Achievement – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

“Therefore the Bnei Yisrael do not eat of the sinew of the thigh muscle.” (32:33)

We may question the manner in which we commemorate Yaakov Avinu’s miraculous triumph over Eisav’s angel. One would think that such an extraordinary achievement would be remembered through a positive act, rather than a negative one. Horav Moshe Feinstein, z.l., infers a valuable lesson from the manner of eternalizing Yaakov’s monumental success over adversity. The abstention from eating the gid ha’nasheh addresses the fact that throughout history we are confronted by difficult situations which require Hashem’s interventions which is always there. Nonetheless, we would rather not be tested with such ordeals. In our daily tefillah, we implore Hashem “Do not…

Home -> 5756 -> Vayeitzei

Sruly Schnair In Vayeitzei, 5756

“She said, ‘Here is my maid Bilhah, live with her, so that she may bear upon my knees and I too may be built up through her.” (30:3)

The precedent for Rochel giving her maidservant, Bilhah, to Yaakov for the specific purpose of having a child was set by Sarah Imeinu, who gave Hagar to Avraham. We must endeavor to understand what there is about transferring one’s maidservant to her husband for the purpose of childbearing that increases one’s “chances” of being blessed with a child. Horav Meir Bergman, Shlita, responds by first citing a Midrash, which recounts the dialogue between Michal bas Shaul and David Ha’melech. Michal criticized David Ha’melech for the manner in which he expressed his joy when the Aron Ha’Kodesh was brought through the…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, V'zos HaBrachah

“(The) Torah (that) Moshe commanded us (is) the heritage of the congregation of Yaakov.” (33:4)

Chazal expound upon the concept of Torah as an inheritance. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, differentiates between an inheritance which belongs to the heirs to transform as they please and a heritage which is to be transmitted to the next generation in its entirety. Reflecting this idea, parents have a demanding responsibility to transmit to their children the whole Torah excluding their own commentary and personal opinions. The Torah in its pristine form is the inalienable right of our children. To deny them this right is more than an infringement upon the right of possession. Rather, it is an impingement upon…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Vayeilech

“And their children who do not know, they shall hear and they shall learn to fear Hashem (31:13)

The Torah implies that all Jews are able to learn Torah, no matter what their background, talents, and skills are. The Steipler Rav z.l. writes that if one just applies himself diligently to learn Torah, he will succeed and achieve scholarship even if he is not intellectually astute. A young man once came to the Steipler and, in a voice full of chagrin, complained that even though he had been studying diligently in a yeshiva for five years, he still could not master the elementary level of erudition of Talmud and the basic commentaries. The Steipler responded, “Nonetheless, you must…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Savo

Sruly Schnair In Ki Savo, 5754

“And observe the words of this covenant.” (29:8)

Rashi explains that after forty years of travel in the desert, Klal Yisrael had attained a sublime level of dignity. They perceived gadlus Ha’Boreh, the greatness of Hashem, and appreciated the boundless beneficence He had showered upon them. They realized that their remarkable military prowess, as well as their continued success and well-being could only be attributed to Hashem’s generosity. At this juncture, Hashem chose to make an agreement (covenant) with Klal Yisrael so that they would not forget all that transpired these forty years. He wanted them to reflect upon their source of strength and not take personal credit…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Seitzei

Sruly Schnair In Ki Seitzei, 5754

“When you go forth in battle against your enemies…. and you see amongst the captives a woman of goodly form… If a man has two wives… If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son .” (21:10,11,15,18)

There are a number of difficulties which confront us when we attempt to interpret the sequences and rationale of these pesukim. Rashi explains the juxtaposition of pesukim in the following manner: The Jewish soldier is permitted to marry the ye’fas to’ar, beautiful captive. This is a concession to human nature as opposed to the yetzer hora, evil inclination. In His infinite wisdom, Hashem saw that man, weak from the tension of war, would succumb to his base desires and marry this woman even illicitly. Consequently, He permitted marriage to her. Such a relationship, however, can not and will not bode…

Home -> 5754 -> Va'eschanan

Sruly Schnair In Va'eschanan, 5754

“Get up on top of Pisgah … and behold with your eyes for you shall not go over this Yarden… (3:27) Then Moshe separated three cities beyond the Yarden. (4:41) And this is the Torah which Moshe set before Bnei Yisrael.” (4:44)

The parsha begins with Moshe’s supplication to Hashem, entreating Him to be allowed entry into Eretz Yisrael. Moshe realized that his hopes would not be fulfilled, and he stood making his farewell speech to Bnei Yisrael. He reminded them of their past iniquities and exhorted them to remember their obligations to both Hashem and man. It seemed that Moshe’s task in this world had come to an end. Suddenly, Moshe undertook a new mitzvah, one that would not apply until Eretz Yisrael had been conquered and divided. He separated three cities of refuge for the Ever Ha’Yarden. Why did Moshe…

Home -> Devarim -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Devarim

“These (are) the words which Moshe spoke unto all Yisrael… and it was in the fortieth year… (that) Moshe spoke unto t Bnei Yisrael according to all that Hashem had commanded him unto them.” (1:1,3)

Citing the Sifri, Rashi explains that these “words” were actually words of rebuke which Moshe spoke to Bnei Yisrael, reminding them of past offenses committed during their forty year trek in the desert. Moshe Rabbeinu veiled his words. He did not state Bnei Yisrael‘s transgression overtly for the sake of preserving their dignity. Horav Chaim Shmuelevitz z.l. infers that even when rebuke must be delivered, it should be expressed in a manner that will not degrade the offender more than necessary. There is no “mitzvah” to humiliate someone in the course of reprovement. All too often, those that admonish feel…

Home -> 5754 -> Acharei Mos

Sruly Schnair In Acharei Mos, 5754

“After the doings of the land of Egypt… you shall not do… and after the doings of the land of Canaan… you shall not do, and in their statutes you shall not walk. My ordinances you shall do and My statutes you shall keep to walk therein.” (18:3,4)

Rashi cites the Sifra which derives from the words “to walk therein” that one should not think that he can exempt himself from mitzvos. In other words, one shall not say, “I have learned the wisdom of Yisrael, I shall now go and learn the wisdom of other nations.” To act in such a manner is equivalent to exempting himself from Torah and mitzvos. This seems vexing. Why should studying the culture of other nations be viewed as being diametrically opposed to a Torah way of life? Horav Boruch Sorotzkin z.l. suggests the following explanation. Limud ha’Torah is not merely…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Vayikra

“And He (Hashem) called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him out of the Ohel Moed, saying. Speak unto Bnei Yisrael, and say unto them, when any man of you offers an offering unto Hashem.” (1:1,2)

Rashi explains that the term And He called, implies endearment. Therefore, when Hashem called to Moshe it was in an intimate manner. Rashi’s explanation seems inconsistent with the term rcshuw And He spoke, which suggests a forceful form of address. This inconsistency becomes more apparent with the succeeding word rntkw saying, which alludes to a soft spoken tone. This is followed by the phrase ktrah hbc kt rcsw speak unto Bnei Yisrael, which once again connotes a strong manner of communication. Horav Yosef Zayat, Shlita, explains the succession of terms in the following manner. The Torah continues with the laws…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Vayishlach ->

“Therefore the Bnei Yisrael do not eat of the sinew of the thigh muscle.” (32:33)

“She said, ‘Here is my maid Bilhah, live with her, so that she may bear upon my knees and I too may be built up through her.” (30:3)

“(The) Torah (that) Moshe commanded us (is) the heritage of the congregation of Yaakov.” (33:4)

“And their children who do not know, they shall hear and they shall learn to fear Hashem (31:13)

“And observe the words of this covenant.” (29:8)

“When you go forth in battle against your enemies…. and you see amongst the captives a woman of goodly form… If a man has two wives… If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son .” (21:10,11,15,18)

“Get up on top of Pisgah … and behold with your eyes for you shall not go over this Yarden… (3:27) Then Moshe separated three cities beyond the Yarden. (4:41) And this is the Torah which Moshe set before Bnei Yisrael.” (4:44)

“These (are) the words which Moshe spoke unto all Yisrael… and it was in the fortieth year… (that) Moshe spoke unto t Bnei Yisrael according to all that Hashem had commanded him unto them.” (1:1,3)

“After the doings of the land of Egypt… you shall not do… and after the doings of the land of Canaan… you shall not do, and in their statutes you shall not walk. My ordinances you shall do and My statutes you shall keep to walk therein.” (18:3,4)

“And He (Hashem) called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him out of the Ohel Moed, saying. Speak unto Bnei Yisrael, and say unto them, when any man of you offers an offering unto Hashem.” (1:1,2)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!