Bracha – Page 2 – Peninim on the Torah

רק אדמת הכהנים לא קנה כי חוק לכהנים מאת פרעה ואכלו את חוקם

Only the land of the priests did he not buy, since the priests had a stipend from Pharaoh. (47:22)

Rashi explains a set decree which Pharaoh established, that the priests should receive a daily stipend of bread – regardless of the country’s economic condition. Thus, it was unnecessary for them to sell their land for food. Targum Yonasan disagrees, explaining that Yosef established this rule out of a sense of gratitude to the priests for saving his life. Potifar was a priest, whose wife claimed that Yosef had made advances toward her. Understandably, for a lowly slave to act in such a reprehensible manner warranted the death penalty. Potifar sought the advice of his colleagues – both as verification…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5786

וישב יעקב בארץ מגורי אביו בארץ כנען

Sruly Schnair In 5786, Vayeishev

Yaakov settled in the land of his father’s sojournings in the land of Canaan. (37:1)

Chazal teach that Yaakov Avinu sought to settle, to relax from the many struggles that had heretofore been a part of his life. Hashem responded with the mechiras Yosef. The message is clear: Tzaddikim are not on this world for a tranquil walk in the park. Their tranquility will be their reward in Olam Habba, which they earn in this world. Clearly, Yaakov’s idea of shalvah, serenity, was on a spiritual plane, during which he could spend every waking moment immersed in Torah. Life is about overcoming and living with challenge. Everything that we receive from Hashem comes with a…

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וישראל אהב את יוסף מכל בניו כי בן זקנים הוא לו

Sruly Schnair In 5786, Vayeishev

Yisrael loved Yosef best of all his sons, he was a child of his old age. (37:3)

The Torah teaches us that Yaakov Avinu’s love for Yosef exceeded his love for his other sons. On the surface, this favoritism seems to have been the precursor of the tragic strife that ultimately led to mechiras Yosef. One wonders why Yaakov, who personally knew the pitfalls of partiality and the resulting discord that can reign between siblings, not have taken a different route upon raising his children. The simple, straightforward explanation is that Yaakov’s love for Yosef was not about Yosef, but about his mother, Rachel Imeinu. We all remember the story well. Yaakov came to Charan, met Rachel…

Home -> 5786 -> Vayishlach

עם לבן גרתי

Sruly Schnair In Vayishlach, 5786

I have sojourned with Lavan. (32:5)

Yaakov Avinu’s message to Eisav, Im Lavan garti, is the focus of much commentary. After all, does Eisav really care about Yaakov’s past lodging? He is interested in only one thing: exacting revenge against his brother for cheating him out of his rightful blessings. This was Eisav’s perception. Yaakov’s message does not seem to align with Eisav’s complaint and mission focused on revenge. Rashi cites Chazal who render garti, I sojourned/lodged, in two different ways: “I have not become the great prince which you perceive was the intent of the blessings. I am still Yaakov, merely a ger, alien. You…

Home -> 5786 -> Vayishlach

ויאמר שלחני כי עלה השחר. ואמר לא אשלחך כי אם ברכתני

Sruly Schnair In Vayishlach, 5786

Then he said, “Let me go for dawn has broken.” And he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (32:27)

The dialogue between Yaakov Avinu and Eisav’s angel begs elucidation. It appears that Yaakov sought to secure the angel’s approval to validate his receipt of the blessings. This would teach us that consent and approval carry weight; they can elevate or diminish the value of one’s deeds. Since when does Eisav’s or his angels’ approval determine the appropriateness of Yaakov’s actions? Who cares if they scream “foul”? Horav Yeruchem Levovitz, zl, explains that man is often misled by certain actions and activities, because externally they bespeak compassion, mercy and observance. Appearances, however, are deceiving. It may look good; it may…

Home -> 5786 -> Chayei Sarah

ויהיו חיי שרה ... ותמת שרה בקרית ארבע הוא חברון בארץ כנען

Sruly Schnair In Chayei Sarah, 5786

Sarah’s lifetime was… Sarah died in Kiryas Arba which is Chevron in the land of Canaan. (23:1,2)

It is safe to say that Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu were the first great Jewish parents. As such, the manner in which they raised Yitzchak (Avinu) should serve as a guiding light for us. Every detail of their parenting was rooted in emunah and imbuing that faith into their only son. The discipline and love were real. They were not trying to impress anyone. Their efforts were foundational for setting up the principles upon which we – their descendants—live. Their sacrifices were unique in that they were the first people of whom Hashem demanded sacrifice. Thus, they set the…

Home -> 5786 -> Chayei Sarah

ברוך ד' אלוקי אדוני אברהם אשר לא עזב חסדו ואמתו מעם אדוני

Sruly Schnair In Chayei Sarah, 5786

Blessed is Hashem, the G-d of my master, Avraham, who did not abandon His kindness and truth with my master. (24:27)

Eliezer’s declaration of gratitude concerning the chesed, kindness, he received is understandable. He arrived in Aram Naharaim for the purpose of finding a wife for Yitzchak Avinu, and he immediately met Rivkah, the perfect candidate. Where does emes, truth, enter into the equation? Horav Chaim Mordechai Katz, zl, explains that, indeed, the concept of chesed is complex. It is possible that a person who offers assistance possesses a kind and generous heart. It is also possible, however, that this person, despite all his kindness, does not. For example, a person may demonstrate kindness which actually stems from egotism. This type…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5786

ולזבולון אמר שמח זבולון בצאתך ויששכר באהליך

Sruly Schnair In 5786, V'zos HaBrachah

To Zevulun, he said: Zevulun, rejoice in your going out; and Yissachar, in your tents. (33:18)

Apparently, Moshe Rabbeinu’s preferred style for conferring blessing differed from that of Yaakov Avinu. Our Patriarch showered his sons with long, flowery blessings. Moshe, on the other hand, sufficed with brevity. Yaakov’s blessing to Dan consisted of two pesukim, while Moshe’s a mere five words. Zevulun and Yissachar’s blessing from the Patriarch was a litany of three pesukim. Moshe’s blessing to Zevulun was not short, but the blessing he conferred upon Yissachar was a single word: B’ahalecha, “(You shall rejoice) in your tents.” On the surface we may suggest that Yaakov was addressing his sons. Thus, he did not rush…

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ויקבר אתו בגי

Sruly Schnair In 5786, V'zos HaBrachah

And He buried him in the depression. (34:6)

According to one exposition of Rashi, the Torah alludes to the idea that Moshe Rabbenu buried himself. Nothing is above Hashem and His relationship with Moshe. Indeed, we have no manner of fathoming our leader’s greatness. Thus, burying himself, although certainly possible, is a concept that eludes us. Perhaps, the following story might shed some light on this idea. While no mortal can possibly bury himself, he could perform acts of kindness that earn him a place of burial which, for all intents and purposes, would have otherwise probably not have occurred, as was the case in the following story….

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5786

זקניך ויאמרו לך

Sruly Schnair In 5786, Ha'azinu

Your elders and they will tell you. (32:7)

In his hesped, eulogy, for Horav Elazar M. Shach, zl, Horav Moshe Shmuel Shapira, zl, spoke emotionally concerning the impact Rav Shach had on the thousands of talmidim who were studying Torah during his tenure as Rosh Yeshivas Ponovezh. He quoted the Brisker Rav, zl, in his hesped for the Chazon Ish, zl. The Rav said, “Up until now, we have experienced a world with the Chazon Ish alive – and now a world without the Chazon Ish.” “We too,” cried Rav Moshe Shmuel, “are now experiencing a different world” (without Rav Shach). He continued, relating that, when the Chafetz…

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רק אדמת הכהנים לא קנה כי חוק לכהנים מאת פרעה ואכלו את חוקם

Only the land of the priests did he not buy, since the priests had a stipend from Pharaoh. (47:22)

וישב יעקב בארץ מגורי אביו בארץ כנען

Yaakov settled in the land of his father’s sojournings in the land of Canaan. (37:1)

וישראל אהב את יוסף מכל בניו כי בן זקנים הוא לו

Yisrael loved Yosef best of all his sons, he was a child of his old age. (37:3)

עם לבן גרתי

I have sojourned with Lavan. (32:5)

ויאמר שלחני כי עלה השחר. ואמר לא אשלחך כי אם ברכתני

Then he said, “Let me go for dawn has broken.” And he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (32:27)

ויהיו חיי שרה ... ותמת שרה בקרית ארבע הוא חברון בארץ כנען

Sarah’s lifetime was… Sarah died in Kiryas Arba which is Chevron in the land of Canaan. (23:1,2)

ברוך ד' אלוקי אדוני אברהם אשר לא עזב חסדו ואמתו מעם אדוני

Blessed is Hashem, the G-d of my master, Avraham, who did not abandon His kindness and truth with my master. (24:27)

ולזבולון אמר שמח זבולון בצאתך ויששכר באהליך

To Zevulun, he said: Zevulun, rejoice in your going out; and Yissachar, in your tents. (33:18)

ויקבר אתו בגי

And He buried him in the depression. (34:6)

זקניך ויאמרו לך

Your elders and they will tell you. (32:7)

YEARS

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