Emes – Page 74 – Peninim on the Torah

ולא תקים לך מצבה

And you shall not erect for yourselves a pillar. (16:22)

The Torah addresses various forms of idolatrous worship which were common practice among the pagans. Horav Levi Yitzchak Berditchev, zl, interprets the pasuk homiletically, adding a practical twist. Chazal teach that This World, Olam Hazeh, is compared to a vestibule before Olam Habba, the World to Come. Everything which we do in this world is but a preparation for the World to Come. We eat and drink, so that we are nourished and healthy enough to perform the mitzvos which will be our access to Olam Habba. Our entire lives revolve around Olam Habba, with life on this world nothing…

Home -> Shemos -> 5773

ויקח משה את אשתו ואת בניו... וישב ארצה מצרים... ויהי בדרך במלון ויפגשהו ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Shemos

Moshe took his wife and his sons… and returned to the land of Egypt… it was on the way, in the lodging, that Hashem encountered him. (4:20,24)

Seven days elapsed while Hashem maintained His dialogue with Moshe Rabbeinu, attempting to convince him to go to Egypt to serve as the first leader of Klal Yisrael. Moshe demurred for various reasons; his unparalleled humility and consummate respect for his brother, Aharon HaKohen, were his primary reasons. Ultimately, Hashem said, “Either you lead them out, or they will remain forever slaves to Pharaoh.” Moshe relented and agreed to go. The Torah relates that Moshe fetched his wife and sons and set out for Egypt. Along the way, they stopped to rest at an inn. It was at this inn…

Home -> 5773 -> Shelach

והיו לכם לציצת וראיתם אתו וזכרתם את כל מצות ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5773

It shall constitute Tzitzis for you, that you may see it and remember all the commandments of Hashem. (15:38)

What is it about the mitzvah of Tzitzis that the Torah, more so than for any other mitzvah, emphasizes that it will engender within us the remembrance of all of the other mitzvos? The commentators render explanations, ranging from the simple p’shat, to the homiletic and even to the esoteric. Perhaps, we might suggest the following: Tzitzis, unlike any other mitzvah, also comprises the Jew’s uniform. A Tallis katan is worn all day. The Tallis gadol is worn during davening, and some righteous Jews even sit in their Tallis and Tefillin throughout the day. In any event, the Tallis is…

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במדבר הזה יפלו פגריכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5773

In this wilderness shall your carcass drop. (14:29)

During their forty-year trek through the wilderness, Klal Yisrael breached their relationship with Hashem, as they committed a number of transgressions. Yet, the Almighty punished the actual perpetrator and forgave the rest of the populace. These were not simple sins. The chet ha’eigal, sin of the Golden Calf, was no simple transgression. Shortly after they left Egypt, Klal Yisrael committed a sin of grave proportions, as they turned their backs on Hashem, Who had done so much for them. They were scared; their leader, Moshe Rabbeinu, was late in descending the mountain, so they sinned. This was no excuse. Yet,…

Home -> 5773 -> Re'eh

כי יקום בקרבך נביא או חלם חלום... לא תשמע אל דברי הנביא... אחרי ד' אלקיכם תלכו ואותו תיראו ואת מצותיו תשמרו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Re'eh, 5773

If there should stand up in your midst a prophet or a dreamer of a dream… do not listen to the words of that prophet… Hashem, your G-d, you shall follow and Him shall you fear; His mitzvos shall you observe. (13:2, 4, 5)

The Torah admonishes us not to listen to the false prophesies of a prophet who encourages us to turn away from Hashem. While the prophet’s message might be very subtle, the heresy is still present. Regrettably, the common man might not see through the beautiful picture that he paints, but false remains false, regardless of the presentation and background. We are told to follow only Hashem, to fear Him and observe His mitzvos. This is the only protection against those who would do us harm. A similar posuk is found in Parashas Eikev, “Hashem, your G-d, shall you fear, Him…

Home -> 5773 -> Pinchas

בקנאו את קנאתי בתוכם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5773

When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

Kanaus, zealousness, is not a trait that one should exhibit indiscriminately. As the paradigm of the kanai, zealot, Pinchas exemplifies the true zealot. He acts definitively for the sake of the community, placing the needs of the klal, congregation, above his own safety and reputation. The kanai is not lauded; dinners are not rendered in his honor, nor does he have a large collection of friends. People are actually afraid of him, never knowing where and when he will strike; what will anger him; what he will see that is wrong. The kanai lives in a select circle, revered by…

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5773

ואמר ביום ההוא הלא על כי אין אלקי בקרבי מצאוני הרעות האלה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5773, Vayeilech

It will say on that day “Is it not because my G-d is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me?” (31:17)

One would think that Klal Yisrael’s acknowledgment of the sins which catalyzed Hashem’s wrath should be considered a sort of teshuvah, repentance. If so, why does it not inspire a reciprocal merciful response from Hashem – instead of continued concealment? Indeed, hester Panim, concealment of Hashem’s countenance, is a harsh punishment. What could be worse than being ignored by the Almighty? Ramban points out that, although the pasuk indicates feelings of introspection and an acknowledgment of shortcomings, it does not represent complete teshuvah. One is definitely on the correct road to repentance, but he is not yet there – not…

Home -> 5773 -> Nitzavim

ושבת עד ד' אלקיך ושמעת בקלו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5773

And you will return unto Hashem, your G-d, and listen to His voice. (30:2)

The Torah admonishes the sinner to repent. The encouragement often comes in the guise of physical, emotional and financial challenges. Yet, there are those who ignore the message, claiming that it either is not addressed to them, or it really is not a message. It is simply “one of those things” that happen to the best of us. Just forget about it. The believer, however, knows better. Nothing “just happens.” Whatever occurs in our lives is meant to be and is most often a call from Hashem to get our spiritual act together. If so, why does the person not…

Home -> 5773 -> Nitzavim

והיה בשמעו את דברי האלה הזאת והתברך בלבבו לאמר שלום יהיה לי

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Nitzavim, 5773

And it will be that when he hears the words of this imprecation, he will bless himself in his heart, saying, “Peace will be with me.” (29:18)

People invariably delude themselves into thinking that it will happen to someone else. One can go merrily about his miserable life, doing what he wants, ignoring the admonitions and punishments that are slowly creeping up on him. When he wakes up from his delusion, it is often too late. Hashem has given him every opportunity to return, but he is ignoring it. While this is true for most, there are those who, because they are under the influence of a misguided leader, sadly follow him until they all descend to infamy. A classic case of the above would be the…

Home -> 5773 -> Naso

נשא את ראש בני גרשון גם הם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5773

Raise the heads of (count) the children of Gershon as well (after counting Kehas). (4:22)

Shlomo HaMelech writes, Yekarah hee mipeninim v’chol chafatzecha lo yishru bah, “It (the Torah) is dearer (more precious) than pearls, and all your desires cannot compare to it” (Mishlei 3:15). Following the census of the Jewish People, Hashem asked Moshe Rabbeinu to count Shevet Levi separately. Their count was carried out according to their sequence in birth: Gershon, Kehas, Merari. After their tasks within the Bais HaMikdash were designated, the sequence changed; as Kehas, the bearer of the Aron Kodesh, preceded Gershon, who carried the Curtains. The Midrash establishes the order of the counting of the Leviim according to the…

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ולא תקים לך מצבה

And you shall not erect for yourselves a pillar. (16:22)

ויקח משה את אשתו ואת בניו... וישב ארצה מצרים... ויהי בדרך במלון ויפגשהו ד'

Moshe took his wife and his sons… and returned to the land of Egypt… it was on the way, in the lodging, that Hashem encountered him. (4:20,24)

והיו לכם לציצת וראיתם אתו וזכרתם את כל מצות ד'

It shall constitute Tzitzis for you, that you may see it and remember all the commandments of Hashem. (15:38)

במדבר הזה יפלו פגריכם

In this wilderness shall your carcass drop. (14:29)

כי יקום בקרבך נביא או חלם חלום... לא תשמע אל דברי הנביא... אחרי ד' אלקיכם תלכו ואותו תיראו ואת מצותיו תשמרו

If there should stand up in your midst a prophet or a dreamer of a dream… do not listen to the words of that prophet… Hashem, your G-d, you shall follow and Him shall you fear; His mitzvos shall you observe. (13:2, 4, 5)

בקנאו את קנאתי בתוכם

When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

ואמר ביום ההוא הלא על כי אין אלקי בקרבי מצאוני הרעות האלה

It will say on that day “Is it not because my G-d is not in my midst that these evils have come upon me?” (31:17)

ושבת עד ד' אלקיך ושמעת בקלו

And you will return unto Hashem, your G-d, and listen to His voice. (30:2)

והיה בשמעו את דברי האלה הזאת והתברך בלבבו לאמר שלום יהיה לי

And it will be that when he hears the words of this imprecation, he will bless himself in his heart, saying, “Peace will be with me.” (29:18)

נשא את ראש בני גרשון גם הם

Raise the heads of (count) the children of Gershon as well (after counting Kehas). (4:22)

YEARS

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