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Home -> 5762 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Eikev, 5762

“And to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (11:13)

Rashi says this pasuk refers to avodas halev, service of the heart, which alludes to prayer. The word b’chol, with all, has a powerful meaning. When we pray to Hashem it has to be “with all,” with an all encompassing, unequivocal devotion to Him. Nothing should disturb or distract us when we are in communion with the Almighty. Yet, we all know that this is far from true. Many of us do not find the time to daven with a minyan. Regrettably, we daven with complete attention to Hashem only when we are in need. Perhaps if we would daven correctly…

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Home -> 5762 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Eikev, 5762

“Bnei Yisrael journeyed from Beeros Bnei Yaakon to Moserah; there Aharon died.” (10:6)

The story of Aharon Hakohen’s passing is juxtaposed to the breaking of the Luchos. Chazal derive from here that the death of a tzaddik carries  with  it  the  same  impact  as  the  breaking  of  the Luchos. Chazal also teach us that when a tzaddik passes from this world, he is immediately replaced by another tzaddik. Once the sun “sets” on one tzaddik, it begins to shine on another. This is especially true if the son of a tzaddik is eminently qualified and capable to assume his father’s leadership role. Aharon passed away from this world after an exemplary “career” of leadership…

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Home -> 5762 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Eikev, 5762

“For just as a man chastises his son, Hashem, your G-d, chastises you.” (8:5)

The word yesurim also indicates suffering. Hence, the suffering we sustain in this world is actually Hashem’s chastisement of us. Perhaps this is the only way one can endure the pain and anguish of suffering: he knows it comes from a loving Father. He also knows that he is not alone in his suffering. I once visited a young woman who was suffering through the terrible pain of end-stage cancer. I wondered what to say to her. Her life was dependent upon a miracle. The pain she sustained was excruciating. The mental anguish she suffered knowing that she would probably not…

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Home -> 5762 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Va'eschanan, 5762

“And it shall be, when Hashem, your G-d brings you to the land… to give you great and good cities that you did not build, and houses… which you did not fill, and wells dug, which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees, which you did not plant… Then beware for yourself lest you forget Hashem.” (6:10-12)

The Torah seems to emphasize that Eretz Yisrael is a land of abundance, for which we can take no credit. The cities are great,  but we did not build them. The houses are filled with all sorts of good things, but we did not fill them. The wells, vineyards, olive trees are all wonderful, but we did not dig or plant them. Material abundance is everywhere, but we had nothing to do with it. Does it really matter whether we had a hand in preparing this incredible abundance? The primary problem is that when people have too much, they might forget…

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Home -> 5762 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Va'eschanan, 5762

“Honor your father and your mother, as Hashem, your G-d, commanded you, so that your days will be lengthened.” (5:16)

Rashi says that the commandment to honor one’s parents was first given at Marah. Does it really make a difference where Hashem first commanded Klal Yisrael in regard to this mitzvah? Perhaps this teaches us that our entire approach to the mitzvah of Kibbud Av v’Eim is wrong. There are those who think that we have an obligation to honor our parents out of a sense of gratitude for what they have done for us. They bring us into the world, clothe and feed us, arrange our education and provide for our basic material needs. This is not the Torah’s perspective…

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Home -> 5762 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Va'eschanan, 5762

“Safeguard the Shabbos day to sanctify it.” (5:12)

Shabbos is more than a mitzvah in the Torah; it is a staple of our religion. Yet, it is one of the first mitzvos that was forsaken during the waves of the European immigration to America. “Shabbos was important,” the immigrants agreed, “but if you cannot make a living, its significance takes second place to survival.” Consequently,  shemiras Shabbos, Shabbos observance, was identified with the European shtetl. Much of Orthodoxy and the moral, ethical and social behavior that was endemic to Orthodox Judaism in Europe was discarded along with Shabbos. They were, however, as wrong then as they are wrong today….

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Home -> Devarim -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5762, Devarim

“Any matter that is too difficult for you, you shall bring to me and I shall hear it.” (1:17)

Many people want to lead, but most are incapable – nonetheless that does not seem to stop them. A rav should not be remote, inflexible and uncaring. He should have a profound influence on the daily lives of his flock. Yet, this does not stop many from seeking positions of leadership. A rav should certainly be a scholar, but not every scholar should be a rav. A rav should be people-oriented, a communicator, friendly, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of all his members. Yet, lacking these criteria does not stop certain people from assuming positions of leadership. Horav Eliezer M….

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Home -> Devarim -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5762, Devarim

“How can I alone carry your contentiousness, your burdens, and your quarrels?” (1:12)

Parashas Devarim is always read on the Shabbos which precedes Tisha B’Av. This is due to the word eichah, how, the opening word of Megillas Eichah, which is read on Tisha B’Av. Indeed,  the word eichah has become synonymous with Tisha B’Av and mourning. In the Midrash Eichah, Chazal say three prophesized using the word eichah: Moshe Rabbeinu, Yeshayah HaNavi, and Yirmiyahu HaNavi. Moshe said, “How  can I alone carry your burdens?” Yeshayah said, “How did (Klal Yisrael) become like a harlot?” (Yeshayah 1:21). Yirmiyahu said, “How does she (Klal Yisrael) sit alone?” (Eichah 1:1). What is the Midrash alluding to?…

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Home -> Devarim -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5762, Devarim

“These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael.” (1:1)

Rebuke is far from simple. It is difficult for the one who renders the admonishment and difficult for he who is being reproached. In his commentary to Sefer Mishlei 9:8, the Gaon M’Vilna writes that tochachah, rebuke, is like a mirror that presents an individual with a clear picture of his real self. He can either look at the image and accept what it shows, or he can ignore the image and go about his business as usual. The Sefas Emes says that the word tochachah has its root in the word toch, which means inside. The purpose of rebuke is…

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Home -> Devarim -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5762, Devarim

“These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael.” (1:1)

At the end of the fortieth year of their sojourn in the wilderness, Moshe Rabbeinu is about to take leave of the flock that he had nurtured. He commenced his rebuke on Rosh Chodesh Shevat and culminated his words on the day that he died – the seventh of Adar. The Sifri comments that Moshe purposely decided to admonish the people close to the time when he was leaving this world. He learned this practice from Yaakov Avinu, who also chided his sons prior to his death. Chazal suggest four reasons why one might leave rebuke until the end – close…

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