Commitment – Page 37 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Hashem said to Moshe, ‘Why do you cry out to Me? Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael and let them journey forward.'” (14:15)

Rashi explains Hashem’s response to Moshe as he stood in supplication before Him. Hashem told Moshe, “Now, when Bnei Yisrael are in distress, is not the appropriate time to prolong one’s prayer. Let them go forward, for the merit of their forefathers and their own emunah, faith, which they have exhibited is sufficient cause for the sea to split before them.” This interpretation is enigmatic. Moshe was praying to Hashem during a time of severe crisis for Bnei Yisrael. Hashem told Moshe that now, when Bnei Yisrael were teetering on the brink of disaster, was not a time for prayer….

Home -> Shemos -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Shemos

“And Moshe said, ‘I will turn aside now and I will see this great sight –why the bush is not burnt.'” (3:3)

The Yalkut Shimoni cites a dispute between R’ Yochanon and Reish Lakish concerning the extent of Moshe’s “turning aside.” R’ Yochanon says that Moshe stepped three steps out of his way while Reish Lakish contends that Moshe merely turned his neck. Hashem responded, “Moshe, you troubled yourself to see (the bush); by your life, I will reveal My Countenance through you.” In citing this Yalkut, Horav Simcha Zissel Broide, Shlita, acknowledges the remarkable reward for performing a seemingly minor act. Moshe devoted seventy years of tireless commitment to Bnei Yisrael in Egypt. He reflected true Yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven,…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5755

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Ha'azinu

“Ascend to this Mount of Avarim … and die on the mountain … and be gathered to your people just as Aharon your brother died on Har Ha’Har.” (32:49,50)

Rashi responds to the obvious question: How can a man be commanded to die ? Does one pass from this world of his own free-will ? He explains that Hashem commanded Moshe to prepare for a serene death like that of his brother, Aharon. Preceding his demise, Aharon was privileged to observe his son Elazar assume the mantle of Kehunah Gedolah, garbed in the sacred priestly vestments. Aharon was subsequently instructed to lay down, stretch out his hands and feet and close first his eyes and then his mouth. As he lay there calm and serene, at peace with himself…

Home -> 5774 -> Yisro

ולא תעלה במעלות על מזבחי

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5774

You shall not ascend My Altar on steps. (20: 23)

Rashi explains that a ramp was used for the Kohanim to ascend to the Mizbayach, Altar, as a provision to circumvent any suggestion of immodesty. A ramp allows for the legs to move evenly, thereby not allowing any inappropriate exposure of one’s self. I think we might be able to add a homiletic interpretation to the closing pasuk of Parashas Yisro. The Mizbayach symbolizes sacrifice. Indeed, to study Torah, to live a Torah lifestyle, does require a certain element of sacrifice. Before I continue, the sacrifice is only in the eyes of the beholder. A true ben Torah does not…

Home -> 5774 -> Yisro

ויתיצבו בתחתית ההר

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5774

They stood transfixed at the foot of the mountain. (19:17)

As Klal Yisrael stood at the foot of Har Sinai, waiting anxiously for the Torah, they were united as one, with a sense of unity described by Chazal as, k’ish echad, b’lev echad, “like one man with one heart.” This phrase has since become the catchword for describing unity at its apex. All of Klal Yisrael were focused, intent on accepting the Torah with a firm commitment, a common aspiration and uniform purpose. All of Klal Yisrael stood together as one to accept the Torah. It is the term b’lev echad, “with one heart”, that begs to be elucidated. Does…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5774

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, V'zos HaBrachah

And by all the strong hand and awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

This pasuk seems to comprise Moshe Rabbeinu’s epitaph. Indeed, if there were to be an inscription on his tombstone, it would be the words of the above pasuk. Rashi explains that the mora gadol, awesome power, refers to his shattering of the Luchos, Tablets, when, upon descending the mountain, he confronted the revelry, debauchery, and rampant idol worship that had overtaken his spiritually lost nation. Moshe made a statement for all time: The Jewish People could not survive on a diet of mixed allegiances; it was either to be Hashem or a life of lewd idol worship. They could not…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Eikev, 5755

“This shall be the reward when you listen to these ordinances.” (7:12)

Hashem assures Klal Yisrael of a remarkable reward if they will listen to His mitzvos. The word ceg also means heel. In this context, Rashi explains that it alludes to the type of mitzvah that people may regard as insignificant. Consequently, they tend to “step on them with their heels.” The Torah encourages the Jews to be cognizant of these “neglected” mitzvos by promising them great rewards for observing them. This special reward consists of physical blessing in the form of increased size of one’s family and abundant herds and crops. What is the connection between observing neglected mitzvos and…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5774

ונפש כי תחטא ושמעה קול אלה והוא עד או ראה או ידע אם לא יגיד ונשא עונו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Vayikra

If a person will sin: if he accepted a demand for an oath, and he is a witness – either he saw or he knew. (5:1)

I recently came across a story related by a father, telling about a traumatic experience that he and his family had undergone with one of their teenage sons. A young boy, fifteen years old, had slowly begun to drift away from his attachment to Torah. At first, it was gravitation to the frivolities of the outside world. He continued with his usual good middos, character traits, never offending another student, always showing respect for his rebbeim, his good natured smile always manifest on his face. Yet, this was not enough to maintain his tenure in the yeshivah where he was…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5774

ויאמר ישראל רב עוד יוסף בני חי

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5774, Vayigash

And Yisrael said, “How great! My son Yosef still lives!” (45:28)

Yaakov Avinu was ecstatic. His long-lost son, Yosef, was alive – physically and spiritually. Not only had he risen to a position of great distinction in his newly-adopted country, but he had maintained all of the strict spiritual standards that had been so much a part of his early life. The Patriarch had to see this for himself. His sons’ report gave him hope, but, until he saw it for himself, he was still anxious concerning Yosef’s spiritual erudition. The Midrash makes an interesting comment which focuses on Yaakov’s use of the word rav, “how great”. Rav kocho, “How great…

Home -> 5774 -> Vayeira

כי עתה ידעתי כי ירא אלקים אתה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5774

For I know that you are a G-d-fearing man. (22:12)

This was the tenth test, following after nine tests which all had successful outcomes. Yet, only now, after the Akeidas Yitzchak, did Hashem ratify Avraham Avinu’s commitment as a yarei Shomayim, G-d-fearing. If this is the case, what is the meaning of yerei Elokim, G-d-fearing? Does committing to the Akeidah manifest a greater sense of fearing G-d than walking into a fiery cauldron? Horav Nachum Breslover, zl, teaches that one who does not possess an azus d’kedushah, a sense of resolute holiness, who is undaunted by those who stand in the way of his observance, who can transcend the taunts…

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“And Hashem said to Moshe, ‘Why do you cry out to Me? Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael and let them journey forward.'” (14:15)

“And Moshe said, ‘I will turn aside now and I will see this great sight –why the bush is not burnt.'” (3:3)

“Ascend to this Mount of Avarim … and die on the mountain … and be gathered to your people just as Aharon your brother died on Har Ha’Har.” (32:49,50)

ולא תעלה במעלות על מזבחי

You shall not ascend My Altar on steps. (20: 23)

ויתיצבו בתחתית ההר

They stood transfixed at the foot of the mountain. (19:17)

ולכל היד החזקה ולכל המורא הגדול אשר עשה משה לעיני כל ישראל

And by all the strong hand and awesome power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Yisrael. (34:12)

“This shall be the reward when you listen to these ordinances.” (7:12)

ונפש כי תחטא ושמעה קול אלה והוא עד או ראה או ידע אם לא יגיד ונשא עונו

If a person will sin: if he accepted a demand for an oath, and he is a witness – either he saw or he knew. (5:1)

ויאמר ישראל רב עוד יוסף בני חי

And Yisrael said, “How great! My son Yosef still lives!” (45:28)

כי עתה ידעתי כי ירא אלקים אתה

For I know that you are a G-d-fearing man. (22:12)

YEARS

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