Bs”d
Parshas Aikev (5770)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
Rashi (10:1) enlightens us that although Moshe was told to make his Aron for the luchos after receiving them, he understood that they had to be made prior so that he would have a place for them. The supreme lesson: we must never stop using our sechel. This was the aron that accompanied them to battle; symbolic for the greatest battle which is with the yetzer hara. We must always use our sechel.
Have wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Aikev (5769)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
The parsha starts with awesome blessings for giving absolute attention and loyal adherence to even seemingly insignificant commandments as we see in Rashi. Everything is significant and extremely meaningful in the perspective of serving Hashem.
This period of time, despite it’s “vacational” implications is most significant and fertile for spiritual growth and accomplishments. Make use of this “hot” tip.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Aikev (5768)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
In our parsha (11:13) we have one of the most profound principles of such paramount importance that we are required to review and verbalize it twice daily. “Vihaya im … tishmaoo el mitzvosai … viosafta deganecha … that by the fulfillment of the Torah, Hashem promises success and happiness in this world.
The long list of falsifiers in the history of the world never take a stand for success or punishment to be carried out in this world; just empty promises of fantasies in other existences.
Only Hashem, our True Creator, has taken this open stand and always has fulfilled it in every way. Let us be inspired by this most basic principle and let it lead us to make a most sincere commitment to fulfill His Will.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
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.
Bs”d
Parshas Aikev (5765)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
Why all the special brachos in our parsha (7:12) for the “not so serious or important mitzvos”. “Hashem will adore you and love you and bless you”.
Anything that Hashem commands is not and cannot be unimportant. How can there be any Will of Hashem that is less significant? Hashem, the Creator of the Universe, our bodies, the very essence of our momentary breath of life. The great reward is for the focus and realization that no Will of Hashem is insignificant. For the focus and realization of Hashem’s constant showering us with life, sustenance and the beautiful exotic extras. “Hashem will cause you to expand, bless your reproductive capacities………”.
The present period after Tisha B’Av is a time of special Divine assistance and blessing in all our endeavors; “grab, take, invest in learning, davening and midos tovos and…Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Aikev (5764)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
Rashi in our parsha opens our eyes to the vulnerability and weakness of all of us; (11:16) by the slackening in the intensity of our learning of Torah, we immediately are subjected and open to the lowest spiritual degradations. How much we must constantly cry to Hashem for Divine assistance.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Aikev (5763)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The Medrash in this week’s sedra (3:3) focuses on unique, outstanding acts of individuals that the only way they can be understood is that they are a reflection of the “nefesh Elokis”—the Godly soul. We should use these opportunities of observing these very special people to strengthen our emuna, our belief, and our insight into Elokus.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Bs”d
Parshas Aikev (5760)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
Our Parsha opens with an inspiring array of blessings. There is almost no area of our existence that isn’t touched with the promise from these great brachos. It is quite natural for one to speculate as to what awesome, outstanding act deserves such compensation. Consequently the great surprise that we find in Rashi at the beginning of the sedra . “Because of your obedience in fulfilling the relatively light commandments that a person tramples on with his heels (aikev) i.e. commandments that are not taken seriously.”
What brings one to be so conscientious and meticulous with minor commandments if not for a tremendously high level of insight, understanding and appreciation of Who has given these commandments. Is it at all perceivable that anything that HaShem wills can be called minor, allowing one to be lackadaisical? There is nothing profound about this thought. The greatness lies as with many other concepts in the depth of how we conceive it. A good part of the sefer Mesilas Yesharim contains many high levels of greatness that are achieved by traits that we who are on low levels also possess. The difference being, as was said, in the depth of the dimension of how they are conceived.
I would like to share a new insight in a Rashi (11:16). “Visartem Vaavadetem” – abstaining and turning away from the learning of Torah will inevitably bring the person to avoda zara. These awesome words in Rashi are well known, what the terrible consequences the lack of learning Torah will bring. One would understand this to mean abstaining from Torah learning by his own volition. Rashi however refers us to David HaMelech (Shmuel 1 26:19)—“Once I have been driven away from engaging in Torah, I have now drawn close to avoda zara.” Dovid HaMelech was involuntarily separated from Torah learning and nevertheless had to suffer the consequences. Frightening, despite the fact that it is not the person’s desire or intention to neglect his Torah study, the mere absence from his learning will subject him to this terrible spiritual danger.
Only Torah can save us from deviating– what a meaningful and necessary lesson for “August”. I hope that we should all be worthy to be recipients of (7:13) “HaShem will love you and bless you.”
sending...
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