Chinuch – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5759

Aharon shall place lots upon the two he-goats; one lot “for Hashem,” and one lot “for Azazel.” (16:8)

Chazal teach us that both he-goats must be equal in height, appearance and value. There can be no difference between these two animals other than their ultimate end, which is determined by the lots. Al HaTorah offers a thoughtful exposition of this equality. Human nature dictates that people spend money on many personal and secular pursuits. Regardless of the price, people always find the money to spend on themselves. For some it is the theater; for others, sports-related amusements; or, for still others, trips that spare no expense, money is always available. Then there are those humanitarians who feel they…

Home -> 5759 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5759

That they shall take for you pure, pressed olive oil for illumination. (27:20)

The oil that was used for the Menorah was to be pure, untainted by any olive particles or sediment. The oil that was used for the Menachos, meal-offerings, was derived from crushed, rather than pressed, olives. Hence, this oil was not as pure. The commentators render this disparity homiletically. Horav Shlomo Sofer, zl, cites the fact that the Menorah and its light are symbolic of the Torah and daas Torah, its perspective. When dealing with Torah perspective, we must retain the essence of purity. We make no allowance for alien philosophies. It must be pure – like the oil for…

Home -> Shemos -> 5759

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Shemos

And she gave birth to a son. She saw that he was good and she hid him for three months. (2:2,3)

Rashi attributes Yocheved’s ability to conceal Moshe Rabbeinu at home for three months to the fact that he was born prematurely – six months after conception. Hence, the Egyptians had no reason to search for a baby. When the nine-month period was up, she was forced to hide him in the water. Hashem could have saved Moshe Rabbeinu in any manner that He chose. He arranged for Moshe to be born prematurely, so that he would be home with his mother for three months. Then he was taken away from her, only to be returned to her later on in…

Home -> 5759 -> Lech Lecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5759

And there was quarreling between the herdsmen of Avram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock; and the Canaani and the Peruzi were dwelling in the land. (13:7)

This seemingly innocuous pasuk is the source of much homiletic exposition by the commentators. Why does the Torah begin by saying that there was a “riv,” “quarrel”, between Avraham and Lot’s herdsmen? In this instance, the Torah uses the word “riv,” which is the masculine gender of the word. On the other hand, when Avraham speaks with Lot, he says, “Let there not be a merivah between us,” using the female gender. The Shlah HaKadosh explains that Avraham sought to emphasize to Lot the gravity of machlokes, controversy, and its tragic consequences. He said a simple “riv,” which is…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5773

זכר תמים יקריבנו אל פתח אהל מועד יקריב אותו לרצונו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Vayikra

He shall offer an unblemished male; he shall bring it to the entrance of the Ohel Moed, voluntarily. (1:3)

The Midrash relates the story of a recaltricant ox whose owner wanted to bring it as a korban. The ox, however, refused the honor. No matter how many people the owner sent to move the ox, they were unsuccessful. The ox was not budging. A poor man came along and noticed the owner’s predicament. He walked over to the ox and produced a single blade of grass from his pocket. He waved the blade of grass in front of the ox’s nose, causing the ox to give a mighty sneeze. As the ox sneezed, it coughed up a needle that…

Home -> 5773 -> Vayeitzei

ועיני לאה רכות

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5773

Leah’s eyes were tender. (29:17)

Leah Imeinu had good reason for her excessive weeping. She feared that she would be relegated to marry the wicked Eisav. After all, it made sense. Rivkah had two sons; her brother Lavan had two daughters. It was only “right” that the older daughter Leah would marry the older son, Eisav. For this reason, she cried. When we think about it, especially through the spectacles of contemporary society, what really was so bad about marrying Eisav? As an ish sadeh, man of the field, he was out there making money. Eisav would not settle for a mediocre paycheck. He certainly…

Home -> 5773 -> Va'eschanan

ושננתם לבניך ודברת בם בשבתך בביתך ובלכתך בדרך ובשכבך ובקומך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5773

And impress them sharply upon your sons, and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk upon the way; when you lie down, and when you get up. (6:7)

A simple reading of the pasuk implies that one is to teach the commandments to his children/students, who are considered like his children. He should also speak words of Torah, with the primary topic of his conversation always being Torah-oriented. Last, he should occupy himself with Torah at all times: when he is in his home: or when he is traveling: at night when he lays down to sleep; and when he arises in the morning – Torah must be his primary focus in life. Perhaps, we might apply writer’s license to interpret the pesukim as an orientation for parents…

Home -> 5773 -> Re'eh

הכה תכה את ישבי העיר לפי חרב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5773

You shall smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword. (13:16)

There are a number of halachos pertaining to Ir Hanidachas, the wayward city, and to the testimony of the witnesses who attest to the guilt of its inhabitants which do not seem to be consistent with one another. The people living in a city in which most of its inhabitants have been persuaded to worship idols are put to death. This includes all inhabitants of the city – including women and children, who might otherwise be innocent of the charges. The Torah demands that the testimony of the witnesses must be eidus she’atah yachol l’haazimah, a testimony of witnesses that…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5773

הקהל את העם האנשים והנשים והטף... למען ישמעו ולמען ילמדו ויראו את ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Vayeilech

You must assemble the nation, the men, and the women and the children… so that they may hear and that they may learn and fear G-d. (31:12)

Assembling men and women is understandable, but why the children? Do they even begin to understand what this event is about? Do children understand enough that what they hear at the public reading of the Torah would move and inspire them to study the law? Perhaps if they were all alone without their parents, our questions would have some basis. The Torah wants their parents to remain with them – not like the father who comes late to davening, drops off his son and proceeds to the Kiddush club. Bringing the child in such a manner truly has very little…

Home -> 5753 -> Nitzavim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5753

“Assemble the people, the men, and the women, and the little ones.” (31:12)

Rashi explains that, although the little children were clearly not capable of comprehending the experience, they accompanied the adults. Thus, those who brought them would be rewarded. In truth, the children that came along probably disrupted the adults to the point that they could not listen as intently as they would have desired. We may, therefore, wonder at the Torah’s insistence that the children be present. Would it not have been preferable for the children to remain at home, in order to enable the adults to properly concentrate on their avodas Hashem, service to Hashem? Horav N. Adler, z.l., suggests…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Acharei Mos ->

Aharon shall place lots upon the two he-goats; one lot “for Hashem,” and one lot “for Azazel.” (16:8)

That they shall take for you pure, pressed olive oil for illumination. (27:20)

And she gave birth to a son. She saw that he was good and she hid him for three months. (2:2,3)

And there was quarreling between the herdsmen of Avram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock; and the Canaani and the Peruzi were dwelling in the land. (13:7)

זכר תמים יקריבנו אל פתח אהל מועד יקריב אותו לרצונו

He shall offer an unblemished male; he shall bring it to the entrance of the Ohel Moed, voluntarily. (1:3)

ועיני לאה רכות

Leah’s eyes were tender. (29:17)

ושננתם לבניך ודברת בם בשבתך בביתך ובלכתך בדרך ובשכבך ובקומך

And impress them sharply upon your sons, and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk upon the way; when you lie down, and when you get up. (6:7)

הכה תכה את ישבי העיר לפי חרב

You shall smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword. (13:16)

הקהל את העם האנשים והנשים והטף... למען ישמעו ולמען ילמדו ויראו את ד'

You must assemble the nation, the men, and the women and the children… so that they may hear and that they may learn and fear G-d. (31:12)

“Assemble the people, the men, and the women, and the little ones.” (31:12)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!