Attitude – Page 42 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, V'zos HaBrachah

From His right hand He presented a fiery Torah to them. (33:2)

Rashi explains that Hashem presented the Torah to Klal Yisrael accompanied by a display of fire and lightning. The Sifri infers from this pasuk that Torah is analogous to fire. The nature of fire is such that if a man draws too close to it, he will be burnt. If he moves too far away, he will be cold. Similarly, a man can warm himself against the fire which emanates from talmidei chachamim. We live in a cold, uncaring world. To exist, we need the warmth of the Torah as our spiritual leaders teach it to us. In order to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5757

“And wherever I permit my Name to be mentioned I shall come to you and bless you.” (20:21)

It is significant that this pasuk follows immediately after the Har Sinai experience. No code of law, regardless of man’s acquiescence, will be binding – unless he views that law as the direct result of the spiritual foundation of life. Horav Moshe Swift, zl, cites the Talmud Succah 53a which quotes Hillel’s interpretation of this pasuk. “If you will come into My House, I will come into yours.” Hashem tells Bnei Yisrael that My relationship with you is not merely a reward. It is the product of a natural sequence of events. If you will come to Me – I…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5757

“And the father-in-law of Moshe said to him, ‘The thing that you do is not good. You will surely become worn out – you as well as this people that is with you… Now listen to my voice. I will advise you and may Hashem be with you.'” (18:17,18)

Yisro, Moshe’s father-in-law, gave him advice which was included in the Torah, setting the standard for the entire judicial system in Klal Yisrael. Was this advice so unique that Moshe could not have thought of it? Why did Moshe not suggest appointing officers for individual groups? What happened to the zekeinim, elders, who probably had served as magistrates in Egypt? Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, establishes two reasons for Moshe’s initial reluctance to employing the old system – in which appointed magistrates rendered decisions instead of Moshe himself. First, the original code of laws had been based primarily upon human logic,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5757

Only beware for yourself and greatly beware for your soul, lest you forget the things that your eyes beheld, and lest you remove from your heart all the days of your life, and make them known to your children. (4:9)

We are admonished to retain focus on Torah study, lest we forget any part of it. It is not easy to remember everything that we learn. After all, we are only human, so we forget. A chasid once came before the Chidushei Ha’rim with such a complaint. How was he to be expected to remember everything that he had learned? The Rebbe responded, “Tell me, my dear friend, did you ever forget to do something that your life depended on, such as eating or sleeping?” The chasid responded emphatically, “Of course not!” The Rebbe countered, ” Eating and sleeping are…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5757

“And he (Yaakov) built himself a house and for his livestock he made shelter; he therefore called the name of the place Succos.” (33:17)

One would think that when Yaakov assigned a name to a place, he would use a reason more meaningful than the fact that it had served as a shelter for livestock. The Ohr Ha’Chaim suggests that this was probably the first time anyone had cared for animals to the point that shelter was provided for them. This public display of compassion for animals was viewed as sufficient reason for naming the place Succos. Hence, people would take note and themselves show concern for animals. Horav Simcha Zissel Broide, Shlita, takes a novel approach towards understanding Yaakov’s reasoning. The pasuk states…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayigash

“And he fell upon his brother Binyamin’s neck and wept; and Binyamin wept upon his neck.” (45:14)

Chazal teach us that Yosef and Binyamin wept over the destruction of the Sanctuaries that would be built in their respective territories. Two Batei Mikdash were to be constructed in Binyamin’s territory, and the Mishkan Shiloh was to be erected in Yosef’s portion. This Midrash has been the source of considerable discussion. One would think that at a time of such heightened joy, the last thing that would enter their minds would be tragedy. Second, why are they crying about the churban of the other? What about their own? Obviously, we are not talking about common people, whose prime concern…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayigash

“And Yosef said to his brothers, ‘I am Yosef.’ … and his brothers could not answer him.” (45:3)

In the Midrash, Chazal quote Abba Bardela who said, “Woe is to us from the day of judgment. Woe is to us from the day of reproach. Bilaam, the wisest of the gentiles, could not stand before the rebuke of his donkey. Yosef was the youngest of the tribes. Yet, his brothers could not stand before him. How much more so, when Hashem will come and reproach everyone according to what he is, will we not be able to tolerate this rebuke.” This Chazal has been the subject of considerable discussion. It has served as the basis for defining the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayigash

“And Yehudah approached him and said, ‘If you please, my master, may your servant speak a word?'” (44:18)

Rashi views Yehudah’s opening statement as blunt and provocative. Yehudah was telling Yosef that if he did not release Binyamin, dire consequences would ensue. If necessary, Yehudah was prepared to wage war against Yosef and his country in order to effect Binyamin’s release from captivity. What happened? Yehudah seems to have undergone a remarkable personality change. In his previous encounter with Yosef, Yehudah appeared to be a meek, simple person, imploring Yosef to exercise his good graces towards them. Suddenly, Yehudah had become the mighty statesman, who threatened to wage war and heap disaster upon Egypt if he did not…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayechi

“Yehudah – you, your brothers shall acknowledge: your hand will be at your enemies nape.” (49:8)

Chazal teach us that the tribes will acclaim Yehudah and designate him as their king in this world, as well as in Olam Habah. Shevet Yehudah produced the Jewish kings who will conquer those kings that have challenged our people. His “hand will be at his enemy’s nape.” He hardened his “neck” and acted resolutely, with dignity, as he shamed himself publicly by confessing to his encounter with Tamar. He will, consequently, merit control over the nape of the necks of his enemies as he conquers them. If we were to analyze Yehudah’s reaction to the ma’ase Tamar, the episode…

Home -> 5757 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5757

“And she conceived again and bore a son and she said ‘This time I thank Hahsem,’ therefore she called his name Yehudah.” (29:35)

The Talmud Brachos 7b comments that from the beginning of Creation there had never been a person who thanked Hashem until Leah. Leah was the originator of the “official” sense of gratitude one should express for the good Hahsem accords us. This does not seem consistent with the text in Parashas Chayei Sarah (4:52), where we note that upon securing Rivkah as a mate for Yitzchak, Eliezer bowed down in recognition to Hashem for providing Rivkah for Yitzchak. Why do Chazal attribute the distinction to Leah of being the first to offer gratitude? Horav Meir Bergman, Shlita, distinguishes between bowing…

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From His right hand He presented a fiery Torah to them. (33:2)

“And wherever I permit my Name to be mentioned I shall come to you and bless you.” (20:21)

“And the father-in-law of Moshe said to him, ‘The thing that you do is not good. You will surely become worn out – you as well as this people that is with you… Now listen to my voice. I will advise you and may Hashem be with you.'” (18:17,18)

Only beware for yourself and greatly beware for your soul, lest you forget the things that your eyes beheld, and lest you remove from your heart all the days of your life, and make them known to your children. (4:9)

“And he (Yaakov) built himself a house and for his livestock he made shelter; he therefore called the name of the place Succos.” (33:17)

“And he fell upon his brother Binyamin’s neck and wept; and Binyamin wept upon his neck.” (45:14)

“And Yosef said to his brothers, ‘I am Yosef.’ … and his brothers could not answer him.” (45:3)

“And Yehudah approached him and said, ‘If you please, my master, may your servant speak a word?'” (44:18)

“Yehudah – you, your brothers shall acknowledge: your hand will be at your enemies nape.” (49:8)

“And she conceived again and bore a son and she said ‘This time I thank Hahsem,’ therefore she called his name Yehudah.” (29:35)

YEARS

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