Category: Bamidbar

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Bamidbar (5767)

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Parshas Bamidbar (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

On Shabbos we receive spiritual nourishment for all that is scheduled to transpire in the week to follow.  The fact that that we have “kabolas haTorah” this week puts a tremendous focus on the extreme significance of this Shabbos.  Practically speaking, we should keep in mind that we want to receive the special spiritual gifts for Shavuos and place special kavanos in our tefilos for success in Torah—for example Bircas HaTorah, Ahava Rabba and Berich Sh’may.  We should also make an attempt to be ‘mechadesh’ something in Torah, as the Zohar suggests we should do every Shabbos.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Matos – Masai (5766)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The current situation calls for our strengthening in the perceiving of the all encompassing presence of Hashem in a high level of reality. This, the Nefesh HaChayim reveals, is a tool for survival in all situations of any kind of danger.

The current events call out for the general upgrading of our spiritual level.

The present period of ‘bein hametzorim’ and the current events cry out for the yearning that the Kovod Shomayim and the Kingdom of Hashem be reinstated and recognized by the entire universe.

Have a wonderful, meaningful Shabbos, and a month of redemption.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Pinchas (5766)

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Parshas Pinchas (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Pinchas was rewarded by Hashem with kahuna for his heroic act. Rashi explains that it was a sign of love that Hashem exhibited to him for the love he demonstrated to Hashem.

This awakens us to strengthen this most vital basic area of avodas Hashem, to demonstrate our love to Him, and to reinstate the practice to devote time daily to have an intimate heart-to-heart “talk” with Hashem in privacy. This was practiced by all groups in KLAL Yisroel all through our history. The Chofetz Chayim devoted two and a half hours daily for his expression of intimacy with Hashem.

Through our expression and demonstration of closeness to Hashem, He will surely reciprocate by bringing a great salvation for all our needs, especially in these troubled times.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Balak (5766)

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Parshas Balak (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Bilaam, through the auspices of his Divine inspiration, praised Klal Yisroel specifically for their modesty. “Mah Tovu Oholecha Yaakov”. Likewise, the Medrash in our parsha (20:22) reflects the idea that one of the four attributes of Klal Yisroel responsible for their redemption from Mitzrayim was the modesty on the part of the women.

What a meaningful, significant message for us today, steeped in a society callous to even the most basic values of feminine modesty. This is not the framework for elaboration on this vital issue but it is so imperative for us idealists representing the Will and Glory of Hashem in this generation, to comprehend and fulfill.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Chukas (5766)

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Parshas Chukas (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The Medrash in our parsha quotes a famous Chazal (19:4)—Hashem in His modesty consulted with the malachim concerning the creation of man. Having a negativity towards Hashem’s plan, Hashem declared that man is superior to them. Lining up all the creatures of the world they failed to fulfill Hashem’s request to give them their appropriate names; to the contrast of man who successfully gave them all their correct names.

Why did Hashem select this particular outstanding trait to demonstrate man’s greatness and why was he able to accomplish this despite the intellectual superiority which the malachim possess?

The Chazal revealed that man contains the traits of everything in the Creation, including the vicious crocodile, the wild buffalo, the poisonous cobra and scorpion. When Chazal demand of us to have the strength of the lion and the swiftness of the deer, and the diligence of an ant, it is because we actually contain their characteristics. We are capable of identifying with all the creatures since we are made up of their characteristics.

Hashem is explaining to the malachim—look at this creation of man that contains all of the animalistic qualities and yet has control. My great nachas, says Hashem.

We should all be worthy of practicing control over our animalistic traits in this period of darkness before the coming of Mashiach and give nachas to our Creator.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Korach (5766)

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Parshas Korach (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Korach’s greatest wickedness was his machlokes with Moshe Rabeinu. Having a difference of opinion; debating, arguing and engaging in intensive verbal conflict can be very positive. In the Torah world, which is the highest, holiest and most important reoccupation, this is done constantly. Sholom, peace, is not the absence of disagreement but rather dealing with the conflict properly. Machlokes is when the conflict gives birth to a kind of “war” mode and the “issue” which was the cause of the original disagreement fades into the background.

The machlokes then becomes an end in itself, with irrational, obnoxious behavior with hatred and animosity. The baalei machlokes then use an arsenal of assorted tactics designed to hurt the other side, emotionally, financially and physically.

So much strength and effort must be exerted not to fall into this when standing up for our principles.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Shlach (5766)

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Parshas Shlach (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Hashem Himself promises absolute success in acquiring Eretz Yisroel and conquering it from the 7 nations. Yet, Klal Yisroel finds it necessary to send military spies.

This is all taking place while Hashem is sustaining them miraculously in the desert. How can we understand this; is there any rational comprehendible thought process?

Perhaps it is the human need to be “in control” or just the doings of the yetzer hara.

Hashem, the Creator of the world, our Best Friend, commits Himself and reassures us completely; attach yourself to Him, it’s your best bet.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Behaaloscha (5766)

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

I often wonder if thought is put into trying to understand why it was impossible for Moshe Rabeinu to comprehend the instructions regarding the menorah as Chazal explain in the Medrash; to the extent that finally Moshe requested that Hashem Himself should construct the Menorah.

The most precious item in the entire Universe is truth, and light represents truth. The Menorah was the “seat” of the holiest light in Creation which represents the epitome of truth. Whose handiwork can this holy object be the product of, if not Hashem Himself?

Chazal foretell that the period prior to the coming of Mashiach, in which we presently find ourselves, will be the darkest; and the truth will be hidden to the utmost. It is accessible, however, to the inspired, obstinate, uncompromising searchers.

Have a wonderful week.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Matos (5765)

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Parshas Matos (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The message that the Torah relates by placing the husband and father in charge of the vows of their wife or daughter, is the general spiritual responsibility of the husband and father in the home. The women are blessed with “bina yesaira”, an abundance of wisdom that a husband should acknowledge and respect, but every ship has one captain.

Clal Yisroel worldwide is ushering in our mourning period for the Churban. It would be appropo to dedicate a few moments daily to mourn over the desecration of the honor of Hashem and His nation. It would be proper at this time to recharge our appreciation and value for Eretz Yisrael, the palace of Hashem; for the zechus to tred upon the holy of holies, His very “home”. It is so easy to forget with today’s modernization and advancement of technology; treading on the avenues of asphalt, surrounded by an up-to-date way of life.

Since the churban, our idealists have returned to the “palace” but with years of intensive uplifting spiritual preparation to be worthy to tread upon the holy earth to say nothing of the perilous journey and impossible conditions they were subjected to upon their arrival.

Let’s contemplate, meditate and appreciate that we are worthy to be at the holy of holies in the universe, and let us mourn for the desecration of the glory of Hashem and yearn for His honor and glory to be restored through the coming of Moshiach.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Pinchos (5765)

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Parshas Pinchos (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Amazing, in our sedra we find that Pinchos earned, through his heroic act, a spiritual status that originally was not coming to him, the Kehuna. Likewise the Bnos Tzelafchad who originally were not included in receiving land in Eretz Yisroel, but because of their burning desire to be part of the land allocation, aggressively petitioned to Hashem through Moshe Rabeinu and were granted a portion. All this to the contrary of Bilaam in our last sedra was blessed with awesome Divine prophecy which he misued and it was wasted.

Our parsha contains the korbonos of Yom Tov and it connects us with Yom Tov and its simcha. It is not just a cold, informative list of technical korbonos, rather an alive reality we are presently experiencing. The parsha is calling for a chizuk, a reinforcement of the simcha of Yom Tov.

Simcha, joy, is a state of mind and emotion that we must create for ourselves and not a mere reflection of happy experiences. All our actions and thoughts are affected in a positive way by our maintaining a state of joy.

Strange, we receive this inspiration upon entering the period of mourning for the Bais HaMikdash. There is an aspect of simcha even during this sad period.

The Chumas itself, meaning Hashem Bichvodo is giving an inspiration and a reminder to be joyous… and

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

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