Emes – Page 78 – Peninim on the Torah

And the Kohen shall look at the plague in the skin of the flesh (13:3)

Tzara’as, which is inappropriately translated as leprosy, was actually a spiritual affliction. One who had transgressed certain sins, such as speaking lashon hora was inflicted with tzaraas. This affliction appeared on one’s body, his clothes, even the walls of his home. One who suspected himself of being a victim of this disease would go to the Kohen in order to be examined. Only after the Kohen declared him a metzora would he be considered tamei and consequently subject to all of the laws of tzara’as. Horav A. H. Lebovitz, Shlita, cites the Midrash which relates a story about an impoverished…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Ki Sisa

“And they arose early on the morrow, and they offered burnt offerings, and they brought peace offerings, and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and they rose up to (play) make merry.” (32:6)

The Golden Calf incident was Am Yisrael‘s first deviation from the Torah path. This was the first time that Bnei Yisrael supported ideals antithetical to Torah values. The relationship between the ideology of these historical sinners and their actions is typical of those who have espoused distorted thinking throughout the generations. The visions and their behavioral consquences are the same today. It is only the names and places which have changed. Horav Y. Galinsky, Shlita, notes the progressive deterioration of Bnei Yisrael’s values from the sequence of events portrayed by the pasuk. First it states, “They offered burnt offerings.”…

Home -> 5753 -> Mishpatim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5753

“And he built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve monuments for the twelve tribes of Yisrael.” (24:4)

Even though this altar was dedicated in the name of the entire nation, each of the twelve tribes was individually represented by a separate monument. Thus, each tribe became obligated to accept total responsibility for the fulfillment of the entire Torah, rather than sharing that responsibility with the other tribes. Hashem has chosen to maintain the individuality of each tribe, so that each one continues to view itself as sustainers of the Covenant with Hashem. Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, suggests two additional reasons for maintaining the distinct status of each tribe. First, Hashem imbued each tribe with unique characteristics, which…

Home -> 5753 -> Yisro

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5753

“I am Hashem your g-d.” (20:2)

The Aseres Hadibros, the Ten Commandments, have been described as the fountainhead of Jewish law. Indeed, it is the most sublime synopsis of human duties; it will never be antiquated. The Aseres Hadibros comprised the first compendium of laws which Hashem gave to Am Yisrael. Contemporary man distinguishes between his visible actions (i.e., the things we do and don’t do) and the actions that are in the back of his mind (i.e., the things that we think of and do not do). We tend to discern between the things we do and the motive behind these actions. This unfortunate situation…

Home -> Shemos -> 5753

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Shemos

“And when Hashem saw that he turned aside to see, Hashem called to him from the midst of the bush.” (3:4)

Horav M. D. Soloveitchik, Shlita, notes the Torah‘s emphasis on Moshe’s “turning aside to see.” Such a wondrous fire burning in the desert should have attracted attention. Moshe, however, was the one who (was) ,utrk rx – turned to identify this unique fire. Moshe sought every opportunity to perceive, to attain whatever wisdom he could grasp. His love of wisdom was a natural result of his search for truth. This is the essence of a true talmid chacham. He is the consummate student of wisdom, always searching to satisfy his incessant desire for spiritual excellence. One who is complacent and…

Home -> 5751 -> Lech Lecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Lech Lecha, 5751

And Avrom took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all their belongings, as well as the people they had gathered…” (12:5)

Rashi comments that the “apb” which they made in Charan, refers to the many people which Avrom and Sarai had the opportunity to convert. Avrohom dedicated his life to one goal and purpose – to disseminate Hashem’s truth throughout the world. Wherever he went and whenever the opportunity arose, Avrohom would spread the word of Hashem. His house was open to all so that he might teach and guide more people in the ways of Hashem. Rabbi Avohu said in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: “Why was Avrohom punished that his children were enslaved in Egypt for 210 years?”…

Home -> 5751 -> Vayishlach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5751

“And Yaakov was left alone and a man wrestled with him.” (32:25)

Chazal state that this “man” was really the angel of Eisav posing as a “man.” On the surface, the story is quite straightforward; the angel waits until Yaakov is alone and then attacks him. However, there are greater ramifications in this struggle between Yaakov and Eisav’s angel. The Talmud relates the word “ecthu” (and he wrestled) to the word “ect” (dust). Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi said, “This teaches that the dust of their feet rose up to Hashem’s throne.” We see from this that their struggle had enormous implications that went beyond the physical aspect. This was a struggle…

Home -> 5751 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5751

“And in order that you relate in the ears of your son and your son’s son that which I have wrought in Egypt and my signs which I have done among them.” (10:2)

Things were witnessed in Egypt that people would talk about for generations. Indeed, in all future encounters nations feared Israel’s potential power because of what transpired in Egypt, yet the Torah tells us that these miraculous occurrences should be told into the ears of our children. If history will proclaim these awesome miracles, why should we then whisper them into the ears of our children? The Torah is teaching us an important lesson. The message of Jewish history depends upon its interpretation. Records of various historical events mean very little. Throughout the annals of Jewish history various miraculous events have…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Ki Sisa

For this man Moshe brought us up out of the land of Egypt we do not know what became of him.” (32:1)

Rashi says: An image of Moshe was shown to them by the Satan as Moshe was being carried in the sky. Rashi explains how the Satan was able to deceive the Jewish people into believing that Moshe had died. The Daas Zekainim states that there were three groups involved in the incident of the Golden Calf. One group intended only to create a leader to replace Moshe but not to make an idol of the calf. A second group accepted the Golden Calf as an idol. The third group consisted of the members of the tribe of Levi,…

Home -> Masei -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Masei

“And the cities which you shall give unto the Leviim, they shall be the six cities of refuge which you shall give to the murderer to flee therein.” (35:6)

The Chinuch states two reasons why the Leviim were chosen by Hashem as the “protectors” of the accidental killers. He attributes this to their being men of great nobility who, by virtue of the worthiness of their activity and the grace of their distinction, were chosen to use their territory as refuge to anyone who kills someone accidently. Perhaps their land, hallowed by their holiness, would effect atonement for him. He suggests another reason for this matter. Since they were men who possessed a good heart, and were renown for the eminent worth of their qualities and wisdom, it was…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Tazria ->

And the Kohen shall look at the plague in the skin of the flesh (13:3)

“And they arose early on the morrow, and they offered burnt offerings, and they brought peace offerings, and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and they rose up to (play) make merry.” (32:6)

“And he built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve monuments for the twelve tribes of Yisrael.” (24:4)

“I am Hashem your g-d.” (20:2)

“And when Hashem saw that he turned aside to see, Hashem called to him from the midst of the bush.” (3:4)

And Avrom took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all their belongings, as well as the people they had gathered…” (12:5)

“And Yaakov was left alone and a man wrestled with him.” (32:25)

“And in order that you relate in the ears of your son and your son’s son that which I have wrought in Egypt and my signs which I have done among them.” (10:2)

For this man Moshe brought us up out of the land of Egypt we do not know what became of him.” (32:1)

“And the cities which you shall give unto the Leviim, they shall be the six cities of refuge which you shall give to the murderer to flee therein.” (35:6)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!