Attitude – Page 70 – Peninim on the Torah

“And you shall make two Keruvim of gold.” (25:18)

Rashi explains that the Keruvim’s face had the form of a child’s face. We must endeavor to understand the rationale for selecting the face of a child from among the myriads of Hashem’s creations as the basis of the Keruvim. Rabbi Meir Rubman Z”l suggests that a child symbolizes an individual who strives to learn, one who does not yet feel accomplished, one who is always willing to listen, reflect, and accept guidance. He cites the Baal Haturim who states that the pasuk (Hoshea 11:1) “For Yisrael is a youth and I love him,” alludes to the Keruvim. Hashem knows…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5752

“And they shall make for Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among them.”(25:8)

The Mishkan serves as the place where a Jew can have the opportunity to encounter Hashem’s Presence in a controlled and structured manner. The Ramban notes that the parsha concerning the building of the Mishkan (with its holy vessels) follows the parshios dealing with the giving of the Torah and instituting the system of laws and social justice. Only after Am Yisrael has established itself as a holy nation to be fulfilled through Torah and mitzvos do the Jewish people merit the Mishkan as a place to centralize the pre-existent holiness within the community. The Mishkan is not the source…

Home -> 5752 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5752

“And Hashem said to Moshe , Come up to Me onto the mountain and be there, and I will give you the tablets of stone and the commandments which I have written that you shall teach them.” (21:12)

The “call” that came to Moshe to ascend the heights of Har Sinai conveys the potential power inherent in man. It represents the supremacy of spirit over flesh, of the eternal over the ephemeral, of vision over reason. The event that transpired during that ascendancy cannot be explained logically. Only the arrogance of a shallow man would cause him to dismiss this revelation. Only one who has never been there, who lacks even a concept of how to approach the level of inspiration which Moshe reached, would endeavor to detract from this awesome experience. It is only Moshe who was…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5752

“And if a man will come presumptuously upon his fellow to slay him with guile, from My altar, take him for execution.” (21:14)

Rashi explains that if this murderer were a Kohen who had intended to perform the service in the Bais Hamikdash, he may be taken away to his execution. The altar does not serve as a place of refuge for those who deserve punishment. Horav Moshe Shternbuch Shlita offers a unique homiletic approach to understanding this pasuk. One should not think that by performing mitzvos he can commute the punishment he merits for the various sins he has committed. Just as a sin does not have the power to extinguish a mitzvah, likewise, a mitzvah cannot erase a sin. The only…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5752

“And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, it is because of that (which) Hashem did for me when I went out of Egypt.” (13:8)

A father has the holy obligation to educate his child, as well as to serve as a paradigm of guidance and inspiration to his child. Just as parents are required to provide for their child’s physical needs, they must also be vigilant in sustaining them spiritually. Various techniques have been developed for the appropriate manner in which to educate children. The Rambam cites Avraham Avinu’s unique approach to reaching out in order to educate the members of a pagan society concerning belief in Hashem . Avrohom had the ability to relate to each person according to his individual level…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Mikeitz

“And they said one to another, we are surely guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the distress of his soul when he beseeched us, and we would not listen. Therefore this distress has befallen us. And Reuven answered them saying, did I not say to you do not sin against the child.” (42:21-22)

When Yosef accused his brothers of spying, they quickly comprehended that this distressful situation was brought upon them as retribution for their involvement in the selling of Yosef. Consequently, it seems puzzling that when the silver with which they purchased the corn was returned in their baggage, they were not able to see that this development was a sign of further retribution from Hashem for their sin. The Midrash explains that every act demonstrating Yosef’s behavior and attitude towards his brothers was to serve as a reminder of their previous ill-treatment of Yosef. This enabled them to repent which led…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Mikeitz

“And now let Pharaoh look for an understanding and wise man.” (37:1-2)

It is interesting to note Yosef’s boldness in taking the initiative to offer Pharaoh advice. Pharaoh was searching only for someone to interpret his dreams, not one to direct him in the administration of the country! Why then was Yosef so brazen to volunteer his gratuitous suggestions? Horav Nissan Alpert Z”l explains that Yosef’s attitude was not only appropriate, but necessary, for his acceptance in the Egyptian hierarchy. When Pharaoh chose to designate Yosef as viceroy over Egypt, his intimate advisors were concerned that he appointed a lowly servant to a powerful position. There was no precedent in Egyptian history…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayeishev

“Come and let us sell him to the Yishmaelim, but our hand shall not be upon him.” (37:27)

Yehudah’s suggestion to sell Yosef is apparently considered laudable, for we on his deathbed Yaakov praised him for his advice. This seems peculiar, however, since selling Yosef to people of such low moral character seems wrong. Indeed there is a famous dictum that, “worse is one who leads another into transgression, than one who kills him.” Why then was Yehudah so extolled? We may suggest that this pasuk presents a profound lesson. When one is confronted with a situation in which an incorrect decision on his part will cause an irreversible outcome, it is appropriate that he refrain from…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5752

“And Yaakov was left alone, and there wrestled a (man) with him… and he touched the hollow of his thigh… Therefore the Bnei Yisrael do not eat the sinew of the thigh vein.” (32:25-33)

This narrative raises many questions. First, why was Yaakov alone, without his wives and children who had already crossed the river? Chazal respond that he had forgotten small jars and returned to retrieve them. Secondly, who was this “man” that wrestled with Yaakov? Chazal respond that this was Eisav’s “guardian angel”. We may also question the significance of the damage inflicted upon the thigh muscle. As a remembrance of this physical damage, we are forbidden to eat the sinew of an animal’s thigh muscle. We may suggest that the Torah is illustrating the effect of Am Yisrael’s exile upon…

Home -> 5752 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5752

“And Yaakov said G-d of my father Avraham and G-d of my father Yitzchak.” (32:10)

As Yaakov prayed to Hashem to save him from his evil brother Eisav, he invoked the merit of his saintly ancestors, the Patriarchs. Are they not, however, Esov’s ancestors? How can he entreat Hashem to listen to his prayers in lieu of Eisav’s? We may derive from this pasuk that only one who follows in the footsteps of his ancestors may invoke their merit. Yaakov followed the path which was paved by his forefathers; he maintained their ideals. We may add that it is not sufficient to merely emulate the actions of the Patriarchs externally, but it is even more…

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Back to Home -> Terumah ->

“And you shall make two Keruvim of gold.” (25:18)

“And they shall make for Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among them.”(25:8)

“And Hashem said to Moshe , Come up to Me onto the mountain and be there, and I will give you the tablets of stone and the commandments which I have written that you shall teach them.” (21:12)

“And if a man will come presumptuously upon his fellow to slay him with guile, from My altar, take him for execution.” (21:14)

“And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, it is because of that (which) Hashem did for me when I went out of Egypt.” (13:8)

“And they said one to another, we are surely guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the distress of his soul when he beseeched us, and we would not listen. Therefore this distress has befallen us. And Reuven answered them saying, did I not say to you do not sin against the child.” (42:21-22)

“And now let Pharaoh look for an understanding and wise man.” (37:1-2)

“Come and let us sell him to the Yishmaelim, but our hand shall not be upon him.” (37:27)

“And Yaakov was left alone, and there wrestled a (man) with him… and he touched the hollow of his thigh… Therefore the Bnei Yisrael do not eat the sinew of the thigh vein.” (32:25-33)

“And Yaakov said G-d of my father Avraham and G-d of my father Yitzchak.” (32:10)

YEARS

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