Challenge – Page 28 – Peninim on the Torah

“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold I cannot go beyond the word of Hashem.” (22:18)

Bilaam offers a noble response to Balak which indicates a deep reverence for Hashem’s imperative. On a superficial level, there is no difference between Bilaam’s statement and our Patriarchs refusal to transgress Hashem’s command. Based on Bilaam’s actual words, the Alter of Kelm Z”l distinguishes between Bilaam’s intent and the approach of the Avos. Bilaam said, “I cannot go beyond the word of Hashem.” He refused to challenge Hashem’s literal words, but he nonetheless sought every opportunity to convince Hashem to grant him permission to go. Hashem percpetion that it was Bilaam’s desire to go, enabled him to leave….

Home -> 5752 -> Chukas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chukas, 5752

“Why did you bring us up from Egypt, to die in the desert? For there is no bread and no water, and our soul is sick of the unsubstantial food.” (21:5)

With this pasuk we are introduced to a rare form of ingratitude. Horav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch Z”l points out that Bnei Yisrael’s discontent turned directly against Hashem. They did not doubt the authenticity of Moshe’s mission, but rather they felt that Hashem’s guidance was inadequate. In complaining about the manna, the miracle food from heaven, they were undoubtedly not complaining about a lack of nourishment. Their grievance lay in the fact that they weren’t eating “natural” food in the ordinary human way. The effortless, albeit miraculous, way of receiving bodily sustenance had become monotonous and tiresome. Instead of appreciating…

Home -> 5752 -> Korach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5752

“Shall one man sin and with the whole congregation will You be angry?”

This statement seems peculiar. If Korach was the only one who actually sinned, why were the others also held responsible? If they were all sinners, why did Moshe intercede on their behalf? Horav Moshe Shternbuch Shlita suggests a realistic approach by which all of the people could be held accountable for their behavior. They witnessed Moshe’s public degradation without protesting it. Indifference to the public embarrassment of the leader of the Jewish people is inexcusable. Indeed, they were viewed as collaborators in this audacious act, so that Hashem wanted to immediately destroy them. Moshe, however, pitied their weak characters and…

Home -> 5752 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5752

“And this was the work of the Menorah… according to the pattern which Hashem had shown Moshe, so he made the Menorah.” (8:4)

Rashi explains that the word “and this” means that Hashem showed Moshe with His “finger” the exact pattern of the Menorah, as Moshe was puzzled regarding the Menorah’s pattern. Perhaps this can be further explained in the following manner: Two men are each given the necessary materials with which to build a house, although neither has the knowledge or the talent to perform this task successfully. These two individuals explore different routes in order to confront this challenge. One goes to a carpenter to learn the necessary skills for building a house. Afterwards, he takes the materials and builds the…

Home -> 5752 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5752

“And you shall keep My statutes and My judicial ordinances, which, if a man will fulfill them he will gain life through them (18:5).” – “And you shall keep My charge so that you do not do any of the abominable customs.”(18:30)

The second half of the first pasuk contains the motivation for the command in the first half. One must fulfill Hashem’s imperatives in order to gain life. These chukim (statutes) and mishpatim (judicial ordinances) are the very essence of the Torah. In order to continually translate them into practical reality, we must indeed guard them. We fulfill our duty for guarding the Torah only by living up to the following two demands: to study Torah and not to transgress. One must always be aware of Chazal’s statement: o,rnau vban uz – If one desires to be the guardian of…

Home -> 5752 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5752

“This is the law of the burnt offering, such burnt offering shall remain on its firewood upon the Altar.” (6:2)

Rashi explains that every individual instance in which the word “Torah” is used, the implication is that one particular law is applicable. In this case “Torah” refers to all sacrifices that “come up” on the Altar, even if they become unfit. They remain, since they have already “come up”. This law applies only to those sacrifices which become unfit in the Sanctuary. Those which become unfit prior to being brought into the Courtyard of the Sanctuary, however, are not offered as sacrifice. Horav Yehudah Zev Segal Zt”l remarks that we may derive a profound lesson regarding our focus in…

Home -> Shemos -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Shemos

“But the midwives feared Hashem, and they did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed them; rather they kept the children alive.” (1:17)

The heroic behavior of the two midwives, who Chazal identify as Yocheved and Miriam, is unquestionably a classic illustration of self-sacrifice. Ignoring a king’s decree is a great risk at any time, especially during times of such a tumultous political climate. Yocheved and Miriam accepted this challenge and excelled. In describing their heroism the Torah emphasizes that the motivation for their behavior is reflected in the pasuk “The midwives feared Hashem.” Their self-sacrifice did not emenate from an innate compassion which prohibited them from executing brutal genocide against the infants in order to save their own lives. Rather, their actions…

Home -> 5752 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5752

“And Yaakov was left alone, and there wrestled a (man) with him… and he touched the hollow of his thigh… Therefore the Bnei Yisrael do not eat the sinew of the thigh vein.” (32:25-33)

This narrative raises many questions. First, why was Yaakov alone, without his wives and children who had already crossed the river? Chazal respond that he had forgotten small jars and returned to retrieve them. Secondly, who was this “man” that wrestled with Yaakov? Chazal respond that this was Eisav’s “guardian angel”. We may also question the significance of the damage inflicted upon the thigh muscle. As a remembrance of this physical damage, we are forbidden to eat the sinew of an animal’s thigh muscle. We may suggest that the Torah is illustrating the effect of Am Yisrael’s exile upon…

Home -> 5752 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5752

“And Hashem tested Avraham.” (22:1)

Hashem elevated Avraham to become a beacon illuminating mankind’s path. When Hashem called Avraham, his response was immediate: hbbv -I am ready, I am prepared for any sacrifice, any deed which is requested of me. hbbv denotes the unconditional compliance in advance of the actual order. Avraham reflects the fierce determination to comply with the command before subjecting it to critical review and personal judgment. This hbbv manifests the obedience with which man raises himself to join the angels’ heavenly chorus “to obey the voice of His word” (Tehillim 103:20). This hbbv was the legacy Avraham bequeathed to his…

Home -> 5774 -> Bereishis

ויאמר ד' אלקים לא טוב היות האדם לבדו אעשה לו עזר כנגדו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5774

Hashem Elokim said, “It is not good that man be alone; I will make him a helper corresponding to him.” (2:18)

The words lo tov, not good, tell it all. Man was independent and self-sufficient. Procreation was an ability with which he was created. So, why did he require a helpmate? A life alone is “not bad,” but it is also “not good.” For man to achieve his primary function, he needs the companionship, support and challenge inherent in every good marriage. Hashem wanted the children born to Adam and his future mate to be born from and raised by a father and mother. Interestingly, prior to the creation of woman, Hashem brought every species of animal – wild beast and…

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“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold I cannot go beyond the word of Hashem.” (22:18)

“Why did you bring us up from Egypt, to die in the desert? For there is no bread and no water, and our soul is sick of the unsubstantial food.” (21:5)

“Shall one man sin and with the whole congregation will You be angry?”

“And this was the work of the Menorah… according to the pattern which Hashem had shown Moshe, so he made the Menorah.” (8:4)

“And you shall keep My statutes and My judicial ordinances, which, if a man will fulfill them he will gain life through them (18:5).” – “And you shall keep My charge so that you do not do any of the abominable customs.”(18:30)

“This is the law of the burnt offering, such burnt offering shall remain on its firewood upon the Altar.” (6:2)

“But the midwives feared Hashem, and they did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed them; rather they kept the children alive.” (1:17)

“And Yaakov was left alone, and there wrestled a (man) with him… and he touched the hollow of his thigh… Therefore the Bnei Yisrael do not eat the sinew of the thigh vein.” (32:25-33)

“And Hashem tested Avraham.” (22:1)

ויאמר ד' אלקים לא טוב היות האדם לבדו אעשה לו עזר כנגדו

Hashem Elokim said, “It is not good that man be alone; I will make him a helper corresponding to him.” (2:18)

YEARS

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