Emes – Page 88 – Peninim on the Torah

“They brought forth an evil report on the land that they had spied… ‘it is a land that devours its inhabitants…we were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so we were in their eyes.’” (13:32-33)

The spies returned from their mission and spread malicious lies about Eretz Yisrael. They said the land was made for huge and robust people, not for ordinary people like the Jews. They failed to realize that they were the beneficiaries of Hashem’s favor. Wherever they went, they noticed funerals going on. Rather than realize that Hashem was sparing them by engaging the Canaanites in funeral preparations, they were quick to charge that it was a land that devours its inhabitants. They felt especially insignificant in the eyes of the giants that lived there. This statement was especially slanderous and pure conjecture….

Home -> 5762 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5762

“The people would spread out/stroll and gather it (the manna).” (11:8)

Pursuit of a livelihood is often an endeavor that consumes a person. One dedicates his energies to chasing that pot of gold which is nothing more than a dream turned nightmare for many. While one should be mishtadel, endeavor, and take the necessary steps to see to it that his material needs are provided for, he must realize and believe unequivocally that Hashem is the Provider Who will supply him with whatever he really needs. We derive this concept from the manna of which the Torah in Sefer Shemos 16:17-18 writes, “Bnei Yisrael gathered (the manna), those who took more and…

Home -> 5762 -> Beha'alosecha

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5762

“We are journeying to the place about which Hashem had said, ‘I shall give it to you.’ Go with us, and we shall treat you well.” (10:29)

As Klal Yisrael “packed up” in preparation for their long journey through the wilderness, a journey that was to last forty years, Moshe Rabbeinu had a conversation with his father-in-law, Yisro: “Please join us on our journey,” Moshe implored Yisro. The wise father-in- law responded in the negative: “I am going home to my land and the place of my birth.” But Moshe did not give up, “Please do not forsake us, inasmuch as you know our encampment in the wilderness, and you have been as eyes for us. We need your assistance, your perspective, your advice.” The Yalkut Shimoni interprets…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Bechukosai

“If you will follow My decrees.” (26:3)

Rashi understands the concept of following Hashem’s decrees as engaging in intensive Torah study. Ameilus, toil, in Torah is a critical aspect of Torah study. The Taz in Orach Chaim 47 writes, “The Torah is retained only by he that toils in it diligently and with great intensity. Those who study Torah casually – amid comfort and without toil – will not retain it.” The study of Torah is unlike any other scholarly pursuit. For a Jew, it is his lifeblood and must be viewed as such. Horav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, z.l., explains that one who toils in an endeavor or…

Home -> Behar -> 5762

ולא תונו איש את עמיתו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Behar

“Each one of you shall not aggrieve his fellow.” (25:17)

The Sefer Yereim contends that just as there is an admonition against onaas devarim, hurting a person with words, saying something to him that disconcerts and makes him feel bad, there is also an enjoinment against looking at someone with a bad/evil look. The way we look at someone – be it with disdain, scorn, or hatred – can and does hurt. Onaas mamone is the prohibition against cheating someone financially. It is a surreptitious form of stealing. In truth, one only fools himself. Horav Menachem Mendel, z.l., m’Varko, said, “According to Halachah, one should not cheat another Jew. Lifnim meshuras…

Home -> 5762 -> Kedoshim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Kedoshim, 5762

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

We judge people all of the time. Interestingly, to become a judge, one must have training. He must have profound knowledge of the law coupled with an acute understanding of people. Yet, we sit in judgment of people – all of the time. We certainly are not qualified for this position. Chazal teach us that in addition to its simple meaning, our pasuk is teaching us to be dan l’kaf zchus, give everyone the benefit of doubt. Regrettably, this does not coincide with human nature. The average person judges people according to his proclivity towards them. Horav Yaakov Beifus, Shlita, cites…

Home -> 5762 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5762

“You shall observe My decrees and My laws, which man shall carry out and by which he shall live.” (18:5)

Targum Onkelos explains the words, V’chai bahem, “by which he shall live,” as referring to chayei alma, eternal life. In other words, as the Chafetz Chaim, z.l., explains in his preface to the Mishnah Berurah, the Torah is the spiritual food of the neshamah, soul. By studying Torah in this world, we are preparing ourselves for chayei olam, eternal life in Olam Haba. This is the meaning of the phrase, V’chayei olam nota b’socheinu, “He planted eternal life within us.” With the study of Torah, we plant the seeds from which we will one day subsist in the eternal world. We…

Home -> 5762 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5762

“If a tzaraas affliction will be in a person.” (13:9)

The laws of tzaraas, a spiritual malady which manifests itself in a physical illness which mimics leprosy, is the result of “speech problems.” People who do not use their God-given tongues appropriately, such that they disparage and slander, are visited with tzaraas. Volumes have been written addressing the sin of lashon hara, evil speech. What about lashon tov, good speech, positive speech, words that heal and soothe? The power of speech is a special gift that we must learn to appreciate. A good word can lift a spirit and save a life. How often do we regret not saying the right…

Home -> 5762 -> Tazria

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5762

“On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (12:3)

One day the Sefas Emes asked one of his close chassidim to take his two young sons, (Rav) Avraham Mordechai and (Rav) Moshe Betzalel, to a certain Jew in Warsaw for a brachah, blessing. The person left the next day in search of this Jew whom he assumed must certainly be a famous tzaddik, righteous man. He arrived in Warsaw and, after some inquiry, he discovered that the individual he sought was actually a simple, common Jew. The man, indeed, had no idea why the famous Rebbe of Gur would send his two sons to him for a blessing. Yet, at…

Home -> Pekudei -> 5762

אלה פקודי המשכן משכן העדת

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Pekudei

“These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle of Testimony.” (38:21)

Lecha Hashem ha’gedulah…, “Yours, Hashem, is the greatness, the strength, the splendor, the triumph, and the glory, even everything in Heaven and earth” (Divrei HaYamim I, 29:11). In Midrash Tanchuma, Chazal suggest that this pasuk – which we recite daily in the Va’yivarech David prayer – alludes to the fact that the building of the Mishkan had a profound relationship with the creation of Heaven and earth. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., renders a penetrating interpretation of this Midrash, which we take the liberty of citing. On the First Day of Creation, Hashem created Shomayim va’aretz, “Heaven and earth.” This creation…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Shelach ->

“They brought forth an evil report on the land that they had spied… ‘it is a land that devours its inhabitants…we were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so we were in their eyes.’” (13:32-33)

“The people would spread out/stroll and gather it (the manna).” (11:8)

“We are journeying to the place about which Hashem had said, ‘I shall give it to you.’ Go with us, and we shall treat you well.” (10:29)

“If you will follow My decrees.” (26:3)

ולא תונו איש את עמיתו

“Each one of you shall not aggrieve his fellow.” (25:17)

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

“You shall observe My decrees and My laws, which man shall carry out and by which he shall live.” (18:5)

“If a tzaraas affliction will be in a person.” (13:9)

“On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (12:3)

אלה פקודי המשכן משכן העדת

“These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle of Testimony.” (38:21)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!