Attitude – Page 36 – Peninim on the Torah

Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5754

“And you shall provide out of the people able men, G-d fearing, men of truth, hating unjust gain… and Moshe chose able men out of Yisrael.” (18:21,25)

This pasuk seems to imply that it would not be easy to find truly honest and G-d fearing men. Indeed, Moshe had to rely upon ruach ha’kodesh, Divine inspiration, in determining the true nature of these men. Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, points out that individuals of such laudable character do not seek to publicize themselves as they are secure in their own self-image. They tend to hide from public recognition. Moshe had to resort to a somewhat novel approach for finding these unique individuals. The Chezkuni makes a profound interpretation of G-d fearing men. He suggests that a true yoreh…

Home -> 5754 -> Bo

Sruly Schnair In Bo, 5754

“And it shall be to you a sign upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes.” (13:9)

The Talmud in Menachos 36a derives from this pasuk that one should first put the tefillin shel yad on the arm, then the tefillin shel rosh on the head. When he removes the tefillin he should first remove the shel rosh. For, when the shel rosh is on his head, he should be wearing both tefillin. There are a number of reasons for this halacha. The Chezkuni suggests a novel pedagogic approach. Before one can make an external sign, before he can promulgate his ideas and beliefs, he must initially concretize the beliefs in his own mind. They must become…

Home -> 5754 -> Vaeira

Sruly Schnair In Vaeira, 5754

“Behold, Bnei Yisrael will not listen to me, how then shall Pharaoh hear me, for I am of uncircumcised lips.” (6:12)

Moshe Rabbeinu was reluctant to accept the position as spokesman and leader of Bnei Yisrael. Moshe’s reason is clear. How could Pharaoh accept Moshe, if Bnei Yisrael, the people whom he was attempting to rescue, themselves did not believe in him? Much has been discussed by the commentators regarding Moshe’s kal v’chomer, a ‘priori argument. Bnei Yisrael had a somewhat justifiable reason for not heading Moshe. They were overwhelmed and dejected. They yearned for freedom, but they were too discouraged to hope for it. On the other hand, Pharaoh had no reason to ignore Moshe’s words, other than pure obstinacy. …

Home -> Vayechi -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Vayechi

“And Yisrael stretched out his right hand and placed (it) upon Efraim’s head . . . and his left (hand he placed) on Menashe’s head . . . and he (Yosef) held up his father’s hand to remove it.” (48:14,17)

Why did Yaakov not change Menashe and Efraim’s position, thereby avoiding the necessity of criss-crossing his hands over them? The commentators cite various responses to this question. Horav Chaim M’Volozhin z.t.l. offers a profound insight into Yaakov’s behavior. The nature of a person is to minimize his friend’s virtues, while simultaneously exaggerating his failings. This represents an unconscious attempt to allay one’s own insecurities. One foolishly thinks that he improves himself by denigrating others. This characteristic becomes manifest when two people stand facing each other. The right hand of one is across from his friend’s left hand and vice versa. …

Home -> Vayigash -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Vayigash

“And Yosef sustained his father and his brothers… And they brought their cattle unto Yosef, and Yosef gave them bread . . . and he provided them with bread.” (47:12,17)

Rashi understands the word okvbhu to mean “he led (them).” He thus interprets the verse, “Yosef controlled the Egyptians by means of the bread which he gave them.” This contrasts to the word okfkfhu, “he sustained (them),” which is emphasized regarding Yosef’s brothers. Horav Z. Sorotzkin z.t.l. explains the contrasting choice of words. While okfkfhu means simply “to sustain,” okvbhu also means “to manage” or “to provide.” The Jew will not allow himself to be sold in exchange for bread. His commitment to Torah and Yidishkeit is resolute. Only Eisav was prepared to sell his birthright and his soul for…

Home -> 5778 -> Re'eh

ראה אנכי נתן לפניכם היום ברכה וקללה

Moshe Marcovich In Re'eh, 5778

See, I present before you today a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

Hayom, today. Does the word “today” hold significance? Is the choice of blessing or curse applicable only today? What about tomorrow? Will we still have the opportunity for choice? I was thinking about this question when I came across an article by a respected rabbinic author in which he explained why he was not celebrating his birthday. He attributes this to the fact that, upon perusing the Torah, one notes that the only birthday we read about is that of Pharaoh. When we think about it, the only day that we Jews seem to deem worthy of celebration is the…

Home -> 5778 -> Va'eschanan

כבד את אביך ואת אמך

Moshe Marcovich In Va'eschanan, 5778

Honor your father and your mother. (5:16)

The Luchos, Ten Commandments, are divided into two parts: bein adam la’Makom, between man and G-d; bein adam la’chaveiro, between man and fellowman. The fifth commandment, the mitzvah to honor one’s parents, almost appears misplaced, since it is included among the dibros bein adam la’Makom, when, in fact, one may argue that respect for parents, according them pleasure and satisfaction, belongs among the dibros bein adam la’chaveiro. Upon perusing the commentary of the Rishonim, we note that this is actually the case. The Sefer HaChinuch writes that among the shoroshei hamitzvah, root/origin of the mitzvah, is to teach a person…

Home -> Devarim -> 5778

אלה הדברים אשר דבר משה אל כל ישראל... בין פארן ובין תפל ולבן וחצרת ודי זהב

Moshe Marcovich In 5778, Devarim

These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael… between Paran and Tofel and Lavan, and Chatzeiros and Di Zahav. (1:1)

Rashi quotes Chazal, who explain that the names of these cities are actually allusions to specific sins committed by the Jewish People during their sojourn in the Wilderness. When Moshe Rabbeinu mentioned Lavan, he was referring to the manna. Lavan means white. When Klal Yisrael complained about the insubstantial food, ie. manna, they referred to it in a denigrating manner by mentioning its color. Why is the white color of the manna important? Apparently, on some level, their sin was associated with the manna’s white color. What about the color of the manna made their words sinful? The Zera Shimshon…

Home -> Matos -> 5778

והנה קמתם תחת אבתיכם תרבות אנשים חטאים לספות עוד על חרון אף ד' אל ישראל. כי תשובן מאחריו ויסף עוד להניחו במדבר ושחתם לכל העם הזה

Moshe Marcovich In 5778, Matos

And behold you have risen up in the place of your fathers, a group of transgressors, to add to Hashem’s anger against Yisrael. For if you will turn away from Him, He will once again let them remain in the Wilderness, and you will destroy this entire nation. (32:14,15)

The Tribes of Reuven and Gad approached Moshe Rabbeinu with a unique request. It was not as if they did not care about Eretz Yisrael; it was just that, on the eastern side of the Yarden River, the newly-conquered land was extremely fertile. This would be a boon for the many livestock which they possessed. Thus, they hoped to be allowed to remain on eiver ha’Yarden, rather than move to Eretz Yisrael proper. They did not mean to be insolent. They were just being practical. Grass was more plentiful here. Why shlep to Eretz Yisrael, if what they needed for…

Home -> 5778 -> Pinchas

יפקד ד' אלקי הרוחות לכל בשר איש על העדה

Moshe Marcovich In Pinchas, 5778

May Hashem, G-d of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man on the assembly. (27:16)

Moshe Rabbeinu expressed his request for a successor in a unique manner, delineating special criteria. He refers to Hashem as “G-d of the spirits of all flesh.” Rashi explains Moshe’s choice of words: “He said to Hashem, ‘It is revealed and known to You the thoughts of each person, and how they differ one from another; appoint a leader who is able to tolerate each and every one of them with their individual attitudes.’” Horav Shlomo Wolbe, zl, explains that an effective leader does not decide on a specific approach to serving Hashem and then impose that approach on all…

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“And you shall provide out of the people able men, G-d fearing, men of truth, hating unjust gain… and Moshe chose able men out of Yisrael.” (18:21,25)

“And it shall be to you a sign upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes.” (13:9)

“Behold, Bnei Yisrael will not listen to me, how then shall Pharaoh hear me, for I am of uncircumcised lips.” (6:12)

“And Yisrael stretched out his right hand and placed (it) upon Efraim’s head . . . and his left (hand he placed) on Menashe’s head . . . and he (Yosef) held up his father’s hand to remove it.” (48:14,17)

“And Yosef sustained his father and his brothers… And they brought their cattle unto Yosef, and Yosef gave them bread . . . and he provided them with bread.” (47:12,17)

ראה אנכי נתן לפניכם היום ברכה וקללה

See, I present before you today a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

כבד את אביך ואת אמך

Honor your father and your mother. (5:16)

אלה הדברים אשר דבר משה אל כל ישראל... בין פארן ובין תפל ולבן וחצרת ודי זהב

These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael… between Paran and Tofel and Lavan, and Chatzeiros and Di Zahav. (1:1)

והנה קמתם תחת אבתיכם תרבות אנשים חטאים לספות עוד על חרון אף ד' אל ישראל. כי תשובן מאחריו ויסף עוד להניחו במדבר ושחתם לכל העם הזה

And behold you have risen up in the place of your fathers, a group of transgressors, to add to Hashem’s anger against Yisrael. For if you will turn away from Him, He will once again let them remain in the Wilderness, and you will destroy this entire nation. (32:14,15)

יפקד ד' אלקי הרוחות לכל בשר איש על העדה

May Hashem, G-d of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man on the assembly. (27:16)

YEARS

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