Commitment – Page 35 – Peninim on the Torah

It shall constitute Tzitzis for you, and you shall see it and you shall remember all the commandments of Hashem. (15:39)

What is it about the mitzvah of Tzitzis that the Torah – more so than for any other mitzvah – emphasizes that will engender the remembrance of all of the other mitzvos? The commentators render explanations, ranging from the simple p’shat, to the homiletic and even to the esoteric. Perhaps, we might suggest the following: Tzitzis, unlike any other mitzvah, also comprises the Jew’s uniform. A Tallis katan (Tzitzis) is worn all day. The Tallis gadol is worn during davening, and some righteous Jews even sit in their Tallis and Tefillin throughout the day. In any event, the Tallis is the Jew’s…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Bamidbar

And they established their genealogy, according to their families, according to their fathers’ household. (1:18)

The census was executed according to tribe, thereby requiring each individual to establish his genealogical descent from a given tribe. This was done either by document, witnesses, or by the word of the individual. Chazal relate that when Hashem gave the Torah to Klal Yisrael, the nations of the world suddenly disputed His decision. Why were the Jews receiving the Torah and not they? Hashem replied, “Bring Me your Sefer Yuchsin, book of family pedigree, to determine from which nations you descend, so that it can be determined if you are worthy of receiving the Torah. The Jewish People have…

Home -> Behar -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Behar

If your brother becomes impoverished. (25:39)

Everyone wants to be charitable, to share with those who are less fortunate than he is. It is one of those mitzvos that make us feel good. After all, what could be wrong with helping another Jew? Perhaps that is the first mistake: “helping another Jew.” Tzedakah, popularly known as charity, is not just about helping someone else, but rather about feeling that person’s pain. When one “helps,” he is still separated from the beneficiary. He is fine, but the “other guy” is in need. True tzedakah does not distinguish between “me” and “him;” “us” and “them.” Tzedakah binds the…

Home -> 5771 -> Emor

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5771

I will be sanctified among Bnei Yisrael. (22:32)

If one peruses history, he notes that the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem, Sanctifying Hashem’s Name, has applied to children as well. In other words, parents who were prepared to sacrifice themselves to sanctify Hashem’s Name were, likewise, prepared to do the same for their children. During the Crusades, it was not unusual for parents to take the lives of their children prior to killing themselves, just so that the murderers would not defile their bodies. Why are children not exempt from the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem? The only reason that mitzvos apply to children is chinuch, educating them in the…

Home -> 5771 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5771

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

The Parshah begins with the laws that apply to a woman following childbirth. The Bais HaMikdash is off-limits to her for a set period of time following the birth, subsequently, she brings a korban, offering. After she has completed the time of spiritual defilement, followed by the korban, she may once again visit the Bais HaMikdash and partake of Kodoshim, sanctified foods. The Shem MiShmuel observes three distinct phases in the taharah, spiritual purification process of the yoledes, woman who gives birth, in which she is considered tamei, spiritually defiled: a) the first seven days, following the birth of a…

Home -> 5771 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5771

Aharon and his sons carried out all the matters. (8:36)

Rashi states that the Torah is teaching and praising the level of Aharon HaKohen’s and his sons’ commitment. “They did not deviate ‘right or left’” from all that they were commanded, and did exactly as instructed despite the voluminous details and minutae involved in these laws. Sifra comment that this alludes not only to their execution of the mitzvah, but also to the joy inherent in their performance. Although they did not hear the command directly from Hashem, Aharon and his sons performed it with enthusiasm and zest. There was no volunteering someone else, shrugging of shoulders, or exhibiting false modesty. They…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayikra

Speak to Bnei Yisrael and say to them: ‘When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem.’ (1:2)

The word mi’kem, “from/among you,” prompts Chazal to derive the Halachic injunction mi’kem v’lo min umos ha’olam, “From you and not from the nations of the world.” This halachah is applicable primarily to the spiritual dimensions of the korban, since we do accept korbanos from gentiles. Chazal are basically teaching that Hashem does not desire a gentile’s sacrifice, and this sacrifice does not have the same spiritual standing as the korban of a Jew. Why? Horav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg, zl, poses this question as a basis for a thesis distinguishing between the concepts underlying Jewish worship and sacrifice and that of…

Home -> 5771 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5771

And you, bring near to yourself Aharon, your brother…to minister to Me. (28:1)

The Yalkut (Shemos 247) makes the following somewhat cryptic statement: “Bring near to yourself Aharon, your brother.” This is to what the pasuk in Tehillim 65:5, “Praises to the one whom You choose/(select) and draw near,” is alluding: Praised is one whom Hashem selects, even though He has not brought him near; and fortunate is he whom Hashem has brought near, even though He has not chosen him. Who was chosen? Avraham Avinu, as it is written in Nechemiah 9:7, “You selected Avraham.” However, Hashem did not bring Avraham near. The Patriarch did so on his own. Yaakov Avinu was chosen…

Home -> 5771 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5771

He took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the earshot of the people, and they said, “Everything that Hashem has said, we will do and we will obey!” (24:7)

Our greatest moment in history was when we received the Torah. Our nationhood became fused with our acceptance of Hashem’s Word. The anthem of our faith for all time was our resounding declaration, Naaseh v’Nishma, “We will do, and we will obey!” We set the standard of priorities for Jews for all time: we do/we act. The reason will come later. If we understand – good. If not – also good! That is what being a Jew is all about: uncompromising faith; unequivocal commitment. Yet, over time, people have strayed and alienated themselves and their descendants from the Torah. We can…

Home -> 5771 -> Vaeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5771

“This time I have sinned: Hashem is the Righteous One, and I and my people are the wicked ones.” (9:27)

The plague of hail brought Pharaoh to his knees – at least momentarily. He openly conceded his iniquity and lauded Hashem’s righteousness. This seems like a formidable confession coming from the archetypical man of evil, the Pharaoh of Egypt, a spiritually bankrupt country steeped in licentiousness and evil. This vidduy, confession, does not seem to coincide with Chazal’s maxim in the Talmud Eiruvin 19a: Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish says, “The wicked, even when standing at the gates of Gehinom, Purgatory, refuse to repent.” How are we to reconcile Pharaoh’s statement with Chazal’s acknowledgment of the weakness of a rasha, wicked person?…

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It shall constitute Tzitzis for you, and you shall see it and you shall remember all the commandments of Hashem. (15:39)

And they established their genealogy, according to their families, according to their fathers’ household. (1:18)

If your brother becomes impoverished. (25:39)

I will be sanctified among Bnei Yisrael. (22:32)

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

Aharon and his sons carried out all the matters. (8:36)

Speak to Bnei Yisrael and say to them: ‘When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem.’ (1:2)

And you, bring near to yourself Aharon, your brother…to minister to Me. (28:1)

He took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the earshot of the people, and they said, “Everything that Hashem has said, we will do and we will obey!” (24:7)

“This time I have sinned: Hashem is the Righteous One, and I and my people are the wicked ones.” (9:27)

YEARS

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