Emes – Page 60 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Yaakov’s anger was kindled against Lavan.” – “And Yaakov was angry and he argued with Lavan.” (31:36)

The Chidushei HaRim notes that the traits of anger and indignation are mentioned solely in regard to Yaakov. The Torah does not apply this concept to the other two Patriarchs. He describes Yaakov as the Patriarch who excelled in the attribute of emes (truth), serving as the paradigm of “truth for truth’s sake” – the essence of truth. He was therefore the only one who appropriately exhibited anger and indignation. These are emotions which emanate from a source untainted by any form of self-serving interests. Horav Shimon Schwab Shlita explains that when the deceitful Lavan kissed his children and grandchildren…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Toldos, 5752

“And Yaakov said sell this day your birthright to me.” (25:31)

The Midrash cites that Yaakov resorted to self-sacrifice in order to attain the birthright from Eisav. It continues to justify Yaakov’s desire for the birthright. This seems puzzling, for we have no indication of self-sacrifice on Yaakov’s part in order to gain the birthright. The Torah only mentions that Yaakov was able to exact the birthright from Eisav through cunning and guile. We may suggest that Yaakov indeed displayed a magnificent sublime form of self-sacrifice. The attribute which characterized Yaakov, is emes (truth) and he excelled in it. For Yaakov to resort to what seems to be subterfuge, even justifiably,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Toldos, 5752

“Two nations are in your womb, and two kingdoms will be separated from inside you.” (25:23)

Rashi explains that while Yaakov and Eisav were still in the womb, they were distinct from one another. One was established in his evil ways and the other in his integrity. The Maharal asks, are we not taught that the evil inclination exerts its influence on the soul only from birth? Here we see that Eisav was already attempting to “run” to do evil while yet an embryo in his mother’s womb! He responds that Eisav did not simply accede to the effect of the evil inclination. Rather, Eisav was naturally attracted to evil elements. Whatever the case, the…

Home -> 5774 -> Bereishis

ויאמר לו ד' לכן כל הרג קין שבעתים יקם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5774

Hashem said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Kayin, before seven generations have passed he will be punished.” (4:15)

Kayin sinned egregiously, going down in history as the first murderer. He took the idyllic state of Gan Eden and transformed it into a killing field. What makes his deed all the more pernicious is the reason for the murder: jealousy. Instead of learning from Hevel’s act of offering a korban, sacrifice, from his choicest flocks, Kayin killed him. Envy does that to a person, blinding him from seeing what is usually a simple truth that could change his life. Instead, he kills the messenger. Kayin realized too late that he acted disastrously, but he repented. Hashem accepted Kayin’s teshuvah,…

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ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5774

And G-d said, “Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness. (1:26)

The Midrash Rabbah relates that, when Moshe Rabbeinu was writing the Torah as Hashem’s “secretary,” he came to the above pasuk. He asked Hashem incredulously, “Ribbono Shel Olam, why give an excuse to the heretics?” This pasuk appears to imply that Hashem either needed assistance in creating or had partnered with the angels. In any event, it seems to dispute the Oneness of Hashem. The Almighty replied, “He who wants to err – will err.” This statement begs elucidation. There are many places in which we find Hashem doing things – even miraculous occurrences – to prevent people from making…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Bechukosai

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak; and also My covenant with Avraham I will surely remember, and I will remember the Land.” (26:42)

This pasuk presents an apparent change in the sequential order of the Avos, Patriarchs. Rashi interprets the pasuk to indicate that the merit of Yaakov should be sufficient to bring redemption to his children. If Yaakov’s merit is not worthy of effecting redemption, Yitzchak Avinu’s zechusim, merits, will add to the virtue on behalf of Klal Yisrael. If Klal Yisrael is still in need of support, the merits of Avraham Avinu will tip the scale in favor of Klal Yisrael. The commentators question this sequence. Yaakov Avinu is the bchir ha’Avos, the chosen of the Patriarchs, his name is engraved…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5755

“And I should be sanctified among the Bnei Yisrael.” (22:32)

Kiddush Hashem, the sanctification of Hashem’s Name, is the predominant mitzvah of Judaism. We are here for the purpose of sanctifying Hashem’s Name in the world in any manner that we are able to. Most people associate the concept of kiddush Hashem with giving up one’s life as a Jew. Indeed, martyrdom is our heritage and has become a central motif of our religion. The Piazesner Rebbe, z.l., explains that the Akeidas Yitzchak was not simply a test for Yitzchak Avinu; it was the precursor of kiddush Hashem for all Klal Yisrael. The trial of thought and will in which…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Emor, 5755

“Speak to the kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and say to them; in relation to no person may he render himself unclean among his people.” (21:1)

The Torah’s text in its admonition to the kohanim is unusual. At the outset it says “speak to the kohanim, the sons of Aharon,” rather than the usual, “the sons of Aharon, the kohanim.” The redundancy of the word rnt, speak/say, as in ,rntu / rnt, is also noted by Chazal. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., concludes that in this pasuk we deal with two sentences of separate idealogical content. The Torah first instructs Moshe to speak to the kohanim as “Bnei Aharon,” emphasizing their exalted pedigree. They should take special note of their inherent holiness by virtue of their lineage,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5755

“With righteousness you shall judge your fellow.” (19:15)

In expounding on this pasuk, Rashi cites the famous dictum of Chazal in Pirkei Avos, “Judge all men in a favorable, meritorious light.” This axiom is more than good advice, it should be the accepted manner in which a Jew interacts with his fellow man. The Sfas Emes interprets the words “kol adam,” not as “everyman,” but as the “whole man.” If one wishes to find some merit in a person, he should judge him as a whole. He should not focus only upon his faults. Rather, he should look at the whole individual, and he will surely find some…

Home -> 5755 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5755

“This shall be to you an eternal decree to bring atonement on Bnei Yisrael for all their sins once a year.” (16:34)

Why does the Torah emphasize that the atonement of Yom Kippur occurs once a year? This should be obvious. Horav Tzvi Hirsch Farber, z.l., cites Horav Yaakov Charif, z.l., who compared this metaphorically to a sick man whose medical specialist is in a distant city. Whenever his illness becomes serious and life-threatening, they must take him to the big city to have medication administered to him by this doctor. At times, however, the illness becomes so severe that he can not wait until he reaches his own doctor. Consequently, at each station stop along the way, he seeks a doctor…

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“And Yaakov’s anger was kindled against Lavan.” – “And Yaakov was angry and he argued with Lavan.” (31:36)

“And Yaakov said sell this day your birthright to me.” (25:31)

“Two nations are in your womb, and two kingdoms will be separated from inside you.” (25:23)

ויאמר לו ד' לכן כל הרג קין שבעתים יקם

Hashem said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Kayin, before seven generations have passed he will be punished.” (4:15)

ויאמר אלקים נעשה אדם בצלמנו כדמותנו

And G-d said, “Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness. (1:26)

“I will remember My covenant with Yaakov and also My covenant with Yitzchak; and also My covenant with Avraham I will surely remember, and I will remember the Land.” (26:42)

“And I should be sanctified among the Bnei Yisrael.” (22:32)

“Speak to the kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and say to them; in relation to no person may he render himself unclean among his people.” (21:1)

“With righteousness you shall judge your fellow.” (19:15)

“This shall be to you an eternal decree to bring atonement on Bnei Yisrael for all their sins once a year.” (16:34)

YEARS

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