Derech Eretz – Page 43 – Peninim on the Torah

A man or woman who shall dissociate himself by taking a Nazarite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem. (6:2)

The translation of yafli, “shall dissociate,” follows Rashi, who views the Nazir as someone who breaks with society’s norms, seeking to separate himself from the temptations of his environment. It is a noble position to take, one to which not all of us can aspire. Ibn Ezra takes it a step further. He defines yafli as “wonderment.” The nazir is doing something astonishing. It is truly out of the ordinary to undertake a vow that will sever oneself from the taavos, physical desires, which others find so “life-sustaining.” Ibn Ezra is teaching us a powerful lesson: To overcome one’s habits;…

Home -> 5771 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5771

Everyone who comes to perform service (the work) of a service and the work of carrying (lit. burden) in the Ohel Moed. (4:47)

The Talmud Arachin 11a seeks a Scriptural source for the obligation to have song in the Bais HaMikdash. Ten sources are cited and one of them is from the above pasuk: La’avod avodas avodah, “To perform the service of a service.” Chazal ask and others respond, “Which service requires another service? We must say that this refers to song.” An earlier source quoted by the Talmud employs the pasuk in Devarim 28:47 to provide the reason for the various calamities visited on the Jewish People: Tachas asher lo avadita es Hashem Elokecha b’simchah u’betuv leivav, “Because you did not serve Hashem, your…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Bamidbar

And they established their genealogy, according to their families, according to their fathers’ household. (1:18)

The census was executed according to tribe, thereby requiring each individual to establish his genealogical descent from a given tribe. This was done either by document, witnesses, or by the word of the individual. Chazal relate that when Hashem gave the Torah to Klal Yisrael, the nations of the world suddenly disputed His decision. Why were the Jews receiving the Torah and not they? Hashem replied, “Bring Me your Sefer Yuchsin, book of family pedigree, to determine from which nations you descend, so that it can be determined if you are worthy of receiving the Torah. The Jewish People have…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Bechukosai

If you will follow My decrees and observe My commandments and perform them. (26:3)

The opening words of the pasuk – Im bechukosai teilechu, “If you will follow My decrees” – are not addressing the subject of mitzvah observance, since the words that immediately follow are, v’es mitzvosai tishmeru, “and observe My commandments.” Rashi’s observation is well-known: Apparently, Im bechukosai teileichu teaches that one must be amal, exert himself and toil in Torah. In other words, Torah study that is simple “learning,” is insufficient to protect a person. In order to fulfill Hashem’s mandate concerning Torah study, he must labor when he studies and learn with fervor, passion and enthusiasm. This is a nice…

Home -> Behar -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Behar

If your brother becomes impoverished with you and is sold to you; you shall not work him with slave labor…you shall not subjugate him through hard labor. (25:39,43)

The Torah includes topics which some members of contemporary society might feel are no longer pertinent. They are wrong. Every word of the Torah has relevance and application today, as it did then. In his volume of divrei Torah from the Rosh Yeshivah, Horav Avraham Pam, zl, Rabbi Sholom Smith illustrates how Rav Pam applied the laws concerning eved Ivri, the Jewish bondsman to contemporary issues. There are two circumstances in which a Jew would sell himself as a slave to another Jew. In Parashas Mishpatim (Shemos 22:2), the Torah addresses the eved who is nimkar b’geneivaso, “he shall be…

Home -> 5771 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5771

You shall not make a cut in your flesh for the dead…My Shabbosos you shall observe and My Sanctuary shall you revere. I am Hashem. Do not turn to [the sorcery of] the Ovos and Yidonim (those who claim to speak with the dead). (19:28, 30, 31)

There is no way of getting around it: the death of a loved one is one of life’s most crippling experiences. This is especially true of a parent’s death – regardless of his or her age. Respect for parents and the deceased has long been one of the hallmarks of Judaism. When a parent passes on to the World of Truth, the surviving family reacts with grief, followed by public displays of reverence. The family observes shivah, the seven-day mourning period. Sons recite Kaddish for eleven months following a parent’s death. It is a time when one is able to…

Home -> 5771 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5771

After the death of Aharon’s two sons, when they approached before Hashem, and they died. (16:1)

The Midrash says that when Iyov heard about the tragic deaths of Aharon HaKohen’s two sons, he said, Af l’zos yecherad libi v’yitar mimkomo, “Even for this, my heart trembles and it leaps from its place” (Iyov 37:1). Iyov had suffered as no other man. He believed that he did not deserve to suffer such extreme pain and misery. He felt that had led a virtuous and pious life, and had not done anything wrong – certainly nothing of the caliber to warrant such serious punishment. Iyov claimed that the physical/emotional pain of losing his children and his possessions paled in…

Home -> 5771 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Metzora, 5771

This is the law for every tzaraas affliction… to rule/teach about which day it is impure and on which day it is purified. (14:54,57)

Toras Kohanim quotes Chanina ben Chachinai who asks why the Torah uses the word, l’horos, which primarily means “to teach.” He explains that a Kohen may not view and determine the contamination of a plague unless he had first been taught by his rebbe. It is no different than a medical student who must be taught the various intricacies of medicine “hands on”. The above issue is reflected in recent rabbinic discussions concerning the halachic attitude towards the time-honored approach to medical education of bedside rounds. This involves performing activities of clinical care at a patient’s bedside. The Netziv, zl, focuses on…

Home -> -> Vayikra

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayikra

If an individual person from among the people of the land shall sin unintentionally. (4:27)

Sin is a deviation from the appropriate behavior expected of a Jew. When one sins, he is off the mark, missing the target of the area upon which he is supposed to focus. This is one circumstance in which being a poor marksman is a serious liability. There is sin which is intentional, and there is the instance where one unintentionally deviates from the focus of the target. Somehow, he forgot, did not think, or was the product of an assimilated background – he did not mean to stray, but regrettably he did. He receives no punishment. He brings an…

Home -> 5771 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5771

And you, bring near to yourself Aharon your brother… from amongst Bnei Yisrael to minister to Me. (28:1)

We wonder why Aharon received the position of Kohen Gadol, High Priest, as opposed to Moshe Rabbeinu, who was clearly the greatest Jew at the time. The Maggid, zl, m’Dubno gives a practical reason for this selection. The purpose of the Kohen Gadol is kaparah. He is the one who atones for the sins of the people and who must execute that service. Such a person must be from among the people – someone who understands them, whose appreciation of the average Jew is profound. One who understands their many foibles and misgivings is able to make sense of their errant…

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A man or woman who shall dissociate himself by taking a Nazarite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem. (6:2)

Everyone who comes to perform service (the work) of a service and the work of carrying (lit. burden) in the Ohel Moed. (4:47)

And they established their genealogy, according to their families, according to their fathers’ household. (1:18)

If you will follow My decrees and observe My commandments and perform them. (26:3)

If your brother becomes impoverished with you and is sold to you; you shall not work him with slave labor…you shall not subjugate him through hard labor. (25:39,43)

You shall not make a cut in your flesh for the dead…My Shabbosos you shall observe and My Sanctuary shall you revere. I am Hashem. Do not turn to [the sorcery of] the Ovos and Yidonim (those who claim to speak with the dead). (19:28, 30, 31)

After the death of Aharon’s two sons, when they approached before Hashem, and they died. (16:1)

This is the law for every tzaraas affliction… to rule/teach about which day it is impure and on which day it is purified. (14:54,57)

If an individual person from among the people of the land shall sin unintentionally. (4:27)

And you, bring near to yourself Aharon your brother… from amongst Bnei Yisrael to minister to Me. (28:1)

YEARS

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