Category: Weekly Parsha

Parshas Tzav-Shabbos HaGadol

Bs”d

Parshas Tzav—Shabbos HaGadol (5766)

By Mordechai Dolinsky

The Medrash in our sedra (17) quotes the Chazal that for the sin of lashon harah there is not atonement.  The Torah however comes through with a source of forgiveness—the clanging sound of the bells on the “me-il” of the Kohain.  For the absolute devastation and damage of lashon hara there is no “kappara”.  With the subtle sound of the bells on the garment of the Kohain the Torah creates a kappara.  The Kohain has no control—involuntary sounds from his movement.  Perhaps the anguish of not being in control of the sound brings the kappara.  The powerful message is the awesome seriousness of lashon hara.

Every Shabbos is a reinforcement of emuna; this Shabbos we receive the strength for the seder, the epitome of the source of emuna.  Perhaps this is an explanation for the name Shabbos HaGadol.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Pesach Mesiba

Parshas VaYikra

Bs”d

Parshas Vayikra (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

2:13–Rashi brings the significance of the bris melach was something very deep and significant.  It was the manifestation of the yearning of the waters of the earth for shleimus and for closeness to Hashem.  The realization of this was the promise of the chiyuv of salt on the korban.  Mayim tachtonim, where are you and what are you, but you yearn for shleimus and kirvas Hashem.  Hashem said there would be a fulfillment through the requirement of salt on the korban, but this was not sufficient, a bris was needed.  Perhaps the creations to faithfully fulfill their duties must have a reassurance of true purpose, and in this case a bris was necessary.

Have a wonderful Shabbo and a magnificent Chodesh.

Parshas Vayikra

Bs”d

Parshas VaYikra

By Mordechai Dolinsky

The Chazal had grounds to presume that the time of fulfillment of the mitzvah of retelling the miracles of Yetzias Mitzrayim starts from the beginning of Nissan, and it is only from a special limud that we know that the technical mitzvah is confined to the night of Pesach.  From this we can see that the two weeks prior to Pesach is also a time one can soak in the emunah.  It is therefore very beneficial to devote time every day to connect to the Yetzias Mitzrayim.  One should set aside time to study medrashim and read material on this subject.

With our parsha of VaYikra we are entering the world of korbonos.  As we find with many areas of the dinim of the Torah even though they are a “gezairas hakasuv” there are many lessons we can derive from them.  There is an aspect of the laws of the korban olah which I am amazed by that I would like to share.  We find in Mesechtas Tomid (31) the Torah prescribes a definite order of how the body of the slaughtered bull is dissected.

We start with the head – then to the four bottoms of the legs (front and back) – then to the two front forelegs – this is followed by the hind right leg – the chest – the right side – the left side – the rump – and then the hind leg.  The reason for this order surely has great significance and I will leave it presently as food for thought.

We also find an interesting order in the sequence of how the blood is circulated to the body.  The four major arteries spread out to the right side of the brain, the right hand, the left side of the brain and the left hand and to the lower part of the body and the two feet.  On the return trip the right side of the brain together with the right hand, the left side of the brain, then the left hand, and the lower part of the body including the two feet.  There is likewise some interesting significance to this.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Vayakheil-Pekudei

Bs”d

Parshas Vayakail-Pekudei

By Mordechai Dolinsky

The Chazal in the Medrash in our parsha (52:3) relate that Rav Abahu due to terrible illness was on the verge of passing on, hovering between both worlds, had a glimpse of the next world and was pleasantly surprised at the great reward awaiting him there.  He exclaimed that he thought all his efforts were in vain; obviously very puzzling—for a person must recognize, appreciate and value his spiritual accomplishments.  Reb Abahu surely recognized his great spiritual accomplishments; however he feared that one of his actions might have deleted his awesome spiritual treasure chest.  One great hurt, unjustifiable administered, might have the power to eradicate everything.  Cry to Hashem that we are worthy of accomplishing our true purpose.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a beautiful Chodesh.

Parshas Yisro 5778

Bs”d

Parshas Yisro (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

Klal Yisroel was accused of incorrectly complaining about a lack of water. 15:27  We find here in Rashi a most amazing insight in the nature and greatness of Klal Yisroel.  “Look at the extent of the stubbornness of Klal Yisroel”.  When communicating with Moshe Rabeinu concerning the dire situation of drought it was not done eloquently.  Kindly place a request for having pity on our thirsty souls.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.  We should be zocheh to again establish our closeness with Hashem as by Matan Torah.

Parshas Beshalach

Bs”d

Parshas Beshalach (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

14:8–Rashi– there is an awesomely important point in Rashi concerning the input of Hashem on the daas of Paraoh.  It seems that Paroah was actually debating with himself whether to pursue the chase after Klal Yisroel to continue his harmful agenda.  It was in this matzav that Hashem imposed the negative decision.  If he would have been completely positive himself about not harming Klal Yisroel Hashem would have left him with decision.  A great new insight.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Bo

Bs”d

Parshas Bo (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

An astounding point in our parsha is the despicable behavoir of Paraoh.  We are accustomed to observing it as an issue of sinning  or lack of repenting.  However, the outstanding point is the obnoxious behavior of the committment and repeatedly just completely ignoring his committment and just going against his word.

Paroah, Paroah, once, twice, again, no shame.  Paroah is a manifestation of the yetzer harah.  Hashem give us the strength and the wisdom for our success in our trials in life.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Toldos

Bs”d

Parshas Toldos (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

I’m sure the question bothers us all, how is it possible for greatest of the greatest, Yitzchok Avinu, to  be so mistaken about Esav.  He loved him dearly.  Perhaps we can say that Esav, with all his faults, had a positive side to him that was truly very great.  This means in chessed, in tefilah and Torah.  With chessed–his great mesiras nefesh in treating lepers with repulsive puss infections.  Tefilah, Yitzchok seeing him davening with tremendous devotion; Torah–trying very hard to connect with the tradition of Shem.  Esav had his faults which he hid but there certainly was what for Yitzchok to love.  Yitzchok also loved and appreciated Yaakov.  When it came apparent that he gave the brachos to Yaakov it was clear to him that it went through Hashgacha to the right one.

This is a great path to understand and appreciate Yitzchok Avinu, one of the greatest giants of the universe.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a magnificent and fulfilling Chodesh.

Parshas Vayeira

Bs”d

Parshas Vayeira (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

Moiradik, Moiradik, who is Lot, who is this Lot, Avraham adopted him as his own and in ruchniyus he was his closest talmid anjd likewise in riches.  The abundance caused conflict; Avraham tested him and gave him the choice who should move.  He should have broken down and cried–move from the Rebbe, instead HE moved to Sodom with the reshaim.  There he was captured by the Kidarlaomer episode.  Avraham put himself out tin great battle to save him.  Again Sodom was being destroyed for their great wickedness and with awesome mesiras nefesh he was saved from among the wicked he chose to live with.  One insight we have is the episode of his awesome act of hachnosas orchim with the Malachimj and his great mesiras nefesh to save them.  This reveals explicitly that there was certainly true greatness in him which Avraham certainly connected to and realized.

Have a wonderful and significant Shabbos.