Chesed – Page 25 – Peninim on the Torah

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)

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…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bechukosai

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak; and also My covenant with Avraham I will surely remember, and I will remember the Land.” (26:42)

This pasuk presents an apparent change in the sequential order of the Avos, Patriarchs. Rashi interprets the pasuk to indicate that the merit of Yaakov should be sufficient to bring redemption to his children. If Yaakov’s merit is not worthy of effecting redemption, Yitzchak Avinu’s zechusim, merits, will add to the virtue on behalf of Klal Yisrael. If Klal Yisrael is still in need of support, the merits of Avraham Avinu will tip the scale in favor of Klal Yisrael. The commentators question this sequence. Yaakov Avinu is the bchir ha’Avos, the chosen of the Patriarchs, his name is engraved…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bechukosai

“If you walk in My laws/follow My decrees.” (26:3)

The Midrash cites the pasuk in Tehillim 119, “I contemplated my path and my feet returned me to Your testimony.” It also presents Dovid Ha’Melech’s explanation of his allusion in the pasuk. Dovid Ha’Melech explained that every day he organized his activities and decided where to go. He would begin on his way, but instead of proceeding to his intended destination, his feet literally propelled him to the Bais Ha’Midrash. This Midrash begs further explanation. First, what connection is there between the pasuk, “If you will walk in My laws,” and Dovid Ha’Melech’s statement ? Second, Dovid Ha’Melech’s original statement…

Home -> Behar -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Behar

“If your brother becomes poor.” (25:25)

In the Midrash, Chazal cite the pasuk in Tehillim 41:2, regarding this pasuk, ks kt khfan hrat “‘s uvyknh vgr ouhcw “Happy/Praised is he who is considerate of the poor, Hashem will deliver him on the day of evil.” What is the meaning of “maskil el dal,” “being considerate of the poor”? The word “maskil” is derived from “sechel,” thus, “maskil” is translated as “one who deals sensibly with the poor.” It implies one who is cognizant of the real needs of the poor, addressing them in the most appropriate manner. We must confront the fact that poverty is endemic…

Home -> 5755 -> Emor

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5755

“Speak to the kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and say to them; in relation to no person may he render himself unclean among his people.” (21:1)

The Torah’s text in its admonition to the kohanim is unusual. At the outset it says “speak to the kohanim, the sons of Aharon,” rather than the usual, “the sons of Aharon, the kohanim.” The redundancy of the word rnt, speak/say, as in ,rntu / rnt, is also noted by Chazal. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., concludes that in this pasuk we deal with two sentences of separate idealogical content. The Torah first instructs Moshe to speak to the kohanim as “Bnei Aharon,” emphasizing their exalted pedigree. They should take special note of their inherent holiness by virtue of their lineage,…

Home -> 5755 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5755

“And the Chasidah (stork).” (11:19)

It seems strange for a bird to have a name which is connected with chesed, kindness. The Talmud in Chullin 63a remarks on the bird’s name and states that, indeed, it is a bird which demonstrates kindness towards members of its own species. One may wonder why the Torah saw fit to prohibit such a “compassionate” bird from human consumption. After all, if we are what we eat, is compassion not a character trait everyone should seek to possess ? There are a number of answers to this question. Probably the most notable is one attributed to the Imrei Emes. …

Home -> Shemos -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Shemos

“And they said, ‘An Egyptian man rescued us from the shepherds.'” (2:19)

The Midrash states that there is a more profound meaning to the words, “An Egyptian man rescued us.” They do not refer to Moshe, but rather to the Egyptian whom Moshe originally slew in Egypt. This individual was the “cause” of Bnos Yisro’s rescue from the shepherds. He actually catalyzed the cycle of events which resulted in Bnos Yisro’s appearance in Midyan. The Midrash offers an interesting parable to elucidate this statement. A man, who was bitten by a poisonous snake, ran to the river to wash out the venom. The moment that he arrived at the river he heard…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5774

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, V'zos HaBrachah

And by all the strong hand and awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

This pasuk seems to comprise Moshe Rabbeinu’s epitaph. Indeed, if there were to be an inscription on his tombstone, it would be the words of the above pasuk. Rashi explains that the mora gadol, awesome power, refers to his shattering of the Luchos, Tablets, when, upon descending the mountain, he confronted the revelry, debauchery, and rampant idol worship that had overtaken his spiritually lost nation. Moshe made a statement for all time: The Jewish People could not survive on a diet of mixed allegiances; it was either to be Hashem or a life of lewd idol worship. They could not…

Home -> 5755 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5755

“And they shall speak and say: ‘Our hands have not shed this blood.'” (21:7)

The eglah arufah ceremony is shrouded in mystery. When the body of a murder victim is found between two cities, the elders of the city closest to the body must perform the ritual of eglah arufah. The commentaries cite various reasons for this rite. During the ceremony the elders must say, “Our hands have not shed this blood.” Rashi comments that obviously no one suspects that they had anything to do with this violent crime. Their declaration only reinforces the fact that they did not permit the victim to leave the city without accompaniment or without food. Rashi apparently equates…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5774

ויפל על צואריו ויבך על צואריו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Vayigash

He fell on his neck, and he continued to cry on his neck. (46:29)

The meeting of father and son was certainly an emotionally-powered reunion. The love they manifested towards one another was unusual. This, coupled with the twenty-two year forced separation, created a situation in which their first encounter was a heightened opportunity for intense expression of love. This is why Rashi quotes Chazal, who say that it was only Yosef who hugged and kissed his father. Yaakov Avinu, at that exalted moment – instead of embracing his son – was reciting Shema Yisrael. Then Yaakov concluded the meeting with, Amussa ha’paam, acharei re’osi es panecha, “Now that I have seen your face…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Bereishis ->

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)

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak; and also My covenant with Avraham I will surely remember, and I will remember the Land.” (26:42)

“If you walk in My laws/follow My decrees.” (26:3)

“If your brother becomes poor.” (25:25)

“Speak to the kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and say to them; in relation to no person may he render himself unclean among his people.” (21:1)

“And the Chasidah (stork).” (11:19)

“And they said, ‘An Egyptian man rescued us from the shepherds.'” (2:19)

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

And by all the strong hand and awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

“And they shall speak and say: ‘Our hands have not shed this blood.'” (21:7)

ויפל על צואריו ויבך על צואריו

He fell on his neck, and he continued to cry on his neck. (46:29)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!