Chesed – Page 24 – Peninim on the Torah

And these are the generations of Yitzchak, the son of Avraham, Avraham begot Yitzchak. (25:19)

The opening pasuk of this Parshah is seemingly redundant. We are about to detail the story of the offspring of Yitzchak Avinu, son of Avraham Avinu, but first the Torah repeats the fact that Avraham begot Yitzchak. One would assume that we have already been informed of Yitzchak’s pedigree when it was related that he was the son of Avraham. Rashi quotes the Midrash which informs us that the leitzanei ha’dor, scoffers of that generation, individuals who had really nothing else to do but slander and denigrate, claimed that Yitzchak’s real father was Avimelech. After all, Sarah had spent some…

Home -> 5771 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5771

And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her. (23:2)

In his Sefer Chareidim, Horav Elazar Azkari, zl, writes, “It is a mitzvah to eulogize an adam kasher, a proper, upright man, as it is written, ‘And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her.’” This is part of gemillas chassadim, acts of lovingkindness. While it is the correct and proper thing to do, the sequence of events in the Parshah seems out of order. One would think that the first reaction to hearing the news of someone’s sudden passing would be weeping. Only later, after the emotion of the day has settled, does the mourner eulogize the individual, which appears…

Home -> 5771 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5771

G-d tested Avraham. (22:1)

Chazal tell us that Avraham Avinu was tested ten times by Hashem. It seems strange that the Patriarch had to prove himself so many times. One test should have sufficed. If he passed, it indicated that he believed and was committed. What more is necessary? Indeed, Chazal teach us that the Akeidas Yitzchak, Binding of Yitzchak, was the most difficult test, and it was through this test that Avraham successfully completed his trial period. He was “in.” If the Akeidah was the turning point, if it was the final indication, why did Hashem not just test Avraham with the Akeidah?…

Home -> 5771 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5771

“Because the outcry of Sodom and Amorah has become great, and because their sin has been very grave.” (18:20)

The outcry of the victims of Sodom’s physical and mental abuse was too much. The tears of the oppressed seeking liberation from their misery had reached the Heavenly sphere. The Talmud Sanhedrin 109b cites a number of cases depicting the perverted sense of justice which characterized Sodom. One of the more infamous decrees was their approach to hospitality. In fact, the “Sodom bed” has become a catchword for describing a situation where something is made to fit – regardless of its size. The custom was that when a visitor came to Sodom, they would lay him down on a bed…

Home -> 5771 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5771

For the earth is filled with robbery through them. (6:13)

The generation of the Flood did it all. Their behavior deteriorated to the point that immorality and idolatry had become a way of life. Their immoral conduct extended even to animals, whereby they completely disregarded the parameters of human decency and the separation between species. Yet, Chazal note that it was neither idolatry nor sexual perversion that catalyzed the final decree for their total extinction. It was chamas, gezel, robbery and thievery that brought them down. The commentators present a number of explanations why robbery was the ultimate factor that sealed their punishment. Ramban comments that robbery is a common-sense…

Home -> 5771 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5771

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. (6:9)

Rashi cites a debate among the Sages concerning Noach’s true spiritual plateau. Some maintain that Noach’s ability to sustain his righteous achievement, despite being surrounded by a generation of corruption, is to his credit. Indeed, had he lived in Avraham Avinu’s time, he would have achieved much more. Others maintain that Noach’s righteousness was relative to a generation that was morally and ethically corrupt. Had he lived in Avraham Avinu’s time, he would have paled in comparison. Veritably, a person should be judged in accordance with his environment, his challenges, his generation. Apples should be compared to apples. There is one…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, V'zos HaBrachah

“And (so) Moshe, servant of Hashem, died there.” (34:5)

The Torah‘s description of Moshe Rabeinu’s passing from this world seems to be an innocuous event. Horav Dovid Feinstein Shlita takes note of the word oa – “there.” He suggests that the Torah is implying that Moshe had only died “there,” suggesting that he did not die in other places. Indeed, Moshe’s soul lives on in all places where Torah is learned and lived, in order to inspire every Jew throughout history. We may apply this insight to the actual concept of life and death. One who lives his life in this world and leaves it in the manner in…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Bamidbar

“And they gathered the entire nation on the first of the second month… according to the number of names.” (1:18)

Moshe is enjoined to take a census of Bnei Yisrael by counting the “number of names.” Ramban explains that the concept of counting the “number of names” is specifically emphasized in order to preserve the honor and dignity of each individual Jew. It would have been easier for each head of household to provide the number of children in his family. This would have denied the individual, however, his opportunity to pass before Moshe to receive his due honor. The census has a practical purpose, to count a nation’s population. The most efficient method is to gather together the data…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayikra

“If a man from among you would bring an offering near to Hashem.” (1:2)

Rashi explains that this posuk refers to voluntary korbanos There are Mitzvos which man has been given a choice of whether or not to observe included in the 613 mitzvos . Their observance affirms man’s relationship to Hashem. We find that the call to bring materials for the building of the Mishkan was addressed to those who would “donate from the heart.” Some korbanos, as mentioned above, were non-obligatory. This concept similarly applies to mitzvos which apply to areas of chesed (kindness). The minimums performances are stated, while the actual amounts are exclusively man’s decision. Why is this so? If…

Home -> 5752 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5752

“And he made the camels kneel outside the city next to the well toward evening.” (24:11)

This is the same time of day as the Torah mentions later (24:63), when Yitzchak looks up and discovers his future wife after reciting his prayer. This is the time which best suited Yitzchak’s personality and destiny. His father, Abraham, rose like a star in the firmament of humanity, making the world resplendent with his awesome love of Hashem and his fellow man. He was like the radiance of dawn. It was, therefore, he who instituted the prayer of Shacharis. Yitzchak, however, foresaw his fortunes waning in contrast to the glorious rise of his father. His life, missing the dazzling…

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And these are the generations of Yitzchak, the son of Avraham, Avraham begot Yitzchak. (25:19)

And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her. (23:2)

G-d tested Avraham. (22:1)

“Because the outcry of Sodom and Amorah has become great, and because their sin has been very grave.” (18:20)

For the earth is filled with robbery through them. (6:13)

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. (6:9)

“And (so) Moshe, servant of Hashem, died there.” (34:5)

“And they gathered the entire nation on the first of the second month… according to the number of names.” (1:18)

“If a man from among you would bring an offering near to Hashem.” (1:2)

“And he made the camels kneel outside the city next to the well toward evening.” (24:11)

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