Close To Torah

King David expressed the fact that those that joined his enemy Achitofel and his evil plot to overthrow the kingdom were driven for only power and personal honor. The goal of King David was to bring out the honor of Hashem on this planet.    David says, “Hashem is my King and my God” (verse 3). David recognized that his entire purpose in being the king was to bring honor and glory to Hashem. Unlike many of the other kings of the ancient world, David did not deify himself. He did not claim to be all powerful and all-knowing. David was the epitome of modesty and reliance on Hashem. He proclaimed, “to You (Hashem) I pray” (verse 3).

To Overcome Evil

David states, (verse 5), “Evil does not dwell with You Hashem.” Godliness negates evil. Hashem created a world in which He allows evil to exist. Its sole purpose is to be eradicated. Man is challenged by his evil inclination and is encouraged to choose truth and that which is good. Man is granted the freewill to make this choice. It is a difficult one, but man has the ability to overcome evil and to elevate his life to one of a most fulfilling spiritual journey.

For Whose Sake?

David states the fact that even though his enemies, Achitofel and Doeg study Torah, they do so with the intention of elevating themselves and to help fortify their evil actions and are thus hated by Hashem. It is important to note that this refers to Hashem’s hatred for their actions, not for them as a person. If they were to do teshuvah, repentance, they would be accepted and embraced as the beloved long lost son of our nation.

David states that evil doers will have their lives cut in half and shortened (verse 7). Indeed, Achitofel died at 33; Doeg at 34 (Sanhedrin 106b). David understood firsthand that a life was only worth living if one is committed to growth and spiritual development. People that waste their time and life, especially for evil pursuits are considered dead even while on this earth (see Berachos 18b). David was only granted his 70 years on earth as a time in which he would bring out his great spiritual potential and sing the true praise of Hashem (see Introduction 3). David taught us how to cry to Hashem and how to rejoice in serving Him.

Special Protection

David concluded this Psalm by stating that Hashem protects the righteous and grants great reward to those that serve Him (verse 13). The rewards and protection are described as “surrounding the Tzaddik.” This is to signify that the protection granted is a reward for the righteous who enveloped themselves in the Glory of Hashem.

In most years the Shabbos after Pesach is Parshas Shemini as it is this year. This is quite fascinating. We spent the Yom Tov of Pesach eating Matzah and fulfilling a Torah mitzvah in every bite according to the Vilna Goan. The Zohar calls Matzah, “bread of healing” and “bread of emunah, faithfulness.” We may wonder just what effect is the Matzah supposed to have upon us?

Dietary Laws

Parshas Shemini talks about the sanctity of the Jewish Nation and how Hashem commands us to only eat things that are kosher. The Torah lists off all of the non-kosher animals which we are forbidden to eat. The animals that are prohibited have negative traits. The pig is the quintessential non-kosher animal and represents Eisav HaRasha, the evil one. The pig has split hooves and pushes them forward to show, “look at me, I’m kosher!” Just as Eisav pretended to be righteous before his father Yitzchok. But on the inside, it does not chew its cud and thus it is not kosher. So too, Eisav did not work on his internal growth and was disconnected from spirituality.

Outward View

The Vilna Goan explains that Eisav represents the last Galus, exile, before Mashiach’s arrival. This exile is one characterized by a focus on physicality and outward appearances. The culture focuses on looking good on the outside regarding dress, outward manners, styles, trends, status and honor, but has no internal focus or morals. Just as the pig has a kosher symbol (split hooves) on the outside, but lacks the required kosher symbol on the inside (rumination). We don’t eat a pig because Hashem told us that it is prohibited. At the same time, we must take the lesson as to what is wrong and undesirable regarding each individual animal.

Food’s Effect

You are what you eat and anything that we consume has an effect on us. This is seen in many ways. In a physical sense, when we eat healthy foods, we receive the best nutrients and are feel most recharged and strong. When we eat junk food, we feel slow and lethargic.

The non-kosher birds are all predators that pounce upon their helpless victims. The Torah shuns this trait and teaches us to stay far away from such an approach. We love our neighbors and strive to help them out and watch their backs. We are the exact opposite from the predator birds.

Elevating Food

Another way in which we elevate our eating is through pronouncing berachos before and after. Additionally, by eating L’Shem Shamayim, with the intent of being strong and healthy so that we can serve Hashem, we turn our meals into spiritual experiences. Just as friendships are formed through eating a meal with others, so too, we connect to Hashem through a hearty meal filled with berachos, words of Torah and gratitude to Our Provider.

Matza

The Matza is a simple piece of dough made of flour and water. It teaches us to be humble and not haughty like the rising yeast. When we eat Matza its message becomes part of us. We remember the importance of focusing on spirituality and on connecting with Hashem. This is the healing power of Matza; this is the message of faithfulness towards Hashem that Matza imparts into us. Just as the foods in Parshas Shemini have an impact on us, so too, we recognize the spiritual growth which we were privy to by going through a Pesach and fulfilling the mitzvah of Matza. We become what we eat and we are elevated through the Matza.

I was a young Yeshiva student when I first received Rav Scheinberg’s most famous blessing. “You should have success in all your endeavors.” He said it with such feeling and personalized emotion that I thought he had handpicked the words for my beracha specifically. I found out later that this was the blessing he was most famous for. I thought about the fact that this Gadol HaDor gave hundreds of berachos a week and thus he must have invested much thought into choosing the best wording for his beracha. I realized that the word “endeavor” denotes the effort and toil that one puts into something. Rav Scheinberg was expressing what he himself embodied all of his life: Success is only found through toil and hard work, not through berachos!

Indeed, Rav Noach Orlowek shlit”a (Baltimore Hespid, March 25, 2012) told over the story that when little Chaim Pinchas first came to America in 1919 his parents enrolled him in public school just as all the other Jewish children attended. An anti-Semitic classmate of his began to bully and harass him. One day the boy pushed Chaim Pinchas down a flight of stairs causing him great injury and pain. When his parent’s found out about the terrible abuse that he had been subjected to they immediately pulled him out of public school and hired a melamed at great cost to teach him Torah. Rav Scheinberg later recounted that he was deeply grateful for the favor that the anti-Semitic child did for him as it afforded him the rare opportunity to learn Torah in America!

My Goal

From the onset I need to state that I did not learn under Rav Scheinberg in Torah Ohr, however, from the time that I met him in 2000 I made an effort to visit him on many occasions with shailos (halachic questions), to receive berachos and for advice. I consider him my Rebbe as he taught me hundreds of halachos and even more about how to live life as an Oved Hashem. There are enough true stories about him that show his genuine greatness; we do not need to make up or spread inaccurate stories. I have friends and relatives who merited to learn under Rav Scheinberg and they have shared stories and recollections with me. I strived to verify every story found here to the best of my ability if I did not know the story firsthand.

Sincere Tears

Rav Aharon Feldman shlit”a (Baltimore Hespid) expressed a powerful and eloquent point: Chazal say that the tears shed in mourning over a righteous person who passed away are the most precious before Hashem. Why is this so? It is because those tears show that we wish to emulate that person from the depth of our heart. Rav Feldman pointed out that when we contemplate the greatness of Rav Scheinberg, his Torah, his middos, his giant stature, we feel pride and joy to be a part of the Am Hashem which produced such a special and amazing human being. This is justified and healthy; we should be proud. But let us not forget the most important feeling that should come with this recognition: Rav Scheinberg is michayav us, he obligates us, his life and legacy begs of us to strive for greatness as well. We are proud and we also must strive to emulate him to the best of our ability. The following thoughts and recollections are written so that we, his students, can recall his message and his legacy; so that we can apply his lessons to our lives and draw closer to Hashem.

Life of Toil

Rav Scheinberg zt”l dedicated himself to Torah and Avodas Hashem. His life revolved around caring for his Talmidim and fellow Jews and encouraging them to connect with the beauty of Torah. The first time that I visited him was Chol HaMoed Succos of the year 2000. It was a quiet evening and I decided to try to see him. I walked up the stairs of 2 Panim Meiros and knocked on the front door. The Rebbetzin welcomed me in and asked me my name and where I was from. I spoke with her and then she directed me to go to the Sukkah to get a beracha from Rav Scheinberg. When I entered the tiny Sukkah I looked around and didn’t see anyone. Then I looked down and saw a heap of Tzitzis on the bed. I realized that the Rav was taking a nap. I slowly backed out trying not to make any noise. The Rebbetzin saw me and asked if I had gotten a beracha. “No,” I replied, “the Rav is sleeping, I’ll come back later…” Before I could leave the Rebbetzin announced, “Chaim Pinchas, Chaim Pinchas, someone is here to see you!” I tried to stop her but it was too late, Rav Scheinberg called me into the Sukkah and stood up with a warm smile. This was the first of my many trips to the Scheinberg house and it was not the last time that I would leave speechless!

Shaking and not knowing what to expect I apologized for waking him and asked the Rav for a beracha. With a smile and chuckle, Rav Scheinberg wished me success in all my endeavors. Holding my camera out, I sheepishly asked the Rav if I could take a picture of him. He looked at me and said, “what will you give me?” I didn’t know what to say… what could I possibly offer him… Then he said, “I want you to learn 10 extra minutes a day….” I was a man of my word and so I asked him, “for how long?” He just smiled and shrugged as if to say- how ever long you can! His smile told me to snap the picture which I promptly did. I left with a great story but with an even deeper and more worthwhile lesson. Rav Scheinberg showed respect to every Jew and he wished to encourage as much Torah study as possible even if it meant him posing for pictures. If it would produce Torah learning it was well worthwhile!

The Chofetz Chaim Visit

It has been recounted many times that Rav Scheinberg zt”l visited the Chofetz Chaim with his wife when they were living in Mir. The Chofetz Chaim’s attendant announced to the Chofetz Chaim that a couple had come to see him and that they had come all the way from America to learn in Europe. The Chofetz Chaim retorted, “What’s the big deal?! If the Rebbono Shel Olam came down from Heaven to give us the Torah, a person can come from America to Europe to learn it!” With that the Chofetz Chaim smiled and gave them a beracha that they should have good children. (Anyone who knows the Scheinberg family knows how powerfully this beracha was fulfilled!) Rav Scheinberg recounted this story and it greatly inspired him. I think that it expresses his essence. The source for the Chofetz Chaim’s comment is the Gemara in Eruvin (55a) which says, “If Torah were in the Heaven, we would be required to go there to get it!” The Chofetz Chaim instilled in his young visitor the principle of toil for the sake of Torah. This is the only way to achieve. This was Rav Scheinberg’s greatness. Rav Orlowek recounted that Rav Leizer Yudel Finkel zt”l said that Rav Scheinberg and Rav Chiam Shmuelevitz were the greatest masmidim (diligent students) in all of Mir during their time there.

His Ahavas HaTorah

Watching Rav Scheinberg read the hadran (completion) at the 11^th Siyum HaShas in Eretz Yisrael in 2005 was something that will stay with me for a lifetime. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he read the words in sobs. His love, devotion and joy of Torah were palpable. His powerful display of Ahavas HaTorah penetrated deep into the hearts and minds of those assembled.

Rav Orlowek (Baltimore Hespid) told over that if Rav Scheinberg was informed that the clock in the Bais Midrash was wrong he would inquire as to how it was off. If it was too fast, that would mean that people would cut out learning time and leave Seder early and so he would ask that it be fixed immediately. If it was too slow, he would refuse to let them change it forward. He wanted his Talmidim to have extra seconds and minutes of learning. They would then follow his directive and someone would fix back the clock late that night! Rav Scheinberg often pointed out that we don’t ever hear about someone who is a “Ben-Harvard” because Harvard doesn’t have any children. We talk about a “Ben-Torah” because when we toil, we connect with Torah in a most intimate way and we become like its son.

His Marriage

I find it fascinating that just as Yisro had saved Moshe’s life when baby Moshe had grabbed the crown off of Pharaoh’s head and later Moshe married Yisro’s daughter, so too, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Herman zt”l (1879-1967) sent young Chaim Pinchas to go learn Torah in New Haven to become a Gadol and eventually became his father-in-law. Rav Herman was once waiting in an office together with his wife Aidel and his newly married daughter and son-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Pinchas zt”l and Basya a”h. Rav Scheinberg was sitting next to his own wife and his in-laws were on the outer ends of the two of them. Rabbi Scheinberg joked with his father-in-law saying, “I’m closer to my wife than you are to yours!”

Rav Herman chuckled and then retorted with his own quick rebuttal, a lesson that would last a lifetime: “You just got married, so for now, in order for you to be close to your wife, you must sit right near her physically, but my wife and I have been married for years and we are so close and connected in our hearts that no physical distance can ever separate us! Thus, I am closer to my wife! After 81 years of marriage between Rav Chaim Pinchas and his wife, they certainly achieved closeness. I merited to watch them interact on many occasions and always left inspired.

A friend of mine was in Rav Scheinberg’s house for Chanukah candle lighting. The Rav looked at his watch, got up and told his Talmidim that it was then time to light. As he headed for his Menorah, the Rebbetzin called out, “Chaim Pinchas it’s time to light in two more minutes.” He promptly sat back down and waited. A Talmid asked him why he was waiting if the time had really arrived. Rav Scheinberg smiled and replied, “Shalom Bayis. Whatever the Rebbetzin says is what we do!” How many of us remember the deep love and care which the Rav and Rebbetzin showed for each other. The Rebbetzin would often serve him hot soup and if he got carried away talking with guests she would call out from the kitchen, “Chaim Pinchas your soup is getting cold!”

When his Rebbetzin was in the hospital with her final illness she had lost consciousness. The Rav asked the doctor if she was still able to hear him. “Perhaps,” came the reply. Rav Scheinberg bent down and whispered into her ear, “Zacharti lach chessed ne’uryich (Yirmiya 2:2), I remember the kindness that you have done with me in your youth, ‘ahavas klulosiach’, when we were just married, ‘lechtech acharai bamidbar’, you went with me to the desert of Mir in Europe so that we could grow in Torah. You stood by me and the Talmidim and sacrificed so that we could learn Torah…”

Ahavas Yisrael

Rabbi Noach Orlowek told over a story that expresses the care of Rav Scheinberg. A young American bochur who came from a very weak background began to learn in the Yeshiva. Although he showed great promise, after some time he decided that he no longer wanted to stay. Knowing full well that going back to America meant that he would be in a place that he would not be able to grow in spirituality, he never-the-less went to say good-bye to the Rosh HaYeshiva. When he told Rav Scheinberg that he was leaving, Rav Scheinberg burst out crying and could not be consoled. He didn’t put up a fight or try to convince the boy to stay, he just cried from a deep and clear recognition that this boy was selling himself short and putting his neshama in an unsafe situation. The boy was so moved that he told the Rosh Yeshiva, “I see how deeply you care for me, I will stay.” He is now a famous Talmid Chocham and Maggid Shiur. Rav Scheinberg’s love for his Talmidim and all of Klal Yisrael knew no bounds.

We all remember Rav Scheinberg serving as sandak at many brisim. I was attending a friend’s son’s bris and the child would not stop crying. The mohel tried everything but to no avail. They could not find the baby’s pacifier. Suddenly the baby stopped screaming. I quickly moved up to the front only to find Rav Scheinberg rocking the baby on his lap with one hand and letting the baby suck his finger with the other. Rav Schienberg’s love and care started from the cradle.

Often when students were taking leave of their Rebbe to go to America for Bein HaZemanim they would ask him if they could bring anything back for him. He would reply with a smile, “please bring me back coffee!” To the Europeans he would ask for Swiss chocolate! Someone once asked him why he requested coffee and chocolates. He smiled and said, “I’m not asking them to get it because I need it, I’m asking them to get me something so that they will think of me during their vacation.” He was a dedicated and masterful Rebbe par excellence.

Accessibility

I think that it was most amazing just how accessible he was. As a great Tzaddik, he could have easily limited his time spent with the Hamon Am, the common-folk. Yet there was no hype and often no waiting lines. If you wanted to speak to him, you simply called or just showed up at his door. We all had his phone number in our cell phones. We would call and he would answer! One Erev Shabbos my friends and I were making the Yeshiva’s cholent. There were a lot of Yeshiva guys working together and everyone wanted to throw in their secret ingredient. Honey, beer, ketchup, the works, the kitchen was flying. Suddenly someone raised the alarm, “what just went into the cholent?!” “I added margarine, it’s parve….” We looked again and discovered that it was in fact butter and as dairy as can be. Within seconds someone whipped out his cell phone and Rav Scheinberg was on the line. He asked a few questions about the size of the pot and the amount of butter put in and presto- batel b’shishim (nullified by 60 times) it was muttar, we would have cholent! I can’t say that it was the healthiest cholent and I can’t tell you that it was even the tastiest that we ever had, but I can say that it was the most kosher cholent we ever ate! We all laughed together when we sat on Shabbos afternoon enjoying the cholent that Rav Scheinberg had said was kosher! Later we recalled that the reason we called Rav Scheinberg first was because anyone else would have been too busy to reach on a late Erev Shabbos!

Rav Orlowek (Baltimore Hespid) said that he constantly heard from the Rosh Yeshiva zt”l, “If I can do it, so can you!” Rav Scheinberg wanted everyone to know that no matter what your background, intelligence level and abilities, if you set your mind to the goal of growing and learning and you put in the effort you too can succeed! I always felt that the reason that Rav Scheinberg spent so much of his precious time with people was to stress this exact point. He didn’t want people to see him as aloof and unreachable. He wanted to show people that Torah is for everyone and with hard work you can build yourself. Rav Scheinberg stressed, “Time is life” and he would often speak about this idea with tears, begging his audience to use their time wisely.

His Berachos

Before stating these stories it is important to quote Rav Orlowek’s brilliant analogy about stories of mofsim, wonders. Mofsim are like little candies, they taste good going down but once you swallow them they are gone. Amazing stories don’t compare to the hard work and example that the Gadol showed us through his actions.

A friend of mine went to Rav Scheinberg before Pesach Bein HaZemanim and told him that he wanted to learn in Eretz Yisrael but that he needed to stay in America for dating purposes. Rav Scheinberg laughed and said, “go home, get engaged over Pesach and come back here to learn!” The bochur did just that: he went home, got engaged and came back to Eretz Yisrael to learn. Rav Scheinberg’s beracha came true and the young man even got engaged to the granddaughter of a Rosh HaYeshiva who lived in the same building as Rav Scheinberg as an added bonus! He came back to learn in Eretz Yisrael where he and his new Kallah set up their Torah home and family.

Next it was my turn. A few months later knowing full well this story I marched myself into Rav Scheinberg’s house when my time came to begin dating in America. All I received was a “beracha v’hatzlacha.” I stubbornly continued to push. “Rebbe, I won’t be able to come back to Eretz Yisrael to learn until I get engaged!” Again, “beracha v’hatzlacha.” And so it would be, Hashem had other plans for me in America until a later time when I was zocheh to meet my dear wife in America while learning in a Yeshiva in her hometown.

A girl once came to Rav Scheinberg to get a beracha for her sister who was pregnant and in her 7^th month. She was so nervous that she told the Rav, “I want to get a beracha for my sister who had a baby…” instead of saying “who is due to have a baby.” Rav Scheinberg responded, “Mazel Tov on the birth may the mother and baby be healthy!” She left sheepishly and when she finally got through to her mother’s cell phone a few hours later she burst into tears as she began to recount how she had failed to get a beracha for her sister. Her mother laughed, “don’t cry honey, I couldn’t answer the phone for the past few hours because your sister just went into labor! Baruch Hashem it’s a healthy girl! She was speechless… as she thought about the power of Rav Scheinberg’s words…

Another friend of mine met Rav Scheinberg at a wedding during which a relative of his was going through a painfully protracted labor of almost 2 days. When he asked Rav Scheinberg to daven for her he replied, “Mazel Tov.” Ten minutes later my friend got the call that his relative had finally given birth to a boy only ten minutes before…

Normalcy

The story is told that a bachur in Torah Ohr began to don many layers of Tzitzis to be like his Rebbe. I was unable to verify this story but it certainly sounds like something Rav Scheinberg would have said. The Rabbeim brought the student to Rav Scheinberg who looked him square in the eye and said, “Be normal!” The student took off the Tzitzis.

Once a student began to recite Shema and was obsessing over the pronunciation of the letters for a very long time. They brought him to Rav Scheinberg who told him to just say each word once and move on. The student retorted that he was afraid he wasn’t pronouncing the words correctly and wouldn’t fulfill his obligation. Rav Scheinberg said, “Say it once and it’s on my shoulders.” The boy was still not fully convinced. So Rav Scheinberg smiled at him and pointed to his own linebacker oversized shoulders that were widened through his tens of Tzitzis, “Trust me, I have big shoulders!” The boy trusted him.

Someone asked Rav Scheinberg about whether he was allowed to use a certain type of toothpaste on Pesach because of its ingredients. Rav Scheinberg replied that since it was not fit for a dog’s consumption it was permitted to use. The guy was a smart-aleck and he went and found a dog, fed it some of the toothpaste and watched as the dog appeared to lick it up. He ran back to Rav Scheinberg to recount his rebuttal. Rav Scheinberg laughed and replied, “that dog was retarded!”

A friend of mine came to Rav Scheinberg to get a beracha and was growing his payos in a then popular style which involved extra-long from head to chin and extra-bushy. Rav Scheinberg motioned for him to bend closer. He whispered to my friend while pointing to a higher spot near his ear, “It looks really ugly. You can cut them here.” I have only publicized this story because my friend wanted everyone to know how touched he was by Rav Scheinberg’s care and love and how comfortable he felt at that moment standing in front of a Gadol BaTorah. He cut them with great fanfare and walked away with a lesson that a Ben Torah must care for the way he looks.

In a shiur in 1989 geared towards teaching women how to clean for Pesach, Rav Scheinberg’s main theme was helping the women take it easy and not overstress themselves with “spring cleaning” which was not required for Pesach. He laid out all of the common cleaning issues and offered the most practical and simple advice in how to clean them according to halacha and where they did not need to go any further than required. Many women expressed how relieved they were to receive this advice. Rav Scheinberg said that women should sit like Queens at the Pesach Seder. He encouraged them not to run back and forth from the table to the kitchen but rather to participate in the Seder and to eat all of the Matza and Marror royally and at the table.

Rav Orlowek (Baltimore Hespid) pointed out that it is rare to find someone so great and in touch with the value of time and yet so relaxed and a pleasure to be around. Rav Scheinberg’s life was filled with a calmness and pleasantness. How could someone be so strong when it came to halacha, Torah haskafa (thought) and what he felt was right and yet so soft like butter and sweet like honey at the same time? The answer, explained Rav Orlowek, was that Rav Scheinberg was in touch with truth and whatever the situation called for he was there to follow the Torah as his guide.

Indeed his name expresses these two forces. Chaim represents vitality and life, a happiness and celebration. Pinchas embodies the kanaus, zealousness of Pinchas in the Torah who was ready to stand up for what was right at all costs. Rav Chaim Pinchas was a man who worked his entire life to bring together his sweetness and strength for the sake of Torah and to serve Hashem fully.

This explains the rationale behind the famous story about the couple who came to Rav Scheinberg to bemoan their dangerous scorpion infestation in their home. They had tried everything but exterminators could not solve the issue. Rav Scheinberg simply opened up Perek Shira and showed them that the scorpion’s verse talks about how Hashem does kindness to all. Perhaps you failed to do kindness with someone and this has brought about your scorpion issue, he suggested. Suddenly, the couple realized that there was someone whom they had failed to help. They immediately rectified the situation and the scorpions disappeared. This was not magic, Rav Scheinberg simply believed in Torah and in Chazal and this was the most obvious solution that appeared to him, because the Torah says so!

His Expertise

Rav Scheinberg was famous for saying that if people would learn Mishneh Berurah they wouldn’t ask 95% of the questions that they presented to him. On the other hand, he always answered with a smile. Often I would present him with complex shialos that I had spent days pondering and developing. Yet he would just get straight to the point regarding the practical halacha. If I tried arguing another way he would just chuckle and explain his opinion a drop more. He had a clarity and expertise that was unparalleled.   

Ahavas Eretz Yisrael

Many times Rav Scheinberg would remark that he felt that many bochorim went back from Eretz Yisrael to America because they missed their “bagels, lox and seven layer cake!” Yet he understood the American mindset and the American needs. He himself made famous that although he hadn’t followed baseball in years, when he heard that the Yankees won the World Series he would feel a twinge of pride and joy. Once, in around 1978, Rav Noach Orlowek (Baltimore Hespid) attested that Rav Scheinberg held a Kiddush. He got up to announce that he was celebrating that for the first time ever the Yankees had won the World Series and he did not feel any connection to them whatsoever! Rav Scheinberg wished to be free of outside influences and pulls but he was not embarrassed to share his struggles with others. He lived in Eretz Yisrael with great mesirus nefesh because that was a place that he would grow in Torah and build his family and Yeshiva in Torah.

Take Advantage

So many of us thought that Rav Scheinberg would live forever. We could not imagine a world without his guidance. We thought that he would be the one to lead us to meet the Mashiach. He cried whenever he said “U’Veney Yerushalayim, rebuild Jerusalem” and at weddings during “Im Eshgachaich Yerusalayim, If I forget you Jerusalem.” He understood what life was all about. My eyes swell with tears when I think about the fact that he is no longer with us. What a loss for us, what an enormous void that has been opened.

I remember that I once brought an entire list of questions to Rav Scheinberg; he answered all of them with a smile. After I had made my trek down the stairs I realized that I had accidentally forgotten to ask the last question on my list. At that time I had an inner struggle as to what to do, should I go back then or next week, should I call, should I just leave. I made a decision that if I had the opportunity to speak to a Gadol HaDor once again, then I must take it! I marched myself right back up the stairs and presented the last question. I apologized to the Rav for the inconvenience and he and Rav Simcha just smiled as I got my answer from them. How many of us feel that we had so many questions we wished to ask him; how many of us wish we could just see him and get a bracha from him one last time. The loss to Klal Yisrael is enormous. Rav Scheinberg was a man who lived a life of completion. His life was one of constant review of Shas and Poskim, one of toil and dedication. He found success in all of his endeavors through his hard work and connection with Hashem.

One Hundred and One

Rav Scheinberg was a Gadol who showed all of us how to achieve great accomplishments through toil. He wished for us to be able to be successful in all of our endeavors through our effort and dedication just like him. The Gemara (Chagiga 9b) says that “one cannot compare someone who reviews his learning 100 times versus one who reviews it 101 times.” We thus see that the number 101, his lifespan, represents the idea of exponential growth in Torah. What is this all about?

Once someone learns something 100 times, he can rest assured that he knows it. He will not be forgetting it so quickly. So why would he review it a 101^st time? Only out of deep love and dedication. Rav Scheinberg spent his life celebrating and expressing his love for Torah and mitzvos, his love of Klal Yisrael and his love of Hashem. He left a legacy of 101 years of review, mastery, contemplation and love. May Hashem send a comfort to all of us who are left in mourning for our beloved Rebbe and may we merit to take the lessons that Rav Chaim Pinchas zt”l taught us by example and become greater people.

Y’hi Zicro Baruch.

The author can be reached at: rabbiytropper@gmail.com

The Midrash states that all of the Jews went out from Egypt with great wealth, all except for one. Moshe was not busy collecting money, rather he was after a far more precious thing. Before Yosef HaTzaddik passed away, he made his children swear that when they left Egypt they would carry out his body with them so that he could find his final resting place in Shechem in Eretz Yisrael. This promise was on all of Klal Yisrael and they certainly owed a tremendous depth of gratitude to Yosef, the one whom helped them come down to Egypt and thrive.

The Story

At the time of the Exodus, the Jews were busy collecting their belongings and treasures and getting ready to leave Egypt. Meanwhile, as soon as Moshe finished instructing everyone as to what to do to prepare to leave Egypt he went searching frantically for Yosef’s burial place in Egypt. Chazal (Sotah 13a) tell us that Moshe quickly contacted Serach Bas Asher, Yosef’s only remaining niece and she informed Moshe that the Egyptians had deified Yosef and had wanted to prevent his body from leaving Egypt and thus they put him in a metal coffin which they sunk to the bottom of the Nile. Moshe ran there and called out, “Yosef, arise so that we can fulfill our promise and carry you out of Egypt. If you do not show yourself, then we are free from our promise and you will remain here.” Immediately, the coffin floated to the top of the Nile where Moshe easily retrieved it and had it carried out of Egypt. Chazal (ibid.) apply the verse (Mishlei 10:8), “The wise person at heart grabs the mitzvos.” Moshe knew what was really important in life while others chased after material wealth.

Two Questions

What is interesting is firstly, why is this lesson specifically taught in this place in the Torah and secondly, the lesson seems incomplete for even Moshe told Yosef that if he did not arise, Moshe would be exempt from doing this Mitzvah?

Answer

Moshe was instilling in the Jews a most important lesson in life at this vital juncture in their development. They were becoming a nation and were going to soon receive the Torah. In life, we need to make choices in priorities. We have limited abilities, resources and time and cannot do everything! We need to pick the most worthwhile endeavors to involve ourselves with in life. The only way to do this is to be in touch with ourselves and to ask ourselves what is truly important and what do we wish to occupy our time with. With this clarity one is equipped to make the right decisions. The Jews were all packed and ready to leave Egypt. They had their families ready, they knew they were going out. They were faced with a choice, should I go after the gold and silver and wealth that we were promised or should I go after the mitzvah of getting Yosef’s bones. There were all sorts of excuses to be found. “I’m sure someone else went to go get Yosef’s bones.” “Anyways, the Gedolim are supposed to take care of it.” “And also, we are supposed to go out with great monetary wealth…” Moshe’s heart was set on mitzvos and for him his first order was to serve Klal Yisrael. After he saw that they were all okay, he set out to retrieve Yosef’s bones.

Best Effort

Moshe understood that he would try his best to get Yosef’s bones, if he was unable, he still would get reward for the mitzvah of searching and trying. This is also important to keep in mind. Hashem rewards our efforts and the place that our heart points towards. Moshe showed that he truly and deeply wanted to do the mitzvah. He also knew that he was limited in his ability, and so he tried and that is exactly how he succeeded.

More Precious

Moshe was no fool. Chazal (10a) tell us that Moshe rushed to do mitzvos because, “One who loves money will never be satiated by money” (Koheles 5:9), this defines Moshe’s love of mitzvos, it was insatiable. In Moshe’s eyes, the mitzvah of getting Yosef’s bones was more precious than all of the riches of Egypt! Moshe showed us how to endear mitzvos and how to appreciate mitzvos. Just as chometz is formed through an elapsing of time, so too, Moshe did not allow his mitzvos to become stale and delayed!

Pesach Application

The lesson of Moshe is directly related to Pesach and the exodus. Throughout life we are presented with choices in our spiritual and physical realms. A smart heart goes for the mitzvos because they are the most valuable and precious. The smart heart knows what is most important, eternal and valuable in life and thus a smart heart puts in his or her fullest effort to do the mitzvah. May Hashem merit us to have the opportunity to fulfill many mitzvos and to know in our hearts and minds the value of Torah and mitzvos!

The Shabbos before Pesach is called Shabbos HaGodol, the Great Shobbos. What does the name intend to connote? The Poskim (See Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 430) state that it refers to the great miracle that happened in Egypt on Shabbos the 10th day of Nissan when the Jews followed Hashem’s command to take a sheep for the Pesach offering into their homes. The Egyptians worshipped the sheep and really should have protested and killed the Jewish slaves for desecrating their god. However, Hashem made a miracle and not one Jew was hurt by an Egyptian.

The Questions

The commentators point out that this commemoration is very strange. Why should it always be celebrated on the Shabbos before Pesach, normally we celebrate things on the same calendar day as the event transpired which is 10 Nissan? Also, what are we supposed to do to celebrate, this seems to be omitted from the instructions? Are we simply meant to call the Shabbos “Gadol, great”?

The Answer

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l (1895-1986) explains a beautiful principle here. The Ramban asks that there is a contradiction in the verses as to what the purpose of Shabbos is. Does Shabbos signify that Hashem created the world or does it signify that Hashem took the Jews out of Egypt. He explains that really both are true. Hashem created the world in six days and He rested on the seventh day of Shabbos. Our commandment is to rest on Shabbos from creative work in order to recognize and acknowledge that Hashem created the world. Over the years from Adam until Moshe, many people accepted the fact that the world was created by God, however, they felt that God left the world unguided and allowed people to do as they pleased. This was the general belief of the Egyptians.

Full Providence

When Moshe came before Pharaoh and demanded in the name of Hashem to let his people free, Pharaoh simply laughed. Hashem then brought the Ten Plagues and wreaked havoc on Egypt in a powerful demonstration that not only did Hashem create the world, He also continues to watch over and guide the world in the way that He sees fit. The lesson of Egypt’s decimation showed that Hashem continued to watch over the world and He chose the Jewish Nation to be His beloved Nation. Thus, in truth one who keeps Shabbos acknowledges that Hashem created the world; one who observes Pesach strengthens his belief that Hashem continues to guide and watch over His world. This is the proper belief expected of every person. Thus, Shabbos is a testimony of Hashem’s creation of the world and of His Divine Guidance and Providence.

Summary

This is what Shabbos HaGadol is all about. We spend the Shabbos thinking about our emunah, faithfulness to Hashem, as we recognize that He created and maintains the world at all times. Shabbos HaGadol is called Great because it begins the goal of Pesach which is to instill in our hearts a deep connection with Hashem. The commemoration date was not set for 10 Nissan as this would not fully express its theme. The Shabbos before Pesach was chosen as Shabbos is the day that teaches us to internalize our emunah in Hashem’s creation and providence. The celebration of Shabbos HaGadol is talking about the great miracles that Hashem did for us which show that He watches and guides the world. We talk about the miracle of taking the Pesach lamb, Egypt’s god, and how they couldn’t hurt the Jews. We talk about the Hagaddah Shel Pesach (see Shulchan Aruch ibid.) which is all about Hashem’s Guiding Hand in Egypt. We strive to root the beauty and power of emunah deep inside our hearts. May we merit to experience the deepest connection with Hashem over Shabbos HaGadol, the Great Shabbos.

A most famous Midrash (Vayikara Rabbah 1:15) tells us that even though Moshe was the great leader of the Jews, the father of all prophets, the man who performed amazing miracles as the messenger of Hashem in Egypt, the Yam Suf and beyond, who brought down the Torah from Heaven, he still did not enter the Ohel Moed until Hashem called him. Hence, “Vayika el Moshe, Hashem called to Moshe… (Vayikra 1:1).” The Midrash concludes: “Derech Eretz, conducting oneself with proper character traits, precedes one’s ability to learn Torah.”

The Torah’s Order

Rabbi Ahron Kutler zt”l (1891-62) explains that really even proper Derech Eretz is a part of Torah learning. It is just that one must first master the laws of common decency (Derech Eretz) and respect in order to proceed to the other aspects of Torah. He states that this is why the Torah begins with Sefer Bereishis, called Sefer HaYasher by Chazal (which means, the Book of the Upright) because it tells over the great traits of the Avos and Imaos, the founders of our Nation. Caring for others and working on one’s middos refinement is the goal of the entire Torah. Only after the mastery of Bereishis does one encounter other laws of the Torah that follow. The Vilna Goan states in Mishlei (4:13), “The entire theme of the Torah is to refine one’s character traits, for if one does not, what is his life worth?”

Respect

The Mishna in Avos (4:1) teaches us that only one who respects others is deserving of respect. One who walks around acting as if the world revolves around him does not care for or listen to the feelings or needs of others. He is insensitive to anyone outside of himself and thus discounts the presence and existence of others. Anyone that feels these vibes will quickly wish to distance himself from this person as well and will not be respectful of him either. It is only someone who cares about and is respectful to others that wins the respect and admiration of those around him. The Torah only resides by someone who lives a respectful life and knows how to share and care for others. This is a part of the great legacy and lessons of the Avos. When one embodies this, he or she is capable of being respectable holders of Torah.

Our Service of Hashem

This lesson is directly related to Sefer Vayikra. Vayika represents the laws of the Kohanim and that of the Karbonos. Hashem only accepts the Avodah, service of those that are humble and respectful towards others. Nowadays, there are no sacrifices and tefillah, prayer, has taken their place. May Hashem answer our prayers in the merit of the care and respect that we show to others.

In the last Psalm (3), David begged Hashem to protect him from his rebellious son Avshalom. Radak states that this Psalm 4 was written as David actually fled for dear life from Avshalom. David expresses the fact that Avshalom’s accomplices were not united and that each one truthfully has his own personal selfish agenda which he wished to accomplish through this rebellion against David. Instead of praying for his enemy’s demise, David begged Hashem to inspire them to repent and to mend their ways and David offers to guide them to see true happiness and success (verse 3-9).

David’s Joy

David describes the happiness that he has as one that surpasses the happiness achieved by those that gain material wealth. David states that his happiness is greater and more real. The Gemara (Berachos 4b) that the words ‘in one’s heart (verse 5)’ refers to Torah learning. What does this mean?

Amazing Story

The Midrash (Tanchumah Terumah) tells a story of wealthy merchants who invested all their money in merchandise and set out to sea together to sell their products and to become even richer. One man boarded the large vessel and appeared to be empty-handed. Throughout the trip the men swapped stories and told each other of their great merchandise and the great profits that they anticipated making. They questioned the simple man and after much prodding demanded that he reveal what his treasure was. He simply replied, “My merchandise is more valuable than all of yours.” They could not figure out what he was carrying and each person speculated about his mysterious goods, was it gold, diamonds or some precious material that he kept on himself.

The dangerous journey continued until one dark night the ship was overtaken by pirates. The merchants put up a brave fight for their wealth, but alas, they were overpowered and the pirates made off with every last piece of their merchandise and searched each person for hidden jewels and the like. The men were broken, they had lost everything. When they arrived at their destination, they were greeted by excited buyers whom they sadly shared their woe with, they had nothing to sell. Everyone wept and sadness filled the air surrounding the great tragedy that had transpired. The quiet man was soon recognized as a great and famous rabbi, he was lifted up and brought to the local shul where he was asked to deliver a sermon and was given much respect and honor. He was coming to teach Torah, and no pirate could ever steal his treasure. Now the men understood what he meant by “My treasure is more valuable that all of yours.”

True Worth

Time and again, experience has shown us how one’s money is temporary and unreliable. It can be here one day and gone the next. Someone can go from richness to rags and vice versa in only moments. Only the Torah that one learns stays inside one and is his forever. The Mitzvos that we accomplish are ours to keep and can never be taken away from us. This is what David referred to when he spoke of the acquisitions of the heart. This is what David meant when he stated that his spiritual happiness is so much greater than any earthy accomplishment (verse 8). Our Torah is embedded inside us and stays with us for eternity. This is what makes it the best investment of them all!

King David suffered from the pain of watching his wayward son Avshalom try to overthrow him in a rebellion that caused great pain throughout the Jewish Nation. The last Psalm (2) spoke about Gog U’Magog, the nation that will wage war against Hashem before Mashiach’s arrival and thus this Psalm speaks of a son who rebelled against his own father (based on Berachos 10a). David sang to Hashem as he fled away from his son (verse 1). How could David compose a song about this tragic event, should he not be saying lamentations (Berachos 7b)?!

David’s Perspective

David recognized that Hashem runs the world and everything that transpires comes directly from Hashem. Whereas, he expressed immense pain and sadness over the events that were happening (verse 2), he prefaced all of his feelings and expressions with an unrelenting connection and dedication to Hashem and to Divine Justice. He knew that Hashem is in full control and has a reason, though often unattainable by humans in this world, for all that he was conducting down on earth.

David’s Calm

David says that he went to sleep that night as per usual (verse 6). (David was accustomed to sleep minimally in the early night hours so that he could arise and start his day at midnight to sing the praises of Hashem (Berachos 3b). Malbim points out that had Avshalom listened to the advice of Achitofel and pursued his father that night, he would have wiped out David and his entire army, but Avshalom did not do this. David was well aware of this possibility and never-the-less, he remained calm and collected in this great trying time and put his full faith in Hashem who would protect him (verse 4). David called Hashem a “magen, shield.” This term has been used in the famous Jewish symbol called the Magen David, Shield of David.

What is the Magen David?

Many shuls use the Magen David to signify their presence. What is the symbol all about? Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (OC III:15) explains that the Magen David is a symbol made up of two triangles laid one on top of the other at an angle which makes it have six sides. This represents the idea that David saw Hashem as his only source of salvation. Hashem is described as being present in all four directions, north, east, south, west, and up and down. David knew that only Hashem would deliver him from all his enemies and protect him.

Another Explanation

I have noted that the name David is spelled Daled-Vav-Daled. It is fascinating to recognize that when spelled in Hebrew and Greek, David’s three letters (ד-ו-ד) or Delta-Upsilon-Delta, make up the body of the Magen David. Additionally, the translation of Daled is “door” and the translation of Vav is “hook.” ‘David’ thus means, “door hooked (connected) to (another) door.” What is this all about? As Jews we believe that this world is the preparatory room in which learn Torah and perform Mitzvos in order to achieve great reward in the World to Come. King David used this world and connected his life and experiences to the next world. He in essence bridged the two doors and brought them together. He used his life to the fullest and reached perfection in the next world. This is precisely the reason that King David will be the one to volunteer to lead the zimun, bentching, when Mashiach comes and the Tzaddikim eat from the great meal of the Leviathan (see Pesachim 119b). David’s life embodied the full connection and commitment to Hashem. David lived his life with a deep and emotional recognition that Hashem was protecting him, guiding him and providing him with the exact events that he needed in life to make him grow and achieve his best.

In building the Mishkan, the Jews including men, women and children contributed their gold, silver and precious materials with tremendous gusto and enthusiasm. They gave so much that Moshe had to tell them that they had enough materials and no longer needed any more. The verse describes the fact that the women made generous contributions (Shemos 35:22). Targum Onkolos explains that the women came to the Mishkan collection area wearing their jewelry and adornments and only there did they remove their earrings, bracelets and ornaments in order to donate them to the Mishkan. Why did they do it this way, should they not have simply taken them off at home and brought it by hand to the Mishkan?

Their Message

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l (1895-1986) explains that the women wished to show that although the jewelry had great value to them, it was more important for them to donate it to the House of Hashem. Had they simply brought it in hand, one could think that they were donating pieces that they no longer cared about or had any use for. Therefore, in order to show just how precious Mitzvos are and how dear to them was the building of the Mishkan, they specifically wore the jewelry on themselves and only parted with it when they arrived. This was a deep expression of their great love for Hashem.

Practical Application

Reb Moshe continues this point further. He says that this type of donation and giving is exactly what is most precious in the eyes of Hashem. When we give the things that are most precious to us, we show how much more important and vital the Torah is to us. Reb Moshe says that although one has a responsibility to work and support his family and this certainly can occupy one’s entire day and night, never-the-less, when one gives up his precious time to study the holy Torah, this is most precious in Hashem’s eyes. When one dedicates a portion of his most precious commodity of time to spend quality time with his wife and children, this is the ultimate expression of love and care.

To Share and Give

We share our most special commodities with Hashem and with our families. This is the way of the Torah and Mitzvos. When we give of ourselves, we express the deepest and most meaningful love towards the things that are truly most important in life.

(ונהפוך הוא אשר ישלטו היהודים המה בשנאיהם (אסתר ט:א

“…There was a reversal and the Jews overcame their enemies (Esther 9:1)”.

The absence of Hashem’s name throughout the entire scroll of Esther has been amply noted. The great salvation which Hashem performed for us certainly dictates that He should be acknowledged and mentioned in the narrative. Why then is His Name omitted? Many answers have been offered. I would like to share one that I believe is a synthesis of many great ideas combined together to bring out what could be the most fundamental theme of the entire Megillah.

Thinking About Him

The Gemara in Berachos (63a) teaches us that there is one short verse which encapsulates the great foundation of the Jewish program and goal. Mishley (3:6) states, “In all of your ways, know Him, and He will guide your path”. This verse teaches us to strive to include Hashem in our everyday life. What is perplexing is the exact problem mentioned above. All it does is use pronouns, Him and He, but never states Hashem’s name explicitly?! What is going on here?

The Answer

There is one answer for both of these questions. “Knowing Him” means to include Hashem in our every action. Serving Hashem does not just dictate that we daven and learn His Torah. Indeed, these are the means for achieving closeness and the lifeblood of our relationship. However, serving Him means much more that. It means including Hashem in our everyday life!

When we eat sleep and perform our bodily functions we can do so in one of two general ways. We can do them as obligatory bodily acts. Or we can do them as service as Hashem as well. When one eats something delicious or takes a refreshing slumber, he can savor the pleasure and take it for himself, or he can elevate the act. He can use the pleasure to grow closer to Hashem and to stir in his heart feelings of appreciation and love towards Hashem the One providing him with all of the pleasure. This is how to know Him in all of your ways. This is why it is such a fundamental exercise.

Yaakov’s Feat

Yaakov Avenu learned Torah diligently for many years before coming to the house of Lavan. Once there his mission was totally different. Now he had to build Klal Yisrael. He worked, got married and raised his kids. This was his job at the time. He is called the most chosen of the Avos. He achieved this because he so beautifully blended his Torah and its application while building the Jewish home. He himself expressed the fact that he managed to live with Lavan but still keep the 613 Mitzvos (See Rashi Bereishis 32:5). He taught his children to know Hashem in everyday life.

Indeed Rabbi Chaim Lowy (Igeres HaTiyul) writes that the word “Emes, ALef, Mem, Tuf” stands for Alef- Isha, Mem- Mamon and Tuf- Torah, a wife, money and Torah study. I believe that the explanation for this is because a person’s true essence comes out specifically regarding these three things. Will the person bring Hashem into his life revolving around his family life, business life and learning? This expresses his essence.

The verse that advises us to know Hashem even in a mundane setting specifically omits His name in order to emphasize this lesson. Stating Hashem’s name would imply that we are to strive to closeness through spiritual means. However, this is not the point. The idea is to train ourselves to bring Hashem into our mundane experiences, to elevate the physical and bring out its spirituality. This is the deeper explanation of the verse “V’Nahapoch Hu, it was reversed.” This verse hints to the fact that all of physicality can be reversed and turned into spirituality.

Illustrative Story

I was once shopping in a Jewish store, surrounded by many fellow Jewish shoppers. Suddenly we heard the radio of a Hatzalah member go off. The alarm sounded followed by the dispatcher’s announcement, “Any units available in the area…?” As the Hatzalah member ran out the door into his ambulance, we heard something about a male child who had fallen and was unconscious. As I looked around the store, I watched how every mother and every father present instinctively picked up their cell phone to call home and make sure that their son was okay. This is human nature. The moment that someone hears that a child got hurt, all parents need to know that their children are safe. At the end, the Hatzalah member returned and stated that the boy was thank God fine. The parents instinctively thought of their own child when they heard that a boy was in distress. So too, the goal of “knowing Hashem” means to instinctively think of Hashem in all situations in life.

Deeper Observation

There are only two Books in the entire twenty-four books of Tanach that do not contain Hashem’s name. The most obvious one is Megillas Esther and the other one is Shir HaShirim, King Shlomo’s love-song to Hashem. This is understood in a most beautiful and profound way based upon what we have explained. The depth of love is connection and thought about the beloved. The beloved holds such a special place in the heart that he or she is the first one that we think of when we think of someone else. Megillas Esther recognizes that the “Melech, King” that was running the show was Hashem, our King. That is why Chazal tell us that every time that the word Melech is found in the Megillah it is referring to Hashem, the Ultimate King. Shir HaShirim talks about a mysterious “Dodi, beloved” and “Him” but never says Hashem’s name. This is because when we think of love, our first though goes towards Hashem, our Creator and the One whom we are passionately in love with.

Summary

The verse specifically does not say Hashem’s name but rather states, “Know Him” to illustrate to us that the moment that we hear the word “Him,” our mind should immediately think of Hashem. Just as when we hear the word ‘child’ or ‘man’ or ‘woman,’ we immediately think of our loved ones, so too, Hashem’s existence and presence should be foremost on our minds.

Hashem’s name is omitted from the Megillah for this exact reason. We are meant to instinctively recognize and understand that Hashem is the One Who brought the salvation. This should be deeply rooted and etched in our hearts. Whenever we think about miracles, salvation and getting our needs fulfilled, we think of Hashem.

May we merit to get close to Him and have Him answer all of our prayers!