Weekly Parsha

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayigash (5766)

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Parshas Vayigash (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Regarding Yehuda’s “break-through” speech the Medrash presents an analogy of a deep well of sweet, cool water, inaccessible because of its extreme depth.  Nothing available or imaginable can make the water available in a practical way.   A wise individual takes the initiative and attaches a piece of short rope, then another; he then finds a short string and then another and eventually locates a few narrow shoestrings and reaches the refreshing sweet waters.  He indulges and shares with all.

You have a plan; an inspiration.  It is not crucial to have the availability to see it through to the end.  So many potentially great ideas and accomplishments are lost to this wrong mentality.  Start with what is available at hand, preserve your inspiration and enthusiasm and as you proceed hang on to and grasp all that makes itself available.  You will eventually dance in joy at your success.

Have a wonderful week!

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Lech Lecha (5766)

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Parshas Lech Lecha (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Hashem is making His mark so obviously open in our times, yet there are so many opposing forces.  It is as important as ever to utilize the power and trait of Avraham Avinu within us to unyieldingly search and stand up and commit ourselves to the absolute truth.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Chanukah Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Mikaitz (5766) Chanukah Rosh Chodesh

Parshas Mikaitz (5766) Chanukah Rosh Chodesh
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The commitment and mesiras nefesh to fulfill Hashem’s Will brings joy and happiness to our lives.  Yosef Hatzaddik earned this through his mammoth efforts of self-control and in turn received great blessings for everything including the wisdom of the interpretation of Pharoh’s dreams.  The Chashmonaim fought the Yevanim who attempted to oppose all the above and isolate the happiness of life and relate to it as an isolated concept (manifested in the form of their theatres etc.).

Have a wonderful Shabbos, a joyous Chanukah and a blessed month.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeshev (5766)

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Parshas Vayeshev (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The Medrash in our sedra (84″4) makes a reference to our avos enlightening the goyim to the insights of the truth of Hashem; Avraham dealing with the men and Sara with the women.  What would be the catastrophe if Avraham gave some courses to the gentile women and Sara to the men?  The Chazal again reiterate the importance of the segregation of men and women.  This message has special significance today where we see a deterioration of this important doctrine in so many ways.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayishlach (5766)

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Parshas Vayishlach (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi (33:5) quotes Rashbi that Esav not only demonstrated his love with outward kissing but it was from the depths of his heart.  The significance of this is that Yaakov through his intensive concentration on the All-Presence of Hashem was able to cause Esav not only to put down his weapons and cancel his wicked agenda but went even further to actually penetrate Esav’s heart and create a love for Yaakov.  The Gr”a esplains that Esther HaMalka used the same tactic to bend Achashverosh to cooperate.

Concentration on the presence of Hashem, R’ Chayim of Voloshzin explains is an actual tool and means that can save us from any danger or threatening situation.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeitzei (5766)

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Parshas Vayeitzei (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Yaakov Avinu made little effort to protect himself from Lavan’s deceit.  At first glance it seems that Lavan took full advantage of this.  The episode however concludes as a complete success for Yaakov, who gained everything.   Reuven, Shimon Levi, Yehuda, Yissachar and Zevulun; the Kohanim, Leviim, Moshe Rabeinu, malchus, Moshiach Tzidkaynu, the lomdei Torah and the supporters of Torah.  Yaakov was blessed with Divine intuition to inhibit action against Lavan and to rely on Hashem’s plan, which he was unaware of.

All our lives are constantly filled with a need for this guidance which Hashem supplies through His messengers to those who comprehend and yearn for this guidance.

Have a wonderful Shabos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Toldos (5766)

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Parshas Toldos (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

This is the parsha of Yitzchok Avinu, the pillar of avoda, which in our generation is manifested in tefila.  One of the main aspects of prayer is obsolete today which means we are missing one of the three pillars.  Tefila is not confined to the three assigned prayers of shachris, mincha and maariv but a 24 hour access to Hashem; at any time we perceive a personal need or are aware of the needs of others, we could and must pray to Hashem.  This mentality to pray to Hashem whenever the need arises is what we are lacking today and was always very much the way of life and mentality of Clal Yisroel.  This was the main manifestation of tefila.  These prayers should be expressed in our personal words and language including the “Shem”.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and good Chodesh.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Chayei Sara (5766)

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Parshas Chayei Sara (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The small “chaf” expressing Avraham’s limited grief at Sara’s eulogy was due to the fact that she lived a long, full life.  What would be objectionable if Avraham had an over expression of grief over the passing of his lifelong marriage partner?  We see that the issue of inappropriate abundance of grief is a matter which must be controlled considering that we are the recipients of marvelous, constant blessings from Hashem.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeira (5766)

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Parshas Vayeira (5766)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi quotes the Chazal that the malachim inconvenienced Avraham Avinu to come out and invite them since he didn’t know that they were aware of the fact that he yearned for guests despite his illness.  The lesson is that the true fulfillment of “bain adam L’chaveiro” is deep consideration and delving into the true circumstance of the one we want to help.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Bereishis (5766)

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Parshas Bereishis (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi opens the awesome gates to his perush on the Chumash with the Medrash of R’ Yitzchok which is of primary importance and significance.  It is reasonably complex, deep and full of difficulties.  A possible enlightenment would be that the benefit of starting the Chumash with the first mitzvah would have been a statement from Hashem that He runs the world within the parameters of the ordinances of the Torah; a very basic issue.  Hashem conducts the world and “confines Himself” to the laws of the Torah.  However, the nations would complain—how do You explain Klal Yisoel’s conquering and seizing of the lands of the 7 nations?  Irrelevant of how the nations obtained it, presently the land was in their hands.   Taking it by force is contrary to Your Torah guidelines.

Torah, yes, but above all the priority of My conducting the universe is that I am the Creator and the Giver of all. This is the message of opening the Chumash with the Creation.  Bnei Yisroel, stealing? Where and how did you gain ownership in the first place, if not from Me?  I run the world first and foremost with this principle.

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