Hashem Torah – Peninim on the Torah

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5752

“And Avraham said to his servant.” (24:2)

Perhaps one of the most noteworthy features of this narrative is its remarkable length. The Torah devotes sixty-six pesukim specifically to the chronology of finding a suitable mate for Yitzchak. This fact is in itself fascinating. One of the guidelines by which to understand Torah is the observation of the amount of space which is allotted to a given subject. The Creation of the universe occupies thirty-one pesukim. The Ten Commandments is apportioned fourteen pesukim, whereas the story of Yitzchak and Rivkah is related in sixty-six pesukim. We may derive from this apparent excess of pesukim that the marriage of…

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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…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beha'alosecha, 5755

“Gather to Me seventy men from the elders of Yisrael, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers.” (11:16)

In Sanhedrin 29, Chazal state that these men constituted the Sanhedrin. This group of elders served as the Egyptian taskmasters over the Jews. They were selected for this prestigious position because of their unparalleled devotion to Bnei Yisrael — to the point of self-sacrifice. When Pharaoh insisted that they punish Bnei Yisrael, these foremen opted to be beaten mercilessly themselves, rather than inflict punishment upon their brethren. Chazal derive from the emphasis upon this character trait that one who risks his health and welfare on behalf of Klal Yisrael merits to achieve prominence and Divine inspiration. When Pharaoh selected these…

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“And Avraham said to his servant.” (24:2)

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

“Gather to Me seventy men from the elders of Yisrael, whom you know to be the elders of the people and their officers.” (11:16)

YEARS

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