Month: June 2018

Parshas Balak 5778

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Parshas Balak (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

A tremendous ‘peleh’ in the parsha 20.22–Balak makes a second request of Bilaam , Hashem commands Bilam: Kum Lech Itam.  This is followed immediately by Hashem’s anger for Bilam’s going.  This is so difficult to understand after specific instructions to go.  Bilam’s reply seems to superficially fair enough, stay over and wait for the Heavenly reply.  At this point Bilam was guilty of a terrible sin that goes unnoticed.  When the repeated request to Bilam was made there was no basis of consideration of a change.  Bilam’s reaction had to be a  very clearly and outspoken negative reply; it would be a great sin even to think of making a second request to harm Klal Yisroel.

At this point he was given the Divine order to go with them followed by the Divine anger for his going.  This is totally confusing which we can say was the beginning of the Divine punishment placed on him.  Perhaps the episode being held guilty for striking the donkey, something he couldn’t have seen was also part of this punishment.

We should always pray for clarity from Hashem.

Parshas Chukas 5778

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Parshas Chukas (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

20:23– In the route going through Edom Rashi relates that there was an inner ambition to come close to Esav which caused the loos the great Aharon HaKohain, although this route was convenient and normal.

Yaakov detested Esav, some deep inner wickedness which made him repel and reject Esav,  “hoi shav”.  This was an issue related to korbanos, to the depth of the kavanos and the true Divine connection which Esav had defected and faulted in, falsehood and sheker.  Klal Yisroel should have been sensitive to this and this made them lose Aharon HaKohain who was the epitome of greatness in the Divine holiness and connection of the korban.

Have a lovely, uplifting Shabbos.

Parshas Korach 5778

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Parshas Korach (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsk

Korach, Korach, with a home, a wife and family;you can be so happy, so peaceful, so content.  Why was it so essential that a special, unique punishment be created?  Korach was going so radically against the expectancy of the decency of a human being in using his faculties to see the through the truth and not be blinded by drowning ambitions.  The extent and the degree that he conducted himself so wrongly, he had no place on the face of this planet, just to be swallowed by the earth.

We must yearn for Hashem to open our eyes to the truth.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Shlach 5778

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Parshas Shlach (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

15:18 Rashi explains the mitzvah of challah designating a part of the dough has a uniqueness that the requirement to fulfill it is not having to wait for the yerusha and settlement in Eretz Yisroel.   The chiyuv is immediately upon entering the Land and partaking from the bread.  An explanation of this uniqueness may be understood with the insight with the great gift of the lechem.  Hashem injects into these grains the strength of our lives along with the greatest of miracles, the knowledge of the 10 steps critical and crucial necessary in the making of these grains to the magnificent bread.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and looking forward to a happy Chodesh.

Parshas Behaaloscha 5778

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Parshas Behaaloscha 5778

by Mordechai Dolinsky

When the Kohain lights the Menorah it is not for producing practical light to see.  To ensure this the Menorah was set up in a way to remind him.  The kevana must be pure to receive the bracha of light of the Shchinah which brings the light of emes  and closeness to Hashem to all Klal Yisroel.

Have a wonderful, fulfilling, joyous Shabbos.