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Home -> Vayeilech -> 5785

וילך משה וידבר את הדברים האלה אל כל ישראל

Sruly Schnair
In 5785, Vayeilech

Moshe went and spoke all these words to all of Yisrael. (31:1)

Ramban writes that, on the last day of his life, Moshe Rabbeinu went from camp to camp to comfort the Jewish people (individually) concerning his leaving this world.  He said, “I am already of an advanced age, and you have very little benefit from me.” (Moshe was in perfect health, but he wanted to play down the void that would be left with his passing.) Horav Meir Tzvi Bergman, zl, observes the unparalleled level of derech eretz, proper conduct/common decency/respectful behavior/courtesy, manifest by Moshe.  It was the last day of his life, the day on which the punishment preventing him…

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Home -> 5785 -> Ki Savo

ונתנך ה' לראש ולא לזנב

Sruly Schnair
In Ki Savo, 5785

Hashem shall place you as a head and not as a tail. (28:13)

On the surface, these two terms demonstrate an apparent redundancy. Obviously, if one is a head/leader, he is not a tail/follower. Ramban explains that it is possible for a nation to be a leader to some, but a follower of others. This is “sandwich” leadership, where one’s leadership is of relative value. Klal Yisrael will ultimately be worthy of everyone’s respect, which represents true leadership. The concept of rosh v’lo zanav comes into play on Rosh Hashanah night when, during the simanim (symbolic foods eaten to signify hopes and prayers for a good year), we underscore our hope to be…

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Home -> 5785 -> Ki Seitzei

הקם תקים עמו

Sruly Schnair
In Ki Seitzei, 5785

You shall surely stand them up with him (22:4)

From the words Hakeim takim imo, we derive that the assistance we lend to someone in need should be carried out imo—with him. If the owner of the animal (providing that he is able) sits back and wants to watch as you do the lifting and carrying, you have no obligation to help. Our responsibility to help extends to one who is trying to help himself. If the owner sits idly by refusing to make an effort, the mitzvah no longer applies. We wonder why this is so. While it may be true that the owner, due to his lack…

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Home -> 5785 -> Shoftim

והאיש אשר יעשה בזדון לבלתי שמוע אל הכהן ... ובערת הרע מישראל וכל העם ישמען ויראו

Sruly Schnair
In Shoftim, 5785

And the man that will act with willfulness, not listening to the Kohen … And you shall destroy the evil from among Yisrael, the entire nation shall listen and fear. (17:12,13)

The zakein mamrei, rebellious elder, is someone who is, for all intents and purposes, one of the nation’s erudite scholars.  He disagreed with his colleagues concerning certain halachah.  While debate and disagreement are allowed — and even encouraged — once the halachah is established, everyone must accept and adhere to the ruling.  One who does not – especially an elder, a scholar who defiantly disagrees and rules against the Sanhedrin— endangers the very underpinnings of halachic authority.  He is to be executed during the next Regel, Festival, of the Shalosh Regalim, when all of Klal Yisrael is present to witness,…

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Home -> 5785 -> Eikev

ואשר עשה לדתן ולאבירם בני אליאב

Sruly Schnair
In Eikev, 5785

And what he did to Dasan and Aviram sons of Eliav. (11:6)

Noticeably, the Torah mentions only Dasan and Aviram concerning the Korach rebellion against Moshe Rabbeinu’s leadership.  It seems to gloss over Korach, the leader of the rebellion.  He was the scoundrel who attempted to usurp Moshe’s authority.  In Parashas Pinchas (Bamidbar 26:9-11), the Torah does, likewise, mention Dasan and Aviram who were part of Korach’s congregation, but falls short of mentioning Korach.  The Ramban (commentary to Devarim 11:6) asks this question.  The Ohr HaChaim (commentary to Parashas Pinchas) explains that while Korach was the leader and the one whose name is identified most with the controversy, it was Dasan and…

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Home -> Devarim -> 5785

אלה הדברים אשר דבר משה אל כל ישראל

Sruly Schnair
In 5785, Devarim

These are the words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael. (1:1)

Moshe Rabbeinu opens Sefer Devarim with words of rebuke. For forty years, he had been their leader, but it was now, shortly before he was to leave this world, that he chose rebuke as his parting words. We derive from here that rebuke should be well-thought out and delivered at a time when the rebuker feels it will be accepted. We do not reproach out of anger, but out of love and caring. We neither waste words, nor do we mince words. We say what must be said, even if being brutally honest may have backlash. Moshe chose his last…

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Home -> 5785 -> Pinchas

לכן אמור הנני נותן לו את בריתי שלום

Sruly Schnair
In Pinchas, 5785

Therefore, say: “Behold! I give him My covenant of peace.” (25:12)

Pinchas saw an outrageous act of moral turpitude and took decisive action, meting out the ultimate punishment to the two perpetrators. He was rewarded with the Kehunah, Priesthood, the covenant of peace. Upon taking a closer look at the reward, a striking contrast is evident between Pinchas’ response to the sin and the reward that he received. To act zealously, risking one’s life, demands a strong element of the middah, attribute, of gevurah, strength/discipline and strict judgment. The reward of a covenant of peace is reflective of the attribute of chesed, kindness. Why would an act of zealousness be rewarded…

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Home -> 5785 -> Chukas

ויראו כל העדה כי גווע אהרן ויבכו את אהרן שלשים יום כל בית ישראל

Sruly Schnair
In Chukas, 5785

When the entire assembly saw that Aharon had perished, they wept for Aharon thirty days, the entire Bais Yisrael. (20:29)

Aharon HaKohen was niftar, and all of Klal Yisrael mourned his passing. Rashi underscores the fact that all of Klal Yisrael mourned, because he touched the lives of all Jews. As the paragon of peaceful coexistence, as the ohaiv shalom v’rodef shalom, one who loved peace and pursued peace, he made it his goal to encourage people to get along. At the slightest whiff of discord between friends, between husband and wife, Aharon was present to patch things up and convince the two parties to move one with life and live together in peace. Thus, when he died, everyone sorely…

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Home -> 5785 -> Korach

ונתתם ממנו את תרומת ד' לאהרן הכהן

Sruly Schnair
In Korach, 5785

And you shall give from it a gift of Hashem to Aharon HaKohen. (18:28)

Chazal (Sanhedrin 90b) prove from the above pasuk that Techiyas Ha’Meisim, the Resurrection of the Dead, is supported min haTorah. The Torah enjoins the people to give their Terumah to Aharon HaKohen. Will Aharon live forever? He did not even enter into the Holy Land. This teaches us that he will one day be resurrected, and Klal Yisrael will again give him their Terumah. In Kovetz Maamarim (Onsham shel baalei middos megunos), Horav Elchonon Wasserman, zl, cites Chazal (Kesubos 111b) who teach that Techiyas Ha’Meisim has one criterion that should not be ignored. Unless one studies/has studied Torah or supported…

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Home -> 5785 -> Beha'alosecha

משה ענו מכל האדם אשר על פני האדמה והאיש

Sruly Schnair
In Beha'alosecha, 5785

Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any person on the face of the earth. (12:3)

Humility is one of the most fundamental and exalted character traits which define a person’s true character. It does not negate recognizing one’s talents, acumen, and achievements, but rather, attributes everything to Hashem. The humble person understands that one’s strengths are merely tools Hashem has given him for a higher purpose. Moshe Rabbeinu saw himself as fulfilling a Divine mission. He was well aware of his distinction and accomplishments, but he attributed it all to Hashem Who had sent him on a Divine mission. Humility is not about thinking less of yourself, but rather, about thinking of yourself less and…

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