Attitude – Page 73 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, V'zos HaBrachah

“And by all the strong hand, and all the great fear which Moshe did in the eyes of all Yisrael.” (34:12)

In the Talmud, Shabbos 87, Chazal interpret “And by all the strong hand,” as referring to Moshe’s act of breaking the luchos. It is notable that Moshe’s epitaph, the climax of the career of Klal Yisrael’s greatest leader, recorded the smashing of the luchos as his greatest moment. Should not Moshe have been remembered for a more “positive” act, rather than for an act of destruction ? Horav Eli Munk, z.l., infers from here that this was Moshe’s ultimate act of authority. He took a “positive” stand against the tide of alienation. He reacted angrily to a wave of liberal…

Home -> 5774 -> Yisro

ויתיצבו בתחתית ההר

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5774

They stood transfixed at the foot of the mountain. (19:17)

As Klal Yisrael stood at the foot of Har Sinai, waiting anxiously for the Torah, they were united as one, with a sense of unity described by Chazal as, k’ish echad, b’lev echad, “like one man with one heart.” This phrase has since become the catchword for describing unity at its apex. All of Klal Yisrael were focused, intent on accepting the Torah with a firm commitment, a common aspiration and uniform purpose. All of Klal Yisrael stood together as one to accept the Torah. It is the term b’lev echad, “with one heart”, that begs to be elucidated. Does…

Home -> 5774 -> Vayishlach

ויעקב שמע כי טמא את דינה בתו ובניו היו את מקנהו בשדה והחריש יעקב עד באם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5774

Now Yaakov heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah, while his sons were with his cattle in the field; so Yaakov kept silent until their arrival. (34:5)

There were no cellphones in those days, so Yaakov Avinu had to wait until his sons arrived home before he could tell them of the outrage that had taken place. Abarbanel explains that the Patriarch waited for his sons, because he was not going to make a decision without first consulting them. Their input was important to him. Horav Yaakov Meir Shechter, Shlita, explains that including mature children in decision making is good parenting. In fact, this is specifically how one should relate to his children. This is especially true under circumstances in which one is compelled to point out…

Home -> 5755 -> Eikev

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5755

“You will not be able to annihilate them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase against you.” (7:22)

Hashem assures Klal Yisrael of staggering success in vanquishing their enemies. Moreover, it was to be accomplished in a manner that would cause them no harm, even from the wild beasts. By effecting a slow offensive, vast portions of land would not be left unpopulated, allowing for the stray wild beasts to “move in.” True, a quick victory could have been achieved, but at an unacceptable price. This seems enigmatic. Would it have been “difficult” for Hashem to simply contain the wild beasts so that they not harm the Jews ? Obviously, another reason mitigated for a “slow victory.” Horav…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5774

ונפש כי תחטא ושמעה קול אלה והוא עד או ראה או ידע אם לא יגיד ונשא עונו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Vayikra

If a person will sin: if he accepted a demand for an oath, and he is a witness – either he saw or he knew. (5:1)

I recently came across a story related by a father, telling about a traumatic experience that he and his family had undergone with one of their teenage sons. A young boy, fifteen years old, had slowly begun to drift away from his attachment to Torah. At first, it was gravitation to the frivolities of the outside world. He continued with his usual good middos, character traits, never offending another student, always showing respect for his rebbeim, his good natured smile always manifest on his face. Yet, this was not enough to maintain his tenure in the yeshivah where he was…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5774

אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Vayikra

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

The service of offering Korbanos, sacrifices to Hashem, was given to Klal Yisrael. It is a holy service designated for a holy people. Korbanos, however, are not designated solely for the Jewish People. Anyone – regardless of faith – may bring a korban. Indeed, we read in Parashas Emor (Vayikra 22:18), “Speak to Aharon and his sons and to all of Bnei Yisrael and say to them: Any man of the House of Yisrael and of the geirim, proselytes among Yisrael, who will bring his offering for any of their vows or their free-will offerings that they will bring to…

Home -> Devarim -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Devarim

“Provide for yourselves distinguished men, who are wise, understanding and well known to your tribes.” (1:13)

Chazal have defined the concept of a chacham, wise man, as “one who learns from all men” (Pirkei Avos 4:1). Each human being is unique; we can learn something from everyone. Each Jew is capable of being a teacher, knowingly or unknowingly; each Jew has something of value to impart. Chazal infer that wisdom is not a specific body of knowledge that can be acquired or transmitted. Rather, it is an attitude, an approach to life. One is said to have a wise outlook if he is willing to learn from others and assimilate the positive lessons he has acquired…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Vayechi

“And this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He gave each one his own special blessing.” (49:28)

From this pasuk Horav David Feinstein, Shlita, infers that all of Yaakov Avinu’s enjoinments to his sons were actually blessings. In other words, when rebuke is internalized, it can be transformed into a blessing. Indeed, didn’t Reuven and Levi correct their ways as a result of Yaakov’s admonishment? Likewise, when Zevulun was told that his descendants would be marine merchants, travelling the dangerous high seas, he accepted his fated vocation without fear. Their piety increased, since they were now acutely aware of their total dependence on Hashem’s mercy and beneficence for sustenance. We learn an appropriate approach to life’s occurrences…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5774

ויגש אליו יהודה ויאמר

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Vayigash

Then Yehudah approached him and said. (44:18)

To approach someone prior to speaking to him is self-evident. Unless one wants to shout across the room, he must move over towards the individual with whom he is about to speak. Why does the Torah seem to underscore that Yehudah “approached” Yosef? It could have written simply that Yehudah spoke with Yosef, without mentioning that he approached him. Indeed, every word in the Torah has a purpose. The Torah is Divinely authored. Hashem places a word in the Torah for a distinct reason, to convey an important and meaningful message. What is Vayigash, “And he approached,” teaching us? Horav…

Home -> 5774 -> Vayeitzei

ויחלם והנה סולם מוצב ארצה וראשו מגיע השמימה. והנה מלאכי אלקים עלים וירדים בו. והנה ד' נצב עליו.

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5774

He dreamt, and behold! A ladder set up toward earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven, and behold! Angels of G-d ascending and descending against it. And behold! G-d stood beside him. (28:12,13)

Yaakov Avinu set the tone and established the standards for our nation. The principles by which we live as a people were set forth by the Patriarch as he journeyed from Beer-Sheva to Charan. Yaakov gives us our name and destiny, as we are called Bnei Yisrael. Avraham Avinu was instructed to “go for yourself,” lech lecha, uproot yourself and your family, and leave for a destination unknown. He did so as a successful baal ha’bayis, householder, with a wife and retinue of servants and wealth. Yaakov did not leave because he was so commanded by Hashem; rather, the Almighty…

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“And by all the strong hand, and all the great fear which Moshe did in the eyes of all Yisrael.” (34:12)

ויתיצבו בתחתית ההר

They stood transfixed at the foot of the mountain. (19:17)

ויעקב שמע כי טמא את דינה בתו ובניו היו את מקנהו בשדה והחריש יעקב עד באם

Now Yaakov heard that he had defiled his daughter Dinah, while his sons were with his cattle in the field; so Yaakov kept silent until their arrival. (34:5)

“You will not be able to annihilate them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase against you.” (7:22)

ונפש כי תחטא ושמעה קול אלה והוא עד או ראה או ידע אם לא יגיד ונשא עונו

If a person will sin: if he accepted a demand for an oath, and he is a witness – either he saw or he knew. (5:1)

אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד'

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

“Provide for yourselves distinguished men, who are wise, understanding and well known to your tribes.” (1:13)

“And this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He gave each one his own special blessing.” (49:28)

ויגש אליו יהודה ויאמר

Then Yehudah approached him and said. (44:18)

ויחלם והנה סולם מוצב ארצה וראשו מגיע השמימה. והנה מלאכי אלקים עלים וירדים בו. והנה ד' נצב עליו.

He dreamt, and behold! A ladder set up toward earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven, and behold! Angels of G-d ascending and descending against it. And behold! G-d stood beside him. (28:12,13)

YEARS

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