Attitude – Page 41 – Peninim on the Torah

תורה צוה לנו משה מורשה קהלת יעקב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5768, V'zos HaBrachah

The Torah that Moshe commands us is the heritage of the Congregation of Yaakov. (33:4)

Ramban interprets this well-known pasuk to be a declaration of our inherent right to the Torah, as our unassailable possession, to be transmitted from one generation to the next. The word morashah can also be read as me’orasah, married, inspiring Chazal in the Talmud Pesachim 49b to expound that the relationship between the Jewish People and the Torah is similar to that of a chassan and kallah, a groom and his bride. We are wed to the Torah. In his derashos, the Maharal comments that this refers to the entire nation. Every Jew, rich or poor, pedigreed or not, each…

Home -> 5768 -> Bereishis

ותאמר האשה אל הנחש... ומפרי העץ אשר בתוך הגן אמר אלקים לא תאכלו ממנו... פן תמותון. ויאמר הנחש אל האשה... לא מות תמותון.

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5768

The woman said to the serpent… “Of the fruit of the tree which is in the center of the garden, G-d has said: ‘You shall not eat of it… lest you die.’”TThe serpent said to the woman, “You shall not surely die.” (3:2-4)

The serpent immediately went to work enticing Chavah to commit the sin which forever altered world history. The question that glares at us is: Where was Adam during this time? It is not as if there was much to do. The world had just been created. Human beings had just entered the scene, with the female as the last creation. One would expect Adam to spend some “time” with his wife. Chazal ask this question, and the replies vary. One answer that deserves insight is given by Abaye: “Adam went for a nap.” Adam’s nap was not like ours in any…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5767

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 -> 5766 -> Bereishis

ויהי מקץ ימים ויבא קין מפרי האדמה מנחה לד'. והבל הביא גם הוא מבכורות צאנו ומחלבהן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5766

After a period of time, Kayin brought an offering to Hashem of the fruit of the ground; and as for Hevel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and from their choicest. (4:3,4)

Both Kayin and Hevel brought sacrifices to Hashem. Hevel’s sacrifice was accepted, while Kayin’s was not. Kayin was bitter and took it out on Hevel, whom he killed. So goes the incident of the first murder in history. The commentators, each in his own manner, delineate the characterizations of Kayin’s sacrifice that were unacceptable. Simply, Hevel gave of his choicest possessions, while Kayin did not. Is this a reason to lose it and kill Hevel? Furthermore, did Hevel deserve to die? Every occurrence is calculated and validated by a Divine computer. What about Hevel was inappropriate – on his lofty…

Home -> 5765 -> Bereishis

ותוצא הארץ דשא עשב מזריע זרע למינהו ועץ עשה פרי

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5765

The earth brought forth vegetation, grass producing seed of its kind, and trees producing fruit. (1:12)

There is a fascinating Midrash concerning this pasuk that should give us all something to ponder. Chazal teach us that when Hashem created iron, the trees became distressed, because the sharp blade of the axe could destroy them. Hashem replied to the trees, “Do not worry. As long as you do not provide wood for the axe handle, the blade will remain harmless.” The simple lesson from this Midrash is: We are our own worst enemies. We shoot ourselves in the foot. No one can impose worse harm on us than the harm we cause ourselves. Ask anyone, however, who…

Home -> 5765 -> Bereishis

בראשית ברא אלקים את השמים ואת הארץ

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5765

In the beginning of G-d’s creating the heavens and the earth. (1:1)

Sefer Bereishis is aptly given its name since it is the “first” of the Chumashim. The Talmud in Avodah Zarah 25a has another name for Sefer Bereishis: Sefer HaYashar or Sefer Yesharim, the Book of Righteousness. Yashar means more than righteousness. It means straightfor- wardness, integrity, mentchlichkeit, human decency. Sefer Bereishis chronicles the lives of the Avos, Patriarchs, men who exemplified righteousness to G-d and mentchlichkeit to all human beings. In the preface to his commentary on Sefer Bereishis, the Netziv, zl, expands on this idea. The Patriarchs distinguished themselves not only in their relationships with Hashem, which was on the…

Home -> 5764 -> Bereishis

ויברך אלקים את יום השביעי ויקדש אתו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5764

G-d blessed the seventh day. (2:3)

The Midrash relates that once the Roman Caesar went out for a stroll. In the course of walking, he entered the Jewish neighborhood. It was Shabbos, and the aroma of delicious Shabbos foods permeated the air. The Caesar was enchanted by the essence. He sent for Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya, a leading sage, and asked, “Why do the Jewish foods have such a savory fragrance to them? I have never smelled anything so delectable.” Rabbi Yehoshua replied, “We have a unique spice called Shabbos that creates a sweet aroma in our food.” “Please obtain this spice for me, so that…

Home -> 5764 -> Bereishis

ויהי ערב ויהי בקר

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5764

“And there was evening and there was morning.” (1:5)

The Midrash interprets the reference in the pasuk to night and day from a different perspective. “It was night” denotes the activities of the wicked, while “it was morning” is a reference to the actions of the righteous. Hashem asserts that the light is good. It seems strange that the Torah would have to tell us that Hashem favors the actions of the righteous, symbolized by the light. Such a statement is not novel. Certainly, Hashem prefers the activities of the righteous. We do not need a Midrash to teach us this lesson. The Dubno Maggid, zl, gives a practical…

Home -> 5761 -> Bereishis

ויברך אלקים את יום השביעי ויקדש אתו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5761

“G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it.” (2:3)

he average person understands the negative aspect of Shabbos, the various acts of labor that are forbidden. What about the positive side of Shabbos? How does one “celebrate” Shabbos? How does one act “Shabbosdik”? We all know that one is required to have an oneg Shabbos. What does “oneg,” enjoyment, mean? Horav Sholom Schwadron, z.l., contends that the idea of oneg Shabbos can have many definitions, based upon the individual and his religious/spiritual perspective. Some will enjoy Shabbos on a spiritual plane, with Torah and tefillah, heightened Torah study and prayer. Others will enjoy its physical/material aspect either through relaxation, sleep and peace of mind. Alternatively, is the individual who…

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)

Rashi explains that this refers to Moshe’s initiative to shatter the Luchos right before Klal Yisrael’s eyes. Moshe saw that the people were not ready to accept the Luchos at this point. They had compromised their faith. The Luchos cannot be given on compromise. One must make his whole-hearted commitment to Hashem and trust that He will be present for him at all times. We do not reject Hashem and look for new gods just because, in our minds, Moshe is a little bit late. Thus, Moshe shattered the Luchos for all to see. Horav Chaim Mordechai Katz, zl, was…

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תורה צוה לנו משה מורשה קהלת יעקב

The Torah that Moshe commands us is the heritage of the Congregation of Yaakov. (33:4)

ותאמר האשה אל הנחש... ומפרי העץ אשר בתוך הגן אמר אלקים לא תאכלו ממנו... פן תמותון. ויאמר הנחש אל האשה... לא מות תמותון.

The woman said to the serpent… “Of the fruit of the tree which is in the center of the garden, G-d has said: ‘You shall not eat of it… lest you die.’”TThe serpent said to the woman, “You shall not surely die.” (3:2-4)

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)

ויהי מקץ ימים ויבא קין מפרי האדמה מנחה לד'. והבל הביא גם הוא מבכורות צאנו ומחלבהן

After a period of time, Kayin brought an offering to Hashem of the fruit of the ground; and as for Hevel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and from their choicest. (4:3,4)

ותוצא הארץ דשא עשב מזריע זרע למינהו ועץ עשה פרי

The earth brought forth vegetation, grass producing seed of its kind, and trees producing fruit. (1:12)

בראשית ברא אלקים את השמים ואת הארץ

In the beginning of G-d’s creating the heavens and the earth. (1:1)

ויברך אלקים את יום השביעי ויקדש אתו

G-d blessed the seventh day. (2:3)

ויהי ערב ויהי בקר

“And there was evening and there was morning.” (1:5)

ויברך אלקים את יום השביעי ויקדש אתו

“G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it.” (2:3)

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

YEARS

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