Dear Readers,
L’toeles ha’rabim, for the benefit of the public, I cite from the Pele Yoetz: “Behold, he who has been graced by Heaven with knowledge, and his portion has been placed among those who study in the bais medrash, how great it be for him to write down whatever novel Torah thoughts that Hashem has graciously allowed him to bring to light, whether it be something small or something more significant. He must not be lax in doing this! For it has already been said (Sefer Chassidim 530) that a person is destined to give a reckoning in Heaven for not compiling in a sefer all the novel Torah thoughts that have been revealed to him by Heaven.”
The Pele Yoetz continues with the notion that one who puts his chiddushim to paper is regarded as if he has brought korbanos. Furthermore, through the vehicle of the written word, he is able to disseminate Torah to multitudes that will be read and studied long after he is no longer among the living. Last, he should never think that his words will be in vain, because one day, someone, even in a distant land, will pick it up and be inspired.
It is a loss for Klal Yisrael when Torah wisdom, hard-earned clarity, or stirring inspiration remains sealed in the heart or buried in notebooks. If something can be shared, if another Yid may benefit from one’s chiddush, it is incumbent upon him to see to it that he enriches Jewish life.
The goal of Peninim has always been to bring the beauty and depth of Torah to the largest possible audience. Baruch Hashem, this objective has borne fruit, as evidenced by the broad and multifaceted readership Peninim enjoys around the world. As I complete my thirty-fifth cycle of Peninim, I offer heartfelt gratitude to Hashem for the abundance of siyata d’Shmaya He has bestowed upon me. Hashem confers His kindness through many agents. Recognizing that agents are conduits does not minimize their vital contribution and our obligation to express deep gratitude to them.
I am privileged to have the ongoing support of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland/Bais Chinuch HoRav Dessler, an institution whose mission since its inception has been to reach out to all Jews, everywhere, always.
Several dedicated individuals help transform Peninim from scattered thoughts to a polished, weekly publication. Without their patience and devotion, Peninim would not be a reality. Week after week, Mrs. Sharon Weimer deciphers my illegible scrawl with remarkable patience and creativity. Mrs. Marilyn Berger navigates my ambiguous phrases and gently reshapes them, so that Peninim is presentable and acceptable to a wide spectrum of the Jewish world. She gives form and grace to the unshaped. Mrs. Devora Altose ensures that the final product is disseminated with both professionalism and timeliness.
The original distribution of Peninim began with Baruch Berger of Brooklyn, N.Y. He approached us to distribute Peninim in his community. His efforts grew far beyond his immediate community, until illness forced him to step back. The z’chus of his efforts is eternal. Ultimately, Baruch’s life came to an untimely end, to the grief of his many friends and admirers. May the Torah learning he helped inspire be a lasting source of merit for his neshamah. Eliyahu Goldberg of Yerushalayim launched the international edition of Peninim, reaching readers across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. He even adapted the text for a British audience. After his untimely passing, his wife, Angela, and Ashley Leboff continued his legacy of harbotzas Torah. Rabbi Moshe Peleg, Rav of Shaarei Zedek Medical Center, oversees printing and distribution in Eretz Yisrael. Peninim is now shared through various websites and distributed by baalei chesed throughout the Jewish world, many of whom I do not even know by name. May their z’chus in spreading Torah bring them blessing b’chol mili d’meitav.
Finally – and most importantly – I express my deepest gratitude to my wife, Neny, tichyeh. She has been a tower of strength and a constructive, insightful critic. Throughout our marriage, she has been a stabilizing force, a steadfast supporter during times of uncertainly. Engaging in devarim she’b’kedushah is both spiritually rewarding and personally demanding. It often requires a singular focus, which can place a strain on family life. Only a true eishes chayil can step in to shoulder both parental roles with grace and strength. The nachas we enjoy today is a direct result of her tireless and selfless efforts. May Hashem bless us with good health and continued nachas m’kol yotzei chalatzeinu.
Rabbi A. Leib Scheinbaum
