Derech Eretz – Page 55 – Peninim on the Torah

If you buy a Jewish bondsman…If a man will sell his daughter as a bondswoman…one who strikes a man who dies, shall surely be put to death. (21:2,7,12)

The sequence of laws that mark the beginning of Parashas Mishpatim begs elucidation. There must be a good reason that the Torah chose the laws of eved Ivri to open the parsha. Furthermore, what relationship exists between eved Ivri and murder? Horav Nissan Alpert, zl, notes that the underlying theme of this parsha is kavod ha’brios, the dignity of man. This theme is reinforced throughout the parsha. In fact, the punishments that are to be meted out are in accordance with the sin of degrading another human being’s rights. This is the best way to correct the damage, to repair…

Home -> 5759 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5759

And you shall teach them diligently unto your children. (6:7)

In a departure from the literal translation, Rashi defines “banecha,” which is usually translated as “your children, ” to mean “talmidecha,” your students. Why is this? We are taught that the respect for a rebbe, Torah teacher, takes precedence over respecting one’s father. One is obligated to show a greater degree of respect towards his rebbe than towards his father. Why would the Torah analogize a rebbe’s Torah-teaching to a father and son relationship? Moreover, we find that Elisha referred to his rebbe, Eliyahu Hanavi, as “Avi, Avi,” “My father, My father.” If a rebbe is to be held in…

Home -> 5759 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5759

And this is the law which Moshe set/placed before the Bnei Yisrael. (4:44)

Chapel suggest that the word, “sam”, “placed,” with the Hebrew letter “sin” alludes to another Hebrew word with a similar sound, whose meaning is completely different. Sam ha’maves and sam ha’chaim, a potion whose effects are either therapeutic or deadly in nature. That is like Torah. To the one who is zocheh, merits, it is a potion that can engender life, that can have far-reaching benefits. For the one who is not zocheh, an encounter with Torah can be fatal. Moreover, Chapel say that it is the actual Torah which is “naasis lo,” becomes for him a deadly potion. Imagine,…

Home -> 5759 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5759

You shall come to the Kohanim, the Leviim, and to the Judge who will be in those days. (17:9)

Rashi explains that we are required to listen specifically to the shofet/spiritual leader of our day. Horav Simcha Bunim m’Peshischa, zl, cited the Baal Shem Tov, zl, who, prior to his death, remarked that Hashem has selected ten different types of spiritual leadership: Neviim, prophets; Shoftim/Zekeinim, judges/Elders; Melachim, kings; Kohanim; Tannaim; Amoraim; Nesiim; Gaonim; Rabbanim; and the last have been the tzaddikim, righteous Jews of every generation. The Baal Shem asserted that he initiated the last hanhagah, form of leadership, that would precede the advent of Moshiach. The Satan once asked the Heavenly Tribunal, “How do these tzaddikim distinguish themselves…

Home -> Devarim -> 5759

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Devarim

These are the words that Moshe spoke… All of you approached me. (1:1,22)

Moshe begins his rebuke of Klal Yisrael. He alludes to a number of sins, most of them by “remez,” hinting. He does not want to embarrass the people. He seeks to preserve their dignity. Why should the Torah list all of the details? He does this for most – except for two sins. Twice Moshe goes into detail, describing their error, how it began and what the consequences were. He agonizes about how they requested new judges. They would rather appeal their litigation to Moshe’s “students” than to the “teacher” himself. Moshe relates how his acquiescence to their request brought…

Home -> Devarim -> 5759

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Devarim

I said to you at the time… Let yourselves – wise, understanding men, known to your tribes, and I will place them at your head. And you answered me and said, “This thing which you have proposed to do is good.” (1:9,13,14)

Chazal view Moshe Rabbeinu’s words as a critique of Klal Yisrael. They should have answered, “Moshe, our teacher! From whom is it better to learn: From you or from your disciple? Surely from you, who exerted yourself so over the Torah.” Moshe understood what motivated their silence. They assumed that it would be easier to sway a judge who was one of them to their point of view. This type of attitude is not novel. Everybody wishes to face a judge whom they think will readily acquiesce to their point of view. One area of Moshe’s critique needs explaining. It…

Home -> 5759 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5759

And Yaakov became very frightened, and it distressed him. (32:8)

Simply, Yaakov Avinu was concerned about the potential for Eisav to harm him and his family. Rashi explains that Yaakov was afraid that he would be killed. He was also distressed that he would be victorious in the ensuing battle and kill others in the process. The Ralbag comments that since distress is a stronger form of fear than fright, the prospect of killing another human being was more upsetting than the risk that he himself might be killed. This demonstrates the remarkable virtue of Yaakov Avinu. In the Talmud Berachos 4A, Chazal explain that Yaakov’s fear emanated from a…

Home -> 5759 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5759

Cham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. (9:22)

Noach’s other two sons, Shem and Yafes, remained outside the tent out of respect for their father. They had no desire to take part in their father’s degradation. Not so Cham, who boldly entered the tent and emerged later to relate the scene that he had witnessed. Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer comments on the depravity of Cham. He himself was a father who should have set an example for his own children. He should have felt different about debasing his father, knowing fully well the impression this would leave on his own children. No, he took pleasure in observing and relating…

Home -> 5759 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5759

In the beginning of G-d’s creating the heavens and the earth. (1:1)

We can translate the first pasuk of the Torah in a number of ways. Homiletically, the word “bereishis” can be translated as “bishvil reishis,” “because of the beginning.” This implies that the world was created as a result of things that are called “reishis,” things that are of such prime significance that the Torah refers to them as reishis. Chazal accord two entities this distinction: the Torah and Klal Yisrael. Using this hypothesis, Hashem created the world so that Klal Yisrael would accept and observe the Torah. The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh adds by inference that one who studies Torah,…

Home -> 5773 -> Yisro

ויענו כל העם יחדיו ויאמרו כל אשר דבר ד' נעשה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5773

The entire People responded together and said, “Everything that Hashem has spoken we shall do.” (19:8)

When the Kesav Sofer was Rav in Budapest, Hungary, a group of lay people complained concerning a certain Jewish banker who refused to close his bank on Shabbos. They considered this an affront to the entire community. “The Rav must take action,” they demanded. The Kesav Sofer was visibly depressed. Such an act of disgracing Hashem could not be countenanced in his community. This man was making a mockery of the Jewish religion and openly insulting the Jewish community. He sent for the banker to appear before him. The banker had no qualms about coming to visit the Rav –…

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If you buy a Jewish bondsman…If a man will sell his daughter as a bondswoman…one who strikes a man who dies, shall surely be put to death. (21:2,7,12)

And you shall teach them diligently unto your children. (6:7)

And this is the law which Moshe set/placed before the Bnei Yisrael. (4:44)

You shall come to the Kohanim, the Leviim, and to the Judge who will be in those days. (17:9)

These are the words that Moshe spoke… All of you approached me. (1:1,22)

I said to you at the time… Let yourselves – wise, understanding men, known to your tribes, and I will place them at your head. And you answered me and said, “This thing which you have proposed to do is good.” (1:9,13,14)

And Yaakov became very frightened, and it distressed him. (32:8)

Cham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. (9:22)

In the beginning of G-d’s creating the heavens and the earth. (1:1)

ויענו כל העם יחדיו ויאמרו כל אשר דבר ד' נעשה

The entire People responded together and said, “Everything that Hashem has spoken we shall do.” (19:8)

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