Attitude – Page 64 – Peninim on the Torah

Hashem descended upon Har Sinai…; Hashem summoned Moshe to the top of the mountain, and Moshe ascended. (19:20)

Elevating Klal Yisrael to the level of Kabbolas HaTorah, receiving the Torah, was not an overnight task. The Jewish People had been enslaved in Egypt for two-hundred and ten years, suffering persecution and degradation, misery and emotional pain, until they cried out to Hashem. This catalyzed their return to Him, effecting their spiritual development, and preparing them for the seminal movement in Jewish history: the Giving of the Torah. Egypt was the crucible that tempered their spirit. The era of Egyptian bondage served as their incubation period, during which they evolved from the Hebrew people to Bnei Yisrael, endowed with the…

Home -> 5771 -> Yisro

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5771

Yisro said, “Blessed is Hashem, Who has rescued you from the hand of Egypt.” (18:10)

The Talmud Sanhedrin 94 notes that it was embarrassing for Moshe Rabbeinu and 600,000 Jews that Yisro was the first one to bless Hashem for saving them. This reality comprises a powerful critique of the Jewish People and their leadership. Imagine, no one had been moved to bless Hashem for all the incredible miracles which He had wrought for them until Yisro expressed his feelings of gratitude and praise. It almost does not make sense. But what about the Shirah, “the Song by the Sea” – a Song of Praise and gratitude, which Moshe and Klal Yisrael sang immediately after…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5771

“For the hand is on the Throne of G-d: Hashem maintains a war against Amalek from generation to generation.” (17:16)

No people is so reviled by Hashem as Amalek, the archenemy of the Jewish People. Regarding no other nation do we have a commandment to obliterate their name (Devarim 25:17-19). Only Amalek has that “distinction.” Why? What is there about Amalek – his hatred of the Jews and everything that they represent – that differentiates him so? I think the answer lies in Amalek’s attack on us. We were leaving Egypt after two centuries of bitter, brutal persecution. We were not bothering anyone. Yet, for some reason, Amalek felt it necessary to attack us. Why? We were not threatening them…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5771

“Hashem shall do battle for you, and you shall remain silent.” (14:14)

If one had to suggest the underlying motif of Parashas Beshalach, I think it would be emunah and bitachon, faithful trust in the Almighty. From its very outset, as the nascent Jewish nation left Egypt, until its closing pesukim – describing our triumphant battle over our archenemy, Amalek – the Parshah is replete with instances of emunah and bitachon. Let us focus on a few of these examples. As Klal Yisrael stood at the banks of the Red Sea, the people were overwhelmed by fear, and began to cry. They raised their voices in prayer, entreating Hashem to spare them. Moshe Rabbeinu…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5771

“And you shall guard the matzos, for on this very day I brought your legions out of the land of Egypt.” (12:17)

Rashi cites the well-known Midrash which tells us not to read the word as matzos, but as mitzvos (which are spelled the same). We derive from here that “just as one should not allow matzoh to become leavened, so too, should one not cause leavening with regard to any mitzvah. Rather, if a mitzvah comes to your hand (an opportunity arises), perform it immediately.” Do not postpone performing a mitzvah. Every mitzvah is precious, and every moment is valuable, so do not squander such a golden opportunity. The need to incorporate zerizus, alacrity, joyful willingness and excitement, into our mitzvah performance…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5771

But against all Bnei Yisrael, no dog shall whet (“sharpen”) its tongue. (11:7)

Simply, this means that Egypt will be engulfed with death and grief. The Jews, however, will enjoy complete respite and tranquility; not even a dog will bark (utter a sharp cry – Rashi) at them. What is the significance of the dogs barking, or not barking? Does it really make a difference? Everything that is recorded in the Torah has a message. What then is the message of the dog’s restraint from barking? The Bais HaLevi, zl, explains with the following anecdote: A terrible dispute erupted in the city of Brisk. Two groups took sides against one another, and the fires…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5771

These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuven… the sons of Shimon… These are the names of the sons of Levi. (6:14-16)

Is there some distinction to the names of Levi’s sons? Apparently there must be, since concerning Reuven and Shimon, the Torah merely says: “the sons of,” without mentioning the word shaimos, names. Why does the Torah not emphasize the “names” of Reuven and Shimon’s sons? The Shlah HaKadosh, zl, explains that Shevet Levi was unique among the brothers in that they were not enslaved together with the others. This troubled them, since they wanted to share in their brothers’ pain and empathize with their plight. What did they do? They gave their sons names which brought the bitter exile to…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayechi

Reuven, you are my firstborn…water-like impetuosity – you cannot be foremost… Shimon and Levi are comrades, their weaponry is a stolen craft. (49:3,4,5)

Yaakov Avinu’s blessing to his sons commenced with words of rebuke to his first three sons. The reproof was not pretty – but then, it never really is. It was succinct and to the point, focusing on their errors, expressed without embellishment. It must have hurt. These were grown men, leaders of distinction, from whom the future Klal Yisrael would descend. To their father, however, they were sons, as such, he was obligated to rebuke them. It was not a time for coddling or sugar-coating. Yaakov told it like it was. Chazal laud the brothers’ reaction to their father’s critique. In…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Mikeitz

Their father Yaakov said to them, “I am the one whom you bereaved! Yosef is gone, Shimon is gone, and now you would take away Binyamin? Upon me has it all fallen!” (42:36)

Yaakov Avinu had experienced two tragedies with the loss of two sons: Yosef and Shimon. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, explains that Yaakov was addressing his sons from a practical, Torah-oriented perspective. It is quite possible that the “disappearance” of the brothers is unrelated. There is, however, one common thread between them: both tragedies directly affected Yaakov. He was left bereft of both sons. If things happen repeatedly to someone in a similar manner and he cannot see a clear reason why they should occur, he should not place himself into a position in which it could occur once again, until…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayeishev

As she was taken out, she sent [word] to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong I am with child.” (38:25)

Interweaved within the narrative of Yosef’s sale as a slave and eventual arrival in Egypt, is the story of Yehudah. At first, it seems misplaced, since it does not appear to have any relationship to the Yosef narrative. Chazal, however, explain that Yehudah was deposed from his position as leader over them, because he was not forceful enough to prevent the sale. Had he demanded that Yosef be released, he would have prevailed. Yehudah only saved him from death. For not completing his task, he was punished by Hashem with the eventual passing of his sons, Er and Onan. In the…

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Hashem descended upon Har Sinai…; Hashem summoned Moshe to the top of the mountain, and Moshe ascended. (19:20)

Yisro said, “Blessed is Hashem, Who has rescued you from the hand of Egypt.” (18:10)

“For the hand is on the Throne of G-d: Hashem maintains a war against Amalek from generation to generation.” (17:16)

“Hashem shall do battle for you, and you shall remain silent.” (14:14)

“And you shall guard the matzos, for on this very day I brought your legions out of the land of Egypt.” (12:17)

But against all Bnei Yisrael, no dog shall whet (“sharpen”) its tongue. (11:7)

These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuven… the sons of Shimon… These are the names of the sons of Levi. (6:14-16)

Reuven, you are my firstborn…water-like impetuosity – you cannot be foremost… Shimon and Levi are comrades, their weaponry is a stolen craft. (49:3,4,5)

Their father Yaakov said to them, “I am the one whom you bereaved! Yosef is gone, Shimon is gone, and now you would take away Binyamin? Upon me has it all fallen!” (42:36)

As she was taken out, she sent [word] to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong I am with child.” (38:25)

YEARS

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