Weekly Parsha

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Korach (5765)

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Parshas Korach (5765)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Korach, Korach, all your great complex ‘pilpulim’ regarding talesim completely saturated in “techeles”; how brilliant. Poking fun at Moshe Rabeinu and Hashem’s Torah. All this for a position of status and honor, all supposedly for Hashem’s honor. In truth all this obnoxious revolution and tumult was in reality for his own honor; why wasn’t he appointed and anointed.

It is absolutely amazing, one of the most significant principles in our serving Hashem we find in this very parsha, so to the point and on mark, addressing Korach and his issue. (18:20)Hashem explains that Aharon and his shevet won’t be receiving a share and heritage in the land since He is their share and inheritance. The Rambam in hilchos shmita and yovel (13:13) explains that this posuk not only applies to shevet Levi but any individual in the world that so chooses to commit himself to be completely devoted to serving Hashem will likewise be relieved of the conventional, mundane, material duties and Hashem will place him under the special Divine umbrella of His supervision and care.

Korach, Korach, if it is really closeness to Hashem that you are seeking, you have it, ironically, right here in this parsha 18:20; no hullabaloo, no machlokes and no ridiculing of Moshe and the Torah.

Likewise, it is all ours just for the taking, just a sincere commitment and Hashem is all yours!!

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a good Chodesh.

Berashis Special's Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Vayechi – Making Tools to Enrich our Relationships (5760)

Vayechi—Making Tools to Enrich our Relationships  (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Yaakov’s blessing to Yehuda has special significance.  Yehuda is royalty-leadership-Torah and Moshiach.  Yehuda is also so special that his name became the name of our nation.  All of Klal Yisroel are “Yehudim”.

Five times there are references in the blessing that Yaakov gave to Yehuda involving wine.  “He ties his he-donkey to the vine”
“To the branch (of the vine) his she-donkey’s foal”
“ He launders his garment in wine”
“ And his robe in the blood of grapes”.
“ Red-eyed from wine and white-toothed from milk”

When Noach came out of the Ark his first preoccupation was the planting of a vineyard.  We must understand why this was such an important priority to Noach.

Do you ever experience the feeling of negativity towards someone and not being able to or wanting to forgive him for the cause of the friction?  Then, when meeting him after having consumed some wine you are overcome with the urge to forgive and forget and let bygones be bygones.  All the rational reasons for your resentment remain yet you have this feeling of warmth and perhaps compassion.  You might find that you are addressing yourself: “One moment, hold on here, let’s no lose ourselves, this absolutely makes no sense, why should I forgive him.  Let’s face it, it’s only a little alcohol that put me in to a good mood.   It’s not rational, logical or sensible.  The issue is whether to allow yourself to be swayed by harnessing the force of wine.

Right before Noach’s  planting the Chumash relates: “Hashem smelled the pleasing aroma (of Noach’s sacrifice) and said in His heart I will not continue to curse again the ground because of man etc”.  This is as if to say that HaShem allowed himself to be swayed by the good smell of the sacrifice.

Chazal tell us that in the time of the Dor Haflaga they revolted against HaShem yet they weren’t destroyed because of the high quality and level of the human relationships that existed between them.  This was lacking in the generation of Noach that resulted in and caused the destruction of the world by the flood.

Wine is a catalystic agent that brings good feelings and good will and a person should allow it to happen.  Harness the power of the wine.

Yehuda—Torah—royalty—leadership and Moshiach: Yehuda the “Yid”, received the blessing of the grapes.  “U’Liven Shinayim MayChalav”—more nourishing than a glass of milk is the joy of the hearty smile.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayigash: Sensitivity (5760)

Parshas Vayigash: Sensitivity 5760

Something that has always been a great puzzle, is what was the criterion for Yosef deciding the crucial point of when it was time to stop pulling the strings and tightening the screws on his brothers, which he was obviously doing for a rational, definite purpose.

When the Tribes first came to Egypt, and Yosef confronted them, they attributed their plight to the wrong they had afflicted upon him.  It wasn’t the basic decision to harm Yosef that they regretted.  It was only that they hadn’t listened to his pleading.  (Incidentally, the Chumash doesn’t mention that Yosef pleaded to his brothers).

In other words, they still felt completely justified, confident and absolutely convinced of the righteousness of their actions.  Yet, they felt that this terrible, traumatic experience they were going through was a result of what they did to Yosef. Not because it was wrong—they felt they were doing something that was 100% right—yet that were having a severe punishment for doing it.  They weren’t sensitive to the heartbreaking cries of Yosef—some lesson!!!  You have an absolute truth, infallible truth, and infinite truth of truths and nevertheless forget the truth, forget the truth.  Open up your heart and listen to the pleas, open up your heart and listen to the cries, SENSITIVITY.

There is a Chazal in the Medrash Rabba I saw which I never heard quoted.  Klal Yisroel, with the Egyptians chasing them from one side, and the Yam Suf on the other side, chose to jump in to the Yam.  The conventional concept is  Emuna and Bitachon, the faith and the confidence motivated Klal Yisroel to leap into the Yam.  The opinion of the Chazal in this particular Medrash is that Klal Yisroel and Moshe decided to return to Egypt.  Emuna and Bitachon did not justify jumping into the Yam.  But then they said how can we do this to the women and children—how can we disappoint their anticipation of freedom, of leaving slavery.  How can we cause them such anguish?  Idealism, the truth, says—return—don’t jump in.  It is wrong and reckless but how can we break the hearts of the women and children?  …………….

“Vilo Yachol Yosef Lahisapek”—Yosef was bursting with emotion.  Yosef’s dealings with his brothers were obviously for a definite purpose but his sensitivity told him that this was the time to reveal himself.

The essence of the Will of HaShem is having sensitivity to one’s fellow man.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Noach (5765)

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Parshas Noach (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

One can’t help but be awestricken by the great miracle of the salvation of mankind and the whole spectrum of all life on earth through the auspices of Noach’s ark.  This phenomenon is so striking that it is not possible to imagine the multiple creatures from the mammoth elephants to the smallest crawlers and creepers, to say nothing of the flying kingdom.  Hundreds, perhaps thousands of species comfortably perched  and positioned for their crucial, purposeful life preserving, world perpetuating journey, or shall we say ‘stay afloat’.

There is, however, an aspect of the miracle that seems to be infinitely greater and shocking.  This miracle is commonly known to all, however its true appreciation is not delved into, nor the extent of its phenomenal ramifications.  It is the issue of the complete representation of all life on earth coming forth to the ark.  First and foremost, how were the multitudes informed that they should “head” for the taiva?  How did they know its location?  How did the thousands know how to reach the location from every point on the earth?  For many species this meant traveling thousands of miles.  Giving this proper contemplation one would find this unimaginable.  Granted that all living things should be confined to the vessel Noach constructed is a clear demonstration of Divine rule and control, but for a worm to get a message in Mexico or a bull seal in the Arctic, or a rhinoceros in the Amazon, to work its way to the ark is something inconceivable.

The ‘nissim’ are supposed to have a profound effect on our emuna and create a greater closeness and awareness of Hashem; what sort of effect should this miracle have?  The lack of insight to this great miracle brings us to realize that often we are the witness to outstanding miracles and are complete numb to them or their true depth. A contemporary example is the Gulf War; after wiping out thousands in Iran with their missiles, the Iraqis launched 39 attacks on us and all were major failures.

As we proclaim daily in Shmone Esrei—”Al Nisecha Shebichol Yom….”  We express utmost gratitude to Hashem for the miracles that are with us daily and the wonders and the goodness He bestows on us constantly.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Behaaloscha (5765)

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The significance of the commandment of the daily lighting of the Menorah can be appreciated and understood with the Medrash (15:4) in our sedra that states that the Menorah brings Divine assistance in our constant battle with the embellishments of the yetzer hara, the satan, the source of our constant spiritual tests.

The daily requirement for the lighting reflects the need for constant reminders of our basic ideals and goals. We absolutely require constant inspiration to the very ideals that we believe in and aspire to, yet without the constant and consistent chizuk—strengthening and stimulation, we sink from great spiritual giants to aimless irresponsible, empty, wicked and weak dodos.

Hashem created our makeup with this need. This is such an absolutely crucial and critical message from the commandment to light the Menorah daily. Behaaloscha—lift yourself.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Chagim Shavuos Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Shavuos (5765)

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Shavuos (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

It is very appropriate for us to contemplate what exactly the service expected of us on Shavuos is; with the absence of any specific Mitzvos.  I would venture to say it is the focus on the belief that the written Torah and the oral tradition we have is the true expression of Hashem who is our lifesource, responsible for our heartbeat and our very breath, every moment.
Together with the true appreciation and great evaluation for the epitome of meaningfulness and happiness that the Torah gives us in our lives.  Have a wonderful, meaningful Yom Tov.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Naso (5765)

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Parshas Naso (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The Medrash in our sedra (7:4) relates that the magnificent miracle that the “mon” was completely absorbed in their bodies was met with ridicule and those guilty of this were punished.

It is shocking that such a superb blessing could be so twisted and unappreciated. This is an enlightening lesson for us to the dangers of how in our own lives one can act with animosity and resentment towards many of Hashem’s blessings and extraordinary gifts instead of with great joy and gratitude.

This is an important part of the Shavuos celebration; appreciating the great gift of Torah.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a joyous, meaningful Chag Shavuos.

Bamidbar Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Bamidbar (5765)

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Parshas Bamidbar (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The exact placement of the encampment of Clal Yisrael was from Hashem. Each shevet was positioned according to Divine plan yet we find regarding the Korach incident the rule of “oi l’rasha oi lishchenu”—woe to the wicked and his neighbor applies to him and his followers. This, despite the fact that the close proximity was Divinely inspired and planned. The test was to overcome the negative influence and they were placed there precisely to stand up to this. We see the rule of “oi l’rasha oi lishchenu” doesn’t necessary call for evacuation as it was obviously impossible here.

We are often placed in situations and locations that are potentially spiritually not beneficial and our test is to be educated to the best of our ability to the essence of the wrongs, fallacies, depravities and idiosyncrasies in order to inoculate ourselves, our offspring, and all under our influence to be elevated and withstand the foul winds.

In the previous generation many fell and many succeeded. Let’s work and pray that we succeed in our generation.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a good Chodesh.

Vayikra Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayikra – Zachor (5765)

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Parshas Vayikra – Zachor (5765)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi quotes the Chazal that Hashem addresses Moshe with “Vayikra” expressing love to the contrast of addressing the impure, defiled prophets of the nations using “Vayiker” which applies negativity.  Here we see the difference in one letter, the lowest number, which according to our tradition the aleph is written in a very small manner.  The word expressing the extreme opposite of love could have been from a completely different root.  The very obvious lesson is that the difference between extreme love and the opposite can be extremely small and delicate.  It can be manifested in a different sentence, a word, or even the expression on our face or tone of voice.  The Heavenly court demands our sensitivity to this. Perhaps the essence of Amalek is the denial of this sensitivity which could be an interpretation of what the Chumash attributes to Amalek—”Asher Korcha Baderech”—from the root of “Vayiker”.  This is a reflection of their grand ancestor “Esav” who despite the respect he displayed for his father Yitzchok, he spoke to him and communicated with him in a coarse, degrading manner.

Bring joy with your communications and bracha to yourself and Clal Yisroel.

Vayikra Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Bechukosai (5765)

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Parshas Bechukosai (5765)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi explains at the beginning of our parsha what is required of us for which the reward and punishment is laid out.  It is an absolute commitment to extreme toiling in studying and understanding our Torah.  This is expected of all Clal Yisrael from the greatest scholars to the simplist among us.  How much effort much be invested for this to be implanted in us in order to realized in a practical actuality.  Indeed this was the mentality and our way of life throughout the generations.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

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