Emes – Page 79 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, took.” (16:1)

Rashi explains that he took himself to one side to be set apart from the congregation to argue against the priesthood. The name Korach serves as the paradigm of one who came with destructive, rebellious scorn, initiating a quarrel with the sole purpose of self-aggrandizement. As the Mishna in Avos (5:20) states: “Every controversy which is for the sake of Heaven will endure in the end, and every one which is not for the sake of Heaven will, in the end, not endure. Which is the controversy for the sake of Heaven? Such was the conflict of Hillel and…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5751

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Bamidbar

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

One of the words at the start of this parsha – “Bamidbar” (in the wilderness) – serves as the name of both the parsha and the fourth of the five Chumashim. Much of the Torah’s narrative takes place in the wilderness, and there Klal Yisroel received the Torah. Indeed, Chazal see an integral connection between the wilderness and the Torah. It is appropriate that this parsha is traditionally read on the Shabbos preceding the Yom Tov of Shavuos. We will therefore, state some of the approaches necessary for the proper and successful study of Torah. The Midrash states that the…

Home -> 5775 -> Vayishlach

קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת אשר עשית את עבדך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5775

I have been diminished by all of the kindnesses and by all of the truth. (32:11)

Kindness is neither an absolute nor a definitive term. Thus, the statement, “all of the kindnesses,” is an appropriate statement. Varied types of kindnesses come in different sizes, shapes and forms. To pay gratitude for all of the kindnesses that Yaakov Avinu received from Hashem is an unqualified statement. There are many kindnesses. Truth, however, is unequivocal. It is conclusive and unmitigated. There is only one truth. There is no “whole” truth versus a “half” – truth, because a half-truth is a full lie! Something is either one hundred percent true, or one hundred percent false. No grey area exists…

Home -> 5775 -> Vayishlach

קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת אשר עשית את עבדך

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayishlach, 5775

I have been diminished by all of the kindness and by all the truth that You have done Your servant. (32:11)

Rashi explains that Yaakov Avinu feared that his merits had been reduced as a result of the kindness and truth that Hashem had performed for him. He was concerned that, since the time that Hashem had promised to be with him, he had become soiled with sin, and this sin would cause him to be given over to Eisav. Rashi seems to be making two statements. First, the Patriarch was worried that the merits which might have protected him had been reduced by his acceptance of Hashem’s favors. True, he possessed many z’chusim, but he was spared until now from…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5775

על כל קרבנך תקריב מלח

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5775, Vayikra

On your every offering shall you offer salt. (2:13)

Salt is the only “food” which (since it is a condiment) does not have its own value. Its worthiness is noted only when it is mixed with other foods, thereby imparting its taste into that food. Horav Yisrael Chortkover, zl, comments that this is why the Torah demands salt to be placed on every korban, as a way of reminding and imbuing us with the notion that there is no value to the Jew who thinks and cares only about himself. A Jew’s true value is manifest when he devotes himself to others. Life is not about living alone, thinking…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5775

והפשיט את העלה ונתח אתה לנתחיה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5775, Vayikra

He shall skin the Elevation/Burnt Offering and cut it into pieces. (1:6)

Arrogance may not be the prime motivation for sin, but a sinner is certainly arrogant. His pretentiousness is the result of an exacerbated self-opinion, which allows him to act injudiciously. A more pronounced sense of self will provoke even greater and more audacious sin, while the sinner thinks that, as a result of his self-perceived greatness, he may act with impunity. One who is humble is careful concerning what he says and how he acts. Hence, his indiscretion is less common and certainly less pronounced. Having said this, the question is: What motivates the arrogance? Every individual knows “himself.” He…

Home -> Vayikra -> 5775

אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5775, Vayikra

When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem. (1:2)

Rashi explains that the word adam in our pasuk is a reference to Adam HaRishon, the first human being, with a lesson regarding the laws of korbanos, offerings. As Adam did not bring any korbanos from stolen property, since essentially the whole world was his, so, too, may no one serve Hashem with anything that came into his possession in a dishonest manner. The Panim Yafos explains this idea practically. Adam HaRishon was last to be created, following the creation of an entire world with its myriad creations. Adam was fully aware that nothing belonged to him; after all, he…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5775

ויפל על צוארי בנימין אחיו ויבך ובנימין בכה על צואריו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5775, Vayigash

Then he fell upon his brother Binyamin’s neck and wept; and Binyamin wept upon his neck. (45:14)

The casual reader of Biblical text, who refuses to look beyond the simple translation and delve into the profundities of the Torah’s interpretation, sees an emotional meeting between two brothers who had been separated for twenty-two years. This might be the case if this were a secular novel and the two heroes were simple people. When an encounter is recorded in the Torah for posterity and the players are Yosef and Binyamin, two members of Shivtei Kah, one must be obtuse to view this meeting superficially. Chazal illuminate the scenario when they tell us that this was no simple emotional…

Home -> 5775 -> Vayeitzei

ויצא יעקב מבאר שבע וילך חרנה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5775

And Yaakov departed from Beer-Sheva and went to Charan. (28:10)

The Torah underscores Yaakov Avinu’s departure from Beer-Sheva. This emphasis begs elucidation, because we know that Yaakov left Beer-Sheva. It is the place in which he was living. Obviously, when one leaves – he leaves from home. Rashi explains that when a tzaddik, righteous person, leaves a community, it is no ordinary departure. It is a major event, because the community will never be the same. The departure of a tzaddik creates a stir and leaves an impression. When a tzaddik is in a city, he is its glory, its splendor, and its beauty. When he departs, these qualities leave…

Home -> 5775 -> Vayeira

כי שמע אלקים אל קול הנער באשר הוא שם

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeira, 5775

For G-d has heeded the cry of the youth as he is, there. (21:17)

Avraham Avinu had a son, Yishmael, who deviated from the derech, path, which his father had surely encouraged him to follow. Likewise, Yitzchak Avinu had a son, Eisav, who paved for himself a path to infamy. Two sons – two reshaim, wicked men; yet, Yishmael repented, while Eisav died as he had lived – a rasha. One might suggest that Yishmael was made of finer spiritual material, better middos, character traits. This is not true. The angel told Hagar that her son would be a pera adam, a wild man, similar to a wild donkey– his hand in everything and…

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“And Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, took.” (16:1)

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

קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת אשר עשית את עבדך

I have been diminished by all of the kindnesses and by all of the truth. (32:11)

קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת אשר עשית את עבדך

I have been diminished by all of the kindness and by all the truth that You have done Your servant. (32:11)

על כל קרבנך תקריב מלח

On your every offering shall you offer salt. (2:13)

והפשיט את העלה ונתח אתה לנתחיה

He shall skin the Elevation/Burnt Offering and cut it into pieces. (1:6)

אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לד'

When a man among you brings an offering to Hashem. (1:2)

ויפל על צוארי בנימין אחיו ויבך ובנימין בכה על צואריו

Then he fell upon his brother Binyamin’s neck and wept; and Binyamin wept upon his neck. (45:14)

ויצא יעקב מבאר שבע וילך חרנה

And Yaakov departed from Beer-Sheva and went to Charan. (28:10)

כי שמע אלקים אל קול הנער באשר הוא שם

For G-d has heeded the cry of the youth as he is, there. (21:17)

YEARS

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