Hungary – Peninim on the Torah

והיה אם מעיני העדה נעשתה לשגגה

And it will be, if from the eyes of the assembly it was done by error. (15:24)

Enei ha’eidah, eyes of the assembly, refer to the Sanhedrin who, as the leaders of the nation, provide guidance, vision and illumination – which are all functions of one’s eyes. As the final arbiters of Jewish law, they infuse our nation with the clarity that comes with Torah erudition and the wisdom, the result of their daas Torah, wisdom honed and inspired by the Torah. In his hesped, eulogy, for the Maharam Shick, Horav Nota Wolf, Rav of Pressburg, Hungary, and the leading elder of the Torah community, offered the following parable, which gives us a powerful insight into the…

Home -> Bechukosai -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5762, Bechukosai

“If you will follow My decrees.” (26:3)

Rashi understands the concept of following Hashem’s decrees as engaging in intensive Torah study. Ameilus, toil, in Torah is a critical aspect of Torah study. The Taz in Orach Chaim 47 writes, “The Torah is retained only by he that toils in it diligently and with great intensity. Those who study Torah casually – amid comfort and without toil – will not retain it.” The study of Torah is unlike any other scholarly pursuit. For a Jew, it is his lifeblood and must be viewed as such. Horav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, z.l., explains that one who toils in an endeavor or…

Home -> 5762 -> Yisro

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5762

“And you shall make known to them the path in which they should go.” (18:20)

In the Talmud Bava Kama 100a, Chazal indicate that the word bah, “in which,” is a reference to kevurah, burial of the dead. Gedolei Yisrael were extremely meticulous in attending to the needs of the deceased. Horav Yitzchak Zilberstein, Shlita, writes about Horav Chaim Sofer, z.l., one of the preeminent Torah leaders in Hungary, who made it a point to involve himself with those deceased who either did not have a minyan, quorum, by their bedside when they passed from this world or did not have anyone to recite Kaddish for them. In the preface to his sefer, Kol Sofer,…

Home -> 5776 -> Balak

ובגוים לא יתחשב

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5776

And not be reckoned among the nations. (23:9)

The Viznitzer Rebbe, zl, was wont to interpret this pasuk as an imperative. The Jew does not want, nor should he care, if he is nechshav, acknowledged, considered, appreciated by the gentile world. Our goal as Jews is to be acknowledged by Hashem and by our people. What the world thinks of us is a factor only in the sense that a negative impression made by us will somehow create a chillul Hashem, desecrating Hashem’s Name. If, for some reason, the gentile people view us as “different”, who cares? Their opinion of us has no bearing whatsoever on our lives….

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Shelach ->

והיה אם מעיני העדה נעשתה לשגגה

And it will be, if from the eyes of the assembly it was done by error. (15:24)

“If you will follow My decrees.” (26:3)

“And you shall make known to them the path in which they should go.” (18:20)

ובגוים לא יתחשב

And not be reckoned among the nations. (23:9)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!