Derech Eretz – Page 71 – Peninim on the Torah

“An Ammonite and a Moabite shall not enter the Assembly of Hashem… because they did not meet you with bread and water… and because they hired against you Bilam.” (23:4-5)

The above posuk implies a dual offense attributed to these nations: first, not greeting the Bnei Yisroel with food and drink, and second, for hiring Bilam to curse and destroy the Jews. The question arises, are we to expect kindness and human decency from murderers? We may suggest that when we see murderers bent on destroying a whole nation, it is necessary to be aware of the source of this atrocity. It was not spontanously that such miscreancy was born. Its source is rooted in an enormous lack of human decency and respect. A deficiency in human sensitivity and feelings…

Home -> 5751 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5751

“And it shall be if he says unto you, “I shall not go out from you” because he loves you and your house because he fares well with you.” (15:16)

The Talmud in Kiddushin (22a) explains the word “with you” in every respect of the word. What the master eats and drinks, where he sleeps, in every aspect of his daily endeavor, the Jewish servant must be dealt with and viewed as an equal, and in certain situations as a superior. These laws serve as the basis for the Talmud’s statement of “one who purchases for himself a servant, is like purchasing for himself a master”. The commentators question the apparent contrast between the relationship of a master and his Jewish servant, to an individual and his fellow Jew who…

Home -> 5751 -> Re'eh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5751

“Take heed for yourself that you do not forsake the Levi as long as you live upon your land.” (12:19)

As Bnei Yisroel are about to undertake the settlement of the land, it is significant to note that the tribe of Levi will be scattered among the people. The Leviim will act as the nerves and arteries emanating from the nation’s brain and heart, with the Mishkan maintaining the spiritual link and bond between the members of the nation. Scattered among a population engaged primarily in agricultural pursuits, cattle breeding, and other related industries, such “unproductive” members of the community as the Leviim, could easily become neglected and even despised, if the people fail to appreciate the vital and role…

Home -> 5751 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5751

And He repays His enemies to their face to destroy them.” (7:10)

Rashi explains that Hashem repays His enemies during their lifetime for whatever good deeds they have performed, in order that they be lost in the World-to-Come. This is puzzling. It is known that Hashem does not reward one in this temporal world, since all the pleasures of this world could not measure up to the value of reward effected by the performance of even one mitzvah. Why then are the enemies of Hashem rewarded during their lifetime for their few good deeds. Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz Zt”l explains that Hashem rewards one according to the value the individual places in…

Home -> 5751 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5751

“Since this is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations, they will hear all these rules and say, “this nation is certainly a wise and understanding people.” (4:6)

The various commentators question the message and response offered to the nations which is implied in this posuk. That the very statutes which defy human rationale should serve as the response and the justification of our being to the idolatrous nations that have sunk to the nadir of depravity, hardly seems likely. Indeed, when Hashem gave the Torah with its various precepts, those which we “think” we comprehend and those which veritably are beyond human grasp, the nations scoffed and ridiculed. However, this scorn and derision continued only until we were able to demonstrate to all the contrasting fruits of…

Home -> 5775 -> Acharei Mos

כמעשה ארץ מצרים אשר ישבתם בה לא תעשו וכמעשה ארץ כנען אשר אני מביא אתכם שמה לא תעשו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5775

Do not perform the practice of the land of Egypt in which you dwelled; and do not perform the practice of the land of Canaan to which I bring you. (18:3)

Canaan and Egypt were the two most morally depraved lands in the world. Furthermore, both the area in which the Jewish People lived in Egypt and the area in which they were destined to settle in Canaan were the worst parts of these degenerate countries. The influence of these decadent cultures can be overwhelming. Thus, the Torah warns us to be alert to the dangers which lure the unknowing into an abyss of decadence and immorality. The Ksav Sofer distinguishes between the evil perpetrated by the Egyptians and the degeneracy which was the way of life in Canaan. The Egyptians…

Home -> 5776 -> Lech Lecha

ויאמר ד' אל אברם לך לך מארצך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5776

Hashem said to Avram, “Go for yourself from your land. (12:1)

Chazal teach that, among the many practical issues that concerned Avraham Avinu regarding his departure from Charan, he also had a spiritual basis. In the previous parshah, the Torah records the death of Terach, father of Avraham – when, in fact, Terach died more than sixty years later. Chazal explain that Avraham was anxious about what people would say. His father was at a point in life that an able son would have been an advantage to him. For Avraham to abandon his father at this point in his life would open him up to public criticism, implying that he…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5776

העשיר לא ירבה והדל לא ימעיט ממחצית השקל

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5776, Ki Sisa

The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

It is not uncommon for someone who has struck it rich, who has received the blessing of wealth from Hashem, to think that the world belongs to him. While this is certainly not the Torah way, human nature often prevails. It goes so far that one begins to believe that, if he were not deserving of all of this good fortune, he would not be its recipient. Apparently, he is a “good guy,” who is worthy of this blessing. As a result, a baal mamon, one who has been blessed with wealth, becomes a baal gaavah, arrogant and pompous, often…

Home -> 5776 -> Ki Savo

אלה יעמדו לברך את העם על הר גרזים בעברכם את הירדן שמעון ולוי ויהודה ויששכר ויוסף ובנימין

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5776

These shall stand to bless the people on Har Gerizim, when you have crossed the Yarden: Shimon, Levi, Yehudah, Yissachar, Yosef and Binyamin. (27:12)

As soon as the nation entered the Land, the people were to assemble at two mountains to re-accept the Torah. Twelve commandments would be enumerated, which the people would acknowledge publicly, affirming their understanding that those who observed these commandments would be blessed and those who reneged them would be cursed. Representatives of six tribes would stand on one mountain (Har Gerizim) for blessing, and representatives of the other six tribes would stand opposite on the other mountain (Har Eival) for curse. The twelve commandments which were Divinely selected are such acts that can be carried out covertly. A subtle…

Home -> 5776 -> Kedoshim

לא תעמד על דם רעך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5776

You shall not stand aside while your brother’s blood is shed. (19:16)

Rashi explains that one may not stand idly by witnessing his friend drowning in the river and not save him. Likewise, if a wild animal or a robber is chasing his friend, he must take action to save him. In the secular world, one who reaches out to his fellow is considered a kind person. One who acts maliciously to hurt his fellow is considered a cruel person. The one who does nothing, acts normally, does not want to get involved, is neither good nor bad. No laws enjoin us to be kind. The Torah has a different view. Torah…

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“An Ammonite and a Moabite shall not enter the Assembly of Hashem… because they did not meet you with bread and water… and because they hired against you Bilam.” (23:4-5)

“And it shall be if he says unto you, “I shall not go out from you” because he loves you and your house because he fares well with you.” (15:16)

“Take heed for yourself that you do not forsake the Levi as long as you live upon your land.” (12:19)

And He repays His enemies to their face to destroy them.” (7:10)

“Since this is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations, they will hear all these rules and say, “this nation is certainly a wise and understanding people.” (4:6)

כמעשה ארץ מצרים אשר ישבתם בה לא תעשו וכמעשה ארץ כנען אשר אני מביא אתכם שמה לא תעשו

Do not perform the practice of the land of Egypt in which you dwelled; and do not perform the practice of the land of Canaan to which I bring you. (18:3)

ויאמר ד' אל אברם לך לך מארצך

Hashem said to Avram, “Go for yourself from your land. (12:1)

העשיר לא ירבה והדל לא ימעיט ממחצית השקל

The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

אלה יעמדו לברך את העם על הר גרזים בעברכם את הירדן שמעון ולוי ויהודה ויששכר ויוסף ובנימין

These shall stand to bless the people on Har Gerizim, when you have crossed the Yarden: Shimon, Levi, Yehudah, Yissachar, Yosef and Binyamin. (27:12)

לא תעמד על דם רעך

You shall not stand aside while your brother’s blood is shed. (19:16)

YEARS

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