1928-2022
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky (1928-2022) lived in Bnei Brak and was a leading posek. Known as the Sar HaTorah, he was the son of the Steipler gaon, son-in-law of Rav Elyashiv, and a nephew of the Chazon Ish. His notes on Chumash reflected his incredible breadth of knowledge, explaining the peshat of pesukim using a broad range of other statements of Chazal.
Hebrew Books: https://hebrewbooks.org/49911
Bereishit
Bereishit 1:1
Midrash: World was created for 3 Reishits: Challah, ma'aser, and bikkurim. All 3 use a small part and the rest is considered part of the mitzva. So too, the tzaddikim are a small portion of the world but it all exists because of them
Bereishit
Bereishit 2:3
The word la'asot needs an explanation. Maybe it's like Rabbi Akiva explained to Turnusrufus, that our actions are to perfect and complete the world (we do bris mila, much like we turn wheat into bread).
Bereishit
Bereishit 3:6
Though Chava believed the snake that she wouldn't die, right after eating she gave some to Adam so he would not remarry if she dies. Ta'ava for the fruit clouded her judgement, but after ta'ava is gone she can think more clearly.
Noach
Noach 6:9
Rashi: Noach being a tzaddik in his generation can be explained as good/bad. Citing Chazon Ish: People are affected by those they are surrounded by. His actions in his circumstances would be considered nothing in the time of Avraham, but had he been around Avraham to be influenced by him, he would all the more so be a tzaddik.
Noach
Noach 11:29
Rashi: Yiska is Sarah, because she had ruach hakodesh. So why tell us this now? Avraham is older than Nachor and married first. Milka was older than Yiska. So why did Avraham not marry Milka instead? Because he chose Sarah for her ruach hakodesh.
Lech Lecha
Lech Lecha 12:4
Hashem didn't tell Avraham to move until age 75, as this was a test, and it is easier for young people to move
Lech Lecha
Lech Lecha 16:12
The angel told Hagar her son would be a bandit and would be hated. Why? That way she might know how to educate him, like (Shabbat 156b) the mother of Rav Nachman Bar Yitzhak covered his head to have fear of heaven and would not become a thief.
Vayera
Vayera 18:19
Why would Avraham teach his children to serve Hashem to get reward? Because that is how we start with educating children (Rambam Teshuva 10:5), until they can do it for the right reason.
Vayera
Vayera 19:11
Steipler: Even after losing the ability to see, they felt for the door to break it down, as they did not learn their lesson. Lot's sons-in-law mocked him saying Sedom would be destroyed despite experiencing this miracle as well.
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