Peninim on the Torah

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

The Torah pays great attention to the individual pedigree of each Jew. Indeed, the Yalkut states that when Klal Yisrael received the Torah, the nations of the world became jealous: “Why did Hashem give the Torah to Klal Yisrael rather than to any other nation?” Hashem responded to them, “Bring Me your Sefer Yuchsin, Book of Lineage, as My children did.” This is a reference to pasuk 18, “and they established their genealogy.” Since the count was done according to tribe, the people had to establish the tribe to which they belonged either by written documents or valid witnesses. One reason…

Home -> Masei -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Masei

“He shall dwell in it until the death of the Kohen Gadol.” (35:25)

What connection is there between the unintentional murderer and the Kohen Gadol? Rashi explains that the Kohen Gadol should have prayed to Hashem that such a tragedy in which one Jew kills another Jew, albeit unintentionally, does not occur during his tenure as Kohen Gadol. It is interesting how the Torah emphasizes that davening is not enough. One must know what to daven for. The Kohen Gadol should have prayed for the spiritual welfare of the people of his generation. Had he done so, the tragedy that occurred would have been circumvented. The Chafetz Chaim, z.l., draws a powerful analogy to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Masei

“These are the journeys of Bnei Yisrael, who went forth from the land of Egypt.” (33:1)

We must keep on going forward – not lingering in the past. While we must never forget the past, it is incumbent upon us to look forward to the future. We have left Egypt; the pain, persecution and travail are behind us. We should go forward towards new horizons. When we live in the past, we become depressed and stagnant. The Lomza Rosh HaYeshivah, Horav Yechiel Mordechai Gordon, z.l., would walk through the streets of Petach Tikvah with an air of nobility and dignity which bespoke a person who seemed not to have a care in the world. He spoke and…

Home -> Matos -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Matos

They approached him and said, “Pens for the flock shall we build here for our livestock and cities for our small children”… Moshe said to them… “Build for yourselves cities for your small children and pens for your flock.” (32:16,20,24)

The halachah regarding reciting a brachah over two fruits that are not from the seven species of fruit with which Eretz Yisrael is blessed is clear: One first makes the brachah upon the fruit which one likes more. What if he likes one more, but the second fruit has more therapeutic value, more vitamins in it? Horav Avigdor HaLevi Nebentzhal, Shlita, contends that the fruit which is qualitatively better for the person is the one that takes precedence in regard to the blessing. The source for this halachah can be derived from Moshe Rabbeinu’s dialogue with Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Matos

“And he shall revoke the vow that is upon her.” (30:9)

Chazal differentiate between a court’s hatarah, annulment, of a vow and a husband or father’s hafarah, revocation, of a vow. Hatarah is made with reason, based upon the premise that the vow was made either in error or in ignorance. For example, had the individual making the vow been aware of certain circumstances, he would never have made it. Therefore, the annulment is retroactive, indicating that it was all in error. Hafarah, on the other hand, is not retroactive. It is a power given to the husband or father to revoke the vow for the future – without reason, simply because…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5762

“Why should the name of our father be omitted from among his family because he had no son?” (27:4)

Parents need their children. Horav Avraham Berish Flohm, z.l., a distinguished disciple of the Maggid of Dubno, gives the following explanation of this pasuk. A father and his son were traveling together on a long journey. It was a difficult trip, and the father went to great lengths to provide for his son’s comfort. He provided for all of his needs and protected him from the challenges along the way. This added responsibility took its toll on the father, but what does a parent not do for their child? When they reached their destination, they discovered that the gates to the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5762

“The daughters of Tzlafchad drew near…and they stood before Moshe.”

The Yalkut Shimoni gives a powerful insight into the episode with Bnos Tzlafchad. Every adam kasheir, pious individual, who stands up for what is right and true, especially during a time – or in an environment – that is antithetical to Torah, will earn the reward for all the members of his milieu. Noach took a stand during the generation of the Flood: he merited their reward. Lot stood up to the evil citizens of Sodom: he received their reward. Likewise, the righteous daughters of Tzlafchad stood up for their beliefs at a time when there were those in Klal Yisrael…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5762

“When he zealously avenged Me among them.” (25:11)

Kanaus, zealotry, is truly a noble trait – albeit a dangerous one. Quite often, the well-meaning zealot gets caught up in his enthusiasm, forgetting his original goals and objectives. He forgets that while his adversary is wrong, he is still a human being with feelings and emotions. To say one does not care about the person is to defeat the objective of his actions. The kanai, zealot, is guided by considerations of avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty, and not by any negative spiritual flaw that his adversary might possess. This is most often indicated by the manner in which he…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5762

“And an angel of Hashem stood on the road to impede him.” (22:22)

Hashem warned Bilaam not to curse the Jewish nation. Bilaam had the gall to attempt to defy Him. Hashem sent a Heavenly angel to block Bilaam’s path. The angel stood there with a drawn sword. Yet, Rashi describes this angel as an angel of mercy, sent by a compassionate G-d to prevent Bilaam from committing a sin which would catalyze his self destruction. The donkey who saw the angel saw a menacing angel brandishing a sword. Yet, he is described as an angel of mercy. In The Pleasant Way, Horav Avraham Pam, z.l., derives a compelling lesson from here. Life is…

Home -> 5762 -> Chukas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chukas, 5762

“Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of Bnei Yisrael, therefore, you will not bring this congregation to the land.” (20:12)

The commentators struggle to understand Moshe Rabbeinu’s sin. Some say that he was told to speak to the stone, and he hit the stone instead. Others say he spoke with anger to the people. In his Sefer HaIkrim, Horav Yosef Albo, z.l., gives a meaningful explanation. One of our principles of emunah is that Hashem bends teva, nature, to the needs of His faithful. Anyone who does not believe that Hashem fulfills the will of a tzaddik, righteous individual, denies the very basis of the Torah. It is especially true that when the opportunity to sanctify Hashem’s Name exists, the tzaddik…

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“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

“He shall dwell in it until the death of the Kohen Gadol.” (35:25)

“These are the journeys of Bnei Yisrael, who went forth from the land of Egypt.” (33:1)

They approached him and said, “Pens for the flock shall we build here for our livestock and cities for our small children”… Moshe said to them… “Build for yourselves cities for your small children and pens for your flock.” (32:16,20,24)

“And he shall revoke the vow that is upon her.” (30:9)

“Why should the name of our father be omitted from among his family because he had no son?” (27:4)

“The daughters of Tzlafchad drew near…and they stood before Moshe.”

“When he zealously avenged Me among them.” (25:11)

“And an angel of Hashem stood on the road to impede him.” (22:22)

“Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of Bnei Yisrael, therefore, you will not bring this congregation to the land.” (20:12)

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