Imahos – Page 2 – Peninim on the Torah

והייתם לי קדשים כי קדוש אני ה' ואבדיל אתכם מן העמים להיות לי

You shall be holy for Me, for I Hashem am holy; and I have separated you from the peoples to be Mine. (20:26)

There has to be a separation between the Jew and the gentile. This does not mean that we should not act properly. On the contrary, by acting with dignity and mentchlichkeit, we earn their respect and admiration. This also does not suggest adopting their culture and lifestyle. We are distinct, and our distinctiveness is an inherent part of our essence. Rabbeinu Bachya writes that we are separated as a result of the chochmas haTorah, wisdom acquired through the Torah, which impels us to distinguish ourselves in what we eat, the manner that we eat, our mode of dress (and our…

Home -> Ki Sisa -> 5779

וישב העם לאכל ושתו ויקמו לצחק

Sruly Schnair In 5779, Ki Sisa

The people sat to eat and drink and they got up to revel. (32:6)

Rashi explains that the term, l’tzacheik, to revel, implies the three cardinal sins: idolatry; licentiousness; and murder. In addition to their worship of the Golden Calf, Bnei Yisrael committed immoral acts and murdered Chur (nephew of Aharon HaKohen and Moshe Rabbeinu and son of Miriam HaNeviah and Kaleiv ben Yefuneh). He attempted to restrain them and, as a result, he became their first victim. Chur sacrificed his life Al Kiddush Hashem, to sanctify Hashem’s Name. He is the first and only Jew who died Al Kiddush Hashem in the Torah. Surprisingly, there is no overt mention of his mesiras nefesh,…

Home -> 5779 -> Toldos

על כן קרא שמו אדם

Sruly Schnair In Toldos, 5779

He, therefore, called his name Edom. (25:30)

Certainly the name Edom/Eisav evokes question. Referring to a bowl of red bean soup as “red” is not cause for one to be named “Red,” unless this reference to red soup defines the person. Rashbam says that Eisav had a ruddy complexion, and he sold his birthright for a bowl of red soup. That is a pretty contemptuous act. Hence, Edom/Red is a reference, not so much to color, but to contempt, which describes Eisav quite well. Sforno views the red color of the soup as a description of Eisav’s values and outlook on life. He was so consumed with…

Home -> 5778 -> Vayeitzei

כי אתה ידעת את עבדתי אשר עבדתיך

Roberto Szerer In Vayeitzei, 5778

For you are aware of my service that I labored for you. 30:26)

Imagine in today’s day and age, a man working for fourteen years – day and night – exposed to the elements – not for money to provide his family – but for the right to have a family! Yaakov Avinu slaved for fourteen years – not to provide for his family – but just so that he could marry Lavan’s two daughters, who came to the table without any dowry. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, observes that those fourteen years serve as the bedrock, the foundation, upon which the national existence and family life of the House of Yaakov are rooted….

Home -> 5778 -> Toldos

ויעתר יצחק לד' לנכח אשתו כי עקרה היא

Roberto Szerer In Toldos, 5778

Yitzchak entreated Hashem opposite his wife, because she was barren. (25:21)

We are accustomed to mentioning the Avos and Imahos, Patriarchs and Matriarchs, in one breath, as if they were all the same. When we stop to think, we recognize that there was one area in which they were not all the same. It appears at first glance that Avraham Avinu was not an akar, sterile man, since he fathered Yishmael. This is questionable from the pasuk in Bereishis 15:2, “What can You give me, seeing that I go childless?” Later in 16:5, however, Sarah Imeinu says to Avraham, “The outrage against me is due to you!” Rashi explains that Sarah…

Home -> 5778 -> Chayei Sarah

ויקם אברהם מעל פני מתו

Roberto Szerer In Chayei Sarah, 5778

Avraham rose up from the presence of his dead. (23:3)

In his Tiferes Yehonasan, Horav Yehonasan Eibeshutz, zl, explains this pasuk based upon an original idea that only those righteous who died through the medium of missas neshikah, kiss from Hashem – and not through the Malach HaMaves, Angel of Death – were allowed burial in the Meoras HaMachpeilah. Thus, when Avraham Avinu petitioned to have Sarah Imeinu buried in the Meoras HaMachpeilah, he was certain that she was worthy of acceptance. Chazal describe the Angel of Death’s manner of taking a person’s life. “He stands over the head of the soon-to-be-deceased. In his hand is a sword; the tip…

Home -> 5777 -> Balak

כי מראש צרים אראנו ומגבעות אשורנו הן עם לבדד ישכן

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Balak, 5777

For from its origins, I see it rock-like, and from hills, I do see it. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude. (23:9)

Tzurim is a reference to our Avos, Patriarchs. Gevaos refer, to our Imahos, Matriarchs. Meirosh tzurim er’eenu; I see the roots of this nation. They are firmly anchored in the tzurim and geva’os, Patriarchs and Matriarchs. It is part of their DNA. Hen am levadad yishkon. They are different in the sense that they live away from the pagans. They dress differently, eat differently, maintain a different set of morals. Bilaam was amazed by Klal Yisrael’s ability to retain their exclusivity. They stood out in a world that was so different from theirs. They dressed with tznius, retaining a sense…

Home -> Vayechi -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayechi

“But as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died on me in the land of Canaan on the road… and I buried her there on the road to Efras.” (48:7)

Earlier, Yaakov Avinu had asked to be buried in the Meoras Ha’Machpeilah. In all fairness, how could Yaakov expect Yosef to do something for him which he himself had not done for Yosef’s mother, Rachel? Sensing that this might be bothering Yosef, the Patriarch explained his actions: It was not his choice to bury the Matriarch on the road, when they were only a short distance from Bais Lechem. Hashem had commanded him to bury her there in preparation for the future, when she would be a source of solace to the Jewish People being led into captivity, following the…

Home -> 5774 -> Vayeitzei

הפעם אודה את ד'

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Vayeitzei, 5774

This time I will give thanks. (29:35)

Rashi explains that Leah Imeinu’s present expression of gratitude coincided with the birth of her fourth son, Yehudah, because she now realized that she had received more than her equal share. Since Yaakov Avinu had four wives and was destined to have twelve sons, each wife would be expected to have three sons. With the fourth son, Leah had taken more than her share. In the Talmud Berachos 7b, Chazal make what seems to be an enigmatic statement. “From the time that Hashem created the world, no one had come forth and thanked Hashem until Leah came along and offered…

Home -> 5774 -> Naso

עשירת האיפה קמח שעורים לא יצוק עליו שמן ולא יתן עליו לבונה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Naso, 5774

A tenth eiphah of barley flour; he shall not pour oil over it and shall not put frankincense upon it. (5:15)

The composition of the korban brought on behalf of the sotah, wayward wife, is indicative of its purpose and symbolism. Coarse barley is used instead of fine flour. She acted coarsely, thus her sacrifice reflects her behavior. Likewise, she offers barley, which is a grain most often reserved for animal feed. She acted in a base manner, a behavior suitable for an animal. Last, the korban does not have the usual accompaniment of oil and frankincense, because incense recalls the spiritual fragrance of the Imahos, Matriarchs, and oil symbolizes light. She acted in darkness to conceal her sin, and she…

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והייתם לי קדשים כי קדוש אני ה' ואבדיל אתכם מן העמים להיות לי

You shall be holy for Me, for I Hashem am holy; and I have separated you from the peoples to be Mine. (20:26)

וישב העם לאכל ושתו ויקמו לצחק

The people sat to eat and drink and they got up to revel. (32:6)

על כן קרא שמו אדם

He, therefore, called his name Edom. (25:30)

כי אתה ידעת את עבדתי אשר עבדתיך

For you are aware of my service that I labored for you. 30:26)

ויעתר יצחק לד' לנכח אשתו כי עקרה היא

Yitzchak entreated Hashem opposite his wife, because she was barren. (25:21)

ויקם אברהם מעל פני מתו

Avraham rose up from the presence of his dead. (23:3)

כי מראש צרים אראנו ומגבעות אשורנו הן עם לבדד ישכן

For from its origins, I see it rock-like, and from hills, I do see it. Behold! It is a nation that will dwell in solitude. (23:9)

“But as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died on me in the land of Canaan on the road… and I buried her there on the road to Efras.” (48:7)

הפעם אודה את ד'

This time I will give thanks. (29:35)

עשירת האיפה קמח שעורים לא יצוק עליו שמן ולא יתן עליו לבונה

A tenth eiphah of barley flour; he shall not pour oil over it and shall not put frankincense upon it. (5:15)

YEARS

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