Chesed – Page 2 – Peninim on the Torah

ברוך ד' אלוקי אדוני אברהם אשר לא עזב חסדו ואמתו מעם אדוני

Blessed is Hashem, the G-d of my master, Avraham, who did not abandon His kindness and truth with my master. (24:27)

Eliezer’s declaration of gratitude concerning the chesed, kindness, he received is understandable. He arrived in Aram Naharaim for the purpose of finding a wife for Yitzchak Avinu, and he immediately met Rivkah, the perfect candidate. Where does emes, truth, enter into the equation? Horav Chaim Mordechai Katz, zl, explains that, indeed, the concept of chesed is complex. It is possible that a person who offers assistance possesses a kind and generous heart. It is also possible, however, that this person, despite all his kindness, does not. For example, a person may demonstrate kindness which actually stems from egotism. This type…

Home -> 5786 -> Vayeira

אל ירע בעיניך על הנער

Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5786

Be not distressed over the youth. (21:12)

Avraham Avinu experienced ten trials which he successfully passed, elevating himself to Patriarchal status. While focus is placed primarily on the first and tenth, the ninth, which meant sending Yishmael from his home, is glossed over. This is enigmatic, since the nature of the nisyonos, trials, becomes more challenging as they increase in sequence. Sarah Imeinu felt that YIshmael would have an adverse effect on Yitzchak (Avinu), so she demanded that Avraham send him and his mother from their home. Understandably, this was a difficult demand that she placed on Avraham. Hashem agreed with Sarah, and our Patriarch set about…

Home -> 5786 -> Lech Lecha

ואנשי סדם רעים וחטאים לד' מאד

Sruly Schnair In Lech Lecha, 5786

Now the people of Sodom were wicked and sinful toward Hashem exceedingly. (13:13)

The sins of the people of Sodom serve as the paradigm of evil and iniquity. Theirs was the only city that was totally obliterated, indicating that their evil was not only reprehensible, it was unpardonable. What was their primary sin? I emphasize “primary,” because, once they fell into the clutches of sin, everything fell apart. Their entire moral compass was no longer pointed in the right direction. One would think that, in addition to their sinful behavior vis-à-vis Hashem (they were rai’im v’chataim l’Hashem me’od – exceedingly wicked and sinful toward Hashem), they needed no added sins. The Navi (Yechezkel…

Home -> 5786 -> Lech Lecha

ותעניה שרי ותברח מפניה

Sruly Schnair In Lech Lecha, 5786

And Sarai dealt harshly with her. (16:6)

Horav Mordechai Gifter, zl, cites Targum Yonasan who teaches that Sarah Imeinu dealt harshly with Hagar after Avraham Avinu freed her as a slave. She was a giyores, convert, who was betrothed to our Patriarch. How was Sarah permitted to treat her in such a manner? Targum Yonasan himself explains our Matriarch’s rationale. Hagar was the daughter of Pharaoh who was the son of Nimrod, the cruel idolator who viciously sentenced Avraham to death in the fiery furnace of Uhr Kasdim. Hagar herself had acted disrespectfully toward Sarah, which was an indication that the impure character traits handed down to…

Home -> 5786 -> Noach

ויסגור ד' בעדו

Sruly Schnair In Noach, 5786

Hashem shut (the Ark) on his behalf. (7:16)

The Torah seems to intimate that the “door” to the teivah, Ark, was closed, implying that its inhabitants were safe from the menacing rains. Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonason write, V’agan Hashem b’meimra aleih; “and Hashem shielded him with His Word.” This implies that the Ark was merely the vehicle for its inhabitants to gather and allow for the word of Hashem to protect them. The Ark was not their means of protection. It was Hashem. Horav Eliyahu Baruch Finkel, zl, offers an explanation based on the Rabbinic maxim K’shebaah andarlemusia l’olam, einah mavcheves bein reshaim l’tzadikim, “When chaos comes…

Home -> 5786 -> Bereishis

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

Sruly Schnair In Bereishis, 5786

And Hashem said, “Let us make man in our Image in our likeness. (1:26)

Chazal (Bereishis Rabbah 8:5) teach that, when Hashem set out to create man, the angels organized themselves into groups – pro and con. Chesed, Kindness, “advised” Hashem to create man, because he would behave kindly and benevolently to others. Emes, Truth, disagreed, claiming that man would be filled with lies; thus, his presence in this world would be harmful. Hashem listened to their positions and then proceeded to fling Truth to the ground. This is alluded to in Daniel (8:12), V’sashleich emes artzah, “He threw Truth earthward” (and created Man). This Midrash begs elucidation. If, in fact, man is full…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5786

ויקבר אתו בגי

Sruly Schnair In 5786, V'zos HaBrachah

And He buried him in the depression. (34:6)

According to one exposition of Rashi, the Torah alludes to the idea that Moshe Rabbenu buried himself. Nothing is above Hashem and His relationship with Moshe. Indeed, we have no manner of fathoming our leader’s greatness. Thus, burying himself, although certainly possible, is a concept that eludes us. Perhaps, the following story might shed some light on this idea. While no mortal can possibly bury himself, he could perform acts of kindness that earn him a place of burial which, for all intents and purposes, would have otherwise probably not have occurred, as was the case in the following story….

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5785

וילך משה וידבר את הדברים האלה אל כל ישראל

Sruly Schnair In 5785, Vayeilech

Moshe went and spoke all these words to all of Yisrael. (31:1)

Ramban writes that, on the last day of his life, Moshe Rabbeinu went from camp to camp to comfort the Jewish people (individually) concerning his leaving this world. He said, “I am already of an advanced age, and you have very little benefit from me.” (Moshe was in perfect health, but he wanted to play down the void that would be left with his passing.) Horav Meir Tzvi Bergman, zl, observes the unparalleled level of derech eretz, proper conduct/common decency/respectful behavior/courtesy, manifest by Moshe. It was the last day of his life, the day on which the punishment preventing him…

Home -> 5785 -> Ki Savo

וענית ואמרת...אמרת לפני ה' אלקיך

Sruly Schnair In Ki Savo, 5785

Then you shall call out and say (26:5)…Then you shall say before Hashem, your G-d. (26:13)

Notably, the tenor of the declaration for the Bikkurim is much louder than the sound of the Viduy, confession which accompanies the Masser. Chazal (Sotah 32b) teach, “A person should say his own praise in a soft voice and that which is to his discredit in a loud voice.” Concerning the maaser, tithe, confession, when one declares that he acted appropriately, he speaks softly. Conversely, when one brings Bikkurim, when he details the hardships which the Jewish people have endured, he calls out loudly. Simply, this means that, when one is blessed with good fortune, he should be thankful, but…

Home -> 5785 -> Ki Seitzei

כי יהיה לאיש בן סורר ומורה

Sruly Schnair In Ki Seitzei, 5785

If a man will have a wayward and rebellious son. (21:18)

Seeing the whole picture is the only way one can say that he has actually seen something. Looks are deceiving, and what on the surface appears to be harsh may actually be the opposite. The case of the ben sorer u’moreh, wayward and rebellious son, is a perfect example. A boy who has just become a bar-mitzvah is persistently acting wayward and rebellious. He refuses to obey his parents, and he indulges in gluttony and stealing from his parents to support his drives. The parents bring him before bais din who rule that, in his case, since he will do…

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ברוך ד' אלוקי אדוני אברהם אשר לא עזב חסדו ואמתו מעם אדוני

Blessed is Hashem, the G-d of my master, Avraham, who did not abandon His kindness and truth with my master. (24:27)

אל ירע בעיניך על הנער

Be not distressed over the youth. (21:12)

ואנשי סדם רעים וחטאים לד' מאד

Now the people of Sodom were wicked and sinful toward Hashem exceedingly. (13:13)

ותעניה שרי ותברח מפניה

And Sarai dealt harshly with her. (16:6)

ויסגור ד' בעדו

Hashem shut (the Ark) on his behalf. (7:16)

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

And Hashem said, “Let us make man in our Image in our likeness. (1:26)

ויקבר אתו בגי

And He buried him in the depression. (34:6)

וילך משה וידבר את הדברים האלה אל כל ישראל

Moshe went and spoke all these words to all of Yisrael. (31:1)

וענית ואמרת...אמרת לפני ה' אלקיך

Then you shall call out and say (26:5)…Then you shall say before Hashem, your G-d. (26:13)

כי יהיה לאיש בן סורר ומורה

If a man will have a wayward and rebellious son. (21:18)

YEARS

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