Emes – Page 43 – Peninim on the Torah

And they wept for Aharon thirty days, all the House of Yisrael. (20:29)

Aharon’s special relationship with all people earned him the love of everyone. When he passed away, every Jewish man, woman, and child grieved. The quintessent Ohaiv Shalom, he extended himself to promote harmony among his fellow man and between husband and wife. The vacuum caused by his death was acutely felt by everyone. We see that Moshe Rabbeinu, the Rabbon shel kol Yisrael, the teacher who devoted his life to educating Klal Yisrael, was not as universally mourned. As the Yalkut explains, Moshe’s responsibility was to judge and admonish, a function that was not always accepted by everyone. Thus, the…

Home -> 5757 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5757

“Blessed is Hashem Who has not withheld His kindness and truth from my master. As for me, Hashem has guided me on the way to the house of my master’s brother.” (24:27,28)

What does Eliezer mean when he says, “Hashem has guided me“? Horav Yerucham Levovitz, zl, interprets Eliezer’s words to relate that Hashem took him by the hand and led him to this place. Hashem did not let go of his hand at any time during his journey. He never permitted him to falter or stray from the path to his destination. Rav Yerucham continues to assert that this concept applies to all of us. If we were each to look back in life, each individual tracing his own unique “history”, we will note that indeed Hashem has guided us along…

Home -> 5757 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5757

And he turned the sea to damp land, and the water split. (14:21)

The splitting of the Red Sea was a remarkable miracle; is there a parallel in Jewish history? Was it truly the only time that water “deferred” to man? Indeed, in the Talmud Chullin 7a, Chazal recount an incident in which R’ Pinchas ben Yair was on his way to perform the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim, redeeming Jewish captives. He came to a river that was impassable. He commanded the water to split, so that he could pass through. The river responded, “You are performing the command of your Master, and so am I. You might be successful in your efforts…

Home -> 5757 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5757

For a seven day period you shall eat matzos. (13:15)

The Rambam writes that matzoh is a reminder of our bondage, representing the lechem oni, bread of affliction, which our ancestors ate while they were slaves in Egypt. It also commemorates the speed with which the redemption was brought upon them. They had no time to bake bread to take with them for this journey. They were, consequently, forced to make matzos, to avoid the delay inherent in preparing leavened bread. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z”l, views these two reasons as complimentary to one another. It is significant to note that Bnei Yisrael played no role in their own liberation. They…

Home -> 5757 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5757

The banner of the Bnei Dan, the rear-guard of all the camps, embanked according to its legions. (10:25)

Rashi explains why Shevet Dan traveled at the rear of the procession. They were the most populous of the tribes. They traveled at the rear in order to retrieve and return any item lost by its owner – who had traveled in front of them. Tosfos explain that any member of the other tribes who was detained for some reason would also travel along with them. Bnei Dan were people of integrity, helping out those who straggled behind – both physically and spiritually. Michtav M’eliyahu emphasizes that they collected the “lost souls” along the road, restoring them to Judaism. Why…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5757

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Bamidbar

And Hashem spoke to Moshe in the wilderness of Sinai. (1:1)

Chazal emphasize the fact that Klal Yisrael received the Torah in a barren wilderness. The desert is a desolate place, void of any amenities. One must subsist on the bare minimum and not indulge himself in empty physical pleasures if he is to succeed in filling his mind and heart with Torah. The emptiness of the desert also symbolizes Klal Yisrael’s reliance upon the Almighty. We were provided with food from Heaven, water from a stone; Hashem’s miracles addressed our every need. We must realize that Hashem determines success in life, both spiritual and physical. The conditions under which…

Home -> 5757 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5757

Behold! A man of Bnei Yisrael came and brought a midyanite woman near to his brothers…And they were weeping at the entrance to the tent. (25:6)

The Midrash states that when Zimri brazenly brought the pagan woman before Moshe, he asked him, “Ben Amram, is this woman permitted to me — or forbidden?” “She is forbidden,” replied Moshe. Zimri countered, “If she is forbidden, who permitted you to marry your wife, since she is the daughter of a Midyanite priest?” Moshe did not respond. This caused the people around him to begin weeping. Moshe did nothing to counter Zimri’s brazenness. Surprisingly, he did not even implore Hashem to put a stop to Zimri’s insurgence. The Midrash adds that Hashem inquired of Moshe, “Where is the wisdom…

Home -> V'zos HaBrachah -> 5756

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5756, V'zos HaBrachah

“So Moshe, servant of Hashem, died there… He buried him in the depression in the land of Moav…. Opposite Baal P’eor and no one knows his burial place to this day.” (34:5,6)

Rashi comments on the seeming paradox that Moshe reported his own death – during his lifetime. One explanation suggests that the last eight pesukim of the Torah were actually written by Yehoshua, Moshe’s faithful student, who succeeded Moshe as Klal Yisrael’s leader. In the Talmud Bava Basra 15a, however, Rabbi Meier states that Moshe, indeed, wrote the last eight pesukim himself. He wrote them with tears. This may be interpreted in one of two ways: His eyes may have been filled with tears as his emotions regarding his imminent demise poured over. Alternatively, his writing fluid might have consisted of…

Home -> 5756 -> Ki Savo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Savo, 5756

“It will be when you enter the land… and you shall take of the first fruit of the ground.” (26:1,2)

The parsha begins with the laws of Bikkurim. It is juxtaposed upon the previous parsha of Amalek, in which we are enjoined to blot out forever the name of our archenemy, Amalek. Is there a relationship between these two parshios? Can we glean a message from the juxtaposition? Horav Avraham Weinberg, zl, who distinguished himself as a student of the Avnei Nezer, posits that there is a serious connection between the two. In fact, Amalek battled to destroy the basic doctrine of Bikkurim. What is the message of Bikkurim? In order to answer this basic question, Horav Weinberg addresses the…

Home -> 5756 -> Ki Seitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Ki Seitzei, 5756

“A perfect and honest weight shall you have… Remember what Amalek did to you.” (25:15,17)

Rashi explains that the juxtaposition of the admonition regarding false weights, upon the remembrance of what Amalek did to us. One who does not maintain integrity in the marketplace, who cheats his fellow man, should concern himself with the reprisal of Amalek. Horav Simcha Bunim Sofer, zl, explains Rashi’s comment. One who cheats in business demonstrates a lack of emunah and bitachon, trust and faith in Hashem. One must believe unequivocally that Hashem will sustain him and provide for all his needs. He determines how much and what one needs, and He provides it. What occurred during the war with…

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And they wept for Aharon thirty days, all the House of Yisrael. (20:29)

“Blessed is Hashem Who has not withheld His kindness and truth from my master. As for me, Hashem has guided me on the way to the house of my master’s brother.” (24:27,28)

And he turned the sea to damp land, and the water split. (14:21)

For a seven day period you shall eat matzos. (13:15)

The banner of the Bnei Dan, the rear-guard of all the camps, embanked according to its legions. (10:25)

And Hashem spoke to Moshe in the wilderness of Sinai. (1:1)

Behold! A man of Bnei Yisrael came and brought a midyanite woman near to his brothers…And they were weeping at the entrance to the tent. (25:6)

“So Moshe, servant of Hashem, died there… He buried him in the depression in the land of Moav…. Opposite Baal P’eor and no one knows his burial place to this day.” (34:5,6)

“It will be when you enter the land… and you shall take of the first fruit of the ground.” (26:1,2)

“A perfect and honest weight shall you have… Remember what Amalek did to you.” (25:15,17)

YEARS

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