Weekly Parsha

Parshas Nitzavim-Vayelech

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Parshas Nitzavim-Vayelech (5773)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

(31:7) Rashi brings a very strange difference of opinion between Hashem and Moshe Rabeinu. Moshe advises Yehoshua to always take counsel from the elders of the generation and Hashem tells Yehoshua that the leadership should be completely in his hands. This is very puzzling. Perhaps we can explain, Moshe had a very special Divine connection that he could not imagine that anyone else would be imbued with this connection. Thus his advice to Yehoshua was wise and in place. Only Hashem Himself knew that He would bestow His Countenance on Yehoshua, thus He put the whole leadership in Yehoshua’s hands.

How much we must hold our leaders in great reverence.
Have a wonderful wind-up Shabbos and a special blessing for a שנה טובה ומתוקה for you all and for all Klal Yisroel.

Parshas Re’ay

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Parshas Re’ay (5773)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rav Miller zt”l always related to us that in our glorious past Klal Yisroel connected so strongly to the Elul inspiration that already erev Shabbos M’vorchim Chodesh Elul even in the market place of the towns one was able to feel the spiritual vibes of Elul.

(11:19) The Bracha on Har Grizim and the klallah on Har Aivol has deep significance. One simple insight might be that Har Grizim is full of growth and vegetation and Har Aivol is complete barren as can be seen even today. One of the greatest tools of standing up to our tests is to have vivid pictures appropriate for the test before us as a motivation. Here we have from Hashem Himself implanted in the Creation a Divine manifestation of this motivation.

The darkness of the galus is increasing on us daily and the tests are increasingly difficult but the zchus for remaining faithful and loyal to Hashem and the Torah is awesomely great.

This Shabbos should bring with it a bracha of a wonderful and successful Chodesh Elul to lead to a Shana Tova for ourselves and all Klal Yisroel.

Connecting to Bein Hamitzorim

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Connecting to Bein HaMitzorim (5773)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Two weeks ago we worked on focusing and appreciating that we find ourselves in the palace of the King, פלטין של מלך,in Eretz Yisroel. How extremely important it is to be cognizant of this great זכות. Last week we worked on when entering a בית כנסת or בית מדרש to be aware of the שכינה there. I suggested that we devote a few moments to concentrate on these important points. These עובדות were intentionally selected before בין המצרים as a preparation for trying to appreciate and relate to the inyanim of the churban.

We usually have only one עובדה but prior to some special date on our calendar we extend the program to a few קבלות. Firstly, I suggest to say על נהרות בבל sometime in the afternoon with special kavanah. This we can relate to the minhag that the משנה ברורה mentions that during בין המצרים some recite תקון חצות in the afternoon. Secondly, I suggest to make a seder daily in one of the many ספרים available today about the churban, or to learn one of the ‘aggadatas’ such as the sugya in Gittin, slowly, with דיוק , and giving it some thought. My Rebbi, Rav Avigdor Miller zt”l in his program of Ten Steps to Greatness, suggested that before going to sleep, one should sit down on the floor and mourn for the churban for one second (!!), which is my third suggestion for an עובדה.

We should merit to see the גאולה שלמה בקרוב.