Humility – Page 4 – Peninim on the Torah

העשיר לא ירבה והדל לא ימעיט ממחצית השקל

The wealthy shall not increase, and the destitute shall not decrease, from half a shekel. (30:15)

The mitzvah of machatzis ha’shekel, half a shekel, as outlined by the Torah ensures equality in contributing to the korbanos tzibur, communal offerings. However, Horav Elimelech, zl, m’Lishensk sees a deeper meaning in its spiritual symbolism. It is a message that applies to every Jew – he who is spiritually wealthy and has performed a treasure trove of mitzvos, and his destitute brother, whose spiritual achievements are lacking. The poor, representing those who feel spiritually deficient due to their errant behavior, are reminded not to despair. Even if they personally feel themselves to be distant from Hashem, He still loves…

Home -> 5785 -> Mishpatim

ויקחו לי תרומה מאת כל איש אשר ידבנו לבו

Sruly Schnair In Mishpatim, 5785

And they should take for Me a portion, from every man whose heart motivates him (25:2)

How are we to understand the profound nature of v’yikchu Li– take for Me? Chazal (Sotah 13b) describe Moshe Rabbeinu’s “funeral” and the eulogy which Hashem rendered for him: Mi yakum li im mireim, mi yisyatzev li im poalei aven; “Who will rise up for Me against evildoers? Who will stand up for Me against those who commit iniquity?” (Tehillim 94:16) Now that Moshe was no longer on this earth, who would serve in his capacity? What about Yehoshua, Moshe’s trusted disciple, and the seventy Elders? Why could they not be counted on to step into Moshe’s role? Why could…

Home -> 5785 -> Terumah

ועשו לי מקדש ושכנתי בתוכם

Sruly Schnair In Terumah, 5785

They shall make for Me a Sanctuary/Mikdash, and I will dwell among them (Shemos 25:8)

The language is striking. The Torah should have written V’Shachanti b’socho, “within it.” Rather, it writes, V’Shachanti b’socham, “within them,” which implies that Hashem will reside within them—within the hearts of each and every individual. The Alshich HaKadosh explains that the physical Mishkan was a model and a standard for how, and in what form one should create a space/Sanctuary within his own heart for the Shechinah to reside. The idea that each Jew will create a Mishkan within himself is inspiring and profound. It is also frightening. The inspiration profoundly comes from the realization of what Hashem feels we…

Home -> Shemos -> 5785

ואלה שמות בני ישראל הבאים מצרימה ... ויקם מלך חדש... אשר לא ידע את יוסף

Sruly Schnair In 5785, Shemos

And these are the names of Bnei Yisrael who were coming to Egypt… A new king rose… who did not know Yosef. (1:1,8)

Pharaoh soon forgot all the wonderful things that Yosef had done for him and his people. Sadly, this is not uncommon. People remember you only when they need your help. Once they feel they can do it alone, they quickly forget that they were your beneficiaries. Unfortunately, this is human nature. It requires a special person, whose character traits are refined, to acknowledge what he owes and offer his gratitude. Forgetfulness is often a product of self- centeredness. When a person sees only himself and his immediate needs, he can easily dismiss the benefits and blessings that he has received…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5785

פחז כמים אל תותר כי עלית משכבי אביך אז חללת יצועי עלה

Sruly Schnair In 5785, Vayechi

Water-like impetuosity—you cannot be foremost because you mounted your father’s bed, then you desecrated Him who ascended my couch. (49:4)

Reuven had it all—and lost it—due to an impetuous move on his part. Make no mistake: Reuven did not mean to sin. Indeed, he thought he was acting virtuously to defend his mother’s honor. He even repented after he was informed of his own imprudence. Nevertheless, it does not change the fact that he acted impulsively. A king, a leader, a Kohen, must act with deliberation and circumspection. Thus, the birthright that had been Reuven’s was transferred to Yosef, the monarchy to Yehudah, and the Kehunah/Priesthood to Levi. A leader does not have the luxury of acting in haste. Yaakov…

Home -> Mikeitz -> 5785

ויהי מקץ שנתים ימים ופרעה חלם והנה עמד על היאור

Sruly Schnair In 5785, Mikeitz

It happened at the end of two years to the day: Pharaoh was dreaming that behold! He was standing over the river. (41:1)

Chazal (Bereishis Rabbah 69:3) distinguish between: the wicked who stand over their gods, such as Pharaoh, who dreamt that he was standing over the Nile River, which is the Egyptian godhead; and tzaddikim, the righteous, such as Yaakov Avinu, over whom we see that Hashem stood protectively. Horav Simchah Wasserman, zl, explains that idol worshippers seek a god that will fit into their comfort zone, who will serve them without making any undue demands on them. The Egyptians viewed the Nile River as their god, because it provided for their needs. Pharaoh stood over the river, because this is their…

Home -> 5785 -> Vayeira

עתה ידעתי כי ירא אלקים אתה

Sruly Schnair In Vayeira, 5785

For now, I know that you are a G-d-fearing man. (22:12)

We wonder what is the meaning of the words, Atah Yaadati, “Now I know (that you fear G-d)? Did we ever harbor any doubt concerning Avraham Avinu’s fear of Hashem? He was the consummate oved Hashem, servant of Hashem. Certainly, his yiraas Shomayim, fear of Heaven, was unparalleled. Imrei Noam (Bereishis 32B) quotes the Gaon, zl, m’Vilna who explains that a person achieves spiritual perfection only if he must deal with two incompatible, incongruous character traits. For example, the heart of someone who is by nature the paragon of lovingkindness overflows with love for his fellow. No activity is too…

Home -> 5785 -> Noach

וידבר אלקים אל נח לאמר צא מן התיבה

Sruly Schnair In Noach, 5785

Hashem spoke to Noach, saying: Go forth from the Ark. (8:16)

The Flood had subsided. The ground was dry. Noach removed the Ark’s covering and saw a different world. The sun was shining and welcoming. What was he waiting for? Noach refused to leave the Ark until Hashem commanded him to leave. Hashem had instructed him to enter, he would wait for His instructions to leave. Why? What made Noach remain on the Ark? The only reason he was on the teivah was in order to be spared from the Flood. Clearly, one who is in the Ark for protection purposes should leave once the threat has subsided. Horav Naftali Nebentzhal,…

Home -> Matos -> 5784

וידבר משה... זה הדבר אשר צוה ד'

Sruly Schnair In 5784, Matos

Moshe spoke… “This is the matter that Hashem has commanded.” (30:2)

Rashi distinguishes between the level of nevuah, prophesy, which Moshe Rabbeinu achieved and the level of the other Neviim. Moshe prophesized with the wording, Zeh ha’davar, “This is the matter,” while the other Neviiam prophesized with the words, Koh amar Hashem, “So said Hashem.” The Malbim explains that “so said Hashem” implies that the Navi is relating what Hashem had earlier communicated to him. Zeh ha’davar implies that Hashem is presently in the process of communicating with those addressed by speaking, as it were, through the medium of the prophet. If so, why when addressing the roshei ha’matos, heads of…

Home -> Masei -> 5784

והקריתם לכם ערים ערי מקלט... ונס שמה רוצח מכה נפש בשגגה וישב בה עד מות הכהן הגדול

Sruly Schnair In 5784, Masei

You shall designate cities for yourselves, cities of refuge… and a murderer shall flee there – one who takes a life unintentionally… He shall dwell in it until the death of the Kohen Gadol. (35:11,25)

The rotzeiach b’shogeg, unintentional murderer, is sent into exile to one of the designated cities of refuge. There, he will be safe from the wrath and vengeance of the go’eil ha’dam, redeemer of the blood, a close relative of the victim who has the right to exact vengeance against the murderer. The rotzeiach b’shogeg is safe as long as he remains within the confines of the ir miklat. If he leaves and the redeemer catches him, his blood is on his own hands. The rotzieach remains in the ir miklat until the death of the Kohen Gadol, who, on some…

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העשיר לא ירבה והדל לא ימעיט ממחצית השקל

The wealthy shall not increase, and the destitute shall not decrease, from half a shekel. (30:15)

ויקחו לי תרומה מאת כל איש אשר ידבנו לבו

And they should take for Me a portion, from every man whose heart motivates him (25:2)

ועשו לי מקדש ושכנתי בתוכם

They shall make for Me a Sanctuary/Mikdash, and I will dwell among them (Shemos 25:8)

ואלה שמות בני ישראל הבאים מצרימה ... ויקם מלך חדש... אשר לא ידע את יוסף

And these are the names of Bnei Yisrael who were coming to Egypt… A new king rose… who did not know Yosef. (1:1,8)

פחז כמים אל תותר כי עלית משכבי אביך אז חללת יצועי עלה

Water-like impetuosity—you cannot be foremost because you mounted your father’s bed, then you desecrated Him who ascended my couch. (49:4)

ויהי מקץ שנתים ימים ופרעה חלם והנה עמד על היאור

It happened at the end of two years to the day: Pharaoh was dreaming that behold! He was standing over the river. (41:1)

עתה ידעתי כי ירא אלקים אתה

For now, I know that you are a G-d-fearing man. (22:12)

וידבר אלקים אל נח לאמר צא מן התיבה

Hashem spoke to Noach, saying: Go forth from the Ark. (8:16)

וידבר משה... זה הדבר אשר צוה ד'

Moshe spoke… “This is the matter that Hashem has commanded.” (30:2)

והקריתם לכם ערים ערי מקלט... ונס שמה רוצח מכה נפש בשגגה וישב בה עד מות הכהן הגדול

You shall designate cities for yourselves, cities of refuge… and a murderer shall flee there – one who takes a life unintentionally… He shall dwell in it until the death of the Kohen Gadol. (35:11,25)

YEARS

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