Commitment – Page 28 – Peninim on the Torah

He called to Moshe. (1:1)

In this pasuk, the Torah spells Hashem’s summons to Moshe with a miniature aleph. The smaller size of this letter makes it stand out as if it were a word by itself. Horav Yosef Zundel Salant, zl, interprets the aleph’s size in a novel manner. He cites the Midrash in Sefer Eichah in which Chazal extol the significance of young children in the eyes of Hashem. They say that when the Sanhedrin was exiled from Yerushalayim, the Shechinah did not accompany them. Likewise, when the mishmaros, who were the various “watches” of Kohanim that served in the Bais Hamikdash, were…

Home -> 5757 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5757

“For I have loved him because he commands his children and his household after him that they keep the way of Hashem.” (18:19)

This pasuk expresses the reason that Hashem “loved” Avraham, as well as suggesting the probable reason that Hashem chose Avraham to become the first Patriarch. Avraham did what a father is supposed to do. He taught his children, conveying to them the heritage as he received it — without adding his personal agenda. One’s real perspective on life is reflected in what he teaches his children. Avraham transmitted his monotheistic values, his belief in Hashem, exemplified by his unique chesed, kindness, to his children — all to be handed down throughout the generations. Avraham Avinu was also the first gadol,…

Home -> Vayakhel -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Vayakhel

“The princes brought the Shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the Choshen.” (35:27)

As soon as the nesiim heard that Hashem had commanded Moshe to build a Mishkan, they offered to supply all of the materials necessary for constructing this edifice. They believed that Hashem would rather repose in a Mishkan built of their donations than one constructed with the gifts of Klal Yisrael. First, they were not involved in the sin of the Golden Calf, as the other Jews were. Second, their motivation was pure and unblemished; they would contribute with a pure heart since they were outstanding in their wisdom and character. They believed that a Mishkan built with their contributions…

Home -> 5757 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

Moshe said to Aharon…Cook the meat at the entrance to the Ohel Moed…As I transmitted the command: Aharon and his sons are to eat it. (8:31)

We may note that Moshe Rabbeinu addresses Aharon in the third person, although he is speaking directly to Aharon. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, attributes this discrepancy to the fact that during the seven days of Milluim, Moshe did not function in his usual capacity as transmitter of the law. Rather, he acted as the Kohen Gadol. Moshe appears to Aharon and his sons as the Rabbon Shel Yisrael, the quintessential teacher and transmitter of the law, only in regard to this eating of the Ayil Ha’milluim and its bread. This set the tone for the future, when the Kohen Gadol…

Home -> 5757 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

Horav Raphael Katz, zl, the author of the Marpé Lashon, infers a profound lesson in avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty from this pasuk. There are instances during a man’s spiritual growth when, with all good intention, he attempts to “jump the gun” and ascend to a higher spiritual plane for which he is not yet ready. A man must build upon a solid foundation of spiritual development. Otherwise, everything he has done–even his previous accomplishments–will lose its integrity. He proves his thesis from the fact that if a Korban Chatas is offered inside the Heichal, the blood is invalid…

Home -> 5757 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5757

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

The Midrash comments concerning this pasuk. Chazal cite the pasuk in Tehillim 139:5, “hb,rmh oseu rujt” “Back and front, You fashioned me.” Resh Lakish says “back and front” refers to the first day of Creation. If a person maintains his commitment to Torah and mitzvos, he is told, “You came before the entire work of Creation.” If, in contrast, he lives a life alienated from Torah, he is told, “Even a gnat preceded you; even an earthworm preceded you.” While man was created chronologically last, he is first in importance–if he has earned this honor. If, however, he falls from…

Home -> 5757 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5757

When a woman who conceives and gives birth to a male…on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:2,3)

The commentators, each in his own unique manner, offer various reasons that one is required to perform the bris milah on the eighth day. One of the fundamental reasons is to make sure that the child has lived through a Shabbos. The kedushah, sanctity, of the seventh day/Shabbos infuses a holiness into the child which prepares him for entrance into Klal Yisrael. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, notes that while on the one hand we infer the remarkable kedushah of Shabbos, we also note that milah bizmanah, a circumcision performed at the designated time, the eighth day, overrides Shabbos. One may…

Home -> 5757 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5757

The blessing; that you listen…and the curse; if you do not listen to the commandments of Hashem your G-d. And you stray from the path that I command you today, to follow gods of others. (11:27,28)

The Torah considers one who strays from the path of Hashem to be an idol-worshipper. He who serves idols is tantamount to one who repudiates the entire Torah. Idolatry is a rejection of the Almighty. One who does not firmly believe and accept Hashem as the Supreme Ruler and Creator of the world apparently spurns His mitzvos and Torah. In Megillas Esther 2:5, the pasuk refers to Mordechai as “Ish Yehudi.” The Talmud in Megillah 12b explains the term “Yehudi” as an appellation describing one who is “kofer b’avodah zarah,” denies idol worship. Mordechai was called a Yehudi, not because…

Home -> 5757 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5757

Behold, I set before you today, a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

We seem to expect the individual to defer his needs to the needs of the community. Is this the way it should be? A community is composed of individuals. Are we to assume that if we reach the majority of the tzibbur, we are successful in achieving our goals, even if a segment of the community continues to be alienated? Will the individual be judged by the actions of the community or by the nature of his own deeds? The Torah appears to be telling us that the individual is more important than we think. In fact, the community depends…

Home -> 5757 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5757

Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aharon Ha’kohen turned back My wrath from upon the Bnei Yisrael when he zealously avenged Me among them…Behold! I give him My covenant of Peace…And it shall be for him and his offspring after him a covenant of eternal priesthood. (25: 11,12, 13)

Pinchas receives the ultimate reward–Kehunas olam–eternal priesthood. This blessing of everlasting priesthood was not bestowed upon anyone else. It was not bestowed neither upon Moshe the lawgiver, nor Aharon the Kohen, who was the paradigmatic peacemaker. Horav Moshe Swift, zl, notes that the blessing of continuity, the concept of uninterrupted service to Hashem, was neither a product of the service in the Mikdash nor the teaching in the Bais Ha’midrash. While these contribute to future development, they do not actually forge the links in the chain of continuity. They do not create a “lo ul’zaro acharav” for him and his…

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He called to Moshe. (1:1)

“For I have loved him because he commands his children and his household after him that they keep the way of Hashem.” (18:19)

“The princes brought the Shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the Choshen.” (35:27)

Moshe said to Aharon…Cook the meat at the entrance to the Ohel Moed…As I transmitted the command: Aharon and his sons are to eat it. (8:31)

Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

When a woman who conceives and gives birth to a male…on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:2,3)

The blessing; that you listen…and the curse; if you do not listen to the commandments of Hashem your G-d. And you stray from the path that I command you today, to follow gods of others. (11:27,28)

Behold, I set before you today, a blessing and a curse. (11:26)

Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aharon Ha’kohen turned back My wrath from upon the Bnei Yisrael when he zealously avenged Me among them…Behold! I give him My covenant of Peace…And it shall be for him and his offspring after him a covenant of eternal priesthood. (25: 11,12, 13)

YEARS

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