Hashem Name – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Acharei Mos, 5752

“And none of your children shall you give to pass through to Molech, and you shall not profane the name of Hashem.” (18:21)

Horav Shamson Raphael Hirsch Zt”l remarks that after careful consideration of the various laws connected with the abominable service of the Molech, we may come to the conclusion that we are not dealing with an ordinary form of idol-worship. This is not merely a defection from Hashem to idolatry, but rather an aberration which introduces idolatrous ideas and concepts into the sphere of worshipping Hashem. Thus, this act profanes His Name. One who worships idols leaves Hashem and His Sanctuary and turns to others. The Molech worshipper foolishly thinks that he remains within the sphere of Hashem and His Sanctuary….

Home -> 5752 -> Vayeitzei

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5752

“If Hashem will be with me and will guard me in the path that I go… and that I return in peace to the house of my father… and Hashem will be my G-d. And this stone that I have set up as a monument shall be Hashem’s house.” (28:20-22)

From this pasuk, we may derive an allusion suggesting when one should feel prepared to enter into communal service. The correct moment to go forth to spread Hashem’s Name is only after one has personally experienced that Hashem is with him. Only one who has been able to withstand the various trials of life’s experiences and has maintained himself on the appropriate level can build a place to disseminate the word of Hashem. He must remain uncompromised by the allure of contemporary society. Yaakov was not prepared to go forth until he had been assured of his own ability to…

Home -> 5752 -> Chayei Sarah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5752

“And Avraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.” (23:2)

In this parsha, the Torah portrays Avraham in the role of husband and father. Therefore, the message of this parsha is addressed to the entire Jewish family. We study the death of the first Jewish mother, Sarah, and Avraham’s struggle to locate an appropriate burial place for his beloved wife. Ultimately, he fulfills his wish and brings Sarah to a final resting place. Life continues. The Moreshes Moshe poignantly elaborates this concept. The mourner’s Kaddish is not only a prayer for the dead; it is a prayer for the living as well. tcr vhna ase,hu ksd,h – Even greater and…

Home -> 5753 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5753

“In that he was jealous for My sake.” (25:11)

Through his zealous action, Pinchas was in fact carrying out the halachah of uc ihgdup ihtbe ,hnrt kgucvw “One who is intimate with a gentile is to be struck down by zealous people.” This injunction refers to those who are so sensitive about the sanctity of Hashem’s Name that any incursion against it is intolerable. Why, then, is Pinchas lauded and praised? Indeed, he was doing only what was expected of him. Horav M. Gifter, Shlita, explains that this halachah is unique in that its fulfillment is to performed only by one who is a “kana’ie,” a zealot. He explains…

Home -> 5751 -> Bereishis

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bereishis, 5751

And Adam named all the domestic animals and the birds of the heavens, and all the wild animals. (2:20)

The Midrash states that Adam, after having named the various creatures, was asked by Hashem, “What shall your name be?” He answered, “I shall be called Adam . And what is My Name? asked Hashem. To this Adam responded, “Hashem.” This interchange between Hashem and Adam obviously demands explanation. We may suggest the following: Man is able to achieve the greatest levels of intelligence and culture. He can attain such heights of profundity that he is able to select the correct name which truly describes the essential characteristic of every living creature. However, he still may not understand his own…

Home -> 5759 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5759

Therefore say, “behold, I give him My covenant — the peace. (25:12)

The Targum Yonasan says that Hashem granted Pinchas transcendence over death. He was transformed into Eliyahu Ha’navi, who will be the harbinger of the Final Redemption. Indeed, the Zohar Hakadosh writes that the Angel of Death has no dominion over he who is for the Name of Hashem, as he does over the average human being. Obviously, this statement has a deeper meaning than meets the eye. Why was Pinchas selected for this unique position? Horav Eliyahu Schlesinger, Shlita, cites a pasuk in this parsha (27:16) in which Moshe asks Hashem to appoint his successor, “May Hashem, G-d of spirits…

Home -> 5759 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5759

Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon Hakohen, turned back My wrath from you Bnei Yisrael. When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

Pinchas acted on behalf of the Almighty. He reacted with jealousy and with vengeance, as he witnessed Zimri publicly desecrating Hashem’s Name. Rashi emphasizes the word, “kinaasi,” “My jealousy/wrath”. Pinchas reacted in the same manner that Hashem would have. He became angry as Hashem would. Hashem’s anger was his anger; he accepted Hashem’s “hurt” as his own hurt. Horav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Shlita, delves into the concept of “kinaasi” in an attempt to explain its significance. We find that Rashi previously had mentioned that the tribes, especially Shevet Shimon, were criticizing and demeaning Pinchas for his descent from a Midyanite…

Home -> 5755 -> Pinchas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Pinchas, 5755

“The sons of Reuven, of Chanoch, the family of Chanochi.” (26:5)

Rashi cites Chazal who state that Hashem added two letters of His Name to each Jewish family name. He added the letter, v hay, as a prefix, and the letter h yud, as a suffix. These letters form a Name of Hashem which attests to the purity of Klal Yisrael. What does it mean to have Hashem’s Name attached to ours? What responsibilities are evoked as a result of having the Name of the Almighty integrated with ours? In the Shemoneh Esrai which is recited on Yom Tov, we say ub,rjc v,tw “You have chosen us.” At the end of…

Home -> 5755 -> Chukas

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chukas, 5755

“And they shall take to you a completely red cow, which is without blemish, and upon which a yoke has not come.” (19:2)

“And they shall take to you a completely red cow, which is without blemish, and upon which a yoke has not come.” (19:2) The Parah Adumah, Red Heifer/cow, symbolizes two seemingly conflicting concepts. On the one hand, the Parah Adumah should be completely red in color. Indeed, if only two hairs are not red, it is rendered invalid. The color red traditionally represents sin in an allusion to blood and murder. This idea is consistent with the pasuk in Yeshayah 1:18, “Though your errors will be like scarlet, they will become white as snow; though they will be red as…

Home -> 5755 -> Shelach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5755

“Send forth for you men and let them spy out the land of Canaan.” (13:2)

The narrative of the meraglim, spies, and the ensuing reaction of Klal Yisrael to the unfounded slander against Eretz Yisrael, constitute one of the saddest moments in Jewish history. Twelve great men left for a mission, but only two return with their faith in the Almighty intact. The other ten returned with an account of the land that was, at best, sufficiently ambiguous to dishearten the people. This led to a night of weeping whose sin is still commemorated on Tishah b’Av, our national day of mourning. Why did the scouting mission to Canaan fail so miserably? After all, the…

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“And none of your children shall you give to pass through to Molech, and you shall not profane the name of Hashem.” (18:21)

“If Hashem will be with me and will guard me in the path that I go… and that I return in peace to the house of my father… and Hashem will be my G-d. And this stone that I have set up as a monument shall be Hashem’s house.” (28:20-22)

“And Avraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.” (23:2)

“In that he was jealous for My sake.” (25:11)

And Adam named all the domestic animals and the birds of the heavens, and all the wild animals. (2:20)

Therefore say, “behold, I give him My covenant — the peace. (25:12)

Pinchas son of Elazar son of Aharon Hakohen, turned back My wrath from you Bnei Yisrael. When he zealously avenged Me among them. (25:11)

“The sons of Reuven, of Chanoch, the family of Chanochi.” (26:5)

“And they shall take to you a completely red cow, which is without blemish, and upon which a yoke has not come.” (19:2)

“Send forth for you men and let them spy out the land of Canaan.” (13:2)

YEARS

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