Chesed – Page 28 – Peninim on the Torah

What if there should be fifty righteous people in the midst of the city? (18:24)

If there had been tzaddikim, would they have made a difference? In reality, there were not even ten righteous people. If there would have been ten tzaddikim, however, the city would have been saved. Why? Will a few tzaddikim accomplish so much that their presence would save the city from disaster? The answer is yes, if these few righteous Jews do not isolate themselves from the community. The key phrase is, “b’soch ha’ir,” in the midst of the city. The fact that tzaddikim live in a community is not necessarily a guarantee that it will be spared. Hashem does not…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5759

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayechi

May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers, Avraham and Yitzchak. (48:16)

Why does Yaakov mention his own name before he mentions his father and grandfather? Why does he not demonstrate the mitzvah of Kibud Av, honoring one’s father? Horav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, suggests a practical reason for this omission: Yaakov was saying that his grandsons should be a source of such nachas that not only should I be pleased, but even my forefathers will be filled with nachas. Kol Yehudah suggests that Yaakov was referring to the attributes represented by each of the Patriarchs. Avraham Avinu devoted himself to the middah of chesed. He reached out with kindness to an entire…

Home -> 5759 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5759

He encountered the place and spent the night there because the sun had set. (28:11)

Chazal credit Yaakov Avinu with introducing Tefillas Arvis. Thus, the word “vayifga,” which is usually translated as “he encountered,” means, “and he prayed.” Prayer is, in essence, an encounter with the Almighty. The Patriarchs initiated each of the daily tefillos. Regarding Avraham Avinu, who originated Tefillas Shacharis, the Torah says, “Avraham rose early in the morning to the place where he had stood before Hashem” (Bereishis 19:27). The Torah uses the word, “amidah,” standing, regarding Avraham. In contrast, pegiah, encounter, is used in regard to Yaakov. Finally, the word, “sichah,” – “Yitzchak went out to supplicate (lasuach) in the field,”…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5773

ויקרע יעקב שמלתיו וישם שק במתניו ויתאבל על בנו ימים רבים

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Vayeishev

Then Yaakov rent his garments and placed sackcloth on his loins; he mourned for his son many days. (37:34)

Rashi teaches that yamim rabim, many days, amounts to a period of twenty-two years. This time frame coincides with the twenty-two years that Yaakov Avinu was away from home, thereby preventing him from properly carrying out the mitzvah of kibud av v’eim, honoring one’s father and mother. While we certainly are not in a position to understand the underlying reason for Yaakov’s behavior, there is clearly a powerful lesson to be derived from here. This is despite the fact that Yaakov’s decision to leave home was originally suggested, encouraged and approved by his mother, Rivkah Imeinu. Yet, Yaakov is held…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5773

ועשית עמדי חסד ואמת

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Vayechi

And do kindness and truth with me. (47:29)

Rashi teaches that the kindness one performs for the deceased is chesed shel emes, kindness of truth. Under such conditions, one executes his duties for the express purpose of performing an act of chesed. There are no thanks, no accolades, no payment whatsoever. It is all l’shem Shomayim, for the sake of Heaven. When it comes to acting on behalf of one who is deceased, the reward is unusual. I think the reason is simple. When we act kindly to a fellow Jew, the individual, for the most part, is acutely aware that he is the recipient of a favor…

Home -> 5773 -> Va'eschanan

ואהבת את ד' אלקיך בכל לבבך ובכל נפשך ובכל מאדך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5773

You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your resources. (6:5)

In his thesis on ahavas Hashem, love of the Almighty, Horav Eliezer Papo, zl, author of the Pele Yoetz, writes, “Love for Hashem – there is no quality/virtue better than it, for all service to Hashem, and (indeed) all Yahadus, Judaism, is derived from it.” Loving Hashem is one of the Taryag, 613, mitzvos. It is a constant mitzvah, one which is fulfilled only through thought and contemplation, resulting in a person’s awareness of Hashem’s beneficence and all that he owes Him. The Pele Yoetz writes that love of Hashem takes on two different forms or dimensions. The first, which…

Home -> 5773 -> Vaeira

ולא שמעו אל משה מקצר רוח ומעבודה קשה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5773

But they did not heed Moshe, because of shortness of breath, and hard work. (6:9)

One would expect that a man overwhelmed with misery would listen to anyone who would give him a respite from his pain. Any sign of hope would be greatly appreciated. Why did the Jews not listen to Moshe Rabbeinu? They were burdened by slavery and pain. They sought redemption from the purgatory of the Egyptian exile. The commentators explain that their rejection of Moshe had nothing to do with their level of emunah, faith. Their debilitating physical and emotional straits stimulated their rejection of Moshe. Moshe, however, blamed his speech impediment for his inability to reach them. What requires elucidation…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5773

שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהלך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, V'zos HaBrachah

Rejoice, O’ Zevulun, in your excursions, and Yissachar in your tent. (33:18)

The definition of a good life is relative. Clearly, there are those who have very few material comforts, yet they never complain. After all, they do not sense a need for anything more than what they have. In contrast, there are those who seem to have everything, but it is never enough. Yissachar and Zevulun characterize a utopian approach to Torah living. Yissachar devotes all of his time to Torah study. His material needs are addressed by his devoted brother, Zevulun, whose day is spent toiling in the world of commerce. Why is this considered utopia? Zevulun understands the need…

Home -> 5773 -> Noach

ויאמר אלקים לנח קץ כל בשר בא לפני כי מלאה הארץ חמס מפניהם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5773

G-d said to Noach, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with robbery through them.” (6:13)

Chazal focus on the word mipneihem, “through them,” written in lashon rabim, plural, implying that Hashem was weary with the actions of the gazlan, thief, and the nigzal, victim. This is enigmatic. While it is understandable that the actions of the thieves were at the point of disgust, what blame can be placed on the hapless victims? Is it my fault that someone decided to rob me? Apparently, the Torah has a dim view of the victim. Perhaps he is not as blameless as we would be led to believe. Horav Arye Leib Bakst, zl, explains that we are all…

Home -> 5773 -> Lech Lecha

ויאמר אברם אל לוט אל נא תהי מריבה ביני וביניך... הפרד נא מעלי

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5773

So Avram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between me and you… please separate from me.” (12:8,9)

Chazal teach us that maasei Avos siman labanim, “The actions of the Fathers are a sign for the sons.” The Torah is teaching us that the varied approaches to life’s challenges encountered by the Patriarchs serve as a portent and guide for their descendants to follow and emulate. They are teaching us the correct path to take upon confronting similar situations. Clearly, as in all “maps,” it takes the educated and discerning eye of a teacher to explain the meaning of various actions, the underlying reason for taking such action, and the lessons to be derived. This brings us to…

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What if there should be fifty righteous people in the midst of the city? (18:24)

May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads, and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers, Avraham and Yitzchak. (48:16)

He encountered the place and spent the night there because the sun had set. (28:11)

ויקרע יעקב שמלתיו וישם שק במתניו ויתאבל על בנו ימים רבים

Then Yaakov rent his garments and placed sackcloth on his loins; he mourned for his son many days. (37:34)

ועשית עמדי חסד ואמת

And do kindness and truth with me. (47:29)

ואהבת את ד' אלקיך בכל לבבך ובכל נפשך ובכל מאדך

You shall love Hashem, your G-d, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your resources. (6:5)

ולא שמעו אל משה מקצר רוח ומעבודה קשה

But they did not heed Moshe, because of shortness of breath, and hard work. (6:9)

שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהלך

Rejoice, O’ Zevulun, in your excursions, and Yissachar in your tent. (33:18)

ויאמר אלקים לנח קץ כל בשר בא לפני כי מלאה הארץ חמס מפניהם

G-d said to Noach, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with robbery through them.” (6:13)

ויאמר אברם אל לוט אל נא תהי מריבה ביני וביניך... הפרד נא מעלי

So Avram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between me and you… please separate from me.” (12:8,9)

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