Derech Eretz – Page 45 – Peninim on the Torah

Their father Yaakov said to them, “I am the one whom you bereaved! Yosef is gone, Shimon is gone, and now you would take away Binyamin? Upon me has it all fallen!” (42:36)

Yaakov Avinu had experienced two tragedies with the loss of two sons: Yosef and Shimon. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, explains that Yaakov was addressing his sons from a practical, Torah-oriented perspective. It is quite possible that the “disappearance” of the brothers is unrelated. There is, however, one common thread between them: both tragedies directly affected Yaakov. He was left bereft of both sons. If things happen repeatedly to someone in a similar manner and he cannot see a clear reason why they should occur, he should not place himself into a position in which it could occur once again, until…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayeishev

As she was taken out, she sent [word] to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong I am with child.” (38:25)

Interweaved within the narrative of Yosef’s sale as a slave and eventual arrival in Egypt, is the story of Yehudah. At first, it seems misplaced, since it does not appear to have any relationship to the Yosef narrative. Chazal, however, explain that Yehudah was deposed from his position as leader over them, because he was not forceful enough to prevent the sale. Had he demanded that Yosef be released, he would have prevailed. Yehudah only saved him from death. For not completing his task, he was punished by Hashem with the eventual passing of his sons, Er and Onan. In the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5771

Eisav took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters… and all the wealth that he had acquired in the land of Canaan and went to a land because of Yaakov, his brother. (36:6)

Little things make a difference. It is striking, however, how these seemingly little things affect various people differently. We will present two examples of how little/minor actions had a negative effect on Yaakov Avinu, while a little act of decency on the part of Eisav earned him incredible reward. When Yaakov met with Eisav, he presented his family, consisting of his wives and their eleven children (see 32:23). Something is wrong – Yaakov had twelve children. Although this took place before the birth of Binyamin, what about Dinah? Her inclusion would have equaled twelve children. Chazal relate that Yaakov hid…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5771

And he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Yaakov, but rather Yisrael, for you have striven, im Elokim and with people, and you have prevailed. (32:29)

In defining the phrase, im Elokim, which should be translated, “with G-d,” we find a difference of opinion among the commentators. Targum Yonasan ben Uziel defines the word Elokim as referring to angels of G-d. Thus, Yaakov Avinu fought with an angel. Targum Onkelos explains that the term Elokim refers to Hashem Himself, while the word preceding it, im, has the meaning of “before,” rather than “with.” Thus, the pasuk is translated such that the word im has two meanings: “You have striven before G-d and with people, “and” you have prevailed.” Horav Aharon Soloveitchik, zl, applies both of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Toldos, 5771

Yaakov was a wholesome man, abiding in tents. (25:27)

Yaakov Avinu was morally and ethically wholesome, attributes attested to by the Torah. He is characterized as “abiding in tents.” Rashi explains that this is a reference to Yaakov’s total devotion to spending his time in the tents of Torah, under the direction of Shem and Eiver. Yaakov did not simply “learn.” He studied with a passion, totally devoted to the Torah. During the fourteen years that Yaakov spent in yeshivah engrossed in Torah study, he did not willingly go to sleep in a bed. This does not mean that he was superhuman. Yaakov slept only when sleep overtook him….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5771

And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her. (23:2)

In his Sefer Chareidim, Horav Elazar Azkari, zl, writes, “It is a mitzvah to eulogize an adam kasher, a proper, upright man, as it is written, ‘And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her.’” This is part of gemillas chassadim, acts of lovingkindness. While it is the correct and proper thing to do, the sequence of events in the Parshah seems out of order. One would think that the first reaction to hearing the news of someone’s sudden passing would be weeping. Only later, after the emotion of the day has settled, does the mourner eulogize the individual, which appears…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5771

Hashem Elokim called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”… “The woman whom You gave to be with me – she gave me of the tree…” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me.” (3:9,12,13)

What really was the nature of Adam and Chavah’s sin, such that it necessitated their expulsion from Gan Eden? Ostensibly, it is because they ate of the Eitz HaDaas, Tree of Knowledge, and this is what is gleaned from the pesukim at first glance. However, Hashem did not banish them until after He had had a dialogue with them. Something in that conversation was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Something ensued from that conversation that made it evident to Hashem that they had to leave. Hashem “searched” for Adam and He called out, “Ayeca?” – “Where are…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5771

When the earth was astonishingly empty, with darkness upon the surface of the deep… G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light… And G-d separated between the light and the darkness. (1:2-4)

Contrary to popular belief, the darkness of which the Torah speaks is not merely the absence of light. It is a specific creation, as it is clearly stated in Yeshayahu 45:7, Yotzeir ohr u’borei choshech – oseh shalom u’borei ra, “[I am the One] Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates evil.” The Midrash comments, “Great is peace, for Hashem did not commence His creation of the world with anything other than something which represents peace. What is this? It is light.” The Midrash goes on to cite the pasuk in Yeshayahu. We must endeavor to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, V'zos HaBrachah

“And of Levi he said Your Tumim and Your Urim belong to your pious one.” (33:8)

Everywhere else in the Torah the word urim precedes tumim. In this instance, the word tumim is notably placed first. tumim represents the idea of temimus – moral perfection – in the highest order. Moral perfection must precede urim – the highest degree of intellectual perfection. In this context, the Torah proceeds to describe the character of the tribe which is destined to bear the “Urim V’tumim.” The intellect is not the paramount trait. Rather, the moral character is the primary attribute. The tribe was obligated to structure a lifestyle which did not deviate from the strict moral character which…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, V'zos HaBrachah

“Moshe commanded us the Torah, an inheritance of the community of Yaakov.” (33:4)

This pasuk, which is so prominent in Jewish life, is the first pasuk which a Jew utters upon rising in the morning and also the first pasuk we teach to our children. Its simplicity is noteworthy; its message is all encompassing. The word varun is linked with the verb arh, to inherit. This implies that Torah is our inheritance, a legacy which is bequeathed from generation to generation. From the first generation which stood at Har Sinai, who experienced the giving of the Torah through Divine Revelation, it is an inheritance. Each generation has the obligation to transmit the Torah…

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Their father Yaakov said to them, “I am the one whom you bereaved! Yosef is gone, Shimon is gone, and now you would take away Binyamin? Upon me has it all fallen!” (42:36)

As she was taken out, she sent [word] to her father-in-law, saying, “By the man to whom these belong I am with child.” (38:25)

Eisav took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters… and all the wealth that he had acquired in the land of Canaan and went to a land because of Yaakov, his brother. (36:6)

And he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Yaakov, but rather Yisrael, for you have striven, im Elokim and with people, and you have prevailed. (32:29)

Yaakov was a wholesome man, abiding in tents. (25:27)

And Avraham came to eulogize Sarah and to bewail her. (23:2)

Hashem Elokim called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”… “The woman whom You gave to be with me – she gave me of the tree…” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me.” (3:9,12,13)

When the earth was astonishingly empty, with darkness upon the surface of the deep… G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light… And G-d separated between the light and the darkness. (1:2-4)

“And of Levi he said Your Tumim and Your Urim belong to your pious one.” (33:8)

“Moshe commanded us the Torah, an inheritance of the community of Yaakov.” (33:4)

YEARS

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