Humility – Page 2 – Peninim on the Torah

ושמתי פדות בין עמי ובין עמך למחר יהיה האות הזה

I shall make a distinction between My people and your people – tomorrow this sign will come about. (8:19)

Simply speaking, Moshe Rabbeinu informed Pharaoh when each plague would begin. This was meant to underscore the miraculous nature of the plague. Horav Shalom Bentzion Felman, zl, explains this pasuk homiletically: “I will make a distinction between My people and your people.” What is this distinction? In which area of belief do we see a separation between Jew and non-Jew? Tomorrow, this sign will come about. It is with regard to the concept of “tomorrow” that we differ. The Jew who believes in Hashem lives with a constant awareness of “tomorrow.” Even if today appears bleak and filled with hardship,…

Home -> Vayeishev -> 5786

וישמע ראובן ויצילהו מידם

Sruly Schnair In 5786, Vayeishev

Reuven heard, and he rescued him from their hand. (36:21)

Mechiras Yosef is one of the greatest tragedies recorded in the Torah. It was not merely a family quarrel or a dysfunction in the Patriarchal family (as those lacking in Torah and yiraas Shomayim would contend); it was the near dissolution of the future Shivtei Kah, the very foundation stones of Klal Yisrael. What makes the episode (for which we are still paying in the present) more painful is that it was rooted in misconception and misjudgment. The brothers were all noble and devoted to Hashem; yet, they misread Yosef’s character. They saw what they saw, or perhaps what they…

Home -> 5786 -> Noach

נח איש צדיק תמים היה בדרתיו

Sruly Schnair In Noach, 5786

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. (6:9)

The Torah introduces Noach as a person who was the paragon of righteousness and moral/ethical perfection. These attributes are especially laudable, given that he lived in the most depraved generation in history. Indeed, that is why the society in which he lived was wiped from the world. At this critical time, Hashem chose Noach to be the progenitor of the future human race. Having said this, we turn to Chazal (Tanchuma 5) who famously debate Noach’s true level of righteousness. Was it relative to the evildoers of his generation? Had he lived in Avraham Avinu’s generation, would his standard of…

Home -> Ha'azinu -> 5786

כי שם ד' אקרא הבו גדול לאלוקינו וישמן ישורון ויבעט

Sruly Schnair In 5786, Ha'azinu

Yeshurun waxed fat and rebelled. (32:15)

It seems implied that prosperity has its dangers. The Torah intimates that, once the Jewish people’s financial portfolio took an upward turn, the people felt that they no longer were under Heavenly obligation. They had money; it was now a free-for-all. This is clearly not true. We see many bnei Torah who, some after struggling, finally make it in the world of commerce. They are extraordinary baalei tzedakah, supporting every organization from Torah institutions to welfare and social organizations. Indeed, these bnei Torah act with the greatest reverence toward fulfilling their Heavenly obligations. Apparently, not everyone can handle sudden wealth….

Home -> Vayeilech -> 5785

וילך משה וידבר את הדברים האלה אל כל ישראל

Sruly Schnair In 5785, Vayeilech

Moshe went and spoke all these words to all of Yisrael. (31:1)

Ramban writes that, on the last day of his life, Moshe Rabbeinu went from camp to camp to comfort the Jewish people (individually) concerning his leaving this world. He said, “I am already of an advanced age, and you have very little benefit from me.” (Moshe was in perfect health, but he wanted to play down the void that would be left with his passing.) Horav Meir Tzvi Bergman, zl, observes the unparalleled level of derech eretz, proper conduct/common decency/respectful behavior/courtesy, manifest by Moshe. It was the last day of his life, the day on which the punishment preventing him…

Home -> 5785 -> Shoftim

והאיש אשר יעשה בזדון לבלתי שמוע אל הכהן ... ובערת הרע מישראל וכל העם ישמען ויראו

Sruly Schnair In Shoftim, 5785

And the man that will act with willfulness, not listening to the Kohen … And you shall destroy the evil from among Yisrael, the entire nation shall listen and fear. (17:12,13)

The zakein mamrei, rebellious elder, is someone who is, for all intents and purposes, one of the nation’s erudite scholars. He disagreed with his colleagues concerning certain halachah. While debate and disagreement are allowed — and even encouraged — once the halachah is established, everyone must accept and adhere to the ruling. One who does not – especially an elder, a scholar who defiantly disagrees and rules against the Sanhedrin— endangers the very underpinnings of halachic authority. He is to be executed during the next Regel, Festival, of the Shalosh Regalim, when all of Klal Yisrael is present to witness,…

Home -> 5785 -> Shoftim

ואמרת אשימה עלי מלך ... שום תשים עליך מלך אשר יבחר ד' אלקיך בו

Sruly Schnair In Shoftim, 5785

And you will say, “I will set a king over myself” … You shall surely set over yourself a king who Hashem, your G-d, shall choose. (17:14,15)

Unlike secular royalty, the melech Yisrael is not merely a ruler, but rather, a spiritual shepherd, warrior, judge and unifier, who embodies the highest level of yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven, and humility. While he represents the glory of our nation, he remains a servant of the people. His presence inspires awe and fear of Heaven, with his very being reminding us of malchus Shomayim, the Heavenly kingdom. Ideally, the melech Yisrael (if he is worthy) is the institution through which Hashem enables the people to live in peace and justice, maintaining the ability to serve Him in preparation for…

Home -> 5785 -> Eikev

ואשר עשה לדתן ולאבירם בני אליאב

Sruly Schnair In Eikev, 5785

And what he did to Dasan and Aviram sons of Eliav. (11:6)

Noticeably, the Torah mentions only Dasan and Aviram concerning the Korach rebellion against Moshe Rabbeinu’s leadership. It seems to gloss over Korach, the leader of the rebellion. He was the scoundrel who attempted to usurp Moshe’s authority. In Parashas Pinchas (Bamidbar 26:9-11), the Torah does, likewise, mention Dasan and Aviram who were part of Korach’s congregation, but falls short of mentioning Korach. The Ramban (commentary to Devarim 11:6) asks this question. The Ohr HaChaim (commentary to Parashas Pinchas) explains that while Korach was the leader and the one whose name is identified most with the controversy, it was Dasan and…

Home -> 5785 -> Va'eschanan

ואתחנן אל ד' בעת ההיא

Sruly Schnair In Va'eschanan, 5785

I prayed to Hashem at that time. (3:23)

In the course of relating to Klal Yisrael his numerous efforts to stay Hashem’s decree that he not enter the Land, Moshe Rabbeinu adds, “Hashem became angry with me because of your matters.” Apparently, our leader was laying the blame for his remaining in the wilderness at the feet of the nation. This is uncharacteristic of Moshe, whose humility, dedication and forbearance serve as a model for future leaders. It almost seems as if he is bitterly blaming the people for his situation. In Pri Tzadik, Horav Tzadok HaKohen, zl, offers a novel interpretation of Moshe’s words. When Moshe heard…

Home -> Devarim -> 5785

איכה אשא לבדי טרחכם ומשאכם וריבכם

Sruly Schnair In 5785, Devarim

How can I alone carry your contentiousness, your burdens, and your quarrels? (1:12)

Moshe Rabbeinu seems to express his personal feelings concerning the many difficulties associated with communal leadership. As a result, officers were appointed to ease the load, with only the most difficult issues coming before Moshe. He states three areas of concern: torchachem, your contentiousness; maasachem, your burdens; rivchem, your quarrels. The commentators have their individual ways of interpreting the meaning and ramifications of these terms. Are they that different from one another? Apparently, if the Torah chose to detail each one, they must each have a singular meaning. Ben Pores Yosef explains that there are different demands placed upon a…

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ושמתי פדות בין עמי ובין עמך למחר יהיה האות הזה

I shall make a distinction between My people and your people – tomorrow this sign will come about. (8:19)

וישמע ראובן ויצילהו מידם

Reuven heard, and he rescued him from their hand. (36:21)

נח איש צדיק תמים היה בדרתיו

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. (6:9)

כי שם ד' אקרא הבו גדול לאלוקינו וישמן ישורון ויבעט

Yeshurun waxed fat and rebelled. (32:15)

וילך משה וידבר את הדברים האלה אל כל ישראל

Moshe went and spoke all these words to all of Yisrael. (31:1)

והאיש אשר יעשה בזדון לבלתי שמוע אל הכהן ... ובערת הרע מישראל וכל העם ישמען ויראו

And the man that will act with willfulness, not listening to the Kohen … And you shall destroy the evil from among Yisrael, the entire nation shall listen and fear. (17:12,13)

ואמרת אשימה עלי מלך ... שום תשים עליך מלך אשר יבחר ד' אלקיך בו

And you will say, “I will set a king over myself” … You shall surely set over yourself a king who Hashem, your G-d, shall choose. (17:14,15)

ואשר עשה לדתן ולאבירם בני אליאב

And what he did to Dasan and Aviram sons of Eliav. (11:6)

ואתחנן אל ד' בעת ההיא

I prayed to Hashem at that time. (3:23)

איכה אשא לבדי טרחכם ומשאכם וריבכם

How can I alone carry your contentiousness, your burdens, and your quarrels? (1:12)

YEARS

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