Chesed – Page 7 – Peninim on the Torah

לא יחל דברו ככל היוצא מפיו יעשה

Sruly Schnair In 5783, Matos

He shall not profane his word; according to whatever comes from his mouth, shall he do. (30:3)

Rashi defines Lo yacheil d’varo, “He shall not profane his word.” While he does not necessarily profane his word, the mere fact that he does not use his G-d-given speech/word for a purpose imbued with sanctity is considered profanity. When a person uses his G-d-given speech, it should be elevating, sanctifying, complimentary, obligating himself in higher, more consecrating endeavors. Even a mundane conversation which wastes time that could have been used to improve and enlighten is, by omission, a form of profaning. If we want Hashem to listen to our words, we must see to it that they have value…

Home -> Masei -> 5783

אלה מסעי בני ישראל אשר יצאו מארץ מצרים

Sruly Schnair In 5783, Masei

These are the sojourns of Bnei Yisrael who went forth from the land of Egypt. (33:1)

Parashas Masei concludes Klal Yisrael’s forty-year sojourn in the wilderness. Many of the individuals in the nation who now stood before Moshe Rabbeinu, poised to enter into the Promised Land, were but children when they left Egypt, while others of them had been born after the liberation. Their parents, who had slaved for Pharaoh and had been redeemed from Egypt, were no longer alive. They paid a heavy price for their insubordination. They had been raised in a culture that was morally deviant and spiritually bankrupt, yet, they merited being liberated from that country. Apparently, they did not have the…

Home -> 5783 -> Pinchas

אשר יצא לפניהם ואשר יבא לפניהם

Sruly Schnair In Pinchas, 5783

Who shall go out before them and come in before them. (27:17)

Moshe Rabbeinu asked Hashem to appoint his successor – one who would seamlessly move into the position of leadership, both in the practical sense in his ability to address the spiritual needs of the Jewish nation. Among the criteria which Moshe suggested was that the leader be one who would lead from the front – leading the men into battle and successfully leading them home. It is understandable that a leader be at the fore front in the battlefield to encourage his men, letting them know that he, too, is fighting alongside together. Why is it necessary for the leader…

Home -> 5783 -> Chukas

יען לא האמנתם בי להקדישני לעיני בני ישראל

Sruly Schnair In Chukas, 5783

Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of Bnei Yisrael. (20:12)

Due to the nature of the sin of mei merivah, waters of strife, its ramifications for Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen, and, by extension, Klal Yisrael, it is understandable that multiple commentators weigh in on the subject. We will focus on Rashi’s commentary, which is the most basic, and, thus, one to which we can all relate from a practical point of view. Rashi (both here and in Sefer Devarim 32:51) explains that they sinned by striking the rock, when Hashem had instructed them to speak to it. Had they spoken to the rock and water emerged from it, Hashem’s…

Home -> 5783 -> Chukas

ויראו כל העדה כי גוע אהרן

Sruly Schnair In Chukas, 5783

And all the nation saw that Aharon was dead. (20:29)

When Miriam Ha’Neviah died, her loss to the nation became apparent, as the well (B’eirah shel Miriam) dried up. Likewise, when Aharon HaKohen died, his death was marked by an external manifestation; with the removal of the protective Ananei HaKavod, Pillars of Cloud, which traveled with them throughout their journeys. Chazal teach that there were three parnasim, providers, in whose merit Klal Yisrael benefited. Miriam, in whose merit they were sustained with water; Aharon, in whose merit the nation traveled without fear, as the clouds fended off any danger or obstacle; and Moshe Rabbeinu, in whose merit we were sustained…

Home -> 5783 -> Balak

ויאמר אל עבדי בלק אם יתן לי בלק מלא ביתו כסף וזהב לא אוכל לעבר את פי ד'

Sruly Schnair In Balak, 5783

He (Bilaam) said to the servants of Balak, “If, Balak, will give me his household of silver and gold, I cannot transgress the word of Hashem.” (22:18)

Rashi notes that, by speaking of a houseful of gold and silver – implying that if he could transgress the word of Hashem he would accept no less – Bilaam showed his true colors. He was arrogant and greedy, obsessed with furthering his immoral lifestyle. One of the well-known Mishnayos in Pirkei Avos addresses the deficient character traits of Bilaam ha’rasha, as opposed to those of Avraham Avinu. The thought of comparing the two is ludicrous, since Bilaam was, and remains, a symbol of greed and moral profligacy, and the actions of Avraham, the Patriarch of our nations, concerning the…

Home -> 5783 -> Korach

זאת עשו קחו לכם מחתות... והיה האיש אשר יבחר ד' הוא הקדוש

Sruly Schnair In Korach, 5783

Take for yourselves fire pans… then the man whom Hashem will choose – he is the holy one. (16:6,7)

Moshe Rabbeinu told Korach’s followers that the way to determine who Hashem had chosen was through the medium of Ketores, the Incense service. He chose Ketores because it is a service that Hashem desires above all others, but it carries the potential of death if it is not carried out properly. In other words, if Korach’s followers were in the right and Korach should lead, they would take the prize. However, if (as it ultimately was indicated) they were wrong, they would die. The decision would come from Hashem. One would think these men, who were Torah scholars of note,…

Home -> 5783 -> Beha'alosecha

והאיש משה ענו מאד מכל האדם אשר על פני האדמה

Sruly Schnair In Beha'alosecha, 5783

Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any other person on the face of the earth. (12:3)

How should we understand the concept of anivus, humility? Should a person ignore his positive attributes? Should he hide his successes? The Baalei Mussar, Ethicists, explain that one who ignores the reality of his wisdom, scholarship, positive character traits, is sorely lacking in the commodity of seichel, common sense. It is similar to a body builder, strong man, ignoring the fact that he can bench press four-hundred pounds. Reality is reality. Horav Shimshon Pincus, zl, offers a powerful insight into how one should relate to his strengths, while concomitantly not having a deleterious effect on his humility. He should view…

Home -> 5783 -> Beha'alosecha

והעם לא נסע עד האסף מרים

Sruly Schnair In Beha'alosecha, 5783

And the people did not journey until Miriam was brought in. (12:15)

Rashi teaches that Hashem instructed the entire Jewish nation to wait for Miriam Ha’Neviah to be healed before He allowed them to move on to their next encampment. This was her reward for the extra moments she spent at the river to keep an eye on her baby brother, Moshe. What did she really do that was worthy of such extraordinary reward, that an entire nation waited for her? She did very little, and, after all, it was for her brother. Such devotion is to be expected. Yet, Hashem recorded those moments, because “little” things, simple actions, are what define…

Home -> 5783 -> Naso

ישא ד' פניו אליך וישם לך שלום

Sruly Schnair In Naso, 5783

May Hashem lift His countenance to you and establish peace for you. (6:26)

Simply, this means that Hashem will suppress His disappointment with us when we sin. He will continue to show us special consideration and not punish us. Chazal (Berachos 20b, Bamidbar Rabbah 11:4) question why G-d would show special consideration to Klal Yisrael when they do not deserve it. Indeed, Hashem cannot be bribed, as it says (Devarim 10:17): Asher lo yissa panim v’lo yikach shochad, “Who does not lift a countenance (does not overlook a sin if the sinner is undeserving of favor) and does not accept bribery.” They explain that the Jewish people are worthy of Hashem’s favor and…

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לא יחל דברו ככל היוצא מפיו יעשה

He shall not profane his word; according to whatever comes from his mouth, shall he do. (30:3)

אלה מסעי בני ישראל אשר יצאו מארץ מצרים

These are the sojourns of Bnei Yisrael who went forth from the land of Egypt. (33:1)

אשר יצא לפניהם ואשר יבא לפניהם

Who shall go out before them and come in before them. (27:17)

יען לא האמנתם בי להקדישני לעיני בני ישראל

Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of Bnei Yisrael. (20:12)

ויראו כל העדה כי גוע אהרן

And all the nation saw that Aharon was dead. (20:29)

ויאמר אל עבדי בלק אם יתן לי בלק מלא ביתו כסף וזהב לא אוכל לעבר את פי ד'

He (Bilaam) said to the servants of Balak, “If, Balak, will give me his household of silver and gold, I cannot transgress the word of Hashem.” (22:18)

זאת עשו קחו לכם מחתות... והיה האיש אשר יבחר ד' הוא הקדוש

Take for yourselves fire pans… then the man whom Hashem will choose – he is the holy one. (16:6,7)

והאיש משה ענו מאד מכל האדם אשר על פני האדמה

Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any other person on the face of the earth. (12:3)

והעם לא נסע עד האסף מרים

And the people did not journey until Miriam was brought in. (12:15)

ישא ד' פניו אליך וישם לך שלום

May Hashem lift His countenance to you and establish peace for you. (6:26)

YEARS

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