Tag: Behaaloscha

Parshas Behaaloscha

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5772)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our parsha we have the instructions for Klal Yisroel for their journey through the desert. On first thought the subject seems very technical and dry. However, there really lies here the revealing of a great lesson and a great light. The introduction of these instructions is the holy cloud of the Shchina that rested upon the Ohel Moed with the completion of the Mishkan. From there comes the travel plans based on this holy cloud. The pasuk (9:19) emphasizes “ b’haarich he’anan al hamishkan yomim rabbim”; (9:20) “v’yesh asher yihiyeh heannan yamim mispor al hamishkan”… v’alpi Hashem yisau”. Everything depends solely and unpredictably on the movement of the cloud. The entire Klal Yisroel was completely dependent on the ‘whims’ of the cloud. All this is to emphasize the leadership of the Shchinah. When thinking deeply into this phenomenon imagine how much of a test this was; the idea of not knowing what the next step was going to be. How awesome, so completely dependent on Hashem. In such a basic issue of the travel, the next move.

It was a lesson of complete hisbatlus to Hashem on a high level. Now we can understand that for their movement they had to hear the sound of the chatzotzrah which is the sound of the shofar on Rosh Hashonah, tekiah, teruah, tekiah, the sounds of declaring the Kingdom of Hashem with all the depth of the malchios of Rosh Hashanah.

It was decreed upon Klal Yisroel the wander in the desert because of their lack of complete reliance on Hashem exhibited in the episode of the meraglim. This was rectified by subjugating themselves to the leadership of Hashem in the midbar.

The lesson for us is very obvious and pertinent. We have to search for Hashem and follow in His path.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Behaaloscha (5771)

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5771)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The mitzvah of tefias shofar, the most important mitzvah on the most important day, Rosh Hashana, we learn from the movement of Klal Yisroel in the desert.

Movement is an awesome connection with Hashem. As we move, there are new experiences and new exposures with which we constantly have to relate and connect with Hashem.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Behaaloscha (5770)

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5770)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

When Klal Yisroel traveled in the desert (10: 10) included in the blowing of the chatzotzrah was the malchios, zichronos and shofros; the highest and most holy.

When “moving” we must always have special cognizance of Hashem and commitment to His Will. We are “moving”, going, where, what and why? Is it in accordance ……………..

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Behaaloscha (5766)

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

I often wonder if thought is put into trying to understand why it was impossible for Moshe Rabeinu to comprehend the instructions regarding the menorah as Chazal explain in the Medrash; to the extent that finally Moshe requested that Hashem Himself should construct the Menorah.

The most precious item in the entire Universe is truth, and light represents truth. The Menorah was the “seat” of the holiest light in Creation which represents the epitome of truth. Whose handiwork can this holy object be the product of, if not Hashem Himself?

Chazal foretell that the period prior to the coming of Mashiach, in which we presently find ourselves, will be the darkest; and the truth will be hidden to the utmost. It is accessible, however, to the inspired, obstinate, uncompromising searchers.

Have a wonderful week.

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.

Parshas Behaaloscha (5764)

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5764)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

In the Medrash Rabba in our parsha (15:14) we find that those that have the attribute of “fear of Hashem” will eventually be rewarded with kingship. This is generally interpreted as type of reward. Perhaps a greater insight into the connection is that if one can “break through” his materialistic surroundings and feel the presence of Hashem he has accomplished something which is demanded of a person who has the responsibility of kingship. Secondly, one who can practice self-control over his own faculties deserves to be in charge and control over the masses to further the cause of the glory of Hashem.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Behaaloscha (5762)

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5762)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

I wish to share a striking difficulty for which I don’t have an explanation. At the beginning of sefer Bamidbar 1:5 the names of the Nisiim of all of the shevatim are presented. Later in 2:1 at the detailed formation of the camp in conjunction with the names of the shevatim they are again all presented. In 7:12 when the Chumash enumerates the presentations of all the Nesiim they are again all mentioned by name. In our sedra 10:13 in the framework of the movement of the shevatim again the Chumash elaborates on the specific name of the Nesiim, to our great wonderment.

In the Medrash 15:18 we find a striking Chazal. The throne of Hashem rests on Clal Yisroel when they are in a state of unification, what an inspiring and beautiful concept. What about bringing it into the world of reality? We are living in a time of anxious excitement of caring for our brothers but in the raw truth when we get down to the nitty gritty of reality of life there is a tremendous callousness to the sensitivity of the people in the orbit of our relationships. Love mankind—love Clal Yisroel—love your neighbor—love your family, parents and children—are magnificent ideals. To put it into a realistic fulfillment means bother, patience, a disruption of our own comforts and interests, and certainly deserves the throne of Hashem to rest upon us.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas BeHaaloscha (5760)

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Parshas BeHaaloscha (5760)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

An obvious puzzle concerning of parsha is the diversity of subjects. Just the manner of springing from subject to subject calls out: “explain me!”. The appointing of the lighting of the Menora to Aharon and his progenity—the appointing of the Liviim to their positions in the Avoda—Pesach Sheni— the appearance of the Anenei HaKavod— the camping and the movement of Klal Yisroel based on the Anenei HaKavod— the misonanim and the incident of Aharon and Miriam speaking about Moshe Rabbenu.

In the beginning of the Parsha Rashi explains the sequence of placing the menora next to the korbanos of the Nesiim. It was a consolation to Aharon for the great disappointment of not being included in the Chanukas HaNesiim. What is this disappointment about? It is all about yearning and inspiration, an awesome yearning and inspiration to come close and to bask in the light of the Shechina. The lights of the Menora themselves are signs of yearning and inspiration, always trying to “jump” above, to the Shamayim.

The Leviim weren’t just given orders for their holy work. Rashi explains “Kachem BiDevorim”, they have to be inspired to do the avoda with a yearning to come close.

Pesach Sheni which is being given a “second chance” for the magnificent closeness of the korban Pesach, was the answer to the request of the greatly disappointed who had missed the great opportunity. This is a product of yearning and inspiration.

The Anenei HaKavod is a physical manifestation of the Shechina. We can’t imagine the magnitude of this. Hashem sends his Shechina down this way if people yearn for him and are inspired.

To be guided personally and be directed by HaShem in every move is a tremendous zechus. HaShem does this if there is yearning and inspiration to move with Him.

On the flip side of this with regard to the misonanim, the mistaken complainers, Rashi explains “Bikshu Lehiporaid MayHaShem”—this great tragedy came about as a result of the lack of yearning and inspiration.

The mistake that Aharon and Miriam made concerning Moshe Rabbenu came about by not comprehending the great level of yearning and inspiration that Moshe Rabbenu had.

The Ramban at the beginning of the Parsha quotes Rabbenu Nissim that the hadlaka of the Menora is referring to the role that the Kohanim played in the ness of Chanukah which was a result of their great yearning and inspiration.

Hashem should open up our hearts and show us the way to yearn for Him and to be inspired.

Parshas Behaaloscha (5761)

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Parshas Behaaloscha (5761)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

In this week’s sedra we find in the pasuk regarding the chatzotzros (10:5) “Usikatem Teruah  V’nosu Hamachanos Hachonim Kaidma”.  Rashi explains that these unique blasts were sounded to designate that the camps get into the traveling mode.  It was the sound of trumpets blasting tekiah teruah tekiah to the contrast of other sounds that designated the assemby of the Nesi’im or of Klal Yisrael.  These sounds are truly familiar to us—we blow them on Rosh Hashanah.  The concept itself of blowing a horn to signal that a nation should encamp or mobilize was a standard practice. The extreme, striking aspect of this is the nature of the sounds.  Rosh Hashana is the most important day on our calendar.  It is when we declare and commit ourselves to the Malchus Hashem.  We can pinpoint the exact act of proclaiming Hashem as the King of the Universe with the blowing of the shofar.  This may very well be the most important act we do in the whole spectrum of avodas Hashem.  The sounds that we produce to proclaim the Sovereignty of Hashem are tekiah teruah tekiah and they are the sounds that we are commanded to use to announce that we are about to be on our way.  These sounds are extremely meaningful and infinitely deep.  It is said that the most difficult subject in Kabalistic studies including the kisvei Ari Z”l is concerning these sounds.  This reveals to us an amazing new perspective and insight concerning the horn blowing announcing the readiness of Klal Yisroel’s movement and the actual movement itself.

There is a message here indicating the spirituality of the travels of Klal Yisroel.  What can there be about being on the move that can be considered to be on such a high plane?  The answer is that Klal Yisroel’s every step, every movement, is navigated, bound, controlled and regulated by the Ribono Shel Olam Himself through the ananei hakavod.  The thought of this, just keeping to the simplicity of the issue is in itself profound.  The ‘kolos’ are shouting out how important it is.

When this idea is projected to its symbolic implications it magnifies a most important concept in our avodas Hashem and our lives in general.  Everything in our avodas Hashem can be divided into two categories.  One category is individual acts and the second is the general direction, the derech that we take.  It goes without saying that a person must attempt to see that each individual act of his should be of the highest quality. It is imperative that our general derech be in accordance with the will of Hashem.  The converse is likewise true; the biggest tragedy is when the whole derech is wrong.  Of course it is possible for someone on the wrong path to squeeze out a right thing here and there.  The biggest danger is that one can be ‘mehader’ in mitzvos and have something terribly wrong about his derech.  This is the ultimate goal of the yetzer harah—to effectively influence masses with the wrong goals; wholesale catastrophe.  This is echoed in Yeshaya 55:7 which we read on fast days: “Yaazov Rasha Darko”, the wicked should reject and change their path and approach.

On the other side of the coin if a person is on the right path he can fall into the trap of doing something wrong but if his derech is right he will probably get back in line.

Hareini Hashem es Darkecha.