Commitment – Page 51 – Peninim on the Torah

“If you will follow My decrees.” (26:3)

Rashi understands the concept of following Hashem’s decrees as engaging in intensive Torah study. Ameilus, toil, in Torah is a critical aspect of Torah study. The Taz in Orach Chaim 47 writes, “The Torah is retained only by he that toils in it diligently and with great intensity. Those who study Torah casually – amid comfort and without toil – will not retain it.” The study of Torah is unlike any other scholarly pursuit. For a Jew, it is his lifeblood and must be viewed as such. Horav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, z.l., explains that one who toils in an endeavor or…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5762

אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד' מן הבהמה מן הבקר ומן הצאן תקריבו את קרבנכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Vayikra

“When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem from animals, from the cattle or from the flock shall you bring your offering.” (1:2)

If Reuven slaps Shimon across the face for no reason, Shimon’s physical pain will not be as great as his emotional pain. Being slapped for no apparent reason is truly an emotional trauma. On the other hand, if Shimon had first struck Reuven with a powerful blow, and then Reuven reciprocated – Shimon would not be that upset. He would understand that he deserves what he has received. Horav Baruch, z.l., m’Kosov applies this analogy towards explaining the concept of mesiras nefesh al Kiddush Hashem, dedication to the point of self-sacrifice for the purpose of sanctifying Hashem’s Name. If a person…

Home -> 5762 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5762

“And Moshe took half of the blood and placed it in basins and half of the blood he threw upon the Mizbayach. And he took the Book of the Covenant… and they said, ‘All that Hashem has spoken we will do and we will obey.’ And Moshe took the blood and threw it upon the people.” (24:6-8)

Horav Mordechai Rogov, z.l., derives a compelling lesson from the sprinkling of the blood of the korbanos, sacrifices, at the time of the receiving of the Torah. We are being taught to defend and uphold the Torah even at such times when doing so requires that we invest our own blood and our very lives for Torah’s sake. Every drop of Jewish blood that has been spilled l’shem Shomayim, for the sake of Heaven, to defend the Torah, does not go to waste. This blood has been preserved as the lives of the living are strengthened and inspired by the lives…

Home -> 5762 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5762

“Let the people go out and pick each day’s portion on its day, so that I can test them, whether they will follow My teaching or not.” (16:4)

The daily gift of manna, Klal Yisrael’s Heavenly food, was actually a lesson in Jewish spiritual survival. The Jewish People had witnessed incredible miracles leading up to, and including, the exodus from Egypt. Life is all one miracle: an important lesson that so many of us tend to ignore. Many of us go through life with the notion that we are in charge, we make decisions, and we carry out what we have determined is the correct course to follow. It is always “we” or “I”. Whatever happened to Hashem? Why do we always impose upon Him a reason to remind…

Home -> 5762 -> Vaeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5762

Say to Aharon, “Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt.” (7:19)

People are always searching for that magic elixir that will grant them everlasting happiness – and they do not succeed in finding it. They go for therapy sessions and take vacations in the most remote and exotic places in the world, yet the secret continues to elude them. Why? Because they are missing a fundamental point, a crucial lesson about life, human nature, and G-d. Without this point, they will never be truly happy. They are missing the attribute of hakoras ha’tov, gratitude. The concept of gratitude is probably the most important lesson a person should internalize and integrate into his…

Home -> 5762 -> Vaeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vaeira, 5762

“G-d spoke to Moshe…So Moshe spoke accordingly to Bnei Yisrael; but they did not heed Moshe, because of shortness of breath and hard work…Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon and commanded them regarding Bnei Yisrael.” (6:2,9,13)

Rashi explains that Hashem commanded Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon to lead the people gently, to sustain them. We wonder how the events described in the text follow one another. First, Hashem gave an introduction regarding the Bris, Covenant, that He established with the Avos, Patriarchs, promising Eretz Yisrael to their descendants. Moshe related this news to Klal Yisrael, who did not listen to him because of the suffering they had endured under Pharaoh. Why, then, did Hashem command Moshe and Aharon to lead the People gently? What was to be gained from leading them gently, if Pharaoh continued to torture them?…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Vayechi

“Yissachar is a strong-boned donkey.” (49:14)

It is interesting how Yaakov Avinu compares his sons to various animals. Yehudah, the strong son, the leader who would one day be the monarch, is compared to a lion. Naftali is compared to a hind, because of his exceptional speed. Yaakov took a specific character trait, which the individual tribe exemplified, and compared that to an animal in which the trait was also significant. What is difficult to grasp is Yissachar’s comparison to a strong-boned donkey. This is the tribe that exemplified Torah study at its zenith. The donkey is among the lowliest in the animal world. What is the…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Vayigash

“Then Yisrael journeyed forth with all that he had…and (he) offered sacrifices to the G-d of his father Yitzchak.” (46:1)

Yaakov Avinu arrived in Be’er Sheva, a city glorified by the memory of his fathers. There he offered zevachim, sacrifices. He was in the happiest frame of mind that he had attained in his entire life. It was here at this zenith in his life, with his troubles and struggles behind him, that he felt capable of offering a Korban Shelamim, Peace- Offering. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., notes that this is the first time that any of the Avos, Patriarchs, offered a korban other than a Korban Olah, Burnt- Offering. He explains that a Korban Olah expresses complete submission to Hashem….

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Mikeitz

“Yosef called the name of the firstborn Menasheh, for ‘G-d has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.’” (41:51)

Could Yosef have been so insensitive as to be happy that he was made to forget his father’s home? Certainly not! The commentators explain that since Yosef was bound by a cherem, ban, from communicating with his father, he was subject to an overwhelming emotional burden. His love for his father, coupled with the constant memories of “home,” surely dominated every “free” moment of his day. He thanked Hashem for easing this burden, for replacing his thoughts of home with other thoughts. He was grateful to Hashem for giving him the resolution to comply with the solemn oath against notifying Yaakov…

Home -> 5759 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5759

Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon Hakohen, turned back My wrath from you Bnei Yisrael. When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

Pinchas acted on behalf of the Almighty. He reacted with jealousy and with vengeance, as he witnessed Zimri publicly desecrating Hashem’s Name. Rashi emphasizes the word, “kinaasi,” “My jealousy/wrath”. Pinchas reacted in the same manner that Hashem would have. He became angry as Hashem would. Hashem’s anger was his anger; he accepted Hashem’s “hurt” as his own hurt. Horav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Shlita, delves into the concept of “kinaasi” in an attempt to explain its significance. We find that Rashi previously had mentioned that the tribes, especially Shevet Shimon, were criticizing and demeaning Pinchas for his descent from a Midyanite…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> 5762 ->

“If you will follow My decrees.” (26:3)

אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד' מן הבהמה מן הבקר ומן הצאן תקריבו את קרבנכם

“When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem from animals, from the cattle or from the flock shall you bring your offering.” (1:2)

“And Moshe took half of the blood and placed it in basins and half of the blood he threw upon the Mizbayach. And he took the Book of the Covenant… and they said, ‘All that Hashem has spoken we will do and we will obey.’ And Moshe took the blood and threw it upon the people.” (24:6-8)

“Let the people go out and pick each day’s portion on its day, so that I can test them, whether they will follow My teaching or not.” (16:4)

Say to Aharon, “Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt.” (7:19)

“G-d spoke to Moshe…So Moshe spoke accordingly to Bnei Yisrael; but they did not heed Moshe, because of shortness of breath and hard work…Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon and commanded them regarding Bnei Yisrael.” (6:2,9,13)

“Yissachar is a strong-boned donkey.” (49:14)

“Then Yisrael journeyed forth with all that he had…and (he) offered sacrifices to the G-d of his father Yitzchak.” (46:1)

“Yosef called the name of the firstborn Menasheh, for ‘G-d has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.’” (41:51)

Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon Hakohen, turned back My wrath from you Bnei Yisrael. When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!