Achievement – Page 18 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Moshe said, ‘I will turn aside now and I will see this great sight –why the bush is not burnt.'” (3:3)

The Yalkut Shimoni cites a dispute between R’ Yochanon and Reish Lakish concerning the extent of Moshe’s “turning aside.” R’ Yochanon says that Moshe stepped three steps out of his way while Reish Lakish contends that Moshe merely turned his neck. Hashem responded, “Moshe, you troubled yourself to see (the bush); by your life, I will reveal My Countenance through you.” In citing this Yalkut, Horav Simcha Zissel Broide, Shlita, acknowledges the remarkable reward for performing a seemingly minor act. Moshe devoted seventy years of tireless commitment to Bnei Yisrael in Egypt. He reflected true Yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven,…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“Ascend to this Mount of Avarim … and die on the mountain … and be gathered to your people just as Aharon your brother died on Har Ha’Har.” (32:49,50)

Rashi responds to the obvious question: How can a man be commanded to die ? Does one pass from this world of his own free-will ? He explains that Hashem commanded Moshe to prepare for a serene death like that of his brother, Aharon. Preceding his demise, Aharon was privileged to observe his son Elazar assume the mantle of Kehunah Gedolah, garbed in the sacred priestly vestments. Aharon was subsequently instructed to lay down, stretch out his hands and feet and close first his eyes and then his mouth. As he lay there calm and serene, at peace with himself…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayechi

“Zevulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea, and he (shall be) a shore for ships.” (49:13)

Rashi explains that Zevulun’s descendants would always be found in the region of the ports to which ships would bring their wares. Zevulun engaged in commerce and provided sustenance for the tribe of Yissachar, while Yissachar engaged in Torah study. This is consistent with the pasuk in Devarim 33:18 in which Moshe bids his farewell to Klal Yisrael saying, “Rejoice Zevulun in your going out (to commerce) and Yissachar in your tents.” Indeed, the relationship between Yissachar and Zevulun was truly a remarkable one. This may be understood from the fact that the Torah places Zevulun before Yissachar, since Zevulun…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Mikeitz

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man. ” (41:33)

Rashi interprets Pharaoh’s question literally, “If we were to seek such a unique individual, could we possibly find one such as he?” The Satmar Rebbe z.l., questions Pharaoh’s attitude. Even if Yosef appeared to be the “best man” for the job, why was Pharaoh so reticent to search for someone who might better qualify for the position? He should first have searched for a great and capable leader. Afterwards, he could have offered Yosef the position by default. The Rebbe offers a novel response. Yosef was proficient in all seventy languages. The angel Gavriel had taught them to him. If…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5755

“And he dreamed and behold (there was) a ladder set up on the earth and its top reached up to Heaven, and behold the angels of Hashem (were) ascending and descending on it.” (28:12)

Yaakov Avinu’s dream contains profound implications which express the Torah’s perspective on life. The ladder serves an important purpose. The angels either ascend to Heaven or descend to the earth. Horav Mordechai Ilan z.l., suggests that this is the nature of Am Yisrael. The Talmud in Megillah 16a states, “This nation (Am Yisrael) is compared to dust and also to stars. When they descend (spiritually) they descend to the dust, and when they ascend, they can reach the stars.” Moreover, the Midrash states concerning this ladder, “Hashem showed Yaakov the meaning of “a ladder set up on the earth” as…

Home -> 5755 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5755

“And Avraham (was) old, advanced in age, and Hashem blessed Avraham in all things.” (24:1)

Surely the Torah is not apprising us of Avraham’s success in amassing material wealth. The Torah intends to teach us the true meaning of wealth. Success is not measured by quantity, but rather by quality. Everything Avraham Avinu possessed was worthy of blessing. To possess a fortune means nothing if that fortune is not blessed. Everything that Avraham had was a source of blessing to him. Why? Horav Moshe Swift z.l. suggests that the answer lies in the fact that Avraham controlled his possessions, rather than the possessions dominating him. He had business dealings with various people; he was even…

Home -> 5774 -> Shoftim

מי האיש אשר בנה בית... מי האיש אשר נטע כרם... ומי האיש אשר ארש אשה... ילך וישב לביתו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5774

Who is the man who built a new house… and who is the man who has planted a vineyard… and who is the man who had betrothed a woman… Let him go and return to his house. (20:5,6,7,8)

The Torah exempts the fellow who has recently built a home, planted a vineyard, or betrothed a young woman from going into battle. These people will not be good soldiers, since their minds are preoccupied with what they have left at home. Interestingly, if someone owns a huge estate, has many orchards, or has a wife and seven children – he does not go home. Why? Does one who has great wealth and familial responsibilities have less on his mind than the poor fellow who has one small home, brand new vineyard, or has just become united with a woman?…

Home -> 5774 -> Re'eh

ראה אנכי נותן לפניכם... ברכה וקללה... את הברכה אשר תשמעו... והקללה אם לא תשמעו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5774

See, I present before you… a blessing and a curse. The blessing: that you listen… and the curse if you do not listen. (11:26,27,28)

Parashas Re’eh opens with an enjoinment to “see” both blessing and curse. “Seeing” here means intellectual perception, since blessing and curse are not entities which can be observed by corporeal eyes. It requires intelligence to comprehend, distinguish and acknowledge that, indeed, those who are Torah observant Jews are blessed, fulfilled, feel a sense of achievement and spiritual growth. It takes a fool to disregard and purposely overlook the vacuousness and almost daily crises that plagues those who have chosen a lifestyle that caters to the fulfillment of materialistic and physical needs and desires. One who pursues the pleasures of the…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5774

ויהי בחודש הראשון בשנה השנית באחד לחודש הוקם המשכן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Pekudei

And it was, in the first month of the second year, on the first of the month, the Mishkan was erected. (40:17)

Sefer Shemos is described by the Ramban as Sefer HaGeulah, the Book of Redemption. All that is contained therein is geulah-related. From the very beginning, when the Jews were enslaved by the Egyptians; to their liberation; followed by the splitting of the Red Sea; and the receiving of the Torah: all led up to the construction of the Mishkan for the purpose of Hashroas HaShechinah, establishing a resting place for the Divine Presence. Sefer Vayikra is where the avodah, ritual service, performed in the Mishkan is mentioned. Therein the various Korbanos, sacrificial offerings, are detailed. It is, therefore, surprising that…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5774

וירא משה את כל המלאכה והנה עשו אתה כאשר צוה ד' כן עשו ויברך אתם משה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Pekudei

Moshe saw the entire work, and behold! They had done it as Hashem had commanded, so had they done, and Moshe blessed them. (39:43)

The construction of the Mishkan was concluded: its various vessels and utensils were completed; the Bigdei Kodesh, Holy (Priestly) Vestments, were finished. They now brought it all before Moshe Rabbeinu to seek his blessing. Everything had been executed according to the precise instruction that he had given them. Moshe was impressed, and he gave them his blessing. He said, “Yehi ratzon, May it be the will of Hashem, that the Shechinah rest upon the work of your hands.” One might think that he has achieved success, but, without the blessing, Shechinah b’maasei yedeichem, “The Divine Presence resting on the work…

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“And Moshe said, ‘I will turn aside now and I will see this great sight –why the bush is not burnt.'” (3:3)

“Ascend to this Mount of Avarim … and die on the mountain … and be gathered to your people just as Aharon your brother died on Har Ha’Har.” (32:49,50)

“Zevulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea, and he (shall be) a shore for ships.” (49:13)

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man. ” (41:33)

“And he dreamed and behold (there was) a ladder set up on the earth and its top reached up to Heaven, and behold the angels of Hashem (were) ascending and descending on it.” (28:12)

“And Avraham (was) old, advanced in age, and Hashem blessed Avraham in all things.” (24:1)

מי האיש אשר בנה בית... מי האיש אשר נטע כרם... ומי האיש אשר ארש אשה... ילך וישב לביתו

Who is the man who built a new house… and who is the man who has planted a vineyard… and who is the man who had betrothed a woman… Let him go and return to his house. (20:5,6,7,8)

ראה אנכי נותן לפניכם... ברכה וקללה... את הברכה אשר תשמעו... והקללה אם לא תשמעו

See, I present before you… a blessing and a curse. The blessing: that you listen… and the curse if you do not listen. (11:26,27,28)

ויהי בחודש הראשון בשנה השנית באחד לחודש הוקם המשכן

And it was, in the first month of the second year, on the first of the month, the Mishkan was erected. (40:17)

וירא משה את כל המלאכה והנה עשו אתה כאשר צוה ד' כן עשו ויברך אתם משה

Moshe saw the entire work, and behold! They had done it as Hashem had commanded, so had they done, and Moshe blessed them. (39:43)

YEARS

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