Bracha – Page 63 – Peninim on the Torah

ופקודיו אשר צוה ד' את משה

And they were counted as Hashem commanded Moshe. (4:49)

Ramban observes these three families of Leviim were Divinely designated, each family for its individual service. Furthermore, Ramban asserts that no Levi was permitted to go beyond his specific service. He was not to exchange his service or assist in an area for which he was not designated. Once Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chanania wanted to assist Rabbi Yochanan ben Gudgoda with the doors, and he was rebuked. The latter said to him, “Return! For you are already liable for death, since I am from those who attend to the gates, and you are of those who sing in the Bais…

Home -> 5776 -> Mishpatim

מדבר שקר תרחק

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5776

Distance yourself from a false word. (23:7)

The Talmud Sanhedrin 97a relates that there was a city called Kushta that was unique in the phenomenon that none of its residents ever lied. Prevarication was to them the ultimate anathema. As a result, they were blessed with extreme longevity. No one in their community died. One Erev Shabbos, a woman came to the door of her friend’s home and asked to see her. Her husband was aware that his wife was preparing herself for Shabbos (combing her hair), so he said that she was not home at the time. As a result of his untruth, his two sons…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh

“And you shall serve Him and cleave to Him.” (13:5)

How does one ‘cleave’ to Hashem,” ask Chazal in the Talmud Sotah 14a, “when He is described as an eish ochlah, consuming fire?” (Devarim 4:24). Chazal answer that the Torah enjoins us to cleave to Hashem’s ways. Mah Hu – af atah: Just as He supplies clothes for the unclothed, visits the sick, comforts mourners and buries the dead, so should you do the same. I wonder. It should be easy – especially if doing so is considered following in the footsteps of the Almighty. We do not, however, see people lining up to clothe the needy, visit the ill and…

Home -> Devarim -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Devarim

“These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael.” (1:1)

At the end of the fortieth year of their sojourn in the wilderness, Moshe Rabbeinu is about to take leave of the flock that he had nurtured. He commenced his rebuke on Rosh Chodesh Shevat and culminated his words on the day that he died – the seventh of Adar. The Sifri comments that Moshe purposely decided to admonish the people close to the time when he was leaving this world. He learned this practice from Yaakov Avinu, who also chided his sons prior to his death. Chazal suggest four reasons why one might leave rebuke until the end – close…

Home -> Matos -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Matos

They approached him and said, “Pens for the flock shall we build here for our livestock and cities for our small children”… Moshe said to them… “Build for yourselves cities for your small children and pens for your flock.” (32:16,20,24)

The halachah regarding reciting a brachah over two fruits that are not from the seven species of fruit with which Eretz Yisrael is blessed is clear: One first makes the brachah upon the fruit which one likes more. What if he likes one more, but the second fruit has more therapeutic value, more vitamins in it? Horav Avigdor HaLevi Nebentzhal, Shlita, contends that the fruit which is qualitatively better for the person is the one that takes precedence in regard to the blessing. The source for this halachah can be derived from Moshe Rabbeinu’s dialogue with Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven….

Home -> 5762 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5762

“The people would spread out/stroll and gather it (the manna).” (11:8)

Pursuit of a livelihood is often an endeavor that consumes a person. One dedicates his energies to chasing that pot of gold which is nothing more than a dream turned nightmare for many. While one should be mishtadel, endeavor, and take the necessary steps to see to it that his material needs are provided for, he must realize and believe unequivocally that Hashem is the Provider Who will supply him with whatever he really needs. We derive this concept from the manna of which the Torah in Sefer Shemos 16:17-18 writes, “Bnei Yisrael gathered (the manna), those who took more and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5762

“Let them place My Name upon Bnei Yisrael and I shall bless them.” (6:27)

Why does the Torah add this last phrase? Every blessing begins with Hashem: “Hashem should bless you”; “Hashem should make His face shine upon you”; “Hashem should turn His face unto you,” etc. We already know that Hashem is granting the blessing. Horav Simchah HaKohen Sheps, z.l., in his Sefer, Simchas HaTorah, explains that this last phrase is an added blessing. Even after one receives a blessing from Hashem, he must internalize the fact that the blessing comes only from Hashem. Nothing that one receives has any source other than Hashem. This, in itself, is a profound perception. For while many…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Bechukosai

“I will provide peace in the land.” (26:6)

Rashi cites the Sifra, which suggests that the positioning of the blessing of peace climaxes the precious blessings of material abundance. The Torah teaches us that peace is equivalent to all the other blessings combined. What a wonderful blessing – peace among people. Imagine a community with no strife, no controversy. Indeed, when people are embroiled in dispute, they have no time or energy to enjoy the fruits of their success. They are too busy fighting. How is peaceful co-existence achieved? Commenting on the pasuk, Ibn Ezra explains, shalom beineichem, “peace among you.” Usually, we translate beineichem as “among you.” Perhaps,…

Home -> 5762 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5762

“If a tzaraas affliction will be in a person.” (13:9)

The laws of tzaraas, a spiritual malady which manifests itself in a physical illness which mimics leprosy, is the result of “speech problems.” People who do not use their God-given tongues appropriately, such that they disparage and slander, are visited with tzaraas. Volumes have been written addressing the sin of lashon hara, evil speech. What about lashon tov, good speech, positive speech, words that heal and soothe? The power of speech is a special gift that we must learn to appreciate. A good word can lift a spirit and save a life. How often do we regret not saying the right…

Home -> 5762 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5762

“On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (12:3)

One day the Sefas Emes asked one of his close chassidim to take his two young sons, (Rav) Avraham Mordechai and (Rav) Moshe Betzalel, to a certain Jew in Warsaw for a brachah, blessing. The person left the next day in search of this Jew whom he assumed must certainly be a famous tzaddik, righteous man. He arrived in Warsaw and, after some inquiry, he discovered that the individual he sought was actually a simple, common Jew. The man, indeed, had no idea why the famous Rebbe of Gur would send his two sons to him for a blessing. Yet, at…

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ופקודיו אשר צוה ד' את משה

And they were counted as Hashem commanded Moshe. (4:49)

מדבר שקר תרחק

Distance yourself from a false word. (23:7)

“And you shall serve Him and cleave to Him.” (13:5)

“These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael.” (1:1)

They approached him and said, “Pens for the flock shall we build here for our livestock and cities for our small children”… Moshe said to them… “Build for yourselves cities for your small children and pens for your flock.” (32:16,20,24)

“The people would spread out/stroll and gather it (the manna).” (11:8)

“Let them place My Name upon Bnei Yisrael and I shall bless them.” (6:27)

“I will provide peace in the land.” (26:6)

“If a tzaraas affliction will be in a person.” (13:9)

“On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (12:3)

YEARS

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