Bs”d
Erev Yom Kippur (5768)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The greatest blessing for us to have is the true insight to what our specific mission and purpose for being in the world is. We should have the strength and wherewithal to accomplish this.
By recognizing and submitting ourselves to the malchus shomayim we are making ourselves worthy of this splendid blessing.
A wonderful year in every way to you all and to all of Klal Yisroel.
Bs”d
Chag HaSuccos & Shabbos Chol HaMoed(5768)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The succa is powerful tool to enable us to be intensively connected with Hashem. This is accomplished by perpetuating the demonstration of the presence and control of Hashem.
Concering the malchus of Rosh Hashana, my Rebbe, Rav Avigdor Miller zt”l brought to our attention that the present lack of true kingdom and royalty creates a difficulty in relating to Hashem as a king. Perhps the open demonstration of the Hashgacha Pratis that is so predominantly open today for those who seek it, is an even greater and more meaningful manifestation of the Malchus Shomayim.
The main point of the miracle of the midbar, the annenei hakaovd, more than the fact that we were saved, is the means of how Hashem saved us; the open demonstration of His Presence and His true Kingdom. This is the essence of the schach and the lesson of the succa which keeps us connected to Hashem.
Have a joyous and meaningful Succos and Shabbos.
Bs”d
Shvi’i Shel Pesach (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
It is vital that we don’t lose sight of themost important aspect of the kriyas Yam Suf, amidst all the “vorts” and deep concepts–the simplicity of how Hashem manipulated and orchestrated the Egyptians being caught in the middle of the miraculous opening of the sea. Such an open, clear act of Hashem’s Kingdom and control down to the nitty gritty of actuality. We must integrate this realization into our daily lives.
Have a wonderful, meaningful Yom Tov.
Bs”d
Shabbos Chol HaMoed Pesach (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
“Bicholo Dor V’dor chayav adam liros es atzmo…”—we are required in every generation to feel as if we ourselves were redeemed from Egypt. The simple understanding of this is that it is a tool to enable us to feel the gratitude to Hashem.
A deeper understanding; the lesson the Pesach is the Divine control over the Universe, and that the exact predicament and situation we find ourselves in is solely from Divine control—to such an extent that we must feel that here and now the only reason we aren’t slaves today in Egypt is Hashem’s Will, to such a degree that it is as though we just went out.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and Yom Tov.
Bs”d
Pesach (5767)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The object of Pesach in general, and of the seder night in particular, is to receive very specific spiritual nutrients that we are blessed with only on Pesach. Avraham Avinu searched for Hashem and Hashem eventually revealed Himself to him. Klal Yisroel wanted to find Hashem and Hashem revealed Himself to them through the miracles of Yetzias Mitzrayim. This revelation repeats itself every year on the seder night and the rest of Pesach.
Such a scene that has been taking place thousands of years by millions of people all over the world, the head of the family or group transmitting the events related to the yetzias mitzrayim.
All our dear friends and relatives are invited to our Pesach mesiba at our home Motzai Shabbos Chol Hamoed.
Have a wonderful, meaningful Yom Tov.
Bs”d
Shavuos (5767)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The greatest essential of the fulfillment of the kabolas HaTorah in celebrating Chag Shavuos is our recognition and true appreciation and evaluation of how much we owe Hashem for His gift of the Torah. Through the objective evaluation of how we would perceive ourselves—how we would look today without the Torah…..
Baruch Elokainu Shebranu Lichvodo Vahivdilanu min hatoim. Hashem intentionally left this open for us to perceive and evaluate and appreciate and thank.
Have a meaningful YomTov.
Bs”d
PURIM (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
On what grounds is Purim regarded of the utmost importance and significance? It is most probably not the actual salvation from the imminent danger, rather the actual means of how Hashem saved us. That is, if Haman’s plot was nullified due to some internal political strife or economic crisis, granted it would be a great miracle, but Purim surely would not have received the status it has.
The stupendous nature of the miracle was the intricate sequence of the timing of the various events. It is an awesome lesson of how Hashem is with us always, and how He shows it through ‘hashgacha pratis’; the open manipulation of events. When one realizes this it opens his eyes to this very demonstration by Hashem of His Presence in one’s daily life. This has the most dynamic input in every aspect of our lives. One who accomplishes this has injected the essence of Purim into his whole life; ‘tov lev mishteh tamid’.
A freilichen, meaningful Purim to all.
Bs”d
Parshas Mikaitz (Chanukah) 5767
By Mordechai Dolinsky
Why was Yosef held so strongly accountable for asking to be remembered by the cup-bearer? One may speculate Yosef’s ability to interpret the dreams either as a wisdom that he possessed with of course Divine assistance, or a special absolute miracle. Assuming that it was a miracle it can account for Yosef being criticized.
If one is blessed by Hashem to be deemed worthy of such a Divine blessing it is like actually walking on thin air; how can one be concerned about wearing out his shoes? When Yosef interpreted the dream for Pharoh his test was to do so not feeling at all that it was his wisdom, only a miracle; by drawing on the miracle he had experienced with the Divine gift of interpreting the dreams of the cup-bearer and baker.
This, too, was the test of the Chashmonaim—after having experienced the complete blessing of miracle nothing to do with their efforts whatsoever, they had to continue the war against the Yevanim, not attributing the success to their own efforts. When one is blessed with this level of miracle he bears the awesome responsibility to respond accordingly.
We are living in an era that, too a large degree, Clal Yisorle is blessed by Hashem with these absolute nissim. We must be aware of it and live up to the expectations of Hashem in our emuna and our actions.\
Have a wonderful Shabbos, Chaunkah and Chodesh.
Bs”d
Simchas Torah (5767)
One of the deepest ideas of all of our hashkafos is that Hashem and the Torah are one and the absolute way to cling to Hashem is to attach oneself to Hashem’s Torah. We see a realization of this deep concept by the celebration of all Clal Yisroel of simchas Torah. This is really an invitation by Hashem to
celebrate with Himself.
Have a wonderful Yom Tov. And Shabbos.
Bs”d
Yom Kippur (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
We generally associate the vidui recited on Yom Kippur to be connected with the various tefilos of Shmone Esreh. The truth is that the power of Yom Kippur is not necessarily related to the davening. Yom Kippur is a time zone; a specific parameter of time that from the very moment it is ushered in until its final moment, it is an agent that together with tshuva can rid us of our soul stains from transgressions. It can and should be used out to its utmost and any moment that we recall something which requires forgiveness use your Yom Kippur for this.
A gmar chasimah tova to all and a wonderful year to all Klal Yisroel.
sending...
You must be logged in to post a comment.