Derech Eretz – Page 41 – Peninim on the Torah

אלה הדברים אשר דבר משה

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

These were not random words; rather, they were nuanced words, carefully selected for a purpose. Moshe Rabbeinu’s life was coming to an end. In a short time he would enter the realm of eternity, where he would repose in the shining light of Olam Habba, the World to Come, the world reserved for tzaddikim, the righteous. Thus, Moshe’s words were parting words, lessons, rebuke, messages all couched in ambiguity, veiled in allusion by implying their transgressions through names of places. He did all of this out of respect and sensitivity for the feelings of the people. Why, however, did he…

Home -> 5777 -> Chukas

לא האמנתם בי להקדישני לעיני בני ישראל יען

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chukas, 5777

Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of Bnei Yisrael. (20:12)

To use the word “sin” with regard to Moshe Rabbeinu is misleading and a distortion of our quintessential leader. Even the word “err” is deceiving, since Moshe neither sinned nor erred – on our relative level. On his supreme level of closeness to the Almighty, his action – or inaction – concerning the rock which brought forth water for the nation, is considered erroneous or, possibly, even sinful. This goes with the territory of leadership. So much more is expected of a person when he achieves such spiritual distinction; the exactitude that is demanded of him can be his undoing….

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5777

אם בחקתי תלכו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5777, Bechukosai

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

Rashi interprets “following” in Hashem’s decree as, Shetiheyu ameilim baTorah, “You will toil in Torah; engage in intensive Torah study.” If one studies Torah in a lackadaisical manner, it undermines the importance of Torah. One does not take chances; his mind will not wander when he is holding dynamite. He will be very careful. Likewise, one who lacks the respect for the Torah as manifest by his lack of intensity, will ultimately reject the Torah and everything for which it stands. Horav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, zl, was a gadol, Torah giant, whose ameilus, toil, was evident when he gave shiur,…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5777

ביום הכותי כל בכור בארץ מצרים הקדשתי לי כל בכור בישראל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5777, Bamidbar

On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified every firstborn in Yisrael for Myself. (3:13)

The Torah teaches that, on that fateful Pesach night when the Egyptian firstborn were slain by Hashem, the Jewish firstborn were consecrated to Hashem, to serve Him in the Temple. Should Jewish firstborns be singled out for a life of consecrated service just because their Egyptian counterparts were designated for death? The Alter, zl, m’Slabodka, Horav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, explains that the night of makkas bechoros – when the Egyptian firstborn died during the tenth plague to strike Egypt – it was a night of severe anxiety and tension for the Jewish firstborn. Wherever they went, they saw the bodies…

Home -> 5777 -> Balak

כי מראש צרים אראנו ומגבעות אשורנו הן עם לבדד ישכן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5777

For from its origins, I see it rock-like, and from hills, I do see it. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude. (23:9)

Tzurim is a reference to our Avos, Patriarchs. Gevaos refer, to our Imahos, Matriarchs. Meirosh tzurim er’eenu; I see the roots of this nation. They are firmly anchored in the tzurim and geva’os, Patriarchs and Matriarchs. It is part of their DNA. Hen am levadad yishkon. They are different in the sense that they live away from the pagans. They dress differently, eat differently, maintain a different set of morals. Bilaam was amazed by Klal Yisrael’s ability to retain their exclusivity. They stood out in a world that was so different from theirs. They dressed with tznius, retaining a sense…

Home -> 5777 -> Kedoshim

מפני שיבה תקום והדרת פני זקן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5777

In the presence of an old person shall you rise and you shall honor the presence of a sage. (19:32)

In the Talmud Kiddushin 32b, a Tannaic dispute is presented concerning a zakein ashmai, iniquitous elder, whether if one must honor him or not. Rashi is the one who defines ashmai as iniquitous. Tosfos disputes this, since it is a mitzvah not to respect an iniquitous elder. Such a person warrants disrespect. Therefore, Rabbeinu Tam explains ashmai to mean a boor, an ignoramus, one who is otherwise unworthy of respect. Nonetheless, since when are we enjoined to respect an ignoramus, simply due to his advanced age? One must earn respect, be worthy of the reverence accorded him by others. True,…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Ha'azinu

For they are a nation bereft of counsel, and there is no discernment in them. (32:28)

One would think that an individual who is unable to render sound advice lacks discernment. There is a reason we refer to it as “sage” advice. One who “can” renders advice. One who is unable to determine, make distinction or perceive, is not one from whom we seek advice. If so, the pasuk is redundant. “For they are a nation bereft of counsel” – means that they are too foolish to recognize their own conceit. Why does the Torah add that “there is no discernment in them”? Obviously, they are not rocket scientists if they cannot figure out the course…

Home -> 5771 -> Nitzavim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5771

And you will return unto Hashem, your G-d, and listen to His voice, according to everything that I command you today. (30:2)

Ideal repentance is not motivated by fear, but by love, preceded by an intellectual appreciation of what a Torah way of life revolving around a profound belief in Hashem can do for a person. Unquestionably, Teshuvah, return/repentance, is a major step for anyone to undertake. This is, of course, especially true when one returns from a life of total assimilation and alienation. A word of warning, however, is in order: Teshuvah is much more than a step. It is a lifelong process that must continually grow as one’s commitment becomes stronger and more concrete. All too often, people begin the…

Home -> 5771 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5771

The Kohen shall approach and speak to the people. And he shall say to them, “Hear, O’ Yisrael, today you are coming near to the battle against your enemies; let your heart not be faint; do not be afraid; do not panic; and do not break down before them.” (20:2,3)

There is a well-known passage in the Talmud Berachos 5a which addresses the strategy one should employ upon being confronted by man’s greatest enemy from within: the yetzer hara, evil inclination. Chazal give us four options which, based upon a person’s spiritual level, should assist him in staving off the yetzer hara’s crippling influence. The first approach is yargiz yetzer tov al yetzer hara, agitate one’s good inclination against his evil inclination. Take the yetzer head on, using the good inclination within oneself to overwhelm the evil. If this does not prove effective, Chazal advise engaging in Torah study. If this…

Home -> 5771 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5771

Justice, justice shall you pursue. (16:20)

Rashi explains the Torah’s enjoinment that we pursue justice as a demand that we seek out the most competent, knowledgeable court of law to adjudicate our dispute with another Jew. Sifsei Chachamim adds that, even though the case we have can really be listened to by any decent court of law, the claimant has an obligation to go out of his way to seek the most learned, qualified, impartial bais din available. A din Torah is often “cut and dry.” Reuven owes Shimon, so all that is necessary is a judge who is not “blind,” and who has the courage…

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אלה הדברים אשר דבר משה

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

לא האמנתם בי להקדישני לעיני בני ישראל יען

Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of Bnei Yisrael. (20:12)

אם בחקתי תלכו

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

ביום הכותי כל בכור בארץ מצרים הקדשתי לי כל בכור בישראל

On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified every firstborn in Yisrael for Myself. (3:13)

כי מראש צרים אראנו ומגבעות אשורנו הן עם לבדד ישכן

For from its origins, I see it rock-like, and from hills, I do see it. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude. (23:9)

מפני שיבה תקום והדרת פני זקן

In the presence of an old person shall you rise and you shall honor the presence of a sage. (19:32)

For they are a nation bereft of counsel, and there is no discernment in them. (32:28)

And you will return unto Hashem, your G-d, and listen to His voice, according to everything that I command you today. (30:2)

The Kohen shall approach and speak to the people. And he shall say to them, “Hear, O’ Yisrael, today you are coming near to the battle against your enemies; let your heart not be faint; do not be afraid; do not panic; and do not break down before them.” (20:2,3)

Justice, justice shall you pursue. (16:20)

YEARS

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