Category: Berashis

Berashis Chanukah Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas MiKaitz — Shabbos Chanukah (5765)

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Parshas MiKaitz — Shabbos Chanukah (5765)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Imagine the anguish Yosef went through being falsely accused and subsequently imprisoned for something that he demonstrated and exercised the epitome of self-control not to indulge in and sin.  Now, as a ruler,  he was basking in the success that the false accusations caused and created.  What a lesson!

Our fulfillment of the Torah and mitzvos ignite a light within and outside our homes which usually we cannot see.  Perhaps with the mitzvah of the Chanukah lights we are taking a glimpse at this light.

Have a beautiful Shabbos and a happy Chanukah.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayigash (5765)

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Parshas Vayigash (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Yehuda’s orderly logically sequenced orientation hit the spot.  First, we have a lesson in how to deal with difficult ordeals; to go step by step, logically and rationally.  The point that hit home was that Yosef was convinced that the brothers’ radical actions towards him were motivated by the fact that he stemmed from Rochel.  By Yehuda showing the brothers love and concern for Binyomin he proved this was untrue.  We must always be open to new revelations of the truth.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayishlach (5765)

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Parshas Vayishlach (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our parsha we have one of the most outstanding, monumental events; the historical rendezvous between Yakov and Eisav.  Contrary to the very calculated intentions of Eisav, Yaakov successfully defused and neutralized the whole destructive agenda.  Despite its glaring success, Yaakov doesn’t escape the scrutiny of Chazal, the truth of the Torah and was criticized for not sufficiently verifying that his actions were the true will of Hashem, and completely appropriate.  What a lesson of the extreme necessity and importance to constantly confirm that all our actions are daas Torah and the true Will of Hashem.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeitzei (5765)

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Parshas Vayeitzei (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Many find it difficult dealing with the phenomenon that Yaakov didn’t sleep for the 14 years that he attended the Yeshiva of Shem and attempt various interpretations.  Our whole existence is based on the promise Hashem made to Avraham that we are above the stars and no longer subjected to the conventional laws of nature with which Hashem runs the world.  Our very existence stems from women, who according to the laws of nature, were totally incapable of child-bearing.  Until this very day every facet of our existence is above “teva”.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Toldos (5765)

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Parshas Toldos (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

There is a puzzling Chazal in our Medrash that relates that Yitzchok was called Avraham.  One explanation might be that even though Yitzchok had his unique characteristics he also had the attributes of Avraham.  How inspiring!  WE all have many attributes in our arsenal of characteristics that we have the potential to access and light up the world with.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Chayei Sara (5765)

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Parshas Chayei Sara (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

To many it seems so sad that the news of Akeidas Yitzchok caused the passing away of Sara Imainu.  However, it was the concern over the future of Clal Yisroel that really disturbed her.  This means that in her petirah she was serving Hashem in a very high form; what a zchus.

When some unpleasantness is destined for us, chas v’shalom, it is the greatest gift from Heaven to be able to fulfill it in the service of Hashem.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeira (5765)

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Parshas Vayeira (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Avraham is visited by Hashem Yisborach, something which is difficult for our mouths to repeat and almost impossible for us to comprehend.  He begs forgiveness and excuses himself to attend to three crude looking wayfarers.   The message is a theme which is found and repeated many times in Chazal but very much misunderstood; the priority of our “bain adam l’chavero” and its extreme importance in the eyes of Hashem.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vaychi (5764)

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Parshas Vaychi (5764)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

A pasuk in our parsha together with the explanation of Rashi declare clearly an important principle that many are not sure of.  (50:19) Yosef  said to his brothers not to fear “Ki sachas Elokim oni”—and Rashi explains that even if I wanted to harm you I have no power to do it.  Many are under the false impression that a human, since he is a baal bechira has the power to harm another human and here we see clearly that this principle is incorrect.

We should merit to witness the realization of the brachos of Yaakov Avinu and the coming of Mashiach speedily.  Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayigash (5764)

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Parshas Vayigash (5764)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we find one of the most dramatic episodes in history—Yosef’s revelation to his brothers.  We must understand what aspect of Yehuda’s speech signaled Yosef to make this revelation.  There doesn’t seem anything significant in Yehuda’s address that should prompt this.

In his speech Yehuda went through the epitome of simplicity step by step of what had occurred.  As simple as this sounds, it reflects a clarity of the mind and true intellectual control.  This was Yosef’s signal that the time was ripe and right.  The brothers were free at last from the perversion of the mind that prevented them from seeing the truth of the greatness of Yosef and its implications.

Hashem should bless us all with clarity of mind to see the truth.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Lech Lecha (5764)

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Parshas Lech Lecha (5764)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Avraham Avinu the founder of Clal Yisroel and the personification of what we stand for had sensitivity for the contemporary spiritual needs and was not bound by conventionalism.  As a nation—stand for ideals of truth; as a Torah loyal group within the nation—be sensitive to the specific needs of the truth; and within the Torah loyal group—be sensitive to its special needs.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

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