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Home -> 5762 -> Ki Seitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Ki Seitzei, 5762

“If a man will have a wayward and rebellious son.” (21:18)

The law regarding the ben sorer u’moreh, wayward and rebellious son, is a difficult one to understand. Just because the boy devours a sizeable amount of meat and guzzles too much wine, does that make him guilty of a capital punishment? He is punished, however, because of what he will eventually do. Let him therefore be put to death now before  he commits a serious crime. This is not a law that can be adjudicated by Bais Din, the earthly court system. The law of the ben sorer is from Hashem, who knows what this boy’s future will bring. The law,…

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Home -> 5762 -> Ki Seitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Ki Seitzei, 5762

“If a man will have a wayward and rebellious son.” (21:18)

The incident of the ben sorer u’moreh, wayward and rebellious son, is one of the most serious tragedies related in the Torah. A boy who rejects his parents and everything they have taught him, a boy who rejects everything his parents stand for, truly represents a tragedy of unparalleled proportion. Being a Jewish parent is an awesome responsibility. Parents are the link between the Jewish generations that precede us and those who will follow in the future. Ours is the privilege to maintain the faith of the past, to give meaning and value to the present, and to ensure that there…

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Home -> 5762 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shoftim, 5762

“You shall not move a boundary of your fellow.” (19:14)

It is forbidden to increase one’s property at the expense of one’s neighbor. A simple law, which is really common sense. Yet, we find hasogas gvul to be a common malady, whether it is in business or in any other endeavor. For some reason, when one Jew is doing something and doing it well, soon he will have a competitor down the block, doing the same thing. The following story, although it does not condone the inappropriate actions of Jew versus Jew, does offer rationale for the offensive behavior. Horav Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor, z.l., the distinguished rav of Kovno, was…

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Home -> 5762 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shoftim, 5762

“You shall not take notice of someone’s presence.” (16:19)

Everyone must be treated fairly and equally. This idea does not apply exclusively to a court of law. A sickness prevails in a society in which we favor one person over another. In some cases, it is their pedigree; in others, it is their material wealth, or it is simply what we personally can benefit from them. As a judge should not favor one litigant over another, so, too, should we not treat one Jew differently from another. Horav David, z.l., m’Lelov was once traveling with the Yehudi HaKadosh, z.l., m’Peshischa to raise funds for charity. They came to the home…

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Home -> 5762 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shoftim, 5762

“Judges and officers shall you appoint.” (16:18)

Jewish leadership has to be strong – yet flexible. Compassion for, and sensitivity to all Jews are prerequisites for leadership. Strength of character  and  fear  of  no  man  are  just  as  essential.  The following narratives demonstrate these two inimical qualities which were the hallmarks of two Torah leaders. Horav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, z.l., was a talmid chacham without peer. Yet, he had no problem performing the most menial task if it would help another Jew – regardless of his age or station in life. Rav Yosef Chaim was once late in returning home from Shacharis. This was an anomaly, since he was…

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Home -> 5762 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shoftim, 5762

“Judges and officers shall you appoint.” (16:18)

Whichever title we choose to apply – judge, leader, rav – the spiritual leader and arbiter of Jewish Law has to fulfill certain criteria. Thorough knowledge of the law is only one; it’s the beginning of the many attributes he must possess. The Yerushalmi in Meseches Sanhedrin 1:4 details some of the other virtues inherent in a dayan who sits on the Bais Din situated on Har HaBayis: chacham, wise; anav, humble; shafui, modest, deferring to those greater than he; ayin tovah, benevolent eye; nefesh shfalah, humble spirited; ruach nemuchah, lowly/humble spirit – patient; lev tov, good heart; yetzer tov, good…

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Home -> 5762 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Re'eh, 5762

“His requirement, whatever is lacking to him.” (15:8)

While we are not obligated to make the supplicant wealthy, we are enjoined to see to it that he receives his due in accordance with his needs. Everybody’s needs are different. One who had previously been wealthy and lost everything cannot subsist on the meager alms that would suffice for one who had always been poor. The Torah is probably the only ethical system that takes the poor man’s self-esteem – his present frame of mind – in account when it prescribes the manner in which we are to sustain him. We have to make a person feel good about himself…

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Home -> 5762 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Re'eh, 5762

“You shall tithe the entire crop of your planting.” (14:22)

Chazal teach us aseir bishvil sheh’tisasheir, “tithe so that you will increase your wealth.” There is a distinct corollary between the mitzvah of tzedakah, charity, and wealth. One who gives will be worthy of receiving. One who does not give has no merit for which to  receive. When we think about it, what really is wealth? Better yet, how do we estimate one’s worth? Usually, the idea of evaluating one’s worth is a reference to his financial assets. Actually, that approach identifies a very limited perspective of one’s true worth. We measure one’s worth in spiritual terms. It is not what…

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Home -> 5762 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Re'eh, 5762

“But this you shall not eat from among those that bring up their cud or have a completely separated hoof…” (14:7)

The criteria for identifying the kosher animal is repeated once again in Parashas Re’eh, thus emphasizing the significance of Kashrus. Two identifying characteristics of kosher animals are mentioned: they chew their cud; and they have completely split hooves. In the entire creation, just four animals have only one kosher sign. The overwhelming majority have neither sign. Only the One Who created these animals can make such an undisputed statement. As the Alter, z.l., m’Kelm notes, this attests to the Divine authorship of the Torah. No human author would publicly make a claim that could be refuted. Yet, there are those who…

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Home -> 5762 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Eikev, 5762

“You shall place these words of Mine upon your heart… you shall bind them for a sign upon your arm… And you shall teach them to your children… And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house.” (11:18-20)

Three mitzvos follow in close succession after Hashem’s threat of exile. Is there a relationship between these mitzvos and the exile? Rashi cites the Sifri that connects the juxtaposition in the following manner. We are enjoined to observe these commandments even in exile, so that when the redemption occurs, these mitzvos will not be foreign to us. There is a danger that when the Jewish People are in exile living in a non- Jewish environment, speaking the language of the host nation, adopting its customs and lifestyle, there is a real threat of assimilation. It is for this reason that we…

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