Bs”d
Succos (5765)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The focus of the Succah should be the most amazing phenomenon that we have a mitzvah that we can actually point up to the schach and proclaim that there is the Shechina.
Have a most wonderful, simchadike Yom Tov with all the brachos that come with it.
Bs”d
Rosh Hashana (5765)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The main, crucial focal point of Rosh Hashana is the strengthening and rejuvenating of Hashem as the King of the Universe. Our practical actuating this as a reality has been hampered since no actual kingdom exists in the world today that we canuse to relate to Hashem in that role.
Perhaps the knowledge that the control of all the vicious forces and nuclear power in the world today are all completely in the hands of Hashem, is a unique advanced concept of the Malchus Shamayim.
May it be a wonderful good year for you and all Clal Yisroel.
Bs”d
Shavuos (5764)
Chag Shavuos is like a “Rosh Hashana” for Torah. It is vital that we make a strong commitment towards our responsibility regarding this Mitzvah.
We must remember to undertake to be ‘besimcha’ ; in a happy, positive, disposition during our learning. We must strive to learn with a true clarity.
We should be zocheh to have a kabalas HaTorah and all its brachos.
Chag Sameach.
Bs”d
Zos HaBracha-Simchas Torah (5763)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
“Vizorach Misaier Lamo”—Rashi quotes the Chazal of the offer from Hashem to bnei Esav and Yishmael for the Torah and their refusal. Elsewhere is explained their objections were the commandments against murder and theft. R’ Chayim Volozhin sharply points out that it wasn’t just a cold refusal but rather these commandments interfered with their respective means of livelihood. He then points out how much care must be taken on our part not to be negligent in our obligations to the Torah with the rationalization that it is interfering with our parnassa, for it would chas v’shalom echo the voices of Yishmael and Esav.
This is a very timely message for the time that we are rejoicing with the Torah.
Have a lovely Shabbos, a joyous Yom Tov and a wonderful year.
Bs”d
Succos (5763)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
Succos as all the Yomim Tovim has many beautiful aspects that bring us a lot of joy. The Yom Tov also was intended to provide us with a spiritual nourishment essential for our spiritual diet. This is crucial for the various tests and trials during the course of the future.
As we sit in the Succa and focus on the schach we must see it as the Schechina hovering over us; Hashem Himself showering upon us His love, His attention and His constant personal care. His in-depth knowledge of every single one of our exact needs and His constant response to them. Because the succa is so awesomely connected to Hashem Himself it is understandable the unique holiness the succa contains which is not present by any other mitzvah.
This explains the special mitzvah of simcha also unique for the Succa, for the realization of the connection with Hashem brings the greatest joy.
Let’s all have a wonderful Yom Tov full of spiritual satiation and showered by all the blessings that come along with it, for ourselves and all Clal Yisroel.
Bs”d
Shavuos (5762)
We find a number of names and likewise reasons for the celebration of Shavuos. It is of the greatest wonder why no mention is made in the Chumash of the most important reason—Chag Matan Torah. Perhaps it can be explained with a parable of a wife wanting a sign from her husband that he values and appreciates their marriage. She makes a lavish private party to celebrate the day they bought their home which happens to be the same day of their anniversary. She is waiting for him to exclaim at the party: “Dear, how can we not also celebrate the wonderful day of our union..” Hashem wants us to exclaim that we are so happy and appreciate that you gave us the Torah that brings beauty and meaning to our lives.
Have a wonderful and meaningful Yom Tov.
Bs”d
Parshas Tzav – Shabbos HaGadol (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
In the Medrash (10:6) of our parsha there is a Chazal that the attire of the Kohanim is atonement for sins equivalent to the sacrifices. The message is that what we wear is an integral part of serving Hashem. In every generation there is a form of dress that identifies us as Clal Yisroel, the nation of Torah observant Jews. We should embrace that form of dress to identify ourselves with our loyalty to Hashem.
On Shabbos HaGadol we are recipients of great spiritual gifts. In its week we are recipients of the most important date of the calendar for the acquisition of Emunah; the night of the seder and rest of Pesach. The night of the seder and Pesach are our source of faith.
It is absolutely crucial to prepare during the next few days.
Study the Haggadah—Learn Chazal and Medrashim pertaining to Yetzias Mitzrayim—Get ample rest in order to utilize every moment of the night of the seder until dawn.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and we should be zocheh to see the Geulah Sh’layma Bikarov.
Bs”d
Parshas Bamidbar (Erev Shavuos) 5761
In this week’s sedra we have the designation of the formation of Klal Yisroel for their travels. Anything at all that the Chumash mentions has tremendous significance but especially when the Torah itself places emphasis on it. Additional significance can be reinforced by the Medrash which relates that the formation was a reflection of the order of the Shvatim that Yaakov Avinu requested when carrying his ‘aron’ to its resting place in Eretz Yisroel.
This brings us to contemplate into the significance of the four directions that Klal Yisroel was ordered to form themselves while traveling in the ‘midbar’; and the significance of the sequence of how it was presented—east, south, west and then north.
What was the significance of the various Shvatim that were designated to each direction; east-Yehuda, Yissachar and Zevulun—south—Reuven, Shimon and Gad etc.? What was the significance of the main shevet that was chosen for each direction; Yehuda—east—Reuven—south etc.?
The Medrash (2:10) gives some beautiful insights, however, the interpretation is still open to our own thoughts—“dig in” and I’m sure you will come up with some beautiful ideas.
Our Yom Tov of Shavuos is coming up and I would like to share the following ‘kabalas haTorah’ related thought on the degalim. The Medrash in Shmos relates that when Paroh observed Bnei Yisroel marching in its formation, he suddenly had a tremendous insight to the specific outstanding traits that each possessed. This Chazal gives us a hint that the formation represented various character traits, attributes and talents they possessed. This formation says that the Torah recognizes and respects all the personality and character traits of the individual and has a place for it in the service of HaShem.
One of the greatest marvels of the Torah is that despite that it is made up of regimentation and strict unmovable, inflexible doctrines; yet Hashem with His infinite wisdom structured the Torah to have room and flexibility for each individual to find himself and exercise his creativity and his personality nuances. Every neshama can find its personal sense of purpose and utmost feeling of accomplishment in the Torah.
This brings us to a new insight to the offer that HaShem made to all the nations of the world and their refusal. After hearing the demands of the Torah each nation felt that the Torah did not have the flexibility to “fit in” and cater to its national characteristics. They felt that the Torah is too rigid. Bnei Yisroel, too, have their national traits, and so too, each shevet, and individual, yet they shouted and exclaimed “Naaseh V’nishma” . Hashem, after all, is our Creator, and made our traits, and surely knows our traits. We have full respect, trust, confidence and loyalty to except without any inquiries and reservations all His commandments.
A wonderful Shabbos and Yom Tov to you all.
Bs”d
Parshas Haazinu (Yom Kippur)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
The importance of the parsha can be perceived from the words of the Chumash itself in Parshas Vayelech (31:19). “Write this song for yourselves and teach it to Bnei Yisroel, and place it in their mouths”. 31:25—“It shall be that when many evils and distress will be encountered then this song shall speak up as a witness”. One of the outstanding themes is the observation and sensitivity to the events that we are constantly experiencing. This has a special timely meaning as will be explained.
It is clear that the central theme of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur is relating specifically to the ‘Malchus HaShem’. This amounts to superimposing to HaShem, kavyachol, the image, concept and the experiencing of earthly human royalty. This is a combination of awe, fear and admiration. The institution of authentic royalty is contemporarily extinct. Because of this we are faced with a challenge of not having the slightest concept of ‘malchus’ with which to relate to HaShem.
Queen Esther put her life on the line by petitioning for a few words with His Majesty. Bear in mind that this was none other than her husband who she was supposedly so endeared to. This is a startling glimpse at the awesome quality of true royalty and our lack of insight into it. In the Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur Shmoneh Esrei when expressing the yearning for the fear and reverence of the Kingdom of HaShem to be reinstated, the commentaries explain the word “Uvchen” (tain pachdecha) is a reference to the term Esther used when relating to her encounter with King Achashverosh!
How can we relate to the ‘Malchus HaShem’ without having witnessed or experienced it? The awesome grandeur of royalty is void. However it is possible to achieve our connection to malchus through the glorious manifestation of the Malchus Shomayim which is demonstrated through the manipulation of the current events which surround us; the theme of our parsha and very appropo for Yom Kippur whose theme is ‘malchus HaShem’.
A Gmar Chasima Tova for all of us and all of Klal Yisroel.
Bs”d
Rosh HaShana (5761)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
In the beginning of Hilchos Rosh HaShana the Tur quotes a Medrash which is quite puzzling. A comparison is made between the usual mindset of someone facing the result of the final court ruling of his case which can include even corporeal punishment; the anxiety—the stress—and the neglect of personal body care. To the contrast of the holiday spirit including dress, food, and all, that overtakes Klal Yisroel as they are facing the outcome of the verdict of the judgment of Rosh HaShana. This optimistic display is a reflection of the confidence Klal Yisroel has in the Ribbono Shel Olam. The obvious question is how does the confidence have any affect or reflection on the relieving of the possible stringency of the verdict of the case. What happened to “everyone passes before HaShem and is examined”(as it says in the Mishna)
What happened to the great Heavenly scales that weigh our Mitzvos and Aveiros?
What happened to the name of Rosh HaShana, Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgment?
In sharing a possible approach to this difficult problem I would say there is a bit of practical advice that Reb Chaim Velozhin offers us in “Nefesh HaChayim” that in general can be very useful and can help shed some light on our difficulty here. In Shaar 3:12 R’ Chaim explains that by intensive concentration and clear realization of the principle of the Oneness of Hashem and the confirmation of the belief that there aren’t any powers in the world outside of Hashem, one can immunize themselves again anything that can harm him. Perhaps we can say the Medrash does not infer that because of the bitachon there is no judgement, but rather, even if chas v’shalom there is a decree upon someone which can cause tzar or something damaging he can nullify its harmful affects through the bitachon, applying the principle of the “Nefesh HaChayim”. What the Medrash expresses is not that there “won’t be a judgment” but rather “they are confident that HaShem will make a miracle for them”.
This idea is reflected very significantly in the blowing of the Shofar. The shvarim, the trua, or both, represent the crying out and the sorrow of the inflictions. The tekia which proceeds and follows this is the sound of the declaration of the Kingdom of Hashem and His all encompassing control over everything in the universe. In the words of the Shalah HaKodosh, the ‘din’ is sandwiched in between the ‘chesed’ and the ‘rachamim’ of Hashem and this changes it all to bracha and tov that we can see and enjoy.
A wonderful, sweet year to you all together with Klal Yisroel.
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