Emes – Page 58 – Peninim on the Torah

And these are the generations of Yitzchak, the son of Avraham, Avraham begot Yitzchak. (25:19)

The opening pasuk of this Parshah is seemingly redundant. We are about to detail the story of the offspring of Yitzchak Avinu, son of Avraham Avinu, but first the Torah repeats the fact that Avraham begot Yitzchak. One would assume that we have already been informed of Yitzchak’s pedigree when it was related that he was the son of Avraham. Rashi quotes the Midrash which informs us that the leitzanei ha’dor, scoffers of that generation, individuals who had really nothing else to do but slander and denigrate, claimed that Yitzchak’s real father was Avimelech. After all, Sarah had spent some…

Home -> 5771 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5771

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

The outcry of the victims of Sodom’s physical and mental abuse was too much. The tears of the oppressed seeking liberation from their misery had reached the Heavenly sphere. The Talmud Sanhedrin 109b cites a number of cases depicting the perverted sense of justice which characterized Sodom. One of the more infamous decrees was their approach to hospitality. In fact, the “Sodom bed” has become a catchword for describing a situation where something is made to fit – regardless of its size. The custom was that when a visitor came to Sodom, they would lay him down on a bed…

Home -> 5771 -> Vayeira

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5771

“And Avraham will surely become a great and mighty nation… For I have loved him, because he commands his children and his household after him.” (18:18,19)

The pasuk seems to imply that Avraham Avinu’s z’chus was primarily due to the impact he would make on future generations – his adherence to the Mesorah, transmission of our heritage, throughout the generations. This is enigmatic. Is Avraham not worthy on his own account? After all, he was the first one to recognize Hashem; the individual who was willing to die in a fiery furnace for his convictions; the one who stood up against an entire pagan society to preach monotheism. Certainly, this is quite a résumé to consider! Is Avraham’s only merit the fact that he would pass it…

Home -> 5771 -> Lech Lecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5771

And he trusted in Hashem, and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (15:6)

Rashi notes that concerning Hashem’s promise that Avraham Avinu would have offspring, the Patriarch did not request a sign, while regarding the promise of the Land, he did ask for a sign from Hashem asking: Bamah eida, “How shall I know?” Horav Yeruchem Levovitz, zl, explains this based upon a deeper understanding of the meaning of emunah, loosely translated as faith in Hashem. I say “loosely translated,” because faith and emunah are not identical. Faith is belief without proof, it’s more of a strong hypothesis, while emunah is much more profound. It is experiential. Emunah is derived from the word emes,…

Home -> 5771 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5771

Make for yourself an Ark of gopher wood. (6:14)

The Teivah which transported Noach, his family and the multitude of creations on board is the symbol of salvation. Noach’s Ark personifies an island of calm in a sea of storm. The Chidushei HaRim, cited by his grandson, the Sefas Emes, translates teivah alternatively as “word.” The Teivah of old refers to the words of the Torah and tefillah, prayer, which are contemporary man’s salvation. The Talmud Makkos 10a compares the Torah to the Arei Miklat, Cities of Refuge, detailed at the end of Sefer Bamidbar (35:9-34). When we immerse ourselves in the words of the Torah, and when we…

Home -> 5771 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5771

Hashem Elokim called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”… “The woman whom You gave to be with me – she gave me of the tree…” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me.” (3:9,12,13)

What really was the nature of Adam and Chavah’s sin, such that it necessitated their expulsion from Gan Eden? Ostensibly, it is because they ate of the Eitz HaDaas, Tree of Knowledge, and this is what is gleaned from the pesukim at first glance. However, Hashem did not banish them until after He had had a dialogue with them. Something in that conversation was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Something ensued from that conversation that made it evident to Hashem that they had to leave. Hashem “searched” for Adam and He called out, “Ayeca?” – “Where are…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5752

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Ha'azinu

Remember the days of old, consider the years of each generation, ask your father and he will declare to you, your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

In previous generations, the “Torah world” did not tend to study Jewish history for various reasons. Quite possibly the foremost reason has been the imperative to concentrate totally upon Torah study. This is in accordance with the dictum presented in Brachos 8b, “From the time the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed Hashem only has in His world the four cubits of Halacha.” The essence of His world revolves primarily around the dissemination of Torah. We will also focus upon another reason which is suggested by the Chazon Ish. Jewish history can only be recorded by someone who has the Divine Inspiration…

Home -> 5752 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5752

“And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.” (6:8)

We may suggest that this pasuk implies an important truth concerning the manner of serving Hashem. The Tefillin we place on the forehead represent man’s external focus in serving Hashem. This concept is in conformity with the pasuk: And all the people of the earth shall see that Hashem’s Name is called upon you (Devarim 28:10). The Tefillin we place on the arm represent man’s inner struggle in serving Hashem. This concept can be derived from the daily prayer which we recite prior to putting on the Tefillin: That it be opposite the heart to subjugate the desires and thoughts…

Home -> 5752 -> Va'eschanan

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Va'eschanan, 5752

“Hear, O’ Israel, Hashem our G-d, Hashem is One.” (6:4)

This pasuk has been emphasized more than any other words of the Torah. We are commanded to recite it twice daily, to bind it to us in our Tefillin, and to write it in the Mezuzahs on our door posts. Throughout our tumultuous history this pasuk has been our source of courage, inspiration, and salvation. It has been the first pasuk a Jew is taught as a child and the last he utters before he dies. This proclamation of Hashem’s Oneness has been on the lips of the martyrs throughout the generations as they sacrificed their lives on Kiddush Hashem….

Home -> 5752 -> Chukas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chukas, 5752

“Why did you bring us up from Egypt, to die in the desert? For there is no bread and no water, and our soul is sick of the unsubstantial food.” (21:5)

With this pasuk we are introduced to a rare form of ingratitude. Horav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch Z”l points out that Bnei Yisrael’s discontent turned directly against Hashem. They did not doubt the authenticity of Moshe’s mission, but rather they felt that Hashem’s guidance was inadequate. In complaining about the manna, the miracle food from heaven, they were undoubtedly not complaining about a lack of nourishment. Their grievance lay in the fact that they weren’t eating “natural” food in the ordinary human way. The effortless, albeit miraculous, way of receiving bodily sustenance had become monotonous and tiresome. Instead of appreciating…

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And these are the generations of Yitzchak, the son of Avraham, Avraham begot Yitzchak. (25:19)

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

“And Avraham will surely become a great and mighty nation… For I have loved him, because he commands his children and his household after him.” (18:18,19)

And he trusted in Hashem, and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (15:6)

Make for yourself an Ark of gopher wood. (6:14)

Hashem Elokim called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”… “The woman whom You gave to be with me – she gave me of the tree…” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me.” (3:9,12,13)

Remember the days of old, consider the years of each generation, ask your father and he will declare to you, your elders and they will tell you.” (32:7)

“And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.” (6:8)

“Hear, O’ Israel, Hashem our G-d, Hashem is One.” (6:4)

“Why did you bring us up from Egypt, to die in the desert? For there is no bread and no water, and our soul is sick of the unsubstantial food.” (21:5)

YEARS

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