Attitude – Page 50 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5756

And the people took to seeking complaints; it was evil in the eyes of Hashem. The rabble among cultivated a craving… and they said, ‘Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish that we ate in Egypt free of charge, and the cucumbers, melons… But now our life is parched, there is nothing; we have nothing to anticipate but the manna.'” (11:1,4,5,6)

The chapter dealing with the “misonenim,” complainers, demands interpretation. Let us address the following questions: First, they complained that they lacked meat. This is not true! The Torah (Shemos 12) clearly states that they took sheep and cattle with them when they left Egypt. Second, when they complained that they had received fish in Egypt for free, Rashi comments that “free” actually means that there were no “strings attached.” They did not have to observe mitzvos in order to get food. They did, however, have to undergo backbreaking and degrading labor in order to receive whatever limited food they were…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5756

“On the second day, Nesanel ben Tzuar offered, the Nasi of Yisachar.” (7:12)

The Torah does not contain a single redundant letter. We can derive a lesson even from the different spellings of a given word. Why then is so much space devoted to the korbanos brought by the twelve Nesiim? Would it not have conceivably been appropriate to describe the korban of Nachshon ben Aminadav — who was the first Nasi to bring a sacrifice — then say that each of the other Nesiim followed suit? The commentators address this question and respond with various lessons to be derived from the repetition. The Midrash explains that although the twelve offerings were identical,…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bamidbar

“Count the Bnei Levi according to their father’s household, according to their families, every male from one month of age and up.” (3:15)

Moshe and Aharon were instructed to count Bnei Levi in a manner much different than the rest of Bnei Yisrael. Bnei Yisrael were counted once, from the age of twenty to sixty years of age. Bnei Levi, on the other hand, were counted twice. In the first census, they were counted from the age of one month and above. There was no minimum, since the thirty day old age only ensured the viability of the child. There also was no maximum age for Leviim. In the second census, the Leviim were counted according to their eligibility for service. This census…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bechukosai

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham I will remember.” (26:42)

Rashi comments on the order in which the Patriarchs are listed in this pasuk. The order implies that the merit of Yaakov is sufficient to bring redemption to his descendants. If his merit is found to be insufficient, we can turn to Yitzchak in whose merit our redemption will be effected. If this is still not enough, we rely upon Avraham Avinu’s merit to bring about our redemption. We may question the reversed sequence of the Avos. Is not Yaakov considered to be the bchir ha’Avos, chosen of the Patriarchs? Why, then, is he listed first? In sequence, Yaakov should…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5756

“They shall be holy to their G-d.” (21:6)

The Kohen, whose life is devoted to serving Hashem, is to be relaxed during the avodah, service. He must be totally at ease, focusing all his efforts on executing his role to the best of his ability. Consequently, he is not to permit anything to divert his attention from the job at hand. Dealing with death tends to impede one’s concentration. The mere mention of death provokes anxiety. Hence, the Kohen is prohibited from coming in physical contact with a corpse. He may not even be under the same roof as a corpse. The Kohen must also be discriminating in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5756

“If he offers it by reason of gratitude.” (7:12)

One of the central themes in Judaism is the concept of thanksgiving. Indeed, we are called “Yehudim,” a name derived from the name Yehudah. Leah gave Yehudah that name because if reflected her profound appreciation to Hashem for granting her this child. She felt she now had more than she deserved. The Gerer Rebbe, zl, comments that every “Yehudi” should feel that whatever he receives from Hashem is more than he actually deserves. Our first words when we arise in the morning are, “Modeh Ani Le’fanecha,” “I thank you Hashem.” These opening words should set the tone for our daily…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5756

“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it, it shall not be extinguished.” (6:5)

In Pirkei Avos (5:5), Chazal teach us that miraculously the rains never put out the fire of the wood-pile on the altar. The Mizbayach was situated in an open space, exposed to the elements. Yet, the fire continued to burn even during the heaviest rains. It seems strange that such a miracle would be choreographed. Why did Hashem simply not have it rain upon the Mizbayach so that such a miracle would not be necessary? Horav Chaim M’Volozhin, zl, infers a valuable lesson from this miracle regarding our commitment to serve Hashem under all circumstances. Hashem could certainly have prevented…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Vayikra

“When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem.” (1:2)

So begins the Sefer which deals with the korbanos. Some suggest that the korbanos raise the specter of needless killing, or reinforce primitive barbaric tendencies. Regrettably, such notions are based in the minds of those who seek to eliminate traditional Torah observance. In his Moreh Nevuchim, Rambam pursues an historical approach in order to explain the animal sacrifices. Surrounded by pagans on all sides, Bnei Yisrael might have desired to imitate the popular animal sacrifices and temple worship. Hashem responded by including these rituals in our own worship. Hashem marked clear and definite restrictions to define what is within the…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Vayikra

“And He (Hashem) called unto Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him.” (1:1)

The well established custom has been to begin teaching a child Chumash from Sefer Vayikra, even though Sefer Bereishis and Sefer Shemos might be more pedagogically appealing because of the various narratives, Chazal comment, “ohruvyc uexg,hu ohruvy utch,” Let pure souls come and occupy themselves with pure things.” Horav Moshe Swift, zl, elucidates Chazal’s words in the following manner. Torah is not merely a book of knowledge, it is a book of life. It is the source of life for our people. Its focus is not the brain, but rather the neshamah, soul. Torah penetrates the soul of a Jew…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5758

Moshe Marcovich In 5758, V'zos HaBrachah

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

The Matnos Kehunah cites the Yerushalmi that states that, after Klal Yisrael had sinned with the Golden Calf, Hashem refused to give them the Luchos. He was close to retrieving the Luchos from Moshe, when Moshe grabbed them back. This is the meaning of the yad hachazakah, strong hand, which Moshe demonstrated as he “took away” the Luchos from Hashem. Rashi applies the popular p’shat, interpretation, that yad ha’chazakah is a reference to Moshe’s breaking the Luchos. Obviously, Moshe did not demonstrate greater strength than when he grabbed the Luchos. The Yerushalmi is telling us that there was a dialogue…

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Back to Home -> Beha'alosecha ->

“On the second day, Nesanel ben Tzuar offered, the Nasi of Yisachar.” (7:12)

“Count the Bnei Levi according to their father’s household, according to their families, every male from one month of age and up.” (3:15)

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham I will remember.” (26:42)

“They shall be holy to their G-d.” (21:6)

“If he offers it by reason of gratitude.” (7:12)

“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it, it shall not be extinguished.” (6:5)

“When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem.” (1:2)

“And He (Hashem) called unto Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him.” (1:1)

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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