Commitment – Page 30 – Peninim on the Torah

Now, O Yisrael, what does Hashem your G-d ask of you? Only to fear Hashem, your G-d. (10:12)

Fear of G-d is essential. A person is able to acknowledge Hashem and freely submit to His will only when he truly fears Him. One naturally succumbs to the yetzer hora, evil inclination. Through our yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven, however, we are able to overcome the blandishments of the yetzer hora. The Chofetz Chaim placed emphasis on the word “viata” “now”. A person should go through life inquiring, “What does Hashem ask of me – now? Not tomorrow, not yesterday, but right now! When we keep the idea of current obligation in our mind, Judaism becomes alive. Our whole…

Home -> 5757 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5757

On that day Hashem saved Yisrael from the hand of Egypt. And The Bnei Yisrael went on dry land in the midst of the sea…. (14:29, 30) And Bnei Yisrael ate the manna for forty years, until their arrival in an inhabited land. (16:35)

One miraculous occurrence followed another; is there a relationship between the two? Chazal seem to think so. They say in the Talmud Pesachim 118a: “A man’s sustenance is as difficult as the splitting of the Red Sea.” Simply, put, providing man with sustenance is as great a feat as Krias Yam Suf. The Zohar Ha’kadosh questions Chazal’s statement. Is there any act that is difficult for Hashem to perform? Was Krias Yam Suf difficult for Hashem? Is it difficult for Hashem to sustain a person? A number of explanations address this Chazal. The Chozeh M’Lublin, z”l, suggests a profound insight….

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Bechukosai

If you will walk in My laws. (26:3)

Rashi cites Chazal who maintain that “halichah b’mitzvos,” walking in Hashem’s mitzvos, refers to intensive Torah study. One who diligently applies himself to studying Torah merits the blessings detailed in the parsha. Horav Chaim Shmulevitz, zl, cites Chazal in the Talmud Yoma 35b who suggest a possible scenario of the dialogue that ensues in the Heavenly Court on the Day of Judgment when each human being stands before Hashem. If a poor man is questioned regarding his lack of Torah study and he replies, “I was poor and too busy earning a living,” he is admonished for not following the…

Home -> 5757 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5757

You shall safeguard My charge not to do any of the abominable traditions that were done before you. (18:30)

This pasuk is enigmatic. One would think that the purpose of observing mitzvos, of safeguarding the Torah’s dictate, would be to develop a closer relationship with Hashem. We attain a level of spiritual ascendancy commensurate with our commitment to observe. That, however, is not what the Torah says. We are adjured to safeguard the Torah ,so that we will decline to perform the abominable practices of the heathens into whose land we are entering! While these seem to be pretty strong words, it is not uncommon to find such statements throughout the Torah. One who observes, grows. In contrast, one…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, V'zos HaBrachah

“And this is the blessing that Moshe… bestowed upon the Bnei Yisrael before his death.” (33:1)

Moshe was acutely aware that the end was near; these would be his final words. In his last mandate to the people, he blessed them. All of the tribes to whom he had devoted so much of his life passed before him to receive their final blessing from the individual who had been more than leader and prophet – he was a compassionate father who had sacrificed himself for his children. He was a father who wished to leave this world with words of consolation, encouragement, and hope with which his children could face the future. The Sifri states a…

Home -> 5756 -> Ki Savo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5756

“And you do not turn away… right or left to follow gods of others and to worship them.” (28:14)

There seems to be an inconsistency in the Torah‘s text. The pasuk begins by admonishing us not to turn away from Hashem ever so slightly to the right or to the left. Immediately following this statement, the Torah concludes its admonition by saying “to follow gods of others.” To whom are we referring? All that these individuals did was to turn “aside” briefly and indulge themselves. Is this considered full-blown idol-worship? Sforno interprets “to follow gods of others” as being a reference to one who performs mitzvos by rote, out of habit, or as a response to peer pressure. He…

Home -> 5756 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5756

“There were men who were contaminated by a human corpse and could not make the Pesach-offering on that day… Those men said to him (Moshe)… ‘Why should we be diminished by not offering Hashem’s offering in its appointed time?'” (9:6,7)

That a portion of the Torah was dedicated to these people suggests that they had great merit. Indeed, Chazal teach us that they deserved this distinction. Chazal discuss the identity of these individuals. According to Rabbi Akiva, they were Aharon Ha’Kohen’s cousins, who tended to the bodies of Nadav and Avihu. Horav Meir Bergman, Shlita, derives two significant lessons from the incident of Nadav and Avihu which should be mentioned. Aharon was rewarded for his unparalleled kiddush Hashem, sanctification of Hashem’s Name. What really was the kiddush Hashem? Horav Bergman cites the Rashbam who imputes the kiddush Hashem to be…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bamidbar

“From twenty years and upward all that are able to go forth to war in Yisrael, you shall number them by their hosts.” (1:2)

All male members of the tribes were soldiers – except the Leviim. The census counted everyone from age twenty and above -except Shevet Levi. Is this not ironic? Who came forward with his brother, Shimon, to avenge the shame of their sister, Dinah, if not Levi? When Bnei Yisrael sinned with the Eigel Ha’zahav, Golden Calf, Moshe Rabbeinu called out for “volunteers” to expunge the evil from the people. “Mi L’Hashem Eilai,” “Who is for Hashem (shall come) to Me!” he declared, and who came, if not Shevet Levi? When Zimri, the Nasi of Shevet Shimon, publicly desecrated Hashem’s Name…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, Bechukosai

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham I will remember.” (26:42)

Rashi comments on the order in which the Patriarchs are listed in this pasuk. The order implies that the merit of Yaakov is sufficient to bring redemption to his descendants. If his merit is found to be insufficient, we can turn to Yitzchak in whose merit our redemption will be effected. If this is still not enough, we rely upon Avraham Avinu’s merit to bring about our redemption. We may question the reversed sequence of the Avos. Is not Yaakov considered to be the bchir ha’Avos, chosen of the Patriarchs? Why, then, is he listed first? In sequence, Yaakov should…

Home -> 5756 -> Shemini

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shemini, 5756

“And David danced before Hashem with all his might, and David was girded with a linen eiphod.” (6:14)

Why is David’s name repeated? We may also question the significance of David’s wearing a linen eiphod. The Zekan Aharon suggests that we are being taught here that one must serve Hashem regardless of the situation and in spite of the predicament in which he is placed. David Ha’Melech demonstrated his commitment by dancing before the Aron Ha’Kodesh in a manner that some might have deemed inappropriate for someone of his noble position. Yet, he was not deterred by what people might say – He was serving Hashem! On the other hand, David wore the eiphod, a garment designated for…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Eikev ->

Now, O Yisrael, what does Hashem your G-d ask of you? Only to fear Hashem, your G-d. (10:12)

On that day Hashem saved Yisrael from the hand of Egypt. And The Bnei Yisrael went on dry land in the midst of the sea…. (14:29, 30) And Bnei Yisrael ate the manna for forty years, until their arrival in an inhabited land. (16:35)

If you will walk in My laws. (26:3)

You shall safeguard My charge not to do any of the abominable traditions that were done before you. (18:30)

“And this is the blessing that Moshe… bestowed upon the Bnei Yisrael before his death.” (33:1)

“And you do not turn away… right or left to follow gods of others and to worship them.” (28:14)

“There were men who were contaminated by a human corpse and could not make the Pesach-offering on that day… Those men said to him (Moshe)… ‘Why should we be diminished by not offering Hashem’s offering in its appointed time?'” (9:6,7)

“From twenty years and upward all that are able to go forth to war in Yisrael, you shall number them by their hosts.” (1:2)

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak and also My covenant with Avraham I will remember.” (26:42)

“And David danced before Hashem with all his might, and David was girded with a linen eiphod.” (6:14)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!