Derech Eretz – Page 25 – Peninim on the Torah

“And their children who do not know, they shall hear and they shall learn to fear Hashem (31:13)

The Torah implies that all Jews are able to learn Torah, no matter what their background, talents, and skills are. The Steipler Rav z.l. writes that if one just applies himself diligently to learn Torah, he will succeed and achieve scholarship even if he is not intellectually astute. A young man once came to the Steipler and, in a voice full of chagrin, complained that even though he had been studying diligently in a yeshiva for five years, he still could not master the elementary level of erudition of Talmud and the basic commentaries. The Steipler responded, “Nonetheless, you must…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Seitzei

Sruly Schnair In Ki Seitzei, 5754

“You shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.” (25:19)

What is the meaning of the “remembrance of Amalek”? Is it not sufficient simply to destroy Amalek? Horav S.R. Hirsch z.l. explains that it is not Amalek who is so threatening to the future of humanity. Rather, “zecher Amalek,” the remembrance of Amalek, the glorifying of Amalek’s memory, is the prime danger. As long as in the annals of history the murderers and plunderers are venerated as heroes, as long as these heinous criminals are not buried into oblivion, their names will gradually be “cleansed.” With each successive generation individuals will arise who seek to glorify these “great warriors.” These…

Home -> 5754 -> Ki Seitzei

Sruly Schnair In Ki Seitzei, 5754

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son that will not listen (to) the voice of his father or the voice of his mother.” (21:18)

Chazal make a powerful statement in regard to the ben sorer u’moreh. This boy, who has just reached the age of maturity demonstrates unusual insubordination. He is defiant towards all authority. He simply does whatever he wants, regardless of his parent’s pain regarding his life of spiritual degeneration. His parents together are obligated to bring him to Bais Din for punishment. They must assert their role as prosecutors by clearly stating “this is our son,” “he does not listen to the voice of his father or to the voice of his mother.” Horav Moshe Swift z.l. suggests that this act…

Home -> 5754 -> Shoftim

Sruly Schnair In Shoftim, 5754

“You shall prepare the way and divide the border of your land into three parts… that every murderer may flee there.” (19:3)

In Makos 10b the Talmud states that each crossroads bore the sign “miklat,” refuge, in order to guide the murderer toward the right direction to reach the arai miklat, cities of refuge. The Ponevezer Rav z.l. expounded on this Chazal. Why were directional signs provided only for the rotzeach b’shogeg, unintentional murderer? Why weren’t signs likewise provided for the oleh regel, pilgrims who went up to Yerushalayim for Yom Tov? There should have been signs at the crossroads directing all Jew to the Bais Ha’Mikdash. He responded in the following manner: Man, by nature, detests a murderer. One who has…

Home -> 5754 -> Re'eh

Sruly Schnair In Re'eh, 5754

“You are children of Hashem your G-d, you shall not cut yourselves, nor make a bald patch between your eyes for the dead.” (14:1)

The juxtaposition of topics in this portion of the parsha begs elucidation. The previous perek dealt with the false prophet who instigated people to worship idols. This is followed by the laws concerning an ir ha’nidachas, a place in which an entire population of a city defected from Hashem and committed themselves to idol worship. The Torah goes on to emphasize our unique relationship with Hashem as analogous to the relationship between children and their parents. This unparalleled relationship precludes our unusual out-pouring of grief at the death of a parent. What connection is there between these various laws? What…

Home -> Devarim -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Devarim

“And you came near to me all of you and said, ‘let us send men before us.” (1:22)

Rashi distinguishes between the way that Bnei Yisrael approached Moshe to request spies to precede them into Eretz Yisrael and the way that they acted at the foot of Har Sinai. During their rebellion the Torah states “all of you” which implies “in confusion,” in which the young pushed the elders and the elders pushed the leaders. There was a total lack of self-control and respect. Regarding Har Sinai, the Torah states, “You came near unto Me, the leader of your tribes, and your elders,” implying a proper and dignified approach, in which the young accorded reverence to their elders….

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Sruly Schnair In 5754, Devarim

“Hashem, our G-d spoke unto us in Chorev saying, you have dwelt long enough in this mountain. Turn you and take you and take your journey and go to the hill-country of the Emorites and unto all the places near there.” (1:6,7)

Rashi explains Moshe’s statement in the following manner: You have received a great reward for your dwelling in this mountain. You have made a Mishkan, a Menorah and the various appurtenances. You have received the Torah, you have appointed for yourselves a Sanhedrin, officers of thousands and hundreds. Now you should go forth into the neighboring nations. This statement seems enigmatic. One would think that after lauding the great spiritual accomplishments, Moshe would now proceed to explain to them the profound intricacies of the Torah and the various codes. Instead, the Torah relates a geographical description of the neighboring countries!…

Home -> Matos -> 5754

Sruly Schnair In 5754, Matos

“And (there) were delivered out of the thousands of (Bnei) Yisrael, a thousand of every tribe, armed for war.” (31:5)

Rashi notes the word “they were delivered.” This seems to indicate that Bnei Yisrael were reluctant to wage war with Midyan, to the extent that Moshe literally was compelled to force them. Rashi explains that this episode demonstrates the love that Bnei Yisrael have for their leadership. Before Moshe’s impending demise was announced, Bnei Yisrael wanted to stone him. When they heard that his death was contingent upon their battle with Midyan, they refused to go to battle until they were delivered against their will. The Steipler Rav z.l. questioned Bnei Yisrael‘s apparent change in attitude towards Moshe. One moment…

Home -> 5754 -> Chukas

Sruly Schnair In Chukas, 5754

“And they wept for Aharon thirty days all the house of Yisrael.” (20:29)

Regarding Moshe’s death, in Sefer Devarim 34:8 the Torah states, “And Bnei Yisrael wept for Moshe.” It does not assert that “all the house of Yisrael wept,” as it says in response to Aharon’s death. Rashi explains that Aharon’s passing generated a greater outpour of grief among the people. Aharon was rodef shalom; he pursued peace. He constantly sought ways to bring peace among men of strife, as well as between husband and wife. His passing was, therefore, felt more strongly by the common Jew. The Ohr Ha’Chayim responds to this perplexity in a number of ways. After citing Rashi’s…

Home -> 5754 -> Naso

Sruly Schnair In Naso, 5754

“Speak unto Aharon and unto his sons saying, so you shall bless the Bnei Yisrael.” (6:23)

Hashem commands that His blessing be conferred only by the kohanim. Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, suggests a practical reason for this. Regrettably, many people posit that the kohen and his present day counterpart, the Torah scholar are supported by the community without any reciprocation. Many individuals believe that if an individual is not “working” in the way that they are, he is not contributing to the community. This notion is, of course, categorically wrong. The sustaining power of Klal Yisrael is manifest only through Torah and Torah scholars who devote their lives to its study and dissemination. This also applies…

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“And their children who do not know, they shall hear and they shall learn to fear Hashem (31:13)

“You shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens.” (25:19)

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son that will not listen (to) the voice of his father or the voice of his mother.” (21:18)

“You shall prepare the way and divide the border of your land into three parts… that every murderer may flee there.” (19:3)

“You are children of Hashem your G-d, you shall not cut yourselves, nor make a bald patch between your eyes for the dead.” (14:1)

“And you came near to me all of you and said, ‘let us send men before us.” (1:22)

“Hashem, our G-d spoke unto us in Chorev saying, you have dwelt long enough in this mountain. Turn you and take you and take your journey and go to the hill-country of the Emorites and unto all the places near there.” (1:6,7)

“And (there) were delivered out of the thousands of (Bnei) Yisrael, a thousand of every tribe, armed for war.” (31:5)

“And they wept for Aharon thirty days all the house of Yisrael.” (20:29)

“Speak unto Aharon and unto his sons saying, so you shall bless the Bnei Yisrael.” (6:23)

YEARS

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