Weekly Parsha

Parshas Shmini

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Parshas Shmini (5766)

By Mordechai Dolinsky

We live in an era where we have a special need for strengthening and reinforcing our emuna.  Of the four creatures the Chumash enumerates having only one of the two signs of kashrus; with the passing of thousands of years since Hashem gave the Torah, and hundreds of new species discovered, no new animal was observed having only one of two signs specified in the Chumash.  This includes the multitude of new species previously unknown that were discovered in Australia.

The laws of kashrus include various trefos which, if understood properly, are explicit true knowledge of the intricacies of anatomy, which according to modern medicine were discovered and understood relatively recently—chizuk!

In our blessing for Rosh Chodesh we should include spiritual success for our endeavors for the forthcoming period.

The nightly sefira should be a source of self-improvement for the assigned sefira of the day.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Tazria-Metzora

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Parshas Tazria-Metzorah (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

(Tazria 12:6)  There is an awesome Chazal concerning the yoledes that after the different after-birth stages she comes to the Bai HaMikdash to offer her sacrifice obligations and her appearance must be herself on her own.  The Chazal compare this to something of the most unique, striking significance.  Hashem first created Adam and Chava and afterward crowned them with the blessing of being introduced to Gan Eden.  Likewise the yoledes after her giving birth she is blessed with the great zechus to come to to the Bais HaMikdash.  The analogy we can say is Adam and Chava went through a preparation period before being put in the great Gan, likewise the whole birth experience is like a great preparation in personal growth which the climax is the coming to the Shchinah in the Bais HaMikdash for the korbanos.

In life we are put through many growing experiences which climax in some greatness that has been prepared for us min haShomayim which is bestowed upon us.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a meaningful, productive Chodesh.

Pesach and the Hagadda

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Pesach and the Hagaddah (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

Chacham mah hu omair—we don’t delete the tast of the korban Pesach by eating afterwards.  What possibly could be the great significance or importance that we select this above all halachos to share with him?

The purpose of the mitzvos and life in general is to come close and cling to HKB”H.  We accomplish this through the fulfillment of the mitzvos.  When fulfilling the mitzvos with the true and meaningful intent one would or should be filled with the yearning that the closeness with HKB”H will continue.  However in actuality with the completion of the mitzvah the connection with the kedusha and closeness to Hashem is over.  For all those that are fulfilling the mitzvos for their true purpose of achieving the closeness to Hashem, there is a type of disappointment, a yearning for the mitzva to go on and on.  Behold, there is a mitzvah….a mitzvah that because of its physical actuality perhaps a continuation.  A mitzva involving an act of eating; in a way it is a mitzva like others, a maaseh mitzva, however because the reality of eating is taste and taste can linger on there is an aspect where the seeker of the lasting mitzvah can have fulfillment.  To consume something which would actively push away the taste, which is the continuation of the mitzvah, would of course be looked on negatively.

We should merit of achieve the emunah and bitachon from the Hagaddah and leil HaSeder.  Have a wonderful, meaningful Yom Tov.

Parshas Tzav-Shabbos HaGadol

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Parshas Tzav–Shabbos HaGadol (5778)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

8:2,6  and the Rashis:  The pasuk instructs Moshe to verbally bring Aharon and sons to him and draw them close.  When instructing Klal Yisroel it says–bring them to the Ohel Moed.  And again pasuk 6 it speaks of Moshe drawing them close to him.  As we know, the Shchinah was resting upon Moshe and was there together with Moshe and Moshe was drawing them close to Hashem.

Every day in Nissan are days for closeness to Hashem for us and to relate to the great nissim of Yetzias Mitzrayim.

Have wonderful, meaningful, great Shabbos HaGadol.

Parshas Tzav-Shabbos HaGadol

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.