Tag: Emor

Parshas Emor (5771)

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Parshas Emor (5771)

by Mordechai Dolinsky

In our sedra we have the parsha (23:23) of Rosh Hashana, mainly in one pasuk.  The most important day in our calendar, the time of the carnation of the Melech Olam, our commitment to the Kingdom of Hashem; the truth is indeed hidden.

We are living in a time externally speaking it seems to be a time of relative peace and plenty.   However, under the surface there is a need for tremendous rachmei Shomayim.  We should all be mispalel and work on improving all our deeds for zechusim and we should see the true redemption bikarov.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Emor (5770)

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Parshas Emor (5770)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The reason why the Torah distances the Kohanim from their close ones upon losing them, is because of the high level of closeness the Kohanim have to Hashem.

This closeness to Hashem is perhaps the most outstanding and significant ideal to Klal Yisroel.  This is perhaps the connecting point of the diversified issues in our parsha.

How important it is for us to work to keep the awareness of Hashem in our focus and consciousness always.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and a meaningful Lag B’Omer.

Parshas Emor (5769)

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Parshas Emor (5769)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Because of the limitations placed on the Kohanim with regard to relating to their deceased relatives it seems it is a high level not to fall under the mourning of relationships.  Yet human sensitivity is always of the highest priority.  Perhaps once one feels the human closeness it is the highest priority but the level of closeness to Hashem required of the Kohanim should blot out that special human closeness, therefore not requiring the priority of the human relationship.

Parshas Emor (5766)

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Parshas Emor (5766)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

Pesach shaini; it is very unusual for the Torah to give a chance to make it up for those who “missed the boat”.  Most unusual is how the course of events of this Yomtov unraveled.  From the simplicity of the Chumash it would never have come about if not for the assertion and the yearning of Klal Yisroel.  The simplicity amounts to that Hashem would not have given Pesach sheini if not for the asserting of Klal Yisroel.  The lesson is how much Hashem would give us if only we would request or beg for it.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Parshas Emor (5761)

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Parshas Emor (5761)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

In perek 23:24 Rashi mentions that “zichron truah” alludes to the saying of the psukim for Zichronos and Shofros and doesn’t mention Malchios.  Food for thought—I’m sure that there is something beautiful and deep here for the taking.

Today is Lag B’Omer and because of its widespread and elaborate celebration here in Eretz Yisroel it takes on so much more significance. Some say the special meaning of this day goes back to Bayis Sheini when Klal Yisroel was harrassed by the Romans and with great mesiras nefesh successfully repelled them.

It is amazing—on this day that the passing of the 24,000 talmidim of Rabbi Akiva stopped, is the very day that his great talmid R’ Shimon Bar Yochai was niftar.  This is very puzzling.

According to some opinions he wasn’t really niftar on this day. Rather, this was the great day that R’ Akiva embarked on the illustrious task of transmitting the Torah to R’ Shimon. It was the day that R’ Akiva exhibited his tremendous strength to stand up and overcome the grief of losing 24,000 talmidim.  There is tendency to overlook this aspect of the whole episode.  R’ Akiva surely had an intimate connection with all of his talmidim.  They wouldn’t have been called talmidim just because they were enrolled in his Yeshiva.  Just the very thought is mind-boggling; how R’ Akiva survived having experienced so many personal tragedies.  To be able to put the pieces together and continue was just amazing.

An important lesson lies in the great fires; through hashgacha pratis Lag B’Omer is celebrated mainly through the lighting of huge fires. Great fires teach us of the strength that comes from inspiration. The lifting of our spirits provides us with the power to overcome every possible obstacle and gives us the insight to proceed and understand situations and people in the right light.

We should all be zocheh to ‘light up’ and ‘enlighten up’.

Parshas Emor (5760)

Parshas Emor (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The name of the Parsha always has special significance and meaning.  For this parsha we don’t have to dig – “Emor” speech, inspiration to be conscientious and aware of the words that emerge from our mouths.   In the Medrash we find the Chazal elaborate on this theme.  The reinforcement of our values in this area is especially significant in this point of time that we are presently living through.  Our civilization as fallen to the depths.  The true values of the Torah place decent speech in the highest of priority.  Throughout the history of mankind the world at large had a sensitivity and conscientiousness regarding speech.   And the Torah placed on us a crown of glory above the high standards of mankind– a special high level sophistication in being ultra discreet in our choice of words.  I recall from my youth our Rebbes informed us that our language is called Lashon HaKodesh since there isn’t a specific noun for our reproductive organs.  The level attained was so high that even in ordinary speech there was an attempt to always verbalize in a positive manner; “not good” instead of “bad”, “not pure” instead of “tamai”.  To the contrast the coarse, vulgar, depraved use of vocabulary that is prevalent in our world today.  To say nothing of the verbal arsenal of devastating, destructive remarks, comments and general manner of communication.

The importance of the right speech is twofold.  Firstly, it is an end in itself.  This is how Hashem wants us to communicate—it is of the highest priority.  Secondly, the selection of our vocabulary has a profound influence and effect on our whole being.

Let our Parsha be an inspiration to return to the true values, the Torah values of speech and bring with it all the splendid blessings of “Ashreichem V’Tov Lach”.