Weekly Parsha

Chagim Succos Yom Kippur Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Yom Kippur – Succos (5768)

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Succos (5768)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The Torah expresses to us its selection of the esrog that it can remain growing on the tree from year to year—hador al hailan mishana l’shana,  We may say that this is more than a hint but is rather an outstanding attribute of its essence.

Why is this a positive attribute?  It is noteworthy that in the course of the awesome Yom Kippur service the Kohain Gadol has whole array of objects that their beginnings are waiting for his continued service.  He says vidui on the “par” the it waits; he makes a goral on the goats and then they wait; he again goes back to the “par” makes a second vidui, slaughters it and then it waits, this process goes on and on.  From the complete picture of this emerges a concept of the supreme importance of allowing something to stand for the right time to come.  Likewise the essence of an esrog is that it can stand from year to year.  This is supreme lesson for life-don’t insist on “now”, allow time for the right thing to happen.

Have a very joyous and significant Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah.

Chagim Yom Kippur Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Erev Yom Kippur (5768)

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Erev Yom Kippur (5768)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The greatest blessing for us to have is the true insight to what our specific mission and purpose for being in the world is.  We should have the strength and wherewithal to accomplish this.

By recognizing and submitting ourselves to the malchus shomayim we are making ourselves worthy of this splendid blessing.

A wonderful year in every way to you all and to all of Klal Yisroel.

Chagim Succos Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Chag HaSuccos & Shabbos Chol HaMoed (5768)

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Chag HaSuccos & Shabbos Chol HaMoed(5768)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The succa is powerful tool to enable us to be intensively connected with Hashem.  This is accomplished by perpetuating the demonstration of the presence and control of Hashem.

Concering the malchus of Rosh Hashana, my Rebbe, Rav Avigdor Miller zt”l brought to our attention that the present lack of true kingdom and royalty creates a difficulty in relating to Hashem as a king.  Perhps the open demonstration of the Hashgacha Pratis that is so predominantly open today for those who seek it, is an even greater and more meaningful manifestation of the Malchus Shomayim.

The main point of the miracle of the midbar, the annenei hakaovd,  more than the fact that we were saved, is the means of how Hashem saved us; the open demonstration of His Presence and His true Kingdom.   This is the essence of the schach and the lesson of the succa which keeps us connected to Hashem.

Have a joyous and meaningful Succos and Shabbos.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Nitzavim – Vayelech (5767)

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Parshas Nitzavim – Vayelech (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Just as Chazal predicted as the galus progresses before the geula the darkness is compounded. The truth becomes more obscure and the true fulfillment of the Will of Hashem in regard to human relationships and our obligations to Hashem fall short. We yearn and search for the true fulfillment of the Will of Hashem. The key to achieve this is the name and theme of our parsha—Atem Nitzavim lifnei Hashem—to establish the realization that we are standing before Hashem will enlighten us to understand our true obligations to Him and make us understand the dimensions of our duties to our fellow man.

My Rebbe, Rav Miller zt”l always taught us that “all’s well that ends well”; this is the last Shabbos of the year and we should make it the best.

Have a wonderful ‘best’ Shabbos.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parsha Re’ay (5767)

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Parsha Re’ay (5767)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Rav Miller zt”l always brought to light for us that on this Shabbos, mevorchim Rosh Chodesh Elul even in the market places of the simple laymen they shuddered at the realization of the forthcoming month of Elul. Our Rosh Hashana is a reflection of our Elul and consequently the coming year of 5768 habaah aleinu l’tova.

Re’ay; see, sensory perception, har grizim and har aival; sensory perception.

The parsha repeats what was said previously and the repetition creates sensory perception. Rav Miller always told us to attempt to picture olam haba—sensory perception.

Have a wonderful Shabbos, a wonderful Chodesh and a wonderful year.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Aikev (5767)

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Parshas Aikev (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

It is amazing how going through the sedra every year brings new obvious insights overlooked in previous years.

The commandment to make an aron for the luchos was only given for the second luchos (10:1). The purpose of the ark was for the protection and care of the luchos so that they should not be harmed.

Perhaps we can explain that Moshe Rabainu had surely planned to make an aron in which to place the first luchos, on his own. The aron represents and symbolizes an effort one makes to protect himself from spiritual downfall. The second luchos were given after Klal Yisroel had the great downfall of the chet haeigel. It was obvious that greater effort and investment was necessary to protect themselves from a repeat of being caught in the snare of the evil inclination. Both the first and second luchos would have had an aron. The only difference between the two was that the second was accompanied by the positive commandment from Hashem.

And so in this commandment there lies the advice for us to go out of our way to insure ourselves and protect ourselves from further downfalls after having experienced them.

Hashem should open our eyes to the truth always.

Tisha B'Av Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Tisha B’Av #2 (5767)

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Tisha B’Av #2 (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

One of the reasons that the egg was selected to represent the korban shelamim on the seder plate is that an egg is a symbol of aveilus, since the first night of Pesach always occurs on the same night of the week as Tisha B’Av!!  How puzzling, the seder night connection to Tisha B’Av.

The seder night is a renewal and strengthening of the foundations of our yiddishkeit; the emuna in Hashem, His absolute control over the universe and our gratitude to Him for the countless chasadim He bestows upon us.  From all the sins and negative traits that infested Klal Yisroel that contributed to why Hashem deemed it necessary to punish us with the churban and galus there was one basic underlying factor which was the cause of everything.  There was a loose stone in the foundation that we derive from the seder; their lack of emuna in Hashem and gratitude towards Him.

Another connection between Pesach and Tisha B’Av is that at the end of Bayis Sheini Pesach was a turning point for the worse in the events leading up to the churban.

May we strengthen ourselves in the emuna and gratitude to Hashem and be worthy to see the geula sh’layma in our days.

Tisha B'Av Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Tisha B’Av (5767)

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Tisha B’Av (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In the tragic episode that led up to the churban we have the Kamtza-Bar Kamtza affair.  In the puzzle of on who to put the major blame or guilt there is a major aspect which is overlooked.  The host, who refused to accept Bar Kamtza as a guest and embarrassed him publicly, thus igniting his rash temper, has a pretty full share in the guilt.  But why was this host so infuriated at Bar Kamtza that brought him to such an exaggerated response.  Normal human behavior would not call for such an outrageous, extreme reaction.

The part which is relatively unknown and overlooked is that Bar Kamtza was guilty of speaking lashon hara, spreading slander, about the host.  This opens our eyes to an entirely new aspect and perspective about the horrible episode.  The devastation and utter destruction that lashon hara, slander, causes the victim, and its creation of complete havoc to his life.  It destroys his relationship with his wife, his children, family and all those in his sphere of associates.

Host, you are guilty of plenty, but we can surely relate to your anger at Bar Kamtza.

Lashon Harah with all the destruction that you create you can now add the churban Bais HaMikdash to your list.

Have a meaningful Tisha B’av and may we see the rebuilding of the Bais HaMikdash speedily in our days.

Devarim Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Devorim — Shabbos Chazon (5767)

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Parshas Devorim — Shabbos Chazon (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The Medrash in our parsha (1:1) brings an extremely enlightening and inspiring Chazal. Moshe Rabeinu overcame his speech disability by his commitment to teach Torah for which he obviously needed the ability to speak. The blessing of the ability came after his commitment.

We hesitate to make our complete commitments to Hashem for the fear of lack of ability and tools for the fulfillment. With the absolute desire to fulfill the Will of Hashem we receive the wherewithal to accomplish.

Have a fulfilling week and a meaningful Tisha B’Av.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Matos – Masai (5767)

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Parshas Matos – Masai (5767)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

We have in our parsha a great lesson of how critical it is to have the right intentions at the outset of embarking upon new endeavors. Rashi quotes the Chazal (33:51//2) that it was critical for Klal Yisroel when crossing the Yarden to enter Eretz Yisroel to keep in mind that they were to destroy the edifices of avoda zara.

Bnai Gad and Reuven requested the “aiver hayarden” to enable them to be shepherds which allowed them more time for their spiritual growth. This places our focus on time which is the very essence of life. Just as we see fit to hire accountants to assist us with our monetary issues, it is equally imperative to have a sensitivity in using our time.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

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