Bracha – Page 7 – Peninim on the Torah

איש על דגלו באתת לבית אבתם

Each man by his banner, according to the insignias of his father’s household. (2:2)

While talents, skills, acumen, financial support and family background each plays a role in one’s success, the role is, at best, supportive. The attribute which plays the leading role in garnering one’s success is ambition, one’s aspiration and striving to work his way to the top. Personal effort, dedication and the ability to withstand and ultimately overcome challenges, lay the groundwork upon which success is established. It is the interplay of these elements that shapes an individual’s journey towards the top. This does not, by any means, disregard the role of talents, financial resources and upbringing. It is just that,…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5784

איש על דגלו באתת לבית אבתם ... יחנו בני ישראל

Sruly Schnair In 5784, Bamidbar

Each man by his banner according to the insignias of their father’s household… shall they camp. (2:2)

Chazal (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:7) teach that signs/insignias in the form of a flag and a color represented every leader of a shevet, tribe. Each banner contained a color similar to the color of the precious stones that were upon the heart of Aharon HaKohen (Choshen HaMishpat). Rabbeinu Bachya (Shemos 28:15) demonstrates how each tribe’s color and stone underscored a unique attribute and strength of that tribe’s progenitor. For example, Reuven’s color was red. This symbolized his strength of character in not being embarrassed to confess his wrongdoing with regard to Bilhah’s tent. Interestingly, Binyamin’s color was an amalgam of all…

Home -> Behar -> 5784

ושבתה הארץ שבת לד'

Sruly Schnair In 5784, Behar

The land shall observe a Shabbos rest for Hashem. (25:2)

In addition to our biological ascendance from the Avos Hakedoshim, Patriarchs, we are distinguished as Jews because of our acceptance of – and adherence to – the Torah. Hashem offered the Torah to the other nations, who refused it due to its incompatibility with the prevalent lifestyle. Stealing, murder and adultery are prohibited as part of our religious code. The other nations live by a different moral compass. Hashem presented us with the Torah, accompanied by an unprecedented and unparalleled Revelation on Har Sinai. We accepted with the resounding declaration, Naaseh v’Nishmah, “We will do and we will listen!” All…

Home -> 5784 -> Emor

ועל כל נפשת מת לא יבא לאביו ולאמו לא יטמא

Sruly Schnair In Emor, 5784

He shall not come near any dead person; he shall not contaminate himself to his father or his mother. (21:11)

Rashi infers from the pasuk (which on the surface appears superfluous) that, while the Kohen Gadol may not contaminate himself even to a family member, he may contaminate himself to a meis mitzvah, deceased who has no one to bury him. To better understand this, we will explain what it means to be alone at the time of death. By nature, the human being seeks connection and companionship. Human beings are social creatures. As such, during moments of vulnerability, the need for companionship intensifies. Having said this, we turn to the laws concerning the meis mitzvah, man who dies alone,…

Home -> 5784 -> Kedoshim

דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל ואמרת אליהם קדושים תהיו כי קדוש אני

Sruly Schnair In Kedoshim, 5784

Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael, and say to them: “You shall be holy, for holy am I.” (19:2)

Sefer Vayikra is called Toras Kohanim, the Laws of Kohanim. Veritably, only the first few parshiyos of Sefer Vayikra address the Priestly service and obligations. Why, then, is the entire book under the rubric of Toras Kohanim? The question is especially germane with regard to Parashas Kedoshim which addresses the normal gamut of mitzvos that applies to all Jews, who, through the observance of these mitzvos, sanctify and maintain the kedushah of the entire nation. Horav Simcha Wasserman, zl, explains that, just as the Kohanim are to be the spiritual exemplars of the Jewish nation, so, too, should the Jewish…

Home -> 5784 -> Kedoshim

קדושים תהיו כי קדוש אני

Sruly Schnair In Kedoshim, 5784

You shall be holy, for holy am I. (19:2)

Holiness for the Jew is a Divine mandate, whose meaning is debated by the Rishonim (Ramban, Rashi). Rashi posits that kedoshim tiheyu means perushim tiheyu, distance yourself from the illicit relationships detailed in the previous parshah. Ramban contends that is an exhortation to approach all aspects of life through moderation. Despite the fact that a particular behavior is permitted, surrendering to self-indulgence, gluttony and licentiousness undermines the goals of kedushah. Having said this, we turn towards what appears to be an enigmatic statement by Chazal (Vayikra Rabbah 24), “‘Be holy’ – I might think that this means Kamoni – like…

Home -> 5784 -> Metzora

זאת תהיה תורת המצרע ביום טהרתו

Sruly Schnair In Metzora, 5784

This shall be the law of the metzora on the day of his purification. (14:2)

Probably more has been written concerning the sin of lashon hora than any other aveirah. Its common occurrence is due to human failing. Veritably, the only way to protect oneself from falling prey to the abyss of lashon hora is not to speak. Two powerful vignettes inspires one to think twice before he speaks ill of others. A young man came to the saintly Horav Shloimke, zl, m’Zevhill, and petitioned the Rebbe for a blessing. He and his wife had been married for a considerable amount of time and had yet to be blessed with a child. They were broken-hearted….

Home -> 5784 -> Tazria

ובמלאות ימי טהרה ... תביא כבש בן שנתו לעולה ובן יונה או תור לחטאת

Sruly Schnair In Tazria, 5784

Upon the completion of the days of her purity… she shall bring a sheep within its first year for an elevation/burnt offering, and a young dove or a turtledove for a sin-offering. (12:6)

The Baal HaTurim notes that, throughout the Torah, turim, young doves, are mentioned before bnei yonah, turtledoves, except for the korban of the yoledes, postpartum sacrifice, when bnei yonah precede turim. He explains that the korban which the woman brings at the end of her yemei taharah, days of purification, consists of a single bird – either a tor or a ben yonah. The nature of the turtledove (which also goes by the name mourning dove) is that, when it is separated from its mate, it mourns it and refuses to mate with another. Therefore, it is more appropriate to…

Home -> 5784 -> Tzav

אם על תודה יקריבנו

Sruly Schnair In Tzav, 5784

If he shall offer it for a Thanksgiving offering. (7:12)

The Korban Todah, Thanksgiving Offering, is special because it allows one who is the beneficiary of Hashem’s kindness to express his gratitude. Indeed, it is important to allow those to whom we reach out to in some manner to repay those favors. Otherwise, they feel humbled by not being able to return the favor. Gratitude does not necessarily have to be commensurate with the favor received. Some people who are the beneficiaries of the largesse of others are just not able to reciprocate. For instance, an individual who has been blessed with extraordinary material bounty is very generous with his…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5784

ויקרא אל משה

Sruly Schnair In 5784, Vayikra

He called to Moshe. (1:1)

Chazal (Vayikra Rabbah 7:3) say: “Why do they begin the teaching of Chumash to children with Toras Kohanim (Vayikra) and not with Bereishis? Since the children are pure, without sin, and the offerings are pure, it is, therefore, fitting that the pure should come and engross themselves in the study of that which is pure.” One should ask an intelligent person, one versed in pedagogy and proficient in the educational methodology for reaching a young child, captivating his interest for learning: From where should the child begin to learn? At what point should the lesson plan for teaching Chumash on…

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איש על דגלו באתת לבית אבתם

Each man by his banner, according to the insignias of his father’s household. (2:2)

איש על דגלו באתת לבית אבתם ... יחנו בני ישראל

Each man by his banner according to the insignias of their father’s household… shall they camp. (2:2)

ושבתה הארץ שבת לד'

The land shall observe a Shabbos rest for Hashem. (25:2)

ועל כל נפשת מת לא יבא לאביו ולאמו לא יטמא

He shall not come near any dead person; he shall not contaminate himself to his father or his mother. (21:11)

דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל ואמרת אליהם קדושים תהיו כי קדוש אני

Speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael, and say to them: “You shall be holy, for holy am I.” (19:2)

קדושים תהיו כי קדוש אני

You shall be holy, for holy am I. (19:2)

זאת תהיה תורת המצרע ביום טהרתו

This shall be the law of the metzora on the day of his purification. (14:2)

ובמלאות ימי טהרה ... תביא כבש בן שנתו לעולה ובן יונה או תור לחטאת

Upon the completion of the days of her purity… she shall bring a sheep within its first year for an elevation/burnt offering, and a young dove or a turtledove for a sin-offering. (12:6)

אם על תודה יקריבנו

If he shall offer it for a Thanksgiving offering. (7:12)

ויקרא אל משה

He called to Moshe. (1:1)

YEARS

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