Emes – Page 40 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Reuven returned to the pit, and behold, Yosef was not in the pit!” (37:30)

From where was Reuven “returning”? Chazal teach us that he was engaged in fasting and praying for the sin of exchanging the beds. In accepting his teshuvah, Hashem said to him, “Never from the beginning of Creation has there been an individual who has sinned and expiated his sin via the medium of teshuvah. You began by performing teshuvah first. By your life, your grandson will also stand before Klal Yisrael and admonish them to perform teshuvah first.” This refers to Hoshe’a Ha’Navi whose words, “Shuvah Yisrael,” serve as the clarion call for teshuvah. The commentators ask the obvious question:…

Home -> 5757 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5757

“And Hashem said, “Because the outcry of Sodom and Amorah has become great and because their sin has been very grave.” (18:20)

The sin of Sodom is viewed as the standard of evil. The people exemplify iniquity in its most depraved form. The manner in which the Sodomite acted represents a character trait which Chazal term as middas Sodom; it has its own unique element of evil. Let us focus on their sin and attempt to come to terms with the question, “What was so terrible about the sins of Sodom that has rendered its citizens the eternal symbols of corruption?” The Navi Yechezkel says, regarding the sin of Sodom (Yechezkel 16:49), “Behold this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom; she…

Home -> 5757 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

This is the law of the (korban) Olah, Elevation-offering, the (korban) Minchah, Meal-offering, the (korban) Chatas, Sin-of fering. (7:37)

In the Talmud Menachos 110, Chazal comment that one who studies Torah does not need to bring a Korban Olah, Minchah, or Asham. The Torah study in itself serves as a vehicle for atonement. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, once said, “I thought I would have chassidim who would not listen to the enticements of the yetzer hora, evil inclination, not because they would not want to, but rather, because they would be so involved in Torah study they simply would not have the time to listen!” This may be the underlying message of our pasuk. One who studies Torah will…

Home -> 5757 -> Tzav

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tzav, 5757

Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

Horav Raphael Katz, zl, the author of the Marpé Lashon, infers a profound lesson in avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty from this pasuk. There are instances during a man’s spiritual growth when, with all good intention, he attempts to “jump the gun” and ascend to a higher spiritual plane for which he is not yet ready. A man must build upon a solid foundation of spiritual development. Otherwise, everything he has done–even his previous accomplishments–will lose its integrity. He proves his thesis from the fact that if a Korban Chatas is offered inside the Heichal, the blood is invalid…

Home -> 5757 -> Terumah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5757

“And they shall make an ark of shittim wood… and you shall plate it with pure gold, from inside and out shall you plate.” (25:10,11)

In the Talmud Yuma 72b Chazal emphasize that one must cultivate an inner purity. They derive this from the Aron Ha’Kodesh, the symbol of Torah. It was to be plated with pure gold, inside and out. Chazal infer from this pasuk that “any talmid chacham, Torah scholar, whose inner essence is not in consonance with his outward purity/appearance can not justifiably be considered a talmid chacham. One must be “tocho k’baro,” maintain a symmetry between his essence and the image he projects. All too often, we focus upon our external image and the impression we make upon others, while we…

Home -> 5757 -> Toldos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Toldos, 5757

“And he said (Yitzchak), ‘Your brother came with cleverness and took your blessing.'” (27:35)

Probably one of the most difficult narratives in the Torah to understand, is the one which depicts Yaakov as “taking” the blessings from Yitzchak, through a manner uncharacteristic of someone who is considered to be the epitome of veracity. We do not understand the ways of Hashem. Why did He choose that Yitzchak be unaware that he was actually blessing Yaakov — and that Eisav was actually not fit for blessing altogether. The Zohar Ha’Kadosh comments that this scenario was essential so that the blessing would come directly from Hashem to Yaakov via the medium of the unsuspecting Yitzchak. The…

Home -> 5757 -> Toldos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Toldos, 5757

“And the boys grew up and Eisav was a man who knew hunting, a man of the field; Yaakov was a wholesome man dwelling in tents. ” (25:27)

With these few words, the Torah characterizes the essence of Yaakov and the essence of Eisav. Indeed, it seems that the text pinpoints the predominant difference between the two brothers. One question is readily apparent. Eisav was a rasha m’rusha, evil incarnate. Even before his birth, in his mother’s womb, his wicked tendencies were already manifest. Chazal teach us that when Rivkah passed by a house of idolatry, Eisav gravitated towards it. All this while he was still in the womb! On the day that he sold his birthright, he committed five cardinal sins. Is this a man who should…

Home -> 5757 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5757

“And the Choshen shall not be loosened from the Eiphod. ” (28:28)

Every one of Hashem’s mitzvos is eternal in nature. They are applicable forever. If so, how do we reconcile the mitzvah of not loosening/separating the Choshen from the Eiphod? After all, we have neither a Bais Ha’Mikdash nor Kohanim who serve with their priestly vestments. Degel Machne Efraim responds that the mitzvah serves as an analogy for the middah of emes, attribute of truth. The Torah adjures everyone to speak the truth. At no time shall the Choshen, which alludes to the heart, since it is placed directly over it, be separated from the Eiphod, which signifies the mouth, as…

Home -> 5757 -> Tetzaveh

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tetzaveh, 5757

“And you will command Bnei Yisrael and they shall take for you pure olive oil, beaten for light, to fuel the eternal light.” (27:20)

Upon reading the text, one understands this pasuk to be commanding Moshe to instruct Bnei Yisrael in the preparation of oil for the Menorah. The word vum, however, has a different grammatical connotation. It means that Moshe will command Bnei Yisrael concerning the oil at some future point. In order to convey to Moshe that a command would be issued immediately, the Torah should have said, um, command, which, indeed, it does in Sefer Vayikra. In Vayikra 24:1, Hashem instructs Moshe to command Bnei Yisrael to prepare olive oil. The advanced notice of a command is unusual. Why does Hashem…

Home -> 5757 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5757

He shall dwell in isolation; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. (13:46)

The metzora receives retribution commensurate with his nefarious deeds. He has spread rumors, slandered people, broken up friendships, and caused the destruction of families. It is, therefore, appropriate that he have the “opportunity” to feel some of the pain of solitude himself. Let him see how it feels to be alone, away from friends and family, a pariah whose seclusion is self-inflicted. He is being compensated for what he has done to others. Sometimes it is necessary for an individual to experience the hurt that he has caused others before he is motivated to expiate his sin. We can infer…

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“And Reuven returned to the pit, and behold, Yosef was not in the pit!” (37:30)

“And Hashem said, “Because the outcry of Sodom and Amorah has become great and because their sin has been very grave.” (18:20)

This is the law of the (korban) Olah, Elevation-offering, the (korban) Minchah, Meal-offering, the (korban) Chatas, Sin-of fering. (7:37)

Any (korban) Chatas from which some blood has been brought to the Ohel Moed, to effect atonement within the Holy shall not be eaten; it shall be burned in fire. (6:23)

“And they shall make an ark of shittim wood… and you shall plate it with pure gold, from inside and out shall you plate.” (25:10,11)

“And he said (Yitzchak), ‘Your brother came with cleverness and took your blessing.'” (27:35)

“And the boys grew up and Eisav was a man who knew hunting, a man of the field; Yaakov was a wholesome man dwelling in tents. ” (25:27)

“And the Choshen shall not be loosened from the Eiphod. ” (28:28)

“And you will command Bnei Yisrael and they shall take for you pure olive oil, beaten for light, to fuel the eternal light.” (27:20)

He shall dwell in isolation; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. (13:46)

YEARS

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