Attitude – Page 44 – Peninim on the Torah

You shall be wholeheartedly simple with Hashem, your G-d. (18:13)

Fundraising can be a disheartening endeavor, regardless of the organization or individual for which one is working. The esteem which we accord the fundraiser is commensurate with the individual’s own level of self respect. One can view his undertaking as an opportunity to enable another Jew to share in the spiritual reward reserved for those who demonstrate strength of character – to overcome that “little voice” that finds every excuse to urge them not to give tzedakah. If he succeeds in adopting this perspective, he will approach his mission in a positive light. There is a story told about the…

Home -> 5757 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5757

And Aharon was silent. (10:3)

Ramban explains that Aharon actually did cry. Aharon silently accepted Hashem’s decree only after Moshe consoled him by telling him of the enormous kiddush Hashem, sanctification of Hashem’s Name, which Nadav and Avihu had effected. Aharon’s response to the tragic deaths of his two eldest sons serves as a paradigm for those who confront tragedy. He was silent, accepting the decree. Did Aharon exhibit the loftiest form of acquiescence, or is there another — more exalted — way of confronting Hashem’s decree? Tiferes Shlomo, the Admor m’Radomsk, zl, comments that Chazal laud Aharon Ha’kohen for his “silent” response to his…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5757

And Moshe spoke to Aharon: Approach the Altar and offer your (korban) Chatas and your (korban) Olah. (9:7)

Chazal explain why it was necessary for Moshe to speak emphatically to Aharon saying, “Approach the Mizbayach.” Aharon was “shy,” afraid to approach the Mizbayach. He saw the likeness of an ox with its horns in the Mizbayach, and he was afraid. Moshe told him, “Take courage and approach the Mizbayach.” Aharon was anxious, reflecting a fear that ought to take hold of any conscientious leader who assumes his position. He understood the heavy responsibility of his position and the lofty mission of being leader, teacher, and interpreter of d’var Hashem. His fear, however, had an additional aspect. The image…

Home -> 5757 -> Shelach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5757

Send forth men, if you wish, and let them spy out the land…see the land – how is it? And the people that dwells in it – is it strong or weak? And how is the land in which it dwells – is it good or is it bad? And how are the cities – are they open or are they fortified? And how is the land – is it fertile or is it lean? Are there trees in it or not?…But the people that dwells in the land is very powerful…we cannot ascend to that people. (13:2, 18,19,20,28,31)

One of the most tragic incidents in Jewish history, the cheit ha’meraglim, the sin of the spies, played a prominent role in altering the course of history. The fact that the spies were virtuous men, leaders of the nation, when they left on their ill-fated mission magnified this tragedy. In the end, this incident effected ruin upon the entire nation. When all is said and done, a number of issues should be addressed regarding their sin. First, what really was their sin? They were sent on a mission to determine the land’s strengths and weaknesses – which they did. They…

Home -> 5757 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5757

You shall harden your heart or close your hand against your destitute brother…for in return for this matter, Hashem your G-d, will bless you in all your deeds and in all your undertaking. (15:7,10)

The Torah tells us clearly that one who gives tzedakah should not concern himself with his momentary financial loss, for Hashem will bless him in return. Moreover, the contribution that he gives will be the source of his blessing. The Chofetz Chaim commented on this pasuk with a story that serves as an analogy, giving greater meaning to the pasuk. Once an illiterate farmer from a small village came to the market with his usual sacks of grain. Due to the farmer’s limited scope of education, his mathematical acumen was, at best, poor. For every sack that he emptied into…

Home -> 5757 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5757

Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aharon Ha’kohen turned back My wrath from upon the Bnei Yisrael. (25:11)

Upon consideration, did Pinchas really have to act in such a drastic manner? He is lauded for avenging the honor of Hashem. Was there no other way to prevent Zimri from performing his reprehensible act of rebellion against Hashem? Could Pinchas not have chosen a less “final” — and perhaps more conciliatory — solution for the “Zimri” problem? This is the type of question that plagues those who do not quite understand the meaning of the term “kanai,” zealot. Pinchas was not a reactionary who unleashed his uncontrollable anger, killing innocent people. He was not a religious maniac whose lack…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Pekudei

Moshe could not enter the Ohel Moed, for the cloud rested upon it. (40:35)

The Midrash explains that Moshe was not afraid to enter through the cloud. Indeed, we find in Parashas Mishpatim 24:18 that the cloud split open and permitted Moshe to walk through as if the path had been paved for him. Rather, the meaning of “v’lo yachol,” “Moshe could not enter,” is that Moshe gave reverence to the Shechinah and did not enter until Hashem called him. We may question the Torah’s use of the phrase, “v’lo Yachol” “He could not.” If Moshe’s reluctance to enter was due to his remarkable derech eretz, respect for the Al-mighty, the Torah should have…

Home -> 5757 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5757

And Cham saw…his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers. And Shem and Yafes took a garment…and covered the nakedness of their father and their faces were backward. (9:22,23)

We have here before us a distinction between the two reactions among Noach’s sons, the reaction of Cham as opposed to that of his brothers, Shem and Yafes. Cham observes an indiscretion on the part of his father, and he immediately exploits it. Not only does Cham jest about his father’s failing, but he also goes out of his way to publicize it. He shows no filial respect whatsoever. His two brothers, on the other hand, throw the mantle of love over their father’s weakness; they turn their heads away, so even they would not view their father’s shame. We…

Home -> 5757 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5757

And the earth had become corrupt before G-d, and the earth became filled with violence. (6:11)

The text seems to imply that these people were corrupt only in the eyes of Hashem. In the eyes of society, however, they apparently did no wrong. What type of people were they that they were paragons of virtue according to the rules of society, while they were iniquitous before Hashem? Horav David Feinstein, Shlita, cites Chazal in the Talmud Sanhedrin 57A who define “,ja,u”, corrupt, as referring to immorality and idolatry. These are sins that do not really hurt anybody. Does anyone suffer if a person chooses to bow down to idols? Who is hurt by the immoral activities…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayeilech

My anger will flare against it…And many evils and distress will encounter it…It will say on that day, “Is it not because my G-d is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me?” (31:17)

Klal Yisrael’s sins incurred Hashem’s wrath, as well as His consequent concealment of Himself from them. The pasuk goes on to state that even after Klal Yisrael acknowledged that they were suffering as a result of Hashem’s removal of His Presence from their midst, Hashem continued to conceal Himself from them. While this may be a particularly severe punishment, we are told later that regardless of our sins, the Torah will never be forgotten from our People. If we have the Torah, we still can maintain hope for ultimate reconciliation after we have fully repented. In addressing the meaning of…

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You shall be wholeheartedly simple with Hashem, your G-d. (18:13)

And Aharon was silent. (10:3)

And Moshe spoke to Aharon: Approach the Altar and offer your (korban) Chatas and your (korban) Olah. (9:7)

You shall harden your heart or close your hand against your destitute brother…for in return for this matter, Hashem your G-d, will bless you in all your deeds and in all your undertaking. (15:7,10)

Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aharon Ha’kohen turned back My wrath from upon the Bnei Yisrael. (25:11)

Moshe could not enter the Ohel Moed, for the cloud rested upon it. (40:35)

And Cham saw…his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers. And Shem and Yafes took a garment…and covered the nakedness of their father and their faces were backward. (9:22,23)

And the earth had become corrupt before G-d, and the earth became filled with violence. (6:11)

My anger will flare against it…And many evils and distress will encounter it…It will say on that day, “Is it not because my G-d is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me?” (31:17)

YEARS

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