Category: Berashis

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Emor (5767)

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Parshas Emor (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

An extremely important factor in avodas Hashem is placing the various areas of serving Hashem in their proper place of priority.  All through the generations, down through today, so much disturbance and destruction was caused to Klal Yisroel due to distortion of true priorities.

The Medrash in our parsha quotes a Chazal  (26:2) that in the times of David HaMelech despite the fact that the youth were on an extremely high level of Torah knowledge and purity from transgressions, there were great casualties in battle since they were guilty of transgressing the issur of lashon hora; a lack of sensitivity towards humans in their environment, to the contrast of the generation of Achav that despite their being guilty of idol worship their sensitivity and care towards others brought victory.  This reflects the likewise amazing Chazal that Rashi brings that the dor haflaga, despite their rebelliousness and denying of Hashem were not destroyed and was the generation of the dor hamabul since they were on a high level of connection, consideration and care for others—what we call brotherly love.  To the contrast of the generation of Noach who were lacking this and they were destroyed.  This gives us a clear picture to the true priorities of what Hashem wants from us.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim (5767)

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Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Upon simple observation of Rashi’s explanation of “Kedoshim Tihiyu”—’hevei prushim min hoarayos’, to would seem as Rashi’s explanation of the word Kedoshim is prushim—to inhibit one’s desires and urges and abstain from overindulgence.  However, a more exact consideration of his words might lead to the following explanation.  Rashi is pointing out that by practicing ‘prishus’, self-control, one brings the kedusha upon himself.  How can we fulfill the command of the Torah—Kedoshim Tihiyu—holiness; the Shechinah, is not something that is in our hands, that we have control over.  To this Rashi enlightens us that by the practice of prishus the state of kedusha descends upon us as a Heavenly gift, thus enabling us to fulfill the Torah’s command.

We are surrounded in our generation by many difficult trials and tribulations and tests in the area of self-control over lusts.  However the bright side of the coin is that we are being given a great opportunity for high degrees of kedusha by successful self-control.

Have a wonderful Shabbos Kodesh.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayechi (5767)

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Parshas Vayechi (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

It is truly amazing that the ‘shevet’ designated for limud hatorah was signified and represented by the donkey whose intelligence throughout the ages was a source of ridicule.  Success in Torah studies is achieved by stubborn perseverance; the most outstanding attribute of this animal.

The study of Torah is of top importance for all members of Klal Yisroel which includes laymen and all sects and circles.  The most vital and important ingredient for success is stubborn perseverance.  Chazal tell us it has special significance and importance during this period, in preparation for the coming of Moshiach.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayigash (57567)

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Parshas Vayigash (57567)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Yosef degraded his father and brothers by declaring them shepherds which were looked down upon and despised by the Egyptians for the purpose for them to settle in Goshen where they would be isolated from the Egyptian culture.  He was thus setting the standards and mindset of a model structure for their galus existence.

For us presently as the galus progresses this becomes progressively more difficult.  With the situation today being that there are no geographical Torah true oases. How aware we must be that so much of our mentality and way of life is infested and infected with anti Torah ideas, ideals and standards.  We must pray to Hashem for Divine assistance to free us from this and enable us to live a Torah-true life according to His Will.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeshev (5767)

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Parshas Vayeshev (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

How can we explain Yosef’s obstinacy to fulfill his father’s shlichus and subject himself to the danger of his brothers despite his clear understanding of the probable consequences which actually came into a reality?  Yosef was in touch with a great light of insight to the great emes and true will of Hashem.  This is the light of Chanukah.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a joyous, significant Chaunkah.

Berashis Chanukah Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Mikaitz (Chanukah) 5767

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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.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayishlach (5767)

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Parshas Vayishlach (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The real success Yaakov Avinu had in his historical rendezvous with Esav can be attributed to his tefilos and his intimate connection with the Shechina.  What a significant, relevant message there is for us today with the dangers lurking around us from the umos haolam.

Prepare for Chanukah which is getting true inspiration from the menorah, by connecting with the mitzvos that connect us to Hashem for example mezuzah, tzizis, tefilin and Shabbos. And have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Chayai Sara (5767)

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Parshas Chayai Sara (5767)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The popular understanding of Rashi (23:1) is that Sara Imainu passed away from the shock of the mistaken information that Yitzchok was actually slaughtered.  However, from more careful examination it is clear that she was disturbed just from the idea of the “akaida” which obviously needs explanation.

Just as the ‘nisayon’ of Avraham is explained that the whole concept of slaughtering Yitzchok was so much to the contrary of how Hashem presented Himself as the epitome of chesed;  so too, to Sara  the idea was just too devastating.

This calls out for us the extreme importance that chesed is in the service of Hashem.

Have a wonderful Chodesh.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeira (5767)

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Parshas Vayeira (5767)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

In honor of our parsha Vayeira and its insight into Avraham Avinu who we must emulate, being the founder of our nation, I wish to express the importance to pray to Hashem for special Divine assistance in insight to the true manifestation of the fulfillment of the will of Hashem in our generation.

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