5781 – Peninim on the Torah

“Assemble the people, the men, and the women, and the little ones.” (31:12)

Rashi explains that, although the little children were clearly not capable of comprehending the experience, they accompanied the adults. Thus, those who brought them would be rewarded. In truth, the children that came along probably disrupted the adults to the point that they could not listen as intently as they would have desired. We may, therefore, wonder at the Torah’s insistence that the children be present. Would it not have been preferable for the children to remain at home, in order to enable the adults to properly concentrate on their avodas Hashem, service to Hashem? Horav N. Adler, z.l., suggests…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5753

“And Moshe went and spoke these words … a hundred and twenty years I am this day, I can no more go out and come in, and Hashem said to me you shall not go over. Hashem, your G-d, He will go over before you . . .” (31:2,3)

Moshe’s farewell address to Bnei Yisrael seems enigmatic. Why does Moshe mention his advanced age and “frailty” in his closing words? Horav Chaim Sheinberg, Shlita, cites the Sforno who adds insight to Moshe’s words, “I am a hundred and twenty years old this day.” Do not grieve over my death, for according to nature I should not be alive until today. “I can no longer go out and come in.” And even if I were to live, I would not be able to go out and come in on your behalf because of my advanced age. “And Hashem has told…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5753

“Lest there should be among you a man or woman . . . whose heart turns away this day . . . lest there be among you a root that is fruitful (in) gall and wormwood.” (29:17)

The Ramban explains that the individual whose slight deviation will eventually grow into blatant evil is at present a pious Jew. He stands in seeming direct contradistinction to the full-fledged believer in paganism. Nonetheless, the Torah combines the two into one group. Indeed, their only point of divergence is intellectual belief. To the unknowing onlooker, they may appear to be two very different people. One is an obvious heretic, while the other acts like he should be grouped with the devout. The Torah says, however, that appearances are deceiving. The two individuals act distinctly, but their heresy is essentially similar….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5753

“You are standing this day, all of you before Hashem your G-d . . . that you should enter into the covenant of Hashem your G-d and into His oath.” (29:9,11) – “Lest there be among you a man or woman whose heart turns away this day from Hashem our G-d, to go to serve the gods of those nations.” (29:17)

The Chofetz Chaim, z.l., explains that the moment when Moshe stood before Bnei Yisrael, prepared to bring them into Hashem’s covenant, was filled with trepidation and uncertainty. On the one hand, Moshe had shared with Bnei Yisrael Hashem’s recognition of their lofty accomplishments. His statement of unconditional love for them reassured them of their future. Immediately thereafter, however, Moshe admonished them regarding the individual Jew who might have been leaning towards idol worship. This individual’s deviation from Hashem could fester, bringing ruin to a whole nation! This seems unreal! How could an entire community fall victim to the folly of…

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“Assemble the people, the men, and the women, and the little ones.” (31:12)

“And Moshe went and spoke these words … a hundred and twenty years I am this day, I can no more go out and come in, and Hashem said to me you shall not go over. Hashem, your G-d, He will go over before you . . .” (31:2,3)

“Lest there should be among you a man or woman . . . whose heart turns away this day . . . lest there be among you a root that is fruitful (in) gall and wormwood.” (29:17)

YEARS

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