Derech Eretz – Page 59 – Peninim on the Torah

וכי ימוך אחיך ומטה ידו עמך והחזקת בו

If your brother becomes impoverished and his means falter in your proximity, you shall strengthen him. (25:35)

Tzedakah, which is generally translated as charity, means much more than exhibiting one’s generosity towards his fellowman. It is not simply the means for imparting a favor; it is justice, derived from the word tzedek. In other words, “I” have, so, therefore, “you” must also have. The world was created with tzedek, justice, so that all are equal. The fact that some have more than others behooves them to share with others. After all, it is only right. The value which the benefactor accrues far exceeds his contribution, so great is the reward for giving the tzedakah. Tzedakah does not…

Home -> 5773 -> Beha'alosecha

והאיש משה ענו מאד

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5773

Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble. (12:3)

Humility is built upon a person’s assessment of himself. It has nothing to do with his being able to speak up or take a stand on behalf of what is right. A humble person is well aware of his personal ability and successes in life. He just feels that he could have done so much more. As far as his ability is concerned, he considers himself lacking in achievement. With his G-d-given talents, he should have been that much greater. As a result of this self-assessment, one carries himself in a manner incongruous with that of a person who is…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Ha'azinu

“And die on the mountain . . . as your brother Aharon died.” (32:50)

It seems that Hashem is promising Moshe that he will die in the same manner that his brother Aharon died. What did Moshe envy that was so unique about Aharon’s death? Rashi explains that just before Aharon died, Moshe dressed Elazar, Aharon’s son, in the priestly vestments, so that Aharon would have the nachas of seeing his son fill his position as Kohen Gadol. Indeed, we find in Parashas Pinchas (Bamidbar 27:16) that Moshe entreated Hashem to bequeath his position of leadership to his sons. This seems puzzling. This parsha indicates that Hashem promises to honor Moshe’s request. It would…

Home -> 5753 -> Ki Seitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5753

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son that will not listen to the voice of his father or the voice of his mother . . . and they shall say . . . ‘this our son is stubborn and rebellious he will not listen to our voice.'” (21:18,20)

The halachos that abound regarding the ben sorer u’moreh, rebellious son, preclude its practical application. Indeed, in Sanhedrin 71A the Talmud states that there has never been an incident of ben sorer u’moreh which culminated in the boy’s execution. According to the Talmud, the parsha of ben sorer u’moreh was included in the Torah for the sole purpose of study and reward. This indicates the importance of the parsha’s message regarding the proper method for the education of children. Nonetheless, the approach to teaching the specific message presented seems questionable. Why did the Torah not simply state the positive factors…

Home -> 5753 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5753

“And the name of the man of Yisrael who was slain . . . (was) Zimri ben Salu . . . And the name of the woman who was slain, the midyanis (was) Casbi bas Tzur . . . (25:14,15)

The Yalkut Reuveni cites the Ra’mah Mi’Panu, who states that the famous Tanna Rabbi Akiva was the gilgul nefesh (reincarnation) of Zimri. The wife of Turnus Rufus, on the other hand, who later became Rabbi Akiva’s wife, was in reality the gilgul of Casbi. Indeed, the illicit advances which Casbi made to Zimri were “corrected” through her future gilgul’s marriage to Rabbi Akiva. He explains that this is the reason that Rabbi Akiva died in such a torturous manner, by having his flesh raked off his body with metal combs. When Zimri came before Moshe with Casbi, he grabbed her…

Home -> 5753 -> Chukas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chukas, 5753

“And Yisrael sent messengers to Sichon . . . let me pass through your land we will not turn aside into field or into vineyard, we will not drink of the water of the wells, by the kings highway we will go until we have passed your border.” (21:21,22) – “And Sichon would not permit Yisrael to pass through his border, and Sichon gathered together all his people and went against Yisrael into the wilderness.” (21:23)

In this narrative, the Torah relates how Moshe requested Sichon’s permission for Am Yisrael to pass through his land. He promised Sichon that nothing would be touched and no one would be harmed. Sichon’s response was swift and emphatic. He not only prohibited their entry, but he subsequently waged war against them. This reaction is puzzling! What fear gripped Sichon that caused such terrifying concern, catalyzing his immediate attack on the Jews? They were not his enemies. It was not their desire to ravage his country. They were basically peace loving people who wanted access to their promised land. Horav…

Home -> 5753 -> Korach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5753

“And Korach took.” (16:1)

Korach’s downfall at least partially originated in his own logistic approach to Torah law. His lack of respect for Moshe, which was a result of his overwhelming jealousy, caused him to judge right and wrong without consulting his teachers. This divergence from the halachic process contributed to Korach’s total rejection of the Torah way. Rashi cites an example of Korach’s distorted approach to Torah law. He clad his followers in garments made entirely of techeles, blue wool. They came before Moshe, questioning if a garment made entirely of blue wool requires tzitzis. Moshe undoubtedly responded that tzitzis is a requirement…

Home -> 5753 -> Shelach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5753

“And the whole congregation said to stone them with stones.” (14:10)

The Talmud in Sotah 35a says that they never aimed the stones at the men, rather they threw them in the direction of Heaven. There seems to be a dispute about what occured – were the stones originally aimed at Heaven? Or, rather, did Hashem’s Cloud of Glory descend and “catch” the stones? We may suggest a homiletic rendering of this Chazal. Bnei Yisrael chose to hurl stones at their leaders, because of their “dissenting” views. They did not realize, however, that hurling “stones” or other epithets at Gedolei Yisrael is tantamount to hurling stones at Heaven! Our Torah leaders…

Home -> 5753 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5753

“Have I conceived this entire nation?” (11:12)

The Sforno explains Moshe’s statement in the following manner. A father can guide his sons even when their opinions differ. This is due to the sons’ perception that their father love’s them. Therefore, the sons attribute positive motivations to the fathers’ leadership. Klal Yisrael, however, did not trust Moshe. They were suspicious of his behavior. This lack of trust undermined Moshe’s attempts to effectively lead Bnei Yisrael. In his unparalled humility, Moshe reinforced his perception of his shortcomings and inability to evoke Klal Yisrael’s trust. The Sforno offers an invaluable lesson in education, which is applicable both to the home…

Home -> 5753 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5753

“On the second day did offer Nesanel ben Tzuar, the Nasi of (the tribe of) Yissachar . . . he presented for his offering.” (7:18,19)

Rashi notes the redundancy of the word chrevw offered, regarding the tribe of Yissachar. In contrast, it is not doubly stated in reference to any of the other tribes. Rashi cites different explanations to resolve this question. Horav M. Wolfson, Shlita, offers a novel response. Nesanel represented the tribe of Yissachar, which was noted for total devotion to Torah study. Indeed, this was their vocation. Their material support came from the tribe of Zevulun, their “partners” in Torah endeavor. This “partnership” could easily cause the ignorant bystander to think that Yissachar, in fact, did not possess anything of his own….

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וכי ימוך אחיך ומטה ידו עמך והחזקת בו

If your brother becomes impoverished and his means falter in your proximity, you shall strengthen him. (25:35)

והאיש משה ענו מאד

Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble. (12:3)

“And die on the mountain . . . as your brother Aharon died.” (32:50)

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son that will not listen to the voice of his father or the voice of his mother . . . and they shall say . . . ‘this our son is stubborn and rebellious he will not listen to our voice.'” (21:18,20)

“And the name of the man of Yisrael who was slain . . . (was) Zimri ben Salu . . . And the name of the woman who was slain, the midyanis (was) Casbi bas Tzur . . . (25:14,15)

“And Korach took.” (16:1)

“And the whole congregation said to stone them with stones.” (14:10)

“Have I conceived this entire nation?” (11:12)

“On the second day did offer Nesanel ben Tzuar, the Nasi of (the tribe of) Yissachar . . . he presented for his offering.” (7:18,19)

YEARS

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