Challenge – Page 22 – Peninim on the Torah

Let them place My name upon Bnei Yisrael, and I shall bless them. (6:27)

Chazal, at the end of Meseches Uktzin, say, “There is no greater container to hold Klal Yisrael’s blessings than peace.” One may have everything – health, prosperity, and fame – but without peace these gifts have no significance. Consequently, the blessings which the Kohanim are to impart upon Bnei Yisrael are sealed with the hope for peace. A community can catalyze peace in one of two ways. The first way is the positive approach, in which people work towards ironing out their differences, seeking ways to increase harmony and good will. Discord is viewed as taboo, so the slightest infraction…

Home -> 5757 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5757

A man or woman who shall do something wondrous by taking a Nazarite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem. (6:2)

Why would someone choose to become a nazir? It may be the result of a harmful experience associated with drinking wine. Alternatively, it may be the product of a conviction that one should abstain from mundane pleasures. The individual feels that he is too involved with himself. Consequently, he goes to the extreme, taking a vow to abstain from his usual pleasures. The nazir must make sure that he does not defile his nezirus by coming in contact with a dead body. If this does happen, the nazir becomes tamei, ritually unclean. He must go through a purification process after…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Mikeitz

“And he said to his brother, my money has been returned… and they turned trembling one to another, saying, ‘What is it that Hashem has done to us?'” (42:28)

If we were to analyze the brothers’ response to this occurrence, we might be tempted to say, “What did you expect?” They had sold their brother into slavery, and Hashem was delivering their retribution. Why are they complaining?” Indeed, in the Talmud Tannis 9a Chazal allude to this. They cite the pasuk in Mishlei 19:3 iuveles adam tesalef darko v’al hashem yezaef leebo.“The foolishness of man perverts his way; and his heart frets against Hashem.” A fool makes a mistake and then complains about the punishment he receives from the Almighty. Likewise, the brothers had sold Yosef and now they…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Mikeitz

“And Yosef called the name of his firstborn Menashe; for Hashem has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” (41:51)

Today, we equate “forgetting one’s father’s house,” with an attempt to break with tradition. Ostensibly, this was not Yosef’s intention. Yet, is it proper for an individual to boast about being able to forget the home of his youth? Is this a phenomenon for which one thanks Hashem? While it is true that Yosef’s homelife left much to be desired, he did leave behind a grieving father. A more sensible way to view Yosef’s statement reflects upon his refined character traits. If we were to put ourselves in Yosef’s shoes, bearing a grudge would probably be a restrained reaction. Indeed,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And the earth opened up its mouth and it swallowed them…and all the men that belonged to Korach. (16:32)

All those who joined Korach in his conflict met their end tragically. Korach’s sons, however, did not die. As Sforno comments, “They were not drawn after him in the matter.” It seems strange that such a charismatic demagogue as Korach had no permanent influence upon his children. Chazal assert that Korach was imbued with the ability to see the future. Therefore, he was secure in his success, since he foresaw his noble descendants. Ostensibly, Korach’s ability was limited. He saw the tzaddikim that would be his progeny, but he did not see his own disaster. In any event, what happened…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And Korach ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi separated himself. (16:1)

Korach was not simply another hatemonger who sought to usurp Moshe and Aharon as a result of intense feelings of envy. Korach was among those who “carried” the Aron Ha’kodesh. He was obviously sensitive to the fact that the Aron was in reality carrying those who attempted to carry it. It would be unrealistic to think that an individual who was so aware of Hashem should stoop to such machlokes, controversy, unless something “noble” motivated him. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, explains that Korach sought Kehunah, He felt that he could serve Hashem better if he were a Kohen. His complete…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ki Sisa

“And now if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, make Your way known to Me.” (33:13)

Moshe implored Hashem to explain to him the meaning of finding favor in Hashem’s eyes. Moshe sought to understand the manner in which Hashem rewards those who adhere to His precepts. According to the Talmud Berachos 7a, Moshe was referring to the age-old question of, “Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?” This question has fascinated many a human being and, truthfully, its answer is beyond human comprehension. Indeed, no answer would suffice for those who choose to question. The believer, however, accepts the challenge of dealing with this issue by addressing it through the vehicle of emunah,…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ha'azinu

The Rock–Perfect is His work, for all His paths are justice. (32:4)

Hashem’s judgment is meticulous and fair. Our inability to comprehend His justice is not a reason to disdain those areas of Heavenly justice to which we do not relate well. Hashem has reasons for every Heavenly act and decree. Most are not within our scope of comprehension. Therefore, we need emunah, faith. We are to trust in Hashem that everything He does is good–even though we do not necessarily understand His decree. Life is all part of one great continuum. Everyone has his “day in court.” We are not on this world long enough to see or comprehend everything…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5757

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them: Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person among his people. (21:1)

Horav Chaim Mordechai Katz, zl, observes that Judaism sustains three levels of kedushah, holiness: that of a Yisrael, common Jew; that of a Kohen, member of the priestly family; that of the Kohen Gadol, High Priest. These three distinct individuals represent three ascending levels of Divine sanctity. The average Jew, the Yisrael or Levi who is not a Kohen, is a member of an “Am Kadosh,” holy nation, consecrated to the Almighty, separated from all that is impure and unclean. Just as Hashem is holy and unsusceptible to evil and contamination, the Yisrael who is to emulate Hashem is adjured…

Home -> Devarim -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Devarim

Provide for yourselves distinguished men, who are wise, understanding, and well known to your tribes, and I shall appoint them as your heads. (1:13)

In a play on the word “onhatu” , “and I will appoint them,” the Midrash changes the “sin” to a “shin”, transforming the word “onhatu” to “and I shall hold them guilty”. The Midrash is teaching us the importance of listening to our spiritual leaders. If they lead properly and the common people still do not respond with respect, the people are liable. They cite an interesting analogy. Once a snake was sliding along its path, when the tail began complaining to the head, “Why are you always in the front with me dragging along behind? I want to lead,…

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Let them place My name upon Bnei Yisrael, and I shall bless them. (6:27)

A man or woman who shall do something wondrous by taking a Nazarite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem. (6:2)

“And he said to his brother, my money has been returned… and they turned trembling one to another, saying, ‘What is it that Hashem has done to us?'” (42:28)

“And Yosef called the name of his firstborn Menashe; for Hashem has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” (41:51)

And the earth opened up its mouth and it swallowed them…and all the men that belonged to Korach. (16:32)

And Korach ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi separated himself. (16:1)

“And now if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, make Your way known to Me.” (33:13)

The Rock–Perfect is His work, for all His paths are justice. (32:4)

Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and tell them: Each of you shall not contaminate himself to a (dead) person among his people. (21:1)

Provide for yourselves distinguished men, who are wise, understanding, and well known to your tribes, and I shall appoint them as your heads. (1:13)

YEARS

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