Attitude – Page 45 – Peninim on the Torah

Then Hashem, your G-d, will bring back your captivity and have mercy upon you, and He will gather you in. (30:3)

Once Klal Yisrael repents, they are assured of the ingathering of the exiles, regardless of where they are located among the nations of the world. The Rambam infers from this pasuk that one must believe in the coming of Moshiach. Indeed, the Rambam writes, “And he who does not believe in him (Moshiach), or he who does not await his coming, does not only repudiate the (prophecies of) Nevi’im, but also denies the Torah and Moshe Rabbeinu.” The Brisker Rav, zl, inferred from the Rambam that he who denies the Geulah, Redemption, is a kofer, non-believer. Even he who does…

Home -> 5757 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5757

Let them place My name upon Bnei Yisrael, and I shall bless them. (6:27)

Chazal, at the end of Meseches Uktzin, say, “There is no greater container to hold Klal Yisrael’s blessings than peace.” One may have everything – health, prosperity, and fame – but without peace these gifts have no significance. Consequently, the blessings which the Kohanim are to impart upon Bnei Yisrael are sealed with the hope for peace. A community can catalyze peace in one of two ways. The first way is the positive approach, in which people work towards ironing out their differences, seeking ways to increase harmony and good will. Discord is viewed as taboo, so the slightest infraction…

Home -> 5757 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5757

Any man whose wife shall go astray and commit treachery against him. (5:12)

Rashi comments that the Torah specifically employs the word tisteh with a sin as opposed to a samach– to describe the woman’s going astray in being unfaithful to her husband. The word tisteh is connected to the word shtus, which means foolishness. Hence, Chazal say that one who commits an act of adultery or becomes a partner in an immoral relationship has “lost his mind”. As Chazal describes it, “A spirit of foolishness has entered his mind.” They cite the pasuk in Mishlei, 6:32, “He who has illicit relations with a woman lacks a heart.” In his commentary on Pirkei…

Home -> 5757 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5757

He shall be brought to the Kohen. The Kohen shall go forth to the outskirts of the camp. (14:2,3)

The text of the pasuk seems ambiguous. If the metzora is brought to the Kohen, why does the Kohen go out? Sforno explains that the metzora is brought to the outskirts of the city, and the Kohen comes out to meet him. Shem M’Shmuel interprets the pasuk homiletically. When the metzora is outside of the camp, he should make every effort to come closer to the Kohen, his lifestyle, his way of thinking, his total demeanor. By advancing towards the Kohen, the metzora purifies his heart and mind. When he has succeeded in motivating himself forward, the Kohen will now…

Home -> 5757 -> Lech Lecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5757

And the steward of my house is Damesek Eliezer. (15:2)

Rashi cites a number of definitions for the word Damesek. Targum Onkelos notes that Eliezer came from Damasus. Hence the name Damesek is a reference to the city from which he originated. In the second interpretation cited by Rashi, Damesek is the city to which the kings were chased prior to their defeat. In the last interpretation, Damesek is an acronym for two words veanu vkus, referring to Eliezer’s attitude towards studying Torah transmitted to him by his great rebbe, Avraham. He would be “doleh,” draw the Torah out as one draw’s water from a wellspring; and he would be…

Home -> 5757 -> Lech Lecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5757

Avram took his wife Sarai and Lot, his brother’s son… And the souls they made in Charan. (12:5)

Rashi comments that these “souls” refers to the people who Avraham and Sarah converted to faith in Hashem. Avraham would teach and later convert the men, while Sarah would do the same with the women. Rabbeinu Yona posits that Avraham reached out to the pagans as a purely altruistic gesture. Avraham loved people, his heart overflowed with a desire to help as many as he could. Regardless of their origin, Avraham loved them and attempted to reach out to them even when they were not receptive to his overtures. Rabbeinu Yona teaches us a novel idea. Avraham Avinu reached out…

Home -> 5757 -> Korach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And the earth opened up its mouth and it swallowed them…and all the men that belonged to Korach. (16:32)

All those who joined Korach in his conflict met their end tragically. Korach’s sons, however, did not die. As Sforno comments, “They were not drawn after him in the matter.” It seems strange that such a charismatic demagogue as Korach had no permanent influence upon his children. Chazal assert that Korach was imbued with the ability to see the future. Therefore, he was secure in his success, since he foresaw his noble descendants. Ostensibly, Korach’s ability was limited. He saw the tzaddikim that would be his progeny, but he did not see his own disaster. In any event, what happened…

Home -> 5757 -> Korach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And he (Moshe) said to Hashem; Do not turn to their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt them. (16:15)

Moshe, acting atypically, implored Hashem not to accept any form of offering whereby Korach and his henchmen could expiate their sin of rebellion. Sforno interprets Moshe Rabeinu’s demand in the following manner. Had they sinned against Hashem, then He would have pardoned them after they had atoned for their actions. Sins committed against one’s fellow man are not atoned even on Yom Kippur, unless the sinner has appeased the one whom he has wronged. Moshe disclaims receiving any benefit from them. Thus, his leadership over them was entirely for their benefit, to attend to their affairs and needs. Their criticism…

Home -> 5757 -> Korach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And Korach ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi separated himself. (16:1)

Korach was not simply another hatemonger who sought to usurp Moshe and Aharon as a result of intense feelings of envy. Korach was among those who “carried” the Aron Ha’kodesh. He was obviously sensitive to the fact that the Aron was in reality carrying those who attempted to carry it. It would be unrealistic to think that an individual who was so aware of Hashem should stoop to such machlokes, controversy, unless something “noble” motivated him. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, explains that Korach sought Kehunah, He felt that he could serve Hashem better if he were a Kohen. His complete…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ki Sisa

“And now if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, make Your way known to Me.” (33:13)

Moshe implored Hashem to explain to him the meaning of finding favor in Hashem’s eyes. Moshe sought to understand the manner in which Hashem rewards those who adhere to His precepts. According to the Talmud Berachos 7a, Moshe was referring to the age-old question of, “Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?” This question has fascinated many a human being and, truthfully, its answer is beyond human comprehension. Indeed, no answer would suffice for those who choose to question. The believer, however, accepts the challenge of dealing with this issue by addressing it through the vehicle of emunah,…

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Then Hashem, your G-d, will bring back your captivity and have mercy upon you, and He will gather you in. (30:3)

Let them place My name upon Bnei Yisrael, and I shall bless them. (6:27)

Any man whose wife shall go astray and commit treachery against him. (5:12)

He shall be brought to the Kohen. The Kohen shall go forth to the outskirts of the camp. (14:2,3)

And the steward of my house is Damesek Eliezer. (15:2)

Avram took his wife Sarai and Lot, his brother’s son… And the souls they made in Charan. (12:5)

And the earth opened up its mouth and it swallowed them…and all the men that belonged to Korach. (16:32)

And he (Moshe) said to Hashem; Do not turn to their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt them. (16:15)

And Korach ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi separated himself. (16:1)

“And now if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, make Your way known to Me.” (33:13)

YEARS

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