Category: Chagim

Bain HaMetzorim Chagim Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Devorim: Bain HaMetzorim

Bs”d

Parshas Devorim: Bain HaMetzorim
by Mordechai Dolinsky

I have been observing in recent years that people have difficulty in emotionally relating to the Churban.  I suspect that one of the main factors for this is a general breakdown of our emotional sensitivity, which affects all areas that our feelings and emotions are involved in, not just the Churban.  The promise to Klal Yisroel that with the coming of the ‘geulah’ our “heart of stone” (lev even) will be replaced with a heart of flesh is addressing this emotional coldness that we are experiencing.  A helpful suggestion to observe the mourning of the Churban is to read accounts of the recent holocaust.  Unfortunately, it is easier to relate to and it is all part of the Churban and galus.

The question has always been brought up as to why the mourning of the Churban isn’t observed on the Shabbasos of Bain HaMetzorim.  After all, we are mourning mainly for the spiritual tragedy, for the honor of Hashem that has fallen.  The Medrash 1:21 questions why a gentile deserves to die for keeping Shabbos and explains as follows: How would a king who is enjoying a very intimate party with his queen relate to an intruder to their privacy?  This is the “goi” keeping Shabbos.  What an insight this is as to the meaning of Shabbos—an intimate union of Hashem and Klal Yisroel.  This is the focus of Shabbos and there is no place for Churban.  How vital it is that we bear this in mind while celebrating Shabbos, a party with HaShem.  How amazing– the mourning of the Churban sheds such a great light on Shabbos.

A most distressing facet of the Churban is that a major factor in the destruction was executed by our fellow Jews; the cruel murder of thousands including the greatest Talmidei Chachamim.  Could we ever imagine that just misguided idealism could lead one Jew to actually mass murder his fellow Jews?!!

One of the reasons for the custom of the egg at the Seder table is to relate to the Churban since the Seder night occurs the same day of the week as Tisha B’Av.  What could possibly be the connection between the two?  “Food” for thought.  In sharing my own thoughts on the perplexity I would say as follows.  The insufficient relating to Pesach eventually brought about the Churban.  Pesach exclaims the kingdom of HaShem
Pesach exclaims gratitude, to HaShem and to our fellow man.

Hashem should put an end to all of our “tzaros” and to this “galus”.  We should see ‘yeshuos’ and ‘nechamos’, the rebuilding of the Bais HaMikdash, and the geulal sh’layma bikarov.

Chagim Shavuos Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Shavuos (5760)

Shavuos (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

One of the strongest words of warning in the Chumash is the following: “Rock HiShamer Lecha U’Shmor Nafshecha Meod Pen Tishkach Es HaDevorim Asher Rau Ainecha U’pen Yasuru Milevavcha Kol Yemai Chayecha. ViHodatem Livanecha V’Livnei Vanecha Yom Asher Amadita Lifnei HaShem Elokecha BiChorev” . Why is the Torah so concerned about our remembering the sight of Matan Torah? The Kuzari brings out a very basic insight. Everyone perceives our relationship to the Torah as emuna, we must have the faith and flex our belief muscles that HaShem gave us the Torah. The Kuzari points out that this is wrong.

All the belief systems of the world narrow down to one individual who claims to have had some contact with Divinity. Maybe he did or maybe he didn’t—you can take it or leave it. If he had a persuasive personality he could convince tens or tens of thousands and then it could get to be millions. Hehavdil Elef Havdalos only the Torah HaKedosha makes the claim that at Har Sinai Hashem addressed all Klal Yisroel—everybody, millions. You can tell me that HaShem spoke to you but you can’t tell me that HaShem spoke to me and have me accept it unless it is the absolute truth. This claim is made in the Chumash itself. The Chumash goes back historically very far and makes this claim openly–the glorious scene of Kabalas HaTorah involving millions of people. Bnai Yisroel is a stubborn, questioning people, Am Kishai Oref. If Kabalas HaTorah hadn’t been known as absolute truth it would have been laughed out of existence. We are talking about a historical fact that was known by the masses for generations and generations.

ViHodatam Livanecha—pass on to your children, ViLivnei Vanecha—to your progenity, Yom Asher Amaditah Lifnei Hashem Elokecha BiChorev.

Chag Sameach to all together with all the brachos of Kabalas HaTorah in Gashmius and Ruchnius.

Chagim Lag B'Omer Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Lag B’Omer

Lag B’Omer
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Probably one of the most puzzling, mystifying, dazzling and very enjoyable dates on our calendar is Lag B’Omer.  The date is weighted down with numerous important events.  One of the most popular is the cessation of the passing away of the talmidim of Rebbi Akiva.  The crown, of course, is the Yahrzeit, commemoration of the passing of the illustrious Reb Shimon Bar Yochai.  It is very strange that the day of the passing of such a giant should be a time of joy instead of mourning, and indeed there are poskim that are of that opinion.  The obviously accepted practice is of the other opinion–and HOW was it accepted.  It is truly mind boggling how this has been so unanimously received throughout Klal Yisroel.  Cutting across the board, literally throughout our nation.  The Sefardim, including the different ‘aidot”, the numerous congregations, the Ashkenazim, the various Chassidim and the Litvish.  All these are so fully represented by the multitudes and multitudes, thousands and thousands that arrive at his Tzion in Meron.  The widespread customs and halachos revolving around the lighting and burning of the fire.  How it is such an honor to be selected for the ceremony of the lighting.

The most tremendous perplexity is to understand what particular trait R’ Shimon bar Yochai had for which he was found worthy that such a magnificent Yom Tov should be made in his honor.  It seems that in all of history we don’t find anyone accredited such honor.

If we were stopped and asked what the single, most important and outstanding principle in the whole Yiddishkeit, our whole religion, is, what would be our reply?  What was our Avraham Avinu’s most important contribution and principle, that was his inspiration to create a nation which echoed down the millennia to this very day?

It was the realization and cognizance of the presence of Hashem in the world.  It is the sensory perception, the conscious awareness of the reality of Hashem’s presence.  Rashi in Beraishis 24:7 explains that before Avraham Avinu, HaShem was “Elokai HaShamayim” and through the teachings of Avraham Avinu HaShem was now called “Elokai HaAretz”!

If we need a verification of the supreme importance of this principle look at how the Shulchan Oruch Or HaChaim starts 1:1 : “Shivisi Hashem Linegdi Samid Hu Klal Gadol BaTorah”.

And such was the image of our nation all through our history.  Hashem’s presence was felt, at home, at work, on the road, all over.  His Name was constantly on our tongues and His Presence was in our minds.

Now the question of questions arises.  When we want to relate to HaShem what are we supposed to think about?  What is the concept of HaShem and how are we supposed to conceive of Him and understand Him?  Reb Shimon Bar Yochai, mainly through the Zohar, has taught us about HaShem, and has answered these questions.  The Arizal has crystallized for us this ‘chachma Elokis’ in his Etz Chayim.  Through sefarim such as Nefesh HaChayim and Sefer HaTanya, that are based on the Zohar and Etz Chayim, the chachma has been presented and brought to a level for Klal Yisroel to understand, even for those not on the plain to delve directly into Chachmas HaKabala.

It is imperative to know that the feeling and awareness of HaShem doesn’t come by itself.  It is something we must work on constantly to acquire and to keep.  It is an area that unfortunately is lacking today and we should use the inspiration of this Yom Tov to take upon ourselves to rejuvenate this awareness.  It comes out that our most pronounced principle is our connection to HaShem and R’ Shimon Bar Yochai has introduced us to the Ribbono Shel Olam.  R’ Shimon brought this great light to the world—let’s light up to him.

Chagim Pesach Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Getting the Most out of Pesach

Getting the Most out of Pesach
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Everything that we do the whole year is affected by the level of our Emunah, the belief in HaShem as the Creator and the Supreme source of the world’s continued existence.  Every single object, all energy, and systematic sense of order are present only by His will.  Every test, ordeal, and trial, be it something we are responsible to HaShem for, or to our fellow man, in order to be properly motivated we must draw from our reservoir of Emunah.  The main source of this spiritual nourishment of Emunah is the Yom Tov of Pesach.  The main time for this is the seder night, during the seder, with the fulfillment of the Mitzvos and the rest of the night.  It is extremely essential to bear this in mind.  The central focus of the seder is to acquire the Emunah for oneself, to inspire one’s children, family, and guests.  I would suggest to concentrate during the seder on these essentials, and not to cloud it with complicated commentaries.  Be sure to begin the seder on time, and it should be done with “zerizus”, lively and interesting.  After the seder, the rest of the night is the time to delve in greater depth into Yetzias Mitzraim.

The Brisker Rav ztz”l, with his keen sense for the truth, points out that the public at large has made a priority error.  Shavuos night it is only a custom to keep awake, primarily based on Kabbalah sources, and yet it is so popularly observed, very often at the expense of the simcha of the Yom Tov.  To the contrast of the seder night, staying up is of such extreme importance that it is even mentioned in the Hagaddah itself.  Yet, we don’t find this custom so popular among the public.  The proper perspective is that the night of the seder is so precious and every moment has in store the ability to enable us to acquire Emunah.

Another important issue is the evenings of Chol HaMoed.  It was always a big question as to what exactly was the avoda of these special times.  On Succos we have the gift of the Simchas Bais HaShoevah.  But what about Pesach?  Then finally came the realization that the preceedings of the seder night is a prototype example as to how the rest of the evenings of Pesach should be spent, ‘sipur yetzias mitzraim’—being inspired by the great miracles and the acquisition of Emunah.

Here I sit in Yerushalayim, hoping yet to be able to bring the Korban Pesach this year.  We should be zocheh soon to the Geulah Sh’layma.  Chag Kasher V’Sameach to all.

Chagim Chanukah Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Chanukah Insight (5760)

One of the most absolutely fascinating and amazing aspects of Chanukah that I ever came across is something that was revealed by the illustrious “Alshich” z”l.  The light of our modest Chanukah candles is from none other than the “Or HaGanuz” of “Maasei Breishis”.  Just to freshen our Memories–on Pasuk 4 at the beginning of Parshas Breishis Rashi brings that the light of the ‘Maasei Breishis’ was put away for the Tzaddikim in the next world; this is the ‘Or HaGanuz’.  I am perpetually shocked and mystified by this insight of the Chanukah light.  Without exaggeration it would be apropos to say that the ‘Avos HaKdoshim’  could to do something to bring the light of the ‘Or HaGanuz’.  Here we have some ignoramus lighting his little colored Chanukah candles, the music box on the Menorah playing the “I Have A Little Dreidel” song, and the remains of a latke still lingering in his mouth, and the light of the “Or HaGanuz’ shining from his Menorah.
I would like to share a possible thought and message about this profound phenomenon.  The who le miracle that Klal Yisroel experienced, the military victory over the Greeks and the miracle of the oil, all came about as a result of nothing but and only because of a tremendous gift from Above.  This is to exclude other instances where the “nuclear core” of the miracle stems from the
inspiration and workings of Klal Yisroel.  This characteristic and concept was carried over to the Mitzva commemorating the miracle.  In consistency with the actual miracle which in essence was a gift from Above, likewise the special Mitzvah of Chanukah brings an awesome gift from Above, the ‘Or HaGanuz ‘.
This thought is echoed in a seemingly humorous question that serious sources have brought up.
Why on Purim do we ‘spin the Groger’, the noisemaker, in a movement facing upwards, while on Chanukah we ‘spin the Dreidel’ in a downward movement?  The answer given is that on Purim the miracle came as a result of Klal Yisroel’s inspiration from ‘below’ contrary to Chanukah where the main source of the miracle was from Divine inspiration Above coming down.
This insight may shed light on a mystical aspect of the sprinkling of the blood of Yom Kippur
The Kohen Gadol sprinkled the blood of the sacrifices of the “Par” and the “Seir”, one sprinkle upward and seven sprinkles downward.  This service is possibly the most significant and important for the existence of Klal Yisroel and the act of the Kohen Gadol pointing his finger upward and downward is certainly very puzzling. Amazingly, our “dreidel–groger” insight might be a possible direction to understanding it.  The sprinkle upward representing the aspect of accomplishment from Klal Yisroel, and the sprinkle downward representing the things that are accomplished mainly through the gifts from Above.
The opinion of Bais Shammai is well known–that we start the first night of Chanukah with the lighting of eight candles and as the days progress the number of candles lit decreases.  The concept of going down might be a reflection of this Divine gift of the pouring down from Above the tremendous blessings that brought about the miracles.  Listen to this ‘remez’ from the ‘Baal HaTurim’ concerning Bais Shammai.  One Pasuk (Vayikra 8:2) says “BeHaaloscha Es HaNairos” in contrast to the Pasuk (Shmos 27:20) ” LeHaalos Ner Tomid”.  According to Bais Shammai the change is from “Nairos” (plural) to “Ner” (singular).  The last letters of the three words “LeHaalos Ner Tomid” is “Tof”–“Reish”–“Daled”  spells the Hebrew word “Tayraid”– to go down.  This might be a beautiful ‘remez’ of the Heavenly gifts coming down.
What does all this mean?  If a person prepares himself and properly connects himself to the Mitzvah of the lighting and in general makes an effort to lift himself and upgrade his spiritual status on Chanukah he will make himself eligible to be a recipient of marvelous spiritual gifts from Above
He might thereby gain some concrete inspiration from Chanukah along with the extra weight gained from those delicious latkes and jelly donuts.  Happy Chanukah!

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