Derech Eretz – Page 70 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Calev silenced the people toward Moshe.” (13:30)

Calev attempted to still the rebellious hysteria of Bnei Yisrael. Confident that he would continue with the same type of slander as the other spies, the people listened to him when he rose to speak. He began his remarks in an inciteful manner by saying, “Is that all the son of Amram has done to us?” Upon hearing this opening statement, the crowd became silent anticipating a vicious censure against Moshe Rabbeinu. Calev, however, sought to attract their attention. He added, “He took us out of Egypt, split the sea, brought us the manna, and gathered together the quail.” Although…

Home -> 5755 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5755

“Gather to Me seventy men from the elders of Yisrael, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers.” (11:16)

In Sanhedrin 29, Chazal state that these men constituted the Sanhedrin. This group of elders served as the Egyptian taskmasters over the Jews. They were selected for this prestigious position because of their unparalleled devotion to Bnei Yisrael — to the point of self-sacrifice. When Pharaoh insisted that they punish Bnei Yisrael, these foremen opted to be beaten mercilessly themselves, rather than inflict punishment upon their brethren. Chazal derive from the emphasis upon this character trait that one who risks his health and welfare on behalf of Klal Yisrael merits to achieve prominence and Divine inspiration. When Pharaoh selected these…

Home -> 5755 -> Naso

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5755

“A man or woman who shall disassociate himself by taking a Nazirite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem; from new or aged wine he shall abstain …” (6:2,3)

Rashi cites Chazal who explain the juxtaposition of the laws of the Nazir to the laws of the Sotah. They state that one who sees a Sotah in her state of degradation should take a Nazirite vow in order to enforce his abstinence from wine. The Sotah is a woman who has profaned herself by destroying the fidelity of her marriage. She has submitted to her passions by allowing her heart to overpower her mind. Wine stimulates the senses and catalyzes a behavior which, if not controlled, can be detrimental. By abstaining from wine and focusing on the lessons gleaned…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayigash

“Hasten and go up to my father and say unto him, so said your son Yosef” (45:9) – “And behold your eyes see… that it is my mouth that speaks to you” (45:12) – “And when he (Yaakov) saw the wagons which Yosef had sent… then the spirit of Yaakov their father revived.” (45:27)

When Yosef and his brothers met, they reconciled. Yosef quickly dispatched his brothers to bring their aged father to Egypt. He subtly communicated to his father that he still remained his son in the truest sense of the word – ;xuh lbc rnt vf. “Although I am geographically distanced from you, I am nonetheless your Yosef. I never yielded to temptation or capitulated to the adverse influences of the Egyptian lifestyle.” He continued this dialogue by underscoring his ability to speak lashon ha’kodesh, the holy language. “Your eyes see that it is my mouth that speaks to you.” The text…

Home -> 5753 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5753

“For you battled with G-d and with man and have prevailed” (32:29)

Targum Onkelos interprets the angels’ words in the following manner: “For you fought before G-d with man and have succeeded.” Consequently, the name “Yisrael” refers to one who fights “before’ Hashem. Horav Eliyahu Munk, z.l., notes that there is no indication that this name refers specifically to the battle with men. Our strength lies not in our physical struggle with human beings. Judaism’s eternal struggle is within society. Its goal is the establishment of the kingdom of Hashem on earth. In this struggle, however, the Jew does not gather physical weapons of violence. On the contrary, his symbolic armament is…

Home -> 5753 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5753

Complete this week and this one also will be given to you for the work which you will do for me for another seven years. And Yaakov did so. (29:27-28)

We may be puzzled by Yaakov’s passive acquiescence to Lavan’s proposal. Surely, Lavan had no legal or moral claim for Yaakov to work another seven years to receive Rachel as a bride, which their original contract had stipulated. After seven years, Lavan acted reprehensibly towards Yaakov by putting Leah under the chupah in place of Rachel. Yaakov clearly owed Lavan nothing, since he had explicitly stated his desire to marry Rachel. Why did Yaakov accede to Lavan’s manipulation without objection? Horav Dovid Feinstein, Shlita, suggests that Yaakov’s actions were motivated by his sensitivity to Leah’s feelings. He knew that Leah’s…

Home -> 5753 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5753

And Yitzchak said to Avraham, his father, father where is the lamb for the sacrifice? (22:7)

Avraham Avinu reached the pinnacle of avodas Hashem, service of Hashem, during the Akeidas Yitzchak. He was asked to act upon his boundless love for Hashem by demonstrating his willingness to offer his beloved son Yitzchak as a sacrifice. The enthusiasm, zeal, and love which Avraham demonstrated throughout this endeavor continue to serve as an eternal merit for his children until this day. The Midrash portrays Yitzchak as a partner equal to his father throughout this major trial fully aware of what was transpiring. The Midrash relates that the Satan cleverly attempted to lure the pair into failure in their…

Home -> 5753 -> Lech Lecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5753

“And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth.” (13:16) – “Look please towards Heaven and count the stars… and He said to him, “So shall be your seed.” (15:5) – “And I will unconditionally multiply your seed as the stars of the Heaven. And as the sand which is on the seashore.” (22:17)

The Torah metaphoricully compares Am Yisroel to three different substances. Horav Moshe Feinstein, z.l., suggests the following interpretation of this symbolism. In the first analogy, sand serves as a boundary for the sea. The boundary restrains the sea’s overflow and the ensuing damage of human life and property. Likewise, when man is overwhelmed by physical or emotional troubles, he finds it difficult to serve Hashem with a relaxed attitude. Thus, Hashem offers us His blessing. This blessing enables us to restrain these difficulties from overwhelming us and interfering with our service to Hashem. In the second analogy, the dust of…

Home -> 5753 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5753

“And Hashem said, Let Us make man in Our image.” (1:26)

Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, notes that The word “okm”- image– is derived from the Hebrew word “km”– shadow. Man is, therefore, to be viewed as a reflection of Hashem. In effect, the Torah’s statement is a declaration of man’s distinction. In (Avos 3:18) it is stated, “ost chcj okmc trcba uk ,gsub vr,h vcj wokmc trcba”/ “Beloved is man that he was created in the Image; it is a special love that was revealed to him, in that he was created in the Image.” Through this pasuk, the Torah asserts that man is held in high esteem in the eyes…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeilech

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not nor be in awe of them. For Hashem your G-d, He is that goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.” (31:6)

Why does the posuk open its statement in the plural voice -uezj umrg, ktu utrh, kt umntu and closes in the singular voice tk lczgh tku lprh ? What reason is there for this change? Perhaps we may suggest the following thought. A leader’s relationship with his congregation is founded to a great extent in the perspective by which he is viewed by them, and in that respect, his demise is noted by them. Individuals of various stations of life will note their mentors’ passing which cause their personal vested interests to be affected. Moshe, as he is taking leave…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Shelach ->

“And Calev silenced the people toward Moshe.” (13:30)

“Gather to Me seventy men from the elders of Yisrael, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers.” (11:16)

“A man or woman who shall disassociate himself by taking a Nazirite vow of abstinence for the sake of Hashem; from new or aged wine he shall abstain …” (6:2,3)

“Hasten and go up to my father and say unto him, so said your son Yosef” (45:9) – “And behold your eyes see… that it is my mouth that speaks to you” (45:12) – “And when he (Yaakov) saw the wagons which Yosef had sent… then the spirit of Yaakov their father revived.” (45:27)

“For you battled with G-d and with man and have prevailed” (32:29)

Complete this week and this one also will be given to you for the work which you will do for me for another seven years. And Yaakov did so. (29:27-28)

And Yitzchak said to Avraham, his father, father where is the lamb for the sacrifice? (22:7)

“And Hashem said, Let Us make man in Our image.” (1:26)

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not nor be in awe of them. For Hashem your G-d, He is that goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.” (31:6)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!