Weekly Parsha

Shmos Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Teruma: Conventionality and Structure (5760)

Parshas Teruma: Conventionality and Structure (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

This is the Parsha of instructions of the construction of the Mishkan. Despite the fact that it is dry and technical it is surprisingly full of rich, meaningful and inspirational lessons. For example, all the major artifacts, the ‘Aron HaKodesh’, the ‘Shulchan’, and both Altars had staves (Badim) which were used for transportation purposes. In camp it was permissible to remove the Badim with the exception of the Aron. The Aron obviously represents the center of our existence. Its location was in the Koshei Kodshim and contained the Torah. The Badim, which represent mobility, must always be in the Aron. Our mentality must always be ready to move. This is in the literal sense, not to be locked in, tied down, to a geographical location. Also in a figurative sense, always to be open-minded, to be attuned to the fact that our way of thinking may need fine-tuning.

There is another lesson which I think is perhaps is the most important and obvious, but not noticed. We are living in a period of history that the world at large has been taken over by a mentality of unconventionality. A major outbreak of this was initiated in the ‘60’s by the hippie movement; when the walls came tumbling down. The walls of manners, decency, healthy regimentation, table manners, rules of decency in dress, body care, and personal cleanliness. Does anybody remember being taught table etiquette? “So and so strong and able, take your elbows off the table”. In the Yeshiva school system we were punished if we failed to show up with a tie. Teachers even in the secular schools had to don a jacket and tie. All this formality and laws of decency are not just trivial superficialities but have a profound affect upon us.

In contrast, today, when one needs expert medical advice, the professor, the top doctor, the department head, will appear with his dungarees, pony tail, earrings and all. One can experience the decrepit scene of individuals sitting on the floor under the banner of supposedly “connecting with the Creator” in filth and under the influence of “who knows what”, strumming a guitar in song.

The construction of the Mishkan was the making of a mechanism to achieve a closeness with Hashem. Besides the holiness it was all feet and inches, meters and centimeters, exact lines and angles, specific materials, special colors and a very specific way of construction. The smallest deviation will prevent the union with the Shechina. Our Tefilin must have the exact specifications or they won’t connect us with HaShem.

All this relays a very clear message of the importance of structure. May HaShem help us to see through the recklessness of our society, and give us the insight and strength to make the necessary conventionalities and structure.

Shmos Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vaeira (5762)

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Parshas Vaeira (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The parshios we have these weeks are the foundation of our belief and the greatest demonstration of Hashem’s sovereignty in the world. In our sedra 6:6-7 we find the four expressions of redemption, v’hotzase’ v’hitzalti’ v’goalti’ and v’lokachti. The four cups of wine at the seder are to internalize them. It is important to make a point at the seder night to designate each one of the four cups to one of the expressions of redemption.

The popular and conventional understanding is that these express four terms of the fact that Hashem redeemed Bnai Yisroel. I would like to share a deeper understanding and insight. In contemplating the galus there were four steps. 1) Separation from Hashem 2) They were confined to Egypt 3)Slavery and 4) Torture. Hotzaisi was a redemption from the torture, hitzalti from the slavery, goalti that they were able to lelave the land and finally v’lokachti was a redemption from the distance from Hashem.

Continuing this vein of thought we can add another insight that all this was produced from the plagues. Each plague contained the four elements of redemption. The first term of redemption ‘hotzasi’ was the release of Clal Yisroel from the torture. The torture the Egyptians suffered brought them to release Bnai Yisroel from their suffering.

The second term of redemption –hitzalti, the release of Bnai Yisroel from the slavery–was produced by the following. In the duration of the time the Egyptians were under the affliction of the plague, even when they weren’t actually suffering from the pain, they were under its spell, as if to say –“slaves to the plague”. This factor got them to release Bnai Yisroel from their slavery.

V’goalti, which was the release of Bnai Yisroel from the land of Egypt, was motivated by the fact that the affliction of the plagues were confined to the boundaries of Egypt. This forcibly persuaded the Egyptians to agree that Bnai Yisroel should leave Egypt.

In the framework of the ‘v’lokachti’ we can explain that every plague had an overflowing demonstration of Hashem’s abundant love for us. This rectified the distance between Hashem and Clal Yisroel.

We should again merit to see the glory of Hashem revealed speedily in our days through the coming of Mashiach Tzidkainu.
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Shmos Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Shmos (5762)

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Parshas Shmos (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The Medrash Rabba (1:15) brings that the super heroic acts of the midwives were a reflection of connecting with the greatness of the “avos”. The theme that Hashem is revealed and represented relating to His relationship to the avos is repeated in the dialogue with Moshe Rabbeinu. (Psukim 2:24 3:4 3:15 3:16 4:5). This concept and mentality must always be kept in mind in our search for our personal realization and search for the revelation of Hashem. The relationship that Hashem had with our forefathers should always be the foundation of our relationship and search for him.

Have a wonderful wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayechi (5762)

Parshas Vayechi (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

After years of separation and heartache our parsha relates the final coming together of Yaakov Ovinu and his beloved Yosef.  In the framework of the basic text it is shocking to see the limited contact they indulged in and enjoyed after Yaakov settled in Mitzrayim.

What an awesome lesson!!  Two giants with their purpose and priorities preserved and observed.  Yaakov—the pillar of Torah, and Yosef—his top prodigy—both intensively committed to their own specific avodas HaShem; not allowing the emotions of the lapse of time that eradicated their personal contact to indulge in purposeless social contact.

Chazal tell us how vital and imperative our preoccupation with Torah is in this period of time.  Let’s be inspired from the example and the lesson of our Parsha.

Have wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayigash (5762)

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Parshas Vayigash (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Our whole parsha is electrified with emotion.  We are living in a time that our feelings are sinking to the lowest ebb.  A lack of relating to our friends, neighbors, relatives, siblings, parents and children.  The Torah foretells that at the last period of the golus we will have hearts of stone.  We, however, must do everything to harness every power within us to reverse this.  We must stimulate our emotions and feelings.

Let’s have a warm, emotionally charged, beautiful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Miketz (5762)

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Parshas Miketz (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Often we find the most important lessons from the realm of simplicity.  A cup of olive oil, the juice of the fruit with a wick, with applied proper heat will produce light.  This is one of the most profound lessons in the universe.  An olive, which can be the side course for “shmaltz herring”, can produce light.  We humans can float through life, with bland nothingness or if properly inspired, can produce light.  One can lead a life of complacent nothingness or reach awesome, stupendous spiritual heights.

When one is, as modern terminology phrases, “turned on” properly he can be connected with the Infinite, Elokus.  Yosef interpreted the dreams of Paroh in the absolute truth and it was accepted and palatable to Paroh.  Was he an expert in dream interpreting?  He was lit up, inspired and connected with Hashem the Infinite.

The Chashmonaim went against  the Yevanim—a complete, absolute, utter physical impossibility.   They were turned on and connected with the Infinite, the Light…….

A freilichen Chanukah, a wonderful Shabbos and Good Chodesh for you and all of Klal Yisroel.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayishlach (5762)

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Parshas Vayishlach (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

I was asked, wasn’t it wicked to kill the whole town of Shechem?  I think the explanation is that they were supportive of the terrible atrocity to the point that they were willing to be circumsized which shows a tremendous commitment to the wickedness of Shechem, their leader.

We are living in a society and culture which has terrible ideas, ideals and condones wickedness.  Just to mention a few—hard core pornography, the gays, abortions, leniency in the mixing of men and women, women’s lib.  How much effort and care must be invested not be supportive of the wickedness of Esav.

Have a lovely Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Vayeitzei (5762)

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Parshas Vayeitzei (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The brown sheep that Yaakov wanted for himself and not the brown goats may be explained as follows.  Sheep we find are symbolic for Klal Yisroel.  Rashi explains that “chum” (brown) was reddish (adom).  There are characteristics Esav had that in the Divine plan were intended to be harnessed for avodas Hashem.  Because Esav misused his free will Yaakov Avinu was now given many of these characteristics to harness and use for perfection.  We must be aware that we have within us these qualities and materialistic leanings which likewise must be harnessed for avodas Hashem.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Toldos (5762)

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Parshas Toldos (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

It is related in our parsha the puzzling episode of Yitzchok Avinu engaging in intimacy with his wife and being observed by Avimelelch, something which is opposed to the laws of decency and the Torah mentality.  Perhaps we can explain this with the understanding that Yitzchok Avinu was the pillar of Avoda, meaning that he was a giant in perceiving the essence of the world as a manifestation of the word of Hashem.  As the Nefesh HaChayim warns, greatness in this area can lead to a lack of being in touch with the reality of the boundaries in the creation.  For Yitzchok the intimacy was, as the Ramban relates to Adam and Chava, acts of complete holiness.  Yitzchok was partaking in “Shala Shudis” with his wife.  The lesson for us is when inspired to the idealism of holiness, not to lose sight of the sensitivity of the feelings of others and realistic requirements.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Berashis Weekly Parsha Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky

Parshas Chayei Sara (5762)

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Parshas Chayei Sara (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

We are accustomed to understand the connection of the akeida and the passing of Sara Immenu was the emotional devastation she experienced at the thought that her Yitzchok was slaughtered.  However, going through Rashi more carefully it is evident that the factor that disturbed her was that Yitzchok was subjected to the akeida.  The Medrash Tanchuma confirms this by its rendition that the Satan appeared before Sara in the form of Yitzchok himself who related to her the events of the akeida, which shocked her to the extent that caused her passing.  Obviously, it was that he was subjected to the akeida which disturbed her.  Food for thought.

Rashi points out that all of Sara’s years were complete with accomplishment.  The Mesilas Yesharim echoes this principle that above all we must keep in our sight our true goals—not to get sidetracked with issues and activities that are not our priority.  We should all be zocheh to fulfill our true purpose in the world.

Have wonderful Shabbos.

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