Attitude – Page 106 – Peninim on the Torah

Appoint for yourselves judges and police for your tribes… – “Do not plant an asheira (a tree for idolatry) for yourself… near to the altar of Hashem your G-d.” (16:18-21)

It is interesting to note the proximity of the Torah‘s enjoinment of the appointing of judges, to the admonishment regarding the planting of an asheira tree near the altar. Rabbi Meir Shapiro Zt”l explains that the Torah here is alluding to the character of a Jewish judge and leader. The mizbayach was filled with the earth and covered with copper. This denotes the nature and temperament of a Torah leader. He should be inwardly meek and humble as earth, and outwardly brazen, unswerving and steadfast as copper – in defense of the Torah’s laws and the sanctity of the Jewish…

Home -> 5751 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5751

For you shall surely open up your hand for him… sufficient for his need which he lacks…” (15:8)

We are herein enjoined to provide the indigent not only with basic sustenance, but also to provide for all his wants and needs. The Talmud in Kesubos (67b) relates that Hillel ran before the carriage of a formerly wealthy individual in order to satisfy the rich man’s needs for the outer trappings of affluence to which he was accustomed. The Talmud defines this act as adherence to the dictates of “dei machsoro”, the necessity to provide the indigent with all that they lack and need. We should wonder, however, as to the attitude of this pauper. Did he not realize…

Home -> 5751 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5751

“And what was done to Dasan and Aviram … how the earth opened up her mouth and swallowed them up.” (11:6)

The punishment meted out to these two wicked individuals for their participation in Korach’s quarrel is alluded to in this posuk. It seems puzzling that the Torah would mention Dasan and Aviram and not mention Korach who was the central figure and chief antagonist in this quarrel. We may derive from this apparent exclusion a lesson in the proper approach when rebuking someone. It is extremely important that one be aware of the feelings of the one who is being reprimanded, not to cause him any embarrassment and discomfort. Korach’s sons, once they repented, were spared from Hashem’s punishment. They…

Home -> 5751 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5751

“And it shall be because you will listen to these laws.” (7:12)

Rashi explains the word ceg as referring to those mitzvos on which one tramples with his heels WYBQE (ie. which one treats lightly). The word eikev, which means “heel”, is analogously used here to apply to those mitzvos to which one’s attitude is at best complacent. The Torah is warning us to take heed with regard to these mitzvos and apply ourselves properly to their performance. Rabbi Eliezer Gordon Zt”l employs the word “eikev” in a somewhat different manner. When one performs a mitzvah publicly or in association with others, the outcome of this action, is in reality, two…

Home -> 5775 -> Kedoshim

ואהבת לרעך כמוך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5775

You shall love your fellow as yourself. (19:18)

Rabbi Akiva declares that the mitzvah of ahavas Yisrael, to love one’s fellow as himself, is the fundamental rule of the Torah. Hillel paraphrased this mitzvah, Man d’alach sani l’chaveircha lo saavid, “What is hateful to you, do not do unto others.” When a gentile came to Hillel and asked to be converted “while I stand on one leg,” he responded with the above rule. The question is asked why Hillel did not use the pasuk, V’ahavata l’reiacha kamocha, to respond to the gentile. The Chidushei HaRim explains that, since the fellow was still a gentile, he was unable to…

Home -> 5776 -> Metzora

ונתתי נגע צרעת בבית ארץ אחזתכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5776

And I will place a tzaraas affliction upon a house in the land of your possession. (14:34)

Chazal teach that, when Klal Yisrael was informed that their homes in Eretz Yisrael would be visited with plagues, it was actually good news. Apparently, when the Emorites who had inhabited the Holy Land heard that the Jews were coming, they hid all of their treasures in the walls of the houses. For forty years, as the Jews sojourned in the wilderness, the Emorites occupied themselves with hiding their gold and silver, lest the Jews find them. Now, when a Jew acts in such a manner that he deserves that a plague be delivered upon his house, it will ultimately…

Home -> 5776 -> Metzora

כי תבואו אל ארץ כנען אשר אני נותן לכם לאחוזה וננתי נגע צרעת בבית ארץ אחוזתכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5776

When you arrive in the land of Canaan that I give you as a possession, and I will place a tzaraas affliction upon a house. In the land of your possession (14:34)

Rashi teaches us that Moshe Rabbeinu brought good tidings when he informed the people that they would be subject to nigei battim, plagues that would strike their homes. Apparently, when the Emorites heard that the Jews were coming to attack them, they hid their gold, silver and jewelry in the walls of their homes. As a result of the negaim, the homes had to be dismantled, exposing the hidden treasures. To recap, the individual who acted inappropriately was punished with the destruction of his home. As a result of the punishment, he became the lucky winner of a hidden treasure…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5776

לחשב מחשבות לעשות בזהב בכסף ובנחשת

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5776, Ki Sisa

To weave designs, to work with gold, silver and copper. (31:4)

The Jewish mind has throughout time proven itself to be extraordinary. While we have a reputation for being gifted with an inordinate level of acumen in proportion with the size of our own nation, it is specifically in the area of commerce, i.e. making money, that our worldly reputation seems to soar and take on a life all of its own. While the Jewish mind shines in all areas of human endeavor — from our primary vocation, Torah study, to the various disciplines of science, mathematics, medicine, law, social services, etc.– one thing all Jews have in common is the…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5776

העשיר לא ירבה והדל לא ימעיט ממחצית השקל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5776, Ki Sisa

The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

It is not uncommon for someone who has struck it rich, who has received the blessing of wealth from Hashem, to think that the world belongs to him. While this is certainly not the Torah way, human nature often prevails. It goes so far that one begins to believe that, if he were not deserving of all of this good fortune, he would not be its recipient. Apparently, he is a “good guy,” who is worthy of this blessing. As a result, a baal mamon, one who has been blessed with wealth, becomes a baal gaavah, arrogant and pompous, often…

Home -> 5776 -> Ki Savo

בניך ובנותיך נחנים לעם אחר... בנים ובנות תוליד ולא יהיו לך כי ילכו בשבי

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5776

Your sons and daughters will be given to another people… you will bear sons and daughters, but they will not be yours, for they will go into captivity. (28:32,41)

At first glance, these two separate curses appear redundant. Upon closer perusal, however, one sees a striking difference. In the first pasuk, the Torah refers to the children as your sons and daughters. In the second pasuk, it is simply sons and daughters to whom you will give birth. Furthermore, in the first pasuk, your sons and daughters are “given” over to another nation. In the second pasuk, the children are taken away from you, captive of another nation. These are two curses which I think are progressive. At first, the children still belong to us. They are at home…

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Appoint for yourselves judges and police for your tribes… – “Do not plant an asheira (a tree for idolatry) for yourself… near to the altar of Hashem your G-d.” (16:18-21)

For you shall surely open up your hand for him… sufficient for his need which he lacks…” (15:8)

“And what was done to Dasan and Aviram … how the earth opened up her mouth and swallowed them up.” (11:6)

“And it shall be because you will listen to these laws.” (7:12)

ואהבת לרעך כמוך

You shall love your fellow as yourself. (19:18)

ונתתי נגע צרעת בבית ארץ אחזתכם

And I will place a tzaraas affliction upon a house in the land of your possession. (14:34)

כי תבואו אל ארץ כנען אשר אני נותן לכם לאחוזה וננתי נגע צרעת בבית ארץ אחוזתכם

When you arrive in the land of Canaan that I give you as a possession, and I will place a tzaraas affliction upon a house. In the land of your possession (14:34)

לחשב מחשבות לעשות בזהב בכסף ובנחשת

To weave designs, to work with gold, silver and copper. (31:4)

העשיר לא ירבה והדל לא ימעיט ממחצית השקל

The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

בניך ובנותיך נחנים לעם אחר... בנים ובנות תוליד ולא יהיו לך כי ילכו בשבי

Your sons and daughters will be given to another people… you will bear sons and daughters, but they will not be yours, for they will go into captivity. (28:32,41)

YEARS

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