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Home -> 5752 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Va'eschanan, 5752

“And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.” (6:8)

We may suggest that this pasuk implies an important truth concerning the manner of serving Hashem. The Tefillin we place on the forehead represent man’s external focus in serving Hashem. This concept is in conformity with the pasuk: And all the people of the earth shall see that Hashem’s Name is called upon you (Devarim 28:10). The Tefillin we place on the arm represent man’s inner struggle in serving Hashem. This concept can be derived from the daily prayer which we recite prior to putting on the Tefillin: That it be opposite the heart to subjugate the desires and thoughts…

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Home -> 5752 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Va'eschanan, 5752

“Hear, O’ Israel, Hashem our G-d, Hashem is One.” (6:4)

This pasuk has been emphasized more than any other words of the Torah. We are commanded to recite it twice daily, to bind it to us in our Tefillin, and to write it in the Mezuzahs on our door posts. Throughout our tumultuous history this pasuk has been our source of courage, inspiration, and salvation. It has been the first pasuk a Jew is taught as a child and the last he utters before he dies. This proclamation of Hashem’s Oneness has been on the lips of the martyrs throughout the generations as they sacrificed their lives on Kiddush Hashem….

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Home -> 5752 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Va'eschanan, 5752

“And he shall flee unto one of these cities and he shall live.” (4:42)

  The Rambam states that a student who is exiled to the cities of refuge because he has inadvertently killed a fellow Jew must be accompanied by his Torah teacher. He cites the word “hju” – “and he shall live”, as the basis for this law. Torah is the lifeblood of a Jew. Torah study keeps one’s soul alive in this world and enables him to continue life even after his physical death. Since a student cannot properly study without his teacher, his “rebbe” is obligated to go with him. One who understands the value of this life force will…

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Home -> 5752 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Va'eschanan, 5752

“And know this day and lay it to your heart that Hashem, He is G-d.” (4:39)

We may question the use of the word emunah, “faith”, regarding belief in Hashem. Is it not one of the most basic axioms that a world such as ours could not have come into existence and continue to endure without a supreme Creator and Ruler? This is especially obvious when one notes the intricacies of human development. It is not even remotely possible for man to have appeared on earth without any form of Divine intervention.   The Rambam cites the above pasuk as the proof text for the knowledge that there is a supreme Creator who is the very…

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Home -> 5752 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Va'eschanan, 5752

“You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish from it.” (4:2)

The admonishment against diminishing a word of the Torah is easily comprehensible. Why are we exhorted, however, not to add mitzvos to the Torah? Would not adding mitzvos serve to enhance our service of Hashem? Horav Yaakov Neiman Z”l responds with a simple, but emphatic, statement. We must believe that the Torah was given directly to Moshe by Hashem. He presented the book with all aspects of each mitzvah fine-tuned to perfection. Thereafter, he handed the Torah to Moshe to transmit to Bnei Yisrael in its entirety. As it is expressed so eloquently in Tehillim (19) “the Torah of Hashem…

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