Derech Eretz – Page 61 – Peninim on the Torah

“And what are we that you complain against us.” (16:7)

Rava said, greater is that which is said regarding Moshe and Aharon, than that which is said regarding Avrohom. In Avrahom’s case it says, “I am mere dust and ashes,” while Moshe and Aharon said, “What are we?” (Chulin 89) The Talmud refers to the level of humility reached by Moshe and Aharon as opposed to Avrohom. Avrohom felt that he had some value, that of dust and ashes, while Moshe and Aharon viewed themselves as having no worth at all. Rabbi Meir Shapiro Zt”‘l explains the differences between these great leaders in relation to whom they were speaking rather…

Home -> Shemos -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Shemos

“And Yosef died and all the brothers and the whole generation.” (1:6)

The Ohr Hachaim states that the specificity of this posuk is deliberate. The enslavement of the Jewish people evolved gradually in three stages. As long as Yosef was alive the Jews were admired and held in high esteem. After he passed away, the Jews were no longer revered, and were accepted only as equal to the Egyptian citizen. With the passing of Yosef’s brothers this equality disappeared, only to be replaced with contempt and ridicule. However, it was only after the original generation of immigrants passed away that the Egyptians had the audacity to enslave the Jews. From this we…

Home -> 5751 -> Emor

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5751

“And the daughter of a Kohain who profanes herself, she profanes her father, she shall be burnt by fire.” (21:9)

The punishment of death by fire which is meted out to a Kohain’s daughter who profanes herself is doubly more stringent than that which is prescribed for a Yisroel‘s daughter who is executed by choking. The Alter of Kelm Z”tl notes that the posuk itself gives the reason for this. “she desecrates her father’s name.” Kohanim, because of their exposure to holiness and sanctity are extremely vigilant in caring for themselves and their families, are wary of situations where they might become contaminated. The Kohain will make every effort to provide his children with a superior education replete with sanctity…

Home -> 5751 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5751

“And you shall show respect to elders and fear your G-d.” (19:32)

The honor and respect afforded to a Torah scholar and teacher is expressed in the following statement: “The fear of your teacher shall be similar to your fear of Heaven” (Avos 4:15). Chazal in various places have described in clear terms the severe punishments for those who do not show proper respect to their Torah teachers. Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz Zt”l explains that the rationale for this is because improper respect for teachers and elders weakens their leadership and diminishes their overall influence on us. Lack of respect for elders means, in effect, the elimination of Torah leadership over Klal Yisroel….

Home -> 5751 -> Chukas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chukas, 5751

“This is the fundamental law of the Torah… and they take unto you a completely red heifer.” (19:2)

The Midrash relates that when Moshe ascended to the Heavens, he heard the voice of Hashem teaching the angels the parsha of Parah Adumah. Why does this mitzvah assume such an exalted place before Hashem. The following may be suggested. chukim (Divine ordinances whose purposes or meaning are not necessarily understood by human intelligence) and mishpatim (civil laws that promulgate the safety and survival of society whose rationale may be grasped by human intelligence), are two distinct sets of mitzvos. Just as there are two forms of mitzvos, so too are there contrasting situations in life. There are moments in…

Home -> 5751 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5751

“Take the sum of the sons of Gershon, also them.” (4:22)

Many commentators discuss the superfluous words “also them”. We learn from this that in order to achieve one’s true potential in life, a person should not underestimate his own abilities and become discouraged. Very often, people do not “rise to the occasion” due to a lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem. Unfortunately, this often applies to the observance of mitzvos and Torah study; one might say, since I will not be a great scholar, why go through the effort if the goal is unattainable. Similarly, many who are approached to contribute to a worthy cause reply that their donation is…

Home -> 5775 -> Yisro

כבד את אביך ואת אמך למען יאריכון ימיך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5775

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be lengthened. (20:12)

The fifth commandment, to honor one’s parents, is a cornerstone of faith in the entire Torah. Our mesorah, tradition, is based upon a chain that has been transmitted throughout the generations from Har Sinai, where the Torah was given. This mesorah continues through this very day, through the vehicle of the parents of every generation. Each parent serves as a link to his child, maintaining this mesorah when he, in turn, becomes a parent. Without the respect demanded in the fifth commandment, we have no assurance that the other commandments will be observed. Hashem, father and mother are partners in…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5775

וימת שם משה עבד ד' בארץ מואב על פי ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5775, V'zos HaBrachah

And Moshe, servant of Hashem, died there, in the land of Moav, by the mouth of Hashem. (34:5)

The underlying profundity of this pasuk is compelling. The greatest accolade that Moshe Rabbeinu earned for himself is eved Hashem, servant of Hashem. As a servant’s will is supplanted by the will of his master to the point that a servant does not have his own will, so, too, was it with Moshe. Actually, this should be the paradigm for all Jews to emulate – lived for the ratzon Hashem, the will of G-d. Hashem’s will, which was Moshe’s will, should also be ours. Concerning Moshe’s passing from this world “by the mouth of Hashem,” the Talmud Moed Katan 28a…

Home -> 5775 -> Vayishlach

ותמת דבורה מינקת רבקה ותקבר מתחת לבית קל תחת האלון. ויקרא שמו אלון בכות

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5775

Devorah, the wet-nurse of Rivkah, died, and she was buried below Bais-Kel, below the plateau; and he named it Allon-Bachus. (35:8)

One expects the Torah to record the lives of the Jewish nation’s most distinguished, intriguing figures. Indeed, the Avos and Imahos, Patriarchs and Matriarchs, were individuals without peer. Their lives represented the Jewish mission; their enduring legacy is the Jewish nation, who are their progeny. Understandably, their lives obscure the lives of those whose impact on the future was less compelling. We are rarely introduced to one of those “obscure” individuals, a person whose impact on the future of the nation, while not as significant as that of the Avos and Imahos, still left an impression. In this parsha we…

Home -> 5775 -> Va'eschanan

ומשלם לשנאיו על פניו להאבידו לא יאחר לשנאו אל פניו ישלם לו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5775

But He repays each of His enemies to his face to make him perish; He will not delay for His enemy to his face He will repay him. (7:10)

Rashi explains that even the wicked who act appropriately and carry out good deeds will be rewarded. Hashem does not deprive anyone of his rightful reward. There is one difference, however; the wicked will be rewarded in this world. Olam Habba, the World To Come, is not their domain. They will not access their reward in the Eternal World. Their reward will be received in the here and now. The righteous, however, will enjoy the deep-rooted spiritual pleasure that is Olam Habba. Why should the rasha, wicked person, not receive his reward in Olam Habba? Is it reserved only for…

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“And what are we that you complain against us.” (16:7)

“And Yosef died and all the brothers and the whole generation.” (1:6)

“And the daughter of a Kohain who profanes herself, she profanes her father, she shall be burnt by fire.” (21:9)

“And you shall show respect to elders and fear your G-d.” (19:32)

“This is the fundamental law of the Torah… and they take unto you a completely red heifer.” (19:2)

“Take the sum of the sons of Gershon, also them.” (4:22)

כבד את אביך ואת אמך למען יאריכון ימיך

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be lengthened. (20:12)

וימת שם משה עבד ד' בארץ מואב על פי ד'

And Moshe, servant of Hashem, died there, in the land of Moav, by the mouth of Hashem. (34:5)

ותמת דבורה מינקת רבקה ותקבר מתחת לבית קל תחת האלון. ויקרא שמו אלון בכות

Devorah, the wet-nurse of Rivkah, died, and she was buried below Bais-Kel, below the plateau; and he named it Allon-Bachus. (35:8)

ומשלם לשנאיו על פניו להאבידו לא יאחר לשנאו אל פניו ישלם לו

But He repays each of His enemies to his face to make him perish; He will not delay for His enemy to his face He will repay him. (7:10)

YEARS

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