Commitment – Page 41 – Peninim on the Torah

For unto Me are the Bnei Yisrael servants, they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt. (26:55)

At the conclusion of the laws dealing with personal freedom, the Torah states the reason that our freedom is not for sale: We were redeemed from Egypt by Hashem. We belong to Him – a fact that takes precedence over and precludes our belonging to anyone else. Every fiber of our being, every fraction of our strength and powers, belongs to the Almighty. The principle of a Jew’s unalienable freedom is nurtured by Jewish law, to the point that not even the normal contract of a daily worker is considered binding. It can be revoked by the po’el, worker, at…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5759

On the third day…there was thunder and lightning…and the entire people that was in the camp shuddered. (19:16)

Klal Yisrael was not the only one to shudder from the noise. That awesome sound, the “mysterium tremendum” that accompanied the Revelation and Giving of the Torah, echoed far beyond the periphery of that mountain. It reached an entire world. They all gathered together, the kings and princes, the common man and scholar, to offer praise to the Almighty. The Midrash says that they were scared; they feared for their lives. They thought the world was coming to an end. Perhaps Hashem was deluging the world with another mabul, flood. They went to their “wise man,” seeking guidance and encouragement. …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5759

Hashem said to Moshe, “Go to the people and sanctify them…and they shall wash their clothing…You shall set boundaries for the people roundabout… (19:10,12)

The Torah is enjoining people to prepare for the moment of Revelation when they will receive the Torah. They are to wash their clothes and fix limits around the mountain, so that no human or animal would be able to come closer. We may note the distinction of these two mitzvos – washing clothes and cordoning off the periphery of the mountain. What is the significance for these two forms of preparation for Kabolas HaTorah? Horav Y.A. Hirshovitz, zl, suggests that these two mitzvos serve not only as preparatory agents for Klal Yisrael’s ascent to religious nationhood, they underscore the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Pekudei

These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of testimony. (38:21)

The Midrash relates that Hashem told Klal Yisrael, “When you made the eigel ha’zahav, Golden Calf, you angered Me by saying, ‘Eilah elohecha Yisrael,’ ‘This is your god, Yisrael.’ Now that you made the Mishkan using the words, ‘Eilah pikudei HaMishkan,’ ‘These are the reckonings of the Mishkan,’ I have reconciled with you.” We must endeavor to understand the significance of the word, “eilah,” particularly its role in the sin of the Golden Calf and its role in the reconciliation vis a vis the Mishkan. It seems that the primary sin of the eigal was the proclamation of, “This is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayakhel

The Nesiim brought the shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the choshen. (35:27)

The Nesiim were the princes, or leaders, of every tribe. Rashi cites the Midrash which notes the word Nesiim is spelled in Hebrew without the two “yudin” that it would normally have. This defective spelling was deliberate – as a punishment for their not bringing their contributions together with everyone else. They had waited to see what would be lacking, so that they would fill the deficit. To their surprise and chagrin, the national response was so overwhelming that there was almost nothing left for them to give. Chazal note a taint of laziness on their part which caused their…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Vayakhel

Take from yourselves a portion for Hashem, everyone whose heart motivates him shall bring it, as a gift for Hashem. (35:5)

In recognizing the contributions towards the Mishkan of the dor ha’midbar, generation of the wilderness, the Torah uses the phrase nedivus ha’lev, donations of the heart. What is a donation of the heart? Ibn Ezra notes two variances in the Torah’s idiom regarding Klal Yisrael’s contribution. Hashem commanded them, “Kechu me’itchem,” “Take from yourselves.” To “take” is the opposite of to “give.” Placing the prefix “mem” (meitchem) before a word changes its meaning. Thus, “Kechu me’itchem” has the same meaning as “Tenu,” give. Why did the Torah express this idea in such an awkward manner? Second, what is the meaning…

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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 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5759

But for one who had not lain in ambush and G-d caused it to come to his hand, I shall provide you a place to which he shall flee. (21:13)

The Torah grants the unintentional murderer the dispensation of fleeing to one of the Arei Miklat, Cities of Refuge, where he is protected from the close relatives of the victim. In his Igeres Ha’Mechaber the Sefer Ha’Chinuch distinguishes between the various mitzvos that we are obliged to fulfill. We must perform some mitzvos only under certain conditions; all Jews are commanded to perform other mitzvos at all times. There are two hundred and seventy of the latter mitzvos, of which forty-eight are mitzvos asei, positive mitzvos. The remaining two hundred twenty-two are mitzvos lo sa’asei, negative commandments. Of these mitzvos,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5759

Pharaoh approached; the Bnei Yisrael raised up their eyes and behold – Egypt was journeying after them. (14:10)

Rashi notes that the word “nosea,” journeying, is written in the singular. It should be written as “nosim”, in the plural, which would be the appropriate term for describing an entire army. He explains that the Egyptians were all united in heart and mind, committed to pursuing and destroying the Jews. Everyone amassed into a united front with the singular goal of destruction. The Avnei Nezer notes a similar syntax for describing the Jewish camp at Har Sinai immediately preceding the Giving of the Torah. The Torah states (Shemos 19:2), “Vayichan ha’am neged ha’har,” “and the nation camped before the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5759

Safeguard and hearken to all these words… In order that it will be well with you and your children… When you do what is good and right in the eyes of Hashem, your G-d. (12:28)

Gemillas chesed, performing acts of loving kindness, is unquestionably the most rewarding type of deed one can perform. They are rewarding in both a material and spiritual sense. Classic Rabbinic material is replete with references to the merit one engenders for himself when he helps others. Each different category of chesed is demanding in its own unique manner. Visiting the sick and infirm means more than getting into a car or sending flowers. It means empathizing with the sick person, feeling his pain and easing his burden. Probably the most important message we can convey to a sick individual that…

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For unto Me are the Bnei Yisrael servants, they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt. (26:55)

On the third day…there was thunder and lightning…and the entire people that was in the camp shuddered. (19:16)

Hashem said to Moshe, “Go to the people and sanctify them…and they shall wash their clothing…You shall set boundaries for the people roundabout… (19:10,12)

These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of testimony. (38:21)

The Nesiim brought the shoham stones and the stones for the settings for the Eiphod and the choshen. (35:27)

Take from yourselves a portion for Hashem, everyone whose heart motivates him shall bring it, as a gift for Hashem. (35:5)

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

But for one who had not lain in ambush and G-d caused it to come to his hand, I shall provide you a place to which he shall flee. (21:13)

Pharaoh approached; the Bnei Yisrael raised up their eyes and behold – Egypt was journeying after them. (14:10)

Safeguard and hearken to all these words… In order that it will be well with you and your children… When you do what is good and right in the eyes of Hashem, your G-d. (12:28)

YEARS

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