Derech Eretz – Page 32 – Peninim on the Torah

You shall be wholeheartedly simple with Hashem, your G-d. (18:13)

Fundraising can be a disheartening endeavor, regardless of the organization or individual for which one is working. The esteem which we accord the fundraiser is commensurate with the individual’s own level of self respect. One can view his undertaking as an opportunity to enable another Jew to share in the spiritual reward reserved for those who demonstrate strength of character – to overcome that “little voice” that finds every excuse to urge them not to give tzedakah. If he succeeds in adopting this perspective, he will approach his mission in a positive light. There is a story told about the…

Home -> 5757 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5757

He was zealous for My sake in their midst…Because he was zealous for his G-d and made atonement for the Bnei Yisrael. (25:11,13)

What is the significance of the fact that Pinchas performed his act of zealousness “in their midst”? Sforno comments that Pinchas avenged Hashem’s honor in the sight of all. Although they had originally seen Zimri’s despicable act, and they did not protest, they could find atonement for not protesting against Pinchas. What Sforno is saying is that the masses were guilty of apathy. They witnessed blatant acts of harlotry and idolatry, yet they failed to object or to intervene. Their atonement would now be attained by permitting Pinchas to publicly carry out his act of zealousness. Sforno teaches us that…

Home -> 5757 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5757

Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aharon Ha’kohen turned back My wrath from upon the Bnei Yisrael. (25:11)

Upon consideration, did Pinchas really have to act in such a drastic manner? He is lauded for avenging the honor of Hashem. Was there no other way to prevent Zimri from performing his reprehensible act of rebellion against Hashem? Could Pinchas not have chosen a less “final” — and perhaps more conciliatory — solution for the “Zimri” problem? This is the type of question that plagues those who do not quite understand the meaning of the term “kanai,” zealot. Pinchas was not a reactionary who unleashed his uncontrollable anger, killing innocent people. He was not a religious maniac whose lack…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Pekudei

Moshe could not enter the Ohel Moed, for the cloud rested upon it. (40:35)

The Midrash explains that Moshe was not afraid to enter through the cloud. Indeed, we find in Parashas Mishpatim 24:18 that the cloud split open and permitted Moshe to walk through as if the path had been paved for him. Rather, the meaning of “v’lo yachol,” “Moshe could not enter,” is that Moshe gave reverence to the Shechinah and did not enter until Hashem called him. We may question the Torah’s use of the phrase, “v’lo Yachol” “He could not.” If Moshe’s reluctance to enter was due to his remarkable derech eretz, respect for the Al-mighty, the Torah should have…

Home -> 5757 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5757

And Cham saw…his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers. And Shem and Yafes took a garment…and covered the nakedness of their father and their faces were backward. (9:22,23)

We have here before us a distinction between the two reactions among Noach’s sons, the reaction of Cham as opposed to that of his brothers, Shem and Yafes. Cham observes an indiscretion on the part of his father, and he immediately exploits it. Not only does Cham jest about his father’s failing, but he also goes out of his way to publicize it. He shows no filial respect whatsoever. His two brothers, on the other hand, throw the mantle of love over their father’s weakness; they turn their heads away, so even they would not view their father’s shame. We…

Home -> 5757 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5757

And the earth had become corrupt before G-d, and the earth became filled with violence. (6:11)

The text seems to imply that these people were corrupt only in the eyes of Hashem. In the eyes of society, however, they apparently did no wrong. What type of people were they that they were paragons of virtue according to the rules of society, while they were iniquitous before Hashem? Horav David Feinstein, Shlita, cites Chazal in the Talmud Sanhedrin 57A who define “,ja,u”, corrupt, as referring to immorality and idolatry. These are sins that do not really hurt anybody. Does anyone suffer if a person chooses to bow down to idols? Who is hurt by the immoral activities…

Home -> 5757 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5757

Something like an affliction has appeared to me in the house. (14:35)

In Meseches Negaim 12:5, Chazal state that one should not assert that he definitely saw a plague. Rather, he should say that he saw what appears to be a plague. A number of reasons are given for this halachah. The Torah Temimah suggests a somewhat novel interpretation. The Kohen is the one who renders decisions regarding negaim, plagues. It would, therefore, be brazen on the part of anyone else to issue a decision in the presence of the Kohen. By saying that he has a plague, the metzora seems to be rendering a decision concerning himself in the presence of…

Home -> 5757 -> Lech Lecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5757

Avram took his wife Sarai and Lot, his brother’s son… And the souls they made in Charan. (12:5)

Rashi comments that these “souls” refers to the people who Avraham and Sarah converted to faith in Hashem. Avraham would teach and later convert the men, while Sarah would do the same with the women. Rabbeinu Yona posits that Avraham reached out to the pagans as a purely altruistic gesture. Avraham loved people, his heart overflowed with a desire to help as many as he could. Regardless of their origin, Avraham loved them and attempted to reach out to them even when they were not receptive to his overtures. Rabbeinu Yona teaches us a novel idea. Avraham Avinu reached out…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Ki Sisa

“When you take a census of Bnei Yisrael according to their numbers, every man shall give an atonement for his soul.” (30:12)

The census of Bnei Yisrael was accomplished by taking a half-shekel coin from each person and then counting the coins. Bnei Yisrael used the proceeds of this collection to purchase the korbanos tzibbur, communal Mizbayach offerings. While the collection of funds was associated with a census, the Torah does not mention any specific reason for the actual census. It certainly was not needed for military purposes, as was the case later in the time of Shaul Ha’Melech and David Ha’Melech. We must, therefore, accept the explanation that Rashi suggests in the beginning of Sefer Bamidbar. He posits that Hashem counts…

Home -> 5757 -> Ki Seitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5757

An Amoni or Moavi shall not enter the congregation of Hashem…Because of the fact that they did not greet you with bread and water…And because he hired Bilaam ben Be’or….to curse you. (23:4,5)

The Torah mentions two reasons for not accepting the Amoni and Moavi into Klal Yisrael. The first appears to be a character flaw; the second seems more substansive. We can understand taking a strict attitude towards a people that have sought to harm us, but why should their lack of decency play a role in their rejection as converts? Chazal give a number of reasons for this. Horav Nissan Alpert, zl, offers a thoughtful insight into their behavior which demonstrates their utter hatred for the Jews. Consequently, he explains why such a people should be eternally excluded from joining Klal…

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You shall be wholeheartedly simple with Hashem, your G-d. (18:13)

He was zealous for My sake in their midst…Because he was zealous for his G-d and made atonement for the Bnei Yisrael. (25:11,13)

Pinchas ben Elazar ben Aharon Ha’kohen turned back My wrath from upon the Bnei Yisrael. (25:11)

Moshe could not enter the Ohel Moed, for the cloud rested upon it. (40:35)

And Cham saw…his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers. And Shem and Yafes took a garment…and covered the nakedness of their father and their faces were backward. (9:22,23)

And the earth had become corrupt before G-d, and the earth became filled with violence. (6:11)

Something like an affliction has appeared to me in the house. (14:35)

Avram took his wife Sarai and Lot, his brother’s son… And the souls they made in Charan. (12:5)

“When you take a census of Bnei Yisrael according to their numbers, every man shall give an atonement for his soul.” (30:12)

An Amoni or Moavi shall not enter the congregation of Hashem…Because of the fact that they did not greet you with bread and water…And because he hired Bilaam ben Be’or….to curse you. (23:4,5)

YEARS

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