Achievement – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5767, V'zos HaBrachah

And by all the strong hand and by all the awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

Rashi explains that the “strong hand” is a reference to Moshe Rabbeinu accepting the Luchos from Hashem in his hands. Although the Luchos were of extraordinary weight, Moshe was able to carry them. “Before the eyes of all Yisrael” refers to Moshe’s decision to break the Luchos in the presence of the entire nation, when he was confronted with the sin of the Golden Calf. Hashem ratified his action, as Chazal say, Yeyasher kochacha sheh’sheebarta, Hashem “thanked” him for breaking the Luchos. We wonder if it had really been necessary for Moshe to break the Luchos. Why did he not…

Home -> 5765 -> Bereishis

אלה תולדות השמים והארץ בהבראם ביום עשות ה' אלקים ארץ ושמים

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5765

These are the products of the heaven and the earth when they were created on the day that Hashem G-d made earth and heaven. (2:4)

The Torah now focuses on the events preceding the creation of man. In the second interpretation he offers in his commentary to this pasuk, Rashi explains the word b’hi’baram, “when they were created,” to mean that Hashem created them with the letter “hay.” This is supported by the pasuk in Yeshayah 26:4, “With ‘kah’ (G-d’s Name is spelled with “yud” and “hay”), G-d created worlds.” In other words, b’hay baram means that the two worlds – this temporary world and the Eternal world – were created with the letters that connote Hashem’s Name, “yud” and “hay.” The letter “hay” was used…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5764

אף חבב עמים כל קדשיו בידך והם תכו לרגלך ישא מדברתיך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5764, V'zos HaBrachah

He also showed love to peoples, all its holy ones are in Your hands; and Ithey were brought in at Your feet, He would bear Your utterances. (33:3)

In an alternative exposition of this pasuk, Rashi says that the love that Hashem demonstrated is a reference to a time in which Hashem manifests endearment to the nations of the world. He shows them a smiling countenance when He delivers Klal Yisrael into their hands. Nonetheless, “all its Holy ones are in Your hands.” Despite this g’zar din, difficult decree, against the Jewish People, its righteous ones and its good ones have cleaved to Hashem, never once doubting Him. Hashem, therefore, guards them. These deeply committed Jews accept Your decree with love and joy, declaring: Torah tzivah lanu Moshe morashah…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, V'zos HaBrachah

And by all the strong hand and awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

And so ends the Torah. Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest leader of Klal Yisrael dies, and nothing is known of his grave. We have no place to go to say Tehillim. What is left over from Moshe? With what do we memorialize him? His glory for all time is “van vag rat,” “that which Moshe performed.” The memory of Moshe is his achievement. The things that he did, his great accomplishment, that is his greatest glory. We respect the dead–but we venerate the living. By not revealing the site of Moshe’s grave, the Torah implies the significance of his life. Horav…

Home -> 5757 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

Horav Raphael Katz, zl, the author of the Marpé Lashon, infers a profound lesson in avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty from this pasuk. There are instances during a man’s spiritual growth when, with all good intention, he attempts to “jump the gun” and ascend to a higher spiritual plane for which he is not yet ready. A man must build upon a solid foundation of spiritual development. Otherwise, everything he has done–even his previous accomplishments–will lose its integrity. He proves his thesis from the fact that if a Korban Chatas is offered inside the Heichal, the blood is invalid…

Home -> 5757 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5757

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

The Midrash comments concerning this pasuk. Chazal cite the pasuk in Tehillim 139:5, “hb,rmh oseu rujt” “Back and front, You fashioned me.” Resh Lakish says “back and front” refers to the first day of Creation. If a person maintains his commitment to Torah and mitzvos, he is told, “You came before the entire work of Creation.” If, in contrast, he lives a life alienated from Torah, he is told, “Even a gnat preceded you; even an earthworm preceded you.” While man was created chronologically last, he is first in importance–if he has earned this honor. If, however, he falls from…

Home -> 5757 -> Emor

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5757

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them: Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person among his people. (21:1)

Horav Chaim Mordechai Katz, zl, observes that Judaism sustains three levels of kedushah, holiness: that of a Yisrael, common Jew; that of a Kohen, member of the priestly family; that of the Kohen Gadol, High Priest. These three distinct individuals represent three ascending levels of Divine sanctity. The average Jew, the Yisrael or Levi who is not a Kohen, is a member of an “Am Kadosh,” holy nation, consecrated to the Almighty, separated from all that is impure and unclean. Just as Hashem is holy and unsusceptible to evil and contamination, the Yisrael who is to emulate Hashem is adjured…

Home -> 5757 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5757

To love Hashem, your G-d, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (11:13)

Rashi comments that “serving with the heart” is a reference to tefillah, prayer. Yet, there is a dispute among the Rishonim if daily prayer is min ha’Torah, a Biblical command, or m’dRabbanan, a Rabbinnical decree. While granting that the number of prayers, their text and content reflect Rabbinic input, the Rambam asserts that the origin of prayer is Biblical. Ramban contends the concept of prayer, excluding prayers of distress, is Rabbinic in origin. Indeed, since prayer is avodah she’blev, service of the heart, the expression of human feelings and emotions should be man’s creation. Hence, Chazal composed the various…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Bechukosai

Any that passes beneath the staff, the tenth one shall be holy to Hashem. (27:32)

The animals born during the current year all pass through a corral which has a narrow opening. As they are counted, the tenth one is marked and set aside as a tithe for Hashem. While the halachah maintains that one should proclaim the tenth animal as Maaser l’Hashem, it does not change its Maaser status if the individual did not orally declare it as Maaser. Horav Moshe Feinstein, zl, underscores the fact that oral expression is essential, even though the animal nevertheless becomes holy. We infer from here that even if something is holy, it must be maintained in a…

Home -> 5757 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5757

Hashem’s wrath flowed because he was going. And an angel of Hashem stood on the road to impede him….The angel of Hashem stood in the path of the vineyards. (22:22,24)

The Torah does not consistently use Hashem’s Name. In the beginning, when it states that Hashem’s wrath flared, the Torah uses the Name Elokim, which implies the attribute of din, justice. Afterwards, it says that Hashem dispatched an angel to save Bilaam from sin. The Torah now employs the Name Hashem which implies the attribute of rachamim, compassion. Why is there a change in Hashem’s relationship to the situation? The Chofetz Chaim, zl, explains that Bilaam was ostensibly endowed with a special neshama, soul. He had the ability to attain very high levels of spiritual achievement. Alas, he used his…

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ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

And by all the strong hand and by all the awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

אלה תולדות השמים והארץ בהבראם ביום עשות ה' אלקים ארץ ושמים

These are the products of the heaven and the earth when they were created on the day that Hashem G-d made earth and heaven. (2:4)

אף חבב עמים כל קדשיו בידך והם תכו לרגלך ישא מדברתיך

He also showed love to peoples, all its holy ones are in Your hands; and Ithey were brought in at Your feet, He would bear Your utterances. (33:3)

And by all the strong hand and awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them: Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person among his people. (21:1)

To love Hashem, your G-d, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (11:13)

Any that passes beneath the staff, the tenth one shall be holy to Hashem. (27:32)

Hashem’s wrath flowed because he was going. And an angel of Hashem stood on the road to impede him….The angel of Hashem stood in the path of the vineyards. (22:22,24)

YEARS

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