Attitude – Page 61 – Peninim on the Torah

This shall be the reward when you hearken to these ordinances. (7:12)

Rashi notes that the homiletic interpretation of eikev, which means heel, alludes to the sort of mitzvos which people do not take seriously, that they regard as unimportant. Thus, they figuratively “tread upon them with their heels.” The Torah assures us that if we are careful to observe even these so-called “neglected” mitzvos, Hashem will certainly reward our efforts. The message is basic. We have no way to determine the value and weight of mitzvos. They are all decrees from Hashem which we are commanded to carry out – “no ands, ifs, or buts.” We find another form of neglected…

Home -> 5771 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5771

You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart… And these words… shall be upon your heart. (6:5,6)

The pasuk tells us that one should love Hashem with all of his heart. This is followed by the admonition to place “these words” on one’s heart. A connection must exist between the two “hearts” mentioned. The Sifri asks how does one manifest his love for Hashem? The Almighty is not a mortal. He has no corporeality. How does one experience this sense of love? Chazal answer that the key lies in the words, V’hayu ha’devarim ha’eileh… al l’vavecha, “And these words … shall be upon your heart.” By inscribing Hashem’s words on our heart, we come to recognize, acknowledge…

Home -> 5771 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5771

“Please let me cross and see the good land that is on the other side of the Jordan.” (3:25)

A fascinating Midrash relates part of the dialogue between Moshe Rabbeinu and Hashem concerning his plea that he be allowed to enter the Holy Land. Moshe asked, “Ribono Shel Olam, the bones of Yosef HaTzaddik will enter Eretz Yisrael, and I will not enter?” (Why is Yosef different than I?) Hashem replied, “One who conceded, who acknowledged his Land, deserves to be buried there. One who did not acknowledge his Land is not buried there.” Chazal note that when Potifar’s wife failed in her attempt to seduce Yosef, she cried out, “Look! He brought us a Hebrew man to sport…

Home -> Devarim -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Devarim

For as an inheritance to Eisav have I given Mount Seir. (2:5)

The old cliché goes; Es is shver tzu zein a Yid, “It is difficult to be a Jew.” While this is a wrong attitude for a Jew to have, from a practical point of view, it may be considered true. Living an observant lifestyle takes a certain amount of conviction, resolution and forbearance. What we fail to acknowledge is that the cliché might have some validity – there may be a good explanation for the manifold challenges that a Jew confronts in life. Horav Aharon Bakst, zl, explains this as a reason for the distinction between Yaakov Avinu and Eisav…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Devarim

These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael. (1:1)

Sefer Devarim is Moshe Rabbeinu’s last will and testament, spoken by him during the last five weeks of his life. He began with an indirect rebuke, alluding to the nation’s sins and, at times, mutinous behavior during the past forty years. His words were cloaked in allusion, in an effort not to embarrass and offend his listeners. While this is clearly the preferred approach to rebuke, one wonders why in the past he had not manifested such restraint. Indeed, the Maor Va’Shemesh focuses on the word Eileh, “These,” a term which implies a specific designation which excludes previous “words.” Chazal…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Devarim

These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael. (1:1)

Chazal teach that Moshe Rabbeinu’s “words” were actually words of rebuke, veiled in a manner not to embarrass Klal Yisrael. Tochachah, rebuke, is a mitzvah. The Torah teaches in Vayikra 19:17, Ho’cheiaich tochiach es amisecha, “You shall reprove your fellow.” This is part of caring about and loving our fellowman. Regrettably, some people get carried away with their performance of this mitzvah. While administering rebuke is a mitzvah, it is not one that applies to everyone. In other words, not all of us are capable of – or fit the criteria – for an individual who may express reproof to…

Home -> Masei -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Masei

The Assembly shall rescue the killer from the hand of the avenger of the blood. (35:25)

The bais din is enjoined to seek every possible way to circumvent the death penalty. We always give the accused every possible benefit of the doubt. Likewise, if the court judges that the death was caused by a truly unavoidable accident, it must rule that the killer does not require exile. Consequently, the goel ha’dam, relative who is the avenger of the blood, must desist. He has no right whatsoever to harm the killer. It was an accident which Hashem made happen – end of story. The Talmud Sanhedrin 17a teaches an interesting halachah, which at first glance seems perplexing….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Masei

They journeyed from the Wilderness of Sinai and encamped in Kivros Hataavah. They journeyed from Kivros Hataavah and encamped in Chatzeiros. They journeyed from Chatzeiros and encamped in Rismah. They journeyed from Rismah and encamped in Rimmon-Peretz. They journeyed from Rimmon-Peretz and encamped in Livnah. (33:16-20)

The commentators, each in his own inimitable manner, suggest that the names of the various encampments are allusions to the various shortcomings, or consequences to inappropriate behavior, manifest by the Jewish nation during their trek through the Wilderness. Rashi interprets these places as referring to specific sins committed by the people. The Chasam Sofer indicates that the above names are consequences, resulting from distancing oneself from Torah study. The Talmud Succah 52b makes a formidable statement: Yitzro shel adam misgaber alav b’chol yom u’mevakeish l’ha’miso, “A man’s evil inclination threatens every day to overpower him, and seeks to kill him:…

Home -> 5771 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5771

When he zealously avenged My vengeance among them. (25:11)

Kana’us, zealousness, is not a trait that one should exhibit indiscriminately. Pinchas exemplifies the true kanai, zealot. He acts definitively for the sake of the community, placing the needs of the klal, congregation, above his own safety and reputation. The kanai is not lauded; dinners are not rendered in his honor, nor does he have a large group of friends. People are actually afraid of him, never knowing where and when he will strike; what will anger him; what he will see that is wrong. The kanai lives in a select circle, revered by those who understand his value to the…

Home -> 5771 -> Shelach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5771

In this wilderness shall your carcasses drop. (14:29)

During their forty-year trek through the Wilderness, Klal Yisrael breached their relationship with Hashem, as they committed a number of transgressions. Yet, the Almighty punished the actual perpetrator(s) and forgave the rest of the populace. These were not simple sins. The chet ha’eigel, sin of the Golden Calf, was no simple transgression. Shortly after they left Egypt, Klal Yisrael committed a sin of grave proportions, as they turned their backs on Hashem, Who had done so much for them. They were scared; their leader, Moshe Rabbeinu, was late in descending the mountain, so they sinned. This was no excuse. Yet,…

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This shall be the reward when you hearken to these ordinances. (7:12)

You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart… And these words… shall be upon your heart. (6:5,6)

“Please let me cross and see the good land that is on the other side of the Jordan.” (3:25)

For as an inheritance to Eisav have I given Mount Seir. (2:5)

These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael. (1:1)

These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael. (1:1)

The Assembly shall rescue the killer from the hand of the avenger of the blood. (35:25)

When he zealously avenged My vengeance among them. (25:11)

In this wilderness shall your carcasses drop. (14:29)

YEARS

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