Heavenly Throne – Peninim on the Torah

“Yehudah, your brothers shall praise (elevate) you.” (49:8)

Despite the fact that he was the fourth son, Yehudah spoke up to save Yosef’s life. He was also the valiant spokesman for Binyamin. Hashem rewarded him for his valor, promising that the future leadership of Am Yisrael was to be his. Yaakov’s prophesy applied not only to royalty, but also to the full name of nationhood which eventually was derived from Yehudah’s name: “Yehudim”. Horav Avigdor Miller Shlita explains that the word “Yehudah” in its noun form, is derived from “hod” which denotes elevation, splendor, or majesty. As a verb it acquires the meaning of praising or elevating. It…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Mikeitz

“And his blood as well – behold! is being avenged.” (42:22)

Rashi comments that Reuven’s use of the word v’gam, which is usually translated as “and/also,” implies “in addition,” that not only was Yosef’s blood being avenged, but also the blood of Yaakov, their aged father, who still grieved over the loss of his dear son. In the Sefer Chassidim it is stated that, at times, when a person commits a wrong against his fellow, the result of that action will also affect his victim’s friends and family. They will also suffer with him. For example, one who commits murder causes overwhelming grief to the widow and orphans of his victim. We may…

Home -> 5777 -> Vayeitzei

ויאהב גם את רחל מלאה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5777

He loved Rachel even more than Leah. (29:30)

Obviously, the interpretation of this pasuk contains more than meets the eye. This is not a romantic tale. This pasuk is laden with profound meaning. First and foremost, when the Torah writes that Yaakov Avinu’s love for Rachel Imeinu was greater than the love he had for Leah Imeinu, it certainly is not referring to an emotional attraction. I came across an interpretation by Horav Moshe Leib Sassover, zl, which I find especially meaningful. He quotes the well-known and often-used pasuk, Tachas asher lo avadita es Hashem Elokecha b’simchah u’b’tuv lev, “Because you did not serve Hashem, your G-d, amid…

Home -> 5777 -> Chayei Sarah

ויבאה יצחק האהלה שרה אמו... וינחם יצחק אחרי אמו

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Chayei Sarah, 5777

And Yitzchak brought her into the tent of Sarah, his mother… and thus was Yitzchak consoled after his mother. (24:67)

Rashi teaches that the arrival of Rivkah Imeinu in the tent of her late mother-in-law, Sarah Imeinu, reestablished the practices of the first Matriarch, to the point that Yitzchak Avinu was finally consoled over his mother’s passing. The spiritual void left by Sarah’s demise seemed to be filled with the presence of Rivkah. Rashi focuses on three miracles that were regular occurrences in Sarah’s home. First, Ner daluk mei’erev Shabbos l’erev Shabbos, the candle which she lit on erev Shabbos (to usher in the Shabbos) did not burn out. It remained lit the entire week. Second, Brachah metzuyah b’issah, there…

Home -> 5769 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5769

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

The Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh once spent Shabbos in a city that was home to a large chassidic following. It happened that on that Shabbos a darshon, an ethical lecturer, who would travel from city to city speaking from the podium admonishing its inhabitants regarding their religious observance, also spent Shabbos in that community. The Baal Shem Tov was a person who empathized with all Jews. In his desire to provide the speaker with a large captive audience, he personally attended the drasha, lecture. The chassidim understandably followed suit. The darshan went up to the lectern and spoke penetrating words…

Home -> 5764 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5764

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

The Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh once spent Shabbos in a city that was home to a large chassidic following. It happened that on that Shabbos a darshon, an ethical lecturer, who would travel from city to city speaking from the podium admonishing its inhabitants regarding their religious observance, also spent Shabbos in that community. The Baal Shem Tov was a person who empathized with all Jews. In his desire to provide the speaker with a large captive audience, he personally attended the drasha, lecture. The chassidim understandably followed suit. The darshan went up to the lectern and spoke penetrating words…

Home -> 5760 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5760

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

The Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh once spent Shabbos in a city that was home to a large chassidic following. It happened that on that Shabbos a darshon, an ethical lecturer, who would travel from city to city speaking from the podium admonishing its inhabitants regarding their religious observance, also spent Shabbos in that community. The Baal Shem Tov was a person who empathized with all Jews. In his desire to provide the speaker with a large captive audience, he personally attended the drasha, lecture. The chassidim understandably followed suit. The darshan went up to the lectern and spoke penetrating words…

Home -> 5770 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5770

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

The Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh once spent Shabbos in a city that was home to a large chassidic following. It happened that on that Shabbos a darshon, an ethical lecturer, who would travel from city to city speaking from the podium admonishing its inhabitants regarding their religious observance, also spent Shabbos in that community. The Baal Shem Tov was a person who empathized with all Jews. In his desire to provide the speaker with a large captive audience, he personally attended the drasha, lecture. The chassidim understandably followed suit. The darshan went up to the lectern and spoke penetrating words…

Home -> 5765 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5765

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

The Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh once spent Shabbos in a city that was home to a large chassidic following. It happened that on that Shabbos a darshon, an ethical lecturer, who would travel from city to city speaking from the podium admonishing its inhabitants regarding their religious observance, also spent Shabbos in that community. The Baal Shem Tov was a person who empathized with all Jews. In his desire to provide the speaker with a large captive audience, he personally attended the drasha, lecture. The chassidim understandably followed suit. The darshan went up to the lectern and spoke penetrating words…

Home -> 5772 -> Balak

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5772

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

The Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh once spent Shabbos in a city that was home to a large chassidic following. It happened that on that Shabbos a darshon, an ethical lecturer, who would travel from city to city speaking from the podium admonishing its inhabitants regarding their religious observance, also spent Shabbos in that community. The Baal Shem Tov was a person who empathized with all Jews. In his desire to provide the speaker with a large captive audience, he personally attended the drasha, lecture. The chassidim understandably followed suit. The darshan went up to the lectern and spoke penetrating words…

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“Yehudah, your brothers shall praise (elevate) you.” (49:8)

“And his blood as well – behold! is being avenged.” (42:22)

ויאהב גם את רחל מלאה

He loved Rachel even more than Leah. (29:30)

ויבאה יצחק האהלה שרה אמו... וינחם יצחק אחרי אמו

And Yitzchak brought her into the tent of Sarah, his mother… and thus was Yitzchak consoled after his mother. (24:67)

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

“He perceived no iniquity in Yaakov, and saw no perversity in Yisrael.” (23:21)

YEARS

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