Derech Eretz – Page 51 – Peninim on the Torah

“And he (the angel) saw that he could not prevail over him (Yaakov), and he touched the hollow of his thigh.” (32:26)

Yaakov Avinu and the angel representing Eisav were locked in battle the entire night. Perceiving that he could not prevail over Yaakov, the angel unleashed his most powerful weapon, one that would surely disrupt Yaakov’s concentration. The Sforno explains that the angel showed him an image of the future leaders of Klal Yisrael sinning. Yaakov’s resulting concern caused him to momentarily lose focus, enabling the angel to strike him in the hollow of his thigh. Since Yaakov’s strength was derived from his complete focus upon the Almighty both in thought and speech, the moment this connection was undermined he became…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5755

“What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me?” (31:36)

Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, notes that immediately upon seeing that Lavan was chasing him, Yaakov sought to blame no one but his own spiritual failing. This is the hallmark of a tzaddik. When circumstances change for the bad tzaddikim instantly introspect, seeking to find fault in their own inadequacies. The simple way out is the one employed by most of us – rationalize and justify, but by all means blame it on something or someone other than yourself. This is not the Torah way. Every situation we are confronted with is a response to something we have done. Subsequently when…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5755

“Give (me) my wives and my children for whom I have served you and I will go.” (30:26)

Yaakov did what few people ever do. He literally slaved for fourteen years to acquire his wives and, ultimately, his children. He never broke down in desperation or depression. He kept on going, resolutely warding off the temptations of his environment. He never deferred to deep-seated anger at his father-in-law for cheating him. He raised a decent family and infused in them a nobility of spirit and pride in being the sons of Yaakov, the future progenitors of Am Yisrael. The interesting point to note is that when it was all over and Yaakov was preparing to leave, with what…

Home -> 5774 -> Vayeira

כי עתה ידעתי כי ירא אלקים אתה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5774

For I know that you are a G-d-fearing man. (22:12)

This was the tenth test, following after nine tests which all had successful outcomes. Yet, only now, after the Akeidas Yitzchak, did Hashem ratify Avraham Avinu’s commitment as a yarei Shomayim, G-d-fearing. If this is the case, what is the meaning of yerei Elokim, G-d-fearing? Does committing to the Akeidah manifest a greater sense of fearing G-d than walking into a fiery cauldron? Horav Nachum Breslover, zl, teaches that one who does not possess an azus d’kedushah, a sense of resolute holiness, who is undaunted by those who stand in the way of his observance, who can transcend the taunts…

Home -> 5755 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5755

“And Yitzchak and Yishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpeilah.” (25:9)

Rashi states that from this pasuk we derive the idea that Yishmael repented and permitted Yitzchak to precede him in their father’s funeral procession. This statement is puzzling. Why did the Torah wait until the end of Avraham’s life to confirm that Yishmael repented? We know that thirty-eight years prior to Avraham’s demise, Yishmael was one of the “young men” who accompanied Avraham and Yitzchak to the akeidah. Why is it imperative to acknowledge Yishmael’s teshuvah once again? Horav Shimon Schwab, z.l., offers a profound insight into the teshuvah process which applies to this situation. Perhaps Yishmael initially repented only…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5755

“And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had born unto Avraham making sport.” (21:9)

Rashi explains that the term “making sport” denotes idol-worship. The question which confronts us upon reading the narrative is: Why was Sarah so inflexible regarding Yishmael’s iniquity? She noticed Yishmael “making sport,” i.e. worshipping idols and she immediately proceeded to request that Avraham drive him from their home. This attitude does not seem to be typical of Sarah Imeinu, who was noted for her proselytizing efforts on behalf of the One G-d. She worked side by side with her husband, Avraham, to inspire a world of non-believers to believe in the Almighty. Her compassion, understanding, and patience were exemplary in…

Home -> 5755 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5755

“Let a little water now be taken and wash your feet.” (18:4)

The pasuk implies that Avraham sent an agent (Yishmael) to bring the water. Rashi states that Avraham should have personally attended to the guests. As a result of his personal non-involvement, when Hashem responded to Avraham’s descendants, He also sent an agent (Moshe) to give water to them. Why is this? The act of chesed, kindness, was performed, albeit through an agent. Why then should there be negative repercussions? The Chofetz Chaim offers two insights. First, it is always more propitious to personally attend to the mitzvah, rather than to delegate it to an intermediary. Second, it is a greater…

Home -> 5755 -> Lech Lecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5755

“And (when) she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes… And Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her (face).” (16:4,6)

There seems to be a distinct correlation between Hagar’s attitude towards her mistress and Sarah’s response. Horav Yisrael Yaakov Lubchenski z.l., suggests that actually Sarah’s attitude towards Hagar had never changed. It remained consistent throughout their relationship. After Hagar lost respect for her venerable mistress, however, she felt abused. He explains this statement in the following manner: Hagar was a princess who had left a lifestyle of wealth and fame to join Avraham in the quest for greater spirituality. She chose to be a maidservant in Avraham’s home, rather than a princess in an environment of godlessness and depravity. Undoubtedly,…

Home -> 5755 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5755

“Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood, with rooms; you shall make the ark. And you shall pitch it within and without… A light/window you shall make for the ark.” (6:14,16)

Horav Aharon Levine z.l. uses the ark as a metaphor for the Jewish home. Chazal explain that gopher wood is actually cedar wood. As the cedar tree stands tall, towering above the other trees, so, too, should the Jewish home exemplify lofty goals and ideas in establishing the spiritual foundation of the Jewish family. The roots of the cedar tree are firmly implanted in the ground and will not yield even to the strongest winds. The Jewish home must also have its perspective on life firmly rooted in Torah hashkafah, philosophy, rendering it immune to the heretical winds of change….

Home -> 5774 -> Va'eschanan

לא מרבכם מכל העמים חשק ד' בכם ויבחר בכם כי אתם המעט מכל העמים

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5774

Not because you are numerous than all the peoples did Hashem desire you and choose you, for you are the fewest of all peoples. (7:7)

Toward the end of the parsha, the Torah describes Hashem’s relationship with Klal Yisrael, claiming that it has nothing to do with our being numerous – because we are not. We are a minority among nations. Because we are the fewest of peoples, however, Hashem has decided to bestow His love on us. Rashi explains that size does not actually play a significant role in determining our relationship. Rather, “fewest” means we minimize ourselves, like Avraham Avinu who said, V’Anochi afar va’eifar, ‘I am but dust and ashes” (Bereishis 18:27) and like Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen, who said, Va’anachnu…

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“And he (the angel) saw that he could not prevail over him (Yaakov), and he touched the hollow of his thigh.” (32:26)

“What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me?” (31:36)

“Give (me) my wives and my children for whom I have served you and I will go.” (30:26)

כי עתה ידעתי כי ירא אלקים אתה

For I know that you are a G-d-fearing man. (22:12)

“And Yitzchak and Yishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpeilah.” (25:9)

“And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had born unto Avraham making sport.” (21:9)

“Let a little water now be taken and wash your feet.” (18:4)

“And (when) she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes… And Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her (face).” (16:4,6)

“Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood, with rooms; you shall make the ark. And you shall pitch it within and without… A light/window you shall make for the ark.” (6:14,16)

לא מרבכם מכל העמים חשק ד' בכם ויבחר בכם כי אתם המעט מכל העמים

Not because you are numerous than all the peoples did Hashem desire you and choose you, for you are the fewest of all peoples. (7:7)

YEARS

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