation. Yishmael and Eisav had the opportunity to learn Torah and mitzvos from their parents. Yishmael spent his youth in Avraham’s home, while Eisav was able to study from both his father, Yitzchak, and his grandfather, Avraham. Because the background of Eisav’s children was more firmly infused…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, V'zos HaBrachah

“Who said of his father and of his mother ‘I have not seen him’ neither did he acknowledge his brothers.” (33:9)

Rashi explains that the terms “father” and “brother” used in the pasuk does not refer to the Levi’s real father or brother, since no member of the tribe of Levi had sinned. He, therefore, suggests that these terms refer to their mother’s father or a brother from the same mother who, in either case, was a Yisrael. If this is the case, why does the Torah emphasize the words father and brother? Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., suggests the following thought. The Leviim killed the sinners because of their zealousness for the sake of Hashem’s Name. One might hypothesize that they…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, V'zos HaBrachah

“And to Zevulun he said: Rejoice Zevulun in your going out, and, Yissachar, rejoice in your tents.” (33:18)

The Yissachar-Zevulun relationship was truly unique. Indeed, Moshe blessed these two brothers concurrently, since Zevulun, who engaged in commerce, split his earnings with Yissachar, who devoted his time to Torah study. The Zohar Ha’kadosh explains that Yissachar and Zevulun shared equally. Zevulun shared his material abundance with Yissachar, while Yissachar enabled Zevulun to receive a portion in the World to Come. This “equality,” however, seems puzzling. Is there any way to compare the eternal bliss of Olam Ha’bah to the limited material benefits of Olam Ha’zeh? Why, then, is this viewed as a parallel partnership? Horav Ch. Elazary, z.l., explains…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, V'zos HaBrachah

“And Moshe died there.” (34:5)

The Zohar Ha’kadosh states that Moshe Rabbeinu died on Shabbos at Minchah time. Similarly, according to the Zohar, Yosef Ha’tzaddik and David Ha’melech also died on Shabbos during Minchah time. It is specifically for this reason that we recite three pesukim which begin with the word l,esm, Your righteousness, as a form of ihsv eusm, which constitutes acceptance of Hashem’s judgement at this time. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., questions the reference to the time of Moshe’s death. The Torah states that Moshe told Bnei Yisrael, “I am one hundred and twenty years old today.” This implies that Moshe reached this…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, V'zos HaBrachah

“And Moshe died there.” (34:5)

The Zohar Ha’kadosh states that Moshe Rabbeinu died on Shabbos at Minchah time. Similarly, according to the Zohar, Yosef Ha’tzaddik and David Ha’melech also died on Shabbos during Minchah time. It is specifically for this reason that we recite three pesukim which begin with the word l,esm, Your righteousness, as a form of ihsv eusm, which constitutes acceptance of Hashem’s judgement at this time. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., questions the reference to the time of Moshe’s death. The Torah states that Moshe told Bnei Yisrael, “I am one hundred and twenty years old today.” This implies that Moshe reached this…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, V'zos HaBrachah

“And there died Moshe, servant of Hashem . . . and no man knows his grave unto this day.” (34:5,6)

It seems strange that the life of the pre-eminent leader of Klal Yisrael came to an end with so little attention directed to it. Indeed, the appellation used to describe the essence of the man who achieved the apotheosis of spiritual leadership is simply ‘s scg, the servant of Hashem. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., explains that, in fact, this characterization of Moshe represents the ultimate tribute to him. Moshe’s entire life was devoted to Hashem and His people. He was an “eved Hashem,” servant of Hashem, in the truest sense of the word. He achieved total self-abnegation, so that his…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, V'zos HaBrachah

“Moshe commanded us the Torah, an inheritance of the community of Yaakov.” (33:4)

This pasuk, which is so prominent in Jewish life, is the first pasuk which a Jew utters upon rising in the morning and also the first pasuk we teach to our children. Its simplicity is noteworthy; its message is all encompassing. The word varun is linked with the verb arh, to inherit. This implies that Torah is our inheritance, a legacy which is bequeathed from generation to generation. From the first generation which stood at Har Sinai, who experienced the giving of the Torah through Divine Revelation, it is an inheritance. Each generation has the obligation to transmit the Torah…

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“He became king over Yeshurun when the numbers/leaders of the nation gathered the tribes of Yisrael in unity.” (33:5)

“May Reuven live and not die, and may his population be included in the count.” (33:6)

“And by all the strong hand, and all the great fear which Moshe did in the eyes of all Yisrael.” (34:12)

“Hashem came from Sinai, and rose from Se’ir unto them; He shined forth from Har Paran.” (33:2)

“Who said of his father and of his mother ‘I have not seen him’ neither did he acknowledge his brothers.” (33:9)

“And to Zevulun he said: Rejoice Zevulun in your going out, and, Yissachar, rejoice in your tents.” (33:18)

“And Moshe died there.” (34:5)

“And Moshe died there.” (34:5)

“And there died Moshe, servant of Hashem . . . and no man knows his grave unto this day.” (34:5,6)

“Moshe commanded us the Torah, an inheritance of the community of Yaakov.” (33:4)

YEARS

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