Bracha – Page 67 – Peninim on the Torah

“All the commandments which I command you today, you shall observe to do so that you may live and multiply and go and take the land into possession.” (8:1)

In the previous chapter, the Torah dealt with the abolishment of any form of heathenism, as well as the removal of idols and anything even remotely connected with them from the Jewish domain. This chapter deals with the positive aspects of serving Hashem, as Bnei Yisroel had come to realize. This recognition requires the understanding that only through a faithful carrying out of our mission in this world, and an adherence to Hashem’s mitzvos, will there be permanent happiness in our life. Nothing in a heathenistic lifestyle can contribute in the slightest to our happiness; even the smallest heathen tinge…

Home -> 5776 -> Lech Lecha

ויאמר ד' אל אברם לך לך מארצך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5776

Hashem said to Avram, “Go for yourself from your land. (12:1)

Chazal teach that, among the many practical issues that concerned Avraham Avinu regarding his departure from Charan, he also had a spiritual basis. In the previous parshah, the Torah records the death of Terach, father of Avraham – when, in fact, Terach died more than sixty years later. Chazal explain that Avraham was anxious about what people would say. His father was at a point in life that an able son would have been an advantage to him. For Avraham to abandon his father at this point in his life would open him up to public criticism, implying that he…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5776

לחשב מחשבות לעשות בזהב בכסף ובנחשת

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5776, Ki Sisa

To weave designs, to work with gold, silver and copper. (31:4)

The Jewish mind has throughout time proven itself to be extraordinary. While we have a reputation for being gifted with an inordinate level of acumen in proportion with the size of our own nation, it is specifically in the area of commerce, i.e. making money, that our worldly reputation seems to soar and take on a life all of its own. While the Jewish mind shines in all areas of human endeavor — from our primary vocation, Torah study, to the various disciplines of science, mathematics, medicine, law, social services, etc.– one thing all Jews have in common is the…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5776

העשיר לא ירבה והדל לא ימעיט ממחצית השקל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5776, Ki Sisa

The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

It is not uncommon for someone who has struck it rich, who has received the blessing of wealth from Hashem, to think that the world belongs to him. While this is certainly not the Torah way, human nature often prevails. It goes so far that one begins to believe that, if he were not deserving of all of this good fortune, he would not be its recipient. Apparently, he is a “good guy,” who is worthy of this blessing. As a result, a baal mamon, one who has been blessed with wealth, becomes a baal gaavah, arrogant and pompous, often…

Home -> 5776 -> Ki Savo

ובאו עליך כל הברכות האלה והשיגך כי תשמע בקול ד' אלקיך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5776

All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will hearken to the voice of Hashem, your G-d. (28:2)

A common attitude of (which we will refer to as) spiritual entitlement exists among some of us, which is indicative of feeling of spiritual superiority and self-righteousness: “Es kumt es mir; “I deserve it/it is coming to me” is a notion that some of us maintain, although we do not explicitly articulate it. The attitude is, “I am good, and, thus, I deserve to be the recipient of abundant reward.” This applies to those who observe Torah and mitzvos and expect a Heavenly check in the mail, as well as to those who have been victims of various forms of…

Home -> 5776 -> Ki Savo

אלה יעמדו לברך את העם על הר גרזים בעברכם את הירדן שמעון ולוי ויהודה ויששכר ויוסף ובנימין

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5776

These shall stand to bless the people on Har Gerizim, when you have crossed the Yarden: Shimon, Levi, Yehudah, Yissachar, Yosef and Binyamin. (27:12)

As soon as the nation entered the Land, the people were to assemble at two mountains to re-accept the Torah. Twelve commandments would be enumerated, which the people would acknowledge publicly, affirming their understanding that those who observed these commandments would be blessed and those who reneged them would be cursed. Representatives of six tribes would stand on one mountain (Har Gerizim) for blessing, and representatives of the other six tribes would stand opposite on the other mountain (Har Eival) for curse. The twelve commandments which were Divinely selected are such acts that can be carried out covertly. A subtle…

Home -> 5776 -> Kedoshim

מפני שיבה תקום והדרת פני זקן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5776

Before an old man you shall rise, you shall honor the presence of a sage. (19:32)

The pasuk appears to be redundant – unless a difference exists between zaken and seivah. The Talmud Kiddushin 32b, explains that a zaken is zeh she’kanah chochmah, “one who has acquired wisdom.” Wisdom and age are not necessarily synonymous. Some young people have– either due to sheer brilliance or great effort– achieved the title of zaken. They are erudite scholars who are able to hold their own with the sages of “old.” Alas, some elderly Jews — due to their advanced age– deserve the title seivah; they are not by definition, zekeinim, since they are not erudite, as they have…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5776

אשר תצוום את בניכם לשמר לעשות את כל דברי התורה הזאת ...כי לא דבר רק הוא מכם כי הוא חייכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5776, Ha'azinu

With which you are to instruct your children, to be careful to perform all the words of this Torah. For it is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life. (32: 46,47)

We are commanded to instruct our children to observe the Torah and perform its mitzvos, because it is our life. Simply, this refers to the Torah which is the source of our life, for without it one does not truly live. He exists in the physical sense, but if the meaning of life eludes him, can he be considered truly alive? Alternatively, “it” refers to our children whom we have instructed in the ways of Hashem and who carry on the legacy of our instruction. In the Talmud Taanis 5B, Chazal state, Mah zaru b’chaim, af hu b’chaim; “Just as…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5776

הצור תמים פעלו... קל אמונה ואין עול צדיק וישר הוא

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5776, Ha'azinu

The Rock! Perfect is His work… G-d of faith without iniquity, righteous and fair is He. (32:4)

Hashem created a perfect world in which every creation receives everything that is necessary, not only for it to subsist, but also for it to attain its maximum potential in this world. Thus, if a person has not been granted certain qualities essential for success in a certain field or endeavor, this is a clear indication that he does not need them to achieve success. On the other hand, if he has been blessed with certain abilities that exceed the average, it is proof that Hashem wants him to use these gifts to serve Him. The custom in Radin on…

Home -> 5776 -> Eikev

ואכלת ושבעת וברכת את ד' אלקיך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5776

Chazal teach us that Bentching, Grace after meals, is a mitzvah min haTorah, Biblical command. Veritably, it is obvious that one should offer his gratitude upon deriving benefit from another. When we take into consideration that food sustains us and that Hashem is the Source of all food, it does not take a deep thinker to understand the obligation of u’beirachta – “and you shall bless.” If we eat and are satisfied, the natural consequence should be blessing Hashem. Indeed, before the Torah was given to Klal Yisrael, our Patriarch, Avraham Avinu, taught the world about the greatness of Hashem…

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“All the commandments which I command you today, you shall observe to do so that you may live and multiply and go and take the land into possession.” (8:1)

ויאמר ד' אל אברם לך לך מארצך

Hashem said to Avram, “Go for yourself from your land. (12:1)

לחשב מחשבות לעשות בזהב בכסף ובנחשת

To weave designs, to work with gold, silver and copper. (31:4)

העשיר לא ירבה והדל לא ימעיט ממחצית השקל

The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

ובאו עליך כל הברכות האלה והשיגך כי תשמע בקול ד' אלקיך

All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will hearken to the voice of Hashem, your G-d. (28:2)

אלה יעמדו לברך את העם על הר גרזים בעברכם את הירדן שמעון ולוי ויהודה ויששכר ויוסף ובנימין

These shall stand to bless the people on Har Gerizim, when you have crossed the Yarden: Shimon, Levi, Yehudah, Yissachar, Yosef and Binyamin. (27:12)

מפני שיבה תקום והדרת פני זקן

Before an old man you shall rise, you shall honor the presence of a sage. (19:32)

אשר תצוום את בניכם לשמר לעשות את כל דברי התורה הזאת ...כי לא דבר רק הוא מכם כי הוא חייכם

With which you are to instruct your children, to be careful to perform all the words of this Torah. For it is not an empty thing for you, for it is your life. (32: 46,47)

הצור תמים פעלו... קל אמונה ואין עול צדיק וישר הוא

The Rock! Perfect is His work… G-d of faith without iniquity, righteous and fair is He. (32:4)

ואכלת ושבעת וברכת את ד' אלקיך

YEARS

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