Parshas Vayikra (5762)

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Parshas Vayikra (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In the beginning of the parsha Rashi brings the Chazal explaining the terminology of Vayikra as an expression of love and admiration which is used by the “malachai hashores”.   Why was this parsha which deals with sacrifices designated for this lesson?  When bringing a sacrifice one must feel like one is giving his live.  Likewise one must exert all the efforts in positive communication in all circumstances.

Remember to start now to relate to yetzias mitzrayim reading Chazal and related material.  Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Vayikra (5762)

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Parshas Vayikra (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In the beginning of the parsha Rashi brings the Chazal explaining the terminology of Vayikra as an expression of love and admiration which is used by the “malachai hashores”.   Why was this parsha which deals with sacrifices designated for this lesson?  When bringing a sacrifice one must feel like one is giving his live.  Likewise one must exert all the efforts in positive communication in all circumstances.

Remember to start now to relate to yetzias mitzrayim reading Chazal and related material.  Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Tzav – Shabbos HaGadol (5762)

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Parshas Tzav – Shabbos HaGadol (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In the Medrash (10:6) of our parsha there is a Chazal that the attire of the Kohanim is atonement for sins equivalent to the sacrifices.  The message is that what we wear is an integral part of serving Hashem.  In every generation there is a form of dress that identifies us as Clal Yisroel, the nation of Torah observant Jews.  We should embrace that form of dress to identify ourselves with our loyalty to Hashem.

On Shabbos HaGadol we are recipients of great spiritual gifts.  In its week we are recipients of the most important date of the calendar for the acquisition of Emunah; the night of the seder and rest of Pesach.  The night of the seder and Pesach are our source of faith.

It is absolutely crucial to prepare during the next few days.
Study the Haggadah—Learn Chazal and Medrashim pertaining to Yetzias Mitzrayim—Get ample rest in order to utilize every moment of the night of the seder until dawn.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and we should be zocheh to see the Geulah Sh’layma Bikarov.

Parshas Vayakheil – Pekudei – Parshas HaChodesh (5762)

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Parshas Vayakheil – Pekudei – Parshas HaChodesh (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The situation here in Eretz Yisroel, and for that matter, worldwide, is frightening and stressful.  It demands of us to be inspired to sincerely connect ourselves with Hashem making sure that our ways are consistent with the will of Hashem.  It calls for an awakening which is not in line with the mentality of our times.  May we all have the strength.

Have a wonderful Shabbos, a good Chodesh, and may we see the yeshuos for the Clal and the Prat.

Parshas Vayakheil-Pekudei – Parshas HaChodesh (5762)

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Parshas Vayakheil-Pekudei – Parshas HaChodesh (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The situation here in Eretz Yisroel, and for that matter, worldwide, is frightening and stressful. It demands of us to be inspired to sincerely connect ourselves with Hashem making sure that our ways are consistent with the will of Hashem. It calls for an awakening which is not in line with the mentality of our times. May we all have the strength.

Have a wonderful Shabbos, a good Chodesh, and may we see the yeshuos for the Clal and the Prat.

Parshas Ki Sisah – Parshas Para (5762)

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Parshas Ki Sisah – Parshas Para (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we have the awesome episode of the “chet haegel”.  As part of the “clean up” process the commandment was given to consume a drink made up of the gold of the calf, pulverized and mixed with water.  There is an extremely enlightening explanation of this which can be a valuable tool for our service to Hashem; offered by the Ramban.  The gold of the eigel traveling through our digestive system is eventually eliminated in the form of the feces.  This creates a negative association.  This practice of repulsion is a valuable aid in keeping away from transgressions.

There is so much positive inspiration waiting for us if we can abstain from transgressions.  This is the concept of preparing for Pesach by the purification of the “para aduma”.

Have a wonderful, beautiful Shabbos.

Parshas Tetzaveh – Parshas Zachor (5762)

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Parshas Tetzaveh – Parshas Zachor (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our parshas of Tetzaveh we have the commandment of making the Choshen HaMishpat. Rashi brings the Chazal that it is an attonement for deviating from justice. An explanation of the connection we can say that the Urim V’Tumim is a submission of our intellect to the Divine will.

This is indeed connected with the theme of parshas Zachor. The commandment of “mechikas Amalek”, the physical wiping out of the nation of Amalek is a commandment the secular world has used as a point of contention against the Torah. Even the Torah committed are troubled consciously or subconsciously by this commandment. However we visualize the extreme wickedness of Amalek it must be accompanied with the recognition and understanding that we submit our intellect to Hashem as the sole giver of life and consequently submit oursevles to His will to destroy them. This is the connection with the commandment of the Choshen HaMishpat.

Have a very happy and wonderful Shabbos and we should see the true redemption speedily.

Parshas Terumah (5762)

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Parshas Terumah (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we have the commandments of the Mishkan for the edifice that was the resting place and home for the Shchinah. Amongst the instructions of the kapores the lid of the aron, we find (22:18) that the two kruvim must be hammered from one piece. From the point of view of the technology of the gold the same affect could have been accomplished through souldering. It could have been done in a way that isn’t noticeable and equally strong. To add to the difficulty the two kruvim represented two opposites—one Hashem himself, and the other—Clal Yisroel, which is all the more reason for not being a solid piece.

In the reality of this materialistic world the personification of the Shchinha, the presence of Hashem and man are very much apart. The goal is to bring them together through the various mitzvos and general avodah. This ability to unite is drawn from their essence which is really one.

The sefer Nefesh HaChayim and the Tanya explain that our neshama is a part of Hashem, our essence is part of Hashem. This concept is the concept of “nuksheh”,the oneness of the kruvim.

To have a real benefit from the up and coming Yom Tov of Purim it is essential to invest time and effort daily from now in preparation; learning material pertaining to Purim.

Have a happyJ, good week

Parshas Mishpatim (5762)

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Parshas Mishpatim (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we have the seemingly “cool” dry monetary codes. How out of place it seems in pasuk 23:12 that the pasuk slides into the theme of Shabbos and then continues into Yom Tov.

The obvious lesson it that the monetary laws are extremely integrated with spirituality. This concept is diametrically opposed to the secular idea of separation of judicial matters and spiritualism. This is likewise the concept behind the placing of the Sanhedrin specifically in the location of the Bais Hamikdash.

The lesson for us is the integration of Hashem in all aspects of our lives, even into areas that would seem the most remote. This is the essence of our whole Torah and the idealism of Clal Yisroel. It is bringing Hashem, the King of the Universe, into the universe.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Yisro (5762)

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Parshas Yisro (5762)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we have Yisro’s suggestion for the major innovation of Moshe Rabeinu stepping down from his position as the sole source of psak in Clal Yisroel.  From the text itself (18:14) there is a connotation that the criticism of the existing system was connected with a time element.  However according to Rashi it was a lack of respect or courtesy to the honor of Clal Yisroel, Moshe sitting alone and all of the tzibur standing.  Further in the parsha there is a second lesson that Moshe unnecessarily went back to report to Hashem Clal Yisroel’s answer, to teach to proper behavior of a shaliach to always report back on his shlichus.

There is a special message and significance that the receiving of the Torah , which is in our parsha, greatly revolves around the area of “bain adam l’chavero”.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.