Emes – Page 89 – Peninim on the Torah

אלה פקודי המשכן

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

The parsha begins with a detailed listing of the amounts of the various metals used for the Mishkan. Even though Moshe Rabbeinu himself deposited the metals under the supervision of Betzalel, both individuals whose integrity was beyond dispute, Moshe, nonetheless, made a public reckoning of all of the proceeds and donations. Leaders must be above reproach, and Moshe refused to take a chance by relying on assumptions. The people must be absolutely certain. Only a great man cares about every little detail in regard to other people’s money. Leaders, as well as each individual, must keep an accounting of the funds…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5762

“They shall make an Ark of shittim/acacia wood.” (25:10)

The commentators note the Torah’s emphasis on the “they,” plural form of “v’asu” – “They shall make.” This implies that the building of the Aron HaKodesh, the symbol of Torah among the Jewish People, is a collective, general command. Everybody is to be included. Horav Tzvi Hirsh Ferber, z.l., explains this idea further. We find paradoxical statements made by Chazal in regard to the relationship of full time Torah study vis-à-vis earning a livelihood. On the one hand, we are instructed to study Torah “always”: V’hagisa bo yomam va’laila, “Rather you should contemplate it day and night” (Yehoshua 1:8) is the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Terumah, 5762

“They shall make a Sanctuary for Me – so that I may dwell among them.” (25:8)

The kedushah, sanctity, of the Mikdash, Sanctuary, is commensurate with the amount of “li,” for Me, that one puts into it. When we refer to kedushah, invariably we tend to think of something spiritual, surreal, with no tangibility. Consequently, it cannot have any effect on us. This is where we are wrong. That something is intangible does not preclude its ability to suffuse us with its properties and values. Let me take the liberty to illustrate this idea. The Midrash in Parashas Toldos relates an incident that took place during the Roman destruction of the Bais HaMikdash. The Romans knew that…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Mishpatim, 5762

“Distance yourself from a false word.” (23:7)

It is impossible for any human being to stand up to challenge the truth. Truth is an absolute which no one can circumvent. Ultimately, a person never suffers when he tells the truth. Indeed, one who lies only delays the inevitable. A person cannot elude the truth. His lies come back to haunt him. Regrettably, this is the way of the world – lie whenever it suits you; bend the truth, if that is what it takes. Tanna D’bei Eliyahu cites the pasuk in Mishlei 19:3, “A man’s foolishness corrupts his way.” A person should be careful to act righteously and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5762

“Remember the Shabbos day to sanctify it.” (20:8)

The Torah introduces the institution of Shabbos in the Fourth Commandment of the Aseres HaDibros, the Ten Commandments. The first three commandments focus on our acceptance of Hashem as supreme Ruler and Creator, forbid us from worshipping other deities, and forbid us from showing Hashem disrespect by taking His Name lightly. Shabbos attests to Hashem being the Creator of the world, for it is a constant reminder that He created for six days and rested on the Seventh Day. When we observe Shabbos, we bear testimony to this fact. Therefore, the commandment of Shabbos should follow in the natural progression after…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5762

“This month shall be for you the beginning of the months.” (12:2)

The first mitzvah Klal Yisrael received as a nation was the mitzvah of Kiddush haChodesh, sanctifying the new moon. Indeed, the moon is the constellation by which we reckon our Yomim Tovim, festivals; and Klal Yisrael is compared to the moon. Simply, this is due to the waxing and waning of the moon every month. As the moon goes through a process of monthly renewal, so, too, does Klal Yisrael have the opportunity and ability to rejuvenate themselves spiritually. Even if a person has feelings of rejection, when he senses within himself a sort of spiritual deterioration, he can reinvigorate himself…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Mikeitz

He replied, “What you say now is also correct.” (44:10)

Rashi explains that Menasheh was told by the brothers that if one member of a group has stolen an object, the entire group is held liable, just as the brothers themselves had said. “Nevertheless,” he said, “I will be lenient with you and make only the one in whose possession the silver goblet is found my slave. The rest of you can go home.” This statement is enigmatic. No law holds an entire group accountable for the actions of an individual. Even if Yosef and his brothers had agreed to abide by such a rule, it certainly was not the law. Horav…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Vayeishev

As she (Tamar) was taken out she sent [word] to her father-in-law… “Recognize, if you please, whose are this signet, this wrap and this staff.”

Chazal say that Tamar did not want to humiliate Yehudah by saying, “I am pregnant by you.” Rather, she sent him the three items which he had left with her, saying to herself, “If he will admit on his own – let him admit. If not, let them burn me. I will not be the one to embarrass him.” Chazal derive from here that it is preferable for a person to throw himself into a fiery furnace in order to prevent shaming his friend in public. This is a powerful statement – one that is not understood outside its context in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Vayeishev

“His brothers saw that it was he whom their father loved most of all his brothers, and so they hated him; and they could not speak to him peaceably.” (37:4)

How often do we clash with someone and matters get out of hand to the point that it blossoms into a full-blown dispute? Suddenly, friends are not speaking to one another, and enmity creeps in. The first step towards any form of resolution is a meeting: sit down at the table, face each other and talk it out. Air out your differences and, before long, it becomes apparent that it really is not an important conflict. As long as people are willing to meet and talk it out, to attempt to solve their problems, to seek a reconciliation – there is…

Home -> 5762 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5762

And he (Yaakov) said, “I will work for you seven years, for Rachel your younger daughter.” (29:18)

Chazal teach us that Yaakov Avinu was taken to task for offering to remain in Lavan’s employ and not seeking to return home to his parents. He ended up being away from home for a total of thirty-six years, of which he spent fourteen studying Torah in the Yeshivah of Ever. For the duration of time he spent studying Torah, he was not criticized for failing to honor his parents. For the next twenty years that he spent in the house of Lavan and two years traveling, Chazal feel that Yaakov was derelict in regard to fulfilling the mitzvah of…

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אלה פקודי המשכן

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

“They shall make an Ark of shittim/acacia wood.” (25:10)

“They shall make a Sanctuary for Me – so that I may dwell among them.” (25:8)

“Distance yourself from a false word.” (23:7)

“Remember the Shabbos day to sanctify it.” (20:8)

“This month shall be for you the beginning of the months.” (12:2)

He replied, “What you say now is also correct.” (44:10)

As she (Tamar) was taken out she sent [word] to her father-in-law… “Recognize, if you please, whose are this signet, this wrap and this staff.”

“His brothers saw that it was he whom their father loved most of all his brothers, and so they hated him; and they could not speak to him peaceably.” (37:4)

And he (Yaakov) said, “I will work for you seven years, for Rachel your younger daughter.” (29:18)

YEARS

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