Attitude – Page 66 – Peninim on the Torah

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. (6:9)

Rashi cites a debate among the Sages concerning Noach’s true spiritual plateau. Some maintain that Noach’s ability to sustain his righteous achievement, despite being surrounded by a generation of corruption, is to his credit. Indeed, had he lived in Avraham Avinu’s time, he would have achieved much more. Others maintain that Noach’s righteousness was relative to a generation that was morally and ethically corrupt. Had he lived in Avraham Avinu’s time, he would have paled in comparison. Veritably, a person should be judged in accordance with his environment, his challenges, his generation. Apples should be compared to apples. There is one…

Home -> 5771 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5771

“Sin rests at the door. Its desire is toward you, yet you can conquer it.” (4:7)

Herein lies the folly of man. True, the yetzer hara, evil inclination, is constantly on guard, looking for ways to entice us into sin. Man, however, does not have to succumb to its blandishments. He can prevail – if he really wants to: In Rashi’s immortal words, Im tirtzeh tisgaber alav. “If you want to, you will overcome it.” It is all up to us. If we want, we will succeed; if our desire to succeed is lackadaisical, we will fall into the clutches of the yetzer hara. The following episode gives meaning to the essential idea that it is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5771

And Kayin brought an offering to Hashem of the fruit of the ground. As for Hevel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and from their choicest. And Hashem turned to Hevel and his offering, but to Kayin and to his offering He did not turn. (4:3-5)

The Torah informs us that Kayin brought of the fruit of the ground as an offering to Hashem. From the fact that the Torah underscores that Hevel’s sacrifice was derived from the choicest animals, we derive that Kayin’s offering was of a mediocre quality. Thus, Hashem turned to Hevel’s offering, rather than to Kayin’s, because Hevel brought from the finest of his animals. This seems a bit difficult to accept. Since when is there a competition among “good,” “better,” and “best” before Hashem? The Almighty cares only about attitude, not product. The individual’s intentions determine the true nature of the…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, V'zos HaBrachah

“Moshe commanded us the Torah, an inheritance of the community of Yaakov.” (33:4)

This pasuk, which is so prominent in Jewish life, is the first pasuk which a Jew utters upon rising in the morning and also the first pasuk we teach to our children. Its simplicity is noteworthy; its message is all encompassing. The word varun is linked with the verb arh, to inherit. This implies that Torah is our inheritance, a legacy which is bequeathed from generation to generation. From the first generation which stood at Har Sinai, who experienced the giving of the Torah through Divine Revelation, it is an inheritance. Each generation has the obligation to transmit the Torah…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayeilech

“And they will say one day, is it not because our G-d is not among us that these evils have come upon us? And I will surely hide My face in that day. For all the evil which they wrought in that they turned to other gods.” (31:17,18)

Horav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch Z”l emphasizes the speaker’s audacity. The sinned does not say, “I have sinned because Hashem has forsaken me.” Rather, he says, “It is because Hashem is not in my midst that I have sinned.” He does not find fault in his own behavior, so that he accepts responsibility for his own actions. Instead, he finds Hashem’s “behavior” to be the cause of his misfortune! He perceives that Hashem, whom he still refers to as his G-d, has abdicated his promise to protect and support him. If Hashem had only kept His promise, such sufferings would not…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayeilech

“And there shall come upon them many evils and troubles; so that they will say in that day; is it not because our G-d is not among us, that these evils have come upon us?” (31:17)

We may note the contrast in the text between the beginning and the end of this pasuk. While the posuk begins with the phrase many evils and troubles, at the end it only uses the word bad. What stimulated the transition, which has diminished this individual’s troubles? In order to resolve this problem, we must first understand the true meaning of ,urm – troubles. The origin of this word is rm which implies tightness or restriction. This alludes to moments when one is so tormented by troubles that he feels enveloped and unable to maneuver himself out from under the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayeilech

“And Hashem said to Moshe, behold your days approach that you must die.” (31:14)

The Midrash mentions a poignant story which can serve as a lesson for us, especially during the current Days of Awe. The great sage, Rabbi Shimon Ben Chalafta, went to a bris milah, at which the child’s father made an impressive feast. In fact, after serving a very old wine to the guests, the father proudly proclaimed that he would age a portion of this wine for the future joyful occasions of his son. Upon leaving this feast, the sage encountered the Angel of Death, who seemed to be in a “happy mood.” he questioned the angel as to…

Home -> 5752 -> Nitzavim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5752

“Life and death I have set before you, the blessing and the curse, therefore choose life so that you may live, you and your children.” (30:19)

The word used by the Torah h,,bu – “I have set before you” to describe the two divergent paths which stand before every Jew seems puzzling. This word appears to be appropriate only to the context of blessing, as it shares a root with the word vb,n (present). Why, then, does the Torah use the same verb to apply to a curse, as well? The Shelah Hakadosh extends this question to include the idea of freedom of decision. When one is confronted with two reads, one leading to success, riches, and fame, and the other leading to trials, pain, and…

Home -> 5752 -> Nitzavim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5752

“And Hashem your G-d will return your captivity and have compassion upon you and will return and gather you from all the nations.” (30:3)

Horav Shmelka of Nikelsburg Z”l offers an insightful interpretation for the word and “He will have compassion upon you” in the context of the pasuk. One who shows compassion in his relationship with people has undoubtedly repented his past sins, for transgressions create an attitude of cruelty towards others within an individual. Consequently, the Torah states that after one has repented, you will notice a compassionate nature about him. The character traits of a Jew are directly influenced by his spiritual attitude. Although he may superficially exhibit tendencies of compassion and decency, these are only facades which are not inherently…

Home -> 5752 -> Nitzavim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5752

“And Hashem removed them from their land… And He threw them out to a different land like this day.” (29:27)

According to the Masoretic tradition, the letter “lamed” of the word ofkahu (and He threw them out) appears enlarged. The commentators offer various reasons for this custom. Horav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, offers an insightful homiletic interpretation. The name of the letter “lamed” implies the concept of teaching. He suggests that the purpose of Hashem’s exile of the Jews was not merely to punish them, but rather to teach them the ramifications of straying from the Torah. This is consistent with the principles of effective punishment by which one receives instruction in the consequences of his sins. When one realizes the…

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Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. (6:9)

“Sin rests at the door. Its desire is toward you, yet you can conquer it.” (4:7)

And Kayin brought an offering to Hashem of the fruit of the ground. As for Hevel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and from their choicest. And Hashem turned to Hevel and his offering, but to Kayin and to his offering He did not turn. (4:3-5)

“Moshe commanded us the Torah, an inheritance of the community of Yaakov.” (33:4)

“And they will say one day, is it not because our G-d is not among us that these evils have come upon us? And I will surely hide My face in that day. For all the evil which they wrought in that they turned to other gods.” (31:17,18)

“And there shall come upon them many evils and troubles; so that they will say in that day; is it not because our G-d is not among us, that these evils have come upon us?” (31:17)

“And Hashem said to Moshe, behold your days approach that you must die.” (31:14)

“Life and death I have set before you, the blessing and the curse, therefore choose life so that you may live, you and your children.” (30:19)

“And Hashem your G-d will return your captivity and have compassion upon you and will return and gather you from all the nations.” (30:3)

“And Hashem removed them from their land… And He threw them out to a different land like this day.” (29:27)

YEARS

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